Pluto 259

Monday 17 February 2014

PRESTON HIT

BY STORMS

Freak national weather hits Preston and causes large scale damage NEWS, Page 2

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Is it right that the Queen should get a raise in these tight times?

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Roxanne Khan. Maz Thanzami. Andy Wickens.

Jane Hutchinson. Paul Seager. Nikola Bridges.

Jeannie Judge. Cath Sullivan. Noreen Caswell.

Michelle Lowe. Kathryn Gardner. Lea Pilgrim.

Jamie Taylor. Rachel Tarling. Sarita Robinson.

Vaithehy Shanmugam. Mark Roy. Jo Bryce.

Faye Skelton. Gayle Brewer. Paul Taylor.

Mike Eslea. Amanda Heath. VJ Willan.

Sandi Mann. Paul Rogers. Simon Chu.

AS PSYCHOLOGY STUDENTS ISSUE SAVE OUR STAFF PLEA, PLUTO CAN EXCLUSIVELY LIFT THE LID ON THE EXTENT OF THEIR SCHOOL’S CUTS Tom Greggan News Editor

PLUTO can today reveal that five of twenty seven lecturers in the School of Psychology have been earmarked for redundancy, despite the school being in a healthy financial position.

Staff cuts are set to take place across nine other schools, but these are due to financial requirements, whereas the School of Psy-

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chology’s actions are ‘centred around business efficiencies and workforce re-shaping’.

Pluto has obtained a number of e-mails sent between Professor Linden Ball, the Dean of School and the university’s Human Resource Manager Jacky Joseph following a Freedom of Information Request. These emails confirm the school has a unique financial position compared to the rest of the university.

In an e-mail dated 10 October 2013, whilst discussing a communications statement to Psychology staff about the proposals, Profes-

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sor Ball said: “Please find attached the rationale that I have drafted by way of a comms statement to staff in Psychology re. proposed workforce changes. Many of the heading (sic) in the template didn’t apply to Psychology because of our fairly unique financial position, which centres around business efficiencies and workforce re-shaping rather than cost-containment per se.”

CONTINUED ON PAGE 3

Pluto is fuelled by

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NEWS

17.02.2014 Contents News

SHAG Week is back once again Page 4

Features

Darren Fletcher speaks out about Colitis Page 6

Comment

Why NekNominate? A silly internet fad.

Page 9

Lifestyle

Your dating woes are revealed Page 10

Culture

We check out the Valentine’s Day DLC Page 19

Sport

Is Safe Standing set to come to football

Online Page 27

STORM WREAKS HAVOC ON THE STREETS OF PRESTON Rebecca Shepherd News Reporter

Last week Preston saw some of the worst winds in a long time. The streets were an obstacle course of roof tiles and tree branches following the weather last Wednesday.

During the day and most of the night, before settling down in the early hours of Thursday morning, residents of the area listened and watched and commuters struggled to get home after accidents on the motorways left them with little hope.

Umbrellas were impossible to be relied on, trains were cancelled, homes were left powerless and the need of the fire service went through the roof.

It is thought that the demand for fire fighters was in a similar situation to bonfire night, the busiest time of the year for this sector of the emergency services. More workers were called in for shifts at short notice to take calls from the public.

One student at UCLan, astonished at

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the conditions was Tom Konstantynowicz, he said: “I was driving through Preston and saw bins and rubbish everywhere. The electronic doors of the university building had stopped working and car alarms were going off. It was a mess.”

The aftermath of the storms seem to be the real problem for everyone. On a building site near the city centre, houses which were being constructed had fallen down and recycling was all over the streets.

“There are a lot of problems, many bins have blown over, there’s plastic bottles everywhere, who will pick that up? No one out of the houses will do anything, it needs to be the council” Tom said.

Premier league games were also called off. Greater Manchester Police decided the game between Manchester City and Sunderland could no longer take place.

They thought it was too dangerous for the fans who would be travelling to the game.

The game will be rescheduled for another time in the forthcoming weeks.

PLUTO

LECTURERS PROTEST AGAIN

Jess Millington News Editor

UCLan lecturers have taken to the streets of Preston again in protest, this time about their salaries.

With the recent scare of potential job losses across the board, members of the UCU picketed outside university buildings for the second time in one week.

These strikes are the trade unions’ response to being offered a 1% pay rise, through the nationally agreed pay scales for University staff, which they have deemed to be unfair as their members believe that they have seen their pay fall by 13% in real terms since 2009.

UCLan released a statement in January about protests of a similar nature, saying: “The University is determined to minimise the strike’s impact on students by communicating any changes to the academic timetable in advance of the strike. Students will be alerted to the postponement of lectures/seminars and other timetabled sessions.”

Senior Lecturer of Pschyology, Mike Eslea said: “The Universities have got money. There is over £1bn in the sector.”

He added: “Vice Chancellors are just choosing not to spend it on their staff, they would rather spend it on buildings and prestige projects that they can boast about and not pay their staff decent wages.”

The University says that no refund of tuition fees will be given out.

News Editor: Tom Greggan, Jess Millington

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17 February 2014

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The storm caused chaos... fences knocked over

Lecturers protest.. For fairer pay Lifestyle Editors: Vacant

Gaming writer: Georgia Gregoriou

Fashion writers: Rebecca Boffey, Elizabeth Kelly, Lucy Hill, Mahaim Saud

Societies Editor: Naomi McLellan

Reporters: Jade Kneen, Kadeesha McKenzie, Tami Khramtchenko, Alex Sambrook, Rob Watson, Luke Beardsworth.

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Culture Editors: Chris Copestake, Kristina Hall

Features Editor: Vacant Comment Editors: Charlotte Alty & Jasleen Kaur Deputy: Vacant Social Media writer: Adam Legg

Romance writer: Mona Hadad

Deputy: Tony Tenev Music writers: Chelsea Harrop, Laura Brown Film writer: Jes Ostler

Deputy: Vanessa Silva Sport Editors: Joe Cooper & Steven Smith Deputy: Vacant Sport writers: Jack Wilson-Mumford, Mikael McKenzie, Bradley Poole, Andrew Bell, Matthew Hill, Lee Murphy, Mark Davies Online editor: Adam Legg Deputy: Charlotte Arrowsmith Special Thanks: Rob Watson

PLUTO

Issue 259

STUDENT VIEWS

Hannah Brook, 2nd year Psychology student.

I am really worried about next year if they’re getting rid of five lecturers, they’re going to want to get rid of the most expensive and they tend to be the best so if they get rid of the five best, teaching is going to go down even more.

Tom George, 2nd year Psychology student.

The proposed plans will have a big impact on our third year dissertation and the amount of support we get from staff, with the amount that we pay for tuition fees I expect the best quality staff possible.

PSYCH STUDENTS IN SAVE OUR STAFF PLEA TO UCLAN NEWS 2-5

HE went on to say about the statement: “In many ways this was very easy to write since I have a very clear notion of what I’m proposing for the School. At the same time things are slightly tricky in that I’m trying to explain some non-trivial workforce re-profiling in the absence of significant costs-savings requirements.”

The cuts come at a time when the university is making 10% savings across the board, yet it is believed that the school made a £140,000 profit last year.

This raises questions as to why UCLan has taken a broad brush approach in describing staff cuts as a cost-saving exercise when it has clearly been stated by a Dean of School that five senior lecturers are potentially losing their jobs within his school for non-cost related reasons.

The e-mails don’t give any reason more specific than ‘business efficiencies and workforce reshaping’ as to why lecturers are being offered voluntary redundancy.

The Twitter account @PsychProtest, set up on 27 January to protest against proposed redundancies at UCLan as a whole but with a focus on the School of Psychology, claim that five Psychology senior lecturers are being forced out to make way for two new Neuroscience lecturers. Neuroscience did see an increased intake this year, but there are still

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

only 28 students on the course.

A blog, was also set up under the PsychProtest brand. They say that staff have also been told in e-mails that: “Workforce planning in Psychology is about reprofiling staff due to under recruitment.”

This is despite the fact that the Psychology department reached their student recruitment targets last year and received a financial bonus for doing so.

The account also listed 27 members of staff from the School of Psychology, dubbed the ‘Psych27’ who’s jobs are under threat.

It is proposed that the five senior Psychology lecturers will be replaced with six associate lecturers- staff who are on a pay grade less than lecturers and who aren’t qualified to teach third years or postgraduates.

A Pluto source stated that: “Deans of Schools would have until the end of February to come back to senior management with their list of voluntary

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

redundancy candidates. After this schools will be forced to switch to forced redundancy of staff.”

Following a staff meeting that took place on 24 September 2013, Professor Ball reported that the school’s financial position was looking good ahead of confirmation of next years figures. This ties in with UCLan’s consolidated financial results which show that the university has made a £26m surplus over the past five years (pictured below).

Whilst senior lecturers within the school were dealing with the threat of losing their jobs, Professor Ball was blaming them of ‘issuing exaggerated statements to students’ and ‘fuelling unrest by issuing incorrect information that is aimed specifically at scaremongering.’

Professor Ball also appeared to take a swipe at Psychology students, stating: “A University-wide email to all students might be useful, unless, of course, the unrest seems specific to Psychology, which wouldn’t surprise me!”

The staff cuts come at a difficult time for the School after it received poor results in the Sunday Times Good University Guide - although this was the case across the university. The school was ranked 68 out of 107 with a student satisfaction rating of 78.6% and graduate prospects were also rated at a lowly 51.1%. The decision to cut key senior

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staff and replace them with lower qualified associate lecturers has already infuriated students worried about the future quality of their teaching.

In response to these findings, Professor Linden said: “We are reviewing the balance of staff across the School of Psychology so as to ensure that students have access to a full range of staffing expertise, be it those with world-leading research credentials, those who are inspirational teachers, those who have close contacts with relevant industries or professions, and those who bring new and fresh insights into a variety of subject areas.

Maintaining and enhancing the student experience is at the heart of our thinking and remains our priority.

The planned changes within the School of Psychology are complemented by ambitious plans to build on our academic success through further substantial investments in facilities and people, which in turn will help us to improve our position in the various league tables complied by newspapers.

For example, our ongoing developments in the area of neuroscience have recently been supported by significant University funding that has enabled the School to establish a Brain Imaging Laboratory to facilitate world-class teaching and research.

As the figures show UCLan has been operating well within its means for the past five years making a surplus of over £26m. During that time there has also been a fall in the number of academic staff at the university from a high of 1,511 to the current 1,334.

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NEKNOMINATES TO BECOME HISTORY?

NEWS

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

Neknominations are the latest craze.. but are being turned into something good.

Emily Carpendale News Reporter

Source: Google images

A UCLAN student has turned the popular social media drinking sensation ‘Neknominate’ into ‘Donate Nominate’.

The Neknominate Facebook craze has gone viral over the last few months, with people downing obscure concoctions of things such as large amounts of alcohol, urine, live goldfish and bleach.

The social networking game gets people to film themselves carrying out their drinking nominations within 24 hours before challenging friends to out-do their efforts.

Third year History student at UCLan, Jessica Isherwood was disgusted by the online game which encouraged binge drinking and when nominated to take part, she instead decided to donate money to charity.

The idea behind Donate Nominate is that people donate an amount of money to a charity of their choice and then nominate friends to do the same and the idea has so far spread as far as Ireland.

Jessica said: “When I first saw one of them I just thought it was absolutely pointless, then they gradually got worse, and I was just thinking how powerful social media really is.

“Each person that does one of those videos is promoting irresponsible drinking, and it must be awful for people who are struggling with alcoholism; whether it be them or a loved one, to see such idiotic behaviour going viral.

“Most importantly I was disgusted how, given that social media is so powerful, people can’t put it to better use.”

Neknominate has also been linked to a number of recent deaths.

Two young men in Ireland have had their deaths linked to the Neknominate craze, 19-year-old Jonny Byrne and 22year-old Ross Cummins.

SHAG WEEK RETURNS FOR THE SECOND YEAR IN A ROW

Kadeesha Mckenzie Deputy News Editor

UCLan S.H.A.G week, which stands for Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance week, kicks off the week beginning February 17. This is a lighthearted event with a serious message: the importance of safe sex.

All over campus there will be union reps in the Atrium giving out S.H.A.G mags with condoms and supplying students with a free STD test.

Students Union Campaigns officer, Sophie Bennett said: “The aim of SHAG Week is to make students more aware about sexual health and what services they can get surrounding sexual health on campus.”

There's going to be timetabled events happening around campus. For example, Condom Jon and the condom fairies. Giving out 10,000 free condoms and challenges that include the beer goggles test, and the naked truth.

Sexual Health is something that more people need to be aware of on campus. Sophie added: “Sex seems to be a taboo subject so hopefully with seeing the promotional posters around campus it will get people to think about their sexual health.”

There will also be a ladies night out party which is being hosted by Ann Summers. The event is being held at 53 degrees on Tuesday 18 February, with

tickets already on sale for £5.

The end of the week will see the ‘climax of S.H.A.G where a rendition of ITV2s well known show ‘Take Me Out’ will take place at 53 degrees on 28th February. Britain’s Got Talent contestant, funny man Callum Oakley will be hosting this event.

All the money raised will go straight to a chosen sexual health charity.

To buy tickets to any of the scheduled events, students can buy them at Source Bar. Alternatively, students can contact the SU campaigns officer, Sophie Bennett on sucampaigns@uclan.ac.uk for more info

Source: Facebook

Facts from last year’s SHAG week! *648 UCLan students took a Chlamydia test during SHAG week

*725 of the 1004 people questioned has mixed sex and alcohol *492 people worry about unwanted pregnancy *Females talk more about sex than males do *Chlamydia is the most common STI on campus *UCLan medical centre offer STI testing every Tuesday, Wednesday and Friday *22.6% of people havent been tested

SHAG Week returns.. for second year

PLUTO

What is Neknominate?

The social craze is believed to have originated in Australia.

It involves downing a pint of an alcoholic concoction, then uploading a video of it to Facebook.

People then nominate their friends, giving them 24 hours to top their effort.

So far, four deaths in the UK have been linked to Neknominate; one in England and one in Wales. There was also two in the Republic of Ireland.

Calls for Facebook to ban the videos have been rejected. A spokesman said: “"We do not tolerate content which is directly harmful, for example bullying, but controversial or offensive behaviour is not necessarily against our rules.”

NEWS IN BRIEF

STUDENTS, prestonians and local businesses are being urged to contact their banks after a cash machine on Church Road, Preston, was found to have a cardreading device attached to the front of it.

The machine outside the Tesco express store was inspected by police on February 2, which is around the time they believe the skimmer was planted.

A warning notice had been attached to the machine but was later removed when it was declared safe.

Police are asking anyone who used the machine in the first weeks of February, to check their bank statements, as it is possible that unauthorised transactions may have been made on people’s accounts.

A card reading skimmer is a portable capture device that is attached onto the legitimate scanner. The skimmer passively records the card data as you insert your card into the real scanner.

Police in Preston has advocated the importance of being vigilant when using a cash machine and to be aware of those around you.

UCLAN has launched the UK’s first ever Self-Publishing degree.

The Masters degree is designed to set students up for the competitive selfpublishing market; recent research by the book data company Bowker suggests that some 390,000 titles were selfpublished in the US in 2013.

Also self-published was the hugely successful 50 Shades of Grey series, by E.L. James.

Course Leader Debbie Williams said: “Self-publishing is becoming a global phenomenon and we are proud at UCLan to be able to offer the UK’s first degree in this exciting area.

Everyone has a book in them. Our new MA will help guide these individuals through the process to help them realise the dream of seeing their book in print.”

PLUTO

Issue 259

NEWS IN BRIEF

NICHE clubnight Antics will hold its last Preston event on Saturday March 1st.

The night, which was previously held on the first Saturday of every month at The Ferret, will then move to Night and Day Café in Manchester.

The Lucid Dream will headline the event, with support coming from Manchester band The Watchmakers and East Lancashire’s, The Strange. It will also feature DJ sets from The Ark Preston DJ’s and DJ Garage Flower.

Antics, organised by The Ark Preston founder Gareth Butterworth and former Mad Ferret owner Fraser Boon, has been a highlight of Preston’s night life for the past several years. It seeks to blend the best in unsigned live music with a different type of clubnight.

Gareth said: “Both me and Fraser now work full time in Manchester and couldn’t justify promoting a night in Preston. We’re a bit gutted because we absolutely love the Ferret and the Antics crowd. The last one in Preston is massive.”

Many in Preston will be sad to see the clubnight leave.

Liam Pennington, local music writer, said: “The loss of Antics from Preston is as befuddling as its regular patrons were the morning after. Mixing up the best new bands with DJ sets and a good old fashioned dance-off is not an easy project, but Antics did it every month, and I know there’s many a night called vital to Preston but this always genuinely was.”

Doors open for the night at 8pm and the entry fee is £3.

UCLAN GOES GREEN AGAIN NEWS 2-5

Charlotte Arrowsmith News Reporter

UCLAN’S Green Week once again returned to campus, hoping to raise awareness of environmental issues.

The annual event encourages people to follow green initiatives and promotes the University’s eco-friendly achievements.

Based in the Student’s Union, the event was packed with different activities. Each day had its own theme, exploring the different ways to be environmentally sustainable.

Green Week was delivered in association with the Green Ladder Project, which is a two-year project supporting those who volunteer and campaign for environmental issues.

Emma Bartlett, Manager of the Green Ladder Project, said: “We aim to engage students with a whole range of activities that will make them reflect on how much carbon we use, and if we can lighten our

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COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

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SOCIETIES 20-22

SPORT 23-28 Source : Charlotte Arrowsmith

impact on the planet.

“The Green Ladder Project has got two years of funding from the NUS to make exciting, green, student-lead initiatives here at UCLan.” Green Week also gave students and staff the chance to share ideas and to launch new, environmentally focused projects.

The event offered daily freebies, activities, ideas, competitions, advice and more.

The ‘Change Tree’ now has a place in the Student’s Union, where people can attach their ideas for action towards a better environment.

Students can receive advice on various topics, including how to eat a sustainable diet, waste management and more.

You can get involved with environmental and sustainability projects by emailing GreenTeam@uclan.ac.uk.

Green week is back... The Change tree is now in the SU

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FEATURES

F E A T U R E S

Steve Smith Sports Editor

DARREN Fletcher, alongside former England Rugby Union captain Lewis Moody spoke at a special news conference last week at Carrington- the Manchester United training ground.

They both suffer with Colitis and spoke at this special news conference - this was the first time either of them had revealed the full extent of their battles against the careerthreatening condition ulcerative colitis.

It was all in aid of a fund-raising initiative in support of the charity Crohn's and Colitis UK. The pair are now preparing to host a gala dinner at Old Trafford on March 27 to raise funds for the charity and raise awareness of Crohn's and Colitis.

The debilitating effects of colitis is an uncontrollable necessity to visit the toilet – which underlines the embarrassment felt by sufferers This also explains why stars such as Fletcher and Moody took a considerable amount of time before revealing their condition, but they are hoping the new innovation fronted by themselves and Jon Mcleishwho is another sufferer of the disease- and the son of football manager Alex Mcleish.

Fletcher admitted that he went from feeling “untouchable” to having to lie to his Manchester United team-mates to hide the

17 February 2014

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PLUTO

DARREN FLETCHER ON HIS BATTLE WITH COLITIS

true nature of his illness, and to try to carry on playing the sport he loves.

However, the thirty year-old said that when he was first diagnosed he was: “being very blasé about it,” before adding: “Looking back now, that was quite immature, but I was a professional footballer, playing in the Premier League for Manchester United, and felt on top of the world, felt untouchable.”

Fletcher added that the only person at Manchester United who knew was longterm boss and friend Sir Alex Ferguson: “I didn’t hide it from the manager [Sir Alex Ferguson], but nobody else knew at the club.

The Scotland captain seemed emotional when speaking about how he was lying to his teammates on a daily basis: "I stayed silent, but I found it very difficult making up stories for reasons why I wasn’t at training, why I was looking ill, why I was rushing off to the bathroom. I was basically lying to people’s faces.

“That was very hard. At the time I thought it was for the best because I believed, with the medication I was on at that time, I would be past it in a few months.

When the symptoms did not get better, but worse, he made the crucial decision to make his illness public: "I made a decision that it wasn’t right. I wasn’t comfortable with it and I thought it would help to tell people.”

He revealed this helped him a lot personally: "Once I started talking about it and

made it public knowledge, it was such a relief, the best thing I did. I’ve been very fortunate in that respect. I don’t think I’ve endured too much ridicule.”

He even complimented his red-devils on their behaviour within the changing room, and praised their efforts to help him raise awareness: "My team-mates want to put their support to something they know means a lot to me and try to help awareness.”

And Fletcher, quite emotionally talked about some of the people who had got in touch with him following the public knowledge of his illness: "I've had so many letters from mums, dads and children, about how easy its made their lives, the fact they can go to school and, instead of having to explain ulcerative colitis, they can simply say 'I've got the same illness as Darren Fletcher'.”

I made a decision that it wasn’t right. I wasn’t comfortable with it and I thought it would help to tell people.

He added that he hopes to become a role model for those kids to be proud of: "That has made it so much easier for their

lives, and it just shows how talking about it can help people. I drew inspiration from Lewis Moody and Sir Steve Redgrave, and hopefully I can add my name to that list."

Moody was very complimentary of his Scottish counterpart, insisting that: "The awareness Darren has been able to generate through getting back on to the pitch and the success he's had in battling chron's and colitis is, for me, just a massive positive.”

Moody then went on to talk about his own personal battle with the disease: "I was diagnosed in 2005. Doctors told me I'd be on drugs and medication for my whole life, that it was an illness that you wouldn't be able to get rid of, which was quite harrowing information to hear.”

"In terms of the impact on my life, being more than two or three feet from a toilet at any given time can sometimes be too far.

Moody then talked about his day to day struggles: "I used to live 40 minutes from training and used to have to plan my route there, because in a car for that long with ulcerative colitis means you can be stopping 10 or 11 times to find a loo, so I had to move nearer the training ground.”

The inspirational story of Darren Fletcher and the bravery shown by Lewis ‘Mad-Dog’ Moody in their personal battles to carry on playing now provides obvious examples for youngsters affected in a similar way to admire, and hopefully help them deal with their own personal battles as well as fund further research into the disease.

TI CK S ET Bu A yy L our SO tick E N Essets in N ent So OW ials urc eB ar a ! n

N O ! an d S T W a E Orce B r K Sou C E eN I s inntials t T ALur tick Esse SBuy yo

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TUE s DAY 18th F E B R RYY A A U U R R B B E E F H F £2 Entrryy 0 TH 2 Y A T HURSD- 53 Degrees 7 :3 0pm

£5 Ticket

All money from this ticket goes to Preston Domestic Violence Services Charity

Hosted by Callum Oakley - Britain’s Got Talent

All the money raised will go straight to Preston Domestic Violence Services

SHAG WEEK 17th - 21st Febr uary February 2014

C WHY NEKNOMINATE? O M M E N T

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COMMENT

Jasleen Kaur Comment Editor

INTERNET fads have become more and more popular recently.

There was the cinnamon challenge, planking, gallon smashing (where the aim was to smash a milk bottle in the middle of the aisle) and the list goes on (and no doubt, will continue doing so in the future!). The current hot topic on the internet is of course, Neknominations.

Neknominations consist of a simple formula of alcohol and dares. The idea is to film yourself downing a drink and do something outrageous or silly and then name two friends who must outdo you in the next 24 hours.

It all started in Australia and a page on Facebook that encouraged people to post videos of them downing a drink while also doing some sort of stunt and then daring their friends to outdo them. Cue people posting their videos on YouTube and the trend going viral worldwide within hours.

Some of the most popular Neknominations include a woman stripping down in the middle of Asda and downing a pint; a man slashing the throat of a dead deer and drinking a pint of its blood; a student interrupting a lecture with a vuvuzela and downing a pint and another man chugging beer while skateboarding into oncoming traffic. Downhill.

While it all started out as harmless fun, the stunts have gotten more and more dangerous and the official page on Facebook was even taking down after stating that ‘Neknomination was fun

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

while it lasted but even I admit it has gotten out of control’.

Binge drinking has always been popular amongst students but this adds a new level of danger to the drinking.

The game has a death count of four, with two students in Ireland, a student in Colchester and another man in Cardiff all having suffered the consequences of ‘necking’ spirits.

This trend, which has spread like wildfire amongst students is just the latest in a long line of daring and frankly, stupid pranks.

It begs the question – are people willing to do anything to prove themselves to their peers?

Perhaps even more worrying than people feeling obligated to outdo their friends once nominated is the fact that these nominations usually happen out of the sight of anyone.

Unless it’s an obscenely public prank, the nominee is usually alone in a back garden with nothing but some form of fatal alcoholic concoction and a camera.

It has gotten so out of control that university officials have been put on alert and the government has released multiple statements reiterating the dangers of binge drinking.

Some people have taken their Neknominations as opportunities to do charitable work.

Last week, a video went viral where a man in South Africa showed the world how ‘South Africans do it better’.

The video then continued on to show the man stop at a traffic light and wave a homeless person over and hand him a sandwich, chocolate bar and lastly, a bottle of coca cola.

Since then, many people have

set up similar concepts of ‘nominate and donate’ – encouraging people to use the power of social media to help the less fortunate or do a good deed.

This only serves to prove the two directions that can be taken with any popular trend or demonstration of power.

Those who take part in Neknominations have undeniable power in the way they command the attention of their peers over the internet.

By putting that same power to the use of sending a positive message out into the world, they encourage others to think more philanthropically.

The issue with Neknominations growing in popularity day by day is not that it encourages students to drink. Most students drink – it’s part of the experience!

The issue is that it encourages an extreme hedonistic lifestyle that only looks good on paper.

It’s not plausible or mature to do a daring, life threatening stunt while also downing several spirits mixed together without somehow ending up looking childish or ending up in hospital having your stomach pumped.

By promoting charitable acts, at least it allows people to make a difference – even if it’s only doing so in a small way.

Our age group is part of a generation that’s responsible for some of the greatest ideas in the world – social networking, games that are more innovative than ever and the list goes on.

But we also need to think about the message we’re sending out to the world with trends like these.

If we’re not careful, stupid pranks may be the only legacy the world will ever expect of us.

PLUTO

IMAGE: Youtube

KEEP THE PUBS OPEN! Tom Greggan News Editor

FOR once, David Cameron has done something I agree with.

When the Home Office ruled out allowing a national extension of pub opening hours to accommodate England’s 11pm World Cup opener against Italy on 14 June, I like many football fans wasn’t best pleased.

For those of us not in the fortunate position of being able to travel to Brazil to support the Three Lions, watching the World Cup down the local, or in a packed town centre bar, is the next best thing.

So potentially being forced to watch such a crucial game elsewhere is a big disappointment.

Luckily, David Cameron has stepped in and ordered a rethink.

The Prime Minister has told the Home Office to re-think their decision, tweeting: “I have ordered a rethink on pub opening times for England's World Cup games - will consult with pub trade, police and councils.”

Now, the British Beer and Pub Association’s (BBPA) initial request- to delay closing time from 11pm to 1am on 14 June and July 8 and 9 for the final weekend- will be reconsidered during a consultation.

One of the reasons given for rejecting the request in the first place was that the World Cup is not a ‘once in a lifetime event’, such as the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in 2012 and last year’s Royal Wedding, during which licensing hours were relaxed so the nation I disagree however. Whilst FIFA’s flagship tournament comes round every four years (yes you’ve got the Euros but it’s not the same), each individual one is a

special event, and one where the whole nation gets behind one cause.

Occasions like that don’t happen often enough, so when they do they should be celebrated.

Let’s face it; the excitement of England at a World Cup rarely lasts long, so we should take advantage of it while we can.

Also (and bear with me on this), just for a second, imagine the impossible happens and England win the World Cup. Yes it’s unlikely, but if 10 minutes after Steven Gerrard lifts the iconic trophy above his head in Rio, you’re being kicked out of the pub; you’re not going to be happy. And neither will the police, as thousands of drunk, delirious football fans take to the streets to celebrate.

Extending the licensing hours seems the logical thing to do.

The BBPA represents Britain’s

McBINGEING... This girl dressed in a red Baywatch outfit and necked a pint in McDonalds.

near 50,000 pubs and say that the economy could benefit by £20million from extending licenses.

If the application is rejected again, pubs will have to apply individually to extend their licenses.

Make the World Cup a month long public holiday.

However, Jon Russ, who is Commercial Services Manager of UCLan Student’s Union doesn’t believe this will pose too much of a problem.

He explained: “Under the old licensing regime, which changed in 2003, you had to apply to the courts to get extended opening hours.

“Under the new system, you fill out a Temporary Event Notice. It costs £21 to do, anybody can do it, it is not a difficult thing to do.

“You send it off and you’re not

actually applying to open later; you’re notifying the authorities that you intend to open later.

“There’s a ten day period for people to object, i.e. local residents or the police.

“If nobody objects, you just do it. It’s only when they object, the police may object if they think there’s going to be crowd disorder or things like that.

“If they object, you meet with them, see what they want you to change and that’s it, job done.”

Whilst applying for extending opening hours may not be too much hassle, anything we can be doing to make things easier for an industry that has suffered more than most since the economic downturn should be done.

So, thanks Dave for doing the sensible thing for once.

But if you really want my vote, you’ll make the World Cup a month long public holiday.

SPEND HER VICTORIOUS PLUTO

Issue 259

Alex Grebenar Comment Writer

THE word 'cuts' seems to have increased in use hugely since the inception of our current coalition Government: job cuts, benefit cuts, local service cuts, university funding cuts, cost cutting and much more.

It's become an almost accepted part of our national life at present; faced with a 13% pay cut since 2008, and the prospect of over 400 upcoming job cuts, UCLan's UCU members have ongoing strike action planned.

Last year, a pay rise for MPs was roundly criticised – even by the politicians themselves. TV show 'Benefits Street' has recently stoked opinion on those living in poverty, who rely on various handouts to survive and have been subjected to various cuts.

However, there's one family which has had a rise on their benefits – already a substantial £31 million. However, with an overspend of around £2 million, the head of the household is now down to her last £1 million. 'Scrounger', you

NEWS 2-5

might say. Actually, we're supposed to call her 'Your Majesty'.

As if it needed reinforcing, this recent disclosure of its 'dire' financial situation demonstrates how completely out of touch the Royal Family is with the realities of a Britain more generally populated by the 'Royle Family'.

Whilst the real-life likes Jim and Barbara contend with the so-called 'cost of living crisis', the taxpayer-funded Sovereign Grant (which funds the Royal Family) will increase next year by £7 million to a staggering £38 million.

Although they work for their money, are we expected to believe they work harder than, say, NHS staff? They work hard to provide an invaluable national service, and yet many cleaners find themselves on zero-hour contracts for a paltry wage.

These people are condemned to struggle onwards, yet The Queen is unable to live on £31 million and is thus given an almighty pay rise – no instructions to use less electricity, as strappedfor-cash consumers have been recently by the Npower chief executive Paul Massara.

George Osbourne, at last year's Con-

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

servative Party conference, stated that 'nobody will get something for nothing'.

Yet the Royal Family are exempt from this.

As products of their situation, they know no different – not themselves bad people, yet blind to the implications of their lifestyle. Or if not blind, then unwilling to change.

The entity perpetuating the Royal Family is the status quo – things like 'tradition', 'prestige', 'tourism', and 'national pride', which are often trotted out as reasons for maintaining the monarchy.

There’s one family which has had a rise on their benifits - already a £31 million.

Are we, residents of a country to have produced some of the world's leading scientists, athletes, writers, engineers et. al really supposed to rely upon the feelings of proud individuals who have achieved precisely zero above what an ordinary 'commoner' (as we are so

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

charmingly titled) has?

The other great tourism destinations of the West – France and USA – have no monarchy, yet still benefit from foreign visitors in spades.

This week, the Duke of Cambridge issued a worldwide plea to end illegal hunting – just days after jetting off to Spain for a hunting trip surely not funded by his 'commoner' parents-inlaw.

The craven hypocrisy will no doubt be overlooked as handsome, aspirational Wills riles against the barbarism of shooting these endangered species – not conceding that their very endangered status is a result of the likes of him shooting them into oblivion.

The Royal Family has become an outdated, expensive and untenable folly.

We're supposed to accept that these extremely privileged individuals are more worthy of taxpayer-funded support than others, despite their own considerable private wealth.

Further, we are expected to fawn over each newborn addition, admire their impeccable (taxpayer-funded) clothing, celebrate anniversaries of their unelected rise to power and simply never question

9

SPORT 23-28

whether this ancient relic of feudal Britain should be resigned to the very thing it trades on – history.

There's currently no groundswell for that, but the debate is well overdue.

#SHORT ANDTWEET

THE TAKE FROM TWITTER Kacey Apperley @MsKayAmethyst Don't Give In To Peer Pressure. #BanNekNomination

Dan Jukes

@DanJukes17

The Home Office doesn't consider the World Cup of 'national importance' and decline application for extended license

Debbie Kendall @Injury_Claims_

Princes William & Charles can't really go around hunting one animal for Sport, while campaigning for other people not to kill other animals.

IMAGE: dbking

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BENEFITS SCROUNGER?... The Queen had a raise on her £31m benefit

10

LIFESTYLE

17 February 2014

PLUTO

L VALENTINES DAY DATING I S E R A M T H G I N F E S T Y L E True Stories

DON’T CUM IN THE LIBRARY I managed to convince a mildly gothic, more rock chick (and slightly fit) girl on valentines 2009 that the world was going to end the following March. I then stumbled across the

Ashley, 20

Ross, 21

What is life worth if you don’t tell your story

“The truth is rarely pure and never simple.” - Oscar Wilde

fact she'd never had sex in the school library and that it was something she should do before she died. So she did, with me, on valentines day... And they say romance is dead...

SEX, DRUGS AND SANDWICHES

I was having drinks with a guy and we were getting progressively more hammered so I was losing my inhibitions by the second.

Suddenly he was a little (lot) drunker than me but as I couldn't feel my left cheek, I decided I could deal with that, until he started trying to undo my pants.

A regular person would leave at this point, but not me, I decided to leave with him instead.

www.pluto-online.com

At this point I'll mention that I had £0 left and was expecting my pay at midnight (I'll tell you now, for the first time, the pay was late). So he graciously offered to pay for a taxi and some cigarettes/food.

So we go to the shop, he orders cigarettes and starts eating a sandwich. Upon paying he produces a swipe card.

There's no way of paying with swipe card

so they demand he pays for the sandwich; he refuses and says he wants the cigarettes more - at this point the police are called so I have to make him buy them so we can leave.

He then literally drags me into a taxi (forgetting we have no money) and when we get to his he has to give the taxi driver his coat and shoes so we can get out to "go get his wallet".

When we got into his room he says "Sorry my room's a mess, the police where here raiding it for drugs today" and at this point he mentions that he took MDMA while we were out, which explains his behaviour.

Two months later, needless to say I hadn't been in contact, he texts me. He has Gonorrhoea, Chlamydia and Herpes.

IMAGE: Danielle Kyle

BOGWASHED NIGHTMARE

I once made the mistake of going past my mates flat on a date with a girl. We got invited in and I ended up getting bog washed and thrown in a bathtub fully clothed because they wanted to ruin it for me.

Joe, 27

PLUTO

Issue 259

NEWS 2-5

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

11

SPORT 23-28

TRAIN WRECK ROMANCE

I hate dating as it is…but when I was asked on a date by a guy from Lancaster University who I’d previously met and had chatted to over Facebook; I thought I’d try my chances and give it a go.

He came over to Preston and we went to a restaurant for dinner which went quite well. But then it began to go downhill from there. After dinner, we went to a pub for a drink when he suddenly went outside and took a phone call. I didn’t think anything of it until he came inside and told me it was his boss.

It turned out he was supposed to be working and he needed to go back to Lancaster to finish off his shift. He asked me to go to Lancaster and said he would show me around after his shift finished at 10 it was now half eight.

So I said yes as I assumed waiting for an hour or so wouldn’t be that bad! So rather spontaneously we hopped on a train for Lancaster.

Anyway…what I thought was going to be an hour wait turned into a three-and-a-half-hour wait as he didn’t finish till 1230! I ended up exploring Lancaster at night on my own ringing up my housemates to tell them how ridiculous this was… but still in the hope he would be finished soon. However, turns out he was an absolute dick! Last time I date someone who I’ve met on a train!

Skylar, 20

WE R OVER. LOL.

After a horrible fight and three weeks of stubborn silence it was suddenly Valentine’s Day. With nothing planned and still no intentions of speaking I finally got a text of “so… what are we doing tonight?”.

How bloody romantic. Clearly in a man’s mind Valentine’s Day forgives all sins and is an excuse to move forward in false bliss and forced happiness. This ridiculous notion angered me. We had fallen out and it would remain that way until it was sorted - no matter what day of the year it is. The issue was never resolved.

Many heartless messages were sent back and forth and ended when he told me that it was Valentine’s Day and we had to celebrate it together, to which I responded that no we don’t have to and I didn’t want to. We broke up that day via text. And then my neighbour’s husband died... It was a very awkward Valentine’s Day Debbie, 18

SLAP UP MEAL

I had been dating a guy for about six months and was head over heels in love with him (or so I thought).

Over those six months he frequently told me he didn't love me but I gritted my teeth and being a naive impressionable (or psychotic) eighteen-year-old I thought he must have been so in love with me he couldn't admit it to himself, let alone me.

After numerous cheating rumours and nasty moves on his part - the highlight: dropping me off on my parent’s doorstep at 3am pissed out of my face in nothing but a hoody and thong because he had work the next morning and didn't fancy sleeping with me that night because I was snoring, I decided enough was enough.

We went to Nandos a week later for Valentine's Day (did he honestly think that was a romantic date?) and he gave me a bottle of vodka as my present (was that some sort of sick twisted joke after previously dropping me on my doorstep pissed the week before?)

I endured the date and played cute whilst biting my tongue just praying to make it till the end of the date. I even laughed at his bad jokes. Then, as we left and he had payed the bill, I got up, slapped him hard across the face, gave the vodka to the waitress, walked out and jumped in a taxi home.

We haven't spoken since Joanne, 22

HOW TO: SKITTLE VODKA

IMAGE: Danielle Kyle

Everybody loves Skittles. Everybody loves Vodka. So why not combine the two to create a taste sensation and impress all your friends with this easy to follow recipe.

You will need:

Step 4

In the morning check your bottles - the Skittles should have more or less completely dissolved.

5 bottles of at least 500ml each 5 large bags of Skittles (you want 50-100 of each colour) One and a half litres of vodka A funnel A sieve Bowls for separating the Skittles Paper towels

Now we need to strain that funny looking stuff off the top.

To do this place your sieve over a suitable container and slowly pour each bottle into your temporary container through the sieve then back into your bottle.

Step 1

Step 5

Use the funnel to pour the vodka into the five bottles, splitting the vodka across all five so they’re even.

Step 2

Split the Skittles into their separate colours and add each colour to one of the five bottles of vodka.

Step 3

Put the lid on your bottles and get shaking! Shake each of the plastic bottles vigorously to get the dissolving process started. Once your arm is about to fall off take a well earned rest and leave them to dissolve overnight.

Repeat this until you have strained each of the five flavours of vodka. You should now be left with five brightly coloured vodka delights but don’t drink it just yet.

Step 6

You want your bottles of joy to taste delicious and it’s best served cold so bung them in the freezer - don’t worry, vodka doesn’t freeze.

Step 7

Serve either as a shot or mix with your favourite mixer such as lemonade and get ready to taste the rainbow.

TASTE THE RAINBOW... A joy to behold

MONDAY MONDAY

Source Sour ce Sports Sports 7pm~11pm - W Watch atch F Fo Football otball or pla play yP Poker oker

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Source Source Karaoke Karaoke 9pm~2am - Sing it to to Source!

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We We Love Lo Lov ve v e Wednesday Wednesda Wednesda ednesday y 7pm~Midnight Selected 7pm~Midnight - S elected drinks £1.50 THURSDAY THURSDAY

Throwback Throwback Thursday Thursda sday y 8pm~2am - 50 years years of classics and drinks from from £1.50

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The Exchange Exchange 9pm~1am - The The drinks price pric stock stock exchange exchange where where you watch market your y ou w a ch the mar at mark et and mak make ey our deals

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Sourcey Source cey y Saturday Saturday 9pm~4am - The weekend The legendary legendary way wa ay tto o ccelebrate elebrate the w eekend

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Source Source of all Knowledge Knowledg wledg ledge 8pm~11pm - Q Quiz Rock Bingo.. uiz and Ro ck & Roll Bingo Win prizes!

Win pizza and other priz es!

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Nominations are NOW Annual Golden Teaching eaching A Awards. wards ds..

Nominations ar e NO W OPEN ffor or the 5th A nnual G olden Roses T Nominations March Nominations close 2nd M arch 2014.

Is there a member of staff that has consistently made a positive contribution to your academic or student experience during the past year at UCLan? This year marks the 5th year since UCLan Students’ Union established its annual awards which remain the only staff awards that are nominated, decided and awarded by students.

Drop nomination form into the Opportunities Centre.

The Golden Roses is an annual awards evening where students recognise UCLan staff across the university and our partner institutions.

Nominations can be submitted for any member of staff or service within the University.

Full details of the awards including criteria for each category can be found on the Union website (www.uclansu.co.uk/goldenroses) Simply choose an award category for your nominee and state why you are nominating the staff member/s or service.

Nominate N ominate o online on nline no now: n ow:

Your Name:

Your Email:

Student ID:

The role or service of your nominee (eg. Lecturer, Lecturer, cleaner cleaner,, receptionist etc):

uclansu.co.uk/goldenroses uclansu.c uclansu .co.uk/goldenr .uk/goldenroses oses

The School service or Partnership Institution your nominee is based in (eg.School of Health):

Nominate N ominate o on nc campus: ca ampus:

Tick ONE awards category for your nomination:

Visit V isit the libr library librar ary ar y or O Opp Opportunities ppor pp ortunities or tunities Centre C entr en tre tr e in the S Students’ Studen tudents tuden ts’ Union.

For F or m more mo ore iin info nfo vvi visit: isit:

(Usually 8 digits beginning with 20...)

Who you would like to nominate:

The Outstanding Feedback Award The Real World Learning Award The Lecturer of the Year Award Professional Services Staff Member The Best Course Team Team of the Year Award

The Postgraduate Support Award The Inclusivity Award The Best University Service of the Year Award The Most Innovative Teac Teaching of the Year Award The Personal Tutor of the Year Award

Reason for nomination (Make sure your nomination is detailed and give examples)

uclansu.co.uk/teachingawards uclansu.c uclansu .co.uk/t o.uk/t .uk/teachinga eachingawar ards ds or email ccourser coursereps@uclan.ac.uk oursereps@uclan.ac ourser eps@uclan.ac.uk eps@uclan.ac .uk

Nominations close 2nd March 2014 You can nominate online www.uclansu.co.uk/goldenroses Nomination data excluding personal information (y with NUS/HEA as part of a national student-led teaching awards research project

C U L T U R E

PLUTO

Issue 259

NEWS 2-5

Music

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

The very latest music news, reviews and interviews

“Music can change the world because it can change people.” - Bono

Album Review - Alex Sambrook

Album of the week

IMAGE: thelineofbestfit.com

Bombay Bicycle Club ‘So

15

SPORT 23-28

Long, See You Tomorrow’ Universal Island Records

2:1 Album Review - Alex Sambrook

BOMBAY Bicycle Club aren’t really your average indie band.

Finding fame through winning a battle of the bands competition and recruiting the bassist at a funeral are just two of the oddities that may lead you to question their frequent appearance on hipster cool lists.

In the years since the North London outfit formed whilst still at school they have managed to carve out a reputation as one of the most exciting and diverse bands to come out of Britain in quite some time.

The three records released prior to their latest effort all take on distinctly different forms, making it almost impossible for the quartet to be pinned down under any one label or genre.

Their fourth and most recent album, ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow’, is another and perhaps most shining example of this tendency to change their sound.

The record was written over the past couple of years as the band relentlessly toured the globe and the array of different and unique sounds on the album certainly reflects this.

Frontman Jack Steadman has admitted to spending a lot of time in India and Turkey during the initial stages of writing and this shines through particularly brightly on ‘Feel’ – a track which uses various samples from traditional Indian music.

Maximo Park

‘Too Much Information’ Daylighting

2:1

IN many ways, Maximo Park have been about as unlucky as a successful band can be.

Hailing from the so called golden era of indie rock in the middle of the previous decade, the Geordie quintet have been a sapling existing in the shade of bigger trees going by the names of Arctic Monkeys, Franz Ferdinand and The Killers (to name but a few).

However, thirteen years after their formation, the band are rearing their heads to soak up some much awaited sunshine with the release of their fifth studio album, ‘Too Much Information’.

Having ditched the ‘lad rock’ attitude of song-writing and embracing the subtleties of modern indie rock, Maximo Park finally sound like the band they were always meant to be on this latest effort.

The in-your-face boldness of previous records has been replaced for the most part by a more unassuming ‘80s vibe similar to that of New Order or Depeche Mode.

It’s an age old cliché that an indie band might swap guitars for synthesizers in a bid to reinvent themselves after exhausting all the ways in which they can make distorted riffs and a cocky frontman seem interesting in a post-Oasis world.

However, few have managed to do it as astutely as Maximo Park have on ‘Too Much Information’. Tracks such as ‘Brain Cells’, ‘Is It True?’ and the lead single ‘Leave This Island’ represent the most noticeable shift in style.

Paul Smith’s once brash Geordie twang

has been replaced by a more inconspicuous tone that reverberates hauntingly around many of the tracks.

However, with such a major sea change in style, there were always going to be disappointed fans.

I’ve heard mutterings of discontent from old supporters of the band who claim Maximo Park have lost their edge and the grittiness that earned them a Mercury Prize nomination in 2005 for their debut album, ‘A Certain Trigger’ - and they may be right.

Whilst ‘Too Much Information’ might appear to be a more well-rounded product, it could be fair to say that the overproduction of the record has polished away some of the grainy exterior exposing a previously unseen banality with the band. This is especially evident on ‘Her Name Was Audre’.

A clear attempt to recapture the edgy spontaneity that made them famous, the track just doesn’t quite deliver and it’s hard to pinpoint exactly what’s missing. The same could be said of the opening track, ‘Give, Get, Take’.

The uninspired pounding of the drums just isn’t representative of the majority of the record and it almost seems forced in some places.

Yet, despite a handful of flaws, there’s something heart-warmingly pure about this record.

They may have lost some of their exuberance and explosiveness, but it seems that the band have finally made the record they were always trying to make.

Perhaps the most impressive thing about this album, however, is that despite sounding absolutely nothing like any of their previous material, it still manages to retain the charm that so many of us fell in love with on the first record back in 2009.

Although the record doused in a plethora of robotic clanks and electronic hisses, the same old innocent heart that has become synonymous with Bombay Bicycle Club still beats loud and clear throughout ‘So Long, See You Tomorrow.’ Anthemic singles ‘Carry Me’ and ‘Luna’ (which features the vocal talents of Blackpool born songstress, Rae Morris) offer up the North London quartet’s audition tape to festival bosses who may have had them on the tip of the tongue as potential headliners for quite some time.

Whilst more subtle tracks such as ‘Home By Now’ and ‘Eyes Off You’ are shining examples of the band’s meticulously honed song-craft.

If nothing else, Steadman and the band have managed to demonstrate their competence at writing pop songs, without compromising their integrity.

In an era where record sales are everything in the music industry, they have managed once again to make a record that transcends the boundaries of indie rock and delves deep into the notorious underbelly of the mainstream.

Singles Spotlight

Drenge

‘Fuckabout’

Infectious Music

University of Pluto Music Degree Classification 1st

Top of the class

2:2

Hello there Desmond

2:1 3

Fail

Close but no cigar

Must try harder

Why even bother?

What’s On

Our guide to the best gigs in the North-West Music

Ivan Campo The Ferret 23rd February FREE - theferret.info Toploader East Village Arts Club, Liverpool 2nd March £6.50 - ents24.com Young Rebel Set The Ferret 7h March £4 theferret.info

Fallout Boy Phones4U Arena, Manchester 17th March £32.95 - phones4uarena.co.uk The Young Knives 53 Degrees 23rd March £10 - 53degrees.net Miles Kane 53 Degrees 31st March £17.50 - 53degrees.net

Image Courtesy of thisisfakediy.com

BROTHERLY duo Drenge emerged last year with a cacophonous update of punk and metal - melodious maelstroms which deftly conveyed the realities of everyday youth in tales of disappointment, disillusion and dogmeat.

Latest single 'Fuckabout' stands out from the rest of their oeuvre not just as it's their best, but for its style; frantic riffs are replaced with lazy strummed verses and a drawled, fuzzy chorus.

Like a beefed up, stoned Arctic Monkeys vignette or even a lost Sonic Youth song written in an English backwater, the vocals build to a howling climax with the life-affirming chorus of “when words get stuck in your throat and all you wanna do is choke on the lies that you've been fed”.

Truly masterful - catch them on tour this month if you can.

Review - Alex Grebenar

We live for music pluto-online.com

Wolf Alice 53 Degrees 21st May £8 - 53degrees.net

Pluto Playlist What’s been played in the Pluto office this past week Arctic Monkeys No Buses

Augustines Nothing To Lose But Your Head Cloud Control Moonrabbit

Frank Turner Rock & Roll Romance

Foxes Let Go For Tonight Maximo Park Graffiti Wolfmother Vagabond

16

CULTURE

17 February 2014

PLUTO

Just Announced...

Frank Turner And The Sleeping Souls www.pluto-online.com

Live Review - Chris Copestake

Phones4U Arena, Manchester

English folk rock hero Frank Turner brought his band The Sleeping Souls to Manchester’s Phones4U Arena for arguably their biggest ever show to date.

Dedicated fan and Pluto Culture editor Chris Copestake fought through the wind and rain to see if expectations could be lived up to...

A national treasure that has largely been unearthed by the masses, Frank Turner continuously endears himself to his die hard following as he reaches new heights each and every year.

Despite having arguably the most devoted following British music, Turner still, on show number 1525, seems in awe of his admirers as he arrives on stage for one of the largest shows in his career to date.

A career spanning set list was greeted delightedly by the passionate Mancunian crowd and none more so than the night opener, and fan favourite, ‘Photosynthesis’.

From the new album, ‘Tape Deck Heart’, new favourite ‘Plain Sailing Weather’ proves that Turner still encapsulates a painfully romantic emotional and semantic feel within his lyrics and his performance.

A feeling that reverberates within the walls and ceiling of the arena, reflected through the wholesome and harmonious crowd.

The mixture within the set list of the old and the new was a treat to behold, classic album tracks such as ‘Love Ire & Song’ and ‘Wisdom Teeth’ settled seamlessly alongside more contemporary and publicised singles like the powerful ‘Recovery’ and the chirpier ‘The Way I Tend To Be’.

Lively and chatty throughout, glimpses of the strong bond between Turner and his bandmates in The Sleeping Souls highlighted the dazzling personality which makes one of the most popular and highly regarded musicians of 21st Century British popular music.

A sped up and unusually jolly version of ‘Long Live The Queen’ began the run in to the short interval and encore façade of modern day love music, before

the band returned for a beautiful rendition of the ever popular ‘The Ballad Of Me and My Friends’, before leading in to the buoyantly fantastic ‘I Still Believe’ from 2011’s ‘England Keep My Bones’.

Closing on the tender and charming ‘Four Simple Words’, leaving the crowd in the highest of spirits, Turner ended a stunning night, which portrayed his stunning vocal roughness alongside his impeccable song writing gift from start to finish.

A national treasure that has largely been unearthed by the masses, Frank Turner continuously endears himself to his die hard following as he reaches new heights each and every year.

#SHORT ANDTWEET

THE TAKE FROM TWITTER Frank Turner @frankturner ·Feb 9

Thanks everyone in Manchester.

Crazy good show having a rough time personally right now and totally forgot about it all. Nice work

The Big Time: The Tape Deck Heart Tour is Turner’s biggest UK tour to date

Image Courtesy of thecolourofvinyl.wordpress.com

SELF-PROCLAIMED as “just a skinny half arsed country singer”, there are a fair few thousand packed inside Manchester’s flagship music venue to see Frank Turner that might just argue that comment.

It takes more than you’d imagine to drag people away from their sofas on a Sunday evening to go watch live music, but former Million Dead frontman Frank Turner isn’t the kind of musician you miss on purpose.

IMAGE: xfm.co.uk

PLUTO

Issue 259

Album Review - Tony Tenev

Superfood ‘mam EP’

Infectious Music

2:1

CEMENTING the ripple effect caused by their initial release, the overly punchy and energetic single Bubbles/Melting, rapidly ushered itself into the British guitar music scene a small while ago, piloting EP MAM brings the freshly kickstarted ascent into fame of Midlands indie quartet Superfood a whole new vicious velocity.

Already set to don the stage of the NME awards later this month, the Brummie foursome introduce two new tracks to their arsenal of punchy guitar-driven tracks with powerfully addictive hooks.

The opener, the frantically semi-avantgarde ‘TV’ is perhaps a more malignant display of rhythm than the band has pre-

Album Review - Megan Critchley

NEWS 2-5

viously presented as frantic riffs intertwine with a driving, highly post-rock reminiscent drumline and, as the lyrics build up to an attempted catchy hook towards the climax points of the track, one can see the imminent radio play potential of Superfood being unearthed.

what MAM puts a strong emphasis on is the knack for dynamics in songcrafting

The more non-conforming nature of the initial track is definitely a novelty in the band’s sound and although one can barely make assumptions, based solely upon the shifting in tidal fashion between punchy indie rock riffs and starryeyed hooks ‘Bubbles’ and ‘Melting’, one can easily find subtle hints of unearthed

The Jezabels ‘The Brink’ Self Released

2:1

THINK alternative. Think indie. Think different. A mixture of Florence and the Machine and Gabrielle Aplin, yeah that pretty much sums up The Jezabels.

A four-piece band from sunny Australia (formed in 2007), whose new album excels from their 2011 debut album, ‘Prisoner’, keeping to the same style but still being much more adventurous and dynamic than ever before.

Lead single on the album, ‘The End’ is much edgier and lead singer Hayley Mary’s vocals cuts through the beats of the backing track, with her unique raspy voice.

In other songs, especially noticeable in ‘All You Need’ and ‘Look of Love’ her voice mimics a similar but softer highpitched tone to Kate Bush.

As quoted to news.com.au, Hayley Mary said, “This one is personal,” and with creative lyrics matching perfectly to their backing tracks, this album is definitely worth a listen.

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

can easily find subtle hints of unearthed potential in the macabre opening sequence and the tired-of-it-all drudgy outro in ‘TV’.

The main drawback of this debut EP will have to be the unsatiating level of production, but such a bane is easily overlooked with newer bands with potential as big as Superfood’s.

And yet what MAM puts a strong emphasis on is the knack for dynamics in songcrafting, which the band had only subtly hinted on in their previous two song release. The mellow high one receives from the closing track, the newly exhibited ‘Houses On The Plain’ shifts perfectly into a very vibrant and manic riff oriented break, before once again residing into a chilled lo-fi chord progression in the second verse.

By crafting such a dynamic, yet natural, almost tide-shifting, feel to their newly produced tracks one sees a further scope of potential to be expected from the Brummie foursome in due time.

And although a large variety of new material is not presented in MAM, as two new tracks in a four song EP are barely to be considered rampant productivity, Superfood are definitely showing growth and musical depth in their first release of such caliber.

One will have to wait and see where the promise from MAM takes them.

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

17

SPORT 23-28

Anti-Valentines Top 10

Did Valentines Day not go as planned? Let Pluto wipe away all those tears with our Top 10 anti-Valentines Day anthems. Thank us later.

Eamon F*** You (I Don’t Want You Back)

Taylor Swift Never Ever (Getting Back Together)

10-

5-

9- A Day To Remember Since U Been Gone

4-

876-

Beyonce Single Ladies

Pink U + Ur Hand

Puddle Of Mudd She Hates Me

3-

Cee Lo Green F*** You Frankee F.U.R.B

2- Just Timberlake Cry Me A River

1-

Cher

Strong Enough

18

Film

CULTURE

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

PLUTO

Reviewing the best new films and more

Inside Llewyn Davis

“You ate the whole wheel of cheese?” - Anchorman

Film Review - Jes Ostler

Dir: Ethan Coen and Joel Coen StudioCanal

GRITTY... Oscar Issac portraying LLewyn Davis

2:2

For every Bob Dylan, there are a thousand Llewyn Davis’s. and Sound Mixing as well as the Grand Prix award at the 2013 Cannes Film Festival.

Interestingly, the idea for the film is loosely based on Dave Van Ronk, a talented folk singer in the 1960’s Greenwich Village scene who is credited as one of Bob Dylan’s sources of inspiration when he arrived in Manhattan, and promptly took over, in 1961.

Though some may be put off by the films cynical tone and lack of definitive ending – the ‘hero’ never really reaches his goals - everything about this film is thought provoking.

For all those stories that won’t end in success, when do you give in and accept defeat?

And how can you know? We are never given the answer; certainly the sarcastic and disillusioned Llewyn doesn’t seem to know, but the films resounding message can be summed up by a toilet stall scrawl that confronts the folk singer with: “What are you doing?”

IMAGE: thewrap.com

SET in the Greenwich Village folk scene circa 1961, struggling folksinger, Llewyn Davis (played by Oscar Isaac) is the epitome of not-quite-good-enough.

He’s homeless, grieving and angry at his musical failure, despite obvious talent.

His contemporaries are going on to bigger and better things, while he wallows in a mire of his own making.

The cast includes Justin Timberlake, Garret Hedlund, Carey Mulligan and a gloriously eccentric John Goodman.

From the writing team who brought us ‘The Big Lebowski’, ‘Burn After Reading’ and ‘O Brother Where Art Thou?’, the Coen brothers’ latest creation is a comment on the self-important human condition.

It’s a gritty, witty look at the reality for many struggling creative types. With haunting, washed out film stock and a lingering, heartfelt soundtrack produced by T-Bone Burnett, ‘Inside Llewyn Davis’ earned Oscar nominations for Cinematography

Comedy

We Love A Laugh

“No, handles for forks!” - Ronnie Barker

IMAGE: frankskinnerlive.com

Frank Skinner Announces Preston Dates

LEGENDARY brummy funnyman Frank Skinner has announced two dates at Preston’s Guildhall.

The comedian, who currently hosts the comedy panel show ‘Room 101’ on the BBC, has been penciled in at the city centre venue for Friday 4 and Saturday 5 April.

The shows, which are scheduled to start at 7.30pm on both days, are set to be the subject of massive demand as the tour will see Skinner play a nationwide tour of the United Kingdom for the first time in years.

Including the two shows at the Guildhall, Frank Skinner will play a massive 35 show run between early April and early June of this year, with stops off in locations such as Manchester, Sheffield, Basingstoke, Wolverhampton, Bristol and Portsmouth.

Tickets for the tour are on sale now, and are available directly from Frank Skinners website, frankskinnerlive.com, or directly via the Guildhall at prestonguildhall.com, tickets are priced at £27.50 for both nights at the Guildhall in Preston.

PLUTO

Issue 259

NEWS 2-5

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

SPORT 23-28

19

WOULD YOU KINDLY, BE MY VALENTINE? Gaming

Pushing your buttons makes us happy

“There’s no use crying over every mistake, you just keep on trying until you run out of cake.” - Portal

In this issue of Pluto we have our very own ‘Gamer’s Survival Guide’ for Valentine’s Day and how we romantically supercharged our way through The Last of Us: Left Behind, Grand Theft Auto V: The Valentine’s Day Massacre and Borderlands 2: Mad Moxxi Wedding Day Massacre.

Valentine’s Day DLC The Last of Us: Left Behind Georgia Gregoriou Gaming Editor

FROM the makers of the highly acclaimed Uncharted franchise, Naughty Dog’s exclusive post-apocalyptic survival horror title, The Last of Us, releases the Left Behind DLC, a prequel to Ellie’s story.

Since the release of The Last of Us back in June 2013, gamers have been anticipating the six month build up for the arrival of Left Behind which was released on Friday 14, 2014 on the PlayStation 3.

Hailed as one of the most staggering games of 2013, The Last of Us broke new ground with our heroes Ellie and Joel delivering an awe inspiring plot of a dehumanized and infected world crawling with Clickers.

Naughty Dog’s first ever single player DLC, Left Behind is the game’s final story expansion. As Riley, Ellie’s best friend, mysteriously returns from the outside world she reveals to Ellie her rebellious membership with the Fireflies.

Valentine’s Day DLC GTA V Valentine’s Day Massacre Special Georgia Gregoriou Gaming Editor

The story takes place during both the girls’ time attending a military boarding school in the Boston quarantine zone as they embark on an adventure building up to Ellie’s eventual encounter with Joel and the events of The Last of Us. The main drive regarding the plot for Left Behind was suggested in one of The Last of Us most powerful moments, along with setting the foundations for American Dreams, a tie-n graphic novel penned by Neil Druckmann and Faith Erin Hicks.

Neil Druckmann, Writer and Creative Director on The Last of Us and its Left Behind DLC said in an interview with Eurogamer: “We’d keep coming back to this story. It felt like a story that could stand on its own and had its own arc, that fit with the themes of The Last of Us, but more importantly, it gave new light on the main story. It fits all the criteria on what would make a story worth telling.”

Ellie’s voice actress, Ashley Johnson described in an interview with Polygon that Left Behind is more “playful” than The Last of Us. “It’s definitely different,’ Johnson said and continued: “It’s a little bit more ‘fun,’ because you have two teenage girls going through a mall. It’s kind of like a post-pandemic version of two teenage girls hanging out. Definitely not a normal hangout! It’s very different – a little more playful.”

Yaani King, voice actor behind Riley said that: “Left Behind gives players the chance to really learn the personalities and the heart of who these two girls are to each other.”

Druckmann continued to detail that: “Before we committed to this side story, we challenged ourselves and said, is this a story worth telling, because people already know how it ends.

“With this, we really wanted to stretch ourselves to go past our comfort zone –

What else can we do to build relationships outside of combat? We felt like the best moments in The Last of Us were the ones where we had this really great contrast between the horrible things you’d witness then these really sweet moments like the giraffe sequence.”

In an interview with IGN, Jacob Minkoff, Naughty Dog, Lead Game Designer said: “With Left Behind, we

wanted to make a single player DLC that was as fully crafted as our main campaign. There is a great deal that we have done with the DLC that exceeds the level of narrative density that we had in the main campaign.”

Community strategist Eric Monacelli explained on the PlayStation Blog that multiplayer content is in development however: “We don’t have any more single-player DLC planned.”

A little less anarchy and alot more love in Los Santos, or will it be a bloody Valentine. Rockstar early last week announced Grand Theft Auto V: Valentine’s Day Massacre Special situated in 1920’s Los Santos.

As a free update to the GTA Online and Story Mode, what a better way to spend Valentine’s Day getting violent.

The Valentine’s Day Massacre DLC was released on Valentine’s Day last Friday, where the content was made available for a limited time. IGN in a report stated that once acquiring the special items in the DLC special, players would be able to keep them for good.

Along with the announcement of the Valentine’s Day DLC, Rockstar promised more information soon regarding the upcoming, ‘Dangerous Business’ pack, Online Heists, an expansion to the Creator tool and much more.

On Rockstar’s official website in the Rockstar Newswire section here is what gamers can expect from the DLC.

New Weapon: Gusenberg Sweeper Nothing says “I love you” quite like the warm wooden grip and cold steel barrel of a Gusenberg Sweeper machine gun.

This special weapon is made available from any Ammu-Nation location in GTA Online, whereas the Sweeper is automatically made available into each players special character’s weapon inventory.

The Albany Roosevelt vehicle is accessible at any garage property location available in Story Mode and GTA Online from the legendarymotorsport.net ingame website.

Left Behind gives players the chance to really learn the personalities and the heart of who these two Yaani King girls are to each other

New Vehicle: Albany Roosevelt Paint the town red in the classicallyinspired Albany Roosevelt.

This armoured 1920’s limousine is perfect for gangsters and their moils.

To properly run amok with the new Roosevelt, get in the driver’s seat and let your friends or Crewmates hang off the side, firing and taking out your rivals as you pass them by.

The Rat Loader and all its upgrades are available for free for a limited time as a part of today’s title update Rockstar Newswire

Valentine’s Day DLC Mad Moxxi Wedding Day Massacre Georgia Gregoriou Gaming Editor

LOVE is a battlefield in the Mad Moxxi Wedding Day Massacre, additionally being the fourth and latest penchant for the Headhunter add-ons and a Valentine’s Day DLC for the popular 3rd person shooter, Borderlands 2 which was released back in September 2012.

Previously celebrating Halloween with ‘T.K. Baha’s Bloody Harvest,’ Thanks giving with, ‘The Horrible Hunger of the Ravenous Wattle Gobbler’ and Christmas with ‘How Marcus Saved Mercenary Day,’ It was inevitable that when Valentine’s Day came around, Borderlands 2 Headhunter DLC would be making an appearance with a Borderland twist on the rules of romance and the game of love.

The DLC picks up from the main portion of Borderlands 2, a mission involving the Clan wars between Zafords vs. Hodunks, tasking you, the Vault Hunter, with the task of aiding Moxxi in forming some semblance of peace between the two warring families.

That is when the Wedding Day Massacre kicks in, as Moxxi hopes to achieve this by getting the heads of the two families hitched, thus unifying the two Goliaths in matrimony. Featuring the return of Innuendo Bot 50000 and its creator, Mad Moxxi.

Joveth Gonzalez, 2K Games Community Manager for Borderlands stated in an interview: “We’re pushing some technical limitations making it near impossible to add more missions,” teasing gamers with the final Headhunter add-on Sir Hammerlock Versus the Son of Crawnerax for April 2014.

New Attire Dress to the nines in a host of new double breasted suits and 1920’s flapper dresses, or bare it all in sexy undergarments while gong incognito with a selection of new masquerade masks.

Additional available items include various novelty t-shirts and hats situated in stores all throughout Los Santos. As well as a special Flapper Bob hairstyle exclusively for the ladies, looks that could kill.

10 New Jobs The Valentine’s Day Massacre also includes 10 new jobs scattered like the remnants of a broken heart throughout the world of GTA Online, including Deathmatches, a new Parachute Jump and new land, sea and cycling races.

Swoon right?

Borderlands 2’s Headhunter DLC series has provided bite-size missions situated in Pandora with the achievement of unlocking new head and skins for your Vault Hunter in each DLC instalment.

Mad Moxxi and the Wedding Day Massacre is an enjoyable, tongue-incheek piece of entertainment for the duration it runs which is approximately an hour and a half. It’s a nice day for a Red Wedding?

We’re pushing some technical limitations making it near impossible to add more missions Joveth Gonzalez

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SOCIETIES

S O C I E T I E S

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

PLUTO

SISTERS OF THE ISLAMIC SOCIETY - HIJAB DAY Vanessa Silva

Deputy Societies Editor What is behind the idea for the stall today?

There was a World Hijab Day on Saturday 1 February and it is an annual event, it raises awareness of what the Hijab means. We invite people to try it on for the day and see how they feel. It helps to give perspective of the daily life of a Muslim woman who decides to wear one.

World Hijab Day is a non-profit organisation and we were trying to replicate it across the campus.

Is the Hijab always black or can it be a different colour?

Any colour and style. As long as you cover the areas that need to be covered and remain modest, you can wear it in many different ways. Many think it’s oppressing and restrictive but you can use it to express your fashion sense and yourself.

Do you think wearing the hijab is empowering for Islamic women?

Yes, definitely. Personally it has given me a lot of confidence to do things and helps me to identify myself as a Muslim, wearing it all the time is a reminder of my religion.

Are you planning many more events like this?

Loads, next week we have Syria Week.

Every year we choose a charity and dedicate a whole week of fundraising for that charity. On Wednesday some of our sisters will be selling their calligraphy canvases in the Maudland Foyer and some will go to auction later on in the week.

There will also be lots of food, even some Syrian, on sale throughout the week and all the funds raised will be going to a local Preston charity called the Tauheedul Relief Trust who raise money to help hospitals and schools in Syria. They’ll also be a visual art display of the conflict affecting civilians in syria happening at 11am on Friday in Foster corridor.

What was the inspiration for setting up the society?

Our aims are to represent the Muslim students on campus and host lots of events that raise awareness. In this day and age it is very easy to get side tracked and for the news to twist things, so we are just here to tell you straight out ‘this is what Islam is for us, this who a Muslim is, this is what we do’. We try to break down those barriers and increase tolerance.

UCLan is a very multi-cultural place and open to a lot of things. It’s very easy

Naomi Mclellan Societies Editor

WE love it when societies work together, so when the LGBT Society teamed up with the Film Soc to show ‘Bette Bourne - It Goes Better With Shoes’ for their History Month we were straight down there to watch this inspirational documentary.

The film is a documentary based on the life of gay rights icon, Bette Bourne, who

with all the stereotypes that go around to not know the full picture, so we feel it is our duty to give you the full picture from our point of view.

Why did you join the society? Do you love it and why?

Yes I absolutely love it! I joined around this time last year during the Gaza Week and I remember bucketing in the rain and it was so much fun and I kept thinking ‘I want to be part of this’.

The people I’ve met and the things that we’ve done has increased the belief I have in myself and made me closer to my religion. We all share the common feeling of wanting to do more for our society and promote the kind of peace our Prophet taught us; to give gifts, feed the homeless, raise awareness and seek knowledge.

It’s those beliefs that we try to replicate within the Islamic Society.

What type of socials/meetings do you have as a society?

We have a lot of funny socials. We have informal get-together pizza meetings but we also have more formal evenings like our Eid dinner last semester.

We are currently trying to get a zorbing event going on, but it’s still in the planning stages and the boys are planning a paintballing event. As for meetings, we have weekly events.

For example, the sisters have a scholar who comes in every Friday at 2 o’clock and she does a speech about a certain aspect of Islam. It’s all about bettering yourself as a person.

Then we have the big events like this.

The committee will come together but before that there is a general meeting with sisters and brothers where everyone can contribute with ideas.

We are currently trying to find a new place to pray because the Multi-Faith Centre is falling apart. We are trying to raise awareness for a ‘Place to Pray Campaign’ and we are trying to get Satellite Prayer rooms which basically are empty rooms around campus that we can have open access to and we can just go in and pray.

It takes five or ten minutes and then you go off to your lectures. It makes it a lot easier as well because the Multi Faith Centre is opposite the library and running back and forth can be tedious at times and can make us late.

We are working with the SU and the UCLan Chaplaincy to try and get this done.

The boys’ side got refurbished after all the severe weather damage, when

took on the establishment with high heels and lipstick, and in the process of this, played a vital role in gay liberation in the 1970’s and 80’s.

The film is a personal account of his life and how he got to where he is now.

It is an insightful piece that takes a look into the hidden world of gay rights in the later parts of the 20th century and proves to not only be emotional but also humorous and political.

This is a brilliant documentary that anyone will enjoy and is highly recommended.

IMAGE: Islamic Society

ISLAMIC SOCIETY... Head sister, Sana Iqbal (right), with Societies Editor, Naomi Mclellan (left), at the World Hijab Day stall. there is a need for the girls’ side as well.

We wonder where the tuition money goes to but we are trying to campaign for what we were promised.

How do you deal with discrimination and people hesitant to approach you?

Personally, I haven’t dealt much with discrimination. The ‘Place for Prayer’ thing is more of a students vs uni thing.

With events like this we are just trying to educate people and I’ve always been raised to smile at people, even if they don’t smile at you. With that in mind we try to involve as many as we can.

Now if people aren’t interested and don’t want to get involved they are more than welcome to walk past.

We won’t harass them, sometimes it takes a little push to get people involved and take part, and so I feel confident in trying to talk to as many people as I can.

How can people get in touch with you?

Anyone who wants to join the Islamic Society can check out our Facebook on ‘UCLan ISoc’ and we also have a twitter feed ‘@uclanisoc’.

How many people are involved in this society event?

We have about 4-5 people involved in the planning and then on the day we have volunteers on rotation.

It all depends as well on the nature of the event, whether it is a girls event or a boys. But when it is a large event like this everyone gets involved.

How do you promote the society to nonMuslims and is everyone welcome to come and see what you do?

Yes, we are always happy to welcome people.

We promote through Facebook, twitter, word of mouth and volunteers.

We explain what we do and welcome nonMuslims to take part in our events.

We have non-Muslims helping out with bake sales and charity week because that doesn’t have all to do with religion; it’s a human thing wanting to help people.

Anyone who is tolerant of religion and wants to join and help is welcome to.

For more information on the Islamic Society check out uclansu.co.uk/societies.

LGBT AND FILM SOC JOIN FORCES TO BRING BETTE BOURNE TO THE MITCHELL AND KENYON THEATRE Why are LGBT running a history month about the movement?

The LGBT movement has developed and changed so much in the past 10 years. From same sex marriage, repealing of section 28, to the Equality Act. It is important to remember where these changes came from as it is part of all our history, regardless of sexuality.

Why show this film?

It Goes Better With Shoes follows the

rise of the LGBT movement in the student population. This is a film that can directly speak to UCLAN students.

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Issue 259

What else is on this week?

Burlesque Society Meetings Mondays at 6pm-9pm in Harris Building 015a

Drama Society Meetings Thursdays at 7pm in Harris Building 015a

Feminists Society Meetings Wednesday at 6pm in Brook Building 014

LGBT Society Meetings Thursdays at 8pm in The Assembly Pub

Pagan Society Meetings Saturdays at 7pm in Harrington Building 115.

22nd Febuary Tarot Workshop, 1st March Native American Spirituality.

Philosophy Society Meeting Mondays at 7pm in Harrington Building 223.

Portugueses Society Meeting Thursday 20th February at 5.15pm in SU Opportunities Centre.

TableTop Gaming Society Meetings Tuesday at 3pm-9pm in Harliquins, 52 Manchester Road.

Spice up your Society Life!

NEWS 2-5

VISIT the link to the below, to find out how! Or pop into the Opportunities Centre!

DO you have a question on running a society or who to contact?

Want to give us feedback on what you think of societies and what could be improved? Give us a shout at Uclanplutosocieties@yahoo.co.uk For our full list of societies visit http://www.uclansu.co.uk/societies

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

HISTORIC TRIP FOR NIGERIAN SOCIETY TO LIVERPOOL MUSEUM Pam Jat

Secretary, Nigerian UCLan Society IN 1562, John Hawkins, the son of William Hawkins, led the first English slave expedition to Africa. However, the first slaving period only lasted for six years due to the Spanish and Portuguese monopoly of the Atlantic trading routes.

Although much light is thrown on slavery and its effects, little is known about the system of governance and societal stratification in Sub-Saharan Africa.

It is imperative to note that slavery existed in Africa, Asia and Europe even before slave trading began.

In the African context, slaves were used to support the workforce and the means of production. As kingdoms expanded, new territories were conquered.

Conquered territories were sometimes subjected to taxation.

Slaves were incorporated into the society, had a place in the family and enjoyed an unfettered degree of rights and opportunities. Most notably, there was a means of redemption and gaining freedom.

The African society in the 14th to 15th century was not one ravished by poverty or communal conflicts. In fact, there was active trade between the coastal areas of Africa and the Chinese and Indians.

Thus, the Arabs assumed the role of ‘masters of the sea’ serving as middle men between final production at the coastal areas and the transportation of these goods.

This society was so focused on maintaining a good relationship between alliances and immediate neighbours that diplomacy in form of covenants passed on from generation to generation.

However, this society depended on vocational means to pass on its customs and traditions. This is not to say that tertiary education was not developing.

In 1520, Leo Africanus wrote on his ordeal in Timbuktu presently situated in Mali.

In his words: “In Timbuktu, there are numerous judges, professors and holy men all being handsomely maintained by the kings who hold scholars in much honour.

“Here, too, they sell many hand written books from North Africa; more profit is made from selling books in Timbuktu than from any other branch of trade.”

This society met by the Europeans was self-sufficient as all that was needed to maintain the economy and political apparatus was found in the society itself. It is evident that much has been lost from this society due to the imbalance in the continent caused by slave trade.

As a result, commodities were exchanged for gun powder and guns, and more violent means were employed to

GODDESS IN THE LANDSCAPE TALK

GO on a day out with your society.

You could go paintballing: laser tag or for a picnic the choice is yours. Delta Force promotes at the SU and offers really cool discounts to societies and the more people you get the cheaper it is! What better way to collaborate with others and strengthen bonds than shooting at each other?

RAISING money for charity is also a good way to spice things up. Not only does it make you feel gooey inside and generally a better human being you can promote your society at the same time, support local charities and can even get it promoted through R.A.G.

FEATURES 6-7

Society Profile FASHION SOC THE UCLan Fashion Society offer a meeting space for all those interested in any aspect of fashion and it doesnt matter what you study.

They plan yearly trips and events including Fashion Shows, Stich and B*tch sessions plus many more.

They’ll be holding elections for community members in the next few weeks.

Come along to see if you have what it takes to help run a society.

Facebook - /uclanfashionsociety

Get all your news at pluto-online.com

UCLAN Pagan Society are set to host a talk on 15 February.

Earth mysteries investigator and ley hunter, Eileen Grimshaw, will lead this fascinating talk on her discovery of a recumbent goddess figure in the landscape around Surrey where she used to live.

Eileen says, “Some years ago on a snowy Boxing Day morning the whole household was sleeping and the visiting dog, Buster, wanted to go for a walk.

“I took him to the Surrey Downs at the top of our road and imagine my astonishment, stooping to let him off the lead, I noticed the figure of a beautiful, recumbent woman formed by the hills opposite .... a veritable goddess in the landscape, all covered in white ...

Buster seemed astonished as well.”

Eileen then proceeded to follow the shape of the goddess and map and mark all the places of interest she encountered along the way, including prehistoric mounds, tumuli, wells and haunted places.

She will show us the results of her research through photographs, illustrations and maps.

This a talk not to be missed. Eileen has been a member of the Ley Hunters Association for many years and wrote their most recent constitution.

keep the trade.

Slavery was abolished in most of the British Empire by the coming into force of the Slavery Abolition Act 1833.

Furthermore, the Human Rights Act 1998, as incorporated into English Law, upholds the abolition of slavery in its absoluteness.

However, slavery is practised in different forms, as the International Labour Organisation (ILO) estimates the figures to be 20.9 million men, women and children around the world.

This means that cooperative efforts have to be taken by governments around the world to ensure that rights of the most vulnerable, women and child are safeguarded.

This may take the restructuring of economies, provision of social and welfare services and the direct applicability of human rights.

The first step is difficult, but the first step is the right step.

A note from Pam: I appreciate all persons who supported the Nigerian UCLan Society on its exploratory venture to the International Slavery Museum, Liverpool by their presence, co-operation and support. I also thank Clinton Smith from the Black History Group for creating the opening for the society. A sea of thanks goes to UCLan SU for immense support to societies.

SPORT 23-28

21

Society Profile ANIME & MANGA HAVING trouble with getting senpai to notice you? Always rushing to school with bread in your mouth?

Your imouto refuses to call you oniichan? Does your heart go doki doki?

Then we know just the place for you! UCLan Anime and Manga Society! An exclusive society where all your reverse harem fantasies are fulfilled, they have characters ranging from tsundere, hairy men crossplaying in the sailor senshi uniform and the tentacle monster which lurks under the desk.

Not interested in seeking a harem?!

Even then, THEY CAN BRING THE MOE OUT OF YOU! Join them today for pervy animated nosebleeds!

They meet on a bi-weekly basis to watch anime together, in addition to that they run a number of events throughout the year outside the regular session.

Meetings are on from 1700-2030, Tuesdays and Thursdays in Brook Building 016 and 009 respectively.

Facebook - /uclananime

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Issue 259

S Matthew Plutos Plunter Hill P O R T NEWS 2-5

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

SPORT 23-28

Betting

Hello again to regular readers and welcome to first-timers. I’m Matthew Hill, a second year Sports Journalism student, and hopefully by reading this column I’m about to make you a bit of extra pocket money! Every week, I try to take a look ahead to the week’s football fixtures and pick out a value-packed bet which might just fill up your empty student wallet – or at least pay for a few more drinks! Bear in mind that this column is wrote more than a week in advance of fixtures, so things can change very quickly in terms of odds and form.

Last week we didn’t quite pull off the long-shot double. Christian Benteke’s run of goalscoring form finally halted, although he did manage to rattle the crossbar – frustrating! But we’ll move on with a positive outlook.

Newcastle vs Aston Villa It’s been a tough month on the Tyne for the long-suffering Toon Army. Only 4 weeks ago, Yohan Cabaye’s was single-handedly guiding them to an emphatic victory over West Ham. Yet, since his late departure – and a failure to replace him – the Toon are goalless and winless in 3 (most notably a 3 goal drubbing at the hands of fierce rivals Sunderland). With a little further digging however, there seems more to the dip in form than Cabaye’s “au revoir”.

Not renowned for topping league tables, Alan Pardew’s team are comfortably leading the rest of the Premier League pack – in terms of injured players! With at least four of their seven (yes, seven) crocked first-teamers expected to be passed fit for this home clash, I see the Geordies causing Paul Lambert’s men a lot of problems. Villa have been typically inconsistent this campaign, and have only shown flashes of the quality they possess in their squad. Their current position of 11th may be a bit of a deception; only 4 points above the relegation zone. With a tough March ahead of them, I predict this game could be the start of a hefty slide. The Newcastle win at Evens looks a shrewd pick.

Liverpool vs Swansea Make no mistake about it, Liverpool’s home form in recent weeks is nothing short of genuine title winners. After a thrashing of noisy neighbours Everton, the Reds really made punters

Lee Murphy’s Boxing

Newcastle have not won a Premier League game this season without Gouffran

sit up and notice when taking apart league leaders Arsenal, with a whirlwind 4 goals inside the opening 20 minutes the catalyst for a meteoric 5-1 score-line. Many betting writers would currently be pointing you in the direction of a tasty 12/1 for Brendan Rodgers’ men to win the title, but I’m not quite convinced. Ultimately, I think a tendency to throw points away on their travels will prove too costly, but I am quite happy to trust all of my pennies with the Reds at Anfield this term. Opponents Swansea have had a turbulent time of things recently, with Michael Laudrup’s departure catching few by surprise after a dangerous slide towards the relegation zone. Club legend Garry Monk kicked things off perfectly in the hotseat with a demolition of Cardiff, but will have tougher times ahead. Realistically, he will know anything more than a heavy defeat here wouldn't be something to frown upon, but there may be extreme value in backing the Swans to score. Liverpool to win and both teams to score is a whopping 15/8 with Ladbrokes, and looks like the bet here.

The two selections combine for a 5/1 double, and I’m really confident in this week’s picks.

I hope you get on, and wish you good luck with your bets.

Selections Newcastle win (evens) + Liverpool to win and BTTS (15/8) – 5/1 Double

Boxing Corner

INJUSTICE... First encounter being wrongly stopped last year

The moment we have all been waiting for!

Carl Froch and George Groves have finally agreed to a rematch.

This is to the delight of the British boxing fans, and Matchroom promoter Eddie Hearn has announced the pair, who box in the supermiddleweight division will fight for a second time on May 31.

This finally settle the rivalry after Froch's controversial ninth-round stoppage in Manchester was the right one.

The IBF in January called for their to be a rematch with the purse split being 85-15% in favour of the champion Froch, however Groves appealed against the split but was unsuccessful.

Thankfully both parties have finally come to an agreement over the split and we are set to see one of the most anticipated rematches in Britain for many years.

Groves still detests The Cobras victory and even went as far as writing to the British Boxing Board in a bid to get the fight deemed as

23

a no contest which would of resulted in 'Saint Groves' only loss being chalked off.

"Quite simply, I believe this is one of the biggest fights in British boxing history," Hearn said."It was one of the most epic and exhilarating fights I've ever witnessed and I'm delighted the public are going to get a chance to see it all again."The unanswered questions from the first fight may now be answered."

Get ready for a whirlwind of a build-up and an event and fight for the ages - Froch v Groves II is on!"

The fan base will be much more evenly split this time around too, Groves was booed as he entered the arena in Manchester however he exited to raptures of applause from the boxing fans and this is sure to give him a extra boost of motivation when or if the fight enters the later rounds.

The fight is expected to take place in an outdoor venue with the Emirates and Wembley a possibility.

AGE DOES NOT MATTER FOR CRUSADERS PLAYER Michael Black

PR & New Media for SSTO Clare Carson's story is proof that age doesn't need to be a hindrance to your personal development.

The Crusaders and Northern Ireland Ladies football international graduated from UCLan's Sports Development and Coaching programme in 2011, and is now changing the lives of youngsters in her homeland. We caught up with Clare to find out more.

Tell us about your time at UCLan? "I studied a Sports Development and Coaching top-up degree and graduated with a 2:1. It was one of the best experiences of my life and I wish I'd done my full degree at UCLan. Even though I was 28 I learned a lot about myself.

"I gained a lot of new skills and it provided a great insight into sport development that I hadn’t seen before. I was privileged enough to work with great lecturers who went out of their way to help me. The network of people and organisations I met during my time there has been invaluable."

What are you doing now? "I currently work as an Irish Football Association (IFA) Primary School Coach in the Newry and Mourne area of Northern Ireland.

There are a total of 32 coaches funded by the Department of Education for Northern Ireland (DENI) and my role is to teach the fundamentals of sport to primary children in years one to four.

These include spacial awareness, balance and coordination.

"We incorporate these through football, ideally once they are competent in the basics. Our job provides children with the tools to play a wide range of sports and gives them the skills to participate longer, helping them take part in

active life styles."

What sort of challenges do you face?

"No day is ever the same – the kids can be very complex and challenging. I work with a range of children with many different needs, both physical and learning, and I’m tasked with providing inclusive, fun sessions that aid their development.

Previously I was purely focused on coaching football to older ages, so this has definitely widened my experience."

Away from coaching you've enjoyed a successful time as a footballer. Tell us about this?Where to begin! I play for Crusaders Women's Football Club, who have been the Premier League champions six times in the last eight years. I've played in European competitions and been to some beautiful countries, including Austria, Croatia and Slovenia.

"At international level I've played since I was 24 and been privileged enough to travel to many countries. Last year we played at the Cyprus Cup against South Africa, South Korea and Republic of Ireland. Being capped by my county is one of the greatest achievements of my life nothing compares to standing for the national anthem on game day."

What are your your long-term aspirations? "I'd always envisaged being a teacher and I guess to a certain extent that’s what I am, but it’s made me rethink what’s involved in education and how there are additional ways of educating children.

"I also coach at the IFA County excellence development squads and find this to be great experience. In the future I would like to do a top-up PGCE and also aim to coach at elite level age groups.

"One other thing I’m very keen to do is a Masters degree. Hopefully in the next five years I’ll have at least a couple of these completed. Eventually I hope to be either a lecturer or progress into a higher role with the IFA."

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SPORT

Rugby League

THREE OF RUGBY LEAGUES BEST CURRENT PROSPECTS Oliver Roby Liam Sutcliffe- Leeds Rhinos

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

Jamie Shaul – Hull FC

Matty Russell – Warrington

Cricket

DELHI GET THEIR MAN

Charles Gill Sutcliffe was forced into the Leeds Rhinos first team during the 2013 campaign due to an injury crisis at the club, but he quickly emerged as one of the most exciting young talents in Super League.

He showed confidence and ability beyond his years, scoring an impressive 7 tries in 18 appearances, while he notched up 11 assists in the games in which he featured, with his most eyecatching performance coming when he scored twice and set up four tries against Widnes Vikings.

The Leeds-born youngster combines his great skill and agility with great strength, meaning he is no pushover when it comes to defending - a rare and valuable trait amongst playmakers. At just 19, Sutcliffe, who was voted as Leeds’ best young player by fans last season, is sure to have a big future ahead of him at both club and international level.

The former bricklayer burst on the scene after a severe hamstring injure ruled out Hull’s first choice full back Shannon McDonnell and the 21-year-old was a shining light in what was an ultimately disappointing campaign for FC fans.

Shaul, who won the club’s U20s Player of the Year award in 2012, enjoyed an outstanding start to his first grade career, with ten tries in as many appearances last term.

A lifelong Hull fan, the pacey full back has quickly become a firm favourite amongst fans at the KC Stadium and was one of Hull’s stand-out performers in his side’s 16-0 defeat in the Challenge Cup final at Wembley.

Shaul looks likely to be afforded more game time during 2014 under new head coach and mentor Lee Radford, and will be hoping to make progress on his efforts last year

ADAMS DELIGHTED WITH BLACKPOOL OUTING

Darts

Steven Smith Sports Editor

THREE-time world champion Martin Adams tonight hailed the Mirror World Trophy in Blackpool as just what the darts doctor ordered.

Adams – nicknamed Wolfie – believes extra tournaments in the sport’s calendar are long overdue. “It’s what players in the BDO have wanted for a very long time,” he said.

The competition in front of a very vocal crowd in the Tower Ballroom has made it a great occasion for both fans and players.

“A tournament like this has been talked about for quite a few years but nothing has happened. Now it’s starting to happen and hopefully this will be the first of many more.”

New competitions are in the pipeline

The Scotland international made his Super League debut for Wigan Warriors back in 2012 but only made two appearances for the current champions. Despite scoring three tries, Russell was allowed to make the switch to Australia with the Gold Coast Titans and the youngster spent a year down-under, tplaying with some of the best talents in world rugby.

Despite not making a senior appearance in the NRL, Russell will have undoubtedly benefited hugely from his experience in Australia.

The full back, who is equally adept anywhere across the back line, starred in Scotland’s surprise run in the recent World Cup and could be a fantastic piece of business by Warrington as they look to the future following Brett Hodgson’s retirement. Being just 20 the Irvine-born man has great potential and could be the Warrington’s missing link.

Winter Olympics

PLUTO

KEVIN Pietersen has been bought by Delhi Daredevils for £880,000 (90m Rupees) in the 2014 Indian Premier League auction.

Pietersen, 33, was expected to go for a higher price as he is eligible to play the whole tournament this year after he was dropped by the national side. The exEngland batsman was the third highest price on the first day, behind Yuvraj Singh (£1.37m) and Dinesh Karthik (£1.26m).

Delhi were originally outbid by Sunrisers Hyderabad, but made use of their ‘Right to Match’ card to buy back a player who was contracted with them last year.

This will be Pietersen’s fourth IPL tournament, playing for Royal Challengers Bangalore and Delhi Daredevils in previous years. He has scored 634 runs in 21 IPL matches at an average of 42, including a stunning 64-ball century in 2012

against Deccan Chargers to win the match.

Pietersen missed last year’s tournament due to a knee injury during a tour to New Zealand with England. Delhi finished stone-dead last in the 2013 tournament and will be looking to Pietersen to lead from the front.

It was not such a good day for the other English players involved in the auction. Ian Bell, Ravi Bopara, Jade Dernbach, Craig Kieswetter, Luke Wright, Dimitri Mascarenhas, Rikki Clarke and Simon Jones all failed to sell.

England’s opening batsman Alex Hales, ranked as the second best 20/20 batsman in the world, was also left unsold much to the surprise of the cricketing world.

The seventh edition of this 20/20 tournament starts on April 8th and the final will be played on May 30th. During this time, the glitz and glamour of Bollywood will team up with the incredible passion of Indian cricket to ensure that the whole of the cricketing world is looking at India.

BRITAIN OFF TO A FLYER IN WINTER OLYMPICS Tom Lewis Sports Writer

and are likely to be given the go-ahead in the next few months.

It has been only a few weeks since Lakeside Champion Steven Bunting – who previously stating his desire to defend his BDO title – left for rivals PDC. The 28-year-old could not resist the extra money available on the PDC Pro Tour circuit and the chance to take on Phil Taylor and Michael Van Gerwen.

But Adams, who has turned down offers to defect, believes this could provide a fresh opportunity for other rising stars of BDO. “This is why were seeing the likes of Jeffrey De Graaf and Paul Jennings step up,” he said.

“They have the time and opportunity, and they now need to build upon those opportunities.”

De Graaf and Jennings both showed their potential at the BDO Mirror World Trophy, with the Dutchman reaching the quarter-finals and Jennings the semis.

JENNY Jones won Britain’s first medal at the 2014 Sochi Winter Olympics after she won bronze in the women’s snowboard slopestyle. It was Great Britain’s first ever Winter Olympics medal on snow and ended a 90 year wait.

It was a superb performance by Jones with her brilliant second run earning her a bronze with a score of 87.25. America’s Jamie Anderson won the event and picked up a gold medal with Enni Rukajarvi earning silver. It was the first ever snowboard slopestyle event at a Winter Olympics with Jones having won the British Snowboard Championships five times.

The 33 year old from Bristol created a moment of history for Britain and Lord Sebastian Coe, chairman of the British Olympic Association hopes it will go on to inspire other British athletes, “We heard that the country got really excited about Jenny’s medal. That is great for the Games and great for Team GB. Everyone is really pumped up by this and all of the athletes are inspired. We are hoping for a terrific Games now.”

Preston has its own reason to be proud of Team GB at the Winter Olympics with local ice skater Stacey Kemp having performed in the Pairs Ice Skating. Kemp,born in Preston and from Leyland competed in the pairs event

with partner David King from Carlisle.

The two who are engaged produced a performance that can make their two cities proud but they were unable to make it into the final. The couple are hoping they can compete at the 2018 Games in South Korea but having had their funding cut from UK Sport, they are having to rely on their parents to fund their career. UK sport cut all funding to the pair, who have eight British titles, after they finished 16th at the Vancouver Winter Olympics in 2010. It costs £25,000 a year for Stacey and David to have professional coaching and suitable facilities at their training base in Florida. Hopefully, the pair can receive some more funding so they will be able to compete in South Korea in four years’ time.

The Games in Sochi last 16 days and finish on Sunday 23rd February and

Britain are hoping to add to their medal tally. Both curling teams have a chance of picking up a medal with the women’s team led by Eve Muirhead, who won the 2013 World Championships with Scotland, being strong contenders. The Men’s team also has a good chance of picking up a medal. The team, led by skip David Murdoch is aiming to become the first British male curling team to win a medal at the Winter Olympics since 1924. Shelley Rudman, reigning skeleton world champion is hoping to go one better than the silver that she picked up at the games in Turin in 2004. Britain were the last winners of the Women’s skeleton after Amy Williams picked up gold four years ago in Vancouver. All Brits will be inspired by the success of Jenny Jones and there’s no reason they can’t add to the medal tally.

PLUTO

Issue 259

NEWS 2-5

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

PNE WOMEN FLY INTO CUP FINAL Woman’s Football

Michael Henson Sports Writer

THE ROAD TO THE FINAL

20.10.13 – Penwortham Ladies 2-17 PNE Women The journey to the final started on the 20th October at the UCLan Sports Arena as PNE Women destroyed Penwortham Ladies in horrendous conditions.

Sophie Jones scored a hat trick in the first ten minutes and Gemma Watson added a double on her return from injury.

Paige Forster scored her first goal of the game in the 20th minute before Tiff Robinson added a seventh just before half time.

The goals didn’t stop there though as PNE Women added a further ten in the second half.

Forster got her second when her shot took a deflection to wrong foot Naomi Cavell just before a flurry of goals saw the score move to 11-1. Gemma Watson added two to her tally in two minutes and Tiff Robinson added her second of the game.

Captain Laura Walker added her name to the scoresheet as she scored a screamer from thirty yards out that flew into the top corner and her goal was followed by a second consolation from Penwortham.

Holly Rawcliffe, on her debut, made it 13-2 in the 70th minute but the scoring didn’t finish there as Forster completed her hat trick, Melissa Ball added a double and Sophie Killip added one at the back post to make the final score 17-2 to PNE Women.

17.11.13 – Blackpool Wren Rovers Ladies 0-6 PNE Women PNE came out of the blocks firing as they took an early lead after good work from Gemma Watson. Watson took the ball down the right hand side and fired a low ball into the area which was met by the sliding Becky Grocott to give PNE the lead.

30 minutes into the game, PNE goalkeeper Danielle Brown was tested for the first time as Nikki Berko struck a free kick from 25 yards out. Brown dived low to her left and prevented it from finding the bottom corner.

PNE started the second half exactly like the first and scored early on when the unmarked Sophie Jones connected onto a through ball by Alice Forshaw.

Jones got her second of the game in the 75th minute when Melissa Ball picked her out at the back post to leave her with an easy finish.

She had her hat trick three minutes later as Forshaw and Jones combined again.

Forshaw played a pinpoint pass to Jones who applied the finish to make it 4-0.

PNE then scored two goals in the final few minutes when Keeleigh Savage headed in from a corner before Jenna Carroll scored almost immediately from the restart as she dodged four or five BWR defenders and calmly slotted past Charlotte Leece to put the icing on the cake.

09.02.14 – Morecambe Ladies 0-5 PNE Women PNE goalkeeper Danielle Brown was tested early on in the game as she produced a fantastic diving save to tip a long range effort onto the post but after the early chance

Wrestling

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SPORT 23-28

SECOND GUIDE TO BBL

The British Basketball League, is the premier men's professional basketball league in the United Kingdom. The BBL runs two knockout competitions alongside the league Championship; the BBL Cup and the BBL Trophy, as well as the post-season Play-offs.

CURRENT CHAMPIONS

Leicester Tigers MOST TITLES

she was hardly tested for the rest of the game.

PNE were playing against a very strong wind in the first half but opened the scoring with a long range free kick from captain Laura Walker. She struck an effort from around 30 yards out that took a slight deflection and went in off the post to give PNE the advantage in the semi-final.

The lead was extended to two goals shortly before half time after good work on the right hand side of midfield between Alison Taberner and Gemma Watson.

Taberner played a one two with Watson and floated a cross into the box which flew over the goalkeeper and into the far corner.

Melissa Ball nearly got a goal for herself either side of half time but she was thwarted by the bar and then a great save from the Morecambe goalkeeper in the first minute of the second half.

It was 3-0 to PNE in the 65th minute when substitute Paige Forster played a lofted ball over the defence for Keeleigh Savage. Savage let the ball drop and the hit an effort on the half volley that nestled in the roof of the net.

3-0 turned into 4-0 four minutes later when centre back Carly Bayley headed home from a deep corner for Alison Taberner and Bayley had a part to play in PNE’s fifth goal.

She swung a cross to the back post and Holly Rawcliffe applied the finish under pressure from the Morecambe right back and goalkeeper to make it 5-0 to PNE. No date has been set for the final yet but keep checking the Twitter page, @PNEWomenFC, for any information about it.

Newcastle Eagles: 5 CURRENT SEASON AVERAGE POINTS

Brent Benson: 23.8 AVERAGE REBOUNDS

Victor Moses: 13.9 AVERAGE ASSISTS

James Jones: 7

AVERAGE BLOCKS

Mike Allison: 2.7

HAS CM PUNK REALLY QUIT OR IS IT ONE BIG STUNT

Bradley Poole Sports Writer

CM Punk, one of the biggest stars in WWE today has reportedly walked out of the company just two months before the biggest event in their history to date, Wrestlemania 30.

He reportedly told bosses he was going home before a Monday Night Raw, which left the creative team in a panic to change the plans. He took to Twitter shortly after to thank the fans for their support.

He is yet to tweet since. Staying with Twitter, the official WWE account has unfollowed him.

Punk missed this scheduled appearance and also his next at a Smackdown event in Toledo, Ohio the following day, with his name having now been removed from all future events (bar Elimination Chamber) on the WWE website.

Punk has been linked with several other opportunities such as compet-

ASTONISHING... Could one of WWE biggest stars simply walked away ing in MMA and even been offered a role in adult movies. But many fans are still hoping this is just all part of a story line in WWE. Until Punk confirms this news himself, though, there will be reasonable doubt regarding the validity of these reports.

There is still no word on the official WWE site over Punk's decision, and memories of a 2011 storyline he was involved in

cannot be ignored.

The straight edged superstar has had many niggling injuries throughout the years so it could just be a plot to give him so time off to help him recover and shock the world with his return.

The wrestler's contract with the WWE is due to expire in July and many believe he will not renew it.

Punk previously stating "everything is

up in the air" amid fears he is battling injures and generally burning out (or else just angry about Batista's push in the Royal Rumble).

Wrestling fans must hope this is simply a work to try and create some tension and hype for the big event in April.

However, at this time, it looks to be legitimate.

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SPORT

Rally Driving

RALLY COMES TO FLEETWOOD CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

The Legend Fires North West Stages was once again the opening round for the Armed Forces Rally Team’s own Land Rover Championship with each Land Rover XD being sponsored by a local company.

They proved that they could post competitive times against more conventional rally cars while the heavily handling and practically non-existent aerodynamics made for some spectacular action for the crowds.

With 47 of the 100 cars crashing out, retiring or experiencing technical problems, the drivers will be bringing their machines back to the pits of the next stages around the calendar year.

Next up is the Slot Car racing on the 20th of February, and it again will likely be a thrilling occasion.

17 February 2014

www.pluto-online.com

Final Positions

Finishing time and distance from leader 1 2 3 4 5 ` 6 7 8 9 10

Paul Bird 1:37:48 Neil Simpson 1:42:56 0:05:08 Darren Doherty 1:44:32 0:06:44 Bob Grant 1:46:40 0:08:52 Damian Cole 1:48:08 0:10:20 Alan Kirby 1:48:18 0:10:30 Chris Ford 1:48:37 0:10:49 Howard Chopping 1:48:39 0:10:51 David Benson 1:49:19 0:11:31 Mathew Roberts 1:50:12 0:12:24

PLUTO’S GOSSIP...SHHH

-Arsenal boss Arsene Wenger has reportedly met Mario Balotelli's agent as he weighs up a summer move for the 23year-old AC Milan striker.

-Ashley Cole's World Cup place is under serious threat after Roy Hodgson hinted he is ready to blood Southampton's 18year-old left-back Luke Shaw.

-Chelsea defender David Luiz is a summer transfer target for Barcelona, who have valued the 26-year-old at about £22m.

-Liverpool defender Jon Flanagan, 21, was flattered to learn that Brazil's World Cup-winning right-back Cafu had been tweeting about him.

-Chelsea will offer to sell striker Fernando Torres, 29, back to his boyhood club Atletico Madrid as part of a bid for prolific forward Diego Costa, 25.

-Former Manchester United midfielder Paul Ince says the club have no leaders and have not replaced ex-captain Roy Keane.

PLUTO

Cricket

MIXED EMOTIONS FOR UCLAN CRICKET CLUB IN OPENING FIXTURES OF THE INDOOR LEAGUE

Alex Renshaw

Cricket Correspondent CAPTAIN Charlie Jackson and his squad travelled down to Clayton Sports Centre in Staffordshire hoping to get off to a flying start in an attempt to better last season’s 3rd placed finish.

The first match was against Bangor 1sts and, after losing the toss, UCLan were asked to bat meaning that it was down to openers Josh Jones and Jonny Wells to try and seize some early initiative.

A combination of sensible batting and some wayward bowling ensured UCLan did just that as the first 50 runs were scored inside of the first five overs.

Both batsmen ran well between the wickets and hit 69 together before Jones was caught and bowled for 17. Wells top scored with 22 before he was run out which brought Will Threlkeld and Jackson out to the middle.

Threlkeld hit a brisk 9 before being caught off the wall and the skipper soon followed after he was caught behind for 3 but Bangor continued to bowl inconsistently and the team 100 came up with three wides.

Steve Jeffery and Jake Sunderland both sacrificed their wickets in a bid for late runs and UCLan eventually finished 115 all out from 10 overs.

Bangor’s reply started badly as Wells had an opener caught off the wall from the first delivery of the innings but a

solid partnership for the second wicket pushed their total towards 50 before Sunderland broke the stand with a run out.

Two more run outs followed but a succession of quick boundaries threatened to thwart UCLan’s chances of victory, with batsman no.3 playing particularly well for his 30. Jackson picked up the fifth wicket before another run out meant that Bangor were all out for 83 from 8 overs, handing UCLan the victory by 32 runs.

UCLan went straight into their second game of the day against Liverpool John Moores 1sts aiming to replicate the success against Bangor.

LJMU won the toss and elected to bat first but Wells again ensured that UCLan got off to the perfect start as he found the edge of batsman no.1, after an attempted cut shot, and Threlkeld held on superbly behind the stumps.

Steve Jeffery came into the attack and bowled batsman no.3 in his first over before Wells picked up another, caught off the wall, and UCLan were well and truly in the ascendency when Wells and Threlkeld again combined to remove batsman no.5.

Some tight UCLan bowling and sharp fielding was making it hard for LJMU to pick up runs and when Sunderland bowled batsman no.4 (who top scored with 9), it seemed like just a matter of time before the innings would be over.

Threlkeld stumped the last man off the bowling of Sunderland as LJMU finished 47 all out from 6.4 overs.

During the exchange of innings,

UCLan were confident of chasing down the 48 runs to win the match but got off to a terrible start when Jones was run out for 2 in the first over.

Threlkeld was then caught for 3 and when Jackson was also caught for just 1, UCLan’s chances of victory were looking slim. Jeffery (2) was bowled and Sunderland was run out just moments later meaning that Wells was the last man standing, with 23 runs still required for the win.

He was eventually caught behind for 9 and UCLan were all out for 31 from 5.3 overs, handing LJMU the victory by 16 runs.

UCLan have three more games to look forward to next Sunday against Keele, the University of Liverpool and local rivals Lancaster knowing that a trio of wins will still give them every chance of finishing top of the table.

Michael Henson

he finished off a 13-pass move.

They started with the ball in their own half and involved all of their outfield players before Brownhill chipped the goalkeeper from 20 yards out.

His effort was selected, along with nine others, by a judging panel as one of the best from the 72 nominations from all the Football League clubs and the general public can now vote for the goal at www.socceram.com/goaloftheyear.

Another goal from Brownhill that stood out was his effort against Crawley Town in the 2-2 draw before Christmas when he scored a delightful chipped effort from outside the box.

Speaking about the goals, Brownhill said: “My goals have been alright. They have been team goals as well, like the one at Carlisle which was a whole team goal and I just finished it off.

Before adding: “The one at Crawley was another good bit of passing between players and I went through and scored. The first goal that I scored was just an unbelievable feeling. To get that one so early has helped kick me on for the rest of the season.”

UCLan Playing Squad Charlie Jackson (c)

Will Threlkeld (wk) Josh Jones

Steve Jeffery

Jake Sunderland Jonny Wells

Football

6 Nations Nat Na attio io ons o ns Burgers Bu B urg u rge ge er rs r

Sports Writer

Preston North End midfielder Josh Brownhill could leave the Football League Awards with two trophies after being nominated in two different categories.

Brownhill had been nominated as League One Apprentice of the Year, but is now Goal of the Year for his strike against Carlisle United on Boxing Day. The 18 year old, a former Manchester United schoolboy, only made his first team debut in the Johnstone’s Paint Trophy game against Oldham in October at Deepdale but has gone on to make 12 league appearances this term.

In his first start for Preston North End he scored the winning goal away to Gillingham on 19th October and received high praise from manager Simon Grayson.

His goal against Carlisle United on Boxing Day was nominated by Preston North End as their Goal of the Year after

27

STANDING COULD MAKE RETURN TO ENGLISH FOOTBALLS TOP LEAGUES Issue 259

CONTINUED FROM BACK PAGE

However, all league one and two clubs are allowed to offer standing areas to their supporters.

The football league now has decided to campaign for 'safe standing' to be permitted in the game.

Many football league clubs have backed the calls from the football league and fans, and it is now believed that the proposed rail seats in question would offer a much safer alternative to the old style terraces as it would holt forward movement by supporters.

The seats are used by a number of teams within the Bundesliga including Last season's champions league runners up, Borrusia Dortmund.

Their ground the Westfalenstadion can hold a capacity of over 80,000. Dortmund offer the standing areas in all of their league games and unlock the seats

NEWS 2-5

for all of their European fixtures. Along with many of the German top tier clubs offering the rail seats to fans, clubs in Austria and Sweden have also introduced rail seats over the last couple of years.

Bristol City plan on introducing the seats to two parts of the stadium which are currently unused and will be implemented during the redevelopment of Ashton Gate.

The chairman of Bristol sport who are overseeing the plans for the stadium believes that it would be a big moment for the football community as a whole within the UK and with the rail seats success on the continent, safe standing should be accepted in this country like it has been in others.

Many Lancashire clubs have backed the campaign to introduce safe standing including championship clubs

FEATURES 6-7

COMMENT 8-9

LIFESTYLE 10-14

Bolton Wanderers, Burnley and Blackburn Rovers. All three clubs have hinted they would be in favour of the campaign which would allow their fans to stand or sit in the special areas if they wished.

Along with the huge backing to reintroduce standing terraces within the highest level of the English game, there are also a number of campaigners and groups who feel the decision to do so would be a foolish one.

Many feel it adds an unnecessary risk to the game and could see a similar disaster to Hillsborough occur, which tragically took the lives of 96 Liverpool fans.

After the introduction to goal-line technology to the Premier league, this debate looks to take hold as one of the main talking points within football and it is expected that any official decision by the FA will not be made in the foreseeable future.

CULTURE 15-19

SOCIETIES 20-22

ON THE MOVE... The idea is touring the country right now.

WHAT DO PLUTO’S SPORTS JOURNALISTS THINK ABOUT THE IDEA

Pluto Sports Editor- Steven Smith What is the problem with how things are at the moment. Atmospheres may not be like they used to be, but at least we know people are safe. However, I am not sure the new breed of football fan we are seeing would be anymore vocal in these new proposed conditions which therefore makes them rather pointless.

Preston North End Ladies Press Officer- Michael Henson I think Safe Standing is a very good idea as it has had great success in European countries without causing many problems. It's good to see so many English clubs backing it and even better to see that Bristol City have already installed a small section in their ground..

Blackburn Under 21’s Commentator- Daniel Briggs I am in favour of safe standing and would like to see it implemented in England.

Ger0many have shown that it works and can create a better atmosphere West Bromwich Albion Metro Correspondent Bradley Poole I think there is no room for safe standing in football because of the problems it has caused in the past. Trying to cram to many people in one section is just asking for problems.

Pluto Puzzle&Games Plutoku - Down to Earth

Pluto Sports Writer- Charles Gill The rail seats look like a good idea, but in reality I don't think people will be able to see and it might ruin their day out

Pluto Sports Writer- Jack Mumford If managed properly safe standing can be of benefit to everyone but I understand why the authorities are fearful of allowing it, especially in the biggest stadiums in England.

Pluto Sports Writer- Andrew Bell Yeah I do I think it adds to the atmosphere of a game but of course it needs regulated carefully to avoid another disaster, but overall I think it can work.

Pluto’s Plunter & Football League Paper reporter- Matthew Hill I'm really buoyed by the progress of the 'Safe Standing' bill. As a Carlisle fan, I've been raised on the terraces, and it really does give you a completely different atmosphere. If the rest of Europe can permit it, so can we.

Pluto Reporter- Tom Lewis I would like to see the safe standing concept implemented in this country, it would really add to the atmosphere and could encourage more people to go to games

Plutoku - Out of this world

SPORT 23-28

WHAT DO YOU THINK

Here at Pluto Sport we always want to know what you think, so you can email us your views on safe standing at football by sending a message to the Editor, sjsmith17@gmail.com

GET INVOLVED

However, if you would like to get involved because you are an aspiring sports journalist or just fancy trying your hand in sports writing feel free to get in touch at the same email address.

We are open to ideas about anyt sports related stories and are always looking to add writers to our team.

Brain teasing riddles

1 - I am the beginning of the end, the end of every place.

I am the beginning of eternity, the end of time and space.

2 - I move slowly but I'm dead.

I leave and then I'm back.

I'm clear and then I'm red.

I'm many neurotics' snack.

What am I? 3 - Samuel was out for a walk and it started to rain. He did not have an umbrella and he wasn't wearing a hat. His clothes were soaked, yet not a single hair on his head got wet.

How could this be?

4 - I'm tall when I'm young and I'm short when I'm old.

What am I?

Answer: 1 - E, 2 - A Fingernail, 3 - Samuel is bald, 4 - Candle

PLUTO

SPORT

STANDING COULD MAKE RETURN TO ENGLISH FOOTBALLS TOP LEAGUES

Monday 17 February 2014 •

www.PLUTO-ONLINE.com

PIETERSEN STILL MAJOR PLAYER IN IPL

WHERE IS CM PUNK? PAGE 25

PAGE 24

Ryan Donaldson Sports Writer

League One's Bristol City have set out plans to become the first football club in the United Kingdom to install rail seats in their stadium, after a huge success of them introduced in the German Bundesliga.

The 'rail seats' can either be locked to allow for safe standing or unlocked for fans to sit on during the game. However, due to the current regulations prohibiting the use of these seats in the English game, the seats will only be used for rugby matches that are played at Ashton Gate.

Since the inquiry into the hillsborough disaster in 1989, all seater stadiums have been made compulsory for all clubs who play their trade in either the Premier League or the championship.

With the allowance of three seasons given to clubs who are promoted into the championship to make the transition to an all seater stadium.

CONTINUED ON PAGE 27

RALLY COMES TO FLEETWOOD FOR LEGEND FIRES NORTH WEST

Bradley Poole

On a cold, windy morning in Fleetwood, the stench of petrol, the sound of a powerful engine and the sight of a range of rallying cars racing on the promenade was the last thing you expected to see, but the 2014 Legend Fires North West Stages Rally was back for another year.

It was the seventeenth running of this highly popular rally which is a qualifying round of Northern Tarmacadam championship, The ANWCC Stage Rally Championship, The ANCC Rally Championship, The SD34 Rally and the Formula1000 Championships.

The event is now recognised as one of the best opportunities for clubman rally crews to experience something similar to a tough European Rally, with central servicing, a non-stop time schedule, thousands of spectators and night time stages.

This year's event included five separate venues giving a total of approximately 75 stage miles with a compact road route.

The crowd were treated to a fantastic weekend of rallying, witnessing crashes, swerves, speed and some sublime skill behind the wheel.

The team of Paul Bird and Aled Davies came away with victory, winning the Blackpool Rally for their second consecutive year. Bird was behind the wheel and Davies was the navigator as they finished 5 seconds ahead of Neil Simpson in second place.

Bird’s car of choice was a Ford Focus WRC and was the pre event favourite.

It could have been a third consecutive win as he has been the fastest driver every year but a penalty cost him the honours in 2011.

CONTINUED PAGE 26

REVVED UP... Cars being prepared for what would be a an epic rally

UCLAN STUDENT TO WALK 320 MILE WELSH COAST FOR CANCER CHARITY

UCLAN student Jordan Isaac Smith is set to walk the coast of Wales in June to raise money for Cancer Research UK. He plans to walk the 320+ mile distance in June this year but has

yet to set a date for his starting point.

The Film Production student, from Penmaen-Mawr, Conwy, has chosen Cancer Research UK as various members of his family have had cancer over the years and he now wants to do anything he

can to aid others who are unfortunately suffering from cancer.

He commented that: “I’m absolutely determined and set on trying to walk the 320+ miles as quickly as possible and to raise as much money as I can for charity

so it means that I’ve helped someone, somewhere in some way.

Before adding his reasons for doing the walk:“I’m doing this because I want to raise money for charity, but not only that, I want to prove something to others

and, more importantly, I want to prove something to myself.”

If you’re interested in sponsoring him then you can contact him on Facebook to do so, https://www.facebook.com/The.Doctor.Jordan.Goodier.