Issue19 by The Mancunion

9th MAR 2015/ ISSUE 18 FREE

MANCHESTER’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Towards a More Perfect Union

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Sluts, Bitches and the LGBT Community

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Fees fund flights of Nancy

- Dame Nancy Rothwell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, earned £290000 last year, and claimed at least £15000 of business class flights on expenses Jenny Sterne News Editor A report by the University and College Union (UCU) has revealed that ViceChancellors earned on average £260000 last year. The report ,‘Transparency at the top? Senior pay and perks in UK universities’ also revealed that 18 per cent of ViceChancellors received pay rises over ten per cent. This was alongside a pay dispute with lecturers taking strike action to secure a two per cent pay deal. According to UCU, the report “exposes how UK universities adopt hugely varying levels of transparency around ViceChancellors’ pay and perks.” Business Secretary Vince Cable has stated that universities should “think twice” about large pay rises for senior staff and that pay levels are “hard to swallow.” In 2013/14 the average Vice-Chancellor spent £9706 on flights. The head of the London School of Economics topped the list spending almost £60000 on flights last year. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Dame Nancy Rothwell, spent £22256 on flights last year—with more than £15000 on business class seats, 68.5 per cent of the total bill. Rothwell did, however, take a cut of 0.3 per cent to her salary, to £291000. A university spokesperson said: “The university has partnerships and strategic interests worldwide, which involves a degree of international travel. The figure reflects a much extended and busier programme of overseas travel on behalf of the university.” Elsewhere in Manchester, Professor Martin Hall, who has now stepped down as Vice-Chancellor at the University of Salford, received a four per cent increase, taking £252144 in 2013/2014.

Professor John Brooks at Manchester Metropolitan University received a 2.4 per cent increase, earning £292000. 16 per cent of institutions refused to respond to the freedom of information requests from UCU or used exemptions to avoid releasing the information. The University of Manchester refused

senior pay and perks in our universities and shines a light on the murky world of shadowy remuneration committees who sign off these deals. We need a far more transparent system that allows for proper scrutiny of spending at the top and the rationale behind pay rises.” Vice-Chancellors income has come

to share copies of the minutes of their remuneration committees—tasked with determining the pay of the Vice-Chancellor and senior post-holders. UCU believes all minutes of remuneration committees should be made publicly available and that the committees should have a staff and student representative on every committee. They are also calling for all universities who receive public funding to publish an annual list of the pay and benefits of ViceChancellors. UCU general secretary, Sally Hunt, stated that universities showed “a strong determination to keep the details of decisions on senior pay a closely guarded secret.” Hunt also stated that “many staff and students will be amazed at the size of Vice-Chancellors’ salaries, and at the largesse displayed by some university leaders when it comes to first class flights, hotels and other expenses. That this is happening in public institutions which are largely funded by the taxpayer and students makes the lack of transparency and accountability surrounding senior pay and perks a national scandal. “UCU has raised with ministers time and again the need for a national register of pay and perks, which would also set out the rationale for any increases. We need agreed standards for open and transparent governance in our universities so trust in the system can be restored.” UCU regional secretary, Martyn Moss, said: “This report lifts the lid on the inconsistent and arbitrary nature of

under scrutiny alongside the political debates over tuition fees. Ed Miliband’s recent announcement called for tuition fees to be capped at £6000 per academic year. This proposal prompted university leaders to warn that cuts to tuition fees would cause financial damage to universities. In a letter to The Times, Vice-Chancellors said: “Given the many pressures on public finances, and with all political parties committed to further public spending cuts, it is implausible that any incoming government would be able to do this.” Professor Sir Christopher Snowden, President of Universities UK and ViceChancellor of the University of Surrey, said any evolution of the current system of tuition fees, loans and grants in England “must ensure value for money for students, prevent students from poorer backgrounds from being deterred from study, and be financially sustainable for both universities and government.” “A £6000 fee cap meets none of these requirements,” he said. However, in his speech in Leeds, where he set fourth this election pledge, Ed Miliband said of the present amount of debt students face, “this is a disaster for them and a disaster for the future of Britain too—a country where the next generation is doing worse than their parents is the definition of a country in decline. “What has happened over the last five years is more than just a betrayal of election promises; it is a betrayal of an entire generation.”

Explosive scare on North Campus A North Campus building was evacuated last week and a major incident declared, and the surrounding street cordoned off by the emergency services, after concerns were raised about the presence of an explosive chemical. Emergency services were called to the Pariser building, home of Civil and Construction Engineering, at 11:30 on the 4th of March. Concerns had been raised by staff about the storage of acetone peroxide, a highly explosive chemical that is the by-product of oxidation reactions, which had crystallised and become unstable. The chemical was allegedly synthesised after a student’s experiment went wrong. The building was subsequently evacuated, along with the surrounding Renold and Ferranti buildings, and Sackville Street was cordoned off by police, causing major disruption to traffic around Mancunian Way. At 2:47pm, a bomb disposal squad entered the Pariser building. The incident disrupted certain exams, in particular the ABRSM Music Theory exam that was taking place at the time. A university-wide e-mail sent to students stated: “The situation is being closely monitored. “Staff and students based in all three buildings have been advised to go home. “Members of the university’s Major Incident Planning team are meeting regularly and will provide an update on the situation.” Earlier in the day, a researcher was injured at the University of Liverpool after an explosion in a chemistry laboratory. The two incidents are not believed to be connected. A university spokesperson, speaking to The Mancunion, said: “The University’s Pariser Building on Sackville Street was evacuated this morning after a chemical crystallised and became unstable. The police and fire service were called and a major incident was declared. Two neighbouring buildings were also evacuated on the advice of the emergency services. “The chemical that caused the major incident has now been removed for safe disposal and the Police cordon around Sackville Street has been lifted.” The usual bus route for the 147 bus resumed and the three buildings reopened on Thursday. The Major Incident Planning team will be carrying out a full investigation into the the incident . Greater Manchester Police thanked Manchester residents for their co-operation during the incident. Acetone peroxide is a organic peroxide that is highly explosive when dry, sensitive to both friction and shock. It is the product of reacting hydrogen peroxide with acetone, and is often a common but unwanted by-product of industrial reactions. It has been used in improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in the past, but is difficult to produce quickly, keep stable and use in an offensive way.

University Free Speech Rankings Released

Photo: raver_mikey @Flickr

02 : NEWS

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Highlights P13

Music: Live – Pond

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Picture of the week - “Flipping good pancakes!” Picture of the week - “Breaking news: Spring comes to Manchester.” Temperatures rose this week as Manchester finally saw some sun. Photo: The Mancunion

Government invest over £500000 into student voting

Film: Focus

Plans to invest £530000 to encourage students to register to vote for the upcoming 2015 General Election after many are thought to have dropped off the electoral register Joe Astill News Reporter

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Theatre: Interview: Dylan Moran

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A sum of £530000 is to be invested in to a scheme devised to persuade students across the country to vote in the upcoming 2015 General Election. £380000 of the money will go to the NUS who will use it to host a nationwide competition involving creating and promoting ideas to persuade students to register to vote. The Students’ Unions of universities across the country will ask their students to team up and think of ideas that will be most effective in getting students to register to vote. The best idea will receive £10000 to fund their project. The remaining £150000 will go to other organisations in the further education sector. This news comes as a link was recently suggested between the newly introduced (in June 2014) Individual Electoral Registration method (IER) and a drop in the aggregate registration rate in each constituency. IER means that everyone wishing to vote in future elections will have to register individually rather than one person in each household registering for the rest of the inhabitants of the household. Previously for students, if they lived in student accommodation then their university would be able to register everyone living in halls of residence at once, however since IER has been introduced students

have to register themselves individually regardless of whether they live in student accommodation or not. Due to this, there are fears that students will be underrepresented in the upcoming election. Critics of this correlation have called it spurious as the initial data showing registration rates in each constituency was an aggregate and did not actually show how many students had fallen off the register.

Sub-Editors: Morgan Hollet, Gemma Sowerby, James Jackman & Charlotte Pangraz

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However, a study conducted by contributors to the London School of Economics General Election blog found that there was a strong correlation between the proportion of students living in halls of residence in each constituency, and declining registration rates since the introduction of IER—suggesting that it has had an effect on students living in halls.

Photo: Mykl Roventine @ Flickr

Food & Drink Editors: Elena Gibbs & Adam Fearn foodanddrink@mancunion.com Film Editors: James Moules, Thomas Bruce, Martin Solibakke, & Andriana Hambi film@mancunion.com

Sport Editors: Andrew Georgeson & Will Kelly Sports Reporter: Liam Kelly sport@mancunion.com Theatre Editor: Nicole Tamer theatre@mancunion.com

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Arts Editor: Holly Smith arts@mancunion.com

Games Editors: James Thursfield & Matthew Cole games@mancunion.com

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Lifestyle Editors: Kitty Treverton Jones & Molly Allen mancunion.life@gmail.com Music Editors: Patrick Hinton, Samuel Ward, Lowell Clarke, and Daniel Whiteley music@mancunion.com

If you have any comments or questions, or would like to contribute, please e-mail the Editor-in-chief or Deputy Editor-in-chief. The times of meetings are listed on our website.

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NEWS : 03

Arms sales and fossil fuels: Lecturers take part in Politics Question Time Lecturers from the University of Manchester took part in a politics question time at 256 Bar in Fallowfield Edward Bains News Reporter Last Tuesday saw 256 Bar in Fallowfield play host to ‘Politics Question Time’, a panel discussion event organised by the Politics Society in the style of the well-known BBC debate programme, with a selection of lecturers from various Manchester University departments acting as the panellists. Making up this panel were Professor Andrew Russell (Head of Politics), Dr. Peter Backus (Economics), Dr. Peter Lawler (International relations), Dr. Adrienne Roberts (International politics), Dr. Miriam Ronzoni (Political theory) and Dr. Nick Turnbull (Politics). The debate was chaired by Dr. Liam Shields (Politics). The panel responded to a set of seven preselected questions posed by audience remembers. First off the list was “Is the top rate of income tax too low?” concerning the UK’s 45 per cent tax rate on earnings over £150000, reduced from 50 per cent by the current government. Interestingly, the panel’s replies did not focus on the usual argument about high tax rates simply driving the wealthy abroad, with a call instead for taxes on wealth as opposed to income. The next question to be asked was: “With Britain now paying the highest rail fares in the world, is it time we ended the failed experiment of privatisation and renationalised the railways?” Nick Turnbull was first to respond, discussing the issue of the government subsidising certain

transport operators like Stagecoach and Virgin, who return very little to the public purse, versus foreign owned companies who offer far better value for money. While not advocating outright renationalisation, he did insist major reforms were necessary. Peter Lawler called for a return to the days of British Rail, arguing that the value of railways could not be measured purely in profits and thus is poorly served by a profit-driven privatised system. The next question was simply, “Can the Tories be trusted with anything?” Andrew Russell gave the first response, stating there were too many unrealistic expectations often imposed on politicians, at the same time stressing the need to hold politicians to account when they renege on their promises to voters. The fourth question of the evening asked whether it was acceptable for our government to allow billions of dollars in arms sales to countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia while at the same time criticising other nations for human rights abuses. The idea of using arms sales as leverage against these governments was brought up, as well as Saudi Arabia being a stabilising force in the region. Fifth up was “Is economic liberalisation the solution for developing countries?” There was a general consensus among the panel that GDP was a poor measure of overall wellbeing of a country, not taking into account factors such as infant mortality and literacy rates. Adrienne Roberts gave a firm ‘no’, arguing that

privatisation of state industries was often not beneficial, with only the most profitable areas taken and the public left to pick up the remains. Following this, the panel were asked if the planet could be saved from global warming under the current system. Peter Backus stressed the need for political will and incentives for industries to encourage a switch to more sustainable forms of energy. Lastly there was a quick fire round asking

“Should the University of Manchester divest from fossil fuels?” The university’s connections to the fossil fuel industry have been a focus of campaigning by the Fossil Free society this year, which wants to see investment diverted to more sustainable causes. The panel gave a resounding ‘yes’ response, agreeing that such a move would be a powerful symbol of a commitment to sustainability.

Photo: Stephanie Collins

Students’ Union set to undergo Charity Upcycling £6 million refurbishment project reopens

Aidan Gregory Editor-in-chief The

University

Manchester

of UMSU, The Mancunion asked

The Mancunion also asked how

what the Union’s vision behind the

management intend to ensure that

redevelopment is

current students are not affected by the

Grainne Morrison Fashion Editor

In response, the representative said:

undergo a dramatic refurbishment, as

“The Students’ Union is one of the

In response, the UMSU representative

part of the University of Manchester’s

cornerstone elements of delivering

said: “With all projects of this size and

2020 Campus Master Plan – which aims

a campus that provides an excellent

scope, there will always be a degree of

to create a world class campus on one

student experience. With services

disruption. However, we are working

site by the end of the decade.

ranging from Advice, Representation

closely with the University and the

level,

Design Team to ensure that there is

structure and quality of the building, by

Residences, Widening Participation,

minimal impact and that our current

Women International, a charity which

upgrading the toilers, repairing water

Clubs and Societies and Social Events,

services and activities are not affected”.

works to help marginalised women

and electricity functions.

the Students’ Union aims to become the

Reacting to the announcement of the

in eight countries affected by conflict

plans, Charlie Cook, General Secretary

including Bosnia and Herzegovina and

It will also involve expanding the

Course

and

Institution

‘Living Room of the Campus’.

construction process. The Upcycling Project, a charity clothes shop run by student volunteers, officially re-opened on Wednesday the 4th of March. The project previously took place for the last month of Semester One. All profits from the sales of clothes go towards Women for

North and South wings of the building

“The University Master Plan, 2020

of UMSU, said: “This is an exciting,

Rwanda. Since 1993, they have helped

outwards, so that more space is created

Vision and the Students’ Union Strategy

transformative time which will mean

over 420,000 women through training

for student activities and for societies to

are aligned to provide not only a

we are able to deliver what our students

programs. Last semester, The Upcycling

meet.

single campus, but also to ensure that

want from their Students’ Union.

Project £703.90 raised for Women for

The Students’ Union has been granted £6 million in funding for the project,

Manchester continues to be one of the top rated institutions.

“By extensive consultation we aim to make the SU a home away from

Women International through the sale of second-hand and upcycled clothes; this money will support the training of at

which is scheduled to commence

“The Students’ Union is at the heart of

home for our members; creating

in January 2016 with an estimated

campus life and with 1 in 3 students at

opportunities and developing skills

completion in early 2017 - students in

The University of Manchester currently

which complement their academic

second and third year will therefore not

engaged in one of our activities our goal

commitments”.

see the completion of the project.

is that every student benefits from The

Upcycling Project last term was one of

Union”.

the most rewarding things I’ve done in

In an interview with a representative

dedicated volunteers have re-opened the shop! With the help of students,

Students’ Union (UMSU) is all set to

The project’s aim is to improve by

my role, so I’m delighted that a group of

least two women. Speaking to The Mancunion, Conor McGurran, Campaigns and Citizenship officer, said “Helping to set up The

we can achieve even more this term, all whilst encouraging people to think about sustainability” Jasmine Opoku–Ware, one of the students behind The Upcycling Project, said ‘We will be running even more workshops throughout the semester that allows students to tap into their creative side and make use of items in their wardrobe that they may have otherwise written off. This semester, aspiring designers will be able to display and see their own pieces. Our main aim is to celebrate Manchester’s alternative fashion scene whilst raising money for an amazing charity. The shop will be open 12pm-4pm Wednesday to Friday. Donations can be brought to the red bin in the foyer of the Students’ Union and students can sign up to volunteer through the Students’ Union website.

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NEWS : 04

Plaque declaring alliance with Pro-Palestinian Education moved

Students are outraged as the beginning of second semester meets the removal of the ‘Palestine and the Right to Education’ plaque from the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union lobby. Helen Chapman News Editor Last term a referendum was held in the Students’ Union leading to a policy passing four main things: for the Students’ Union to twin with the Al-Najah National University in Nablus, the Union to lobby for scholarships for Al-Najah students to study here at Manchester, for solidarity with Al-Najah University and to retain the plaque in the Student’s Union declaring this policy. 1000 voters took part in electing this policy as part of a fairly carried out democratic process, which was the second largest referendum turnout ever for the Students’ Union. The policy was passed with an overwhelming 75 per cent majority vote in favour of carrying out the four proposed policies. However, the plaque has now been moved across to a different pillar in the Student Union due to claims from the Students’ Union that threats of legal action were received from external forces. They were said to have sought legal advice and lawyers advised them to remove the plaque. Instead, the plaque has been downsized and placed in a less visible area of the Students’ Union. There is also a screen projection in the Students’ Union displaying all of the union’s policies. A statement from the Students’ Union Executive Committee explains: “We would firstly like to make clear that the statement has not been removed; it

has been temporarily moved and is currently on the pillar next to its previous placement. The Union is continuing to carry out all of the actions contained within the policy. “We received a legal challenge on the legitimacy of the statement as to whether our position is accommodated for within our charitable objectives. “We are sorry that this has not been communicated earlier—as stated, due to legal advice being sought we were constrained in our ability to explain the processes.” Action Palestine has since received a letter from students in Gaza expressing their sorrow: “We are saddened that you failed to empathize with us and break through the silence imposed on our voices, to stand against what the United Nations Special Rapporteur John Dugard described as the only

remaining case after South Africa, “of a Westernaffiliated regime that denies self-determination and human rights to a developing people and that has done so for so long”.” Tasfia Salek, Treasurer of society Action Palestine is outraged since the union failed to raise awareness of these issues before removing the plaque. Salek continues: “The trustee board, of which the majority have been elected to represent us, has blatantly disregarded the will of the student body. It’s extremely unfortunate that the Students’ Union has so easily been scared into submission by external lobbying and overturned our vote. “This has completely undermined the structures of student democracy and we urge the union to reassess this decision, and vote to reinstate the plaque which expresses what is already enshrined

in international law. “More importantly, representing the interests of students is part of its own stated objectives.” However the Students’ Union in response to Salek’s comment have stated that the claims being made in regards to the trustee board are factually inaccurate. The trustee Board have not made any decision on this matter and it is the elected Executive Committee who made the decision in regards to the implementation of the policy. They continued that any decisions made in regards to policy implementation have been made by the Exec Team and not any of the Trustees. Action Palestine is continuing to lobby the Students’ Union for the plaque to be moved back to its original place.

The Right to Education plaque which has now been moved following threats of legal action. Photo: the Mancunion

Research shows Graphene has anti-cancer properties

Menstrual problems? Sorry love, no jobs here

Research by a team from the University of Manchester has shown that graphene can be used to target and neutralise cancer stem cells

Gemma Sowerby News Reporter

Daniel Han Science & Technology Reporter The world’s thinnest material, graphene, discovered by two University of Manchester physicists, has been shown to be effective against the growth of cancer stem cells (CSCs). This was demonstrated by a team of researchers led by Prof. Michael Lisanti and Dr Aravind Vijayaraghavan at the Manchester Centre for Cellular Metabolism, a group in the university’s Institute of Cancer Sciences. Graphene oxide, a derivative of graphene, was originally known to have biomedical applications due to the non-toxic nature of graphene and its ability to work at a cellular level. Dr Vijayaraghavan said: “Graphene oxide is stable in water and has shown potential in biomedical applications. It can readily enter or attach to the surface of cells, making it a candidate for targeted drug delivery. “In this work, surprisingly, it’s the graphene oxide itself that has been shown to be an effective anti-cancer drug.” More amazingly, whilst being completely harmless to other cells in the body, the molecule itself shows anti-cancer properties. Nano-flakes of graphene prevent CSCs forming clusters of cancerous cells, known as the tumour-sphere. CSCs are incredibly difficult to target as current treatments, such as radiotherapy or

chemotherapy, only kill the ‘bulk’ cancer cells, leaving the cancer stem cells unaffected. These cancer stem cells are responsible for metastasis, the spreading of cancer within the body, which accounts for 90 per cent of cancer mortalities. Graphene oxide has shown that it could be used effectively to prevent tumours of CSCs growing in the body without any detrimental effects to other cells. Furthermore, varieties of graphene oxide formulations tested against six different cancer types showed promising results. The nanoflakes showed effective inhibitive results on breast, pancreatic, lung, brain, ovarian and prostate cancer. This suggests it could be effective against many other types of cancer, if not all. The magic of the graphene oxide nano-flakes lies in their ability to block processes that occur at the surface of the cells, the cell membrane. The researchers have suggested that an overall better clinical outcome may be delivered if graphene were to be used with the existing cancer treatments. At this stage, further clinical trials and tests must be done in order to implement this as a medical treatment. It’s a long way to the cure for cancer but this may have been a crucial step forward.

This criticism has prompted NUIG to respond to calls of sexism in the workplace; The Connacht Tribune reported that issues of gender equality

Universities are expected to be beacons of fairness, equality, and inclusivity, but the National University of Ireland in Galway (NUIG) has come under considerable fire following complaints from prospective employees over “invasive” and “misogynistic” questions on its occupational health form. This academic institution, whose history dates back to 1845, describes itself as having “a distinguished reputation for teaching and research excellence”, but this reputation has been tarnished of late, following fresh claims of sexism and lack of gender equality in the university. The university claims that the 40 questions, including “Do you suffer with any problems with your menstrual periods?” and “Do you suffer any breast problems?”, help occupational health professionals to establish whether the successful candidate will be in a position to “carry out the job without any undue risk to the health and safety of themselves or others at work”. A statement from NUIG said: “The form is completely confidential and returned by the individual to the university Occupational Health Physician directly… A confirmation is simply received of medical fitness for duty or not.” One senior lecturer at NUIG, however, has branded the questions “borderline misogynistic. They are such an invasion of privacy it is unbelievable. Why are the menstrual periods of women workers of concern to NUI Galway? If you answer ‘yes’ to this question, what are the consequences?”

have been unavoidable at NUIG in recent months, following Equality Tribunal findings on discrimination against two female lecturers at the university. Moreover, in recent figures, it was revealed that 81 per cent of the university’s staff was male. NUIG alumnus and Sinn Féin Senator Trevor Ó Clochartaigh has spoken out against the university, saying that he is “very concerned” over the problems raised by the questionnaire. “It appears excessively intrusive, and it gives rise to gender balance issues, bias, and discrimination. “Whether or not they have underlying health issues could be ascertained without going into so much detail about whether somebody has any problems with their menstrual periods, their menstrual cycles or whether they’ve had any prostate issues. I can’t understand why you’d ask so specific questions of people and I think it is totally outrageous.” The university, which has handed out honorary doctorates to the likes of Hillary Clinton and Angelica Huston, announced that they would be reviewing the process in light of the recent backlash. Many current and past students and staff have expressed concern over Twitter at the actions of the institution using the hashtag #answerstoNUIG. One current student, @GraceyOConnell, said: “Cause a menstrual cycle impacts on how she does her job? I won’t be looking for a job here after my degree anyway”.

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NEWS : 05

Students’ Union hosts Sex Week

Sexpression and Manchester Students’ Union’s collaboration of Sex Week 2015 has been a great success, encouraging awareness and providing information about sexual health and consent as well as LGBTQ issues Elena Losavio News Reporter

The week between the 2nd and 9th of March saw a collaboration between the University of Manchester’s Students’ Union and Sexpression Manchester, to bring to campus Sex Week 2015, the aim of the initiative being to explore different aspects of sexual health, LGBTQ issues and consent. During this week several stands were available in the Students’ Union Foyer such as the sexual health and guidance stall on Monday the 2nd, hosted by Palatine Clinic, and a free STI testing stall on the Wednesday. Numerous talks were also given during the week. One such talk on the 3rd of March by Katherine McGuirk, GP Surgery Project Manager for the Lesbian & Gay Foundation (LGF) and Jess Bradley, a member of Action for Trans* Health, discussed what medical and psychological services are available today for LGBTQ people. During the talk on Tuesday, Katherine McGuirk explained what her job involves, especially related to GPs’ training sessions—a new project called Pride in Practice. The LGF is a charity based in Canal Street, Manchester. It is one of the biggest organisations which provide support to gay, lesbian, and bisexual people and in August 2014 they announced that also they’re going to develop new projects and collaborate with trans communities. Among the services they offer are support groups, counselling,

HIV testing, adoptions, informative conferences, and events about health issues. McGuirk stressed the importance of awareness GPs need concerning LGBTQ issues and procedures and encouraged sharing with the LGF both positive and negative experiences with GPS, as a way to support the LGBTQ community. Talking about her work experience in Salford, North, and Central Manchester, McGuirk said that it is vital to re-educate people about the way services are delivered. Equality is an important goal that the LGF is making an effort to achieve. Jess Bradley for Action for Trans* Health, an organisation which offers support and GPs’ training sessions, also gave an expert insight on the trans community and related health issues. According to NHS websites, there are seven main Gender Identity Clinics (GICs) in the UK that can address transgender health issues. However, to have access to these kinds of treatments trans people need to be referred by their local GP. Bradley asserted that often GPs don’t have much experience in transgender health issues and so are unaware of when to refer individuals to GICs. NHS websites, in recognising this fact, also encourage trans patients to be informed and to take the latest guide on gender dysphoria services to the appointment with the GP. Bradley stressed that it is a delicate situation and a stressful period for trans people, needing to go through two or three years with psychiatric treatments and hormone therapies before surgery— sometimes mental health issues can also occur. It

is necessary during such times to have appropriate medical support available, which identifies with their specific needs, but also does not discriminate trans patients. A survey published in November 2014 by Pace, a mental health charity for LGBT people, shows that 48 per cent of trans people aged under 26 years old said that they had tried to commit suicide. Whereas 59 per cent asserted that they had at least thought of doing so. Besides the stalls and talks on offer throughout the week, a range of different activities were also organised each day, from discussion groups on sexual health issues to interactive workshops like

Sex Week Craftivism on Thursday. Speaking with The Mancunion, Rosie Dammers, Wellbeing Officer said: “Sex Week has been loads of fun. We have made felt vaginas, had students dress up in a giant penis suit and attended a sexual pleasure workshop. “We have also addressed some really important issues such as unequal access to healthcare and consent. It has been great to see so many students talking openly about sex and sexuality. “The students who have been working on this have done an amazing job, and I hope it is something that continues for years to come!”

Felt vaginas created at the Sex Week Craftivism workshop Photo: Sex Week Craftivism @ Facebook

Fuse FM hold 24-hour Islamic speaker event cancelled following “security concerns” charity broadcast Fuse FM staged a 24-hour broadcast for Action for ME a char- Thousands sign petition to prevent Islamic scholar from speaking at the University of Westminster ity which offers support for people suffering with Myalgic organisers feared Dr Al-Haddad’s presence The University of Westminster posted Anna Phillips Encephalomyelitis, or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. News Editor Kathyrn Murray News Reporter

Friday the 27th of February saw the University of Manchester’s student radio, Fuse FM, take part in a mammoth 24-hour broadcast all in the name of charity. The broadcast was a mix of interviews, music, chat, and special features in order to raise as much money as possible. The chosen charity was Action for ME, which offers support for those suffering with Myalgic Encephalomyelitis (ME) or Chronic Fatigue Syndrome. More than 250000 people suffer from this illness in the UK alone. Action for ME provides support for those affected by the syndrome whilst also campaigning for better treatment and research. Most of the Fuse FM committee members were involved in the broadcast, which included a Nevermind the Buzzcocks-style quiz, a few live music sessions, and even some hard-hitting political discussion in the later stages. The Mancunion spoke to James Nolan, Fuse FM’s Station Manager, to see how the event went. “Doing a 24-hour broadcast is

something I have wanted to do since I became Station Manager. As it was the Fundraising day of VoluntHero Week at the union, we thought there would be no better opportunity to do it whilst raising some money for charity.” When asked about his highlights, Nolan said, “I would have to say our early morning reading of random extracts of Fifty Shades of Grey would have to be a highlight.” With many participants doing at least 12-hour shifts, if not the full 24 hours, it wasn’t all plain sailing for the presenters. “The heat of the studio was a real tester of our endurance… it got pretty smelly in there.” “Our energy levels slipped significantly and fully cohesive sentences became a real struggle, but we battled through and re-energised at breakfast time when things livened up again.” But apparently it was all great fun, and a huge success. If you missed the show then watch this space—some best bits are set to be released in the near future. The event has managed to raise £305 so far with donations still being accepted on JustGiving.

The University of Westminster has postponed an event hosting British Islamic Speaker Al Sheikh Haitham AlHaddad, following concerns over security and homophobia. LGBTI students started a petition which gained over 3,000 signatures in order to stop Al-Haddad from speaking on campus, in an event called ‘Who is Muhammed?’ The university’s LGBTI society also called the speaker an “anti-gay preacher” and “homophobic”, following an article online in which he labelled homosexuality a “scourge” and a “criminal act”. National Student Pride festival was set to take place on the following day, and

The University of Westminster. Photo: David Buxton

on campus would make it difficult to create a safe space for the thousands of LGBTI students attending the festival. Eve Hartley, a spokesperson for the university’s LGBTI society said “[students] should never be met with the possibility of facing hate in the hands of our own Student’s Union.” She said: “the University should be a safespace for all and it should not be given a platform for hate of any kind- all students should be provided with a safe learning environment.” The event was scheduled to go ahead until revelations that Islamic State terrorist ‘Jihadi John’ was identified as Mohammed Emwazi, a former student at the University of Westminster.

a tweet which read: “Tonight’s Students’ Union event, ‘Who is Muhammad?’ has been postponed due to increased sensitivity and security concerns.” In a recent Facebook post, the University of Westminster’s Islamic Society (ISOC) said: “[the society] is not associated with any extremist organisations and that should be obvious and not need stating, but given the climate, it has become necessary to clarify such things in statements such as this. “We also regret the timing of this story breaking, given the media fervour around it directly led to the event scheduled for this evening, ‘Who is Muhammad’? to be postponed, with the event having been ready to go ahead.” The evidence that Islamic state extremist Mohammed Emwazi graduated at Westminster University also spawned a coalition row over limiting free speech in university campuses. The Tories’ default position is now that extremist speakers should be banned on campus, whereas the Liberal Democrats hold the position that debates should go ahead as long as they are well chaired. Debates over radicalisation and security services at university will continue up until election day, with concerns that the law risks banning “non-violent extremists” from speaking at universities, which could be a risk to freedom of speech.

06 : NEWS

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Shadow Universities Minister answers students’ questions Liam Byrne MP visited the university to discuss Labour’s tuition fees pledge and to answer students’ questions

Labour’s Liam Byrne (pictured left) held a question and answer session at the Students’ Union. Photo: @LiamByrneMP @Twitter

Liam Kelly News Reporter

Following the Labour Party’s policy announcement two weeks ago that it would commit to cutting tuition fees to £6000 per year and increase student grants by £400 per year should it form a government after the general election in May, the Shadow Minister for Universities, Science and Skills— and University of Manchester alumnus—Liam Byrne MP came to the Students’ Union on Thursday the 5th of March to answer students’ questions about the policies. Labour candidate for Manchester Withington, Jeff Smith, joined him. Byrne promised to “deliver a better deal for students in the system today,” and described his party’s policies as part of a “moral crusade” against the policies of the current government, which he claims have been “disastrous” for young people, including the now-infamous tripling of tuition fees to £9000. Byrne claims his party has learned from the example set by the Liberal Democrats, saying Labour “cannot and will not promise things [they] can’t guarantee,” with priority being given to not “doing a Nick Clegg.” Labour’s policy promises are to reduce the headline cost of tuition fees from £9000 to £6000, whilst also making more than half of undergraduates eligible for maintenance grants from September 2016. The Shadow Minister

declared that the policies would be fully funded, with the £2.7 billion shortfall covered by reducing tax relief on pension contributions for those earning more than £150000 per year, and reducing the amount of money that can be saved tax-free from £1.25 million to £1 million. The change is necessary, Byrne said, because it would cut the liability of all students to incurring debt, and is more progressive because three-quarters of graduates do not presently pay back the money borrowed at £9000. Byrne attempted to portray Labour as the guardians of education, by claiming that a return to government for David Cameron would lead to the collapse of the student finance system and the “guaranteed” hiking of tuition fees, up to £16000. Byrne described the Prime Minister’s fiscal plan to take £55 billion out of public spending by 2016/17 as “crazy,” and that students remaining as part of the net migration targets set by the government was effectively sending a “go home message” to foreign students studying in the UK. Further, Byrne said that the pledge to hold an in-out referendum on EU membership would “fundamentally jeopardise” the relationship with the EU, and the £1 billion per year research funding given to universities like the University of Manchester. There was controversy during the event when Free Education MCR campaigners interrupted the session, unfurling an anti-tuition fees banner and

accusing Labour of making only a “nominal concession” to the idea of free education by pledging to reduce fees by a third. One of the activists told the MP that the number at the front of the banner could be changed from a 9 to a 6 and that the message behind it will stay the same. Byrne described the free education movement as “inspiring,” and that he was “spiritually with” the campaigners, but emphasised the need to “live in the real world”, asserting that it is unfeasible that a government could close tax loopholes and increase corporation tax to such an extent in one parliament to raise the funds necessary to meet the demands of the free education movement. Whilst the event was primarily focused on Labour’s fees policies, there was a continual emphasis on voter registration, especially amongst young people. Byrne highlighted the fact that 95 per cent of the over55s are registered to vote in the Withington constituency, but in a constituency where one-third of those eligible to vote are students, 3000 people have fallen off the register, the majority of which live in student areas. He emphasised it is key to the integrity of the democratic process that as many students register to vote and have their voices heard on the 7th of May as possible, and that it was time for young people to “strike back.”

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â&#x20AC;&#x153;Here at the Studentsâ&#x20AC;&#x2122; Union, everything we do is for students, by students. Ever been to Pangaea? Joined a society? Needed advice on an academic, financial or wellbeing issue? Or simply eaten a delicious burger down in our bar? All of these amazing facilities and events are provided with the direction of our elected Exec Team. Vote to decide who wins!

manchesterstudentsunion.com/elections

08 : Features

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

2015 Union Elections: The Candidates

Charlie Spargo Deputy Editor-in-chief Jenny Sterne, Marcus Johns News Editors

General Secretary Naa Acquah

1. Future of Union Expansion: making sure students are behind every single decision. 2. Introduce Gen Sec Surgeries: a monthly meeting in different parts of campus to talk to me about any issues students have. 3. Co-ordinate a ‘Check your finances’ campaign: budget workshops, a part-time job assessment centre, and more bursaries for postgrads to cover living expenses. 4. Student safety workshops: run more self-defence classes, every student given an attack alarm and warn students not to rent houses without key safety features. 5. Make your extracurricular activities available on your transcript.

Campaigns Activities and Development and Citizenship Officer Officer

Naomi Wilkins Ramin Taghizada

“you will never walk alone (Liverpool)”

Joe Baines-Holmes 1. Promote the effective running of the Exec Team to ensure that we have the best possible engagement with students. 2. Improve and foster the campaigns for the liberation of BME, disabled, LGBT+, and women students. 3. Campaign and educate for the need for free and accessible education for all students. 4. Support and improve funding for student societies. 5. Ensure students have a democratic role in their courses, university and union.

Joel Smith 1. Student involvement in the Union extension, ensuring that it becomes the campus ‘living room’. 2. Ensuring Pangaea becomes more student-led and represents all students and that each event is totally unique 3. New Union website and app with focus on creating a platform for societies and students that is unparalled 4. More events in the Union, continuing pushing external promoters and a graduation ball 5. Points-based Welcome Week to give more flexibility for people to go on day trips and other non-alcoholic activities and make friends from day one

Tim Bradford Peter Rwatschew “Vote for Tim, vote for good enough.”

1. Ensure that the planned building work to the SU has a minimal impact on how it is used and the future Pangaea festivals. 2. Pursue a greater SU presence in Fallowfield. 3. Diversify the entertainment at Pangaea. 4. Create a platform for societies to advertise themselves to prospectus students. 5. Develop a centralised calender for societies, which would be available through MyManchester.

Joseph “Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs” Clough

Astrid Kitchen

1. Fight my number 1 priority: Save the Veggie Café. 2. Union to have a pro-egg policy. Every student gets a free chocolate egg on their birthday. 3. Lobby Morrison’s to start selling Irn Bru again. 4. Lobby bus companies to be free between at least the city centre and Fallowfield. 5. Continue the fight for student-only ambulance services and astroturfs for all halls.

“Especially in light of the increase in fees, getting the most out of university is more important than ever.”

Tessy Maritim 1. Engage everyone through increasing our visibility across campus and creating a better understanding of the Union’s political role. 2. Challenge curriculum through lobbying t h e university to review course curriculum’s and allow students to have influence over what and how we learn. 3. STOP STUDENT SUFFERING through ensuring students are aware of available funds and addressing student poverty remains a priority of the university. 4. SECURING SPACE for students to be able to book rooms independently of societies and amenities such as prayer and meditation rooms exist within the Union and wider campus.

Ellen ‘Mighty’ McLaughlin 1. Affordable accommodation. 2. A robust and fair room booking system for societies in the Students’ Union. 3. ‘Love to lobby’ 4. Protection of bursaries and a more accessible hardship fund. 5. Budgeting advice and guidance

Joseph “Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs” Clough 1. Fight my number 1 priority: Save the Veggie Café. 2. Union to have a pro-egg policy. Every student gets a free chocolate egg on their birthday. 3. Lobby Morrison’s to start selling Irn Bru again. 4. Lobby bus companies to be free between at least the city centre and Fallowfield. 5. Continue the fight for student-only ambulance services and astroturfs for all halls.

1. Free Education—no cuts to bursaries or course closures, more support for international students, an end to the marketisation of education. No fees, no cuts, no debt. 2. Fossil Free—redirect university investment from fossil fuels to renewables for the sake of our futures, and more ethical employers at careers events. 3. Safer cycling—more segregated cycle paths so student can travel safer, healthier and cheaper. 4. Campaign networking—events for student campaigners to network with successful campaigns in other universities. 5. New campaigns, new campaigners—make student campaigns approachable to all, with better publicity around campus—campaigning is for everyone!

Hannah ‘Han Solo’ McCarthy

1. Fighting cuts to bursaries and fighting for a Living Wage across campus and Greater Manchester! 2. Creating a network to fight for International students! Oppose the anti-immigration rhetoric that dominates society, as well as against PREVENT, uncapped International Fees, current Student Visa Policy and Non-EU NHS Fees! 3. Hold a Campaigning and Volunteering Festival, get Skills For Change onto the curriculum, and create a new Campaigning and Volunteering MyManchester Portal! 4. Working with the Community Officer to create a campaign across Greater Manchester to fight against students being charged rip-off rents! 5. Making the role of Campaigning more visible: ‘Wake Up Manchester Uni’ events, promote campaigning with Street Art and an Open Mic Night!

Joseph ‘Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs’ Clough

Russell Devine 1. Promoting the ‘Manchester as Home’ idea. 2. Encouraging engagement within Greater Manchester. 3. Creating community safety and harmony through student dialogue. 4. Helping you find a decent landlord 5. Making sure every student, including those in halls, have a say in community matters

Jazz Le Goff

1. Maintain Home Sweet Home campaign and try for houses to only be released after January exams. 2. Working closely with other execs to ensure students feel safe. Workshops and awareness of assault and crimes for both students and residents. 3. Add victim support for those who have been burgled. Counselling, signposting and insurance advice. 4. Enable more local voluntary work/experience, work with local businesses/charities to ensure our students receive better opportunities. 5. Make the SU more approachable and explain its roles. More opportunity to meet the execs and encourage communication so that student ideas are considered and acted on.

Harriet ‘Ha Pee’ Pugh 1. Campaigning and liberation outreach with local schools, colleges and youth centres to foster a positive campaigning community. 2. More creative community events with local organisations and campaigning collectives. 3. More prayer space on campus and in the Students’ Union. 4. Support Women’s campaign, to improve policing strategy by tackling ongoing victim-blaming and ensuring our streets are safe for students. 5. Further our Union’s policy to oppose PREVENT by ensuring that our students are not criminalised for their religious or political expression.

Ed Sherriff 1. Pressurising police to increase patrols in student populated areas to reduce ridiculously high rape rates. 2. Promoting non-oxford road cycle routes for those that are worried about accidents. 3. Making it easier to report dodgy landlords so that they can’t keep providing a poor service. 4. Exec position wide drop in sessions for any issue that you feel needs dealing with. 5. Free workshops on how to find a good house for people (particularly 1st years) who are unsure of the process.

Javairia A. Bilal 1. Be a lynchpin between students and Executive Office. 2. Working for a fair, impartial, and easily acces-

sible education. 3. Increasing integration of international students to avoid marginalisation. 4. Make Students aware of Global Issues that we need to tackle in 21st century.

Community Officer Joseph Clough 1. Fight my number 1 priority: Save the Veggie Café. 2. Union to have a pro-egg policy. Every student gets a free chocolate egg on their birthday. 3. Lobby Morrison’s to start selling Irn Bru again. 4. Lobby bus companies to be free between at least the city centre and Fallowfield. 5. Continue the fight for student-only ambulance services and astroturfs for all halls.

Diversity Officer NMB

Natasha Maria Brooks

1. I would lobby the university to ensure that every student that enrols at The University of Manchester, begins their journey here feeling included. 2. It’s important that we work together to celebrate our diversity. 3. One of the primary collaborative tasks of the diversity forum would be to create ‘Diversity Diary’, a monthly publication. 4. Campaigning will be fundamental within the role for Diversity Officer. 5. I would ensure that workshops and other events were held at appropriate times and published online to ensure they were accessible for all.

Claudia Carvell

1. Campaigning for recognition and respect for non-binary and trans* identities, including more gender-neutral toilets. 2. Maintaining and creating specific safe spaces/discussion rooms/drop-in advice sessions for minority groups. 3. Working with the university’s Equality and Diversity Department to ensure events across the year cater to the requests of students, are inclusive and accessible, and aim to create a unified student body. 4. Providing better support for new, international, and mature students, especially with regards to extra-curricular issues, such as setting up an English bank account, finding accommodation, sorting phone contracts and finding/accessing local services. 5. Working with the careers service to ensure they can provide specific advice, information and support regarding a more diverse range of careers.

Features : 09

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

General

Joseph Clough 1. Fight my number 1 priority: Save the Veggie Café. 2. Union to have a pro-egg policy. Every student gets a free chocolate egg on their birthday. 3. Lobby Morrison’s to start selling Irn Bru again. 4. Lobby bus companies to be free between at least the city centre and Fallowfield. 5. Continue the fight for student-only ambulance services and astroturfs for all halls.

Tanisha ‘Sharkisha’ Douglas 1. Diversity training for staff and students. 2. Regular liaison with all liberation reps to ensure they are supported and needs are met. 3. Let’s Fete! Black History Month, LGBTQ+ History Month and Inter-Faith Month. 4. Work with other exec to address concerns identified in student officer role i.e. BME attainment gap and mental health. 5. Maintain community and inter-university connections

Education Officer

1. Raising awareness and celebrating diversity 2. Networking for postgraduates within the Students’ Union 3. Maximize the Manchester experience for International students 4. Building on diversity campaigns

1. Expand work on Free Education 2. Stand up for International Students 3. Liberate our curriculum 4. Close the BME gap 5. Empower reps to hold their department to account

Jordan Paterson Nadir Mohammad

1. Increase student activities for disabled students. 2. Ensure the SU acts as a voice for those disabled students who require extra support from the university in their studies. 3. Organise events that will promote cultural diversity and interfaith/no-faith harmony on campus. 4. To make sure that the voices of each and every minority group is heard and work towards achieving their goals. 5. Dedicated campaigns in the calendar to celebrate cultural diversity,

1. To take decisive but fair action regarding academic issues that students report. 2. To research what academic issues are relevant to students and to reach solutions. 3. Accurately and fairly report student opinions on academic issues. 4. Reinforce the importance of student and faculty representation 5. Create a network for representatives to discuss academic issues, share ideas and support each other

Joseph Clough

General

Hasan Mumtaz 1. Ensuring every student have equal access to the placements 2. Extra effort to provide disabled friendly accommodation for disabled students. 3. Organising cultural events in periodic intervals in order to ensure healthy interactions by promoting diverse cultures. 4. Developing systems for reporting any incidents of discrimination among students. 5. Organising free UK tours for international students to get an insight of British cultures.

HanSong Pang

1. Reverse cuts to bursaries at Manchester. 2. More study space and facilities. 3. Campaign against PREVENT 4. Campaign for the introduction of living grants. 5. Ending additional course costs.

Shourya Khanna

Wellbeing Officer

1. Create more learning spaces resembling Alan Gilbert Learning Commons 2. Encourage students to have a positive attitude. 3. Encourage students to have mentors. 4. Make student counselling more interactive and enjoyable. 5. Organize more social gatherings for students to connect more.

Bis Choudhury 1. Work towards safety and security of our students and call for an enhanced University security policy. 2. Better quality of services provided in student halls.Value for money. Better wellbeing activities within Halls 3. Better food in campus cafeterias that is healthy,tasty and cheap. 4. Better advice and counselling services to provide support for financial,housing and well being issues. 5. Promote a homely atmosphere within the Union and the University to encourage more student participation.

Joseph ‘Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs Eggs’ Clough 1. Fight my number 1 priority: Save the Veggie Café. 2. Union to have a pro-egg policy. Every student gets a free chocolate egg on their birthday. 3. Lobby Morrison’s to start selling Irn Bru again. 4. Lobby bus companies to be free between at least the city centre and Fallowfield. 5. Continue the fight for student-only ambulance services and astroturfs for all halls.

Becky Fox 1. STUDENT SAFETY AT NIGHT! Volunteers to walk people home, attack alarms, police presence. 2. IMPROVE COUNSELLING SERVICE! Shorter waiting times, more staff training. 3. SMASH THE STIGMA AROUND MENTAL HEALTH! Time to talk, advertise support, buddy system. 4. SEXUAL HEALTH DROP-IN CLINIC! Free condoms, STD testing, femidoms, dental dams the lot! 5. INCREDIBLE WELLBEING ROOMS! Relaxing, inviting, comfortable, with tea/coffee making facilities

Abhay Sikri

Women’s Officer Jennifer Jones 1. Free sanitary products for all female students in campus toilets—condoms are free, tampons should be! 2. Sex support groups for pregnancy, contraceptive and peer pressure worries. 3. Support for student mothers, particularly mature students returning to education. 4. Further emphasise the ‘We Get It!’ pledge and take a stand against sexual harassment. 5. Lead campaign against government tax on sanitary products as ‘non-essential luxuries’. Periods are essential, drop the tax!

Jess Lishak 1. A subsidised student shuttle bus throughout the night taking people from campus to their doors cheaply. 2. Promoting zero tolerance to sexual harassment in our local bars and clubs. 3. Fighting the cuts to women’s services (domestic and sexual violence services) and raising money through more productions of The Vagina Monologues. 4. Continue to make Manchester the home of the biggest (and best) Reclaim the Night march in the country and lobby the university for better support services for students who have experienced sexual violence 5. Holding events to amplify women’s voices in arenas where we are underrepresented, with speaker events for careers and social nights with women performers (DJs, comedians, musicians, poets).

Lucy Hallam

“I have always been a good listener and presenter.”

1. Raising awareness of the support systems available and ensuring easy access. 2. Identifying areas where support is lacking, and improving or creating new initiatives where needed. 3. Improving student safety. 4. Cheaper food on campus and more healthy options. 5. Free exercise classes and cheaper gym memberships.

“Employing best staffs is what I committed.”

Andrew Robinson

Votes may be cast until the 12th of March. Go to MyManchester and click ‘Vote Now’. More information about candidates, along with full manifestos, and their answers to questions, can be found on the University of Manchester Students’ Union website.

Hannah Jewell 1. Create a Wellbeing Forum to strengthen links between wellbeing services and students. 2. Fight cuts to bursaries and disabled student allowances. 3. Improve the counselling services by making it more accessible and shortening waiting times. 4. Introduce a second Global Week to welcome international students. 5. Bring in reimbursement for Doctor’s notes costs for mitigating circumstances across all Schools.

Sid Kanojia

1. Setting up an active placement cell emphazing more on International Students. 2. An effort to subsidise the fees of every course. 3. Promoting the practical approaches to courses rather than theoretical approach. 4. Promoting well-equipped accommodation for students. 5. Promoting providing the digitization of courses including Podcasts of every lecture.

Ilyas Nagdee Jenny Edem-Hotah

Michael Spence

1. I aim to reduce the amount of mistakes in examination questions. 2. I aim to make poor invigilator conduct, such as invigilators not following University exam regulations, a thing of the past. 3. I aim to improve coursework feedback; ending the practice of it being copied and pasted between students. 4. I aim to ensure that Personal Tutors are able to provide better support on issues relating to student welfare. 5. To actively campaign against government policy regarding University tuition fees.

Chris Humba

Ellis Quinn 1. RECLAIM OUR AREA—Improve safety within the Fallowfield area. 2. MEN MATTER TOO—Introduce events and campaigns that are entirely inclusive and give everyone a platform to speak out against gender inequality. 3. EMPOWERING THE NEXT GENERATION—Develop gender equality workshops in schools and community groups to create a real social change. 4. SUPPORT OUR WOMEN—Campaign and fundraise for vital local women’s charities which are being adversly affected by the cuts.

1. Fight to maintain support for disabled students. 2. Work to shorten and improve the communication between the student support services. 3. Will organise a dry bar night event for students who don’t drink but would still like to socialise. 4. Set up a free shuttle service for students on a night out to get back safely. 5. Set up an anonymous reporting service for students to be able to report any hate crime incidents.

NB: Candidates are ordered in their respective sections by the randomised order on the University of Manchester Students’ Union website. Colours were chosen in keeping with the design of the page and candidates had no say in the choice. Candidates’ names and photos were those available on the Students’ Union website at the time. Other photos were not accepted. The Union asked all candidates for five main aims which are listed on the Students’ Union website and used here. For those who did not submit this, the first five points from their manifestos were picked; and for those candidates without a manifesto, their campaign slogans were printed instead.

Opinion

Editors’ Foreword Marcus Johns Morris Seifert

This week at opinion we are seem to all be a little stirred up by recent events. Are people with easily avoidable afflictions wasting the time of the NHS? Is the principle of free speech just a comforting phrase in the West? Are we to blame for the radicalisation of our own citizens? Is our obsession with watching flouding celebrities getting out of hand? Read on for answers to all of these questions and more. Let us know your reactions, opinions, criticisms and your heart’s desires by tweeting us at: @MancunionOp. Or, if you would like to contribute tweet us or like our page on Facebook at facebook.com/MancunionOp

Sluts, bitches, and the LGBT+ Community Marcus Johns Opinion Editor If you’ve ever taken the time out of your week to watch RuPaul’s Drag Race (you should), been to Canal Street, or spent time with the LGBT+ community, then you will have noticed the issue of the gendered slur. In our modern society, gendered slurs have completely lost all form of acceptability they once had. A slur has never been acceptable but gendered slurs have been tolerated more than others for a long time. We luckily live in a world where there is a marked decrease in the use of these terms because of their use to marginalise women. Unfortunately, something odd seems to have happened in the LGBT+ community. In the LGBT+ community, gendered slurs seem to have lost their gender. It’s common to hear self-identifying men calling each other bitches, sluts, and whores within the community—it’s not even strange to hear a man calling another man ‘butch’ derogatively. Some may say that the loss of gender in these slurs is a good thing and it’s perfectly fine to have slurs that can apply to everyone and, indeed, men can be slutty bitchy whores. It’s quite rare though that you would hear a member of the LGBT+ community calling a straight man— other than a very close friend—a gendered slur. Perhaps it’s because of the potential to get a punch from an emasculated man. Yet you would hear it being used against a woman. Herein lies the major issue of degendered slurs in the LGBT+ community—they may seem progressive and perhaps they are—but the issue is that they’re not degendered outside of the LGBT+ community. Calling a man a bitch is emasculating because he is inferring from the slur that he is being called a woman too. Calling a woman a slut is offensive because it supposes that a woman’s sexual promiscuity is somehow worse than that of a man—so much so that it does in fact deserve a separate word. It’s not a problem with a close or an ideal solution, in fact it’s more of a question: Is the use of degendered slurs in the LGBT+ community marginalising to women? I would say that it probably still is marginalising, merely because of the fact that outside the LGBT+ world, the words carry marginalising weight. But then I ask myself where does progress start? I suspect that the innate ability of LGBT+ people to avoid calling straight cis-men whores and sluts should also be innately extended to doing so with straight cis-women. Yet, LGBT+ people often do call women sluts and dykes and I think this evidences the fact that we’re subconsciously still aware of the gendered nature of these slurs, and it is only within LGBT+ safe spaces that they have lost that.

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

@MancunionOp

Don’t be selfish, take responsibility

‘Selfish’ diseases inherent in our floundering NHS are corrupting and damaging our national lifeline. Tom McEvilly Contributor The NHS is the largest and the oldest single-payer healthcare system in the world; it provides free healthcare on an unprecedented scale, and has become the fifth largest employer in the world. It is in my opinion the best asset this country has to offer, and I myself have experienced its benefits during a life saving operation. This is why I fear if we continue to take for granted its services, its existence will inevitably succumb to bankruptcy. The reality is that a healthcare service designed for 1940’s Britain cannot cope with the demands of a modern society. The population is growing, and so is the average life expectancy, if the NHS is going to survive, it’s time for society to stop taking advantage of the healthcare system, and accept responsibility for their own health. The recent Channel 4 documentary “NHS: 2 Billion A Week and Counting” has shone an important light on the tough decisions made by those in charge of resource allocation, as a result of a limited budget those who need treatment aren’t always getting it. Which then raises the question, why is it that after £108.9bn was spent on healthcare last year, those suffering from unavoidable and terminal illnesses are still not getting the treatment they deserve? For me the answer lies in the pressure placed on the budget to treat easily avoidable illness such as obesity and smoke-related diseases. Last year more than £50 million a week was spent treating diseases caused by smoking, and since 1996 there has been a £360 million increase in costs to the NHS.

This figure is unacceptable considering that we now know the harmful affects smoking has on our health. Moreover, I cannot comprehend how in a modern Britain, with all the education we have on how to live and eat healthily, that in the past 25 years the number of obese people in the UK has doubled. Now 26 per cent of all adults are obese, with a similar statistic seen amongst children, costing the tax payer £46 billion a year, nearly half of the NHS budget. It shouldn’t be the NHS’s priority to treat illnesses people know are likely to occur as a result of their reckless lifestyle choices. It’s time people take account of their own health, and no longer rely on tax payers’ money. If people knew they had to pay for healthcare I’m sure they would think twice about eating the last donut in the box or buying another packet of cigarettes. In the last 6 years there has been a 530

per cent increase in gastric band surgery, costing the NHS £85 million a year, the same amount it would cost for 49,000 births on a labour ward. 1/3 of those who has gastric band surgery returned to being obese once the band was removed, which only goes to demonstrate this complete waste of resource allocation. What’s concerning is that society has developed an attitude in which their lifestyle choices become someone else’s problem, and in doing so it has enabled people to live a reckless lifestyle without thinking of the consequences. These people are in a position to do something about their own health without medical intervention, a position many people lying in hospitals beds would envy. Dementia is an unavoidable illness and responsible for 1 in 9 deaths; it’s a disease which has doubled in the last 10 years, and will inevitably double again with the

The Manchester Children’s Hospital at the Manchester Joint Hospitals

ageing population. The funding for an ‘Admiral’ nurse to help at home with those suffering from dementia for one family would cost the NHS less than £500 a year, yet is not something available for all the 850000 people suffering from the disease. I understand and do believe that people should lead an autonomous life, but when it comes to impacting the operations of the NHS, this should be restricted. It’s time people stop being selfish and realise that although you pay your taxes, it does not entitle you to take advantage of a heath care system which could do so good for so many people who had no contribution to their own illnesses and are undoubtedly in a worse position then being obese. When speaking to my grandparents, two people who lived without a national healthcare service up until they were 30, it’s clear how much we take for granted. Paying for a doctor was not an option for many families, and basic care came at a cost, leading to many people having to devise ineffective ‘home remedies’ to compensate. My Nan had three children at home and the labor was performed by the other woman in the family–the presence of a doctor was only required for emergencies and even that came at a cost. Fortunately this is no longer the case and our NHS is an object of admiration and envy around the world; it’s what allows us to call ourselves a civilized nation. But I fear in less than 100 years of its lifespan, a national health service will be something of the past and if this is so, the responsibility lies with those who have been selfish enough to unnecessarily drain precious NHS recourses.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Freedom of speech: a principle abused

Freedom of speech is fundamental to the legitimacy of a liberal democracy, yet the principle is often abused while its western definition creates flagrant double standards Gabe Evans Cayley Contributor The recent invitation extended to British Islamist scholar Haitham Al-Haddad to speak at the University of Westminster was met with fierce resistance, due to his controversial views on sexuality. Scheduled for the day before the 10th National Student Pride event, the LGBT society launched a petition to prevent the talk from taking place, attracting more than 3000 signatures, myself included. Hate preacher Haitham Al-Haddad

Photo: The Mancunion

The principle of freedom of speech has come under much popular scrutiny in recent months, amidst the horrors of Charlie Hebdo and the release of The Interview. The issue is highly complex, entangled with cultural clashes and misunderstanding, yet across the global religious and socio-political spectrum there is undoubtedly a time, place, and limit to the expression of views which advocate inequality. Be it a western secular disregard for religious sanctity or an Islamist advancement of homophobia, the particular platforms granted to such beliefs often work to institutionalise and legitimise, rather than challenge. Of course, drawing boundaries for what constitutes appropriate expressions of opinion is not easy and many argue, in the name of liberal democracy, that any restriction is simply a pathway to autocracy. Yet how free are we in these liberal democracies we supposedly inhabit? What the media, government and public authorities feed us is thoroughly censored, shielding us from past and present ter-

rors committed by the ‘libertarian’ west, while subtly endorsing the continuation of archaic colonist ideology, which paints the Middle East as ‘barbaric’ and the EuroAmerican world as ‘civilised’. While I thoroughly agree that Haitham Al-Haddad should not have been allowed to speak a day before an anniversary celebration of LGBT+ rights—his well-known views on homosexuality and Female Genital Mutilation, despite his argument that such topics would not be featured in his talk titled Who is Mohammed?, remain sweepingly inappropriate at such a time—prolific Christians who share similar beliefs have not faced the same sort of repudiation. The media’s attention to this distinctly Islamist instance of what some might term as hate speech, helps pit a supposedly ‘egalitarian’ West against a ‘repressive’ East. Furthermore, the decision to cancel the talk was made amidst the revelation that Mohammed Emwazi, crudely nicknamed ‘Jihadi John’, was a former student of the university. The media has attacked the institution for playing a role in Emwazi’s radicalisation, another example of its insistent focus on the immediate, pressurising the university to suspend events of a ‘sensitive’ nature. While sensitivity is of course necessary in such a situation, the decision should have been based on the LGBT campaign, not an over-exaggerated association of extremism to the university. Western popular society continually fails to historicise the conflict between the West and the Middle East, neglecting Eurocentric hypocrisy and the long-standing reasons why religious and political terrorism have become so prevalent. To claim that Al-Haddad had a right to talk on the eve of National Pride, but not in the face of extremism, sets another double standard. Our modern criterion for humanitarianism arose out of the devastation of the World Wars. It was the West, however, that dictated the nature, establishment and spread of ‘global’ human rights, while simultaneously continuing brutal imperial ventures. It has thus become easy for us

as a society to criticise diverse cultures whose practices are more overtly oppressive. Yet these humanitarian ideals, which can be interpreted as a facet of western hegemony, help to deny extremist groups the very freedom of speech we claim to uphold. Many of the countries from which radical sympathies derive have been subject to decades of oppression and subjugation from western powers. I do not mean to condone terrorism in any way, but until the grievances of such groups and individuals are understood as politically legitimate, I don’t believe anything can truly be done to sedate let alone resolve the situation. Although this may seem like an antiwestern diatribe, I of course do not wish to give up the freedoms I am granted here or suggest that political hypocrisy does not rule in almost every country the world over. To live in a society where there is

at least the possibility—although clearly opportunity and capacity are vastly different for different people—to feel able, active, and involved in the development of what I see as basic human realities and rights, such as those of LGBT+s, is crucial. This is why I signed the petition. Yet, for many this is an entirely alien outlook and we cannot just ignore these disparities. The freedom of speech is fundamental, but sensitivity to situation and other’s freedoms is too. The principle should not be abused. On top of this, if the West is to preach such freedoms, then its own bias has to end. I find it hard to envision Barack Obama laughing along to an internationally acclaimed North Korean film that ridiculed his existence and glorified his assassination, tickled by his commitment to the freedom of speech.

The University of Wesminster, where Haitham Al-Haddad was invited to speak.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Next week is our last print edition of the year. If you’ve been putting it off, then now is definitely the time to come forward!

Opinion

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

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Pulled by the East or pushed by the West? How far is the West to blame for the radicalisation of citizens such as ‘Jihadi John’? Lauren Wills Contributor We all agree that terrorism is wrong, but few question the causes of terrorism and whether external factors are to blame. If the ‘world is our oyster’ here in the UK, why is it that British citizens are turning to extremism to find purpose and fulfilment? The UK has a counter-terrorism strategy– CONTEST–and part of this is the ‘Prevent’ strand. This involves trying to stop individuals from becoming terrorists or supporting violent extremism. Considering that it’s estimated that IS gained around 6000 new recruits since the US and UK began drone strikes in Iraq and Syria, it’s evident that there are faults in our strategy. Mohammed Emwazi, or as the media have titled him, “Jihadi John,” is the Kuwaiti-born Briton believed to have taken part in the brutal murders of hostages by IS. He was actually educated at the Quintin Kynaston Community Academy in North London, and then furthered his studies, graduating from the University of Westminster in 2009 with a degree in computing. The school stated that Emwazi was “never suspected of being radicalised at school”. Most people believe in teaching their children and those they have influence over about the rights and wrongs of society from a young age. Whilst giving children freedom to explore their opinions and determine as young adults what they think about the world, parents and teachers should be educating their children about real issues. Emwazi’s parents said they had no knowledge of their son’s radicalisation and last heard from him in September 2013 when he said he was partaking in humanitarian work in Syria. By no means am I saying they’re to blame, as I recognise that young people are influenced by their environment, but generally I think those recognising they have role model status in a young person’s life–whether that be a parent, a teacher, a friend or social worker– should make an effort to contribute to their Very recently the nation witnessed an accident. The rise in injury lawyers has made suffering an accident like the one I’m talking about a hugely profitable business. With that in mind, the 56-year-old victim must have been delighted by the 4.6 million witnesses. The payout for falling backwards down three steps would no doubt cover a trip to the Balearic Islands, or a nice new car. The problem, however, is that the victim, as we all know already, is Madonna, and she is very, very famous. You see, when a normal woman in her mid50s falls over in the street, people help her up, in my experience. In the case of Madonna’s dive though, the overwhelming response of the country, myself admittedly included, was to howl with laughter. We condone our laughter with the knowledge that her famous bones, cast in gold, cannot break and her private medical care will cover the cost of any injury. It doesn’t matter that it’s an actual woman on the stage, because as far as we are concerned, it may as well have not even been a real human. What her fall evidenced to me, after I had composed myself, was that we love a celebrity to fall from grace so much that it overrides any sense of human decency. This says a lot more about us than the famous. We want our celebrities to fulfil two incompatible roles in our lives; we apparently want role models who never break character, but also dehumanised actors in a 24/7 human zoo. So if any A to C listers happen to pick up this edition, something like that would be perfect. A perfect example of this can be seen in this week’s edition, or any edition, of The Daily Mail. The headline, ‘David Walliams looks forlorn as he is pictured for the first time leaving his London home following ‘split from model wife Lara Stone’’, personifies all that I have just said. Ramming a camera into the face of a recently estranged man is absolutely fine; it’s all just good entertainment. My flippant use of ‘man’ there illustrates my point. David Walliams is not a man as far as we

Photo: Karl-Ludwig Poggemann @ Flickr

development. I remember as a young girl in 2001 watching the collapse of the World Trade Center in New York, and being completely astounded as to who would do such a thing and why. Terrorism and its causes had never crossed my mind. I’m not suggesting that parents should give their children nightmares about IS beheading innocent people, but giving information on such atrocities would surely play a part in discouraging radicalisation. I don’t know how someone with an aspiration to engage in horrific acts of terrorism can conceal such a desire to the point that noone suspects radicalisation. I do not believe that his particular place of education is solely responsible for Emwazi’s choice to promote violent extremism, but education generally and the lack of personal and one-to-one development with staff and students surely plays a part when such decisions

The causes of radicalisation are becoming out of Western society for minorities. Emwazi increasingly difficult to pin point claims to have been ‘harassed’ by security services in the UK (as he has been on their watchlist for some time, apparently) and if this is a contributing factor then as The Guardian reports, the agency must answer some ‘serious questions.’ One of the statements made by an IS terrorist last year said that the group “love death more than life”. This is contrary to everything the West apparently stands for. Britain, home to one of the most long-standing democracies in the world and somewhere which actively promotes equality and human rights, is also somewhere which has allowed intelligent young people with promising futures to join a perfectionist group which hates everything about the West. Many will say this is brainwashing and denotes problems with Islam in general. IS do not represent Islam, and I dismay when people make these uninformed and offensive arguments against the whole faith. Of course, what terrorists think they are doing is the will of Allah, but most would argue that true religion is never about violence; therefore, criticising Muslims for the acts of one group is just like criticising all Christians because of the one extremist who massacred 91 people in Norway in 2011 (which most would find absurd). What astounds me is how someone described go unnoticed. Individual, as well as collective, a relatively hard-working individual, who was development in education should thus be intelligent enough to gain a degree, has ended up encouraged by the government. being recruited by a terrorist group. The media Terrorist communication and advancements hammers down our throats that terrorism is of networks is a consequence of the increasing wrong and that terrorism is a real threat to UK growth of the virtual world, and despite liberty citizens, but if we really want to see change, we advocates claiming there’s a ‘security state’ should question whether our culture encourages being created, this is an important window of radicalisation. opportunity that has opened up for terrorist In conclusion, I don’t know what went on in groups to interconnect globally. A virtual world this man’s mind, but as well as condemning his where like-minded people can be influenced into actions, we should also look at the causes, and thinking terrorism gives their life a true purpose ensure that people are well-educated on the is something the government should actively issues surrounding terrorism; that efforts are discourage through highlighting the endless made to include and help to integrate suppressed positive and fulfilling opportunities individuals minorities in society; and that our government can do to contribute to society. and security services doesn’t operate in a way It’s worrying that British citizens see the ‘pull which acts as a ‘push factor’ for those most prone factor’ in groups such as IS, but equally it’s of to radicalisation. paramount importance to consider ‘push factors’

The harder they fall Oh, how the mighty have fallen

Photo: Robson Silva @ Flickr

Joe Evans Contributor care, he is a specimen to be investigated. If we recognized him as a human being we wouldn’t need to be told that he ‘looks forlorn’. Of course he does. He might well be heartbroken. It’s as if the nation needs reminding that he is sad because they’re waiting for him to deliver a classic catchphrase. It is easy to attribute this to The Daily Mail in isolation. It is true that it is a newspaper that thrives on the dehumanisation of the famous. However, it also sells in its millions and that is because the Great British public can overlook their morals in favour of catharsis like this. The truth is that the bigger they come, the harder they fall, and we just love tuning in to watch. Catharsis is exactly what it seems to be. It is as if

we have been sold a lifestyle we can’t be a part of. Excluded from the realm of the rich and famous we sit back comfortable and wait. We bide our time. Then, when they make a mistake, we pounce, pursue, and dissect every square inch of their lives. We’ve had to invent new platforms to fulfil our ravenous appetite for embarrassment and weakness. Britain’s Got Talent, The X Factor, in fact all ‘get famous quick’ programmes, are a conveyer belt of faceless people to shred to pieces. We now devour celebrities so quickly that we have turned inwards, to the non-famous seeking entry to the club, in order to boost our supplies of subjects. We reel out the bewildered, and we don’t need to know their backstory, just

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like we don’t need David Walliams’. Perhaps the bigger they come, the harder they fall just isn’t true. If they are big names that we are exploiting, that is all the better, but if not then everybody is becoming fair game. Perhaps one aspect of solace for those that we ridicule however is that we have a two minute memory. Like a goldfish eternally surprised by its fishbowl, we lap up public humiliation and spit it out before moving onto the next unsuspecting victim. What one day is a front-page scandal is, in truth, lining litter trays the next. Remember when Prince Harry dressed as a Nazi, or Sir David Attenborough called the Queen a fascist tax dodger? Me neither. The first is long forgotten and the second never happened. The difficulty distinguishing between what is a scandal of national importance one day and what is fictitious nonsense illustrates the danger of investing in scandal. Similarly what at one point was an issue billed to destabilise the monarchy’s public approval, is confined to being a dinner party reference nobody remembers or laughs at. It works both ways. Michael Sheen is currently being lauded for a viral video depicting his impassioned speech on the NHS. For a week he will be a hero of the left. After that, unless he cultivates this moment, he will once again be an actor like any other. Whether it is positive or negative press, our obsession with celebrities runs deep within us, but is wholly superficial. It is like the fast food of entertainment. Quick, disposable, and deeply damaging to both us and them. Us and Them is a binary that serves to dehumanise people who are in fact pursued non-stop and to exhaustive lengths in order to fulfil our demand for stories. The effect on us is to forget both ourselves and our morals more and more. We like to think we are all just indulging ourselves a bit. That sound benign. A glance to the internet following Madonna’s fall, a look at the vitriolic laughter, however, says different.

Music

Interview

Opinion

the

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Patrick Hinton, Lowell Clarke Samuel Ward, Dan Whiteley

OPINION

Photo: Paul Hudson@flickr

Baroque-ing All Over The World? Why Challenging The Tonal Status Quo Is Just What We Need Stephen Miller You may not have a particular interest in the standardised tonal system of the European tradition of classical music since the 16th century and, of course, I wouldn’t blame you. Even reading that sentence back lulled me into a state of drowsiness. But, it is the system which we have all grown up with and abided by, perhaps without even realising. Tonality, in a nutshell, is the arrangement of pitches and chords that give us a perceived stability and familiarity when we hear the music we love. Something else you may or may not realise is this European ‘Western’ tonal system has made our music rather restrictive. You may argue that genres such as jazz are a lot more ambiguous and free-spirited with regards to harmony and melody, but even then they are still restricted by the limitations of a tonal system with little or no room for manoeuvre. We are not alone as Chinese music, for example, has its own tonal system, as does Indian, and many others, each of which provides us with alternative perspectives to our own embedded European thinking with regards to how harmonies and melodies are structured. Then, of course, you have the issue of how music around the world is notated. To go into detail of the inner workings of foreign notation and musical documentation practices would be foolish, because there is just too much to cover. Notation systems are all well and good as prescriptive mediums through which

one could replicate a song in performance, but the issue lies with what mere dots, lines and squiggles on a page can’t tell you. They can’t tell you the context in which the performance was given, and they can’t tell you how the performance was presented. Notation transcriptions can’t tell you the quality of the tone i.e. how the sound itself is produced, so you don’t really get a great indication of what sound is actually present. Also, there may be tones that are unregistered in our European system from elsewhere in the world, such as China and India, that would make this system unfit for that particular purpose. Wouldn’t it be nice if there was a new, universally-accepted system through which every known musical tone in existence was easily-registered and could easily be notated? A system where musical aspects such as timbre could in some way be written down exactly as it was performed? It is an idea that I am aware is incredibly flawed, but, just imagine. The creative possibilities would literally be endless. For this to happen, though, there would ideally need to be an instrument, or two, or even several that are capable of dealing with such ambiguities. Could it be possible? It’s all hypothetical and highly unlikely, but rules are meant to be challenged, if not broken altogether. The rules of music are no exception, even if they are rules in which we have abided by with seemingly no issues whatsoever for over 400 years.

the

Public Service MUSIC INTERVIEW Broadcasting

Will Ellis delves into the world of vintage samples and innovative live shows Public Service Broadcasting, a duo who has rejected conventional band techniques to create a musical concept that is entirely their own. Utilising the power of sampling, they have reduced the conventional fourman band of vocals, guitar, bass and drums down to two. With the drums coming from Wigglesworth and the rest from a sample board operated by J.Willgoose, Esq. The “vocals” come from the sample board in the form of snippets of dialogue from old films and public service broadcasts. The instruments (including a welcomed portion of banjo) are all written and recorded by the two musicians but confined to a soundboard when live. This unusual style was born when front man J. Willgoose reached a point in which he felt he had missed the boat to become a player in the music industry. He had experimented with producing his own music for several years and, from this, drew the idea of sampling old movies. As the concept grew he took to performing his music in pubs, using nothing more than a sampling board. It’s through this that he found a Wigglesworth to get onto the drums and the two formed Public Service Broadcasting. The band has been rising up to fame over the past 5 years, most recently playing their largest show at the O2 Arena in London supporting The Kaiser Chiefs. As Willgoose recalls, “it was good, it’s always an eye opener playing much bigger shows than you’re used to and we’re never going to play the O2 so it was an experience - I think we came across alright. It was really interesting above all.” However, the stage would probably be the only thing that these two acts share with The Kaiser Chiefs, their brand of indie rock juxtaposing Public Service Broadcasting’s original style of futuristic art rock. The band would also be the first to point

out that they differ due to a lack of what they describe as a “charismatic front man”. Instead of relying upon a “Ricky Wilson” up front, revving up the crowd, they use their own unorthodox techniques. Many bands would count this as a loss but Public Service Broadcasting are a band that play to their strengths. Where some bands have front men they use visuals and soundboards to create a

Instead of relying on a charismatic “Ricky Wilson”, they use their own techniques unique live experience. Rather than talking to the audience Willgoose will instead create messages for the crowd on his soundboard. “It’s a way of turning a weakness, the lack of any onstage charisma, into a strength and do something not very many other people are doing. I’ve never been particularly shy when speaking in terms of when we do radio shows; I don’t try and do that with the samples but live it seems to work really well.” This unorthodox style doesn’t stop there. During live performances the band will employ matching visuals to the words from their samples and both don 70’s style suits and personas. Unsurprisingly J. Willgoose and Wigglesworth aren’t the names on their birth certificates. They are the conception of J. Willgoose contemplating what the visual aesthetic of a band relying on public service broadcasts for samples should be.

To Willgoose these broadcasts conjure up images of 70’s BBC broadcasters reading the news headlines on tube televisions. The name changes and personas are a further layer added to provide a visual element for the audience to buy into. Concepts are a key element in this band. Their first EP The War Room (surprisingly) focused on the subject of war. Drawing on the large pool of public broadcast dating from both world wars. The same has given them inspiration for their newly released album The Race for Space (surprisingly) drawing from the space race. The new album samples the same influences that have given the band their individual sound, though they have tried to move away from the krautrock label that has been bestowed upon them. This is due to Willgoose trying to move away from the labels that he sees as being loosely thrown at the band. “You write one song with krautrock influences and everyone starts describing you as a krautrock band.” They have also dropped the famous banjo that perked up their first album. This is done to remove any perception of using such an instrument in a gimmicky way (though don’t worry it does have one guest appearance on the new album). Public Service Broadcasting are a refreshing reminder that bands can still come up with exciting and original ideas that sound completely different to anything we’ve heard before. And though they don’t believe that they’ll be up there playing the O2 one day, they are doing something even betterexpanding the boundaries of what music can do, altering our perceptions of what music can be. At the very least, they’re worth a listen, just to hear something you’ve heard before.

Top 5 Songs

TOP 5

Songs

to be introspective to Patrick Hinton Music Editor

1. Aphex Twin - Xtal

2. Kuedo - Whisper Fate

The opening of Aphex Twin’s magnum opus Selected Ambient Work 85-92 is sublime. Perfect soundtrack for making you think so damn hard.

Every time I listen to this track I end up staring into space and having a minor emotional crisis..

3. Fatima Yamaha - What’s A Girl To DO “I just don’t know who I’m supposed to be.” As a final year appraoching graduation, this one hits home right now.

4. Soul Capsule - Lady Science (NYC Sunrise) This YouTube comment describes one listener’s experience: “after three straight nights of going out and partying, taking pills, not sleeping the whole time, etc me and my two mates were sitting in the car in a quiet street while the sun rose. It was raining slightly too. i put this song on and we were all sitting in silence having the most nostalgic feelings. the vocal sample ‘let it go’ was really effecting me emotionally. So much suppressed pain over a relationship breakdown, and how ive been trying to distract myself from the pain. powerful music”. Something we can all relate to.

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the

Music

“Tonight, Michael, I’m going to be...”

Opinion

Henry Scanlan couldn’t remember the greatest article in the world. This is just a tribute. Being in a tribute band must be a pretty sweet deal. It really doesn’t sound that difficult to create one. There are only two essential requirements: you have to fund the overheads, and you have to incinerate your own artistic ambitions. Spiritually and financially, these are not easy obstacles to overcome. You may also have to throw your dignity onto the fire, since tribute bands are perhaps the most maligned professionals in the music industry. But once you’ve got that out of the way, it’s plain sailing all the way to the bank. For each show, you can take temporary ownership of a vast pre-existing fan base, enough of whom will always pay to see you, regardless of the legacy of the band you hope to imitate. (Nickelback have a tribute band.) You get to take a shortcut to deification without the need for the whole

‘being a musical genius’ part. Theoretically, if all goes to plan, you’ll get all the things people start rock bands for: sex, glory, high quality drugs, and zero responsibility. The prospect of modelling your own life on someone else’s is an easier pill to swallow when that ‘someone else’ parties 24/7. The only catch is you have to get there first, or else weed out the competition. I’m not sure if there’s even one Steely Dan tribute band yet, but imagine if there were two – they’d be eternal nemeses. Steely Flan would sever the brakes of Steely Scam’s tour van. Steely Scam would spike Steely Flan’s drinks. In the world of tribute bands, competition is minimal in number, but it’s fierce, because your rival is literally going to be exactly the same as you. You’d think the crowds for tribute shows would be replete

with nostalgic old people. You’d be wrong. For one thing, I’ve been to my fair share of tribute shows. Probably more than my fair share, given that I’m only 21. The first gig I ever went to was to see ‘The Bootleg Beatles’.

I hope the fake members in ‘Fleetwood Bac’ are all sleeping with each This was against my will – I was 9 years old, and had a thin grasp on any concept of what music

actually was. I also believed that the four men before me were the actual Beatles. If fooling a 9 year old is any kind of highwatermark for the success of a tribute band (and I think this is a realistic aim), then the ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ were the tits. Having young children and misinformed people believe that you are the genius responsible for the set of songs you’re playing might just be the most gratifying aspect of being a tribute artist. I also recall going to a Green Day tribute shortly after the release of American Idiot, the band’s commercial heyday. ‘Green Bay’ were living proof that your idols don’t have to be retired or dead before you inherit their identities. This must be an existential minefield: do ‘Green Bay’ age concurrently with Green Day, or are they frozen in time as the

2003 incarnation? And if ‘Green Bay’ were to totally succeed in their goal of emulating Green Day, wouldn’t that override the ‘Green Bay’ members’ need for their own original personalities? I don’t know. It depends how deep these guys go. You’d hope these bands were actually nurturing an intense love for their icons, rather than cynically riding someone else’s gravy train to success. I’d also hope to see more than just costume-baked mimicry. I want to see some authentic spiritual commitment in my tribute bands. I want to see a worthwhile duplication of the essence and lifestyle of the original band. When I stumbled across ‘Fleetwood Bac’ at a festival, I remember thinking: I hope these guys are going full method. I hope the fake McVies in ‘Fleetwood Bac’ are getting divorced, and I hope the rest

of the fake members are all sleeping with each other. As it happens, ‘Fleetwood Bac’ were brilliant. I’ve been told that ‘The Bootleg Beatles’ were brilliant, too. At their best, tribute bands are more than glorified karaoke singers: tribute bands are groups of actors submerged in the roles of their heavily studied heroes. They do their homework, and they never break character on stage. In fact, I’d sooner call members of tribute bands highly skilled method actors than musicians. Regardless of this scant consolation, I can’t help but picture a barren music industry 100 years from now, fresh out of modern icons and perennially stalked by the living ghosts of Paul McCartney and John Lennon touring eerie renditions of ‘Yesterday’.

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Live

Pond

Years & Years

Academy 2 – 26th February 2015 4/10 Gorilla – 27th February 2015 Matthew Staite

Dinesh Mattu

It’s fair to say that I had high hopes for Pond’s live show: their recent album Man It Feels Like Space Again has been one of the most exciting releases of this year so far. In addition to this, Pond shares several band members with fellow Australian psychedelic band Tame Impala, albeit their sound comes across as a little more rugged and less polished (this has always been part of their charm though). As such, Pond had the potential to perform a great gig: allowing them to expand off their album material (and some of its imperfections) and really play something special. Disappointingly, their Manchester show felt rather uninspiring. What was hoped would be a blur of psychedelia, with the band expanding from their repertoire or extending their songs, was not to be. Instead the resulting show was a bit jarring and headache inducing. Pond took to the stage and rattled through their set rather sloppily without really adding anything to their material. To dispel slightly from this

How much electronic music is too much electronic music? After spending three years in Manchester I would’ve thought the trendsetters might’ve abandoned ship and found themselves a new sailboat to jump on. Incorrect. It seems as though electronic is staying firmly fixed for the foreseeable future, especially after a band such as Years & Years continue to tighten their unique grip on it. The group have garnered critical acclaim for their ‘alternative’ take on electronic music, however if their recent live show is anything to go by it is difficult to see what’s so different about them. What Years & Years offer is a saturated poppysounding energy that will probably sell a healthy amount of records and will inevitably capitalise on the direction the industry is currently heading. The familiar-sounding ‘Desire’ and their new release ‘King’ are radio-friendly, dancefloor-ready hits that encapsulate the energy and essence of the band, and go down well with the crowd (as do most of the songs). Winning

Photo: Spinning Top Music

pessimism: I’m not saying that this ‘Heroic Shart’ of a gig was a complete failure, as there were some highlights. Newer tracks such as ‘Sitting Up On Our Crane’ and ‘Holding Out For You’ sounded brilliant, and ‘Giant Tortoise’ from Hobo Rocket packed all the energy of its album recording. The audience was a similarly mixed bag to the set: whilst you could almost sense the disappointment in some swathes of the rather dazed

looking crowd, a section in front of the stage were going crazy. Clearly some were enjoying the show. Personally I loved the softer and more intelligent approach that Pond took on their recent album, and so the jagged and rowdier approach that Pond took at their gig was not for me. Perhaps this was simply due to a case of wrong expectations, but it couldn’t help but feel a little bit disappointing none the less.

5/10

BBC’s Sound of 2015 their following has strengthened quite impressively, as is evident by the sold out show and by the huge reception they receive after each and every song. The prestige of the title has brought along with it a huge pressure which now pushes the band to follow in the footsteps of past winners including Adele, Sam Smith and Jessie J. The lead singer Olly Alexander is visibly overwhelmed by the response however lacks no confidence in proving his worth. His vocals are the only unique

Photo: lindsayaiai @instagram

characteristic of the band, and shine on a trio of new acoustic songs midway through the set. Clearly influenced by contemporary R&B, his tones are reminiscent of an early Justin Timberlake, or the ranges of Michael Jackson on ‘Human Nature,’ however the execution on a whole is a little lacklustre. They certainly have a long way to go before reaching superstardom; however their lead’s distinct vocals might just keep this steady ship sailing towards higher tides.

Music

Mancunion Recommends

ISSUE 18 /9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

What’s Right... Or Shite....

This week in Music

Ones to Watch in 2015

Surprise Rat Kings

Lowell Clarke

Last week saw New York rap crew Ratking pulling an EP out of nowhere. The price was even better - just your email address..

Ghost Culture Ghost Culture’s self titled debut album was released last month on Phantasy Records. With a sound like Daniel Avery filming James Blake being gangbanged by The Horrors, this brew of psychedelic acid house with a sprinkling of soft spoken singing may be one of the years strangest mixes, but it works flawlessly. Check out: ‘Lucky’ – Find the best speakers you can to blast this one out. Its got a riff that whiffs of the soul 90s acid house but with heart shatteringly good modern production.

Photo: Album Cover

Photo: Press Shot courtesy of Phantasy

Vince Staples Those familiar with Odd Future will probably already know Vince Staples, but don’t let that make you put a label on On his last EP, Hell Can Wait, Vince stepped out of the oddball collective’s shadow to establish himself as one of hip-hops biggest names on the come up. Check Out: ‘Fire’ – The names fitting, because it’s literally all Vince spits over the dirty opening beat to his EP.

Kwabs

MIF The Manchester International Festival will feature Bjork, FKA Twigs and, more excitingly (having produced both of the aforementioned singer’s albums) future super-producer Arca. Photo: Album Cover

Right-Speed Champion

Photo: Press Shot courtesy of Def Jam

Everyone’s favourite hipster Devonte Hynes, AKA Blood Orange (AKA Lightspeed Champion ) posted ‘Delancy (Demo)’ as proof that his album is indeed on the way.

In the RnB corner you need look no further than Kwabs. Finally, a guy singing great pop songs without relying on falsetto, but instead on a punchy, fulsome voice. Expect to see some big collaborations coming his way from summer to forever.

Photo: Press Shot

Check Out: ‘Wrong or Right’ – Everything about Sohn’s production on this track perfectly compliments Kwabs and between them they raise the intensity again and again to my favourite crescendo of last year.

LA Priest

Joke of a Joker Photo: Press Shot courtesy of Atlantic Records

Once upon a time there was a band called Late of the Pier. They released one monumental album – Fantasy Black Channel – and a couple of singles. A new album was promised and then… nothing. Years have passed, 5.15 to be precise, and each member has quietly gone in their own direction. The silence was broken last month, by LA Priest, the alias of original member Sam Eastgate.

You may remember Joker; pioneering purple dubstep to defy a genre when it only seem to want to wobble. But goddamn it, nearly everything since those early singles has been pure and utter shite, right up to his newest album. Photo: Wikipedia User Wolfgang Morodor

Once Upon a Time in

Check Out: ‘Onio’ – And this is so far only one of two released songs. Is it guitar? Is it synths? I’m not too sure, but it sounds great and pulls all my nostalgia strings.

All We Are

Lowell Clarke

Wu-Tang Clan’s newest album Once Upon a Time in Shaolin is set to be released in 88 years time. Clearly, copyright law ain’t nuthin’ to fuck with.

Photo: Press Shot courtesy of LA Priest

Samuel Ward With their debut arriving last month, All We Are first came to me through the almighty radio 6 during the inevitable promo storm. Commercial festivities aside, they present themselves under the guise of some super-smooth dream-popfunk-thang which is super catchy but still pretty raw too. The feminine input sounds fantastic similar to Florence Welch – and, almost sourly (but beautifully), chisels away at the falsetto smoothness that the rest of the band creates. Check Out:‘Keep me Alive’ is a perfect example of this divine vocal tone carving through the Photo: Press Shot courtesy of All We Are band’s backdrop. For lovers of all things sweet and silky, listen to ‘I wear you’.

Photo: Album Art

Derp House Derrick Carter tells it like it is: “If you do more ketamine than mixing, you might be #DerpHouse” “If your logo is better than your DJ set, you might be #DerpHouse” “If it takes more than three DJs to play one set, you might be #DerpHouse” Photo: Flickr User liliesandbees

Games

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: James Thursfield, Matthew Cole

What are you Wii U-ating for? James Thursfield reviews the award-winning title from BioWare

For the record, I am not a Nintendo fan. When the Nintendo Wii dominated console sales in the last generation I was ambivalent and continued playing on my good ol’ Xbox 360. I am a firm believer that Nintendo and its many consoles are too dependent on traditional gaming icons in the form of Mario and Zelda for sales and do not invest heavily enough in new IPs. That being said, it is not with a heavy heart that I believe it is time for lastgen and next-gen owners to jump ship. Not to Sony, not to Microsoft – but to Nintendo’s Wii U. Nintendo’s Wii U, upon its release in 2012, was not met with overwhelming positivity. In fact, its console sales have since reflected consumer reservations.

Photo: Insert Magasine@Flickr

Its lifetime sales only stand at 9.2 million despite being released a year before other next-generation consoles. Meanwhile, the Playstation 4 has presently sold over 18.5 million units. This was partly due to the Wii U game release line-up being underwhelming and its unique selling point being its ambiguous tablet-like controller. The console also only boasted graphics comparable to the last-generation. However, since its release, the Wii U has emerged to become a very appealing console. Its games library has grown in number as well as in quality, and equally, Xbox One and Playstation 4 titles appear to be in a strange period of transition. A good example of this is with the recently released nextgeneration title, The Order: 1886. The game has been released to a wave of

Top 5: Game Weapons

mixed reviews, with gaming websites such as Gametrailers hailing the game’s Victorian steam punk setting and the game’s truly stunning visuals; whilst other reviewers have queried whether the game is in fact a video game at all or merely an interactive story. When you take into account other games such as Assassins Creed Unity, that was released in a broken state, it appears that next-generation titles on the Playstation 4 and Xbox One are yet to hit their stride. What makes the situation worse for next-gen owners, is that there aren’t enough exciting games on the horizon that are exclusive to next-gen. Even though games such as Halo 5 are exciting because of its E-Sports aspirations and Bloodborne is promising because of its Dark Souls pedigree ; there just doesn’t appear to be many upcoming innovative games. Star Wars Battlefront has a great degree of hype surrounding it and games such as Tom Clancy’s Rainbow Six Siege, and The Division, look interesting, but these games will likely be superior on more powerful PC rigs. Worse still, one becomes pessimistic when looking at the track record of massively over-hyped big budget games on consoles. Watch Dogs has experienced massive controversy for having supposedly graphically homogenised its PC version to match

consoles in order to boost sales for the latter. Similarly, Destiny, the most expensive game ever made, has left a sour taste in gamers’ mouths with its repetitive gameplay and pseudoMMO subscription fees. At the risk of sounding political, what appears to be happening is that as more money is thrown at big budget games – which are expensive partly due to the expectations of higher graphical fidelity – this results in the developers being pressured to create alternate means to generate revenue, which in some cases damages the product. In contrast, whilst expensive nextgeneration games have so far been disappointing, the Wii has some of the best games on any system. Bayonetta 2 has won numerous game of the year awards and the system also boasts an impressive line-up of games which include Mario Kart 8, Super Smash Bros for Wii U, Monster Hunter 3 Ultimate, Donkey Kong Country, The Legend of Zelda: The Wind Waker HD and Zombie U to name but a few. Furthermore, on the horizon is the HD release of Xenoblade Chronicles whose predecessor on the Wii was considered one of the greatest JRPGs of recent memory – an almost extinct genre on the other consoles. And Star Fox and The Legend of Zelda Wii U are also in development. The one downside is that due to the poor sales figures of the Wii

Photo: Farley Santos@Flickr

4) M6D Pistol 5) Mark 2 Lancer Assault Rifle

Gears of War

Halo: Combat Evolved

Photo: faseextra@Flickr

U console, third party developers have lost the appeal to develop games for the console. The difference in video game quality is represented by the fact that the Wii U currently has 9 exclusive fully released games that have scored more than 80% on Metacritic. This compares to the PS4’s 2 (Infamous and The Last of Us) and the XB1’s 2 (Titanfall, Sunset Overdrive). It is also worth noting that the potential for innovation on the Wii U is greater than on the Xbox One and PS4. With its dual screen touch pad, not only can gamers play a console game on the tablet if someone else is using the television, but it also gives opportunities for developers to utilise its gyroscope and sensor for different gameplay experiences. The Wii U also keeps alive the dying breed of locally cooperative video games. Games such as Mario Party, Mario Kart and Super Smash Brothers retain the importance of being able to sit on a sofa with friends and hurl abuse at each other for firing a bullshit Blue Shell in Mario Kart, or K.O.ing each other in Smash. These are experiences I personally value equally as much as a competitive multiplayer or an engaging story. These are experiences being lost on the Xbox One and PS4. From an economic perspective the console is also cheaper than the alternatives. On Amazon, a Wii U Mario

3) Grappling Hook

James Bond 007: Nightfire

2) Buster Sword

Final Fantasy VII

Kart 9 Premium Pack (comes with Mario Kart) costs £240. Compared to the PS4, which with GTA V in a bundle costs £382. There is also the fact that the console is backwards compatible with Wii games and can support traditional Wii controllers. Because of these reasons the Wii U is also clearly the economic console of choice. I am a gamer that has not been drawn to Nintendo in the past due to my satisfaction with playing games on my alternative system of choice. Ironically, it is advancements in video games as a medium which seem to have driven me towards Nintendo. With graphics becoming increasingly vital for a game’s success and a need to channel players through a very specific set of actions in order to create an immersive experience, the medium is forgetting what it actually is – a video game. Nintendo, despite its flaws, is innovative and committed to creating great games that you can enjoy by yourself and with your friends locally. Given its breadth of content and lower price, I know that, come summer, when I scrape a few hard-earned pennies together, a Wii U will be my new console of choice.

1) Tanegashinma

Metal Gear Solid 4 It is a gun that shoots hurricanes...

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Gráinne Morrison, Aimée Grant Cumberbatch, Nikki Patel Feature

History Top 5

Shopping

Contributer Kathryn Murray gives us a history lesson on the cotton industry in Manchester

Photo: Wikimedia commons

Manchester has always been stylish and with its cotton roots that comes as no surprise. In the 19th century, Manchester held the status of the international centre of the cotton trade and textile industry. It was so well known for being a city of cotton that it was coined ‘Cottonopolis’. Back in ye olde day (1781) when cotton mills were powered by water, Richard Arkwright opened the innovative and world’s first—steam-driven textile mill in Manchester. (Well done Rich.) As textile manufacturing moved from the home to large-scale factories, Manchester and its surrounding towns became the largest and most productive cotton spinning centres in the world. In 1871, 32% of global cotton production took place in Manchester. “Why Manchester?” you may ask. Well, apparently the area proved to be an ideal location for production due to the constant power supply in the city’s numerous fast-flowing rivers. Who knew? During the 1800’s Manchester’s reputation as a financial and commercial centre was boosted by the number of warehouses erected in the city centre. Because the city had over 1,819 warehouses, Manchester was creatively dubbed ‘Warehouse City’. Two hundred years after good old Arkwright made that iconic mill, no working mills remain but Manchester is still a city shaped by cotton. There are around 5,000 people in Greater Manchester employed in the textile industry. Manchester’s cottonopolis past can be seen in its buildings: Converted mills and warehouses have found new life as offices, hotels, and flats all alongside sparkling new glass high-rises. Cotton is a part of Manchester’s history and we should embrace it. So next time you go into a vintage shop and pick up a cotton shirt or dress, spare a minute to think about all of the hard working Mancunians who helped supply the cotton to make the garment: Mind blown!

Fashion

Parental guidance

Sarah Kilcourse takes a look at how the way we shop has changed over the years Manchester is one of the best shopping destinations in the UK; it caters for all different styles and budgets from Selfridges to Primark, Belstaff to Afflecks Palace. There is a rich array of brands and shops in Manchester’s city centre, plus the Trafford Centre meaning we’re spoilt for choice. However, after the 2008 recession and the creation of online shopping many high streets are not so lucky, which has lead to a change in our shopping habits. In years gone by department stores were the focus of most people’s shopping, boutique shops were not unusual on the high street, different cities would have their own local department store and customers were limited to what they could buy by how far they were prepared to travel. However, in 2015 we are used to seeing the same stores up and down the country. Most cities will have the likes of: Primark, H&M, Topshop, Zara or River Island – fast fashion brands that replicates the latest trends as seen on the runway or celebrities for a fraction of the price (that’s why we love ‘em). The downside of these sort of shops is the quality. High street stores tend to sell clothes we buy, wear for a year, perhaps two if we’re lucky but pretty soon they end up looking tatty and out dated. You can’t picture students in twenty years wearing the dress you bought last week from Zara, whereas, vintage clothing is a massive student trend right now. It’s easy for students to buy cheap, good quality clothes that are ten, twenty or thirty years old and still in good nick! It begs the question, how will our current taste for fast fashion impact vintage shoppers in the future? There is another key change in our modern day shopping habits – online shopping. The BBC

@MancunionFash

Feature

Shop it like it’s hot

Cottonopolis

/mancunionfashionandbeauty

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Adrienne Galloway looks at the sartorial influence of mum and dad

reported 74% of the adult population shops online and nearly half of the purchases are clothing. Online shopping and shopping apps mean we can buy clothes (or whatever else you choose) anywhere and everywhere. The option to order something online when they didn’t have it in your local shop means that customers can pretty much get anything they want. As students we’re in a prime position now to look as stylish as we like for as much or as little as we want, without having to trek around the Trafford Centre every weekend!

As a child I was frequently photographed wearing dungarees, matching twopiece outfits or flower-patterned shift dresses. Some might argue, the norm for a ’90s kid. Dressing for warmth was not really an issue for me living in

Beauty

Inside my mum’s make-up bag Kassi Alcock delves deep into her mother’s makeup bag for a little beauty enlightenment

Zimbabwe and I often ran around the garden barefoot. As I grew older my parents were relatively liberal in allowing me to wear whatever I pleased, including some very bad fashion choices that could have benefited from

Having already experimented with the majority of make-up

a little intervention. They knew what was essential and invested time and

brands that are on the market, my Mum’s make up bag consists

money into things like running shoes, a good winter coat, a scarf and gloves.

solely of two: Lancôme and Clinique. There’s no doubt that

My black ASOS high-waisted ripped jeans are my pride and joy at the

she holds a strong loyalty to Lancôme, always returning for

moment, but that doesn’t stop my dad from offering to buy me new jeans or

help from the same lady at the same Boots counter. Although

sew up the carefully constructed rips. So much so that when we encounter

she has started to collect the odd few products from MAC due

someone else wearing ripped jeans, I feel the need to point it out to him “look

to much persuasion from yours truly, including one of their

Dad, I told you it’s a fashion trend…it’s not just me”. I find that my dad often

staple lipsticks, Crème Cup, and one or two of their blushers,

critiques my clothing choices using humour with an underlying truth, but

her daily make up bag consists of her favourite two brands!

has never attempted to change the way I dress. Despite his banter about midi

Let’s dive straight in, shall we?

rings simply being too small for my fingers or crop tops shrinking in the wash, he pretty much accepts that he will never fully understand the realm of youth fashion. Fashion advice from my dad usually comes from a comical place, whereas my mum offers genuine, constructive criticism – I’ve learnt when to reject it and when to accept it. All that matters is that they’ve accepted my style, namely my love for black and my online shopping habits.

Photo: Mancunion

Baby Adrienne with her mum

To begin with, I found the Super City Block moisturiser by Clinique, which has an SPF of 40. It works a charm, giving your bare face that little bit of extra life, along with acting as a beautiful primer to perfect your make-up look. Photo: Clinique

We’ve all been influenced by our parents, grandparents and siblings whether we realise it or not. So this week, we’ve been flicking back through the photo albums and here is our pick of our most fashionable family snaps.

Onto the eyes, my Mum wears Lancôme’s Hypnose Waterproof Mascara, and the Hypnôse Drama Eyes Palette for eye shadow. What did I tell you – she’s Lancôme’s biggest fan!

Photo: Paramount Pictures

Tutorial

Tutorial: ‘70s disco

Photo:Lanc ô me

Warning: Not for wallflowers and shrinking violets, this bold look is pure Studio 54 on the Sunset Strip! By Kirsty Marsh

For this look you will need:

Photo: Mancunion

Foundation, lightweight concealer, bronzer, pearlescent highlighter, pink blusher, brow pencil or powder, green and blue eye shadow,, black eye liner, black mascara , false lashes and burgundy lipstick

Photo: Mancunion

Beauty editor Nikki and mum Debbie Patel Fashion editor Aimée with mum Kathie and looking thick as thieves sister Sophie

Photo: Mancunion

Contributor Adrienne with her adorable siblings

Next up comes lipstick. As she owns the majority of Lancôme’s lipstick range, how she chooses which shade to wear each day is beyond me, but the one I found in her make up bag was Corail in Love from their Rouge in Love lipstick collection.

Photo:Lanc ô me

My next find, and a newbie in my mum’s make up bag, was Lancôme’s CC City Miracle. Not wanting too thick a coverage, a CC Cream is a brilliant alternative to foundation.

Photo: Mancunion

Although this is an evening look, you need to

Now extend the green eye shadow outwards

Define your eyebrows as you would normally but

Complete the look with black mascara and false

avoid a heavy base as your skin should look fresh

in a wing shape. Add definition to your eyes by

make sure they are not too thick or dark. Then,

lashes if you want some added oomph, top it all

and natural. Use a creamy concealer to cover any

lining your upper lashes with black eye liner,

using an angled brush, line the lower lid with

off with some dramatic dark lipstick and as much

imperfections and a light, dewy foundation if you

making the line as thick or as thin as you like.

blue eye shadow (use an eye liner if this is easier)

glitter as you like!

need more coverage. If you have oily skin, set your

Finish off by applying liner to your waterline.

before applying green eye shadow to the upper lid.

make-up with a light powder. Next apply bronzer to Tip! If you find drawing the wing shape tricky, try

then blot the first layer of lipstick. Add a touch

ensuring you blend it well. Then dot and blend

using a credit card (or similar) as a ruler, by lining

of translucent powder, reapply lipstick and blot

by a fresh pink blush on the apples of your cheeks.

Photo: Mancunion

Gráinne’s great-granny....and donkey. Ireland.

Photo: Mancunion

Contributor Sarah’s oh-so-chic mum

it up with the outer corner of your eye and the tip

again.

of your eyebrow.

Products used: Bourjois Healthy Mix Foundation, £9.99, Boots, MUA Colour Pro-Base Prime & Conceal Palette, £4, Superdrug, Guerlain Terracotta Light Sheer, Bronzing Powder, £34.50, Debenhams, Benefit High Beam, £19.50, Debenhams, Benefit Coralista, £23. 50, Debenhams, Sleek Brow Kit, £8.49, Superdrug, Sleek i-Divine, Palette in Original, £7.99, Superdrug, Maybelline Colour Tattoo in Timeless Black, £4.99, Superdrug, Rimmel London Wonder’full Mascara, £7.99, Superdrug, Christian Dior Rouge Dior Lipstick in Fifth Avenue, £26, Debenhams

Photo:Lanc ô me

Next on the make up hit list, she applies Clinique’s Blushing Blush Powder in Mixed Berries, giving a beautiful natural flush to her cheekbones.

Photo:Lanc ô me

Tip! For lip colour that lasts, apply lip liner first

temples, cheekbones and jawline with a fluffy brush, highlighter along cheek and brow bones followed

Fashion editor Gráinne’s mum Elizabeth

Over the years my mum has clearly worked out the brands and products that work best for her complexion. I wonder if Photo: Mancunion

Sarah’s dad looking very dashing

Photo: Mancunion

Aimée’s mum with her mini-me Sophie Mowat

Photo: Mancunion

I’ll still love my go-to fluid liner in 20 years time.

Gráinne and brother Ciarán looking fresh

Look on our Instagram @mancunionfashionandbeauty where we’ll be celebrating inter-generational style by posting more throwback gems. Have some of your own worth sharing? Tag us and include #fashionheritage

Next week we’re talking about Spring. We’re asking you: ‘Does the warm weather spell dream or disaster for your style?’

Film

ISSUE 18/ 9TH MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Tom Bruce, Andriana Hambi, James Moules, Martin Solibakke TV Binge

Better Call Saul

Photo: AMC

As with many other avid fans of Breaking Bad, I could have contentedly watched Bob Odenkirk’s slippery criminal lawyer Saul Goodman (still going by his real name, James ‘Jimmy’ McGill) bicker over parking stickers with Mike Ehrmantraut (Jonathan Banks) for an entire episode of any spin-off. The interchanges between two of the most entertaining, and remorseless, characters from the critically acclaimed series are extracted across the opening episodes of Better Call Saul for every potential moment of hilarity. There are also many stylistic executions within this prequel to occupy the casual viewer, whether or not they have previously seen Breaking Bad. We are treated to a litany of pop culture references, acerbicone-linersandadistinctivelyidiosyncraticsoundtrack,while creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould retain their ability to devise grand set pieces that mark a dark space in the minds of their viewers. Fortunately, Better Call Saul does not descend into a series of disjointed televisual devices as it easily could have done, and it is to the great credit of its team of writers that the show thematically accumulates into more than the sum of its parts. Each aesthetic flair and barren cold open is precisely deployed to craft a coherent character study of the man who becomes Saul Goodman. This is memorably displayed in a desert-located set piece which sneaks up on us in the second episode. Our anti-hero must bargain with an unhinged gangster over the fate of two young accomplices (marking a cameo appearance of a fans’ favourite), debating the relative justice of a limb-breaking compared to a tongue-ripping. The scene is a demonstration of the way that Better Call Saul is prepared to use its apparently farcical overtones as a sleight of hand to reveal the underlying horror of the world which our protagonist inhabits. The tone is further established by the acidic humour in the following comic vignette, in which a creative montage comprised of bread sticks at a dinner date conveys the way that this horror has been mentally internalised by McGill. As the series moves forward, its utmost challenge will be to create a sense of narrative momentum, even as the hectic pace of the early episodes settles down. It is likely that the dramatic rhythm will be driven by its intriguing set of supporting characters, which includes a smart love interest at his law firm in Kim Wexler (Rhea Seehorn) and older brother Chuck (Michael McKean), who suffers from a mysterious illness. And of course there is Mike himself, whose dry presence is always welcome on our screens, and there are suggestions that the ex-Philadelphia cop will play a significant plot role as the series develops. Ultimately, Better Call Saul is pervaded with an inevitable sense of tragedy. Odenkirk superbly expresses McGill’s manifesting desperation, and we are constantly made aware of the limitations to his fast-talking and quick-thinking, even when he tries to be a good man. This makes for a compelling way to investigate human failings, and I challenge viewers not to be encapsulated by this story of moral transformation. Ross Huskisson

Feature

The American Dreamer Tom Bruce reviews the authenticity of various on screen representations of journalist Hunter S. Thompson, comparing them with the books and with the man ‘Hell, if somethin’s worth doing, it’s worth doing right.’ This is an incontrovertible mantra, and one which was espoused by father of modern journalism Dr Hunter S. Thompson on many occasions, not just in his writing career but in his daily practicionings as an avid consumer of drugs and carefree inventor of semi-plausible-sounding words (such as the one back there I just made up). Hunter Stockton Thompson did not lead an ‘Ordinary Life’, as the titles of his many lurid confessional travel books (Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, Generation of Swine) might suggest, and his death was no subtle affair either; having blown his brains out with a 44. Magnum in front of his beloved portable IBM Scelectric typewriter, his incinerated remains were fired from a cast iron 18th century cannon and out into the Coloradan mountains by actor Johnny Depp. It was that same scoundrel of the seven screens that portrayed the Good Doctor in the most successful feature film to depict him on screen, Terry Gilliam’s adaptation of the aforementioned Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas, which became the best cult movie about druggies since Easy Rider. It’s probably better in fact, given the decades of separation between the central issues of the Vietnam war and the wildly irrational war against drugs which, after enough time had passed, seemed so chaotically, pitifully futile. Depp’s shameless showcasing of every single possible stage of depraved, narcoticdependent madness is masterful – one cannot tire of it. In fact, the only thing he missed out was the constant indulgence in egotistical mania that came with Hunter Thompson’s genius storytelling, perhaps the man’s only vice (after chain-smoking, bourbon, rum, cannabis, cocaine and LSD). Benicio Del Toro’s performance as Raoul Duke’s (this

was one of Thompson’s many real life code names) bloated, homicidal lawyer Dr Gonzo is even more memorable and indeed more quotable than Depp’s. What many don’t know is that the character was based on a friend of Thompson’s called Oscar Zeta Acosta, a free living attorney who went missing

Johnny Depp is also terrible. Not quite as bad as Depp in the Rum Diary but nowhere near as good as Depp in Fear and Loathing is Bill Murray, who took on an exaggerated looney toon version of the author in Where the Buffalo Roam, which was the first movie about Thompson and which was set during his decade-long stint as a grapefruit addict/investigative journalist for Rolling Stone magazine. It’s an awfully overstated film , but then again so was the life of its subject. For fans of the non-fictional figure, it’s worth checking out ‘Fear and Loathing in Gonzovision’ on YouTube, an intriguing - and rather sobering - on the road BBC documentary following a reclusive Hunter Thompson towards the end of his writing prime. Photo: Universal Pictures Hunter Thompson saw many things, and through his writing he at some point during the summer of 1974. encouraged an entire generation to see things Subsequently, he became the fall guy for all of differently. Politics, war, terrorism, sport and Thompson’s law breaking misdeeds. drugs were his main interests, and as he rose Onto The Rum Diary, another film to the pinnacle of his very own revolutionary adaptation about Hunter S Thompson’s brand of ‘Gonzo’ journalism (basically what life based off of one of another one of his the Vice news network is), he stammered vaguely autobiographical novellas which and hammered his way into a variety of also happens to star Johnny Depp as the elitist circles that no other booze-crazed sex Gonzfather. This film sucks the life out of all fiend will ever find themselves in again. He that was good and (more or less) true about got beaten up by Mohammed Ali one time. Hunter’s first foray into fictional writing. If that incident isn’t deserving of a film then, It is soulless. It is unfunny. It also doesn’t really, what is? Now all Thompson requires benefit from cameos or on-set contributions for a proper send-off is a two hour, off-theprovided by Hunter on Fear and Loathing. chain biopic starring Sam Rockwell (the Thompson had killed himself by this point Rum Diary days) and J.K Simmons (the later and ship captain Bruce Robinson, in his years). Directed by Nicolas Winding Refn. And attempt to rekindle the Gonzo spirit and written by Charlie Kaufman. Because hell, if also relive his own heady days as the writer/ something’s worth doing... director of Withnail and I, failed to raise a glass to the legend or a smile amongst the audience.

Classic Review

Women in Love

Released in 1969 and based on D. H. Lawrence’s novel published in 1920, Women in Love mirrors its original story in both its complex and controversial nature. It would be fair to argue that it rocked the cinematic world just as the novel did the literary one. It was applauded as a successful adaptation which respected and captured Lawrence’s work, bringing it to life for 1970s audiences. The film follows two couples; eccentric sculptor Gudrun (Glenda Jackson), her more reserved sister, school teacher Ursula (Jennie Linden) and their partners Rupert (Alan Bates) and Gerald (Oliver Reed). We see these young people come together and attempt to understand what it is to love and what they want from love. They all have very different attitudes about what it is to love and what they want. Gerald and Gudrun have the more tenacious relationship of the two couples and both appear to feel a need to defeat or control the other. Rupert idealises his relationships and claims to be attempting to seek a pure, higher form of love and understanding of another person, this is something which his lover Ursula cannot understand or share. In this respect there is tension in both relationships as they each have different sets of motives. The film’s plotting is fragmented and almost

Director: Ken Russell Starring: Alan Bates, Oliver Reed, Glenda Jackson Released: 1969

episodic as there is less direction and more a following of these peoples loves. It does not have the drive and typical plot points of contemporary cinema. It moves at its own pace, driven solely by its characters’ feelings and decisions. As

well as its alternative pacing, the film is original in its sensuality and depiction of nature. Ken Russell successfully evokes the sexual nature of Lawrence’s language and imagery. This is demonstrated in the scene where Rupert runs naked through the woodland; the camera follows him and mirrors his manic movements adding to his sense of desperation. The

characters seem to negotiate their sexuality and relationship with nature as a means of further understanding themselves and this is depicted effectively by Russell. All actors bring a visceral nature into their characters, adding to the sensuality of the film. Although Oliver Reed was extremely committed to his role and was the instigator of one of the film’s most controversial and famous scenes in which he and co-star Alan Bates wrestle naked. As well as being faithful to the themes of the novel, the film is also in keeping with the bohemian era in which it was made. The film’s style captures this with its use of costume and setting. The characters’ clothes possess a certain late sixties feel with their use of block colours and loose fitting dresses - as well as some fairly bold eye Photo: United make-up. This combined with the way in which they flop about enormous country houses and picturesque outdoor settings, gives the film a strong bohemian look which is fairly typical of the cinema of that era. The film successfully walks the line between two key times in history and draws out the similarities between the 1920s and the 1960s. Nancy Dewe Mathews

Film 19

ISSUE 18/ 9TH MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM /MancunionFilm @mancunionfilm

Review

Top 5

Focus Alice Williams laments Will Smith’s sale of his soul (and talent) to the devil we call Hollywood If this was the film on which Will Smith was hoping to re-launch his critical career, then he will likely be sadly disappointed. Despite promising a smart, fast-paced thriller, filled with crosses and double crosses, the whole thing turns into a bloated, misogynist whale of a Hollywood blockbuster. Any success that can be salvaged from this lies in the interactions between the genetically blessed leading pair as their story plays out over a series of indulgently shot cityscapes. Pulling away, however, leaves the larger narrative weak, full of holes and in no way able to live up to it’s numerous heist film predecessors. Smith himself stars as Nicky Spurgeon, an affluent conman descended from a long line of well-renowned conmen. As the film unfolds, it becomes clear he runs the kind of racket only plausible in the most impossible of Hollywood narratives. Petty theft is ratcheted up on a ridiculous scale and run from within an office space the BBC wouldn’t be able to fill. Jess (Margot Robbie, providing the kind of female ideal only Grand Theft Auto offers) enters early on, attempting to play the master at his own game in a clumsy ‘seduce-and-run’ act. Smith’s having none of it, the only reason he stuck around was because he ‘likes boobs’. However, in an inexplicably all-male thieving flash-mob, she provides invaluably distracting eyecandy, and so he agrees to tutor her. This relationship

is the complete backbone of the film, and without Robbie’s surprisingly dynamic performance beside Smith,

we’d be left with little else but an arrogant man in a nice car, purchased with ill-gotten gains. Hollywood’s ode to Jeremy Clarkson, if you will. That’s not to say the supporting cast don’t do the best with what they were given, more that they weren’t given much in the first place. Character actor Gerald McRaney offers a standard but solid turn as a mobster character, Adrian Martinez offers the comedic ‘fat guy’ sidekick and B.D. Wong plays an over indulgent billionaire with relish. The second half of the film is undoubtedly weaker than the first, once the initial sheen of high-glamour

Cornerhouse Pick of the Week

You Can’t Handle the Truth!

White God

Barney Weston tells us about the strengths and weaknesses of this Hungarian movie about dogs

White God, known in its native language as Fehér isten, and Hungary’s nominee for this years Oscar for Best Foreign Language Film, charts the relationship between a girl called Lili (played by Zsófia Psotta) and her dog Hagen (played by twin dogs Luke and Body). Yet when Lili’s father dumps Hagen on the streets because of a new tax on mixed-breeds, although the film attempts to place an equal focus on both Lili and Hagen, the latter’s story is much more compelling, and for the first time I’ve seen in a live-action film, we have a dog as the main character. At this stage in the film, White God shines when Hagen is on screen. With an origins story comparable to that of Caesar’s in Rise of the Planet of the Apes, once Hagen is dumped on the streets he is found and trained up to be a fighting dog. From here the familiar canine domestic nature we are all used is beaten out of him. Yet it’s in moments like when Hagen wins his first fight, almost killing the other dog in front of him that we can tell that Hagen doesn’t like what he’s done nor what he’s been forced into. For a dog to convey this

crime has worn off. Plot lines that were set up begin to become irretrievably over-complicated, and the only redeemer appears to be the beautiful surroundings of Buenos Aires, where Jess and Nicky meet again 3 years later, following his abrupt departure from their relationship. As coincidence would have it, their motives both centre around the same man, race team owner Rafael Garriga (Rodrigo Santoro), and the final third leaves everyone involved thoroughly confused as to who is actually conning who, concluding in a somewhat rushed finale (although not without its surprises). Cinematographer Xavier Grobet is probably to be most applauded from this otherwise lacklustre offering. His beautiful shots of both New York and Buenos Aires fully fill the ‘unattainable glamour’ quota that the film thrives Photo: Warner on, and the montage of sleight-handed thieving is equally well shot. Writing/directing duo Glenn Ficarra and John Requa do not fare quite so well, leaving the narrative flawed and the script littered with uncomfortably questionable one-liners (‘I like her, she can take a punch’). However, having been responsible for movies such as Bad Santa and Cats and Dogs, this is decidedly slicker than their usual offerings. Focus’s one saving grace is its production, but for a film that’s tagline promises we can’t ‘lose focus’ of, it falls flat.

sounds ridiculous and considering that, it’s impossible not to mention how well edited and directed these moments are by Kornél Mundrucźo. With this in mind, what can’t not be mentioned are the moments when this Photo: Proton Cinema occurs en masse. The film’s final scenes are very similar to those from Rise of the Planet of the Apes, except without the CGI. Watching hundreds of dogs charge down an urban road alongside Lili on her bike reminded me what cinema had been made for. Mundrucźo can’t be criticised in regards to these, but what he can be criticised over is how he fits them into White God as a whole. Considering this, as well as how White God is ultimately too long, lacks a clear message, and manages to make every human who appears on screen instantly forgettable, the film is generally quite poorly executed. But what shouldn’t be criticised is how, considering that anything else close to similar to White God is plagued with CGI, Mundrucźo managed to make me come out of Cornerhouse feeling refreshed. Would I recommend White God to the average cinema-goer? No. But I recommend it to anyone who wants their faith in cinema restored.

JLaw? What’s the hype Arne Dumez reckons that Jennifer Lawrence doesn’t come close to deserving her wide acclaim We all know how it goes: a fresh personality appears in a fresh teen saga and through media incubation grows to achieve stardom of ridiculous proportions. Just like so many before her, this is how Jennifer Lawrence became the international superstar she is today. Much like the iPhone 8j or the Samsung Milkyway XI, she is the same old thing sold to us under a new name and ‘tude. What makes me worthy of declaring this? I’m a film critic, this is what I do. Deal with it... I see Jennifer as the One Direction of the film industry. She rose to global fame through a commercially successful product; Hunger Games equals X-Factor; and then became a heartthrob by resonating with female insecurities; “I won’t starve myself for a role” equals “That’s What Makes You Beautiful”. This means that a huge part of her appeal does not lie in her on-screen performances. If you have lived anywhere with access to online ‘news’ you will have caught wind of her ‘hilarious’ interview replies and her ‘I can’t believe she just did that’ attitude at the stuffy Hollywood events. This year she decided to visit a Boston mall instead of attending the Oscars because she is just that cool. Basically, Jennifer’s charisma lies in her ability to not play

Potential 2016 Oscar Winners 5) Suffragette Already a record holder for the most Oscar nominations by an actress in history Meryl Streep is aiming for awards again, this time playing Emmeline Pankhurst in a film about the UK Suffragette movement. The last time she played a real life British woman she won an Academy Award (for The Iron Lady). Don’t be surprised if it happens again.

Photo: The Weinstein Company

4) The Hateful Eight Tarantino’s second consecutive western features an incredible roster of stars including past collaborators Tim Roth, Michael Madsen and Samuel L. Jackson as well as the ever improving Channing Tatum. Tarantino initially stated he was abandoning the project after the script was leaked online but he has thankfully returned to it and will be looking to add to his two Oscars with this flick. 3) St. James Place Set for a mid-October release date, this Cold War Drama boasts enough talent to take home a number of prizes in next year’s awards season. It reunites Steven Spielberg and Tom Hanks and with a script penned by the Coen brothers, this

Photo: 20th Century Fox

film has high hopes of Oscar glory. Photo: Columbia Pictures

by the rules. Just when you thought she’d just meet Jack Nicholson and be all like ‘whatever’, she turns around and like, totally freaks out, dude! Let’s talk about the acting for a bit. Miss Lawrence came to prominence in X-Men: First Class, where she portrayed the morally ambivalent character of Mystique. I do not know whosdecision it was to dumb the character down to an insecure attention-seeking teenager, but I will say that Miss Lawrence played the part perfectly. Then the Hunger Gamers saga appeared and she was projected into stardom, where she was even awarded an Academy Award for Silver Linings Playbook. How did nobody see that that was one of the most overrated performances of all time, by the way?! Just because you play a mentally-deranged character doesn’t mean you can recite your lines as if you’ve only read them for the first time two minutes ago. Anyways, now you know how I feel about Harry Styl... sorry, Jennifer Lawrence. Then again, maybe I am just a cold-hearted cynic. Whatever.

2) The Revenant Could this be the film to break Leonardo DiCaprio’s Oscar drought? Based off a true story about a frontiersman left for dead, this film is set for a limited Christmas release (the same timing as three of this year’s best picture nominees). DiCaprio is supported by the ever impressive Tom Hardy and the film is directed by Alejandro González Iñárritu, who just won the best director this year for Birdman. 1) Joy This unassuming title refers to Joy Mangano, the real-life inventor of QVC items such as the Miracle Mop and Huggable Hangers. The film is being helmed by David O. Russell who for the third consecutive time has cast Robert De Niro, Bradley Cooper and J-Law herself, who plays the titular character. So far the Russell-Lawrence-Cooper combo has garnered a total of 17 Oscar nominations and one win over the course of two movies (Silver Linings Playbook and American Hustle). There is nothing to suggest that they can’t increase that tally. Hassam Ahmed

Books

ISSUE 18/ 9th March 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

/TheMancunion: Books @MancunionBooks

Editors: Leonie Dunn, Alister Pearson

Review

A Rich Box of Delights: A Short Guide to Medieval Literature

Izzie Bowen tells you why there is more to medieval literature than what you learnt at GCSE a knight, yet was green all over.’

Image: kunoapress.wordpress.com

Medieval Romance literature is filled with folkloric beings and strange, magical events – stories from within and about nature at its wildest. Swooning romance

Image: freerepublic.

Medieval literature might well only bring up vague memories of GCSE Canterbury Tales and confusing ‘u’s and ‘v’s. But beyond Chaucer, there’s a vast sea of tales and rhymes that can always spark the interest. Usually defined as writings from around 10661450, the category includes epic romances, powerful love stories, and, bawdy comic literature, to name a few. Try this brief starter dish of ye olde writing to see how you find it. (A bit of background): The Language Literature of this time can be in any of the main three languages used: Latin, French, and Middle English. If the words seem unfamiliar, translation really helps: the Medieval works can be enjoyed fully without the funny vowels. (A bit of background): The History England in these years was often a nation of political strife. In addition, the 1348 Black Death wiped out a third of the population, and along with the Peasants’ Revolt in 1381, England became deeply divided. The writing can be equally heterogeneous, with

no clear group of authors, but including mystics, monks and court poets, for example. Literacy was still relatively restricted, but an oral story-telling tradition was widespread, and forms the large body of work from this time. The knight and his quest Romance was the Medieval’s tour-de-force. Standing out in this genre of knightly adventures are Chretien de Troye’s Lancelot and Yvain. The author doesn’t spare on the violent imagery: ‘they dealt such mighty blows that they pierced the shields about their necks.’ But the knights are also mystics: their battles are framed within a spiritual journey – much more than swords and armour. Sometime later, a North English author wrote Sir Gawain and the Green Knight, a Middle English poem about a fearsome green man who gives one of Arthur’s knights the ultimate challenge. Gawain can take one strike at the Green Knight, if it is repayed a year later. The Green Knight’s fantastic description is highly memorable: ‘…there came in at the hall door one terrible to behold, of stature greater than any on earth […] men marvelled much at his colour, for he rode even as

Medieval writing is also known for his ambitious romances (with a small ‘r’). Chaucer’s Troilus and Criseyde tells of the secret love between Trojan prince Troilus and widow Criseyde. But tragedy strikes when Criseyde is called away to live with her father in the Greek camp. It’s love at first sight, literally: ‘His [Troilus’] eye precede, and so depe it wente, / Til on Criseyde it smot, and ther it stente. // And sodeynly he wax therwith astoned’. Troilus’ eye caught sight of Criseyde, and he was astonished, frozen. Troilus describes his sorrow at Criseyde’s potential loss in the most vivid, and melodramatic, terms: ‘My two eyes, with which I cannot even see / Are grown into wells through my sorrowful salt-tears’. Lost love is felt keenly in this romantic masterpiece.

calls modern graveyard spoofs – the age old ‘falling into a grave’ joke, for instance. William Baldwin’s Beware the Cat takes this stream of literature to its natural conclusion. In a world where cats can talk, one man determines to discover their secrets through a bizarre recipe including a cats liver and an ‘urchin’s kidneys’ (thankfully those of a hedgehog, not a povertystricken child). The cats have their own hilarious stories. One jumps out of a chest, causing this extreme scatological encounter: ‘For the olde préest which was so tumbled among them that his face lay upon a boyes bare arse, which belike was fallen hedlong under him was so astonished: then when the boy (which for feare beshit him self) had al to rayed his face, he neither felt nor smelt it nor removed from him.’ (Yes, you just read ‘beshit him self’. Yes, the priest…) Another cat, to defend his Master’s honour, catches a cheating lover right where it hurts:

Rude and ruder The Medieval sense of humour would, at times, rival that of a twelve-year old boy. But comic literature of this period is also very clever, with puns, sleights of hand and surprising tricks added into the mix. In The Vox and the Wolf, a satirical beast fable, a wily fox stuck in a well outwits his old rival, a gullible wolf. Promised heavenly rewards for jumping in the well’s other bucket, ‘the wolf gon sinke, the vox arise; / tho [be]gon the wolf [to be] sore agrise [afraid]’. The fox is a common Medieval satirical characterisation of the corrupt vicar/ priest; satire was a powerful vehicle for criticising contemporary authority. Dane Hew, meanwhile, is the story of a corpse that won’t stay dead. Initially murdered by an adulterous lover, everyone else thinks they killed him, and hurriedly abandon the body to its next murderer. Dane Hew’s silence is farcical: ‘“Dane Hew stands straight by the wall, / And wil not answere, whatsoever I call”’. The shuffling body re-

‘While this Gentleman was dooing with my dame my Maister came in so sodainly, that he had no leisure to pluck up his hose […] I séeing this […] pawed him with my clawes upon his bare legs and buttocks […] séeing that scratching could not moove him: sudainly I lept up & caught him by the genitalls with my téeth, and bote so hard […] My Maister […] came to the cloth and lift it up and there he found this bare arst Gentleman strangling me, who had his stones in my mouth.’ Well, I’ve just leave that one there. Medieval literature might seem difficult at first, but in the plague-stricken villages and courts of old a rich imaginative life emerged, from mothers to children, poets to patrons: people who were lively, funny and questioning, and just starting to write it all down for us to read today.

Profile

Portrait of a Poet: Philip Levine Following the death of America’s Poet laureate just under a month ago Leonie Dunn looks over the life and works of Philip Levine who strived to give a voice to the voiceless. Philip Levine was one of the leading poetic voices of his generation, “a large, ironic Whitman of the industrial heartland,” according to Edward Hirsch. The son of Russian-Jewish immigrants, Levine was born and raised in industrial Detroit, where he began working in the auto factories at the age of 14. As a young boy in the midst of the Great Depression of the 1930’s, he was fascinated by the events of the Spanish Civil War. His heroes were not only those individuals who struggled against fascism but also ordinary folks who worked at hopeless jobs simply to stave off poverty. In a career that spanned six decades, he was a United States Poet Laureate, and winner of two National Book Awards and a Pulitzer Prize. He died on the 14th of February of pancreatic and liver cancer in California at the age of 87. He taught for many years at California State University, Fresno, and served as Distinguished Poet in Residence for the Creative Writing Program at New York University. In 2000, Levine was elected a Chancellor of the Academy of American Poets. And, in 2011, Levine was named the 18th U.S. Poet Laureate by the Library of Congress. Levine’s poetry for and about the common man is distinguished by simple diction and a rhythmic narrative style—by what Robert Pinsky once called “the strength of a living syntax.” Though he takes on the largest subjects of death, love, courage, manhood, loyalty; he brings the mysteries of existence down into the ordinarily inarticulate events and objects of daily life choosing to focus on pieces of the world that had not been focused on before. Because Levine values reality above all in his poetry, his language is often earthy and direct, his syntax colloquial and his rhythms relaxed. Levine’s simple narratives work to reflect the concrete and matter-

of-fact speech patterns of working people. Levine’s work was typically more concerned with the known, visible world than with his own perception of those phenomena, and this made it somewhat of an anomaly in the world of contemporary poetry. Levine himself, in an interview, defined his ideal poem as one in which “no words are noticed. You look through them into a vision of … the people, the place.” Several critics faulted Levine for his reliance on narrative descriptions of realistic situations. However, Thomas Hackett, in his review of A Walk with Tom Jefferson(1988), argued that, rather than being a weakness, Levine’s “strength is the declarative, practically journalistic sentence. He is most visual and precise when he roots his voice in hard, earthy nouns.” Noted for his interest in the grim reality of blue-collar work and workers, Levine resolved “to find a voice for the voiceless” while working in the auto plants of Detroit during the 1950’s. “I saw that the people that I was working with … were voiceless in a way,” he explained in Detroit Magazine. “In terms of the literature of the United States they weren’t being heard. Nobody was speaking for them. And as young people will, you know, I took this foolish vow that I would speak for them and that’s what my life would be. And sure enough I’ve gone and done it. Or I’ve tried anyway.” Now his poetry has eternalised the voices of those voiceless men and women.

Photo: On BeingImage: @Flickr wikimedia commons

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Food & Drink

Editors: Ellie Gibbs, Adam Fearn

ISSUE 19/ 16th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Food Politics: The Underlying Struggles of Social Eating Ellie Gibbs Food Editor

Does anyone else have this problem? As a 21 year old female, I know I don’t need to ask that question. I opened up honestly with a friend recently about this topic - expressing the struggle that is every day in the life of the food-obsessed. Constant calculations of when I’m next going to eat, how can I make sure that it’s healthy, what is my backup healthy eating plan, would it be better to eat now at uni something averagely healthy or to wait until I get home, or would that be too late to digest? Should I just not eat? In a world where every food on the planet is available to us in a nearby supermarket, the suggestion that we be health-conscious is not easy to dismiss. We have access to the ingredients, and thus no excuse not to subscribe to this lifestyle. How about when we’re in Uni 12-8, and there is no time to prepare a home cooked meal? Do we ‘cheat’ and buy a wrap or meal deal from Sainsbury’s? And not really enjoy it because we feel too guilty as we check the scientific nutritional breakdown and wince at the numbers in red. I can’t help feeling that despite the numerous benefits of a healthy lifestyle, the national obsession may be going too far. Things I have done in the name of ‘health’: - got distracted in 70% of lectures while planning nutritious meals - obsessively scoured menus in advance to avoid choosing an unhealthy option in a rush/under pressure - felt unable to enjoy ‘bad’ foods due to ‘guilt’ association - felt disappointed in self for eating ‘bad’ foods, also associated with lack of restraint,

willpower and weakness - eaten 3 slices of cake to replace meals for fear of calorie overdose - panicked at the thought of going to a restaurant socially - no one wants to be the girl with a salad, or get plate envy, or spend the entire evening thinking about food/weight when the real purpose of the event is the interaction (supposed to be enjoyable) The last one is tricky. I’m sure people experience varying levels of food anxiety, and I have felt envious of those who seem to have got it down - nonchalantly ordering what they fancy and eating as much as they feel like. In public, I have previously felt obliged to choose something that doesn’t say ‘I’m on a diet’ and even points more towards the ‘I don’t give a ---- about weight loss, look at me feast’. I would then eat more than my stomach was asking for, thus enlarging it and my lack of confidence. So what is the solution? Maybe menus and quick conveniences need to universally cater for the health conscious. Maybe. Maybe we all just need to chill out. I think the real issue here comes back to the notorious size zero/photoshop perfection that is forcefully present across advertising. Does anyone feel good when they see these images? How many people look at clothing posters in shops, try on the model’s outfit and think ‘yes, I look like that’ in the changing room mirror? Bodies come in so many shapes and sizes and the world needs to be more aware of that. Health is an important factor in life but it stops being healthy when the need for it becomes a mental obsession. While I’m still personally trying to find the balance with this, I’d like to share some ideas

for maintaining a healthy and nutritious mind as well as body: - Enjoy every meal, whether it be healthy or not - you need food to survive and you shouldn’t feel guilty about that - You are your own harshest critic, no one is judging your ‘imperfections’ in the same way as you, positive people look for positive things - Work on your personality over your image. it’s easier to change a personality flaw than an appearance based one - Not being a certain size or weight does not make you inadequate - You are beautiful, and happiness comes from within These are very important things to remember. Of course I believe in healthy eating most of the time, but I also think we need to be assured that it is okay to have something that does not necessarily satisfy the recommended quota of our daily amount. As long as you are a healthy weight for your height and make sure you apply a reasonable amount of restraint at the urge to eat entire trays of brownies, tubs of ice cream and third helpings of chips, you should be happy. A basic knowledge of what’s good for you and what isn’t should be held on to, but the moment food starts affecting your confidence, social presence and ability to focus on other tasks, then it is time to rethink. Why are so many of us aiming for this elusive ‘perfection’? Confidence is the biggest form of attraction, and it can hide a world of complexes than can eventually lead to their eradication. So you have excess fat on your thighs, is anyone else going to change their opinion of you based on that? If they are, do

Ask me about Ask

When the longstanding (and, in my opinion, longdisappointing) Piccadilly branch of Kro closed its doors at the end of 2014, many Manchester diners were filled with speculation, wondering what may take on the imposing space arguably slap-bang in the centre of the city. Shortly after Kro’s admittal of defeat, I read that two businesses had signed up to split the place down the middle. The first, another of the fast-growing ‘Byron’ burger chains (because we need more burgers in Manchester), and the second, an Ask Pizza. Growing up around York, I have always been familiar with this chain, as many of my friends from the South are. To me, it has the reputation as one of the better corporate pizza places, delivering dependable and familiar food favourites. However, funnily, Ask seems to have eluded the Manchester dining scene, the newly opened Piccadilly Gardens branch being their first in the city. I was invited along to their launch event, and as soon as we were seated and happily gulping down glasses of complimentary Prosecco, we were introduced to Chris, the Brand Manager; I asked him why Manchester had so long remained off Ask’s map. His response, that they were waiting for the perfect site and would settle for no less, cannily both asserted the high standards of the chain and implied that the chosen site is something special. On the second point, he was certainly right: the space is huge, with high ceilings and lofty acoustics. There is plenty of light, with candles ensuring intimacy on each of the many tables that snake

around the bar and open kitchen. Floor to ceiling windows make for excellent people watching, and anyone who has cast their eyes around Piccadilly Gardens will see the merit in such a vantage point (I once saw a guy walking his pet raccoon around there). With no raccoons in sight, however, we turned our gaze to the menu. Whilst perusing, we nibbled on ‘Piccanti’ almonds - served hot, lathered in chilli oil, they were an unusual and delicious addition to the bog-standard menu we expected. To start, we split a single serving of the ‘Fritto Misto’ - a mixture of peppers, courgettes, calamari and whitebait all battered and fried and served with a zingy aioli dip. The vegetables retained an al dente bite, while the seafood - in particular the salty, meaty whitebait added softness to the dish. For mains, we decided to go Dutch, a seeming geographical fauxpas. On Chris’ recommendation, we shared one of Ask’s intriguing new sourdough pizza bases, this one, the ‘Carne’, topped with Luganica sausage, dollops of pork and beef ragu, smoked prosciutto and fresh herbs. The base was light and the distinctive sourdough flavour gave a delightful undertone to the rich, meaty and smoky toppings. Our second sharer was the ‘Ravioli Marittimi’ - soft pasta pillows filled with crayfish, crab, salmon and ricotta, served in a creamy tomato sauce, with a massive shelled king prawn whacked on top for good measure. The sauce was sweet and mellow, lifting the delicate taste of the ravioli, and I had a high old time seductively sucking the meat

you want to be associated with them? Same goes for stomach, arms, hips, chin, neck, ankles etcetera etcetera; the list of potential body-anxieties is virtually infinite. This is a socially constructed anxiety which should not exist. The problem of obesity and binge eating cannot be ignored but the negative effects of the opposing side are not as openly discussed. Something non-existent can actually hold us back in life, make us sad and even loathsome of ourselves. We should stop aiming for perfection and view that it’s already there, right now. Look in the mirror and see a bump or a bulge? Embrace it, it’s you, it’s alive and natural and not stopping you from doing anything. It doesn’t make you any less of a person than the photo-shopped model with a thigh gap and a flat stomach. Not to say that she isn’t beautiful too. That said, if we want to choose something less calorific at a restaurant, we should not feel embarrassed to make that choice. The friendly urges of ‘go on, treat yourself’ actually exacerbate anxieties with regard for the need to please others whilst caring for the self. We should all be more open about this topic and I would not be surprised to find that many of our consciences are alike. Having the perfect body is not a competition; there is no prize. Live for yourself, make your own choices and be comfortable with who you are and what you decide to do.We’re all beautiful for who we are, not what we look like. Let’s be proud of that and get on with the more important things in life.

Hester Lonergan goes along to the opening night of Piccadilly’s lastest restaurant addition, Ask Italian.

from the mammoth prawn shell. All was accompanied by a large glass of red wine (unfortunately, due to the previously mentioned Prosecco-necking, I do not remember exactly of which variety). Slowly approaching satiety, I sounded the alarm with my companion, and we got what remained of our mains packed up to go in order to make way for dessert. Sadly, the special I had my greedy eye on, a pistachio and olive oil cake, was sold out, so I settled for a slice of warm chocolate and almond cake, served with hazelnut gelato. I wasn’t grumbling; the cake was rich and strong, yet surprisingly unsweet, leaving the ice cream’s sugariness to cut through. My companion chose a warm almond, plum and pistachio cake, which stood rather solitarily on its plate, but the harmonious flavours of which served to explain its lack of accompaniment. These we washed down with single measures of Disaronno amaretto, and squiffily discussed the lunacy of those who don’t appreciate its glory. With nowhere on the menu left to venture, we stirred our stumps to leave. Promptly, however, we were sidetracked by the offer of more free Prosecco. After all, it would have been rude to let it go to waste. Finally defeated, we tottered out of the vast glass doors and parted company. On my 500-metre walk home, I mused on the difference between my expectations of a meal at Ask Pizza and the realities of my evening. I went in expecting tasty yet unsurprising and unimaginative food. I got the tasty part right; however, considering the variety

and authenticity of their menu, I saw a healthy amount of surprise and imagination in their food. Enough to warrant a return trip, but not too much to repel the everyday diner. Ask me about Ask, and I’ll tell you its appearance in Manchester may just have been worth the wait.

Photo: Hester Lonergan

If you fancy your hand at food and drink journalism, whether it be interviews, recipes, reviews, or some interesting culinary anecdotes, email us at food.mancunion@outlook.com or get in touch via Facebook or Twitter .

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Food & Drink 23

Recipe: Going Lentil

Ellie Gibbs concocts a recipe for Chana Dal whilst exploring the range of ingredients to be found on Curry Mile

ISSUE 18/ 19th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review

Ingredients

Serve with rice and greens, or add more water and boil with sweet potato and carrots to make a flavoursome soup. Lentils are a great option for vegetarians, as well as the health-conscious (who isn’t these days?) They’re cheap, easy to use and act as a perfect base for lots of spicy dishes: soups, curries, stews and as an alternative to rice.

500g pack Heema Chana Dal: 89p Your range of spices: priceless Well actually if you buy spices from the Worldwide supermarkets you can generally get a small bag for 69-89p. You could even stretch to £1 if you prefer to have them in a plastic shaker. Investing in spices will save you money on buying jarred sauces, make your food taste a lot more interesting and generally transform your cooking skills. Equipped with a range of spices, you can feed yourself for at least 4 delicious meals for 89p. I like the Heema brand as they have recipes on the back, so if you pick up a pack of lentils and have no idea what to do with them, you can confidently follow the directions on the back to ensure an authentic and delicious meal. Which is exactly what I did with my little back of split peas: - 1 cup chana dal/yellow split peas, soaked overnight in 4 cups water - 3 cups water - 1 tsp salt - 1/4tsp chilli powder - 1/4 tsp cinnamon - 1/4 tsp cumin - 1/4 tsp coriander - 1 tbsp tamarind (could sub honey or treacle) - 1 tsp sugar - 1 tbsp oil - 1/4 tsp mustard seeds - 1 tsp garlic

Eaten anywhere nice recently? Created something delicious? We want to know! Tell us about it at food.mancunion@outlook.com

Method After soaking the lentils, drain and add to a saucepan with the 3 cups of water, Bring to the boil and simmer with the lid on for around 30 minutes, until the lentils are becoming soft. If you have a lot of time, this step can go on for as long as possible as you can’t really overcook them as long as there is enopugh liquid. After the 30 mins, add the spices to the dal and stir, turn the heat down and put the lid on. In a separate frying pan, heat the oil with the garlic and the mustard seeds until fragrant, then stir into the dal along with the tamarind. The dal should thicken after around 3 minutes and then it is ready.

Photo: Michele Wynne@Flickr

Review: Soup Kitchen

Photo: Ellie Gibbs

At around £6.50 per dish, Soup Kitchen is a little pricey for something that takes its name from a concept based on providing free nourishing food, but this is made up for by the generous portions and vibrant, quality ingredients pleasantly un-reminiscent of a school canteen. Begrudging dinner ladies are replaced by bubbly staff, stinginess exchanged for extra helpings. Soup Kitchen have a relatively fixed menu with daily changing soups. This works well for variety as each time you can expect to find something new and enticing on the menu, with reassuring knowledge that the fail-safe jerk chicken, Caribbean dumplings with jack fruit and sweet yam curry will be present and steaming away in their industrial sized steel buckets. Everything is served with the option of jumbo purple coleslaw, chickpea salad, fresh herby tomatoes and help-yourself bread rolls. Water is available in thick swing-top glass bottles on the bar which is perfect if you’re the type to drink at least 3 pints with every meal and feel embarrassed to continually nag the waiter (I hate being served a half pint - of anything). The serving counter also doubles up as a bar which comes fully stocked with the usual NQ-style craft beers, quirky bottled brews and range of tasty liqueurs. It’s worth mentioning that SK has a downstairs club so it’s theoretically somewhere you could spend the whole night. Long trestle tables make this a good spot for large parties for evening drinks, though the music is a little loud even in the day so be prepared to raise your voice for a decent conversation. Or just resign to enjoy your food in silence and save your talking topics for later. That being said, the restaurant is cosy and friendly and perfect for a lunch that’s guaranteed to be delicious. Being able to walk through the door and be comfortably sat down with a ceramic bowl of hot food in the space of five minutes is a blessing that the Northern Quarter would struggle without. There’s no waiting for a table, no risk that it might not be right, and no gamble on how long it will take for the food to arrive.

by Ellie Gibbs Food and Drink Editor

The atmosphere is warm, wholesome and the embodiment of what its name derives from with extra funding, which I suppose is exactly what it is - apart from its customers are not homeless, though they may dress like they are (guilty). 31-33 Spear Street Manchester M1 1DF http://soup-kitchen.co.uk/

Photo: Ellie Gibbs

Arts & Culture

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM /TheMancunionArtsCul@ArtsMancunion

Editor: Holly Smith Who was...?

Who Was Claude Monet?

He was the man who painted the famous water lilies. The man who’s art work will be forever known across the world. But how much do you really know about Monet?

Claude Monet - “The Japanese Bridge”. Photo: Mia Feigelson @ Flickr

He was the man who founded French impressionism and is considered as one of the most prolific landscape artistsNew that the world has seen. But how much do you really know about the man behind Archives Zealand@Flickr the canvas? 1) He was actually baptised Oscar-Claude, and his parents called him Oscar. Strange how we call him Claude? 2) He had always wanted to become an artist, but his father was adamant on him going into the family grocery business. 3) At school, Monet was seen as a rebel. He would draw caricatures of his friends and teachers instead of doing his work. By the time he was 15, he started earning a lot of money drawing caricatures on the street for people. 4) Many of Monet’s paintings depict the same woman over and over again, Camille Domcieux. She

Photo Of The Week This photograph is from Charlie Hewitt, a 1st Year Biology Student. If you would like to enter a Photo Of The Week, email us your photos at mancunion.arts@gmail. com

gave birth to Monet’s first son in 1867, but it wasn’t until 3 years later that they married. 5) Not long after the birth of his fist son, Monet began suffering from poor eyesight. He was rendered partially blind for almost ten years before he had an operation to remove a cataract in one eye. 6) After his operation, he painted some of his pictures again as he could then see certain wavelengths of light that are normally excluded by the lens of the eye. This is a reason why one of his water lilies pictures is bluer than the others. 7) Monet was said to have tried to kill himself in the Seine because of financial problems before his wealth had grown. 8) He died at the age of 86 on the 5th of December 1926 due to lung cancer. His house and gardens opened in 1980 for visitors, attracting visitors from around the world.

Theatre

ISSUE 19/ 16th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Nicole Tamer, Luke Sharma Comedy

An Ode to British Comedy

Photo: Paul Townsend @Flickr

When I moved to Manchester as an international student, I was surprised about the role comedy held in British society. I have always admired British comedians and TV shows; anything by Monty Python and Fry & Laurie had a special place in my heart. But since I moved to England, another kind of world of comedy has opened it’s doors to me: stand-up comedy. In Freshers’ Week, I realised quickly that it was completely normal to pop into Squirrels Bar to have a laugh and a few pints. I noticed more and more how comedy was advertised with big posters, everyone had their favourite comedians and comic relief day was a big conversation topic for some people. Of course other cultures have stand-up and their own kind of comedy, but in England it was the first time for me that I was constantly surrounded by jokes, sarcasm and ‘banter’ (which was a new word for me back then), and I absolutely loved it. The anthropologist Kate Fox, the author of Watching the English (a fantastic book about British culture and a must read for every international student) wrote in her chapter about humour: “Humour rules. Humour governs. Humour is omnipresent and omnipotent.” From my experience, she is completely spot on. She mentions further that there is a reserved ‘time and place’ for humour in other cultures and I completely

Review

agree. Some people were surprised that I understood their sarcasm in conversations because they thought sarcasm was only used in England. This narrow minded view is not necessary laudable, but it shows the importance of humour in English culture. It doesn’t matter to whom I talk, whether they be lecturers or cashiers, there is always an undercurrent of humour. Kate Fox is right when she mentions that most English conversations will involve at least some degree of banter, teasing, irony, understatement, humorous self-deprecation, mockery or just silliness and this is really hard to grasp for a lot of foreigners. It is especially important not to take yourself too seriously, which takes me back to stand-up comedy. I have been to performances of amateurs and students in Squirrels or Frog and Bucket and I have paid a sum to see some of my favourite comedians at the O2 Apollo or The Lowry. What unites them all is their self-deprecation. I personally like a wide range of different comedy genres, but I early realised that no matter what topic or context the comedian on the stage will at some point, pardon my French, take the piss out of themselves and the audience will love it. British humour is very introspective and observing oneself is something that sounds easy, but is only funny when done right. Some comedians create their whole stage persona out

Ben Farren

Nicole Tamer

Editors’ Picks

Oklahoma!

of the exaggeration of one flaw. This also explains the popularity of comedians like Jack Whitehall, whose career basically revolves around his poshness. Some people argue that this is an easy way to get into comedy and that comedy has been watered down over the years in the favour of quiz and reality shows. I have to agree with this notion because when looking back at the last 50 years there have always been a few comedians that stood out during every decade, and they changed the perception of comedy to some extent. Most notable are the ones that belonged to the Footlights, the infamous amateur theatrical club based at Cambridge University. Most famous Alumni are three members of Monty Python, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie, Rowan Atkinson, Emma Thompson, David Mitchell and Richard Ayoade. When I found out about the Footlights, I was at first delighted that comedy comes from such bright minds, but then became more aware of the inequality in representation in comedy. A very self-aware moment ensued in one of the episodes in the ‘The Young Ones’, a TV show about four undergraduates from Scumbag College whose characters could be described as ‘anarchic antifootlights’ (Fresh Meat sadly didn’t manage to portray students as refreshingly). The main characters partake in The University Challenge to face snotty upper class opponents played by Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie and Emma Thompson from Footlights College. This clash of humour and class united in five glorious minutes is, what I love most about British humour: its ability to surprise, reflect and satirise itself at the same time. It is not anything like America’s slapstick, Japanese goofy humour or Germany’s absent humour (just kidding); it doesn’t take itself too seriously and thereby succeeds in being self-deprecating in a way that makes you cringe and chuckle at the same time.

“Oh what a beautiful morning!” The classic Rodgers and Hammerstein musical is back with a bang. The brilliant musical following the days of Oklahoma territory before it was a state, with the heroic cowboy Curly facing off against the slightly deranged Judd Fry for the love of Laurie Williams, a strong, independent woman. With a side-plot featuring the love triangle between Will Parker (a dim young cowboy), Ado Annie (A promiscuous young woman) and Ali Hakim (a travelling Persian salesman) you get about as much bang for your buck as possible with this one!

The Lowry 17/03 - 21/03

Hindle Wakes It’s the end of the Wakes weekend in the fictitious mill town of Hindle in Lancashire, just before the outbreak of the First World War. Mill worker Fanny Hawthorn and mill owner’s son Alan Jeffcote are returning home after a weekend alone together in a Llandudno hotel - kept secret from their parents, and from Alan’s fiancée Beatrice. But when a dramatic turn of events exposes their deception they find themselves in conflict with both sets of parents. Faced with the pressure to ‘become an honest woman’ Fanny is determined to pursue her own future.

Octagon Theatre Bolton

Photo: The Young Ones

13/03 - 21/03

Preview

Luke Sharma

The Producers Review Ben Far-

Marcus Johns

La Traviata

Morris Seifert

Photo: Digital Theatre

Photo: All Music

Drawing: Marcus Rice

With clichés in art it’s always important to check the date of the original. “A Clockwork Orange” was published by Manchester’s own Anthony Burgess in 1962, and so many characters we are familiar with appear in it. We have the main character Alex DeLarge (played by the electrifying George Parker): the disturbed protagonist. The nuances of good and evil were received extremely well, with Alex’s internal drama being followed along by the marvellous University of Manchester Drama Society cast with great ease and professionalism. More (what we would now call) clichés include the evil doctors and Orwellian (forgive the added cliché) government, played with great humour and sliminess respectively by Matt Dunnett and Oliver Maynard. These parties provide the enemy of the story, even though they somehow manage to stay in the background for us, the viewers. The persistence of Alex is just one of the great contradictions of the play, Alex’s lack of choice is placed opposite his constant presence and agency, even though we are shown he does not have much. Indeed the central question of the work is whether there is moral equivalence between being evil by choice or forced to be good, particularly for another’s aims.

The direction of the play was extremely effective with these thoughts in mind, Alex’s persistence, and his positions of power changing in both the story and in space transfer very well into the mind of the viewer. Even the seating arrangements: two blocks diametrically opposed with the stage in between, I certainly felt the competition between the id and the (simultaneously mild and extreme) superego. Special mentions must firstly go to the only female actor who appeared on the stage, Jess Wheeler, who played 5 characters and yet managed to give each one genuine presence. She refused to be a stereotype, handling particular violent scenes with gravitas which held the entire room. Secondly, James Blake-Butler’s first character in Mr Deltoid was, along with Parker’s Alex, the most technically proficient, and wouldn’t look out of place on a bigger stage. The play was excellently written, with on point professionalism from the actors. It wouldn’t have been served badly by being performed on a bigger stage with less obtuse effects, sometimes the levels of light and sound felt slightly out of place. Other than this, a fantastic performance on its own merits, never mind as a student production.

La Traviata is a beautiful opera into which Giuseppe Verdi wrote joy, folly, love, and tragedy. Like any good tragedy, the idea is to become attached to the characters and enthralled by their situation. Unfortunately for Opera North, the poor performance by Ji-Min Park as Alfredo Germont in the first act delayed the necessary affectation required for the final scene. I am pleased to say, however, that Ji-Min Park’s disappointing start was overcome during the second act, as his love for Violetta became clear and his sorrow at her departure was sufficiently mournful. Moreover, his poor start was overshadowed by the ensemble’s joyful celebrations, which quickly distracted the audience away from his shortcomings. It was still a shame, though, that Ji-Min Park’s voice, expression, and acting were so underwhelming in the first act, because Anna Jeruc-Kopec played the perfect Violetta.Theirlovestorytooktoolongtogetofftheground due to the lack of emotion emanating from Alfredo. Jeruc-Kopec played the role with grace, elegance, and a youthful stupidity that was beautiful to watch. Her vocal range was breathtaking and her gentle glides around the stage were mesmerising. Alessandro Talevi’s stage directions created excellent ambience, especially during Violetta’s final moments. The use of masked characters applauding in the background, contrasting with the despair of Alfredo in the foreground, provided for an enthrallingly tragic moment with a hint of confusion and madness, which served as a perfect allegory of the death of a loved one. A review of Opera North’s La Traviata would be incomplete without reference to the set and costume designer Madeleine Boyd. Boyd’s set design was both simple and subtle while providing for a strong look and excellent space around which the cast could move. The beautiful costumes really defined the first act’s celebratory feel whilst the use of gentle white bedding subtle peppered with blood stains grounded the final act in sickness, despair, and the loss of a young and innocent Violetta Valéry.

One of Manchester’s theatre events of the year! This rendition of The Producers features an allstar cast including comedians Jason Manford (as Leo Bloom) and Phil Jupitus (as Franz Liebkind) alongside dancer Louie Spence (as Carmen Ghia). Directed by the masterful Matthew White (writer and director of Top Hat) you can be sure that this will be a show not to miss. Adapted from Mel Brooks’ 1968 satirical comedy film starring Gene Wilder and Zero Mostel, The Producers is about Max Bilaystock (Corey English), a failing Broadway producer who charms elderly women as a way to finance his plays. Enter Leo Bloom (Jason Manford), an accountant who finds that Max is in fact committing fraud. In realizing that a producer could make much more money from a flop than a hit, they team up and hatch a foolproof plan to create the worst Broadway production ever. Naturally not everything goes to plan and after their NaziInspired love letter to Hitler, “Springtime For Hitler” written by real ex-Nazi Franz Liebkind (Phil Jupitus) becomes a hit, Leo and Max’s grand scheme comes crashing down around them. This particular tour has been running since 6th March starting at the Churchill Theatre in Bromley and has been received to rave reviews with the Guardian stating that it “Puts the comedy back into musical comedy”. The Producers has won many accolades during its various runs on Broadway and The West End, including (a record-breaking) 12 Tony Awards and 3 Olivier Awards. You can be guaranteed to be in stitches. A must see for any theatregoer this year. Manchester Palace Theatre 16/03 - 21/03

Lifestyle

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Kitty Treverton Jones, Molly Allen Features

Girls just The Big Fat Quiz wanna of the Year have fun

Test yourself, test your housemates: tick off all the facts you know and see how good your Manchester-themed general knowledge is

Molly Allen gives us a tour of why living in an all-female house is the best

Fallowfield Station

Fallowfield

In 1986 the first UK drive-thru McDonalds opened in Fallowfield There used to be a Fallowfield train station: look up and to the right of the Sainsbury’s café and you’ll see the old sign Richmond Park halls of residence used to be Fallowfield Stadium, which held the FA Cup final in 1893 (Wolverhampton Wanderers 1 – 0 Everton) There are 22 bus stops between Fallowfield and the Student’s Union (there and back)

Photo: Gene Hunt @Flickr

Arts and Culture

Manchester is home to the oldest public library in the Englishspeaking world: Chetham Library was founded in 1653 and you can still browse its shelves today It isn’t just the newly renovated Whitworth that you can boast about regarding the Manchester art scene, in 1857 the ‘Art Treasures’ exhibition was held in Old Trafford, the largest art exhibition ever in the UK Jack Whitehall only made it through two terms of studying History of Art before dropping out of Manchester University. He lived in OP Tower, maybe he failed at Tower Challenge? Benedict Cumberbatch is another well-known alumnus, making the drama department famous for something other than “the students who have the most sex at university”

Screenshot: Paramount Pictures

There’s a never ending supply of tampons, makeup and nail varnish A night out always starts with “what are you going to wear?” followed by raiding each other’s wardrobes Someone will always want to eat cake with you No one cares about nudity: rarely a day goes by where you don’t see a bum, nipple or other body part There’s non-stop comedy because girls are hilarious 2 words: communal tinder There’s no judgement with the weird food people eat Everyone has an opinion on whether you should wear that outfit Someone has a playlist full of sassy songs that is always played while cooking, washing up, getting ready for a night out, pre-drinks and coming in from a night out There is never ending support for the person who’s going through a bad breakup Someone always wants to have wine and/or cocktails The groaning “I have period pain” is immediately met with offers of chocolate, wine, hot water bottles and Zac Efron There is a never ending supply of tea If everyone plays their cards correctly, there is minimal bitchiness The average level of sassiness increases by 5000% Knickers and bras are drying on every available surface which makes it hilarious when the guys come round and never know where to look. Plus your friends choices will always start to influence your own, which is never a bad thing There’s no judgment if a dumb question is asked, so you don’t know where Germany is, more wine? If a guy stays over, the whole house waits with bated breath for him to leave until the minute the door shuts, then we gather to discuss every tiny (and I mean tiny) detail A birthday is a serious affair

Photo: marcus_jb1973@Flickr

Forward Thinking

The suffragette movement is thought to have begun in Manchester, with Emmeline Pankhurst founding the Women’s Social and Political Union in her home (which still stands on Nelson Street) in 1903 Vegetarianism began in the UK in Manchester in 1815, inspired by the sermons of the Reverend William Cowherd at the Salford Bible Christian Church, and leading to the founding of the Vegetarian Society In 1980, while the global superpowers were competing in the nuclear arms race, Manchester became the first British nuclear-free city The city has always been a hubbub of the LGBT community, Canal Street is a world famous tourist destination for the gay and lesbian community Alan Turing Memorial

Science

Photo: Burnt Rostad@Flickr

Ernest Rutherford discovered how to split the atom at Manchester University in 1917 University of Manchester scientists were awarded the Nobel Prize for Physics in 2010 for inventing graphene, the world thinnest material Alan Turing, the man credited for shortening the Second World War by roughly three years and inventing the computer, lived and worked in Manchester after the war When he isn’t playing the keyboard or presenting science programs on TV, rockstar-turned-scientist Brian Cox works in the School of Physics and Astronomy as a Professor of Particle Physics

Other

We don’t need to be told that Manchester has an amazing sporting reputation. In 1888 the first professional football league was created here The city was a crucial part of the industrial revolution and was central to the world cotton and textile trade Ever wondered where the term ‘Mancunian’ comes from? Manchester’s historical record begins with the Roman fort Mamucium, the remains of which are still visible and are located in Casterfield. Citizens of Greater Manchester are still called Mancunians, and of course this led to inspire the name of a certain world-famous student newspaper Industrial Manchester

So, how did you do? 0-7: Measly. You’re probably in your first year, in which case, you’re forgiven. Second year and above; you should be ashamed of yourself. Try taking a stroll somewhere other than Oxford Road before the end of the year. 8-13: Mediocre. You’ve good a fairly good general knowledge of the city but some of these were pretty obvious, let’s be honest. Go to a museum once in a while. 14-19: Marvelous. Well done you. You are great. Be very proud of yourself. You are awesome. Photo: glamourqueenn@tumblr

Photo: isemantics@Flickr

Kitty Treverton Jones

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

The Mancunion: Lifestyle @MancunionLife

Finance Horoscopes

Lifestyle

Feminism

Horoscopes: A global guide to Pisces harassment

With sexual harassment in the UK becoming less and less tolerated, Lauren Howells examines her experiences of sexism in Argentina

Holy Shrimp! This scampi happening! Perisha Kudhail reveals what’s written in the stars for Pisceans this month

With the fish being you’re ruling star sign, it will not surprise you that Jupiter and Venus line up perfectly to show that you will float through this week’s work load. However, you should be wary of leaflet givers as a paper cut, which may seem minor, may result in gangrene leading to the limb being amputated. This amputation means you won’t be swimming anywhere. To prevent this, you must sing at least two Take That songs every morning in order to get the full radiance of this month’s star alignment. Unfortunately, the position of the planets means love isn’t in the stars for you this month. Beware of brunettes: their luxurious chocolate locks will entice you with their promise of good

Features

food and movie dates. Fast food is the way forward for you if you pursue a brown haired one. Guaranteed obesity is in your planet composition if you channel your efforts into brunettes. Instead opt for blondes and you will forever remain good looking. All is not lost this month, you will find around £2 worth of change. So use it on something wise. Maybe invest in yourself, buy yourself a car or a notebook. Just don’t spend it all at once. Money will not be in abundance for you, but you will find your bank balance is slightly more increased than normal. Do not get this extra cash out in public, or walking dogs will mistake it for food. So be careful or your cash will literally be eaten.

Manchester’s recent Reclaim The Night march was declared the biggest ever in the UK. Around 2,000 people stood up against sexual violence, victim blaming and women feeling unsafe on our streets. As a feminist, I find myself up against a variety of arguments as to why this kind of demonstration is pointless and unnecessary. One of the most repeated phrases is; “people in less-developed countries have it so much worse. You’re a white, middle-class woman in a Western society. What do you have to complain about?” Taking part in this event forced me to reflect on that question. I spent a semester of my year abroad living and studying in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and the attitude towards women there is very different from what we’re used to here. It is a country where “no” means “yes”, and “I’m really not interested” means “please, try harder to convince me”. Take catcalling, for example. While there’s no doubt that catcalling in the UK can be intimidating, most of us are probably most accustomed to a quick wolf whistle or a gruff “smile, love!” In Argentina, a catcall can range anywhere from “hey, pretty lady” to “Ay, mama! If I grabbed you I’d give you another baby” (an example from the posters everywhere by the protest group ‘Acción Respeto’). Threats of rape and violence are almost part and parcel of the culture of ‘piropos’, as catcalling is called in this part of the world. Strangely, despite this dark undercurrent of contempt for women, this phenomenon is so deeply ingrained that it is largely accepted as “just part of the culture”. I was even told by one local woman that if she wasn’t catcalled on her journey from

Photo: Hello Turkey Toe@Flickr

Blind Date

Emma, 4th Year French and Spanish

Llyr, 3rd Year Physics

What were your first impressions of her? She immediately came across as really personable which was very comforting given the potential awkwardness of a blind date. What’s her best feature? I think I’d have to say her smile or sense of humour.

The Happy Couple

What were your first impressions of him? Honestly, a simple “yes, he’s taller than me!” But on a more serious note he was a good looking guy who turned out to be very friendly and easy to chat to. He was actually there by mistake to replace his housemate, but I’m not complaining! What’s his best feature? His eyes – he has very impressive eyelashes.

What did you have to eat? A beef burger. In hindsight it was probably not the best choice given how messy it was!

What did you have to eat? Spanish chicken and chorizo stew and we shared a bottle of the house white.

Any awkward moments? None that I can recall but I have a bit of a habit of making slightly awkward comments so I might be wrong.

Any awkward moments? Not particularly, we seemed to have a lot in common so there was always something to talk about.

What was the most interesting thing you found out? I was pretty impressed that Emma had climbed Mount Kilimanjaro. It turned out that she’d meant to have been climbing it in the same group as my lab partner too... Small world. Photo: The Mancunion

How did you say goodbye? We just walked together towards the bus stop and then a kiss on the cheek.

Would you see them again? I’m not sure. I’m pretty lazy when it comes to dating girls and I have no idea if she’d be interested. Date out of ten? 7.5 Kitty Treverton Jones

What was the most interesting thing you found out? He speaks fluent Welsh and once sang (in Welsh) at an event in Disneyland Paris!

How did you say goodbye? Errrm we said goodbye! And kissed on the cheek

Did you kiss? No, just on the cheek.

Many thanks to Fallow Café, 2A Landcross Road, Fallowfield. As well as serving tasty meals, it also holds free gigs, regular film screenings and club nights. www.fallowcafe.com

one place to the next, she felt disappointed or as though she looked unattractive that day. Does this then mean that we should be grateful to live in a country where this kind of publically misogynistic and threatening attitude is becoming less and less acceptable? Should we be thankful that we are more likely to hear “nice tits” than “we’re going to rape you” from a group of men as we walk past them? Probably. But this does not make this kind of behaviour any more excusable. Culture is a relevant concept, and for as long as I feel intimidated walking in a public area in my developed, Western country, I’ll continue to march for initiatives like Reclaim The Night, in solidarity with women all over the world who want to walk down the street without being congratulated for their achievements in growing normal body parts.

Did you kiss? On the cheek Would you see them again? Yes Date out of ten? 8

Overheard University of Manchester

The funniest things you’ve been saying around campus this week

“You’re funnier than the funny bone” Overheard in the union

“My sister had this ex-boyfriend and he was the cuntest of all the cunts” Overheard in Withington

“I know how to use my words to make someone hate themselves and I really want to do that to her” Overheard in Kro

“This comedown is so grim, I feel lower than my chances of getting a 2:1” Overheard in Fallowfield

“For some reason this weekend she’s making me go to a bridal and a baby fair” Overheard on Oxford Road

“Wish there had been a bomb on north campus, would have been a great improvement” Overheard on the bus Overheard anything hilarious this week? Tweet us @MancunionLife

HOW WILL WE USE THEM?

YOU DECIDE... On May 07 2015, the country will turn out to decide who governs for the next five years. With around 100,000 students in Manchester, we could finally make our concerns heard over poor housing, high crime, extortionate tuition fees and more. Even if you were registered last time, you must register to vote for these elections.

20 014 4

WNW12.MANC.QUART.pdf

03/03/2015

10:43

In Partnership with the Students’ Union

NO MONEY TO

GET HOME? The Students’ Union has an exclusive partnership with Street Cars which means you can get home, even if you don’t have any money!

Even if you don’t need the SafeTaxi scheme, you still get 10% student discount off your fare. StreetCars are the Union’s approved supplier

CMY

For more information on how to use the Safe Taxi Scheme visit manchesterstudentsunion.com/safetaxi or pick up a business card from the Union helpdesk.

Download the booking app or call:

20 15

0161 228 7878

Have you received inspirational teaching or outstanding support from University staff this year?

Why not nominate your lecturer, graduate teaching assistant or support staff for a Manchester Teaching Award?

Guidance and nomination forms available at www.manchesterstudentsunion.com/teachingawards

SPORT : 30

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM/

A (spit)gate too far?

Andrew Georgeson asks whether spitting is really that big a deal? Andrew Georgeson Sport Editor

As I sat in the Red Lion pub in Withington on Wednesday last, donning my newly bought retro Newcastle shirt, I watched something that made my stomach sink. It wasn’t the 89th minute winner that Manchester United scored; it was an incident involving Newcastle forward Papiss Cisse and Manchester United defender Johnny Evans. For those who haven’t seen it, they essentially spat at each other. The reason why my stomach sank had nothing to do with what happened, as one hundred or so merry Manchester fans in the pub didn’t even notice the event, it was more because I knew the reaction was going to be ridiculous. ‘It’s the lowest of the low’ said football ‘presenter’ Robbie Savage. In the cesspit that is modern football, spitting is the least of its concerns. In the past few weeks the world was in shock when Souleymane S was pushed off the Paris Metro with Chelsea fans chanting ‘we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it,’ as well as Chelsea’s female physio being subjected to sexist chants that are presumably lifted straight from the Lad Bible’s Twitter feed, and yet Mr. Savage seems to suggest that spitting is the ‘lowest of the low.’ But I struggle to see who is actually offended by spitting. In the draconian laws of the FA, spitting is an immediate sending off and a 6 game ban. It’s seen as poor sportsmanship, the upmost disrespect one player can show to

and English football fans and players aren’t that. Apparently. But just think of it like this. John Terry got a four-match ban for racially abusing a fellow player on the field of play. Cisse and Evans are getting 6 for spitting at each other, despite both of them shrugging the incident off. But what do I know; I’m not the FA.

Opinions around the web...

Sports Editor Will Kelly was at the St. James’ on wednesday night and said, ‘It was great to win it in the last minute, but it was a dissapointing performance. Couldn’t really see the ‘spit’ from so high up, but don’t think Evans did spit at Cisse. It’s been blown out of proportion by the frame by frame slow motion.’

Evan’s claims he didn’t spit at Cisse. Screenshot

another, yet, in honesty, if I was going to choose to have any bodily fluid directed at me, I would choose spit every time. There’s incredibly little risk of disease, even in Newcastle, and in fact it could act as a natural anti-septic if you have a grazed knee. Compare this to a poor League 2 footballer who had a cup of cold tea thrown over him when he went to collect the ball for a throw in, I would chose spit every time. In fact, nearly every time the camera does a close up on a player he’s either gobbing or swearing. He’s literally spitting on a pitch that he’s going to then slide about it, and we don’t mind. Goalkeepers spit on their gloves all the time, then touch other players and nobody as much as batters an eyelids. All sports people, whether they’re

runners, cyclists or gymnasts spit. The reason we don’t mind this is because it is harmless. Unpleasant, yes, but it’s not going to kill you. The least said about players suggesting it’s worse than a horror tackle, the better. Go and tell Aaron Ramsey that he was lucky to suffer that horrendous leg break, and tell Alf-Inge Haaland, whose career was effectively ended by Roy Keane that he was lucky the Irishman didn’t spit at him. It’s nonsense, a boxer doesn’t mind if a bit of his opponents spit lands on his hands, he would be more concerned about the haymaker coming his way. The reasons why the FA chose such heavy sanctions against spitting, more than Diego Costa’s violent stamps for example, are twofold. First, it goes against the Respect campaign. Obvi-

ously, the FA has to make an example of these players so kids worldwide don’t replicate their actions when frustrate. But, and this leads me onto my second point, it is an easy problem to solve, and since the FA are pretty low on the old ‘respectful institutions’ chart, having a rule like this makes them seem like they know what they are doing. It also distracts from one of the main talking points that should have came from the game: another completely inadequate referee performance, which is a problem the FA are finding very hard to solve at the moment. In all, there’s something very British about the reaction. Our moral compass can handle a bloody hard tackle, who cares it might break someone’s leg? That’s cricket. But spitting is for brutes,

Time to call cut on the director of football Tom Cleetham asks whether Brentford and Warburton parting ways a sign of things to come for British football?

Tom Cleetham Sport Reporter Brentford were sat fourth in the Championship table in their first ever season in the division (since the creation of the competiton), when the initial rumours came out that owner Matthew Benham was intending to sack the manager at the end of the season. Mark Warburton, the man who led the club to promotion last season, and has masterminded the mesmeric rise up the Championship table this season (at time of writing Brentford still sit in the top six) was to depart along with assistant manager, former Scotland international, David Weir, and technical director, Frank McParland. A week after the rumours first broke, the news was confirmed by a club spokesperson, with a “difference in football philosophies” being cited as the reason for Warburton and co.’s departure at the end of the season. The reality of what is happening at Brentford is a change of the internal structure of the club and recruitment process. No longer will Brentford employ a manager and assistant manager, they will have a Head Coach and a team of coaches, along with a sporting director. No longer will Brentford scout players in the traditional method, they will use a more mathematical based model Warburton, Weir and McParland had all been offered roles within the new structure that the club will employ, however all declined the offer. The

Nigel Adkins was a victim of the director of football position at Southampton, and they’ve went onto achieve great things. Photo: Wikimedia Commons

approach Brentford are taking is a longterm plan, and is aiming to give the club solid grounding before they move into their new 20000-seater stadium that is due to be opened in 2016. Brentford are not the only club in Britain, or even Europe who will use the management structure of having a Head Coach working in tandem with

a sporting director. Many clubs in the UK use the strategy, and one that also made the change midway through a season with great success was Southampton. When Southampton parted company with poetic genius (look it up) Nigel Adkins early in their return season in the Premier League, many fans criticised the clubs board of

directors. However what followed next was a fantastic appointment of Head Coach Mauricio Pochettino. Southampton deployed similar strategies, particularly regarding the managerial hierarchy that Benham is implementing at Brentford. Everyone knows how the Pochettino at Southampton experiment went, and this just shows

that perhaps it is not always bad news getting rid of a fans favourite boss for a new strategy. An example of a strategy that is even closer to that which Brentford will implement, is that of relatively unknown Danish Superliga leaders, FC Midtjylland. Midtjylland coincidentally are also majority owned by Mr Benham, a man who has made his money through betting and working in the City. Since July 2014, Midtjylland have been using the management and recruitment system that Brentford will use next season, in that period of time the club has grown and improved greatly. They are currently on course for their first ever trophy, as (at the time of writing) they sit 9 points clear atop of the Danish Superliga. The Head Coach and sporting director model is a model often seen across vast areas of Europe, with the Head Coach primarily in charge of team activities and the sporting director being in charge of player recruitment. Whilst perhaps the timing of the decision for Brentford was not ideal, this decision has been made with long-term success in mind. I think that Brentford fans need to relax, Mark Warburton will get a managerial role somewhere else, I have no doubts about that, and your club appears to be going in the right direction. In honour of how Matthew Benham made his money, perhaps you shouldn’t bet against this being successful for Brentford in the long run and a strategy that many more clubs choose to pursue.

SPORT : 31

ISSUE 18/ 9th MARCH 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Christie Cup preview

AU Chair Rory McClusky gives us a short history of this year’s tri-varsity Rory McClusky AU Chair As The Christie Championship reaches its 130th year we begin to ask the question; where did it all start? The Christie Championship is one of the UK’s biggest university varsity competitions and is rich in history. The sporting tournament will see more than 1,600 students from the Universities of Leeds, Manchester and Liverpool battle it out for the winner’s trophy across 31 sports including netball, rugby, trampoline, fencing and climbing. This year the championship, which will be held on 7th March and 22nd April, will be hosted by the University of Liverpool and the hosts will be looking to take the title from Leeds University, who won it on home soil in 2014. Yet the question remains… where did it all begin? Steeped in history, Christie Championships began in 1886 when the Universities of Manchester, Leeds and Liverpool where constituent colleges of Victoria University. The annual event is named after benefactor, Richard Copley Christie, who was a professor of History and Political Economy at Owens College from 1854 – 1866. After his death in 1901, his widow Mary Helen Christie donated the Christie Cup and Shield which is still played for today. As the three Universities became separate entities the rivalry increased

proves to be an exhilarating fight to the finish! The Championship has been enthusiastically backed this year by Aldi who have returned to Christie. In the summer of 2014 a deal worth £24k was secured over three years beginning with the 2015 Liverpool event. Aldi had previously backed the event but this support terminated in 2011. The Christie Championship is more than glad to have them back as an event this scale would not be financially viable without this additional support. Year on year the Championships exhibits a wide array of exceptional sporting talent and each year the spectacle of Christie exceeds even our own expectations. Let the games begin!

The Christie Championships is fast approaching. Photo: Mancunion Sport

and over the years has led to the thrilling, action packed competition that it is today. Students compete in different sports, all rolled into one afternoon of competition at the host institution (one of the three competing Universities). As a triangular

competition, Christie Championship is unique and is recognised nationally as one of the largest sporting varsities with more than 1,500 students taking part. Tradition dictates that competition for

the Cup is fierce and the standard of sport very high. All three universities call upon athletes who have represented their country at national level and students who have been selected in British University representative squads. Every year

Are you competing at this year’s Championships? The Mancunion Sport will be liveblogging the whole event, so be sure to tweet us @ mancunion_Sport or use the hashtag #uomChristie

The Race for the Champions League

James Haughton suggests in United will miss out on a North-West dominated Top 4 James Haughton Sports Reporter Assuming Manchester City hit a run of form that secures second position, or even propels them to the title, five teams will contend for the third and fourth as the competition for the final two Champions League places promises to be more hotly contested than ever before. So, without further ado, let’s look at the chances of each of the contenders. Tottenham Hotspur (P: 27, Pts: 47, Pos: 7th) After being eliminated from the Europa League by Fiorentina and losing the League Cup final to Chelsea, Spurs can now concentrate solely on the Premier League. However, Spurs are in the middle of a sequence of six games in seventeen days and Pochettino likes his team to play an aggressive pressing style, so fatigue could be a significant problem for Spurs going forward. In order to reach next season’s Champions League, Tottenham will also have to avoid dropping points in their remaining home games, which they failed to do in the 2-2 draw against West Ham, and which has cost them before. In Harry Kane and Christian Eriksen, however, Tottenham have two exciting attacking players who are more than adept at scoring late goals. In fact, Tottenham have gained thirteen points through goals scored after 85 minutes, which goes to show that the players are working for the manager. But Eriksen and Kane cannot be relied on to solely carry Spurs’ attacking threat. Unfortunately for Tottenham, they have a tough run-in, with away fixtures at Manchester United, Southampton,

Everton and Stoke still to come, as well as a home game against Manchester City. Southampton (P28, Pts: 49, Pos: 6th) One of the (pleasant) surprises of the season, Southampton have so far confounded even the most optimistic of pre-season predictions. However, Southampton have struggled in recent weeks, winning just one of their last four league games. The cause of this downturn in form is a lack of goals: Southampton have the fewest goals of all of the CL contenders, despite scoring eight against Sunderland. If they are to regain a top-four spot, then they need Graziano Pelle, who, after a strong start to the season, has not scored in his last eleven games, and Dusan Tadic to quickly regain their form. On the plus side, they have the tightest defence in the league and their runin is relatively nice, as they only have three more games against sides in the top nine and one of those (away to Manchester City) occurs on the final day of the season, when City may not have anything else to play for. But if they are to take advantage of their miserly defence and kind fixture list – and in the process leap frog Liverpool, Arsenal and Manchester United – then they must rediscover their scoring touch. Liverpool (P28, Pts: 51, Pos: 5th) Out of all of the contenders, Liverpool are the PL’s form side: since losing 3-0 to Manchester United, Liverpool have taken 30 points from their twelve Premier League games, going undefeated in the process. Rodgers must be credited with finding a formation that has transformed Liverpool from a collection of underperforming individuals into a formidable unit. One of the key reasons for Liverpool’s recent

upturn in form is that they have started to ship fewer goals (only three in their last eight PL games). Furthermore, Liverpool’s summer signings, derided by almost everyone except Rodgers in the opening stages of the season, have grown into their roles, with Emre Can’s composed performances at centreback a particular shock. Nevertheless, Liverpool have a tough run-in, as they must still play four of the top nine -- including a home game against Manchester United and trips to Arsenal, Chelsea and Stoke, which may be another dead rubber as it will be played on the final day of the season. Plus, Liverpool were not totally convincing in their FA Cup defeat of Bolton, and were recently eliminated from the Europa League by Besiktas. Manchester United (P28, Pts: 53, Pos: 4th) Throughout the season, Manchester United have rarely looked convincing, but have often managed to pick up victories or draws. One obvious area for improvement is in United’s away form; even though they have only lost three of fourteen PL away games, they have only won four. This has placed huge importance on United’s home form, but so far they have delivered, with the second best home record in the league (behind only Chelsea), winning eleven of their fourteen home PL games so far. While Louis Van Gaal has re-instilled the knack of getting results from poor performances, which was so prevalent during Sir Alex’s time in charge, the lack of a convincing formation is worrying. United have arguably a tougher runin than any of the teams around them in the league. They face difficult away trips to Liverpool, Chelsea and Everton and important home games against Spurs, Arsenal and Manchester City.

Will Van Gaal get United into the top 4 this season? Photo: Wikimedia Commons

After spending £150m in the summer transfer window, failing to qualify for the Champions League would be nothing short of disastrous for the club, its owners and Louis Van Gaal. Arsenal (P28, Pts: 54, Pos: 3rd) Out of all of the teams involved in the race for third and fourth, Arsene Wenger and his players are certainly the most accustomed to the task at hand, seeing as Arsenal have been in and around this position so many times over the past few seasons. Time and again Arsenal have found a way to finish either third or fourth without mounting a serious title challenge throughout the season. Results in the Premier League have improved after a poor start to the season, and, in the likes of Santi Cazorla, Tomas Rosicky and Mesut Ozil, they have a collection of attacking midfielders whose form has picked up in conjunction with Arsenal’s.

However, Alexis Sanchez’s performances have taken a dip recently, probably due to tiredness caused by his all-action playing style and his exertions during the first half of the season, when at times it seemed that he was carrying Arsenal by himself. In their final ten games, Arsenal must also be wary that of the complacency and naivety that plagued their performance against Monaco does not creep into their remaining PL games. Final Prediction However much it pains me to write this, as a Manchester United fan, I think Liverpool, who appear, to me, to be the most cohesive side currently, will finish third, and I believe also that Arsenal will finish fourth, because in my opinion they currently possess a greater attacking fluency than their rivals.

SPORT

9th MARCH 2015/ ISSUE 18 FREE : @Mancunion_Sport : /TheMancunion

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MANCHESTER’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Spitgate opinion Qatar World Cup

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Christie Cup Preview

P.31

Lancaster serve up defeat to UoM Men’s firsts relegation confirmed despite battling performance

Joshua Jenkins Sport Reporter

The men’s table tennis first team suffered a 12-5 loss against a strong Lancaster University side in the Northern Division 1A on Wednesday afternoon. The team of James Mason, Wojciech Kwiatkowski, Jason Chan and Anshul Agarwal were unfortunately no match for their local opponents despite displaying a hearty performance against a side who were sitting comfortably in third position in the table before the start of play. Further disappointment came for the boys as defeat confirmed a relegation that had been expected during the last few weeks, but this did not make it any easier to bear. It was always going to be a difficult season for the first team who been plagued with the challenge of the constant changes in team personnel, and also a significant points disadvantage to the rest of the division after

Around the Grounds Men’s Volleyball (Cup) Manchester 2nd 0-3 MMU 2nd Women’s Volleyball (League) Lancaster 1st 3-1 Manchester 2nd Women’s Water Polo (League) MMU 1st 10-4 Manchester Women’s Volleyball (League) Manchester 1st 1-3 Newcastle 1srt Women’s Hockey (Cup) S. Hallam 1st 1-0 Manchester 2nd

Manchester’s womens team competing at this year’s BUCS event Photo: Mancunion Sport

being unable to field a team in the reverse fixture of this tie away at Lancaster in December. Despite the negative result, there were pleasing individual performances from both James and Wojciech, who won two of their four games to maintain their good personal form that has been a constant throughout the season. Wojciech was involved in an ex-

traordinary set with Lancaster player Alex Tyson which sadly finished 22-20 to the latter but was evidence of the high standard of play that was on display. Jason also produced a good performance in recording an unexpected win but found the other three players too strong on the day. A significant mention also must go to Anshul who, despite

usually playing for the second team kept up his reputation as a team player by making himself available and was not able to get a victory that his play deserved. On a more positive note, the men’s second team will be playing against York University next Wednesday in a game where promotion from the Northern Division 2A is all

but confirmed. With a disappointing season for the first team over everyone will be hoping that the second can seal a deserved promotion and make sure that our university still has a team in division 1A for next season.

There’s still time to write for the Mancunion Sports. Email sport.mancunion@gmail.com

Men’s Hockey (League) Leeds BC 1st 5-3 Manchester 1st Men’s Table Tennis (League) Manchester 1st 5-12 Lancaster 1st Men’s Badminton (League) Manchester 1st 6-2 Keele 1st Men’s Rugby Union (League) Edge Hill 1st 60-24 Manchester 2ns Women’s Lacrosse (League) Sheffield 1st 12-5 Manchester 2nd