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FEATURE PAGE 12

“Your campus, your voice”

SPA ‘Highly Commended’ Best Publication 2019

HOMLESSNESS DOWN AND OUT IN THE SOUTH EAST

Friday 24 January 2020 15.6

KENT TO HOLD HISTORIC NUS REFERENDUM NEXT MONTH PAGE 3

General Election of the decade

Our Newspaper Editor Bill Bowkett reveals the inside stories of the most important election in a generation in Kent (and the events that have followed)

t is difficult to put into words how the United Kingdom felt when that gawping exit poll dropped on the evening of Thursday, 12 December, the Conservatives fearing that Boris Johnson had blown his chance of preserving sovereignty, as polls showed Labour closing the gap. But the Prime Minister was met with the greatest forecast imaginable: a stonking landslide and Labour dismantling. The Canterbury campus, meanwhile, had a totally unique atmosphere. One student in attendance at Woody’s showcasing of results night told me of his experience. For the last few minutes, the Conservatives in attendance were in limbo, nerve wound tightly by word of a

hung parliament. On the other side of the room, Labour was more optimistic, ready, as the Labour society promoted on their event page, to “welcome in the next Labour government”. As polls closed, the feeling in the room “changed” as the exit poll projected a Tory landslide and a Labour discomfiture. “There was a moment of disbelief in the room. There was a stunned silence.” Everyone was looking at the numbers, trying to work out what it meant. “Then there was jubilation from the Tory side.” Back at the Downing Street helm – Johnson’s party gaining 47 seats from the 2017 result, with a comfortable 78seat majority in the House of Commons – the man who dreamt as a kid of becoming “world king” (as his sister Rachel attests) suddenly had an increased mandate to “get Brexit done” and deliver on his vision for Britain. This was revealed shortly after in last month’s Queen Speech. The party Boris leads has more MPs now than any of the other parties put together, the result marking the greatest Conservative landslide since 1987 under the premiership of Margaret Thatcher. Meanwhile, Labour lost 59 seats, down to 203, the worst result the party has had since 1935 under Clement

Attlee. Jeremy Corbyn has said that he will now be using this time as a period of reflection and that he will step down as Labour leader before the next election. The contest to pick the next leader of the opposition is already underway. Emily Thornberry, the shadow foreign secretary and a University of Kent alumni, has thrown her name into the ring but failed to attain the 22 ballots needed from MPs and MEPs to proceed to the next round. As the sun rose over a blue victory, vexation among Labour’s ranks in the county was vividly underlined. Medway councillor Tris Osborne, a former election candidate, said the party needs a “more credible figure” than the Islington North MP. “Just putting a younger figure forward with the same agenda will not work. It is clear [that] the electorate wants something different and we are not there yet and have a long way to go.” Kent Labour Students president, Dimitri Andreou, tweeted: “Labour lost because of the hardcore remain faction and that is the complete truth…As much as I think we need to unite as a movement, I hope those who pushed us in a remain direction will really consider the consequences of their actions. We lost because we failed leavers.” Labour did have some consolation in

Kent, that being Rosie Duffield winning a second term as the Member of Parliament for Canterbury, Whitstable and surrounding villages. The Kent constituency was the second-most marginal seat in the Meridian region before the general election, under 2% with a majority of just 187. It looked all but set that the Conservatives were on course for a gain in the Garden of England – an Ipsos/MORI exit poll, in collaboration with BBC/ ITV/SKY, erroneously predicted that the Conservatives had an 88% chance of winning the seat it previously held since World War One. Anna Firth, the Tory candidate, told me in the early stages of the ballot count that it was “early days”. She was right. Rosie Duffield “bucked the national trend here once again” and was re-elected with 29,018 votes, increasing her majority to 1,836. After being declared the first MP overnight in the South East, Duffield rejoiced in delight saying she was “absolutely thrilled” and that she was excited “to keep the best job in the world.” She added: “Thank you very much to my team who have had a very difficult year and do an amazing job. Thank you very much for the other candidates who have all been really lovely and very polite. I’ve enjoyed all our debates. There’s

no way I can thank all those that have volunteered enough. Canterbury is the best place in the world.” Despite the success, Rosie was reflective of her party’s incapability to win over voters, especially those in the “red wall” in the North of England. “I’ve lost some good friends tonight, from Parliament. And that is devastating,” Duffield told KMTV. “Both of the leaders had really bad feedback, if I’m honest, on the doorsteps. It’s that, and there’s loads of other issues. But we definitely need to look again at what went wrong, and I can’t analyse that now, but we will be doing so in the next few days.” Continued on page 2...

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

News Meet the team Committee Editor-in-Chief George Knight

#YouthQuake in Canterbury?

editor @inquiremedia.co.uk

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Photo by Sam Wren ...Contnued from front page. “Both of the leaders had really bad feedback, if I’m honest, on the doorsteps. It’s that, and there’s loads of other issues. But we definitely need to look again at what went wrong, and I can’t analyse that now, but we will be doing so in the next few days.” At the time, Duffield, 48, who became the constituencies first woman and Labour MP, digressed that it was “way too early” to be asked who she would tip to be the next party leader. She did endorsed Birmingham Yardley MP, Jess Phillips, for the top job but she has since pullout out of the race. Duffield, a former teaching assistant and part-time satirical writer, defeated Sir Julian Brazier in 2017, making her the first non-Conservative Member of Parliament to represent Canterbury since the constituency’s reformulation in 1885. This time around, Duffield saw off competition from Firth, a former Vote Leave staffer and Sevenoaks councillor, who polled 27,182 votes. “Disappointed” with the outcome, Firth took to Facebook days after to say that victory was denied because of “the greens and liberals [backing Rosie Duffield] in order to deny us victory” and “huge resources…poured in by Momentum online to secure the student vote”. Mike Bland, campaign coordinator for Duffield, said she had won, despite so many of her fellow Labour MPs losing support in Leave-voting estates, because nationally “voters stayed home and did not switch to the Tories”. It was an intensely fought battle – focusing on issues such as East Kent hospital, homelessness, and housing – and

Corrections 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 George Knight at editor@inquiremedia.co.uk

saw a serious challenge from the Tories, but ultimately unsuccessful. The city remains the only seat in Kent’s 17 constituencies not to be held by the Conservatives. The Liberal Democrats’ Claire Malcolmson – sworn in last-minute after former journalist Tim Walker stood down for fear of dividing the remain vote– got 3,408 votes. It was a disappointing night for the district councillor for the Holmwoods in Mole Valley. The party came back to Parliament with one less MP. Leader Jo Swinson lost her seat in Dunbartonshire East to a resurging Scottish National Party (SNP), resigning as leader shortly after. Sir Ed Davey and Baroness Sal Brinton are currently acting as co-leaders for the party, now the defeated Swinson is no longer an MP. Independent candidate Michael Gould lost his candidacy deposit by getting 505 votes, a figure short of the 5% quota. The number of rejected papers was 240. Nationally, no independent was sworn into office. National turnout decreased from the previous contest two years ago to 67%. Meanwhile, the turnout in Canterbury was 76% in what appears to be part of the so-called #YouthQuake. On polling day, students lined up in their droves on campus to cast their ballot in the Senate, with Kent Union with the help of For Our Future’s Sake, who both are adamant supporters of a ‘People’s Vote’ on EU withdrawal, handing out doughnuts and coffee to those waiting outside the cold weather. President Sasha Langeveldt said: “The lines following the on-campus polling station were Amazing! They

grew by the second and lasted the whole day. Students got their voice heard and the windy, raining freezing cold weather (typical British weather some might add) didn’t stop us. We were out there the whole day up and down, giving out tea and snacks to keep those students going, making sure that if they needed any help, we were there to answer any questions.” How will history look back at this election? It is still difficult to tell because Britain still has to negotiate trade deals, as well as enact the wishes of the electorate. Yet, Matthew Goodwin, a professor in politics and international relations at the University of Kent, believes it to be the “most consequential since the Second World War. It will be seen as an election through which the British people produced what their elected representatives had proved unable to provide.” That salient answer, it seems, is Brexit.

Mail and Office: Student Media Centre, Above Venue, Kent Union, University of Kent, Canterbury, Kent, CT2 7NW Additional copies may be found online at issue.com/ inquirelive or on our website www.inquiremedia.co.uk Please report suspicious activity at our distribution racks by emailing marketing@inquiremedia.co.uk. © MMXIX InQuire Media Group, in partnership with the Canterbury Media Group. All rights reserved

Editorial Page 8

Elsewhere •

Nationalist MPs outnumbered unionist MPs in Northern Ireland for the first time in history. Politicians agreed on a new power-sharing agreement to re-open Stormont since it was dissolved over 1,000 days ago;

•

The SNP became the largest party in Scotland, winning 48 seats, a gain of 13 from 2017. Leader Nicola Sturgeon is pushing Johnson to grant the country a second referendum on membership of the United Kingdom;

•

MPs have given their final backing to the bill that will implement the UK government’s Brexit deal. It has now passed to the House of Lords for further scrutiny.

2019 General Election Results in Canterbury Labour: 48.3% Conservative: 45.2% Lib Dem: 5.7% Independent: 0.8%

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InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

News

November fire at Bolton University sparks concerns over safety in student accommodation By Elda Bikebi-Nitu Writer

On 24 November, a report by the Sunday Times revealed 18 student accommodation buildings with potentially life-threatening fire-prone cladding throughout the United Kingdom. The cladding, identified as dangerous, is the same one that was used on Grenfell Tower, a building that went up in flames in 2017 in North Kensington, West London, and killinged 72 people. After a fire on 16 November at The Cube, a student accommodation at the University of Bolton, debates around fire safety in university accommodations have sparked up. According to one witness at the scene in Bolton, the fire “climbed up” the building, resulting in two people being hurt and as many as 100 students being evacuated. Following the Bolton fire, several groups and unions have called for the government to take action –- including the National Union of Students (NUS), of which Kent Union is a part of. The Mayor of Greater Manchester, Andy Burnham, has confirmed that the cladding used on The Cube was not the same as the cladding used on the Grenfell Towers. However, following the Bolton fire several student groups have called for the government to take action. The National Union of Students (NUS) wrote a letter addressed to the Education secretary Gavin Williamson.

Photo by Cassandra Barnard

NUScape at the University of Kent? By Alejandro Javierre Website News Editor Kent Union will be holding a referendum on membership of the National Union of Students (NUS). The poll, which will run concurrently alongside Kent Union’s leadership elections, will decide whether the Union will rescind or keep its commitments to the national student group. The Union has set dates for a number of events surrounding the campaign, with separate teams being set up to campaign in favor of or against the NUS with a limit of £100 campaign spending for each side. A general meeting outlining campaign rules will be held on 22 January. It will brief any parties who wish to get involved in campaigning to remain or leave the NUS. Voting will start on the same day of the leadership elections, 17 February; the results will be given before the new leadership team is announced on results night on 21 February. The NUS is a national body of student unions – the largest in the United Kingdom – that provides discounts for affiliated members.

The organisation also runs an annual general meeting where leaders of Unions across the country meet to discuss policies and initiatives at their universities. Kent Union paid over £55,000 in membership fees to be affiliated with the study body last year. The NUS ran into controversy early last year when they were forced to cut almost half of their full-time staff due to cuts brought on by a £3 million deficit. It is also believed that subscriptions to their flagship student discount card, TOTUM, has been steadily declining in recent years due to competition from other discount services. In March, Canterbury Christ Church University declared a NUS referendum where over 500 students had voted. It was later declared invalid, however, due to a “clear and significant breach” of the Union’s rules. At the University of Kent, the issue of NUS membership was brought up in the 2019 Leadership Elections, with all 3 Presidential candidates being in favor of NUS membership, despite mentioning “bureaucratic” issues with the organisation. More to follow.

The letter expresses the great concern posed by private accommodation for university students with “‘companies chasing profits”’ and are “not doing all they can to ensure the safety of students.”. The company that manages The Cube in Bolton, Urban Student Life, also manages Canterbury Student Village, a private student accommodation in Parham. A Facebook user stated on Urban Student Life’s Facebook page, along with images of the blaze at The Cube: “This is because of the poor and rude management and not safe enough!” Stephen Kamara, the BAME Network Chair at Kent Union, told InQuire: “If something is an instigator of a fire, it shouldn’t be used. There is 100% negligence on health and safety measures by some private accommodation providers and it shouldn’t be happening.” He added that cladding is an issue that not many people have knowledge of. The University of Kent’s student accommodation was not listed as one of the eighteen accommodations in the Times report. The head of Accommodation and Customer Services at Kent Hospitality, Laura Maclean, emphasised that there are no health and safety concerns. She added that the Uuniversity’s top priority was ensuring the safety of students and staff, and that students are more than welcome to speak Kent Hospitality on campus if they have any queries about campus accommodation.

“If UCEA don’t move further in negotiation, then further industrial action is likely”, claims Kent UCU Vice-President By Jeanne Bigot Newspaper News Editor Almost two months after the strike that hit universities across the United Kingdom, InQuire spoke with Dr Philip Cunliffe, senior lecturer in International Conflict at the School of Politics and International Relations, and Vice-President of Kent’s UCU Branch. In November and December 2019, the University of Kent was among the 60 universities hit by a wave of strike action from the University and College Union (UCU) staff. The strike lasted a week, during which striking staff cancelled all classes and other related activities, such as office hours and replying to e-mails. The dispute, surrounding working conditions and equal pay, and the changes made to the University Superannuation Scheme (USS), happened at a national level and is estimated to have affected more than a million students. “I was impressed and proud by seeing the extent of support for the strike from both colleagues and students,” Dr Cunliffe told InQuire. “Based on the students that I interacted with leading up to and during the industrial action, I believe that they were overwhelmingly sympathetic towards [the strike] and frequently strongly supportive of academics and professional services staff going on strike. I think

that most of them understood that striking is a last resort, and that students are not the target of the action.” He also stated that the strike “certainly made an impact”. InQuire then touched on the topic of whether the striking staff felt heard by the university, and whether they met up with university representatives to discuss the contentious points that led up to the strike. “The union has multiple channels through which it engages with management here at the University of Kent. However, the strike is a national dispute so ultimately it has to be resolved at the national level, through national negotiations, not between the local branch and the management here at Kent,” Dr Cunliffe told added. Despite “the University [being] certainly sympathetic to some of our demands”, as Dr Cunliffe put it, he also stressed that resolving the issue will not simply happen at Kent’s level, and that “it is up to the university management effectively to impress their views on their national representatives, the University and College Employers’ Association (UCEA)”. “Thus far, UCEA seems to have moved very little in committing to negotiations on the questions of equalities, working conditions, and pay,” Dr Cunliffe stated. “It does not seem to me to be demand-

ing a great deal of university employers to ask them merely to commit to serious negotiations on these matters, and to make a more generous pay offer, given the hit that academics have taken to their pay packet over the last ten years.” Indeed, UCEA found that staff pay dropped around 17% in real terms since 2009. “Industrial action could have been entirely avoided had they shown more willingness to negotiate, sooner,” Cunliffe went on to explain. “If they don’t move further in negotiations, then further industrial action is likely.” While dates have been set up in January for UCU to discuss disputes surrounding changes made to the University Superannuation Scheme, which was not an official point of contention here at Kent, no further information has been released regarding further strike action surrounding working conditions and equal pay. A public forum with the University of Kent’s Vice-Chancellor, Karen Cox, will be held by UCU at the Canterbury Campus on Friday 24 January.

EDITORIAL PAGE 8

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

News

At a glance Kent Union’s VP Postgraduate Experience decides not to run in upcoming leadership elections Laura Carlin has decided not to re-run for her position as VP Postgraduate Experience. The role, which she is the first to ever occupy, is ‘huge’ according to Carlin. “You are covering all the officer remits but for postgraduates”, Carlin said in a blog post on Kent Union’s website. She stated that she “believes somebody else running for this role allows the further shaping of it”. Jane Goodall to come give a talk at Kent Renowned anthropologist and conservationist Jane Goodall is to give a lecture organised by the School of Anthropology and Conservation on 25 February 2020. The talk entitled ‘Gombe and Beyond: 60 years of chimpanzees, convservationconservation and change’ will take place in Woolf Lecture Theatre. Canterbury’s first zero-waste store sets shop on high street Unboxed Kent, Canterbury’s first plastic-free, zero-waste shop, has moved from the King’s Mile to High Street in December 2019. Founder Lysa Desmarais told Inside Kent Magazine: “After realising just how damaging the plastic waste my family was throwing out was to the environment, I decided to go back to basics and only buy products without plastic packaging.” Applicants rush to Kent and Medway Medical School The new Kent and Medway medical school, jointly managed by the University of Kent and Canterbury Chris Church University, will have its first students enrolling in 2020, with around 100 places on offer per year. The first round of recruitment to the five-year course saw over 1,400 applications for prospective students, putting the acceptance rate at just over 7%. The school will deliver Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery degrees. Templeman Library to receive Roy Hudd’s archives Comedian and actor Roy Hudd has reportedly entered talks with the University of Kent to deposit over 20,000 song sheets and posters at the Templeman Library for archiving. Hudd has justified his choice of the University of Kent’s library by stating that ‘“the University of Kent [...] have fantastic facilities and are able to take the whole collection”. Stores closing: Death of the Canterbury high street? Two stores in Canterbury city centre are set to close in 2020, amid recent concerns over the “death of the high street”. Canterbury’s alternative shop ‘Third Eye’, which has been running for 27 years, is set to close on 31 January. Another popular store, ‘Leather Fashions’, is set to close soon after the clearing out of all stock. It had been running for 35 years. The announcement ocame a few days before the closure of the Debenhams store on Sunday 19 January.

ISSUE & “ wAr is never ANALYSIS the answer ” By Iqra Ahsan News Sub-Editor In light of the recent assassination orchestrated by Donald Trump on high-profile Iranian General Qassem Soleimani, a protest rally took place in Canterbury on Saturday 18 January. Organised by the East Kent Stop the War group, the protest aimed at highlighting to the British government that some of the public does not want to be “dragged into another war”. The protest was organised on Facebook by Mary Sullivan under the title ‘Stop the War Rally’. A meeting spot was arranged at Dane John Gardens at 2pm. Entertainment at the meeting spot was provided by local Canterbury singers who sang remixes of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallelujah’. The original lyrics were exchanged for demeaning condemnations made towards the prime minister, Boris Johnson, exclaiming that “Boris will lead us to war”. The march was made up of individuals from a variety of backgrounds and ages. From International Baccalaureate students from Mexico to older citizens who “simply wanted to get involved in the idea of making a change”, as one of them told us, the participants of the rally looked forward to taking a stand on this pressing issue.

Naomi, a mother who also brought her 11-year-old daughter to the march, saw this rally as a “group of people gathering together to highlight the errors of the government”. For Naomi, this rally was “more about peace than violence”. At 2:30pm the protestors gathered to start the march from Dane John Gardens through to the High Street and then finally stopping at the Friends Meeting House. Various chants were sung along the way, such as, “Hey Hey, Ho Ho, Trump and wars have got to go!” and, “They say warfare, we say welfare!” Upon arrival at the Friends Meeting House, the group sat to further discuss the effects of British involvement with the US-Iran tension. The lead protestor stated it was necessary for the public to “start the process of building and mobilising and taking back to the streets and raising the voice against the force”. It was stated that the reason the group had gathered here today was to ensure “that the warmongers are kept in their cages”. A panel of speakers was invited to share their experiences and understanding of the situation. Dr Rebecca Gordon-Nesbitt, Labour candidate for South Thanet in the recent General Election, began her speech by stressing her Iranian heritage and the lack of peace between US

Photo by Iqra Ahsan and Iran after Soleimani’s killing. She highlighted the community’s responsibility to “collectively condemn the breaking of international law in the assassination”. University of Kent alumni, Shabbir Lakkah, who now works for the coalition, also came to shine light upon the situation. Lakkah stated that the “danger of war is not over” and proceeded to provide ways in which the British government should reduce British involvement

Photo by Ben Mott with the unrest between US and Iran, first and foremost, by removing British troops from Iran. Councillor Aram Rawf followed this speech with his take on the US-Iran relations. He mentioned remembering how, in 2003, a gathering took place in the very same room, discussing the war on Iraq. He concluded, with agreement from the audience, that “war is never the answer”.

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

News

UndersTanding the Iranian crisis: academics weigh in, locals rally By Charlie Lowe-Collins Writer

Photo by Iqra Ahsan

Qassem Soleimani was undoubtedly a complex figure; a man who rose through the ranks of Iran’s Revolutionary Guard Corps (the IRGC), beginning as a soldier and ending as its leader – a position to which he was promoted just last year. Soleimani was seen as one of the key figures in the Iranian military. For 22 years before his promotion to Chief Commander of the IRGC he led the Quds force, a wing of the IRGC commonly likened to the CIA, with both combatants and intelligence, finance and special operations forces. The Quds force is designated by the US as a terrorist organisation, and due to this Soleimani found himself on the US hitlist. As a general, Soleimani aimed to consolidate the military presence of Iran in the Middle East. An important task given Iran’s position as a Shia Muslim country surrounded by Sunni neighbours. Soleimani also aimed to strengthen relations with Iraq, also a Shia country.

The situation is undoubtedly a complex one, with roots in the wider Middle Eastern conflict that began almost a hundred years ago (or arguably earlier with the advent of colonialism in the region). The earlier situation has arguably been compounded by the post-1990 actions of the US and its allies, which have created a great deal of unrest and discontent in the region. The killing of an Iranian general is unprecedented, with executions of military leaders not usually done outside of wartime. Despite Soleimani’s numerous alleged crimes, many parties had an issue with the Trump administration’s justification of the assassination. Various opinion columns found Trump’s allegations that there was evidence claiming that Soleimani was planning to attack on four US embassies as unfounded. There was, however, the storming of the US embassy in Baghdad, Iraq in late 2019 and the death of an American citizen in an American military base in Iraq in early 2020. However, it remains unclear how these actions were linked with Soleimani.

To shed light on the situation, InQuire put some questions to Dr Rubrick Biegon, researcher in US foreign policy, and Dr Yaniv Voller, researcher in Middle Eastern politics. By Charlie Lowe-Collins, Writer & Jeanne Bigot, Newspaper News Editor

In your opinion, is the US’ assassination of General Soleimani a continuation of the ongoing work against Islamist terrorist groups in the West or is this escalation of the conflict entirely different? Rubrick Biegon: The killing of Soleimani marked a new phase in the United States’ efforts to wage ‘remote’ warfare in the Middle East. As has often been the case with suspected members of terrorist organizations, Soleimani was killed by a drone attack. However, as a general, he was an offi-

cial of the Iranian government, making the targeted killing of Soleimani different from the 2019 raid that resulted in the death of Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of ISIS, or the 2011 killing of Osama in Laden.

Yaniv Voller: The assassination of Soleimani relates to ongoing tensions between the US and Iran over the latter’s involvement in the affairs of other countries in the region (especially Iraq, but also Syria, Yemen and Lebanon, among others), its conflict with Saudi Arabia and Israel, and its nu-

clear programme. The trigger to the assassination was the death of an American citizen following an attack by pro-Iranian militia on an American military base in Iraq and the storming of the American embassy in Baghdad by members of other militias.

Do you feel the US was perhaps justified in its killing of General Soleimani? Rubrick Biegon: My understanding is that this kind of assassination is illegal under both US and international law. Efforts by the Trump administration to justify the move focused mainly on the argument that Soleimani’s killing prevented fu-

ture, imminent attacks against American diplomats and service members. However, US officials later stepped back from the assertion that the assassination was carried out to prevent ‘imminent’ attacks.

Yaniv Voller: There’s a debate on whether the decapitation of leaders has any significance in the battlefield. Qassem Soleimani was the mastermind behind Iran’s operations across the Middle East and the assumption behind his assassination was that without him the Iranian network in the region would collapse. Others, however, argue

that the Iranian infrastructure in the region has been built over a long period of time, and that the death of Soleimani won’t its operations, as most of the organisations affiliated with Iran in Iraq, Syria and Yemen are pretty much autonomous at this stage.

Why do you think the US chose this plan of action? Do you think of this action as a foolish risk or something useful/that can pay off? Rubrick Biegon: The Trump administration has stated that it views rival states (including Iran) as the dominant security threats for the US moving forward, beyond the threats posed by transnational terrorist groups like al-Qaeda. I am not persuad-

ed that this action was part of a coherent strategy on the part of the Trump administration. I do not think there is the appetite for escalation with Iran within the wider American government or US public.

Yaniv Voller: Targeted assassinations have been a common practice in US counterinsurgency operations (Bin Laden, Baghdadi, etc.), but it has rarely been used against state leaders. Soleimani of course is not Iran’s leader, but for many years he has been one of the strongest people in the country. Iran is likely to respond, and in fact has already responded by attacking American bases

in Syria and Iraqi Kurdistan. However, the Americans assumed that Iran would not escalate the situation into a full-scale war with the US or its regional allies (the Saudis, Israel). The estimation, then, is that in the short-term, the assassination won’t have major repercussions for the US and its allies.

Is this the new Vietnam, as public opinion says? Will we look at this in years to come as an overestimation of American power and hegemony? Rubrick Biegon: I don’t think the current conflict with Iran is all that similar to the US war in Vietnam. The US and Iran are engaged in something closer to an undeclared proxy war. Clearly, the US public as a whole does not favour further military

‘adventures’ in the Middle East, and in that sense there are some parallels with the post-Vietnam era. However, this has been apparent since the mid2000s, and it isn’t necessarily due to heightened tensions with Iran.

Yaniv Voller: No, this is not the new Vietnam, or even the new Iraq or Afghanistan. The Trump Administration has been clear about its distaste towards sending troops to the region. If conflict does erupt, it will be mainly through proxies, with

the Iranians and their allies (Hezbollah in Lebanon, Shi‘a militias in Iraq, Syria and Yemen and perhaps Hamas in the West Bank) fighting US allies in the region namely Israel, the Saudis and the UAE.

What do you think would be the best option for de-escalation in this current conflict? Rubrick Biegon: To the degree that it is possible, a return to the kind of negotiated framework offered by the 2015 Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action, otherwise known as the Iran nuclear deal, would be preferable. However, the decision by the

Trump administration to impose further sanctions on Iran (following Iran’s missile attack on US troops in Iraq) indicates that the future of that particular agreement looks rather grim.

Yaniv Voller: One area where there is still room for negotiations and interaction is that of the Nuclear Agreement. In spite of Iran’s declaration that following the assassination it will now revise its commitment to the agreement, it has yet to do so, partly because of European pressure. The US had withdrawn from the agreement, but gestures

toward Iran’s commitment to the agreement, even from the outside, might be a potential path toward de-escalation. In any case, Iran has shown prudence about escalating the situation at this stage, so even the question of further escalation remains theoretical at this stage.

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Opinion

Boris Johnson

The future of Britain under P

rime Minister Boris Labour will have to learn Johnson has achieved once again if they will ever what Theresa May, take power in the United and even David Cameron, Kingdom. England, of course, could only have dreamt of. is far larger than London. Winning 365 seats to give The already well derided him comfortable majority in metropolitan elite may have the House of Commons, Mr always despised the ‘WorkJohnson has managed to tap ington man’, yet they will into – and exploit – the frushave to offer them something tration of both the stagnation beyond increased welfare of leaving the EU and the and larger social spending. growing alienation between This election has revealed Labour and its traditional that patriotism is alive in the heartlands. United Kingdom and people The PM’s previous defeats are willing to vote to support in the House of Commons the only party that thinks has appeared to have that the UK is a fundamentalstrengthened his electoral ly good place. hand. The narrative of ‘PeoThis leads onto one of the ple vs Parliament’ and ‘Get biggest assets the ConservaBrexit Done’ resonated across tives had; Jeremy Corbyn. He the country. The electorate, may have enthused students as the Labour party and the up and down the land, made Remain movement fail to Londoners feel warm and understand, do not watch fuzzy about the Palestinihours and ans, or hours of “The PM’s previous defeats in inspired analysis Guardian the House of Commons has on the columnintricacies appeared to have strengthened ists to his electoral hand. The of old polwrite itics; the about narrative of ‘People vs metrics how the Parliament’ and ‘Get Brexit by which tyranniDone’ resonated across the previous cal syscountry” leaders tems of and their ‘patriargovernments were judged. chy’ that were being smashed Losing votes on his Brexit left, right and centre. Unless deal gave Boris all the ammuof course, they were looking nition he needed. Electorally for a female leader of the speaking, it gave him a clean party, but I am sure that will appeal to parts of the country come this century. Maybe. that would never have conEither way, the people of sidered voting Conservative this country have fundamenand had not done so (in some tally rejected a person who regions) for a hundred years. went out of his way to repBrexit, and Labour seemingly resent the ‘oppressed’ of the trapped in the Westminster world. Coincidentally, these bubble, gave voters all the happen to be Islamic Jihadreason they needed. ists (Hamas and Hezbollah), Boris must now deliver, the IRA, and the tyrannical notably Brexit (now all but regime in Venezuela. Not to certain to pass). He must also mention the muddled stance deliver on his promises to inon Brexit, designed at keepvest any dividend into crucial ing Labour from fragmenting projects in the north and also and staving off the Liberal fulfil pledges to implement a Democrats, confused and stricter immigration system worried many who had voted that has long been a concern for Leave in 2016. What leave of not just the north, but of voter could trust Labour to many parts of England. negotiate a ‘credible leave This election has demonoption’ by a party that did not strated that the English want to implement it? electorate determines the This is a victory for Boris outcome of elections. This and a consequential one at has been something that the that.

Michael Noctor

Photos by Flickr

Australian bush fires: are we doing enough? In light of the recent trecherous wild fires that have crippled Australian wildlife and killed at least 30 people, Rio Finch considers whether the world could be doing more to help fight, and prevent the reoccurance of, this global crisis.

nless you have been living under a rock recently, you will know about the Australian bushfires. According to the BBC, the bushfires have been occurring since September last year, killing 25 people and half a billion animals in New South Wales alone. Are we doing enough to help this matter? In short, no. Although bushfires are a part of a natural earth cycle and help to fertilise and rejuvenate the soil, the scale at which this is occurring is far from natural. Human impact through pollution has created the enhanced greenhouse effect, in turn making the temperatures across the world increase. The result is causing places like Australia to become dryer, making bushfires spread at an unnatural rate. But we donate money to help our commonwealth friends. That is enough right? Again, no. How do we put a value on the land lost, the animals that have died and the cost of non-governmental organisa-

tion intervention? We cannot. If someone could put a price on the life of a koala bear, I would personally shake their hand. To be clear, I am not saying we should not

donate. I am saying it is not enough. Let us look at a national level. The BBC has come under scrutiny for flying reporters to Australia from Britain, only adding to the pollution. At a global level, Cadburys Chocolate company has claimed to donate a week’s worth of profits made from their Caramello Koala chocolate bar to the Australian bushfires.

Cadburys is a typical industrial trans-national corporation that produces goods at a large scale to supply large parts of the world – they are high polluters. These examples display the toxic trait within humans; the concept that money solves everything. We cannot put a price on nature and the biological world. The parts of the world that we are losing are irreplaceable and cannot be bought. Yes, we could put a numerical value on the land lost because of what is situated on it, or what it is worth to a company. But we still cannot replace that land when it is destroyed and becomes worthless. If we really care about the Australian bushfires, and indeed our planet, we need to focus on the cause and not the response. If we only realise that, even on the other side of the world, we are all still to blame, we might take more responsibility for the destruction happening now and what will inevitably happen again, unless we change our ways drastically.

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Megxit is a tragedy, yet a rather predictable one

n 13 January 2020, the Duke and Duchess of Sussex, Harry and Meghan, announced their intention to “step back as ‘senior’ members of the Royal Family”. The news has sent shockwaves across the UK and beyond, with news outlets questioning everything from the necessity of their decision, to the Royal Family’s place in modern Britain. I, however, share no part of this sensationalist ‘Megxit’ narrative; this was bound to happen. On the one hand, as an ardent royalist, I believe the Sussex’s decision (which some would believe has created a constitutional crisis) being announced to the public through an Instagram post and later statement is incredibly disrespectful. To not anticipate a massive backlash, and attempt to minimise this

Rob Topham

from the start by consulting with the monarchy in a firm yet compassionate way would, in my opinion, have reduced much of the animosity the couple has faced from the press as well as the general public. After all, the British public’s taxes paid for their £32 million-pound wedding. On the other hand, I do not believe anyone should be shocked by this decision, least of all those closest to the couple. The animosity may have been reduced had the Queen been consulted prior to an announcement. In reality, would this really have ensured some show of compassion from the British press? No. Prince Harry has been under the scrutiny of the media throughout his entire life. Yet, with such a critical eye also following his family, it is no surprise he has taken steps to ensure their own ‘security’ and wellbeing, as opposed to allowing his own blood to suffer in silence. But there is also the arguably greater scrutiny that the Duchess of Sussex has faced. In the past few years, she has faced an intense and rather shameful amount of flak, merely for being married to the Prince. This criticism has exposed every minute ‘flaw’ that the press perceives

whilst condemning a woman regardless of how philanthropic and benevolent her actions have clearly proved her to be. Meghan has endured a lifetime-worth of hate, condescension, and blatant racism in just a few years; one merely has to look to this entire debacle being termed colloquially as ‘Megxit’, something which clearly places blame at one person, to find a harrowing example of her treatment. It is clear to me that the Sussex’s desire to live more independently is one in line with all we know of Prince Harry’s character. As disappointing as it was to hear the revelation, the strength of character in attempting to protect his family is something to be admired. As stated, I do believe there could have been more delicacy behind the way the Sussex’s went about their decision (with subsequent conversations and a so-called ‘Sandringham Summit’ being entirely avoidable). However, following the Duchess’ powerful ITV interview over her treatment only a few months ago, it is no surprise the couple has reached their limit of the shameful treatment they have received. Should said scrutiny stop, perhaps the royal couple would reconsider their current plans.

Opinion Photo by Wikimedia Commons

America and Iran: The full cost of the conflict is unknown, but it is already too high

ithin the first few days of 2020, the hashtag ‘World War Three’ was trending across social media platforms and being searched across the web. President Trump’s seemingly reckless decision to assassinate Iran’s Major General Qassim Soleimani almost immediately sparked fears of retaliation, escalation and potential war between the two nations. The tension between Iran and America is unlikely to just fizzle out, and the deaths of 176 passengers on the Ukrainian jetliner proves that things have already gone too far. Soleimani, the second most powerful man in Iran, had been named a terrorist by the United States and was killed with an American drone after leaving Baghdad airport. In Iran, however, Soleimani’s death was met with uproar. The supreme leader Ali Khamenei has vowed that his demise will be severely avenged. The assassination of general Soleimani was incredibly risky, reckless, and seemed to come with little thought. As it stands, the reason behind Trump’s decision has only been explained in frustratingly limited detail.

“

Once innocent civilians are forced into the conflict it becomes apparent that things are out of hand

Olivia Warr

America has simply stated that the general was involved in developing plans to kill American diplomats. The world demands more than this to justify actions that have the potential to escalate into a drastic and dangerous international conflict. Despite its popular internet attention, experts have said that World War Three is unlikely to occur, but this does not mean that America, Iran or the rest of the world can breathe. Iran’s airstrikes on the Iraqi bases holding American troops was a direct retaliation to the death of their general, but it does not necessarily mark the end of their fight. Whether there were any casualties is unclear. Although Trump seems to be conveying this as an end to the potential conflict, the impending long-term effects are alarming. Trump published a tweet stating that ‘Iran appears to be standing down’ and this suggests one of two things: either Trump is naïve enough to believe that Iran will not take further action along the line, or that he thinks his audience is. Either way, the anger that has been met with the death of Soleimani suggests that the tension between the two nations will not simply disappear. Iran may be biding its time before the actions of their true retaliation and severe vengeance is made clear. Regardless of the potential future outcome that the conflict between Iran and America could bring to the new decade, it is important to reflect on the harm and hurt that has already been caused. Alongside Soleimani, nine others were killed in

Opinion Sub-Editor

the Baghdad airport strike. Iran claims that 80 Americans were killed in their attack on the Iraqi base (although this number is certainly not confirmed and other reports have suggested that nobody was killed). The death toll consisting of military and political personnel is bad enough. However, once innocent civilians are forced into the conflict it becomes apparent that things are out of hand. This is exactly what happened on the night that Iran launched ballistic missiles on Iraqi military bases. A Ukrainian jetliner came down near Tehran, the capital of Iran, and all 176 people on board were killed. Days later it emerged that the plane had not merely crashed, instead it had been shot down by Iranian missiles. Although unintentional, 176 people were brought into, and killed by, a conflict that was not at all related to them. Javid Zarif, Iran’s Foreign Minister, apologised for Iran’s critical mistake, but also passed some blame onto the United States. He stated: “Human error at a time of crisis caused by US adventurism led to [this] disaster.” But the blame lies with both countries. Iran for firing the missile, taking so little care on such huge destruction, and America for initiating the very thing that led to this disaster: starting a conflict that was bound to escalate. The tension between these two countries is alarming and the world will not know the effects for some time. With such a huge opportunity for disaster, Iran and America need to form a certain truce, for the sake of the world.

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Editorial

The views and opinions expressed in this letter are those of the author and do not necessarily reflect the official policy or position of InQuire Media or Kent Union

Letters

Satanic Canterbury responds to Rev Stephen Laird

Editorial

Dear Editor,

Election 2019: More of a tremor than a ‘youthquake’

Before election day on December 12, many politicians were hoping – or fearing – that the ‘youthquake’ being titillated by politics would disrupt the electoral playing field. Inarguably, students tipped the balance in Canterbury, where Labour MP Rosie Duffield increased her slim majority tenfold. Turnout was visibly high, at around 75%, and images of droves of students cueing up outside the Senate made national headlines. But despite this showing, nationally we still failed to bother to turn up to the polls; youth turnout was down on two years ago. After all the controversies that have arisen – Brexit to name but a few – we have to ask ourselves: why? It could be because many are not taught how government works or feel like they do not know enough; perhaps it is the choice of parties and that the system is not an effective way to change society. Whether it is apathy or something more blatant, we need to look into these figures and ask ourselves what needs to be done, because a healthy democracy needs well-informed, active citizens; voting is one of those means people can have their say. Maybe we should not be looking at ourselves and instead, point the finger at the politicians for a lack of civic engagement with these voters. (One of the reasons Duffield was so successful was because she directly approached students – on campus, in town, at hustings.) Is political education the synthesis? Perhaps. But as history shows, from civil rights to environmentalism, young people play a crucial presence at the political vanguard. More needs to be done to close the gap between the long decline of youth participation in order to foster a passion for democratic change in the fullest sense – including exercising the right to vote.

Speaking on behalf of Satanic Canterbury, I wished to contact you following a recent Feature on Andrew Foreshew-Cain (11 October 2019) then a subsequent ‘response’ in the form of a letter from the Rev. Dr. Stephen Laird (24 October 2019). Firstly, I wish to express how Satanic Canterbury were moved by the story told to Bill Bowkett by Foreshew-Cain, of his concerning experiences as a member of the LGBTQ+ community whilst being an active member of the Church of England. As followers of the Eternal Rebel, we have been known to appreciate a rebellion in any form. However, our concern was furthered by the wonderfully ‘self-owning’ rebuttal from the Laird. In his letter, Laird was quick to defend the practices and track-record of the Church of England, claiming it to be “one of the most progressive Christian organisations”. Although, on reflection this could easily be read as an indictment of the majority of Christian organisations rather than extolling the virtues of the C of E. Furthermore, he suggests that the issue of equality for the Christian LGBTQ+ community would no-doubt be represented at the coming Lambeth Conference. However, considering the previous efforts by Archbishop of Canterbury Justin Welby to restrict the attendance of same-sex partners, which he branded as “inappropriate”, Satanic Canterbury questions how supported and welcomed representatives for this minority community will be at this “most progressive” of Christian conferences? Foreshew-Cain has already highlighted how many members of the Church do not feel comfortable discussing their sexuality. Laird then condemns Foreshew-Cain’s decision to marry, stating that is was against “the law” of the Church. Firstly, as Satanists we believe that the struggle for justice is an ongoing and necessary pursuit that should prevail over laws and institutions, and as such we applaud Foreshew-Cain’s decision. Let us not forget that many historical acts we now consider to have been morally right were illegal under the laws of the time. Secondly, in the original article, Foreshew-Cain raises the very real problem of LGBTQ+ people having to have suffered as “second class citizens”, which is an ongoing issue in many respects. Therefore, Laird’s assertion that Foreshew-Cain and his husband should have agreed to a civil-partnership, and been happy with that, only highlights the original point. Perhaps Laird need spend some time considering his values before waving the flag of progressiveness? Finally, I wish to express how happy Satanic Canterbury is to hear that Andrew Foreshew-Cain is now in a place of acceptance and tolerance.

UCU Strikes: Will we ever be compensated?

Students, both new and experienced, have been subject to November’s UCU led industrial action; causing staff shortages, cancellations, and complaints across all academic years. Admittedly, these latest actions were briefer and less detrimental than the strikes of 2018, but they have still elicited a similar reaction with students who demand compensation for their lost education. University of Bangor students in November released a petition which demanded their university recompensate each student with £380. They are supported by the Office of the Independent Adjudicator, who in certain cases in early 2019 offered recommendations that helped students demand compensations. Although this supports spells hope for student reimbursement, successful cases depended upon individual circumstances such as students missing full-time employment to attend classes and international students who lost larger sums of tuition and other benefits due to industrial action. Legal action appears to occasionally succeed, including at the University of Essex. In March 2018, a group of students jointly sued the University for loses due to industrial action. Although the result of the case remains unknown, Essex seems to have learned a lesson and is now offering “mitigation payments” of an undisclosed number to all students for missed classes due to strike action in 2019. Could Kent students get similar compensation? The University of Kent, as of November 2019, already does offer reimbursements for costs like travel, childcare, and other associated expenses. However, they deny reimbursing tuition and instead task each academic school with redistributing missed content through alternative mediums. To regain lost tuition, as at Essex and Bangor, students will need to act. The same passion exists at Kent, with the student body being ranked 9th for the most complaints by Asserson Law Offices in 2018. However, as of January 2020, no visible student movements have yet arisen to confront the University. If compensation is what students want, they will have to demand it earnestly and press the University with strength and perseverance.

Do not let second-term syndrome bum you out

Feeling down and you are not sure why? That might be “second-term syndrome”, the university-wide unsettled feeling that hits students when they return back after Christmas. Students start coming back to the day-in-day-out grind of reading, where the library smells a bit stale, and Vensday is…well, still Vensday  but with a little less alcohol and some awkward faces to bump into. Back in 2010, the term was coined when a University of Leicester study found that students had a rise in anxiety levels when returning back to their second semester. With the incoming work, frosty temperatures and half-way point hitting, University starts to feel anti-climactic. All those people you added on Snapchat in Fresher’s week will be blocked by mid-term assignments. Anxiety and low moods do not have to take over your university experience, though. This is the term you can elect your future Kent Union student leaders and have your say in what you want the Union team to look like. You can support sports teams battling against CCCU for another Varsity title. Join these big events and come together in the Kent community. If elections and Varsity fail to excite you, then maybe take a look to the Wellbeing Centre, which is hosting the Enhance Your Wellbeing festival in late February. With pottery painting, cooking classes, games, and activities, these events look to help you figure out what might mellow you out in this tough term. Even if you do not like any of it, at least you will get a few puppy cuddles at the dog therapy. In the long-term, do not isolate yourself if you are being hit with second-term syndrome. Lots of students are feeling the same where living alone might not always be the happiest of times, so do not be afraid to seek out more resources or get involved in the happenings of campus life. This is your opportunity to figure out what works for you, and it is all free for you at university.

Photo of the week by Preena Dodhia Cartoon by Armaan Latif

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

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Lifestyle

What works best for your brow?

yebrows are a key component in framing and giving personality to the face, so determining what type of brow product to use can seem intimidating; especially since eyebrows also happen to be one of the hardest features to perfect. As someone whose eyebrows are incredibly fair and sparse, I have tried and tested an array of products in my time, so take this guide as a journey into an eyebrow product discovery which will hopefully help you to decide on the best brow product for you.

NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil available at Boots for £10.

An affordable option I recommend is the Revolution Duo Eyebrow Powder, available at Superdrug for £4. Eyebrow gel is the most unique out of the previously mentioned products, not only because of its quick application, but also the subtle yet defined look it can create. Eyebrow gel can be used to give some hold to your brows (it is best for those with thick and unruly brows). However, for those lacking in thick and defined eyebrows, a tinted gel can be a great second product to add some hair-like strokes on top of powder or pencil by tinting the hairs you already have to create an on-trend fluffy eyebrow look. I recommend the Glossier Boy Brow available at Glossier.com for £14.

The eyebrow pencil is the most forgiving product for a brow novice. With a light hand, small hair strokes can be created to mimic your natural eyebrow shape and create a full eyebrow without appearing too intense. With the pencil’s hair-like precision, it is easy to fill in your eyebrows to the level you desire, all whilst maintaining a natural hair strand look. For people with fair eyebrows, a pencil is a great option because its light and the defined look can easily be created. I recommend the NYX Professional Makeup Micro Brow Pencil available at Boots for £10. Eyebrow Powder is great for creating a darker, fuller brow. Like the eyebrow pencil, an eyebrow powder can create natural hair-like strokes. However, unlike an eyebrow pencil, I find it easier to build up powder because it is much denser than a pencil and can be comfortably layered. And eyebrow powder can easily be cleaned up if any mistakes are made.

I find the eyebrow pomade the hardest to master because it can either create a defined arch or an unnatural block of colour. The eyebrow pomade is the most concentrated of the products. As a result, it is incredibly long-wearing. Its high concentration can create the most lifelike brow hairs but equally the most inauthentic. With some practice the eyebrow pomade can help create the perfect eyebrow arch; just remember to take it slow. Despite being the most expensive on the list, I recommend the renowned Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade for avoiding the block brow look. It is available at Feelunique.com for £19. The perfect eyebrow product can be challenging and certainly intimidating. Hopefully, I have been able to shed some light on the options available and the looks they can create. My routine is of an eyebrow powder then a gel on top. However, it has taken many years to finally reach my desired brow look. Testing out different options can be the best way to nail your routine but with the knowledge of what product is best for you, hopefully, some of your time has been saved.

Anastasia Beverly Hills Dipbrow Pomade. It is available at Feelunique.com for £19

2020

Photo by Mio Ito Unsplash

What to look forward to

by Sara Bell, Fashion Sub-Editor Hastings’ May Day Bank Holiday Festival 2020: 8 May 2020 The quirky, joyful event consists of dressing head to toe in green leaves and flowery garments, Morris dancing, local beer, and live music. It is sure to lift your spirits for the coming summer months. Whether you want to watch the morning sunrise with the locals or picnic on the West Hill in the afternoon, May Day has something for everyone. National Trust 125 year celebration: April* & year-round 2020 The National Trust celebrates its 125th anniversary this year and offers 125-minute guided walks* in Carding Mill Valley and the Long Mynd, Shropshire. As the event is far from Canterbury, I recommend the more local National Trust trail ‘Octavia Hill – Centenary Trail Life and History’ for those wishing to honour the life of the Trust’s founder Octavia Hill. Alternatively, clear your mind with a 5-mile woodland Weardale walk from Emmett’s garden.

Revolution Duo Eyebrow Powder, available at Superdrug for £4. Photos by - Let’sTalkBeauty, rover.ebay.com, Superdrug, RevolutionBeauty. LondonLoves Beauty, Zelens, Modsens

Glossier Boy Brow available at Glossier.com for £14.

By Alice Tomlinson

Food

Fashion

19 Janaury: Vegan Market (Location: Gravesend Borough Market, High st)

Glamour beauty festival: 20-22 March 2020

Veganism has made leaps and bounds in the past decade. If you have embraced that lifestyle or simply enjoy trying new things, this event may be for you. It will feature sweet and savoury foods, alongside vegan businesses. Takes a 45 minute drive by car or an hour by train.

London is the heart of exclusive fashion events and it is just a short train journey away. Cosmetic brands such as Allergen, Pixi, and Elizabeth Arden will be there and will offer complimentary treatments. Several influencers and celebrities will also be making appearances. From just £41 you are given the chance to experience the world of fashion and beauty in England’s vibrant yet elegant capital.

by Krishna Rohan, Food Sub-Editor

26 January: Chinese New Year (Location: West End, London) Chinese New Year is a joyous time for many people around the world and it is amazing that in this globalised world celebrations can be continued! In Chinatown, traditional Chinese food and treats will be abundant. Even if you do not celebrate the occasion it is an event worth going to. The parades and performances across Leicester Square and Trafalgar Square alone are worth the trip to London!

Leeds Castle Fireworks Spectacular: Saturday 7 November

13 February: Love Beer London (Location: 30 – 40, Vale Royal, N7 9AP)

This is the biggest firework display in the South East of England. This year’s musical theme is love and is accompanied by heart-shaped fireworks, so take a partner or a date out for a romantic evening in one of the most visited historic buildings in Britain.

A 3-day beer festival with the ‘best’ craft beer the South East has to offer. Tickets are £12 and include a branded glass. This is a festival that would appease those who are fond of beer.

by Grace Bishop, Fashion Sub-Editor

Photo by Arturo Rey Unsplash

14–15 March: Vegan Life Live London (Location: Alexandra Palace Way) A two-day vegan festival with tickets starting at £10 granting access to over 100 exhibitions (not limited to food). There will be an array of different dishes to try and food ideas to bring back to university. 29 – 31 May: Sicily Fest (Location: Brick Lane Food Hall, 152, Brick Lane) Start spring the right way; surrounded by beautiful Sicilian culture and artwork whilst indulging in their food and drink. It is £2.50 for entry with the event featuring delicious dishes such as cannoli, gelato, pasta, cheese, and more.

Global London Fashion week, Knightsbridge: 14-15 February 2020 If you are unable to attend this festival, there are several others which offer similar unique experiences. Although this option is a little pricier, you would be immersed in a once in a lifetime opportunity to go behind the scenes. This enables you to witness firsthand, the celebration of fashion and creativity. Ticket prices begin at £135.

Photo by Raden Prasetya Unsplash

Travel

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Lifestyle

Food

Garlic chicken casserole with crushed new potatoes This recipe is warming and filling, making it perfect for cold winter nights. The best bit is that it is affordable to make. Serves 2.

Ingredients: • • • • • • • •

Vegetable or sunflower oil 4 Chicken thighs 1 bunch of spring onions, thinly sliced 2 tablespoons of dried thyme 2 bulbs of garlic Small glass of white wine (If you don’t want to use wine, you can use chicken stock) Salt and pepper New potatoes

Method:

Preheat your oven to 180˚C 1. Heat about 2 tablespoons of oil in a wide, shallow pan over high heat. If you have a pan that can go in the oven, use it. It will save you some washing up. 2. Fry the chicken, skin side down, for a few minutes until it starts to brown, then turn it over and brown the underside. When all thighs are browned take them out of the pan and put them in a bowl. 3. Fry the spring onions and thyme in the same pan for about a minute then turn off the heat.

Photo by Dov Harrington Flickr

4. If you have used an ovenproofpan, keep the spring onions and thyme in it. If you did not, transfer everything from your pan into a deep roasting tin. 5. Take your two bulbs of garlic and separate the cloves. Make sure to remove all the outer skin, but make sure you do not peel the inner skin of the garlic. Scatter half of the unpeeled cloves of garlic around the roasting tin or pan. Put the chicken in, with the skin side facing up and top with the rest of the garlic. 6. Pour the wine or chicken stock into the bowl you used to hold the browned chicken and then pour it over the casserole. Season with salt and pepper, cover with tin foil (or if your pan has a lid, use this) and

cook in the oven for 1 ½ hour. 7. Whilst the chicken cooks, you can start on the potatoes (the amount you use will depend on how hungry you are). Take your new potatoes and chop them to roughly even sizes. You do not need to chop them all, only the larger ones. Boil them in salted water until they are soft – this should take around 15 minutes. Once they are soft, drain them and spread them out on a baking tray. 8. Cover them in oil and season with salt and pepper, making sure they are all evenly coated in the oil. Once they are seasoned and oiled, crush the potatoes. There are two ways you can do this. The first way is to gently crush each potato with

a potato masher (this is how my mum tells me to do it). The second way, which I prefer, is to take a second baking tray and lay it over the top of the potatoes and press down, crushing all the potatoes at once. They are now ready to go in the oven but do not put them in until 25 minutes before the chicken is done. Once the chicken and potatoes are cooked, serve and enjoy with some French bread. (If you feel like this dish needs some vegetables, broccoli and/or green beans are ideal).

By Chloe Robb

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Lifestyle

Travel

Memoir

Carrot sticks against depression

n the summer of 2018, armed with two suitcases and a pocket guide of Copenhagen, I moved to Denmark for my year abroad. People around me commented on how exciting it was to spend a year in one of the happiest countries on earth. I too thought I would regain some happiness there. Taking advice from the university’s Erasmus department, I spent a considerable amount of time researching Danish culture. I came across the term ‘hygge’ (hoo-gah), a concept that has become comically popular in Britain and one which floods the commercial market with this new, cosy, candlelit way of life. The Guardian describes ‘hygge’ with a series of images: “Hands cupping warm mugs, bicycles leaning against walls, sheepskin rugs thrown over chairs.” I envisioned stepping off the plane and into a small coffee shop full of laughing Danes, each with an artisanal black coffee in one hand and a craft beer in the other. Denmark consistently ranks highly in the World Happiness Report, coming 2nd after Finland in 2018 and 2019, I assumed that perhaps Copenhagen would be a haven from the global epidemic that is mental illness. I thought that simply being in proximity to Danes (people I assumed would be perpetually smiley and graciously content) would mean that some of their happiness would rub off onto me. I wanted to be wrapped up in this picturesque happy lifestyle. But this was not the case. Good coffee in Denmark costs at least £5 (45 kr) and I am still mentally ill. A few years ago, before university began, I gave my boyfriend a short list of instructions entitled ‘How to deal with me when I’m sad’. It went something like this: Get up; Go outside; Eat something. Above everything else on my list, eating is something that affects my mental health the most. But I began to realise that just eating something was not enough; I had to eat something nutritious. As a fresher, I descended into a cycle of emotional eating. Being suddenly forced into painful self-reliance, I found myself consuming only energy

“Eating is something that affects my mental health the most” drinks and ready meals. And, although my fridge would be graced with a gem lettuce once a term, more often than not my 60p attempt at being healthy would end up in the bin. Isolated, tired, and depressed, I would walk to the campus shops each evening. I felt off-kilter and anxious as if the shop assistant was judging me for my purchases: a bar of chocolate and a large sharing packet of Haribo’s. In the first few months of university, I locked myself away in my Parkwood room and tried to combat my misery with sugar. This was a strategy that briefly worked; the sugary endorphins leaving me temporarily ‘happy’ but ultimately more depressed in the long-term. For months I self-medicated my depression with sugar, and my cycle of sugary gluttony only ended after a trip to the dentist. It was when I moved abroad that my eating habits changed. Copenhagen seemed to be the catalyst for my healthy eating revolution. The student cafeteria at the University of Copenhagen sold freshly made tomato soup, plates piled high with an assortment of intricate salads, and smørrebrødb (an open-faced sandwich composed of elegantly placed toppings, often fish, egg, or cold meat on a piece of rye bread). And, instead of crisps, my Danish peers ate carrot sticks. Denmark. dk, Denmark’s official website, proudly explains

“Healthier options do not always mean healthier choices are being made”

that Danes value seasonal locally produced food, ensuring that this organic produce is sold in all schools and universities. Yet, it would be misguided to suggest that Danish students simply eat better than students of other nationalities. Healthier options do not always mean healthier choices are being made. And healthier choices do not always mean better mental health. Even though I felt happier and healthier after living in Copenhagen, the utopian Denmark that I had expected did not exist. Instead, it was the perspective I gained whilst abroad and the influence of good friends that improved my mental health. It was the experiences I had that made me happier: cycling around the city every day, swimming in Islands Brygge harbour baths, buying kanelbrød (cinnamon bread) from Copenhagen’s oldest bakery. After a few months abroad, I realised that although I felt happier and healthier living in Copenhagen, it was the perspective I gained whilst abroad and the influence of good friends that really improved my mental health. I can honestly say I am so glad I chose to go there for my year abroad. Copenhagen is a wonderful place to live and there are some fantastic places to go to on a day out. In summer, you might head to Reffen to take a dip in the harbour baths or explore the food market. You might grab a coffee along the colourful Nyhavn Harbour or visit Copenhagen’s oldest bakery, Sankt Peder’s Bakery, to buy their famous kanelsnelge (cinnamon bun). In the evening, you might want to spend a couple of hours at the Bastard Café (a late-night board game café and my favourite ‘go-to’ spot) or travel to Nørrebro for a beer at Brus brewery. Unlike some European cities, I felt safe cycling around on my own, even at night. The cycling culture in Copenhagen is the best thing about the city. Every day, 62% of people cycle to work or school. Yes, joining the hordes of morning commuters was slightly terrifying, but it was an incredible way to get around as the city is nice and

flat. And if you do not like cycling, you can instead travel on Copenhagen’s extremely efficient metro service, designed with the same minimalist, clean style that Scandinavia is known for. The metro is automated, and so there are huge windows at the front of the carriage beneath which are interactive panels where children can pretend they are operating the train. It may seem insignificant, but it shows how everything in Copenhagen is thoughtfully designed to improve the lives of those who live there. However, as great as Copenhagen is, I realised that the utopian Denmark I had expected did not exist. Although my mental health largely improved during my year abroad, I was often depressed and no amount of good food, coffee shops, or cycling could change that. Rather, it was the experiences that pushed me out of my comfort zone which made me feel more confident and ultimately happier. Whilst healthy eating is not a mental health fix, it can be a good start to improving one’s mental health. Hopefully this article will serve as a gentle reminder to better look after yourself. It is a written effort to embed the phrase “carrot sticks against depression”; a slogan for the student healthy eating campaign that I have in my head. Now that I have returned to England, I try to share my new appreciation and dedication to good food with other students who still add ketchup and mayonnaise to every meal. And hopefully, it will not take moving to another country for some of you to realise the importance of healthy eating when it comes to your mental health.

“I felt safe cycling around on my own, even at night” By Kira Birch

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Feature

Down and Out in the South East Daniel Esson Writer

Homelessness is one of the biggest problems in the UK. I spoke to South East based organisations Christians Together and Porchlight, as well as ex-MP Charlie Elphicke, to gain insight into the problem of homelessness in the South East and what is being done about it.

hen people think of Kent they think of many things; the White Cliffs of Dover, rolling hills and fields, the ‘Garden of England’. Dover is the gateway to England from Europe. It boasts an extremely active shipping and passenger port, a historic castle, and a dying high street where people sleeping in the doorways of closeddown shops is an all too common sight. This has been a fixture for as long as I can remember, with no obvious assistance being provided by local authorities. Where local councils seem to be absent, smaller charities try to fill that void. I managed to get in touch with Christians Together in Dover, a new, church-based umbrella organisation, unifying multiple smaller organisations, allowing them to pool resources and collaborate. Christians Together operate the local food bank, winter night shelters and a soup kitchen that I had the good fortune to attend. There I spoke to Judith Shilling, executive of Christians Together in Dover and a seasoned veteran of local relief efforts, having been involved with the soup kitchen for the last 12 years. She informed me that the soup kitchen has existed in some form for around 30 years. For many of these years, it was done informally with no set location out of the back of cars or makeshift huts. That was until a local church, St Mary’s, offered up their hall as a venue. The kitchen operates every night of the week with a large alternating roster of volunteers staffing it. She estimated they feed anywhere from 15 to 35 people every night, many of whom are regulars who depend on the charity of the soup kitchen to get food. Many of them struggle with issues well known to be linked to homelessness, alcoholism, mental health issues, and drug addiction. Shilling told me they can feed these people, but with a lack of support in dealing with these underlying causes, many are caught in a “vicious cycle”. Almost all of them are unemployed, with many dependent on Universal Credit, the failures of which are many-fold and well known. More shockingly, Judith estimated only “30 to 40%” of the people they feed are actually homeless, at least in the ‘rough sleeping’ sense, the majority are either in insecure housing or simply cannot afford to feed themselves. All the food the kitchen has is donated by Tesco and individual volunteers. When I asked the gathered volunteers about the local council’s efforts to help, I was met with wry chuckles. “They don’t really care” and “they haven’t been helpful” I was told. “A caring society shouldn’t let people sleep on the streets,” Shilling said. The volunteers explained that before they had a stable venue in the church hall, the council was one of the biggest obstacles to the soup kitchen, with the council routinely ordering them to pack up and go

“A caring society shouldn’t let people sleep on the streets” elsewhere. They did, however, note that the council had recently donated £10,000 to the winter night shelter. Yet, this shelter only operates occasionally in the winter and the plight of the homeless lasts for more than three months a year. This donation, while generous, is by no means a cure-all. Shilling told me that when the council does seek to help the homeless, the tone is one of wanting to “tidy up” the town. She suspects their motive is that they perceive the homeless as an eyesore, rather than a genuine desire to help them. This is a large reason why many homeless people retreat to the hills and abandoned forts surrounding the town. Despite the obvious homelessness in the town centre, there are likely many more rough sleepers who steer clear of the town. Homelessness is an issue that knows few geographical boundaries. I contacted Porchlight, the largest homelessness charity working in Kent and the South E a s t . T h e i r spokesperson, Chris Thomas, informed me that Porchlight has existed in various forms f o r about 45 years. He described their main work as trying to prevent homelessness before it happens. They do this by working with those who are vulnerable, providing support for people currently homeless, getting

temporary accommodation where possible, and trying to challenge the stigma around homelessness with the public. Thomas told me that last year they assisted around 7,000 people, only a minority of which were homeless at the time. His account of factors contributing to homelessness echoed what I heard at the soup kitchen; drug addiction, alcoholism, poor mental health, and poverty. Many, he said, are “struggling to pay the rent”, owing to an increase in zero-hour contracts, and other forms of unstable unemployment. His comment on benefits also sounded familiar: “The benefits that are there to assist the most vulnerable don’t cover the cost of living.” Most shockingly, I was told: “We do support people who are working but who do not have a home.” This is horrifying, but unsurprising in the wake of a United Nations report which determined 14 million people live in poverty in the UK, many of whom are still in employment. Porchlight works closely with local councils out of necessity, however, in the midst of a neardecade-long austerity project, Thomas told me: “Everyone is in a position where we’re having to do more with less.” Thomas made it clear that it is easy to blame local councils for their inaction, but the heart of the problem lies further upstream. “The actual source of the problem is central government and the lack of money coming from there.” Given that council budgets have been cut by nearly 50% since 2010, and councils are facing increasing demand pressure, this claim is a difficult one to refute. Thomas made it clear to me that fixing the issue of homelessness starts long before people end up on the street: “What is really needed is more investment in tackling the causes of homelessness.” Support networks are needed for

Photos by Charlie Elphicke & Unsplashed

“When I asked the gathered volunteers about the local council’s efforts to help, I was met with wry chuckles”

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

those struggling with issues linked to homelessness, yet sadly “austerity has led to a lot of these services disappearing”. Last year, I approached Charlie Elphicke, ex-Member of Parliament for Dover and Deal, about the matter. He told me: “It is vitally important that the most vulnerable people in society, including homeless people and rough sleepers, are helped to get their lives back on track.” After informing him of what Chris Thomas had told me about a dire need for affordable social housing, Elphicke told me: “The Conservative-controlled district council is putting almost 200 ex-council houses or new builds back into their stock. That is being done with record levels of investment, including a new shopping and cinema complex and a new cinema, and the lowest council tax in east Kent.” He did not explain whether these 200 repurposed houses will be affordable as starter homes, or whether the council will implement any measures to ensure this. Leaving house prices to the whim of market forces is part of the reason the UK is embroiled in a housing crisis, with the average price of a house now at £224,144. Although more housing is beneficial, if those who find themselves trapped beneath the first rung of the

Feature

property ladder cannot actually afford them, they are not solving the problem at hand. Local council budget cuts are a serious obstacle to helping the poor and homeless. After a quick look at Mr Elphicke’s voting record, it showed that he consistently voted in favour of lowering the number of funding councils receive from central government. When asking Mr Elphicke with this information, he told me: “The Conservatives inherited this country’s highest levels of debt since the Second World War. Yet, I have contin-

repeats the government line justifying austerity. The extra £175,000 given to the district council will surely not go amiss, but given that their 201718 statement of accounts recorded a budget deficit of £745,000 in relation to the increased cost of emergency housing for the homeless, and the total budget for the council that year was £15.02 million. This is a drop in the ocean compared to what is needed. After asking Mr Elphicke about Porchlight’s statement that benefit cuts are directly impacting the homeless, and the fact that he has consistently voted to lower benefits of various kinds, even voting against raising them in line with prices, he told me: “The Conservative Government promised to deliver a welfare system that ensured it pays to work. We now have the lowest levels of unemployment for decades – and wages are rising well above inflation.” It is true that we have record employment, even when discounting the rising number of people on zero-hours or other forms of precarious employment. But employment in and of itself is not a victory if said employment is precarious or does not actually cover the cost of living. Wages are rising above inflation, however, in real terms (meaning

“Fixing the issue of homelessness starts long before people end up on the street” ued to press ministers for dedicated funding for homelessness. After a meeting with the Secretary of State earlier this year, Dover District Council got an extra £175,000, which came after the annual central government grant increased 15.1% on the previous year.” Despite Elphicke’s true statement, it misses the bigger picture. When asked how he can actively support policy, which is obviously damaging to the most vulnerable people in his constituency, he

the relationship between the money in your pocket and the cost of things you need to buy), average wages have fallen significantly in the last 10 years, particularly in London and the Southeast*. Although, it is great that wages are rising above inflation, if you still cannot afford three square meals a day, this distinction may seem a rather academic one. Regardless of your political orientation, any honest look at the situation shows that something seriously needs to change. And while members of government repeat niceties about falling debt and better wages relative to inflation, the people affected most by their policy lie in their sleeping bags, cold, hungry, and waiting for something to be done, sooner rather than later.

If you are concerned about someone who is homeless, call Porchlight’s free helpline: 0800 567 7899. Find out more about Porchlight’s work and how you can be a part of it: porchlight.org.uk

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Entertainment

Film & Music

Jojo Rabbit: a bittersweet comedy for our time 2019 was a great year for comedy. From the darkly humorous Parasite to the wittily funny Knives Out, cinemagoers were blessed with a range of truly entertaining entries. Jojo Rabbit is one such film, writes Rory Bathgate. Centred around Jojo Betzler, a ten-year-old German boy who enjoys nothing more than participating in the Berlin branch of the Hitler Youth, it chronicles the last months of the war as his world, and outlook, changes forever. Always followed by his imaginary friend – none other than Adolf Hitler – Jojo must learn that there is more to life than the propaganda he has swallowed, as he learns that his mother is harbouring that most dangerous of all people: a young Jewish girl. Opening with a hilarious German cover of The Beatles’ I Want To Hold Your Hand, accompanied by stock footage of Nazi rallies and cheering Hitler Youths, Waititi perfectly sets an irreverent tone from the start. His Germany is definitely one in the grips of Nazimania – characters revere Hitler in the same way that crowds hailed the likes of John, Paul, George, and Ringo in the 60s. Jojo is chief among such fans. His room is plastered with propaganda posters and photos of Hitler (the actual Hitler, not Waititi’s grinning image of him). Waititi himself revels in the role of Hitler. That is not a sentence I ever thought I would write, but here we are. At times he verges on outright clownishness and certain critics have accused him of portraying Hitler as too much of a joke, but I would argue that it is with him that the film finds some of its strongest emotional messages. Because Waititi is not playing Hitler: he is

Indeed, in the increasingly nationalist climate of geopolitics, the best thing one can do is laugh at the Nazis. Of course, their horrific actions must be acknowledged, and the film does not shy away from dark content. It is not perfect and perhaps the message gets a tad lost in some of the revelries towards the end. But as a personal story – the most important chapter in a young boy’s life as his world literally blows up – Jojo Rabbit is powerful stuff. A well thought out comedy-drama, it bodes well for all involved and deserves all the praise it can get. Jojo Rabbit is showing Friday 7-11 February at the Gulbenkian. Photo by Fox Searchlight Jojo’s imaginary friend ‘Hitler’, the imaginative 10-year-old’s vision of the Fuhrer based on the sycophantic propaganda to which he is exposed in the Hitler Youth. Although he initially provides emotional support for our young protagonist, his cheery disposition is inversely proportional to Jojo’s perception of the Jews. The more disillusioned Jojo becomes, the more manic his imaginary Hitler becomes to keep things just as they were. Sam Rockwell steals his scenes as the grimacing and camp Captain Klenzendorf, a hilarious mashup of every Nazi villain in cinema, complete with uniform, sharpshooting skills, and one blind eye. Although he would have been more than enough as a comedic caricature, he also provides a considerable amount of emotional weight to the third-act, a testament to both his acting skills and the well thought out screenplay. The whole cast, in fact, works in unison to keep the film as good as it is. Young Roman Griffin Davis provides a

icant and urgent their glad rags in support of IVW this year. challenge to the On February 31, Margate’s Elsewhere UK’s music induswill play host to the indie-pop styltry”. ings of This Is The Kit’s Rozi Plain. These venues proAlso located in Margate, Olby’s vide a foundation Soul Café is hosting three days on which the rest of special IVW shows from of the country’s January 30 – February 1. music structure Ramsgate Music Hall and The is based; up-andLighthouse in Deal will also coming artists need be hosting special shows. See these spaces to dip the Independent Venue Week their toe into the website for full details of how shark-filled waters to get involved in a week that is of the music inmore important than ever. dustry, armed with a knockoff Strat, a jacket their dad insists went to Woodstock, and an unfailing belief that they have something useful to say. As Jeff Horton, owner of London’s 100-Club, has pertinently asked: “Who is going to be the headliner at one of the Glastonbury or Isle of Wight festivals if there are no places left for these bands to play?” Beyond record sales and festival headliners, these Photo by Dik Ng venues provide a much-needed place for communities to creatively come together, particularly outside London where access to such spaces may otherwise be limited. Independent venues employ local young people; fundraise for local causes; host local art shows and parent and toddler groups. They are staffed by people who not only live in, and understand what their areas need, but are willing to work to create the opportunities, events, and communiPhoto by Shannen Long ty that might not have been there before. They are true grassroots spaces and they are worth supporting, not only as an important cog in the UK music industry but as creative spaces that provide meaningful outlets of expression for people around the country. Venues across the Garden of England will be putting on Photo by The Slaughtered Lamb

Independent Venue Week 27 Jan - 2 feb

What connects a disused bakery in Cornwall, Aberdeen’s only ‘Tiki dive bar’, and the basement of an ex-soft furnishings shop in Margate? They are all part of Independent Venue Week 2020. Connor Blumel takes a look. Described by organisers as a “7-day celebration of music venues around the country and a nod to the people that own, run and work in them”, Independent Venue Week (IVW) is held yearly in the last week of January. Now in its seventh year, IVW serves as a timely reminder of the importance of these independent, grassroots venues, helping drive support to an integral and sometimes underappreciated part of the UK arts community. The threat of closure has been the concern amongst the patrons and proprietors of grassroots music venues in the UK over the last ten years. According to the Mayor’s Music Venues Taskforce (Boris Johnson’s rather grandiose name for the organisation he started to essentially count pubs), a third of music venues in London have closed since 2007. The perhaps more sensibly named Digital, Culture, Media and Sport Committee agrees – saying “the closure of music venues presents a signif-

suitably fun, nuanced performance as Jojo whilst Scarlett Johansson and Thomasin McKenzie provide much needed dramatic talent. The only real let-down is Rebel Wilson, who once again plays herself: one of the climactic scenes is slightly marred by her jarring antics. People complaining that the film is too funny to deal with the Nazis or too serious to be properly funny are, honestly, missing the point. Its very essence is navigating these boundaries, as a child full of such humour and creativity is forced to deal with the worst of circumstances. Life very rarely confines itself to either tragedy or comedy, as much as we may wish it to; Taika Waititi knows this. He also knows another, potentially hard to swallow fact: Nazis can be funny. The film frequently uses Nazi slogans, propaganda, and general behaviour to great comedic effect, such as a scene in which Gestapo officers (led by Stephen Merchant) are delayed by the amount of Heil Hitlers that protocol demands they complete.

Photo by Fox Searchlight

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Entertainment

Television

Campy fun abounds in Doctor Who Series 12

fall’s second half. If anything, the two-parter highlights the strengths and weaknesses of Chibnall’s writing. He has some brilliant ideas of where he wants to take the series, but even for a two-parter, he’s introduced one too many plot threads, not all of which are that interesting. The TARDIS team fade into the background once again as their series-long arc is introduced, asking themselves: “Just who exactly is the Doctor?” Still, ‘Spyfall’ is a solid start to the new series and Chibnall once again shows he is able to blend camp capers with deeper storytelling. The spy-fi stuff is good fun but I preferred the character-centric aspects of the episode. Chibnall has taken on the criticism that the TARDIS Team are not as well rounded as they should be and with a better vision in mind for the series, he is ready to test the Doctor and Co. like never before.

by B to Ph o

fun nod to the spy thriller genre; a manic, evil genius hellbent on bringing the Earth to its knees and constantly foiled by his own arrogance. But it would have been great to see a new villain, or an old one from the original series, make a return as the next bigbad. But at least he is not Barton who is just boring to watch. Played flatly by Lenny Henry, Barton is working with the Kasaavin’s to take over the universe through computer technology. Chibnall enjoys bringing social commentary to the forefront in his episodes, and that has let the show deliver some of its most poignant and educational episodes. In ‘Spyfall’ Chibnall comments on how modern technology can be used against us; while a little ham-fisted at

Whereas Part one eases us into the story after a year-long hiatus with a cool spy-fi detective plot, the second half focuses on the deeper conflict that will run through the rest of series 12 as a familiar foe (with an unfamiliar face) comes back to reveal a secret about the Time Lords and the “timeless child”. Yes, the Master returns. Regenerated once more (I will not say who into) and working with the Kasaavins and technology CEO Daniel Barton to assassinate MI6 agents and

rewrite their DNA and…I’m disappointed? I do not know guys. Bringing back this villain, especially after such a finite ending with his arc as Missy in series 10 is like beating a dead horse that constantly regenerates. To the actor’s credit (again, will not say who), he is able to deliver a terrific performance as the Doctor’s frenemy. He and Whittaker have such amazing chemistry together, especially during their game of cat and mouse through space and time. The Master also serves as a

oto

For series 11, Chibnall reset the Who formula significantly: a new Doctor, with a new trio of companions facing off against new enemies with no overarching story. Although he took the show in an exciting new direction, the writing fell flat in a lot of episodes and by the end of the series the TARDIS Team were not nearly as developed as they should have been. ‘Spyfall’ sees Whittaker’s return as the Doctor as she and her “fam” – Graham (Bradley Walsh), Ryan (Tosin Cole), and Yasmin (Mandip Gill) – are recruited by MI6 to discover who is assassinating spies around the world. The two-parter takes real joy in paying homage to spy thrillers, delightfully combining James

Bond and X-Files together for some campy sci-fi fun. Graham and Ryan get to fight an alien species with laser shoe-guns and missile rocket cufflinks. Part one ends with an epic motorcycle chase to the airport after a casino themed birthday party, 007 style. The show does not take itself too seriously with the clichéd spy plot, despite its end-of-the-world consequences, because it is a silly backdrop to the more meaningful storytelling woven throughout.

It is safe to say that Jodie Whittaker’s first series playing the nation’s favourite time traveller was rough around the edges. because of the bumpy transition between showrunners as Chris Chibnall took over for Steven Moffat. But in his third year as showrunner, Chibnall has clearly taken on the criticism of the previous series by raising the stakes even higher this time. Jake Yates-Hart asks: will series 12 stick the landing?

times, it is great seeing Doctor Who acknowledging the consequences of modern technology, rather than just poking fun at it (see ‘The Bells of Saint John’). Similarly, part two shines a light on the accomplishments of Ada Lovelace – the first computer programmer from the 19th century – and Noor Inayat Khan – the first female wireless operator to go undercover behind enemy lines. The Doctor’s journey to the 21st century with two of the most influential women in computer-science history is the highlight of Spy-

Doctor Who airs 7pm Sundays on BBC 1. Catch up on BBC iPlayer.

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Theatre

Rinaldo. Photo by Alastair Muir

By Tímea Koppándi Newspaper Culture Editor, with additional reporting from Danai Paraskevopoulou & Louis Charles

L’elisir d’amore, Rigoletto and Rinaldo

Rinaldo

n unusual opera slipped into the autumn schedule of the Glyndebourne Tour. Handlel’s Rinaldo hardly makes an appearance on the stages and there are a number of reasons why it is a very difficult opera to stage (as well as attend). Apart from the fact that the storyline is unappealing to modern audiences, the score is difficult to listen to and sing. Not only does it have a musical style that is over-weighted with various repetitions of the same musical part, but the discrepancy between the styles also makes it difficult for the viewer to associate themselves with the storyline. There is an element of foreignness to the entirety of the opera, and that is due to the nature of the story. The valiant Rinaldo starts out on a quest to save Almirena, his lover, from the evil Queen Armida who has kidnapped her. The narrative of revenge starts early in the opera; however it turns into a love triangle when Queen Armida falls in love with Rinaldo. Despite the fact that many of the social interactions are based on instant trust, honesty and honour – things which do not hold the same weight today as they did at the time – the plot still makes sense to a modern audience. One of the longest operas we have ever attended, three hours and a few minutes, Rinaldo had an absolutely amazing cast! Jacquelyn Stucker (Armida) absolutely conquered the stage with her impressive high notes and ease of jumping between registers. Jake Arditti (Rinaldo) and James Hall (Goffredo) also impressed the audience with their performance. Their execution of the piece truly shone and they have most certainly left their mark on it, with their balanced tonal performance varying from subtle nuances to powerful high notes. The modern take that the writing team of Glyndebourne has decided to go with, refreshed the entirety of the show. Having the story reimagined as the dream of a schoolboy, transforms the progression of the story in the eyes of the audience and draws them closer to the plot. The staging was absolutely amazing because of the way they had thought through the representation of certain elements. Overall, the performance was truly engaging, and the setting captivated the attention of the audience. However, things such as the music and the storyline did exhaust the attention.

Rigoletto. Photo by Richard Hubert Smith

The Glyndebourne Opera tour of 2019

Culture

Rigoletto

he three-act opera by the Italian composer Giuseppe Verdi has been put into an innovative, witty setting, demonstrating how the problems that humanity faces remain the same whilst the setting changes. The dramatic story of the hunched-backed court jester Rigoletto has been transported from the 16th century Mantua to a setting which evoked the roaring twenties. The opera narrates the love Gilda, Rigoletto’s daughter, has for the late Duke of Mantua, who is introduced to her as a poor student. Rigoletto has advised his daughter not to leave the house alone and despite his best efforts to protect Gilda, she has fallen in love with the Duke of Mantua. A tough and frivolous ruler, the Duke’s only concern is the conquest of the women in the region. Nikoloz Lagvilava (Rigoletto) not only amazed the audience with his voice, but also with his acting skills. His performance had incredible strength, his baritone voice completed the atmosphere and it complimented the music beautifully. His performance was honest, true to its character, and beautiful. Even though he is a jester, in truth he is forced to smile and fake his laughter only to reveal a very serious and broken man. We could clearly see three different stages of his life; as a young man, older man, and as an elder struggling with a curse. The role of Gilda was perfectly performed by Vuvu Mpofu as we see her

very as tender, sweet, and sincere; a charaacter who gained complexity from the original, almost childlike innocence of the dramatic ending. With her clarity of performance, flawless tonal accuracy, tasteful melodic phrasing, centre and volume of voice, she blossomed to ideal heights for this score and provided enduring and unconditional enjoyment. In the exuberant, liberating stage light embodying the womanizer Duke of Mantua stood the tenor Matteo Lippi: a singer with a rich, harmonious youthful voice, peculiarly soft and sweet. The stage design was by Christian Tabakoff and it was amazing. We could constantly see the stage changing from scene to scene. As a result, it was very exciting to see how the space of the stage transformed during the story. The sound of the orchestra, accurate and well-focused, was led by Richard Milone with the right vigour and style. The opera had a great combination of love story, thriller, and drama, coupled with a fantastic plot.

L’elisir d’amore

o you believe in the elixir of love? In the 19th century in a small Italian village we are introduced to Nemorino, a poor peasant who is in love with Adina, a beautiful landowner. The opera starts with Adina reading and mocking the love of Tristan and Isolde, which is the result of a love potion. When a handsome soldier named Belcore enters the stage, he promises Adina that they will be married. Nemorino takes the courage to express his love to Adina, but she tells him that they will never settle down, yet he insists he will love her all his life and always be faithful to her. Dr Dulcamara enters the stage and attracts the attention of the whole village selling them forged treatments for beauty and health. Nemorino asks him to give him a ‘magic’ drink in order to make Adina love him back. Dulcamara sells him an ‘elixir of love’ which is actually a bottle of cheap wine. Nemorino drinks the ‘elixir’ and then the misunderstandings begin. Benedetta Torre (Adina) was unquestionably the star of the show. The strength of her crystal voice attracted all of our attention towards her. L’elisir d’amore. Photo by Mike Hogan

Sehoon Moon (Nemorino) also stood out as a clear and powerful voice in this performance. He captured the subtlest nuances with his voice and his stage presence complimented that of Adina’s. Dr Dulcamara’s assistant, played by Maxime Nourissat, was the ‘Joker’ of the opera. Without singing his excellent mimicking brought laughter to the audience. Another interesting part of the opera was the way the Italian villagers recreated an ancient Greek chorus. The stage design was realistic, simple, and clever due to the way it was structured, creating the illusion that the stage was more spacious than its actual size. The costume designs immediately transport us into ninetieth-century Italy. The romantic story would be nothing without the live orchestra; the music was faithful and brought the audience into the atmosphere of the melodramatic story. Donizetti was one of the best tragic opera writers but in ‘L’elixir d’amore’ we experience the realistic, playful story of a heartbroken man, who is willing to do whatever it takes to marry the love of his life. This opera reflects how love can serve as an excuse for an individual to go to great lengths and act based on impulse rather than thought.

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Culture

Books

Camp Winapooka

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An interview with Scott Laudati By Tímea Koppándi , Newspaper Culture Editor & Yoan Dzhugdanov, Film & TV Sub-Editor Was there a particular process you undertook in the writing of this book of poems? Seeing as they stretch over time, what initially made you create it? I knew from the day I started writing I would write three books of poetry. My first poem was published when I was 22, so ten years ago, and I was paid $50 for it. From then on, I kept three separate folders and put each new poem I wrote into whichever one’s collection I thought it vibed best with. Some of the poems in Camp Winapooka were the first poems I’d ever written, of course, I’ve heavily edited them since then, but I saw, in the beginning, they were the ones that could complete the story. Do you have any advice for students who wish to become published poets? I think poetry is like anything else. If you want to be a basketball player you have to stand in front of a hoop and practice shooting at it. Anyone can put their work on social media. Sometimes thousands of people will look at it. However, if you want to see your name in print, or get archived in University libraries, etc. you just have to practice. There are no shortcuts. Also, don’t write like anyone else. You are beautiful and one of a kind; if you can figure out how to show that to the world, someone will notice. Was the public response to the publication of Camp Winapooka different from that of your previous books? It’s amazing how much nothing changes. When my first book was published there were no social media. No one cared about poetry. Then a literary scene called “alt-lit” popped up and everyone tried to mimic it. By the time my second book came out “alt-lit” had disappeared completely, and no one cared about poetry again. Now social media is the only thing anyone cares about, but no one is writing poetry. There are lots of people writing single sentences and calling them poems, but no one is reading any actual poetry. Now that Instagram is declining, I’d guess it’s just a matter of time before the fad fades then no one will care about poetry (or self-help-quotes) again for a few years. The response to Camp Winapooka has been about the same as the others; a few hundred people buy it and it makes me grateful enough that I write another book. I noticed that you used an imaginary place as the title of your book of poems. Could you expand a bit on how you came up with the name? I wanted to create something that could exist in its own world like Disney World, MTV or something. My poems and titles are always getting plagiarized by insta-poets with huge followings, so I wanted something that was undeniably mine. I did Peyote on a Navajo Reservation about a decade ago and thought I was writing feverishly while I was on it, but when I looked in my notebook a few days later the only word I’d written was WINAPOOKA. I’ve kept that name close ever since. One of the first things that Camp Winapooka made me think about, was the thought of Native Americans. It’s not only the sound of the title, but also the mention of Window Rock, which is the capital of the Navajo Nation, and ‘our tribe’. I was wondering if you could go into detail about this aspect. I guess it’s natural for someone fascinated by the concept of “America” to want to go west. I remember thinking when I was a teenager that the secret truth of the Universe must be hidden somewhere in the American desert. Eventually, my friend and I drove out to New Mexico and Arizona and hunted for Peyote. Many spiritual things happened, but the most amazing thing was spending a week living in a trailer with a Navajo family while their grandfather, a respected “Roadman”, decided if we were worthy of Peyote. The family eventually accepted us into their community. Basically, teaching us about a “one-ness” that encompasses everyone on

By Dakarai Jane Bonyongwe Books Sub-Editor

R Photos by Scott Laudati earth, even the people we despise. Do you have any favourite poems in Camp Winapooka? What was your favourite aspect of the writing process? I feel like it brought everything I’d been writing about full circle. I’m a man in control of my future now. I was a scared kid when my first book came out and the poems read that way. I’ve accepted that I’ll probably end up homeless or living in a motel someday. I’m not concerned with destiny or things I can’t control anymore. Camp Winapooka is about final acceptance. The poems about appreciating where I’m from and not just where I’m going are my favourite. It seems that themes such as nostalgia, regret, past experiences, and relationships are prevalent in your writing. Do you find yourself being primarily influenced by such ideas during your writing process? I do, but I’m writing about them as a way to exorcise whatever sickness they’ve left in me. I was always running away in search of some kind of new baptism, a way to wipe the slate clean. On long nights I comb back over the things that have shaped my impressions, and once I pull them out and put them down on paper, I can leave them there. They’re a testament to a past I don’t want to have to pollute my future, good or bad. Are there any ideas or themes that you have not yet tackled, that you are interested in writing about in any of your future work? Yes. So far, I have basically reworked one trick. I will not feel personally accomplished until I write something that requires research and involves characters and a plot that has nothing to do with me. This could be a detective story or a forgotten battle from the War of 1812. My best friend [and writer] Thom Young always says, “Anyone can write poetry. Real writing requires commitment”. His words are a motto I live by.

ecently, there has been a trend on Netflix of making movies that are based on specific kinds of books, namely those which began on a website called Wattpad. For the purposes of this article, I think I should share that I grew up reading Wattpad books and I am guilty of participating in the very thing I am now critiquing; blind reading. Books on Wattpad are written by aspiring writers of any age and I think that is telling of the content that is found on the site. Some books are not very good and some so great that it makes you wonder why it is not published. As humans, we internalise a lot of things just by watching, hearing, or reading them to the point that we can become desensitized to the truth of what we are actually consuming and normalising. Moreover, people seemed to be buying into this portrayal of it. After watching the movie After, I realised that there was a level of toxicity being glorified under the guise of being true love. However, reading the book it was based on – for comparison purposes – I ended up rethinking every Wattpad book I had ever read as a teenager, as well as every published book thereafter. After is the story of a boy, Hardin, with deep rooted psychological issues entering into a relationship with Tessa, the epitome of every mother’s dream. First of all, their relationship resulted in Tessa putting everything on the line to be with him. Before the end of her first year, she had been disowned and left without any means of paying her tuition all because of Hardin. While her mother is judgmental and has her flaws, you have to admit that Hardin and Tessa’s relationship is bordering on extreme. Not to mention it is built on a series of critical

lies that only come to light at the end of the debut. In light of this, it is important to mention that Hardin has serious commitment issues. Their relationship was made official many times before he decided it was official. Furthermore, he treats their relationship as a one-sided game where the goal is to see how many times he can hurt and humiliate her before she decides that she deserves more than he has been giving her. “You like rejection— don’t you? That’s why you keep coming around me, isn’t it?” Some of you are probably thinking that this is the typical teen fiction ‘I can change him’ narrative. Nevertheless, I am here to highlight that the teens that read this kind of narrative grow into the adults that begin to expect this and live it out. If books written by your peers glorify emotionally abusive relationships, it is only a matter of time before being verbally put down stops affecting you and starts being acceptable as a characteristic of whoever is putting you through it. My biggest concern with this book is how the words “I love you” are used as some sort of binding chord that prevent her from leaving him. Every time Hardin thinks Tessa will leave him, he blurts out these words to make her stay and, frustratingly enough, she does. “I Love you, Tessa. You believe me, don’t you?” Why? It is because at this point, he has conditioned her to forgiving him despite the fact that she is better off as far away from him as possible. What this narrative does is glorifiy emotionally abusive relationship with someone who is violent, manipulative, and toxic to be around. Regardless, let us not be blind readers and start to pick up on detrimental themes we are taking in. We should not romanticise things that are harmful.

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Comedy

Culture

Ready, set, Marlowe!

Escaping Marlowe’s ghost By Tímea Koppándi Newspaper Culture Editor, with additional reporting from Danai Paraskevopoulou, Gisela Harbers & Ogo Anokwuru

Photos by The Marlowe Theatre

arlowe’s Kit would be a great way to spend your Saturday night, not clubbing or drinking, but bonding and having a laugh trying to complete an escape room. It provides something different than other escape rooms. It would be perfect especially for freshers, as a bonding experience with housemates. Take a group of close friends, course mates, housemates, or even ride solo and take great pleasure in trying to solve the mysteries of Marlowe’s Kit Escape Room. The goal in each room was to solve the puzzles, finding clues, and cracking codes in order to find the keys to open the door for the next room. The entire design behind the escape room and its puzzles are very witty. The story displays the early modern lifestyle of Christopher Marlowe, his work, and eventual death. The information was given at the right time, without overwhelming the player and making them remember key details about all the aspects of Christopher Marlowe’s existence. A playwriter who was overshadowed in popularity by his contemporary, William Shakespeare, Marlowe’s work has hardly been given the attention that it deserves, especially in his lifetime. The creators of the Escape Room have undertaken the difficult task of comprising crucial information about Marlowe’s life, in such a way that it captures the attention of the player and it draws them in even more. When playing, you often overlook the flow of the clues and the way they blend together, but once you fin-

ish and have time to think them through, they all build the image of Christopher Marlowe. The overall atmosphere of the escape room was spooky. We got the impression that someone would jump out and scare us. The music, sound effects, and design of the rooms successfully transported us into another century. The old furniture and pictures of people dressed from another century added to the authenticity of the story. We got given the task of saving Marlowe’s work before they are ruined. His ghost is also involved, seeing as we owe him a debt. He was present in the game to help us with our task. With effective interactive teamwork, we unlocked all the rooms and we got out of the escape room in less than an hour. The overall experience was enjoyable. Our team was on edge the whole time, due to the suspense that was cleverly well-built by the atmosphere of the rooms and nature of the story. We even overreacted to a few jump scares, including loud noises, sudden strobe lights, and seeing one of the employees in a robe, because our nervous energy was so high. The rooms were designed very well into a creepy aesthetic which added to the overall experience. Although it was a great experience discovering clues and keys to each part of the game, it can get quite frustrating at times when you are stuck on the same issue for prolonged periods of time. Escape rooms require quick thinking but also deep thought, skill, and patience. We loved it and recommend any student to try it out for a different evening’s entertainment.

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

What’s on... Film Quiz night and Milk Bar 25 January 2020 Accessible Film Club: Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker 25 |January 2020 The Cave 25 January 2020 Family Film: Cats 26 January 2020 Canterbury Music Club: Madalina Ruso 26 January 2020 So Long, My Son 26 January 2020 EOS: In Search of Mozart 27 January 2020 Chinese New Year Gala Show 27 January 2020 Student R:Set Session with Pizza 28 January 2020 ROH: La boheme (live) 29 January 2020 Little Women 31 January - 22 March 2020 Vagabond Matter - Season Launch 31 January 2020 Shlomo’s Beatbox Adventure for Kids 1 February 2020 The Metropolitan Opera: Porgy and Bess (Live) 1 February 2020 Shappi Khorsandi: Skittish Warrior - Confessions of a Club Comic 1 February 2020

Prices Full - £8.70 GulbCard Member - £6.70 Senior - £7.70 Registered Disabled - £7.70 Student - £6.00 Student GulbCard Member £5.00 Unemployed - £7.70

Speakeasy: An evening of words bound to leave you hopeful Photos by The Gulbenkian

By Aqdas Fatima Gulbenkian Correspondent

tepping into the Gulbenkian for its monthly poetry night, I was immediately engulfed in what seemed like a warm hug in the midst of a winter spell. Welcomed by a smiling host, I settled among the crowd of people cradling their beer glasses and coffee cups in anticipation of a show promised to be lyrical and comforting. The enclosed area within the cafe made for an intimate setting that guaranteed a captivating evening whilst still leaving enough room for people to mingle and come in and out without (in an introvert’s opinion) the discomfort that often looms over such social gatherings. Kicking off the evening was nationally acclaimed slam-poet Harry Baker, who came in with a few poems of his own before introducing a line-up of acts ranging from first timers to experienced poets, all sharing the same stage to sow together an evening filled with laughter, heartfelt poetry, empathetic smiles, and a few notes of the characteristic angst without which any slam-poetry session would be deemed incomplete. It was a welcoming stage for all those, old and young, beginners and professionals, to join in on an effort to share their experiences, both personal and worldly, and tune into connections that can often seem so difficult to uphold in this day and age. Whilst the grouping was small, and the event

“It was an honest night in the company of strangers who formed a beautiful community of words”

Photo by Gulbenkian

staggered through late performers and a few awkward silences, the host was quick to jump in and keep the audience’s confidence through anecdotal recitations of poems about broken bones on Christmas eve and dinosaur t-shirts that stood through pivotal life events. In all the spoken-word events I have attended, Speakeasy stood out in its ability to reintroduce the awkwardness and intimidation that goes hand-inhand with performance as an opportunity to bring a sense of vulnerability that encapsulates both the audience and the stage members. Whether the poetry is geared to make you laugh in childhood reminiscence, or whether it borrows attention from your first heartbreak, credit goes to the host for creating a space where any expression is welcomed and the air in the room feels free of judgement. It was an honest evening in the company of strangers who formed a beautiful community of words out of shared experiences and comforting glances. Speakeasy is a monthly opportunity to escape the stresses of routine and engage in an evening filled with new interactions and a guaranteed laugh.

For anyone interested, the next show will take place on 6 February 2020. Grab your tickets at the Gulbenkian whilst you can!

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Science and Technology

The science behind Star Wars By James Neil Writer With the final culmination of the Skywalker saga in Rise of Skywalker, we say goodbye to a fantastical world first envisioned by George Lucas in 1977. As such, I feel that now is the time to discuss some of the science behind this universe, from Jedi to Jawa, and ask whether it is possible or not. Firstly, let us discuss the planet it all started on Tatooine. This desert planet is iconic for its starring role in both the original trilogy and the prequals. Rightly so with its double suns; it makes a truly fantastical planet. In fact, there is indeed an astronomical precedent for this known as a circumbinary planet. These planets orbit two stars instead of one. If you were to stand on the surface of one of these planets, you would have two shadows and see twin suns. One such planet was found by Nasa’s Kepler Program in 2011, known as Keplar-16b. Another example comes from The Empire Strikes Back in the form of the gas planet Bespin where the empire lay a trap for our Heroes in cloud city. For this example, we need to look a little closer to home, the fifth planet of the solar system Jupiter is like Bespin. These worlds are comprised of lighter gaseous elements like hydrogen and helium. However, Star Wars is not just famous for its planets but also for the infa-

mous weapon of a Jedi, the lightsabre. Or as Ben Kenobi puts it: “An elegant weapon for a more civilised age.” It is often assumed that to create a lightsabre, we would need to use a high-powered laser as they are in essence a beam of light. However, if we were to take this approach, we would run into a few problems. It would be invisible outside of a darkened room, and unless some sort of mirror was placed on the end it would be endless, cutting a hole through any substance in its path. One other approach mentioned by Dr Michio Kaku is to use plasma. He suggests that by having a ceramic rod able to withstand high temperatures at the core of the blade emitting the gas needed to create the plasma on its outside through holes in the rod. The plasma would need to be contained in a strong magnetic field emanating from the rod resulting in the glowing blade of the Lightsabre. The colour of the lightsabre would be a result of the gas used to create the plasma. For example, for Darth Vader’s crimson blade he would need to use the Nobel gas Neon to give its classic red glow. One major problem with this model is that the hilt would need to be constructed of a very heat resistant material or else you would burn your hands with the extreme heat. You would also need a very large power source, a real nuisance when trying swing a blade around with the acrobatic prowess of a Jedi. With all that being said who knows what the future holds. Maybe one day we will be having adventures with these iconic blades in a galaxy far far away.

Photo by Rober Gonzalez | Unsplash

Promotional

From the ashes: Physoc is back By Holly Stokes-Gedes Writer A once inactive society rises like a phoenix for the academic year 2019/2020. With an eager new committee and new members, Physoc has started to thrive. The new President, Tristan Narraway, supported by her new committee of four, has been working towards getting the society officially affiliated with the Institute of Physics and contacting researchers to give talks. Meanwhile, the society’s socials and talks have been a success. Highlights include the first games night. This event hit the ground running with a scientific version of werewolf and a not-so-typical game of science bingo before the night devolved into a room of grown-up students playing Kahoot and Hangman. The most ambitious social yet was the fantastic escape room social. This event bought to life an escape from an abandoned spaceship and a nuclear bunker through a series of creative puzzles. This event was a hit and there are plans for another one this semester. There will also be a Part Two of the ‘Present Your

Passion’ event, which was a huge success. This allowed students to talk about the things they loved and practice their public speaking in a chilled-out non-judgemental environment. There were a lot of laughs and presentations on everything from Dungeons and Dragons to K-pop. Big events this year are coming up. The Sciences Ball on January 31. The ticket price INCLUDES food for the evening, a DJ, a professional photographer, and a photo booth. Before this fantastic event, there will also be the final interest talk for the June 2020 CERN trip. If you did not get to go to the talks or you want information about Sciences Ball, the society can be contacted on Facebook, Instagram, or by email. You can get an official membership to Physoc this semester via the Kent Union website for FREE and can also follow Physoc on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter for updates. For all those who are already members of the society, thank you. None of the amazing things this academic year could have happened without your support.

Sport

Lucy Kelly: Striding for victory By Helena Bilney Writer

Lu cy

Ke ll y ’s F ac eb oo k

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

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ucy Kelly, University of Kent History and French student, only took up rowing when she started university in 2017. However, her recent successes reflect more than an individual who has only been rowing for three years. Kelly started this academic year as a sports scholar, due to her impressive rowing test results, which have landed her on the Great Britain Performance Talent Pathway. With weekly scholarship sessions, Kelly told me in an interview they encompass learning about the different parts of the body and how to move them. “I realise now that I need to improve my whole body, so I have been trying to work on core, arms, shoulders,” Kelly says. As she increases her weights each week, Kelly has a more constructive approach and stamina out on the water. During her childhood, Kelly played rugby and always had a passion for being active.

Despite those dark dank mornings “it is all about improving. When you get there and you see the water and you actually get rowing”, Kelly says, highlighting her overwhelming sense of energy. In response to who influences Kelly: “Dame Catherine Granger. It is just amaz-

“One stroke at a time” ing that she is the most decorated female Olympian and she is a rower.” Alternatively, Kelly adds Simone Biles to her list of motivators. “It is a completely different sport, gymnastics. I think she is really dedicated, and she pushes it out of the box to try new things and I think especially with rowing, you have got to try new

techniques and coaches will have different options.” She highlights Biles’s ability to improve, but also have fun in parallel to her progression. Kelly has recently bought her first single. “It has been helping me as a rower individually,” she says. Moreover, she came first in 2km at the BUCS Indoor competition at Surrey Sports Park in November 2019, an excellent step up from her third-place last season. Kelly expresses: “I am very happy because I know it does not sound like much, but I beat my PB by a second.” She adds: “When you do a piece that is so heavy and really high power, taking a second off is good.” On Sunday 8 December 2019, Kelly went to a women’s training day at Bewl Water which is part of a series to help those who fit the requirements in height and strength for GB rowing and improve aspects of their performance. “We were doing hip hinge, core workouts, testing from last time where I beat my own scores. My personal aim is to always try and beat myself,” Kelly articulates. Kelly currently sits with a time of 7:22 from her BUCS Indoor 2km, and from this she has been invited to the GB training camp in Caversham, which takes place this month, and hopes to be selected for the U23’s squad.

Promotional Caving

A Story of adventure, exploration and challenge like no other By Thomas McNeill Writer

efore joining the University of Kent, I remember being told that there is a society or club for everything, regardless of how niche the interest was. Little did I know how true that was and how great of an impact one of these clubs would have on my time at university. As a young innocent first year, I walked around fresher’s fair and I saw a group with a lot of rope and fancy equipment. Before I could back away from what I deduced to be some sort of bondage or fetish society, one of their members introduced themselves as part of the University of Kent Caving Club. I was intrigued, as I had only ever been in a cave once on holiday and had no idea how these people could be so excited by them. Their friendliness convinced me to go on a pub crawl, during which I was told grand tales of tight squeezes, adventure, and camaraderie. This may have been the Dutch courage speaking but much to my surprise, I heard myself agreeing to go on their first trip. I had no idea what

to expect, but a week later I was getting into a minibus with people who would go on to become my best mates. We went to Somerset for the weekend and stayed in hostel-style accommodation, where we would enjoy shared meals and party late into the night. During the days I got my first experiences of being in non-tourist caves. That was when I finally got what caving was all about. It was entering into a completely different world, exploring maze-like chambers and caverns deep underground. It tested me both physically and mentally, with there being many obstacles to climb over and squeeze through, reminding me of the indoor play areas that I had loved as a child. The adrenaline rush that I got from this trip was the start of what would become my caving addiction. I have travelled all over the UK with the club, including a trip to Ireland for a week-long summer trip. Over the past two years, I have worked my away up to becoming a cave leader, learning to use those ropes I so feared to descend into some of the most beautiful places in the world. I have also made friends

from universities all over the country, through the club’s joint trips and associations with other caving clubs. Now that I am in the final term of my final year, I am certain that joining the University of Kent Caving Club is the best decision I have made over the three years and through it will have a hobby and friends that will last a lifetime. If you have found what I have written interesting, we would love for you to have a try. Caving with Kent is a unique opportunity to explore many areas of Britain that not many people get a chance to see. We run regular trips fortnightly to beautiful areas of the British countryside. Alongside exploration, members have the opportunity to develop several key transferable skills such as leadership, group management, health and safety awareness, first aid, and teamwork, as well as several technical skills such as ropework, rigging, single rope technique (SRT), and navigation. To find out more information go to our website www.kentcaving. co.uk or find the group on Facebook by searching the University of Kent Caving Club.

Photo from UKC Caving Facebook

Friday 24 January 2020 InQuire

Sport

BUCS term roundup: Undefeated and top of the league

Men’s Cricket 1st Team undefeated in BUCS The University of Kent Men’s Cricket team have won all eight games of the first round of BUCS indoor cricket. They, along with 15 other teams, have qualified for round two. Chairman Sam Street has stated that “the target is to progress through to round three, but only eight universities can make it through in the whole country”. That round will be hosted as a ‘finals day’ at an indoor centre at an international cricket venue. The intercollege is, as Street explains, “a franchise based inter club league,getting all members of the club, both male and female, playing competitive cricket against one another whilst having a laugh at the same time”.

Taikai.

UKC Netball 1st and 4th teams top of league table The last academic term has been a successful one for UKC netball, with both the 1s and 4s at the top of their respective leagues. The first team appears to be firmly on track to win their BUCS league, cup and Varsity. Their match against local rivals, Canterbury Christ Church University (CCCU), saw an outstanding result of 67- 24, confirming for many that they will go on to pull out an equally impressive result at Varsity. This term, the charitable events will continue as several players from the club intend to run a half marathon for Rising Sun Domestic Violence and Abuse Services.

UKC Polo win county level tournament In the past six months, UKC Polo have seen players and teams achieve success both at home and abroad. With one of the team’s players currently living and playing in Marrakech and club president Luke Davis returning from his internship at Boston Polo Club, it is clear this club is having an impact in places further-a-field. The club hosted a county-level tournament for charity in n Activiti es Unio nt which their beginner team stunned e K and won the competition. With m the National Championships right around the corner, UKC Polo are sure to continue their success this February.

Phot of

UKC Kendo achieves successes at annual tournament Last term, UKC Kendo participated in the Mumeishi 3s Taikai, an annual tournament held in London which attracts around 100-150 Kendoka’s of varying levels and abilities. A UKC Men’s Lacrosse undefeated in c t n i o v i itie Despite the large amount of comUn s nt BUCS petition, UKC finished 4th. e K Over the past term, Men’s Lacrosse have In addition to this, Irene been undefeated in all of their matches Gyamfi and Ben Alison as well as having some very impreswon the fighting spirit sive high scoring performances. A prize. Adam Ghellache, huge improvement on last year (the President of UKC Kendo, team lost almost every match last explains the significance year), the club are on track to winof the award, as it repning the league title. The 1st team resents “one’s readiness have a very strong offensive and deand determination to push fensive players this year; many players oneself to their limits”. It is have either stayed on to do masters courstypical that every tournament es, or have returned from placements or time gives this title to one or two peoout. Tom Roper, Captain of the Men’s 1st Team, ple in attendance, but it speaks volumes that stated that “we haven’t really had any tough games the two winners were from UKC. The club is as of yet, but we are expecting more competition as currently preparing for the annual University

graduate. Building from the ground up, their new women’s team is a point of pride within the club. The brand new team were initially faced with a tough division and big shoes to fill, as well as the threat of relegation. Despite the many changes, their women’s team have proven that they are a force to reckoned with. They exceeded expectations and have found success against stiff competition within a difficult league.

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With over 60 sports teams on campus and a BUCS play app being more difficult to navigate than a third-year exam; the success of some individuals and teams can sometimes go unnoticed. To make a start at reconciling this issue, we have collected some key highlights for the previous term.

we go further in the cup”.

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By Casey Magloire Sports Sub-Editor

UKC Fencing strive for success Fencing is one of the most consistently successful teams at Kent and the first term of this academic year was no different. Their men’s first team are currently sitting within the competitive 2B league following their undefeated streak. With one game left to play, their season is unquestionably impressive. The Men’s second team has similar success only losing once in league 2A. Both the men’s teams are through to the cup quarterfinals with the men’s first team on track to retain their title from last season. After a win in their first premiership weekend, the women’s team look set to remain within the league. The last academic term saw the debut of the women’s second team. UKC Tennis serve up the wins UKC Tennis has seen several significant changes in the past year. The beginning of the season left many concerned as saw an entire women’s team

UKC Women’s Lacrosse face a tough season UKC Women’s LAX were hard pressed to highlight a singular team due to the significant achievements of the past term. This year saw the addition of a third BUCS team. With many newcomers and freshers making up the squad, their improvement and ability to pick up the core skills of the game is impressive. Unfortunately, in the 2018/2019 season, the second team were unable to beat any of their opponents. This stands in stark contrast to the several wins achieved this year. The first team has recently advanced to the Tier 1 league. Previous years have seen other first teams achieve this goal, but struggle to remain with the league. Kent is not regarded as a sporting university, yet it appears that teams are consistently improving and advancing across all sports. UKC is becoming increasingly more competitive, challenging prestigious sporting universities more than ever before. Players and coaches are improving. This is generating anticipation for the up-and-coming season; Cup games – and notably – Varsity. If last season is anything to go by, you will not want to miss the next couple games.

InQuire Friday 24 January 2020

Sport

What happened when I went from being a social member of Cricket to playing the sport

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From beer pong to batting:

new friends. The socials are very low pressure. No one has ever made me do anything that I was not comfortable with. The socials being mixed gender put me at ease. I have never felt as though I was trying to become part of a small, tight knit clique. Becoming a social member of cricket made my second year. The current women’s captain, Lauren Perkin, says that “socials are a big part of the club so having social members is a good way to grow and build connections with other societies, groups of people and individuals”. This encouraged me to keep coming to socials even though I was not playing the sport. It is because of a drunken promise I made to her that I now play. I have never really been a sporty person and I have, on occasion, been described as lazy so I was not super Pho to f ro m

Chloe Robb

n my first and second years of university, I lived with the current chairman of University of Kent Cricket. His role and involvement within the sport allowed me to meet a lot of cricket members as many socials were hosted in my house. In the January of my second year, he introduced me to two female members of cricket and we quickly became close friends. They both spent weeks convincing me to join the society as a player, but I refused. I have never been a big team sports person; I have always preferred doing yoga and running alone to team sports. I did, however, agree to join as a social member which turned out to be one of the best decisions I have ever made. When I first started going to socials, I was nervous. Walking into a group of people who already knew each other, and whom all played the same sport, made me feel anxious. Pressure was added when I told my cricket housemate I was coming to my first social. His response was “but they’re my friends!”, which made it clear he was having issues with me being there. Still, I did not let that stop me. Besides, knowing most of the boys through my housemate, and my friendship with the two cricket girls I had befriended, made me feel a lot more comfortable when attending socials. Yet I am sure they would have been just as welcoming and friendly to anyone new to the club. I had a lot of fun joining cricket, gaining more confidence and

keen on the idea of playing. But I had promised Lauren, so I had to at least try the sport. Now I adore playing cricket. Although I am a beginner, it is much easier than I thought and it helps that we have an amazing coach. Being part of a team and having an excuse to spend an extra few hours with my friends a couple of times a week, without feeling guilty about not doing my assignments, is something I never imagined. “But what’s the best part of actually playing cricket?” I hear you ask. You get all the best postVensday gossip at Thursday training, that is what. Now we are in the “refreshers” period, my advice to anyone thinking about joining a sports society as a player or as a social member; just do it. What is the worst that could happen?

Opinions with Pat

Team Kent Rebrand takes the biscuit By Pat Stilman Writer t the start of the university year, I attended the first ‘Team Kent Networking Nights’ –designed for sports clubs to collaborate and share ideas on how to make Team Kent better. However, it descended into an hour of club presidents moaning about Kent Union to Emily Window, Vice-President (Student Engagement). From grievances with Kent Sport, waiting times, training times, minibuses, and many more issues expressed, Emily valiantly tried to appease the clearly, and frankly justifiably, unsatisfied audience. The most telling point of that evening, however, was just before the ‘Q&A’ session began. Emily alluded to a “rebrand” of Team Kent that would be happening in the spring term – where we now find ourselves – and through an interactive slide, like the ones your trendy young lecturers use, asked the crowd of committees to express (anonymously) what ‘Team Kent’ meant to them. The trouble with any kind of anonymous feedback is that everyone suddenly becomes a comedian. The one comment that stuck in my head from that evening many months ago was not any of the jokey ones like “puffer jackets” or “I love anonymous feedback”, but rather the stinging word “nothing.” Nothing. Be it in jest or not, as someone who has been involved in sport at Kent for the last three and a half years, it certainly did make me think. How much care had I really given to the well-being or ongoings in other clubs? Sure, it is always great to hear a team is

Photos by Team Kent

doing well, but really, I could not tell you where any other club sit in their leagues at the moment (blamed partly on the dreadful new BUCS app). Perhaps this anonymous “nothing” was actually pointing to a deeper undertone within ‘Team’ Kent, the undertone that has led to Kent Union’s desire to rebrand. But what does a rebrand really mean? What will it solve? For now, it means a new logo and a promotional video. You may have noticed the new logo on your BUCS app: the anime style horse in a pentagon. The horse of Invicta was the obvious choice for a mascot, but there is something a little too American College Football-y about it for my liking – no offence to the Falcons. The inspiration for the logo rebrands seems to have come from University of Reading (UOR) and University of Essex (UOE). The Essex Blades is the collective name for all the sports clubs at UOE and they are all under one logo. Frankly, I cannot see the Kent Falcons (American Football), The Kent Stags (Lacrosse) or the Kent Knights (Ice Hockey) all agreeing to assimilate names and logos for the sake of a rebrand. The second aspect of the rebrand is the promotional video. Rather than going with one of the student groups on campus, Kent Union opted to spend £2,000 of the new Leyton Lettings sponsorship money of £7,000 on a film production company. I will save any further opinions on that until we have seen the final footage, but it is in a similar vein to the BUCS nationals video from last year. Although I am not quite sure what they’re hoping to achieve with this, hopefully, it will not just become the most

expensive Facebook post in Kent Union history. Although if it does, I hope it gets more than the usual 4 likes. Or will it tie in with Kent Union’s other big announcement over the Christmas break that all those living on campus will be getting a gym membership included with their accommodation? Which, in fairness, is a fantastic initiative which will undoubtedly drive up participation in sports, especially those that train in the sports centre. Maybe more money will then be spent on expanding the building. So, what of the rebrand then? The Union seems to find itself in an awkward situation regarding sports. They espouse their desire to be a Top 30 sports university in the BUCS in the next few years, but firstly they sacked off the Vice-President (Sports) role, which in my eyes acted as “Team Kent Captain”. Secondly, they disbanded the Team Kent executive panel, which was a representative body for clubs. It was the closest thing the majority of clubs at Kent had to be involved in any sport decision-making process. And thirdly, rather than investing that £2,000 of Leyton Lettings sponsorship money into clubs, they spent it on a videographer. I have not been convinced that a new logo or a video will solve anything, but I guess it is a sign that Kent Union wants to start taking sport at Kent up a level. Whatever the next steps are for sport at Kent, I sincerely hope that the clubs and the people who run them are far more involved in the decision-making process. The only way that “Team Kent” is going to become something, as opposed to“nothing” is if students feel as though they have been involved in building it.

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Exclusive: Gym review sees memberships go free Photo from Aslan Ntumba Ozer

By Megan Warwick Newspaper Sports Editor First-year students may see free gym memberships in the near future, a Union vice-president has announced. Kent Union’s Vice-President (Student Engagement), Emily Window, took to Facebook on Christmas Day to announce that all first-year students from the next academic year will receive a free Premium Plus gym membership. “For the first time ever, from next academic year, everyone who lives on campus will get a free Premium Plus gym membership. “Last year, over 2,500 of you helped me to complete the Fit for Purpose survey, which got your voice heard on how the gym membership should be structure for the new academic year. This introduced the facility only membership for the first time.” Ms Window also added that first-year students who live off-campus will also be able to apply for free membership. The Premium Plus membership is the highest form of membership provided by Kent Sport, which gives unrestricted access to the gym and sports facilities. The memberships would previously cost first-year students £177 per academic year. The VP, who announced changes to the types of gym membership in September last year, also added that other additions may be announced in the future. Window added: “We will be looking into a monthly payment scheme next year also.” Window’s main manifesto point when being elected into her position as VP Sport in 2018 was to improve the pricings of gym memberships. “Thank you to all the students involved – whether you filled out the survey or worked with me for the past year and a half on getting this pushed through. “A big thank you to Kent Sport also, for getting the best deal for students.”

Quick Crossword

Compiled by Matthew Sapsed 1 3 8 9 10 12 13 16 18 19 20 22 23

Breathe deeply (4) Loaned (4) Chess piece (6) Home for birds (6) Thin crisp biscuits (8) Encounter (4) Collaboration (11) A great deal (4) Caribou (8) Allow (6) Glittery spangles (6) Frozen vapour (4) Sand particles (4)

Down

1 2 4 5 6 7 11 14 15 17 18 21

Solar terrace (7) Joke (informal) (3) Tests (5) Won (9) Scattered (6) Norway spruce, for example (4) December festival (9) Revels (6) In attendance (7) Overt (4) In period style (5) And not (3)

Crossword

Across

Across: 1 Sigh, 3 Lent, 8 Knight (Silent Night), 9 Aviary, 10 Crackers, 12 Meet, 13 Partnership, 16 Lots, 18 Reindeer, 19 Permit, 20 Tinsel, 22 Snow, 23 Grit. Down: 1 Suntrap, 2 Gag, 4 Exams, 5 Triumphed, 6 Strewn, 7 Tree, 11 Christmas, 14 Roists, 15 Present, 17 Open, 18 Retro, 21 Nor.

Sudoku