Issue 1

FRE

E

17th September 2018 / Issue 1

WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Photo: Jonny Whiting

Pro-life charity refused stall at freshers’ fair The pro-life charity, Life, have lodged an official complaint with the Office for Students, after the University of Manchester Students’ Union said the fair was “not the right platform” for the charity.

Nicole Wooton-Cane Head News Editor The pro-life charity, Life, have filed an official complaint with the Office for Students after being refused a stall at the University of Manchester’s freshers’ fair, who argued that it did not think that the fair was the correct platform for Life.

It has also been refused stalls by The University of Warwick Students’ Union and The Guild of Students – University of Liverpool.

In the letter to the Office for Students, Anne Scanlan, the Director of Education for Life, wrote: “It is clear that the university student unions […] are discriminating against Life and denying us a platform because they do not agree with our pro-life views”.

“In doing so, they are impeding freedom of expression of views which they do not agree with but other students may want to hear”.

She went on to call the refusal “discrimination” and argued that it was stifling Life’s right to freedom of expression.

Additionally, Senior Education and Media officer at Life, Mark Bhagwandin, told The Mancunion that the rejection was “surprising and disappointing”.

In a statement, the Students’ Union Exec Team stood by the decision, arguing that the stall was not student-led and therefore could not be guaranteed to be representing the view of students, saying: “although we have different political parties with stalls at the freshers fair (which are all student-led societies). These campaign on a range of different issues, that allow students to choose themselves whether or not to support and join any of their individual campaigns”.

“Life charity are promoting a very sensitive issue that specifically campaign against one of the values we hold as a Union: giving women a choice to do what they want with their bodies”.

Last month, Office for Students chair Sir Michael Barber issued a statement writing, which explained that “The Office for Students will work to ensure all registered providers have robust and effective management and governance arrangements in place to protect and promote freedom of speech”, adding “where we have concerns, we will not hesitate to intervene to uphold this fundamental principle”.

Freedom of expression has been a contentious issue on university campuses across the

world, with several high-profile controversial speakers being ‘no-platformed’ — prohibited from speaking. In 2015, students at Cardiff University attempted to block feminist academic Germaine Greer from speaking at the university, and in 2017 UC Berkeley cancelled a lecture by alt-right activist Milo Yiannopoulos after violent student protests.

A survey conducted in 2016 showed 63% of students were in favour of the National Union of Students (NUS) enforcing a ‘no platforming’ policy which would allow them to block certain individuals or organisations from speaking at their events.

The Students’ Union insisted that this was not an example of no-platforming, stating: “We are happy for charities such as this one to represent themselves on platforms such as the several debating forums we hold. But it is not appropriate for the freshers fair where there will be hundreds of new students. Many of whom will already be nervous about leaving home and starting a new University career.”

However, there is no clear consensus between students on the issue. A secondyear student who chose to stay anonymous told The Mancunion: “even though there may be a clear majority of pro-choice opinions among students. I think it is vital to ensure all perspectives are represented at an event that functions to provide new undergraduates with platforms to express their views throughout their time at university”.

Life has not previously held a stall at the University of Manchester freshers fair, but have done so at other universities across the country. In their statement, they said they expect a response from the Office for Students within the next week.

The societies fair will be held across campus on 19th and 20th September.

New: Culture Page 15

Inside Issue 1

Year abroad mental 3 health Features, page 9

‘Freshers week is to 3 be survived’ Opinion, page 10

New SU unveiled Nicole Wooton-Cane and Ethan Davies Head News Editor and Editor-in-Chief The Students’ Union (SU) have officially launched their rebrand in time for the start of the new academic year. The project has taken three years to complete, and cost approximately £12.5 million.

The refurbishments have doubled the meeting spaces available for students to book and tripled the storage space available to societies.

New features include two dance studios, The Hive, a theatre and 532, the newly refurbished and branded SU bar.

There have also been improvements to the catering, with the introduction of Pieminister and Costa coffee replacing Starbucks coffee in the ‘Brew’hut.

Improvements were based on a 2015 survey that asked students what they wanted from their Students’ Union. Common answers included increased storage space and meeting spaces.

“There isn’t really anything that hasn’t changed,” Ben Ward, CEO of the Students’ Union told The Mancunion. “We have the biggest number of societies of any union in the country, they really struggle for space to hold some of their events, so we have even more space now for them. We’ve also got things that they’ve been asking for in terms of storage spaces and performance spaces”.

“There are also just much nicer spaces for students to come and relax and come and spend their time”.

The union have also introduced new services along with the rebrand, including Jobshop, which will be a space for the SU, university and other companies in Manchester to advertise employment for students free of charge. Other projects given a home in the new space are more student-led, such Biko’s Bikes – an initiative that will allow students to rent bikes that fellow students have helped fix for a small fee.

Speaking about the new spaces, Activities and Development Officer Lizzy Haughton said: “It’s a really good opportunity for networking, people will come up for specific things and bump into other people, which will increase student engagement and further relationships between different societies. There’s also a lot more opportunity for [societies] to put on their events in both casual and formal spaces”.

Changes have also been made to the union’s music venues, Academy 1, 2, 3 and Club Academy. Artificial cooling has been installed to aid audience comfort during busy gigs. It is also hoped that the new catering facilities will encourage audiences to dine in the union before attending performances at the venues.

Student reaction to the launch appeared to be largely positive. Lucy Hulme, a second-year Psychology student told The Mancunion: “It looks really nice and clean and there’s lots of stuff going on. I live in Manchester so I remember it before, and now I can’t believe how massive it is! It’s a good social area as well as a place to find activities”.

Other students described the new space as “very nice” and “a safe space to come”.

Continued on page 2...

2 News NUS launch Totum to replace NUS Extra ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

culture spotlight

Album review

Joy As An Act Of Resistance Music, Page 17

The NUS’ new Totum service and app will replace the eight-year old NUS Extra discount card, which will aim to provide a more holistic engagement platform for students

Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief T o d a y, t h e N a t i o n a l U n i o n o f S t u d e n t s ( N U S ) l a u n c h e d a new product to replace its long-standing NUS Extra C a rd , wh i c h w i l l b e k n ow n a s ‘ To t u m’ .

L aunched in 2010, NUS Extra granted students who held the card discounts to major high street retailers such as The Co-Op, ODEON, and National Expre ss coach travel.

To t u m i s a d i s c o u n t c a rd p a r t n e re d w i t h a n a p p which will Ali Milani, NUS’ Vice-President for Union Development, described as a “passport to student life” by providing a more holistic service for students, including student events, volunteering, and a student I D. The app aims to turn NUS Extra “from a discount card into an engagement platform” explained Adam B a r d s l e y f r o m O n e Vo i c e , s p e a k i n g a t t h e S t u d e n t M e d i a S u m m i t a t A m n e s t y I n t e r n a t i o n a l ’s L o n d o n c e n t r e t o d a y.

The app also will advertise student societies available to prospective members, and allow the user to purchase membership where required via a link to the corresponding Students’ Union website.

At t h e s a m e e ve n t , M r M i l a n i a l s o s a i d To t u m wo u l d

“revolutionise local discounts around campus”. When pushed on who would negotiate these local discounts, Mr Milani said that the onus was on individual Students’ Unions to do so.

Existing multi-year NUS Extra card holders will a u t o m a t i c a l ly b e a d d e d t o t h e To t u m p ro g ra m m e meaning no extra cost will need to be paid.

He then claimed the NUS “would never sell student data”, calling this “a marker in time for revolutionising our services for students”. Despite this, the app will still collect users’ personal data.

One example is that the app will attempt to tell users available to them in-store, meaning the user should always be able to use the discount, rather than forgetting to after paying. This would have the consequence of knowing users’ device location data.

The Mancunion have learned that users’ data will still be analys ed for commercial purpos e s to target discounts to students, but won’t be sold off to third parties.

Mr Bardsley did however say the app was still in the development phase, and features will be added to it over the next 24 months.

M e g a n H e a t h , a l s o f r o m O n e Vo i c e , o u t l i n e d t h a t t h e annual cost of the card would remain £12 and the app w i l l b e l a u n c h e d o n 1 3 t h S e p t e m b e r.

News 3

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

£1 million of funding announced for student mental health research As mental health becomes a serious issue across universities, a new University Mental Health Charter aims to tackle the issue head on Photo: Sam Gyimah @ Flickr

Love For The Streets host jam-packed festival to tackle Manchester’s hidden homelessness Rona McCann Sub-editor

In Focus: Fringe Tales From The Fringe Theatre, Page 24

Sam Honey Deputy News Editor

Love For The Streets is set to return this autumn with a day of festivities at popular nightclub Hidden. ‘Hidden Behind the Headlines’ will see Gorgon Sound, Kornél Kovács and dozens more play across three rooms in the popular venue.

The festival will mark the launch of the latest Love For The Streets campaign, ‘Hidden Homelessness’. The campaign aims to raise awareness of the extent to which homelessness goes beyond the streets themselves. Sofa-surfing families, temporary housing residencies, and taking shelter in short-term accommodation makes up 64% of homelessness.

This will be Love For The Streets’ biggest event yet, with the all-day party bringing together a wealth of live entertainment and activities.

The organisation continues its tendency to put music and art at the forefront of its events. This time food, fashion stalls, and creative workshops will also be available for attendees to explore.

The Greater Manchester Combined Authority (GMCA) night tsar, Sacha Lord, has dubbed the event a “fantastic achievement” on social media. Emily Watts, chair of Big Change MCR, a member group of Manchester Homelessness Charter, stated her gratitude for the “professionally-done” events Love for the Streets host and their work to help raise money for over 30 charities.

Aside from club nights, previous Love for the Streets events have included talks and even a series of art workshops at The Whitworth.

Love for the Streets is a collective of Manchester-based students, exstudents, club promoters, and artists.

‘Hidden Behind the Headlines’ takes place on Sunday 23rd September. Early bird tickets are still on sale at £7, and will eventually rise to £12 for third and final release.

A n e w r e s e a r c h b o d y, s p e c i a l i s i n g i n student mental health will receive £1.1 m i l l i o n i n f u n d i n g , it h a s b e e n a n n o u n ce d .

White unless specified otherwise?

Books, Page 23

Contact us Editor-in-Chief: Ethan Davies editor@mancunion.com Deputy Editor: Amy Wei deputyed@mancunion.com Online Editor: Jeremy Bijl online@mancunion.com Design Editor: Kizzy Bray design@mancunion.com

News Editor: Nicole Wootton-Cane Deputy Editors: Sam Honey and Shivani Kaura news@mancunion.com

Manchester will soon become the first city in the world to lose the cycling scheme, Mobikes, due to vandalism Photo © David Dixon (cc-by-sa/2.0)

Shivani Kaura Deputy News Editor

Photo: Love For The Streets

Science & Technology Editor: Jacklin Kwan science@mancunion.com Investigations Editor: Felix Hanif-Banks investigations@mancunion.com

In a statement, General Secretary Fatima Abid said: “A number of new initiatives will kick off during Welcome Week to officially launch some of our new spaces including a weekly pub quiz in our new bar and terrace, cinema screenings and conversation corners hosted in our new meeting rooms as well as a large new event space which will host mini fairs and events throughout the year”.

“Our efforts to create the best environment for all of our students is a continuous process and we invite feedback at any time from any of our student members to help us improve”.

Photo: Nicole Wootton-Cane

Features Editor: Liv Clarke features@mancunion.com Opinion Editor: Sophie Marriott Deputy Editor: Cachella Smith opinion@mancunion.com Societies Editor: Chloe Hatton societies@mancunion.com Music Editor: Olivia White Deputy Editor: Jake Oliver music@mancunion.com

Film Editor: Tobias Soar Deputy Editor: Aisha Al-Janabi film@mancunion.com

Food & Drink Editor: Catrin Stewart foodanddrink@mancunion.com

Fashion and Beauty Editor: Ella Searle fashion@mancunion.com

Arts Editor: Bella Jewell arts@mancunion.com

Books Editor: Gurnaik Johal books@mancunion.com Games Editor: Jeremy Bijl games@mancunion.com

Theatre Editor: Anuli Changa theatre@mancunion.com Lifestyle Editor: Sophia Ashby lifestyle@mancunion.com Sport Editor: James Gill

As a starting point in understanding the greate st challenge s to the wellbeing in Universitie s, the new re s earch n e t w o r k a n d t h e t e a m a t K i n g ’s w i l l b e student-led.

The findings will then be included in t h e n e w c h a r t e r, t h a t w i l l b e u s e d i n a s i m i l a r w a y t o At h e n a S WA N, t h a t a i m s to celebrate Universitie s’ commitment t o g e n d e r e q u a l i t y.

Renewed funding and a more rigid structure for implementation should hope fully repre s ent the change s needed to inspire e ffective change on the issue, w it h me nt a l he a lt h h av i ng deve lop e d i n t o o n e o f H i g h e r E d u c a t i o n ’s c e n t r a l cris e s over the last few years.

95 student suicide s were recorded for the year July 2016 to July 2017 according to the Office of National S t at i st ics, a nd Un ive rs it ie s U K h ave recently recommended that all staff that work with students be given suicide prevention training.

Despite the need for immediate a c t i o n , D r. B y r o m u r g e d f o r t h e n e e d for a we l l- i n for me d i nve st igat ion , “ T he point of the network is to stimulate more re s earch in the area s o that the decision making in higher education can be based on evidence”.

Vandalism forces Mobikes out of Manchester

...continued from page 1: New SU unveiled

Discussion

The project, that will aim specifically to create the first major student mental h e a l t h n e t w o r k i n t h e c o u n t r y, h a s financial backing for four years and w i l l a i m to spre ad awa re ne s s t h roug h national conference s and kick-

starting small-scale re s earch.

The network, headed by a team a t K i n g ’s C o l l e g e L o n d o n w i l l h a v e their findings compiled into the U n i v e r s i t y M e n t a l H e a l t h C h a r t e r, a s cheme de signed to incentivis e universitie s to act e ffectively on student well-being.

The Charter was announced in June by Universitie s Minister Sam Gyimah, in collaboration with Student Minds, a charity specialising in student welfare An opt-in programme for universitie s, it was built around Universitie s U K ’s Stepchange framework, that encourage s early intervention and anti-stigma campaigns in the area.

Although already a major issue o n c a m p u s e s a c r o s s t h e c o u n t r y, there remains an alarming lack of knowledge on the caus e s and prevention of s erious mental health issues among students.

“Despite an increasing concern about mental health in universitie s, the re s earch bas e in t h e U K h a s b e e n s c a r c e ” , s a i d D r.

Nicola Byrom, lecturer in Psychology a t K i n g ’s C o l l e g e L o n d o n .

“One of the struggles with the lack of the re s earch is identifying what that good practice in universitie s looks like”.

Deputy Editor: Sam Honey sports@mancunion.com Chief Subeditor: Alex Cresswell Subeditors: Rona McCann, Mia Gair, Jacob Thompson, Georgia Hickey Design Editors: Alex Singhal, Izzy Oldman, Josie Fowler, Liv Clarke.

Letters & Complaints: complaints@mancunion.com

Legal: legal@mancunion.com Advertising: Paul Parkes paul.parkes@manchester.ac.uk Phone: 0161 275 2942

The Mancunion @themancunion

The Chinese b i ke - s h a r i n g co m p a ny, M o b i ke , a re p u l l i n g out of Manchester after just ove r a ye a r.

C o n ce r n ro s e o n We d n e s d ay afternoon after users of the b i ke - s h a r i n g scheme, d i s cove re d t h a t t h e i r d e p o s i t s h a d b e e n re t ra c t e d f ro m t h e i r i n - m o b i l e a p p s . T h e co m p a ny s t a t e d l a t e r t h a t d ay t h a t t h e y wo u l d b e s u s p e n d i n g all docking stations after re l e a s i n g a n a p p e a l i n l a t e Au g u s t , u rg i n g p e o p l e t o s t o p m i s t re a t i n g t h e M o b i ke s .

E xe c u t ive s co n f i r m e d wh e n s e t t i n g u p t h e M o b i ke campaign, that they had a cco u n t e d fo r p o t e n t i a l l o s s e s made to the scheme, although i t wa s re p o r t e d i n m i d -Ju ly t h a t 1 0 % o f b i ke s h a d b e e n s t o l e n o r d e s t roye d , w i t h no funding to fix them. This fo l l ows a s t a t e m e n t m a d e by M o b i ke c l a i m i n g t h a t e ve r y b i ke wa s ‘ va n d a l - p ro o f ’ M o b i ke s h ave b e e n fo u n d i n c a n a l s , l a ke s , h u n g u p o n l a m p - p o s t s a n d a re e ve n b e i n g s o l d o n s e co n d - h a n d we b s i t e G u m t re e .

T h e a i m o f t h e b i ke s wa s t o re d u c e c o n ge s t i o n a n d p o l l u t i o n , wh i l s t p ro m o t i n g a h e a l t h i e r l i fe s t yl e c h o i ce a n d , c r u c i a l ly, a t n o c o s t t o

t h e t a x p aye r. A n dy B u r n h a m a l s o u s e d t h e M o b i ke s i n h i s m a n i fe s t o fo r M ayo r, d e e m i n g t h e m ‘ i c o n i c ’ fo r M a n c h e s t e r a l t h o u g h t h e t h e p ro j e c t h a s n ow b e e n a b a n d o n e d .

Ja n Va n d e r Ve n , t h e ge n e ra l m a n a ge r o f M o b i ke , s a i d : “ We a re ve r y g ra t e f u l t o t h e C i t y o f M a n c h e s t e r t o h ave b e e n t h e f i r s t c i t y i n E u ro p e t o we l co m e M o b i ke . “ H owe ve r, after c a re f u l e va l u a t i o n , we h ave d e c i d e d t o re m ove o u r b i ke s a n d re f u n d our users.

“A s a p r iva t e co m p a ny, we h ave a d u t y t o e n s u re o u r re ve n u e s cove r o u r co s t s s i n ce u n l i ke s o m e o p e ra t o r s we d o n o t u s e t a x p aye r m o n e y t o h e l p b a l a n ce o u r b o o k s . “ U n fo r t u n a t e ly t h e c i rc u m s t a n ce s i n M a n c h e s t e r h ave n o t m a d e t h i s p o s s i b l e . ” S u g ge s t i o n s o n h ow t o b r i n g t h e b i ke s b a c k h ave b e e n m a d e , w i t h s o m e p ro p o s i n g t o i n t ro d u ce a p hys i c a l d o c k i n g scheme.

Ja n Va n d e r Ve n l a t e r t h a n ke d M a n c h e s t e r, a d d i n g : “ We h ave a l l l e a r n t va l u a b l e l e s s o n s that will help cities continue t o m a ke u r b a n l i fe m o re s u s t a i n a b l e , m o re a c t ive a n d m o re h e a l t hy t h ro u g h c yc l i n g ” .

H e h a s a l s o p ro m i s e d t o i nve s t i g a t e wh a t we n t w ro n g a n d l o o k i n t o a m o re ‘ a f fo rd a b l e ’ m o d e l fo r c i t i e s l i ke M a n c h e s t e r.

4 News

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Professor Dame Rothwell hopes the park would act as a good link between the university and the local residents of Ardwick, as well as improve student well-being through increasing green space on campus

The campus’ newest park, Brunswick Park, was opened by President and Vice-Chancellor of the University of Manchester, Professor Dame Nancy Rothwell, in an official ceremony today.

Located just off Oxford Road opposite the Whitworth Hall, Brunswick Park is the largest green space on campus and includes seating areas, trees, wildflower planting, and pedestrian and cycle paths. The parkland was created on the site of the former Brunswick Street, and took 16 months to transform.

The ceremony saw Professor Dame Rothwell perform her customary tree planting, followed by live jazz performances, a choir and a range of free health and well-being taster sessions, including Tai Chi, yoga, street dance, yogalates, Zumba, hoops and cardio-blast.

Professor Dame Rothwell said she hoped to see “many students” at the park, and to view

the park “as a gateway to the university”. Continuing, the Vice-Chancellor outlined that “student well-being is really at the heart of [the university’s] aims and there’s nothing better than relaxing in nice weather in green space”.

Additionally, a major donor for the park was 1960 University of Manchester economics graduate who, according to Professor Dame Rothwell, “wanted to do something for student well-being, so he loved the idea of this park, so he contributed to it”.

The President also commented that she believed the park could act as a link between the university and the locals of Ardwick and Brunswick, by allowing locals to “get them closer to being able to see what they could do at the university, the museum is open to all of them, we have lots of public events, the big hope is that local communities will see this as their university”.

Diana Hampson, Director of Estates and Facilities, said: “Brunswick Park is a fantastic new asset, creating a heart of the campus for everyone to enjoy. We were proud to welcome staff and members of the local community to this event to celebrate our new green space and public realm”.

Photo: Andrew Brookes/University of Manchester

Stagecoach take over 147 bus Students will be able to travel from West Didsbury to North Campus directly for the first time Mia Gair Sub-editor Stagecoach have taken over the running of the free 147 bus services connecting North Campus to the main University site.

With the existing contract funded by Oxford Road Corridor Partners expiring i n A u g u s t t h i s y e a r, S t a g e c o a c h h a v e decided to expand its Manchester empire. From September onwards, Stagecoach will run the existing free service from Sackville Street to outside the Students’ Union Building on the main campus. This means that students will be able to travel directly from Fallowfield to North Campus for the first time using public transport.

Stagecoach will also extend the

service from Piccadilly Gardens to W e s t D i d s b u r y. S t u d e n t s a n d s t a f f w i l l still be able to use the inter-campus section for free with a valid ID card.

H o w e v e r, t h e n e w s t o p s w i l l h a v e a ch a rge l i ke ot he r S t age co ach M ag ic Bu s services, similarly costing £1.50 for a s i n g l e j o u r n e y. P a s s e n g e r s w i l l a l s o be able to continue using uniriders on this service.

This does however raise questions about the new services, such as how bus drivers will be able to keep track of passengers who stay on longer than the campus-campus link, but do not pay for their additional stops.

The service will start earlier at 5 : 3 1 a m , a n d t h e l a s t b u s t o l e a v e We s t Didsbury will be 8:04pm - operating every 15 minutes during this time frame.

Police arrest two in connection to Moss Side street party shooting The incident took place at the Caribbean Carnival last month Sam Honey Deputy News Editor G r e a t e r M a n c h e s t e r P o l i c e h av e announced this morning that t h e y h ave a r re s t e d t wo m e n i n connection with the attempted shooting in Moss Side last month.

A s t r e e t p a r t y o n C l a re m o n t R o a d , l i n ke d t o a n e a r b y C a r i b b e a n C a r n i v a l , w a s t a rg e t e d a ro u n d 2 : 3 0 a m o n Au g u s t 1 2 , l e av i n g 1 2 i n j u re d .

P o l i c e s a i d i t wa s l u c k y t h a t t h e re w e r e n o l i f e - t h re a t e n i n g i n j u r i e s a s a r e s u l t o f t h e s h o o t i n g wh i c h t h e y c a l l e d “c o m p l e t e l y re c k l e s s ” .

With no suspects identified at the s c e n e , p o l i c e s ay t h e y h av e b e e n “ t r aw l i n g t h ro u g h a l l av a i l a b l e CCTV and Intelligence to try and piece together the events of that morning”.

Calls for suicide prevention training for university staff

Photo: Adam Rossano @Flickr

New Brunswick Park opened

Ethan Davies Editor-in-Chief

News 5

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

N e a rl y a m o n t h o n f ro m t h e a t t a c k , o f f i c e r s f ro m t h e m a j o r i n c i d e n t t e a m a n d t h e f o rc e ’s t a c t i c a l a i d u n i t m a d e t h e a r re s t s i n Fa l l o w f i e l d a n d B a g u l e y o n T u e s d ay m o r n i n g .

T wo m e n , a g e d 2 4 a n d 3 0, we re t a ke n i n t o c u s t o d y o n s u s p i c i o n o f a t t e m p t e d m u rd e r a n d u n l aw f u l p o s s e s s i o n o f a f i re m a n .

They a re c u r re n t l y under i nv e s t i g a t i o n i n re l a t i o n t o t h e i r i nv o l ve m e n t i n t h e i n c i d e n t .

D e s p i t e t h e a r re s t s , D e t e c t ive C h i e f I n s p e c t o r C o l i n L a rk i n h a s appealed for further evidence. “ I wo u l d s t i l l u rg e t h e c o m m u n i t y to come f o r wa rd with a ny i n f o r m a t i o n a s o u r i nv e s t i g a t i o n d o e s n o t s t o p h e re . I f yo u k n o w a ny t h i n g , p l e a s e t e l l u s ” .

University of Manchester partner up with Chester Zoo to protect threatened species

Universities UK and youth charity, Papyrus, have called for more to be done over the growing issue of student mental health and suicide Shivani Kaura Deputy News Editor U n i v e r s i t i e s U K a n d y o u t h c h a r i t y, Papyrus, have called for university staff to receive suicide prevention training after a rise in the number of deaths related to suicide at UK universities.

Sam Gyimah, higher education m i n i s t e r, t h re a t e n e d U K i n s t i t u t i o n s earlier this summer that they risked, “failing an entire generation of students”. This followed after the Office of National Statistics released data that 95 students had taken their own lives in the 2016-2017 academic ye a r.

In June, Gyimah also said: “a proposal should be made that would lead to students being asked if they want to opt in to an alert system authorising their university to contact their parents if they find themselves in a mental health crisis.”

The Priory Group, a mental health care p rov i d e r, has stated that depression and anxiety-related issues are the most common problem fa ce d by B r it a i n’s st u de nt s.

A report released by the Priory has shown that mental health problems have risen exponentially in the past 10 years, with studies showing that 18 universities in the UK in 2013, found that one in four were “too afraid” to mention their mental health problem to friends.

The annual Universities UK conference, held in Sheffield earlier t h i s ye a r, h a d v i c e - c h a n c e l l o r o f t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f B r i s t o l , H u g h B r a d y, suggest a guidance for university staff to use to prevent suicide amongst students alongside other m e m b e r s o f i n s t i t u t i o n a l s t a f f .T h e

guidance says, staff should use, “alert systems to detect patterns of difficulty such as not engaging with academic work, running into academic difficulties or dropping off the academic radar”, as well as keeping account of non-academic hints such as, not paying rent or taking part in extra-curricular activities.

A University of Manchester spokesperson said: “The University recognises the importance of working across the institution to reduce student risk and improve wellbeing. “ We h ave s i g n i f i c a n t l y e x p a n d e d our training of general support staff in the area of mental health and risk awareness and each year aim to train around 600 staff in mental health and risk awareness.

In addition to the monthly rolling programme of training open to all staff in responding to risk and mental health crisis, we provide full day training to our security staff and this summer we provided training to the 350 staff in Residential Life – including cleaners, reception and a d m i n s t a f f. We h ave a l s o d e ve l o p e d an eLearning module for staff on this issue to increase the reach of this training across the institution.”

Suicide, according to the Office of National Statistics, is the most common cause of death amongst young adults in the UK, although, rates amongst students are the lowest compared to the general population.

If you are in need of mental health support, the University offers a counselling service, and the Students’ Union also offer a confidential advice service. Find out more on their websites.

Photo: Sainsbury’s Media Library

Argos store launches inside Sainsbury’s Fallowfield

Argos have opened a new store inside Sainsbury’s Fallowfield, allowing students to click and collect orders without ever leaving M14 Shivani Kaura Deputy News Editor A n e w A rgo s s t o re h a s re ce n t ly l a u n c h e d i n s i d e t h e S a i n s b u r y ’s Fa l l ow f i e l d s u p e r m a rke t . T h e s t o re , wh i c h o p e n e d i n l a t e Au g u s t , w i l l a l l ow c u s t o m e r s a co nve n i e n t p l a ce t o p i c k u p i t e m s t h e y h ave o rd e re d f ro m A rgo s o n l i n e .

2 0,0 0 0 o f A rgo s ’ o n l i n e p ro d u c t s a re re p o r t e d t o b e ava i l a b l e fo r s a m e d ay co l l e c t i o n i n s t o re .

G a re t h To m s , S t o re M a n a ge r a t S a i n s b u r y ’s Fa l l ow f i e l d , s a i d : “ We

a re t h r i l l e d t o we l co m e A rgo s a n d i t s fa n t a s t i c co l l e a g u e s t o o u r t e a m i n Fa l l ow f i e l d . T h e o p e n i n g i s g re a t n e ws fo r o u r c u s t o m e r s , wh o a re a lways l o o k i n g fo r e a s i e r, m o re co nve n i e n t ways t o s h o p” .

S a i n s b u r y ’s Fa l l ow f i e l d i s a p o p u l a r s h o p p i n g d e s t i n a t i o n fo r U n ive r s i t y of Manchester students, located just a f ive - m i n u t e wa l k f ro m t h e U n ive r s i t y o f M a n c h e s t e r ’s Fa l l ow f i e l d c a m p u s , h o m e t o h a l l s s u c h O we n s P a rk , O a k H o u s e , a n d S h e av y n H o u s e . O t h e r s o u t h M a n c h e s t e r s u p e r m a rke t s a re ava i l a b l e .

The partnership between the largest university in the country and the UK’s number one zoo will see researchers work towards the prevention of threatened species across the planet Photo: Yoky @Wikimedia Commons

Lucinda Obank News Reporter The partnership between the University of M a n c h e s t e r a n d t h e U K ’s n u m b e r o n e z o o, C h e s t e r Zoo, will see a £1.1 million investment into two research areas, to help prevent the extinction of threatened species across the planet.

The first will focus on improving the future o u t l o o k fo r s o m e o f A f r i c a’s m o s t e n d a n ge re d s p e c i e s , e . g . E a s t e r n b l a c k rh i n o s a n d G ré v y ’s Zebra. Habitat destruction and hunting has led to more than 60% of mega herbivores such as these to collapse in numbers. The joint research project aims to explore further how these species are affected by environmental change and human disturbance The second area of research will focus on finding new ways to manage animal populations outside their natural range to increase their conservation value and promote animal welfare. The research will also focus on ‘safety net’ populations ensuring animals are fit to be reintroduced into the wild and continue to improve animal reproduction and welfare in zoos. The aim is to build these projects and continue establishing them worldwide.

Head of Applied Ccience at Chester Zoo, Dr Sue Wa l k e r, s a i d : ‘ T h e p a r t n e r s h i p w i t h t h e U n i v e r s i t y of Manchester brings together skills sets from both institutions and is a crucial step towards protecting some of the most charismatic species on our planet”.

The projects will be delivered by 10 doctoral/

post-doctoral researchers over the next seven and a half years.

C h e s t e r Z o o S c i e n c e D i r e c t o r, D r S i m o n D o w e l l , commented: “Species across Africa are threatened with extinction. Conservation is critical and u r g e n t . We h a v e w o r k e d w i t h t h e U n i v e r s i t y o f Manchester on a number of projects over the years but this important new partnership takes our collaboration to a new level”.

Professor Susan Shultz, a Royal Society U n ive r s i t y R e s e a rc h Fe l l ow f ro m T h e U n ive r s i t y o f M a n c h e s t e r, s a i d : “ T h i s p a r t n e r s h i p r e p r e s e n t s the best of collaborative applied science. The university is combining its expertise, facilities and technology with the conservation experience and global conservation reach of the zoo to find innovative solutions to the global biodiversity crisis.”

Immediate projects to be delivered include why some black Rhino populations in Kenya fair better than others, how environmental change affects G re v y ’s Z e b ra i n Ke nya a n d C a p e M o u n t a i n Z e b ra i n S out h A f r ica , how l a rge m a m m a l s i n Ta n z a n i a n National Parks are Impacted by resource extraction and land use change, and the establishment a new physiology lab in Kenya Other studies include research into management o f b i r d s o n g i n t h e J a v a n s p a r r o w, s o c i a l b e h a v i o u r in the endangered Sulawesi crested macaque and genetics in Eastern black rhinos. The aim of these research projects is to explore new ways of maximizing reproductive success and delivering world class animal welfare.

Win Bongo’s Bingo Tickets for you 7 mates!

27th September, Manchester Academy Prize includes fizz and pot noodles

Visit mancunion.com and search ‘bingo’ to enter

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Investigations 7

Male Sex Work Investigations: an introduction New to the Mancunion this year, the Investigations section wishes to expand on the great reporting work of both the News and features sections of the newspaper.

Manchester is an international, world-renowned city and is packed with stories to tell, both outside of the ‘student bubble’ and within it. Over the course of the year, this section will explore the issues closest to student life, such as local crime, drug use and engagement with uni, while also covering how students relate to life in Manchester more generally with

SOCIALS Fuse FM Funky Freshers 25th September Squirrels Bar Fuse TV Cult Film Screening 2nd October Barnes Wallis Hub Mancunion Spoken Word Night 9th October Vicky's Bar, Hulme Hall MANCHESTER MEDIA GROUP

MANCHESTER MEDIA GROUP

MANCHESTER MEDIA GROUP

topics such as gentrification and sex work. Rather than dedicate this page to shocking exposés and controversial smear campaigns, I feel it’s more important to delve deeper into Manchester life, uncovering exactly why the city is the way it is and exploring what makes Manchester one of the world’s most interesting places to live. Read more below about some of the issues the Investigations section will be covering over the course of the year…

allowfield, the city’s student hub and one of the most vibrant student areas in the country, finds itself plagued by a wave of crime. A worrying number of students, almost on a daily basis, find themselves making a post on Fallowfield Students’ Group along the lines of ‘I was mugged just off Wilmslow Road, be careful!’ or ‘Our house was burgled, lock your windows guys!’.

For students in the area or even just anyone visiting for a night, it sours what is in daylight an incredibly friendly and lively place to be; Fallowfield is packed with restaurants, shops and bars that make it a perfect home away from home.

However it’s the events that are all too commonplace after dark in Fallowfield that run the risk of ruining its reputation as the place to be in Manchester for any student.

Armed muggings, knife attacks, bike thefts, break-ins; all of these feel like part of living in such a place. This may not be the everyday reality for all students (painting Fallowfield as some crime-infested dystopia would be disingenuous), but the problem is prevalent enough to be considered a major issue. Everyone knows somebody who’s been affected by some kind of crime in Fallowfield and this crime wave shows no signs of slowing.

Such an endemic should surely war-

but nevertheless as students make up such a large part of the city’s population, their influence can be found almost everywhere. Sex Work also occurs in more dense student areas such as Fallowfield, and as many students find themselves strapped for cash, dipping their toes into the world of sex work can seem an enticing concept.

The Investigations section aims to find cause for the continued vulnerability of so many people involved in sex work in Manchester, while also providing an insight into what may appear to many as a world of ‘outsiders’, when in reality it may be a lot closer to home.

Photo: The Mirror Online

Student engagement

Crime in Fallowfield F

Part of Manchester’s brilliance is undoubtedly down to its openness, multiculturalism, and widespread acceptance of all types of people. It’s unsurprising then, that in recent years Manchester has come to be known as one of the ‘gay capitals’ of the country, with Canal St and the Gay Village strengthening their reputations as some of Manchester’s most exciting nights out.

For most visitors, and even the area’s regulars, interaction with the Gay Village goes little further than large, dazzling parties and trying not to fall into the canal, but unsurprisingly Manchester’s sizeable gay clubbing scene goes hand with a whole host of sex work.

Recent reports have shown that Manchester has a higher number of male street sex workers than anywhere else in the UK. Despite the real number of those sex workers being quite small, many of them find themselves homeless and incredibly vulnerable to exploitation while working.

Homelessness is also a significant issue across the entirety of Manchester, and this intersection of vulnerability is especially important to consider. Firsthand accounts from many of those people who find themselves in such situations feel especially at risk due to societal views on male sexual assault and previous lack of Police action surrounding the issue.

How Manchester’s student communities interact with such issues may not be the most obvious of connections,

rant an equally serious response from the local police force, but hopes of any significant action are, at this point in time, misplaced. It’s a sentiment that has been echoed endlessly by students and members of the local community alike, but there seems to be a real disconnect between intentions of police and needs of residents, with an increasing number of officers dedicated to manning local bus stops, a widely criticised and in many ways confusing new policy.

Manchester’s police face growing disillusionment from residents, as figures show reportings of crime have fallen, despite the crime itself continuing steadily. Official means of tackling crime in Fallowfield seem to be failing people, as even the ‘Night Owl’ scheme set up by the Student Union, which aims to tackle crime through the use of trained students stationed throughout high-risk areas, are unable to help due to their lack of real legal power.

It seems that only a concerted police or university-led effort will be able to solve the current crime endemic, but funding remains a consistent issue.

Over the course of the year this section will aim to get answers that students so desperately need to ensure their own well-being and peace of mind, and to put pressure on those who can help enact changes that are long overdue.

www.manchestermediagroup.co.uk Photo: Mikey_Raver@flickr

Freshers’ Fairs are always a world of excitement and opportunity for most people starting uni. Away from home for the first time and looking for a new home, rows upon rows of tired people greet them with a smile offering to make the likes of Ultimate Frisbee or Ballroom Dancing Society their new home.

Mailing lists get subscribed to, free sweets get consumed in buckets, and leaflets get shoved in bags frantically. Still, after all the efforts from both sides, so many students go home and never again spare a thought for all the conversations had or taster sessions that seemed appealing.

While on the surface this might seem a two-sided issue, with so many societies students may find it hard to find the right place for them, or at a fair with so many options a majority are bound to get drowned out, and yet there’s no shortage of members for most of the activities and societies across campus.

It’s worth noting that UoM is one of the largest universities in the country, with some 40,000 students in total. With such a large student body, engaging even a majority with broader university life seems like an uphill battle. Despite the size of the challenge, simply having a lot of students doesn’t mean most of those students have no hobbies other than attending lectures.

Saturation may well be the main issue.

With so many students, and so many societies, it goes without saying that people get lost amongst it all. The aforementioned barrage of leaflets and new, exciting things to sign up to are hardly as new or exciting for the 50th time.

Societies aren’t the only area that suffers from this, if indeed they suffer at all, as many students feel a disconnect with the Student’s Union as well. Turnout in the last Exec elections failed to reach 20 percent, a shocking number in an election that is supposed to choose those who represent students at the highest level possible.

Many students suffer greatly as a result of this disillusionment. Having little to do outside of ‘the sesh’ and lectures is a cycle that can be hard to break and detrimental in the long run. It leaves students either lacking direction, motivation, or with the notion that university all seems quite pointless.

Through conversations with students, societies, and the uni itself, the Investigation section aims to tackles issues surrounding student engagement and explore how one of the country’s largest unis can also boast one of the most involved student bodies.

8

Science & Tech

ISSUE 1 / 17th September 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

UK to lose full access to the EU Galileo sat-nav system Jacklin Kwan Science and Tech editor The UK has pledged at least £92m to a satellite navigation system that is proposed to rival the EU’s Galileo project. After the EU announced that the UK would not be able to access sensitive encrypted data from Galileo post-Brexit this coming March, the UK has threatened to launch its own sat-nav system despite having already spent £1.2bn on Galileo.

Galileo will handle sensitive security data and will form an integral part of the EU’s internal security infrastructure, but will still perform key civilian functions. It is meant to surpass the US’ Global Positioning System (GPS) and Russia’s Global Navigation Satellite System (GLONASS) in its accuracy, allowing the EU to be less reliant on foreign technologies (though it is still capable of working together with other networks). Its precise positioning would have applications in commerce, public utilities, and humanitarian operations. As of August 2018, 26 satellites are in orbit. Though 24 satellites constitute a full system, Galileo plans to have six spares in orbit– the complete 30 spacecrafts are planned to be launched by 2021.

Brexit negotiations have been tense, and in August, the European Commission blocked Britain’s space industry from further involvement in the manufacturing of Galileo’s security elements, in particular, to its Public Regulated System (PRS), which is planned to provide support to government services such as health services, border control and customs, and local policing. Though the UK would still have access to the much of the civilian infrastructure of Galileo, the PRS is what is at stake. The PRS is heavily encrypted, jam-resistant signal meant for government bodies and military forces handling sensitive security matters such as Europe’s growing worries around domestic terrorism and political extremism. The divorce would also spell out the exclusion of non-EU companies bidding for participation in Galileo. UK-based industries such as Airbus would be required to transfer all Galileo-related work to factories in France and Germany under new EU rules, and many British companies responsible for the manufacturing of Galileo have already lost orders.

After the European Commission’s announcement, UK has retaliated with Business Secretary Greg Clark stating that the government would “develop options for an independent satellite navigation system” despite many experts estimating that it most likely cost Britain several billion pounds for an equivalent project.

Many officials have criticised this move, arguing that it goes against the last few decades of British space policy, which has aimed to minimise domestic spending and maximise capabilities gained from cooperation. The UK has collaborated with many international actors in the past such as the EU and the US on previous space projects, including but not limited to space exploration and

telecommunications.

Led by the UK Space Agency, the UK has already assembled a taskforce of specialists and industry experts to research alternatives to Galileo that will “provide both civilian and encrypted signals and be compatible with the [American] GPS system”. Though the government is confident in domestic expertise in satellite technology, noting the UK’s critical contributions to the development and production of Galileo, accurate navigation systems require many expensive, state-of-the-art satellites. Many predict that Britain may be forced to continue relying on pre-existing navigation systems that are under the threat of degradation.

The conflict around Galileo parallels the anxiety that many British scientists have around access to European research in a post-Brexit world. Much of Britain’s science exists in a delicate international

ecosystem. UNESCO data estimates that 62% of the UK’s research outputs are international collaborations, and UK scientists fear that domestic researchers will end up losing lucrative European research grants. Though not many doubt that there will still be a strong British presence in pre-existing, large-scale projects such as the Large Hadron Collider (LHC) in CERN, many still doubt whether the UK would still be granted the same access to future projects.

The row over Galileo may only spell more trouble with European collaboration on all fronts. The uncertainty in the future of Britain’s role in the global scientific frontier has rippled through to other social, economic, and political fronts.

Greg Clark warned that the EU’s actions could threaten the future of post-Brexit cooperation in areas like defence and security.

Photo: Wikimedia Commons

An interview 2018’s Faraday prize winner

Jacklin Kwan talks to University of Manchester’s very own Professor Danielle George following her triumph in earning the prestigious award Jacklin Kwan Science and Tech editor Professor Danielle George’s office is understated. Not many pictures or posters decorate its white walls, and it’s tucked away in the corner of the Sackville Building behind two heavy wooden doors that lead to the Council Chamber. The room certainly belies the woman that works inside: a scientist and engineer who has been recently awarded the coveted Michael Faraday Prize by The Royal Society, an award that has been shared with likes of Brian Cox and David Attenborough for outstanding science communication.

Professor George exudes an easy sort of charisma– she effortlessly makes interesting conversation, smiles with her eyes, and looks at you intently when you ask her questions. Perhaps it is no surprise that the lecturer has been so successful at public outreach in the past few years.

She speaks to students of all ages, from university undergrads in her electronic engineering lectures to primary school children who ask her what the Cosmic Microwave Background sounds like. (After processing terabytes of data, you find out that it sounds like eerie echoes.)

In 2014, she also became the sixth woman in history to deliver the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures. “At first I thought it was a joke! I just saw an email in my inbox asking whether I’d like to give the Christmas lectures.” Professor George ended up deleting the invitation out of sheer incredulity. “It’s like an email that asks you whether you’d like one million pounds in your bank account.”

Fortunately, when a second email arrives re-stating the invitation, she knows it is not spam. Danielle George gave an incredible talk, complete with a robotic orchestra that played the Dr. Who theme song, all while eight-and-a-half months pregnant.

We talk about her work in radio astronomy and engineering.

George researches low-noise amplifiers that allow us to pick up clearer signals from faraway galaxies. After working in Jodrell Bank, she has worked with international collaborations all over the world like e-Merlin and the Square Kilometre Array. When she remembers the beautiful skies she has seen in Chile and Australia, her eyes get a faraway look. “When I was younger, my parents got me a microscope, then a chemistry set, and I thought that was pretty nice. But then they

got me this telescope, and I would wake my parents up just to look at the stars.”

Danielle George is intent on spreading her passion to young people.

“Something happens in the pipeline from when children go through primary school to when they head off to university. Suddenly, science becomes ‘uncool’ and they’re just not bothered.” Prolific scientists like Carl Sagan have observe similar things; at one end of the spectrum, they’re asked why the sky was blue and why people dream by kindergarten children, but inexplicably, those sort of profound questions dry up as those same children reach high school.

Professor George contemplates this for a moment. “I think that as you grow up, you learn more about what’s possible and what’s not possible… And then you stop asking about what might be possible.”

She takes out her phone (the case has been ruthlessly covered in stickers by her daughter), “We carry this around with us every day, but how is it that I can talk to someone on the International Space Station using my phone? How does it actually work?”

It is clear that the radio engineer also has strong opinions about education: “education nowadays doesn’t allow for failure. But that’s wrong; if you’re not failing, you’re not innovating because innovating means you’re pushing those boundaries.” And if there’s anything George knows, it is pushing boundaries: she once converted an entire London skyscraper into a game of Tetris; she implements her technology to far-flung fields like agriculture to measure water usage; she has worked on projects to aid the visually impaired with wireless hubs placed around the city. Considering the diversity of George’s work, it is easy to see why she laments some aspects of modern education, “Education right now is so narrow. It siloes different subjects in categories. In reality, science is interdisciplinary.”

Our conversation drifts to different subjects. We both mourn the lack of visible female role models for young girls interested in science. We talk about how progress is slow but steady in making science more accessible. But as we get to leave, I ask Danielle one final question: what advancement in science are you excited about? The answer is in the field of wearable technologies, robotics, and artificial intelligence. “Though, I don’t think human creativity could ever be replaced by AI. I can’t imagine that ever being able to be replicated in a computer.” I nod in agreement as we wave goodbye. I too cannot imagine that a computer could ever replace George’s brilliant mind.

Photo: Press Shot @ Paul Wilkinson/Universityu of Manchester

Features 9

ISSUE 1 / 17th September 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Interview: Grace Currie, the Manchester student who took on the Edinburgh Fringe Liv Clarke speaks to Grace Currie, the Manchester graduate who took on the “massively daunting” Edinburgh Fringe Festival Liv Clarke Features editor Often the first question that springs to mind after graduation is: what next? But for Drama and English Literature graduate Grace Currie, the goal was clear, and that was the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. She directed the show Whilst We Were There, written by Tyler Holland, a fellow Manchester Drama graduate, and his friend Curtis. Having seen Grace perform here at the university, I wanted to talk to her about her recent project and the challenges that the Festival presents for students.

During her time at university, Grace took part in various UMMTS shows such as Grand Hotel and Avenue Q. In the drama society she also wrote and produced her own short play, Spilt Milk, and was an assistant director for Cloud Avenue, a show that went to the Edinburgh Fringe last summer. During her second year she began collaborating with Tyler; “In spring 2017, we staged our first independent production together, Breathing Space, at Three Minute Theatre in Northern Quarter. After this, we set up our company Ensemble Estate and went on to produce Much Ado About Nothing in autumn 2017!”.

The experience she gathered during her time in Manchester was invaluable when she directed the show Whilst We Were There. “[It was] a new folk-rock musical that utilizes live loop pedals and a team of very talented actor-musicians,” Grace tells me. “The vibe is very much like Ed Sheeran meets Once. The show follows the story of Hannah and Curtis, two musicians in a folk duo who split up for unknown reasons and takes place three years after the split. Hannah’s own struggles are framed through Curtis’ perspective, and the show tackles ideas of artistic integrity and male dominance in the music industry.”

The show certainly deals with contemporary issues, which reflects the youthful team behind the production. As well as Manchester graduates Grace and Tyler, others involved came from across the country, including graduates from the Royal Central School for Speech and Drama and students from Birmingham Conservatoire and Rose Bruford. Clearly networking at university paid off, as they came together to create the project.

For Grace, working as a team made the experience all the better, “Despite coming from all over the UK to rehearse in rainy Kendal, we quickly became a tight-knit family unit, and this made the

“there are hundreds of shows on at Fringe, so try and give your show something to make it stand out or say something. It doesn’t have to be serious or profound, but it should be unique!”

Photo: The Mancunion

collaborative process of devising the piece so much fun.”

However, there’s a difference between university productions and stepping out into the real world, especially at the Fringe Festival as there is plenty of competition and pressure to succeed. This is when Grace profited from all her previous experience. “Fringe is an amazingly inspiring space for creatives, but it’s also massively daunting - you invest a lot of money into the projects you take up, you obviously don’t want to end up making a colossal loss. Luckily, both Tyler and I have been up before so knew what to expect, but it was still a very intense week. Because of the sheer volume of productions on, you have to bring your a-game for publicity - we were constantly handing out flyers across the city and performing a few numbers on the stages on the Mile, sometimes in torrential rain!

Luckily this seemed to pay off as we managed to sell out a few shows and always had a good audience in.”

Although the Fringe was a challenging experience for Grace and her team, there were moments where all the hard work and effort paid off. “Highlights of the experience were definitely our

performances on the small stages on the Mile, especially when a cast from another musical started dancing along in the street! It boosted everyone’s energy mid-week and will always be one of my favourite Fringe memories now.” It’s clear Grace learnt a lot from the experience: “Advice to other drama students on a logistical level would be efficiency; get organised early, manageyour budget carefully, and make sure you have a good team and support system. Also, something that really shaped our rehearsal process was thinking about why our piece was important now; there are hundreds of shows on at Fringe, so try and give your show something to make it stand out or say something. It doesn’t have to be serious or profound, but it should be unique! Finally, have fun, eat pie, and see as much as you can without going insane.

I’m sure with her work ethic and experience, Grace will be working on some more successful productions soon. “We’ve already started writing some new work,” she reveals, “and both Tyler and I are planning to continue the company when we move down to London later in the year, as well as starting the early stages of organising Fringe 2019!”.

You can follow Ensemble Estate on Twitter, @EnsembleEstate to see what Grace does next.

Mental health during a year abroad: it’s not just a holiday Liv Clarke Features editor

A year abroad won’t necessarily be the best time of your life, although it feels like that should be the case. Students reveal their negative experiences

Each September students go abroad for a year to study or work, which is an opportunity not to be missed. A year abroad can be one of the most exciting and challenging experiences during a student’s time at university; it is a chance to meet students from all corners of the world and to discover a new country and its culture. However, being abroad as a student can be a testing time; you can feel isolated by being in a strange environment and frustrated by how difficult daily tasks can become when the system is unfamiliar. On top of this any other negative issues you would normally experience while studying in the UK feel much more overwhelming when you are away from home.

There is no template for a year abroad, nor a guarantee that you will have the best time of your life; but often it feels like that should be the case. Talking to other students who have just completed a year abroad, negative situations and feelings aren’t that uncommon, it’s just they’re the aspects people choose not to share with the world.

One particular challenge of studying abroad is making friends and getting involved in social groups, something which we all have to deal with at university, but which is made all the more difficult when a different language is involved. For Martha, a final year French and German student, who spent a semester in Lyon and Leipzig, this was something she had to deal with; “When I was involved in a group of French people, at first I had to accept the conversation would be running at a slightly faster pace than what I could keep up with. This was an unusual feeling for someone that usually leads social groups and likes to be very central in them”.

Likewise local students can be hostile towards newcomers, and results in students feeling unwelcome, “There wasn’t the friendliest vibe in the classes at the university;” Elliott, a fourth year French

and Spanish student, who spent a semester in Lille and Seville, tells me, “turns out the majority of the French students in my classes weren’t interested in talking to or making friends with Erasmus students! That could become quite intimidating at times for sure”.

There’s a perception that a year abroad can be the best time of your life, and for some people everything falls into place during that year. However, this isn’t always the case. Emily, a final year German student who did a work placement in Flensburg, experienced negativity in the workplace during her time away, “I never imagined that I would have to come up against abuse in the workplace, however, this was unfortunately the case when I worked as an English language assistant in Germany. My mentor clearly thought little of me and my work environment felt tense and unfriendly after the incident.”

A student’s living situation can have an impact on their mental health while they are away. A shared house with friends is usually the standard in Manchester, but it can be very different in other countries. Halls of residence are usually less social than in the UK, which can leave you feeling cut off. Furthermore, a room in a shared house can be difficult to come by, which is what Elliott found while he was in France; he had to live in the same property as his landlady.

“Living on the top floor of an old townhouse whilst the landlady and her elderly mother lived below often became overbearing and isolating. Combined with the feeling that my flatmates and I had little-to-nothing in common meant that I would find myself dreading the prospect of returning to the house”.

Any negative experiences a student has can feel worsened by the fact that they are abroad. Difficult issues can arise at any point during a degree, but they present even more of a challenge when you are away from your home country. Martha found that it was difficult to remain positive on her year abroad when trying

to deal with problems she had back at home, “in order to broaden your social life and reach out to people [when you’re abroad] you need a lot of confidence and energy, which is difficult when your reserves are naturally low. This can lead to negative spiralling of events and feelings, all whilst trying to speak positively of the people you’ve met and the new experiences you’re having when you just feel so down in yourself that that’s not possible”.

A year abroad can be a daunting time, yet it can be made easier if students are aware that it’s ok if it’s not perfect, and that a good support network, either at home or away, can help a lot.

Photo: The Mancunion

10 Opinion A culture of infamy that verges on ridicule surrounds freshers week partying. However, in the light of the rising proportion of students suffering from mental health issues and the problematic lack of diversity at many of the top universities in the UK, the way British society treats the first foray into student life warrants a closer look.

Late August and early September inevitably sees a flurry of pull out leaflets, special issues, and pamphlet guides for those eagerly awaiting the start of their first terms at University. Their glossy leaves reflect the sunlight as they twist in the Autumn breeze. Pages of survival guides and bullet pointed advice columns on how to cope with the notorious 7 day-long initiation into student life that is commonly known as ‘freshers week’. From packing lists to step-bystep guides on how to interact with new people, it can sometimes feel as if conscription has been reinstated and Welcome Week is some kind of annual battle to which middle-class 18-year olds are sent, emerging with a sore head and a more intimate knowledge of a Wetherspoons breakfast.

There is an odd contradiction in the treatment of freshers; on the one hand it is notoriously idealised as a citadel of unrestrained parties, yet at the same time it is widely accepted to be a stressful and complex time for most of those who take part, and a source of anxiety for those who don’t. Beyond the expected elements of homesickness and domestic chore induced nervousness, there is a deeper attitude that the first days of University are supposed to be in actual fact pretty unpleasant and only a select few students will succeed and go on to be socially settled individuals.

A prevailing rhetoric seems to imply that freshers is to be ‘survived’, whether this is a word used by the mental health professionals who see an issue with the inordinate pressure on one’s own charisma and ability to make friends, or by underpaid club promoters who are selling the opportunity to drink one’s body weight in lukewarm mixers in a dingy club and attempt to ‘bond’ with flatmates you can’t hear over buzzing speakers. Neither groups have much faith that the week could be enjoyed on one’s own terms.

It’s as if students are already being trained to accept their fate as a homogeneous group with

Photo: JBradleySnyder@flickr

Freshers week is to be survived Sophie Marriott writes: A contradictory attitude surrounding the tradition of freshers week exacerbates the potential for it to become a stressful and difficult time for new students.

The Summer break is for you to rest

Photo: Walti@Pixabay

After a solid three-month summer break, the last thing I want to be thinking about right now is heading back to Uni. Surprisingly, I’m not worried about the 9 am starts or imminent essay deadlines but instead September is the month when I have to face up to the fact that I have spent the past twelve weeks or so sitting contentedly twiddling my thumbs all the while telling myself that I deserve this ‘well-earned rest’.

Unfortunately, what I am bound to face when I head back to uni is lecturers insinuating I should have spent the summer months reading and advancing my studies, future employers delivering speeches on the value of work experience, and tales of other students travels across

common desires and attitudes.

These soon-to-be statistics of the student body are told that freshers should be the best week of their university experience, but that they should also be prepared to feel bored, tired and stressed most of the time. For every story of a wild night out is one of being overwhelmed and unhappy, both tales frequently leaving the same mouth. Of course, these negative aspects may not be felt by all, but it’s certainly a common theme in the account of many emerging from the 21st Century’s answer to a coming-of-age jousting tournament, where they use personality instead of spears.

The contradictory attitude to freshers exemplifies the dialectics of student life as a whole. Freshers week is simultaneously outrageous fun and incredibly damaging, all at once it exemplifies the self-congratulatory smugness many freshers feel, alongside the harm done to the mental well-being of young people in a culture whereby choice has very little to do with personal enjoyment. A culture which protrudes into wider society and forces more essential ideals of individual choice to reshape around this odd tradition.

Despite Universities’ bravado that the tradition is evolving to appeal to a more diverse range of students from different backgrounds, religions, and lifestyles. The fact remains that freshers week, and all its glorious connotations, remains the preserve of the wealthy and selfconfident party-lovers whose glowing privilege is what shines from the surface of those survival guides that their parents find in their Sunday papers.

This strikes at the heart of the issue with Freshers, and arguably therefore with much of student culture, that this is another aspect of life which is designed exclusively for students, and exclusively for those willing to adopt the identity of student along with all its stereotypes. Whilst that in itself is not a reason to critique it, those who do attend higher education undoubtedly deserve an opportunity to let off steam after years of stifling secondary and A-Level education. It also means that freshers becomes an isolating and exclusive experience which prescribes a hierarchy based on the ability, and the desire, to socialise in a certain setting. people more beneficial in the long run.

Valuable ways to spend your time include catching up with family and friends, taking some time for yourself, maybe working on a skill you’ve previously cast aside, or even just catching up on your favourite series. This is important both for your mental well-being, and to ensure you are in the best possible place for the coming academic year. Just as we need to not forget our priorities during term time and get lost in the world of examinations and future employment, it is important to do so over summer as well.

All these extra-curricular activities are meaningful, but they need to be considered as just that, as ‘extra’. They should be seen as an advantage, but you should not be

There is a growing pressure on students to make their Summer break from school and University productive rather than the opportunity for relaxation and freedom it should be, writes Cachella Smith the globe. All of these occupations are amazing and incredibly valuable ways to have spent the holidays, but since when did it become an obligation to fill every single moment of our lives with activities aimed at bettering ourselves? Since when did it become a crime to simply relax?

With an ever-increasing pressure placed on students all throughout term time with essays, exams and job applications, the summer is supposed to be a time dedicated to relaxation and recovery before restarting the following year. If you have the energy and the motivation to storm through summer completing volunteering placements, working, or travelling the world, then by all means go for it. Summer is an incredibly useful period of time for earning some extra cash to support your studies and prepping that CV for future job applications. Nonetheless, rest is equally important and arguably for some

considered negatively for a lack in them. At the ages of nineteen, twenty, or twenty-one nothing is too important that it cannot be left until later on. You have the rest of your life to work, to earn a living, or to travel, there is absolutely no rush to tick every box before reaching the age of twenty-two.

Since this article marks the end of summer, I am obviously not trying to influence how you spend your holidays.

Instead, feel positive about whatever it is you have chosen to do during the past few months. Equally remember that these are lessons on rest and taking time for yourself are relevant for the summer, but equally during term time, and over exam period. You do not need to justify yourself to lecturers, parents or even future employers. Rest and enjoyment should always be priorities and sometimes doing absolutely nothing is the most productive thing that can be done.

Opinion 11

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

+ =

Exam anxiety social elitism the 11+

Photo: Geograph

The controversial 11+ exam perpetuates the school system’s dangerous relationship with elitism and mental health illnesses, and dictates a lasting and unhealthy attitude towards school and exams for many young people, writes Cachella Smith.

Pupils across the country will be sitting the 11+ exam this month to determine the path of their secondary education. There are a total of 164 grammar schools in England with Greater Manchester being one of the few regions of the country that still implements a selective process for secondary education.

In today’s society where social equality

is forever being promoted, there is a lot of controversy surrounding such a system whereby children as young as 10 are categorised according to their academic performance in exam conditions. Different regions use different examinations, however they all tend to cover the areas of maths, verbal reasoning, and non-verbal reasoning.

The art of protest is not lost

Sophie Marriott argues that despite a feeling of disenchantment with politics in the UK there is still a politically engaged base of youthful activists.

It is a trap many would-be influencers fall into; thinking that the protest march is a relic of the 1960s, alongside free-love and tie-dye.

In a time when politics seems increasingly privatised out of democratic decision making, it is easy to dismiss the persuasive element of a group of fresh-faced youthful activities advancing en masse to the stern face of the establishment. However, direct action can only be ignored if its organisers allow it to be.

It frequently feels as if protest movements now start with their own ends in sight. Assumptions of politicians’ apathy and a divided public form the basis of a disenchanted youth’s rejection of engaging in civil disruption. This is a cynicism it is understandable to have developed in the face of so many failings - think of the Independence protests in Catalonia or the anti-Trump sentiments - but these frustrated although ultimately overridden campaigns are just what is most frequently reported on. There is a far greater level of political engagement than the public is made aware of, but it doesn’t make the headlines. From leafleting for their local MPs to simply signing petitions they find on social media; young people are not nearly as lethargic as they are often depicted to be.

For instance, the rise of Momentum in the Labour Party is described in the mainstream media as a kind of hostile take-over, and even within the hard left who should be supporting the demographic change in the party there is a suspicion of the newly active sub-sect.

Arguably, this is far more a result of the view

that any kind of activism is bound to fail in the political climate of the 21st Century rather than a rejection of the spirit of change or the radical policies that Momentum stand for.

Parallels could even be drawn between the suspicion of Momentum and the antipathy towards the Brexit campaign. Although in terms of the aims and supporters of the two groups they are at polar opposites, they both represent the potential for genuine mobilisation of the politically disenfranchised. Following the shock result of the EU Referendum there was a prevailing feeling of surprise at the possibility of a radical movement being able to achieve such major change in a system which has been stifled by a neo-liberal conservatism across the political spectrum.

The trope that is most often used to put down protest movements is that they cannot survive the ‘trolling’ and ‘flame wars’ of social media.

As the internet becomes the primary medium for engagement with political and social issues, those who have not been raised as natives to the cyberspace see it as a hindrance to passion in campaigning. Whilst there is definitely space to see a general desensitisation as a result of overexposure to distressing footage of a number of global issues. There is also a mass of evidence that the power of social media has been harnessed by social activists to inspire otherwise uninformed or uninterested parties. Whether the campaign behind the Leave vote in the Brexit referendum was based on an accurate or ethical rhetoric, it most certainly succeeded in tapping into a reserve

A lot of people find issue with such a system; the main reason being the pressure placed on the children to succeed and the subsequent pressure present within a grammar school itself. According to the NSPCC, Childline provided a total of 3135 counselling sessions related to exam stress in the academic year 2016 to 2017. With statistics like this, it seems nonsensical that we should begin the exam process with children as young as ten years old.

This pressure can come from parents, primary schools, or even from the pupil themselves.

A secondary education is important, it is the stepping stone for A-Levels and potentially even future University places. Re-iterating to the pupil, however, that this exam will be a determining factor for the rest of their lives can only incite stress and potentially create a negative attitude towards future examinations.

Placing children in a competitive atmosphere at this age will also undoubtedly produce negative feelings amongst peers, be it through a drive to succeed and ‘beat’ other candidates, or a sense of unworthiness created by failure.

At an age where the process of examination cannot fully be understood, we need to question whether this is the most effective method of segregating pupils, or indeed whether they need to be segregated at all.

We can also consider grammar schools as being intrinsically linked with social elitism. This concept stems from the fact that grammar schools have traditionally existed as Independent schools before state support was extended to them in the 1900s. It is also arguable that this idea is today supported by the finances involved with tuition, which would of course give the candidate an advantage. In the BBC’s Grammar School Debate televised in June this year, it was argued that tuition is not necessary for a child to succeed. The debate went so far as to suggest that in fact tuition could even pose a disadvantage, pushing children to succeed when they may struggle without the additional help once they reach the grammar school.

I personally would argue the opposite, and I think that anyone who glances at the first page of energy for action both virtual and tangible.

Take another example from the U.K. of the fossil free and divestment campaign across university campuses. Despite an assertion that environmental issues are the reserve of scientists and experts, students have demonstrated that so-called ‘Blockadia’, a term coined by Naomi Klein to describe the front-lines of resistance to the extractive fossil fuel industry, has both a physical and virtual existence. Thus, like the Leave campaign, it transcends the gap between the tangible world of protest and the art of online dissent, creating a new era of direct action. So far, the movement has persuaded 68 Universities across Great Britain some form of divestment

of a non-verbal reasoning paper would agree with me. The structure of these exams makes it such that without having had any preparation, any pupil would struggle to answer the questions, no matter how academically gifted they were. This is particularly the case for pupils coming from schools which do not support the system, and do not introduce the pupils at all to these specific types of questions.

I believe tuition to be a necessary step even just if it simply introduces the pupil to the format of the paper as well as an explanation of exam-style conditions, which they presumably would not have experienced before. That is before you consider that if every other child is receiving tuition, the one who doesn’t will of course automatically be at a disadvantage.

It is easy to see the negatives of the entrance test system, this is without even delving into the pros and cons of the grammar schools themselves. The issues discussed in this article are, however, arguably key structures that exist within today’s education system in general.

The reason we have a problem with the entrance test, presumably, is that it is a system implemented for young children. If, however, we are going to question the ideals associated with the 11+ system, we must then surely begin to question these formations as they are present elsewhere in the education system.

If it is wrong to put such pressure as competitive exams onto children at the age of ten, is it right to do so once they reach sixteen, eighteen, or twenty-one? If so, at which age exactly can we say the rule changes? Similarly, with sorts of social elitism stemming from tuition fees, if this is unfair for a child of ten or eleven, surely it does not become fair once that child reaches their GCSEs and needs a little help alongside the school process? Far from discouraging people from questioning these problems, however, what I suggest is that the questioning does not just stop once the child turns twelve. Instead, we need to recognise that this structure highlights issues that need to be tackled within our education system as a whole. from the fossil fuel industry, with tactics ranging of subtle ‘subverting’ to more extreme measures at the King’s University in London where students took on a 2 week long hunger strike until the University committed to full divestment.

What these examples show is that although protest looks different for thee avocado toast munching and Instagram sharing generation it is not a dead art. Whilst still employing the power of physical occupation or marching, activists have learnt not to reject technology and social media because of its potentially diluting effects but to harness it as another facet of direct action.

Photo: NathanKeirn @ Wikimedia Commons

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Societies

Struggling to know what to do this Freshers week? Are you feeling a bit overwhelmed by all the choice? If this is the case, then look no further - we’ve picked out some events that are taking place during Freshers week and beyond.

Chloe Hatton Societies editor GAMING SOCIETY GAMES NIGHT

FUNRAISING X OFFBEAT: BRAZILIAN WAX

When: 17th of September 19:30-22:30 When: 18th of September 22:30- 4:00 Where: Night People, 105-107 Princess Street Who: Funraising is a platform set up by students who essentially want to have a good time whilst also raising money for charity, and blogging about all things socially focused, including mental health, the environment, and art. They have raised thousands of pounds for charity in the past through various events such as Artbox, a (not very) silent auction.

What: This time, Funraising are collaborating with Offbeat to bring you a night full of Latin rhythms, from samba to drum and bass to brazilian funk.

All money raised from the night will go to Manchester-based migrant support network, LASNET. Tickets are on sale on Skiddle for £4, or can be bought on the door for £5.

Jack and the ‘Beakerstalk’ Auditions

Who: The Gaming Society aims to provide a space for like-minded gamers to come together once or twice a week and puts on various events like tournaments, meals, and pub quizzes.

What: The Gaming Society are giving freshers the chance to check out their weekly console night, with various setups such as Guitar Hero, Mario Kart, various party and fighting games and much more. There will also be areas for members to socialise and meet other gamers.

Comedy Society Introduction/Pub Crawl When: 21st of September 19:00

When: 25th and 26th of September 19:00-21:00

Where: Squirrels Bar Who: The Comedy Society (ComSoc) are notorious for running sessions on Stand-Up, Sketch, Improvisation and Radio comedy, and this year is destined to be their best. If you’re a student who loves comedy, whether this is as a writer, performer, or fan, this is the place for you.

Where: Room 6 (25th) and Room 7 (26th) of the SU Who: The Pantomime Society don’t like to take themselves too seriously, they love to just have fun and be a bit silly, whilst putting on some of the weirdest shows around.

What: ‘Jack and the Beakerstalk’ is the Pantomime Society’s upcoming Christmas production.These audition sessions will not only give you the chance to be in it, but also see what future rehearsals will be like. If you want to be in the chorus or the crew you don’t need to audition. But in these sessions you’ll still get to play fun drama games, learn a dance, and meet new people.There is no prep needed for auditions, so just turn up and have fun!

Where: The Grove, Whitworth Park Halls

What: The evening starts with an informal talk about events coming up later in the year, including showcases in November and March, before moving into the city to experience some Women’s Rugby Taster Session When: Saturday 22nd September 10:30 Where: Didsbury Toc H Rugby Club Who: UMWRFC is a club built on enjoyment, development and friendship.

Whether you are international standard or have never held a rugby ball before, they’d love to see you at training!

What: The rugby taster session is a great way for women to give rugby a go. All levels are welcome! During the session, participants will get to do a variety of rugby based games and exercises, as well as meet the committee and other rugby girls. There will also be free food and drink provided – what more could you want? If you don’t fancy trying to find the rugby club on your own, a group will also be meeting at Owen’s Park at 9:30.

Four societies you might not have heard of, but should definitely try!

Ellie Martin Contributor

Societies are a great way to get stuck into university life, and they are often the place where you find friends who will stick with you throughout your university life and beyond. Society fairs can be very overwhelming, and it is easy to get frazzled in the din of loud voices shouting over one another, or get distracted by which society has the best free stuff. Whether you are a fresher looking to get involved, or a returning student thinking about branching out from your regular routine, here are four societies you might not have heard of, but should definitely try!

1 – Quidditch Manchester Universities Quidditch Club has really grown in popularity over the past year, so much so that they can field two teams. This makes it the perfect society for those looking to try a new sport, whether that be to play competitively or just for some fun and exercise.

Once you’ve got past the strange feeling of running with a broom, you’ll find that Quidditch is actually an extremely fun sport, combining elements of rugby and dodgeball to make a game filled with interesting gameplay. Something else that makes Quidditch unique is its mandatory mixed gender teams. The sport prides itself on inclusivity of all, and the team at Manchester certainly reflect that attitude.

You will receive a warm welcome at the “Give it a Go” sessions, and there is no try-out necessary to play for the second team, making it the perfect sport for those wishing to try something new. Training is on Wednesdays and Saturdays, with a mixture of gameplay and fitness training.

2 – Swing Dance Manchester Swing Dance Society is a great one if you are looking for really fun way of meeting new people.

Swing is a partner dance (with non gender-specific roles), which makes it great for meeting new people as a fresher or a returning student. It’s very social as you change partners many times throughout the evening, and as it’s an improvisational style dance it’s easy to get the hang of, with most newcomers finding they can dance to an entire song by the end of a session. They offer weekly classes on Fridays at the SU Dance Studio from the 28th of September, the first of which is free. They also have biweekly socials DJ-ed by dancers from swing groups, some of whom are professionals who are happy to dance with beginners. Society trips offer the chance to dance in the Royal Albert Hall, and in cities like New York and Munich.

A great one to get involved with!

3 – Get Crafty for Charity This society is all about relaxing and having fun, while doing something for a good cause. Their meetings revolve around crafting as a way to relax, and the onus is on making the sessions enjoyable and therapeutic. They welcome complete beginners as well as those already skilled in crafts, but their activities vary each session, so it’s granted you’ll try something new, regardless of your level. All the materials necessary are provided, so you can just turn up and enjoy the chat and opportunity to take a break from regular work. They ask for small donations and sometimes charge entry fees to cover costs for materials

and, at the end of the year, sell the things members have made through the the year to raise money for the Newlife Foundation. Their sessions are bi-weekly at the SU. 4 – Pantomime University of Manchester Pantomime Society always bring in great crowds for their Christmas and end of year shows, and claims to have some of the best socials on campus. It’s a very inclusive society, and welcomes all, especially those who have never performed before or are nervous about performing. You do have to audition, however everyone that auditions is guaranteed a part. Members say that their confidence has improved massively since joining, and shows are a lot of fun, with all proceeds going to a charity chosen by society members. Socials include karaoke and nights out in Manchester, as well as more chilled evenings around the student area. It’s a really popular society for those looking for a good laugh and a new hobby, and a great one to start with!

No matter what society you decide to join, the most important thing is that you do something. University societies are a brilliant opportunity to gain a new skill, pick up a new hobby and just have a general laugh. When attending freshers events just remember that everyone is in the same boat, so just go along, give things a go and enjoy yourself, you never know what might come of it!

MANCHESTERSTUDENTSUNION.COM

Inside Culture

Spice Up Your Life Scrambled ‘In Search of A with 90s Nostalgia: 26 Eggs: 27 Northern Soul’: 25

Soundtrack of Editor’s the summer: 16 Letter: 21

CULTURE

THE

16

ISSUE 1 / 17TH SEMPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHETSERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Music

David Augusto Contributor

With Manchester being such a musical hotspot, you’ll soon find that it offers some amazing venues that leave you eager to explore all that this eclectic city to offer.

Here is a short list of places that might help: 1. The Castle Hotel: M4 1LE (70 person capacity for music room) Despite the name this is a pub/live music venue. There is a jukebox to the left of the main bar area, a downstairs room with a piano and additionally a live music space. This is in an intimate back room with a stage where many local acts play. Whether you go to see a gig or just for a drink at the pub, it is a solid choice and is even open for an extra hour till 1 am every Friday and Saturday.

Full music listings and prices (for entry to backroom only) available at: www.thecastlehotel.info.

2. Night and Day Cafe: M1 1JN (220 person capacity) This is a medium-sized live music venue which also runs club nights. The venue is focused in one room that comfortably holds a dancefloor. If you are in the hinterland between drinking and dancing, you will not feel out of place doing one or the other (without feeling like you have to do both). Special mention for the Manchester Songwriter’s Festival on the 19th of September which is a North West semi-final.

Full listings and prices available at

http://www.nightnday.org/events/ category/full-listings/.

3. The Deaf Institute: M1 7HE (70 downstairs, 175 main area & 260 upstairs person capacity) This is a large venue with a small basement room, main bar area, and a large upstairs music hall. Deaf Institute host bands, DJs & promoted club nights. It also hosts slightly larger acts than the previous venue and you often find acts travelling to play here. Their website (https://www.thedeafinstitute.co.uk/calendar.php) also usefully link to music videos of the artists to give you a feel for the act (and the price).

4. Band On The Wall: M4 5JZ (340 person capacity) A music venue that is something special. As a charity, they have a diverse programme: including free showcases, workshops and premium events. The main stage room is split across two levels with seating above and a dancefloor below. This is a great place to

see talented international musicians that may only play a handful of events this year in the UK. However, the roster includes plenty of talent with roots closer to home that equally deserve attention.

As always, use the website (https:// bandonthewall.org/events/ ) as a guide.

5. Manchester Albert Hall: M1 7HE (1900 person standing capacity) Situated in a restored grade 2 church building which really does seem bigger on the inside. There is a cascading ring of benches overlooking the large stage and dance area on the floor below.

However, despite the massive space, the queues for the bar, cloakroom, and toilet can get serious but the experience is worth the wait. As they are not part of a chain like the O2 venues of similar size they are free to book whatever they want.

For more information visit their website (https://www.alberthallmanchester.com/).

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Music

17

Reviews

Your freshers guide to some of Manchester’s gr viest music venues David Augusto welcomes Manchester’s new students with a host of well-renowned venues, but also hidden gems that are not to be missed

LIVE:

Tramlines Festival 2018

Georgina Davidson reports from Tramlines 2018, giving us the lowdown on music offerings and the reasoning behind the event’s message to “Be More Nulty” Georgina Davidson Contributor

A truly incredible feat of sound, style, and community coming together to honour ten years commitment to Sheffield’s music scene, Tramlines Festival continues to prove itself as a staple festival weekend to rival any other. Held in honour of the sadly late Tramlines director, Sarah Nulty, the weekend had great heart and really sought to share Sarah’s message and desire to create a party atmosphere for all!

The fresh, newly designed festival site, Hillsborough Park contributed greatly to the festivals inclusivity, allowing music fans to move quickly and efficiently between stages with minimal effort and maximum opportunity to see their favourite artists. In previous years, the stages were scattered across Sheffield making the various, sprawling sites far more complicated to navigate.

However this year, I believe they got the balance just right; a single park for music and “fringe” variety events across Sheffield giving people wider and more accessible choices. It was certainly clear to me that there would be no shortage of things to see and do over the Tramlines weekend. From the

LIVE: Photo: Carolina Faruolo @ Flickr

second I arrived in Sheffield, it was clear that the entire city had been set up and geared towards providing a great weekend for everyone with shops, bars, and cafes all getting in on the festival spirit and creating a really positive atmosphere from the centre of town and across towards Hillsborough Park itself.

On the Friday there were a number of great performances from a range of artists such as energised band The Big Moon at the main stage and the likes of newcomers Oddity Road and the glittering tones of The Orielles at The Leadmill stage.

Stereophonics gave a stunning and well-honed headline performance topping off a fantastic day with the power of a band used to playing to huge festival crowds. It was absolute tried and tested brilliance.

Saturday saw the performances only improve with a fantastic selection of live comedy from various local comedians and the hilarious comedic band The Everly Pregnant Brothers, with highlights being their hilarious ‘Chip Pan’ song, set to the tune of Kings of Leon’s 2009 hit ‘Sex on Fire’. However one re-occurring problem I found later in the day was the close proximity of the stages within the site. At times it felt some major event spaces were a little

squashed in between stalls and too small considering crowd sizes and stage space. The Library stage particularly saw bands such as King No-One and Black Honey struggling for space. But, it has to be said that the great festival atmosphere made up for this, as everyone hunched together and made the best of the space.

Blossoms gave a fantastic penultimate performance to a huge crowd that night, with hits such as ‘Charlemagne’ and ‘I Can’t Stand It’ really showing the bands fantastic potential to enthuse a strong and pretty raucous bunch. A personal highlight of the festival experience was seeing Noel Gallagher’s High Flying Birds take to the stage to perform a number of hits from the solid upbeat drum beats of ‘She Taught Me To Fly’ to the classic Oasis tracks that we all know and love. They drew up one of the biggest crowds of the weekend, bringing their quirky and unique style to The Main Stage. As anticipated, Charlotte Courbe did not disappoint as although there were no scissors as instruments this time, we did get an old-fashioned telephone and some typically barbed comments from Noel himself.

Very entertaining to say the least!

The final day of a jam-packed weekend brought a real mix of artists to the fore, with three very

different headlining acts and plenty of stellar performances on Sunday. Little Comets gave a brilliantly heartfelt live performance at T’other stage as well as fan favourites Pale Waves who brought their intricate flare for style and aesthetic to the stage. In the incredibly hot Leadmill Tent, Tom Grennan and his band of, frankly brilliant musicians, whipped up a storm as they blazed through his set list of soul-infused tracks with ease, bringing my festival experience to a wonderful and almost worn out close.

I snuck away just before the end to catch Jake Bugg’s set which was over at T’other stage and I was not disappointed. I missed a number of Bugg’s earlier tracks but made it in time for some classics such as ‘Trouble Town’ and ‘Lightning Bolt’ from his debut album. It was great to see how Bugg owned the stage, with very little to his performance than his guitar and a drummer to back him up. He handled the weary crowd well and created the perfect atmosphere for a warm midsummer Sunday evening.

Tramlines Festival continues to grow and change every year and it’s great to see how the community spirit and support within Sheffield has developed the environment, making it a great festival experience for young people as well as families.

Slam Dunk North 2018

Callum Lunn thinks we should all embrace our inner emo Photo: Athena Anastasiou & Leo Francis

k c a

r t d

n u So of

r e m sum

2018

1. The Likeness of Being – Jamie T Jamie T blessed our late summer with his B Sides (06-17) album of previously unreleased material, written in his youth and since forgotten about, uncovering gems such as ‘The Likeness of Being’.

Sombre yet filled with classic Jamie T charm, it’s the perfect nostalgic soundtrack for these last few summer nights.

By

contributor

Winona

By 4.

John

contributor

Phoebe

Baby

–

Blood

Varley Orange

Newman Oates

This song has been in the background of my car, in the garden, in films on holiday and blaring out of my bedroom windows throughout the summer. That unmistakable keyboard riff fills me with sunny joy whenever I hear it – this is one of the happiest, catchiest summer songs there is, yet its simplicity never takes away from its credentials as an all-time 80s classic.

By

Charcoal

Peter

The recent release of Blood Orange’s brilliant fourth album Negro Swan has certainly rekindled my love for Dev Hynes. The mellow groove and smooth vocals of ‘Charcoal Baby’, the first single from Negro Swan, has soundtracked many days cloud watching this summer.

By contributor Alice Berkley 5.

2. You Make My Dreams – Daryl Hall and

contributor

Flys

3. Greatest Comedian – Matt Maltese Matt Maltese’s debut album burst onto the music scene this June treating listeners to an intriguing collection of summer sounds. The stand out track is ‘Greatest Comedian’, a unique love song filled with quirky compliments providing an uplifting vibe fit for any summer occasion.

Shake

Your

Bam

Bam

–

RDX

This track definitely isn’t to my usual taste, yet after a month of hearing it non stop while volunteering in Fiji, the infectious dancehall beat from the Jamaican duo never fails to get me in a party mood.

By

contributor

Alice

Berkeley

6. So Good At Being in Trouble – Unknown Mortal Orchestra Words can’t fully justify how incredibly good this song makes you feel. Characterised by simple lyrics, a dubbed synth beat, keys, and a nifty guitar lick, there’s nothing but raw talent. Nielson’s uniquely soothing vocals provide the perfect backdrop to your warm and dimly lit summer evenings.

By The

editor Mancunion

Olivia is

now

White on

Spotify!

Follow our new weekly Spotify playlist at https://sptfy.com/19kw

Callum Lunn Contributor

2018’s instalment of the long-running Slam Dunk festival promised a brilliant mix of bands spanning the length and breadth of the pop-punk scene.

From emo veterans and co-headliners Jimmy Eat World to relative newcomers like Knuckle Puck, TRASH BOAT, and Broadside, the festival promised something for every fan of the genre.

The day itself, I am pleased to say, did not disappoint. On a warm Leeds afternoon, the crowds were piling up to get into the huge festival ground, spanning from Millenium Square all the way up to the Rose Bowl. The huge ground was still too small for the huge number of bands on offer, however; the First Direct Arena also hosted many of Slam Dunk’s more popular acts. To get into the arena, however, required leaving the main festival area and queueing up once again, meaning that this had to be factored into proceedings when planning who to see and when. Kicking off the Monster Energy Main Stage (some stereotypes are true, after all), the Dangerous Summer provided a great start to the festival, offering their energetic and emotive lyrics to an already growing crowd.

Four Year Strong’s main performance at the arena lacked none of their signature heavy, more hardcore-influenced pop-punk that has been copied successfully by few. The band’s festivallength set, however, left me wanting more – I feel like they could have played more of their crowd-pleasing hits than they did; it is, however, understandable that a band may want to change it up.

Following a quick drink, we were back to the Monster stage to see Twin Atlantic, whom I must confess I hadn’t really listened to before, absolutely owned their performance. By this point, the beer had most of the crowd well lubricated and the festival atmosphere was in full swing, definitely aided by the sun beating down on the usually grey and chilly Leeds. Closing with their

foot-stomping sing-along ‘Heart and Soul’, the boys from Glasgow had gained a new fan.

While we waited for the next band at the Monster stage, we quickly ducked across to the Fireball stage to see a snippet of veteran party rockers Zebrahead’s show. Catching some of their new material, namely, ‘Call Your Friends’, I was a little disappointed that the energy didn’t quite seem there; I am hesitant to pass judgement having not seen the whole show, however. Once again back at the Monster stage, the heavily-accented Kentish emo foursome Moose Blood played a few songs from their, in my opinion, disappointing newest album, I Don’t Think I Can Do This Anymore. That’s not to say the playing was bad; the songs off their first album were great, just that I personally wasn’t vibing with the songs.

After another pit-stop, we squeezed into the Leeds Beckett union to see Four Year Strong play their acoustic set. The room was far too full and swelteringly hot, and we were forced to leave because it was truly difficult to breathe in there – even the band commented on this. I wish I could have said more about this set, but all I can remember thinking is how much I wanted to get out into the fresh air.

Now nearing the last few acts of the day, next up were ska-punk legends, Goldfinger. Playing hits from their extensive back catalogue, Goldfinger showed that they have still got it after their near quarter-century as a band. The crowd was definitely of a different ilk to those we encountered at the Monster stage or the arena; showing to me that Slam Dunk does have a wide appeal and rebutting the claims that pop-punk is dying or dead.

All that was left now was to choose a headliner. I wanted to see Jimmy Eat World and Good Charlotte equally, and could not decide where I should go;

it ultimately came down to a coin flip. Jimmy Eat World won (tails if you’re interested), so it was back to the Monster main stage to see the closing act. Playing the longest set of the night, it almost felt like I could have gone to see them play normally! Playing an absolutely whirlwind tour of hits spanning their entire career, seeing Jimmy Eat World was definitely the highlight of the festival. Blasting straight into the bangers, Jimmy opened with ‘Bleed American’, showcasing their more guttural, hardcore side, before taking it a little slower, playing ‘Sure’ and ‘Certain’ from their newest album, ‘Integrity Blues’, and ‘I Will Steal You Back’, the lead single from their 2011 album Damages. Playing other classics such as ‘Futures’, ‘Lucky Denver Mint’, and ‘Blister’, Jimmy finished the main set with a personal favourite of mine, ‘Work’.

They saved the best, however, for last. The two songs they played in the encore, ‘Sweetness’ and ‘The Middle’, had the whole crowd belting the lyrics back at the stage, topping off a great festival experience.

Wandering out of Slam Dunk into the Yorkshire sunset, I was, and still am, absolutely certain that pop-punk isn’t dead; the range of people there too, from young to old, from people dressed in chequerboard vans, skate shirts, and ear stretchers to goths in all black and everything in between, imparted in me that there’s a little bit of emo in all of us, and it’s good to let our fringes cover our eyes while drinking cheap energy drinks from time to time.

All in all, Slam Dunk is a great showcase of some of the best alternative music around today, and especially with the conclusion of its older counterpart, Warped Tour, I hope that Slam Dunk keeps the emo, pop punk, and alternative dream alive for many years to come.

18

ISSUE 1/ 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Music

Joy as an Act of Resistance

by Idles Album Review Olivia White Head Music Editor

Overflowing with brutal honesty, a plea to social change, love and the importance of speech, Idles have returned even more impassioned than ever before. And you know why? Because Joy as an Act of Resistance is an outright demonstration of a band reassessing what issues matter to them most and is a matured project with clear efforts of working in total unity.

Despite Brutalism certainly being an acclaimed album of the hardcore post-punk industry (and rightly so), with every listen of Joy I believe it really does start to overshadow the potent Bristol-born quintet’s debut album. This is because it sounds far more sophisticated, polished, and ambitious. Brutalism totally deserves its reputation for being one of the most defining neo-punk albums of the decade. However, after interviewing the lads on their previous stretch of tour dates, they highlighted unity was sometimes an issue whilst recording that debut LP. It seemed, at times, credit wasn’t given where it was due, and members of the band weren’t able to indulge in their own musical contribution.

Whereas Joy demonstrates that while Idles have still very much remained to their roots with their heavy beats and simplistic yet essential lyricism, their overall sound is bigger. It’s louder, it’s more cohesive and as a result, far more taunting than its predecessor.

‘Colossus’, the album’s opening track is a haunting, merciless and pounding confession that comprises of a resounding drum beat. This is later joined by a forewarning guitar riff, immediately ravishing the listener in a warmth of anticipation and thrill. Soon you find yourself plunged into the echoing chamber of Talbot’s thoughts which are given life to by the musical counterparts merging to create a heavy as hell undertone.

review: Spider-man Jeremy BijL Online Editor

“Frenetic, essential and virtuous” The formidable, full-bodied frontman Joe Talbot has gripped this album by its throat accompanied by a tenacious snarl as he presents lyricism that is infiltrated in sarcasm, desire, and satire. However, there is nothing humorous about the topics of conversation. In an age of Brexit, Trump, a push for mental health support and toxic masculinity, there hasn’t been a more important time for such a musical prodigy to surface.

‘Samaritans’ oozes the importance of talking, the pressures of being male in a modern society and how damaging this ideal can be. Idles, in some ways, are preaching to the largely male music industry about how hegemonic masculinity is absurd and ultimately detrimental. This is later coupled with 9thtrack ‘Television’ which spreads the importance of loving yourself and sticking to what you truly believe in.

Again, Idles are showcasing that listening to society’s idea of beauty is destructive. But rather than spreading hate, Idles are spreading the importance of love. Love others and love yourself.

However, what is most hard-hitting and emotive is stirring song ‘June’. A song that is dedicated to Talbot’s late daughter and grief which undoubtedly fuelled and shaped the entire record. Talbot takes this one almost as a healing monologue, repeating he’ll “mend” coupled with the evocative “baby shoes for sale, never worn”. By placing such a raw, personal, and painful song surrounded by tracks preaching love and self-acceptance only reinforces this idea that life can be so fragile. Life is too short. Humans need to love and be loved rather than spreading hate and creating divisions.

Joy as an Act Of Resistance is a landmark. Not only in the music industry, but it should also be a landmark in your perception. It encourages you to re-evaluate the way you treat others. It encourages you to re-evaluate the way you treat yourself. And if it doesn’t, it should.

“A pleasing hybrid of soundscapes”

Photo: Slaves

ISSUE 1/ 17th September 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Photo: Idles

Jake Oliver Deputy Music Editor

We live in turbulent times and who better to dish up some slightly surrealist commentary on the matter than everyone’s favourite punk rock duo Slaves? Album number three – Acts Of Fear And Love – draws upon those two titular opposites that so heavily plague society in what transpires to be their most competent piece since their rowdy debut.

“Oi!” is the first word we’re treated to from the ever-abrasive singer/drummer Isaac Holman on opening track ‘The Lives They Wish They Had’ alongside guitarist Laurie Vincent’s bone-rattling guitar riff that already showcases a much grittier style than usual. As album openers go, this is a smart choice to establish the overall tone here. Dishing up some wry remarks on our social media-obsessed culture, you can practically hear Holman’s grin rising above the fuzzy racket as he berates the futility of online personalities. “Nobody, I repeat, nobody gives a shit”. Now that’s punk rock.

‘Cut and Run’ follows next; it’s a pleasing hybrid of soundscapes, managing to combine a catchy pop chorus with Slaves’ usual ruckus of slashing guitars and hypnotic drumming. There is a distinctive return to their earlier thrashing sound here. ‘Bugs’ is a pulsating rollercoaster, complete will furious guitar shredding and an equally as manic tempo.

Overall, production seems tighter and more energetic than ever before.

Lyrically, Slaves have never been masters of subtlety and

Acts Of Fear And Love

by Slaves Album Review nuanced thought, preferring instead to cut straight to the point in a rather self-assured fashion. But in a world of such turmoil and fake news, the need for a no-bollocks approach has never been stronger. Acts Of Fear And Love sees Slaves being as astute as ever. ‘Magnolia’ is a clever allegory for everyone’s insatiable desire to be completely perfect, whilst ‘Chokehold’ takes on a male perspective over a breakup which, when not slightly sarcastic, comes through as sincere. Throughout the album, Slaves present to us a refreshingly honest take on the pitfalls of modern existence and thus, tell a compelling narrative.

Their sophomore album (Take Control) managed to showcase Holman’s ability to actually sing rather than constantly scream into the microphone, and this is something that is expanded upon more comfortably on this LP. Tracks like ‘Daddy’ and ‘Photo Opportunity’ run more like soft-spoken word and the collective power of Holman’s vocals and Vincent’s acoustic-esque strumming is fitting when considering the reflective nature of the songs. Perhaps more importantly though, it shows that Slaves are broadening their musical horizons, which bodes positive things for their future.

With a running time of just under half an hour, Acts Of Fear And Love is a short, but sweet experience. Gone are the frankly useless ‘skits’ from album two, as well as any weaker tracks that bogged down the general flow. It seems that Slaves have made the wise decision to streamline their style both lyrically and musically in order to create a more coherent LP – and it works.

8.5/10

19

Insomniac put the ‘amazing’ into Spider-Man

I’m going to start off by saying I really, really liked Spider-man, but for a long time I couldn’t figure out why. The plot and dialogue is good but not without flaws, the world building is magnificent but sometimes feels superficial, and the villains are interesting, but hardly a rogue gallery of fan’s favourites.

I think this is because Spider-man’s sometimes elusive brilliance is almost entirely mechanical, or, in other words, found in the sheer joy of the gameplay. Certainly, I can’t remember a game that feels as good as Spider-man does to simply play. This, in turn, feeds back into the plot, the setting and the villains, embellishing the drama to make it feel more high-octane, providing truly memorable boss fights for even the most obscure bosses, and turning New York from a static beauty into a living, breathing playground.

This mechanical achievement is perhaps most obvious in the combat system. The combat which underpins much of your activity in the game, takes the smoothly animated panache of the Batman: Arkham series, using basic block and attack controls as a basis on which to build a whole network of special web attacks, suit abilities and combos to embellish every fight into something different, and ensuring that, even after many such fights (and there are a lot), the game still has something to offer that feels fresh and exciting.

Combat can thusly be approached in a plethora of different ways. You can meticulously take out gang members one by one, or thin the herd before launching a full-frontal assault.

Alternatively, you can just attack, which is where the fun really begins. In hand to hand combat, you are given a huge arsenal of options. You can fly towards your opponents with webs, hit them with manhole covers, or stun/trap/freeze them with one of your many gadgets. Additionally, each Spider-suit (an honorable mention to the artists to designed these, by the way) you unlock grants you an extra ability, such as the power to lower gravity or deflect bullets.

Traversing the city is equally as satisfying, probably finally taking the crown from the head of the fabled Spider-man 2. Whether you’re flying between the huge skyscrapers that make up most of Central Manhattan or hardly avoiding smacking the ground when swinging tree-to-tree in Central Park, just travelling doing nothing in particular about is so compulsively addictive that I never even needed to use the fast travel feature, which, for a map as large as Insomniac’s Manhattan, is quite a feat.

The thing is, with both combat and traversal alike, that you barely even notice any of this happening.

Spider-man is one of those rarest of games where the superb work done by the developers means that hand, controller, game and mind all seem to be in perfect, intuitive synchrony all the time.

The background against which this all takes place is, admittedly, a little less subtle and finessed.

The prologue sees Spider-man bust the operation of Wilson Fisk (A.K.A Kingpin), and from then on the main plot of the game looks at the power vacuum that opens up in Fisk’s wake. The plot that ensues follows the production of a mysterious chemical called GR-27, and weaves in a number of villains, forefront among whom is Mister Negative.

I suspect the reason for casting Mister Negative in this starring role is that his biography is sufficiently obscure as to allow Insomniac to make some vital alterations to his character history that form the backbone of his motivations within the game’s story, and so he can bring to light the story line of another recognisable villain (arguably two or three of them, actually) but it does result in the feeling that Mister Negative is somehow a supporting cast member in his own show.

Nonetheless, progressing through the central narrative is a romp. Despite the villains being somewhat B-list, they are woven together well in a story that manages to be both epic - admittedly through the truly superlative set-pieces that punctuate the main quest line rather than its narrative content - and touching at the same time. Indeed, although there is plenty of tepid, PG 13 banter and moral righteousness along with a level of foreshadowing that is truly unprecedented even in the Marvel universe, the story is sprinkled with quirky, well-written and emotional scenes that hit home with surprising effectiveness. The end, especially, really tugged on the heartstrings.

The gameplay in the main story is also packed with variety, taking you not only through your bog standard combat grunt clear-outs, but wonderfully composed cinematic cut-scenes complete with a tasteful dusting of quick-time events, excellently designed sneaking missions, quirky errands and truly memorable boss fights. There’s even some basic logic puzzles meant to emulate Peter Parker’s lab experiments, though, mercifully, these can be skipped. This helps to patch over the uneven pacing of the narrative, which plods along for a reasonably long time before exploding into life quite spectacularly.

Whilst this is all going on, Manhattan, which might be the most beautifully rendered city ever to have appeared in a video game, slowly falls apart, turning from its original self to, as Peter Parker puts it, “like some dystopian sci-fi movie.” Although Manhattan is in transition

David Uncle contributor

Games

Photo: Insomniac throughout the game, its elegance remains throughout, from the towering peaks of midtown and the financial district with their hall of mirrors glass panels, to the residential apartments of Harlem to the flat greenery of Central Park. Of course, its verticality also makes it an ideal setting for Spider-man from a gameplay point of view, but the quality of its recreation really is something to behold.

Unfortunately, if I do have one major criticism of this game, and sadly I do, it’s how the city is filled. Side quests in Spider-man seem to have been inspired by Assassin’s Creed, and not just in volume, but content. Spider-man’s side quests, which litter the city, do pay some lip service to some absent villains, but for the most part are repetitive, formulaic and hastily put together without a thought to narrative.

There are degrees in this issue: taking out enemy checkpoints is as fun as you might expect given how good Spider-man’s combat is, and bomb challenges are fast-paced enough to be worth doing, but finding fifty-five of Peter Parker’s old backpacks? Helping Howard recapture twelve of his bloody stray pigeons? Photographing local landmarks? I mean, come on, there’s even radio towers to climb up to, which even Ubisoft made a meme of in Far Cry 5. This also makes the endgame disappointingly empty, which is all the more disappointing given Insomniac have already lined up some DLC. Nonetheless, Spider-man is an amazing game. Technically and mechanically, it might just be the best, most highly polished game ever made and even manages to sneak a few powerful emotional punches into an engaging, if poorly paced, narrative. Although it does feel as if this game was very much written with a sequel in mind (it even ends on somewhat of a cliffhanger), it utterly enthralls you from beginning to end, and, ultimately, leaves you hungry for that second installment, even seducing you into wanting to complete its unfortunately monotonous side quests because it really is that playable. For a game series that will no doubt go on to one of the next big dynasties of the PlayStation platform, the fact that is just the first attempt is almost scary.

Photo: Insomniac

Divinity: Original Sin 2 hits One of the best games of 2017 makes its console debut

Divinity: Original Sin 2 is a sprawling tactical isometric RPG from Larian Studios that was released on PC in 2017. It’s a great game, perhaps almost perfect, and was my game of the year.

Since August 31st, console players have been able to get their hands on the ‘Definitive Edition’ of this excellent title, and it’s worth a shot. As a big fan of more modern RPGs such as The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt and the Mass Effect trilogy, I was sceptical going into an isometric RPG, but it paid off.

Divinity: Original Sin 2 took me over 100 hours to complete my first full playthrough, side quests included, and is a deep, satisfying and surprisingly witty experi-

ence that I’d recommend to any RPG fan. Unlike most RPGs of its kind, Divinity: Original Sin 2 permits co-op in either 2-player splitscreen or up to 4-player online.

The Definitive Edition makes some serious changes to the final act of the game as well as a large array of minor tweaks. First and foremost, over 150,000 words of voiced dialogue have been rewritten or produced from scratch, bringing closure to some of the weaker and less satisfying story elements of the final act of the game, which was one of its few flaws. In addition, there have been slight balancing changes to make some fights easier and some tougher, with some nerfs to certain character builds that proved to be too powerful The best change in the Definitive Edition is the ad-

consoles dition of a new side character, Sir Lora, the Squirrel Knight. He rides his gallant steed, an undead cat, and seeks to prevent an apocalypse. I don’t want to spoil his story, but he’s another interesting yet unexpectedly funny example of Larian’s story building.

For PC players, the Definitive Edition has been released as a free update to existing owners of the game, making another playthrough worthwhile. This goes to show Larian’s customer-focused business model, seeking to treat their fans with courtesy instead of making them buy the game twice like some other developers do with remastered versions of their games (we’re looking at you, Bethesda).

20

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Film

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Review: The Meg

From The Editors

Shark cliches galore, The Meg is an unfortunate cash grab which is not in the same league as Jaws, writes james Gill

The Meg James Gill

2/5

too many supporting characters jostling for screen time to develop properly, Statham’s is the only one you care for. He tries incredibly hard to inject as much charisma and charm as he can into his limp lines, but ultimately drowns under the weight of the over-seriousness in the delivery from the other characters. He isn’t helped by the nonsensical script. A personal highlight takes place when the scientists searching the deep sea originally try to recruit Statham’s character, Jonas, into their team. Jonas goes off on a grand speech about how there is no way in hell he will join them, that his diving days are over and that’s that, nothing they say can possibly change his mind.

After he’s finished, one of the scientists simply asks him to go and just like that he’s grabbing his coat and running out the door.

All, and I mean all, of this can be forgiven if there are copious amounts of shark-on-man action. Bad swiftly turns to worse when you realise that this is a 12A. Making the film a 12A means compromising on the gore and actual shark destruction on screen, which I’m sure is the only reason many people were in the cinema to begin with. It’s like shooting a romance film without any of the romance.

More screen time is devoted to a little girl playing with her remote control toy than the Megalodon has playing with its gnashers. This is yet another decision driven purely by profits.

A lower rating means more people paying to see it and in turn more money for the studio. This is disappointingly in keeping with every other aspect of The Meg, a film that screams cash grab, which is ironic considering Jaws was the first summer blockbuster. One that ushered in the new era of Hollywood in the 1970’s, and disappointingly one that won’t be going anywhere any time soon.

Review: To All the Boys I’ve Loved Before Cringe-worthy, watch-with-an-ice-cream-tub flick To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is also a huge step forward in racial representation in film, writes Aisha Al-Janabi

21

Film Editors Tobias Soar and Aisha Al-Janabi introduce themselves, and comment on the state of film and the need for students to get involved

To All the Boys...

Aisha Al-Janabi

Without pointing fingers or naming names, it is easy to see that 2018 is presenting itself as a tumultuous year. However, political turmoil is a catalyst for the creation of great art, including film. From arthouse indie flicks to big screen blockbusters, films are more inclusive, creative and colourful than ever, bringing previously neglected perspectives to the silver screen.

My favourite genre, horror, is currently in a golden age. Gone are the days of terrible horror remakes - I’m looking at you, Rob Zombie’s Halloween - with films such as It making a serious impact at the box office or the upcoming releases John Carpenter’s Halloween and Luca Guadagnino’s Suspiria looking very promising, if early reactions are anything to go by.

New writers and directors are telling creative, original stories that push the boundaries of cinema as a visceral experience instead of a mere medium of storytelling. A Quiet Place and Hereditary made for chilling experiences whose success is reflected in their box office earnings.

Blockbusters aren’t my only interest, however. For the coming year at the paper I want to shine the spotlight on local talent while also allowing writers to cover any film they like, new or old, big or small. Cinema impacts everyone in a unique way and I’d like that to show.

Film and TV is part of all our daily lives - or at least mine. You’ll find me watching the latest chick-flick with my friends, curled up on the sofa for an endless afternoon of TV and escaping the ‘real’ world. Or, for some unknown reason, I might decide to watch a bizarre documentary which creeps me out, and I’ll have to watch another TV show to calm down.

Streaming sites such as Netflix are changing the way we’re consuming film and TV. I don’t know about you, but I’ve scrolled my way through Netflix and not been able to decide what to watch. With so much choice accessible at the click of a button and at any time of day, it’s hard to know where to start. I hope you’ll read our contributors’ reviews to assist you in this traumatic process!

Here, we will review the latest blockbuster films that are shown up and down the country. But, more importantly, I’d like showcase local events, film makers and stories.

Already in this first semester there will be Grimmfest in October and the Kino Film Festival in November which celebrate independent films - we’ll share more information about these in coming issues, so keep an eye out. Finally, I would like for more student film-makers to get involved so if you have created film or TV content please contact us and join our Facebook group (‘Mancunion Film 2018/19’).

Our meetings will be on Mondays, at 18:15. The first will be on 17th of September located in “The Hive” - the first floor of the Student’s Union. If you love film or want to test the waters and push yourself creatively to write about it, come join us!

Review: The Bodyguard Photo: Wikimedia Commons

Sharks are awfully misunderstood creatures. Ever since a young Steven Spielberg directed Jaws they have been wrongly labelled as killing machines with a taste for human flesh. The reality could not be more different. In fact, more than twice as many people are killed each year from champagne corks. The only saving grace is that Spielberg paved the way for many more shark-based classics. Movies like Sharks in Venice and Sharknado 3: Oh Hell No! would be sadly missing from every film buffs DVD shelf had he never signed on in June 1973. Jon Turteltaub’s The Meg is not Jaws, far from it, it’s not even Jaws IV. As the opening credits roll and the Chinese production company’s name flashes on the screen, the feeling of inevitability begins to sink in. The inevitability of a film with shoehorned Chinese supporting characters, shoehorned Chinese landmarks and agenda, shoehorned anything that will get the film released into the Chinese market. Whilst this will undoubtedly increase worldwide box office gross from the Far East’s penchant for CG monsters, it dramatically reduces the quality of any film that features one of these collaborations. Blockbusters were never about creating great cinema, only great profits, but there is only so much garbage the average cinemagoer can take before they stop going, right?

When watching The Meg it’s advisable that you take with you your shark film cliché bingo cards. Unnecessary helicopter crash? Stamp. Finally defeat the shark but find out it’s just the main shark’s baby? Stamp. One of the characters mentions something about needing a bigger boat?

Bingo. It feels as though Google fed the script of every shark film into an AI and this is what it came up with.

Thankfully Jason Statham is here to give the viewer something for the £12 they paid for their ticket. With far

Film

3/5

To All The Boys I’ve Loved Before is a wonderfully cringe-worthy selves represented, so they feel beautiful too. And it matters, film and reminiscent of the fleeting yet intense crushes because there needs to be a change. we all have had, and still have. The film, based on the Lana Condor is Vietnamese-American and does a marPhoto: Flickr - Gage Skidmore book by Jenny Han, was released on Netflix in August velous job of capturing the whirl-wind of emotions 2018. that comes with romance, and what it’s like being The film follows a 16-year-old, Lara-Jean, as 16 trying to figure yourself out. I don’t believe she tries to navigate the disaster of her secret that a ‘white actress’ would have done a betlove letters being received by her crushes. ter job that would justify them being cast inWhile watching this film, I frequently squealed stead. Making lead-characters more ethnically with glee as it did not hold back on adorable diverse is hugely empowering for people of conversations or gestures successfully capcolour. turing the nature of teenage romance.

Another aspect of importance in the film is But, it is more than just another teen-romhow sex is discussed. In one in which Laracom. It shows diversity in a casual way: the Jean’s dad hands her an envelope of condoms main character is Korean-American, yet this is and briefly discusses the need for protected not the focus of the plot nor her main character sex. It’s not done in a way to shame or accuse, trait, which I applaud. Often, if a film does have but to empower and inform. I think that films bea non-white lead this is because the story will use ing more willing to mention safe sex will educate this as a source of conflict or heavily stereotype the both children, and parents, about this aspect of growcharacter, which is unnecessary. ing up. Lara-Jean responds with slight-awkwardness and In an article that the author, Jenny Han, wrote for The New humour, but it’s necessary that the dad-daughter duo have the York Times she said that an Asian-American actress was hugely im- ability to talk about sex and contraception in this practical manner. portant and non-negotiable in this instance. In the article she writes The film itself is comfortingly predictable and what you’d want that a producer suggested the race of an actor didn’t matter, instead from a teen-romcom. It has heart-warming relationships between it’s about their ability to embody the character. But, it does matter. friends, family and of course romantic ones too. Watch it at your It matters so that actors who are often marginalised get an opportu- next sleepover with face masks and a tub of ice cream and enjoy getnity to perform. It matters that children can grow up and see them- ting swept up in this love story.

The unmissable hit drama is among the BBC’s recent wave of sublime television-making and features toprate acting that will keep us gripped to our screens, writes Adrian Kanyoli

The Bodyguard Adrian Kanyli

4/5

After years of Channel 4 and ITV eating the BBC’s lunch in the high drama department with outstanding shows like Utopia, Downton Abbey, Broadchurch, and National Treasure, the Beeb is back to acting like a competitor. It adapted Wolf Hall, harnessed Natalie Dormer’s talent in Picnic at Hanging Rock, produced the topical A Very English Scandal, and now there’s Bodyguard.

The series follows ex-Forces PS David Budd, a specialist protection officer working for the Home Secretary, who tackles a bomb threat on a train in Episode 1, starting the series off with a bang. The entire sequence is a feast for the eyes and ears due to the cliché-busting narrative, the Hitchcockian suspense, the unnerving sound mixing, the gripping dialogue and the casts’ emotive performances, especially the protagonist’s.

The heroic but volatile PS Budd, who has traded one battlefield in the Middle East for another in London, brings a Chris Hedges quote to mind: “The rush of battle is a potent and often lethal addiction, for war is a drug.” From Budd’s introduction, it’s obvious he’s in the throes of PTSD – but you won’t see war zone flashbacks or hellish nightmares like in other shows, since Budd’s tortured mind is shown solely through the award-worthy performance of Richard Madden (Sirens, Game of Thrones, Lady Chatterley’s Lover). The Scottish actor does a magnificent job of playing a stoic with near-superhuman efficacy, and evokes great pathos through his mismanagement of personal relationships, his tearful private moments and his antipathy to politicians. Although Budd is often stony-faced, thanks to Madden’s subtle expressiveness you can easily decipher his hidden rage, sadness, disgust or sarcasm – common emotions in Westminster.

Deuteragonist Julia Montague MP is played by Keeley Hawes (Ashes to Ashes, Line of Duty, The Missing). Her performance as Home Secretary is something else, switching from Machiavellian politician to horrified terror victim to brusque boss so effortlessly you can’t imagine her in another role, possibly because she’s a powerful woman playing a powerful woman. Thomas Vincent’s direction keeps you on the edge of your seat, perfectly simulating the claustrophobia of the earlier train carriage scene with close-ups that also give you a window into the tension and mortal fear the characters are enduring. Vincent shoots action like he was born to do it and in the subsequent episodes, as the terror attacks escalate, each disaster is approached with its own personal creativity and made to feel uniquely terrifying, even when they threaten to slip into the realm of predictability. For this, due credit must also be given to the show’s creator.

If you look up showrunner Jed Mercurio, the internet will waste no time telling you he’s one of the UK’s leading television writers and, having penned every episode of Bodyguard, he shows this praise is merited. His mature writing style ensures the scenes play out like a novel with what the characters aren’t saying proving to be as essential to their complexity as what they are saying. His history in medicine and the Armed Forces shows in the highly technical, acronym-laden jargon; while

most writers might have stopped at simply using authentic insider-speak à la John le Carré, Mercurio goes that extra mile by building a world so tactile it could pass as a dramatisation of true events. Without alienating the viewers by simply seeking nail-biting thrills and complicated sexual entanglements, Mercurio rewards the viewers who understand the culture of the Westminster bubble, especially those most critical of it. There’s verbal sparring between the Home Office, the Met Police and the Secret Service, each ready to burn careers to the ground over one perceived slight or another, and there’s the scene where PS Budd cleverly shuts down a rude MP who called him a “monkey” by lying about being mixed-race, leaving the politician to prepare for a racism scandal that will never come.

You’ll find Bodyguard is the best of British television with its high production values, slick direction, breathless pacing, engrossing writing, astringent humour and more. If you’re not already watching it, you’re doing yourself a disservice.

Bodyguard Episode 5 airs Sunday 16th September 2018 on BBC One. Episodes 1 through 4 are available on BBC iPlayer.

Photo: Dudek1337 @Wikimedia Commons

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

BOOKS

23

WHITE UNLESS SPECIFIED OTHERWISE? Gurnaik Johal explores the issues surrounding reading and misreading race after a character in one of his stories was incorrectly assumed to be white something I was trying to achieve in my story. I simply didn’t mention the colour of my main character’s

Gurnaik Johal Books Editor

skin because at no point in the story was there a situation where he would need to think about it. But

A short story that I wrote was recently shortlisted for a prize designed to promote new writers of colour.

During a speech introducing each of the six stories, one of the judges praised my decision to make my main character an old straight white man. I was extremely excited to be there, grateful to have been shortlisted but there was one problem with their speech. My main character wasn’t white.

The judge’s entire description of my story was based around my decision to write a white character.

The character I had actually written was of Caribbean descent. But in the story, I never mentioned the colour of his skin. I didn’t mention what type of hair he had. I didn’t put on an accent for the audiobook.

When writing short stories, brevity is key. You have to be concise and I cut out any detail that I didn’t see

I’m going to be honest here, I’m not interested in making an old straight white man the main character of my story. There’s enough writing where that’s the case. In this story, I was interested in exploring characters that don’t usually get centre stage. But the fact that I never mentioned the colour of his skin

The prize is designed to help tackle racial bias in the publishing industry. It was really jarring then, to have a judge of the prize misidentify the race of my main character and then go on to talk exclusively about the character’s whiteness to a room of people working in the publishing industry. The judge clearly showed a reader’s bias that we all may have to some extent, the bias that a character is white unless

I like to think that literature is one of the best ways to explore issues of race, perhaps because in a

Meat Free Mondays – All veggie food half price Pub Quiz – Early doors pub quiz. 6pm. £1.00pp. £50 bar tab for 1st place

story, there are no actual images of the characters. You form your idea of a character in your mind’s eye. This image can be controlled by physical descriptions and other racial signifiers like the character’s name, profession the type of dialect in their dialogue etc. Writers like Toni Morrison have played around with how arbitrary these signifiers are. The only short story she ever wrote, Recitatif, is about a black character and a white character, but the reader is never clear which is which. It’s a story specifically about race and there has been much critical debate over the race of the characters. It seems readers aren’t comfortable not knowing. This racial ambiguity is testament to Morrison’s literary skill, but wasn’t

Buy 2 large glasses of wine and get the rest of the bottle 2 for £10.00 or 2 for £12.00 from 12pm – 7pm

Two Pint Tuesday – 2-Pinter of any beer and save £1.00 off your order

SPIRITS

Double up for £1.00

It’s hump day so eat, drink, socialise and get rid of your mid-week blues at 532

JAGERBOMB

3 for £10.00 @ all times

HAPPY HOUR FROM 5:32PM Burgers for £5.32 * Glitter tail cocktails for £2.35

Fizz Fridays – 20% off bottles of Prosecco Burger Share – Any 2 burgers for £10.00

SATURDAY / SUNDAY

There’s been a lot of talk about whitewashing in films and TV. When a white actor takes a role written for a person of colour, the racism is evident. You can put a face to it. When a reader whitewashes a story or

The judge’s mistake brought to my mind the controversy surrounding the casting of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child. When Noma Dumezweni was cast as Hermione, a lot of fans were confused. But at no point in the entire Harry Potter series (that’s seven books and over a million words) does J.K. Rowling

many readers, her whiteness was a given. And when Dumezweni’s casting made people consider that a character should be any race unless specified otherwise, they got angry.

* Burgers served until 6pm Book spaces for pre-drinks, brunches and social events Email bars.su@manchester.ac.uk to make a reservation

HEIGHT: 6’2 (THIS MAY FLUCTUATE UNDER INTERROGATION)

So far in this article I haven’t mentioned the race of the judge. Needless to say, the judge was white.

AGE: TIMELESS

It’s needless to say because you can probably discern their race through the context of this article.

description but through what they did, what they said. As readers, we can make assumptions based on evidence. What I am warning against, is being lazy in this process; when there is no evidence we should not make assumptions. Worse still, we should not ignore evidence to favour an image of a character

MORALS: QUESTIONABLE ETHNICITY: ... I’M SURPRISED YOU ASKED?

that we prefer.

The judge’s mistake of course, could have been down to my bad writing rather than their bad reading. I will do my best to avoid misreadings like this in the future, but I think that readers need to bear racial bias in mind when they imagine characters. Characters are not automatically white. Whiteness is not the default. If something is left blank, that doesn’t make it white.

Gurnaik Johal Books Editor

COCKTAILS

FRIDAY

matter, why did they make the character’s supposed whiteness the defining feature of the story?

Mr. White

Review:

WINE

TUESDAY

Discounted Pints – Carlsberg for £2.00

reading. To them, it showed that it didn’t even matter what race the characters were. But if it didn’t

TOP DEALS / HAPPY HOUR

MONDAY

THURSDAY

seen as a good thing. Perhaps to them, this misidentification was an example of some sort of post-racial

That is what writing can do; you have an image of the judge in your mind’s eye, not through physical

specified otherwise.

WEDNESDAY

they told me how interesting it was that they thought the character was white; how that could actually be

ever mention Hermione’s skin colour. She is not a white character, she is simply a character. But to

on the page, automatically made the character white in the judge’s eyes.

WEEKLY DEALS

I went up to the judge after their speech to tell them about their mistake. They did not apologise. Instead,

a book, it’s a lot harder to define.

central to the plot. His race was not a central part of the story.

NOW OPEN

here I am, thinking about it.

Preview: Manchester Literature Festival

The Manchester Anthology VI

Anthology VI at HOME. At the event, the writers read small sections of their work, showcasing a wide range of styles, forms and subject matter. Each piece seemed to be completely unique but hearing them read aloud together, it was clear there was something equally intriguing across all the work.

From September 30th to December 5th, Manchester will play host to some of the world’s

The anthology contains poems, short stories and extracts from novels. From the freezing

best writers. The lineup for this year’s Manchester Literature Festival may be the most

waters of Antartica to post-revolutionary Iran, reading the anthology doesn’t just feel like

diverse yet, with poets, novelists, memoirists and non-fiction writers from across the globe

reading the work of one class, but reading work from around the world.

taking part in events throughout the city.

While much the work is personal and at some points seemingly autobiographical, a lot of the

From Man Booker nominated novelists like Esi Edugyan and Guy Gunaratne to household

stories and poems deal with political issues. For example, Thomas Lee’s The Matter of Britain

names like Graham Norton and Jo Brand, there’s certainly something for everyone at this

takes readers into “an exaggerated post-Brexit dystopia”; it’s fun to read, but scary to think

year’s festival. Celebrated poets Nick Laird and Terrance Hayes appear alongside acclaimed

about. While Lee’s work takes us into the future, stories like Windmills by J.C.Wilson, take us

non-fiction writers like Afua Hirsch, author of BRIT(ish). There’s a great mix of best-selling

into the past. Windmills is an extract from “a novel of several interconnected lives impacted

writers and rising stars; nowhere else will you get the chance to meet the makers of Slay

by the Yugoslav Wars”, and as is the case with much of the work in the anthology, I look

in Your Lane: The Black Girl Bible one day and Olivia Laing, author of Crudo, the next. While

forward to reading more of it.

most writers at the festival have just brought out new books, some events reappraise older

The poetry in the anthology is just as diverse in style as the prose. Joe Carrick-Varty, a

work, there’s a Celebration of Muriel Spark and a Celebration of the Life and Work of James

winner of the 2017/18 New Poets Prize, writes simple but affecting poems. In Swing Set, he

Baldwin to look forward to.

manages to capture something significant in a small moment, which I think is the mark of a

But the festival is not just about readings and live events, there are plenty of workshops and

poet worth reading. Roma Havers’ poems are similarly intimate but experiment further with

walking tours as well. If you’re looking to get all cultural check out the festival lineup and keep

form, pushing the language of the everyday in fun and unexpected ways.

an eye out for The Mancunion Books Section, where we’ll be previewing and reviewing events

Sadly I can only provide a snapshot of the work in the collection — there are 26 writers

from the festival. Tickets are relatively cheap and student discounts are available. Some

in total — but I hope it is clear that the range of voices and perspectives throughout The

events are free but are selling out fast.

Manchester Anthology VI provides something for everyone. Whether you like poetry of fiction, crime or sci-fi, realism or surrealism, there’ll be more than a few new writers of interest here. It will be interesting to see which of these writers go on to publish books and

Photo: The Manchester Anthology VI

Free pool until 6pm 10% off craft beers

On the 6th September, the 2017/18 MA Creative Writing class launched The Manchester

Gurnaik Johal Books Editor

whether parts of these stories and poems will make their way into their future work. As Kamila Shamsie, author of Home Fire, writes in her introduction to the anthology: “so much is achieved and — even more excitingly — so much more is promised.” So keep an eye out for what these writers do next, but for now, you can read the full anthology for free at www. themanchesteranthologyvi.blogspot.com

ALL PRICES AND OFFERS APPLICABLE TO NUS CARD HOLDERS ONLY @TheStudentFOMO

@TheStudentFOMO

@TheStudentFOMO

24

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Theatre

Tales from the fringe

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

‘In search of

Northern Soul’: In conversation with Len Green

Little shop of horrors

Mary Morris recalls her experience as a producer on Delicious Theatre’s ‘Little Shop of Horrors’ at Edinburgh Fringe Mary Morris Contributor

I think everyone who has experienced Edinburgh Fringe in some way can agree that you never know what to expect. Every day is different. The hustle and bustle of the Royal Mile never halts. Flyers upon flyers are shoved in your face from every which way you turn. You are told to be spontaneous; at 2 pm you’ll be watching comedy at Underbelly. By 9 pm you’ll be laughing at a sell-out cabaret act about Jesus’ fitness programme. There is never a dull, boring, or quiet moment during your fringe experience; participating in a show proves that.

This summer I was lucky enough to co-produce Delicious Theatre’s production of ‘Little Shop of Horrors’.

Throughout last year I produced multiple productions with The University of Manchester’s Drama Society and Musical Theatre Society. Despite this experience, no one could have prepared me for how large, professional, and extraordinary this production would be.

I entered the process late; I missed all the initial planning, and the cast was about to undergo a 2-week rehearsal

plan. During this time, the cast were off book, refining their musical numbers and blocking the majority of movement. Delicious Theatre had employed an incredibly competent and talented cast and I was more than happy to be involved.

My role as producer was to oversee the production from a managerial and secretarial position. Myself and my partners, Katie Marriott, and Sammy O’Brian, were a force not to be messed with. We went about completing odd jobs and providing as much support as possible. Sure, painting pieces of the set were not what Photo: Mary Morris I believed to be in the job description, but knowing that the director, Emily Oulton, appreciated the work we did that being a producer is far more rewarding, appreciated, and fulfilling than I anticipated; your job is to reassure was more than enough.

As a producer, you’re appreciated for having an extra everyone and to be their support structure. It’s safe to pair of hands. You are thrown in with the nitty-gritty work say that by the end of the production the cast and crew instead of watching from the sidelines. This was definitely had become a close-knit family. I enjoyed every moment evident during the first few days of the fringe. We were working with Delicious Theatre, and would happily work given a 10-minute get in slot, during which we had to set with them again. I guess what came from my Edinburgh the stage and to settle the lead, Jordan Jones, in a human- Fringe experience was definitely the unexpected, because I was never prepared for the amazing time I had, the skills I size plant pot.

It was only towards the end of the run that I realised learnt, and the memories I made.

Pomona

William Leah recounts his Fringe experience as a producer on the UoM Drama Society’s (HiveMCR) production of ‘Pomona’ William Leah Contributor

Photo: William Leah

The Henriad

This summer I served as one of two producers on the UoM Drama Society’s production of ‘Pomona’. This Manchester-based thriller, set around the mysterious and real island of the same name, is written by UoM alumni Alistair McDowall.

I was a producer for the society’s Freshers production of Pomona last Autumn, the cast and crew of which reprised their roles for the Edinburgh run. Following the major success of our original run in Manchester, the directors decided to launch a successful bid to take the show to the Fringe. The impetus for this being a sell-out show and several awards won at the society’s Christmas Award Ceremony.

Our time in Edinburgh was a rollercoaster of emotions and experiences, both in and outside of the venues.

The most troublesome prop for both runs (other than a highly elusive pack of Quorn chicken nuggets) was a single mattress. During our Manchester run, the mattress became infamous as we had to carry it from the main university campus to Salford. Due to logistical difficulties we had to carry this mattress, plus three wooden chairs, 2.2 miles right through the centre of hilly Edinburgh, fighting the late-night Scottish crowds and weather.

Another trial that we had fun with was flyering and promoting our show. Most flyering at the Fringe takes place on the Royal Mile, a busy and steep pedestrianised street that runs down from Edinburgh Castle. Talking at

people and holding out A5 sheets of paper is not enough to get people to come. Beyond our natural charm, several of us donned our Cthulhu mask to grab people’s attention, whether that be by spooking their children or dancing along to the music of street performers.

While many of us lost our voices at varying points of the week we still managed to shift an impressive four thousand flyers within six days and were rewarded with our audience steadily increasing and a sold-out final performance.

Our venue, theSpace Triplex Studio, was fittingly located in a basement, providing intimacy with our collection of dark, oddball characters. The run itself proved highly successful, a review of our opening night awarded us an incredible five-star review. Our cast and crew were overjoyed and ecstatic that the talent in our amateur production was praised. We were also chosen as one of six editor’s picks on edfringereview. com for the final week of the Fringe.

My favourite fringe show aside from our own was ‘Tea Cakes and Incest’. This theatrical comedy revolved around aristocrats in 1914 England manipulating and murdering each other for personal gain. The eccentric characters and light-hearted humour as well as the shows’ self-awareness kept me engaged and highly entertained.

Overall, the Fringe this year was an incredible experience and I look forward to going again. Next time though I shall go unattached to a show so that I have more time to discover and plan what shows I would like to watch.

Harry Robson reminisces about performing in Festivus Collective’s ‘The Henriad’ at this year’s Edinburgh Fringe Harry Robson Contributor

The intensity of performing at, and experiencing, the Fringe, has led to a certain numb exhaustion.

Having packed our days full of plays and people, eleven of us in a two-bedroom house, none of us had properly acknowledged or appreciated just how fullon it would be.

This was partly because of the extremely ambitious task we had all chosen to undertake – the production and delivery of three of William Shakespeare’s History plays. Directors Sam Kioni Roberts and Jack Waterman (Festivus Collective) set themselves a mountainous task. They had to condense Richard II, Henry IV part 1, and Henry V, alongside a cast from

Edinburgh University performing the intermediary Henry IV part 2. This ‘Henriad’, ran from the 13th to the 25th of August, with each History enacted three times respectively.

The shows were by no means the only reason for this intensity. In total, we had 21 cast members. Their days involved a performance in the morning at the beautiful Greenside Parish Church. This was usually followed by a mandatory trip to Wetherspoons – for either consolation or celebration. Then a few hours were spent flyering to strangers foolish enough to be shouldering their way down the Royal Mile.

This was often soul-crushing; with Scotland being Scotland, the weather was less than ideal.

Ollie Norton-Smith’s Woyzeck was one of the particularly impressive productions that I saw.

Oddly enough the next evening I had a surreal

encounter in the Grassmarket at an ABBA-themed disco night with a member of their cast. In a dreamlike way, comedian David O’Doherty joined me at the urinal in C-venue with no air of arrogance.

This, in a sense, epitomises the Fringe. The lines between actor, director, audience, the famous and the general public are all so pleasantly blurred that you feel submerged in a melting pot of creativity and culture.

For anyone even slightly sensitively or imaginatively inclined, the infectiously artistic atmosphere can quickly make the pandemonium that is the Edinburgh Festival feel like home. I sincerely hope I am lucky enough to return next year and enjoy the Fringe’s catalogue of unfamiliar and, unforgettable experiences.

Photo: Isabella Jewell

the artist discusses the energy, power, and dynamism of the Northern Soul movement encapsulated in his first completed body of work

Review:

David Ogle’s

Bella Jewell Arts Editor

Out of a removal van, mancunian artist Len Green passes down a huge, square painting named after Sean Taylor’s ‘Magic Touch’. As I help heave it into the Sewell Centre gallery at Radley College, the Wigan DJ turned art teacher describes his love of Northern Soul music: the inspiration behind his first major exhibition.

Northern Soul music appeared in the North of England in the 1960s and 70s, particularly in Manchester’s famous venue, the Twisted Wheel.

The music was based on black American soul music, and became the anthem of Northern nightclubs and dancehalls, sparking dynamic dance due to its strong beat and quick tempo.

It is this dynamic energy that inspires Len Green’s work: he claims his vibrant and free-flowing work is “a response to music and energetic dance”. In fact, Green compares the gestural quality of his work to pieces of graffiti, a reference which works well given the red brick walls of the gallery, against which we prop his canvases.

This energy, however, whilst being “quite spontaneous,” is tempered in the process of creating

Land/Lines HOME MCR 7th september4th november 2018

‘Land/Lines’ a momentary lull in the atmosphere,

Bella Jewell Arts Editor

Arts

whereby the wind does not impede the direction of the smoke, resulting in an “unearthly and impossible” effect.

On the 7th of September, HOME opened its doors to the public for the first viewing of its latest exhibition: Ogle depicts how the exhibition seeks David Ogle’s Land/Lines. The exhibition to highlight hidden aspects of the combines both new and recent landscape, using “ephemeral materials” work produced as a part of Ogle’s such as coloured smoke and light. This three-year project, which seeks to is evident in his work ‘Smog’ (2015), encapsulate both visible and intangible whereby he releases a collection of aspects of the natural landscape. coloured smokes from a cave in Crank Situated on both floors of the Granada Gallery, Ogle pairs photographic works alongside his geometrical paintings with powerful effect. The curation of the show clearly considered the continuity of line when hanging Ogle’s works.

As such, his strongly contrasting styles bounce off each other, culminating in a striking exhibition. The high ceilings and open space of the gallery provides his large scale works with ample room to stand back Photo: Andrew Brooks and consider, only adding to the poignant force of the landscape that he captures When speaking with Ogle, he describes how he aims to “capture a moment” following his “quick Caverns, St Helens. The coloured interventions into the landscape.” smokes are carried on the breeze as it We consider his photographic work, swirls down the landscape, emphasising ‘Sail’ (2015), which is displayed on the the unseen aspects of the environment, first floor of the gallery. The striking giving the image a strong sense of place.

Ogle describes how he believes this photograph taken on a beach in Merseyside’s Ainsdale Nature Reserve effect “articulates something very focuses in on a plume of smoke which specific to the landscape” of his works: ascends in a perfectly upright direction. they document a split-second which no Ogle recounts how he felt the image froze longer exists beyond the photograph.

Whilst Ogle claims the works seek

to depict the “untouched landscape” void of human evidence, he admits that he enjoys how the process of his work can be “accidentally performative”: a late-night dogwalker may experience his ephemeral smoke experiments whilst on a solitary stroll.

When considering his piece ‘Lunar’ (2015), Ogle describes how he selects a line as an abstraction of the landscape he is capturing. As such, in ‘Lunar’, the eye is drawn to a glowing acrylic sphere resting in a sand dune, which is evocative of “sunlight and moonlight.”

His photographic works, however, deeply contrast his adjacent drawings, whose premeditated and mathematical characteristics are in opposition with the spontaneous and experimental element of his photographs.

However, the media of graph paper and collage in his drawings, whilst not evoking the same sense of freedom, do capture the essence of the landscape.

Ogle informs me that these “very precise” large-scale drawings are based on a series of past sketches. In this way, he seeks to “identify areas of the landscape to translate” into his larger works. Ogle claims to “like the change” that comes along with working with a variety of artistic media: his exhibition at HOME highlights how he is “consistently responding to space and place.”

his paintings.

Green describes a difficult process of reconciling his energy and freedom of movement with careful planning and control. He claims that his works balance “lyrical and gestural abstraction with geometry and structure; spontaneity yet control, order and chaos; colour and form”: artistic binaries which cannot always be balanced naturally. In this way, Green informs me that his works (which he describes as pieces of “gestural abstraction”) are “never started and finished without some substantial modification”.

Another striking characteristic of Green’s work is the use of flamboyant colour: his paintings could hardly be described as muted. As Green describes his love of bright, vivid colour, and how his palate choices are “subliminally Heron” in hue, I can’t help but notice his fluorescent orange trainers which illuminate the monochrome gallery.

However, despite his obvious penchant for purples and pinks, Green once again recounts the process of ensuring his works “balance colouristically.”

Amongst the numerous works in the gallery, the stand-out paintings are the large-scale works.

Once uncovered from their

25

bubble wrap, the sheer dynamism of Green’s mark-making becomes clear. Green describes these gestures as “my writing” as he seeks to “draw without consciously drawing” to achieve the impression of ease of movement, evocative of dancing.

As the canvases tower over my somewhat vertically challenged self, Green comments, “the bigger the canvas, the better,” describing how the large scale provides no barrier to his gestures when painting: he can stretch out “like Da Vinci’s Vitruvian man.”

This effect is clear when one considers his larger and smaller pieces side-byside: the true essence of Northern Soul seems far more present in his larger works.

Yet the title of his collection ‘In search of Northern Soul’ raises several more questions.

As a Northerner who has lived in the West Country for the past few decades, I wonder whether it is his northern soul that is being searched. Green responded by recounting how the process of painting is “searching my soul”, having had a long break from painting during his career as a teacher.

However, following this profound moment, he dryly remarks that “it all sounds a bit too cheesy to me” .

Artefact of the week: Hardy’s Well Bella Jewell Arts Editor

When gormlessly staring out of the Magic Bus window on the way to lectures, a slightly shabby boarded-up pub can go unnoticed. On closer inspection, written in gold print on a navy background is ‘Hardy’s Well’: the name of this mysterious establishment.

Beyond the graffiti that now adorns its walls, and the peeling fence surrounding the site, Hardy’s Well is, in fact, both a poetic monument and a central part of Rusholme’s identity.

This 200-year-old pub is the site of Lemn Sissay’s first ‘landmark poem’, a form of poetry which the renowned poet and Chancellor of The University of Manchester describes as ‘public art’ on his blog. He further outlines how this first move towards making poetry public has sparked a vibrant ‘movement in

contemporary poetry in England.’

His poem, ‘Hardy’s Well’, was first painted onto the south-facing wall of the pub in 1994, following a rumoured conversation between Sissay (a regular of the establishment) and its landlord, regarding the lack of public access to poetry.

According to his blog, Sissay’s ‘landmark poetry’ movement draws upon the traditions of the concrete poets of the 1950s and 60s: Sissay places importance on the typography and aesthetic form of the poem, alongside its poetic content.

Recent developments, however, threaten the future of Hardy’s Well and the milestone poem. In August 2016 the establishment was shut down, and there are now plans to redevelop the building into a block of flats.

According to a campaigner from the group ‘Let’s Save Hardy’s Well’, Seamus O’Brolchain, the pub which was once “known as a quiet and welcoming pub with a strong core of regulars,” started to struggle after a change in management. After a variety of attempts to resuscitate business - introducing “tellies for the football, DJs, quiz nights, gastropub scran” - O’Brolchain recounts how regulars were alienated, and new custom was not achieved: “Hardy’s days were numbered.”

Photo: Isabella Jewell

26

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Fashion and beauty

Spice up your life with a display of 90’s nostalgia

Food and drink 27

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Manchester’s Alternative Freshers: Bars, Pubs and Nights Out

Best ever scrambled eggs

Catrin Stewart Food and Drink Editor

We all want to have a great freshers week, but there can come a time when the list of nights in Tiger Tiger and Fifth seem endless. We’ve put together a list of 10 nights out that are guaranteed to add some variation to your partying schedule and help you get closer to your new friends.

1. Roxy’s Ballroom in Deansgate is an American themed bar with games including pool, table tennis and beer pong. A great choice for groups for a fun pre-drinks that is a bit further out from Piccadilly.

2. Dog Bowl in the Northern Quarter is a late night bowling alley with a bar, food and student discount.

Go after midnight for 50% off.

3. If live music is your thing, check out Jimmy’s, a laid-back bar with cool vibes and small bands often playing.

4. A little closer to Fallowfield, Indigo in Withington is a cosy late night bar with open mic jazz nights on Wednesdays.

5. For a great pint and a chat head to The Thirsty Scholar. Just underneath Oxford Road Train Station; this

You know their names. Baby, Sporty, Scary, Ginger, and Posh. But do your know their fashion?

Rona McCan Sub-Editor

It has been over two decades since the Spice Girls reigned as pop’s homegrown princesses. But it was not just their string of internationally chart-topping hits that took everyone by storm; their style was just as infamous. By each coming up with their own unique personas, the Spice Girls used their individual style to make their looks just as iconic as their hits.

Today, in Deansgate’s Manchester Central Convention Complex, their fashion can be enjoyed again. Dozens of the Spice Girls’ on-stage costumes, red carpet couture and even personal attire are on display together for the

first time, courtesy of touring collection company SpiceUp. We see where playfulness meets trendsetting, where the intricacies of design meet colours that pop. With each outfit there is a caption of who wore it, where and when, easing a trip down memory lane for nostalgic viewers and an absolute thrill for super fans and fashion lovers alike.

It’s not hard to picture in your mind the clothing character of each member but seeing it in person is a whole different ride. Right before your eyes are Geri’s legendary Un ion Jack dress and glittery boots. The doll dresses and the pink and the shockingly-high platformed trainers could only be identified with Emma. Mel B’s wardrobe is made up of a sea of animal prints and dramatic, fur-trimmed, floor-len gth coats.

Interestingly, you can observe Mel C’s athleisure looks,

Anastasia Beverly Hills bring their eyebrow magic to Trafford Ruby Johnston Contributor

Framing the human face, eyebrows have always been a powerful makeup statement. Yet, the last decade has seen a colossal shift in the way we use makeup. At the very forefront of this makeup revolution is the brand Anastasia Beverly Hills (ABH). Arguably, they have single-handedly reinvented the ‘brow-game’ forever.

ABH now have retailers in over 25 counties but have recently reached the UK with their exclusive deal with Selfridges. In celebration of her company’s 21st anniversary, Anastasia Soare herself visited Selfridges Trafford on Saturday 8th September. She hosted a meet and greet and observed the Selfridge’s store in the flesh.

Soare radiated glamour and joined in on the party atmosphere when meeting a long queue of avid fans.

So why is it then, that this brand has been so successful? The founder, Anastasia Soare, brought her Art School experience to the way brows are shaped on our faces. She patented the Golden Ratio® – the mathematics of proportions in order to help create the illusion of a more symmetrical and balanced face.

So how big is Anastasia? If you keep up with the beauty

community, then you wouldn’t have to look far to find their products.

Some of the biggest names in the beauty industry such as Mario Dedivanovic and Ariel Tejada.

Both of these names boast an impressive celebrity clientele, most notably the Kardashians, and utilise ABH products. The impact of t heir best selling products such as the ‘Brow Wiz’ is also prevalent in the online beauty community.

Some of the biggest names on YouTube such as Nikkietutorials, Jeffree Star, and James Charles, all swear on Soare’s products as being the holy grail of makeup.

The quality of the products, speak for themselves. Anastasia promotes long-lasting, highly pigmented and refined products which aims to produce a slick finish. ABH, however, are not just known for their brow makeup but have a plethora of other extremely successful products.

These include their eyeshadow palettes, highlighters and contour kits.

You name the makeup trend, and ABH have been right there.

There appears to be no limit to what successful makeup they are capable of producing. Are their products really worth the insane hype? You be the judge, but it appears that Soare has found a firm place in the UK makeup scene indefinitely.

with the tracksuits and crop tops, to not be vastly different from what today’s leading pop females might step out onto the festival stage clad in.

Whilst her outfits may not be the most eye-catching when walking around the space, it is perhaps Victoria Beckham’s stage and personal pieces that tell the greatest story. In 2008, the singer-turned-designer launched her namesake high-end clothing line. The garments you will see strutting down her catwalks today are not dissimilar to those she wore in her heyday.

Tales of the group’s split are among the reading material at the exhibition but it’s obvious that etched between the personal drama the young women did have a lot of fun and built their legacy through their style.

(Serves 2 people)

I n g r e di e n t s

Mancunion fashion players of the week Ella Searle Fashion Editor

As the academic year starts again and we take the journey back to the city that we love, we have a special edition of our Fashion Player of the Week. This week we feature our favourite Mancunion men who have re-defined the very DNA of Manchester’s style all in their own unique way.

Liam Gallagher – an iconic Mancunian in both his infamous attitude and style, Liam’s baggy frontman look defined the uniform of the 90s and gave Manchester an emblem of mod style for years to come. Think bucket hats, polos, parkas and a pair of gazelles.

Furthermore, Liam’s influence on Manchester’s fashion scene goes beyond his personal styling; his own successful clothing label, Pretty Green, is based in central Manchester.

Peter Saville – arguably the most iconic graphic designer of all time - was born in Manchester and found fam e when designing record covers for Factory records. His influence has transpired the fields of art and fashion for decades, working with icons such as Joy Division and New Order to Raf

My favourite part of a night out is the next morning (when the hangover isn’t too bad). This is when my friends and I lie in bed assessing how much of a shambles our lives may have become.

There’s only one thing that always seems to fix any problem. Scrambled eggs. Hot, comforting, and filling. There’s nothing else quite like it.

So here is my recipe for the best ever scrambled eggs. The risk-takers and rebels among you may cook yours in the microwave, but I’ll stick to the hob, please and thank you.

Simons a n d Kanye West.

M o s t

5 eggs crème fraiche salt and pepper butter bread 1. Whisk up your eggs in a bowl (add an extra yolk for even richer, creamier eggs if you’re feeling decadent).

A flashback to first year food

2.Melt a large knob of butter in a (preferably non stick) saucepan on low heat.

3. Once the butter has melted, add the eggs and begin to stir. Don’t be impatient here, low and slow is best.

Photo: afterdepth @ Flickr

recently, Saville has redesigned Burberry’s iconic check for Ricardo Tisci’s upcoming creative redirection of the house. Saville’s creative vision has created some of the 21st century’s most iconic designs.

Umar Kamani – As one of Manchester’s fastest growing business moguls as owner of PrettyLittleThing, Kamani has definitively made Manchester the fast-fashion capital of the world. Taking the USA by storm by frequently dressing the Kardashians, part of PLT’s success is down to Kamani’s own strong sense of personal style, mixing and matching with the family’s own boohooMAN with bold monogram pieces from Gucci, Balenciaga and Fendi.

With such a keen eye on trend, no wonder PLT has been the fastest growing e-commerce site in the world.

Oscar-Pinto Hervia – Although born in Chile, Oscar Pinto’s legacy in Manchester spans over two decades since the opening of Hervia Baazaar. Although the first Hervia store was destroyed as a result of an IRA bomb, this didn’t stop Pinto from creating the best destination in the North for some of the world’s most fashion forward brands such as Rick Owens, Yoji Yamamoto to KTZ and Comme des Garçons.

4. Add a tablespoon of crème fraiche once you see the eggs begin to cook. I like to use a wooden spoon or spatula to get larger curds, but a fork will give you much smaller, with a looser silkier texture if that’s what you prefer.

5.Keep cooking and stirring constantly.

When the eggs look about three quarters done, take them off the heat and season with the salt and pepper. Keep stirring till they’re fully cooked and serve on buttered and toasted bread.

Scrambled eggs can be varied so much: I like mine with a side of roasted cherry tomatoes or made with fried mushrooms stirred through, but feel free to load up on the hash browns and bacon and tackle that hangover head on.

Catrin Stewart Food and Drink Editor

Photo: umbrochile @ Flickr

Laura Swain reflects upon the food that fuelled our first year friendships Laura Swain Contributor

After I was left alone to settle into my accommodation in first year I was definitely nervous about meeting my flatmates.

Isn’t everyone?

However, this worry I had instantly disappeared when I was surprised by a knock at the door and an offering of tea by one of my new flatmates.

A great start! Despite many shops visibly being located nearby, we then decided to divert away from unpacking and venture across Fallowfield to Aldi to do that all-important, exciting first food shop. Engrossed in conversation about holidays to Zante and summer jobs, we forgot the essentials, but did purchase a bottle of sickly sweet Peach Schnapps. Definitely a necessity.

The breezeblock décor of our Oak House kitchen was, like the majority, complimented by the stereotypical student littering of noodle packets and a vast array of unwashed saucepans, left for days on end with the remains of an experimental pasta dish or a now congealed substance no longer identifiable, let alone edible.

One of my flatmates made endless cups of tea, managing to spill his brew every time on transporting it to his room. Left in his wake was a constant trail of spilt tea that would reappear daily, confirming he had briefly vacated his room that day.

Photo: WikiCommons

bar has great vegetarian and vegan pub food and a fantastic happy hour. You might even catch them serving gluten-free beer.

6. Hold Fast NQ has board games and retro Nintendo video games all set in a deep sea themed bar.

7. HOME cinema is the perfect venue for a night without the heavy drinking.

Catch an independent film or play at a cheaper price with student discount.

8. The Frog and Bucket might be a little further out but it is definitely worth it. It is a cosy comedy club with an amateur hour on Mondays.

There is even free entry for students.

9. If you’re looking to spend a little more of your student loan on something a bit more decadent, Albert’s Schloss in Spinningfields is a bit more up-market. It has a list of delicious cocktails and often features cabaret and circus acts.

Be sure to book a table though – it gets busy pretty quickly.

10. Finally, seek out one of Manchester’s most hidden gems.

Using a buzzer is the only way to get into ‘Behind Closed Doors’ a retro and intimate bar in the Northern Quarter. Take your friends and have a giggle over the drinks menu full of innuendos.

Our kitchen was perhaps not the cleanest or most aestheticallypleasing, but it was where many memories were created, most of them concerning food. There was always someone there with an

excessive supply of chocolate to nurse your heartache or supply you with a comforting slice of toast, ready to hear all the details about your recent Tinder date.

Whether suffering from a hangover or a full day at university we would all congregate in the kitchen in the evening. Fajitas became a staple meal, but we also worked our way through every pizza we could find at our local supermarket. It wasn’t until the end of the year we discovered one of our freezers was stocked with over 200 sausages that were never consumed, perhaps due to their unappetising appearance.

The best evenings were when we would all decide to collect together our loose change and trek to Sainsbury’s in order to purchase an indulgent chocolate fudge cake to devour together. Equally Pancake Day did not only bring out our competitive sides, as we exhibited our pancakeflipping skills, but also ignited a love for pancakes which would result in our Shrove

Tuesday celebrations being extended to a number of weeks.

When we couldn’t face cooking or the effort of heating something in the oven, ‘Spoons was naturally our number one destination where often a meal would quickly lead on to the suggestion of going out and a round of drinks would be purchased. The takeaways that filled our drunken hunger such as Kebab King and Venice Pizza may no longer be with us, but the memories of nights out ended with laughter over Paz’s famous cheese, chips and gravy, or of deep conversations and new friendships formed in the queue for a pizza, are something we all remember when we look back to our first year.

Lifestyle 2929

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCHESTERMEDIAGROUP.CO.UK

Cheap as chips

A fresh take on Freshers

Being ing

a

student

and

digging

often

overdrafts. to

find

But

some

means The of

a

life

of

Mancunion

the

best

budget-

did

offers

some around.

1. Free Microsoft Office

An alternative way to enjoy Welcome Week, without party focus. Jessica Blair debunks the myth that university excludes sober students.

The Microsoft Volume Licensing programme offers free downloads of Microsoft software for UoM students. This includes Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook, OneNote, Publisher and Access. The offer also includes 1 TB of online storage. To install, visit the Office website and enter your university email.

2. Domino’s Pizza Buy one get one free on online orders for Domino’s pizza in and around the University. Enter the code PIZZA241 at check out.

Source: Mushin @ Wikimedia Commons

This week, thousands of Freshers will descend upon Manchester. Many of them, no doubt excited to explore the university’s infamous breadth of opportunities for debauchery. Manchester’s far-reaching reputation for nightlife can make coming here seem overwhelming. This is a particular problem if such exploits are just not your thing, and finding alternative social events can seem daunting.

According to a survey from the Office of National Statistics released last year, over a quarter of 16-24 year olds have stated that they do not drink alcohol. Whether it be for cultural, religious or personal reasons, avoiding alcohol or preferring a different focus to your Freshers week needn’t be seen as a condemnation to the peripheries of university social life. There are plenty of ways to enjoy your Manchester Freshers experience, minus the booze!

One of the many benefits of going to University in a city like Manchester is that there is so much to do outside of the traditional student world. The city has a host of cultural activities: from multiple cinemas, and art galleries, to a great skate park that welcomes beginners. There’s plenty to

do in the city that doesn’t revolve around alcohol. So, if you fancy a break from the endless leaflets for cheap drinks at Revs or free entry to Tiger Tiger, venture beyond Oxford Road and make the most of being in a new city by exploring the many fantastic opportunities Manchester itself has to offer.

Whilst exploring the city can provide plenty of ways to have fun without alcohol, Freshers week is also an important chance to immerse yourself in student life. The University of Manchester has hundreds of societies catering to all kinds of hobbies, and meeting people you share a passion with could be a great way to get involved in student life and make friends without the focus on alcohol. There are also societies for which avoiding alcohol is an intrinsic part of their ethos, such as the Islamic Society. During Freshers week, ISoc will be hosting completely alcohol-free events including a Pyjama Party and LazerQuest trip.

This year there is also an ‘Alternative Freshers Week’ being organised by students from MMU, UOM and Salford University. This is a student led alternative Welcome Week that is working with LGBT societies, Feminist societies, and People & Planet societies

A positive look at promiscuity Photo: Sex Week Craftivism @Facebook

University is all about sex, but perhaps not in the way you may first think. We take a look at the sex-positive movements in Manchester expanding conversations and affecting change. Written by Sophia Ashby

on a number of incredible events. These include a DIY art exhibition, environmental activism workshops, and organised discussions focused on sexuality and gender diversity. ‘Alternative Freshers’ offers the chance to meet with fellow creatives and get involved in Manchester’s rich art scene and proud culture of social activism.

Manchester offers a wealth of ways to experience a Freshers outside of the booze fuelled stereotype. However, it is also important to note that being sober does not exclude you from regular Freshers events.

While many new students may find a bit of Dutch courage helpful in going to parties and attending events such as Pangaea, it’s by no means a requirement. You’ll discover that despite expectations, there is no judgement for your choices regarding whether you choose to drink. Everyone is ultimately here to make friends and the overwhelming majority of your fellow Freshers won’t care if you’ve got a drink in your hand, they’ll just be glad you’re there.

More information regarding ‘Alternative Freshers Week’ can be found at: https:// www.facebook.com/altfreshersmcr/

3. Gym Memberships Nuffield 20%

Health,

off

located

membership

at

rates.

Printworks, This

is

includes

offering the

first

month free. Make sure to quote ‘University of Manchester’ when you sign up, and bring your student ID.

4. Cinema Vue cinema, Printworks, has fixed prices of £4.99 for student tickets for any film, every day. Mondays are even cheaper, Photo: @ Max Pixel with £3.99 tickets available. Book the offer here at https:// www.myvue.com/cinema/manchester-printworks/whats-on

5. Comedy Nights Frog and Bucket Comedy Club, NQ, offers 2 for 1 tickets every Thursday and Friday. For a barrel, or bucket, of

It is undeniable that the established rhetoric which damns casual sex still dominates our society. However, there is an increasingly popular move away from prudence in favour of sexual transparency. The University of Manchester has created space for sex-positive activism, a move which has allowed personal exploration to take place.

Freshers’ Week is characterised by young adults let loose on the city without parental restrictions. However, the common narrative of regretted one-night stands overshadows a wealth of sex-positive conversations and actions happening in Manchester. According to the Archives of Sexual Behavior, 1 in 4 young adults (aged 20-24) are choosing abstinence. However, this does not mean that sexual awareness has stagnated. The rise in media focused on alternative identities has led to a greater number of people exploring their own sexuality.

University is a time of self-exploration, and there is no better city to do that in. In recent years, advice services and inclusivity have become a primary focus within the University of Manchester. This year, the University jumped 25 places on the charity Stonewall’s Top 100 Employer list to 16th. Paul MarksJones, Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion Partner, said the new ranking proves LGBTQ+ members are “an important and valued part of the workforce.” Additionally, the LGBT Foundation, a non-profit organisation based in Manchester, holds events, running comedy events, craft workshops, and much more to “increase skills and reduce feelings of isolation.”

There are multiple opportunities to get involved in sex positive activism at UoM, for

laughs

book

online

at info@frogandbucket.com.

example the annual Reclaim the Night march in February. The march aims to spread awareness about street harassment directed towards women. Sex Week, run by the Student Union, holds panel discussions and art exhibitions with the aim of encouraging the creative side to sex. The University also hosts numerous sex-positive societies, such as the LGBTQ society. The society work to create a “welcoming and safe environment” for everyone who identifies as LGBTQ+ and holds weekly coffee meetings as well as Mental Health and Wellbeing Support events.

It is extremely common to feel alone in your personal sexual experiences at university, especially when those experiences are negative. The University of Manchester offers numerous services to students who need help. You can contact the University at advice.su@manchester.ac.uk. Additional information about sexual health services and advice is available at fresh4manchester.nhs.uk. Here you can find your closest clinic and get answers to any questions you may have regarding sexual health.

It is easy to feel pressure to have sex, especially during Freshers’ Week. Manchester as a city, and as a University, has a wealth of support services to offer students who may be concerned about, or are exploring, their sexuality. Beyond that, the work of groups and societies to expand conversations about sex are contributing to greater inclusivity.

Sex has expanded beyond its traditional definition, and formed communities effecting active change. So, while at University, embrace the opportunity to start a sexual revolution of your own.

30 Sport

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

MotoGP rider fired after grabbing rival’s brakes mid-race James Gill Head Sport Editor

2 2-yea r-old Italian Moto2 ride r Rom a no Fe nat i h as been fired by h is te a m a nd h a s q uit the sp ort comple te ly a fte r g ra bbing the bra ke of a comp etitor wh ile rac ing at speeds of over 140 mile s pe r hou r.

Fenat i , who was a ride r for the M a rine lli Snipe rs, was black-f lagge d at the Sa n M a rino GP for the incident with fe llow r ide r Ste fa no Ma nzi . T h is event took place s hortly a fte r Ma nzi made a mistake wh ilst atte mpting to overta ke Fen ati, con s eq ue ntly r u n n ing h im off the track.

Ta l ki ng ab out the inc ide nt a fte r wa rd Ma nzi remarked th at he fe lt like Fe n ati wa s tryi ng to kill h im. A state me nt he de n ie s instead say ing: “Mine wa s the ge stu re of s ome one who wanted to s ay: “ Stop. L ook , if I wa nt to, I can make you fa ll off. ” The reaction s to Fenati’s ac tion s h ave n at ura l ly been vitriolic. MotoGP ride r C a l Crutchlow said “when he wa lke d back to the garage, the team s hou ld h ave j u st k icked him straight out the back . You ca n’ t do thi s to another motorcycle race r. We a re

ISSUE 1 / 17th SEPTEMBER 2018 WWW.MANCUNION.COM

Alastair Cook: a cricket legend retrospective James Gill Head Sport Editor

ris k ing ou r l ive s e noug h .”

T he pu n i s h me nt was i n it i al ly not s o s eve re, w it h steward s g iv i ng h i m a two race ba n. S i nce t he n howeve r h i s te am h ave d roppe d h i m and For ward Rac i ng , t he te am who he h as s ig ne d for next ye ar, and for who M a n z i c u r re nt ly race s, h as cance l le d h is cont rac t .

As a re su lt , Fe n at i s ays he i s q u it t i ng t he sport for go o d “t h at world i s clos e d to me.

I ’ ll not race any more. It i s n’ t my world .

The re i s to o much i nju st ice. I was w rong , th at is t r ue, but no b o dy care s ab out my pa in” .

La Spe a k i ng to It al i an newsp ap e r Repubblica , Fe n at i s aid : “I was w rong , it ’s true : I ap olog i s e to eve r yone. H i s ap olog y wa s s hor t l ive d t houg h as he cont i nue d : “ Do you want to s e e my he l me t and my le athe rs? T he re i s a long bl ack st r ip, t he M a n z i r u b b e r. He at t acke d me t h re e t i me s a nd he cou ld h ave k i l le d me to o, as you s ay” . “ T he l ast t i me I h ad it done to me was 5 0 0 m b e fore ( t he i nc ide nt ) , t he n I t houg ht ‘ now I do t he s ame, I’ l l s how you t h at I ca n be b ad’ and m ay b e you w i l l f i n al ly u nde rst and wh at it me an s”.

Photo: Andrew Nappier @Wikimedia Commons

The UEFA Nations League Explained

C ricket legend Ala st a ir C o ok f inis hed his 12 year batting career with a centur y in t he f if t h Te st aga inst India at The Ova l. His 147 helped guide E ngland to a 4-1 s er ie s w in in t he f ina l m atch of t he Sum mer. “ The t im ing is right ” he s a id in a n interv iew with Sky Sports , “ I star ted noticing t hings in my ga me a nd prep a rat ions were m issing. T hat edge isn’t there. ” C o ok got his f irst st a rt a s p a rt of t he E ngland side tour ing India in early 2006.

The tea m suf fered heav ily f rom stom ach complaints, an issue that often dogs the tea m in India . That didn’t stop C o ok however, as he s cored a promising 60 in the f irst innings a nd followed it up w it h a fa nt a stic 1 04* in the s econd.

The cent urie s ca me t hick a nd fa st , a nd in December 201 2, once more facing India , he b eca me E ngla nd’s record cent urion in Kolkata. Lighting up E den Gardens he reached 190 in 37 7 b a lls b e fore ult im ately being r un out by Kohli.

Three yea rs a nd m a ny st a nding ovat ions later it was time for another major record to b e broken, C o ok t his t ime surp a ss ing Graham G ooch as E ngland’s record Te st runs b at sm a n.

For his fa rewell Te st t his week, t he crowd at T he Oval gave him an ovation at every opp ort unity t hey could. He b ega n day four on 46, quickly reaching his halfcent ury ea rly on in t he morning s e s sion. With ever y over that pass ed the fans grew more tens e, a nt icip at ing t he opp ort unity of a final centur y.

His st int at t he crea s e wa sn’t j ust pla in sa iling. On 72 India appealed for a catch at s illy p o int , but to t he relie f of a lmost everyone in the ground, he was found not out . O n he p owered, a nd s o on he reached 96. T he crowd ros e to their feet; only Jadej a could stop C o ok now.

The delivery ca me, C o ok lea ned b ack a nd cut the ball through point for a com fort a ble single. The b a ll rolled out to Jaspit Bumrah, a player who has had a great Te st s erie s. A moment a ry lap s e in concentration saw him throw well beyond t he st ump s, rolling a ll t he way for a b ounda ry. Play was paus ed for s everal minute s a s The Ova l m a rked t he o cca sion.

When he f ina lly fell for 14 7, every India n fielder on the pitch came to shake his ha nd a nd, for one f ina l t ime, t he crowd commended Cook. An extraordinar y ca reer for a n ext raordina ry cricketer.

t he i r g rou p s i n d iv i s ion s A , B, and C w i l l b e re legate d to t he d iv i s ion b e low.

T h at i s t he e nd of ph as e one of t he comp e t it ion , and w ill b e for most n at ion s, t he e nd of t he jou r ney for anot her two ye ars. In Ju ne 2 019 t houg h , ph as e two b eg i n s. The fou r te am s t h at topp e d t he i r g rou p i n d iv i s ion A w i l l go t he UE FA Nat ion s L e ag ue F i n al s. Rat he r t h an a round ro bi n style comp e t it ion to de c ide t he w i n ne r, t he te am s w i l l b e d raw n i nto two s e m i - f i n al s. T he w i n ne rs of e ach game w i l l prog re s s to t he f i n al , and t hos e t h at los e will pl ay i n t he t h i rd pl ace pl ayof f. F i n al ly, who eve r w i n s t he f i n al w i l l b e c row ne d t he w i n ne rs of t he i n aug u ral UEFA Nat ion s L e ag ue.

But wait , t he re’s more. T he Nat ion s L e ag ue w i l l als o al low for anot he r p as s age of e nt r y i nto Eu ro 2 02 0 b e s ide s t he t rad it ion al q u al i f ie rs. T he 16 g rou p w i n ne rs will go to t he pl ayof fs to pl ay for t he f i n al fou r Eu ro pl ace s.

T hos e te am s w i l l b e d iv ide d i nto g rou p s by d iv i s ion, s o t he d iv i s ion one g rou p w i n ne rs pl ay e ach ot he r and s o on . Agai n , rat he r t h an a rou nd ro bi n t h i s w i l l b e done as d raw n as two s e m i - f i n al s t he n a f i n al . T he te am s that e me rge v ic tor iou s w i l l gai n a pl ace i n Eu ro 2 02 0. It ’s ge t t i ng a bit con f u s i ng now i s n’ t it?

I can he ar you r q ue st ion s now, ‘ but Jame s, wh at i f t he te am t h at w i n s t he i r g rou p h as al re ady q u al i f ie d for t he Eu ro’s v i a t he t rad it ion al route?’ . We l l , i n t h at cas e, t he next h ig he st ran ke d te am i n t he d iv i s ion , not t he g roup, w i l l ge t a pl ace. You re ad t h at r ig ht , a te am i n a d i f fe rent

Cook’s Career:

Photo: Flickr @Ben Sutherland

Matches: 161 Innings: 291 Runs: 12,472 50s: 57 100s: 33 Highest Score: 294 Average score: 45.35

James Anderson becomes Test cricket’s most prolific fast bowler

As blissful dreams of Kieran Trippier’s free-kick and the subsequent beer shower against Croatia fade, James Gill takes a look at the newest international football competition: the UEFA Nations League.

The World Cu p may b e ove r but th is we e k s aw the st ar t of a new ch apter in inte rn ation a l footba lling compe tit ion : the UEFA Nation s L eag ue. But wh at ac tu a lly is it? How do e s it work? And doe s it eve n m a ke s e n s e?

The Nation s L eague is a bra nd new Eu rop e an competition . The idea, U EFA s ays, is th at add ing a new trophy and route for q u a lifying to the Eu ros will m ake internation al breaks a bit le s s te d iou s a nd improve q ua l ity. The comp etition will be playe d eve r y 2 ye a rs and wi l l replace s ome existing fr ie nd lie s, a lthoug h othe rs sadly remain .

The 55 UE FA teams a re split into fou r d ivis ion s : A ( 1 2 te a ms), B ( 12 teams) , C (15 te a m s) , a nd D ( 16 te a m s) , ba s e d on t he i r coe fficient. For thos e who don’ t k now wh at t he coe fficients are, every othe r ye a r in Nove m be r, U E FA re le a s e s their ran kings (coe ffic ie nts) for the ir compris i ng countrie s b as ed u p on the ir pe rfor m a nce s in fr ie ndl ie s as wel l as the last maj or tou rn a me nt, if the te a m was pre s e nt . Still following?

E ach of thos e fou r d ivis ion s is the n fu rthe r split i nto four grou p s of either th re e or fou r te a m s de pe nd ing on d ivi sion size. S o we h ave A 1-4 , B 1-4 e tc e tc. Now to t he act ua l game s. E ach tea m will play the othe rs in the i r g roup twice, once at home, a nd once away. T he s e ga me s wi l l be played in S epte m be r, Oc tobe r, a nd Nove m b e r 2018 . After all thos e game s h ave be e n playe d , thos e t h at top thei r grou p in div ision s B, C , a nd D will be promote d to the next d ivision u p, wh ile thos e th at fin is h bottom of

Sport 31

group w ill get t he place over a tea m in t hat s a me group if t hey a re ra nked higher.

‘But Ja me s, what happ ens if a ll 12 tea m s in div is ion A q ua lif y v ia t he t radit iona l route? Where do t hos e four place s in t he playof fs go?’. A great q ue st ion, a nd one where t he a nswer isn’t clea r. The emerging cons ensus is t hat t he four b e st ra nked tea m s in div ision B who didn’t w in t heir group would get place s, m a king it eight tea m s out of 12 in div ision B get t ing place s in t he playof fs.

It would s eem t hen, t hat div ision B is t he b e st place to b e in term s of pro b a bility for m a king t he Euros t hrough t he playof fs. The cha nce s of t his s cena rio a re very unlikely t hough, a s t here is inev it a bly at lea st one m aj or tea m t hat suf fers a pit if ul q ua lif y ing ca mp a ign a nd cra s he s out .

It a ly a nd t he Net herla nds a re t he o bv ious exa mple s f rom t he la st World C up.

UE FA hop e s t hat if a m aj or fo ot b a lling nat ion fa ils to q ua lif y t hrough t he t radit iona l route, t hey ca n have a s econd cha nce in t he playof fs if t hey top t heir group. If t hey don’t top t heir group, but t he tea m t hat do e s w in t heir group ha s a lready q ua lif ied a nd if a ll t he higher ra nked tea m s in t heir div ision have a lready q ua lif ied or received a place in t he playof f f rom b eing t he next highe st ra nked tea m a f ter a tea m t hat f inis hed top of t heir group had a lready q ua lif ied in t he t radit iona l q ua lif y ing s o t hat t hey a re next in line for a place.

If you’ve read a ll t hat a nd you’re st ill conf us ed, j o in t he clu b.

Manchester crowned the UK’s sporting city for 2018 Sam Honey Deputy Sport Editor It’s home to two of Eu rope’s big ge st fo ot ba l l teams, P remie rs h ip s ide Sa le Sha rks, and one of the olde st c r icke t g rounds in the cou ntry.

Ma nche ster is by de fin ition one of the n at ion’s g reat centre s of sport.

And i n th at spirit, h as be e n n a me d ESPN’s sport i ng city of the year for 20 18.

The study is a collab oration be twe e n the A me rica n broadcaster a nd the Un ive rs ity of B ath and ass e ss e s c itie s ba s e d on 12 factors con sidered most importa nt to fa n s, includi ng the like s of H istor y, Succe s s, a nd L o ca l Ta lent.

Althoug h in b ene fit of a r ich spor ting h i story, it is all about the pre s e nt for the c ity, w ith Manche ster C ity rac ing to a record- breaking title v ic tory la st s e a s on ,

wh ile rival s M anche ste r Un ite d al s o booste d t he are a’s re put at ion w it h a 2 nd place fini s h i n t he P re m ie r L e ag ue and a r u n to the FA Cu p F i n al .

As ide f rom t he two he av y we ig ht s t he c ity a ls o b o ast s 5 fo ot b al l le ag ue s ide s, a nd exc it i ng non- le ag ue proje c t s, such as FC Un ite d of M anche ste r and Ryan G ig g sbacke d S al ford City FC. There has als o been strong repre s entation in the L o cal Tale nt categor y, w it h t he l i ke s of M a rc u s Ras h ford , Je s s e L i ngard , and Ph il Foden , al l b or n-and- bre d M anc u n i an s, m a k ing a spl as h for t he i r clu b s t h i s ye ar.

Such succe s s stor ie s and a prosp e rou s e nviron me nt for yout h p ar t ic ip at ion in spor t i s al l dow n to M anche ste r ’s re m a rka ble t rack- re cord i n g ras s ro ot s prog ra m me s.

Th is Nove m b e r, t he M anche ste r FA i s pre pa r ing to host t he fou r t h e d it ion of it s a n nu a l G ras s ro ot s award s, t h at re cog n i s e s

cont r i but ion s to yout h fo ot b a ll acros s t he reg ion .

“For ou r clu b s at t he top to succeed, t he re ne e d s to a de d icated ha rdcore of volu nte e rs”, s aid M ayor Andy Burnha m .

“W he t he r it i s ju n ior fo ot b a ll, com munity r ug by, am ate u r b ox i ng or v illage cricket , none of it i s p os s i ble w it hout a st rong ne twork of co ache s and p a rent s”.

For me r M anche ste r United st a r Brya n Ro b s on was al s o ke e n to com ment on M anche ste r ’s e ndu r i ng legacy in t he world of B ox i ng , “I’ve always lo oked, a nd M anche ste r h as always had great b oxers as we l l . A lot of b oxe rs come f rom t he c ity and you go arou nd Ma nche ster a nd eve r y b o dy re al ly i s i nto t heir sp ort ”.

S ome of t he sp or t ’s most-fa med na me s h ai l f rom t he c ity, i ncluding Am ir Kha n, R icky H at ton , and Tys on Fury.

M anche ste r ’s Oly mpic-grade sp ort ing In f rast r uc t u re, bu i lt for t he 20 02

C om monwea lt h G a me s, a ls o needs no int ro duct ion – t he city ha s tw ice bid to hold t he G a me s, in 1996 a nd 20 0 0.

ESPN’s S enior E ditor Steve Saunders pra is ed t he city’s p erform a nce in t he a nnua l ra nkings a s it achieved a s econd v ictory, “Ma nche ster’s consistency ha s b een impre s sive over t he yea rs. It ha s never dropp ed out of t he top two a nd now ret urns to f irst place in t he fourt h yea r”.

E ls ewhere in t he list , L iverp o ol, t hat wa s crow ned t he top city for fo ot b a ll supp orters, dropp ed to s econd overa ll hav ing relinq uis hed it s 20 17 t it le.

E dinburgh follows in t hird place, it s highe st ever f inis h, while t he capit a l, L ondon ra nks a n unex p ectedly-low 4 t h place.

It wa s a n a ll-a round st rong p erform a nce for t he Nort h, however, w it h 8 of t he top 10 cit ie s in t he ra nkings, a nd only prevented f rom a clea n sweep of t he top 5 by L ondon.

Photo: Dan Heap @Wikimedia Commons

James Gill Head Sport Editor Ja me s Anders on broke Glen McG rat h’s record for w icket s t a ken by a fa st b owler in t he f ina l Te st match aga inst India t his week. The E nglis hm a n took the final w icket in t he ga me t hat s aw Ala st a ir C o ok bow out of internat iona l cricket .

His t a lly of 564 leave s him fourt h in t he list of all- time w icket-t a kers. O nly spin b owlers Anil Kum ble (619, India), Sha ne Wa rne ( 70 8 , Aust ra lia n), a nd Mut t ia h Muralitharan (8 0 0, Sri L a nka ) have t a ken more.

Anders on, 36, de s erve s a lot of pra is ed for maintaining f it ne ss levels a nd drive over his long ca reer, which has undoubtedly cont ributed to his succe s s. T he harde st t hing for a b owler at t he top of his ga me is to maintain t hat level for m a ny yea rs. Fa r to o of ten have we s een great b owlers ret ire ea rly due to inj urie s or losing their

e dge.

Mitchell Johns on is a pr ime example. T he Australian played 73 Te st matche s taking 3 1 3 wickets leaving him as the four th be st wicket- taker for his countr y when he retired. He had a tumultuous career, losing his place in the side due to stints of poor for m at time s, but als o winning ICC Cr icketer of the year twice too. Had Johns on had the longevity of Anders on, he could have been challenging for that record too. G ough, Har mis on, and Jone s too ended their careers early as their bodie s let them down.

McGrath was dignified as his record was broken, challenging Anders on to take more wickets. “ If he can rais e the bar to 600 wickets, that’s an incredible e ffor t. I was proud to hold it for as long as I did. For it to be beaten by s omebody like Jimmy Anders on is great” “ I have a lot of re spect for Jimmy. He’s been an incredible bowler for a long time. To have played well over 140 Te sts and just keep r unning in, day in, day out, and remain at the top of his game. Yeah, I’m ver y proud Jimmy’s got

there. ” Fellow E nglishman S tuar t Broad is the next most likely active player to break Anders on’s record. Four years younger and 1 3 3 wickets behind, if Broad can keep up with the physicality of a packed cr icketing s chedule he may eclips e his teammate. McGrath doubts that the record will be broken any time s oon, “ just to play enough game s to get anywhere near it is tough in its elf. ” Anders on has cur rently played 14 3 Te st matche s, 1 1 more than any other fast bowler.

He says he isn’t done with Te st cr icket quite yet though. “ I don’t really think about it. I play my be st when I focus on what’s ahead of me; the next game, the next s er ie s, whatever it is. I don’t like looking too far ahead. I don’t think it helps cer tainly me or the team. ” E ngland will be hoping they can continue their winning for m in tours of S r i L anka and We st Indie s this winter.

Continuing their momentum will be cr ucial as the side looks for ward to next summer ’s Ashe s.

Sexism at the US Open 2018?

Photo: Edwin Martinez @Wikimedia Commons

Serena Williams’ claim of sexism devalues the real plight of female athletes, argues James Gill S e re n a Wi l l i a m s h a s s u f fe re d m a ny t i m e s t h ro u g h o u t h e r c a re e r f ro m ra c i s t a n d s e x i s t re m a rk s . T h e A m e r i c a n t e n n i s p l aye r, wh o h a s wo n 2 3 s i n g l e s G ra n d S l a m s , h a s a rg u a b ly h a d t h e g re at e s t p o s it ive i m p a c t o n t h e fe m a l e g a m e a l o n g s i d e o t h e rs s u c h a s B i l l i e Je a n K i n g . H owe ve r, h e r re ce n t re m a rk s a b o u t s e x i s m a f t e r b e i n g s a n c t i o n e d d u r i n g t h e U S O p e n F i n a l h ave d o n e l it t l e t o a dva n ce wo m e n’s t e n n i s o r p rog re s s t h e co nve r s a t i o n a ro u n d e q u a l i t y i n s p o r t a c ro s s t h e b o a rd .

Wi l i a m s wa s u l t i m at e ly f i n e d $ 17,0 0 0 fo r t h re e s e p a rat e v i o l at i o n s d u r i n g t h e f i n a l wh i c h s h e l o s t t o Na o m i O s a k a . T h e f i rs t v i o l at i o n c a m e a f t e r t h e u m p i re C a rl o s R a m o s j u d ge d a ge s t u re f ro m Wi l l i a m s ’ co a c h Pa t r i c k M o u rat o g l o u t o b e co a c h i n g . C o a c h i n g w it h i n t h e co n t e x t o f a G ra n d S l a m re fe rs t o t h e p l aye r ’s co a c h g iv i n g i n fo r m a t i o n t h ro u g h wo rd s o r h a n d ge s t u re s d u r i n g t h e wa r m u p o r t h e g a m e it s e l f. T h i s i s p ro h i b it e d a n d i f t h e u m p i re n o t i ce s t h i s t h e p l aye r w i l l b e p e n a l i s e d .

I t i s u p t o t h e u m p i re ’s j u d ge m e n t wh at q u a l i f i e s a s co a c h i n g a n d R a m o s d e c i d e d a h a n d ge s t u re wa s e n o u g h t o h ave p o t e nt i a l ly g ive n Wi l l i a m s a n u n fa i r a dva n t a ge .

T h i s i s s o m e t h i n g s h e d e n i e s , t e l l i n g t h e u m p i re d u r i n g t h e g a m e s h e wo u l d “ n eve r c h e a t t o w i n a n d wo u l d ra t h e r l o s e ” . M o u rat og l o u c a m e o u t a n d s a i d i n a n i n t e r v i ew t h at h e “ wa s co a c h i n g b u t I d o n’ t t h i n k s h e l o o ke d a t m e .

Eve r y b o dy d o e s it . ” I t ’s a we a k d e fe n ce . T h e u m p i re h a s t o d o h i s b e s t t o t r y a n d m o n i t o r a s m u c h a s p o s s i b l e a n d it o f t e n s e e m s t h at co a c h i n g s l i p s t h ro u g h t h e c ra c k s a n d go e s u n s e e n . B u t i t i s c l e a rly a g a i n s t t h e r u l e s , n o m at t e r h ow i n co n s i s t e n t ly p e o p l e a re re p r i m a n d e d fo r it . E a rl i e r i n t h e O p e n t o u r n a m e nt N i c k K r yg i o s wa s a l s o a cc u s e d o f co a c h i n g .

M o h a m e d L a hya n i , t h e u m p i re i n t h at g a m e , h a n d l e d t h e

r u l e b re a k d i f fe re n t ly a n d we n t t o t a l k t o K r yg i o s .

Wi l l i a m s ’ s e co n d co d e v i o l at i o n c a m e i n t h e s e co n d s e t w i t h t h e s co re at 3 -2 . T h i s t i m e i t wa s fo r ra c q u e t a b u s e l e a d i n g t o Wi l l i a m s b e i n g d o c ke d a p o i n t . Wi l l i a m s b e c a m e i n c re d i b ly a n g r y at t h e p e n a l t y, s ay i n g t o R a m o s : “ Yo u owe m e a n a p o l og y, I h ave n e ve r c h e at e d i n my l i fe . ” T h e g a m e co n t i n u e d b r i e f ly b u t at t h e c h a n ge ove r, w it h t h e s co re 4 - 3 t o O s a k a , s h e a d d e d : “ Yo u w i l l n e ve r, e ve r, e ve r b e o n a n o t h e r co u r t o f m i n e a s l o n g a s yo u l ive . ” R a m o s , a n u m p i re w i t h a re p u t at i o n fo r n o t b e i n g i n t i m i d at e d by p l aye r s , h a s t a ke n c h a rge o f f i n a l s a t a l l G ra n d S l a m s , a s we l l a s t h e O ly m p i c G a m e s . B o t h o f t h e d e c i s i o n s h e m a d e we re a cco rd i n g t o t o u r n a m e nt r u l e s . W h e t h e r o r n o t t h e r u l e s , s p e c i f i c a l ly t h e o n e o n co a c h i n g , s h o u l d b e c h a n ge d t o re f l e c t h ow t h e m o d e r n g a m e i s p l aye d i s a s e p a rat e , e q u a l ly n e ce s s a r y, d i s c u s s i o n . Nat u ra l ly t h e c rowd i n Ne w Yo rk s i d e d w it h Wi l l i a m s , a n d t h e at m o s p h e re g re w i n c re a s i n g ly t ox i c a s t h e g a m e p ro g re s s e d .

H e r re m a rk s l e d t o R a m o s d i s h i n g o u t a t h i rd co d e v i o l at i o n , p e n a l i s i n g h e r a g a m e . Now O s a k a wa s j u s t o n e g a m e away f ro m v i c t o r y at 5 - 3 u p. B o o s e c h o e d a ro u n d t h e s t a d i u m a n d Wi l l i a m s re f u s e d t o co n t i n u e , d e m a n d i n g t o t a l k t o t h e t o u r n a m e n t re fe re e . E ve n t u a l ly s h e f i n i s h e d t h e m at c h a n d O s a k a b e c a m e t h e f i r s t Ja p a n e s e p l aye r t o w i n a G ra n d S l a m at j u s t 2 0 ye a r s o f a ge .

O s a k a’s s p e c i a l m o m e nt , b e at i n g h e r i d o l fo r a G ra n d S l a m , wa s r u i n e d by t h e d i s g ra ce f u l a c t i o n s o f t h e fa n s . T h e y co nt i n u e d t o b o o a n d b e rat e h e r d u r i n g t h e ce re m o ny. R at h e r t h a n e n j oy i n g t h e m o m e n t s h e a p o l og i s e d fo r w i n n i n g a n d cove re d h e r e ye s t o h i d e h e r t e a r s . Wi l l i a m s , i n h e r r u n n e r s - u p s p e e c h , t o l d t h e c rowd t o re s p e c t O s a k a fo r h e r a c h i e ve m e n t . A m ove t h a t

s h owe d Wi l l i a m s ’ g re a t s p o r t s m a n s h i p t h at wa s p a r t i a l ly h i d d e n by a n ge r a n d f r u s t ra t i o n .

We re R a m o s ’ a c t i o n s s e x i s t ? O b j e c t ive ly, l o o k i n g a t t h e t h re e c a l l s , t h e re i s n o t h i n g t o s u g ge s t t h a t t h e s e we re a ny t h i n g o t h e r t h a n t h e r i g ht d e c i s i o n s . I f t h e u m p i re n o t i ce s co a c h i n g , it i s a v i o l a t i o n . T h e t wo s u b s e q u e nt v i o l at i o n s we re i n c re d i b ly c l e a r, a n d i f R a m o s d i d n o t a c t u p o n t h e m , t h e re wo u l d h ave b e e n a l a rge b a c k l a s h a b o u t h i m favo u r i n g Wi l l i a m s .

B r it i s h n u m b e r fo u r L i a m B ro a dy t we e t e d a b o u t t h e i n c i d e nt : “ I t h i n k [ it t o b e ] i n c re d i b ly s t ro n g f ro m t h e u m p i re t o n o t b e i nt i m i d a t e d by a G OAT o f t h e g a m e a n d h a n d o u t t h e g a m e p e n a l t y. Yo u s h o u l d n’ t t a l k t o a ny b o dy i n t h i s way wh e t h e r t h ey ’ re a n u m p i re o r p e rs o n o n t h e s t re e t . ” At l a s t ye a r ’s U S O p e n I t a l i a n p l aye r Fa b i o Fo g n i n i wa s f i n e d $ 9 6 ,0 0 0 fo r ve r b a l a b u s e h e h u rl e d at a fe m a l e u m p i re . W h i l e t h i s wa s fa r wo rs e t h a n Wi l l i a m s , it s h ows t h at t h i s i s a n i s s u e t h a t i s t a ke n s e r i o u s ly, re g a rd l e s s o f ge n d e r.

Wi l l i a m s m a k i n g t h i s a s e x i s m i s s u e , wh e n t h e u m p i re a d h e re d t o t h e r u l e s o f t h e g a m e , t a ke s t h e l i g ht away f ro m a c t u a l ge n d e r i s s u e s i n t h e s p o r t . A re ce nt e x a m p l e o f wh i c h i s A l i z é C o r n e t ge t t i n g a v i o l a t i o n fo r a d j u s t i n g h e r t o p a f t e r a cc i d e nt a l ly p u t t i n g it o n b a c k t o f ro nt , wh i l e t h e m a l e p l aye rs c a n t a ke t h e i r t o p s o f f w it h o u t i s s u e , a d e c i s i o n t h e U S O p e n s i n ce co n d e m n e d .

A s a n i n c re d i b l e ro l e m o d e l fo r yo u n g wo m e n , Wi l l i a m s ’ e n e rg y i s b e s t s p e nt wh e re it c a n b r i n g a b o u t t h e b i g ge s t p o s it ive c h a n ge . Wo m e n’s t e n n i s h a s co m e a n aw f u l l o n g way w it h h e r i n it , b u t it i s eve nt s l i ke t h e s e t h a t c a u s e s m a l l b u m p s o n t h e t o u g h ro a d t o s p o r t i n g e q u a l it y.

Inside Sport: Sporting Manc City Cook’s Career Moto2 Mayhem