University Open Day Edition A collection of some of Redbrick's finest pages from the academic year 2010-2011. For more information and editorial see page 2
Redbrick
The University of Birmingham's Student Newspaper since 1936
Volume 75 | Issue 1393 redbrickpaper.co.uk Open Day 2011
Guild holds first Presidential Election debate Freddie Herzog Online News Editor
For the first time in the University's history, the two candidates for the position of Guild President have openly debated their policies to an audience in the Guild Council Chambers. The debate was also broadcast live on the University's radio station, Burn FM, and was chaired by the station's co-head of news, Katherine Seton. In Mark Harrop's opening remarks, he wanted to make it clear that he considers himself to be down to earth and laid back, but his primary aim is to be strongly engaged with students. Rachael Twumasi discussed her policies on maintaining a good quality of education. Other policies included ensuring the library has all the books on subjects' reading lists, and to improve employability prospects with more career fairs as well as creating a simpler mitigation process, fulfilling her philosophy of 'more fun less stress'. To prevent losses of quality enduced by cuts to the University, Twumasi would want to open a greater dialogue between University departments and students, hoping that a greater number of student protests would be a positive way of ensuring the quality of education. In response to the question 'What is the Guild of Students' long-term vision on the relationship with the University?', Twumasi said that she wanted to put Birmingham 'back on the map' and see it rise up the league tables. Conversely Harrop felt that if the Guild doesn't have a good working relationship with students then no progress will be made. In response to how the candidates would make sure students have a good time at University, Harrop suggested introducing a loyalty card. He also said that it
University life is what you choose it to be Glen Moutrie Last semester's hustings was one of the events that drew the election's biggest crowds.
Glen Moutrie
Editor
is important to ensure there is also entertainment available that doesn't merely revolve around drinking. Twumasi also said that more varied entertainment at the University is needed and this would be achieved through better advertising, including a 'What's on' board in the Guild reception. The final question posed was 'How could the candidates ensure that the Guild represents all students?' Twumasi said that talking to students is the best way to improve interaction and involvement, and wants a far greater student voice at the Guild. Arguing that international and Erasmus students are on the periphery of University social life, Twumasi said she will reach out to them. To improve representation she would make the Guild less of an exclusive club and believes that she herself is a less typically 'Guildy' candidate. Harrop felt that the Guild does not reach out to enough people, but by working with the Non-Sabbatical officers he thought this can be achieved. He wants to include Non-Sabbaticals in meetings to create more of a team effort and tailor the Guild for everyone. The final part of the debate was taken up with open questions from the floor, ranging from guaranteeing free speech to widening participation within the University to improving graduate prospects. In her final remarks, Twumasi stated her desire to push for greater involvement and interactivity across all student areas. Harrop emphasised his passion for the University and wants to make sure he brings the same experiences to students. The following week, Harrop won the students' vote and was elected as President of the Guild of Students for the academic year 2011-12. While the degree should always come first, a substantial part of what often fills the time of many students at university is student groups. Full comment on Page 2
2 redbrickpaper.co.uk University life is what you choose it to be
Redbrick
Open Day Edition 2011
University Highlight of the week Cadbury Research Library Special Collections Online Archive Catalogue
Glen Moutrie Editor
While the degree should always come first, a substantial part of what often fills the time of many students at university is student groups. Given the variety of activities provided by groups in the Guild of Students I have found that the university experience is what you choose to it to be. Some students partake in sport, some in student politics, some in media, others in specialist activities- there are countless examples. I also don't think it can really be said that your experience will be set in stone once you have signed up a to whole series of groups. While much of my time is now taken up by Redbrick, I spent much of my first year taking part in debating, and also tried out American football. The diversity of experiences on offer, for me, has been what university is about. I should imagine that a large component of what university you choose to apply to will be grades and what course is best for you, though I think that the array of opportunities available to you once you get there should also be a factor. Finally, my advice to anyone who is starting out at university is to get involved. Irrelevant of where you are, it is a rare thing to be able to play for a sports team, debate on a big stage, play for a band or get your name into print. Don't miss it.
The Special Collections at the Cadbury Research Library of the University of Birmingham has catalogued its entire archive, which is now available online. The collection includes images of many of the pieces in the collection from the illustrated notebooks of William Ernest Taylor to pages of Neville Chamberlain's private diary.
An image of the illustrated notebooks of William Ernest Taylor from the online collection
News feed BUSINESS
Virgin Atlantic staff vote to strike Virgin Atlantic pilots have voted to strike for the first time in the company's history. An 'overwhelming' 97% of staff voted to strike over pay disputes. Allegedly Virgin Atlantic pilots have not had a pay increase since 2008.
Redbrick
The University of Birmingham Student newspaper since 1936
Redbrick is a student group that is a part of the Guild of Students which produces a 28 page publication each week of term. All of the contributors, from the Editor to writers, are students at the University of Birmingham. Redbrick's mission, as stated in our constitution is to 'Represent the student body and its concerns'. We aim without bias or prejudice to ensure that the students, the Guild and the University hear the voice of the student body. Our team is comprised of Section Editors, Photographers, Editorial Assistants, Art Directors, Online Editors and countless others who oversee the day-to-day running of the paper. We have a total of 11 sections: News, Comment and Features, Film, Arts, Television, Music, Life & Style, Food, Technology, Travel and Sport. This special edition shows some of our best work from the academic year 2010-2011 and gives a flavour of what we do.
The full catalogue can be found at http://calmview.bham.ac.uk
MEDIA
UK
HEALTH
Families £60 a month worse off
Health warning to festival goers
Households are poorer by £60 a month, a survey by the Asda Income Tracker has revealed. Rising inflation and weak wage growth are the sources of the decrease in family spending power, a record low since records began.
The Health Protection Agency has issued a warning to the thousands of people who will be attending festivals this summer. They advise avoiding 'doing anything to excess' at a festival and taking extra care with personal hygiene.
AUCTION
CELEBRITY
Violin auctioned for £9.8 million
50 Cent to write book on bullying
A Stradivarius violin has been sold for £9.8 million, four times more than the last Stradivarius sold, in a charity auction to raise money for the earthquake appeal in Japan. The identity of the violin buyer has not been revealed.
Rapper 50 Cent is to write a novel for young adults next year. The book will be inspired by 50 Cent's own experiences and hopes to 'exert a positive influence on all teenagers'. The novel will be 50 Cent's third book.
Police have discovered a human head in a river in North Lincolnshire. The discovery was made during an investigation into the death of Grimsby man Adam Vincent. Tests into the identity of the head are yet to be conducted.
EDUCATION
FASHION
TECHNOLOGY
Jackass star killed in car crash
Practical science lessons 'overused'
Jackass star Ryan Dunn has been killed in a car crash. The TV celebrity, who was driving the vehicle, hit a tree at 2.30am local time. Roger Ebert has been criticised for tweeting an offensive remark about Dunn's death.
Science lessons have been criticised for being overly dependent on practical experiments and neglecting theory. The School Science Review found that practical lessons are often used needlessly to learn the names of equipment.
HEALTH
LINCOLNSHIRE
Police find human head in river
John Galliano to face trial
19-year-old hacker arrested
Fashion designer John Galliano is to face trial in Paris after making racist remarks in a bar. Details of the designer's addictions to alcohol and prescription drugs are expected to emerge. Galliano could face six months in prison.
A teenager has been arrested in Essex under the Computer Misuse Act and Fraud Act. The arrest was made after the group LulzSecurity attacked websites in the UK and America. The teenager's computer is being examined for data.
POLITICS
GREECE
Mental services are 'in crisis'
Cameron in U-turn over jail sentences
Professor Dinesh Bhugra, the outgoing President of the Royal College of Psychiatrists, has said that psychiatric wards are overcrowded and understaffed, leading to patients being unable to make a full recovery.
David Cameron has announced plans to give more life sentences and to increase the time serious offenders spend in prison, abandoning previous plans to halve jail terms if the defendant pleads guilty early.
EU must help Greece immediately The International Monetary Fund has stated that the EU must respond immediately to Greece's debt crisis to avoid a 'global financial meltdown'. This comes after the EU delayed a €12 billion lifeline to Greece until next month.
Open Day 2011
Redbrick
Comment & Features Editorial Seb Mann
Comment and Features Editor
Student Journalism
redbrickpaper.co.uk
3
Jubilation at Bin Laden's death says more about the symbol than the man
The world of student journalism isn’t very professional. It’s no secret that stereotypes, though often misleading, do sometimes highlight generally pervasive traits and the ‘student’ stereotype is no exception. In my experience, the ‘student’ in ‘student journalism’ successfully denotes an (at times) worrying reliance on alcohol; an unashamed leftwing bias; and that tendency to leave things so late that even taking a deep breath feels like a guilty pleasure. Many stare purposefully down their noses at the brazen face of student journalism precisely for these reasons, unswervingly safe in the knowledge that if it were worth reading they could find it somewhere else. But this attitude blithely ignores the fact that an object’s value or worth cannot simply be quantified in terms of
Student journalism coincides with an adolescent realisation that what you think matters the sense in which it is professional or entirely intellectual. The relevance of a hackneyed stereotype may satisfy some but it incontrovertibly misses the point. Everyone has views – on politics, fashion, music, sport – even if that view is that they couldn’t care less, and Redbrick may bear the unenviable marks of a student newspaper but that doesn’t make its content any less valuable or pertinent. Student journalism coincides with an adolescent realisation that what you think matters. It represents the facet of liberal democracy concerned with freedom of speech and while, of course, some writers are better than others, student journalism has the capacity to access (and indeed go beyond) every nook and cranny of that which is student. I’m not talking about just this particular newspaper, or indeed any student newspaper. Student journalism can encompass blogs, websites, and even, for the most part, social resources like Twitter – anything which can provide a platform for the vibrantly minded to speak, be heard, and then maybe realise they’ve got it wrong. Impressive new website, britainsnextgeneration.com, which showcases some of the best student and young-adult orientated journalism, launches with the tagline ‘Our future, our ideas’, underscoring the value of this kind of journalism as a mouthpiece for those who will ‘inevitably help to shape the future of Britain’. And before anyone criticises me for being indulgently self-promoting: what would be the point in me doing this if I didn’t think it was worthwhile?
Scenes of patriotic elation in Washington DC at the death of Al-Qaeda's frontman were considered by some to be abhorrent Alexander Blanchard Commentator
In May Barack Obama confirmed the death of Osama Bin Laden before conducting a thoughtful dedicatory to that 'empty seat at the dinner table', and 'the children forced to grow up without their mother or father'. His measured revelation was a welcome departure from the crass 'We got him' of George W. Bush upon the capturing of Saddam Hussein. The news drew a mixture of responses from across the world. Political leaders offered their congratulations to America – sidelining the more poignant and sobering words of the relatives of victims of 9/11 – whilst a raucous crowd of college students descended upon the streets of New York with their chants of patriotic triumphalism. The press typically failed to lead by example. The Sun's 'Bin Bagged' headline was on the nauseating side of facetious and in New York the Daily News ran with simply, 'Rot in Hell'. These headlines and celebrations, in their turn, drew the derision of many. The Huffington Post ran a particularly sanctimonious piece that implored us, with some pseudo-biblical notion of love, to remember that Bin Laden was 'nonetheless a human being'. Along with this, millions of people Tweeted the misquoted words of Martin Luther King Jr., 'I mourn the loss of thousands of precious lives, but I will not rejoice in the death of one, not even an enemy' – actually an appendage to one of King's speeches by a Facebook user in Japan. A judgement on the emotions of others with the jab of a Tweet button that seemed abominably flippant and uncompassionate. True, these celebrations seem
almost to have run contrary to a principle of common morality – that is, not to revel in the loss of a life. But principles come so easily to those on the periphery. The death of Bin Laden has, at the very least, shown us that the turmoil caused by the atrocities of 9/11 are still just as emotionally perplexing as they were a decade ago. The War on Terror – a term that has since been dropped by the Obama Administration – created war-hungry states and provoked governments to encroach upon our civil liberties. But most of all, it came to dominate our language and our thoughts. The war on terror held us under a current of fear and induced us to conflate an idea with a person. We did this almost out of necessity. We cannot physically harm or shoot an idea, but we can certainly have a go at its personification. Those that derided the 'bellicose' celebrations of young Americans failed to recognise the confusions and complexities that are inherent in the war on terror and its conflict of ideas. Al-Qaeda is now so decentralised and fragmented that Bin Laden's death could never really have held a great deal of practical value. In truth, for you and for me, Bin Laden never existed. He is ethereal, and exists for as long as he is shown on television screens and
'In truth, for you and for me, Bin Laden never existed. He is ethereal, and exists for as long as he is shown on television screens.'
printed in newspapers. One of Bin Laden's greatest victories was to have successive Western governments place him at the centre of a circus of fear and panic. His death is as much symbolic as it is biological, if not more so. Those celebrations that initially drew the derision of the holierthan-thou elements of the world's media were not as sadistic as they were first deemed. On one level there is the death of a human being, at another level there is the destruction of a potent symbol of terror and fear – a destruction that is surely worthy of our jubilation and elation, and is it not, even more so, expected in a city where there is still a palpable feeling of loss? My generation has grown up stifled by the humidity of fear that springs from the omnipresence of 'terror' – whether it be real or some government-perpetuated fantasy. Until it is replaced, that symbolic, bearded behemoth now no longer exists; it has been swallowed by the ocean. Yet, in celebrating the destruction of that symbol we are
at the same time unwittingly compelled to celebrate the death of a human. Therein lies the moral ambiguity. What now for the idea of 'Bin Laden'? Al-Qaeda was as much a social force as it was a paramilitary one. Countless numbers have been influenced by Bin Laden's perverse interpretation of Islam and of the Qur'an, his hate-filled ideology and exaggerated sense of victimhood. What of the hordes of potential jihadists whom he has inspired in his 'martyrdom'? 'Destroying Bin Ladenism', says the writer Mehdi Hasan, 'is the tricky bit'. But in truth the destruction of that idea has already begun. It began with the self-immolation of Mohamed Bouazizi last December, simultaneously spurring the Arab Spring and the rejection of theocratic despotism and lunacy over democracy in the Middle-East. Perhaps another decade containing an equally momentous watershed will see terrorism wiped from political discourse altogether. Until then, let us not be so quick to judge.
4 Comment & Features
Open Day 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann, Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy
Zoomed in: 21st century feminism
How do you solve a problem like...
Ali Hendy
Fox News?
Did the title of this article excite you? Did you think, 'Excellent! A piece of writing addressing women's issues!'? Perhaps not. Making no claim to read your mind, I state only that it is 2011 and the most likely response to the concept of feminism is apathy or irritation. 'Feminist' is a dirty word. Put politely it is associated with an obsessive quest for proportional female representation in all arenas, and crudely with a man-hating lesbianism. One student responded to my question 'How do you feel about people who describe themselves as feminists?' with the thought-provoking line, 'they whinge a lot'. Thirty years ago, as the recent film Made in Dagenham portrays, the radical walk-out organised by female staff at a Ford assembly plant was instrumental in triggering the Equal Pay Act 1970. This female mobilisation was more associated with freedom-fighting, and as the film evidences, the type of action and idealism considered to lend itself well to a retro-cool, feel good script. But what happened to feminism in the interim? Professor Angela McRobbie of Goldsmith's College recently suggested in a Radio Four show that during the Nineties, feminism was consistently paired by the media with a blaring anti-maleness, so much so
by Oscar French
Comment and Features Editor
that young modern women 'disidentified' with it. To be a feminist was unattractive. The huge gains made by the boisterous activists of the second wave were perceived by 21st century feminism as unnecessary. Watch the television or go on the internet, and you will be faced with the effects of the backlash. On Facebook there are groups such as, 'The awkwardness when a woman doesn't choose the iron in a game of monopoly'. And then there's truelad.com: 'Today, I successfully used silicone sealent [sic] for the first time. Proud of my accomplishment, I'm planning on doing the girl next door's boobies. DIY LAD'. In the rational light that most humour is based upon poking fun at someone, it is clear from these sources that feminism is an unfashionable pursuit which runs against the mainstream. In Uni-
versity culture especially, where Lad-ism reigns supreme, students are quick to distance themselves from feminism. Professor Steve Ellis notes the presence of this mentality within his seminars, 'female students, even when they see gender injustice or subordination present in texts, often introduce their remarks with a phrase like 'I don't want to be feminist about this, but ...'. It is as if 'feminism' is something to apologise for.' Considering that there are a fair few feminist issues flying about at the moment, including the blurted comments of Stephen Fry: '[I] find it difficult to believe that women are as interested in sex as they are', and more seriously, Shadow Welfare Secretary Yvette Cooper's statement that more than 70% of the revenue raised from budget cuts in benefits and tax changes are to come from female
taxpayers, the stagnation of the feminist movement is alarming. The problem with the feminist 'brand' is that it is irrevocably steeped in ideas of collectivism and a quest for lumpy androgyny, the very antithesis of the young, modern woman who largely seeks individualism and embraces femininity. Individuals still care about equality in essence, but the fragmentation of the feminist movement has left it without a concrete purpose justifiable to the loyalties of young women. Feminism may be fading, but the reactions it provokes are so tightly bound with wrongly ascribed, negative connotations: a hatred of men, a hatred of sex and a hatred of femininity; that there is no way of knowing how many people truly agree with the principles of feminism, but choose to disassociate themselves from it.
Multiculturalism's fall in popularity could signal the emergence of extremist politics Matt Flatman
Political Commentator
from the near financial meltdown and consequent cuts. Perhaps immigrants are just easy scapegoats who feel the brunt of our economic and employment woes? Historically, people incline more towards right-wing parties in times of trouble. There may well be some truth in this, but there are also other reasons for the current state of things. Immigration is a somewhat taboo subject. With the present trend of fret and concern over the boundaries of political correctness, people fear that airing their views will see them branded as racists. The consequence is that the immigration issue is often tip-toed around, despite a large proportion of the populace who seem to believe it definitely is an issue. But, as yet, it is deemed to be unresolved. The predominant party to voice, or perhaps more aptly, shout, a 'solution' is the BNP. The BNP state their point with ugly conviction, and sadly they really believe it. In a parallel uni-
Angela Merkel voiced an increasingly prevalent view sweeping Europe when she remarked upon multiculturalism as 'utterly failed' recently. She was referring to her native Germany, where 30 per cent of her public feel 'overrun by foreigners.' Yet such discontent is by no means restricted to Germany. There seems to have been a wave of immigration anxiety across the whole continent in recent times. This animosity has manifested itself in controversial incidents such as France's treatment of the Roma. Europe's antagonism towards immigrants has seen an alarming trend develop. There is now a far-right presence in many countries across the continent including France, Italy, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria and now, Sweden. Our own home-grown advocates of all things intolerant and illiberal are the British National Party. Given the choice of a viable alternative, it would be hoped that people wouldn't vote for Nick Griffin, the man who has repeatedly been accused of being a Holocaust denier and of inciting racial hatred. However, both the BNP and their rightwing equivalents across Europe are receiving unprecedented popularity, garnered on an ideology of anti-Islam and anti-immigration, and it is important to question why this is. The new rise in acrimony could arguably be Beth Richardson due to people suffering
verse this could be one aspect to their credit, although it deserves no merit. They are still passionately intolerant, xenophobic and racist. But the same conviction is lacking from the moderate perspective. Without such a strong moderate voice, most people are probably ignorant of the huge economic benefits of immigration. The result of all this is that there isn't really a political debate here at all. We have a platform which the BNP is trying to dominate, and in doing so they monopolise the immigration dispute. Aversion to the BNP would see us refuting the party's existence or relative success. This is the wrong ploy, both tactically and ethically. We live in a democracy and, regrettable as it may be, this option does exist. Denying the BNP or attempting to sweep them under the carpet will only entrench their victimised, 'usagainst-the-rest' mentality. But it also betrays a lack of confidence in the electorate. By dismissing a party on the
grounds that they're regressive, or racist, you're revealing mistrust in the public's judgement, more specifically in their inclination to not vote for the BNP. There has been a precedent which demonstrates the danger in denying the right-wing voice. Recently in Sweden, the centrist parties paid the price for dismissing the xenophobic Sweden Democrats party. After an election campaign in which they were either ridiculed as political pariahs or shunned from the electoral debate, the Sweden Democrats won over some public favour and obtained their first seats in parliament. I think the best way to deal with this issue is to confront it, inform people and broaden the debate. Let them know that Nick Griffin's policies would cripple our economy and see Britain reduced to insularity and international insignificance. A good example of this is during Nick Griffin's appearance on Question Time. Admittedly, the format was weak. The programme was rigged up as a sort of circus show in which senior politicians patted themselves on the back because they could successfully bait a 'Nazi'. But the point is still relevant. Given air time, the BNP's arguments were completely undermined and their leader was shown for what he really is – a politically incompetent, twitchy bigot. Give the electorate some credit, inform them of what's going on, and the BNP won't stand a chance.
Nick 'The Pied Piper' Griffin calling those disillusioned by multiculturalism
If you are one of the anointed few to have so far avoided America's smash hit, Orwellian TV comedy Fox News in your time on this planet, then stop reading, you have no problem up for solving this week. Instead, go outside and celebrate your relative freedom, before Rupert Murdoch buys it, brands it and starts using it to further his political agenda. The rest of you will no doubt be aware that Murdoch, Real Life's very own Dr. Evil is the media mastermind behind the men and women (allowed if they're under thirty) at Fox, and is therefore responsible for all the fair and balanced reporting. Only joking, it has draconian levels of bias, but their theory is that if you say it doesn't every thirty seconds then nobody will notice. Of course, they also cut off the microphone of anyone who disagrees; subtle brainwashing is a dead art, apparently. Hopefully, like me, you regard Fox to be one of the finest accidental satires ever created, in the UK at least, that's how it must appear, but many hard working Americans of the rich, white, heterosexual, Christian persuasion hold the 'traditional family values' it champions, close to their patriotic hearts. Something must be
Of course, they also cut off the microphone of anyone who disagrees; subtle brainwashing is a dead art, apparently done, preferably before the entire nation is complicit in bringing President Osama, sorry, Obama's fictional communist regime to an end; Fox is rapidly redefining the term, information. We need an antidote, therefore I propose 'Badger News,' we could implement CGI halos above the heads of every Democrat in post production and through a simple slip of the tongue (every hour) refer to Sarah Palin as Sarah Hitler. Let's fight blatant thought control with blatant thought control, maybe that way everyone will become confused enough to make up their own minds again. If you were labouring under the delusion that this column was in some way neither fair nor balanced, then as Fox's anchorman in chief Bill O'Reilly might say, shut up you pinhead!
Arts
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Open Day 2011
Editors – James Reevell, Alexander Blanchard & Lexie Wilson
5
Birmingham Street Art
James Reevell Arts Editor
If you've been to the city centre of Birmingham even once then you will have seen LiskBot, you may just not realise it. Look on any lamppost and there will be a small robot intermingling amongst others. Swing round to Digbeth and see large scale versions of the bots, glimpsing around corners and covering derelict windows. Call them Lisk's invisible army. It was in the process of creating one of his soldiers that I first met Lisk, dressed all in black on a cold, drizzling night in Digbeth. looking around intently for the authorities. Now he is sat across me in one of the city's – if not finest, then certainly cheapest – pubs surrounded by screaming children as he introduces me to all things street art. An average unassuming guy in his mid twenties, 'Lisk' is his taggers name; he doesn't want his real identity to be known. Lisk has been stickying for seven years, and graffing since he was fourteen. He is undoubtedly one of the rising stars of the Birmingham scene. Softly spoken and modest interviewing Lisk is an odd, though pleasant experience, with most answers not really answers at all, more tangental explanations. For instance, ask him why Lisk is his tag name and his immediate response is 'oh thats a good story'. And it is, but far too long to relate fully, but then a moment of clarity appears. 'It's hard to think of a word that says what your writing is. I wanted something that was unique, so that it was just me.
And Lisk, it just rolls off the tongue doesn't it.' And back to the tangental, 'Someone said it sounds like soup, I like that.' Similarly, the story of his signature robot is just as convuluted. Initially begun by sketching breakdancers in Amsterdam, the robot became a template for Lisk. Frequently describing personal problems, and directly naming his latest romantic failure as his recognition in the scene grew, he retreated to the less intimate robots holding weapons, or a spray can suicide vest. 'I wanted to have more of a persona, I wanted my characters
to have depth. I really like the idea of an army. That's why I've started leaving messages to get people ready'. When asked ready for what, Lisk merely smiles and remarks that he doesn't know. So why do it, what's the appeal of this particular niche of street art? Unlike writers, whose spray style evolved from marking territory, sticky art is a purely artistic endeavour, so why not try and do it in a gallery? 'Its about something I create, that I put on the streets that people notice'. Paradoxically though, despite engaging in the most public of art forms, it is the close knit graf community that he seeks recognition from. Asked if he'd like it if an art magazine praised his work, his immediate response is 'I don't care. I do it for myself, and for other artists that I admire'. Lisk is a sticky artist, someone who draws his designs and pastes them onto walls. He is part of a small community of artists, rarely meeting face to face but constantly in contact via texts and flickr.
Street art without the internet? 'I don't know, completely different. You'd be landlocked, without it my robots would be stuck in Birmingham. A lot of artists use the internet to promote their work to each other, without it I wouldn't be aware of their styles and skills'. The internet has spawned a community that actually inspires and feeds creativity. 'We're all mates, we talk and bounce off each other. Sometimes you go through a dry spell, but then you see what someone else has done, and paste your work on as part of it'. Artists frequently collaborate with one another to create mutual stickers, with the internet allowing the community to go beyond national boundaries. Lisk is currently collaborating with artists in America who contacted him through Flickr. Part of grafitti's greatest appeal for both viewer and artists is its democratic nature. 'Grafitti I can get dirty with it, I can do it myself because it is a very approachable field of media isn't it? Anybody can just do it. It's just copied images, that people are manipulating in simple ways. I can go and paste my stuff next to huge names, and have my art the same as their's'. Around the halfway point of the interview, I nervously mention the Banksy in the room. Villified by many street artists for selling out,
thankfully Lisk reacts with appreciation for the artist. 'Yeah he was a massive influence on me, but you know he's smashed it so perfectly, what now? A few years ago, but now he's commercialised, I'm bored'. For Lisk, it is about it's underground nature, it is not the mainstream he wants to make art for, but for his fellow artists. 'There isn't going to be a peak for grafitti, it's underground. Yeah, some artists have sold out but they've been kicked out by the scene. Grafitti will keep changing and stay underground'. Grafitti is by its very nature temporary, with if not the council pulling down the work, then the weather doing the work for them. This is part of the appeal for Lisk, 'When they tear it down, it just makes you want to paste it up again, but higher'. Asked about his dream location to paste in Birmingham his glee is instantaneous. 'It's gotta be the Bull Ring hasn't it. I'd get a robot on each disc, then I'd have a real army'. It is perhaps fitting that despite his star ascending Lisk does not know where he will be in ten years. 'I'll still be doing it, the fascination drives me, but will it be the same, I don't know.' His robots and art have a message, but what, I don't know, and neither does he. He is the perfect representative of the anarchy of grafitti, perhaps no message is the only one he needs.
See more of LiskBot at www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Article 19 presents: When the Rain Stops Falling The Author at The Rep
Student Theatre Lexie Wilson Arts Editor
The ugliest flaw evident in When The Rain Stops Falling is that it’s nigh on impossible to review it without ending up sounding like an overly gushy, love struck teen. Wonderfully and uniquely absorbing, Polly Scates interpretation of Andrew Bovell’s critically acclaimed drama was truly exceptional. Never overwhelmed by a complex structure that spans ‘four generations and two hemispheres’, the cast and production
team rose to the challenge, rendering it entirely accessible and engaging. Whilst at times the action veered towards the dark and the deeply unnerving, by passing the futuristic and the whimsical, the cast retained a resounding sense of authenticity. Always maintaining a black and gritty humour, they allowed for a sense of true humility somehow humanising the most detached or disturbed of parts. There seemed a harmony between their portrayal of the char-
acters, with none vying to outdo each other and equally no one appearing the weak link, it was a match made in casting heaven. Even the tense potential for accents to come across as grating or infuriating never entered the collective mind of the audience. With Rosie Morris and Clarey Dodkins deserving outstanding mentions for their naturalistic, warm Australian drawl. The standard was unwaveringly high throughout the performance, if anyone made any mistakes, the traces slipped off like Teflon. The original score composed by Patrick Neil Doyle, whilst exquisite in its own right, never seemed distracting or detracted from the action, instead augmenting the emotional onslaught. When The Rain Stops Falling was nothing short of the very apex of student drama at this university, demonstrating the wonderful talent and potential of its student body. Never has a standing ovation been so wholeheartedly deserved.
In Birmingham Alexander Blanchard Arts Editor
Tim Crouch's latest play, The Author is an exploration of morality in art and the depths of depravity that playwrights will go to in order to shock their audiences. A mixture of vivid imagery and audience participation combine to leave you sickened, a little bemused, and questioning the relationship between art, performer, and audience. With no stage, audience members are sat facing audience members. Once the doors are closed there pervades a drawn-out awkward silence that is eventually broken when one of the characters in the play speaks up behind you. There’s all this talk of ‘feeling safe’, and this is something that you are perpetually pondering.
Has this at any point become real? Who are the characters, who are the audience? Two people get up and leave, I check the script – my thread back to reality – they were meant to leave. But ten minutes later and another two people leave. This time they were audience members, disgusted by what they were hearing. And this, above all, is what is most unsettling about the play; no stage, no scenery, and with actors sat amongst the audience you are compelled to create the imagery of the play in your mind’s eye. The Author is a terrifyingly brilliant and original play in which the audience take on a genuine presence. However, those who go to see it should be prepared to ask themselves some serious questions.
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xciting
g, bold, e
, bitin frivolous
Editor Glen Moutrie
music@redbrickonline.co.uk
Deputy Editors Victoria Bull James Phillips Victoria Shires
Television Editors Charlotte Lytton tv@redbrickonline.co.uk
Online Editor Chris Hutchinson Treasurer Ollie MacArthur Art Director Thomas Walters Beth Richardson Photography Editors Freddie Herzog Millie Guy chiefphotographer@redbrickonline.co.uk Technical Director Jeremy Levett News Editors Anna Hughes James Brilliant Kerrina Gray news@redbrickonline.co.uk Online News Editor Freddie Herzog Features Editors Rosa McMahon Seb Mann Ali Hendy Amanda Callaghan features@redbrickonline.co.uk Film Editors Genevieve Taylor Izzy Sanders film@redbrickonline.co.uk Arts & Culture Editors James Reevell Lexie Wilson Alexander Blanchard arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Music Editors Will Franklin Tamara Roper
75th
Lifestyle Editors Sophie Cowling Lara Edwards lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk Food Editors Harriet Constable Dami Olugbode James Morrison Jordan Warner food@redbrickonline.co.uk Travel Editors Emily Booth travel@redbrickonline.co.uk
formerly
EWS
GUILD N
Happy Birthday Redbrick! It is a great honour to be able to introduce this special edition. Not for the first time, Redbrick has become the life of another student at this University, and to be able to contribute in some small part to its rich history is a true blessing. Weeks of work have been put into its composition – and I should like to thank Thomas Walters, Mike Roberts and Victoria Shires for their tireless endeavours delving deeply into our archives in the special collections section of the Muirhead Tower. We discovered some truly fascinating material, and we have done our best to provide some very selective highlights. It is well worth a visit. I should also like to thank our contributors Lizo Mzimba, Nick Carson, Adelene Buckland, Abigail Radnor and Tom Young as well as Helen Fisher, who made our research into the archives and Redbrick’s history as smooth as possible, and easily enjoyable. Redbrick doesn’t seem 75 – far from slowing down, it has become a modern, sharp and innovative mouthpiece for the students of this fine University, seeking always to get right to the heart of everything that matters, and hopefully it will do so for another 75 years yet.
Lizo Mzimba
Looking back, I can't think of a more apt representation of my time at Birmingham than my last Law final. The first half of the exam was spent racing through the required essay questions. The second half carefully drafting by hand an article that had to be delivered by 5.30pm. I'd like to say that this was an accurate reflection of the proportion of time
Crossword Editor John Rizkallah Editorial Assistant Kate Selvaratnam
Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Jazzarie Lee Copy Editors Anna Lumsden Charlotte Goodwin
For meeting times find us on facebook or email section editors. Designed and typeset by Redbrick. Copyright (C) Redbrick 2011 Redbrick strives to uphold the NUJ Code of Conduct. The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.
Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TU 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrickonline.co.uk www.redbrickonline.co.uk Redbrick is printed through www.quotemeprint. com: 08451 300667. Advertising: Contact Aimee Fitzpatrick in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524 or a.fitzpatrick@guild.bham.ac.uk
Volume 1 Issue 1 5 Feb 1936
BBC Entertainments Correspondent Redbrick Reviews Editor 1992
Technology Editors Joshua Lindsey technology@redbrickonline.co.uk
Online Editorial Assistants Charmaine Katz Becky Sibson Danielle Fox Sophie MurrayMorris
ry
a Annivers
Sport Editors James Phillips Simon Hall Sam Price Joseph Audley sport@redbrickonline.co.uk
To contact us:
Redbrick
Open Day 2011
Malcolm X visits the Guild Feb 17th 1965
At the height of the civil rights movement, shortly after the Tories secured a shock victory in Birmingham Smethwick with the slogan of 'If you want a n****r for a neighbour vote Labour' Malcolm X paid a visit to campus. Speaking to the Islamic society, Mr. X spoke 'in polished style...he described the Muslim faith, the black Muslim movement in the USA, [and] his split away from that movement'. Students were 'begged...to not do anything disorderly'.
Student activism 2010 saw the biggest student protest of recent times, but throughout Redbrick's history it has covered student activism. In 1968, several hundred students occupied the Aston Webb building for over a week with banner making, and speeches in the Great Hall, and several students sleeping in the Vice Chancellor's office. In 1976 students occupied the clock tower for 24 hours. Throughout the '70s and '80s protests continued in reaction to education reform bills and other legislation. Even the University's telephone exchange was broken into! Furthermore students have played an active role in rights movements with Enoch Powell's 'Rivers of blood' speech in 1968 resulting in large protests across campus.
A huge privilege and an amazing responsibility spent on academic work and Redbrick. But that would be rather too generous to my Law degree. To be fair I did a lot of coursework, but I spent a spectacular amount of time on student media. Not to lay the groundwork of a future career, but because I'd discovered I loved writing. To borrow from the BBC's original remit, the fact that you could educate, inform and entertain people around you at University was a huge privilege and an amazing responsibility. It's something Redbrick's been doing fantastically well for 75 years now. It's wonderful to look back and know I played a very small part in that.
Redbrick Music Joy Division played at High Hall (Chamberlain) on 20th May 1980. The performance was recorded and contributed to the album Still. Shortly after Ian Curtis, the band's lead singer, committed suicide in Macclesfield, making the concert Joy Division's last ever gig.
Paul McCartney and the Wings
'casually drove up to the Union at 5.15pm on Monday [21st 1972] and asked if they could play that evening'. By 7pm word had spread and 200 crammed into the Guild entrance. Over 700 attended the impromptu concert in the Deb hall. Somehow we doubt a band would do this now!
Renamed Redbrick Sep 28th 1962
Redbrick
Editors – Thomas Walters, Victoria Shires & Mike Roberts
Birthday Special 7
Open Day 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Investigative Journalism
Tom Young
Over the 75 years, Redbrick has printed numerous investigative stories, ranging from a look behind the Iron Curtain, an exposé into prostitution and how government policy has affected poverty in Birmingham. Only last year, Redbrick was running front pages on Britannia Letting Agents and Falcon Cars, and how both affected our students. As has been evident from many of this year's front pages, providing quality investigative journalism is at the forefront of Redbrick's aims.
Britannia
Falcon
One of the primary aims of the editorial team of 2009/10 was to reignite its investigative journalist roots. After weeks of gathering evidence and research, James Green's article exposing Britannia Letting Agents, and their alleged incompetence brought this common student problem to light.
Just a week after the Britannia piece, Redbrick was once again running stories that truly affected the students. Our previous Editor, Samuel Lear's front page on the de-recognised taxi firm, Falcon Cars, revealed the disreputable company and their misleading of UoB students.
27th November 2009
4th December 2009
War time front covers
Abigail Radnor
Editorial Assistant, The Times Magazine Redbrick Writer 2003-2007 This isn’t a cop out. I am not usually so incapable of making a decision or forging an opinion (just ask my colleagues). It’s just that when asked to share my favourite memory of writing for Redbrick I am, quite frankly, stumped. If only because each feature I contributed was an exercise in utter joy.
Never a student publication to shy away from public service.
My editor let me run wild so that I was allowed to take up her column inches with any matter I held dear to my heart at that time. On reflection, I could have used this unparalleled commissioning
Adelene Buckland
Nick Carson
We wanted to give Redbrick the feel of a broadsheet, so we experimented with the colour,
'Redbrick was the best -and scariest - experience of my University career' hoping to turn it from red-top red to a subtle and sophisticated burgundy. Week on week it landed on campus in a variety of shocking shades of pink, purple, puce, and puke. Every Thursday the printer would call me at 7 am to say one of the pages hadn't sent, and I'd spend half the day missing seminars and lectures in an increasingly frantic attempt to meet the deadline. There were arguments aplenty too - with sports teams smarting from the terrible puns we used to describe them in our straplines, or with Guild Vice-President nominees who thought our coverage was biased. But it was brilliant. Neither Patrick nor I went into
'my editor let me run wild' I chose to report on the tragedy of the end of Brad and Jennifer’s marriage, the shamefully irresistible joy of an Ugg boot and how Emma Thompson is simply the greatest female role model alive. Well, at least the last one was semi-worthy. I think so anyway.
My main memory of being Sport Editor at Redbrick consists of the long Wednesday nights in the basement of the Guild piecing together the final few pages of the paper. I'd be there struggling with layouts on QuarkXpress and spending hours fiddling around with elaborate Adobe Photoshop cut-outs while Joe's Bar launched into action in the room above. Snakebite would literally seep through the ceiling and the smell of sweaty sporties on the lash made for tough working conditions. I hear things are a lot slicker now...
'Snakebite would literally seep through the ceiling' Be it deciphering the hockey team's nicknames (he's just called 'The Chicken'), grade A headline puns ('Imperial Leathered') or when one of my back pages landed me in deep trouble with the Guild of Students' President, it was a hugely fun and important part of my University life. Eight years on and I'm still plugging away in the media and am currently working for the BBC, a career path which once saw me fetch a KitKat for John Motson.
works for Future Publishing Redbrick News Sub Editor 2002-2003
University Lecturer Redbrick Editor 2002
Redbrick was the best - and the scariest - experience of my University career. I was Editor from 2002-2003, and in my hands almost everything went wrong. Luckily my boyfriend Patrick he's now my husband - was one of my Deputy Editors, so I could throw the fiercest of tantrums at 2 o'clock on a Thursday morning when the PDFs wouldn't send to the printer and nobody would know about it but him.
freedom to shed light on injustices around the world. Instead,
BBC Assistant Content Producer Redbrick Sport Editor 2003
journalism in the end but we made some lovely friends and some great memories, and we managed to learn the odd thing or two at the same time. I'm still proud that somehow we managed to turn out a newspaper (more or less) every week, and working on Redbrick meant we got to know the campus and the University better than we ever could have done on our own. He's a teacher, and he still uses all those Photoshop skills to make resources in the classroom, and I'm now a University Lecturer - I guess I'm still not ready to give up campus life!
One of my most memorable episodes concerned an ex-student who was threatening legal action against the Guild. I won't reveal too many details in case he's still feeling litigious, but suffice to say we ran a story (balanced, of course!) that in turn provoked several strongly-worded reader letters, including one person who'd dealt with this guy before. Always game for a bit of controversy, we published it, and inadvertently managed to stir up a hornets' nest. He was facing trial, and a reference within the letter put us in contempt of court. To cut a long story short, we had to lock the entire print-run inside a room,
National Politics Hundreds of politicians have visited our university. They've given us interviews, delivered speeches on campus and even sparked off protests. Redbrick has been there to cover it all. Below are the images of just some of the politicians who have visited the university. In 2010 we made it into 'spin alley' as the BBC's prime ministerial debate was hosted inside the University's Aston Webb. Editors Nick Petrie and Ned Murray joined other national
broadcasters inside the spin room that was placed close by on campus. Right as background- a Redbrick cover from 1991 on the first Gulf war with a front page headline 'Why?'. How times have changed...
tear out every letters page, and pulp it. Despite this little hiccup, we still got it out on campus on time – losing a day's worth of TV guide on the other side – and got a valuable on-the-job lesson in media law into the bargain. Of course, the night shifts on deadline Wednesdays were hard work, back in the day when the Guild let us stay beavering away 'til 2 or 3 in the morning running Quark XPress on our creaking iMacs. With the chants and thuds of partying students above (and sometimes wandering, or falling, into the office in search of the toilets), it was sometimes a stretch to convince yourself it
was all worth it. But in the end, I think Redbrick actually played a bigger role in getting me my job than my English degree did: I got my first big freelance break for a Channel 4 website when an editor (and Birmingham alumnus) got in touch with the paper in search of writers, and gradually moved up the ranks until I ended up editing a national magazine for them. Eight years later, I'm at Future Publishing down in Bath editing an international design magazine – and I'm pretty sure I can trace the chain of opportunities that led me there back to those long shifts in the basement dungeon.
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Open Day 2011
redbrickpaper.co.uk
FoodReview: Yo! Sushi Redbrick Food section's first year To mark the final Food installment of this year, we take a look back at some of our finest foody moments.
Our first issue On 15th October, 2010 Redbrick welcomed the food section to its family. The first issue saw next year's editors, James and Jordan, put their stamp on the paper with a delicious recipe of the week and that oh-so-famous 'Ditch those breasts' article. I'm sure you all remember that! The response from this issue was outstanding and as a result Redbrick Food was awarded two pages to feature in the paper every other week. Vicky Hodgkinson Critic
The BBC Good Food Show Redbrick Food editors, Dami and Harri, were invited along to the winter Good Food show at Birmingham's NEC. This was a brilliant opportunity for Food to meet and network with talented chefs, such as Gordon Ramsay, and sample an array of Christmas inspired dishes. Yum! Our tweet also gained Redbrick Food a bit of star-studded spotlight!
Nestled in Brindley Place, YO! Sushi offers one of the best modern dining experiences around. If you hear the word sushi and reel back in disgust, do not fear because this sushi bar has so much more to offer than raw fish and sticky rice. Founded in 1997, the restaurant decided to bring to the UK the concept of a Japanese 'kaiten' sushi bar that delivers food to customers on a conveyor belt. A self–proclaimed twenty-first century dining experience, YO! Sushi certainly offers a new way of obtaining your food as you hungrily gaze at what is heading towards you (much better than waiting for your suitcase at the airport). Get the sake in, grab some
chopsticks and find out exactly what it has to offer. My dining companion and I prefaced our sushi with a couple of drinks at another establishment and made our way there at 7pm on a Friday night; a busy night for any restaurateur. We were seated quickly by our very attentive and exhaustingly enthusiastic waiter Graham, who forgave us our professed ignorance and patiently explained the YO! Sushi system to us. As we browsed the extensive menu (which is also available online) and sipped on some very reasonably priced hot sake (£5.65 a bottle), we gazed at the conveyor belt musing over what to have. The premise of ordering is to take what you want from the belt as you have identified it from the menu, or take what
Redbrick
Did you know?
More than 50,000 people each year visit Buckingham Palace as the Queen's guests for banquets, lunches, dinners, receptions and garden parties. One does love a royal cucumber sandwich.
looks most aesthetically pleasing. The prices are indicated by the colour of the bowls and range from £1.70 to £5. The dishes are very small and have about three pieces of food on each plate. Nouvelle cuisine eat your heart out! There are a mixture of hot and cold dishes available with the kitchen working continuously in front your eyes to cook up new treats – if you don't see the dish you want on the belt then press the button on your table to alert a waiter and order it directly. The atmosphere of YO! Sushi sets it apart from other Japanese restaurants, our waiter told us that the music system was updated weekly and as the music softly played it was punctuated by the shouts of the chefs telling the customers what had just gone onto the belt – the method we adopted was to snatch whatever it was and give it a try. After our grab-the-grub tactic we inspected our table, looking to see what we had consumed - the plates had greedily piled up and we'd tried hot and cold dishes. Our favourites included the Pumpkin Korroke, Takoyaki (squid), Tempura and the Chicken Katsu. We definitely favoured the hot dishes as soon as they had come out of the kitchen but I also enjoyed the Spicy Chicken Salad and Chuku Ika, although my companion wrinkled his nose at the salads and avoided the sushi. The desserts were probably the most disappointing. Not quite full, we tried the Dorayaki which were Japanese pancakes with a custard filling and a rasp-
berry sauce. We also sampled the Lemon Shortbread Cake and the Chocolate Ganache. The desserts certainly tasted better than they looked, but YO! Sushi are certainly not pastry chefs. The drinks were very reasonable: unlimited water and green tea for £1.50 (there is a still and sparkling carbon filtered tap on each table!) as well as wines, beers and soft drinks from both European and Japanese sources. There was also selection of fizz which was very reasonably priced but perhaps somewhat out of place.
'This sushi bar has so much more to offer than raw fish and sticky rice.' As we staggered to the till, full of rice wine and food, our bill totalled £60 – perhaps not the best student price tag but we had gone for an all or nothing approach to get the full YO! Sushi experience. On a student budget the best time to visit is for lunch rather than a slap up dinner, or on 'Blue Monday' when all dishes are £2.30 (this offer is also extended to Thursdays throughout May). I thoroughly enjoyed my experience, except when I woke up the next day gasping for water – the food must have been very salty so make sure you make the most of the unlimited water whilst you are there!
V
Where to celebrate your graduation? Try BANK Restaurant & Bar The award-nominated Brum Dine with Me Nominated for 'Best New Idea' at both the Guild Awards and Redbrick Awards 2011, Brum Dine with Me certainly proved a hit with students at the University of Birmingham. Fifteen applications, four successful dinner parties and two crowned winners later, allowed Redbrick Food to make their mark on the paper and on students. Harri and Dami have thoroughly enjoyed their experiences as Redbrick Food Editors and would like to welcome James and Jordan into their new roles for 2011-12. All the best foodies!
Harriet Constable Food Editor
It's always nice to catch up with a good friend over lunch. It's especially nice, however, if that lunch happens to be at BANK in Brindley Place. At first glance, the restaurant may seem a little intimidating to a non-exec and it would be easy to make the assumption that it is solely aimed at a corporate clientele. Its impressive glass frontage, its luxurious positioning in Birmingham's best quarter, and the wealth of attractively suited and booted people swanning in through the revolving doors could make one a little uncomfortable. I'll admit I had considered the possibility that I would feel out of place pretending to be rich and important. Then we were seated. The table we were given overlooked the stunning nineteenth
century canals and, having settled in with a chilled spritzer in hand, my friend and I felt very relaxed – spoilt even. Although BANK does attract an executive crowd, I do not feel that the restaurant is pretentious. The staff were welcoming, warm and attentive from the moment we entered until our departure. I was even jovially reprimanded at one point for not eating my lotus root. BANK is not afraid to engage in vegetable related banter it seems. They do not take themselves too seriously, and it makes for a very enjoyable experience. Besides the impeccable service, the food is utterly delicious. We chose from the lunch Prix Fixe Menu, a great option if you fancy a little luxury (graduation is looming and the parents would no doubt be impressed by your sophisticated restaurant taste) without break-
ing the bank (excuse the pun). Two delectable courses will set you back only £12. Although I do have to suggest you opt for three courses - if you miss out on the 'Summer Berry Pavlova with passion fruit sauce' you must be either allergic or a moron. I also recommend starting with the 'Mushroom soup with shallot crème fraiche', but the mozzarella and tomato salad also looked divine and I have it on excellent terms that it tasted so too. What is wonderful about the Prix Fixe Menu, apart from the decent pricing, is the variation and choice you are offered. My previous experience of Prix Fixe menus is that they are limited, and generally non-inclusive of the thing you really fancied on the menu. This is not the case at BANK. My main course of 'Teriyaki salmon with noodles and pak choi' was light but
filling and so flavoursome. It really was a delicious lunch. At 1pm on a Thursday afternoon, the place was quiet and we were able to have a tour of the whole restaurant. I noticed that there is a wonderful outdoor terrace overlooking the canal which would be such a lovely place to sit and sip one of the 85 cocktails they offer. Okay, maybe two… I fully intend to return and make my way down the menu, although I'll probably have to make more than one trip. There is also al fresco dining to the front of the restaurant overlooking the lovely square. I can't actually think of a better way to celebrate a momentous occasion such as one's graduation: sitting in the sun, sipping a cocktail and indulging in some great food, degree hat perched on head. BANK, you might just have it all.
Redbrick
Food 9
Open Day 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Dami Olugbode & Harriet Constable
It's all about al-fresco this summer Food writer Sophie Pryn talks of summer, sun and fun, fun, fun!
Garden Party Menu Hot and Sour Pickled Prawns This Delia Smith recipe is absolutely delicious. Make a big bowl the day before, then grab a soft baguette and get stuck in with your guests after about 48 hours when it will be deliciously marinated. I can guarantee they will be coming back for more. Ingredients 16 large cooked prawns 1 tablespoon drained capers ½ medium yellow pepper, thinly sliced ½ medium red pepper, thinly sliced 50g red onion, thinly sliced ½ lemon, thinly sliced 150 ml olive oil 1 level teaspoon mustard 55 ml cider vinegar Juice of 2 limes 1 dessert spoon Worcestershire sauce 1 dessert spoon Tabasco sauce ½ teaspoon salt 1 teaspoon white sugar black pepper
To garnish A few sprigs of coriander ½ a lime, thinly sliced Method Place the prawns and capers in a dish together with the sliced peppers, onion and lemon. In a bowl or jar whisk the oil, mustard, vinegar, lime juice, Worcestershire sauce and Tabasco together, adding the salt, a little coarsely ground black pepper and the sugar, then pour this mixture all over the prawns. Cover and place in the fridge for at least 48 hours, stirring the contents around from time to time. Serve garnished with sprigs of coriander and slices of lime lots of bread to mop up the juices. By Harriet Constable
A twist on Coronation Chicken After the hottest April since records began and the fairytalelike bank holiday which saw the girl-next-door marry her Prince Charming (well... Wills), everyone is beginning to enjoy a beautiful British summer. Despite May's impromptu storms and ensuing rains, here at Redbrick Food, we see no reason to stop celebrating. Indeed, this issue, we've gone all outdoorsy now that we are no longer all slumping in our seats, and moaning about revision. We can finally take to the parks and gardens to eat, drink, and if needs must, work. Although we are more than aware that those scrappy, overgrown Selly Oak gardens may not be the ideal setting for a classy
garden party or an old-fashioned picnic, we've provided you with a few picturesque spots nearby, where you can eat al fresco. Failing that, a bit of bunting and some candles will romanticise even the biggest dump. Whether you're a staunch royalist or not, it seems fair to say that the majestic royal affair did a damn fine job of capturing the public's imagination. We can all replicate that 'common touch' of ice cream and bacon butties provided for the après-disco guests, but we can only dream of the gastronomic delights cooked for the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and the three hundred guests for their wedding breakfast. With this
Party in the park
Redbrick Food suggests this summer's best picnic spots...
1. Cannon Hill Park Just a short walk from Selly Oak, this beautiful park boasts a
in mind, we've got recipes fit for Queens, which take inspiration from the royal occasion including an unusual, modern take on Coronation Chicken and a recipe for Boodles Fool, a classic British dessert that was originally served at the exclusive Boodles club in London. Both dishes are served cold and incorporate the fresh fruity flavours which summer food is all about. Now all we have to do is cross our fingers and toes and hope that we don't have to eat it all huddled under an umbrella! Embrace your Britishness this summer with Redbrick Food. Firstly, let's find out where to picnic...
This recipe is a simple, unusual take on the infamous Coronation Chicken dish. It's quick to prepare and served cold so it's ideal for a summer garden party or picnic. Serve with rice on an iceberg lettuce leaf and eat the leftovers (although we can't guarantee you'll have any!), with crunchy salad in a wrap.
lake, acres of green and leafy space, stunning flowerbeds and is home to the Midlands Art Centre. Tuck up on a bench with a good book and a sandwich or lay out the picnic rug, crack open the bubbly and indulge your senses in the sun. Cream scones, cheese and biscuits, assorted sandwiches and crisps and dip always make for a delightful lunch.
Ingredients 1 Chicken breast per person, diced A handful of grapes, halved A couple of sticks of celery, sliced 3 tbs of Mayo Half a tsp of Madras curry paste
2. Winterbourne Botanic Garden Birmingham's hidden gem. Work off those sausage rolls by taking
Boodle's Fool
a stroll through the woodland walk or simply admire the hazelnut tunnel and the impressive glasshouses. It is the perfect way to entertain your granny on that unexpected visit, as tickets for concessions cost a measly £3.50. Also, don't miss The Spring Fling on Saturday 14th of May for fun and frivolities. Why not take a meal on the veranda whilst sipping a refreshing lemonade.
3. Kings Heath Park If you're sick of the sight of Selly Oak and miss the colour green, look no further than Kings Heath Park. It's less than a 15 minute bus ride away (take the number 76 from the Dawlish Road stop, then it's just a matter of a short walk to the park). Covering 35 acres of land, it has a Victorian Tea Room in which you can take shelter if the heavens open.
By Sophie Pryn
A speciality at the Boodle's Club, London, this citrussy dessert will make you look anything but a fool. Ingredients 2 oranges 1 lemon 300ml double cream Caster sugar, to taste Plain sponge cake. Method Line a pretty bowl evenly with pieces of plain sponge cake. Avoid the nasty trifle sponges from the supermarket – instead, opt for a homemade version from a deli or
per person Method Cut the chicken up in to small pieces and fry off in a pan until cooked through and starting to brown. Leave until cold. In a bowl mix the mayonnaise with about half a teaspoon of curry paste (add more to taste) Then, mix all of the ingredients together in a bowl and serve! By Sophie Pryn
bakery. Grate the rind and squeeze the juice from two oranges and one lemon. Whip 300ml double cream (do not over whip as it becomes foamy), add caster sugar to taste, fold in the rind and gradually trickle in the juice, whilst whisking, until it is all combined. Spoon this mixture into the bowl, making sure all the sponge is covered. Cover in cling film and chill in the fridge for as long as possible before serving – 12 hours is ideal. Decorate with more orange rind, grated chocolate or mint leaves. By Rachel Johnston
If you’re a student at the University of Birmingham, then you’re automatically a member of the Guild of Students. We’re here to make sure you get the best from Birmingham! Being a member gives you the chance to do things like join societies, volunteer or take on part time work – as well as giving you access to our events, shops, and services just for students at Birmingham.
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As a charity and the union for more than 28,000 students, we represent you, our members, to the university and the wider community. We’re your voice on the issues that matter most to you. And we’re also here to help you develop skills outside of study, have fun, meet people and make your time at Birmingham special.
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If you’d like to find out more about the Guild of Students you can stay in touch ‘like’ our Facebook fan page and follow us on Twitter!
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Redbrick
Open Day 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors - James Phillips & Simon Hall
The BUCS 'Invincibles'
(l-r) Alice Sharp, Sarah Page, Elin Thomas and Jenna Woolven celebrate at the final whistle while goalscoring hero Sophie Bray embraces Hanah Richardson (no.19) Women's Hockey
17th March 2011
Birmingham 1sts
3
Loughborough 1sts 0 Phil Shepka Sport Reporter
'Over the moon' was how coach Phil Gooderham described his emotions after he saw his women's hockey team take the BUCS Championship gold for the second year in a row, after a fine display against Midlands rivals Loughborough. The win at the Abbeydale Sports Club in Sheffield ensured that Birmingham maintained their unbeaten record for a second year, clearly demonstrating their dominance in the sport. After knocking out Bath in the semi-finals two weeks earlier, there was a quiet confidence within the Birmingham squad before the match, but captain Sarah Page called for her team to 'stay calm and composed' in order for her side to reclaim the title. Birmingham, with eight junior internation-
als in their squad, looked to have the experience they needed to edge out their opponents. For the Loughborough squad, this fixture came in a week where their league season would also be decided, with two huge matches either side of this final. Coach Jerome Goudie however, was in buoyant mood before the game, stating that 'the way we attack and defend as a team has seen us through so far in the competition' and that we were to expect more of the same from his side as they sought to take the title. The game opened in a tentative fashion, with both teams showing signs of early nerves in one of the biggest games of their respective seasons. As the game progressed, Loughborough's ill-discipline began to show as they conceded a number of penalty corners. However the holders were unable to take advantage of these opportunities, with keeper Helen Fagg pulling off a string of fine saves and defender Josie Inverdale blocking the ball on the line. Loughborough were finding
it difficult to get out of their own half to create chances, leaving Birmingham goalkeeper Jennifer Mashford without a single save to make throughout the opening period. Loughborough's defence finally gave in with just a minute left in the first half. The goal came from a well-worked penalty corner taken by Emily Atkinson. She played the ball into the centre to find Page, who faked a shot and passed it back to Atkinson, who smashed the ball in from a tight angle. After the break, Loughborough came out fighting and began on the front foot. However, they were unable to find a route through a strong Birmingham defence. Kate Maxey was then yellow carded for the East Midlands outfit, giving Brum an extra player advantage for a period. Shortly after this however, Loughborough had their best chance of the game when Sarah Jones was played through and crossed it in to a team-mate, but Katy Newton did well to block any attempt at the ball. This came against the run of play, and Birmingham finally
Birmingham Team
Short Corners
Fouls
Long Corners
Sin Bins
Shots on
Shots off
target
target
Possession
made their pressure pay after a defensive error led to Holly Payne picking up a stray pass and laying it on to Page. She was then fouled but took a quick free hit to find top goalscorer Sophie Bray, who with the goalkeeper bearing down on her, showed composure to slot the ball in. After the goal, the Birmingham side looked in control of the game, spreading the play well to stay on the front foot. Loughborough's only shot on target throughout the match came from Maxey, which was blocked by the feet of Mashford. As the opposition pressed forward Birmingham secured the win on the break as Jenna Woolven played the ball across goal to Bray, who with a defender behind her and her back to goal somehow managed to get a shot away through the legs of the keeper with only 90 seconds remaining. When the final whistle sounded, the loud Birmingham following were sent into jubilation and the substitutes sprinted onto the pitch to celebrate with their team-mates at being crowned champions.
Loughborough Team
Starting XI: 1. Jennifer Mashford 2. Sarah Page (c) 7. Sarah Haycroft 11. Kirsty Dawson 12. Rebecca Condie 14. Elin Thomas 17. Sophie Bray 19. Hanah Richardson 25. Jenna Woolven 27. Alice Sharp 32. Emily Atkinson
Starting XI: 1.Helen Fagg 2.Rachel Arnold 5.Laura Bridge (c) 8. Sarah Jones 12. Giselle Ansley 14. Kate Maxey 16. Josie Inverdale 26. Holly Brown 28. Gill Boddy 34. Finnola Busbridge 37. Laura Evans
Subs:
Subs:
20. Holly Payne 24. Ann Griffiths 28. Abby Webb 35. Patricia Mccormick 37. Katy Newton Coach: Phil Gooderham
4.Sian Evans 9. Katie Hewitt 10. Hetti Murray 11. Rachel Malcolm Coach: Jerome Goudie
Sport 11
Tom Flathers
After guiding his side to victory, a delighted Gooderham said after the match that 'this means everything to the girls' and went on to say that he 'couldn't describe how it feels to be unbeaten for two years,' no mean feat by anyone's standards. After working hard for the girl's side for six years now, he is certainly benefitting from the rewards. Before lifting the trophy, second year Geography student Page, who was also named player of the final, expressed her gratitude to those who had travelled up from Birmingham to watch the game, saying 'the support was fantastic and it really lifted the teams spirits.' After taking her tally for the season to 18 goals, Bray summed up her team's day by saying it was an 'unbelievable feeling' to have claimed the gold and went on to say 'to have won it twice in a row makes it all the more special'. Her side have now capped a great season off after winning the league title as well, creating a memorable 2010-11 for the girls.
12 Sport
Sport
Redbrick
Open Day 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall
Redbrick Sport: Winner of the Outstanding Contribution to Sport award at the UBSport awards 2010 and Redbrick's best section in both 2010 and 2011. Providing first class coverage of university sport every week during term time.
Leeds Met feel the full force of the Lions' roar American Football
6th Nov 2010
Birmingham Leeds Met Carnegie
41 0
Luke Durston Sport Reporter
xpLosION on Saturday the 6th of November marked the return of back-to-back BUAFL champions the Birmingham Lions. Seeking to record a 25th straight victory, the Lions put on an imperious display for the massed spectators by mauling Leeds Met Carnegie 41-0. The game, billed as the biggest event in the University sport calendar had transformed the leafy Bournbrook pitch into a bustling hive of activity as the teams, resplendent in their sleek uniforms took to the field. The home side roared into an early 8-0 first quarter lead following two points gained from a safety and a touchdown for versatile running back Dan Conroy who would be a persistent thorn in Carnegie's side throughout the game. The first touchdown was likely to be crucial in calming early season nerves and it was brought about by confident passing plays from quarterback Tristan Varney linking up with receivers John Zinkus and Josh Vines to make big yardage gains in the visitors' half of the field. This set up Conroy to make a jinking dart wide and run the ball 22 yards into the end zone to notch up the first of his three touchdowns in the game. In contrast to Birmingham's varied offence, Leeds elected to run the ball on almost every play with the ball only ever leaving new quarterback Jory Bray's hands for an instant as it was transferred to running back Jon Wheatley who ploughed relentlessly into the Brum defensive line. But the defensive line held firm and the Yorkshire side's offence was rendered almost impotent, with little yardage and no scoring in sight as they limped towards the end of the first half even further behind. Touchdowns from Conroy and Eniola Osonaike had extended the Lions' lead to 21-0 in the second quarter as quarterback and UBSport scholar Varney began to assert his quality on the game with quick, incisive passing. Strong running play from Jackie Smith on the visitors' side then gave them a solitary glimpse of scoring as their first venture deep into Lions territory brought them within five yards of the end zone. But with minutes remaining until half time the efforts of the defensive line kept Carnegie at bay going into the much-anticipated break. At this stage, the half-time delights of the Birmingham Pussycats cheerleaders and a dazzling fireworks display won't have cheered the hearts of Leeds' play-
AFL Terminology Safety A rare way of scoring when a player tackles an opponent in possession of the ball in his own end zone. Worth 2 points. Touchdown A scoring play in which any part of the ball crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line. Worth 6 points. Quarterback The offensive player who receives the ball from the center at the start of each play. Receiver An offensive player whose job it is to catch the football. End Zone A 10-yard section stretching the width of the field at both ends of the playing field. Where touchdowns are scored. Running Back An offensive player who runs with the football. Down A down is a period of time that one team has the ball. The goal is to make three plays (first, second, and third down) and gain 10 yards on the field toward the end zone. ers, whose shoulders were sagging under the weight of heavy pads. The home team, however, looked strong and composed as they continued to bare the weight of expectation weighing on their own shoulders going into the second half of play. After the halftime fireworks had abated, fireworks of a different kind continued to light up the field of play, with explosions of boots driving through the turf and helmets clashing with pads ringing into the night. Big hits started raining in, notably from Birmingham's Greg Pearson and the visitors began to fumble the ball under pressure, compounding their miserable night of running the football. Varney, on the other hand, was irrepressible, delivering the ball with ease into holes in the Leeds defence both wide and through the middle. It was only a matter of time before the lead was strengthened further and this time it came via a pass to Zinkus through the middle, who was able to waltz in for the score. During the third and fourth quarters, the game became less of a contest and more an exhibition of Brum's superiority. A
Top: The Lions are clearly number 1. Bottom: The Birmingham Pussycats added to the spectacle Tom Flathers rushing touchdown from Teejay Dai-Orenuge and an intercepted pass returned 10 yards into the end zone from Conroy completed the rout at a final score of 41-0. As whistles and cheers from the crowd greeted the end of the game, Carnegie's head coach Paul Wake was pragmatic in defeat pointing out that 'Birmingham showed why they are two-time champions,' going on to say that 'it's a steep learning curve but we hope to meet them again in the post-season.' Lions captain Greg Freeman was understandably pleased, not just with the performance, but the night as a whole, stating that 'I've never seen the event and the cheerleaders looking so impressive.' He added that 'we've sent out a statement tonight by playing one of the better teams we will face and sending them home well beaten.' Freeman was guarded against complacency saying 'now we'll just take things from here'. But such an impressive opening game victory will ensure that the Lions and the fans watching on will hope to remember the 6th of November as the night when their third title charge began.
3rd Down Completion
Birmingham Leeds Met
42.9% 0%
Pass Completion Birmingham Quarterback Tristan Varney
Leeds Met Quarterback Jory Bray
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