Issue9

17th NOV 2014/ ISSUE 09 FREE

MANCHESTER’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Interview: Sir Gerald Kaufman

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Minds Matter

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Students crowdfund Harry Potter fan film

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Universities begin marking boycott amid pension plan disputes

Industrial action means students may not get marks or feedback for work. Photo: jackhynes @ Flickr.

Helen Chapman News Editor

Lecturers have decided to take action because of proposed changes to the university pension scheme (Universities Superannuation Scheme) which will mean significantly reduced benefits, in some cases as much as £12000 a year.

The UCU held a ballot to decide what to do and 80 per cent voted in favour of taking industrial action. There is clear support across pre-1992 universities for the boycott.

The UCU has called on its members to take “action short of a strike”, which will take the form of an assessment and marking boycott.

Action will differ across the schools of the university. However, lecturers involved in the industrial action may not be marking work or providing feedback on it.

Despite this, all Schools across the University are attempting to minimise any disruption to

students.

Teaching will continue which means lectures, seminars, supervisions and office hours will be taking place as normal. Not all staff members are involved in the industrial action.

Charlie Spargo, second year Politics, Philosophy and Economics student said: “I agree with the boycott fully, lecturers have much less choice than other professions because they want to damage the university, not the students but there’s no way to do that.

“It’s a Catch-22—they don’t want to hurt students but that’s the only way to get what they want.”

Students have voiced their distress over the industrial action.

Asharki Newton, a third year History and Economics student, said: “As a student, my primary concern is my education.

“Whilst I understand and support the reasons behind the boycott, I am not paying £9000 a year to not receive any feedback or marks. The university needs to be more considerate of how this boycott affects student experience and be

more proactive in trying to resolve the situation.

“It’s such a shame because I have such a high regard for this university. I’d like to think that I would only ever have great things to say about my time here, but this boycott drama has definitely cast a shadow over that.”

Andrew Wilson, a third year Politics and Modern History student, said: “Not only am I in my final year of university, but I am also a member of the first generation of students to pay £9000 a year for the ‘privilege’ of a University education.

“I must say, when I decided to take on this much debt, I expected at the very least to have the work I produced marked accurately and on time. It seems like the most basic of requirements. To think that this will not happen at one of the most crucial stages of my education is, quite frankly, appalling.

“Some of us are applying for Masters Programmes, internships or graduate schemes which require transcripts of our grades, and not being able to supply these would essentially render these applications null and void.”

Another third year Politics and Modern History student expressed similar distress: “I think the marking boycott is absurd. If lecturers think they have it tough, they should try being students under the current fees system.

“All the marking boycott is doing is pissing off the very group of people who are most inclined to back lecturers up—us students.”

Jessie Parkinson, a third year English Literature student, said: “Our lecturers at the University of Manchester deserve a fair and sustainable proposal.

“I hope that employers and the pension scheme managers sit down and negotiate to ensure a fair pension and end this dispute as soon as possible.”

If you have concerns about this industrial action please email President and Vice-Chancellor Nancy Rothwell: nancy.rothwell@manchester. ac.uk or your school and departmental directors to raise issues.

02 : NEWS

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Highlights P12

Music: Interview with Enter Shikari

The RAG team pose for the 2015 edition of RAG’s naked calendar, which is due to be released in the next couple of weeks. Photo: RAG

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Picture of the week - ‘Will strip for charity’

Global week 2014 has arrived!

Fashion: Men’s style sins

Xiaoya Su News Reporter

Books:

This week is the launch of Global Week 2014, which features a series of exciting events and showcases aimed at promoting cultural diversity and global awareness.

One World-Global Week will be the second global gathering held in Manchester. Aimed at celebrating the culture and population diversity in the University, Global Week provides a platform for students around the world to showcase their culture, countries and social conventions.

The event is organised by Tessy Maritim, Diversity Officer of Student Union Exec Team, along with student volunteers. Over 16 cultural societies will be taking part in this Global Week, including Nigerian, Chinese, Japanese, Korean and South African.

The Mancunion asked Tessy what she hopes to achieve by organising the week. She replied, “To give a platform for students, from both near and far, to showcase and celebrate their culture and background. This platform would otherwise not be there.

My vision is for Global Week to be a key event within both the Union and University calendars and we are hoping this year’s Global Week sets’ that precedent”.

This week, a programme of surprising activities will be waiting for students to engage in. International flashmob, ‘speeding-dating’ for learning various

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La vie de Voltaire

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Lifestyle: How to avoid

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Global week aims to promote cultural diversity and international awareness. Photo: UMSU faiths, international food market, Global Scope and international Olympics are some of the events that are going to take place. ‘Passports’ for the week will also be handed out to give students an overview of the various activities that are going to showing up.

Among the total eight events throughout the week, Global Night, held on the night of Thursday November 20, will be the biggest. It is an evening party composed of a fashion and talent show. In the party, students from different cultural societies will be doing modelling with their traditional costumes and

all kinds of talent performance. Though £5 ticket is needed for the entrance, it will be an experience for anyone who wants to be strike by the beauty of culture diversity and have a taste of the fragrance of exotic dancing and music.

Tessy added further, “Global Week is not just about international students. It’s an opportunity to cultivate a global mind-set. It’s an opportunity for all students to learn about and appreciate other areas of the world. So, just get involved and get global, a world of excitements is coming to you on the way”.

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

Beauty Editor: Nikki Patel beauty@mancunion.com

News Editors: Anna Phillips, Lauren Gorton, Helen Chapman & Jenny Sterne news@mancunion.com

Food & Drink Editors: Elena Gibbs & Adam Fearn

Science & Technology Editor: Andy van den Bent-Kelly

Film Editors: James Moules, Thomas Bruce, Martin Solibakke, & Andriana Hambi film@mancunion.com

Features Editors: Haider Saleem & Roberta Rofman

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people when

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Books Editors: Leonie Dunn & Ali Pearson books@mancunion.com

you don’t want to

Editor-in-chief : Aidan Gregory editor@mancunion.com

Opinion Editors: Morris Seifert & Marcus Johns

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

Deputy Editor-in-chief : Charlie Spargo deputyeditor.mancunion@gmail.com

opinion@mancunion.com

Lifestyle Editors: Robert Firth lifestyle@mancunion.com

speak to them

Postal address: Univerity of Manchester Students’ Union, Oxford Road, Manchester, M13 9PR Phone (0161) 275 2933

Fashion Editors: Aimée Grant Cumberbatch & Gráinne Morrison fashion@mancunion.com

Music Editors: Patrick Hinton, Samuel Ward, Lowell Clarke, and Daniel Whiteley music@mancunion.com

Sport Editors: Andrew Georgeson & Will Kelly Sports Reporter: Liam Kelly sport@mancunion.com Theatre Editor: Nicole Tamer theatre@mancunion.com Arts Editor - Holly Smith arts@mancunion.com Societies editor - Evie Hull societies.mancunion@gmail.com Interested in photo journalism, with an eye for colour and detail? The Mancunion are looking for photographers ! If you would like to get involved, contact Aidan Gregory at editor@mancunion.com

NEWS : 03

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Manchester-born student stabbed to death in Stoke Elena Losavio News Reporter

arrived

Eni Mevish, a student at Staf-

her

breathing

was

ereton, from Stoke’s Central

very weak. I told them what

Local Policing Team, asserted:

had happened and moved so I

“Detectives, supported by local

didn’t get in their way.

officers have conducted house

fordshire University, died on

“It was surreal, after being in

to house enquiries in the area

the 9th of November. She was

direct contact with that kind

but are still urging anyone who

stabbed in a residential area

of situation it’s hard to concen-

might have seen or heard any-

near the university campus.

trate on anything else.”

thing which could be connect-

The

20-year-old

student

In addition, he observed:

was injured in the stomach,

“When you learn first aid you

when she was at her home on

never expect to have to put it

“We are working to support

Cauldon Road, Stoke-on Trent.

into practice, especially in such

the family of the woman and

While the attack happened,

a serious situation. I want to of-

the injured male at this very

other students were inside the

fer my condolences to her fam-

difficult time with specially-

accommodation.

ily, and thanks to all the people

trained family liaison officers.”

Another

person,

who

is

who tried to save her.”

ed to the incident to contact them.

A 68-year-old man has been

thought to be her boyfriend,

Outside her home, a lot of

charged with murder and also

was also stabbed. In spite of his

people left tributes. As de-

of wounding. He was request-

injuries, the 22-year-old man

clared by Professor Andrew

ed to turn up at Stafford Crown

has recovered and he is no

Jackson, Eni’s tutor, everybody

Court via video link on Thurs-

longer at the hospital.

at Staffordshire University is

day, November 13.

Student Thomas Barnes tried

shocked by this event.

to help Eni Mavish, after hav-

He said: “We are greatly sad-

ing heard someone shouting

dened by the news of the death

nearby in the street.

of Eni Mevish. This is a tragic

He said: “A man came in with

loss and we offer our sincere

blood on his jeans shouting

condolences to her family and

that a girl had been stabbed.

friends.

She had blood pouring from

“Eni was a warm-hearted per-

a stab wound in her stomach,

son and an able, enthusiastic

and cuts all up her arm.

and conscientious student. She

“I made a makeshift tourni-

was a very popular member of

quet, checked for a pulse and

her cohort. There is no doubt

kept her arm lifted high until

that she will be truly missed by

the ambulance arrived.

all who knew her.”

“By the time the ambulance

Chief Inspector Martin Br-

20-year-old Mevish sadly died from her wounds after an attack ather home in Stoke-on-Trent. Photo: Facebook

Satisfaction with economics course falls drastically Jenny Sterne News Editor

According to the 2014 National Student Survey, overall satisfaction with economics at The University of Manchester has slipped.

The survey’s found the main issue was with the Bachelor of Economic Science programme, described by the University as its “flagship degree programme in modern, quantitative economics”.

Satisfaction for this programme has dropped by 21 per cent.

Economics courses at Manchester are now twelve percentage points lower than Russell Group averages.

The Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society (PCES), a student-led pressure group that campaigns for changes to economics education, said in a statement to Times Higher Education (THE) that the results demonstrated

The Post-Crash Economics Society has campaigned for heterodox economics education at theuniversity. Photo: PCES

how students were disappointed with the university’s decision not to offer a module entitled “Bubbles, Panics and Crashes”, which the society felt would have incorporated the alternative economic

ed this disappointment. One student wrote, “there have been no instances of alternative economic theories being presented other than neoclassical. This means I feel unable to understand the way

sity has merely taught me how to take exams.”

One said they were “very disappointed in the way the university has dealt with requests from students to change the way econom-

perspectives that they wish to see included.

As reported by THE, many of the comments made in the National Student Survey explicitly reflect-

the economy and agents behave outside of mathematical models.”

“Thinking outside of the box is not encouraged,” wrote another, with a third saying: “The Univer-

ic science is taught at university”, another adding that they “do not appreciate…such a broad subject being taught in such a mindnumbing and narrow way”, add-

ing: “To put it simply, I used to really enjoy economics before I came to university and now I do not.”

One student described the university’s decision not to offer the Bubbles module as “breath-taking arrogance and ignorance”, while another said it demonstrated “that it is not listening to my voice on the matter of teaching alternative schools of economic thought”.

Ben Pringle, treasurer of the Manchester Post-Crash Economics Society, said, “Manchester will continue to sink if the department doesn’t take students’ opinions seriously.

“In an era of £9000 fees making up around two-thirds of the SoSS’s funding the economics department needs to abandon its policy of showing reckless disregard for student opinon.”

A Manchester spokesman in a statement to THE said the results were “a concern and a puzzle” as

other programmes that shared many of its modules had improved levels of student satisfaction.

He said that it was disappointing that PCES had campaigned for students to use the National Student Survey “strategically”.

He added that the university has responded by working with current students “to understand their real concerns so that we can improve the student experience” and that the economics department is taking “a number of steps to enhance its curriculum”, including introducing new modules in economic policy and behavioural economics, and that the university was conducting a “wide-ranging curriculum review of our core economics programmes”.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NEWS : 04

Manchester students Kickstart Harry Potter fan-film Aileen Duffy News Editor A group of students from the University of Manchester, Manchester Metropolitan University and Salford University have set up a Kickstarter in order to raise money for their Harry Potter based fan movie ‘Mudblood and The Book of Spells’.

A teaser for the production has already been released online, in hopes that it will draw support for the film which is aiming to raise £40000 in the next 28 days. Speaking exclusively to The Mancunion, director and producer Cameron expressed his passion for the film, explaining that the plot has been rewritten a total of 11 times to get it perfect.

The story, written by the collective students, is about the adventure of ‘mudblood’ Charlie, a boy born into the wizarding world from muggle parents.

The plot follows his struggles to adapt to life at Hogwarts as a mudblood after the events of Lord Voldemort, resulting in him taking a wrong turn at Hogwarts and sticking himself in trouble with snatchers disbanded from the reign of the Dark Lord.

Cameron stated that the film is to be a “modern take on the wizarding world,” exploring life for wizards in modern times, particularly after the battle for Hogwarts, compared to the previous Harry Potter franchise which depicted the book adaptations in their written era of the 90s.

If the Kickstarter is successful in crowd sourcing its production funding, the team behind ‘Mudblood and the Book of Spells’ are expecting to start filming in January 2015. The entire cast and production team are receiving no payment for their efforts, which Cameron explained in that they’re creating the film to live their passion for creating a fulfilling fan fiction of the franchise, and are open to anyone who wants to join the team—wizard extras are welcome.

The team recognised there was a lack of Potter-based fan films that were actually successful and took into account what true fans really wanted to see, and are hoping to break the mould with their take on the wizarding world for those disappointed by scenes left out by Warner Brothers.

As well as their own knowledge and love of the Harry Potter series, they’ve incorporated help from the fan base worldwide, using Mugglesnet and J. K. Rowling’s Potter-based forum, Pottermore.com, to help notice where they’ve been breaking the ‘laws’ of the wizarding world and subsequently improve the quality of their work.

They’ve already cast the main roles for the film, including the leading role of Charlie, the young protagonist who gets expelled from Hogwarts after altercations with other students. Charlie is to be played by award-winning actor Bretten Lord, alongside Game of Thrones star Forbes KB who will take the role of ‘the bad guy’.

The students involved in the making of the film include composer Ben Hugget from the Royal Northern College of Music and Gemma Kearins, a fashion design graduate from the University of Salford whose work in creative textiles has been featured at London Fashion Week.

The film is to be shot all around the North of the UK, with many scenes taking place in Manchester city centre, as well as the Lake District.

Cameron stated that the crew believe the fans will truly love the production when it comes to the release, saying “it wasn’t just [an idea] we pulled out of a hat, we’ve spent a long time building and creating what we believe to be the perfect story and perfect representation of how a Harry Potter-based film should go.

“When we were all growing up, Harry Potter represented our time—I want to know what life is like for wizards now, without the presence of You-Know-Who. This is what the film is going to represent, it’s going to be dark, and we’re so excited to see the final result.

“We didn’t want to do what had already been done, with flying cars and such. We met superfans who helped us build our script, they became really invested in it—it’s amazing how into it people get, all we need now is the funding to make it happen!”

Further information on the project can be found and donations can be made at https://www.kickstarter.com/ projects/1521374935/mudblood-and-thebook-of-spells-hp-fan-film.

Photo: Cameron Cairnduff @Kickstarter

Who runs the world: International Police are still looking for Women’s Day Award nominations brutal Sankeys attacker Lauren Gorton News Editor Manchester City Council has launched nominations for its International Women’s Day Award to celebrate the achievements of women living and working in the city.

The Awards are given to women and groups of women in recognition of the valuable contributions that they have made to improve the lives of Manchester residents and communities.

This year, Manchester’s theme for International Women’s Day is Breaking Through, chosen to celebrate and recognise those who have succeeded against the odds to achieve incredible feats.

There are five award categories in which an individual or group can be nominated: breaking through in volunteering; in campaigning; in sport, leisure or art and culture; in business, legal or science and technology; and

young women breaking through.

There is also a special recognition award named in memory of Margaret Ashton, the first female Councillor in Manchester. This is for a woman or group of women who have worked tirelessly over time to make a positive impact on the city and its population.

Councillor Josie Teubler, lead member for women and Chair of the IWD steering group said “These awards are about highlighting and celebrating women who have broken through and are breaking through, at home, at work, in their communities and in many different areas of their lives.

“They are the women who have worked hard to buck trends and inspire women of all ages to challenge stereotypes and assumptions.

I would really like people to take the time to nominate women they know who have made a real difference in the lives of communities and organi-

sations.

“This is a chance for us to recognise their amazing achievements and say thank you for the way they have improved the lives of Manchester residents.”

Councillor Sue Murphy, the Deputy Leader of Manchester City Council, also spoke about the event saying “I have been involved with International Women’s Day for many years and every year I learn more about ordinary women who are doing extraordinary things in their everyday lives.

This is what International Women’s Day is about; an opportunity to celebrate women’s achievements and ensure that they are recognised for the great work that they carry out.”

The closing date for nominations is Tuesday 9th December 2014 and nomination forms and further information for each category can be found on the website: www.manchester.gov.uk/iwd.

Helen Chapman News Editor At around 4am on Sunday 26th October 2014, the victim and a friend left the nightclub and walked to two separate cars to head home.

The victim then received a call from his friend asking for help, as some men had approached him and were trying to steal his car.

The victim ran around the corner and saw two unknown men sitting in his friend’s vehicle.

After he asked them to get out, one of the offenders got out the car and started to threaten the victim before launching into an attack, punching the victim in the face, breaking his teeth and causing facial fractures that left the victim hospitalised.

The offender is described as an Asian man, of slim build, around 5ft 10in tall and between 25 and 27 years old. He had a goatee beard and was wearing a red jumper and blue jeans.

Detective Constable David Berry said: “This assault caused significant injury to the victim, leaving him requiring hospital treatment

and cosmetic surgery to his face.

“Such was the force of the blows and the damage caused by the attack, that officers believe that the offenders used a weapon.

“The victim was simply sticking up for his friend and that act of bravery has resulted in him suffering terrible injury.

“If you were in the area at the time, you were leaving Sankeys around 4am or saw anyone matching the description above, please call police as soon as possible.”

D/Constable David Berry, from Greater Manchester Police, said: “This assault caused significant injury to the victim, leaving him requiring hospital treatment and cosmetic surgery to his face.

“Such was the force of the blows and the damage caused, officers believe that the offenders used a weapon.

“The victim was simply sticking up for his friend and that act of bravery has resulted in him suffering terrible injury.”

Anyone with information should call police on 0161 856 1901 or the independent charity Crimestoppers on 0800 555 111.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

NEWS : 05

Controversial Comedian Dapper Laughs Cancels HMV Ritz Show Anna Phillips News Editor Since the announcement of his upcoming tour date at Manchester’s HMV Ritz, controversial comedian Dapper Laughs has killed off his act and cancelled his whole sold-out tour.

Dapper Laughs, real name Daniel O’Rielly, is a comedian and social media personality who became famous through Vine and Facebook, with more than 1.7 million Facebook likes and over 370000 Twitter followers.

He was also given a TV show on ITV2 earlier this year, Dapper Laughs: On The Pull,where he offers dating tips to members of the public on how to ‘pull’ women.

With infamous lines such as “show her your penis, if she cries, she’s just playing hard to get” and suggesting a female audience member was “gagging for rape”, his unique brand of comedy has caused huge amounts of controversy.

The recently released Proper Naughty Christmas album was also made by Dapper, the funds of which were intended to go towards the housing and homeless charity Shelter despite one track on his album, Leaving the Pub…With a Tramp, which include the lyrics “you smell like

shit.”

When two journalists criticised him for this over Twitter, Dapper asked his fans to tell them to “fuck off”, which resulted in abuse such as branding the female journalist a whore and a slut, and suggesting that she needed a beating and a rape.

A petition started by a Cardiff University student to prevent the Students’ Union from allowing Dapper to perform his Socially Unacceptable tour gained over 700 signatures instantly and the Union cancelled Dapper Laughs’ performance as a result.

The petition organiser Vicky Chandler said that the petition was created on the grounds that the comedian’s work “trivialised rape, unprotected sex, and dehumanising of women.”

A change.org petition started by Tom Zephr which called for ITV Chief Executive to “Cancel Dapper Laughs: On The Pull” also received over 50000 signatures in a matter of days.

Dapper Laughs was set to play his comedy gig at the Manchester Ritz next February which also spurred controversy, with Manchester Twitter users demanding that the Ritz cancel the performance.

Socially Unacceptable is not Dapper’s first UK tour; his Proper Moist tour earlier

Photo: Dapper Laughs@Facebook

in 2014 proved extremely popular, and he performed to a sold-out audience in Manchester’s Sound Control last February.

Campaigns were set to go ahead in Manchester to boycott the gig at HMV Ritz next year and disallow Dapper Laughs to

perform, but he has since cancelled all of his up-coming comedy shows.

In an interview with Newsnight this week, O’Reilly, free of the Dapper Laughs persona, expressed regret for the upset he had caused, stating that the recent media

backlash had “ruined everything” and that “Dapper Laughs is gone.”

Dapper Laughs: On The Pull has also been axed from ITV2 following huge public backlash and will not be given another series.

Bus inspector jailed over Trafford Council vote to officially oppose fracking ‘crash for cash’ scam Jenny Sterne News Editor Back in 2011, Bus Inspector Asan Akram was behind a £400000 scam, involving a number 42 bus crashing into a Mercedes on Wimslow Road, the busiest bus route in Manchester.

There were more than thirty passengers on board the double decker bus at the time of the incident. Insurers had therefore put aside £400000, expecting a flood of accident injury claims.

Akram was one of the first at the scene of the crash; interviewing the driver, taking down names and asking if anyone needed medical assistance.

An investigation later revealed, however, that Akram, Finglands’ night duty inspector, had staged the collision between the bus and the Mercedes, which had been driven by his friend Tariq Iqbal.

In a statement to Manchester Evening News, Phil Dobson, prosecuting, said: “CCTV from the bus showed the Mercedes in close proximity to the bus— stopping, slowing, allowing it to overtake—several times before

the moment of hard braking and collision.”

After both men admitted conspiracy to commit fraud at Manchester Crown Court, Akram has now been jailed for 16 months.

Iqbal was given a 12-month sentence suspended for two years, 250 hours of unpaid work, and a four-month curfew. The bus driver was investigated before being cleared.

Insurance companies became suspicious of the ‘accident’ due to the vagueness of Akram’s report filled out after the incident, and employed a private investigation company.

City of London Police was given the case by the insurers. They were unable to trace Akram until December 2013. By this time Iqbal had successfully gained a pay out of £12,500 and Finglands had paid £42,000 in legal fees.

As quoted in Manchester Evening News, Max Saffman, defending Akram, said he had shown himself capable of living a law-abiding life, but turned to fraud because of ‘financial desperation’.

City of London Police detective constable Mark Reynolds,

who led the Insurance Fraud Enforcement Department’s (IFED) investigation, said: “This was a long-running and complex investigation which has ultimately proved that Akram and Iqbal meticulously planned to commit insurance fraud on a massive scale.

“The fact that their attempted scam put lives at risk by causing a crash with a packed doubledecker bus on a busy road at night was inconsequential to them.

“They wanted half a million pounds from an insurer and were prepared to go to any length to get it.

“But what both men did not reckon on was IFED and the insurance industry working together to identify and track down criminals and have them brought to justice.”

Lauren Gorton News Editor On Wednesday 12th November Trafford Council formerly voted to oppose fracking at its full Council meeting. During the debate the motion was amended to affirm that Trafford council will oppose fracking “until such time as it can be proven safe,” which was passed with crossparty support.

The council were originally due to decide on an application

by IGas to drill for unconventional gas in Davyhulme at the October planning committee meeting, but this was postponed following concerns raised by Friends of the Earth regarding the inadequacies of the environmental assessment.

In the recent November full council meeting the Trafford Labour group submitted the motion opposing fracking which was also supported by the Liberal Democrat group. The motion stated that the council was opposed to changes in trespassing law which would allow fracking companies to pump water and chemicals in to shale rock to re-

lease methane gas and then drill under homes to collect the gas without needing permission of the home owners.

The Labour group stated that the grounds for this opposition where founded on public concern over the risk of earth tremors, contamination of ground and surface water, the release of greenhouse gases and noise pollution for local residents.

Further the Trafford Labour group acknowledged that at the most optimistic forecast shale gas could meet only 10 per cent of European gas demand by 2030 and that recent polls have shown that 75 per cent of the public are opposed to fracking.

The Trafford Labour group further stated: “All these are genuine concerns… The fact is that any long term damage to our environment would be irreversible, as we see now in America with hundreds of abandoned wells.

“We strongly believe we should be listening to the views of local people and the evidence in relation to health and safety and that our duty as a council is to protect the health and wellbeing of our residents and oppose fracking

and coal bed extraction of methane gas in Trafford”.

Over 1500 people have signed a petition organised by the Friends of the Earth to Trafford Council opposing fracking. Local campaigners, who had gathered outside the Town Hall ahead of the meeting, reacted with delight at the news the council was opposing fracking but called on Councillors to do the same for other unconventional gas such as coal bed methane which is proposed for Davyhulme.

Pete Abel, a Trafford resident and co-ordinator of Manchester Friends of the Earth said: “We are pleased that Trafford Councillors have acted to protect their residents against the risks of fracking, and call on them to do the same for other risky unconventional gas [extraction methods] such as coal bed methane extraction which is proposed for Davyhulme.

“Trafford’s economy and environment could benefit hugely from renewables and energy efficiency which will offer far more for jobs and will tackle climate change more effectively than dirty gas.”

06 : News

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Technology: The modern day student addiction

- A survey has revealed the biggest addictions that students and other young people commonly succumb to. day without logging in to any of their accounts.

Each day, people spend an average of 54 minutes on the likes of Facebook, Twitter and LinkedIn. Of these sites, YouTube was one of the most The internet, social media and mobile phones popular. Young people spend an average of 40 have become three of the biggest addictions minutes a day browsing and watching videos on among students and other 18 – 24 year olds, acthe website. cording to a survey conducted by an electronic James Dunworth, Director and Co-Founder of cigarette company.

ECigarette Direct, said, “I think it’s worth bearing The study, which involved 2000 members of in mind that 20 or even 10 years ago these same the British public, was designed by ECigarette people would have been glued to the television.

Diect to determine exactly what qualifies as a “The usual criticism is that people are interactmodern day addiction. Although some are iming on social media instead of face to face. That mediately obvious, most notably nicotine and may be a valid to a degree, but again it’s probably various drugs, there are countless other habits, better than sitting on a sofa watching TV.” items and even activities that people class as adHe stressed that despite the negative connotadictions. tions that come with labelling something as an In the Technology section of the report, mobile addiction, there were many benefits to social phones featured prominently. Roughly 54 per media platforms.“As a person with family spread cent of the people questioned considered the over several different countries, I personally find devices an addiction, dedicating an average of it an invaluable to keep up with the lives of those 50 minutes a day to texting, calling and general close to me.” browsing.

It could be argued that social media falls into This was to be expected – mobiles (in particular the category of internet browsing, although the smartphones) form a key part of many people’s respondents didn’t seem to agree. Only 34 per daily lives, both for business and leisure. cent believe that surfing the web is an addiction, However, as addicted as many of us are to our despite the fact that the average time of 64 minphones, they weren’t top of the list. utes spent online a day is greater than the figure Social media was regarded as the biggest adfor phones and social platforms. 21 per cent even diction, with over 55 per cent of 18 – 24 year olds NUSDE.NOV14.Mancunion.Half.pdf 1 11/11/2014 stated14:56 that they spend more than two hours on admitting that they struggled to get through the Andy van den Bent-Kelly Science and Technology Editor

C

M

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the internet every day.

However, it should be noted that social media can easily be accessed on a smartphone – it is fairly safe to assume that this is how many people regularly check their multiple accounts. This would explain the apparent disparity in the results.

The study also focused on two other areas: Lifestyle & Fashion and Health & Fitness.

In Lifestyle, shopping came in as the biggest addiction, with half of all the respondents classing it as one. An astonishing 42 per cent stated that they couldn’t live without it.

Vanity, looking good and being in a relationship

also featured. Although it could be argued that vanity is a trait that everyone possesses to some extent, 34 per cent admitted that looking good all the time was simply essential. Nearly a third of respondents stated that they were dependent on having a partner.

Gossip was perhaps the most surprising entry.

An incredible 30 per cent of respondents said they were addicted to gossiping, even going as far as admitting that they couldn’t live without it.

In Health, the biggest addictions were found to be calorie counting and weight loss. Sadly, almost a quarter of respondents said that they wouldn’t be able to live without weight loss.

“Hands up if you can’t live without your phone”- 54 per cent of 18 - 24 year olds consider the devices an addiction.

Photo: kris krüg @Flickr

Take action and report it online at: www.manchester.ac.uk/we-get-it, anonymously or for support. www.facebook.com/WeGetItUoM #WeGetItUoM

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ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

08 : Features

Domestic violence victims who attack their abusers

Photo: Martin Howard@Flickr

Abbie Piazza explores cases where domestic violence victims attack their abusers and their impact.

D

omestic violence is a topic which almost everybody has been made aware of in their lifetime. As a student of the social sciences, I can say that a vast proportions of my academic learning has been spent looking at various factors of domestic violence. Over the past few years I have spent time looking at the reasons as to how this type of abuse can be allowed to take place, why victims stay within an abusive relationship and why people abuse in the first place?

In recent years the government have attempted to increase awareness of domestic violence in society. Many campaigns have been launched to help victims become aware at what specifically constitutes as domestic violence and how it can be prevented.

There have even been some campaigns that have been targeted at young men to help them become fully aware of what domestic violence is and the consequence of their actions. These campaigns have not only targeted the issues surrounding physical abuse but have also made both victims and perpetrators aware of mental abuse and its consequences. Abusive relationships have been a consistent theme in various media outlets, especially soap operas.

However, amongst all of this improved awareness regarding domestic violence, why are so many aspects marginalised?

There is often a preconception about the victims of domestic violence being middle aged and married, this is not the case. Abuse by a partner is an

issue that primarily affects youths as research conducted by DoSomething. org found that females aged 16-24 are three times more likely to be in an abusive relationship than the rest of the population. This type of abuse at a rather young age has serious consequences on these individual’s futures as they may become trapped in a possessive relationships where opportunities for individual advancement, such as graduating university, are severely limited, or attachments to their friends or families are marginalised or even cut off completely.

Prior to commencing research on this article I was unaware of how widespread the phenomenon of abuse in teen relationships really is. Research that has been conducted highlights the true extent of domestic violence in teenagers and, personally, I find the figures shocking. In 2009 the NSPCC piloted research to find the extent of domestic violence in teen relationships and interviewed a variety of youths aged 13-17. This research showed that 25% of girls interviewed had experienced some form of physical partner violence and around 75% of girls involved in the study admitted to have experienced some form of emotional partner violence.

Also, with the growth in films and literature such as 50 Shades of Gray, abuse is glamorized and made to seem like the foundation of an important relationship, when really it’s not healthy at all. The increase of the people who indulge in these types of books and films are then clouded about what is healthy

and what a relationship is supposed to be.

This can be extremely damaging on a victims mental health, especially if they are unsure where to seek help from. Not being sure who to turn to is a very common problem in these sorts of circumstances and that is why publicising the suitable organisations in which a victim can go to for help is extremely significant. At the University of Manchester, support for its students in any situation is a major theme that runs throughout various university programmes.

After speaking to Rosie Dammers who is the Well-being Officer for the university, she informed me of all the different programmes available to students who need advice or support, especially those who are having issues with their mental state. Throughout wellbeing week, various mental health helps are available, currently counselling sessions that are being run and also relaxation and meditation classes.

Being involved in a domestic violence relationship can have serious negative effects on a victim’s welfare, and I urge any students that are suffering from being involved in such a situation should take full advantage of the programmes in place for support.

It is rare to find a government campaign, a piece of research or even a conversation that talks about the aftermath of violence on a victim’s mental health. It is even rarer to find any literature that refers to the victims who do retaliate and attack, or even worse kill

their abusive partner. Occasionally there is a news story which entails a victim snapping and killing their partner, and in most cases a weapon is involved; but the real question that remains is who receives sympathy from the Criminal Justice System and from the public? Are we to condone those who reach breaking point and attack their oppressor or are we to feel sympathy with their situation and be more understanding of their retaliation?

The Sara Thornton case in 1990 has been deemed an extremely controversial case as it provides evidence of the courts being both compassionate and harsh on a victim who killed their abuser. Sara Thornton who stabbed her abusive partner to death whilst he lay intoxicated and asleep on the sofa was initially found guilty for the murder of her husband. The judge who sentenced her justified her sentence by saying that she merely could have ‘walked out or gone upstairs’ as an alternative to killing him. However this verdict received severe backlash from feminist groups and in 1995 Thornton’s case had a retrial and she was acquitted of murder and received a 5 year prison sentence for manslaughter as the judge determined that she could not be fully responsible for her actions due to an ‘abnormality of the mind’. This case was seen to be a victory for advocates of those who have been abused maintaining their victim status.

Not long after the Sara Thornton case, a series of defences were introduced in Criminal Law. Those who killed their abusive partner could rely on a partial defence of either a loss of self-control or diminished responsibility, however for many they are not able to depend on either of these as their acts must comply

within the requirements of the defence.

This can also be a problem for many as the preconceptions of the jury can affect the outcome of the trial and many jurors have the mentality of ‘why didn’t they just leave?’ If this mentality is present then a juror’s decision may be altered by this and therefore creating a lack of sympathy for those being convicted.

Even though in recent years Britain has seen the implementation of safeguards for those who suffer from ‘Battered Woman Syndrome’; there has been many circumstances where the courts have been unforgiving and many domestic violence victims have been given what appear to be harsh sentences considering the circumstances, but is this right? How can this type of abuse reach a level that victim’s feel their only escape is to resort to taking their partners life?

Although taking another individual’s life cannot be fully justified, in some circumstances it can be understood. It is almost impossible to comprehend what falling victim to a domestic violence relationship is like, and something many jury members will have no experience of. Punishment such as a life sentence of imprisonment may seem like an appealing option to many but there are so many alternative options available that may be much more appropriate, many that involve some form of counselling or helping with any mental health problems. In these circumstances strict punishment may not necessarily be the answer and that there should be a degree of sympathy when dealing with these types of murders.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Feature : 09

Interview: Sir Gerald Kaufman MP Charlie Spargo met stalwart of the House of Commons Sir Gerald Kaufman MP to talk about Palestine, the Home Secretary, comedy and the education system Charlie Spargo Deputy Editor-in-chief

Despite being 84, Gerald Kaufman is still as sharp as he’s ever been after 44 years in the House of Commons. The son of Jewish immigrants who fled Poland before World War I, Kaufman grew up in Leeds and attended the Leeds Grammar School and Oxford University. An outspoken supporter of the Palestinian state, he has had a varied career, working for The Daily Mirror and writing for popular TV satire That Was The Week That Was before becoming an MP in 1970 after a stint as Harold Wilson’s press advisor, but hismain aspiration would have been to be a film critic; “I would have worked for a Nazi newspaper if they’d allowed me to be their film critic!” He was first MP for Manchester Ardwick before moving to the Gorton constituency in 1983. He

Photo: wdm_manchester @Flickr

has been Shadow Home Secretary and Shadow Foreign Secretary. I met Gerald Kaufman after his MP’s surgery at Gorton Library.

On the possibility becoming the oldest Member of Parliament at the next election and if he’ll ever retire I’m standing at the next election because [the constituency Labour Party] twisted my arm to stand, and they even twisted my arm as to when I should announce it. It’s not just because of that; I feel that I may be of service to people and that’s fulfilling.

Secondly there are issues that I want to pursue in Parliament; local, national and international issues, and I get the opportunity to do that. I don’t look head to the future, I just take things as they come.

I find what goes on at Westminster too often futile and pointless but you can make an impact there and you

can get things done if you raise things in the right way. But it’s what happens in the constituency that keeps me interested. What keeps me going there is what happens here.

On the current political atmosphere When the Queen tapped me on the shoulder 10 years ago now to make me a knight, she said to me, “you must have seen a lot of changes in your time.” I said, “yes, but not all for the better.”

I don’t like the way the House of Commons operates now. I don’t like the fact that there are ridiculous [four or five-minute] limitations on the lengths of speeches from backbenchers, for example.

There isn’t really debate in the House of Commons. When I first went people would have debated with each other— but now people are looking at the clock the whole time to see how their four minutes are going.

This Home Secretary is the first in all my time in the House of Commons who doesn’t answer letters. She’s very, very arrogant and I have said that in the House of Commons. Up until this government, although I didn’t always get satisfactory replies, I did get responses.

The Prime Minister doesn’t answer letters. He is very, very arrogant. Same with the Chancellor of the Exchequer.

Other ministers are not so bad. The Secretary of State for Work & Pensions, the Foreign Secretary and the Secretary of State for Health; they may not send me replies that I find satisfactory on behalf of my constituents, but at least they respond.

This is a bad Government in terms of its responsibility to Parliament and I have had to raise that with the Speaker in Parliament on a number of occasions.

On Tony Benn I was a friend of Tony Benn for a considerable number of years. But then, in the late 1970s, Tony Benn, rich—he’s just left £5 million in his will, in addition to his country estate in Essex which he’s left to his family—and the son of a peer, [a peerage he] very courageously worked to get rid of, discovered the working class.

Since I have been a member of the working class, I have never had to discover them and regard them as Benn appeared to regard them, as Noble Savages—they are just people as far as I’m concerned.

He nearly destroyed the party when he took over leadership of the left and then stood for the deputy leadership. I would have left politics if he had been elected but fortunately, he was defeated by a fraction of one per cent.

I used to appear on platforms with Benn about Palestine, and on one occasion he said to me, “I’m liberated from being regarded as anti-Semitic when I support Palestine, because I can say Gerald Kaufman supports it.”

Well, everybody has his uses I suppose.

On the Israel-Palestine conflict This government refused to participate in the vote [to recognise Palestine]. They banned Conservative MPs from participating in the vote.

We passed that resolution and the important thing was not only that it was a decision by the UK Parliament, regardless of what the Government does, but since the leader of the Labour Party officially voted for recognition, if we get a Labour Government next year then, unless they do it automatically, which I hope they will, there will be very great pressure on the Government to formally recognise the Palestinian State in the way that the Swedish Government has just done.

I long ago gave up hope for the Israelis participating in a negotiated solution. This Israeli government is the worst, in my view, there’s ever been— extreme right wing, chauvinistic. It’s now closed down the Al-Aqsa mosque area in Jerusalem, which no one has ever done before.

President Obama blathered on a lot that the Americans would put pressure on the Israelis but all the Americans are now whining and saying the Israelis are poisoning the atmosphere.

[He] has been a total waste of space on most things actually including the closing of the Guantanamo Bay imprisonment camp.

Panta rei means everything flows; you can’t rely on things staying the same. Whoever would have thought that the Berlin Wall would have come down, that freedom would be given in South Africa, [or] that we would get a relatively peaceful settlement in Northern Ireland?

My own view is that the day will come when the Palestinians, who have already revolted twice, will say, “if we’re going to die, let’s die for something.” And if that happens then all bets are off.

I simply say do what you can. Something is more than nothing. Don’t regard efforts or individual efforts as futile, everything counts. If you try you may fail, but if you don’t try you will fail.

On Judaism worldwide I get quite a lot of letters from Jews and quite a lot of e-mails from Jews in the US supporting what I say and what I try to do and [they] say, “no American congressman would ever dare to say what you say, because of the pressure groups. There was an article a few weeks ago, about the way in which the principal Jewish pressure group, the AIPAC, is weakening its impact.

I am a religious Jew; I was brought up a religious Jew and I remain a religious Jew, but you don’t have to be religious to be a Jew. In fact, you can’t stop being a Jew whether you want to or not.

As Hitler proved, if one converted from Judaism, as far as the Nazis were

concerned, they were still Jews and still liable to be put in concentration camps and death camps.

On comedy I wrote for the comedy show, That Was The Week That Was—that was a fantastic opportunity for me, which I made for myself.

On the first night it was broadcast I visited my mother in Leeds—there were only 2 channels then—and we sat there watching That Was The Week That Was and I said, “I can do this.”

That was a Saturday night. I thought up an idea and rang the BBC and asked to speak to the producer, Ned Sherrin, from my office at The Daily Mirror that Monday morning.

He had no idea who I was and I told him that I had this idea for a sketch and he said “write it and I’ll send a taxi in the morning to pick it up.” No e-mail, no fax in those days. It was broadcast on the Saturday night and then most Saturday nights I contributed sketches.

On the education system I was fortunate enough to win a scholarship to Leeds Grammar School which was a fee-paying independent school and I would never have got near it if I hadn’t won a scholarship.

I don’t want to close [fee-paying schools] down. I can’t say I’m thrilled by the status of Manchester Grammar School which I represented for 44 years but which had nothing to do with me for a very great time.

As long as the state system provides a satisfactory education for young people, then I’m not going to say that feepaying schools should be closed down.

I won what was called an Exhibition to Oxford, a kind of scholarship. I’d have never got near it if it depended on getting money and my parents paying.

When I was a undergraduate there were just over 100000 university students in the country and there are now a million and a half, so that creates certain problems.

That’s no excuse for what has happened over the past few years. This Government’s abolition of the Education Maintenance Allowance means that young people have had opportunities of going to higher education taken away.

I would very much like to see university education being free, but I don’t see it happening and it’s certainly not happening under this Government.

I hope that if we get a Labour Government next year, they will ameliorate the situation, [but] I don’t think we’re ever going to go back to the kind of opportunities I had, because very rightly, the aspirations of many young people are much greater than they were when I started out.

10

Opinion

Editors’ Foreword

Addicted to doing Morris Seifert Editor This Century is a Century of excess, a Century of getting what you want, how you want, as long as you have the ability to do it. A Century of being told that the harder you work, the more you do, the faster you swim will earn you money, power and above all, self-respect.

People cannot stop moving in this day and age, people have forgotten the old adage “everything in moderation.” Life is a race and all races have a pace, but we go so flat out every moment that as Charles Bukowski said it is no wonder that we’re all, “totally mad, frustrated, angry and hateful.”

But Capitalism tells us to soldier on, so instead of relaxing, pacing ourselves, understanding that doing nothing for a while allows us to continue doing the much more important nothing that we dominate our lives with, we conjure labels and disorders to explain why we are all so tired and whacked out.

Depression – a buzzword of the 21st Century. It’s used all the time and the rates of clinically depressed people have soared exponentially.

Yet rather than address the tangled roots of this epidemic we choose to fashion a cheap field dressing in the form of drugs such as antidepressants, which are prescribed for every ‘depression’ from eating disorders to chronic pain.

Mental illness is a problem because it is so personal, because we are constantly told that the problem is us.

‘You’re’ the one whose sick, unlike a broken leg or ankle, things we understand, the problem is most definitely ‘yours’ and only yours to deal with.

People love labels and nobody can point and say, “that’s what caused that” with mental illness. All they can do is prescribe you pills and hope that the way they think you’re thinking is the way you’re thinking. But it rarely is. So the cycle of amorphous treatment continues without addressing the roots of a pervasive society that pushes us like an omniscient slave driver to distraction.

Bukowski advocated pace in all things. It’s very important, “to take leisure time” he said. So try slowing down, life is hard and it’s far harder when you never take a break. Spend a day doing nothing, it’s more important than you think.

@MancunionOp

Minds Matter

Marcus Johns Morris Seifert This week at the University of Manchester it has been wellbeing week. A week focused on health and relaxation. Thus here at Opinion we have responded in the only way we know how - by being contentious.

This weeks edition focuses on mental health. It’s insipid and pervasive and we need to start bei more mindful about mentality.

Do you disagree with something that’s been said? Tweet us with your thoughts and comments: @MancunionOp. If you would like to contribute tweet us or like our page on Facebook at facebook.com/MancunionOp Next week we will be featuring articles discussing strikes and unions, in response to the UCU marking boycott.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Joe Evans Contributor ‘You are mental mate.’, ‘I’m just so depressed lately’, ‘Sorry I rearranged your food cupboard - I have this things about tidiness’.

Phrases like this are so ingrained in the rhetoric of the day to day that they are the norm.

To be upset and describe yourself as depressed isn’t ever corrected. To incessantly fuss with the statement, ‘Oh I’m a bit OCD, not properly though’ is apparently fine.

The problem is that it’s really not okay. The issue is that it serves to undermine the potential for real illnesses being diagnosed as a throw away excuse or explanations for a piece of behaviour.

Mental illness is still, despite its highly publicised sufferers, a taboo issue. Though maybe not taboo in everyday discussion, it is still very much taboo in the sense that to seek help for mental issues is looked on unfavourably.

The general use of discourse relating to mental illness in day to day exchanges simply serves to negate the importance of getting assistance for real mental illness.

Furthermore it serves to perpetuate the idea of mental illness as something to be kept under wraps, something with negative connotations. This is exactly the kind of stereotype campaigners and lobbyists are attempting to shake off.

Depressive illness is not analo-

gous with being a bit sleepy; it is a physical condition, an irrefutable, factually supported, imbalance in the body. Being sad then, is not to be depressed. The negativity surrounding seeking medical support for a mental illness like this not only stems from popular discourse. Repressive societal attitudes to mental illness predate the changes of popular daily discourse.

The NHS must also take some responsibility. One in six patients who have sought treatment for mental illness will attempt suicide while awaiting help. It’s the equivalent of 55,000 cancer patients a year finding their situation so helpless that they attempt suicide.

It’s true that there is clearly not a ‘parity of esteem’ between physical illness and mental illness. Similarly the legal status of many people classified as mentally ill serves to undermine the continued efforts to normalise not the language of mental illness, but the illnesses themselves.

In 2013, 263 children sectioned under the Mental Health Act were held in prison cells due to overcrowding in the correct facilities. The Health Select Committee has referred, on more than one occasion, to ‘serious and deeply ingrained problems’ in the approach to the treatment of sectioned children and adults.

When the institutions designated with dealing with issues of mental illness continually fail, not only does a person admitting to possible issues become

taboo, it often becomes futile too.

Socially, it shouldn’t be considered a futile gesture to raise a medical issue to an institution tasked with treating its patients equally and effectively. In the case of an orthopedic illness this is never the case. A broken leg is treated swiftly, and in the correct environment. The same should be true, but clearly is not true, of psychiatric illness.

What is true is that the number of patients diagnosed with mental illness has rocketed in recent years.

That said it is also true that very few patients were diagnosed with vitamin deficiency, or polio or cancer in the 1600’s before they were classified. We wouldn’t deny any of these exist in the 21st century.

Medicine moves on and we learn more about the body.

Discovering something now doesn’t mean it never existed, gravity shockingly existed before Newton spotted it. It means that civilizations before us dealt with it and carried on, but they also dealt with polio and carried on. Try suggesting doing that now. Did you get a frosty response? Thought so.

The understanding of the brain and the furthering of research into chemical imbalance and psychiatric illness is not something to be scoffed at as a 21st century illness. It’s a regressive attitude that we allow to prevail when we cultivate such ideas.

While once the mentally ill

were feared and burnt as witches, we now prefer to deny them ill at all. Keep calm and carry on.

Maybe it is time to develop some empathy. Or maybe these regressive attitudes and inability rationalise is within itself a type of madness. I’m sure it would be totally socially acceptable to label them mentally ill.

The continued ridiculing of mental illness, which has been cultivated societally and also by the failing of institutions, must be carefully considered. The further it is dehumanised, the further it slips into popular culture, the less seriously considered the issues become.

Be it through language, ’21 pictures people with OCD will love’ or television like The Big Bang Theory where Sheldon (an unlabelled autistic figure) is

ridiculed for his illness. Everyday hundreds of you will walk past a lady standing by the gates of Owens Park and smirk. All of these things, if you really think about it, are such cruel things to do. It’s medieval in its outlook, laughing at otherness.

As long as the issue of mental illness is treated as such it will remain a taboo for those who suffer or think they suffer with the illness.

As long as jokes spread and normal language reinforces psychiatric illness as strange and unwanted, it will remain for many a dark secret, a dark secret to be suppressed and never fully dealt with.

So talk about mental health by all means, but if you’re going to talk about it, take it seriously.

Photo: Liz Spikol@Flickr

Waking up, to ourselves Lauren Wills Contributor Corporations entrench societal privilege by making it okay to discriminate against people, they make it normal. When corporate giants such as Tesco and Asda put ‘mental health patient’ Halloween costumes on sale, what they’re really saying is that it’s okay to laugh at this particular issue.

Whilst this is in the past and they retracted those costumes, I was shocked that a year later WalMart (Asda’s parent company) introduced ‘fat girl’ Halloween costumes on its website. I am astounded as to why anyone would think this kind of labelling is acceptable. What’s more frightening is the juxtaposition of their lack of sensitivity with their influence over society.

I am not claiming there wasn’t public outrage over both of these ‘hiccups.’ But I think there’s a ‘sheep-mentality’ problem with society today where we don’t think for ourselves.

We only revolt against the actions of corporations when an intelligent individual expresses that something is wrong, adequately explains why it’s wrong and thus why we should agree with them.

Usually this is done over social

media - we jump on the bandwagon and criticise corporate decisions until offensive statements are retracted, or in Asda’s case, until the costumes are removed.

Some might argue in a moment of brutal honesty that we do recognise the acts of corporate giants are morally questionable, yet we choose to ignore them until it’s seen as socially acceptable to criticise them.

“It’s important to recognise we should be individually sensitive to issues such as mental health” For example, if you are not affected by mental illness at the present moment in time, you are more likely to detach yourself from the issue and concentrate on your own life rather than spending time and energy standing up for a cause that doesn’t directly affect you.

If this is the case and society does recognise that particular acts are offensive to particular people, I would suggest we adopt a more overtly altruistic approach. Mental illness can affect anyone without prior warning

and without that individual doing anything to cause it.

The World Health Organisation report that around 450 million people currently suffer from different mental disorders, making mental illness among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide. What’s worse is that it is estimated nearly 2/3 of people with a known mental disorder never seek help.

To know that companies endorse and encourage stigma and discrimination either through intention or negligence is something we should all be personally standing up against. It really can happen to anyone, and the fact that people are embarrassed or ashamed to get treatment is something we should all carry the weight of. People deserve to get the help they need.

Similarly, not all cases of obesity are self-inflicted. There are a number of possibilities as to why individuals become overweight, but there is such a stigma attached to appearance based around laziness and apathy that people are made to feel marginalised at the hands of the key market players.

In my opinion, keeping an open mind and an “anything could happen” mentality allows us to really put ourselves in others’ shoes

which stop us from disregarding others and making them feel inferior.

Whilst I love and appreciate the fact that companies rely on the support of the public which to some degree makes them accountable for their mistakes, I think it’s important to recognise that we should be individually sensitive to issues such as mental health and insecurity before issues become topical and someone writes an article about it.

It really does start with personal morality, sensitivity and compassion. 1 in 3 people are affected by

mental health issues over their lifetime. 64% of people in the UK are deemed overweight or obese.

The quicker we grasp the realities of the statistics, the quicker we stop marginalising affected individuals.

I am not denying we should promote a healthy society, but if we can recognise something is offensive and wrong personally before we revolt collectively, our communities will become full of individuals sensitive to what others are going through, which to coin a phrase, really can make the world a better place

Photo: Emilio Garcia@Flickr

Is not being heard driving you crazy?

Opinion

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facebook.com/mancunionop

11

We’re all crazy So lets start talking about it

Isaac Atwal Contributor According to Mind, one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. According to an NUS survey of 1200 students conducted in 2013, at university, 20% of people consider themselves to have a mental health problem.

Perhaps even more shocking is that out of those respondents the NUS reported that 92% had at some point experienced mental distress including anxiety, a lack of motivation and a lack of self worth.

Whilst mental health issues are extremely common in the UK, it would be foolish to think that university would be any different. Paul Farmer, the chief executive of the mental health organisation Mind is quoted by the NUS saying, “Research demonstrates the scale of mental health problems among students”.

The pressures associated with moving away from home to university have the potential to bring about mental health problems.

In the NUS survey, over half of students asked said stress related to exams was central to their mental distress, with just under half saying that financial worries had been detrimental to their mental health at some point in their university career.

As most student loans do not go far enough to cover all expenses associated with university like socialising, going out, and buying books, many students have no other option of getting a part time job.

According to the times, in 2013 57% of students were working part time to fund their studies.

This can make what is already a hugely busy lifestyle even more hectic, with time for studying, socialising, relaxing and for some, sport also having to be accommodated.

It is then, not so surprising that 47% of students asked by the NUS reported financial worries being central to their mental distress at university. Rosie Dammers, the Student Union’s wellbeing officer said that the combined stress of different aspects of university life has “contributed to a rising number of students with mental health issues”.

As statistics show, the issue of mental health is not a small one. It is not something that only affects a small minority of people and is central to enjoying

life at university and indeed beyond.

Demand for counselling services at UK universities has risen 33% since 2008; with some universities experiencing over 100% increases due in part, Rosie says, to NHS funding gaps. It is then a rather sad statistic that despite the rise, over 25% of students still feel unable to talk to anybody about their mental health. This should not be something that people are afraid to talk about.

It is true that there is a certain stigma around the words “mental health” but the fact is it is not as small an issue as many of us would like to think so.

The statistics speak volumes.

On the prevalence of mental health problems

Photo: Hey Paul Studios@Flickr

Dr Richard Brown, programme director for the University of Manchester’s doctorate in clinical psychology says “the more [mental health] is talked about, the better” and that it is extremely common for most people to experience mental health problems, not just at university.

There does remain in some places, he says, a stigma around mental health that could impact how many people seek help, a sentiment that Rosie echoes. Many students she spoke to felt there was a ‘taboo’ around the subject.

Both Rosie and Dr Brown point out that to reduce this the university has done much. Mental health policy is increasingly more open, with a free counselling service available to all students, however Rosie has said that with the increase in demand, “many students felt like they were being ‘pushed through’ the system”.

Within the clinical psychology doctorate programme, Dr. Brown says there is a teaching focus on user experiences and encouraging a community perspective via the community liaison group to help break down barriers and reduce this stigma.

Mental health is arguably one of the most important issues that face many of our students today, statistics show most students will be somehow affected at some point, however it can all too often be overlooked.

Among many people there remains a certain stigma around the words “mental health” and our fast paced and egocentric society can exasperate problems and make it extremely hard for people to feel able to talk to the people closest to them, let alone anyone else.

We must then strive to eliminate the stigma and taboo about talking about mental health and create a climate in which people not only know where to seek help but also feel comfortable in doing so.

University isn’t the problem We are simply not properly prepared for the experience David Brierley Contributor Mental Health, as shown by the Student Union polls on the subject, is one of the subjects that most worries the student population. Some people blame the University Lifestyle for this. And I can see why. I am now isolated from my family, my closest friends, and economic stability.

My security blanket, as it were, is exactly a hundred miles away. And yet, I’m absolutely fine.

Perhaps I’m not the wildest party animal, and perhaps that shifts my perception. But hear me out.

I’m certainly not about to argue that the University lifestyle is necessarily good for a person’s mental health. I don’t need to be a Psychology student (although I very nearly was) to understand how the human psyche can be massively affected by such a huge change in a person’s life.

“The economic pressure of University is not a product of its own creation – it is the fault of the Government and a fault of secondary schools” Economic uncertainty, an issue that plagues many students, is incredibly stressful. The sudden breadth of independence means that peer influence is very strong, and that can have both good and dangerous consequences.

Stress is, far more than people realise, a huge influence to a person’s mental health. Poor sleeping habits, poor eating habits, excessive

Photo: Mike Kniec@Flickr

alcohol consumption (And, yes, I do myself feel hypocritical even mentioning that), or drug consumption all can cause, catalyse, or prolong mental health issues.

I’m far more independent now. If I want to do something, I just can. It’s an incredible breadth of freedom. If I don’t want to do anything, I also don’t have to. This is a significant change.

But I don’t think that labelling ‘University Life’ as a merely composed of these facets – alcohol, poor

Come to our meetings: Mondays 5pm first floor of the Students’ Union

social habits, and economic hardship – is fair. Nor, I believe, is it justified to ignore the real reasons behind mental health problems.

The economic pressure of University is not a product of its own creation – it is the fault of the Government and a fault of secondary schools for not preparing students for the economic realities of the ‘Big World’.

Not once did anyone sit me down and explain to me the concept of debt, overdrafts, weekly

spending, disposable income, or budgeting. I picked them up quickly, but others have not. We are pushed into the great wide world really quite unprepared for it. This is scary. We are going to make mistakes. And, ultimately, such mistakes can spiral out of control.

The University Lifestyle is not to blame. It in fact opens up a huge amount of opportunity for personal growth and wellbeing. Exercise is often cited as one of the best ways of combating stress and unhappiness and at University the opportunities to do a variety of exercise is unparalleled.

You have the opportunity to meet a wide range of people and try a hundred new things. Logically, this should be a non-issue – the atmosphere of a university should provide the exact opposite of mental health issues. The issue is this lack of preparation.

We cannot blame the culture of University for this. Getting wasted is a cultural phenomenon, whether you are at University or not. Drug taking is an entirely different matter altogether, and to oversimplify it as “University Lifestyle” is a dangerous precedent.

‘Mixing with the wrong crowd’ is going to happen wherever you are. And unless you plan never to leave the town you were born in, being independent for the first time is going to be an experience you have to go through whether or not you go to University.

No, the problem is not the culture of University.

It is the incredible amount of change and the incredible lack of preparation for it.

I do not want to start claiming that University does not have problems, and I would be the last person to belittle the complex issues of the human psyche. It is because of these reasons – not in spite of them – that I do not believe University Life causes mental health issues.

Music

12

Interview

Feature

the

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Patrick Hinton, Lowell Clarke

Samuel Ward, Dan Whiteley

OPINION

From Real Love to Real Change: Are John Lewis Ads Now Too Predictable?

Stephen Miller They used to say that the countdown to Christmas could only begin once that Coca-Cola advert started to appear on our screens. Within the last few years, however, we only seem to start to get into the festive spirit after we burst into tears at the John Lewis ads. This year’s offering of a story about a boy and his Penguin companion has really taken off, which makes Monty the first penguin in the world able to do so. It’s made such an impact, especially in our house, that we decided to have penguin this year instead of turkey.

What I find most engaging about the ad is not the rather humorous realisation that a penguin gets a mail-order bride for Christmas, but Tom Odell’s beautiful cover of John Lennon’s ‘Real Love’ that accompanies it. The John Lewis ad has become well known for featuring covers of well-known tracks. Ellie Goulding’s cover of Elton John’s ‘Your Song’ was used in 2010, and Lilly Allen’s cover of Keane’s ‘Somewhere Only We Know’ reached number one in the UK Singles Chart

...the humorous realisation that a penguin gets a mail order bride...

last year. A similar situation could arise this time around, as ‘Real Love’ is slowly creeping its way up the charts, and we haven’t even reached the end of November.

Thus far, we seem to have mixed views on Odell’s cover being selected to feature in the ad, with the ones who praise it as a triumph reaching to the conclusion that John Lewis have “nailed it” once again, with the ones who aren’t so impressed feeling that his version is “so wet you could row a boat in it”. Odell’s treatment of the song is sympathetic and sincere, however I can’t help but feel that John Lewis has missed a trick. They run the risk of stagnating into the same old musical routine. We now expect John Lewis ads to have haunting, goosebump-raising vocals over lingering piano lines, is it possible to have too much of a good thing? We get the same, overly sentimental result every year, and it’s starting to become quite O-dull (sorry).

What strikes a chord, pardon the expression, with the John Lewis ads is the relationship of the music with what you can see on the screen. In a world in which we are dominated by marketing and advertising, the need for the right music to match the right brand is paramount. John Lewis ads with AC/DC or Led Zeppelin as a backdrop is about as likely as Chris Rea actually managing to get home for Christmas, or Penguin testicles being a part of the Bushtucker Trials on I’m A Celebrity. John Lewis would be wise to change things around musically, not thematically, in order to avoid complacency.

For Tom Odell, only time will tell as to whether singing for an advert is a successful career move, but for the next six weeks, or at least until the dust/ snow has settled, ‘Real Love’ will be at the forefront of our Christmas repertoire.

Photo: YouTube

Top 5

TOP

Songs

5

Songs to Crywank to Patrick Hinton, Music Editor

Photo: Kmeron @Flickr

the

MUSIC INTERVIEW

Enter Shikari

Randeep Samra discusses the future of Enter Shikari and the Zeitgeist Movement with lead guitarist Rory Clewlow Randeep Samra In two and a half months—almost precisely three years after the release of their latest album, A Flashflood of Colour—Enter Shikari will release their fourth album, The Mindsweep, whose first associated tour lands in Manchester Academy this February. Many will remember their debut—2007’s Take to the Skies—introducing a particularly interesting form of post-hardcore music with ostensible electronic influences both to the mainstream and underground alternative scenes - taking charts everywhere by storm and maintaining that stranglehold for months. Since then, the band went from 2009’s interesting and somewhat engaging—yet not entirely cohesive—concept album Common Dreads, to albums which reflect a natural progression from that socially conscious and musically adventurous project.

Since Common Dreads, Enter Shikari have refined their unique brand of post-hardcore littered with disparate influences from various subgenres of electronic, yielding in 2011 an album sounding much like the previous but with the influences melding into something which sounded at once more organic and more daring. In anticipation of what was to come next, I talked to Enter Shikari’s lead guitarist Liam “Rory” Clewlow to get a sense of what they’re hoping to achieve with their upcoming album, and understand the extracurricular activities the band are finding themselves engaged in.

When asked about the influences involved in the upcoming album, Rory explains that “we’ll pick bits from electronic genres but not put them in genre pigeonholes.” He had been particularly effective in implicitly getting across that the band were not interested in creating any sort of tribute to a genre or style or attempt to capture a particular aesthetic.

The band, with disparate tastes held by each member—“Rob’s [the drummer’s] favourite genres right now are classical and house”—did whatever they felt appropriate

Anaesthetist is about the decline of the NHS in conveying whatever they would end up producing. “The synths and stuff aren’t really tied to a genre; they’re more sounds that we like...” he continues, “nothing’s conscious, nothing’s contrived: we just sit down and see what comes out.”

The musical trajectory that can be traced from Take to the Skies up to now is, to a certain extent, evident from listening to just the lead singles from each album, up until the as-yet only song that the band have released from The Mindsweep. Going from a fresh and fiery track like ‘Sorry You’re Not a Winner’, with its nigh-uncategorisable dynamism and weirdness, and almost Dadaistic lyrical content, to the more hook-laden yet more socially relevant and just-as-punk delivery in ‘The Last Garrison’, we can see that the band have etched a sound of their own which makes it hard to group them into any sort of “scene” with any other artist. The Mindsweep marks the first time Enter Shikari have incorporated orchestral instruments into an album: “it’s the first time we’ve got live strings on an album, and they’re really prominent in particular parts of the album.”

Since Common Dreads, it has been clear that the band have aimed to communicate a certain sort of message through their lyrics.

However, Rory is eager to emphasise that the band refrain from letting any particular ideology worm its way to the forefront of

1. You’re Beautiful – James Blunt

2. Anything by Aphex Twin

3. Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony

It comes on the radio. You start crying. You lose control. It happens again.

Be it Selected Ambient Jerks or that Window Licker video, theres just nothing else that gets my Richard D James going.

Let’s face it, everyone loves a poshie now and then. Why not add some sweet Ludwig Van into the mix and see where it ends up?

This is my life.

their lyrics. They primarily consist in, he says, “taking everything we know about the world and looking at it objectively... the anger isn’t directed towards the government or any particular entity; it’s directed towards the system in general—towards certain ways of thinking, towards the way the world seems to be. Only one song from the new album is about a particular topic,” he says: “‘Anaesthetist’ is about the decline of the NHS.” Indeed, it is evident from a listen to ‘The Last Garrison’ that the band are going for a more abstract approach to conveying their message than many of their forerunners have done.

With the band’s socially conscious and politically aware lyrics, it is no surprise that the band make active efforts to implement the corollaries of the “scientific way of thinking” they advocate in their lyrics in their actions as a band off as well as on the stage. Unlike far too many other so-called “punk” bands, they make active efforts to talk to their audience before their shows, and engage in politics on a more tangible level. The band’s lead vocalist, Rou Reynolds, has recently been involved in The Zeitgeist Movement—which is, as the project’s mission statement puts it,” a sustainability advocacy organization, which conducts community based activism and awareness actions.” Rou’s excellent talk for TZM’s Z-Day, ‘Music’s Social Value’, can be viewed in its entirety on Youtube. The talk succinctly articulates much of what both the movement and Enter Shikari are all about.

In line with the general sentiment expressed throughout Enter Shikari’s career, Rory states simply that “the Zeitgeist movement is basically saying that the system needs to change.”

Enter Shikari are set to release The Mindsweep on 19th January 2015, and you can catch them live on February 20th at Manchester Academy.

4. That song from Titanic What’s the similarity between the titanic and my bedroom?

They both ended up with 50 tonnes of soggy toilet paper.

5. I Will Always Love You – Whitney Houston And here’s the finisher. A great song made greater by the most epic of key changes.

What a climax.

Goodnight.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

@ MancunionMusic / TheMancunionMusicSection

the

Interview

Hannah Brierley As I walked into the room, both Ross (bass) and Craig (drums) quickly rushed to pause their Fifa game, laughed and then got their serious faces on.

Their biggest influence on the album is suprising - Ross quickly blurted “Miley Cyrus” and after a few confused seconds explained, “No seriously, for Great Divide we were influenced by people in the pop music industry. People who go and just have fun with what they do.” “Especially because pop music is something we’ve always shied away from. It was fun to make that transition.”

“I don’t think you should have guilty pleasures” Ross went on to say, “You like what you like and you don’t what you don’t.

You should never be ashamed of what you enjoy… Unless it’s

Music

13

Twin Atlantic

Hannah Brierley goes head to head with Twin Atlantic. Who really is Jesus’ Dad? Read on to find out... racist or something.”

Twin Atlantic performed on the main stage for the first time at T in the Park this year. “Yeah it was crazy, we love playing at festivals because its such a good way to branch out to new people, they’re so much more hectic and you get to have more fun playing because you just let go a little more. Before we play at festivals we get in a little huddle and we knock heads 3 times. I don’t know why, but it’s just become a tradition I guess.”

“This one time it was my idea that we do a bit of yoga and meditation before we played.

Like all sit down in a circle and hold hands but it didn’t really work though and it just calmed us all down instead, which isn’t what we wanted.”

“However there’s something about playing at smaller venues.

...forget college and university and that dream of becoming a chef.

Knowing that all these people have turned up just for you, there’s something really special when you can see all the fans singing along and know every word. That’s pretty awesome.”

Being a band that’s been around for so long, the band have a few pet peeves at their gigs. ”It’s relatively annoying

when people are talking when we’re playing. Also when people are filming the whole thing, I understand taking a few photos but when people are filming it all the time, they’re missing out on the actual experience just so they can watch it later.

If they could be stuck in a lift with anyone, who would it be and why? They both sat and thought for a few seconds. Craig answered first “funnily enough when I was younger I was always scared that if you got stuck in a lift with someone, that the oxygen would run out., So I’d have to kill them to stay alive.

It would have to be someone I hate… but I don’t really hate anyone so I don’t know.” Ross chips in “Well I mean you could take this one of two ways, I could say Taylor Swift and then let it be weird, or I’d like to be

stuck with someone interesting like Julian Assange. Or maybe Jesus, and be like are you alive.

Yes or no?”

Craig riffed on this with “Jesus, is God your dad - yes or no?” to which Ross joked, “Jesus, did God shag your mum - Yes or no?”

Before we part ways, they offer

some sagely advice: “Come hell or high water, you’ve got to put you’re all in from the very get go. You’ve got to forget college and University and that dream of becoming a chef. You’ve got to give it all your time and emotions and put your all into it, no one is just going to hand it to you.”

Photo: Courtesy of Twin Atlantic

Want to Write for us?

Live

Live

Jamie T

Chvrches

Manchester Academy - 7th November 2014

7/10

Matthew Staite Demand was so high for Jamie T’s sold out Manchester show; he’s going to be coming back on the 17th November for round two. This may come as a surprise to some, seeing as 4 years ago Jamie T vanished off the face of the earth after touring second album Kings & Queens, and his silence during this absence was so intense it prompted many fans to speculate whether he was even still alive. His comeback album, Carry on the Grudge, dropped at the end of September, and subsequent anticipation for his return to the live circuit has been running high ever since.

Thankfully Jamie T’s return did not disappoint, and consisted of a lengthy 22 song career spanning set. The set was spattered with highlights from his first two albums, such as ‘Salvador’, ‘Sheila’ and ‘The Man’s Machine’. The crowd sang these songs word for word back at him; and welcome him back like he’d never been away.

Surprisingly nearly half of the

Manchester Academy - 6th November 2014

7/10

Edwin Gibb

Photo: Courtesy of Hannah Brierley

set was made up of songs from his new album. These new songs sounded noticeably more mature than his earlier output, and it’s clear the long absence has seen Jamie T develop as a songwriter. His strong encore consisting of a stripped back solo version of ‘Calm Down Dearest’, recent single ‘Zombie’, and the ever rowdy ‘Sticks ’n’ Stones’, is clear evidence that both his old and new material

can sit alongside each other.

You can’t help but feel pleased for Jamie T. The crowd rapturously received the whole set, and it was refreshing to see the singer challenging himself; not just resting on the laurels of his previous two albums.

Let’s just hope that the forward looking nature of his set means that he won’t disappear again for another 4 years.

The lights are set - a pattern of triangles behind the waiting microphone. Chvrches appear on the smoky stage for the final time on their UK tour. Lead vocalist and talisman, Lauren Mayberry, clutches a bottle of water and carries a quiet calmness. She greets the sell-out crowd with a smile, wave and a few words.

The Scottish 3-piece kick off the gig as they mean to go on, with the catchy, upbeat ‘We Sink’ before wowing the two and a half thousand onlookers with the lyrically fascinating ‘Lies’. They then take the audience through a selection of alternative pop hits, each as quirky and filled with eclectic, synthy choruses as the last.

Chvrches are at their best; with Mayberry at centre stage, Cook with a bass guitar and Doherty manning the sampler. All this while the crowd are treated to their very own Aurora Borealis, courtesy of the lasers, patterns and strobes which mingle with the mist that hovers around the three musicians.

I would recommend a Chvrches gig without a second

thought, but not without a word of warning - Lauren Mayberry is a thief. Her partner in crime, the lights choreographer, and the flawless singer completely steal the show. Her voice effortlessly finds a way of piercing through the synthesisers, percussion and bass. Sometimes haunting, sometimes angry, it is blessed with a feminine quality, balanced by a sureness and maturity and, on certain words her delectable accent, a gentle Scottish lilt, rings through. But she stands accused of another count of theft. What else could

she have stolen? My heart. And with it, I feel sure, the hearts of hundreds of poor men, helpless in their attempts to resist her.

Absolutely go see Chvrches if you are ready to fall head over heels. If you aren’t, you should still go, but maybe stand at the back - just watch the lights and lose yourself in the bonanza of energy and exceptional electronic music without distraction.

Would I rush back?

Yes, yes I would.

Photo: Kmeron@flickr

14

Music

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

What’s Right... Or Shite....

Mancunion Recommends

This week in Music Rolla For Ebola

Azealia Banks – Broke With Expensive Taste Prospect Park ; 6th November 2014

In support of the humanitarian aid for the Ebola crisis, Friends of Medecins sans Frontieres (MSF) are putting on a roller disco extravaganza.

Tickets available through their Facebook event page.

Antwerp Mansion - 3rd December

8/10

Helena Ross

Oh Azealia. You’ve been such a problem child. 2012, when we were all so endlessly hyped up over her 1991 EP and this fierce new female MC seems like aeons ago.

But our memories of you since then are so tainted with your numerous twitter blunders - proving time and time again that even the most talented rappers should sometimes think before opening their mouths (or hitting their keyboards, whatever). The label troubles weren’t your fault, but Broke With Expensive Taste was pushed back so many times that we all started to doubt it’d ever come out. All in all, the experience of being an Azealia Banks fan became so exhausting that most of us ceased to be them. But now it’s finally here, and it’s time to give her a second chance.

My main reservation going into this album was a suspicion that it’d sound horribly dated – however good a track it is, ‘212’ is certainly past its moment, and I was expecting a whole album of it. It’s on this point in particular that she proves us wrong: BWET is fierce and undeniably fresh-sounding, thanks to Banks’ energy and her excellent ear for beats, many of which come from names familiar to anyone who’s spent a decent amount of time in thumping basement nightclubs.

Opening with Pearson Sound and closing with a double bill from our own Lone with a whole host of other names on the way, the production is so on-point and unique that

Fleetwoods Back With tickets ranging from £50 up to £125, legends Fleetwood Mac are set to play Manchester.

Get on down and rock out with your mum and dad.

Photo: flickr user smckagen

even ‘212’, a fossil in pop years, gains a new lease of life in its context on the record.

It’s always nice to get a pleasant surprise in the pop world, and Broke With Expensive Taste is certainly one. There are a lot of brave decisions on this album, and while not all tracks hit the mark and the record is overlong, a lot of those decisions show off a side of Azealia’s personality that’s far preferable to the one she became notorious for showing off on social media. It’s a good reminder that taking a gamble on greatness is better than settling for okay, and hopefully she’ll be rewarded for it as much as she’s suffered for her blunders in the past.

Alice Cooper - Raise the Dead Live From Wacken (DVD) UDR Music ; October 22nd 2014

4/10

Joe Evans

Alice Cooper Live from Wacken is ballsy and loud - if you don’t like that, why would you buy an Alice Cooper album? Well, I don’t like that. This album serves only to evidence the irrefutable fact that everything Alice Cooper has ever released sounds exactly the same.

Like a high schooler high on volume and distortion, Cooper and his backing band launch through the shock rock singers back catalogue to the applause of the audience, but to the horror of me!

There are good songs in Cooper’s locker. It would be unfair to suggest that ‘No More Mr Nice Guy’ or ‘Poison’ aren’t canonical works in the rocks discography. A huge failing of this album is Cooper’s apparent penchant for shitting on cornerstones of popular music.

His combination of ‘Schools Out’ (his most famous song) and ‘Another Brick in the Wall’ is 7 minutes of wall of sound murder. He also covers ‘Break on Through’, turning a Doors classic into (you guessed it) a wall of sound. The Beatles are next, with Cooper’s ‘Revolution’ interpretation finally answering the question of what Oasis would have sounded like had they have gone the whole hog with their Beatles impersonation.

Cooper can roll out celebrity friends like Johnny Depp all he likes, but using voodoo to reincarnate Jim Morrison on stage wouldn’t have saved these covers.

Cooper has his audience and based on the

Right Side of The Moon Prog-rock gods Pink Floyd have released their first album in decades - and almost certainly their last. Check in next week for our review!

Photo: Pink Floyd

Feed the World It’s that time of the year when rich celebrities blackmail us into making them shut up - all in the name of charity. At least some good will come from yet another musical abomination.

Photo: Band Aid

Adolf Shitler Just in time for remembrance day, Nicki Minaj’s newest and tastless video dresses her up like Adolf Hitler.

It’s one thing to be provocative, but surely this is one goose step too far?

Photo: Screen Grab

screams in between songs they love him.

That or the post production’s use of canned cheering was liberal to say the least. Wacken his hardly a festival that screams out for bands exploiting subtlety in their output, and so Cooper’s combination of raucous music and wild stage show is perfect for its environment.

The DVD makes for a funny watch, Cooper defying age, strutting around making Mick Jagger’s descent into old age look graceful.

Overall it’s the output of an artist at the end of his career but you know what, it’s been a long innings at the top. Coopers clearly doing something right.

Shart-life!

Psuedo-Intellectual and professional bullshitter Russel Brand has responded to his Parklife haters by making his own parody. Only it’s ended up a bit like watching an untrained dog rolling about in its own shit. Have some dignity, Brand.

Photo: Screengrab

Games

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

15

Editors: James Thursfield, Matthew Cole

Feature Shovel Knight – Strike the Earth!

Josh Goldie digs the whole way through the recently released Shovel Knight, which he claims was short but sweet Long ago there were two adventurous knights called Shovel Knight and Shield Knight. They went on many adventures together and collected lots of treasure, but one day something terrible happened. After discovering an evil medallion, Shield Knight disappeared and Shovel Knight gave up his adventuring forever. Years later the same tower they adventured in reappeared along with an evil enchantress, with her order of no quarter, who has now taken over the land. It is up to Shovel Knight to rescue the land and rescue his lost friend. This is the premise of Shovel Knight, the 2014 Kickstarter title that was recently released in Europe—and it is amazing.

Developed by indie company Yacht Club Games (made from former employees of WayForward Technologies), the game pays homage to many of the great NES games. The game takes much of its inspiration from classic Capcom titles such as Mega Man and DuckTales, but it also has elements of Super Mario Brothers 3, Castlevania and even modern titles like Dark Souls.

The game uses the same palette as the original NES to provide that nostalgic feel and has music by Jake Kaufman, remixer and composer of the Shantae franchise, the recent DuckTales: Remastered, Minami Matsumae, and

the original Mega Man. Needless to say, the music in this game is flawless and really helps to immerse the player into the game world.

The game plays like a Capcom Platformer with your weapon of choice

to dig. As you run around each of the games levels you can dig up piles of dirt for money or break down suspicious looking walls to discover secret rooms and treasure. By collecting treasure you can upgrade Shovel Knight with

Photo: Pbtracker.net.net

being neither a gun nor a sword, but a shovel. The shovel allows for simple melee combat and has the ability to reflect projectiles with a well-timed swing. You can also use the shovel as a pogo-stick to bounce off enemies heads or use the shovel for what it is meant for,

more skills for his shovel and acquire new armour with its own special attributes, or upgrade magic that allows use of relics.

Relics are items that you will discover throughout the game that operate like a power-up from Castlevania or Mega

Man. These range from a magic wand that shoots fireballs, to an anchor that moves up in an arching pattern and hits airborne enemies. You can also buy chalices that you fill with potions obtained from the Troupple King, a half-fish/half-apple god. During your adventure you will collect musical notes to unlock the music in this game and meal tickets which allow you to increase your health. All of this is done in a village or special square that you can access from the map. The map is very similar to the map from Super Mario Brothers 3 and you can even run into ‘wanderers’ on the map that range from extra bosses, special treasure levels, and levels filled with strong enemies. There is a lot to do in Shovel Knight and the game promotes exploration. In-between certain levels you are given a mini-game where you must catch Shield Knight in a dream sequence. These extra sections are there to help you get some extra cash to spend, but they do have an effect on the end-game dialogue (as does the number of wanderers you beat and some other choices in the later game).

The game does have one potential problem with it and that is its length.

I beat the game in 5 hours and 36 minutes and that was while I was looking for all the secrets and aiming

for 100 per cent completion. With the game having a £12.99 price tag I can understand why this might put some people off but I assure you this game is worth the money. The game comes with a new game + mode which offers a much tougher version of the campaign, and there are just under 50 achievements called ‘feats’ in-game, that range from fun random in-game choices to serious challenges. Shovel Knight has a lot of replay-ability and was an absolute delight to play.

Shovel Knight is easily the best indie game I have played this year. It took a long time to finally get released in Europe but the wait was worth it. Despite being short, it has a lot of options and content packed into it.

The game is certainly challenging but I never felt like the game had cheated me—every mistake was my own fault.

It has an amazing soundtrack and the graphics suit the game’s personality perfectly. The story is fun and interesting, if not simple, and the game overall is really polished. With a choice of home console, handheld and PC to play it on, you have no excuse to not dive in.

The Battle of Olympus: Emphasis on ‘Battle’ Josh Goldie looks back at an extremely difficult NES game, The Battle of Olympus. A game which tests your memory as much as it does your patience.

Released in 1988, The Battle of Olympus is a fairly unknown Japanese side-scroller made in a very similar style to Zelda II: The Adventure of Link, but without the over world segments. Also, like Zelda II, the game is very hard. It is much harder, in fact, and is a real test of the player’s skills and memory. You might be asking what I mean by a test of ‘memory’ and rightly so. The game does use passwords over saves but that’s not what I mean—The Battle of Olympus is a game full of trial and error.

The plot of this game is a retelling of the Orpheus myth whereupon he enters the underworld to ask Hades for his wife back. However there is a lot of creative licensing given in this game and so it is more a retelling of various myths, with Orpheus taking the place of the usual Greek hero. In this game Hades has kidnapped Orpheus’ girlfriend, Helene, and Orpheus must travel over Greece and find the three fragments of love that will help him get into the underworld to save her.

However, like most games of this era, the plot is not laid out for you and

instead you are thrown into the deep end and must figure your own way through the maze that is Greece.

Like I said earlier, this game will test your memory skills and I hope you have a pen and paper ready because back-tracking and item collecting are key in this game. Orpheus starts off fairly weak with barely any jump ability, but as the game goes on you will get various items like the sandals of Hermes that help you jump higher and walk on the ceiling. He also gains the shield of Athena which allows you to block (essential!) and the bracelet of Power that doubles your attack. Some of these abilities are essential but they require you to back-track to a specific god only after you have solved a particular challenge, but very rarely does the game tell you when you can go back, it’s up to you to remember.

The graphics and music for this game are very reminiscent of Zelda II. The styles of the characters are very Zelda II-like and Orpheus’ basic idle pose is near identical to Link’s. The landscapes are also quite varied with Tartarus and Phthia really standing

out. The game does sometimes have a colour problem though. Backgrounds can be bright pink and are really offputting or platforms can blend into the background and sometimes make

Photo: Emporasie

it hard to tell what you can walk on and what you cannot. And sometimes the layout and town are presented weirdly (looking at you, Athens). The music in this game, however, is topnotch with each area having its own

unique track and some of them being really catchy.

The game also has the horrible gaming sin of grinding. This is common in an old RPG but rarely in a platformer. The problem is you need olives (little orbs that you get from killing enemies) to buy certain items and you need a lot. This would be fine if you had been collecting throughout the game because a lot of the purchasing happens later. However, if you die you have three choices: quit the game, start again from that screen but lose half of your olives or go all the way back to the last temple you visited. This makes remembering and revisiting temples essential (it is also where you get the passwords) but this can also take you half-way across Greece and you have a very slow walk back. An infamous grinding section in this game involves getting salamander skins early in the game however it is a rare drop, you need 20 of them and 80 olives, yet they can kill you in two hits and at this stage in the game it takes an excruciating four hits to kill them.

They also come at you in swarms—not

fun, but it is a challenge.

With all of the stressful parts of The Battle of Olympus you would assume that I did not enjoy this game, but that is far from the truth. I accepted this challenge and I conquered it whilst enjoying every part of the game (except for the centaur fight and the utter nonsense that was). The game is hard and certainly has some problems that a lot of games from that era had, but I rarely felt like the game was being cheap with me. It is musically and graphically great and is a truly hard platform title that I had never heard of until I played it. I really liked The Battle of Olympus and it could be one of my favourite games on the NES. Of course, I am a crazy person who loves and mastered Zelda II and that might be why I enjoyed this game so much.

Anyone who is looking for a challenge or is a fan of platforming titles should check this game out, you will not regret it.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM Editors: Gráinne Morrison, Aimée Grant Cumberbatch, Nikki Patel (Beauty) Top 5

Men’s style sins

Petra Emily Swinton Black lays out her roster of sins to be avoided by stylish Manchester gentlemen High-waisted trousers The only way I can fathom how one would justify attending the mile-high pant party is through a perverse idolisation of Simon Cowell, or an even more perverse desire for the entire student population to know the exact girth of your knickknacks.

Neither is ok.

/mancunionfashionandbeauty @mancunionfash

Shopping

Men’s fashion: the hit list Laura Springer gives you her top picks for a perfect winter wardrobe

Wrap up warm but stay cool this winter with our essential menswear picks that will ensure that your wardrobe is prepared for any occasion. Whether you’re aiming for a casual or smart look, you can effortlessly adapt these five pieces and even better, they are extremely affordable and will keep you toasty through the chilly months!

Photo: chums.co.uk

We don’t like short shorts Junk in the trunk? Fabulous. Forcibly etching said junk into my psyche? Not so much. With the shortening of your hemline comes the disintegration of your own personal dignity, as well as severe oxygen restriction to those ‘essential’ areas.

‘‘Severe oxygen restriction’’

Photo: canadian pacific @Flickr

Dope, hype and all that jazz If you regularly stroll down Oxford Road with ‘DOPE’ plastered across your flower-sprigged chest, chances are that you are in fact standing at the foot of Mount Dope surrounded by minimal ‘hype’. Those who are ‘dope’ often opt for a subtler, more chic T-shirt design, basking secretly in their own personal dopeness. Dope.

First on our hit list is a black heavyweight Parka jacket with a hood. This staple piece is easy to throw on top of any outfit and is guaranteed to keep you warm and dry as it is waterproof, an essential feature when living in Manchester! Extremely durable, the jacket is perfect for getting you to those early morning lectures in the pouring rain whilst looking smart at the same time.

Fed up of just wearing the same old tatty t-shirt? Opt for this green tartan shirt to add a touch of class to your look while still keeping it casual. If like many of us you don’t have the time (or patience) to iron, then this heavyweight, practically crease-resistant material means this is the shirt for you!

If the ostentatious seasonal/Christmas sweater isn’t your thing then try a more subtle cable knit jumper.

These are very easy to wear and keep the heat in! A staple item for winter, they look great alone or with a collared shirt underneath, such as the tartan one on the left, which is extremely on trend.

Topman, £95.

Topman, £32.

River Island, £26.

Although you may not be a fan of accessories, they’re essential for the Mancunian winter. Beanie hats and scarves are stylish and ward off hypothermia while waiting for the bus.

Topman, £8.

A pair of black boots are a must have for the treacherous journey into uni on those snowy days. The thick rubber sole will provide lots of grip to stop you slipping on the frost, saving your dignity! Pair with black skinny jeans. Topman, £55.

Trend

To beard or not to beard?

Should you join in with the buzz around beards or fight the fuzz and stay clean-shaven? Kathryn Murray helps you decide

Feature

Androgynous antithesis

Natalie Thompson takes a look at a gender bending trend 21st century society has become preoccupied with the notion that people don’t belong in boxes. A strand of this of thought, brought about by the rise of feminism and equality, is that people don’t fall neatly into a single definition of ‘masculine’ or ‘feminine.’ Because fashion is reflective of life, the endeavour to undermine the binary oppositions of gender has sunk into the aesthetic of the clothes we wear- inspiring androgynous fashion. Typically, androgynous fashion has been associated with women dressing more gender neutrally. Very recently, Rihanna and Rita Ora have both been seen sporting pieces from Givenchy’s men’s collection. Then of course, there was Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt’s beautiful matching Saint Laurent suits for the BAFTAs although we have yet to see the latter in an Oscar de la Renta gown. Relaxed shapes appeared in womenswear everywhere for autumn, from Stella McCartney’s pinstripe pieces borrowed from the bankers, never mind the boyfriend – to Rag & Bone, who went for a boyish vibe.

However interestingly, more designers are investigating the idea of unisex as men dressing more like women. Although designer JW Anderson has separate men’s and womenswear lines, he has frequently said he views his work as unisex. His focus is subverting womenswear for men. In his last shows, he put male models in bustiers for the men’s collection and sent boys out in tiaras in his show for Versace’s Versus line. Other designers are investigating the idea too. At Saint Laurent, Hedi Slimane has introduced a unisex line and Richard Nicoll has collaborated with artist Linder Sterling to make SH/e – a genderless line. Nicoll sees more men taking up this look. “I always think things that are genderless are a bit cooler too. It’s sexier because it’s not overt”, he says. So perhaps it may still be a bit strange if your male date turned up in a dress. Nevertheless fashion has been readily adopting gender liberation, so you never know what might happen in a hundred years or so...

Fashion

17

Grooming

Beautifying basics for boys Grooming isn’t just for the girls, you guys can indulge in a little me time too. Adrienne Galloway helps you look good all winter long with her pick of the best male skincare brands.

Best for cleansing: Nivea Deep Cleansing Face Wash The hormones in men’s bodies tend to make their skin more spot prone. Using a daily face wash can help keep skin clean and clear. A morning facial cleanse will leave skin feeling soft, whilst an evening wash is great for getting rid of the dirt that leads to clogged pores and blemishes. It’s important to get a face wash that caters to sensitive skin whilst being able to stop breakouts.

Boots, £4.29

Exfoliating face scrub Exfoliating scrub should be used 2-3 times a week to unblock pores and clear away built-up dirt. Nivea contains vitamin E which helps promote healthy skin. Exfoliating removes dead skin cells and increases blood flow to the face leaving you with a healthy glow to help battle those winter blues.

Boots, £4.59

Best for shaving: Clinique

Photo: mybfswardrobe.blogspot.com

Street style

Fresh off the Oxford Road runway...

We take to the streets to scout out Manchester’s most stylish males

Photo: richmondclassics.com

Cream Shave Oh how we love Movember. But for those who don’t partake in this annual festivity, a clean shave is still a vital part of the daily routine. Shaving cream will soften rough stubble for a flawless result. Make sure you give your skin time to wake up before you shave. Use hot water whilst shaving as it is absorbed by the hair, making it easier to cut. Shaving in the direction of hair growth minimises cuts whilst using a cream lifts Boots, £15.00

V is for vom Whether you are teasing us with just a cheeky glimpse of your ‘meavage’ or driving us wild with desire with a sneak peek of your pubic hair, anyone spotted sporting the deep ‘V’ will be fined £50 and given a complementary scoop neck tee by The Mancunion.

Photo: designerbrands.org.uk

The excessive collar The wearer of the excessive collar is often spotted at the club either attempting to ‘buy the bar’ or trying pick up girls by lurking in leather booths.

Either way, your swag is sleaze-ridden and you are indirectly communicating to the world that Saturday Night Fever is your sartorial inspiration, and John Travolta your style icon.

Photo: Paramount Pictures

What male fashion faux-pas rub you up the wrong way? Tweet us at @mancunionfash #menswearissue

The beard. A staple fashion statement seen on university campuses everywhere. In fact, some may say that it is this year’s hottest men’s fashion accessory with almost half (42 %) of us believing it is “fashionable for men to have beards.”

Once mature enough to leave home for university, males feel the need to grow a beard. But just because they can, doesn’t mean that they should.

For starters, not every man actually suits the look. Some look great with a bit of facial hair. For example, Beckham and Clooney look as good with a beard as they do without one, while Ben Affleck rocks facial foliage so impressively that it is now difficult to imagine him clean-shaven.

Then you have the men who attempt a beard, but should probably just give up that dream. An example of this is Brad Pitt who has always struggled to stay fanciable with facial hair, as does Tom Hardy whose beard has been described as a “hobo horror.” Not attractive.

Striking the balance between a

beard that is too scruffy and a beard that is overly neat is challenging. And then you have to match your beard shape to your face shape. While pointy ones make long faces look longer, fat, bushy ones only make round faces look rounder. Sometimes, a beard throws everything out of kilter. This is why it takes so much confidence to pull off the bearded look.

Does this mean 21st century men are extremely confident? This year we have reached what fashion historians are calling “peak beard.” Trendy bushy beards, goatees and designer stubble have shaved an incredible £72 million off men’s grooming products in the last year. Not only does this mean that beards are more popular than ever, it also implies that beards are on their way out of fashion.

So now is your chance.

Should you beard? Or should you not beard?

Here is a quick quiz to help you decide:

Post-shave Soother The after care for shaving is just as important as the shaving itself. To avoid redness, apply a post-shave moisturiser like this one from Clinique for Men which will help soothe sore skin with its aloe vera formula.

Soothing products reduce the likelihood of ingrown hairs and cool irritation. Simply apply directly after shaving. Clinique is allergy-tested, 100% fragrance-free and has been catering for men’s skincare needs since 1976.

Photo: keimeguro.com Do you look about 12?

If yes—beard. Facial hair always makes their owner look older.

Does your beard grow patchy?

If yes—don’t beard. Nobody wants to colour in your patchy fluff.

Does your facial hair match your hair colour?

Beard.

Boots, £20.00

If not, does your beard grow ginger?

Don’t beard. A colour mix and match head is not the best look.

Best for body: Palmer’s

Would your beard be bum fluff at best?

If yes—don’t beard, ever.

Do you have a weak chin?

If yes—beard. You can handily disguise this by adding some manly stubble.

Will you care enough to trim and clean your beard?

If yes, then—beard. Nobody likes a wiry, crumb-filled beard to look at.

Don’t be storing your snacks in there.

After answering these questions do you still want a beard?

If yes—give it a go! It might transform your life. You could be the next heartthrob. Growing a beard requires a commitment. The initial stages are rough, but stick it out and see what happens.

If you decide against the beard, then don’t worry. Do you really want to commit to the trend that died when Jeremy Paxman jumped on the beardy band wagon?

Photo: Aimée Grant Cumberbatch

Jack, 21, French and Spanish.

Photo: Aimée Grant Cumberbatch

Ben, 21, French and Business Management.

Palmer’s Cocoa Butter for Men Moisturising is important for any skin type.

The winter weather is here, which means that rain, snow and wind will have harsh effects on the skin. Palmer’s Cocoa Butter Formula body lotion is an affordable toiletry essential that hydrates dry skin without getting too greasy. Opt for the men’s formula for a fast absorbing moisturiser with a fresh masculine scent, you’ll easily spot the distinctive grey bottle.

Boots, £5.27

18

Film

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Tom Bruce, Andriana Hambi, James Moules, Martin Solibakke Top Five

Feature

Should the ‘Sci’ be Greater than the ‘Fi’?

Top Five: Movie Psychos All work and no play makes these slightly unbalanced characters really freaking dangerous.

5) Patick Bateman, American Psycho (2000) A slick banker with a sick mind, Bateman lives in a strange world made stranger by his delusions. Played by a buff Christian Bale, the film is a satire on elitist 80’s culture, you laugh at Patrick Bateman, not with him. He is ridiculous, untamed and a raging lunatic.

4) Hannibal Lecter, The Silence of the Lambs (1991) Quick-witted and charismatic, an Oscar winning Anthony Hopkins plays the formidable cannibal and ironically, ex-psychiatrist. Dr. Lecter must be in a straight jacket and wearing a muzzle to be stopped from doing what he loves best, eating you up, with a side a fava beans and Chianti of course.

Photo: Orion Pictures

3) Alex Forrest, Fatal Attraction (1987) Self-destructive, manipulative and fuelled by fierce jealousy.

A moral lesson can be learned from this thriller, one of the better thrillers to come out of the 1980’s. Glenn Close coined the term bunny-boiler as Alex, who more than proves that ‘hell hath no fury like a woman scorned’.

2) Norman Bates, Psycho (1960)

Resident physics student/realist Adam Waterfield says, ‘In space, no one can hear you slag off George Lucas’.

From Kubrick’s 2001 and its excruciatingly detailed interpretation of the delicate mechanisms of space flight (so intricate some consider the film a cinematic ruse to test Stan’s camera-trickery for the ‘faked’ moon landing footage of 1969) to Paul Anderson’s (not that one) abominable lump of worthless space-junk Event Horizon and its ‘Gravity Drive’ hidden behind not one, not two, but ‘three magnetic fields!’, Hollywood’s attempts to conquer the final frontier have been as varying in scientific legitimacy as when the Soviets first slung Laika the terrified-terrier to her fiery demise in a lower earth orbit in 1957. With the release of Christopher Nolan’s 170 minute, small-third-world-nation’sgross-product-costing venture into the great unknown, the prospect of a soiree amongst the stars is eye-wateringly tangible from the safety of an IMAX, probably the closest any of us will ever come to an outer-atmosphere experience - particularly in the wake of fatally flawed Virgin Galactic test flights and an economy that condemns the all-consuming financial commitment of space exploration.

So now that we’ve seen the majesty of the unknown projected before our infantile globes across five decades, why in the period since Kubrick’s masterpiece have so many got the science portion of the sci-fi so wrong?

How is it that George Lucas got away with conjuring up a moon-sized space-base only to fob us off with a floating storm trooper hotelo-sphere, divided into top-to-bottom floors, with gravity pulling uniformly downwards?

Why, when destroyed by the malicious Arachnids, does the ill-fated mega ship in Starship Troopers explode into flames in the oxygen-less vacuum of space? How the fuck is it that in Capricorn One, two characters are able to have a real-time phone conversation

between Earth and Mars, a distance which radio waves need 20 minutes to traverse?!

While these films will render you thoroughly entertained, they each shame-facedly transgress basic scientific concepts. Are they cases of lazy film making, made popular only

isn’t to say that sci-fi can’t push the envelope of our comprehension past the boundaries of our puny psyches.

Take the case of Interstellar, the release of which was trailed by a gargantuan tidal wave of critiques penned by pricks and pedants decrying its multidimensional menagerie of mayhem armed only with their broadband connections and gilded scalpels of truth.

The criticism focussed on its interpretation of time as a dimension (which I actually considered to be a hugely inventive and enthralling (if a little Nolan-y) attempt at visualising a fundamentally un-visualise-able concept) and its pseudo-scientific spiel about ‘love’ as the all-pervading, all-transcending, all-empowering universal force. Yes, of course it was all nonsense, but prior to this, wormPhoto: Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer holes aside, Interstellar maintains an attention to detail and reverence by a scientifically illiterate public? for the harsh realities of the vast expanses Or does it not matter? It’s easy to label these of empty space that rival those of 2001. as the pedantic musings of an insufferable The dialogue may be hammy as a hoard of cynic looking to impress, and easier still to Gamorreans and the Anne Hathaway’s acting consider these objectively massive blunders as two-dimensional as a Euclidean plane, but unimportant. Perhaps the magic of sci-fi is in the precision is undeniably impressive. its transcendence of the trappings of dusty Neglecting the fundamental laws of our old physics; maybe it’s okay for a film to universe in favour of plot and journeying exist in its own universe, where breaking the beyond our comprehension of the rules merely enhances the spectacle. Nah, unforgiving realm we occupy are both ‘fraid not, guy. Keep your flux capacitors and forgiveable in the pursuit of an entertaining midi-chlorian counts; genuinely thrilling, story, but only the latter as the third act in a immersible and classic sci-fi needs a basis in reality-based trek can make for profoundly reality. One could argue that a film can only be exciting cinema. This is what 2001 and considered true sci-fi if and only if grounded Interstellar share, although if you’re in Hoth-cold fact. Anything beyond is merely undecided on what to watch before a night fiction in space - not inherently valueless, spent gazing at the heavens, go for Ed Wood’s but not science fiction. This may or may not unappreciated 1959 classic, Plan 9 From be the case, but only when a film guides you Outer Space. through the realm of reality and then beyond can it truly inspire and mesmerise. But that

Classic Review

A character that stands as a testimony to Hitchcock’s utter skill as a filmmaker. In many ways the most subtle of these psychos, much of his craziness occurs off screen, however debatably the creepiest of them all.

Un Chien Andalou

Director: Luis Buñuel Starring: Pierre Batcheff, Simone Mareuil Released: 1929

Zack Heera

Photo: Colombia Pictures

1) Annie Wilkes, Misery (1990) A homely small-town woman turns out to be the epitome of a crazed fan, a film that has more resonance today than it did upon its debut, with celebrity culture reaching new heights.

Kathy Bates plays the comical psycho whose art form is passive aggression.

Isabella Yianni

Directed by Luis Buñuel and co-directed with Salvador Dali this surrealist film is unlike anything you will ever see in a classic film. Slicing eyeballs, dead cattle and gender swapping, this film was decades ahead of it’s own time, yet surprisingly not many have seen it. This film is quite intimidating at first and seasoned film reviewers have trouble understanding it but I encourage anyone to see it, this intense journey of lust and sin is one of the most outrageous pieces of art anyone will see, to watch this film you need to completely open your mind and change your perspective on the notion of ‘narrative’, after you watch it is impossible to ever forget it.

The entire film plays like a dream, it will no doubt confuse its audience but that’s to be expected. Like a painting, the film is open to interpretation but it is more than meets the eye, the film opens with a man sharpening a razor, making sure it’s sharp he tests it on himself and cuts his thumb nail, he then makes his way to the balcony, looking up at the moon he places his fingers on the eyelids of a woman (who appeared out of thin air) spreads them apart, takes the razor and cuts right through her eyeball, juxtaposed with a shot of a thin cloud passing in front of the moon. Many believe that the moon stands as a symbol for the woman’s virginity and showing the image of a thin

cloud passing by it along with the image of the woman having her eye cut is symbolism of the male taking the virginity of the female in the film (if you’re ever writing about sensory cinema this film is a great choice).

The film raises questions about how we live as a society and what prevents us as people to enjoy indulging in whatever we want. Another great sequence is when the male character is trying to chase after the female (around eight minutes into the film) but is held back by rope, attached to the rope are two priests, two stone

tablets, two grand pianos with two dead donkeys nestled inside them. My interpretation is that the male character ‘wants’ the female, he ‘wants’ to be with her and to have her for himself but things such as religion and social class/wealth are holding him back and preventing him from doing so. This film was one of the main driving forces behind the surrealist movement of the late twenties.

And surprisingly was welcomed with great Photo: Les Grands Films reception by audiences, even though it was an attack on the church at the time. The film is either a genius commentary on social anthropology or a bunch of nonsense, but love it or hate it, you’ll watch the most controversial film to ever be created. Oh, and did I forget to mention it’s French?

/MancunionFilm

Film 19

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

@mancunionfilm

Review

TV Binge

Interstellar Jack Lunn reckons that Christopher Nolan’s latest is nothing short of an astronomical triumph.

“STAY.” The message from a mysterious entity to the bold dreamer Cooper (Matthew McConaughey).

Does he heed this warning? Of course not. Cooper is occupied with one goal, which is simple; save humanity.

Set in a future where planet earth is a barren, austere land on which crops can not grow and its inhabitants are under threat from dust clouds, Cooper is one of few who comprehends that humanity can not continue here. Under a now covert NASA, he and his crew are tasked with travelling across galaxies through a wormhole to find new a planet to support human inhabitance. So very Sci-Fi. One catch - he has to leave behind his 15 year old son and beloved 10 year old daughter, never knowing if he’ll see either again.

Written by Jonathan Nolan, Interstellar originally was to be directed by little known American Steven Spielberg, until commitment clashes meant Nolan would offer it to his brother. Few in the world would have been able to bring the stand out qualities of the film that are strong characteristics of Christopher Nolan’s work. The continuation of his maxim of avoiding CGI to all possible extents works especially well. The detail on the spaceships come straight from childhood cosmic dreams, with realism achieved through constructing near full scale replicas, as opposed to forging digitally inferior versions of the crafts. We’re looking at you, Star Wars remasters. Location wise, the Icelandic terrain resembles a harsh and bare planet that no digital effects could surpass and is visually astounding.

In terms of cast, Interstellar surely boasts one of the grandest seen this year. Oscar winning duo McConaughey and Anne Hathaway add greatly to the drama, providing fine performances, as does Oscar nominee Jessica Chastain. Dramatic tensions rise to their height in a message transmitted to Cooper from his daughter, Murph, who relays a broken assurance offered by her absent father. Audience tears

role in this with consistently strong performances from both Casey Afleck and Michael Caine. The main highlight, though, comes surprisingly from Matt Damon, whose portrayal of the gifted physicist Dr Mann - who had consigned himself to never seeing another human again and almost resigning himself to death - added a new dynamic to the film.

Where Interstellar will let some down is in the question of whether Nolan is treading over old ground. Elaborately escalated set pieces of rising suspense are numerous. Nolan has repeatedly done this throughout his career, with Inception’s triple-dream race against time sequence being almost copied in its formula. Where it differs is not in the visual but in the audio, and in Hans Zimmer’s score. The renowned composer’s score in Interstellar makes innovative use of bombastic church organs coupled with delicate piano to build a great atmosphere. Not quite unprecedented from Christopher Nolan Photo: Syncopy Inc. but, if it isn’t broke, altering it slightly makes it just as enjoyable. aren’t too far away. This is no isolated incident of Mc“STAY?” A story with bold dreams, intense drama Conaughey tugging at the audience’s heartstrings, and big budget cinema at its best. Do not stay. Go to with the act of departing from his children for what your nearest cinema. he knows could well be the final time, being particularly aching viewing on an emotional level. On the whole, Interstellar is easily Nolan’s most emotionally intense work yet.

The remaining big name cast members play a huge

Cornerhouse Pick of the Week

Mr. Turner Sarah Wolff believes that Mike Leigh’s Turner biopic has artistic merits worthy of its subject. genre, certainly compared to other recent examples.

Rarely does a film thus successfully entwine its story with the cinematography. Its astonishing beauty reflects and dwells upon its subject’s work in meticulously framed landscape shots and cleverly Photo: Film4 Productions composed lighting solutions reminiscent of Turner’s Cinema has been feeding its paintings. A remarkable performance consumers with an endless output

by Timothy Spall, for which he started of biopics ever since its invention taking painting lessons two years and with his recent portrait of J.M.W. prior to filming, sucks the audience Turner, Mike Leigh adds another piece into his character’s intimate world and to the collection. Seeing Turner’s status deservedly gained him the best actor as arguably England’s most prolific award at Cannes. Through remarkable painter and master of his craft, it seems attention to detail (notably regarding somewhat odd that 120 years had to the dialogue which achieves to be pass until someone made a serious charmingly witty whilst always attempt at putting his life on screen. remaining period-appropriate), the However, after watching Leigh’s film recreates a 19th century England version of the late part of the artist’s that feels a lot more realistic than life, the lack of drama, action and many of its stylised predecessors and noteworthy life events in the painter’s their all too familiar austen-esque existence seem to give an explanation TV drama atmosphere. Mike Leigh’s to other film maker’s rejection of the collaboration with Spall and Dick Pope topic. Admittedly, the occurrences of (who took home a special jury-price a death, two affairs and a number of from Cannes for his achievements other conflicts may contradict this, but in the film’s cinematography) led to a where a Spielberg would have beaten film which does justice to the work of the last tear out of his audience, Leigh one of this country’s most celebrated handles things dryly and refrains from artists by successfully translating his exploiting their dramatic potential. one-dimensional oeuvre onto the Plot-wise this results in a two-and-amoving image. ‘Mr Turner’ is a musthalf-hour long film about the rarely see for anyone interested in the fine interesting life of a great artist that arts- be it on canvas or on the silver seems to include a rather big amount screen. of seemingly pointless scenes. Still I would argue for Mr Turner to be one of the most successful attempts of its

You Can’t Handle the Truth!

Comedy with Errors Elliot Coen laments the lack of quality comedy being produced in mainstream cinema.

In the last decade, I can’t help but feel that comedy in film, as a defined genre, has rapidly declined in quality. I need to make the genre distinction because some of the best laughs of the past few years have come from films that aren’t necessarily billed as comedies (Boyhood being a great recent example). Famed critic Mark Kermode often talks about his ‘five laugh test’. If he laughs at least five times during a comedy, it’s a success. I follow a similar rule of thumb. This probably makes you want to scream at me for: a. Reducing film viewing to bean counting, b. “Only five laughs? Are you dead inside?”, and c. Being a follower of the good Dr. Kermode. Hear me out on this.

Comedies are naturally a communal experience. They say laughter is infectious and I believe it is, in a sense.

I tend to view a lot of films on my own (forever alone) and find I only really laugh when the writing in a comedy is top notch. This is the crux of my argument and the five laugh rule. I have a plethora of films in my collection, from the ’50s right up to the end of the ’90s, that never fail to make me laugh, even when I’m by myself. Most of these are nowhere near my all time favourite film list, but they are genuinely funny

The Thick Of It “Come the fuck in or fuck the fuck off!” Words that could only come from the mouth of the Thick if It’s crazed sweary mad man Malcolm Tucker. The Scottish psychopath of spin, portrayed brilliantly by Peter Capaldi, is the main attraction of The Thick of It, a show about the cock-ups caused by the incompetent men and women of Westminster.

Photo:BBC

The show starts by focusing on the seemingly useless and pointless ‘Department of Social Affairs’ where the equally useless and pointless but loveable minister Hugh Abbott tries and fails to not mess things up. He’s a man who barely has any sleep, never gets to see his kids and only gets to take a dump as a sort of treat. It shows how all these incompetent politicians we mock and hate are actually human and maybe genuinely good people deep down. But it doesn’t stop us laughing at their tragic personal and professional lives.

A few more ministers pass through

Photo: BBC

Photo: Warner Bros.

films. From the last decade, however, there are seldom few comedies I hold dear.

I personally loathe The Hangover films, Seth Rogen and anything with Melissa McCarthy in it. I can’t stand all the bro-tacular films where the same joke is reused ad nauseum. Just thinking about the likes of Airplane!, Some Like It Hot or Annie Hall generates infinite more laughs than actually watching Ted or Pineapple Express.

I’m not just bashing Hollywood either.

Here in the UK, we have had such tripe as Keith Lemon: The Movie and, the still fresh turd, Mrs. Brown’s Boys D’Movie.

I now look to the independent scene as a saving grace. Older comedies succeeded because they relied on inventive writing rather than big budget actors. When film makers don’t have to placate a mass audience, they can be much more experimental with their comedy, and that produces some of the best laughs.

DOSA as the show progresses to show the battle between the two main parties trying to win petty battles against each other as well as a general election. The humour doesn’t just come from sweary Scotsman, but also from the wit of right wing MP Peter Mannion, Nicola Murray breaking down and craving ketamine, and the whiney squabbles between the pathetic Phil Smith and Oliver Reeder. It all comes together to become one of the greatest British comedies ever made and will be an instant favourite to anyone who watches it.The Thick of It is available on Netflix in its entirety and I assure you it won’t disappoint. Anyway “Fuckety bye!”

Ben Sutton

20

Books

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

/TheMancunion: Books @MancunionBooks

Editors: Leonie Dunn, Ali Pearson

Profile

The Life of Voltaire

Books Editor Alister Pearson looks at the life and work of the prolific French writer Voltaire. As this week marks the 320th anniversary of his birth.

Image: fixquotes.com

Voltaire was a living embodiment of a rebel. He challenged norms like many of us breathe air. He lived for justice, freedom of expression, but mostly for writing. He is easily one of the most prolific writers who ever walked this planet, clocking up 20000 letters, and over 2000 books and pamphlets.

He was a notorious polemicist but always added a dash of humour in his works. This week marks 320 years since the birth of this French renegade.

Born in Paris on 21 November 1694, Voltaire’s birth name was François-Marie Arouet. He later changed this to the now more known name “Voltaire” after becoming frustrated with frequently being confused with poet Adenes le Roi, as both names sound similar with a French enunciation.

However, the timing of the name change suggests an act of separation from his family. Voltaire’s father, a lawyer, wanted his son to follow down the same career path as himself, but in a way that foregrounds his later motives, Voltaire rebelled and pursued a life of writing. The liberation of the name change ironically came at a time when Voltaire was incarcerated in the Bastille after a satirical publication where he accused the Regent of incest with his daughter.

After a dispute with a young nobleman who insulted him in 1726, Voltaire had two options: either be imprisoned indefinitely, or seek refuge in England. He chose the latter, and travelled across the channel where he would enter a new chapter in his life.

It was here that he was introduced to the works of Shakespeare.

Voltaire admired Shakespeare’s plays for its on-stage action, something he considered French plays to lack.

Voltaire also took a fascination in the British monarchy. Disenfranchised with the French absolute monarchy, he thought the British constitutional monarchy was something to be revered and followed.

Before returning to his native land, Voltaire attended the funeral of Sir Isaac Newton, someone who would have a profound effect on the Frenchman later.

Upon returning to Paris, Voltaire began to write up what he learnt

in Britain having acquired gr eat wealth via a consortium. When his writings were published and shortly banned because of his strong criticism of the way France was run, he fled to Chateau de Cirey. It was here that Voltaire began a fifteen-year love affair with Marquis du Châtelet, whose husband actually owned the house Voltaire stayed at. The pair studied to a great degree the natural philosophies of Newton and Leibniz.

Marquis died after childbirth in 1749, and would signal Voltaire’s departure of the Chateau de Cirey region. The King of France himself, Louis XV, banned the Frenchman from Paris so he sought refuge in Geneva. It was here that he produced his perhaps most famous work, “Candide, or Optimism,” a satirical piece on Leibniz’s philosophy of optimistic determinism.

Voltaire was highly critical of organised religion. He was outspoken about the leading religions of the time calling the prophet Mohammad an “imposter,” criticising Christians as “the most intolerant of all men,” and, according to Rabbi Telushkin, was the leading figure in demonising the Jewish faith during the enlightenment period, constantly perceiving them in negative ways.

Despite this, Voltaire fought vehemently for freedom of religion and expression, and is perhaps best known for his quote, “I do not agree with what you have to say, but I’ll defend to the death your right to say it.”

Voltaire died on 30 May 1778, aged 83 following a short illness.

In typical Voltaire fashion his last words were “now is not the time to make new enemies” after being asked by the priest if he wanted to renounce Satan. His body was eventually laid to rest in the Pantheon, a sign of great respect from the National Assembly of France, who considered him a forerunner of the French revolution.

Voltaire will be known as a truly inspirational polemicist. Perhaps my favourite thing he ever wrote, though, was “ice-cream is exquisite – what a pity it isn’t illegal.”

Review

Feature

Classics Digested: Paradise Lost

Bringing Chaos to Order:

340 years after John Milton’s death, Books Editor Leonie Dunn considers Milton’s epic portrayal of the Fall of Man in his definitive poem Paradise Lost What is it about?

Paradise Lost chronicles the Biblical story of the Fall of Man, through Satan’s temptation of Adam and Eve and their eventual expulsion from the Garden of Eden. What may strike you is that Satan is often regarded as the protagonist and equally the hero of this work. Whilst it is divided into two halves consisting of six books each, which reflect on the lives of Satan as the fallen angel, and the Son as Jesus Christ. As Satan is cast out of heaven for hubris he creates his own realm in Pandemonium. He is a rebel against the divine authority of God, which is often regarded as a mirror to the Commonwealth as a rejection of kingly authority. Milton’s intentions are divided in making God attractive to humanity and yet making Satan admirable. One thing for you to muddle over: Who do you think is the hero of this epic?

Manchester’s Central Library Leonie Dunn looks to Library Live’s last event that aimed to smash down cultural presumptions and inhibitions surrounding Manchester’s Central Library

Photo

Why should you read it?

Photo: carulmare@ Flickr

Who is the author?

John Milton passed away 340 years ago this month and yet he still remains one of the most quintessential names in the world of Literature. Whilst Milton is best known for his epic poem Paradise Lost, his influence outstretches that of the Miltonic verse. His stance as a vigilant polemicist and civil servant for the Commonwealth

of England under Oliver Cromwell means that Milton has had a large impact in shaping the world we know today.

WritinginEnglish,Latin,Greek,andItalian he achieved international renown within his life time. His Poetry and prose reflect the thoughts of a true republican and his celebrated Areopagitica, which openly condemns pre-publication censorship is amongst the most historically influential defences of free speech and press.

It is Milton’s magnum opus- his definitive work. It is firmly striding through the footsteps of the greats like Ovid, Homer and Virgil, as the Great Epic Poem in English Language. Whilst it is certainly not the easiest to digest it is worth the eventual struggle. Not only is this epic in plot but it is epic in verse and poetic technique. It was one of the few works of true genius working on the basis of vast intertextuality and widespread knowledge. If that isn’t enough to reel you in then how about its controversial stance. To put it simply, Milton as a devout Christian presents to you one of the most sensual and erotic accounts of Adam and Eve from the 16th century and to top it off Satan comes out as the tragic hero.

Famous Quote: ‘Better to reign in Hell, than to serve in Heaven.’

Photo: Matthew Black

When you think of a Library there are multiple things that come to mind and it goes without saying that chaos certainly would not be one of them. As the name Chaos to Order suggests this event unleashed a pandemonium on Manchester’s Central Library.

The Ivor Novello Award winning art rock band Everything Everything took over the Library from the 10th-15th of November working alongside a range of different artists and creative people, in what was a week that challenged the general perception of libraries today.

There were various different installations over the week long project from music, theatre, literature, dance, comedy and the visual arts. There was something there for everyone.

It was a time to truly test the limits of thepossibilitiesofthe21stcenturylibrary as a centre for academia alone. However this radical sense of disorder seems only

fitting in amongst Manchester’s history of radicalization and innovation.

The Central Library was a fitting and generous arena for the residency of Library Live, as the events drew inspirationfromitsstunningarchitecture and special collections.

Theywantedtochangetheperception of the dying libraries from a place that holds dusty books in concealed aisles to a vibrant exciting place. It is presented to those who went to the events as an exciting new hub for anyone from the musiciantothetrueacademic.Thepoint that is at hand is that as times are moving on so are libraries and academia with it.

If you have been to Manchester’s Central Library since it’s re-opening you will know exactly what they are jesting at. I mean it has a music room under its belt! That’s a culture smash if there ever was one.

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

21 WNW8.MANC.QUART.pdf

HOW WILL WE USE THEM?

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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.

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Even if you were registered last time, you must register to vote for these elections.

Register at: www.votebooster.org/register/umsu

PANEL DISCUSSION AND FREE ED PARTY WEDNESDAY 12 NOVEMBER 17:00 CLUB ACADEMY

DEMO ON CAMPUS

FRIDAY 14 NOVEMBER 13:00 UNIVERSITY PLACE

NATIONAL DEMO WEDNESDAY 19 NOVEMBER 12:00 LONDON

SUBSIDISED TICKETS CAN BE BOUGHT FROM THE SU FOR £7.50 PLEASE CONTACT FREYA.POTTER@MANCHESTER.AC.UK OR COME INTO THE SU VOICE OFFICE TO FIND OUT MORE.

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22

Food & Drink

ISSUE 11/ 1st December 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editors: Ellie Gibbs, Adam Fearn

Keeping the cold at Turtle Bay Hester Lonergan wasn’t too impressed by the Caribbean restaurant Turtle Bay As the days grow darker and colder, my heart grows increasingly heavy. I don’t yet feel ready to accept all that winter brings foodwise. So when my friend suggested a visit to Turtle Bay, Manchester’s new Rum ‘n’ Jerk shack, it seemed like a bright horizon on a dimming landscape.

The restaurant, which opened this summer, seems an exciting addition to Oxford Road. The space is massive, with a mezzanine filled with tables piled on top of the main bar and dining area. The atmosphere was buzzing; for seven on a Tuesday night, it was impressively full of customers. Everything is wooden or metal and boasts a look of reclaimed cool. Fairy lights twinkle alongside a neon sign spelling ‘jerk’. We couldn’t help but notice booths utilising commandeered Magic Bus benches as seating; either a relaxed nod to the restaurant’s inevitable student client base or a complete lack of foresight. Manchester’s student population was outraged when the bus company’s fares soared to over a pound; I am unsure how many would happily park their bums on the same shabby frames whilst paying a hell of a lot more.

Issues of public transport having ruffled our feathers, we looked to the cocktail menu for comfort. I went for the ‘Beachcombers Zombie’, knowing from experience that its traditional counterpart packs a punch. Comprising four rums, absinthe, bitters and tropical juice, I expected a more complex flavour than what I got, which was just an overwhelming fruity sweetness. My companion did better, choosing the ‘Reggae Rum Punch’, which was served shorter and had more of a kick. It is worth noting that all cocktails are two for one excepting a three-hour window between 7 – 10pm. We shelled out just short of seven pounds each. Although the price doesn’t much differ from most bars in central Manchester, knowing that they are clearly worth a lot less stung a little.

Unable to shake off our feeling of having been shortchanged, we skipped straight to the mains. My ‘Rastafari Run Down’ was a mix of butterbeans, root vegetables and pieces of corn on the cob in a coconutty sauce: a new and refreshing combination of flavours for me.

Alongside came rice and peas, which were fairly standard, but the real attraction came in the form of fried dumplings, the doughy sponginess of which soaked up the sauce expertly. The array of condiments provided were a good shout; I’m always one for a sauce and enjoyed dolloping different and unfamiliar flavours on top of my meal. On

the other side of the table, the mounting redness of my companion’s face either indicated some heavy-handed spicing or a man who cannot take the heat. Aside from this, he found his ‘Trinidad Curry Chicken’ well enough cooked and ate it all up. The food was pleasant, but at just under a tenner per dish, I would expect something a little less nonchalant.

Too poor to continue, we decided to settle up. We went Dutch and I put it all on card while my companion gave me cash. The waiter automatically passed the card machine over to my companion. Commenting properly on this error in judgement would necessitate an entire article (or book, or tome); all I will say is that it was a disappointing note on which to leave a restaurant I really wanted to like. Turtle Bay has a lot of potential as an individual and reliable establishment, but issues of price, quality and service hinder its success. I may give it another go in the hope of being corrected, but next time, I’ll arrive before seven.

Seasonal Cask Ale of Choice: Christmas Plum Pudding

Turtle Bay 33–35 Oxford Street Manchester M1 4BH Twitter - @TurtleBayUk www.turtlebay.co.uk

Looking for a new ale to sample over Christmas?

Why not try JW Lee’s brand new festive beer, Christmas Plum Pudding (4.5%)! Available for a limited time in all of the brewery’s pubs (including The Rain Bar, The Church Inn, and Dutton’s), this new cask ale is bursting with fruity flavour. With its rich auburn colour, distinctively moreish taste and relatively cheap price at around £2.70, this beer is set to be a hit with students and the public alike!

Photo: The Mancunion

Recipe: Iced Vodka Latte

Feature: UoMFoodies

Claire Cottis offers another fantastic cocktail recipe

Want even more food news? Check out Abigail Saffer’s UoMFoodies!

AKA - the Posh Jägerbomb. A coffee based cocktail is the perfect pick me up when you are lagging at predrinks. We’ve all been there. The event ticket is already purchased, you’ve spent an arm and a leg on vodka at Tesco and somehow it’s already time to sit in your lounge and try to drink through the retreating hangover. Those few extra Somersbys at the Ram last night may have seemed like a good idea at the time but now all you want to do is lie in bed and watch Orange is the New Black. If there isn’t any Jäger or Redbull in sight you can mix up an Iced Vodka Latte with instant coffee for a creamier and cheaper version of an espresso martini. Not only is it more indulgent, but it is sure to wake you up in time for your Magic bus to Juicy.

Method In a mug, add a large shot of boiling water to two teaspoons of instant coffee and stir to make an espresso. Whilst it is still hot, stir in the sugar or sweeteners and allow to cool slightly.

After a few minutes transfer the coffee into a martini or latte glass and pour in the milk until the glass is 2/3s full. Next, mix in the vanilla, cinnamon and vodka and fill with ice. If you prefer your drinks stronger, compensate by making a larger coffee starter at the beginning and add less milk. You can even experiment with spirits and coffee flavours. Swapping the vodka for amaretto works just as well.

Ingredients

1 shot of Vodka Two teaspoons of instant coffee Large shot of boiling water One teaspoon of sugar or sweeteners 2/3s cup of cold full fat milk 2 drops of vanilla essence ¼ teaspoon of ground cinnamon Ice

Tried out Claire’s cocktail? Share your thoughts, opinions and pictures with us on our Twitter account: @MancunionFood

Photo: The Mancunion

Uomfoodies is an exciting new food network at the University of Manchester. Run by Abigail Saffer, the aim is to raise awareness of food sustainability, food wastage and healthy eating.

Campaigning to bring healthier food onto campus, Abigail is organising a number of educational talks, cookingclasses,foodtastingandnetworkingevents.

Socialising is also on the agenda, with regular meetups at different eateries and bars in Manchester. It’s a great way to meet other members of staff at the university as well as learning more about food.

Abigail states ‘people at the university have been incredibly supportive of this new network since I started. Whilst there are plenty of activities for students, staff often feel a bit neglected. I decided to create this network to provide staff (both academic and support) with fresh opportunities to learn, gain skills and meet new people’.

The network started off with a bake off event, which raised £100 for the charity Fareshare Greater Manchester (the gluten-free category winner was our ownHesterLonergan!).Over40membersofstaffand students entered and around 100 people attended the event.

Thenetworkhassincemadeconnectionswithother charities, organisations and individuals involved in food wastage, sustainability and healthy eating. ‘It’s been fascinating to just learn how many people care about these issues in Manchester. Every day I am hearingaboutandmeetingreallyinspiringindividuals who want to help change the way we think about and eat food. I have even teamed up with the sustainability group at MMU with the aim of connecting the universities in Manchester together, to create an even stronger, more powerful network of experts’.

Abigail also says ‘Being vegetarian, it is often more difficult to find exciting and innovative places to eat.

We are planning to build a vegetarian and vegan net

-work. There is clearly a demand, as we sold out our first vegetarian cooking/dinner with the Drunken Butcher ‘Iain Divine’ after one day of the event being live. We are planning to make these cooking/suppler clubs a regular feature at the university.

Although the network is primarily for staff and students, anyone is free to attend nonexclusive events.

Abigail is also strongly encouraging staff and students from MMU and Salford to attend as well.

Future events include: - Educational launch event on the 3rd December: for staff, students and organisations looking to get involvedinthenetwork.Thisisaveryinformalmeeting to discuss future plans.

- Cocktail social evening on the 4th December at the Lawn Club, Spinningfields - All about Quorn on the 29th January (venue to be confirmed)withKevinBrennan,directorofQuornUK. You can contact Uomfoodies at: http://www.uomfoodies.wordpress.com www.twitter.com/uomfoodies uomfoodies@gmail.com

Photo: Terry McNamara

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, tweet us at @MancunionFood or get in touch via Facebook.

Food & Drink 23 EVERY TUESDAY ISSUE 10/ 24th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

/TheMancunion: Food & Drink @MancunionFood

Review

Dessert: Salted Caramel Chocolate Pots

Food Co-Editor Ellie Gibbs stumbles across the Uni’s very own food market.

Food Editor Adam Fearn shares his easy recipe for these indulgent delights.

Salted caramel chocolate is becoming increasingly popular within England after its surging popularity in both America and mainland Europe. Rich and luxurious, the sea salt perfectly balances the intensity of the dark chocolate.

Here’s an easy recipe on how to make delicious chocolate pots!

Ingredients:

each pot.

3 tbsp canned caramel ½ tsp sea salt 100g of dark or milk chocolate 2 tbsp demerara sugar 100ml double cream 100ml milk

Eaten anywhere nice recently? Created something Method: delicious? We want to know!

Mix the caramel and sea salt Tell us about it at food.mantogether, and divide the mixture cunion@outlook.com into two separate glasses. Place the

Photo: Ellie Gibbs

How have I only just discovered this foodie lunchtime haven? Every Tuesday from 10am-3pm, street food vendors of Manchester gather to provide the hungry student with mouthwatering delights that can’t be found in the campus canteen….Correct me if I’m wrong, but I doubt you’ve had a venison burger or peanut butter snickerdoodle brownie in Uni Place.

Photo: Ellie Gibbs

On the mention of the latter dessert, I don’t expect much more persuasion to visit is necessary. However, for the sake of ensuring your attendance, I’ll continue.

Opposite George Kenyon Hall – behind Uni Place, you’ll find a campsite of delicious hot and cold food offerings. For hot days, there’s ice cream. For cold, there’s coffee and hot chocolate. The amount of pudding selection is difficult for the sweet-toothed, like me, as there are hot waffles, pancakes with syrup and ice cream, about 12 varieties of fudge brownie, and an array of freshly baked muffins. Due to my unplanned visit I did not have the funds to try everything I wanted to, and only purchased the salted caramel brownie, which at £1.50 or 4 for £5 was a bargain, and a great idea for some early Christmas gifts for friends.

glasses into the fridge to set. Melt the chocolate and set it over a pan of simmering water. Stir the double cream and milk together with the chocolate until it is smooth. Once done, pour the mixture on top of the caramel. Put back in the fridge for a couple of hours to set. To serve, sprinkle a pinch of sea salt on top of

Photo: Bakerella

All of the independent vendors were friendly and eager to chat and offer tasters. The cheese stall in particular was great for providing samples and a genuine knowledge of each taste, I plan to return and stock up for a preChristmas cheese & wine evening. Relatives Got any delicious recipes of your own? Be it sweet, would also probably appreciate a rare cheese savoury, bitter or sour, we want to know! Email us at for Christmas, with types ranging from tangy food.mancunion@outlook.com to get involved. manchego to deep, earthy Montgomery cheddar. A friend had introduced me to the blue sheep’s cheese which, after polishing off with any cheese-holding carb available, drew me to visit the market itself.

After starting course-backwards due an irresistible brownie, I moved on to the ‘northwest game’ stall for a hearty venison burger with extra chilli sauce. It was great to have a meat I wouldn’t usually buy, and at the reasonable price of £3.50. Other options were the regulars ‘pheasant nibbles’ and ‘game sausage’, which I intend on returning to try, as well as their special of wild duck in plum sauce. At less than a fiver for an innovative lunch you probably wouldn’t make at home, it would be a crime to Photo::@wrapscallion_co not a least have a look.

As I turned up at almost 3pm, the majority of stalls were packing up so I didn’t see the market it its full glory. But I did observe the quesadilla van serving rabbit and chorizo amongst Mexican classics like chilli con carne. Delighted with my find, I’ll be back again next week.

Term time every Tuesday 10am-3pm.

Opposite George Kenyon Hall. (Behind Uni Place – keep going through the doors!)

Vendors: @nuffinbutmuffns @lushbrownies @wrapscallion_co

Photo: Ellie Gibbs

24

Arts & Culture

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM /TheMancunionArtsCulture @ArtsMancunion

Editor: Holly Smith What’s on

What’s on?

Your guide to what is happening in the city this month.

Manchester City Centre. Photo: Stacey McNaught @ Flickr

Preview: Playtime @ The Cornerhouse Friday 21st Novemeber 2014, 18:00- 21:00, Free, Drop in With the moving of the Cornerhouse to a new building next year, be the first to see their momentous closing show. Lawrence Abu Hamdan and Andy Graydon will join with a selection of the Playtime artists who will stage a performance of this interactive audio installation. Nine artists present playful, participatory work inspired by Cornerhouse’s iconic brick structure and director Jacques Tati’s 1967 comedy masterpiece Playtime. Drinks will be provided by absolut.

Puffin Crossing Carousel @ Oxford Street/Whitworth Street (gather outside Cornerhouse enterance) Saturday 22nd November 2014, 12:00-12:30, Free

Turner Prize 2014

Turner Prize 2014 Artists: Ciara Phillips Established in 1984, the Turner Prize is awarded each year to a contemporary artist under 50 living, working or born in Britain, who is judged to have put on the best exhibition of the last 12 months. Previous winners include Gilbert & George, Antony Gormley, Grayson Perry, Jeremy Deller and Damien Hirst. This year’s shortlist showcases artists whose work spans film (Duncan Campbell), prints (Ciara Phillips), video (James Richards) and live performance (Tris VonnaMichell) Canadian born Ciara Phillips is an artist based in Glasgow who employs screenprinting, textile

techniques and wall painting to create context-specific installations. She effectively explores the languages of material, method and process in relation to forms of written and visual language.

She works with all types of print, from textiles to photos and wall paintings.

After studying Fine Arts at Queen’s University, Kingston, Ciara has gone on to have Exhibiton her exhibitions exhibited around the world, including Hamburg, Dusseldorf, Glasgow, Bergen and London. For the exhibition that Ciara Phillips was awarded her Turner Prize nomination for, she turned London’s The Showroom gallery into

a print workshop, inviting designers, artists and local women’s groups to come and make prints with her.

Phillips’ inspiration came from Cortia Kent, a pioneering artist, educator and activist whose screen prints often incorporated the archetypical product of brands of American consumerism alongside spiritual texts. Many times she would tear, rip, or crumble the image, then rephotograph it.

Phillips is the only female nominee this year and with only five females ever to win the prize, all eyes are on her and her artwork.

InthefinalsceneofJacquesTati’sPlaytime,aroundaboutistransformedintoamovingcarousel.Inspiredbythis scene,artistNaomiKashiwagihascollaboratedwithchoreographerBenjiReidtodeviseanewperformancethat willtransformthejunctionoutsideCornerhouseintoamerry-go-round,asknowingandunawareparticipants perform choreographed movements to Francis Lemarque’s song ‘L’Opéra des Jours Heureux’ The Livable City: A Danish-British Dialogue in Manchester @ Manchester School of Architecture, Benzie Building Thursday 20th – Thursday 27th November This exhibiton is a celebration of architecture and urban planning and aims to look at ways that planners, architectsandlocalcommunitiescanplaytheirpartinthedevelopmentofadynamic,liveablecitywithamore resilient economy, healthier residents and a better quality of life for everyone. Talks, seminars and debates will also take place, however please make sure that you book in advance Made in Manchester: The Art of Emmanuel Levy (1900-1986) @ Manchester Jewish Museum 24th October 2014- 29th May 2015, Free with museum admission This exhibition explores Levy’s Mancunian heritage and showcase his talents as a painter, writer and teacher and is shown through works such as ‘Snow in the North’ and ‘Raiders Overhead’ where the setting is Levy’s homeduringaWorldWarTwoairraid.Levy’sJewishrootsarereflectedthroughworkssuchas‘TwoRabbiswith ScrollsoftheLaw’(illustrated)and‘Crucifixion’,paintedbyLevyinresponsetotheHolocaust.Theexhibitionalso

Photo of the Week

Photo Of The Week This week’s photograph comes from Liz Gibson, a third year student at the Univesity of Manchester.

If you have a photograph you want to share, email us on mancunion. arts@gmail.com

Photo: John Morgan @ Flickr

ISSUE 09/ 17TH NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

/mancuniontheatre @themanctheatre

Theatre 25

Interview

James Rampton

What’s On A chat with Noel Fielding AN EVENING WITH NOEL FIELDING - O2 Apollo Manchester, November 21st & The Lowry, February 5th

17 November – 24 November

If the Christmas Market gets too predictable, the stage is waiting

Othello Tue 18th to Sat 29th, The Lowry £16 – £24.20

La Traviata Wed 19th & Fri 21st, The Lowry £19.50 – £63.80 A new production from director Alessandro Talevi and designer Madeleine Boyd. Violetta is a courtesan who is enjoying the Parisian high-life when, to her surprise, she falls in love. But she cannot escape the consequences of her past life, and circumstances conspire to force her to sacrifice what may be her only chance of real happiness.

Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee 9 – 11 October, Opera House £16.90 – £47.40 A quintessential English country estate is thrown into chaos following the murder of eccentric inventor Sir Claud Amory..

Arriving at the Estate moments too late, one man immediately senses a potent brew of despair, treachery, and deception amid the estate’s occupants. That man is Hercule Poirot.In the first play ever written by Agatha Christie we are introduced to a character who went on to become the most famous detective of all time.

Northern Ballet Cinderella Tue 18th – Sat 22nd, Palace Theatre £16.90 – £52.90 Set in Imperial Russia at a time when superstitious people believe in the possibility of magic, this classic fairytale sees heartbreak turn to joy as the unstoppable power of young love conquers all.

Review

in “An Evening with Noel Fielding” by the loose stylings of his brother Michael Fielding (best known as Naboo and Smooth from The Mighty Boosh) and the physical lunacy of Tom Meeten (who plays Andy Warhol in Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy), proceeds to let us in on the plot for “An Evening with Noel Fielding.” “The first half is set in a cabaret club,” he reveals. “Then I get kidnapped from my own show, and in the second half the rest of the characters have to find me. I’ll be playing other characters during the second half. It becomes like a play. It’s a sort of farce.”

Photo: Dave Brown

This is a mating ground. There’s tension around the pool table, cues in hand. A world of broken glass and beatings in the car park.

Frantic Assembly return with its mordern take on Shakespeare’s thriller-tragedy of paranoia, jealousy, sex and murder. Fusing an adaptation of the classic text with a hard-hitting choreography.

Noel Fielding is about to embark on his first solo tour for five years. The comedian, who thanks to his work on The Mighty Boosh, Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy and Never Mind the Buzzcocks, has an enormously loyal following, is starring in a new show, simply entitled, “An Evening with Noel Fielding.”

Featuring Noel’s inimitable blend of standup, animation, music and appearances by some of his best-loved characters, including The Moon, The Dark Side of the Moon and Fantasy Man, it’s a blinding show. As Noel himself puts it, “You’d be a fool to miss out.

Come along, bring your Nan. Fancy dress optional.” As the show comes to a theatre near you very soon, you’re in for a rare treat at “An Evening with Noel Fielding”.

The performer, who has spent the last few years occupied by the meticulously produced, semi-animated E4 show, Noel Fielding’s Luxury Comedy, begins by underlining that nothing beats the rush generated by live work. “The problem with TV is that it takes years to make, and after a while you can’t remember what it’s like to tell a joke and get a laugh from it.

“The great thing about live comedy is that it cuts out the middle men - all those TV producers and directors. It takes out everything that gets in the way, so it’s just you and the audience. It’s a really pure set-up.” Because it’s so deeply original and innovative, Noel’s comedy can divide people. But he thinks that the infectious nature of his stand-up show can help to win over the agnostics. “Some people might think they’re allergic to you, but if they come to a live show and see everyone is laughing, it’s hard to say that it’s not funny. It was the same with the Boosh. Sceptics were convinced when they came to our shows.

“As a stand-up, you spend all day being nervous. But as soon as you step onto the stage and get the first laugh, it’s magic time.

It’s like being in a dream. It’s a real buzz.” Noel is also relishing the prospect of touring the country. “It’s great,” he enthuses. “You get to visit all these nice places you’ve never been to before. When you arrive at a lot of towns, you just go, ‘Wow!’” The comedian, who will be joined on stage

The show promises a typically uplifting variety of disparate elements. “That’s why I’ve called it ‘An Evening with Noel Fielding’, because it’s not something I’d usually do,” the comedian explains. “It’s more like something Barry Humphries would do.” The evening will also feature music that Noel has composed with Serge Pizzorno from Kasabian and some characteristically entrancing stand-up routines.

Noel, who for many years performed with his close friend Julian Barratt in The Mighty Boosh, dubbed “The funniest comedy double act in Britain” by the NME, discloses some

Annabel Cartwright

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof

of the themes he will be addressing in this part of the show. “I touch on turning 40 and my Peter Pan complex. Because I’m now 40, I try to do a bleak bit, but of course it soon becomes completely fantastical. I attempt to go gritty, but I can’t help going fantasy.”

Noel’s comedy is always richly imaginative, but can he tell if he’s gone too far? “No!” laughs the comedian. “Doing stand-up, you’re edited by the audience. If you take too mad a line, you’ll lose people. But on the other hand, if something is getting big laughs, it’ll never leave the show.” Noel, who is hopeful that he and Julian will one day find the time to make a long-planned movie, continues that, “There are certain things that you just know will work. At one point, I play a herbal tea bag. I knew that would strike a chord because everyone has tea.

The comedian attempts to sum up the style of the show. “It’s so abstract. It’s like you turn the radio dial, and something random comes on. You’re not quite sure what it is, but you warm to it.” So what does the comic hope that audiences will take away from “An Evening with Noel Fielding”? “I hope they have a really good time,” Noel declares. “I hope they laugh their heads off. I’ve always been very concerned not to sell people short. But the only danger is that the show ends up as long as the film Gandhi!”

Ever philosophical, Noel carries on that, “I suppose if it doesn’t work, I’ll have to do something else. What would I do? Breed shire horses!” The only drawback about touring as far as Noel is concerned is that, “You’re buzzing with adrenaline when you come off stage.

You have to do something with that, and it’s very hard not to go and get drunk. In the old days, we’d give the Rolling Stones a run for their money with our after-show behaviour.

“But now I’m in my forties, I have to find new ways to calm myself down. Like Mick Jagger, I’ll have to get fit. After the show, Michael and I used to go drinking. This time we’ll have to go to mazes and local markets and drink peppermint tea.” Unable to resist one last gag, Noel concludes: “It’s the Peppermint Tea Tour. I should have called it that!”

Sam Ebner-Landy & Nicole Tamer

Top 3 Theatrical Villains Abigail Williams

Charismatic, seductive and brutal, Abigail Williams ignites Salem’s downward spiral into murderous hysteria in Arthur Miller’s modern classic. In this Puritan community, rumours of witchcraft circulate and Abigail, having been sacked from her job as maid to John Proctor (the play’s protagonist), uses this to her advantage, directing accusations of witchery at anyone who stands in her way. Lusting after Proctor, Abigail fakes seizures and satanic visions in court, scaring judges and reverends alike into a number of all-toopublic hangings. As the details of her affair with Proctor unravel, the image of a dark and brooding teenage girl comes to the fore; anyone and everyone could be sent to the gallows in her chase of an older, married man.

Iago

It is a blisteringly hot day in the Mississippi Delta, 1954, and the Pollitt household is celebrating Big Daddy’s birthday at their cotton plantation home. Over the course of one turbulent evening, the family wrestles with emotional repression and its destructive consequences, all within the stifling confines of one claustrophobic bedroom.

Exploring issues surrounding birth, death, depression, supressed homosexuality, motherhood and masculinity (to name but a few) Tennessee Williams’ timeless play brings to public consciousness the damaging nature of societal expectations, and resulting efforts to sustain the perfect family façade.

In the Royal Exchange Theatre’s most recent production, the eight-strong cast of highly accomplished actors ooze passion and vivacity in their interpretations of Williams’ eminent characters. Each and

every cast member delivers their role with a starkly human and personal approach.

Of particular note are the performances of Charles Aitken (Brick), and Mariah Gale (Maggie). As the couple found at the centre of this particular plot, Aitken and Gale provide a convincing and truthful representation of the closeted complexity and pain which is often experienced in married life.

Aitken’s depiction of Brick’s depression and his ensuing struggle with alcoholism is acutely harrowing, and has an enduring emotional impact upon the audience member.

With moments of pure genius, the direction by James Dacre is unquestionably appropriate. In retaining the naturalistic basis of the piece, he creates the perfect foundation upon which the intricate humanity of each character is built. In conjunction with the lighting and sound design by Richard

Howell and Emma Laxton, Dacre’s direction is powerful and stimulating, both to the eye, and the emotions.

Mike Britton’s stunning set creates a wonderfully minimalistic backdrop for the piece. Creating a sense of claustrophobia on an open, in-the-round, stage space can undeniably present designers with difficulties, however with thoughtful use of set and prop placement, Britton creates a four-sided microcosm within which all the action of the piece may take place without causing distraction or visual obstruction.

Crumbling into a cathartic denouement, Cat on a Hot Tin Roof shakes the audience to the core. Sure to be one of the most significant productions of Tennessee Williams’ classic play, every aspect of the Royal Exchange’s production contributes to a performance deserving of the highest acclaim.

Brooding Iago, the manipulative antagonist of Shakespeare’s Othello, lands a respectable third place on this list. Devious and controlling, the role of Iago has unsurprisingly been played by a number of acting giants: Ian McKellen, Ewan McGregor and Kenneth Branagh to name a few. Initially enraged with Othello, the Venetian general, for promoting Michael Cassio instead of him, Iago’s motives then begin to blur and spiral out of control. Having convinced Othello to suspect his beloved Desdemona of adultery, Iago then goads the Moor into murdering his innocent wife, whilst he stands in the background, revelling in his chaotic work. A master of persuasion, ‘honest’ Iago needs only a handkerchief to bring all these elements of Shakespeare’s intelligent narrative to a boil. It is a chilling toss-up between which aspect of Iago is most horrifying: his methods – getting as close as possible to those around him in order to drive them to murder, violence and revenge - or the lack of any real reason for his betrayal.

Inspector Javert

He is not a villain in the traditional sense, but his obsessive sense for justice does more harm than good to the characters in the book and musical Les Misérables. Being born in prison and having faced cruelty and poverty, his character becomes misguided early in life and later tries to enforce his morals and mistaken assumptions on people living in misery. His stern inflexibility and the rationalising of his actions make him very human, but despicable. The major flaw of his thought process is his inability to question the law and by neglecting human despair, he drives himself into a major emotional conflict when he is unable to follow his own values. Blinded by his code of honour, he commits suicide not in an emotional rage, but in the most rational manner possible while contemplating the law.

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Lifestyle

ISSUE 09/ 17th NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Editor: Robert Firth Feature Advice

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Debate

Kitty

Got a problem?

Unsure who to turn to?

Just ask Kitty: mancunion. life@gmail. com

Are long distance relationships worth the hassle?

Perisha Kudhail goes the extra mile to find out if Long Distance Relationships are really worth the effort.

With University being a perfect environment to meet all sorts of people, it’s not a rarity for us to start a relationship with someone who lives somewhere 100s of miles from us. But are these relationships worth pursuing?

With our lives in modern day society becoming more and more hectic, can we really afford the time and money required to keep up seeing our partners? Or have advances in technology made it so easy to pursue a relationship virtually that the distance gap between partners no longer exists? Bruce and Louise offer two very different experiences of Long Distance Relationships.

YES

Photo:: Jetske @Flickr

This week our resident lifestyle guru Kitty Treverton Jones deals with first year blues and the ethics of dating. am a first year in halls and I didn’t Q Iarrive at university until the end

of freshers’ week because I was on holiday. I still feel like I haven’t properly settled in and I think it’s because I missed the first week. I’ve made some friends on my course and in different flats in my halls but I still feel like I’m missing out. Will it get better or should I think about moving halls?

you’re a fresher at university A When there seems to be this pressure to have “The Best Time Ever.” Freshers’ week is crazy, some people love it and some people utterly despise it. It’s an experience, but it is not the embodiment of your whole social life at university. If you haven’t bonded as a flat maybe you’re all just not suited to being friends. People often end up being friends with entirely different people to the ones they spend freshers’ week with. Concentrate on the friendships you have with other people in your halls and your course friends. If you feel really uncomfortable living there, then maybe consider moving halls.

However don’t worry too much: not every flat becomes best of friends and remember you can live with whoever you choose from next year. University is a big adjustment in lifestyle and it takes time to settle in; unlike with coursework there is no deadline for when you should feel at home by.

I met recently asked me to go Q Aforguy a drink. I think he quite likes me

and I’m inclined to say yes to the drink (what do I have to lose?) but I’m pretty sure I don’t want anything at the moment. Would it be mean if I agreed, knowing it wouldn’t go anywhere?

is my theory – one drink is A Here absolutely fine, even if you know it’s not going to go anywhere. Two dates is acceptable, if after the first you surprisingly hit it off. Three or more dates then you’re leading him on and morally reprehensible. Unless of course you tell him from the beginning that you don’t want a relationship: he may feel the same, and this could be the perfect opportunity for a delightful friends-with-benefits situation.

Louise “We met in a bar in Paris in August 2013 and really hit it off. We both knew there was a spark there but because of the obvious distance problem we were unsure whether or not to pursue it. We said goodbye after four days together and kept in touch. Within a few weeks we began officially dating, against most of the advice of friends and family. He made his first trip to England a month later, and that is how we have remained: flying backwards and forwards every few months to see each other for nearly a year and a half.

Our relationship has remained strong because we don’t dwell on the distance. We accept that it is what it is: not ideal but something that we have to accept for now.

We make an effort to talk face to face (even if it’s just on FaceTime) at least once a day, as well as send each other letters and gifts to let the other person know we are thinking of each other. We have date nights once a week like other couples. We have made plans for him to move to England permanently as soon as next year, and have never been stronger as a couple.”

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Bruce “We became interested in each other in 2012 after a debating competition in Sri Lanka. About a year after that we began to date and she became my source of release: I told her everything. We went to school together in India, I was two years her senior. Although, we didn’t see each other every day we spoke all the time.

I then got accepted to a university in the U.K and we remained together for six months. At the beginning we spoke to each other every day. But as the relationship progressed, we became distanced.

We had our own lives and lived in different worlds. We were more than 5000 miles away from each other, how were we supposed to function as a couple with that distance between us? One of us was bound to fall out of love with the other and that’s what happened with us. I wouldn’t say it ended badly, but I wouldn’t recommend a long distance relationship to anyone.”

Photo: Images of Money @ Flickr

Photo:: Valor Dictus @Flickr

TV

TV made me live a fantasy

Molly Allen considers the impact of TV on our expectations (no just because you’re not living in a penthouse doesn’t mean your life’s a failure).

I don’t watch a huge amount of current T.V. I still enjoy the same crap that has been cancelled since the invention of digital television and a choice of more than five channels.

The only T.V shows I watch that are still running are ABC’s amazing Scandal and like every man and his dog, HBO’s Game of Thrones.Photo: This summer after e4 press image watching two episodes of Scandal I had the revelation that “I should be a lawyer”.

I frantically called my mum “Mum, I’ve found my future career. I’m going to be a lawyer!” She responded with a sigh and then said “darling, what has prompted this?” Oh the humiliation when I meekly squeaked “umm characters from a T.V show” Do I know anything about law? Do I study law? No: but Scandal’s Olivia Pope is a lawyer and an impeccably well dressed,

Prada-toting, unbelievably sassy lady.

It’s starting to get out of hand: I’m still attempting to emulate Rachel’s shiny polka straight hair from Friends whilst simultaneously yearning for Serena van der Woodsen’s tousled blonde mane. In spare moments I find myself mentally constructing my menu for my inevitable appearance on Come Dine With Me. Me and my housemates aim by next year to turn ourselves into the toned, tanned, glittering salsa queens from Strictly.

I’ll turn off my Netflix or T.V and for about 5 seconds (okay minutes), feel really crap about myself. Then I remember, yes, I may not live in a penthouse in New York, no, I’m not going to win £1000 after throwing the most perfect dinner party, but I am happy with my life as it is.

Anyway, I still have time to do all these things, well maybe apart from the lawyer idea: an extra two years of studying and exams? No thanks. I’m off to salsa my way through life.

Photo:: id-iom @Flickr

ISSUE 09/ 17TH NOVEMBER 2014 WWW.MANCUNION.COM Misanthropy

5 Reasons:

not to go out this week

Save your time, money and liver this weekend by opting not to go out says Robert Firth

/TheMancunion: Lifestyle @MancunionLife

Lifestyle

27

Misanthropy

How to avoid people when you don’t want to speak to them

Lifestyle editor and suspect misanthrope Robert Firth has some top tips for anyone who just can’t be dealing with people today.

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Take part in our Blind Date Feature.

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Feeling FRESH Photo: Leo Hidalgo @Flickr

Alcohol and other drugs It’s the only thing that makes it even slightly bearable.

The concept of being rammed into a human battery farm for numerous hours in the dark could not even be conceived of as fun without them. I’m yet to meet a person who has gone to Warehouse Project and stayed till the end without having engaged in extrachemical activity. Yet you’re merely delaying the inevitable and the next morning you’ll justly repent for your sins with innumerable glasses of water and an irrational appreciation of your duvet People “I just want you to know that I love you, I don’t know if I’ve ever told you this…” As a matter of fact you tell me this quite regularly, always in the early hours of the morning an d I’m sorry but it’s not mutual, especially when half the time you blank me in the street during the daytime. Yeah going out teaches you that people think you’re the best person ever, but only when they’re drunk—feeling the love yet?

Food Soggy, jaundiced chips floating in oil and plastered in rubbery cheese never seems like a tempting option on any other occasion, so why does it become simply irresistible when you’re returning from a night out?

Then again I suppose you’ve already consumed your RDA of calories and sugar in liquid confidence so why neglect your saturated fat and salt?

Music In the unlikely scenario that you actually recognise or like the music being played, you’ll spend all the time you’re not boogying, sulking about everyone’s extended smoking breaks. When you dislike the music you’ll probably end up staying till closing time, contemplating whether it’s worth the risk of contracting lung cancer if in compensation you can escape outside for a few minutes.

Photo: infofarmer @Flickr

Forget normal procrastination: the BuzzFeed articles, YouTube videos, cups of tea. Trips to the supermarket for one item, accompanying your friend to the supermarket for one more item, believe it or not there’s something else gobbling up even more of your precious work time. It conceals itself in two-way questions with one word replies and nearly everyone hates it (and loves it) at different moments. You’ve got it: it’s small talk. So for the days when you just can’t be fucked, here’s how to avoid it.

Manipulating the Built Environment: Aisles, present in many indoor public spaces, are ideal for two pursuits: espionage and evasion. As we’re dealing with the latter, the skill is to identify the threat before becoming stranded halfway down an aisle scurrying away from them. Avoid making the juvenile error of rashly diving for cover in the nearest aisle: the hideous individual you’re trying to avoid will just be about to go down that one, fool.

Works best in: Libraries and supermarkets.

Works less well in: the Learning Commons and street Top Tip: Walls, columns and doors can also work similarly—be creative!

I’m working!

This method is perfect for when you’re around uni and suddenly caught off-guard mid-bite into your mozzarella and tomato panini when that sickeningly sweet girl from your seminar starts to approach you. Quickly! Empty the contents of

your bag onto the nearest available space, grab a highlighter and if you’ve got headphones in reach put them on (she won’t notice that they’re not plugged in). Hopefully she’ll have the sense not to bother you (can’t she see you’re busy?), but if she dares to smile at you, be ready to shoot her your most threatening eye wrinkling grin then immediately turn away.

Works well: When you’re sat down Works less well: When you’re mid-motion, unless you’re one of those pricks who pretend they’re ‘mobile’ working on an iPad. Be Weird You’ve not listened and now you’re trapped down an aisle whilst James expounds on the differentiating qualities of brands of tinned peas.

And he’s about to cross-examine you on what you did every night this week. Don’t fear: interrupt him and ask if he wants to have sex, or tell him he’s so boring he makes concrete look interesting but still does he want a quick shag, he’s into bondage right?

People are terrified of strangeness and he’ll soon be making a rapid escape. You might end up with hardly any friends but then again that’s why you’re reading this.

Christmas has come early this year Ho Ho Ho or No No No? Beth Slatcher-Greenwood gives her verdict.

For me, now that Halloween and Bonfire Night have been and gone I’m starting to feel the festive cheer and I know I’m not alone. For many, the arrival of crisp chilly mornings signals one thing, that the Christmas period is coming ever closer.

But with nearly two months to go, is it a bit too soon to be looking forward to Christmas specials, mince pies and watching elderly relatives slowly getting mortal off sherry?

Dancing So you think you can dance? Well you can’t. Unless you’ve taken lessons from a ridiculously young age, no matter how much you believe you’re feeling the rhythm of the night you’re really not. Your slut drops have hit rock bottom and even when you realise this don’t dare to sit down in case you’re branded ‘boring’ by your fellow revellers, then again at least you have your dignity intact.

Ignorance is bliss: A normally unhealthy dose of shamelessness is required if you intend to pursue this route. In the street, just divert your eyes away from the person and imagine it’s the last 10m of the 100m sprint, and you’re Usain Bolt. Even if they, irritatingly, call out to you, don’t look back—of course you’re not ignoring them, you’re just going faster than the speed of sound. Don’t try this technique in a confined space, e.g. the bus, unless you’re studying drama, in which case you just have to brazenly refuse to acknowledge them. Not even when they smile at you, and sit next to you, and try to speak to you, again and again.

Upsides: if you succeed with this technique you probably know you can, whatever happens, carve a career out in acting.

Downsides: If you ever felt like speaking to the person again, a lot of time and even more explanation are probably required.

As usual, the build up to the 25th has been in motion for some time now in the retail sector.

Selfridges opened its Christmas floor (yes floor!) on the 4th of August, during one of the hottest weeks Britain had experienced in decades—a whopping one hundred and forty two shopping days before the event.

At the time many people were outraged.

However, the truth remains that Selfridges and other department stores wouldn’t open their festive sections a third of a year early if the business was not there to support it. Selfridges sold over two thousand Christmas baubles in the first week of its opening.

thirty-year-old Christmas ‘classics’. You can get into the festive spirit whenever (if ever) you see fit—and if it’s any consolation there are only twelve official days of Christmas.

I’m personally undecided as to whether having these displays open for such long period adds to the festivities or actually tarnishes some of the novelty of the season. It’s certainly practical: you could have everyone’s gifts bought, wrapped and labelled before the university term even starts!

Overall though, I can’t help but think it doesn’t really matter when the lights are switched on in the city centre, or even when shops start to play

Photo: Tristan Martin @Flickr

12.30pm. Outside University Place.

A global surprise.

Supported by The University of Manchester Alumni Association

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Opinion: Sheffield United have got it wrong

The clubs silence over Ched Evans has caused more public disruption than needed Will Kelly Sports Editor

The decision of Sheffield United to allow convicted rapist Ched Evans back for training has been widely condemned and has sparked great debate across the country on what should happen to a convicted rapist. Sheffield United, Evans’s employer at the time of the court case, has said the Professional Footballers Association have asked them to let him come back and train.

“According to the request, this training would be with a view to enabling Mr Evans to get back to a level of fitness, which might enable him to find employment in his chosen trade.”

Debate however, has focused on if the trade of being a footballer is like any other trade. Those who have defended the club actions argue that if this was any ordinary profession, it would be accepted that he should be allowed to find employment.

However, others have honed down on the fact that footballers are supposed to be role models. Television presenter Charlie Webster has stood down this week as patron of Sheffield United, affirming that a convicted rapist could not go back to a club she is patron of to represent the community.

“He’s not just going into a job, he’s bandied as a role model, we cheer him on as a role model and he’s influencing the next generation of young men who are currently still making their decisions on how to treat women and what sexual

Photo: Wales Online

mutual consent is.”

Such sentiments have also been reflected by Jessica Ennis-Hill, who has warned the club that she would want her name to be removed from a stand within the stadium if the club decide to offer Evans a contract.

“Those in positions of influence should respect the role they play in young people’s lives and set a good example, if Evans was to be re-signed by the club it would completely contradict these beliefs,’ said the Olympian.

I recognise in writing this piece that I am treading on essentially, very sensitive ground and at no point do I condone the actions of rape. At the time of Evans’ arrest, the media had already labelled him as a rapist before the trial had even started.

He was essentially guilty before proven otherwise,

along with his footballer friend Clayton McDonald who was involved in the act. However, perhaps the reaction of many recentlyincluding a petition started by Twitter user Jean Hatchet-demanding the club refuse to sign Evans has been signed by 160, 000 people- have not read about the whole situation. It is simply: “He has done time as a rapist, he must not play again.”

The fact of the matter is that Evans has still maintained that he is not guilty and has not shown remorse to the victim, which has angered many people. But an inquiry into Evans’ conviction has been fast-tracked by the body that examines potential miscarriages of justice, which leaves the possibility of this case being referred to the Court of Appeal. What if the case

did reach the Court of Appeal and it was ruled that that there was a miscarriage of justice?

People have already jumped on the bandwagon that this case has been done and dusted when it is far from over.

I do not want to go on about the case because it has already been proven that there is concern on the verdict. What I do believe is that Evans should be allowed to train before this case comes to a close. He therefore, has the chance to clear his name in this disputed case.

What I would criticise is the actions of Sheffield United throughout the whole affair.

Once Evans was convicted, the club should have immediately sacked him as a statement to show that they will not tolerate a footballer of their club

going to prison for such a crime. Instead, they allowed his contract to run out whilst he was in prison. This would have recognised the severity of the crime. Charlie Webster was right to say that “at no point” had the club “acknowledged the severity of the crime”.

Instead, Sheffield United spent weeks in a state of indecision.

If they wanted to support the player, they themselves should have come out acknowledging the crime but allowing him to train before his appeal took place in a chance to clear his name. There would be nothing worse if Evans was found to be not guilty and the football club he had played for had shunned him.

These actions seem especially naïve, especially compared to past instances

such as when Dave Whelan instantly sacked Marlon King after assaulting a woman whilst playing for Wigan.

This is his profession; he should therefore be given an opportunity to get his fitness back up to scratch, before the verdict of the inquiry has come out. Society in the meantime, should not be handing out extra judicial punishments. If the club had been more decisive in its actions however, people would have more of an understanding of the situation. Perhaps Charlie Webster would not have resigned so soon if she had clarity on what was going on. For now, we will have to wait on the outcome of the inquiry, but Sheffield United really have not helped themselves.

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ISSUE 13/ 2nd February 2015 WWW.MANCUNION.COM/

‘LVG has over-gaaled United’

Andrew Georgeson talks to ‘spomedy’ podcast The Football Ramble Andrew Georgeson Sport Editor

A few Fridays ago I met up with the Marcus and Jim, members of extremely popular Football Podcast ‘The Football Ramble’, backstage before their sold out live show at the National Football Museum. The show, originating in 2007 in one of the Ramble’s kitchen, has since topped iTunes charts, gained well over 100,000 followers on SoundCloud, seen the team be sent to World Cups, European Championships and even appear on Sky News. Despite this, the 4 plucky lads, whose original members met at university, are relaxed, funny and even offer to sneak me in to the sold out show that I was unable to get a ticket for. This is my interview, with the bizarre ‘spomedy’ show that covers everything from dodgy trips to the East to Louis Van Gaal’s 3-5-2 formation.

The first question is obvious, did they expect this success?

Like all great thing, the answer was no.

‘Definitely not’ said Jim, whose Twitter account bio says he is a ‘genuine comedian.’ ‘iTunes wasn’t that big when we started, in many ways we made them, they weren’t ready for us.

When iTunes caught up with us, then we hit it big.’

Marcus, the host of the show, followed by saying, ‘we started in a [fellow Rambler] Luke’s kitchen after doing it on uni radio. We didn’t really have a plan, we just thought it could be fun so let’s do it.’

‘Lukes abit gobby and likes to give an opinion so he’d be up for it. We tried to keep it serious, for the first 5 episodes; about 8 in we started pissing around. Why are we sitting here like we’re Saint and Greevsy?’

Marcus Was there a moment when you thought, ‘wow, we’re really onto something here?’

‘When we started to do the live shows we already had a pretty decent listenership, but the reaction was amazing, how into it people were was really special.’ Jim said.

Marcus added, ‘When we lost an original member and Pete [Donaldson, Absolute Radio presenter] came on board, the show went to another level.’

The two then go onto to talk about the relationship with eccentric Geordie Donaldson with Marcus saying, ‘we didn’t know Pete before

60 second sporting round-up

the Ramble, and in many ways the show is our friendship developing.’

The sentiment is extended to Jim who adds, ‘He’s fucking mental. I don’t know what other context I would have actually met him…he is a genius though.’

Reeling it back to the podcasts Marcus said that, ‘In terms of recognition though, when we got to the top of the iTunes chart in the summer of ’09, then the Guardian did a review of us which was cool.

Then Luke and I were asked on Sky News to talk about Cristiano Ronaldo transfer from Manchester United to Real Madrid. When I was sitting in the Sky News studio I thought ‘wow, we’re genuinely here.’

‘When we were sponsored by Pacco Roban to go the 2010 World Cup in South Africa to do shows was pretty surreal too.’

The reason I, and many others, love the show is its accessibility.

It contains informative football opinions, whilst retaining its edge and humour compared to other footballing shows and podcasts. I asked the Ramble whether they believed that this was part of their success.

‘None of us are experts and we never would say we were.’ Jim says.

‘A friend of mine once described the show ‘like four guys who love something they hate.’

‘I like this description because football is fundamentally ridiculous.

Obviously its people’s livelihoods and people enjoy watching it. It’s a strange combination, though, a bizarre circus of teenage millionaires doing mad things. That’s what we’re celebrating.’

‘For a while you’ve had your serious football shows like Match of The Day or The Times Football podcast and then on the other side of spectrum you have Soccer AM or Fantasy Football with Badiel & Skinner, where there wasn’t much football, just silly stuff around it.’

‘There was no ‘middle ground’, pub conversation. When you talk in a pub, you talk about it seriously because you love it, and there are serious issues such as FIFA’s ethics, but football is ridiculous. So you are going to have a bit of fun.’

Is this group dynamic difficult to replicate during the live shows. Or do you use them as an excuse to say things you couldn’t always say on the podcast?’

Marcus answers this saying ‘I don’t think so. I don’t go out thinking ‘I want to break the law on this podcast.’ Everything is fairly the same.’

Luke joins us for one question Manchester United play Cambridge in a FA Cup reply at Old Trafford on Tuesday (3rd) February. Tickets are available at the Student Union reception. Manchester City will be facing....no one, as they were knocked out by Middlesborough at home. Manchester United will have high priority on the tournamet and will believe that winning the trophy will be a realistic aim considering Chelsea have also been knocked out.

in the middle of interview, and I ask him about whether socialmedia, as it does in my opinion, shows that regular football fans have more knowledge than some pundits on television that seem to be constantly saying ridiculous things.

‘Social media is egalitarian, in a sense, and gives us unfiltered opinions.

But I would hesitate to say the average man on the street knows more than a guy who played professional football for twenty years. It is good in the sense that it removes the barrier of the usual media outlet when something has to go through an editor then a producer, for example.’

Turning the conversation to Manchester, I asked them about the current position of Louis Van Gaal. The manager has roughly the same amount of points as Moyes did last season, has spent over a hundred million more, and has had no Champions League or League Cup football to contend with. Can he been seen as a success?

Marcus speaks first saying, ‘I understand hes spent a lot of money. But that’s part of managing a big club, look at the amount of money Barcelona and Real Madrid have spent, for example.

But he is doing a better job than Moyes and I believe they will finish in top 4. Louis Van Gaal’s clubs traditionally make a slow start; look at his Barcelona team [who, despite a poor opening won the league and Champions League]. The players are saying that there’s a lot to take in at the moment, but once it starts it will click they will be flying.’

‘Unfortunately I don’t think Moyes recognized the difference between a good Premier League club, Everton, and an outstanding club.’

Jim added, ‘Van Gaal made a bigger overgaal, sorry overhaul than Moyes, albeit in a stranger lob sided way that is causing problems.

He has also experimented different formations and seeing what he team can do. Moyes on the other hand, was lambasted for just knocking it wide and crossing it in.’

‘I suppose Moyes had the harder man to follow, whereas Van Gaal had an easier gig. He’s still getting, in large, results, even when he is still seeing what’s best. When he finds the best formula they will really get going, I’m not sure Moyes would have found it.

‘I don’t think it is an outrageous shout to say Louis Van Gaal is a better manager than David Moyes,’ Marcus concluded.

Onto City, was Bony a good

Manchester United’s Darren Fletcher is widely expected to sign for West Ham in the coming days after undergoing a medical. The Scotland Captain, 30, has made 342 appearances for United but has started only 5 times under new manager Louis Van Gaal.

Aston Villa have signed forgotten winger Scot Sinclair on loan till the end of the season, from Manchester City.

The Football Ramble Logo Photo: Wikipedia Commons

signing? My opinion is first, it seems to be a lot of money, secondly it dosen’t seem like the sort of statement signing a club that size should be making.

‘I don’t think club of size make signing in January.’ Jim said, ‘although it is depressing a club can sign a £30 million 4th choice striker.

It shows how much the cards are stacked against other teams. It used to be the case that only Man U plucked away top talent, but not it’s Man City and Chelsea as well.’

Marcus added, ‘when Pellegrini is given the brief of 5 trophies in 5 seasons, that is realistically the very minimum, 5 League Cups wouldn’t do. Therefore, if any anomaly that appears, such as Jovetic, Dzecko and Aguero getting injured leading to Milner playing upfront, most teams think that’s annoying. For most this would mean finishing 11th rather than 9th, whereas for City it’s the difference between winning the league and not. For them to get the striker for that eventuality seems crazy to the footballing world, but they can.

It’s there responsibility for a club at that level to sign players like that.’

Marcus conceded, however, ‘it is a shame one of the best strikers in the league is essentially selected in a ‘that’ll do’ attitude. Although it is a good move for the player, and City are getting a safe pair of hands.

For Bony himself, he is potentially going to get Champions League Football [although there is currently a problem with that as City’s Champions League squad is full] and is in hunt for every major

Chelsea’s Diego Costa has received a 3 match ban for stamping on Liverpool’s Emre Can. Guniea have reached the Africa Cup of Nations quater finals at the expense of Mali after the drawing lots. Guniea and Mali had finished level in Group D after they drew all 3 group matches 1-1.

In a wide ranging interview with the BBC, Lance Armstrong would cheat again

trophy.’

Finally, what advice what you give for someone getting in the media?

Jim suggested you simply ‘write as often as you can, you will get knocked back, but just keep going, get yourself out there.’

Marcus echoed this saying ‘write, or broadcast, in a way that comes naturally for you. You’re always going to have to compromise. If you have a sweary style of presenting, you’ll never get on Match of the Day. Do what comes naturally, because it will be a long slog. If you like writing about oversees football, or stories get move into that area. If you prefer writing headline grabbing stories move into that area. If you try everything you’ll overstretch yourself. Don’t write in ways of the Sun, if you want to write for a broadsheet. In fact, don’t write for the Sun full stop, let’s just cut that at the source.

Finally, Jim says ‘Just work hard, and be yourself. It’s clichéd but true.

We’ve been looking for easy away around for 8 years now, and we still haven’t found it!’

The Football Ramble puts out a new episode every Tuesday. You can listen to it on https://soundcloud. com/footballramble as well as www. thefootballramble.com. You can follow the presenters individually on Twitter, as well as the podcast @ thefootballramble.

if cycling was as persuasive today as it was in 1995. The shamed cyclist also believes the time is coming when he should be forgiven for doping and lying.

Britain’s Katie Swan staged a remarkable comeback to beat Hungary’s Dalma Galfi and reach the Australian Open’s girl’s final. The 15 year old is Britain’s first junior finalist since Laura Robson, runner up in 2009 and 2010.

Good news for the men’s as well as Andy Murray reached the Mens’ Final with a dramatic victory over Tomas Berdych. He will be up against Novak Djokovic as he defeated defending champion Stan Wawrinka in the semi final.

England beat India in the cricket to reach the final of the one-day tri-series, courtesy of a three wicket victory.

SPORT

17th November 2014/ ISSUE 09

MANCHESTER’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Sheffield United

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Ice Hockey Varsity

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UoM recover from second-half stutter to climb to third University of Manchester 25

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Around the grounds Men’s Basketball 1st: Salford 69-51 UoM Women’s Basketball 1st: UoM 56-50 Huddersfield

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Andrew Georgeson Sports Editor

It was a game of two sets of threes between Manchester and Worcester last week at the Armitage.

The first three were the back row of Manchester who were dominant throughout proceedings, particularly in the first half, before the wingers and fullback of Worcester made it a nervy ending for Manchester.

A match that seemed to be done and dusted at half-time with Manchester leading 22-7, turned on it’s head when Worcester powered their way back into the match in the second half , just to fall short at 25-22 which was enough to see them take away two bonus points.

The match, crowned the Movember Varsity by UMRFC, didn’t start according too plan with Worcester drawing first blood.

Centre Osaki broke through the Manchester defence reaching the 22 before being bought down. With Manchester all at sea, Worcester were able to touch down in the corner.

Manchester quickly got themselves back into the game, scoring a converted try before Dale crossed in the corner to make the score 12-7.

The first in a string of audacious passing sequences in the match then followed when James broke down the wing, playing a reverse 1-2 with Sturridge which allowed

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Women’s Netball 2nd: Hallam 41-39 UoM Men’s Volleyball 1st: Northumbria 2nd 3-1 UoM Women’s Hockey 4th: UoM 4-0 Lancaster (3rd) Women’s Netball 1st: Leeds 31-47 Manchester Men’s Badminton 3rd: UoM 8-0 UCLAN (2nd) Photo: @UMRFC1

him to easily touch down underneath the posts. Waldin slotted the conversion to make the scores 19-7.

The whirling wind that is so often a factor at the dipped pitches at the Armitage came into play after the restart.

Manchester struggled to bring the ball down from kick off and ended up conceding a penalty. Worcester’s fly-half Spalding went for the three points, but pulled it wide.

At this point it seemed that Manchester smelt blood, and with a buoyant forward pack securing good ball from setpieces it was realistically only a matter of time before they crossed again.

The move started from a Worcester line-out on the

Manchester 40 which was turned over then cleared to within 10 metre of Worcester’s line. From the resulting lineout Worcester knocked the ball on again. Manchester’s solid scrum secured possession, but the chance was wasted as despite crossing the line, the ball was passed forward.

Waldin did get another 3 before half time to make the scores 22-7.

Worcester were extremely lucky to only find themselves this far behind at half time, and clearly something was said in half time that reinvigorated the flailing Midlands club.

Man of the match contender Hopkin, Worcester’s fullback,

got him first try of the match soon after kick off. A great run from winger Smith allowed Hopkin to drive over from close range. The conversion was missed making the scores 22-12.

Manchester’s defensive woes continued as after losing ground on a penalty, Worcester captain Briant bounced off three challenges before handing the ball to Hopkin who, despite deliberating, squeezed through two men to touch down in the corner.

The ever reliable Waldin slotted home another penalty to give Manchester some breathing space, making the scores 25-17.

Yet Manchester were still

struggling to replicate their first half defensive display, once again allowing Full-back Hopkin to cross after good support play.

Manchester seemed to have scored again at the end of the game, but the referee signalled the ball had not crossed the line, despite protests from the Purples.

The celebration from the Purple wall was audible at full time, they know how fortunate they were to hold out and win this match.

Post-match UMRFC tweeted, ‘Final score @UMRFC1 25-22 @UWSRFC great win for the lads who were denied a bonus point try in the last 5 mins #itwasontheline’

Women’s Volleyball 1st: Newcastle 3-0 UoM Women’s Hockey 2nd: UoM 1-0 Liverpool (3rd) Women’s Netball 5th: Chester (3rd) 28-54 UoM