fresh from the dairy DY.G03 | january 2011
3D viewing
just a craze phase?
creative review editorial genius
roast dinner review
better than your mum’s?
contributors
richard carter investigates komedia’s nightlife p.6 passion / music and photography current obsession / biffy clyro advice / life: it goes on
sam bradley checks out the comic book shop p.7 passion / music current obsession / house reruns on TV advice / pay the £1 for cloakrooms, it’s better than getting ill
hannah mcgee informs us about student fees p.10 passion / travel current obsession / rolf advice / ask kara
oscar marsh spends time with the creative review team p.13 passion / art current obsession / peep show advice / save on heating, grow a beard
ellie palmer tests out the best local hot chocolates p.28 passion / a good curry current obsession / ‘silly bandz’ advice / go shopping
rosanna hood our editor passion / red lipstick current obsession / laughing ‘til I cry advice / smile milk: to exploit as much as possible; “I am milking this for all it’s worth”. milk wants YOU to milk US for all we’re worth. There’s just so much to gain from this 36 page magazine. Bath Spa is still in the full swing of chilliness. We therefore thought it appropriate to create an issue full of content that will keep you occupied whilst you stay hibernating in your onesies - they are all the rage apparently! I did consider buying the Primark cow version in the sale, but thought that the protruding udders could be a little uncomfortable. I digress. This issue is definitely the comfort one. We have hot chocolate tastings to salivate over and interviews with Threadless founder Jake Nickell and AnyForty designer Alan Wardle. On a more serious note, how could we not feature the biggest issue on every student’s mind? Fees. So you’ve splurged on your Christmas presents and blown the diet for a while, now why not read milk before spring sets in. The next issue will guide you through your New Year to spruce you up again. For the time being, enjoy the last of the winter cosiness and milk will be with you again soon. Rosanna
kara rennie presents this season’s style p.24 passion / writing current obsession / ron weasley advice / a cup of tea fixes everything!
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Join us Become a friend of milk on facebook. You can enter our design and prize competitions, submit work to us and view our launch pictures. Post away too! We like to see what you’re up to and what you think of the issue.
contents
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10 on the cover / 05
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3D viewing experience
a cash cow or a medium that will stand the test of time? What do you think?
creative review
an insight into the design industry and life after uni.
we give local roasts a roasting.
comfort food for the winter period. Do you need to pay more for the best gravy?
19 regulars / 15
rants & raves / reality tv
16
five minute time filler
17
showcase
24
style / winter wardrobes
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five ways with / ginger
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bored?
06 get involved
see back cover for our contact details
love it or hate it? We rave about our guilty pleasure and rant about c-list celebrities.
have a bit of spare time? Follow our filler.
be inspired by BSU creative talent.
check out the trends of the season.
oooh tangy!
give your brain a workout.
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music
“
MUSIC CAN BRING OUT CERTAIN EMOTIONS IN YOU, GOOD OR BAD ”
SPOTIFY If you’re not familiar with Spotify, where have you been?
Bath Spa’s very own Josh Jackson AKA Grafix is making some serious noise in the world of drum’n’bass. Producer Grafix is gaining support from Danny Byrd, Netsky and Grooverider as his music rotates on BBC Radio 1 and BBC Radio 1Xtra. We sat down with the man of the moment. Grafix I started off playing the guitar, then drums for a few years, and finally got into software production when I was about 14. Drum’n’bass has been my focus since I was about 16. Which artists inspire you? I’d have to say bonobo, even though he doesn’t make drum’n’bass tracks. I draw a lot of inspiration from his music. What has shaped who you are, both as a musician and as a person? That’s pretty deep! I don’t really know, I guess I just love how music can bring out certain emotions in you, good or bad. It’s nice to make a tune that people can relate to.
What can we expect from Grafix in the next year? Look out for new music and more collaborations. My next gig is Off The Grids at Motion in Bristol, 25 February 2011.
Which artist would you most like to collaborate with and why? Sub Focus or maybe Rob Swire from Pendulum, purely because I would learn so much.
What advice would you offer to aspiring DJs and musicians? Don’t let criticism get you down, if you love making music, keep doing it! www.myspace.com/grafixmusik
Spotify is an online music service that allows you to create and share playlists by uploading your own music or by using songs from their extensive collection. It was once the most exclusive online music streaming service, available only to those who received an invitation, but now that’s all changed. Signing up now requires no invitation thanks to Spotify Open, although there are frustrations that come with it; you have to be online to listen, you’re restricted to twenty hours of music and your playlists are interrupted by adverts. That said, the adverts are short, practically unnoticeable and a relatively small inconvenience seeing as the cost of the advert is paid to the musicians – rightly so! If ads put you off there’s always the alternative – a Premium Package at a shiny price tag of £9.99 a month (not likely on our budget). Sign up to Spotify, create a compilation to get you through the New Year then share share share!
www.spotify.com
TOP 5 STUDENT BANDS
jackhatch.
www.myspace.com/ jackhatchband
Could you please pass the riff? Thank you. Jackhatch have poppunk with heart. For fans of: Japandroids, Weezer.
flags. www.myspace.com/flagsuk
Note to self: make shapes at dawn whilst listening to Flags. Epic. For fans of: Explosions in the Sky, Elbow.
the white hart gang.
www.facebook.com/pages/ The-White-Hart-Gang
Cut-throat guitars battle melancholy and indie nostalgia. For fans of: Bombay Bicycle Club, The Only Ones.
avius. www.avius.bandcamp.com
Rock music that stays the steady and true course is a rare thing. For fans of: Athlete, The Stereophonics.
vinyl project.
www.thevinylproject.co.uk
Strange otherworldly jazz that plays out beneath chandeliers and creaking ballroom floors. For fans of: Billie Holliday, Amy Winehouse.
Don’t miss. A Day To Remember @ Bristol O2 Academy, 3 February / PJ Harvey releases eighth studio album Let
England Shake, 4 February / NME Awards Tour @ Bristol O2 Academy, 15 February / Grafix @ Motion Bristol, 25 February
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film.tv OBSESSION WITH 3D FILMS Is 3D the future of cinema?
“OOOH... 3D”
Hollywood has been milking 3D since the success of James Cameron’s spectacular fantasy world of Avatar. Do people think the extra dimension is worth shelling out for? Or is it just a momentary craze? Producing a film in 3D adds a hefty cost to the budget, but the results can be vastly more profitable than that of a 2D motion picture. So is profit the reason behind this sudden boom or is it piracy prevention?
3D films such as Toy Story 3 and Jackass 3D cannot be pirated effectively. Camcorder recordings on the Internet are not bottling the experience: a financial safeguard for the film industry. The future of 3D looks promising as technology develops, but who knows when another trend will arise or when people will tire of it. For now – sit back, enjoy the stunning visuals and don’t forget your glasses when re-visiting or it’ll cost you.
TOP 3D PUBS / Belushi’s, Bath. Extremely cheap bar, you know the one - a regular for students and travellers alike. 42-inch screen. Prices for 3D glasses vary depending upon game. / Royal Oak, Bath. Well equipped for the avid sports fan, also winner of Bath Life Awards 2009 in Best Watering Hole category. 2x72-inch screens, 1x72-inch screen outside and 3x50-inch TVs. 3D glasses £2 deposit. / Old Fish Market Pub, Bristol. Buzzing city centre pub - perfect if you’re a football fan. 42-inch screen. Price for 3D glasses vary depending upon game. / Riley’s Pool, Snooker & Poker Club, Bristol. So many pool tables, there’s no waiting around. £5 membership required, but if your mate has one, you’re in. 42-inch screen. £1 for glasses. / Walkabout, Bristol. Short on seating but do not be concerned; raise your drink and cheer-on those rugby tries. 42-inch screen. £2 for glasses.
Almost everyone reading this has probably seen a 3D film at the cinema recently, but I wonder just how many of you would consider watching it at home? Obviously, 3D television and the accessories surpass the average student price range. But if you had unlimited funds, would you choose to buy it? 3D TV is a surreal experience. It carries you and your favourite programmes to a new dimension. The clarity is spectacular, particularly in sport, where you truly feel a part of the action. The only negative aspect of 3D TV is that you have to wear glasses. A real chafe for your nose and your attention span!
To gain the full experience you require a high quality TV and a Sky subscription they are currently the only providers. It is also, at present, limited to a small range of programmes. So be patient, and wait for another trend that makes for easier and interesting viewing. Holographic picture is set to be with us in 2017! In the meantime, continue watching at 3D equipped pubs or the cinema, and before you know it we’ll have successfully invented ‘smellivision’ too! OK. Maybe not. www.sky.com/shop/tv/3d
Don’t miss. Tangled 3D, Disney’s modern day Rapunzel, 28 January / Rango, starring Johnny Depp, 18 March / Nintendo 3DS release, 3D gaming without the glasses, March / Dragon Age 2, Xbox 360, 11 March
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art.theatre.dance
It’s been almost a year now since Komedia opened its doors in Bath. Since then the venue really has gone from strength to strength, running regular nights such as the Krater Comedy Club and the Kroon Kat Lounge. It also manages to pull in big name acts in comedy such as Russell Howard & Stewart Francis, both of whom regularly appear on Mock The Week. It’s not only about comedy, established musicians and bands such as Frank Turner and Noah And The Whale have graced the stage adding to the continued growth of this popular new venue. The listing is looking impressive for this year so head down for yourself and see what all the fuss is about.
NOVATO DANCE COMPANY
‘professionalism, dedication and creativity’ From hip-hop to ballet and Irish to Bollywood, Novato Dance Company offers its audience an eclectic mix of dance genres all in one dynamic show. Initially formed in 2007 by students at BSU, Novato has become a successful independent dance company, performing at a variety of festivals and events in and around Bath. Their work culminates in an annual show, the next of which will be held at the Mission Theatre, Bath, 26-28 May 2011 and is set to be bigger and better than ever before. See www.novatodance.com for further details.
ANY FORTY / ALAN WARDLE My name’s Al and I run the tee brand AnyForty. We’re a UK based brand specialising in collaborating with artists worldwide. From Jack & Mac, to legends like 123Klan of Montreal and The SickSystems of Russia, these are just some of the upcoming UK students we work with. We’ve been going for nearly 3 years and recently released a range of eight tees, including two from a recent artist competition. Why did you want to do this? I’ve always loved buying t-shirts and was sick of buying someone else’s. I wanted to make my own. There is nothing better than seeing people wearing tees that you’ve made yourself. I saved up a few hundred quid, sought out a supplier, printed some tees and sold them to my mates for dirt-cheap. Where did you start? It started in March 2008 in Bath. All of
our tees are printed locally by White Duck Screen Print in Oldfield Park. Tell us about your collaborations with other artists in the ‘versus’ range. AnyForty ‘versus’ is a t-shirt that showcases an artist’s work; we use the company as a platform to spotlight their talents and in the process create some ‘sick’ tees.
happen, you have to make them happen yourself. For the majority of us, you won’t succeed without a lot of hard graft! Store is at anyforty.co.uk Blog is at anyforty.wordpress.com Follow on twitter.com/anyforty
What’s next for Anyforty? The dream is to expand the product range. We’ll take this puppy from t-shirt brand and mature it into a fully-fledged beast; designing and manufacturing everything from leather wallets, snap back caps and sweatshirts. What advice would you give to students wanting to start their own business? I’d say never give up. It’s not easy and it takes a lot of time and money, but in this life if you want to make things
Don’t miss. Russel Kane: Smokescreen and Castles @ The Tobacco Theatre Bristol, 20 February / Ministry of Burlesque’s High Tease @ Komedia Bath, 25 February / Bath International Dance Festival, 1-3 May
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books LIVING AN AMERICAN DREAM
PSST...
Pop over to American Dream Comics and ask if you can take a sneaky peek at the Banksy in the basement.
A
s I chatted to American Dream Comics employee Nick Newport it was impossible not to share his love of comic books. He told me how the shop - founded in 1996 - is going from strength to strength and how customers are branching out to explore other realms of the graphic universe. With the very latest TV adaptation of Robert Kirkman’s Walking Dead (Golden Globe nominee) and many film adaptations such as Frank Miller’s Sin City, it’s no wonder places like American Dream Comics are becoming more popular. More serious comic fans have the store ordering in their favourite publications week by week, so they never miss an issue. This gem of a shop is a must visit for comic book lovers and anyone interested in indulging in a little escapism. It can be found on Walcot Street, tucked away next to the Yellow Shop.
MILK’S RECOMMENDATION / LOOKING FOR MRS DEXTROSE BY NICK GRIFFITHS
“
...his right nostril blew a bubble of snot that might fascinate a small child.”
m loveilk. s.
Nick Griffith’s sequel follows the intrepid character of Pilsbury as he embarks on an adventure to find his mother. It’s a very twisted road trip with bundles of laugh out loud imagery and plenty of kooky characters. It’s not only the book that’s enticing, check out the illustrations too. Special student edition: £6.39 from Amazon
THREADLESS Nude No More
Jake Nickell co-founded Threadless just over 10 years ago. The idea started over an IM (instant messaging) conversation. The idea was to create a forum where designers and artists could communicate, share ideas and critique each other’s work. Since then Threadless has become a profitable business that showcases an array of t-shirt designs submitted and bought by the public. Design submissions can win up to £1280 and a previous artist went on to work for Barack Obama’s
presidential campaign. The tenth anniversary book charts the rise of this extraordinary business and features some of the best designs submitted through the decade. It depicts, in surprising detail; the start up, the difficult times, stunning success and the rise to cult status. Threadless isn’t a t-shirt company: it’s a community. This beautiful book is the perfect present for any designer or aspiring business people.
Don’t miss. David Harsent reads and talks about his new collection of poems Night @ Toppings, 15 February / Bath Literature Festival, 25 February - 6 March / Dead Reckoning: A True Blood Novel, 26 May
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calendar JANUARY / New Year’s Resolution - collect every copy of milk
Storytelling Festival / Bristol / 29th-6th Feb
Breakfast At Tiffany’s / Cinema re-release / 21st
Band of Horses / O2 Academy, Bristol / 30th Cider Festival / Passenger Shed, Bristol / 28th-29th
David Vann / Toppings / 26th
Swan Lake / Royal Opera House, London / 23rd-8th April
Dead Space 2 / Console Game / 28th
MARCH / 1781 Uranus was discovered from a house on New King St, Bath
KT Tunstall / Colston Hall, Bristol / 1st
Chase & Status / O2 Academy, Bristol / 11th Nintendo 3DS Release
Bath Literature Festival / Ends 6th
Ed Byrne / Colston Bath Half Marathon / 6th Hall, Bristol / 8th
Rango / Cinemas / 18th
Red Nose Day / 18th
MAY / 1991 was when Helen Sharman became the first British woman in space
Classic Car Show / Royal Bath & West Showground / 1st
AAF / The Pirates of the Carribean 4 Passenger Shed, / Cinemas / 18th Bristol 13th-15th
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Bath International Music Festival / 25th-5th
Bath Coffee Festival / Recreation Ground / 21st-22nd
Bath Fringe Festival / 27th-12th
The Hangover 2 / Cinemas / 27th
Novato Dance / Mission Theatre, Bath / 26th-28th
FEBRUARY / Don’t forget Valentine’s Day on 14th
The Joy Formidable / Thekla, Bristol / 2nd
Cider Festival / Pavillion, Bath / 11th-12th
A Day to Remember / O2 Academy, Bristol / 3rd
Felix Dexter / Komedia / 10th
Champions League Knockout Phase / 15th
Ministry of Burlesque’s High Tease / Komedia / 25th
APRIL / Royal Wedding on 29th
Bath Comedy Festival / 1st-10th
King Lear / Theatre Royal, Bath / 5th-9th
ICC Cricket World Cup Easter Sunday / 24th
Bath Spring Flower Show / Victoria Park / 30th Thor / Cinemas / 29th
London Marathon / 17th
JUNE / National Gingerbread Day on 5th - try our recipe on page 26
Super 8 / Cinemas / 10th
Graduate Fashion Week / 5th - 8th
Bristol Design Festival / 10th
Green Lantern / Cinemas / 17th
Father’s Day / 19th
Wimbledon / 20th
Glastonbury Festival / Worthy Farm / 22nd-26th
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feature
STUDENT FEES
HOW MUCH IS TOO MUCH? There’s always been a price on education in the UK, and while we all moan about it on occasion, for the most part we feel it‘s ultimately worth it, but just how much is too much? Hannah McGee investigates;
D
espite the fact students in other European countries such as Finland, Sweden, Germany and Norway don’t pay tuition fees, we’ve been paying a portion of them in the UK since 1998. UK students contributed between £0 and £1,250 a year, a sum which now seems highly palatable. Following a brief initial decrease, applicant numbers rose. We were happy to pay this relatively small figure for the high-ranking teaching and research the UK has to offer at university level. However over the last few years the price of education has crept up, reaching an unappealing, but still fairly manageable highest level fee of £3,290 a year. With the recession we all knew fee increases were inevitable. Universities have had to play their part in the cuts and students had to pick up the tab - and we have - with the knowledge that in the end this benefits us significantly. However, new government guidelines state that from the academic year 2012 students could end up paying as much as £9,000 with a large portion paying £7,000 for their chosen course, more than double the current highest level fee. A recent survey by NUS and HSBC found that increased fees would significantly deter prospective students, specifically mentioning that if fees rose to
£5,000, over half of students would be put off and if they rose to £9,000, 70% would rethink the university route. Compared to other European countries our situation seems undesirable, however the benefits outweigh the high costs, and compared to American tuition fees it’s nothing to complain about. The UK boasts some top universities including world renowned Oxford, Cambridge and LSE. Teaching methods have increasingly been adapted to suit students and universities now offer work placements as modules in courses - undeniably beneficial to your employability. All that seems a priceless investment in your future, so some would argue, what’s all the fuss about? On the other hand, the latest graduate unemployment figures show that we’re well on our way to topping the worst unemployment levels of all time, with The Guardian finding that 8.6% (just over 21,000) of graduates were out of a job six months after graduation. At the moment graduates don’t have to begin paying back their loans until they’re earning over £15,000 p.a. While obviously proving helpful, this already leaves us in debt for many years after we’ve completed our education, a situation no one would choose to be in. Many find this debt hangs over them like a cloud, following them from job to job until it’s all paid off, often not until they’re in their
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thirties. With the increase in fees comes an increase in the minimum earn before paying off the debt, to £21,000 p.a. But owing more money means waiting to earn more money coupled with the increase in living costs, which means many more years in debt. There was a reported fall of 12,000 applicants for the academic year 2006-07 following the last increase in fees, but we now have more university candidates than ever. Recent government initiatives require universities to provide more Foundation degree
“
£7,000 seems a huge sum to pay for 9 hours of teaching a week”
courses where a shorter teaching period is offered but the course is more compressed and modules relate to job prospects. £7,000 seems a huge sum to be paying for nine hours of teaching time a week, especially if the groups were large. ‘I wouldn’t have taken the university route that I have if I was affected by increased fees. Some people may feel differently but I think there can be too high a price,’ says second year Drama student Adwoa Mintah. One point to also emerge from this argument is the issue of living costs. Many popular courses, such as medicine, are too full on for students to complete while working a part time job to cover living costs. Students will need to self-fund as much as possible but there are already shortages of part time jobs in student-populated areas. This situation plus increased fees means an even larger debt, especially as the current maintenance loan barely covers most people’s rent for a year. Some are arguing that with their fees increased, they’ll want to focus all spare time and energy on university work, not on a part time job. But the maintenance loan will not be increasing with the fees so this seems impossible. The government is putting more pressure on parents to support their children and dailyfinance.co.uk say that 27% of prospective students are now planning to live with their parents during university to save on living costs, despite it limiting their options on where they can study. With so many hopeful university applicants out there, there has inevitably been an increase in rejections. These young people have to find other ways to break into their dream career perhaps through apprenticeships and internships. Here, you learn on the job and even get paid, albeit a rather meagre amount, in exchange for staying at the job for an agreed period after training is completed. This is a popular choice in many careers with over 100,000 employers now offering apprenticeships across a wide range of sectors. According to apprenticeships.org. uk the benefits are obvious, with 88% of employers offering apprenticeships saying they lead to a more
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motivated and satisfied workforce and 83% saying they actually rely on their apprentice scheme to provide the skilled workers they need for the future. This area is growing at a significant rate and its appeal is obvious; not only is this free learning but you actually get paid for it and have a much better chance of employment. For some careers however, a degree is a minimum requirement. Media student Milka Dimitrova sees a positive side to increased fees: ‘I think the young people this will affect will be pushed to make a better decision about whether they want to come to university and what they want out of it. So many people waste their time and loans while at university so I hope this will stop people making the wrong decision and make space for those who really want the education.’ But what if the fee increase affected her? ‘I’d definitely still do my course, I think it’s well worth it and I’m getting what I want out of it.’ This just goes to show that opinion is mixed. University education is still necessary for many students who need a degree for their future careers, to avoid a lifetime of flipping burgers or pouring pints. But for others, the increasingly likely outcome of a lifetime of paying back student debts is too daunting and many will be put off the idea of studying at university and have to look elsewhere. Unfortunately there will be those who dream of studying at university level and will now be unable to as the increased fees make it impossible. So, I ask again, how much is too much?
What do you think? Let us know your views on the facebook page MilkMagazine BathSpa
feature
Work ng w th Creat ve Rev ew Getting a job after university is a hugely daunting thought
for most of us. Leaving behind the secure world of tutor support, financial backing and familiar surroundings to start life in the ‘real world’ is a reality that we all have to face. Oscar Marsh reports on his visit to Creative Review HQ.
Regardless of the amount of preparation that university gives us, working life is something we all need to experience. With that in mind I spent a few days at the headquarters of Creative Review talking to the editorial team about their job roles, the design industry and life after uni. I have never been to London in a professional capacity before; negotiating the commute from Bath amongst the dull eyes and long faces of the regular travellers impinges on my excitement slightly. A country boy dragged away from the comforts of South West suburbia into the fastmoving landscape of a city that overwhelms anyone unused to it. The closer I get to London, the more imposing the demand for consumption seems. Everywhere, images of perfection or the celebration of the unique are shouted from any available space. This is when I get my first impressions of where a company like Creative Review fits into our world. Our consumption being largely dictated by visual stimuli and
our reaction to it. In the design world, keeping people engaged is a relentless task, requiring innovation as well as a creative eye but offering artistic recognition and riches for those who possess it. Creative Review is a celebration of this most malleable of mediums, it praises the visual dexterity of those who can provide such work and is considered a figurehead within the design industry. So naturally I am somewhat anxious before my first meeting with the editorial staff, the people responsible for a magazine I am truly intrigued by but one I have relatively no experience of. Images of a supercharged office atmosphere and a creative abundance as peculiar as Charlie and his chocolate factory. The magazine demands respect because it is so relevant and cutting edge, so well constructed and so important in the design world. The nerves begin to pulse as I consider what questions to ask these people. Arriving at Oxford Circus by tube not having much time to think, I follow others out onto the street. I meet the
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photographer and we walk the short distance to Creative Review’s offices, in an inconspicuous and decidedly ordinary looking building. The receptionist welcomes us warmly and we wait for the editor, Patrick Burgoyne, in a reception area, which is a world away from the inspirational Mecca I had built up on the way over. It resembles a laboratory scene; whitewashed walls flattening the workspace and creating a peculiar air of sterility. Soon Patrick arrives and immediately we are made to feel at home. He casually sups his morning tea as he introduces us to his team, a disjointed chorus of ‘yups’ and ‘mornings’ punctuating each new acquaintance. Afterwards we are given free roam of the offices and left to our own devices. At this point I have to take stock. My expectations have been completely contradicted; it is hard to contemplate that these ordinary, approachable people are the driving force behind such a vibrant publication. I start the interviews and it is so refreshing to receive such modest responses to all the questions I ask about their magazine. Everyone is eager to pour praise on their colleagues whilst playing down their own contribution. But it is when I stop talking and start listening to them working together that I begin to understand how they create such exciting work. The whole team sits facing each other. They all pitch in ideas and give feedback. In a way, each article is not written by just one but created by all of them. There is a clear passion for the brand they have built, an almost parental dedication to what they are doing and a true love for their jobs. However, it was only a matter of years before this that they were in the same position as us; finishing university and entering into a bold new world. So how did they find their way from obscurity into the creative world of art and design journalism? Sheer determination and a bit of luck seems to be the general consensus. They all studied degrees such as English Literature or Fine Art, back when they had a broad understanding of the career path they were aiming at. They all had previous jobs on smaller publications, which provided important experience. This now enables them to take on the massive task of creating a new edition of Creative Review every month. So it seems that there is no hard and fast rule for finding a dream job straight after uni; it’s more a continuing process of getting your head down and working hard towards your goals. Maybe life in the ‘real world’ isn’t that different from what we already know. But from spending time with the Creative Review team it’s also abundantly clear that if you work hard and believe in yourself, you will get to where you want to be. It reestablished the message we all get drummed into us at every stage of our growing up process; put the effort in and you’ll reap the rewards.
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CREATIVE REVIEWS TOP TIPS deputy editor / mark sinclair ‘There is only one way to promote your own work; have the confidence to approach magazines, make sure you’re speaking to the right magazines and be informative about your work’ senior writer / eliza williams ‘Don’t wait for that ‘Eureka’ moment. Often we will pick up something small that we feel is worth putting on the blog and then see where it develops from there’
art director / paul penson ‘Try to do something that surprises you. Your own spin on something, your own take’
senior writer / gavin lucas ‘Be innovative in your approach to potential employers. One guy sent a fax; it said something like ‘hi guys, I’m sending you a fax! Bet you haven’t heard noise from this corner of the office for a while!’ and its funny you know? And it works, you’re making a little campaign for yourself and that’s important’
RANT Following the recent demise of Big Brother, I surely wasn’t the only one to let out a sigh of relief. My daily television intake would no longer be reduced to a cultural wasteland of talentless bores, crazed exhibitionists and washed up ‘celebrities’, exchanging obscurity for infamy! However, we must now contend with I’m A Celebrity…Get Me Out Of Here! (or more accurately, I’m A Nobody… Keep Me in Here!). Watching so-called celebrities’ feeble attempts at renewed fame and public acceptance, being paid and humiliated for the privilege, one has to ask: is it all worth it? Eating cockroaches and kangaroo testicles just to raise their profiles? As a consumer of this absolute drivel, one is sucked into this fake reality, subconsciously becoming aware of ‘TV personalities’ such as Chantelle Houghton and Katie Price. They, among others, are the epitome of vapid, superficial ‘celebrities’, who occupy countless pages of Heat magazine and freely expose the sordid details of their lives to the media for transitory fame and wealth. Watching the programme, let alone actively participating in it (by voting), is to supply them with the oxygen of publicity, thereby encouraging more reality shows. I would eat any number of kangaroo testicles if ITV agreed to axe I’m a Celebrity…Get Me Out of Here!
“
I watch TV to have a laugh, not to gain a sense of impending doom about the world thanks to Louis Theroux”
RAVE What I love about reality TV is that so often, it’s not like reality at all. Where else would you be able to watch Katie Price munch on various marsupial genitalia, if not in a prime time Wednesday night spot on ITV? Those who dub reality shows as ‘boring’ have clearly never watched Nikki Grahame writhe in the diary room chair or eight conflicting personalities competing to beat each other on the silliest assault course imaginable. Hilarious! Yes, it may lack integrity and educational content, but that is besides the point. I watch TV to have a laugh, not to gain a sense of impending doom about the world thanks to Louis Theroux. Just as we can’t resist eavesdropping on that couple
arguing in the queue at Sainsbury’s, we can’t help gawping as two awfully mismatched families fight it out on Wife Swap. Peering into other people’s lives is a natural human instinct. In public we have to rein this in to avoid embarrassment, but in the privacy of our own homes, we can watch endless amounts of tears, tantrums and drama – feeding our desires with no shame at all. I’m not the only person who finds it funny to watch ‘celebrities’ chomping kangaroo balls or create drinking games out of Big Brother and the viewing figures back me up. As long as reality TV continues to entertain us, its place in the TV listings is just as deserving as any other show.
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Valentine’s For Everyone We all have our opinions on Valentine’s Day. Love it or loathe it, it’s pretty unavoidable to us. We spoke to some guys and girls, single and attached, to get the good, the bad and the ugly stories as well as uncovering some surprising facts…
Worst chat up lines Someone actually asked me if I was tired, because I’d been running through his mind all day… awful.’ ‘An old hook up once told me he gets girls by telling them he volunteers to help penguins, picking them up when they fall over while trying to look at planes..? I told him it was an awful line, he said it had worked on me - ooops.’ ‘I just moved you to the top of my to-do list.’
resent P t s e B
n and barma ema a g in t ‘I’m da out a tiny cin ll the d ea he hire and got m e s ak ru just fo edients to m ail.’ r ing ockt urite c o v a f my ts o hear er ib r a H eth 63 ‘I got 8 e’d been tog se w ys.’ becau 863 da iend y girlfr r, m t o g ea ‘I nderw e.’ sexy u esent for m r p a it’s really way kend a ‘A wee e sea.’ by th
Wor st
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rese ‘We nt we w went ou t e f n o t wit brot ram h h avoi er and his par eal but they d Va ents le a a we w ntine’s ll want nd ed t Day ent o p on t ‘I’ve he 1 rices so year been w 5th.’ i s an d he th my b ’s a Va never oyfriend lent ine’s bought 4 ‘I go t du me gift.’ m Day ped on Va by som a text f lentine’s r eon e els om ‘A cu e.’ tt aloe ing from vera a plan n ‘An e t . ’ -car d. A day late. ’
Facts and figures Women purchase 85% of all Valentine’s Day cards and gifts. More teachers get sent Valentine’s Day cards than wives. 52% of men who propose do it on Valentine’s Day. Men account for 73% of Valentine’s day flower sales.
3% of pet owners give Valentine’s cards to their pets. Hallmark has over 1330 different cards specifically for Valentine’s Day. After teachers, children and mothers receive the most Valentine’s cards, before wives and girlfriends!
FIVE MINUTE TIME FILLER / Bored? Time to kill? Friend’s birthday coming up? Send them something different. Grab something you wouldn’t expect to see in the post or just something funny shaped, although nothing fragile or too big for a letterbox. Wrap it up making sure you can still tell what it is when covered, plain brown packing paper or newspaper is less distracting than patterned paper. Address it, stick on some stamps and pop it in the letterbox. A nice surprise for your friend and suspense for you to see if it actually gets delivered... We gave this a go here at milk. I sent News and Reviews editor Nina a nice
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pair of fluffy pink handcuffs while she posted me a banana, thoughtfully doing so while I was away for the week. Luckily for my doormat the banana didn’t arrive. I can only assume it exploded in transit and the (probably fairly miffed) postman was unable to actually stuff it through my door. Sorry Postie! The handcuffs got to Nina safe and sound, albeit tampered with. I’d love to know what the postman thought!
More ideas on what to send: / A Key / A Beer Mat (unwrapped with just an address and a stamp) / Bouncy Ball / Shoelace / A Lollipop
showcase. a glimpse of the limitless creative talent at BSU
creative arts: art & visual design / florentyna butler I made this figure out of latex, the idea was to explore the human condition; power, control, shame, fear, trust, and betrayal. This figure and photo was really nice because it was a complete opposite of what I had intended, and gave ‘humankind’ some triumph and hope!
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art and creative writing student / Zaina Rooksana Budaly I created this illustrated story last year for my course, it touches on environmental issues but I wanted to express it using a more humorous angle. You can see the rest of the story at www.writers-digest.co.uk/zaina-story/1.html
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creative media practice / patrick bethell I shot this picture late at night in Bristol for my friend’s band ‘Our Fire’. They all had their own individual charisma which made them really fun to photograph. I love how grainy this photo looks and the shapes of the two lads in the middle, my influences range from fashion photographer David Bailey to Photojournalist Don McCullin.
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3d design: ceramics / elise menghini The black and white pieces were thrown on a wheel then cut and reassembled to create new forms. Inspirations came from Alice In Wonderland and The Deerhunter. This also influenced the locations where I photographed them. The patterned cup and saucer were made by slipcasting and reflects my interest in decoration and design.
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milk.challenge
CELEBRITY LOOK ALIKES The Bath Spa Rapids cheerleading team kicked off our first milk challenge. Their task? To find as many celebrity look-a-likes as possible in 30 minutes. They were simply amazed by how many TV personalities, authors and singers were roaming the busy high street. Despite the horrible weather and the rush to get Christmas presents – Clare, Stacey and Stef did a brilliant job and persuaded these familiar faces* to get involved in milk. * Please use your imagination or just squint heavily at the pictures!
THE DS RAPI
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winter.wardrobes milk presents to you the best of winter fashion. Have you been keeping up with this season’s trends? Whether you answer yes or no, be sure to take inspiration from the top five stylish models we snapped out and about in Bath. From charity shops to high street, vintage shops to mum’s hand-me-downs – it’s fashion! And for these in particular – bang on trend! So this winter, think layers, knitwear and big coats for ultra warmth and perfect style.
KILIMANJARO KHAKI NUBUCK ANKLE BOOTS:
from / Office price / £98.00 description / Fabric lining, leather sock, synthetic sole, with a 10cm heel. katie / 18 Cardigan from Hollister, shoes from Office, jeans by Topshop, glasses by Rayban inspiration / I shop from the high street a lot, it’s a great way to stay on trend. I also look around vintage shops for great oneoff pieces. favourite places to shop / Topshop, Office, all the high street shops really.
nik / 19 Blazer from Jack Wills, bag from Uber by the Royal Crescent inspiration / I like to shop around and really mix up my look. I put vintage pieces with high street buys. favourite places to shop / Jack and Danny’s. The Yellow Shop is great for unique finds and I go to Jack Wills for quality buys.
Meet Fifi Lapin – dubbed ‘The world’s most stylish bunny’ by ELLE Magazine, and they speak the truth. The cute, fictional rabbit created by an English artist, portrays a rich socialite who is always seen draped in the latest designer clothes. Anything from Alexander McQueen to Marc Jacobs – she’s wearing it. The classy fashionista has captured all eyes in the fashion industry with the fantastic illustrations of the catwalk trends, alongside her blog that draws in thousands of readers each day. When it comes to fashion advice, Lapin is no. 1 but the ultimate question is … “What shall I wear today?” Check her out at: fifi-lapin.blogspot.com and order a copy of her book on Amazon.
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m loveilk. s.
ruth / 19 Coat from H&M, necklace from Topshop, scarf from her mum inspiration / The high street is where I normally go to shop. It’s really accessible and allows you experiment with different looks. It’s also great for a student budget. favourite places to shop / Topshop; Urban Outfitters is a bit different; American Apparel for on-trend colourful basics.
tom / 20 Jumper from a charity shop in Oxford, scarf from his mum inspiration / I look online at fashion blogs for inspiration. The sartorlialist.com is great to keep up to date with what people are wearing right now. favourite places to shop / Charity shops, Urban Outfitters and Topman. I love eBay for unusual clothes and accessories.
jojo / 26 Coat from The Yellow Shop, sunglasses from a designer shop, tights from Topshop inspiration / I have my own inspiration. Magazines, other people and the high street helps but I have my own ideas about how I want to look. favourite places to shop / Everywhere! Topshop mainly, the high street is great.
So… it’s the new year, your bank balance is still trying to recover from the Christmas splurge and you need a new outfit for the new term? Or maybe you resisted those shoes in Topshop, and now they’re discontinued? - eBay is your friend and will help you out in these desperate times. With the launch of the eBay fashion outlet you can save up to 70% on high street brands without the queues and unflattering changing room lighting. But don’t forget the millions of sellers who can offer fashion bargains, timeless classics and one-of-a-kind vintage pieces. It just makes sense: ebay.co.uk
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five.ways.with Cookery books are predominantly written for those who have time on their hands with access to specialist shops. A real cook is someone who can make something from nothing with the fewest ingredients; someone who can produce an edible meal under trying circumstances - when you can’t leave the house because you’re too hung over or you’re too lazy to walk to the shops.
100g/4oz butter 350g/12oz plain flour 1 1/2 tsp ground ginger 1 tsp bicarbonate of soda 175g/6oz light soft brown sugar 4 tbsp golden syrup 1 medium egg
makes 15 Put the flour, butter, ground ginger and bicarbonate of soda in a mixing bowl. Mix it together with fingertips until crumbly. Add sugar, syrup and egg and mix until it forms a firm pastry mix. Pre-heat the oven to 180°C / 350°F / Gas Mark 4. Using the rolling pin roll out the pastry to about 5mm thick. Cut out the shapes with a knife and/ or pastry cutter. Place the cut out pastry on a greased or non-stick baking tray. Bake for 15 minutes. Decorate to your delight.
GINGER
DID YOU KNOW? / Ginger was originaly cultivated in China. / Ginger is one of the world’s seven most potent disease-fighting spices. / Chewing on fresh ginger can help freshen your breath! / The health benefits of honey and ginger in treating respiratory problems are unmatched by any other concoction. / Ginger makes good tea! Grate a small piece of ginger root, about the size of a nickel, into a mug. Add the juice of half a lemon. Fill the mug with boiling water. Stir in a teaspoon of organic honey.
GINGER AND TOMATO SAUCE MAKES 6 SERVINGS
Ingredients 1 tbsp sunflower oil 1 tbsp freshly grated ginger 2 cloves garlic, finely chopped 1 small jalapeno pepper, seeded and finely chopped 1/2 grated or finely chopped onion 1 medium carrot, finely shredded 1 tin chopped tomatoes 1 tsp sugar Salt and freshly ground black pepper
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/ Heat the oil in a large saucepan over heat. Fry the ginger, garlic, and jalapeno for 4 minutes. / Mix in the onion and increase the heat to medium. Cook until the onion is soft. Mix in the carrot and cook, stirring often, until the mixture in the pan is nearly dry and clings together. / Add the tomatoes and sugar. Simmer the sauce, stirring occasionally, until it is thick enough to plop from a spoon. Season to taste with salt and pepper. Serve with pasta.
Laksa Noodle Soup Serves 4
Gingerbeer cooler
Makes just under 2.5 litres
Paste (for 8)
Ingredients
1 red chilli, finely chopped 2 stalks of lemongrass, outer leaves removed and chopped 3 cloves of garlic, peeled and chopped 1 shallot or half a small red onion, peeled and chopped 5cm/2 inch piece of root ginger, peeled and chopped 2 finely pared pieces of lime zest, cut in thin slivers 1 bunch of coriander, leaves and stalks roughly chopped 1 tsp turmeric 1 tsp sunflower oil
1 tbsp finely chopped fresh ginger 1 unwaxed lemon, thickly sliced 250g/9oz golden caster sugar 1/2 tsp cream of tartar 3/4 tsp dried fast-action yeast
Soup 700g/ 1.5lb of vegetables – squash, broccoli and cherry tomatoes; or squash and peas with prawns 1 tbsp vegetable oil Half the paste you have made - could be strong otherwise! 500ml/17 fl oz vegetable stock 400ml/14 fl oz can of coconut milk 1 tsp light brown sugar 2 tbsp Thai fish sauce (or soy sauce) 200g/7oz egg noodles Juice of 1 lime
/ Make the paste by blitzing the first six ingredients in a food processor. Add the coriander and turmeric and process to a paste, adding a little oil if it’s too stiff. / Chop the vegetables into large-ish bite-size chunks. Steam squash and broccoli until tender but not falling apart (10 to 15 minutes). Save the water to cook the noodles later. / In a large, heavy-bottomed pan-fry the paste in the oil for a few minutes, until fragrant. Add the stock, coconut milk and sugar and bring to the boil. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add the Thai fish sauce or soy sauce. / Meanwhile, cook the noodles according to their instructions. / Add the vegetables and prawns and simmer for a few minutes until the prawns are cooked. Take off the heat and add the noodles and lime juice. Serve sprinkled with coriander.
Tip / You’ll need 2 x 1.5-litre plastic bottles. Never use glass bottles as the pressure builds up and they will explode!
/ Put the ginger, lemon, sugar, cream of tartar and 750ml cold water into a pan over a medium heat. Bring to the boil, dissolving the sugar. Reduce the heat and simmer for 5 minutes. Add 1.5 litres cold water and sprinkle over the yeast. Cover and set aside in a cool place overnight. / The next day, clean some bottles in hot soapy water. Strain the ginger beer through sieve and fill the bottles – leave a 5cm gap at the top to allow for the build-up of gases. Screw on the lids tightly and leave in a cool place. / Check every few hours, unscrewing the cap a little as the pressure builds up, to allow the gases to escape. / The ginger beer is ready to drink within 12-36 hours, depending on how hot the weather is.
Gingered Chicken Kebabs Serves 4
Ingredients 450g/1lb boneless chicken breast or thighs 2 garlic cloves, crushed 5cm/2 inch fresh ginger root, peeled and grated 1/2 tsp ground coriander 3 tbsp runny honey 2 tbsp sunflower oil 3 tbsp dry sherry 2 tbsp soy sauce The juice of 1/2 a lime / Place all the ingredients, apart from the chicken, in a bowl and mix until well combined. / Cut the chicken into 2.5cm/1 inch cubes and add to the marinade. Mix well, then cover and leave to marinate for at least 2 hours. / Remove the chicken from the bowl, reserving the marinade, and thread onto skewers. / Cook over medium hot coals or under a hot grill for 10 - 15 minutes, turning frequently and basting with the remaining marinade from time to time. Serve immediately.
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Hot Chocolate m loveilk. s.
Adventure Café, George Street
Roast Dinners
Presentation / 9 A dark-coloured chocolate drink with a generous heap of fluffy marshmallows. Flavour / 8 Tasty but could be a little more chocolatey. Temperature / 7 Perfect temperature to sip. Extras / 9 Fast Wi-Fi and free magazines to read. Price / £2.25, marshmallows cost 25p extra.
recession.
Wetherspoons, James St. West The service was quick, the roast beef was a little dry but the rest of the roast was great. The portions were massive too. If you want value for money and a full tummy, head straight down to spoons for your Sunday meal. £6.49 including a pint.
Overall / 9 milk’s star hot chocolate! Good atmosphere and delectable drink. The best all round.
concession.
The Cork, Westgate Buildings
Jazz Café, Kingsmead Square
Eat 5 Star, Kingsmead Square
Presentation / 8 Looked tantalising with a light dusting of cocoa powder on top. Decent sized mug for the price. Flavour / 8 Strong chocolatey flavour but slightly watery. Cream on top was smooth and light. Temperature / 6 Could have been hotter, lost heat quickly. Extras / 10 Very quick Wi-Fi! Enticing range of food available on the menu. Price / £2.25
Presentation / 7 Presented in an unusual black cup and saucer, looked aesthetically intriguing. Smaller sizes than other hot chocolates. No option of cream or marshmallows. Flavour / 8 Good amount of chocolate and not bitter. Temperature / 9 Hot! Extras / 10 Wide range of light-bites at decent prices. Price / £2.20 small, £2.45 medium, £2.60 large.
Overall / 7 Rich taste and efficient service. Extremely friendly staff. Worth going there just to be cheered up.
Overall / 8 Well priced for what you get. Great for a simple, classic hot choc.
Hansel and Gretel, Brock Street
Wild Café, Queen Street
Presentation / 6 No room in the café, option was a takeaway cardboard cup. Flavour / 9 Excellent taste and flavour, sweet but not sickly. Temperature / 8 Very hot. Extras / 7 No Wi-Fi. Very small seating area but lovely gift shop above the café. Price / £2.40
Presentation / 8 Large in size and comes with a cute spoon! Flavour / 5 Watery with a bitter aftertaste like cheap cooking chocolate. Temperature / 7 Warm to the touch and not uncomfortable to hold. Extras / 6 Rabbit Pie on the menu! Relaxing atmosphere. The homemade cake selection looks tempting. Slow Wi-Fi. Price / £1.80 for the standard drink but no extra toppings available.
Overall / 8 The most expensive hot chocolate but worth the flavour, a quaint gem if you’re around the top part of town.
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Overall / 5 You get what you pay for here - a basic hot chocolate.
The meat was tender, tasty and coupled with a generous helping of the biggest roast potatoes I have ever seen! The vegetable helping was a little more reserved but overall the meal was lovely. £7.95 with a valid student card.
obsession.
Gascoyne Place, Saw Close They say they offer the best of British using only locally sourced produce. The place was very warm with a cosy atmosphere and the service was exceptional. The plates were cleanly presented, vegetables and potatoes neatly stacked, gravy flowing. Top roast. £11.50
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bored?
Everyone needs some brain training from time to time. Have a go at these puzzles to keep you looking busy.
1/ How many glasses of milk does a cow produce in her lifetime? 2/ Who brought chocolate to Europe? 3/ In what year was eBay founded? 4/ Who directed the film Breakfast at Tiffany’s? 5/ When were Valentine’s Day cards first mass produced? Check out our facebook page for the answers.
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baked beans hot chocolate roast dinner christmas new year
spa one newton st loe sion hill milk campus
lecturer reindeer fees bar kebab 29
A Day in The Life Of: The SU Presidents... They’re the boys we all saw out every night in freshers week, but what’s behind all that fancy dress? milk popped up to the Students Union to have a chat with Richard Bidgood, Harry Birch and Dan Jones.
Harry What does your typical day involve?
Harry: I wish I had a typical day. There is no such thing as typical day here. Sometimes we’ll be involved in fundraising, which involves dressing up in ridiculous costumes. Actually I’m going to show you a fancy dress costume *rummages around and produces a penis costume from under his desk*. I’ve recently purchased this for our SLAW campaign, sexual health week. Rich: You’ll always see me riding my bike up the drive every morning. We’re all really involved with fundraising, especially the recent demos we’ve been doing, so organizing that is a big project but it’s so rewarding when you see the outcome. Dan: I’m always a bit late getting in, once I’ve had my cup of tea I’m arranging sports events. I absolutely love my job as it’s so varied. I guess I’m lucky in that way, I’m not always stuck behind a desk.
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Dan What’s the best part of your job?
Harry: It’s going to sound corny but part of my motivation factor is helping people. It’s great when I see a student with a concern about something and I can genuinely help them. Afterwards they go away and feel a lot happier about it. That’s the best part of my job and the point of the Students’ Union. Rich: I like to listen to the students and really get their ideas heard. We’ve been working a lot with the buses to sort something out and I’ve been able to do that because the students have told us what they think. Dan: Fundraising is lots of fun. I absolutely love raising money for charity. We’re all running the Bath Half Marathon in March for the Bath Cats and Dogs home. There’s some talk of dressing up as the village people!
Rich What do you want to say to the people of BSU?
Harry: If you’ve got any problems don’t hesitate to come and speak to us. We have an open door policy so you can come in at any time and if you have any problems, hesitations or worries we’re always here. Rich: Voice your opinion and don’t be ashamed to do something about it. This is your uni, we need more people to be active in improving anything you think could be better. Dan: Get involved in everything! Other people will come up to you and tell you how much fun they’re having. I think uni is a time where you can get loads of life experience doing things you’ve never done before. I think everyone should try anything.
team
georgia leaper / project manager
rosanna hood / editor
harriet steeds / production editor
oscar marsh / marketing director
charlie pinder / art director
emily chan / deputy art director
hannah wilmshurst / assistant art ed
patrick bethell / assistant art ed
nina camacho / what’s on? section editor
carly porter / what’s on? deputy section ed
hannah mcgee / features section editor
emma wynne / showcase deputy section ed
ellie palmer / lifestyle section editor
kara rennie / lifestyle deputy section ed
Now we’ve got your attention what are you going to do to get ours? Writer, artist, innovator? Get involved with the Publishing students on the new student magazine, facebook us: MilkMagazine BathSpa
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Bath Spa student magazine made in DYGO3 publishing lab twitter us: @MilkBathSpa facebook us: MilkMagazine BathSpa email us: milkmagazine@live.com