Issue12

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30th JANUARY 2017 / ISSUE 12 FREE

90% of Manchester students victims of crime

A student safety study has revealed that the majority of Manchester university students are victims of crime, with the most likely victims being women, non-binary, and LGBTQ students Jennifer Sterne Editor-in-chief A student safety by the University of Manchester Students’ Union has revealed that almost all students have been victims of crime while studying in Manchester.

The study, which gathered 1,031 responses from University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University students, found that 9 out of 10 students are victims of crime while studying in Manchester.

The study included unreported crimes, otherwise known as ‘the dark figure of crime’, revealing that many students are unlikely to report their victimisation to the police. In particular, almost all sexual crimes were left unreported.

Sexual crimes were the most common crimes to be committed against students, with 1 in 2 students victimised sexually, and three-quarters of women.

Of these sexual crimes against students, not including rape, a staggering 90 – 99 per cent of them went unreported, and 60 per cent of rapes were unreported. The most common

sexual crime was street harassment (41.5 per cent), however only 0.8 per cent of these were reported.

The issue of leaving crimes unreported was particularly prominent among certain subgroups, including 98 per centof LGBTQ students who did not report their sexual assault, 99 per cent of women who experienced street harassment, and 100 per cent of men who experienced rape.

The study also revealed that the top three victimised students in Manchester were non-binary students (96.4 per cent), LGBQ students (93.2 per cent) and female students (89 per cent), and it is in the popular student areas of Rusholme and Fallowfield that students feel most unsafe.

When asked what made them feel unsafe students largely responded that it was from reading stories about crime in the media, with lack of lighting and walking alone following close behind.

The impact of these crimes on wellbeing was also apparent, with 40 per cent admitting feeling unsafe in Manchester had a detrimental impact on their mental health, social life, and studies.

Despite sexual victimisation being the most common crime, awareness of many of the services in place which act as preventative measures against these crimes were found to be the lowest overall, with only 20.7 per cent aware of the free attack alarms, and only just under half of students aware of women’s self-defence classes and the safe taxi scheme.

Students were more aware of the counselling and advice services offered by the universities and Students’ Union than they were of the preventative initiatives on offer. The report admits that the preventative measures need to be relaunched to ensure more awareness including Student Safe Zones, which the report admits currently has out of date information online.

The recommendations of the study included ensuring that the creation of the Greater Manchester Combined Authority includes crucially a collaborative student safety strategy.

Higher Education institutions are also being urged, as sexual crime was found to be so prevalent, to design an “educational campaign addressing issues of consent, Continued on page two...

Photo: Petr Kratochvil@ publicdomainpictures

Interview: Naa Acquah

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NSS boycott launched as university opts into TEF

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Are letting agents doing enough for student tenants?

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News

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Remembering: Holocaust Memorial Day Highlights P6

Science : ‘City of Trees’ launched in Manchester

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Naa Acquah Contributor January 27th 1945 is the date that the Auschwitz Birkenau Concentration Camp in occupied Poland was liberated. In October 2016, I had the privilege of attending a trip to Aushwitz, co-organised by the Union of Jewish Students and the Holocaust Education Trust. Many people have heard about Auschwitz and the horrors that happened there, and many have seen films or documentaries about the Holocaust. As a Religion and Theology student I’m very aware of the events that took place, and have taken modules and lessons about the holocaust. I was overcome with shock and horror during the visit. I think it is a place every person should visit in their lifetime.

Before we went on the trip we spent a lot of time really understanding what people’s lives were like before the War broke out. 6 million Jewish people, 7 million Soviet civilians, 3 million Soviet prisoners of war, thousands of Roma Gypsies, and people with disabilities and homosexual people were murdered.

These numbers are so huge that it is impossible to even imagine, but every single one of these people had a story, a family, a passion that we must try to remember.

The day was filled with numbness. I felt numb both outside, because of the cold, and inside due to what I was seeing.

The most poignant moment was in Birkenau II. It was suddenly pitch black by 4pm and as we stood by the end of the train tracks by the destroyed gas chambers, our group leader said that we were standing in the largest cemetery in the world. 1.1 million people were killed in those chambers and as we stood there and held a candle light vigil for all those whose lives were taken, this dark ominous place suddenly felt peaceful. I don’t know why, but it did. As we lay our candles along the train tracks, it was not only visually beautiful, but also symbolically beautiful because we could walk away. We were walking away from a train track which marked the end for 1.1 million people.

Even as I write this article, my eyes fill with tears just imagining what people have gone through at the hands of other human beings. Holocaust Memorial Day also remembers all those who have died in other genocides of history. We

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Continued from page one...

Opinion: Was the Women’s March a waste of energy?

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Music: Top 10 albums of 2016

healthy and abusive relationships”. The report suggests that sex and relationship education should be part of all students’ induction into university.

The report also suggested that current mitigating circumstances provisions need to be reviewed, highlighting current grounds for “mitigation for both University of Manchester and Manchester Metropolitan University students make reference to the circumstances being ‘unforeseeable’ and ‘unpreventable’”, which could be discouraging students from applying.

Jenni Smyth, Women’s Officer of the University of Manchester Students’ Union responded to these findings in a statement to The Mancunion in which she said: “The impact of crime can have devastating consequences for individuals and nobody should ever have to experience this; we want all Manchester students to have the best possible experience whilst here in our City.”

The organisers of the recent LightUp Fallowfield event, speaking to The Mancunion about these findings, said that they did “not find the results surprising”, adding that they “believe that the solution needs to be preventative rather than reactive; more lighting, more officers, specials, and Police Community Support Officers on the ground, and more awareness of campaigns such as GMP’s Student Safe Zones, which can help if you feel under threat.”

To raise awareness and to combat the continued safety issues that students face at night, on the 23rd of February students from Manchester will be taking to the streets for the annual Reclaim the Night march, which saw 3,500 students attend last year.

A University of Manchester spokesman said in response to the study’s release: “The University takes student safety extremely seriously. With our own security staff and by working the police we take an active role in crime reduction and prevention.

“Through initiatives such as the We Get It campaign and the free student shuttle bus, we have a number of measures in place to ensure students can feel safe and report problems. While we believe there are issues with the way in which this report’s data has been collected and presented, we will work with the Students’ Union on its findings, alongside other universities and authorities in the city, to develop an action plan.”

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Editorial Adviser: Charlie Spargo

Visit Our Website www.mancunion.com The Mancunion @TheMancunion

Fashion & Beauty: New Year, New Predictions

remember those who were murdered in Cambodia, Rwanda, Armenia, Bosnia and Darfur. Innocent people who were killed just for being different, whether it be a different tribe, religion, race, political opinion or sexuality.

The one thing that really resonated with me and will for the rest of my life is that human beings have the power to do such terrible things but we also have the power to do such amazing things. Let’s not forget it was educated people who built the gas chambers, who designed concentration camps and railways to lead to such hideous places. We, as students at university, must collectively use our minds and our intellect to build remarkable things, things that don’t just help us but help everybody.

To mark this important date we will have a one minute silence at 12pm to remember all those who were killed in genocides and all those who survived.

Editor-in-chief: Jennifer Sterne editor@mancunion.com Deputy Editor-in-chief: Elise Gallagher deputyed@mancunion.com Postal address: University of Manchester Students’ Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR Phone: 0161 275 2989 Subeditors: Gemma Sowerby, Robert Parris, Jane Simmons, Hannah Foy, Christopher Tchen, Lauren Bramley, Adriana Elgueta, Lauren Pizzey, Stevie Grieves sub@mancunion.com

Head News Editor: Yasmin Mannan Deputy News Editor: Rosa Simonet & Lily Sheehan Science Editor: Georgie Hines news@mancunion.com science@mancunion.com Head Features Editor: Jacob Nicholas Deputy Features Editor: Emma Shanks features@mancunion.com Head Opinion Editor: Tristan Parsons Deputy Opinion Editor: Marina Iskander opinion@mancunion.com Head Fashion Editor: Sarah Kilcourse Deputy Fashion Editors: Sophie Soar and Talia Lee Skudder fashion@mancunion.com Head Food & Drink Editors: Lily Carden & Miriam Mizzi foodanddrink@mancunion.com Head Film Editor: Eliza Slawther Deputy Film Editor: Shema Begum film@mancunion.com

The Mancunion contacted Greater Manchester Police for a statement, however they were unable to provide a comment by our print deadline.

We also contacted the MMU press office and MMU Students’ Union for a comment.

Photo:The Mancunion

Head Lifestyle Editor: Rachel Adams Deputy Lifestyle Editor: Araddhna Patel lifestyle@mancunion.com Head Music Editor: Joe Casson Deputy Music Editor: Katie Shepherd music@mancunion.com Head Sport Editor: Harry Newton Deputy Sport Editor: Alex Whitcomb University Sport Editor: Ben Ryan sport@mancunion.com Books Editor: Roma Havers books@mancunion.com Theatre Editor: Brogen Campbell theatre@mancunion.com

The Mancunion is the official student newspaper of the University of Manchester., established in 1969 with a readership of around 20,000. It is printed weekly for 20 editions and is distributed across campus and the city.

All writers are volunteers and new contributors are always welcome. No previous experience is necessary, just a passion for student media and a good story. You can get involved by turning up to a meeting, the times of which are listed on the Mancunion website’s Join page.

We gladly accept contributors from outside the University of Manchester.

Head Online Editor Rebecca Carr Deputy Online Editor: Holly Smith online@mancunion.com

The Mancunion is part of the Manchester Media Group, along with Fuse FM and Fuse TV. This body encompasses all of the Union’s official media outlets, and organises training, outside speakers, and social events for Manchester students interested in student media.

Copyright belongs to the photographers. If you wish to reproduce them contact them

If you have any comments, questions, complaints, or would like to contribute, please e-mail the Editorin-chief or Deputy Editor-in-chief.

Arts Editor: Laura Joyce arts@mancunion.com

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NSS boycott launched as NSS boycott threatens university opts into TEF student economics

society campaign Ethan Davies News Reporter

Charlie Spargo Editorial Adviser The University of Manchester has chosen to enter the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), as the Students' Union launches their NSS boycott campaign, #DontFillItIn. The National Student Survey (NSS), sent to final year students every year by Ipsos MORI to measure their satisfaction with their course and university, is currently used in league tables nationwide to scrutinise universities’ performance, but until now has never been linked to tuition fees.

The NSS will be one of the metrics used as a part of the TEF, a rating system which will give universities either a Bronze, Silver or Gold award and allow them to allocate their fees accordingly, beyond the current £9,000 cap.

The TEF will be based on three metrics — "teaching quality”, utilising the NSS; “learning environment”, including dropout rate as well as technology and extracurricular activities; and “student outcomes & learning gain", including data on employment levels six months after graduation.

It is opposed by many, including the NUS, who not only oppose the permitting of institutions to raise tuition fees even further — as it will further limit disadvantaged students' access to the best-performing universities — but also the TEF's methods.

Up until the deadline to sign up to the TEF at midday on the 26th of January, the University of Manchester was one of few universities not to have declared whether they had opted in or not.

In the same week, the Vice-Chancellor of the Open University, Peter Horrocks, has declared that his institution will not be signing up to the TEF, as he is not confident it “is a true measure of teaching excellence across the whole sector”.

Students from the OU tend to have much more varied and unique backgrounds than those at

mainstream higher education institutions, and Horrocks has outlined his concerns that the benchmarking of the TEF will unfairly reflect on the students of the institution, who often have few or no prior qualifications, occasionally progress from one year to the next at different times, and often study at the same time as working.

He has not ruled out joining at a later date once the trial year is done.

A statement by the University of Manchester Students’ Union outlined that "as passed by 90% of Student Senate" they "are actively boycotting the National Student Survey (NSS) as of Thursday 26th of January.

"This campaign aims to raise awareness that the results of the NSS, taken by final year undergraduates, will be used to justify the government’s plans to allow universities to increase tuition fees again in September."

The aim of an NSS boycott is that incomplete data will invalidate the results, leading to the TEF being seriously hindered or even blocked completely.

Education Officer Emma Atkins added: “We have launched #DontFillItIn to encourage students to reject filling in the NSS as the University of Manchester has opted into the Teaching Excellence Framework (the TEF) on the 26 January 2017.

"As the University of Manchester has entered the TEF, the NSS will be a source of data that will be used to increase tuition fees. This is a national initiative, with 25 other unions (and counting) taking part.

"We acknowledge that student feedback is very important however and have therefore created an alternative survey called the Manchester Student Survey.”

The University of Manchester confirmed their decision to join the TEF but had no further comment to give at this stage.

The University of Manchester’s Post-Crash Economics Society (PCES) has argued that the boycott of the National Student Survey (NSS), which is backed by the NUS and the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union, threatens one of their key methods of campaigning.

PCES encourage economics students to mark economics teaching down in the survey, hoping that the downward pressure from the Vice-Chancellor’s office on to the department will force some change.

Cahal Moran, the Chairman of PCES, arguing against the boycott of the NSS, said: “I would prefer students to fill out the NSS with a critical mindset than to boycott it”, with Hannah Dewhirst, Head of the PCES Conference Committee, adding “If the point of the NSS is to gain student feedback then I think it’s more effective to use it to give really negative feedback/highlight problems with the course.

Also, not boycotting the NSS doesn’t mean we can’t simultaneously continue to campaign for another, better, kind of student feedback mechanism”.

However, Moran did later recognise that a boycott could be justified as in his view, “the department clearly haven’t listened to the NSS”.

The boycott of the NSS is in response to the government’s plans to allow universities to increase tuition fees from September 2017, depending on their rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF). The TEF will use the results of the NSS to calculate the ratings of each university. According to their website, the NUS is “campaigning against any rise in fees and calling on the government to abandon its plans.”

Mr Moran, speaking to The Mancunion, said he recognises the fault in the TEF creating a situation where a boycott is considered an option. He says that, “ideally the TEF would not have to exist, but as things are hopefully it will shift the focus away from the TEF and mean universities have to respond more to the demands of students.”

The society aims to change the way economics is taught at university. In their quest to do so, they are attracting more attention than ever in the national media.

One major development has been the publication of a new book last October, ‘The Econocracy: The Perils of Leaving Economics to the Experts’.

Moran describes it as a summary of “our main arguments about the state of economics and why it’s important for everyone that it should be changed.”

It was this book that saw The Financial Times photograph members of the society. Moran calls this “reinvigorating,” adding that,“often it can feel like little is changing in the day-to-day grind of campaigning, but things like the release of the book can help to keep the conversation about reforming economics education going, and hopefully to inform it a little.”

It is this use of the word “grind” that perhaps is most telling. Despite the media attention, very little has changed since PCES started in 2008. Mo-

ran blames “institutional inertia” for this lack of change, alongside “narrow demands of modern top-down research frameworks,” resulting in little plurality in the curriculum, even at the biggest university in the UK.

In spite of this, there have been some victories; BEconSc students can now opt to do a dissertation, as well as the introduction Diane Coyle’s course on the economics of public policy, which Moran is a tutor for. He admits that, “there is still a long way to go, but PCES are pushing for new modules on topics such as economic history and inequality,” in order to make the curriculum more relevant and engaging.

PCES is at interesting point in its recent history, with pressure mounts against the TEF and with an NSS boycott, PCES may need to find new ways to campaign for the change they want.

Responding to these criticisms the University of Manchester Students’ Union Exec team said: “The boycott is a tactic to influence the Teaching Excellence Framework and National Higher Education policy. We completely understand that students also use the NSS to critically analyse their course and to lobby the university. We would at any other time encourage them to do this.

“However there is a one time opportunity to make our voices heard over the TEF which will change Higher Education forever. In order to allow students to still have a voice, we are also launching the Manchester Student Survey which is similar to the NSS but will be used for genuine feedback to improve our education. The survey will launch on the 30th January and we encourage all student to fill it out (as it’s more valuable for ALL students to have their say, not just those who are about to leave), and especially final years, INSTEAD of the NSS.”

NUS react to Ipsos MORI’s early release of the NSS Jennifer Sterne Editor-in-chief The National Student Survey (NSS) was emailed

by Ipsos MORI to final year students before their institutions’ NSS release date, on the 19th of January, a move which has been criticised by the National Union of Students (NUS).

The NSS is aimed at final year undergraduates, and gathers their opinions on their experiences at their institutions. The NSS website sgates this is an “influential source of public information about higher education and gives students a powerful collective voice to help shape the future of their course and their university or college”.

The NUS is boycotting the NSS as the results of

the survey will be one of the ways universities will be assessed on their teaching quality through the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF), along with dropout rates and graduate destinations and salaries.

Through the TEF universities will receive a bronze, silver or gold ranking, and these rankings will decide the levels of fee increases each institution can make, with the higher ranked being allowed to charge more.

In a recent article in The Guardian Sorana Vieru, NUS Vice President (Higher Education), said: “The government has left us with no choice. We cannot stand by and allow misinterpreted student feedback to be used as a sly way of raising tuition fees.

That is why, following students voting for this at our national conference, the NUS is coordinating a

national boycott of the NSS.” Vieru responded to the early release of the emails, arguing that this decision was made because “IPSOS MORI is bricking it”.

Vieru stated that “as more unions sign up to the NSS boycott weekly, the impact of mass student action is clearly being felt. It’s really quite concerning that IPSOS MORI are contacting students in advance of their institution’s NSS release date in order to promote the survey. It’s not standard practice, and it’s a clear indication that the boycott is working”.

She added that “students are busy revising for exams and doing their essays. They don’t need to be distracted by panicked pleas to fill out the NSS. There’s a simple solution to this, the government needs to drop the TEF”.

The University of Manchester Students’ Union is also boycotting the NSS, after a motion to join the boycott was passed through senate last semester.

In a statement to The Mancunion the University of Manchester Students’ Union said: “Final years have already been receiving emails from Ipsos MORI asking them to complete the National Student Survey (NSS). We resent that Ipsos MORI are pressuring students to focus on the NSS while stressful exams and assignments are going on.”

The Mancunion contacted Sami Benyahia, Director of Higher Education (HE) Research at Ipsos MORI, but he declined to comment on the situation.

We have also contacted Jo Johnson for a comment, but are yet to receive a reply.

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

King’s College London admits to email monitoring Ollie Potter Senior News Reporter

King’s College London has admitted to monitoring the emails of its staff and students to prevent radicalisation. Forming part of the current government’s Prevent strategy, it seeks to find evidence of suspicious communication activity, at a time of increased terrorism risk following the recent Christmas market attack in Berlin.

KCL Students’ Union members condemned the strategy, stating that “students who have not committed any crimes are being treated as suspects”. A warning on the university’s email login page states members were consenting to the monitoring and recording of their emails by using the service. King’s claims that “under the terms of the Counter-Terrorism and Security Act of 2015”, also known as ‘Prevent’, it has a “duty to aid the process of preventing people being drawn into terrorism.”

The subject of monitoring student emails has been particularly contentious, with NUS President, Malia Bouattia, accusing Prevent of “turning educational institutions against their own students, perpetuating a culture of fear, restricting academic freedoms, and normalising Islamophobia”. Much of Prevent’s controversy derives from allegations that it unfairly targets the Muslim commu-

nity. Bouattia has also described Prevent as an “incredibly racist policy with incredibly racist intentions.”

KCL student Suhaib Majeed was given a life sentence in April 2016 for planning an Islamic State-inspired shooting in London, and had organised a campus event with a speaker with a history of supporting Al-Qaeda extremists. The infamous ISIS member, Mohammed Emwazi, commonly known as ‘Jihadi John’, studied in the nearby University of Westminster. Friends claimed he was radicalised soon after graduation, eventually appearing in several brutal beheading videos of ISIS hostages, including British citizens, before his death in November 2015.

A KCL student, speaking to The Mancunion, said: “While I agree with our students’ union officer who said that KCL monitoring their students’ emails was a violation of trust, I have to say that I wasn’t surprised or shocked by the news at all. I don’t want this to sound like a conspiracy theory, but I do wonder which internet platforms or networks you can use nowadays without being monitored?”

“The Prevent strategy is controversial but I believe that instead of doing what it sets out do, namely ensuring the safety of all students, it actually creates suspicions and prejudices where there shouldn’t be any. It is a sad state of affairs that the government has felt the need to bring this strategy into action.

“Without trying to sound too dramatic, it is just the reality we live in. I have not felt like there has been a large amount of protest at the university about it either. These stories come up, students are outraged for a day, post angry statuses on Facebook but by the end of the week it is practically forgotten.”

A KCL spokesman said the university was not “actively” monitoring emails, but simply notifying users that it had the obligation to do so, before adding: “King’s College London is proud of its diverse and inclusive community and any monitoring would form part of the usual security process.” The Higher Education Funding Council of England, responsible for implementing Prevent, said KCL’s actions were normal, with other institutions doing the same, calling it “consistent with the Prevent guidance”.

Writing in The Telegraph, Elliot Miller claimed that King’s email monitoring pre-dates the 2015 Prevent policy, with King’s stating it was monitoring “electronic communications at a network level” back in January 2014. He described Prevent as a “vital safeguarding mechanism”, with too many in the student movement seeking to downplay the problem of radicalisation and undermining efforts to challenge it.

Prevent will likely remain a controversial issue for years to come, with some seeing it as key to combatting terrorism, and others believing that it unfairly targets Muslims as potential terrorists.

British people should learn community languages

Changes to the languages we are taught at school may be made in a bid to improve the UK’s economic standing and the social integration of immigrants

Shivani Kaura Senior News Reporter The UK government is being encouraged to provide Britons with opportunities to learn languages such as Punjabi, Polish, and Mandarin to improve social integration and economic factors.

Since Brexit, people in the UK have started to question the importance of learning French, German, and Spanish from a young age at school. Highlighted during the referendum was the lack of social integration by immigrants which lead to the British people wanting to “take back control.” Wendy Ayres-Bennett, professor of French Philology and Linguistics at the University of Cambridge, stated that “social integration should be a two-way street and should not be the duty and responsibility of solely immigrants.”

Professor Ayres-Bennett spoke out after Dame Louise Casey claimed that “some local communities were becoming increasingly divided because of government failure to ensure that social integration in the UK kept up with the ‘unprecedented pace and scale of immigration.’”

In response to this, Prof. Ayres-Bennett proposed that British

people do not feel the need to learn any other languages because English is “difficult and only for the intellectual elites.”

Photo: meineresterampe@Pixabay

A new plan of action was put forward by Dame Louise Casey which involved obliging immigrants to pledge to learn British values and the English language by taking mandatory classes in their spare time, giving the whole immigration process an underlying militaristic tone.

With the sudden need for modern languages outside the classroom to help with economic growth in trading, foreign affairs, and science, it is questioned why British people do not make efforts

towards developing multilingualism as a society. Prof. AyresBennett proposed that the biggest problem that English people face is not enough exposure to the outside world, with European and Asian countries “having available sources of the English Language through TV, in pop songs and so on.”

The University of Manchester accommodates international students from 160 countries worldwide and each student must fit English language standards before they can apply. Obviously, international students must learn English to understand lectures, assigned pieces of work and exams, but with just under 100,000 students in the UK coming from China and over 10,000 of them studying at the University of Manchester, surely it would be beneficial for UK students to understand their language so that they can integrate and possibly network with them.

Whilst science, technology, engineering, and mathematics have excelled in the past few years, Prof. Ayres-Bennett has protested that languages have been completely “undervalued both in government and by the general public,” and the importance of learning community languages should be established from an early age or at university in order to develop social unification and to improve economic potential of workers.

Preview: LGBT History Month

LGBT History Month returns to Manchester this February with a plethora of events across the city Matt Smith News Reporter

Fifty years ago this July, the Sexual Offences Act 1967 was passed into law. Gay men were free to love and be loved, so long as there were no more than two of them, both were over 21, and they did what they did in private; at least in England and Wales. Scotland followed in 1980 and Northern Ireland shortly after in 1982.

This February, the LGBT History Month is hosting a wide array of celebrations, talks, performances, quizzes, workshops, and stalls taking place across the UK, including Manchester.

The Queer Contact Festival is putting on a number of exciting performances around Manchester, including Outspoken, a show-

case of queer spoken word, poetry and literature at Manchester Central Library, and Joan, “an earthy story of courage, conviction and hope” about Joan of Arc, “possibly the world’s first drag king”, which takes place with a number of other performing arts events at Contact Theatre.

The Queer Youth Gathering, also taking place at Contact Theatre, features guests such as George Ikediashi (Le Gateau Chocolat), Maawan Rizwan (BBC Three’s How Gay is Pakistan?) and Annie Wallace (Hollyoaks), as well as a chance for the audience to meet representatives from Manchester Pride, the Albert Kennedy Trust, and many other organisations.

Burnley, a battleground for LGBT+ rights during the 1970’s, hosts two commissioned plays: Stephen M. Hornby’s The Burnley Buggers’ Ball tells the story of a transformative political meeting held

at Burnley Central Library, and Abi Hynes’ Burnley’s Lesbian Liberator depicts the political activism of a lesbian bus driver who was sacked for nothing more than wearing a badge. These plays are also being performed at the Liverpool conference.

The month culminates on Sunday the 26th with The National Festival of LGBT History, which will be taking place at the People’s History Museum, Manchester, and features talks from human rights activists, historians, and commentators. The event will be made even more interesting by the LGBT History Tour, the LGBT Banners Tour, and taster tours of Never Going Underground: The fight for LGBT+ rights.

There are of course many more interesting, interactive, and inspirational events taking place through the month, and the full listings and locations can be found on the LGBT History Month website.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

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ISSUE 12 / 30TH JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Interview: Naa Acquah — General Secretary

Our Editor-in-Chief chats to Naa Acquah before her final semester working as General Secretary in the Students’ Union, discussing recent controversies within the NUS, the changes she has overseen on campus, and her hopes for the future of the Union Jennifer Sterne Editor-in-chief Naa Acquah has been the General Secretary of the University of Manchester Students’ Union for two academic years now, and as she begins her final semester in the role we sat down with her to discuss current events in student politics and to ask her how she thinks her time at the Union has gone.

We started by chatting about what she was up to currently, and I had the feeling that this question could have easily taken up the whole interview.

Aside from attending meetings with the board of governors and others, Naa spoke about being busy organising for student money week, the parttime jobs fair, the Give it a Go North fair, a student manifesto asking students what they want to see from their major, a mayoral hustings and also trying to make people to register to vote.

“This role has completely transformed my life ” With so much on her plate, Naa seemed to struggle to pin down what her biggest achievement was during her two years, but settled on the work she has done around engaging with North campus, saying that until she came into the role “it was kind of ignored and neglected and we had no relationships there really,” but she was happy that “we’ve now got North campus society that we fund and they’re so passionate about doing things.”

She also claimed that some of biggest achievements have been behind the scenes, with the Union’s future strategy: “I’m really sort of proud of how I think they’re going to propel the Union in the next four [or] five years, so long after I’m gone.”+ The room the interview was held in was half taken over by brown paper bags full of treats and information leaflets from the Students’ Union to be handed out by Naa to students in the library, an example of attempts to engage with students across campus. With low voter turnouts in elections and the current controversies surrounding the NUS these kind of initiatives are more important than ever.

Naa admitted during the interview that there’s “a lot of the great work that’s happening” but that “it’s not being communicated” and instead “people focus on the negative things, because writing an article about, for example , the

Photo: University of Manchester Students’ Union

rent strikes and getting students money back from their terrible housing, that’s one article, everyone goes yay, and it goes down, but negative things are always going to be played out a lot more.”

She added that how she’s communicated some things has been a regret of hers from her two years in the role, explaining that sometimes she thinks she should have “just shut her mouth about” certain issues.

The issue with this is that the negatives are not small matters, as Naa said herself: “The NUS is going to go through a really really hard time, it has been doing so for the past [few] years,” ranging from institutional racism, anti-Semitism, criticisms of the no-platforming policy, the NUS VicePresident working against the President, and calls by some students in light of these controversies to disaffiliate from the Union.

To really get to the heart of these issues we would have needed a lot longer than the half hour interview, but we managed to touch on a few of the controversies to gather her views on them.

We began with the ongoing criticism of student politics’ policies of safe spaces and no-platforming, which many have slammed as examples of the generation snowflake phenomenon. The University of Manchester Students’ Union infamously no-platformed Milo Yiannopoulos and Julie Bindel; I put it to Naa whether she honestly still believed this was the right decision, and that perhaps the controversy actually gave them more of a platform — adding that with the likes of Donald Trump now in the White House it was time to start engaging with those we disagreed with.

Naa jumped in to stress she has “always said we should engage with people” arguing that, “the only people who have ever not spoken here are those two people in the whole time, and so in that time there’s been at least a thousand people speaking this year... so it is literally like a drop in the ocean.”

She added that “there have been loads of people who have been controversial who have come here, that I’ve been like personally, ‘oh I wouldn’t bother’, but that debate happens”. She gave the example of the recent passing of BDS in the Union’s senate which she said was “hugely controversial, but I don’t think we shied away from that topic being debated”.

“The NUS is going to go through a really really hard time ” Photo: dcjohn@Flickr

On the subject of banning speakers Naa admitted one her biggest regrets was the motion brought to senate to ban Donald Trump. Naa reflected on how the situation “turned into such a huge thing” with days spent talking to the media, and “feeding off phone calls from old ladies saying ‘don’t do it’”, arguing that it would have been worth not going through in the first place.

Responding specifically to the term ‘Generation Snowflake’, she said she thought the term was “a bit unfair because what I think is happening, is people are really passionate about things and they’re passionate about things that are happening in their day to day life.” An example she gave of this was the newly implemented ‘Working Class Officer’, which she defended from critics who have said it is more evidence of Generation Snowflake in action, instead arguing it is simply students responding to “something that’s happening in their lives, something that they can physically change and do something about”, adding she ultimately believes “we should limit people to be able to make the change that they see fit.”

One of the other criticisms of the new working class officers however, has been that it patronises rather than helps working class students. Naa disagreed with this claim completely, arguing that “it’s there to make sure the voices of working class people are always embedded.” She added that it had been discussed whether it could be called ‘Widening Participation Officer’, but believed ”that wouldn’t have the same ‘zing’.”

We then moved on to

discuss the current controversy surrounding NUS politics, the revelation that Richard Brooks, Vice President of the NUS was revealed by an undercover investigation to be plotting against the President of the NUS. Brooks openly admitted after the exposé that he “organises against what [he] thinks to be an ineffectual and damaging Presidency for Students’ Unions”. I asked Naa whether this revelation made her fearful for the future of the NUS and it was here that she admitted that the “NUS is going to go through a really really hard time”.

Despite this she argued that “people have the right to organise, people have slates and campaign teams of course, there’s nothing wrong with that, that’s how politics works.”

However, she said that “we should always try and hold some sort of decency around it and try and be good to people, and not try to slam them, bully them or harass them”, something she admitted happened on both sides. This is something she lamented isolated people from the NUS, and was something that seriously needed addressing, but confessed “it is difficult because people are passionate”.

Another division which has arisen within the NUS has surrounded the Black Students Campaign and their calls for a review into institutional racism, which was finally released at the end of last year, but not before a mass walkout by black students in protest of its delayed release. The report found the “NUS as an employer has seriously failed to support Black staff”, and our Exec team released a statement saying it was “time for the student movement to take a critical look inwards, and do better”. When asked about whether this review would result in real action, Naa highlighted plans to introduce a senior management position similar to universities directors of equality and diversity to oversee these changes.

Despite this though she said the only way things would really change would be through a complete overhaul of the current culture. Naa spoke of how throughout her whole life no one had ever judged her politics: “No one assumed what my politics were by looking at me, they would ask me questions, the one thing that’s strange about the NUS is people assume your politics by your race so, you’re on the black students campaign so therefore you must be left wing, and you’re just not left wing, you’re probably hard-left.” Naa remained hopeful however that as a result of the review, the “culture change can happen” and “will make a big difference”.

One of the criticisms of this report however, was the lack of investigation into the issue of anti-Semitism within the movement, despite a Home Affairs Select committee concluding the NUS failed to take the issue seriously. As Naa had mentioned earlier, the Students’ Union has recently backed BDS in senate, despite many Jewish students voicing their concerns on the night of the vote, so I asked Naa how far she accepted that anti-Semitism was an issue within student politics and whether she accepted the claim that it has not been taken seriously.

Naa immediately jumped in to stress she “100 per cent accepted” that it was an issue, but argued that she believed it was being taken seriously. She stressed she has “spoken with students”, and has a “good dialogue with them”. She added that she believes there’s “some work happening now on the experiences of Jewish students on campus, within NUS and UJS.” However she admitted that it’s really difficult is-

sue to tackle: “We are in my mind straddling two things, of issues of politics and all the political sphere and things that people are real passions for people, and making sure that we don’t cross into having political views about a group or a state and putting those views on individuals because they are from a certain religion, that’s really difficult and it’s something that we’ve got to constantly remind ourselves not to do.”

Facing all of these controversies it is perhaps not surprising that some students are very anti-NUS, or rather simply apathetic towards it. A petition was started last term to disaffiliate our Union from the NUS, and at universities such as Durham antiNUS candidates have been elected as NUS delegates as just a few examples student opposition to the movement.

However, according to Naa it is all down to a lack of communication: “I’ve been in it and seen what is happening, all the things that people say, ‘why are they not concentrating on housing, why are they not lobbying the government’, it’s happening. It’s absolutely huge, it’s happening and unfortunately some of the more personal things overshadow a lot of the great work that’s happening and I think that’s the problem, it’s not being communicated”.

“The one thing that’s strange about the NUS is people assume your politics by your race ” Perhaps this is true, but we must admit that when an institution is criticised for anti-Semitism, racism, factionalism, censoring debates and much more, it may take some time, and a lot of powerful communication, before the headlines start to change.

Finally, as Naa enters into her final semester as General Secretary the search for her replacement has begun, with students currently able to put themselves forward to stand in the elections.

To conclude our interview I asked Naa why she thought students should stand to be on the Exec team; she affirms that “this role has completely transformed my life”.

Watch Fuse TV’s video of this interview on The Mancunion website

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‘City of Trees’ launched in Manchester New research by the University demonstrates the many benefits of a project aiming to plant 3 million trees, one for every man, woman, and child in Greater Manchester Aliya Ismangil Senior Science & Technology Reporter

The ‘City of Trees’ project is campaigning for a greener Manchester and aims to plant millions of trees around the Greater Manchester area over the next few decades. It has so far planted 94,380 trees around Greater Manchester since it’s launch in late 2015. Director Tony Hothersall explains after its primary aim of planting 3 million trees, which is “a tree for every man woman and child [in Manchester]”, they are also “very much focused on bringing existing woodland into management because there is no point in planting new woodland if you can’t manage what you’ve got.”

Mr Hothersall also emphasises the project’s goal to educate the public about the multiple benefits of trees and woodland. Aside from being aesthetically pleasing, there have been myriad studies that show the presence of trees and greenery in urban environments can aid mental wellbeing, as well as having cooling properties and the ability to reduce air pollution. Research here at the university, alongside the City of Trees project, United Utilities, and the Environment Agency, is also looking into the use of trees in reducing surface water flooding.

Lead researcher, Dr James Rothwell explains: “Traditionally water off roads and pavements is taken straight down into the sewer system.

It’s treated, and there are costs associated with that, especially such a big cities like Manchester. It can become overloaded so you get a water ponding on streets and then flooding.” Dr Rothwell’s research explores how trees mitigate against flooding in the urban environment, using nature as a helping hand.

This research is the first of its kind in the UK. “It’s really novel, so what we’ve got is effectively a very large tree treat trench, with three large trees on the street in Salford. We’ve connected from road to sewer but interrupting that using the trees to help us to effectively slow the flow of water, reduce the volumes of water and the speed of water.”

Initial data from the study is promising, which shows that water flow into the sewer is slowed by up to two hours and the volume reduced by

60 per cent. Dr Rothwell is excited by the prospect of this research, saying that the slow advancements in urban greenery in the UK could be due to lack of hard evidence. This not only has environmental implications but also financial ones. A household’s water bill includes the service of taking surface water off the property into sewers, so reducing the volume of water could reduce bills and be a way of providing incentives to developers to get on board with the scheme.

This research and the ‘City of Trees’ project has gained a lot of interest of late, including from the Secretary of State for Environment, Andrea Leadsom, whom Dr Rothwell showed round the study’s site just recently. He hopes this study provides a demonstration of yet another benefit of trees in the urban environment and it becomes “business as usual” to include trees into the infrastructure of new city developments.

Northumbria University fined for caffeine test Two students were hospitalised after given a caffeine dose equivalent to 300 cups of coffee in a non-risk assessed test Georgie Hines Science & Technology Editor Northumbria University have been fined £40,000 after a calculation error meant that two students received ‘life-threatening’ doses of caffeine.

The volunteers were given 30g of caffeine, equivalent to 300 cups of coffee, instead of 0.3g. They were taking part in a study about the effects of caffeine on exercise.

whilst Mr Parking stayed for 2 days. Both reportedly lost nearly 10kg in weight following the incident.

There has been a previous case of death from a caffeine overdose of 18g.

Adam Farrer, for the prosecution, said: “The staff were not experienced or competent enough and they had never done it on their own before,” and that “the university took no steps to make sure the staff knew how to do it.”

The mistake in calculating the dosage is un-

Photo: Unsplash@Pixabay

Photo: Dr James Rothwell

Alex Rossetta and Luke Parkin, both sports science students at the university, were taking part in the study in March 2015.

The students were taken to intensive care and were put on dialysis. Both are reported to have made a full-recovery, despite concerns that one of the subjects had experienced short-term memory loss.

Mr Rosetta was kept in hospital for 6 days,

derstood to have been made on a mobile phone, with the decimal point being in the wrong position. There was no risk assessment done during the course of the experiment.

Defender Peter Smith spoke on behalf of the university, and said that the institution wanted to “emphasise that they take the welfare of their students and staff seriously”.

New drug cocktail provides hope for Leukaemia therapy A recent study conducted by scientists at the University of Manchester has revealed a potentially more effective treatment for leukaemia Serena Holloway Senior Science & Technology Reporter

Scientists at the University of Manchester have successfully enhanced the survival of mice with lymphoma by using a novel combination of drugs. The team found that Obinutuzumab — the first-choice drug for the treatment of non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) and leukaemia — is significantly more effective when used alongside drugs that stimulate the immune system.

Stimulation of the immune system was achieved by using a drug that activates a protein called TLR7. Results of the study, published in the journal Leukemia, found that combining obinutuzumab with TLR activation successfully eradicated tumours in mice and also prevented their return.

Professor Tim Illidge who led the research believes the results of this study in mice are “very promising”. He hopes that with further work, these findings could lead to improvements in the treatment

of leukaemia and lymphoma in humans.

Illidge and his team explain that the success of this novel drug combination is a result of increased activity of two different cell types of the immune system, ‘natural killer cells’ and ‘CD4 helper T-cells’. However, in order to achieve optimal protection from the regrowth of tumours, ‘CD8 killer T-cells’ must also be activated.

Therefore, the team are now looking at ways to also increase CD8 activity after obinutuzumab therapy.

Dr Justine Alford, a senior science information officer at Cancer Research UK, suggests this may open doors to a new form of immunotherapy for people with cancer.

Cancer Research UK, who funded the project, alongside the Kay Kendall Leukaemia Fund, report an average of 37 cases of NHL and and 26 of leukaemia being diagnosed in the UK everyday. Just like other cancers, NHL and leukaemia develop when a group of cells in the body grow out of control. Together, these cancers kill on average 26 people every day.

The study of cancer is one of the 6 research beacons of the Uni-

versity of Manchester; with collaboration alongside the NHS and organisations such as Cancer Research UK, researchers at the university hope to find a solution to one of the world’s biggest diseases.

Photo: The University of Manchester

Global 7

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

In theThenews this week... important and interesting stories from the You can be wider world this week.

Stories by: Chloe Hatton, Georgie Hines, and Macarena Martín Martínez

Giant Buddha emerges from lake China A giant Buddha carved into a cliff face has emerged after the Hongmen reservoir’s water level was lowered by 30 feet.

After the project to renovate a hydro power gate had begun, the change in water levels revealed the figure, believed to be Gautama Buddha. The figure was alongside an imperial decree and is thought to date back to China’s Ming Dynasty.

This has sparked an underwater detection project by a team of archaeologists, believing that a temple could have existed in the area, as the ancient town of Xiaoshi was once very important for trading. It was submerged in 1958 to create the reservoir.

Cameron pretends to shoot Johnson and Gove UK David Cameron has revealed that he loves imagining the pheasants he shoots are named Boris or Michael.

He is a keen game shooter and divulged this latest information at the World Economics Forum.

When asked how he spends his time now that he is no longer Prime Minister, he said he has taken up shooting again and that he “find[s] that when I shoot a few Borises or Michaels I feel a whole lot better.” Perhaps it’s no surprise that he enjoys the thought of this, given their recent history.

Woman wins the lottery and shits on her boss’ desk

US A woman from New York won $3,000,000 thanks to a jackpot lottery. As a consequence of getting that fortune, she decided to have a fabulous and copious dinner in a Mexican restaurant. The next Monday (after all the weekend containing her need to go the toilet) she went to her office as usual, but this time with a different purpose: shitting on her boss’ desk.

When the boss came back to his office after lunch, he discovered his recently ex-employee shitting on his table. Her explanation for it: “I have been bearing your crap all these years, now it is time for you to bear mine.”

Puppies rescued from deadly avalanche Italy Three puppies have been rescued after five days in the aftermath of the avalanche on the 18th January.

They were found in the boiler room of the hotel in central Italy, which was destroyed by the avalanche. 9 people have also been pulled out alive, but the death toll had risen to twenty four by the 25th January. 5 remain unaccounted for; presumed dead.

Several earthquakes and lots of heavy snow have left thousands of people without electricity and emergency services working hard, with an emergency helicopter crashing in the same region, killing 6 people. The search is now nearing a close.

La La Land success International La La Land, the new musical in which Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling have leading roles, is so far the film of the year, boasting the most Golden Globes Award wins in 2017.

The film won all the awards that they were nominated for, a sum of seven, including best actor, actress, director and best film in the comedy/ musical category.

Damien Chazelle’s City of Stars has achieved fourteen Oscar nominations in thirteen different categories, with 2 of its songs ‘City of Stars’ and ‘The Audition’ competing for the same award. The film ties for the record with Titanic and All about Eve.

a baby seal ranger The Arctic The National Trust has advertised a job that involves playing with baby seals and puffins for a living. Nothing short of adorable, tasks include counting the 200 plus seal pups that are born on the reserve each year and looking after 37,000 pairs of puffins. Despite the remote nature of the island, it’s safe to say you’d never be lonely.

However one employee has spoken about the difficulty of the job. She said: “It’s not a job for the faint-hearted. All our water on the island has to be brought in by boat – and we’ve not got a washing machine. Rangers can end up marooned in their cottage during the seal mating season and the island’s thousands of Arctic terns are known for diving at people’s heads in a bid to defend their chicks.”

Puppy swallows eight inch knife

UK A Scottish twelve-weekold bull terrier called Macie has narrowly escaped death after swallowing an 8 inch knife. Her owner initially thought she had swallowed one of her squeaky toys after she was sick and started choking. However, the veterinarian discovered the long blade inside her, and surmised that she had only survived because she had swallowed the handle first and the knife had not pierced any of her organs. It had passed through her stomach and into her intestines, with emergency surgery needed to remove it. The lucky dog is now in full recovery.

In Science this week...

Photo: carolineCCB@Flickr

T2 released: he finally chose life International T2 Trainspotting, the sequel of Danny Boyle’s 1996 classic film, has finally been released after 20 years. Trainspotting is based on the novel with the same title by the writer Irvine Welsh.

Welsh published his own sequel, Porno, in 2002, in which the Scottish group move from heroin to pornography and the film is thought to follow a similar route.

Fans have been teased so far as to its content, but the trailer shows Renton’s new monologue telling the viewer to choose life. The original cast are all set to appear.

Cold wave hits refugees

Europe The United Nations has warned that refugees and migrants are dying of exposure to the bad weather that has hit Greece and the Balkans. The unusually cold wave in the Mediterranean and south-eastern Europe is due to a movement of cold air from Siberia which has reduced temperatures to 10 degrees Celsius lower than normal causing heavy snowfall.

Thousands of refugees and migrants have been stuck in Greece since the Balkan countries closed their borders last spring, and are now living in shelters that are ill-adapted for a freezing winter like this year’s one in Greece.

Trump deletes Spanish version of White House page

US Twenty-four hours into his takeover as president of the United States on the 20th January, Trump deleted the Spanish version of the White House official website. ‘Page not found’ is all that can be read now on the page that was created in 2012 during Barack Obama’s presidency.

He has also shut down the Spanish social networks accounts that the previous Government used. Besides this, other pages with access to issues such as LGBTQ issues, climate change, Cuba, and the nuclear pact with Iran have disappeared too.

Science by: Megan Harvey and Georgie Hines

Trump’s not-so-great wall

Killer air in London

US Only a week into office and Donald Trump has caused great disruption in the environmental activism community. It began with the freezing of all EPA grants and contracts, a gagging order on all EPA and agricultural scientists, and now the building of Trumps infamous ‘Great Wall’ poses new threats to animals and the environment.

It is estimated that the wall will threaten 111 already endangered species by restricting their territory, and release 2 million tonnes of CO2 into the atmosphere. Scientists are calling the potential damage an “insane act of self-sabotage.”

UK Air pollution in London has now surpassed levels of that in Bejing. This has led Mayor Sadiq Khan issuing the highest level of air pollution alert, calling it a “public health emergency.” Earlier this month London breached its annual air pollution limit for 2017 in only 5 days. NO2 pollution, produced largely by diesel vehicles, causes nearly 6,000 deaths a year, with the second largest contributor to pollution being wood burning stoves during the winter time. Some schools have now banned kids from playing outside, and Public Health England warns against outdoor exercise.

Scientists are growing human organs in pigs

International A stem cell research team, based in California, are in the very early stages of growing human tissue in pigs to produce human organs. If successful, growing organs this way can be used to alleviate pressure from already struggling transplant lists.

Dr Juan Carlos Izpisua Belmonte has said: “It’s important because we have been able to respond to a question that the field was asking: Can human cells be mixed with a large animal? The answer is yes.”

Despite showing promise, opponents of the research argue that these studies could be dangerously close to crossing ethical boundaries.

‘Metallic Hydrogen’ is world’s rarest material

US Scientists from Harvard have created one of the most valuable and rarest materials on the plant, nearly 100 years after it was theorised. News of the breakthrough could mean ‘revolutionary’ changes to technology, including substantial changes to electricity.

Prof Silvera, one of the team leaders, says that “it’s the first-ever sample of metallic hydrogen on Earth, so when you’re looking at it, you’re looking at something that’s never existed before.”

The amount of pressure to create the material was more than is found at the centre of the Earth.

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Are letting agents doing enough for student tenants?

Are students really to blame for their poor standards of housing?

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Eliza Slawther Film Editor

S

tudent houses are notoriously some of the worst in the country, with students themselves having a reputation for being poor tenants and neighbours. However, is it always the students who are to blame for the state of their living conditions?

Having experienced first-hand the frustration of living in a house with a multitude of problems such as damp, vermin infestations and broken appliances which went unresolved for long amounts of time — despite multiple attempts to contact my letting agency — I was left wondering whether my student renting experience was the exception or the rule. I expected that renting using a letting agent over a private landlord would be far easier, and that there would be a fixed standard in terms of the condition of the house and the ease of having issues resolved, but this was not the case.

After surveying a group of students from the universities in Manchester, I found that 75% of those who rented with letting agents were dissatisfied with how quickly their letting agency resolved any problems that they had. 58% experienced problems with mould and damp, and other prob-

lems such as the property being “dirty upon arrival”, leaks, holes, and infestations of vermin. Not only this, but a few of the students I spoke to found themselves in disputes over their tenancy rights, due to a variety of problems such as noise complaints and payment disputes.

Out of the overall number of students I surveyed, including those renting with private landlords and in halls of residence, over 90% had experienced problems in general with their accommodation.

One student felt that overcrowding in their shared house was a problem, another described “exposed wires, leaking boiler” and “broken fire alarms”.

Clearly, such problems pose an immediate health risk, and could result in a fire or flood. Not only are these living standards uncomfortable, they are also illegal. Despite this, my experience with speaking to students would suggest that the problems are often ignored and go unresolved.

Final year English Literature and Spanish student Danielle and her housemates found themselves handed a court order, which she claims the letting agency had no grounds for. Danielle has stated that, “[the] court order was supposedly because no one had paid the deposit or first month of rent”, but this was apparently unfair on the tenants as it was not made clear to them how to pay their rent, despite their best efforts to contact the letting agency

“The next thing we know we’ve got a bloody court order”

through “calls, emails, and visits in person”.

Danielle went on to explain that “[the letting agency] messed up the contract like two or three times and then when we asked about how to pay they just didn’t respond. Our parents called and we called and emailed and they were like “we’ll get back to you” and the next thing we know we’ve got a bloody court order”.

This all happened before she moved in, but the problems continued. Danielle has also had problems with “mould everywhere”, and a front door with a faulty lock, which the landlord was “super hesitant” to fix, instead trying to place the blame on the tenants. Only after “kicking up a massive fuss” did the Landlord fix the lock on the front door.

I asked Danielle exactly how long it took to fix the problem, and she stated that took around “two weeks”. She further added that she “felt like [her] safety was compromised as often we would come back from uni in the evening and the door would be wide open”, and went on to point out that the

“the area [is] renowned for sex attacks and burglaries”, which added to her unease.

The role of the letting agency should be to ensure that problems are resolved quickly, and that either the agency or the landlord does not leave the house in a state of disrepair. The average renting price for student homes in Fallowfield is £70-85 pppw, and agencies often charge extra fees on top of this, with flat-rates for lost keys and damage, as well as fees for late paperwork.

Another student I spoke to, who is in his final year studying Law at the University of Manchester but wishes to remain anonymous, explained that he “thought using a letting agent would be much better than a private landlord”, but he found himself to be very much surprised by the poor service experienced. I asked what was particularly negative about his letting experience, and he described the main issue as having “mice in [his] house for weeks!”, going on to add that “every time we told them about it, it was as though we spoke a different language.”

I asked how he went about resolving these issues, and he told me that “for it to finally get resolved [he] had to call the office every day for a week and nag them. Every day for a week. That should not have happened.”

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Would he consider renting with them again? “Absolutely not. I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy.”

“I wouldn’t wish this on my worst enemy” I asked whether he feels that students bring problems such as vermin infestations upon themselves, and he replied with “No way. Why is it always students who are the scapegoats?”

I asked a group of students whether they would know how to file a complaint against their letting agent or landlord were they to be dissatisfied, and over 80% answered “no” or “unsure”, with one responding “inform the council?”. This in itself is as much as problem as the concrete issues with housing. According to Save The Student, “More often than we’re happy to admit, we hear stories of landlords taking advantage of young people’s lack of knowledge when it comes to their tenancy rights.”

Some rules and regulations tend to be well-adhered to by letting agents and landlords, such as the rule that tenants require a 24 hour notice period before visitation or inspection of the property. Other legalities are less clear cut, for instance it is difficult to know what exactly constitutes as prompt resolution of issues such as damp and broken appliances. Not only this, but actually involving the council can be a difficult task. Initially they will write to the letting agent or landlord, and provide a copy of this letter for the tenants, giving a set time frame for the landlord or letting agency to resolve the problem before further action will be taken. For students who are already suffering as a result of the state of their homes, this can be very unhelpful. Of course, the council cannot investigate every single claim they receive, but perhaps it would help to impose stronger measures against particular landlords or letting agencies whom they receive regular complains against.

It seems that due to the relatively short time which students spend in one house, letting agencies can get away with leaving problems unresolved. As a student myself, I will admit that it is all too easy to accept a very poor standard of housing, rather than continually chase up problems when my contract will be over in a matter of months.

Vermin infestations are also difficult territory. Save The Student states that “When it comes to infestations of mice, rats, bedbugs and bats (yes, bats), you’ll be glad to know that it’s your landlord’s responsi-

bility to sort them out (as long as it’s not your fault they’re there in the first place).” However, it can be difficult to prove when the infestation started and who is to blame. In terraced houses and flat blocks particularly vermin can move easily from house to house, so even the cleanest student houses can potentially become infested through no fault of the tenants. Mice can live off even a few crumbs of food, which further adds to the difficulty in finding a cause for the infestation.

However, there is hope for the lost and confused.

Although most of the students I surveyed responded “No” when asked if they had used any housing advice services — and one student asking “where are they?” — several answered with “Manchester Student Homes”. Located in Fallowfield, Manchester Student Homes can not only advise you on your University accommodation, but also help you to find a property which is owned by a landlord accredited by them. They are owned and managed by the various Universities in Manchester, and their services are free.

Located in Fallowfield, Manchester Student Homes can not only advise you on your University accommodation, but also help you to find a property which is owned by a landlord accredited by them. They are owned and managed by the various Universities in Manchester, and their services are free.

Cooper Healey, the Manager of Manchester Student Homes has stated that “Manchester Student Homes runs a number of accreditation schemes for student landlords, and has hundreds of scheme registered landlords with thousands of student properties available in Manchester,” she further added that “to be part of our scheme, landlords and accommodation providers must commit to a high standard of property and tenant management, and we use feedback to ensure we only promote accredited landlords to our students. House-hunting students can also search our accredited database, have their contract checked and receive advice and guidance on housing and local Manchester communities.”

“If problems do arise at any stage of the searching or letting process — from disrepair to deposit disputes — Manchester Student Homes can help students, and conduct open and transparent investigations when code complaints are made. Students are advised to source their accommodation through our accredited providers.”

Despite reaching out to various letting agents for comment, asking whether they’d like to share their views on the matter and whether students are particularly difficult tenants, I received no response from any letting agency contacted.

Photo : Chris Isherwood@Flickr

A student life: The Wild Washerwomen

Photo : Facebook@TheWildWasherwomen

Emma Shanks Deputy Features Editor

W

ith that post-exam fresh February feeling, recharged student loan and vague summer plans being formulated, have you ever wondered how productively use those rare three month holidays us students are lucky enough to see?

Meet Zoe Darling, the French and Spanish student at the University of Manchester, who, along with her friend, Flora Thomas, bit the bullet and launched their very own non-profit grassroots organisation. The Wild Washerwomen is a service providing a mobile launderette for residents of the Calais ‘Jungle’ refugee camp, and I caught up with her to find out more.

First up, she explained to me how after spending an Erasmus year abroad split between Paris and Buenos Aires, they began by getting involved with other alternative modes of volunteering at the Calais ‘Jungle’.

“Many residents of the camp have lost their homes, their families and some feel that they are struggling to hold onto their dignity.”

They felt there was more they could be doing, and noticed a lack of clothes-washing facilities around the place, in comparison to the success of the laundry service in the new Dunkirk camp.

“Clean underwear is a basic human requirement but people would often just wear the same set until they had to throw them away, which is not only undignified and unhygienic, but also a massive waste of clothes donations.”

The girls sought to provide at the same time “a friendly place of relaxation and conversation”, where deckchairs and free chai tea and biscuits could be enjoyed alongside informal language classes for anyone interested in preparing for possible asylum abroad.

Hence the ingenious idea of creating a mobile launderette was born — combining basic skills to make something that could be moved all around the camp, cleaning clothes whatever the weather.

After intense planning, the girls headed to France towards the end of July, after getting a Ford Transit fitted with an industrial-sized generator, two environmentally-friendly washing machines, a tumble dryer, a water tank equipped with tubes for evacuating waste water, beds and nightlights; all fitted by a group of guys called the Travelling Toolbox.

“We were lucky enough to get the van from a very generous private donor, and we crowdfunded for the rest.”

Next, after getting the project approved, they set out to find a water point in the camp that would fit their hose attachment, with the help of the camp’s water team from French NGO, ACTED. “Neither of us had any experience with plumbing or even washing, so it was an interesting start, but we soon got the hang of it with the development of a fairly off-the-cuff ticketing system and log book.”

The next problem to transpire was finding out that the low water pressure took the machines twice as long to run as they should, which meant that some appointments got severely delayed. Quite often machines were mistaken to be broken and were unplugged

several times before the girls realised that this just added to the problem.

“Things rarely went to plan in the ‘Jungle’ and the washing van was absolutely no exception.”

She tells me, now retrospectively able to see the funny side of it, about one time when the van broke down and they towed it to a local garage, only to be told that it needed a 600 euro part to be fixed. The girls were forced to spend a few days in the Calais town launderette to see through all the washing orders that had been piling up.

After a month, the whole thing fell apart and they were forced to give the van back to the garage for a recovery period, but Zoe and Flora continued to move back and forth between home and the camp until the demolition in October, when 10,000 people were displaced once again and moved to accommodation centres elsewhere across France.

“After this mass dispersal, as a blatant attempt to silence the media buzz around Calais in anticipation of the French elections, it became much more difficult to identify what help was needed and where. Don’t get me wrong — the ‘Jungle’ was a stain on Europe’s morality, but there was a system, there were communities.”

When asked if the girls ever plan to return to Calais to revive the project, Zoe told me that, if given the opportunity “we would be on the next ferry out but because of the need all over Europe it is, in my opinion, best to directly donate funds to external charities who buy blankets, food supplies, and general necessities for refugees”.

Course: Undergraduate French and Spanish (BA Joint Honours) Where from: Sussex Worst part: “The first time the van broke down we had a day full of appointments to make. Unfortunately, it was at this point in a trailer park about four miles from the ‘Jungle’.

In a desperate attempt, we employed the help of an Italian mechanic who attached jump leads from his car which didn’t work. We then tried to get towed by another van, but ended up breaking its tow rope and, arguably, the vehicle. So, we found ourselves stuck on a man’s driveway, of which the owner asked us to move on. Flora and I reluctantly headed to the local bar while waiting for the tow truck but unfortunately, the police got there first and ordered their own to impound our van, which arrived just ten minutes before ours.

Then a fairly obliging and now redundant tow man had to give us a lift to the impound lot, where we paid a hefty sum to release the van.

Good times.”

Best part: “The best part was undoubtedly all of the amazing people we met. The resilience, kindness, and good humour of those who have borne witness to such hideous atrocities casts a shadow of shame on the small minded little Britain Brexit culture here in the UK.” Where does she see herself in 15 years: Travelling or living abroad.

How to get involved: “You can donate directly to an organisation like The Worldwide Tribe (http://theworldwidetribe.com/), who are doing amazing work all over Europe.

They survive purely on public generosity, and donations are always welcome!”

Opinion

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LGBT History Month: Street Harassment In the first of a four-part series on the continuing relevance of LGBT History Month, contributor Michael Petch discusses the progress that the needs to be made on the street

February is LGBT history month, but with the recent growth of LGBT rights, many are asking why we still need a month dedicated to LGBT people. Hopefully, throughout this series, I will be able to argue why LGBT history month matters by examining the experiences that LGBT people face.

ual harassment specifically on account of them being trans.

This can worsen their gender dysphoria — a condition or feeling whereby a person is distressed with, and can be severely depressed by, some factor of themselves which in some way conflicts with their gender identity. Many slurs used against trans people imply in some way that they are being deceptive by moving away from the gender that they were identified as at birth. This can cause conflict with regards to gender identity and so may worsen their feelings of dysphoria.

Why do more “Depending on the women not encounter, such protest Obama? incidents can be Francis Edge Contributor Supposedly, the women’s arches aimed to have women “join in diversity” whilst at the same time relay “a bold message to our new government on their first day in office, and to the world that women’s rights are human rights.” What this has to do with extremely privileged women from across the pond screaming “not my President” is something that I found confusing. No doubt this confusion is sourced from my own white and male privilege that I obtained on the 22nd of June, 1995.

Nevertheless, these marches faced further justification because “the rhetoric of the past election cycle has insulted, demonised and threatened” women. This, ceterus paribus, is genial. This spirit was further exemplified by the exclusion of “New Wave Feminists”, a pro-life women’s group, as a sponsor of the march.

“Seeing privileged women screaming ‘not my President’ confused me” It is a little known fact that early feminism, to which the modern disease owes its existence, was based around such pro-life views towards abortion. Founded by Mary Wollstonecraft in 1792, there is an organisation, based around this specific issue, called “Feminists for Life”. It has campaigned for the rights of unborn children for over 200 years.

Wollstonecraft did not condone those who “either destroy the embryo in the womb or cast it off when born” and further went on to say that “nature in everything deserves respect, and those who violate her laws seldom violate them with impunity.” It would be dishonourable not to mention that Mary Wollstonecraft died from complications following the birth of her second baby girl, who was subsequently named Mary in respect to her mother.

Younger Mary would later become a great writer, producing one of the greatest novels to ever address to issue of violating nature: Frankenstein.

anything from baffling to terrifying.”

Street harassment is a violation of such a basic part of everyday life and something that I personally have encountered. Having discussed it with some of my LGBT friends, they too have received verbal abuse and physical intimidation. Depending on the encounter, such incidents can be anything from baffling to terrifying.

The first incident of harassment I encountered in Manchester was more on the baffling side of things. I was walking to university, outside the church near the Stopford Theatre, when someone stood in front of me to block my path and said, “You alright queer?”. It didn’t actually sink in at first; I just automatically stepped around him and continued on to the Samuel Alexander building, where it finally hit me what he had actually said. I did not actually feel too intimidated, as it just felt so out of place, though I still think of it whenever I walk down that road. Things like this have happened on other roads, and in other cities, and it still causes some discomfort.

I have also experienced more physical abuse. Just outside my university hall in first year, a bottle was thrown out of a car at me as someone shouted “batty”. This felt much more intimidating as it happened

Photo:Jenny Mealing @ Flickr

less than five minutes from somewhere I called home. Equally, this happened at night and there were a few men in the car, so the possibility of being assaulted was much higher.

Interestingly, I noticed that I started to get much more harassment after I had bleached my hair and got a septum piercing. Equally, I get glances and hear whispers when holding hands with my boyfriend, even now that my hair is back to a natural colour and I no longer wear my piercing visibly. I think this speaks a lot about the attitudes towards LGBT folk, whereby people now say that they don’t mind, but that they don’t want to see it. It’s almost as though by me dressing in a certain way or hugging another man offends them, and they simply must correct me.

I found myself wondering if the experience is the same for lesbian couples, and so I reached out to a fellow member of the LGBTQ Society, an English literature student, who had previously mentioned some of the harassment she had faced.

The majority of her harassment centred

around the fetishisation of lesbianism.

She has had “groups of men shouting various things...‘kiss her’, ‘get off with her’, ‘I want to watch’”. This is not something I have encountered; the majority of my harassment has been at the hands of men. Interestingly enough, all of her experiences of harassment have also been carried out by men. This is, of course, not to say that all men are harassers; rather, that the majority of harassers in these instances are men, regardless of their victim.

Finally, I wanted to discuss with her how she felt, both at the time and looking back: “Scared, mostly, especially when they happened at night”. The threat of sexual violence is far more present as a woman in the night. In addition to the aforementioned sexual jeers, the fearful reaction is understandable.

Equally, these experiences ring true for trans people. The Trans Mental Health Study (2012) conducted research that found 81 per cent of trans people have encountered silent harassment, and a further 38 per cent have encountered sex-

“Pride and defiance have always been an important part of our history. We should not just take these incidents of harassment as a given part of our lives” To come full circle, the problem of street harassment tells us a lot about why LGBT History Month still matters. Pride and defiance have always been an important part of our history. We should not just take these incidents of harassment as a given part of our lives; they should be spoken about and called out. These people should know that their opinions are outdated. My friend says that she feels angry after having such experiences. We need to collectively channel these feelings of outrage to motivate change. With recent legislation calling for better LGBT education in schools being shot down, we as a community must take it upon ourselves to not allow the ideals of liberty behind this bill to be worn away.

Sankeys closes: who saw this coming?

With the closure of the beloved Sankeys, Opinion writer Eliott Mills turns his heart to a memory of his last trip to the infamous venue

I believe that it was the present writer who, in jest, said some weeks ago: “I for one will be starting my #SaveLuxuryApartments campaign right away.” And, with either disastrous sincerity or in admirable commitment to ironic humour, it looks like the people have listened and taken action. Yes, another set of top notch properties is set to situate itself in the building where Sankeys once lived and reigned.

This club was a formidable place, and not just within the Manchester scene. It always held its own in relation to London nightlife, as their at-times premium drinks prices would attest. And now, in an homage that has seen Sankeys finally go a step too far in a bid to imitate our capital city, it has tragically turned itself into a collection of expensive flats.

“I remember my first trip to Fabric,” were the words I once said to someone at the pub wearing a Seth Troxler t-shirt. It was supposed to be a sort of “I remember my first pint” jab directed towards someone a couple of years younger than me. He didn’t get the joke. Plus, it just didn’t really work because I actually own the same tshirt. In truth, it was more of an indication that I wasn’t handling my pints all that well.

I do remember my last trip to Fabric, though. Administrative errors meant that we were initially not allowed in. GO AWAY, we were told. GO DIRECTLY AWAY. DO This is an excerpt. To read NOT PASS GO. DO NOT COLLECT 200 Francis’ full article, head to POUNDS. Well, I went away for a bit and www.mancunion.com cheekily collected 200 pounds from a

nearby Monopoly stash. Luckily, the people working at a bar nearby believed that it was real money. Unfortunately that was only enough to buy one drink. But I thought I would give it another go and returned to the club, where this time I was told there was room at the inn.

I like to think of this night as an allegory, or maybe a prediction or possibly even a message from above that Fabric would soon close and then reopen shortly after.

Now, as we come face to face with Sankeys’ closure, I find myself thinking back to my final trip there, knowing that the signs of what was to some once more can be gleaned.

“Years of fun draw to a close through the revelation that it is probably easier to make money by providing elegant minimalist kitchens to young professionals” I remember the last time I went to Sankeys just the same. Well, actually, I say on this final occasion ‘I went to Sankeys’ but this is only partly true. I did get a taxi to Sankeys. I went there, in the same way that ‘going to Buckingham Palace’ as a phrase would normally indicate visiting

Photo: Mushin@Wikimedia Commons

the building and standing outside it, looking at the building through some fencing.

What I am trying to say is that I did not enter Sankeys that night. And ok, if you really care, I said ‘I remember’ when in actual fact I don’t really remember, due to my being dangerously pissed.

This might seem a dubious recollection for an article in memory of the club, but perhaps it is fitting that my last trip to Sankeys was unfulfilled. Perhaps this was a vision of the end. I, like the club at present, lost a battle against forces more powerful than myself. In my case, it was a bouncer who kept on pushing me out of the queue (even when, with great agility of wit and drunkenness of character, I re-joined the queue repeatedly for about two hours). In the case of the club itself: the unwinnable battle was against the fearsome competitor of property development.

In desperation, I tried to tell the security on the door that they would all lose their jobs if they did not let me in. I thought I said to them, “This encounter seems simple enough now but it is actually symbolic of a far greater and more tragic event!”, though at the time most likely in terms exceeding these in both passion and eloquence.

Needless to say — but I will say it anyway — they didn’t let me in, and the prophecy of closure has been fulfilled. Sankeys has gone the way of the Haçienda. Years of fun draw to a close through the revelation that it is probably easier to make money by providing leather sofas, en suite facilities and elegant minimalist kitchens to young professionals than sweaty raves for people who keep on shouting “oiii fuck off!” and scrunching up their faces.

For a student, the concept of luxury apartments can bewilder. You hear so much about them that you would imagine they must be everywhere. But personal experience of what they entail still eludes you. So for now they are just buildings that you must imagine are always there, sometimes freshly renewed, but that you never have a reason to enter. For now you just assume they must have some purpose.

A bit like that place that used to be called Baa Bar. Perhaps now the only club safe from the threat of closure is Antwerp Mansion, whose chief advantage is that it would require the improbable backing from someone like Warren Buffet to get it any way near transformed into luxury apartments.

Opinion11

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Was the Women’s March a waste of energy?

No matter how many millions of women marched, Donald Trump was always going to hold onto power, pushing ahead with his policies. But that does not mean Jenny Sterne the march was in vain Editor-in-Chief Women’s marches occurred across the world and Trump is still President. They failed. His resignation was not tweeted out the day after his inauguration and Hillary Clinton is not now the first female president of the United States. Unfortunately, however inspiring it may have been scrolling through Twitter last Saturday, a cute picture of a little girl holding a placard was not powerful enough to reverse the past.

While we are aware feminism has not yet developed the ability to go back in time and start again, women marched because they were witnessing a President enter the White House who seemed to be trying to do exactly that with gender equality.

The new President of the United States has openly bragged about sexual assault and has stripped funding from reproductive services around the world, which many suggest will not only result in unwanted pregnancies, but force women into getting unsafe abortions, which put their lives in jeopardy.

According to the Marie Stopes International, a major reproductive health charity, which had been receiving $30 million per year in US Agency for International Development funding, there will be 2.1 million unsafe abortions and 21,700 maternal deaths during Trump’s term that could have been prevented. This is why women marched.

They were not over-reacting, or being snowflakes, or crazed feminazis as some have claimed. They were marching because Trump threatens not just the position of women in society but, in some cases, their lives.

Trump reinstated this two days after the march, so many will continue to argue the millions who marched did so in vain. But the march was never

going to make him completely reverse his ideology. He said whilst campaigning that women should be punished for having abortions and now he is doing exactly that. Nobody is surprised — that is why they marched.

“Nobody is suprised that Trump has not reversed his ideology. That is why they marched” What the sceptics do not understand is that the march was not about making Trump miraculously transform into a feminist, but it was about building a movement. I highly doubt there was a single Trump supporter who watched millions of women take to the streets and then regretted their vote, but the march will have hopefully instilled courage in some to take action, to talk to those that disagree with them (unlike Ewan McGregor) and convince them of the damage Trump will do and has done.

The courage to take such action is hard to find if you feel like you are acting alone.

Not all three and a half million of the Americans who marched are going to suddenly transform into political activists, and most will not do a thing after the march to resist Trump’s presidency. But some will, and they will because those millions marched.

Another criticism made of the march was, why was it just for women? There are plenty of men who are against Trump — would it not have been better to simply stage anti-Trump marches?

Photo:Kathy Drasky @ Flickr

Trump has attacked not just women but Muslims, Mexicans, the disabled, LGBTQ rights and threatens the climate, to name just a few, and these things need to be resisted to.

“Some people will become political activists because those millions marched.”

The people that marched were not ignorant to these other threats, but they needed to unite to stand together under one banner for one day, before dispersing and beginning their attempts at resisting against such threats. Scientists are already planning to march on Washington to protest, after the removal of the climate action page on the White House website and the enforced media blackout on the Environmental Protection Agency. The scientists’ march like, the women’s, grew out of social media, and has already gained widespread public support. The fact that individual movements are not resisting Trump in their own vacuum is crucial.

An anti-Trump march would have been fractured and lost the unity in message that was witnessed

Our freedom is in peril at the hands of online saboteurs

Opinion Writer Colm Lock argues that the censorship of right-wing views on online platforms must be confronted

Social media, and the internet at large, has been a wondrous tool through which ideas and political debate have been enhanced by boundless measure during our lifetimes. Its introduction and evolution has had an effect on our world akin to the invention of the printing press. But just as the printing press was used to disseminate new and often controversial ideas of the age, so is the internet becoming a hub for the alternative and topics of contention. All this is, however, is in great peril if we do not stand up for the absolute and unequivocal freedom of speech that once existed online, but which has since been curtailed on and by sites such as Twitter and Facebook.

did to destroy the fascist hard right was to allow Nick Griffin a platform on BBC question time. He was given a chance to put across his loony points of view and promptly proceeded, not only to be shown by all present to be an ignorant and hateful man, but also very successfully managing to make

“It is not up to us or any other person to decide whether or not someone’s voice should be silenced because it would not fit in with our own world view.”

“We have become incredibly complacent about our freedoms, and have begun to take them for granted at home, as well as failing to recognise their persecution abroad.”

Those who have censored and silenced dissenting voices do not fully realise the implications of their actions. We have become incredibly complacent about our freedoms, and have begun to take them for granted at home, as well as failing to recognise their persecution abroad. Just last week, I was in conversation with a group of people when one person uttered the words, “I agree with freedom of speech, just not for people like UKIP.” I have heard people use phrases that sound positively Orwellian, with outbursts such as “people should be taught the right way to think.” What these people have expressed is not a love for the freedom of speech but a complete disregard for all the values and freedoms which we enjoy. Have these people for one moment considered the possibility that it could very well one day be their group that is forcibly silenced?

Have they any knowledge of what happens to a society when the thought police take over and people are prevented from speaking their minds

across the world.

Obviously the impact of this resistance to Trump’s presidency will not be able to be felt until midterm elections in 2018 and presidential elections in 2020, but there is no harm in starting now.

If Trump’s win proved anything, it’s that enthusiastic rallies, focused on subjects that people are passionate about, win votes. The march had to happen to send a clear message that there are still those who are against misogyny, believe sexual assault should not go unpunished, protest that reproductive rights should be protected, and ultimately believe that a man who stands against all of that should not be President of the United States.

Perhaps this is all just naïve hope and the Women’s March will go no way to inspiring people to keep up the campaign against Trump. But it lifted my spirits the day after I witnessed a man who brags about grabbing women by the pussy become President. Even if it did just that, ensuring that when future generations learn about this period of history, the textbook does not read that a man bragged about being able to sexually assault women because of his position of power and then be voted into the White House while the world just stood back and watched, it did more than enough.

Photo: Sstrobeck23 @Wikimedia Commons

in case they do not conform to the accepted language? How long will it be until these factions are issuing their own editions of the Newspeak dictionary and our speech is limited by what they deem to be too inappropriate or offensive?

This sort of practice is already underway on forums such as Facebook and Twitter. These previously free platforms now suffer from the plague of censorship that should have been left behind when the Soviet Union collapsed. It has become so common that on Facebook the term “zucked” has been coined, a reference to Facebook founder, Mark Zuckerberg. This is because of Facebook’s nasty habit of un-publishing pages that it does not approve of, which often happen to be right wing pages, such as God Save our Gracious Meme or The God Emperor Trump.

While some may disagree with the content post-

ed on these pages, we have a duty to uphold the freedoms of the individuals who choose to view their content. It is not up to us or any other person to decide whether or not someone’s voice should be silenced because it would not fit in with our own world view. It is no different to the creation of a safe space and seeks to only extend the echo chamber of online forums. If we are not careful, within a few years, Facebook could see itself morph from the vanguard of social media interaction and the free and exciting open space it started off as, into a predominantly left-leaning message board site which has no time for those who do not conform to their approved list of jokes, views, and beliefs.

How can we ever expect to defeat some of the world’s most poisonous ideologies if we do not expose ourselves to what they think? I have always believed that the best thing that this country ever

an arse of himself as well.

This kind of thing is especially relevant given Milo Yiannopoulos’ and Martin Shkreli’s recent banning from Twitter. While I will readily admit I do have some sympathy for Milo, I also realise that he can sometimes say things that are hurtful to people and they obviously don’t appreciate it. But when did, “sticks and stones may break my bones but words will never hurt me” stop having a real world application? To many people, these two men are seen as enemies of their ideology who need to be silenced.

Last week it got so bad that a Milo supporter was shot while trying to enter one of his speeches in the USA. If an ideology requires the silence of its opponents or needs to be enforced with violence then it probably isn’t a particularly good ideology.

So essentially we find ourselves at a crossroads at which we all need to make a decision that could have an effect on how we debate the big issues over the next half century. Do we succumb to the all too easy tactic of shutting out those who we disagree with so we can feel all warm and cosy, hearing only arguments that agree with our world view? Or will we engage with our opponents online and have proper constructive debate? Silencing your opponents is a slippery slope to being silenced yourself.

Music

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Feature Album

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Top 10 albums of 2016

The Mancunion’s favourite albums of the past year, lovingly compiled and illustrated by our contributors 2016 was like living through a fine disaster movie — terrible things

Pablo after its release. Both force us to reconsider our fixed ideas

a rich thread of outrage in our music for a few years forthcoming.

are happening all around you, but at least the music isn’t half bad.

of what constitutes an album. The death of the album, so readily

There’s a lot to process then. Accordingly, we millenials have

In music, we may always remember this year as one in which we

predicted in recent years, may have to be pushed back a little.

turned to irony as a perfect refuge from having to take any of this

said farewell to a lot of established greats, but there’s cause for

We may also look at 2016 as the year that popular music got

seriously: our contributors have accompanied each entry in our

optimism too: many contemporary artists made their own bids for

political again: one year ago, who honestly would have expected

top ten list with their original take on its artwork, filtered through

the canon with their greatest and most singular works yet, many of

Beyoncé to tackle black politics at the Superbowl, capped off

the high production values and authenticity offered only by

which are represented in this list.

with a Black Panther salute? The Life of Pablo may not have

Microsoft Paint, all for your viewing pleasure. I’m not convinced

And, although we lost a lot of greats this year, some of 2016’s most

been explicitly political (perhaps, after West’s recent political

that we’re karmically allowed to have another year of such exciting

prominent releases harked back to when these dead stars were in

interventions, it’s better that way) but it was certainly a grand

music without everything else we’ve put up with in the last twelve

their primes, when album releases were top-tier events. Beyoncé

statement of something or other. The 30 Days, 50 Songs project

months, so read over our list of 2016’s best album releases and

released Lemonade out of the blue and in the format of a video

stimulated political interventions from all over the music industry,

enjoy it – you’ve earned it.

album while Kanye West relentlessly tinkered with The Life of

reminding us that, if little else, we can enjoy what will no doubt be

– Joe Casson

10) Parquet Courts – Human Performance Human Performance is the latest release in Parquet Courts’ fairly large body of work, and it is certainly their greatest to date. The album retains their distinctive guitar-based sound and witty lyrics, yet somehow is a step up from their previous work — it’s almost Parquet Courts 2.0. The perfect balance between emotional, meaningful vocals and catchy guitar and bass instrumentals has been struck — Human Performance is an album equally as pleasurable to sit and listen to as it is to dance (or sway) to. The opening instrumental to ‘Berlin Got Blurry’ is one of the best moments of the album, and the rest of the song follows suit. Other top songs on the album are ‘Dust’, ‘Captive of the Sun’ and ‘Human Performance’.

— Eliza Slawther

9) Leonard Cohen – You Want it Darker

Photo: Rebekah Shaw

The sad passing of Leonard Cohen this year was made only more poignant by his last album. A dark brooding record, You Want It Darker embodies much of what people think of when they think of Leonard Cohen: smooth and steady music with production to match, and evocative lyrics delivered in his deep, hoarse croak. An album of startling stylistic consistency, the music takes you to an underground blues bar in Manhattan, but the lyrics often feel like Mr Cohen is at the bar with you, speaking his mind. Engaging, sombre and unique, this album pleases both old fans and new.

— Christian Hurry

8) Solange – A Seat At The Table

Photo: Ben Lomax

In 2016, black artists issued politically-informed albums at will. Everything from Michael Kiwanuka bemoaning being a black man in a white world to Frank Ocean’s minor-yet-significant tribute to Trayvon Martin (“RIP…that nigga look just like me”).

Nonpareil pop queen Beyoncé made Lemonade from the lemons of infidelity, feminine disempowerment and racial prejudice, while her artier sister Solange delivered her state-of-the-nation address in the form of A Seat at the Table — its title alone imbued with meaning. It wasn’t lemons but limes hurled at her at a Kraftwerk gig that provoked her wrath.

No less caustic with righteous anger and pain than Lemonade, A Seat at the Table was pointed, but never polemical, her angst and frustration offset by the soothing, undulating music on offer. “I got a lot to be mad about,” she sang rather sweetly on ‘Mad’, her rage cast behind warbling, gossamer production, her voice the embodiment of resolute calm in the face of adversity. A healing balm for a bruising year.

— Jacob Bernard-Banton

6) Nick Cave & The Bad Seeds – Skeleton Tree Few albums are as indelibly coloured by their circumstances as Skeleton Tree, the latest offering from Nick Cave & the Bad Seeds. The death of Cave’s teenage son is skirted around and only alluded to in the abstract, but its presence dominates the record. Thankfully for the listening public, Cave poured his grief into his work and carried on, resulting in a gorgeous and thoroughly intrusive collection of eight songs that discard Cave’s malevolent, gothic brooding in favour of lush, magisterial soundscapes. Cave’s voice cracks and wavers, but it’s his numb horror that makes the work so startlingly resonant.

— Callum Oliver

Photo: Cassie Hyde

Photo: Joe Casson

7) Bon Iver – 22, A Million

Photo: Charlotte Ridout

Since rising to fame with his gentle, woodsy folk album For Emma, Forever Ago, Bon Iver has certainly come a long way. 22, A Million arrived after Justin Vernon’s five-year break from Bon Iver and anyone who has tracked his journey will be able to clearly distinguish its influences from artists with whom Vernon has collaborated during that time. Although the acoustic guitar has been swapped for samples, synths and sequencers, the intimate emotions expressed in Vernon’s work are still prevalent. The interspersed industrial clashing noises that appear in certain songs could be perceived as unnecessary but after a few listens, it’s hard to picture the album without them. Highly recommended tracks are ‘666 (Upsidedowncross)’ and ’33 “God”‘.

— Charlotte Ridout

5) Kanye West – The Life of Pablo Kanye West’s “living, breathing, changing creative expression”, completed a full four months after its initial release, is a sprawling, twenty-track sonic outpouring. Mixing a myriad of production styles with West’s characteristic affinity for soulful samples and visceral one-liners, it’s as confessional as it is crass but above all compelling and stunningly current. The Life of Pablo is a hot mess. A mirror held to its creator, it’s both tumultuous and touching while also sees Kanye at his most self-aware. With his trademark modesty West took to Twitter to declare “This is not album of the year. This is album of the life.” Maybe it isn’t his best album, but it’s by far his most ‘Kanye’ to date, messy in places but all the better for it.

— Ben Lomax

Photo: Ben Lomax

Music13

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature: Top ten albums of 2016

3) A Tribe Called Quest – We Got It from Here…

Thank You 4 Your Service

4) Frank Ocean – Blonde

Photo: Emily Pite

There were only two days where it was wasn’t obvious what David Bowie’s Blackstar was about. Following his death, songs such as ‘Lazarus’ and ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ were painful to listen to. It was so transparent that Bowie was coming to terms with his impending death. Yet, the universal theme of life is combined with experimental jazz, making it his most experimental work since Station To Station and one of his most cryptic too. Overall, Blackstar acts as the perfect, reflective bookend to a truly exceptional career.

— Cassie Hyde

After what felt like an eternity of delays, Frank Ocean finally released his long-awaited sophomore album this summer. Ocean took a different approach to this album, utilising a minimalist, stripped-back production style whilst still employing his characteristically ingenious metaphors and introspective lyricism. In part, Blonde serves as a social commentary on society’s obsessions with masculinity, materialism and narcotics, with songs such as ‘Seigfried’ and ‘Nikes’ reflecting this. Ocean employs an impressive collection of features on the album, including the likes of Beyoncé (‘Pink & White’) and Kendrick Lamar (‘Skyline To’), yet their minimal contribution to Blonde highlights Ocean’s confidence in his own artistry and talents. After much anticipation, Frank Ocean didn’t disappoint, which is why Blonde places at a commendable #4 on our year-end list.

— Charlie Maudsley

2) David Bowie – Blackstar

Photo: Calum Pinder

Photo: Rebekah Shaw

We Got It… takes you on a journey through time and space. Futuristic yet classic, this album has a timeless flow: though they’re anything but monotonous, each song carries a tuneful ease that makes them instantly loveable. You’ll travel through the album noticing clever riffs, lyrics and samples, but also a nostalgic tone: ‘The Donald’ includes touching mentions of Tribe’s late vocalist Phife Dawg and childhood cartoons are sampled. Tying together a mishmash collection of cultures, periods and people into a cohesive package, the album is perfect for any mood and will get you moving in your seat, vibing in your living room or jumping in a crowd. Bringing the past and present together before launching into the future, We Got It… is one of 2016’s best releases.’

— Sophie Billington

1) Radiohead – A Moon Shaped Pool A Moon Shaped Pool ended Radiohead fans’ five-year wait for a ninth studio album. The wait was worth it though, as A Moon Shaped Pool delivered a continuation of the highly acclaimed art-rock style which Radiohead have perfected since 2000’s Kid A. Songs such as opener ‘Burn the Witch’ and album closer ‘True Love Waits’, which both originated in different forms in the early 2000s, structure the personal nature of the album. Through the recurring use of electronic elements and lead guitarist Johnny Greenwood’s choral arrangements, A Moon Shaped Pool provides an enchanting soundtrack to the narrative of love and regret told by Thom Yorke. Album highlights include second single ‘Daydreaming’ and ‘Decks Dark’, in which Radiohead’s evolving style flourishes considerably. With a huge 2017 tour in wait, A Moon Shaped Pool provides yet more ammunition for the huge arsenal owned by one of British music’s finest creations.

— William Bain

Photo: Rebekah Shaw

Editors’picks

Editor’s Pick: Mitski – Puberty 2

Photo: Joe Casson

In late spring, 26-year-old singersongwriter Mitski Miyawaki released Puberty 2, a carefully-arranged, lucid and gruelling mind-map of the everyday search for happiness and stability. Mitski’s compositional chops have progressed in leaps and bounds, taking us in the record’s short-but-sour thirty-one minutes from rumbling drum machines and blaring horns in opener ‘Happy’ through a subversion of classic indie rock tropes underscoring the pains of a culture-clashing relationship in ‘Your Best American Girl’, a highlight of the album and the year. Lyrically, Mitski looks past narratives of heartbreak or love, instead exploring the complicated spaces in between, where ‘a loving feeling’ can still leave you feeling alone.

“Happiness fucks you”, she writes in the liner notes. Direct but nuanced, sophisticated but heart-wrenching – Puberty 2 is Mitski’s best yet and one of the year’s finest too.

— Joe Casson

Editor’s Pick: Sia – This Is Acting

Photo: Katie Shepherd

If there’s a secret recipe for writing the ultimate pop hit, then Sia not only owns it but has perfected it. This Is Acting is an album almost entirely comprised of singles written for other artists — her most recent chart dominator, ‘Cheap Thrills’ was originally intended for Rihanna, whilst ‘Alive’ was rejected by Adele. And yet there is no one that should perform these songs other than Sia, who not only knows how to create a brilliantly catchy number one, but also brings something refreshingly edgy and exciting to pop music. There is something almost brutal about the way This Is Acting holds nothing back. Sia has torn her heart out, thrown it onto the floor and invited everyone to dance all over it. Executing each track with brilliant conviction, it is not just the intoxication of her music that makes you desperate to get up and dance, but the rawness that tinges her choruses that has made This Is Acting one of the most unforgettable albums of the year.

— Katie Shepherd

Music

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Interview

Interview: J. Chambers Madeleine Jones speaks to the up-and-coming rapper about his upcoming EP, the issue of cultural appropriation in hip-hop and how social media has changed his relationship with his supporters

Madeleine Jones Contributor “I think my reputation within the scene’s changed. I get recognised a little bit now which is pretty funny and I get kind of flustered,” local Manchester rapper J. Chambers remarks on the success of his Merchant of Manny EP last July. The politically-charged MC has been a rising figure on the Manchester hip hop scene for the last four years.

Following the success of his 2014 EP Moment of Silence, he supported huge names like Akala, Dead Prez and Talib Kweli. I spoke to him backstage at Band On The Wall before the pre-release show of his next EP Moment of Silence II: The Road to Perdition.

“The reception for Merchant of Manny was really good. I was kind of surprised because prior to that most of my stuff had been traditionalist hip hop, the samples are very boom bap. And Merchant of Manny, although it may not seem like it to the outside ear, internally with me and my team it was quite experimental. It was still lyrically what [my fans] expected but then sonically it was different.”

Moment of Silence II: The Road to Perdition involves a change in lyrical themes. “This new project is a continuation of the first Moment of Silence. The first one I wrote when I was depressed, and after Merchant of Manny dropped and everything started fizzling out, I went back into that way of being quite depressed and stuff. I was making these songs with [producer] Dyno and it was very therapeutic as I’m the type of guy that’s not a very emotional guy so I don’t like to talk about my feelings — it just manifests itself and comes out within the music.” Like many politically conscious artists, Chambers had noticed, “a lot of my music reflects the world but it doesn’t reflect myself, so I’m not really talking about myself too much [in past releases]. This project, you get to know me inside out really.”

Chambers is sure to maintain good relations with his fans and supporters, though it’s hard to imagine many artists like him being able to do this and much more without social media. He reflects on this, saying “most of my relationships with supporters and fans is based off face-to-face. I make sure I speak to people and I’m active on my pages so when people message in or ask for music, I’ll send them little exclusives and just keep people within the circle. I imagine without Facebook, we could still do that but it would be by the means of bringing them to my studio or whatever. So I think I could still be sufficient without the internet but my reach wouldn’t be as great.”

His beliefs extend further than just his music as he aims to use the power of education. “I’m in the process at the moment of setting up workshops using hip hop as a platform for better understanding the

Photo: album artwork

English language within GCSE English. I’m in the process of getting funding for that. I work in a college as well. It’s kind of mad — working with young people, it’s something I’ve always enjoyed doing and it’s reflected within the music, wanting to make a change and changing the way things are starts with changing the young people because they’re going to be the citizens of tomorrow so it’s a way I can continue the message of my music — as arrogant as that sounds!”

The conversation turns to more topical issues. The socially conscious person he is, I wonder if he has much of an opinion on the widely debated issue of cultural appropriation. His views are mixed.

“Do I think that cultural appropriation exists? Yes. For example, a white person saying the n-word would piss me off, a black person saying the n-word would piss me off, but a white person using it in the sense of slang is kind of — just because of the society we live in, that would be classed as cultural appropriation because they’re taking a word that really shouldn’t be used in that context. But in terms of hairstyles and clothing, I think some of the stuff’s a bit sensitive.” He

says he has no problem with white people with dreadlocks, using the example of women with weaves to show that culture is a two-way “melting-pot” system.

But he certainly thinks there’s a problem of appropriation within history and music. “There’s a lot of whitewashing within British history, like when I was in school, the only thing we were taught about [race issues] was Martin Luther King’s ‘I Have A Dream’, we weren’t taught about anything else. And then as you get older, you start reading more, you find out that black people didn’t just come over on the Mayflower, we had black Victorians and people like that. There’s loads of little bits that’s kind of appropriated within history that we’re taught.”

On the music side of the issue, “someone like Slim Jesus, who’s this Mormon kid who makes drill music, so like American gun-gangster-drug music. But he admits that he’s a Mormon and believes in that and says ‘I just do this [music] because I get paid money to do it.’ That’s appropriation. Because you’re taking culture and an art form that it respected and you’re devaluing it and you’re not doing it in a format that the people who started it want it to be portrayed in. And because of that music, he’s not the person who suffers the consequence of that appropriation. So for him pushing that up to the mainstream and showing all these middle-class suburban kids and their parents ‘this is what happens in these communities’, their perception of people who actually dwell within those communities changes. But he’s not affected by that because he’s outside of that community.”

Despite being a solo artist, he uses the term ‘we’ a lot when talking about his music, crediting the producers and management team behind him. “We’ve got a lot more support now. I’m trying to move away from doing as many support shows and doing more of my own things to kind of make everything more self-sufficient and etch my name in Manchester,” he says of his current goals while the future is certainly looking bright. “We drop a single on 6th February, then we have another single dropping after that, the project should be coming out [in March] on Medication Recordings with is [local collective] Virus Syndicate’s label . My manager’s trying to set up a little tour, we’ve got some European dates on the cards as well which is looking pretty cool. So yeah just growth, just taking things to the next level.”

Moment of Silence II: The Road to Perdition is scheduled for release in early March.

Record Reappraisal

Record Reappraisal: Indigo Girls – Rites of Passage

Elizabeth Gibson celebrates Indigo Girls’ joyous, adventurous fourth album and their remarkable career Released May 1992 via Epic

Elizabeth Gibson Contributor Indigo Girls were one of a number of folk-rock groups taken on by major labels in the late 1980s and early 1990s following the success of the likes of Tracy Chapman and Suzanne Vega. What may have initially been viewed as a passing fad blossomed, and the ‘90s arguably saw folk and crossover music being recognised in the mainstream to the greatest degree since the swinging ‘60s. Indigo Girls not only flourished but thrived for three decades and are still performing and releasing new material. With appearances on major talk shows, iconic music videos and their relentless outspokenness, Amy Ray and Emily Saliers demanded from the beginning to be seen and heard.

And so they should be. Their music is at best excellent, and even the songs that don’t linger in the mind are well-crafted and feel honest. You get the distinct impression that Ray and Saliers are incapable of putting out a song they know is mediocre or filler — they just would not be able to bear it. This brings us to Rites of Passage.

Released in 1992, it is their fourth album, but as their early records were released so closely together — pretty much annually — there is still the sense of a young, raw band.

The two members write almost totally separately, and a song will be known to fans as either “an Amy song” or “an Emily song”. However each usually lends her voice and guitar skills to the other’s tracks, producing gorgeous cacophonies of sound. Amy is generally the rocker, and Emily the jazzier, bluesy artist. In this album, however, both do some experimenting, with very positive results.

Amy’s Rites of Passage songs have a Celtic feel, especially ‘Three Hits’ and ‘Chickenman’. In ‘Cedar Tree’, she perhaps lays it on too thick: it’s cheesy but still pleasant on the ear. A hallmark of an accomplished artist is being able to create a parody of something

Photo: album artwork

that is actually also a brilliant example of the thing in question, and Amy demonstrates this with ‘Nashville’, a play on the distinctive style of country music that was popular in the titular city when Amy went to university there. She wasn’t happy and left, and the song conveys her frustration — yet she works in the harmonica, fiddle and accordion to create a piece of real beauty.

Amy’s main hit from this album was ‘Joking’, a jangly, angsty reflection of a more carefree time: “I was wide-eyed and laughing, we were dancing up to the bright side.” It is the rockiest and closest to her usual vibe, full of furious, rugged emotion. Finally, the low, intense ‘Jonas and Ezekial’ has some of her strongest writing, every line feeling important. “In the war over land where the world began, the prophecies say that’s where the world will end, but there’s a tremor growing in our own backyard…”

Emily really seems to grow on this album. In previous records she went for gentle ballads, which she handled well; here she embraces a faster pace and rhythmic style. ‘Galileo’ has a slightly bizarre premise based around reincarnation but is bouncy and moving and gave Indigo Girls one of their biggest hits. The video is brilliant. ‘Let It Be Me’ is a catchy protest song: “The darker the ages get, there’s a stronger beacon yet…”, and ‘Airplane’ is a great tune, but still it feels like it could have been more thoroughly developed.

When Emily does do ballads, she goes bigger and better: ‘Love Will Come To You’ is a ballad on an epic scale, building up into an explosion of harmonies, and ‘Virginia Woolf’ is similar. ‘Ghost’, a fan favourite, is orchestral and grand. The album’s one cover is ‘Romeo and Juliet’; while Indigo Girls have turned out better covers over the years, notably their take on Dylan’s ‘Tangled Up In Blue’, Amy’s take here on the Dire Straits classic is nonetheless striking, with a tenderness and a quiet passion.

The way such different artists as Ray and Saliers can pool their talents to create a cohesive, meaningful and uplifting album is something really special. Their contribution to music has been immense, and if you’re new to them then Rites of Passage is the perfect place to start.

Sunday 8 Jan - 17 Feb & BUILD THE FUTURE OF YOUR STUDENTS' UNION As an Exec Officer of The Students’ Union, you will have the chance to influence the Future; not only your Future but be a part of the first Exec Team that influences the Future Union developments. So STAND today and campaign on the issues that matter.

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Fashion & Beauty

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ISSUE 09 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

New Year, New Predictions Many embraced the New Year with open arms considering the shocking, unexpected and often bizarre events that occurred both inside and outside the fashion world in 2016. So what could 2017 have in store? Deputy Fashion and Beauty Editor Sophie Soar finds out 5. Kendall Jenner, GiGi Hadid and Hailey Baldwin Whilst many welcomed the end of 2016, billing it ‘the worst year in history’, the start of 2017 may already be off to a bad start: the Obamas left the White House and the Trumps trooped in; tuition fees quietly increased; it’s also January — the gloomiest, longest, exam-ridden month of the year. Who knows what the rest of the year will bring? But considering the bewildering, tumultuous year behind us, The Mancunion Fashion and Beauty department are prepared for any unforeseen surprises the year might bring. So with the possibility of another unpredictable year, here’s what you can prepare for:

join forces to start an anti-social media movement, deleting their Instagram accounts that ripples worldwide. Teenage boys and girls hurl their iPhone 6s’s out of windows and into rivers in an act of defiance and solidarity with their icons, until a public apology is made by the supermodels and they explain their actions were unjustified and hinder their careers too greatly.

4. When over half the global population adopts veganism, the necessity falls to a reconnection with nature and the croc makes a comeback to ease those lengthy country walks. Made from recycled plastics, of course.

10: Following Donald Trump’s inauguration, the fake tanning phenomenon reaches an all time low: beauty product companies St. Tropez and Johnson’s suffer catastrophic financial set backs and The Tanning Shop closes indefinitely.

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A post exam treat Our exams are over, we’ve partied to celebrate, time to start the term with a bit of relaxation. A beauty treat day can be fabulous whether at home or in a spa, what counts is taking the time out to pamper tired, revision-weary you.

One fabulous part of writing for The Mancunion is the occasional freebie — and this week I got a goodie — a reinvigorating spa package at the QMS spa in The Lowry Hotel. An hour-long facial and an hour-long pedicure that included: masks, creams, massages, hot stone massages and red shellac toe polish. My version of beauty heaven.

Initially I wasn’t wowed by the spa, it has a clean, white, almost clinical feel that I wasn’t sure I would find relaxing — however, I was wrong.

Sandra, my beauty therapist for the day, was lovely and chatty, the experience was all about what I wanted, and I left feeling like a very lucky gal indeed.

The package I enjoyed was definitely one of the more expensive deals available at QMS but prices for a basic manicure start at £25 and from there go up depending on the treatment. One of the best value treatments is the No Time To Prep package, at £60 for four treatments.

Our Fashion and Beauty Sarah Kilcourse talks you through one of Manchester’s best spa locations and how to recreate the magic at home

Photo:The Mancunion

However, unless you have a birthday/kind acquaintance/valentine/ healthy bank account to fund luxury spa days, the DIY method may have to do. If I were to attempt to recreate my QMS experience a sheet mask would be a definite must, Garnier’s moisture bomb sheet mask is 99p and works a dream. Pop it on for 15 minutes while you sit and relax, or terrorise housemates — you will look ridiculous and they will want a photo of it. Afterwards your face will be left feeling soft and rejuvenated.

The second easy update to take your beauty regime up a notch would be to introduce foot cream to your pedicure. I can’t claim to be the best when it comes to pedicure up keep, in winter I generally paint my toe nails red and leave that on until it’s nearly all chipped away; come summer I maintain the red polish to higher standard. However, I loved the foot rub part of my pedicure, so have treated myself to a foot cream to recreate my silky soft feet.

For now my DIY substitutes will have to fill in for luxury spa days... until the next offer comes along.

Beauty buys worth the splurge

9: To commemorate the ten-year anniversary of Britney Spears’s traumatic breakdown, nineties and noughties babies across the Western world symbolically shave their heads to demonstrate their undying love for the pop queen.

So, exams are over and your second student loan has just come through. What better way to celebrate than treating yourself to some of the new, although slightly pricier, beauty products Kitty Mitchell-Turner

Photo: flickr@fashionweekbydilia

Photo: flickr@ pandalovephotography

3. In a bid to conceal any material mishaps within his AW17 Yeezy Line, Kanye West introduces a mauve tone to his designs, astounding dumbstruck audience members who fail to notice three models’ high heels snapping during the show.

8. As a result of her flourishing acting career, Cara Delevingne abandons her renowned big screen extravaganzas to build a theatre school.

There’s an age-old proverb in there somewhere…

2. Melania Trump redecorates the White House, installing a liquor cabinet, surround-sound system and pleather sofas in the Oval Office. After undertaking an interior designing course, she implements the ever-important colour harmonies and chooses baby blue curtains to nicely set off her husband’s skin tone in photographs.

7. A swanky watch? A designer handbag? No no, this year the 2017 trend for sweet sixteens across the globe comes in facial skin tinting. Who needs a tiffany necklace when you can have a permanent contour?

6. When questioned about later retirement from her political career, Theresa May announces her intentions to open a shoe store in her constituency of Maidenhead.

Photo: flickr@pandalovephotography

1. In recognition of her changed identity as a dame, Anna Wintour grows out her fringe.

Photo: flickr@disier

Head over heels for fashion in La La Land

The biggest film of the year has left us lusting after the City of Stars with its singing, dancing, big dreams and, most importantly, its 50s-inspired wardrobe. Deputy Fashion and Beauty Editor Talia Lee-Skudder takes a closer look

Damien Chazelle’s La La Land swept the Golden Globes earlier this month, with both Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling taking home awards as well the film winning best motion picture for a musical or comedy. And now with fourteen Oscar nominations under its belt, La La Land looks set to take home more awards than any film in history. From its breathtaking cinematography to the electrifying chemistry between Emma Stone and Ryan Gosling, La La Land is definitely not to be missed.

The film follows Mia and Sebastian on their quests to follow their dreams and is a brilliant compromise between the classic Hollywood musicals of the 40s and 50s and modern day Los Angeles. In one particularly memorable scene where Mia and Sebastian are dancing against the idyllic backdrop of Los Angeles at dawn, for a moment the audience are transported back to the films from the Golden Age of Hollywood until Mia’s phone rings and you are brought back to 2017. The film is a classic story of hopes and dreams with an unforgettable modern twist.

In paying tribute to the Technicolor pictures of the 40s and 50s, the choice and influence of the clothing used in the film should not be underestimated. From the impressive opening sequence of a gridlocked Los Angeles freeway, the importance of colour is unmistakable. As the commuters break out into a spectacular musical number, the bright colours of their outifts are part of the choreography that brightens up the bumper-to-bumper traffic jam. This vivid primary colour-inspired theme continues in to the early part of the film and most notably in a scene with Emma Stone and her three roommates. As they dance down the street-

light lit road, Stone’s royal blue dress stands out against the red, yellow and green dresses of her girlfriends. The bright dresses are just one example of Chazelle paying homage to the Technicolor cinema of days gone by.

One of the fourteen Oscars that La La Land is nominated for includes Best Costume Design, with Emma Stone’s canary yellow dress making the film a serious contender for securing the sought after gong. Mary Zophres, the costume designer for the film, perhaps looked for inspiration from the likes of Grace Kelly and Ingrid Bergman, the latter who just so happens to be a recurring theme throughout the film as one of Mia’s idols. The retro style of Stone’s dresses throughout is a nod to the Golden Age of Hollywood; however, Zophres said that she wanted the costumes to be relatable, and believable that a struggling actress would be able to afford them. The canary yellow dress was inspired by one of Stone’s red carpet looks — the Atelier Versace gown she wore in 2014. The colour perfectly compliments Stone’s hair colour and skin tone whilst looking spectacular against the stunning backdrop of the Hollywood hills during her dance number with Gosling.

As the movie progresses, the bright colours that dominated the beginning of the film start to become relaxed until the final scene of the play when we see Stone wearing a classic cut black dress. The use of the colour of the outfits throughout the film, particularly Mia’s, seems to chart the changing trajectory of the characters and their pursuits to achieve their dreams in the City of Stars. La La Land is truly unmissable, and if musicals aren’t your thing at least go for the outfits… or Ryan Gosling.

Whether you’re celebrating your hard work or some much needed post-exam retail therapy, treat yourself to some of the new and classic beauty favourites.

Anastasia Beverly Hills ‘Glow kit’, £39-£47: Fans of the American brand ‘Anastasia Beverly Hills’ were thrilled following the announcement that the brand have set up their UK online store, eradicating the additional cost of international shipping to an already pricey purchase.

Amongst the best sellers are their ‘glow kits’ highlighter palettes containing between four and six highly pigmented highlighters. With five different palettes to choose from, there’s a kit for everyone. Available online.

Kat Von D ‘Tattoo Liner’, £16: Another big beauty name that has graced the UK high street. Kat Von D tattoo liner is one of the best liquid eyeliners around. With a pen style application that doesn’t dry out like other brands, it creates sharp, bold lines that stay all day. Available in Debenhams stores and Debenhams online.

Lancôme ‘La Base Pro’ Primer, £28.50: Never faltering when it comes to quality, Lancôme have once more raised eyebrows everywhere with their primer. It has a delicate, lightweight feel and doesn’t sit on your skin or melt into your foundation. Its gel-like consistency means it combats the skins natural oils. The best bit is that due to the quality, only the tiniest pea size is needed meaning it will last you way beyond your final student finance instalment! Available online or at any Lancôme counter.

OPI ‘Nail Envy’, £19: With the combination of cold weather and examine stress, it is likely that your nails have been left bitten and/or brittle, so it might be about time to invest in a good quality nail strengthener like OPI’s ‘Nail Envy’. OPI top the nail varnish leader-boards and their strengthener is no exception, use on its own or as a base, your nails will thank you for it. Buy from Boots or on Amazon.

Philip Kingsley ‘Elasticizer’ hair mask, £17: Much like your nails, your hair will also be feeling the impact of months of cold weather. To combat dry texture, heat damage and split ends invest in a top quality hair mask to rejuvenate your hair and replenish its moisture. The ‘elasticizer’ hair mask was originally created by Philip Kingsley for Audrey Hepburn, so you can feel super glam yet humbled by the fact that even Hollywood’s most beautiful star suffered from split ends. Buy from feelunique.com, lookfantastic.com and some larger M&S branches.

Photo: Dior.com

Photo:debenhams.com

Photo: Lancome.co.uk

Couture fashion SS17

Photo:Anastasiabeverlyhills.co.uk

Do you want to write for Fashion and Beauty ?

It’s so easy to get involved! Simply send an article to: fashion@mancunion.com That’s it! No CV, no coverletter and you can be published.

Follow us on Instagram and Twitter: @mancunionfashionandbeauty Meetings are Wednesday at 1pm in the Students’ Union Activity Space.

Photo: flickr@ jazzuality

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Film

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ISSUE 12/ 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Preview

Feature

Manchester Film Festival A taste of what is yet to come in the ever growing annual film festival in 2017

Photo: Manchester Film Festival

Sarah Jane Thoms Film Critic After attending the official press release for the festival a couple of weeks ago, I must say, I have big expectations for some of the films that are going to be screened. This year, all films that are part of the Manchester Film Festival will be shown across several screens in the Odeon situated within The Printworks and will be powered by Metrolink. Unlike previous years when films have been screened across various locations that were part of the festival, this choice to use one location will provide a more connected vibe and is something that the organisers and directors of the festival seem very excited about.

The three strands of films for this year’s festival are Rising Stars, Be Who You Are, Say What You Feel and Women in Film. The Rising Stars strand offers the upcoming and emerging talent for both in front of and behind the camera, including the anticipated film Katie Says Goodbye, starring Olivia Cooke whilst the Be Who You Are, Say What You Feel strand is a selection of films that centre around the themes of acceptance and freedom, including Ben Price’s Taubman starring Jack P Shephard and the Brazilian feature Public Intimacy. This year’s Women in Film strand is interesting and inspirational. With over thirty pieces of work by female directors being screened at the festival, including the Hollywood great Karen Allen’s A Tree, A Rock, A Cloud, there are definitely films in there that are going to be talked about well after this year’s Manchester Film Festival is over with.

“Appearances and Q&A’s from Timothy Spall, Karen Allen and Stef Dawson” The final film line-up has been created from an incredible amount of submissions, meaning that the festival is showcasing amazing pieces of work from all around the world right here in Manchester. Appearances and Q&A’s from Timothy Spall, Karen Allen and Stef Dawson have also been confirmed and with the option for audiences to buy a pass that admits you to either all of the documentaries, all of the short films or all of the feature lengths, there really is something for everyone at the Manchester Film Festival. The festival runs from the 2nd-5th March, so put the dates into your diary because it is something that I promise you will not want to miss.

Photo: Parallell Cinéma

Biopics in Bollywood Mritunjay Sharma explores the tradition of biopic films in Bollywood

Mritunjay Sharma Film Critic In a Bollywood of more than 100 years, biopics are not a new trend. One of the oldest and most highly critically acclaimed biopic made in Bollywood was Dr. Dwarkanath Kotnis is Amar Kahani (The eternal tale of Dr. Kotnis), made in 1946 by veteran director V. Shantaram.

It was based on the accounts of Dr. Kotnis, who was sent to China during the second world war to provide medical assistance to the troops fighting the Japanese army. The biopics made in Bollywood were, for a long time, an indie film affair.

These films were real and honest and never shied away from being mundane in order to depict the real life.

The best example of one such indie film is Bandit Queen made by Shekhar Kapur in 1996. The film was based on the life of Pholan Devi who was a dacoit. The film was set in real locations with real people and explored various layers of Indian society, it also delineates the condition of woman in a rural setting.

Photo: Eros Entertainment

These kind of films were made once in a while on shoestring budgets. The low budget always affected the aesthetics of the film but the soul in these films was always alive.

In past few years there has been an upsurge of biopics in Bollywood. These films have great budgets and big film stars play lead roles. The most recent examples are MS Dhoni : The Untold Story, Dangal, Azhar, Mary Kom and Bhag Milkha Bhag.

These films are made by the biggest directors and played by the big stars with big budgets. But, in order to recover the money they invested, the films adulterate

the story with fiction.

However even fiction is fine but what is unacceptable is the addition of irrationality in the story.

The films start on a real premise but by the end of the film we can see the divergence of the plot to an illogical and baseless ending. Although, these big films have been a really big disappointment, the independent biopics have not only made sure that the films are honest but also made sure that the art of the film is not at all compromised.

In this category the films which were commercially as well as critically acclaimed

were Neerja, Shaheed, Pan Singh Tomar, Manjunath, Rang Rasiya and the most hailed out of all these Aligarh. ligarh is a film made by Hansal Mehta in 2016. It was based on the Dr. Shrinivas Siras, who was sacked from his position of reader and chair of Modern Indian Languages because of his sexual orientation.

The film had its world premier at Busan International film festival and its European premier at London film festival.

Review

Manchester by the Sea

Manchester By The Sea portrays true grief and loss amidst Hollywood’s plethora of flashy meta-films Luke Bull Film Critic Presently it seems that the most assured method of attaining some of that hallowed Oscar buzz is to just show a bit of self reflexivity. Look at La La Land, Birdman, Argo, The Artist.

What do they all have in common? They’re all obsessed with acknowledging their own status within the Hollywood cannon, brazenly shouting “I’m a film” at you whilst relieving themselves of heavily stylised urine all over your face.

That’s not to say there’s anything particularly wrong with this — who didn’t enjoy Birdman’s kinetic exploration of film’s identity crisis or Emma Stone gleefully finding solace from a failed acting career in musical jaunts? The problem I see with this recent trend of smug winking at the audience is a twofold one: firstly the whole notion of Hollywood in film was taken to its logical extreme with Mulholland Drive, secondly that this constant barrage of films about films leave films about people forgotten in its wake.

This brings us, tentatively, to Manchester By The Sea. A far cry from bucket hats, 90’s nostalgia and Greggs, this film is unmistakably American and yet palpably un-Hollywood.

Around mid-way through the film the central character, Lee (Casey Affleck), is observing three photographs of loved ones he — for reasons I won’t divulge — now is no longer in contact with.

Now, many films here would play on the obvious emotional potential of this, admittedly traditional, setup. Affleck’s face, photographs, back to his face, Oscar. Instead the director Lonergan chooses to frame the scene less intrusively; we never even see the photos instead we watch as Lee observes the photographs before slowly, gently packing them away.

It is this gentleness that occupies the entire film. The aesthetic is undamentally unaesthetic: bland, pale and grey. There are hardly any stylistic flairs, the most intrusive being a montage in which a toilet unclogs, and a five second long dream. This is no La La Land. What you are left with is a film that is unmistakably slow; you feel every minute of its two hour runtime but this is not a bad thing. This abandonment of what I would call true wankery allows the film to develop characters who are more

human than any of the films I’ve mentioned so far. You can really start to tell that Lonergan is also a playwright: Manchester

By The Sea employs the use of sets, props and actors to improve characterisation, to facilitate conversation under desperate circumstances and also to provide very recognisable moments of humor.

If it sounds like I’m gushing it’s because I am. What we have is a film that denies identifiable catharsis in favour of relatable failure. For this reason, for its honesty and patience, Manchester

By The Sea won’t win the best picture. But that doesn’t really matter, the film succeeds in portraying a subtle, believable experience of loss. Maybe I’m a miserable loser who likes miserable things but chances are you’re a miserable loser too.

So. Watch. This. Film.

5/5

Photo: Photo: Pearl Street Films

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

Assassin’s Creed

Stick to the Assassin’s Creed video games, because the film is a disappointment

James Gill Film Critic

Assassin’s Creed is a perfect example of how a film with such potential can end up being such a disappointment.

Based on a video game series of the same name, it appears that the film’s creators misunderstood the nature of the games and neglected to include many key story elements that would have made for a more watertight screenplay. Instead what we have is the Swiss cheese of films, with so many gaping holes it’s surprising that it made it to the cinema.

Anyone unfamiliar with the games may find it difficult to grasp the story, and unless you take a notebook and pen to the theatre I doubt you ever will. The opening hour of the film tries to force so much information down your throat that it forgets to forge any meaningful character interaction. As a result of this, and to no fault of their own, the film features possibly the worst performances of Michael Fassbender and Marion Cotillard.

Fassbender’s most memorable line throughout the entire film across both of his characters is “I’m hungry”, which speaks volumes. The line is repeated several times in conceivably the most unengaging scene, although there is a lot of competition for that title.

There are a few positive aspects to Assassin’s Creed, but each of those are overshadowed by their poor implementation. For instance, the depiction of 15th Century Spain was truly beautiful. It is a shame however that we barely got to see it, and when we did it was during chaotic chase scenes with fast paced and blurry views

of Seville. On the topic of chase scenes, there was a wonderfully choreographed chariot chase scene early on. Once again though, its awe-inspiring impact wasn’t exploited, or even felt. This was due to the mystifying decision to include around 7 different camera angles of the action. The pièce de résistance of the scene, where Fassbender’s character leaps from one chariot to the other, would have been edge-of-seat excitement if shown in one continuous shot. After perhaps the 4th mid-air camera angle change though my discontent became almost palpable.

The most baffling part of the film, in my opinion, was the inclusion of Brendan Gleeson playing Fassbender’s character, Callum Lynch’s father. He was likely added to the story in an attempt to give Lynch’s present day life some grounding but every scene featuring Gleeson’s character is redundant, often leading to more story confusion. The money used in hiring him could have been used more

efficiently to create more animus based scenes or another writer who could create a screenplay with more lively dialogue.

Director Justin Kurzel completely misses the point with Assassin’s Creed.

The games aren’t about the story so much as the exploration. Where else can you climb the Dome of the Rock Mosque and look over 13th Century Jerusalem, or jump into a gondola and row through the canals of 15th Century Venice? And even when forced into combat, stealth is key. I’d rather have watched Fassbender hiding in a haystack for 5 minutes waiting for the optimal time to strike than the overly choreographed and repetitive fight scenes presented to me. Maybe if the time spent trying to create the basis for two more lacklustre films was put into making the initial film higher quality, there would actually be a sequel.

1/5

Photo: Regency Enterprises

Review

La La Land Danielle Kosky Film Critic Strolling into the film ten minutes late, I was not concerned in the slightest about missing a potentially crucial bit of the plot. I’m not a massive fan of musicals at all, with their cliché ridden storylines and horribly cheerful/ overly dramatic songs. Despite this, I thought I’d give this one the benefit of the doubt considering all the massive fuss about it. I have to say, I can absolutely 110% see why people are so hyped about it. It’s visually stunning, with wonderful silhouettes of the characters accompanying the beautiful backdrop of Los Angeles.

La La Land tells the story of a young musician who wants to make traditional jazz great again, and an aspiring (failing) actress in LA who fall in love.

However, I wouldn’t say that it’s the best film of the year, a title that it has been given by many film critics and with which the Academy Awards and the Oscars would agree with (it currently has 14 Oscar nominations, something that only All About Eve and Titanic have managed to achieve). There are a significant amount of flaws, something which many choose not to acknowledge for whatever reason but which I will highlight now. Firstly, as I have just said and is typical in musicals, I did not like the average plot or the over-

La La Land is an homage to jazz which neglects to ultimately pay any viable homage to jazz exaggerated facial expressions and body language. Additionally, the modernity of the film is certainly nice however it’s not in any shape or form groundbreaking. A major issue I had with the movie, one which I tried to overlook but simply couldn’t, was the fact that jazz was invented by black people. It’s about black people! So why does it need to be saved by a white man whose biggest musical number isn’t even all that jazzy? Why is he such a traditionalist, an idea that is backed up

by Seve Chambers who writes in Vulture Magazine about how all the film is doing is describing a “narrow vision of the genre”? Additionally, considering its origins how can the film really justify the fact that all the people of colour featured are secondary characters? Why is the main black person shown to be conforming to society and therefore essentially not saving jazz? This element of the story doesn’t really resonate very well with me.

A further problem I had with the film is the mansplaining and misogyny. In this day and age, why on earth does director Damien Chazelle feel the need to make his protagonist the hero? Why does Mia need unnecessary saving? A lot of this misogyny lies in the smaller details, such as when Sebastian storms past Mia. In reality this would be incredibly rude and would never ever be forgiven in real life. Chazelle attempts to mask this through the portrayal of an almost ironic amount of passion for jazz.

In spite of this, I do think the film was beautifully shot. There were some scenes where I was honestly mesmerised by the shot compositions and the cinematography, a wonderful feat by the critically acclaimed Linus Sandgren. Some could even say that the juxtaposition between fantasy and reality compliment each other quite nicely. Whilst there is this talent, there are also too many problems that relate to the intricacies of the film, and by extension to issues within society to fully be able to enjoy the dull simplicity of it. Definitely worth a watch and bare in mind that I am in the small minority of people who didn’t enjoy it, as I heard the couple excitedly exclaiming behind me about their delight with the film.

Review Feature

Lion Based on Saroo Brierly’s A Long Way Home, Lion follows Saroo’s unexpected trajectory from Ganesh Talai to Calcutta to Australia, all the while never giving up hope that one day he will return home Isidora Cortes-Monroy Film Critic Australian director Garth Davis’ new film Lion presents the true story of how five-year-old Saroo Brierly (Sunny Pawar) ended up being adopted by an Australian couple (Nicole Kidman and David Wenham) after having mistakenly boarded a train that took him to Calcutta, 1600km away from his rural home. The story begins in India, in a small village called Ganesh Talai, where Saroo had been living a life of poverty – but not suffering – with his mother, brother and sister. One night, whilst accompanying his brother on a late-night shift, Saroo accidentally winds up on a train that takes him far from home, to an area of India where he cannot even speak the language. Although only five, the audience is struck by his resourcefulness and wit as he finds ways to survive the streets of Calcutta. Without being over-dramatized, this section of the film shows the reality of homeless children in India, who as well as looking for a way to make ends meet, must watch out for those who seek to capture them for financial gain. For the two months following his unprecedented arrival in Calcutta, Saroo is forced to live in this vague space between hiding from kidnappers and finding someone to help him get back home, all the while searching for food and shelter. Finally, the day arrives where a stranger takes him to a home for lost children.

Here the pace slows down, allowing the audience to catch their breath as they finally see Saroo being fed and sleeping on a reasonably decent mattress. It is in this home that Saroo is given up for adoption to an Australian couple. Although it is not his original home, there is a sigh of relief as his struggles on the streets are finally over.

The film then enters a second half with a slightly slower pace, although by no means tedious. Time is fast-forwarded twenty years, showing a twenty-five-year-old Saroo (Dev Patel) that is fluent in English as well as ready to embark on a career in the hospitality industry. This section of the film tackles problems, that to a Western audience, may be more familiar, such as adoption, romance and growing-up. However, as recognizable as his life may be to any University student, there is still an urgent need to find ‘home’. As this need becomes more urgent we witness him give up his job and girlfriend in order to scour Google Images to find his home. His hair becomes long and unruly with each scene, reflecting the chaos his life has become since embarking on this mission. Although the audience can easily Google the life of Saroo Brierly, or read his novel, A Long Way Home, it still comes as a surprise when he stumbles upon a recognizable train station. Finally, there is closure.

Despite the dramatic plot, director Davis does not rely on the exaggeration of events in Lion so that they would be more heart-rendering, yet less credible. With the aid of powerful performances by Pawar, Patel and Kidman, Davis offers a human story that tackles social issues such as the disappearance of 80,000 children per year in India, as well as familiar issues we may find closer to home. There are many scenes which lend themselves to over-dramatization, yet Davis ensures that there is not a moment when hope is lost. Lion is a not a traditionally feel-good film, yet because of the portrayal and development of Saroo’s character, there is a constant feeling of “things will get better”. And they do.

5/5

3.5/5 Photo:Summit Entertainment

Photo:Weinstein Company

Books

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Feature

Why Manchester doesn’t need your poetry ‘crown’

Roma Havers joins forces with Manchester’s poetry community in response to The Manchester Evening News article ‘Why Manchester should be crowned the capital of poetry’ Roma Havers Books Editor On the 15th of January 2017, the Manchester Evening News published an article stating the reasons why Manchester should be ‘crowned’ for its poetry. On the surface level, the article seemed to shed light on our wonderful city’s creative scene and celebrate its poets, but it quickly became apparent that the poets of Manchester were not impressed.

‘RW’ commented “Why does this list look so academic when Manchester actually has an exciting scene?”

Manchester Evening News, asked Manchester Metropolitan University lecturer and poet, Adam O’Riordan to address this issue, so I thought it only fair we gave the other poets of Manchester a chance to speak.

Elizabeth Gibson, student and poet, stated that the article left out the wonders of Manchester Literary Festival: “I’ve been a Digital Reporter for Manchester Literature Festival since 2012 and it is one of the peaks of my year. Not only have they showcased many excellent poets, but they approach events from a new angle, often combining person and place to create something unique. From Simon Armitage talking softly about the sea in the beautiful Central Library, the audience silent and mesmerised, to a diverse group of Spanish poets igniting the intimate space of the Cervantes Institute — the Festival creates

“Those of us who work hardest for the poetry community for little to no financial reward should be mentioned.”

memories and presents poetry in exciting and thrilling new ways.”

Anna Percy, poet who runs popular night and workshop Stirred Poetry said: “As someone who moved to Manchester to undertake a Creative Writing MA at UoM, and is a current PhD Candidate at MMU, I can categorically state that the universities do not deserve the credit given in the article for the bustling live poetry scene in Manchester.

They have a hand in why there are so many great writers living and writing here certainly but to overlook grassroots operations is foolish. I perform and host at a poetry, live literature night at least once a week.

This week: I have performed at Verbose in Fallowfield, which welcomes all spoken word but has a flash fiction focus. On behalf of my feminist poetry collective Stirred I ran a poetry workshop, and have been on the open mic for Bad Language which has been running since autumn 2010, like Stirred, and has a fiction focus again welcoming all forms of spoken word. That is a typical week for me. I could never have imagined that before I moved here.

“There are not one but two (that I know of) experimental poetry nights, The Other Room and Peter Barlow’s Cigarette, there is Evidently in Salford with a performance

poetry focus, there is Beatification in Withington with a Beat Poetry vibe. Contact Theatre and Home showcase exciting live poetry shows from the most diverse range of poets. I don’t have space to map out all the events that I know of here, that is how vast it is.

“My event Stirred Poetry has in the last six years surprised me we have a feminist focus and work on encouraging and providing a space where especially women, queer people and people with mental illnesses feel like they can share their poetry the fact that we continue to exist and pack out a venue with such a niche idea is testament to the appetite for all forms of poetry in Manchester; but just remember look outside of the universities, they play their part I would never have moved here otherwise but there is city wide poetry happening nearly every night, sometimes more than one event a night, we have the biggest scene outside of London and those of us who work hardest for the poetry community for little to no financial reward should be mentioned.”

Sarah Clare Conlon, creator of Verbose and head of the Literature section at the Creative Tourist stated: “I was pleased to see an article in the MEN about poetry in Manchester, but was immediately struck by how universitycentric it was. Not one of the entries picked

by Adam O’Riordan (as it happens, the new Academic Director of the Manchester Writing School at Manchester Met) was independent of one of the larger establishments; even Poet in the City featured MMU’s Helen Mort on the bill.

“It might have been nice to mention the great live lit and spoken word scene in Manchester, and how many established as well as one-off events there are. Stalwarts like multi-Sabotage Award-winner Bad Language, Evidently (hand-picked by Guy Garvey to showcase their wares at last summer’s Meltdown Festival on London’s Southbank), exponents of the experimental The Other Room (nine years old this spring), Stirred and Pen:chant at 3MT, Speakeasy and Beatification in the ’burbs…

“Yes, there are a lot to list, and maybe that’s why they didn’t, but to not even give a nod to the amazing scene of live lit seemed a little, well, rude. Aside from the resident nights, there’s a regular turnaround of visiting speakers, not least through Manchester Literature Festival, which has been going under that moniker for a decade (bursting

out of the chrysalis of the Manchester Poetry Festival). No mention. No mention of the invaluable work of the likes of Young Identity at the Contact, or community events, reaching out to those less engaged in the arts, such as Scribble Festival organised by Cartwheel. No mention of how big the live lit scene is, and how many students and former students of the universities support it.

“We’re proud of [our institutions], but it would be shameful to forget the gentry when crowning this city.”

The evening before the feature was published, I was one of 26 performers at the Manchester leg of the North by North West Poetry Tour, bringing together writers from around the region for specially commissioned collaborations – another example of how creative the independent scene is. Verbose turned two last week, once again welcoming three curated headliners and ten open micers to its stage. For the uninitiated, I’m afraid Adam’s piece might be off-putting — there’s more to live lit than lecturers’ launches.”

And finally, Ciaran Hodgers, Spoken Word poet and organiser of the Axis Slam stated: “It could be said that Manchester’s deep and rich commitment to poetry is so nationally significant and regionally pioneering solely because of those driving forces in the academies and universities, but they don’t function in a vacuum. They are responding the scene, built by volunteers and people investing years of graft to contribute to the intangible spirit of Manchester poetry.

People like, amongst hundreds others, Evidently, Bad Language, Young Identity and Flapjack Press.”

It would be challenging to manage to fit the scope of Manchester’s expansive poetry scene into one article, as I’m sure Adam O’Riordan found, but I hope here we’ve levelled the playing field a bit, as Ciaran Hodgers states: “Don’t mistake, our institutions are important to us. We’re proud of them, but it would be shameful to forget the gentry when crowning this city the poetry capital of the United Kingdom.”

Photo: Hope Abbott

Poet of the Week: Elizabeth Gibson Segovia There are pigs everywhere, oinking at us.

We are drowning in pink. They are what Segovia is known for, you tell me. Pork, in all its guises: cured, pulled, spicy, raw.

The aqueduct is two storeys tall and rules the airspace, made of square white stones.

They look too neat to be real. You tell me there was a pact with a devil. I believe it.

We trek up the hill to the spiky house, La Casa de los Picos. It does what it says on the tin. I could fall back into it, the initial pain subsiding into something therapeutic, like a massage, or when they burn stuff on your back. You know? We turn back for a slice of view. Hillside. Pale sky, a sun on its way to tyrant mode. Not there yet.

There are little mosaics on every corner, telling us where we are meant to be. Here is a chalice and host – Plaza del Corpus, the Square of the Body. We approach the cathedral, La Dama they call her, the Lady.

She is big and white, and kind of squat. In my mind’s eye I rest my cheek against her stone, discover whether the lime is hot like the day or miraculously cool, her holy belly pulsating ice. You just look at me. We stop in a café and have crepes made from cheese and – yes, ham. They tiny and so rich my Photo:are Comma Press tongue recoils. We gulp weird drinks, wipe fat from our lips. Back down the hill we go, pigs staring up at us accusingly from their plates and postcards. I didn’t mean it, I tell them in both languages. Es extraña, you say.

You are strange. I know, I know I am. It is still not that hot. Time to go. I can taste fat, and limestone, though I never did kiss that.

Elizabeth Gibson is an IPML student at UoM and a Digital Reporter for Manchester Literature Festival. She is a member of The Writing Squad and has had work in Far Off Places, London Journal of Fiction, Octavius, Severine, Ink, Sweat & Tears and Gigantic Sequins.

She tweets @Grizonne and blogs at http://elizabethgibsonwriter.blogspot.co.uk.

If you would like to be our poet of the week and have your poetry published in The Mancunion, please email books@mancunion.com, with a selection of work and a short biography.

Photo: Sarah-Clare Conlon

New Year New Start Donate your he rt Tuesday 31st January 7pm Council Chambers Students for Organ Donation present Film Showing: Seven Pounds Come along to Council Chambers at 7pm for FREE film and FREE popcorn for everyone and FREE pizza for the first 20 people who arrive. Sign up to the donor register when you’re there.

Wednesday 1st February 11am-3pm SU Foyer Pop down to the Students’ Union Foyer for lots of free goodies and organ shaped cakes. While you’re there have a chat to Students for Organ Donation, NHSBT, Marrow the Women’s Institute and sign up to donate your organs, blood and bone marrow.

Thursday 2nd February Room 2 SU between 12-2.30 Hear some fantastic talks from organ donor recipients about their personal experiences.

Speakers: Natalie Kerr (Lung Recipient) - 12:00pm Kerri Jenkins (Heart recipient) - 12:30pm Penny Wood (Son Auryn received a kidney transplant) - 1:00pm Q&A: (With all speakers) - 2:00pm

Food & Drink

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2016 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

‘Clean Eating’ - A Food Fad Gone Wrong?

Photo: arselectronica@Flickr

Some of the biggest foodies of our time are turning their ethos’ on their head, but, how serious are the bad claims against ‘clean eating’?

Ella Mills (Deliciously Ella) is leading the wave by removing the mention of ‘clean eating’ from her blog. Previous to the controversy, her blog was covered in statements pledging her alliance to a “clean” and “healthy” life. However, in 2017, Ella has quickly denied these claims and said: “I’ve never described myself as ‘clean’ “.

So, what exactly is ‘clean eating’ and what are the reasons for this sudden backlash on what seemed to be an untouchable part of the modern food scene? ‘Clean eating’ can be

described as eating food that avoids processed food, meat and dairy, and, instead, focuses on a fruit, vegetables, and other whole natural foods. To abide by this, Ella herself is a vegan and prides herself on her “clean” cookbooks, two London delis, and now her new energy ball snacks. Clean eating in this sense doesn’t sound all too bad. However, when BBC Horizon and Dr Giles Yeo took a closer look into the idea, all does not seem well.

Ella appears on the show and in discussion with Dr Giles she quickly explains that the idea of ‘clean eating’ has been misconstrued.

People now dub “unclean” foods as “dirty”, which is a clear misconception, as for a large part of our society things such as dairy and gluten are beneficial to a balanced healthy diet and do not need to be wholly avoided.

‘Clean eating’ therefore supports an unnecessary restrictive diet.

In addition to this, Dr Giles delved into the inspirations behind ‘clean eating’ books such as Natasha Corrett’s book ‘Honestly Healthy’ and what he found was a surprise to all of those watching. ‘Honestly Healthy’ took ideas from

“I’ve never described myself as clean” Dr Robert O Young, one of the main believers in the alkaline diet. He strongly supported the idea that the diet could treat cancer due to bacteria coming from inside the body. However, it was later revealed he is facing jail time

Chilli Banana Miriam Mizzi Food & Drink Co-Editor After hearing there was a new Thai restaurant to open right on my doorstep, there was nothing else for it but to head down right away and see if it could compete with some of the already showstopping Asian cuisine in Manchester.

After a dark and cold cycle-ride, we arrived outside Chilli Banana, which is situated on Lapwing Lane, just between East and West Didsbury, and I was impressed due to the warming light that shone through the large windows. Me and my housemate entered, and were welcomed genuinely by a colourfully dressed waitress. As we wandered through the restaurant to our designated table, I wondered about the practicality of the carpeted floor. Despite it maybe becoming stained within a few weeks, I wasn’t opposed to it as it did bring a cosy vibe to the large space.

We were sat down at the far end of the room, right by the semiopen kitchen, a centrepiece that seems to be becoming more and more prevalent in restaurants all over the country. We eagerly gazed in to see what the chefs were up to, and were met with smiles and clean surfaces that gleamed.

We ordered a glass of white wine each which we sipped upon whilst considering the extensive food menu. After some deliberation, we decided to share all of our options in order to taste as many dishes and flavours as possible. To start we ordered Thai prawn crackers and some spare ribs. When the ribs arrived, both of our eyes lit up at the crispy skinned, meaty-looking pork that was given to us. We dug in using our hands and dipped the succulent meat into the accompanying plum sauce. Overall, the dish was really impressive, especially to a self-confessed rib snob; the marinade of garlic, ginger and coriander came through perfectly and was well-balanced.

Despite nearly every item on the menu tempting us, we decided to opt for, some king prawns stir-fried in chilli, onion and

for practising medicine without a license and taking money from cancer suffers a time of vulnerability.

Photo: notahipster@Flickr

Do you love food and would you like to write about the latest food crazes and “it” restaurants?

If so, come to our weekly meetings on Tuesday at 5pm on the 1st floor of the Students’ Union.

But, how much of the blame can we put on these so-called wellness gurus and how bad can ‘clean eating’ really be? No foodies in the public eye claim that diets can cure cancer, no-one describe foods as “dirty”, and most only strive to promote what they believe to be a healthy lifestyle. Fault must lie in social media for overwhelming viewers with the image that things such as gluten are bad and also in the professionals exaggerating research findings to show ‘clean eating’ is good for everyone.

@miriammizzi @hungoverhabits Photo: Lily Carden

‘‘ After initially slowly slurping a small taste off a spoon, I couldn’t help but quickly dive in for another spoonful”

sweet basil, a Massaman Nua curry, and, of course, some sticky Thai rice. I sometimes find ordering prawns slightly difficult due to my extreme fussiness of them being cooked faultlessly, however, due to them being a large feature to the menu, we decided it was worth a try. When the waitress brought them over, we were pleased by the amount of prawns and the combination of colours allowed for a vibrant looking dish. On tasting, we were met with a luxuriously sweet sauce, hints of spicy chilli, and, yes, perfectly cooked prawns, hallelujah! Although the flavours in this dish were truly inspiring, for the price on the dish, we think some rice or noodles should have been included rather than extras we had added.

Next, we moved onto our curry. Thai curries are some of my favourite things to eat when out, so, I was expecting big things from its tasty sounding description on the menu. After initially slowly slurping a small taste off a spoon, I couldn’t help but quickly dive in for another full spoonful. The sauce was a delicious mix of mild spice, peanut, and coconut, which surrounded huge chunks of potatoes and melt-in-the-mouth beef.

We combined this hearty mix with our sticky rice to complete perfect mouthfuls.

After we had finished this last dish we were entirely full and sat back in our comfy chairs to enjoy the rest of our wine. I thought to myself, I can’t wait to come back and try the rest of the menu, but, actually, would I just order the same dishes again? It’s a nice predicament to be in at the end of a meal. @miriammizzi @hungoverhabits

Miriam Mizzi Food & Drink Co-Editor

Photo: Chilli Banana

105-107 Lapwing Lane, Didsbury, M20 6UR

Food & Drink 23

ISSUE 12 / 30TH JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Mix up your Mince Lily Carden Food & Drink Co-Editor

Photo: Lily Carden

Do you ever make a big pan of minced beef (the English kind of bolognese, not the proper Italian stuff) and then realise you’re bored of eating it all up before it goes bad? Well, never fear, here are some ways to switch things up.

To begin, you can obviously cook spaghetti and have that perennial favourite, spag bol, but have you ever thought of cooking shaped pasta al dente and then mixing the pasta and mince together in an oven proof dish, topping with cheese and baking in the oven (at 180 degrees) until the cheese is melted and golden?

Alternatively what about lasagne? You can either make your cheese sauce from scratch or buy a jar and add extra cheese to make it

taste a bit more special. Alternate layers of mince, pasta and sauce until you run out of ingredients or space, top with cheese and cook in the oven at 160 degrees for an hour. Place a baking tray underneath the lasagne to catch any escaping cheese. I always make my lasagnes the day after I make the mince, both to help the flavour and to break up the workload.

It results in something special that’s easy to freeze and eat up later.

If you’re looking to eat healthily this New Year then stuffing vegetables, especially peppers and marrows, can be a great way to add variation and eat more of your five-a-day. Simply cut the pepper in half through the stem, deseed and place on a baking tray. Drizzle the halves with olive oil and season well. Cook in a hot oven for 10 minutes before adding the mince and topping with cheese. Bake for 15 minutes. If you want to use a marrow then cut it in half lengthwise and scoop out the seeds running through the centre. Cook as with the peppers but leave it in the oven for 20 minutes before adding the mince. You want a knife to go through the marrow easily before you serve it.

Do you ever make a big pan of minced beef (the English kind of bolognese, not the proper Italian stuff) and then realise you’re bored of eating it all up before it goes bad?

Chilli con carne is a popular student staple.

My mum used to add baked beans to her mince to turn it into a poor man’s chilli but you can go one better by pouring in a tin of red kidney beans and chilli powder to taste before heating everything through and serving with rice.

A family favourite is cottage pie (shepherd’s pie if it’s lamb mince), which could not be easier to make. You have two options for the classic potato topping once you’ve put the mince into a pie dish, either make some mash and spread it on top of the bolognese or slice some potatoes into rounds, parboil them for 7 minutes before arranging them on top of the the mince. Top with cheese and bake in the oven (at 180 degrees) for 25-30 minutes.

I haven’t had these for years but when I was little, a big treat would be to buy an Old El Paso taco kit and layer the mince with rice, lettuce and cheese. Just follow the kit’s instructions and enjoy! One tip to avoid much of the inevitable mess is to place a lettuce leaf inside the shell before filling it, it acts like a liner and holds the filling when the taco inevitably breaks.

This is my basic recipe for bolognese: Serves 4 Ingredients 1tbsp olive oil 1 large onion, diced 1 carrot, diced 3 garlic cloves, crushed 400g beef (or lamb) mince 800g tinned chopped tomatoes Tomato ketchup Salt and pepper Mixed dried herbs Sweat the onion, carrot and garlic in the oil in a large casserole dish over a medium heat.

Once soft, add the mince and brown. Pour in the tomatoes and a good squirt of tomato ketchup.

Season well with salt, pepper and dried herbs.

Once the bolognese is bubbling, reduce the heat and cover with a tilted lid. Cook for as long as possible (up to 5 hours but a minimum of 30 minutes), stirring regularly and adding water if the mixture becomes dry. Check the seasoning and adjust to taste.

@gorgeousgateaux

Recipe

Lemon Chicken Serves 2, easily doubled Serve with rice.

Ingredients: 2 small chicken breasts 1 small egg white 1tsp cornflour 100ml chicken stock 1½ lemons juiced 1tsp caster sugar 1tbsp soy sauce 1tbsp mirin/rice wine ½tsp chilli flakes 2 garlic cloves ½tsp cornflour Sesame oil Salt and pepper 1 spring onion sliced on the diagonal to serve (optional) I love the lemon chicken I get from a restaurant called Dim T near where my parents live. It’s breadcrumbed chicken served in a light and tangy lemon sauce. It’s very different to the sickly sweet and cloying sauces often found on lemon chicken dishes in Chinese restaurants (and even to those meals I ate in Singapore). This recipe is a combination of both; it’s not breadcrumbed chicken and nor is the sauce overly sweet, it’s now the a light, clean-tasting meal.

Lily Carden Food & Drink Co-Editor

Mix the egg white and cornflour together in a large bowl to form a paste.

Cut the chicken into strips and place in the bowl with the egg mix. Coat well and leave in the fridge for 30 minutes (this “velvets” the chicken and gives it the right texture, although you could leave it out if you’re in a hurry). Cook some rice for serving.

Mix together the stock, lemon juice, sugar, soy sauce, mirin, chilli flakes and seasoning.

Heat 1 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok or large frying pan and add the chicken (try to avoid getting any excess egg mix into the wok). Stir fry until the chicken has cooked, then remove from the wok and set aside.

Fry the minced garlic in the wok for 30 seconds to cook it and then add the lemon juice mixture. Bring to the boil and simmer for a minute. Mix the ½tsp of cornflour with 1 tbsp of water to make a smooth paste and add to the sauce.

Simmer for 10 minutes or so to thicken the sauce slightly.

Return the chicken to the pan and heat through, adding a few drops of sesame oil. Make sure you test the flavour of the sauce and adjust as needed.

Serve the lemon chicken with rice and top with the artistically sliced spring onions.

Photo: Lily Carden

Arts

24

ISSUE 12 / 30TH JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editor’s Picks

New Year, New Manchester

Photo: Stacey MacNaught@ Flickr

Manchester’s most exciting arts and culture events in 2017 Laura Joyce Arts Editor Manchester is no stranger to top-notch arts and culture, and it looks as if 2017 will be no exception for the city. With more art galleries and museums than is humanly fathomable, it’s clear that we are truly spoilt for choice.

Following the roller-coaster that was 2016, we welcome a new year of high-end anticipation regarding what art in Manchester has to offer.

Manchester, we love you, and here’s three upcoming and exciting reasons why: John Hyatt: Rock Art 4th February-29th March 2017 HOME Here at the Mancunion, we love HOME. There is always a new and exciting exhibition to be found, not to mention the great atmosphere and the fact that they provide us with a cool place to watch the most exciting indie films. They also find fantastic and prolific modern artists and provide the perfect platform for their innovative work.

One such artist is John Hyatt. A ‘punk professor’ at the Liverpool School of Art & Design, and onethird of the 1980s post-punk band The Three Johns, Hyatt will undertake a gallery takeover starting

in February. The exhibition is drawn from a wide range of influences, including the afterlife, alter-ego, magic and metamorphosis.

Hyatt produces works that are truly one-of-akind, with the promise of intrigue at every turn. He even invites visitors to enjoy a limited edition hot beverage in the form of Hyatt-as-a-blend-of-tea. This is definitely one show that is not to be missed.

Rip It Up: A Celebration of the Counter Culture 16th February 2017 6pm-9pm (one night only event) The John Rylands Library Keeping it close to home at the University of Manchester, this event is set to be a real eye-opener.

Described as ‘an evening of experimentation and celebration of the counter-culture’, the exhibition is a part of the library’s ongoing Off-Beat show. The exhibition focuses on experimental art of the 1960s, and allows us to view (and hear) it in a truly unique fashion. Visitors will have the opportunity to take part in the ‘zine’ workshop and create their own ripped-up mini-mag. So retro.

As if that wasn’t enough, to end the evening, there will be a live performance of music, spoken word and video from experimental artists Devi. The exhibition will take place between 6pm and 8pm and is free to enter.

Lucienne Day: A Sense of Growth 1st April – 11th June 2017 Whitworth Art Gallery The Whitworth is without a doubt a personal favourite when it comes to exciting exhibitions and this year already has me itching to visit as often as is physically possible. As part of the nationwide Lucienne Day centenary celebrations, this collection is set to open in the Spring of this year.

Virtuoso pattern designer and colourist Lucienne Day (1917-2010) was an enthusiastic gardener, and so it is no surprise that so many of her designs were floral-inspired.

The show is affiliated with the gallery’s innovative GROW project. The inspiring project almost mirrors the popular idea of mindfulness, and promotes the inclusion of horticultural activities in our lives in order to benefit mental wellbeing. The works chosen to be displayed at the Whitworth have been chosen by those within the local community who are struggling with social isolation and other issues surrounding mental health.

The Whitworth manage to collaborate art with a sense of community, and once again, this is a show that I predict you will not want to miss.

Well, Manchester, you’ve done it again. This is simply a taster of what’s to come over the next twelve months. Needless to say, we’ll be on the edge of our seats.

Photo: Charity Shopper@ Flickr

Feature

Whitworth Director Maria Balshaw Becomes First Female Director of Tate Maria Balshaw makes history as she steps into her new role

Photo: Manchester Art Gallery

Georgia Welch Contributor

Back in January the Whitworth Gallery’s long-standing director, Maria Balshaw announced her departure from the gallery in pursuit of her newly-appointed role as Director of Tate. After spending 11 years at the helm of Manchester’s Arts scene, it’s fair to say Maria has contributed greatly to the enrichment and development of Manchester as a cultural centre of the North, additionally holding the position of Director of Culture for Manchester City Council during 2015 and receiving a CBE for services to the arts.

The Whitworth itself has played an instrumental role in bringing art to the masses, perhaps most notably with its recent and currently ongoing Andy Warhol exhibition, during the press preview for which I was lucky enough to meet Maria. I was hugely impressed by her stance on encouraging people from all backgrounds to experience

art, and by bringing such exciting exhibitions to the Whitworth it gave everyone a chance to see some of the most important and seminal pieces of modern art from the 20th century.

Becoming the first female Director of Tate is, of course, a fantastic achievement both in terms of the worldwide reputation of the Tate as a cornerstone of modern art in the UK, as well as being another important stride forwards for gender equality in the arts field as a whole.

Commenting on her new role, Maria herself had this to say: ‘I am honoured that the Tate trustees have asked me to be Director and take forward the next exciting chapter of Tate’s life. I’m immensely proud to have played a part in making Manchester one of the leading cultural cities in the world and I look forward to seeing what my wonderful colleagues at the Whitworth and Manchester Art Gallery do next.’

Having played a key role in the Whitworth’s £17 million redevelopment and making

changes which have encouraged a whole new generation of visitors to the gallery, Maria will undoubtedly be missed, and remembered for her excellent contributions to our art scene, but the Whitworth’s loss is certainly the Tate’s gain!

Fancy getting involved?

If you enjoy art, and would like to write for the Arts section, join our Facebook group : Mancunion Arts Contributors 2016/2017.

OR Come along to our weekly meetings in the Activities Space in the Students’ Union. at 4pm on Mondays.

Theatre 25

ISSUE 12/ 30TH JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Interview

Interview: Lizzie Nunnery

Brogen Campbell Theatre Editor Lizzie Nunnery has embarked on a dual-career, for the past ten years she works as a playwright and a singer-songwriter. The Liverpudlian’s debut play, Intemperance, was an accomplished drama about Liverpool’s Irish-Scandinavian underclass, written in the style of her literary hero, Henrik Ibsen. It appeared at the Everyman in 2007 when Nunnery was 25, shortly before her first album Company of Ghosts made it to Radio 2’s folk records of the year. Nunnery takes her new play Narvik to Manchester’s HOME theatre.

How did you first come up with the idea to write the play Narvik?

It was through conversations with Hannah at Box of Tricks. We worked together on a couple of other things and she suggested to me over a cup of tea about four years ago that she would be interested in bring together the music that I make and the playwriting that I do. We wanted to create a play with songs. From the start actually she was really interested in doing something quiet ambitious with the music, so it wouldn’t just be a scene and then a song. Both of us always wanted the music to thread through the play almost like a live sound track. That was really exciting for me from the start.

We began with that and then started talking about existing ideas I might have for stories. My grandfather was in the artic convoys in the Second World War and for a long time I had an idea that I would like to write a story that was inspired by his experiences. Not a true story because it’s nice to be freer than when you are writing, but something that draws upon his strange and particular war that he had. It’s an unusual version of the war that a lot of people don’t know about. As soon as I came up with that and started to talk to Hannah about it, we quickly realised that memories as a theme and music go together really well.

There is a particular relationship between music and memory.

A song immediately takes you back to a certain place or a certain person. So that’s how we structured the songs through the play.

They occur in naturalistic contexts. A character might sing to one. For instance, the central characters father sings him songs when he was a little boy, but when those songs come back later they are slightly transformed and immediately bring back that memory of the father. It started to make sense and we did a lot of development. We had days where we had walls covered in maps and lists of ships. We did loads of research into the Second World War and those sailors and really started to piece it all together.

So what came first the songs or the script?

They happened at once. I found that as I was writing the script I was getting ideas for lyrics and initially writing them in quite a rough way, then really redrafting the lyrics as I was redrafting the dialogue. I was living with ideas and melodies that were going round and round in my head. It became a bit more solid over time.

In 2015 we got into rehearsals for the first run of the play that was in the Liverpool Playhouse. Myself and the three musicians who are in the play took the bare bones of the songs and arranged them and expanded them and developed them further. Creating compositions beyond the songs that threaded through the play.

This aided transitions through the scenes. All the performers, the three actors and three musicians are on the stage throughout.

The actors sing and play percussion too so in a way everyone is

Photo: HOME MCR

part of the music. The music is present all the time. The music is a storytelling tool.

How long did the process take you to write the play?

I think it took me roughly four years. We did a 10 minute version in the Everyword Festival in Liverpool, which was about four years ago. I wrote that incredibly quickly. I wrote the first song for that piece. The Everyman Theatre wanted to stay involved as we developed the piece so that’s why Narvik did its first run there. So from that 10 minute version we did a week’s development with three actors at the playhouse. At that point we had 40 minutes.

That was a lovely way to work to cut things there in the room and get the actors to try things out. From there I went away and did a full draft. It’s been a lovely process as a writer. I’ve never felt rushed.

Everyone has been really tuned in to what we want to achieve and the point of inspiration. We’ve always had the same ambitious for it What is your standard approach to writing a play?

I think every play is different. I don’t have a standard approach to writing all my plays. It changes depending on the idea of the play.

What is the overall main aim of the play?

I think the ambition was to treats live music in an unusual way through its form in the play. The other ambition was to put this little unknown part of World War Two on stage to show what these men lived through. Bigger than that I think there is a question at the centre of the play about identity and morality. What defines a person? Ultimately the character (Jim) says you are what you do.

This along with the idea of how do we reconcile ourselves with the past are central to the play.

Were you keen to make sure this play based on history was relevant to a contemporary audience?

Yes because I think the only way to make a history play work is if it is relevant to now. It’s got to answer that question of why now?

Why this story on the stage now? I actually think it is more relevant since 2015. The themes of moral confusion and the relationships between different countries, the idea of different countries being tangled up with each other, how far they are and shouldn’t be?

All these themes feel really relevant to today. I keep hearing that

we live in a post-truth age and I do feel like it’s a moment of slight bewilderment. We don’t know who to trust in the world. Or how to interpret the world necessarily at this point? I feel those ideas are tied up with the central character who is unsure of himself and everything around him. He doesn’t know where he stands in this conflict. Is he the good guy, bad guy or something in-between? I think it has been quite fortuitous.

What advice would you give to young writers?

The huge thing for me was taking part in the young writers programme at the Everyman Theatre. I would recommend people to join groups like that and attend these courses. Join all the mailing lists for literary departments and theatres that are local to them. Just keep an eye out for opportunities. I do think in theatre so much is based on, one, a relationship with people who run those theatres and two, an understanding of the work they produce and the audience they cater to. You can only really do that by getting in the building. Make sure you see lots of shows. Work out how you can enter into a conversation with these theatres. Beyond that, just keep writing. Keeping writing until you have a finished play that you can slam on people’s desks, so you can prove how good you are. This will give you a calling card to say here I am, a writer and here’s my script.

Why should people see Narvik?

It’s a really gripping love story with a really surprising ending.

It has great momentum to it. It rockets along. Lots of pace and energy. I’m very proud of the music. The cast are phenomenal. A beautiful set.

What else are you working on currently?

I’m redrafting a play called ‘The Sum’ which will be going on in May at Liverpool Everyman. Writing a play for the Royal Exchange studio to be performed in April. I’m also creating in collaboration with other brilliant people a piece of live poetry and music for the Unity Theatre to celebrate 50 years since the Mersey Sound.

Lizzie Nunnery’s play Narvik is being performed at HOME Theatre from the 31st of January to the 4th February.

Previews-

What’s coming to Manchester’s theatres in Semester 2?

Elise Gallagher Deputy Editor-in-Chief There is a wealth of theatre coming to Manchester during semester two! Whether you are planning on going for a date, taking the parents out when they come to visit, or just fancy something slightly different. There is something on for everyone.

Educating Rita Although the Octagon Theatre is a bit of a journey, Willy Russell’s classic is definitely worth your time.

‘Educating Rita’ follows mature student Rita as she is inspired to get her degree whilst battling life outside the campus, alongside her lecturer Frank.

When: January 19-February 11, Octagon Theatre.

Bat Out Of Hell Written by Jim Steinman ‘Bat Out of Hell’ is a a story about rebellious youth and love set amongst the backdrop of a post-cataclysmic city adrift from the mainland. The musical is based on Meat Loaf’s best selling album of the same name and will be debuting in Manchester.

When: February 17-April 8, Manchester Opera House.

Funny Girl Sheridan Smith leads the cast in this version

of the Barbra Streisand classic, 50 years after it first shot Streisand to global fame. The audience will follow the comedic story of Fanny Brice and her dream of making it out of Brooklyn and onto Boradway. Hits include the classic ‘Don’t Rain on My Parade’ whilst further dates have been added as the show is set to return to Manchester in August, ending their tour where it began - here in Manchester.

When: February 18-25, Palace Theatre.

Cradle to Stage: Danny Baker Broadcast legend Danny Baker is turning his hand to stand-up comedy with an adaptation of his most recent and much loved hit TV series ‘Cradle to the Grave’. The story takes us through Danny’s childhood and starred Peter Kay as his infamous docker dad, the TV series was also filmed in various locations around Manchester.

Aptly renamed ‘Cradle to the Stage’ the show promises a barrel load of laughs as well as the big style questions he famously poses on Radio 5. One thing is for certain, you’re guaranteed a laugh.

When: February 18, at The Lowry.

The Suppliant Women The Aeschylus classic is reinvented by David Greig with direction by Ramin Gray. Within the

narrative, 50 women leave everything behind to board a boat in North Africa and flee across the Mediterranean. They are escaping forced marriage in their homeland, hoping for protection and assistance, seeking asylum in Greece.

When: March 10-April 1, Royal Exchange Theatre.

has already won the Judges Award in the 2015 Bruntwood Prize for Playwrighting. Alan Harris’ play is set in a small town in Walers and explores the somewhat curious relationship between the two protagonists: Jimmy and Kitty.

When: April 24-May 13, Royal Exchange Theatre.

Humanity: Ricky Gervais The man behind ‘The Office’, ‘Extras’, ‘An Idiot Abroad’, ‘Derek’, and many more, Ricky Gervais has already proved that he’s a funny man, but thirteen years and a trilogy of shows later he is back with show four: ‘Humanity’ - which is about to enjoy a national tour in 2017.

When: March 13-14, Manchester O2 Apollo.

Operation Black Antler As Cornerhouse and The Library Theatre became HOME, the pair scored quite a reputation for off-site experimental theatre, scoring awards for ‘Angel Meadow’ and ‘On Corporation Street’.

A joint project between four-times BAFTA nominated artists’ group Blast Theory and theatre company Hydrocracker, the production asks questions about the morality of state-sanctioned spying.

When: June 7-17, HOME.

Jane Eyre A massive hit at the National Theatre, the Bristol Old Vic collaboration comes to the Lowry Theatre which shows Charlotte Bronte’s heroine facing injustice, and betrayal in this timeless drama.

Coincidentally, the classic book itself will celebrate the 170th year since it was first published.

When: April 8-15, Lowry Theatre.

The Studio: How My Light Is Spent Premiering in the Exchange’s studio, the production is directed by Liz Stevenson and

Fatherland Manchester International Festival’s new collaboration between Underworld’s Karl Hyde, Stockport playwright Simon Stephens, and Frantic Assembly’s Scott Graham, examines conversations between Northern fathers and sons. The show will use the main theatre and other unconventional spaces in the venue, too.

When: July 1-15, Royal Exchange Theatre.

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Lifestyle

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

New Year, miserable you?

We discuss how New Year’s resolutions can do more harm than good, and why you shouldn’t wait till January 1st to make changes

Megan Byrne Senior Lifestyle Contributor

When the clock ticks over to midnight on the 1st of January each new year, we’re all programmed to start thinking about ‘fresh starts’ in which we can cast aside the excess and laziness of the Christmas season and remake ourselves into better people.

However, this idea can be damaging and leave us with a feeling of failure, as 43% of people in the UK break their New Year resolutions within the first month. By putting huge amounts of pressure on ourselves, we end up unable to fulfil unattainable promises to ourselves. Surely it’s better to implement changes one at a time when you feel ready rather than waiting for one particular date or a new year to make a ton of resolutions you could never hope to keep?

Many of the most common New Year resolutions revolve around weight loss and fitness. While these resolutions are often made with the best of intentions, they are hard to keep and often encourage unhealthy behaviour, as we pressure ourselves to achieve too much too quickly.

January is one of the hardest times of the year for people recovering from eating disorders and many argue that the constant bombardment of messages about diet and exercise throughout the first month of the year can even encourage disordered eating. Some feel that the media chastise us for the amount we eat and drink during December and attempt to shame us into diets and

Photo: nadap_usnavy @Flickr

intense exercise regimes.

Perhaps it would be better for everyone if we encouraged self-love and acceptance all year round and encouraged people to make changes to their lifestyles in order to make themselves feel healthier and more vibrant, rather than focussing so intently on appearance. The body positivity movement has really sky-rocketed in the last year, and online personalities such as bodyposipanda (Megan Jayne Crabb) use social media in order to spread messages about self-acceptance and

recovery from eating disorders.

For people who want to lose weight for health reasons or just because they want to be more active and feel healthier, it can often be easier to make these changes throughout the year without all the pressure and shaming of the post-Christmas season.

Many of the changes that people cite as their New Year’s resolutions are small things which you needn’t wait for the 1st of January to try and implement. Reminding yourself daily to try and

put your all into what you do, show kindness and respect to others, and even ring your mum more often are easy little things that you can change right now and see the benefit of almost immediately.

If you reprogramme your brain into seeing each day as the brand new slate that we think of as unique to January 1st, you achieve your goals far more efficiently rather than waiting a whole year for the one day where you feel you can challenge yourself… why can’t every day be that day?

In defence of all-nighters

To sleep, or not to sleep? That is a question faced by many students suffering with essay deadlines, so we’ve put together a guide on how to successfully pull off an all-nighter Katy Teasdale Lifestyle Contributor Writing an essay in one night may seem like penance to some: overwhelmingly stressful with a high-risk element. However, to others the all-nighter is the only way to go. I find that leaving things to the last minute gives me the needed adrenaline rush to produce decent quality work. Additionally, I like to argue that the skills gained in all-nighters can be easily applied to any high-pressure job… or maybe that is stretching it a little. Whilst I choose to write in this style, I understand that for some this is not a choice, but a predicament caused by the madness of deadlines. As a seasoned all-nighter, I would like to share my tips for successfully writing an essay in a single night: 1. Fuel For this, pick your (caffeinated) poison. Coffee is the clear winner, but if it’s not your flavour, Pepsi has more caffeine than Coke. In terms of snacks, have a variety of sweet and savoury. Staying up all night is already unhealthy, so you might as well commit to it.

2. Plan For those who prefer writing without a plan, this stage is completely optional. However, for me this is the most vital stage of an all-nighter. I prefer doing my plan in the early stages so that if

my friends are still awake they can help me if needs be. Start with a basic plan with the general gist of where your essay is going, before fleshing it out with quotes, analysis, and critics to support your points if required. This stage takes most of the evening/early night shift, as it almost eliminates the dreaded early morning writer’s block, and it generally speeds up the process of writing the actual essay. If you are a planner, I would recommend starting this part as early as possible. If you do get writer’s block, simply type away to get the words flowing, and highlight it for review once you’ve finished.

Time is of the essence!

3. Set goals You might not stick to them exactly, but this is OK. They will help you to structure the night, and give you something to aim for at 3am when you’re questioning whether you actually need a degree.

Something like having the plan finished by 12am, and writing 500 words by 1:30am, etc. Make sure they’re realistic!

4. Reference as you go along This is important, as in the early hours of the morning it is often the little things such as referencing that will trip you up. I usually write my bibliography after I’ve finished the plan, but before I start

the actual essay. In the long run, this will also speed up your writing.

5. Move around Sitting in one place for an extended period of time can make this experience feel worse than it already is. Moving work stations can help to clear your mind and reset your thoughts. Fresh air and walking around will ease the process and will help you stay more awake.

6. Take breaks It’s 5:37am and you’re only 500 words in. You’re shaking with a tummy ache and you think you’re going a little bit crazy. Don’t panic!

This is just the crippling stress resulting from the combination of caffeine overdose and sleep deprivation. You’re only human.

Indulge yourself a little bit. Have some breaks every hour or so where you have a snack or a cigarette.

The sun rises, and you’ve finally finished your essay. Maybe you’re older and wiser, or perhaps diamonds are made under pressure.

Either way, producing a large body of work in the space of one night is undeniably an art form.

Photo: crdot @Flickr

Lifestyle

ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

27

The Women’s March: Sexism on social media

Women are shamed on social media sites following their decision to publicly protest for women’s rights Sarah Jane Thoms Lifestyle Contributor

Photo: Missy Hii @Twitter

The word ‘feminist’ has become a word that we constantly see and hear over the recent years, especially on social media platforms. You would think that this would be a good thing, to have people talking about the social, economic and political equality of the sexes, right? However, it appears that a lot of people have adopted the term ‘feminist’ as a word of negativity and a form of insult. Is it because gender equality frightens people so they feel that they must tarnish the word that represents the very idea of it?

Some people may feel more strongly about finding gender equality in social situations, others may feel more focused on finding political equality and others economic, and a woman from one culture may be more privileged in all three of these aspects in comparison to a woman from another culture. Feminism may have different meanings to women of different social class, working professions, sexuality, race and religion but this does not mean that anyone should have to justify their reasons for wanting gender equality. Sadly, it seems that not everyone agrees with this stance, especially on social media. Following the Women’s Marches throughout the world, posts appeared on the

Photo: tina-koyama@Flickr

internet that shamed women for participating in the protests for various reasons.

In one tweet on Twitter, a woman claimed that she was ashamed that model Emily Ratajkowski and singer Madonna were protesting for Women’s Rights alongside the hashtag ‘makes no sense’. The only thing that does not make sense is why a woman is ashamed that two fellow women want their gender to have the same rights and opportunities as men. Some of the responses to this tweet talked about Ratajkowski’s profession as a model.

To claim that Ratajkowski is unable to have a political voice or a so called valid reason for

wanting feminism because of how she chooses to show her body to the world is just one example as to why women protested and why Ratajkowski protested whilst holding a sign which read the words of Naomi Wolf, “we deserve to be sexual and serious or whatever we please.”

Rightly so, women do deserve to be whatever they please, including the ability to wear whatever pieces of clothing that they desire.

One Twitter user shamed singer Ariana Grande for the outfit that she chose to wear whilst protesting, which consisted of a large sweatshirt and a pair of thigh high boots. Unless you are complimenting a girl for what they are

Photo: Shannon Clark @Twitter

wearing, you have no right to make comment on their outfit or to act in a certain way towards her because of what she is wearing. One of the reasons why millions of women protested was for women to have the right to wear the clothes that they want to without men using their outfit choice as a sexual invitation. Of all places, a Women’s March for women’s rights should be where a woman can wear whatever she pleases without ridicule. Shannon Clark appears to think differently.

Sadly, these sorts of comments are not abnormal on social media and it would seem that the Women’s Marches highlighted this even more so. I scroll through Twitter and Instagram and constantly see women being shamed for wearing “too much” make up, shamed for not wearing any make up, shamed for wearing revealing clothes, shamed for wearing clothes that do not reveal anything, shamed for the shape and size of their bodies, shamed for their behaviour, shamed for their display of sexuality, shamed for their lack of sexual display. The list goes on but one of the saddest parts of reading these comments is when I see that a woman has posted them and the last thing that women need right now is to be scrutinised by fellow women.

If anything, it is these posts that prove that to be a feminist does not mean that you have to be a woman, a misconception that many seem to make. Despite the comments of negativity on social media, the beautiful photos and posts of unity and strength outweighed them all. The Women’s Marches that we have recently witnessed are just the beginning and I hope that social media continues to spread the movement far and wide.

“Here’s to strong women. May we know them.

May we be them. May we raise them.”

Race for Life in the New Year!

Struggling to stick to your New Year’s resolutions? Why not sign up for the Race Kevin Gunan Shang Lifestyle Contributor

for Life, and give yourself a goal to aim for

Each one of us wants the New Year to be bigger and better than ever before — and many of us make New Year’s resolutions.

Improving our health, losing weight, or going to the gym more are always popular resolutions. The struggle is always to stick to them throughout the year.

January is a great time to embark upon a new challenge. Why not sign up to Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life and enter 5k, 10k or Pretty Muddy? In Manchester, Pretty Muddy takes place on Saturday 8th July and the 5k and 10k events are scheduled for Sunday 9th July. It might seem like a while off, but by signing up to Race for Life right now, female students in Manchester will be playing their part in beating cancer. Plus, it gives you a chance to train and get into shape! There’s no better time for you to lace

your trainers, get a little more active, and join like-minded girls committed to the cause. Money raised will help Cancer Research UK scientists find new ways to treat cancer and save more lives.

Kirsti Thompson, Cancer Research UK’s Manchester Event Manager, said: “Signing up to take part in Race for Life is a great way for female students to set themselves a new and exciting challenge for 2017.

“Race for Life events are non-competitive and participants can choose to walk, jog or run around the course. What matters most is their participation. Whether they plan to amble with friends or sprint to the finish line, every step they take will help to bring forward the day when all cancers are cured.”

“Every day, around 110 people are diagnosed with cancer in the

Photo: Cancer Research UK Race for Life

North West,” added Kirsti. “That’s why we’re calling on women in Manchester to make 2017 a year to remember. Together, we can stop this devastating disease in its tracks.”

Cancer Research UK’s Race for Life is a series of fun and inspiring women-only events raising money for research into around 200 types of cancer affecting men, women and children. Whether you choose a 5k or a marathon, whether you do it in a tutu or just an old pink T-shirt, do your part to help research into cancer and stop this deadly disease.

Signing up to take part couldn’t be easier — simply visit the Race for Life website.

On Thursday February 23RD, we Reclaim the Night...

The march starts at Owens’ Park, Wilmslow Road, Fallowfield at 7pm. A neon parade will head down Oxford Road towards Manchester Students’ Union. The march will be led by a women's-only block, open to all self defining women and followed by a mixed march open to all genders. There will also be a youth & families block and an LGBTQ block.

We'll be raising our voices and uniting our energies to stand up to street harassment, sexual violence and victim blaming.

The evening continues with a FREE AFTER PARTY, with live music, DJs, arts & crafts, a chill out space and community stalls at Manchester Students' Union from 9pm.

This year is going to be bigger, brighter and louder than ever.

Bring your glow sticks, bring your friends and bring your voices.

23RD February www.facebook.com/reclaimthenightmanchesteruk

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ISSUE 12 / 30th JANUARY 2017 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Record breaking Wayne Rooney

Rooney is as good as Thierry Henry and Luis Suárez in the Premier League era, as he hits 250 goals Dane Massey Sport Reporter History was made at the Bet365 Stadium on Saturday, as Wayne Rooney broke Sir Bobby Charlton’s goal scoring record for Manchester United, a record which stood for 44 years. As he has done so many times in the last decade or so, the England forward stepped up to the plate to deliver the all-important goal, which rescued a point for his team on a difficult afternoon in Stoke.

The goal also marked another landmark for Rooney, as he scored his 88th away goal in the Premier League, overtaking Alan Shearer, who had previously held the record. Just as he has scored the most goals for his club and country and the most for a single club in the Premier League era, it is yet another milestone held solely by the United and England captain.

It isn’t just in the goal scoring department where records are tumbling either, Rooney is the ultimate team player. The ex-Everton man has laid on 102 assists for his team-mates during his 14-year stint in English football. He has the second most assists in Premier League history, level with Frank Lampard. Rooney’s next assist will see him go outright second behind his former team-mate Ryan Giggs, who has the most Premier League assists with 162.

Over the past 10 years, Rooney has been and still is one of the biggest names in football, mainly because of what he does on the pitch. Off the pitch, he appears to be a calm man of few words, but he does most his talking on the pitch, and on Saturday he shown once again why he is one of the best players to ever grace the Premier League. He is a true figure of consistency.

Photo: jubei kibagami @Flickr

Of course, it is fantastic when a player performs consistently for three seasons, as Rooney’s England team-mate Harry Kane has done for Spurs. But he has a long way to go if he wants to surpass what his England skipper has achieved in the game.

The same can be said for former-Liverpool star Luis Suárez, the Uruguayan striker dazzled for three and a half years in the red of Liverpool, scoring 69 goals in 110 Premier League appearances. In the same period Suárez was at Liverpool, Rooney netted 65 goals for United while providing 32 assists, nine more than Suárez managed.

Everyone knows that Suárez is one of the best strikers the Premier League has ever seen, and of his generation.

Rooney, however, does not get the same amount credit amongst all foot-

Toby Webb Sport Reporter This Sunday, the New England Patriots and the Atlanta Falcons will battle it out to be named the champions of Super Bowl LI. The team’s stories could not be more dissimilar.

For the Patriots, this is their 7th Super Bowl appearance since 2000, a time span defined by the excellence of head coach Bill Belichick and quarterback Tom Brady. Together, they have formed a footballing dynasty unrivalled in the history of the NFL: they are pursuing their 5th Super Bowl win together. Conversely, the Falcons have progressed to the Super Bowl for only the 2nd time in their history, their only previous appearance being a 34-19 loss to the Denver Broncos in 1999. At once, this is a match-up of experience and inexperience: the

and-out striker during his time in North London. Rooney, on the other hand, has played in a variety of other positions as well, including as a number 10, winger, and even in a deep lying midfield role under Louis Van Gaal.

A further factor in Henry’s favour is the age. ‘Titi’ arrived in the Premier League when he was 22 and approaching the prime of his career, while Rooney started out as a 16-year-old. Consistently scoring goals from the age of 16 right through to 31 is something Henry may not have managed if his career followed a similar pattern to Rooney’s, in the world’s most physically demanding league.

Instead, just as Suárez did, Henry went to Spain to prolong and improve his career in a better team. The two Premier League icons also went on to be greats at Barcelona, and if Rooney took the same path as the duo, no doubt he would have been equally as successful in one of the greatest teams ever to have played the game.

It remains unclear, however, that Henry and Suárez would have thrived in the Premier League for 14 years and counting just as Rooney has done, winning honours year after year while breaking records for club and country.

Time and time again, Rooney has received unfair criticism where other players have had credit for achieving less than him. Henry and Suárez are two examples. Undoubtedly, both are wonderful strikers, but their achievements in English football don’t match up to Rooney’s.

Perhaps the Manchester United and England serial record-breaker does not get the credit that he deserves...

In other news, water is wet.

ball fans, despite more than matching man won a domestic treble in just his Suárez’s goal involvement in the Presecond season in Spain, something mier League. Aside of this, Rooney won Suárez managed in his first. two Premier League titles between 2011 When Match of the Day pundit Alan and 2014 as well as scoring in a UEFA Hansen picked his all-time Premier Champions League final, something League XI in 2014, just before he retired, Suárez did not manage until he moved he paired Henry and Suárez up front to FC Barcelona in the summer of 2014. together. It was a selection not many Since Suárez has moved to Catalonia, might have argued with, but disregardhe has been sensational, but he has had ing Rooney is something he may want to leave the Premier League to achieve to reconsider. the team medals Rooney has achieved, Henry was prolific in the Premier including a Champions League winLeague in his eight years with Arseners medal in 2015. nal, scoring 174 goals in 254 appearAnother player who had to leave Engances, while registering an impressive land to emerge victorious on the Euro75 assists. In comparison with Henry, pean stage was Arsenal legend Thierry Rooney has scored 195 goals in 451 apHenry. Just as Suárez did, Henry moved pearances. from the Premier League to Barcelona While he may not boast as good a goal to play with the likes of Lionel Messi, ratio as Henry, it should be considered Andres Iniesta and Xavi. The Frenchthat the Frenchman played as an outpasses and run for a touchdown in a playoff game. ‘greatest of all time’ is a debate for another day.

On the flip side, the Patriots were uncharacteristiHowever, a 5th Super Bowl win for Brady will imcally inaccurate and error-ridden against the Texmortalize him as the most decorated QB in history. ans, although crucially picking up the win. Against The Patriots are the most fundamentally sound the Steelers, they were sensational, Belichick and team in the NFL. Their consistent level of execuBrady conjuring an almost perfect game. tion is so much higher than anyone else; they force In my opinion, the NFL’s current system has their opponent to make mistakes, subsequently functioned successfully, with the season’s two capitalizing. While Brady is their star, injury to Rob best teams progressing to the Super Bowl. My preGronkowski has meant the Patriots’ Super Bowl view will begin with an analysis of the teams. run has been sustained by the team as a unit. ReFirstly, the Atlanta Falcons. This team has an ofcently, Chris Hogan, Dion Lewis and Julian Edelfence to rival the best the NFL has ever seen. The man have all made game-changing contributions. team has been likened to the 1999 St Louis Rams: They lack the star-studded line-up of the Falcons, they were nicknamed ‘The Greatest Show On Turf’ but are much more consistent. because of their incredible offensive power. The The Patriots and Falcons pose a tantalizing Falcons have consistently scored points all seamatch-up. Analysts are predicting it could be one son; they were the league’s highest scoring team, of the most offence-driven Super Bowls in recent averaging 33.8 points per game. They are spearmemory. The QB battle is fascinating. Brady is sure headed by Ryan in combination with Wide Receivto perform while it will be interesting to see how er Julio Jones, who topped the league in receiving Ryan functions. Moreover, the coaching battle will yards with 1409. Jones has the build of a tight-end be similarly crucial: who can edge the other? Becombined with speed; his 73 yard touchdown run lichick has luxury of massive experience, while against Green Bay was incredible, demonstrating the Falcons Head Coach Dann Quinn is only in his a formidable blend of pace and power. Similarly, second year in the job. The Falcons offensive coorRyan is largely predicted to be named the league’s dinator Kyle Shanahan has been the orchestrator MVP after an exceptional season. of their incredible scoring power. However, he is Patriots are Super Bowl aristocracy, while the FalWhile Jones gets all the plaudits, the Falcons’ poyet to face a defense as fundamentally watertight cons are undeniably ‘the new kids on the block’. tency arises from a range of offensive weaponry. If as the Patriots: ingenuity and guts will be required.

The Patriots and the Falcons have overwhelmed it’s not Jones making plays, Mohamed Sanu, TayThe offence/defense battle will be crucial in the teams on their paths to the Super Bowl. The Patri- lor Gabriel and Running Back Devonta Freeman early stages. I expect the game to be high-scoring, ots finished the season with a record of 14-2, wins have been doing damage. Part of Ryan’s success with defensive stops a rarity. The game will come to losses, while the Falcons finished 11-5. Moving this season has been the variety of options he down to one or two big plays on defense. into the playoffs, both teams secured a bye for the has on offence. The Falcons offensive power has If the Falcons can win, it will signify a changing first week, the Patriots the 1st seed in the AFC while allowed the defense to be very aggressive in the of the guard. However, I will go with the safe bet: Atlanta were 2nd seed in the NFC. Subsequently, pass-rush. Vic Beasley Jr. has had a fantastic seahistory suggests the experience of Belichick and the Patriots defeated the Houston Texans 34-16 son, amassing 15.5 sacks. Ultimately, they present a Brady will pay dividends for New England. I exand the Pittsburgh Steelers 36-17 to progress, while complex and threatening task for the Patriots. pect both teams to score at least 4 touchdowns, the Falcons defeated the Seattle Seahawks 36-20 The Patriots’ aptitude goes without saying: 7 Suwith the Patriots securing a victory of around 37and my beloved Green Bay Packers 44-21 on route. per Bowl appearances since 2000 shows the per31.

Coming into the playoffs, there were questions manence of class. In Bill Belichick, they have the Finally, if you are interested in watching the over the Falcons’ pedigree in knock-out football, greatest head coach in NFL history, no arguments game, the American Football Society are covering especially as quarterback Matt Ryan had a losing to be had. In Tom Brady, they have arguably the it at Revs Fallowfield. The American Studies Sorecord of 2-4 in playoff matches. However, Ryan greatest QB in history. Brady’s playoff record, 24-9 ciety will also be there. Entry is £3, with proceeds has been infallible in both games; against the Pack- wins to losses, is leagues ahead of the next best, donated to CRUKSoc. ers, he became the first QB to throw 4 touchdown Joe Montana with 16-7. Whether Brady is truly the

Preview: Super Bowl LI

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The Cowleys: the sibling managerial duo everyone should know about Josh Jenkins Sport Reporter The fifth tier National League is not a place where one would expect to find two of the most exciting young coaches in the English game — yet brothers Danny and Nicky Cowley are exactly that.

The Cowley Brothers are currently at the helm at Lincoln City, and last night oversaw a stunning victory in front of the BBC cameras against Championship side Ipswich City — a side 59 places above them in the English football pyramid.

Remarkably this is the first time that the brothers have a held a full-time professional position in football. Danny, the manager and the main man in charge, was a PE teacher until he left the job to take up the full-time position at Lincoln City last May. The club are currently the National League leaders, and are into the FA Cup 4th Round for the first time in 41 years, where they have a cracking tie against Brighton to look forward to — and are also still in the FA Trophy as well. There is no doubt that the Cowley are doing a fantastic job at Sincil Bank.

But this is just another normal success in the coaching career of the two.

Last season they oversaw the third place finish of Braintree Town. A defeat in the play-off semi-final against Grimsby Town stopped them from getting to Wembley.

It was a fantastic achievement that largely went unnoticed. Even the hipster journalists did not even pick up on it.

For context, the Essex town of Braintree has a population of little over 42,000 — only 5,000 more than the University of Manchester had in 2015. Even in National League terms they are a tiny club.

They also had one of the smallest budgets out of the 24 teams in the league, and are currently only 4 points above the relegation zone.

Before Braintree the Cowleys performed even greater miracles at lowly Concord Rangers — you know the second biggest team in Canvey Island.

In the 2007-2008 season they guided the club to the Isthmian League Division One North for the first time following promotion. In the spring of 2013 the Cowleys and Concord were celebrating a third promotion in

six years to the National League South.

The two men absolutely have the tools to become hugely successful managers in the higher ends of the English game. Already Lincoln have had to reject an approach from Football League side Notts County for the duo’s services.

Lincoln’s dominating performance against Ipswich yesterday will no doubt put the chairmen of teams struggling in their respective league’s on notice.

Yes, I know it may only be nonleague football, and yes the higher the two go the harder it will become. But Danny and Nicky Cowley are going places.

The two have also been mightily impressive whenever they have talked about football in the interviews they have conducted during their cup-run. There are those people who just engage you when they talk about their philosophies and ideas on the game.

I really do rate these two brothers and I will even go out on a limb and say that these two will be managing in the championship in the next four years. Trust me they are that good.

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Man City student tickets available Whilst here in Manhchester, make sure you make the most of it and visit every part of it! For your chance to go to one of the best stadiums in the country, to watch one of the world's greatest teams, buy a Manchester City ticket from the Students' Union helpdesk — for a subsidised student price.

With every game a big game, tickets are available for students from the Students' Union helpdesk, when you buy with your student card.

Tickets for City's Premier League tie against resurging Swansea City on the 5th February: £16.

Tickets for City's Champions League clash with high-flying Monaco on 21st February: £21.

Photo: Harry Newton

Why Virat Kohli is already better than Sachin Tendulkar At just 28, Virat Kohli is writing his name in cricketing folklaw Dane Massey Sport Reporter

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

In an interview last year, current Indian cricket captain Virat Kohli labelled comparisons to former captain Sachin Tendulkar as “embarrassing.” When Tendulkar retired in 2013, he bowed out as perhaps the greatest batsman of his generation, and was considered irreplaceable.

Nobody, however, had seen the prodigy that is Kohli developing so much that he would become not only as good as the former cricketing legend, but even better – by the age of just 28. Kohli is single-handedly destroying bowlers even more than Tendulkar did.

After India’s win over England in the first one-day international in Pune, former England captain Nasser Hussain said that Kohli was “incredibly special” and labelled him the “Cristiano Ronaldo of cricket.”

Of course, everyone knows that the Portuguese superstar has revolutionised football, scoring doubles and trebles for fun on a regular basis.

Kohli is doing the same in cricket, he makes scoring boundaries look simplistic, not an art.

Like Ronaldo, Kohli is also supremely fit, lean and agile. His rapid running in between the wickets is another part of his game which is a cut-above any other batsman in the game, as well as his open attacking stance, and immaculate fielding, which make him the ultimate cricketer.

Kohli’s incredible fitness levels give him the platform that will allow him to continue playing for perhaps another decade, and has the capacity to break all the records in the sport.

He has already surpassed Tendulkar’s record of scoring the most

centuries in successful run chases, Sunday was Kohli’s 15th century when his team has batted second and won, overtaking Tendulkar’s 14.

Kohli thrives when his team bat second, his average being 63, in comparison to an average of 41 when his team bat first. Overall, he has scored 17 centuries in ODI cricket when India have batted second, equalling the number set by Tendulkar. Amazingly, Tendulkar took 232 matches to achieve such a feat, while Kohli has only taken 96 matches.

Another startling statistic is Kohli’s strike rate, which stands at 90.79, while Tendulkar’s was 90.31 throughout the course of his career. Tendulkar’s career may have spanned longer, but with Kohli on course to carry on, his strike rate will only improve. By the end of his career, he could easily better the strike rate of the West Indian great Sir Viv Richards (93.01).

Comparisons to Tendulkar only seem fair, Kohli simply cannot be compared to any batsman in modern day cricket, as he stands on his own. The Indian captain is the only man to average over 50 in all four forms of cricket (first-class, test match, ODI and Twenty-20).

Following their recent 4-0 test series win over England, India now sit top of the ICC World Rankings for both test matches and ODI’s, and they are the undisputed kings of both formats of the game once again, and the leading light is of course Kohli.

While the ever-green MS Dhoni and Yuvraj Singh, along with vibrant openers KL Rahul and Shikhar Dhawan complete the most feared batting line-up in the world, Kohli is like the star at the top of the Christmas tree. Kohli recently took over the limited overs captaincy from MS Dhoni,

his role as India’s talisman has increased significantly, and he is once again stepping up to the plate.

Kohli’s impressive 122 against England on Sunday took the game away from the tourists, despite England hitting 350, which is becoming almost a par score in ODI cricket. The way the game is developing, Kohli is now batting in an era where the average score is higher, as oppose to Tendulkar. Cricket is a more entertaining game, and Kohli is the chiefentertainer.

The changes were evident in England’s thrilling 3-2 series win over New Zealand in the summer of 2015.

New Zealand captain Brendon McCullum was especially renowned for his all-out aggressive captaincy style, implementing an attacking batting line-up and field.

Just under a year later in the world Twenty-20 in India, it was clear this style was evident in this form of the game as well. India and the West Indies mirrored England and New Zealand’s attacking brand of cricket, which was on display a year earlier.

Although the West Indies won the tournament, Kohli picked up the player of the tournament award, just as he did two years earlier in Bangladesh. These individual awards outline Kohli’s place at the top of the Twenty-20 batman rankings, as well as being second in the test match and ODI rankings.

Kohli is also a magnificent fielder, and can bowl medium pace occasionally. He is a man who can do everything in all formats of the game.

By the end of his career, Kohli could rival Mahatma Gandhi’s fame in Indian folklore. Sunil Gavaskar, Virender Sehwag and Rahul Dravid – step aside – there’s a new legend on the block ready to smash all the records in cricket.

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Sunderland in crisis: The myth of positive relegation With Sunderland looking destined for relegation, they will lose a lot of revenue and struggle to return Jack Ford Sport Reporter On 21st of January, Sunderland’s away fans once again sold out their allocation, this time at The Hawthorns, and witnessed yet another dire performance.

Sunderland suffered their 15th defeat of the season. After recording the worst start to a season in Premier League history, David Moyes’ team are bottom of the table, ravaged by injuries, and seemingly helpless on-and-off the pitch. It is looking increasingly likely that this is the year the League’s great escapologists will finally fail to avoid relegation.

The financial devastation caused by relegation could prove particularly ruinous for Sunderland. A recent UEFA report found that Sunderland had the 11th highest level of debt in Europe and the 3rd highest in England, at around £182Million. A particularly worrying figure from 2014-15 is that the club spent 76 per cent of its turnover on wages, the 3rd highest proportion in the league. If Sunderland were to be relegated this season, they would lose a large chunk of the money they gain from TV and broadcasting deals – which currently makes up 68 per cent of the club’s revenue. The club would suffer greatly.

Sunderland should not be in this position. The club enjoys tremendous support, (the 6th highest average attendance in the Premier League) and the spend lots on transfers and players’ wages. With the 11th highest wage spend in the league, it is expected that Sunderland would be a comfortable mid-table side.

Ellis Short, owner and Chairman of Sunderland, cannot be accused of un-

derspending, but should take the blame for overseeing a disgraceful level of misspending. Only three of 46 signings since 2009 have been sold for a profit (James McClean, Darren Bent and Simon Mignolet).

There is also little evidence of Short’s business acumen in his running of the club, with a meagre £4 million increase in non-TV earnings since his ownership began in 2008. This misspending has brought little quality to Wearside, yet has taken the club to the brink of Financial Fair Play breaches, meaning Moyes now finds himself near-powerless to bring in new faces this January.

Despite these dangers, there persists a myth among those around Sunderland that relegation may not be such a longterm setback for the Club, and could even be a benefit. Former manager Dick Advocaat has said that: “Maybe it’s better to go down, to build a new team like Newcastle, who have a great club, a great fan base, and a great stadium just like Sunderland”, but he fails to account for Sunderland’s relative lack of marketable players with which to fund a new team.

Beyond this, an instant return to the Premiership is no guarantee, even for a big club like Sunderland — just ask Leeds United or Nottingham Forest.

Micky Gray, a Sunderland player for twelve years, has similarly stated that relegation would allow Moyes to “start building from the ground up, from the foundations to what he needs to get us back in the Premier League”. Not only does Gray fail to explain where the funds would come from to allow such “building”, but his belief that Moyes is the man capable of doing so should be

Photo: Walt Jabsco @Flickr

questioned. Not only are Sunderland seemingly becoming worse as the season goes on, Moyes himself seems to not believe he can stop the rot, offering little in the way of hopeful or inspiring comments to the media and starting the season with predictions of a relegation battle.

After Sunderland’s 4-1 home defeat to Arsenal in October, Moyes explained that “Arsenal’s quality, and the strength they’ve got on the bench showed”. While this is of course true, it is worth noting that six of the seven players on Sunderland’s bench were signed by Moyes in the summer, with only one starting, Steven Pienaar. The roughly £27M summer spend by Moyes, not to mention the wages of his free signings, have clearly not been of the calibre to improve the team, or in many cases even get into the starting eleven.

Moyes seems to be shooting his own Life On Mars adaptation, awakening from the double car-crash of his Manchester United and Real Sociedad spells in the heady days of mid-noughties Everton, with Victor Anichebe, Steven Pienaar, and now Joleon Lescott answering his casting call: “Old Evertonians wanted: history of injuries required, fading abilities preferred.”

It is of little reassurance to Sunderland fans that at a time when relegation rivals Crystal Palace, Swansea, and Hull have all replaced managers and brought in new players to aid their survival fights, Sunderland’s only action this January has been to sign Joleon Lescott. The personification of Aston Villa’s on-andoff pitch horrors last season has come to work his magic on Wearside, comforting fan concerns of player salaries with tweets of £120,000 cars, and reminding

his new teammates that relegation need not spell financial disaster, but can be a “weight off people’s shoulders”.

Fans can only hope that Lescott has learned from his mistakes, and is eager to repair the damage done to his legacy, or that the money earned from Patrick van Aanholt’s impending move to Crystal Palace is for once invested wisely.

Sunderland may only be three points off Swansea in 17th place, but there is little reason for fans to expect an upturn in fortune on or off the pitch. If Sunderland manage another late escape this season, it will undoubtedly be their most unlikely yet, and must be followed up with a bid to aim higher than merely surviving in the Premier League. If not, it seems they risk emulating Portsmouth’s decline and fall down the Football League and into financial collapse.

Photo: Alex Ridler @Flickr

The four phases of supporting a team in a relegation battle Swansea City fan Josh Jenkins is struggling with the Club’s decline. This is his take on the woes of a relegation battle

There is nothing that quite tests your loyalty as a football supporter than witnessing your team being neck-deep in a relegation battle. With each opposition goal that leads to yet another defeat, it becomes harder and harder to be upbeat about the team that you support.

“Why do you care about them so much?” is what my non-football supporting friends ask when I moan about Swansea. That question usually follows with me looking at them with a face of utter disgust.

As a football fan you can’t stay away.

No matter how bad it gets each week we turn up hoping that this week will be better than the last. I’m a Swansea City fan, and this season is the first time I have had the experience of them being in a relegation battle, and believe me, I wouldn’t wish it on anyone.

It’s the end of January and I feel like I’ve aged by about 16 years.

As the season has gone on I’ve noticed that I and my fellow Swansea supporting friends and family have gone through the exact same phases throughout the season so far. The best way to describe a

relegation battle is that it’s an emotional roller-coaster, and these are just four of the phases of this roller-coaster.

Pre-season Dread Come the beginning of the season the majority of supporters hold the belief that this season will finally be their year.

Whether it’s a new manager, impressive transfers, or just that sense of optimism, a supporter’s positivity is always highest the day the season starts.

But not at Swansea.

Our transfer window was atrocious – poor signings, selling our best players, and not signing Joe Allen made me realise that even before a ball had been kicked, we were going to be flirting with relegation this season.

You’d think that by setting yourself up for hell to come would make it easier. But being proven right makes it just as hard.

Soul-crushing Disappointment Swansea have lost twelve out of sixteen games this season. From a 1-0 defeat at Southampton to a 4-0 crushing to Arsenal two weeks ago, the Swans have

been utterly awful this season.

Focus your mind and think how soul crushing that is, pretty much every single week you have to watch your team lose and get further and further way from the promised position of 17th.

Once you’ve done that, think about how bad it would feel to lose 5-0 against Spurs, 3-0 at a Middlesbrough side who had only scored three home goals previously, 4-1 against West Ham, followed by a 3-0 drubbing at home to Bournemouth.

You just can’t get that Friday afternoon excitement of knowing that tomorrow is football day because all it means is another day where Swansea lose by about four goals and make you feel even worse than the week before.

Anger I will always watch the Swans. It wouldn’t feel right to turn my back on them and just let them stare down the tunnel of defeat alone. But… I seriously did contemplate it. I was so annoyed by the useless displayed by both the players and the manager Bob Bradley – even

just writing his name riles me up.

‘I am not watching those useless overpaid players again until they sort themselves out.’ That’s what I told myself Saturday morning – by 4.00pm I was screaming at my laptop after we conceded another goal to Tottenham.

By Sunday my anger starts to fade away just in time for the week ahead.

Then my dad rings me and ‘bam’ all that rage comes right back flowing through my veins. A 20 minute back and forth episode of releasing anger to my dad leads to me hang up before I even speak to my mam.

Momentary Euphoric Delusion Being sad after every game leads to scraping the barrel to find any positives you can from a game to make you feel better than you currently.

At least Manchester City only scored three against us. Could have been worse – Middlesbrough were denied a clear penalty. Least we scored against West Brom when we were 3-0 down. I look for anything to make me feel more upbeat

after witnessing another defeat.

A 0-0 draw at home to Watford was celebrated like a win and allowed me to finally watch Match of the Day for the first time in weeks.

And when we actually win, then there is no excuse not to have a massive Saturday night sesh. Beating Crystal Palace 5-4 led to me convincing my house mates to go on a night with pre-drinks starting at 7:30, and recording MOTD so I could watch the highlights over and over again.

By the grace of God we somehow beat Liverpool last weekend, and I am not exaggerating when I say that I’ve watched the highlights over 15 times. The highlights binge consists of the Palace win, followed by our win against Sunderland, then the victory at Anfield.

The sacking of useless Bob Bradley was cheered like we had just beaten our rivals Cardiff 5-0 away. Paul Clement was greeted like a glorious knight who had just arrived on horseback to save the club and city from the mess we found ourselves in.

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Lure of China too difficult to resist

Premier League football supporters are livid at their beloved football stars moving to China, but is it really just a wonderful opportunity they can not turn down?

Harry Newton Sport Editor In an attempt to improve and promote their growing league, the Chinese Super League (CSL) have been throwing cash at high calibre players and managers from around the globe in order to bring them to China... and we are all royally pissed off about it.

Only British teams can buy their way to prominence. Diego Costa being offered a shed load of money to join Tianjin Quanjian has disgusted Chelsea fans. The same Chelsea fans that welcomed Roman Abramovic in 2003 when he took over the Club and bought the likes of Didier Drogba, Andriy Shevchenko and Michael Essien for large amounts of money to catch-up.

This is not going to turn into an article bombasting Chelsea for ‘buying the league.’ Ultimately, it was an investment into football that saw Chelsea prosper, football improve, and they have since turned over a profit. It is all a little unfair if you are a fan of a football Club that did not get a wealthy investor and have languished because of this, but there is no need for us to feel bitter. The point I am trying to make, however, is that what the CSL are doing, is not much different to what some English Clubs have done — paid lots of money to play

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catch-up.

Some notable footballers have moved to China in recent time: Oscar, Carlos Tevez, Hulk, Alex Teixeira, Jackson Martínez, Ramires, Axel Witsel, Graziano Pellè, Paulinho, and Demba Ba to name some of the most notable. Although it is argued that not many of these players — except perhaps Carlos Tevez — are the highest calibre of player, they are all still a higher quality of player than the CSL has seen. Even Sven-Goran Eriksson, Marcello Lippi, Luiz Felipe Scolari, and Manuel Pellegrini have joined the Chinese revolution as coaches.

Contrary to popular belief, money is not the only thing attractive about China. It is not like Jupiter FC have put in a four billion pound offer for a player, and that player is so money obsessed that he is moving all the way to Jupiter for the cash. China is a beautiful country. There are beautiful mountains and lakes, massive parks and countryside, and the variation of modern cities mixed with them. There is a rich culture, a fantastic sense of togetherness and respect, and some of the nicest food in the world.

Britain is also beautiful of course, and everybody loves a fish and chips, but we should not kid ourselves in thinking that China is some distant hovel players are being forced to move to because of the money offered. Furthermore, with such a thriving economy backing football in China, it shows no

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Virat Kohli

signs of slowing down.

It is all the more an attractive proposition when you are being offered a beautiful country and a hefty wage packet, but of course the CSL is nowhere near the standard of British football. British football Clubs and fans alike have allusions of grandeur, as they often describe the Premier League as the ‘best league in the world.’ They are completely livid that anybody would leave our fantastic league for anywhere else.

Personally, I think there is just as much footballing quality in the German and Spanish leagues — even the Italian league is not far behind. Labelling the Premier League as the ‘best league in the world’ is beyond debatable. However, there is no doubt that the CSL is not up to the same level… but what’s to say that without an injection of cash, it couldn’t be?

Moving to China offers footballers the chance to be part of something that could really take off, to be part of history. We often see Sky Sports run specials on the glittering careers of players in the Premier League history; Ryan Giggs, Alan Shearer, Fernando Torres etc. (although they don’t often glorify players from before the 1992 ‘rebirth’ but that’s a discussion for another day).

A move to China offers players the opportunity to make themselves the Ryan Giggs of Chinese football — to be a hero to millions in a football-

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loving country. David Beckham did something similar when he moved to America during their ‘re-branding’ period, creating himself to be a Hollywood brand – so there is definite evidence that players moving to China can gain hero status.

The CSL’s recent regulations have restricted teams from shopping abroad too often. The CFA have announced that Clubs can field a maximum of three foreign players, and that one Chinese player under 23 must start every game, and another be in the match day squad. This may slightly curb the evolution of the Chinse League, along with transfer and wage caps expected to come into play.

Or perhaps, this is China’s answer to evolving their national team and League simultaneously.

England currently have a problem where the top Clubs’ youth prospects are struggling to break into the first team. Pep Guardiola stated that this is linked with the lack of competitive football in the youth leagues. A resolution to the problem, however, could come in the shape of a similar rule to that of the CSL. There are more than a few powers at play in the Chinese Super League debate. Is the intensity of football up to standard? Is this purely a discussion over wealth? Is there a chance these players could become part of history? No idea — but in the next couple of decades we will find out.

Wayne Rooney