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Government backtracks on BoJo’s Canterbury Hospital claims By Bill Bowkett Newspaper Editor Mr Johnson, who was selected as party leader back in July, made the surprise announcement at a fringe meeting during last month’s party conference. However, the city does not feature on a list of 40 hospital projects earmarked by the Health Secretary, Matt Hancock. Footage captures Mr Johnson saying: “Yes, we are going to invest in the southeast. Yes, of course, we are putting money into hospitals. I’m delighted that Canterbury, for instance, is going to be one of the new hospitals we are building.” A day later, the Department for Health and Social Care (DoH) downplayed the claims, acknowledging that no immediate plans were in the pipeline. In a statement, the DoH wrote: “The Prime Minister and the Health Secretary recognise the challenges facing acute services in East Kent including Canterbury, and the Department for Health and Social Care look forward to considering this and other bids in future hospital building rounds.” Labour’s Shadow Health Secretary, Jonathan Ashworth MP, branded Johnson as a “liar” and demanded that the MP for Uxbridge and South Ruislip “apologise for raising hopes of patients and NHS staff in Canterbury like this”. The shadow minister added: “Yet again this sorry episode proves you simply can’t trust the Tories with the NHS.” This was echoed by Canterbury MP, Rosie Duffield, who has called the PM to formally retract the pledge. She said: “This gaffe by the prime minister has raised the hopes of many of us living and working in the area who have long-campaigned fully funded hospital services to be returned to Canterbury. “The Tory candidate should not be attempting to explain away and excuse the Prime Minister’s fake news. A formal retraction and apology need to be forthcoming from No 10 as

this would have drawn a line under this some time ago.” Speaking on BBC One’s Sunday Politics South East show, the Conservative candidate for Canterbury, Anna Firth, admitted that the Prime Minister “clearly made a mistake” and that he “can’t be on top of every little detail”. Despite the omission from No 10, the former barrister remains hopeful that the country will receive funding for a new super hospital to be built over the next few years, as part of the government’s ongoing infrastructure program. “It was very exciting to hear that it is on his radar. We now know that east Kent is finally on the radar at the highest echelons of government and that is my job to make sure that the Secretary of State knows the people of Canterbury want a new hospital.” Firth made headlines this summer when she claimed she could convince Boris Johnson to build a Kent and Canterbury super hospital, but many MPs have been critical of the initiative. Damien Green, former Deputy Prime Minister and Ashford MP, branded the idea “mad”. Last month, the hopeful Firth told InQuire and KTV that there will have to be a consultation on the different options in East Kent but argued: “It’s absolutely clear if you go to the three hospitals, and you talk to people, there has been more investment in the other two sites. Logically, it’s our turn here in Canterbury to get some investment in our health service. “Whatever the other MPs say, I will be battling and fighting to get that that’s what’s good for the people of Canterbury.” Healthcare in the region remains uncertain, with doctors considering a huge reshuffle of services at the Kent & Canterbury, William Harvey in Ashford, and QEQM in Margate. The government has said that the second phase of new hospitals would include 21 new projects, delivering 34 new hospitals. Seed funding will be rewarded to kick start the schemes and will begin in 2025-2030.

“Your campus, your voice” Friday 25 October 2019 15.4

Black History Month Fashion Show, at Eliot College, on Thursday, 17 October. Photo by Aslan Ntumba Ozer

Student arrested in Keynes College on suspicion of assault By Bill Bowkett (Newspaper Editor), Alejandro Javierre (Website News Editor) & Jeanne Bigot (Newspaper News Editor) A University of Kent student was arrested on 16 October in Keynes College, on suspicion of assault. Police were called at 8.40 pm of a reported disturbance at the Canterbury campus involving a 20-yearold woman and members of campus security. The female student was arrested on suspicion of assault and has since been released, pending further inquiries. Contrary to rumours shared on social media that there had been a “stabbing”, a University of Kent spokesperson told InQuire that these allegations were not true. In their words, “scratching” was involved. Kent Television’s Head of News, Amitesh Das, a resident at Keynes College in Block R - where the incident occurred - testified his account of the events that took place that night.

“At around 7:30 pm, I heard a fire alarm that was centralised to the entire flat. My flatmates and I were all in the kitchen and then evacuated the flat. As I went down, the fire alarm meter box that was on the ground floor of the building started ringing. Once the entire building was evacuated, campus security immediately came to the location and entered the building. After about 15 minutes, we were told to go back into the building and flats.” He added: “ Around 7:50 pm, another fire alarm was heard. Similar to last time, the entire building was evacuated. Campus security came again and began to scout the building as they did previously.” At around 8:15pm, Das heard a loud thump on the floor and immediately came out of his room. “My flatmates were aware of it as well. Three other flatmates of mine gathered in the corridor. Since there is a little window in the door between the flats, I had limited but enough vision of the main door.” Suddenly, Das could hear screams of a woman, which eventually died

out. “Campus security personnel were seen entering the flat and exiting. Eventually, a member of campus security could be seen carrying a yellow bag. Since I had a meeting at 9 pm, I left my flat at 8:55 pm.” Once he reached downstairs, around 9 pm, Das could see two Kent Estate white vans and a group of around six members of Campus security. His flatmates, who were all in the premises the flat in between the times of 9:00pm and 10:15pm, reported that they also saw yellow bags present and heard more noises of the girl shouting. Later, they could see campus security members escorting a person out of the flat. No serious injuries were reported. Keynes College Student Committee were not able to pass comment, as they stated they were not informed of any incident. The University of Kent has been approached for comment.

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University of Leicester, Karli Wagener, herself a sexual assault survivor. She felt the level of care provided by the University was so poor she and other survivors created #MeTooOnCampus. When Karli first reported the assault, she was told to simply “tell us [the university] what happened”, with no other guidelines or assistance provided. Karli was given a ‘no-contact agreement’, meaning her attacker was not allowed to speak to her either directly or through other people. What this did not account for, Karli claims, was physical distance. Her attacker was allowed to come as close to her as he wanted so long as he did not speak to her. When offered assistance by the University, Karli said after having to recount her trauma to the counselling service they told her she would face a waitlist of three to six months, and the independent sexual assault crisis centres in Leicester also had full waiting lists. Karli contacted the Student Union president, telling her about her experience. Together they devised the plan for #MeTooOnCampus and began to push for reform of the University’s policy sur-

rounding sexual assault. A tweet about rape at the University of Leicester gained 4,000 retweets and this was used to spread awareness of the campaign. As a result, the University was forced to listen. Karli met the vice-chancellor and, along with the rest of the survivors, has pushed the university to enact sweeping reforms. The reforms included a reform of the no-contact agreement. The rules surrounding those accused of sexual assault being permitted on campus outside of their timetabled class hours were also revised. The campaign led to lectures educating students on what to do when sexual assault takes place, and has removed the cap on the number of counselling sessions available to students, which was previously six. Karla says there is a long way to go. She is trying to get the university to improve inter-departmental communication, so survivors do not have to repeatedly recount their story to different university faculties.

Goldsmiths and Cambridge ban beef to combat climate change By Iqra Ahsan News Sub-Editor All around the United Kingdom, universities have been responding to the ongoing climate change emergency in multiple ways. Most notably by reducing the beef and meat consumption and production on campus. The University of Cambridge has banned beef from its campus dining outlets since 2016 and has subsequently reduced its carbon footprint by 10.5%. Goldsmiths, University of London similarly aims to become carbon neutral by 2025. Producing and transporting the food we eat adds significantly to the growing environmental issue. It accounts for nearly 30% of the global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. It is also a leading contributor to deforestation, land, and water pollution and biodiversity loss. Worldwide, scientists agree that beef and sheep livestock produce the highest number of greenhouse gases. Climate change researchers have deduced that beef is more damaging to the environment as cows produce methane

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gas and require more land and water than other livestock. As glaciers retreat, sea levels rise, and extreme weather events occur more frequently, the need for immediate action is severe. To do this, scientists argue that the number of sheep and cattle livestock should be reduced nationwide. Cambridge has also looked towards reducing the number of dairy products consumed on campus, alongside the expenditure made daily on single-use plastics. Goldsmiths, University of London is also removing beef products on its campus in efforts to reduce its carbon footprint. Currently, the university emits around 3.7 million kilograms of carbon each year but is looking to become carbon neutral by 2025. Apart from reducing meat products on campus, Goldsmiths is also charging a 10p levy on plastic bottles and other plastic products to discourage students from purchasing them. The University of Kent’s role in tackling this global issue is no less praiseworthy. Global non-profit organisation People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) commends Kent on its

vegan friendliness throughout campus, offering it a spot on the ‘20 Most Vegan-Friendly Universities’ list. PETA Director, Elisa Allen, says: “Students in the UK are going vegan in huge numbers, and it’s great to see universities joining the revolution. PETA commends the University of Kent for offering healthy and delicious vegan food options that everyone can enjoy.” Student opinions on this issue vary. Some students say that red meat should be sold on campus purely because of student favourability of red meat. Others suggest that the University should look towards increasing renewable energy sources used on campus to power the accommodation buildings. Something as simple as energy-saving lightbulbs in the library should be considered a “top priority for reducing environmental damage – not reducing beef consumption”, one student told us. The introduction of reduced meat consumption falls into line with Kent’s Estates Department ‘Carbon Management Plan’. Kent Hospitality has increased the

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number of vegan main dishes available on campus. The Director of Estates, Peter Czarnomski, stated in 2018: “We support the commitment of the University to be a low carbon organisation and to reach our target to reduce our carbon emissions by 23% by 2020 against our 2005 consumption.”

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A BBC report published in early October has found that in the academic year 2018-2019, there were 1,436 allegations recorded of sexual assault at UK universities, a staggering rise on the 476 reports logged in the 2016-2017 academic year two years earlier. The #MeToo movement which started on Twitter in 2017 has been cited as one of the reasons for the increase in suspected victims speaking out. It has liberated the conversation around sexual assault and helped victims gain confidence in reporting such crimes when they take place. Many cases remain unreported. Such assaults can often lead to feelings of shame, guilt, and embarrassment. Suspects accused of perpetrating victims continue to go unpunished. Home office statistics show that more than 98% of assault claims go unpunished. Both Kent Union and the University have launched initiatives to tackle this issue, with Venue and Woody’s implementing the ‘Ask Angela’ scheme wherein anyone can covertly

request for help from the bar staff if they feel threatened. Kent Union launched its ‘Zero Tolerance’ sexual harassment and discrimination policy in 2016 which states: “Our Venue policy outlines that we do not tolerate the following behaviour in our premises: Unwelcome sexual gestures or innuendos. Groping, pinching or smacking someone’s body without consent i.e. bottom or breasts.” Many students question whether this is enough to prevent such actions in the future, claiming that the Universities can do more. Lectures, consent workshops, specific counsellors for sexual assault, and more have been campaigned for at universities throughout the country to help tackle the issue. Kent students are attempting to raise awareness around the topic, with prominent ‘meme’ pages at the university making posts concerning the issue. The Instagram account ‘kentunifess’, with over 5,000 followers, recently made a post targeting sexual assault. While their allegations were directed at a group of people, no further information has been uncovered about the allegations. InQuire spoke with a student at the

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Staggering rise in reports of sexual assault and harassment in UK Universities, BBC investigation shows

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Timea Koppandi Newspaper Culture Editor

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

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InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Lecturer strikes in store over pensions and pay, claims Kent academic By Daniel Esson Writer The University and Colleges Union (UCU), which represents around a thousand staff at the University of Kent, in conjunction with associate unions, will be balloting on 1 November on whether to take strike action. The UCU announced two main reasons for the ballot. The first echoes the strikes in 2018 over changes to the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), the largest pension scheme for higher education staff in the country. Staff are expected to make have increased contributions of up to 9.6%,, but the amount they get in return is diminishing. Analysis by First Actuarial found that the average USS member is expected to lose £240,000 in retirement. The second reason for the vote being scheduled has to do with casualisation and pay inequalities. Real terms value of pay in higher education has fallen by 20% in the last decade and the average pay gap based on gender and ethnicity in higher education stands at 15.9%. Casualisation means that academics, teaching, and assistant teaching staff are on increasingly precarious and insecure contracts – 71,000 academic staff

in the country find themselves on these offers fall short”. contracts. Between 2015-17, industrial action Employers, in the wake of 2018’s won the introduction of Guaranteed strikes, offered a 1.8% pay rise, but this Minimum Hours (GMH) contracts for has since been rejected. lecturers. However, Dr Lyne said that The unions’ core demands stand as employers and human resources desuch: a total end to zero-hours contracts partments seem to find these requirein higher education, a legally binding ments “cumbersome”. commitment from universities to close He spoke of the fact that on the first all discriminatory pay gaps, a pay rise day of return for staff from the 2018 of 3% or £3,349 (whichever is greater), strikes, the University opened collective and the minimum wage for all higher consultations considering redundancies education staff to be £10 an hour. for staff on GMH contracts. Dr Owen Lyne, Branch Secretary for Dr Lyne added: “We said: ‘we have the University of Kent’s UCU, casual stuff who are vulnerable’ and the stated: “It’s in Kent’s interest university says, ‘we can deal with to get this positively rethat, we’ll sack them’”. solved”. Dr Lyne understands that Dr Lyne mentioned students may see strikes as that a recent nationan inconvenience, as some al offer to the unions did in 2018, but he said: would have employers “Our working conditions cover a limited amount are your learning condiof the USS contributions tions”. for staff but would also Dr Lyne called the role of impose a two-year strike Kent Union “inherently politban on all higher educaical” and that the tion unions. Union “overlooks Dr Lyne said: the overlap in “Almost all of UCU and Kent the unions Union memhave said bership” in the emregard to Photo by University of Kent ployers’ Graduate

Teaching Assistants (GTAs). One GTA, who wished to remain anonymous, said they are expected to mark assessments at a breakneck pace. The GTA said: “Academia is not a kind of machine. I really believe our working conditions affect students directly.” The GTA mentioned that the argued failure of the University to deliver substantive change for staff in the wake of the 2018 strikes, combined with the pressure of doctoral workloads, has discouraged staff from taking part in further industrial action. The discouragement is furthered by the 2016 Trade Union Act, which requires a minimum 50%-member turnout for a ballot to be legal. Dr Lyne said the law “encourages members not to vote” and that it is “anti-democratic”. The GTA shared Dr Lyne’s disappointment with Kent Union and said that “we need to involve students”. They said they understand why students see it as an inconvenience, but “if you strike, strike. Disrupt the system”. Kent Union has since created a petition where students can “shape Kent Union’s stance.

The University of Kent has been approached for comment.

News Politics rundown By Bill Bowkett Newspaper Editor •

•

Kent Police has said they will be able to cope with serious road accidents on the M2, M20, and other major road networks after October 31; Home Secretary, Priti Patel, visited Maidstone this month to announce more police officers. Speaking alongside Police and Crime Commissioner, Matthew Scott, Ms Patel announced the first wave of extra officers being recruited with Kent securing government funding for 147 extra staff. The force will have a vital role in managing the different phases of Operation Brock; a contingency plan that involves a contraflow that will divert lorries to the Manston airfield site. A crowd funder by For our Future’s Sake (FFS) and the Young Europeans broke its target to raise funds for buses to drive students to the ‘People’s Vote March’ held on October 19. The group managed to raise £2.5k in small donations over the space of five days. Brexiteers are expected to descend on Margate this month for a Brexit Party meeting. Candidates from the Nigel Farage’s party will arrive at the Walpole Bay Hotel for a meet and greet, including University of Oxford graduate and candidate for Canterbury, Owen Prew.

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

News

At a glance Kent postgrad student found dead in her home A postgraduate student at the University of Kent was found dead in her room at her Canterbury accommodation on 11 October. Jessica Small, originally from Buckinghamshire, 26, was a graduate teaching assistant at the School of Anthropology and Conservation. A spokesperson for the University told Kent Online: “Our sympathy and condolences are with Jess’ family and friends at this most difficult time.” If you or someone you know is going through a hard time, call Canterbury Nightline at 01227 824848 from 8pm8am. The University provides crisis drop-in sessions if you or someone you know is in need of urgent support, from 2pm-4pm in Canterbury at the Student Support and Wellbeing Reception in Keynes, and from 2pm-3pm in Medway at the Student Support Office in Gillingham. First-year Economics and Politics student dies Conor Chambers, a fresher at the University of Kent, was confirmed dead by University spokesperson on Tuesday, 22 October. The School of Politics and International Relations wrote in an email to its students: “Our sympathy and condolences are with Conor’s family and friends at this most difficult time. The University is sending the family both flowers and a formal letter of condolences.” Kent PhD student on BBC’s 100 most influential women for 2019 Trang Nguyen, a PhD student from the School of Anthropology and Conservation, has been named on BBC’s list of 100 most influential women. This year’s list asks, ‘What would the future look like if women drove it?’. The 100 women on the list are praised by the BBC for their leadership skills in fields that matter for the future – from knowledge to creativity, to sport, or identity. Tran Nguyen was named in the ‘Earth’ category, for setting up WildAct, a non-profit organisation that helps authorities monitor illegal wildlife trade markets. City Council announces new student accommodation in Kingsmead The new development on Kingsmead will begin construction shortly. The £115 million project is aiming to revive the city of Canterbury and drive tourists further from the city centre to invigoratethose areas. With a new public square, 189 houses, and student accommodations, as well as a new Curzon cinema, restaurants, and multiple bars, Riverside is planned to be finished by the year 2023. Kent students among Business Insider’s UK Tech 100 Raphaël Vigée, Brychan Bennett-Odlum, James Jarvis, and Filip Grebowski have appeared on Business Insider’s UK Tech 100 list, detailing the 100 most influential people in the British technology industry. The announcement comes months after it was revealed that the students’ open-source web player for Apple Music, Musish, attracted Apple’s attention.

Homelessness in Canterbury Special report

Photo by Canterbury Journal

Between social urgency and resilience Jeanne Bigot Newspaper News Editor

n 1 October, the Office for National Statistics (ONS) released a report on homelessness in the United Kingdom. The report observed a 22% increase in homeless deaths from 2017 to 2018, with an estimated death toll of 726 over a year. The disparity in life ex-

pectancy between homeless people and the general population is alarming. Where, in the general population, men live on average to be 76-years-old and women 81, rough sleepers pass away at the ages of 45 and 43 for men and women respectively. In 2018, 86% of rough sleepers

were men. These shocking figures come just a few months after ONS revealed Canterbury having the fifth-highest rate of homeless deaths in the country in 2017. Although the government announced a £215 million boost for city councils across

the country to help tackle rough sleepers, the homelessness crisis is ongoing. Besides policymaking and wealth distribution, community outreach has proved to be of utmost importance in helping homeless people get back on track.

The importance of community action

hursday, 10 October marked World Homelessness Day. To raise awareness on the issue, 40 businesses across Canterbury turned their shop fronts purple, the signature colour of Porchlight. Set up in 1974, Porchlight is a charity organisation working in Kent, helping “vulnerable and isolated people”, according to their website. From a single shelter in Canterbury, Porchlight has grown to help more than 5.000 people in need across the county. As stated on Porchlight’s website, in the past six months, over 400 people have experienced homelessness in Kent and more than 550 people are in danger of becoming homeless. National figures also show that Kent has one of the highest proportional of homeless women. According to Porchlight, there are also specific gender-related problems in homelessness. Porchlight says that 91% of women who have experienced violence or sexual abuse while rough sleeping does not report it. “Complex histories of violent relationships and abuse, sometimes stemming from childhood, can result in pattern-forming behaviour which means women may enter into abusive relationships on the street for security and companionship, or to get a roof over their heads,” stated Porchlight volunteer, Dr Sue Hornibrook. Charities helping with the rough sleeping crisis also exist here at the University of Kent. Canterbury Homeless Outreach (CHO) is one of them. Created by students at the University, the socie-

ty aims at outreaching every night in the streets of Canterbury. More than donating food or hot drinks, CHO’s role is important in offering a presence for the people experiencing homelessness in Canterbury. Eve Blay, Secretary for Canterbury Homeless Outreach, explained to InQuire how their outreach system worked. Aiming to do as much as one outreach session each night, CHO counts more than 200 volunteers in its ranks, some of the leaders that are qualified to organise outreach sessions. The society partners with Greggs on the High Street. The northern food outlet agrees to give CHO their unsold items by the end of the day and the outreach leaders sort the food according to dietary preferences. The route of their sessions usually runs through Canterbury’s city centre, Eve mentioned around 15 to 20 rough sleepers are helped on average per session. “Canterbury Homeless Outreach is a way for rough-sleepers to maintain consistent human contact. Even when only a few people pay attention to them during the day, our outreach sessions make it possible for them to talk about their day, tell us about their lives, what brought them to this situation. I’ve noticed religion is a very important part of their lives - just last week, a man asked me to pray with him.” Blay also mentioned how important it was for students to get involved in community action. “As students, it is easy to consider university life as the norm, especially with the campus being perched on top of a

hill, so far removed from the city centre. Going out on the street to help people, giving a bit of your time is a beautiful way to keep in touch with the real world at such a crucial age. Being aware of the reality of life outside university is very important.” “CHO is incredible because it is a society - it allows us to socialize and meet people, like any other society. The difference is it also allows us to put our time and energy to good use. Outreach sessions are not very time-consuming and are volunteer-based, which makes CHO such a dynamic organisation.”

“Giving a bit of your time is a beautiful way to keep in touch with the real world.”

Photo by Canterbury Homeless Outreach

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

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InQuire met with Johnny Woodger, manager of the Drapers’ Arms since June of last year, to talk about his and the pub’s involvement with helping people in the county.

he Drapers’ Arms was one of the pubs which turned its shopfront purple, Porchlight’s signature colour, on World Homelessness Day to raise awareness. At just 30 years-old, Johnny is eager to do his part to help with the situation. He was wearing Porchlight’s purple t-shirt when we met, and so was the rest of the staff working that morning. Next to the register, at the bar, leaflets explaining Porchlight’s work were available and a donation tin was placed there as well. Having experienced a precarious situation when he was younger, Johnny told us he now wants to give back and help people in the way Porchlight has helped him. “It’s very humbling to be part of things like these, to kind of give back. Now I am in a position where I manage two restaurants, we’ve got space here, we can host events for Porchlight and help them.” As a business owner who has gone through difficult situations before, Johnny insisted on his luck and on the fact that his experience was only one example. To him, the spotlight should be on the larger problem of homelessness. “I’m very keen to be careful to say that I was very lucky in my situation. Although I was unlucky in the one sense, it could have been a hell of a lot worse for me, and I’m grateful that I didn’t have to sleep rough or deal with any abusive situation. “I didn’t really want to make it all about me or my story as such. Because I don’t let it define me, I don’t really see it as a big thing. The important thing is the awareness being raised for the charity.” After staying at a friends’ house for a few months following complicated personal circumstances, Johnny’s school was made aware of the situation and put him in touch with Porchlight.

Shelley Photo by R.Greshoff

He sounded thankful for Porchlight’s involvement with his problem, but the underlying point of our discussion was that human presence could be twice as important as material financial help. “You can be quite lonely in these situations, so you tend to stick together quite a bit. I’m really grateful for my friend Jason’s support outside of the support Porchlight provided with weekly meetings, care work and those sorts of generic support systems. Being provided with a safe space, that was all I needed as a person,” Johnny stated.

“Being provided with a safe space, that was all I needed as a person.” As the discussion progressed around homelessness today, we talked more about the stereotypes regarding drug and alcohol abuse in the community. Johnny highlighted how easy it is to fall into these toxic patterns, especially with the mental health issues that come with being in such a precarious situation. While drugs and alcohol are a big problem in the community, Johnny was adamant to tell us that it was not the only problem. To him, misconceptions around drugs in the homeless community are common. “It’s important to speak to people, you can’t tarnish everybody with the same brush. There’s both sides to it.” An aspect of Porchlight’s work that we talked about is the number of people living in precarious situations without rough sleeping. As Woodger pointed out: “Yes, there are 400 homeless people in Kent at the

moment, but there’s also the 250 living on sofas and getting by, but not really, not thriving.” The question of housing was also raised. In his opinion, real estate developers should be doing more to provide social centres and social housing. “Canterbury is seen as this nice, beautiful, affluent city. The reality is not quite that. Instead of providing however many family homes and student houses, if 1% of that was dedicated to another social housing situation, then it would be such a boost in the city.” The conversation shifted to the topic of community support and decreasing solidarity. He told us this phenomenon makes rough-sleepers even more invisible to the public eye, and the drive to help them less frequently. “I think that people aren’t as supportive as they used to be. There’s less community spirit now. Things like the purple day for Porchlight and events like that are few and far between, there’s not much else going on. I don’t know if it’s part of the social media age where you can, on your birthday, ask for a donation to appear charitable, pretend like you really supported something.” On that topic, Johnny mentioned the fundraiser that the Drapers’ Arms held last Christmas for the charity Catching Lives. During Christmas meals, the pub added a £1 discretionary donation to the bill for Catching Lives – they only raised £180 at the Drapers’ Arms, and he was shocked by the number of people who blatantly refused to donate. As our conversation drew to a close, we asked Johnny if he thought it was harder to be in a situation of homelessness now than it was a few decades ago. “I think it’s way different now, generations become more connected and less connected at the same time. It’s a tough world out there, and there’s a lot more uncertainty. It feels like it’s a growing problem.”

Keith Photo by R.Greshoff

Emily and Mia Photo by R.Greshoff

Jason Photo by R.Greshoff

Breaking down stereotypes: An interview with Robert Greshoff L ast summer at the Beaney Museum, Canterbury, ‘Portraits of Homelessness’ celebrated Porchlight’s 45 years of existence. Showcasing Robert Greshoff’s work, the exhibition offered an eye-opening study of Kent’s homeless population. InQuire got in touch with Robert Greshoff to learn more about the significance of his work for the homelessness crisis in Kent. InQuire: What encouraged you to temporarily stray from corporate photography to more artistic work around homelessness? R. Greshoff: I have spent all of my life working in photography. After my Fine Art (Photography) degree, I assisted for a couple of years and then started working professionally doing editorial commissions. It was easier I think 30 years ago, the money wasn’t great but there was a need and I helped fill it. Working on film with little latitude for cockups and those deadlines certainly help you hone your craft at all stages of production. The corporate stuff came later. I guess what I am trying to say in a rather roundabout way is that my commissioned work (corporate or otherwise) has always existed in the context of my general photographic endeavours. Also, I come from a documentary tradition and for me, the best photography almost without exception serves a cause or has a master outside the photographer if you see what I mean. There are grounds to argue that this is not the case for “fine art” photography but I would suggest that it still is. That is sufficient for now. This particular project came about two and a half years ago. I had just finished a day of corpo-

rate portraits and was feeling a bit depressed about the work I sometimes do. When I did a lot of editorial work I kind of felt that what I was doing had a social function beyond the work itself. Corporate work lacks this dimension. It is purely for the benefit of my clients which on one level is absolutely fine (and how it should be) but on others, it is less so. On my way home, I got thinking about how I could bring back some of that social responsibility and given the increasing issue around homelessness; Portraits of Homelessness was born. I was conscious from the beginning that this is a vulnerable sector of society and I did not want to find myself in an exploitative relationship with my sitters. I approached Porchlight who were able to facilitate the project. InQuire: Why did you choose to shoot your subjects out of the ‘traditional’ portrayal of homeless people, and instead photograph them in a studio setting? R. Greshoff: The corporate portraiture I do is well-produced and is created at least in part to provide a “flat” presentation of a business. This is achieved by consistency in approach and by removing individuals from context. So, all you are presented with (visually) is the person. Everything else (like status) is added by placement within the context of the site, book, or brochure. It occurred to me that this would be an effective way of showing the humanity behind homelessness – a situation that is inherently defined by their environment. If one removes the homelessness context, people cease to be homeless and just are people. The lesson is a rather basic one I am afraid: we are fundamentally the same regardless of our circumstances.

“If one removes the homelessness context, people cease to be homeless and just are people.”

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

25% of UK mammals facing extinction By Steven Allain Writer

The State of Nature Report 2019 has indicated that an alarming number of British species are facing extinction. The report, authored by more than 70 wildlife charities, has shown that 15% of species – almost 1,200 – are threatened with extinction in Great Britain. Worryingly more than a quarter of all terrestrial mammal species are at risk of extinction, including the Scottish wildcat, and the greater mouse-eared bat. Habitat loss is one of the biggest drivers of declines observed in our wildlife, along with other threats such as climate change, and agricultural intensification. Other mammals that are in decline include the European water vole, and the European hedgehog. Hedgehogs have declined by around 50% since the turn of the millennium and water voles have declined by more than 90% since 1960. The range of both species are continuing to contract despite increased conservation efforts in recent years. It was not until the 1960s that conservation organisations really started to record population data for wildlife. Since then, the design of surveys has become more robust, and a greater volume

Photo by GlacierNPS | Flickr

of data has been gathered to give us an insight into the status of species. In conservation, a baseline of somewhere between the 1960s and 1970s is used, depending on which group of animals or plants being analysed. The data can be biased to certain groups depending on their ease of collection or the amount of funding available. An example is that there are far more records and data for birds compared with amphibians. There is also a danger that this baseline is not sufficient enough, as wildlife would have already declined at this point, from the 1950s following the initial post-war agricultural intensification, in contrast to this, the UK’s population was significantly lower during that period. Imagine how much suitable habitat has been destroyed to build houses, schools, and hospitals since the 1960s. It is clear that the UK’s wildlife is in trouble, increased conservation efforts are not sufficient enough to help reverse declines. Some species are doing well in our modern landscapes, whereas others are barely clinging on. The solution is to move away from the single-species model and to protect landscapes – moving to a more holistic approach. Protecting landscapes helps to conserve all of the species in that environment which is particularly important if the species are dependent on each other for survival. For example, if prey species have very specific needs and these are not being met and therefore decline, you can expect the predator species to fol-

low, unless they can adapt to a new food source. Without further investment in the protection of our native species and their habitats, the declines are set to continue until we have a ubiquitous assemblage across the country with very little diversity. Mammals tend to be subject to greater levels of support in conservation when compared to other groups such as amphibians and reptiles, so in some ways their plight is surprising. This could be due to a lack of public knowledge in many cases. The hazel dormouse and pine marten are two mammal species that are extremely rare, meaning members of the public are incredibly lucky if they see one. This brings about the question of whether most members of the public realise they exist in the first place? Everyone is aware of deer, foxes, and badgers. But how many members of the public would be able to identify the majority of the UK’s mammal species? One of the issues our native mammals may face is the public thought of eradicating invasive species such as mink, or grey squirrels, in order to favour our own native wildlife. People are very fond of grey squirrels despite the fact they are an invasive species that has extirpated our native red squirrels from most of their range. I would imagine that despite the fact eradication is one of the only ways to help restore red squirrels to majority of their former range, that people would soon voice their concerns. This is a very different matter to the now infamous culling of our native badgers. Invasive mammals pose a very different issue to most other groups of animals due to the fondness the public has for them. Britain has lost over 130 species since the 16th Century and unless we take drastic and radical action, this figure is only going to increase. Now is the time to act before the final grain of sands falls on not just our endangered mammals but our other imperilled species too.

How well do you know your British mammals?* * Answers at the bottom of the page

Photo by Green Yoshi| Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Bjorn Schulz| Wikimedia Commons

Photo by fs-phil| Wikimedia Commons

Photo by Peter Trimming| Flickr

Photo by Hans Markus Antson| Wikimedia Commons

Photo by vil.sandi | Flickr Answers (from top to bottom): European pine martin, hazel dormouse, pipistrelle bat, European water vole, Roe deer, wildcat

Science and Technology

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Kent Talks: A panel for the students, by the students

e would like to proudly introduce an inspirational new project created to empower and uplift students of the University of Kent – Kent Talks. Whether you are an undergraduate or a postgraduate, a bold public speaker or a nervous speaker, we will provide you with the necessary guidance and support to become an orator on our stage! At Kent Talks our objective is to help enrich students of the university by gaining knowledge on diverse subject matters that can be easily overlooked during our time at university. We will be holding four events throughout the academic year with three speeches taking place at each event; all students are welcome and we will ensure you are updated before each event. This is a wonderful chance for you to express your passions and concerns on a topic of your choice whilst simultaneously developing your confidence. Our platform ensures every individual within the university has access to a framework where they can talk

about an interest or expertise, identify problems or simply share personal experiences that they believe others will benefit from. If you have ever felt strongly about an issue or topic and wanted to raise awareness, then this is the perfect opportunity for you. All you need is a thirst to overcome barriers and a passion to continuously self-evolve. Our project members will be here to prepare and mentor you for your upcoming talk.

The First Event Save this date on your calendar - Nov 11 - we would be expecting you at the Gulbenkian Theatre from 17:00-18:00. This is a great opportunity to collaborate with your friends all around campus, meet new like-minded people and deepen your educational and social values. Become a part of our community and don’t miss out the next series of events that we are due to hold.

If you would like to get involved, please contact our project leader Miray Has fh242@ kent.ac.uk. Looking forward to seeing you at our first event! Teni Othman B-Etti: Fear

”Where your fear is, there is your task” - C.G. Jung. Fear is something that we all struggle with, it hinders us from producing our best work and achieving our greatest self. Even though the things that we fear the most are vital for us to move forward in life, why do we human beings still struggle with fear? Megan Rose Deefholts, Hannah Copeland and Taylor Mitchell: Beating Eating Disorders Eating disorders are widespread across university students, yet remain highly stigmatised.

How can we spot eating disorder behaviours in ourselves and others? This talk will take a look into the epidemic of eating disorders among university students, ask and answer some important questions, with personal accounts of the struggles of recovering and overcoming eating disorders. Stephen Kamara: Divine Purpose Divine Purpose is your personal life mission. It’s intense passion, spark and drive.” Your divine person is what YOU were made to do and be. Sometimes it is difficult to see your divine purpose, especially when you are clouded by insecurities, self-doubt and withdrawals. This talk will explore every individuals divine purpose and the “why” to our lives.

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Opinion

Jeanne Bigot P ictures of Justin Trudeau, Canada’s Prime Minister, have surfaced. Taken in 1990 and 2001, they show Trudeau adorning blackface, notably one where he dressed as the character of Aladdin for an ‘Arabian Nights’ themed party. It seems insane that this level of insensitivity is still present in modern culture; as though people have not yet understood the problem with blackface. These incidents tend to have people defending them as mere childish mistakes, yet Justin Trudeau was 30-years-old in 2001. His father had already been the Canadian Prime Minister on two occasions. There is a point where people have to stop using youth and innocence as an excuse for racism. I remember when Trudeau was elected, in 2015. The media blissfully reported how good this was for Canada, what a liberal icon he was to become. Many commented on his youth, on his good looks. I remember people would say: “Wouldn’t this be great if we had someone like that?” Admittedly, I was happy when he got elected, too. Surely, this would be the most left-leaning Prime Minister Canada could have. While Trudeau apologised,

citing innocence and ignorance to the racist underlying aspect of blackface, this still rings false. Surely the son of a Prime Minister would know what was racist and what was not. Indeed, the 1990s are not the 1950s. It is too late to claim ignorance now. The problem with Trudeau seems to be the disparity between the image he sends out and the reality of his policies. When he was appointed in office, he nominated a gender-balanced cabinet. He sent out an open, multicultural, generally friendly image that people associate with Canada. After all, Canada is not the UnitedStates. They are supposed to be the good guys over there, are they not? Except, much like Canada, Trudeau’s underlying, hidden racism started to rear its ugly head. After making empty promises to First Nations and then to indigenous people, Trudeau approved projects for pipelines throughout indigenous land. $15 billion worth of arms were shipped over to Saudi Arabia, and corporation taxes were cut by $10.5 billion. The reality is that, much like Emmanuel Macron, Trudeau and his policy were conservative, heavily capitalist, classist

clasist policies disguised in a conservative box with a bow on top. This has become a trend in international politics. With the rise of far-right extremism, right-leaning centrist groups superficially advocate for social issues yet fail to address them. The problem arises when the public buys into it. Trudeau, Macron, and the likes are appraised in the international press as the future of liberal politics – as the new face of the left – when there is not really anything ‘social’ about their policies. The problem also comes when people like them are mistaken for the ‘left’ and deteriorate the actual electorate’s hopes of the actual left. Just a month before the general election in Canada, set to take place on 21 October, this scandal has caused the Conservatives to gain ground on the Liberals, as much as 3 to 5 points. The New Democratic Party leader, Jagmeet Singh, has noted that blackface from Trudeau is part of an “ongoing behaviour [...] backed up with policies that continue to hurt people”. This is one of the most nauseating new stories of the month, and perhaps the most nauseating aspect of it is how common stories of this kind have come to be.

The views and opinions in these articles are those of the authors and does not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of InQuire Media.

Justin Trudeau’s blackface reveals the ugly side of a ‘liberal’ prime minister

Photo by Wikipedia Photo by Flickr

Turkey is playing a dangerous political game

T Olivia Warr

Opinion Sub-Editor Sources provided by Baris Celik

urkey’s recent operation in northern Syria has been rightfully condemned by many nations across the world. Turkey, ironically, has named the endeavour ‘Operation Peace Spring’. On 9 October, Recep Tayyip Erdogan, the Turkish President, publicly announced its commencement. The People’s Protection Unit (YPG) is viewed as a terrorist organisation by Turkey and this is why they are invading; to create a safe zone of 30km in Syria, beside the Turkish border. This comes just days after it was announced that the US troops were being pulled out of Syria. Even though NATO has acknowledged that the concerns that Turkey has are legitimate, the offensive operation poses a huge danger for Syria and its people. Turkey has strategically picked this time to launch the operation. On 6 October 2019, President Donald Trump announced that the 2,000 American troops that are stationed in Syria are to be withdrawn. This came as a shock to nations across the world and the decision has been met with criticism from many

high officials. The withdrawal placed Syria in a vulnerable position, for without the US troops the Syrian forces have been left weakened and more susceptible to a Turkish offence. Civilians make up some of the worst affected by Turkey’s offence. Before Operation Peace Spring, the United Nation estimated that over 700,000 people in Northern Syria require humanitarian assistance. The offence is likely to displace thousands of people; adding to this already huge crisis. In the past, Turkey has gained a reputation for treating civilians unfairly, and the current situation will unsurprisingly resurrect such anxieties. To make things worse, the Syrians that are fighting alongside Turkey have been accused of conducting arbitrary killings of civilians. This just adds to the already dangerous situation of Syrian civilians that have now, unrightfully, been forced to choose between fleeing their homes or staying in a warzone. Operation Peace Spring is also having a boosting effect on the terrorist group ISIS, which the SDF and American troops

had come so far in the fighting. Despite Turkey’s active contribution to national anti-terrorism, there have been accusations that forces backed by Turkey are releasing ISIS fighters held in prisons controlled by the SDF. In addition, with the conflict in play, some ISIS fighters have managed to escape from prison camps. Even though Turkey is meant to be fighting against the terrorist group, it seems they are much too preoccupied with the Kurds and gaining their safe zone. The offence will only increase the damage done to the work against ISIS terrorism that has come so far in the last few years. The Turkish offence in Northern Syria is bound to have appalling consequences for both Syrian civilians and for the hope of defeating ISIS. The issue is complex and the fight between Turkey and the Kurdish people has occurred for over 200 years. However, Trump’s decision to remove American troops has given Turkey what it needs to launch an operation in which the outcome could be detrimental for everyone involved.

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Is there any value to a year abroad?

Photo by Pixabay

Rob Topham

his question is one of special note in 2019 when you consider the cost of studying abroad and the fact that a year abroad does not count toward your final degree. Despite this, I wholeheartedly believe that for the majority of people a year abroad is beneficial. Firstly, a problem many students encounter when progressing from second to third-year is the difficulty to acclimatise towards a heavier workload. Most third-year students struggle with the balance between writing a dissertation (or equivalent project) and taking on heavier modules while keeping up with extra-curricular activities. As such, a year abroad offers students the ability to be immersed within a course. The respective student will gain more experience in the field they are working in; hopefully leading to better results in thirdyear, the time when it matters the most to do well. Another benefit that comes from a gap between second and third-year is the ability to spend time away from a traditional academic environment. This is incredibly helpful for many students who have gone straight from GCSE’s to A-levels to a degree as it helps to put one’s career goals and aspirations for the future in a better perspective. The academic environment can get incredibly intense and overwhelming to the point where it is difficult to perceive a future outside of academia. Thus, being a foreign country for a year can allow studies to progress. It can also remind you of the importance to lead the life you want outside of work. The most obvious benefit is also worth mentioning: the very fact that a year abroad offers the ability to study in a completely foreign country is a huge opportunity. The brand-new environment effectively forces a student to make new friends and connections, strengthening any social skills that can easily slump post-Fresher’s week. As well as this, learning to navigate an entirely new place and culture gives a student the skills to adapt to any environment in the future, for what could be more intimidating than a completely new country, surrounded by strangers possibly speaking a foreign language. The ability to travel, moreover, is an invaluable life experience. After graduating university, life is likely to become a lot more intense and a lot busier. A gap between second and third-year is the best time to see the world while not needing to take an entire year out of life. While a year abroad may be expensive, the intangible benefits it offers a student are invaluable. It may not count towards your degree, but what you gain from the experience can be so much more than a grade.

Opinion

What is it like to be a black student at Kent? Are there black people in Ireland?

In light of Black History Month, Olamide Olao depicts her experiences as a black woman, student and individual at the University of Kent and within white environments.

s an Erasmus student, I find myself having repeated conversations about where I am from. When asked, I usually respond with Ireland, yet I always receive a confused response. Indeed, I am sometimes even asked: “Are there black people in Ireland?” Despite usually laughing it off, it is extremely frustrating to hear. Not only for the display of mere ignorance but because this has come from my fellow black students who understand the challenges that come with being black and British. Navigating through my identity has been a constant and ongoing journey. Always questioning, am I just Black? Irish? Nigerian? Ghanaian? Can I be one or more than one at once? Moving to Kent has been quite a culture shock for me. I was not used to seeing so many diverse faces on a day-to-day basis. Coming from a suburban town in Dublin, I could count how many black families there are on my fingers. Growing up as the only black girl in my class, on my road, and subsequently in my work and creative spaces has always made me feel like an outsider. There is a new generation who are born African and raised Western or born in the West and raised with African values who have to find a way to understand themselves in a predominately white society. On-campus I see so many black faces, but we are often in white spaces. An issue that I have seen both at my university in Ireland and here at the University of Kent is that it is a highly

segregated environment most of the time. People from different cultural backgrounds tend to stay together, seeking a feeling of belonging and comfortability. There are exceptions to this, such as international students like me who are pretty much forced to interact with as many people as possible until you find those who understand you, or at the very least who have similar interests. Seminars, for example, are a perfect opportunity to find these people. The University, however, does not do enough to utilise this space in presenting a diverse range of academics. The curricula of most modules are full of white middle-class writers who are often male. Especially as a BAME English student, I only encounter writers who look like me when discussing a ‘struggle’. I hope there comes a time where black academics and scholars are appreciated to the same extent as their white counterparts. This is not because there is a lack of black academics, rather the system historically tends to favour and highlight white writers more than any other group or ethnicity. When discussing the black experience, I think it is extremely important to distinguish between physical or verbal racism and systemic racism. One of my recent experiences with verbal racism was when I was asked for money from a homeless person and as soon as I responded “sorry, not right now”, my friend and I were called the N-word and told to leave the country. Fortunately, I was with another black female friend and we could laugh it off. Far too often I have found myself on public transport or in different environments where I feel alone, and I

am left questioning who I am. In those instances, I wish just one person could also speak up against such words and actions, regardless of their ethnicity, as a symbol of solidarity. Systematic racism comes when refusing to pronounce my Yoruba name correctly, for example, or being over-sexualised and tainted as the stereotypical angry black woman when I am passionate about something. Being a black woman in 2019 for me means being constantly aware of my surroundings and my setbacks, and despite that working constantly harder to prove people wrong. I believe the university is a mirror of the society we live in. It highlights the fact that as a black woman I will need to work extremely hard just to be heard and for my work to be noticed. However, I see at the University of Kent there are so many forums in which black students can express themselves that were not always available. Societies such as the African Caribbean Society and forums such as BAME networks see like-minded people in one space where we can share ideas to better our experience at UKC. The University has something unique. It is a global university with so much potential. I feel as though we are taking steps forward to encourage equality and inclusion. My only fear is that people stop caring for the cause. We need to do better. For not only more black students, but equally more lecturers, coordinators, and leaders. This will help normalise black presence and diminish the idea that someone like me must always feel like an outsider in a place that I worked just as hard to get to. BHM

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Editorial

Letters Editorial

We need more discussion surrounding Black History Month

Like many other years, the University launched their Black History Month (BHM) celebrations with an exhibition launch. With the theme being ‘Black Excellence’, what is the University and Union doing to support this initiative? The motto has been seen around social media and reported by famous figures, but the term is one with grey borders; there isn’t much of a definition surrounding it. Vice-President (Welfare and Community), Omolade Adedapo, describes Kent Union’s campaign as “focusing on empowering and inspiring our students across the month”. Sometimes organisations take it into their own hands to celebrate BAME (Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnicity) as a whole. The British Army faced backlash this year after tweeting support intending to “expand” the month in order to include Asian ethnicity in partnership with the Indian Army. This, obviously, did not go down well in a month supporting black history and not that of BAME as an umbrella term. Kent Union are holding a CV workshop in partnership with Kent Caribbean Union as well as hosting lectures on experiences of race, but there is been a clear lack of publicity on campus this year. Where the BHM logo lingers on the KU pages and smaller events are happening, there needs to be more of a discussion to support the campaign. We do have Black Excellence on campus right here to celebrate, with the first female black president (Sasha Langeveldt) following the first male black president Aaron Thompson in 2018. BHM isn’t an exclusionary month, but an inclusive month giving the opportunity for everyone to celebrate Black Excellence. Maybe we need to do more to give it a stronger campus voice. Attend the lectures this month, seek out the exhibitions and book clubs – don’t turn a blind eye to the subtle campaign going on around. If you’re not sure where to start, have a look and see what Black History means to the students of our campus in InQuire’s BHM pullout.

Tolerence means recognising diversity of opinion as a strength

Brexit may finally have come to an end by the time this newspaper is published. Amid uncertainty surrounding the economy, the customs union in Northern Ireland, the port of Dover, and the university sector – particularly research funds and Erasmus – there is something else which we wish to reflect on. Thanks to the country’s decision to leave the EU, divisions have exacerbated, destroying friendships and polarising the electorate. Remainers – such as Kent Union President, Sasha Langeveldt, and societies like the Young Europeans – are labelled by critics as enemies of the state, whilst Brexiteers continue to be branded racists, xenophobes, and ‘Nazis’. Focusing our attention away from Brexit and towards Canterbury, we have seen alleged racially aggravated attacks on students such as Daniel Ezzedine, who in June was airlifted to hospital after he suffered horrific injuries in a shocking gang assault in Rose Lane. And last year, the issue surrounding free expression exposed a tribalism on campus between the now defunct Liberty Union and Antifa who, in an InQuire investigation last year were exposed as wanting to “bait students into being abusive” at a talk by controversial YouTuber, Carl Benjamin. Therefore, it is vital that we rekindle the concept of tolerance, the ability to live with people whose behaviour you do not necessarily believe in. Whatever differences we have as individuals, other people’s views matter. The country we live in was built on the ethos of democracy, liberty, and the mutual respect of those with different beliefs. However, there is an implicit contract: everyone holds an equal moral worth regardless of their background, and no-one shall be harmed in anyway. A university like ours must be a guardian of reason, inquiry, and openness, and not one playing to the sound of profuse silence. Brexit et al, let us place our differences aside, listen more, and recognise that there may be more things that unites us than divides us.

The Church of England is one of the most progressive Christian organisations Dear Editor, InQuire (Feature, 11 Oct 2019) revealed that Andrew Foreshew-Cain has a moving personal story to tell, as he describes his struggles to reconcile his sexuality and life-choices with the official teachings of the Church of England. After serving in it as a priest for many years he now sees it as a “homophobic and regressive” institution. The reality is that, broadly speaking, the Church of England is among the most liberal and progressive Christian organisations when it comes to these matters, with a demonstrable track record of welcoming gender and other minorities whist engaging in open, forward-thinking debates. 400 churches nationally, most of them Church of England or in alignment with it, are registered with the Inclusive Church organisation https://www.inclusive-church. org/about-us.

That part of the spectrum of opinion will be more than evident among the bishops and other UK delegates at the Lambeth Conference (mentioned in the Feature) when it meets again on campus next summer, hosting representatives of Anglican Provinces from the Global South. As a serving member of the clergy, Foreshew-Cain broke his own Church’s rules by getting married rather than engaging in a Civil Partnership: but in this country the Church of England is an established Church and the rules are the Law. The rules (and the Law) may change, as they have on other matters in the past. Meanwhile your readers may be unaware that in recent years many gay and lesbian Church of England clergy, some in top church jobs, have contracted Civil Partnerships. Yours faithfully, Rev Dr Stephen Laird

Have something you want to say? Write a letter to newspaper.editor@ inquiremedia.co.uk. and be featured in the next newspaper

Corrections •

•

A feature in InQuire 15.3 titled “Out of the closet, into the cloisters” where Newspaper Editor, Bill Bowkett, interviewed Andrew Foreshew-Cain, the first gay vicar to come out in the UK, stated that the Archbishop of York was David Koepp. The Archbishop of York is infact David Hope. In the same article, we reported that nine out of 10 ‘parents’ accept homosexuality in the Church of England. This incorect as it was supposed to be ‘patients’. In ‘Meet the team’, Jordan Ifield was stated as our Newspaper News Editor. It is now Jeanne Bigot.

We will report any inaccurate information published as soon as the error is discovered. Editorial corrections will be printed on this page. For more information, contact editor@inquiremedia.co.uk

Photo of the week By Any Shiyam

See what the Garden of England has to offer

As the Canterbury Festival is on, with events ranging from music to educational talks, Canterbury enters another year of festivities. With some free and some priced, these events offer Kent students an opportunity to engage with the local community and be enriched alongside them. However, the question arises as you tour the discounted events: do students really know what is happening in Canterbury? Do students fully appreciate the variety of activities on offer within the town? With the University of Kent situated on Tyler Hill, and with the majority of Kent students living along a belt of housing estates below, it is often forgotten that beyond Westgate and outside the bus routes there is a city of living, breathing culture that is begging students to engage with it. For student experience, Canterbury is often side-lined. Alongside locations such as Newcastle, Manchester, and Brighton it is assumed that Canterbury, a small city with a limited range of clubs and more associated with history and tourism, has less to offer. However, when one considers what resides within the city limits and surrounding area, it is hard to believe that Canterbury is not rated more highly. Canterbury has been ranked 8th best city in England by YouGov and it not to difficult to see why. Not only does Canterbury feature copious shopping outlets, ranging from Britain’s major retailers to exotic small side-street businesses, it is the second healthiest high street in the country. According to a 2018 Royal Society for Public Health review, Canterbury is second only to Edinburgh for its community enriching outlets. Above Cheltenham, Cambridge and Exeter, Canterbury supplies the healthiest options for leisure, culture and convenience. Outside of the University’s campus outlets, Canterbury also boasts a plethora of student orientated locations, including over 70 pubs, bars, and clubs with entertainment like comedy, quizzes, and nightlife for everyone’s tastes. Surrounding Canterbury is also rich history and coastline, with ample space for adventure and relaxation when not studying. Canterbury is also spoilt for its cultural events. Whether it be the Canterbury Festival, the Marlowe or even the Gulbenkian on campus, students are offered near inexhaustible choice on a near constant basis. Although all this exists, Kent students maintain a predisposition to campus, when limitless options lay on the horizon. Why not take advantage of the opportunities and branch out; see what Canterbury and Kent has to offer!

Armaan Latif

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

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Paddington 26 October 2019 It: Chapter 2 26-27 October 2019 The Metropolitan Opera: Manon (Live) 26 October 2019 Rafiki Jazz: UpClose! 26 October 2019 Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire 27 October 2019 The Goldfinch 27-29 October 2019 Touch 29-30 October 2019 Vula Viel 30 October 2019 Dracula - Northern Ballet (live) 31 October 2019 Lemn Sissay: My Name is Why 31 October 2019 Live Piano Session - Luke Smith 1 November 2019 Ad Astra 1-5 November 2019 Haze/Figures in a Floating Landscape: Double Bill 1 November 2019 World Cafe: Protest and Resistance 2 November 2019 The Farewell 2-3 November 2019

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Fleabag on the screen By Ella Porteous Writer

fter a huge success in 2013 at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, Phoebe WallerBridge’s Fleabag hit London’s West End in 2016. Following months of sold-out shows, the stage performance became the basis for a television adaptation on the BBC. In September 2019, Waller-Bridge made her return to the stage, now as a three-time Emmy award winner. Although darker and more sombre, the stage performance is still filled with the same satire and shocking humour that made the television adaption adored across the globe. Fleabag tells the filthily funny story of a young woman and her attempt to find her place in a world where she believes that the one thing that gives her worth is her desirability. The one-woman play follows the protagonist (whose real name remains the rather anonymous ‘fleabag’) through a week in her life, after the tragic deaths of her mother and her best friend, as well as the bankruptcy of her guinea pig cafe, and break up with her long-term boyfriend. It is not just the hilarious and moving writing that makes Fleabag so wonderful, Waller-Bridge’s performance is outstanding. Waller-Bridge could force the audience into uncontrollable laughter with her facial expressions. Whether this is to demonstrate her attempt to gymnastically take a picture of her vagina or to impersonate a boyfriend with a minute mouth

“Waller-Bridge’s discussions and comments on sexuality are so frank and refreshing... providing an interesting perspective on modern-day feminism”

in a charade-like style that leaves the audience in fits of laughter; yet, could show the pain and suffering that is hidden behind the witty one-liners and impersonations that the character, Fleabag, is hiding behind. Waller-Bridge’s ability to abruptly, and quite ruthlessly, change the entire tone and atmosphere is brilliant. It showcases how Fleabag’s confident and facetious façade slips away, as we witness her vulnerability. Waller-Bridge spends the hour sat on a single chair under a spotlight, yet as the shows end, the audience truly feels as though they have followed Fleabag through her daily life; laughed with her at the guinea pig cafe, shared her awkward encounters on the tube, and mourned her best friend Boo. Although having previously been criticised for being over-sexed and narcissistic, WallerBridge’s discussions and comments on sexuality are so frank and refreshing, exploring the ups and downs of one-night stands, as well as providing an interesting perspective on modern-day feminism.

Fleabag (Encore) is continuing to be shown by National Theatre Live in cinemas throughout October, and tickets can be found on the NT Live website.

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Feature Laura Carlin did not have an easy childhood. At 16, Laura’s dad passed away from cancer. As if the grief wasn’t enough for a young girl and her family to deal with, two days later her mother was on the brink of death too. Carlin shares with InQuire her story of loss, heartbreak, and bravery. It was Christmas Day, 2009 when Laura first recalls seeing her father ill. Although her mother and father were separated, she grew up in a large and loving family. It is not hard to imagine that Christmas was a warm and happy day for the Carlin’s, making her dad’s illness even harder to deal with. “He was just a completely different person that day, which was hard because Christmas was his favourite day.” At the time, they were unaware of the cause of his illness, but seeing a loved one suffering on

but that was made near impossible when not wanting “to pass up what little time you may have left” with the person you love most. In July 2010, Laura’s father passed away. The night before, Laura and her siblings were home after a long night with their dad at the hospice. At the time, her mother was pregnant with her partners’ children. The next morning Laura woke up to her sister telling her that their mum had gone into labour. Her mother, knowing their father only had moments left, drove her children to the hospice and herself to the hospital to give birth. Her dad passed away that day. As if the intensity and pain of saying goodbye to her father were not enough. Two days later, her mother was still in hospital and had lost 7/8ths of

Laura Carlin: “I’m doing Sober October for my dad” Kent Union’s Vice-President (Postgraduate Experience) shares her story about losing her dad and how she’s come back from it. Written by Ellie Macieira-Fielding Newspaper Feature Editor

Christmas day was more than enough to unsettle the family, leaving them confused and worried. This was, unfortunately, only the first of a difficult series of events that year. Laura’s dad got progressively worse and five months later he was diagnosed with stage three bone cancer. It spread quickly and aggressively. The harder cancer hit, the harder it affected the whole family. “My older brother stuck to himself which was really upsetting at times.” It was not long before Laura’s dad was referred to St Raphael’s Hospice. Leaving Laura and her family in a state of emotional purgatory. “My mum would have to drive us to the hospital all the time, every day.” Laura expressed that even going home to have dinner or go to bed was the hardest part of the day. “I always wanted to stay,” She told me. This left their days scattered and disoriented, with the desire to be close to their dad but the unavoidable continuation of the world around them. Every day got harder. “I just remember seeing my dad in so much pain,” Carlin told me. A heart-breaking state that no child should ever have to see their parents in. At times, it seemed like things were moving on as normal. “It was a weird time. I attended school like all the other kids, they gave me a pass to allow me to get out of doing homework and things like that. But things like that were so important to my dad so I had to do everything like a normal student.” “At the time, you were just waiting for it to happen. Death. It was a horrible feeling, knowing that pain was coming, and not knowing when.” Laura and her family wanted to prepare for the morbid and inevitable grief that was fast approaching them

her blood. “The doctors told us she wasn’t going to make it.” The on-call doctor was hours away, leaving a trainee doctor to try and save her life. “I couldn’t bear to think that I could lose both of my parents in a matter of days.” Once again, Laura and her family were left in a state of emotional disarray, waiting on what seemed like another inevitable death. Luckily, the young trainee doctor saved her life. Laura still had her mum. The kids had to be separated. With their mum still recovering in hospital and their dad gone, they were divided amongst family members. This made things difficult. Even then, Laura knew they had to come together. “I’ll never forget what the nurse at St Raphael’s Hospice told me: ‘What you’re feeling is unique and no one else will feel the same, but you’re not alone.’” This mantra of not feeling ‘alone’ is something Laura and her family took wholeheartedly, and something she still repeats today. “Even though we were separated we’d check up on each other constantly. The whole experience made us really close. We tell each other everything now.” Seven years later and Laura Carlin, the Kent Union’s Vice-President (Postgraduate Experience), courageously talks to me about her third-year doing Sober for October in honour of her dad. As she sat across from me telling her story, she radiated bravery. Since coming to the University of Kent, Laura has fallen in love with charity. After a friend dragged her to her first Raise and Give (RAG) meeting, she was hooked. “Doing charity work has just become second nature to me now, I don’t think twice about it.” Her passion for helping others led her to become

Sponsored by Kent Union

Photo by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer

Within higher education, ethnic-minority students have been victims of racism and discrimination. Notwithstanding prejudice, these Kent students take pride in who they are. They are driven, ambitious, and goal-orientated individuals who embrace their idenity. InQuire hears their stories, as we ask: â&#x20AC;&#x153;What does it mean to be black in 2019?â&#x20AC;?

Photo by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer

Pam

i, my name is Oluwapamilerin (Pam) Ogunleye and I am a third-year law student. Being a black student at the University of Kent has been a journey of self-discovery. In many ways, it has shown me aspects of myself I had never fully engaged with before. I am an international student from Nigeria and have spent most of my life living there. I have lived in another European country before coming to England for university. However, this was the first time I was old enough to appreciate the fact that I was ‘black’. I think the first time it really dawned on me how differently I had begun to engage with my identity was when I was asked where I was from. Back home, the answer had always been simple “I am Yoruba [a Nigerian tribe], but now my answer was different, partially because the question resonates in a new way. In coming to Kent, I realised

that being black was belonging to an amazingly diverse family that was not bound to a language, tribe, region, or upbringing. I was part of this amazing multifaceted and multi-talented community where we could be different and yet still very much the same. Although our skin tones varied, we all shared an overwhelming sense of pride in one another and we were always there to support. The term ‘brother’ and ‘sister’ were now not only limited to those with whom I shared a green passport and a national anthem. Aside from trying to get all my readings done for class, I am working on reaching new levels of self-discovery in all areas of my life and fully enjoying my last year here at Kent. In the future, I hope to be building my career in international criminal and humanitarian law. I hope to feel fully fulfilled from the lessons I have learned here at Kent to become a better me. I hope to show others that they are more than capable of achieving excellence.

Deon M

Photo by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer

y name is Deon and I study Chemistry. Being a black student at the University of Kent is different from being a black student in Kent, and I have been both. Most will say that a portion of Canterburyâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s vibrancy is due to its plethora of students, however, I think that some of that spirit can be accredited to the BAME students that are hosted by the University; I believe they diversify the pool. Growing up, I have often felt foreign wherever I have lived. Navigating that balance between cultures has made me an educator. I find myself chastising micro-aggressions and sometimes starting difficult but necessary conversations just by being present. At times, I feel I have to work twice as hard as other demographics just to get a return. However I find it encouraging and, for all the good representation does, it is quintessential to actually see spaces filled and achievements made by black students here at Kent. Being in the music industry as a singer-songwriter has taught me that sometimes it is not about asking for a seat at the table, but instead creating your own. This an ethos shared by young black pioneers here at Kent. Those like Sasha Langeveldt are continually breaking boundaries and saying: â&#x20AC;&#x153;I was hereâ&#x20AC;?. I myself have performed at the Summer Ball, Kent Union Awards, and Keynestock and had my name on posters with artists like RAYE and Rudimental. I am thankful that some of those leaders allowed my talents to speak to them. I also hope that it spoke to the spectacle-clad black boy that bleaches his hair way too often and who often feels too foreign for where he lives. I hope he knows that he is exactly where he is meant to be and that he is only touching the surface of his excellence.

Photography by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer (Head of Photography)

Teleola I

am Teleola Awosika, a second year (Business) Management undergraduate. Being a black student at Kent has been both interesting and inspiring. Coming to Kent in September 2018, I was welcomed by more diversity than I initially expected. I jumped into a number of societies including the African Caribbean Society (ACS) and Salem fellowship, which helped me to meet more like-minded people and those of similar background to myself. Now a part of the ACS committee, I understand more than ever the importance of finding people you can relate to when you are new. As the Creative Arts Officer for ACS and an owner of a theatre production company called Eternal Ages, my goal is to empower those of African Caribbean descent through the arts. Eternal Ages uses biblical principles to touch on taboo topics within our community, with subjects ranging from mental health to fatherlessness. This is something I have brought to both Kent and ACS by writing and producing a modern black nativity, which also touches on the struggles young black individuals face when growing up in London. My goal while studying at Kent is to open up a dialogue about difficult conversations, while encouraging people to step out of their comfort zone in relation to the arts.

Photo by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer

Nelle H

ello. My name is Nelle Porter, an MA film student at the University of Kent. I have been frequently been involved in student politics and social activism. I have done this with the purpose of making the University more accessible to students with protected characteristics. Intersectionality is important to me due to having a disability, being part of

the LGBT+ community, and being mixed race. During my time on various committees, I have advocated for influential people of colour (POC) activists to come to the university to discuss struggles in their specific industries, as I feel it is important for students to see POC succeeding. Black History Month is just as important for nonblack and mixed-race students as it is to people who identify within the group, as education is the way to make people engage with political discussion.

Photo by Yasmine Ali and Aslan Ntumba Ozer

Rachel I

am Rachel Ashitey. I am 21-years-old, and I am in my third-year undergraduate studying Psychology at the University of Kent. Growing up I never acknowledged my mixed-race heritage and identity. It was only much later that I fully embraced my identity, being both of a South African and Ghanaian

descent. When I started university, my identity became more prevalent when all of the common questions are asked of you: “What course do you do?” This included many bigger questions, most notably: “Where are you from?”. Just saying ‘London’ seemed enough, but they always replied “No, where are you actually from?” Every time I

explained my heritage, it was a mouthful. I would start by saying one country and people would expect that to be it. However, I had more to say – they just assumed that I could only be from one country. Due to the fact that I do not look typically mixed heritage, it was always hard for them to guess my ethnic identity. As a society, we have become so focused on the comparisons between one’s cultures and the amount of melanin in one’s skin. We forget to focus on the other aspects of a person. Our creativity, abilities, and personality are more important qualities. I am happy with the way I am – I see my culture as something that makes me that slight bit more unique.

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

“I couldn’t bear to think that I could lose both of my parents in a matter of days.” RAG’s vice-president during the 2018/19 term. Many students are aware of Laura’s work for charity and the impressive amount of money she’s managed to raise. But for Laura, Sober for October is not just raising money for any charity. It is about helping people like her. Families like hers. Macmillan Cancer Support launched the ‘Go Sober for October’ challenge in 2013 and they raise thousands of pounds yearly. “It means so much to be raising money for Macmillan because they help the families that mine once was and they help the patients that my dad once was.” She informed me that to those families assisted through Macmillan support make a world of difference. There are around 165,000 cancer deaths in the UK every year and what you could spend on a drink on a night out is enough to pay for a call to help the families get through the loss of their loved ones. “I might not be able to bring my dad back, but I can help others go through what me and my family went through. Because seeing my little brother go through depression, seeing a seven-year-old lose the will to live, kills you and Macmillan helps people get through that grief.”

“Pain is pain, and you can’t quantify pain.” This is Laura’s third year doing the challenge. She completes it successfully every year without fault and will continue to for the foreseeable future. Upon asking why she felt so strongly about a sobriety challenge rather than any other, she informed me that as well as honouring her dad, being an advocate for not drinking at university is important. There has always been an Americanised drinking culture that surrounds university and its students. Binge or excessive drinking has been a long-term problem that has ended in damaged physical and mental health problems. The first sober October she did was admittedly very difficult. October is the time for pre-drinking, society initiations, and exciting events to help you forget about looming deadlines. There is constant pressure to drink. “This just made it more of a challenge for me, from then on I was in it”. Laura Carlin is a role model. After everything she went through, she has continuously picked herself up and carried on. After her father passed away, her mother was in the hospital and her family was split up. She still managed to keep going. One thing that stuck with me when talking with Laura is when she said this: “Pain is pain and you can’t quantify pain, but it doesn’t mean you have to deal with it alone.” If you have been affected by any of the content in this feature, you can seek support and guidance by visiting the University of Kent’s Wellbeing Services (H Block, Keynes) or contacting Canterbury Nightline (01227 824848) between 8pm – 8am, Monday, Wednesday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Feature

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Lifestyle

Life & Beauty

2019’s ‘hot girl autumn’ T

he weather is changing and we are no longer blessed with sunny spells. The idea of doing up Hot Girl Summer is past its expiration date. However, in the midst of the rain, dew, and grey skies ‘Hot Girl Autumn’ season is upon us. Here are my top makeup selections to ensure you stay fly during the often-forecasted rainy weather.

Lips

Loreal Paris Ultra Matte Liquid Lipstick Les Chocolate. An autumn must have. Waterproof? Check. Rain proof? Check. Food proof? Check. On trend? Check. If you have not bought this lipstick yet, you need to because it is a must have for all seasons;

autumn especially. It is a matte finish and ensures a lasting colour. It barely budges with food and drinking yet alone weather. Even during the most torrential of storms, I am convinced it will not budge. It will last until the minute you decide to take it off with your desired make up remover. If you have not got this, you have not experienced the beauty of lipstick my friends. To apply something in the morning, and to find it is still there after a long day at university, is simply blissful. This lipstick made my hot girl summer for me. The LS chocolate range by Loreal comes in all shades of chocolate. I currently have the darkest colour 70% Yum and it is a huge compliment to my skin as a brown skinned girl. When wearing it, it draws a lot of compliments. Amd above all, it smells of chocolate!

Eyes

During those dark and rainy autumn days, we often need a reason to get out of bed in the morning aside from our favourite coffee

or our autumn drink of the season. What other reason than to spring out of those warm covers knowing you can wing your eyeliner to the Gods. Nothing is more irritating than winging your eyes to the heavens; but all of a sudden your face gets itchy and before you know it you have wiped of your eyeliner the same way Plenty kitchen towels can clean spillages with ‘Juan Sheet’. Your ability to remove the precious lines bestowed upon your face are more effective than that of the best-selling dirt remover. Fear no more. ‘Kiko’s definition waterproof eyeliner (£6.99 RRP) is rated 5 stars on its website and it is a must have for achieving bold and long-lasting looks. If you have got a bit more money to spend try the ‘Bare Minerals’ lash domination eyeliner. I achieved this look at the National Student Television Awards. The thin tip makes it easier to achieve sleek looks and it has amazing endurance power. It is not budging unless you willingly take it off with make-up remover.

By Ogo Anokwuru

tion. For a flawless porcelain finish take care of your skin this season. Whether that is an in-depth skin routine with multiple steps or adding an oil to your skin at night; make sure to find things that work for you and your budget. Invest in a good moisturiser, spot corrector, toner, or even a face mist to help glow. My favourites are vitamin E oil and tea tree oil for spots (these work best for me as does Lush’s dream cream). Skin care ranges from person-to-person but try and find the best one for you.

BHM

Face

In the midst of the fog, harsh cold, and rain, it is important to take good care of your skin this autumn. As much as I love wearing new foundations, my favourites being the Lancôme Ultra wear founda-

Photos by Ogo Anokwuru

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Study rooms

According to one source, an individual has “had sex in every study room apart from Ingram and the Senate”. Other individuals have admitted to using

This one is less common, but two individuals have admitted to engaging in intercourse on Elliot footpath. Others have admitted to “doing things” in the bushes.

questioned reportedly stated that “they do it for the thrill”, while another told us that “I hadn’t seen my boyfriend in over a month and he was only down to visit for the day, we were desperate”. It clearly depends on the individual. And lets be honest. Will we ever really know what goes on in the mind of a Kent student?

Eliot footpath

“Are Kent students as ‘adventurous’ and ‘outrageous’?”

There have been confessions of the gender-neutral toilets being used for more than a loo break; an individual confessed to using them. Dance break anyone?

Venue toilets

From D Block to disabled toilets, Templeman was the most common answer and well-known place for sexual activity. One student even described it as a “study break”. A little different to grabbing a coffee from the library café.

Although having sex on campus is a bold move, I have always wondered whether those at university really are that desperate for sex or whether they are just looking to be adventurous. One individual I

Library

the Parkwood study hubs.

Of course, this is the most common place as over 2,000 students live on campus. Our samples were predominantly from Turing College. Either they are more sexually active or more honest.

“‘Doing things’ in the bushes.”

Student accommodation

itting in the library, trying to finish my coursework, I overheard a girl bragging about how she had ‘done things’ on the bottom floor of the library. Now, it is a somewhat known fact that students have sex on campus, especially when they are living in university accommodation. But this got me thinking; what is the craziest place students have had sex on campus? After reading an article from the Elite Daily on students having regular sex on campus in places such as stairwells and public bathrooms, I wondered if Kent students are ‘adventurous’ and ‘outrageous’? In a poll conducted by InQuire, we asked students: ‘Have you ever had sex on campus?’ And over 70 students responded, of which 40 of them said ‘yes’ and 36 said ‘no’. The poll was followed by some anonymous stories, many painting a picture of the places individuals have done the deed on the Canterbury campus.The most common answers were as follows:

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By Meg Warwick

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Five ‘hot’ spots on campus

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Travel

Public transport tips

ravelling from one city to another can be such an exhausting, stressful and pricey experience, but it does not have to be. Whether you are venturing all the way to Scotland or just doing a day trip to the beach, here are some tips to make your journey a little easier.

Bus Megabus is an affordable option but not the most reliable for long-distance travelling. If you are not in a rush to get to your destination, then this company will be fine. However, if you have got a connection or a special event on the same day, then I would recommend another bus company to get you there. National Express is not quite as cheap as Megabus’s £3 journeys from Cardiff to London, but it is reasonably priced. With a UNiDAYS account you can also get a 15% discount on full priced trips, making your journey even cheaper. National Express have regular buses going from Keynes Bus Stop into the Centre of London; from which you can travel to any part of the country. Their stops are also clearly signposted with the National Express logo, making it easier to find. National Express is a reliable company who often arrive on time, with no hassle in the process.

Train One thing we can all agree on is that trains in the UK are very expensive. However, they are considerably faster than buses and will

save you a lot of time. If, like most people, you value both time and money, get a rail card. There are a number of different rail cards but the most suitable for a student would be the 16-25 rail card. They cost £30 for one year, or £70 for three years. Initially, it may seem like a lot of money but, with one third off every train ticket, you will make your money back in no time. It is very easy to apply for online and definitely worth every penny. You just need to be within the ages of 16 and 25. And make sure you carry your rail card with you when travelling to avoid fines. The easiest way to book train tickets and add your rail card discount is through the Trainline app. It is free to download and a secure, simple way to buy tickets. Additionally, it gives you the option to use an e-ticket, rather than having to print one off at a ticket machine. The Trainline app also keeps you updated on your journey, letting you know if a train has been delayed or alerting you to possible strikes before even purchasing the ticket. I strongly recommend downloading this app because it is constantly up to date, easy to use, and saves you from queuing at the ticket office.

Plane For those of you travelling a little further, planes can be a cheap and fast way of arriving to your destination if you know the tricks of the trade. When looking for flights, do not just look at one company, be sure to use a comparison website to see the best

Lifestyle Photo by ShereFASTticket-Example.png Wikipedia

flights at more affordable prices. Recommendable sites include Kayak, Skyscanner, and Opodo. For cheaper flights, avoid Fridays and weekends because they are a lot busier and more expensive. While searching, look at the dates either side of your initial search because the prices could be significantly different. Also try to book well in advance in order to save money. or if you are feeling daring, buy a ticket last minute because they often sell tickets at discounted prices in order to fill the plane.

By Amelia Carpenter

Lifestyle

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Fashion

Footwear dupes

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“Once I discovered I could get them at a lower price I never looked back.”

e have all seen those students around campus rocking those canvas red and green Gucci shoes, the Nike sliders, or lace up Doc Martens. I know it is tempting to buy into the trends and to keep up with what everyone is wearing. I used to think the same but here is a life changing phrase to get out of that mindset: choose style over trends. Before you buy into a trend ask yourself: am I actually going to wear this again? Does buying this mean I cannot afford my groceries this week? Is this a sensible buy?

been worth the buy. Buying multiple shoes for less means you have a range of choice rather than being restricted to wearing one pair until they finally go from cloud white to dull grey (which let us be honest is not cute).

Here are some smart ways to go about buying your style:

Primark like other shopping retailers and online shopping giants, such as ASOS/New Look and Pretty Little Thing, sell fashionable and trendy shoes which resemble the branded designs retailed at a higher price. It is a matter of you searching and appreciating the style and the design of what the sites have to offer. Thus, you can keep up with the trends without sacrificing your need to purchase this term’s recommended textbooks.

Primarni (Primark)

Get to know about JD Juniors and JD sales.

Primark have some steals. Granted the material is not of the highest quality, but it is not terrible either. I have had shoes from Primark that have lasted a couple of years before they expired; and they sure do win in the design and style department. If you buy a couple of great shoes for cheap you can alternate how often you wear them rather than spending over £50 on a pair of Vans and not having enough money for anything else. I bought a pair of pink canvas shoes and they match perfectly with pretty much any outfit. They were £7/8 and they have definitely

Being a total trainer snob, I used to love buying Nikes, Adidas and Pumas, but they were always super pricey. However, once I discovered I could get them at a lower price I never looked back. As a student I was not willing to buy these shoes for £40+. I would always check out the JD Juniors sales section on the JD website, especially around midnight early hours of the morning when the deals would be uploaded. And I have bought Puma Suedes for £10 and Puma Ignites for £25! Shop smart and keep your eyes peeled during those midnight hours.

“I know it is tempting to buy into the trends” Town Centre discounts/online wholesalers Sometimes if you really want your desired shoes and sneakers you just have to keep your eye out. Have faith. Sometimes you can buy the most trendiest, coveted shoes in the most unexpected places. In Canterbury town centre Sole Trader advertise that their sales ‘says above 60%’. Do not assume that prices are going to go from £100 to £80. Some deals are worth checking out in person.

Depop/secondhand shoes Have no money to upgrade your wardrobe? Selling shoes for cash on sites like eBay and Depop is a great way to earn back the cash you are going to splash on new things. Sites such as Depop offer the opportunity to buy secondhand shoes (clean ones) at a discounted price from its original RRP. Speaking of second hand, there are many charity shops in Canterbury that have some steals.

By Ogo Anokwuru

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Comedy

Culture

Jon Culshaw: Great British Take off

n 13 October, the Gulbenkian was graced with the presence of comedian and impressionist Jon Culshaw and comedy writer Bill Dave, both notable for their roles in BBC Radio 4’s Dead Ringers. They performed in their comedy show The Great British Take Off in which no celebrity was safe from Jon’s impersonation skills. The show is unscripted and heavily relies on prompts from news stories and the audience’s suggestions for whom Jon should impersonate. This gives the show a unique quality of being unrepetitive. As an audience member, your experience could be determined alone on who is sat in the audience with you. In two hours, we went from David Attenborough to Benedict Cumberbatch, from William Hague to Chris Eubank (all at the hands of the audience). The satirical tone of the show was set with Jon’s first impression of Donald Trump, in which his facial expressions and hand gestures made it hard not to view him as the American president. The laughter grew more when his Trump began to interact with Boris Johnson, who Jon portrayed accurately by mumbling and taking a ‘caveman’ stance. After, Jon explained his influences for these characters and likened Boris’s actions to a child impersonating an elephant, a scarily accurate image. This light-hearted presentation of politics was well-needed, given to-

Photo by centreforsocialjustice/Flickr

By Rebecca Smith Writer

Promotional

T24: Kent’s drama society T24 is the drama society based on the Canterbury campus offering plenty of opportunities to get involved in all aspects of theatre.

T24

is the University of Kent’s Drama Society and is now in its 53rd year. We put on six shows per term, two of our shows are at professional theatre venues: the Marlowe and the Gulbenkian. Two of our shows feature original writing, helping new playwrights put on fresh work with the aim of taking it further. This is encouraged through our weekly script writing workshops, W.I.P, every Wednesday in KS13, 2-4pm. We love working with professional theatre companies and practitioners as much as we can. Duncan Woodruff (Sword & Scoundrel), a professional stage combat instructor that helped 10 members gain APC qualifications; Frantic Assembly, a world-renowned physical theatre company; and Les Enfants Terribles, a world-renowned puppetry company, to name a few examples. We also run termly 24-hour drama events, hence the name T24. This is where we hire an entire building on campus for 24 hours of drama games, skills and workshops. Each term has a different theme. This term we are doing Zombie Apocalypse 26-27 October in Woolf, 12pm. Whilst there are lots of acting opportunities, we also offer amazing production roles for all six of our shows. These are great opportunities to get involved with directing, stage and production management, marketing, SFX makeup, lighting, set design, and more. Through the incredible creative work of our members, we ended last year on a high by winning runner-up for ‘Best Arts Society’ at the National Society Awards in Manchester. We were also nominated for ‘Outstanding Contribution to Arts and Culture’ at the Kent Student Awards and ‘Best Society’ at the Activity Awards. We have been lucky enough to start building up a community here on campus and in town. Over 1,000 people bought tickets to our shows last term, so we cannot wait to see what 2020 brings for us. You do not have to study drama to get involved. T24 is open to all students of abilities and backgrounds. Theatre is for everyone. You do not need any experience to get involved with either production or performance.

You can be involved with us at any time. Auditions for our Spring term shows will take place in Week 13. For more information go to our Facebook page: or email us at dramasoc.committee@gmail.com.

“Jon’s Trump impression needs to be heard to be believed”

day’s current affairs. There was a break from the political satire, as Jon began to explain how he had found fame and met Bill Dave. He retold stories from previous jobs and auditions, but a personal favourite was from his school days, in which he managed to perfect a generic teacher’s voice so well it was relatable to all in the audience despite the differences of age, with the annoying nasal sound that can only come from a primary school teacher. He also showed his talent at impersonating the variations of English accent, giving the audience a range of the Scouse accent starting at the deep tones of Paul Hollywood and ending at Paul O’Grady. When talking about his life, Jon gave an insight into the profession of being an impressionist when he retold his meeting with Prince Charles. He explained the awkwardness of impersonating someone and then having to meet that person face to face, as he would never know if they would like his impression. Perhaps not surprisingly, the Prince did not favour seeing Jon mimic him and only responded with mumbles that created a hilariously awkward atmosphere. The night was filled with laughter from the audience, an easy kind of laughter as well, where you only have to watch and be entertained. I would recommend this show to all, especially those who enjoy satirically impressionist comedy. I would also recommend listening to past Dead Ringers episodes found on the Radio 4 website because Jon’s Trump impression needs to be heard to be believed.

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Culture

Theatre & Art

Taste of Honey Art as a form of therapy

By Timea Koppandi Newspaper Culture Editor

In conversation with the UKC Therapeutic Arts Society

“The rich get rich and the poor get children.” One of the central subjects of this play can easily be summarised by the words of the main character, a middle-aged bar singer named Helen (Jodie Prenger). A woman whose need for a man’s affection overcame her maternal duties, Helen has a particular position in this play as she neither a hero nor a villain. Moving into a new house in a poor area of Salford, Helen and her daughter Jo (Gemma Dobson) are faced with the struggles of life. Helen is portrayed as a brutal woman with a tumultuous past and a long history of seducing men. Her care for Jo, who is still in high school, is something that changes very easily and abruptly from concern to happiness, to utter disinterest. As soon as they move in, Helen’s new suitor, Peter (Tom Varey) makes an appearance; this is where we first witness Helen’s ignorance towards Jo. Many of the character conflicts prove that their personalities and behaviours have been shaped by the society they live in, and their material conditions which determined their perspective. Even though Helen seems to be the main character, Jo is the one whose tragic fate we sympathise with and care for most. Her first relationship flourishes with a black nurse who is soon to leave for the navy. Before his leave, they spend the night together and Jo ends up becoming pregnant. Strangely, her pregnancy is what unites her and Helen in some way. Her absence from Jo’s life is soon to change when she learns about the baby. She

starts to blame Jo for being so naïve, falling in love with a sailor whose fate is unknown and looks like he abandoned Jo. Helen continuously puts Jo down for her decisions, to which Jo replies: “I’ve always known what I want.” Helen bitterly says: “When it’ll come to you, will you recognise it then?” A statement that indicates that at times your desires come wrapped up in a different packaging than you would have hoped for. Jo’s abandonment by her mother as well as Jimmie (Durone Stokes), her ex-boyfriend, leads to a profound friendship with Geoffrey (Stuart Thompson), a gay art student who ends up taking care of her. She is often a temperamental character longing for the return of Jimmie. In a scene where Helen returns and offers to take care of Jo because she now is wealthy enough to do so (by marrying Peter), Geoffrey askes Jo: “What kind of woman is she?” To which Jo replies: “She’s any kind of woman.” There is a certain confidence that is locked within that sentence, but in this context it becomes sorrowful. This play does a wonderful job of showing the societal boxes existent in 1958. Without spoiling the end of this play, I must say it is one of those plays which will shake you to reality, thrill you, and make you aware of people’s struggles. It was brilliantly acted, with authentical Northern accents which (in all fairness) often made it hard to understand. The setting was innovative, including a live band always present on the stage, which gave the feeling of being in a café. It is definitely worth a watch.

Photo by jerrystith/Flickr

Photos by The Marlowe Theatre

Photo by jenniferkraska/Flickr

By Morgan Rodway-Wing Arts Sub-Editor Alarmingly, a recent study by the Mental Health Foundation shows that 75% of mental health problems are established by the age of 24, highlighting a desperate need for mental health awareness. While many traditional forms of therapy are well known, such as cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy is less thought of when it comes to dealing with mental health issues. According to the NHS: “Art Therapy is a form of psychotherapy that uses art media as its main mode of expression and communication.” It is refreshing, therefore, that the UKC Therapeutics Arts Society has been established because it gives students a creative outlet and a chance to get an insight into what art therapy entails. Although the society does not offer professional art therapy, they provide the tools to encourage creativity amongst students and enable them to de-stress. Various activities are on offer at the meetings including colouring, painting, origami, clay sculpting, and Hama Beads, intending to expand into tie dye, collaging, and knitting. When asked why the society was set up, the committee answered that “after realising how stressful University can be, we wanted to make a calming environment for people to come along, de-stress and have an artistic outlet”. They acknowledged that “students go through a lot of personal struggles during University’ which made it all the more important for them to ‘provide a safe space in which [they] can encourage positivity and creativity”. The society is particularly committed to creating a safe space for everyone and give students the choice of either being in a social space or a quiet space. Although art therapy is often faced with significant scepticism over its effectiveness, the society believes that this is because “people think they that have to be good at art to partake in it” and also that people “think that if you’re not talking then you’re not expressing yourself”. Their response to this was that “everyone releases stress in different ways and art has proven to help many people” because it provides a creative outlet rather than a more formal, spoken one. Besides, it is often remarked that art is too feminine. However, in light of the shocking statistic that men accounted for 74% of UK suicides in 2018, the society was keen to highlight that art “is not gendered” and that “the idea of art therapy can make people apprehensive but the society is a very relaxed environment”. Also, they acknowledged that a lot of men already attend the meetings and find the activities helpful, dispelling the myth that art is a gendered activity. It is encouraging to see that, with the rise of art therapy and the establishment of the UKC Therapeutic Arts Society, creativity is becoming a crucial way of engaging with mental health issues, particularly in students.

The UKC Therapeutic Arts Society meets every Wednesday 5-7pm in KENSR1 and KENSR2 (Kennedy).

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Culture

Books Photo by owlet2007/Flickr

5 black female writers you should know By Eve Edinbrugh Writer

or a long time, the holy trinity – Toni Morrison, Alice Walker, and Maya Angelou – have dominated the literary field as black female writers. It is a rarity for authors to achieve mass recognition, but these women made it despite the barriers from the literary landscape that they were entering: one brimming with racial and gender bias. Most likely, you have heard of, or have been forced to read, one of these authors before. While they have well earned their recognition, it is worth looking around them. If you are not an avid reader but want to read more by black women, here are some recommendations:

Photo by johnfruitbooter/Flickr

Edwidge Danticat Danticat holds a remarkable ability to write accessibly without patronising her readers; all while achieving a textured and compelling way of storytelling. The consensus (including Oprah Winfrey) favours her debut novel Breath, Eyes, Memory, but The Farming of Bones and The Dew Breaker are also excellent.

Photo by shoutfestival/Flickr

Jackie Kay By Eleanor Summers Writer

hy is it that some people are so drawn to one location or choose to set up home in a particular area? What draws us in and pulls us towards places that we may have ever only encountered once in our lives? Author Kate Morton beautifully uses language to explore similar questions throughout her book The Clock Maker’s Daughter. Published in 2018, the journey Morton weaves throughout history and space digs into these underlying feelings that we as humans hold for a place. She creates a visual path for her reader to walk along, allowing us to create a deep connection with the many characters we meet along the way. We begin our journey with the modern-day protagonist Elodie Winslow, daughter of a deceased famous cellist, soon to be married to Alastair – a wealthy Londoner – who despite his adulthood is still a mummy’s boy. From the start, we get a sense that this is no fictional over-exaggerated love. Morton holds back on description, and the reader is almost left flat as if there must be something more to this seemingly rushed wedding overseen by an overpowering mother-in-law to be. The reader is first introduced to the idea that something is about to unfold when Elodie locates an old satchel at work: “Open me, the satchel urged. Look inside.” As Elodie’s inquisitive nature is drawn in by this personified object, the reader learns that its “long journey might just be nearing its end”, thus providing us with the first hint of fate that a greater power is at work here. Inside lies work of the famous Victorian artist Edward Radcliffe, including a sketch of an enchanting house and a beautiful woman. These two items send Elodie on her travels up the River Thames to Morton’s fictional Birchwood Manor, where the reader hopes

she will begin to find some of the answers to our initial questions. Simultaneously we follow the story of a young Victorian woman, left by her father in a house of thieves, as he travels abroad to make a new life and the promise of her joining him. It is here that she learns how to pickpocket and runs into our aforementioned Edward Radcliffe. The shifts between first and third person narrative gives the reader a strong connection and empathy towards the mysterious ghostly figure who flits in and out between chapters, slowly but surely building her story. As a reader we are not scared of her, merely left with questions in which Morton unwinds over the book’s entirety, by providing more and more characters to add their meaning of place to Birdwood Manor. Critics have knocked Morton for her overly complex plot. Jess Righthand from the Washington Post stated: “Several chapters go by without a mention of our main protagonists, new central characters continue materializing past the halfway mark, at which point it would be nice to simply settle in to see what happens to those we’ve already come to know.” Yet, many may argue that this complexity is positive. Are you not fed up with literature spelling it out for you? If you are looking to push yourself, join this unwinding journey as we, the reader, are kept guessing right until the last pages. Morton pulls the ending out of the bag, twisting all the loose ends off into a nice bow. As stronger connections are formed and mysteries are solved, the reader is left fulfilled, all questions of the history of Birchwood Manor put to rest. Ultimately, The Clock Maker’s Daughter is a maze of literature, and only at the end will you truly understand which real and fake ghosts haunt Birchwood Manor.

Jackie Kay often focuses on the puzzle of identity (herself being of black and Scottish heritage). Her work is specific yet universal; lyrical with the ability to metamorphosise into an array of perspectives. Kay can evoke empathy from her readers for just about any character or voice. Trumpet is phenomenal and her most celebrated novel, but poetry remains her primary form. Some of the most popular being Grandpa’s Soup, Baggage, and Bed.

Photo by RASnews&events/Flickr

Lorraine Hansberry Well respected by her contemporaries and beyond, Hansberry was the first black female author to have her play performed on Broadway. She is most well known for her intense play A Raisin in the Sun, written a couple of years before her untimely death in 1965. Her work taps into the collective story of black American families and the burden of social difficulties they faced daily. Jennifer Nansubuga Makumbi An up and coming Ugandan novelist and short story writer, Makumbi was the winner of the 2014 Commonwealth Writers prize for her short story Let’s Tell This Story Properly. Distinct with dark humour woven into her writing, her imagery is unique to Ugandan culture. Her work almost playfully reacts to the strain of diaspora while living in Britain.

Photo by cantarachristopher/Flickr

Octavia E. Butler Butler is a science fiction writer and widely regarded as the mother of afro-futurism. Viewed as one of the greatest sci-fi writers of all time, her novels contain complex female leads of colour and dystopian scenarios driving her plot. Butler wrote many books, so it is difficult to pin one in particular. Saying that Wild Seed, Kindred, and Dawn are popular amongst her fans.

BHM

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Entertainment

Film, Television & Gaming

Joker — Film of the year? Photo by Warner Bros

It has not been long since the release of Joker, but the response so far has been deeply divisive. Elena Martyn takes a look at the film that has been dividing audiences and critics alike.

“Joaquin Phoenix’s ‘Joker’ Borders on Genius”, claims the Observer, whereas the Guardian brands it “the most disappointing film of the year”. The New York Times says “it’s not interesting enough to argue about”, yet the film has sparked heated debates over its use of gun violence. It currently stands at number nine on IMDB’s chart of top-rated movies with a rating of 8.8 – above Fight Club, Forrest Gump, and The Matrix, yet beneath Pulp Fiction, Schindler’s List, and (most notably) The Dark Knight. Back in September, Joker was not only awarded the Venice Golden Lion at the Venice Film Festival but is rumoured to have received an eight-minute long standing ovation. In its first weekend, the film grossed over $93.5 million in the US – breaking the record for the highest-grossing October opening of all time. The plot follows Gotham resident Arthur Fleck through his transformation from a struggling, impoverished and beaten outcast into confident,

The Good Place’s season premiere reminds us “everything is fine”

Photo by NBC

Michael Schur’s Emmy nominated comedy returns, and so does Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) with her Soul Squad on a mission to blow up the status quo and save all of humanity from eternal torment. Jake Yates-Hart takes a look at the afterlife.

Joker is in cinemas now and will be at the Gulbenkian 8-13 November

Control: Flawed action fun What do you get when you take the things that go bump in the night, add a large amount of bureaucracy, sprinkle in a dash of Welcome to Night Vale and The SCP Foundation, and then turn the result into a third-person shooter? The answer is Control, the latest release from Remedy Entertainment, creators of Max Payne, Alan Wake and Quantum Break. Chris Atkinson takes a look.

(of course, she would not be carrying hundreds of firearms with her). She is the director, not a common foot soldier. Another feature unique to Control is the various powers that Faden discovers. From telekinesis to the ability to take over the minds of your enemies, the game gives players plenty of options to overcome the challenges they encounter. Overall, Control plays more like a tone piece than an action game. From the live-action video presentations that you find scattered around the world to the voices you can half-hear while walking through meeting rooms and hallways, the game feels more creepy than scary. Despite its graphics occasionally slipping into the uncanny valley and its less than fantastic loot system, the game is solid. Just do not go in looking for the seams, because you will see the duct tape. Control is available at GAME Canterbury for £49.99.

Control follows Jesse Faden, a young woman who had experiences with the supernatural in her youth, as she stumbles into the Federal Bureau of Control (FBC) just as it is being invaded by an entity called “The Hiss”. Photo by Mute Chosen to be the FBC’s new director by “The Board”, which appears to Faden as a mysterious, inverted black pyramid on the astral plane, she must fight off The Hiss and regain control of the “Oldest House”; headquarters of the FBC. If that sounds confusing, then I have bad news for you; the game starts with little explanation of who you are, where you are, and what your motivations are, forcing you to piece important plot information together as you play along. While important concepts and character motivations (such as objects of power, The Hotline, The Service Weapon) are explained as the game progresses, the initial lack of explanation might be jarring to players.

If the developers take risks with how they present the story, the same cannot be said for the game’s combat. Control plays like a standard third-person shooter, at least initially. Players wield the Service Weapon, a mysterious weapon linked to the Oldest House that can change its form at will. In gameplay terms, this means that the player can change the form of the gun to suit their needs, starting with a standard pistol and unlocking new forms as the story continues, including a shotgun form, an SMG, and a sniper-rifle. From a mechanical and design perspective, this is interesting especially since the Service Weapon’s outward appearance does not change significantly between forms. It also means that Faden is not carrying around a vast arsenal, which both stops her character model from looking overly crowded, but also fits the narrative

by 505 Gam

The Good Place airs every Friday on Netflix UK.

geniously synced with the music and atmosphere of the scene that they leaves you in awe. However, on a more critical note, some viewers have been disturbed by the movie’s apparent glorification and normalisation of gun violence, bringing us back to the age-old conversation of whether violent entertainment inspires violent behaviour. In my opinion, there is more achieved through commending the film’s accurate representation of mental illness and listening to the social commentary that it provides. While I would not award Joker the title of ‘Film of the Year’, I would recommend this film to Batman fans who would enjoy a contemporary, realistic reworking of the villain, or appreciators of impressive cinematography who are willing to overlook a flawed and basic plot. What is next for Joker? Oscar nominations? Most likely. A sequel? Who knows. What is for certain is that this film will stretch your mind and make you question the society that we live in.

to Pho

Michael Schur’s Emmy nominated comedy returns, and so does Eleanor Shellstrop (Kristen Bell) and her Soul Squad with a mission to blow up the status quo and save all of humanity from eternal torment. To briefly recap, The Good Place originally centred on four unpleasant humans who join the titular heavenly afterlife. Knowing there has been a mistake, the selfish and cruel Eleanor, and her pals Chidi, Tahani and Jason (A.K.A. the Soul Squad) discover that they are actually in The Bad Place: an experiment in torture devised by demonic architect Michael to see how long it would take all four of them to break. Now in its fourth season, The Good Place is depicting yet

another social experiment, this time lead by Eleanor after Michael – now reformed – discovered that no one has been able to enter the real Good Place for 521 years because modern life has become so complicated that even the kindest of acts have negative ramifications. The formerly self-centred Eleanor must prove that the human race can improve. If she fails, all humanity faces imprisonment in The Bad Place. The two-part premiere ‘A Girl from Arizona’ picks up where season three left off, with The Bad Place selecting four new residents to be part of the experiment, including Chidi’s ex-girlfriend, Simone. Knowing his anxiety could sabotage the experiment, Chidi had his memories erased including, tragically, all those of his loving relationship with Eleanor. Our post-mortem-newbies for this season are John, a gossip blogger and an elderly woman called Linda, who is not interested in this whole afterlife thing…or so we think. Finally we have Brent, a smug,

privileged Princeton alum who quickly gets on everyone’s nerves as he whines about political correctness. The two-parter may suffer a little from exposition-dump, but the show continues to find an excellent balance between humour and sincerity. In Part 2, Eleanor becomes overwhelmed with her duty as, “the freakin’ saviour of the universe”. Bell is a brilliant actress and her talent shines here as Eleanor begins to break down opposite Ted Danson’s Michael. It feels like a necessary evil for The Good Place to be in its final season. On one hand, there is the worry that a comedy as silly as this can become stale and repetitive, even with its many twists. On the other hand, Schur and his team have created an enjoyable series with likeable characters and humour that is not offensive to anyone (it turns out that people can make hilarious jokes that do not poke fun at minority groups, shocking I know!). It was delightful to sit down for thirty minutes each week and watch something as kind-hearted and funny as The Good Place. Alas, it is the beginning of the end for the Soul Squad, but Schur and co would not be ending their story so soon if they did not think it was time. And who knows; maybe when we reach the real Good Place, there will be another season waiting for us.

self-assured supervillain. Set in the 1980s, director Todd Phillips creates a world so hauntingly realistic that you will struggle to remember that its origins stem from the fantasy world of comic books and graphic novels. Those who came to see Joker in hope of an action-packed plot of cat-andmouse – such was Heath Ledger’s performance of Joker in The Dark Knight – will be left disappointed. Despite what the title may suggest, Joker is not a movie about the Joker. Instead, it is a movie about Arthur Fleck and his battle with mental health that results in the creation of the evil menace. While there are moments of profound graphic violence, it is presented in a senseless and emotionless way which emphasises Arthur’s deteriorating mental state and pessimistic outlook. The star of this production is lead, Joaquin Phoenix. His energy, movement, and charisma steal the spotlight. There is not a moment of the film where protagonist Arthur Fleck is not the focus. Phoenix’s reworked characterisation of this iconic Batman supervillain transports a mediocre plot into a film worthy of respect. There are moments in this movie where his motions are so in-

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Entertainment

Music

Fantastic gigs and where to find them

Some of the most enjoyable experiences I have had in my life involve seeing live music. The problem is that nine times out of ten your favourite band plays in London, which means expensive tickets, train fares, and pints. On the other hand, it can often feel like the only live music happening near you is an endless stream of horrendously named cover bands, playing a selection of your dad’s (or grandad’s) favourite songs. Do not lose hope; there are exciting and original music events happening around you. Conor Bluemel gives a selection of great off-campus venues in Kent. UCA Bar, Canterbury Being an arts college, it may not come as a surprise that Canterbury’s University for the Creative Arts is involved in the county music scene. The University’s bar regularly serves up a reliable rotation of local and touring bands, with a great student atmosphere (and student prices) to match. Top pick: Vegasettes/WACO – 22 November

Photo by Elsewhere

Top pick: Jack Savoretti – 26 October

Photo by The Booking Hall

Photo by The Marlowe The Booking Hall, Dover The Booking Hall is a venue that sees tribute bands taking the stage, but if you are selective then you can uncover some real gems that might convince you to travel to Dover. Only last year highly praised rock band Creeper played a sold-out show. Again, it requires a short train ride but one that is easily worth it for the right artist. Top pick: Diamond Head – 10 November

Marlowe Theatre, Canterbury Though generally associated with theatre and comedy, the Marlowe also frequently plays host to a diverse set of musicians. Keep an eye on the listings or risk missing out on some big-name artists playing minutes from where you live.

Photo by Dreamland

Dreamland, Margate Since reopening in 2017, Margate’s historic Dreamland has been building a dual reputation as both an amusement park and a music venue. This year’s highlights include Rudimental and a multiple-stage one-day festival headlined by Mac DeMarco. As we enter the winter months, the Dreamland Ballroom will continue to host some big names. Top pick: Lucy Spraggan – 29 November

Elsewhere, Margate Having only opened in September 2018, Margate’s record store/bar/basement venue Elsewhere has quickly gained a considerable reputation in Kent’s music community. This year’s highlights include emerging British favourites Sports Team, Indoor Pets, and Muncie Girls, as well as exciting international artists such as LA’s Wand and New York’s Oso Oso. Kent students living in Canterbury will have to take a short train ride, but the reward is well worth it. Top picks: Penelope Isles – 7 December , Lady Bird – 14 December This list is by no means exhaustive. Think we missed a great venue out of our selection? Let us know by emailing newspaper. entertainment@inquiremedia.co.uk See the venue websites/socials for full listings.

Photo by UCA Bar Canterbury

Friday 25 October 2019 InQuire

Sport

Casey Magloire

The cost of being a sports player at Kent Now over a month into term, students are beginning to settle into the weekly routines. For many, a large portion of the time spent outside of lecture theatres is dedicated to representing the University as part of a sports team. Although many societies are known for their weekly stint at Vensday, a lot more goes into being a part of a sporting society.

ow over a month into term, students are beginning to settle into the weekly routines. For many, a large portion of the time spent outside of lecture theatres is dedicated to representing the University as part of a sports team. Although many societies are synonymous for their weekly stint at Vensday, a lot more goes into being a part of a sporting society. Obviously, natural talent and athletic ability are needed. However, it is also a very time consuming and, depending on what sport you play, can be a very costly extracurricular venture. With over 60 teams to choose from, any sporting enthusiast has a multitude of options to choose from. Unfortunately, if you were to introduce a budget, these op-

tions may dramatically decrease. For those who are new to the sporting world at the University of Kent, it can quickly become a bigger financial burden than what they may have first thought. While the list above is only the initial membership fees (with some covering extra purchases), it is inevitable that their positions may change when taking into consideration additional costs. Some sports require players to purchase their own kit or make their own way to training sessions that are off-campus. For sports like Ice Hockey, a single pair of ice skates can range between £60 to £600, depending on the type of skates you need; it is easy to see how a student could spend around £500 before ever hitting the ice.

In addition, sports that require all players to partake in socials can also have a similar effect. When considering the cost of alcohol, the price of a taxi ride home, and the amount you spend on a costume, little by little this can add up. For many students, access to university facilities increases the cost of participation. The most recent changes saw the introduction of facilities only membership, in an attempt to directly address the concerns of sports players at Kent. Many had hoped for a pricing option that would allow for discounted entry to use the facilities. It costs £175 but does not give you access to the gym. While this may work for many, there is still the slight issue of those who want to represent the University, use the facilities, and go to the gym having to pay for the most expensive package. For £245, you are awarded unlimited access to gym classes, the facilities, and gym. According to the University of Kent website, this works out to be around £1.50 a day. However, in this instance, a men’s basketball player who wanted to access the court and the gym would be required to pay £375 in total. And all this before buying any kit needed to play. Therefore, there is an argument for establishing a discount for those who regularly represent the University across the country. Arguably, this would act as an incentive to those considering playing and reward to players who continue to highlight Kent’s ability to develop players and produce strong and competitive teams. The current prices here at Kent are not that much higher than other universities, such as Southampton University which offers a peak performer, 1-year membership for £220 and offers a similar package to our £245 Premium Plus. It is confusing when universities such as the University of Greenwich require a membership fee to a sports team as the only requirement to use the facilities. To put this into perspective, a netball player at Greenwich would pay £50 for a full gym and facility access, in addition to their netball membership. On the oth-

er hand, a netball player at the University of Kent would have to pay £335 for the same thing. Another thing that can impact the costs you incur is your sex. For men wanting to play basketball, they will be expected to pay £68 more than their female counterparts. A similar trend can be seen with rugby, football, lacrosse and hockey; with the men paying £30, £35, £10, and £45 more respectively. Most sports played by different sexes operate independently of one another, thus requiring different funding. However, in the name of equality, one must question if the end result is entirely fair. Especially if both clubs operate similarly and provide the same service. If you are still wanting to join a sports team but are hoping to avoid the huge price tag, there are several sports which offer different price ranges and can help with payment options. Additionally, there are a plethora of sports that do not carry the hefty price tag that may pique your interest. Some to consider are the following: Kent Dance which has a standard membership price of £10; for those interested in martial arts, all the options are under £45; those who are more interested in water sports, UKC Surf and Scuba cost £25 for membership. These prices still do not take into consideration the price of equipment, kit, and the sports centre fees. Overall, the most unfortunate outcome of these prices is the idea that potential talent has been deterred from joining their sport. Not only could this prevent sports teams reaching their full potential and achieving more, but playing as part of a team is a significant part of university life which students may miss out on. For many, being a part of a team was the place where they found their closest friends and bonded over shared interests and memories of travelling to away games and crazy nights out. It is concerning to think that fun like this may have a price tag that many may not be able to afford.

At a glance

Complaints at Team Kent forum

Sport membership only “first phase”

According to Kent Union, the changes to the Kent Sport membership were only the first of three phases, meaning that there are more changes to come. Vice-President (Student Engagement), Emily Window, wrote on the Kent Union website: “Now that term has started, I am now looking into the implementation of Phase 2 of the review - which is to develop flexible payment options for students, such as monthly and termly payments.”

Sports tour dates confirmed

The dates and company for tour have been decided. Kent Union, through student consultation, has decided to go ahead with ILOVETOUR for a second year, heading to Croatia again for the dates 13-17 April.

A recent forum led by Emily Window and the Team Kent Network Chair, Caroline Van Eldik, gave an opportunity for students to voice their concerns relating to sport at the University of Kent. Many students complained about the lack of response from Kent Union, as well as a lack of funding for equipment. The Union has said they are going to address these complaints and apologies for any inconvenience. Window stated that the Union has “employed a student staff member to address these problems.” She added: “We will be meeting with Kent Sport to address any issues raised.”

I’m A Social Sec set for return

Following on from the success of last year, Woodys is hosting another round of I’m A Social Sec. The event involves a social secretary from each sports team to going head-to-head in eating an assortment of critters.

InQuire Friday 25 October 2019

Sport

The most empowering black athletes

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In celebration of Black History Month, Newspaper Sport Editor, Megan Warwick, lists some of the most inspirational black athletes. This list has been selected based on merit and how the individual has changed representation in their sport. Usain Bolt: Short-distance track As the current world record holder in the 100-meter sprint, 200-metres and 4x 100-metre relay, and an eight-time Olympic gold medallist, there is no surprise to see Bolt’s name on this list. Not only is he merited in his sport, but he is also an entrepreneur, having created Bolt Mobility scooters in 2018. Simone Biles: Gymnastics A world champion of gymnastics, Simone Biles is a contemporary black female sporting icon. With four Olympic gold medals and 19 gold World Championship medals to her name, Biles has proved that race should not affect an individual’s winning mentality. Mo Farah: Long-distance track Less known before his win in London, Mo Farah became a sporting legend after he took home gold during London 2012. One of only two athletes to win both the 5,000m and 10,000m, Farah has continued to motivate black empowerment. Tiger Woods: Golf One of the most infamous golfers of all time, ranking in the top two for major championship wins. Woods is also renowned for the Tiger Woods Foundation, which delivers educational opportunities for youths. Photo by Violeta Ivanova

Serena Williams: Tennis Having spoken out about feeling marginalised as a black female, Williams is a force to be reckoned with on and off the pitch. Winning 23 major singles title and four Olympic gold medals, Williams reminds society that being black and being a woman is not be considered a disadvantage. Muhammed Ali: Boxing Arguably the most well-known boxer in history, Ali won a gold medal in the Olympics at 18-years-old and continued to front black rights during the 60s and 70s. Being stripped of his boxing titles when he was 24 for refusing to be drafted into the Vietnam War, Ali has always stood up for what he believes in. He teaches us a valuable lesson: fight for what you believe in. Michael Jordan: Basketball Having played 15 seasons in the NBA, and winning six championships with the Chicago Bulls, he is marked as one of the greatest basketball players of all time. Jordan also raised millions for charity, hosting an annual golf tournament, and being Chief Ambassador of the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Roland Butcher: Cricket Having partaken in tests matches from 1980-81, Butcher is less known in modern-day circles, but he is important in the change of England’s cricket history representation, recognised as the first black cricketer to represent England. Jackie Robinson: Baseball Known for his representation, Robinson was the first African American to play in the MLB. Racial segregation ended in baseball when Robinson was signed, marking the end of an era. Above all, he was known for his six All-Star appearances. Raheem Sterling: Football A rapid winger and attacking midfielder for Manchester City, Sterling is known for speaking out about racism. He was quoted in an interview, stating: “People were looking at me in a certain way before I even went onto the football field.” Speaking out over these issues is empowering and did not affect his rise to fame as ‘one of the best forwards in the world’. BHM

Made-up to work out By Millie Carpenter Writer

When I think of exercise, I imagine hard work, sweat, and occasionally tears, not foundation, mascara, and eyebrow pencils. However, many people choose to put on make-up before going to the gym or participating in a sport. Now more than ever, there is an expectation to look your best and be attractive every second of every day. This is even true within sport. Many women feel pressured to look perfect, even when partaking in physical activity. The focus is no longer on how many squats you can do, or how well you can play. A lot of people are too afraid to break a sweat in-case their mascara runs. It can reduce the positive effects of exercising when people spend too long worrying about their image or attempting to take perfect gym selfies. On top of this, I have known girls to be late for training because they have not finished their full face of make-up. Running around a field is not meant to make you look sexy and attractive. Being a red sweaty mess after a couple of hours should be the desired effect. The more unattrac-

tive you look after exercising, the harder you know you have worked. Why do so many people feel the need to make themselves up? Media has had such an impact in recent years, for both famous athletes and your average gym-goer. Sportsmen and women are constantly in the media with high-definition photos being taken at every qualifier or competition. There is a need to look their best when competing. This can create unrealistic expectations for viewers. As well as this, models or ambassadors constantly strive to look ‘perfect’ during promotional videos and shoots (this includes full make-up). From this, many people believe that they have to wear make-up in order to reach these athletic body standards. Arguably, some people feel more confident and empowered when they have got makeup on. Seeing friends or course mates when working out is inevitable, and for that reason, it is understandable that people do not want to be seen with bags under their eyes and non-existent eyebrows during an early morning session. If the person you fancy goes to the same gym, it can be nerve-racking seeing them barefaced.

Despite this, heavy coverage is not the solution. Wearing make-up while exercising can be damaging to your skin. Whether you are sprinting down a track or simply lifting some weights, you will undoubtedly sweat while exercising. When we sweat, it opens up pores to release any toxins in our skin. However, makeup such as foundation, powder, and concealer can actually block these pores, resulting in spots and breakouts. My advice would be to avoid make-up when doing exercise, as it is not healthy for your skin. If you are going to the gym or have evening training, I would recommend bringing a face wipes with you to remove the day’s make-up and exercise with open pores. If make-up is really going to improve your self-confidence and consequently enhance your performance, then keep it minimal. A small bit of mascara and a quick fix of your eyebrows should not do much damage to your skin and will not distract you from your work out. At the end of the day, no one will be focusing on you at the gym or during a match; the attention will either be on the ball or on their own performance.

Sport www.inquiremedia.co.uk/sport

InQuire

Women’s Basketball hit the net with a 80-28 win By Megan Warwick Newspaper Sport Editor With the third week of BUCS commencing, the Women’s Basketball team had a major win against the University of Essex 2nd Team. Kent went ahead from the first quarter onwards, as their coach advised they “win the game in the first quarter as they didn’t want to leave it neck and neck the whole game”, seeing as the team was low on substitutes. Celine Borrett scored 30 point for Kent by winning the ball back during fast breaks. Louisa Moore, President and Captain of the club, took an offensive foul, taking a knock from one of the goals, and got charged for it. The team had seven players against Essex’s twelve and, playing an away game with only two substitutes, Kent still came out on top. Moore highlighted that it was “an amazing win for the team which has put us in good stead for the rest of the season, everyone worked so hard and I’m so proud of all the team, can’t wait for our next game”. In other results: • Kent won another fixture, with Women’s Lacrosse prevailing in their match against Brunel 12-11. They were neck and neck for the majority of the match until Vice-Captain Ellie Dodd scored the winning goal for the team. • Women’s Hockey had a positive week, with their Women’s 1s winning 2- 1 against St Mary’s 1s. • Men’s Football tasted victory, with the 3rd Team winning 3-1 against the local rivals Canterbury Christ Church at home. The team has won all their games played so far.

Sudoku

Photo by Women’s Basketball

PR Manager and goalkeeper, Lewis Foley, told InQuire about the match and the progress the team has made over the last year where they won the league and Varsity, “This week, they played rivals CCCU in a league game at home. Captain Macca had a great array of players to choose from, as talent is ripe. Kent kicked off the first half in wet and windy conditions and started well going 1-0 up with a great attacking move starting from the keeper and going central to the midfield and eventually reaching the striker, Ed, who had a tap in. Kent was dominant throughout the first half having all the shots and possession. This showed when a lovely ball from Harry reached Ed back post who scored a bullet header which gave him and Kent their second goal. The half-time whistle then blew with Kent 2-0 up. The second half was the same with Kent dominating. “However, Tom King had his boots on the wrong foot and lost the ball deep in Kent’s half which led to a cross back post with CCCU scoring, nothing the keeper could have done about it.” With five minutes to go and Kent winning, according to Foley, “Manning gave away a penalty falling over the ball and taking the man down with him. The CCCU player steps up and takes the penalty to make it 2-2 and strikes it top corner.” However, Foley, known for saving 3 penalties in Varsity last year, gets a finger on the ball and pushes it around the post. From the resulting corner, Foley catches it and releases Kent onto the counterattack where Josh Cunningham with his first touches of the game slots it bottom corner with an exquisite finish to close the game off, resulting in a 3-1 win for Kent FC 3s putting them top of the league.

Photo by Men’s Football

Photo by Women’s Lacrosse Photo by Women’s Hockey

Quick Crossword

Compiled by Matthew Sapsed Answers: 11/10/19

Across

1 5 8 9 10 11 13 16 17 19 21 22 23

Easy gallop (6) Small fruit (5) Ring of light (4) Irritating (8) Slow (8) Covetousness (4) Successfully epic film (11) Garden party (4) San Francisco prison island (8) Arrange (8) Centre-line (4) To the point (5) Quite (6)

Down

2 3 4 5 6 7 12 14 15 17 18 20

On hand (9) (Leather) strap (5) Consider again (7) Sleeping place on a ship (5) Admire (7) Sweet potato (3) Adaptable (9) Outdoor (4-3) Not certain (7) Style of (Japanese) film (5) Grilled bread (5) Rodent (3)

Crossword Across: 1 Crew, 3 Shawl (Crucial), 8 Replica, 9 Swede, 10 Foe, 11 Hackneyed, 13 Loiter, 14 Amoral, 17 Dress down, 18 Sin, 19 Cobra, 21 Precise, 22 Theme, 23 Skin. Down: 1 Careful, 2 Expletive, 3 Stance, 4 Absent-minded, 5 Lie, 6 Richter scale, 7 Reed, 12 Yardstick, 15 Lantern, 16 Couple, 17 Dice, 20 But.