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FIGHT NIGHT SPOTLIGHT ON MARTIAL ARTS AT ROYAL HOLLOWAY
MARCH 2016 | FREE
BATTLING RACISM ON CAMPUS ‘I TOO AM...’ CAMPAIGN COMES TO HOLLOWAY
ASMR: CHANGE THE WAY YOU SLEEP
SCRAPPING GRANTS: NOT AS BAD AS IT SEEMS?
OFFICIAL MAGAZINE OF STUDENTS’ UNION ROYAL HOLLOWAY
THIS ISSUE
EDITOR Laura Denham DEPUTY EDITOR Holly Pyne SUBEDITOR Alice Mason NEWS Chloe Wright Louise Jones OPINION Abbie Cheeseman Tom Vaughan FEATURES Tomike Adeniji Imogen Lily Trinder LIFESTYLE Abigail Rebecca Turner Annie Pantry ARTS Michaelangelo J Fano Lis Carlton
NEWS
COMMENT
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RED RANKING
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COMPENSATION
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The university has ranked poorly in a freedom of speech survey Penrose students will receive compensation for ongoing problems
CULTURE CLASH
Has the recent influx of refugees into Europe caused a clash of cultures?
GRANTS SCRAPPED Is the scrapping of maintenance grants really as bad as we think?
SPORT & SOCIETIES Lydia Macanovic OPERATIONS Hayley Ashworth PHOTOGRAPHY Saurav Chowdhury MARKETING Aakriti Gupta ADVERTISING Sasha Stone
FEATURES
LIFESTYLE
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I TOO AM...
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ZIKA VIRUS
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WEBSITE Dylan Maryk
We speak to the BME officers to find out about their new campaign All you need to know about the virus which is making the headlines
ROHOROSCOPES
What do the stars have in store for you this month?
SLEEP PATTERNS
How ASMR could change the way you sleep
CO-PRESIDENT SOCIETIES & MEDIA Brianna Middleton Macpherson ADDRESS Media Suite, Students’ Union, Royal Holloway University of London, TW20 0EX TEL +44 1784 276 744 EMAIL editor@theorbital.co.uk WEBSITE theorbital.co.uk Cover Photography Team: Saurav Chowdhury Cameron Seymour Cover star: Sam Nichols
ARTS
SPORTS & SOCS
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IS FILM DEAD?
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ONCE UPON A TIME
How have tools used to make high quality cinema changed? A review and interview of Dance Society’s Spring show
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FIGHT NIGHT
We speak to Holloway’s martial arts clubs ahead of fight night
ABHARM
We catch up with Absolute Harmony after their successful Acapalooza
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Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
EDITORIAL This issue we’ve got a special spotlight on the martial arts clubs on campus following the hugely successful A Laura Denham Night at the Dojo Editor and ahead of this month’s Fight Night, big thanks to Karate’s Sam Nichols for braving the freezing temperatures and Saurav and Cameron for persevering to help us get the amazing shots featured in this issue.
This month sports is taking centre stage as we spoke to the Student Union LGBT+ Officer, Laura Lewis, about the new Take a Stand campaign which is tackling LBGTphobia in sport. Our features reporter Beth Carr also went to observe the BME officers in action last month at their ‘I Too Am Royal Holloway’ photographic campaign to find out more about how they are aiming to defeat racism on campus. If you or your club or society have something which you think is
worth reading about or want to gain some recognition or publicity, get in contact with us! This is also my penultimate issue as editor, it’s been an incredible few months, busy and stressful but always worth it when a shiny new copy of the magazine arrives on my desk. If you think you’d like to try your hand at my job or any of our section editor roles, feel free to send me an email to find out more about the roles before our upcoming elections and interviews!
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RED RANKING FOR FREEDOM OF SPEECH
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oyal Holloway has been ranked as ‘red’ in a freedom of speech survey of universities around the UK.
The report was carried out by spiked.com, who describe their survey as ‘the first-of-its-kind analysis of the state of free speech on Britain’s campuses’. Royal Holloway College maintained its ‘amber’ ranking for
Photography by Yasmeen Frasso
freedom of speech. The students’ union however was ranked as ‘red’. The survey suggested that it’s ‘No Platform’ policy for racists and fascists, as well as it’s ‘Safe Space’ policy restricts and stifles free speech. When it combined these results, the survey collectively ranked the SU and College as ‘red’, saying that it the institution ‘creates a hostile environment for free speech.’
The survey is part of a campaign to end campus censorship, surveying 115 universities across the country. Overall, results, using their traffic light ranking system showed that 90% of universities censor speech, up by 10% on 2015’s results.
Louise Jones
March 2016
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PEST PROBLEM AT
JANE HOLLOWAY HALL Pest control were called to Jane Holloway in February to deal with a reported pest problem
n late January there was a reported pest problem around the Jane Holloway Hall building. The College confirmed that a mouse had been seen in the hall’s storage space, and a ‘pest control’ contractor was called out to attempt to deal with the problem.
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Tom Norris, Campus Communications Officer, said in a statement released by the College that, “We take the
cleanliness and upkeep of our buildings very seriously, and routinely clean and check our buildings to protect them from pests. A routine inspection on Friday 22 January found evidence of mice inhabiting a storage area in Jane Holloway Hall. We immediately followed this up by contacting our pest control contractor, who visited Jane Holloway Hall shortly afterwards. Our pest control contractor is currently treating the
ONGOING PROBLEM?
The College have assured that the situation is under control
area, and we expect it be clear soon.” The College reassures students that the problem has been dealt with successfully, as will any further pest incidents around campus. Louise Jones
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ENGLISH COURSES
GO GLOBAL
A recent study has revealed a number of universities around the world are now choosing to teach in English he Dutch-based organisation, StudyPortals, has released research from 100,000 bachelor and masters’ degrees at over 2,100 universities around the world. The research shows that almost 8,000 courses are being taught in English at universities in non-English speaking countries.
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COMPENSATION
FOR PENROSE The students’ union announced that Penrose residents will receive compensation following ongoing problems at the halls this year esidents of Royal Holloway’s Penrose halls of residents are to be compensated following a series on ongoing problems in the accommodate block this academic year.
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The students’ union announced in February that alongside the College, they had collaboratively secured compensation for students who had experience continual problems with heating and water pressure in Penrose. It has been agreed that the 200 students affected, will receive £250 of compensation paid directly to their College card. Which is approximately two
The reason for this is two-fold; firstly, they wish to entice the millions of international students that study abroad but also, prospective students from within their countries that wish to learn in English. The Netherlands has the most English-taught courses on the European continent, with other countries including Germany, Sweden, Denmark and Italy. The trend is broader than within the Europe, as countries such as China, Kenya and Malaysia, all have English-taught courses.
For us at Royal Holloway, an international university that is renown for its influx of international students, it provides an intriguing topic, with the increase of competition for English weeks rent for a student living in speaking universities. However, it also provides a great Penrose. opportunity for any students considering a year abroad, or travelling further afield for a postgraduate.
The students’ union commented that they “Hope that these Holly Pyne students feel that this is sufficient to cover the issues that have affected them while in their accommodation. “We feel that it’s important that reimbursement is carried out in this way, as it means the money goes directly into the students’ pocket, rather than back to parents or sponsors who may have paid accommodation fees on behalf of some tenants.” Laura Denham
Become a Residential Support Assistant! The Residential Support Team are now recruiting Residential Support Assistants (RSAs) for the 2015-16 academic year. RSAs are students who live in halls of residence, and work with the Residential Support Team to ensure a safe and enjoyable living environment for everyone. They can get involved in everything from responding to noise disturbances, and other disruptions in halls, to reassuring upset students or hosting social events.
The role they fulfil is important and valuable, but also good fun and a great experience – and RSAs can earn up to 50 Royal Holloway Passport points, as well as receiving half-price rent during term time. The team are looking for students who are assertive, caring and fun – so if this sounds like you, they would love to see you submit an application form online.
If you would like to know more about the role, or about the recruitment process, get in touch with the team, at residentialsupport@royalholloway.ac.uk. Residential Support Team
Apply online at: www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/RSA201617 Residential Support Team, Application deadline: Sunday 28th February (21:30) International Building IN008
March All interviews will take place on Saturday 12th residentialsupport@ royalholloway.ac.uk
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CLASH OF CULTURES? Ryan Woods on why migration isn’t as simple as it may seem
he fairly recent attack on the Munich subway by four migrants will undoubtedly add to the deafening roar of arguments both for and against a more inclusive Europe. One side more welcoming to refugees and migrants and the other a more closed off ‘each for their own’ alternative. The far right will use the recent video that has surfaced showing four migrants
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verbally assaulting two elderly German men after they stopped the migrants from allegedly harassing the woman they were sitting next to. The left will be quick to say that those perpetrating the attacks are in the clear minority of migrants and refugees. Unfortunately, neither solves the issue, one caused by the inevitable clash of cultures that comes with the arrival of large numbers of people from other countries.
Any influx from any country brings with it new cultural beliefs and practices. It is highly likely that, as we can so clearly see, distinctions between these cultures at times will undoubtedly conflict, leading to unfortunate events such as the aforementioned. To be clear, I am not suggesting those in the video and the actions they take are entirely accurate depictions of their country’s culture - a culture is an amalgamation of all
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CRISIS POINT?
What now needs to be done to protect refugees? Ben White/ CAFOD, October 2015
those who associate with it. A whole country’s culture cannot be depicted through a single person. However, those accused of harassing the woman in the video clearly believed doing so was acceptable, that belief was a result of everything they had experienced beforehand, of which their culture played a part. What needs to be done? Do we simply expect those entering Europe to drop all aspects of their former
selves at the border and become true and honest representations of the country that took them in? No, it’s simply impossible to do so. However, conflicting cultures can clearly not live side by side as the resulting social tensions would be catastrophic, the logical result is a compromise. Those seeking a better life should never be barred from doing so, it is our duty as human beings to help all that we can; but those entering cultures so
clearly different from their own must be aware that to lead happy and successful lives certain aspects of their culture and perceptions must be altered. All of this will take time, incidents like that outlined earlier will most likely continue to occur, but in the end it will all be worth it and everyone will be better off. Ryan Woods
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TRUST IS THE
TROUBLE Samuel Walker analyses the problems with race for the White House
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video has recently resurfaced, likely circulated by a Democrat, of the US Presidential candidate’s debate of 1980, between George Bush Sr. and Ronald Reagan. In it, the two discuss the issue of whether children of illegal immigrants should be allowed public schools in the US.
Given much the perception of the late Republican Party, you’d have expected both candidates to be against the principle vehemently, but you’d be wrong. Both candidates were for the greater integration of illegal immigrants and working with Mexico to ensure the border was consistent with both parties’ aims. Contrast this with today, and the leading Republican candidate Donald Trump believes he can ensure Mexico foot the bill for a wall along the border. The Presidential race thus far has been led by men completely devoid of any pragmatic thinking, instead geared towards populist self-righteous posturing and quick quip’s designed to belittle the other candidates. The highest polling moderate Republican candidate, Marco Rubio, is found far behind Trump’s colossal 33.0% at a measly 13.3%. In terms of the democrats, Clinton has most to gain from Trump throwing discord in the Republican camp, with the hope that moderate floating voters would flock to her should he gain nomination. But, Hillary is plagued with the mistakes of the relative before. American voters find it difficult to connect with the idea of dynastic rule, whether or not that person is fit for office or not. It should be worthy of note however that she is part of the problem I mentioned earlier along. The language and rhetoric engaged by her and her campaign team is too simplistic, almost as if in order to gain traction, her PR team has advised her to follow a style akin to Trump’s. Say all, but say nothing at all. Populism is the symptom, but the cause is more difficult to pin. Distrust of politicians in the wake of international blunders, be it Iraq or Vietnam, fuelled by a federal wide drop in school performance rates during an earlier period have raised a generation of older voters skeptical of anyone who fits the traditional mould of politics. It seems we are, rather pessimistically set for a period, of throwing support behind outspoken, controversial figures. We no longer trust our leaders, and we will all suffer upon bad reflection for it. To read the full article head to theorbital.co.uk
TRUMP
Photography: Michael Vadon, Flickr
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WHY ACTIVISM HAS BEEN GIVEN A BAD NAME Natasha Phillips on the power of student activism and its unfortunate stereotype
PROTEST
Photography: Chase Carter, by Flickr
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n activist is defined as an individual who campaigns for social or political change, who sees a problem and acts on it to make a difference. This is the type of endeavour we should encourage and support, but many don’t. Activists have a bad image – they strive to vocalise the opinions of the overlooked, but are instead alienating the very people they are fighting for. Many associate the word ‘activist’ with being eccentric, militant, and aggressive - these are all negative adjectives despite the positive ambition of these people. We have come to disassociate ourselves with groups who are actively fighting for causes that we believe in, whilst we sit idly by. It is often the extreme, unorthodox acts of activists that tend to be remembered, rather than the message that they are trying to convey. These people do not want notoriety – they want change. Lack of support for activism is especially problematic as numbers are often an
essential criteria for gaining attention and having their views acknowledged. Stereotypes portrayed in the media are hugely detrimental for the goal of equality. A study conducted by researchers at the University of Toronto has found that people were less likely to adopt pro-feminist behaviours if they read about a ‘typical’ feminist who was more actively engaged in their cause and took part in rallies, than an ‘atypical’ feminist who didn’t fit the stereotypical profile of a feminist, with similar results found for environmentalist groups. This demonstrates the fact that people are more likely to identify with activist groups if they are seen as less abrasive and confrontational, favouring more peaceful methods of protest, but more often than not, being peaceful does not equal being heard. While the work of activists is not always supported, universities are a great platform for individuals to come together and take a stand. Royal Holloway’s own activist groups include Amnesty
International, Feminist Society, LGBT+ Society, Conservation and Animal Volunteer Society, and Sustainability Society and have created a range of campaigns that have made an impact not just on campus but on the wider community. Many are taking steps to engage with students through visibility campaigns which are increasing awareness and support for causes that affect them uniquely. The deputy of the Feminist Society, Sarah Newall, tells us about how they are engaging with the wider community: “We encourage inter-sectional feminism within our society and choose to spend our time fighting for the marginalised groups we represent. We also have continued involvement with the SU Welfare and Diversity team, which means we encourage broad, varied, and new approaches to feminism all the time”. The Feminist Society’s #UglyGirlsClub campaign was covered by multiple major news websites and gained a considerable social media following. Actions like these show just how much impact smaller groups can have, and give us hope that as the face of activism changes, so too does its perception from the outside.
12 ORBITAL | Royal Holloway Student Magazine Beth Carr explores why the removal of maintenance grants is not a disaster eorge Osborne’s first budget in a Conservative majority government last summer saw the news that maintenance grants were to be scrapped and replaced with higher loans for students from low-income families. Despite petitions and debates in both Houses of government in January, the decision remains that students starting university in 2016 will no longer be eligible for grants and instead receive a higher loan, sparking much outrage from the media and MPs in support of grants. However, if you are reading this you most likely will already be a
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loan will be £10,702 per year, an increase of over £2,500 from the current level of support available. There is also a call for universities to provide more support to disadvantaged students, which could be in the form of grants, scholarships or bursaries. Moreover repayments are not as terrible as they seem. If you earn less than £21,000 a year you won’t pay anything. Earn more than that and you pay 9% on any earnings above that figure – so if you earn £22,000, you would pay 9% of £1,000 each year, which comes to £90. With some students currently borrowing £50,000 over the course of their degrees, unless you earn a high
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Future students may have lost grants, but there’s no reason to lose hope.”
student, and the good news is that current students will still be able to claim government grants. So if you are a continuing student your financial position will only change if your parental income changes, and even then you will still be able to get a grant under the same system as this year. The grant amounts are fixed but with a £200 increase in the maximum loan, most students will receive more money than last year from student finance. But what if you are a new starter and fearful about being able to afford university without a non-repayable grant? Although everything you receive from student finance will theoretically have to be paid back, students under the altered scheme will be in a far better financial situation during their studies than ever before. For students studying within London (and that includes Royal Holloway!) the maximum
salary you will never pay it all back, especially if you take the increased level of loan in place of a grant. It’s removed from your salary before tax through your payslip and is written off after thirty years – it’s more of a graduate tax than a loan. The decision by the government is, of course, a failure of trust for all those who expected to benefit from the current system, and the frozen repayment figure is the worst of the changes, prompting legal action from Martin Lewis over whether this change should affect current students when they are already tied to a student loan agreement. The removal of maintenance grants is not a removal of financial support but an alteration in the amount you must pay back, and for most people this will never fully be repaid. Future students may have lost the grants, but there’s no reason to lose hope.
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March 2016
GRANTS SCRAPPED? IT’S NOT WHAT IT SEEMS.
OSBORNE
The cuts in fees prompted uproar and protest from students. Credit: Number 10/Flickr
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We all share anxiety. We all have good days and we all have bad days. With anxiety, one almost becomes hyper-aware, but that doesn’t mean that everyone isn’t feeling the same, it just means that those who are hyper-aware feel entrapped within their acute perception of reality. For those who don’t understand this feeling, it is sometimes difficult to gauge how it can affect someone to such an extent. It is easy for someone to feel selfish, or guilty about sharing their feelings. As students, rising numbers of us are increasingly suffering from stress, anxiety and depression. Why? Because our structure is messed up. We have deadlines coming out of our ears and we don’t know when one week ends and another begins, then finally we lose sight of why we’re even putting ourselves through this, and that it’s too late to turn back now. On the other side, we aren’t challenged enough. Or we are challenged in the wrong ways. We feel our slowly depleting energy continuously focused on the things that we no longer consider priorities, and fall into a hole of hopelessness where we can no longer see the other side through the haze of our early morning caffeine rush. The most important route to take when beginning ones adaptation to minor mental disorders is structure- a structure to one’s day, or week even”
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When we bring this problem into the medical world, we are very quick to be subscribed medication that will “help” but what about withdrawal symptoms when we run out? What about the psychological reliance we have on these “happy” pills. Yeah, they sort out our chemical imbalance, but that’s all it is, an imbalance. There’s a reason for the chemical imbalance in the first place, but there’s no way that we can’t sort out our imbalances utilising people, ourselves even. The most important route to take when beginning ones adaptation to minor mental disorders is structure- a structure to one’s day, or week even, if you can think that far ahead. It all comes down to the same old thing. A healthy diet, exercise and a structured sleeping pattern. By indulging in the things we love and by spending time with close friends, anxiety can become manageable in this weird three years of university life that we’re never going to experience again. Counselling can often help, but it’s not for everyone. It is however good to recognise this through experience rather than assumption, take advantage of the free counselling we have on campus. There has been a vast increase in students attending to counselling, which is proof in itself that many people are sufferers, and with this recognition, more people are willing to open up. And so they should.
THE STUDENT
STRATEGY Abigail Ratcliff on safeguarding mental health at university
PEACE
Routine can help with anxiety before delving for the pills
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LIFE UNDER
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SIEGE
Alice Barnes-Brown attended a talk on by Royal Holloway’s Middle East society which welcomed two incredible speakers, different in language and ethnicity, but united by war and terror. hose in attendance were able to get a glimpse into the lives of people who come to Europe as refugees, but hope one day to return to the land they know as home. In peaceful, leafy Egham, it is easy to forget about the people behind the news stories – their experiences, their emotions, their fears. Ahmad and Bashar reminded us why we should do more to help political refugees, and why we shouldn’t subscribe to the demonisation they face in the press.
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Bashar, a law student at the University of East Anglia, was a child of war. At age 12, whilst he was at school, it was announced that 60 Israeli aircraft had begun air-strikes on Gaza. As his family lived close to the Israel-Palestine border, they were the first to flee. They retreated inland, but even that wasn’t safe for long. One night, when there were six of them sleeping in a tiny kitchen, they heard gunshots and ran to their car. The man directing the traffic away from the city told them solemnly, “on the right is life. Left is death. It’s up to you”. Four years later, Bashar was on his way to get a haircut. His father calls him, exclaiming that once again, Israel was attacking. This time, his family went underground. When his parents left the shelter briefly, bombs started raining
Europe is not heaven. People must realise that we don’t want to leave our homes and our families: we just have to.”
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down upon them. Bashar and his siblings were terrified. In a scene not unlike the Blitz, they spent twenty minutes believing their parents to be dead, but unable to move from the spot as explosions could be heard outside. Eventually, his parents shouted to say they were alive. A wave of relief washed over them – but this was only temporary. During Ramadan in 2014, yet another wave of attacks hit the West Bank. Bashar is injured after a biological bomb explodes close to him, and he inhales its toxic fumes; leaving him unable to eat, drink or move. By some miracle, he survives, but he knows he was lucky. 25,000 people were killed in this war. But where can the Palestinians go, he asks, when the surrounding countries have closed their borders? The second speaker, Ahmad, gave an even more impassioned talk about his experiences as a Kurd. Kurdish people, whose nation transgresses the state boundaries of Turkey, Syria, Iraq and Iran, are often left out of mainstream discussions about refugees. Ahmad
moved to Kurdish Iraq, which was comparatively stable at the time. During his work with the UN there, he had rescued a 12 year old Yazidi girl who had been sold into sex slavery by ISIS. She was traumatised, and had been raped over 57 times. On the day Ahmad was to take her to the airport to fly to Germany, she had completed suicide in the hotel room. The worst of it is, this is just one tragic story in over 5,000 more cases. He now lives with an English family and works towards a Master’s degree. “I am here” he says, with joy in his voice, “and I am alive”. A clap echoes around the room. We shouldn’t congratulate ourselves just yet, though. Ahmad warns of the damage caused by the harmful stereotypes perpetuated in the media. “Europe is not heaven. People must realise that we don’t want to leave our homes and our families: we just have to”. Both Ahmad and Bashar put a human face to all the statistics we hear about in the news. By listening to their stories and seeing the impact it still has on them, it helps to overcome prejudice and serves to instruct listeners in basic human compassion. If there’s one thing that young people can do to help, Ahmad and Bashar both agreed that education is the best weapon against intolerance, and that’s exactly what the Middle East Society have helped to promote.
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I TOO AM ROYAL HOLLOWAY Beth Carr chats to BME officers Farah and Nadia to find out more their recent campaign
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nspired by Princeton and Cambridge, the recent ‘I too am Royal Holloway, gathers students’ experience of racism on our campus and seeks to raise awareness of racist comments. Even after reading the first few comments there is a shocked silence in the quad from those involved, and it’s clear that racist comments are a persistent problem for BME students, with comments such as “Where do I start?” being heard as the group expands. Some students preferred to just stand and watch in support while others keenly write their statement and swiftly replace it with another. There’s an awareness that this is a problem that’s not unique to Royal Holloway. Discussions concluded that SOAS, established as a centre for colonial
studies, may have the issue too. And it’s not even just universities. Grace Almond, Vice President of the newly formed Women of Colour Feminism Society, told The Orbital that “in left wing politics, people of colour are used as token members. A lot of white left wing activists use [their BME colleagues] to say ‘We’re not racist’”. Nadia and Farah the SU BME Officers behind the idea, hope it will promote inclusion and change what we see as racism: “We are not claiming to speak on behalf of all BME students as that would be impossible and homogenising due to our diverse nature. However the fact that some do experience such racism is enough for it to be an issue that should be highlighted, as it has been ignored for too long. The fact that this campaign has been done at many universities
BATTLING STEREOTYPES
The campaign aims to raise awareness of racism on campus
shows that it is a larger social and institutional problem rather than a select few racist individuals.” What is being said is common and is not just motivated by alcohol – the students involved reported receiving comments in the library and in classes, as well as at nights out in the SU. There is also a hope that their campaign efforts will show that BME students are not just a box to tick for racial equality within the university. Racism is not over and the consequences of these comments can be isolation and damaged mental health. Further BME events and the full campaign, can be found on their Facebook page.
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We hoped that this campaign would be an easy and accessible way for students, people of colour and white alike, to become aware of the microaggressions and ignorant stereotypes some BME students are frequently subject to.� Farah & Nadia
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SOLIDARITY
The Campaign was designed to be accessible to all students. Photography by Yasmeen Frasso.
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A NEW HEALTH
EPIDEMIC?
Tomike Adeniji discusses important facts about the Zika virus, the areas that are most at risk, and advice about travelling to these high risk areas.
March 2016
ika virus, a disease which is spread by a species of mosquito called Aedes, has very recently been classified as an ‘emergency’ by The World Health Organization. After first being identified almost 70 years ago, cases of people infected by this virus began to resurface in May 2015 in Brazil. As of yet treatment for this disease has not been presented.
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What is Zika virus? Zika virus causes symptoms such as headache, pains in the muscles and joints, fever and rashes which can last between 2 to 7 days. There are concerns about the speed at which it can be transmitted, and its potential arrival over the world. However 80% of people who contract the virus never experience any symptoms. As of yet there are cases of Zika transmission in countries such as Brazil, United
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States, Columbia, Jamaica, Mexico and more. It is difficult to predict where transmission of this disease will occur but it is definitely not limited to these countries. One of the biggest worries is the link between Zika virus and microcephaly, a birth defect that causes an abnormally small sized head and difficulties in development and movement. Therefore it poses a risk especially for pregnant women.
Stay in rooms which have windows protected by a mosquito screen. Use insect repellents correctly by reading the instructions Try your best to cover exposed skin where possible. Sleep on beds which are protected by mosquito nets. Visit the websites of The World Health Organization and Centers for Disease Control for more information.
How else may it be spread?
There have been two reported cases of the Zika virus in Australia. Health officials have said the two Sydney residents had recently returned from the Caribbean. the virus was also detected in two unrelated cases in the Republic of Ireland, officials there said. A man and an older woman, who have both recovered, had a history of travelling to a Zika affected country.
A bite from a mosquito that has been infected by Zika can cause symptoms of this disease. However it recent outbreak has reportedly been transferred sexually. What if I am going on holiday to an affected country?
Which areas have been affected?
If you are travelling to an area in which Zika virus is active it is important to minimise the risk of contracting the disease. It is advisable to:
ZIKA VIRUS
Photography credit: Coniferconifer/Flickr
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INTERVIEW: THE STEP
Jess Hines interviews The Step and talks to them about their song writing, their thoughts on popular talent TV shows and working with Liam Nolan - who worked on Adele’s “Hello”. rosslands is alive and buzzing with students as the crew enters to set up for another Coffee House Sessions performance. Performing tonight is London based Italian indie duo, The Step.
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They finish their performance and immediately begin handing out free copies of their EP Gravity, interacting with their audience and receiving an array of compliments. Stefano and Oliviero were happy to discuss their music, explaining the beginnings of the band and how lucky they felt to be working together. They explain how they both worked on other projects in Italy before finding each other. (Stefano:)“It’s a dream, I can say to him, ‘you remember that song…’ and he’ll say ‘of course I do’”. They speak together, finishing each other’s sentences and overlapping each other with the same comments, their artistic connection is undeniable “the ideas are flowing together and in the same moment” Stefano tells me. They explain that while Stefano takes on most of the songwriting, Oliviero alters the piece with the addition of the guitar, highlighting important parts of the song. (Oliviero):“It’s never the same once it’s finished”. Being in a band isn’t easy; we all know that, so what keeps them still doing it? (Oliviero): “Playing a gig, playing our own music and having someone come to us after and say ‘Hey man, I really liked your gig, that song is amazing…’ even if it’s a large crowd, just one person makes it all worth it.” These guys are so deep into their music, their fans, it’s clear from the sparkling excitement in their eyes as Stefano states “it is not possible to be without music, I’ve tried, (I) can’t live without it.” Oliviero nods
in agreement, their passion for what they do emits from them both like electricity. When I ask about the difficulties of being a musician, of breaking on to the scene they’re quick to describe their distaste for the likes of the X Factor and The Voice. (Oliviero):“It’s difficult when you must fight against artists who are becoming superstars from being on TV for just half an hour because labels want to spend easy money”. For many, the journey a musician makes from playing almost empty gigs, to sell out shows is an important part of shaping them as an artist, a journey that can easily be cut short through an X Factor appearance. They go on to discuss the trouble of travelling around London with instruments and amps in tow, (Stefano):“Carrying this stuff around London is difficult, but we have to do it.” He smiles and shrugs, clearly a worthy struggle. The duo share the excitement behind an unreleased song, mixed in Metropolis Studio, London by Liam Nolan, who worked on Adele’s 25 and Hello. (Stefano):“It’s our first time to work with such a professional guy, mixing can change the song so much!” A
COFFEE HOUSE SESSIONS
The Step performed in Crosslands as part of the Coffee House Sessions tour.
busy year lies ahead for The Step; they’re working on a LP for release, organizing another tour while ensuring they still have time for smaller gigs and festivals.
It’s difficult when you must fight against artists who are becoming superstars from being on TV for just half an hour.”
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As they head off for another interview the impression they’ve left remains strong in the air, igniting energy and excitement among all. Download their EP Gravity for free from iTunes.
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ROHOROSCOPES
What have the stars got in store for you this month? Our resident mystic Abi Turner predicts your life at Holloway for the next four weeks.
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Scorpio 23rd October
– 21st November
Love: Go to the gym, an old flame may surprise you. Travel: Richmond and Windsor will be prominent in this month’s dates. Study: You may not spend enough time on your work and this will show.
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Aquarius
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Taurus
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Leo
20th January
– 18th February
Love: There is someone in Crosslands who has their eye on you. Travel: You feel strangely drawn to Egham High Street, possibly five trips a week. Study: You may not do as well as last term.
20th April – 20th May
Love: It is going to be a month of fiery passion; a trip to Victoria Secrets is needed. Travel: Fly somewhere romantic, maybe to Paris or Prague. Study: You are going to ace this month in all aspects of life.
23rd July – 22nd August
Love: It’s time to make a decision concerning that guy from History Society. Travel: Stay close to campus, you cannot afford distraction. Study: Founders library is waiting for your return, get some work done this month.
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Sagittarius
P
Pisces
G
Gemini
V
Virgo
22nd November
– 21st December
Love: Someone from the swimming team has a crush on you, go for it! Travel: You book a holiday somewhere exotic. Study: Don’t be lazy this term.
19th February – 20th March
Love: Make your move; stop putting it off and ask that cute girl from Ultimate Frisbee out. Travel: Book a trip, maybe go to Rome; for culture and Gelato. Study: You will be just fine, stop panicking!
21st May – 20th June
Love: After a raunchy night in medicine, you will have a multitude of sin. Travel: Get as far away as you can, it’s RAG Jailbreak time! Study: Work hard and it will show in your results.
23rd August
- 22nd September
Love: You may face rejection this month, but don’t be disheartened things can only get better. Travel: Walks around Virginia Water will really help your focus. Study: You know how much work you need to do, but will you succeed? The choice is yours.
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Capricorn
A
Aries
22nd December – 19th January
Love: Your sweetheart will surprise you in many ways. Travel: You feel the need to go home more this month. Study: Make sure that with all your home comforts, you put the time in for your work.
21st March – 19th April
Love: There is love to be found on the SU dancefloor. Travel: It is time to go to Brighton and let your hair down. Study: With all the excitement this month, remember to keep on top of your lecture preparation.
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Cancer
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Libra
21st June – 22nd July
Love: Not going to lie, it will be very quiet for you. Travel: Grab a coat and venture into Staines… you may find an opportunity. Study: Endless nights in Bedford library await you.
23rd September – 22nd October
Love: Take the hint, the staff at Tommy’s bar don’t want to buy you a drink. Travel: You feel the need to venture into London more often this month, try to be restrained with that shopping obsession. Study: It will be a struggle this term, I’m afraid, don’t give up.
22 ORBITAL | Royal Holloway Student Magazine
CHANGE THE WAY YOU SLEEP Joanne Archer investigates ASMR. We have all been there. Hiding at the back of a lecture, finding ourselves dozing off at the monotonous tone of the lecturer’s voice at 9am on a Monday morning. We would all much rather be tucked up in bed sleeping until the late hours of the afternoon. But have you ever wondered why you are finding yourself in a drifting state? Aside from the obvious shift in your bed time to 3am, you may be experiencing ‘ASMR’.
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SMR stands for ‘Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response’. It is best described as a tingling or relaxing sensation that runs from your head, through your neck and down your shoulders. Cast your minds back to childhood when we used to take delight in ‘drawing’ on each other’s backs and that oh-so calming feeling of having your hair brushed and played with. Some of us may even enjoy that feeling now. The sensation of ASMR, though very subtle and not even experienced by all, is thought to be linked to our childhood experiences, thus relaxing us into a sleepy state. This is why some people find the sound of lecturing voices to be so sleep-inducing. They trigger a response that may be linked to childhood
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open-minded. It can get weird very quickly. As I said, we are on the strange side of the Internet. It is best to try out a few different videos before deciding ASMR is too bizarre for you. If you are new to the ASMR world, I would suggest searching for an ASMR video without any speaking in it and listening through headphones for the maximum effect. Those featuring ‘soft speaking’ can be very relaxing, WhispersRed’s videos for example, but they are definitely not for everyone. Unfortunately with ASMR, you can have too much of a good thing. Many people complain of losing their ‘tingles’, the common description used for the sensation, from listening to the sounds too frequently. Certain sounds may no longer give you the same feeling as before and this is why
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Many people complain of losing their ‘tingles’, the common description used for the sensation, from listening to the sounds too frequently.” memories of being read to or of being taught in the classroom. But that’s not where ASMR ends. You know that weird side of the Internet that you occasionally find yourself on? That is where you can find a collection of ASMR ‘artists’ who produce videos of various sounds that trigger the senses. Some of the most common triggers that are performed in these videos are hair brushing, massages, tapping and crinkling. If you can think of a sound, there is probably a video for it. The videos are produced using highly sensitive microphones and are accompanied with a visuals. Some people find that watching a person carry out a task whilst listening to the audio can be especially triggering for the ASMR effect, but I just find it a tad creepy. Personally, I find it best to lay back, shut my eyes and just listen. Despite the creepiness of the videos, it is often pretty extraordinary to see what great lengths the ASMR artists go to in order to create sets that create an authentic setting be it a spa or a shop. The important thing with ASMR is to be
SLEEPING BEAUTY ASMR may improve your sleep pattern. Photography by Jessie Beach-Thomas.
ASMR artists have to constantly find new sounds to trigger their audiences. This also means that there is a huge variety of content. You can find anything from a softspoken make up tutorial to a psychologist visit. Part of the reason people are so put-off ASMR is because of the inherent sexual nature of the videos. When you tell someone that you get tingles from soft speaking and role-play massages, it doesn’t go down too well. It is rather difficult to explain and understand. Research conducted by the University of Swansea disproved the correlation between sexuality and ASMR with Dr Nick Davis noting “The fact that a huge number of people are triggered by whispering voices suggests that the sensation is related to being intimate with someone in a non-sexual way. Very few people reported a sexual motivation for ASMR, it really is about feeling relaxed or vulnerable with another person.” In this respect, ASMR is, for many people, the equivalent of visiting a councillor or simply being pampered. Many people report it helping with relaxation, sleep, anxiety and stress. If you are struggling with sleep or any of the above, I would highly suggest giving ASMR a go. It may just be the best thing since counting sheep.
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SIMPLE SPRING RECIPES Lydia Castellano
Lent can be a difficult time for those of us giving up some our favourite things, so I’ve collected some gorgeous recipes that will make everything a lot easier.
PEANUT BUTTER BLONDIES
VEGGIE THAI GREEN CURRY
Ingredients:
Ingredients:
Method:
Method:
125g plain flour 1 teaspoon baking powder 100g butter (at room temperature, plus extra for greasing) 150g crunchy peanut butter 175g light brown sugar 1 egg (beaten) 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 75g either peanut butter chips or chopped peanuts
Preheat the oven to 170C/ Gas 3. Butter the sides of a 20 x 20cm square cake tin and line with greaseproof paper. Sift the flour and baking powder into a small bowl and set aside.
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2 In a large bowl, cream the butter and peanut butter together until very soft. Then, add the sugar, egg and vanilla extract and beat until well combined. Mix in the flour, baking powder and chips/chunks/peanuts until a dough is formed 3 Pour the dough into the cake tin and bake in the
centre of the oven for 25-30 minutes, or until golden brown and almost firm in the centre. Serve warmed with a dollop of vanilla ice cream
1 tablespoon olive oil 2-3 tablespoons Thai green curry paste 400ml tin coconut milk Juice of 1 lime A handful of chopped fresh coriander Red chilli (optional) At least 500g of an assortment of green vegetables – whatever you have in the freezer.
Heat the oil in a deep frying pan on a medium heat Add the curry paste and half of the coconut milk and heat through to release the fragrance.
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2 Stir in the vegetables and cook until soft (if you’re
using frozen veg, defrost before stirring in) Stir in the rest of the coconut milk and the lime juice until all combined, allow to simmer for 5 minutes until the sauce has thickened slightly.
3 Add the coriander and chilli (if you can handle the
heat), and cook for a further 3 minutes. Serve with boiled rice and garnish with coriander leaves
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MOST INSTAGRAMMABLE DINNERS IN LONDON If you want somewhere quirky with delicious food and exquisite surroundings that will have your whole social media following drooling over their phones, then look no further. Here is a list of four radical restaurants that will have you jumping on the next train. Words by Abigail Turner.
BUBBLEDOGS his unique take on the classic burger and beer has given the humble go to meal a Tiffany ring of approval. Swapping the basic burger for an insanely tasteful hot dog. With a range of toppings from mac and cheese to the Fernando: chorizo and caper aioli, it kicks Five Guys out of the park. Oh, and all washed down with glass a Champagne. (The Champagne menu is twice the size of the food menu so you really cannot go wrong.)
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Charlotte Street, just off Tottenham Court Road
THE BOOK CLUB he Book Club is the indie kids paradise. Live music, constant art exhibitions and obviously a cocktail menu to die for. The Book Club brings all of neighbouring Brick Lane’s quirkiness into its small interior. Providing delicate breakfasts yet also hangover heaven, healthy lunches that jump off the pages of Hemsley Hemsely whilst also serving the most greasy, cheesiest nachos in the East End.
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Shoreditch just around the corner from Liverpool Street station
COMPTOIR LIBANAIS f you are feeling more adventurous this chain of Lebanese cuisine can be found all over London. With it’s relaxed, Bankseyesque interior and street style food it is a winner for trying new delicacies. They have a fizzing range of homemade lemonades, the most popular being pomegranate and orange blossom. With authentic tagines and koftas this is the perfect stop for lunch or dinner, especially for those who are trending the current hummus and falafel mode.
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Found all across London
CAFFE CONCERTO
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nother chain restaurant, which can be found on any London high street. Caffé Concerto is a mix of French and Italian finery. If the chandeliers and glasswork don’t steal your eye’s attention then the array of gateaux and profiteroles just may. This is a favourite for any sweet tooth, and a perfect Instagramming opportunity.
Found all across London
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OLD FASHIONED?
Will the old methods of filming survive or see a resurgence like the sales in records compared to music streaming?
IS FILM DEAD? Nebiu Samuel discusses the changing technology in film-making
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his may seem like a strange question since movies are still pulling in large audiences every week, but I’m not referring to the films themselves but the film they are shoot on. Allow me to explain, just a two decade ago most films were shoot on film usually on 35mm film cameras, but in the new millennium digital film technology started to supersede it. One of the main reasons shooting a film with a digital camera is preferred over shooting on film is that its more practical and easier to work with for film makers for a variety of reasons. For one thing working with a digital camera means you can watch back what you’ve filmed immediately, rather than having to go through the process over handling the film, sending to the post-house to be
developed and watching dailies (Dailies refer to a series of printed shots from the previous days shooting) the next day. Furthermore, films shot digitally last longer and don’t lose quality over time since they can be saved on a hard drive unlike film reels which without care and attention will eventually decay. It’s also easier to project and send to cinemas since film reels aren’t used, making the projectionists job much easier. But what does this all mean for the end product that we watch on the big screen, does it make a difference? Well this really depends on your personal preference none can really be told, you just have to decide for yourself. However, I can tell you my personal verdict on the matter and since I recently watched Quentin Tarantino’s ‘The Hateful Eight’ (shot on 70mm film) projected on film and digitally, I can say that film still has the
edge, but the difference between two is a subtle one rather than an obvious one. The small details in the landscapes and in the actors faces that are somehow amplified when projected on film. Now you may feel like I sound like a hipster describing why vinyl Is superior to CDs and mp3s and maybe I do but it’s something that needs to be said because film is dying. Now film cameras are rarely used to shoot the movies we see in the cinema with only a small group of directors sticking with it such as Quentin Tarantino, Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan and Alejandro Inarritu. So to circle back to the question I posed in the beginning of this article, film is dying, but it isn’t dead yet and when we consider how long vinyl has lasted in a world of MP3s and streaming music online, there may be hope that it too can survive and continue to be used albeit by a small group of film makers.
March 2016
Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
REVIEW:
WONDER.LAND George Somers reviews the National’s twist on Lewis Carroll’s famous tale n November of last year, Lewis Carroll’s beloved ‘Alice’s Adventures in Wonderland’ celebrated its one hundred and fiftieth year of confusing, bewildering and enthralling readers of all ages. London is going utterly Alice mad (hatter) over its birthday. Disclaimer: I can’t promise this article won’t be infested with puns. You have been warned.
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In true bonkers and unique theatrical style, the Southbank’s most treasured institution is taking a twist on the traditional tale, incorporating CGI, the ‘f’ word and occasional zombies into a remarkable spectacle of wonder. ‘Wonder.land’ follows the story of Alice (or Ally) as she dodges the bullying cliché, navigates the treacherous road of adolescence and generally makes a cringe-worthy mess of teenage-hood. Stumbling over ‘www.wonder.land’ on her newsfeed, the offensively purple site promising to transform her life and fulfil her wildest dreams, she clicks. Tumbling into cyberspace and intoxicated by a game in which she can be the perfect girl she’s always longed to be, we meet the virus Cheshire Cat, the hormonal Dodo who wears his sister’s bras and the body-building White Rabbit. With a soundtrack distinctly familiar and ‘Matilda’-like, the backing ballads were composed by Blur’s own Damon Albarn, who warns of the tracks that they’re “more Monty Python than Disney”. Despite the apparently child-friendly appeal of the well-known ‘Alice’ story, the unexpected swearing of the March Hare and oddly sexual Red Queen puts the musical into a peculiar state of limbo, firmly wedged between fluffy innocent schoolboy humour and crude adult slang. As long as your child knows what a “sex act” is and has a basic understanding of the human reproductive system, you’ll be fine. In term of special effects and breaking new theatrical ground, ‘Wonder.land’ ticks every box with ease, blending state of the art technology, fit-inducing light work and an obscene rainbow colour scheme to create something you simply cannot pass up. Unfortunately, a show of this calibre, with its defied expectations, novel ideas and ingenious stage antics, proves remarkably hard to review, placing me in the odd situation of simply urging you to witness the chaos before it concludes on April 30th. Forget everything you thought you knew about the niche, blonde-haired Victorian child of the Carroll original, because this year, the National Theatre takes the tale to the web.
On until 30st April, at the National Theatre.
TWISTED TALE
The production is a creative and unusal twist on the traditional story
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REVIEW: ROOM Nebiu Samuel reviews the Oscar nominated adaptation of Emma Donohue’s best-selling novel
oom tells the story of a women held in captivity with her young son, similar to and partly inspired by real life events such as the Josef Filtzl case. A film about such a horrific and cruel event could have resulted in a gratuitous and badly judged film, however director Lenny Abrahamson and writer Emma Donoghue have managed to avoid this and have made an emotionally effecting film about a mother and son in terrible circumstances.
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The film focuses on the day to day life of 24 year old Joy and five year old Jack in the room they are held in. One of the most fascinating plot points in the film is the world, Joy has created for Jack within the room. To him the world only includes the room he lives in and the objects that populate it and believes the things he sees on television like other people or cars and trees don’t exist in the real world.
This was not only made engaging and believable by the direction and writing, but by the excellent performances by Jacob Tremblay as Jack and Brie Larson as Joy who is a front runner for Best Actress at
Larson keeps her performance grounded and rarely over acts, but makes subtle choices in her acting, to stay in keeping with the films sombre tone.”
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the Oscars and deservedly so. Tremblay remains engaging throughout the film and is able to deal with some of the serious concepts and issues his character faces in the film without any difficulty, which is very impressive for a child actor. Furthermore, Larson keeps her performance grounded and rarely
BOOK TO FILM
This film is an adaptation of Emma Donoghue’s best-selling novel
over acts, but makes subtle choices in her acting, to stay in keeping with the films sombre tone. Both actors also sell their dramatic and tense moments very well which will likely bring most audience members to tears, as I did. Although the film is tackling an unpleasant subject which some may feel, they wouldn’t want to see in the cinema, I would urge you to give it a chance, as the filmmaker’s deal with the nastier aspects of the subject matter in a respectful and subtle manner. Abrahamson as well as Donoghue and the actors have made a very emotional, sweet and at times tense film, which is one of the best of the year and deserving of its award nominations and wins.
Nebiu Samuel
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ONCE UPON A TIME Lauren Nesbitt interviews a member of Dance Society’s committee following their successful Spring show.
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his term the dance society have been busy rehearsing for their dance performance ‘Once upon A Time’ which was held on the 6th, 7th and 8th of February. In order to prepare for the fairytale styled show, the society held a number of social events to fund-raise for the show, but more importantly to get into the mood. One of the events was the Fairy cocktails and quiz night which was themed upon fairy tales, dancing, and the university itself. The event also sold ‘bippity boppity booze’ in the form of fairy tale
REHEARSALS
We went to rehearsals to check out Dance society in action. Photography by Yasmeen Frasso.
SHOWTIME
A ballet trio take to the stage. Photography by Brianna Middleton Macperhson
and dance themed cocktails. The fairytale theme was generated by all the members of the committee and was picked so that all styles of dance could choreograph routines easily. The theme was chosen at the start of the academic year and the show is held across three separate nights showcasing 33 different routines. The routines were choreographed by members of the committee, some new members to the society and even some of the alumni. Here we have an interview with one of the committee members Charlotte Cole who has choreographed the beginners tap routine:
How long does it take to choreograph a dance routine? That really depends! For our competition last term, I choreographed a tap routine and that took me absolutely ages. I wanted for it to be really intricate and creative and challenging so that took a lot of work! Plus the dance was over 4 minutes long – a lot of counts of 8 in dance terms! However, other routines I have choreographed this term such as beginner tap did not take me too long at all. In only a matter of a few hours of listening to the song, I was able to come up with something simple but effective. Can you tell us some more about the themed events? We had a fairies vs. Pirates social where people came dressed as either a fairies or pirates and took part in pirate treasure hunts, fairy face painting, and various other themed activities. We also did a maleficent movie night where we watched a movie that twisted a classic fairy tale. Of
Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
March 2016
Whether you have danced before or want to learn a new skill, dance society is the perfect opportunity to learn new creative dance routines, make new friends and enjoy the many socials�
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VARIETY
The show contained a variety of styles and including dancers with a range of abilities.
course we had popcorn, sweets and drinks to enjoy the film with. We heard that there is a dance competition for the society? Yes, we are going to a competition in Northampton on the 20th March. The dances for this do not have to be themed but there are specifics in the criteria given to us by those running this competition concerning certain steps that must be in each number! Can anyone who hasn’t dance before join the society? Of course! We offer lots of beginner classes in lots of styles for those who want to give dance a try for the first time. And we are always excited to welcome new members to the society so it would be great to see some new faces! Whether you have danced before or want to learn a new skill, dance society is the perfect opportunity to learn new creative dance routines, make new friends and enjoy the many socials throughout the year!
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32 ORBITAL | Royal Holloway Student Magazine he drama and musical societies have A Night at the Theatre, you can turn up and watch lots of Holloway’s teams play every Bears day, but until recently Royal Holloway’s Martial Arts clubs have been relatively out of the spotlight. The introduction of A Night at the Dojo in January finally allowed the clubs to showcase their talent with a night dedicated to exhibition matches and displays from all five martial arts clubs on campus. We caught up with
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beginner? MMA was something I had wanted to do for a long time but I’d never had the time. I bumped into one of the MMA guys at the SU in freshers week in first year and joined as soon as I could. I’d never done any combat sports at all but the high level of coaching and the friendly atmosphere made it easy for beginners to grow in confidence quickly. Ultimately everyone has to start somewhere! Finally, why should people come and watch the next fight night at Royal
I’d never done any combat sports at all but the high level of coaching and the friendly atmosphere made it easy for beginners to grow in confidence quickly. Ultimately everyone has to start somewhere!
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a few of them to find out about the differences in each martial art, how easy it is to get involved and to find out what they’ve to in store for the upcoming fight night in March. Dan Pretorius, MMA President What makes mma different from other forms of martial arts? MMA is different because instead of utilising just one of the martial arts it is a combination of many. MMA fighters are some of the most versatile, being able to fight standing up or grapple their opponents on the ground. How did you get involved? Is it easy to start as a
Holloway? People should come and watch in March as it will be a fantastic night whether you’re into watching fights or not. The atmosphere is amazing and the fighters are dedicated and I know will put on a great show. There’s also a chance it might inspire you to take the step and join the club, you never know what you’re capable of! Sam Nichols, Karate Secretary How did you find participating in A Night at the Dojo? I found participating in Night at he Dojo to be great fun to participate in! Being able to get stuck in to fighting another person and giving my all to (cont on p.34)
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March 2016
Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
FIGHT NIGHT
We speak to Royal Holloway’s Martial Arts clubs to find out more about their upcoming ‘Fight Night’
KARATE
Karate ‘s Sam Nichols practices in Founders Building North Quad Photography: Saurav Chowdhury
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34 ORBITAL | Royal Holloway Student Magazine overcome them has always been one of my favourite aspects of Karate. Of course the best part of A Night at the Dojo was that I got asked to go along to a photo shoot with the Orbital and fulfil my dream of becoming a model! Why should people come and watch the next fight night? People should come along to watch any of the displays of the martial arts clubs here on campus if they haven’t any interest in seeing what we do or want to know whether they are clubs that would be right for them should they wish to join. Beyond that I always find it entertaining to watch other Karate members fighting in a controlled and safe environment.
I always find it entertaining to watch other Karate members fighting in a controlled and safe environment.”
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What makes karate unique from other martial arts? Shotokan Karate (the form we do here at university) focuses on the self defence aspects of fighting. Whilst every has this idea of karate being just punching up and down a hall we teach you how to effectively defend yourself against an everyday attacker. This may not sound very unique but the way in which it is taught emphasises two key aspects; the first being that there is no first hand in karate and that you should never initiate violent behaviour, the second being that anyone can learn to defend themselves regardless of physical size or strength. Is it easy to pick up karate as a beginner? How can people get involved at RHUL? It’s incredibly easy for beginners to get involved in karate here at RHUL seeing as we welcome all skill levels and train to ensure that everybody is learning from a session. If you’re interested in trying out karate then I recommend liking our facebook page Royal Holloway Karate and coming along to one of our Wednesday or Friday training sessions!
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Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
March 2016
ABHARM
ACAPALOOZA
Absolute Harmony’s very own acapella festival has become a yearly tradition. The aim was simple: five days of acapella entertainment.
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capalooza commenced on January 25th with a very successful open rehearsal followed by lip sync battles in Medicine, which had a record number of students in attendance. We spoke to the President of Absolute Harmony, Abbie Witherington, to find out more: What has been the most successful acapalooza event in your opinion and why? How we collaborated with so many societies that we haven’t necessarily spent any time with before. We had events with MTS, Voices
REHEARSAL
Absolute harmony clad in their distinctive purple ready for show-time
of Holloway and Comedy Club. It was such a pleasure to join in with other societies and their activities. With the joint rehearsals with Voices of Holloway we were able to place our members outside of their comfort zone and get them dancing whilst singing, it was a unique and fun experience for both choirs. We even collaborated with the comedy society, something that we’ve never done before, and the results were better than what we could have predicted, our joint open mic night was a huge successCrosslands was packed!! How many members are currently in Absolute Harmony and Hardcore Harmony? An astonishing 75 paying members, which is forever increasing, we have just had two new members join this term! This year
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has been incredible for recruiting new members, at the end of last year there was less than 10 members carrying on to the next year, so I am chuffed that we as a committee have intrigued so many members to join and stay apart of our society. We truly are one huge family. This year we have a larger number of members in Hardcore Harmony, with 19 of us. We had such a influx of talented auditionees, which is perfect as we are now in the process of competitions with other a Capella choirs.
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We offer something that is now both visually and audibly stimulating. It’s been a creative and entirely fun process so far.” You mentioned an upcoming competition, the first one in five years, how has the preparation been going? Yes now this is very very exciting. After researching into a Capella UK based competitions I quickly realised we lacked something; movement. I knew we couldn’t ever wish to compete if we didn’t have some kind of corresponding movement, so now we have introduced choreography to our Hardcore Harmony repertoire and it has given such life to our performances. We offer something that is now both visually and audibly stimulating. It’s been a creative and entirely fun process so far, and we have just recorded and sent off our video audition tape to Voice Festival UK. Very very giddy. What are some of Absolute Harmony’s future events that we need to be excited for? Lots awaiting Absolute Harmony, we have our Spring Concert coming up, we have another fantastic AbFilth night that we are arranging again, look out for a cirque du soleil theme! We also look forward to a personalised workshop with the fabulous Opus Jam- a very prestigious a Capella choir! And of course if all goes to plan, competitions for Hardcore Harmony.
Lucy Thomas
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PLAYING FOR THE
OTHER TEAM
Students’ Union LGBT+ Officer Laura Lewis fills us in on her campaign to take a stand in sport
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and the LGBT+ sports team aims to extend this education onto the pitch.
The work of the LGBT+ team serves as a celebration of the LGBT+ community, but also forms a collective stand against LGBTphobia, which unfortunately remains prevalent on university campuses. In 2012, NUS launched ‘Out in Sport’, a report on how homophobia,
TAKE A STAND
The team are hoping to raise awareness of LGBT+-phobia in sport
biphobia, and transphobia affected LGBT+ participation in sport. The findings hinted at underlying issues within the culture of sport: 17.1% of LGBT students who participate in team sport are not open about their sexuality, and of that 17.1%, over 20% stated concerns that being out might lead to verbal or physical abuse caused by LGBTphobia. It is clear that the culture surrounding sport needs to change, and our team hopes to open doors for LGBT+ students to engage more in sport on campus. The team is a form of celebrating solidarity, whilst also reaching out and raising awareness of LGBT+ issues.
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The BUCS #TakeAStand campaign seeks to make sport on university campuses a more inclusive and accessible experience, attempting to eradicate prejudices, and we take our inspiration from this campaign. Jack Kilker (Co-President Welfare and Diversity) has celebrated the
It is clear that the culture surrounding sport needs to change, and our team hopes to open doors for LGBT+ students to engage more in sport on campus.”
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March 2016
Royal Holloway Student Magazine | ORBITAL
37
CELEBRATION
LGBT+ officer, Laura, celebrates during their football match
the end of each training session, teams will #TakeAStand and sign a pledge to keep LGBT-phobia out of sport.
increase in student engagement in diversity campaigns: “So many new student groups have engaged with campaigns, be that through something as simple as attending our Sexy Pub Quiz in SHAG Week, to running their own Mental Health Awareness Week alongside the Students’ Union.
To now be able to form an LGBT+ sports team, and to engage with so many of our sports clubs in such a simple yet approachable way is another hugely positive thing, and I’m really looking forward to taking part in this, and seeing what we can do next!’ At
Keep an eye out on the RHUL LGBT+ Society Facebook page for updates on where and when we will be playing, and the range of other events we’ll be hosting this LGBT+ History Month!
RAINBOW LACES
To show your support you can add a rainbow ribbon to your social media profile pictures Credit: Kate Burns
38 ORBITAL | Royal Holloway Student Magazine
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SPOTLIGHT ON: CIRCUS You may have seen Circus society around last term blazing their trail and establishing themselves as a performing arts society. ambled in to one of their training sessions to catch them in their element. Almost immediately after walking in I could feel the sense of community and togetherness that Circus emanated. With background music boosting the energy, Circus made a creative space to express themselves in. During the session I spoke to the President of the society Humarrah Shiekh.
I
What was a highlight from last term? I think a highlight was the big gig that we had on bonfire night at Foresters Arms as we got to join the locals in the pub; we had a huge turnout and it was really good fun. We ended up getting loads of new people so it was great. Any events planned for this term? We’re doing the Abfilth Cirque de Soleil, where we’ll be fire spinning outside the SU and hopefully doing some LEDs inside. We’re planning a circus takeover of the Armstrong Gun soon, where we’ll be holding a training session open to everyone with a BBQ and some fire spinning once it gets dark. We also hope to arrange a summer show for all our members to show off the skills they’ve learnt over the year Are members of Circus from a specific subject area? We’re quite diverse, there are a couple from drama but most of us study Geology, Physics, Computer Science and Information Security. We’ve got some exchange students who have just joined as well. Also, we have First years straight up to PHDs so there’s a whole range of ages here. It’s really, really open for everyone to come. What do you think sets Circus apart from other performing arts societies? I think we’re a quirky bunch; we’re the alternative kids in performing arts. In performing arts they are well interlinked with each other, like music and drama for example. Circus is a bit of a weird one, it’s a performing art but it doesn’t quite fit as neatly as the others do with each other, but that creates a different space and freedom of expression. It’s a slightly different art. I feel that it’s slightly weird but wonderful.
Lydia Macanovic
CIRCUS SKILLS
Photography by Jessie Beach Thomas