Palatinate 806

Palatinate Officially the UK’s Best Student Publication, 2018

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | No. 806

Profile talk to Durham for Refugees about the current crisis and what students can do to help

www.palatinate.org.uk | FREE

With exam season set to begin, Features tackle maintaining your mental health

Durham University reveals £50 million project for new science building Clara Gaspar News Editor Durham University has revealed its plans to build a new £41.9 million Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building, as well its plans for infrastructure development.

This will be part of Durham University’s 10-year expansion plan, which aims for an increase in student numbers of around 5,600 by 2027.

Building work is expected to begin in September of this year and be completed by September 2020.

The intake of Mathematical and Computer Sciences students is set to double over the 10-year period, from 800 to 1,600 students. The new building will accommodate for this increase.

Professor Patrick Hussey, ProVice-Chancellor of Maths and Computer Sciences, has said that the new building will be “student centric” with study spaces and an innovation hub for student societies.

The developments are also set to double staff numbers by 2027.

He told Palatinate that in the past four years applications to Computer Science courses at Durham University have tripled.

He said: “At the moment, we turn away so many high-quality Astar students.”

Prof. Hussey added that the current building is not suitable for students: “It does not have modern teaching facilities and doesn’t even have areas where students can congregate and study.”

He stated that the building will “provide a home for people to come together and talk tech.”

Karl Southern, a second-year Computer Sciences student, told Palatinate: “I’m pleased that we now have a new building that will provide room for our rapidly expanding department, with staff numbers now set to increase and I hope that this will allow for us to expand the range of modules that we offer.”

The University have also proposed the construction of a new pedestrian walkway to the East of South Road.

Continued on page 4

▲ £50 million plans for new Mathematical Sciences and Computer Science building revealed (Durham University)

Team Durham breaches fresher’s confidentiality after “humiliating” initiations experience

Head shaving, nudity and forced consumption of alcohol: Palatinate investigates the drinking culture of Durham University’s sports teams PALATINATE INVESTIGATION Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero and Tania Chakraborti Team Durham breached a student’s anonymity after a welfare complaint was made against a Durham University Sports Club, Palatinate can reveal.

The complaint concerned the fresher’s experience of initiations during the preseason period, which involved head shaving, incidents of nudity and the forced consumption of large quantities of alcohol.

Feeling “burnt out physically and mentally” by the initiations, the student’s parent made an informal complaint to the Director of Experience Durham, Quentin Sloper.

Team Durham subsequently

revealed the fresher’s identity to senior members of the men’s team without his consent, which led to the student feeling isolated from the rest of the squad.

Speaking to Palatinate, the anonymous student in question, who played his sport at an international level prior to joining Durham University said: “The events of preseason almost led me to drop out of the University before I had even experienced freshers’ week.

“I knew that the environment in the [club] was toxic and that it would not be possible to participate without being subjected to continual bullying and abuse.”

In response to the student pursuing the complaint after the breach of anonymity, a review panel was set up to investigate

the club’s ‘non-playing culture’.

Disciplinary action was also taken against team members involved, including match bans and community service.

The first year student, who has since left the club, outlined the five initiation ‘stations’ that freshers were subjected to during the ‘welcome drinks’ of 20th September 2017.

At the first ‘station’, the new players were made to drink a variety of unknown substances, including the forced consumption of alcohol.

Vegetable oil was also poured into the student’s eyes by a senior member of the Club’s executive.

One ‘station’ involved freshers being forced to dive into a paddling pool filled with unknown items.

The student later recalled being taken home, blacking out and vom-

iting in the night.

Palatinate was also told about a drinking game that took place on the night of 23rd September 2017 in which one of 10 freshers who lost would have his head shaved.

Despite stating in advance that he did not consent to the forfeit, the anonymous student was eventually forced to have his head shaved by senior team members.

The fresher told Palatinate: “I felt ill because of the amount of alcohol that I had been forced to consume in the week preceding freshers’ week and I had to go home because there was no emotional support or empathy offered by players or coaches.”

Durham University’s Public Interest Disclosure Policy on...

Continued on page 3

2

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | PALATINATE

Editorial

Thank you for making us award-winning!

P

alatinate may have turned 70 this year, but far from retiring, Durham’s official student newspaper is in better shape than ever.

Over the Easter break we were honoured to be named the best student newspaper in the country by the Student Publication Association.

This award recognises the tireless dedication of all our editors and writers, who truly go above and beyond to make this newspaper the vibrant community it is.

This award belongs to you all and we would like to express our sincere gratitude for your unfaltering commitment.

Student journalism often stands accused of self-indulgence and a detachment from the realities of student life. However, it can make a tangible difference.

With that in mind, we were particularly pleased to have been recognised for the investigatory work this newspaper has undertaken to bring important issues to the attention of the wider Durham University community.

While receiving national recognition is a source of great pride for us as all, we do not measure ourselves by awards alone.

Our primary commitment as a newspaper has always been to hold this University to account, while delivering high-quality, unbiased and fair reporting to the student body.

This newspaper has been part of the Durham furniture since 1948 and boasts a glittering array of alumni. From the formidable former editor of The Sun-

day Times, Sir Harold Evans, to the much-loved radio and television journalists Jeremy Vine and George Alagiah, Palatinate has been an institution at this great University.

With such a calibre of former editors, it is incumbent upon us to continue the tradition of producing journalism that matters to Durham, both as a city and as a University.

In this endeavour we are always seeking to improve and, in my first editorial, let me assure you that Palatinate will continue to be a beacon of free expression that gives voice to students, represents the cultural richness of the Durham community and reports on the issues that matter.

With our editors battling with deadlines and looming exams like everyone else, this edition is shorter than usual. But hopefully there is some light relief to suit a range of interests at this busy time of the year.

In this edition News and Sport collaborate to investigate the continued practice of sports initiations on our campus (p. 3).

Durham prides itself on its sporting credentials and the inclusionary ethos of sport across colleges and the University is unparalleled. Few would disagree that sport is integral to our University culture.

However, beyond the façade of exceptional achievements on the pitch, showcased by sport on pages 15, there remain important issues of culture off it.

This edition features a thorough investigation into some of

SU President’s column

It may be pointing out the obvious to state that this time of year can be busy and stressful for many students, but there’s always room for a reminder about the need for manageable work patterns and planned breaks.

With this in mind, please do check out the activities organised across the University to ease your stress, whether that’s the ‘stressless’ campaigns organised by SCA and your college, Beebright in the library, or a visit to the Puppy Room in the SU next week.

And on the theme of advice,

the SU have launched our updated online Advice and Help Service.

You’ll find digital resources and signposting covering everything from what your housing contract should include to how to make an academic appeal to the University, all collected in one area of our website.

One new area of advice worth noting is the guidance for students affected by the recent strikes. We have summarised the advice provided by the Office for Students in April for easy reading. If you think your studies were adversely affected by the strike, then this is the place to find out how your issues might be resolved.

This leaves me with just one final thing to say: good luck from me and the rest of the Officer team!

the hidden realities prevalent in many of our University sports teams.

It is the responsibility of Durham University and Team Durham to protect vulnerable students from the peer pressure and humiliation that accompany so-called ‘initiation ceremonies.’

We also need to more as a student body to condemn these shameful practices. Social events are part and parcel of team sports, but the bullying of fellow students is unacceptable in any context.

Elsewhere, on pages 7 and 8 the politics team analyse the issues of Windrush and antisemitism. Racism has regrettably been a persistent feature on the news of late.

The 25 year anniversary of the death of Stephen Lawrence, a watershed moment in British race relations, remains as pertinent a legacy today as ever. There is no denying that phenomenal progress has been made in the past quarter century, but scandals such as Windrush should remind us there is still more to be done.

Also on page 9, Features take a look at mental health and exams.

Take a break from your examinduced stress by having a read of the latest edition of the nation’s best student publication.

Cameron McIntosh

Inside 806 News pages 3-4 Comment pages 5-6 Politics pages 7-8 Profile page 8 Sport pages 14-16

indigo

Features page 9 Visual Arts page 10 Books page 11 Creative Writing page 11 Film & TV page 12 Travel page 13

Find more of Palatinate online www.palatinate.org.uk

Find us on social media www.facebook. com/palatinate

@PalatinateUK

The best of Palatinate online Megan Croll

NEWS: New RestaurantCafé hybrid run by Flat White owners to replace New Inn

MUSIC: A personal guide to the festival season

STAGE: The History Boys Review: “thoroughly enjoyable”

VISUAL ARTS: A surreal Surrealist: discovering Salvador Dali across the pond

Palatinate is published by Durham Students’ Union on a fortnightly basis during term and is editorially independent. All contributors and editors are full-time students at Durham University. Send letters to: Editor, Palatinate, Durham Students’ Union, Dunelm House, New Elvet, Durham, DH1 3AN. Alternatively, send an e-mail to editor@palatinate.org.uk

Editorial Board Editors-in-Chief Sophie Gregory & Cameron McIntosh editor@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Editors Anna Tatham & Caitlin Allard deputy.editor@palatinate.org.uk News Editors Clara Gaspar & Julia Atherley news@palatinate.org.uk Deputy News Editors Natasha Livingstone , Helena Snider & Madeleine Horton deputy.news@palatinate.org.uk Comment Editor Zoë Boothby comment@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Comment Editors Hana Kapetanovic & Anna Ley Profile Editor Isabelle Ardron profile@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Profile Editor Holly Adams Science & Technology Editor Martha Bözic scitech@palatinate.org.uk Politics Editors Rhodri Sheldrake-Davies & Tom Mitchell politics@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Politics Editors Tom Walsh & Alice Lassman Sport Editor Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero sport@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Sport Editors Will Jennings, Ella Jerman, Louis Gibbon & Ed Lord Indigo Editor Tamsin Bracher indigo@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Indigo Editor Adele Cooke deputy.indigo@palatinate.org.uk Features Editor Rosie Dowsing features@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Features Editor Katie Anderson Food & Drink Editor Emma Taylor food@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Food & Drink Editor Sapphire Demirsöz Travel Editor Harriet Willis travel@palatinate.org.uk Fashion Editor Anna Gibbs fashion@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Fashion Editor Frankie Reffell Film & Television Editor Imogen Kaufman film@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Film & Television Editor Alexander Priston Stage Editor Kishore Thiagarajan stage@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Stage Editor Helen Chatterton Music Editor Ashleigh Goodall & Tom Watling music@palatinate.org.uk Creative Writing Editor Chloe Scaling creative.writing@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Creative Writing Editor Kleopatra Olympiou Books Editor Alex Leggatt books@palatinate.org.uk Visual Arts Editor Madeleine Cater visual.arts@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Visual Arts Editor Anna Thomas Chief Sub-Editor Yongchang Chin Sub-Editors Inka Kärnä, Aoife Clements, Mint Paribatra, Zuzanna Gwadera & Angelos Sofocleous Photography Editor Madeleine Flisher photography@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Photography Editors Claire Cortese and Yangjia Lin Illustrations Editor Melissa Frateantonio illustration@palatinate.org.uk Deputy Illustrations Editors Charlotte Way, Akansha Naraindas & Holly Murphy Social Media Officer Helen Paton Website Administrator Alex Stuckey Advertising Officer Alex Hewitt advertising@palatinate.org.uk

3

PALATINATE | Thursday 3rd May 2018

News

“Drinking culture and a culture of initiations more generally can be incredibly damaging to members of our Durham Continued from front page ...‘Whistleblowing’ states that “All disclosures under this policy will be treated in a sensitive and, where possible, confidential manner. If required the identity of the individual making the disclosure will be kept confidential for as long as possible, provided that this is compatible with an effective investigation.”

In a letter to the student’s parents, dated 21st November, Durham University’s Vice-Chancellor, Professor Stuart Corbridge, stated that the student would have “to put his specific complaint in writing listing the incidents that he complains about, the identities of any individuals involved with a statement that we have consent to share his complaint with those named.”

“I was extremely shocked and upset when I found out my identity had been revealed” The student did not make a formal complaint. However, during the informal complaints procedure he was not asked for “consent to share his complaint with those named”. He had not given consent to this identity being revealed.

In a statement to Palatinate,

Team Durham Logo (Wikimedia Commons)

he said: “I was not aware that my identity would be revealed and my confidentiality broken... As expected, I was extremely shocked and upset when I found out my identity was revealed.”

“There isn’t enough motivation for the Club to change” A review group was set up by Team Durham to investigate the events and the culture within the Club in question. The review panel was headed by Team Durham Honorary President, Professor Joe Elliot and also involved Dr Victoria Brown, Vice-Principal of Van Mildert College, and Matthew Bell, Team Durham Student President.

In a letter sent to Club members, the Club Captain urged “all members of the [Club], regardless of year group, to consider putting themselves forward to be part of this review.”

Following the actions of the review group, the student’s parents wrote to the Vice-Chancellor on 14th November to say they were “not reassured” by the investigation process.

The student made clear in his letter to the Vice-Chancellor, dated 22nd November 2017, that this “issue doesn’t just affect me and I think it is important to hear from everyone who has been affected by this”.

On the issue of initiations, Director of Experience Durham Quentin Sloper told Palatinate: “While social events can be great fun, and being part of a team can foster a sense of belonging, we will not accept ‘initiation ceremonies’ of any sort.

“We have and will penalise clubs that organise such activities.

These are a direct breach of our Code of Conduct, which we use to ensure sports clubs and individuals are held accountable for their actions.

“We work hard to ensure clubs understand the importance of managing social occasions appropriately and respectfully.”

The official Team Durham Code of Conduct states that ‘Club initiations’ come under the remit of behaviour “not accepted by Team Durham”, but they are often rebranded as ‘welcome drinks’.

In October 2017 the Rugby Football Union (RFU) voiced concerns that humiliating initiations ceremonies at English universities were turning young players away from the game, in a report published by The Times.

One former member of Durham University Rugby Football Club (DURFC) told Palatinate that he believed drinking culture “was a pretty big part of playing rugby” at Durham.

The student, who wished to remain anonymous, played rugby to a high level before joining the University said his decision to leave DURFC was partly based on the club’s drinking culture.

“We have and will penalise clubs that organise initiation ceremonies” “I wouldn’t say the initiations and drinking culture were the main reason why I left but it was definitely a factor,” he said. “It meant that I didn’t enjoy going to the socials so going to them became something that I didn’t want to do. Training that much and playing matches combined with the socials just became physically and mentally draining.”

The student maintained that changes had to come from the Club itself rather than Team Durham.

“I think that any change will have to come from within the Rugby Club itself rather than from the University but there doesn’t seem to be any motivation for the Rugby

Maiden Castle (Durham University)

Club to change,” he added.

Members of other Team Durham clubs have said initiations and drinking culture are not as important in their club’s social life.

One former member of Durham University Boat Club (DUBC), for instance, said her experience had been positive. “I don’t think initiations play a large role in DU rowing socials,” she explained.

“Initiations [...] to welcome new members were not excessive or cruel, they were not much different from an average student night out, excluding the costumes and theme of the night.”

One former Team Durham club captain said it was important to distinguish between social culture and drinking culture across sports: “The social culture is good. I think it makes being part of a club more enjoyable, and that doesn’t necessarily have to include the alcohol part of it.

He told Palatinate that he did not see the point of initiation ceremonies: “I don’t think they need to be especially brutal at all, I don’t think it’s right that they are, because you just put people off.

“The older people in the club have a huge responsibility, that

they don’t necessarily always recognise, in setting that social culture.”

He was unsure, however, as to Team Durham’s influence over initiation practices: “I think Team Durham are right to take a stance on forced drinking… but I don’t know necessarily what there is they can do to stop it.”

SU Welfare and Liberation Officer Rosa Tallack told Palatinate: “I welcome the step that Experience Durham have taken, in acknowledging what is often a buried and silent, yet huge issue.

“Changes have to come from the Club rather than Team Durham” “This work, though, must go further…Drinking culture and the culture of initiations more generally can be incredibly damaging to members of our Durham community.

“My hope is that tangible actions come out of the University’s work on this. I will advocate for these to include investment in student leadership, a system which places whistleblowers at the centre and transparent discipline processes.”

University renews controversial contract with Mitie

Natasha Livingstone Deputy News Editor

The University has renewed their £5 million contract with Mitie Group Plc, a company accused of violating human rights.

The decision ignores significant student protest, largely organised

by Durham’s People and the Planet Society.

The divisive FTSE 250 strategic outsourcing company has been working with the University since 2010.

Mitie provides cleaning, landscaping and total security management in Durham, but is also the largest single private sector

provider of immigration detention centres in the UK. Last year, People and the Planet’s ‘Mitie Must Fall’ campaign criticised the firm’s management of their confinement facilities.

They cited reports of overcrowding, poor sanitation and hunger strikes.

In September 2017, BBC News reported that a Polish man detained at a Mitie-controlled immigration centre died in hospital four days after an attempted suicide.

In response, five college JCRs passed motions opposing the University’s relationship with Mitie, and Durham Students’ Union announced its decision “to publicly oppose and lobby against the Uni-

versity to ban future contracts with Mitie Group plc and similar companies operating detention centres”.

People and Planet also wrote two open letters to Vice-Chancellor Stuart Corbridge, and scribed chalk messages on Kingsgate Bridge to inform students about Mitie’s inhumane treatment of detainees.

The decision ignores significant student protest Since renewing the deal, the Vice-Chancellor has negated promises to work with People and the Planet to ensure Mitie behaves

ethically. The University has been unresponsive to messages attempting to arrange a meeting.

Bethany Holden, who organised last year’s campaign, told Palatinate: “It is disappointing that the University still does not realise the seriousness of this issue.

“I hope that they will soon take concrete action to demonstrate their commitment to protecting human rights and ensuring its procurement policy has benefit for the wider community, rather than simply considering financial issues.”

In response to an open letter urging the University not to renew its contract with the organisation, Vice-Chancellor Professor Stuart

Corbridge said: “On the subject of our contract with MITTIE, we will be reletting this contract in anticipation of its expiration via a competitive process in the near future.

“We will be asking all bidders to confirm their compliance with our CSER policies, including that related to the Modern Slavery Act.”

“

The University still does not realise the seriousness of the issue

”

4

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | PALATINATE

News

Durham academics rally against casual contracts Julia Atherley News Editor A group called ‘Durham Casuals’ has been set up to raise awareness of unfair working conditions at Durham University.

The group aims to expose the issues surrounding hourly-paid tutors, nine-month contracts, and overburdening PhD students.

Durham University prides itself on providing ‘research-led’ learning for undergraduates but the group claim that many casual staff are being forced to conduct this vital research unpaid.

“We don’t think of our students as customers”

Palatinate spoke to a member of ‘Durham Casuals’ who has asked to remain anonymous. He

is an hourly-paid tutor from the Arts and Humanities faculty who is eager to change the treatment of young academics in the university.

He told us the group was set up during the UCU strikes of last term as the collective action saw academics from across departments working together.

“The strikes were about much more than pensions,” he said. The group have stressed the importance of using the momentum of the strikes to provide real change for both staff and students.

The group has 95 members so far who are primarily from the Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences.

They are looking to get in contact with more casual staff from across the University. A quarter of the University staff are thought to be on casual contracts.

▲ ‘Durham Casuals’ logo (Twitter) He told me that he and many of his colleagues struggle to provide high-level teaching alongside focusing on their research.

“We don’t think of our students as customers,” he said, and stressed the difficulty of wanting to provide the best teaching whilst also only being paid often £3-4 to mark a student’s essays.

Speaking to Palatinate, a member of staff from the Business school highlighted the lack of

training given to casual staff and said, “They told us that the pro formas were more important since we didn’t have time to read the essays properly anyway.

“They essentially said that the grade didn’t really matter as long as the wording of the feedback matches the grade band.”

The group claim that many casual staff are being forced to conduct vital research underpaid

‘Durham Casuals’ aim is to work with the University to move towards better working conditions by talking honestly and openly about the experiences of staff.

Jon Bryan, Regional Support Official for the University and College Union (UCU), told Palati-

nate: “The uncertainty that comes with being ‘casual’ is often a great source of stress.

“We will be asking the University to tackle the issues being raised by the Durham Casuals. It cannot be right that 9-month contracts are being offered to staff when 12-month contracts would seem more appropriate and just.”

“

The uncertainty of being ‘casual’ is a great source of stress

”

Major infrastructure developments proposed by Durham University

Continued from front page ...South Road, which aims to ease congestion on the pavements of South Road.

Path improvements will be made between South Road and Elvet Hill Road, which will improve access for students at Trevelyan college.

The University wrote that “the creation of the new route will be achieved through widening existing paths” and “constructing new paths”.

The intake of Maths and Science students is set to double

In addition, there will be a second entrance for cars to the Mountjoy site via Hollingside

Lane.

A new car park of up to 250 spaces is also proposed at Upper Mountjoy, which will cancel any loss of existing spaces lost elsewhere in the Estate Masterplan.

Meanwhile, Durham County Council is looking to alleviate pedestrian traffic on Church Street by widening the pavement to three metres wide in places, thereby reducing the width of the road.

This development will be confirmed after a consultation with the local community in around two months’ time.

This would affect parking spaces on the street, the relocation of a bus stop and proposed changes to the Boyd Street junction.

Amelia McLoughlan, president of Durham Students with Disabilities Association, told Palatinate that it is crucial that the University

takes accessibility into account in their planning of new buildings and pathways.

McLoughlan said: “The University is going to undertake big changes, and they should employ personnel to organise accessibility.”

ranked in the top ten include Computer Science, Economics, Mathematics, Politics and Law.

while St. Andrews dropped to fifth place from third last year.

Loughborough, Lancaster, Warwick and UCL remain in the top 10.

The Complete University Guide ranks universities by their entry standards, student satisfaction, research quality, and graduate.

Professor Stuart Corbridge, Vice-Chancellor and Warden, Durham University, said: “Durham is one of the world’s great universities and one of the most distinctive.

“The University should employ personnel to organise accessibility”

She added that “If Durham is going to advertise the Durham Experience, then they need to make sure it is an inclusive experience.”

Residents have repeatedly expressed frustration with the expansion plans. A community forum held last month saw over 200 people gather together to scrutinise the plans puts forward.

▲ Graphics of proposed Upper Mountjoy developments: Durham University One resident at the forum comProfessor Stuart Corbridge told mented: “It is safe to say we’re an- attendees at the event that the gry. We are angry about this word University would need to “digest” ‘ambition’ and the greed.” the frustrations aired.

Durham ranked top for English and Music in Complete University Guide

Helena Snider Deputy News Editor Durham has retained its place as the 6th best university in the UK, according to the 2019 Complete University Guide.

Durham has 31 subjects achieving top ten listings, taking first place in the English and Music league tables in 2019.

Durham has 31 subjects achieving top listings

This is the fifth consecutive year in which Durham has been ranked top for English by the Guide.

Further subjects at Durham

Economics, Mathematics, Politics, Economics, Computer Science and Law also came in the top ten

The universities in the top ten have remained unchanged from last year’s table, although a few of them have changed positions.

Cambridge and Oxford retained their first and second places respectively.

The London School of Economics and Imperial College London both moved up a place, to third and fourth place respectively,

“Durham is one of the world’s great universities and one of the most distinctive”

“We aim to build on success with an ambitious strategy that is

seeing us invest in new facilities that will enhance research, teaching and the wider student experience while continuing to attract some of the world’s best academics to Durham. “Our success in in-

ternational and national rankings and league tables is something the whole University can be proud of.”

Peter Bonnett via Flickr

PALATINATE | Thursday 3rd May 2018

5

Kendrick Lamar Pulitzer Prize Page 6

Comment

►

Billy B’s library seat squeeze is just the beginning Zoë Boothby Durham claims to be a world-class University. In prospectuses, in its social media, in propaganda videos: validate me!, it begs.

But if Durham is indeed the world-class university it claims to be, then its resources should also be world-class. And although the University realises this standard in some areas, in others it fails spectacularly. With its planned expansion, this will only get worse.

No doubt you will have felt the squeeze in the Bill Bryson this term. You will have found yourself setting your alarm earlier than you did last year, or the year before. Get to the library after half nine, and your chances of finding a seat are slim-to-none. It feels like Billy B is bursting at the seams.

Yes, the library has always been busy during Easter term, but, as a decrepit fourth year, I can testify that it has never been this busy. I have never had to spend so much precious study time circling Level

3 like a vulture, waiting to snatch whatever place I can. “But we’ve created 100 new study spaces!

We’ve even added some to the DSU!” the University screams at us.

But what about the influx of 5,600 extra students you need to accommodate for over the next 10 years?

These infrastructure problems are only going to worsen as the University’s expansion continues. The absorption of Stockton campus, still not complete, has already resulted in a shortage of study spaces; on- and off-campus accommodation prices are through the roof.

Durham’s infrastructure problems will only get worse as the expansion continues The pressure to build more college accommodation is threatening the collegiate environment the University prides itself on. And this is before the potentially six new colleges to be founded by 2027: where will they go? One of these colleges has already been the subject of scrutiny, with Durham’s decision to auction off its naming to the highest bidder being rather unpopular.

And the concern of students is, of course, one small factor. Local residents have consistently expressed their outrage at the University’s disregard for the City that accommodates their institution. And it seems the City isn’t thriving like the University (supposedly) is: one only has to look at the recent closure of shops along Silver Street to see the potential impact that expansion has had on local businesses.

Durham is not just a university. It is first and foremost a city, a county, a place of historical importance, and home for tens of thousands of local residents. As students, we are far from the most important group in this region. Fresh out of school or gap years, thousands descend on the City annually and most leave again in three or four short years.

Though the University provide Photograph: Hana Kapetanovic

jobs and supports the local economy, we as individuals do not invest in the City long-term. Demand for student accommodation is forcing families out of the city centre and jeopardising Durham’s future.

Who is this University for? It doesn’t seem to be for students or local residents But, for once, it is the University, and not the students, who have exacerbated Durham’s ‘town/gown’ divide. Throughout this process, the University have stressed the importance of ‘working with’ and ‘listening to’ the local community; this, however, seems to be little more than lip-service.

It took local residents fifteen months to get the reception of the University they desired. And it seems likely that the University will, inevitably, do exactly what they want. If they haven’t listened to students complaining about accommodation hikes, why would they listen to their neighbours’ complaints about expansion? The recent forum, ‘University and City: Growing together’, could probably

have been more aptly titled ‘University and City: Growing apart’. “If you want to make Durham City into Durham Campus then we’ll bugger off,” one attendant remarked. It might be a bitter divorce.

Another resident asked: “Does the University have to be bigger to be better?” Durham’s track record would suggest not. The University already struggles to provide study spaces, affordable accommodation, adequate mental health provisions.

And this is not to mention the safety concerns associated with expansion that have already been flagged up in national press: the tragic death of a student earlier this year prompted The Guardian’s scathing criticism of the planned growth.

All of this begs the question: who is this University for? It doesn’t seem to be for students, and it definitely doesn’t seem to be for local residents. Durham wants to think globally, to compete on the world stage, as is its right as a university.

However, if this comes at the expense of this historic city, I dread to think the cost. If Durham University overstretches, it will fail not only itself, but also its student body and the local community.

The UCU strike’s legacy? I’ve forgotten already Rollo Speak

As swiftly as exams arrive, the memory of the UCU strikes fade.

Ultimately, for the employees, universities, and students, little has changed.

In April, when an agreement was finally reached, it seemed that UCU (University and College Union) had finally slain UUK (Universities UK), returning to Durham heroically with pensions inhand. Yet, it didn’t transpire that way. Everything surrounding that final settlement was suspiciously quiet. After staunchly defending academics and emphatically disagreeing with proposed cuts, The Guardian, the last bastion of defence for the university academic, remained eerily silent.

If we were to tally up the ‘achievements’ thus far, it must be noted that the current pension scheme won’t change until April 2019. However, this is the same position university staff would be in if they had simply accepted the pension changes. So, although the UCU and UUK will continue nego-

tiating over the next year, the Union haven’t stopped UUK from changing the pension scheme; it has simply postponed a certainty.

UCU haven’t changed the pension scheme, just postponed a certainty In fact, it might just be that the UCU have just given up. UCU rejected the first amended pension proposal in mid-March, accompanied by the many ascending to Twitter and vociferously tweeting #NoCapitulation in support. Those universities were really going to get it good for messing around with the pensions.

And yet, the mid-April agreement was effectively identical to the one they emphatically rejected a mere few weeks before. Interestingly, part of the ongoing discussions between UCU and UUK were about gaining state support and funding for the universities pension scheme. If anything says that even the UCU realises that the current pension system is unsustainable, it is that.

As such, the outcome seems bleak for academics. When considering why the strikes weren’t

as effective as hoped, it is crucial to think about how and why strikes work. To put it bluntly, strikes are most effective when they make people’s lives miserable. Strikes were effective in the 1970s for this reason. Schools and hospitals were closed. Rubbish lay strewn in the streets. 300 dead bodies piled up in Liverpool where, because of strike action, they lay unburied.

A more recent example might be the never-ending London Underground strikes. Why are they effective? Tens of thousands of people have their commutes played with.

As such, all those affected become very dissatisfied. Transport for London then have to deal with the ramifications, their call centres dealing with angry people screeching down the telephones, while piles of letters and emails sent by customers threaten law-suits and demand refunds.

To summarise, a successful strike hampers an institution twofold. It has to deal with the stress of the strike action itself as well as livid customers out for blood (perhaps not literally). And so, the theory goes, the institution then bows under the pressure.

Now, let’s compare the university strikes. The service being taken

away from students is minimal.

Students can just go and open their textbook and read the relevant chapter or look at lecture notes online. It is as if there was a London Underground strike, but there was another equally easy and efficient way to get to work. It is as if a 1970s strike caused a hospital to close, but there was another open hospital right next door. As a service-receiver, who would even care that there was a strike?

Most students would celebrate no lectures with a pint at the Swan It hasn’t affected us very much.

Fine, some students have been upset and have moaned to their friends and a very small minority might have even dared to send a gently worded email to the university to explain their frustration.

Compare the stress that the university will face to Transport for London, who have received non-stop abuse and death threats over every possible line of communication from commuters. That’s the first problem.

The second problem concerns the standard student psyche. Stu-

Photograph: Magnus Hagdorn via Flickr

dents are easy-going. Many (if not the boring ones who study Law) would celebrate the lack of lectures with a lazy morning of Netflix and some pints at the Swan in the afternoon. This may be an exaggeration, but students are not, as a group, bothered. They don’t care enough to consult lawyers and see if they could sue the university. They aren’t bothered enough to make angry phone calls to the administration. I’d know. I’m one of them.

These two reasons compound and create the worst possible environment for strikers hoping to effect meaningful change. The last thing that strikers would want is for the disruption to be met with complete indifference. For students to look up from Instagram just long enough to ask “You’re striking – so what? Who cares?”

PALATINATE | Thursday 3rd May 2018

6

Comment

Kendrick’s Pulitzer Prize – about DAMN. time Madeleine Cater

Kendrick Lamar has won the 2018 Pulitzer Prize for Music for his latest album DAMN. Awarded for his “virtuosic song collection” that “offers affecting vignettes capturing the complexity of modern AfricanAmerican life”, this is a landmark win.

Lamar is the first rapper to ever win the Prize for Music. In fact, his is the first genre outside of classical music (and occasionally jazz) to ever have won the prize. So, then, also the first musician to ever have won for any form of mainstream, popular music.

As a result, everybody is talking about it. The significance of Lamar’s win is twofold: by awarding rap music in a category which has been dominated by niche classical music, the Pulitzer is acknowledging rap’s dominance and its influence on much of the American population.

And, more importantly, Lamar’s award does much to acknowledge the significance of specifically black American experience. In a climate in which many young black people feel their lives don’t matter to America’s

political and historical institutions, Lamar’s award could offer some welcome respite.

The debate Lamar’s victory has provoked has been widespread.

Some have applauded the Pulitzer for acknowledging rap music; others have suggested that it was a tactical decision by the board to attempt to reconnect with a new generation of musicians. Some have argued that Lamar should have been awarded the Prize for Literature, as rap is a modern progression of poetry; even more have stated that the award has just come too late.

Lamar is the first rapper to ever win the Prize for Music

Lamar’s music, and rap music more generally, has been dominating the music scene since long before DAMN.’s release in 2017. In fact, many have suggested that, if anything, the Pulitzer should have actually given the Prize to Lamar’s 2015 album To Pimp a Butterfly.

It is important to remember that black rap music, and black artists more generally, have been excelling in America for far longer than

critical recognition would suggest.

Just because Lamar has been awarded the Pulitzer now, doesn’t mean he hasn’t been an incredibly talented artist for a long time.

The award acknowledges the significance of the black American experience

I think this is where the problem for many people lies. His win now is almost galling – now that the ‘powers that be’ have deemed a rap artist eligible for their prize, he can get it. The rhetoric surrounding his win is representative of a wider endemic problem, both in America and globally.

People have expressed frustration that it is only now, in 2018, that black artists are being recognised on the stages that have been hitherto dominated by white men. That people have had to fight for their right to be judged alongside white artists, and that their wins are then undermined by those who argue them to be an ideological promotion of multiculturalism.

Kendrick Lamar deserved to win because his music satisfies all the criteria stipulated by the Pulitzer board and, most importantly, was

the best. “Distinguished musical composition” is how the Pulitzer describes the Music category, which certainly describes Lamar’s album.

DAMN. is a testament to the variety of life, and illustrates the complexities young black Americans face in a world of prejudice and police brutality.

It is also important, however, to remember that Lamar’s work is not representative of every black American reality. Though his music at points deals with the life of a black American man, it is largely informed by his own unique experience, his personal feelings. To hold up one individual as representative of an entire demographic is regressive, and only serves to remove individuality.

Visibility is important for rap to be recognised

However, what we must take away from this award is the visibility that black rap will gain as a result. It has come far too late, but its direct competition with classical music will help to continue its legitimisation in the upper echelons of the music world.

Lamar winning, and in particular

Kenny Sun via Flickr

winning a prize that has historically excluded black musical forms (the first black musician to win the Prize was in 1996), will help to instil a confidence in young black musicians that their experiences and the way that they represent them in music are respected.

Visibility is important. The more that black musicians, artists, authors and playwrights finally gain the acknowledgment and credence for their work that they deserve, the wider the audience their work will receive, and the stigmatisation of black forms of art will be eliminated.

While it is far too late for rap to be finally winning this type of recognition, the winning itself can only be a good thing.

HAVE A DIFFERENT OPINION?

Tell us what you think by emailing us at comment@palatinate.org. uk.

Humanities and science degrees are both worthwhile Saiorse Walsh

“But what are you going to do with an English degree?” Cue narrowed eyes; probably some poorly masked condescension. Most humanities students will be familiar with this moment in one guise or another.

There is an implicit but increasingly widespread tendency to see humanities degrees as redundant, or at least far transcended by the ‘worth’ of a science or technology-oriented degree.

Such misperceived superiority is, however, both unsupported and damaging.

The tacit suspicion of Arts and Humanities can be linked to the rapid scientific and technological developments of modern society.

These developments are a triumph and credit to humanity, but they have also spurred some less attractive behavioral phenomena.

For one, modern culture is characterised by speed and immediacy. This fixation on efficiency is an almost Darwinian urge, that has transmuted into a sphere where the exclusive focus on productivity has come to evolve its own problems.

The attention span of a millennial is, by and large, appallingly diminished. It is now not only possible but customary to consume content at a meteoric rate — we take in a vast amount of information which is, for the most part, purely superficial. Accompanying this absence of depth is the threat of inaccuracy.

The plethora of sources we consult and encounter has led to an effective crisis of reputability. In our rapid ingestion of information, most of us fail to pause and question the bias or authority of what we see.

Modern technology has bred a generation with their heads stuck in ‘the cloud’. We flit and scroll from page to page, from app to app; rarely spending more than a few seconds on any one issue or image.

People assume that science degrees are ‘worth’ more

Ironically, it is perhaps the Arts and Humanities — often designated as ‘escapist’ — that provide the most copious opportunity for us to ‘ground’ ourselves. That is, to pause, to focus and to question things at a deeper level.

More pressingly, the technological age and its efficiency fixation has encouraged a tendency

to view human activity through the rigidly polarised lens of practical/ impractical. This both mirrors and informs the idea of an art/science dichotomy. As with any dichotomy, this inevitably involves hierarchy and restriction.

The humanities allow us to expand our awareness of who we are

We need to abandon this antagonistic struggle of superiority and stop thinking it is Sciences vs. Humanities. Let’s stop making judgments about the ‘worth’ of one discipline over another. Instead, we need to look at the inherent values of both subjects.

We should consider the two disciplines not as competing poles with one bound to dominate, but rather as dynamic fields; complementary, mutually enhancing, and equally essential.

To function in society, we need to embrace the distinctive strengths from both the worlds of science and art.

Once this arbitrary polarising tendency is abandoned, the inherent value of the arts can emerge.

Arts and Humanities celebrate the indispensability of creativity as a part of human life. They are

not ‘worthwhile’ in the blandly utilitarian sense of the practical advancement we have come to place nearly exclusive emphasis on, but they shape our world in another vital way.

Studying the Humanities prompts a different kind of development — the development of a society and culture at its deeper, most fundamental levels. The ideas and themes explored constitute the very fabric of our culture. Art, as well as science, thereby not only informs but creates our reality; shapes the world. It can express our most pressing dilemmas, telescope the overwhelming nature of our shared human experience and prompt us to better understand ourselves.

There is another point that confirms the need to retain an active interest in arts and humanities. They offer, in their powerful relation to human nature,

Abhi Sharma via Wikimedia

something that is as permanent as humanity itself.

This takes on significance in light of the necessary recognition that the science and technology of our current times is not infallible.

If history has taught us anything, it is that our most unshakable beliefs will eventually be tested and destabilised.

The currently dominant ‘scientific’ world-view, which goes hand in hand with the denigration of the arts, is highly coherent, impressive and, undoubtedly incredibly useful.

But no matter how compelling, it is naive to see the scientific paradigm as unshakeable.

The humanities can therefore be perceived as ‘practically’ productive in important respects, helping us to preserve and develop our attention to detail and clarity of thought. But beyond this, the humanities carry profound importance in their ability to expand our awareness of how we think and who we are.

In the words of the wonderful Robin Williams: “We read and write poetry because we are members of the human race. And the human race is filled with passion. And medicine, law, business, engineering, these are noble pursuits and necessary to sustain life. But poetry, beauty, romance, love, these are what we stay alive for.”

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | PALATINATE

7

Politics

This Week in Politics: News in Brief London Stabbings Crisis

Peace in Korea?

Welsh Leadership Change

End of Castro Leadership

County Council Elections

Leo Barnes

Rhodri Sheldrake Davies

Weiling Tay

Sarina Rivlin-Sanders

Hefin Rees Edwards

Raul Castro, the 18th President of Cuba, has stepped down from the presidency after twelve years as de facto leader of the Communist state.

Castro assumed the presidency officially in 2008, but had occupied the office since 2006 after his brother and revolutionary leader of the Cuban Revolution, Fidel, became too ill to continue in the role.

This news comes after Castro announced his intention to relinquish the role in December last year. However, he will remain at the helm of Cuba’s ruling Communist Party as its First Secretary, with Miguel Diaz-Canel ascending to the presidency.

On May 3rd a fresh batch of 15 councilllors will be elected to represent the population of Durham.

After Labour’s bloodied nose in last year’s election cycle, they will be looking to capitalise on dissatisfaction with the Government on national issues. The Liberal Democrats on the other hand will focus on their close contact with local issues and the EU. The Greens will look to pander to more traditional student bases in the seat. Meanwhile, the Conservatives have taken a radical stance on university expansion and will look to take student votes with their tough perspective.

Palatinate will be publishing an online article to follow with candidate statements, so keep your eyes peeled for that.

Stabbing crimes have reached a new high in London, surpassing New York City.

Over 60 murder cases have been opened by the Metropolitan police in 2018, as high-harm crimes increase across England and Wales.

Most victims are young black men and boys.

Although Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd and Minister for Police Nick Hurd initially denied that police funding cuts were a major factor, leaked Home Office documents implied otherwise, attracting criticism from Labour figures.

The increase since 2012 has also been attributed to gangs, drugs, and the internet, with many school-children carrying knives to feel protected, or as status symbols.

Once a nuclear chain reaction has started it is hard to stop. The same is true in North Korea.

On April 20th North Korean state media announced that the regime would stop nuclear and missile tests and close a nuclear testing facility. This comes ahead of talks with South Korean President Moon Jae-in. Analysts say this is an announcement that Kim Jong Un feels confident the weapons that North Korea already have will work without further testing.

The nuclear site was damaged in recent experiments and its closure may have been inevitable.

Therefore, the news was greeted with sceptical acclaim, despite the recent peace declaration.

Carwyn Jones is set to step down from his position as First Minister for Wales and Welsh Labour Leader in the autumn after a surprise announcement at the Welsh Labour conference in Llandudno.

Jones has held the position since 2009, and the death of Labour AM Carl Sargeant appears to have been a catalyst for his decision with Jones saying he had been through “the darkest of times”.

Plaid Cymru leader Leanne Wood paid tribute to Jones but also called for a change of government as “rearranging the deckchairs will not deliver the change we need.”

AK Rockefeller via Flickr

E-Achieve Ltd via Flickr

driver Photographer via Flickr

David Seaton via Flickr

UKTI via Flickr

Tories on Windrush: callous or incompetent?

Charlotte Alt Former Home Secretary Amber Rudd became the highest-profile casualty of the Windrush scandal that has engulfed the Conservative Government.

Windrush has been at the forefront of political debate since Theresa May rejected a formal diplomatic request extended by representatives of 12 Caribbean countries to discuss immigration

problems of the Windrush-generation.

This issue increasingly calls into question the Government’s competence in the establishment and enforcement of immigration policy.

The Windrush-generation refers to the thousands of immigrants (primarily from the Caribbean) who arrived in Britain between 1948-1972, encouraged by the British Government to reduce la-

bour shortages in rebuilding Britain after the Second World War. Following Caribbean independence, the Windrush-generation in Britain were accepted as legal immigrants, the Government however failed to provide necessary paperwork proving their immigration status.

Despite being unable to prove their legal status, they could work, access NHS services and rent property.

Windrush has been at the forefront of political debate for two weeks now

In 2012 however, Theresa May, then Home Secretary, adopted an immigration policy aiming “to create here in Britain a really hostile environment for illegal migration.”

This meant that immigrants were required to prove their immigration status when renting property, opening bank accounts, or accessing state services. This was part of an effort to reduce immigration by the thousands and has been reflective of the government’s attitudes towards immigra▲ Amber Rudd has resigned as Home Secretary tion since.

Ministerstwo Spraw Wewnętrznych i Administracji via Flickr This 2012 policy wrongly affected the Windrush-generation,

a great number of whom suddenly found themselves branded ‘illegal immigrants’, out of work, unable to rent property, and subjected to forced emigration.

The Guardian started writing about such cases six months ago, yet the government remained blissfully ignorant or uncaring. Only in the last ten days did former Home Secretary Amber Rudd respond to the ensuing scandal.

Rudd apologised for “any confusion or anxiety felt,” vowing to grant them UK citizenship, as she stated they were living in Britain legally and should not have to go through such an ordeal. But the question remains: why they did have to experience this ordeal; was it governmental incompetence or callous immigration policies?

Why did the have to experience this ordeal?

Rudd apologised for her ignorance towards the issue saying she should have recognised the problem sooner. Although naturally mistakes happen, this was certainly avoidable. The government, in desperately trying to decrease immigration numbers, failed to consider long-term or small-scale effects.

This desperate desire to alienate all but the British from living in their country, lost sight of possible consequences, none of which should have come as a surprise.

Lost sight of possible consequences, none of which should have come as a surprise

Adding to the unnecessary ignorance, is an uneasy sense of callousness, shown by Rudd admitting that British immigration policy has become too concerned with “strategy and sometimes loses sight of the individual,” or May’s refusal to hold a meeting concerning issues of the Windrush-generation.

It seems that since 2012 immigration policy has been unconsidered and ineffective, reflective of wider governmental incompetence.

It is clear that with more consideration, understanding, competence and compassion, this ordeal could have been avoided for the estimated 50,000 Commonwealthborn people currently living in the UK without the paperwork to prove their legality.

PALATINATE | Thursday 3rd May 2018

8

Politics

Gove’s green crusade: Bottle job? Labour’s Antisemitism Henry R.J. Warner Michael Gove has declared allout war on plastic waste. A new scheme, which will see consumers paying extra for drinks in plastic bottles, has been announced in response to the global plastic waste problem.

A systematic problem which needs to be tackled at a production level A small deposit will be added to

the cost of plastic bottles which can be redeemed upon them being returned to “reverse vending machines”. The scheme is designed to encourage consumers to recycle by directly incentivising it as well as raising awareness of the growing issue.

Critics, however, argue that these measures won’t even make a dent and that the unfair increase in drink prices and the cost to the tax payer are not justified by this superficial solution to the complex problem of plastic waste.

In a 2017 post Greenpeace blogger, Louisa Casson, explained that: “The sheer amount of plastic that has been generated in the past 60 years is mind-boggling. New research shows that we’ve produced plastic as heavy as 1 billion elephants since the 1950s.”

Michael Gove has declared all out war on plastic waste

Greenpeace argues that plastic waste is a systemic problem which needs to be tackled at a production level. Despite consistently arguing that this kind of approach might not be effective Greenpeace backed the move by Gove back in September of last year.

Critics, however, argue that these measures won’t even make a dent

Edu_Employers via Flickr

For now, it looks like these plans will go ahead but with the recent sugar tax the increasing tax on bottled drinks might see green initiatives such as this lose public support and harm the movement. The empirical question of whether it will work is one that only time can answer.

Tom Mitchell Writing an article in the New Statesman on Wednesday, Len McCluskey called foul-play: “a few dozen Labour MPs…appear to wake up each morning thinking only: ‘how can I undermine Jeremy Corbyn today?’”

McCluskey appears to be auditioning for a role in mainstream politics, demonstrating no interest at all in a trade union movement, which is suffocating under his leadership. Unfortunately for him, he misread the script.

Blunders like this are the facade of a much more sinsiter trend

The truth is that Corbyn’s allies are doing an excellent job of undermining themselves.

Take, for example, Labour MP Valerie Vaz’s astonishing misunderstanding (one hopes) of the term antisemitism during an interview on Radio 4: “[Jeremy Corbyn]’s been steeped in antisemitism… we must make sure we continue to show people we are an antisemitic party”.

The trouble for Corbyn is that careless blunders like this are the

Tom Bulley via Flickr

facade of a much more sinister trend.

He was exposed by The Times as having belonged to three Facebook groups in which anti-Semitic conspiracy theories, including Holocaust denial, are virulent. Corbyn’s rise to leadership was significantly assisted by these groups.

It also emerged that Corbyn objected in 2012 when a local authority in east London removed a street mural (above) with an unambiguously antisemitic message.

It was not mere sedition when the Board of Deputies of British Jews and the Jewish Leadership Council issued an open letter accusing Mr Corbyn of siding with antisemites, and McCluskey should be ashamed of suggesting it was.

Profile “We can’t just hide our heads in the sand and think it’s someone else’s issue” Profile talks to Durham for Refugees about creating a safe and welcoming environment for refugees Izzy Ardron Profile Editor Like many people, my impression of the refugee crisis was overwhelmingly formed from the pictures of overcrowded boats and camps on Greek beaches, which seemed remote, contained in newspaper print and online.

This media-inspired “pessimistic stance” of “it’s so far away, we can’t do anything” is one of the many attitudes Durham for Refugees are hoping to change.

Co-presidents Alannah Travers and Amy Hawkin tell me that they have been supporting refugees in the local area, including communities in Gilesgate, Chester-LeStreet and Crook amongst others, for two years.

Although this is their first year as an official society, the pair describe how “it’s really taken off”, an evaluation of their progress which I learn that, if anything, is an understatement.

They describe the number of people “keen to help out” as “way beyond our expectation”. They stress that, despite the current issues surrounding diversity at

Durham, welcoming refugees is something “Durham students have done particularly well”.

With this help, as well as that of Durham locals, DfR organises events to help refugees meet the Durham community, in addition to organising logistical support sorting donations, and aid trips abroad to refugee camps.

“Actually, we can be going out and helping these people”

DfR also volunteer at local conversation classes, telling me that although “the government provide a small amount of teaching at the [local sixth form] colleges” of around two hours per week, “it’s nowhere near enough to fully integrate into society”.

Rather than taking a (wellearned!) break between exams and the summer aid trips, DfR have taken on the ambitious task of running a summer Festival, taking place at Chad’s on 9th June.

The Festival will feature music from a number of local bands, including The Wayfarers, and The

Crossings, made up of refugees from Newcastle.

In addition, the Festival will offer talks in the chapel including presentations from Emad Raad, a Syrian refugee and upcoming TED speaker, and Robert Cohen, discussing Palestinian solidarity from a Jewish perspective.

When I ask Amy and Alannah about what the Festival hopes to achieve – “fun!” is one response – they emphasise that the main aim is “bringing people together”.

What strikes me most in discussing the Festival is the support they have received from around Durham.

I ask if the refugees they work with have felt welcomed to the community, and their answer is overwhelmingly positive. They tell me “the integration is just so easy”, with the local community “so keen to integrate”.

They describe the support from counter-protestors at the November “wonderful” the support from counter-protesters at the November demonstration, with the “love for refugees” from the community their abiding message.

According to an article in The

Guardian in March 2017, Gateshead is one of five local authorities nationally to have pledged to take over 500 Syrian refugees, whilst County Durham is home to the 3rd largest refugee population in the North-East, according to figures taken from the BBC. Despite the North East’s “amazing” role in taking refugees, Amy and Alannah still feel that there is more that could be done.

Alannah describes it as “ridiculous” that more refugees are not being accepted into the country and laments that “we could have done more to prevent” the situation in Syria. The pair reject the

temptation to think “it’s such a big issue, there’s nothing anyone can do about it”.

Instead, their attitude is one of emphasising “actually, we can be going out and helping these people”.

Their impressively broad approach – from aid trips abroad to local cookery classes, and a proposed kids’ club for next year – demonstrates the impact of such a driven mentality.

Amy and Alannah tell me that their next project, the Festival, will be “amazing”, and given their frankly inspirational work so far, it’s impossible to doubt them.

Local and student volunteers (Durham for Refugees)

FEATURES 9

Thursday, 3 May 2018

Mental health: More Important than Ever At the end of last term DUBC raised £3,600 for Mind – Features discusses the significance of continuing the conversation during exam season

By Rosie Dowsing Features Editor features@palatinate.org.uk

E

xam season gets to us all. As the sun begins to emerge for what feels like the first time in 2018, students retreat further and further into studying. It is the only time when getting to the library at 9am is just too late to find a seat, and many of us begin to wish we had worked just a little bit harder throughout the year.

Exam season may be a time to set yourself targets, consolidate your knowledge and prove your ability, but the pressure can grow incessantly and amount to feeling like a dense cloud just waiting to burst.

There is no doubt that millennials are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues Mental health has been an issue raised frequently in the past few years, both through university support policies and larger efforts to raise awareness on a national level. Last year the official charity of the London Marathon was Heads Together, which gave mental health the platform it needed for destigmatisation and positive change. Durham’s very own DUCFS also recognized the important cause and raised £106,000 for Mind this year.

Depression, anxiety and panic attacks are just some of the problems that can arise when so much is at stake during exam season. This may have always been the case, but there is no doubt that millennials are at a higher risk of developing mental health issues. When mixed with socially prescribed perfectionism and personal ambitions, the financial pressure of university fees, unpredictable futures and an impossible housing market, it inevitably takes its toll on our student generation.

Exams may be important, but so is our health At an institutional level, there remains more to be done. However, with only a week to go until exams, students should first focus on themselves and their wellbeing. Exams may be important, but so is our health.

Day to day, there are many simple activities that can enrich body and mind without requiring too much commitment or money. A walk along the river, a coffee with a friend, a morning yoga routine or attending evening classes such as life drawing in the DSU. More importantly, talk about how you’re feeling. The University provides counselling services, and

chatting to friends about it is a big help. After all, a problem shared can often be a problem halved.

The walk took place in memory of Finn Abberton While many students used their last Sunday before the much anticipated Easter Term to revise or finish dissertations, Durham University Boat Club did something hugely positive with regards to Mental Health awareness. They walked 24 miles over the course of 8 hours along the River Wear, raising over £3,600 for the Mental Health Charity, Mind. The walk took place in memory of team-member and friend Finn Abberton, who sadly passed away in December.

added, “it was a very special day for everyone involved.

The blisters and aching muscles were all worthwhile for the fish and chips by the sea.”

The 30 DUCB members and friends who walked from Durham to Roker did something incredibly special. Not only did they quadruple their £750 target by raising money for a charity close to Finn’s heart, but they also sent a message to students during a crucial time in the year. With the £3,600 raised, Mind will be able to continue supporting those who suffer from mental health illnesses so that no one has to feel alone.

DUCB quadrupled their £750 target, raising £3,600 overall for the Mental Heatlh Charity, Mind

“On Sunday 22nd April, past and present members of DUBC and countless others came together to honour the memory of recent alumnus Finn Abberton, a treasured family, friend and teammate,” said organiser Gabi Hatfield.

The tips for exam season pictured below have been provided by patient.info, an NHS accredited health website.

Their bonus tip: embrace the stress. If you weren’t nervous during exam time, you wouldn’t be human.

“The number of people who took part was testament to what an incredible person Finn was,” Gabi

(Illustrations by @rhealeyart)

VISUAL ARTS Thursday, 3 May 2018

10

A paintbrush, not a pill: RT Projects, Durham

By Anna Thomas Deputy Visual Arts Editor deputy.visualarts@palatinate.org.uk

B

eano signs off his emails ‘Sunshine&Birds’. The first time he replied, it made me laugh at myself. I think mine had said ‘Yours sincerely’.

Beano is one of those people who can turn the world on its head with a grin. He runs sessions at RT Projects, an art therapy charity, in Gilesgate.

It is an oasis of calm and colour, hidden inside a little grey bungalow.

RT Projects is an oasis of calm and colour, hidden inside a little grey bungalow I popped into an ‘Open Art Surgery’ to chat to him about paint, mental health, and all things arty.

It’s quite often a snobby thing, art. Conversations about it, and especially modern art, usually go one of two ways: ‘why the XYZ would you pay XYZ for that?!’ or ‘a bit of chewing gum, three nails and a toothbrush on the floor is not art’.

But art can be a method as much as it is a product. It is easy to forget how to participate in ‘Art’ when it seems so impervious, so exclusive, and so enigmatic. Beano himself notes these barriers that art poses. This conversation, however, took place in a room wallpapered with art, both famous and home grown.

Art can be a method as much as it is a product RT Projects focuses on achievement. As I looked around there were silk paintings, acrylic paintings, sketches, doodles and a complete sense of focus. The thing that struck me the most was how people reclaimed art for themselves and made it their own.

Francisco de Goya (18th Century Spanish painter, not a cheery man) etched ‘The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters’ sometime around 1798. The epigraph to this monoprint reads: “Fantasy abandoned by reason produces impossible monsters: united with her (reason), she (fantasy) is the mother of the arts and the origin of their marvels.”

I know nothing about Spanish political history (it’s allegorical, apparently), but I do think that his epigraph is a nice way of approaching art. A little logic and a little imagination put together can achieve brilliant things.

“Art is a communication tool”

‘My Madness Rose’, Image Credits: RT Projects Durham

This is where Goya meets Gilesgate. ‘My Madness Rose’ is the name of a monoprint done by a young woman who attends RT Projects’ sessions to help manage her mental health. She’s switched a laptop for paper and pens and broken the black and white with some colour.

But the point still stands. Whether mid-summative stress or representing more serious struggles, it’s a relatable picture for an invisible feeling.

Monoprint ‘The Sleep of Reason Produces Monsters’ Image Credits: Flickr via Creative Commons

Beano reminds me that “Art is a communication tool” first and foremost. He adds that it is RT project’s “duty as facilitators” to ‘ground their clients’s lives around the art”. Most clients walk into RT Projects as people experiencing difficulties. They leave calling themselves ‘artists’ – not necessarily because they are aspiring Picassos, but because they are learning to communicate through art.

A little logic and a little imagination put together can achieve brilliant things RT Projects, in an afternoon, showed me how realistic aims can achieve brilliant things. With exams looming over us all, take a pinch of salt and inspiration from Beano and his team – more Sunshine&Birds and not too much Yours Sincerely.

For more information see: https://rtprojects.org.uk

CREATIVE WRITING / BOOKS 11

Thursday, 3 May 2018

Blurring the Lines: Fahad Al-Amoudi

By Alex Leggatt Books Editor books@palatinate.org.uk

B

ooks editor, Alex Leggatt, sits down with spoken word artist and Durham student Fahad Al-Amoudi .

Do you make a distinction between ‘spoken word artists’ and ‘poets’ in the more general sense?

Not necessarily. Yes, spoken word poetry is of course a subset of poetry as an overall artform, but I’ve seen a lot of spoken word poets do what you may call traditional page poetry. I read a lot of page poetry for writing tips and inspiration; it can be really helpful. The lines between the two are more blurred than people realise and often artists borrow from each other’s styles.

Is that a negative thing?

People often engage with songs but not understand its contexts or its backgrounds – they’ll sing lyrics that they don’t really understand. Spoken word poetry and slam poetry both have a rich history; a long tradition of being a working class and ethnic minority platform for those who have never been heard, in a similar way to hip hop. Just like with hip-hop, spoken word poetry has now taken off.

Hip hop is now pop culture, and spoken word will never be pop culture, but it is growing thanks to people like Kate Tempest, and also Warsan Shire, whose spoken word pieces influenced Beyoncé’s album, Lemonade, and has exposed spoken word to a new audience.

How important is delivery in spoken word? Do you put more emphasis on content or the style of delivery?

I think that finding the balance between the two is the most difficult thing. I’ve seen a lot of spoken word artists who are wonderful performers, and the effect of their work lies in their performance; you have to be there to experience it. However, the reason I don’t try to emphasise performance as much is because when I’m doing something intricate with the words, I find it hard to emphasise both the content and the performance at the same time. I’m still trying to find the right balance: at the moment, content is the most important, and my performance skills are not as strong This is something I’ve been working on with the Durham Slam team by watching other universities perform. Ultimately, a 50/50 balance between content and style is the goal.

How important is spoken word in an increasingly intolerant and divided political world? Can you hope to change hearts and minds through poetry?

It’s the same thing as asking if music is should be a space for political engagement. Yes, it is a great platform but it’s not an obligation; if you feel that you should speak on the subject, then by all means.

There are people who do it really well: champions of social justice or political issues who write poetry in very clever and intricate ways that have a powerful message that can really impact you. However, there is a worry that if it is forced it can come across as a rant rather than a poem, and the art is lost. I’d like to say that I do write with a political edge quite often, and hopefully it comes across more as poetry than as a rant. The worry can be that it becomes a self-congratualting loop rather than a piece of work that provokes interesting and challenging thought.

With people like Kate Tempest bringing spoken word poetry into the mainstream, why do you think it is so popular at the moment?

The honest answer? Personally, I think it’s because middle class white kids have discovered it.

realised the poetry I was producing now was not the “Cat-in-the-Hat” rhymes I had done previously, it was starting to change and mature. It was only until coming to Durham that I actually wrote my first two pieces, which I performed in November, and they went really well. Now I’ve joined the Slam team. So really, I’ve only been doing spoken word for six months now, but it has just snowballed into what I’m doing now.

Is it more intimidating to perform your poems as opposed to publishing them in print, since you can see how your audience responds?

I think it is the opposite: I’d hate the fact that someone would read something that I’ve written and interpret it in a different tone to the one I was trying to convey through emphasis on certain words. This can be lost when the poetry isn’t spoken aloud. It is nerve-wracking, though … I thought I was going to pass out before my first performance!

What is the performance/poem you are most proud of?

Photograph by Tyrone Lewis

How do you view the relationship between spoken word and hip hop? Does hip hop have a big influence on your work?

Ironically, hip hop is more an influence than actual spoken words artists, and that is because of my focus on rhyming. Hip hop taught me how to rhyme, how words work and how to break them down into sounds that have a particular effect. MF Doom and his unreal rhyme schemes have been a massive influence on me; I’ve been trying to write a piece which incorporates the sheer number of rhymes he uses in a single sentences, and I realised how hard it is! When it comes to narration, wordplay (such as intricate metaphors) and story-telling in a cohesive album, there are three people I believe are the best at it: Lupe Fiasco, Kendrick Lamar and Andre 3000.

When did you start writing poetry and performing slam poetry? Were you self-consciousness when you first started to write?

Yes. I starting writing poetry when I was ten years old, and it took me two years to actually read out a poem to people, but it gave me a degree of confidence. At around thirteen or fourteen I stopped writing poetry altogether, and I started moving towards short stories and screen plays just for fun. No matter what I do in life I will always write. I can’t imagine a future not writing in some way. Then, I started getting very self-conscious about my work, and I wouldn’t show it to anyone. At seventeen, my friend and I founded a creative writing magazine at school, where I published some of my poetry. I

None. Everything can be improved. I look back at everything I’ve done and always see improvements; I don’t think there will ever be a piece that I can be really happy with. If I had to choose a poem I most enjoy performing, then it would be ‘I could’ve’, because although I think the content could do with some editing, I think I got the tone right. It’s great to watch audience’s reactions to it.

How do you view the importance of collaboration in spoken word?

I wouldn’t be the poet I am today without collaboration, there’s no way. I have two friends, Danny and Nikita: the former has been my most savage editor since secondary school who would always push me to do better. Nikita is the person who pushed me up on stage and forced me to get my stuff out there through magazines and open mics.

Here in Durham, the Slam team has been amazing. Our captain, Kym, acts like an aunt to all of us, and fosters talent among us. It has been my dream to incorporate poetry and jazz and I was able to realise that dream after meeting Sander and Finlay at Thorn in November. We’ve only practiced twice but things are already going really well and I am looking forward to where we go next.

Where do you see the future of slam poetry?

I see it ebbing and flowing. I don’t want to say that spoken word’s popularity is permanent, and I worry about its popularity diminishing in the future, and coming into the public consciousness at different times. There is a chance that the current popularity could be permanent, and it could keep increasing with poets like Rudy Fransico getting massive public exposure by performing on Saturday Night Live, or Kate Tempest performing at music festivals such as Glastonbury. At the moment, I don’t know where the future is headed, but if there’s enough good talent out there, I don’t see why it can’t keep growing in popularity.

FILM & TV Thursday, 3 May 2018

12

Latino Representation on Screen

By Chloe Scaling film@palatinate.org.uk

A

part from holidays to Spain as a child and building houses in Mexico before I’d thought critically about ‘voluntourism’, I don’t have a connection to either Spain or Latin America. But from the moment I started learning Spanish at school, I loved it. I didn’t end up studying Spanish at university for various reasons and part of me regrets that: I miss speaking it, hearing it and being able to read a book in Spanish.

Recently I’ve found several shows which have reminded me of my love for Spanish. Not only that, but when it comes to the media, representation matters and Latinx representation on American TV seems to be a new phenomenon.

When it comes to representation, TV still has a long way to go. We rarely see Hispanic characters living their lives in stories which aren’t about them being Hispanic. An exception to this is Brooklyn Nine-Nine, as Santiago and Diaz are normal features of the precinct. The characters don’t have to be Hispanic, but the fact that they’re not white means the cast is more representative of the population of America. More programmes like these, which show Latinx people living normal lives, but also address the struggles they face, are a breath of fresh air and sorely in need.

TV still has a long way to go in terms of representation....

Firstly, Jane the Virgin provides insights into Latin American culture as, by nature, it’s a telenovela. Now in its fourth season, I don’t want to give much away about the plot: if you decide to watch it, try to avoid spoilers. Telenovelas are the Hispanic equivalent of soap operas, but way more dramatic than British soaps. This is definitely the case with Jane because every episode seems to end on a cliffhanger. It’s not just a telenovela though: the narrator of the show constantly reminds the viewer of that: Jane can be seen as a parody of the telenovela genre, or at least the most self-aware show around. Another feature of the show is magical realism, the great Hispanic literary genre which produced the book we read for A level. The eponymous Jane sees posters winking and her fantasies or inner thoughts manifest in front of her.

‘One Day at a Time’ doesn’t show the family of immigrants to be perfect, model citizens: they’re simply normal people living their lives As well as showcasing these two elements of Latin culture, Jane the Virgin is bilingual, with Jane’s abuela, or grandma, a first-generation Venezuelan immigrant to Florida, barely speaking English on screen. I’m surprised to find I rarely need to read the subtitles to understand what Alba is saying. Perhaps they write her dialogue to be simple enough that people like me who have a bit of Spanish can understand, but it makes me so happy to understand her.

More programmes which show Latinx people living normal lives, but also addresses the struggles they face, are a breath of fresh air and sorely in need Sharing some of its cast with Jane is Netflix’s One Day at a Time. This sitcom follows a Cuban family, complete with abuela played by Rita Moreno (who is fabulous), as they navigate the stresses and strains of life in America, getting through one day at a time. Aside from being hilarious and wholesome, what makes the show is its ability to tackle serious issues. In two seasons, they’ve looked at issues of gender and sexuality, immigration, racism, guns and class. You wouldn’t think this would be possible in a sitcom, but it really works. It doesn’t show this family of immigrants to be perfect, model citizens, nor does it perpetuate negative stereotypes: they’re simply normal people living their lives.

Film and TV considers Latino representation: is its current form the right kind?

Photograph by SexyAndHotTV. via Flickr

TRAVEL Thursday, 3 May 2018

13

Taking the scenic route through revision Work breaks are important, so why not spend them outdoors?

By Sam Sandham travel@palatinate.org.uk

I

t’s Easter term, and you’re in the middle of revision, or still doing summatives if your lecturers have no soul. While you’ve probably procrastinated too much already, we all know it is important to take breaks if you are to work effectively. As well as the usual pastimes of Durham students, namely bar crawls and seeing if you’ve been mentioned on Tindur, there are many walks that you can take around our historic city, which are a great way to relax, get some exercise and simply to be outside.

After minutes of walking, you can easily be in the middle of woods, on a riverside path or surrounded by fields For me, one of the highlights of Durham is its location. Being such a small city, it is so easy to escape the Durham bubble, which is a euphemism for getting away from your ‘friends’. After 10 minutes of walking, you can easily be in the middle of woods, on a riverside path or surrounded by fields.

At Durham we have a huge advantage over universities such as Cambridge and Oxford, generally (of course) but also because of our proximity to rural areas. We should make the most of this, especially during our most stressful term.

One of my favourite walks is through the beautiful woods owned by the University. Durham University owns about 46 hectares of woodland, namely Great High Wood, Hollingside Wood and Blaid’s Wood. This network of trees stretches from opposite Maiden Castle to the end of South Road just past Butler, but it’s best to explore each one in its own right. In April and May, i.e. the start of Easter term, the woods are especially beautiful as the ground becomes carpeted with bluebells, their intense blue petals brightening both the normally-brown earth and your mood from revising/thinking about the University’s huge gender pay gap/the fact it’s less than a year till Brexit/Prêt closing in Durham.

Admire the biodiversity of the woods, including semi-ancient oaks and the abundance of wildlife that lives amongst the trees. The tapping of a treecreeper searching for insects, the flash of a wren as it disappears into the bushes, or the barking of a

dog as it chases a squirrel, followed by the screaming of its owner as they realise they have lost all control.

If you are blessed with a sunny day, when temperatures might reach double figures, make the most of the weather with a 13km circuit that takes you right down to Croxdale. This walk has everything: distance and a beautiful grade I 12th century chapel. The length of this walk also makes it perfect for a cross country run or as a training ground for those living in Gilesgate next year. You start from The Rose Tree Inn and follow the river upstream, walking through woods with signs threatening to prosecute you if you even consider fishing in the neighbouring waterway. If/when it has been raining, you will need to bring your walking boots or wellies as the path can get extremely muddy.

This walk takes you up a very steep path which comes out into High Butterby Farm, and then along a farm track to Croxdale Hall and its chapel. Being so far from the university, this more undisturbed area can feel so remote, perfect for clearing your head and enjoying the stillness and serenity of the outdoors. You then make your way back to civilisation along an incredibly straight track and through several fields until you join the path you started on at Shincliffe Hall.

My final suggestion is heading downstream along the Wear, starting from the medieval Framwellgate Bridge. Or, from your house if you are not at the bridge already. About two and a half kilometres

from the bridge is a meander in the river’s course, which has a small beach and an expanse of grass perfect for a picnic or being incapacitated by hayfever. You can walk along the river this way for about 6km, when the footpath inexplicably stops. It is at this point that I climbed over barbed wire fences and bounded through wheat fields, but if you’re not naughty enough you can walk back the way you came.

There is an increasing amount of research being done on the links between improved mental health and spending time outside I encourage all of you to spend some time outside this term, because it is all too easy to have full days inside due to revision. There is an increasing amount of research being done on the links between improved mental health and spending time outside, so pre-exams are a good time to get those benefits.

Make the most of the sunshine and enjoy the great outdoors, before the effects of climate change become too severe and irreversibly destroy the environment and make being outside unbearable.

Photographs by Sam Sandham

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | PALATINATE

14

Sport

BUCS Big Wednesday: report from a recordbreaking day for Durham sport Tomas Hill Lopez-Menchero Sport Editor Ed Lord Deputy Sport Editor

It was a historic BUCS Big Wednesday for Team Durham, as a recordbreaking 18 sides made the journey down from the North for university sport’s showpiece event in Nottingham this year.

Even more impressive was the fact that 13 teams were victorious in their finals, amounting to eight Championships and five Trophy/Vase titles in everything from women’s hockey to men’s fencing.

13 teams were victorious in their finals, amounting to eight Championships and five Trophy/Vase titles Quentin Sloper, Director of Experience Durham, praised the quality throughout Team Durham’s ranks and said the importance of this success could not be overestimated.

“One of our key targets is to be Britain’s Number 1 Team Sport University and we secured that status for the fourth year in succession,” he said. “It’s easy to take success for granted but, in truth, it gets harder each year. We won so many close contests including penalty flicks and tiebreak shoot-

outs!

“The BUCS Finals constitutes the climax of the season and it was great to see so many alumni and parents supporting our teams.

“I cannot praise our coaches and support staff enough – they work tirelessly to enable our students to maximise their potential and yesterday yet again proved that the work really does pay off.”

Palatinate Sport take a look at the 13 teams who brought home gold for Durham on a historic day of BUCS finals.

Women’s hockey 2s Two impressive hockey victories bookended this remarkable day for Durham sport.

The women’s hockey side secured the first cup of the day against their Premier North B rivals Birmingham in the trophy final. They went 2-0 up thanks to a fine brace from Emma McIntyre and never looked like losing the lead, even after a late Birmingham goal.

Women’s badminton 1s Women’s badminton faced stiff opposition in the form of hosts Nottingham in their trophy final, who took a 2-0 lead after the first two singles matches.

Durham fought back to level the scores overall, before asserting

their dominance in the two doubles matches which followed.

It finished 5-3 to the Palatinates, and the comeback win provided an early sign this would be Durham’s day.

“It’s easy to take success for granted but, in truth, it gets harder each year” Men’s tennis 2s With Durham represented in all four tennis fixtures for the second year in succession, it is fair to say they were the team to beat. The 2s secured a clean sweep in the men’s and the women’s clashes, but met some tricky challengers.

The men were up against Imperial College, and it all came down to a tiebreak shoot-out in the final doubles match, with the scores poised at 6-6. Durham prevailed by a 2-0 margin, ensuring their status as national champions.

Women’s tennis 2s The women’s trophy side faced Bath after a nervy tie-break shootout victory against Loughborough in the semi-finals.

Bath wilted under the pressure, however, making this an easier test for Durham. An emphatic 10-2 overall victory underlined the Palatinates’ dominance and meant

both sides won their match-ups.

Men’s rugby 2s Arguably the most impressive cup result came in the men’s rugby vase clash against Hartpury.

The second XV raced into a 30-5 lead, only for the Gloucestershire side to cut down the scoreline to 30-26 with four minutes left to play. Despite a late penalty try for Hartpury, the Palatinates held on for a 37-33 win and a deserved league and cup double.

Women’s football 1s There was even more success for Durham in the Championship finals.

The women’s football 1s went into their tie against Northumbria having been crowned Northern Premier champions for the fifth year in a row and boasting a season-long winning streak in both the league and the cup. They maintained that record with a comfortable 2-0 win against their local rivals to lift the BUCS trophy for the second year in succession.

The women’s football 1s maintained their season-long winning streak in both the league and the cup Women’s lacrosse 1s The women’s lacrosse team capped off their incredible season with a staggering 13-4 victory over Cambridge in the national finals.

Not only did this secure them their fourth consecutive National Championship trophy, but it maintained their unbelievable 100%win record across the entire season, truly marking them as the best in the country.

Women’s table tennis 1s Impressive victories against Edinburgh and Nottingham Trent had set partnership Angharad Phillips and Megan Phillips up for the final in women’s table tennis, where they faced Nottingham University.

After a tense 5 game thriller in the second match for Angharad, the girls were able to record a remarkable 3-0 victory and be crowned national champions.

▲ Women’s football 1s lifted the BUCS trophy for the second season in succession (Abbi Cottam via Twitter)

Men’s fencing 1s

The men’s fencing team followed suit with an impressive 126-117 victory over Edinburgh.

Although they trailed for the majority of the match, they were able to finish strong and add the National Championship to their trophy haul, having already been crowned Northern Premier Champions earlier in the year.

Men’s tennis 1s In tennis, the men’s 1s enjoyed a much more comfortable victory after they defeated Stirling 8-4 in the finals.

Not only were they able to avenge the women’s 1s, who had been defeated by Stirling earlier in the day, but they were able to get revenge on the team who had just beaten them to the National League title by only a single point.

Women’s basketball 1s The women’s basketball team produced a classic spectacle against the Northern Premier Champions Northumbria in the national finals. In such a tight affair, either team could have won it, but Durham prevailed and were able to take revenge on Northumbria, winning 84-83 and claiming the national title.

Men’s hockey 1s The newly crowned Premier North champions faced Nottingham Trent in the final of the men’s hockey. Having let a 1-0 half time lead slip, Durham were able to hold out for a 1-1 draw at full time, taking the game to penalty flicks.

In the end, the Palatinates were able to call upon heroic goalkeeper Ollie Payne, who produced some vital saves in the following shoot-out, which Durham won 3-1, leading them to be deservedly crowned national champions.

Women’s water polo 1s In the pool, the women’s water polo team, who had already won the Northern Premier Division, hammered Newcastle 16-3 in the North-East derby. The gold medal helped make up for the disappointing loss that the men’s water polo team suffered earlier, as well as finishing off an already successful season with more glory.

PALATINATE | Thursday 3rd May 2018

15

Sport

Redemption for Saints in Commonwealth Games debut for hockey coach National Championship final Ella Jerman Deputy Sport Editor

▲ The Saints won 17-6 against Derby Saints, avenging their final defeat last year Craig Thomas, Replay Images

Charlie Neal For the second time in as many seasons, Head Coach Jonathan Rooney’s Durham Saints found themselves in the BUCS American Football National Final.

Finishing the regular season undefeated, and motivated by last year’s heart-breaking final defeat to Stirling, the Saints refused to accept defeat on this occasion.

Durham gained their place in the National Championship game following an unusual series of events.

The Saints were awarded their first walkover win over contenders Portsmouth, who were unable to travel to Maiden Castle for their first-round fixture. They were then awarded their second walkover victory in their match against Leeds, since the fixture was deemed unplayable due to adverse weather conditions.

“We came into the game knowing that if we executed the game plan perfectly, we would be National Champions “ Despite being favourites over both Portsmouth and Leeds, the Saints therefore found themselves in the National Final without having played a 2018 play-off game.

Rested and refreshed, they travelled to the Sixways Stadium in Worcestershire, home of the Worcester Warriors rugby team, to play their ninth and final game of the year.

Speaking with the Podyum pre-game, Head Coach Jonathan Rooney said: “We are big, we are bold, and we are excited. This time,

the nerves have gone, and we’re looking to express ourselves.”

The teams had battled twice during the regular season, with the Saints overcoming the Braves on both occasions. Most recently, the Saints travelled to Derby and edged out a 10-7 victory in snowy January conditions.

Club President Joe Partington said: “We came into the game knowing that if we executed the game plan perfectly, we would be National Champions at the final whistle.”

The BUCS National Final commenced, and there was little to separate the two teams. Both sides exchanged possession, but neither made a serious push for points in the first quarter.

But following a series of exceptional carries from running back Devan Anderson and quarterback Eric Poindexter, who have been a formidable duo throughout the regular season, the Saints drew first blood. Jacob Shotton split the uprights for the three-point field goal, handing Durham the lead for the first time in the game.

On the Derby kick-return which followed, the Braves fumbled the ball and the Saints recovered possession. The Durham offensive unit had a great opportunity to extend their lead minutes before the halfway mark, and despite an excellent 30-yard reception by tight end Isaiah Pinson, they were unable to convert. The Saints carried their 3-0 advantage into the second half.

The Saints had the advantage of receiving the ball at the start of the second half, and so Poindexter’s offensive unit went straight to work.

On the team’s first offensive

drive of the half, veteran wide receiver Donovan Swanepoel caught a Poindexter dart in the far side of the end zone, extending Durham’s lead to 10-0 following the conversion by Shotton.

“The thought of last year’s devastating result has driven everybody to succeed this year” “We ended the first half with a slender advantage but, throughout the second, the difference in quality between the two teams started to show,” said Partington.

The quality Durham have displayed throughout the regular season continued into the fourth quarter, with Shotton catching a 50-yard pass from Poindexter to bring the Saints within 20 yards of the Braves’ end zone.

Durham’s sophomore running back Samuel Oram-Jones then waltzed into the Derby end zone for what would be Durham’s final touchdown of the day, ending their opponents’ dreams of a comeback.

The score extended the Saints lead to 17-0 following the Shotton conversion.

The Braves, however, responded late in the game with a cancellation tally of their own, bringing the final score to 17-6.

“The thought of last year’s devastating result has driven everybody to succeed this year,” Partington said. “Hearing the final whistle on this occasion was incredible.”

The National Final victory rounded off a perfect, undefeated season for the Saints, and it marked the first time in which the Saints have won the National Championship in BUCS history.

The 2018 Gold Coast Commonwealth Games saw a number of athletes making their mark on the world stage.

Whilst it is important to celebrate these athletes’ accomplishments, however, we often forget to recognise the achievements of those involved behind the scenes.

Team Durham’s Performance Hockey Coach, Gareth WeaverTyler, added to his own set of personal achievements when he walked out as Assistant Head Coach of the Welsh Women’s National Squad as the team got their Commonwealth Games campaign underway on the Gold Coast.

The Welsh women’s hockey team became one of the major talking points of the Games from day one. They caused a major upset when they beat India – who are currently ranked 10th in the FIH Women’s Hero World Ranking – for the first time ever in their opening match.

Weaver-Tyler has been with

Durham for four years. In that time, he has transitioned from coaching the England U21s to playing a pivotal role in the senior Welsh programme.

The Welsh Women’s National Squad recorded impressive results in the World League and Euro Hockey Championships, culminating in automatic qualification for the Commonwealth Games as the 26th ranked team in the world and, more importantly, as a top ten team in the Commonwealth.

Defeat to South Africa ended Welsh hopes of taking a semi-final spot, but Director of Experience Durham, Quentin Sloper, was full of praise for Weaver-Tyler.

“We are fortunate to have an outstanding group of coaches across many of our sports and Gareth very much falls into that bracket,” he said.

“Coaching at an international level is the objective for so many but very few actually make it.

“It would be hard to find somebody more deserving than Gareth – he works tirelessly and remains a student of the game.

“I know that he will be an even better coach for this experience.”

Cricketers draw positives from preseason fixtures Continued from the back page ...against Durham retiring out in order to give his fellow teammates an opportunity at the crease.

“It was nice to reap some rewards from a few technical adjustments over the winter,” Plater said.

“I was pleased with the way I went about my innings on a hard early season batting wicket and to come out as the first university player to retire against a first-class county.”

Such an achievement was a watershed for both Plater and MCCU sides more generally, with a lack of time in the middle for much of the team’s middle order necessitating the opener’s retirement.

Other members of the MCCU squad also rose to the occasion in the fixtures. Fraine continued his excellent early season form with a quick-fire 65 not out in the game against Durham, while Joe Cooke contributed a similarly hasty and undefeated 17. On the bowling front, Alex McGrath,

Mungo Russell and Benedict Graves picked up wickets in the game against Warwickshire, while Cooke took the significant scalp of Ian Bell.

The team’s batting was what most impressed the coaches of the side’s first-class opponents, however. One Durham coach stated that the MCCU were one of the most impressive university sides they had faced over the years, with the 194-3 declared they amassed representing the highest total produced by any of the universities against the firstclass counties this season.

The experiences of Plater and his teammates therefore stand the MCCU side in good stead.

Further tests inevitably await, but such extensive preparation has served to equip the group well for whatever challenges lie ahead.

With fixtures scheduled up to the end of June, let us long for the days when exams are over, the sun is out and we can go down to the racecourse to watch this group of young cricketers continue to flourish.

Sport

Thursday 3rd May 2018 | PALATINATE

Lucky number 13 for Team Durham We take a look at the 13 sides who brought home gold at BUCS Big Wednesday in a historic day for Durham sport (page 14)

When the Saints go marching in Durham Saints avenged their defeat against Stirling last year to win the National Championship for the first time in their history (page 15)

▲ Men’s hockey rounded off a hugely successful day for Team Durham with a win on penalty flicks against Nottingham Trent. Read our report on BUCS Big Wednesday on p.14 (Jed Wee)

MCCU learn from preseason tests Will Jennings Deputy Sport Editor While the rest of the Durham student community may have spent their Easter completing summative essays, revising or merely procrastinating at home, Durham University’s MCCU side have enjoyed a more eventful few weeks.

After jetting off to sun-baked Cape Town in March for a programme of preseason fixtures, the team returned to England to face three of the country’s most prestigious first-class counties, challenging themselves against some of the best the domestic game has to offer.

Such an early season test has invariably served the squad well.

The MCCU came up against County Championship Division Two side Sussex in South Africa, an XI saturated with revered stars, before matches against Warwickshire, Middlesex and Durham back in more familiar terrain.

Durham’s opening batsman for the fixtures, Matt Plater, relished the experience: “South Africa was a great mix of work and a little bit of play,” he stated, recalling highlights that included playing against Sussex and former England all-rounder Luke Wright as well as promising T20 star Jofra Archer.

Indeed, Archer was recently bought for £800,000 by the Rajasthan Royals in this season’s Indian Premier League auction, testament to the increasingly

high-regard in which he is held and the nature of the talent the Durham side came up against.

Other fixtures in South Africa included a game against Cape Town Cricket Club, South Africa all-rounder Vernon Philander’s home team, a test that further challenged this developing Durham side.

Many of the squad rose to the occasion on the tour, with captain Will Fraine scoring an impressive century against Sussex and several others showing signs of promise in the subsequent fixtures.

Plater also recalls his most memorable off-field experiences, alluding to how the squad were at Newlands on the day the infamous Australian balltampering debacle erupted: “The

atmosphere was unbelievable,” he noted, a comment manifest in the visibly belligerent responses the scandal elicited from the partisan South African crowd.

Following a return to England at the end of the month, preparations for the advent of the new season really began to intensify. Tests against Warwickshire, Middlesex and Durham beckoned, fixtures that would challenge the side against the likes of former England talisman Ian Bell and Jonathan Trott.

Despite the games all being affected by the grimly predictable British weather,, Plater nevertheless alluded to the considerable benefits the matches provided the squad with.

“It was obviously frustrating to only play one day in each game

because of the rain. However, when we did play, Jonathan Trott, Ian Bell and Sam Robson all scored hundreds against us, so I guess we can learn a lot from the way they batted.”

Despite this exposure of the young side to an array of English talent, the three days also provided the chance for the MCCU to showcase their own ability.

Indeed, Plater himself thrived when such an opportunity came his way.

After surviving spells from established Warwickshire seamers Keith Barker and Chris Wright in the opening game at Edgbaston, Plater went on to score a superb 76 off 111 balls...

Continued on page 15