Edition 8 - January 2010
The Anglia Ruskin
Can you be the Voice of 25,000 Spotlight on the Students? Perfect Storm Page 1-2
Page 5
New Year’s Resolutions The Good, the Bad and the Inconceivable Page 7
contents features features
1-4
lifestyle
5-7
affairs
8
music
9-13
reviews
14-16
activities
17-21
sport
22-23
editorial team Simon Thomas Managing Editor
Jenna Grabey Activities Editor
Richard Conway Deputy Managing Editor
Matina Docklova Student Affairs Editor
Lisa Pool Editor in Chief
Ellis Clarke Lifestyle Editor
Vacant Photography Editor
Julia Ouzia Culture Editor
Sarah ChanningWright Design
Angeline Lilles Music Editor
Jessica Murphy News Editor
Cassie Andrews Reviews Editor Robert Sykes Sports Editor
Can You be the Voice of 25,000 Students? by Lisa Pool
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very year the Students’ Union elections take place in February. Any registered student of Anglia Ruskin University, whether they are part-time, full-time, placement or distance learners, can nominate themselves to become a part-time or sabbatical officer. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to enhance their CV by representing 28,000 students and shaping the direction of both the Union and the University. There are five full-time sabbatical officer positions and a number of parttime campus specific positions. The five sabbatical positions are President (cross-campus), Communications Officer (cross-campus), Academic Affairs Officer (cross-campus), and two site specific Student Experience officers (Cambridge and Chelmsford). For full details of each officer role please see the nominations pack at www. angliastudent.com alternatively, pop into any SU office and ask for a hard copy. Full time positions are paid and will require successful candidates to have finished or take a sabbatical year from their degree. Sabbatical officers work alongside full time staff to represent, serve and support all Anglia Ruskin students, but to also enhance their whole university experience while studying. “I ran in the elections last year, Here at The Apex we are always looking for new people to get involved. If you would like to write for any of the sections above see www.angliastudent.com/student_ media/apex for more information or e-mail info@angliastudent.com
because I got really fed up of hearing people constantly moaning about the University, but never doing anything about it! I always used to think to myself that anyone had the ability to make a difference, but would not jump at the chance to make a change. I made that jump, and I can honestly say it’s one of the best things I did while at University” comments Matt East, the current President of the Students’ Union. “Being in this position for the past 7 months has taught me so many skills that will transfer to any job I pursue. I have had a very rare opportunity to become a trustee for a company, and The opinions expressed in The Anglia Ruskin Apex are not necessarily those of the Editor, Editorial Team, Advertisors 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.
features I’ve only just turned 23! The job itself is beyond rewarding. When the Union succeeds at making change that benefits its members academically, it’s truly a great feeling; knowing you’re making an impact to actually improve peoples quality of education at our institution.” Part-time officer positions are voluntary positions that students can undertake while studying. They allow representation within the University for Particular Demographics of students. This is a fantastic opportunity for students to actively get involved in the democratic process of the University and Students’ Union without taking a year out. Students are given the opportunity to learn new skills making graduates more employable. “ Today I met with the University to help them improve communication, I had a working lunch with the City Council and I spent the afternoon brainstorming new ways in which the Union can communicate with students.” Explains Lisa Pool, the current Communications Officer. Tomorrow I will spend the day talking to students and gathering opinions to formulate
2 campaigns on a number of issues. Over the past two years I have run workshops at national conferences and I have influenced a number of changes within the University including, allowing the forwarding of University e-mails, the creation of a communications strategy and pushing forward the use of sms text messaging to inform you of late or cancelled lectures. The skills I have learnt from this job and the friends I have made around the country are invaluable. I feel like the luckiest graduate to have had such an opportunity straight after University and I think that if you could see yourself running the Students’ Union and shaping University life for over 25,000 people then, without a doubt, you should run in the Students’ Union Elections.” Nominations open on the Thursday 18th February and close on Wednesday 24th Feb. The Students’ Union will be handing out nominations packs over this period, giving students all the information they need about running in the elections. Balloting then opens
on the Monday 8th March and closes on the Thursday 11th March, when the results will be announced live at the SU bar in Chelmsford. Students can vote online, or at the polling stations positioned around the campuses. There will also be several opportunities for students to meet the candidates over elections period. For more information please visit www.angliastudent.com
Why isn’t E-submission Already a Priority? by Lisa Pool
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lectronic submission of work was voted, by you, as the highest priority campaign in our October opinion poll 2009, coming above a campaign against the increase in tuition fees and a campaign to improve the catering facilities on all campuses. However, tuition fees and facilities in general have been hot topics for a number of years, and will remain to be so. Votes in the opinion poll were counted from over 1000 students (4% of our student body) and an online
petition has also been circulated to Anglia Ruskin students to back up their vote for electronic submission where so far over 300 staff and students have signed up to the petition. (You can sign the online petition at www.ipetitions. com/petition/e_submission) A survey, conducted by the Students’ Union of over 50 lecturers at Anglia Ruskin University found that over 70% were in favour of electronic submission, with over 65% believing it would enhance the overall student experience. The fact that e-submission saves money, time and paper (improved organisation)
was highlighted in over 23% of the positive comments submitted by University staff, which was closely followed by 22% of the comments suggesting that e-submission would make feedback clearer for students and easier for lecturers. It is evident that lecturers are clearly singing from the same hymn sheet as you with regards to e-submission. Of course, as well as the pros of e-submission, it does come with implications from a lecturer’s point of view. Marking on screen and eye strain were highlighted in 29% of the negative
features comments, linking with staff preferring to mark hard copies of assignments, of which 26% said there would be resource issues with printing the work if students were to submit electronically. However, it is important to state that the majority of negative comments related to marking longer pieces of work or dissertations, showing that it would be ok at this stage to submit smaller assignments online. “This is extremely valid for those students who travel long distances to uni, it will mean that if there are issues with weather effecting transport, or health issues with either themselves or their families, they will not be disadvantaged. It should be remembered that a high proportion of students at Anglia Ruskin are mature students and have outside commitments.” Comment from student via the e-petition A few suggestions that did come out of the survey of academic staff included the use of electronic readers – something that has been highly developed to reduce the damage to your eyes. Obviously there are cost implications that come with this but it does show that lecturers are willing to help solve this issue.
“e-submission would make feedback clearer for students and easier for lecturers”
“Electronic submission would allow for quick, direct feedback. It would also dramatically decrease unnecessary administration.” Quote from Anglia Ruskin staff members taken from the Students’ Union survey Views on E-Submission The majority of students who voted for e-submission were full-time students studying at an undergraduate level. However, it was an even split between ‘traditional’ students aged 18-21 and students aged over 21. This suggests that, in the most part, technology is now embedded within society and that the skills gap for mature students is closing. When conducting my research I found a number of Universities that already deal with e-submission including , University of Sheffield, Bath University, University of Birmingham, Kingston University and, of course, the Open University.
Kingston University and the Open University have been using online submission, much to their advantage, for a number of years now. Anglia Ruskin University’s Corporate Plan states that, ‘by 2011 we educate an equal number of students off-site and on-site, through remote delivery partnerships at home and abroad, and distance learning…’, meaning e-submission would be a useful tool for the development of both the students and the University. “It works pretty well, and as well as the obvious ecological saving by dematerialising the work, saves me having to lug around paper, DVDs, memory sticks etc… It also makes it easier to archive and access work from previous years for reference - handy to be able to highlight to students good work from previous years” Senior Lecturer, Kingston University School of Architecture
Where is Anglia Ruskin University at now? In order for Anglia Ruskin to take e-submission forward, I have been informed that a project titled IS-0083 Module Diets which focuses on online curriculum needs to be administered first, not to mention the gaping holes within the administration of the SITS system. Previously the Students’ Union has campaigned for anonymous marking and this is something that the Union believes should be retained when designing an electronic submission system. E-submission could be technologically solved and we are aware that this process may take some time. There are already two committees within the University that e-submission has been discussed at, the VLE project board and SITS project board which shows this project is on the University’s agenda. More information will be circulated once the timeline for this project has been set. But so far, there has been good progress and discussions on this subject, with the University having committed to piloting this over the next academic year.
features
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Spotlight on The Perfect Storm An Interview with Phil Mackay, General Manager of Anglia Ruskin Student’s Union by Simon Gethin Thomas
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ith quite significant changes put in place in response to the changing demographic make-up of the University, do you believe that the ‘changing’ Anglia Ruskin, and it’s student’s union, will significantly further affect who applies in future? I don’t believe that the difference negative enough to any groups to create a negative correlation in application, though the improvements will certainly help to make up people’s minds when they see the direction in which we are headed. The university, as a whole, should think carefully about the current appeal to such a broad base of students. I, personally, would always like to see a greater increase in diversity as I feel that the introduction to new cultures and ways of life is a fantastic part of the university experience. We should be prepared for the possibility that government policy towards Higher Education funding is going to get stretched, which may result in a significant increase in students looking to opt for part time or distance learning programs, as we offer here, for personal-level financial viability. Could you tell me, from your perspective, of the road to the recent change, including the management of handover between two sabbatical teams? The figures and forecast showed us potential issues a good while in advance, but it became increasingly clear we needed to do something radical at the turn of 2008. It culminated with a meeting between the officers of the Student’s Union and the University Vice
Chancellor group about the situation in June of that year. To remain as we were, the University needed to accept that these bar and entertainment facilities were essential to the student lifestyle, and they would not. The officers and the previous sabbatical team would meet on a monthly basis, ensuring that they were fully briefed on the issues. Without the support from the university to maintain the service, in these meetings we accumulated the initial ‘Perfect Storm’ documentation, feedback from students and a rough plan of action. With the change of the sabbatical team in February, we arranged a day long handover on the specific topic with both incoming and outgoing teams almost immediately. We then brought in an external facilitator to have a broken-down day of discussions with all of the staff. What we tried to affirm as a group, instead of the unsustainable service, is a stronger program with realistic financial viability. Results from entertainments can be seen in our nights such as last Friday, where we drew in a crowd of 600 at Cambridge with a fantastic atmosphere. The upstairs Cambridge bar saw last orders being called at the end of June, with the new gym being up and running in time for September. Gym facilities had been something which had been raised for a while with the Student’s Union and with the closure we had a new space which could be filled. The gym membership subscription has shot above and beyond, and the new service has solved the financial issue whilst simultaneously responding to the student facility requests.
Importantly, the advice service has now fully seen the support it required. With an approximate growth of 20% in number of cases per year, the space in Chelmsford was in need of more space for the office. With the new waiting area, there’s a much better level of security that students feel from adding the new waiting room and staff support. Are there any further changes expected on the horizon that have come out of this situation? There are indeed. We now have created Student Activities Centres in Cambridge and Chelmsford, allowing for societies and their volunteers to have a space to meet and work in. Through negotiations undertaken by the union, Apple’s education department is investing in the Activities Centres, providing us with ten brand new Mac computers from January. The union aims to be trained to provide support on this equipment from the start of the New Year, also. With the redevelopment comes the creation of a new dance studio space in the new Bryant building, allowing support for dance, martial arts and many other societies. We also have a studio space, ideal for student radio, which we are hoping to fill and develop in the New Year. Many thanks to Phil Mackay.
Please send us your thoughts on the changes to the student's union to apexcontent@angliastudent.com
lifestyle
Ellis Clarke Lifestyle Editor
New Year’s Resolutions The Good, the Bad and the Inconceivable by Jess Dolby
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e all begin the New Year with them, they’re engrained as part of our culture and we see them as something to aim for if we indulged too much over the Christmas period. Yes, New Year’s resolutions are what January (and other months if we’re lucky and motivated) is all about. Common resolutions involve: • Some form of exercise. Now this will properly happen- for one or two attempts. For one the air is too cold for you to breathe properly, you won’t have any proper running shoes and after spending all the money on Christmas presents and alcohol, gym membership is a bit far off don’t you think? Best leave this open to jocks and gym bunnies who have been doing this a while.
• Losing weight. This is usually one even if you don’t need to lose any. People get concerned that one day of pure indulgence has made them put on at least two stone. This is often not the case, and losing weight only really happens if you coincide with the above so called exercise. But if you do keep snacking for breakfast on biscuits and mince pies, you are going to look like one. • Finding love. Now darling, that New Year snog that happened to stem into a ‘relationship’ is not love. Your either a rebound or they had their beer goggles on and found you at first endearing, but now just stemming on obsessive stalker. Here are some handy hints to crack these three major New Year resolution demons, and how to get the results
which really will make this year better: • Love yourself. Now, I’m not saying become an egotistical narcissist but embrace yourself for who you are. You can’t change your entire body shape and trying to become Kate Moss just won’t be feasible. Doesn’t mean you’re not gorgeous. Just because you don’t want what others want doesn’t mean you’re abnormal. Even if you like pickle on your jelly. Honestly, you have to love yourself and give yourself the respect you deserve before anyone else can love you. • Do what you enjoy. I know this sounds incredibly simple but it actually works- don’t make random assumptions like you’re going to go in for the London Marathon if you hated athletics at school. Do something you know you will keep up with and don’t over push yourself. Make time to go to that knitting circle or shave your hair off if you always wanted to. You will just feel worse if you don’t keep up with your resolutions because they are too incomprehensible. • Realise it’s the simple things in life. Don’t become too attached to material objects and don’t get stressed out if you can’t afford that brand new Armani watch. Material objects don’t actually make you happy believe it or not. Communication, friendships, relationships and family do however. Take time to let the sun bask on your skin or the rain to fall on your hair, smile when you see an old couple in the street holding hands. Take a deep breath in when you have new washing and relish it as though it were your last. Find peace within yourself and generally peace will follow you. You will be able to tackle anything. Happy 2010!
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lifestyle The Big Binge by Jess Dolby
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nce Christmas is over and I am asked what I am doing for New Year, my heart actually skips a beat and I begin to get butterflies in my stomach. This all sounds incredibly romantic, but in all honesty my hearts palpitating with anxiety, I feel nauseous and my mouth is dry. Why such horror you ask? Well, every year since I have been sixteen and aware of popularity, such festivities have held an almighty weight. Perhaps this was because I was a self confessed recluse at school, and in finding people interested in my company I had to keep up appearances. All in all, I would rather stay at home with a hot water bottle, cup of tea and an electric blanket but I am so desperately afraid of missing out on something. There was one year however; that I adorned myself with the party spirit and had a surprisingly raucous New Year celebration (though being underage and obscenely drunk possibly heightened my enthusiasm). My friends and I drank god knows what at home, then bombarded a house party stealing their champagne bottles from the fridge (they were mini ones, from what I remember) and then drank them on the way to the big blinding lights of the city. Where we managed to sneak into a club and danced our night way, knocking back shots of Aftershock (not realising it doubles the quantity you have already consumed). Then crawled our way back into my poor Grandparents house where we were crashing that night (or morning). I also remember sneaking out yet again to have a New Years kiss with the boy next door. Children are horrible, aren’t they? Fortunately, I learned my lesson of binge drinking and promiscuity early and before it was too late. This year it was a friend’s birthday (just after midnight, poor sod) and I decided (the knight in shining armour that I am)
that I would be taxi for the night. I had a respectable white wine spritzer and danced even when sober and the floor being empty. I kissed no one (apart from a blonde Italian woman, who assured me she was not a lesbian- it doesn’t count does it?) and was tucked into bed by two am. Alone (apart from my friend whose birthday it was, I was staying at her house- it doesn’t count does it?). I was reading a newspaper a couple of days after the celebrations, and I came across a couple of pages which were dedicated to unconscious, semiclad people who had drunk about fifty too many. I felt embarrassed for them, guilty that we can’t go out socialising and have a good time without getting completely and utterly intoxicated. I wonder if they found it comical that they were photographed in the street, slurring with broken heels and their knickers showing, or throwing up by the pavement? For once, I didn’t feel like I was missing out by not paying an extortionate price of twenty pounds for
Cambridge’s nightclubs. Going out at this time of the year means paying twice as much for the club you go to every Saturday night, and being a student means resorting to shots because it is all you can afford (this could be based on my own experience). Thus having the looming doomed situation documented in the papers happening to yours truly. Being a poor student actually going out made me impressed with my spendings - I managed to have a fantastic evening on merely six pounds, honest! Now, to avoid gloating on my abundance of savings I want to say it is the beginning of a New Year and a new decade. Whatever happened at the end of 2009 will promptly stay there. This is a time to think of a brand spanking New Year ahead, and a clean shiny slate of New Years Eve to begin, as a treat at the very end. So go and enjoy the fact that New Years Eve is over, and you don’t have to cope with the worry that you are going to be the only one alone when the clock strikes midnight.
lifestyle Procrasti-student-nation by Elliot Turner
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ssays are handed in for most of us, whilst exams are slowly getting out off the way, the question now is did you spend enough time on it all? If not think back on all the fun you had not getting on with it. Procrastination is defined as the act of putting off delaying or deferring until a later stage, for most students it isn’t an act more of a life style and for some it’s become an art. Personally I believe to have outdone myself this year in the procrastination department taking numerous unnecessary walks around this fair city, pretending I need to stay out for hours till I find the perfect Christmas gifts and that’s just for starters. Later
graduating onto getting my housemates distracted from there essays by spending three hours covering a door in masking tape; only to burst through it on completion like a circus drum. Alongside this numerous sky lanterns have seen their way into the sky with the help of essay deadlines, alongside creating many bicarbonate soda bombs which are great fun YouTube it and try yourself, really do! Other stories I’ve come across have been as colourful a friend bought a Ukulele and began learning to play it. Others have been reworking there way though the Harry Potter books. More still claim illness, this is a poor attempt at procrastination, and everyone knows no one really gets sick at the end of
semester especially after your bodies survived quite well the tsunami of alcohol that has crashed aside it. Some tales I’ve been told are wonderful examples of how procrastination is wonderfully beneficial fellow students are achieving the things they really want in life. One made the short film they’ve always wanted to. Whilst another crashed her car, not only causing an extended deadline no doubt but also leading to a lovely new vehicle, now this is pro-active procrastination. And fellow students although it causes so much trouble I’m sure none of us would dream of giving up this wonderful hobby.
student affairs
Matina Docklova Affairs Editor
The Right Person to Live With by Martina Docklova
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ambridge is an expensive town. Students who wish to live in walking distance from university often find themselves cornered in difficult money situation. Accommodation in the town centre costs very much and therefore there is no option left than to share house with other students unless you come from rich family, whose members support you to the extent you desire. In the beginning, students might enjoy living with fellow students, but with no exception, after some time, everybody is fed up with sharing. So how do you choose the right person to live with? Or maybe how do you not choose the wrong person to live with? Let me tell you a little story about my friend; let’s call her Maria, a student of Anglia Ruskin. She used to live with two guys and as it happened she started to be fed up. One day she finally decided to move out. Unfortunately, she did not have enough money to live alone. So she started to look for a cheap flat, where she could stay just with one person, ideally with a girl. After a little while, she told me she
had found the right person to live with. When I met that girl, let’s name her Jane, for very first time I had mixed feelings about her despite she was so lovely. Lovely was the perfect word for her. Jane was a very happy and friendly girl. We barely knew each other, but she was always hugging me and kissing me on my cheeks. My instinct told me there was something wrong with her but I gave her a chance. Maria and Jane moved into a flat near Anglia Ruskin together and they were claiming to be good friends. Everything seemed to be alright but a few months later, my friend Maria came to me and told me what happened when she came back from a short holiday. ‘’You know what happened to me?’’ she said ‘’I came home from holidays and something smelled really badly in our flat, so I looked everywhere and when I opened the fridge I could not believe my eyes, there was spoiled food. Jane just left the flat like that and went away for several weeks.‘’ I knew that this can happen to anyone and I told Maria that she just could have forgotten. However, Maria later came with new stories: ‘’Jane said
she does not have money, so I paid the rent myself, then I did big shopping in Tesco, and when I came back home from school the day after, I saw her cooking the food I bought. Jane claimed it was for both of us, arguing it is cheaper to cook like that. But she did not want to pay me the half for that shopping. So I am basically paying everything for her.’’ That day I said that she should kick her out, but Maria never listened to me. So Jane still stays in the flat and I listen to more and more unbelievable stories every day with my mouth open. ‘’You know I wanted to change my clothes the other day,’’ Maria once told me ‘’and I could not find the bra. She came and told me that all her bras are dirty so now she is wearing mine. A few days later I met her at school and she had my shirt on.’’ That was too much for me and when I met Jane for the last time I did not hug her, but instead I told her off. I knew that my instinct was right, she was simply using people around her. I wrote this article because I feel the need to tell you: Be careful when choosing the right person to live with.
Music Live Review Ian Brown @ Corn Exchange 7.12.09 by Jon Hazell
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t a feeble twenty years old I may be the youngest person at the Corn Exchange this evening. Floods of late twenties and early thirties men still donning that token Adidas stripe top (zipped-thru to the chin) all here to watch ex-Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown perform his own brand of spacey Madchester theatrics. Tonight is going to be the most nineties night Cambridge has seen since err, the nineties. Not that that is a bad thing of course. Even my companion Richard got partially shellsuited for the occasion. Brown struts on stage with that recognisable arrogant swagger, the lighting team instructed to make him look as messiah-like as possible. Oozing confidence he bops his shoulders to the competent beats made by the rest of his band. Opening track ‘Love Like A Fountain’ results in a graceful sway from the audience, who are careful not to spill their pints, careful not to look like they aren’t having fun. It’s not long before the band play the excellent ‘F.E.A.R.’ The room fills with blinding light, pints are spilled, grown men begin singing their hearts out. All of the sudden the £27 entry fee seems almost justified. I’m having a ball. Eventually Brown takes a break to play with his audience. He makes pincer motions with his hands and accuses the rowdy heckler at front of being a lobster before simply stating, “This is Cambridge, I thought you people were supposed to be smart.” There’s almost no denying it; Brown’s music is ever so slightly silly. But the singer’s persona and the conviction he uses to deliver each song is not without its charms. Looking at the crowd and their complete adoration of the King Monkey himself it’s clear I’m not the only one who’s figured this out.
However, I guess something about the entire affair seems a little forced. Did I come here to see Ian Brown play or did I come here to watch the guy who sung ‘I Am The Resurrection’ in 1992? It wasn’t until the band started the encore with the bullet-proof classic ‘Fools Gold’ that I realised that I was probably standing in a room full of Stone Roses fans, myself included. And whether this is saying something about the vitality of Brown’s earlier work or about the quality of his solo work since I’m not entirely sure. But I suppose none of this matters, Brown is still an excellent showman after all these years despite his music swaying occasionally towards the pointless.
Listings January Thursday 28th Status Quo @ Corn Exchange Saturday 30th Paul Carrack @ Corn Exchange
February Wednesday 3rd Adam Green @ The Junction Thursday 4th Seckou Keita Quartet @ The Junction Friday 5th MV & EE and The Doozer @ CB2 Saturday 6th Random Hand & The Skints @ Man On The Moon
Sunday 7th Vampire Weekend @ Corn Exchange Wednesday 10th Pasion De Buena Vista @ Corn Exchange Thursday 11th The Ghost Of A Thousand @ ARU Academy Thursday 11th Hot Club De Paris @ Portland Arms Friday 12th Fuzzy Lights @ St. Paul’s Centre Friday 12th - Recommended Imogen Heap @ The Junction Saturday 13th Pulled Apart By Horses & Bomb Factory @ The Haymakers Sunday 14th A Portrait of Michel Van Der Aa @ Kettle’s Yard Monday 15th Lostprophets & Kids In Glass Houses @ Corn Exchange
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Music News by Angeline Lilles
Dappy from N-Dubz has made a public apology for sending threatening messages to a Radio 1 listener who called him “vile” and his band “losers”. He noted down her number without production staff seeing, and proceeded to call and text her with threats. He states, “I totally apologise. I sent the messages to her in the heat of the moment when I was angry, but that’s no excuse.” Ironically, Dappy joined the Secretary of State for Schools last November to launch a government campaign against ‘cyber-bullying’ over mobile phones and the internet. The Football Association has confirmed that there will be no official song to accompany the England team at this year’s Fifa World Cup in South Africa. This will be the first time since 1966, the last year the team won the trophy. The decision was made to enable the focus to be fully concentrated on the football.
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n a surreal collision of music genres, Billy Corgan, 42years-old and frontman of The Smashing Pumpkins, and his new lady interest, 29-year-old pop singer Jessica Simpson, are making plans to record together. Oscar-winning French actress Marion Cotillard has teamed up with Franz Ferdinand to record a song which will soundtrack an advert for the fashion giant Dior. As the face of the label, Cotillard provides the lead vocals and will also star in the advert. Monday 15th Gallows @ The Junction Tuesday 16th Alessi’s Ark & Rachel Dadd & Adelaide’s Cape @ The Haymakers Wednesday 17th David Ford @ The Haymakers Friday 19th Shockwaves NME Awards Tour with The Maccabees, Bombay Bicycle Club, The Big Pink &The Drums @ Corn Exchange Sunday 21st Los Campesinos! @ The Junction Monday 22nd Peter Andre @ Corn Exchange Tuesday 23rd Noisettes @ Corn Exchange Wednesday 24th Polar Bear @ The Junction
Recommended! Imogen Heap @ The Junction 12.2.09 Famous for writing, performing and producing all her own music, and for being something of a maverick in each field, Imogen Heap is quite the live experience to behold. Highly regarded by music aficionados such as Zach Braff and proving popular in the world of television and film soundtracks, it’s difficult to believe she’s playing such a modestly sized venue, and shouldn’t be missed.
Music Listen Out For In 2010 by Angeline Liles
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he brink of a few weeks that closes the end of one year and opens the beginning of the next always heralds a furtive and exciting time in the media who seize the opportunity to predict what awaits our ears in the coming months. To sift the gold from the dust, we’ve compiled a few names that you might just want to keep in mind.
Delphic This Manchester-based alternative dance band’s laborious efforts this summer playing every festival going seems to have paid off with a hefty serving of mainstream recognition. Second single ‘Doubt’ has been all over the airwaves, and debut album Acolyte is expected to cement their position as one of the most exciting bands around.
Ellie Goulding
Alan Pownall
At just 23-years-old, Ellie Goulding is already creating quite a name for herself and her own brand of folk-tronica, which offers lyrical integrity alongside all the catchiness of a well-executed pop song. Securing first place on the BBC’s coveted Sound of 2010 list (previous years have tipped Mika, Adele and Florence & The Machine), and having been signed to Polydor Records in September 2009, Goulding has enjoyed heavy airplay on Radio 1 as well as a support slot on tour with Little Boots. Her debut album, Lights, will be released on 1st March this year. Listen out for ‘Starry Eyed’, the first single to be taken directly from the album.
It seems that music industry insiders have finally caught up with the APEX, as writer Jon Hazell picked up on the quiet genius of this acoustic-guitar wielding singer-songwriter back in March 2009. Despite being big friends with London folkers Mumford & Sons, Slow Club and Laura Marling, Pownall provides an intentionally individual approach to music making. With a UK tour set for February/March that concludes with a show at Shepherd’s Bush supporting Paloma Faith, Pownall seems to be making big strides onto the radar of the London music scene.
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Owl City Everyone’s heard it. It’s been inescapable. ‘Fireflies’ seemed to burst from nowhere, right into everyone’s consciousness. It was insomnia that drove Adam Young to creating this synthpop project in his parents’ basement, which led to two independently released albums before signing to Universal Records and releasing his third, Ocean Eyes, from which the aforementioned single is taken, last summer. Having been heavily compared to the Postal Service, Young admits to being a fan but denies any close musical comparisons.
Alessi’s Ark
At just under two decades old, Alessi Laurent-Marke began her musical project with having to compose a song for her GCSE music coursework. From there, she has signed with Virgin Records, recorded her debut album with Rilo Kiley producer Mike Mogis at Conor Oberst’s (Bright Eyes) studio in Nebraska and supported Cerys Matthews on tour. Following an extensive tour around Britain from January to April, she’ll support Laura Marling on her upcoming UK tour. Believing in homemade music and bringing friends closer, Alessi’s music is enchanting and exhibits more than just an air of magic.
Hurts
This electronic duo from Manchester have yet to play a gig or officially release a single. Despite this, they came in at number four on the BBC’s Sound of 2010 list, after their song ‘Wonderful Life’ was notably remixed by Arthur Baker.
Also keep an ear out for Two Door Cinema Club: http://www.myspace.com/ twodoorcinemaclub Marina and the Diamonds: http://www.myspace.com/ marinaandthediamonds The Drums: http://www.myspace.com/ thedrumsforever
Music Live Review Bowling For Soup @ Cambridge Corn Exchange 20/10/09 by Jon Hazell
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s there anything you could expect from a band called ‘Bowling for Soup’ other than complete stupidity? Well, no. But the crowd of fifteen year olds didn’t come here for anything life changing and neither did I. BFS are an unbelievably catchy pop-punk band formed in 1994 in Texas. Years later they are still playing the same tunes with the same sense of naivety and immaturity. Their original fan base may have grown up a little, but they sure haven’t. The tour is to promote their seventh album, Sorry for Partyin, and they are supported by The Leftovers, MC Lars and Zebrahead. The three sets gave me plenty of time to work out how to use the expensive camera I had rented for the evening, but not much else really. The set begins with their 2000 single ‘The Bitch Song’, which tells the story of a man so devoted to his lover that it makes him stop caring about her horrible personality: ‘You’re a bitch But I love you anyway/you can’t sing but you still put me to sleep’. Surprisingly, this song is pretty sincere in its own little
way. The set continues and the security staff has a hard time dealing with the sea of sweat covered school kids crowd surfing over the barrier and upsetting the photographers. The band are sure to fill their set with the regular crowd pleasers such as ‘High School Never Ends’and ‘Punk rock 101’, and then my favourite ‘Girl all the bad guys want’. They also include
a handful of new tracks including the moderately funny ‘My Wena’ - where singer Jared declares his love for a girl called Wena (or his penis, it’s not made entirely clear). Of course, their set finishes with the 2004 single ‘1985’ which lasts a good three minutes longer than the original recording because lead singer Jared wanted to hear the audience sing the final chorus in an Antonio Banderas accent. The audience are having fun but nowhere near as much fun as the actual band are having. I’m not ashamed to admit that I still love this type of music and I might not ever grow out of it. Maybe it’s because the music reminds me of past times or maybe its because I’m secretly still 13 years old. Either way you’d be surprised how often I put away my Bob Dylan and Leonard Cohen CDs to be replaced with this joyful brand of pop-punk silliness.
Images courtesyy of Job Hazell
reviews
Cassie Andrews Reviews Editor
Sherlock Holmes
Eliza Doolittle
by Cassie Andrews
Self-Titled EP by Matthew Yau
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uy Ritchie is famous for his gritty British gangster flicks and marrying Madonna, but will Sherlock Holmes add to his attributes? Lock, Stock and two smoking barrels (1998), Snatch (2000) and RocknRolla (2008) are seen as some of Ritchie’s most triumphant work, all following the underground British gangster scene. Sherlock Holmes shows Ritchie stepping in a new direction. Set in the late 19th century, following the infamous Holmes and Watson on a perilous journey to find the resurrected Lord Blackwood, isn’t exactly following the traditions of Ritchie’s previous works. The controversial choice of Robert Downey Jr. as Holmes was risky, with an American playing the quintessentially British detective Sherlock Holmes. This risk pays off as Downey has a faultless British accent and creates a memorable quirky eccentric character. Jude Law plays Sherlock’s assistant Dr. Watson, this role is unlike the typical ‘Ladies Man’ roles that Law has played before. He steps up to the plate and delivers a faultless half of the crime solving duo.
Ritchie shows Holmes and Watson as dependant on each other, they hold a brotherly bond which cannot be broken. Even though Watson is soon to be married his main priority is still sticking by Holmes’ side. Law and Downey Jr.’s character’s work really well together in this duo, the quirkiness of Holmes played against the sensibility of Watson shows just how much the two need each other. The plot of the film follows a typical action adventure storyline, good against evil, although the story holds a few twists along the way. The effects throughout the film are what you would expect from a Ritchie film. The editing stands out in particular, leading into sequences of Holmes’ thought in slow motion showing all of the cogs working before going back over the sequence at normal pace. At first this form of editing was confusing but after the first time it helps to enhance Holmes as a character. On my visit to the cinema to see Sherlock Holmes the screen was full to bursting point, and in my opinion, this film will carry on drawing in the masses.
his charming sound crosses Corinne Bailey Rae and Lily Allen in a catchy, yet quirky style which holds an irresistible element persuading listeners to play at least two tracks on repeat. The initial track, titled ‘Rollerblades’ is a more tranquil, mainstream track. The backing track is simple, but attractive which allows Eliza’s soulful voice to shine through even if both the track and lyrics are slightly repetitive. The second track on the EP is far more interesting with an emotive feelgood tone portrayed through the tune and the lyrics – which other song have you heard referencing to the legendary Sega Megadrive, in a positive manner too! ‘Moneybox’ will certainly have most listeners bobbing their head with a convincing smile at the bottom of it. These first two track alone shows that Eliza is definitely past the onehit wonder stage which strikes fear in many rising stars. ‘Police Cars’, the third track, is almost a carbon copy of the first track, except for being more memorable. This is mainly contributed through the tune which is gently bouncy whilst containing quirky brass sounds reminiscent of the King Louie song in ‘The Jungle Book’. The final track, ‘Go Home’ really highlights how Doolittle’s sound, and in particular her vocals, can influence or at least shake up the genre of soul a little. The sound is gentle, yet pleasing; it is soft enough to play at your gran’s birthday party, while carrying adequate energy to please the young ‘uns.
reviews Ian Brown My Way by J.J. De Wolf
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an Brown is an artist who has been polarizing opinions since the release of the Stone Roses eponymous debut album way back in 1989. Whilst the album has gone down in musical history as being one of the finest debuts ever released, Brown’s vocal abilities have often been brought into question. But he’s never been a man to crumble when the critics come calling and since the Stone Roses dissolved in 1996, has gone on to release six solo albums, fourteen top 40 singles and had numerous collaborations. This sixth album, My Way, is perhaps his most ambitious yet. The opening track and lead single, Stellify, sets the pace nicely with a great melody and an undulating beat that’ll make you want to swagger around in the style of northerners everywhere. The song also has a jangling piano and some electro beats coursing through it.... which shouldn’t work. And yet it does. It’s a testament to the self-belief that Brown has in the quality of his songwriting, which has been improving with
every album since Unfinished Monkey Business. The album continues in a strong fashion, particular highlights being Just like You which has more than a hint of early 90’s Manchester disco to it; and Marathon Man, a track that has a great house beat running through it and is destined to be sampled for many years. Of course, it wouldn’t be Ian Brown without some real quirkiness in there. Own Brain is not a bad song at all, but takes a leap into comic brilliance when Mr. Brown helpfully points out to the listener that Own brain is an anagram
of his own name. He’s also found the time to slip a cover version into this album. In The Year 2525 was released by psychedelic rockers Zager & Evans in 1969 (ask your dad). Brown’s version is a total reworking with mariachi trumpets and Spanish guitar, which he succeeds in, despite the concept of it making my brain itch. Always Remember Me is the one and only slow number on the album and is sonically beautiful, with a stunning melody that King Monkey should be proud of. It’s just a shame that this song appears to be about the fifteen year silence between himself and former Stone Rose, John Squire. So if anyone reading this has hopes for a Roses reunion this year, this song does not bode well. This is Ian Brown’s most complete piece of work so far as a solo artist, lacking no real weak tracks and having some of the trademark Brown-isms we’ve all come to know and love. If you’re a fan, there’s no reason why you should be disappointed by this. If you’re new to Ian Brown, then what took you so long?
Hot Chip One Life Stand by Cassie Andrews
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he Electro misfits are back after two years of recording One Life Stand, which will be released on the 1st February. This album is much mellower than the bands previous releases. Track 3, I Feel Better, has a 90’s dance feel to it using retro synths and simplistic but powerful drum beats. Track 1, Thieves In The Night, is the high of the album; employing an impressive build up to an innovative Hot Chip indie electro
fusion. The band has swerved in a new direction heading for a more Ibiza chill out and less dance tents at festivals, as their previous hits have been. The effect of this new move is that a few tunes are a bit monotonous and repetitive. Hot Chip still hold the ability to get the energy flowing, even if it is in a less interesting way. The album is definitely one to listen to if you want to hear something somewhere in between Snow Patrol and Pendulum, which in
itself is interesting.
reviews
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Nine by Arlena Stevens
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irected by Rob Marshall, Nine is a musical extravaganza loosely based on Federico Fellini’s 1963 film 8½, wherein a creative genius and womanizer tussles with finding a balance between work, life and his ego. Guido “Maestro” Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) is a film director whose last couple of projects were flops, as he points out candidly to a roomful of eager journalists at the press conference for his ninth movie. Yet his reputation and preceding masterpieces means the proverbial bar for the ostentatiously named Italia has been raised high and the pressure is on. Ten days before shooting begins, leading roles are cast, the set is built, costumes are in the making: the only thing missing is the script. As Contini struggles to derive some sort
of inspiration from the chaos of his world to deliver a worthy screenplay, he reflects on the influence of the many women in his life. Haunted by his Mamma (the ever glamorous Sophia Loren), tempted by sassy American journalist Stephanie (Kate Hudson), counselled by his confidant ( Judi Dench) and enchanted by movie star diva Claudia (Nicole Kidman), Contini discovers his writer’s block is more a manifestation of the fragmentation of his personal and emotional self than a creative brick-wall. Day-Lewis’s Contini is supplemented by a fine array of leading ladies. Penélope Cruz combines oozing sex-appeal with wide-eyed naivety as Contini’s long-term mistress Carla, whose often comical displays of seduction are tinged with longing. Marion Cotillard is a quiet gem who shines as Contini’s loving wife Luisa,
whose patient and forgiving character melts hearts in the bittersweet “My Husband Makes Movies” before reaching breaking point in fuck-you number “Take it all”. Fergie, looking a bit of a state as strumpet Saraghina, unleashes a spinechillingly seductive voice in “Be Italian”, a number in which she sashays around Contini’s imagination with a troupe of tasty tambourine tapping tarts. This is perhaps the most superb musical moment of the movie, with a tone that is sexy and fiercely Italian. Although its plot is more reflection than story, Nine is visually moreish and at the very least provides a enjoyably titillating way to escape for a couple of hours. It must be warned, however, that 112 minutes in the dark with Nine is sparking girl-crushes on Cruz galore.
Alice in Chains Black Gives way to Blue by Robbie Germeno
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lice in Chains need no introduction, they were pioneers in the early 90’s Seattle grunge movement along with Nirvana, Pearl Jam and Soundgarden. Since 1987 they have released four studio albums, three E.P.s and two live albums all achieving success worldwide. However tragedy struck in 2002 when lead singer Lane Stately passed away due to substance abuse, this for many people was the end for Alice in Chains as many people believe Layne Stately was an irreplaceable front man. In 2005 Alice in Chains reformed alongside new Vocalist William Duvall and by 2009 Alice in Chains recorded a brand new studio album, the first for fourteen years.
Black Gives way to blue is the natural progression for Alice in chains to make after such a long period with relatively no musical action. William Duvall does a superb job replacing Layne Staley, bringing his own vocal qualities to the band while giving a two hand salute to the Late Layne Staley. This album is not simply a recycled version of the Alice in Chains of old, it captures surging emotional energy between the band members which is exploited throughout the album. Songs such as Last of my kind have roots profoundly in Heavy metal, with William Duvall adding some unique soulful vocal lines. Acid Bubble is reminiscent of the old Alice in Chains with slow droning guitar riffs and dissonant vocal harmonies. Whilst
the song When the Sun Rose Again features a beautiful compelling acoustic number, packed with soulful vocal harmonies and clever acoustic guitar lines. Private Hell features a powerful performance form Jerry Cantrell and William Duvall which without doubt will put a smile on many a rock lover’s face. In short this album is bursting with heavy riffs, raw emotion and incredible music, Layne Staley would be proud of this modern masterpiece that is Black gives way to blue!
student activities
Tenpin Tuesday!
Literary Society Poetry and Music by Candlelight by Chris Hall and Jenna Grabey
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o out of university. Take a right and keep walking past Tesco and other assorted monuments to industry and eventually, tucked away in a recess, you will find a 12th Century chapel lost amongst the modern ruins. That is the Leper Chapel and that is where, on the 1st December, the Literary Society held their end of term open mic night. It was an intimate affair, considering both the area and the attendance, which must not have exceeded fifteen. The show of numbers was not particularly surprising, what with deadlines being so close and the location so remote. However I am not snubbing the attendance, as I found the number to be perfect, but that may be the result a long-forged misanthropy. Included in the number were old and new committee members Rachel Rowley, Tom Bates, Nadia Emmanuel, Lex Avis and Jen Lee, a group of much welcomed first year students and our own Dr John Gardener. As well as being a tribute to the spoken (and sung) word, the evening was also in honour of Justin Wand, the founder of the society, who tragically died in a car accident when driving his vintage sportscar in the spring. Performances were varied, beginning with a small ceremony by Jen Lee and Lex Avis for handing the society over to its new administration. There were also readings by other said old members. I particularly enjoyed Jenna Grabey’s pagan styled ballad and evocation of the winter season, which I feel did what good poetry of that nature should do, taking an idea or story and making a general meaning from it. One first year, whose name sadly I cannot recall, was very well received, his poetry too dealing heavily in nature. Due perhaps to the lack of expected
Jenna Grabey Activities Editor
Brand New Student Night for ARU by James Coburn Tenpin ARU Brand Ambassador
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performers, the evening was dominated somewhat by the folk tinged playing and singing of…myself, which I could not possibly make an account of, and as such my editor Jenna has agreed to take that part. Chris Hall is a one man performance, and nothing extra was needed for his folk music pin-pricked with Nick Cave’s narrative lyrics, along with emotion that resonated through the chapel and ricocheted off the back wall, filling the audience with haunting imagery, during which we got to hear a song written by Chris himself Son of Man. Then later in the evening Lex’s poem regarding Anne Boleyn was read, bringing the Queen’s Tudor past vividly to the present for all the audience to experience. In all, I must congratulate the Rachel Rowley and Tom Bates for having the event in such a unique location, it was special in a place and atmosphere that only the standing of centuries can deliver. The next event will most likely be a bigger event and held within the confines of the university itself, and I am sure that it will be a success and if not, then it deserves to be.
ith Wednesdays becoming increasingly free from Lectures, Tuesday night is fast becoming the night students let their hair down. In response, Tenpin has just launched a student night with the best deals in Cambridge on Tuesdays; just £7 for 2 games of bowling and a baguette/burger and chips, and £1.50 for Foster’s, Strongbow, VK and Smirnoff plus Mixer. Cosmic bowling will also be playing throughout, including UV Lighting, party music and smoke machines creating a party feeling making the night all the better. ARU Tenpin Tuesdays offer great value; 28 bowling lanes and a large bar with plentiful seating, great food, 10 pool tables, 4 air hockey tables and a large array of arcade and fruit machines. Student night at Tenpin has something for everyone to enjoy, so do come along. Every Tuesday 8pm till 12pm and be bowled away by these brilliant offers.
Tenpin, Cambridge Leisure Park, Clifton Way, Cambridge, CB1 7DY 0871 550 1010
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student activities Theatre Society at Anglia Ruskin University by Isabelle Watts
Euro-Fest Who, What and Total Student Satisfaction by Aarran Scott, Euro-Fest Managing Director
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Staged Imagination” is the Theatre Society that was set up this September at ARU. The society welcomes everyone and anyone that would like to get involved with the arts outside of their course. It has been set up for artists, actors, producers, film makers, musicians, designers and anyone else that wants to get creative this year. The aim of the society is to get students more involved within the arts, making use of the equipment and expert advice offered by the university. Meetings are usually held in Covent Garden Drama Studio, (just off Campus), and Coslett Drama Studio. A small committee is leading the society, organising workshops and trips to see shows and performances. The society’s first workshop was “The art of Stage Combat” which was taught by Simon Bell, one of the drama lecturers who very kindly held two workshops – both of which proved to be very popular! The society’s first performance is being staged between 27th and 29th of January in Covent Garden Drama Studio. It starts at 7:30pm and is called, “An Evening of Comedy Theatre”, which consists of two one act plays: “Fourteen” by Alice Gerstenberg and “A
Matter of Husbands” by Ferenc Molner. The biggest project the society has this year is the performance of “The Tempest” which will be performed in the Mumford Theatre from the 27th of March. Details for both shows will be appearing in the Mumford theatre’s spring programme. This semester there is even more going on with fundraising activities being held in the academy; a number of workshops, and an evening which gives people the chance to use or perform their own work, including scripts or poems. All members of the society would like to thank Kerstin Bueschges, Simon Bell and Gianna Bouchard, all of whom have supported the society a great deal, donating both time and expertise for our benefit. Another big thank you, this time to Geri Wren and the rest of the universities Arts Council, who have generously helped fund the society’s activities. The membership fee to join the society is £4 and more information can be found on our website: www. stagedimagination.co.uk or if you have any other queries please email Isabelle Maxwell Watts on i.maxwellwatts@ stagedimagination.co.uk.
uro-Fest Ltd provides travel tours to European music festivals and events, taking the hassle out of holiday planning and focusing more on mixing together friendship, travel and new experiences. You can visit Benicassim (Spain) or Roskilde (Denmark) Festivals in a comfortable, fully equipped coach, accompanied by our passionate EuroFest tour team. All aspects of the tour is provided including the festival ticket, so forget worrying about your tent pegs or forgetting to pack your map as Euro-Fest will do all the organising for you. All you need is your party hat and dancing shoes… and maybe your passport! Our summer 2010-tour itinerary includes such festivals as Sonar (Spain), Roskilde (Denmark), Benicassim (Spain), Pukkelpop (Belgium) and Oktoberfest (Germany). We are a young and forward thinking company; our Founder & MD (Aaran Scott) came up with the idea of Euro-Fest in June 2008 whilst traveling himself. Currently based in Dalston, London, we have a small and friendly team of 3 employees working tirelessly towards providing you with unforgettable 2010 tours. Advantages of Euro-Fest for students include our Student Deposit Scheme. We know what its like and being caught short the month before the festival when all your friends are already booked and it’s never an enjoyable experience. For that reason Euro-Fest offers a Student Deposit Scheme. To get the ball rolling, we’ll take a deposit followed by 3 smaller, more manageable payments before departure date. Each deposit scheme differs according to the tour; if you are
student activities interested in securing your ticket please contact us today. Euro-Fest is happy to accept group bookings within our schedule or 2010 Tours. Alternately we can also provide bespoke tours for private group bookings, in our experience these tours and normally well suited for University Clubs & Societies. So if you and your friends want to get ahead of the game for 2010 contact us today. If you like what you have heard and want to make sure you’re involved in the best festival scene of 2010. You can either contacts us on 0845 269 6749 or visit our website www.euro-fest.co.uk. Also, if you are interested in what we do and perhaps could see yourself working with us, we are always interested to hear from you. Please email us at info@eurofest.co.uk.
is credited with being continental Europe’s largest festival and provides a platform for a variety of internationally renowned artists; previous acts include Coldplay, Oasis, Kanye West and Deadmau5 to name a few.
Student Roskilde Competition EURO-FEST HAS A PAIR OF ROSKILDE TOUR & FESTIVAL TICKETS TO GIVE AWAY!! The Roskilde (Denmark) festival
How to WIN this amazing prize? Is easy just visit www.euro-fest.co.uk and Sign-Up to our FREE Newsletter. In your email to us you will need to write the words, STUDENT ROSKILDE COMPETITION. The closing date is the end of April. We will announce additional competitions through our news letter & website. Good luck everyone!
student activities
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Career with an Ethical or Humanitarian Slant Cambridge is the Place to Be by Elma Jenkins
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hat you plan to do after university is a daunting concept, while fresher drinking spots can get repetitive, there is more you can do, and you can do something about it now. If you want to direct your career at university toward an ethical or humanitarian slant then Cambridge is a great place to be. The so called “Third sector” (nonprofit businesses and organisations in the UK) is a bustling, expanding hub of activity and because of its’ “not for profit” trade mark- one of the few characteristics that define this ambiguous work- jobs in this area are more secure. Now more than ever is the time to get involved. Charities and Non Governmental Organisations in the UK have been hurriedly cashing in on their Labour government contracts, partly so charities can insulate themselves against the worst of the recession and against any cut backs to their funding that future changes in the ruling party might for see. Labour of course want to earn extra brownie points at the next election, so have been going along with this quite happily. For instance, The Fairtrade foundation and ULTD* charity were recently awarded over double their normal funding to name but two I know of. The best way to get involved with this competitive sector is, of course volunteering, a very credible student activity, but is also popular among some business men who have thrown their towels and their big wage packets in with the recession and had a change of heart. I have meet a few of these re-borns in my time as a volunteer at the Fairtrade foundation, and can honestly say they are very lovely chaps and a better advert to the strength of the human sole then any labour government initiative.
Of course there is the recession to think of and charities are by no means excluded from this but that only means your help is needed even more than before; when things start to lift up again you will be well poised with lots of valuable experience and insight into the sector, ready to tackle poverty without going hungry your self. This is really a sector where you don’t have to leave your personal life at the office door or visa versa. You can carry your passions with you and develop a special area of interest while meeting some amazing people along the way. Workers in the third sector, are on average better looked after and have a wider variety of job descriptions than the mundane 9-5 worker. You will also find your self in an environment where you are valued and trusted with responsibilities from the word go, giving you more chances lift your CV. Volunteers and paid workers “raise through the ranks” much quicker- a little initiative can go a long way- and enjoy more job satisfaction because of the nature of the work.
So what are you waiting for? Cambridge contains a large number of individuals and organisations
“ You can carry your passions with you and develop a special area of interest while meeting some amazing people along the way” working in international development. The Cambridge hub is a good place, there is also the Harambee centre, the Humanitarian centre, Cambridge University International Development, U8 and our own ethical group Roots and Shoots, all of which are very open to students and young people. If you want more information or advice on directing your own action, e-mail elma.jenkins@googlemail.com Below I have listed a few up and coming events which can whet your appetite:
Jan 26: Jan 27:
Free training: Conflict management Free training: Volunteer overseas - Finding placements and funding
Feb 01: Feb 02: Feb 04: Feb 12: Feb 26:
Humuanitarian centre AGM open to all Free training Media work Non - profit Careers Fair, The works Understanding new wars conference Global poverty project
student activities The Global Poverty Project by Jenna Grabey
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.4 billion people on our planet live in extreme poverty. That’s 1.4 billion reasons for us to take action. The Global Poverty Project is an organisation that does not want your money, yet has a vision of a world without extreme poverty. A world where there are no longer 1.4 billion people facing the devastating consequences of living on only $1.25 per day, but 1.4 billion more people who are able to reach their full true potential in life. This vision is obtainable. The Global Poverty Project is committed to catalyse the movement to end extreme poverty, and see this vision achieved in this generation. They understand that the best type of help is the help that provides communities the means to help themselves so they wont need help in the future. To do this, The Global Poverty Project have developed a presentation: ‘1.4 billion Reasons’ which presents the facts on the
current situation, and clearly, but deeply, communicates how it’s audience can have a real impact on the issues discussed, in making simple commitments to take action in their everyday lives. It aims not only to inspire, but offer a practical way forward. “We aim to communicate to individuals how what they learn, say, buy, give and do can be connected to the ending of extreme poverty. We encourage all to take small actions each day that can ultimately have huge impacts on the lives of the world’s poorest.” This movement has gained tremendous momentum globally, already reaching over 15,000,000 people in Australia, New Zealand, and Canada, many of whom have made personal commitments to use their voice, and their everyday actions. The Project has now arrived in England, and on the February 26th the movement arrives here in the centre of Cambridge, which is to be one of the first hosts for “1.4billion Reasons”. This is your
opportunity to discover just how vital your role is in seeing the eradication of extreme poverty, and how achievable this goal really is. The founder of this project, Hugh Evans, is a student of Cambridge University and first launched The Global Poverty Project in September 2008 at the UN High Level Event on Millennium Development Goals. Since this time, support has flooded in from all walks of life ranging from the senior advisor to the UN Secretary General, Jeff rey Sachs, to The Nelson Mandela Foundation, from actor Hugh Jackman to the former Chief Vision Officer for ‘An Inconvenient Truth’ Chris Adams. If you would like to learn more about The Global Poverty Project, and how you can become involved, why not attend the FREE event at the Cambridge Corn Exchange on Friday 26th February at 7.00pm. To receive a ticket please email: lfo21@cam.ac.uk.
Business @ Ashcroft Pub Quiz by Hannah Myatt
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fter many initial meetings to create it, decide on a name and elect the committee members, the Chelmsford Department of AIBS now has a fullyfledged, active student society called ‘Business @ Ashcroft’. Supported by the Students’ Union, the society ran its first ever event on 30th November – a pub quiz and raffle in the Students’ Union Bar. The President of the society, Unathi Sicwebu along with the secretary, Jessica Zifodya and the Treasurer, Rajit Ramasamy, planned the event, with the help of some fellow business students, John Webb and I. Approximately 4 weeks before the event, the committee and I enthusiastically went on the campaign trail: we put up posters everywhere we
could think of, gave out flyers at every available opportunity, and promoted the quiz to students in lectures. The work paid off, as we ended up with 8 participating teams, comprising of Business School staff and students (and a few of the SU bar staff as well!). In addition to the usual general knowledge and TV quiz rounds, the quiz also had a couple of business-themed rounds; one of which was entitled ‘Marathon Challenge’ and required each team to take risks with monopoly money. Teams had to gamble on the outcome of the numbers of the roll of two dice which gave the quiz an interesting element and caused some teams to become ‘broke’, hampering their efforts to become the quiz’s overall winner! Prizes were awarded to the top three scoring teams: first place went to ‘The
Deanos’ who won £50, second place (‘The Tasmanian Devils’) won bottles of wine, and the team who came in third place (‘Very Dangerous Liaisons’) was awarded boxes of Maltesers for their efforts. Raffle prizes were also on offer so those who may not have won the quiz still had a chance to leave with something! Looking around at the laughing faces, it seemed that everyone enjoyed themselves and that this first event was a success. It brought both students and staff together in a fun, informal setting and enabled them to get to know each other a little better. Business @ Ashcroft student society looks forward to running further events and would invite students to let me, or the committee know, which kind of events they would like to see from the society in the future.
sport
Robert Sykes Sports Editor
ARU Darkside Tournament Result by Crow, Darkside Captain
Thursday 3rd December Churchill College Outdoors ARU Darkside Team List Scott “Crow” Mitchell – Captain Tom May – Vice Captain Pete “Baby” Wilson - President Thomas “Guns” Cliff Ryan Moore Scott Phillip Laura Woodford Simon Coard Jon Woof Paul Turtle James Dobie Special mention Sam Bush
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fter an intense theory session the night before in preparation for the days event Anglia Ruskin Ultimate Frisbee team, known as ARU Darkside, turn up to the pitches at Churchill College at 9am. Freezing cold, we received the schedule from the tournament director and it showed that we were seeded 1st, due to our league result this semester of 2nd out of 16 in Cambridge. Somewhat surprised by this we grouped together and headed to the pitch for our first game of the day against Churchill B. GAME 1 After winning the toss and opting to start on defence the game began. A few
initial gitters Darkside turning the disc over and scored the first point. This was the story for the rest of the match ever time Churchill had the disc Darkside would run faster and harder then their marks and this resulted Churchill turning over and Darkside capitalizing. Special mention to Paul in this game with excellent running managing to score within 10 seconds of coming on the pitch. End result - WIN Darkside 13 – 2 Churchill B As the other team in our group pulled out we went straight into the quarter finals. GAME 2 This game was against Downing College. The weather had not improved with added rain and stronger wind added to Darkside dropping disc and leading to an early lead for Downing 3 – 0. At this point Crow (captain) changed our defence from “Man – Man” to a Zone defence which was extremely effective and with the rest of the team finally settling into the game we gained the upper hand with some calm and patient upwind handling. End Result – Win Darkside 11 - 3 Next up – Semi Final GAME 3 Up against a team that was formed of a couple of colleges mainly Trinity College. This was going to be a tough match from us being friends with the other team and knowing their abilities. Never the less Darkside came out in force with some quick score and at times deadly defence. We took the first nine points in a row. Some huge grabs
On thein22nd and 23rd made the end zone by November James and Chris Fisk from, Simon off of someAnglia sweet Ruskin “hucks” from University theCrow. DSE At Guns and acompeted “hammer” at from National this point swimming Laura’s kneeChampionships decided to give at Ponds Forge Sheffi eld astoacarry on. way thus making her unable member of athe Eastern Region Th is lead to problem as the rules were team. Competing the S17 class that there has to bein one women at least he the accepted 9 on pitch atthe all challenge times, so weoffought individual eventsoninthe thepitch weekend, as on with 6 player verses 7. well asbad being relied upon about to anchor Some decision making which the regions relay defence to use fromteam. Crow meant that clearlyscored performs bestinunder theChris opposition 4 points a row. pressureDarkside as against fieldharder Luckily dugainlarge and ran of make competitors he lack collected Goldand to up for the of players medals for each End of his individual fi nally prevailing. result – WIN events. Leaving the best until last Chris reduced Championship Darkside 12 – 5the Trinity record for 50 metre freestyle by over aupquarter of a second. This Next – FINAL performance marks a third year when Chris GAME 4 has been unbeaten at National has events in been his classifi Darkside never in the cation. final in the 4 years that we have been a club and this was our moment to prove how much effort we have been putting into training. The game was against Churchill A team. This team is a strong and fast team with good throws so we knew it was going to be a massive challenge, even though we had already beaten them this season in a close match. We also had the issue of being a player down and quickly had to find a woman that would help us out. Luckily Tom’s girlfriend Sam was down to watch and we convinced her to put on some boots and do some running but if she did need to sub off then we would understand. This was her first ever ultimate match and she completely held her own against strong opposition. The game was intense and each team not turning the disc over in the first 10 points, at the half way point the game was tied at 5 – 5. At times Darkside had to play with 6 on the pitch again as Sam did need a break. This was fine
sport as Crow had actually decided to run a proper 6 man defensive zone which proved effective. Both sides were struggling to get the upper hand when a wonder play witnessed. Churchill on offence dropped the disc which turned over to Darkside. Ryan calmly walks to the disc picks it up and “hucks” it down the pitch to the end zone where Tom is waiting but the disc was sailing over his head. All was lost until Tom turned around and dived for the disc, catching it at full stretch and landing inbounds. Darkside went mental and this was the moment where everything changed. Darkside were know fired up and pushed harder then Churchill could deal with. The final point was a big grab from James in the end zone. End result – WIN Darkside 10 – 7 Churchill A So confirmation on Darkside becoming champions in Cambridge for this year. Bring on the next semester. On the 22nd and 23rd November Chris Fisk from, Anglia Ruskin University competed at the DSE National swimming Championships at Ponds Forge Sheffield as a member of the Eastern Region team. Competing in the S17 class he accepted the challenge of 9 individual events in the weekend, as well as being relied upon to anchor the regions relay team. Chris clearly performs best under pressure as against a large field of competitors he collected Gold medals for each of his individual events. Leaving the best until last Chris reduced the Championship record for 50 metre freestyle by over a quarter of a second. This performance marks a third year when Chris has been unbeaten at National events in his classification.
Anglia Ruskin University Swimming Team by Kelly Hayes
A
s of the 31st January 2010, Anglia Ruskin University will have its own Swimming
Team. The team is for people who want to swim competitively, but also for those who want to swim for leisure. The Swimming Team was set up by the President of the team, Chris Fisk, 1st year studying Audio and Music Technology. The Vice-President is Simon Hayes, 3rd year Studying Public Services. The Secretary is Kelly Hayes, 1st year studying Public Services. The Kit and Equipment Manager is Gervaise Rees-Bell. And the Treasurer is Emma Burton, 1st year studying Zoology. The Team swim once a week on Saturday afternoons, 4,30pm until
5,30pm, at Bottisham Swimming Pool and Sports Centre. The plan is that a minibus will be used to take members to the Swimming Pool. The team colours are Black and Red. Although swimming wear can be anything and any colour unless in a competition. A meeting is planned for the 27th January, if you are interested in coming to that, please join the Facebook group as the details will be posted on there. As well as themes for the upcoming socials, and any other events. If you / or someone you know might be interested, there is a group on Facebook for the team, ARU Swimming Team. Or alternatively you could contact the President Chris Fisk. Chris.Fisk@anglia.student.com.