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PALATINATE The official Durham University student newspaper since 1948

ISSUE 705 | FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY 2009

St. John’s College races past its centenary and into the future JONATHAN ALLEN

Computer Science department to be subsumed Laura Pennington

Current students and alumni take part in the St John’s College Centenary Run, part of the centenary weekend celebrations. See page 2

Research Assessment Exercise a success, despite confusion >> Archaeology, geography, maths and theology among top-scoring research subjects Adam Painter ONLY COMING ONCE every five years, the Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) can prove both joyful and agonising to UK universities. >>>RAE 2008, published on 18th December, has continued the tradition. Durham is celebrating yet again, with an outstanding set of scores despite the new marking regime bringing with it confusion and uncertainty. >>>The RAE was first held in 1986, with this recent assessment being the 6th set of results. The last set of results, published in 2001, cited Durham as one of the most research intensive institutions in the UK. >>>That has not changed - this time, over 90% of Durham’s departments have been classed as having “internationally renowned” research. >>>The research is graded by the HEFCE

(Higher Education Funding Council England) using a star rating, with four stars for world leading quality, three for internationally excellent, two for recognised internationally, and one for nationally recognised. >>>The best-performing departments were Maths, Archaeology, Geography, and Theology and Religion, which were also classed as some of the best in the whole country. >>>All of Durham’s departments scored 50% or above for their research in the top two categories. >>>Overall, the university came in 17th out of all the UK’s 127 universities, and top in the North East - followed by Newcastle, Northumbria, Teesside and Sunderland respectively. >>>The method of assessment has caused some confusion. In the past, RAE research was ranked 3, 4 and 5 with 5* being awarded to the most outstanding.

>>>The numbers were also accompanied by either A, B or C, representing the proportion of staff entered to be assessed at each level.

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Position of Durham University UK universities assessed

>>>This time however, a percentage has been given for the proportion of total staff entered which attained each ranking. >>>This has lead to some doubt regarding the proportion of funding each department will receive, especially as it is impossible to compare the results with last year due to the differing marking systems. >>>In the face of confusion, one thing that is certain is Durham’s continued success. >>>The university ranks highest out of its 1994 group of universities proportionately,

beating the universities of Bath, York and St. Andrews. >>>The Vice-Chancellor, Professor Chris Higgins, said: “While we are still considering the results and their implications in greater detail, this is a very pleasing outcome that is testament to the excellence and hard work of our academic staff over the last seven years.” >>>Professor Tom McLeish, Pro ViceChancellor for Research, added: “These results are yet another indicator of Durham University’s continually rising position as a leading research university, stemming from the excellence, enthusiasm and energy of our staff.” >>>In recent years, concerns have emerged regarding the RAE and the need for its reform, resulting in the extended seven year gap between the most recent sets of results. A new system, the Research Excellence Framework, will come into force later this year.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY WILL integrate the Computer Science department into the School of Engineering from August 2009. >>>The change is planned to take place over the summer, and comes following a review of the Computer Science department commissioned by the Pro-VC of Science last term. >>>One of the main issues which came out of that review was the small size of the department in comparison to others wtihin the Science Faculty. >>>Professor David Budgen of the Computer Science department has reassured current Computer Science undergraduates that this change will not directly impact upon them, but will have a more profound effect on its staff. >>>Professor Budgen was quick to point out that the Computer Science department actually began its life in the School of Engineering. >>>“There may be some consequences such as a possible renaming of the School (again), as well as changes in the location of some of our offices, but none of this should have any impact upon either the degree programmes that we provide, or the teaching activities that we undertake”, he said. >>>“Students will continue to study for degree programmes in Computer Science/ Software Engineering just as at present, as will the next intake in October.” >>>The future of Computer Science is now being discussed across both departments involved and staff have stressed that it is still “very much business as usual” for students.

Visual Arts

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AS EVER THE Union Society is crammed full of events this term, so come along to the chamber whenever you have a free moment.

Last Friday’s debate on a Conservative Government’s ability to fix Britain’s ‘broken society’ was most adversarial, with the parties from both sides of the spectrum attacking each other.

The Chamber was near full with people coming to hear the likes of Simon Hughes MP talk on why he feels the Liberal Democrats are the party for the future.

This Friday 27th February, the Union debates the compatibility of Islam and democracy. The rise of Islamic fundamentalism, Sharia law and the relationship between religion and politics are all subjects which fill the media at the moment, and you can be sure to hear controversial arguments from both sides of the floor.

Samir El-Youssef, a Palestinian atheist and Gina Khan, a critic of Islamism will propose the motion. Baroness Falkner and Dr. Tahir Abbas, Director of the Centre for the Study of Ethnicity and Culture, will speak for the opposition.

Dr. Matt Ridley will be addressing the Union with a talk entitled “Genes, Culture and the Future”. Dr. Ridley is a former American editor of the Economist, and he has sold over half a million copies of his books on genetics. If you want to hear cutting edge views on these issues then come to the chamber on Tuesday 3rd March to hear the man who founded the Centre for Life in Newcastle talk.

Finally, next Friday 6th March, the Union will host a forum on Science and Ethics. You can discuss stem cell research, organ donation, bird flu, assisted suicide and much more in this “Question time” style forum with the likes of Dr. Tony Calland, head of the BMA’s medical ethics committee, Raanan Gillon, a Professor of Medical ethics, and Prof. Chris Higgins, a member of the Human Genetics Commission.

If you have a spare evening, check your Union Society term card. You never know what you could discover!

Violent assault Laura Pennington AN ASSAULT TOOK place this Tuesday in the Gilesgate area between two local men. A 27-year-old man who is believed to have been attacked by an unidentified weapon, has received treatment at Durham University Hospital for head and hand injuries. >>>The 34 year-old-man who was arrested for the assualt, has been questioned and released by police on bail until Monday. >>>Martin Wallwork, a police spokesman revealed that the “men are believed to have been known to each other but a motive is yet to be established.” He continued to stress that “nothing was stolen” and “that it wasn’t a random attack”. >>>Anyone with information should contact Durham CID on 03456060365.

Zoe Griffiths BIOLOGISTS AT DURHAM University have discovered the key to conserving one of Britain’s best loved species - the butterfly. Recent research led by biologists at Durham and York universities has investigated the effects of climate change on Britain’s butterflies and identified ‘assisted colonisation’ as a successful method for combating the challenges threatening them. >>>‘Assisted colonisation’ re-locates butterflies who are struggling in their current habitats to areas further North, which over decades of warming, have become more ‘climatically-suitable’. >>>In 1999 and 2000, the research team, funded by NERC (Natural Environment Research Council), moved Marbled White and Small Skipper butterflies from sites in North Yorkshire to disused quarries in County Durham and Northumberland. >>>The team’s climate-change models had identified these areas as among those that would offer the butterflies the opportunity to thrive. The scientists then monitored the population development for eight years. >>>Professor Brian Huntley from Durham University said, “the results show that although areas in the north are becoming

suitable for a wider range of butterflies, shifts in butterfly distributions are lagging behind climate change because many species have limited mobility or struggle to cross large distances between sites offering suitable habitat.” >>>As habitats for butterflies continue to diminish, their difficulties are heightened.

Richard Fox, Surveys Manager for the UK charity Butterfly Conservation, explained that in many cases spreading northwards has “been held back by lack of habitat to act as stepping stones or green corridors.” >>>He claimed the “intensive farming and forestry, and urban development” that Britain has seen in recent decades is culpable for most of this “destruction and fragmentation of ...habitats.” >>>The results from the research brings attention to the need to develop new urban and rural development policies to protect the habitats essential to butterflies. Development and climate change has turned the butterfly from the summer-time garden resident of our childhoods, to a rare visitor. >>>The butterflies considered in the study, the Marbled White and the Small Skipper, both fly from late June to early August. The Small Skipper (the Thymelicus sylvestris) lays its eggs in the grass species known as Yorkshire Fog. The preservation of this

St John’s celebrates 100th birthday Stevie Martin LAST WEEKEND SAW the centenary celebrations of St John’s College. >>>Beginning with a cathedral concert on the Friday night, featuring both current students and Alumni, the proceedings have catered for all tastes. From the John’s Cantata to the Chapel choir, the 100 year old college rounded off its celebrations with a rendition of the College hymn. >>>Saturday kicked off with the Centenary run, seeing one hundred current and ex-Johnians thundering along a gruelling three mile course. >>>People collapsed, vomited in bushes and, in the case of the John’s mascot, Olav, did respectably well despite donning an extremely heavy, furry alligator costume. >>>Additionally, ex-principal Stephan Sykes almost got run over by four of the more over-enthusiastic runners, with winner Ed Knudsen finishing at a pretty much Olympic standard. >>>With the college full of sweating, shaking and incredibly dehydrated Johnians, everyone crowded around to witness the opening of a brand new fully equipped coffee shop. >>>Following the Cathedral service, a

number of ‘Johns-orientated’ stalls were set up in Leech Hall including slideshows featuring past students. >>>Alumni mixed with current Johnians, and the result was a charming afternoon spent with birthday cake and surprisingly hilarious nostalgia on the part of the Alumni. >>>One man admitted jumping out of the top floor of Cruddas onto an array of mattresses as a dare.

Another regaled listeners with tales of how he had fainted two minutes before his first rugby match and had to be carried home before even setting foot on the pitch. >>>As the evening approached, preparations were underway for the grand Feast.

Guests were greeted with a string quartet at reception and Cara Parkinson’s piano accompaniment in Leech Hall as they were led into the stunningly decorated dining area with equally attractive culinary delights. >>>Current students were mixed with alumni and college staff in a memorabe evening of interesting evening. When the plates had been cleared, it was time for Kinky Jeff and the Hatfield Swingers who never fail to impress and certainly entertained guests well into the night. Finally came the bop which went on until past 3am.

JIM ASHER

Will Stanley George Beverly

‘Assisted colonisation’ key to conserving butterflies

JIM ASHER

From the Union

grass is vital to the survival of the butterflies. >>>The success of the assisted colonisation demonstrates the accuracy of the scientists predictions about the suitability of certain areas to accommodate the butterflies. >>>The reliability of their models enables scientists to react to future climate change in such a way that will act to conserve the species and possibly others; Profes-

sor Huntley said “as climate continues

to change this century, successful biodiversity conservation will require reliable

predictions of species’ responses to the changing climate.”

>>>Assisted colonisation is a positive step forward for conservationists and biolo-

gists, in their attempts to protect creatures like the butterfly, which may otherwise be overlooked in our vastly changing world.

PRESIDENT’S COLUMN

ANDY WELCH

I came to the conclusion recently that I need three law degrees to do the job of DSU President. Unfortunately I have none. I need one in employment law, one in tax and finance law and most importantly one in charity law.

I’m not certain how many hours of my life recently I have spent talking about charity law with regards to both JCRs and DSU, but it is probably more time than I spend sleeping!

In 2006 the government made considerable changes to the laws surrounding charities and we are still dealing with the fall out of this. In the past JCRs and DSU were exempt charities, which meant they had the tax benefits of charities without all of the red tape. Basically we relied on the charitable status of the University in order to operate as charities. This is no longer possible so we must now work on becoming independent charities. There is no alternative to this as other options would all lead to rather large tax bills! Unfortunately this is not a simple process and we need to figure out what type of charities to become; whatever type we decide upon will require some change. If we do it correctly this should not change your everyday experience of Durham, but behind the scenes things will be slightly different. , JCR will need to set up Trustee Boards in the same way that DSU did last year.

Trustees look after and support a charity and if everything goes pear shaped they are the ones who get in trouble! Some of the DSU Trustees are experienced individuals, external to the organisation, who bring skills such as being an accountant or lawyer, whilst others are current students. They oversee all of the Union’s work and ensure that it is well run. We are currently electing next year’s student trustees. The elections are between the 2nd and 6th of March at https://vote.dsu.org.uk/, and if you want to learn more about the implications of the Charities Act come and chat to me or your JCR President

C M Y K

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Iraqi Ambassador talks to Durham students ON WEDNESDAY the Calman Learning Centre played host to the Iraqi Ambassador to the United States, Samir Sumaida’ie, who spoke about the past and present of Iraq and answered the questions put by a lively audience. >>>His Excellency Ambassador Sumaida’ie graduated as an engineer from King’s College, Durham, in 1965, before it became Newcastle University. He was a political activist against Saddam Hussein and he returned to his home country after the American-led invasion in 2003. In 2004 he became Minister of Interior and later in the same year became ambassador to the UN. In April 2006 he became ambassador to America, the position he currently holds. >>>Ambassador Sumaida’ie began by explaining the important role of Mesopotamia in the development of civilisation and then spoke of the civil circumstances of the Iraq of his childhood. He carried on by briefly outlining the grim situation for Iraqis under the rule of Saddam Hussein – economic incompetence, pointless wars, social oppression and crippling sanctions imposed by the international community. >>>His support for the American-led intervention met incredulity from some portions of the audience. Ambassador Sumaida’ie

spoke of his involvement in lobbying the American government to support regime change, a campaign which fell on deaf ears until the events of September 11th 2001. He refused to speculate on Washington’s motives for intervention. >>>Not every American action was praised, however. Ambassador Sumaida’ie criticised the gross mismanagement of post-invasion Iraq, arguing that the American establishment failed to appreciate how weakened Iraq had been by years of dictatorship and sanctions. Ambassador Sumaida’ie credited General David Petraeus for improving the situation and described George W. Bush’s support for the ‘surge’, against the prevailing wisdom in Washington, as “his finest hour”. This was not the ambassador’s only Churchillian appeal. He effectively summarised his position of qualified gratitude for the intervention by quoting one of Churchill’s gems: “Americans can always be counted on to do the right thing, after they have exhausted all other possibilities.” >>>The key note that Ambassador Sumaida’ie expressed was optimism.

Against some of the sentiments expressed by audience members, he argued that the sectarian divisions in Iraq are overestimated by pundits and analysts. He expressed hope for Iraq’s future and pride at the free institutions and gradual progress of his country.

Female’s online stalker comes to Durham Jess Pauley A DURHAM STUDENT has told Palatinate of her ordeal after a man she met on her gap year back in Spring 2007 bombarded her almost daily with emails and eventually decided to come to Durham from Hong Kong to try and reunite. >>>The girl, who wishes to remain anonymous, became acquainted with the man at a language school in Bordeaux almost two years ago. >>> At the end of the course, email addresses were exchanged as a courtesy and in due course the pair became friends on Facebook. A month or so later, the man started to email the girl on a whole variety of topics, ranging from American history to Windows Vista. She replied to one email at the start, but apart from this, was never in contact with the man. >>>She told Palatinate, “I thought that the emails were strange, but I was not unduly worried…they were not threatening or offensive”. She started to become concerned when he began to say that he had checked the weather in Durham, advising her to wrap up warm. She came to the decision to block him on Facebook after he sent her an email detailing his daily routine, which included checking her profile

for new wall posts and photos. >>>She decided to contact the Police after she received an email saying that he had booked a flight to the UK and a hotel in Durham for 16th-22nd February to come and see her. Legally this could not be treated as a harassment case as she had not specifically told him to stop emailing her. >>>On Tuesday 17th February, the girl called the hotel, who confirmed that he had checked in. On Wednesday she received a call from her Senior Tutor who said that the man had been at her college trying to locate her and as a result had decided to call the Police. The man was instructed not to contact her anymore and she has not heard from him since. >>>Her situation demonstrates that people should be more wary when accepting friends on Facebook. Although she does not blame Facebook as the cause of what happened, the girl suggests that you should really think about how much of your life you put online; “you don’t know who might be following your life”. >>>Additionally, an article published in the Sunday Times last weekend claims that up to 40% of the 70 million Facebook accounts are fake - indicating that it is virtually impossible to know who lurks behind a profile picture.

DURHAM UNIVERSITY MEDIA RELATIONS

Chris Wright

IN BRIEF

Students unimpressed with Cathedral City Andy Moore DURHAM HAS BEEN rated as one of the worst university towns in a new survey by accommodationforstudents.com. >>>Despite being the third oldest university in England and its consistent success in academic league tables, students have been less than enamoured with their overall experience of the city. >>>As a result, Durham finds itself languishing second only to Salford and Pontypridd. Salford was rated by Channel 4 in 2005 as the 9th worst place to live in England, based on criteria such as crime and environment. >>>The survey was based on the results of 38,000 reviews by students of their experiences in their university towns, based on social life, transport links, community and facilities. >>>Simon Thompson, from accommodationforstudents.com claimed that students still rate nightlife of high importance, despite concerns over future job prospects which could force students to focus entirely on academic reputation. >>>Nightlife certainly seemed to be the main issue for the Durham students whose opinions Palatinate asked for. >>>However, Durham appeared rather

anomalous on other issues, such as housing. The general trend of the survey showed that towns which were too large for a student community to develop, such as London, came low down on the survey.

Conversely, towns with ‘student ghettos’ were appealing to students. >>>Simon Thompson said this is because “there is safety in numbers, and these areas have a strong community”. Perhaps parallels can be drawn with Durham’s viaduct area, so why the poor results in this survey? Perhaps Durham goes too far in the other direction, and the total dominance of the student population and university campus over the city means students are unable to perceive the city as anything other than part of their academic life. >>>Cities such as Manchester, Sheffield and Newcastle were amongst the top university cities in the survey. >>>Perhaps with Durham’s students, it’s a case of taking what they do have for granted. After all, not many students have the opportunity to live in a castle, or at least near to one. >>>This survey is only one of many that have been carried out – the latest National Student Survey scores placed Durham among the top 20 universities for student satisfaction.

Lib Dems accused of underhand tactics THE DURHAM City Labour Party has accused their Liberal Democrat rivals of ‘anti-democratic gerrymandering’ in the parish of Sherburn, nearby to Durham city, writes Peter Reid. >>>According to Labour, the Lib Demcontrolled Sherburn parish council neglected to send out official polling cards to the entire electorate, whereas their party sent fake cards to known Liberal Democrat supporters, ensuring they would know the date and location of the election on the 12th of February. >>>The Labour party candidate for Sherburn council, Angela Leary, has lodged an official complaint with Durham City Council and the Electoral Commission, saying that the Liberal Democrats’ actions “constitute a breach of electoral law”. She is campaigning for the election to be declared invalid and a second election to take place. >>>Katherine O’Brien, the Chairperson of Durham University Labour Club (DULC) has described the incident as “an absolute disgrace”. Miss O’Brien added “it is completely unfair and inappropriate to trick people in this manner”.

DSU student trustee elections

DSU ELECTIONS for next year’s four student trustees open this coming week, writes Vincent McAviney. >>>The Trustee Board also includes the four sabbatical officers and four externally co-opted trustees. It oversees the running of the DSU, including the commercial side of the union and ensuring that Planet of Sound and Kingsgate are run smoothly and profitably. >>>The candidates’ manifestos are available to view online on the DSU website and voting opens 9am, Monday 2nd March.

Wii volunteer

THE WEEK OF Monday 23rd to Friday 27th February was National Student Volunteering Week, writes Frances Main. >>>Student Community Action held a number of events to mark the occasion.

On Monday and Tuesday, SCA invited passers-by to have a go on a Nintendo Wii in Riverside Café to promote their new ‘Wii Volunteer’ project. >>>The outreach project will see students taking the console into elderly people’s homes to play with the residents.

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New DSU sabbatical officers announced

Durham Uni is a ‘good place to work’

>> Palatinate examines the results of the sabbatical elections >> Our reporter caught up with the newly-elected officers after they received the good news Emily Evans THE ELECTIONS OPENED on Monday 2nd February with the launch of the campaigns for the four DSU sabbatical positions: the all-important DSU president, the Societies and Student Development Officer, the Education and Welfare Officer and DUCK Manager. >>>A week of intense postering, flyering and endless self-promotion by all the candidates climaxed in the crucial husts at Durham and Queen’s Campuses on 4th and 5th of February respectively. The elections were fought hard and the results were announced at the Riverside Cafe in the DSU on 13th February. >>>Natalie Crisp won the position of President, Nicky Godfrey was elected as Education and Welfare Officer, Ben Robertson became Societies and Student Development Officer and Alex Howell takes

over as DUCK Manager. >>>The college with the best turnout was Grey with 59.17% of their students voting in the election. Fellow hill college Van Mildert held the most influence in the elections, with 563 of the 3139 total votes cast. >>>However, the most noticeable figures were the significantly smaller number of votes within the postgraduate and Queen’s Campus communities. George Stephenson and John Snow colleges made up just 191 of the 3139 votes, despite their large population of 2162 students. >>>Similarly, the postgraduate involvement in the election was minimal with just 2.58% of postgraduates voting. >>>Palatinate wishes Natalie, Ben, Nicky and Alex the best of luck in their new roles. It seems that the most challenging job they will face will be to get Durham students more involved with the running of the Union.

DSU President - Natalie Crisp “I'd like to think I am an approachable person who will bring enthusiasm, dedication and commitment to the role. In essence I would like people to feel that they have a reactive DSU, which listens to students and engages with them. I want to make DSU more accessable to the student body.”

Education and Welfare Officer - Nicky Godfrey “I hope that I can bring a friendly face and approachability to the DSU, promoting awareness of the amazing education and welfare services available. I’d like to speak to as many students one-on-one as possible, so I can listen to what they think first-hand, and so they know who I am. I’ll be using the best parts of what previous officers have introduced and attempting to improve things where I think I can.“ Societies and Student Dev. Officer - Ben Robertson “A lot of good work on the new societies system has been implemented by Anthony, and I feel that I am able to take it to the next level in making things easier for next year's societies. Another key aspect is to ensure that we give better training and support to our officers on what to do in their role and provide assistance where needs be.”

DUCK Manager - Alex Howell “I really want to strengthen relationships inside and outside DUCK- there are some really exciting developments with departments funding research through DUCK expeditions, I want to get more feedback from the charities we support to put more of a face on causes, and emphasise the idea that any student can pitch in with DUCK and make a difference.”

Increased UCAS applications following job shortage Ashera Sheikh THE NUMBER OF school leavers opting for higher education rather than joining the employment market has seen a significant increase, according to latest figures. >>>University admissions service UCAS has reported an increase of 7.8% in the number of applications received by the main application deadline in comparison to this time last year. >>> This information follows last year’s applications which stood at a record breaking 430,000. UCAS has also confirmed that the increase in applications is reflected in the undergraduate intake of 2008. >>> Last year saw a 10.4% increase in the number of students accepted onto undergraduate courses. >>>The boom in applications is considered to be a result of the economic climate as applicants make the decision to continue in higher education rather than struggle in a recession-hit employment market. >>> Last week the Association of Graduate Recruiters (AGR) said that the number of vacancies available is set to see a de-

crease for the first time in five years. The future is uncertain even for those already in employment, with AGR warning that many employers will cut wages by up to

“A result of the economic climate...”

8% to try and deal with the recession.

The National Union of Students (NUS) has described the increase in applications as “encouraging.” However, they also warn that it will require an increase in the number of undergraduate places available if demands are to be met. >>> The president of the NUS, Wes Streeting, commented that whilst the record-breaking number of applications is positive, he remains “concerned” that the number of places available will fall short of demands as a result of the cap on numbers introduced by the government. >>>Universities Secretary John Denham stated last month that the number of additional student places would be capped

at 10,000. >>> This figure replaced the original figure of 15,000 that was rejected when the government underestimated the numbers of students that would be eligible for grants.

Chief Executive of Universities UK, Diana Warwick, welcomed the increase in applications, but called upon the government to match the growth with additional financial provisions. Financial support is essential in order to ensure that the increase in applications is met with an increase in the number of university places available. >>> Pressure is now on the government to launch an immediate review of the number of student applications for the 2009 intake and make the necessary investments to guarantee that all students have the opportunity to achieve their potential.

NUS say they are aware of the financial pressures upon the government, but that it is vital for the government to see the longterm benefits of having a better educated population. >>>Investment in university places now is better than trying to cope with rising unemployment in the future.

Emily Evans DURHAM UNIVERSITY HAS achieved above-average results in a survey of higher education employment. The report, entitled ‘Recruitment and Retention of Staff in UK Higher Education 2008’ and published by The Universities and Colleges Employers Association (UCEA), has ranked Durham as above average in all categories of staff turnover, both academic and non-academic. >>>The UCEA states that “the UK wide survey, supported by UUK and GuildHE, is based on returns from 114 Higher Education Institutions (70% of HEIs) and was carried out via the HEFCE (Higher Education Funding Council For England) website.” The report is also “backed up by the Higher Education Statistics Agency’s (HESA) data on the numbers of staff leavers.” >>>Durham University is pleased with the UCEA’s findings. It announced that the report is consistent with its own employee survey, which showed that “the majority of staff think that Durham is an attractive place to work, with good pay, conditions of employment and environment in which to work and study.” >>>However, the university assures its students and staff that it acknowledges that “there are always improvements to be made and these remain a high priority.” >>>Overall, the analysis of the nationwide data appears to be particularly positive, with the ultimate conclusion being that the employee turnover of HEIs is relatively low in comparison with the wider economy.

Clear you shelves... and your overdraft Kate Woollen WITH THE ECONOMIC crisis having an effect on people everywhere, Palatinate was glad to hear of three students at Durham finally doing something about it. >>>At the start of Michaelmas term, students are always handed considerable reading lists. Some of the books are ‘must-haves’ and some are merely optional, but essentially, there are hundreds of pounds worth of texts and study guides recommended. >>>Come Epiphany term though, there is always a new list crammed with new titles, responsible for eating into more valuable student loan money. >>>However necessary these books might be at the time, come June students everywhere will be clearing their shelves in preparation for the next list. >>>When Palatinate spoke to Max Fishman about a website he and two friends from St. Aidan’s College - Chrissie Kemp and Sean Preston - have been working on since last summer, we couldn’t help but breathe a sigh of relief.

The website, PurpleBooks, offers students an easy solution to the problem, allowing you to create a free account to list and browse books to buy and sell. >>>What makes PurpleBooks stand out is that the website doesn’t require you to waste time and money packaging and posting books like alternative sites.

Everything about the site reflects that it has been designed for students by students, and being university specific, significantly increases the chance of being able to find/sell books as the reading lists are relatively similar from one year to the next. >>>Although the website in its current form is limited to Durham University, the three entrepreneurial second year students plan to roll it out across other local universities and then nationally if the site is a success, updating it and adding new features. >>>Although the site is currently free to users, the creators have pledged 25% of any future profits that they receive through adverts and so on to DUCK. >>>Visit www.purplebooks.co.uk and register to take advantage of this fantastic new service and contribute to its success.

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How well do Durham’s students fare with their health?

Will Durham’s bubble of apathy ever burst?

>> Mental Health Awareness Week recently took place, so Palatinate investigates the state of Durham University’s welfare services

>> Vincent McAviney investigates the recent DSU Sabbatical Elections and Gaza Referendum results to find out if there is a reason why Durham students seem so disinterested

SINCE IT WAS recently Mental Health Awareness Week, it would seem to be the ideal time to take a look at the welfare of Durham University’s own welfare services. >>>Palatinate found that many students consider the welfare services provided to be aimed specifically at people suffering from serious problems, such as those associated with alcohol, drugs, family difficulties and eating disorders.

75 % of students would use the welfare services available if they needed to >>>However, due to the pressures of university life, it is likely that all students will find themselves in need of a bit of support at some point during their time at university. >>>Students can often find themselves struggling with relationship difficulties, increased stress or simply living away from home for the first time.

>>>A wide range of services are available through both the main university and individual colleges, and are accessible by all students. >>>General advice on things such as academic studies, finance, housing, debt, legal issues and consumer issues can be sought from the Union’s Advice Centre. which is situated on Level A of Durham’s Student Union. Students can seek support throughout the year as fully-trained advisors are available during term-time and in the holidays.

Some students may find that their difficulties are affecting their studies. The university therefore also provides a counselling service, which offers regular appointments with a professionally-trained counsellor. >>>The service is located on the top floor of Elvet Riverside. The counselling service offers students support for a range of problems, including bereavement, anxiety, depression, self-harm, eating disorders and substance misuse. >>>Sally Ingram. the Director of Counselling Services at Durham University, told Palatinate she hopes

that students are aware that the counselling service is available for those needing support during their studies. >>>Ingram said: “The counselling service is here to provide support to students with concerns that are negatively impacting on their student experience. The service is heavily utilised and we encourage all students to contact us even if they are unsure if we are the people for them.

If we aren’t the best people to help, we will try to find that person for them.” >>>For students who find that they need support out-of-hours, Nightline is available. Nightline is a student run telephone support and listening service, available every night from 9pm-7am. >>>Students can also visit Nightline behind the Dun Cow on Old Elvet where they can speak to either a male or female student. Nightline is an anonymous, non-judgemental, and non-advisory service, giving students the chance to talk about any problems confidentially. The service is run by students for students. >>>Further support is available through the university’s colleges. Students

suffering from any problems are encouraged to talk to their senior tutors since they will be able to inform them of where to find the appropriate support.

Colleges also offer student representatives for those students who prefer talking to someone of a similar age to themselves. >>>Meghan Waugh, St. Aidan’s welfare representative, said to Palatinate: “I think it is a really good system which is just not available at other universities.

Being able to talk to a friendly face you’ve seen before is always a good thing.” >>>However, Meghan feels that some students do not take advantage of the support that student welfare representatives are willing to offer. >>>She continued, “some students don’t think it’s worthy of the welfare officer’s time or don’t want to be a burden, but that’s what we’re here for. I think people also sometimes don’t realise just how much information we have to share!” >>>Durham University’s welfare services not only offer emotional support but also help to ensure students stay safe in general. >>>The Nightbus collects students from points throughout Durham, allowing them

to get home safely after a night out. To arrange a lift, students simply call the driver, and they can travel for only 75p. >>>The wealth of services available shows that student welfare is a priority. >>>However, the results from Palatinate’s survey show that some students are unaware of the services available. Jamie Laing, a second-year from St. Mary’s, said: “I’m sure that the services on offer are good, but I don’t think they are advertised well enough around the university.”

THE RECENT DSU sabbatical elections and Gaza referendum have shown that student apathy is on the rise. With only 18.3% of students voting in the sabbatical elections compared to 22.9% last year, Anthony Crowther, DSU Societies and Student Development Officer, has been commissioned to write a report on the issue of participation in student politics.

Only 18.3% of Durham students voted in the DSU Sabbatical Elections

80 % of students think the services available are of a high quality

>>>As student services available people will feel making full use of how small the

>>>This term’s results are further proof that Durham students, who generally acknowledge themselves to be ‘living in a bubble’, are less interested in student democracy and campaigning on national issues than their counterparts at other universities. >>>When asked by Palatinate about student disinterest, DSU President-Elect Natalie Crisp gave her support for investigating why there are such large discrepancies between colleges’ voting rates. >>>Palatinate decided to explore the factors behind this: geographical, generational, indifference or simply disinterest? Why do students in Durham believe that simply joining a Facebook group is a sufficient means of protest?

awareness of the increases, hopefully more confident in of them, regardless problem may seem.

Welfare services available for students: • DSU Advice Centre: 0191 334 1775 • DSU Education and Welfare Officer • Nightline 0191 334 6444 • Nightbus 0785 483 8890 • College Senior Tutors • College Welfare Representatives • University Counselling Service • University Health Centre • Services for Students with Disabilities • Hate Crime Reporting Centre Further information is available at: www.dsu.org.uk/pages/welfare/

BURSTING THE BUBBLE

DSU Sabbatical Election >>>When approached by Palatinate, freshly-elected DUCK Officer Alexander Howell put low voter turnout down to a lack of awareness both of what the DSU does for students, and what it could potentially do if it had more support, “The obvious excuse for low turnout is that Durham is collegiate. People perceive the DSU as being less important because colleges

Woolies Pick ’n Mix Sells for £14,500

Chess world record

Baby-bump painting

India has long been known as the world leader in promoting the health benefits of urine, but its popularity will be tested as a new cow urine-based soft drink is introduced to the international market. Om Prakash, of the Cow Protection Department of RSS, the largest Hindu nationalist group in India, insisted that the drink will not smell like urine and will be tasty. Medicinal herbs are added to the drink and toxins are removed. As well as the health benefits of the drink, it is hoped that India will have found a drink to compete with the likes of Coca-Cola and Pepsi.

The last bag of Woolworths’ pick ’n mix has been auctioned on eBay for £14,500.

The 800g bag, collected by a former store manager, included cola bottles, white mice and Turkish delights - and attracted more than 100 bids before being sold. The proceeds of the sale will be donated to the Retail Trust, a charity for retail industry workers which helps those who have been made redundant. Deloitte, the administrators of Woolworth’s, have officially certified the bag as the last one.

A Bulgarian chess champion has begun playing 360 chess matches in an attempt to break the world record for the number of chess games played simultaneously. The 360 rivals are seated in rows of tables, which Kiril Georgiev will work his way through in the Bulgarian capital, Sofia. He needs to win 80% of the games to beat a record set in Hungary in 2005.

Georgiev is a 3-times National Champion, and a former Under-18 World Champion.

His opponents range in age from children to pensioners, and were randomly chosen from a pool of 600.

The new trend for mothers-to-be is babybump painting, using mothers’ bumps as canvasses for artwork. Termed ‘bumpart’, it offers a new medium for artists and a relaxing experience for both mother and soon-to-be-born baby. Packages include the painting, which lasts around two hours, and a professional photo shoot to remember the occasion and celebrate the pregnant body. Budding bump-artists are currently offering their services for free to build up their portfolio, but apparently demand has been so high that they will go into business this year, with designs to accommodate all mothers.

made in improving the student experience.” >>>Mr Howell also highlighted the similar problems currently being faced

by JCRs: “Perhaps we are just not the politically active and society-centred student generation that our parents were.”

Only 7.3% of students voted in the Gaza Referendum >>>Newly-elected Societies and Student Development Officer Ben Robertson expanded on the collegiate nature of Durham affecting union participation: “Turnout overall was worse than last year, but a lot of this has to do with what colleges people are from and what elections are contested. For instance, more people see what the DUCK Officer

Jerry’s party. However, this year, much of this kind of sponsorship has dried up. >>>One suggestion mooted in the past has been to place voting stations in Main Library and colleges as a way of creating more awareness and encouraging voting. However, Mr Crowther said he was concerned that students might be pressured into voting without thinking the matter through sufficiently.

Gaza Referendum >>> The much-debated referendum on the economic boycott of Israel has taken up a substantial amount of the DSU’s time this term, but was only defeated by 726 to 525 votes. Despite its controversial nature, this term’s referendum prompted only 1,266 students out of 17,186 to log on and vote, equating to a dismal 7.3% of the student population. >>>The Durham Student Union remained neutral in the referendum due to the contentious nature of the topic, which Mr Crowther believes resulted in less publicity that normal: “The key thing in a referendum is that students should be forming their own campaign teams. The impetus is on supporters to go out and run campaigns in the same way that candidates in an election do.” Mr Crowther explained how funding is available from the union for publicity, but that neither campaign took advantage of this. >>>One reason offered for the exceptionally low turnout was that whilst the referendum got a lot of people talking, they didn’t necessarily have a strong enough opinion or feel informed enough to actually vote on something external that does not affect th majority students directly. >>>With the new DSU sabbatical officers pledging to raise awareness and to take a more one-on-one approach, we can only hope that students will feel more inclined to take part when these situations arise in the future.

The Turnout Statistics...

by Ursula Hankinson

Urine drink to be India’s next craze

provide a lot of the typical union functions.” >>>However, Mr Howell went on to explain why he believes the collegiate nature of the university makes the DSU more important: “For all their manifold benefits, colleges divide the weight of student opinion on matters like welfare and education, and only a uni-wide organisation like the DSU can pursue things like minimum standards of feedback, welfare in colleges and access to tutor support.” >>>When asked what he thought could be done to increase voter turnout, Mr Howell replied: “As a future sabbatical officer I think it’s really important not to blame apathy on students. The onus is on the DSU to prove why it is important.

In a single sentence: it’s listening more: and listening seriously to every student; it’s talking more: explaining why issues like top-up fees are important, hosting and provoking debate on contact time, and celebrating the progress the DSU has

does compared to the other sabbatical positions, and this makes a big difference.” >>>Mr Robertson believes the difference in voter turnout between colleges is down to the Senior DSU Reps: “Providing senior reps with more resources is one way to increase voter turnout.

Last year the incentive of providing an ice-cream party for the college with the highest turnout worked well.” >>>Current Societies and Student Development Officer Anthony Crowther, who has commenced his report on the results, defended this year’s figures and argued that they were equivalent to 2006 and 2007. He conceded that the figure was down from last year’s 22.9% but explained some of the contributing factors, which will be included in his report. >>>Mr Crowther emphasised how last year’s election had a greater impetus behind it because of the requirement for 20% turnout in order for the new DSU constitution to be ratified.

Another factor he highlighted was that different Senior DSU reps are now in place in colleges. While not wanting to devalue their work, he stressed how crucial last year’s higher requirement was. Crowther defended this year’s 18.3%, stating it was comparable to other unions around the country which NUS gathered data from. >>>However, Mr Crowther accepted Durham’s participation could be higher and stated that DSU officers fully support this: “This year has also been good in that for the first time we have the resources to analyse and report on this.

We are going to talk to the senior reps to find out what they did in their respective colleges and analyse college data over the past few years so we can see what gets people voting in different colleges.” >>>When asked about how voter apathy could be combatted next year, he supported the idea of an incentives based scheme like last years Ben &

Has interest in the DSU hit a low point?

DSU Sabbatical Officer Elections

C

Voted!

M Y K

Remaining Electorate!

Voting turnouts for the DSU’s most recent voting issues - the referendum on the Israeli goods boycott, and the DSU sabbatical elections - clearly show that only a minority of students took the time out to vote. This has raised concerns over the issue of student apathy towards the DSU. However, current DSU President, Andy Welch, commented that the voting turnout for the Israeli boycott was “surprisingly high.”

Israeli Goods Boycott Referendum

Voted!

Remaining Electorate!

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Shell Recruitment Day Here we’ll explore how well you cope with various business scenarios – assessing your capacity to analyse critical issues and identify the wider implications, as well as your aptitude for dealing with change and driving your own learning, and your ability to identify and influence key stakeholders.

Think further. Visit www.shell.com/careers and quote ref. GCE402F when you apply.

Shell is an equal opportunity employer.

Got something to discuss? editor@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

EDITORIALANDLETTERS

9

EDITORIAL AND LETTERS

PALATINATE

EDITION 705 | FRIDAY 27TH FEBRUARY, 2009

On the receiving end FOR OVER SIXTY years, this publication has enjoyed almost completely unbridled pre-eminence as Durham University’s student newspaper of record. >>>Throughout those years, countless competitors have positioned themselves as viable alternatives to Palatinate but none have yet matched its breadth of scope or usurped its privileged position within the student community. >>>Palatinate therefore has both something of a reputation to maintain and a duty to uphold in its coverage of student news and views every fortnight. >>>This week, Palatinate has been threatened with a libel lawsuit by a group of students in St. Cuthbert’s Society - a threat to which this organ responds: “See you in court”. >>>While Palatinate fully acknowledges its responsibility to accurately and fairly report student news and record student views, the newspaper will not be bullied into retracting items that some readers

merely find objectionable. >>>Furthermore, the article purportedly at the centre of this spurious legal challenge, ‘St. Cuth’s needs to grow up’, is in fact a comment piece: a written opinion. >>>Hence, Palatinate must question whether it is the substance of the article to which the complainants take umbrage, or the concept of free speech itself?

Apologies >>>Palatinate does, however, accept when it has made a genuine mistake. >>>To this end, the newspaper would like to apologise to University College, Durham University Head of Security Phil Coxill and students James Agnew and Stephen Oldroyd, for any confusion that may have arisen from last edition’s news article, ‘Bar feud at Castle ongoing’.

Palatinate would like to acknowledge that Phil Coxhill may have been perceived to be associated with the events discussed within the printed version of this article however this is not the case.

EDITOR James F. Thompson editor@palatinate.org.uk DEPUTY EDITOR Laura Pennington deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk INDIGO EDITOR Daniel Bjelis indigo@palatinate.org.uk CHIEF NEWS EDITOR Jess Pauley news@palatinate.org.uk NEWS IN FOCUS EDITOR Helen White in.focus@palatinate.org.uk DEPUTY NEWS EDITORS Vincent McAviney, Adam Painter, George Stafford deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk COMMENT EDITOR Chris Wright comment@palatinate.org.uk DEPUTY COMMENT EDITOR Calum Jones deputy.comment@palatinate.org.uk SPORT EDITOR Rajvir Rai sport@palatinate.org.uk CO-SPORT EDITOR Simon Lamb sport@palatinate.org.uk DEPUTY SPORTS EDITOR (Vacant) CHIEF LIFESTYLE EDITOR Dipal Acharya lifestyle@palatinate.org.uk BEAUTY AND FASHION EDITOR Dipal Achraya fashion@palatinate.org.uk FEATURE EDITOR Francesca Teoh feature@palatinate.org.uk FOOD EDITOR Fiona Hicks food@palatinate.org.uk INTERVIEW EDITOR Charlie Booth interview@palatinate.org.uk TRAVEL EDITOR (Vacant) travel@palatinate.org.uk CHIEF ARTS EDITOR Daniel Bjelis arts@palatinate.org.uk BOOKS EDITOR Matthew Richardson books@palatinate.org.uk FILM AND TV EDITOR Poppy Macleod film@palatinate.org.uk MUSIC EDITORS Anna Codrea-Rado, Sebastien Payne music@palatinate.org.uk STAGE EDITOR Robert Bownes stage@palatinate.org.uk VISUAL ARTS EDITORS Rosie Boscawen, Thomas England visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk LISTINGS EDITOR Alison Moulds listings@palatinate.org.uk ILLUSTRATIONS CO-ORDINATOR Susannah Taylor illustration@palatinate.org.uk PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR Max Waldron photography@palatinate.org.uk DEPUTY PHOTOGRAPHY EDITOR James King deputy.photography@palatinate.org.uk CHIEF SUB-EDITOR Liza Miller sub-editing@palatinate.org.uk SUB-EDITORS Matt Hopkins, Ivan Au, Frances Main, Georgie McCluskey, Charlotte Armstrong, James Arnoldi ONLINE EDITORS Mike David Smith, Ali Gledhill web.editor@palatinate.org.uk Anybody wishing to become involved with a section should e-mail the relevant editor(s) as listed above

Letters and responses Palatinate readers share their views. Topics in this edition are DICCU (as always) and St. Cuthbert’s Society Re: ‘DSU and Catholics’, edition 703 >>>There are two key things that we’d love to respond to. The first regarding our attitude towards Roman Catholics. The second with regard to events we run in the DSU, particulalry our series of lunch time talks. >>>Some misunderstandings have arisen regarding the Christian Union’s view of Roman Catholocism. In a previous article it was stated that our website says ‘DICCU doesn’t believe in Catholics’and ‘DICCU don’t welcome Catholics’. >>>The statements quoted (one of them actually misquoted) are the list of questions that were posed by Durham students on our Big Question website not, as the comment piece would suggest, statements made by the DICCU. >>>The Big Question is a series of lunch time talks run by the Christian Union throughout the year, intended to provide the Bible’s answers to Durham students’ questions of faith. >>>We actually received the most questions on this topic and therefore, after checking with both the Catholic chaplain and University registrar, we put on the event ‘What would Jesus says to Catholics?’ We apologise for any undue offence caused. >>>The talk given at the event is available on the DICCU website (www.diccu.co.uk). We stand by what the speaker said on our behalf at this event and would ask students who have been given the impression that the DICCU hates Roman Catholics, to go online, listen to the talk and make up their own minds. >>>Secondly, some questions have been raised about the nature of the events we run, particularly our lunchtime events in the DSU. >>>The aim of these lunchbars is to provide an open forum for anyone to engage with the claims of Christianity. It is certainly not our aim to prevent people sharing their views or disgreeing with us as we try and present what the bible says. >>>We hope that anyone who has attended one of these events will have been struck by the manner of the speakers, who always strive to be gracious and gentle; and the atmosphere, which is open and non-threatening.

>>>We always provide the chance for questions, usually by question slips and taking comments directly from the floor. >>>Time constraints in the lunch hour prevent us running these events as debates with two people from opposing view points speaking. However, if such events were organised, we’d certainly be keen to participate. >>>It is unfortunate that the Palatinate comment piece reported The Big Question event in such a careless and disingenuious manner. We would ask therefore, on behalf of all student societies, that Palatinate seeks to represent them fairly and accurately in the future.

Paul Oatridge President of DICCU Re: ‘St. Cuth’s needs to grow up’, edition 704 >>>I would like to make an important point. >>>You compare us to the ‘hill’ colleges and say that we should be more like them - better facilities, more “grown up” etc... >>>That goes precisely against what Cuth’s has always been about. Cuth’s was not set up based on “democracy and equality”, although they are values which we do hold nowadays. >>>It was set up for students who did not like the rigidity of the college lifestyle. It was for those who did not want to be in Castle or Hatfield - for those who wanted the freedom to live out and still have some form of collegiate experience. >>>You claim it’s all about “getting pissed”. This is absolutely not true. Cuth’s has always had a reputation for being more raucous than the other colleges, for not

necessarily following the rules. >>>For many this does involve alcohol, although it does not have to. Nobody who does not want to drink has to there is no “drinking policy”. >>>However, on the other hand, peer pressure does exist in any society - in ours as well. As our constituents are adults, we do not have the right to tell them not to drink. >>>We do not have the right to impose our morals upon them. Adults can choose what to do for themselves, and if they can’t then why are they at a world-class university?

Tom Fletcher St. Cuthbert’s Society Re: ‘The virtues of the House of Lords’, edition 704 >>>We certainly need an Upper House, but the Lords as it is is not fit for purpose. They may have (rightly) defeated 42 days, but far more importantly they approved the ratification of the Treaty of Lisbon without a referendum, contrary to the manifesto pledges of all three main parties. >>>Plus, the new appointments to the Lords are nearly uniformly awful, full of Quango chiefs and human rights commissars. >>>See Lord Ahmed, for example, who allegedly threatened to have 10,000 Muslims march on Parliament to prevent Geert Wilders from showing his film Fitna (technically an act of treason), and whom no-one at all can eject. >>>Or Lady Ashton, who has never held elected office in her life, yet now has more power than most ministers. >>>The Lords may have worked once, but no more.

Eject the lot of them, it’s time for a Senate.

Mark Harmstone >>>I don’t mind Lord Falkener, or many other people sitting in the Upper House, but I didn’t vote for them and I therefore cannot hold them accountable for their legislative blunders by voting otherwise next time around.

Kyle Mulholland Submit letters to editor@palatinate.org.uk

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10

THE BIG PICTURE

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

Got a great photo? photography@palatinate.org.uk

THE BIG PICTURE 11

C M Y

THE BIG PICTURE

K

21 February, 2009 InStep Dance Society Flash mob, Market Square

Photograph by Ieuan Jenkins

12 COMMENT

Got an opinion? comment@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

COMMENT

¡Viva la revolución!

Max Waldron FLICKR ID: HUSSEINADAM

I get annoyed when people try to sell me things. In the last week I’ve been hounded with religion (DICCU), the Big Issue (don’t get me started) and corporate sell-outs (free cookies will never make me work for KPMG).

But the final straw was Fight Racism, Fight Imperialism!, the Communist newspaper sold outside the library.

Last week I bought a copy out of pity.

Someone has to, I thought.

If you haven’t seen them, I’m referring to the odd bunch who tout papers from behind a desk cluttered with revolutionary slogans and flyers. It’s an eye-catching gig, I’ll give them that.

Unfortunately though, current affairs are making for a Communist field day. Pick up a copy and you’ll see what I mean. My personal favourite is an article that describes Israel as a “racist, colonial-settler, expansionist state”, before repeating the same phrase a few paragraphs later. Perhaps they would benefit from closer editing.

These days you don’t expect journalism to be full of so much spin.

It’s verging on patronising. The trouble is, I can’t help but respect our resident Communists. For one, they’re brave: Durham hardly lends itself to radical political ideologies.

But most of all you have to admire the attitude. If there’s anything that can be said for our students, it’s that they’re extraordinarily apathetic. Apathetic and lazy. Numerous debates on Gaza this term resulted in just 7.3% of people voting on a motion that threatened to have their union take a radical and controversial stand against Israel.

This is precisely the worst time to be unconcerned about such events.

Here in Britain the last year alone has seen thousands lose jobs; it’s seen irresponsible bankers earn enormous bonuses; and it’s seen widespread disillusionment with virtually every strand of government.

Don’t get me wrong: I’m not saying you should become a Communist.

That’s usually a terrible idea. But at least this lot are proposing solutions to our problems. And it’s our responsibility to listen to those views if we can’t do it any better ourselves.

In short, we need to start giving a damn. There’s a difference between considered disinterest and plain, couldn’t-care-less indifference. People who say they’re tired of hearing about Gaza should question why they came to university at all — after all, the place was set up as a forum for intellectual development.

Rather than discounting the views of the Communists, the BNP or anyone else, we should admire their tenacity. It’s more than can be said for the majority of us.

Will Day

I

hesitate before writing this. I was highly critical of the DSU’s handling of the proposed Israel boycott and was rightly reminded how infuriating it can be for students who get involved in the DSU to be criticised by outsiders like myself who have contributed next to nothing.

I also remember how frustrating it was during my term as President of the Union Society, when time and again I came up against people who had never even been to a DUS event but were happy to perpetuate its largely misconceived negative image.

Nevertheless, I want to commend Rachael Revesz for bringing attention to the shortcomings of our JCR exec in the last edition of Palatinate. Farcical is the only word which I think is applicable to what I have seen of their conduct since I arrived at Durham.

I am aware that many students contribute to the life of the JCR. There was a fantastic atmosphere around the boathouse when I attempted to row last year.

The library is an outstanding resource, and it is a credit to the ethos of Cuthbert’s that its running is largely overseen by students. I sing in Cuthberts’ choir, in which the standard of music making is extremely high.

This context, however, serves further to isolate actions of the exec. Vaunting our apparently unique history, they actually fail to realise the aims and ambitions of both our founding members and our current students: that’s why I think the JCR exec is becoming increasingly irrelevant.

Let me give an example. In response to Rachael’s criticism of inappropriate questions at hustings, one member of the exec argued: ”If a candidate for Vice President doesn’t have the confidence to change into the incumbent VC’s trousers (as was the result of one question asked recently), how is he/she going to have

Why Rachael was right The trial of St. Cuth’s

the confidence to stand up to Senior Management or St. Cuthbert’s Society Council to defend the students and their causes?”

Trying to justify joke questions as an essential tool of the democratic process is possibly the most ridiculous thing I have heard since starting at this university.

I personally believe that light-heartedness has its purposes. It can help to engage apathetic students with their JCRs, testament to which are the informal hustings at Hatfield College which are much better attended than the formal hustings. But the last time I looked, JCR meetings at Cuthbert’s are still as badly attended as ever.

Taking your trousers off does not show competency to be able to sensibly and constructively work with the Senior Management at St. Cuthbert’s; indeed, the exec may be very good at getting naked but they show a complete lack of ability to show the skills which I would hope to see in the JCR.

“Being a Society not a College is a responsibility to be exercised maturely” I would have hoped that the JCR exec would have made particular effort to start building a relationship with the new Principal of the Society from the beginning of this term. Yet in a meeting with second years, two weeks into the job, Professor Towl was already expressing

his irritation with the inability of the exec to arrange a time to meet with him.

Having now met Professor Towl on a few occasions, I can express my gladness that in reality it is he and not the students who actually run our Society. This is not in spite of our history: it is because of it. When I asked Professor Towl why he had applied to become Principal, he told me that it was St. Cuthbert’s historical uniqueness which had attracted him.

JCR exec members are forever stressing that the JCR President is the Society’s President and the merits of having a bar which is open 12 hours a day.

But those are not the reasons why our new Principal applied; neither are they the reasons which I would give if questioned myself about Cuthbert’s merits. It is St. Cuthbert’s commitment to diversity, notably encouraging applications from international, local and mature students, of which I am proud.

It is Cuthbert’s tradition of seeking to draw such people into one collegiate and friendly environment which I think should be vaulted and nurtured. These are also the reasons that Professor Towl gave for his wanting to join us.

Since the beginning of this term, I think we have seen the potential of how much more St. Cuthbert’s could be under our new Principal’s energetic direction.

This was symbolised by two emails which I received yesterday. The first was from the Senior Management, informing me that they would continue to run formals instead of the JCR exec in the wake of the boycott controversy.

They see this as “part of [their] ongoing work to improve the level of service and opportunities for student engagement”. These formals are cheaper, include more than ever, and will be held on a more regular basis than ever before in the Society’s history.

The second email was from Sean

Collins, the Society’s President. It appears the Principal had expressed reservations about people getting naked in the bar in the cause of the democratic process. The husts were therefore taking place in the DSU rather than on Society property. Typically, the email was concluded by noting the size of Riverside’s bar.

“The principal is working more positively on my behalf... in Cuthbert’s, than the JCR exec” The email, followed by a similar message via facebook from our Livers’ Out Representative, outlined the Principal’s actions in an unconstructive and negative fashion. Such a public stance cannot facilitate the necessary partnership that should be in place between the Senior Management and the JCR. I feel that the Principal is working more positively on my behalf, and everyone else in Cuthbert’s, than the JCR exec: exactly the opposite of the case which the latter have tried to present. The dream scenario would be, however, if both could work together.

My fear is that St. Cuthberts’ student body will lose even more power to the Senior Management before our elected leaders realise that being a society, rather than the college which the university would love us to become, is a responsibility to be exercised maturely and not a right to be abused.

C M Y K

Got an opinion? comment@palatinate.org.uk

Fridayday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

COMMENT 13

DEBATE JAMES DUNN

Vicky Howard

Is Jesus relevant to us today?

W

hat does it mean to be free?” “What are you afraid of?” “What happens when you die?”

These were the questions asked to students on the streets of Durham last week as part of the Christian Union’s Main Event Week. >>Their answers were filmed and shown at the beginning of each evening event. I’m not sure what your answers would be but sitting in the crowd I expected the usual answers to appear on the screen in front of me: to not be trapped; spiders; you just rot. But what surprised me was the immense level of uncertainty which was expressed. To be free was to do what you want. Fear was measured in terms of personal failure. And “I don’t know” was the best answer people had to death. >>>As a Christian, I have often been asked how Jesus is relevant to today’s modern, scientific society.

Yet the apparent uncertainty expressed by Durham students demonstrates exactly why Jesus matters today. >>>Christians believe that there are robust answers to life’s big questions and Main Event offered an opportunity for students to explore these questions.

Every day, lunchtime events were put on including, ‘Terrorism, cancer and tsunamis - does God care?’ and ‘Science vs God: must we choose?’ Visiting speakers addressed each issue and then the floor was opened for questions. >>>“I liked the opportunity to ask questions” one atheist student said. “They handled the questions well, although they were biased towards Christianity” commented another.

>

“What surprised me was the immense level of uncertainty” >>>Evening events, attended by around 350 students each night, involved live music, interviews, DVDs and a short talk and question time by visiting speaker, Daf Merion Jones (also the speaker at this year’s Christmas Carol Service.) “We want to introduce people to the good news about Jesus from Mark’s gospel so that they can think through the claims of the Christian faith for themselves” he said. >>>Ultimately the Christian message is, as the title of this year’s Main Event suggests, that Jesus offers freedom through his death and resurrection. Freedom from guilt and fear, which guarantees eternal life rather than death. >>>“This freedom has truly changed my life. I have

a different perspective on what I’m living for” said one of the CU guests who became a Christian whilst at Edinburgh University. The Christian no longer has to fear the future or worry about relationships, their degree, death or many of the other concerns students have because they have been brought into a relationship with a perfect, loving Father who they can fully trust. >>>People claim that the Christian life is boring and old fashioned. Yet Christians have found it anything but. Life has purpose and the future is exciting, being part of a world-wide Christian family. In writing this article I asked my friend who became a Christian last year how her life had changed. Her simple answer was: “I am a lot happier now.” Christianity is existentially satisfying.

“People claim that the Christian life is boring and old-fashioned. Yet Christians have found it anything but” >>>But this isn’t just because Christians have imagined a crutch to lean on; it is not a warm, fuzzy belief made up to give hope or to motivate a moral life. Christians have weighed up the evidence and sincerely believe that Jesus’ claims are true. >>>Many people have expressed opposition towards Christianity this week, but what has been really surprising is how many have made such arguments and decisions without even looking into the claims of Christianity found in the Bible. >>>As a history student I have always been encouraged to approach books and topics with an open mind and to use and evaluate evidence to form sound judgements. I can only encourage you to apply the same in considering faith, even if when you read a gospel you decide it’s all a load of rubbish. >>>At least you have made a conclusion based on sound evidence rather than on a number of false assumptions. Are you willing to go where the evidence takes you? >>>If Christianity is true “it is the most important decision in our entire lives” (Jason Clarke speaking at Friday’s lunchbar) We cannot remain apathetic or ignorant to the claims Jesus makes. This is why the Christian Union put on their events and why, despite being knocked back, Christians keep talking to their friends about Jesus.

Sam Whitehouse

F

Freedom in the real world

reedom. What does it mean? For the Christians of DICCU this seems to mean escape from the material conditions in which we reside; by giving up all responsibility to Christ we can rid ourselves of the ‘guilt’ of being human and live forever, free from our original sin. >>>What this message tells us is that we are dependent on God, that the world we live in is full of evil because we have rejected God, that we can’t do anything to mend it because it is our evil hearts - the innate greed, selfishness and heartlessness in all of us - that have caused it. Such dependence is the opposite of freedom, for it implies domination and servitude. >>>It’s not the theoretical slavery to God that really bothers me though. It is the practical slavery that this idea allows to endure. It is the suggestion that we are unable to improve things for ourselves here on Earth; that there is nothing we can do to improve the material conditions of humanity. And its not just the Christians that have this belief that society is the way it is because we are incapable of anything better. >>>The idea that we are all innately selfish and greedy and will always act as such is common.

These ideas keep us all enslaved because the implication is that domination is a necessary feature of human relations and that exploitation is something we have to accept: that equal relations are the dreams of utopians. >>>The proponents of these ideas have seemingly endless evidence to back up their claims that humanity is violent, greedy and incapable of peace: endless wars and atrocities litter history. On the surface it looks as if all we do is fight, dominate and exploit each other. A deeper look however, shows another side to human nature. We are social creatures; co-operation and mutual aid are as much a part of our make-up as competition and mutual struggle. >>>So for me human nature is a complicated array of qualities. Unfortunately for us we live in a society of property and capitalism. We live in a system that rewards greed and selfishness, a system that is based on exploitation, a system that is the cause of such huge antagonisms that it requires a massive amount of violence just to keep it from falling apart. >>>Whether that violence be the threat of starvation and poverty or brutal repression by police forces and armies, the coercive nature of capitalism or indeed any system based on property - private or state - is clear to see. >>>Property is based on the need of those who lack it, who are then forced to buy or rent it, creating unequal and coercive relationships. In order to be able to buy the things they need, those without property are forced to sell themselves for a period of time to those who do have property. Is it any wonder then,

in a society where relations with one another are so unequal and coercive, where greed and selfishness are rewarded, where exploitation and domination characterise relations, that we see those characteristics of human nature as the norm, that we see violence and suffering all around?

“I’m not claiming a utopia because every society has its problems” >>>What we have to remember then is that it doesn’t have to be this way. Societies change.

Societies have existed and can exist, not based on competition, mutual struggle and domination, but instead built on the principles of co-operation, mutual aid and solidarity. Not only is this possible but it is essential if we are to ever experience freedom. >>>I’m not claiming a utopia because every society has its problems. And I’m not going to speculate as to what form the future society may take as we can’t possibly predict the society free people would create. >>>But if we can live as far as possible by the future ethics of that society, by the principles of autonomy, accountability, mutual aid and solidarity and be prepared to fight back against injustice, then maybe we can bring that future world a little bit closer. Then possibly we will have freedom worthy of the name.

“We can live as far as possible by... the principles of autonomy, accountability, mutual aid and solidarity” >>>Not the fictitious liberty of property or of God but real liberty; “liberty”, to quote Bakunin, “that recognises no restrictions other than those determined by the laws of our own individual nature, which cannot properly be regarded as restrictions since these laws are not imposed by any outside legislator beside or above us, but are imminent and inherent, forming the very basis of our material, intellectual and moral being --- they do not limit us but are the real and immediate conditions of our freedom”.

14

COMMENT

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

COMMENT Dave Richards

S

chool as a jail, as confinement, as a cell; school bells innoculating each child with indifference…

This description must certainly describe the feeling we have all had sitting in school classrooms bored to tears. Remember that throbbing ache you would feel deep in the core of yourself during a maths class? >>>However, this is not because learning equals pain, but because schools have a clear institutional role; to make passive, obedient workers for industry. And this was the explicit aim of the founder of our modern education system who devised it in Massachusetts in the 1850s.

If schools churned out critical, independent thinkers then they simply wouldn’t work effectively in the disciplinary environment of a company. As Gatto writes, “well-schooled people are irrelevant. They can sell film and razor blades, push paper and talk on telephones, or sit mindlessly before a flickering computer terminal, but as human beings they are useless. Useless to others and useless to themselves.”

You’re being taught to work on a production line. Now maybe it’s a clerical production line but it’s es-

L

Institutional education is primarily a mechanism of social control

sentially the same. And it you don’t conform to authority and power you are simply marginalized. Other factors such as success in work or studying anything of interest are way back on the list of priorities.

Think how much you’ve actually learnt throughout your time in school. After all those hours in classrooms and all that time memorizing information, a week after the exam your memory has been wiped clean.

The reason is this: it doesn’t matter what you learn or what you read, it matters how you learn it and how you read it. The motivation has to come from you somehow, to develop interests that you follow up, to read and absorb ideas and mould a personal consciousness away from the strict surveillance of prescribed education of school and the numbing din of TV. To understand this you have to realise that the syllabus itself is a smokescreen. The real curriculum consists of instructional confusion through teaching fragmented syllabi, indifference through forced prescribed learning, emotional dependency to an authority that can control your rights and your grades, and irrational competition through grading

Alison Bouissou

ast week’s Sunday Times published the findings of an investigation into the dubious finances of Robert and Grace Mugabe, the first couple of disease- and poverty-ridden Zimbabwe. The article revealed the first lady’s latest spending excesses on a holiday in Hong Kong, such as a £4m residence and plans to launch a multi-million-pound diamond venture in China’s coastal city of Qingdao. >>>Such extravagance is hardly out of character for the woman who is often referred to as First Shopper.

Although she mostly travels around the Asian continent, where she and her husband are not subject to travel bans (as is the case in most EU countries and the United States), she is famously said to have spent £75,000 in one day during a stay in Paris in 2003, having taken advantage of a loophole in her travel ban.

According to the Times article, her travels have been funded by Gideon Gono, head of the central bank of Zimbabwe, who is thought to have given Grace £64,000 for her latest trip alone. >>>Back home in Zimbabwe, the latest estimates are that unemployment is at 94% and inflation is measured in sextillions of per cent - whilst

School as a vampire network from a young age. Anything in fact that creates discipline and stops independent thought. The aim is to anaesthetise consciousness. >>>Well these are the real lessons being learnt in school and New Labour has taken them further. They have stated forcefully and consistently that their educational policy is to greater align the needs of the corporate sector to the education system. For instance, they have made universities rely more heavily on the corporate sector for research funding and have placed failing schools under the management of private companies, shrinking democratic influence. A very clear example of this is the introduction of tuition fees. The reason can’t be money; we have survived this long without needing students to pay fees, haven’t we? A country like Denmark can afford a free education system so why can’t we? >>>Well, the primary reason is to focus the country to a sharpened corporatized view of life. So instead of paying very little for a degree you are now paying £15,000. Straight away the degree has been turned into a commodity - so you are now investing in a future career, and any

other reason for doing the degree is financial idiocy on your part. As Terry Eagleton puts it, universities have become, “intellectual Tescos, churning out a commodity known as graduates rather than greengroceries.” It is a view of life which sees the making of profit as the only human value. So there is no need for anything that makes you feel empathy for those around you and in wider society.

There is a national disease of aimlessness and dependency and school has played a large part in creating it. These two elements feed society, for example in brainless competition and lives devoted to consumerism. There is a huge PR advertising industry which will take advantage of the million insecurities you have, preying on you because you’re obedient and have been trained from a young age not to think for yourself. You don’t have any kind of emotional shield that comes from being able to think independently and interacting in a meaningful way to reinforce those feelings. >>>In fact if you look closely at the faint, ghostly memories of school, you can see you were separated from your true nature.

Europe’s saving Grace The morality of shopping with Mrs Mugabe

more than half of citizens require emergency food aid, 20% are HIV positive, and a cholera pandemic has caused over 3,000 deaths in the last six months. Not to mention that Mugabe’s regime has come to be viewed as one of the world’s most corrupt and inefficient, where violence and oppression are custom and human rights non-existent. >>>Needless to say, the Mugabes’ network of bank accounts and estates across Asia, and the First Lady’s shopping habits have been the cause of widespread anger and condemnation. Last week’s article not only emphasized this but also inspired countless bloggers and members of online debate forums to decry the obscenity and shamelessness of Grace Mugabe’s spending. >>>To be sure, the Mugabes must be held accountable for using state funds to maintain a lifestyle of luxury while the wider population is rotting away in disease and poverty, and hopefully the day will come when this is done more radically than with bad nicknames and a travel ban. >>>However, what is to be said of those who accept Grace Mugabe’s money? Every time someone cashes Mrs Mugabe’s payments, they are voluntarily profiting (and in no small

measure) from the deprivation of hundreds of Zimbabwean families.

The Sunday Times presented some telling statistics: when Grace paid a $15,000 hotel bill in cash, she threw away enough to feed 750 families for a week, or fully treat 250 cholera victims. >>>State policies have mostly been tough on the Mugabes. Even in Hong Kong, a reported tightening of money-laundering laws is likely to affect the security of their investments.

But what of the international fashion houses and luxury retailers that routinely cater for the First Lady’s every whim? Once again, we are faced with the paradoxical lack of political accountability of multinational corporations. >>>Selling Grace Mugabe a £10,000 handbag is nothing short of a political act. The usual argument, that basic personal freedom means clients are entitled to discretion and shouldn’t have to justify the transparency of their finances to purchase something, simply isn’t acceptable in a case like this. The ‘ignorance is bliss’ policy that is common in such high-end establishments is not only hypocritical but criminal when a highly exposed political figure comes in and presumes to shop with money

that isn’t hers to spend.

>>>The political status of multina-

tional corporations is ambiguous, no doubt - but nevertheless undeniable and it is high time we recognized this. Similarly, countries cannot wash their hands of issues like this. The term multinational refers to geographic and economic aspects of a firm, but it does not mean that said firm is free from national identity. To the contrary, the French are proud to associate with trademark names like Chanel, which epitomizes creativity and savoir-faire in the art of Haute Couture. Salvatore Ferragamo perpetuates Italy’s know-how in shoemaking, and happens to be a favorite of Mrs Mugabe’s. >>>The fact is, when Grace Mugabe wears French couture and Italian designer shoes, Europe is profiting from the misery of the people of Zimbabwe. The failure to hold firms accountable for inherently political acts is just as reprehensible as the acts themselves. >>>I am not suggesting that large corporations should be subjected to government censorship of their client lists. Rather, I wish to see multinational corporations treated as political agents and integrated into a system of accountability.

C M Y K

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

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COMMENT 15

COMMENT

he keynote poster for this year’s University Mental Health Awareness Campaign, with the beguiling Basement Jaxx slogan, ‘Where’s Your Head At?’ was the image of some blue baked beans among a sea of the regular beans, with the reminder, “depression is >>>Seeing it, I wondered, how one is meant to respond to a poster about mental health. Broadly speaking, I imagine two possible reactions; either you are affirmed of your ‘normality’ in being one of the orange beans, surrounded by others to affirm your collective majority ‘orangeness’ (i.e. ’happiness’). Alternatively, you see that word ‘depression’ and realise that that statistic is a person - it’s you. You are one of the blue beans surrounded by orange ones that only accentuate your ‘blueness’, and you are outside of the norm. >>>Yes, there are others like you, but they too are blue and isolated among regular beans. The former seems only to reinforce the ‘us and them’ mentality of those within and outside of the statistics, the blue vs. orange, the happy vs. distressed, the binary of ‘normality’. The latter is a bleak image of isolation, difference and minority. Hands up who wants to be a blue bean? Perhaps it is that ‘not

me!’ reaction which would urge us to seek help and support to reduce our blueness. Forgive me if I’m neglecting a multi-layered subtext, but how is that an affirming, constructive or indeed ‘healthy’ message?

If we infer that the aims of a mental health campaign should be to first inform students of the ‘facts’, secondly to reduce the connotative stigma, and thirdly to aid individuals coping with mental health difficulties to feel less isolated, can we see the actualisation of these aspirations in this year’s publicity? Take, for example, the celebrity pin-ups of mental health issues that were up in the DSU and colleges last week.

‘What does Mary-Kate Olsen have in common with x % of the population?

She’s had Anorexia.’ So, if you have an eating disorder, you are not alone - in fact someone who you once watched on the Disney Channel after school also had one. So, not only is someone still ‘cool’ and ‘successful’ despite their ‘problem’, but they’ve shown inspiring courage in overcoming this adversity, and well…so can you. Stereotypes shattered? Enlightened by your newfound awareness?

Again, apologies if I have missed the major meta-narrative. >>>The flaw in publicising issues

Douglas Burkinshaw

D

o they even care?” “For what end was it undertaken?” “Where is the love?” These are the same questions I have heard again and again in response to Israel’s Gaza incursion. Pictures of injured children being rushed into hospitals will always move people, myself especially. >>>Unfortunately the reasons for it aren’t forthcoming in our papers, or good enough ones aren’t at any rate.

However, there are reasons why over 90% of the Israeli population supported the offensive, and it was not just out of nationalism or hatred.

This article isn’t meant to make you agree with the offensive, just to give you Israel’s side of it. >>>The Jews have a unique history; there is no competition with them for their place in world history as the most oppressed people. With a few historical gaps they have experienced pogroms, expulsions and genocides. Israel was thus the product of an idea: an idea that the protection of the Jews could only be assured with a Jewish state, that it could only be assured when they could defend themselves. This is the underlying mindset of the nation. In polls more than 50% believe they may see another Holocaust in

A more nuanced approach to psychological health is needed ALEXANDRA WILSON

T

On Mental Health Week

via celebrities and statistics is that we find comfort in the ‘phew, my problems aren’t that bad’ or ‘ahh, at least Cheryl Cole knows how I feel’.

Surely such temporary, superficial providers of relief only mask the individual’s own experiences, uniquely shaped and personally felt, in ways far more complex and ‘grey area’ than being a number in the population’s quota of ‘people who self-harm’. >>>Emotions and psychological struggles or ‘disorders’ are inherently complex, varying between individuals, and can be of tremendous value

to an individual. Take for example Bipolar Disorder, which Stephen Fry famously publicised in his poignant series that highlighted the artistic genius experienced in his highest ‘manic’ moments. Now that really is subversive; Fry broke down stereotypes by showing Bipolar Disorder as not always destructive, reduced isolation allowing others to openly acknowledge the condition with a newfound respect, and informed the population of the highly complex and affecting symptoms of the condition.

So puzzling and so paradoxical was his struggle that no statistic could MARK PRITCHARD

Emma Jones

ever herd him into a category, or indeed reassure him by highlighting its frequency, for it was fundamentally a personal journey. >>>I suggest the campaign budget could be channelled into offering discounts at the university gym for those struggling with depression, since exercise is a commonly prescribed treatment to raise mood. Or, the campaigns could be addressed at people who will experience the other side of mental health issues, namely to be supportive of their friends, to listen without judgement or problem-solving agendas. A friend from Grey College told me about the welfare team receiving anonymous emails with personal accounts of problems which were, with permission, sent to the entire JCR each day. Such initiatives both reduce isolation and raise awareness of the frequency that people we sit down to college dinner with may be coping under a ‘mask’ that, with trust and time, they can begin to lift.

I for one am more inspired by Winona Ryder’s words at the end of Girl, Interrupted than I am by binary baked-bean-branding. Mental illness “isn’t being broken, or swallowing a dark secret. It’s you or me, amplified.”

Israel’s side of the story Hamas deserves some blame for the suffering of Gazans

their lifetime; many have seen one already. They are surrounded on all sides by enemies who seek their death and destruction. >>>In 2005 Israel vacated all of its settlements in the Gaza strip. It was a move that was very painful for Israel, but it was done out of a belief that peace and reconciliation was the best way forward. That was their olive branch. A ceasefire was in place and peace was holding. >>>Hamas then won the 2006 Palestinian legislative election. They quickly proceeded to violently destroy the opposition Fatah movement in Gaza. It was hardly a democratic move. They then started increasing their rocketing of Israel by as much as they could. >>>Israel asked, then begged, Hamas time and time again to stop the rockets. They made no demands; just asked them to stop. The Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, went live on Arab television and begged.

What could they do? Sit and take it indefinitely? Who would? That they took rockets daily for as many years as they did is testament to their restraint. Can you imagine such restraint from Britain or America? >>>For so long as Hamas remains in power no lasting peace is pos-

sible. The democracy that Gaza had was destroyed by them when they destroyed Fatah in Gaza. They will never acknowledge Israel’s right to exist on a permanent basis. End of.

“The Day of Judgment will not come about until Moslems fight the Jews (killing the Jews)… O Abdulla, there is a Jew behind me, come and kill him.” “They were behind World War II.” These quotes are not from some minor Hamas official; they are direct quotes from the Hamas Charter. Indeed I have often remarked on an odd anti-Semitic double-think that they enjoy: on the one hand they talk of the Holocaust with a real joy, whilst on the other they call Iran’s Holocaust denial seminars “courageous”. Can you see why Israel doesn’t like them? >>>Hamas recently expanded its rocket operation. Iran has been supplying them with bigger rockets – they go further and cause more damage. They housed their rockets in densely populated areas.

Hamas knew Israel would have no choice but to respond; they knew they were putting Palestinian lives at risk. Israel warned the residents that their houses were to be destroyed, and when they saw clear signs of residents still inside they usually did

not bomb. It is sad that it had to end like this. Hamas knew that if they did just one little thing it could all have been prevented. They only had to stop their rockets – nothing more – and they knew it. It was a cut to their ego that was too deep. Israel’s Gaza incursion was undertaken with a heavy heart, and now Israelis say with no joy that it was a success: before, Hamas was cagey about a cease-fire, now they are desperate.

I am not trying to absolve Israel of blame; this is just part of the other side of an immensely complex story.

Of course we should feel free to criticise Israel. They often deserve it.

But there are many in Britain’s Jewish community who believe that a semblance of neutrality is sometimes lost in our media. >>>This is a conflict that is deeply tribal and deeply religious; the embers of it will settle somehow. The hope is that sometime – and sooner rather than later – both sides will be totally sick of the bloodshed and will be willing to agree to large-scale compromises. For now we should weep for both sides. Palestine is a failure of everybody, Britain included.

However, for as long as Hamas are in government, the road to lasting peace may yet meander.

16 SPORT

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SPORT

Fighting all the way Lord Marland talks with Simon Lamb on his campaign to become ECB chairman >>>“Finally, it was the Moores and Pietersen saga which was the ‘straw that broke the camel’s back.’”

IN THE DECEMBER of last year, word got out that Giles Clarke was going to run unopposed to become chairmen of the English and Welsh cricket board, and thus get a second term in the seat. >>>Conservative party treasurer, Lord Marland of Odstock, decided that in light of the problems that have emerged since the fantastic Ashes victory way back in 2005, that Clarke deserved to at least be challenged for the ‘hot seat’. >>>I met with Lord Marland earlier this term as he came to speak to the Conservative society in Durham. We spoke after he had withdrawn from the race to become Chairmen of the ECB and just before the vote was scheduled to take place on February 9th.

‘If you had got the job what would you have changed?’

>>>What are the main reasons behind your campaign to become chairman? >>>“In order to get the job I needed to gain the backing of 10 out of the 19 voters (18 counties and the MCC) to support me in my bid. >>>“The counties fell under three different categories. The first were very keen for change and were prepared to vote against Giles Clarke. >>>“The second wanted change but felt that with the turmoil seen in English cricket today, it was not the right time. And the third, were going to support Clarke irrespective of what I was proposing. >>>“During the campaign it became clear that although I would get some votes I was not going to get enough and that is why I withdrew.”

What were the main reasons for chal-

lenging Clarke? >>>“It was a combination of factors leading to an underlying frustration at the way cricket is being run in England. >>>“Despite unprecedented amounts of money being received by the ECB from sky sports England still find themselves in the bottom four of International cricket and have only won one test away from home in two years. >>>“Not being at the top table for International cricket is unacceptable for a country like England. >>>“As well as this, the poor relations we have with India and Australia is something that need changing.

>>>“I would have had a complete review of how cricket is run in this country, right down to the grass roots level. >>>“Financially the ECB needed a complete make over from top to bottom as currently there is no transparency of its financial affairs. >>>“There needs to be more of a focus on where the money is being spent. A certain unity needs to be found as I would have looked to rebuild the burnt bridges with other test playing super powers like Australia and India. >>>“All ties with Sir Allen Stanford would be tethered as the current manifestation and ‘Razz Ma Tazz’, if you like, has not been a success.” >>>“Anyone running for such a job must have a passion for cricket and I wanted to know how large a part of Marland’s life cricket played. >>>“I have played amateur cricket all my life, which I thoroughly enjoy. I have travelled abroad to watch England on a number of occasions and have obviously been brought up watching and idolising the likes of Jeffrey Boycott, Ian Botham, Fred Truman and in more modern times Kevin Pietersen and Michael Atherton, as a player and a commentator.”

With England’s dreadful second innings still fresh in the memory, I asked, what do you make of the

shambolic first test at Sabina Park, in the West Indies?

struggle abroad, may we see a Clarke vs. Marland round two?

>>>“It is a demonstration of why I wanted to stand for the job. The team were so badly prepared, going without a recognised first team coach. >>>“We have taken a number of out of form players on reputation rather than merit. >>>“The current 13 or 14 regulars are wrapped in cotton wool, assured of their place and thus are put under no real pressure. >>>“It really does beg the question of how someone can break into the team these days? >>>“I sat and watched 4 years ago as England bowled the West Indies out for 51 on the very same ground, this really does show a downturn in English cricket.”

>>>He smiled, paused and then said, “Two years is a very long time so who is to say what will happen in that time and I just hope that having stood I have aired some of the problems that need fixing. >>>The criticisms that the ECB face must be taken on board because at the moment people in the cricket establishment seem to not understand how frustrated the fans feel.” >>>Interestingly enough after my interview with Lord Marland a fascinating series of events entailed. It became public that Sir Allen Standford was to be sued for a serious allegation of fraud. >>>The texan billionaire then ‘disappeared’ as he really started to feel the heat. Understandably there was uproar amongst the English cricket followers who felt embarrassed that we were in any way connected with the fraudster. >>>This created waves amongst the county chairmen who were calling for Giles Clarke (the man who took us into business with Standford) to step down from his post, three days before he was scheduled to be re-elected. >>>Subsequently, after his ever faithful county chairmen continued to blindly support him throughout this embarassing episode, he was able to ignore the calls for his head and reclaim his place as chairmen of the ECB. >>>How different things could have been for Lord Marland. Had Clarke resigned, Marland would have been able to fill the vacant post he had just missed out on and arguably should have had.

How do you think England will fare in the Ashes this summer and what do they need to do to prepare in the meantime? >>>“I am obviously hugely keen for England to succeed but if things carry on as they are it may prove unlikely. >>>They need a sharp reverse in their fortune and their approach. Firstly they need to appoint a coach whom is capable of choosing the right captain who he can work with and the team will unite behind. >>>“All the momentum from the great ashes win of 2005 has completely gone and must be rediscovered.”

If, say, two years on from now, England lose the Ashes and continue to

Dave Goodman DURHAM WOMEN’S HOCKEY seconds stormed into the final of the Northern Conference Cup last Wednesday with a fivestar win over Leeds. >>>Jayne Yeomans was instrumental in giving the Palatinates their 5-1 victory, with goals from Ruth Pitts, Katie Gledhill and Abbie Smith completing the rout. >>>Durham dominated the game from the first whistle to the last and were well deserved winners. The only blemish on their display was a late consolation goal from the visitors. >>>On a bright but cold day at Maiden Castle, Durham made their intentions clear from the start, attacking with pace and power, and pinning Leeds back in their own half. >>>Although good early chances, including a penalty corner, went begging, Durham looked in complete control, and were rewarded for their strong start when they took the lead after ten minutes. >>>Fine build up from the Palatinate’s forwards created space for Jayne Yeomans, who slammed the ball in from the edge on the D. >>>Refusing to let up, Durham continued to press, and almost doubled their lead minutes later, going close first from open play, and then from a penalty corner. >>>It was not until midway through the first period that Leeds threatened the Palatinate’s goal, but the host’s keeper repelled the attack with a fine save. >>>After this scare, Durham regained control, and soon took a two goal lead as

Ruth Putts hammered home from a penalty corner just before half time. >>>And after the break, the Palatinates came out even stronger, forcing a succession of penalty corners, before adding to their lead on the forty minute mark, Yeomans seizing on a loose, bouncing ball in the area to score her second and the home side’s third. >>>But as the half went on, Leeds began to get back into the game, and were only denied a goal of their own by another good save by the Durham stopper, from a penalty corner. >>>However, once again, the Palatinates wrestled back the initiative, as Katie Gledhill scored the goal of the match to increase their lead. >>>After the fine defence broke down a Leeds’ attack, the ball fell to Abbie Smith, who hit a superb chipped through ball which Gledhill glided past the Leeds keeper on the turn. >>>And Smith turned goal scorer minutes later, rounding off another good team move with a tap in to put the Palatinates 5-0 up. >>>Although Leeds scored a late consolation goal in a goalmouth scramble after a penalty corner, Durham never looked in any danger, and could even have added to their lead in the last few minutes of the match. >>>Five goals, however, proved sufficient for the home side, who will now go forward into the Final on March 25. They must prepare themselves for next month’s final, where they will come up against either Liverpool or Lancaster, now full of confidence and with a great chance of bring home the trophy.

ALASTAIR BARRBER

Women’s Hockey reach Northern Cup Final

C M Y K

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

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SPORT 17

SPORT

“We won’t beat Australia by just rocking up” With a summer of cricket ahead Rajvir Rai chats with Durham’s head coach Graeme Fowler

With England touring the West Indies, discontent at Giles Clarke’s reappointment as ECB chairman, the IPL and the Twenty –Twenty World Cup fast approaching, and then the small matter of the Ashes; it’s going to be impossible to get away from cricket in the next few months. >>>With 15 years as an opening batsman for Lancashire, two years at Durham, 26 one day internationals and 21 tests for England – which included an amazing 201 in Chennai against India during the 1984/85 season, Graeme Fowler, knows a thing or two about cricket. >>>It has been an impressive career for ‘Foxy’ as he came to be known. The highlight surely becoming the first English batsman to score a double century against India. >>>Only followed, Fowler adds, by “Getting a 100 against the West Indies.” >>>With the West Indies being mentioned I saw a window of opportunity to question Fowler on how he rates former Durham student, Andrew Strauss’s performance as England captain so far. >>>“I personally thought he should have been captain when we toured Australia, and having gone through Andrew Flintoff and Kevin Pietersen we have now got the right person in Strauss.” >>>As for the follow-on debate he reminds me that “The biggest run total ever chased down was in Antigua on that wicket, we don’t know how badly injured Flintoff was, the pitch hadn’t disintegrated as much as we thought it would, and they were nine down; if we had got that last wicket everybody would be saying he made the right decision.” >>>Overall a sound endorsement for the former Durham student. However, I wonder what his reaction would be to the little unknown, but highly worrying statistic, that England have not won an opening test match in 14 series now. A surprised “Is that right!” is the response - a reaction that tells it all. >>>“It says we are under prepared somehow. Maybe we should change the intensity of the preparation before the first match, and take the warm up games more seriously.” >>>He laughs, shrugs his shoulders, and concludes “Apart from that I don’t really know”. Evidently, it appears nobody in the current England hierarchy has the

answer either. >>>Moving on to talking about Matt Prior, he spoke with feeling “I have absolutely no idea why Prior has gone home.” I remind him it was for personal reasons, but he swiftly replies “His wife has already given birth, it’s not his first child it’s his second. For gods sake your playing for you country!”

“I didn’t like the whole Stanford situation from ths start” >>>So country comes first then? “Course it flaming does. I have three daughters and I was playing at Durham county when the first one was born. Even if I had been playing in the second I still would have played.” >>>Cricket comes above all else then?

“Yes it does, because you’re a professional cricket player. The worst thing I have ever seen in Cricket was Michael Vaughan leaving the pitch at Headingly as England captain to witness the birth

of his daughter. I just thought it was ridiculous. You’re playing for you country, the country is expecting you to perform.

I actually hope Ambrose comes in does really well. You don’t throw away England spots.” >>>Fowler did not hold back in voicing his opinions. Commenting on Giles Clarke recently being reappointed ECB Chairman, Fowler said, “I didn’t like the whole Stanford situation from the start, it seemed a bit brash. The agreement they got into makes the ECB look stupid. >>>“But they were not they only ones to be fooled by the man, if indeed these allegations of fraud are true. I mean the Prince of Wales hosted a polo match for him, I mean if the Royal Family can be duped then I am sure the ECB can be duped. Because they are both bloody stupid.” >>>It is well known that the Indian and Australian Cricket boards rejected Stanford’s proposals, but the ECB seemed more than happy to jump into bed with the billionaire – but is Clarke the only one to blame for this? >>>“I think that’s fair to say. I think you have to be on the inside to fully understand the situation, but from the outside it seems the ECB’s eyes light up at the sight of the money.”

He pauses, and continues “I think there are bigger issues though!” I urge him to

share. >>>“Well, when Peter Moores was coach and there were talks of making Pietersen captain it was well documented that Pietersen didn’t get on with Moores. But the two sat down with Hugh Morris, current managing director at the ECB, and it was all supposed to have been ironed out. >>>“However, it soon turns out that things haven’t been ironed out and Hugh Morris, is still in a quarter of million pound a year job and hasn’t answered a single question. He should be held accountable.

To me his position is untenable, yet, he is still in a nice big job. What the hell has gone on?” >>>‘A shambles’ I say! “A complete debacle!” responds the rather calm looking man opposite me, despite the verbal attack he has just handed the ECB hierarchy. >>>Staying on the subject of the Pietersen and Moores’ fallout I remember the press reporting that certain England players, namely Flintoff and Strauss, when questioned did not give their support to Pietersen despite the fact he was captain.

How truthful in the eyes of ‘Foxy’ were these reports? >>>“I think that’s paper talk and its all alleged stuff. I don’t think it was a case of they didn’t support him. Rather I think they stayed neutral and let Pietersen and Moores continue their own battle.” >>>2009 can only mean one thing for any English cricket fan. The Ashes! With such a chaotic last sixth months and with all sorts of problems, what cahnce do we have against the Australians? It must be remembered that they do not seem to be the powerhouse they once were having lost key players and suffered recent defeats at the hands of South Africa. >>>“The squad we have got I believe is good enough to beat Australia. We will have to play at the top of our game. We won’t beat Australia by just rocking up! >>>“Australia obviously are not the team they once were, they are rebuilding. You take Glen Mcgrath and Shane Warne out of a team and it goes from being exceptional to just good. The Ashes gets something out of the Australians, and they are going to be well up for the fight” Fowler said. >>>This April’s IPL promises to be a spectacle not to be missed, and that is in no part down to the fact that English play-

ers will now be competing in it. With huge sums of money now coming into cricket and the IPL having such a huge pull on players, how will the competition benefit English cricket? >>>Fowler replied, “It might make individual players better; it does bring in more money for individuals and for cricket in general. I’m more than happy for players to go and earn as much money as possible, and I would hope it would not be at the detriment of their England careers though.” >>>You could talk all day with ‘Foxy’ about international cricket. However, time constraints meant we had to move to an issue closer to home. With Cricket season nearly upon us the UCCE have another challenging year ahead. How is preparation going?

“The Ashes gets something out of the Australians, and they are going to be well up for the fight”

>>>“It’s difficult to say at this moment, but on paper we have some good talent.

But it’s about producing it, and getting the blend right to produce the right results.” >>>Durham has an enviable record of producing top class cricket players, and no doubt some of the current crop will go onto the highest levels. Are there any names in particular that one should note for the future? >>>“If I had to pick one person, which is very unfair, I’d pick Robbie Williams. I could easily see him three years after he leaves Durham opening the bowling for England. He is that good. >>>“Beyond him we have got one of the finest wicket keepers in the country in Paul Dixey. There are two first years, Tom Westley and Greg Smith, who on paper have great careers ahead of them.”

18 SPORT

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

SPORT

College rugby returns with a storm

ALEXANDRA WILSON

Veryan Boscawen WITH THE CROWD erupting on the winning of a try, finally Durham sport is no longer under the weather. >>>All of a sudden the frost has gone. The pitches have turned back from white, through mud, to green. >>>Those until recently shivering in the backs are now on fire and the previous trawl through the field of mud has now become a calculated foot race for that whitewash of the try line. >>>With three weeks to go, all three leagues still have everything to play for. It is no longer simply winning or losing, each game decides positions. >>>With the new points system introduced this year, bonus points are on offer for scoring 4 tries or for losing within a margin of one score Teams are forced to go all out until the fi-

nal whistle is called on the very final game of their seasons. >>>In the Men’s Premiership, Cuth’s A shredded the fingernails of their supporters as they valiantly defended their ‘fortress try line’ to grind out a 12 – 7 win over Grey A giving them a three point clear at the top of the table. >>>Having been separated by only the fourth criteria of points scored prior to kick-off, the forwards of both teams put everything on the line and kept the ball close for much of the match. >>>Cuth’s brutal defence opposing the static Grey half-backs led to a lack of confidence to spread the play.

An expansive game became less and less of an option. >>>When Cuth’s lost their Club Captain Henry Edwards to indiscipline during a period of sustained Grey pressure though, full-back Tom Jef-

frey crashed over to score under the sticks and ensure a tense finale. >>>However the leaders held on by that narrow margin, the difference over the season fairly reflected by such a narrow margin at the top of the league table. >>>The chasing pack has come down to the passion of each match providing continual twists and turns.

Comebacks, turnarounds and last minute kicks have all led to Bede A, Collingwood A and Butler struggling to be separated. >>>John’s, unbeaten so far have developed their scrappy indiscipline early in the season to elegant and powerful running now testing the teams above them. Despite having played fewer matches, they are fast closing the gap above them. >>>Mary’s spirit has tested teams beyond the reflection of their league position and Cuth’s B’s remaining

matches with the inconsistent Hatfield A and fiercely competitive Chad’s, will push the relegation battle right to the wire. >>>The race for promotion: Castle having beaten Aidan’s who then overturned Mildert, has led to the slenderest of margins separating the three. >>>Each has no option but to win with maximum points and wait on other results to secure a place in the top two come the season finale. >>>Indeed the quality seen in Division One this year has been a credit to the quality of College Rugby, with teams not afraid to play skilful, expansive rugby, hindered only by indiscipline or indifferent weather conditions. >>>This has been reflected by the presence of two upsets in the Floodlit Cup, with Castle ruling over Mary’s and Mildert needing extra time to defeat John’s. >>>Despite Durham City’s protection

of their main pitch, the floodlit competition has re-started finally, with some enticing matches set to take place (even under daylight) before the end of term final on Wednesday 18th March. >>>The focal point of each team’s season has not disappointed spectators, with champagne tries, red cards and undying heart confirming the wealth of talent and spirit in play. >>>Meanwhile in the Women’s Championship it looked like the welldrilled Mildert side would finally end the unbeaten run of Hild A which stretches back a number of years in the league. >>>A deflected drop goal with 90 seconds on the clock was only to be overturned by a 45 metre converted run-in to keep the leaders in pole position for the Championship.

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SPORT 19

SPORT

Durham Rugby League revive season

SPORT IN BRIEF JONATHAN ALLEN

Durham beat local rivals Lucy Skinner

David Sparks DURHAM WENT INTO this game knowing a win would put them into the quarter final of the play offs, but in the way stood a strong, physical York St Johns side. >>>In the warm up the players seemed really calm and relaxed which was slightly worrying at first, but it soon appeared that everybody was ready for the match - they were just mentally preparaing themselves. >>>Despite everybody seeming ready the match started quite poorly for Durham. >>>A couple of mistakes put pressure on the homeside, who fortunately managed to keep York out with some great goalline defence. >>>When the home side finally got hold of the ball they looked strong, and came close to scoring with their first attack of the game. >>>Then after putting pressure on York on their own line, Durham managed to force an error. Excellent defence from Will

Alsop caused a player to lose the ball, and Aslop gratefully picked it up and scored.

4-0 Durham. >>>This spurred the home team on who straight from the kick off attacked hard at the York defence. >>>Great play from David Norman who shrugged off two potential tacklers causing a break for him, allowing him to step the full-back and pass the ball onto Martin Albers to score a try under the posts on his debut. >>>10-0 Durham after the first ten minutes, a dream start for the palatinates. >>>However, York came back at the home side strongly after this, attacking for the majority of the next ten minutes, and eventually the pressure told. >>>Durham were caught short of numbers outwide and York ran it in to score in the corner. 10-6 to. >>>Durham responded instantly with their best team try this season. >>>David Norman ran the ball in from around the halfway line, offloaded to the onrushing Martin Hall who broke the line,

sidestepped a defender then gave centre, Martin Albers, a crash ball, which he took and carried to just before the line, then flicked it wide to winger, Tom Stanyon, who finished it off nicely, spinning away from a tackler to score in the corner. 16-6. >>>With 15 minutes left of the first half, Durham started to falter. Conceding two tries in 10 minutes, one an individual error, one a very contentious refereeing decision. >>>This brought the score to 16-14. >>>Durham then made one final push in the half, attacking brilliantly down the middle before captain, Martin Hall put in an inch perfect kick which gave David Norman the simplest try of his life. >>>Half time 22-14 to the Palatinate’s.

Durham started the second half like they did the first - slightly slower than their opponents. >>>However, this time they were punished for it, as York mnaged to grab a, rather lucky try. This made the score 22-20. >>>The score remained this way for the majority of the 2nd half, both teams were

trying to get good field position, but strong defences coupled with handling errors meant in was turning into a battle in the middle of the pitch. >>>The first team to gather any momentum was fortunately Durham, who with about 15 minutes left created some pressure on Yorks own try line. >>>After repeat sets and an error forced by some amazing defence, Durham turned this pressure into points, scrum half Dave Fone, making the most of slow line speed

by York ran accross the pitch before putting James Alderson over in the corner, this made it 26-20 with 10 minutes left. >>>York then threw everying at Durham for the remainder of the game but Durham defended resolutely. >>>Eventually this pressure told and in the very dying seconds York managed to pull one back in the corner. >>>This meant the conversion attempt was crucial as if it had been converted, it would have forced extra time, otherwise Durham were through. Luckily it was missed and Durham reach the last 8.

RIDING HIGH ON the back of a victory at Nottingham, which saw Durham go through to the BUCS final, Durham University Womens’ Athletic Football Club went on to snatch three points from local rivals Teesside. >>>The wet, muddy conditions did not phase DUWAFC and the sloping, uphill pitch proved no challenge for them.

Freya Liiv set the pace of the game with fierce, attacking runs on goal. >>>Durham knuckled down and worked hard. They were rewarded for their efforts fifteen minutes in when Ffion Abraham struck the ball from twenty-five yards out, after a sailing goal kick from keeper Holly Williams. It was an expert shot which flew into the back of the net. >>>Teesside put up a good battle, placing the ball just wide of the post on occasion. But they struggled against the Palatinates. >>>Fifty-five minutes in, Kerry Playle scored from Rachel Bull’s shot which was deflected by Teessides’ defender.

Durham were now 2-0 up and looking confident. This run of luck did not last though, with a severe clash of heads in the box soon followed by Durham conceding two goals. >>>However, Rachel Bull ensured a Palatinate victory when she fired home Rachel Sowerbys’ assist, securing the 3-2 win over their previously unbeaten opposition. Mia Borgensen made her outfield debut to replace the injured Ffion Abraham, after her fantastic efforts upfront.

Battling Durham suffer defeat in Northern Conference Cup A VALIANT DISPLAY from captain Jo Loudon was not enough to save Durham Squash Women’s Second from defeat in a closely fought match against Leeds Second. >>>It was the semi-final of the Northern Conference Cup, a presitigious competition, and there was no doubt that both teams where up for this tie. >>>With a place in next month’s final against either York First or Manchester Metropolitan First as the reward for the victors, both sides fielded their strongest teams. >>>Competing in the same league, these teams had played each other earlier in the season. >>>When they last met, Leeds, playing at home, went away 4-0 winners, but Loudon was confident that victory could be secured back at Maiden Castle. >>>It was hoped that the return of Chrissy Panton, who had been absent for the match in November, would give Durham the edge over a strong Leeds side. >>>Indeed, Panton’s availability looked for a while as if it may prove to be the difference. >>>Playing first in the number two slot, she raced to a 5-0 lead in the first game and effectively had the match won at that point. >>>Her opponent looked down-heartened from the start and Panton, to her credit,

IEUAN JENKINS

Joe Collingwood

gave her no cause for optimism. >>>After rapidly building up a two game advantage, Panton was made to work harder in the third game, and for a moment it looked as if a fight back may have been on the cards. >>>The Leeds player saved 3 match points, before a superb lob from Panton set up an easy winner and secured a comfortable 11-4, 11-1, 11-4 victory. >>>On the next door court, the hard-hitting Louisa Hotson was finding the going a little tougher. >>>Playing in the number four slot, she lost a close first game 8-11. >>>She rallied in the second, however, taking advantage of her opponents suspect temperament, to win the second 11-4 and level the scores. >>>She was unable to build on this success though and as her opponent composed herself, she lost the third game 6-11. >>>What turned out to be the final game produced some of the best squash and the closest score-line and it looked for a time as if Hotson may take the match to a deciding game. >>>In the end she didn’t have quite enough to win through and went down 1012, allowing Leeds to level the scores at 1-1. >>>With two matches remaining, it was all to play for and the tie would go right down to the wire. >>>Loudon, playing in the top spot, looked as if she may struggle against her

opponent who was very quick around the court. >>>The first two games, while close in their early stages, were both comfortably won by Leeds, leaving Loudon with a 2-0 deficit to overhaul. >>>At the same time, Tami Shephard, playing at number three, took to the court to play the final rubber against a powerful left-hander who could, in truth, have played higher in the team. >>>Shephard lost her first two games by a considerable margin and it looked to be all over for Durham. >>>Loudon, however, had other ideas and came out for the third game looking like a different player. >>>She produced some fantastic squash, mixing her game well and moving her opponent round the court. >>>The drop-shot was a weapon she used to particularly good effect and she fought back to level the scores at 2 games all. >>>Loudon rounded off the come-back with another fine display in the deciding game, putting Durham 2-1 up. >>>Next door, Shephard was also coming back into the match, keeping pace with her opponent in a game where the lead changed hands on numerous occasions. >>>Durham needed just one game to draw the tie, but unfortunately it was not to be. >>>Shephard lost the third game 9-11, making the scores 2-2 overall, but meaning Leeds were the victors by a single game.

20 SPORT

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

PALATINATE SPORT Durham Lacrosse easily brush Cambridge aside KATIE FORD

LAST WEDNESDAY, DURHAM’S women’s lacrosse 2nd team faced Cambridge in the Trophy quarter final. >>>The first half got off to an extremely good start for Durham, who having won possession away from Cambridge, used this to their advantage, resulting in an excellent run leading to the first goal of the match. >>>Durham continued to be the team with all the momentum and after another spell of possession and territory, Durham scored again. >>>While Cambridge attempted to put up some attack and threaten Durham’s goal it seemed that Durham’s defence was too strong for them, and Cambridge was unable to convert their possession into a goal and get on the scoreboard. >>>Cambridge continued the form of their slow start, which Durham took advantage of and scored two more goals during some excellent passages of play. >>>Cambridge called a time out to try and re-group after their slow start and find some response to Durham’s early dominance. >>>However, little seemed to have changed and Durham came back to score further goals. >>>Cambridge appeared unable to compete with Durham on the same level, who seemed to be totally in control of this match. >>>Durham continuously threatened the Cambridge goal for some time, but for a time the Cambridge defence prevented Durham from converting their efforts into a goal. >>>However, this proved to be shortlived as Durham eventually broke through and added to their tally of goals.

>>>At this point in the game Cambridge was finding it hard to retain possession for even a short time when under pressure from Durham’s defence. >>>Nevertheless, eventually Cambridge managed a period of sustained possession and territory which eventually resulted in a breach in Durham’s defence, giving them the opportunity to score and for the first time in the match get on the scoreboard. >>>However, this failed to result in any meaningful shift of control and

possession as Durham quickly retaliated with another goal. Durham briefly lost the ball to Cambridge, who went on to threaten the goal, but Durham resisted this pressure and turned it to their advantage, going on to score and further cement their supremacy in this match.

Durham went on to score three more times in this half of the match taking the tally for the first half to Durham 12 – Cambridge 1. >>>The first half was Durham-dominated in terms of both both possession and territory, with Cambridge

finding it hard to come up with any response which could get them back in the match. >>>The few opportunities that Cambridge did have were not converted into goals or pose any real threat to the force of Durham. >>>The second half started well for Durham as they continued to threaten the Cambridge goal. >>>After a period of time, there came an excellent run from Durham’s number 22 which led to Durham taking the first goal of the second half. >>>This was followed by another

Durham goal in a matter of minutes.

It looked as if the second half was going to be the same as the first, with Durham dominating play. However, it proved to be a much more evenly matched half after Cambridge came back with more fight. >>>Both teams threatened to score for a time, but neither were able to break through the other’s defence. >>>Finally Cambridge scored, although it made little difference to Durham’s overall control on the game. >>>The game ended with the score Durham 18 – Cambridge 3.

BEN MORFOOT

Alex Avern

Defeats for Durham Fencing in quarter-final stage

Ally Bacon ON WEDNESDAY AFTERNOON, whilst the Mens 1st Team was battling it out in Edinburgh, it was the women’s contest, against London rivals Queen Mary’s University, that would be the biggest threat yet to our hopes of progressing to the semi-finals of the University Fencing Championships. >>>In order to reach this prestigious stage, Durham trounced Edinburgh, snatching their place in the quarter-finals by a single point in an annihilation of the opposition’s Sabre team in the final round. >>>With the support and enthusiasm of coach Beth Davison, there was a clear optimism and excitement evident in the girls prior to the start of Wednesday’s match. >>>The Foil team was made up of Keira Roberts and Angela Bilardi, the two better

known for their excellence in Sabre, along with St. Mary’s second year student Susie Boyce. >>>The opening point of the Foil round was seized by Roberts as her first Queen Mary’s opponent, a Great Britain foilist, tumbled over spectacularly on the piste floor. >>>All matches were being closely observed by video analysis, with the constant flow of advice, shouts and constructive criticism from both sidelines adding greatly to the tension. >>>There was brilliant encouragement from the Durham bench as each of their fencers took up their swords, with particularly loud cheers whenever Boyce nabbed a point from Queen Mary’s. >>>The argumentative and somewhat patronising nature of the Queen Mary’s fencers became more and more apparent as the matches progressed. >>>The rounds were punctuated with

unnecessary debate over the number of points being awarded and Durham’s timekeeping skills. >>>More often than not the scores recorded by the Durham side were correct, and much time was wasted arguing over the minutest of details, much to everyone else’s annoyance. >>>Durham’s overall loss in the Foil round however, with a final score of 18-45, could be put down to Roberts and Bilardi being less accustomed to, and thus struggling a little with, the Foil since their success lies in a very different style of sword, the Sabre. >>>Roberts has been crowned BUCS Sabre champion in the past and is a highly adept, talented and successful Sabreur far and beyond the student level with defeats against the Ladies GBR senior number one. >>>The next round was Epee with Andrea Finken, Zara Cook and international

Northern Irish fencer Rachel Conner taking up their swords. >>>They knew full well that the Foil round was an unlucky one and strived to close the vast point margin. >>>Cook fenced with considerable control and focus, Finken with a strong drive and swiftness of attack, and Conner with a hunger for each hit, as pointed out by coach Beth. Angela Bilardi, now showing off her skills as an Epeeist as well as a Foilist and Sabreur, stepped up to fight from the reserve position and brought with her a fresh and innovative combination of attacks to the piste to snatch 5 points from 5. >>>Unfortunately, the Epee round was not won, and the score line ended up at 34-45 to Queen Mary’s. This brought the total to 52-90. >>>The Sabreurs knew they had a huge task on their hands if they were to take victory with such a sizable point difference,

yet they entered the round with swords held high. What was made immediately apparent from the very first attack from Bilardi was the overwhelming strength, agility and speediness of the whole Sabre team. >>>Win after win by the Durham sabreurs totted up the points and narrowed the gap.

Yet, even though this closing round was valiantly won 45-25, it was not enough to win overall, and victory was granted to Queen Mary’s. The final score was an honourable 97-115. >>>The Men’s team in Edinburgh also missed out, by a similar point difference, on the chance to progress to the semifinals, with a final score of 113-130. >>>It was undoubtedly an unlucky week for Durham’s fencers, yet both teams should take away from this experience the pride of reaching the quarter finals and the gallant successes of previous matches.

More sport inside

C M Y K

INDIGO

THE RETURN OF VISUAL ARTS VINTAGE FASHION FAIR KEANE

2

INDIGO

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

PICK AND MIX Palatinate loves...

Revolutionary Road Forget The Reader, this is the real deal. Richard Yates ’s breathtaking novel is a rare literary gem. As for the film, two words: Kate Winsl et.

Enough said.

Dusted Whittard’s Truffles h. bly moreis Indescriba

Gossip Girl Because in this escapist fantasy the only thing you need to worry about is what you’re going to wear.

Palatinate hates...

Dissertations t won’t Because they jus s. write themselve

From the Palatinate archives From Palatinate, 22nd February 1952, the editorial written in the wake of King George VI’s death and at the time of a proposed name change of the University to ‘the University of Durham and Newcastle’. What is now Newcastle University was then King’s College, Durham

Demise of the Crown >>>After all that has been said and written of the death of King George VI, Palatinate’s remarks may seem superfluous. >>>But we have thought it fitting to give some account of the reactions of this, England’s third oldest University.

Scholarship may rightly question existing institutions, and scholars fret at national boundaries: but the true scholar is not foolish enough to be the cynic, nor too proud to pay homage. >>>The late King brought to his office a dignity and character which won the respect of all. Suavis iustorum fragrant odor tumulo. >>>The English monarchy is honoured and treasured all over the world, and most of all among the people of the homeland itself. It is with pride that the Colleges in the ancient city of Durham

recall Elizabeth II’s last visit here, as Heir-Apparent: and it is with rejoicing and confidence that the hail her as now she accedes to the Throne.

An unwelcome proposal >>>When we came up we were matriculated into the University of Durham.

There seems no small chance that we may go down as graduates of the University of Durham and Newcastle. >>>Palatinate has published the facts of what it can only describe as this regrettable state of affairs in its news columns, so far as possible, together with far more information about University matters than it normally heaps upon its readers. >>>It is no delusion on our part that the Newcastle Division does not play just as full and honourable a part in the life of the

commend itself in any particular way to the world at large, which has respected the honourable name of Durham so long. >>>As for the thousands of graduates who would be affected by such a change, their feelings may be better imagined

Francesca Teoh presents pearls of wisdom from the public sphere. Got any of your own? Send us an e-mail “The boy is more of a man than you are.

Manliness is not all swagger and swearing and mountain-climbing. Manliness is also tenderness, gentleness, consideration. You men think you can decide on who is a man when only a woman can really know” Deborah Kerr

“You can’t have true love and success. But that doesn’t bother me because I don’t want love, I want my music. I don’t give a f*** about love.

I’m married to my art.”

Lady Gaga

The actress muses on the true definition of masculinity in Robert Anderson’s play Tea and Sympathy.

Tai: Do you think she’s pretty?

Cher: No, she’s a full-on Monet.

Tai: What’s a Monet?

Cher: It’s like a painting, see? From far away, it’s okay, but up close, it’s a big old mess.

Brittany Murphy and Alicia Silverstone

Amy’s mother assures the public that the diva is really just a misunderstood soul.

Alarm Clock s Because they remind us that we have to live in the real world .

“We cannot in fairness suppose that the proposed alteration to this University’s title would commend itself in any particular way to the world at large”

than described should the change come about. >>> >>>They, like many graduates in Durham itself who are on Teaching Practice this term, have a right to make their voice heard in Convocation, advising the Court of the University of their views; but they are scattered up and down the country; many in fact are clergy, with little time or resources available for a trip to Newcastle and their representation in person at the Convocation is likely to be thin. >>>To add to the existing body of Statutes a new section which directly contradicts the other Statutes defining the University’s name would appear an unusual way of effecting an amendment. >>>It is with no whit less respect for those in favour of the change that Palatinate expresses its own views, one-sided as they are in this instance. We will therefore add no more, but encourage our readers to voice their comments through our correspondence columns. >>>The facts are in the newspaper of the Durham Colleges, and must be allowed to speak for themselves.

Selected quotes

“Despite what people say, Amy isn’t a wild child. She’s just a regular girl and isn’t one for big parties.”

Janis Winehouse

Ray Quinn Smarmy.

University as do the Durham Colleges. >>>We recognize the fact that it is far bigger in numbers. But we cannot in fairness suppose that the proposed alteration to this University’s title would

The singer simply can’t be bothered with romance.

The girls from Clueless offer another slice of classic popculture insults .

“...you could never say a phrase like “The world breaks everyone and afterward ‘phallocentric patriarchy’ to your father, even many are strong in the broken places. But those over the phone. I was being taught to be angry that will not break it kills. It kills the very good at the patriarchy, embodied in Milton and Shakespeare, Auden and Frost, those voices I and the very gentle and the very brave impartially. If you are none of these you can be had so loved. And it was hard to deconstruct ‘the patriarchy’ without deconstructing - and sure it will kill you too but there will be no demoting the wisdom of - your own personal special hurry.”

Ernest Hemingway earliest patriarch - your real dad at home.”

Naomi Wolf In A Farewell to Arms (1929), the author evaluates the The acclaimed feminist icon discusses the relationship way the world has the power to devastate. between literary theory and fathers and daughters.

C M Y K

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INDIGO 3

INTERVIEW Factfile: Sir Ken Macdonald «Born 4th January 1953 «Nationality British

“You can protect yourself without giving up your freedoms” When Sir Ken Macdonald QC started his work as Director of Public Prosecutions in October 2003, a US detention centre at Guantanamo Bay had been open for over eighteen months and mainland Britain had never experienced the terror of a suicide bombing. Times have changed. Here Sir Ken looks back on an eventful five years in office with Matthew Walters before debating at the Union Society

«Education Read PPE at St. Edmund Hall, Oxford «Career Called to the Bar by the Inner Temple, July 1978.

Defended terrorist suspects, both from the Middle East and the Provisional IRA, as well as major fraudsters and drug dealers.

Co-founder of Matrix chambers with Cherie Booth and Tim Owen QC. Director of Public Prosecutions, England and Wales, 2001-2008 An eminent human rights lawyer at Matrix Chambers before his most public appointment to date, Sir Ken was knighted in the 2007 New Year Honours for services to justice, and arrives in Durham to argue in a Union Society debate that civil liberties should not be sacrificed for national security interests.

“What’s happening at Guantanamo was assistance to al-Qaeda”

>>>“I’m absolutely delighted,” he enthuses as the subject of Guantanamo Bay’s closure is broached. >>>“I’m quite sure that it’s the right thing to do. President Obama said in his inauguration speech, and it seemed to me that this was a direct comment on the previous eight years, that there’s no conflict between our security and our values. >>>”What he meant by that was, I think, that you can protect yourself without giving up your freedoms and I agree about that.

“He’s absolutely right to close down Guantanamo, he’s absolutely right to close down those detention centres, he’s absolutely right to put a stop to torture.” >>>In total, 775 prisoners have been detained at the camp since its first inmates arrived in January 2002. Many have since been freed or transferred to foreign governments, but 245 men remain in custody. >>>Given that such a large proportion of these terror detainees have been freed or transferred, and given that criminal proceedings are ongoing for some of the camp’s current inhabitants, was the use

Photographed by Alastair Barber of Guantanamo Bay an excessively impulsive measure on the part of the Bush administration? >>>“I think it damaged America’s image in the world, and I don’t think it helped them defeat al-Qaeda, in fact quite the opposite. What happened at Abu Ghraib, what’s happening at Guantanamo was assistance to al-Qaeda.” >>>Sir Ken himself was an outspoken critic of the government’s plans to increase the period of detention without charge from 28 days to 42 days in exceptional circumstances, stating in front of a parliamentary committee that the police had “coped comfortably” within the current framework. >>>He explains: “I opposed 42-day because I was in charge of the prosecutions. We’d never needed 42 days, not even in the most complex cases. When people used to say to me that ‘it’s possible’, I used to reply ‘well, anything’s possible’. The question is whether it will ever be likely. >>>“I think actually it’s a very broad feeling among British people. They don’t want to lose that part of Britishness. You don’t want there to be the feeling that when you go out on the street you’re not safe from the state.” >>>In a move criticised by high-ranking government officials at the time, Sir Ken went on record during his term of office to criticise Western political rhetoric since September 11th 2001. >>>“I never liked the expression ‘war on terror’,” he opines. “I don’t think the people that bombed London on July 7th were soldiers. They were fantasist, narcissist criminals. They said they were soldiers in their martyrdom videos. We shouldn’t pay them that compliment.

We are obviously engaged in a struggle against people who are trying to damage us. The response to terrorism is in many different forms. There’s obviously a military response. There can be an intelligence response. There can be a secret service response.

“He’s absolutely right to close down Guantanamo, he’s absolutely right to put a stop to torture” >>>“What I always say is that when acts of terrorism are committed on the street, they’re crimes. They’re straightforward criminal offences and they should be dealt with by the criminal justice system.

They shouldn’t pay these people the compliment of telling them they’re soldiers. We made that mistake with the IRA. >>>“I just don’t like the rhetoric, and I’m sure Barack Obama won’t be using that rhetoric. Indeed, our own government

don’t use it. I made a speech in January 2007 about this, saying there’s no war on terror, and I was criticised a bit by the government. Now it’s government policy.” >>>On the issue of domestic crime, last year will be remembered as - among other things - a year in which the media profile of incidences of knife crime in Britain was raised beyond any level previously seen. Recent figures have confirmed that knife crime has indeed increased. >>>What is the view of the situation from the upper echelons of the British criminal justice system? “I drive to work through North London, and recently my route has seen two sites where two separate people have been stabbed to death,” Sir Ken recalls. “I think there is some evidence that people are carrying knives more than they used to, and they use them more frequently. >>>“Gordon Brown invited leading judges, legal experts and police officers to a summit meeting, and we found that many police officers – on discovering a person carrying knife – would simply caution them. We needed it to reach the stage where their cases would come to us at the CPS, so that we could prosecute them. That’s now the case. >>>“The suggestion is that, in areas where this has been richly enforced, there’s some reduction. I think carrying a knife is quite a serious crime, because of what it can lead to.” >>>When in 2004 the Crown Prosecution Service announced that there would

not be enough evidence to bring fresh charges over the murder of Stephen Lawrence, Sir Ken commented at the time that the country needed to “reflect on this dreadful murder”, and to recognise “the profound effect it has had on our national consciousness”.

“I think Stephen Lawrence had a profound impact on criminal justice” >>>With the benefit of five years of hindsight, he’s asked to explain the comment. “I think Stephen Lawrence had a profound impact on criminal justice, and a huge impact upon the police in particular.

The Metropolitan Police completely transformed itself after the Lawrence inquiry because they were confronted with just how atrociously bad their response to the crime was. >>>“I think everyone acknowledges that there were elements of racism in the way they responded. They just didn’t treat it appropriately. They didn’t treat Stephen Lawrence, his family, or his friends appropriately. I’m sure it wouldn’t happen now.

It had a huge impact.” >>>Voted in the inaugural Times Law 100

to be the fourth most influential lawyer in the UK, and hailed in an editorial in The Times on his final day as an “exemplary figure” who had transformed the office of DPP into a “respected and public role”, Sir Ken’s successor is Keir Starmer. >>>Mr Starmer will inherit a CPS that has changed fundamentally over the last five years, with Sir Ken introducing two big changes: the taking over of charging suspects from police, and the drive for CPS lawyers to do more advocacy in the courts. >>>When asked about the motivations behind these changes, Sir Ken responds: “I think that if you’re a prosecuting authority you’ve got to recruit the best lawyers.

That wasn’t traditionally the case for the CPS. They had a very limited job. The police would charge a case. They sent for the CPS. The CPS lawyer would look at it, and if it passed the test, the case would be passed on to a barrister. That’s a very limited role. >>>“We thought that if we put our own people into court, it would improve their profile and improve their confidence, and would make the CPS a more exciting place to work.” >>>If one thing can be guaranteed to Sir Ken’s successor as Director of Public Prosecutions, it is that a changing society in Britain - and a changing international political climate - will continue to provide the CPS with fresh challenges, fresh debates, and a continuing need to adapt and respond in the face of profound change.

4

INDIGO

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Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

FEATURE

The domestic goddess Ally Bacon on why Gwyneth Paltrow wants you to live her perfect life

B

ack in December, Hollywood leading lady Gwyneth Paltrow launched www.goop.com a chic, sophisticated website dedicated to divulging the secrets of how to live a holistic, cultured, and nutritious life. >>>Each week Paltrow uploads and sends out advice newsletters, much like a modern day Martha Stewart, with bits and bobs about where to go in LA and London, and how to find the perfect little black dress. >>>The past few weeks have, as expected, seen a barrage of criticism against the website with many people finding fault in her promoting what she feels to be her perfect and enviable life. Plenty dismiss the project as an unprecedented example of celebrity hubris. >>>Browsing the site, I too found it just a little more self-important than the average high end women’s magazine, but not glaringly more so. We are so often encouraged to covet things that are way out of our price league and given advice about how we should live our lives. >>>Take Cosmo, Vogue, Grazia for instance; they all feature spreads of overpriced outfits and luxurious holiday destinations most of us can only daydream about during dull lectures. Usually this all comes from a team of writers, though, and not a high profile woman who thinks her lifestyle is so wonderful that we should all aspire to be like her.

With that in mind, here is a low-down of the site. >>>First of all, what exactly does “GOOP” mean? The answer to this

question is crucial, because according to the site (which contains no hints as to the meaning of the term), GOOP is “what makes life good.” Yes, a word suggesting slime, sludge or muck is apparently our key to a better life. This name has naturally prompted accusations of pomposity and an attempt at being in vogue. >>>What is frankly irritating about the website is Paltrow’s recommendations that are of such high end taste. She sug-

gests hotels and restaurants in London to readers that are beyond most people’s price range. In the fashion range, Paltrow puts forward outfits, bags and accessories only the rich can afford and talks about leaving her favourite Chanel dress to her daughter. >>>There are only brief attempts at the ‘low-end’ market by mentioning an affordable £25 UniQlo skirt that could complement an outfit that included a gold

Roger Vivier bangle for £350 (which is, to be honest, gorgeous, but that’s beside the point). >>>Her recipes for Valentine’s Day included ‘Poussins’ (Cornish hens) and oysters. Yet should we expect any less of a celebrity who only has to work a few months a year, and is highly unlikely to shop at Primark or eat at Subway like the majority of us poor students? >>>In passing the website onto friends,

however, the response was not one of scorn or criticism. Many liked the headings “MAKE, GO, GET, DO, BE SEE”, complete with icons of a bicycle for GO and binoculars for SEE and so on, creating a simple and quaint homepage. >>>The exhibitions and books section, “SEE”, is written with enthusiasm and passion for the simple things in life.

One can hardly accuse Paltrow and her friends of being stupid, since the recommended reading includes none other than Anna Karenina and War and Peace by Leo Tolstoy, though this could equally be seen as highly pretentious. >>>Gwyneth nonetheless does write in a way that could be said assumes people would immediately want to start living and dressing like her. It was like she was compelled to launch the site because there were so many people clamoring for her advice. >>>But at least she isn’t one of those celebrities who injects collagen into her lips and illegal drugs into her bloodstream.

It makes sense that women, young, trend-conscious “yummy mummies” in particular, look up to Gwyneth for her advice on wellbeing, fashion and healthy food. The woman means well and it must be remembered that this is “her London” she writes about, not “London on a budget”. Her advice is heartfelt, honest and sincere. >>>To me, overall, despite the slightly egocentric and self-admiring tone the website seems like a gentle reminder to keep priorities straight, stay healthy, and enjoy life as much as we can.

Healing powers Alexa Cutteridge introduces Cryotherapy, the cold-treatment sweeping spas across the UK

S

ome people love winter; crisp, fresh mornings, snow crunching under your feet as you make a footprint in the new snow and sitting by a warm log fire with a mug of cocoa as you regain feeling in your feet and hands. >>>But, for others, it brings a world of disappointment: sport matches are cancelled because of frozen pitches, lectures are postponed (admit it you were genuinely upset that your 9am seminar was cancelled specially since it was the first time you had prepared for it!), nights out are far from inviting...

“What if I were to tell you that cold is actually quite good...?” >>>The start to 2009 for Durham has brought a winter wonderland with extreme weather involving hail, sleet and snow and temperatures dropping to a icy -9°C at night. It was all fun at first but I think we are all a bit fed up with the cold weather and cannot wait for summer to arrive! >>>However, what if I were to tell you that cold is actually quite good for you?

It all about Cryotherapy! Ever since the Ancient Greeks, cold treatment has been used as a time-honoured remedy for trauma, inflammation and injuries. It was later used by doctors in hospitals for its analgesic effects in numbing a treat-

ment area or to reduce swelling after an operation combined with rest, elevation and compression (RICE). Methods of applying cold include ice packs, ice massage, ice sprays and cold and ice water immersion. >>>Cryotherapy is commonly used today in sports for recovery and injury prevention by physiotherapists and sports therapists. It helps muscles, tendons, bones, nerves and other tissues used in sport recover from their workout. Sports stars such as Paula Radcliffe and Johny Wilkinson are big fans of ice baths.

Imagine Jonny Wilkinson (wow!) - every time Jonny steps out of his ice bath those muscular legs feel cold and numb, however they soon fill up again with fresh blood invigorating muscles, by bringing more oxygen and importantly, removing waste such as lactic acid preventing muscle soreness, poor functioning and muscle fatigue. >>>However there is a new kind of chill out there - I am talking a -110°C chill, not quite the -9°C we experienced here in Durham! Kriotherapy is slightly different to other treatments as it involves wholebody kriotherapy. It was invented by the Japanese in the 1970s and popularized

by Polish scientists. It is well known to Spa-goers for problems ranging from stress, burn-out, insomnia or depression, skin conditions, ageing, weight problems, arthritis, rheumatism and multiple sclerosis. >>>It has also been proven to boost sporting performance in relation to recovery after sport, rehabilitation of injuries

and enhanced performance by 10%.

The procedure >>>The treatment involves three chambers set at -10°C, -60°C and -110°C (spas may vary). The maximum time you can stay in is three minutes and you can have up to three sessions a day. The chambers are chilled using liquid nitrogen providing a dry cold making it more bearable and pleasant. You wear cotton shorts and sports socks and the spas provide you with gloves, headband and a face mask to protect delicate areas.

Some spas abroad also issue you with wooden clogs (awesome!) When in the chamber you are supervised and have to keep moving on the spot otherwise you freeze to it!

What does the treatment do? >>>During the treatment your blood vessels constrict and shunt blood to the core to conserve heat. When you get out you can either warm back up on a exercise bike, a power plate, or with a massage.

Blood is pumped vigorously round the body increasing oxygen and nutrients are needed which boosts the immune system. Hormones are also enhanced such as endorphins, adrenaline and serotonin creating a sense of euphoria and energy.

Where can you get this treatment? >>>In the UK you can get full body kriotherapy at the London Kriotherapy Centre and Champneys, Hertfordshire.

At London Kriotherapy Centre treatment costs £30 per treatment and Champneys costs £35 for the first treatment including a T-shirt and £25 for the consecutive treatments.

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5

FEATURE

An inconvenient truth Francesca Teoh discusses the cult of everyday censorship

W

hy is it that we are so afraid to say what we really think? We cannot be ourselves whilst we grapple with the knowledge that if we dare express our true sentiments, we shall be rebuked for being cynics; pessimists of the highest order. One is constantly reprimanded that feeling even the slightest injustice, frustration, or doubt will imprison us in a vicious cycle of angst.

Furthermore, we are informed, “you >>>Furthermore, can’t let it take control of your life”, and, “a smile can make all the difference”. Can you really smile your way to happiness?

Of course not. No matter how much you “fake it to make it”, if you’re genuinely unhappy, there is nothing an artificially constructed saccharine persona will do to help.

And what if the suffragettes had not been exceptionally vocal in their tireless campaign for the women’s vote? What if Gandhi or Nelson Mandela had not engaged in civil disobedience at a time when to remain silent was undoubtedly the safer option? We are warned from an early age that we should never talk politics, religion, sex or money; it is dangerous territory

what exactly is acceptable? What else is there to talk about? >>>There is evidently something amiss when today, even speaking one’s mind becomes akin to public disorder. It may be the twenty-first century, but people

Society is so afraid of expressing >>>Society discontentment that we have developed this elaborate method of diverting our real emotions into a manufactured ‘have a nice day’ culture. How can it be promoted as acceptable to simply sit back when one’s whole world is collapsing? Why else do and will so many people spend a lifetime in therapy, if there’s actually nothing wrong with well, anything?

For instance, if Rosa Parks had not >>>For refused to give up her seat on a bus one afternoon in 1955, where would we be now, where would the civil rights movement have been? As Camus declared: “What is a rebel? A man who says no”...

DANIEL DYER

“we have to be willing to play moral trump cards”

still refuse to engage with simple and often uncompromising truths. Much has been made of this being a democratic culture; a forum of free-flowing speech, when in reality, every action, every thought and every utterance is subject to intense

from which no one emerges unscathed. >>>The problem, then, is

censorship. The heart of the matter is if we want to survive, we have to be willing to play moral trump cards. Sacrifice your integrity and gain some kind of political leverage. Dispatch with kindness and authenticity and instead practice to deceive and deny in order to win big in the career or social stakes. But most of all obliterate any trace of individuality. >>>We have all become tranquilised clones whose only utterances are “fine”, “very well”, and what I like to call ‘rotation topics’. Firstly, my favourite, that great dependable: the weather. This is especially useful if there has generally been a startling change in weather within the last two weeks: last week, brilliant sunshine, warm temperatures, and ‘t-shirt weather’. Next thing you know, and it’s all sub-zero temperatures, icy-cold Siberia, gale force winds et al. Secondly: current plans. This can include such topics as whether the other person is going on holiday, and how their job/inertia is going. Thirdly, random chit-chat/flattery: “oh, what a nice bag, where did you get it?”, “have you had a haircut?” I readily acknowledge that these phrases are necessary conversation-openers, especially when you barely know or rarely see the other people.

However, when they form the substance of discussion amongst intimate friends and family, this surely reveals the extent of dysfunctional communication. >>>Somehow, it seems that we have barely moved beyond the banter of our

school days. People never say anything interesting, merely offering anecdotes about their drunken behaviour from the past week, and which club they stumbled out of this time, whilst being supported by other drunken compadres. Politically astute (no Brownites please), passionate, artistic, hell, articulate (!) folk are now only the stuff of legend. Does no one actually care about the meaning of life anymore? Or, are they so busy drinking away the horrors of daily existence that they can no longer register the sensation of reality? >>>Naturally, there is always the other side. That ugly side of humanity, where people are completely uninhibited and make it their mission to be unbelievably malicious. For no apparent reason, their words and actions are submerged in venom; they exist solely to threaten society with their evil resources. In such cases, it is perhaps better that they say nothing at all or are removed by the happy police.

But seriously, is all hope lost for intellectual, stimulating dialogues of the mind and soul? Must we be compelled to lives of small-talk and insincerities? >>>We need to stop pretending and start being honest; to discover those voices which have been prevented from emerging since the hour of our births. Perhaps, as Oscar Wilde wrote, “To be natural is such a difficult pose to keep up”. Our fear, our crippling fear, is that of unpopularity and disapproval.

The terrible, unspeakable fear that honesty will come at a price: the loss of friends, the loss of a job, and the loss of reputation. Until we are bold enough to really search inside, defy the status quo and discard the façades, nothing will change in this increasingly hostile world.

Controversy corner Palatinate presents former and current items of taboo

Lady Chatterley’s Lover D. H. Lawrence must have known that his daring 1928 novel of sex (and love) across the class divide would send ripples throughout the nation. Indeed, it was only published in Britain in 1960 after years of underground circulation.

Lady Chatterley’s Lover still manages to astound in its raw and penetrating insight into the intricacies of the human heart.

After the landmark Obscenity Trial of Penguin Books whereby the likes of E. M. Forster and critic Raymond Williams testified as witnesses to the novel’s literary merit, Lady Chatterley’s Lover cemented its place as a canonical celebration of sensuality and sexual liberation.

Bush cabinet under arrest In November 2007, an exhibition of political satire by artists Nora Ligorano and Marshall Reese’s “Lineup”, at the New York Public Library, doctored ‘mug-shots’ of former President George Bush’s cabinet inner circle. According to The New York Daily News who published the photographs, “Each Bush administration member clutches a clapboard with the date of his ‘arrest’ – a day when each made incriminating statements regarding the Iraq war”. The Library’s decision to promote such a subjective stance on the backlash against the Republican government lead to controversy over its attempts to influence public opinion.

Grand theft auto Grand Theft Auto. It’s just a piece of entertainment, isn’t it? The immensely popular video game, probably the biggest-selling of all time, is frequently criticised for the extremely provocative and violent nature of its content.

As The Independent reports, Democratic politician Joe Baca questioned, ““Do you really want your kids assuming the role of a mass murderer or a carjacker while you are away at work?”

The world of Grand Theft Auto is one without limitations, and hence without responsibilities. Anything goes…But in the real world, the game’s no-nonsense approach towards personal qualms is far from recommended.

 Clockwork Orange A Stanley Kubrick’s notorious film of Antony Burgess’s A Clockwork Orange remains a startlingly brutal account of drugs, sex, and rock and roll. Sort of. A hellish odyssey into the depths of horrifying gang-rape bizarrely accompanied by the protagonist’s singing, attempted robbery, a 14-year spell in prison, blasphemy that would shock even the most militant atheist, and the obligatory session of psychological torture, A Clockwork Orange is the kind of film synonymous with questions of censorship. Why the movie and indeed, the novel have endured is both surprising and disturbing in equal measure. After all, there is such a thing as a little too much information…

If U Seek Amy If U Seek Amy. It sounds innocent enough, right? Yet Britney Spears’s forthcoming single has been making waves ever since its impending release was announced. The central complaint has been the song’s blatant sexual address in the line, “all the boys and all the girls are begging to F-U-C-K me”.

Certainly, old Britters is getting more up close and personal by the minute, but why all the fuss? As any discerning listener of rap and hip-hop will inform you, if iTunes doesn’t label your record as ‘EXPLICIT’ in huge red font, you haven’t made it.

Yes, it’s a bit crass and vulgar.

That’s just Britney. Thesedays, four letter words are the least of our problems.

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7

FOOD AND DRINK

Cake couture Cupcakes are in. Lydia Ashby considers why it is definitely quality, not quantity, that matters.

Illustrations by Susannah Taylor

N

o longer are cupcakes confined to the sticky realms of children’s parties. Ever since Carrie from Sex and the City was filmed tucking into a thickly butter-creamed cake, they have exploded in popularity. The rich and famous are particular fans (perhaps because they are among the few happy to pay the extortionate price of £1.75 per cupcake). >>>From Victoria Beckham to Madonna, the celebrity world orders mountains of cupcakes for weddings and birthdays (although I wonder who’s actually eating them.) Google recently revealed that ‘cupcakes’ is the fastest rising recipe search in the UK, showing that the cupcake obsession is becoming an endemic across the country. Those not willing to buy the beautiful, artisan cupcakes produced by establishments such as Primrose Bakery are having a shot themselves. In short the cupcake industry is booming. >>>Whilst researching for this article, I stumbled across a website providing ‘cupcake couture’, enabling those who so desired to ‘dress up’ their cupcakes. One particular bun was sporting a little paper jacket, very much like the jackets that some dog owners make their pets wear. Now, even I, as an ar-

dent admirer of the humble cupcake, was shocked to see how much cupcake fever is veering out of control.

A cupcake needs a paper jacket as much as dogs with natural fur coats need a knitted

jumper. Oh dear. >>>But what is behind this cupcake craze? Perhaps it’s because there is no beleaguered sense of duty to share a cupcake with anyone. There’s no need to squabble over who gets the most icing.

And there’s the added bonus that as cake eating goes, it is relatively guilt free, meaning, in the words of Little Britain’s Marjorie Dawes, “half the calories so you can eat twice as much.” Seems good to me. >>>Cupcake connoisseurs have long debated the difference between fairy cakes and cupcakes. As far as I can see, the only characteristic that tells them apart is that fairy cakes have domed tops, whereas cupcakes are flat. Personal preference dictates which one people opt for-I am a stickler for lots of icing, so I choose cupcakes every time. >>>Distressingly, there is a very limited supply of cupcakes within Durham. After hours of tasting, (all in the name of research) there were very few places which sell cupcakes to the high standard which is now usually so easy to find. Whilst Brown Sugar and Greggs made a good attempt, it wasn’t enough. A proper cupcake should have delicious sponge, packed with flavour. The icing should be sweet and creamy, with the correct proportion of icing to sponge.

Finally, a truly excellent cupcake should

Coffee Shop review 9 Altars Durham 

I

n terms of café culture, Durham is the Paris of the North East. You have the mainstream favourites (Brown Sugar anyone?), the quirky originals (you can’t beat the baked-by-your-Granny scones at Treats) and the hidden gems, for which 9 Altars is a prime contender. Tucked away on Rear Silver Street just opposite Bella Italia, this tiny café only seats around twenty people, and is often full.

Entering for the first time, you are immediately struck by the cuteness of the place. Downstairs is the ordering-counter, decked out with an array of colourful sandwich fillings and display cases filled with all manner of sticky cakes. Just behind lie the stacks of crockery and the rattling coffee machine – hardly an oasis of culinary calm but it all adds to the atmosphere. Aside from a couple of stools placed beside the window, all the seating is upstairs; you climb a lovely wooden (though scarily steep) staircase to reach

look seductively good enough to eat. The reason why cupcakes are a common subject for birthday cards and postcards is because they look pretty. Crystallised flowers, sugar craft and sprinkles are all vital for the full effect. The disappointing lack of the perfect cupcake in Durham leads me to suggest only one thing: make your own. Even the most domestically challenged can whip up a culinary masterpiece of a cupcake. Here’s how: Basic Cupcake Recipe (Makes 12) For the cake: 4oz/115g butter, at room temperature 4oz/115g caster sugar 2 eggs, lightly beaten Half teaspoon vanilla extract 4oz/115g self-raising flour 2 tablespoons milk For the icing: 11oz/300g cream cheese 2oz/60g butter, at room temperature OR 13oz/360g butter, at room temperature 1 teaspoon vanilla extract 12oz/340g icing sugar 1. Preheat oven to 180 C/350 F/Gas Mark 4. Line a muffin tin with cupcake cases (the tin helps support the cupcakes during cooking).

2. Beat the butter with electric mixers or a wooden spoon until creamy. (If using a spoon, be prepared, it will take about 10 minutes, but it’s worth it!)

3. Add the sugar and beat again until pale and fluffy.

4. Add the eggs, a little at a time, and beat well in between each addition, ensuring everything is fully mixed up.

5. Beat in the milk and vanilla extract.

6. Fold in the flour.

7. Blob the mixture into the cupcake cases. Only fill up two thirds of the case because they rise. Bake for 15-20 minutes, or until golden and springy to the touch. Cool.

8. Beat the butter and cream cheese (if

using) with the vanilla extract until soft, then slowly add the icing sugar. (Don’t add the icing sugar all at once otherwise you’ll create a mushroom cloud of sugar which will go everywhere but in the bowl).

Chill for 15 minutes before spreading onto the cooled cupcakes. >>>There is no excuse for a bland cupcake. Let your imagination run wild: bring on the carrot, lemon drizzle, chocolate fudge, gingerbread or orange. Any cake recipe will do, just divide the mixture into cupcake cases (don’t fill them too full) and bake for 15-20 minutes. Similarly, substitute the vanilla extract in the icing for grated lemon or orange zest, cocoa powder, coffee essence or rose water. To make butterfly cupcakes, cut out a hole in the top of the cupcake and fill with icing, then cut the top in half and arrange to look like butterfly wings. Use crystallised flowers or edible sugar decorations to add the finishing touches. >>>If you can’t be bothered to have a go at making your own, shame on you.

Nevertheless, a very convincing cheat/alternative is to buy ready made cupcakes (Tesco Express on North Road sell them).

These can then be iced with as much artistic flair as you can conjour, and will turn any unsuspecting person into a Nigellaesque domestic goddess. Cupcakes can be made with such ease it’s no wonder a cupcake craze is spreading.

Palatinate investigates whether 9 Altars is worthy of praise

the dining area. As my dining partner remarked, the décor is a little curious. The room itself has much old-wordly charm – a fireplace, creaking floorboards, wooden rafters – and the mahogany chairs are positively cottagey. It is, however, accessorized by diner-esque lighting and a smattering of Ikea furniture. Happily, this not enough to detract from the overall ambience, which is just the right amount of quaintness.

The main attraction of this coffee shop is the extensiveness of its menu. 9 Altars actually started out as a catering and sandwich delivery team, so it makes sense that such breaded confections should form the basis of their range. One can choose between sandwiches, wraps, paninis, baked potatoes and salads, and the scope for specificity doesn’t stop there. Once you have chosen your base, you select two fillings to go with it, and this isn’t just your average tunamayonnaise or ham situation: there are a plethora of meats, vegetarian options and sauces. To give you an idea: in terms of cheese alone, there are ten different types on offer. This amount of choice (all artfully written on black faux-chalkboards

behind the counter) walks a fine line between awesome and overwhelming.

My dining partner and I took a full ten minutes to decide on our lunch. I eventually specified a cream cheese and bacon sandwich on a granary plait (needless to say, you also decide what kind of bread you’d like), and my friend opted for a turkey and bacon sandwich, also on a granary plait. We both thought we’d like our bacon warm, as apparently you can also determine the temperature of your food.

Unlike many cafés, you don’t linger until your food is ready. We seated ourselves upstairs and did not have to wait long for our food to arrive. The sandwiches came accompanied by a fresh salad and a small serving of herbed pasta, both of which were pleasant additions. The sandwiches themselves did not disappoint – the bread was not quite of the Vennels home-baked variety, but the fillings were generously portioned and very tasty.

When my friend requested some mayonnaise, he was cheerfully and swiftly provided with a brimming side dish.

Buoyed by our pleasing experience of a first course, we elected to try a couple of

puddings. Sadly, these were not quite as impressive. The Eton Mess Cheesecake had a suspicious freezer-pack consistency (not to mention a shameful lack of crumbled meringue), and although the Bakewell tart tasted home-made, it was a tad dry.

In terms of price, a 9 Altars meal is not the most bargainous in Durham. A basic sandwich with two fillings costs around £3.90, and increases from there (a salmon and cream cheese bagel is upwards of £4). It is worth noting, though, that you get a free hot drink with your meal. I had a lovely latte with my sandwich, and when you take into account this and the side extras, it really isn’t a bad deal. The puddings are, in my opinion, a little overpriced at £2.50 each, so it might be worth giving those a miss.

Overall though, 9 Altars provided a very enjoyable dining experience. It is a great little place to grab lunch (or even take one away, as everything on the menu can be eaten out) or relax with a coffee.

With its Starbucks-rivalling capacity for individuality of choice, just make sure you have plenty of time to select your food.

Fiona Hicks

Recipe: Kedgeree

Kedgeree was a popular Victorian breakfast dish. It is a fast, easy hangover cure which is great for a big crowd at a Sunday brunch.

Serves 4 1lb smoked haddock 2 dessert spoons olive oil (enough to keep the onion moist) 1 large onion, chopped 6oz long grain rice (preferably basmati) 1 teaspoon curry paste or curry powder 1 knob of butter 3 hard boiled eggs, sliced Finely chopped parsley 1. Pour boiling water over the haddock and set over a low heat for 10 minutes, at a very low simmer. Do not let it boil.

Remove the haddock from the water, discard the skin and bones. Put the water aside to cook the rice in. Flake the fish with your fingers in order to feel for any remaining little bones.

2. Meanwhile pour the olive oil into a pan and slowly cook the onion until it is dark golden brown. Measure the volume of rice; you will need a 2:1 ratio of fish water to rice. Add the rice and stir into the onions and oil. Cook for a couple of minutes until it becomes translucent. Now add the curry paste and cook gently for another couple of minutes until the spices are fragrant.

3. Pour the measured water (about a pint) over the rice and bring to the boil, turn the heat down to a simmer and cover with a lid. Cook for 12 minutes.

Lift the lid, there should be no water left in the pan. Taste a couple of grains to check the rice is tender. If it is, replace the lid and remove the pan from the heat. Leave for 2 minutes.

4. Boil the eggs for 7 minutes (for slightly soft) or 9 minutes (for hard).

If you stir the eggs from time to time, turning them over in the pan, the yolk will set neatly in the middle. Once the eggs are cooked peel them, cut into quarters and sprinkle with salt and pepper.

5. Mix the flaked haddock pieces and a knob of butter into the rice, so that the kedgeree is moist. Use a fork to do this, not a wooden spoon. Keep a light touch so the mixture doesn’t become stodgy. Taste and adjust the seasoning for salt and pepper. Smoked haddock is often salty so you may not need any additional salt. Turn into a hot serving dish, arrange the eggs on top and sprinkle generously with parsley.

Ondine Gillies

8

INDIGO

Got a beauty or style idea? fashion@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

BEAUTY AND FASHION

VINTAGE ROCKS! With the Affordable Vintage Fair arriving in Durham on 28th Feb, the Palatinate fashion team explores the rebellious side of vintage Styled by Georgie Macintyre Photographed by Tommy Clarke Stockists: Eclectic Vintage - 5 Derwent street, Sunderland Model: Felicity Baines, Hilde bede Location: The Angel b, Crossgate Thanks to: Rik the Punk and Scruffy

C M Y K

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

Got a Features idea?

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INDIGO

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BEAUTY AND FASHION

10 INDIGO

LISTINGS listings@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

LISTINGS listings@palatinate.org.uk

LISTINGS By Alison Moulds

INDIGO 11

LISTINGS

PURPLE DIARY YOUR POSTER-SIZED EVENT GUIDE FOR THE NEXT TWO WEEKS

Highlights this fortnight Until Sat. 28 Feb

Art Tue 3 - Sun. 22 Mar

34th Durham Drama Festival 2009

T

he highlight of the theatrical calendar boasts an impressive programme of workshops and performances which has understandably pulled in industry professionals. From classes on stage combat, to Q&A with this year’s guest judges and a cornucopia of shows including comedy and improvised musical, theatre buffs should head to the Assembly Rooms for an unmissable weekend of drama.

Assembly Rooms. Visit www.dramafestival.co.uk for details.

Jane Alexander Exhibition Internationally-renowned South African artist Alexander presents sculptures on the theme of ‘Being Human’, with pieces representing a decade of work.

Galilee Chapel, Durham Cathedral, 7.30AM - 6PM. Free

Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 Mar

Sue Kirk Exhibition Grey plays host to a selection of work from the Harrogate artist.

Private viewings available.

The Old Library, Grey College, 10AM - 6PM. Free

Until Fri. 13 Mar

Rebecca Barclay The Canadian artist, who worked on the animation for family favourite The Snowman, presents an eclectic mix of pen and ink drawings of the Wear Valley, alongside oil paintings of musicians.

Trevelyan College, 10AM 6PM. Free

Sat. 28 Feb

Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair

F

ashionistas feeling a little style-deprived with Durham’s limited selection of shops should head down to the Student Union this weekend to check out the fashion phenomenon which has been sweeping the North East by storm. With retro garments for guys and gals, spanning the ‘20s to the ‘80s and style advisors on hand, the fair promises to be a success.

DSU, 11AM-5PM. £2 entry

Film Sat. 28 Feb

100 Years of Durham on Film Embrace your Northern homeland with clips of the city from 1902-2002, screened to piano accompaniment. Proceeds towards the Mayor’s Charity, the County Durham Society for the Blind and Partially Sighted.

Elvet Methodist Church, Old Evet, 7.15PM. £6

Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 Mar

The Changeling Bede Film Soc presents Angelina Jolie’s critically acclaimed 2008 thriller.

Caedmon Hall, Hild Bede, 8PM. £1 members, £2 non-members

Thu. 5 Mar

Brideshead Revisited Lavish adaptation of Evelyn Waugh’s popular novel, the homoeroticised study of friendship and the fading aristocracy in the interwar years is not to be missed!

Bishop Auckland Town Hall, 7.30PM. £2.50

Until Fri. 20 Mar

I See, You Don’t See Photographic exhibition from women involved in the GAP project, which looks at sexual exploitation in Newcastle.

Recordings from the women provide a unique insight as they discuss their work and personal experiences.

Josephine Butler College, 9AM - 8PM. Free

Sat. 7 Mar

DUCK Burlesque

D

UCK’s latest large-scale offering boasts a schedule of glamour and excess, as a visiting troupe leads a day of female-only burlesque and pole-dancing workshops. With refreshments and stalls from Ann Summers and Durhambased lingerie purveyors Seduction, the day is guaranteed to get pulses racing by the time the fully-compered burlesque show takes to the stage at 7pm.

Promising to be sexy without any full-frontal nudity, the day is unmissable!

DSU, all day. £2 for workshops, £4 for show

Until Sun. 19 Apr

Bhutan: Spiritual Mountains British photographer Zoe Baddock exhibits pictures shot in the Kingdom of Bhutan.

Oriental Museum, 10AM - 5PM. £1.50

Fri. 27 Feb

Cut Glass Accent Durham’s loveable dive presents a live performance from the alternative-rock quartet who formed in 2002.

Fishtank, 7.30PM. Free

Sat. 28 Feb

Bach: St Matthew Passion Palatinate Voices, one the region’s leading chamber choirs, sing to accompaniment from Durham Baroque on period instruments. Durham alumnus Ben Alden sings the part of the Evangelist.

Durham Cathedral, 7PM. £7.50

Thu. 5 Mar

Unknown White Male Documentary charting the true story of Douglas Bruce who turned up on the subway 11 hours after a mysterious disappearance, with no recollections of his former life.

Clayport Library, 7.45PM. £5 subscription

Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 Mar

Twilight The Bede Film Society show the popular teen vampire flick starring Robert Pattinson.

Caedmon Hall, Hild Bede, 8PM. £1 members, £2 non-members

Nightlife Sat. 28 Feb

Revenge One of Newcastle’s best kept secrets offers a night of indie, electro, soul and 80s which is sure to be worth the cab fare home!

The Red Rooms, Nelson St, Newcastle, 11PM. £2 before 11.30PM, £4 before 12, £6 after.

Kaiser Chiefs The Brit Award and Ivor Novello Award-winning Leeds band play Newcastle, with support from hot new indie group Black Kids and Essex lads Esser.

Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, 7.30PM. £25.45

Tue. 3 Mar

Metallica The American heavy metal band finally play their first full UK tour since October 1996.

Support is offered by Machine Head and The Sword. Worth splashing the cash if you’re a die-hard fan!

Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, 7PM. £40 The 6th Annual Great North Big Band Jazz Festival Durham University’s Big Band compete against their regional rivals. Also includes performances from the BBC Big Band and Steve Waterman with the Voice of the North Jazz Orchestra.

Sir Tom Cowie Campus @ St Peter’s campus, Sunderland, 11AM. £12

Thu. 12 Mar

Whole Lotta Led The delightfully cheesily-named Led Zeppelin tribute band offer a two-hour show at the Gala unmissable for all fans of the English rockers.

Gala Theatre, 7.30PM. £10

Sport Fri. 27 Feb

Basketball Eagles vs.

Guildford Heat The Eagles shoot the hoops on their home turf as they face-off with the Surrey players. A mustsee for all basketball fans!

Metro Radio Arena Newcastle, 7.30PM. £8

Sun. 1 Mar

Ice Hockey Vipers vs. Edinburgh The locals lads hit the ice to challenge their Scottish competitors.

Metro Radio Arena Newcastle, 5PM. £9

Fri. 6 Mar

Sat. 28 Feb

Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 Mar

Until Sun. 22 Mar

Kabir Hussain Bird’s Eye View Exhibition Features 24 bronze sculptures exploring the theme of modernist architecture.

Hussain cites Victor Pasmore’s Apollo Pavilion as a particular inspiration.

DLI Museum and Art Gallery, 10AM - 4PM. £1.50

Music

Wed. 4 Mar

Absence Eclectic mix of music provided

by DJs Consoul, Russel Smith, the Iranian and Beardman.

Gather a crowd and fill the ‘Tank.

Fishtank, 10.30PM-4AM. Free before 11PM, £2 after

Tue. 3 Mar

Necropolis Launch Night The End makes an enigmatic promise to showcase the dark side of drum ‘n bass and halfstep.

The End, Newcastle-UponTune, 7PM. £3

Sat. 7 Mar

DUCK Burlesque Night The DSU looks set to pull in the crowds with a 2-hour performance by a burlesque troupe. See ‘Highlights this Fortnight’.

DSU, 7PM. £4

Wed. 11 Mar

Fidget Launch night of an eagerlyawaited new series of one-off Ibiza rave parties featuring dance, electro house and techno music. Time to put on your dancing shoes!

Loft. Details to follow

Basketball Eagles vs.

Worthing Thunder After winning back-to-back English Basketball Division One titles in 2006 and ‘07, the Worthing Thunder boys may have met their match in Newcastle’s Eagles. Definitely a match not to be missed!

Metro Radio Arena Newcastle, 7.30PM. £8

Sat. 7 Mar

Durham City AFC vs.

FC Halifax Town Football fans should get their fix at the Arnott Stadium, as Durham’s football club take on Halifax Town.

Arnott Stadium, Belmont Insutrial Estate, 3PM. £3

Stage Thu. 26 - Sat. 28 Feb

34th Durham Drama Festival 2009 A weekend of workshops and shows that mark the highlight of the theatrical calendar for all theatre fans. See ‘Highlights this Fortnight’.

Assembly Rooms. Prices and times vary

Until Sun. 1 Mar

Carmen The Durham Opera Ensemble present Georges Bizet’s classic Seville-set opera about a beautiful gypsy. With a black tie showing on the last night!

Great Hall, Castle, 7.30PM (8.30PM Thu.). £6.50 NUS, £5.50 DST

Sun. 8 Mar

Ice Hockey Vipers vs Sheffield The Steelers of South Yorkshire arrive at the Metro Radio Arena to go head-to-head with the Newcastle Vipers on the ice.

Metro Radio Arena, Newcastle, 5PM. £9

Sat. 28 Feb

Mon. 2 Mar

Tue. 3 Mar

Humanities and Divinities The Archbishop of Canterbury considers whether there is a theology of reading and whether it is spiritually significant.

Arnold Wolfendale Lecture Theatre, 6.30PM Airborne Dreams Marina Warner explores the way in which myth and magical fantasy prophesied human mastery of flight.

Room 102, Al-Qasimi Building.

5.15PM

Tue. 3 - Thu. 5 Mar Mon. 9 Mar

Spiritual Machines?

Dr Robert Song and Dr Bronislaw Szerszynski examine the theological, ethical and moral implications of technological advances.

Leech Hall, St John’s. 7PM

Mon. 9 Mar

HMS Pinafore The much-loved Gilbert and Sullivan comic operetta is staged by DULOG nearly a century after it first featured on the stage.

Assembly Rooms, 7.30PM (+ 2.30PM Sat). £6, £5 NUS, £4.50 DST

FAIRTRADE Chocolate and Winetasting Ditch dodgy college dinners for an evening and take a trip to Clayport Library for their latest offering in the awareness campaign for Fairtrade Fortnight 2009.

Clayport Library Lending Section, 7.15-9.15PM. Free Hilde Bede and Hatfield Fashion Shows Two dates for the diary of any self-respecting dresser in Durham are the latest college fashion shows.

Caedoman Hall, Hilde Bede College, 7.30PM. £10-20 Hatfield Marquee, 7.30PM. £8£20

Tue. 10 Mar

Wed. 11 - Sat. 14 Mar

Durham’s Affordable Vintage Fashion Fair An unmissable opportunity to turn your wardrobe into a retro treasure trove. See ‘Highlights this Fortnight’.

DSU, 11AM-5PM. £2 entry

Tue. 3 & Sun. 8 Mar

Wyrd Sisters OOOOK! Productions perform Terry Pratchett’s notorious re-working of Shakespeare’s Macbeth. Show profits go to the Orangutan Foundation.

Assembly Rooms, 7.30PM. £6, £5 NUS, £4.50 DST Ed Byrne: Different Class One-man show from the Irish comic and star of BBC2’s Mock the Week.

Gala Theatre, 8PM. £15

Other

Fri. 27 Feb

Thu. 5 - Sat. 7 Mar

Sat. 7 - Sun. 8 Mar

2009 National Hapkido Championship Festival Weekend of martial arts events, including competitions, plus a seminar and grading on Sunday. The second of the Korea Hapkido Federation National Championships and a rare chance to see some alternative sporting entertainment in Durham.

Maiden Castle, 10AM-5PM. Free

Talk

Realism, Moralism and Reason of State Dr Peter Lassman looks at political philsophy. His particular interest is the idea of value pluralism, though his work encompasses a diverse range of political thinkers and philosophers.

Room 102, Al-Qasimi Building.

5.15PM

Wed. 11 Mar

The Parameters of Gulf Security Dr Kristian Coates-Ulrichsen delivers the latest in a series of lectures examining the Transformation of the Gulf.

Room 102, Al-Qasimi Building.

1PM

iDance - Instep Dance Company Show The Durham society present their annual dance show, incorporating elements of ballet, street, jazz and salsa.

Fonteyn Ballroom, DSU, 7.30PM. £4

Thu. 5 Mar

Book Launch - Thinking About Almost Everything An intimate reception and discussion chaired by Chancellor Bill Bryson to launch a new book which deals with questions of human knowledge.

Lindisfarne Centre, St Aidan’s College, 5.30PM. Free

Sat. 7 Mar

DUCK Burlesque Workshops At only £2 a head for 30-45 minute sessions, DUCK’s workshops are a definite date for the diary. Exclusively for women, the event also offers stalls with lingerie and refreshments. See ‘Highlights this Fortnight’.

DSU, All day. £2

12 INDIGO

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC music@palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC

Singles

Album Reviews

Palatinate’s single reviews

Palatinate takes a look at the latest album offerings from Bruce Springsteen, The Boxer Rebellion and The Fray

Guido Orchestral Lab ««««« Another young producer beginning to make waves in the UK is Guido.

Following months of airplay his Orchestral Lab and Way U Make Me Feel finally saw the light of day last week.

Released on pioneering Bristol label Punch Drunk (brainchild of the inimitable Peverelist), Orchestral Lab is a perfect blend of horn and string parts, instantly taking the listener back to grime’s DIY sound of the late-1990s, and sparse drum beats reminiscent of DJ Pinch, that are wonderfully off-set against the heavy synth bass that routinely drop in. On the flip side Way U Make Me Feel is an amalgamation of a slow, almost dragging bass part with an insane, braindance drum pattern that could have been lifted straight out of Aphex Twin’s seminal Richard D. James. This is an amazing release from a young producer whose talent appears to know no limits. I’d even have bought it just for the A-side.

Architecture In Helsinki That Beep ««««« Melbourne based Architects In Helsinki display a casual 808 infused rush of electro pop with their latest offering, That Beep. The CSS style lyrics ride the crunchy synth sound in a way which gets under your skin, probably for most, in a twitchy and annoying way. Think Hot Chip with a similar sense of nostalgia and oh-socatchy riffs.

Robert Tinker Anna Codrea-Rado

Bruce Springsteen Working On A Dream Columbia «««««

W

here do you start when reviewing a new Springsteen album? With sixteen albums under his belt spanning over a quarter of a century, the man and his music really need no introduction.

Working on a Dream is the follow up to 2007’s Magic, which saw the reunion of the full E-Street band and the return of the big band sound.

Magic centred on the political frustra-

The Boxer Rebellion Union Self Released «««««

T

he Boxer Rebellion was formed through a chance meeting between Tennessee native Nathan Nicholson

The Fray The Fray Epic «««««

A

fter the immense success of their first album, How to Save a Life, with its best-selling single of the same name, The Fray attempt to sustain their popular acclaim with their rather blandly entitled second release, The Fray. The word slow-burning may have been invented for The Fray. Except the problem is that this follow-up from the Denver-based

(vocals/guitar) and Australian Todd Howe (guitar). The line-up was made complete with college friends Piers Hewitt on drums and Adam Harrison on bass. >>>After Nicholson being taken unexpectedly and seriously ill after the release of their debut album Exits, the band was put on hold. Now The Boxer Rebellion are back with their second album, Union. It signals the first unsigned band in history to break the Billboard Top 100 Albums chart on digital-only release. >>>The Boxer Rebellion sound something like Death Cab For Cutie but with a stronger punch and harder edge.

Although at moments the vocals teeter on drawl, the heavy guitars and pounding bass drums carry the sound through. >>>The tribal-drum explosions of the opening track, Flashing Red Light Means Go begins the album on a high.

Unfortunately, it goes somewhat downhill from there. The subsequent tracks lost band ultimately fails to ignite its listeners’ ears. Most of the songs seem to blend into a poor man’s amalgamation of Snow Patrol, Coldplay, The Script and numerous other similar acts. >>>The album’s lyrics are often lost amongst the repetitive drum beats and what feels like vague background noise.

Even after much careful concentration, it is difficult to understand the point of The Fray; just what is it that they want to tell us? Syndicate opens on a promising note, with its well-constructed and uplifting melody, whereby the band assure us: “Baby don’t forget / You haven’t lost it all yet”. >>>And the record’s lead single, and Grey’s Anatomy staple You Found Me, with its haunting refrain of “Lost and insecure, you found me, you found me / Lying on the floor, where were you?

Where were you?” perfectly encapsulates that sense of being awake at 3am wondering what has become of your life. >>>However, the sombre attempts of lead singer Isaac Slade to rouse listeners into some kind of emotional reaction with his overwrought lamentations during subsequent songs only serves to increase the so-so feel of the record.

xylophone and all.

Another narrative song, with the whimsical subject of admiring the checkout girl in a supermarket. Not quite your typical pop song material, but it seems somehow fitting on this album. At the halfway point the album takes a disappointing dip. The final songs are perfectly passable pop songs, but they don’t have any memorable characteristics.

This Life is a feel-good anthem, as is the country ballad Tomorrow Never Knows. Both help with the overall positive feel of the album but do not stand out as single tracks. These average tracks sum up the challenge of reviewing albums from such established artists. Were they from a new band I would be raving about them, but from a man who’s summed up periods of history in 3 minute pop songs, it all seems a little disappointing.

Bonus track The Wrestler, soundtrack to the film of the same name, shows that Springsteen can still belt out heart moving tracks in the vein of Streets of Philadelphia. It leaves one wondering if he could follow the footsteps of Randy Newman, providing films with high quality soundtracks during his downtime between albums.

Mike Smith

CHUFFMEDIA

Kode 9 Digidesign ««««« If previewing fresh new Burial material on Benji B’s 1Xtra show on Friday wasn’t exciting enough, Kode 9 has once again redefined the boundaries of electronic music with his label Hyperdub’s latest single. Featuring Bristol prodigy Joker’s Digidesign and 2000F + J Kamata’s You Don’t Know What Love Is, Hyperdub’s latest release leads the way in dubstep’s trend towards chip tune sounds and off-kilter drum synth patterns . Digidesign’s gritty analogue bass lines, contrastingly harmonious synths and stripped down drums at 140 bpm culminates in a left field complexity absent from many current electronic offerings. Similarly, You Don’t Know What Love Is utilises squelchy synth parts and understated drum beats, alongside a digitalized vocal hook to almost romantic effect. Hyperdub have kicked off the new year well, one can only hope releases of the same calibre are to follow.

tions of liberals in America under the Bush administration. Writing songs with political angst is where Springsteen excels, so it’s with some concern that I approach WOAD, released in the days following the inauguration of Barack Obama.

The album opens with the eightminute epic Outlaw Pete. Lyrically the song is enjoyable enough, following a narrative conjuring images of wild-west cowboys, but it’s the music that really shines. Every stage of the character’s life is punctuated with a suitable tempo while the band moves from throwing everything in to just vocals and harmonica. There are too few artists today who can write a song that can stimulate your interest with every listen.

My Lucky Day, an upbeat, radiofriendly pop song changes the mood of the album altogether, clearing the way for the rest of the album’s unashamed optimism. The title track follows, bringing with it Springsteen’s trademark politics-ofthe-man-on-the-street.

A gritty tale of an average Joe slaving away at some mundane job, the song would sit well next to Born in the USA were it not for it’s unexpected hopefulness. Queen of the Supermarket has the classic E-Street band sound, with

DANNY CLINCH

Britney Spears Circus ««««« The husky voice and manufactured pop riffs, this time round blended with big-top sounds, signals Britney’s comeback. The lyrical claims that “I’m like the ring leader, I’m like a fire cracker I make it hot when I put on a show” are somewhat overambitious, as Circus is nowhere near as fiery as Womaniser. However it is still a gem in the pop crown, not to mention that the video is hot.

my attention and I found the choice of Evacuate as the single for release to be a disappointment. Its catchy lyrics delivered through strained vocals against a ‘danceable’ beat sound is nothing new. >>>I was just about ready to peg the album ‘just another alt band’, when Misplaced played and the album took a sharp turn for the better. The following five tracks are powerful, there is genuine emotion behind the lyrics with each track gradually building to its full throttle. >>>The enigmatic The Gospel of Goro Adachi is the album’s saving grace. The music-box opening and haunting lyrics demonstrate this band’s true talent.

Silent Movie brings the album to a calm, composed conclusion exemplifying The Boxer Rebellion’s capacity to move through not only a range of tempos, but also emotions.

Anna Codrea-Rado flickr id: aurelian Piano-harmonies, guitar riffs and unoriginal string arrangements seem to be casually thrown into the melting pot of general angst. >>>Indeed, there is something painfully ironic about the titles of the latter songs on the album. >>>Where The Story Ends and Enough For Now prove a hilarious but rather unintended commentary on audience endurance levels, as The Fray wade deeper into the musical quicksand of their own creation. The former track is so mind-numbingly dull, and sung in such a dreary tone, that it is practically coma-inducing; I had actually had to leave the room to regain consciousness.

Whereas, Enough For Now is merely a watered down version of You Found Me, featuring mumbling vocals and sweeping orchestration to disguise its mediocrity. >>>Overall, The Fray is a disappointing effort. The Fray’s distinctly lazy offering eludes any real engagement with its music. One can only hope that they receive the wake-up call in time, instead of coasting along on the relative merit of the occasional single.

Francesca Teoh

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC music@palatinate.org.uk

INDIGO 13

MUSIC

Keane take centre stage at The O2 Lyndsey Fineran has a chat with the new-look Keane in London before they tread the boards of The O2 OLLOWING THE PHENOMENAL commercial success of Hopes and Fears and Under the Iron Sea, Keane are back: armed with a new look, a new(ish) sound and a huge arena tour for their new album, Perfect Symmetry.

I went along to the O2 arena for the final night of the tour’s UK leg and managed to have a few words with the boys before show-time. Tom, suffering from a throat infection unfortunately was not in attendance, having to rest his voice for the night’s show, but I was able to have a chat with Tim and Richard about the tour, the album and all things Keane.

The Perfect Symmetry tour saw 35 planned dates, with 14 UK shows and the rest taking the band to Europe and Latin America. That night’s show was to be their last UK date on the tour and their second consecutive night playing the O2, a venue with a capacity of 20,000 and with both nights completely sold out.

So how does it feel to play such a huge venue? And how does it compare to playing smaller, more intimate gigs? ‘Last night was incredible, yet hugely nervewracking for all of us’ answers Tim. ”The 02’s an amazing place to play and it’s incredibly stirring to see so many of your fans in one place, all singing along. Both sizes of gig are great; with arena shows you can really bring out all the smoke and mirrors, yet with smaller gigs you have much greater intimacy and can connect more with the fans, which we love. However, even though the venues on this tour are huge, we have included a B-stage so we can hopefully imitate the intimacy you get with a small gig, just on a larger scale.”

Their third album, Perfect Symmetry, released in October of last year sees a departure from Keane’s established sound and has brought the band into new musical territory, with heavier guitar sounds and an 80s themed synthesised pop feel.

So why the change? “Well, we had taken a break and wanted to come back with a fresh sound. Also, we’ve naturally changed as people over the years and our music is reflective of this change.

There is a constant pressure for bands to keep it ‘fresh’ and every band claims to reinvent the musical wheel with every new album, but in reality very few do. It takes a huge amount of courage to break away from a successful formula but hope-

WILD PR

F

SIMON EMMET fully it is worth it in the end.”

And with a similarly well-established fan base, were they worried about their fans’ reaction to the new direction their music had taken?

“We would sit in the studio projecting old Marilyn Monroe movies” “Of course it’s always in your mind, but with this album we really tried to shut out the external pressures from the press, the media and even fans and instead just wholly focus on indulging our own creative interests. It was a truly liberating experience and the most fun recording process we’ve ever had for an album.”

‘Spiralling’, the first single to emerge from Perfect Symmetry was released as a digital download-only single back in

August of last year. The track was free to download from the band’s website for the first week, after which payment was introduced.

The band described this move as a way of ‘testing the waters’ ahead of the album’s release and also a way of ensuring that every Keane fan is able to gain access to their music, regardless of cost.

So given this reasoning, what is the band’s stance on the issue of illegal music downloading? “In the grand scheme of things, people are wanting to hear and enjoy music and that’s got to be a good thing. Downloading is obviously one way of doing this, particularly for those who can’t afford to obtain music any other way and if it means that they’d otherwise not be able to hear our music then of course we support it. But if people can pay for access to music then it’s only right that they should. After all, it’s only 79p.”

The new album was longer in the making than its predecessor Under the Iron Sea, with the band largely using studios in Berlin and Paris in which to record.

“Making the album really was an escapist process and recording in different surroundings certainly added to this feeling. We really felt we could go anywhere musically as a result.” The Berlin studio in which they worked largely being used for the recording of film music gave the band the opportunity to experiment with film themselves.

“We would sit in the studio for days on end projecting old Marilyn Monroe and Marlene Dietrich movies. We must have watched Dietrich’s Blonde Venus about fifteen times in the space of three days – it really was quite hypnotic although admittedly not the most productive work process. Although, it did lead us to incorporate more filmic aspects into our live shows.”

When asked which other artists acted as inspiration for the album pop acts such as The Ting Tings and Swedish pop band The Wannadies were mentioned, as well as Talking Heads, Bowie and even Abba.

“The further you go with a band, the more each member’s tastes diversify which brings new elements to the band Ninja Tune as a whole and ultimately effects which direction you take.”

Another crucial change to Keane has been the recent addition of a fourth member, bassist Jesse Quin. “Jesse’s been a friend of ours for a while now, having worked in our production team over the years. He’s a hugely talented guy and annoyingly can play pretty much any instrument.”

Quin first came to play with the band when a performance of Queen’s ‘Under Pressure’ for the charity War-Child necessitated the use of a bass player, and his involvement has increased from thereon.

However, the band were keen to emphasise Quin as being a valued, fullyfledged member, not just a ‘bolt-on session guy.’ “The addition of Jesse means that we can now jam together as a band, something we were unable to do before, having previously to rely on pre-recorded bass tracks. He has also become a great friend to us all, sharing our childish sense of humour – oh and he has an incredibly cool trainer collection too.”

Speaking of band relations, with all the drama surrounding their last album (In August of 2006, Chaplin revealed that he was receiving treatment for alcohol and drug abuse problems, and the band were forced to cancel their North American tour so that he could seek rehabilitation for his addictions), do they feel stronger as a band?

“Yes, far stronger. We were honest enough with ourselves to take some time off and we are now all the more stronger for having done so. It also meant that when we came back together last January, we were all hugely excited to be a band again and eager to start work on a new project. This has honestly been the best year so far.”

On that note, all that was left to ask was “What’s next for Keane?” Well, it doesn’t seem as if any of them know, hence the deluge of late night texts and emails being sent around to one another, apparently bearing titles to the effect of “what the fuck are we doing?!?”, if Richard is to be believed.

However joking aside, both seemed in no rush or panic about their future direction. “As with what happened with this album, we can only change direction and explore different musical areas after having new experiences as a band and as individuals. We’ll just keep exploring new areas and moving forward as a band and we’ll see where we end up.”

Perfectly symmetrical Palatinate stops over in London to reveiw Keane’s latest tour in support of the new album, Keane O2 Arena «««««

O

pening the night were Katzenjammer, a Norwegian girl group who had previously supported Keane on their Oslo gigs last year. Their eclectic mix of instruments (even including accordions, kazoos and a self-made triangular double bass) and diverse song collection gave them a unique sound and unhinged energy somewhat like gypsy punk band Gogol Bordello.

Following Katzenjammer was the second support act of the night, Frankmusik, a British electro pop artist and former beat boxer who had become known to Keane after remixing some of their tracks last year. His use of heavy bass sounds, techno drum beats and

synthesised tones gave his set an 80s disco feel, quite reminiscent of Calvin Harris.

The energy well set by the two supports, Keane took to the stage, opening with their second single from the album, Lovers are Losing, before moving onto the classics Everybody’s Changing and Bend and Break.

From there it was back into the new material with tracks such as the disco inspired Again and Again and the first release, Spiralling. Such new material was well interspersed with hits from their previous albums such as Bad Dream, This is the Last Time, Crystal Ball and Somewhere Only We Know, as well as some fan favourite rarities such as Snowed Under and The River and Sunshine, to ensure everyone was happy.

The technical effects began modestly, yet progressed as the show warmed up with impressive lighting effects and a

creative use of computer graphics to accompany their new disco feel. However, such spectacles were poignantly counter pointed with the more intimate moments of acoustic pieces, where lights were lowered and the band moved onto the B stage to play amongst their fans.

The incorporation of film was also highly effective, one particularly haunting piece being a black and white clip of a war-era dance hall with its dancers wearing gas masks, used as a backdrop for Bad Dream.

What was also notable was Chapman’s growth as a front man, now with a much bigger stage personality and a voice that lent itself well to the arena atmosphere. His voice on the new tracks contained hints of The Killers’ Brandon Flowers, and his focus on the ethical responsibility of music gave him almost a Bono-esque quality. New member, Jesse Quin gelled well with the band and the

greater use of guitar ensured a slightly heavier sound.

“Chapman’s growth as a front man was notable”

The band closed with Crystal Ball to rapturous applause, and came back for an encore with Playing Along, Black Burning Heart and Is it any Wonder, and finally closing with Bedshaped. One factor which has personally prevented

me from having any more than a modest liking for Keane is that they never seem to achieve either the power needed for an anthemic sound (Such as Muse or The Killers), or the delicacy for a poignant ballad (although Bedshaped comes close to the latter.)

What was interesting to note therefore, was that in its use as a closing track, Bedshaped in fact became the anthem of the show, provoking a mass sing-along from the audience and a final exertion of energy from the band, making it an effective end to their final UK show of the tour.

Keane may be a highly mainstream act with a very commercial sound, but the size of their current tour is testament to their popularity and an effective reminder of how large a catalogue of hits they have amassed over their twelve years in the industry. And ultimately, they do put on a very good show.

Lyndsey Fineran

14 INDIGO

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC music@palatinate.org.uk

MUSIC

The Student Scene Durham has a plethora of musical talent, both university-grown and local. Palatinate takes a closer look at what this ‘humble’ city has to offer

El Pueblo

Gig Reviews

Red-hot student band

Palatinate reviews Durham’s student gigs: Hild Bede’s Rockathon and Loveshack’s Logistics.

HOSPITAL RECORDS

EL PUEBLO

Of what genre would you class yourselves?

Our style ranges from latin to reggae, with a unique and fresh mix of Spanish, Arabic, Portuguese, Italian and French genres.

Who is in the band?

Amaya Huntly - Vocals/Keys/Violin Himali Dave - Vocals/Alto Saxophone/ Penny Whistle Tasha Hington - Bari Saxophone James Reevell - Tenor Saxophone George Cooke - Trumpet Phil Walsh - Guitar/Trumpet Dan Bloom - Keyboard Mike Fill - Guitar Jason Walsh - Bass Guitar Dom Brennan - Percussion How long have you been together?

Since October 2008 How did you form?

Himali and I [Amaya] passionately love reggae and latin music yet struggled to ever find it being played or performed in Durham. As we both loved performing, we decided to send an email round the university in the last few weeks of the last academic year, advertising our hopes to create a band. The response we got was unbelievable! This also made us realise that we obviously weren’t the only people excited by this idea.

What has been your favourite gig so far?

Our gig at Ustinov at the World Music event. Everyone was dancing and asking for more - the audience was fantastic! Our first ever gig, which was at Fishtank, was also amazing.

What is your opinion of the Durham music scene?

I think there is a lot of much of the same. I would like it if there was a bigger choice of bands who were doing different styles that weren’t jazz, funk, indie rock or cheese. Maybe we need some skiffle blues?! Phil Walsh would like more soulful/latin/house music...

Would you like to see more student performances/gigs?

Yes, definitely. Although I do think there are quite a lot of opportunities within the university for bands to play, such as college events and balls.

How receptive are venues to putting on student gigs?

Very receptive. There is a lot of talent in Durham University, and venues know this. Also, Durham students are extremely supportive of their bands and so gigs are usually well attended.

Anyone enjoys good live music!

You can catch El Pueblo at the Mary’s Masquerade Ball on the 27th Feb or at the Hatfield Ball on the 6th March.

Logistics Loveshack «««««

T

here is a misconception among Durham’s self-appointed Drum n’ Bass ‘select’ that somehow Durham is too parochial and estranged from the ‘urban’ for such music. Although I now ridicule this position, I have to concede that I was a staunch advocate. >>>However, I have come to realise that this notion of ‘incompatibility’ is somewhat manufactured and erroneous. In my time here in Durham I have seen Cyantific, Dillinja, Grooverider and Scratch Durham Rockathon Cademon Hall, Hild and Bede «««««

T

he first band to take to the stage was Doctor Strangelove. With a definitive energetic sound, Strangelove and friends certainly let the music do the talking. Sans vocalist, the slight amount of singing was ‘made up’ by some very ambitious and intricate guitar work that frankly was a little hit-and-miss. >>Furthermore, I couldn’t take the band seriously at all, which perhaps increased my overall enjoyment of the set. However, I doubt the band would appreciate that comment as they took themselves as professionally as earthly possible - which again, I found quite humorous. >>‘Innovative’ is a word that can mean many things; when a band introduces a sampler to layer unconven-

> >

Perverts, to name but a few - which is a collection to rival, and probably better, the musical experiences of many of my contemporaries elsewhere. >>>Indeed, it would be fair to say that Subotica has revolutionised the music scene here in Durham, equipping the future generations with bass and a musical route out of isolation. >>>Whilst there is no denying that the bravery and audacity of Subotica has propelled Durham out of obscurity and into the spotlight as a tenable destination, the phenomenon of Subotica is not quite as precocious as some may think. >>>Durham in fact has a heritage in this particular genre, boasting three famous alumni: Keiretsu, John B, and Nu:Tone. It tional sound-bites over a big, consistently messy style of music, I begin to question their sanity. Hopefully, that’s the response Doctor Strangelove was looking for.

Next up on the list were Twilight Fiasco. They instantly smartened up the evening with a cleaner sound and the welcome addition of a female vocalist, lessening the feeling of ‘WTF!?’ left by the Strangelove posse. Vocalist Sophie caught most of the now reasonably-sized audience’s attention with a great bone structure and very appropriate dress for the easily-likeable music accompanying her - a pleasant variation between covers and their own material. >>>On the whole it was a strong performance, most notably Ray of Light. I couldn’t say that the performance was amazing - it was a little rough around the edges but there is undoubtedly a lot of potential in this band that I look forward to seeing come out of them in the future.

The next band up, Subject to Change, had recently won a battle of the

was actually Nu:Tone that started the current chapter in the Durham Drum ‘n Bass episodes, playing Subotica’s maiden event in December 2006 - and it was his brother, Logistics, who concluded the first term in Subotica’s new home Loveshack. >>>An act of Logistics’ stature performing here is testament in itself to the strength of music in Durham, so I was pleased to chat to him before the show, albeit in the salubrity of a deserted Premier Inn reception. >>>Unusually for visiting DJs, Matt ‘Logistics’ Gresham had a connection with the university, so at the risk of bruising a DJ’s ego, I initiated a conversation about his brother and Durham. >>>It transpires that the risk was a genuine one as he gave the impression that Nu:Tone was quite the prodigal older brother: pitch-perfect and eclectically musically gifted. >>>Indeed, when I professed my Wikipedia-gleaned knowledge of Nu:Tone being a pianist, I got the response of “you mean a penis…he’s really musically geeky”. Of course this was all lighthearted and in jest, but it was amusing to see the mixture of sibling rivalry and respect evident between the brothers. Matt also related coming up to one of his brother’s and John B’s Substance nights in Loft back in the 90’s, reminiscing about John B “snogging girls on the dance floor”. As tangible reminder as any of Durham’s heritage!

“I really enjoyed myself, it was a wicked night”

>>>In contrast to Nu:Tone’s ‘geeky’ ways, Logistics appeared and characterised himself as a laid-back and cool type of person, entering the music world through messing about with Hip-Hop and “early weird break-beat” on some decks when he was 13, producing his first tracks with the advent of the computer programme bands and was out to impress. Inescapably, I related the red-headed female vocalist’s singing voice to that of the Placebo frontman’s. It was fairly apparent that Subject to Change has been punkinfluenced: cue obligatory mohawked drummer without a shirt.

“Strangelove certainly let the music do the talking”

>>>I can’t give kudos for the range of styles performed since it was pretty much the same sound throughout their set. I

‘Reason’ in 2000. >>>Although it is Logistics’ primary passion is producing, Matt told me that since he signed with Tony Coleman’s Hospital Records his love for travelling around the country and spinning records at gigs has returned and grown. I was interested to find out whether this ‘love’ would extend to a Monday night in the North-East. >>>After some inevitable jokes about the provincial nature of Durham, it became very clear that not only does he unconditionally enjoy playing and gets “hyped” from DJ-ing, but the break from playing conventional DnB venues is also a welcome one. >>>Matt related that part of the appeal of venturing off the well-trodden path is the refreshing way that more unusual audiences respond to the music, meaning that instead of being faced with a sea of raised arms and contorted faces - affectionately referred to as ‘Zombies’ and ‘Zombietas’, there is a variety of interpretations. >>>He mentioned Tokyo and Shanghai as deserving a special mention, and whilst I was reluctant to promise quite the same levels of originality, I was confident that Loveshack would provide a unique experience. >>>From my perspective I felt that Monday night produced one of the best atmospheres yet, and showed that any teething problems Subotica had had in its new surroundings were a thing of the past. >>>Speaking to Matt after the gig he had nothing but positives to contribute: to quote him directly, “I really enjoyed myself, it was a wicked night. I really liked the venue; it was clean, had a good layout and nice crowd.” I would concur; everyone at Loveshack was genuinely having fun, free from the pretensions of many events I have been to elsewhere. >>>What I wish to impress is that the musical opportunities we have in Durham are something to celebrate. As has been demonstrated by the events this term at Loveshack, the right balance has been achieved. >>>The Loveshack-Subotica union has retained musical integrity and proven that Durham is an exciting place to be.

Benedict Buckland felt a little underwhelmed by Subject to flickr id:conaurelian Change, and that’s disappointing sidering they’ve recently won a contest; whilst it was passable, I expected more. final act of the night was Illegitimate Sons of the King. Kicking off their first national tour, ISK were keen to make their mark on Durham. Dirty guitar licks and an entertaining sixties rock and roll profile made this act the crowd’s favourite. Piano noise was given a major role, as many upcoming indie bands do these days. Upbeat tunes got a front-ofstage gathering, with London to Wherever becoming one of the best songs of the night. >>>A blatantly-hired encore cheerer did make me laugh, but that was short-lived as another band member then stripped off to top-half nudity. Overall, it was a solid set from ISK; my only wish was that the TopMan-attired indie rockers changed the piano sound setting at least once.

Brady Ledger

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

VISUAL ARTS visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk

INDIGO 15

VISUAL ARTS

Fine Art Society reveals Durham’s hidden talent New Visual Arts editors Tom England and Rosie Boscawen profile the newly-established society, and see much promise ARTWORK BY: NICO CLEMENTS PHOTOGRAPH BY:JONATHAN ALLEN

T

he Fine Art Society’s first exhibition, ‘Life’, opened at St. Mary’s Kenworthy Hall to a host of viewers on 22 February.

They were by no means disappointed.

Glasses of wine were laid out in rows by the door and a piano tinkled from within the hall. >>>The atmosphere was relaxed yet quietly buzzing: enthusiastic discussion rose from certain corners whilst others wandered round at their leisure to discover what the artistic talent of Durham has to offer. To the society’s credit there were times when it was impossible to get a good look at a particular piece for all the heads in the way. This was not a problem as the arrangement was simple; with wall hangings round the outside and two tables in the centre it was easy to stroll on and return when the crowds had dispersed. >>>There was a huge range of styles: bold imitations of Van Gogh; delicate watercolour and ink landscapes; bright collages and simple sketches; portraits both abstract and detailed. The standard was impressive, perhaps even more so because the avid observers were not entirely sure what to expect from an exhibition of student art in a university without an art degree programme. >>>Some works and artists deserve specific mention. Claire Forsythe was one of the more prolific of the exhibitors and the quality of all her works was high. The large brushstrokes of her ‘Two Abstract Faces’ do not detract from the intimacy of their eyes, but rather enhance it, hinting at a quietly assured pensiveness. ‘Man on Chair’ is interesting for its medium: the paper seemed to have been doused in oil, giving the impression that the sketch is protruding from the page, echoing the sitter who leans forward with his head in his hands. >>>Forsythe’s works have a definite theme but are not interconnected. Nico Clements’ ‘Female Body Series’, however, follows the development of an idea from a simple outline of a profile nude stretching upwards to a more abstract version, where the shape is echoed – with slight alterations – behind the original. The series finishes with a vivid painting (pictured), whose further adaptations to the perspective evoke movement in the figure. >>>Perspective is used to great effect throughout the exhibition. Alastair McIver’s two small night scenes, ‘Waverley’ and ‘Durham’, work well together; the former looks down on Edinburgh Waverley Station whilst the latter stares up at Durham Castle from the opposite side of the river under the viaduct. Leighann Lacey’s series of untitled landscapes all centre on a power station, with various natural backgrounds, from a field of rape to a particularly beautiful plane across a silkily flat river. These settings suggest that the usually unattractive sets of buildings are in fact striking in their way because they are such a central part of life. >>>They do not quite exceed the beauty of Charlotte Perkins’ subjects or style ‘Eggshell Lane, Essex’ and ‘Worm Head, Pembrokeshire’. Both exude peacefulness, and their realism shows a familiarity between artist and landscape superior to on display. >>>Alexandra Grant, David Lawes and Danny Feeney are worthy of mention for their ‘Winter Tree’, ‘Revolver’ and ‘Untitled Mixed Media Landscapes’ respectively; all show considerable individuality and flair, and are commendable contributions to the new society’s exposition.

>>>And for a new society - one only set up at the beginning of last term - they’ve made an impressive start. With over 200 people on their mailing list, and around 75 paying members, the Fine Art Society is already going strong. This, as well as some funding from the DSU, means they have been able to set up a studio in a converted garage in Collingwood College; they’ve also been able to buy equipment - easels, paper, and so on - as well as setting up relations with art suppliers to enable students to order more art sup-

“I think it’s something a lot of people have wanted” plies through them at a discount price. >>>So, if there’s such a large interest and enthusiasm for the new society, why did it take so long to get going? The answer, it seems, is hard to fathom.

However, it is clear where the motivation for its conception comes from. “I think it’s something a lot of people have wanted” says Alex Grant, Joint President of the Fine Art Society. Thomas Brumby, her presidential other half, rejoins: “there was a bit of black hole - a gap in the market you could say”. Both essentially share the same sentiments: disappointment in the lack of arts facilities at Durham, coupled with the determination to fill that hole. >>>There are, they admit, arts societies at numerous colleges - “but they don’t work in the same way we do” insists Thomas. The focus, he says, tends to be on the arts on a very broad level. Both also note that almost every college has a dark room (of which few, apparently, are actually ever used) for photography, while none have any decent facilities for painting and drawing - the costs of which would be tiny in comparison. >>>Drama and music, too, are catered

for on a grand scale - the numerous college productions testify to that - but fine art is virtually ignored. “Basically, the college societies don’t work in the same way” concludes Alex: “we offer more”. >>>And so they do. As well as setting up a studio for budding artists to work in, the society also run life drawing classes - getting in professional teachers - along with numerous workshops and trips to eye-friendly locations. >>>Their aims for the year, they say, would be to run another exhibition after exams, “maybe something in one of the Bailey colleges”, as well as continuing with their immediate short-term classes. >>>Running exhibitions is important, they say, because it provides an incentive. >>>All the artwork on display was produced solely for the exhibition - which is quite astonishing considering the fact that there were 46 different pieces on display, many of which were extremely accomplished. >>>Both presidents, however, are reluctant to take all the credit for the success of both the exhibition and the society. >>>The unused garage was provided by the Principal of Collingwood College, Ed Corrigon, whilst Henry Dyson, a fellow of Grey College, gave them lots of help in setting up the exhibition - and he later remarked that it was “the best student exhibition [he had] ever seen”. Help to fund the exhibition itself - not given by the DSU, who also refused to help out financially with the society’s next exhibition, despite the success of ‘Life’ - was given by local artist Chrissie Morgan, as well as Kemball Art Shop and Mugwump. It does seem strange that the Fine Art Society is apparently dependent on enthusiasts and patrons, rather than on the student union. >>>”There’s a lot of talent here, but it’s not immediately obvious” sighed Thomas.

“As there’s no immediate outlet, people tend to just give up.” And while this may have been true of previous years, the new Fine Arts Society seems to have broken that pattern - and provided just the outlet Durham was lacking.

VISUAL ARTS returns to Palatinate Creating art in Durham? Seen something worth talking about? Want others to see your art or writing?

Email us to get involved visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk

16

INDIGO

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

Books books@palatinate.org.uk

BOOKS

High society through the ages Amy Routledge takes a glimpse at the development of the archetypal society novel across several centuries Samuel Richardson Pamela (1740)

Jane Austen Emma (1815)

Okay, so it’s not the fastestpaced of novels, and yes, its narrator is irritatingly good - think an extreme version of Charles Dickens’ Esther. >>>Yet as one of the earliest society novels, Richardson’s Pamela does offer some points of interest. >>>Featuring dramatic plot twists and a somewhat unconvincing happy ending, this rags-to-riches tale of deception, treachery, imprisonment and threatened rape is thought to have inspired many of the greatest literary classics, most notably Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. >>>If you can endure Richardson’s repetition and unsubtle moralizing, this Restoration novel is worth a read!

Most of us have seen the Gweneth Paltrow movie, and for the many who have also read the novel, it ranks highly among our Austen favourites.

One of Austen’s finest, Emma intended to challenge readers through its depiction of an unlikeable heroine. >>>Not surprisingly, it is Em>>> ma’s very imperfections – her overwhelming humanity, and the comical and touching development which

ing Mrs Elton and the garrulous Miss Bates.

Offering all of the intelligence, subtlety and warmth of Pride and Prejudice, Prejudice Emma is lighter in tone and equally powerful in its study of rural Regency society.

John Galsworthy The Forsyte Saga, Vol 1, The Man of Property (1906)

she must undergo, both personal and romantic which gives the novel its appeal. >>>Emma >>> also features some of Austen’s finest comical figures, includ-

A critical and entertaining study of an upper-class, materialist family, Galsworthy’s The Forsyte Saga powerfully explores family rivalry, tensions and romance. >>>Much more than a family drama, Galsworthy’s saga is a humorous comment on the property culture, providing beautifully detailed descriptions of Edwardian town house interiors and the London scene. >>>While While many of Galsworthy’s minor

characters are merely flat, satirical types, the mysterious Irene and psychologically complex Soames continue to fascinate.

sensitive statement on the futility of the human struggle to hold onto the past, and the inevitability of change.

Evelyn Waugh A Handful of Dust (1934)

Julian Fellowes Snobs (2004)

This is the society novel at its most poverty-stricken, as Waugh explores the decline of the big house, and the strain this places on the marriage of the aptly named Tony and Brenda Last. >>> >>>This detailed novel oscillates between comedy and tragedy, contrasting the rural mansion and the cosmopolitan London world of modern flats, upperclass parties and adultery. >>>Ultimately, A Handful of Dust provides a poignant and

Both insightful and ironic, Snobs skilfully exposes the superficiality and folly of the modern social climber. >>>Fellowes’ ex>>> amination of the false, ingrained beliefs of the upper classes is given depth by the way he sympathetically tempers all of his criticisms with revelations of the vulnerability of the upper-class figures, and the fragility of their aspirations. >>>While the aristocratic scenery of the novel, including the glamorous Ritz, Ascot, and St. James’ Palace makes Snobs a must-read for those curious to taste the lifestyle of today’s nobility, Fellowes’ flat and somewhat perfect character-narrator disappoints, and this lets the novel down a little. Regardless, it remains a fine example of the archetypal society novel given a twenty-first century twist.

A tall order

Between the lines

Emily Evans on the short story

Dan Bloom reviews a Guardian reporter’s gritty take on journalism

I

t is the exquisite irony of university that you go to ‘read’ a degree, and you end up not reading at all. In between the short bouts of work and the far longer internet breaks, snack breaks and ‘I wonder what they’re laughing about’ breaks, it somehow always ends up that there is neither the time, nor the inclination, to read a novel.

“Having to read something takes all the fun out of it”

>>>Work pursues you even when you are not doing it: there are books to read, weekly problems to do, that translation in for Tuesday. When you have a Word file open on your computer with the introduction of an essay half written, or duo up in one of your tabs, or a text book open on your lap, you are safe in the knowledge that you’re just taking a break. You’ll get back to work right after this. >>>Stepping away from work and opening a book seems worse somehow: your work isn’t right there anymore. With a book, where do you stop? The end of a chapter? There are always cliff-hangers.

The end of the book? That could be hours away. So, in order to preserve the illusion of work, the books stay on the shelves and remain firmly shut. >>>When the work is (finally) finished you open up that book you were intending to read. A familiar burning feeling starts in your eyes and the same sentence swims past fifteen times before you close the book in frustration and head down to the television.

>>>What happens when the books you read for pleasure become the books you read for work? Having to read something takes all the fun out of it. You check the clock, the page you’re on and how many are left. Every now and then you take a break to check your email. Who knows what might have happened in the last three minutes? >>>Perhaps reading for pleasure just does not fit in with being a student. But a brilliant thing happened to me a couple of weeks ago. I went into Waterstones and I picked up a book: Fragile Things by Neil Gaiman. It’s not a novel, but a collection of short stories: everything from ghost stories to humorous poems. >>>I do some work, I take a break and read a short story. There is no guilt and a little respite. There’s still the burning sensation in my eyes, but by the time I have to stop I’ve done some work, and I’ve taken a few breaks.

“There is no guilt and a little respite”

>>>I’m not saying that everyone should go out and read Gaiman, but if you’re coming up against the problem of wishing you could read more and having trouble finding the time, then I would recommend looking for a selection of short stories.

You don’t have to worry about forgetting what happened last time and they won’t take days to read. You never know, you might even make it through a whole book, or maybe just the one story, but at least you’ll be reading again.

Nick Davies Flat Earth News Chatto & Windus 

T

he problem with students reading newspapers is the brigade of selfrighteous pundits, myself shamefully included, who manage to sneer at the unreliability of every single story before its second paragraph. Everything except the shrine of war correspondence (ironically the most censored form) is cheap, insipid and blown way out of the water for the screaming hoardes of intellectuallychallenged rubber-neckers. >>>Yet Nick Davies, a prominent journalist himself, was hardly going to turn the irate yet highly studious eye of Flat Earth News on the thought patterns of ‘slimy’ reporters. Instead, we are given a dense and detailed look at modern journalism that devotes as many pages as possible to the supposedly-noble Big Five - the BBC, Telegraph, Guardian, Times and Independent (and their Sunday counter-

that send stories into the newsroom as tangles of lies and loose threads before drawing them out again, too often, in pretty much the same form. >>>The result is a heavy study so packed with details and specifics that it reads rather like a four hundred page issue of Private Eye (though mercifully with larger print). >>>The details, however, are fascinating.

There’s the story of how the Millennium Bug started as a vague warning by a Canadian consultant in May 1993, and ballooned into the biggest non-story of our lifetime just because said consultant exaggerated to make sure people knew about it. >>>Or there’s the emergence in the 1920s of the claim that heroin was highly toxic, designed as a bargaining chip in the war on drugs in the US, which still permeates the global anti-drugs mindset today. >>>Clear throughout the book is a perhaps short-sighted hearkening back to ‘old style’ reporting. Tighter budgets and the juggling of ‘New Media’, according to Davies, have resulted in what he calls the “churnalism” of trainee local reporters on £15k, covering patches hundreds of miles wide completely alone, writing 48 stories a week and relying on rewritten copy from inherently biased press releases. >>>The most shocking chapter, though, is that on government propaganda. It will always be a blow to learn the sheer Orwellian extent to which governments unfalteringly lie to their populace, and in this sense, the book is a rallying call to ‘real’ journalism, the type that liberates ‘the people’ from the lies of ‘the establishment’. The lies he exposes are ornate, sophisticated and propelled, he shows, by terrifyingly clear motivations. >>>However, the book puts its faith in an

is problematic. It is practically impossible for most journalists to unveil ‘the truth’ and know it at the time, no matter how many awards they may have won – Davies’ loud praise for the journalistic martyrs who cried out against the consensus on Iraqi WMDs is only justified by the fact that they didn’t exist after all. >>>There is no mention of countless conspiracy theories that are stifled by editors, and later turn out to have been based on dodgy sources with vested interests. Meanwhile, his mantra that any source “designed to serve an interest” is unreliable means that the scope of Flat Earth News is ridiculously huge: from PR and ad-men to corporations and government to corrupt editors dealing in personal favours. >>>Yet Davies is not trying to posit a solution to this crisis. It is enough for him to point out the industry’s defects and walk away, as he admits in his prologue, “in embarrassment at [his] own naivety”, as the effect is the same on everybody else. >>>The book is essential reading for anybody with more than a vague interest in how journalism works, and is careful to make points that any amateur could understand. >>>Davies’s distinction between ‘accuracy’ and ‘truth’ is particularly engaging – he argues that the truth behind stories is undermined by the effort to ensure accuracy by giving both sides an equal say (a controversial line, until he brings up an array of obvious propagandists who have been given disproportionate airtime). >>>If you’re going into journalism, reading a newspaper, or, to be honest, hearing anybody speak about anything, then stop, read this book, and then follow back from where you left off. You’ll arrive back with a changed – and of course, even more vastly cynical – view of the world.

C M Y K

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

STAGE stage@palatinate.org.uk

INDIGO 17

STAGE

Theatre Reviews Palatinate looks at some of the new productions which hit Durham over the last fortnight The Canterbury Tales The Hill College Theatre Company Sir James Knott Hall «««««

Widely promoted as a daring and refreshingly modern take on Chaucer’s work, The Hill College Theatre Company’s The Canterbury Tales promised to be an exciting production. Yet Chaucer has been ruined for so many people by dull literature lessons at school that I couldn’t help but wonder how they were going to revive the wit and flair of these tales for a potentially disinterested audience. >>>The play, based on an adaptation of the tales by Phil Woods and Michael Bogdanov, turned the pilgrimage to Canterbury into a tale-telling competition. This involved six finalists taking to the stage one after the other to re-enact one of The Canterbury Tales. At the end a prize was presented to the teller whose tale the audience enjoyed most. >>>To create this effect the venue had successfully been set up to resemble a village hall, complete with coloured bunting and a cake stand. The seats were arranged to form a rectangle, with the stage forming one of the sides, leaving a large area of floor space in the middle where much of the action took place. >>>This use of space was a brilliant move by the production team and Ed Dove (for whom The Tales was his directional debut), as it allowed for the high level of audience participation involved and meant the cast members could sit amongst the audience when not on stage, adding to the idea of a tale-telling

“The great task of our time is to blow up all existing institutions – to destroy.” Thus pronounced Henrik Ibsen. The aphorism is embodied by the vindictive eponymous protagonist of Hedda Gabler, staged in the Assembly Rooms last week under the direction of Rebecca Thursten. >>>The cast and crew of Hedda Gabler did not disappoint, so it is fitting to show some appreciation and tip our hats to them. The first impression offered to the audience was the ornate domestic set, impressively constructed both to fit a small stage and to fulfil its dramatic functions. This quality was thankfully matched by the acting. There were very few of the slip-ups and misfirings that sometimes ruin student theatre. However, at times greater volume and clarity of enunciation would have been appreciated, >>>The maid Bertha’s accent and mannerisms did not suggest servitude to me, but the actress Emma Hayman otherwise expertly lit fires and delivered messages.

Her interlocutor for the opening scene, Auntie Ju-Ju played by Anjali Singh, could have been a bit more elderly and little less assertive; to put it another way, she might have better evinced what Hedda finds insufferable about the old woman, her general pusillanimity. >>>Flaws in the more senior roles are difficult to find, including in the daunting case of the title heroine. It’s easy to react to Hedda merely as a monster, incomprehensible or contemptible or both. Anything that helps the audience to develop something approaching sympathy, or at least fascination, is to be commended.

>>>A version of The Nun’s Priest Tale followed, which had an amusing scene with dancing chickens and a cockerel playing the guitar and singing Elvis Presley songs. Charlotte Aylward gave a superb performance as the sly fox and the use of shadow puppets on the back wall to show the fox eating the cockerel displayed great imagination. The actual plot of this tale was a little hard to understand but it was still an enjoyable experience.

>>>Franklin’s Tale, which ensued, had a party scene where several characters took to the stage to dance, adding yet another element to the diversity of the show.

Lucy Cornell, as Dorigen, did well to remain serious amidst the frivolity and gave a touching portrayal of the deep love she had for her husband and the regret she felt at promising to be Aurelius’ lover if he made the rocks on the coast disappear, enabling her husband’s safe return from abroad. Tom Spencer (the Franklyn) also gave a convincing performance and was one of the more natural actors during the ad-lib moments before the play began. >>>Finally (or so we were led to believe) the Pardoner’s Tale was related to us.

Just as the actors took to the stage, there was great uproar as they ‘realised one of the players had not turned up’. Unsurprisingly, the solution decided upon was that a member of the audience should play the part of one of the three men (wittily named Tom, Dick and Harry) who go in search of the thief called Death who murdered their friend.

Special mention must go to Callum Adair (the unsuspecting victim on the night I saw the play) who actually did a very good job and seemed unfazed at suddenly being hauled on stage. >>>Just as the winner was about to be chosen, The Miller stepped forward to remind us that he had not yet told his tale.

The other tellers tried to persuade the audience that this tale was far too vulgar to be heard, but of course the audience wanted to hear it anyway- and thank goodness they did! >>>This tale, which won the competition, was probably the most amusing of them all, and involved much physical comedy as Kay Hetherington (playing Alison) had to adopt a plastic bottom which she stuck out of the window of her cardboard box house to be kissed by her odious admirer, Absolon. >>>This production of The Canterbury Tales did all that it promised to do: successfully capturing the bawdy, ironic wit of Chaucer’s original text and making it relevant and appealing to a modern audience. What is more, Ed Dove must be commended for the structure of the piece and layout of the stage which made it one of the most original and enjoyable plays I have seen in Durham.

Georgie McCluskey

portrayal of the leading lady made all the intonations necessary to facilitate her intriguing internalities and Machiavellian manipulations. Beneath her cruelty and disdain, Hedda has a history and a personality that will forever be difficult to interpret, and which are essential to the play’s subversive capacity. That means you need a decent actress: Dawson delivered. >>>The men surrounding Hedda perhaps require less intricate performances, but these roles offer their own challenges.

Rob Henderson as George Tesman consistently maintained a set of mannerisms and vocal quirks as the reliable and scholarly dope who has won Hedda’s hand in marriage. This verged on a comic interpretation of the character, though not to the point of missing his subtler emotions – emphasising, for instance, the charming pleasure Tesman finds in the possibility that his wife might actually care for him. >>>Callum Cheatle as Eilet Lovborg continued his run of seemingly faultless performances: his entrance was effective partly because of the helpful physical contrast of his large blond hair and confident comportment with the lanky nervousness of Tesman. But Cheatle carried forward this initial impact with a measured delivery of the forceful address, ‘Hedda Gabler’ – a key moment in the play, one of many, in which foreground and background threaten to collide. >>>Managing that dichotomy was also the task for Alex Bhat as Judge Brack in his intimate sofa conversations with Hedda. Bhat captured the suave and manipulative authority of the socialite bachelor without descending into absurd lasciviousness. >>>Finally, I was also impressed by Kayleigh Carr, who portrayed the demure

and humble Thea with a peculiarly audible and plausible quietness. As an added bonus, her Welsh accent fitted neatly with the character’s rural position. This appears to have been part of a general trend of sensible - or else lucky - casting. >>>I have already noted the successful physical contrast between Tesman and Lovborg. It is also worth mentioning that the respective heads of hair of Hedda and Thea met the plot’s requirements; and that Judge Brack was sufficiently handsome to aspire to be ‘the only cock in the yard’. So to speak. >>>The Michael Meyer translation has in some places dated, such as the misleading term ‘orgy’ applied to Brack’s ‘bachelor party’ (Ibsen was not that progressive!). Elsewhere the translation is simply inelegant: we have ‘triangle’ instead of ‘menage-a-trois’ and ‘friend’ instead of ‘companion’ or ‘comrade’. >>>Other translations are available. More to the point, in places directorial intervention could have helped the dialogue to reach the heights of plausibility and resonance of which it is capable. I left with the impression that fidelity to the text, and to only one version of the text, took precedence over the spirit of realism. >>>The one real bungle of the production came with one of Tesman’s nervous inflections – “Fancy that” – which sounded extremely and inappropriately comic in reaction to the final bang. I don’t know who is responsible for the line. It could be Ibsen, Meyers, Henderson, Thursten or perhaps one of a thousand monkeys on one of a thousand typewrites employed to copy out the script. Whatever the case, the line unfortunately left a bitter aftertaste to an otherwise solid evening of emaciated theatrical radicalism.

Chris Wright

“Capturing the bawdy, ironic wit of Chaucer’s original text”

JAMES KING

Hedda Gabler R Squared Productions Assembly Rooms «««««

competition. >>>Added by the company were the interludes between each tale where the Miller (Ned French) was allowed to tell one of his ‘Mucky Tales’. Although crude, these tales were extremely amusing and Ned was hilarious as he took on several accents and roles. Ed Dove also stood up to introduce each of the tales and retain order of the proceedings whilst Ollie Lynes’ role as Chaucer expert Dr. Lynes was a witty and enjoyable addition. >>>The Tales themselves were on the whole clearly and succinctly told, although at times the actors made too much noise on stage, making it hard to hear the teller narrating the story. >>>The Knight’s Tale was the first to be presented and the cast adeptly captured the elevated subject matter of this tale in comparison to the bawdy nature of some of the others. The use of modern background music including Something

by The Beatles, which was also sung by the characters throughout the tale, was an interesting twist: the ridiculous fighting of the knights over a girl they do not even know was effectively conveyed. >>>Next up was The Reeve’s Tale in which Ned French was again highly entertaining as he reluctantly played the part of the horse. The pomposity of the two Cambridge students who try to outwit a Miller was superbly captured by Callum Cheatle and Archie Dallas, and their ‘Trinity Hall is the best’ song received a lot of laughs (a jibe at Oxbridge always going down well in Durham). >>>The base humour of this tale was conveyed perfectly and the fun side to Chaucer was certainly starting to be brought to light.

18 INDIGO

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

FILM AND TELEVISION film@palatinate.org.uk

FILM AND TELEVISION

Feature film review Palatinate gives its verdict on the Oscar-winning film The Curious Case of Benjamin Button The Curious Case of Benjamin Button Dir. David Fincher Star. Cate Blanchett, Brad Pitt «««««

O

n her deathbed in 2005, an elderly woman asks her daughter to read her the diary of Benjamin Button (Pitt), born in 1918 into the body of an old man and destined to age in reverse. As his mind grows older but his body appears younger, Benjamin falls in love with Daisy (Cate Blanchett), but their quest for romance, more than any other, is a race against the unstoppable passage of time.

“...their quest for romance is a race against the unstoppable passage of time” David Fincher has come a long way since directing music videos for George Michael. Following a quick glance at the synopsis of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s original 1921 short story there are many filmmakers that might spring to mind ahead of the director of Alien3, Se7en and Fight Club.

Indeed, this may well be the first Fincher film not to feature a single serial killer, psychopath or conspiracy theory.

If one considers, however, what a complete maudlin hash some directors could have made of the source material, it becomes apparent that Fincher is the perfect man for the job; it is the sense of understatement and self-awareness that he brings to this tragicomic fairytale of

epic love which keeps Benjamin Button securely on the emotional rails from start to finish.

Before his justly-acclaimed performances in Babel and The Assassination of Jesse James, it was Fincher who brought out the best in Brad Pitt in ’90s greats Se7en and Fight Club, and their latest collaboration has given Pitt his finest role to date.

Now 45, Pitt has finally managed to shake off the pretty-boy image of old, and as Benjamin he is able to combine his good looks and his considerable talents as an actor, all too often overlooked in the past. From the wizened teenager to the poster-boy octogenarian, Pitt never misses a beat, displaying impeccable comic timing (seeing an old man go through puberty, with the growing appeal of women and alcohol, is something that will stay with you) and heartbreaking pathos in equal measure.

He is given excellent support from the rest of the cast. Cate Blanchett is (perhaps predictably) faultless playing the same character over the course of 60odd years, especially in the latter stages of the film, when she has to deal with Benjamin’s increasingly youthful looks in the face of her own natural ageing.

Jason Flemyng (as Benjamin’s biological father), Taraji P. Henson (as the AfricanAmerican nurse who raises him) and Tilda Swinton (as his surprising first love) also put in fine performances.

Unusually for such an Oscar-friendly film, the special effects also deserve a mention; Brad Pitt’s gradual progression from a shrivelled, decrepit foetus to a fresh-faced twenty-something seems so immaculately natural that it’s easy to take for granted. The fact that Benjamin Button couldn’t have been made ten or even five years ago is surely one in the eye

for those who see special effects as the nemesis of ‘serious’ or ‘highbrow’ cinema.

Critics have compared Benjamin Button to Forrest Gump, and the reasons are clear enough: both have lengthy running times, both cover great swathes of American history, and both are adapted

“Brad Pitt’s gradual progression from a shrivelled, decrepit foetus... seems so immaculately natural it’s easy to take for granted” screenplays are the work of Eric Roth.

However, while Tom Hanks meets the likes of Elvis, JFK and Nixon on his journey through the 20th century, Benjamin’s story is resolutely personal throughout.

The film certainly doesn’t ignore the major events of the era (Benjamin is born on the night WWI ends, and serves in the Navy in WWII), and the inexorable march of time is an ever-present theme, but Fincher refuses to overindulge in cheap nods to the fashions and pop songs of each successive decade.

The Curious Case of Benjamin Button clocks in at almost three hours, but you won’t notice. Amid the usual January-February barrage of high-quality Oscar contenders, it stands out as one of the funniest, most moving and most beautifully-made films of the year.

Guy Lawrence

World cinema review Palatinate takes a look at an emotional French drama recently released on DVD Il y a longtemps que je t’aime (I’ve loved you so long) Dir. Philippe Claudel Star. Kristin Scott Thomas, Elsa Zylberstein «««««

W

hen French writer Philippe Claudel directed for the first time last year he created one of France’s most emotive films to date. The winner of this year’s BAFTA for Best Foreign Film, I’ve loved you so long is a drama which focuses on the rehabilitation of a woman damaged by her past.

The film sees Juliette (Kristin Scott Thomas) arrive in the city of Nancy reuniting with younger sister Léa (Elsa Zylberstein) after a mysterious absence of fifteen years.

“...one of France’s most emotive films to date...”

Juliette moves into her sister’s house, living alongside her sister’s family: Luc (Léa’s husband), their two adopted children and her father-in-law. The busy household does little to engage Juliette,

who leads a withdrawn existence and spends most of her time in limbo, chainsmoking. The film recounts Juliette’s slow re-entry into society and family life. Her tentative steps are aided by the few who support her, but are also discouraged by the numerous rejections she suffers in her job hunt.

Claudel builds up suspense by letting each scene fade into darkness, and by introducing music which at times oddly suggests more of a horror movie than a drama. The tension is heightened by

withholding the reasons behind Juliette’s behaviour. The audience is given hints in scenes at the job centre and family dinners, but is excluded from moments where the truth is discussed fully until the end of the film. The downside of this is that the audience perhaps has to wait too long for a revelation that cannot live up to expectations.

Without knowing the reasons behind her behaviour the audience is left with an ambiguous portrait of Juliette. Is she a formidable character who has committed

a horrendous act, or a character that has understandable reasons for her actions?

We are left in an interesting predicament where we must decide for ourselves what to make of Juliette. As brother-inlaw Luc makes known, Juliette could be a threat to his family and her demeanour does appear to rebuff those close to her. Those similarly quick to judge will find it hard to sympathise with Juliette’s enigmatic behaviour for close to two hours and Juliette does little to prevent this accusation. However, others may be less critical.

English-born actress Scott Thomas is well deserving of the nominations she has stacked up for her skill in playing such a complex role. This is her best performance to date, far beating that seen in The English Patient. Scott Thomas brings a necessary subtlety to the emotions of Juliette without turning the film into a melodrama. She forms a believable fragile bond with her on-screen sister.

The film deals with complex family relationships and questions the limits tolerated in family love. Luc’s mute father (Jean-Claude Arnaud) provides a particularly interesting point of contrast to the other characters in this respect. Despite living with a barrier that separates him from the world, it is his character that is perhaps most engaged with the feelings of others, and he is the figure of warmth

and stability of the household.

“...is she a formidable character who has committed a horrendous act or a character that has understandable reasons for her actions?”

This is an emotive film which will stay with you long after the closing credits. It suggests good things to come from Claudel. With the success last year of other films such as Bienvenue chez les ch’tis, and Paris it is clear French directors continue to be a force to be reckoned with. With powerful pieces such as I’ve loved you so long, we can only hope films continue to make it across the Channel so audiences here have the opportunity to appreciate them.

Poppy Macleod

C M Y K

FILM AND TELEVISION film@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

INDIGO 19

FILM AND TELEVISION

The winner takes it all Ben Swales presents a round up of the 81st Academy Awards - the winners, the losers and the ones that should have won ď‚ŤBest Actress: ď‚ŤKate Winslet - The Reader >>>I suppose that after winning every possible prize this year, bar the internationally-renowned Kansas City Film Critics Circle Award, we all knew that Winslet was going to continue her winning streak at the Oscars. This was her 6th nomination and she ďŹ nally won, putting another smile on the faces of British cinema and garnering yet more recognition. >>>As she approached the stage her husband – the stage and screen director Sam Mendes - looked on admirably. I was praying, as no doubt he was, that she wouldn’t embarrass herself and everyone else like she did at the Golden Globes last month. Perhaps Sam and I thought that she had to be used to it by now after the Golden Globe and the BAFTA; she wouldn’t get all forgetful and start ailing around again, would she? >>>She gave a charming anecdote about how she used to practise her speech in front of the mirror when she was eight years old, Then it started – the ‘Hey mom I’m on TV’ type yell to her Dad in the crowd, and the gracious but patronising acknowledgement of the other nominees - in particular Meryl Streep, who she said would have to “suck it upâ€?: cue shot of Streep, shaking her head and smiling. I’d love to know what she was really thinking at that minute. Having said that, I like Kate Winslet and was glad she ďŹ nally won.

ď‚ŤBest Actor: ď‚ŤSean Penn - Milk >>>I’m not going to lie – I wanted Mickey Rourke to win this award. I wanted to see him on stage, bloodying the noses of the great and good with his unpredictable, un-PC style like we saw at the BAFTAs. Instead, Sean Penn won – and he probably deserved to seeing as Rourke practically played a version of himself in The Wrestler. >>>Penn gave a digniďŹ ed, if not slightly boring speech in which he read off a list of thanks from what seemed to be a receipt, and of course acknowledged Rourke. Perhaps Sean Penn’s winning portrayal of gay rights activist Harvey Milk reects America today, or at least what America wants to be. >>>Penn himself commented on the rejection of civil partnerships in California, over 30 years after a gay man was elected into public ofďŹ ce in that very state – as well as the backward nature of the bigoted America of old, not forgetting to mention the new Obama-ďŹ ed America. ď‚ŤBest Film: ď‚ŤChristian Colson - Slumdog Millionaire >>>Another British win and one of 8 for Slumdog alone. This was the one it had to win above any other; if not for its brilliance then for the pure achievement of the ďŹ lm. Producing such a massive project was clearly a colossal task for Colson and the team, ďŹ lming in so many

locations (including Mumbai’s megaslum) on such a tight budget. >>>It It was the ingenuity of the production team that allowed such a visionary piece to be made on the same amount of money that Julia Roberts alone was paid for Notting Hill.. Christian Colson isn’t some high-ying Hollywood businessman, nor has he produced a huge amount before, so the award really is due for the massive achievement in cinema and the sheer effort that has been put into making Slumdog Millionaire.

A huge group of the cast got up >>>A on stage to a standing ovation for this award, and even the two child actors from the start had been especially own over for the ceremony.

Slumdog is a great example of the cooperation needed in ďŹ lm making, and also the cowardice of many modern production companies – who were unwilling to give enough money to make the ďŹ lm, resulting in a typically European credit list, with about ďŹ ve different entities investing. ď‚ŤBest Director: ď‚ŤDanny Boyle Slumdog Millionaire Danny Boyle was as >>>Danny down to earth as ever

when accepting his award; jumping up and down on the stage when he received his statuette, he explained promising to his children that if he ever won an Oscar he would accept it in the style of Tigger from Winnie the Pooh. It was if the whole thing was a night out with the family, and there was no pretentious acceptance speech either, just a big shout out to everyone in St. Mary’s social club back home. >>>Directing Slumdog could only be done by a complete visionary (or two – he had a co-director in India: Loveleen Tandan) and no other ďŹ lm nominated let us look inside another world quite as well as Slumdog Millionaire, even though it has been criticised for playing on Western stereotypes of poverty in India. As for the direction of the ďŹ lm though, Boyle and Tandan have created a phenomenally good ďŹ lm that had more people in cinemas than I can recall over the past ďŹ ve years or more. >>>Of the other awards of the evening, the supporting actor award was given posthumously to the late, great Heath Ledger. Although some say that he

didn’t necessary deserve the award, it was expected as soon as news came of his untimely death. His family gave an extremely thankful message to all those who helped them through the difďŹ cult time. >>>Penelope Cruz received the supporting actress award for Woody Allen’s Vicky Christina Barcelona, and came onto the stage wearing a wedding dress.

Cruz thanked her colleagues and the other nominees, as well as Pedro Almodovar, the Spanish director. She went on to make probably the most important point of the evening – that art is, was and always will be, a universal language for us all and that its survival is truly essential. >>>This is so true, and I think what she said should be heard by the pathetic, dithering corporate whores of Hollywood – people who are more interested in making proďŹ t than quality, sociallyrelevant ďŹ lms. The dumbing down of the media in general has been a large issue over the past few years, and with the economy as it is, we may see commercialism start to take an even larger grip on content, as they try to squeeze out every last cent they can. >>>Some of the ďŹ lms that won this year show that a little faith goes a long way in art – Slumdog not least, winning 8 awards in total: a great night for British cinema and British talent. Let’s hope we make a repeat performance next year.

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INDIGO

GAMES indigo@palatinate.org.uk

Friday 27 February 2009 palatinate.org.uk

GUEST COLUMN

GAMES

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© 2009 PUZZLEMIX.COM / GARETH MOORE

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Charity Corner Laura Matthews, Tom Bigglestone and Frances Main

DUCK Live Burlesque Show One of Durham’s most exciting events of the year is happening on Sat the 7th March: the county’s first ever live Burlesque Show.

Bringing you the best in saucy striptease, tongue in cheek humor and 50’s glamour. With acts from the winner of ‘Battle of the Burlesque 2007’ - TWINKLE STARR, plus many more.

There will be discounted merchandise from Studio 34 and Ann Summers, plus Boob Muffins.

Doors open at 6.00pm as does the bar. Tickets: £5/4 for students so get down to the DSU early and stay on for Revolver. Tickets available from DUCK Office, New Inn and Varsity. E-mail now to reserve tickets.

All proceeds will be going to the Huntington’s Disease Association.

DUCK Week

Crossword

© 2009 DAVID PRICE-WILLIAMS

Across

Down

1. Spread over a surface (6) 5. Obama’s birth-state (6) 8. Very small amount (4) 9. Unit of electrical power (4) 10. Festive decoration (6) 12. Thalassophobe’s fear (3) 13. Scottish region (9) 17. Dimension (5) 19. Period (3) 20. Ayers Rock (5) 21. Division of a play; law (3) 23. ___ the Vampire Slayer, TV series (3) 26. Gun-game (9) 28. ···/---/··· (1.1.1.)

29. Successful 70’s movie (6) 31. Bathroom product (4) 32. Bristol’s river (4) 33. ___ Elgar, composer (6) 34. Measure, approx. 4.5 litres (6)

1. Playground feature (3-3) 2. Prize (6) 3. Search for a wrong-doer (9) 4. ___ the Nine O’Clock News (3) 5. Break out; opening (5) 6. Pale, ill-looking (3) 7. Superlative of antonym of ‘healthy’ (6) 11. ___-dancer, resident of South Shields (4) 14. Dutch town; cheese (5) 15. Capital of Slovenia (9) 16. Raise the hat (4) 18. Central American civilisation (4) 21. Farthest point of orbit around Earth (6) 22. Result of moon’s 21d affecting 12a (4) 24. Type of government economic policy (6) 25. Danny Wallace book; Carrey film (3,3) 27. Ciabatta or rye (5) 30. Academic exam board (1.1.1.)

31. Unit of warmth, e.g. of duvet (3)

DUCK Week/Fortnight has been a fantastic success and is looking to be the most successful ever with over 100 events across campus.

Sadly we had to postpone Stars in their Eyes because of a distinct lack in competitors but never fear- we’re rescheduling for a June event, turning it into an informal live gig in the open air.

3 Peaks places sold out in record time. 7 hours and 95 places were filled. A record. Stay tuned for more sign ups coming up for Coast to Coast, London to Amsterdam cycles, hitchhikes and many more.

SCA Litter-pick There will be a litter-pick on Saturday the 28th February, as part of National Student Volunteering Week. This is your chance to brighten up Durham whilst enjoying a gentle stroll along the river. Meet outside Oxfam Boutique on Elvet Bridge at 11am, and the litterpick will head in the direction of Hild Bede. oSCArs For solutions, visit palatinate.org.uk/crossword

Kakuro

© 2009 PUZZLEMIX.COM / GARETH MOORE

Enter digits from 1-9 inclusive so that the row sequences add up to the numbers on the left and the column sequences add up to those up top. Each sequence cannot contain any duplicate numbers, though overall rows and columns can contain duplicates EASY HARD MEDIUM

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SCA volunteers are invited to the annual black-tie celebration of all things SCA on Wednesday 4th March at 7.30pm in St Chad’s College. The evening is free for all volunteers, and on top of the awards ceremony to recognise outstanding volunteers there will be live entertainment and a light buffet.

If you would like to come to the oSCArs, please e-mail community.action@dur.ac.uk SCA AGM The Student Community Action AGM will be held on Wednesday 11th March at 7pm in ER152. As well as electing the new exec, SCA will be presenting their year’s work, and discussing the future;.

If you are interested in running for an exec position contact community.action@durham. ac.uk, or pop into the SCA office, top floor DSU. Team Durham If you want to enrich your university experience with voluntary work, why not drop us a line? Durham has one of the best outreach programmes in the country waiting for your involvement. Regular projects run each week by a devoted team of staff, coaches and students. Call Emma Hall-Craggs on 0191 334 2161, or email teamdurham.community@dur.ac.uk

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