#275

dear NEW UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM STUDENT Welcome to your new home, away from home, and a huge congratulations on getting through your A-levels and receiving a place at the university of Nottingham.

I vividly remember when I first saw a copy of Impact magazine on campus. I was frantically walking from one lecturer to another, with very little motivation despite only being a month or so into university, and there it was - issue #268 in all its glory. The beautifully crafted cover immediately drew me in and I couldn’t have grabbed a copy quicker than I did. As I read the magazine front to back repeatedly, I became more curious about what this wonderful magazine was all about but, most importantly, how I could get involved, and quickly.

I attended my first meeting for the News section shortly after and I felt so welcomed as soon as I stepped foot in the room. From there, I made it my mission to write for as many sections as I could so that I can find my own style. Seeing my first article published on the site was the craziest feeling ever and I knew I needed more of it. From that, I have met some truly fantastic writers, designers, illustrators, photographers, and marketing and social media wizards through Impact and I couldn’t be more grateful for discovering it that one winter’s day in 2021.

Fast forward to today, as I am writing this for issue #275 as Editor-in-Chief.

I couldn’t be prouder of every single person who helped to create this issue over summer- they’re the dream team. Special thanks to Vivika, our Print editor, for producing our front cover and managing the entire process of putting this thing together.

A huge thank you to Jocey, our Artistic Director, Ed, our Head of Illustrations, and Thomas, our Head of Images, for spending countless hours ensuring each page looks as beautiful as they do. I wish I could name each of the talented editors and writers who worked on this issue but that would take up much more than a page, let me tell you!

Oh, and whilst I am in the mood for reminiscing, Impact reached out to a few of our alumni members who are doing some incredible things within the media industry and you can find that on the next page. It was super insight chatting to Niamh, Lauren, Amrit, Ibrahim, Natasha, and James about how their time at Impact has helped to shape their fascinating careers. I hope by reading about their experiences, you are left feeling inspired to achieve all your own goals and ambitions, regardless of what those may be.

So, reader, we are so excited to welcome you to our society. Whether you’re interested in writing about campus/national/international news, entertainment, lifestyle, sports, reviews or maybe conducting investigations, producing your own podcast, assisting to run our social media accounts, or designing our magazines, there is certainly something for you to get involved with.

It is often taught that university is primarily about graduating with a degree (which is partly true) but I promise you, it is so much more than just that.

Whilst you’re here, I encourage you to expand your horizons and lean into

Yours sincerely, lottie Murray

1

A message from impact alumni Natasha Fernandes (Head of Features 2018)Researcher and Podcast Producer for the BBC World I remember running for Head of Features like it was yesterday. The role came on cue because it was when thoughts about life outside of university started to bubble up—ah, terrify-

Ibrahim Lakhanpal (Film and TV Editor 2019)Content Executive at Amplify Creators

ing. The society started to dominate my life at Notts, from editing pieces for online to writing for print and weirdly featuring on its front cover. One thing I’ll never forget is being a part of the magazine’s first podcast. Funnily enough, making podcasts is what I do for a living now.

To end with a cliché, the magazine definitely had the best *Impact* on my life.

Lauren Mcgaun (Head of News 2021)- Assistant News Editor at ITV News Being part of the Impact Magazine team throughout university was without a doubt one of the biggest highlights of my student experience. It allowed me to form friendships during lockdown when no one could meet up and gave me editorial experience which I couldn’t have got elsewhere. From interviewing to investigations and working closely as a team assigning stories, Impact Magazine taught me so many industry skills which I use in my current job at ITV News. Our media conference also allowed me to network with invaluable industry connections and gave me the confidence to pursue a journalism career.

Impact Magazine really rekindled my love for writing. I started writing film reviews, think pieces, and then - somewhere down the line - I ended up turning my passion for writing into a career as a content marketer. I had a blast as Film & TV editor - one of my highlights at University.

Amrit Virdi (Head of Reviews 2022)- Editorial Graduate at Mark Allen Group Impact will always be one of the reasons why I’ve been able to begin my career in journalism. I joined the magazine with no industry experience, and it was one of the best decisions I have made! I made friends for life through it, and my role as the Head of Reviews gave me invaluable editorial, leadership, writing and teamwork skills which I have applied in my freelance work and studies since. My involvement in student media at UoN stemmed from joining Impact and writing my first review, and I’ve since completed my MA in Magazine Journalism, moving on to do a graduate scheme

James Hurman (Print Editor 2019)- senior marketing executive at The Consultancy Growth Network During my time at Uni, a couple of my friends joined Impact and I thought – “yeah, you know what, my opinion is really important and people will definitely want to read about it!” I was wrong. But… I did fall in love with writing (which was handy, given I studied English). Although I didn’t end up in Journalism, I gained skills and experience that gave me my start in Marketing. (I know, I know – another twenty-something doing Marketing, real original).

But what I learnt was how to project plan, build a content strategy and lead a team of 20 editors and over 170 writers. Guess what – in the real world it’ll be a long time before you get to demonstrate that level of management on your CV. In my interview for my first proper job, I basically spent the whole time talking about what I’d learnt from my time at Impact.

And just to seal the deal, I brought along a few editions that I’d published to show the panel my work – there’s a free tip for how to leave an impression in an interview!

with the Mark Allen Group, working in editorial for their education magazines. To anyone on the fence about joining Impact, do it!

Niamh Robinson (Editor-in-chief 2021) - editorial apprentice at the Telegraph The role Impact has played in my journalistic career really cannot be understated. Working my way up through the committee over three years - from Comment Editor to Head of Features to Editor-in-Chief - gave me the experience necessary to break into the industry. From speaking on major news outlets, to founding an investigations team whose work gained the attention of national media, Impact gave me a springboard to build my industry contacts and my CV. After graduating university, I was offered an apprenticeship at The Telegraph, where I have seen the skills I cultivated as a student stand me in good stead.Quite simply, I cannot stress the value of student journalism enough. There is so much opportunity to be creative, to innovate, to deep dive into topics that interest you and learn how to make them interesting to others too. Impact was the foundation of my journalistic journey, and with determination, commitment and a willingness to challenge yourself in pursuit of your goals, it can become yours too.

2

dear reader We find ourselves, once again, at the start of another academic year, brimming with potential and possibility. With the excitement of new friends, new interests and even a whole new life on the horizon for freshers and the impending career decisions and goodbyes that await our students in their final year of study, September always brings a cocktail of mixed emotions for the upcoming year and what it will bring.

Whether you are new to the University of Nottingham or a returning student, we offer you a warm welcome or welcome back from everyone at Impact and an edition full of wise words of wisdom that will hopefully help with this exciting transition into a new year and maybe even give you something to think about along the way.

With the last few years being increasingly hectic, in this issue, alongside the usual tips and tricks for getting your grips with Nottingham that will, of course, make an appearance we wanted to stop, breathe and take you on a journey of exploration of personal and self-expression.

Seeing this message of self-expression becoming increasingly popular made me think it was about time this was approached from the unique perspective of students and via our diverse range of sections, that’s exactly what our incredible writers have done.

Features focuses on discussions around the roles of political identities and entities in our past and future. Lifestyle looks at our individuality when it comes to our life decisions and the science and history that brought humanity to where it is. Entertainment’s explorations of music, movies and gaming present a beautiful case for how these creative outlets and influences shape us. Sport studies the way the industry is developing and the social and cultural changes that are driving this.

In collaboration with the students of UoN, this edition features a gorgeous collection of photos displaying the rich beauty in the way cultural fashion ties into the way individuals relate to themselves and their history in how they express themselves.

Within this issue, you will also find guides for (mostly) everything a student might need whether that’s an introduction to the various sports teams gracing the city, some easy recipes to get you started with cooking alone for the first time or an expert overview of which clubs will match your music taste.

Not to mention, our in-depth Investigation exploring how to stay safe as a student and our Reviews section providing a thorough guide to some of the best venues when it comes to the city’s theatre and cinema scene.

Whether in the pages of student advice, the pages of interesting takes and explanations or the pages in between, I hope this packed edition will gift with you some guidance and food for thought to take along with you.

Impact love, Your Print Editor, vivika sahajpal

3

Contents features Charisma: How This Superpower Is Changing the World of Politics 5-6 Katharina Sharma United Fronts: Let’s Talk Unions 7-8 Amelie Broaden Impact’s Guide to Managing Your Money 9-10 Anne Boyne

Lifestyle Combatting the ‘I Want to Drop Out of Uni And See the World’ Mentality 11-12 Lottie Murray Taking a Step Into the Past: The Oldest Homo Sapien Footprint 13 Ella Pilson The Science Behind Vaping 14 Hattie Rothwell-Inch Impact’s Student Friendly Recipes 15-16 Anne Boyne & Holly Philpott Cultural & contemporary; UoN’s symphony of style 17-20 Vivika Sahajpal

Entertainment Changing the Tune: How my Music Taste Has Evolved at University 21-22 Izzy Morris Impact’s Guide to Navigating the Nottingham Clubbing Scene 23-24 Ellie-Mae Davies Love Letters 25 Christy Clark & Ed Farley Adding Comfort to the Chaos: The Shows Which Keep Me Coming Back 26 Hattie Rothwell-Inch Fictional Facades of Higher Education 27-28 Natalie Howarth Personal expression Through Body Art 29-30 Olivia Hannant Worldbuilding as Escapism 31-32 Alyana Fatima

reviews Critics Recommend 33-34 Nottingham’s Thespians and Theatrics 35 Natalie Howarth Nottingham’s Silver Screen 36 Josie Fowler

Investigation

Impact Investigates Theft in Nottingham 37-40

sport The Rising Media Coverage of Women’s Sport Olivia Hughes 41-42 Canada, Corndogs and Commercialising Cricket’s Cousin Vinay Patel 43-44 Limbs, Tension and Rivalries: Nottingham Sport in a Nutshell Vivika Sahajpal, James Hadland, Ayman Ahmer & Vinay Patel 45-46

uon creative writing 47-48

4

CHARISMA: How This Superpower

By Katharina Sharma

features

Discussions of charismatic leaders tend to be cautionary tales.

Today, discussions of charisma feel especially relevant, with politicians having a stronger presence on social media aiming to charm and persuade voters. At the same time, the increasing emphasis on individualism (especially in Western democracies) places a high value on leaders’ charisma. Impact’s Katharina Sharma explores how the debate surrounding charisma as a political tool has intensified over the years.

“Charismatic leaders usually emerge in periods of suffering and appeal to revolutionary ideas.”

To grasp the implications of charisma as a political superpower, it is worth consulting with some of the most prominent theories in the field. Max Weber, an influential German sociologist in the late 20th and early 21st century, first popularised the concept of ‘charismatic leadership’, in which an individual’s charisma legitimises their claim to power. Weber defines charisma as the ‘quality that makes an individual seem extraordinary’ and in possession of ‘exceptional powers’.

5

Whilst charisma in politicians is associated chiefly with right-wing authoritarianism, Nye emphasises that leaders with largely positive receptions, such as Nelson Mandela, Mahatma Gandhi, and Martin Luther King utilise it too.

Recently, this includes Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine.

International trips and passionate speeches in which he portrays physical strength, courage, and resolve to defend Ukraine and democracies, are his primary means of securing support, including from the UK. The Spectator reports that Rishi Sunak, otherwise known for neglecting foreign policy, has ‘fallen for Zelensky’s Charm’, enhancing the government’s support for Ukraine’s military efforts.

Charismatic leaders usually emerge in periods of suffering and appeal to revolutionary ideas. Adolf Hitler is a classic example of this: Emerging during a period of economic depression, he utilised extensive propaganda to portray himself as the ‘chosen one’. Thereby he convinced the public of his ability to defend Germany from its enemies, enabling his rise to power.

Influenced by Weber’s work, Joseph S. Nye argued that charismatic leadership is essential to harnessing ‘soft power’; the ability to influence others through the force of attraction, rather than forceful coercion.

Nye links charisma to possessing advanced communication skills, confidence, appearance (found to be especially decisive for women leaders) and the ability to convince others of your vision.

Donald Trump is a contemporary embodiment of a visionary charismatic leader. His mission to ‘make America great again’, combined with attacks on those he labels as threatening his vision, evokes mass support by emotionally resonating with the public.

“… the emergence of charisma as a political superpower is undoubtedly reason for concern.”

Through his major success in utilising his charisma both internationally and nationally, it seems almost forgotten that he was unpopular and considered unlikely for re-election before the outbreak of war, largely due to his faltering anti-corruption policies. This shows how citizens primarily desire charismatic leadership in times of crisis.

is Changing The World of Politics Illustrations by Ed Farley

However, the ability charisma holds in legitimising power is limited.

Weber believes that charismatic leaders must provide proof of their proclaimed abilities, or they will eventually be removed from power.

Tony Blair exemplifies this phenomenon.

During his campaign and early premiership, his charisma aided him in achieving many of his goals, such as his successes in the Northern Ireland conflict. However, his over-reliance on establishing legitimacy through a positive media image, an onslaught of new government initiatives which were scarcely implemented, combined with scandals over Iraq, eventually led to his demise.

Psychologist Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic highlights a connection between displays of confidence and charisma. Since over-confidence and hubris are more commonly found in men than women globally, they are commonly mistaken as more capable leaders. Not only does this lead to the underrepresentation of women, but also to the frequent appointment of incompetent leaders.

As Chamorro-Premuzic explains, ‘arrogance and overconfidence are inversely related to leadership talent’, with (in Chamorro-Premuzic’s view) modest behaviours, such as humility, linked to the emotional intelligence necessary to inspire citizens; a quality which helps enable them to recognise and strive for the common good.

Despite some limitations of what leaders can achieve based purely on their charisma, it is undeniably a political superpower: it serves to unite and inspire people under revolutionary ideas and mobilise mass support, whether for better or for worse.

features

Despite these limitations, the emergence of charisma as a political superpower is undoubtedly reason for concern. Experts on leadership and charisma warn that support for charismatic leaders is grounded in emotional sentiment and idealisations of leaders, rather than shared values, beliefs, or reason.

Supported by individuals’ personal attachment to them, these leaders possess enhanced leeway to break norms and taboos and implement revolutionary practices, which tend to result in authoritarianism.

A further danger of increases in charismatic leadership is that it advantages certain groups, regardless of their leadership capabilities.

Professor Jessica Flanigan, whose work centres on the ethics of leadership, concludes that ethnic minorities are disadvantaged, with white men being perceived as more charismatic than Asian men. Certain appearance traits also matter, with tall people generally viewed as more charismatic.

“…it advantages certain groups, regardless of their leadership capabilities”

However, in any given context dominated by a charismatic leader, reason suffers, and our values and morals come under threat. It is crucial to acknowledge the immense power charisma holds when it is time to turn to the ballot boxes.

6

United Fronts:

features

“... trade unions play a vital role in the working conditions and lives of workers, safeguarding their rights and shaping labour policies.”

Unions in Britain have historically occupied a pivotal and prominent position within the nation’s social and economic landscape, ardently safeguarding workers’ rights, resisting and defending exploitation.

Impact’s Amelia Brodgen explores the origins of modern Unions, the contemporary significance of unions in Britain, and the development of student’s unions.

The origins of modern unions in Britain can be traced back to the late 18th and early 19th century, a period that witnessed the Great Industrial Revolution’s rapid growth and transformation of traditional work.

The shift from agrarian-based to industrialised economies marked the emergence of factories and mass production, employing the rapid demand for vast numbers of workers. These changes often subjected its workers to deplorable working conditions and meagre wages.

In response to these hardships, workers began organising themselves into groups, strong in numbers, to collectively demand better treatment from their employers.

Despite initial challenges, the early 20th century saw a resurgence of union activity. The formation of the Labour Representation Committee (LRC), provided political representation to the working class.

This ultimately led to the development of significant reforms, including the Trade Disputes Act of 1906, and the Trade Union Act of 1913.

7

“From the rapid demanding days of the industrial revolution to the present, trade unions have been at the forefront of securing rights and fair treatment of their workers” Noteworthy unions such as UNISON, UNITE, GMB, and the Communication Workers Union (CWU), represent workers across equally important and diverse sectors, including public services, manufacturing, transportation, and communication.

Union membership has declined since the 1980s. This decline reflects a shift in the employment structure of Britain, switching from primary and manufacturing jobs to jobs within the service sector, which has seen enormous growth. This sector includes the retail sector, the financial sector, the public sector, business administration, leisure and cultural activities.

The service industries accounted for 79% of the total UK economic output in April 2023 and 83% of employment in January-March 2023.

In contemporary Britain, trade unions play a vital role in the working conditions and lives of workers, safeguarding their rights and shaping labour policies. With the leverage of strength in numbers, unions are able to engage in negotiations with employers to secure fair wages, job security, and improved working conditions. Importantly, they act as a watchful eye to ensure compliance with labour laws and rightfully advocate for social justice.

Their collective efforts have led to significant accomplishments, such as the introduction of the National Minimum Wage and the protection of workers’ rights during periods of economic uncertainty. More recently, the National Education Union (NEU) and several other teaching unions have collectively accepted the government’s recent pay rise offer of 6.5% as of Monday 31st July.

Within the realm of British unions, the Students’ Union represents another crucial position in representing educational and social needs. These bodies serve as the official representation of students within universities and higher educational institutions, advocating for their interests and mental and physical welfare. Student unions provide an accessible platform for students to have a voice amongst the crowd of university culture. It allows them to engage and enter into democratic processes and organise or take part in events and activities for themselves and others to socialise and enjoy.

Let’s talk Unions

By Amelie Brogden

“Student unions provide an accessible platform for students to have a voice amongst the crowd of university culture”

The Students’ Union movement in Britain boasts a long-standing history, with its roots dating back to the 19th century. The first recorded students’ union dates back to the early 19th century at the Universities of Cambridge, Oxford, and Edinburgh, with its primary aim being to provide a social and recreationally rewarding space for students to share and express themselves.

Throughout the years, student unions have changed to become influential bodies that champion student interests and concerns at the heart of the university experience.

Presently, student unions are integral components of universities, offering a wide range of services and support to students. They actively participate in shaping university policies, engage in decision-making processes, and cultivate vibrant and comfortable campus environments.

Student unions also advocate for various causes, including affordable education, inclusivity, and mental health support alongside Gp and health services. A noteworthy example is the National Union of students (NUS), which serves as the collective voice of students across the country, influencing policymakers and advocating for changes which positively impact students’ lives beyond their time in education.

In discussion of academic and welfare related challenges, Nottingham’s Student Union is a shining example of a union making a positive impact both on and off campus. UoNSU actively advocates for student interests, welfare, and academic experiences, ensuring that every student feels like an integral part of the community.

Student voices should be heard, the union never fails to inform students of the latest campus news, including the more light-hearted news of upcoming thrift sales and food popups, and the more difficult educational news such as teacher strikes, marking boycotts and how these will challenge or interrupt students’ lives. The student union fosters an enriched sense of community and camaraderie among students during the highs and lows of student life that goes beyond education.

features

“The student union fosters an enriched sense of community and camaraderie among students during the highs and lows of student life that goes beyond education.”

The role of unions in Britain have played an enduring and multifaceted role, shaped by their historical origins and contemporary ongoing significance. From the rapid demanding days of the industrial revolution to the present, trade unions have been at the forefront of securing rights and fair treatment of their workers. Despite these changes over time, unions continue to play an important role today, for example with the Students’ Union emergence as vital advocates for student welfare; fostering a sense of community and affinity within universities.

Collectively, unions in Britain remain pivotal pillars of the nation’s democratic framework, ceaselessly striving for fair treatment, equitable opportunities, and a better quality of life for all. As society continues to evolve, unions will undoubtedly adapt to meet new challenges.

Student unions will remain essential to the collective growing interests of expression and advocate for a just and equitable student life, which will form the blueprint of the next generation of students, forming a better society for all.

8

£

IMPACT’s GUIDE

Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

YOUR Budgeting at university can often seem very overwhelming. For most people, it’s the first time they’ve had to manage numerous expenses for themselves. Whilst adapting to a brand new environment, especially in first year, it can be easy to lose track and be left with a small amount of money remaining until your next student loan drops. So here are some of Impact’s top tips to help you stay money-savvy.

Planning food shops

features

Planning your meals for the upcoming week might not be the most time or financially efficient option. This doesn’t take into account your cravings, spontaneous plans or making the most of leftovers. Instead, it might work better to plan a few meals for the week. Writing a list of the meals and foods you eat every week will mean you avoid over or under-buying.

More importantly, this will help avoid trips to local convenience shops like Sainsbury’s Local and Tesco Express where items are significantly marked up. A recent study found that regularly shopping at these local stores instead of bigger supermarkets could mean spending an extra £15.73 a week on everyday items.

£

Finding part-time work

While at university, extra income can go a long way and for many a part-time job is a necessity.

Finding a job affiliated with the university might be the best option for some students as they tend to be much more accommodating to your university schedules, deadlines, and exams. Whether that be working at Portland Coffee, with the Residential Experience (ResX) team or as a Student Ambassador, there are plenty of options available to look out for.

Similarly working for student events like Crisis and Ocean is a great option - from being a rep, bar staff or part of the social media team. It can be really fun work and often you’ll even get free access to the event after work has finished.

£ 9

By Anna Boyne

MONEY

£

The early bird catches the worm The start of the academic year can be an expensive period. But if you have some savings in place to buy the cheaper deals in September, it is often much more financially viable in the long run.

Take, for example, the UoN Sport membership which usually offers an early bird deal. Included in the membership is access to gyms across three UoN campuses, a huge range of exercise classes, and court hire.

The BUCS UNIversal scheme also allows you access to university gyms when you return to your home city for the holidays. If you know you’ll make good use of the membership, it’s definitely worth buying as soon as you can.

Public transport is your best friend Although it may seem like another big expense at the start of the academic year, the NCTX student bus pass can be a lifesaver, especially when faced with Lenton Hill on a cold and rainy day. NCTX also offers alternatives like bulk buying tickets or the Easyrider travel card so you can always find what works best for you.

Even if you have the option of taking a car to university, it could be easier and cheaper to leave it at home. Not only will you avoid housemates asking for lifts, you’ll also avoid the lack of student parking on campus, the costs of a Lenton parking permit and the insane petrol prices.

Most students have probably heard of the 16-25 railcard which costs just £30 for a year and can save 1/3 on rail travel; but another option that’s worth considering for travelling across the country is coaches because, although journeys are usually longer, the prices are much cheaper.

£

£

£

Managing expenses online

If it’s always you who books the taxi or buys the toilet roll, Splitwise is the best way to stay on top of the money you may be owed. By creating a group and adding your shared purchases, the app will calculate who owes what to who and splits all utilities equally. The only downside is that there are no in-app payments, so it’s ultimately down to you and your housemates to make sure all expenses are settled.

Modern banks like Revolut and Monzo are entirely online, and their builtin budgeting and money management features make them ideal for students. Both have savings pots features which allow users to separate money within the main account.

This is ideal for saving towards multiple goals or staying on track with different expenses.

Checking your balance regularly As daunting as it may be to look at your bank balance after a night out, it’s important to know how much is left of your budget. Whether you use a spreadsheet or even just your notes app, check regularly where you may have overspent and adjust your weekly budget as necessary.

£

£

£

features

£

TO MANAGING

Ignorance is bliss, but suddenly finding yourself deep into your overdraft is not such an attractive prospect.

£

10

Combatting the ‘I want to drop out

By Lottie Murray

Lifestyle

People in my life often ask me why I chose to go to university. After all, there is “so much debt involved”, and I’d be lying if I said I haven’t asked myself that question regularly as well. I usually respond by saying that university has been much more than simply receiving a grade on a piece of paper after three years (minimum) of study. Although people primarily come to university to be awarded with a degree in their chosen area, moving cities/countries/continents completely changes a person’s life. Impact’s Lottie Murray explores the feeling of resentment many students feel towards their decision to study at university.

“When I was feeling trapped and unmotivated, I took the leap and fully emerged myself in lots of societies” I often think back to that feeling of dread and uncertainty on A-Level results day, constantly refreshing the page and dramatically waiting for those three letters to come through which would determine my plan for the next three years. With a lot of uncertainty across my year group, and some of my closest friends already planning their upcoming year to be full of intriguing excursions in different parts of the world, I remained certain that university was the only option on my radar.

As soon as I arrived at my new home in Nottingham, I couldn’t quite comprehend that I had made it to university and that my life was about to change forever.

There were so many ups and downs (even just in the very first week) but having my flatmates to experience it with made the transition so much easier. I truly believe that the connections I made during Freshers Week are ones that will stick around for the rest of my life. Without the friends I have made along the way, my entire experience would be entirely different.

11

During my first year at university, I was fortunate enough to be able to travel alongside my studies. I mean a £16 return Ryanair flight to Venice should hardly go amiss, right?

For as long as I can remember, it was not a question that I wanted to study at university. Although the application process was not entirely smooth for me in terms of which school I would attend, I felt that I was in a place in my life where I wanted to gain independence and expand my academic knowledge. My high school and college had subtly promoted attending university since I was a child and I was regularly inspired by social media posts from my family friends’ graduations, which further sparked my desire to achieve a degree for myself.

At the beginning of my second year, I hit a wall and I felt incredibly overwhelmed. I wasn’t receiving the grades I wanted, I was working far too many hours at my part-time job, and I really missed home. I didn’t want to be in Nottingham anymore. This all came down to the envy I felt about not being able to ‘start my life’ and see the world.

I developed the mindset that I could easily do my coursework from anywhere and I tried my best to balance both of the things I wanted to do (obviously on a lower scale). Of course, my naivety didn’t have the best outcome and I started neglecting my university work and consequently I hugely struggled to find the right balance between the two.

best friend from home decided to “I truly believe that My reject her university offer and follow some of the connections a different path – travelling the world with only her backpack. She has visitI made during Freshers ed so many incredible places around world and I couldn’t be prouder of Week are ones that will the her for not conforming to stupid sociexpectations around university and stick around for the etal instead making her own dreams come true: the entire world is her classroom! rest of my life”

of uni and see the world’ Mentality Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

“My feed is constantly filled with travel content and I would love nothing more than to be out of the miserable weather and instead snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef”

When I was feeling trapped and unmotivated, I took the leap and fully emerged myself in lots of societies. Before this, I felt as though I didn’t have any distinct passions and this was highlighted in the millions of introductions I was doing during freshers. Not only did joining societies such as Impact, URN and Amnesty reignite my passion for writing and communication, it also allowed me to rediscover who I truly am as a person. Although my university journey isn’t quite over yet, I can confidently say that I have met people through societies who will stay in my life forever.

I still frequently miss home and my life before university – and I have even questioned if I made the right decision to come here at all – but university has been much more than just studying Theology.

I remain filled with gratitude for earning my place here and being offered so many incredible opportunities (such as writing this piece right now). While a lot can happen in three years, it truly isn’t that long in the grand scheme of things and it is important not to take it for granted.

I have learnt that comparing your post A-Level decisions to anyone from your sixth form/college cohort is not productive. I am truly convinced that everyone can make what they want out of their own life, although it will take time. The world truly is your oyster if you want it to be – even if you are currently based in Nottingham!

It’s possible that people from year 12/13 may have already visited every country in the world before I have even begun, but I’ve found peace with that reality.

I am especially proud of how she reminds everyone in her life that backpacking isn’t always how it is portrayed by influencers on social media. While she is so courageous and full of gratitude for her ability to experience living in various places throughout the year , she has struggled through the same feelings I have had, as a student. After all, struggle is part of what makes us human!

A lot of my reservations about university over the past two years came down to the constant comparison that social media promotes. My feed is constantly filled with travel content and I would love nothing more than to be out of the miserable weather and instead snorkelling in the Great Barrier Reef. This comparison led to me associating university with feelings of restriction and confinement.

Lifestyle

Life at university, like any other decision, will inevitably ebb and flow but I feel reassured that both my friend and I chose the right option for ourselves. Wouldn’t life be dull if we all made the exact same decisions?

“Although my university journey isn’t quite over yet, I can confidently say that I have met people through societies who will stay in my life forever”

12

Taking a Step Into The Past: The Oldest homo Sapien Footprint

By Ella Pilson

Illustrations by Ed Farley

Lifestyle

A curious thing happens when you look at an object from the past, whether this be a fossil, an ancient engraving or hydroliths etched inside an Egyptian pyramid. A flow of energy and connection fills you, encouraging you to see your life not as a single thing but as part of a long chain of events. In that one moment, the stretch between the world of our ancestors and ours doesn’t seem too distant. And one such experience was to be found on the sunny dunes of Garden Route National Park, South Africa, where in the spring of this year, a 153,000 year old homo sapien footprint was discovered.

The homo sapien species is one of the earliest human forms. It’s well known that humans came from chimpanzees, but what you may not know is that these early humans separated into 20 different species known as hominins. Most of these went extinct, whilst others evolved. The ancestors of the current human species evolved from the only group that survived - the homo sapien species. This is the closest to the modern human, becoming the point where certain physical and behavioural characteristics separated, such as bipedality (the ability to walk on two legs).

“there is While there is some debate amongst something truly palaeontologists about distinguishing homo sapiens from earlier hominin spemagical about cies, with the help of fossils and molecuthe potential for lar data, there has been some agreement that this is where humans detached from a little piece of their earlier form. One of the most faand complete pieces of evidence ourselves to mous of this was found in Ethiopia – a hominin survive for of the species Australopithecus afarenThis rare footprint, published in the thousands of sis. journal ‘Ichnos’, uncovers more of this years and to be ancient world. It was dated using a methknown as optically-stimulated lumigazed upon by the od nescence, cleverly using light to reveal next evolved how long this imprint had been buried. secret of its longevity lay within a parspecies” The ticular type of rock known as aeolianites which acted as a natural cast in the dune.

13

These early ‘humans’ and those that followed actually show evidence of having their own distinct lifestyles. An early European form of Homo Sapiens called Cro-Magnons have been shown to have made markings on bone plaques similar to the lunar calendar, When collaborated alongside other evidence from the same time period and area (stone tools, art and jewellery), it confirms that these were areas where early modern humans not only survived and evolved, but truly thrived. They show signs of travel, spreading to other continents, hunting and harvesting shellfish, offering hope for discoveries in the future which could potentially date back to more than two million years ago. This has revealed even more about this species and the landscapes in which they lived.

“one of the most famous and complete pieces of evidence of this was found in Ethiopia – a hominin of the species Australopithecus afarensis” But as a history student, what I find so mesmerising is not simply the age of this imprint or its scientific value, but the connection it induces. I think we get a sense of something far bigger than ourselves.

There is something truly magical about the potential for a little piece of ourselves to survive for thousands of years and to be gazed upon by the next evolved species.

As a species we have moved fast – this footprint therefore also serves as a reminder of how young we are as a species.

And of course, it raises questions about our future – with science becoming more sophisticated and advanced, and with artificial intelligence becoming an everyday feature of our lives, perhaps something more man-made or robotic will replace these seemingly simple tracks?

With each new discovery, we need to dig deeper and re-examine, not only our lives now, but the legacies we leave behind.

the science behind vaping

By Harriet Rothwell-Inch

Recent years have seen a significant rise in the popularity of vaping, particularly among teenagers and young people. According to the UK charity Action on Smoking and Health (ASH), the use of vapes by under 18s has increased by up to 50% year on year.

And yet, research into the long-term effects of vaping is still in its infancy.

E-cigarettes, also known as vapes, are small, battery-powered devices that enable the inhalation of nicotine as a vapour rather than as smoke. Originally invented to serve as an alternative to conventional smoking, e-cigarettes have become a very popular “stop-smoking” aid in the UK as they do not burn tobacco. Instead, vape pens work by heating an e-liquid containing nicotine, flavourings and other chemicals, vaporising it into airborne droplets or aerosol particles which are then inhaled.

The primary ingredients in e-liquids are propylene glycol and vegetable glycerol. These colourless, odourless and syrupy chemicals are often used as food additives because of their ability to make things taste better, look nicer and last longer. They’re also common ingredients in cosmetic products, cleaning products, and medicines. So, while consuming these specific chemicals is technically safe, inhaling them is another story.

Medical professionals are concerned about the long-term consequences of vaping on the respiratory and cardiovascular systems. Not just because of the wide gaps in the research surrounding the inhalation of the chemical components in e-cigarettes, but also because of their addictive qualities.

According to health experts, long-term exposure to nicotine can not only lead to an increased heart rate and blood pressure, because the chemical is absorbed into our bloodstream, but is also particularly bad for developing brains.

This makes the rising number of children taking up vaping even more concerning.

The legal limit for nicotine-containing vapes in the UK is 2% (20mg of nicotine per millimetre of e-liquid), and yet “illegal” vapes containing at least 50% over this limit have been found available for purchase across the country. Despite laws in place that ban the selling of nicotine-containing products to under-18s, the number of teenagers with access to these illegal vapes is astonishing.

The BBC have previously outlined that a large number of vapes being confiscated from secondary school students were illegal, and when tested, were found to contain dangerously high levels of lead, nickel, and chromium. Prolonged exposure to such chemicals can seriously affect the central nervous system and brain development.

“Prolonged exposure to such chemicals can seriously affect the central nervous system and brain development.”

Lifestyle

“while consuming these specific chemicals is technically safe, inhaling them is another story.”

Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

However, with vape shops on every corner, hundreds of flavour varieties, and attractive, brightly coloured packaging, are we really all that surprised at the rate with which vaping has gained popularity among the younger generations?

Despite the risks and the unknown longterm impacts on our physical health, vaping is more popular than ever. While healthcare professionals stand by the positive applications of vaping to help people quit smoking, there is wide agreement that vaping can be just as addictive as traditional cigarettes – the only issue is that they’re unsure of just how dangerous it could be for our health. More cases of serious lung injuries as a result of e-cigarette use are appearing every day, and it is clear that more research into these detrimental health effects is needed.

14

IMPACT’S STUDENT FRIENDLY RECIPES Overnight Oats

By Anna Boyne

Lifestyle

It’s true when they say that “breakfast is the most important meal of the day” – a good breakfast, or lack thereof, can be the difference between making it through a long day of lectures or crashing and going home before you even make it to lunch.

I’d really recommend opting for frozen berries as a topping because they’re so much cheaper than buying fresh and just as delicious when they defrost overnight.

Being both vegan and doing lots of sport at university, I’m conscious of my protein intake, and eating nutritious, filling meals - all while balancing a hectic schedule consisting of 9am lectures and early morning training.

Ingredients

Overnight oats are my go-to breakfast. You can meal-prep multiple at once, with varied toppings to keep it interesting every day of the week. They can also be made in tupperware containers and eaten on the go (thus, maximising the much-needed sleep time).

Topping suggestions: Frozen raspberries or forest fruits Banana Nut butter Biscoff spread Nuts and seeds

Cheesy Pasta Bake

Ingredients

By Holly Philpott

Okay, I know — students have a reputation for surviving off pasta. But is that such a bad thing? This one-pan cheesy pasta dish can be bulked out with spare vegetables and grilled — yes, you read right, grilled — to give that oven-baked texture, but in much less time!

15

Oats are surprisingly high in protein and they’re a slow-releasing carbohydrate so they keep me satiated for hours. Even vegan soya yoghurts are a great source of protein and give the oats a lovely thick texture.

40g oats 4 tbsp yoghurt A splash of milk An optional squeeze of maple syrup

Enough pasta for a single serving - whichever pasta you prefer!

1 bag of fine green beans- use as many or as little as you like! You could also use another green instead, such as broccoli.

2 tbsp Plain flour 150ml milk - I use semi-skimmed milk but use whichever milk you have at home.

60-70g cheese, grated - this is the same as above, choose whatever variety of cheese you prefer! My personal preference is cheddar.

Salad, to serve Method Preheat your hob to medium-high and boil a kettle of water.

Once hot, add your pasta and green beans to a saucepan and pour in the boiled water. .

Method Simply add the oats, yoghurt, and milk to a bowl or container and give it a mix. Add frozen fruits, then pop them in the fridge overnight. In the morning add extra toppings and enjoy!

Put the saucepan on the hob and cook the pasta for the time specified on the packaging (typically 12-13 minutes) Once finished, drain your pasta in the sink.

Preheat the grill in your oven.

Add your milk, grated cheese and plain flour to the saucepan (the flour helps to thicken the sauce). Stir thoroughly to ensure that the cheese melts and the flour is incorporated.

Once the cheese has melted through and you have a pasta sauce, turn off the hob.

Take your plate for serving and put as much of the pasta on the plate as you like. Place the plate under the grill for 3-4 minutes, until you can see the sauce bubble and the top of the pasta looks slightly browned. Turn off the grill and remove the plate carefully with oven gloves.

Serve up with salad and enjoy!

ICE CREAM SUNDAE Who says eating ice cream has to end when autumn closes the curtains on summer’s sunny evenings? One of the easiest sweet treats to whip up in your kitchen is ice cream! It’s something I’ve loved to make for a long time. It requires just one mixing bowl, two key ingredients that can be made vegan, and whatever toppings you want.

By Holly Philpott Ingredients: for a vanilla ice cream

Suggestions for customisation:

600ml double cream (or vegan alterna- 1. Biscuit blitz: tive) if you want to add a bit of a crunch to 397ml/1 tin of condensed milk (or vegan your ice cream, why not try adding bisalternative) cuits to your ice cream before freezing, such as Oreos or Biscoff? If you wanted Method to add even more Biscoff flavour, folding through Biscoff spread would add Pour your cream and condensed milk even more sweetness! into a large mixing bowl, and whisk the two together. With an electric whisk, 2. Chocolate brownie bliss: this should take a few minutes, but if Buy yourself a box of fudge brownies, you’re whisking by hand it may take a bit cut each piece in half and fold them longer, but it’ll definitely be a good arm through the ice cream mixture. When workout! You’ll know when the mixture is pouring the ice cream into the container ready, as it will have turned into an even to freeze, why not pour some ice cream colour and will be much thicker in tex- chocolate sauce on top and swirl it ture. through for an extra chocolate rush?

That’s all you need to do for a vanilla ice Enjoy this quick and delicious dessert! cream! If you want to, customise it now (there are some suggestions below), and then pour the mixture into a suitable container for freezing, for at least a few hours (preferably overnight).

Lifestyle

Crumble Girl

By Anna Boyne

A few weeks into my second year, my Serves 8 housemate had been saying how much she 20 mins prep missed her mum’s crumble. So, for her birth- 40 mins baking day, I surprised her with an apple crumble Ingredients: which was made using her mum’s recipe.

This involved some stealthy behaviour on my Crumble: part: getting in contact with her mum, re- 340g plain flour ceiving a picture of the handwritten recipe, 230g unsalted butter and then proceeding to make the crumble in 230g soft light brown sugar A pinch of salt the very kitchen we shared!

Method First, preheat the oven to 180 Grab a bowl and add all the crumble ingredients, softening the butter a little in the microwave if needed.

Rub the ingredients between your fingertips until you get what looks like claggy breadcrumbs.

Next, place the apples, sugar and cinnamon My housemate was genuinely so overjoyed. Filling: It became a staple of my second year house 6 apples peeled and cut into 1cm cubed in an oven-proof dish and give it a mix. and even earned me the nickname ‘Crumble pieces Sprinkle the crumble mix on top, then add a Girl’ amongst my housemate’s family.

110g brown sugar little more cinnamon.

1 tsp cinnamon It’s super easy to make and the perfect Bake for 40 minutes or until the fruit is soft dessert to share with friends. It can also and juicy. be adapted to use seasonal produce (i.e., whatever is the cheapest at that time), and My housemate loves it served with cold made vegan by using an alternative to the custard, but it’s also great with cream or ice butter. cream In the colder autumnal months, as home sickness starts to kick in, there’s no better remedy than this recipe.

16

CHANGING THE TUNE: HOW MY MUSIC TASTE HAS EVOLDED AT UNIVERSITY

By Izzy Morris

Entertainment

University changes and reshapes a lot of things in a student’s life, even small things, such as one’s music taste. Impact’s Izzy Morris speaks about how her music taste has evolved whilst living in a city with major musical influence.

21

Funnily enough, I’m writing this article in the queue to see The Last Dinner Party – Brixton’s baroque-pop darlings taking the world by storm through wordof-mouth accounts of their live performances. Tonight, they’re putting on a sold-out show at Nottingham’s Bodega; my go-to destination for hidden gems and exciting breakthrough prospects.

Since arriving in Nottingham in my first year, I’ve fallen head over heels for a whole host of talents that have graced the Bodega stage; Wunderhorse, Lynks, Bartees Strange, Panic Shack, Piri & Tommy… I could easily fill an entire magazine raving about them all.

Being from Leicester, I was no stranger to the magic of Nottingham’s music scene growing up – so many of my formative musical memories have been created in the city’s wide range of venues. These memories made the city an obvious choice as my ideal university destination. Living in this city as a student has allowed me to fully immerse myself in everything the city has to offer.

From the carpets of JT Soar, a multi-purpose DIY recording studio, rehearsal space and venue, to the mammoth productions on show at the Motorpoint Arena, there’s a venue for every size welcoming artists from across the musical spectrum and across the globe every single night. It’s a blessing and a curse – it’s rare to see a week in my calendar where there’s not a gig that I’m trying to get to.

“Living in this city as a student has allowed me to fully immerse myself in everything the city has to offer” You don’t even have to venture into the city to get your fix, with what’s on offer on campus. The University Chamber Choir and Philharmonic Orchestra can satisfy any classical cravings, and there are a whole host of musical societies putting on events all the time, from Bandsoc to Musicality, A Cappella to Blowsoc. With SB Fest and Mooch Live offering incredible student talent too, there are so many opportunities to hear something new, I’ve probably not even scratched the surface myself yet.

I’m sure it will come as no surprise that my musical horizons have absolutely been broadened since coming to Nottingham, whether that be through traversing different venues in search of exciting new discoveries during Beat the Streets festival or dancing the night away at University Radio Nottingham’s Soundsystem DJ events. I’ve had the time of my life at so many of these events, and these will be some of the memories I cherish the most when I look back on my time here.

I started university heavily leaning towards all things alternative, with alt rock and alt pop artists dominating my listening habits.

Illustrations by Ed Farley

While this may still be the case, my playlists have become a lot more colourful, and a lot more diverse – there’s been so much to get excited about, and so much of it has shaken up my perspective on what alternative even is. It’s so much more than just being left-of-centre, and there are so many different shades of alternative within that umbrella to dive into.

The biggest change since moving to Nottingham has been the sheer exposure I’ve had to new things. First of all, you move to a new city with thousands of other students from all over the country and indeed across the globe, all with their own personal tastes and experiences. For example, I have a friend who is a massive fan of Korean soul and hiphop, and has introduced me to a lot of artists that I would not have naturally come across in my day-to-day life. Another friend has encouraged me to dive even deeper into my heavier stuff, and has accompanied me in many mosh pits.

“With SB Fest and Mooch Live offering incredible student talent too, there’s so many opportunities to hear something new”

I mean, there has, of course, been stuff that I haven’t been interested in that people have turned me towards (my housemate has STILL not managed to get me to enjoy The Smiths), but that’s only led to interesting conversations and debates about music. It’s allowed me to develop my taste, share my favourites and at times has encouraged me to address my potential genre biases.

It’s so easy to be resistant to genres you’ve barely dipped your toes into, but getting exposed to new music and new experiences while forming these new friendships at university makes it so much easier. Talking about music has been such a great icebreaker for me in so many situations, and there’s nothing quite like getting to wax lyrical about your favourite band to someone new.

“Throw yourself in.

Try that new artist you’re not quite sure about”

Going into my third and final year at university, I’m so excited for the expansions my playlists will surely undergo before I leave. I’ve still never been to Peggy’s Skylight, a jazz club in Lace Market, and I’m looking forward to diving into the dancier side of life at Brickworks, one of Nottingham’s underground DJ venues. There’s far too much for me to tackle everything, but I’m never going to be starved of new music in this city; it’s around every corner.

For those of you arriving in Nottingham for the first time, you’re in for an absolute treat.

“Talking about music has been such a great icebreaker for me in so many situations”

“It doesn’t matter where on the musical spectrum you fall, there’s something for you” Student media is a great first port of call, whether that’s writing for us here at Impact, The Mic Magazine or putting on a show with URN. Or, if you’re into your really niche stuff, UMS might be a great fit for you. Presenting my own radio show with URN has allowed me to expand my taste massively, and has encouraged me to listen to the curations of so many of my peers. Writing and reading about music has introduced me to the most incredible communities of music fans, while introducing me to some of my new favourite tracks and albums.

Throw yourself in. Try that new artist you’re not quite sure about. Ask that guy you’re sat next to in your seminar about the band on his shirt. Start a band with your housemates. There are so many ways to get knee-deep into one of the most spectacular music scenes that this country has to offer, so take advantage of it.

Entertainment

My taste has also been challenged and expanded by my boyfriend, an avid indie and post-punk fan (amongst a whole host of other genres). I wore a festival hoodie the first time we met, and we both went through the line-up on the back of it and excitedly chatted about some of our favourite artists listed on there. Since then, we’ve been on multiple gig dates and have found new artists to rave about along the way through the support acts that join them on tour. Courting, Baba Ali and Calva Louise are all artists that I saw for the first time as support acts and have been obsessed with ever since.

There have also been so many Nottingham-based artists to enjoy over the last few years. Alt Blk Era is an absolutely killer nu-metal, heavycore sister duo that has gone from college to Glastonbury in no time. Bloodworm is an incredibly exciting indie-goth band that is making waves too. Lucy Crisp is getting everyone on their feet and moving with 80s pop princess bangers. It doesn’t matter where on the musical spectrum you fall, there’s something for you.

22

IMPACT’S GUIDE TO NAVIGATING

By Ellie-Mae Davies

Moving to university comes with the wonderful task of exploring various aspects of a new city, one of which is clubbing. Impact’s new music editor Ellie-Mae Davies has put together this guide for navigating the clubbing scene in Nottingham. So, if clubbing is an activity you enjoy, have a read of this guide outlining what music each club plays, their specific student nights and general atmosphere so that you can make an informed decision about which clubs are worth visiting during freshers, and beyond…

Arguably the most well-known club in Nottingham, a night out at Rock City is certainly one to be remembered. ‘Crisis’, held on Wednesdays, is their most popular club night and also is one of the ‘most exclusive student nights in both Nottingham and the UK’, with tickets selling out almost instantly.

However, it is not the only club night that Rock City offers. They have ‘Tuned Thursdays’, also a student night, ‘Get Lucky’ on Fridays and ‘Rebel Rebel’ on Saturdays.

rock city

The club consists of three different rooms: ‘The Main Hall’ which plays chart toppers and pop bangers, ‘The Black Cherry Lounge’ which has a mixture of r&b, grime and hip hop, and ‘Beta’ which plays indie and alternative music and also has a great seating area. Overall, with its variation in music and different club nights, it is an excellent choice for a big night out in the city.

Entertainment

THE BODEGA Wednesdays are not the only club night at Bodega however, as they also have the ‘Pop Confessional’ on Fridays, which has its own vodka confessional booth as well as blasting pop anthems all night, and ‘Shameless’ on Saturdays, playing 00s music. The venue also has a bar downstairs and a large garden area, perfect for taking a break whilst dancing the night away.

The Bodega is a much smaller venue compared to other clubs on this list, however, its cosier setting in the main club room certainly makes the atmosphere. The club is best known for its iconic club night ‘Indie Wednesday’, always featuring bangers such as Take Me Out by Franz Ferdinand and anything by Sam Fender.

STEALTH & RESCUE Finally, there is Stealth and Rescue Rooms, sister clubs of Rock City. Both venues put on legendary club nights throughout the week in more intimate locations for those who prefer a less overwhelming club experience.

Rescue Rooms puts on multiple great nights throughout the week, including club nights. They host ‘Rescued’ Saving Saturdays each week and put on their iconic indie disco. Also, Rescue Rooms holds ‘Request Line’ on Fridays, playing any song requests. As well as the main club room, they often have the bar and patio area open, making it an ideal place to take a breather.

23

Stealth specialises in electronic dance music. Like Rescue Rooms, it has one main club room and regularly has DJs playing the best DnBdnb songs. Their most popular nights are on Fridays and Saturdays but also host a Trent student night on Tuesdays.

THE NOTTINGHAM CLUBBING SCENE

Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

PRYZM Pryzm is another popular choice and part of a large chain of nightclubs throughout the country. It is located in the unique building with the large globe on top of it, and has three club rooms, ‘Main Stage’, ‘Disco’ and ‘Curve’. ‘Main Stage’ consists of house, DnB, techno and commercial, ‘Disco’ plays cheesy 90s and 00s songs and has its own disco dancefloor, and ‘Curve’ has r&b, hip hop, UK rap and urban music.

They feature club nights multiple days of the week including ‘Fix Fridays’ and ‘Lyfecode Saturdays’ with great deals on drinks. Pryzm also previously has put on very popular club nights such as ‘Quids In’ on Mondays where tickets cost just £1. Regardless of what day you go, Pryzm club nights guarantee cheap drinks and a great atmosphere.

OCEAN

Entertainment

Another feature of Ocean is its distinct carpeted floor throughout the venue which always surprises freshers on their first visit. The club’s unique features mixed with musical variation, like the iconic Baywatch theme tune as well as plenty of noughties hits, make it an unmissable visit when living in Nottingham.

Known for playing the cheesiest tunes and the music giving ‘year 6 disco vibes’, Ocean is another contender for one of the biggest clubs in Nottingham. Ocean hosts weekly student nights for both Nottingham universities. The Nottingham Trent student night is held on Wednesdays and the University of Nottingham student night is on Fridays.

UNIT 13 Located in an industrial warehouse, the venue has two club rooms, ‘LG1’, the Main Room which plays house, techno, dnB and disco, and ‘LG2’ which features r&b, grime and hip hop. The club’s most popular nights are on Mondays, Fridays and Saturdays bringing the public a mix of the best clubbing music.

Having opened in 2021, Unit 13, or ‘Unit’ as it is called amongst students, is another club in the heart of the city. Unit specialises in rave and festival music and has had a lot of brilliant artists perform and DJ at the venue, such as Chase & Status and Jax Jones.

INK Only reopening during last freshers in 2022, Ink is the newest club in Nottingham, located in a grade 2 theatre building. The venue has 4 club rooms, as well as 8 bars, with each room playing different genres of music, giving students a lot of musical variation.

The main room, ‘The Complex’, plays house anthems, ‘Neon’ has DJ’s playing DnBand techno, ‘Cocktail’ consists of the best nostalgic hits and disco classics, and finally ‘Parlour’ plays both old and new r&b and hip hop.

Not only does INK play a mixture of excellent music, but its visual and sound technology is spectacular in itself, maximising the club experience. INK has held a variety of club nights, particularly during their opening week, but they regularly host ‘INK Saturdays’.

24

By Christy Clark & Ed Farley

Love Letters Illustrations by Ed Farley

To the psychological thriller: why it is so influential both on the writer’s love of film and to the film industry Dear Psychological Thriller,

It’s true that you’re not the sole reason I love cinema. Every genre, film, director, actor, writer, cinematographer, costume and set designer, as well as many more, have lent their own unique contribution, culminating in a glorious whole of appreciation. Yet it’s also true that with your twists, turns, and intricacies, you have forever changed the way that I perceive the multitude of directions a film might take.

Entertainment

As I came upon my love for the screen, films such as Shutter Island, Memento, and The Usual Suspects had a profound impact on me, all bound up within the beauty of you as a genre. Not horrors, per se, but oftentimes equally harrowing, lingering in the mind long after the credits roll.

The best thing about the psychological thriller is its constant willingness to take on the viewer, challenging their perceptions both of film and of reality itself. Even when the audience knows a twist is coming, your magic has so often moved past their ability to second-guess it. Parasite, my personal favourite of the films labelled under your vast banner, is everything I have come to love about the genre: eerily tense, grossly beautiful, and wonderfully conniving.

To director and writer, Damien Chazelles’, and how it has shaped the writer’s love of film Dear Damien Chazelles’,

I was revising a film for my A level exam. With an offer from a fancy university doing something different, I looked at my notes about Through you, generation-defining actors such as Leonardo DiCaprio this particular film, and realised I was making a mistake. Fast forin Shutter Island, Florence Pugh in Midsommar, and Tilda Swinton in ward: I dropped out of that university. I studied film and TV inWe Don’t Talk About Kevin have been given the license to deliver castead. Now, I’m going to be a master’s student in Film and TV. For reer-peaking performances, playing relentlessly on the audience’s that, I must thank your film: La La Land. emotions. In a phrase, you’ve brought to the fore the vast number of possibilities alive when the audience takes their seat.

In my eyes, it is nothing short of a masterpiece. Though each shot is a work of art through its visual brilliance, it has a permeating I hope you continue to innovate, exasperate, and expand as a genre message that is just as, if not more, spellbinding. The film simulin ways thoroughly unpredictable: challenging the psychology betaneously shows the dizzying heights of dreaming and falling in hind film in new and mesmerising ways. But regardless of the future, love, paired with the reality that the world doesn’t often accept thank you for the ways in which you have influenced me to love film those things. It seems dark, but the film portrays how both can as I do. coexist. Moreso, they’re reliant on each other. I have a habit of capsizing when dreams turn into nightmares. I believe that it’s the end, not the beginning of a new act. La La Land rejects this quite literally and implores me and others to think differently.

Christy Clark

In La La Land’s case, if no one shows up to your one-woman show, or you give up your artistic integrity for a while, it’s not a failure. It’s part of what makes the movie work. If this is the case for the characters, it should be for the audience. Each time we sing, cry, and believe we’re not good enough, we need to remember it’s part of our own movie, and what is a movie without its plot points?

We will acknowledge how tough the world can be, yes- yet we can also learn when to reject it and find joy in romanticising.

There’s beauty in loss, and even more in knowing what to fight for, through it all. Like the perfect performances of Ryan Gosling and Emma Stone, there’s validity in unashamedly believing the journey of your own character.

Thank you, Damien Chazelle, for making me understand that.

25

Ed Farley

ADDING COMFORT TO THE CHAOS: THE SHOWS WHICH KEEP ME COMING BACK

By Harriet Rothwell-Inch

Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

Impact’s Harriet Rothwell-Inch explores what a comfort show is, her own personal favourites during university and why comfort shows are so important, for all of us.

We all have our TV favourites that we come back to time and time again. Maybe it’s something we’ve grown up watching, something that reminds us of family and old friends we haven’t seen in a while, or maybe it’s just something that makes us feel good when we’re feeling down. We relish in the familiarity of our favourite storylines, the comfort of seeing our favourite characters again, and laughing at the same jokes we’ve heard at least 100 times before. Even with the number of new films and TV series being produced every year, it’s clear to see that comfort shows can play an important part in our lives.

Moving to a new city, meeting new people, starting a new course, and setting up a new bedroom,it can all be a little overwhelming, so having something comforting and familiar to turn to can really help to smooth out the adjustment period. Throughout my university career, I cycled through a multitude of TV shows and movies, all of which I’d watched at least twice before! But I can’t deny that I have my favourites.

Childhood animated movies are also a must with the comfort shows crowd, and How To Train Your Dragon is my go-to for nostalgic escapism. The quality of the animation, coupled with the incredible score, and obviously the dragons, just ticks every one of my comfort show boxes.

“there is comfort in knowing exactly what to expect from what you’re watching”

“comfort shows have seen me through some of the toughest days, both at home and while at university” I can’t talk about comfort shows without mentioning one of my all-time favourites.

The film Burlesque, starring Christina Aguilera, Cher, and Stanley Tucci, will never fail to boost my spirits. As someone who grew up dancing and performing, I am entranced by the glitz, glam, and backstage drama of Burlesque every time I watch it.

It’s a proper feel-good storyline and the choreography just makes my heart soar!

My comfort shows have seen me through some of the toughest days, both at home and while at university. I have really fond memories of duvet days on the sofa with my second-year housemates, curled up with a hot beverage and binge-watching Gilmore Girls. We’ve since fallen out of touch, but I think about them often.

Whenever I miss those moments, I pop on an episode and instantly I’m transported back. Gilmore Girls isn’t even one of my comfort shows, it’s one of theirs! So, while it is bitter-sweet, those memories are very precious to me.

Entertainment

Personally, I would choose to rewatch a comfort show of mine that I know inside out and back to front rather than start a series or watch a film I haven’t heard of before. Maybe it’s an anxiety thing, but there is comfort in knowing exactly what to expect from what you’re watching. This is especially true for me whenever I experience a big change in my life, like when I started university.

Naturally, sitcoms come in hot on the comfort show scale. You know the classics: Friends, Modern Family, The Big Bang Theory, How I Met Your Mother;the list is seemingly endless. Not only are they easy to watch, full of laughs, and always putting a smile on my face (although the second-hand embarrassment could kill me at times), but they also remind me of watching TV on the sofa with my family. Not to mention they’re great to throw on in the background when I’m pottering around my flat! That’s the beauty of sitcoms, they can bring comfort and company, and I don’t even need to follow the plot half of the time because I already know it!

This is the power of comfort TV…and it’s magical.

26

FICTIONAL FACADES

By Natalie Howarth Impact’s Natalie Howarth explores the ways that university is portrayed in works of fiction, how this compares to university in real life and whether there are similarities and differences in these portrayals, focusing closely on class.

Entertainment

University is a makeshift and closed environment that the media often misrepresents, specifically in fictitious contexts. As a backdrop to exploring themes of friendship, love and hardships faced, some fictional representations of university life often put a comedic or satirical spin on the types of people you may meet at university. There is a lot of romanticisation of university that does not truly represent or resonate with students; therefore, with the popularisation of the genre of the campus and academia novels and films, I fear that our perceptions of university have been skewed. However, more contemporary examples of university through different forms of media can enable students to find comfort in the shared experience with a character in a book, film or TV show.

One of my favourite portrayals of university in the last ten years and one book and TV series I always revisit when I am feeling alone: Normal People. Published in 2018, followed by the adaptation TV series’ release in 2020, both the book and TV series follow the whirlwind of a relationship between Marianne and Connell, two students who later go on to study at Trinity College, Dublin, and how their experiences differ due to a divisive and prominent factor that poses barriers at university: class.

“there is a lot of romanticisation of the experiences of university that do not truly represent or resonate with students”

27

There is a stark difference in the lives that Marianne and Connell live at university due to their differing socio-economic backgrounds and how this impacts their experiences: Marianne lives in a surprisingly beautiful student house on campus, while Connell is forced to live off campus as the housing on campus is not within his budget. At a highly prestigious and bourgeois institution, Connell seems to believe he does not fit in, and thus thinks lowly of himself. We see this in his mental deterioration, in his heartbreaking therapy scene in episode 10. I think this storyline of Connell’s battle with anxiety and depression is extremely important and allows us as readers and/or viewers to relate, while also raising awareness of men’s mental health, which remains stigmatised in modern society.

“fictionalised representations of university can often be filled with misrepresentations, unrealistic expectations, stereotyping and clichés” Connell Waldron’s isolation at Trinity College is something a lot of students can identify with.

According to a 2022 study conducted by the BBC, almost one in four students are lonely most or all of the time. This is a heartbreaking statistic to find and I think that along with the unsettling nature of the first-year halls of residence experience, and the constant pressure to be making the most of ‘the best years of your life’, come so many expectations that are not reached. While trying to do the most to reach an unattainable, movie-esque experience of university life is not realistic or sustainable, Connell Waldron’s experience seems very real to me and something that students can relate to, unlike any of the characters from Donna Tartt’s The Secret History!

OF HIGHER EDUCATION Photography by Thomas Acratopulo Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

While fictionalised representations of university can often be filled with misrepresentations, unrealistic expectations, stereotyping and clichés, there are films and other forms of media that provide inspiration and motivation to keep going. Gus Van Sant’s film Good Will Hunting is an incredible example of how a university backdrop can be a place for discovering yourself, friendship and love, and most importantly, development. It follows a young Matt Damon who works as a Janitor at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and is a self-taught mathematical genius.

“...I think university as the location for books, film and television opens up the opportunity to explore self-development..”

For some people, university is the first time they are far away from home without any restraints and new people that know nothing about them, therefore it is a time for personal reinvention: just do not aspire to reinvent yourself as a Henry Winter archetype. This book also has a huge lack of diversity with the characters coming from rich backgrounds, except from our unreliable narrator, Richard. Their privilege and family’s wealth enable them to indulge in their studies, something not every student can do due to the cost of living at university.

Overall, I think university as the location for books, film and television opens up the opportunity to explore self-development, a newfound independence as well as themes of friendship, love and of course, academia. I think whether they are relatable and cathartic or just provide a form of escapism or comedy from the realities of university, the university backdrop is entertaining and somewhat familiar for us students.

Entertainment

In an arguably iconic scene in cinema history, Will and his friends are in a bar, and he intervenes with some students who are discussing their knowledge about the market economy, except one of the students is undermining his friend: “Of course, that’s your contention. You’re a first-year grad student. You just got finished readin’ some Marxian historian -- Pete Garrison probably…” I find this a really empowering moment for Will as he outsmarts the student who has an air of pretension and classism when he attempts to clap back at him and say “Yeah, but I will have a degree. And you’ll be serving my kids fries at a drive-through on our way to a skiing trip.” This comment is a highly classist attitude towards Will’s inaccessibility to higher education at a prestigious school in and around the Boston area. I think that Will’s ability to outwit a privately educated man is empowering to all: this film is a moving and poignant story and I think it is a must-watch for everyone!

Moving to the novel, Donna Tartt’s The Secret History is a favourite but does not represent university fairly and realistically. I think it acts as more of an escape from reality rather than being representative of the student life and experience. It follows a group of hedonistic classics students who live lavishly and are driven to insanity when they decide to kill their friend, Bunny. It is not a book to inspire the university experience, but rather to be hyperbolic and satirical towards the types of people you may meet at university. As the book highly romanticises the toxic behaviours and traits that each character possesses, acting self-destructively without any repercussions is an example of something that is inaccurate yet still portrayed.

28

PERSONAL EXPRESSION

By Olivia Hannant

Art, as a medium with few rules and regulations, presents itself as the perfect instrument for personal expression. The perspective that art itself is purely imitation had been challenged through time and subsequently in the late 19th century was replaced with the theory of expression.

Instead of reflecting states of the outer world, art is held to reflect the inner state of the artist.

Entertainment

The definition of art itself is the expression or application of human creative skill and imagination.

Art is a universal practice that spans diverse human cultures, making it a defining characteristic of our species. In contemporary societies, the visual arts blend harmoniously with music, dance, and various rituals that commemorate significant life events, death, religious beliefs, and political expressions. Additionally, language plays a vital role in artistic expression, whether it’s through the medium of poetry, song, or storytelling.

The categorisation of art into distinct eras might appear simplistic and limiting, as it fails to fully grasp the complexity and intentions of the artists.

Personal expression through art is not a characteristic solely attributed to modern movements; evidence shows that even Upper Palaeolithic Europeans, over 30,000 years ago, demonstrated a conceptual equivalence in their art forms to those of more recent centuries. This suggests that human cognition, symbolising activity, and anatomy were already ‘modern’ by that time.

“The art of permanent skin decoration has been an ancient tradition spanning thousands of years.”

The origins of artistic behaviour can be traced back to early forms of body decoration, where ancient ideas, influenced by African tribes, were expressed through skin colouringAmong the earliest known patterns are zig-zag and criss-cross designs, as well as nested curves and parallel lines, which were created independently of the human body.

The capacity to create images from the imagination, known as ‘the mind’s eye,’ marked a pivotal evolutionary change in the neural structures that underpin perception. This cognitive shift likely offered survival advantages in both tool-making and hunting activities.

“Art has always been about expression, no matter the metaphorical or physical canvas”

29

Notably, the analysis of early tool-making techniques indicates that the process of creating 3D objects, such as sculptures and reliefs, involves a cognitive deconstruction into a series of surfaces—a principle that might have been applied to early sculpture.The ability to create art separate from the human body likely originated in Africa, but the practice may have emerged at different times among genetically and culturally distinct groups, both within Africa and during global dispersal.

This diverse development led to the regional variety observed in ancient and more recent art forms.

Where there is no strict definition of art, we as humans mainly prioritise aesthetics. The art of permanent skin decoration has been an ancient tradition spanning thousands of years.

Throughout history, humanity has adorned itself with meaningful symbols, expressions of love, religious beliefs, and protective amulets. On the other hand, tattoos have also been used as a form of punishment, leaving indelible marks on individuals.

THROUGH BODY ART Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

The fascination of humans with body decoration has a historical connection to the application of colour. Modern cosmetics and tattoos have a deep-rooted history, likely originating from the use of ochre to colour the skin hundreds of millennia ago.

One of the oldest instances of ochre usage dates back to approximately 164,000 years ago at a South African coastal site.

Even today, body painting continues to be practised by cultures that have preserved their traditional way of life amidst the influence of Western modernity. Body decoration has served various ritualistic purposes going back thousands of years, such as using henna for skin decoration during weddings and ash for mourning.

The discovery of the “Iceman” on the Italian-Austrian border in 1991, whose tattoos were dated back around 5200 years through carbon dating, is a remarkable testament to the long-standing practice of tattooing.

Numerous historical records from various ancient and traditional cultures offer compelling evidence of diverse tattooing customs. Even in modern times, several cultures continue to uphold their traditional tattooing and marking rituals, preserving the rich heritage and significance of this ancient art form.

The rise of tattoos in Western culture can be traced back to the late 18th century when sailors embraced them as symbols of their journeys and adventures. Nautical themes like anchors, ships, and mermaids became common motifs in these seafarers’ tattoos.

Tattoos gained increasing popularity within specific subcultures like bikers, punks, and rockers. These body art forms served as rebellious statements against mainstream society, frequently showcasing aggressive or provocative designs.

However, in contemporary times, tattoos have transcended subcultures and have become widely accepted in society. Today, people get tattoos as a means of self-expression, to honour significant life events or individuals, or merely as a form of personal adornment.

“Throughout history, humanity has adorned itself with meaningful symbols, expressions of love, religious beliefs, and protective amulets.”

Art has always been about expression, no matter the metaphorical or physical canvas.

Whether it be through traditional methods from classical periods through to Renaissance art and modernism, contemporary art or through our other senses. In reflection, expression can be seen throughout time within all forms and mediums of art and the visibility of an artist’s intentions shouldn’t be limited to traditional art scapes as humans propagate art and it does and will continue to enrich and surround life.

Entertainment

Furthermore, tattoos and cosmetics are still prevalent in many modern societies. The application of colour for body decoration, along with the use of beads and perishable items like feathers or plant-derived materials (not necessarily recorded archaeologically), represents an ancient practice. However, this stands distinct from the development of patterns and representational art that exists independently of ourselves.

Tattoos held significant spiritual or religious meanings in ancient societies.

For instance, in Polynesia, tattoos denoted social status and identity, whereas, in Japan, they were linked to the criminal underworld. African cultures viewed tattoos as protective talismans, while in ancient Egypt, they were believed to possess magical powers.

30

WORLDBUILDING AS ESCAPISM: UNLEASHING CREATIVITY AND FINDING REFUGE IN VIRTUAL REALMS WORLDBUILDING AS ESCAPISM

By Alyana Fatima

Entertainment

From the very beginning of the gaming phenomenon, video games have not only entertained but also served as an escape from the stresses of everyday life. Whether it’s playing co-op games with friends online, immersing oneself in a simulation game as a farmer instead of a student, or using creative juices to build entire worlds within a game, worldbuilding games offer a unique and immersive experience that provides a refuge for self-expression and imagination.

One such popular worldbuilding game is Minecraft, where players can transform blocky landscapes into sprawling cities, mythical realms, or even replicas of real-world locations. The satisfaction derived from crafting something extraordinary from nothing helps players escape the constraints of reality, sparking a sense of liberation. Thus, they are inspired and empowered to design their own dream world from scratch, providing a much-needed escape from the monotony of the real world.

In Minecraft, it’s not just about building cities; players delve into immense detail with every building, house, and room, allowing them to embody the role of an architect. This sense of agency and creative control can be deeply fulfilling, allowing players to explore their imaginations without boundaries. No Man’s Sky is another game that allows players to explore a procedurally generated universe and gives them the power to shape planets and ecosystems, offering a truly immersive escape into the vastness of space and the unknown.

31

Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

Escaping to a world of one’s own creation can provide emotional catharsis, enabling individuals to process their feelings and experiences in a safe and non-threatening environment. Creating a world with narratives and characters familiar to the player serves as a therapeutic outlet, allowing players to work through personal challenges and traumas.

Imagine someone struggling with anxiety finding solace in Stardew Valley, a game where they can cultivate a serene and harmonious farmstead.

“Engaging in this calming virtual world can help them find a sense of peace and relaxation, reducing real-life stress.”

Engaging in this calming virtual world can help them find a sense of peace and relaxation, reducing real-life stress. Similarly, Journey offers an emotional and introspective experience where players traverse a vast desert as a robed traveller. Through simple yet evocative storytelling and interactions with other players, Journey becomes a poignant metaphor for life’s journey and the connections we make along the way, offering players an opportunity for emotional healing and reflection.

“The satisfaction derived from crafting something extraordinary from nothing helps players escape the constraints of reality, sparking a sense of liberation.”

“Worldbuilding games often encourage collaboration and cooperation among players, fostering a strong sense of community.”

Worldbuilding games often encourage collaboration and cooperation among players, fostering a strong sense of community. These virtual worlds become social platforms where individuals from various backgrounds come together to share their creativity and collaborate on ambitious projects. Games like Roblox and Fortnite Creative enable players to design and share their own game modes and levels, providing opportunities for socialising and learning from others. In this way, worldbuilding games not only offer an escape from reality but also become a means to forge meaningful connections with like-minded individuals across the globe.

As players construct idyllic worlds where everything conforms to their desires, they may begin to develop unrealistic expectations for reality. When real life fails to meet these lofty standards, they might experience dissatisfaction and disappointment. For example, someone who has created a perfect romantic relationship in a virtual world might struggle with the imperfections of their real-life partnership, leading to discontentment.

“By providing a safe Moreover, platforms like Second space to explore Life present an entire virtual universe where users can socialise, inter- emotions and try out act, and even conduct businesses. the collaborative nature of different scenarios, Moreover, Through the virtual currency system, many world-building games fosters Second Life allows for real economworldbuilding games teamwork and communication skills, ic transactions, making it not just a encouraging players to work togethgame but an alternate reality with can act as valuable er to achieve common goals. These social, cultural, and economic impliskills can be transferable to the real cations. tools for personal world, enhancing social interactions and problem-solving abilities. development.”

However, as with any form of escapism, excessive immersion in these virtual realms can lead to neglecting real-world responsibilities and issues.

Escapism becomes problematic when it hinders an individual’s ability to cope with challenges or address important obligations, such as work, relationships, or personal growth.

For instance, spending hours upon hours in a virtual world may help someone avoid confronting difficult emotions or interpersonal conflicts, leading to a cycle of avoidance and dependence on escapism. Worldbuilding games often provide players with a sense of control and achievement that might be lacking in their daily lives.

Entertainment

Despite these potential drawbacks, worldbuilding games undeniably offer an alluring escape, allowing players to unleash their creativity, find emotional release, and connect with others in unprecedented ways.

The positive aspects of these games provide avenues for self-expression and personal growth, helping individuals cope with the challenges of reality. By providing a safe space to explore emotions and try out different scenarios, world-building games can act as a valuable tool for personal development.

When embraced responsibly, worldbuilding games can be powerful tools for mental well-being and self-discovery. By striking a balance between the virtual and real worlds, individuals can make the most of the opportunities for escape while ensuring that their real lives are enriched rather than overshadowed by the allure of imagination.

Worldbuilding as escapism can serve as a gateway to both personal fulfilment and interconnected social experiences, as long as we remain grounded in the responsibilities and joys of our real-world existence. It’s essential to recognize that while escaping to virtual realms can be therapeutic and inspiring, it should complement rather than replace real-life experiences and responsibilities. As we navigate the boundless possibilities of world-building games, let us cherish the creativity they spark, the connections they foster, and the growth they facilitate, all while appreciating the beauty and uniqueness of the world we inhabit.

32

CRITICS Staying Alive : 1970’s MUSIC RECOMMENDATION Defining the 70s music scene is a massive and arduous task for anyone – in a time when artists took the standard pop conventions of the time and not only threw it out of the window but whilst doing so set the punk subculture on them for good measure.

Some of you may be familiar with a really underground movie called Saturday Night Fever… it’s really not that popular at all… and for a movie that pretty much defined the 70s, it’s only right to take a look at its soundtrack.

reviews

FOUL PLAY: 1970’s FILM RECOMMENDATION

There is a plot: a plot to murder the Pope. Ruthless criminals are behind it and the stakes couldn’t be higher.

I recommend Stayin’ Alive by the Bee Gees – there’s something about that iconic funky bassline, the fouron-the-floor beat and the strings that can make one feel like they are transcending into the beyond.

At its core the song is for everyone facing hard times and struggling to stay alive, whilst also showing that we’re not alone and encouraging us to dance the pain away. I must say, that’s what the 70s and disco is all about!

During a time when rock was getting simultaneously harder and softer, completely new forms of music were being created… and, for me?

It’s all about the funk/disco scene.

Too few people have heard of the 1978 gem of a film that is Foul Play.

Starring the wonderful Goldie Hawn and Chevy Chase, this is one of those movies where I honestly got to the end and felt disappointed that it was over.

By Rachael Proud

By Hannah Walton-Hughes

Gloria Mundy (Hawn) is simply in the wrong place at the wrong time; who knew that a packet of cigarettes handed to her by a relative stranger would put a target on her back?

There is also a sweet romance between Gloria and Tony (Chase), the policeman assigned to protect her.

The dynamic between these two characters is perfectly balanced.

Despite the intensity of the film, it is sprinkled with truly hilarious moments.

Even some of the action sequences are perfectly choreographed in a way that inspires laughter. The film will have you chuckling one minute and jumping out of your skin the next.

I could not recommend Foul Play enough. A gripping storyline, a love story you can root for, Barry Manilow serenading the opening sequence...what else could you ask for?

Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas :1970’s BOOK RECOMMENDATION By Natalie Howarth A transgressive roman à clef based on the real life experiences of the father of Gonzo journalism, Hunter S. Thompson, Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas is a highly subversive and surreal piece of hazy, drug-induced writing.

33

It follows journalist Raoul and his attorney, Dr. Gonzo who are driving to the Mint 400 Motorcycle Race: the journey is more important than the destination in this novel. On this journey, they take several drugs, including large doses of acid and LSD.

A timeless classic from a foreign perspective of an addict, Hunter S. Thompson will forever be an irreverent figure for his experimental and unique journalistic style.

RECOMMEND...

Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

There’d Better Be A Mirrorball :MODERN MUSIC RECOMMENDATION By James Hadland After a four year wait since their last album, Arctic Monkeys teased their seventh album’s release with lead single There’d Better Be A Mirrorball, which blessed my ears on the 29th August 2022. The expectation was for Turner and co to continue the jazzy style of their previous album Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, a space-age away from their first album’s raw, nascent sound.

The song transports you into a Bond-esque mellowness from the first note, with Turner’s now-preferred piano sound underpinned by sweeping strings. The blueness of the instrumentals immediately establishes a mournful feel of a breakup well before a word is sung, with a philharmonic sound opposite to the preceding ballad.

As the orchestral progressions halt at 0:36, the anticipation of lyrics is palpable, giving a real feeling of arrival to their new sound.

Turner’s lines still have a John Cooper Clarke-esque quality, exploring heartbreak in abstract terms like ‘yesterday is still leaking through the roof’. The song’s intimacy is achieved not only by its circumambient melody but Turner’s ability to sing and write so personally and directly The band perfectly achieved their aim to give it ‘the old romantic fool’, providing a sound perfect for the hopeless romantic.

Come on Barbie, let’s go party! :MODERN FILM RECOMMENDATION By Isabelle Wileman

Whilst also touching on other topics like consumerism and existentialism, Gerwig primarily uses Barbie’s experience

to highlight some of the contradictory standards that women face, and in doing so successfully creates a space for feminism to be discussed.

Robbie’s ability to portray Barbie as initially cartoonish and later incredibly human,after the character’s descent into existential crisis is phenomenal.

Ryan Gosling was more than ‘kenough’ for his role as Ken – his comedic delivery was perfect, culminating with his humorous and memorable musical number “I’m Just Ken.”

Though the writing of Barbie is fantastic, the quality temporarily drops around the middle of the film. The presentation of Mattel and the mother-daughter duo could have benefitted from some subtlety to convey thematic concepts in a more realistic way.

reviews

Greta Gerwig’s Barbie is, in a wonderful way, nothing like what was first expected from a live-action film based on the polarising doll. The extremely pink, hilarious, and emotional masterpiece sees Stereotypical Barbie (Margot Robbie) navigate the gender-based power dynamics of Barbie Land and the ‘real world’ during her attempt to understand her existence.

Overall, however, Barbie is sublime. It ultimately shows that Barbie really can be anyone, even a normal, ‘imperfect’ human being.

The Silent Patient : MODERN BOOK RECOMMENDATION By Hannah Walton-Hughes The Silent Patient by Alex Michaelides was first introduced to me by the University of Nottingham Book Club.

Being a huge fan of the psychological thriller genre, this was right up my street…

The whole story is told in a dual narrative. The bulk of the book is narrated from the first-person perspective of Theo, a psychotherapist who takes an almost obsessive interest in helping Alicia.

Alicia Berenson murdered her husband.and then she stopped speaking.

Theo Faber is determined to break her silence and learn the truth.

The other side of the story is told through Alicia’s own, often frantic, diaries. As the timeline of the two narratives combines, an explosive and shocking bombshell of an ending ensues.

Unlike many other works of the same genre, The Silent Patient is very easy to read- I finished it within a few days.

This is a very dark and unsettling novel that plays on your imagination- I would not recommend reading it alone in your house at night! Once you get to the end, you want to re-read it in an attempt to pinpoint the clues that you missed.

If you are in need of a good page-turner, pick this book up!

34

Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

NOTTINGHAM’S THESPIANS AND THEATRICS

By Josie Fowler

reviews

Theatre in Nottingham is something that improves every single year. We are lucky enough to have lots of theatres in Nottingham which hold a huge variety of productions to suit all tastes and budgets. Impact’s Josie Fowler explores the array of wonderful theatres on offer in Nottingham…

Nottingham Playhouse is a smaller, more intimate venue that hosts a variety of family-friendly, developing and independent shows to cater to everyone. Notably, they hosted the debut of new musicals such as ‘Identical’ (based on the same novel as the parent trap), and the world premiere of Mark Gatiss’ ‘A Christmas Carol: A ghost story’ before its London transfer. They also create opportunities for community outreach and involvement in Nottingham and are a registered charity!

Upcoming events include workshops such as choreography and voice workshops throughout August, and towards the end of the year, they are hosting events as part of the Nottingham Global Roots Festival 2023.

“Notably, they hosted the debut of new musicals…”

The most well-known theatre has got to be the Theatre Royal, hosting a variety of live orchestral performances, solo tours and the venue used by national tours of musicals around the UK! It has the charm of a classic theatre, with a large auditorium and a gorgeous interior. It is definitely on the more expensive side of venues in the city but that means it produces some of the highest calibre performances and professional productions. Some of the recent shows include the national tour of ‘The Rocky Horror Show’ running August 21st-26th of August, as well as ‘Heathers the Musical’ running from August 29th to September 2nd.

35

A smaller theatre in the trendy area of Hockley is the Nottingham Arts Theatre. Located on George Street with a bright pink exterior, this intimate venue is a favourite for a variety of amateur productions including their own youth company with their upcoming production of ‘Grease’, as well as productions by UoN’s very own Musical theatre society ‘Musicality’ who have performed annual musicals here, including ‘Chicago’, ‘Urinetown’ and most recently, ‘Legally Blonde’. It’s definitely a venue to keep an eye on for up-and-coming local talent!

“…it produces some of the highest calibre performances and professional productions” We can’t discuss theatres in Nottingham without discussing our campus’s very own Nottingham New Theatre, England’s only fully student-run theatre! Home to a plethora of student talent, it hosts plays that are entirely student made, from writing to direction, staging and of course performing. Hosting their yearly Fringe ‘StuFF’ as well as regular independent productions throughout the semester, it’s definitely a venue to keep an eye on! Their next production is actually taking place in Edinburgh at the Fringe Festival, a play completely created, produced and performed by the talented students at NNT!

“...this intimate venue is a favourite for a variety of amateur productions…”

Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

NOTTINGHAM’S SILVER SCREENS

By Natalie Howarth In Nottingham we are lucky enough to have lots of fantastic options when it comes to cinemas. Impact’s Natalie Howarth explores the various cinemas which you should be checking out whilst you are in the city. Oh and did we mention the discounted tickets for students and young people?

“...range of mainstream, classic,independent and world film with a mezze bar…”

Recently, I was lucky enough to bag some tickets to see Wes Anderson’s Asteroid City at Broadway Cinema on the release day and they provided free postcards and bags of flying saucer sweets on everyone’s seats (a very on-theme touch). With £5 tickets for those aged 25 and under, this isn’t one to be missed off of your Nottingham cinema bucketlist, that’s for sure.

Whilst they host screenings of new films, revisit classics, National Theatre Live, The Royal Ballet Broadcast, to name a few, Broadway also uses the space to host informal talks, Q&A sessions and Film Courses. If you are interested in the workings of the film industry, the cinema has Broadway’s BFI Film Academy which offers opportunities to people from 16-25 to discover more about the industry from professionals who can offer insights into funding, pitching and production. Such a culturally enriching place that has so much to offer, I wholeheartedly love this place and could not recommend it more.

“It is definitely an unmissable experience seeing a film hosted by them.”

I highly recommend going to see a film hosted

by The Loft Movie Theatre, a Notts-based film club that screens cult classics: I watched Fight Club last year and I felt like I had transported back to the 90s! It is definitely an unmissable experience seeing a film hosted by them. Conveniently located in the heart of the student population and with £5 student tickets, why not head over there with your friends and watch some new releases?

reviews

Located in Hockley, Broadway Cinema is my absolute go-to cinema. This cinema houses a range of mainstream, classic, independent and world film with a mezze bar just before you enter the screening rooms; a cinema experience simply cannot be matched by a chain cinema.

The highly anticipated Killers of the Flower Moon directed by the legendary Martin Scorcese will screen here from the 20th of October and it will no doubt be a sellout.

Located on the busy, student-populated Derby Road, Savoy Cinema is the only surviving cinema from before the Second World War in Nottingham. The building stands incongruous to the architectural style of the modern, preserving the art deco style of the mid 1930s. With its charming aura and range of screenings offered, from newly released films to screenings of National Theatre Live, there is a large range of films to go and see every week.

In the heart of the city centre inside the Cornerhouse complex surrounding many restaurants, Cineworld houses 14 rooms that screen a variety of films and performances including new releases, classics rescreened, Royal Opera Live, and Royal Ballet Live. As a standard chain in the heart of the city, it is a cinema you might be very familiar with. You can expect to see some good quality cinema: Oppenheimer was shown here during July and August in IMAX, a high-resolution image and sound quality guaranteed!

“...Savoy Cinema is the only surviving cinema from before the Second World War in Nottingham.”

36

Impact Investigates

By Arabella Mitchell

Investigation

Feeling safe whilst at university has always been important for students (and their families). One fear that many share is being burgled or having possessions stolen. This is not only feared on campus but in the city or town of the University.

There is a presumption that theft is more common in student areas (such as Lenton and Dunkirk) than on campus. Impact’s Investigation team examines the safety of students on University Park Campus and in the city centre, specifically regarding theft.

When discussing theft, it is evident that the crime rate tends to be higher in the city centre, regardless of where you are in the country. As centres have a higher footfall, there is no surprise that theft is more common. As the table below demonstrates, the 2023 crime count within the city centre is significantly higher than in any other Nottingham area.

The following statistics are taken from the Crime Count of popular Student areas. This table highlights the crime count of 2023 (until August 2023). Additionally, it ranks all 33 areas in terms of safety (one being the most dangerous).

Although theft certainly does happen within the city centre, this piece will primarily focus on the University campuses and popular student areas (Lenton, Dunkirk, Beeston and Radford). This is not only because crime is more inevitable within the centre but also because only a minority of UoN students live in Nottingham city centre.

37

Theft in Nottingham Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

Theft on Campus When the Investigations team conducted surveys and interviews, all of our interviewees stated that they felt less at risk of theft being on campus compared to other areas. This assumption is likely to be felt by many, but why might this be the case?

One student stated that they felt safer because they ‘regularly see security officers walking around’. This is not common within other popular student areas as it would be harder to maintain.

Although there is a large number of policemen/women dedicated to patrolling student areas, this does not match the scale of those present on campus.

Alongside the pivotal role of security services, as the Community Engagement Manager at UoN, Jamie Dickinson, commented, “The close working relationship we have with the police enables us to keep our students informed as to what is happening and, most importantly, to educate them in crime prevention”.

Additionally, belongings in the building would be safer as the doors would effectively be locked. The same student stated that they would feel ‘more comfortable leaving possessions whilst going to the toilet or getting a coffee if the doors had card access’.

One student we interviewed stated they once had their laptop stolen whilst studying in the Monica Partridge building. On a Monday, the student was studying in a fairly quiet Monica Partridge building by themself. As is common among many, the student went to heat up some food in the microwave on the top floor. In the five they were gone, the student’s laptop had been stolen off their desk.

The student stated that they were “not only devastated but annoyed when my laptop was stolen. Obviously, it was expensive and I did not have loads of money sitting around to buy a new one but I was annoyed as I had lost so much uni-work and the start of my coursework essay”.

As many students do not have access to an abundance of money, getting a replacement laptop required the student to not only pick up multiple shifts at work but also completely restart their coursework. The student further stated that they are not only more ‘cautious’ but will now ‘only study in a building that needs card access’.

Alongside the theft of laptops and other kinds of technology, bike theft also causes an issue for many students. In recent years, there has been a rise in bike theft. In 2022 for example, there were 604 reports of stolen bicycles. However, it is important to note that not all bike thefts are reported so the statistic is likely to be a lot higher. Due to the sheer size of Nottingham, many rely on bikes to get between A and B. Although there are many secured bike sheds on campus, you cannot walk around campus without seeing an abundance of poorly secured bikes.

As bikes are a relatively easy object to steal, particularly when not locked securely, there is no surprise that bike theft is common. As the University states: you should ensure that when bringing a bike onto campus you have not only placed it within a locked bike shed but ensured it is fastened securely. Please if you take your bike to campus follow this guidance and do not be a victim of bike theft!

Investigation

As the university has the resources to implement safety measures across all campuses, it is no wonder why security services are prominent. The University of Nottingham has a dedicated security service that ensures all staff and students feel safe whilst on campus. This service not only ensures that there are uniformed officers on campus 24 hours a day,it also has many other responsibilities. For example, the security service also: monitors CCTV across campus, ensures the rigorous enforcement of laws, investigates crimes and makes sure there is 24-hour security in all halls of residence and bike sheds.

As our interviews and surveys highlighted, many students do not understand why some buildings on campus require card access but others do not. For example, buildings such as the SU building and Monica Partridge do not require student cards for access. Whereas, libraries and the med school have card access. One student explained to Impact that this system would work better if it was a universal rule across University Park Campus, meaning that only students and staff could enter university buildings. With fewer people having access, crime on campus may be minimised and easier to monitor.

Although it certainly cannot be disputed that there are many practical measures on campus to ensure theft is minimised, students feel that improvements are still needed.

38

Impact Investigates Theft in popular student areas There are some reasons why theft can be seen as more common in student areas.

One of these is that as student homes often contain more possessions than a regular home (multiple laptops, tablets etc.) they are more desirable. Additionally, as many students go home for long periods of time, student homes can go through long periods of being empty. Therefore, theft can be seen as more common in student areas.

This student lived in the area known as the Lenton Triangle last year in a house of five.

As it was a Wednesday where else would the students have been but Crisis? The student stated that after getting home at around two in the morning, they noticed that their front door was left wide open.

The student noted that among all of the items stolen were five laptops, a TV and two tablets.

When the police came to investigate, they found that there was no evidence of forced entry. Instead, it was noted that the suspect entered the house through an unlocked side door. The student said that they were left to feel ‘silly’ and ‘guilty’ for not ensuring that all doors were locked when leaving the house.

Therefore, although break-ins do happen within student areas, in most of these cases it could have been avoided by ensuring all necessary and common safety measures.

Investigation

Additionally, as student homes are often inhabited by multiple students each with different schedules, it can be difficult to constantly ensure that all windows and doors are locked. This is pivotal as 70% of burglaries happen as a result of an un- This table outlines the counts of different types of theft reported in 2023 as of August. locked food and 30% through a window.

Due to these reasons, it is understandable why break-ins are common within student areas. So for the safety of yourself and your horrible student house sofa, please ensure all doors and windows are locked!

One of the students we interviewed for this investigation had their house broken into last year.

Last year in Nottingham, there were 12,282 incidents of theft recorded. According to Nottingham Crime Rate, an estimated 523 of these cases were robberies.Although this was a twenty percent increase of 2021’s 437, arguably the statistic is low in relation to Nottingham’s population of approximately 794,000 during 2021. Below is a table highlighting the type of theft and how many counts have been reported in 2023, thus far. Although theft is an issue in Nottingham, particularly in student areas, there are many easy measures that can be taken to ensure you do not fall victim! So please, take a minute to lock your windows and double check all doors are fully locked.

39

Theft in Nottingham Top tips on preventing the chances of becoming a victim of theft Overall, it is understandable that the added security measures on campus make many feel safer from theft.

But, is that not what we expect from our campuses?

As campuses are privately owned, measures can effectively be implemented in ways that would not be achievable in other student areas.

Keep your bike locked securely Keep windows and doors locked Do not share access codes into houses/ flats etc with others Set a burglar alarm

Despite this, it is inaccurate to say that this is solely an issue in Nottingham and there are evidently cases of criminal activity right across Britain.

Although it would be lovely to live in a world where crime was not present, arguably, that would be simply utopian. Despite this, there are many actions that as students we should take to ensure that not only ourselves but our valuables stay safe. Nottingham is truly a great place to list whilst completing your degree.

Keep keys and valuables out of sight Insure all of your personal belongings (many halls and estate agents include this within your tenancy)

How to report a crime on University Park Campus

Visit the Security Control Room (located in the Trent building and open 8am-4pm Monday to Friday)

Investigation

After all, how many places in the UK have a great University, an abundance of fun things to do, and more geese than students? (okay, that last one may not be so positive).

Ensure your home looks occupied (particularly when you are leaving for holiday periods)

Phone the security team for an EMERGENCY on 0115 951 8888 Phone the security team for NON emergencies 0115 951 3013 Talk to a member of staff/security officer on campus or in student residences

Impact reached out to people working in relevant teams within the public sector as well as sections of the university, but received no response.

How to report a crime to the Police

Contact the student advice centre who can help if you have been the victim of a crime and are in need of support

Phone 999- IMMEDIATE threat to life or property Phone 101- less urgent than 999. Also available 24/7 Report a non-emergency crime or incident online at: https://onlinecrime.notts.police.uk/ Report anonymously to Crime stoppers at: https://crimestoppers-uk.org/give-information/forms/give-information-anonymously Visit a police station

40

THE RISING MEDIA COVERAGE OF WOMEN’S SPORT

By Olivia Hughes

Illustrations by Jocey Neligwa

After such success for the England Women’s Football team at the Euros last summer, hype around the world cup has been growing amongst fans. Yet it is shocking to see that there is very little coverage or advertisement for the upcoming matches.You only have to look at the Men’s World Cup last Winter to see the disparity in coverage between the two tournaments. Impact’s Olivia Hughes reports.

sport

“The difference in coverage between the Men’s and Women’s game can be attributed to misogyny embedded in cultures all across the world.”

41

For the Summer Tournament, England’s games will be shown on either the BBC or ITV1 after the two broadcasters put in a joint bid to show the games. However, there was a potential media blackout surrounding the cup after the FIFA president, Gianni Infantino, threatened to boycott showing the event after what he believed were exceptionally low bid offers compared to the men’s cup.

The BBC and ITV’s offer came to £9 million which was just 8% of the cost of broadcasting for the men’s tournament.

The division between the Men and Women’s football teams began after the world war when the FA banned women from playing football in December of 1921. The sport was becoming popular and attracting large crowds of up to 53,000 at the infamous Goodison Park match on boxing day 190, but the FA believed that football was unsuitable for women and should not be encouraged.

Women could not play again until 1971 but support for women in the game was not the same until the 2022 summer Euros which England took by storm.

This ban stunted the growth of the women’s game drastically and its effect is still felt today with the struggles of the likes of Mary Earps or coverage in general on the women’s game.

“... over 87,000 people flocked to Wembley to watch England v Germany in the Women’s Euros final last summer.”

The difference in coverage between the Men’s and Women’s game can be attributed to misogyny embedded in cultures all across the world. Often Women’s teams have to perform perfectly for their countries to take notice of their successes on and off the pitches. The same cannot be said for the Men’s teams who often have the unbridled support of their country despite their performance.

By far the most popular Women’s Football Team (or Soccer Team) is the United States Women’s National Soccer Team. The team shot to international fame after their 1999 World Cup win over China. The win pushed the Women’s team into mainstream media and attention meaning that they secured a place in American history and a plethora of sponsors with their official sponsor being Nike.

Following the success of the England Team at the Euros, surely they deserve the same level of accolade and support from sponsors, yet this is clearly not the case as demonstrated not only by the broadcasters but also by Nike themselves in the Mary Earps debacle.

The question of why there is little coverage especially when compared to the men’s game is unanswered. Critics might say that the public don’t care about Women’s football as much as Men’s football but over 87,000 people flocked to Wembley to watch England v Germany in the Euros final last summer.

Additionally, England are second favourites to win meaning that media coverage could rally more fans behind the England squad.

In recent media post, the men’s team have been getting behind their women counterparts, with the likes of Mason Mount posting to Instagram showing his support for the women and dawning an Ella Toone football shirt.Many would believe that men showing support for the Women’s team would encourage more of the staunch men’s game followers to support the Women in their world cup efforts, but the progress is slow to seep into the actual game.

It is evident that momentum is growing in the sport, but broadcasters are clearly not keeping up with demand demonstrated by fans. This could be harming the progression of the sport further.

The disparity between the Men’s football coverage and other football teams runs deeper than just between Men and Women. England’s Amputee National Team won the inaugural Nations League in Krakow taking home their first major trophy in 34 years. Yet there was little to no media coverage about this massive accomplishment.

Social media platforms like TikTok and Twitter are helping spread smaller teams to bigger audiences, with dedicated pages to discussing Women’s Football matches, transfers, and drama.

Yet this is still nowhere on the scale of the attention the Men’s teams get on the same apps.

“It is evident that momentum is growing in the sport, but broadcasters are clearly not keeping up with demand demonstrated by fans” Undoubtedly, change doesn’t happen immediately, and no one was expecting the Men’s and Women’s team to be on an equal platform immediately after the Euros. However, it is fair that fans are disappointed with the lack of progress made for this Summer’s World Cup. Now is a better time than ever for sponsors to be involved in Women’s Football.

Perhaps it is even too late for some.

With this in mind, It’s not just in coverage that there is a vast difference between the men’s and women’s game. Mary Earps, England and Manchester United Goalkeeper is in current disputes with Nike as for the second tournament in a row they will not be selling her goalkeeper shirt for fans.

Earps herself offered to fund the production of shirts, however she has instead been forced to produce a limited-edition T-shirt for fans to purchase.

As Ex-England Player and Professional Pundit Alex Scott said “if you’re not involved [in Women’s Football] you’ve missed the boat, you’ve missed the train.

Because look at this, it has finally left the station and it is gathering speed”.

sport

Impact spoke with an avid football fan who revealed they had not in fact watched any of the ongoing womens matches and were waiting until ‘something big happened’ to tune in. A feeling that is perhaps shared amongst many in the public who are not big Women’s football fans.

More matches than ever are being held in the Men’s stadiums with a bigger audience capacity meaning more opportunity for fans to get into the sport.Even smaller teams are taking women’s football more seriously with Nottingham ForestWomen’s team committing to operate a professional hybrid model next season after winning FA Women’s National league Northern Premier Division.

42

CANADA, CORNDOGS AND COMMERCIALISING CRICKETS COUSIN

Illustrations by Ed Farley

By Vinay Patel

Over the summer, one of our writers had the opportunity to watch a Major League Baseball game in Toronto, Canada. Impact’s Vinay Patel discusses his experience and compares sports games in the UK and the increasing commercialisation of American sports.

sport

During my trip to Canada over the summer, I got the chance to watch a Major League Baseball game between the Toronto Blue Jays and the Oakland Athletics at the Rogers Centre in Downtown Toronto. You can imagine my scepticism as an avid cricket fan as to whether it would surpass its older, more distinguished cousin sport both in terms of quality and overall enjoyment.

To say that I was a baseball novice would be a severe understatement, given that I had no idea who the Blue Jays were until I was offered to go and watch them play in the few days prior - my only connection to the Oakland As was through an all-time classic sports film ‘Moneyball’. However, I was more than determined to remain open minded about a new sport and what was likely to be a once in a lifetime experience for a Brit across the pond.

I was forced to adopt the mindset quickly, as the blue shirts were starting to filter into the local, double-decker (!) train that was headed Downtown.

43

Where the average group of travelling fans in Britain would feature the built-in package of unique chanting, singing and more often than not, drinking, those in Canada replaced such tendencies with… civilised conversation?

“It can be argued that the commercialisation of American sports has Make no mistake, I think the creativity also led to a filtered of the Barmy Army, and more recentmethod of fan-support” ly the viral West Ham fan-made chant about their own Lucas Paqueta, in the rendition of 90s classic ‘Push The Feeling On’, is what adds to the beautiful sporting culture of our nation. The warm Saturday afternoon sensation was not enough to distract me that fan culture was different here, not bad, just different.

The walk to the Rogers Centre from the train station coincided with the pre-match buildup and growing anticipation for one man, which was, as fate would have it, cricket star Chris Gayle! Famed for his swashbuckling big-hitting in white-ball cricket, Gayle is the most capped player for the West Indies in international cricket and their leading run-scorer in both T20 and ODIs. The ‘Universe Boss’ was set to throw the first pitch and kickstart the game for the Blue Jays.

“At times, it was easy to feel like you were disconnected from the action despite being inside the stadium”

The game was afoot.

As the teams lined up, patriotic sentiment was rife, as the national anthems of both Canada and the USA warranted live performances, a stark contrast to the spine-tingling renditions of Liverpool’s ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ or the short and sweet ‘Glory, Glory, Man United’ boasted by some of England’s largest sporting fanbases. The start of the game gave way to some lone chants of ‘Let’s go Blue Jays’ but it became obvious that those attending were there to enjoy the event, rather than to verbally get behind their team, as demonstrated in countless sporting events in the UK. At times, it was easy to feel like you were disconnected from the action despite being inside the stadium.

The sense of community and togetherness was replaced by the heavy commercialisation that is ever-present in most US sports, not just baseball.

Between each delivery, it felt like you were surrounded by some form of advertisement, be it on the statistics screen, around the stadium, or plainly echoing around you as the stadium announcer ensured he made his quota of sponsor announcements. It is evident that baseball, in particular, has received a steady influx of commercialisation over the past few decades, going from advertisements between each of the nine innings to almost every few minutes. Granted, a baseball game lasts for roughly three hours, sometimes longer, and so holding one’s attention is not only unfair but near impossible for the average person.

The closest comparison would be a T20 game of cricket, a format that arguably had a detrimental effect on the sport but still does not compare to the swarm of ads that currently exists within baseball. Bear in mind that the contentious amalgamation of All-Star games that the MLB, NFL and NBA all partake in, has not been mentioned up until this point, let alone how quickly such a notion would be rejected by British sports fans.

The introduction of commercialisation in sports will always be a controversial topic, given that it can be seen as partly responsible for its rapid growth in popularity over the decades. However, the longer it continues to expand in American sports in particular, the faster its humble roots will sever in sports such as baseball. As it so happens, to my dismay, the game only became interesting toward the end, during the eighth and ninth inning, to which the Blue Jays emerged victorious. While the overall experience wasn’t bad, I must stress that it felt much more like a choreographed event, rather than what it should have actually been, a baseball game. So for now I think I will wave a swift farewell to American sports and stick to those on the other side of the pond.

sport

In fact, the entire theme of the second of a three-game series was centred around cricket, with the Blue Jays giving away limited cricket-themed baseball jerseys around Rogers Centre. I was not lucky enough to grab one for myself. I was, however, able to make up a minuscule fraction of the 41,720 people that were in attendance, dwarfing 2022’s average attendance of 32,763 for Blue Jays’ home games.

Chris Gayle walked out to scattered applause and threw the first pitch.

One highly spirited gentleman who sat a few rows in front of me attempted to start a Mexican wave that was to make its way around Rogers Centre. Each attempt was more painful than the last, to which, at his fifth and final attempt, the wave merely travelled a quarter of the stadium. The disconnect from the franchise and its fans was evident and it only pointed to one factor.

“The warm Saturday afternoon sensation not enough to It can be argued that the commercialisa- was tion of American sports has also led to a fildistract me that fan tered method of fan support, as opposed to the spontaneity and long-standing tra- culture was different ditions associated with British fan culture.

The familiar, yet catchy ‘Take Me Out to The here, not bad, just Ball Game’, echoed throughout the stadifferent” dium speakers every so often, but would simmer down awfully quickly for a home crowd supposedly supporting their side.

At times, it really felt like the crowd required rather large prompts to get behind their team. .

44

Limbs, tension and rivalries:

By Vivika Sahajpal, James Hadland, Ayman Ahmer & Vinay Patel

For those of you who are Nottingham newcomers, you might wonder how to spend your free time. Whether you’re an avid sports fan or not, Nottingham has you covered. So, take a look at some of Impact Sport’s recommendations for navigating the city’s sporting scene…

Nottingham Panthers: A red-hot atmosphere in an ice-cold rink Amongst the many and varied sports teams gracing Nottingham’s different grounds, you’ll find ice hockey’s Nottingham Panthers. Despite its sizable popularity in the likes of Canada and the United States, ice hockey still has a strong presence in the UK, with Nottingham’s own team helping to lead the charge. Donning black, gold and white, they sit with nine other teams in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the only league of any sport in the UK to have teams from all four nations.

sport

Founded in 1939, the Nottingham Panthers have a history boasting 34 players who have represented Great Britain at World Championships and in Olympic qualifying, not to mention the 16 players enshrined in the British Ice Hockey Hall of Fame. Just this year, Nottingham Panthers’ forwards Mike Hammond and Matthew Myers were named in GB’s 2023 World Championship squad.

Starting off in September with back-to-back matches against their arch-rivals, the Sheffield Steelers, the Panthers are in for a tumultuous season with new head coach Jonathan Paredes hoping to lead them to victory.

The Nottingham Panthers play in the National Ice Centre, which is just a short walk away from Lace Market.

Each game provides an amazing opportunity to experience a competitive and exciting sporting atmosphere, with fans from both universities and the city itself filling the stadium with chanting and cheering. Every Panthers match has the potential to be full of fun and suspense, from their entertaining mascot, down to their tension-building commentaries and backing music.

The presence of the Panthers in Nottingham gives all UoN students the chance to discover something new and maybe even get into a sport they’ve never watched before!

“Donning black, gold and white, they sit with nine other teams in the Elite Ice Hockey League, the only league of any sport in the UK to have teams from all four nations.”

Notts County are Back!

Notts County are back in the big time, but the real hard work starts here. After four painful years away from the Football League, the side have a major point to prove. It is imperative that they build off their solid form last season, demonstrating consistent performances against the greater set of competitors in League Two. County have made four key signings, all with EFL experience, to ease their transition onto the next rung of the footballing pyramid. The improvement of the playing standard between leagues can be taken for granted, but the squad seems well-prepared to continue evolving. Captain Kyle Cameron has mentioned how his side has to be “over prepared” for their new campaign against better opposition. Head coach Luke Williams implied that better decision-making will be key in adjusting to life in League Two. However, opposing sides should be wary of the talent that they have at their disposal. Macaulay Langstaff will be looking to continue his impressive form from last season, having scored 42 goals in 47 games.

The euphoric feeling of play-off glory at Wembley certainly brought the squad together, reinforcing a sense of pride and self-esteem, a culture that County are keen to conserve at the club.

Another aspect they will want to maintain is the bouncing atmosphere at Meadow Lane, which is only a 15 minute walk from the train station. With a stadium capacity that is nearly double the average in League Two, County are truly back where they belong in the Football League. And with affordable pints, who can say no?

While the challenge of entering a new league can seem daunting, County need to relish the opportunity of playing against higher-quality teams.

“The euphoric feeling of play off glory at Wembley certainly brought the squad together, reinforcing a sense of pride and self-esteem” 45

Nottingham Sport In a Nutshell Illustrations by Vivika Sahajpal

Sixes galore and shaking up traditions, why you should be following the Trent Rockets While cricket might not be the sport for everyone, The Hundred offers a condensed, action-packed and entertaining form of cricket. The matches involve each side facing the same amount of deliveries as its namesake and whichever team scores the highest wins…

However, The Hundred have implemented a fun twist to the traditional rules of cricket to keep everyone on their toes. Interesting changes include but are not limited to: the fielding side change ends after 10 deliveries, bowlers can either bowl five or ten consecutive deliveries, which is up to the captain and during the 90 second timeout, coaches are even allowed to walk onto the pitch to discuss tactics. They certainly have a flair for the dramatic but the most crucial thing is that every ball counts in this competition.

The Trent Rockets are the team that represents Nottingham, with the men’s side boasting the likes of world-class all-rounder Rashid Khan and batsman Alex Hales, while skipper Nat Sciver-Brunt (famed for the ‘Natmeg’ shot) and Alana King feature in the women’s side. Sporting yellow and red jerseys, the Rockets will be very difficult to miss on the pitch, especially when playing their home games at Trent Bridge.

Only a 20 minute walk from the train station, Trent Bridge promises to be a great way to spend your afternoon or evening if you fancy something different. The affordable tickets are great value for roughly two and a half hours’ worth of non-stop action.

The Hundred offers a new and exciting path into cricket and who knows, you may enjoy yourself more than you thought, so give it a go!

sport

“Only a twenty minute walk from the train station, Trent Bridge promises to be a great way to spend your afternoon or evening if you fancy something different” Will Nottingham Forest avoid second-season syndrome?

After signing 31 players in the last two transfer windows, has Nottingham Forest got a stabilised team prepared to fight relegation next season?

Escaping the drop by just four points last season demonstrated the work which manager Steve Cooper is cut out for, to ensure they don’t rely on luck once more to survive. Forest significantly switching formation due to injury and inconsistency indicated the side’s lack of a settled XI last season.

However, after a winless run between February and April, a successful run-in was a promising sign that after all the manic transfer business last year, things may have finally settled under Cooper. They require reinforcement in key areas this summer if they are to survive. The departure of goalkeeper Keylor Navas has meant the Reds had to look elsewhere for a man between the sticks, eventually signing Matt Turner from Arsenal.

Following Brennan Johnson’s departure to Spurs, Forest re-invested the money in Anthony Elanga and Callum Hudson-Odoi, who will hope to partner Morgan Gibbs-White in behind Tawiyo Awoniyi. Sought after holding midfielder Ibrahim Sangare has also joined the mould and players returning from injury will hopefully create a stronger squad for this season.

Cooper will look to improve upon his side’s poor away form, with the majority of their points coming at the atmospheric City Ground, hosting memorable wins over Arsenal and Liverpool. So why not get yourselves over there one weekend to watch a game?

As rival teams improve, it is clear that if Forest is going to stay up, they need to back Cooper yet again. It will not be easy, but they managed to once, so why not again?

“their home at the atmospheric City Ground, claiming memorable wins over Arsenal and Liverpool” different” 46

UoN’S CREATIVE WRITING Exhale and show me your pain, that writhes beneath your skin, in your blood, in your heart and mind, and tell of the throbbing ulcer, that grew when joy was absent, and beauty made a blotchy cesspit.

Then breath new air into the world, newly bathed in the privilege to enter your pool of delight, and only then might life return once more, to your cheeks that were once painted, with a red hue of vigour.

A BREATH OF LIFE

Finlay Munden

A SCHOLAR’S ODYSSEY Amidst towering spires and ancient stone walls, a young scholar stood, his heart aflutter with the myriad of opportunities lay before him, much like a knight surveying a bustling medieval marketplace, brimming with colourful traders and potential endeavours. Beneath his feet, the cobbled paths echoed with the lively atmosphere of students and the clinking of armour, as if heralding the arrival of a dawn of new adventures. The scent of parchment, ink, and passion was intertwined by the aroma of hearty hall feasts, promising a chance to savour the rich tapestry of university life. As the sun kissed the horizon, casting a golden glow upon banners adorning the jousting grounds, the students’ eyes twinkled with excitement. Just as knights sought honour and camaraderie on tournament fields, he too sought acclaim, friendship, and meaning amidst the tapestry of societies, where bards strummed lutes and scholars debated with fervour. Within communal chambers hung woven artworks of past crusades, reminding him of the vibrant social scene that beckoned him to join. Each gathering was a chance to immerse himself in the lively court of university life, where chivalry extended beyond battles, and friendships were forged like tempered steel. His quest for enlightenment knew no boundaries, and the student embarked upon this with his new beginning.

Thomas Martin

47

FOR ADVERTISING PURPOSES

Rain pours. Students in open-day branded t-shirts walk. Manoeuvring down the fountain-lined concrete steps- the ones sometimes used for advertising purposes, he walks in that big white building… the one with the tower and the courtyardthe one always used for advertising purposes. Inside the toilets, he looks in the mirror. As if time has stopped, his arm now has tattoos that were once drawings, scribbled on his phone. His hair is longer. Gold glints in the LED lights, bleached blonde tries its best to overcome brown dye that now swamps it. He looks down, makes eye contact. His eyes have seen things he once said he couldn’t’, cried tears over things he once avoided. His lips move. They’ve laughed more than they did before. They’ve also quivered and scowled more. That’s what is meant to happen… time passes, eyes look…mouths smile- hair grows. Tattooed arms like memories- accumulate inside a mirror, marked with a permanence sharpies only wish to have. It’s interesting when we look at ourselves alone, when we don’t use our faces for advertising purposes. He walks out the building. It’s been three years. It’s not raining. There are no open-day branded students. Buildings once scary on pamphlets, are inconsequential after time spent with them. The buildings are just brick, stairs just concrete. Enormity has worn off. Then again, that’s what happens when you stop seeing things for advertising purposes.

Ed Farley

AN EMPTY ROOM, A FULL HEART Sitting, tapping my shoe on this bleak wooden floor, My dad speaks after a moment, telling me “that’s all”.

The car is unloaded, and I see box after box.

Memories flash by with a ticking clock.

And suddenly I can see old life passing by, My sister at the beach, My uncle saying bye, My friends in a hot tub with burnt cookie pie.

My heart opens to this world I have lived in.

And one that, thank god, I have always felt loved in.

“I have to get away” I would say in the car, Ice cream in one hand, the other on my heart.

And I would cry to my mam, “I want something bigger than this”, Promising my grandad that I’m not leaving him.

“I’ll call grandma every night and we’ll talk like we do, A cup of tea, loud TV and you’ll be there too.”

I can’t help but feel guilty, Like I’m the one who ran away.

But I see photos on my wall and feel comfort in your face.

I take a deep breath and rest my foot on the floor.

We still love each other; this is just a new page.

Hayley Lawson

48

meet the team

49

Editor-in-Chief: Lottie Murray Print Editor: Vivika Sahajpal Head of Online: James Hadland Deputy Online Editor: Thomas Martin Deputy Online Editor: Ariya Joshi External Manager: Shakira Hamilton Internal Manager: Esme Mckenzie Social Media Manager: Hattie Rothwell-Inch Artistic Director: Jocey Neligwa Head of Illustrations: Ed Farley Head of Images/Photography: Thomas Acratopulo Head of News: Hannah Walton-Hughes Head of Investigations: Arabella Mitchell Head of Features: Evie Crossland Features Editor: Mike Wong Comment Editor: Megan Brown Head of Lifestyle: Eva Sutton Travel Editor: Alice Thébault Science Editor: Leacsaidh Marlow Style Editor: Katie Sullivan Food Editor: Charlotte Bowers Head of Entertainment: Amelia Brookes Arts Editor: Natalie Howarth Music Editor: Ellie-Mae Davies Film & TV Editor: Christy Clark Gaming Editor: Alyana Fatima Head of Reviews: Hayley Lawson Investigations Editor: Alex Paszkowicz Reviews Editor: Amy Child Head of Sport: Vinay Patel Sports Editor: Ayman Ahmer Head of Podcasts: Jess Couchman

Photography by Lottie Murray

50