March Edition

Identity or Liberty? pg8

APEX International Opportunities pg5

Art @ Anglia Ruskin pg12

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN The Anglia Ruskin APEX Edition 5 March 2009

House Hunting: Are You in Search of a New Home?

Adriana Petcu

Illustration: Richard Jackson

At this time of year many students start house hunting for the first time in their lives. The university generally provides first-year accommodation but now students must face the challenge of finding somewhere to live for next year.

There are so many things to consider it can seem impossible to know where to start. It isn’t just a case of finding where to live but who to live with. You need to decide what you can live with and

what you can’t for example: smoking, untidiness, loud music, and also whether your friends will be reliable with paying bills and looking after the house.

Once you have found your perfect housemates (the University Accommodation Services leaflet available online suggests a mixed group of 3-8 people is the most successful combination) the next hurdle is to decide what you want from your house.

Your Dream House?

If there are four or more of you then you may well want two bathrooms. If you are a sociable group you might want a large living room for example. Obviously you need to be willing to compromise, the chances of finding your ideal house are slim but having an idea of what you want will help you choose between houses when you get to the viewing stage.

As well as the rooms another important aspect of house hunting is location. Where do you want to live? Close to town, close to the university, close to the train station, a well known student area or a quieter residential area. All of these things need to be considered in order to narrow down your search and ensure that your group is happy with your future house.

Who Lets to Students?

There are many different places to

start looking for houses. There are some large student letting companies who cater specifically for student groups, and other companies that will consider student tenants.

There are also private landlords and halls of residence to consider and University Accommodation Services has a list of companies which can be consulted in the accommodation office or on the website. The UAS also runs house hunting events in August and early September, details of pg 5 >>

British Film: Boom or Bust?

Elections 2009

Logic Pro Certification @ ARU

The best awards season for homegrown talent in years. But is it sustainable?

See who is running in the Elections and read about how and when to vote!

Anglia Ruskin becomes an AATCe; but what does this mean for music students?

Pg 10 >>>

Pg 14 >>>

Pg 17 >>>

2 NEWS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Editorial Team

News

Elma Jenkins New Editor

The Right Man For The Job

Darwin

Bobby Davis

David Cowen

Simon Thomas Managing Editor Richard Conway Deputy Managing Editor Lisa Pool Editor in Chief Patrick Widdess Photography Editor Sarah Channing-Wright Design Elma Jenkins News Editor Adriana Petcu Affairs Editor Jenna Grabey Activities Editor Ellis Clarke Az Newman Lifestyle Editors Chris Glithero Culture Editor Angeline Lilles Music Editor Cassie Andrews Reviews Editor Sport Editor Position Vacant 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

Important Bit >> 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.

As American’s 44th president Barack Obama comes into office, tensions are running high on what can actually be achieved. Yes the economic crisis has seen Wall Street tumble further as critics claim Obama is ill-prepared and naive for the job. Yet with only a month into office miracles were not to be expected.

Headlines from the American newspaper The Washington Post blared: ‘Amateur Hour’ declaring a widespread view of the President at work. However the truth has proven to be seemingly different.

In Obama’s first fortnight in office he signed two pieces of extremely important legislation.

The first established equality in pay for men and women whilst the second expanded American’s health care to 4 million uninsured children. Obama has also secured congressional approval for an $800 billion economic stimulus bill, proving to be the largest in American history.

The Obama portrayed in government has shown to be the same Obama who gave Americans a

glance of hope during the general election campaign. He is convinced by the simple power of reason and common sense, something that was highly debatable in America’s last president.

Rejecting any form of witch hunt against the Bush administration, much to the disappointment of the left, Obama has focused his attention on confronting the future and not dwelling on the past. Yes there have been mistakes but nothing prepares you for this job as Obama found out with Tom Daschle Obama’s nominee for Health Secretary, Tom Daschle, not only damaged Obama’s atmosphere of competence but also provided a heavy blow to hopes over a complete healthcare reform. Mr. Daschle had to withdraw his nomination after controversy leaked over his personal tax records.

Daschle shocked colleagues after struggling to explain his $128,000 tax debt. Obama blamed himself saying “I screwed up” after strongly backing the former Senate leader, who happened to be one of Obama’s earliest supporters.

Obama badly misjudged the

moment, but what new president isn’t expected to make mistakes?

Obama is subjected to high pressure, so many view him as the answer to America’s problems. The slightest mistake will be publicly discriminated, but Obama quickly admitted error and taking responsibility before moving on.

However Obama’s potential is undiminished as he projects a sense of purpose, something that has been lacking in his predecessors.

His focus remains on the long term which explains his worrying language about the state of the economy if nothing is done.

Critics have asked why no happy talk? But Obama knows that refusal to face the facts is what dug America into the hole it now finds itself in. He is handling the situation with the utmost care and treating his electorate as grownups to achieve a positive outcome.

Overall it seems Obama has got himself off to a good start and it’s only been over a month. Just like that wondrous night in Grant Park, Barack Obama still looks set to be the right man for the job.

This year marks the celebration of Charles Darwin, one of the most influential people in natural history for many years. Born on 12th February 1809, Darwin pioneered with the book ‘On the Origin of Species’ which put forward the theory of evolution through the process of natural selection. This year also see’s the 150th anniversary of the publication of that seminal work.

Darwin worked on his theory for twenty years – collecting evidence, travelling the globe and corresponding with fellow scientists.

After meeting naturalist Alfred Russel Wallace, who had developed a very similar theory, they made a joint announcement in 1858 of their discoveries and in 1859 Darwin published the book.

In recent times the fundamentals of this controversial theory have been confirmed with the use of modern genetic analysis. Broadcaster and naturalist David Attenborough said “Darwin has shown us that we are not apart from the natural world.”

The Foundation for Genomics and Population Health is running a competition for students in Cambridgeshire, who submit an article or short video about Darwin. The best submissions will win £100 and have their work displayed on the website.

You can find more information at http://www.phgfoundation. org/darwin/ The deadline is 1st April 2009.

NEWS 3

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Student ID Cards Elma Jenkins

January saw a massive increase of applications for students at Universities. Undoubtedly this includes a massive rise in International students, about 1 in 7 are from abroad. Figures vary, at the London school of economics there has been a 66% rise in International students, the highest yet. Cambridge and London have found more modest numbers of around 19 – 25% increases in International students.

Under the Labour government fears have grown that some of these may be false claims of study, just to get access to the UK. Almost 300 bogus colleges have been found in the past three years, so plans for the first ID cards will be issued to non-EU students and spouses. The first phase of this, finger printing new students for future biometric ID cards began in late November 2008. And from March 2009 Universities will need to hold licenses to allow International students to study. Later on biometric eye tests will be included in the process.

The initial plan for biometric cards under Tony Blair, have slipped. These current cards do not fall under the official ID card

act, although it is remarkably similar. Tories members have called Labours scheme, to have 90% of all International students by 2015 carrying ID cards “stealthy” and the idea was rejected five times in the house of Lords, before accepting the compromise of a non-compulsory card. The Liberal Democrats are also against the scheme. UK cards will no longer be compulsory, and UK passports will only start carry finger prints in 2012.

The proposed ID cards will not be free of charge and are said to tackle identity fraud and illegal immigration. But critics say it is unnecessary and dangerous because of the large amount of information that will be kept in one place. Universities UK are disappointed with the Home Offices proposals that will lead to higher Visa fees, from £99 to £145 and say that: “International students contribute far more to the UK academically, culturally and financially than they use in terms of public resources. We are very privileged as a country to welcome international students and have the opportunity to equip them with skills and qualifications for life”

Although EU students are already used to carrying ID cards, across the channel such a card does already exist. Critics argue that a passport already fills all the requirements. Students interviewed by the BBC gave mixed responses. Some argued that, with a driving license, student card, and passport, an ID card would not make much difference and would provide safety. While others say that it’s unfair to pick on students, who are busy with exams and don’t have time to give a proper response, let alone pay for another card. It is an unfair segment of the population to target, International students will have no choice; they either take the card or are out of the country.

The finger prints are encoded on a chip which will replace the former sticker of identification and will override the passport on matters of migration, opening a bank account or applying for benefits. The cards come at a time of increasing biometric identification technology. The bank HSBC will be the first to install eye recognition for its employees. Along with schemes that people employed in “sensitive” areas – such as in airports, will be forced to get an ID card.

Rwandan Women Achieve 55% Parlimentary Majority Katie Brinkley

Many will be surprised by Rwanda’s transformation, following images relayed around the world

seeing it as an act of genocide they classed it instead as a minor crime to be punished by a short prison spell or community service.

We are always being asked why we are the first, that’s the wrong question. Why not ask why the rest of the world is not here yet?

In response to such atrocities, the women of Rwanda advocated for change. In order to reverse traditions of inequality a 2003 constitution designated 30% of parliamentary seats for women only. Expectations were surpassed, however, by women’s acquisition of an additional 25% of seats.

The level of support for change throughout the country is further indicated by the fact that 98.5% of the 4,800,000 registered voters participated in the elections.

“ The majority comes under President Paul Kagame’s ruling party: the Rwanda Patriotic Front (RPF).

Kagame established the RPF as a rebel force which took power and

ended the genocide after the mass slaughter of 800,000 Rwandans in 100 days.

“We are always being asked why we are the first, said Speciose Mukandutiye, President of the Forum of Rwandan Women Parliamentarians.” That’s the wrong question. Why not ask why the rest of the world is not here yet?”

More than half of the world is female. If democracy really works in those countries in the West, why are less than half their MP’s women?”

“

Rwandan women have triumphed in the second parliamentary elections since the 1994 genocide.

Women now hold 55% of seats making the Rwandan Parliament the first in the world to hold a female majority. Britain’s House of Commons languishes far behind, with only 20% of seats held by women.

in 1994 of women’s suffering in a patriarchal society. Adding to the horrors of the genocide, for example, the Rwandan Government opposed international law regarding mass rape. Rather than

The reversal of inequality in parliament is already filtering down to grass roots level. For the first time women are allowed to inherit property, laws governing the punishment of rapists have been corrected and First Lady, Jeanette Kagame is working to increase awareness about safe pregnancy and childbirth.

Since the genocide, more than a third of households are headed by

women. Women make up 55 per cent of the workforce and own about 40 per cent of businesses.

The heads of the Supreme Court and the police are also women, as are a majority of the country’s prison governors. That such dramatic change has occurred in the short time since the devastation of Rwanda’s genocide raises questions of what it takes to readdress gender imbalances worldwide.

As well as addressing issues of gender inequality, the women work alongside their male counterparts to improve the country as a whole. Government gender expert Judith Kanakuze lost her family when 11,000 Tutsis were murdered in her home province of Kibuye, in the town’s Roman Catholic Church.

“Before we were listened to only on the social issues of gender equality and violence against women,” said Kanakuze. “But now women will be a majority on the committees that were previously controlled by men such as security and finance.”

4 AFFAIRS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Affairs

Adriana Petcu Affairs Editor

International Opportunities

Adriana Petcu

Photo: John Kingsnorth I know a lot of you may be interested in finding jobs abroad because living and working in a foreign country gives you the chance to experience something different. I believe there are a lot of organisations and programmes that help students or graduates to

fulfil this dream. I’ve heard about one organisation called AIESEC and that they are going to have a talk at Anglia Ruskin University in Cambridge Campus. On the 12th of February I’ve been at that meeting and I found out that they are a student run organisation be-

ing able to offer opportunities for students and graduates who wish to obtain internships abroad. At the meeting they discussed about how AIESEC can help you get all your documents ready and to obtain the required visa. It gives you all the information you need about

the job you are going to do and remember that even if you go for a certain role once you get there you may find other offers and extra jobs. Accommodation is arranged by the local committee of the destination city, it must be paid for by the intern themselves but will be

they have been happy with their accommodation.

It is important to remember that student accommodation is just that: accommodation that landlords are willing to let to student groups. As a result the interior design won’t always be cutting edge and fridge-freezers etc are generally the absolute basics.

However this does not mean you have to settle for worn out furniture or white goods that seem on the verge of breaking down.

fully organised before departure.

When filling out the form as an intern you can choose how long you would like to work for and the employer specifies their requirements. There is then a global database on which both may search for matches. You can choose internships all over the world in management where you take on professional management roles within both global companies and small local start-up companies but also technical traineeships primarily for those with a background in IT or engineering. There are also development traineeships which are working within a variety of Non-governmental Organisations focusing on a huge range of issues in both developing and industrialised countries. The education traineeships are teaching positions usually for languages. Good English speakers are in constant high demand though there are plenty of opportunities for other languages as well. AIESEC offers internships in 4 different fields, 106 different countries. Either you wish to work in development, management, education or technical area it is all up to you.

For more information visit: www. aiesec.co.uk.

Or contact: vpogxcambridge@ gmail.com For general enquiries contact: lcpcambridge@gmail.com

Continued from front page>>> these are on the website.

Many websites also have lists of possible letting companies and landlords who provide student accommodation and so it is always worth running a search online for student properties in the area you are interested in. Another house hunting resource only available to students of Anglia Ruskin University is Student Pad. This is a database administrated by the UAS which contains up to date details of available properties. For details on how to access this database you will need to visit the University Accommodation Services website.

Another website Gumtree has local to-let listings although as with any internet advertising you must be very cautious with what details

you give and take whatever steps you can to confirm that the person placing the advert is a genuine landlord. There has been a scam running recently where somebody posing as a landlord asks for a deposit of £1000 to be transferred online prior to viewing the room and of course the student then loses their money.

Something else to reputation of local landlords and letting agents.

This is more difficult to do as there is no definitive list of reputable landlords so you will have to ask around for peoples’ experiences and recommendations. Also when you are looking around a house it is a good idea somebody to separate themselves if possible and ask one of the current tenants if

Viewing the House When you do find some houses that you are interested in the next step is to view them. It is important to be punctual and polite as you want to get off on the right foot with your potential new landlord!

Make sure you have a checklist either in your head or on paper of things to look for. For example double glazed windows will keep your heating bill down, anything that looks like it has been repaired in a makeshift fashion suggests that the property isn’t as well maintained as it could be, and be sure to check for basics like smoke alarms and secure locks.

The Legal Stuff When you find a house that you decide you want you will be expected to sign a contract and pay a deposit. You can get your contract checked free of charge either by the Students’ Union, the Citizens Advice Bureau or the Housing Aid centre.

If there are any problems with your accommodation when you have moved in, the first step is to speak to your landlord or letting agent. If the issue is not resolved satisfactorily then again you can approach the Students’ Union advice service for support and more information on how to resolve the matter.

The majority of students won’t face any serious problems when renting in the private sector and it can be a very enjoyable experience. So good luck house hunting, remember to be selective and not to rush into any contract which you are not sure of, and enjoy your new home!

AFFAIRS 5

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Employment at Anglia Ruskin Adriana Petcu Before you start running around in search of a vacancy, why not go in the Employment Bureau and register? The people there are very helpful and the forms provided for you to complete are a very useful way of specifying exactly the type of job you wish to find. After the registration my opinion is not to sit back and wait for the magic call to happen but to also use your own initiative and ask from time to time about the vacancies they have and if any would suit you.

I’ve asked a member of staff to be so kind and answer me some questions. I’ve gathered the answers and information I received and made them all in a Questions& Answers section. I hope you will find this useful.

What support does the Employment Bureau give?

In the same way as a recruitment agency the Employment Bureau is actively searching for positions for the students that register with them. This can be made by liaising with organisations from both Essex and Cambridge areas.

Sometimes there are vacancies and the organisations approach the Employment Bureau which will then provide CVs of suitable candidates, it can organise interviews and give feedback. It cannot guarantee to find students a job however the hard they try

but either way the Employment Bureau offers a lot of support.

There is also another service available for students called the Careers Service offering advice and guidance on career choices, options after graduating, help with your CV, interview guidance and much more.

What jobs are there within the University?

The Employment Bureau deals with a large variety of jobs that change constantly. For example there can be vacancies from administrative assistants and data entry clerks to catering assistants, Student Ambassadors, leaflet distributors and open day helpers. However these jobs are all temporary because the Employment Bureau does not deal with the permanent jobs in the University, this being the role of the HR Department.

How can a student find a job that will not interfere with the schedule at University?

It will be very hard not to let the job schedule interfere with the one at University but by registering with the Employment Bureau you will have the possibility of saying yes or no to a job. It is your choice and it won’t be held against you when another vacancy will come up in the future.

Photo: ARU Marketing What is the University’s opinion about students that work?

Encouraging this, the students are more able to learn valuable skills that pure study cannot give. However, both the University and the Employment Bureau do not want students to work too much if this will end up in negatively affecting their studies which is the main purpose that students have.

Are the international students treated differently when looking for a job?

Does the University or Employ-

ment Bureau help them in getting their specific papers/documents in order for them to be eligible to work in UK? The Employment Bureau treats every student the same way whether they are international or British citizens but making sure that the international students have all the relevant paperwork.

Everybody that registers must bring with them at registration either their passport on its own, or their birth certificate along with a document proving their National Insurance number. All the stu-

dents have to do this no matter the nationality they have. It is required by law to take a copy of ID that proves the eligibility to work in the UK. There are different rules and regulations for international students depending on their country of origin and all of these things will be talk about with them when they register. In need of advice or help with any of these matters the Employment Bureau is there to offer a helping hand.

I originally applied to sit on the forum because the voice of mature and part time students is hardly ever heard in government and also universities like ours are very rarely represented on government think tanks which means our voice is often lost and we are forgotten about. I am please to say that this year the forum is looking explicitly at the needs of mature and part time students in order to strengthen their student experience.

and wants to push universities to offer more flexible learning so that a part time course is not just half of a full time course but can be dipped in and out of over a period of time. As he was making his 45 minute key note address, I couldn’t help but think that the work of the National Student Forum and NUS is finally making an impact on government policy. Nearly ever point the NSF report made was covered in his speech and in his closing statement he said that the fees review, which will start in the summer, will not be focussing on whether the cap will be lifted on fees, but will be shaping the future of higher education over the next 10-15 years. And that future is a more flexible approach to learning and a structured research programme.

The National Student Forum Kate Wicklow

prepared for HE; knowing exactly how much it is going to cost, how much support is available and ensuring they pick the right university for their needs. We also looked at funding for undergraduate, postgraduate and international students as well as myself chairing a few sub group forums explicitly looking at the experiences of postgraduate, international and disabled students.

The National Student Forum is part of the government’s student listening programme to better inform their policies on higher education and will directly feed into the impending funding review. There are 18 students on the panel including myself who is also the elected vice chair and we were nominated by various student groups such as NUS, National Postgraduate Committee, Skill and the British Council. We are tasked with writing a report to

government every year for which they have promised to respond to with a clear sense of how they will action on our recommendations.

The forum has been going just over a year now and we launched our first report in November 2008 and the government responded with their pledges in February this year. The main topic we focused on included the need for better Information, Advice and Guidance (IAG) when applying for university so students are better

The government has responded extremely favourably to our recommendations and have already started a project which will pull together all the government websites which provide IAG (such as UCAS, Connexions and Aim Higher) so that there is one coherent portal of information to make it easier for students to get information and make choices. They have also promised to look at how student funding is distributed and see if it is a viable option to give students the choice of receiving their maintenance loans in either termly or monthly instalments.

As the elected vice chair I also get to go to a variety of conferences and often speak about the forums work. As well as speaking recently to careers advisors from schools and colleges I also spoke last week at the Future of Higher Education Conference where the Minister of State for the Department of Innovation, Universities and Skills John Denham spoke about how he saw higher education funding being shaped in the future. He explicitly spoke about the need for better funding for part time students

If you would like to read the report of the National Student Forum and the government response, it can be downloaded from this website: www.dius.gov. uk/policy/nsf.

6 ACTIVITIES

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Apologies are in order, please read...

Jenna Grabey

There was an article in the last edition of Apex (February 2009, issue 4) stating among other things that the Animal Welfare society had arranged a vegan stall, which was an error. The logo printed was for the Animal Respect society and this is the society that arranged the events written about. The Animal Welfare society advocates better, more humane treatment of all animals regardless of their situation. While the Animal Respect society is more animal rights based in their organisation, promoting veganism; it is important that the two organisations are not confused in this way.

Kind regards, Teresa Matthews I am sorry for this mistake, and hope the Animal Respect society get full credit for their work. If you are interested in what the Animal Respect society achieved this year, and are planning for 2009, you can read all about it at http://www. angliastudent.com/pages/studentmedia/apex/4th_edition_-_february_2009.html . Alternatively, you can visit www.angliastudent.com and follow the ‘apex’ link under ‘student media’.

Jenna Grabey Activities Editor

Literary Society Tom Bates

Activities

Jenna Grabey Activities Editor

Anglia Ruskin Snow Sports Club: Yes even in raining England!

Mya Fekry

The ARUSSC includes everything from socials to ski slopes, fancy dress to fancy mess and an annual holiday! There is definitely something for everyone in this Cambridge campus club.

I speak for all of our students that ventured to Risoul this year when I say - this holiday was epic! We decided to take a risk and bring

in a new company to provide our legendary annual holiday, which was none other than the reputable student tour operator ‘On the Piste’. The clubs’ courage more than paid off as we were truly blown away with both the quality and the organisation of the holiday, and many students are already rethinking their finances in order

to secure their place on next years holiday.

night looking anything far from a state.

From the minute the lifts opened at 9am the slopes were buzzing with keen snow sports fans getting up early to take advantage of the mornings fresh powder.

Once we could no longer take the adrenaline, and we and been up and down those slopes more times than there are stairs in Helmore, and several bruises later the majority of the group made their way to the bar for a quick après ski beer, before trekking home to let the aching commence. After a quick nap, a shower and dinner in the local French restaurant, it was back to the apartments to slap on some fancy dress gear, play some ridiculous drinking games then rock on down to the bar round the corner to finish the night off in style. With themed nights such as 80’s rave, cartoons & comic books and our ARUSSC tradition ‘fancy mess’ it was hard to finish the

Now that everyone has settled down in to the semester after our week abroad, we will be continuing to run trips to the Milton Keynes Sno!Zone. For those of you that are a little rusty and just fancy a good evening on an indoor ski slope check out our website for details of our upcoming trips. We also have a couple more socials planned for this semester; further information of these is also available on our website www.arussc. co.uk. So get online and have a look. If you fancy having a look at some of the photos taken from the trip to Risoul- maybe it would be something you would like to give a go next year? Then search for the ARUSSC on Facebook and all we be revealed to you!

We hope to see you all at one of our socials or off-campus events soon!

They said it would never happen, but it has...

Jenna Grabey

The Literary Society has many social events with guest speakers such as Jean ‘Binta’ Breeze as well as weekly meetings and workshops, which are open to all Anglia students. For now, or to give you a taste we have two upcoming events you may be interested in.

An anthology of student works is being produced which can include anything from illustrations to poetry so feel free to submit your work to aruls_comp@hotmail. co.uk by the deadline 20th April.

We will also be having an end of semester gig on 30th April with literature and music performances so if you would like to contribute contact jennifer.lee@student. anglia.ac.uk. We shall be awarding prizes so come along and see what we are all about!

Also, like all other groups these days you can find us on facebook to keep up to date.

SUBCULTURE descended upon the SU on the 19th of February with a huge success! The newly founded Alternative Music Society had their Launch night- Subculture- where DJs played us tunes from 8:00 till the early hours of the morning giving students their rock/metal/punk/indie fix for the evening.

We got to listen to the classics such as Alice Cooper, and when the heavy metal music came on - Soil with “Halo”- this really got the crowd going- a head-bangers heaven and the floor was full.

However, it definitely got quieter when the pop/rock music first came on, but a few songs in and people were happily skanking away (a type of dancing for those who do not know).

I got the chance to talk with the managers of the Society, Dan let it be known that he has “been as Anglia Ruskin for 3 years, and there has never been such a society before, for anyone who enjoys rock/punk/metal/gothic music,

and now there is!” Additionally, while talking with Tom about the new society he told me “tonight we are proving a point. There has never been a society like this at Anglia Ruskin until now this is because they said it would never happen, but it damn well has, we made this happen and work.”

There is only the one bar in Cambridge- once a week- that plays Alternative music, so it is about time that there are more bars catering for the rockers of society, after all this is a multi-cultural city.

The night also drew in students from Cambridge university, from various colleges, comments such as “I’ve never been here before but it’s a good night” and “the drinks are as cheap as the Kambar at happy hour” and “I got to listen to some songs tonight which I’ve not listened to in ages” are just some of the positive statements I was told.

People stayed on the dance floor giving it there all till the very end where we went back to the classics- Bon Jovi “Living on a

Prayer” and Whitesnake “Here I Go Again”. The perfect songs to end a night.

Since the night was such a success rather than having Alternative Music nights once a month in the SU, the original idea, they will be once a fortnight: On alternating Thursdays there will be bands playing until 11:30 then a DJ will take control of the night till your

earth bound souls can take it no more. The Thursdays in between will be a whole night of DJs playing what you want to hear all night long! With social nights every Tuesday, beginning at in the SU bar then heading over to the Kambar. You can check the society out on facebook- Alternative Music at Anglia Ruskin where you can find details to the upcoming events; you do not want to miss out.

ACTIVITIES 7

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Local Students Protest Against the Cages used at Tesco Februarys

‘Free’ Week

Michael Petri On Thursday 12th February students from the ‘Animal Welfare’ and ‘Animal Respect’ societies from Anglia Ruskin were determined, to make the public aware of Tesco’s use of intensive farming methods. Their protest was set up immediately at the entrance to Tesco’s store in Newmarket road; they talked to the public for several hours and handed out hundreds of leaflets which ensured this.

“The way we look after our livestock is the mark of a civilised society. All we’re asking is that chickens should be allowed to live as chickens are meant to live.

Doing what chickens do. Free of pain.” Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. The Animal Welfare and Animal Respect societies strongly believe this.

The students urged Tesco to go along with other major rival supermarkets: Sainsbury, Morrisons, the Co-op, Marks and Spencer and Waitrose, who banned battery

hens’ eggs from their stores at least a month ago. By January 2012 it will be illegal practice in the UK to do so.

Jenna Grabey

In defence, Tesco stated that the store is “totally committed to poultry welfare” as it meets the legal standards.

However, Tesco recently received a ‘Rotten Egg’ award from Compassion in World Farming for their poor stance on chicken welfare. So it is not just our students who are disgusted in the way Tesco sells eggs from battery hens.

In the battery system, hens are crammed into a cage so small that they cannot stretch their wings, let alone walk or peck or scratch the ground. Subjected to these conditions hens are prevented from performing their natural behaviours, such as dust bathing, perching and laying their eggs in a nest. Up to 90,000 caged hens can be crammed into one windowless

Photo: Jan Redzisz

Front, Katrina Martin with, from left, Alexandra Robinson, Aran Mathai, Michael Petri, Teresa Matthews and Annie Hughes outside Tesco, in Newmarket Road, Cambridge. shed.

The ‘Animal Welfare’ and ‘Animal Respect’ groups are recently formed student societies at Anglia Ruskin, where there is a growing desire within the student body to become active in the quest to

improve the treatment of animals.

If you would like an electronic copy of the cruelty-free shopping guide then email the Animal Respect Society at: animalaction@ angliastudent.com

Recreational Development Threatens Wildlife Jade Cawthray (UK partner) the Protection of Rural Ely) are fighting a tough battle with a local business man who has purchased some of the Gravel pits at Ely with the reported intention of building a marina, which could potentially hold 500 narrow boats and a hotel.

The site however has some of the country’s most protected animal species inhabiting and breeding on it.

The Watervole and Otter have been sited. Whose populations are slowly reco-operating across the UK, after suffering the release of the Mink and organopesticides, respectively. Booming bitterns have also been heard, and with only 51 males in the UK their presence at the pits is vital for the UK population. These species amongst many others attract many bird watchers and school groups, proving this site is not only irreplaceable in terms of conservation of some of the UK’s rarest wildlife but also a valuable education and recreation site.

The UK’s major challenge for protecting its precious and threatened wildlife is the preservation of uninhabited areas. The UK’s wildlife has suffered massively from urban and industrial development over the last 150 years. The developments in technology, business and

the boom in the population have seen so many green areas be covered in a metallic, concrete mass and the UK’s precious wildlife is struggling to hold on.

In Ely, Cambridgeshire, the LCPRE (Local Campaigners for

The presence of 500 boats and a hotel will have detrimental effect on the environment and its inhabitants. Yet work has commenced.

Despite that planning permission has not yet been granted, which is an illegal offence! Trees with bird nests in have been cut down- a punishable offence under Section One of Wildlife and Countryside Act, 1981. Additionally a large

concrete standing area has been built and pipes for water and electricity have been laid around some the parameter of one of the pits.

On the 11th February, thanks to the support of Natural England the pits have been granted SSSI status which means that any management work on the site must have the approval of Natural England. The status only protects half of the threatened area, meaning the pits are still in some ways vulnerable. The site also has Geological SSSI status, and adjustments to this site, by the owner, have already been made in the name of its conservation and local safety. The LCPRE are currently on going court proceedings in a hope that all work can be stopped completely, and with over 1000 members supporting the cause hopes are high.

The UK’s wildlife has seen dramatic declines over the past century; any area that supports threatened species is priceless. If the UK intend to recover populations to what they were at the beginning of the 20th Century and see the UK return to the unique and brilliant island that it once was, such destructive development on these precious sites must be stopped.

For more information on this story and to help support this campaign please visit, http://www. elywildspace.org.uk

Living in what we like to think of as a ‘Western’ civilisation, we enjoy the freedoms made available to us as a result of our democratic society. Freedom of speech, free political expression and the freedom to think. Under the sometimes suffocating layers of assignments and nights out, it can be difficult to remember that we are at this educational establishment to take advantage of this freedom to think, to develop our thinking skills to enable us to learn as much as we can about the world around us. The concept of freedom was the focus of the ARCU’s (Anglia Ruskin Christian Union) ‘Events Week’ (February 9th-13th ), entitled ‘Free’.

The week included free lunches, and evening events every night featuring a pub quiz, an acoustic night and a jazz night. These events involved short talks exploring the reasonability of Christianity, the questions we all want answers to: whether the Biblical Jesus is the same as the historical Jesus, if all religions lead to God, the question of suffering and the historical validity of Jesus’ resurrection. Hearty, interesting debates followed the lunchtime talks, enabling Christians, Muslims, Atheists, Agnostics and followers of other religions to ask questions in an intellectual, thoughtprovoking environment. ‘Free’ week allowed students at Anglia Ruskin’s Cambridge campus, to take advantage of our freedom to think, believe, hope and choose, and thus to be free from suffering and from death.

Leading on from ‘Free’ week, an informal course named ‘Christianity Explored’ is now running at the Cambridge campus, on Tuesdays from 2pm for about an hour, in Mel 206. This is a great opportunity to ask questions and learn more about the claims of the Bible. In addition, the ARCU meets on Thursday evenings in Helmore 252 at 7.30pm, where you can listen to guest speakers in a relaxed environment and get to know other Christian students at the university.

8 LIFESTYLE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Lifestyle

Az Newman and Ellis Clarke Lifestyle Editors

Identity or Liberty?

Top 5 Bordem Busters for March 2009

Ellis Clarke

Ellis Clarke

scans, is considered a necessity as it is unique and impossible to get stolen (unless people start chopping off fingers and gauging eyes out). This scheme has already become law when it received royal assent on March 30th, 2006 and cards were rolled out to foreign nationals living in the UK in November 2008. Introducing them to airside workers this year merely gives flight to the scheme expanding onto all British citizens.

Our government defines the National Identity scheme as ‘an easy to use and extremely secure system of personal identification for UK residents.’ These cards will combine the cardholder’s biometric data with their checked and confirmed identity details and these will also be stored on the national identity register, in which MPs are able to access and change information. The biometric data, including fingerprints and eye

So the ID card is clearly designed to protect us. And surely it’s no big deal since 21 of the 25 EU member states have already introduced the system. Well yes; ID cards have certainly worked well in Europe before. Presently however the UK scheme holds little in common with those of other EU countries, which have laws protecting privacy, and represents more similarities with the Middle East and the People’s Republic of China

The following are just some of the reasons the government use to justify this act: • It will help protect people from identity fraud and theft.

• It ensures that people are who they say they are.

• Illegal working and immigration abuse will be tackled.

• It disrupts the use of false identities by criminals and those involved in terrorist activity.

• It will ensure free public services are only used by those entitled to them.

due to its biometric elements.

Many organisations have campaigned against the use of ID cards claiming it strips our liberties much like the overuse of CCTV cameras or the excessive period which authorities are

“

our identities will be in the hands of our much loved MPs on an unprecedented scale

Those against the system also argue quite validly that the system leaves little room for error meaning it’s not unlikely that we could lose our identities completely. It’s also been argued that we’ll all have to pay for something that we don’t even get a choice on. It will cost £93 per person to get the ID card made and authorised while taxpayers will be forking out an extra £200 because of the intensely complicated and expensive technology.

These are just some of the arguments surrounding the debate of the National Identity system and it very much depends on what you are threatened by more: terrorism or Members of Parliament. Either way it seems inevitable now. We can however prolong the effects it will have on us as individuals. One piece of advice if you’re unsure where you stand on the subject is to renew passport now. By next year it will become compulsory for you to receive an ID card with you new passport. If you renew it before this is mandatory then you won’t have to deal with it for at least another 10 years. Unfortunately it may mean paying £80 for a new passport which sort of sucks for us students. Then again, is that a price you value to be higher than being guilty before proven innocent?

“

The government’s Identity Card Project has recently thrown itself into even more controversy with the latest news that pilots are more willing to lose their jobs than succumb to further reductions in our nation’s civil liberties.

Home Secretary Jacqui Smith is keen to progress with the ID card system and plans to initiate it within the aviation sector as of autumn this year. Lawyers for the British Airline Pilots’ Association (Balpa) have demonstrated refusal to the Home Office in response to the consultation over the introduction of the cards. They question the legality of the force used, especially since the Identity Cards Act of 2006 indicated that the take-up of ID cards would be voluntary for UK citizens.

But why all this fuss over a little bit of plastic with a few of your details on it? Well it really is a lot more than that. Depending on your viewpoint it is either a personal security guard battling against the evils of terrorism or an unacceptable and unnecessary threat to our privacy and civil liberties.

allowed to detain a suspect without trial. Such organisations have discovered some potentially seriously damaging threats on our nations well being. For example, hidden in the Coroners and Justice Bill is a clause allowing ministers to alter any Act of Parliament and cancel all rules of confidentiality in order to use information obtained for one purpose to be used for another. Quite unfortunately our identities will be in the hands of our much loved MPs on an unprecedented scale.

For more information log on to www.NO2ID.net

Top 5 boredom busters for those rare moments that you may find yourself with little to do…

Read a book that’s not on your course Some books are actually meant to be read just for enjoyment! Rather than having to analyse and interpret it you’ll find it refreshing to just let yourself be entertained.

Go to the cinema This is an easy way to amuse your self for a couple of hours, even if the film’s rubbish at least you’ll be doing something. Don’t forget your student card!

Type something random into YouTube ‘Chav’ or ‘falling over’ are guaranteed phrases for amusement potential. In fact why not try them together?!

Get ahead on your course Although this is expected anyway consult module guides or tutors to find out the course schedule for the next couple of weeks and do as much background research as possible. There’s nothing better than walking into a seminar with lots of knowledge and stuff to say!

Have a ‘who is less competitive’ competition Basically trying to win at this will make you lose. Trying to lose makes you win which makes you lose. Not trying at all makes you lose which makes you win which makes you lose. Having fun yet??

LIFESTYLE 9

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Every Two...

Jumping into the Deep End When we started our course, film production, we were asked what we wanted to do. “Go and stand in one of the four corners of the room” Writer/Director, Producer, Editor or Director of Photography; one of the corners instantly became crowded. The beauty of being at university is that you get a chance to work out what your good at and subsequently what you want to do. I started off writing intellectually pompous monologue ridden, romantic dramas and seem to have ended up producing. But this is life, no?

Az Newman

Right now I’m in the corner of my basement being slightly antisocial, looking occasionally over at the candle lit game of stoned chess between my housemates. I’m writing this the night before my deadline, I’ve put it off until now because February’s been pretty busy for me, a few weeks ago we decided to differ our third year and start a production company (New-Man LTD) and shoot a feature film, a pre- supposition of the birth of pirate radio, but that arse Richard Curtis has stolen our script. Fuck him, fuck him right in his ear! Anyway we’ve decided to march on chins up, laden with a few different projects in our minds.

Dean Patterson

“Why don’t we still take the year off and look for industry places, become runners, surely that’s a better idea?” But we’d end up working to live, instead of the other way around. “Why not stay and finish, graduate with those who’ve struggled with you, pulled all-nighters and met deadlines?” I already miss my class and I haven’t even left yet, we’re the second, second year at ARU there’s around 40 of us and were all capable and individually talented. If there’s a chance that something good may come of this then, we’ve set up a support network for the Ruskin aftermath.

It’s quite scary, wishing on a dream. I feel responsible for those that I call family, those that I love, What if it all buggers up in our faces? What if we’re too poor to eat? What if no one likes our pilot and How could we maintain relationships if we haven’t even the time to sleep. Not to mention all the other things that I have thought of.

It’s a huge leap of faith, it’s wading into a pond with a wooden duck on your head and hoping that you blend in with about as much chance of working Thank A’Tuin that I’ve got these guys standing next to me.

Fashion to put a Spring in your Step Ellis Clarke

The snow came and went and now, quite frankly, we’re over it right?

At last the sun is beginning to open its sleepy eyes on England making our days longer and giving us a nice warm feeling inside.

Unfortunately that internal glow still won’t subside our shivering in this everlasting miserable weather so it’s a good job this seasons trends are so hot!

The recent New York Fashion Week showcased the prettiest prints and fresh new shapes for a sexy silhouette but hasn’t that all been a bit done? Don’t be silly this is New York we’re talking about; of course the fashion capital dared to be different and struck controversy with bold, animalistic hats, scarves and gloves. The corridors of Anglia Ruskin don’t exactly scream catwalk but we can still take note of these trends – pretty basics with bold layers that also serves to keep you warm!

Floral prints will never get old in spring but jazz them up with chunky scarf and daring woolly hat. This means you can dig out and reinvent last years summer wardrobe while still getting a bit more use out of those warm accessories you got for Christmas.

Guys can still work the floral

look if they’re daring enough with a patterned shirt. Those less confident can pop a warm cardigan or jumper over the top still achieving that sexy summery feel. Pastel coloured polo shirts are bang on trend for boys as well. No need to add much since it creates

a simple ‘just threw it on’ look.

You needn’t worry about shivering either since guys seem to be less susceptible to the cold than girls – I can’t count how many times I’ve felt chilly watching a bloke walk along in the middle of winter in just a bloody t-shirt!

Every two-bit, bastard journalist is writing about the credit crunch, the economy falling to pieces, the world going to hell in a shit storm and generally the four horsemen of the apocalypse ridding in, with two fingers raised and ready to shit down our throats. What nobody has the balls to write about is the true method of survival in these doomed, decrepit times.

The first thing you must remember is Gordon Brown, and even that new charismatic chap in the white house, is wrong. We must look to ourselves and blame our own stupidity and foolhardy ignorance; after all, the bankers only give us what we wanted. And it wouldn’t have been so bad, but we wasted what they gave us, we wasted it on business deals and houses and store cards and frappacinos. But who cares, that is past and it does no one any good to look to it with blame in our hearts or anger in our soles. So now here is my gift to you dear reader, here is the answer to the end of civilisation, as we know it…

Enjoy it! God knows we can’t change it, so lets dance and make love instead. Buy alcohol, in vast amounts and of great strength.

Don’t buy the likes of breezers and fruit flavoured ciders and vodka, these are not the drinks for the end of the world. We need Whisky and Rum! and we need Jazz. Jazz is perfect for the end of the world.

And there is no point to tabloids and celeb magazines any more, all the people in there are going to hell with the rest of us. If you must read, then you best get stuck into something by the beat generation.

They will show you how to deal with the end of civilisation, as they have already been through it.

Really it is very easy, and I have shared it with you because I am a kind man. Bring on any economy crisis, downfall or crash, we are ready. We will get by with Whisky, Jazz and Sex. The bankers and the estate agents and the mobile phone salesmen will sink deep, realising that, Ye gods their pink ties haven’t saved them in the end, all they can do is sink and watch us party and laugh. “Ah hell!” They will shout, “It was experiences and not greed in the end that was the way of life. And my beautiful pink tie is covered in the shit I created and now sink into.” So, dear reader, I pray you now can sleep easier in your beds at night, and know that we are in for nothing but fun.

10 CULTURE

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Culture What’s On: March Elliot Turner

Chris Glithero Culture Editor

Weird World

News of the Strange Bobbie Davis

USA: A bank robber didn’t quite understand the elements of his job description when he queued up wearing a ski mask. Feliks Goldstein, 24, stood in line behind other customers at the bank in Stow, Ohio and ignored requests to remove his mask whilst continuing to wait. Once he approached the cashier he pulled out a toy gun and demanded money.

Surprisingly, he made off with an undisclosed amount but was later arrested.

China: Mr Fran, a businessman from the city Qingdao has held a beauty contest to decide which of his five mistresses he shall keep.

He invited the women to his house after the credit crunch affected his lavish lifestyle, where he orchestrated a reality television style competition. The first woman to be eliminated drove the remaining women and Mr Fran over a cliff in hopes of getting her revenge on them all. Unfortunately in a cruel twist of fate she was the only one who died in the event.

Australia: A traveller was found with two live pigeons stuffed down his pants and taped to his legs.

Custom officials searched the man flying from Dubai to Melbourne and found the birds wrapped in padded envelopes then held to the man’s legs with a pair of tights.

USA: Coverage of the Super Bowl in Tucson, Arizona became x-rated when scenes from a porn film interrupted the game during its final minutes. A 10 second scene of a woman unzipping a man’s trousers and performing a sexual act was displayed to football fans before returning to the game.

Needless to say most viewers were less than impressed, or so they claimed.

Greetings fellow Ruskinites. Stuck for something to keep you busy now the Valentines excitement has left the air? Well never fear your short guide to the month ahead rests just before your eyes.

There’s an exciting line up of films hitting the multiplexes, beginning with the Watchmen. Released on March 6th, the comic-book adaption follows a group of masked vigilantes trying to unravel the sequence of events that led to the murder of one of their own. On the 13th, box office smash Marley & Me hits UK screens, featuring Jennifer Aniston, Clive Owen and a troublesome pup. Finally, to top it all off on March 20th, the cast of hit show Gavin and Stacy give us Lesbian Vampire Killers. Pretty self explanatory title on that one I think.

At the Junction this month you’ve the opportunity to catch Channel 4’s Pappy’s Fun Club performing some of their award winning comedy on the 7th, and then mere days later on the 10th Patrick wolf makes an appearance with his trade mark electro-funk. Drum n’ bass fans also have something to look forward to on the 14th, with Synchronise busting out the beats till 4 AM. Fancy some theatre? Well the Corn Exchange is holding one of

the most critically acclaimed plays of recent years, Blood Brothers, which will be showing from the 16th till the 21st. The story details the life of two twins separated at birth and reunited years later with tragic consequences.

For a much more light hearted night out the corn exchange will

also present, for one night only, the comedy stylings of Ed Byrne on the 11th.

If by some odd twist of fate you find yourself in the mood for one of those old time musicals, ADC theatre will be more than happy to accommodate you with their

performance of Guys and Dolls running through March.

For the jazz lovers out there the Stan Tracy Trio will be visiting kettles yard on the 27th. Book early to avoid disappointment.

With so much going on this month it could well be a struggle to start that essay.

British Film: Boom or Bust?

Fionn Pooler

The British film industry has always worked in cycles of boom and bust - a period of achievement followed by a less successful interlude before things begin to pick up again. Ironically, the onset of the global financial crisis has coincided with a boom time for British film - this awards season could well be considered the best for home-grown talent in years.

But is this success sustainable?

Can British cinema continue to influence the global film industry?

Patel, won eight Oscars, including Best Picture and Best Director, but this seems to reflect the scarcity of proper contenders rather than the film’s true worth. At the Baftas for example, Kate Winslet beat herself to the Best Actress award.

This shouldn’t take away from the people involved - Slumdog Millionaire is a wonderful, thrilling film and Kate Winslet really did deserve to win her first Oscar - it just feels a little like settling for second best.

It could be argued that the reason behind this renewed success is the lack of truly great contenders. Last year saw a bumper harvest, with so many great films nominated it seemed unfair to pick one over another. This year the pickings were less bountiful. Slumdog Millionaire, directed by Danny Boyle and starring Skins’ Dev

The near future, though, looks bright for British film. The chameleon-like Michael Sheen will soon be back playing yet another historic figure - this time Brian Clough - in The Damned United.

And of course the latest Harry Potter epic, guaranteed to gross more than the national debt of most Eastern European countries,

is almost upon us. The money behind Harry Potter is certainly not British, but does it matter when the talent is?

Because of the current financial climate, it is becoming ever harder to source funds in this country.

However, there will always be an

audience for quality, home-grown filmmaking. Therefore, as long as the economic downturn doesn’t hit financing too hard and pull us all into an ever-downward spiral of cheap horror and rom-coms, this current pool of talent should be in and around the awards for the foreseeable future.

CULTURE 11

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

A Brief History of the Internet

Surf ’s Up

Comics and Animation

Phil Greer

Chris Glithero

These days it feels as though the Internet has been around forever.

Switch on any computer around and it tends to connect to its preferred network automatically.

However, in reality the Internet is still a very young invention having only really been available to the general public for the last fifteenish years.

ARPA constructed a network that could link together four terminals in separate places, this became known as ARPANET. Over time the ARPANET was using a Network Control Protocol to transfer data, allowing communications between computers on the same network (seems to be leading to something....). By 1973 ARPA was called DARPA (the D standing for Defense) and this DARPA developed a protocol allowing diverse computer networks to Interconnect with each other, and by 1974 the first use of the term Internet was used. However, the system itself stayed known as ARPANET until the early 90’s.

The history of the Internet is as interesting as its future is foreboding, and the terminology surrounding it can confuse even the most hardened of computer orientated minds. In 1957 the USSR launched the first artificial

“

Popular sensations such as Myspace and Facebook are part of everyday life

In 1992 widespread Internet became available and the worldwide web (www) was released and at the end of the 90’s (‘99 to be precise) the WI-FI alliance was founded, granting the world wireless Internet. If you want to know more about the history of the internet, it can be found, well, on the Internet, so google it up.

“

Earth satellite Sputnik. This pissed off the Americans immensely, who in response formed the Advanced Research Projects Agency, or ARPA, in order to establish US leads in science and technology applicable to the military. In 1969

Remember Saturdays when you were a kid, free to laze around, watch TV and maybe flick through the funnies in the weekend papers? Well unfortunately those days are long gone, and you should most probably be getting on with your essays. However, in a bid to reignite those memories of simpler pre-dissertation times, the kind folks at the Apex present for your sniggering pleasure a gaggle of links to comic strips and animations available online.

But what does this phenomenon mean to the everyman? These days nearly everyone has access to the Internet through public means such as libraries and cyber-cafes.

You can go online and order your weekly food shop, watch television and films, download music and upload pictures. Popular

www.comics.com – A large selection of short and single panel comic strips updated daily. www.gocomics.com – Another varied selection of comic strips for your own personal online titillation during that mid-essay lull, including classics such as Garfield, Doonesbury and Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles. sensations such as Myspace and Facebook are part of everyday life and the money that has been made out of Youtube and Google is astronomical. But where will it all lead?

Research into worldwide online population estimates that by 2011, 22 percent of the Earths population will surf the Internet regularly, and popular speculation predicts that in fifteen years time absolutely everything will be on

Looking for Logans Legs

news publications sadly redundant. However, this amount of coverage all the time is not necessarily a good thing as with such a large quantity of media outlets, who can we really trust? And more importantly, are we now being told what to think?

James Garnam

In 1986 Alan Moore wrote The Watchmen, a story following a group of retired super heroes who try to unravel the mystery of who murdered their former colleague, and in doing so accidentally stumble across a much bigger conspiracy. The story, which is widely considered as the greatest graphic novel of all time, has now been made into a film which is due to be released in early spring by director Zack Snyder, much to Moore’s disapproval. However, in their infinite wisdom DC have decided to make a mockery of their best selling book of all time with The Whatmen?, a comic which ritually sodomises the original until it bleeds to death in the corner. Why DC has decided to release this abomination into the world is beyond me, but I think we can all agree that the guy who gave it the go ahead should be made to suffer till the end of his pitiful and pathetic life.

On a happier note, this month

sees the release of Spiderman Noir, a book which has seemingly slipped underneath the radar of most comic readers despite being one of the best things Marvel have released this year. The story is set in 1930’s America and follows the Spiderman cast living in the gang controlled New York City during the depression. I can’t say enough good things about this title as it really does have an original spin on Peter Parker’s origins, making the character less I’m-gonna-cry-about-my-deadgirlfriend-all-the-time, and more I’m-gonna-beat-the-crap-out-ofeveryone-cos-I’m-a-stereotyped1930’s-New-yorker. Awesome.

Finally this month sees the reissue of Ultimate Hulk vs. Wolverine in which the two characters fight each other for 6 issues in a variety of humorous situations. Not really one for the faint hearted, as on the first page Logan gets ripped in half and has to crawl four miles to retrieve his legs. Fun.

the Internet. Every idea, piece of music, film, book, game, everything, allowing access 24/7. Is this a good thing? Surely those who have access to everything with the click of a mouse will cease to exist, lounging in front of a computer out of ease. Also, if everything is on the Internet will that not make it easier for the higher powers to keep tabs on the general unsuspecting public? Let it not be forgotten that the Internet was created for military purposes...

G

arnham’s ander

Lies, Damn Lies!

(Attack Of the Terrorist Asteroid, Part Deux) James Garnam

We live in a world where we are constantly bombarded with news from around the world whether it is from the multitude of news channels and publications, or the internet, which is slowly making

It can be argued that certain publications have agendas and would probably like you to think a certain way, but it can also be argued that this is just personal opinion. Obviously, political views will differ from paper to paper, but certain publications seem to enjoy the doom and gloom of the world, effectively scaremongering the country to boost sales. The certain paper I am of course referring to is the Daily Mail ,which seems to be able to turn the most insignificant piece of news into the end of the world which, according to them, is always the fault of those ‘damn immigrants’.

I can almost guarantee that by the end of the year The Mail will have a headline which reads ‘Guns made of drugs fire immigrant gangs that are stealing our jobs

www.funnyhub.com/animations - Provides hundreds of humorous animations for cheap laughs, including The Texas Bunny Massacre, Titanic in Thirty Seconds and George Bush V Jesus. www.crazymonkeygames.com - Technically not a cartoon or an animation, but here you will find a seemingly endless host of cartoony games available to play for free online. My personal guilty pleasure between dissertation sentences is ‘Endless Zombie Rampage’. and making your teenage daughter pregnant with terrorism!’. Of course the paper is aimed towards those who are a little more conservative than most, but this sort of control with fear attitude has very negative knock-on effect.

One such example of this is the rise of the BNP who seem to share a lot of similar ideas to the Mail, and often use data collected by the paper as evidence to support their prejudiced argument (if you can call beating up anyone with a slightly different skin colour or religious belief an argument).

The point I’m trying to make is that just because the media comes across as a trustworthy, reliable source of information, it’s not always the case. It seems that everyday I speak to someone who hasn’t bothered to form an opinion of their own and instead preferred to let someone else do the thinking for them, never actually questioning whether it’s a correct one. So don’t let the media dictate your views, think for yourself and form your own opinion.

I of course realise the irony in my own article, but you get the point.

Art @ Anglia Ruskin Snow Days Patrick Widdess

This month we bring you pictures from the snowy days in early February. As spring approaches it’s hard to remember that just a few weeks ago the city was covered in snow. Here are some photos by ARU students from those days when the world turned white.

Left Page:

Top Left: Miroslav Zaruba Bottom Left: Patrick Widdess Bottom Right: Tony Pope

Right Page:

Top Left: Patrick Widdess Top Right: Miroslav Zar Bottom: Tony Pope

14 ELECTIONS

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Elections 2009 How To Vote

Voting takes place between Mon 9th March and Thursday 12th March and this year there are two ways to vote!

9th and 10th March ONLINE ONLY you can vote from 00:01am Mon 9th March through your e-vision account. Once logged in click on Students’ Union elections and vote for your favoured candidate. Online voting will close at midnight on Tues 10th March.

Laptops will be available: Cambridge: SU Office: 10am-4pm Library: 10am-4pm Chelmsford: Tindal Ground Floor: 8.30am – 2.30pm Ashcroft Reception: 8.30am – 2.30pm Fulbourn: SU Office: 10am - 3pm Peterborough: SU Office: 10am - 3pm

11th and 12th March PAPER BALLOTING ONLY. If you have not voted online there will be the opportunity to vote by a paper ballot at these locations between the times displayed.

Wednesday 11th March Cambridge: SU Office: 10am-4pm Library: 10am-4pm

Chelmsford: Tindal Ground Floor: 8.30am – 2.30pm Ashcroft Reception: 8.30am – 2.30pm Fulbourn: SU Office: 10am - 3pm Peterborough: SU Office: 10am - 3pm

Thursday 12th March Cambridge: SU Office: 8.30am-4pm Library: 8.30am-4pm

Chelmsford: Tindal Ground Floor: 8.30am – 2.30pm Ashcroft Reception: 8.30am – 2.30pm Fulbourn: SU Office: 10am - 3pm Peterborough: SU Office: 10am - 3pm

The Count Find out who you have elected to represent you in 2009/2010!

Thursday 12th March Cambridge Campus SU Bar 6pm - Late Free Entry

List of Candidates President

Isak Thor Atlason Matthew East Dean Patterson

Communications Officer Simon Ruggles Colin Barrett Lisa Pool Cameron Smith

Academic Affairs Officer Deniz Johns Emma Mclendon

Student Experience Officer (Cambridge)

Phil Perren Kelly Sweeney

Student Experience Officer (Chelmsford)

Maiken Andreason Nathan Davies

Cambridge Part-Time Officers

Clubs & Societies: Chloe Brown Publications & Communications: Sarah Zoe Channing-Wright Welfare: Liz Dobson-McKittrick LGBT: Terry Butcher Disabled Students’ Officer: Michelle Chamberlain International Students’ Officer (representing non-UK- students): Julia Ouzia

Chelmsford Part-Time Officers

Social & Events: Lewis Schaefer Clubs & Societies: Emma Nibbs Publications & Communications: Peter Jerman Nursing & Midwifery: Jade Swinerd International Students’ Officer (representing non-UK students): Didka Zheleva Theonymfi Kypriotaki Environmental & Re-cycling: Andrew Simpson

Peterborough Part-Time Officers

Social and Events: Jessica Marsden Accommodation: Amy Overend Welfare: Sophie McGarvie Mature Students’: Vicky Loizou Nursing: Hannah Wilson

Fulbourn Part-Time Officers

Social and Events;: Anna Swinburn Nursing: Kirstin Webster

REVIEW SPECIAL EDITION 15

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Re iew Special Edition Suba: “Sao Pao- Peace and the Metric- Help lo Confessions” Presidents I’m Alive.

1999 – It’s only Hauntingly experimental, crossing the Electronics he experienced in Europe, with the rich Brazilian Boss Nova that was so famous in the 80/90’s. This album glides along in a Portuguesa, using hypnotic conga-drum beats and silky symbols mix. To our ears it’s exotic, the reggae has your hips and the beats break out like psychedelic jazz fish in front of your eyes. I’m in Love with it.

To Brazilians, it’s another Samba hybrid that has done justice to this amazingly versatile precisionist music. Sometimes tribal, other times Latino jazz chill-out-lounge.

It’s been hailed as the new sound of Brazil: then again this is an album that spans Europe and Atlantic influences, constructed by a man who was on a new plane of harmonising. Yugoslavian born Mitar Subotic perished in flames that were engulfing his compositions in a freak accident in 1999.

Confessions, demoed only months before, was his only album produced in Brazil. More specifically Sao Paulo, a city he described as the “Blade Runner” of the Tropics. A bold, yet secretive musician, who had supported student protests, but in the first year of his career, would not even reveal his real name. This Album could have been recorded on sandy beaches with a friendly foot ball game going on in the background. Perfect for summer.

5/5 Elma Jenkins

money

Have you ever heard of a pop star with a cosmic conscience?

Well that’s what 25 year old Peace has been described as. The 80’s enthused electro pop artist has released her new single It’s only money slap bang in the middle of the credit crunch. The single starts with piano, the suddenly bursts into electro but with some heavy guitar riffs. Although Peace is surrounded with praise, it seems like the vocals let the whole song down, with the sound of an over polished recording it just merges in with most of the pop out at the moment.

2/5

Cassie Andrews Reviews Editor

Will and the people – Knocking

Oh, Atoms – sugar mouse

The Indie/ New Wave Canadians return with their fourth album Fantasies, and the debut single, Help I’m Alive. This is one of those songs that get better every time you hear it. With an extremely catchy hook, haunting guitar and synthesizer alongside Emily Haines’ distinctive voice, the single is by far one of the best from Metric. Due for release on the 9th of March, through the bands own label, this is just a taster of what’s to come for them. Rumoured to be playing at many festivals this summer, the band could be one of the biggest of the year.

Whether you’re into ska, pop, indie, electro, reggae or rock, this single covers it. Inspired by Sublime, The Police and Bob Marley this single is rumoured to be one of the biggest hits of the summer.

Bringing dark lyrics like ‘so many billions of bullets we’ve become’, Knocking is about gun crime and societies problems. This is not just another manufactured reggae mix band. Soon to be playing at Spring Break in Majorca, and currently working on his debut album with Johnny Douglas (Etelle, Andre 3000, Kylie) expect big things from this band.

5/5

4/5

Cassie Andrews

Cassie Andrews

Being described as the folk-pop Ting Tings, Oh, Atoms are a multi instrumental duo mixing violin, keyboards, mandolin, guitar, banjo and ukulel. This single has featured in the chick flick Angus, Thongs and perfect snogging, which is probably due to the happy feel good lyrics. The aptly named sugar mouse contains a lot of metaphors for life involving all kinds of sugary sweets. They describe themselves as ‘a candle lit evening in a dusty attic with a Victorian spectre and a drunken bee’. In my opinion, if you like The Grates, Jose Gonzalez, Jack Johnson and The Magic numbers, then you will like this easy listening tune.

Cassie Andrews

Tom Jones – If ever he should leave you Tom Jones is back!

The crooner returns with his new single, if ever he should leave you, from the 2008 album 24 hours.

With this new material, Mr Jones continues his usual style of smooth, sexy rhythms and deep, soft vocals, and so offers nothing new. The single itself is entertaining, but trying to follow up

3/5 Cassie Andrews

famous singles such as What’s new pussycat? and Delilah proves to be futile.

This single would keep most of his existing fanbase, but would fail to attract new audiences, as its familiar sound and lack of new horizons sounds as if the respectful veteran singer should gracefully step aside.

2/5 Michael Vel

Pete McAllen – Cosmic Politics Who is this man? His name’s Pete McAllen.

After already releasing two EPs, Pete McAllen has already established himself on his local indie scene, but it is with his new single, Cosmic Politics, from a forthcoming album, that takes him to new heights.

Listening to Cosmic Politics

makes you wonder where McAllen’s influences lie, as it is a creative mish-mash of typical indie, with elements of mainstream and alternative rock. It is truly a masterpiece for the young upstart, as the exciting rhythms, lively vocals and relentless percussion consumes the listener with a passion... a passion for more of Pete McAllen. I certainly want to here more of Pete McAllen. Give us more!

4/5 Michael Vel

16 MUSIC

Listings...

Cambridge

Vagabond: Mon 9th March , Portland Arms Lau: Tues 10th March, The Junction Patrick Wolf: Tues 10th March, The Junction Jeffree Star: Wed 11th March, The Junction The All New Adventures of Us & Sam Isaac: Thurs 12th March, Portland Arms Jim Moray: Sat 14th March, The Junction Cut In The Hill Gang: Mon 16th March, Portland Arms The Rumble Strips: Fri 20th March, The Junction Acoustic Routes: Isambarde: Sat 21st March, CB2 Roy Gelato: Sun 22nd March, Cambridge Arts Theatre Bassekou Kouyate & Ngoni Ba: Mon 30th March, The Junction The Fall: Tues 31st March, The Junction Little Comets: Tues 31st March, Soul Tree Dananananaykroyd: Tues31st March, Portland Arms

The Maccabees

Thursday 26th March The Junction This Brighton-based five piece released their debut album, full of upbeat, quirky songs with accordions in 2006, which was warmly received by an avant garde/indie crowd. The follow up record, ‘Wall of Arms’, is due for release in the next couple of months, having been recorded in Paris. Known for their innovative approach to live performances of their songs, this should be a pretty enjoyable gig

Chelmsford

Open Mic Night: Tues 3rd March, St. Anne’s Castle To Kill A Rose & Blacktop Harrison & Torque & Fat: Wed 4th March, The Twist Country & Music Night Broadcaster & JTL Disco: Fri 6th March, Marconi Club Mesh 29 & Scott McEwan: Sat 7th March, The Twist CASYS: Thurs 19th March, St. Anne’s Castle Dead Cannons & The Library Suits & Last One Standing: Sat 21st March, The Twist Devilish Presley & Zen Motel & Bad Moon: Wed 25th March, The Twist

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Music

Angeline Liles Music Editor

Reel Big Fish Cassie Andrews

Reel Big Fish along with support acts Suburban Legends and Random Hand took over the junction on Monday the 9th of Feb, the gig was sold out, and I was lucky enough to have tickets.

Arriving late, I unfortunately missed the first band, Random Hand, and arrived half way through the second. After checking out Random Hand’s Myspace page, I discovered they are a reggae metal infusion, and was quite gutted I’d missed them.

The second band to grace the stage was California’s Suburban Legends. I arrived half way through their set, by which point a large group of the audience were jumping around and singing. To be honest I wasn’t that into them.

They had a good beat to dance to, but then again which ska/punk band doesn’t? Their songs were nothing impressive but they brought energy to the stage, as well as the crowd, and did the job that a support act is supposed to do.

Finally, it was time for Reel Big Fish. The Lights went out, the banner came down, and on they came. Smiles spread across their faces, they began to play, filled with an infectious energy which caused the crowd to cheer and start dancing, skanking and moshing. The set list was comprised of old favourites, covers and new songs. Playing a

brilliant cover of Sublime’s ‘Boss DJ’, as well as an unexpected cover of Metallica’s ‘Enter Sandman’.

They also included the hilarious ‘She has a Girlfriend Now’ and ‘Fuck Off ’.

Ending the set on a high they played some of their most popular songs, the 1997 hit ‘Sell Out’ and ‘Beer’, both of which got a great

Listen Out For...

Jon Hazell

Empire of the Sun

album artwork aren’t big fans of the understatement. It’s grandiose, it’s epic and it’s likely to take over the entire universe very, very soon. myspace.com/empireofthesunsound Discover: ‘Walking on a dream’ ‘Half mast’

Intergalactic Australian electro pop from Mars, with a sound that spans everything from Bowie to Prince to ABBA - which sounds absolutely awful but just works somehow. Empire of The Sun is the collective efforts of Luke Steele and Nick Littlemore who by the looks of their dress sense and their

Mumford and Sons

Probably some of the prettiest new

response, as the whole crowd suddenly became a bustling mosh pit. The band then left the stage after hurling plectrums and drumsticks into the crowd, but were soon met with shouts of “we want more!” along side screams, whoops and synchronised clapping. After a couple of minutes they came back on for their encore. Ending the night

with their rendition of ‘Take On Me’, the hit soundtrack to the film ‘BASEketball’.

music you’ll hear in a long time.

Mumford and Sons are a sweet folky type affair for fans of Laura Marling and Noah and the Whale.

It’s remarkably simple stuff, with frontman Marcus Johnson covering the guitar, vocals AND drums.

Plus, any band that site a fellow musician’s hair as an influence on their myspace page can’t be that bad. myspace.com/mumfordandsons

pop number that makes me sit in my chair and grin, and I love songs with girls names in. Alan Pownall is touring extensively and definitely one to keep an optimistic eye out for. Just hope he spares us from more questionable R’n’B cover versions...myspace.com/ alanpownall

Consider: ‘White blank page’ ‘Roll away your stone’

Alan Pownall

Unfortunately all the internet can supply on solo guy Alan Pownall is three original songs and a Kanye West cover so there may be a little wait until we hear anything else.

‘Clara’ is a perfectly formed little

Reel Big Fish have a new album out now called ‘Fame, Fortune and Fornication’, which holds some new covers for the band to add to their bank along with completely new material. If you get a chance definitely go and see this band!

Discover and consider: ‘Clara’ ‘The others’

MUSIC 17

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Music News

Logic Pro Certification at Anglia Ruskin

Angeline Liles

Angeline Liles

Coldplay plan CD Giveaway

The attraction is intended to cater to Africa’s growing tourism trade and has been promised 1.4 million visitors in its first year.

End of the road for Nine Inch Nails?

Chris Martin of Coldplay has revealed that the band will be helping fans beat the credit crunch this summer by releasing a live album to be handed out for free to attendees at their stadium gigs in September in Manchester, Dublin, Glasgow and London.

It looks like Nine Inch Nails are preparing for a lengthy hiatus, as frontman Trent Reznor has announced a farewell world tour, accompanied by one of their earliest gig partners Jane’s Addiction. This year marks twenty years since the band’s first release, and Reznor has promised a more raw, spontaneous approach to the farewell shows.

Lasting Memorial to Jackson Five legacy

A museum dedicated to Jackson Five memorabilia is set to be built in Nigeria as part of a £2.4 billion luxury resort including concert halls, golf courses, casinos, and a multimillion-pound memorial for Africa’s former slave trade.

The Jackson Five museum is to be accompanied by a slave history theme park and a five star hotel, and is in part supported by Michael Jackson’s brother Marlon.

More Summer Festival Headliners Announced

The Killers are to headline Scottish music festival T in The Park.

They’ll be joining the alreadyconfirmed Blur, Elbow, Snow Patrol, Kings Of Leon, Katy Perry and Nick Cave and The Bad Seeds among others. It’ll be their fourth appearance at the annual festival in July.

Kasabian anticipate a hectic diary…

In the same vein, Kasabian will be busy boys this summer, as they have been confirmed to headline Brighton’s Great Escape festival May 14th-16th as well as joining Oasis in headlining this years Eden Sessions at the Eden Project in Cornwall in July. In Brighton they’ll play alongside British Sea Power, Little Boots, Lightspeed Champion and Future Of The Left during the three-day town-wide festival.

Anglia Ruskin University is now an Apple Authorised Training Centre for Education (AATCe) Because of this, as part of the course in Creative Music students can expect to take the Apple Certification course in Logic Pro, Level 1.

On completion of this course (which would usually cost more than £600!) students will be able to opt to become an Apple Certified Pro in Logic.

This three-day hands-on course introduces students to the primary features and basic user interface of Logic Pro. Students learn how to generate a customized audio and

midi configuration that will seamlessly integrate with their own personal production studio. Students also create their own song using Logic Pro’s comprehensive array of software instruments, Apple Loops and DSP effects. In-depth lessons will cover MIDI and audio recording, streamlined editing and arrangement techniques, user defined key commands, automation, scoring to picture and surround mixing. This course uses the Apple Pro Training Series book Logic Pro 8 and Logic Express 8 by David Nahmani.

For more details contact julio. d’escrivan@anglia.ac.uk

Frank Turner Jon Hazell

Frank Turner, formerly of the shouty metal outfit Million Dead, played Cambridge’s Junction on the 19th day of 2009. His blend of pessimistic optimism mixed with folky melodies is about as far removed from his previous venture as humanly possible, replacing his haggard shout with a haggard sing.

But enough about his old stuff and more about the blasted gig.

Frank hits the stage, wishes us good evening and opens with ‘The Ballad of Me and My Friends’. He’s greeted by an almighty applause from his small army of militant fans who promptly scream the song back at him, then doubling the volume for the fantastic line ‘We’re definitely going to hell / but we’ll have all the best stories to tell’.

The band then explode into ‘Reasons Not to be an Idiot’, causing the same sort of crowd movement you’d expect from a bomb scare

at a football stadium. It’s the kind of music that’s improved when standing in the centre of a crowd of drunken twenty-somethings swaying back and forth. Made only better by the select few who objected to the disorder and got a bit uppity. (Nothing reminds me of being back home in Essex more than a slow-witted man in a baseball cap offering to knock me out...)

The reason why his fans react so well to his music is not just because of how easy it is to sing while inebriated, but because of Turner’s attempts at writing songs about normal issues that normal people with normal lives have.

His lyrics have this elephant-inthe-room like quality, making you want to kick yourself for not realising things sooner: ‘He’s not as clever as he likes to think / he’s just ambitious with his arguing’. It’s like he’s conducting a masterclass in how things really are.

The band play a crowd pleasing set, playing a mixture of the obvious and the not so. Highlights including ‘Long Live the Queen’

and set finisher ‘Photosynthesis’, where Frank dived into the crowd, pretending to be more famous than he was. Frank Turner is as

much of a talented songwriter as he is a witty observer. If you have a set of ears I implore you to listen.

18 REVIEW

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Re iew

Cassie Andrews Reviews Editor

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Arlena Stevens

Despite being fully aware of my overactive tear ducts I failed to equip myself with any sort of absorbent materials when I sat down to watch The Curious Case of Benjamin Button. Big mistake.

Don’t get me wrong, the film prompts many a gleeful smile, but it’s hard to ignore the ever-deepening sense of sadness that pervades it, paralleling the worsening of conditions as Hurricane Katrina gets ominously closer to a New Orleans hospital where a young woman sits with her dying mother.

This said dying mother mutters incoherently for a while and whilst I am ignorant of the fact she is speaking plain English, the daughter magically interprets these murmurs as a wish to read the diary of a Benjamin Button (Brad Pitt), and thus his story unfolds.

It is a story of an ordinary person living an ordinary life- as ordinary as it can be for someone who is born as an old man and ages backwards. The aforementioned dying mother turns out to be Daisy, played Cate Blanchett who never ceases to look stunning whatever age she’s made up as (perhaps with the exception of when she’s on her deathbed) and whose life is inescapably entwined with the title

protagonist.

For me this film offers so much more than an individual’s story; it spans nigh on a century, from the end of World War One until the recent tragedy that struck New Orleans, and the attention to historical detail as far as the sets, cars and costumes are concerned is incredible. As well as dealing with the almost depressing practicalities of ageing in an opposite direction to everyone you love, David Fincher’s fictional biopic prompts thought about what life is for; what you can do with it.

As Benjamin’s mind matures his body becomes stronger and younger and he seems to posses the perfect combination of qualities to embark on an exploration of the world and appreciate everything he experiences. An average older person in our society might only dream of being in that position, but life has an annoying habit of getting in the way. The saying ‘youth is wasted on the young’ springs to mind. However, his inevitable fate of effectively dying young looms constantly in the background, so even the happier moments seem bittersweet, and it is this which triggered a steady drip down my cheek for the last

The Macabees The View No Kind Which Bitch?

Words

half hour of the film.

One of the impressive aspects of Benjamin Button is the special effects that age Pitt and Blanchett (in Pitt’s case, shrinking him also).

It is almost unnerving to see their unmistakeable features peering out of decrepit wrinkled faces,

Transglobal Underground Dancehall Operator

New single from the Maccabees ‘No Kind Words’ is a tad more rocky than fans are used to, as the band steps away from their acoustic routes to a more soft rock take on indie. To be honest I was pretty disappointed with this single, expecting alot more from the experimental Indie band. It seems that they have stepped out of their controversial state to a much less interesting mainstream sound.

Although it makes a good track to fall asleep to.

The Dundonian rockers return with their second album ‘Which Bitch?’, slightly more mature and looking a little bit more rugged.

This album has big shoes to fill as the views first album ‘hats off to the buskers’ hit the top of the album charts. With 60’s riffs, 50’s style hooks and an orchestra, as well as fellow Scot Paolo Nutini appearing in the song ‘covers’, this album is definitely a lot more experimental than the previous.

With every song on the album being a potential single it’s definitely one to listen to.

TGU have a different sound, a new album and a catchy first single.

Mixing world music, house and D’n’B this is definitely an eclectic infusion, but it actually works!

Expect reggae dischords, great bass riffs and harmonised vocals played over the top of a really catchy bass loop. I couldn’t stop myself from dancing when i first heard this song; although I have to admit by ¾ of the way through I did lose interest a little as the song gets a bit repetitive towards the end.

2/5

4/5

3/5

Cassie Andrews

although I was a tad disappointed with the decision to bring in an actual child to play Benjamin in his later (earlier?!) years, instead of attempting to make Pitt up like a 7-year-old (I grudgingly accept the difficulties of doing so, seeing as my expertise in the SFX field is

on par with nothing).

Unless you’re like the blokes I saw this picture with who didn’t even shed a tear (soulless bastards) I would definitely recommend making this the one film you see this month. And don’t forget the Kleenex.

The Answer - Everyday Demons

Lilly Allen It’s not you It’s me

Punchy and powerful are not usually words that you would associate with the British modern rock scene, however an Irish 4 piece have proven to be from a different mold. The band is called ‘The Answer’ and their latest album ‘every day demons’ is a refreshing taste of British rock.

The album itself is a mixture of blues and hard-rock, a typical example of this can be scene in the super charged ‘Walkin’ mat’, which features catchy riffs and powerful vocals. Overall the album was a comforting listen which assured me that true rock is still out there. The Answer are definitely a new face of rock and roll that is becoming consistently more sought after.

4/5 James White

It’s been three years since ‘Alright, Still’ came on the scene in 2003, with the eccentric mix of ska, reggae and pop (not to mention her famous acid tongued lyrics) that lily’s ‘not so commercial’ style came popular. So with her eagerly anticipated second album just newly released, will it live up to the hype of her first album? From the sound of things she’s back and with a harder bite that will scare any artificial x-factor contestant into hiding!! Her first released track ‘the fear’ has an un-canny resemblance to ‘smile’ and ‘LDN’ and is already top of the charts.

Expect many more hits from this album.

5/5 Anna Blatch

REVIEW 19

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Death of a Salesman Heather Cove

After viewing the Cambridge University Players amateur production of “Death of a Salesman”, I am sure I will soon return, as altogether it was a fantastic performance. After previously speaking with the producer and finding he had changed the ending of the show that day, I was concerned that this would affect the quality of the performance, yet the actors seemed completely unfazed!

Overall, the acting was at a high standard, but leading roles Tom Cane and Elizabeth Donnelly, who played Willy and Linda, really stood out for me. Both conveyed their characters brilliantly, producing a mesmerising performance, yet it was their attention to detail within their voice (both created a brilliantly convincing New York accent) and hand gestures which truly made their characters shine. Also, whilst having only a vague knowledge of the play prior to the performance, the intensity of the emotions conveyed truly connected with me, and, from what I saw, the rest of the audience (I am not too proud to admit I shed a tear!).

Additional credit must also be given to the technical team, who obviously put a great deal of ef-

Valkyrie Matthew Migliorini

The casting of predominantly British actors that make up the resistance, including Bill Nighy and Eddie Izzard, contribute strongly to the films high level of authenticity even though they deliver their lines in thick British accents.

They consistently give weight to

the necessary bravery and self sacrifice required of these men to overthrow Hitler.

Singer produces a quick paced, exciting thriller that is thoroughly engaging

explosions kept to an exceptionally satisfying minimal. The films biggest achievement is arguably Singer’s treatment of the plot; not attempting to tug at the heartstrings so much as communicate the desperate situation facing Germany under Hitler’s rule. He creates a quick paced, exciting thriller that is thoroughly engaging despite the fact that the films ultimate outcome is written in well known history. However despite the film-makers best efforts, its serious subject matter, talented cast and an interesting composure of true events, Valkyrie will fail to be taken seriously, largely, if not totally due to the fact that it stars Tom Cruise.

For a Hollywood version of a true story the film rather refreshingly opts to focus on just that, the story, with the compulsory, visually spectacular gun fights and

Despite his tremendous performance in this highly demanding role he remains inescapably the star vehicle of the underdog hero.

Unfortunately a George Clooney or Brad Pitt would have been a safer option.

“

“

Director Brain Singer’s latest film tells the true story of a plot to assassinate Hitler by the German resistance during the height of WWII. The task befalls to the proud soldier, Colonel Clause von Stauffenberg, played by Tom Cruise. He delivers a well calculated performance, portraying the character with an often understated intensity that is both exhilarating and emotionally compelling from the films very beginning.

The small amount of time shown with his family effectively stresses his level of self-sacrifice. Subsequently it is uncomfortably easy to empathise strongly with the character.

fort into the production. I was especially impressed by the set, which was surprisingly intricate for an amateur production, and, as the theatre was quite small, the creativity within the use of space on stage was fantastic. I think this was especially complimented by the simple yet effective use of lighting and sound. The lighting made the space seem much bigger than it was by cleverly highlighting certain areas within scenes, but what I particularly enjoyed was the symbolic use of sound.

Again, this was simple, yet it created an extraordinary aura of sorrow which depicted the emotions of the performance perfectly.

Make-up and costume conveyed the time period well but were not overly impressive, apart from Tom Cane’s character Willy. Again, here I was especially impressed by the attention to detail within the make-up, specifically, the small, potentially unnoticed, wrinkles around the eyes and the greying of the hair, which made a young actor look much older than he was.

Overall, the performance was fantastic to watch, with the acting and the technical production complimenting each other wonderfully. I would highly recommend this to anyone.

&Opinion

20 OPINION

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Editorial

Terrorist Asteriod Will Harm The Economy Chris Glithero

In these uncertain times, not a day goes by without talk of the credit crunch and the recession in the television and print media.

“5,000 jobs to go”, “Two Million To Be Unemployed”, “Recession, Recession, Recession!” are all now familiar headlines, and with such gloomy news perhaps we can be forgiven for becoming a nation of die-hard pessimists. But what the newspapers and television news seem to have overlooked in all this is their own role in the current situation.

Now I’m no economist (in fact I got an E in GCSE maths), but it seems pretty obvious that constant negative media coverage is going to have a negative effect on the economy and our attitudes towards our own finances and our futures. Picture this: a well off man is about to buy an expensive new car, he then hears several successive news stories about how the country is entering the worst recession ‘since the last one’, and that there are ‘tough times ahead’.

So, fearing for his financial future, he decides not to buy the car. This situation is repeated around the country. Pretty soon car manufacturers notice sales are dropping, so they put their workforce on a three day week, with possible layoffs to

follow. The media then reports this sad situation as further evidence of the ‘downward spiral’ we are entering.

Low consumer and shareholder confidence has also been cited by the Fleet Street boys as factors influencing the ‘economic downturn’ (you gotta love the sexy buzz-words they come up with). However while putting these words into the minds of the nation, they seem to ignore the consequences of their own actions.

It doesn’t take a financial genius to figure out that if you print endless stories about possible stock market crashes and nightmare scenarios people are going to start shouting “sell, sell, dear god sell.’

Of course there’s no denying that Britain and much of the western world is entering an economical shit-storm, to coin a phrase, and clearly news of double, triple and quadruple duplicitous dealings by a bunch of corrupt egotistical bonus-crazed bankers should be reported. But the media at large has turned this whole thing into another apocalyptic fetish of terrorism/bird flu-like proportions. Within the umbrella of ‘the credit crunch’ any news of job lay-offs, bankruptcies and even

the slightest financial hiccup are used as evidence of the impending doom, regardless of whether they are connected or relevant. Like I said I’m no economist, and i’m no historian, but I’m pretty sure these things have been happening for as long as people have been exchang-

ing small rectangular pieces of paper for goods.

I was asked to write a review but looking back on the week I have had, the only thing’s I have to comment on are the Indian take away that defeated my guts and the room it has confined me to.

The review of the Indian would include far too much description of it’s exit from my body, so instead I shall review my house.

your clothing into other peoples washing and waiting till they’ve washed and dried it before you reclaim it. There are many ways to survive living with lots of people, you can live quite well off just taking one item of food off every member of the house, I do not of course endorse any of these methods. instead I live the good life, collecting Lent presents off my Christian housemates, it’s the one perk of being an Atheist I get the chocolate and crisps that they give up for Lent.

Part of the problem perhaps lies in our willingness to be influenced, even unconsciously, by the relentless barrage of second hand reality peddled to us every day by

wealthy men whose sole aim is to sell newspapers. Give it a couple of months till the story loses its appeal, then we can all get down to some serious worrying about the bird-flu infested terrorist asteroid heading our way.

Home Sweet Home Ben Lewis

A multi storey house of fun, nooks of bewilderment. draws of cutlery and two convenient toilets, each with an extraction fan. There is complimentary coffee and laundry service if you plan your day carefully enough; firstly be the second person up. the first person up always fills the café tire and just enough for one cup will be left for you, microwaving is allowed.

Secondly for the laundry service you must spend some time surreptitiously sneaking items of

The basement, hub to the night time activities of the house contains an ample collection of music and DVD’s ranging from “Justice” to “Undercover Brother”. We have precariously balanced literature, ready to crush anyone who hasn’t played Jenga but a keen interest in our library. I am, as I believe

so are the rest of my housemates, invigorated at the prospect of finding one of the many kidnapped Leprechauns which are hidden around the house, bound, gagged and a little loose around the stitching as these dolls are.

The views from this quaint and idealistic household are varied, from one of the windows the ankles of Cambridge can be enjoyed.

From street level, as is the view from our basement, Cambridge can seem different people can seem taller and dogs can look you in the eye. From the opposite side of the house and with enough effort and a flexible neck you can see Midsummer Common. From this room, in a reflection in the shed window you can watch the comings and goings of the waists in the kitchen.

OPINION 21

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Tuition Fees Once More Martina Docklaova

After reading two articles about tuition fees in Apex in December/ January 2008 and February 2009 issue I must react and write you a different point of view. Firstly, I would like to point out the problem with teachers. I am the first year student and I have already met teachers which do not fulfil my expectations. On the other hand, I have also met teachers who fascinate me. As students we cannot do much about this particular topic, because in English society one cannot just say that he or she is a bad teacher. It is not ‘’allowed’’ and believe me, I have already tried. If you really want to do something about the issue

of ‘’bad teachers’’ there is evaluation of each module in the end of semesters and you can write your opinion there, and hope that somebody from upper position will investigate your unhappiness. Unfortunately I hear people’s complains on daily basis, however they probably do not write these complains to the evaluation sheets if the modules score so well in the end of the day: 81% of Communication, Film, Media students are satisfied with their feedback.

83% of CFM students are satisfied with the quality of their course 98% of CFM students are satisfied with the teaching on their course

&emails

Letters

100% of CFM students think their course is intellectually stimulating (Based on the 2008 National Student Survey results for the Communication, Film and Media programme at Anglia Ruskin University.)

So this is all about us, students.

On the other hand, I must agree with Anthony Mccabe (February 2009 issue) point that the feedbacks on essays are unreadable. But teachers are telling us to visit them all the time to give us feedback and the explanation of what they wrote in the essays. I do not want to criticise anybody so please understand me that I just

Finally, I want to react on the campaign ‘’Broke & Broken’’, which took place in several Universities on November 5th 2008. I agree that the tuition fees are very high, but there is a financial help in Helmore building and you do not need to pay this money now.

Moreover, if you work just 10

Correspondance

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

hours per week there is a financial help from English Government.

We should be happy for what we have. To study in Cambridge is a big opportunity and it could open the doors for better jobs in future.

I am an international student and in my country (Czech Republic) there is free education, but the quality of equipment as computers, books and level of education is incomparable.

Anglia Ruskin University is trying to do the best for its students and I do not think it is good to just criticise, we have to look at this from different angles.

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

Dear Editor,

12th February 2009 Article - `£3000` APEX Feb 09 Having read the article by Anthony Mccabe in Apex (issue 4, Affairs, Feb 2009) we feel strongly that as third year students in the English department at Anglia Ruskin (literature/language and philosophy/lit) that we should reply, in order to offer a more positive view of our experiences over the course of our degrees. While £3000 per year might sound or feel a great deal of money, particularly to students who have yet to benefit from full time work, ‘value for money’ is an abstract concept. The article, however, also raises other issues with which we feel uncomfortable.

Our experience of lectures and seminars has been that for the student willing to ‘exercise his wrist’ there has always been more than sufficient lecture material to provide a basis for ones personally directed study, and that seminars are what students make of them: not only what lecturers make of them. Certainly there are expectations placed on students to undertake an increasing amount of independent study as their degree progresses. This includes reading the university regulations for the presentation of work, as well as mastering such basics as referencing etc, but surely, as Anthony hints, this independent learning and responsibility is a fundamental component of university level education.

While, of course, there are occasions when we feel we need extra help with our work, this has (in our experience) always been forthcoming; both from teaching and other support staff - either in published office hours or, often, outside those hours by arrangement, to suit students individual needs. The teaching staff at Anglia Ruskin are its most valuable assets: while none of them would, I’m sure, claim to be perfect, they have been consistently professional, helpful and friendly.

Feedback on assignments naturally varies in its extent between teachers, and not all of them have flawlessly legible handwriting. However the opportunity to discuss marked work with the person who has marked it is always available and the intelligent student makes use of this chance to discuss their work on a personal basis.

For those students who still find difficulty with issues such as essay planning, drafting, editing etc there are regularly scheduled study skills workshops offered on campus. Moreover, Anglia Ruskin benefits from the presence of at least one Royal Literary Fund Writing Fellow: providing one-to-one essay writing guidance.

Whether or not one judges these facilities to be ‘worth’ the fees we pay is a judgement each student must make for him or herself. But perhaps it is a judgement better made before embarking upon a three year degree course. University education is a privilege, albeit one that we ‘pay for’. At anything up to £150 per hour, the car mechanic Anthony refers to in his article might make the six hours per week of teaching he quotes appear excellent value for money, especially if all the other benefits of being at university are taken into account.

We are aware, as all students are, that this university is not perfect, and again like all students we have had issues ourselves which we have felt frustrated by. There are, however, systems in place by which complaints may be made - and in our experience student-generated complaints are listened to and often acted upon.

Student representatives work hard on behalf of their fellow students, and the Students Union is always ready to listen, as indeed are individual members of staff. If we cannot help ourselves moaning about what is wrong with Anglia Ruskin (we all love to moan) at least let us balance these negative comments with an appreciation of what is truly good about our university. Anthony Mccabe’s article clearly reflects his personal view, and he claims that it reflect the views of others. It does not reflect our experience at Anglia Ruskin, and it does not reflect our views.

Yours sincerely

want to show you different angle.

In my opinion, the job of a teacher is very hard. Just imagine you as a teacher and full class of sleeping people, who are apparently not interested in what you have to say, thinking about last night party.

Not everybody is the same, that just what I see in my classes.

Re: Anthony McCabe’s article on p.5 Anthony’s article in this month’s APEX is very misleading. The true cost of tuition in the UK would be much higher if we were not subsidised by the government - for a simple comparison just think how much American students have to pay for their fees - even if they are educated in-state the figure is upwards of $6000 p.a. for the very cheapest of colleges. This is not to mention how much international students will pay for tuition at our or any other UK uni - ca £10k p.a. !!! Surely they would not come here if they didn’t believe they would get valueout of it?

I understand Anthony’s concerns about feedback from tutors, but he should make use of their office hours and get specific feedback, especially if he can’t read their handwriting. Furthermore he could get advice on how to write the ‘perfect essay’ at the same time!

I am a 1st yr History & English student and have found all the staff from both departments excellent, and willing to give advice on anything I have needed, including feedback on essays and advice for assignments.

His problem about notetaking is simply lazy and I am shocked to think that in three years he has not bothered to at least sit at the front with a dictaphone if he really finds it so terribly hard to follow what has in fact been a brilliant diversity of lecturing styles so far. Sometimes I have problems with concentration, but that has never stopped me from taking at least a side of A4 no matter what the lecture was on.

One area of concern I would share with him is the apparent lack of correlation between teaching hours and tuition fees. I believe there should be a minimum of fifteen hours teaching time a week - this is what students are dependent upon in college or language school in order to get their various benefits grants and loans - I had to be enrolled on what was designated a ‘full-time course’ which had to be fifteen hours according to my local council. Our current eight hours of lectures/seminars is far from being able to fit under that definition, however far one stretched the boundary... However, this is not a reflection on Anglia Ruskin, as I know many other students on Arts or Humanities degrees around the country would say exactly the same - is it our money funding science students to get their twenty to forty hours’ direct tuition per week?

Kind Regards, Maeve Thompson BA Hons History & English - 1st Yr

22 GAMES

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Games

Word Search

Cross Word

Down

Across

2: ‘No ___, ands, or buts!’

1: Your umbrella, perhaps

3: Mistaken

4: Conk

4: Beauty lover

7: Cutting commentary

5: Put hair dressing on

8: Turned off

6: Adult insects

10: Spotted cats

9: Express checkout units

12: Part of CBS: Abbr.

11: Drop in on

13: Loses one’s coat

Sudoku Easy

4

4 5

1

9

2

2

3 1

6

5

If you are a final year student fill out the National Student Survey online for your chance to win one of 2 Thomson £250 holiday vouchers

Hard

8

6

Sudoku 9x9 - Hard (131442199)

2

7

4

6

8

9

5

3

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1

6

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3

8

1

1

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5 1

7

swimmingpool bikini swimshorts

sunscreen beachball tropical island bucket spade deckchair shopping

Medium Sudoku 9x9 - Medium (132285949)

Sudoku 9x9 - Easy (132730072)

8

Thomson Sun Sea Sand Summer Holiday Relaxing areoplane

7

4

3

1

2

8 7

2 5

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6

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3 6

2

1

8 4

4 3

4

9

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6

7

5 8 1

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4

6 8

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1 8

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SPORT 23

THE ANGLIA RUSKIN APEX ISSUE 5 2008/09

Club & Societies Update

Clubs and Societies Councils are held every month for members of the committee to share feedback about how their club or society is doing and also recieve valuable information about what’s going on in the Union. On this page we have have included the updates given by all Clubs and Societies that attended the last Councils during the week commencing 23rd February. More information on how to join clubs and societies can be found on www.angliastudent.com/student_activities.

Cambridge

Chelmsford

Men’s Rugby Men’s Rugby have four BUCS games left in the season and are hoping to finish mid table; they are also looking forward to competing in the Varsity tournament against the Chelmsford Rugby team.

Women’s Rugby Women’s Rugby have a few BUCS games left; they are focusing on their training and are working on continued improvement as a team.

The girls are also very much looking forward to going to Spain in Easter for the Sports Tour.

RAG Are getting them selves prepared for a new year of fundraising.

With their two main Charities being WWF and JTSMA the latter is in support of Chelmsford’s Student Experience officers fundraising race.

Cheerleading The cheerleaders are preparing for their next competition which is coming up very soon. They have also just had a successful fundraiser where they raised over £500 for there activities.

Extreme Sports Are still recruiting people for the Society and have a few meetings coming up about their activities.

Afro Caribbean Society The Afro-Caribbean society will be holding their first fundraiser of the year generating money for their activities it will be an 80’s computer.

American Football The Anglia Ruskin phantoms managed to raise over £700 at their fundraisers this year and have picked up their first win of the year over Royal Holloway in the BUAFL nation league.

Rugby Have raised over £1500 at their fundraisers this year and have

been training up for the last games of the season. They managed to finish in the top half of their league this year with their final position being determined by their results in the playoffs.

Netball The Netball team finished third in their league this year after winning 6 out of their 8 games including a win over SEVIC, and are starting to arrange their first fundraiser of the semester.

ARAMS Have over 15 members turning up for meetings and have enjoyed a very successful fundraiser. They will also be going to a few comic con events over the rest of the year.

Jitsu Are carrying on with training after they took some of their members along to get their new belts. Happily they were all successful in their attempts and are now working towards being prepared for their next national competition.

Football This year the Chelmsford football team have firsts and seconds competing in the Sessa leagues. By the end of the season the team had performed well with both teams mid-table. They are now looking forward to a staff verses students game.

Forensic Science The Forensic Science society is planning a sky dive trip and is also organising a social to take place before Easter. They are also looking forward to receiving the hoodies they have ordered for all their members.

Fulbourn

In Fulbourn we are currently in the process of setting up a new Nursing Society.

For more informaiton about the Nursing Society and how to join please contact Chrissie Smith on c.smith@angliastudent.com or call her on 01223 885965.

Alternatively, you can set up a new club or society by, again, contacting Chrissie and she will be able to give you all the information you need to know.

Peterborough Currently there are no Clubs or societies formed in Peterborough.

If you wish to set one up please contact Alison Sutton on a.sutton@angliastudent.com or 01223 883260 10am-3pm MonFri who will be able to assist you further.

Clubs and Societies are groups of people that share similar interests. This means that they can be set up for anything, you could even start one up for chocolate lovers! You just need a minimum of 10 people that share the same interest.

Dance The Dance club now have an additional class on a Wednesday night and now provide both contemporary and street dance classes. They continue to have a very good turn out and are planning an end of year show.

Psychology The Psychology society are organising a trip to Edinburgh to attend a seminar by a world famous psychologist. They are also in the process of getting society hoodies and are organising a social event for their members.

Women’s Football Women’s football have unfortunately had to postpone several matches lately due to the recent bad weather however they are looking forward to the few remaining BUCS matches of the year.

Men’s Football Men’s Football have continued to train hard and the 2nd team have not lost since Christmas!

Law The Law society held a very successful ball just before Christmas and is in the process of organising several ‘law related’ trips as well as ordering hoodies for their members.

American Football The American Football team won their first game in over 2 years finishing their season on a high!

Film Production The newly established Film Production society have held two socials, now have their own website and are casting for a forthcoming production.

Wing Chun Wing Chun recently held a grading and everyone passed. They also did a demo at the Chinese New Year celebrations.

Christian Union The Christian Union recently held an activity week with guest speakers, debate and music. They are looking to hold more events as the semester continues.

Alternative Music The Alternative Music society held their first night in the SU bar which was a huge success; they are hosting another night in March and hope for more of the same.

The society have also teamed up with Cambridge Rock Society to promote events.

Ultimate Frisbee Ultimate Frisbee are continuing to train regularly and came 15th in a recent outdoor regional tournament.

Hockey Both the men’s and women’s Hockey teams are doing well and have won all their matches this semester.

Netball Netball unfortunately lost their last two matches but have won their Collegiate league and are looking forward to a club holiday to Centre Parcs.

LGBT The LGBT society has continued to hold several socials and film nights which are well attended.

The society is looking to hold a bowling night and will be continuing with their ‘Donation Not Discrimination’ campaign.

Kickboxing Kickboxing recently did a demonstration fight at the Varsity match; and are continuing to enter into various competitions.

ANGLIA RUSKIN

SPORT

Anglia Ruskin Volleyball makes final of BUCS Cup Eric schreiber

dated the opposition and Anglia Ruskin managed to win that set comfortably 25-15.

The following two sets were again more challenging as the Oxford picked up their game again and tried to challenge Anglia Ruskin.

However the team managed to stay focussed and keep the game in their control, winning 25-23 and 25-20 respectively, which has gained them a well deserved place in the final of this competition.

The team is now waiting for the opposition, which will be decided on the other semi-final between Birmingham University and Lincoln University at Munrow Sports Centre in Birmingham in the next few weeks.

The Anglia Ruskin Volleyball Men’s team beat Oxford University 3:1 in the semi-finals of the Men’s Midlands Conference Cup Knockouts.

After a slow start and making initial mistakes, Anglia Ruskin lost the first set 24-26. Recognising the potential of the team, captain Erich Schreiber (setter) called the

team together to motivate them and ensure that the following sets would be won. It was key for the team to stay positive and focussed as the team’s back ups, Jozsef Liszkai (swing hitter/middle), Adam Chodowski (setter) were unable to play due to injuries and also Anglia Ruskin’s strong swing hitter Krasimir Kovachev from the Peterborough Campus, was unable

to make this match.

The second set saw the team play much better together and score points with some big spikes

by Hermus Pun (swing hitter), Carsten Wallbaun(opposite) and Thomas Linthe(middle). Strong blocking from Nova (middle), and consistent serving from Roberto Fernandes (swing hitter) intimi-

Chelmsford Netball Come Second in League Eric schreiber

At the start of this academic year we joined our netball team with Writtle College to form Chelmsford Student Sports. Even though we are from two totally different universities we have performed well together as one team.

played for the league we won six of those matches and our best win was against Seevic College. As this college has one of the best netball teams in the country with some of their players playing for England and Essex.

This year we have finished second in our league which is the highest position that Chelmsford’s Anglia Ruskin netball team has achieved.

Out of our 8 matches that we have

At the moment we are taking part in the SESSA netball cup competition, which we are now through to the quarter finals after our wins against Epsom UCCA and

Farnham UCCA. We are in the process of organising our own netball tour for this year with players from both Writtle and Anglia Ruskin. We are also planning to take part in this year’s varsity day in April held at the Cambridge campus. And we can’t wait for next year to come around so we can be more successful than this year.

If you would like to come along and support the Anglia Ruskin Volleyball Team, their next match will be on the 4thand 18th March against Warwick and Aston University at Kelsey Kerridge. For time of the matches and any other information, please email the volleyball club on ruskinvolleyball@ yahoo.com.

The final of the Men’s Midlands Conference Cup Knockouts will be played on the 25th of March, venue and time TBC. Come and support your university’s volleyball team!

Fastest Novice Team in Cambridge!

Clare Novice Regatta

Spotlight on the ladies for this one. On 29/11/2008, NW1, entered into the Women’s Cup, contested for the title of the fastest Novice boat on the river.

They made it easily through to the Semi Final, dominating Clare Hall A, LMBC A and Magdalene A. Fitzwilliam A went down in the Semi, while Christ’s beat Clare paving the way for an epic final.

We pulled ahead with our well composed start but couldn’t quite shake off Christ’s who then overtook us after 300 meters.

NW1 started to fall apart with Christs now having increased their lead to over one length!

As we approached the railway bridge, Christ’s bow girl caught a crab and we saw our chance.

With a well composed push we managed to draw level on the finish line. Stroke by stroke, the boats pulled ahead of each other.

Finish. Nobody actually knows what happened, it could have been called a dead heat. No cheering, no nothing. After what proved to be the longest minute in my entire life, the finish marshal declared us winner.

Fastest Novice Crew in Cambridge! Well done ladies!