Redbrick - 25th November 2011

EST. 1936

Redbrick Friday 25th November 2011 | Volume 76 | Issue 1401 | redbrickpaper.co.uk

Birmingham take on Loughborough

WINNER S: WEBSI TE

OF THE

YEAR

See Sport, p24-25 for all the action as the Midlands rivals clash

Bauer decision still pending fortnight after Harrop received Guild's investigation recommendations VPE banned from campus hours after guilty verdict of aggregated trespass in Fortnum & Mason case James Brilliant News Editor

The Guild of Students is yet to make a decision regarding the future of suspended Vice President (Education) Edd Bauer, two weeks after the Guild investigation into Bauer's conduct sent its recommendations to Guild President Mark Harrop.

A statement posted on the Guild of Students website on Thursday 10th November stated that 'the investigation has now been completed and a report including recommendations has been forwarded to the Guild President. It is inappropriate for the Guild to comment any further at this stage, as we would not wish to prejudice this process. However, we can confirm that the Vice President (Education) will continue to receive his bursary payment throughout this process.'

VPE Bauer told Redbrick that he believes that the 'process should be quick and simple. The fact I have been suspended without a democratic vote for this long is farcical. The Guild should simply put all the facts into the public sphere and allow a democratic vote on my continued tenure in the elected role of Vice President (Education). If the Guild is really a democratic institution and students really do have a say in how the Guild is run, as the Guild claims, then the Guild should allow a vote at Guild Council immediately.'

In a statement, the Guild said: 'The investigation has drawn to a conclusion, however the process is ongoing. There have been a number of issues surrounding the availability of the Vice President (Education) which have inevitably delayed the proceedings longer than the Guild had anticipated.

The Guild hopes to conclude the process within the next seven days.

'It is not appropriate for the Guild to divulge the contents of the report as it contains private and confidential information surrounding individuals involved.

We can also confirm that the next stage in the process does not lie with the Sabbatical Officer Team, or any one individual.

'The VPE's recent conviction is a separate case that will not affect the Guild's report or its contents, and is not a matter for the investigation. The Guild has also had no involvement in the University's decision to suspend the VPE from campus last week.

This is a University of Birmingham

Students occupy North Gate gatehouse Police patrol the North Gate following the student occupation of the old gatehouse. Full coverage on page 5 matter and therefore the Guild cannot comment further.

'The Officer Code of Conduct and Guild Council motion were made publicly available on the Guild Council's Facebook group on June 6th, earlier this year, and have remained there since.

'Throughout the investigation process the Guild has ensured the duties of the Vice President (Education) have, and remain, to be covered by the Officer Team.

This includes attendance at key meetings and other Vice Presidential commitments.' The University of Birmingham declined to comment.

Last Thursday Bauer was dealt a double blow in his campaign efforts: having been found guilty of aggregated trespass following his participation in the Fortnum and Mason sit-in of March this year, Bauer learned a few hours later that, in an unrelated development, the University had revoked his licence to enter

University land. The latter will likely impact his manifesto promise for more grass roots campaigning which students voted for in this year's Guild elections.

Bauer was informed that he could no longer enter University grounds in a letter from Caroline Pike, Director of Legal Services at the University of Birmingham.

The letter stated that 'the University has recently received complaints that you have been disrupting lectures and leafleting within buildings, for example disturbing students working within the Guild... I am therefore writing to confirm that as you are not currently deemed to be a Registered Student, and therefore are simply a member of the public, the University is hereby revoking your licence to enter University land which is private property.'

Bauer subsequently posted a response on Facebook to the University's decision in the form of an open letter addressed to Mrs

Pike. In the letter, Bauer says 'Unfortunately I cannot abide by the ban and I regret to inform you that I have already returned to campus. I feel I have a duty to stand up for freedom of speech in particular on university campuses which are supposedly bastions of debate. Earlier today I did an announcement in a lecture and despite the lecturer knowing full well who I was they were quite happy to let me continue.'

In light of Bauer's decision to ignore the University's revoking of his licence, an email was sent to members of staff which said, 'We would welcome your support in ensuring that the terms of his suspension are enforced and that no further access to lectures is provided.'

In March of this year the 150strong occupation of the luxury London department store Fortnum & Mason led to Bauer and nine others being charged with aggrevated trespass. Following a three

day trial at Westminster Magistrates' Court all 10 were found guilty of intent to intimidate staff and shoppers. Each received a six-month conditional discharge and a ÂŁ1,000 fine for prosecution costs, despite police and shop staff witnesses categorising the protest as 'non-violent and sensible.' Bauer and his fellow codefendants have launched an appeal against the decision in the High Court.

Bauer is also awaiting trial for causing danger to road users outside the Liberal Democrat conference this September.

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redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick Editorial Editor Glen Moutrie Deputy Editors Victoria Bull James Phillips Online Editor Chris Hutchinson Art Director Beth Richardson Photography Editors Freddie Herzog Millie Guy chiefphotographer@redbrickonline.co.uk Technical Directors Jeremy Levett Dan Lesser News Editors Anna Hughes James Brilliant Kerrina Gray Rhiannon DoyleMaw news@redbrickonline.co.uk Online News Editor Freddie Herzog Features Editors Ali Hendy Amanda Callaghan features@redbrickonline.co.uk Online Features Editor Owen Earwicker Film Editors Genevieve Taylor Isidore Sanders film@redbrickonline.co.uk

News feed HEALTH

EGYPT

ENTERTAINMENT

Life&Style Editors Sophie Cowling Lara Edwards lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk

Care homes fail to protect rights

More killed as Cairo unrest continues

British wins at Emmy awards

Food Editors James Morrison Jordan Warner food@redbrickonline.co.uk

An inquiry into care homes in the UK by the Equality and Human Rights Commission has found that 'poor treatment of many older people is breaching their human rights.' The report called for legal changes to be made.

Protesters have remained in Tahrir Square in Cairo, Egypt, despite promises by the country's interim military leaders to hold parliamentary elections

by July 2012. It is estimated that 30 people have been killed since Saturday.

British television programmes have received 5 awards at this year's International Emmys ceremony in New York. Julie Walters was awarded Best Actress for her role as Mo Mowlam in the Channel 4 series Mo.

BIRMINGHAM

TECHNOLOGY

Travel Editors Emily Booth Louise Spratt travel@redbrickonline.co.uk Sport Editors Sam Price Joseph Audley sport@redbrickonline.co.uk Online Sport Editor Joel Lamy Technology Editors Joshua Lindsey Ruth Bradley technology@redbrickonline.co.uk Crossword Editor John Rizkallah Senior Editorial Assistant Kate Selvaratnam Editorial Assistants Oscar French Ellie Jarvis Isabel Mason Sarah Musgrove Elisha Owen

Arts & Culture Editors Lexie Wilson Alexander Blanchard arts@redbrickonline.co.uk

Online Editorial Assistants Sophie MurrayMorris Rosie Pearce Josh Taylor Eimear Luddy

Music Editors Will Franklin Tamara Roper music@redbrickonline.co.uk

Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Sophie Rogers Kimberley Fariah

Television Editors Charlotte Lytton James Moore tv@redbrickonline.co.uk

Proofreaders Nicola Barton Jenna Kirby Rachel Ashe Hannah Ennis

For meeting times and available positions visit www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/join 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.

To contact us: Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TU

SPACE

New Street station creates more jobs

Russia space probe China dominates smart phone market makes contact

The new Birmingham Gateway Construction Academy set up in Birmingham will 'open up job and training opportunities' on New Street train station's redevelopment, the station's website has said. 1000 jobs are set to be created in total.

China has overtaken the US to become the world's largest smart phone market. This year's third quarter saw China's smart phone shipments rise to 24 million, this is one million higher than the United States' shipments.

The European Space Agency has reportedly made contact with an unmanned probe that went silent after its launch on 9th November. Russian controllers intended to send it to Mars, but an engine failure kept it in the Earth's orbit.

EMPLOYMENT

HEALTH

Tribunal changes unveiled

Women can choose Caesarean birth

Redbrick wins Guardian award

The Government announced plans to allow employers to discuss poor performance with staff without conversations being used as evidence in tribunals. Vince Cable said he hopes the changes will reduce 'unnecessary bureaucracy'.

Women will be able to request a Caesarean section whether medically necessary or not, the National Institute of Health and Clinical Excellence have said. However they added that women should be advised on the risks associated as well.

Redbrick's website has won a Guardian Media Award for 'Student Website of the Year' 2011. Chris Hutchinson, Online Editor, redesigned the Redbrick website last year which can be found at www. redbrickpaper.co.uk.

Top Ten: Ways to save money on bills We count down the best ways to save money on bills this winter

1

Invest in a slanket

Get cosy in a blanket-with-sleeves and avoid turning the heating up.

2 ALDI Switch from Tesco Express and Sainsbury's to Aldi for a week's shop for under a tenner.

3 Forget baths

0121 251 2462 editor@redbrickonline.co.uk www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Save bubble baths for a holiday treat and take showers instead to save on water.

Redbrick is printed through www.quotemeprint.com: 08451 300667.

4 Exercise on Mondays

Advertising: Contact Aimee Fitzpatrick in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524 or a.fitzpatrick@guild. bham.ac.uk

Redbrick

25th November 2011

Save money on gym memberships and go for free on Mondays at Tiverton Gym.

5 Campus wi-fi

WiFi is free on campus so use that instead of your phone 3G to save on hidden internet use charges.

6 Unplug the laptop

Leaving your laptop plugged in when it's fully charged wastes electricity.

7

Leave the oven open

Leave the oven door open after cooking to warm up the kitchen.

8 Cancel TV licence You only need a TV licence to watch live TV, so cancel it and stick to iPlayer and 4oD.

9 Internet caps Be aware of caps on internet usage, there could be hidden charges.

10Snuggle with friends

Snuggle up with your housemates to share body heat!

REDBRICK

Overheard on campus 'God I'm so drunk' 'You got off with me, you must be!'

'I love sex on the beach, that's why I love Blackpool' 'Oh I know Shropshire, that's the one near Yorkshire isn't it?'

'I stuck on my fake eyelashes with double sided bra tape, I'm like the Bear Grylls of beauty!'

'Somewhere out there there's a man with a tranquilizer dart and a large net looking for you.'

'I got my delivery but three were dead.'

'Last night I Googled how to get motivated for an essay.'

'What even is sleep?'

'There's far too many people holding hands on campus, it's uni, not a date.'

'I was like, just because you're fat doesn't mean you can take up my dance floor room.'

'Not going out tonight, going to save all my shame for Fab.' Overheard anything funny on campus?

Email us at news@ redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

redbrickpaper.co.uk

25th November 2011

News shorts compiled by Patrick McGhee

3

World Wide Why? James Phillips Deputy Editor

MEDIA

BIRMINGHAM

James Murdoch steps down

UK

Women hurt in hit and run

McCann parents at Leveson inquiry

James Murdoch has quit as director of News Group Newspapers Limited, which publishes The Sun, and Times Newspapers Limited, which published The Times and The Sunday Times. Murdoch will remain head of News International.

A 30-year-old woman is in hospital with severe head injuries after being hit by a car in Walsall in the West Midlands.

Police believe a 'small red car' was involved in the incident, and have urged anybody with information to come forward.

The inquiry into allegations of phone hacking and media ethics has heard evidence from the parents of missing girl Madeleine McCann. Gerry McCann claimed that the way they were treated by the media was a 'national scandal'.

Your society highlights?

Why should we get involved?

How can we get involved?

Our highlights include our first pub quiz that we ran last year, where we had a great turn out and a brilliant night. Another was our trip to the Warwick Uni Real Ale Festival last February. The theme was pirate fancy dress and two of our members were runners up in the 'best dressed pirate' competition. Our greatest highlight (so far) of this academic year was our first social where we had 54 people turn up to go to the pub! We could only just fit in!

You should get involved because Real Ales and Ciders have something for everyone. As well as this, we are a fun, inclusive society, with all sorts of members from as far away as Germany, France and America. You don't need to be athletic or artistic or anything like that. Anyone can join. We're also fairly minimum effort! You can come along to as few or as many of our events as you like.

You can get involved simply by coming along to one of our Monday pub trips. To join just make yourself known to a committee member (the slightly crazier ones) as we only charge £3 for membership. Our email is realale@guild. bham.ac.uk. You can also find u s on Facebook and Twitter.

Three Real Ale Society Facts:

We hold weekly pub trips meeting in Joe's bar on Monday evenings at 8pm, then heading out to different pubs around Birmingham. We are also planning a pub quiz for our last social of term, on the 5th December, and a tour of Marston's Brewery on the 14th January. We are also in the process of planning our very own Beer Festival for next term, so watch this space!

Spotlight on Societies Real Ale Society Who's your president?

Elspeth Arthur How long have you been running for?

We will be a year old on the 13th December!

What is the society all about?

Quite simply, our society is about Real Ales and Ciders! For us, Ale isn't about getting drunk and acting like a fool, it is about the vast range of flavours available, from a fruity IPA to a chocolate Porter. We are supporting traditional brewing processes and local pubs and breweries and getting to enjoy a wonderful pint with all sorts of lovely people all at the same time!

Real Ale words:

Society

in

five

1. Last year one of our committee members was teetotal. (I think she was in it for the pork scratchings.)

2. We will take you to pubs you never knew existed, in parts of Birmingham you never knew you wanted to go to...

3. We have a huge amount of archaeologists on our committee.

Not sure if that says more about Ale or archaeology.

Upcoming events?

We only need one. Pub?

A day in the life of Carnival RAG chair Tom Petrie The planning for Enigma begins around a month and a half before the event itself. I tend to not to get involved too much in the intricate planning details as I oversee that the whole event is running properly.

The best thing about Enigma is its secrecy – on the night of this year's Enigma only 6 guild staff and a few head stewards knew about the details of what we were doing and where we were going.

We even have to rip up our notes at the end of meetings to keep it secret!

On the actual day of Enigma I came in around 12 and started

organising handing out t-shirts in Joes bar. From 3pm till 4pm it all goes quiet, then we have a briefing session with the head stewards and then all the other stewards.

This is really important as we normally have 10-15 people who have never done Carnival stewarding before so it's good to make them feel comfortable with what they're doing.

The buses arrived at 6pm and then we were off to the mystery city of... Sheffield. On the buses each steward introduces Carnival and then makes sure everyone signs the disclaimer so we can contact them if they get lost.

Then the stewards lead games on

the bus – I do orange races where the bus is divided in two and each side race to pass the orange down the bus via everyone's mouth. We also do speed dating where everyone gets to know each other on the coach.

We transfer the contact details whilst on the coach and then arrive at the venue. Stewards line the route and if anyone is sick then they are put on the 'chunder bus' – where they can sleep off their drunkenness. We know people are going to drink a lot and so make sure there are loads of buckets on every bus and that they're OK. You do get used to people chundering and very quickly know the line between just being sick or being in harm. Even when people are chundering they're still having a great time!

Stewarding is better than going on the event because you know you've done something great –

So the Redbrick website has won the Guardian Media Award for Student Website of the Year 2011. But, all you old-fashioned newspaper cynics, I hear you cry, 'What's so good about a website?

It's all about the print.'

Well frankly, in the year 2011, it is not. While there is still plenty of room and time for print journalism, the world of media is expanding and websites are at the heart of this. The increased availability of the internet means that the vast majority of people in the West check websites every day, and are far more likely to do this than buy a daily newspaper.

Key to the power of websites is interactivity, with instant commenting, voting in polls and social networking integration all possible. It is a far cry from the days of posting handwritten letters to the editor to voice your opinion on an article.

The Redbrick website was redesigned by our resident computer genius and Online Editor Chris Hutchinson at the start of the calendar year and it has come on leaps and bounds in that time.

While Redbrick is an incredibly large team with 54 different people holding positions in the office plus over 200 writers and a photography team, we must single out Chris for his innovation and technical prowess which has been central to us claiming this award.

The largest event that brought Redbrick recognition this year was our coverage of the Birmingham riots. While this was in the summer holidays, we still provided live blogging, comment articles and video reportage as it all kicked off on the streets of Birmingham. This left us as the top hit on Google for a period and brought in over 40,000 unique visitors in just six hours.

We have also branched out into audio with regular podcasts, and our polls have proven successful, with massive responses to the Sport section's 'Who is the greatest football manager?' article. By all means don't stop reading the print edition of Redbrick, or any other newspaper, but see the website as something different, an enhancement and addition to your weekly feed of news. It's 2011, get with the times.

Housing poll Ashley Kirk asked students: Have you started looking for a house for next year yet?

we've raised nearly £4,500 for charity with Carnage this year and Enigma in Sheffield was £2000.

I've never actually been on Enigma – it scares me too much and I don't think I'd be able to handle it. I absolutely love the challenge and while 3rd year is going to be the hardest it will definitely be the most rewarding year. It's just great fun!

Interviewed by Freddie Herzog

4 News

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick

Editors – Anna Hughes, James Brilliant, Kerrina Gray & Rhiannon Doyle-Maw

Zahra Damji investigates what £70/week's rent can buy you around the country Dawlish Road, Selly Oak, Birmingham £68 per person per week 5 bedrooms (4 doubles) Furnished 2 WCs 2 showers

Kimboulton Road, Lenton, Nottingham

Headingly, Leeds

£70 per person, per week 5 bedrooms (5 double bedrooms) Furnished 2 WCs, 2 showers

£68 per person, per week 4 bedrooms Furnished 1 walk-in shower, 1 WC, 1 shower

VP (Housing and Community) on next year's housing Amani Hughes asked Zuki Majuqwana about his housing campaign 'Zuki Says Relax'

A housing campaign has been launched by Vice President of Housing and Community Zuki Majuqwana.

'Zuki Says Relax' has been set up to provide more information for students about house-hunting.

The aim of the campaign is to get students to relax and not rush into housing decisions; that there is plenty of time and more houses than students so shortage is not a problem.

Zuki told Redbrick that the priority when thinking about moving into a house is deciding on who you want to live with. These people can essentially make or break your year.

He said, 'The fact of the matter is that too many students rush into house-hunting and deciding on the people they want to live with much too early. In some instances, students decide in October, which means you are committing yourself to knowing, loving and living with these people for two years, the later you leave it the better chance you get to know the people you will want to live with.'

Zuki says that the second priority must be a good landlord, ideally

accredited with the Midland Landlord Accreditation Scheme (MLAS). 'They are really the best landlords, as they go on training courses so that they know everything they can.' Not all of the letting agencies on Bristol Road have MLAS landlords, however all

'The fact of the matter is that too many students rush into house-hunting and deciding on the people they want to live with much too early' landlords from the SHAC in the guild and LIVING in the University Centre are. 'A sign of a bad landlord is when they are flogging housing lists by the side of the street' as this shows the desperation of some landlords who may not be selling the best houses.

Lembit Opik vs Peter Kerr James Green reports on Lembit Opik and Peter Kerr's campus drug debate It was described as the debate of the decade and Birmingham's answer to Frost/ Nixon. Only time will reveal the wider political impact of former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik's interview with POLSIS lecturer Peter Kerr on Tuesday evening.

Yet if the value of such encounters is judged by the candour of the participants, then Mr Opik's visit certainly lived up to the billing. Mr Opik, who is perhaps best known for his relationship with Cheeky Girl Gabriela Irimia, was invited by the University's Liberal Democrats to take part in a debate on the decriminalisation of drugs.

An avowed libertarian who has long campaigned against prohibition, he argued that a sensible drugs policy in the UK is only prevented by the government's fear of the media. He pointed to the rise in the number of British heroin addicts from 5,000 in 1975 to 281,000 in 2007 as evidence that proscrip-

tion simply does not work and also argued against the principles of prohibition, describing it as immoral and insisting that treating heroin users as patients rather than criminals is the hallmark of a tolerant society.

Following the debate, the conversation turned to his view of the Liberal Democrats' performance in government and his own experience of the Westminster village.

Endorsing the initial decision to form a coalition, he conceded that the Lib Dems have not done well in it.

The Tories in government look like Tories – and the Lib Dems look like Tories too.

He described Nick Clegg as authoritarian and the rise in tuition fees as an absolute catastrophe – a disastrous tactical misjudgement. He also criticised the Big Society, portraying it as a means for the government to run away from their responsibilities and lay the blame on local authorities.

In regards to his own career, Mr Opik accepted that his public profile may have contributed to his defeat in the 2010 election: Some people really dislike having a celebrity politician – it will certainly have put some people off.

He also suggested that his own libertarianism may have made him naïve: 'I really don't care how people live their lives as long as they're not harming me and I assumed it would be the same for other people – but it's not like that.'

Lamenting the absence of mavericks such as Robin Cook and Mo Mowlam in the current parliament, he described it as a mediocracy, inhabited by grey, dull career politicians.

Matthew Key, secretary of the Lib Dem society, said that they invited Mr Opik because he is no longer an MP and should therefore be a bit more open. They were not disappointed.

'When looking around a house it may be important to look for the luxuries such as double beds, a nice TV, ensuites. However you should also look at the fundamentals of a house, such as secure doors and windows, energy-efficiency and double glazing.'

Zuki said, 'There are many myths that there are not enough houses for students in Selly Oak and beyond.

The truth is that there will always be letting boards up. If you are looking for something in particular such as 10 double beds, two minutes from campus, £65 a week and ensuite then you do have to look earlier. However the later you leave it will also mean there is room to haggle with the landlords; there will be less competition around from other students and nearer summer landlords are keen to get rid of their properties.'

There are many housing roadshows taking place across campus, which provide more information about what you need to know about house hunting before you start looking.

Market forms links Robyn Davies Reporter

Last week saw the opening of the famous German Christmas market in Birmingham's city centre, which annually sees thousands flock to the stalls for food, drink and gifts alike. To coincide with this, it has been revealed that educational links between Birmingham and its sister city Frankfurt have been thriving.

The University of Birmingham is currently developing its ties with Goethe University in Frankfurt, strengthening the links between the two institutions in cultural, academic and business areas. The University already has existing sister-city links with Chicago and Guangzhou, with a research centre recently being built in the latter of these. Birmingham's relationship

with Frankfurt is focusing on academic collaborations in subjects such as economics, film, art history, music and social sciences.

There is also an emphasis being put on increasing and developing student work placements.

Andréa Edwards, the Director of International Development and Mobility at the University of Birmingham is leading a delegation to Frankfurt later this month.

She said 'It's fitting that the University's engagement with Frankfurt is thriving just as the Christmas market returns to the city. At Birmingham we continue to develop mutually beneficial partnerships with sister cities, such as Frankfurt, and in other parts of the world.'

The Frankfurt Christmas market will run until Friday 23 December.

Stalls at Birmingham's Christmas market

Michael Drury

Redbrick

Editors – Anna Hughes, James Brilliant, Kerrina Gray & Rhiannon Doyle-Maw

News 5

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Tottenham, London

Ecclesall Sheffield

Victoria Park, Manchester

£60 minimum per week 5 bedrooms Fully furnished 1 bath, 1 WC

£70 per week 4 bedrooms Furnished 1 bath, 1 WC

£70 per week 5 Bedrooms Fully furnished 1 bath, 1 WC

NCACF students occupy former North Gate gatehouse James Brilliant News Editor

A group of University of Birmingham students occupied the former North Gate gatehouse late on Tuesday night in protest against increased University cuts, fees and privatisation.

It is believed between 18 and 25 students entered the bungalow on Pritchatts Road via a window around midnight, with University security and police arriving in the early hours of Wednesday morning. One student, who wished to remain anonymous, said the occupation was in reaction to 'universities who are closing down debate; we feel this space should be used to educate people about what the University isn't telling you.'

The occupants however have not yet expressed any specific demands or negotiating terms. As

such the planned duration of their occupation is uncertain.

The occupied building, formerly the campus North Gate gatehouse, is currently used by the University as accommodation for guest international lecturers, with the previous resident vacating the premises on Saturday. It is not clear when another lecturer is due to move in.

By the time Redbrick was going to press on Wednesday night, the premises was still occupied by thirteen students with approximately six University security officials posted outside. Police had also been present at the gatehouse earlier in the day. The occupiers had stated that 'there will be talks from academics, university workers and students, about cuts, fees and privatization' at the gatehouse, although this was seeming increasingly unlikely with University secu-

rity barring access to the property.

University security had also been instructed by Wednesday night to identify any of the occupants if they attempted to leave the property, after the occupants had earlier turned down a University offer of anonymity in exchange for ending the occupation.

Questions have arisen re-

garding the legality of the University security denying access to the North Gate House; the occupants are claiming that under Section 6 of the Criminal Law Act 1977, it is unlawful for University security services to deny access to the building as they are technically the tenants, despite the property itself located on University land. It is un-

The protesters occupying the gatehouse

Freddie Herzog

derstood both the University and the occupiers are consulting legal advice regarding this matter.

The University of Birmingham said: 'This (the protest) is not causing any disruption to teaching or other University activity. We hope this small scale protest can be quickly resolved. We are allowing protesters to leave the site and they have access to running water and food.'

In a statement the Guild of Students said: 'The Guild of Students recognises the right of students to protest peacefully on university campus to raise awareness and will support those students who wish to do so. The Guild will also ensure that those students involved continue to have access to basic human rights such as water, and has made sure additional food is now available to the students involved.'

Manslaughter verdict ARK project delivers first for ex-Uni researcher foodbank for Selly Oak area Kerrina Gray News Editor

A former research technician in the Zoology Department at the University of Birmingham has been jailed for the manslaughter of a two year old child.

His girlfriend's daughter died two weeks after being scalded at her home in Harborne, Birmingham in February 2010.

Rashpal Chana received a sentence of four and a half years from Nottingham Crown Court for manslaughter. His girlfriend Eva Logina received a six year sentence for manslaughter and child cruelty.

Chana had been a magistrate for 18 years after working at the University of Birmingham and received an award from the Queen in recognition of his contribution to British science.

The jury was told that the child Kristiana Logina, died of septic

shock in Birmingham Children's Hospital. This was as a result of the lack of treatment she received after incurring the ten per cent burns from being held under the shower by her mother.

The court heard that Miss Logina did not seek treatment for the child because she was worried her children may be taken away by social services. As a result the child's damaged skin died and began to decay.

Judge Mrs Justice Dobbs accepted the initial scalding injuries had not been caused deliberately.

She said however 'One cannot escape the fact that the underlying reason for your not seeking medical help was a selfish one.'

Phoebe Bishop, a second year Biological Sciences student, said 'I think it's quite shocking that someone who was once in my department is capable of such an appalling crime.'

Anna Hughes News Editor

Selly Oak's first food drive took place on Tuesday, organised by local charity Acts of Random Kindness, or the ARK project.

Founded by Sharmila Selvan, the entirely voluntary group has been running since November last year and runs regular food banks and weekly drop-in sessions for those in need of food and clothing, providing emergency hot food packs, free school uniform and friendly support and advice.

However, this week's food drive was the first of its kind in the area, with volunteers appealing to the public to donate imperishable food for the Christmas period.

Second year Psychology student Rosie Pinsent volunteered at the drive: 'Before I got involved with the ARK project I thought hunger and homelessness were is-

sues that were far away but Selly Oak needs a lot of help and it's really important that we have more volunteers to make that happen.'

Ex-Birmingham student Esther West has been volunteering with ARK since the beginning: 'I am absolutely blown away by people's response to our food appeal.

The ARK project does fantastic work and we are always in need of more food donations'.

The project has a permanent food bin outside Sainsbury's in Selly Oak for donations. For more information about how to get involved, search for the ARK project on Facebook.

The ARK project on Facebook

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25th November 2011

Comment & Features Editorial Owen Earwicker Comment and Features Online Editor

The opera is a place I'm not sure many students frequent. I don't say this in judgement, it's just I went twice to the Birmingham Hippodrome over the weekend, and I brought down the average age considerably. It was my first experience of opera, and it was absolutely fantastic. I didn't know what to expect, not least how funny it was (The Barber of Seville and Don Giovanni are comedy operas – yes, they exist.) A simple scene, using basic comedy, was hilarious.

It struck me that if Rossini could write such humour, why do we perceive our past to be so alien? Comedy lasts through the ages, but so do other concepts. It is not only in The Barber of Seville that an example of this is shown. If you are an English Literature first year, you are or will shortly be enthralled in the words of Chaucer's Canterbury Tales. It has been a few years since I studied it, but when I did, I was amazed at how the pilgrims are all people we live among today. I'm sure we all know a Friar type, a Miller certainly or the Wife of Bath. Personally I know the Prioresse, she lives on the same street as me back home, blustering around in a false sense of self-importance.

Chaucer's study of a burgeoning medieval middle class is just as appropriate a description of modern types.

Chaucer's study of a burgeoning medieval middle class is just as appropriate a description of modern types.

It is often said that history as a subject is dying. Although as an academic study relatively infant, it is perceived to have little worth in a world driven by money and progress. Naturally as an historian I would seek to defend my chosen subject, but sometimes that is not enough. In a 'Dragon's Den' style meeting, my pitch for history would not stand up as well against an economics one.

History cannot lose its place in society. But if funding has to diminish by force of economic circumstance, one can only hope the sources survive. Historic cultural sources are essential in understanding our own lives, but not just in the sense of how we have progressed, rather how important aspects of our own mentalities never alter.

History is in reality more an investigation of how things stay the same, rather than change. The Barber of Seville was one of the best History lessons I've had in a while.

Redbrick

Plagiarism software under scrutiny

copycats in the classroom Matt Hewson Commentator

Let me state from the outset that I think plagiarism is A Bad Thing. It is A Bad Thing for several reasons.

It is bad academic practise. It is a poor substitute for actual reading and work. And worst of all, it deprives people of the credit they deserve for their own ideas.

The University of Birmingham employs Turnitin, the self-styled 'leading academic plagiarism detector' across many of its schools.

It is their weapon of choice when it comes to the troubling increase in plagiarism. The software works by searching for similarities between work submitted by students and

other pre-existing material; web pages, academic papers and most strikingly, the submissions of other students.

Except it's not quite so simple.

There are a number of good reasons for believing that we should subject Turnitin, and plagiarism software like it, to rather more scrutiny than we currently do.

In September, American academic David E. Harrington, who specialises in Economics, proved the dangers of reliance on this software. He submitted work that he estimated to be more than 30 per cent plagiarised to Turnitin. On its first analysis, it utterly failed to match the stolen text to any of its sources. The reason? The source

of the plagiarism was hidden by an internet paywall, for the New York Times.

There are more objections to such a system. The very use of plagiarism software can seem like a presumption of guilt, on the part of the student. It suggests that all students intend to cheat. Whilst a significant number do, an even greater number do not. I have never knowingly plagiarised. I hope, and take measures to ensure, that I have never unknowingly plagiarised. The assumption that I, and thousands of other students, set out to intentionally deceive shows a saddening lack of faith in our collective integrity.

And when we turn to some of

the other services that Turnitin offer, it can look very much like they are both having their cake and eating it.

WriteCheck is a service run by the same business responsible for Turnitin. It's ostensibly to help students prevent 'accidental plagiarism', which would of course be reasonable enough. Students submit their work, and in much the same way as when submitted to Turnitin, a report is given describing the percentage similarity with Turnitin's database. That's the very same database that work will be checked against when uploaded for marking.

So in the true spirit of entrepreneurship, a single company is simultaneously selling plagiarismprevention services and facilities that can easily be utilised to help avoid being caught for plagiarism.

This assessment might appear a little too cynical, so perhaps a student testimonial from WriteCheck's website would shed some additional light on the matter; 'Getting caught for plagiarism is a big deal so I like to always make sure I am covered. Thank you!' Infer from that what you will.

Where do we go from here?

Plagiarism software is here to stay, and I think that on balance, this is a good thing. Markers could never be expected to match the vast stores of information contained in databases owned by the likes of Turnitin.

In this regard, it's incomparably efficient. But to treat it as the be all and end all of prevention is dangerous. It can never notice subtle changes in writing style or oddly worded phrases in the way that a human reader can.

And when one considers the complex and wide-ranging circumstances that can lead to plagiarism, it is of crucial importance that it's both located and understood.

Children, or Celebrities, in need?

Charlotte Lytton Television Editor

One week ago, everyone's favourite one eyed bear launched his 31st appeal to raise money for children's charities around the world. Pudsey first came to life in 1980, and has been attracting celebrities to his annual small screen extravaganza with his furry charms ever since.

But this year marked an added Alist event in the shape of Children in Need Rocks Manchester, a big name music concert that aired the night before Friday's entertainment telethon.

Lady Gaga, Coldplay, Jessie J and Kelly Rowland were amongst those participating in the show which was organised by everyone's second favourite Take That member, Gary Barlow. The event raised a staggering £2.5 million for charity and contributed to a record breaking number of donations, doing wonders for both those in need and Barlow's profile. Whilst the intentions behind the concert were undoubtedly noble, it seems that the Children in Need brand has

fallen into the same trap it does every year: promoting celebrities as much, if not more so, than the charities themselves.

Of course, anyone who gives up their time to perform at such an event should be commended, but how much do these A-listers really care about the good causes they are supposedly supporting? It seems improbable that the likes of Dappy from N-Dubz would spend their Saturdays doling out minestrone at a soup kitchen, and yet as soon as the opportunity to appear on a nationally televised charity event crops up, these fame hunters jump at the chance.

To take a deontological view, it is the end result that really matters, and raising over £26 million for good causes is a truly incredible feat. But what would really be charitable would be for these (very) part time philanthropists to offer a little bit more than just a five minute set once a year and actually give something tangible to the causes they are helping to promote. Raising funds is brilliant, but let's not kid ourselves – an im-

possibly miniscule minority of the celebrities involved will actually take any interest in how this money goes to help those in need. For the most part, walking off the stage brings an end to their humanitarian work and a misguided surge in the public's opinion of them.

It is a rather sad indictment of our celebrity obsessed culture that the sight of lady molester Gok Wan prancing about to a musical number inspires us to part with our pennies more so than any heartfelt charity infomercial. To look cynically at the Children in Need fran-

chise would be to accept that it is a product catering to a mass market with the sole intention of raising as much money as possible, and to that end, it is hugely successful. But it is embarrassing for both the musicians that endorse their new singles under a philanthropic ruse, and for the public that lap this shameless self-promotion up.

There is no end to the number of young people worldwide who need support, and it is just a shame that we need to boost so many egos and profiles in order to give them the help they desperately require.

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick

Editors - Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy

Comment & Features 7

Redbrick puts the spotlight on the censorship of the media and the need to tolerate intolerance

The fear of offending must not stifle freedom of expression Giles Longley-cook Commentator

The Mormon faith of presidential candidate Mitt Romney is becoming a matter of strong discussion in the States.

As the debate increases it is fairly apparent that the Romney gang has taken to using accusations of bigotry against anyone who questions the dubious ethics of his church, which include a history of racism and corruption practiced during Romney's adult life in the church, and thus attempting to shame critics into submission.

Threats of defamation and violence are nothing new in religious debate. Cultish rackets like Scientology are well known for their use of scare tactics and malevolent smear campaigns to intimidate anyone who opposes them.

But such abuses are certainly not restricted to these relatively small groups.

Only this month the headquarters of French satirical magazine 'Charlie Hebdo' was firebombed after containing a picture of the

prophet Muhammad, echoing the violent attacks after the Danish cartoon incident in 2005 and the 1989 Satanic Verses affair.

However terrifying the burning buildings and wild chants were in these incidents, more sinister altogether were the thuggish threats made by leaders of the Muslim world to harm nations with financial boycotts and incitements to violence if they did not curb their free press.

Whatever these leaders knew, angry mobs were easily convinced that offence against Islam was the only issue, and the fact that both Rushdie and the cartoonists had raised valid criticisms of the religion became irrelevant.

The approach or radical Islam is one of the less diplomatic forms of censorship used in religious politics, which is fitting as it is not a movement that has, or is looking for, much support from mainstream politics.

This position is better exploited by some exponents of Zionism, the movement behind the foundation of Israel.

There has been suggestion that this group uses accusations of antiSemitism to slander anyone who voices an argument against their beliefs or conduct.

However morally ambiguous the concept of a state formed on ethnic/religious purity is, it is protected under UN anti-Semitism laws and of course insisting on being a 'Jewish State' certainly helps to blur the lines of criticism and bigotry.

Being labelled an anti-Semite may not seem as awful as physical violence, but it can certainly harm the reputation and career of a politician or commentator.

Even if proven innocent one can never truly shake such an image from an audiences' mind.

Like the Danish government in 2005, the targets aimed at are more the media groups, governments and representative bodies, who will buckle rather than suffer the bad press.

Not that this is always the intention of those who use the term which, like many others, is thrown around far too freely.

But at times it can be disturbingly obvious that it's being used with a malicious agenda.

An example would be how Henry Kissinger, unable to refute the accusations of political and moral corruption put upon him by writer Christopher Hitchens, flippantly referred to him in an interview as a Holocaust denier.

Kissinger was probably aware that his claim was totally unfounded, but was counting on people taking it at face value.

The inevitable backlash from this is that the only people not left

Josie Byrne

cowering behind political correctness will be the genuine bigots who practically enjoy the label.

Groups like the EDL or Hamas can pose as lone freedom fighters, while advancing their own twisted agendas. As the holocaust slips from memory into history and the Islamist theocrats are overthrown, their influence over our freedom of speech will hopefully wane.

But the fear of reprisal is likely to haunt us like a growing phobia, and there are plenty of other political organisations ready to exploit this.

Jo Thomas

Silencing extremist ideas is inimicable to democracy Harry Burgess Commentator

Celebratory sentiment abounded on much of the Facebook page for the 'English Defence League' last Friday, the majority of which was not the solemn patriotism that is the typical accompaniment to Armistice day, but a compendium of chest beating bravado directed towards the felled and much loathed 'Muslims Against Crusades' protest group who, in an act of almost unmitigated demagogy were legally outlawed by Home Secretary Theresa May a day before.

The discourse, as is to be expected, was gated within a periphery of puerile and juvenile racial bigotry from within the ranks of the supposedly 'anti-racist' EDL. May's 'bold' move could be seen by some as calculating damage control after her shambolic relaxation of border controls which meant that criminals or (somewhat ironically) terrorists had an opportunity to enter this country unchecked – of course these two issues have little else in common, but will cer-

tainly appease those who can't differentiate illegal immigrants and Muslims, and indeed Muslims and extremist Islamists.

The issue at hand though, is that the stifling of the right to expression of any person or group via legal means represents a severing of one of the fundamental principles of any true Liberal Democracy.

The motion should invoke revilement from any person who holds the values given us by the enlightenment as an absolute necessity – this is non-negotiable if one wishes to be intellectually and morally consistent.

Muslims Against Crusades are (or, more appropriately, were) an almost unspeakably despicable group whose ululations in favour of the implementation of Sharia Law in the UK and in support of Osama Bin Laden bordered on the insane, who quite deliberately made a name for themselves last year when their quasi-ritualistic burning of poppies outside the Royal Albert Hall on Remembrance Day brought them the hatred that they

'There is a difference between an apologist for terrorism and an actual terrorist. Banning the group however, has rattled the cage of extremist Islam' simultaneously deserved, and pined for.

The banning of them was mobilised via the Terrorist Act Of 2000, which gives government the authority to ban proscribed organizations which are 'concerned in terrorism'.

Already a rather contentious

piece of legislature, an overview of the necessary criteria that must be satisfied in order to be considered 'terrorist' shows that the definition of the group as such is equally as questionable – burning poppies, however grossly offensive, is not an act of terrorism. The rather creepy and objectionable Anjem Choudary, who sits atop the organization, has on him a mouth that no individual with serious intent to commit a terrorist act would wish to acquaint themselves with for fear of arrest.

His previous outbursts that an attack on the royal wedding was 'highly likely' and that the assassination of Osama Bin Laden would cause an Islamic revolt in the country are born from an imagined prescience that calls for mockery and criticism, but terrorist he is not.

There is a difference between an apologist for terrorism and an actual terrorist Banning the group however, and as recently admitted by Choudary, has rattled the cage of extremist Islam, and though motions should never be passed on

the basis that they may incidentally provoke extremist reactions, the aforementioned rattling in this case is absolutely unnecessary and not to be desired.

The illegalisation of the group will serve only as a means by which some of their number will regroup under a different moniker (as has already happened several times with Choudary's motley crew – further underlining the futility of the motion) and others will be driven underground and into the clutches of extremist factions where they cannot be kept a watchful eye on (another specific virtue of allowing the group's existence).

It is the crucial litmus test for any Liberal nation – whether they give the most hated opinions a public podium. We cannot simply tolerate those views which we are comfortable with, and I believe the salient point in all of this comes (as they often do) from Noam Chomsky: 'If you're in favour of freedom of speech, that means you're in favour of freedom of speech precisely for views you despise.'

8 Comment & Features

Redbrick

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Editors – Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy

Putting a price on every plastic bag Luke Jones Commentator

On 1st October this year, Wales became the first nation in the UK to introduce charges for plastic disposable carrier bags, that symbol of consumerism which has been with us for decades, and was even sung about by Katy Perry. The charge is not a tax, with revenues going into the coffers of the business itself or a charity of their choice rather than the Treasury or the Welsh Government (which doesn't have the power to raise taxes); it is a charge of 5p on every bag, which is designed purely as a means of encouraging shoppers to alter their routine rather than another cynical way to balance the books. However it is not without its critics – could the rest of the UK adopt this strategy, and would this approach work for other areas of life, for example alcohol consumption?

The idea is not novel – it has been tried out in Ireland, Italy and Belgium already, with largely positive results; plus initial research into the effectiveness of the scheme in Wales suggests it is working there too, with reports of a 95 per cent drop in usage of disposable bags. A survey of shoppers by Cardiff University revealing that 70 per cent of shoppers agreed with the charge – it is not very often that one finds people are in favour of a charge such as this (ask similar questions about car parking and you would probably be greeted with abuse). Before its introduction, some sceptics argued that 5p was insufficient to change behaviour, and conversely it may lead to more usage as they

Andy Peck Commentator

Plastic bags can take up to 1000 years to decompose are around the same price as a Bag for Life, which mostly go for 10p.

However, 5p per bag on a weekly shop, at a time when the majority of us are looking after the pennies more than ever, amounts to a large amount at the tills. As a student at a university in England, I have gone home once since the change and was not only shocked by the surcharge at the end of my visit to the supermarket, but I was silently judged by the lady at the checkout and those behind me in the queue as if I was a dirty landfill-loving Jeremy Clarkson worshipper.

The proposals are only in their early stages, and they are not without their problems: for example if you ate at a fast-food restaurant,

the burger wrapper would not warrant the extra 5p, but as soon as it is placed within the outer bag – which is pretty essential if you don't want to burn your hands – the charge applies. There are also laughable inconsistencies at the grocers, where those little bags you put your apples in don't count, but those at the counter do.

Nevertheless, it does seem to be working. What is more, the immediate results have led to me reconsidering my view on which ways are best to affect people's behaviour. Other more long-term projects, such as the Drink Responsibly and Change for Life information campaigns on alcohol abuse and obesity respectively, have

hardly reaped many benefits if one takes the scene in Broad Street on a Friday night as a barometer of activity. Obviously, it is one thing to introduce a charge on plastic bags but another on food, particularly in the current economic climate.

Furthermore, there are many ingrained cultural and structural factors which need to be tackled in these areas, such as peer-pressure and psychological issues. Despite this, it may be wise of policy makers in Westminster and at local government level to consider a wider range of alternatives, including a mix of 'carrot-and-stick' and legislative measures, as well as putting adverts on TV which people simply skip through on catch-up.

A perspective on student debt Ellie Fewings Commentator

Not to sound selfish, but do we not already hear enough about debt without having to worry about the financial state of the rest of the continent? Perhaps not. Although it seems as though we will be haunted by tuition fees for the rest of our working lives, it is nothing in comparison to the debt looming over Europe.

The majority of us find our minds confounded by the Eurozone crisis. When the news stories stop their usual 'recap' to the beginning, you know that the topic is too complex to repeat. I will not try and understand or explain it.

Instead I shall make comparisons with something we are all familiar with: student debt.

If only the Eurozone debt was as easily fixed as student debt. If only the Italian and Greek governments could solve their countries problems by taking a trip to 'Home Bargains' to fund their pre-lashes.

Stories of Greek bailouts are becoming common place on news channels across Europe. The Greek economy is currently the proud recipient of 'Debt of the Year Award' with their debts reaching 142.8 per cent of their GDP. Italy was a close second with recent statistics reaching 119.4 per cent, but this should decrease now that Berlusconi is funding his own lap dancers. In this weather, it is hard to accept that the debts in Greece and Italy are closing in on us.

I am hoping that by the time I attempt to start my career, the

How do you solve a problem like...

Ageing Pop-Culture

Charlotte Wilson

economy will be covered with a giant plaster and healing nicely.

It is easy to feel as if the burdens of student life are enough to carry, but the Eurozone crisis could be about to make them a lot heavier. Although the UK is not a member of the European currency, 40 per cent of our trade is within the zone.

This crisis will cause less trade with Europe, halting economic growth. One can argue that the effects will be very similar to current financial problems. However if we contemplate the build up of debt from businesses who have survived the credit crunch, this prolonging of a resurgence could cause them to topple onto the increasing corporate scrap heap.

As for the effects on students, it means those of us hoping to enter a renaissance-economy may have to wait a little longer. But we should still count ourselves lucky.

The rise in tuition fees mean that students starting courses in 2012 will face on average £53,000 in student debt. It is almost impossible to compare these debts with that of the rest of the Eurozone.

Most universities charge their students only an enrolment fee of roughly €200 per year.

Although we may feel like we are being ripped off, we must keep some perspective. We are losing almost unnoticeable amounts off our pay cheque. If we compare this with the effect of unemployment and the unwillingness of banks to hand out mortgages and loans; student debt is the tip of a much larger iceberg.

One of The Smiths more depressing songs 'Please, please, please let me get what I want' has been covered and grafted onto this year's John Lewis Christmas advert; the unhappy, if conscientious, young people that The Smiths conjured in their songs have grown up... and we know where they shop.

The Smiths were the epitome of 1980s counter-culture, objecting to the pretentious ostentation or aspirational optimism of pop music at the time. Picking the dullest name possible, they celebrated normality, whenever gladioli was not being swung. Instead of glamorous costumes and fantastical escapism, Morrissey would wear shirt, jeans and NHS glasses while singing about the gritty realities of life: favourite themes included unrequited love, crippling shyness and being downcast, outcast and lonely.

How this fits with the eager little boy on the advert, part of the happy, middle-class, nuclear family at Christmas, waiting to give a present to his mum is only explained by the uncomfortable fact that time moves on. The people who were teenage fans of the Smiths are now in their forties, David Cameron amongst them, much to Morissey and Johnny Marr's dismay.

This will happen to our generation too. The unpopular world leaders of tomorrow the 'Harry Potterlisten andtothe musicAge of today as do futurecoinshopof Illusion' perscides of middle-class with the conglomercurrent ates with twee Christmas comgovernmental stew and mercials. media finger-pointing Two approaches to deal with over declining this have become and I standards inapparent University can't honestly say which is better. education, and the The die-hard approach requires resultant denunciation unswerving to the cause. of loyalty 'Mickey Mouse' Compilation albums,modules interviews and books all need to be heard, watched and read and solo careers followed. This culminates in the forty-something at a Morrissey gig pretending he's an angst-ridden teenager, during his weekend break from banking, with his greystreaked Morrissey quiff and NHS glasses berating me for not being born until two years after the band split. To this person the John Lewis advert is a kick in the teeth and Morrissey has sold out.

The alternative is the admittance life goes on; other bands come and go before a partner and kids appear, perhaps, or a career with a morning commute. Life distracts them and before long the radio is filled with eerie unfamiliar sounds while the 'Meat is Murder' inspired vegetarianism has dwindled to buying organic free trade food, from Waitrose. To this person, the advert sits nicely between Coronation Street and Downton Abbey, and elicits a spontaneous 'aww' and perhaps kindles a dim memory of times gone by...We have, at most, 15 years to make the most of it before the ad man cometh.

Redbrick

25th November 2011

redbrickpaper.co.uk

Editors – Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy

Comment & Features 9

Our compulsion to witness a Faustian fall from grace James Kinsey

'Like Macbeth, Gaddafi suffered from an obdurate pride and a ruthless ambition to stay in power'

Commentator

Upon discovering George Best, the Manchester United scout Bob Bishop telegrammed Matt Busby 'I think I have found you a genius'. Bishop was 100 per cent on the money. During the 1960s Best reached the pinnacle of success, winning multiple trophies, and was consistently compared with greats such as Pele. Yet tragically the man who was dubbed the 'Fifth Beatle' soon fell down a career-destroying slippery slope fuelled by gratuitous indulgence in gambling, women and alcohol which led to a life of dependency and death at the age of 59.

In Best's tragic decline we feel a sense of pity and empathy for a man who was so supremely talented yet succumbed to disease destroyed his own career and life.

Although cricketers rarely reach the giddy heights of footballers, the death of England test star Peter Roebuck last week was equally tragic. After a glittering sporting career, he became a leading figure in the charitable world, raising funds for 'Learning for a Better World' to educate underprivileged children. Yet in 2001 he received a prison sentence for caning three 19 year olds during a coaching session.

His life ended a few days ago when he jumped from the sixth floor of a hotel after another assault on a young man who claims he was groomed. Police are inter-

Dr Faustus by Christopher Marlowe viewing 16 boys who lived with Roebuck when he died.

Can we not compare such characters to tragic heroes from Literature? In Shakespeare's Macbeth, Milton's Satan and Marlowe's Dr Faustus, we see over ambitious, obdurately proud characters who relentlessly push the boundaries of ordinary existence but who predictably meet a tragic end.

Regardless of their flaws and their crimes there is something

intriguing in their demise which has canonised them in Literature.

It is easy to add publically loved sportsmen to the list of tragic heroes but can we go a step further and include recently fallen corrupt political leaders such as Silvio Berlusconi and Muammer Gaddafi?

When we think of Silvio Berlusconi, we ignore the fact that he is a titan in the media world, the owner of the largest media organisation in Italy, Mediaset, and the

118th richest man in the world as well as being the longest serving Italian Prime minister. Rather, we think of him as a fraudulent, disturbingly-coiffed licentious old man. Yet when he was forced to resign last week who could not resist a sigh at the fall of a giant who has dominated Italian politics over the past three decades?

It is hard to deny; Gaddafi was an evil man. In a reign characterised by imperialism and suppression, he attempted to unify the Northern African states by waging many wars, amongst them in 1987 the bloody war with Chad that cost $1.5 billion and saw the death of tens of thousands of soldiers. He attempted to build nuclear weapons and sponsored state terrorism.

He refused to extradite two Libyan intelligence agents involved in the Lockerbie bombings. His evil actions however reached a devastating crescendo in the brutal suppression of protestors. The worst indictment being his dishing out of Viagra to soldiers to rape women to instil fear which led to the Lib-

yan Civil war.

Yet not all Libyans condemn the man. After leading a bloodless coup of Libya in 1969 he was in power for forty-two years under the title 'King of Kings' and 'Brother Leader'. During his time literacy rates rose from 10 per cent to 90 per cent and life expectancy rose from 57 to 77. During his reign Libya became one of the most advanced and wealthiest countries in Africa.

Like Macbeth, Gaddafi suffered from an obdurate pride and a ruthless ambition to stay in power. As evil as Milton's Satan, he believed, like Faustus, in his own immortality and for 40 years he reigned supreme, playing world leaders like Blair and Bush as pieces on a chessboard. Fittingly, he was finally tracked down and shot in a sewer.

Perhaps the lasting contribution of characters from Best to Macbeth to Gaddafi is that they reset our moral compass. No matter how civilised, sophisticated and democratised we believe our world has become, society's progress has always been along a winding road, sometimes forward, sometimes backward. These flawed icons illuminate the passage, showing both where we should be going and what we should be avoiding.

But how far have we really progressed? Do we need a Best to show us that self-indulgence is ultimately self-denying, and a Gaddafi to prove that tyranny and prosperity do not go hand in hand?

A very special relationship of coercion and intimidation Niall Kempson Commentator

Like the majority of abusive relationships, one partner calls the shots and the other just tries to please them. The United States of America insists that the UK's security arrangements for the London 2012 Olympic games are inadequate, regardless of a ÂŁ600m security budget. The Defence Secretary, Phillip Hammond, has confirmed security concerns voiced by the USA. In the majority of abusive relationships, one partner will attempt to coerce and control the affairs of the other. The Assistant Commissioner of the Metropolitan Police, Chris Allison, has attempted to play down US security concerns and has denied attempted interference from the US in security arrangements. However the USA has announced it will be sending 1000 security personnel, including 500 FBI agents.

As to why the USA believes we are incapable of managing our own internal security is as irrelevant as it is insulting. Yet The 'Special Relationship' has now led us to a point where it seems perfectly rational to deploy ground-to-air missiles at the London games.

So why would having ground to air missiles situated in the middle of one of the largest cities in the world ever be a sensible idea? To that question the obvious answer is: 'To protect the athletes from Kamikaze airplanes or some kind of 9/11ish attack'. Defending the Olympic Village from a terrorist attack is obviously important, however we should not feel that we are merely doing this because the

US is having 'concerns' about our security.

No doubt the idea of missiles deployed at the games will reassure many Londoners, as Mr Hammond hopes and yet I will not be reassured by continual US interference in our affairs.

I can see the argument from the US perspective; they are worried for the safety of their diplomats and athletes and yet they are showing little regard for our capacity to ensure the safety of foreign athletes and diplomats.

Furthermore did the US tell China they were sending 1000 additional security personnel? Or does the US only believe its closest allies are incapable of maintaining domestic security?

It is not the policy of missiles deployment I find problematic. It is the way that our cousins across the pond impose ideas of this nature upon us and believe that we are somehow incapable of managing our own affairs. Further irritating and frankly unacceptable is the idea of 1000 armed US secu-

rity personnel coming to a country whose citizens are (quite rightly) denied the right to carry dangerous weapons.

The Special Relationship has clearly never been one on equal terms and it is still greatly beneficial for the UK's long-term security. A poll taken by YouGov in 2010 showed that 62 per cent of British citizens believe that the USA is our most important long-term ally and yet the same figure also believes that the USA does not consider British interests to be important.

I'm not advocating a withdrawal from The Special Relationship, as idealistically wonderful it would be for the UK to be able to stand alone as a Great Power once again it simply is not practical in an age of increased globalisation and interdependency under a treacherous economic climate.

I would hope that one day the US could learn to treat us as a partner rather than a tool in global affairs, although as the UK continues to decline I become less and less optimistic.

Cameron and Obama wave outside Number 10

10 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick

25th November 2011

Film

'Come what may, I will love you until my dying day'

Moulin Rouge! (2001)

The Beginner's Guide to... Musicals

Film News

Rosalind Fursland wraps up a few of her favourite things about melodious music movies

The Marmite of the films world – if you love them, grab your featherboas and cast recordings and be prepared to remember those sequined sensations. Even if you hate them, here are some pointers to help guide you through what can sometimes be seen as a kick-line laden den of iniquity.

Then:

If mountains, melodious Nazis, nuns and equally tuneful children are your thing, then The Sound Of Music (1965) is the place to start.

One of the highest rated musical movies of all time and jam-packed with Rodgers and Hammerstein's hummable harmonies, Julie Andrews convincingly plays the role of the convent's 'worst nun', Maria. This film has certainly earned its place in the shortlist of musical greats and will continue to delight audiences young and old for generations.

Oliver! (1968) is the lively adaptation of it's usually dolorous brother, Dickens' Oliver Twist. The Oscar-winning movie follows the trials and tribulations of orphaned Oliver (Mark Lester), as he defies expectations and escapes to London to seek his fortune. There he encounters the colourful inmates

of the sinful Victorian underworld.

'Consider Yourself' is by far the most vibrant song in the movie, with the bustling streets coming alive with a dazzling array of energetic tradesmen, singing and dancing as they undertake their duties.

Now:

Chicago (2002) is great for raising the temperature from lukewarm to H-O-T! Filled with fishnet stockings, jazzy rhythms and lashings of evil, this film can't fail to make

an impression. The conceited murderess heroine, Roxie Hart (Renée Zellweger) doesn't exactly appear the typical musical protagonist as she claws her way into the sordid spotlight of fame. The film penetrates the shadowy world of police corruption, criminal celebrity and journalistic voyeurism. This, topped off with a scintillating portrayal by Catherine Zeta-Jones of the tempestuous but vulnerable Velma Kelly, makes for just over 100 minutes of debauched deli-

ciousness.

Mamma Mia (2008) is the simple story of a girl (Amanda Seyfried) searching for her father. In doing so she discovers her mother's (Meryl Streep) diary, unearthing three potential fathers: an architect, an adventurer and a banker, all of whom she subsequently invites to her wedding and embarks on a cheesy, song-filled journey of discovery. All this and it's set on a Greek island, full of babes and hunks and is permeated with the glorious music of ABBA.

Under the Radar:

For a sneaky glimpse into the pioneering days of the musical film genre, Shall We Dance (1937) is a timeless romance and a classic Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, produced at the height of their fame. One of the most memorable scenes from the film is the fast-paced dance sequence on roller-skates followed by the songs 'Let's Call the Whole Thing Off' and 'They Can't Take That Away From Me'. This beautiful, elegantly shot film is one of the greatest from the Fred and Ginger musical reign and a stylish way to finish a musical marathon.

Five of the Best: Action movie babes

Ellie Dobson kicks butt and takes names with this sexy, no-compromise top 5

Sarah Connor

#2

1

Ellen Ripley

#

In the first Terminator film, Sarah Connor is a victim. But in Terminator 2: Judgment Day, she is a hardened warrior. This transformation is what makes Linda Hamilton's portrayal of the character so interesting. Between the films Connor goes from stereotypical damsel-in-distress to a gun-toting Valkyrie, not afraid to use her muscles or her bullets to protect her son. A true classic.

Seth Armstrong-Twigg Critic

Comedy Gold?

Following the announcement that Ricky Gervais is set to return as host for next year's Golden Globes, the controversial comic has sent out a warning to Hollywood's elite.

The British comedian has stated that he intends his performance to be 'biblical' and at least ten times more insulting than his last. It is really no surprise that the Hollywood Foreign Press Association have booked him for a third time running, judging by the mass media coverage that ensued as a result of his previous appearance.

Of epic proportions...

Jordan O'Neill

so the film G.I. Jane #4 isOK,hardly a classic. Regardless, Demi Moore's portrayal of Jordan O'Neill is pretty bad-ass. Macho, muscular and with a shaved head, she oozes testosterone. The concept, a woman trying to succeed in a Navy SEAL-style training course, is brilliant. The execution is less so, but if you like the sweat and blood of true action heroism, it's here, warts and all.

Legendary Hollywood director Stephen Spielberg is currently in talks with Warner Brothers to direct Gods and Kings, a bigbudget picture based on the life of the biblical figure, Moses.

Reportedly, the film will follow the prophet from birth, up until his death at the grand old age of 120.

The project certainly runs parallel with much of Steven Spielberg's previous work, if not least in terms of sheer grandeur, and will surely aim to surpass actor Charlton Heston's 1956 blockbuster, The Ten Commandments.

Bat hype She fights aliens, has big guns and, wearing her face bare, her hair short and her tank tops sweaty – Ripley kicks ass! It goes without saying that Sigourney Weaver challenged gender roles as Ellen Ripley in the Alien franchise, but boy-oh-boy is it refreshing to see an action heroine without a skin-tight leather catsuit and false lashes. Relying on her bravery, intellect and an enormous arsenal, Ripley is a gritty and believable character, who has deservingly gone down in film history.

Alice

Catwoman

scene. For the role of Alice Abernathy in Resident Evil she underwent a week of commando training (climbing, martial arts, weapons handling), and it certainly paid off. Bad-ass, sexy, and always looks nonchalant while smiting the un-dead. What's not to love about a woman taking on a pack of zombie dogs – and winning?

an. She's hot, charismatic, and let's face it, anyone who can lick Batman's face and get away with it has got something going for her. Punching through steel, whipping guns out of policemen's hands, looking cool while buildings explode behind her? It's all child's-play for Selena Kyle, who gives us action babe-ry in its most classic form.

Jovovich is no can dislike Mi#5 Nobody #3 Milla stranger to the action film chelle Pfeiffer as Catwom-

Hype surrounding the third instalment of the epic Batman franchise continued this week when actor Joseph Gordon-Levitt reported on his Tumblr that filming had been wrapped. Gordon-Levitt is set to play John Blake in The Dark Knight Rises, currently on course for a summer 2012 release. There has been no official confirmation that filming has finished and it may be the case that shooting has simply ended. This news, coupled with the now viral film set footage of Batman, Bane and Catwoman adds to the already huge anticipation for the film's future release.

Redbrick

Editors – Genevieve Taylor & Isidore Sanders

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Reviews The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn I Arthur Christmas UNMISSABLE

EXCELLENT

GOOD

Beth Ditzel Critic

Director: Tarsem Singh Cast: James McAvoy, Jim Broadbent, High Laurie Cert: U Ellie Picard Critic

Director: Bill Condon Cast: Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson, Taylor Lautner Cert: 12A Clichéd, melodramatic, sexy: three words to sum up the latest instalment in the Twilight franchise, which has been breaking box-office records left, right and centre.

One thing is clear: in this film, Edward (Robert Pattinson) and Bella (Kristen Stewart) are all grown up.

Director Bill Condon has dragged the series out of the high school classroom and into the bedroom – whether or not this is a good thing

is down to the individual moviegoer to decide.

It's not just any old bedroom, however: it's a bedroom with a broken bed – yes, Edward and Bella quickly get down to business after their nuptials, destroying their honeymoon suite after enduring years of pent-up passion. Other sexy highlights include Kristen Stewart's visible nipple in a skinny dipping sequence, and minute upon minute of heavy breathing and lingerie shots.

If that's not enough to convince you then maybe the thought of an intense, bone-breaking, vampirehuman-hybrid birth sequence is: of course, Bella falls pregnant after all of that violent vampire love.

Though far less bloody than its de-

scription in the book, the scene is more than a little on the gory side.

Edward even has to sink his teeth into Bella's uterus by the end of it – possibly the most surreal aspect of a birthing scene in movie history, and one that will have women everywhere requiring therapy.

If you love Twilight then you will need no convincing to see this film. Make sure you put 16 November 2012 in your diaries for the UK release of Part 2 if you haven't already done so. If you hate Twilight then you will find this instalment the funniest of the lot. Borrow the DVD off a friend when it comes out, lay down some drinking-game rules and get set for a hilarious night of carnage, copulation and cheese.

It's Christmas Eve. The current Santa (Jim Broadbent) is on his final present-delivering mission, aided by his super-organised yet ill-tempered son Steve (Hugh Laurie) and an army of seemingly S.W.A.T trained elves. When a child is left presentless however, the only person who cares is the hapless Arthur (James McAvoy).

Along with his Grand-Santa (Bill Nighy), Arthur embarks on an across-the-world sleigh ride in order to make sure that absolutely no one misses out on Christmas.

The film boasts vast amounts of British talent: those with a keen ear will recognise the voices of Imelda Staunton as the long-suffering Mrs Claus, Extras' Ashley Jensen as Bryony the Elf and the

POOR

Film 11 TRAGIC

BBC show Outnumbered's Karen (Ramona Marquez) as Gwen, the little girl at the heart of the story.

There are some elements that don't quite work: the humour is hit and miss, the mid-section of the film loses stamina and a messily thrown-in UFO sub-plot just doesn't fit. As an Aardman animation, it's odd to see the usual stopmotion clay technique not in use, which perhaps takes away some of the signature charm seen in their recent works.

Despite these flaws, Arthur's adventures provide lavish scenery (especially when they accidentally land in Tanzania), and children will love finally being able to know how Santa manages to deliver presents to every house in the world in one night.

It's not as memorable as say, Robert Zemeckis's A Christmas Carol or any recent Pixar film, but this is a heart-warming tale that the kids will adore, that comes with a simple, seasonal message of family, hope, and happiness.

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Redbrick

25th November 2011

Life&Style

Male cosmetic surgery: The rise of the 'Metrosexual' Read online at redbrickpaper.co.uk/lifestyle

Letters to your Fresher self: What you wish you'd known

Fierce & Finished Fierce Megan Nisbet Writer

You're going to realise that just because everyone else is going out to clubs, doesn't mean you have to.

Well, you probably should go, but just don't kid yourself into thinking you're going to be at your 9am lecture the following morning.

Don't worry, you will become a fantastic chef in good time, as long as you adjust 'five-a-day' to 'five-aweek' and don't care about how your food tastes.

If you're late to lectures you won't win any brownie points for creeping in the back entrance and sprinting to an inconspicuous looking back seat; you WILL trip over and your lecturer WILL draw attention to the whole sorry affair by assuring you (speaking into a microphone that he doesn't use at any other point in the lecture) that 'nobody saw'. And you'll have to sit there for the rest of the hour trying to fan your fuchsia face back to a normal colour, not learning anything at all. If late, stay in bed.

Dear Fresher self, As we are approaching the end of the first semester at University, Sarah Musgrove asks some older and wiser second and third years to share the lessons they've learnt from their Fresher experiences...

The golden rule is not to sleep with the 'Hollister' model / Rugby it-boy in your halls (particularly if they are both). The chances are he's also seeing the majority of other girls on campus and you're the only one who doesn't know about it. He will be everywhere you go, you will bump into him at the most unfortunate of times. That long distance relationship from home is seeming more appealing by the day...

It gets better. You will, one day, have a clean kitchen. Detergent IS essential to washing – clothes or crockery. Your flatmates aren't necessarily life-long friends, but the people who scare you the most are probably the ones worth getting to know. Never turn down a game of Monopoly. Google 'Monopoly drinking games'. Dye your hair, kiss five people in one night, throw up in your friend's trousers. Because these are all things you'll be excused for now, but are not socially acceptable in later life.

It's 'Sno' wonder we love Topshop!

Lucy Whife Writer

Can Topshop do no wrong? Just as I realise the Brumski Val d'Isère trip is imminently looming and panic that, as a skiing-newbie, I still don't know the difference between salopettes and cellotape, Phillip Green comes to my rescue and Topshop launches the muchanticipated, affordable 'sno' range.

We are now able to pop into our favourite high-street store and purchase all the necessary skiing essentials any girl could want, including ski trousers, jackets, gilets, thermals and ski leggings. Convenient is an understatement! A much-acclaimed designer from A/W London Fashion Week, Ashish, has ditched his trademark tartan fabric and sequin embellishments to collaborate with Topshop's 'sno' range and has designed a 9-piece collection which was also included in their flagship store last week.

His collection is predominantly animal-print. 'I love leopard print,' he explains, 'and I thought it would be really fun to do matchy-matchy leopard print ski-pants and puffer jackets' – as well as thermals and ski-coats.

Ashish has also branched out to put the statement animal print on bum-bags and rucksacks; the predicted returning trends for Spring/Summer next year.

If, however, the snow-leopard look is too adventurous, or maybe you are looking to purchase some

après-ski attire, Ashish has also designed desirable over-sized tees.

The sweaters display tongue-incheek, Katharine Hamnett-esque slogans of 'Piste Off', 'Chalet Come With You' and 'Snow Bored'. They are cute, comfortable and, at an affordable £40-£60 price range, well affordable with the student loan.

Ski-wear is as much about being comfortable as it is about being chic and, credit to the brand, Topshop have not substituted practicality for fashion. All of their ski-coats and gilets include fleece lining and snow skirts to keep you snug on and off the slopes, as well as an unlimited amount of pockets to store all the snowy essentials – there is no excuse to be unprepared

Nights in with the housemates – The cold dark winter nights have made the trek from Selly Oak to Fab almost unbearable. Film marathons and hot chocolates with the girls seem like a much better alternative for a Saturday night.

'Tis the season to be sparkly – Glittery party dresses and embellishment are in this season. Fashion's gone festive, embrace it!

Spiceal Street opening – With a range of new eateries opening on the 24th in the Bullring such as Browns, ChaoBaby and Handmade Burger Co, why not splurge the last of the student loan trying out these delicious restaurants?

Coca Cola advert – First sightings are always the most exciting, never too early to get into the Christmas spirit!

Finished Geraldine Tovey

Sadie Palmer and Esther Newman Writers

AHISH at Topshop £55

SNO at Topshop £95

Campus Street Style

German Market – Celebrating its 10th anniversary right in our city centre, it's definitely an event not to be missed.

for a ski-session without your ski pass, lip balm and sunscreen.

And for those of you who are not jetting off this winter, Topshop still offers some of the most stylish winter-wear available in the Bullring. Their collection of luxurious knits, faux-fur coats and fuzzy warmers ear muffs, cossacks, and woolly turbans leaves nothing to be desired.

So whilst Kate Moss and Middleton will, without a doubt, be sporting designer winter-wear this season, both on and off the slopes, we may well just about keep up.

Thank you, Topshop, for allowing me to make my skiing debut in style!

Robbie, an English and Drama student, looks ever so dapper with his coat and trilby combo.

Robbie keeps his outfit simple: brown leather lace-up desert style boots, combined with black skinny fit jeans are a pair headed for everlasting success.

His grey, mid-length woollen coat is practical and, by allowing a peak of his Ben Sherman tee to come through, Robbie has perfectly combined classic and fashion pieces. Finally, the brown trilby is a head piece embraced by men from Frank Sinatra to Russell Brand – Robbie appears to have joined an ever so stylish pack.

Writer

Patterned leggings – Girls, I assure you, leopard print leggings are not flattering, and they make you look like Kesha's trampier cousin.

Diets – Ditch the salads and have a hearty meal to provide winter warmth. A fantastic excuse to stock up on the carbs.

High street prices – I for one do not expect the average jumper from Primark to cost £16. And don't even get me started on Topshop…

Broad Street – Try having drinks at the Jewellery Quarter or Brindley Place instead for a more refined atmosphere.

Short loan books – The bane of any Humanities student's life.

Why should we have to hand in our books before 11 when our lecture isn't until 2?

Pixie Lott – With her album sales being less than stellar, and her second single dropping out of the top ten after one week, Pixie doesn't seem to have a Lott of fans any more.

Sadie Palmer

Bare legs – Going outside without tights just isn't an option any more.

Oh Marc! Risqué beauty ad banned

telegraph.com/fashion Amy Wakeham Writer

Scandal and fashion: two words that have always been synonymous. Galliano's racist slur, Naomi in her furs, size zero models and, not least, Cocaine Kate. However, as Marc Jacobs was forced to chuck his 'Lola' perfume ad, featuring a 17 year old Dakota Fanning holding a perfume bottle between her legs, the world has had to acknowledge that this scandal is a little seedier.

In recent years there have been frequent protests against the sexualisation of children, a debate that came to a head when Primark was forced to withdraw its padded bras and bikini tops for children as young as seven. Today, the scandal rages on with the Marc Jacobs ad-

Life&Style 13

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick Editors – Sophie Cowling & Lara Edwards

vert branded 'sexually provocative' and accused of 'sexualising children': an accusation that the ad definitely deserved.

A blonde, youthful Dakota Fanning leans back with a provocative look in her eyes, and an enlarged perfume bottle clutched between her legs. The tag line reads 'Oh, Lola!' an arguable reference to Nabokov's paedophilic classic 'Lolita'; Dakota's pink, translucent chiffon dress and blonde hair could have been lifted directly from the text.

So what prompted Marc Jacobs to believe for a second that such an advert would be acceptable? In this case, it has to be said that the roots of this scandal are part of a deeper malaise, a complaint that is affecting the fashion industry as a whole. It can be argued that the sexualisation of child stars within fashion has become so commonplace that it is now unremarkable.

The perfume ad may have been taken down, but this month Dakota and her 13 year old sister Elle are featured in countless fashion magazines, including Vogue, and front the December edition of W magazine. Are they wearing clothes meant for children?

No, they are wearing this season's most expensive couture: Chanel, Valentino, Dior.

Undoubtedly beautiful, but should they really be worn by children? These clothes are designed and produced with a woman's body in mind; to flaunt it, adorn it and especially to celebrate it. How-

ever, by putting a 13 year old and a 17 year old in such clothes embodies them with the same sexuality as that of a woman, giving them the same sexual appeal.

There is one image in December's W magazine that haunts me the most. Elle Fanning pouts prettily in a figure hugging, low cut Rodarte sequined gown, her chest only just covered by flimsy panels of chiffon.

This child star is 13 years old, and yet she looks about 10 years older; of all the scandals currently rocking the fashion industry, it has to be said that this is the most shameful. Hopefully, with the uproar that the disastrous Marc Jacobs ad and the Primark bras have caused, there will soon be a widespread realisation that the sexualisation of children and child stars is not okay.

Our fondest memories of childhood are often the most innocent: splashing through puddles in your wellies; covering yourself in mud building dens and ripping your clothes climbing the tallest tree. Only when the fashion industry realises that such memories are more precious than any Valentino dress will it stop dressing children up in such provocative clothing.

suicideblonde.tumblr.com

Fighting the 'Fresher Fifteen' Charlotte Haylett Writer

One of the best things at Birmingham University (alongside the great campus, the extensive library and the Starbucks in Muirhead Tower) would have to be the nightlife. Since studying at Birmingham it's fair to say I have been exposed, to a much larger clubbing scene.

In first year I lived by the rule that 'you can always re-sit the exam but never the party' – needless to say, it was a great year! One factor, however, that I could have done without was the weight I gained throughout my first three semesters here.

Yes, the 'Fresher Fifteen' (the so called fifteen pounds students gain during their first year of Uni) happens to the best of us, and a major contributing factor of this could indeed be the calories consumed with excessive drinking on nights out.

To test this theory I decided to add up the amount of calories consumed in my most recent night out. When accounting for all alcohol consumed that evening I was appalled that, in total I managed to drink a whopping 803 calories.

Your night in numbers: Half a bottle of white wine= 278kcals 1 Vodka & Redbull= 139kcals 2 Malibu & Diet Coke= 200kcals

In order to burn this all off you would have to run for 80 minutes, which to be perfectly honest is the last thing anyone feels like doing when hungover!

So what drinks should be dodged to avoid the muffin top?

Although cheap, beverages such as snakebites and cider contain the equivalent of eating one burger, and can contain up to 250kcals.

Anything that doesn't particularly taste like alcohol (aka alcopops) are a particular no-go when wanting to cut down, as the sugar content in them exceeds the alcohol content substantially. When looking at what wine to choose, white wine comes off as the most calorific, followed by rosé and red.

It would require about 55 minutes of running to burn off a bottle.

Certain spirits, however, seem to be the best when looking to minimise calorie intake on a night out.

Gin, vodka and tequila come out as the least calorific at 54kcals a shot.

Choice of mixer should also be considered, as adding energy drink to complement the spirit can double the amount of calories consumed when compared to a 'diet' form of mixer. A final crucial thing to avoid when attempting to have a healthier night out is, unfortunately, the infamous Rooster House.

If you want to learn more then have a look at the 'unit calculator' at www.drinkaware.co.uk where you can assess the number of calories and units in a range of beverages.

It may well be that secret weapon in order to combat the dreaded 'Fresher Fifteen'!

14 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick

25th November 2011

Arts

I always thought I'd like my own tombstone to be blank. No epitaph, and no name. Well, actually, I'd like it to say 'figment'.

-Andy Warhol

Autumn Almanac With its diverse array of events over a weekend, including three fixed artistic exhibitions and a handful of original oneoff events, Redbrick Arts looks at the cultural extravaganza that is the Ikon gallery's Autumn Almanac.

Charlotte Bagwell Critic

'Ikon' is the perfect name for this hidden gem, located in Oozells Square, off Broad Street.

The Gallery has recently been hosting its Autumn Almanac, an extravaganza featuring a wide range of artistic and cultural genres. The Ikon states in its guide to the Almanac that it is 'a place for artists, filmmakers and musicians', and this was certainly reflected in the events of the weekend.

The Almanac consisted of three constant exhibitions interspersed with a number of extra one-off events.

The three fixed exhibitions include Oliver Beer's The Resonance Project: Pay and Display, What To Do In An Emergency by Stephen Earl Rogers and a display of posters of previous exhibitions at the Ikon Gallery. The extra events included musical performances by a range of artists, film showings and even a slow boat ride with local musicians.

Beer's The Resonance Project: Pay and Display originated as a musical venture, however a visual display has since been filmed. What started as a collaboration between the Ikon and Ex Cathedra choir, to conceive a sound piece at Birmingham's Pershore Street Car Park, has developed into Pay and Display.

The project uses the human voice to resound off buildings, essentially using these structures as instruments. While the music may sound beautiful, the visual installation is not as strong, constantly cutting close ups of architectural structures with long shots of the city, which after a short time becomes tedious.

Rogers' What To Do In An Emergency, however, is much more vibrant and even educational, seeing as the art has origins in an instructional article of the same name. There is also an air of humour to the exhibition, which is needed after the sombre nature of Pay and Display.

The oil on canvas works are incredibly detailed and, unusually for an oil painting, a wash effect has been created, which is evocative of a memory. The lack

Stephen Earl Rogers, When Clothes Catch Fire

of background with a focus on figures coincides with this.

The bright colours, however, cleverly contrast with this theory of memory, while the white background of the exhibition room means that the use of colour seems even more vibrant. Stylistically some of the works are reminiscent of Warhol in the pop art style, whilst others seem to be the artist's own interpretation.

The Ikon Posters is the final branch of the three main exhibitions. The posters were selected by the Ikon's director Jonathon Watkins, stressing the varying array of work and artists that the Ikon exhibits.

It also highlights the different areas of art that the Ikon supports by exhibiting these works, and also the weight that the gallery carries with being able to exhibit local artists, along with more well known names. The posters come from a number of different exhibitions over the last eleven years and range from Andy Warhol's The Eternal Now to eighteenth century prints by Kitagawa Utamaro.

The extra events are also a one-off experience. On the 17th it was kicked off with 7 Inch Cinema, a series of short films documenting events throughout modern history happening on the 17th November.

On the 18th there was the chance to listen to music while examining the displays, a contrast between the reggae music playing and the European style of the works. The slow boat ride on the 19th aims to display local musicians, while high class is added to the event by the Birmingham Contemporary Music Group who, on the 20th, perform Luciano Berio's Duetti.

Overall, the Autumn Almanac is an excellent showcase for local and national artists in a variety of artistic genres, all laid out in a beautiful and modern setting.

With such a broad range of interests covered, anyone should be able to find a part of the Autumn Almanac that appeals to their own particular interest.

The Ikon Gallery has produced a spectacular showcase that hopefully will appear in their calendar again next year.

Will Hunter speaks to the creative team behind the Ikon Slow Boat, available exclusively online, now.

Arts Online Exclusive Articles The highlights of this week's exclusive online content includes a review of a performance by seminal jazz bassist Steve Swallow's quintet, a preview of 'the world's most successful rock and roll musical' Buddy.

Literature Poll Redbrick Arts continues its search for the University's favourite fictional character, with suggestions ranging from Tin Tin to Tyler Durden.

Shout Festival As this year's Shout Festival begins to wind down, Redbrick Arts continues its coverage with film reviews, live-blogging and interviews. Go online to find out about free events near you.

Redbrick

Editors – Alexander Blanchard & Lexie Wilson

3BUGS presents: Still Life at The Victoria

Katie Rose Critic

It is always strange encountering the stage performance of a work that has enjoyed the silver screen success and cinematic recognition of Noel Coward's classic, Brief Encounters. Whilst the original script, that of short play Still Life, has been faithfully adapted in Brief Encounters, the text functions differently under the glare of Hollywood than it does under the soft lighting of an intimate theatre such as The Victoria.

One of the most basic but notable achievements of 3BUGs' performance was the simplicity of the whole affair; the way in which the very personal quality of the text took centre stage once more and was allowed to resonate in its original raw, anguished tones.

Indeed, Still Life is a play centred upon themes of repressed, forbidden love. It is about a chance meeting, a fleeting glance at the way things could have been. It is about recognising the counterpart to one's soul in the eyes of a stranger who will remain forever out of reach due to unmovable circumstances.

Told in hindsight through the use of flashback, the play charts

the affair which ensues between housewife Laura and married doctor Alec after their unforeseen meeting in a railway station cafe.

Interesting in the exploration of this, was the inclusion of frequent musical interjections within the dialogue, used effectively to provide expression for those moments where words would seem insufficient, for the silent exchanges of passion that in themselves embody love. These were the most cherished moments of the drama, vocalist Anna Cartright providing a beautiful backdrop to the silent interplay of lust and infatuation constantly at work in the subtle acting of Polly Scates and Hal Geller.

Having said this, I did not feel I gravitated towards the lovers and their plight until the very end of the play. It was perhaps Coward's intention to set the plot up in this way, drawing us in from a point of observation to a point of personal involvement at the crucial moment of collapse, the lovers' final meeting.

All considered, the cast and production team of 3BUGs should be congratulated for their sensitive handling and effective portrayal of Still Life. The evening was a great success.

Arts 15

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Article 19 presents: After the Dance at Deb Hall

Lexie Wilson Arts Editor

Article 19's latest production, Rattigan's After the Dance, tells the story of the shattering of the illusions and pretences of a group of socialites trapped in a hangover from the 'Roaring Twenties', and their wrestling with their years of miscommunication and bad decisions, in a last ditch attempt to forge themselves a future.

Director Nathan CrossanSmith's second play, it is as accomplished and emotionally weighty as his debut. His reputation for strong, character-centred direction is only augmented in the subsequent unfolding of the pseudo romance between the once brilliant historian David Scott Fowler, and his nephew's fiancée Helen.

In a drama so centred around a love story that speaks beyond the two people involved, the focus on each actor having an indelible understanding of their own character ensures that it remains captivating throughout.

Occasionally gestures seem awkward where, ideally, it would have been warm, and a few lines were delivered lacking momentum behind them, but it was an undeniably strong cast all round.

The show was stolen, however, by Lucy Lee with her portrayal of spurned wife Joan Scott Fowler; rendering her simultaneously supercilious and heartbreakingly vulnerable with the subtlest of gestures and looks.

Chazz Redhead's performance as John Reid was equally notable, demonstrating his versatility as an actor in his moving fluidly and almost imperceptibly quickly between an offhand sarcasm and vocalising the most consequential and poignant lines in the play.

The attention to detail is the real hallmark of excellence in this production, with care taken to ensure that the smallest movements of every cast member rings authentic, delicately preserving the intricately replicated world of the 1930s created in the midst of the Guild.

The production team have gone above and beyond to guarantee that every loaded subtlety in the text is mirrored in the play's production.

The set itself demonstrates this dedication beautifully, even down to the O'Keefe and Constable replica on the wall, a pertinent visual reminder of the oppositions and tensions between the old guard and their modern successors.

The Footnotes present: A Comedy Tour of Birmingha-ha-ha Jake Pembroke Critic

Saturday's promise of an alternative view on life in Birmingham was music to the ears of anybody sick of being dragged to the same old Broad Street clubs.

As with any other major city, Birmingham has so much more to offer than is usually visible to the unguided eye and Saturday's tour sought to highlight the very best of this city's underbelly. Many would be forgiven in thinking that the Bull Ring, New Street and Broad Street represented the extent of what living in Birmingham has to offer but to think like this would be to miss out on the masses of opportunity this city has to offer to those who dare to

delve a little deeper.

Our guide was Richard Higgs, a mainstay in the Birmingham Footnotes comedy society, and advocate of all things alternative. The tour started outside the Sunflower Lounge, best known for Wednesday night pre-Snobs parties, and allowed those who attended the tour to begin their exploration of Birmingham in an easy fashion; browsing Nostalgia comic book store and the nearby record shop, whilst those in tail probe Richard for details of the upcoming tour.

Seeking to expose an alternative view of Birmingham to that traditionally offered by the ubiquitous 'Freshers' events, the tour takes us to the finest places Birmingham has to offer, from the exotic restaurants of the Chinese Quarter to the Electric Cinema, and for those willing to stay the whole hog, pubs such as The Victoria and Jekyll & Hyde, by way of 6/8 Kafé

(providing the tour with a brief incursion into the underground art scene in Birmingham) and definitely the best coffee I have ever tasted.

After a brief detour through the Great Western Arcade, the tour loses a few followers, but takes us through Cyber Candy and the Oasis market, before officially ending at the Jekyll and Hyde pub.

For those willing to go the distance, the tour highlights some of the unseen gems of Birmingham life, those gems often overlooked in the hustle and bustle of acclimatising to university life in first year, and even presents those who have spent a long time in Birmingham with new horizons and places to explore.

Overall, if you are willing to look beyond the better known areas of Birmingham to discover a completely different approach to life in this city, this tour provides the perfect introduction to making your own way through Birmingham city life, and I would thoroughly

recommend anybody interested in interpreting city life in a more original fashion to check out the places mentioned in this article; you will not be disappointed.

There is far more to our city than meets the eye.

Previews

Birmingham Royal Ballet: The Nutcracker

The Hippodrome 25th Nov – 30th Dec £16

Their Wonderlands mac

26th Nov – 29th Jan Free

Watch This presents: 48 Hour Pantomime

The Underground 27th Nov £4

The Victoria

'Cool and often packed. A pub with an excellent selection of spirits and small gigs'

Cafe Chino

'Brilliant Asian cafe and artisan bakery'

Electric Cinema

'The UK's oldest cinema. Great selection of arty, commercial and cult films, plus homemade cakes and absinthe in the licensed bar'

Christmas Extravaganza

Town Hall 1st December £12

Word Up!

The Drum 1st December £3

16 redbrickpaper.co.uk

25th November 2011

Television

Redbrick

Jenna Kirby looks at the life of Rolf Harris www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/television

A gap yah to remembah: meet the real Orlando Aisha Bushby talks to 'Gap Yah' star and YouTube sensation Matt Lacey about his alter ego Orlando and the success of his new book WHO IS ORLANDO CHAMON?

HOW DID HE BECOME A NET SENSATION?

'The character of Orlando is a composite of people I met or knew who were at university with me. It really just started off as me doing a bit of a silly voice, trying to take the mick out of the more posh friends of mine. Because I was writing and performing comedy, I started to flesh it out a bit and would just write down the silly things that I would hear people say or do, so it came from that. I was once in the queue for a nightclub in Oxford and there were a gaggle of gilets up in front of me, and suddenly I saw a guy vomiting into the front garden of a local grocery. His friends were just squealing 'Oh Tarquin has just vommed and chundered!' So it's kind of written from life. There is a real Orlando, who is a friend of a friend: I'm not sure he knows what he inspired! I met him at a party and he was so posh and his vowels were so lazy that I genuinely thought his name was Miranda.'

'The

Unexpected Items had been going for just about a year when we put up the 'Gap Yah' video. It was one of three sketches we put up and we'd never really put anything up on the internet before so in terms of expectations, there were really none.

You would have to be a bit of a lunatic to think you could sit down in someone's front garden and film any sketch and think that it would get the sort of response that 'Gap Yah' got. It's crazy to think we had half a million views in the first month it aired and have had four million hits to date. I've got used to it but it was certainly surreal to start off with. It sat there for two weeks and no one really watched it, and it was just one Friday two weeks later that it suddenly went from 1,000 views to 40,000 views in a day. I don't know why, I think people just started sharing it on Facebook. The first time I got recognised was the weirdest; a guy came up to me in Tesco in Elephant and Castle and just said, 'Saw you on the internet, very funny,' and then walked off. I was there with my Branston pickle, being like, what?

I might have been expecting it more on the King's Road but not in Elephant and Castle!'

WHAT ELSE IS IN THE PIPELINE? 'The project now is getting new, fresh comedy out there.

As for putting new characters on YouTube, it's quite a difficult launching pad. I was extraordinarily lucky. Finding new characters to be taken on in the same way would be lightning striking twice. I'd been doing lots of different characters before I had Orlando and I will continue to do so afterwards in my live shows with The Unexpected Items. For me, it's a great place to try out new stuff and there's a really vibrant comedy scene in London and around the UK. You just see it when you come up to Edinburgh and how many talented people are there flogging their way alongside you. I also do a very half-baked impression of Alan Rickman that's quite fun, it's basically an acting master-class with a difference – I turn into a snake on stage! I'm pursuing different characters but Orlando has been very kind to me. People have been kind to him and I've benefited anyway. I'm not willing to just put him to bed for the sake of it and abandon him just yet.'

There is a real Orlando...I'm not sure he knows what he inspired!

WHAT IS THE BOOK ABOUT? 'It's like a scrapbook that Orlando keeps of his 'gap yah'.

It's very varied and mixed; there's a lot of different things in there. There's a guide to the countries – I researched each country and tried to find as many weird things that I could about it, and it's kind of written in that Lonely Planet style; that style of 'check out this restaurant', the way Lonely Planet is written, it thinks it's your mate. Some of it is written from Orlando's perspective in diary entries, and then there's emails from his parents and friends and just bits that have stuck to the book, like beer mats. It's also illustrated by Orlando - well, by me anyway. It's quite varied and very visual. I'm sure a lot of people might look at it and wonder how a three minute video clip is going to be sustained in a book. I would encourage them to pick it up and read it – I really do think there's a lot more to it than just that. It came together after I was approached by a couple of publishers at the end of my Edinburgh run last year, and they asked if I had thought about writing a book. I went into a meeting with them, got a literary agent, wrote a 7,000 word book proposal, and Harper Collins went and published it.'

Lacey's book, Gap Yah Plannah is on sale now for an RRP of £12.99

If you can't stand the heat, get outta the kitchen Matthew Clemens and Eliott Rhodes discuss Masterchef's celebrity and professional spin offs. Debates don't get tougher than this!

Matthew says

PROFFESIONALS

There are several grounds for why Masterchef: The Professionals is better than its celebrity counterpart, but one sticks out like a sore thumb with a booming siren attached, and that's, quite simply,

the celebrities. Since the beginning of the noughties, celebrity mania has progressively worsened, infecting our television screens like a strain of untreatable bird flu. As a result, virtually every popular show nowadays is inevitably accompanied by a dull celebrity edition, but Masterchef

bucks the trend. Another reason for its success is Michel Roux Jr. Now, this isn't to say that John Torode isn't missed during the professionals, because let's face it, he's a legend. But for the pros, Michel adds a touch of class with his passion for fine dining and undeniable brilliance as a chef and a critic.

Tough nut sous-chef Monica Galetti puts contestants through their paces with her tense skill tests, adding a touch of romance with her flirting with co-host eggy Greggy. And the ever enlightening Michel brings gastro grub to the masses with 'how-to' examples of his favourite classic dishes.

All in all, it's fair to say that Masterchef: The Professionals kicks its celebrity sibling in the proverbial rump and makes for a far more entertaining show.

Eliott says CELEBRITIES Masterchef's celebrity offspring has given a new lease of life into the food-on-television market, taking an assortment of relatively well known people and turning them into quivering wrecks at the sight of a fried egg on toast.

These are people who have appeared on television countless times, taken part in world cup finals, and acted in a variety of high pressure dramas who are reduced to sweat and tears by Gregg (who loves a bit of puddin') and John Torode. It seems crazy that having to make a fairy cake sends these celebs into meltdown given the high stakes they are used to in their professional careers, but these mini mental breakdowns make for great television nonetheless.

It's a cruel pleasure to watch

them crumble under the intense pressure that they have voluntarily put themselves under, and the ridiculous nature of how seriously they take it over the course of the show adds to the high drama of the programme. Blood, sweat and tears make for a far greater televison recipe than any tarte tatin.

Its professional sister show just doesn't have the same element of humour that these high(er) profile guests provide, and it's far too serious for it's own good. It lacks the light hearted joie de vivre of the celebrity version, as well as the big names and even bigger stakes for these image conscious folk.

The word celebrity always makes things slightly better, (like Big Brother, or Mastermind) and this is all too true when it comes to the brilliant Masterchef.

Redbrick

Editors – Charlotte Lytton & James Moore

TV News

Television 17

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

New reality show Mama Drama has been picked up.

It will feature mothers who choose to be friends with their 18 year old daughters.

Christine Bleakley has been announced as the replacement for Holly Willoughby on Dancing on Ice.

Made in Chelsea has been renewed for a third series of 10 episodes, along with a 90 minute Christmas special.

Children in Need 2011: The round-up Russell Webb looks at the highlights of this year's fundraiser

M nd A

us ic

M

TV

The Outnumbered children also did a musical performance, whilst DIY SOS did a special 'big-build', and there was a special edition of Russell Howard's Good News and a tough challenge for The Choir.

The Eastenders cast contributed with a traditional music number. This year it was a Queen medley: the female members performing Another One Bites The Dust, whilst the males did I Want To Break Free.

They joined together for a performance of Bohemian Rhapsody and Radio Gaga.

or e

The yearly charity television extravaganza aired last Friday, hosted, as usual, by Sir Terry Wogan, and accompanied by Tess Daly, Alesha Dixon and Fearne Cotton. The show was opened

by One Direction with their hit single What Makes You Beautiful in one of two performances.

The show was on for a huge six hours until the early hours of Saturday night, in which there was a mixture of musical performances, TV previews and special versions of well-loved shows such as Dragon's Den. As well as music from chart topping artists such as JLS and Susan Boyle, the casts of The Wizard of Oz and Rock of Ages (including Justin Lee Collins and Shayne Ward) treated the audience to a taste of what their shows contained.

A mainstay of Children In Need has always been the antics of the BBC news-readers.

This year, instead of putting on a musical number, they stepped into the shoes of the contestants of Strictly Come Dancing to put on a oneoff show. A further change was the audience - for this special edition, the majority of it was made up of children.

For Dr Who fans, there was a little sketch conducted by Matt Smith, as well as a sneak preview of the Christmas episode that is becoming a customary feature each year.

This year's single Teardrops was performed by The Collective, which included X Factor star Tulisa. One of her colleagues, Gary Barlow, also put on a special concert in Manchester in aid of this fantastic charity – a concert that featured some of the biggest names of the current music scene.

All this and more has been put onto the BBC iPlayer website so you can watch it for the first time or relive the highlights.

Reviews: Your guide to the week's shows Pan Am

In the first episode we are introduced to the characters and their connections with each other. First we meet Maggie, who is called to steward on the flight after we learn Bridget is mysteriously no longer an air-hostess for the airline.

She's joined by Laura, who is escaping 'to see the world' after leaving her husband on her wedding day and her sister Kate who has been recommended by

previous agent, Bridget, to take over her CSI position.

We next meet the French beauty, Colette, who adds tension to the mix when her lover is on the flight with his family. We also witness the co-captain's complex relationship with Bridget.

The episode sets in motion the turbulence and drama that we expect in future from the Pan Am ladies.

Queen's Hidden Cousins people with disabilities were imprisoned and kept out of the way of the rest of society.

They both stayed in Royal Eastwood Hospital: then an asylum for 'imbeciles' and 'idiots'.

The Bowes-Lyons were erased from their family history, which recorded the hidden sisters as dead whilst they were still alive.

When their story came to light in 1987, due to the actual death of Nerissa, the Bowes-

Lyon family claimed that this mis-recording was down to a mistake due to vagueness in the paperwork.

All in all, this documentary shed a light on the fact that the Royal family's perfect façade has many secrets hidden beneath it.

This story is probably the tip of the iceberg in terms of royal secrets, and if any more stories do come to light, Channel 4 should probably steer clear from producing them.

with a heart-warming domestic scene featuring the heavily pregnant Brennan and Booth.

These two contrasting scenes sum up their unconventional relationship; drawn together by their work solving murder cases, Brennan and Booth are complete opposites who are undeniably supposed to be together.

The episode follows the pair as they work to solve this case from a forensic and psychological angle.

Temperance Brennan, who has always been known for her strongly rational side, is thrown off as pregnancy hormones hijack her emotions, and the couple disagree about how far they want to take their relationship.

Overall, the premiere of this series of Bones will satisfy all Bones fans. The on-screen relationships develop in a touching manner, whilst there is no compromise on the quality of the forensic cases.

Charlotte Goodwin Critic

Pan Am is the new American airline drama series that has taken off on our TV screens, set in the glamorous 1960s aboard the new Boeing 707 Clipper Majestic. The high end airline follows the lives of the pilots and stewardesses as they fly from America to London.

Nadia Dillon Critic

Channel 4 is not known for its hard hitting documentaries, but The Queen's Hidden Cousins breaks the mould.

The documentary depicts the tale of the Queens' 'hidden' cousins, Katherine and Nerissa Bowes-Lyon, who were shunned by the Royal family at the age of 15 and 22, during a period where

Bones Jenna Kirby Critic

Bones has always offered a balance between suitably gory and intriguing forensic cases, and the emotionally compelling relationships between the show's characters.

The first episode of the seventh series opens with a decomposing body found by paintballers in a forest, juxtaposed

18 redbrickpaper.co.uk

25th November 2011

Music Grime Time Jukebox

Redbrick

Bruce Springsteen announces new album tour www.pitchfork.com/news

Should Nicki Minaj clean up her act?

Jonathon Milnes Critic

Tamara Roper Music Editor

Lethal Bizzle – Pow Probably the least serious in this list, don't even deny that you know as many words as your ill versed tongue can manage to rap. Lethal Bizzle once had the audacity to take to the stage at Download, Britain's best known metal festival. Subsequently, he got bottled.

That he had the bravado to even try to wow the Children of Bodom fans is worth a place in my heart.

JME – Serious Front man of London's best known grime collective, Boy Better Know, Jamie Adenuga rose to fame with his disarmingly frank 'Serious' in 2007. Funny, straight laced and wise beyond his teen years', JME addresses fakers and the realities of making a good record. Bop your head to the beat together now.

Foreign Beggars – Hold On At least with every other song on this playlist you can try and pretend to rap along. Throw in the occasional word, nod your head and try and look like you mean business. Foreign Beggars separate those who know what they're doing from those who don't. Taken from their debut, Asylum Speakers, 'Hold On' still sounds as sharp as it did nearly a decade ago.

Dizzee Rascal – Round We Go Before he became alarmingly arrogant and started making songs with Calvin Harris, Dizzee Rascal was really young and hugely talented. He was just out of school when his debut Boy in da Corner beat The Darkness and Radiohead to win the 2003 Mercury Music Prize. Since then, Dizzee has reached a level of success that has admittedly changed his music for probably the worst. Still, put this on and remember happier days.

For more content, including live reviews of The Darkness, Lisa Hannigan, Death Cab For Cutie and an interview with Pigeon Detectives, visit: www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/music Contact us: music@redbrickpaper.co.uk Twitter – @redbrickmusic Facebook – Redbrick Music

Even the most dedicated of indie kids are unable to resist the urge to attempt the latest Nicki Minaj rap. Everybody knows her, and everybody loves her and it is this that worries me most. With three Teen Award nominations, multiple chart hits and collaborations with some of teen-pops' biggest stars (Rihanna, Guetta and Britney to name a few) the New York born rapper left her underground hip-hop status behind with the release of her chart topping debut Pink Friday.

You only have to witness the latest Youtube sensation, eightyear-old Sophie Grace covering 'Super Bass', to realise the impact Nicki's music has had on kids around the world. This girl is undeniably talented, yet there is something perverse and sobering about seeing a young child singing 'he cold, he dope, he might sell coke'. Even more concerning is that this is arguably Minaj's least explicit record to date.

Fast-forward a few months: after returning from a worldwide arena tour supporting Britney

Spears, Minaj recently released a collaboration with one of Kanye's prodigies, Big Sean. Like everything she does, she slays her verse making an awful record semi-decent, yet the lyrics, if not more vulgar, equal those of her arch-enemy Lil' Kim and the famously explicit Khia. She raps 'kiss my ass and my anus' before stating how she 'tell 'em p-ssy clean, tell 'em p-ssy squeaky'.

What frightens me is that millions of kids, like Sophie Grace, will go online looking for the next Nicki hit and find this. Minaj, like many others in today's music industry, needs to realise the impact her music now has and that as a female mega-star she has a responsibility. She chose to leave the underground hip-hop scene for bigger things, and it was obviously the right decision, yet I question whether she can dominate both areas and please both fan bases.

Album Reviews 9 Drake

Tamara Roper Music Editor

I first heard Nicki Minaj when she lent her lyrics to Kanye West's hit 'Monster'. I was taken aback at the ferocity of her flow and in the way she spits out the words, which make the track brilliant. I expected to hear more of the same on her debut, Pink Friday, which to date has sold over 1.5 million copies. I wasn't disappointed: Minaj has

7

managed to blend pop, R&B and hip-hop to make a sugar-coated hybrid album that has appealed, as we have discovered, to children as young as eight.

The pink-wigged, multi personae-d diva has managed to extend an olive branch to primary school children worldwide with hits featuring Will.I.Am and Rihanna. Despite her success, Minaj has done what several other pop stars have failed at: she has remained true to herself. Instead of winding down her 'larger than life' appearance, she has continued to let it grow, appearing at the VMA's in a mask, covered in soft toys. It's this that makes her appealing: not her ability to inspire small children. Indeed, Pink Friday is filled with pop hits and rap along verses.

However, nestled amongst the chart toppers are songs like 'Roman's Revenge', an almost terrifying look into Minaj's mind, where her alter egos are let loose alongside Eminem in a furious five minutes of psychosis, where lyrics are less than savoury. There has never been any hint of pretense behind her intentions. Pink Friday is not a squeaky clean album.

The censored version is available, although I imagine much of its meaning would be lost in translation. The fact that she sticks to her guns and releases filth like 'Dance A$$' is commendable, even if her words leave a sour taste in the mouth. If only all pop stars were this brave.

Rihanna

Talk That Talk

Take Care

James Dolton Critic

Drake is a musical enigma. By rights, no former teen heartthrob and soap opera star turned hiphop singer-rapper should merit any musical credibility. But as well as having an impressive commercial track history, his sophomore album Take Care is an emotive masterpiece liable to wrong foot many a listener.

For starters, the production is gorgeous: opener 'Over My Dead Body' chimes with piano and echoing snare, whilst 'Crew Love' thunders with staccato stabs of cymbal and bass under hypnotic and piercing vocals. The pop hooks that brought his early work to the attention of the music industry remain too; in particular, the reflective 'We'll Be Fine' grooves over a booming bass line.

As it seems with all modern hip-hop records, Take Care features a plethora of collaborators: Nicki Minaj spits out a predictably furious verse of rap in the slow jam dance track 'Make Me Proud' before showing off her underrated, sultry singing voice, and other guests include Lil' Wayne and Rihanna. However it is Drake's own disarmingly excellent vocals

that are most alluring. Virtually gone is the much clichéd 'Hashtag Rap' approach which filled Thank Me Later; Marvin's Room, a lush blend of entrancing synths, fast becoming a modern anthem of heartbreak features a heart-rending croon clearly referential of Marvin Gaye, whose studio gave the track its name. Conversely, 'Hell Ya F**king Right' features a rap intro of blistering pace and quality.

However, it is Drake's engaging, half-spoken, half-sung delivery that really sets this album apart with its personal appeal. The gracefully poignant 'Take A Shot For Me' sums up the candid sentiments of the album: Drake almost methodically offers up every aspect of his character for examination.

Thus, the predictable arrogance at his sudden elevation to musical acclaim is punctuated with a painful self-awareness of his newfound position, giving a true portrait into the mind of a modern pop star. As the album closes with the insidious swells of 'Practice', it's clear Drake has produced a superbly relevant record and has talent to match his credibility.

Sounds like: The Dream, J-Cole

Becca Bullen Critic

Whilst on a world tour of her multiplatinum selling album, Loud, Rihanna has amazingly managed to produce her sixth studio album Talk That Talk just a year after the release of Loud. One can only credit the 23-year-old for a rapid album release that displays an array of musical talent and genres, including RnB, dance, pop and a drum & bass collaboration with Chase & Status. Its sound combines that of her deep, dark Rated R and erotic Loud albums. Whilst this is an enjoyable listen, it lacks experimentation and risk, repeating sounds Rihanna is known best for.

Having said that, Talk That Talk bursts into life with 'You Da One', a homage to her Caribbean roots, produced by Dr Luke. The album oozes with the theme of love and reveals a hopeful side to Rihanna, who longs to be loved.

She creates a successful blend of R&B and dance on 'We Found Love' with Calvin Harris, but dangerously verges towards a generic club anthem sound in 'Where Have You Been', which almost resembles

that of a tacky dubstep tune.

Keeping up her reputation, the Bajan-bad-girl craves love, passion and dirty sex, in 'Rock Me Out', 'Watch N Learn' and 'Cockiness' where she boasts of her bedroom talent. Though we love her fun-loving, naughty attitude, these songs sound like continuations of 'S&M' and 'Rude Boy'. Maybe it is time for RiRi to ditch the provocative, raunchy innuendos?

Rihanna's vocal ability really is something to appreciate on this album. In one of her ballad tracks 'We All Want Love', she displays a delicate vocal sound, which contrasts with 'Farewell', where she belts out impressively strong vocals. Rihanna's fans, affectionately known as her 'navy' are in for a real treat with this album, however being less than forty minutes long in length and created whilst on tour, you can't help feeling the album is incomplete and premature, hurriedly produced to keep Rihanna at the top of a competitive music industry.

Sounds like: Nicki Minaj

Redbrick

Music 19

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Editors – Tamara Roper & William Franklin

Essential Albums

Live Review Lana Del Rey HMV Institute 17/11/2011

Outkast

Speakerboxxx/The Love Below (2003) Jonathon Milnes Critic

Musically ground-breaking, lyrically avant-garde and conceptually unique, Outkast's fifth studio album Speakerboxxx/The Love Below is what catapulted the American hip-hop duo into the stratosphere, and from it came two of the most decade-defining tracks of the noughties: 'Hey Ya!' and 'Roses'. As successful as the album's singles were, it is not those tracks alone that certifies the album its essential status. An essential album is one that changes the perception of music that has come before it and imprints itself in the history of a genre, and sometimes even a generation: this is exactly what this album does.

Massively celebrated at the time, it was the first purely hip-hop album to win Album of the Year at the Grammy's in 2004 – however this alone doesn't do the record justice. Only listening to it gives

Music Diary 25th Nov– 1st Dec

an accurate account of the pure masterpiece André 3000 and Big Boi created almost a decade ago.

Conceptually the record is two albums. The first features mainly Big Boi, and has a more pure hip-hop feel, and the second is Dre's addition that explores other genres as farfetched as funk, jazz and electro-pop. However, both albums are seamlessly glued together by the cohesive sounds of the rapping duo. One might be put off by its forty track, two-and-ahalf hour listening time, but don't be. There is never a dull moment and every track is worthwhile.

The album constantly surprises, whether it be collaborations with the unimaginable (take Norah Jones for example), a hilarious ditty mid-track such as 'Where Are My Panties', or the constantly transforming musicality that happens not only in the album as a whole but in each individual track.

Dre and Boi will often completely

#20 change the tempo and genre of a track, moving from heavy hiphop to super-smooth soul in seconds. What sounds like a recipe for disaster somehow works with tremendous effect and pushes so many musical boundaries. It's hard to pin down a reason why it works, but it just does.

Much of the album is nonsense, but it all makes sense. It is incredibly witty in the way it deals with sex, women and love.

Just listen to 'Spread' or 'She Lives In My Lap' to see how the album earns its explicit warning.

However, at times it goes much deeper, dealing with issues such as war and religion, but typically in an unconventional way.

Lyrically, it is often bawdy and controversial, but the music that accompanies it cleverly makes its arguments coherent and convincing. Fun, intelligent, complex and unique, this album fully deserves its place in hip-hop history.

Richard Higgs Critic

Lana Del Rey: The biggest buzzband of the year or shoddily slapped together pop artifice?

A celebration of Americana or a gimmicky sepia-toned construct?

The perfect alternative poster girl or a whining Hipster Ophelia?

Floating onto the stage, she was almost channeling Natalie Portman's White Swan with her wonderful, ethereal voice – haunting tales of domestic abuse in 'Video Games' ('it's you, it's you, it's all for you'), and then the Black Swan in an utterly beguiling 'Born to Die' ('I wanna f*ck you in the pouring rain'). Unfortunately her vocals are sometimes wasted in

what appears to be a stab at the most mundane of pop – almost quacking out a monotonous rap in 'You Can Be the Boss'.

Giant balloons acted as a screen for projections of what I can only assume are her Tumblr 'likes' (grainy handicam footage, clips of Elvis and the odd fixed gear bike) – as if anyone in the room paid attention to anything but her. Graceful, shy and almost self-deprecating, she performed a short forty-minute set and ultimately, it's probably best to view the night as a work in progress.

Her record is half complete and due out next January – we can only hope the hype hasn't died down by then.

Local Corner: Folk For Free Showcasing the Birmingham music scene

Friday 25th

10 Years of Jam Jah Sound Bull's Head, Moseley Xzibit HMV Institute

Saturday 26th 36 Crazyfists O2 Academy

Wretch 32 HMV Institute

Sunday 27th She Keeps Bees Hare & Hounds Cliff Richard LG Arena

Monday 28th The Dykeenies HMV Institute

John Pyke and Passenger Glee Club

Tuesday 29th Yann Tiersen O2 Academy Airship Rainbow

Wednesday 30th

Katy Perry with Oh Land NIA General Fiasco Rainbow

Thursday 1st

Benjamin Francis Leftwich HMV Institute Alice Cooper with New York Dolls NIA

Rebecca Jones Critic

Over the past couple of years, folk music has enjoyed an unprecedented rise. Bombay Bicycle Club's unexpected folk album Flaws, Laura Marling's triumphant 2011 BRIT Award and the completely in-yourface Mumford and Sons have ensured that folk music is engrained on the English music scene. And it's easier (and cheaper) to get your fix than you think.

Moseley Folk, in association with Symphony Hall, hosts a free contemporary folk event once a month. Performances are held on a Thursday starting at 5.30pm and running until 7pm. The acts are all from the Midlands, so the event is a perfect way to check out local folk talent, which can be hard to come by in Birmingham. The event is held in Symphony Hall's cafe bar, to a crowd of predominantly mid-

dle-agers, but don't let that put you off. The range of talent is incredible, and any folk-loving student will appreciate the intimate atmosphere and exciting performances.

Acts are all from the Midlands, so the event is a perfect way to check out local folk talent Bluegrass/Americana group The Toy Hearts played in October.

The cute family band is fronted by sisters Hannah and Sophia Johnson, accompanied by their father and other family members on banjos, fiddles and bass. Their perfect harmonies and energetic rhythms

combine for what would be the perfect soundtrack for a road-trip on Route 66. The band have toured in the USA, so to be able to hear their feelgood infusion of banjo and steel guitar for free in Birmingham is a real testament to Moseley Folk's commitment to getting Birmingham interested in folk.

Simon Fox, previously of the band Grover played in early November, showcasing his poignant and bittersweet lyrics and melodies. The crowd was reduced to silence for most of his set, a result of his flair for creating intimate moods. His one upbeat folk song, 'because all of my others are f*cking miserable', sees the crowd becoming more lively and there's not one member of the audience who isn't toe-tapping. Such is the power of folk music. It can get you feeling so energetic that all you want to do is move like you're at a barn dance or leave you reflecting silently upon

life to the atmospheric chords of an acoustic guitar. The next event is on 15th December, which sees Duostone and Laua J. Martin taking to the stage.

Moseley Folk also arrange a range of events across other venues in the city, such as the Hare and Hounds and Birmingham Cathedral. Attending these events is the perfect way to get a dose of folk music whilst finding yourself in Birmingham's more unexpected music venues. And, for the hardcore folk fans among you, the Moseley Folk Festival in early September is a perfect way to finish off a summer of music. This year's festival saw the likes of the brilliant Stornoway, Villagers and Crystal Fighters playing, so with any luck next year's line-up will be equally as impressive.

For more information, including a calendar of events visit www. moseleyfolk.co.uk

20 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Technology

Redbrick

25th November 2011

Google released their new music store in the US this week. Full story online at www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/technology

Skyrim puts the 'epic' in epic fantasy Dan Lesser Reviewer

The Elder Scrolls. It's one of the longest running series' in video gaming history, with releases spanning over 17 years, but in a world where Call of Duty rules supreme, it is often forgotten. This is mainly because, while Activi-

sion releases a new Call of Duty game every year, Bethesda prefer to take their time. The last release of a new Elder Scrolls game was Oblivion in 2006. It was a fine game, receiving universal acclaim, due to its truly open world style of gameplay. People have been crying out for a new game ever since and, finally, there is one.

Skyrim is the fifth game in the main Elder Scrolls series, though it's not a sequel to Oblivion by any means.

It's an entirely

new chapter in the series, and tells the tale of a bloody civil war in Skyrim, a province of the continent Tamriel. The leader of the rebels, Ulfric Stormcloak, has finally been captured and you, the player, have ended up on the same cart as him, on your way to be beheaded.

After getting over the beauty of

mountains which surround the opening sequence, you have the chance to choose your character from 10 different races. Each of these has their own strengths and weaknesses.

After you jump, fight and sneak your way through the grand opening sequence, you're free to do whatever you want. This isn't an overstatement: the game can be as open or closed as you want it to be.

You are free to follow the main story to the letter or dip in and out as you like. You can focus on clearing every cave and dungeon in Skyrim, become a master thief or a skilled fighter. Each choice you make will lead you down a different quest path. In Skyrim whatever path you take is as grand as the next and every one feels like it was designed with you in mind.

Skyrim has a multitude of plus points, chief among which is how open it actually is. If you want to, you can play for hours and hours without even going near the first town. You can kill guards (though you'll quickly end up in jail if you do), pickpocket pretty much everyone and even kill some main characters. You can buy a horse, become a werewolf, or settle down in your own house. You can even get married this time around.

The fighting feels natural, the equipment selection is vast and magic, combat, and stealth are very well-balanced. Advancing in skills comes quite naturally too. This time around Bethesta, who designed the game, have streamlined the leveling system, doing away with some of the unnecessary skills in the process. Believe it or not, this actually adds to the immersion.

Graphically, Skyrim is brilliant. If you're playing on a console or a powerful PC, you'll notice how beautiful and colourful the game is. The draw distance is hugely improved and the vistas, which constantly greet you, are truly aweinspiring.

'You can play for hours and hours without even going near the first town' However, it is by no means a perfect game. In places, the user interface feels like it was designed for the consoles rather than with the keyboard and mouse in mind.

This is fine when you're playing on a console. On the PC, the controls are confusing, particularly when dual wielding. Whilst you can get used to them, they are not exactly intuitive.

Similarly, at times the expansive quest system can become overwhelming and it's not always clear what your next objective is.

The map markers don't help very much either. Oftentimes you will find yourself traipsing from place to place without any clear sense of direction.

In addition, you will doubtless encounter glitches at some point, be it corpses flying into the air when you loot them or levitating weapons. The difficulty curve is also questionable, as it is actually more of a spiral. It's quite common to reach the end of a dungeon with little difficulty, only to come up against the boss and be defeated in a matter of seconds. The boss is simply too hard.

Do these faults make Skyrim any less enjoyable? A little, but in such an expansive game you'll be able to overlook them. It's been a long time since the release of such a compelling and addictive game.

Skyrim isn't just the best release of the year, it's one of the best games of all time.

Ebay takes on retail giants with pop-up shop Massive phone bill?

Stuart Ritchie gives the top tips on escaping this nasty surprise

Sam Atkins Writer

With Christmas edging ever closer, both online services and high street shops are preparing to be inundated with customers as prices drop and gifts are bought.

Ebay can be especially hectic, with plenty of stores using it as a direct route to customers, and this year the company is bridging the gap between online and retail with a one-off pop-up retail shop in the capital.

The store will house products from the 200 biggest chains that use Ebay, such as House of Fraser and The Entertainer. The twist, however, is the lack of tills in this shop, the online company instead utilising a now industry standard technology to deal with orders.

There will only be one of each product in the store, as customers scan their choices on their smart phones. Orders are then processed back at Ebay HQ and the items are delivered to your house.

This crossover between online and retail has been tried in the US earlier this year, when a store

like this was tried in New York, but on our shores it hasn't been seen before. With most consumers owning a smart phone, and a variety of shops such as New Look utilising an app to give customers a discount or to allow easy online shopping, such as HMV's family of apps, the transition is a good fit.

The store promises an experience with 'no queues, no bags, no stress'; the concept is certainly intriguing. Creating a cohesion between online, smart phones and retail stores, it could provide people with the best option this Christmas.

It will be interesting to see whether Ebay can spark a new way to purchase products in stores. The online market has developed considerably recently with the likes of Next promising next day delivery until as late as 5pm. This opened up the clothing market online and in an industry where a purchase can be determined by whether the shop has your size, scanning barcodes could be a solution.

The Ebay pop-up shop will be open for the first five days of December on Dean Street in Soho, a prime opportunity for consumers to get Christmas gifts in time.

There is nothing more shocking on returning from a relaxing holiday than a huge phone bill waiting at home. It can cost as much as £3 per MB in Europe and £10 per MB for the rest of the world. It is not difficult to stumble across examples of people such as Robin Baynes, who was given a £4,000 phone bill for using internet in the USA for two weeks. With the right knowledge, there are a number of simple ways to avoid these charges.

Text before you call. Calls cost up to £2 a minute and cost a fair amount to receive too. On the other hand, texts are free to receive anywhere in the word. For those who have it, Blackberry's BBM is a good free option and, for those with other smart phones, WhatsApp is an equally great choice.

Don't even bother using the internet overseas. The best thing to do is to simply turn off data roaming to avoid accidentally receiving emails. If you need to download files, consider Opera Mini which compressess data, costing you less.

What's more, be warned of watching videos as they can cost you hundreds of pounds.

If you are planning to use your mobile a great deal it may be worth buying your own SIM card in the country you're residing in.

Providers do offer different packages to avoid huge phone bills. Orange and T-Mobile, for example, provide a service for £5 a month to heavily reduce roaming charges, but they will not cancel it automatically when you return so remember to do this yourself.

Skype offers completely free calls worldwide. Just download the app to your smartphone, hook up to some free wifi and get calling. With the latest version you can also link Skype to your Facebook account. Other options include Apple's Facetime, which gives good quality face-to-face calls between Apple products.

With the right knowledge, it is easy to avoid huge phone bills abroad. Remember to read the small print and follow these simple tips.

Procrastination Aid of the week Each week we provide you with the best ways to get your five minute tech fix.

This week Dor Vago presents the fun that can be had with Aple's new voice recognition software, Siri.

When the new iPhone launched, it was greeted with such sentiments as 'it looks the same', 'the screen is too small', and 'can you wake me up tomorrow at 9 o'clock?'. Siri, the truly innovative part of the iPhone 4S, is your brand new, super smart, if a little rude, personal assistant. Interestingly, Apple decided against christening this feature with its infamous 'i' and has given him (the UK version happens to be a man) a real name.

The reason is that Siri is not your usual computer program.

Siri aims to understand (although he's not perfect) your requests rather than the normal computer commands. Siri will understand random question such as 'how many days till Christmas?' (30 at the time of publication – get shopping) or 'How old is the University of Birmingham?' (apparently it's 111). However, the real fun lies in asking Siri random questions, such as 'tell me a joke' or 'what's your favourite colour?' As mentioned before, Siri was given a real name for a reason – he has his own personality which has been described as 'smart, sly and sarcastic', and will respond sometimes harshly to nearly every question. I asked him if he liked me, and his response was that he'd 'rather not say'.

To find even more sarcastic yet entertaining responses simply hop over to www.Sh*tSirisays.com.

It catalogues every response uttered by Siri by relying on screen captures uploaded by iPhone 4S owners. However, the website is only an inspiration. Siri tends to respond differently every time you ask him something, even the same question, making his bluntness even more surprising. The things the team at Apple have come up with are quite astounding and truly gives Siri a personality all his own. I'll give it till Christmas until someone comes up with a Siriinspired drinking game.

Free game?

Review it for Redbrick. Redbrick Technology is expanding fast!

We're looking for people with an interest in technology who want to gain valuable writing and publishing experience. Redbrick Technology has a number of opportunities including writing for the weekly paper and highly popular website and the brand new podcast. No experience necessary!

To get involved come to our weekly meetings in student development at 5pm on Wednesday, email technology@redbrickonline.co.uk or tweet @redbricktech.

Technology 21

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick

Editors – Joshua Lindsey &Ruth Bradley

Retro wish list: Top five computers and consoles of the 1980s Sally-Anne Betteridge Feature Writer

The 1980s: a time before most of us were even born, but a phenomenal decade for bringing technology and gadgetry into the home.

Previously, technology had been so large that having a computer at home would probably have needed an extension on your house. However, the early 1980s saw a great advance in smaller, more usable and more fun technology. This was the generation that really saw home computers and games consoles become a reality. So, had we been born a few years earlier, what would we have been hankering after in our technological stockings come Christmas day?

#5 Nintendo vs Sega The NES, launched in North America and Europe between 1985 and 1986, brought the likes of Donkey Kong and the Super Mario Brothers to your living room. An 8-bit, cartridge-loading console, its rectangular controller has become iconic in the gaming world. The Sega Master System, released between 1986 and 1987, was a direct competitor for the NES and predecessor to the much more famous Mega Drive released a few years later. With 318 games, it was perhaps the more versatile of the two, arguably dominating the market over the NES. The fight continued into the 1990s, with the Mega Drive and Super Nintendo Entertainment System picking up the battle.

#4 Commodore 64 Released in 1982, the Commodore 64 was one of the earlier pieces of the decade. Featuring a whopping 64KB of RAM it was one of the

first all-rounder home computers to really take on the market, offering software for word processing, spread sheets and art programs.

The C64 had good sound and graphics capabilities and could be plugged into a television, making it a popular gaming platform. This high street model fast became a household name, remaining popular until it was finally discontinued in 1995.

#3 Atari 7800 Enjoying a widespread release in 1986, after a miserable attempt a couple of years earlier, the Atari 7800 was reportedly the first console to be backwards compatible with its earlier model. Another third generation console, it competed with Nintendo and Sega for its share in the market. Mindful of the success of the Commodore 64 due to its abilities beyond gaming, the Atari 7800 allowed the addition of a keyboard and peripherals including disk drives and printers.

Production of this model ceased in 1992.

#1 Game Boy Top spot has to go to the Gameboy, whose Japanese release in April 1989 sneaks it in at the top of our 1980s wish list. Described by Nintendo as 'a tiny piece of technology that changed the world of handheld gaming forever', it will be memorable to almost every reader who grew up in a generation of Mario and Pokémon. The Gameboy model underwent many revisions, including Color, Pocket Sized and Advanced versions, until

#2 Apple IIe The third model in the Apple II series, the IIe was released in 1983 after the Apple III released three years earlier had been almost disastrous. It offered such groundbreaking features as four directional cursor control and allowing input of both upper and lowercase letters, finally making full use of the shift and caps lock keys. The II series in general was often favoured as a game development platform, partly due to its large user base. It became a popular model in homes and schools. The IIe is said to have been produced for the longest length of time of any Apple computer, finally being discontinued after 11 years.

The story behind the Steam hacking

Joshua Issac Feature Writer

Users logging in to the popular online gaming platform Steam earlier this month were greeted with a message informing them that a database containing their usernames, passwords and credit card information was stolen by anonymous hackers. The attacks come seven months after the prominent PlayStation Network outage.

Steam, a digital video game distribution network developed

by Valve, was launched in 2003. It allows gamers to buy games from their online catalogue and download them from any computer with the client software installed. Steam also facilitates multiplayer gaming and keeps games automatically updated. With almost 1,500 games and over 35 million PC and Mac customers, it is the most popular service of its kind, and has 70% of

the Gameboy Micro, a miniature sized version, became the final model to carry the Gameboy name in 2005. The original Gameboy allowed for two-player gaming via a link cable and boasted better battery life than its competitors at the time. It is arguably one of the most iconic pieces of technology in the gaming world. This was formally recognised when it was introduced into the National Toy Hall of Fame in America in 2009, being only the second games console to receive this honour.

the market share of downloaded PC games by revenue.

On 6th November 2011, anonymous hackers defaced Steam's forums. The attack occurred just days before the anticipated release of Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim.

Although the Steam forums were suspended while Valve investigated the attack, Steam itself remained fully operational for the release of Skyrim. During the investigation it emerged that the intruders had also stolen a database containing user names, passwords, billing addresses and credit card information. Valve co-founder Gabe Newell said that while forum accounts were compromised, the passwords in stolen database were hashed and salted, and the credit card information was heavily encrypted. Nevertheless, he warned users to monitor their credit card statements for fraudulent activity and encouraged them to change their Steam password.

'We don't have evidence of credit card misuse at this time,' he said. 'Nonetheless you should watch your credit card activity and statements closely.'

The Steam forums were back up and running by Friday the 11th, and forum users were required to change their forum passwords upon logging in. Valve also removed credit card information from users' Steam accounts.

Paul Ducklin, a Sophos security expert, advised his readers

to change their Steam password, keep an eye on their credit card statements, not to store their credit card data on Steam's servers and to enable Steam Guard for added security.

Steam is not the only service to have been targeted by hackers. Earlier this year, hacking groups also famously attacked the PlayStation Network and Codemasters. More recently, Sony had to suspend the website and the forums for the Resistance franchise after users reported malware being distributed by the website. Valve itself was a target of hacking back in 2003, when the source code of the thenunreleased Half Life 2 was leaked to file sharing networks. The hacker was arrested after being tricked into a fake job interview.

It is not yet clear who was involved in hacking the gaming service. The initial suspect was fkn0wned.com, a hacking and warez distribution community. These suspicions were based on the fact that the hacked forum contained links to their website and that some Steam users also reported receiving spam directing them to fknowned.com. However, the founder of the website has denied responsibility for orchestrating the attack, adding that it could have been 'a member […] or a rival site' and 'there's not much [he] can do about that'. So far, no hacking group has claimed responsibility for the attacks.

Hot tips for trying to handle the hackers Pay attention to the details.

It may be easy to ignore the odd strange email or mysterious purchase on your bank statement but these are signs that you may have been hacked. Don't ignore them or you could end up paying for it later.

Use different passwords. If your memory isn't great it seems easier to just have the same password for everything, but it just makes things easy for the hackers too. Use different passwords for each of your accounts.

Don't tell anyone anything. It may seem obvious but keep your personal information to yourself.

It may seem harmless to just tell your friend but you never know who else can hear you. And no official documents should ask for your details, if they do, then they are not official.

Make your password difficult to guess. Password1 is not a secure password- you might as well just not have one. Try and be imaginative and don't forget, capitals and numbers make it harder for hackers to crack.

Change is good. If you think you may have been hacked, or even if you haven't, change your password!

22

25th November 2011

redbrickpaper.co.uk

Food

Did you know?

UK Households waste 25% of all the food that they buy.

A little of what you fancy...

Nicola Barton Writer 'Hmmmmm Nigella! Everything on her show is so tasty, including the yummy mummy herself,' a friend proclaimed on Facebook. Although one acquaintance informed him that he'd 'hit an all time high score on the creepy status scale', another simply responded with an appreciative 'Mmmmmmmm'.

Apparently, such reactions aren't rare. Several reporters, such as the Guardian's Simon Hattenstone, have referred to Lawson's programmes as 'gastro-porn'.

Having never watched Lawson's shows, which include Nigella Bites, Nigella Express and Nigella Feasts, I decided to hit YouTube, and, to be honest, I was slightly surprised. As she 'swirls the pan about a bit', Lawson seductively tosses her silky tresses. Elongating each vowel through her perfectly formed pout, she purrs about the 'luscious, smooth, flowing caramel' that she has just created. Popping her pudding into the oven, she softly refers to it as 'darling'. Wow. She's one sultry woman, it seems.

Well, to all except Lawson herself. When Metro interviewed her in 2006, she insisted, 'It's not meant to be flirtatious'. Listen, I don't have a presenting style, I'm just me. I don't have the talent to adopt a different persona. It's intimate, not flirtatious'. Instead, Lawson suggested that 'part of… [the] appeal is that my approach to cooking is really relaxed and not rigid. There are no rules in my kitchen'.

Although Lawson has enjoyed a lucrative culinary career, she has never received any official training. Clearly, therefore, her appeal extends beyond her expertise. As Gary Rhodes commented in 2007, 'What is it about her – the smile or the sexiness? Is it the cooking? I'm not so sure.'

Female chefs, to some extent it appears, are always aspirational figures. The more mature ones,

Some food just tastes better the next day. Don't believe me? Here are some classic leftover dishes for you to concoct the next time you're stuck with a mountain of leftover grub.

Bubble and Squeak (Serves 4).

Traditionally made with leftover cabbage and sprouts as a sort of après-Christmas special, you can make it however you want and according to whatever you can get your hands on!

Basic ingredients: 1 tbsp butter 1 onion, finely sliced 400g leftover mash potato/crushed boiled potatoes Optional leftovers:

such as Clarissa Dixon Wright, Delia Smith and Mary Berry, display desirable scenes of domestic bliss, whilst their younger counterparts advocate a more cosmopolitan, but equally attractive, approach to cooking. Sophie Dahl, Lorraine Pascalle and Lawson sell their lifestyles as much as their skills.

As well as demonstrating dishes, they're filmed sashaying around markets, sipping wine and relaxing with a seemingly unending supply of equally affluent, attractive and well-dressed friends.

Lawson, for example, apparently craves caramel croissant pudding after returning from a party. As she enters the set, she kicks off her stilettos, removes her earrings and returns the bottle of Bourbon that she's been clutching to its appropriate spot on the shelf,

and, once she's finished cooking, scurries up to bed, taking her bowl with her. Then, to my friend's delight I'm sure, we see her dressed in a satin nightdress, seductively savouring every mouthful of the meal.

Yet Nigella, like ex-models Dahl and Pascal, clearly intends to appeal to both genders. As Hattenstone writes, 'Men love her because they want to be with her. Women love her because they want to be her. She's gorgeous, smart and has a smile to melt anyone'. She's 'so posh, so motherly, so wifely, so sluttish all in the one package'.

Women can't condemn her slightly coquettish ways, as it appears they would love to emulate her lifestyle.

Her shows, therefore, are a winwin formula. So, caramel croissant pudding, anyone?

Food writer, Hannah Lloyd-Davies, looks at the arguments on food waste

The Pros As a result of increases in portion size, we are advised more often to stop eating when we are full, even if it means leaving a meal unfinished. These efforts to tackle

Conquering leftovers Lucy Niblock Writer

'Waste not, want not!'

Local charity 'The ARK Project' have launched their first event this week (read more in News, page 5), so we thought this would be a good opportunity to sum up the arguments on food waste.

Opinion on food wastage is an issue that people often disagree upon. Some think it is absolutely wrong, whereas others see no problem with throwing away unwanted food.

Here are some of the pros and cons of food wastage to help you make up your mind:

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the obesity epidemic have resulted in a more relaxed attitude towards leaving food left uneaten.

Some restaurant and supermarket chains distribute unsold food that is past its sell-by-date to charities and the homeless.

The Cons Food that is thrown away is deposited at landfill sites where it decomposes to produce harmful greenhouse gases. However, food can be disposed of in an environmentally friendly way by using a composter. This way, food is recycled into compost that can be used to nourish your garden.

A huge amount of effort, time and money goes into the production, packaging, transportation and distribution of food. Next time you

buy a piece of fruit, think about the colossal journey it has made from where it was grown to get to you.

Undoubtedly the issue that affects students most is the money that is wasted when we are forced to throw away spoiled food that we have kept for too long, or not stored properly. This problem can be easily fixed by planning meals before shopping trips and keeping a close eye on the storage instructions and best before dates of food.

To sum up...

Of course, there are times when wasting food is unavoidable and even beneficial. But ultimately, it is a worldwide problem that can easily be tackled if each of us makes a small effort. For tips, visit www.lovefoodhatewaste.com.

Streaky bacon; peas; sweetcorn; carrot; broccoli; chickpeas; leeks; cheese.

Method: 1. Melt the butter in a pan with a little bit of oil to ensure that it doesn't burn. When hot, add the bacon (if using). Cook the bacon according to preference, and then add the onion and cook until colourless. Add whichever leftover vegetables you are using (chopped if necessary). Cook for 5-6 minutes, stirring continually.

2. Add the potato. Mix everything together in the pan, squashing it all down so that it covers the base of the pan.

3.

When the potato is b e ginning to stick to the pan slightly, turn it over and repeat until slightly browned all over. Cut into wedges and serve with baked beans for a more substantial meal.

Cheese Soufflé

(Serves 4).

Soufflé – not your standard student food, but this little gem i s g e nius and easy to make.

Basic ingredients: 50g butter 50g plain flour 400ml milk

50g Sainsbury's Basics Italian Grated Hard Cheese/grated parmesan 90g crumbled cheddar 4 egg whites, whisked until firm but not stiff Method: 1. Heat the oven to 200C (fan) or 180C/gas mark 6.

2. Melt the butter on a low heat with a drop of oil. Stir in the flour and cook for 1 minute. Whisk in the milk and increase the heat until simmering. Keep whisking until it forms a thick paste.

3. Gently fold in the cheeses and egg whites. Pour the mixture into 4 buttered ramekin dishes. Cook for 12 minutes or until risen. Serve with a fresh salad and a piece of bread.

Bread and Butter Pudding (Serves 4.).

The ultimate leftover pudding!

Here is an easy version of the much-loved family favourite – the best usage for old bread, ever.

Basic ingredients: 150ml milk 140g crustless white bread 50g dried fruit (raisins/cherries/ etc) 560ml pot of fresh custard 1 Knob of butter 5 tbsp caster sugar Method: 1. Heat oven to 140C/fan 120C/ gas mark 1.

2. Stir the custard together in a bowl with the milk. Cut the bread into triangles and place in a large bowl with your dried fruit of choice.

3. Pour over the custard mixture and carefully fold it together, so that all of the bread is coated.

Lightly grease a medium-sized oven-proof dish with butter, and place in the mixture, ensuring that the layers are even.

4. Cook for about 30 minutes, until the top layer of bread is starting t o

brown, but the custard is still wobbly.

Redbrick

25th November 2011

Travel

redbrickpaper.co.uk

Travel's Quote of the Week: 'For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go, I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move' – Robert Louis Stevenson

LA to San Francisco: A trip along America's Highway 1

Lucy Rowland looks back on the roadtrip of a lifetime: a drive up America's infamous coastal road

Lucy Rowland Possibly the most iconic highway in the US: California's Highway 1.

This incredible coastline journey stretches from Mendocino, past San Francisco, hugging the Pacific Ocean all the way down to the O.C. Miles of gentle sloping hills, contrasted with the frequent hairpin bends and breathtaking cliff faces; Jeremy Clarkson would have a field day.

If you've read Jack Kerouac's Big Sur, you'll understand the mysterious appeal that the vast expanse of ocean and lonely beaches creates; however, it isn't just the phenomenal views and the idealistic road-trip status of this highway that lures so many tourists to make this infamous journey.

Starting in Los Angeles with a blast of Hollywood glamour, impossibly white teeth and commerce attracts the brunt of the visitors. The Walk of Fame, Venice Beach, Beverly Hills, and of course, the tantalising hope of seeing a ce-

23

lebrity strolling down Rodeo Drive becomes almost exhaustive in the summer heat.

However, doing Highway 1 would be unheard of without L.A., and behind the hoards of tour groups there is a lingering feeling of sunny happiness that inevitably comes with such a vibrant city.

Get your fill of the city buzz before heading up the coast; after all, there aren't many places where you can find three Starbucks on one street!

If you organise your trip for the optimum time of year in May or June, as it's just beginning to warm up, you'll see the beaches to the north of Big Sur crowded with elephant seals. Seen from vantage points on the cliff edges, these huge animals play-fight, lumber around and generally chill out whilst they moult their winter coats in preparation for the heat of the summer.

Small towns along the highway also offer great places to stay.

A dip into beautiful Bath

There are YHA hostels in the towns of Santa Barbara, which boasts beautiful Spanish architecture and an incredible climate. San Louis Obispo, which is slightly further in land, offers a quieter atmosphere, great wine and its famous weekly Farmer's Market offers a combination of local produce, hot food and street entertainment.

The town of Monterey is also a typical stop-off for road-trippers.

The Monterey Bay Aquarium is home to almost every kind of Californian marine life including sea otters, seals, and great white sharks but it is the investment in the arts that makes Monterey really stand out.

Monterey has now become a hot spot for music housing regular music festivals, as well as the longest-running jazz festival in the world. Writers such as John Steinbeck and Robert Louis Stevenson have also frequented the town and the inhabitants will not let you forget it.

The beauty of Highway 1 is that as well as the views on the road itself, you can easily leave the coast line. The breathtaking Yosemite National Park is within reach, and although it's unbearably hot in the height of the summer, the spring is a great time to book a stay in the camp. You can experience some of the hiking trails, some of which take you to the famous mountain peak, El Capitan. Similarly, further north, California's preserved Redwood Forests are a sight unlike anywhere else, with trees big enough to drive a people carrier

Chloe Osbourne

The Christmas market has hit Birmingham with a bang, but if you can't bear the thought of yet another hot dog and want to get out and try somewhere new, then why not why not consider a day trip or even a night away in Bath?

The World Heritage city is well known for its German Christmas markets, which start on 24 November, filling the area around Bath Abbey and the famous Roman Baths. The 130 traditional stands selling delicious food and gifts could be a perfect way to make Christmas shopping more enjoyable.

If the markets aren't for you, a walk around the town visiting the Royal Crescent whilst admiring the architecture and quaint streets is always a must when in Bath. However, if you're looking for other things to do, or perhaps you are on a family visit, why not consider going to the Pantomime to see this year's show of Dick Whittington at the Theatre Royal, which promises an entertaining show, starring Naomi Wilkinson and Mark Moraghan. For tickets, see http://www.theatreroyal.org. uk/.

Most would agree when I state that a trip to Bath is never complete without a visit to the Roman Baths – and it's not as expensive as you may think. Prices start from £15 for a 1 1/2 hour spa session, with no need to book in ad-

The brutal murder of Leeds University student, Meredith Kercher, on 1 November 2007 has earnt the Tuscan village of Perugia in northern Italy a fairly notorious reputation.

Following Kercher's murder, the British government issued warnings to travellers that Perugia was a dangerous and hostile place for foreigners, embroiled in crime and drug dens. However, I visited Perugia last summer with a friend, whilst inter-railing through Italy, and, despite some hesitation in going, thought it was honestly the most beautiful place that we saw in the whole country.

From the moment we left the train station we were completely won over. A bus takes you from the train station up the 1.5 km to the summit of the town, and drops you off in the main piazza overlooking endless Tuscan fields and farms down the hillside. The village is small enough to get to grips with in an hour or so and the main square is filled with Renaissance-style fountains, restaurants and gelato stands.

Perugia, though culturally somewhat on the edge in regards to other major Italian cities, has a really interesting mix of old and modern influences. Most of the buildings remain the same as they were 400 years ago, but due to the university and a steady stream of foreigners it has a thriving art

Reporter

C.Lambert on Flickr vance for most simple treatments, meaning that it is the perfect way to spend an afternoon relaxing on a chilly day.

Another must do when visiting the city is a trip to the renowned San Francisco Fudge Factory on Church Street. Whenever visiting Bath, I always make sure I take a quick trip here and it's another great place for gifts too, if you're stuck for ideas.

If you are looking for a Christmas break or for a short get away, Bath has lots on offer to provide you with a packed few days. For cheap places to stay, visit www. visitbath.co.uk for information on hotels and hostels.

Alaskan Duke on Flickr

Second chance Perugia

Olivia Ball Reporter

through and hollowed-out trunks that you can walk into and all around.

Although many people traversing Highway 1 carry on to the road's end in Mendocino County, San Francisco is the last major city on the route. At complete odds with Los Angeles, San Francisco holds a hive of artwork with hippie vibes.

The Golden Gate Bridge is a sight that few would miss and a drive over the Bay Bridge affords an unparalleled view giving a sense of the magnitude that is California.

Taking a trip down Highway 1 allows you to experience an eclectic combination off the beaten-track, must-see tourist destinations and, most importantly, easy access to the parts of California that you might otherwise miss – the road less travelled.

scene, and endless cultural and music events throughout the year.

There are cheap places to stay in the backstreets around the museum and as anywhere in Italy, infinitely beautiful churches and fountains to look at (or sit on and eat pizza, depending on your preference!)

The nightlife is generally quite quiet, although clubs and late night bars can be found. Far nicer an option is to sit in the square in the evening drinking coffee, where the Italian students meet to chat the night away and take in the night's balmy ambience.

Perugia's sad past will remain, but the travellers' attitude towards it should change, and it would be such a shame for the town to be overlooked on any trip through the country.

Friar's Balsam on Flickr

An Ode to Travel Glamour Emily Booth Travel Editor

'And what, darling, shall you travel in?' These are the final words my Grandmother says to me every time I leave home for the arduous three hour train journey back to Birmingham. I tell her, dutifully, of some smart new coat invented for this very occasion, inwardly cringing as I think of my jeans and hoodie combination lying on the chair waiting for me to throw on.

Since when did things become so slack? To my Grandmother, such a combination would be nothing short of a sin. Being a rare business woman in the fifties and sixties and flying all over the world, her travelling style would have been as important as what she wore to a business lunch; hats, neat tweed suits, and polished heels being absolutely what was expected.

Admittedly, a porter would have met her at the airport door and swiftly manoeuvred her through to the departure lounge, gin and tonic waiting, with no need to be patted down by a security guard resembling Pat Butcher.

Despite these generational differences however, looking round at the train station or airport your heart does sink. The various velour tracksuits soon begin to merge together and faces stained with a 'who cares, we're only travelling' expression blankly pass you by.

It is no wonder people cry out how the art of travel is dead; travel used to mean glamour and excitement, but it would seem as if the convenience of travel has meant a sacrifice of style. Travel's sheer expense used to make it, quite simply, more elite. Whilst elitism might suggest a better dressed clientele, it does not mean that those of us now slumming on EasyJet should succumb to the Ugg. Celebrities use airports like a runway. Despite my uncontrollable desire to feed her steak, my heart swells with pride each time I see a photograph of Victoria Beckham sashaying down the terminal, dripping in this season's collections. Even those more mortal celebrities make sure that leisure wear does not mean letting go; take a Minogue, who after a 24 hour flight from Sydney emerges swathed in cashmere smiling under huge sunglasses. Yes, they probably have a wardrobe built into the cabin and yes they probably didn't dress themselves, but the pride of their travel attire harks back to another age.

Travellers are what make travelling so fun, so we should at least do it with some pride. I'm not suggesting you go out and buy a whole new wardrobe but may I make a personal plea? Leave the garish colours at home, leave the slippers by the fire, and at least wait until you reach Greece before donning the ill – fitting sundress.

This coming New Year, I am off to visit a friend in Paris and am already planning my travelling outfit. For once, I shall not scrounge some dubious jumper from the back of my cupboard, 'Battered suitcases' may do for Kerouac, but a new Orla Kiely will do for me.

24 Sport

Redbrick

25th November 2011

SPORT SPECIAL:

Birmingham vs

Lacrosse men suffer resounding defeat Men's Lacrosse

Birmingham 1sts

5

Loughborough 1sts

22

Frankie Conway Sport Reporter

‘Loughborough are the strongest side in the league. We can’t afford to be intimidated.’ These were the thoughts of Birmingham goalkeeper Dave Nash as he assessed the enormity of the challenge facing his side. Indeed Loughborough came into the match in formidable form: unbeaten and top of the league. The away side did full justice to their tag as table toppers as they ran a brave but battered Birmingham defence ragged in recording a convincing 22-5 victory.

Birmingham were soon on the back foot as Loughborough seamlessly found their rhythm in the early stages. Attacking with pace and purpose, the visitors continually cut through the Birmingham back line with apparent ease.

Loughborough co-captain, Luke

Greasley, was able to profit from the gaping holes that emerged in the Birmingham defence. The attacker was a constant thorn in Birmingham’s side, cutting inside from the left and racking up an impressive eight goals in all. A relentless spell of away pressure resulted in Loughborough creating a 7-2 first quarter advantage.

Following a rousing team talk from captain Pete Cail, Birmingham came out with much more positive intent for the second quarter. Significantly, the defence was more rigid and were quicker in closing down the away forwards.

Loughborough’s attacks became far more static and fragmented as Birmingham succeeded in dampening the wave of away pressure.

Having reduced the flow of Loughborough’s attacks, the hosts were able to instigate some offensive moves of their own. In their best spell of the match, Ryohei Ajima’s deft finish into the bottom left corner cut Birmingham’s arrears.

Confidence growing, Birmingham started passing the ball with greater precision and after a wonderful free-flowing move, Yoshinori

Ryohei’s incisive pass found Will Thompson, whose neat finish kept Birmingham’s momentum going. Loughborough were now the ones under pressure. When Cail’s screaming shot found the roof of the away net, the home side had at least kept themselves in the game at the halfway stage, as they went in 11-5 down.

This was as good as it got from a Birmingham perspective though.

Severely hamstrung by the injury to key defender, Johnny Mac, Loughborough quickly regained full control of the contest. A tiring Birmingham side were now starting to flag, as the physically stronger away outfit time and again won the midfield 50-50’s. Loughborough’s midfield talisman, Jack Lear, ran from box to box, breaking up Birmingham’s attacks before setting the visitors’ moves in motion. Unable to stem the flow of pressure from the away side, the hosts’ defiance was soon broken as Loughborough compounded Birmingham’s misery with a series of late goals.

Cail was magnanimous in defeat, commenting, ‘Loughborough

Baker leads revenge mission Men's Football

Birmingham 1sts

1

Loughborough 1sts

4

Joshua Reynolds Sport Reporter

It was an evening to forget for the University of Birmingham men’s first team at the Munrow Track Pitch on Wednesday as they slumped to a fourth defeat in just five games this season, losing 4-1 at the hands of arch rivals Loughborough. However it was certainly the case that the score line flattered the visitors, who currently sit at the top of the BUCS Northern Premier League, while their match day opposition find themselves second from bottom in the table. This can be seen as revenge for the last game of last season, when Birmingham beat Loughborough 4-0.

For much of the 90 minutes, the game was a midfield battle in which neither side could take full control, though Birmingham arguably had the better of the play in the first half. Captain Dave Bellis and Michael Wardle put in fine displays in the centre of the park, the latter bursting forward on the counter attack in the early minutes to force a corner. One of Brum’s better chances of the afternoon came after Sam Youngs’ delivery

from the corner found the head of Sam Bell, whose goal bound header was diverted agonisingly over the crossbar.

Another opportunity came the host’s way 15 minutes in, as Tom Siddons saw a headed effort of his own tipped over the bar by Loughborough goalkeeper Steve Norris.

No-one could question the work ethic of the home side, but they at times lacked the all-important final ball to penetrate the opposing defence, and could not make the pressure count.

Just a few minutes before halftime, the away team delivered a sucker punch. Jordan Baker, who looked menacing from the first whistle on the right wing, managed to rescue an over hit pass from crossing the Birmingham by-line before firing in a low cross which was coolly hit home by teammate Michael Emmerson. At the halfway stage Brum will have felt aggrieved to have been a goal down.

Almost immediately after the game was restarted for the second period, a late tackle on Siddons gave the home team a free kick from which Youngs dispatched a fantastic ball, alas Siddons could not keep his header on target. By the hour mark, there was still very little besides the goal to separate the two sides, but moments later a mistake in the midfield was duly punished by the visitors, as Baker was subsequently put through one

on one with Stuart McKenzie in the Brum net, who could do little to prevent the winger from slotting in the away side’s second.

Commendably, Birmingham refused to give in at this point and had shouts for a penalty waved away by the referee as an Ash Phillips cross struck the opposing centre-half on the arm. Cruelly, this controversy preceded the visitors’ killing off of the game, as Birmingham seemingly went to sleep at the back, allowing Josh Burge to bury his shot into the far corner of the goal.

Nonetheless, the hosts managed to claw one back through Siddons in the 75th minute, as a well worked move saw Bellis draw a fine save from Norris, with Siddons on hand to score the follow up. However Loughborough managed to rub salt in the wounds of their adversaries by adding a fourth three minutes later, Baker capitalising upon a goalkeeping mishap from McKenzie.

Despite the final score, Birmingham coach Matt Richardson rightly described the game as ‘a largely good performance’ from his team, but summarised the display by admitting that they had shot themselves in the foot with too many costly errors. His side must now regroup and try to hoist themselves out of their current blip, which on the evidence of this fixture is by no means unachievable.

are the best team we’ll play. Their greater experience showed.’ But the Birmingham skipper found some positives in the performance, ‘we gave them a real fight, especially in the first half. If we play like that, we should beat every other team in the league.’ Cail’s men will now have to pick themselves up for a key cup clash against Manchester Met next week.

Shot Count Birmingham

20

Loughborough

66

Brum struggled to cope with their physical opponents

Michael Drury

Meurig Gallagher

The scoreline didn't reflect an even contest

1 Stuart Mackenzie

2

5

6

3

Sam Bell

Christian Burgess

Tony Boto

Tommy Ryan

4

8

10 Sam Youngs

Dave Bellis (c)

Mike Wardle

7

9

Scott Treleaven

Tom Siddons

Birmingham Starting XI

11 Charlie Conner

Sport 25

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Redbrick Editors – Sam Price & Joseph Audley

GRUDGE MATCH

Loughborough

Hockey lads settle old scores with victory team gained an important three points by defeating Loughborough firsts 3-0. After a cagey first half that ended goalless, the hosts improved after the interval to dominate the second period.

Coming into the fixture both sides were level on points towards the bottom of the table; Birmingham having lost their previous two

Men's Hockey

Birmingham 1sts

3

Loughborough 1sts

0

Felix Keith Sport Reporter

Birmingham men’s hockey first

Tom Flathers

Close control ensured another goal for Brum

encounters. When coupled with the rivalry between the two teams this was clearly an important match for both. Before the match coach Steve Floyd said that this was a ‘big game’ for his team and knew they would be in for a tough and fiercely contested match.

The first half started at a frenetic pace with both sides pressing the opposition high up the pitch.

The home team’s aerial approach was proving to be ineffective and neither team really asserted themselves early on. The play was generally fragmented, being broken down by regular interceptions and stray passes with the only opportunities developing from set pieces.

Birmingham defended numerous penalty corners stoutly and goalkeeper Paddy Smith was relatively untroubled despite Loughborough’s possession. Half time came with both teams looking solid in defence, but struggling to put passes together in the final third.

Straight after the break the hosts opened the scoring. An attack down the right ended when the ball was centred and eventually

scrambled in from close range by Mike Penney. After some continued pressure the second goal came ten minutes later. There seemed to be no danger when Loughborough had possession on the side line but excellent work, again down the right hand side, resulted in Harry Lockstone exquisitely lobbing the keeper from close range to make it 2-0.

Loughborough came back into the match following this setback, keeping possession in the opponents half, but they never really troubled the defence. The hosts limited chances through dogged pressing and exceptional tackling.

Soon the third goal arrived and relieved the pressure that had built up. A brilliant counter-attacking run from Penney down the left flank seemed to be going nowhere, but he dug out a wonderful reverse hit cross which was finished at the near post by Nick Bandurak.

A similar theme emerged after the second goal, as Loughborough again had good possession but appeared toothless in front of goal.

Having got down the flanks, cross-

es were repeatedly fizzed across the Birmingham goal face, but with no final touch to threaten the goal. The hosts looked fairly comfortable in closing the game out, getting everybody behind the ball.

All in all it was a professional and efficient performance by Birmingham; their counter-attacking style in the second half was impressive as their success came from moving the ball a lot faster and sustained pressing. Floyd was ‘absolutely delighted’ with the work rate of his players and was impressed with the second half performance.

It was particularly pleasing against their rivals and after a ‘shaky 15 minutes in the first half.’

Penalty Corners Birmingham

1

Loughborough

6

Fantastic Follis foiled by Blake Women's Football

Birmingham 1sts

2

Loughborough 1sts

2

James Phillips Deputy Editor

A 95th minute equaliser meant the points were shared Mathis Baumert

1 Amy Edwards

2

12

Hannah Parham

3

6

Nicole Nymoen Lindsey Whitton

15

Lucy Ridgeway

8

Callan Barber

Charlie Clarke (c)

7

10

11

Emma Follis

Izzy Christiansson

Francesca Boggi

9 Birmingham Starting XI

Caroline Putt

A thrilling finale to the top-of-thetable showdown at Metchley on Wednesday afternoon left Birmingham women’s football team devastated as Loughborough claimed a very late point. With the game poised at 1-1 it seemed Emma Follis had earned the three points for the hosts when she curled a fantastic effort into the top corner of the net a minute into injury time.

Unfortunately, the referee didn’t blow the final whistle for another few minutes leaving the visitors the opportunity to equalise thanks to Emily Blake’s header from a corner which proved to be virtually the last touch of the game.

Birmingham coach Jenny Sugarman, in her debut season here after coaching with the New York Red Bulls, emphasised before kickoff that the girls had been playing good football recently despite a defeat to Leeds last week which had put them behind unbeaten Loughborough in the table. Her players proved her right in a first half where winger Follis, along with midfielders Izzy Christians-

son and Callan Barber all shone in a counter-attacking 4-2-3-1 formation. Loughborough, playing 4-3-3, barely threatened with only forwards Emma Pilling and Lauren Struszczak looking dangerous with their pace.

The hosts took a deserved lead after just 15 minutes when the effervescent Follis made a darting run down the right and put in a tantalising cross which centre forward Caroline Putt simply couldn’t miss. This was the first time that the visitors had conceded in the league this season. Brum continued to dominate the half and really should have made the most of their chances particularly when Barber shot straight at the keeper shortly after the goal. Sugarman quipped, ‘We’re like a wounded animal after last week. We can’t afford two defeats in a row.’

Christiansson, an England Under-23 international, continued to impress alongside Follis and Francesca Boggi on the leftwing and the trio were exceptional in creating opportunities but the hosts were unable to extend their lead before half-time.

After half-time the match seemed to slow down at first and Loughborough started to enjoy more possession than they had before the break, albeit not always on dangerous positions. Both teams seemed to be toothless for much of the half until Pilling burst through

the middle of the Brum defence to slot home under goalkeeper Amy Edwards and restore parity.

From then on in the tempo was increased and Loughborough looked dangerous, particularly through Strusczczak. Goalscorer Putt was withdrawn for Rachel Charles as Sugarman looked to influence the outcome.

It was a fantastic passing move in the 91st between captain Charlie Clarke, Follis, Christiansson and Charles before Follis picked out the perfect shot and sent her team-mates into euphoria. At that moment it was unthinkable that the team would leave without the three points but four minutes later Blake’s header from Laura Williams’ corner ensured that was the case.

After the game Clarke lamented that ‘we didn’t take our chances.

They are our main contenders and the league is still on but we’ll have to beat them away on the last day now.’ Sugarman cited a loss of momentum and lack of rhythm in the second half but maintained that ‘the girls did tremendously well, Christiansson and Barber were very good. We definitely need to take more chances though.’ Ominously for Brum, Loughborough’s Blake exuded confidence when she said, ‘We are top of the league and we’ll go all the way.’ The gritty East Midlands outfit are going to take some stopping.

26 Sport

Redbrick

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Editors – Sam Price & Joseph Audley

Lafferty's ladies see off Edinburgh Women's Lacrosse

Birmingham 1sts

13

Edinburgh 1sts

6

Raphael Sheridan Sport Reporter

Despite the scoreline, Birmingham’s 13-6 victory was tainted by a performance that coach Dave Abini felt lacked the quality of previous matches, ‘we played alright, and it’s a bonus that we can play OK and still get a scoreline, but we know we’re better.’ In truth, it was an honest reflection on a contest that had at times threatened to turn against Birmingham. The match itself was a game of two halves. Despite never being behind in the game, the home side went through periods of superlative attacking prowess, and stark defensive vulnerability.

The match had started convincingly enough for the hosts.

Kirsten Lafferty, who had a superb game, found the back of the net within two minutes with a wonderfully flowing move. However, the source of Abini’s concern was traced to the sixth minute after the home side collectively switched off, allowing Myrtle McPhearson to cleverly take advantage and restore parity. And despite Molly Pike putting the hosts back in front, they found themselves level again after Lydia Rogers quickly exposed them in a fast counter-attack. ‘We were a bit sluggish and everyone was a bit slow in getting back’, said Abini later.

For the remainder of the first half, attack proved to be the best form of defence for Birmingham, as they proceeded to score eight

Molly Pike outruns her opponent as Brum triumph without reply. Lafferty, the omnipresent force, scored her second of the game before Alice Bruynseels gave the hosts a two-goal cushion with the first of her two goals. Pike proved her value once more with two more goals, but not before Fizzy Keeble bagged a brace and Verity Harrington Green got on to the score-sheet. The floodgates were well and truly open by this stage, and Edinburgh were on the verge of capitulation.

During half-time, two factors immediately became apparent:

Tom Flathers

first, that Birmingham’s defence (despite the 10-2 scoreline) appeared vulnerable. Second, that only the constant waves of attack pouring forward appeared to be stopping Edinburgh from exploiting this vulnerability.

Although Edinburgh’s keeper ominously left the huddle early for some last minute practice, the second half was a different spectacle from the first. Immediately, the away side scored, courtesy of Flo Robertson. And despite Harrington Green and Pike extending

the lead to 12-3, the final 20 minutes of the contest would effectively belong to the visitors. ‘We knew that Edinburgh were good at the start of second halves’, said Abini. ‘We needed to keep constant focus all the way through.’

This, Birmingham did not manage to do. The host’s defence, having been suspect throughout the game, allowed Laura Hustler-Wraight to score twice and Robertson to add one more.

With the intensity of the first half lacking, a time-out was called and Birmingham found some of their lost aggression. With seven minutes to go, Lafferty did her job as captain, and sealed the tie with her second goal. It stemmed the flow and gave the home side some much-needed breathing space.

Admittedly, in the latter stages it never looked likely that Edinburgh would win, but their spirited, grinding performance took the shine off the hosts' win. As the full-time whistle went, Birmingham remained huddled in the cold as their performance was analysed by both team and coach. Evidently, their greatest strength and greatest weakness is the quality of the squad and sometimes, as Abini was quick to point out, the momentum is prone to disappearing. Thankfully he is a perfectionist, ‘we’ve already started to plan what we’re going to do on training on Monday night.’

Magic Number

8

Birmingham scored eight goals without reply in the first half

Record medal haul for rowers Douglas Brown Rowing Correspondent

Fresh from good performances at both BUCS small boats head and fours head on the River Thames, the University of Birmingham Boat Club entered the Bristol head with high expectations for medals and a committed novice squad looking to get their first taste of competitive rowing. Birmingham did not disappoint, coming away with a record haul of medals.

Head races are traditionally long distance time trials at the start of the season, with each crew being set off down the course at intervals.

However, this does not make it any less competitive as faster boats can easily catch a slower crew in front to pass within centimetres of each other, with Bristol’s narrow 3km course making it tough work for the coxes.

The senior men continued their line of success this season.

Andrea Ferrazzo in the men’s championship single powered down the course to claim gold in his category, whilst the championship coxed four swept the opposition aside with a winning margin of over 20 seconds. Former Cypriot international rower Giorgos Charmanis and new addition to the senior squad Chris Berry also put in strong performances to secure second place in the hotly contested championship pairs. For the senior women, silver medals came for

Sport Shorts UniSport Online

This week marks the first anniversary of UniSport Online, an online magazine launched by Matthew Brookland and Tom Carrington-Smith. The site has brought university sport to the mainstream, and includes match reports and articles from student journalists from many of the UK's universities, including Redbrick writers. It has developed to even live stream some big matches over the course of the year: www. unisportonline.co.uk

Aussie Rules

Aussie Rules lost 100-82 in a tight match against Oxford University last weekend. Birmingham had lost both previous encounters against the visitors, and looked likely to again as they quickly fell behind. Birmingham rallied, and strong commitment to the ball gave them a 17 point lead going into the final quarter. However, Oxford's class shone through in the end as they stormed the final quarter to be victorious, and break Birmingham's unbeaten record this season.

Other Results and Next Week's Fixtures This week's results:

Men's Fencing 1sts won 135-82 against Loughborough 1sts Netball 1sts won 38-32 against Cambridge 1sts Men's Tennis 1sts lost 10-2 against Coventry 1sts Women's Lacrosse 2nds won 17-1 against Loughborough 2nds Men's Badminton 2nds won 6-2 against Cambridge 1sts Men's Football 2nds won 4-2 against Worcester 2nds

Next week's first team fixtures on campus: Game of the week: Men's Volleyball vs York 1sts Munrow New Gym 5.30pm Men's Basketball vs Middlesex 1sts Munrow Sports Hall 6.30pm

The men's coxed four, left to right: Alex Meigh, Mark Jinks, Mat Park, James Manfield Sarah Lonergan in the championship singles and the championship doubles pairing of Jenny Chapman and Ellie Roberts. Head coach Rich Poole said on the race; ‘The championship men’s four managed a solid victory despite a scrappy race - beating the opposition on mostly strength and fitness despite lacking their usual finesse. All of the senior women’s crews performed very well on the day with 100% on the podium.’

Meanwhile it was the chance for the novice squad to put their intense training into practice with

their inaugural race of the season.

58 crews were entered across the men and women's fours and eights, making it extremely competitive.

The novice women stormed the field, winning every category with strong gold medals in both the fours and eights, giving them high expectations for the rest of the season.

In an upset the men’s 4B narrowly missed out on a gold medal after cruising past the 4A boat, in the end having to settle for a silver medal to Exeter’s first boat by only one second. The six other novice

Charlotte Wilson

boats all placed strongly across the field making Birmingham’s development squad comfortably the most successful novices this season.

Poole said, ‘The performances from the beginner crews were very promising with the beginner women giving the standout performances of the day. Although they are still developing a maturity to their racing you cannot fault the tenacity and aggression shown throughout.’ Birmingham hope to continue their success at the Head of the Severn next year.

Netball vs Loughborough 2nds Munrow Sports Hall 4.30pm Men's Rugby Union vs Worcester 1sts Bournbrook 6.30pm Men's Rugby League vs Nottingham Trent 1sts Metchley 2pm Men's Fencing vs Cambridge 1sts Munrow New Gym 2pm Men's Lacrosse vs Manchester Met 1sts Metchley 3G 2pm

Redbrick

This week in...

1997 David Lloyd had his contract as England coach extended to cover the 1999 World Cup (where England were to go out at the group stage). The man affectionately known as 'Bumble' is now best known for his entertaining coverage of cricket on Sky Sports.

2004 Rene Higuita (he of the famous 'scorpion kick' at Wembley in 1995 for Colombia) was sacked

by Ecuadorian club Aucus for testing positive for cocaine.

Couldn't make it up Australia put suspect form with the bat behind them to pull off the highest successful run chase at the Wanderers, reaching their target of 310. This meant victory against South Africa in the second and final test to level the series.

Glen Johnson's late winner forLiverpool against Chelsea at Stamford Bridge saw a 41-yearold win £585,000 on a 19-match accumulator. The win was huge for Liverpool fans but particularly special for this punter.

Hero Remembered Basil D'Oliveira played for Worcestershire between 196480 and represented England in 44 tests, taking 47 wickets and scored 2,484 runs, including five centuries. The South African-born cricketer, also known as 'Dolly', died of Parkinson's disease at the age of 80.

Greatest ever seasons

Sepp Blatter

At the climax of Novak Djokovic's remarkable season, ten Redbrick Sport writers give their views on the best seasons in the history of sport. From the Arsenal 'Invincibles' to Tiger Woods, you can vote online in the Tuesday Top Ten.

Raphael Sheridan looks into the recent controversy surrounding Sepp Blatter and his comments about racism in football.

This is not Blatter's first blunder and many big names have called for him to resign.

Where are they now? Weekend Wager

Classic Goal...

Planet Of Sound Hennessy Gold Cup, Newbury 3.10

Francis Lee played football from 1960-1975 and was chairman of Manchester City from 1994 for seven years. Famous for his aggressive style of play and a memorable fight with Norman Hunter in his Derby County days, Lee has since made a fortune with various business interests, which includes building up a paper recycling firm.

Planet Of Sound has not been seen since finishing fifth in the King George VI Chase behind Long Run, but the Phillip Hobbs-trained horse has class in abundance, and at 14-1, looks a great each-way bet in the Hennessy.

Club in Focus... Windsurfing Club Birmingham's Windsurfing club allows members to learn at their own pace with the option of competing in the BUCS race championships in April. The club has memberships at the Edgbaston Reservoir and Bartley Reservoir and they arrange a yearly trip to Dahab in Egypt which is a world class windsurfing hotpot.

With a wide range of kit and various training options, the windsurfing club is welcome to professional windsurfers as well as complete beginners. Professional instruction is given to all and members can attend regular socials.

Training Times Wednesday - Edgbaston Reservoir, Beginners and Intermediates (two windsurfing instructors, basics can be taught).

Saturday/Sunday (weather dependent) - Beginners and Intermediates (two windsurfing instructors, basics can be taught).

Club Captain: Jezz Boyd jtb758@bham.ac.uk buwc@hotmail.com

Mordo Nahum Puzzles Editor

Completed crosswords to be submitted to the Redbrick office.

(Redbrick Office located in the basement of the Guild)

Course:

Year: Email Address:

Phone Number:

Kauto Star

With the prospective Test World Championships pushed back to at least 2017, this week's Wednesday debate between Ross Highfield and Felix Keith discusses whether test cricket will survive as the predominant form of cricket.

This week's prize is a £5 Waterstones Gift Voucher

Name:

Heroes...

This week on the Redbrick website...

Future of Cricket

The Redbrick Crossword

Please complete this form before you hand in your completed crossword into the Redbrick office.

Sport 27

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Editors – Sam Price & Joseph Audley

Across 1/9. Largest living reptile (9, 9) 8. Chowder (4) 9. See 1 10. Type of air pollution (4) 13. Smell or taste, for example (5) 15. Novel by Vladimir Nabokov (6) 16. Music genre; daze (6) 17. Hard surface of teeth (6) 19. Sturdy (6) 20. Discourage (5) 21. (Inflict) pain (4) 24. Keira _________, English actress (9) 25. Catalogue; tilt (4) 26. 2010 film; nice point (anag.) (9)

Down 2. Unit of area used for land (4) 3. Small bug; check mark (4) 4. English girl's name, Italian boy's name (6) 5. To join the army (6) 6. Russian spaceman (9) 7. Long, thin pasta (9) 11. Largest mammal, living or extinct (4, 5) 12. Largest living bird capable of flight (9) 13. Horse (5) 14. Mistake (5) 18. John ______, Beatles guitarist (6) 19. Music genre originally found in Jamaica (6) 22. Immediately (medical) (4) 23. Currency used in Mexico, Argentina and more (4)

Youtube search: Glen Johnson vs Hull In 2008/09 the then Portsmouth right-back scored a screamer for the South Coast side. Chesting the ball down from a Hull clearance and knocking the ball past an oncoming challenge, he then unleashed an unstoppable left-footed volley which dipped over the goalkeeper and into the net, putting his side 2-1 up in the tie.

Legendary 11-yearold horse Kauto Star was back to his best last week when beating the new class of top class chasers in some style to land the Betfair Chase at Haydock Park. The two time Gold Cup winner was disappointing last season, but vindicated trainer Paul Nicholls' decision to keep him in training with a masterful performance.

David Beckham

Beckham helped LA Galaxy beat Houston Dynamo 1-0 in the MLS Cup final. This is the Brit's first siliverware in Amer- i ca, but his 23rd career trophy overall. It is likely that Becks is on his way out of Galaxy with his contract expiring in a month, but it is clear that he has left his mark on football in America after all.

Micah Richards

After scoring once and earning a penalty in his side's 3-1 win against Newcastle, Richards has received widespread praise for consistently impressive performances for league leaders Man City.

and Villains...

Sepp Blatter

After claiming that racism in sport can be settled with a handshake at the end of the game, Blatter's position as FIFA president has been called into question by many. Rio Ferdinand and Robbie Savage have said that Blatter has to go and even Ed Miliband believes his comments are 'a disgrace.'

Chelsea Defence

In a crucial home game against Liverpool, Chelsea's back four was disorganised and majorly responsible for their third loss in four Premier League games. At this early stage of the season, Andre Villas Boas' side find them 12 points behind leaders Man City.

12_3_4_5_=6=7 =_=_=_=_=8___ 9________=_=_ =_=_=_=_=0___ a=b=c___d=_=_ e_____=f_____ _=_=_===_=_=_ g____h=i_____ _=_=j____=_=_ k___=_=_=l=m= _=_=n________ o___=_=_=_=_= _=_=p________

28 Sport

Redbrick

25th November 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk

Sport

Editors – Sam Price & Joseph Audley

Loughborough Special Turn to p24 and p25 for our doublepage spread on this week's showdown with Loughborough

Brum girls' epic 32-game unbeaten run halted by Leeds Women's Hockey

Birmingham 1sts

1

Leeds 1sts

3

James Newbon Sport Reporter

Birmingham firsts saw their 32match unbeaten run come to an end as they gave newly-promoted Leeds their first win in Premier North. Two penalty strokes from Laura Sugar and a goal from Sarah Court were enough to give the visitors the victory with a Holly Payne goal all Birmingham could offer in reply.

Leeds went ahead four minutes into the game after being awarded a contentious penalty stroke. A foul from behind by Alice Brown on Leeds’ Hannah Rhodes was adjudged to have stopped a goalscoring opportunity by the referee who awarded the penalty. Sugar stepped up for the visitors and dispatched her shot past goalkeeper Amy Jones to put Leeds 1-0 up.

Brum were given a chance to get back into the game two minutes later but their penalty corner saw Pippa McCormack’s shot blocked before Jenna Woolven shot wide.

Woolven then had two further chance to level the scores. Her first saw her latch onto a through ball

by Alice Sharp only to see her shot saved by Leeds’ goalkeeper Chloe Smith. The second came from a penalty corner as her shot was cleared off the line before McCormack saw her rebound saved. McCormack again went close from a third Birmingham penalty corner but this time her shot was deflected wide.

Having failed to capitalise on their chances Birmingham were then pinned in their own half for

a frantic five minutes although the away side were unable to create a clear cut chance.

When the home side did finally break out Woolven found Becky Slater who saw her shot saved before a penalty corner was awarded from the resulting melee. This time it was Payne who saw her shot blocked before it could trouble the keeper.

Birmingham continued to press for the final five minutes of the half. Abby Webb and Payne combined to set up Slater whose shot had to be cleared off the line by a Leeds defender. But the hosts' pressure finally came to fruition with one minute remaining in the half. A penalty corner saw goalkeeper Smith save from Woolven only for the ball to go into the path of the taker Payne who coolly dispatched the ball into the back of the net to level at 1-1.

Conceding just before halftime did not appear to dent Leeds’ confidence as they emerged for the second half. Within three minutes they were ahead thanks again to penalty stroke. If the first had been contentious, the second certainly wasn’t. Rhodes was allowed to run unchallenged into the Brum D where she was brought down by a slide tackle from Jones. Sugar again stepped up for the visitors and, whilst Jones got a hand to her effort, found the back of the net to take a 2-1 lead.

Five minutes later, Leeds doubled the gap. A goalmouth melee following a free hit from just outside the D, saw the ball fortuitously find the goal courtesy of a final touch from Sarah Court.

Barely a minute later Birmingham could have clawed a goal back courtesy of penalty corner but captain Sarah Haycroft’s shot was

Tom Flathers

Birmingham girls deflated as Leeds celebrate the win blocked.

With a two-goal lead to their name, Leeds went on the defensive, making it hard for the home side to create any clear cut opportunities. Slater and Woolven both saw shots go wide before Birmingham’s best chance to score was created by Haycroft. The captain found space on the right but neither Xenna Hughes or Woolven could connect with her tantalising cross. Birmingham continued to press with Payne, Haycroft and Brown all going close.

But there was no way back and the game ended when Leeds were awarded a penalty corner with less than a minute remaining. With the full time whistle blown Birmingham held strong to keep the ball

out but it was in vain as Leeds celebrated their 3-1 victory.

A disappointed Birmingham coach Phil Gooderham lamented his side’s failure to put their chances away but explained that his side had been hit with injury with the likes of Sarah Page and

Emily Atkinson unavailable, ‘when you miss four players of the quality we did today you feel it,’ but he said those who had stepped up had ‘done their best.’ He’ll be hoping they bounce back in the next game as they look to make up ground on leaders Durham after this defeat.

SHOTS ON TARGET (inner) & SHOTS OFF TARGET (outer)

5

0

10

4

Birmingham

Leeds

Golfers beat Lincoln to stay undefeated Men's Golf

Birmingham 1sts

4.5

Lincoln 1sts

1.5

Daniel Beattie Golf Correspondent

Despite getting stuck in the bunker, Birmingham were able to win comfortably

Mathis Baumert

The golf firsts secured another victory, 4.5 to 1.5 over Lincoln under heavy ground conditions at Edgbaston Golf Club. Out first was first year golfer Harry Chapple who had a close game with Lincoln’s number one and lost 2 and 1. Sam Botham, following a steady win away to Leeds last week, saw a healthy four up lead at the turn vanish as his opponent rallied with four birdies in five holes on the back nine. Botham managed to square the match with a birdie on the 17th and settled for a half on

the last. Captain of the team Daniel Beattie had a day of mixed fortunes but managed to turn in level par with a two up lead, which grew to three and four up with birdies on 15 and 16 to win 4 and 2. Following closely behind was Owen Edwards who continued his unbeaten run, winning 5 and 4.

The nail in the coffin was delivered by Matt Jones who ran out another comfortable home win 6 and 5 to give Birmingham the 3.5 points required to seal the league win. Last and by no means least, Gareth Jenkins displayed great maturity and closed out his game on the 17th to see off a strong competitor in Jamie Powell by a victory of 3 and 1. Birmingham firsts have extended their unbeaten run at the top of the Northern Premier League with 13 points from the first five games and head into the new year as strong title favourites.

NEXT WEEK THE LION will be roaring back into Redbrick! Eight pages of University sport content including swimming and ice hockey