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REDBRICK
THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM'S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1936
19th FEBRUARY 2010 ISSUE 1366 VOL 74
www.redbrickonline.co.uk
News
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Rivals to Redbrick universities?
Features
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James Reevell on 'new media' and Haiti
Music
13
Music give you the lowdown of the NME tour
Lifestyle
22
Where has our childhood gone?
Sport From left to right: Incumbent Head of Sport Kathy Armour, Birmingham alumnus and Manchester United Chief-Executive David Gill, Vice-Chancellor David Eastwood and alumnus and former Chief-Executive of West Bromich Albion Mike O'Leary Photo: Roy Kilcullen
Man U CEO cornered by students Samuel Lear FORMER University of Birmingham student and current Manchester United Chief Executive Officer, David Gill, was confronted by two students over the financial management of the debt-ridden club. Despite the growing unpopularity of the Glazer family with the supporters over their ownership of the club, Mr. Gill made a guest appearance at the University last Thursday for an alumni question and answer session. Mr. Gill had been markedly critical of the initial Glazer takeover bid in 2004, by claiming that: 'Debt is the road to ruin'
and labelled the transition as 'overly aggressive.' However, his alleged change of stance has been greeted with antipathy by the supporters, whose views were clearly vented at him through two current students. With the financial position of many top-flight football clubs being under close scrutiny, Manchester United's reported debt of up to ÂŁ716 million has provoked fierce disparagement. Actions have already been taken by the most disillusioned followers, who formed the breakaway club, FC United of Manchester in 2005 in an angry response to the takeover. More recently, some sup-
porters have been sporting the colours of green and yellow in a remembrance of Manchester United's roots as Newton Heath. When questioned over why he had changed his mind over the involvement of the Glazer family, Mr. Gill reacted defensively: 'How can you tell when I changed my mind? I haven't seen the context of those comments or whatever... In the Autumn, it changed, the model changed...' At the talk, Gill spoke of his responsibility to serve the interests of supporters while also running the club as a business. 'It is a business though it is also a sport and that can do a lot of good.'
'The Premier League does distribute money further than anywhere else. I think British players give us a sense of identity too.' Gill also spoke of how he believed salary caps were not a solution to reducing the high wages of Premier League footballers. 'The issue of salary caps is a fascinating question and the argument changes depending what league you're in.' 'If there was a cap then someone would find a way around it.' To read the Redbrick interview with David Gill, turn to page x
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Lacrosse confirm title ambitions
2 News
Calendar Friday 19th: Jazz & Blues society music and jam session, from 8pm in Joe's. Featuring local band The Greyish Quartet Saturday 20th: Photosoc Birmingham Museum trip, meet at 11am at the darkroom (Guild basement) and head into the city to look at the exhibitions Haiti fundraising football match, 12-5pm, Metchley 3G pitches, come along to watch Monday 21st: Guild Officer Group election nominations close at 10am Student Volunteering Week begins – see http://www. facebook.com/event.php?eid=203972427873 Islamic Awareness Week begins – various events taking place all week Fairtrade Fortnight begins; see http://www.facebook. com/event.php?eid=290682756386 for full details of wine tasting, buffet and fashion show events Tuesday 22nd: Pay or Play/Open Mic evening in aid of volunteering projects, from 8pm in Joe's, a chance to perform or listen to others Rocksoc/Sci-Fi & Fantasy/Fetsoc/LGBTQ Rocky Horror Picture Show screening, Beorma Bar, 8pm-12. Annual cross-society cross dressing screening, fancy dress encouraged Wednesday 23rd: Volunteering Fair, 11-4pm in the Common Room – find out about volunteering opportunities
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
'Ergohomes' at New forum for Tennis Courts debate Anna Hughes TWO brand-new 'Ergohomes' have been installed outside the Tennis Courts university accommodation, as part of an innovative PhD study into environmentally-friendly housing. Ergohomes are sustainable houses constructed using lightweight and durable materials designed to cut bills and to limit its environmental impact. The houses, designed by Paul Chadwick, are an impressive sight already and when finished promise to boast the newest technology. This includes remote controlled light switches, electric window opening and a tank which transforms rain into clean, drinkable water. Solar panels provide electricity, while the stilts the house sits on provide safety against flooding. The University is supporting the research into these Ergohomes. Prathan and Vihn are postgraduate students from the School of Engineer-
ing, examining whether the home's innovative 'structural insulated panels' effectively provide enough heat to warm an entire house without using conventional heating systems. Whilst one of the houses will have solar panels providing heat and power, the other will just rely on the panels to insulate the house. Temperatures will be recorded electronically to compare the two. Hopefully the research will be ultimately used to advance sustainable housing and engineering. The postgraduates remarked: 'It's great to be involved in something that could make a significant impact on global warming... It's also great to see different parts of the University combining their efforts towards a greater aim.' The homes are expected to be finished in the near future and will stay in place for the duration of the experiment.
Glen Moutrie THE 'Birmingham Salon', a University-funded forum for debate, had its first meeting earlier this month. The organisation is self titled as 'a public forum for debate where ideas are vigorously scrutinized' and will be working alongside the University from which it has received sponsorship. This has come at a time in which there has been much growth in new discussion platforms throughout much of the country; many of which have been over an online format, with britainthinks.com being one of the more prominent. The Salon however is significantly different from societies within the University such as the Debating Society, which is competitive at an InterVarsity level, as clarified by Jason Smith, one of the 'Birmingham Salon' officials. He said: 'We are not a debate society. We are interested in getting to
grips with difficult issues, not scoring or winning a 'motion' for which 'there is a largely unmet demand [for] in Birmingham.' The conversations that take place also promise to have academic grounding, as guest speakers are due to make appearances, such as Alan Hudson of Oxford University, and University of Birmingham staff. When asked about future interactions with Birmingham University the group stated that they 'would very much like much more interaction with the University' from staff, students and faculty, and that they had only opted out of hosting events within the campus to ensure an audience which is 'as broad as possible.' The Birmingham Salon will not be alone in trying to cope with big issues in an election year. What it could show is that, in a world where elections have a far greater online focus, conversation still continues at its most basic level.
Picture of the week Ingrid Matts
Ahh, remember when you read purely for pleasure?
Send your pictures of the week to pow@redbrickonline.co.uk
News
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Guild hosts Sister ACTivist Edwina Moorhouse LAST week the NUS chose to hold one of its annual Sister ACTivist training days at the Birmingham Guild of Students. Female students from as far as Edinburgh and Manchester came together for the event, which was created in order to understand more about the women's campaign. Hosted by NUS Women's Officer Liv Bailey and other NUS delegates, the day consisted of sessions and workshops designed to educate everyone and exclude no-one. In 2009 two Sister ACTivist days were held, but this year was the first time the event wasn't restricted to self-defining female students, with a few men making an appearance throughout the day. Lasting from 10am until 5.30pm, workshops in the afternoon included 'How to be a Feminist Sabb', 'Black Women's Inclusion' and 'White Ribbon Campaign'. The workshops were interactive and encouraged everyone to participate, developing the networking of women from across the country. The event was very much concerned with ensuring there are no
boundaries for any female students in the Women's Campaign, and that it encompasses all: disabled, black or from an ethnic minority, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transsexual, or those who are student parents. All of this, whilst emphasising the issues that need prioritising; including student parents, violence against women and a greater confidence in the movement, saying 'I WILL.' For many participants, the day was an eye-opener for experiences in other Universities. Ingrid Magnusson, Secretary of the University of Birmingham's Women's Association, described how a girl from Oxford told her of rugby boys having competitions, 'where they take a photo of the boy who can get with the ugliest girl on a night out.' She spoke further on the Black Women's Inclusion workshop which she believed could have been more insightful. She said: 'Telling us that black women are under-represented feels like preaching to the choir, what about discussing why this is? Leaving it at pointing the existence of discrimination only reinforces the view of non-white women as passive victims.'
Bombay Bicycle Club entertain students on the Vale Village
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Photo: Katrina Hartley
Scott Steinberg ON Thursday 11th February eager fans queued outside Fusion in Shackleton Hall for a chance to see Bombay Bicycle Club perform for free courtesy of BurnFM, the University Radio station. Half of the restaurant on the Vale was blocked by security and those
wanting to see the band play live had to queue outside Bar One. At quarter past six the crowd piled in, heading for the lit up stage at the front of Fusion, where the Bombay Bicycle Club began to play songs, including 'Always Like This', from their new album, I Had the Blues and Shook them Loose. All week there had
been competitions on BurnFM to win the new album. Those on meal plan were given permission to enter the back half of the restaurant to eat at the same time and one spectator, Megan Roberts, commented: 'It was really exciting to have a wellknown band playing while we ate our tea'. Bombay Bicycle Club
proceeded to play for 45 minutes before having to leave to play at the NEC. Tom Goodridge, Station Manager of BurnFM, said: 'I was very pleased with how it went – Bombay showed their class in the acoustic set, quality shining through at the Vale'. For more information on BurnFM see www.burnfm.com.
Students urged for help with police enquiry
Police are seeking the identity of the two males, believed to be students, as they are required in assisting with their enquiries. Anyone with information should contact PC 20727 Nichols at Rose Road Police Station or on 0845 113 5000. Information can also be emailed to information@redbrickonline.co.uk (All information provided will be treated confidentially).
4 News
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Birmingham hopeful in Capital Car Cruisers of Culture bid given red light Jen Anderson BIRMINGHAM is eagerly anticipating the release of the shortlist for the Capital of Culture award of 2013. Birmingham is currently up against 13 other cities including Swansea, Sheffield and Durham. The award could be worth around ÂŁ200 million to the city and would mean millions of visitors would flock there for a programme of events lasting
the year. Birmingham would be the host city to events such as the Turner Prize and Sports Personality of the Year. The city lays claim to 'cultural gems' such as Slade, Julie Walters and Jasper Carrot. It also boasts numerous art galleries, the Birmingham museum and the prestigious Conservatoire. The Royal Ballet is also based in Birmingham, as is the internationally-revered City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra.
Birmingham's bid for City of Culture is being managed by the Birmingham Culture Partnership and will revolve around three main projects which are due to be completed in 2013: the new Central Library, Birmingham City University's new Creative Campus, and a new wing at the Birmingham Museum and Art Gallery, dedicated to Birmingham's global heritage, all of which total around ÂŁ330 million.
Martin Mullaney, Council Culture Chief and Chair of the Birmingham Culture Partnership, said: 'We are committed to cultural investment in our region with the prospect of creating new jobs and opportunities for our people during a time when the West Midlands has suffered more than any other region of England during the recession. This opportunity to become the first ever UK Capital of Culture, building on our proud heritage of innovation and commitment to culture, is unique and we want to grasp it with both hands.' Organisers of the award want the people of Birmingham to contribute by thinking up their own ways to demonstrate what is best about the city. So far suggestions include projecting artwork onto Spaghetti Junction and the CBSO playing music by Black Sabbath. The shortlist is expected to be released any day now, with the overall winner being announced after the general election.
An example of Birmingham's eclectic culture. Photo: Lucy Percival
Sian Beck BIRMINGHAM City Council has successfully secured an injunction order against 'boy racers' that will prevent car-cruising in the Bordesley area of the city. Car-cruising involves driving around public areas at speed, often causing disturbances between drivers, other residents and road users. This practice has caused months of misery for local residents and road users in the district. The order, which takes effect immediately, prohibits drivers and their passengers from creating excessive noise, causing danger to other road users and pedestrians, damage or the risk of damage to private property and any other nuisance to the public. It applies to anyone participating in a carcruise between the hours of 7pm and 7am on any public access point within the boundaries of Bordesley Green Road, Landor Street, Watery Lane Middleway and the Coventry Road leading into Cattel Road. Police will be crack-
ing down on drivers using excessive speed, racing other vehicles, drivers in convoy, sounding horns and threatening or intimidating other road users. Any person who breaks the terms of the order will be served an injunction and failure to comply could result in a fine or a prison sentence. The order was secured after an application was made to Birmingham County Court on 10th February 2010. The application was supported by West Midlands Police and Birmingham's Anti-Social Behaviour Unit. Cabinet Member for Community Safety Cllr Ayoub Khan said: 'I am delighted with the outcome of this case. Not only will it improve the safety of other road users in the area, it will also put a stop to the problems experienced by local residents nearby. 'Known offenders will now be punished accordingly if they continue to use the city's streets as a playground; we are now sending them a clear message that anti-social behaviour will not be tolerated in Birmingham.'
Council plans 2,000 job cuts
Selly Oak hospital struggles to accommodate military casualties
Anna Brown
James Williams
IT was announced last week in the council's financial plan for the next year that up to 2,000 council employees face losing their jobs. The council said between 1,500 and 2,000 funded posts were 'likely' to be cut at a time when the authority is 'moving towards more of a commissioning role in the delivery of services'. This news comes after last month's revelations that 1,300 staff were given Section 188 notices warning them that they were at risk of redundancy. A council spokesman said: 'Any of those 1,300 posts that are made redundant will form part of the 1,500-2,000 figure being quoted today.' Council leader Mike Whitby added: 'We are well aware that all the forecasts indicate the next few years will be tough for local government financially... quite simply we have to do more for less'.
He went on to say that 'in our budget we have, therefore, planned strategically and proposed budgets that address the key priority areas that we have laid out in our Council Plan.' Other elements of the financial plan include a 1.9% council tax increase, which is below the inflation rate and is due to be approved in late February. Mr Whitby highlighted the council's regeneration scheme and the low tax increase, saying 'Birmingham is demonstrating how frontline services and significant regeneration schemes can be delivered without punishing taxpayers'. He stated how 'proud' he felt to be able to achieve this. Birmingham City Council currently employs approximately 35,000 staff, not including school staff, making it Europe's largest local authority.
LOCAL people are being turned away from Selly Oak Hospital following the intake of rising numbers of military casualties from Afghanistan. The specialist military health unit, which treats every single British soldier injured in action, has warned that it will continue to refuse treatment to sick civilians over the next few months as 4,000 UK troops take part in a new offensive against the Taliban, Operation Moshtarak. It has been agreed that due to the high quality specialised care at Selly Oak every effort will be made to maximise the number of injured soldiers cared for by diverting civilian trauma patients to other hospitals in the region. Hundreds of local patients have already been transferred to other hospitals around the West Midlands and some have been moved as far away as London and Sheffield. A report released by the National Audit Office
(NAO), the official watchdog of public finances, found that the hospital is facing 'increasing pressure' due to the number of serious injuries suffered by servicemen and women. The report praised the high standards of care available and emphasised that military commanders 'have confidence in the clinical treatment', fol-
lowing media reports over the last few years which claimed that some personnel were unhappy with the quality of the treatment they received. Edward Leigh MP, chairman of the Commons public accounts committee, told the BBC that given Selly Oak Hospital's 'unrivalled expertise' the government will be 'seeking reassurance that the
The Selly Oak Hospital Photo: Shaziya Butt
quality of care for service personnel will remain high, even if Selly Oak becomes full.' However, City health watchdogs have criticised the government's controversial move to close all military hospitals and treat all soldiers on the NHS instead. The NAO report also confirmed reports that some soldiers were not happy about sharing wards with civilians because the 'circumstances of their hospitalisation are so different'. Once the new Queen Elizabeth Hospital is opened later this year, it will be viable to keep military and civilian patients separate. Gareth Duggan, Selly Oak Hospital spokesman said: 'Contingency plans are in place for future increases in military patient numbers, and these plans are reviewed constantly.' Between October 2001 and October 2009, over 500 soldiers with major injuries were treated at Selly Oak before being moved to a rehabilitation centre in Surrey.
News
REDBRICK 1366/ 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Boy falls from asbestos roof Edwina Moorhouse LAST Saturday emergency services were called to Selly Oak after an unnamed teenage boy fell through an asbestos roof in a building opposite the popular Bristol Pear pub. An ambulance escorted the 15 year old to hospital after he had been decontaminated at the scene by medics due to inhaling trace amounts of asbestos. It is estimated that the boy's fall was from a height of at least 15ft, causing extensive injuries to his upper body. Asbestos is a naturally occurring fibrous material often found in insulation materials around pipes and tanks in the roofs of old buildings. It was a popular insulator in the 1970s, because of its heat resistance and strength, but later banned in the UK because heath officials warned of the danger it could cause to the lungs when inhaled. It is the dust clouds created from trampling the substance that can cause the most danger because then the toxins can so easily be inhaled;
you can fit two million asbestos particles onto a pinhead. The asbestos the teenage boy came into contact with was in an abandoned part of the building, which the fire crew on the scene faced a challenge getting in to. Accompanying the fire and ambulance personnel were the Hazardous Area Response Team (HART) who were on hand for additional precautionary measures. The accident caused some severe injury to the boy including chest and arm injuries, which resulted in him led from the building with a spinal board, arm splint and neck collar. A West Midlands Ambulance Service spokeswoman said: 'Due to the roof containing asbestos, fire fighters and paramedics wearing breathing apparatus entered the building to assess the teenager's condition.' 'The teenage boy had suffered chest and arm injuries. Paramedics decontaminated the teenager at the scene to remove asbestos dust from his clothing and skin.'
New universities plan to rival red-bricks in research quality Catrin Shi A NEW force in universities is trying to rival the red-bricks in the quality of its research. The new year welcomed the birth of the NTEU, the 'New Type of Excellent University', named by the vice-chancellor of Northumbria University,
Andrew Wathey. The new 'posh' universities, all former polytechnics, have vastly increased the number of postgraduates and courses since 1992 and are now looking to establish themselves as rivals to the Russell Group – of which Birmingham is a part – in the quality of their research. The NTEUs claim that
Jack Davis DR Richard Pike, chief executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, has publicly scorned the government for providing funding for students doing 'Mickey Mouse degrees'. Dr Pike has claimed that courses such as celebrity journalism and international football business management should be given the boot, and their funding spent instead on science degrees and research. In December of last year, Alistair Darling announced that £600 million of savings were looking to be made in higher education between now and 2013. Science and research were to be included in these cuts. Now, because science degrees are among the most expensive to run, some universities could be forced to cease offering science courses. Pike said: 'Funding for the sciences should be ringfenced so that, in
from the government, the amount of funding received by Russell Group universities will be significantly reduced. Watney said: 'Any principle of funding which is based on heritage rather than quality cannot be good for the country or for the academy.'
Can NTEU's rival red-bricks in research quality? Redbrick asked students...
Jack Henderson First-year Economics
Naomi Pelkiewicz First-year Music
Miranda Prag Third-year Music & Drama
Joe Morrell Third-year Business Management
'I think this is a good thing, the NTEUs will increase the diversity of research. The more money put into research the better, to favour Russell Group universities would be elitism.'
'If the NTEUs can prove their research is of equal quality to the red-bricks, I don't see why they shouldn't receive funding. I would rather go to a Russell Group uni, they have a better reputation.'
I think this is a bad idea. I can't imagine the funding the NTEUs would gain would bring them up to the standard of Russell Group universities.'
'I think it's a similar situation to football clubs. The clubs with more money are more likely to perform. If you give money to the NTEUs, they will also be more likely to perform, so I don't see why not.'
Scientist calls for cuts in funding for 'Mickey Mouse' degrees effect, it becomes a more dominant component. This is not a question of pleading a special case. Such a move is essential if we are all to enjoy the lifestyle we have become accustomed to and ensure that we are prepared for the changes that will affect us all in the future. We need a population with an enduring set of skills,
whilst the research-intensive Russell Group universities compete on the world stage in science, medicine and the traditional humanities, the new 'excellent' universities are pursuing excellence in new areas of the economy and niche fields within existing disciplines. However, if the NTEUs claim for more funding
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such as an understanding of the physical world around us, literacy and communication, numeracy and how to function and continue to learn in a complex society.' Pike also mentioned that degrees should help those studying them become ready to face the challenges of the future. Last week, the Higher
Education Funding Council for England announced an extra £10 million in funding to be given to degrees in science, technology, maths and engineering. Pike has dismissed this as not enough and that the science courses would still be running into great money troubles.
Dr Pike says that science degrees deserve more funding. Photo: Syeda Shah
Retirement age harms students Lauren Pusey GOVERNMENT research has shown that the loss of productivity due to poor health is costing the British industry £33 billion every year. With the plan to increase the age of retirement to 68, these costs will not only be greater due to poorer health of elderly workers and more sick days in comparison to a younger work–force, but it will also result in us working for longer, without the luxury of retirement and pensions. Life expectancy is increasing due to better health care, but with vast amounts of young people already struggling to find jobs after university, they will not be assisted by an increased average age of workers. The Government claims that they are attempting to encourage those receiving benefits to work because they are costing money. However, with the recession-driven job shortages, younger generations are being neglected and the elderly
will not able to enjoy a lengthy retirement in a way that other have been able to do for generations. On the other hand, some of the reforms to the pension system will benefit the elderly. John Hutton, the Work and Pensions Secretary, stated that 'between 10 million people, who were not saving enough for retirement, would be helped with the introduction in 2012 of low-cost personal accounts.' The system has been criticised by David Laws, a Liberal Democrat, who said the reforms were moving 'in the right direction', but did not completely solve the issue. The new pensions system will not be implemented until 2044 but it is claimed to be a system that will last for generations. Former Prime Minister Tony Blair suggests that: 'It's a very very big moment if we can get it right… we will be doing something probably most countries have not been able to do.'
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
&
Features
Comment
Green or black?
Jonathan Gilbert investigates the UK's future environmental colour DECEMBER was a telling month for energy security in the UK. With Britain buried under the big freeze, the Government was forced to purchase increasing volumes of gas from Belgium and Norway in order to meet a 30 per cent rise on average levels of seasonal use. In the next decade, the UK will have to confront an energy security crisis which is currently overshadowed by a global obsession with a green future. As the country's population soars – 70 million by 2029 – a priority of the next Government will be to secure the future of the UK's energy sector which, by 2050, will need to support electricity demands 50 per cent higher than
and low carbon future for the world.' Peter Madden, Chief Executive of Forum for the Future, has stated that, 'population growth will put greater pressure on our public services' and will make 'protecting our environment and meeting climate change targets even harder.' It is precisely this attitude which is so obviously deluded. The problem of overpopulation and limited resources was first brought to the fore in 1798 by economist Thomas Malthus. He stated that arithmetically increasing food supplies would not be able to support an exponentially increasing world populace. The consequences would be positive checks
21st Century. It could be argued they already have. Indeed population growth will make climate change targets increasingly more difficult to attain, but it is the issue of energy security that needs to occupy the thoughts of heads of state. Whilst this writer is not suggesting that the UK's energy security and CO2 reduction targets are conflicting, mutually exclusive interests, the former is a more pressing issue and thus must carry more weight. This December, winter fuel payments, designed to help alleviate fuel poverty, totalled £2.7 billion. Such a reliance on benefits as a way of tackling the problem of the
Does being green mean being energy savvy? Photo: Katrina Hartley today's levels. However, this energy conundrum is complicated by international reduced carbon emission targets which Whitehall has a responsibility to meet. Both the Government and the British population are consumed by the need to go green. In the wake of the latest UN summit on climate change in Copenhagen, Gordon Brown stated that the measures agreed upon by the developed countries of the international community were the first steps 'towards a green
on population – war, famine and disease. Malthus was ultimately proved wrong as he failed to envisage new technologies in food production, but his theory still holds strength. What can be said to be seen today is a rebirth of Malthus's dooming prophecies regarding overpopulation, only the resource in question is energy, not food. A positive check on an increasingly densely populated planet, wars over energy resources will shape politics in the
fuel poor is unsustainable in the long-term. Aims to 'end fuel poverty for vulnerable households by 2010' may prove ultimately futile whilst such a large proportion of the energy sector remains at the whim of temperamentally priced imported gas supplies. Many developed countries find themselves in a similar dependent position. It is for this reason that President Obama has just revealed plans to build the USA's first nuclear power plant in three decades. In Britain, there
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has been a considerable commitment to renewables, principally wind power. It is here where the overlap can be seen between going green and meeting energy needs. Emerging biofuel technologies may ultimately be the solution to the simultaneous achievement of these aims. However, today's domestic production of energy must take into account the full range of available options. There are still huge volumes of coal in Britain, specifically in the East Midlands. As energy prices continue to rocket, and the UK's dependence on overseas sources increasingly affects households' ability to afford fuel, carbon emission reduction targets may need to be subordinated for a much more pressing need. Aspirations for a Green Britain can be relegated for a brief return to coal-fuelled Black Britain. New technologies which allow the extraction of gas from coal seams make this an even more viable option. January saw the National Grid issue two gas alerts in three days, limiting gas supply to hundreds of businesses in the Northwest and Midlands. Roger Salomone, energy adviser for the European Energy Forum, in the wake of December's cold snap, said: 'The longstanding vulnerability in our energy system has... been exposed and as a nation we now need to take security of our energy supply more seriously.' Ian Katz, deputy editor at The Guardian, has meanwhile stated that, following the problematic Copenhagen summit, the science of climate change is 'under siege' and its politics are 'in disarray.' The world has doubts about global warming. The imminent problem of energy security needs to be addressed and, if push comes to shove, issues of climate change will need to be put to one side to ensure that the UK avoids a catastrophe of Malthusian proportion.
Clocking Off Features Editorial
Endings are not absolute when superceded by good memories. Laura Hewitt is not 'running away'
'THIS is the end. Beautiful friend, the end.' The beginning of Apocalypse Now is an ironic one. The haunting sound of The Doors encapsulates perfectly the hazy hyper-reality of Vietnam and Francis Ford Coppola's choice of song has been subject to much meaningful interpretation. Yet why start singing about the end at the beginning? Bit of a plot-spoiler, if you ask me. It's a flippant but serious analysis: the film ultimately posits the question, 'if the end is 'now', is there any purpose to the journey?' I would say yes. All things have to end at some time. There is meaning in what we do, even when those things finish, close or die. Apocalypse Now presents a fairly existentialist approach to life, but it's not a constructive philosophy. It is far more useful to be content and appreciative, and carry good memories onwards to the next stage. I undoubtedly will be doing that. This is my last Clocking Off; I pass my share of the reins to two very competent new editors, Seb and Rosa, who will make a fantastic team along with Jude, who will be holding the fort for the rest of the year. I wish them the best of luck and hope they enjoy it as much as I have. These sentiments would be in the last issue of term but for that little challenge of running 26.2 miles I will be attempting in two months' time. Training for a marathon is proving hard but rewarding, if only for the amount of food I am currently
consuming to fuel the 6am starts. I cannot wait for race day; I am running dressed as a nurse for children's cancer charity CLIC Sargent. My funds will go to Billy's House, a Home from Home next to Queen's Medical Centre in Nottingham, where families of children and teenagers with cancer can stay during treatment. Come and buy doughnuts from me around campus in the next few weeks and help me raise money for a brilliant cause. It seems right and natural that as the Redbrick door closes, another one opens. In reality, I don't think the Redbrick door will ever totally close for me. The memories I have of this year mean I won't be straying too far. This is not the end in an apocalyptical sense; the experience has meant too much for such nihilism. I read today that the Oscar acceptance speeches have been cut to 45 seconds so I will follow suit and forgo individual thanks. But it's been great, and I will miss the 'beautiful friend' that is Redbrick as much as the real-life 'beautiful friends' I have made here. Seriously, it's been such an incredible journey, and you're all so talented and generous and wonderful and you've taught me so much about life and how to be the person I am today and I just wanted to thank you all for being there – Cut. To sponsor please go to:
me,
www.justgiving. com/Laura-Hewitt
8 Comment & Features Haiti: A new face for journalism The unprecedented disaster has irrevocably altered the nature of the media, says James Reevell IN the midst of the horrors of Haiti, the narrative of the human reporter has been born. In a story that dwarfed those who attempted to cover it, it is noticeable that we have been shown reporters as individual humans in a way never seen before. It is easy to see this as merely TV executives encouraging the exploitation of fellow humans but it is hard not to feel that we as mere spectators are just as culpable. With the advent of e-mail and Twitter we as viewers have never held such power and with it, an ability to remind television networks that they are reporting for humans and that we expect
descent of journalists really morally acceptable, as rescue workers were turned away? Speaking to journalists who have covered disaster zones, they speak of feeling guilt for taking away a seat of a plane from an aid worker, yet they know the publicity they will generate for the issue justifies this. However, reporters in Haiti, particularly American, were given unprecedented access to the area by a Pentagon desperate for a feel-good story, and fearful of receiving damning coverage. Although this made for great television, with one iconic photo after another, did it really bring more benefit than
Journalist or humanitarian? Photo: Talia Frenkel our news representatives to act in a manner that we would aspire to. Unfortunately, how we aspire to act and how we act in reality are more often than not entirely different, making this an unfair burden to place upon reporters. The nature of disaster relief work has changed, with the media playing a pivotal but increasingly questionable role. The media is now expected to draw attention to the issue and through this help the people they are reporting, thus absolving it of its moral dilemmas in terms exploiting a situation for its own benefit. Hurricane Katrina showed the force for good that the media can be in these situations, harrying the Bush administration into action, and can be genuinely credited with saving lives through something more than simply encouraging aid donations from the public. Yet in Haiti has the media really been a force for good? The US immediately attempted to provide aid, without the prompting of a media campaign. Was the mass
the extra rescue workers who denied a seat on a plane by journalists? When considering the moral pitfalls of modern reporting, Haiti must rank as an anomaly, with a disaster of its scale unprecedented and unlikely
ations; yet will this bring us improved reporting and understanding, or merely assuage our own consciences for watching the horror in front of us? With this new hands-on coverage it will only be a matter of time before a reporter dies whilst trying to appear a hero unnecessarily on screen. Whilst in a conflict or disaster zone, it is impossible for a reporter to remain totally safe, but they must do their best to minimise risk to themselves. Former BBC news anchor and current Al Jazeera International presenter Stephen Cole, says, 'When I have been in war zones you cannot afford to get involved. You have to allow fully trained medical and security officials to do the work.' This reflects the reality that we as an audience cannot expect reporters to do the work of professionals, as not only does it risk their lives, but the lives of others. The exception that proves this rule are medical correspondents who were formerly doctors. It is hard to quibble with them providing aid, and moreover there is a moral imperative to provide help if you have the ability to do so. Speaking to war correspondents it becomes clear that when you report on a story, it is impossible to not become involved. It is human nature to empathise with the suffering of others and this is not necessarily a bad thing. A news reporter with no soul would be a poor reporter and would lack the ability to draw a picture
71 the number of journalists killed in 2009
26 the number of journalists killed in Haiti
to strike again in our lifetime. However, the effects it has had upon news reporting are likely to be far reaching, with us expecting more and more from our reporters. Although the courage that reporters display both on and off camera can only be applauded, we as an audience must take the responsibility for the consequence of our demands for moral superiority on screen. Our demands for sensational reporting puts reporters in increasingly risky situ-
their viewers can understand. However, this is where professionalism must override their base instincts, allowing them to report the true nature of the story. As the public, we rely on this and in many ways assume that a reporter can become intensely involved with a story whilst retaining their objectivity. Until we decide if we want heroes or reporters, they and their coverage will suffer.
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
In Brief
Has video killed the politics star? Rosa McMahon THE fact that the man who runs our country has sat in the same seat as a reality TV show contestant is not something that I ever thought plausible. The two certainly don't capture the same niche audience. Katie Price did however open up her heart, shed a tear, and hoped to gain more followers in the aftermath of her Piers Morgan interview. As did Gordon Brown. His recent appearance on ITV with Piers Morgan marks a shift in what is defined as the political. In the past it was the policies of the party, now it is the charisma of the indi-
vidual. This change marks the lusting for politics to become more accessible. We've all seen Cameron strolling to the beach with his family in their rugged Sunday wear, resembling a Boden catalogue. Yet it is Brown's appearance and personal revelations into his private life, that shocks me. The Tories are desperate to eradicate their richmans' exclusive party image, in a bid to gain a wider proportion of votes, but throughout our 'relationship' with Cameron, it is all we have known. His will is to ensure his back-benchers, who are still the traditionalists, don't represent the party. New Tories, if you will, have always been
the shiny white veneers, shielding some heavy tooth decay. Yet Brown has always been a slightly grumpy, moderately overweight, private man. Love or hate him – it is the true him. That is the very reason why seeing him sharing his confidential's with a man who spoke to Katie Price about her break up with 'Pete', seems to be a huge sellout and a true mark of desperation. Being reactive to the opposition doesn't seem to get you anywhere – copying Cameron's phony image certainly won't. Being proactive, however, hopefully will.
Training pub staff for binge drinking Edwina Moorhouse WE can hardly go a week without hearing about Britain's 'dangerous binge drinking culture' with moralistic Government officials churning out their solutions to the problem. But now Helen Newlove, whose husband was kicked to death by drunken teenagers in 2007, has entered the foray. This widow has launched the National Licensed Trade Association (NLTA) backed by the NHS, and police among others, with the sole purpose of 'introducing a responsible drinking culture in the UK' through campaigns, education and training. 'Barcode' which is part of
the association, is hoped to introduce a minimum level of bar training for staff, which Mrs Newlove believes will directly tackle the binge drinking problem and anti-social behaviour. As much as I admire this woman, I cannot help but feel she is shooting for the moon with the NLTA; it seems fundamentally flawed. Alcohol is embedded in how many people socialise, be it going down the pub on a Sunday lunchtime or celebrating with a bottle of champagne – you can retrain the bar staff, but you won't be reprogramming the minds of the consumers. Also, is this implicitly pointing the blame at bar workers? Whilst restrictions that already apply, she
is limited to her domain of pubs, bar and clubs. What about cheap supermarket vodka that could probably double as paintstripper? If it's cheap and you're legal to buy it, you will do undeterred. Mrs Newlove will face a new challenge in getting supermarkets on board. This is a widespread concern that needs to be targeted in multiple areas because alcohol is not limited to one section of our daily lives. Don Shenker, of Alcohol Concern, backs the campaign and stated that 'Britain desperately needs a reality check in how alcohol is sold and promoted' – which is true. It is a mammoth task that I believe needs more than well trained bar staff.
Papal visit outcry begins Andrew Peck LAST week the Vatican announced that the Pope will be coming to Britain in September and he has already courted controversy regarding the visit. The Pope has alienated many liberals during his tenure, with statements linking homosexuality to the destruction of the rainforest, as well as declaring that condoms cause, not prevent, the spread of Sexually Transmitted Infections. The latest comments defend the Church's right to discriminate against homosexuals, calling it part of the 'natural rights' of the Church. 'His views are unpalatable, though that doesn't
mean he shouldn't be allowed to visit the UK,' remarks Tim Gilvin, 2ndyear music student The last Papal visit to the UK was a conciliatory visit in 1982. However, that was John Paul II, a man praised for his magnanimity. His Holiness attended Westminster Abbey, met with the Archbishop of Canterbury and tried to heal the rift between Rome and the Church of England, a division almost 500 years old. By comparison, Benedict XVI's visit will plough through with Catholic Doctrine, ignoring the Anglican Church, beautifying a saint in the Birmingham area, before attempting a huge conversion of disaffected Anglicans.
Patrick Littlewood, 3rd-year chemical engineer, said of the Pope's reactionary views on homosexuality: 'It's irresponsible of someone with so much influence to voice strong opinions in matters he has no experience of.' In the end the Pope's attitude about this visit
'It's irresponsible of someone with so much influence to voice strong opinions in matters he has no experience of' is hypocritical; he is able to visit the UK due to a liberalism that he persistently condemns.
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10 Comment & Features Lane's Domain Textual healing
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Tom Lane talks us through his adventures with the Basics brand I WOULD like to share with you a sad tale. I have to admit that it was probably my fault but, in my defense, it took place during my weekly shop at Sainsbury's, so I was very depressed. The longer I spend as a student, the more I have come to dread those long hours mooching down the aisles of large supermarkets, gazing mournfully at Müller Yoghurt, Ardennes paté and all the other items I can't afford. Which is to say nearly all of them. Every week I oggle the £6 Cheese Lovers' Selection Pack with eyes rarely seen outside strip-clubs, but I know I will never experience its sumptuousness. To escape my misery, I have begun devising games to amuse myself whilst shopping. One is to wait for an opportune moment in the bagging process and then demand to know from the check-out assistant what the population of Scotland is. Why, I am not sure – it just seems like the kind of thing I should know. After the first few attempts, it transpired that demographic knowledge of the British Isles is not a prerequisite for a Sainsbury's employee, so I decided to branch out into other areas of inquiry, usually involving world politics. Now every time I'm asked, 'Do you have a Nectar card?' I like to respond: 'Let me answer your question with another question: Do you believe Iran poses a global nuclear threat?' Another source of fun is trying to find the cheapest product in the store. I'm sure as a student yourself you can appreciate the joy that comes with discovering a bottle of washing up liquid for eight pence, or six tins of own-brand sweetcorn for under a pound. This is where my story comes in. I did have misgivings from the start when I saw the bottle of Sainsbury's Basic shampoo, but it only cost twenty-six pence. It doesn't take a genius to work out that that's worth less than a tenth of a bottle of Frosty Jack's. And besides, its slogan was: 'Washes, no added frills'. I was defeated. Well, what can I say other than that's the last time I ever make a purchase on the strength of a pun? I'd be lying if I said that on placing the
bottle in the only mouldfree square foot of our shower floor, its contents looked promising. The shampoo was a sickly orange shade and had the consistency of glue but, damn it, I'd paid my money and was determined to try it out. I wish I hadn't. Please understand that it is not my intention to disparage Sainsbury's as an establishment. It is a fine business, efficiently run, with a large array of excellent products and staff that are content with their lot (I know because I've asked them at the checkout). However, after a couple of weeks using the shampoo my hair felt – well, nothing like hair. It was like a fur tree that had been coated in adhesive. Less than a fifth of the way through the bottle, I went running back to Head and Shoulders with my tail between my legs. The Basics range continues to fascinate me. I doubt you would imagine that Basics Camembert is worth touching with a barge pole, but after experiencing it I can wholeheartedly recommend the cheese to anyone. Similar praise is due for the majority Basics products including – though this is said with the innocent cheerfulness of someone whose life is yet to be affected by Salmonella – most Basics meat. On the other hand, I think I would rather write two dissertations than eat another tin of their thirty-five pence meatballs. All Basics products are marketed with the same style of tag-line, such as 'different sauce, same on toast' (baked beans). Some strike me as almost ominous. I have at home a carton of Basics chopped tomatoes – 'all red tomatoes, different shades' – and have so far been too scared to open them for fear of all the appalling colours of the puke rainbow that may poison my eyes. Thus I have devised a new game to assist my sombre shopping trips. My mission: to invent as many new Sainsbury's Basics goods as possible, supplemented with droll slogans, and then share them with the check-out assistants. How about Basics condoms? 'More holes, same awkward moment.' Or champagne – 'as much fizz, tastes like...'. What do you think?
Is sexual promiscuity one student stereotype too far? Victoria Shires THERE are some student stereotypes that can't be avoided. We are, for example, renowned for scrounging, saving and submerging ourselves in cider and these are some student typecasts I'll conform to for ease's sake. However, there is a continual promotion of sex which surrounds us as university students and, although I understand that this might be to some people's taste, I'm not entirely struck by the extent of this recent 'sexploitation'. Last week, a venue on Broad Street invited us all to an event called 'ShagTag'. Walkabout welcomed students, on no other than St Valentine's night, to go and enjoy what they hailed the ultimate single student's night out. The idea was to go to the bar from 9pm, receive a number on arrival, find someone who, in their words, 'you wanted to shag' and text their code and a message to the big screen TVs. Then all that was asked of you was that you sat back and waited whilst the masses flocked to 'get
jiggy with you'. There were all sorts of offers to entice the single student; the very distasteful promotional flyer showing two stick figures enjoying themselves, shall we say… Cheap entry offers and drinks didn't go amiss either and who could resist a tastefully named cocktail, two for the price of one! 'Sex on Broad Street' or 'Shagger's Paradise' anyone? I can't help but see a few flaws in Walkabout's premise. Not only was a total ignorance shown towards the dangers to our sexual health, but there was a blatant and unashamed promotion of sex with strangers. Can anyone else see allusions to a swinger's party here? Although Walkabout did have the DrinkAware logo on promotional merchandise, there was neither any safe-sex endorsement nor any encouragement to take precautions. I understand and agree that you are responsible for you own sexual health and relationships but if 'ShagTag' was promoting such easy and assumed sex
then surely they should mention condoms? According to the NHS, 16-24 year olds (the typical age of students) are the greatest affected group when it comes to sexually transmitted infections. Despite representing only 12 per cent of the population, we account for over half of STIs in the UK. I have never been offered so many chlamydia tests as I have here at university and, on a standard night out, condoms are thrown at you left, right and centre. Although these are promotions for safe sex, are they really just another promotion for sex? What concerns me most is the expectation of us as students to just go out and sleep around. It is as if we are expected to indulge in casual sex, just as we are expected to miss the odd 9 o'clock lecture. When talking to fellow students about this, one put the situation quite bluntly: 'As students we are expected to sleep around all the time. Companies think that the way to sell us products is to sell them with sex' she said. Other
students who I spoke to thought that 'Shag Tag' seemed a funny event, not to be taken too seriously which made me question whether I was taking it all too literally. 'It sounds like a right laugh!' said one whilst another male student wondered, 'who would actually go…?' Vice President Welfare, Johnny Davis, who was responsible for organising last week's Sexual Health Awareness and Guidance week in the Guild, told me: 'With regards to the promotion and wording for [Walkabout's] event, I think they have taken it a bit too far. It is one thing to allude to something and quite another to shove it down someone's throat. I can see why some people could find it offensive and vulgar. SHAG week at the Guild was about making sexual health more accessible and open for students to engage in; students can still be quite prudish and find the idea of sexual health as taboo.' Perhaps I am just one of those prudes.
Broken Britain or a broken record? Is the phrase 'Broken Britain' really accurate, asks Edward Paton-Williams LATELY, newspaper headlines have announced that we live in 'Broken Britain.' David Cameron, the Conservative party leader, regularly refers to British society as 'broken', and it seems Cameron, coupled with media moguls, have found a ready audience. A recent debate on Question Time was dominated by the topic of Britain's broken society, with one audience member saying she couldn't recognise it from the place in which she grew up. A Populus poll showed 70 per cent of participants agreed with the statement, but I still find myself questioning what is meant exactly by 'Broken Britain'? Is this vague phrase anything more than just a catchy slogan, playing on the public's fears, or is there some truth within it? Since Cameron became the Conservative leader, he has developed an argument based on the idea of a society broken down. For Cameron, there are many symptoms of 'Broken Britain': family breakdown, welfare dependency, poverty, poor policing, inadequate housing, failing schools and a loss of personal and social responsibility. Recent Telegraph and Daily Mail articles have used the phrase in articles
on falling marriage rates, a case of child-on-child torture and a report on growing childhood unhappiness. But it is not just in right-wing press that Britain has been referred to as 'broken.' A recent piece in The Guardian agrees that Britain's society is indeed in pieces. It argues our current society is the slow-burning legacy of the Conservative governments of the 1980s and 1990s. Furthermore their policies increased inequalities amongst Britons, leading to a weakening of social fabric. Headlines such as 'Britain may be too broken for anyone to fix' and 'Cam's cure for broken Britain' certainly portray journalistic negativity. But is British society really in such a bad state as to call it broken? Lots of evidence points to a more optimistic outlook. Claims that high levels of violent crime are breaking Britain are not supported by the data. According to the British Crime Survey, the number of victims of violent crime has dropped consistently, since a peak of around 2.5 million and 4 million cases in 1995, to around 1 million and 2 million cases in 2009. Murder rates reached their lowest levels since
1980 in 2009, and under16s convicted of serious offences has dropped by at least a third in the last 20 years. 70 per cent of people who agreed that 'society is broken' is based on high levels of crime, poor schooling, and policing in local areas. It seems more likely that conceptions surrounding 'Broken Britain' stems from outdated views on the family, immigration, education and morality. Substantial policies are rarely made by refer-
ring to the golden age of any society. These merely obscure serious issues of class, gender and racial inequalities which exist today. These disparities do not necessarily mean that Britain is 'broken', but perhaps it is not filled with as much fairness as it should be. If political parties are indeed dedicated to achieving a country built on these equalities, they could perhaps rebuild society and reverse such opinions that it is broken.
Can society be 'broken'? Photo: Claire Veale
Film
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Opening Credits
Film of the Week
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Rob Watts returns to survey the wonder of the latest Studio Ghibli offering: Ponyo Director: Hayao Miyazaki Voices: Liam Neeson, Tina Fey, Cate Blanchett Certificate: PG
Alex Jacques Rosie Willmot There have been some outrageous claims this week that Opening Credits is on its last legs, that between us, Rosie and I have now exhausted every possible irreverent welcome to this section. This is frankly insulting, it's hard to appreciate just how much thought goes into one of these, at 3am, on a Tuesday, so we thought we'd show you how to make your own quirky editorial. Normally it's a metaphor, a sort of basic batter to your pancake, then we apply it to other articles in an attempt to fill the space until the competition… Rob Watts is the syrup as he pours over the incredibly sweet Ponyo. See what we're get-
ting at? Now the real skill is spreading this nonsense, as you would your chocolate sauce, over the other articles… Simon Fairbanks goes bananas in Top Ten eastern animations, Amber Alexander sprinkles admiration upon Ellen Page in Justified Existence, Genevieve Taylor's lemon sharp review of Valentine's Day won't leave a bitter taste in your mouth, Jonathon Jordan waits patiently as 'last in the queue' housemate, making do with Film News whilst you scoff your faces, and finally Izzy Sanders is the weird vomit in mouth moment after you've had one too many, with her Rocky Horror Picture Show Silverscreen. Tuck in folks, the articles are getting cold.
Competition More free stuff, this time from the The Crazies. To win it answer the question... What genre film is The Crazies? Answers to film@redbrickonline.co.uk
Film News Jonathan Jordan If you've heard from an unreliable friend that there's going to be a fourth instalment of Pirates of the Caribbean and thought perhaps it was some kind of sick joke, well, it's not. On Stranger Tides will swing into cinemas in May next year. The good news is that Johnny Depp will be reprising his role, along with Geoffrey Rush as Captain Barbossa, in their search for the Fountain of Youth. Now that would have made a decent title. Also swimming around are rumours of Penélope Cruz entering the fray as some sort of swashbuckling Hispanic love interest for Jack Sparrow. The two melodramatic lovebirds from the trilogy will not return, having stated their belief that their storylines were concluded in the last film. We couldn't agree more. More imminent is the release of Shutter Island in just three weeks' time. Leonardo DiCaprio plays a US Marshal investigat-
ing the escape of a criminally insane murderer in this beautifully woven thriller from Oscarwinning director Martin Scorsese. DiCaprio can be seen again in July in mysterious sci-fi thriller Inception, a movie that director and writer Christopher Nolan has called 'bigger than Batman'. The film will also feature Ellen Page, Marion Cotillard and Joseph Gordon-Levitt. May 14th will see the release of a dark re-invention of the Robin Hood tale. It features Russell Crowe and is directed by Ridley Scott, so think Gladiator as opposed to Kevin Costner or musical foxes. Also coming soon to a cinema near you are Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time and Sex and the City 2, both due for release on May 28th. Finally, extensivelyreviewed The Lovely Bones at last hits the big screen on this very day. Not to be missed. The new Film podcast will be out next week, head to itunes to download it.
As a Studio Ghibli virgin, I knew only of their evergrowing reputation for making wonderfully magical films and so the experience of their latest release, Ponyo, was always bound to be interesting. Helmed and penned by Hayao Miyazaki (Spirited Away), Ponyo details the adventure taken by a fish as she escapes her wizard father's underwater home and befriends 5 year-old Sosuke, a human boy who lives with his parents on a cliff by the sea. Having left the ocean to pursue her newfound friendship, Ponyo leaves nature unbalanced and as a result, storms and tsunamis ravage the world while the moon draws ever closer. Using her father's magic, she transforms herself into a human girl and together with Sosuke she attempts to save the world whilst falling in love. Not your traditional animated children's tale then, but one that nonetheless leaves a
lasting impression. Mention must firstly go to the beautiful visuals; Disney must be kicking themselves for having shied away from 2D hand drawn animation for so long. Every cell has clearly been produced with the utmost care and the film strives to complement the artwork at every turn. From simple yet affecting moments of human character interaction to dreamlike under and above water action (watch as the ocean becomes swathes of huge fish) Miyazaki creates a stunning fantasy world. And if Ponyo isn't the cutest creature you see all year then you have a heart of stone. At the core of the film
is message of love and childhood innocence. Every discovery is amazing and every relationship everlasting. There are moments of mother and son interaction that prove just how much family can mean, and the affection between Sosuke and Ponyo will remind anyone of the joys of escaping reality as a child. Floating in and out of the real and what could be seen as a dream world, Ponyo immerses the audience in the fantastical and at times it can be hard to distinguish between the two. This is not a negative; in fact the merging creates some of the funniest and most surreal moments of the film. The voice-work on the
dubbed version is generally excellent, with the two young characters voiced perfectly by Noah Cyrus and Frankie Jonas. The only exception to the cast being Liam Neeson who appears to have misread his role as the wizard in charge of keeping the balance of nature. Ponyo just goes to show that 3D isn't necessarily the way forward; a wonderful story and heartfelt hand drawn visuals are just as urgent now as they ever were. With a great score and touching relationships, Miyazaki has crafted a triumph of modern animation that has left me reaching for my housemate's stack of Ghibli DVDs.
Valentine's Day So it's a bit late, but if you still haven't seen it, Genevieve Taylor tells all
A FILM about love told from many and differing perspectives which links all its main characters. Sound familiar? It's true that this is essentially the idea behind Brit classic Love Actually. Valentine's Day can't escape that comparison. But in many ways, it defies it. Valentine's Day is a brave film, it's surprising and that's one thing that's rarely seen in romantic comedies. The film boasts a Hollywood chocolate box
of stars with Ashton Kutcher in, arguably, the lead role as a sweet, lovestruck florist proposing to his girlfriend (Jessica Alba). Bradley Cooper also improves the film's aesthetic as a charming passenger sharing a flight with a well-rested Julia Roberts. And it's the women who provide most of the comedy with Anne Hathaway stealing the show, backed up by Jessica Biel and Queen Latifah. The love stories are of
course what the film is all about, and they are great, hilarious and emotional. From the cute little boy's first crush to his grandparents renewing their vows and resolving past mistakes; they are what a good romance should be, relatable. What really makes the film stand out is that it also manages to confront contemporary issues, shockingly discussing war, homosexuality and poverty and evoking a full plethora of emotions through each.
Director Garry Marshall is responsible for such classics as Pretty Woman, his caring and fun-loving touch is well evident here. It's great to feel such warmth from a film so disjointed in the making but he certainly manages it, even providing a cameo himself near the end of the movie as a musician. Valentine's Day manages to both induce laughter and laugh at itself, from Eric Dane's topless slow-mo entrance, to the jokes about Taylor Lautner not wanting to take his shirt off, the Shirley Maclaine movie playing as she reunites with her husband and the brilliant Pretty Woman nod, post-credits.
VERDICT Essentially this film has all the ingredients of a great rom-com and they are blended beautifully here. Valentine's Day is heartwarming, surprising, emotional and sports a wonderful ensemble cast. If you must think of Love Actually then think this is almost as good, just a little more American!
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REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Justified Existence
Silverscreen
Ellen Page (aka Juno) is loved by everybody. But 'honest to blog', the big question is, why?!
Izzy Sanders looks back on 30 year-old cult classic, The Rocky Horror Picture Show
Amber Alexander Ellen Page isn't everyone’s cup of tea. A selfconfessed tomboy, who looks like an adolescent, she’s far from being your average Hollywood bombshell, but she's clearly not trying to be. The astute 23 year-old has managed to find a niche for herself in the industry by playing quirky, teenage outcasts, who do things a little differently. Perhaps it's because Page's name has become synonymous with the word 'alternative' that some people find her a little annoying. However no one can deny: the girl can act! Page is probably best known for her role as Juno, which brought her to the attention of the public eye and led to an Oscar nomination. Juno was a massive success and that’s largely due to Page, who played the role of the witty heroine effortlessly. She never looked like she was trying too hard, even if the film was. Page always delivers, giving great performances
with whatever material she is given. You can see this in her latest film Whip It, in which she plays an outsider in a small town. Page carries the film and makes you really care about her character, showing that she is able to play sweet as well as strong individuals. What really made me a champion of Ellen Page, however, were her performances in the harrowing An American Crime and the underrated Hard Candy. In the former she portrays one of the most pitiful victims in modern cinema and will undoubt-
edly bring many viewers to tears. In Hard Candy she is simply electrifying as a 14 year-old determined to inflict her own brand of justice on a paedophile. She is terrifying as the ingénue turned psychopath and you won’t ever forget her screaming furiously: 'It's just so easy to blame a kid.' Page is a phenomenal young talent and with three films in the pipeline, including Christopher Nolan’s sci-fi thriller Inception, in which she will hopefully show us another side.
The Rocky Horror Picture Show tells that well trodden story of 'couplebreak-down-in-the-rainand-go -t o -t he-spo o ky looking-mansion-forhelp', you've seen this story a trillion times before. But something feels different; for a start this horror story is also a musical, with our hero and heroine, Brad and Janet (Barry Bostwick and Susan Sarandon), singing us cheesy love songs from the off. OK, so this is a musical horror, unconventional, but I can dig it. The ominously British butler and other house-maniacs, not to mention the postulations of the sneering Criminologist (Charles Gray), set the audience up for slasher scenes of psychological tension and terror. However this is RHPS's great strength, as the musical and horrific elements collide into an intense and sometimes joyous mind-fuck. Brad and Janet face dancing revellers, mad science, Meat Loaf on a motorbike, and the most unlikely host they could imagine.
Dr Frank Furter's (Tim Curry) 'don’t get strung out by the way I look' attitude to love and life is the force behind this film. It is difficult to support the chinless Brad and pathetically wet Janet over their swaggering, visceral, transvestite host. Frank spends his time roaming the house, sleeping with anyone and everyone, holding lavish 'conferences' and working on the Frankenstein-esque creation of a beautiful muscle-god, sex-slave in gold, lamé hot pants. It is hard not to love his shamelessness.
This is certainly not a film for the faint hearted, but if you're looking for something visual that's not too abysmal, you will be faced with themes of music, horror (of the Hammer variety), science fiction, infidelity, homosexuality, love, death, and sex. RHPS has everything. Group showings of RHPS are a must, so if you're interested come down to Beorma Bar (at The Guild) on Tuesday 23rd February at 8pm for the annual, (sci-fi, rock soc, LGBTQ, film soc and fet soc) viewing. Dressup not optional.
Top Ten: Eastern Animations Simon Fairbanks gives us the low-down on what you need to be watching, in part two of our animations feature
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Japan has long been heralded as home to the world's most innovative animators. Offering unique styles including manga and anime, Japanimation is instantly recognisable and has much influence over the West. Unlike the West, however, the East have never resorted to the cheap gimmickry of 3-D specs. Plus, Japan has Studio Ghibli, the Eastern equivalent to Pixar, who share both the consistency, artistry and story-telling mastery of their Western counterparts.
10. Mobile Suit Gundam
Set in a future where children fight wars in weaponised mechanical suits, this is incredibly popular in Japan. Imagine a world of Iron Man suits and you're pretty much there.
9. My Neighbour Totoro A sweet and innocent film
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from Japanimation master Hayao Miyazaki, founder of Studio Ghibli. Two girls discover magical woodland creatures surrounding their new home, including Totoro and a giant half-cat, half-bus creature.
8. Perfect Blue
A dark psychological thriller about an ex-popidol pursuing a career in acting. With a murderous stalker and attempted rape, this proves that animation is not always for kids.
7. Blood: The Last Vampire
Set in a post-WWII air base, this tells the story of katana-wielding vampire-hunters. Notable for its blend of 2D and 3D elements, this has been commended by James Cameron. Very violent. Very entertaining.
6. Naruto: The Movie
The first movie outing
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for boisterous ninja Naruto and his pals. Kinetic, crazy and a pure embodiment of over-the-top, action-packed Manga.
5. Castle in the Sky
the WWII firebombing of Kobe. Effectively a handdrawn Schindler’s List, this is one of the most powerful anti-war movies of all time.
Two children pursue the floating island of Laputa along with a sky pirate family. Unfortunately, the military have the same goal and battles ensue across a beautifully animated skyline. Another Ghibli classic, this is pure adventure.
2. Akira
4. Ghost in the Shell
1. Spirited Away
More adult animation, a group of cyborg cops tackle computer hackers across futuristic Tokyo. Featuring numerous digital animation experiments, this is sophisticated stuff.
3. Grave of the Fireflies
A contender for the most depressing film of all time, two Japanese children struggle to survive
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A cyber-punk epic, beginning with the destruction of Tokyo and then flashing forward to a future overrun by motorcycle gangs, revolutionaries, the army and the government. The most influential manga of all time. Set in a magical bathhouse, this is the best and most-cherished of Studio Ghibli’s impressive catalogue. The scope of fantasy, imagination and originality is unrivalled by any Western animated offerings. And the visuals achieve a beauty that 3-D gimmicky will never emulate. Miyazaki at his best.
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Music
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
THE NME RADAR TOUR Bombay Bicycle Club Matt Way met with Bombay Bicycle Club's Jack Steadman and Ed Nash before their acoutstic set YOUR album is entitled I Had the Blues But I Shook Them Loose. Is blues something you're influenced by? J: We did listen to a lot of blues music, but it's actually a lyric from a A Tribe Called Quest song. We liked the sound of it and just stole it. We didn't think too hard about it.
Review
Bombay Bicycle Club played an acoustic set earlier that night. Eva Hibbs was there
Supergeek Jonathan Craven turns his judgemental eye to The Big Pink's set
THE scent of strawberry Yazoo and jacket potatoes filled the air, as Bombay Bicycle Club strummed their banjos and ukuleles. Considering the advertisement poster didn't state the time of this acoustic set, everyone involved, and watching, seemed to be disorganised and confused. Should we be waiting in Bar One? Are non-meal planners even allowed in? Therefore, the crowd was smaller than it should have been. And to some, the band merely acted as some background dinner music. They were
AS the lights dimmed in O2 Academy's main room and a powerful drum beat started up, I thought that my opinions on The Big Pink might just start to change. After all, the crowd seemed pretty up for it. However, the drumming was soon accompanied by a screechy guitar and then, even worse, the whiney voice of the frontman Robbie Furze. It was at this moment that I remembered why I have so little time for this band. The first song in their
energetic, genuinely weird, and so in tune with one another, physically and metaphorically. Frontman Jack Steadman seemed charmingly awkward when posing for photographs and humble with delivery of his effortless vocals. Free gigs leave no room for expectation; therefore everything you like is a pleasant surprise. Just like the free Tuborg sample handed out simultaneously, this gig left a refreshing taste in our mouths, and left us wanting more.
'It's nice to actually be able to talk to the people that watch you' So you did an acoustic gig [see right] at the University. How do those shows differ to others? E: They involve a whole load of different acoustic songs that we've written. J: It's nice going into little concerts like that, than here, where it's a big venue and you can't really interact with anyone. So do people pay more attention to you? J: Most of the time they do. It's really nice when they're really quiet and they listen to you. It's nice to actually be able to talk to the people that watch you afterwards rather than have no idea what they're like. I've heard you say that because you wrote the songs so long ago, they had different meanings than they do today. Is that because feelings have changed or is it the music itself that you've outgrown? J: Both. That's why we're so excited to record some new stuff and play it live. We've been playing these songs for like four years and they're all about us being really young, and we're definitely more mature now. And we want to play more mature music, with more mature lyrics. You want to play something that is actually relevant to you at the time.
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The Maccabees [following Bombay Bicycle Club] Photo : Erica Anne Vernon
The Drums Resident heartbreaker Matthew Way had a rare date with Adam and Jacob Drums I'VE noticed that water tends to be a big theme within your songs.
So how did moving to New York affect you guys and your music?
J: It was right when we were living in Florida; we're pretty close to the ocean and there's a big lake right next to us where we hang out at a lot, so I think that was actually being influenced by your surroundings. We had a little boat, and there's a river close by and we just went down on our days off and just drift down the river. I think the full length, because some of the songs are written after we moved to New York, I think it's a little less nautical than the EP was.
A: We try not to let it affect it. We haul up in our apartment. We don't go out very much. J: We don't have many friends. A: We don't listen to too many of the Brooklyn bands, maybe a few. J: I would say that maybe thematically and lyrically, that move may have slightly affected things, but stylistically it hasn't at all. It's more weather and things like that affected the mood and theme of it, rather than other bands that live wherever. We never let that affect us.
At the moment everyone's looking for who's going to be the next big thing. You've been tagged as the best new band to come from New York in ten years or whatever. How do you deal with these labels? J: I wouldn't say it's a pressure, because our album which is about to come out was pretty much completely written before all this started happening. Most of it was written at the same time as our EP. So being on all these lists and having these things said about us, it's really flattering and encouraging, but it doesn't affect our process and the way we do anything. What's it like being on the NME tour with other great accomplished and up and coming bands? A: I think it's really en-
set, Too Young To Love, was much the same as the two that followed. Each promised excitement with an energetic intro, but then failing to capitalise on the opportunity with drab vocals and guitar. The crowd – consisting of a bizarre mix of both fourteen and forty year olds – didn't seem as energetic after hearing a few more of the band's songs. At one point I counted a whole two hands raised into the air, a sure sign that they were deliver-
ing a substandard performance. The band, on the other hand, were full of energy, leaping about the stage like a bunch of kids and mumbling between songs that Brum was, 'the best fucking crowd of the tour.' Eventually they played their famous track, Dominos and hastily left the stage without an encore. No surprises there.
couraging to see the fans responding to The Maccabees and what they do, and the confidence that the band exude on stage. We don't mind at all opening. We feel very lucky to be in the spot we're in at all. Are there any other bands out there who you think deserve the NME 'next big thing' hype?
sionable formative years, it sticks with you. Really the only conscious effort we're making I think is more of like a 50's sound. We're really into 50's girl groups and stuff. We enjoy people saying it sounds like this or that because we're kind of sick of bands experimenting and that desperation to be original.
J: The first band that pops into my head is probably not on these lists because they've been around for a while, but The Pains of Being Pure at Heart I think are kind of like our only friends in New York that are in a band, the only thing that makes us feel like there could be potentially some sort of scene that we could feel part of in Brooklyn. A: The Smith Westerns are another band who definitely deserve attention. They have a sort of raw, garagey pop music that's just so much fun. J: My last one is a band called The Young Friends. They're from Arizona and they're literally like two high school kids making amazing pop music. It kind of sounds like 50's pop music but really fast and frantic.
So you said you were influenced by some great English bands. What does the British sound mean to you?
There's always going to be comparisons with other bands, like the Beach Boys. Does that annoy you? J: The Beach Boys reference might annoy us a little bit because none of us have really cared about the Beach Boys. I think a lot of bands that we grew up listening to, like The Smiths, New Order, Joy Division, stuff like that, all the Factory records, its just ingrained in us. It's more of a musical accent at this point, and if we tried not to sound like that, we still would, because when you're taking that in, in your impres-
Thoughts? Log on to www. redbrickonline.co.uk and let us know in the comments section.
J: I've always felt like, English music just had more depth than a lot of American music. The emotions in songs seem to be more complex. A Smiths song – I think it's quite like our music – people will be like, 'oh they sound so joyous', but the song's about someone dying. So it's not always what it seems to be at face value. A lot of American stuff is sometimes just so blatant and there's nothing interesting about it. It's also just such a beautiful sound. When I was a kid and I first heard it, I felt like: this is what I've been looking for my whole life. What can we expect from your upcoming album? J: When we made the EP we just took the most summery, kind of upbeat songs. So what was left were all of the kind of darker, more introspective songs. You know, songs that have a little more depth to them, rather than just a beach party. It's still the Drums sound, but just a little darker and hopefully with a little more depth. A: A little more delicate. A little more sensitive, powerful. J: Still that Drums-y sound with hand claps when they're necessary and things like that.
14 Music
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Album Reviews sion of #1 single Fireflies.
Owl City Ocean Eyes
8
Kenji Lloyd REGARDLESS of whether you think the CD liner notes should be changed to read 'tracks written by Ben Gibbard', this is a record worth listening to. It stands up damn well in its own right, away from The Postal Service's Give Up. The album is a great summer soundtrack. That may seem odd considering that it's February; this is a re-release from last June, following the exploOK Go Of the Blue Colour of the Sky
7 Jonny Craven OK Go remain a band that are a pleasure both to listen to and watch. I am yet to meet one person who hasn't cracked a smile whilst watching the video for Here it Goes. However, things may be set to change with their eagerly anticipated new album, an album in which they tread far from familiar ground. You'd be forgiven for thinking
Working together with Relient K's immensely talented singer/pianist/guitarist Matthew Thiessen to write this album, Young is pretty much otherwise a one-man band and he knows what he's doing. Ordinarily, a full album of electronic synthpop would start to grate on my ears after a couple of tracks, but Ocean Eyes has something about it. The best tracks aren't just bunged in at the start, and it keeps you listening through 'til the end. Tracks like On The Wing and Vanilla Twilight may initially seem a little childish lyrically, but actually prove Thiessen's worth as a lyricist. The rhymes don't always come when you expect them to, and doesn't use the words you can feel coming. You can't go wrong with a bit of subversion of expectation: originality is key. that the first track, WTF?, might be better suited to a Prince album. But that's what is so great about the band's new musical style: they are proving that they are able to do more than simple toe-tapping tunes and entertaining music videos. Fans of OK Go's previous work may be taken slightly aback by the new musical direction the band has chosen to take. Anyone expecting their classic catchy sound, be warned: Of the Blue Colour of the Sky has a surreal air about it, with a slightly dark edge. It's a sound that may for many take some perseverance with to eventually enjoy. I urge you to stick with it though, give it a couple of listens and you'll soon begin to see that OK Go are far more than just a bunch of guys who have a knack for dancing on treadmills.
Lightspeed Champion Life is Sweet! Nice to Meet You!
5 Katie Cattell DEV Hynes' second album reflects a grander ambition than his restrictedly folksy debut. It has the premise of being huge, delving into an expansive range of genres, from the Johnny Cash-esque country ditty Sweetheart to the musical inflected Madame Van Damme, whilst simultaneously incorporating an rich array of sounds, including the sweet strains of the ukulele. Natascha Sohl Dirty Little Word
2
David Inkpen EVERY now and then you find an artist who is so totally new and refreshing and sometimes if you're very lucky, ground-breaking. Natascha Sohl is not one of these artists. With an impressive list of inspirations including Muse, Pearl Jam, Queen and Radiohead, I was hoping for something interesting, at least, but the main influence that stands out is Avril Lavi-
Spotlight On...
The Beach Boys
Max Wheeler has discovered a hot new band he wants to tell you all about... LET me just throw this out there: The Beatles were really good. I mean, they're quite a big deal. Whether you like it or not, The Beatles pretty much were the 60's. However, this attitude varies somewhat across the Atlantic. America's band is The Beach Boys, and they too were really good. They were easily as
influential as The Beatles, or anybody you can think of who regularly fills the 100 Greatest Whatever music polls. To say that The Beach Boys haven't influenced British culture or music would be a lie. Before the Beach Boys it didn't mean anything to anybody to be a teenager. Nobody really cared about bright-eyed infatuations
(You're So Good to Me; God Only Knows), being a dumbass boy racer (Don't Worry Baby; 409) or getting pissed up and fighting (Sloop John B) but now? Why, it's all the rage! You may already know who Brian Wilson is, and you may have heard Good Vibrations, but the truth is that The Beach Boys, like a lot of great artists, receive
However, it doesn't work: Marlene becomes a discordant, bass – heavy track interspersed with violins and triangles, merely showcasing a lack of identity rather than an innovative talent. A more accomplished producer would have probably served Hynes better. Unfortunately, glimmers of potential such as The Faculty of Fears are drowned by uninspiring tracks, particularly There's Nothing Underwater. Although Dev is undeniably a talented lyricist, composer and songwriter, he still can't help himself from rhyming 'loin' with 'coin'. This album is like an annoying relative: you know that you should feel some affection for them, but eventually they get on your nerves and you storm out of the room, fed up with listening. Life is sweet, and can be sweeter still without this album.
The Knife Tomorrow, In A Year
gne. Not to judge a album by its cover but Miss Lavigne's style is very present even to the extent that the first track is titled Naked (the same as the last track on Let Go). In fact, a quick Google reveals that, out of 13 tracks, ten have titles suspiciously similar to those of various other artists' songs. Musically, it is inoffensive: the Parental Advisory sticker seems mainly an attempt to make Miss Sohl more 'edgy'. Its sole provocation is a single, unneeded 'shit'. If you enjoy run-ofthe-mill, girl-led-angstrock-pop then you will probably enjoy this album. But assuming you're not an eight year old girl, I'd save your money and buy something, anything else. One good thing – I'm now in the mood for a bit of Sk8er Boi.
Dan Le Sac vs Scroobius Pip The Logic of Chance
ongoing critical acclaim but have kind of disappeared from the public consciousness. And, okay, so their last record was released in 1988, and their creative pinnacle was reached in the same year that England last won the World Cup, but to me it just seems a little unappreciative. The Beach Boys – and Brian Wilson in particular – produced the best pop songs of all time. Not just some of the best pop songs, not the best melodies, but the best pop songs ever to be written, recorded and then stuck on a disc and sold for a reasonable price. Along with the betterknown (and infinitely perfect) God Only Knows and Wouldn't It Be Nice, there are those songs which you'll instantly recognise without even knowing it. Take Wipeout, for example. In My Room; I Get Around; Barbara Ann: that's right,
The Beach Boys. You want dark? Give Wild Honey a listen. If anybody knows about a dark -side it's Brian Wilson. Want cheesy eighties sound-tracking-steel drum-pop toss? Kokomo. It's all there, in the back catalogue. Paul McCartney (you know, from The Beatles) said in an interview that until you've heard Pet Sounds, you're not musically educated. This is basically true. (He knows a thing or two – after all, he was in The Beatles) But why stop there? The Beach Boys' career spanned a longer period than you might realise, and Brian Wilson himself went on to complete the great unfinished album of modern music. You hear their influence everywhere, so I recommend taking some time to look at just where every great pop writer steals their ideas from.
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Sam Langtree AN opera about Charles Darwin's Origin Of Species might seem like an bizarre idea. But if it is suitable to anyone, it is Swedish electro duo The Knife. The band have engaged in a series of bizarre and abstract experiments, but Tomorrow, In a Year is remarkably different from anything they've done previously. It is most definitely an opera, which makes it pretty intense to approach.
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Chris Hughes WITH a list of issues longer than your average political manifesto, album number two from the rap/ DJ duo delivers exactly what you would expect. As Dan le Sac does what he does best in the background, Scroobius Pip is left to grab people's attention in his unique way. References to subjects such as domestic violence, teen pregnancies and knife crime are
Although initially very impressive, and conceptually epic, the use of repetition and harsh electronic soundscapes that can drone on and on make this an album that refuses to be an easy listen. This is can be seen in Schoal Swarm Orchestra, which sounds like the soundtrack to a windy beach. Colouring of Pigeons is the album's standout track, an 11 minute wonder utilising oohs and aahs, economic percussion, and royal synths that put to mind the setting of an ancient dynasty. From here on in the album beomes something wonderful: elegant, layered and spooky, classic Knife but in a completely new circuit. And maybe that's the point of this whole endeavour: to start sounding loose and primal and ending on something wonderful, grand and complex, a literal origin of species. common, and show a very different side, that listeners accustomed to songs akin to The Beat That My Heart Skipped may not have previously seen. Successes, such as the cleverly crafted lyrics of Five Minutes and Great Britain, show the quality of the former spokenword artist's talent. This side, however, remains unpredictable, occasionally discussing harrowing topics far too bluntly for comfort. The latest single Get Better is a direct discussion of the problems with the nations' youth, that quickly escalates into an uninteresting motivational speech, which would be easily adaptable for an assembly to bored school children. Love or hate this duo, there are two certainties with this album: it's unique, and Scroobius Pip is very exact in achieving what he wants.
What's On...
Music Diary Friday 19th Europe O2 Academy
Saturday 20th Hot Chip O2 Academy
Sunday 21st
Machine Head O2 Academy Owl City O2 Academy 2 NME Awards Tour Rainbow
Monday 22nd
First Aid Kit Coventry Kasbah
Thursday 18th Mika O2 Academy
16 Editorial
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
REDBRICK EDITORIAL
Please send all letters to letters@redbrickonline.co.uk. Letters/emails for publication must be marked 'for publication' and include your name and course title. Letters without these details will not be published. We reserve the right to edit letters.
Time for success Pete Blakemore UNLIKE almost every other occurrence, this year I was actually looking forward to the Canadian Winter Olympic Games. Having always got on with Canadians much better than their southern neighbours, Canada reminds me of the cousin you only see at big family weddings; the daughter of the uncle who gets drunk, starts fights and at the same time wants everyone to like them, and is less likely to get invited next time. It's not the Canadians' fault that the rest of the world relates to Canada being America's sidekick but perhaps this can be reduced to the buzzwords: Mounties, Maple Syrup and Ice Hockey. No doubt it's going to be a spectacular event but it has had a hard time getting off the ground. The news of snow having to be trucked in to bolster Canada's unusually lowsy February snowfall amazed me more than the reports of a towering electric bear roaming around in the opening ceremony. The accident of the Georgian luger killed on the morning of the opening ceremony was a tradgedy and many are saying that this event could go from having moguls to snow blinding the rest
of the world with their inability to organize this international sporting event successfully. After the success of the Chinese when they hosted their Olympics the intentions of the Canadians trying to match the enthusiasm and keep the medals on home soil is clear but distinctly uncertain. America wants to prove that they are better than their 'northen killjoys' as one stars and stripes student tried to explain to me in Starbucks, but my hope still rests on the home team. Trying to prove that not only do they deserve to host this celebration of winter sports but also deserve recognition for doing the best they can despite some unforgiving situations shows the resilience of this ignored nation. We should cheer the British athletes representing us, but should applaud the Canadians for going further, keeping an upbeat attitude when things have gone wrong and medals have been lost. The pieces of gold may be flown to other countries, but they were won and lost on Canadian soil with everyone hoping that everything goes right for this nation looking to gain more than just international recognition for sporting success.
Letters Dear Redbrick
said about her.
We are writing in response to the most recent 'Bloke de Brum' column (R1365). Having read it with some eye-rolling and distaste for weeks, it became apparent this week that 'Jack' has overstepped the line in what can be deemed acceptable content for a University newspaper. Although we understand some students may find this column a bit of fun, it's not in the character of our Association to overlook this kind of thing.
So 'Jack' likes girls to be simple sex objects, preferably waiting around to be plucked off the potential hook-up shelf in Gatecrasher. Independence is simply not on the menu since 'guys like a challenge, which is why we will never go home with that girl who immediately approaches us just after we've arrived.' Classic double standards there, men can be as predatory as they wish at any point in the evening, yet women are subordinate prey who have to wait to be approached.
Where to begin? Regardless of him being someone we would generally avoid, this is not an attack on his person but the ideas he holds and the way he writes. Foremost, he begins with the derogatory 'I love never quite knowing where I stand with a girl until she's back at my place, bra off and condom wrapper on the floor' implying that girls are at their best when at their most inferior or in their fundamental basic role as sex object. He prefers his girls as pieces of meat, unless of course it's 'the one that got away' – God forbid anything demeaning should be Editor Nick Petrie Deputy Editors Jessica Tarrant Nadine Baldwick Online Editor Pete Blakemore Treasurer Rosie Aggett Pictures Editor Thomas Walters Chief Photographer Tom Flathers t.flathers@redbrickonline.co.uk Multimedia Editor Dan Southall
Finally, we move onto something ever so slightly disturbing: 'Jack' inadvertently condones rape (although let's hope this wasn't his intention). 'As far as I'm concerned girls flaunt all their qualities and attributes to men, so why not cut the crap. Frankly all I'm doing is giving one lucky girl exactly what she wants: a decent shag.' Sounds remarkably like the phrase 'if she's drunk and wearing a short skirt it's her fault if she get's raped.' Are we no longer allowed to go
News Editors Ned Murray Helen Crane Samuel Lear news@redbrickonline.co.uk Features Editors Laura Hewitt Jude Hill Rosa McMahon Seb Mann features@redbrickonline.co.uk Lifestyle Editors Jessica Geary Alex Beard lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk Film Editors Alex Jacques Rosie Willmot film@redbrickonline.co.uk
Music Editors Erica Vernon Alex Spencer music@redbrickonline.co.uk Arts & Culture Editors Sam Langtree Sian Gray arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Television Editors Natalie Timmins Jo McGrath tv@redbrickonline.co.uk Sport Editors Tom Clarke Ben Whitelaw Simon Hall sport@redbrickonline.co.uk
out in our new strapless short dress and killer heels without apparently stamping ourselves with 'desperate for sex' as well? Believe it or not 'Jack', sometimes our clothes are about fashion and confidence, not about getting a 'decent shag' from you. On a more serious note, it is chauvinistic ideas like this that have made the UK the worst out of 33 countries in Europe for rape conviction rates; statistics provided by the National Union of Students. We're hardly being radical men-hating feminists by pointing out the flaws in this column. It's bound to make any girl feel angry and make many male students feel wrongly stereotyped as predatory idiots who only think with what's inside their boxers. Last year 'Belle de Brum' did a column that was a bit of light-hearted
fun to read. 'Jack's' offering this year is far from 'light-hearted' - more a badly written, misogynistic, over exaggerated potential pack of lies, and did we mention, offensive? We implore Redbrick and the Lifestyle editors to either cancel 'Jack' and his column, or encourage him to write with more sensitivity. Would Redbrick publish a column featuring explicitly racist views? If the answer is yes, then by all means let 'Jack' continue with his overtly sexist column, otherwise think very seriously about what you are condoning and distributing to this University's students. Yours faithfully UoB Women's Association Committee.
In reply Dear UoB Committee,
Women's
Association
As two modern, strong-willed women, both us editors are sincerely apologetic that you hold these views about our column 'Bloke de Brum'. We can only apologise for some of the readings you have interpreted the column to insinuate, but are avid in our intention that the column is not meant to be misogynistic and by absolutely no means condoning rape in any way, you are correct with your deeming it 'inadvertent'. We would never purposefully make women feel inferior but aim for the exact opposite. As a Lifestyle section, we completely and utterly respect the fact that women dress for comfort as well as fashion and confidence, however women, as well as most men, do dress for the attention of the opposite sex – a fact Jack was simply drawing upon in the article. In the last Bloke de Brum column, as I'm sure you will remember, Jack failed to get the girl as a result of his extreme and
irresponsible actions. This surely suggests, therefore, that women are not indeed 'prey' but have the prerogative and complete control of who they go home with – surprisingly enough, Jack's less than charming technique often fails more than it succeeds. We have shown your letter to the writer of the column and he states: 'I in no way meant to cause any offence or harm with the column. The column is merely meant as a satirical insight into the sexual reality of many men and women engaged in the student lifestyle. As regards the insinuation of rape, this was completely not the intention of my writing. I do, however, apologise if this was the interpreted case.' Thank you for bringing this to our attention and, again, we apologise for any offence caused. Yours Faithfully, Jessica Geary and Alexandra Beard, Lifestyle Editors. (edited to fit, full reply online)
Coming soon A small heads up of what is coming up in Redbrick: Special coverage of the Guild Officer elections – check out our new map during weeks 9 and 10 An updated Selly Oak crime map Updates to Redbrick Online, including author profiles and social bookmark sharing – make sure you log on and check it out www.redbrickonline.co.uk Crossword Editor Sephron Mansell Editorial Assistants Natasha Williams Jonathan Gilbert Anna Reynolds Victoria Shires Copy Editors Felix Rehren (head) Ingrid Matts James Cull Dani Rosen
n.baldwick@redbrickonline.co.uk
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Arts & Culture
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Tiger Lucky 8 @ Flood Gate Street
A shameless attempt at self-promotion, or a chance to showcase one of the city's most innovative artists?
Stephanie Harvey On Monday night I stepped into a giant wooden box and stood, 3D glasses in place, in the centre of a Chinese New Year celebration, gazing from a rooftop at the buildings and decorations in front, behind, beneath and above me. Where was I? In Digbeth at the unusual 'Wild building', which gave the right kind of space to this experiential work of art by Birmingham artist 'Chu'. He has constructed a bespoke 3 dimensional Wooden cube filled inside with his unique 3-D art. The audience views the work by stepping inside the cube wearing hologram glasses. This is part of a unique series of collaborations called The Tiger Lucky Eight, sponsored by Tiger Beer, which are taking place across the UK around the Chinese New Year celebrations, which run for a fortnight from February 10th. Five of these will represent the elements of the Chinese zodiac: Earth, Wood, Metal, Water, and Fire, bringing each to life in engaging, interactive installations. These are being pre-
sented by dynamic young artist and creative Josef Valentino, who most recently hit the national media with his Worthless Art pop-up store in Covent Garden. Josef comments 'When Tiger Beer invited me to curate The Tiger Lucky 8 I was adamant to work with a collection of talent who would revolutionize the way people interacted with Chinese New Year. The end result is a series of diverse and engaging exhibitions that respond intuitively towards the five elements
of the Zodiac, whilst also demonstrating a rich breed of talent from across the UK'. The next one to check out will be 'Metal' in London – Feb 23rd to 27th 6pm – 8pm, where founding member of MuTATE Britain, Joe Rush, proposes to create a structural installation comprising of crushed cars and mechanical components arranged to create a natural landscape with a metal tiger crouched on top, providing a frightening yet awe-inspiring Metal
Clare Rojas said, in 2007, that she does not feel the world is very fair to women and the portrayal of women is far too violent. Through her art she claims to honour women whilst manifesting the world she wants. Rojas exhibition We They, We They portrays a world where women are empowered and men are exploited. She claims to develop her own religion, own mor-
Chu's wooden cube of Three Dimensional wonders is around until Monday, the 22nd of February. Make sure you get on down to check out this innovative and entirely original piece of art before that date. For more information visit www.schudio.co.uk/ blog
Previews Some tips and tricks for you this week.... Birmingham Conservatoire Prizewinner's Concert @ Town Hall, Friday 19th February, 1.00pm – A wonderful programme that showcases the talents of 2009's prize-winner Cosima Yu. Tickets £7.50 Kit Downes Trio @ Symphony Hall, Friday 19th February, 5.30pm – One of the most exciting new bands in the country play a set in the foyer of the Symphony Hall. Free. Tim Vine @ Town Hall, Friday 19th February, 8.00pm – The BBC comedian brings his current show The Joke-amotive to Birmingham. £12. That's Entertainment! @ The OJS, Friday 19th February, 8.00pm – A new double bill of plays penned by Lichfield author Phil Preece, revealing the many faces of showbusiness. Tickets £12. Purple Mermaid Ci rcus Society @ Joe's, Saturday 20th February 10.00pm – The society present their annual ballring event. Tickets £3. Circus of Horrors @ The Alexandra, Saturday 20th February, 7.30pm – A daring and bizzare Mexican inspired, circus show. Tickets £16-30. An Evening of Music and Dance From the Ballet @ Symphony Hall, Saturday 20th February, 7.30pm – The city's world-renowned society saunter their stuff. Tickets £10-29.50. Steve Reich's Drumming @ Town Hall, Saturday 20th February, 7.30pm – The famous percussionist shows off his African influences. Tickets £517.50. Dancing at Lughnasa @ The REP, Tuesday 23rd February, 7.30pm – An examination of love, life and happiness in 1930s rural Ireland. Tickets £1032.
Photo Courtesy: Helen Melbourn
Clare Rojas @ The Ikon Gallery Aimee Meade
experience. This provides a fitting finale to the program as 2010 is in fact the year of the G'ng-yín (Metal Tiger). Enjoy!
17
als and own environment she feels empowered by, through her art. We They, We They, however, is not as radically feminist as her mantra may have us believe. Her prints do present women in a powerful way but it is not done so in an aggressive manner, in fact quite the opposite. Rojas floor to ceiling patchwork 'quilt' paintings have a comfortable aura about them and although there are some darker under-
Red Feather Flower (2006) by Clare Rojas
tones to her prints particularly in Ladies Bleeding to the Sky (2009), her use of flat solid colours bring a warming effect to the cold gallery walls. Rojas influence of folk art definitely shone through, with aspects of nature featuring in almost every piece. Her use of animals and foliage brought a light-hearted edge to the gender relations that are portrayed, presenting women as nurturers and in no way threatening. The exhibition will continue to run at the Ikon gallery until the 21st March and it is a great opportunity to catch the San Francisco based artist whose work can clearly be seen being influenced by the Californian landscape about her. The stacked use of heavy, raw, dusty colours embodies both elements of Picasso and Miro, but her interest in presenting woman gives her something wholly new and orginal, presenting her as a unique modern day artist in her own right. Whether Rojas' exhibition is looked at in terms of its message to empower women or just looked at for its beautiful prints, it is definitely worth a viewing.
Traces @ The Hippodrome James Reevell 'Come one, come all to the circus.' So cries the giant, fat rose-cheeked ringmaster from the rooftop of the Hippodrome. Well, at least he would if there was any justice in the world. The circus in question is Traces, a combination of gymnastics, tumbling and a seemingly endless amount of other art forms. With a name entirely appropriate due to the audience never really grasping what is happening in front of them, but knowing that whatever it is, it's superb. This was by no means a bad thing, with the experience being something like watching an argument in a foreign language; you can't understand it but recognise all the signs of what is going on around you. The performance is eminently recognisable as having its roots in the circus, but such is the thought behind the production it is elevated into a higher class of art, making frequent nods to post-modernism. The technical and innovative talent on show is awe inspiring, opening with a sequence of tumbling between the cast of
five. There is an obvious chemistry between them, playing off one another in a manner that owes much to street theatre. Yet it is when they each show off their diverse talents that the show really comes into its own, with gymnastics on decapitated mannequins a particular highlight. Still, if that's not your highlight then maybe, like my companion, a Dr Who fanatic, you will enjoy death defying 30-foot pole drops that
leave the audience short of breath. It is the little touches that make this production a special one, whether it be the subversive 'please leave your phone on, you never know who will call' message at the opening of the show, or the live camera work throughout. So, anointing myself in red coat and top hat I say, 'Ladies, Gentleman and Whovians welcome to the big top, you are in for some show.'
Photo Courtesy: The Hippodrome
18 Arts & Culture
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Societies:
Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy @ The UNDERGROUND LOVE @ The Underground Deb Hall Joanna Amaning The weekend of love began on Friday night with a culmination of all things Valentine's hosted by the African & Caribbean society called UNDERGROUND LOVE. The event, held at the Underground in the Guild (hence the inspired name) began with a speed-date involving most of the guests and it was quickly clear that it provided an opportunity for certain people to approach girls or guys they had been looking at for a while, with some staying in their seats for a little too long. The male and female hosts then invited guests to a buffet table (yes there was food) as the tables were quickly rearranged to accommodate the rest of the evening, and what an evening it was! Next up was singer Cybil Charles-Nelson, a homegrown talent, who sang a beautiful medley of current pop songs before closing with the classic 'My Funny Valentine' befitting the event. The Birmingham University student's well-received performance was followed by a rendition of the popular ITV show Take Me
Out. An array of females were lined up and given the chance to date one of five guys presented to them, and the guys were there to impress the ladies with their looks, talents and chat up lines. Sadly some fell short; answering poorly to questions, underwhelming with their talents or just being “too short”! The girls were definitely tough but at the end of the night each guy found himself with a date for Valentine's. This created a really positive ambienc that was carried on through for the rest of the evening. The event then turned to two final performances, singer and past X-factor hopeful Shanna Songbird
lead with an original song, followed by her rendition of Beyonce's Dangerously in Love. The atmosphere was taken to a different height when Shaun Anthony, backing singer to Alexandra Burke, stepped onto the stage to serenade the audience with an incredible, sultry performance which was a definite highlight. Overall it was a fun night that covered all areas with terrific entertainment value and was well worth going to whether you had a Valentine or not. Full credit goes to the African & Caribbean society for putting forward an awesome and engaging night.
Photo Courtesy: Joanna Amaning
Amy Silver My average Sunday night usually goes like this; I spend all day in my pyjamas recovering from Saturday's hangover, drinking cups of tea, and perhaps catching up on the week's TV before sloping off to bed. But this Sunday, I left the comfort of my Selly Oak den and spent the evening being thoroughly entertained by the brave cast and crew of the forty-eight hour production of Douglas Adam's The Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy. Here's the breakdown; the cast was given ten days in which to learn their lines, before spending only one weekend in rehearsal before performing on the Sunday evening. Watch This! have been entertaining us with these adventurous productions for years and it appears that they just continue to get better. Special mentions go to Paddy Holt as The Book, whose sarcastic scene to scene commentary kept us all on our toes; Jack Robertson for his fabulously melancholy performance as Marvin the Paranoid Android and also, might I add, for his wonderful Yorkshire ac-
cent; Tom Green and Luke Shepard for managing to stick together despite the on-stage chaos; Mikey Lapham for his brilliant characterisation of Vogon Jeltz; the chorus for some fabulous and unexpected comic moments, especially the digital watch montage; and, of course, to directors Lulu Phillips and Leo West for their dedication and talent that shone through the on stage action all the way through the show. The obvious name dropping (Lucy Hagan-Walker seemed a particular favourite!), started out as confusing, but as the show went on and after a quick scan of the programme, the joke went from private to public and just showed how close the cast had become
over the two days they had spent working together. Along with some fantastic ad-libbing, the lack of budget inspired some innovative uses for cardboard and tin foil that took me back to the days of primary school nativities in the best kind of way, my favourite creation being the Whale. They say that laughter is the best medicine, and by the time I left the Underground, wiping away tears of mirth, my hangover was completely cured; and to make matters even better, half of the money made by the show went to the University's Help for Haiti fund. One of the best ways I could have spent my lazy Sunday.
Photo Courtesy: Holly Hagan-Walker
Theatre: A diverse range from Elizabeth I to Hitchcock... The Clink @ The Crescent Teodora Barzakova After seeing two performances from the Spring Season of Birmingham School of Acting, it is really hard not to appreciate their brilliance. My previous 'very positive' review of last week's Anna Karenina might have sounded exaggerated, but I shall take the same risk again. Directed by Gregory Thompson and set at the scene of The Crescent, The Clink is an enjoyable perfection of a play, a fascinating performance. The plot is a complex mixture between three different eras, which meaningfully overlap to point out the fact that nothing has changed and nothing is going to change. It is set in 1603 when Elizabeth I is dying, a period not often glorified in the arts; it is written in 1990 – the end of Thatcher's leadership; and it is performed in 2010, the post-modernity of distrust and cynicism. A fool becomes a toy in the hands of the powerful and gets trapped in a game of political speculations and conspiracies. Even though it sounds grave, it is actually entertainment, as the whole performance is more of a comedy than a drama; pol-
itics, religion, murder and life are made fun of. Deep underlying discussions about the influence of the monarch, or the strength of women in power, or the insignificance of the masses are presented in a contemporary amusing manner. Hence, the performance, set in a non-existent time period with characters that merge small features from different epochs, is very complicated and difficult act to do.
Hitchcock Blonde @ The Crescent The Birmingham School of Acting, however, presents it with energy and talent. What makes the play so special is the mixture of styles, dating from different ages. The Elizabethan English of the Queen follows a hilarious popular slang; a 'crazy oldschool' scientist dressed in a hippy outfit uses a printer and the 'posh' aggressive daughter shoots her potential husband and joins the skinheads on the streets.
Photo Courtesy: The Crescent
Damilare Olugbode Audiences at the Crescent Theatre were given an exploration into the lives of four dysfunctional characters as they bared all their troubles, and their clothing, in Iain Davie's vibrant production of Terry Johnson's Hitchcock Blonde. Hitchcock Blonde thrusts audience into the realms of fantasy and through three different time periods, 1919, 1959 and the present day. The
play looks closely at the parallels between Hitchcock and an anonymous blonde; Alex, a lecturer, and his blonde protégé, Nicola. Hitchcock is auditioning a blonde to be Janet Leigh's shower scene body–double whilst Alex lures his student, Nicola, to Greece, to piece together the remnants of some lost footage he has discovered. The relationships gradually breakdown and become increasingly complicated and violent once
Photo Courtesy: The Crescent
sex and desire poison their rapport. The theatre is plastered with notices warning audiences of the play's 'adult nature' and nudity. The nude references were rather distasteful and highly unnecessary. The scene in which Nicola, after refusing his sexual advances on numerous occasions, finally strips off and enters the shower with Alex, is highly unwarranted. If this scene were to have been removed the play could still have progressed in the same manner and audiences would have been saved the discomfort of having to see a young woman, who looked no older than twenty-one, actively participate in what could only be considered an objectification of the female body. Nudity, with some sort of moral message or dramatic impact is more effective and intriguing than watching a young woman simply reconstruct a trivial strip tease. But regardless of the technical errors, poor American accents and imprudent nude scenes, the comical scenes were fresh and the characters were believable enough to stay with you as you left.
Travel
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
19
As th e twit tersph world’s ere ex blogge ploded rs rea Kevin once a cted a Smith gain ’s eje ngrily Airline c to the and the t io s fligh n f r directo om a t on S as the r aturda South toleran y , West I ce of recoile more f obese d irmly e in horror peo The a tched rgume into th ple becomes n t s e ever a n m of illn d addic ind of conservational ess, s tion h societ o to add a projects in which y. c v ia e l all fail ress t ed, and circumstanc he iss you can help to the int es u discrim e, let ernet o save natural habalone p ination f peop not fit r o still le v id ting in being a e supp itats, species and to sea sked t ort fo everyo ts or f a il s o communities. r it. M ne on m ove to limit a plane any tale balanc thems Two months s on should ing the safe e elves. a plane’s ty pro not be Airline Trying of independent cedure weight s can jeopar to avo , s t dised b only b hat pr id losin travel – albeit ing it a e in ag otects y thos g busin ccepta r e e in the States – e m e u ss, So ble to ent, alt nable t ers. ‘ uth W pu o con hough No ma could be est’s trol they're n or w nish those p o w w li oman u appealing, but ell, th h c sually o y s p h u h o e t a r u s unwilli e t ld h C is a e ertainly be sho mselve right t the summer a price ng to s befo uted lo some o be f to pay admit be to r camp prop e ud and a e t ,’ it. o the sa t ple ha e c r o take th t m h p m f a r v n e o e e t n u y t t a grammes d, mak h e e r a g d e but w n t u d a t o e ll h d t c e h o ies of that if er and mfort comm ho act often eat into f. The unicat so the of oth fatties ually e n io t n n a h f j s re ous atter y oys be e babie restric this time manage ted fr in ou are s. The t peop r for And th om pla y may , and, being le by w g squashed the air ey are n a e in ll line. s h t right. o o c t h a t a u e h the hefty s s ey are, next s e disc eat fo Deny t tep wo omfor but yo r 10 ho he lar mass of tert for uld ger pa u can urs at those ssenge by wh a time rain that it flying, r a s t they a and yo n y w o f ay. You ’ve ma sardine u can is, you de the can’t s at 3 fit eve mselve 3,000f n mor won't be Pete B s. t e . p e la o k p e le into able to see much more that t of the 'land of opportuniin ty'. If it's culture you're after, look elsewhere. For a country with only some 500 years under its belt, it should be of no surprise that your discovery will be limited to an oversized, over glamorised and outright OTT version of European, namely British, culture. Vis-à-vis the cuisine, menus consisting of burgers, fries, meatloaf and Sloppy Joes – a burger of some description resembling the end result of the night before – are not exactly exclusive to the summer camps and the kids of America. For a cultureless, kidinfested and time-restricted summer experience, go ahead chose Camp America. But for me, it's a case of bye–zi–bye rather than Hi–de–hi to camp life!
Not so happy campers
Louise Spratt thinks American summer camps might have had their day in the sun The summer camp craze has escalated in recent years; fuelled by the growing popularity of gap years, career breaks and 'I must go away somewhere to do something that looks good on my CV during the holidays' sentiment. And, it seems, that not just any camp will do. Oh no, it must be an American summer camp; the generation of today wants to go out and live the 'American dream'—an alleged 7,500 young people are taking part in Camp America every year; not to mention the many imitation projects across the States. Yet, no matter how these schemes are presented, I struggle to see the attraction. Camp America – the chief summer camp organisation in the tribe of similar competitors – offers the chance to live out in the sticks for up to four months, living and working with children as anything from counsellor, to skills coach to general kitchen skivvy. Camp America, they say, is not all about work. The programme is frequently promoted by the added highlight of free time to travel the continent; that is, after the project is over, you can take advantage of the remaining time on your Visa, which could be anything up to two months. Many will be thinking that this American summer camp malarkey sounds like a good crack; the opportunity to go
away for four months, a spot of work here and a touch of travel there. No matter how it is guised, however, 'a summer of fun, sun, kids and camp' will never win me over; it leaves much to be desired. With all the opportunities that the world has to offer to satisfy your travel, work and play needs, it is quite unnecessary for us to keep on blowing the trumpet of an interfering, power-obsessed, bully of a nation. If your idea of a fun, yet rewarding, experience is caring for and entertaining kids – mine certainly is not but I should stress that this is not the reason for my hostility towards the Camp America concept – then why jet all the way across the Atlantic? You would have just as much fun working
'As far as gratifying challenges and worthy causes go, I can think of limitless alternatives.' as a Red Coat at good old Butlins or as an activity instructor for the popular PGL, right? As far as gratifying challenges and worthy causes go, I can think of limitless alternatives. Try a humanitarian disaster recuperation project – Haiti ringing any bells? – or take your pick from the catalogue of countless
Coming Soon: Modern day Cuba – a communist holiday dream ? Redbrick's 5 travel essentials The best of the travel scams and how to avoid them
Redbrick Travel requires a new editor!
Travel news bites – James Cull In the name of the Father…
The largest (and probably the only) Father Ted festival will take place between 25 – 28 February and 4 – 7 March on the Aran Islands, off the west coast of Ireland. The three-day festival costs €150 including camping and has a variety of activities based on the TV series such as Crazy Golf and a Father Jack Cocktail Evening.
London is a shopaholic's paradise
A survey done by CBRE, a research and consulting company, has found that London is the shopping capital of the world, with the city boasting almost 60 per cent of the major retailers. Paris came in 2nd with 50 per cent and New York came in 3rd with 47 per cent.
Yorkshire becomes number one tourist destination
Who needs Madame Tussauds or the London Eye? Yorkshire is well on its way to becoming the number one tourist destination in the UK and recent investments made in the county have led to an increase of 35 per cent in visitor numbers.
Trans-Siberian Railway now available for viewing
your stories, have pictures to make even the most hardened
The complete stretch of the 9,289 km railway Trans-Siberian Railway between Moscow and Vladivostok is has been released for viewing by a joint collaboration between Google and Russian Railways. Visitors to the site can also have the opportunity to enjoy classic Russian literature and other scenic places in Russia. http:// bit.ly/b1i2a9
traveller jealous then Redbrick travel wants you to be its new
The mystery of the cat in the can
If you have the travel bug, want to see the world and share
editor. Deadline for applications is Sunday night. If you are interested email: travel@redbrickonline.co.uk and we'll give you more information.
A cat in Fife puzzled animal rescue workers when it walked into their animal care centre with a can stuck on its head. The rescue workers managed to free the kitty but cannot figure out how it made it to the centre without being knocked down.
What it is like to be a bat
It has been revealed that when bats leave their cave they always turn left. This strange habit is because, when leaving in a large group, the animals wish to avoid colliding with others so sytematically always go the same way.
20 Lifestyle An apple a day: Uppers, downers and all around-ers
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Issue:
Are children growing up too fast?
Charlotte Crowley
Neil Chanchlani It's a new-age phenomenon that yet again has been brought to us by the Skins generation. Although the concept seems completely unappealing, to some, it's a new way of life. Prescription drugs – hitting house parties and libraries since the end of the noughties. Pain killers. Anxiolytics. Nootropics. Anti-depressants. No, these are not the products of the medicinal devil. Nor are they cut with illegal drugs in back alleyways or basement cellars (well, not yet, anyway). But in fact, these are just a few examples of perfectly legal prescription drugs that the youths of today have
sue if these drugs are not properly managed. Additionally, your body grows tolerant of the dose that you currently ingest, and activity at the receptor site decreases. This is what causes people to want more of the drug, increase their dose and get a 'higher effect.' Little do people know how far down the rabbit hole they can fall… 'Before four years ago, I had never even heard of the word Xanax,' Lisa Cappiello, mother of a prescription drug addict, says. 'Now ... I know kids as young as 12 are using it. Then I found out that Vicodin was a very big party drug. Before school, after school, at parties. Kids mixed them with alcohol and ecstasy.
'We've moved on to bigger and better things, but at what cost does this come?' consumed themselves. Now, although the ends are the same, the means do vary – some used for business, some used for pleasure, but rarely used in the right manner. From anti-anxiety medication such as Ritalin (used to calm one's nerves down and increase attention span), to cognition enhancers such as Piracetam (used to improve one's memory function and enhance concentration states). Whoever knew that kids could have it so easy? Back in my day all we had was Red Bull and Pro Plus and that was more than enough to have us twitching to the early hours. Seems that the days of caffeine and taurine are behind, and we've moved on to bigger and better things; but at what cost does this come? Aside from the obvious extremes such as heart failure and multiple organ failure, these drugs pose a much greater adverse effect on one's psychological dependence. And no, not in the 'I must watch Hollyoaks every day kind of way'. But, serious addiction can en-
It was baffling to me.' Not only placed alongside a pen and pad, prescription drugs have now entered the party and nurave scene, seen as one of the bigger club drugs of the past decade. Additionally, pharma parties are now commonplace – that is, get togethers where people raid their parents family cabinets, get as many different types of pharmaceutical drugs, toss them all into a giant mixing bowl and grab a handful in order to get high. Whatever happened to popcorn and lager? No, instead these kids are willing to risk their lives and endanger everyone around them. Although they are widely available and can produce some desirable effects, prescription drugs provide a lot more than what it says on the bottle. If misused, the fine print does not nearly prepare you enough for a life of addiction and psychological dependence. Perhaps we should reconsider a simpler time – where a Relentless and a Boost bar were all that we needed.
Okay, not to be too 'back in my day', but it seems that things are different for kids growing up today than they were for us. I realised this when I received a Facebook friend request from my primary-school aged cousin who is listed as 'in a relationship' aged eleven. And this week there were photos all over the papers of Miley Cyrus' ten-year-old sister Noah in knee-high, PVC lace up boots which even Jordan would dismiss as trashy. With idols like her sister, Miley and Vanessa Hudgens (who was forced to apologise last year after naked photos of her were leaked on the internet) is it such a shock that children today seem to be growing up much too quickly? It used to be only creepy pageant princesses and child starlets who wore makeup and tarty clothes before they'd even learnt to dress themselves, but it seems that today most girls are aspiring to look like celebrities from a very early age. While at eight years old most of us were going on bike rides and getting
muddy, eight year olds today are having manicures, spray tans and even (gulp) bikini waxes. There has even been a beauty salon opened just for children, appropriately named Tantrum, and Barbie makers Mattel have announced a makeup range for children aged six to nine. The growing power of the media is also having a profound effect on impressionable young girls. Celebrity endorsed products convince children that they can be just like their often much older idols and clothing for young children is becoming more and more grown up. Tesco were forced to withdraw a padded plunge bra for seven year olds and Next a t-shirt aimed for under sixes emblazoned with 'so many boys, so little time'. Online company Twisted Tee even made a t-shirt for babies with nipple tassles printed on. Lovely. Who is to blame? The fear of children growing up too fast is nothing new. The 'sexy-girl' trend can be traced back to the mid 1980s and it was clearly prevalent during our childhood with the Spice Girls in the charts (who
else was shocked to listen to the lyrics of 2 become 1 in retrospect?!) and miniskirts all the rage, but I can never remember wishing to be, or attempting to be older in the same way young girls are today. Is it the growing influence of the internet and media? The breakdown of the family unit? Or the lack of sufficient role models for young girls? I'm tempted to blame all three. We never had as much access to information and freedom in the same way when we were children and with the growth of divorce, working parents and the decline of family values (just whack on 'Jeremy Kyle' on a weekday morning for proof of this!)
children have to look elsewhere for their role models and advice. More often than not it is to the television rather than to teachers or older siblings. Even at twenty I am already following my grandparents' footsteps and yearning for the good old days of my youth where mobile phones were for businessmen and not toddlers, your mum dressed you in hideous outfits and playing with Barbies was much more fun than being one yourself. For my cousin's birthday recently I bought her a magic set; I'd like to think her friends would be more impressed by a magic trick than the latest pair of heels.
Culture: Roshni – together we shine Deepika Katyal Hania Akhtar NAMASTE. Such was the greeting from the University of Birmingham's prized Hindu Soc last week as they shone the spotlight on Second City Suite, which hosted their sell out, must-attend 'Roshni' charity event. It provided a gateway for all to delve into Indian culture, don their glad rags, live out the glamour of Bollywood, and most importantly, get involved for a good cause. With an array of top Asian businesses supporting, and students from the University attending (a diverse audience we should add), Hindu Soc's annual 'Roshni', the cultural event of
Photo: Hania Akhtar
the year, was celebrated in style. The ardent fasionistas that we are, it was no wonder that we were on tenterhooks to see the hugely anticipated fashion show, the magnum opus of all Roshni's been and gone. Roshni 2010, certainly did not disappoint. The combination of dashing models served up to us with a banquet of vibrantly embellished garments proved to be a massive success. Sponsored by world renowned haute fashion house, Silons, we were privileged to bear witness to such wonderfully unique creations with immaculate workmanship. Real versatility was demonstrated in the designs as the outfits ranged from stunning par-
ty wear to exquisite bridal ensembles that were, to say the least, to die for. The dazzling cultureladen evening would have been nothing without an interjection of a display and array of Indian music and dancing. Our personal favourite was the Bhangra team from the University of Birmingham's Bhangra Soc, not forgetting the dapper hosts for the night. Ranging from authentic traditional 'pushpanjali' style to an infusion of East meets West, in contemporary Bollywood routines, the dancers highlighted the diversity and richness of Indian culture. Also the reception they received showed that us folk from the Sub-continent, love, and know how to have a good time! And what is an Indian party without the food? The three course meal comprised of a variety of starters, main dishes and a dessert that can only be described as divine. The evening was certainly all it was promised to be... and so much more. Culture, glamour and the good times aside, one cannot neglect the real reason behind Roshni, the light that was shone on issues close to the Hindu Society's hearts. The beneficiaries that Roshni was
held in aid of were homeborn Acorns Children's Hospice and Indian based and focused Saraswati Vidhyalaya. Roshni, in its fifth year at Birmingham, highlighted the plight of children in the UK and India. Acorns Children's Hospice Trust cares for life-limited children and their families from across the West Midlands region. Saraswati Vidhyalaya promotes education and the building of schools for the underprivileged in India. The society should be commended for spreading the message and raising money via spectacular events like Roshni to make the vision that these charities have for 2011 a reality. Bollywood, eat your heart out. The Hindu Soc directed an epic flick, full of glitz, glamour, elegantly wrapped in the finest fabrics, exuding the very essence of what it is to be Indian. Anique Buddhdev, events co-ordinator of Hindu Soc, captures the core sentiments of the committee saying, 'It was incredible to see something we worked so hard for be a major success with the audience, as well as raising money for two important causes!' Shukriya, Hindu Soc, we're already sorting out our garb for Roshni 2011.
Lifestyle
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010 Hello to all the Lifestyle lovers!
Fashion: Spring has sprung!
Hello Lifestyle fans! Welcome to yet another provokingly powerful issue of Lifestyle. Firstly we must acknowledge some extremely sad news – the death of British fashion genius Alexander McQueen. McQueen was fashion royalty, with a visionary talent for beautiful and often rebellious collections. His death came as a massive shock to the fashion industry and fashion lovers alike, as just days before London Fashion Week, the designer passed away at his London home. Dubbed the 'hooligan of fashion', he was everything that encompasses what we all love about British fashion : controversy, eccentricity, fearlessness and a sense of humour. McQueen will be greatly missed by fashionistas the world over. On a slightly lighter note, our much anticipated Lifestyle podcast is out NOW! You can download it for free on iTunes – just type in 'Redbrick' and have a look for 'Lifestyle podcasts' to listen to our rants about Valentine's day woes, sexual liberation and ridiculous spring trends not even Gaga would be seen in. (Also there is a slight theme in the podcast – see if you can spot it) Bye! (Off to download the podcast!)
After the Big Freeze ended in January, it was lovely to imagine spring was coming. Unfortunately with more snow predicted, warmer weather is not on the way. I am not only sick of the cold, but snow means wearing a sensible parka and having only wellies as a shoe option due to previous embarrassing, falling over experiences. The high street is full of pretty pastels, florals and lace, leading to dreams of the season ahead. However, there are ways to wear spring trends now despite the need to keep warm. At Chanel Couture in January, Alexa Chung paired a cream tweed dress with grey woolly tights (John Lewis school department girls) and clogs. A white dress is a perfect buy for now, as it will look as good with tights as bare legs. To emulate Alexa, Warehouse's Tweed Panel Dress (£70) is very Chanel, although the same price as a week's rent; for a cheaper alternative New Look's Zip Back Prom Dress (£28) and ASOS' Lace Empire Dress (£35) are similar. For those who don't feel ready to wear lace, wooden heeled platforms are set to be everywhere this year. Topshop's Tan Platform Sandals (£75) are gorgeous, however New Look's Lace Up Platform's (£25) are similar and one
Harriet Tisdall
third of the price. Pastels were all over the spring catwalks from Christopher Kane to Burberry and can be worn now. Pastel shades are all over the high street, Matalan's Pocket Detail Mac (£22) will bring colour to a rainy day and New Look's Pastel Floral Vest (£10) conjures up images of idyllic summer days. Layering is the way forward for this trend; a number of jersey basics in natural colours teamed with black looks stylish and keeps you warm. This is another cheap way to update your wardrobe, as vest tops from Primark at £3 are a bargain! Trousers are set to be huge for 2010 and Topshop has a range of coloured skinny jeans in mint, violet and lemon, to brighten up any outfit. Chinos are another easy way to wear spring trends now, Mango's Seamed Chino (£24.90) will look gorgeous with a simple white shirt. For those on a budget,
there is no need to buy new clothes to feel summery. Florals are making a comeback for spring and despite the temptation to buy something new, such as Therapy's Ditsy Print number (£35), you can pair last summer's dress with thick tights and boots. Tights are economical and a wardrobe essential, they can completely change any outfit and are a guilt free purchase. Marks and Spencer have a cheap, long lasting range in a variety of colours. The nineties are back so double denim is acceptable again, team denim shirts with jeans though make sure they are different shades so the look isn't too Fresh Prince. Gladiator sandals and sunglasses will be staying in the wardrobe for a while, however, team your summer dress with a coat, knitwear, wool tights and that thermal vest your Nan got you and pretend it is July.
Guy's fashion choices are influenced by girls, but as most women are less easy to please than men most guys save the hassle of pleasing the opposite sex and go for pleasing themselves instead. Let's face it, day to day, most guys dress for comfort, practicality, and most of all to keep warm. Impressing the opposite sex figures, but 'Do I look hot in this' probably is not going through most guys heads when they step out in the morning. I canvassed a few female opinions and the consensus was that if it looked ironed then you could not really ask for much more. So in that sense guys dress for themselves and might modify their choices under duress, but rarely knowingly dress to kill. At the heart of the debate is the question of self-confidence. Men are hardwired to think they are sexually irresistible to women regardless, and if you think you are
Pearls and pastels – to accentuate the nude trends of the moment when it comes to accessories think pretty and girly with different sized pearls and florals. Big is better – Striking necklaces, large cocktail rings – 'Nobody puts baby in the corner'. It's all about overdoing your best feature so pick wisely. Mini egg – Nothing wrong with eating a few... hundred bags of these. Guilt is unnecessary because after all we'll give them up for Lent. Mini-breaks - Whether it's a weekend in Ireland, or a trip to Spain with the girls. When the New Year flight sales begin, so does all the fun... New Dairy Milk wrapper – We all know it's the same chocolate inside, and yet somehow it tastes SO much better when it's in a shiny sexy wrapper. Original fancy dress – So we've all been the saucy nurse, the policeman, the military, the clown... Is it not about time we came up with some new ideas? Nights in – They're cheap, you can wear flats, you can order in, it's warm, and the stumble back to your bed at the end of the night is significantly easier. Warrior trend – Tribal/Military/Roman... whatever, it is. Studded belts, leather jackets, Celtic designs, edgy jewellery. Wear it with confidence.
Finished Katie and Peter – we are sick of hearing about what they did next, what they did then and what they are doing currently. They are everywhere and still don't have anything interesting to say.
Rob Lewis
and Briony Singh find out... a God then why would what you wear ever impact your pulling potential? This mentality is evidenced by the hoards of hair gelled, boot cut jean wearing lads walking tall along Saturday night high streets across the land. So it would seem if it is warm, practical, and close to the bed in the morning then we are wearing it, and maybe we might run the iron over it if we are feeling lucky, eh?
Fierce
Socks – OK so it goes without saying that socks are nothing new to the fashion scene. Layering is what it's all about this year. Knee high socks worn over patterned tights can add dimension and shape, and warmth. Practical and sexy.
Debate – Do we dress for the opposite sex? Testosterone
21
Oestrogen This is a complex issue that at the end of the day depends completely on the person. I think that for the most part, women dress for themselves. We do it to feel feminine, boost our confidence and to express ourselves. And yes, sometimes we do it to feel sexy! However it is widely accepted that a small portion of us ladies make our choice of clothing carefully not only to feel attractive for ourselves, but to feel attractive to others. This could be for that really hot guy in your research group or even that annoyingly pretty girl whose wardrobe is to die for. So it may not even be a case of sex; if you're the type of gal who lacks self-esteem (and let's face it girls, in our society, that's a good few of us) sometimes the way we dress provides a chance to stand out and get noticed. We all know it's a great feeling walking into a club and see heads turn your way. And there is discussion about the
colour red being scientifically proven to attract the opposite sex (hence why most racy underwear tends to be red) and some research has even claimed that red lipstick is attractive to men because it is reminiscent of another part of the female anatomy... something I feel the jury is still out on. Ultimately though, if you get to a point where your every choice of clothing is influenced by a boyfriend's nagging comments or the pressure from public eyes then it's time to take a step back. Clothes can be for comfort and practicality, but equally they are a way to channel individuality and style. If any of you girls think the way you dress may be for a guy, remember, most men actually prefer a woman who dresses to please no one but herself – if you can look fierce in your new purchase without thinking about the masculine eyes that may be looking; you'll never look sexier.
The return of the cold weather – its nearly spring so enough with the snow! The shops are full of summer dresses and swimwear and we are stuck putting on yet another layer! Friends on 4 – this is one we are all very very sad to hear the end of but it has been confirmed that we will only have access to Friends on channel 4, E4, More 4 etc, for a few more months as they have sold the rights to another channel which (like so many) we don't all receive! So our days will never be the same. The dregs of the sales – if the things didn't sell when they first came in store, or in January and are still there now, take the hint that nobody wants to buy them and clear the space rather than having the picked over depressing rail up the corner. Killer heels – since we've seen pictures of Victoria Beckham's bunions leading her to ditch the heels for flats there seems to have been a surge in the increase of flats and kitten heels on the high street, so nights out may be slightly less painful for the next few weeks. Sequins – hold on to them, they will come round again, but put them to the back of your wardrobes, they are so last season.
Sarah Connell and Danielle Fox
The new, much awaited, Lifestyle podcast is now up and running! Either download it for FREE on iTunes by typing in Redbrick Lifestyle or go to redbrickonline.co.uk and follow the pink link. Happy listening!
22 Television
Ten things you never knew about... Barbara Windsor. With her Carry On… accolades and infamous matriarchal role as Peggy Mitchell, Natalie Timmins looks into the life of the Walford legend… WITH a career spanning across decades, with iconic roles in the Carry On... films and most notably in Eastenders, Barbara Windsor is a British institution, with a life filled with as much drama and delight as Peggy Mitchell's. 1. Barbara Ann Deeks was born in August 1937 in London, with her seventeenth year marking her first film role in The Belle of St Trinians. 2. Barbara has been married three times, and had famed romances with dodgy gangster Ronnie Knight and and an affair with Carry On... co-star Sid James. She has admitted in her autobiography, All of Me, that she never wanted children due to her own father rejecting her. So no cases of having to tell people to 'keep away from my faaaam'ly!'
stint in 1991, and became Mitchell matriarch Peggy in Eastenders. 6. And she didn't come to the role in ignorance, after she and second husband Stephen Hollings ran a pub at Winchmore Hill in Buckinghamshire. Reckon she practiced telling people to 'gerrouta my pub!'? 7. No stranger to praise, her portrayal of Peggy earned her the Best Actress award at the 1999 British Soap Awards, and later on Lifetime Achievement award, in 2009. She was also made an MBE in the Millenium Honours List. 8. Despite her break from acting through 2003 and 2005 after suffering from the debilitating Epstein-Barr virus, we've not only recovered Peggy in Eastenders, we've also gained a voice for the Dormouse in the upcoming Tim Burton film, Alice in Wonderland. 9. To add to her talents, Barbara released a duet with Eastenders costar Mike Reid in 1999 called The More I See You, which reached number forty-four in the UK Singles Chart.
3. Babs starred as the good-time-girl in nine Carry On... films between 1964 and 1978, until the writers deemed her role to have lost its initial comical innocence that they valued so highly. 4. As well as being renowned for her roles in the Carry On… films and in Eastenders, our Babs has also worked the West End stage since discovering a love of theatre after a seeing a show with her grandfather. Making her stage debut in 1952 in the chorus of Love From Lucy, she went on to star in Oh! What a Lovely War on Broadway, as well as touring the UK, New Zealand and South Africa in her own show, Carry On Barbara. 5. In 1994, despite producers initially saying they wanted an unknown cast, Barbara took over from Jo Warne's brief
10. After sixteen years of playing a national soap institution, Barbara Windsor has finally decided to call time on her landlady legacy in Albert Square, wanting to spend more time with current husband Scott Mitchell. With the Mitchell clan without its roots, who knows what the future holds for the Queen Vic?
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Box bites
Heavenly hallelujah?
Simon Fairbanks brings us this week's top telly news.
Annie Hodson discusses TVs most overused song.
FANS are still lamenting Channel 4's decision to stop showing re-runs of Friends on Channel 4 and E4. The episodes have been on loop for fifteen years, each episode attracting an average audience of 400,000 viewers. But as of Autumn 2011, Friends will be taken off the air so Channel 4 can invest more money and time into original programming. Unsurprisingly, Facebook protest groups have begun. 19-year-old Charlie Bruce won the So You Think You Can Dance final last Saturday, winning both £100,000 and the opportunity to perform in America. The seven-week search for Britain's favourite dancer has been hugely popular so expect a second series next year. In other reality TV news, Ellen DeGeneres has joined Simon Cowell's judging panel for the live shows of American Idol. Despite being a comedian and not part of the music industry, DeGeneres' debut has been praised by the fans and adds muchneed wit to a very tired formula. Excitingly, 24 is being made into a feature film. The script has now been completed and will see Jack Bauer heading to Europe. Robert Popper, who has worked on Peep Show, has written a new Channel
IN recent months, Journey's Don't Stop Believin' threatens to take the crown of most-overplayed-song-on-television since its infamous cover in Glee, taking the crown from its previous undisputed holder, the mournful hymn to dying relationships that is Hallelujah. It's been difficult to switch on the television, for the past five years, without the emotional strains of Hallelujah. It is much like an old friend that you spent a little too much time with backpacking round Europe and now you just need some time apart, okay? It may have once been reserved to soundtrack moments of abject misery and high drama, but now it's just as likely to underline gravitas situations such as a TV character chipping a fingernail or slightly overcooking their toast. Let's take a look at some of the best and the worst of Hallelujah...
4 comedy called Friday Night Dinner about two brothers who visit their parents every Friday for a traditional family meal. Starring The Inbetweeners' Simon Bird and Green Wing's Tamsin Greig, this is definitely one to watch out for. In political news, Dermot O'Leary will be hosting a BBC3 version of Question Time aimed at young voters. This will be broadcast live from Canary Wharf on 3rd March in the build-up to the long-awaited general election. Meanwhile, poor Tess Daley has cancelled all of her television appointments for the next week after the Vernon Kay text sex scandal. Let's hope television's favourite northern couple are united again soon.
Who can forget the final moments of The O.C.'s first season when Ryan bid farewell to Orange County, Seth set sail for waters new, and Marissa knocked back enough vodka to make Withnail look teetotal? Hallelujah's elegy to wasted love left many a viewer falsely claiming it was only allergies that caused their eyes to start watering. Rating: 9/10.
New York missing persons drama Without A Trace certainly didn't skimp on the pathos when they used Hallelujah to soundtrack not only the emotional return of a kidnap victim, but also the aftermath of 9/11. Could have been exploitative, but was carried off with a surprising amount of dignity. Rating: 8/10. One of the song's earliest television appearances uses was in The West Wing, as a grief stricken CJ wanders the streets of New York following the tragic and abrupt death of an almost lover. After numerous episodes of romantic build-up, this moment served as shocking and heartbreaking conclusion. Cold? Check. Broken? Check. Love is not a victory march? Checkity check check. Rating: 7/10. When it was time for Bradford Meade to head to the great Mode magazine in the sky on Ugly Betty, what better to send him off than the dulcet tones of Jeff Buckley? Shame it was right in the middle of his wedding... then again, the fashion world does love a good exit. Rating: 6/10. The X Factor Christmas single 2009. Shhh Alexandra, shhh. Rating: 0/10.
TV Gold: Teachers Amber Alexander relives her school years with the sensational Channel 4 comedy LONG before The Inbetweeners and The IT Crowd had reached our screens, Channel 4 tickled our funny bones with the hilarious comedy-drama Teachers, which first aired in 2001 and continued for four series'. The British sitcom, which was created by Tim Loane, follows the lives of a group of incompetent secondary school teachers who care more about getting one up on each other than doing any actual teaching. In fact none of them actually like kids. The BAFTA-nominated comedy is laugh-out-loud funny and you can watch the episodes over and over again without ever getting bored. What makes Teachers such an incredible TV show is the assortment of hilarious yet believable characters and the ridiculous situations they get themselves into. Adrian Bower and Navin Chowdhry are brilliant as best friends Brian and Kurt, a PE and IT teacher respectively, who are frequently mis-
taken for a gay couple: 'What? You've never seen two grown men standing around listening to Wham before?' Lloyd McGuire will make your sides split as Bob, the red-faced, middle-aged Head of English, who is forced to camp out in the school when his first wife leaves him for the notorious 'satellite installation man'. Things get even worse when Bob is demoted in the final series and replaced by Ewan (Lee Williams) a much younger better looking man, who
catches the eye of Bob's mail order bride Ping. Other memorable characters include superbitch Liz (Ellen Thomas) who has it out for everyone, including flirtatious Penny (Tamzin Malleson) who makes a habit out of picking the wrong men. When Penny tries to explain why she might have given 'special' attention to a certain 17 year old pupil, straight-talking biology teacher Lindsay (Vicky Hall) quickly interjects: 'Save it for Liz, we all know you shagged
him'. Other notable characters include hypochondriac Ben (played by Gavin & Stacey's Matthew Horne) and balding schoolboy Grint who is subjected to cruelty by the teachers and students alike and finds himself in a rather sticky situation with an icing bag. What makes Teachers really special is the incorporation of subtle as well as obvious humour. There is always something going on in the background which the characters don't notice: Donkeys walk around the school absentmindedly, police cars pull up at the gates, children set each other on fire and the days of the week are written in the surrounding scenery and props. A clever, innovative, fantastically un-PC series, with a great soundtrack, including songs from Feeder and The Libertines Teachers is well worth a watch. Once you experience one episode, you're sure to be hooked.
Television
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
23
Forever Friends
Love lights us up...
With the devastating news that Friends is leaving E4 in 2011, Jemma Saunders takes a walk down memory lane with the gang that made coffee and comedy a worldwide favourite.
With the success of ITV's new dating show, Take Me Out, Charlotte Lytton tells us how Saturday nights are now best spent in front of the telly...
IT'S now common knowledge that Rachel got off the plane and that Monica and Chandler had twins, yet ever since 'The Last One' was broadcast to an audience of over 8 million viewers in 2004, Friends has been continually repeated on Channel 4 and E4, providing entertainment on our weekday evenings. Last week, however, it was announced that as of autumn next year, the sitcom will be moving to a new home on Comedy Central – a channel not available to the freeview masses. This will truly be the end of an era for Channel 4, which has held the broadcasting rights to Friends ever since it first aired to the British public in the mid 1990s. Whether it will mean the end of an era for Ross, Rachel, Monica, Chandler, Phoebe and Joey is another matter altogether. According to a BBC report, an average of 400,000 people still tune in daily for the inevitable cup of coffee in Central Perk. Add in all the households in Selly Oak that own at least one series on DVD (admit it, there's a lot of you) and I'm willing to bet that moving to a less mainstream channel isn't going to mean the end of Friends' popularity.
SATURDAY nights are once again worth staying in for thanks to new trashy dating show Take Me Out. With thirty girls battling over every male who exits the wonderfully named 'love lift', the claws, cheesy catchphrases and general cattiness are out in full force for an hour of quality weekend entertainment. The show may be cheesier than a Ploughman's sandwich, but with classics like Blind Date well and truly in the past, there's a gap in the market that Take Me Out definitely fills. Paddy McGuinness presides over the menagerie of fake-tanned females, all of whom claim to be 'looking for love'. As each man stands before them, they have the power to switch off their lights – a harsh wake up call for the less attractive of the contestants. But sorry boys, no likey: no lighty. Several rounds ensue, including a skills showdown and video links from friends and family, and if there are any girls left with their lights turned on, the man gets his pick of the bunch. However, as past programmes have
For fifteen years we have contentedly followed the lives of six ordinary New Yorkers as they face the daily tribulations wrought by work and relationships. So what gives a reasonably ordinary concept such an extraordinary appeal? Perhaps it's the interesting dynamic woven by the diverse personalities of the group: whether Phoebe's unconventional beliefs are conflicting with Ross' scientific ideas; or Joey's love of food is ruining Monica's immaculate kitchen, the strong friendships shine through. Alternatively, it could be the wider impact that Friends has had on popular culture, birthing catchphrases, coffee shops and even haircuts. At the end of second year, my friend and
I decided that we would watch, in order, all 236 episodes of Friends. It's taken us this long to reach the end of series three, so if we ever finish we too will probably be twentysomethings struggling to balance jobs (hopefully) and (optimistically) relationships. Of course, we won't experience such frequent comedic moments or boast such immaculate hairstyles in our lives, but I'm certain that escaping into a world where this is the norm will remain a source of entertainment at the end of a long day. This is not to say the tea-time slot on E4 won't be missed, but the Friends potential for longevity will not be lost just by moving homes. Because, as we all know, they'll be there for you...
shown, the men aren't always so lucky, and may be forced to walk the stairs of shame alone to the appropriate 'All by Myself'. Callous, maybe. Brilliant, yes. For those that are successful, they are treated to a night out with the girl of their choice (or the last remaining person who hasn't turned their light off). Some of the pairings have been beyond strange, namely that of 65 year old former rocker Alan and the burlesque loving Lia Jay. With 44 years between them, perhaps it's no surprise that they didn't quite hit it off… Some dates may have gone better than others, but it seems that true love is yet to happen for the contestants: violins
out, please. With the ratings climbing week on week, it seems that ITV may have struck gold with this new show, finally filling our telly with the evening equivalent of trash telly Jeremy Kyle. However, when the power finally shifts to the man in the final round, we are often left astounded with their decisions. Why is Daisy always getting sidelined? When will Jo find a man as tall and willing as she is? When will Rian learn that she'll never get picked? And when will the twins shut up? With these the questions at the forefront of all fans' minds, we can only hope that Paddy gives us some answers in the weeks to come.
JK in the USA
Albert square-ups
Natalie Timmins tells us why the legendary Jeremy Kyle's move to the USA looks set to be successful,
With the cast of Eastenders celebrating twenty-five years of transmission, Cheyenne Bunsie takes us through the lives of the residents of Walford…
TALKSHOW legend Jeremy Kyle has signed a deal to take his confrontational show to America, due to air in the USA in 2011 under the ITVs American production company, Debmar-Mercury. As the UK's highest performer in the daytime ratings battle, and after producing over 1000 drama and morally questionable episodes, it's no wonder the USA – home of the deafening Ricki Lake and the straight-talking Judge Judy – has grabbed at the chance to have the man who defines social disorder every morning to vamp up their daytime telly. After five years of telling British men to put something on the end of it and women that they can't give it up and expect respect, interesting doesn't quite do justice to how it will be to watch Jeremy take on outspoken Americans when he crosses the pond next year. Of the opportunity, good old Jezza has said that he's 'looking forward to meeting ordi-
ON the 19th February, Eastenders will celebrate 25 years with a live episode; the first time a BBC soap has attempted a live transmission. Hoping to emulate the success of Coronation Street's fourtieth anniversary live episode, the writers are preparing to answer a question driving fans mad to celebrate their time as box-favourites. Viewers will finally find out the answer to the question we've been pondering ever since Christmas dinner: just who did kill Archie Mitchell? With suspects ranging from vengeful daughter Ronnie to gold-digger Janine, there's no shortage of Cluedo-style guessing games and plenty of suspense. Phil Mitchell is no angel and we know he was ordered to kill Archie before...but what about the Matriarch Mitchell the orders came from? Or maybe even nice boy Bradley? Enraged by Archie's crime against Stacey, did he come back for the final round after attacking Ar-
nary American people and hearing about their extraordinary lives' and that 'this show isn't about me – it is about their issues and problems and how we can face them together'. What that translates to is that he can't wait to deal with the absolutely insane issues coming out of America today, and yelling about how innocent the children are continually (although we doubt he'll be telling people to walk through the night to visit their kids when his are a plane ride away...) And doubling his programmes effectively means doubling his chances of being punched in the face by an irate guest. Fabulous telly in the making, I'm sure you'll agree. After having a judge condemn the show as bear-baiting, it's no wonder Jeremy is able to spread his wings and fly to America – if scandal makes for entertaining television, then The Jeremy Kyle Show is practically a three ring circus.
Let's just hope Jeremy takes Graham so that he can keep saying that the show is to help, and not just a way of showing us what not to be when we're older. After all, the moral of the story is: DO NOT end up on a stage at 9.25am telling the population that your baby could belong to the entire local football team.
chie not long before? Everyone has an opinion, with rumours of the murder being committed by characters from the past such as the other half of the Mitchell machine, Grant, and the slightly deranged Sean Slater. Producers are keeping tightlipped and the 'whodunnit' is turning out to be as infamous as the 'who shot Phil Mitchell' saga that had the nation gripped back in 2001. A week of weddings is also on the cards, with both Bradley and Stacey and Rickaaayyy and Bianca making the trip up the aisle for a second time, but will both couples be living happily ever after? With the news that Charlie Clements is leaving the show in the near future, bipolar sufferer Stacey looks set for more heartache… While we're still waiting to have the killer unmasked viewers have been reminiscing about their favourite cliff-hanger moments on BBC Three. Most popular events include the revelation that Kat Slater was the
mother of her 'sister' Zoe; whilst others revelled in the moment Little Mo finally stood up to her abusive husband Trevor and gave him a battering with an iron and, most recently, the tragic death of Ronnie's long lost daughter Danielle. With classics such as Den Watts handing scheming wife Angie divorce papers for Christmas and Frank Butcher's infamous revolving bow tie (sick buckets please), Eastenders has never run out of dangerous and downright dirty entertainment. So here's to twentyfive years of misery, mayhem and absolute madness in Albert Square and hoping that there's much more where that came from. Cheers!
24 Sport
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRAURY 2010
Exclusive: Promotion secured for Brum with emphatic win Men's Tennis 1st: Birmingham v Warwick 10 – 0 Patrick Surlis ON a damp Wednesday afternoon at an uncomfortably cold indoor court at the Priory, the University of Birmingham men's tennis team continued to assert their superiority over the rest of the league, defeating a Warwick side that gave plenty of effort but ultimately got no reward. The Birmingham side took to the court aiming to protect their impressive unbeaten record thus far, against a Warwick side operating in mid-table and with little to play for. The team, made up this week of Richard Burns, Alex Henderson, Tom Stevenson and Matt Wilson, knew that five points from this fixture would be enough to gain promotion and wasted no time in securing two of those points in doubles matches that lasted no longer than 30 minutes. Wilson and Burns dispatched their lacklustre opponents with consummate ease, winning 8-2, and Stevenson and Henderson were even more impressive, beating their opponents inside 20 minutes with a final score of 8-0. In both matches the Birmingham pairs displayed far greater quality and consistency than their opponents, although this was to be expected from a Birmingham side that, so far this season, has only lost a handful of matches. With the doubles quickly wrapped up, which had earnt an early two points for Birmingham, the singles matches
swiftly got underway. Birmingham were conscious of the fact that the poor weather would prevent outdoor play which would lead to the four singles matches being played on only two indoor courts, potentially resulting in not all matches being contested and Birmingham having to wait an agonising extra week for promotion. However, this was not to be the case. Burns in the first singles match dominated his opposite number, triumphing 6-2 6-1 in a display which demonstrated the importance of consistent baseline play. Burns, in almost all extended rallies, controlled the tempo and forced his opponent to cover the entire court. Henderson similarly came through his singles game However, the 6-2 6-3 score line did little justice to his Warwick opponent who forced Henderson into several errors through shear persistence. But, ultimately Henderson picked up his game late in the second set to finish convincingly. Both Wilson and Stevenson won their singles matches, 6-2 6-4 and 6-4 6-2 respectively, completing yet another clean sweep for the Birmingham team and providing them with the required points to complete a well-deserved promotion. Club captain Wilson commented after the final matches were wrapped up that, 'promotion was always the aim right from the beginning of the season and the team are absolutely delighted to have been able to do it in such convincing fashion.' The result, and consequent promotion, means the Birmingham men's 1st team can expect tougher opposition next year, although judging from this performance, and a glance at this year's league table, Birmingham should be more than capable of making the step up.
Photo: Tom Flathers
More to money man Tom Clarke talks to the Birmingham alumnus
Photos courtesy of Roy Kilcullen READ any sport section of any paper in the last year and you will have encountered stories about two subjects; football and money. The tales of Portsmouth's plight or Manchester City's millions have dominated the back pages for the last 12 months or more and there seems to be no end to the public's interest in football's money men. One of the most high profile and most debated of these money men is University of Birmingham alumnus and Manchester United Chief Executive David Gill. United themselves have received their fair share of media scrutiny over their finances in recent weeks with various reports and commentary on the ownership of the Glazer family. Gill, however, is not fazed by the strong interest in United's finances: 'I don't think its unhealthy and I'm not surprised by it. It is recognition of where we are. If you play or work for Manchester United you have to expect that kind of interest. If they stop talking about us or writing about us that would tell me we were not being as successful as we have been in the past or we aren't near the top of the tree.' What does bother the Birmingham graduate is the lack of understanding and knowledge he sees when he reads the articles about his club's financial issues: 'I think there is a lot of miss information
about [Manchester United's financial situation] out there and I think there are a lot of sports journalists writing about things they don't understand.' He cites the need for a juicy story as a possible reason for the apparent lack of understanding. 'They aren't business journalists. The proper headlines aren't actually that interesting. They write that we have ÂŁ760m of debt, which we haven't, but they don't take time to understand how things are structured and what it means.'
ence to Manchester City, instead stating that, 'in any walk of life money helps but it has to be managed appropriately.' All the talk of financial miss management within in football also carries with it the ongoing debate about the nature of football's commercialism. Again, Gill offers an honest and insightful take on the issue: 'Things have changed; do you want to go back to the 70s and 80s with hooliganism and people not wanting to go to games compared to today when more women
'The proper headlines aren't actually that interesting. They write that we have ÂŁ760m of debt, which we haven't' Whilst media misconceptions about United's finances frustrate Gill, he recognises the important aspects of his role at the club. 'The more challenging thing is to make sure the staff and people inside the club understand the reality of the situation and don't believe what is written in the papers. That is what we have to do on a regular basis.' When asked about the financial model adopted by United's Manchester neighbours, Gill steered clear of any direct refer-
and children want to go to matches?' The Manchester United Chief Executive has clearly had this debate many times and is quick to offer an example of how football is not the only thing which has become more commercialised. 'We live in a competitive world, take the BBC and television for example. When I was growing up there were only a few channels, whereas now we have so many options. I think it is more a case that the world has changed and football has quite
rightly changed with it. If you don't do that you'll just stand still and that is something you can't do in any walk of life.' Gill cites the Premier League as an example of the benefits of commercialisation: 'I think the commercialisation is good if it is used to benefit the sport and I think if you do that, reinvest money and improve the product, you will see more success and the Premier League is an example of that success. Its organisation means we are ahead of some other leagues in Europe and have attracted some of the better players. So I think the whole world has changed and if we [football clubs] hadn't changed with it then we would still be in the situation of the 70s with poor grounds and people stood on the terraces. And that isn't very pleasant for any fan.' Football stadiums and television choices are not the only things that Gill acknowledges have changed. He sees a marked difference between his university experience and that had by students in 2010. 'I came here in 1975 and it was very different then from youngsters who come to university these days. Back then I hadn't ventured very far from my home in Reading so it was really a time for me to do some growing up. I have lots of fond memories, meeting new people, playing sport and I met my wife here.'
Sport
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
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Gill than meets the eye about the media, the World Cup and replacing Sir Alex Ferguson Gill graduated from the University in 1978 with a BCom in Industrial, Economic and Business Studies and he does believe that his degree has aided his career to an extent: 'For a start I think graduating from any good university with a good degree has got to help and my degree was quite broad. What that did for me was awaken my interest in business and finance and, of course, the fact that Birmingham was then, and is now, recognised as one of the top universities doesn't do any harm on the CV.' As well as helping him to discover his specific interests within the business world, Gill's time at the University also allowed him to express his
meeting him and the actions he has taken he clearly has a great deal of respect [within the camp] and is a very, very accomplished manager. Speaking to the Manchester United's England players, they are very impressed with him and like working with him and, with all that taken into account, I think we have a very good chance.' Pushed to give an alternative winner Gill turns instead to the views of a Scotsman. 'Well, speaking to Sir Alex Ferguson, who is probably a much better judge than me, Brazil are a team he always likes and Spain are clearly very strong. But it always strikes me with the World Cup that something happens that you're not ex-
'I just like watching football, I still play on Sundays and its always been a passion for me' love of sport. 'I was a footballer. I played regularly for the second team, and a few games every year for the first team.' Having spoken with great sincerity and honesty about business it becomes clear that the man in charge of one of the biggest football clubs in the world is very passionate about sport. He jokes that in his third year at the University he was made football club secretary in the hope it would secure him a regular spot in the first team 'but that didn't really work!' Gill clearly revels in the memories of his victories on the university football field as much as any victories in the boardroom. 'In my second year we won second team championships, we beat bristol 4-1 in the final, and I also played on Saturdays in local leagues; but all I remember from that is opposition not being too happy with students playing!' It becomes obvious that the man who is constanly bombarded with questions about finances and debt would far rather talk about the more traditional facets of sport, such as the question everyone is debating in the pub; who will win the 2010 World Cup? On this topic Gill gives the optimistic answer, 'I think England have a good chance. I have met Fabio Capello a few times and just through
pecting and that is what is so great about the competition. I'm looking forward to it I think it'll be a great, great spectacle.' Despite the obvious enjoyment the chartered accountant gets from football I ask whether he can really enjoy sport purely as a fan because of his heavy business involvement. 'Yeah, I do I love it. I watch too much of it on television, or even at the park I could watch any game because I just like watching football. I still play on a Sunday night and its always been a passion for me. I love sport, not only football, I enjoy tennis and cricket too. I've followed sport throughout my life so to work in it is ideal.' On this note Gill acknowledges that in terms of Manchester United, businessman and fan do sometimes merge: 'My wife always says about me getting stressed at this time of year when I start shouting at the kids in March and April! But it is a privelige to work for Manchester United, I have supported them since the days of George Best and all of the top people at United like the club so that's why we go the extra mile for them. I could never work for another club, it wouldn't be me.' Gill's relationship with Manchester United is very much a family affair with his son Oliver appearing regularly in the reserve
side and also being selected in one of United's Champions League squads. And the man who is on the FA board recognises the importance of youth development: 'I think there is a recognition within the clubs generally that we
are putting money into academies and starting to see the benefits of that. I think from a Manchester United perspective we have always structured our club on developing young players whilst also being able to buy players,
but we are not a buying club.' 'We like to be based on youth players and what I have found is that the players you help develop are more loyal, have more of an affinity to the club and are also more
David Gill Career Profile 1978 – Graduates from the University of Birmingham with a BCom in Industrial, Economic and Business studies 1981 – Becomes chartered accountant with Pricewaterhouse 1990 – After working with The BOC Group for four years he joins Avis Rent A Car 1992-1997 – Gill works as Finance Director for Proudfoot PLC and for First Choice Holidays PLC 1997 – Joins Manchester United Football Club as Finance Director 2000 – He is promoted to Deputy Chief Executive 2001 – Becomes Group Managing Director of the club 2003 – Gains promotion to his current position of Chief Executive of Manchester United PLC following the departure of Peter Kenyon 2006 – Elected onto the board of The Football Association 2009 – Elected for a two-year place on the board of the European Club Association
admired by supporters. Gill insists however that for youth development to improve changes must be made. 'Without doubt some rules have to change to ensure we can develop the best players. At moment, for example, there is the one hour 30 minutes rule [clubs cannot sign a young player who does not live within that travelling time from the training ground] and that is strange, its like saying you live in Yorkshire so you can't go to Eton. That is something which is being looked at and needs to change.' Gill is also pleased with the impending opening of the National Football Centre. 'One of its main purposes is to develop better coaching and, like problems in education, we don't have enough good coaches.' Gill encounters many issues within his role and I conclude the interview by asking about one of the toughest challenges he will face in the coming years; replacing Sir Alex Ferguson. 'Its going to be a very tough call and what we have to do is make sure the process is as orderly as possible. If you contrast the situation when Sir Matt [Busby] retired in the late 60s he left an ageing team, whereas what we are doing here is developing a good team, with the right age profile. So, any manager coming in will want to change one or two but the infrastructure is there and is top class.' Whilst confident of finding the right man, Gill is quick to acknowledge that whoever they choose as the next Manchester United manager, he has big shoes to fill: 'You know he [Alex Ferguson] has created something over last 20 years that is clearly quite special so it will certainly be a real challenge but we know it will be orderly and we know we will be able to attract at top manager, not only in football terms but also in terms of fitting in with our culture and what we are trying to do off the pitch.' It is clear that not only is Manchester United in safe hands with the Birmingham graduate, but that, more importantly, he does his job for the love of football as much as anything else. This shows that in a sporting world dominated by naive directors and wealthy owners, Gill is one of football's 'money men' we don't need to be worried about.
26 Sport
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
High fives all round as girls batter Brunel Women's Hockey 1st: Birmingham v Brunel 7–1 Jonathan Gilbert
THE University of Birmingham women's 1st XI hockey team secured their passage to the PricewaterhouseCoopers BUCS semifinal with a rampaging win over Southeast Conference champions Brunel University 1st XI. The hosts were strong favourites going into Wednesday night's contest on the Bournbrook pitches and confirmed their superiority, claiming victory by an emphatic six-goal margin. After winning their previous tie 8-0 against Newcastle University, this performance further highlighted Birmingham's attacking flair and showed why the Midlanders, who won the North Premier Division at a canter, are widely recognised as the strongest team in the competition. The home side set out with expected confidence. Outstanding play from Isabel Fullwood saw the defender embark on a weaving run, carrying the ball 30 metres before finding
Photos: Tom Flathers
attacker Alys Brooks in the D who finished with aplomb. Birmingham continued to pressurise as underdogs Brunel struggled
Rebecca Condie scores the home side's second goal on the way to an impressive victory
to gain any sort of foothold in the match. Fullwood and midfielder Sarah Page linked well to exploit the West Londoner's weak left flank and, on 25 min-
utes, a fine sprawling save from away keeper Rachel Williams fell to Rebecca Condie who rolled the ball into the half-empty net. Birmingham increased
their lead to three when Becky Slater finished another well-created opportunity. However, as the half wore on, a combination of Brunel's strength of character and Birmingham's complacency allowed the visitors to haul themselves back into contention. A careless cross-field pass from Birmingham's Sophie Bray was seized upon by Hannah Coulson who drove towards the D and won her team a penalty corner. Moments later, Lucy Todd received the ball in the area and turned her marker before finishing confidently. Exasperation consumed the Birmingham dugout and coach Phil Gooderham's anxiousness was felt on the pitch. Midfielder Emily Atkinson dribbled into the D but her pass across the face of goal couldn't be guided in by the awaiting Brooks. Several missed chances followed, leaving Birmingham with much to do in the second half if they were to confirm their place in the last four of the competition. Immediately after the interval, Brunel were formidable, continuing to battle effectively against
classier opposition. Birmingham's attacking instincts were sterilised as the match became a scrappy, stop-start affair with numerous fouls conceded by both sides. Green cards were dished out to both Page and Coulson. However, Brunel's attack was unable to penetrate and the home side's supremacy eventually told as they netted four times in just twelve minutes. A brace from silky substitute Jenna Woolven and a fine finish by the combative Sarah Haycroft put the game beyond doubt. Elyn Thomas rounded off a dominant display after clever build-up play down the left from Slater. Birmingham captain Naomi Halladay was understandably pleased with her side's performance: 'It was obviously a hugely important game and we played really well under the pressure of being favourites.' Next week's semi-final will pitch Birmingham against either Leeds Met Carnegie, who defeated the Midlanders in last year's final, or the University of Bristol. Halladay is, however, confident of a repeat victory: 'I think we will win the title,' she said emphaticaly.
Check out www.redbrickonline.co.uk for James Mckelvie's exclusive report on the Men's Basketball 1sts Cup clash against Manchester and much more, including Blayne Pereira's Winter Olympic diary and the world famous Redbrick Sport podcasts
Sport
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
Brum squash Surrey's cup hopes Men's Squash 1st: Birmingham v Surrey 5–0 Simon Hall THE Munrow Centre played host to a crucial match on Wednesday as Birmingham dumped Surrey out of the BUCS men's squash Championships in emphatic style. The team conceded just two games in the five matches to cruise into the quarterfinals of the competition where either Leeds Met or Newcastle await. Leading into the contest, nothing was a certainty for Brum even though Surrey currently sit in the division below them. After a good start to the league season, Birmingham went into this match on the back of consecutive losses while their southern opponents were on an eight-match unbeaten run prior to the game. However, form means nothing in cup competitions and the Brum boys wasted no time in putting their opponents to the inevitable sword. The home team's preparations were far from ideal though, with Jordan LangdonBates drafted into the squad just minutes before the start due to a number of absentees. Langdon-Bates normally plies his trade in the
W
Brum third team, which made his 11-5 11-7 9-11 11-7 victory over Surrey's Tom Stevenson all the more impressive. He battled hard to gain the upper hand and put his superior agility to good use, out-maneuvering the labouring Stevenson. Meanwhile, on the adjacent court, Olly Dixon cast aside Carl Saunders with ruthless efficiency, demolishing the southerner 11-0 11-3 11-3. This destruction began ominously for Saunders, with Dixon notching up a run of 13 unanswered points. Dixon's languid, relaxed style sometimes leads one to think that he could give more but Wednesday's performance demonstrated how effective a style it is for him. This left Birmingham two matches up with three to play, meaning that there was a race to see who would be the one to wrap up overall victory for the home side with all three remaining matches being played simultaneously. In the end there was no contest as Birmingham's number one seed Ali Mutch recorded an 11-1 11-4 11-4 win over Surrey's Paul Vas Nunes in a matter of minutes. Captain Simon Culver and Nick Hornby were left to complete the rout, securing 11-3 11-1 11-4 and 11-3 11-6 8-11 11-9 victories respectively. The win sends Birmingham through to the quarterfinals and should they triumph in that, they could well face a mouthwatering tie in the semis against Manchester, who defeated Brum earlier in the season.
Cambridge cling on for win
Photo: Lucy Percival
Women's Rugby Union 1st: Birmingham v Cambridge 0–5
IT was a heart breaking afternoon at a wet and miserable Bournbrook pitch for Birmingham's women's rugby union 1st team. In grim and grey conditions the hosts were narrowly beaten by a Cambridge side who progress into the next round thankful to have been victorious in such a tight game. Both sides struggled
to sustain effective attacks in the opening half of the game and, as conditions worsened, the match became a scrappy affair. At the break the game was still scoreless. Birmingham increased the pressure and intensity in the second half as they took control of the game. Cheered on by the umbrella-clad crowd the
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Redbrick 1366
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27
Sponsored by Waterstone's at the University of Birmingham The prize this week is a copy of Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow's The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society
Across
Down
1. Convulsion, seism (10) 7. Currency of India, Nepal and Pakistan (5) 8. The Swiss Family ________, 1812 Wyss novel (8) 10. Unconventional 1920s woman (7) 11. Highest mountain on earth (7) 15. ________, 1940 Disney film (8) 16. Adopting, applying (5) 17. Made law, enacted (10)
1. Person starting a business alone (12) 2. Cuban dance (5) 3. Plant used to dye hair and skin (5) 4. Outiftted, adorned (8) 5. Decayed, corrupted (12) 6. Cat On A Hot Tin ____, 1955 Tennesse Williams play (4) 9. _________, 1885 famous Zola novel (8) 12. Mr. ____, Wind in the Willows character (4) 13. Danielle _____, US Romantic novelist (5) 14. Very small island (5)
home side mounted several strong attacks, each one halted just short of the try line. With 15 minutes left they thought they had broken the deadlock only to see the try ruled out for a knock on. Cambridge then scored the crucial matchwinning try and held on to seal a hard-fought victory.
Last issue's solutions:
constricted== o=a====l==e== n=d==who=anna swift==c==m=m e=a==n=k==a=b q====o=w=area u=m=ascot=k=s elan=t=r====s n=c==a=k==p=a c=b==l==world even=goa==i=o ==t==i====d=r ==hitchhikers Think you've cracked it? Pop your completed crosswords (and bribes, naturally) in to the Redbrick office with your NAME, COURSE, YEAR and EMAIL ADDRESS for a chance to win Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow's The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Pie Society. The deadline for the crossword is Tuesday 23rd February. Last issue's winner was Amy Jones, 2nd Year, Law with French. Please email redbrick@guild. bham.ac.uk to arrange a time to collect your prize.
28 Sport
REDBRICK 1366 / 19th FEBRUARY 2010
SPORT
24 Tennis Birmingham's men secure promotion with an easy win
26 Hockey Seventh heaven for Brum's girls with victory over Brunel
Brutal Birmingham storm past Bristol Birmingham were ruthless in their pursuit of victory, despite the adverse weather conditions
Photos: Tom Flathers
Women's Lacrosse 1st: Birmingham v Bristol 16 – 1 Blayne Pereira IN bitterly cold and miserable conditions on the track pitch, the women's lacrosse team put in a scintillatingly red-hot performance as they ripped apart the University of Bristol 16-1 in the BUCS Championship quarterfinals. Birmingham won the Northern Premier Division with an impressive unbeaten record (10 wins, 127-42 goal record) and then beat Warwick 10-3 in the opening round of the knockout stage last week. With heavy snow falling throughout, the game went with the form book. Prior to the game, coach Dave Albini ac-
knowledged that the match should be quite comfortable for the home team, although a shutout might be a tad unrealistic. He stated that Birmingham would start quickly and that is exactly what they did. Jamie Lawrence missed her first effort but gave the hosts the lead moments later, and that was followed up with Emily Hughes slotting home after some brilliant play from Becca Roberts-Gawen, who won the ball with a fine tackle deep in her own territory before sprinting almost the length of the field for the assist. A quick-fire brace from Kirsten Lafferty made it 4-0 before both Alice Bruynseels and Lawrence were foiled by some fine saves from the Bristol keeper. Roberts-Gawen added another before Jess Adams agonizingly hit the post, having run the length of the pitch, and Molly Pike missed the follow-up. Hughes then tackled the visiting keeper deep in the corner and found Lafferty, who converted her chance into the empty
net. Adams made it 7-0 after the ball broke to her following a mammoth goal-mouth scramble in the closing moments of the half, which finished with Lizzie Sharp firing wide as the whistle sounded. Coach Albini said at the break how a shut-out seemed slightly more likely than anticipated. Indeed, Bristol were
dreadful. They produced little in terms of attack, with poor shot accuracy, and struggled to keep up with the pacy home team. However, they must be credited with their closing down of Birmingham players in the final third. In any case, they definitely seemed like a team that knew from the start that they had no chance.
That should take nothing away from Birmingham though, who continued right where they left off in the second half. Lafferty found Roisin Baker, who duly converted, before Lawrence and Bruynseels put the hosts into double figures. Bruynseels goal was particularly notable as she intercepted a pass from the keeper and ran clean
through to score, just after Lafferty's shot was saved. Another stunning run from Roberts-Gawen saw her find Ellie Sayers to make it 11-0, with Lafferty and Adams adding further goals. Bruynseels then had a shot saved before Orla May, sister of Birmingham's Roisin Baker, ruined the clean sheet to make it 13-1. However, Adams resumed the scoring soon after with the visitors momentarily down a player due to a yellow card. Sharp had a shot cleared off the line but did complete the scoring to make it 16-1, with Lafferty having scored the penultimate goal. Having reached the final for the last three years, Albini believes this is the best chance his team has had to go that one step further. Loughborough or Exeter await in the semi-finals and Albini says he has no preference over which team they face. In any case, there is nothing to suggest that the girls cannot go on and win the championship outright.