The Apex by Lisa Pool

APEX

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN The Anglia Ruskin APEX

Music

Student Affairs

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See all the listings along with out own recommendations

Initiation or just plain Humiliation - is it worth it?

It’s All Changing... An overview of development plans scheduled for our campuses

p14 The 2008 National Student Survey results are out and only 65% of Anglia Ruskin students are satisfied with their course. The annual survey conducted by Ipsos Mori gives final year students a chance to comment on their educational experiences in higher education and lets universities see how well they compare to their rival institutions. This data is also used to influence university league tables and through www. unistats.com gives prospective students a chance to see what current students think of their university. It comes as no surprise to all, that organisation and management issues came top of our students’ dissatisfaction and only received a score of 3.1 out of 5. The Union believes this is mainly due to the poor management of timetabling across all of our campuses and the inefficiencies of the Student Information Centre (now the icentre) which the university have been working to rectify. Alarmingly 54% of our students believe that the university put unnecessary pressure on them especially if they are a part time student and 55% think that they are being given too much work. When the university changed its curriculum in 2006 to a 15/30 credit structure, your Union was told that this would decrease assessments and make the learning

experience a much more pleasant one, where you would only need to hand in 4 assignments in week 12 as opposed to 6. What the university did not consider was that the word count for these new modules would dramatically increase without any further classroom time and that usually these assessments are all handed in together. For part time students assessments can be even more stressful as they have to balance their professional and home life with being a student and although some employers pay for students to attend Anglia Ruskin they do not necessarily give them any extra time off to complete assessments. This is something which your Union will be working on in the coming months, especially as the university intends to increase its part time and employer links in the future. Other key highlights from the results show that only 57% of students are satisfied with their assessments and feedback and many students commented that they feel their work is not being marked fairly because they don’t understand the marking criteria lecturers use. 55% of students also feel that the university is not delivering on their commitment to give students feedback on their work within 20 working days. Students also commented that they find it hard to talk

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Music

Culture

Sport

Mercury in Retrograde?

Deja-vu On the Silver Screen

A View From the Cheap Seats...

Is music what it was? Do we have to bow to ever rising millionare musicains or is there still space in this big crazy world for hard working bands and artists? At one point the mercury music prize highlighted these lesser known, talented, hard working souls but is that still the case? Mr. Music takes a long hard look at the state of these prestegious awards and wether they have lost their way in a world of bling and dollar dollar ya’ll!

Has a trip to the cinema ever left you wandering why?! oh dear god why?! my eyes are bleeding and my brain has collapsed in on itself! The fact that hollywood keep churning sequel and remake one after the other with varying degrees of awfulness. James Garnham takes a plunge into the weird world of movie remakes and asks the serious questions! Why does it happen? why on such bad movies? and why does Keira Knightly still have a Career?

This edition sporting outsider, but avid spectator takes a look at the strange world of proffesional football and the game of monopoly it has become for multi billionares in the past few years. Have football fans had enough or are there still the die hard fans of old out there or even worse has the working mans sport turned into a billonares playground. Surely most if not every sport fan has asked this question so Calum O’Flynn follows suit and asks the fate of the nations favourite sport.

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2 NEWS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Welcome to the second edition of the Anglia Ruskin Apex. This issue we have focused on the credit crunch and the way it affects students, and as a result we have compiled some ‘top tips’ on how to get you though it! A number of things have been thrown in the way of this paper going to print but I am very happy to say we got there in the end and you had better enjoy it!! I want to take this opportunity to thank (and say goodbye to) the Deputy Managing Editor: John Sherman, for his contribution to the Apex over the past two years and wish him all the best for the future.

News Editor in Chief Lisa Pool l.pool@angliastudent.com

Managing Editor Michael O’Flynn apexeditor@angliastudent.com

Deputy Managing Editor John Sherman apexfeatures@angliastudent.com

Chief Designer Adam Foskett apexchiefdesigner@angliastudent. com

News Editor Elma Jenkins Lifestyle Editor Leanne Ehren

Student Affairs Editor Vacant Music Editor Simon Thomas Culture Editor Chris Glithero apexculture@angliastudent.com Student Activities Editor Craig Jennings Sport Editor Michelle Hempstead Photography Editor Jaymes Sinclair

The Anglia Ruskin Apex are not necessarily those of the Editor, Editorial Team, advertisers or Anglia Ruskin University Students’ Union. Every effort is made to ensure all articles are as factually correct as possible at the time of going to print, given the information available.

“Big Bang” Plastic Fantastic?! Katie Brinkley. By Max Martin.

Earlier this month the most expensive physics experiment in the history of humanity commenced. The Large Hadron Collider, located at CERN on the Swiss-French border, is a huge particle accelerator capable of colliding tiny particles together at just under the speed of light. The purpose of this £3.5 billion experiment is to recreate the conditions present in the universe 14 billion years ago, just moments after the big bang. The lofty aims of this experiment have sparked some sensational fears in the public sphere, including the claim that the machine is capable of creating a black hole that will engulf the entire planet. Needless to say, no unusual gravitational forces have been exerted on the planet since September 10th, when the LHC was switched on. However, no particles were collided on this day and scientists at CERN don’t expect to be making full speed collisions until 2009. Despite the inherent uncertainty with the experiment Professor Steven Hawking, worldwide authority on black holes, has stated that even if black holes were to be created by the LHC, they would be very small and “just evaporate away again” almost as soon as they appeared. Although scientists are uncertain about precisely what this unprecedented experiment will uncover, they are certain that it will offer some new insights into the fundamental structure of the universe. Scientist will be hoping to find evidence of the Higgs Boson, a tiny particle that is necessary in explaining how other particles acquire mass. If no evidence for the Higgs Boson is found, then scientist will have to rethink the Standard Model of particle physics, drastically altering our understanding of the nature of the universe. Expect results to appear towards the end of next year.

A sudden stepping up of media attention has brought the question ‘Plastic fantastic?!’ to the foreground of social conscience. Recent answers to the question are a far cry from the cheers of the 1940s, following the invention of laminated plastic surfaces and bright interiors. The end of World War two saw the plastic boom begin, there are now millions more types of plastic in the world than there were in 1945. Plastics are of course necessary for modern life. Plastic insulates wires and lycra clothes help athletes to perform. The source of recent social contention, however, compels society to ask itself why are we producing so many unnecessary and potentially harmful plastics?

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The smallest actions are all crucial

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Editorial Team

The opinions expressed in

The plastic production process causes alarm, not in the least because 8% of annual world oil production is used to create plastics. Another threat is the use of potentially harmful chemicals as stabilisers and colourants. In Ontario, Canada cries of warning are coming thick and fast from those living in so called ‘chemical valley’. The community of 70,000 in the St Clair River area have become surrounded by plastics factories. They are now experiencing unusually high rates of cancers, kidney and thyroid problems, asthma and miscarriage.

Famous ecologist Rachel Carson has said of Ontario: “Millions of tonnes of toxins are spewed out by these facilities year in, year out. Their affect on animal life has been well documented. To think these poisons would affect everything else and not the human population is bizarre.” In the UK alone three million tonnes of plastic rubbish are produced each year, with packaging accounting for half of this waste. A recent trading standards survey tested children’s toys and revealed that 75% of toys tested had packaging totalling 50% of their overall weight. Whilst the media has

encouraged a new found hatred of plastic bags, the same passion has not yet been ignited against the ozone scarring packaging producers. As Christmas approaches, the opportunity to play a role in fighting the problems of plastic is paramount. This year, more than ever before, companies are offering environmentally friendly options and advice. From swapping plastic tress for real live ones, to using washable food containers instead of cling film, the smallest actions are all crucial. In the words of Rachel Carson, where the environment is concerned, we all live downstream.

4 NEWS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

News

Broke, Broke, Broken EJ McLendon

The Credit Crunch, we hear of it daily in the financial world and, let’s face it, this is not something which is just passing in the wind. As the BBC reported, “A year ago, few people had heard of the term Credit Crunch, but the phrase has now entered dictionaries”. The severe shortage of money or credit can be pinpointed as early as 9 August 2007 when bad news from French bank BNP Paribas triggered sharp rises in the cost of credit, and made the financial world realise how serious the situation was. Unfortunately, there are many pre-requisites to this far reaching “Crunch”. Not only are we strongly connected politically and socially to America, but it would also appear that the financial earthquakes, which are felt on Wall Street, have aftershocks here, in the London Financial District. After a two year period between 2004 and 2006 when US interest rates rose from 1% to 5.35%, the US housing market began to suffer. It was at this time that prices fell and there was a distinct rise in homeowners defaulting on

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Students across the country are starting to feel the pinch

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their mortgages. Default rates on sub-prime loans - high risk loans to clients with poor or no credit histories – sky rocketed to record levels.

A striking blow came in September 2007, when Northern Rock appealed to the Bank of England in the latter’s role as lender of last resort. The BBC revealed that Northern Rock relied heavily on the markets, rather than savers’ deposits, to fund its mortgage lending. The onset of the Credit Crunch has now dried up its funding. The backlash from this BBC report lead to depositors withdrawing over £1bn. This has become the biggest run on a British bank for more than a century. Depositors continued to take out their money until the government stepped in to guarantee their savings.

The saga of Northern Rock has been translated into many more news reports since the story first broke on September 13th 2007. The most widely reported was the announcement from the Bank of England that they had agreed to inject over £10bn into the markets. Television commercials have now placed Credit Crunch tag lines in many of their prime time televised commercials, with some supermarkets such as Tesco and Asda advertising money saving hints, and directly naming the Credit Crunch. A time line of the short yet poignant history shows the uncertainty of the investment market, yet for many students, investing is not top priority at this point. But that is not to say that the crunch does not affect us all, regardless of our financial status. With student fees set to rise, and interest rates for loans and over-

drafts on the increase, students across the country are starting to feel the pinch, whether it be through the debt we currently have, or the student loan that is slowly, and quietly lingering over the head of many. Although the debt of education is worthwhile for its future benefits, current financial implications are affecting the financial status for many future graduates. Life beyond graduation is bright…but I feel that there is far too much red in it for my liking. The NUS have created, and implemented a new campaign entitled Broke and Broken, which is founded upon a report, issued by them detailing the immediate affects of the Credit Crunch on students. This was timed to influence the terms of a government review of the system, it says things will get worse if the

cap on top-up fees is raised. The report states that “With so many students struggling to cope with rising debts and living costs, NUS believes that the current system doesn’t work - for students, for their universities or for government. Our new report shows why the system is broken.” The report also emphasizes the inequalities in Higher Education funding, and the high price of education. The BBC covered the report issued by the NUS, and added that “England’s system for funding Higher Education is unfair and reinforces existing social inequality.” Variable or “top-up” fees began in 2006 and are capped at £3,145 a year - but could rise in the future. Parliament could vote for an increase after 2010, with Westminster suggesting that it will hold a review of the funding system once the first people to be affected by

the changes have passed through the system. NUS have suggested that students will be faced with “staggering” debts if the current cap is raised substantially. NUS president Wes Streeting said: “Market forces have already crept into our higher education system. “More prestigious universities in the Russell Group are able to offer poorer students an average annual bursary of £1,791, but less prestigious universities are only able to offer £680. There is clearly a market of prestige at work, with financial support being based not on how much you need it but on where you study.” The NUS report also states that if top-up fees were raised to £7,000, some students would end up owing almost £40,000 on graduation.

6 LIFESTYLE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Lifestyle Students Suffer Too

Fall Fashion Ellie Clarke

October has just begun, it’s already freezing, and you feel like crying a little bit when you’re strolling along in gladiator sandals and it begins to rain. Luckily it looks like the trends for this autumn are going to be warm, cosy and gorgeous. It’s all about layers. It could be a vest over a t-shirt under a cardigan, nipped in with a waistcinching belt and topped up with one of this seasons hottest coats for girls or a hoody under a blazer with a sexy, snugly scarf for guys. Basically throw on as many clothes as you can so you’ll be warm if it gets cold and can peel off the layers if it gets hot... finally a trend that suits British weather! If you’ve had a chance to have a mooch around the shops since moving here you may have noticed how top brands such as Topshop, Topman, H&M and New Look have been stocking up on plaid shirts and cowboy boots. These are going to be massive trends this season and will give you a chance to layer up. Team the plaid shirts with retro tees and the pull the boots over skinnies to work the effortless rock chic. To make the look your own try and mix the boots with pieces that do not necessarily match such as a girly dress or a high-waisted skirt. Guys can mix the look up a bit by wearing the shirt with a colour clashing cardigan. Don’t, however, blow your student budget on the new trends of the season. You can reinvent your summer wardrobe simply and cheaply by buying the right basics. Thick, woolly tights will always be a favourite autumn trend for girls, so pretty summer dresses can be matched with these and won’t go to waste! Boys can still show off summer t-shirts by wearing them over longer sleeved shirts, which can be bought cheaply from all good retailers. So welcome the miserable, chilly weather! You’ll want to wear these trends all year long. In fact you might want to hold onto them for next summer if the weather carries on like this…

Ellie Clarke

Bullying occurs every seven minutes in the UK. The idea of bullying is typically associated with some little brat beating the lunch money out of his peers in the school playground, so our nation seems to forget that it can happen to higher education students too. In reality, university students are more likely to be victims of harassment since they are thrown into a variety of new situations that can be easily destabilising. Not only are they expected to immediately get on with complete strangers in halls but also they are vulnerable to abuse from part time employers, relationships, lecturers and social networking sites. In fact 63 per cent of respondents to a recent NUS bullying survey, report that they have been bullied or are being bullied right now.

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39% of social networking sites have been used for abuse in some way since they create new ways to bully people

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Leanne Ehren Lifestyle Editor

The term “bullying” can mean everything from inequity to victimisation and harassment and it occurs across all social groups. Where the victim may find it hard to defend themselves, bullying can lead to illness, trauma and in extreme cases, even death.

Our government have recognised this issue and outlined certain regulations within their Equal Opportunity Policy, which includes (among others) The Race Relations Act of 1976 and the Protection from Harassment Act of 1997. Although these pieces of legislation have made dramatic progress in combating inequality, they can never hinder a bully’s prejudiced mind and will rarely stop them picking on whomever they feel is inferior to them.

A student’s time at university is already very stressful with tight deadlines and a surge of commitments in their social life. Within a living environment there may be people forcing others to do the washing and cleaning up or “borrowing” (and never returning) everyone’s stuff. That’s stressful yes, but it’s nothing compared to having everyone turned against you. If someone decides they don’t like you for whatever reason they can spread rumours or bad-mouth you to other housemates. It’s important for students, especially freshers, to feel comfortable where they are living because without somewhere to go home to relax, uni stress could become far too much and result in depression. The probability of being bullied also arises within part time work. Highly-strung bosses can overwork you to your limit and it may be difficult to get on with your co-workers especially if you don’t know them very well. In the last ten years, the number of students with jobs has risen by 54%, most likely because it’ll help relieve financial stress (which is unfortunately inevitable for most students) and can help them gain a bit of working experience. Unfortunately, the Trade Union Congress (TUC) revealed that one in five people in the British workforce say that bullying is an issue in their job. The TUC general secretary, Brendan Barber, worries that students having a job has a “damaging impact” upon their

studies and well-being. So bullying has the potential to occur frequently within a regular student day but what’s even more worrying is that there are now rising concerns over “cyber-bullying”. Cyber-bullying is when people find themselves being attacked through the medium of technology such as texts, instant messages (IMs) and social networking sites such as facebook and myspace; this is particularly worrying for students since technology is particularly useful for them and their studies. A BBC survey found 32% of people questioned have experienced things like having private emails, IMs and texts forwarded for others to see, aggressive emails, IMs and texts, rumours spread about them on the internet and embarrassing photos posted without permission. It also found that 39% of social networking sites have been used for abuse in some way since they create new ways to bully people. On facebook, for example, you could create a group about how much you don’t like someone and on myspace you can post nasty bulletins about someone for everyone to see. On the positive side, students are never alone. The National Union of Students (NUS) runs a “Bullying Sucks” campaign to fight against this behaviour in colleges and universities. Pam Clarke the leader for this campaign at Anglia explains why it is so important to

have this campaign for students in particular: “I think the anti-bullying message is one that still needs to be made clear and strong in universities; we shouldn’t assume that bullying is something that just takes place in a school playground. Unfortunately students studying at our campuses, working part-time or who are on placement can still be victims of bullying; particularly homophobic or racist bullying, and this is unacceptable. “By running campaigns like ‘Bullying Sucks’ hopefully we are raising awareness of these issues, showing those who are being bullied that they are not alone and that there is support and help available to them if they speak out.” Pam also plans to organise something called HELP (Health, Education, Lifestyle and Personal) week from the 17th of November to coincide with national anti-bullying week. During this event, SU advisors, counsellors and gym staff will be on hand to give out information and advice on all sorts of charities and organisations which will help students with their general well being. For more information on the “Bullying Sucks” campaign or if you are struggling with bullying issues yourself, visit www.nus.org. uk/Campaigns. Alternatively, talk to staff in the SU office who will be more than happy to help.

8 LIFESTYLE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Lifestyle How is the Credit Crunch affecting you?

Top Money Saving Tips

Leanne Ehren

For the past year the media has been riddled with this phrase: “the credit crunch”. From increased petrol prices, food prices and energy prices, the credit crunch seems to have hit everyone in the country in one way or another. But what does this term mean? And most importantly, how does it affect us as students? The name of the epidemic tells us a fair bit: that it is connected to credit. The main gist is that banks are less willing to lend to each other, and therefore more stringent on lending to consumers. Combined with the rising commodity prices owing to the pressure on resources as the demand from the East increases, means that consumers, i.e. us, are feeling the crunch – as it be.

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There appears to be inadequate support from the government, as the student loans have not increased to accommodate the effects of the credit crunch

We all must have noticed the price increases in our food bills; I for one was devastated as I noted that Bourbon biscuits were now 36p a packet – they were 22p when I lived in halls not even three years ago! BBC statistics reveal that prices have increased dramatically. In just one year corn is up 31%, whilst rice (up 74%) and soya (up 87%) are beaten to the top of the list by the ever-essential wheat, which has increased 130%! Pasta no longer seems to be the cheap student diet, nor is cheese on toast, with the reason for these rocketing prices being that the value of durum has amplified because it is now being used for fuel. Alongside rising food bills, we also have to contend with a huge leap in energy bills; centrally gas and electric. Some students are lucky and have this included in their rent package (which has gone up in price to accommodate this), but others, like myself, are literally feeding the pre-payment meter and watching the pennies tick away as they use minimal energy to run their home. It’s very disheartening. Rent is something that has dramatically increased, and you’ll be happy to hear that it is not just Cambridge students who are suffering rent-price increase. Guardian statistics reveal that students are paying up to 20% more in rent than they did four years ago – and this is down to the credit crunch. So despite the country “sliding in recession” and everything increasing in price so much I feel guilty when I spend money on lunch instead of bringing one from home, there is light at the end of the tunnel…

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It has always been an expensive task to study at university for three years, but even more so lately. Owing to the financial pressure that some students are under, many rely on credit or credit-type cards to make ends meet whilst studying. The credit crunch has led to lenders and consumer banks tightening their lending criteria, making it harder to successfully gain credit. There appears to be inadequate support from the government, as the student loans have not increased to accommodate the effects of the credit crunch. Therefore, with little borrowing-power, many students are working too many part-time hours to earn money to survive, and as a consequence not spending enough time on their studies, which is the main reason they are at university in the first place. It’s a vicious circle.

In this edition of Lifestyle we’ve given you some tips on saving money, but there are also other things that can help you. I discovered a website (well, was actually told about it by my mum): www. moneysavingexpert.com - now this guy is legendary. Sign up for free weekly updates about everything to help you save money, especially handy during this time of “financial crisis”. Admittedly, it’s not specifically for students so there will be some information on there that isn’t useful for you, but there are great forums, as well as money-off schemes, coupons, and freebies.

Ellie Clarke & Leanne Ehren

Don’t be a sucker for brands Instead of Asda or Tesco, pop to market-square and bag yourself fruit and veg at lower prices. If you can’t bear to betray your local supermarket, try to buy own brand products as it’s generally the same stuff, just a lot cheaper! N.B. If you are a Tesco-a-holic, make sure you have a clubcard as it all adds up! Pay as you go Assess your mobile phone usage: if you are with a contract but not using your minutes/texts then downgrade or switch. There are some great ‘pay as you go’ tariffs out there that still offer you free texts and minutes. Check out Orange “animal” deals or go with Tesco who offer cheaper rates for the people you call and text most. Quit Smoking Smoking is an expensive habit (on top of all the other nasty effects of cigarettes). Quit now and you’ll have more money to spend on other things… Take advantage of discounts For only a tenner you can get an NUS extra card, which can be used to get exclusive offers and

discounts from hundreds of places such as Amazon, Ticketmaster, Alton Towers, Superdrug and McDonalds. You can also apply for a student card at a variety of high street stores like Topshop, Topman, Zavvi and HMV.

sure you do your homework; don’t be tempted by the shiny freebies, instead look for elements that are really going to benefit your student lifestyle like a limit-increasing free overdraft, and easy internet banking.

Don’t drive Face it: Cambridge is not car friendly! You’ll either want to hang every cyclist for being a nuisance or look quite the fool driving the wrong way down a one-way street (and there are more than enough opportunities to do that here). Bikes are cheap and better for the environment – so there’s no excuse! If you live too far away to bike, then buses are still cheaper than cars, and highly accessible in Cambridge. Live further away still? Hop on a train and invest in a student rail card!

Packed lunch Whether it is for a day of lectures or part-time work, take your snacks, drink, and lunchtime meal with you. This way, you know exactly what you’re eating (as you made it – with clean hands!), you’re guaranteed to not queue and waste valuable time, and you’re making a massive saving.

Assess your finances Student bank accounts are designed for students and our financial needs – so make sure you have one. They are rife in high street banks with great offers to entice you. Before you take the financial plunge and commit to one, make

Energy-Saver If you pay energy bills, like gas and electric, on top of your monthly rent, then take the time out to find the cheapest deal and switch – just remember to OK it with your landlord first out of politeness, but they cannot stop you changing your supplier. Little things like turning off electric sockets at the wall, unplugging items that are not in use, and putting your washing machine on at night, can all save you money!

CAMPAIGNS 9

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Campaigns

Domestic violence affects Students too

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2 women are killed each week by a current or former partner

Lisa Pool

There is a common misconception that as a student you aren’t affected by domestic violence. This isn’t true. Domestic violence offenders won’t turn around and walk away just because you are studying in higher education; anyone can be affected regardless of age or gender. Sadly the statistics show that 1 in 4 women in the UK will have to deal with domestic violence at some point in their lives, and 19 per cent of domestic violence incidents involve male victims. These statistics don’t relate to age, sexuality or type of employment or education. They simply show two categories that every victim of domestic abuse will come into, male or female. But whatever your gender or sexual orientation, the issues are the same. Remember that you are not the only one. You are not responsible for the behaviour inflicted on you, whatever your abuser tries to make you think. And most importantly… you cannot change your abuser’s behaviour alone.

Domestic violence takes a number of forms but even if you aren’t physically abused it doesn’t mean you aren’t on the receiving end of destructive emotional abuse which often escalates into physical violence. While a majority of victims also reported sexual abuse, rape and threats, some of the less recognised forms such as destructive criticism, disrespect, isolation and harassment are forms of domestic abuse too. Just because you’re a student doesn’t mean it can’t happen to you. In fact, for many, including overseas students, being isolated from your family and friends while at university makes you more vulnerable to abuse and the abuse even harder to deal with. The Students’ Union Advice Service has dealt with several students who have been the victims of domestic abuse by ex-partners, parents or other family members. Sometimes the abusers are also students, under the University’s Dignity at Study policy such

behaviour is a disciplinary offence as well as a criminal one and could result in the offender being expelled from the University. If you are a victim of any form of abuse from a partner, member of your family or from another student, or if you concerned about a friend and need advice or information, the Students’ Union Advice Service exists to offer you free, confidential advice, representation and support. They can also refer you to local organisations in Cambridge and Chelmsford who can help too. But don’t take chances; in an emergency or if you feel threatened call Security on 6444, or dial 999 If you’d rather not talk to anyone in the University you don’t have to suffer alone; Cambridge Women’s Aid offers crisis support, information and advice. Their 24 emergency helpline is 07730 322 098 and they are also available on 01223 460 947, Monday to Friday during office hours. Chelmsford Women’s Aid also has a 24 hour helpline, 01245 493114. Last edition you may have read about the Freshers Opinion Poll that was being held by the students’ Union to find out what students wanted to campaign about this year. This was the first of its kind and the aim was to find out what is affecting students the most. The Sabbatical Officers left the comfort zone of the office and went out to speak to as many people as possible and we have the results. Only 3% of people who voted felt that the main priority for the Students’ Union should be to focus on the safety around our cities, which means the local council and public

There are hundreds of people out there trying to reach out to domestic violence sufferers. The charity, Refuge, has over 37 years experience working with women and children who have experienced domestic violence. It is the country’s largest single provider of specialist accommodation and practical and emotional support to women and children escaping domestic violence.

This year Refuge have launch an ‘early warning signs’ campaign to raise awareness of exactly what domestic violence is and how it begins. Refuge believe that it is essential that women and children recieve the right education on domestic violence so they can understand the signs of control and abuse that may not always be as obvious as violent behaviour. They hope that this campaign will help to raise public awareness of just how serious the situation has become. As well as the early warning signs campaign Refuge will continue to lobby for better provision for women and children experiencing domestic violence

If you think you might be in Refuge supports over 1,000 womdanger of becoming abused find en and children on any given day out more by visiting www.refuge. - and is a national “lifeline” for org.uk up to 80,000 women and children every year. ....................................................................................................

The stereotype of a domestic violence victim is a heterosexual female but it affects both straight and gay men too, and for them it may be even harder to reveal the problem and ask for advice and support. The kind of comment above is not untypical. In a university just as anywhere else, there will be men with abusive partners, or those who are the abusers and don’t know where to turn to for help in stopping the behaviour they know is wrong. Men’s Advice Line is a charity that provides advice and support for men in abusive relationships. For more information on male victims, advice about abusive relationships, or if you are the abuser and want to stop, call the number above or e-mail info@mensadviceline. org.uk or simply visit the website: www.mensadviceline.org.uk. Don’t forget that in addition to the

Students’ Union Advice Service there are other good sources of information and support available to you within the University too. The University’s Counselling Service is free and confidential; you can see a counsellor straightaway if one is available. The Counselling Service is located in Helmore in Cambridge ( 3rd floor, 0845 196 2598 or 2298) and Tindal in Chelmsford (2nd Floor, 0845 196 4240 or 4242).

services must be doing something right! Better Recreational Facilities came in with just 11%, closely followed by Motion 2: Free Choice on Scholarship Spending, along with 23% voting for the Student’s Union to campaign for cheaper travel.

to work on a strategy for a campaign against the increase in fees, which includes being involved in the National Day of Action with Students’ Unions around the country. The National Day of Action will be held on November 5th and will be centralised in Cambridge. The Students’ Union are hoping to engage as many students as possible in this day of action as they believe strength comes in numbers. More detailed information to come soon.

However the winner of the poll was Motion 1: Higher Education Funding where 43% of students who voted thought the model on Higher Education Funding was appalling and needed to be changed. As a results of this Opinion Poll the Students ’ Union have started

You can contact the Students’ Union Advice in Cambridge, 01223 460 008, or in Chelmsford, 01245 258 178. Again there are drop-in appointments if advisers are available, or you can make an appointment by calling at the main SU office in Helmore, next to Costa Coffee, or in Chelmsford on the first floor of the Tindal Building.

For more information on any of the motions or more detailed results view the website www. angliastudent.com.

10 STUDENT AFFAIRS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Student Affairs Initiation or Humiliation? Pam Clarke

Initiation ceremonies have hit the headlines over the last week as footage emerged of students from the University of Gloucestershire with carrier bags on their heads being paraded around by another student wearing a Nazi-style uniform. It is believed that the students were taking part in a sports team initiation ceremony and the footage shows the students being encouraged to drink before many of them vomit; all of which takes place in a residential street in broad daylight. Initiation ceremonies have actually been banned by Gloucestershire University Students’ Union for many years but this footage reveals that such activity still takes place. Gloucestershire University are in the process of trying to identify the people involved and disciplinary action may be taken against those found to be leading such ceremonies. Initiation ceremonies have historically been a part of the joining process for University sports teams however more and

override their ability to say no to peer pressure and many find themselves partaking in disgusting and degrading activities. Initiation ceremonies usually involve nudity and some form of excessive drinking; shots, yards of ale, ‘dirty pints’ and sometimes even other people’s urine or vomit.

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more Students’ Unions are banning them and NUS has called for a total ban from all. Often those who want to participate in University sport feel obliged to take part in initiations and fear that if they refuse they will be ostracised and left out of starting teams. For new students, desperate to make friends and ‘fit-in’ this fear can

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However this seems somewhat mild when students from Universities across the country describe how they were forced to eat catfood, obliged to go to the toilet in a dark-basement in a bucket already overflowing with other peoples urine or how females were made to put a raw fish in their bra at the start of the night to eat in a nightclub later. These ceremonies can not only alienate and intimidate students but can also put them at serious risk; at least three British students have died as a part of such activities in recent years.

“at present there is no initiation ceremony ban in place at Anglia Ruskin University although the Students’ Union has strict guidance in place and failure to comply is taken very seriously. This guidance requires the committee members of sports clubs to do a comprehensive risk assessment, have a sober steward present at all times, discourage repetitive drinking, drinking ‘in one’ or the drinking of ‘dirty pints’, not to allow any activity that can physically or psychologically damage students’ health, apply no peer pressure or bullying, treat non-participation respectfully and to ensure initiations to have no bearing on team selection.

In November 2006 a first year student died from alcohol poisoning during an initiation to join Exeter University’s Golf Club, whilst in 2003 a student from Staffordshire

A student from Staffordshire University died after choking on his own vomit

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Often those who want to participate in University sport feel obliged to take part in initiations

University died after choking on his own vomit during an initiation. Speaking about initiation ceremonies Alexis Mannion, Gym and Sports coordinator for Anglia Ruskin Students’ Union said,

The Students’ Union believes that sport at University should be enjoyable, inclusive and non-discriminatory and in light of the

current media focus we will be reviewing our stance regarding initiation ceremonies”. There has been a varied response to the coverage of initiations in the media this week and there will always be those whose main argument is “they’re not forced to do it,” and “it’s just a bit of harmless fun” but would they respond so flippantly to the friends and family of a student that has died taking part in one of these ceremonies? I’m all for students having fun and sports teams creating a team spirit but it’s up to the individuals coordinating these events to decide if initiation ceremonies are really the best way to do this and if they think they are then they need to not only seriously take into account the risks involved, but also assess just how much peer pressure they apply and consider the nature of the activities they organise.

STUDENT AFFAIRS 11

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09 The 2008 National Student Survey results are out and only 65% of Anglia Ruskin students are satisfied with their course. The annual survey conducted by Ipsos Mori gives final year students a chance to comment on their educational experiences in higher education and lets universities see how well they compare to their rival institutions. This data is also used to influence university league tables and through www. unistats.com gives prospective students a chance to see what current students think of their university. It comes as no surprise to all, that organisation and management issues came top of our students’ dissatisfaction and only received a score of 3.1 out of 5. The Union believes this is mainly due to the

poor management of timetabling across all of our campuses and the inefficiencies of the Student Information Centre (now the icentre) which the university have been working to rectify. Alarmingly 54% of our students believe that the university put unnecessary pressure on them especially if they are a part time student and 55% think that they are being given too much work. When the university changed its curriculum in 2006 to a 15/30 credit structure, your Union was told that this would decrease assessments and make the learning experience a much more pleasant one, where you would only need to hand in 4 assignments in week 12 as opposed to 6. What the university did not consider

was that the word count for these new modules would dramatically increase without any further classroom time and that usually these assessments are all handed in together. For part time students assessments can be even more stressful as they have to balance their professional and home life with being a student and although some employers pay for students to attend Anglia Ruskin they do not necessarily give them any extra time off to complete assessments. This is something which your Union will be working on in the coming months, especially as the university intends to increase its part time and employer links in the future. Other key highlights from the results show that only 57% of

students are satisfied with their assessments and feedback and many students commented that they feel their work is not being marked fairly because they don’t understand the marking criteria lecturers use. 55% of students also feel that the university is not delivering on their commitment to give students feedback on their work within 20 working days. Students also commented that they find it hard to talk >>> to lecturers about their work as they are never in their offices or don’t reply to emails and feel there is little or no choice in the modules available on their course.

>>> pg11

The university’s Vice Chancellor Kate Wicklow Professor Mike Thorne said in a statement; “I am totally committed

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Drugs... Post-Freshers Detox!

Ellie++ Clarke

You’ve just woken up. Your head hurts, you feel groggy and lord only knows what or who you did last night. Oh yes, we have all been there. After a night out, it’s likely you would have damaged your insides, your skin and possibly even friendships. So instead of hiding under your duvet all morning and rolling out of bed at three in the afternoon to face the world looking like a zombified Sarah Jessica Parker, read these tips on how to detoxify and rid your body and mind of those impure occurrences of the previous night.

for most of your life. Nowadays a lot of students tend to

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All drugs carry a criminal record if you are caught in possession

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Most people think that smoking Cannabis is a bit of fun, and won’t cause you any harm, however cannabis is the most widely used illegal drug in Britain It is a mild sedative (often causing a chilled out feeling or actual sleepiness) and it’s also a mild hallucinogen (meaning you may experience a state where you see objects and reality in a distorted way and may even hallucinate). Imagining things is never good and can cause some people to “freak out” and become really scared of their friends. Also if you are caught with cannabis by the police you could end up with a criminal record which will stay with you

1. When you sign up to the ‘Aspire’ card scheme, you are signed up for 3 years. 2. ALL of your £1500 scholarship will go onto the ‘Aspire’ card if you sign up – That’s a lot of books. 3. The ‘Aspire’ card will be COMPULSARY for students starting next year 4. The books are not technically free; the money is coming out of your scholarship, which is coming from the fees you pay to attend university. 5. You can also spend the money on University Accommodation - For most students, you will only live in University Accommodation for your first year.

Alexis Mannion From time to time the anti drugs message is banded about and it seems like the message is always in the public eye, whether it be through TV adverts, print adverts or radio adverts, but to be honest how many people actually take notice of what the adverts say, as all the say is that “drugs are bad and not to do drugs”. Nowadays there is more research than ever on how drugs can effect the human body, and their findings are quite astonishing, which should hopefully make the people sit up and take notice about the dangerous effects drugs can have, and persuade them not to take dugs. So lets look at the facts about drugs. All drugs are given a “class” which defines them, and the penalties that you can face if you are caught using or selling drugs. All drugs carry a criminal record if you are caught in possession or selling drugs. Also they can be highly addictive and can cause you some serious long term damage.

5 facts about the John Smiths ‘Aspire’ Card

do cocaine or MDA (methylenedioxyamphetamine) in nightclubs and bars to give their night that extra “buzz”, not only is this illegal and will get you kicked out of the bar / club you are in and possibly

banned, but it is also very dangerous for you, as there are other substances in drugs like cocaine that can have very serious side effects. Drugs like cocaine are “cut” with things like rat poison and talcum powder in order to make more profit for the dealer, who clearly doesn’t care about the buyer. Would you choose to snort rat poison? If you are ever confused about drugs then there are lots of places you can turn to for advice, one of them is “FRANK” whose details can be found on their website www.talktofrank.com.

Your skin will suffer badly from a heavy night on the razz since alcohol has dehydrating effects, and you may have forgotten to remove your make-up, which will block your pores. Now the last thing you want to do is slap more chemicals on, so invest in oil-free cleansing wipes. Garnier’s “Clean Detox” range is a lifesaver and uses only natural substances. Guys don’t think you are exempt from this! Just because you don’t wear make-up it does not mean your skin won’t suffer. Check out the Nivea “For Men” range or simply give your face a good scrub. So now you look fairly presentable, but you’ll still be feeling ill! Detoxifying your body is incredibly simple since all you need to do is eat super foods. Super foods are so called because they cleanse your system getting rid of nasty toxins and making you feel en-

ergetic and ready to face the day. There are even some really yummy super foods such as blueberries, watermelons and whole grains. Wash it down with plenty of water to rehydrate your body and replace those toxins with something nicer. Now that you have taken care of your body you need to think about what actually happened last night. If you may have done something unforgivable to your friends you need to apologise as soon as possible if you value their friendship. Always try and make up for it and grovel if you have to. If they are good friends they should understand. If they are being reluctant to accept your apology then you should question whether they are worth it (that is unless you did something truly awful that even you yourself wouldn’t forgive). You also have to remember if you had sex with anyone. Even if you vaguely remembered that you used protection it would be wise to get checked for STI’s because neither your memory nor condoms are 100% effective! Try and sort all of this out as early as possible so that nothing hangs over your head. Waiting to put things right will only leave you feeling miserable and take away your motivation to cleanse and beautify things. Also, try to avoid coffee and greasy fry ups as they just add to all those horrible toxins already left in your body. Not only will all of this help you feel better but it will also help you concentrate on those all-important studies!

12 OPINION

&Opinion

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Editorial

Chelmsford Carpark - What a Farce James Green

As for those of you that have experienced parking in Chelmsford it can be a bit of nightmare. Over the past year the number of spaces available to students and staff alike has dropped considerably with the addition of new buildings on the campus. This has become a very frustrating “Catch 22” situation for students as with the new buildings there are more students on the campus than ever before, but even less parking spaces. The current ratio means that there are roughly 15000 students on the Chelmsford campus, with less than 700 spaces to accommodate them all. This ends up meaning that for every parking space there are over 20 students trying to get it. And sadly my friends this situation isn’t going to get any better, any time soon. For those of you that don’t know, there is a new building to be constructed on the Chelmsford campus, this will be

built next to Mildmay sports hall and will effectively reduce the number of car parking spaces to just over 500.

So what can the university do to resolve this situation, well there are many things; to start with they can makes sure that the ticket machines work the way they are supposed to, this should hopefully stop further incidents like the above photo from happening again. They could also lobby the local council to get planning permission to get a multi-storey car park so that they can meet the 900 parking space allowance that they are allowed to have. But just to help out the poor students that still can’t get a parking space maybe they could arrange cheaper parking in town. If you want to express your concerns on the subject just pop into the Students Union and tell us how you feel.

Isn’t Christmas in December? Mike O’flynn

When I was a wee little lad growing up around the world I noticed one thing, Christmas was always in December (well Christian Christmas defiantly was) but recently since I’ve become older, more hairy and more sceptical I’ve noticed shops have started forcing Christmas on me earlier and earlier this year taking the biscuit as I was offered an advent calendar and selection box on September 2nd! Surely my chocolate would have gone off by Christmas or did they notice my bah humbug attitude last year and are trying to get me into the spirit earlier this year in the vane hope I will be full of Christmas cheer by December? I have news for them if that’s their ploy it won’t work I’ve eaten the creatures who pull Santa’s slay and they were yummy! So assuming this isn’t a well calculated attack on my attitude towards Christmas by the retail industry then I think it’s fair to say the shopping industry is trying to capitalise on the “buy early avoid the crowds” idea of shopping early for Christmas then relaxing towards the day. This is an unfortunate idea as Chocolates go off, that toy your kid really wants won’t come out till mid to late No-

vember and EVERY other kid will want it and everything you buy will be cheaper in the Christmas sales anyway. Now I know this seems like a nonsense rant but think about it, we are glossing over childhood favourites such as Halloween (ooh scary scary, lots of candy) and Fireworks night (oohh ahhhh whizzzz bang!) for the more financially costly holidays. This is a tragedy because these holidays are were kids see the creepiest, funniest, most amazing things, I love fireworks, and I liked Halloween when it was about candy and not dressing up and getting drunk dressed as a Zombie / Elf / Barbie Doll, not that I dislike that I just preferred the candy-boo-spookyspooky-ness. In my opinion Christmas shopping in December with the crowds, the lights, the rush for that one last Buzz Lightyear / Barbie Doll / White Power Ranger adds a sense of exhilaration and achievement when you do nail that perfect present, for example last year I nailed it I bought my brother an adult all in one and a Journey Live in Houston DVD he was happy I was happy and then Christmas felt good like I had won Christmas and I like to win but with out that

A Bookstore too Far Calum O’Flynn

last minute chase etc my Christmas would be hollow and empty, but I achieved something I beat Christmas! So remember your childhood memories of the cheapish holidays, remember the joy you have doing Christmas shopping down the high street in the cold with a scarf on and all the illuminations on, maybe with a boyfriend or girlfriend or just in a big group. All the fun surrounded with the secrecy of Christmas shopping and going oooh you can’t look it’s a surprise. If you buy now you have to hide it, it may go off, it may not be right and you miss out on the whole spectacle of the crazy pre Christmas period. I will be going mental with the mobs in London in early December, doing it properly same as every year. So enjoy Halloween, Enjoy fireworks night and think about Christmas in December no matter what the shops say!

Some of you may have noticed that the Employment Bureau on the Cambridge campus, a very useful service provided by the university that I have been helped by myself recently, has been moved to a less obvious location. In its place is the John Smiths Bookstore. The idea behind this move by the university is to encourage students to buy their books on campus for cheaper than in town, which is fact. The only problem being that I don’t know many students who purchased their textbooks in town. Amazon provides these books at a much lower rate anyhow. One of my textbooks cost me £0.01 on Amazon, before packaging, how can John Smiths compare with that? The main fault with the bookstore is the Aspire card system. The offer of free books is very tempting until you read the small print, until you get an aspire card. The Aspire card system was set up by the university this year to “encourage” students to use their scholarship on books, stationary and university accommodation. This seems to me like all the money given to you to enhance academic achievement goes straight back into the university’s pocket. If, like me, you don’t live

in student accommodation then the £500 each year could really help for rent. I don’t want to spend my scholarship on learning tools. Last year my scholarship went on rent, bills and the deposit for my new house. Tell me how £500 on a card will help with those things? If the university had any intention of keeping the student body happy then it would know things like this bookstore are not the key. This is just another nail in its coffin to go along with the plan to start re-development during our exam period. Anglia Ruskin is a business in their eyes and not a learning facility. This is not the way other educational societies work, this is why we have a high rate of people dropping out. The business plan of Anglia Ruskin should be to keep the students happy and hope this develops their learning and growth as people. Forcing books down our throat and making us spend our money on education is not the way to do this. The whole Aspire Card system is not benefiting the students. We should have the right to choose what our money goes on. Hopefully most people make the right choice not to take the Aspire card this year, students starting next year will unfortunately not have such luxury.

OPINION 13

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

SARAH PALIN’S VIEW OF AMERICA

&emails

Letters

Correspondance

Apex Editor, Anglia Ruskin Students Union East Road Cambridge CB1 1PT

Email: apexeditor@angliastudent.com Tel: 01223 460008 Fax: 01223 417718

Dear Apex.

Dear Apex

I am sick and tired (well mainly tired) with the noise in Peter Taylor, not from my housemates, I accept that noise as a hazard of living with a few hundred people but the other noises.

I am siccccccccck of the car parking in Chelmsford. I give up honestly I do. I’ve now decided that I will be trying to learn how to fly to university by growing wings as it will probably happen quicker then this problem will be fixed! Argggghhhh!

There are two main offenders the fire alarm, and the builders. The fire alarm goes off sometimes 5 times in one night from various things, hairspray, illegal activity, toasters in rooms and the most annoying people breaking the fire detection points for the pure fact they find it funny. At 3 am on a Monday morning it is not funny it’s not even close.

Frustrated! (Emailed from her car in Chelmsford)

The builders are another culprit that make my mornings intolerable not only do they perv on me as I try to change in the morning but from 7 am they are banging, shouting and dropping everything imaginable. I’ve just had enough, I am run down from freshers, lectures and general student lifestyle adjustment and the fact I haven’t had the chance to get a decent nights sleep really are getting to me.

I don’t get the students from the “proper” university we share a town with, the men all want to touch me and won’t take no for an answer because obviously their mummy has always told them they are the bestest in the world ever, and the girls all think they are the next big thing and have the “daddy funds my cocaine habit” attitude that goes with it. Do I have to expect this stuck up behaviour for the whole time I go to the “early learning centre” or will they eventually all swallow their own heads and go away?

If you read this and you’re in Peter Taylor give it a rest don’t tell me you’re not sleepy. Lil Miss Sick and Tired Cambridge.

Dear Apex.

Annoyed commoner Cambridge Dear Apex, Did you know Pat Sharpe is still on the Radio? I didn’t realise he was still alive let alone presenting a morning show hahaha brilliant! I wonder if he still has a mullet?! Fun house fan! Cambridge

14 CENTRE SPREAD

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

It’s All changing... Cambridge Campus Redevelopments - Phase 1 Lisa Pool

Just when you thought it was safe to venture around the Cambridge campus after the completion of the Coslett redevelopment they unleash plans for more building works. But this time it’s not just a building tucked away at the back of campus, this is something much more prominent that will affect the whole campus and just for laughs they plan to start building during exams. Phase one of the redevelopment of the East Road campus will at some point see the destruction of the Bryant building to make way for more teaching space, where they plan to increase the existing 6000 square metres to a substantial 9000 square meters of space. The optometry clinic will be relocated in a spectacular new building located on the opposite side of the campus off Bradmore Street. This all sounds brilliant and the University state that:

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their main reason for this development is because they are ‘looking to maximize the potential of the campus whilst providing high quality teaching and social space which will enhance the teaching and learning experience’

be taken away. This can only be a good thing for students studying at the Cambridge campus, or at least it will be in years to come.

The bulk of the redevelopment will take place in the existing Rackham building where they are looking to extend the Library and Mumford Theatre. The plans include a two storey development with plenty of internal study areas, much like the one on the second floor of Coslett. They will also create new buildings to allow for the relocation of students to take place before any of the existing teaching rooms can

Unfortunately for future students to benefit from this multi-million pound venture, the current Students will have to suffer years of scaffolding, rescheduled lectures and rooms, access difficulties around the campus and not to mention the obnoxious whistling builders. With the Coslett redevelopment taking longer then the university expected, let’s hope they can keep this one on track and keep students informed. After

all, we aren’t saying the redevelopment is a bad thing, it’s how the University deals with it that counts. The plans above show the new buildings intended for the campus along with a new and improved green area to chill out on during those long summer days. The image to the right shows what the front of the new Optometry clinic should look like. If you have any concerns, or any questions on the development plans then check out the website www.anglia.ac.uk or pop into the Students’ Union office.

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THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

>>> it is amazing how much peo-

ple don’t mind cross dressing at this university. Sunday night bought the BIG QUIZ with a chance to win up to £250, which a lot of people tried to win packing both the SU BAR and ACADEMY. Monday saw the opening night of POUNDED leading onto POUNDED2 and the CO2 party, the first taste of a regular night which seemed to go down a storm with new and old students a like. Tuesdays MAGIC SHOWCASE saw a spectacle or two performed ranging from Derrin Brown style mind magic to good ole fashioned magic wand stuff. The REVOLOUTION’S WARM UP on a Wednesday was kicked off in fine style in the Academy with nearly 1000 people in attendance in the SU and Revolutions’ in town sport socials were flying there colours, and their new members, the regulars were out in force and first years got their first taste of the best Wednesday night in Cambridge. MINISTRY OF SOUND dropped by on the following Thursday busting out the best in garage and dance with THE WIDEBOYS in attendance it was the cream of the UK DJ scene throwing down in the Academy making the most of one of the loudest student union sound systems there is. If you went down to FLIRT the next night you would have been in for a big suprize because the students were having a TEDDY BEARS PICNIC. Think part PJ party, Part

teddy-bear-show-off-affair. A full bear suit was given away to those committed to the event enough to spend the whole night dancing with bears, and a big purple elephump named Humpy was given to the ones who “loved” him the most making this a very bizarre night indeed. The big finale to the fresher’s fortnight came in the form of the BEACH BALL featuring COOLIO, an N-TRANCE DJ SET, MISTAJAM, and various other beach activities. Coolio blew the roof off of the Academy with hits “I’ll See You When You Get There” and of course “Gansta’s Paradise”. Following this was extraordinary one xtra dj MISTAJAM who bounced from rave to rock to hip hop with ease keeping the crowd dancing for 2 solid hours only to be hit with another 2 hours of N-TRANCE throwing the best of dance both old and new school. The mash up of legend (N-Trance) and Youthful genius (Mistajam) made the last four hours of the ball a treat and kept everyone dancing, singing, and making merry till the wee hours of the morning. The fun doesn’t stop when fresher’s does, with a couple of relaxed weeks to move away and power through the legendary fresher’s flu the live music, the dressing up, and the quality nights will keep coming. Enjoy the rest of your year, and remember next fresher’s is only a year away.

FOOD The Dawn Chorus Menu just £2 A specially designed morning offer for those who just want a quick bite... Chose one of the following quick breakfast bites: A lightly toasted floured bap filled with either: Butcher’s Sausages Smoked Back Bacon or Fried Egg and Chose a hot or cold drink: Fruit Juice Fresh ground Americano or Fairtrade Tea Served between 8.30am - 10am

Breakfast Bap Offer £2.90 Sausage, bacon & egg in a foured bap with a tea, coffee or 10oz Fruit juice. (Breakfast is served from 9am - 11.30am) Burger & drink offer £4.30 Beef, chicken or bean burger with a Fosters, Carlsberg, Strongbow, large Coke or 175ml wine. Full menu including Grab and Go range and 15 minute menu, served Monday - Friday: 9am - 7pm, Sat & Sun: 12-4pm in the SU Bar (1st Floor Helmore) Smoothies from just £1.99 We use local suppliers as much as possible. All offers are subject to availability.

CHELMSFORD CAMBRIDGE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

>>> it is amazing how much peo-

CHELMSFORD CAMBRIDGE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Alternative Entertainments Round-up

Another year another chunk of up and coming bands from the world of live music in the shape of the academy’s fortnightly music fest that is THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE. Kicking off the proceedings were Disco Thrash Punks THE GHOST FREQUENCY previewing tracks off their up and coming debut album in which they ditch their pop undertones for pure balls to the wall metal influenced punk driven keyboard scream massacres that would be more at home on the stage of download festival then were they were found before (supporting Hadouken! on a recent sell out tour). The energy chucked out by these guys was fantastic and they tore the place apart flying around the stage and into the audience like crazed animals! The support acts previous feats of genre bending (cut this city played 14 different types of music in one song) or performance (geometrics liked to jump around) were just blown away by the ferociousness of the headline act. If these guys don’t end up blowing kids minds in kerrang and changing how old metallers and punks look at the world of live music then the world will be a much sadder place! NME top tips THE MODEL HORROR headline the 2nd THURSDAY NIGHT LIVE of the year with support from local boys CUT CUT SHAPE and MAKECODE:

BREAKCODE kicking out the best of electro indie jams. Though the support bands showed why they are strong contenders for 2010, the next year surely should belong to THE MODEL HORROR who were tight like tigers, musical tigers armed with keytar’s. Each song had a hook, a beat, and a sense of party to it, one of the most impressive new live bands in the country, no wonder all the music press are clambering to talk to them. Think of the klaxons, polish them up add a dash of enter shikari and then spit shin it up to musical lushness.

The first laughter lounge under new management (the same guys who run comedy all over Cambridge Jestalaugh) was originally met with disappointment as Rufus Hound had to pull out of comparing due to Television commitments (ooohhh get him) but once the night kicked off and people had enjoyed a nice bit of food and got their pitchers in it was a rip roaring good time. With jokes ranging from the bibles lack of documentation regarding the Virgin Mary’s hymen to Cats bottoms and the vet’s love of liaising said bottom with a thermometer at any chance, the crowd were in stitches. Headline act JEFF INNOCENT talked the crowd through ethical offsetting, drug use, the conception of his child and the way he may portrayed differently in different towns “ a big skin head in London is considered a geeeeezzer but in

Brighton it has slightly different connotations”. All in all a chucklea-thon of a night. The music doesn’t stop there next 2 events should be massive with THE POST HARDCORE GLAM ROCK N ROLL TAKEOVER featuring SHOTGUN RIOT, THE MORNING AFTER, SOMETIMENEVER, HEAMOSTATIC PICNIC RACES and SENSIBLE FUN on the 16th of October. After that extremely loud and probably messy night comes a four band line dipping in to acoustic punk, wonky pop, jump around pop indie and general smiley misfit music in the shape of FIGHT LIKE APES, who come to us just realising their album, touring the UK, tearing up Reading,

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

UP AND COMING...

CAMBRIDGE

Mondays Pounded/Pounded2 - Wristbands for Pounded2 @ ‘The Place’ are sold in the SU Bar between 8pm-10pm and cost £3! (£4 on the door) Drinks £1 all night in the SU Bar Tuesday 14th October - Raw Talent - The SU’s very own open mic night. Homegrown singer song writers, dancers, artist comedians, and everything in between. FREE ENTRY // SU Bar Wednesdays Anglia Ruskin Loves Vodka - Wristbands for entry to Revolution are sold between 8pm - 10pm in the SU Bar and cost £3 (£4 on the Door) Cocktails served in the SU Bar from 8pm Thursday 16th October - TNL Post Hardcore Glam Rock ‘N’ Roll Takeover feat Shotgun Riot, The Morning After, Sometimenever, Haemostatic Picnic Races and Sensible Fun - 8pm till late £3 adv student tickets £5 advance non student tickets and £5 student and £7 non student on the door. Friday 17th October - Flirt! goes to the Movies - Dress as your favourite movie stars and starlets. All your traditional flirt music and atmosphere BUT with added glitz, glamour and sing alongs galore. £3 Nus £4 Guests. Saturday 18th October - Club Retro - The new way to spend a Saturday night. The best tracks from the 60’s, 70’s, 80’s and 90’s and all in the safest, best priced venue in Cambridge on a Saturday night. £3 Nus £5 Non Students. Sunday 19th October - Quiz League (Round 2) - The quiz heats are hotting up. Who will win the BIG PRIZE at the end of the year? Tuesday 21st October - Champions League - SU BAR // FREE ENTRY Thursday 23rd October - X-Factor Karaoke - Opening round of the competition - Who will win the Cash prize. Free Entry. Friday 24th October - Flirt! - Its Friday, It’s Flirt! the best of commercail and cheese music with the usual offers and give aways! £3 Nus £4 Guests. Sunday 26th October - Quiz League (Round 3)

Tuesday 28th October - Laughter Lounge - Have some food, have some drinks, have some Laughs! £3 Students in the Academy. Thursday 30th October - TNL presents Fight Like Apes. The new titans of wonky pop come to TNL with some fantastic supports & top quality alternative DJ sets. £3 adv students £5 non students. £5 students £7 non students on the door. Friday 31st October - Flirt! Hallowe’en - The scariest Flirt! of the year, get dressed up ghoulish, sexy, funny its upto you and have a frighteningly good time! £3 Nus £4 Guests.

CHELMSFORD

Monday 13th October- Bedlam Warm Up -Head to the SU Bar to warm up for Bedlam - Chelmsford’s biggest Student night at Dukes, with great drinsk promo’s and a live Dj. Buy any drink between 8:30pmand 9:30pm and get a wristband for Dukes that allows you to not only get in FREE but also jump the entire queue. Drinks offers include: Vodka Redbull, Jagerbull and Cheeky Vimtos all £2.50. Tuesday 14th October - Poker Night - This Tuesday is the first in the SU Bar’s new poker tournament. The competition kicks off at 8:30 with a guarenteed cash prize for 1st, 2nd and 3rd places. /never played, or forgotten the rules? We will be running a free of charge poker tutorial between 7:30 and 8:30. Come and reaquainted with the game, or for first timers learn from scrathch before deciding to take part in the tournament. Drinks offers will be available all night! Wednesday 15th October- TBC Thursday 16th October - Rock Night - Octobers’ Rock Night has a brand new line up of some of the best bands Essex has to offer. SO join us at the SU Bar for a night of fantastic live music, and Vk’s, Snakebites and shots all for £1.50. Friday 17th October - The Lounge Sessions - The Su Bar hosts the Lounge Sessions every Friday, presenting the best in souful electro, jazz, reggae, hip hop and more, with resident Dj Mark Boy. As always there is the Lounge Offer: Carlsberg and VK’s are £1 all night!

For more information on future events see www.angliastudent.com

CENTRE SPREAD 19

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s All Changing...

Chelmsford - Together at Last Lisa Pool

For years now the Chelmsford campus has been split across the city. However, this September we saw the merging of the two sites (Central and Rivermead) to form a spectacular new campus with the all important student buzz. The merge was able to happen after the completion of the faculty building this summer. The plans for the building, approved in 2002, were put into full swing in 2007 and completed in May 2008. The Faculty Building provided the lifeline for the expansion of the Student body with a 150 seat lecture theatre and provides accommodation for the faculty of science and technology and the faculty of the Arts, Law and Social Science. The design of the new building is totally flexible to accommodate the changing needs of Anglia Ruskin University during the lifetime of the building and currently has great facilities. The Law school is equipped with interactive white boards and a mock classroom, which can only enhance learning and teaching. With all students studying in Chelmsford in one place, the community feel has really been lifted and there is more life on campus then ever before. The continuation of the rest of the campus development is still in the taking stages so to keep up to date keep checking the university website.

Bishop Hall Mill Pond Lisa Pool

The Mill Pond, situated in Chelmsford, has been recognised by the University as a site in need of a little care and redevelopment. The pond has great meaning to the people in Chelmsford and the remediation of the pond will improve the ecological value of the area as well as raising its profile as a site of local historical significance and improve the amenity value of the riverside walk. There has been a lot of research into this development so the University can get their timings right and disrupt as little of the local environment as possible. Once the local wildlife has been moved to the main river, dredging of the area will take place, followed by a re-grading of the banks on the

Anglia Ruskin side. Once the pond development has been completed, Anglia Ruskin will place walkways and benches so all students will feel the benefit from a pleasant outside area. You can see from the plans (Left) that the area is going to look great and will only help the local wildlife to flurish. This is just one of the many projects that Anglia Ruskin University has in store and in a few years time any student studying in Chelmsford will be able to enjoy the beautiful surroundings it has to offer. More information of the development can be found at www.anglia. ac.uk.

20 MUSIC

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Music

- Soul Tree Hot Chip - 30th October 2008 - Corn Exchange Future of the Left - 7th November 2008 - The Junction Youthmovies - 10th November 2008 - Portland Arms Extreme - 11th November 2008 - Corn Exchange ..............................................

RECOMMENDED Viva Machine

11th November 2008 -- Portland Arms Simon Thomas Music Editor

Listings... Chelmsford ..............................................

OASIZ - 11th October 2008 - The Twist ACOUSTIC ROCK JAM/ OPEN MIC - 11th October 2008 - St Anne’s Castle UNLEASH: The Fury - 13th October 2008 - The Twist DIVIDING THE LINE - 15th October 2008 - The Twist

Formed in 2006 Viva Machine set about writing quirky pop songs combining three part harmonies with angular rhythms, big guitars & knife-esque synth sounds. They were quickly snapped up by Probation Management [The Automatic, Decimals, Steers] & sent out on the road. After a few summer tours their debut single released on independent TPF records earned them a loyal following in many places. They were nominated as ‘best newcomer’ at the popfactory awards that year and caught the attention of Rocksound who included Viva in their top 100 bands to watch for 2007.

BLUEJAZZ NIGHT - 17th October 2008 - St Anne’s Castle

UNDERLINE THE SKY - 20th October 2008 - The Twist GUTHRIE GOVAN - 24th October 2008 - The Bassment MIDNIGHT ARCADE - 30th October 2008 - The Twist

The Paddingtons - 13th October 2008 - Portland Arms The Stranglers - 18th October 2008 - Corn Exchange

The Datsuns - 21st October - Soul tree Martha Wainwright - 27th October 2008 - Corn Exchange Black Kids - 28th October 2008 - The Junction The Pipettes - 29th October 2008

Error Angeline Liles The “Hit Debut Album” It’s a simple equation that usually works very nicely indeed for record companies. Keen young things eager to break into the music industry and delight in all its hedonistic distractions show a flicker of musical ability and, if they’re lucky/are marketable, get signed up to a record label with a cosy contract ensuring great success. Word gets out into every crevice of society about them, and thus hype is born.

BILL LEGEND & TONY WILLIAMS - 18th October 2008 - St Anne’s Castle

Cambridge ..............................................

Simon Thomas

November will see the release of the first single taken from the forthcoming debut album ‘Robotbodyrox.’ With an eclectic music taste ranging from QOTSA to Daft Punk & a knack for writing killer melodies, this appears to be just the beginning. .............................................. Jackson United - 14th November - Soul Tree The Kills - 19th November 2008 - The Junction Razorlight - 21st November Corn Exchange

Do hype and success go hand in hand? I suppose first you’d have to define what success actually is. Is it a long-term process of a growing fan base and gradually increasing sales, followed by a well-deserved array of respectable awards? Or a short term burst of mass-fandom and super-sized sales fuelled by the inescapable advertising of record companies, followed by a struggle to live up to the media and public’s expectations? In the cases of Arctic Monkeys, The Kooks and Maroon 5, the hype is somewhat understand-

able as months later a pretty good all-round widely appealing debut album hits the shelves and we the public lap it up appreciatively. After several months of top ten singles and touring, things start to quieten down and a followup is quickly anticipated. This is often where things start to go very wrong, as it arguably did for the aforementioned bands. The pressure from record companies and public demand forces them to speed up the song writing process, something which surely benefits greatly from a hefty chunk of unpressured time. Is it the lack of time and over-eagerness to live up to the hype that is to blame for pretty disappointing second albums then? It certainly seems so, especially for Franz Ferdinand, who rushed out a poor second album, only sparsely scattered with good songs, under a year after their debut. It’s no wonder they’re taking their time with the third, with a prospective release date four whole years after their previous release. Similarly, Arctic Monkeys’ second album, ‘Favourite Worst Nightmare’, demonstrates to a much lesser degree than their debut their ability to write a really bloody good tune, as only two or three songs have proved widely popular. In comparison, longer running

bands such as Muse, Radiohead, Elbow and Snow Patrol only began to garner popularity and dedicated fan bases a few albums into their careers. It was only earlier this month that Elbow won the Mercury Music Prize, despite forming in 1990 and releasing three albums prior to ‘The Seldom Seen Kid’, with which they are now gaining well-deserved and long overdue recognition. Muse’s first album paled in comparison to their successive albums, only just reaching the top thirty in terms of sales. Snow Patrol’s first two albums are pretty much (rightfully) ignored, as ‘Final Straw’ (their third) was the first one to gain acclaim from the masses, and from then on their renown has climbed to great heights. So it’ll be curious to discover how this trend bodes for the current wave of hyped-up first-timers. School-age prodigies Cajun Dance Party, delightfully whimsical Laura Marling and indie darlings Late Of The Pier have all (reasonably) lived up to the propaganda, recently producing fairly decent debut albums, although perhaps not perfect. It’ll be interesting to see how their second efforts fare without the benefit of being brand new.

MUSIC 21

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Mercury in Retrograde? Craig Hardy

The Mercury Music Prize began life as a device to draw mainstream attention towards British and Irish artists of all genres that deserved more time in the spotlight and more spins in the general music fan’s CD player. From humble beginnings in the early 90’s the award sought to highlight our best talent and also drive the winning band forward in terms of CDs sold.

Destined for your ears KIDS IN GLASS HOUSES - If ever a band were to build momentum, becoming largely successful in some albums time, one might imagine KIGH could be a safe bet. Ridiculously catchy emo-tinged pop, honed supporting the likes of The Goo Goo Dolls, Lostprophets and 30 Seconds to Mars before even signing to Roadrunner Records. One to watch out for.

SWEET SWEET LIES - A curious, and little known, quartet from Brighton. ‘Capital of Iceland’ may just be the catchiest song you’ll come into contact with for a long old while.. Seriously, expect to be quarantined. FUTURE OF THE LEFT - Back once again to Destined for your Ears. We swear that we had no idea that this would happen but following last month’s section. the

band signed up to play the Junction for the lucky, lucky Cambridge lot. THE HAIR - About to embark on a tour supporting the Kaiser Chiefs and sounding somewhat like a stripped down version of (Hot Fuss era) The Killers, expect to find yourself dancing along to these guys in clubs of the future.

Unfortunately in the past few years the award has been going to bands that are always seen to be plastered all over the covers of NME or the other leading indie music magazines. This year’s winners, Elbow – who picked up their award for the album ‘Seldom Seen Kid’ – are already quite well established in the UK scene and in terms of a big push in CD sales, were possibly not the most desperate candidate. Also on this year’s list were artists such as Estelle, who has already received a UK number one for her track ‘American Boy’ featuring US hip-hop artist Kanye West; as well as UK music legends Radiohead, who received a nod for their stunning new album ‘In Rainbows’. Still, despite its greatness it was pretty much a guarantee that no matter what Radiohead released it would reach number one all over the world, let alone in the UK – lets face it, Thom Yorke could probably read the alphabet on CD

and it would be hailed as a bold, brave artistic statement which would sell in its millions. So the basis of the award seems to have shifted in recent times towards glorifying UK artists who are already doing very well and just need a bigger push for their album through the quiet months of the year for sales. Also, the trend of limiting their styles of music seems to be becoming more and more apparent as the years roll on. Have you ever seen a hardcore band nominated for a Mercury award? Have you f_ck. The Arctic Monkeys have seen nominated for both their releases – or three if you count Alex Turner’s The Last Shadow Puppets side-project – but yet there has been no space for a little metal? The award, the show and the event itself have all become meaningless in the eyes of anyone outside of the mainstream and this poor excuse to boost record sales should return its focus to emerging new talent in need of its help before the masses lose interest entirely.

The Killers announce a track listing for their new album “Day and Age” is scheduled for release on the 24th November 2008. Billboard.com reports the 10 song list will feature:

The band left the following statement on their official website: “It is with some sadness we announce the farewell of the Dirty Pretty Things. It’s been a glorious three years which we all would gladly live out again, but it is time for us to try new things. (not The Libertines). We are reluctant to give up touring but will give the last waltz everything. We have and are determined to go out as we came in, after which we all have other ventures to be getting on

with and splendid future plans. Heartfelt thanks to all who made it what it was, much love and we’ll see you on the road.” The band will still be playing at the Junction, Cambridge on 12th October 2008 John Cale to curate NICO tribute The concert is due to take place in the London Royal Festival Hall on the 11th October 2008 and will feature Mark Lannegan, James Dean Bradfield, Peter Murphy and

Cale himself. Nico died in 1988 and was best known for her solo music career, musical collaborations with The Velvet Underground and for being a protégé of Andy Warhol. Richard Wright , Pink Floyd keyboardist, dies 15th September 2008 aged 65 At the time of his death it is believed Wright had been working on a solo album. He died from an undisclosed form of cancer.

‘Losing Touch’ ‘Human’ ‘Spaceman’ ‘Joyride’ ‘A Dustland Fairytale’ ‘This Is Your Life’ ‘I Can’t Stay’ ‘Neon Tiger’ ‘The World We Live In’ ‘Goodnight, Travel Well’ <img: http://www.the-killers.info/ images/gallery/The-Killers.jpg> and the rest in brief.. Janet Jackson cancelled tour dates and went to hospital for what is now rumoured to be vertigo... “Chinese Democracy”, the new Guns and Roses album, apparently

is actually going to come out.. Seriously.. 25th November.. Basement Jaxx announced their first tour in 2 years. Tickets are on sale now... Travis Barker and DJ AM were released from hospital at the end of September, having survived a plane crash earlier that month... Bono leaked a U2 song accidentally by playing it too loud from his villa in the south of France in August. (Old news, yes, but if I reach one person who feels the same about U2 as I do and didn’t know this then I’m happy - Ed).. Limp Bizkit are coming back with another album according to their myspace..

22 REVIEW

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Re iew

The Boy in The Striped Pyjamas

Britney Womaniser Mike O’flynn

Seriously Britney?! For all those unaware of Miss Spears new single (due December 08) two things are evident, firstly she has forgotten how to actually make and for the most part uses a digital voice changer and talks instead of singing plus the actual content in the song is tripe!

Mike O’flynn

Probably the most emotional film ever seen by this writer, actually probably the most emotional film ever made. A tale of childhood innocence set in wartime Germany in which a Jewish boy and a German boy become friends. Fairly simple but the Jewish boy is in a concentration camp and the German boy’s father is the camp commandant.

“

So now you are thinking that’s a tad more complex but it does get deeper delving into German educational indoctrination of the youth, the objectors to the war, and German propaganda about the fate of the Jewish peoples.

The surprise twist of an ending left the audience in an audible silence and the whole cinema still. It’s not our place as a paper to unveil the ending but (by close I mean actually crying but in a very macho way). I recommend anyone

to see this movie because it is heart warming but it is realistic, it doesn’t delve into the world of fantasy happy endings but it will fill you with emotion like no film made in a long time.

threatening to “kick” and “hurt” as well. Still not enough for sufferers of female angst? “Happily Never After” is a song about, well.. it doesn’t take a whole lot of thought to know what the material consists of - and maybe this is the group’s legacy. What you see is (and sometimes isn’t) what you get.

nation long-play, they unanimously and fully give the rule to Nicole Scherzinger. She performs all the leading parts on all the tracks. The other four girls only make the additional vocals in order to create the relaxed and bravely burlesque atmosphere, with which they are popular.

“Bottle Pop” is destined to be a hit, in-which the group teams up with Snoop Dogg, this album’s answer to last go-round’s “Buttons”. The Timberland produced cut “I Hate This Part” and the 80’s glam cut “Magic” is also certifiable.

As for the lyrics, the girls followed the established tradition of their collective and demonstrated their independence, their concern for the appearance and love for entertainments. Although the tint of sentiment, brought in by the ballads, pleasantly refreshed the themes, explored by The Pussycat Dolls. As for the music, one should praise the work of the more than impressing producer command, which brilliantly hit the target. The Pussycat Dolls have produced a tuneful album, fitting for both everyday use and a party event, and is a good follow up to their first album “PCD”.

Doll Domination Alexis Mannion

If the Pussycat Dolls‘ self-titled 2005 album was the mould, then the just-released Doll Domination serves as a good follow up. Staying true to the old adage “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it,” Nicole Scherzinger and her backups (theoretically) don’t deviate a whole lot from their norm, but they do pack a bigger punch this go-round. The album title implies that the Pussycat Dolls are back and bigger than ever and intend to stick around, as

opposed to these girl bands who release one album and disappear down the music industry black hole for one album wonders. The lead single “When I Grow Up” is obviously an inescapable hit this summer, while the follow-up, the Missy Elliott-assisted “Whatchu Think About That” lifts females up on an empowering platter, kicking a sleazy ex to the curb. “In Person” is a cut that follows the same path,

There is a good mix between upbeat party music and soulful ballads. The cameo’s of artists such as Missy Elliot and Snoop Dogg add that extra bit of sparkle to the girls music. However, not one to miss a point of contention. On the previous album The Pussycat Dolls made a comparatively equal vocal contribution. On the Doll Domi-

“

I was shocked and close to tears

“

It’s poor, it’s over produced ... it will be huge

We all like a bit of cheesy pop and for a decade we have been turning to Britney in the hope that she will turn around and give us what we really want POP GOLD! Instead she provides us with Madonna MK2 and she stopped being respectable in 1991! The 2nd point is the video to which she has also circum to Madonna syndrome and can’t keep her bloody clothes on, its not sexy, we have seen it all before now in various paparazzi and uploaded video clips so there is no need to see it again in a slickly airbrushed video. Ok so back to the single, it’s poor, its over produced, it will be huge, all the old fans will buy it and the world will go on talking about how much of a tortured soul she is, which makes this review mute.

I just wanted to say we all had high hope for you Britney and I am disappointed in you. You broke my heart. On the plus side Miley Cyrus could be coming up to take the girl pop crown so we will never run out of pretty teen pop princess’s huzzah!

REVIEW 23

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Fun With Comics and Kleenex

The best TV box sets:

James Garnham

Well with the price of DVD box sets constantly coming down and the big retailers slashing the prices in the sales you can pick up a really good American TV show these days and save yourself the sheer torture of EastEnders. I picked up some real bargains and discovered some great shows recently and re watched some older shows that made me remember why I’d bought the box set in the first place. So here are the top 3 TV box sets to grab at the moment:

3. Friends Yes it’s the longest running TV show in the history of the world (or does it just seem that way because it’s endlessly running on E4?) in at number 3.

It seems that every time I write this column I mention the god like genius that is Mark Millar, but screw it, I’m doing it again. The reason this time is the orgasm inducing 1985 in which a small town in the arse end of the U.S is invaded by characters from the Marvel comic books who decide that killing everyone in sight would be far more fun than not. To make matters worse, the world’s only hopes rest on a whiney little child who doesn’t seem to want to shut the feck up, making for a title which will surely be remembered as one of Millar’s best.

Age vibe in their comics normally balls it up epically, but Morrison has breathed life into a character that most fans were getting bored

“

Finally this month I urge you to read The Sword by the masterminds that are the Lunar Brothers, in which a paraplegic girl witnesses her family’s murder and finds a sword which heals her, turning her into a mental killing machine.

“

This month also saw the last issue in the current arc of All Star Superman by Grant Morrison, who finally seems to be getting the credit that he deserves. Most writers who try to recreate the Silver

I urge you to read The Sword by the masterminds that are the Lunar Brothers

as the new Watchmen and Morrison as a replacement for Moore, so if you like comics and don’t check this out, you probably masturbate to pictures of Tank Girl and later chat about it to your friends. In short, you’d be a bloody fool to miss it.

of, and has applied fresh ideas to the stale rut that D.C had found themselves in. Many are citing this

Unsurprisingly this comic is amazing, resplendent with surprising twists and intensely graphic action scenes which have you gagging harder than an It girl on a Saturday night.

Why does it make the list? Well you can now pick up the entire series for less that £50. That’s £5 per season, and with approx 24 episodes per season it’s great value. E4’s repeats regularly pick up more viewers than it’s original programming and it’s not hard to see why. It’s easy to dip into, is genuinely moving at times and has the ability to make you laugh without trying to hard. It’s a TV sitcom that hasn’t aged in the years since it stopped airing and is definitely worth picking up! Highlights: Pretty much everything in the show.

2. The Wire The wire is the best kept TV secret! FACT! This show is critically acclaimed and has a hardcore following but ask most people if they’ve seen it and the answer will be a resounding no. Set it Baltimore it follows a group of Police and a group of Drug dealers and tells the story of their struggles from both sides. It doesn’t seem very revolutionary but no other

show tells both sides as in depth and you get the feeling that there isn’t necessarily a good or bad side but that each side does what it can to get by and survive. Each series also has an overarching theme that runs throughout, series 4 was politics for example and series 5 the media. It recently came to an end with season 5 and each season is as strong as the last. You can if you shop hard enough pick up each series relatively cheaply and each episode is a joy to watch and will leave you wanting more.

Highlights: Every time Omar is on screen ripping off drug dealers.

“

The wire is the best kept TV secret! FACT!

“

Let’s face it, these days there is very little on TV to get excited about; most TV shows are just rehashes of the same old tired story- boy meets girl, girl cheats on boy, someone takes some heroin (maybe that’s just hollyoaks?), everyone dies, roll credits. Every single soap seems to have the same story lines as it’s competitors and all TV drama’s pretty all copy off each other, so there’s no point watching anything any more, or is there?

1. The Sopranos

Arguably the greatest TV show of all time, this was 6 seasons of Mafia television Gold. Set in New Jersey and focusing on Tony Soprano, it told the story of one man’s rise to the top of his family and crew but isn’t just about hit’s and the usual Mafia tales (although there are enough traditional Mafia exploits in it to keep die hard gangster fans happy). Instead the show focused on family, Tony’s psychological problems (he regularly sees a shrink) and how the American government pressurised the Mafia of today. The cast are superb and there is never a weak episode throughout the 6 seasons and the dialogue keeps you hooked even when there is no action on the screen. It is a well thought out TV show and anyone thinking of investing time in writing a new show should watch this. You can grab all six seasons in one box set now or pick them up one at a time. Highlights: So many to choose from but the episode when Christopher and Paulie are trying to kill a Russian out in the snow is an all time classic.

24 CULTURE

Culture

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Pipeline Dreams (and Nightmares)

Weird World Chris Glithero

Surf ’s Up Chris Glithero

Electronic books have been around for a while, but as we move ever onwards into the digital age and see the release of new handheld readers that claim to emulate the experience of reading an actual book, it seems ever more possible that the electronic mimic may one day supersede the conventional book. With that in mind, here are a few websites offering free E-books viewable either on computer or handheld usurper.

www.free-ebooks.net/ - Hundreds of fiction and non-fiction e-books available on a variety of subjects in pdf and exe format, all for free after a quick registration. www.gutenberg.org/ - Project Gutenberg gives readers free and instant access to over 25,000 full texts whose copyright has lapsed, such as those of Chaucer, Shakespeare and Dickens. A useful resource for English Lit students. www.planetpdf.com – Similar website with free access to pdf copies of Around the World in Eighty days, crime and punishment and many more. Just click on the ‘free ‘ tab at the top of the page. http://www.fictionfactor.com/ freebies.html - Offers a selection of free fiction e-books in a number of genres including sci-fi and romance, as well as several free e-books aimed at writers.

In the world of film rumours spread like wildfire, particularly in these digital days of super-fast internet and uber-geeks. This month, culture-monkey Phil takes a look at a just a few movie projects that may (or may not) be gracing our multiplexes soon.

Italy: A Porsche owner was killed by an oncoming train, when, after becoming stuck on a level crossing, he ran towards the train frantically waving his arms in a desperate attempt to save his sports car. South Africa: Continuing the theme, a couple making love on railway tracks were pronounced dead after being hit by a freight train. According to the driver, they seemed not to notice his shouts as the train approached, ‘they continued with their business.’

“

A welder in Kuala Lumpur had a nut removed from his genitalia after an unsuccessful attempt to lengthen his penis

“

Chris Glithero Culture Editor

Philip Greer

Wales: In Bangor, a twenty year old man was jailed for three years after breaking into a house and forcing the owner to sing ‘Baa Baa Black Sheep’ while he videoed the attack on his mobile phone.

Malaysia: A welder in Kuala Lumpur had a nut removed from his genitalia after an unsuccessful attempt to lengthen his penis before his honeymoon. Fire and rescue officials were called in to dislodge the metal nut when it became stuck, following an ill-fated erection. USA: The Department of Homeland Security is testing a scanner intended to read the thoughts of airport passengers. The machine, affectionately known as MALINTENT, picks up on changes in the heart rate, body temperature and respiration that clearly single out an individual as a shifty terrorist. Bad news for nervous flyers everywhere.

Thailand: In Bangkok, a forty year old man was found dead by a dirt road, wearing a condom and holding a recently deceased cobra. Both man and snake had bite wounds caused by the other, leaving baffled Thai detectives trying to piece together the odd events leading up to this grisly phallic scene.

The future of gaming? Chris Glithero

Those clever folks in Silicon Valley have come a long way since fiddling with their bats and balls in the seventies, and while gamers may salivate at the prospect of the imaginatively named Playstation 4 and X-box 720, a quick look over the horizon reveals even more to be excited about. At the Games Developers Conference in San Francisco earlier this year, Ray Kurzweil, inventor of text to speech synthesis and general brain-box, predicted that “There will be a 100,000-fold shrinking of computer technology over the next 25 years... (we will see) blood cell-size devices capable of producing full immersion Virtual Reality from inside the nervous system.” While this concept of Virtual Reality indistinguishable from the real thing, akin to Star Trek’s holo-decks or the artificial world of The Matrix, is still very much in the realms of science fiction, other technologies are already in development which will take gaming to the next level within the next few years. US firm Emotiv have developed a PC headset known as Epoc which allows users to control games and other software using only their mind. By interpreting electrical signals from the brain, the technology has the potential to revolutionise gaming , and if developers get behind this new interface we can expect to see a new wave of games in which characters are controlled in the virtual world by a player’s thoughts. The device, expected to cost around £160, is expected by early 2009.

Those old enough to remember the early nineties may recall images of be-gloved gamers sporting chunky headsets, in those heady days when it seemed Virtual Reality in every home was just round the corner. Alas it was not to be, but those Head Mounted Display units and body tracking equipment are in fact still around today, and have grown incredibly sophisticated. However, with an average set-up costing around £20,000, the use of this kind of technology has been somewhat limited to military types, trainee doctors and perhaps overpaid footballers. Cheaper home user HMD’s are available for the relatively low price of a couple hundred spondooli, but user opinion has so far scoffed at the manufacturer’s claims of it being ‘like looking at a 50 inch screen at a distance of 10 inches,’ as more like looking at a five inch screen at a distance of one inch, through vaseline. For the moment it seems the technology for mindblowing VR , as promised by films such as The Lawnmower Man, Total Recall and Tron, is still out of reach for us mere peasants, but as the gaming industry continues to grow exponentially and costs drop accordingly, it could be that such a dream could become reality, perhaps in time for X-box 5760 or Playstation 14. Or, in the words of Ray Kurzweil, “In twenty years, games will have taken over the world and everything will be virtual reality.” And this is coming from a man with fifteen honorary doctorates.

American remakes, they appear and subsequently ruin some of the greatest films from the international market. This simple fact makes me pail and quiver at the up and coming release of Quarantine, a Hollywood update of terrifying Spanish horror [Rec]. It seems apparent that the premise of Quarantine is roughly the same as [Rec] – TV news crew tags along with firefighters only to become part of an unfolding horror from which there is no escape- but I for one am doubtful it will capture the horror aspect and unsettling feeling that Spanish directors are so good at. As far as live action Video game movies go, we tend to witness amusing actors in an ill-placed role putting on a brave face (Kylie Minogue as Cammy in Street Fighter? Bob Hoskins as Mario?) in what is honestly a poor attempt at cinema. However, rumours abound about the prospect of a Legend of Zelda live action movie entitled The Hero of Time, and it is frankly making me salivate like a hungry dog at a butcher’s convention. IMDB.com yields no information whatsoever but faithful youtube is generating some awe inspiring trailers featuring a cast of unknowns. This project is shrouded in secrecy but if it doesn’t exist and i’ve been had, i’ll cry i think, alot (ED- start crying Phil, you’ve been had. The trailer was an April Fools day prank made by IGN.com and rainfall films). Another Video Game project in the pipelines that is teasing many boy’s groins is the idea of a Halo movie. Reports are sketchy at best, with some indicating that production is full steam ahead, while IMDB.com states that production was cancelled earlier this year but a new director is on board. Again this film could quite possibly be the greatest idea a production company could have. Or a vicious rumour concocted to disappoint and wound people everywhere.

CULTURE 25

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Roundup Fionn Pooler

As October rolls around and nature settles into month after month of freezing rain, a person’s mind drifts naturally to thoughts of Christmas. But wait! There must be thrills and excitement to be had in the interim, surely? Surely? Well if you look hard enough there is. Cinema-goers can enjoy the Coen brothers’ latest offering Burn After Reading (17/10), with George Clooney completing his ‘trilogy of idiots’ for the brothers in a tale of conspiracy, mayhem and fitness instructors. Or for the nationalistic actioner in you, there’s Quantum Of Solace (31/10), the latest James Bond movie featuring Daniel Craig ‘re-inventing’ the character by smouldering and beating up foreigners. Or, if you’re really desperate, there’s High School Musical 3 (22/10). Speaking of music, there’s a veritable smorgasbord of offerings this month, from libertines-lite indie darlings Dirty Pretty Things (12/10) and London-based rapper Roots Manuva (22/10) at the Junction to the dance-pop stylings of Goldfrapp at the Corn Exchange (23/10). For those willing to risk abject humiliation from their peers, there’s even the eighties majesty of Status Quo ‘rocking’

through their back catalogue at the Corn Exchange (19/10). On stage, the pickings are decidedly slim in October, with the odd spark from Shakespeare’s R&J at the Anglia Ruskin Mumford Theatre on the 13th, 14th and 15th of October. The main highlight, I’m not denying the fact that before 2000 we didn’t have sequels, in fact some of the best films were continuations on the story e.g. the Empire Strikes Back, Aliens and Terminator 2. What I’m trying to point out is that there hasn’t been a good sequel since the turn of the century, instead the public are force-fed cash-in after cash-in so the likes of Keira Knightly can continue to have a career/contin-

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Hollywood arnham’s is primarily a ander business. And Deja-vu On the a big one at Silver Screen that As sad as it is true, Hollywood is primarily a business. And a big one at that. Film studios won’t fund a project if they do not believe that they can turn a profit on it somewhere along the line, whether it is at the cinema, the DVD sales, the merchandise or the inevitable number of sequels that seem to follow every film that is made this century.

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ue to live. Lets be honest we didn’t need Pirates of the Caribbean no.1 let alone 2, 3 and apparently no.4 (bring on the abuse, bitches). But why is it that studios keep insisting on making more sequels and remakes? Is there no originality left in cinema anymore? Films like The Phantom Menace (if I ever find you Lucas, I will cut

though, comes in the vaguely disturbing form of David Gest… My Life! - a “musical concert extravaganza” concerning the life and times of everybody’s favourite I’m A Celebrity… contestant and Liza Minelli punch bag. Tickets are sure to be at a premium, so start saving. you…) and King Kong seem to support this argument more than ever, and the future doesn’t look so great either, what with Raimi announcing more Spiderman films for release in 2011. One factor which seems to have had a detrimental effect on this repetitive turgid shit-storm is the writer’s strike of last year – with studios living in fear of another strike and being unwilling to part with anymore cash; releasing films which already have a basic script and plot means they don’t have to pay the writers nearly as much or even employ as many to create the film. Making sequels, and particularly remakes, is simply a more viable option. So what’s the solution to this I hear all three of my readers cry? Well, sorry to piss on your parade but there isn’t one really. Until the studios decide to stop raping our childhood memories (Star Wars), remaking films with racist undertones (King Kong) and supporting completely unnecessary people’s existence (cast of Pirates of the Caribbean) we are screwed. Why not go watch an indie film instead of a blockbuster, where integrity means more than money?

In other news, The Chinese State Circus is parading onto Midsummer Common from the 15th of October. Gaze in awe as the incredible feats of athleticism and gymnastics make you realise just why China kicked the world’s ass at the Olympics. Then, once Halloween rolls around (provided you

don’t completely forget about it by daydreaming of turkey), there’s the Big Halloween Ball at the Junction, taking place slap bang on… November 3rd. Not as fun as TP-ing houses, and probably not as scary as David Gest singing, but worth a look nonetheless. You never know, David Gest might even turn up.

GAMES 27

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Games

Quick Crossword

Across 5. One of the two ovine signs of the Zodiac (5) 6. That game where you find out the truth about your lover (6) 7. Son Goku’s Saiya-jin namesake (6) 9. Allied together (9) 11. Many people enthusiastically feel this way, when it comes to doing 1D (4) 12. Cheeky as a ____? (5) 14. To bully someone, by leaving them out of a group (4) 15. Are these gnot supposed to be wildebeests? (3) 16. Tolkien-esque fantasy creature (3) 17. A very, very old emu (4) 19. A tenth of the answer (5) 21. Synonymous with ‘balls’ (4) 23. The country of cat-sounds? (9) 26. A Japanese upperclassman (6) 27. There were at least three of these in ‘Neon Genesis Evangelion’ (6) 28. The Hancock Donor? (5)

Down 1. A current trend on YouTube is to do this to an anime series (7) 2. Synonym of 11A (5) 3. The spear of God (5) 4. How the Japanese pronounce ‘taurus’ (7) 8. Terribly against this answer (4) 9. Pick up a Batman villain (7) 10. Not even agreeing to disagree (7) 12. To slice is to ___? (3) 13. The predecessor author to Conan Doyle, in detective fiction (3) 18. The sort of thing the creation of 13D solves (7) 20. Not this one (4) 22. The subject of the joke that made Billy Connolly (7) 24. Synonymous and rhyming with ‘lie’ (5) 25. What you call one of the faces on a die, except in one word (5)

Quick Crossword

Across 5. Go in. (5) 6. Religeous leader. (6) 7. Dodged; avoided. (6) 9. A raquet sport. (9) 11. Swedish pop foursome. (4) 12. Overhead; higher. (5) 14. English taxation system.(abbr) (4) 15. Hit lightly. (3) 16. Still. (3) 17. Unauthorised military desertion. (4) 19. Bird of prey. (5) 21. Not pretty. (4) 23. To go without; give up something. (9) 26. miniature tree. (6) 27. Fuel oil. (6) 28. _____ Dolphins. American baseball team. (5)

Down 1. Long thin bitter fruit. (7) 2. Facial hair. (5) 3. Upright. (5) 4. American term for major road. (7) 8. Type of floor covering. (4) 9. The fab four. (7) 10. Large planet. (7) 12. A primate; mimic (3) 13. Visual organ. (3) 18. To greet; receive someone. (7) 20. Wide smile. (4) 22. The alphabet. (7) 24. ascend; go up. (5) 25. 9th letter of phonetic alphabet. (5)

Sudoku

28 STUDENT ACTIVITIES

Craig Jennings Student Activities Editor

Calling all

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Student Activities

National Day of Peace

On the 21st of September, twenty members of the Roots & Shoots society came together in London to promote and celebrate the United Nations International Day of Peace. Armed with a giant Peace Dove puppet crafted from reused materials, a large banner with “Hands of Peace” with around one hundred colourful handprints and signatures were flown around the city.

Jackie Dullaghan, edited by Craig Jennings

Movie-buffs and Filmmakers Jamie ‘I am the Law’ Law

Ok, I don’t know about you, but I think we need a new kind of film society. I want to not only watch films, but talk about them and make them! I want to watch mainstream cinema as well as avant-garde. I want pulp fiction on the big screen. I want a Star Wars trilogy night back to back, then pub after. I want Horror night, Action night, Scif-fi night. I want to know why Michael Bay’s still making movies.

This was the first such celebration untaken by the Anglia Ruskin University Roots & Shoots society, and although it was a small gathering it was very successful. Similar organised events were happening around the world from Tanzania to America on the same date. Alongside the march, a table with information about the event, for sale were Jane Goodall books and DVD’s also Mr. H teddies. Money was also being raised for the Red balloon campaign. This campaign aims to raise £1 million on a centre in the memory of Jamie Buldger campaigns for bullied and abused children to gain the confidence to return to school. This centre (which will be based in Liverpool) will help children, some of which have contemplated or attempted suicide. The society was asking for donations of £1 from each person, and raised £200 for this worth wile charity.

Who’s with me? I’ve recently taken over as President of the ARU film society and we are now looking to recruit new members. The plan is to re-invent the society as a social space in which students passionate about film can get together to watch, discuss and make movies. If you want to meet like-minded people to get a production project started or get some constructive criticism, this is the place to do it. If you want to hang out, watch movies and talk about which was better, Empire or Jedi, that’s cool too. You determine your own level of involvement.

While marching with the dove and banner the group chatted to the general public about the event, collected donations for the charity and gave children Roots & Shoots stickers and red balloons.

The first rule about film society is you do not ask questions. Ok, just kidding, contact me on killbill1987@hotmail.com if you have any questions or want to get involved. Alternatively join the Filmsoc facebook group:

“As expected the large dove and banner drew a lot of attention, which enabled us to wish all passing people a “happy peace day”. We received many cheers and car horns in response. Overall the day was enjoyed by all involved. A special Thanks goes to Jade for all her efforts and hard work in arranging the event.”

http://www.new.facebook. com/groups.php?ref=sb#/group. php?gid=25146742953

Shell Step Program Craig Jennings

Shell Step provides placements throughout the UK in almost every business sector, giving students the opportunity to secure a position specific to ones various interests, skills and requirements. Run in various higher education institutions throughout the

UK, the programme’s aims are to communicate to businesses the impact that undergraduates can have within the success of their businesses as well as giving students the encouragement to gain the skills and confidence that will make a successful candidate

of the programme appealing to prospective employers and putting them in favour of competition after graduation. These projects are structured to be achieved within the eight week placement. Although expertise in the field is not required, knowledge and skills will be needed to develop in the placement. The Shell Step programme is

only available to students in their second or penultimate years registered on a full time course at a UK university. It is unavailable to exchange students from overseas universities, first year, final year and post-graduate students. Students on the programme will be paid a weekly training allowance which is exempt from Income Tax and National Insurance involvement.

Applications for the programme are accepted from 1st January; earlier applications have better chances of being placed. Students are to apply online. For more information regarding Shell Step visit: www.step.org.uk.

STUDENT ACTIVITIES 29

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Module Planning; It’s that time of year already

Wanted: Students Who Care Laura Holman

Module Planning Weeks are nearly upon us... From Monday 3rd November – Friday 7th November you will need to make your module choices for Semester Two 2008/9. Please take time to choose carefully as this is what you will be doing for a whole semester!

Do you care about the quality of your education? Shouldn’t it be the best it can be? Are you a good listener and would you like to represent the views of your peers? If you answered YES to any of these questions, we have just the opportunity you are looking for! Student reps are vital in ensuring your University knows what its students think. As a rep, you make a real contribution to improving things for yourself and your friends. Your University takes student reps and their views very seriously and what they say makes a genuine difference to the way the University does things.

flexible student rep system and how much you get involved is entirely up to you. The minimum we ask is that you attend your Programme Committee because this meeting has a direct impact on how your course is run: these happen once each semester. If you want to do more, there are plenty of other meetings and activities you can take part in: student reps attend Faculty and University meetings, as well as being part of the University’s disciplinary and appeals processes, and may be asked to be part of University or SU focus groups looking at specific issues.

The main way reps get involved is by attending meetings. At Anglia Ruskin University we have a very

Take, for example, two reps from last year, Liz Cracknell (Health and Social Care) and Emma

Clarke (Education). Liz and Emma were very active student reps, attending Programme Committees, Faculty Boards and other University meetings. Both were committed to ensuring that their University experience and that of the other students in their Faculties was as good as it could be. As well as receiving special awards from Anglia Ruskin SU, they were both nominated for the ‘NUS Course Representative of the Year’ in the 2008 NUS Awards, with Liz Cracknell achieving runner up in this category. This national award recognises the achievements of a rep who has made a significant contribution to the learning experience of others. Liz and Emma have done this in abundance and as a result made a real difference

to the experience of their fellow students. The Students’ Union employs two Student Rep Co-ordinators, Debbie Phillipson for Chelmsford and Laura Holman for Cambridge, Fulbourn and Peterborough. We train and support the student reps and prepare them for meetings so that Reps have all the information they need to contribute effectively. We also answer student rep questions and point reps in the right direction if they need help we cannot give. Come and see us in the Students’ Union offices (in the Helmore building in Cambridge and Tindal in Chelmsford) and talk to us about what is involved in being a rep: we look forward to meeting you.

Chelmsford Clubs & Socs making money... For a long time now Clubs and Societies on the Chelmsford campus have been running events in the Chelmsford bar to raise money for their activities.

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This year will be no different with clubs aiming to raise more money than ever before. Starting such festivities at the beginnings of the year the Anglia Ruskin Phantoms American Football team presented their “Toga party”. The event was in line with everything you would expect from such a night. The occasion held Olympic themed games to take part in and a raffle. Last year alone the Phantoms raised over £1400 towards the cost

of playing their sport.

the rugby team used the money to fund their kit and training

The second fundraiser that occurred this semester was hosted by the Anglia Ruskin Rebels Rugby team. This year the team went all out with a “Baywatch Beach Party” with all the fun of the beach in our very own bar. As per usual the rugby team ran a number of fun and different games to keep attendees on their toes.

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James Green & Craig Jennings

Last year the rugby team used the money to fund their kit and training with loads of new equipment. The American football team used the money to pay their league fees and to buy kit for the team, this money is extremely valuable when the sports are so expensive. With

this being such a great way to raise funds, and even more importantly raise awareness of your club I would recommend to all clubs and societies in Chelmsford and Cambridge to contact the bar and arrange an event. In the upcoming months other clubs will be running events, with the Cheerleaders presenting a Spooky Halloween night and the Afro-Caribbean society running a Soca night. So watch this space for more information on what’s coming up in the next few months. For contact details see www. angliastudent.com

You will automatically be enrolled on any modules that are compulsory for your pathway, but if your pathway has any choices of modules (designated modules) you need to tell us about your choices by filling in a purple Module Planning Form. Planning Forms are available from the i-centres in Cambridge (Rac 013) or Chelmsford (Ground Floor, Faculty building). To find out if you pathway is ‘all compulsory’ or if you have to make choices, check your pathway details in the online module catalogue: www.anglia.ac.uk/modulecatalogue. Students from Ashcroft International Business School, Arts Letters and Social Sciences, Education and Science and Technology still have to fill out a form if all of your module are compulsary. Students from the Faculty of Health and Social Care are not currently required to make choices, with the exception of Social Policy and Social Work students. If you need advice, speak to your student adviser, programme leader or pathway leader. Your Faculty should be advertising module advice sessions to give you some more information. Now we have the house keeping out the way here’s a few tips to help you make that ever important module choice. 1. Speak to students in higher years who have already taken that module. 2. Attend the module advice sessions provided by your Faculty. 3. Read the module guides very carefully - skim reading through the academic jargen will only prove to be a problem. Alternatively, If you feel like you are not getting the choice you thought you would have, drop into the Students’ Union Office.

Work For the APEX James Jackson

The Apex is offering volunteering opportunities for anyone interested in publishing, media and distribution. By being part of our student newspaper you will learn a number of skills that are essential if you wish to enter the media industry. The Apex is looking for people who are passionate about creating a newspaper that everyone at Anglia Ruskin can be proud of. No previous experience is necessary but commitment is absolutely essential.

We are looking for:

Editors Writers Designers Typesetters Photographers Advertising manager Distribution Manager

If you are interested in becoming part of the Apex team then you can pick up an application form from the Students Union office or download it at http://www. angliastudent.com/export/ sites/Anglia/upload_gallery/application_form.pdf

SPORT 31

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 2 2008/09

Sport

ship comes in but I don’t think he would leave Liverpool. Even Chelsea fans know there is no loyalty in their team anymore and why should they? Frank Lampard was willing to leave for Inter Milan and it took a paycheck of £150,000 a week to keep him a true blue. I’m sure many other players, with the possible exception of John Terry, would willingly sacrafice their shirt for better location or benefits.

Onwards and Upwards Mary Leadbetter

United has had its ups and downs. Almost entering the Premier League in 1991 they have faced recent relegation at conference level. Last season saw Cambridge once again strive to move out of the Blue Square Conference during the end of season play-offs. Cam-

bridge itself was seen to hold it’s breathe as United made their first trip to the new Wembley Stadium in May. Unfortunately they missed out to Exeter City 2.0. Hopefully they can follow the example of their rivals who were also defeated in the previous season play-offs but went on to overcome Cambridge and eventually reach Coca Cola League 2. The team has continued this year displaying the same level of skill and determination as last season. They dominated pre season rivals winning five out of six games. Some confidence and perseverance could see Cambridge resume their previous season’s success. Cambridge United generously gave free tickets to ARU students for their last home game against Lewes FC on the 7th of October.

Forthcoming home matches will be against Weymouth on the 11th of October, Rushden and D on the 1st of November. So if moving to University is depriving you of supporting your own local team, come and join Cambridge fans in what is set to be another thrilling season. United’s Abbey stadium is positioned on Newmarket Road (over the bridge past Tesco’s), minutes away from the Cambridge campus. If you’re new to the area, just join any of the army of yellow shirted Cambridge supporters whom you’re bound to see along the way. Details of future match fixtures are available online at Cambridge United’s official website, www. cambridgeunited.com.

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Keep On the Move. . . . Mary Leadbetter

Just a reminder of the wide range of sports clubs open to all students. What better way of starting the academic year than on a positively active level. Let loose, get rid of all that unwanted academic stress having fun, joining in and becoming a team player in one of Anglia Ruskin’s many sports societies. Anglia Ruskin sports were successful in a number of different events last year. ARU cheerleaders the sirens came forth in a national cheer leading competition. The Rugby team also proved a strong force reaching the finals of a national rugby contest. Whether to participate on a serious competitive or social level, there are a other good reasons to get involved in sports whilst at University. For example, maintaining or developing a good fitness level. Reaching set achievable goals through regular exercise can help reduce the risks of serious conditions such as heart disease. Sport is also the perfect way to maintain a good degree of physical health and also increase a positive mental attitude to bring to academic studies. Keeping toned is a good way of gaining self confidence through improving your physical appearance, so keep it sexy!

View from the Terrace Calum connsiders... “Football Teams Inc.” and the Sillyness of the Sport. It doesn’t take a genius to realise that the world of football has gone of the rails. In July 2003 Roman Abramovich bought Chelsea F.C. from Ken Bates who happily skipped off into the wilderness. This marked a new era in the English Football Leagues. Eight premiership teams are under foreign ownership. Most notably the recent buy out of Manchester City by the Abu Dhabi Group means The Citizens are now the national team of the United Emirates, when you think about it. When players are being bought for a transfer fee of £32.5 million and then earning £150,000 a week in wages alone, then you have to wonder whether there is any heart or loyalty in football at all. There is only one player, out of the “big 4” I can think of with commitment to his badge and it pains me to say that it is no longer Gareth Barry. Steven Gerrard loves Liverpool and is a shining example of the heart that football was based on originally. Sure like all the others he earns at least £500,000£1,000,000 a year after sponsor-

There are many skilled sports coaches at ARU able to train individuals to compete successfully at University level. The teams are very well organised with well equipped training environments around the campus and Cambridge to support a particular association. If rowing on the river cam at six o’clock in the morning, joining in with the dance, tennis, rugby or hockey teams appeal to you, come and get involved. Information is available on all the

various sporting societies posted outside the Campus gyms or on the University website. A member of the sports staff would also be help to advice you on what activities might be best suited for you. If you’ve got what it takes or think you may have potential to represent Anglia Ruskin, don’t hesitate. What could be better than to leave University with an increased amount of sporting skills and achievements to carry throughout your life?

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It’s at times like this that I am

I beg every one of you to stay loyal to your football team

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It looks like it’s onwards and upwards for Cambridge’s U’s. Cambridge United has had anything but an uneventful history, United can boast of nurturing many successful players like Dion Dublin who later moved on to play for Manchester United and Aston Villa. Other ex U’s to make the top grade include Ron Atkinson, David Moyes, Steve Claridge, Andy Sinton, John Filan and Brendan Batson. Lee Mcevilly scoring six goals in six games is a present united player to watch.

proud to be a Villa fan. Sure we haven’t one any silverware in 10 years and we haven’t been a dominant force since 1982 but we were one of the first football teams to exist. Not only that but every week there is a batch of young, English talent featured on the field every week. On average 7 players on the pitch for Aston Villa feature for England at U-21 or full level. The American owner understands that an incredible manager can create a great team without buying already established players. Potential is a dangerous weapon once harnessed correctly. So I beg every one of you to stay loyal to your football team and pray that some sort of morality can return to this beloved sport once the FA employ someone who isn’t a blundering idiot to run the show.

Anglia Ruskin Host BUCS East Region Tournament

Calling all sports teams... On the 9th November the Cambridge campus will be hosting the annual BUCS East region tournament. The sports included are Men’s and Women’s Football, Men’s and Women’s Rugby, Mixed Hockey and Netball, all sports are 7 – a side. This will be the 3rd year of the tournament, which was hosted at Writtle College last year and Anglia Ruskin (Cambridge) won

the tournament, so we are keen to retain our title this year on our home turf. It promises to be a good day out, we can’t guarentee the weather but there will be a presentation ceremony and celebratory drinks in the Students’ Union Bar afterwards. If you want any more information then feel free to contact Alexis Mannion on a.mannion@angliastudent.com +or pop into the Cambridge campus gym.

ANGLIA RUSKIN

SPORT

From CCATBC to ARBC

CCAT first put a men’s crew in both Cambridge University Lent and May Bumps in 1988, and the M1 has risen quickly to lie towards the top of the second division in both sets of bumps races. The women’s side first appeared in the May Bumps in 1983 and the Lent Bumps in 1984-but have only had a continuous presence since 1987 in both events. In 1998 the W1 crew made history by becoming the first non-Cambridge University crew to be in division 1 of the bumps. Over the years the CCAT name and tiger logo have become well known in regional competitions and regattas throughout England. The Club also competes in national and international races and regattas throughout the year including Bedford, Peterborough, London and Henley. The Boat Club has enjoyed varying degrees of success since it’s founding, with particularly higher rates of success in the last few years. Much of this has been down to the dedication of the club’s Alumni, Tabby, who work tirelessly throughout the year to train, support and mentor new club members. The 2007-2008 season saw a fitting end to CCATBC, being its most successful year to date. M1 saw their 2008 May Bumps success taking them to the highest position that the boat had achieved within

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first year as ‘Anglia Ruskin Boat Club’

A Results Archive of CCATBC wins can be found on our website, www.angliaruskinbc.com. Tabby, the boat club alumni, boasts some impressive successes following learning the sport here in Cambridge. Many of our excaptains have gone on to captain and row for other town clubs in and around Cambridge, some of whom have gone on to medal in such races as Henley Royal Regatta and place amongst the top boats in the Head of The River and Women’s Head of The River, both on the River Thames. Since his departure from CCATBC, former men’s captain Dan Pring (1997-1998) has rowed with Cambridge University Boat Club, Robinson College Boat Club and Rob Roy Boat Club. He was in England’s victorious Lightweight VIII at the 2002 Commonwealth Games and has represented Wales at the 2000, 2001 and 2004 Home Countries regattas. Former women’s captain Chrisi Haberl (20052006) has also enjoyed extraordinary success, having stroked the winning coxless 4 in the Austrian Club national championships in 2007.

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The 2008-2009 season will see the boat club undertake its first year as ‘Anglia Ruskin Boat Club’ having been know as CCATBC for many years. The name CCAT goes back to the days of the club’s foundation in the late 1970’s when the University was then Cambridge College of Art and Technology. When the University name changed in 1989, the boat club kept the initials CCAT as a nod to its heritage. The club, like the university, has come a long way since those early days and now we attract over 130 rowers each year, both novice and senior, producing highly competitive crews at all levels.

the competition since its first entry exactly 20 years ago. The final year of CCATBC also saw the M2 achieve a phenomenal number of wins, making them the most successful CCAT boat to grace the water. As well as gaining ‘Blades’ in the Lent Bumps competition, their victories included; Cambridge Christmas Head, Robinson Head, The St Radegund Mile, Head of the Cam, Champs Head, 99’s Regatta and Peterborough Spring Regatta.

Summer 2008 saw a unique ‘Double’ of victories being achieved by two former CCATBC rowers. James Price (2002-2003) successfully captained Cambridge Cantabrigian M1 boat to Head of the River in the 2007 Cambridge

Town Bumps. Returning as Captain this year, he retained the headship in the Men’s competition and was joined by former CCATBC rower and cox Emma Teale who successfully captained and steered City of Cambridge Rowing Club’s W1 boat to claim headship in women’s Town Bumps competition. As preparations were made throughout the summer to gain new equipment for the club and facilitate the change of name, a number of CCATBC and Tabby rowers took to the water to row under the CCATBC flag one last time. Following a highly competitive Peterborough Summer Regatta, preparations were made for this year’s Boston Marathon – a 50-kilometer row from Lincoln to Boston carving its way through the bleak wastelands of Lincolnshire. Entering the Senior 4 category, the following crew was not short on experience, but a little short on water time as a crew.

This being CCATBCs last race it had to be done in a certain style, the full regatta standing start in preparation for 50km was perfect. The first obstacle was a lock 13km in, where each crew has to carry their boat over, we arrived here in good time and managed the manoeuvre. The next 20km was filled with rolling drink and food breaks until, with 18k to go, we realised we were behind our target time of 4 hours, and so started to push things on. The crew rose to the challenge magnificently, chasing down each boat in front of us, ticking off the km’s as we went for the finish. In-boat estimates had us at around 4 hours, possibly a little over, so we drove on and on, upping it in the last km, and again in the last 500 in a final dash for the line.

After putting the boat away, we saw the official time, 3 hours 55 – a time that secured us the category, win by a staggering 45 mins! We would have also one the next category up by 25mins. Tired Cox – Jeremy Rossiter, Tabbut happy, and with our trophies, by (CCATBC 1993-1998) we returned home, a fitting send Stroke – Andy Pettican off for CCATBC and an excellent 7 – Ollie Crabb transition to start a new terms 6 – Anton Wright 5– Harry Joynes, Tabby (CCATBC rowing. Well done all, and long may it continue. 1999-2002) 4 – Tim Daines, Tabby (2004-2005) 3 – Sol McLeod 2 – Lee Cannon Bow - Sophie Barling, Tabby (CCATBC 2004-2007)

It is hoped that the success of the last season of CCATBC is carried over into the first season of ARBC in 2008-2009. So look out for ARBC coming to an event near you!