The Leopard issue 17

Official Goldsmiths student newspaper

@leopardnews

SINNERS CLUB

THE LEVESON INQUIRY How much do we really know? p9

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Denis Shukur, the SU’s Deputy Chief Executive for membership services firmly believes that the fundamental problem is the growing number of sports teams and the Union’s incapacity to deal with it. He compared Goldsmiths to other universities such as Queen Mary and Royal Holloway, who both have three full-time sports staff members.

46 Deptford Broadway London SE8 4PH www.littlenans.co.uk @littlenansbar

SPORTS TEAMS ‘GIVE UP’ ON SU BUREAUCRACY

Teams such as Netball, Cheerleading and Football expressed criticisms of the management of activities at the Students’ Union in a survey conducted by The Leopard.

The vice-captain of a Sports team who wishes not to be named told The Leopard that despite having tried numerous avenues of communication, their team are “never kept informed” and do not receive important information about meetings and deadlines “until it is too late or through hearsay.”

Issue 17 November 2013 Free

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Karen A. d’Arcangelo reviews English soc’s most acclaimed event p11

ensions between Goldsmiths sports teams and the Students’ Union have reached boiling point as many members have expressed severe criticism over the quality of communication between captains and the SU, and the Union’s overall organisation.

Sports teams have experienced futile attempts to contact Goldsmiths SU regarding fixtures, funding and the overall management of their teams this year; one team saying they are “giving up” on the SU.

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Story by The Leopard

They said: “As captains of sports teams, we should not feel like we are running a full-time business.

We would like the support and guidance in place so that we know exactly what is expected of us.”

Many teams have started organizing their sports as independently of the SU as possible. When the Men’s basketball team were asked how the SU had been dealing with their club, they answered: “Limited. The basketball team is very much self-organised.”

A member of the Cheerleading society who wishes to remain

GOLDSMITHS HISTORY SOCIETY CHALLENGES ULU ON REMEMBRANCE SUNDAY STANCE

anonymous said they had mixed feelings about the way the SU manages sports teams. While the SU has supported the Cheerleaders club by inviting them to showcase their skills at Open Day, they said: “I find it hard to approach the SU with questions because it seems they don’t care and won’t respond with genuine interest in the wellbeing of individuals or the team.”

When The Leopard asked sports members: “Are you happy with how sports clubs are run at Goldsmiths SU?”, only 11 out of the 26 members interviewed said yes.

Shay Olupona, the elected Sports Deputy Officer at the SU shares similar frustrations. He believes that the Union needs to reshape the way it develops activities so that there is greater emphasis on improving communication.

He said: “There is a serious concern as to the way Activities is run. I think it’s appalling and I’m looking for ways to resolve these issues. I will be escalating these concerns to senior management so they can rectify the problems as soon as possible.”

By Zak Thomas

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he Goldsmiths History Society has challenged ULU’s decision to prohibit its representatives from attending yesterday’s Remembrance Sunday service, saying ULU should “put their own views aside.”

In a repeat of the controversial decision made last year, ULU has publicly turned down the invi-

However, according to their websites, Queen Mary has 43 sports clubs, and Royal Holloway has 35, while Goldsmiths only has 22. Currently, there is one fulltime activities staff member at Goldsmiths, accompanied by two part-time student staff, plus the Deputy Chief Executive whose main role is to oversee membership-related activities like sports.

He said: “My word of advice would be to the captains to come and see us more in the Union, so that if an urgent issue arises we can rectify it straight away.”

Other issues expressed by sports teams included a lack of funding, training facilities, and resources such as sports uniforms.

tation to attend Remembrance Sunday. Elected members are still allowed to attend the service in an individual capacity, but they cannot claim to be a representative of the union.

Defending the decision, ULU President Michael Chessum said: “No individual should be forced against their will to attend a ceremony which they find to be morally problematic and a distortion of historical reality.”

Continued on next page >>

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Goldsmiths History Society reacted angrily to ULU’s stance with a post on their Facebook group that read: >>

“This is a day to commemorate and celebrate those who have died whilst fighting for our country.

The primary objective of supporting this day should not be seen as representing our individual political views on war.”

Zahrah Nadeem, the President of Goldsmiths History Society told The Leopard: “The whole point is that [politicians] are not meant to be the

main focus of the day. ULU are representative of hundreds of people, covering all London colleges. Their opinion does not represent the vast majority of students and they should put their own views aside.

“I agree that Remembrance Day should not be used for political propaganda, but no one could be more anti-war than people who have lost someone,” she added.

For Nadeem this decision has personal resonance as her uncle, Regimental Sergeant Major Darren Chant was killed while on tour in Afghanistan in 2009.

He was helping to regenerate an Afghan village and retrain local police, when one of the trainees opened fire, killing Sergeant Major Chant and several of his colleagues.

Despite ULU’s policy having angered several student groups across the capital as well as Stella Creasy, the Labour MP for Walthamstow and a former student of the London School of Economics, there has been no indication of a retraction.

Ms Creasy tweeted: “As a former student, this decision by ULU to ban officers from participating in

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

Remembrance Sunday makes me ashamed.”

Joe Killin, Welfare and Diversity Officer at Goldsmiths SU believes that ULU’s policy is incredibly important in ensuring that Union representatives are not ‘strong-armed’ into standing for things that they don’t believe in.

He said: “When Union Officers are forced to stand for things against their personal beliefs it not only makes it a disingenuous act, but is also highly disrespectful to both the Union Officers as individuals and to those who are actively participating in Remembrance Sunday.”

He continued: “When considering this matter, we must be very careful not to conflate someone executing their personal right to decline with actions of direct and intentional disrespect--being voted into office does not mean the personal rights of the individual are removed.”

Michael Chessum has offered to meet Goldsmiths History Society to discuss their concerns and a meeting place and time is currently being negotiated.

STUDENT ASSEMBLY: THE LEOPARD REPORT

By Ella Jessel With a high turn out, all five SU motions passing, and only one person shouting: “When will this end?” the first Goldsmiths Student assembly of the year could justifiably call itself a success. Here is a round up of the motions, how the student population chewed them over and eventually swallowed them with varying degrees of satisfaction.

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Cops off Campus

Howard Littler, Campaigns Officer, kicked off proceedings with his motion ‘Police not welcome on Campus’. In a night of not-very-controversial motions, this was easily the most contentious, with many students raising objections.

The motion proposed as its main elements a policy of no police on campus unless legally required (in case of emergencies or crime) and to cease inviting police to Freshers’ Fayre.

Objectors to the motion felt that the police were a useful presence at Freshers’ Fayre, that they made new freshers feel “safe,” others thought police services offered at the fayre such as bike marking should remain.

Many students spoke in support of the motion. The Black and Ethnic Minority Officer, Kate Hurford, echoed Littler’s thoughts saying: “As a black student I’d like to be able to come to university and feel comfortable.”

he wanted to guarantee a “safe space policy”.

Doug Robinson spoke against the motion, as he was worried about the impact on the SU especially during Club Sandwich, saying: “We have problems with people going into the wrong bathrooms already”.

Killin responded: “Self-identification is not putting on masks”.

The motion passed with a large majority.

In his speech, Littler mentioned the recent police drug search at Royal Holloway at which ULU vice-president Daniel Cooper was arrested, and incidents of police ‘racially profiling’ students from ethnic minorities. He also raised the issue of police distrust by those who had been arrested at political demonstrations.

After much to and fro-ing, the amendment proposed that police should still be allowed during Freshers was rejected, and the motion passed.

No To Pay-Day Loans

Bathroom Policy

“Some students don’t feel comfortable in the same room as police,” said Littler. “We need to think more carefully about when we let them in, it’s about retaining control over our spaces.”

He put forward the motion that “anyone may use a facility as corresponds to their gender identity”.

In his speech he mentioned that transgender people often avoid using gendered bathrooms, and

An amendment was put forward to ensure “better publicity of alternatives,” this was accepted

by Grant and the motion passed overwhelmingly.

Next up was Welfare and Diversity officer Joe Killin’s SU bathroom policy.

The policy, as put forward by SU president, Conrad Grant, was to refuse to allow Pay-Day loan companies at Goldsmiths.

Support the Strike

The next motion on the list, put forward by Education officer Søren Goard and seconded

by Jamie Woodcock, was

to support the UCU strike.

The motion passed with only one objection.

Students against austerity

Ben Hayes from the Student Assembly Against Austerity put forward the last motion asking Goldsmiths students to support their ‘against austerity’ campaign, also asking for £200 towards the costs of holding the event and organization.

Howard Littler suggested an amendment – to reduce the ‘donation’ to £50, with the money to come out of the campaigns budget.

Hayes accepted and the motion passed.

Overall, the Student Assembly was a success for the Students’ Union, with all five motions passing and a good turnout from the student body.

The debate as to whether or not the Daily Mail should be banned from campus was postponed, as the assembly had run over time.

The next Student Assembly will take place on 19 November.

LECTURES CANCELLED AND BUILDINGS PICKETED AS GOLDSMITHS’ STAFF STRIKE OVER PAY

Leonard told The Leopard he felt “distressed and alarmed” by the library picket line.

“I’m coming from the perspective of someone who really appreciates the fact I have the chance to have an education,” he said.

By Ella Jessel

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ectures and seminars were cancelled and library services blocked by picket lines on October 31 as Goldsmiths staff and students took part in a nation-wide strike over pay this month, coordinated by the three unions UCU, Unison and Unite.

Picket lines outside the Ben Pimlott building, entrances to the RHB and the library were manned from 8am throughout the day, and a teach-out session was held in a gazebo.

The library closure provoked the strongest reactions from non-striking students, with many altercations between those on the

MICHAEL ROSEN HEADS UP NEW MA AT GOLDSMITHS

By Ella Jessel

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ward-winning children’s author and poet Michael Rosen is to play a leading role in an innovative new course on children’s literature at Goldsmiths, University of London.

Rosen, who is taking up a professorship in the University’s Department of Educational Studies, will develop a new MA

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picket line and those trying to enter the library building.

Crossing the Picket Line

A first-year history student, Leonard, came out of the library around midday with a sign he had made which read: “Don’t punish me for wanting my education”, “I’m a scab and I’m proud” and “You still earn more than I would be content with”.

He held the sign up to the picket line, which booed and shouted, “scab” at him. One person asked: “Why don’t you come back so we can have a conversation about this?”

“What I don’t feel happy with is people physically standing there preventing other people from wanting to go about their day, that’s what I’m upset about. I’m all up for people fighting for what they believe in, I’m not against teachers wanting more money but what I’m against is the way that everyone was going about it.”

A master’s student who wished to remain anonymous told The Leopard that after her lecture was cancelled she arranged a study session in the library, and was confused to find it picketed.

She said: “They were telling me I was a consumer, and that I was looking at things in the wrong way, that I should join them and respect the strike,” “They physically weren’t letting people in and if they did get past

they would shout at them and call them names, I thought that was really immature. You’re not going to change anyone’s perspective by doing that.

“I can see both sides, obviously if people’s pay is being cut we should stand and unite against it but for someone like me if I pay £ 6,000 to do a masters and I work five days a week I should be allowed into the library and not be abused for that,”

some are disappointed as they have come a long way to study,” he said.

Good Turnout

Campaigns Officer Howard Littler said he was happy with the amount of people on the picket lines.

“It went really well, we had a massive turnout with four pickets across campus. It’s the first time all three unions have been involved so that’s really nice to see.”

How would he gauge the reactions from non-striking students?

Students in Solidarity

There were also many students at the picket lines in solidarity with their teachers and lecturers.

Macon Holt, PhD student at Goldsmiths Centre for Cultural Studies and teacher at Leeds College of Music was part of the library picket line. He called the 1% pay offer “a joke”.

“It’s a pretty good turnout, its good to talk to some people and to keep it as a dialogue space. Students are surprised as these things are rarely advertised adequately enough and

“Mixed,” he says. “I’m not going to lie to you and say it’s an easy conversation to have. But once you have had a discussion with them, and told them its not just about pay but about the virtue of education and how people shouldn’t treat it as a commodity, once you get into the context people realise why.”

“There are obviously going to be people who criticize it, and say: “Now that I’m paying 9 grand fees” (I’ve heard that a lot) but I think it’s useful to dispel that myth and say that just because you’re paying more it doesn’t mean that your lecturers are getting paid more, in fact they’ve been getting paid 13 per cent less since 2008.”

in Children’s Literature that will start in September 2014.

-it has always been a place close to my heart,” he said.

The Seagulls Think We Live at the Seaside

The author of more than 140 books and the fifth British Children’s Laureate said he was looking forward to joining Goldsmiths.

The MA will be a collaboration between the Department of Educational Studies and the Department of English and Comparative Literature. Students will take core modules in the Department of Educational Studies, including one led by Rosen, and will be able to take options from both departments.

The seagulls think we live at the seaside: the tower blocks are their cliffs, they swoop for fish in the gutter but happy that it’s last night’s fried rice.

They stand about talking on the pavement beach and ride the sea-breezes pumped out by the cinema air-conditioning.

They hover over the waves of carsand if you stare at them wondering what they’re doing so far from home they stare back: “This is our home now.

That kebab Is a crab.”

“I’m very excited about the idea of developing an MA in Children’s Literature at Goldsmiths, especially as there’s a huge appetite for it in inner London. We have potentially a huge number of people who want to study this fascinating subject,” said Rosen.

Rosen said Goldsmiths has “been on his radar” for a long time, as his mother taught in the same department in the 1960s.

“I remember coming to Goldsmiths to see students’ work at events my mother had organised

Patrick Loughrey, Warden of Goldsmiths, commented: “Goldsmiths has a proud literary tradition, with Ross Raisin, Evie Wyld and Hisham Matar among our alumni. Michael’s appointment builds on this strong tradition and we’re looking forward to him passing on his experience and expertise to students who choose to take this innovative programme.”

by Michael Rosen

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THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

GOLDSMITHS TICKS ALL THE BOXES

By Cristina Lapadean

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oldsm it hs have announced they will be introducing the non-gendered prefix ‘Mx’ as an option on all their forms for making inquiries, registering as students or applying for courses.

The non-gendered prefix works on the assumption it is unnecessary for people to have to put themselves in socially accepted boxes, such as ‘male’ or ‘female’.

SU CONSULTATION

By Gaelle Laforest

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he Students’ Union is calling for feedback on their plans to create a new Activities hub in the SU building.

The proposed plans include the creation of a space on the ground floor of the Tiananmen Building dedicated to student-facing Union services, including Activities and Membership services, Advice, Volunteering and Representation, as well as a ‘hot-desking’ area dedicated to part-time officers.

This project also aims to create a social and learning hub for students to congregate, work and interact, rivalling Loafers, the library and the NAB. Conrad Grant, President of the Students’ Union, said: “I think it’s important that our students feel like the Students’ Union building is a space they feel ownership over and is the first choice for students to socialise. I believe the new developments would enhance this feeling among students.”

If accepted, these developments will start next May to be finished in September 2014. It is currently envisaged that the University would finance the project, while the SU would finance part of the new furniture and fittings.

Ben MacPhee, Deputy Chief Executive of the SU said: “The Tiananmen Building is over 40 years old and isn’t wholly fit for purpose, or reflects the professional image the Union thinks it should. It needs significant investment to bring it up to an acceptable standard and be able to compete with the facilities offered by other Unions in London and beyond.”

The new hub would allow for an increase in the numbers of sports clubs and societies, and provide a space for students who want to socialise in an alcohol-free environment.

Bahar Mustafa, part-time Women’s Officer, said the plans are “brilliant.”

“Providing more facilities for students who want a safe and friendly environment to be more involved in their Union is a positive step.

As part-time officers with a lot of responsibilities, a space where we can focus on our roles is important to ensure we can provide the best support for our students.”

In a recent article for the Huffington Post Catherine McNamara, lecturer at Royal Central School of Speech and Drama, questioned why honorific titles are needed in the first place and whether this is a useful tool for gathering data or just means to perpetrate patriarchal societal norms.

revealed that non-binary people are practically invisible.

Others have said the move is “political correctness gone mad,” whilst some forum users seem to think the title creates ambiguity and segregates ‘mx’ users and gives them a negative connotation.

The introduction of this gender neutral honorific dates back to the 1990s, when Swedish linguist Hans Carlgren suggested adding a third pronoun for people who do not fit under either gender, in an attempt to make the country not just gender-equal, but also gender-neutral.

In October 2011, the UK Deed Poll Service took the plunge and introduced this title on the name changing forms, after it was

‘WE’LL TACKLE PAYDAY LOAN COMPANIES’ SAY NEW GROUP ON CAMPUS

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new campaign group is to be launched at Goldsmiths which seeks to promote fairer alternatives to legal loan sharks, the payday lenders which open on local high streets and are renowned for their exploitative interest rates.

The campaign is part of a nationwide movement of people organising for fair credit. It will seek to involve a large amount of societies and organisations based at Goldsmiths and in the local community, to build a strong alliance of people for the cause.

The drawing found on the website is only an impression of what could we built if the project is approved.

MacPhee said: “We want to know what students want and need, and that is what we will create.”

They have already succeeded in a ban on advertising of payday loans on campus when a motion raised by Student Union President Conrad Grant went through the assembly.

Do you agree with the plans?

Would you change anything?

Head to www.goldsmithssu.org and give your opinion!

With trebled tuition fees of £9000 and rising gas and electricity bills, the campaign says that it wants to provide support to students who

“The Leopard talked to Joe Killin, Welfare & Diversity Officer at Goldsmiths SU, who said he is proud and glad to see the institution taking the “non-binary gender and gender non-conformity” issues seriously.

He said: “It’s incredibly encouraging to see Goldsmiths creating the option for students and staff to use the gender non-specific title Mx. in such a prompt manner.”

Following Goldsmiths, the Royal Central School of Speech and Drama also introduced the ‘mx’ honorific title, making them just the latest institution to adopt a gender-neutral norm. From initial feedback, it seems that some students at least welcome having the choice.

Story by The Leopard Illustration by Amber Newland

may be in tough times financially, and feel like they have nowhere to turn.

Jamie Wright, a Goldsmiths media & communications student and spokesperson for the campaign said: “Whether they be Debtbusters, Fair Credit groups or Sharkstoppers, people all across the country are raising the profile of fair credit alternatives.

Students mustn’t feel that they need to use pay-day lenders which charge extortionate amounts of interest.

age further borrowing. They said: “Irresponsible lending is not confined to a few rogue payday lenders - it is a problem across the sector”.

In 2005 the number of estimated payday loan customers was 250,000 – by this year it is predicted 5 million people will do so because of the credit crunch.

Research shows most customers are using these loans to pay for household bills or buying essentials, and many of these customers are students.

“We’d like to hear from people who have had to use these companies, who may feel they have nowhere else to turn. It’s up to use to promote and advance alternatives, such as credit unions. We must act.”

Request for your pay day loan story

The Office for Fair Trading have carried out research which found that many companies did not conduct proper credit checks, used inappropriate advertising and pressured customers to encour-

The campaign is calling for people who may have used a pay day lender, either on their local high street or on the internet such as Wonga, to talk to them. If you wish to stay anonymous you can.

You can write to the group at goldsmithssharkstoppers@gmail. com or get in touch on twitter @ GSharkstoppers

CAMPAIGNERS DEFY UOL PROTEST BAN TO FIGHT FOR FAIRER WORKING CONDITIONS

By Chris Dillon

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ampaigners f ighting for fairer conditions for University of London’s (UoL) employees and outsourced workers protested outside Senate House on October 24, despite the University banning demonstrations on their Bloomsbury campus.

The protest, part of the 3Cosas Campaign for sick pay, holiday, and pensions for UoL workers remained peaceful throughout, despite police at one point attempting to kettle the group in the Senate House car park.

The 3 Cosas Campaign claim that the University of London were the ones who called the police on the protest.

YOUR STARTER FOR TEN …GOLDSMITHS TO FIELD UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE TEAM

by Ella Jessel

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oldsmiths are holding team try-outs for one of TVs longest-running quiz shows- University Challenge.

In 2011 the Goldsmiths team made the headlines when they took a kettle along as their mascot as a sly dig at police tactics surrounding student protests. The kettle was subsequently banned by the BBC. The Leopard spoke to self-confessed University Challenge fan, Claudia Turkington, who is organising try-outs for the team.

“It’s obviously a great thing for students to get involved with at university because there’s not really anything else like it out there, and you get the chance to be a minor celebrity, so that’s a win,” she said.

There is already a lot of interest surrounding the try-outs, said Turkington. .

“I’m really excited for it to all

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come together, from talking to people I think we have a shot at making a great team this year with the possibility of getting quite far in the competition,” she said.

How will Goldsmiths fare against the more traditionally academic univeristies?

“Are you trying to say we are not academic?” laughs Turkington. “I definitely think we can.

Obviously we are an arts school so we might be limited in some ways that traditional redbricks aren’t, but everyone has their own strengths, so our team can definitely take on the likes of Oxbridge.”

Any student, full or part time, undergraduate or graduate, who will be enrolled in a course at Goldsmiths until summer 2014 can take part. All you need to do is come to try-outs on November 18th at 6pm in RHB 144. If you can’t make this date but want to put your name down then email activities@goldsmithssu.org

ULU Vice president Daniel Cooper said: “We will not stop until we are victorious. It is a disgrace that the University of London banned

protest. It is disgusting that they would call the police on their own students.”

In July the University management sent a letter to the UoL Students’ Union (ULU) threatening that this would happen if any more protests took place.

Cooper said: “The campaign has gone from strength to strength in the last year, and is now one of the most exciting and creative industrial disputes in the country. This term will see a rolling programme of protests, parties and possible strike action over the closure of the one of the student halls.”

“What we saw today was an

irreconcilable divide within the university between those students and staff who are fighting for humane working conditions for some of our lowest-paid workers, and members of senior management who invited cops on to our campus to harass and monitor students. This episode is yet another low point in the University’s continuing pattern of disgraceful behaviour.”

Despite a year of high profile campaigning, negotiations between workers and the University of London have been refused. The Independent Workers Union of Great Britain is likely to call for industrial action in the near future.

Low paid employees are already on the breadline and will be affected more than most by the loss of earnings from striking. The IWGB has set up a donation programme via PayPal to contribute to a fund to help the strikers deal with financial hardship.

TWISTED METAL ROADMASH NIGHTMARE How to not die on your bike

By Adam Morby

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good starting point is to remember that you’re a sack of meat, soft and giving, and if, like me, you ride to uni, then you’re a sack of meat among a thousand hunks of irritable, tired, over-rushed and very heavy lumps of metal.

When I’m on my bike I hate cars, when I’m driving a car I hate bikes, and when I’m on foot I hate everybody.

Morning chaos terrifies me, and not a day goes by where I don’t find myself filled with the imagery of the collision. The cacophony of screeches, the tumble, the twisted limbs, followed no doubt by the fading of the sirens, the stares, the murmurs, and eventually the hum of silence.

The first day I went out on my bicycle in London, a lorry turned left round the corner of my house and didn’t stop. A person died.

So what to do?

Firstly, make sure vehicles know where you are, especially big ones that are higher than you and might not be able to see you.

Make eye contact, look for indicators, and if in doubt just stop.

Vehicles are generally terrified of cyclists, like we are afraid of holding new born babies for fear of accidentally hurting them.

Secondly, wear a helmet, one of these bright yellow hi-vis waistcoats, and make sure your lights are on and flashing at all times – and especially at night.

Thirdly, if you can ride fast enough and you don’t mind pissing people off, stay in the middle of the road, especially in busy

areas, and always avoid gutters and the possibility of car doors being opened.

Some cyclists are fast enough to pretend they’re a car, which, with enough experience to do so, is probably the safest way to be. This being said, they’re not a car. Some minor problem happens to your car, you pull over and take it to a garage. Some minor problem happens to your bike, generally you’re off and at the mercy of heavy traffic – then I guess all you can do is hope you’re not in the vicinity of some truck driver jumped up on Red Bull and Yorkie bars, halfway through writing a text.

Lastly, know your route. Learn it, stick to it, but stay focused and vigilant. Never rush, never allow yourself to become arrogant and never, ever go anywhere near the Elephant and Castle Roundabout.

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THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

A LOOK INSIDE GREECE’S LATEST EDUCATION CRISIS

By Cristina Lapadean

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reek students took over schools at the beginning of the new school year, following a two week teacher strike, in an attempt to show the government that the entire education is at stake.

For the past few years, Greece has been suffering a government-debt crisis, caused by the now (in)famous 21st century recession. In light of the most recent bailout agreement with the “Troïka”, Greece’s authorities have decided to shake up the

FASHION IS NOSTALGIA

public sector, introducing severe cuts and forced transfers.

Governmental measures include the closing down of more than 100 vocational schools, numerous lay-offs with the system having 18,000 less teachers than in June 2012 and the merging of almost 2,000 schools over the past two years.

Teachers took matters into their own hands when they went on strike on September 16, refusing to start a new term.

are showing solidarity with their teachers, while others are concerned they will have to transfer schools due to lack of educators.

At the start of October, it was the turn of students, who occupied more than 100 schools around the country, with some claiming they

In an interview for the BBC, senior students participating in this protest claimed this was the only way to make sure students were heard.

Historically, this is not the first time students decide to take action, even though legally they are not allowed to do so. Back in 2011, an education bill was introduced to reduce the number of schools throughout the country by 1,056. Teachers, parents and students protested in an effort to show that such mergers would

By Darian Nugent

lead us to the loveliest of places.

But, this season? Designers are reminding us of times we barely had a chance to forget, let alone want to remember.

I

’m not one to sermonise about the disasters of modern society. You didn’t ask for a lesson in politics, and I’m not boring enough to give you one – socially and economically, though, things are, well... pretty bleak.

Fashion is often trivialised on accounts of its frivolity, its seeming dissonance with the important things in life. But at times like these, its often infuriating ignorance (hello 6ft, size 4, Amazonian child,) can prove pretty handy.

Nostalgia is this season’s – scratch that, every season’s muse. Sure, we have always relied on memories to

Nostalgia has been glossily, and somewhat hastily applied to every fashion decade of the past century, celebrating the good, whilst forgetting the bad and the ugly; the Instagram filter for yesteryear if you will. So get ready to match your historical get-up to your cultural standpoint – choose your filter, plead ignorant and become sartorial conscientious objectors.

60s

It’s Jane Birkin on the streets of Paris and Edie Sedgwick on the streets of New

reduce the quality of education and even impede some pupils from accessing public education.

or their children, are not good on a long-term basis, as it affects education as a whole.

According to the EU Commission, education spending in Greece is one of the lowest in Europe and has gone down by 25% since the start of the economic recession, thus explaining the need for such strict austerity measures.

In a time when people trust governments to give solutions to big problems, the students in Greece decide to take the reins from adults and make their voices heard. It is unknown whether this action will eventually provide an answer to the question of where education is going if all governments can come up with is austerity measures that do not help the people. But it is important to remember that regardless of numbers and crises, students are ultimately fighting for education.

But parents, teachers and students are not happy. On the one hand, unhappy teachers would definitely damage the quality of education. On the other hand, parents claim that the on-going protests, whether from teachers

York, wearing striped tees masquerading as dresses and as much eyeliner as their peepers will allow.

trousers; so please ensure they are tailored correctly.

If you are under the age of 30, you make the rules: who said trousers were compulsory? Preserved in the cat-eyed, nude-lipped faces of that generation is the feeling of change; so embrace it, wear your hair loose and your inhibitions looser.

The 80’s weren’t good to anybody.

70s

Though remnants of rebellion remain in the air, the 70s are not about degeneration. You’ve been there, done that, and got the very unnecessary peace sign tattoo.

Here, femininity is embodied, not in the measure, or anti-measure, of mini-skirted legs, but instead in impeccable garb – heels to tower over everybody and tailored suits worn better than the boys, you fought hard to don those

80s

90s

Before Marc Jacobs chewed it up and spat it out in commercialised morsels of ‘grunge’, the 90s were about nonchalance. That very deliberate disregard for society, expressed in the failure to correctly fit your clothes to your body.

Sure, Britney may be your queen, but we have all seen what can happen to the bubblegum-pop pressures of perfection; think minimal instead. Blue denim and two-strap Birkenstocks, camisoles in every colour imaginable, unadorned faces under an untouched mane. These were simpler times, embrace them blending in - it can be just as pretty, and and what do you care anyway?

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WHY DOES CHRISTMAS START IN OCTOBER?

By Marta Portocarrero

25

th December: Christmas. Nine weeks to go but the stores are already stocked up for the celebration. Some people may find so much commercial pressure makes it less special when it finally arrives. Others just love the holiday so much that starting two months earlier is not a big deal.

“It starts in September for us,” says Carly Ross, 24, a little green glowing star on her lap already hinting at the celebration. “We start selling Christmas jumpers then and

by November all is sold out.”

It is October on Oxford Street but the red buses and black taxis are already driving below the big white and silver Christmas balls that cross the road.

In Primark, Christmas is here too. It brought jumpers, caps, gloves and tights. Red and green, deers and bells, all are here to attract shopper, although only a few are considering buying any items two months in advance.

Susan Idofes, 37, is one of them.

“I think starting Christmas two months in advance is fine. Before would make me fed up, but I love this season,” she says, adding she came from Austria to spend time in London looking for gifts for friends. “I always buy in October and November, never after.”

It’s not the case of Abby Cook, who is trying a pair of red Christmas tights with snowflakes all over it. “I will buy them because I like them, but just to wear it at home for now,” says the 20 year-old from London.

“Gifts I only start buying in December. Unfortunately, I am part of the rush hour!”

Photo credit: Marta Portocarrero The Christmas department at Harrods

Pictures of young models posing in Christmas clothes are all over the store – the ones that are already visible in one of the shop windows, but in a bigger size. “It’s all about putting Christmas on people’s minds and make them buy,” explains a Primark manager.

Sasha Querashi, 25, agrees.

Christmas is on her mind so much she skipped Eid, the Muslim holiday, and left Dubai for London to look for Christmas presents. She is already planning her budget for the celebration. “I start buying early, so in December I don’t have to struggle with my budget.

It is all about planning.”

It seems Marks & Spencer agree, as the nearby store is already filled with Christmas trees, charity cards and fairy lights. “We do this because a lot of people

need to build up to Christmas,” explains Alan, customer adviser from Retail Customer Services.

“It gives them the opportu-

I start buying early, so in December I don’t have to struggle with my budget. It is all about planning. nity and the time to get the products they need. It has to be done over a period of time, otherwise it would be almost impossible on their wallets or bank accounts. [Starting earlier] also gives us an idea about what is selling and what is not.”

In Harrods, the presence of Christmas is obvious. Tourists are already invited to come visit ‘Christmas World,’ their seasonal

department – ‘Now open!’ says the board on the ground floor leading you to the top floor.

There, with Santa Claus is Coming to Town blasting, the landscape of Christmas trees, baubles, bells, tin soldiers and the two giant Santa Clauses, you completely forget that it’s only October. For this, Harrods staff works from July until January.

Most customers, smiling as they walk around, are tourists. Amy, 46, is British but just came from Qatar where she works for a long weekend in London. She is smiling at the Christmas tree shaped chocolates she will probably buy her sister. “We love Christmas, but in Quatar it’s hard to find the products I like since it’s a completely different culture”, she explains. “I don’t get fed up of thinking of Christmas in Octo-

ber because I shop throughout the year. I try my best to avoid the rush hour”, she smiles.

In London, her, like many others, don’t have to hurry up. They can buy almost everything for the celebration even if Christmas is still two months away.

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A PERSIAN CHINA?

By Ali Siddiqui

I

’ve been watching the diplomatic dance between Iran and America for some weeks now. From the exchange of letters to the first phone call between their leaders since 1979, what I kept wondering was, is this a repeat of what happened between China and America in 1972? Then, China, after decades of hostility and isolationism with the West, finally reconciled with America and opened up from being a pariah to a responsible stake-holder in the international system. Are Tehran and Washington on the verge of another rapprochement?

In some ways, no. Despite the differences between China and America’s political and economic systems in the Cold War, there was one powerful force that brought the two countries together: a common enemy. In

FEATURES the late 1960s, China caught what I call the “Western syndrome”, and begun to view its communist superpower neighbour and ideological ally, the Soviet Union as its main national security problem.

America, led by visionary leader Nixon, saw an opportunity to make common cause with Beijing.

There is no such common enemy driving Washington and Tehran together. Iran does much that is against Western interests: support to Hamas which opposes a twostate solution between the Israelis and Palestinians, supplying military and economic aid to Bashar Al-Assad’s murderous regime in Syria, or financial, political and armed support to terror group Hezbollah.

However, there are similarities.

China in the early 1970s was at its lowest point economically.

It was bankrupt after numerous wars and had just undergone a disastrous experiment of extreme communism with Mao’s ‘Great Leap Forward,’ killing over 30m of its own people. Iran’s economy has been hit hard by harsh US-backed sanctions causing unemployment and inflation to rise, as well as Tehran’s burden in helping the Syrian regime in its

civil war. Plus, just like China has the dark memory of the Tiananmen Square uprising of 1989, the mullahs in Tehran are paranoid about the discontent brought by the 2009 elections and the pro-reform Green movement that symbolises it.

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

Iran normalise its relations with the rest of the world. Just as Deng was forced to pick up China’s economy from Mao’s disastrous policies, Rouhani will have to deal with its suffering country by opening up to the rest of the world. That is after all why he was elected and his legitimacy stems on that promise to the Iranian people.

In hindsight, changes in US China relations in 1972 led to the rise of modern China, an economic force I’ve heard the to be reckcynics’ arguments But they are no oned with. that Rouhani is boy-scouts; they This path “a wolf in sheep’s want a deal that wasn’t so clothing” that the regime can visible 40 years will smile his claim is victory to way to a nuclear ago. Even after its own people China opened bomb, and yet up in ‘72, the détente with Iran regime under Mao Zedong was is worth pursuing. Let us not forstill hostile to the West. His sucget China was a war-mongering cessor, China’s moderniser Deng nation whose neighbours feared Xiaoping, was the real father of its trouble-making intentions.

21st century China. He made reforms required to modernise Here’s a deal: Iran would agree to China, fighting the conservative cap its enrichment of uranium at forces within 5%, and ship abroad what could the regime. be made into weapons, making it difficult for Iran to ‘breakout’ and Iran’s supreme leader, Ayatollah progress its civilian nuclear proAli Khamenei, is Mao, but Presigramme to a military stage. With dent Rouhani is Deng, a credible a rigorous inspection process of figure (and democratically electIran’s facilities, the international ed) with the political will to make community might be reassured.

This is not fool proof. Any country with a proper scientific establishment can convert a peaceful nuclear program into a military one. Iran knows and has this, which is why it is impossible to reverse it now. The goal of the world should be to prevent Iran’s programme from going the next step. Hopefully, the mullahs in Tehran are smart enough to see that a deal with the West yields far more rewards than nuclear weapons, which would attract isolation, and even maybe military action.

This problem aside, Iran is a proud nation and has a great civilisation. It is a tragedy that a country that has contributed so much to humanity sits outside the global system. But they are no boy-scouts; they want a deal that the regime can claim is victory to its own people. Washington should take every opportunity to use nuclear talks to create new openings. 2013 could be the the year Iran came in from the cold.

As ‘Nixon Went To China’ in 1972 and made history, I hope Obama goes to Tehran in 2013 and makes some more.

IS FEMINISIM A DIRTY WORD? free to act, dress, speak and live in a way that you choose.

By Robyn Marsh

I

caught up with three of the feminist society committee members, Leila Mehrez, Karis Hanson and Bahar Mustafa to ask them why feminism has suddenly become so popular at Goldsmiths.

What is feminism?

Leila: Feminism is about gaining equality for all genders, in all cultures. Women and men are affected daily by rape culture, patriarchy and the supposed gender norms they are expected to fit into, and I see it as our job to try to re-evaluate what our society should expect from us.

Feminism should continue to be relevant until gender has no effect on a person’s life, you should be

Bahar: Feminism itself is difficult to pinpoint as one specific movement as it has a long history behind it. It is better to think of many ‘feminisms’ just like there are many types of women. For example, Intersectional feminism has become a useful tool for looking at all the different ways of oppression through race and class as well as gender.

Karis: Feminism is a fight against oppression including class and race based oppression. They are all interlocking but as feminists we focus on the issues that affect a disproportionate number of women such as domestic abuse, rape, and the economic cuts.

Is feminism a ‘dirty word’?

L: A lot of people seem to still have the image of bra-burning, man-hating women in their

heads when they hear the word feminism, although less than before. In my opinion, the more you talk to people and tell them about feminism, the more openminded they become.

B: Walking away from the term feminism is walking away from its rich history.

The kind of people that see feminism as a dirty word tend to be those opposed to it. It is better to try and reclaim the word for ourselves.

You gained 400 new members this year at Freshers Fayre, is there a reason for this sudden spike in interest?

K: One reason is that people are really pissed off. One woman at the Fayre told me about how she has experienced street harassment since moving here and another was concerned with harassment in the workplace. The Feminist Society is somewhere

to share and tackle these frustrations with fellow members.

B: More and more, social media sites have become a platform for speaking out on everyday sexism experiences and this is allowing more people to get involved and share their views.

men joining the society, as I’m a firm believer that feminism isn’t just for women, and I think this really reflects people’s attitudes towards social change around the university, as well as a general open-mindedness that Goldsmiths students have.

L: People at Goldsmiths are really passionate too, they really seem to care about participating and being politically active.

I’ve been pleased to see more

Read more of Robyn’s chat with the FemSoc online.

Follow the FemSoc on Facebook ‘Goldsmiths Feminist Society’ or email goldsmiths. feminist@gmail.com with queries.

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FEATURES

NOVEMBER 2013 THE LEOPARD

THE LEVESON INQUIRY: HOW MUCH DO WE REALLY KNOW? MALALA

By Melanie Smith

S

een the news in the past few years? Then it’s safe to assume you know of the News of the World scandal. You have most probably come to the conclusion that the press have been behaving (just a little bit) inappropriately as of late, but how and why?

How did it all begin?

In 2005, News of the World (NoW) published a story about an injury suffered by Prince William. Seems harmless?

Wrong! Officials of the Royal Courts believed this to be a little strange – how did these ‘insiders’ get hold of such a private story?

In 2002, 13-year-old school girl Milly Dowler went missing and was murdered, with her killer brought to justice a few months later. In 2011, NoW executives and journalists faced prosecution after it emerged reporters had hacked into the mobile phone of the Dowler family to try and get information on the alleged affair her mother was having around the time of Milly’s disappearance.

On July 4 2011, a lawyer for Dowler’s family said Milly Dowler’s voicemail had been hacked, possibly by a NoW investigator, while police were searching for her. The lawyers claimed some of her voicemails were deleted to make room for more messages, misleading police and her family into thinking Milly was still alive. This sparked the biggest press inquiry in British history; and so it started.

Hackgate and the Leveson inquiry

The ‘Leveson’ inquiry is unsur-

prisingly named after the ‘main guy’ carrying out proceedings in court, Lord Justice Leveson. A specialist in these kinds of debates, he is in charge of overseeing the much larger, and seemingly never ending inquiry into the press’ wrongdoings.

Research showed NoW and other sister papers had been regularly hacking into the phones of celebrities, police officers, and MPs. NoW Royal Editor Clive Goodman had been arrested in ‘06 over the allegations they had hacked phones of members of the royal household, but worse was revealed.

After Rebekah Brooks was made CEO of News International in July 2009, NoW reporters, with the knowledge of senior staff, illegally accessed messages from the mobile phones of politicians.

Even worse: ‘News Corp’ (Rupert Murdoch’s multinational media company) paid out more than £1m to settle cases that threatened to reveal the evidence of the behaviour of their journalists.

Many celebrities then came forward to say they too had been hacked by the tabloid press, including Hugh Grant, Heather Mills and Sienna Miller. In March that year a BBC Panorama special revealed that in 2006, then NoW executive Alex Marunchak obtained e-mails belonging to an ex-British Army intelligence officer – the list of those possibly targeted includes victims of the 2005 London bombings and the family spokesman of Madeleine McCann.

The editor of NoW, Rebekah Brooks and her husband were soon after arrested, and

Rupert Murdoch’s now infamous ‘News of The World’ closed on July 10, 2011.

What happens next?

The Leveson report, published in November 2012, recommended the creation of an independent body to regulate the press, with specific legislation to ensure newspapers abide by these rules. A free arbitration service for victims and a fast complaints system should also be established to ensure all individuals could afford to pursue action against publishers.

Reactions to this report were varied, sometimes welcomed by politicians and the press, while Newspaper Society said it rejected such “state-sponsored regulation.” Members of the Hacked Off campaign, of which one of the directors is Goldsmiths lecturer Natalie Fenton, are pushing for the report’s recommendations to be implemented, but not through the government’s proposal of a Royal Charter on press regulation, which press organisations say would restrict press freedom.

Feeling shocked? Not surprising.

You may be wondering how the press was able to get away with it for so many years. Plus, few people know the full extent of what went on under the infamous rule of Rupert Murdoch.

Despite the closure of the NoW, a new quite similar paper has replaced it, the Sun on Sunday (yes, Murdoch is in charge too) and laws are fought over rather than being passed. Are things in the press likely to change?

More importantly, should they?

By Maryam Ahmad

M

alala Yousafzai was a simple sixteen year old girl. She fought for an education.

She got shot for it.

As a Pakistani schoolgirl, Malala started blogging about her education conditions at 11. Inspired by her activist father, she told about her daily life and was soon advocating female rights to education.

The results of her continuous activism for eventually led her to be shot twice. She had become the target of the oppressive Taliban occupying her area. Many of them were lacking the educational or Islamic understanding and could not simply comprehend the desire that Malala had. The thought of an ‘opinion’ was unheard of, especially from a woman. Their solution was to simply eliminate her, and the empowering echoes that she had brought to the area.

She became a voice for the millions of young children around the world who do not have the luxury of being able to read or write freely. Her story is bringing back to light a battle which is still fought in many communities and countries. Just like Malala, there are thousands of children if not more, who want to be heard but are omitted from the

crowded newspaper headlines.

It’s only been a century since compulsory education was implemented in Britain and we have long forgotten its importance and value. There is a sharp contrast between our youth and the rest of the world.

We are dwindling down to the bottom of the social structure, and help from the government isn’t as it could be when many are paying either extortionate amounts of money in order to complete higher education, or are drowning in the harsh realities of the economy.

Malala’s recent awe-inspiring speech at Southbank Centre left many speechless.

Not only did she receive a standing ovation, the young girl won over the hearts of her audience – our youth. She fought for a concept that many children now take for granted.

Did this economic growth cause the youth to chase wealth and accumulate materialistic possessions instead of striving for learning? Although the Western world helped save her, didn’t Malala do more benefit to the Western world?

Is she not a reminder of the burning passion we fail to have - for justice, education and the freedom of the youth to learn?

We need this fresh breath of air, this new-found motivation and passion, this love for knowledge; and individuals like Malala should be able to rekindle it.

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THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

THE SU UPDATE

DEVIL’S ADVOCATE Goldsmiths Thinking 101: A peep into Goldsmiths’ minds

By Bartholomew Foley

F

or those already familiar with the peculiarly Goldsmiths perspectives on things, please feel free to groan for this is but a repetition of what you’ve likely already heard. For the uninitiated, however, herewith is a rundown of some distinctly Goldsmiths approaches.

Of course these views are but few within the Goldsmiths multiplicity, yet are likely to have been heard by many.

Greetings, all! I’m Joe Killin, your Welfare & Diversity Officer.

With Transgender Awareness Week from November 12 and Transgender Day of Remembrance on November 20, I want to take this opportunity to talk about being a transgender person at Goldsmiths.

I have always been very out and open about being a transguy – someone who was assigned female at birth but now lives as male. One of the reasons I

as much right to attend university and move through the worlds as individuals as anyone else.

While personally I am open about being trans, I must stress that this is not the case for all trans people, and I do not think anyone should have to Out themselves unless they want to nor should they be pressured to do so. Further, if someone has told you they are trans you are being trusted with some deeply personal knowledge, so be mindful not to disrespect that trust by passing on that information.

I am proud to say that the response I’ve had from fellow

Photo credit: Goldsmiths SU

Goldsmiths hates fees. Of course, it is hardly just Goldsmiths that are at the forefront of opposition. Not in doubt, however, is the fervour among those who fought and continue to fight against the trebling of fees.

With such vigour are the arguments made that one might assume that free higher education is an innate right! Blame Nick Clegg – noted outlets of frustration towards him may include: Voodoo dolls, photos on a dart board or sacrificial offerings to the goddess Hecate.

While Mr Clegg is seen by many as having let down students across Britain, he is yet perhaps to reach the upper echelons of distaste.

Noted culprits threatening to wreak havoc across the British Isles and beyond include the usual suspects Tommy, Mr Griffin, and that crazy foreigner, Marine Le Pen. Before these large figureheads, the immediate public enemies are often the police. A sore topic for Black and Minority Ethnic students, who often have very little trust in and perhaps even fear the police – to the point where Goldsmiths Student Union has passed a motion called ‘Police not welcome on Campus’. Is this a powerful motion to protect the vulnerable or just romantic escapism?

Radical opinions such as this are always at the heart of Goldsmiths’ thinking. See the whole burka debate: to some it’s a tool of female liberation and to others a weapon of the male-paternalistic society.

Doubtless, however, is that each argument stems from a belief in religious freedom and tolerance.

That said, this somehow doesn’t apply to those naughty little pro-lifers. Such a stance seems a bit of a cognitive dissonance, or as most will likely understand, doublethink. In a democratic society, surely tolerance is the ability to co-exist with those with whom you disagree – even if you desire your opinion heard above others, or you share an expression of solidarity with a cause.

In fact, the official Goldsmiths dictionary definition of solidarity could be this: a binding agreement between two or more parties that allies them in a blood contract of brotherhood or sisterhood. It often comes with a picture of a fist, usually to signify strength and that they’re super serious about it.

Could there be a whiff of irony among some of these subjects that students hold so dear to their hearts? Or maybe I’m talking a load of trash – both are possible. Whatever it is you think, please feel free to tell me. You’ll find my face somewhere above.

raise this is because for a lot of people, transgender and transsexual people are perceived as something very other to wider society, especially through typical media portrayals. In fact, 78% of trans people feel that media portrayals are either inaccurate or highly inaccurate and 70% feel that media representations of trans people are either negative or very negative .

My openness as a transman is a very political choice. I am aware of how society views trans people: type “trans people are” into Google, and the suggested completed sentences end with “gross,” “mentally ill,” “disgusting,” and “confused.” The choice on my part to Out myself was to show that trans people are real people and not just an abstract concept that exists elsewhere in the world, that our existence is neither necessarily pathological nor disgusting, and that we have

students and staff has been overwhelmingly positive (though I acknowledge this is not the experience of all trans people) and I’ve been truly humbled by the shift of people’s attitudes in the years I’ve been here. I’m proud that in 2010 you voted to create gender neutral bathrooms in the SU building , that in 2012 you voted for the SU to take a stronger stance against transphobia, and this year already you voted to implement a bathroom policy.

If you’re struggling with your gender identity, you can contact me for support and advice on who to talk to. If you don’t understand these ideas and want to know more, I host training sessions breaking down some myths about trans people and you can request them anytime.

And you can contact me anytime for any questions or concerns regarding welfare. welfare@goldsmithssu.org

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FEATURES

NOVEMBER 2013 THE LEOPARD

NEW CROSS LEARNING Photo credit: Adam morby

By Adam Morby

N

ew Cross People’s Library closed down in May 2011.

After months of wrangling with the library services and the local council, Gill Hart, 60, and Kathy Dunbar, 57, acting as volunteers, reopened it the following August.

Now a community run space, it offers a library service, a bookshop and an array of learning activities. It took great effort, said Dunbar: “We got them to open it for The Summer Reading Challenge, but it was only for half an hour a week, so we pushed for more and more hours and eventually got a temporary license for the summer holidays.”

They are currently going through the administrative nightmare of attaining charity status, but things are looking positive.

picture of the motivations and priorities that drive our leaders.

It’s clear that there isn’t too much money floating around, but equally obvious that all the money available has been put to good use. On one wall a 15-foot kaleidoscopic snake sits along the shelves; across the room a massive mural (pictured) celebrates Black History Month.

Community Payback Scheme, whereby minor offenders give something back to the local community. “It’s been a very positive experience,” Hart commented. “Sometimes they enjoy themselves and get involved, but they all like it because they don’t have to wear hi-vis jackets – and it’s good for us because we get a volunteer who turns up.” Twelve of these volunteers have also found employment through working at the library.

Immediately noticeable is the different feel that it has to other libraries. “The emphasis is on children,” Hart said. “There are other things around, but they cost money. This is a community hub, focused on exchanging skills.”

They also take part in the

The situation at the library seems to ask more questions than it answers. That such a place is completely unfunded by the government is hardly surprising – it’s a perfect microcosm of the community surrounding it, and also paints a very clear

Funds are donated by various local trusts such as the Telegraph Hill Ward Assembly and the New Cross Gate Trust, but New Cross Learning actually raise much of the money themselves.

They sell books and stationary, and they organize walks,

The future of New Cross Learning depends to a large extent on the amount of people that use it regularly, and although its popularity has created some recognition within Lewisham Council’s library services, their relationship is a complex one.

They receive no money from the Council, but depend on them for most of their books.

picnics and themed adventures in the summertime – sometimes attracting over 40 people.

Volunteer librarian Rosanna Thompson concluded: “This government has to think more deeply about how cutting services is damaging communities. We’re very lucky because in areas with less action than New Cross the libraries won’t necessarily be reopened.

“We’ve really shown the power of our community but it’s shocking it had to be saved in the first place.

“New Cross Learning is an example of the vibrant and resilient spirit of New Cross.”

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FEATURES

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

THE STUDENT PORTRAIT

By Gaëlle Laforest

Zoe Adjonyoh, 35, student/chef/ journalist – and more.

Zoe studies on the MA Creative & Life Writing, but it’s not her first dip into education. Her career is like a Jenga tower: she keeps adding new skills to it and takes some out when she needs them. On top of uni, she owns pup-up restaurant Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and is writing a book. She tells the Leopard about non-linear careers, how education helps and why food is as useful as it tastes good.

Tell us more about yourself

I grew up in Woolwich and studied Law at Greenwich University for my first degree. I then lived in Brighton for eight years where I dabbled in a variety of different employment routes, not all viable or likeable, everything from telesales and receptionist at Brighton Pier to event promotions and freelance journalism. Back in London, I worked in various online media roles and started a video production company with friends, before moving over to freelance project management.

Then you started Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen... Where did that come from?

After a year of traveling around the USA, I returned to East London very broke. My working space was being used as an art gallery for Hackney Wick Arts Festival, so many people had descended upon our quiet community – I thought: here’s an opportunity to make some money. I made a large pot of Nkatenkwan and stuck a sign on the gate saying “Zoe’s famous peanut butter stew.” People started queuing for it – I think the piquant smell drew them in.

I sold out each day and people said I should do it regularly.

The following year during the same festival I decided to turn my studio into a restaurant, using African fabric to dress the

space with hired plates and cutlery and my friends as the waiting staff.

I called it Zoe’s Ghana Kitchen and people flocked to it, thinking it was an actual restaurant! It was great fun so I started a mailing list and it grew from there.

Can you explain ZGK to our readers?

It s a pop-up restaurant. By its nature it is a temporary dining experience which I can transport anywhere. It gives me the opportunity to take over a vacant space and transform it for a night, a week or a month to give it the look and feel of a contemporary Ghanaian restaurant. We’re also now a catering company for private events, we go to street markets and food festivals and teach cookery classes.

Why/when did you get into food?

I’ve always been into food – eating it anyway. I’ve always enjoyed cooking for friends and the social side of eating but doing it for a living is the last thing I thought I would do! I’m as surprised as anyone at the success Ghana Kitchen has had.

It still feels quite strange to be labelled a chef given I’ve had no formal training but I’ve spent so many hours cooking I’m getting more comfortable with it...

Spreading African culture seems to be at the heart of what you do - why is that? How do you hope to do so in the future?

I haven’t had much contact with my Ghanaian family and culture in the past, so the food I ate growing up was a way of staying in touch with that side

Photo credit: Oliver Ajkovic

of my origins. The exploration of food and the social space that creates around it is instinctive, and also a big part of Ghanaian culture. I’m proud of my roots so why not share it with people?

Modern African culture in general is so often overlooked, and when I see how much exciting art, fashion and media there is in Ghana, food is an easy inroad to spark curiosity about what else is on offer.

Do you think food is an easy way into a new culture?

Absolutely! People are often surprised at how much they enjoy food they’ve never heard of before and it creates intrigue and conversation about where it comes from.

What brought you back to university after having an established career, and why Goldsmiths?

I always knew I wanted to be a writer but procrastinated my whole adult life – the usual creative career self doubts.

When a friend recommended the MA in Creative & Life Writing, I thought why not?

I knew Goldsmiths’ reputation and after a bit of research there was no looking back!

You studied law, journalism, now creative writing. How do you see the role of education in helping young people find their “thing”?

Education is more than academia – no doubt a solid school and college eduction is crucial but the greatest education can come from living. I’ve always worked while studying, which gives balance between the ‘real world’ and the discipline of academia.

The grounding of education helps you build practical skills but you need resources of the mind to know what’s available to you. Education is a space for interactions that can help you find your ‘thing,’ whether it’s a chat with a like-minded friend or encouragements from a tutor that lift you to do something you never thought you would.

What advice do you have for students who want to get involved in big projects/create things/change the world?

I don’t have any great wisdom on the subject. Just go for it.

Do whatever you can towards a personal goal or dream because there is nothing to be lost. It will always be an education in itself and will hopefully take you off somewhere magical, or at least open a new door.

What’s next for ZGK and yourself?

I’m doing a chef residency at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick until November 2. After that I’ll take some time out to write in Berlin for a while, with a one-off ZGK event on the side. Then who knows, perhaps a recipe book, more ZGK beers, trying to stock some ZGK produce in supermarkets? I’m not sure, we’ll see.

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CULTURE

NOVEMBER 2013 THE LEOPARD

CLASSIFIEDS MEET YOUR WOMEN’S OFFICERS! · Have you had an issue as a self-defined woman on Campus? · How can we make Goldsmiths a safer enviroment? · 1 in 7 women nationwide are victims of sexual assult or violence whilts at Uni! · Learn about Goldsmiths’ Safe Space Policy · Weekly drop-in sessions, Friday 2-3pm, Chilout room, Student Union Get in Contact with your officers: Kris Hanson so1002kh@gold.ac.uk Bahar Mustafa so202bm@gold.ac.uk

Cocktails Beers Bubbles Tr e a t s Private Hire L o c a t i o n Ve n u e

Male Cheerleaders Wanted Goldsmiths Lions Wants You!

Open Male Tryouts

Society

Monday 18th November 2013 in the Upper Gym 6.30-9pm 2-4-1 on all Cocktail Teapots for Goldsmiths Students From 5pm-8pm Thursdays

Why Lift Weights When You Can Lift People!

Ultimate Frisbee! Great outdoor, fast paced and high adrenalin sport!

For more details Email: gold.ultimatefrisbee@gmail.com Facebook: Search “Goldsmiths Ultimate Frisbee Society

46 Deptford Broadway London SE8 4PH www.littlenans.co.uk @littlenansbar

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LEOPARD RECOMMENDS / CONDEMNS Here, once again, is our rundown of things we back and things we don’t. We really need your contributions to stop this section from becoming the formatted blabberings of our Culture Editor, so if you have any suggestions (be it a new gem you’ve discovered or something you’d like to see banished) email Emmet at lifestyleed.leopard@gmail.com

The Bermondsey Tank

A genuine South London curiosity. This 1960s Russian tank is surrounded by urban legend. The story of how it got to SE1 is fantastic, true or not. At the top of the Old Kent Road, it’s a hort bus ride away from New Cross, so Google it and pay it a visit.

Broadband installation

How in the name of blog can it possibly take so long to get the necessary switches flicked in 2013? “Good news! Your line will be activated in only three weeks! Now just sit tight and try to remember what you used to do with your free time pre-WiFi.”

Lint rollers

Because lord knows you’re not going to bother washing your newly dug out winter jackets.

Pair one of these bad boys up with a bottle of Febreze and you’ve basically had the thing dry cleaned. Sort of.

Gateway Chicken

It’s great to finally be able to get fried chicken in New Cross, right guys? Complete lifesaver.

Screens on roofs of cabs Roasted Chestnuts

At £2 for about three from a West End stall, these things are always a complete rip-off.

But hey, they’re 100% seasonal, so we’ll ignore the 100% markup.

Indoor gigs

‘Tis the season to return to indoor gigs relatively free of strangers’ perspiration! Thanks winter! Sure, the journey home is way worse, but at least you’re not soaked at the bus stop.

It used to only be every flat surface in this town ran the risk of billboardisation. Great to see we’ve overcome that final hurdle.

Shout out to illuminated bus ads too, before we had these there were a few terrifying hours of the day that it was difficult to enjoy those fantastic ads.

The media’s yearning for apocalyptic weather

“SUPER-MEGA-ICE-AGECERTAIN-DEATH-WESHOULD-HAVE-LISTENEDTO-AL-GORE-HURRICANE -BLIZZARD-STORM-OF-THEMILENIUM” isn’t going to happen.

It never does. Sorry newspapers.

BLUE IS THE WARMEST COLOUR

By Xin Therese Luo This is a film mired in controversies, including a very public feud between its director and co-lead, early rumours of a 10 minute long un-simulated sex scene and later accurate reports of a simulated 10 minute long sex scene. Abdellatif Kechiche’s latest offering arrives November 22 in the form of a

CIRO’S POMODORO PIZZERIA

By Athena Stylli Ciro’s Pomodoro pizzeria in Knightsbridge is one of those restaurants you’d walk past and never actually consider going inside. This is a mistake you’d be wise to avoid in this instance, for inside you’ll find some of the best pizzas in London with live music all night to top it off. Ciro’s came to my attention through word of mouth, and now I certainly understand why. Arriving at the restaurant, I walked downstairs into the basement pizzeria and was immediately greeted with immense character.

The photos on the wall and the cheerful people singing along to the live singer as they all enjoyed their meals created such warmth.

As we sat down, the photos on the walls became more visible. Instantly recognisable faces peered down onto our table. The photos of celebrity pizza fans such as Vin Diesel and Paris Hilton had been photographed at the restaurant by the proud owner.

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coming of age story adapted from Julie Maroh’s graphic novel of the same name.

Beautifully shot and staring two female leads worthy of every acting accolade in the industry, it is a monumental moment for French cinema. The film has earned director and, for the first time in the award’s history, both

leads the Palme D’or at Cannes earlier this year.

Relative newcomer Adèle Exarchopoulos (whose character is also named Adèle) is mesmerising in every scene and complemented perfectly by Léa Seydoux’s Emma with whom her affair of six years forms the basis of the narrative. We see a young and effervescent Adèle - who dreams of becoming a school teacher struggle through sexual awakening, discrimination, class politics and heartbreak.

Kechiche’s adoration of Exarchopoulos is so transparent and evident in this film that at times feels as if it is composed almost

entirely of close ups of his muse.

But this veracious exposition of the overwhelming, fleeting and sometimes ugly experience of love - especially ‘first love’ - is a story that speaks entirely for our age.

Implicit or explicit examples of ‘male gaze’ aside, Kechiche creates a fiction that is so real in its aptitude for exploring the idea of sexuality and identity that never for a moment did I consider it necessary to characterise it as a ‘lesbian film’. Whoever you are, however you identify, if you’re in love or if you’ve never been in love, this is a film that will speak to you. This is a film that speaks in a language so universal it is impossible not to feel every devastating moment depicted. Never mind the running

time. Never mind that by the end your eyes will be so strained that you’ll find yourself stumbling out of the cinema towards an optician. This is a film that embodies the visceral, raw experience of first love. It ravages. It haunts.

It lingers. If it doesn’t for you, then clearly you’ve been rendered incapable of actualising the full spectrum of human emotion.

I only wish my personal failures in learning French were not so boldly highlighted by the necessity of subtitles, making the task of appreciating the beautiful cinematography a tall order. At least, that will be my excuse for viewing this masterpiece a second time when it is released nationwide later this month.

Ciro’s opened in 1978, has remained in the same location to this day. Ciro (the venerable owner) belongs to an influential Italian family, the ‘Orsini’ family, and together with his brothers has expanded Ciro’s Pomodoro worldwide. Given Ciro’s location in Knightsbridge, you wouldn’t be blamed for expecting prices outside the usual student budget. But this is not the case, as the food is very reasonably priced. A large pizza at Ciro’s is generally between £10-£13, which works out roughly the same as its defrosted New Cross takeaway equivalent.

I recommend ordering pizzas to share between your party, as this will allow you to experience more of what’s on offer. American hot, Four Seasons and Sicilliana were the three pizzas I tasted at Ciro’s, and I would certainly recommend ordering them if you do visit. Each pizza I tried was mouth watering and I had to stop myself from finishing the lot, especially considering I’d opted for the decadent goat cheese salad as a starter.

Being able to enjoy quality food at a reasonably price in friendly and comfortable environment is an opportunity seldom given in London, as most restaurants go from the one extreme to the other.

Ciro’s is just in the middle, with the extra touch of live music and friendly staff to top off an enjoyable evening.

You can find Ciro’s Pomodoro at 51 Beauchamp Place, Knightsbridge, London SW3 1NY

MAN SELLS VINYL SHOP... ON EBAY

By Giorgia Cacciatore Anything sells on eBay these days, you just might find yourself pressing the “Buy It Now” button to purchase an entire record shop in central London, vinyl included. It’s historic On the beat in the heart of Soho, ranked one of the top ten record shops in London.

Owner Tim Derbyshire has been among these dusty shelves since 1979, when as a graphic design graduate he decided to start the business, riding the wave of vibrant British music scene (that very year saw the release of albums like Pink Floyd’s The Wall, and Joy Division’s Uknown Pleasures).

22 Hanway Street has been Tim’s own window to major changes, not only in music production and consumption, but in society. Though you won’t see him indulging in nostalgia, he said: “London has changed a lot, but this road, not much.”

So no, this is no big fish eats little fish story. Sure big chain stores and music downloads are responsible for the relentless decline of small retailers, but not this time, Tim’s reason is much simpler than that: “I’ve lost the passion”.

The idea of eBay came from his girlfriend, “it’s the best way to reach a lot of people”, and in fact the auction, set for £300.000, has a constantly increasing number of watchers (1617), and offers

(24), going from as little as £1 to £125.000.

“First and last time I use eBay”, Tim points out, “all of it comes from people”. A wide collection of vinyl, cds, vintage magazines and a discrete amount of music memorabilia, On The Beat mainly covers rock music from 50’s to indie, but also offers a well assorted selection of jazz, soul, reggae and blues, and even a TV and movie soundtrack section.

“It keeps changing. It’s organic, it has a life of its own”, Tim says looking at his creature, ready to let it go, yet not wanting to see it disappear.

The auction will close on the 25 November. Will On The beat live another 5 decades?

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GOLDSMITHS MUSIC ROUNDUP

By Rob Barber Simon Says is a night of live music that happens monthly at The Stretch. The event acts a platform that allows students at Goldsmiths to display their musical prowess. By its very intimate nature, the venue brings you close to the music and adds depth to the live music experience. The first note played by each artist had the ability to transform the evening. Amid the sound of audience chitter chatter and the clinking of glasses, the first note commands attention. Each performer was able to illuminate the stage with music ranging from experimental electronica to garage rock. Simon Says does not turn any genre away and all of the acts that recently played were received with a standing ovation.

SINNERS CLUB: A REVIEW

By Karen A. d’Arcangelo On the 1st of November, Goldsmiths’ English Society hosted the first edition of their most acclaimed event: Sinners Club.

The ‘Sinners Club on All Saints’ edition featured a selection of 12 readers from all three years of the English and Creative Literature department, who presented a variety of extraordinary and captivating works expanding from poems to shorts stories and brief performances.

The SU’s Café Natura was filled with almost 50 students who gathered in the café’s cosy armchairs while sipping wine and indulging on the marshmallows dipped in the society’s chocolate fountain, a big attraction indeed.

The evening followed with two slots of readings and an interval.

‘We are too into this to stop now!” was the response of the audience when a second interval was suggested.

The atmospheric and diffuse lighting of candles set on all the tables, emphasized the passionate feeling that was flowing between readers and audience. From new-comers to older readers, all performed in such diverse ways: acting, reading emotionally or passionately, sitting at the edge of an armchair or interacting with the audience, but they all similarly drew the listeners into their works.

Just to nominate a few, Cecile Nielsen with her moving poem ‘I come from’ emotionally described the complexity of growing up in her hometowns, Dizz Tate, shortlisted for the Young Poet Laureate, added a touch of originality with ‘The Loo’ quoting scribbles from Goldsmith’s ladies’ rooms.

Will Jamieson concluded the evening by enacting some lyrics to a song from the Lou Reed/ Metallica collaboration called ‘Frustration’, a section of his piece ‘White Rabbit’ amusing the audience with his ‘singing tone’ in the first one, and South-African accent in the second.

Sinners Club runs once a term.

It originally started two years ago lead by Giorgia Cowen, president of the society: “It’s wonderful to see such a range of talented readers at these events. We had amazing feedback from both the readers and the listeners - apparently once a term isn’t enough!”

The event is open to all student writers from any department and to everyone that wants to share a relaxed evening of creativity, mingling, wine and obviously chocolate fondue.

Maya Yianni, now in her third year at Goldsmiths, played the event and we caught up with her after her performance: “It’s a really good place to try out new material - it’s quite a safe environment and people are forgiving if you make a mistake”. Yianni explained that the size of the crowd is an important part of the act. In addition, spectators are a great asset in measuring your development as an artist. With a smaller crowd “you get more back – you can see the peoples expressions and things like that”.

The Atelier, with Goldsmiths student Katy on the keyboard, headlined the night with an amazing display of genre versatility. To use their own words, their sound is a “unique mixture of styles that stands out”. The band capped off a night that had taken the audience through a journey of sound.

The organisers told us: “The night was successful and busy as usual with a great bunch of artists on the line up. The monthly event is always interesting as the acts are of all genres from all over the place. It’s very open and a great medium for bands and musicians to share their work and have a few beers too!”

Simon Says returns Thursday 14th and will feature Maya Yianni once again. This time not alone, as she will be joined by her band adding a slightly different feel to her previous solo performances. Those interested in joining her should contact simonsays.gold@gmail.com Artist, band or promoter at Goldsmiths? Want to be featured in The Leopard? Contact Rob at xrbarber@outlook.com and see your act or event mentioned here.

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GUARDS

By Stephanie Gorman Fresh from supporting MGMT the previous night, New York’s Guards graced the stage of the tastefully shabby Shacklewell Arms, nestled in deepest Dalston.

Solid support was offered by

although the crowd did strike up a polite sway when the band launched into the candy-coated ‘Silver Lining’.

Guards are all you could ask for from an indie band; they have the power to be both riotous and rowdy as well as dreamy and delightful. At times, singer Richie James Follin held his guitar aloft as if it were his first-born son, reflecting the dedication he

THE CASE FOR GIVING THE WEST END A GO

By Melanie Smith It’s great being a student in London, right? There are so many night clubs, pubs and bars, house parties. It’s a sad day when you realise the Fresher’s buzz has fizzled out and the stark reality of lectures, seminars and deadlines takes hold. But the fun doesn’t have to end at Freshers, and if you’re looking for something slightly more liver-friendly that can conceivably be enjoyed before a 9am lecture, London has just the thing for you.

Consider a trip to the theatre.

Hear me out! If you haven’t been before, what better place to be to have your first experience than in this fine city? Before you think anything about ridiculous prices, or the lack of time you have between your Saturday job, lectures and studying... fear not!

A group of friends and I decided to take a trip down to the Victoria Apollo to see Wicked! a few weeks ago and it really was worth a couple of tube journeys and a few pounds more than a regular night out.

If you go to the right websites and shop around the best deals, the tickets are not that expensive, certainly not as much as you’d expect anyway. In fact some of the cheapest tickets come in at under £20, that is of course if you are willing to sacrifice the best seats and acoustics (by this I mean upper tier seats, which still allow you to enjoy the show). But what does that really matter if you’ve had a good, relatively cheap night out with your friends, doing something a little different and taking in more of what London has to offer.

As for the time, the average shows performed in West End theatres are a little over two and a half hours including interval periods. Most start at around 7pm which allows for enough time for a quick dinner or even a few drinks.

If you haven’t been swayed by my introduction to West end nights out already, let me tell you about Wicked! The fantastic prologue to The Wizard Of Oz, the life of the Wicked witch of the West.

The infamous Ballad ‘Defying

Gravity’ is one of the reasons this show has been sell out for a number of years in London and on Broadway. The endearing and engaging story of two student girls at the Uni Of Oz may sound cheesy, (but hey, that’s musicals for you) will leave you at least a little emotional. The show has it all, singing, choreographed dancing, an emotional roller-coaster of a story line and plenty of musical numbers.

If Wicked! doesn’t sound like your cup of tea, don’t worry.

There’s a show suited to almost everyone’s taste. Consider Michael Jackson’s reincarnation in ‘Thriller’, Mama Mia, The Phantom Of The Opera and a modern classic We Will Rock You! So if you fancy doing something a little different mid-week, or something a little glamorous on a Saturday night, I highly recommend the Theatre. Cheap tickets really are available and it’s a good way to get some mates together and relax after the stresses of a week.

must give to his musicianship.

Welsh band Deaf Club, provThere was many a time when you ing black is the new black in got the impression that he and their uniformly sombre outfits. drummer Loren Humphrey were Their choice of attire suited their the real backbone of the group, brooding, moody guitar melodies, their superior performance skills which were perfectly compligiving the songs flight. However, mented by frontwoman Polly keyboardist Kylie Church’s fell as Mackey’s vocals. It was a shame disappointingly flat as a puncthat for some bizarre reason tured bouncy castle. She could there was enough space between only look on longingly as Follin the stage and the crowd to lie occasionally visited Humphrey three corpses end to end. Is it the across the custom at gigs Are Guards the next big stage during an like this thing? Perhaps not. instrumenfor the tal whilst crowd to virtually ignoring her. At times it act as if the band have contracted seemed as if Church’s two main the plague? claims to being a member of the group were serving as eye-candy Fortunately, everyone moved forand sporting the identical coiffure ward a few inches when Guards to her bandmates. Are Guards the took their place. Fellow audience next big thing? Perhaps not. Are members remarked that that they the next moderately-sized they had been to funerals where thing? Possibly. the people looked more excited,

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Women’s Rugby

INTERVIEWS WITH THE

NEXT

GENERATION

By Louis Sealey

Women’s Football

Name: Emily Freedman Studying: Psychology and Politics (Visiting from Brandeis University, Boston) Position: Central Midfield (Though often harshly thrown in defence) Our Bostonian visiting student has been playing ‘the beautiful game’ ever since she learnt how to walk. Signed at just three years of age, in what began as a kick-about in the garden with her soccer loving parents, it has developed into a hobby she’s rather passionate about. Back in the US of A Emily played for her high school team with a mascot that was “literally a hillbilly with a plastic gun... It was really embarrassing!”

Fortunately no such mascot exists for Goldsmiths!

Emily told us that she was often thrown in defence back home, but when she has her way she’d rather play in the centre of midfield because “ you’re involved in pretty much everything, it’s a really active position and I like being a playmaker.” She also commented on life beyond football, proclaiming her love for the social aspect: “The girls are really nice and the social side is great. I’m really look forward to our upcoming games!” Her only disappointment is that she’ll be returning home before the women’s football team amongst other sports teams, head off on tour to Croatia next year. There’s still hope though, as the women’s captain assured The Leopard that negotiations will take place to sign the American on a loan deal later this year...

Name: Natrah Barragry Studying: Media and Communications Position: TBC University offers vast opportunities and this is especially the case with sports. Originally from Malaysia, Natrah had never played rugby before coming to Goldsmiths. When asked about her position she replied: “I don’t even know what positions there are!” Yet during this term she’s really begun to enjoy rugby, showing that students certainly don’t require any previous experience before joining up.

Natrah does confess that she joined “because I thought it would be cool to tell people I was on the rugby team, and I was right, it’s awesome!”, while also admitting her previous experiences of rugby were somewhat limited. We asked her about the comparisons between rugby and American football to which she replied “they wear helmets and pads... Rugby is much more hardcore!” Couldn’t have put it better ourselves Natrah...

For someone so new to the sport it’s great to see how enjoyable she’s finding it: “I’ve only played a few times but I’ve loved it so far, the girls are lovely and we just want more people to join!”

Cheerleading

Name: Ruthie Whincop Studying: Sociology and Politics Position: Flyer Ruthie Wincop was not expecting to be involved in a sports team when she arrived at Goldsmiths, but after finding cheerleading at Freshers Fayre she found “they were one of the most welcoming and persuasive stalls. I didn’t want

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

to join one of the more common sports, but I thought this would be interesting and something different.”

There’s often a misconception over cheerleading but as Ruthie points out “there are no pompoms or anything like that; it’s more about fitness, team work and conditioning.” She elaborated that cheerleading is a real workout: “I really enjoy the fitness side of it. It’s a bit more interesting than going to the gym!” Most people look to exercise regularly and while running on a treadmill is fun, surely a better and more enjoyable way to keep fit is with a sports team, and why not cheerleading?

Men’s Volleyball

Name: Giancarlo Fleuri Studying: Computer Science Position: Hitter Born and raised in Brazil (incidentally the most successful volleyball country in the world) Giancarlo was no stranger to the sport when he arrived at Goldsmiths, having played competitively for the Athletic Association Bank of Brazil.

Volleyball helps keep Giancarlo physically fit, but he also comments that “the sport is like my therapy. Sometimes studying can become overwhelming, but playing volleyball relaxes my body and mind.”

Although the sun rarely shines and the closest beach is over an hour away, Giancarlo is really enjoying his volleyball experience.

“It’s been amazing; the team is like a family. We have the opportunity to travel to other cities and

compete against other universities, I can’t wait!”

Women’s Volleyball

Name: Shona Owen Studying: Digital Journalism Position: Outside Hitter A Scottish-born, Zimbabwean-raised masters student, Shona first took up volleyball during her undergraduate studies at the University of Aberdeen. She soon fell in love with the sport and became heavily involved: “I played for our first team, which included travelling down to Sheffield to compete. It was a long drive but we won the trophy last year so it was worth it!”

Shona soon realised volleyball was a sport that played to her strengths: “Because of my height I can really excel in certain departments like hitting and serving.” Shona comments that one of the biggest differences at Goldsmiths is that “you have a mixed team here which is absolutely great. I enjoy having the opportunity to play with guys and we won our first match last week so it’s onwards and upwards!”

Women’s Netball

Name: Lamia Barakat Studying: English Literature Position: Goal Shooter During her time at high school Lamia played competitively and had the opportunity to travel to Holland and Spain for tournaments. Having thoroughly enjoyed netball in her school years, she now hopes to find similar enjoyment and perhaps some success at Goldsmiths.

Lamia told us the team are getting along brilliantly: “There’s a real enthusiastic atmosphere between the girls and it’s great how supportive and open every-

one is towards each other.” She comments on the relaxed nature of the team attitude: “It’s just like a group of friends getting together and playing, it doesn’t get too competitive although we do try hard.”

Like most sports at Goldsmiths, joining up has its own unique perks: “I’ve made some good friends through netball, meeting up at The Hob after matches for free Thai food is always great!”

Men’s Basketball

Name: Keaton Soto-Olson Studying: Anthropology Position: Point Guard At Goldsmiths until May, before travelling back to Nebraska to complete his studies, Keaton intends to take full advantage of his time here. What attracted Keaton to basketball was the nice balance between the skills and attributes you require in all sports, he comments that “it requires a lot of technical and athletic ability, but also it’s a very cerebral game that requires quick decision-making and analysis of the court.”

Keaton was slightly apprehensive about joining up as a visiting student, but his worries have been proven completely futile: “Playing sports is a great way to meet people and make friends, the team have been so welcoming. We had our first social last night, there will probably be some embarrassing photos of me and the guys in skin tight outfits that will surface at some point... But let’s hope not!”

Women’s Hockey

Name: Esther Trienekens Studying: Visual Anthropology Position: Midfielder Esther started playing hockey from a young age in her home town of Valenswaard in the Neth-

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erlands. She played for the very successful Dutch club H.O.D. for almost ten years, and reminiscing she says “I loved playing in the Netherlands and had a great time so hopefully I can have similar positive experiences here.” Esther loves the intensity of hockey: “It’s a very fast and tactical game which I really enjoy.” The social perks of joining a team were evidently just as rewarding although Esther was shy about the specifics “We’ve had a couple of socials which were great. But no, I can’t tell you what we got up to. It’s confidential, but it involved some creative outfits.”

Men’s Hockey

Name: Keith Bonnici Studying: Design Position: Midfielder The hockey team have an ex-international player among their ranks. Keith Bonnici from Malta has captained Malta’s under-16s on multiple occasions. After a five year break from the sport,

he modestly claims he’s not the player he once was: “I’m definitely not as fit as I used to be, but the guys are getting me back on track. I’m just really happy to be back on the field player the sport I love again.”Even though Keith’s previous experience within the sport was highly competitive, he is content to simply enjoy his hockey without too much pressure. “I love the team spirit we have and it looks like we have a strong team, but I’m just enjoying training and look to have some fun.”

Keith did have a request to make however, “we have some games coming up and need a few more players for a full side, so come on people, join up!” So there you have it, if you’ve always wanted to play alongside an ex-Maltese international, this is your opportunity.

FRESHERS THOUGHTS ON SPORT Aditi Wagh is an international first year undergraduate at Goldsmiths studying media and communications.

Having been here for only a month her article tackles the expectations and realities of what Goldsmiths is really like for an international student who’s interested in sports.

By Aditi Wagh

T

ruthfully speaking, when I first came to Goldsmiths I presumed that being an arts college, it wouldn’t be as athletically competent as it would be creatively. Yet as somebody who wants to pursue a career in sports journalism, I’ve really been inspired and interested by the perennial sports life at Goldsmiths.

Having only spent four weeks here, I haven’t had a chance to witness each and every sports society that exists. Yet it’s safe to say that the few I have come across have been incredibly exciting to hear about. Keith Bonnici, a hockey player expressed that on occasion the team have been unable to field enough players. Yet purely for the love of the game the rival team will lend players for a friendly game instead.

As an active member of the dance society, I see a lot of dedication and commitment from the participants as well as the students running the club. This effort and time put in by the team each day of the week amazes me, as regardless of the other responsibilities they have as a second or third year student they’ve still managed to prioritise dance equally. But it’s not only the dance society who should be commended on their effort. Although I knew football was a big sport in this country, I didn’t expect Goldsmiths to have such a devoted and outstanding Women’s Football team that not only organises weekly games but came 2nd in their league last season. Attending the Freshers Fayre also killed yet another one of my presumptions - that sports like hockey, basketball and rugby wouldn’t be as popular and taken up by students.

While constructing this article, I had a chance to speak to a few undergraduates who are involved in some of the sports at Goldsmiths. What I’ve concluded from all their experiences so far is that becoming involved in sports has made them settle in faster.

It not only keeps them on the move, but also has made it easier for them to make friends, with committees organising social outings together as a way of bonding among teammates.

The diversity of the different cultures around Goldsmiths has played, and will continue to play an important role in developing the sports community here. Students from all around the world choose to start and maintain a wealth of activities, such as Ju-Jitsu which is something I’d never even come across before.

From volleyball to yoga or cheerleading, the sports committees leave no stones unturned. Although we already have such a vast and exotic list of sports at Goldsmiths, I hope that this year’s students will bring even more to the table and make this list even longer.

WOMEN’S RUGBY

By Lydia Price Women’s Rugby in recent years has been a bit touch and go at Goldsmiths. The objective this year is to increase participation in Women’s Rugby. Hopefully to build up a team strong enough to take us into second year for some serious games, and perhaps a couple of trophies too.

Meghan, an experienced rugby player, is familiar with the hardships of being introduced to the sport: “A stigma still remains surrounding female rugby, so breaking down the idea that it’s a brutal messy sport is one of the hardest challenges we face.” The majority of girls on the team have never played before, so it will be an exciting adventure to watch how they develop as players throughout the year. In a mere four weeks there are already identifiable strengths amongst the players, while taking on board the weaknesses is a step to improving the team and makes unlocking their potential even more promising.

Over the next month some of the girls will be introduced to contact rugby for the first time. Natrah, a fresher and newcomer to the team this year said: “I’m excitedly intrigued about the idea of contact and somehow enthusiastic at the same time.” Natrah highlights the mutual feelings amongst most of the newcomers to the sport, she continues: “I feel like this next phase of training is really going to take us to one of the most important stages in rugby.”

The women’s rugby team is a welcoming and energetic team, we’re certain that the experiences to be discovered are nothing but enjoyable and great fun. Whether you want to get fit, make some new friends or just roll around in the mud, come and give rugby a ‘try’. We meet every Monday at 6pm at the college green (behind the Richard Hoggart Building and in front of Club Pulse/New Academic Building). We hope to see you all there!

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team in the end, not the girls, just the outcome. Let me paint a picture for you. Every single match we played, we won. Some with a result as much as 16-1 and often short of a full team. We managed to reach a goal difference of about

58, so logically should have been promoted. There are a few little things that got in our way however: organisation, communication and snow. Matches therefore got cancelled and rescheduled, only we’d find we were unable to play at the rearranged time and consequently that would result in a walkover or cancellation. So we came 2nd in the league table, with a goal difference of 58, the bloody cheek! As you can tell I’m not bitter, I just have more passion to win the league this year! This season has started well with our first match ending with a win, technically, as it was a

THE LEOPARD NOVEMBER 2013

walkover. Though everyone was a little aggravated for not being able to play. Our second match away to University College London bagged another win, trouncing the opposition 20 - 0. Training is shaping up wonderfully, even in the disguising wind and rain, because of our new el Capitan Florrie Holloway and el Vice Jessie Peake. Who are always enthusiastic and generally lovely.

Our social secretaries Robynne McPadden and Imie Barnes as well as transport secretary Cara Simpson, are also shaping up to fill the shoes of Jessica Rhodes’ well executed task last year.

There’s always a vivacious group of girls to turn up to the first training session; some with years of experience and some with absolutely none. Yet, laughter, silliness and some bloody great hockey will always prevail - that’s the beauty of it.

Our initiation was messy - sorry to whoever got covered in blue paint or witnessed any such horrible behaviour. So well done girls, next it’s the tour to Croatia which was a huge success last year in Rimini and the funniest 5 days! Where we even got a trophy, though it did end up being a cup but... we are just resourceful if anything!

Last year was rather a poisoned chalice for the women’s hockey

Our best achievement, without saying, goes to the Essex away

By Evie Beaven

MEN’S RUGBY

By Leigh Simmons Rugby Correspondent

W

ith a fresh start to the season comes a renewed sense of hope, ambition as well as new fears and faces.

The Goldsmiths Greyhounds enjoyed a stellar campaign last year and only narrowly missed out on promotion. Having not won their opening game within the league for four successive seasons, the Hounds’ first match against Imperial was especially important to set the tone and motivation for the rest of the season, with the Hounds aiming for promotion this year.

With a wealth of fresh talent this year, new full back Jordan Brant-Witcombe has proven himself to be the epitome of a greyhound; fast, agile and intelligent both on and off the ball. In the second row Perry Moody’s fearlessness

while tackling coupled with his tall, strong build lends himself to the number 4 position. Oliver New and Ed Smith have bolstered the back row; both have had major experience playing rugby, showed by their excellent starts.

An early try by winger Ben Lacey gave Goldsmiths a snappy lead that Imperial were never able to recover from. Despite this the game was by far not easy with Imperial’s strong pack and formidable scrum constantly used to their advantage. The second half was full of forward play and with a fragile front row, Goldsmiths were at times hanging on. The Hounds remained strong, and even after Imperial scored they continued to put pressure on their twenty metre line, which paid off just before half time with Captain Will Barnes putting a second past them.

During the second half Imperial’s heavy pack continued to make solid ground, capitalising on some sloppy play and errors by Goldsmiths, including players getting sent off for hands in the ruck and loose balls being thrown on the ten metre line. Yet for all these

faults Goldsmiths remained an immovable object.

Forwards like Ed and Oliver constantly looked a threat as they ran confidently with the ball, setting up a steady platform at the end of the second off for the backs to take advantage of. A quick break led to some strong build up play around the centre before a shipped out ball to new winger Adrian Arthur resulted in a third for Goldsmiths. It was clear towards the end of the game that Goldsmiths backs are a formidable force who are quick and confident on the ball, with a number of tries looking to come from this area in the field. An example of this came just minutes later as Vice Captain Niall Docherty scored a fourth after a brilliant run down the wing before dummying one of the opposing players. The game ended comfortably but it was anything but that. Imperial were a strong team and previous formations could have crumbled under such relentless attacks, but not this one.

Starter Ratings 1. (7) Leigh Simmons. A tough

game at front row and was up against a heavy opposite number.

game. Driving along through Colchester we reach a roundabout that has mini roundabouts all over it. Wondering how on earth will we navigate this, lost and already late for the match, we kept looking until a police van drove in front of us. It signalled to follow them. Tension was mounting amongst the girls, amidst the disbelief and laughter.

They stopped, asked the driver to get into the van and was there for what seemed like an eternity. But the most talented mini-bus driver and last year’s el Capitan, Leah Gaffey, kept her cool even when they insulted her and Googled the answer to their own questions.

Then, disaster, our bust was confiscated for being illegal for her to drive. We were driven to the match and forced to PAY to get the train home. Yet we battled on valiantly, with only 10 players and we still won the game. Later the police admitted their fault/rudeness and we were allowed to drive the mini bus legally as well as being reimbursed for our expenses. FANTASTIC, win-win.

2. (8) Alex Townie. Did amazing in his first game as a hooker.

3. (7) Callum Milburn. Held on well even after injuring his shoulder.

4. (7) Perry Moody. A solid performance from a solid player 5. (7) Glynn Webster. Had to go off early but did well at second row.

Led the pack well.

6. (7) Oliver New. Ran confidently and went up well in the line out.

7. (9) Ed Smith. Man of the match, always ran a nightmare at the breakdown.

8. (6) Miles Brooks. A quiet game from the number eight but did well when given the ball.

9. (7) Dan Benson. A solid game by the maestro number nine.

10. (6) Rory Singh. Controlled and led the line well.

11. (8) Adrian Arthur. Terrifying going forward and will be a menace all season.

12. (6) Will Barnes (Booked).

Scored a great try and played well.

13. (9) Niall Docherty. Set up three and scored one. Fantastic performance.

14. (7) Ben Lacey. Great first try.

15. (7) Jordan Brant-Wicombe.

Ran well and played with confidence at the back.