EST. 1936
Redbrick Friday 2nd December 2011 | Volume 76 | Issue 1402 | redbrickpaper.co.uk
The comes roaring back: 8-page pull-out inside 'ArtsLion in Wonderland' Redbrick Sport's bi-annual supplement takes a look at favourite UoB's lesser known sportsp18 Redbrick Arts begins its search for University of Birmingham's fictional characters,
The motion had been tabled for Parliament by MP John Hemming
Freddie Herzog
Guild proceedings motioned in Parliament Kerrina Gray News Editor
A motion has been submitted to the House of Commons calling for three of the five points in the Guild's report into the conduct of suspended Vice President (Education) Edd Bauer to be dropped. John Hemming, Liberal Democrat MP for Birmingham Yardley supported by Peter Bottomley, Conservative MP for Worthing West and Jeremy Corbyn, Labour MP for Islington North submitted the Early Day Motion on Tuesday. The motion explains that 'Birmingham University Guild of Students is running disciplinary proceedings against Edward Bauer, the elected Sabbatical Vice President (Education) of the Guild, on five points.' The motion calls for three of these points to be dropped from the disciplinary proceedings including Bauer's protest at the Liberal Democrat Conference and his article published in the Guardian on October 5th. The motion says the points
act as 'a constraint on the right to protest and the freedom of speech of a democratically-elected student representative.' Early Day Motions are formal motions submitted for debate in the House of Commons, although relatively few are actually debated. They are primarily used by Members of Parliament to draw attention to a
The Guild cannot disclose at what stage the official proceedings are at due to legal restrictions. However, Redbrick can report that a public Facebook forum has stated that an 'investigatory hearing' regarding Bauer's future at the Guild has taken place.
particular cause or event; other MPs can then sign the motion and therefore register their support. The Guild of Students is still yet to make a formal decision regarding the suspension of Bauer, three weeks after the Guild investigation into his conduct sent its recommendations to Mark Harrop. The Guild cannot disclose at what stage the official proceedings are at due to legal restrictions. However, Redbrick can report that a public Facebook forum has stated that an 'investigatory hearing' regarding Bauer's future at the Guild has taken place. Under current Guild disciplinary regulations, the officer disciplinary committee should be comprised of the Guild President, two Trustees, at least one of which should be a lay Trustee, a member of Guild Council, normally the Chair of Guild Council and a member of Guild staff, usually from the management team. Bauer said that the process has been based on 'highly politicised grounds for a peaceful protest and the results of it. I have not
been found guilty of any crime, it is not reasonable to assume I will. If the Guild actually is a democratic organisation, then this decision must lay ultimately in the hands of students at either a vote at Guild Council or an AGM.' The University Politics department has also come out in support of Bauer. Staff and student members of POLSIS sent a letter to Mark Harrop signed by 46 members of staff, including head of POLSIS Professor Colin Thain. Many other students and alumni including Open Place Guild Councillor Simon Furse, POLSIS Guild Councillor Bryn Gough, Chair of Birmingham Labour Students Daniel Harrison, Community Action Officer Leander Jones and Kelly Rogers, Guild of Students Woman's Officer. The letter explains that 'As political scientists and sociologists with a keen interest in democratic governance, due process and freedom of expression, we are deeply concerned about the implications of Edd Bauer's suspension by the Guild of Students.' It goes on to say that 'the suspension leaves
students without an elected representative in a key role. That such a decision can be made on the basis of allegations not yet made public, and prior to the conclusion of any inquiry, is contrary to widely accepted standards of due process.' The letter 'strongly urges' the Guild of Students to reverse its suspension of Bauer. MP Hemming is best known for using parliamentary privilege to reveal information that had been secured by super-injunctions to protect individuals relating to allegations that they were having affairs. For further developments on this story, see more at redbrickpaper.co.uk
2
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick Editorial Editor Glen Moutrie
food@redbrickonline.co.uk
Deputy Editors Victoria Bull James Phillips
Life&Style Editors Sophie Cowling Lara Edwards lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk
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 Arts Editors Lexie Wilson Alexander Blanchard arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Music Editors Will Franklin Tamara Roper music@redbrickonline.co.uk Online Arts and Music Editor Mel Hunt Television Editors Charlotte Lytton James Moore tv@redbrickonline.co.uk Film Editors Genevieve Taylor Isidore Sanders film@redbrickonline.co.uk Online TV and Film Editor Matthew Clemens Food Editors James Morrison Jordan Warner
Online Food and Life&Style Editor Rosie Sharratt Travel Editors Emily Booth Louise Spratt travel@redbrickonline.co.uk Technology Editors Joshua Lindsey Ruth Bradley technology@redbrickonline.co.uk Online Travel and Tech Editor Frank Mugomba Sport Editors Sam Price Joseph Audley Raphael Sheridan sport@redbrickonline.co.uk Online Sport Editor Joel Lamy Crossword Editor John Rizkallah Senior Editorial Assistant Kate Selvaratnam Editorial Assistants Oscar French Ellie Jarvis Isabel Mason Sarah Musgrove Elisha Owen Online Editorial Assistants Rosie Pearce Josh Taylor Eimear Luddy Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Sophie Rogers Kimberley Faria Akhil Kothari Proofreaders Sian Stanfield Charlotte Goodwin Emma Korniewski Lucy Haffenden Elizabeth Waind Anna Lumsden Community Manager Sophie MurrayMorris
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 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrickonline.co.uk www.redbrickpaper.co.uk Redbrick is printed through www.quotemeprint. com: 08451 300667.
Redbrick
2nd December 2011
News feed IRAN
STRIKES
UK staff leave Iran 'for own safety'
Public sector staff strike
A number of British diplomatic staff members have been removed from Iran ‘for their own safety’ following the storming of the UK embassy by protestors on Tuesday. The Iranian parliament voted to downgrade relations with the UK.
Public sector employees went on strike on Wednesday in protest over government proposals that would make workers pay more into pensions and work longer. The general secretary of the TUC has said the public sector is ‘under attack’.
FILM
Breaking Dawn makes $500 million
FILM
Streep wins award for 'The Iron Lady' Meryl Streep has won the award for Best Actress by the New York Film Critics Circle (NYFCC) for her portrayal of former Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher in the film The Iron Lady. The awards ceremony will be in January.
Leveson Inquiry: for beginners The second part will focus on unlawful or improper conduct within News International, publisher of News of the World, and other major media organisations. It will also try to ascertain whether the police, politicians or public servants were conspiring to obstruct investigations into misconduct at News International, or were themselves complicit in the misconduct. Witnesses are decided upon personally by Lord Justice Leveson who has said he will consider them on a ‘case-by-case basis’ after judging whether any information supplied could jeopardise any criminal investigations or future prosecutions. So far the inquiry has seen testimony from several alleged victims of media malpractice, including Hugh Grant, Sienna Miller, JK Rowling and Steve C o o gan.
High-profile victims of crime have also been selected to give testimony before the panel. Sally and Bob Dowler, parents of murdered schoolgirl Milly, also gave evidence explaining how the hacking of their daughter’s voicemail during the weeks after she went missing gave them false hope she was still alive. Over the past few days criticism has been levelled that the Inquiry is descending into a ‘celebrity circus’ for those wishing to get their own back at various sections of the media. Upon its conclusion, the Inquiry will publish recommendations on how to reform policy and the regulatory regime which supports the integrity and freedom of the press, plurality of the media, and its independence from government. It will also recommend how future concerns over press behaviour should be dealt with and comment on how politicians, the police and the press should conduct their relations with each other in the future. See online at redbrickpaper. co.uk for more on this story
EMPLOYMENT
STRIKES
HEALTH
Bishop apologises for abuse failures
Workers win case against council
Birmingham schools Wi-fi laptops could closed during strike damage sperm
The Bishop of Raphoe, Philip Boyce, has said that there were ‘significant errors of judgment’ in the handling of cases of child rape in the Catholic Church, and that the clergy is ‘truly sorry’ for the offences. Allegations were made about 14 priests.
A number of former Birmingham City Council employees who claimed to have been excluded from bonuses have won a court appeal on equal pay. The council says it is ‘disappointed’ by the decision and plans to appeal.
Over 100 schools in Birmingham closed during the public sector strikes. A member of the union in the city said, 'None of us wanted to strike, we are in this profession because we care about the future, and taking this action is a last resort.’
The latest film in the Twilight saga, Breaking Dawn Part 1, has reached the top of both the US and UK box office charts, having made over $500 million since its release on 18th November. The next film in the saga is out next year. NORWAY
Breivik is declared insane Anders Behring Breivik, the man responsible for the murder of 77 people in Norway in July, had paranoid schizophrenia at the time of the attacks, according to a psychiatric analysis. Breivik’s trial is due to begin in April. ABUSE
Dominic Jackson Senior Reporter
The Leveson Inquiry was commissioned in the wake of the News of the World phone hacking scandal to determine the role that both the press and police played in the controversial affair. It hopes to explore the culture, practices and ethics of the media. The Inquiry was opened by Chairman of the Inquiry Lord Justice Leveson on the 14th November. The inquiry is split into two parts. The first will scrutinize the relationship between the press, politicians and the police. It will look at the conduct of each of these parties and examine whether the current regulatory regime for the media is fit for purpose.
Scientists are questioning whether laptops with a wi-fi connection could be harmful to sperm. Tests have shown that after four hours sperm are less able to swim and had genetic changes. However, men should not 'worry unduly'.
Top news stories of the year Australia face floods
Tunisian Government falls
Japan hit by an Royal Wedding earthquake televised
US special forces kill Bin Laden
Floods which began in December 2010, spread to 22 towns. The death toll reached 35 with nine missing, presumed dead.
After rallies against him, the Tunisian President, Zine al-Abidine Ben Ali stepped down after 23 years in power. Dozens died in protests in the weeks before the President resigned as unrest swept the country and security forces cracked down on demonstrations over unemployment, food price rises and corruption.
The earthquake off the Pacific coast of Tohoko reached a magnitude of nine, it was the most powerful earthquake ever to hit Japan. The earthquake triggered tsunamis and a number of nuclear accidents. 15,839 people died and many more injured.
Prince William HRH and Kate Middleton married at Westminster Abbey in London. The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge married in front of the world as their wedding was televised, 24.5 million watched it on the BBC.
Bin Laden was killed in his secret compound in Pakistan by US special forces. Three men, including one of Bin Laden's sons and one woman were also killed. Bin Laden was buried at sea within hours. Crowds gathered outside the White House and in New York to celebrate his death.
MARCH
APRIL
Advertising: Contact Aimee Fitzpatrick in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524
JANUARY
MAY
Redbrick
Editors – Anna Hughes, James Brilliant, Kerrina Gray & Rhiannon Doyle-Maw
News 3
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
News shorts compiled by Patrick McGhee
A year of change Victoria Bull Deputy Editor
FOOD
Spotlight on Societies
UK's biggest restaurant opens Za Za Bazaar, the UK's biggest restaurant, has opened in Bristol. The restaurant has the capacity to serve 2,000 people per day, including 700 tables in any one sitting and offers a map to diners to help them navigate the building. ADVERTISING
M&S advert too 'overtly sexual'
Who is your president? Alexander Butler What is the society all about? Article 19 provides the chance for people to get involved in any way, shape or form within the theatre. We strive to produce at least two high quality productions per term and they are completely directed, acted, produced, designed and stage managed by our members. We also run regular trips to the theatre in and around Birmingham! Your society's highlight?
An advert for Marks and Spencer's Autograph lingerie range has been banned for being 'overtly sexual'. The ads were criticised for being accessible to children and the models being in sexual poses.
Winning Best Event at the Guild Awards 2011 for Angels in America! Your society in 5 words? Fun, ambitious, social, exciting, daring.
1. A19 refers to Article 19 in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, 'Everyone has the right to freedom of opinion and expression; this right includes freedom to hold opinions without interference and to seek, receive and impart information and ideas through any media and regardless of frontiers.' 2. We are the longest running theatre society at the Guild. 3. At the past three Edinburgh Fringe Festivals we have put on three five-star shows, one of which was transferred to London. Why should we get involved?
If you love acting, directing, producing, tech, costume, stage managing or just going to the theatre, then we are the society for you! We provide the chance to be directly involved in some of the Guild's biggest productions. We go on lots of cheap trips to the theatre and not to mention some great socials! Upcoming events? Article 19 presents Hamlet - December 1st – 4th at the AE Harris Warehouse. How can we get involved? Follow us on twitter @Article19Drama for regular updates and exciting audition announcements! Or visit our website: www.a19theatrecompany.co.uk/
TRIAL
BUDGET
MEDIA
Autumn budget revealed
Campbell testifies at Dr Conrad Murray sentenced to 4 years Leveson Inquiry
The Autumn budget was revealed this week, including extra government borrowing of £111 billion. It was also announced that public sector jobs may be cut by up to 710,000 and that pay would be capped at a one per cent increase.
Alistair Campbell has testified at the Leveson Inquiry, labelling journalism as ‘putrid in many of its elements’. In his witness statement, however, Mr Campbell said that ‘there remains a good deal of quality journalism’.
CRIME
SPORT
Three facts about your society?
Michael Jackson's doctor Conrad Murray has been sentenced to four years imprisonment. He was found guilty of the involuntary manslaughter of Michael Jackson earlier this month. The prosecution successfully argued for the maximum term.
POLICE
Gary Speed was found by his wife
Pensioner murdered More baton training by car thief for Met Police
It has been announced that Welsh football manager Gary Speed, who died last weekend, was found by his wife. An inquest has proven his death was not caused by suspicious circumstances and he was found hanging.
James Simpson, a 76 year old man has been murdered in Ashgill in South Lanarkshire. He died after being run over by his own Land Rover Discovery on Tuesday. Police are still hunting for the man responsible for this 'tragic' crime.
Scotland Yard are training more police to use baton rounds, also known as rubber bullets. The decision was made after a report into the August riots. The report lists ten main findings on the disorder from 6th to 9th August.
Earlier this week, Guardian columnist and all-round satirical genius Charlie Brooker tweeted, ‘Given the sheer amount of dramatic news that’s happened this year, 2011 feels like humankind’s own end-of-season finale’. Trust the former Screenwipe creator and presenter to use a TV analogy to describe what has, indeed, been a bizarre year of riots, uprisings, revolutions and scandals. To me, it seems as though many of the main headlines that have shaped the media this year symbolise a global concern for calling figures of authority into account. Yes, the August riots became a gratuitous method for wreaking havoc, but many commentators suggested the attitude behind them was disillusionment with government cuts and unemployment. The media itself has even been scrutinised – the ceasing of publication of the News of the World and the ongoing Leveson Inquiry are just some of the main consequences of this urgent need to limit the negative influence of the press. And, of course, the Arab Spring that has continued throughout the year has given power - and an international voice - to those nations silenced under regimes of dictatorship. In our own, smaller microcosm of the world, Redbrick similarly strives to report on and question the decisions of the Guild, and in doing so, we aim to represent the voice of the student body. Our in-depth coverage of VPE Edd Bauer’s suspension has seen the latest news appear online as soon as it happens – which will of course continue to be the case in the six weeks or so, until Redbrick’s next print edition. Right across the globe, 2011 has been a year of change. This shift is evident in the major stories that have been reported - on the international scale right down to here in Birmingham - but also in terms of the way we receive and report a lot of our news. Twitter now has unprecedented power, and journalism is becoming increasingly dependent on onthe-ground participation. These developments have simultaneously signalled a progression in Redbrick – immediacy is key in reporting today’s stories, and our Guardian award-winning website aims to reflect this. It seems that with all its drama, and the increasingly modern way of reporting it, 2011 may either go down in history as the year the world went mad, or the year media technology got smart.
NOTW closes due Norway terrorist to phone hacking massacre
Amy Winehouse dies
Riots hit major UK cities
Gaddafi captured and killed
Berlusconi and Papandreou resign
The Guardian's reporter Nick Davies leaked the phone hacking scandal which showed that News of the World had listened to the voicemails of politicians, police, journalists and public personalities. This eventually resulted in the 168 year publication closing.
Amy Winehouse was found dead in her home by her livein guard, Andrew Morris. A coroner later ruled that her death was a result of drinking alcohol.
Riots in several boroughs of London including Croydon and Tottenham, spread to major UK cities such as Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester. Many shops in city centres were looted and arson attacks reached unprecedented levels. Five people died and at least 16 others were injured.
Col Mummar Gaddafi, Libyan dictator died from bullet wounds after an attempted escape from the National Transitional Council (NTC). His body was on display in a refrigerated store room in a shopping centre and later buried in the desert.
George Papandreou resigned from his post as Greek Prime Minister following economic difficulties. Silvio Berlusconi resigned soon after, with personal and economic issues making his position untenable. He dominated Italian politics for 17 years.
AUGUST
OCTOBER
JULY
76 people were killed in twin terror attacks on Norway by Anders Behring Breivik. He planted a bomb in capital city Oslo and shot at youths on an island youth camp run by the ruling Labour Party. He has recently been declared insane.
NOVEMBER
4 News
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Editors – Anna Hughes, James Brilliant, Kerrina Gray & Rhiannon Doyle-Maw
Abigail Schule on what the best things about living in halls and houses are.
HALLS
More sociable
Less likely to come home and find out your telly's missing
Rooms designed around student needs
One lump payment - no need to worry about household bills
Shorter walk of shame in the morning
Interviews with this Nursing students feel year's RA candidates unprepared for placement
Giles Longley-Cook speaks to various RA candidates about their hopes for next term With posters lining the road towards the Vale and a huge presence on social networking websites this year’s RA candidates finished campaigning on Thursday. Redbrick asked candidates and students what they think of this year's campaigns.
Jon Millman, running for Sports Officer for Tennis Courts Why are you running? Our high expectations haven’t been fulfilled. I’d like to provide better service for next year. It’s also good to get involved and is good for my CV. What are your main tactics and how is the campaign going? Mainly door knocking and posters which bring face value to it. Facebook, though this is less important now and is rather overrated. What are your plans if you win? More inter-block sports events, as teams from other areas have poor attendance. I would like to introduce new sports.
Zain Luke Ali, running for President of Elgar Court Why are you running? The current RA’s have set the bar high and I want to keep up the standards. I think I’d be good in the role as I’m outgoing, friendly and make others feel welcome. What are your main tactics and how is the campaign going? I use the Facebook page, flyers and posters. I already know lots of people and have built up trust. I’m planning to write an Elgar Rangers song. Everyone has a good chance I think and the intensity is going up as it gets closer. Elgar is a smaller community so it’s easy to create awareness. What are your plans if you win?’ I’d want to increase everyone’s
feeling of importance, build relationships and wider involvement for all, not just the party crowd. How would you maintain cohesion within the RA team?’ Having regular meetings and deciding on majority votes. I’d deal with all issues by putting my foot down but not being disrespectful.
Lydia Brian, running for President of Tennis Why are you running? The RA’s influence is very important, and creates a good experience for everyone. I’ve always liked organising and leading things. It helps that I’m a business student so have management experience. ‘What are your main tactics and how is the campaign going? Flyers, fun and creative posters. Facebook is very useful to get my name out there. Door knocking is the most personal method and was crucial the weekend before the election. Do you think that many people will get round to voting? Yes, as long as we motivate them and make sure they know how. What are your plans if you win? More support for the sports team and TC spirit. I’d want more nonalcohol events and inter-block mixing.
Abigail Schule asked 100 students: Did you prefer living in a house or in halls?
Rhiannon Doyle-Maw News Editor
Nursing students at the University of Birmingham face a degree that they feel ill prepared for. Qualified members of nursing staff feel more could be done by the University to ready their students for what they will face within the wards. A Derbyshire Senior Staff nurse believes, ‘We wouldn’t let them be in a situation that they aren’t prepared for but sometimes it can’t be helped. However, you should be able to go to your tutor and if something horrific happens there should always be a debrief to talk through what they have experienced.’ ‘I do feel there should be more time spent on the practical, and it would be beneficial if when they come to the ward they have set goals for themselves. This will help them prepare for their experiences, and even though they may be
frightened stiff, they will know they have the knowledge to cope with the situation.’ ‘The most important things are preparation and awareness come and visit the ward you are on, introduce yourself to your mentor and they will answer your questions and suggest preparation.’ ‘I would say that what is lacking is knowledge of drugs and their contra-indications – fully understand the drugs, what they are for, how often they should be taken and what they should not be taken with; this is the biggest issue with student nurses.’ The course sees student nurses on placement within their first semester of first year at university, and during their second year of their degree equal value is placed on University study and clinical placement. The mental strain, as well as the physical toll on Nursing Students is being called into ques-
tion after the recent findings that people admitted to NHS hospitals over the weekend are almost 10% more likely to die that those during the week. Ruth Emily Parkes, a second year Nursing student, has to wake up at 5am, and does not enter her home until 20 past 8 at night during her placement. ‘I wasn’t prepared at university for the big things. I would say about 95% of all practical nursing skills I learnt on placement. In terms of experience something traumatic like death, you got no support at all! You could go to your tutor but I suppose, generally, we were meant to deal with it. 'They only taught us how to do last offices (when someone dies) this year, when I had already performed them last year. Although I had prepared myself for it anyway so I didn't emotionally attach myself but I know people who have been really upset by their experiences.’
Students removed from North Gate occupation Victoria Graney Reporter
After occupation of the North Gate Gatehouse on Tuesday night, the 27 protesters were forced to leave on Thursday evening at approximately 9pm after the High Court granted the University an interim possession order. This made it a criminal offence for the protesters to continue with occupation after 24 hours of the order being granted. After consultation with their fire safety advisor, an inspection of the property and assessment of the fire risk, the University decided that the number of people occupying the building risked contravention of the Regulatory Fire Safety Order 2006. Alistair Jarvis, Director of Communications and Marketing at the University told Redbrick ‘with the safety and well-being of our students being our overriding priority we notified the occupiers of the identified fire risk and again requested that the protesters vacate the property with a deadline of 3pm on Thursday 24th November.’ The protesters refused to vacate the Gatehouse, resulting in the University applying to the High Court for an injunction. This was awarded at approximately 8pm on Thursday and prevented the occupiers from remaining on University owned land for the purpose of any occupational protest action. It seems that the University
The North Gate
Freddie Herzog
Security Services were stationed round the Gatehouse 24 hours a day. It has been alleged on the blog brumoccupation.wordpress.com that one security officer punched a student occupier in the head through an open window whilst trying to force his way into the Gatehouse. However this has not been confirmed. Students and the Guild delivered supplies to the protesters throughout the occupation. Guild President Mark Harrop, brought 27 pizzas to the occupiers on Wednesday night. In an official statement the Guild stated that it ‘recognised the rights of students to protest peacefully’ and that it would ‘support those students who wish to do so.’
The Guild said that it would ensure those involved would ‘have access to basic human rights such as water’ and food. The protesters from the NCAFC occupied the Gatehouse, ironically in order to ‘keep the gates open’ to education. They argue that the University and the Government are ‘taking increasingly regressive measures to make universities inaccessible’ to most. The University of Birmingham Liberal Democrats society wrote an open letter to Stuart Richards, Director of Hospitality and Accommodation Services, condemning the actions of the University during the occupation. The Brazilian Workers Party in London also criticised action in a letter to various University staff.
Redbrick
Editors – Anna Hughes, James Brilliant, Kerrina Gray & Rhiannon Doyle-Maw
HOUSE No flat inspections and chance of fines
Can have parties without the risk of being too noisy
UCU strike action affects University Tom Byrne
Wednesday saw large-scale strike action being implemented against the coalition Government’s public sector cuts, with up to three million public sector workers choosing to take industrial action. The University and College Union (UCU) was one of the unions who decided to strike, with the University of Birmingham’s branch forming a picket line outside of the Guild of Students building. The key motive for the nationwide strike action was to express opposition against the cuts being made to their pension scheme. Unions are objecting to Government proposals to make members pay more and work longer in order to earn their pensions. Ultimately, the government argue that the current funding of public sector pensions is unsustainable and wants to raise the retirement age whilst bringing in career average pensions, which can be less lucrative than the current final salary schemes. A group made up of both university staff and students amassed outside the front entrance to the Guild of Students building on Wednesday morning, forming a picket line and urging fellow staff not to cross, as well as handing out leaflets and flyers regarding the reasons behind the basis of their industrial action. Placards were also being held aloft with slogans such as 'Hands off our pensions' and 'Save our pensions' adorned across them. Armbands were also worn as a sign of unity and support for the UCU’s action. The overall atmosphere at the
Living with people you've chosen
Senior Reporter
Freddie Herzog protest was peaceful, with both staff and students addressing the crowd on topics including neoliberalism, corporate agendas and the importance of the day’s industrial action. Regarding the action against public sector cuts, the Vice-President of the UCU’s University of Birmingham branch, David Bailey stated: 'University staff are being put under increasing pressure to meet performance management targets that are ultimately unachievable. The staff are crucial in the running of this university and should therefore be considered when important decisions are being made towards the university’s operations.' Guild President Mark Harrop was also present for some of the UCU’s protest. Speaking to Redbrick, Harrop said that: 'This industrial action is important for students at the University of Birmingham, as proven in the fact that it was passed in Guild Council. I feel that students should be entitled to stand up in order to preserve and safeguard their education.'
Generally cheaper - more money for Fab!
Edinburgh Uni boycotts the Guild Dominic Jackson
Reporter
News 5
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
The University of Edinburgh’s Student Association (UESA) passed a motion at a recent AGM calling for a boycott of the University of Birmingham’s Guild of Students in response to the Guild’s decision to suspend Edd Bauer from his role as a Sabbatical Officer. However, the motion will not become binding policy as not enough students were present at the meeting which was therefore declared inquorate. The boycott would have remained in force until Bauer was either reinstated back into office or a student vote was held to approve the decision to suspend him. The boycott would have prevented representatives from the Guild of Students being welcome in UESA buildings; Edinburgh would have also declined to send their own representatives to any events hosted by the Guild. UESA will be publicising the boycott and the reasons for its implementation to its membership and the wider student movement. President of the UESA, Matthew McPherson, told Redbrick that despite the meeting being inquorate, the Sabbatical team at Edinburgh had taken a strong steer from this decision and believed that it was the Trustee Board, rather than Bauer, which had ultimately brought the Guild into disrepute. ‘We at UESA believe in the fundamental right to protest. In fact, we view that bridging the gap between students and their democracy is a fundamental part of what we as a students’ union
should facilitate. We ask that Mr Bauer be reinstated, and given the public apology he deserves.’ Guild President Mark Harrop said: ‘As we have previously stated, the Vice President (Education) was suspended from his duties as a Sabbatical Officer following legal advice and in line with due process. There were multiple reasons for the suspension, and the decision was taken so that an investigation could be conducted by the Guild into the allegations. The Vice President (Education) has not been suspended indefinitely, but for the period whilst the investigation process is completed. 'As previously reported in Redbrick, we can confirm that the investigation has drawn to a conclusion, however, we are unable to comment further at this stage. The Guild hopes to conclude the process shortly. 'In terms of the comments made by UESA they are misinformed, and the UESA Sabbatical Officer team have not made any attempt to contact me to discuss any of their concerns directly.'
News Editor
Selly Oak's Selly Sausage, located on Bristol Road, celebrated its 20th birthday last week. Tony McKinlay, owner of Selly Sausage and University of Bir-
Staff at the Selly Sausage
mingham alumni, spoke to Redbrick about the beginnings of the bar and cafe and gave advice to students looking into setting up their own businesses. Despite graduating with a 2:1 in law in 1990, Tony McKinlay knew that he wanted to go into
Freddie Herzog
management, and with a family background in catering decided he wanted to set up a business for students in Selly Oak. After working at TGI Friday's on Hagley Road for nine months and borrowing money from his parents Tony launched the Selly Sausage; the name originating from a dare from business partner Richard Cooper. Tony said, 'There was nowhere for students to eat in the area apart from Gun Barrels, which used to be a steakhouse. We wanted to set up somewhere for specifically for students and sell hangover food.' Selly Sausage started off as a bistro, but it soon became apparent that weekend breakfasts were the most popular. Tony said, 'We originally didn't want to serve chips but eventually got real!' Tony recommended starting businesses for students, 'Students are so easy to serve, they are relaxed and having fun so you tend to have fun with them.' At first the cafe's clientele consisted of 'around
Education news in brief Kellie Coyle Reporter
St Andrews students burn effigy of Obama Students within the Conservative Association at St Andrews University have apologised to President Obama after burning an effigy of him. In a statement the University said the act was 'not intentionally racist'. No further disciplinary action has been taken. Salford Uni 'not a place to read books' The University of Salford has been described as 'not a place you come to read books' after the installation of their £50 million digital campus. Jon Corner, director of the development, described the current education system as '150 years out of date'. Distance learning to be used to 'open up higher education' The concept of distance-learning has recently been described as a university experience 'minus the parties'. The University of London has nearly 50,000 students studying by distance in more than 180 countries: David Willetts, the Universities Minister, hopes to use this as a model to open up higher education to prospective students in Britain who cannot afford the costs of expensive tuition fees and supporting themselves away from home. Oxford University's reputation threatened by cuts
Chris Malcolm on flickr
Selly Sausage celebrates 20th birthday Anna Hughes
More home comforts
95 per cent' students with hardly any locals, however over time this has balanced out and it is now busy all through the week. 'It was obvious that I had recently been a student so I got away with a lot at the start. The early years were madness, we were out all the time and got no sleep!' When asked if he had any advice for aspiring business owners Tony said, 'Work for other people before you set up your own business so you can learn on someone else's money. I was impatient and was probably too young at 21 so if I was to do it again I would wait and spend more time working for someone else at TGI's.' Tony added, 'It's important to believe you can do it - it can be done. I was useless at first and didn't have a clue what I was doing, if I can do it anyone can.' Tony McKinlay now also owns Chez Jules, a restaurant in the city centre, and Platform, a bar and restaurant in London.
Oxford University’s reputation as a world leader in higher education is being threatened by funding cuts and restrictions on international students, the Vice- Chancellor of the University has warned. According to Professor Andrew Hamilton, visa restrictions are threatening the ‘academic health of the university’. University applications down 12.9 per cent According to UCAS, applications for university places for next year are down by almost 13 per cent. Next year will see the start of the new £9000 tuition fees for some universities. UCAS has predicted that there may be a 'late surge' in applications near the January deadline. Lethal weapon lessons at Blackpool college Students at the Fleetwood nautical campus of Fylde College in Blackpool have been given the opportunity to learn about 'managing' lethal weapons and guarding against pirate attacks.
6 redbrickpaper.co.uk
2nd December 2011
Comment & Features Editorial Ali Hendy
Comment and Features Editor
Debate, debate, debate
Square eyes so easily seduced: A system of emotional association governs our spending habits
the respect to decide whether or not to make purchases. When was honesty discarded so thoughtlessly? Advertising was once described as 'the rattling of a stick inside a swill bucket,' by George Orwell. This is a painfully accurate assertion, which adroitly demonstrates why corporations now treat their customers as 'swine'. Quite simply, because it works. Consumerism subscribes to Sigmund Freud's view of human beings, that they are essentially irrational, and driven by impulse and desire. By appealing to these qualities, an adverts influence over it's audience can become truly colossal. Hence the dominance of materialist values in the West, which has reached a stage whereby many define their all important 'individuality' through mass produced objects. Ethically dubious, this may be, but the economic growth generated by 'rattling the stick' cannot, and should not, be undermined in a time of recession. Lamentably, it is a system within which we are trapped; I write this article wearing converse trainers, and can (much to my discredit) recall countless jingles with ease. That everybody is a victim is a bitter pill, but one we must swallow. Consequently, it is vital to regard advertising with a critical eye, to remain aware that we are being sold a fiction far removed from the reality of the product itself. If we loose sight of this, then we submit to control from those who would tell us that shopping at John Lewis is akin to selflessness.
Oscar French Editorial Assistant
The Occupy Wall Street movement this week came to represent rather more than its initial aims, when Naomi Wolf had an article published in the Guardian, under the flammatory headline, 'The shocking truth about the crackdown on Occupy' The feminist author claimed to have uncovered murky reasons for the scenes of seemingly gratuitous police violence at Occupy, including a policeman liberally graffiting an elderly lady's face with pepper spray. Wolf's correspondence with Occupy protesters unveiled the main aims of their protest: to reform the banking system, and more controversially, to challenge a loophole which allows members of Congress to pass legislation affecting a specific group of corporations in which they are investors. Radically, the article claims that the violent crackdown is a mediated attempt, co-ordinated between Congress and the police, to silence and suppress the OWS, a vocal organ which 'has touched the third rail: personal congressional profits streams' Most worthy of comment, is the attention which Wolf's article has attracted. With a startling 235, 000 recommendations on Facebook and over 1,000 comments on the Guardian website, her proposals have ignited contempt as an unsubstantiated piece of conspiracy journalism, and inspired others to voice their solidarity with her concerns. The issue prods firmly at the zeitgeist: globally, collectives turn to attention-seeking methods to express frustration with a stretched system, no longer able to cradle it's 'failures'. Critics of the OWS movement state that a protest against Wall Street and the Capitalist system it represents is horrifically ignorant and naive; similar to the 'War on Terror,' Capitalism is a concept that cannot be fought, or protested against. However, the continued efforts of protesters, engaging in David and Goliath-eque debates, and the depth of participation in Wolf's article evidences wide-spread feeling that individual involvement is still valuable. And in the case of Naomi Wolf's article, the content of the comments formed well-considered offerings to a wider debate on the relationship between Federal organisations and the public, and the role of journalism in these issues. It was opinion journalism mediated by an influx of, mostly, intelligent public opinion. Often, banal statements are clichĂŠ for good reason, and in this case one holds true: democracy rests upon the acknowledgement of conflicting opinions. Participate in the debate.
Redbrick
Less than a month to go until our annual celebration of Christ and consumerism, and the incessant drone of the advertisers is already wearing a little thin. The Western world, nevertheless, is predictably queuing round the block to part with its money in favour of branded goods. Christmas is back with a vengeance. Response to the five million pound travesty produced by John Lewis this year has been as divisive as it gets for seasonal product pitches. Many have been quick to cite the obvious; that the film relies upon an overt manipulation of the emotions to seduce its audience. The rest, I presume, merely cried into their John Lewis pillows. As unrelentingly cynical as it is, we cannot blame the corporation for jumping on an age old bandwagon; to most alive today, it must appear as if adverts have always been constructed in this manner. Yet it is not the case. In 1930, Paul Mazer, a Wall Street banker declared that America must shift 'from a needs to a desires culture, people must be trained to desire, to want new things, even before the old have been entirely consumed.' This is a succinct summary of the social change which swept across the West in following decades, and nowhere is it more apparent than in advertising. Products were once marketed on account of their functionality; to sell a knife, one would emphasise the sharpness of the blade or the durability of the metal. Today, the converse has become the norm. To advertise a cutting utensil, subliminal suggestions that purchasing one will increase desirability or bolster influence within a group of peers is now commonplace. To put it simply, a system of emotional association now governs our spending habits. Consumers are perpetually at the mercy of this deception; we have become symbiont with modern advertising methods to the extent that they nearly always go unnoticed. Men's deodorant seller Lynx, never a bastion of subtlety, explicitly base endless advertising campaigns on the notion that their products increase sexual allure. In spite of overwhelming evidence that this is a fallacy, or at least an exaggeration, hordes of lustful adherents remain 'brand loyal.' Is it acceptable to delude the masses? If a government employed similar tactics, it would be swiftly labelled as propaganda in the West, and outrage would ensue. Surely a capitalist democracy should hold corporations to account in the same manner. Early advertisements are now looked upon with condescension, they are regarded as naĂŻve and ineffectual, possessing an innocence which now appears alien. However it is a mark of integrity to sell products through means of a factual explanation. Rather than demeaning the public, they were treated with
'The conscious and intelligent manipulation of the organized habits and opinions of the masses is an important element in democratic society. Those who manipulate this unseen mechanism of society constitute an invisible government which is the true ruling power of our country.We are governed, our minds are molded, our tastes formed, our ideas suggested, largely by men we have never heard of.' – Edward Bernays
Modern advertising appeals to human sense and desires
Redbrick
2nd December 2011
Editors – Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Comment & Features 7
Intellectual athletes: an oxymoron? James Dolton
'Wales rugby player Roberts is renowned for studying medicine at Cardiff'
Commentator
Relatively recently, renowned footballer and 'bad boy' Joey Barton declared he needs to 'clean up his image'. Certainly, Barton has the image that a man who has served time in prison for assault, punched opposition players on the field and reportedly stubbed out a lit cigar in a man's eye would be expected to have and certainly deserves, but rather than apologising for his crimes and attempting to atone for them, he has taken a novel new approach. Ian Montone, manager of arty indie rock band Vampire Weekend, has been enlisted to 'fix' Barton's image. When pictures of him wandering Oxford Road armed with books about Abraham Lincoln and modern consumerism began emerging, Montone's tactics were clear: to make Barton more credible and likeable by emphasising his love of indie music, increasing understanding and appreciation of culture and previously hidden intellectual tendencies. Presumably, this attempt to make Barton easier for the public to relate to explained the appearance and continued existence of the spectacularly entertaining soap box cum soap opera that is www.twitter.com/#!/Joey7Barton. Here, Barton rails against the evils of the mainstream tabloid media, discusses the vacuous frivolity of reality television and has even impotently embarked on
Joey Barton a single handed quest to re-unite his apparently new found favourite band, lefty student favourites The Smiths. Most interestingly, his stream regularly features noted thinkers like Nietszche, Orwell and Robert Moore. From a man largely renowned for kicking things, this is
all rather unexpected, and perhaps that needs to change. It is unfair to suggest that sport is totally devoid of intelligence: there are many examples of players in a variety of sports in possession of mental acumen. Wales rugby player Jamie Roberts is renowned
for studying medicine at Cardiff University in his spare time, the most recent of a long line of Welsh internationals who also practiced medicine. Frank Lampard has 11 GCSE's, including (somewhat bizarrely) an A* in Latin. Clarke Carlisle went on Countdown (after all the ultimate measure of mental aptitude) and stayed on for three whole shows. However, it is certainly fair to say that sport and especially football is virtually absent of intellectualism: an appreciation of literature, the arts and cultural entertainment in favour of more puerile pursuits. Even an understanding of such things does not come naturally to some: Jason McAteer, former Liverpool player called teammate Phil Babb 'the deepest thinker' of the dressing room for reading the admittedly excellent but hardly high brow 90s drug opus Trainspotting. Indeed, McAteer and Babb were both part of the 'Spice Boy' era at Liverpool that many believe began the 'booze, birds and BMW's' lifestyle that modern footballers
follow on a grand scale. This overbearing 'lad' mentality is what limits players and fans alike: nobody wants to stick their heads over the parapet and mark themselves out from their peers. People often have far greater mental acumen than the inexplicable grunts about page 3 models and fast cars they can feel pressured to utter in pub situations whilst the football is on may purport. After all, 'booze, birds and Francis Bacon' just doesn't sound the same, and nobody wants to be deemed a killjoy for passing up on such infantile fun, no matter how distasteful. But why is it that intellectualism and sport are apparently unable to co-exist? Perhaps it is the working class roots of some sportsmen and women that mean they genuinely have never garnered an interest in the arts. Perhaps there is an argument that sport gets blood flowing and adrenaline pumping which biologically doesn't fit with sitting down with a good book or having a measured discussion. Neither quite ring true. Perhaps football needs more characters like Barton. He may be a figure of ridicule, but his lead might encourage other footballers whose scholarly tendencies we are as yet unaware of to abandon their double lives and show their browbeaten audience that it is possible to display both brawn and brain. The oppressed intellectual crying for attention and stimulation inside all sports fans would thank them.
Canada's Tar Sands: An environmental catastrophe Eleanor Smallwood Commentator
When you hit a wall halfway through your essay today, take a minute to use Google Earth. Type in 'Alberta, Canada' and view the satellite image of the landscape. What you'll find is an expanse of grey; a wasteland approximately the size of England and Wales combined. Now picture this spreading by fourfold, and you are imagining the prospect which faces environmentalists, helpless inhabitants of Alberta, and most importantly anyone who has a conscience. I'm not scaremongering when I mention that these tar sands, the world's second-largest proven oil reserve have been coined 'the biggest environmental crime in history'; it adds to the devastating risk of climate change. As our oil supplies dwindle, countries are turning increasingly to the tar sands reserves despite perceived as an 'unconventional' source. We're talking big money here; companies have made $1 billion in profits over the duration of one year before now. With $47 billion in investments anticipated over the next decade, this is a gold rush for the twenty-first century. At the core of this is a greedy thirst for resources; a thirst which is suppressing the voices of those living in Alberta. Within the landscape, birds are dying, fish are developing cancers and habitats are disappearing. Cancer rates have increased amongst the First Nation peoples. It goes without saying that those living in Alberta are struggling to lead normal lives; with their water
supplies being contaminated and their food being poisoned they are struggling to continue to live how their families have lived for generations. Frustratingly, these people are left helpless; with the industry in Alberta revolving around the sands, the First Nation people have been held as economic hostages, holding their silence in fear of losing their jobs. With so many humanitarian and environmental issues at hand, you might be surprised that you haven't heard more about this before. The reality, unbelievably, is that the Canadian government have been desperately trying to
keep a lid on the situation. In fear of oil imports' access to the European markets being restricted, they have sung the praises of the tar sands, extolling its alleged environmental virtues. During the Gulf of Mexico oil spill, the government spoke out about 'safer options' in Alberta. They promote 'carbon capture' initiatives, encouraging the reduction of C02 emissions. When you consider the fact that the Athabasca operations are the largest single industrial emitter of C02 on the planet, you can see how the way this danger is being dealt with is far from transparent. As a matter
of fact, by next year the tar sands could have used as much gas as heating all the homes in Canada. It would be impossible to include here all of the horrifying facts and statistics about what is going on in Alberta, which is why it should be explained why we need to take action now. By 2030, the Canadian province expects to be producing five million barrels of crude oil per day; with the prospects of 'carbon capture' at least a decade away, the tar sands can never be settled for as a sustainable resource. Despite this being a huge, global issue, there are things which we can
do as students at Birmingham to hinder the expansion of the tar sands. People & Planet are making efforts to encourage our university to bank ethically. With the end goal being to keep the extracted oil out of the EU, we must treat this issue for what it is; this being a dangerous and damaging industry with the potential to devastate lives and seriously damage the world as a whole. This is a disaster which has the potential to affect everyone, the world over, and so I urge you to take arms against this gross injustice which Canada has made so much effort to hide.
The Tar Sands project covers a vast area
8 Comment & Features
Redbrick
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Amanda Callaghan & Ali Hendy
Emotive campaigns still inform attitudes to abortion Beth Dawson
The lost art of complaining
Commentator
It’s shocking to consider that nearly 20 years after the murder of Dr David Gunn - who was shot during an anti-abortion protest outside his clinic in 1993 - that there is so much hatred and anger directed towards the abortion procedure, particularly in the United States. And the recent promotion of the concept of 'Personhood' by right wing groups can be seen as just another episode in the seemingly never ending battle between those in favour of and those against abortion. The idea of 'Personhood' is one which recently evolved: it is derived from a book by the same name which was published in 2010 , written by Daniel Becker. Becker’s text contains some valuable ideas about the way that society can revaluate its approach to such groups as the disabled and elderly, however when his ideas are applied to abortion, issues occur. Beyond the possible ethical issues surrounding abortion, there are two key problems with Personhood. The first is lack of clarity and the second is the overly emotive way it is promoted. With regard to lack of clarity, Personhood states that from the moment of conception a fertilised egg can count as a person, however this is problematic since the moment of conception is notoriously hard to pin-point and leads to the debate as to whether the contraceptive pill would count as a method of abortion or not. Also, the Personhood website is awash with images of young children which seem to con-
Alex Balcombe Commentator
Protesters gather for the annual 'Walk For Life' in San Francisco, 2008 fuse the issue of abortion. Further images promote emotive moral responses rather than considered thought. This comparison is taken further with the online memorial wall of 50,000 named supporters of Personhood, built to represent every abortion taken place since the 1970’s. This emotive argument seems to promote a response of viewing clinics as inherently evil or wrong, and has being a major factor in the still on-going protests and anti-abortion laws which are being pushed through American government. For example, the Protect Life Act which was passed in the House of Representatives on the 21st October preventing women in Washington from claiming abortion on
a health plan and this would make changes to the Affordable Care Act making it possible for hospitals to refuse abortions, despite the fact that often the extent to which an individual requires an abortion can often be very subjective when not on medical grounds. These acts would also undoubtedly mean that women who require one for medical reasons, if met with no difficulty at the hospital, may still have difficulties regarding financing her abortion. Thankfully these acts were not put into action due to being judged unlikely to pass through a Democrat controlled senate. Furthermore, this attitude toward abortion seems to be spreading to family planning clinics. There have being many recent cases of protests outside clin-
ics calling for their closure: which is just an example of the ignorance being encouraged through campaigns such as Personhood. USAID, one family planning agency which has being targeted actually states in their policy that reducing abortion through contraception is one of their key initiatives. Just another example of how the pro-life in America can be both a misguided and misinformed one. Although that is not to say that there are not misinformed people on both sides of the abortion debate and perhaps the greatest error in the debate is that it only explained through the polarised perspectives of pro-life and pro-choice when in fact there is a spectrum of opinions on this matter.
The noughties: a lost decade? 2011: a new chapter?
Residents help clean the streets of Clapham Common after the UK riots Giles Longley-Cook Commentator
A close friend of mine, whose political views I do not share, once told me that he believed this generation would be defined by the war on terror. At the time this seemed to me a depressing but sadly accurate view. The 21st century looked like it would bring nothing but strife exacerbated by a general feeling of helplessness. Our combined militaries and secret services could not find Osama Bin-Laden, the world's most wanted man. The economy was collapsing and nobody knew who to blame. Global warming became an increasingly worrying reality with no solution in sight and
How do you solve a problem like...
we were regularly reminded of how distant and isolated we were becoming as a society. That was before the Arab Spring began. Before gathered masses of the Muslim world displayed with extreme courage and tenacity that they were not represented by their leaders and that they would fight for their rights to live in free and progressive societies. This wave of popular power had effects not only on them, but on the international community as it demonstrated the possibility that the so-called struggle anticipated between the Middle Eastern and Western society can not only be averted, but totally rejected with a collective understanding and coop-
eration. Since then the Western world has also seen an increase in popular action in response to class inequalities and harsh government measures. This may range from the confrontational Occupy Wall Street protests, to the silently noble and communal actions in the wake of the British riots, when local populations sallied out armed with brooms to clean up their streets. In either situation, the prevailing atmosphere is one of recognition and the duty and ability to influence the society we live in. An earlier turning point was the death of Bin-Laden in May. Ever since the horrors of 9/11 this man’s evil and evasive image has
been haunting us mockingly, and though Al Qaeda does not die with him, I’m sure that many can recall the mixture of disbelief and euphoria that was felt when justice was finally carried out on the man who looked set to evade it forever. It is under such circumstances, with some relief, a touch of satisfaction, a great deal of awe and even a dose of caution that we should seek to define ourselves as a generation. In financial terms some are referring to the past ten years as a ‘Lost Decade’ due to the slump. But perhaps there is a way this loss can be turned into a gain. Rather than seeing ourselves as the heirs to a futile struggle of cultures and a doomed planet, we can now nurture our potential to take on the problems left for us with a feeling of beginning again, and with a precedent set that tells there is no reason it cannot be achieved. Of course none of these advances have been made without sacrifices, but in a way it is the sacrifice in itself that shows how far we have come. The fact that people are prepared to stand up and have their voices heard no matter what is the reason why this should be viewed as the real start of the 21st century. As such, the lost decade of this century should be treated accordingly. Not forgotten as it bears important lessons and issues that still need solving, but certainly not dragging us down as a generation of fear and indecision. As long as we strive to keep up the recent awakening of much of the world we can be remembered for overcoming despair, not succumbing to it.
The gentle rush of waves and soothing music plays in my handset, as I wait for golden moment to lay siege on the Santander call centre. My prepared script sits on my lap and my anger is on cue, as I wait for the pathetic excuses from some bloke in Glasgow. I was already having an appalling time as the computer system had spat me out after failing to enter the right card details, and through its anger had put me in the queue for the human operator. Suddenly, the music ceased to play and waves did not roll, a cautious Glaswegian asks 'Hello Mr Balcombe, can I help you?' Brilliant I thought, I have the Santander scum in my sights. I burst into action and began my speech of demanding why the bank had charged £150. After little debating (much to my annoyance), the bank dropped all charges and I was sent away in a joyful mood. Later the night, when I was telling my war story from the banking battlefield, it was same responses to thoughts of me complaining once again. The same giggles and the same comments of how I never seem to stop complaining, however what my flat mates don’t understand is that complaining has always been a fundamental right and should always exercised in all situations that demand it. In these Potter times ofand financial 'Harry the hardship and the rest ofcoinit, we Age ofall Illusion' should be getting best value for cides withthe the current money for what we have paid for. governmental stew and When peoplefinger-pointing fail to deliver, they media have to be notified, should overpeople declining notstandards shy away from Additionalinthis. University ly, when education, you complain and andrealise the thatresultant you might bedenunciation in the wrong, still keep going. true complainer does ofA 'Mickey Mouse' not accept defeat. modules So to help other people regain the lost art of whinging, here are my top four tips: Ring every single day, wondering what is happening in relationship to your complaint. Bombard on every front, Facebook, Twitter, Email, Phone, Letter, Bang on their door demand to know what is happening (don’t get yourself arrested though). With the increase in communication mechanisms, use them! Be emotive, it feels great when you finish your rant. As the adage goes: the customer is always right. Remember if you don’t complain you don’t get: fact of life.
Student Voice
R E B M E C E D 6 Y TUESDA TH
With 80 ele cted stude nt representa tives mee ting five tim each yea es r, Guild Co u n democrat cil is the ic voice o f Students University at the of Birming h a m. Throug Guild Cou h ncil, stude n t s University at the of Birming ham decid policy of t e the he Guild a n d ensure it working fo ’s r its memb ers.
What’s being discussed at the next Guild Council? Guild members have submitted a number of motions on a range of topics. Here are some of the issues that will be debated and voted on at Guild Council • Active opposition of racism and fascism • The right to peaceful protest • The introduction of a Freshers Fest Committee • Community business practices • Reviewing the Guild’s discipline policy • Higher Education Funding • Classification of the Home Students’ Officer • Changing who the Editor-in-Chief of Guild media is • Increasing postgraduate representation on Guild Council • Mechanisms for determining whether the Guild has been brought into disrepute • Renaming a Guild room • Stopping swearing in Guild Council And, as always, a chance for you to ask questions of your Officer Team about the work they have been doing for you! For a full agenda, please visit guildofstudents.com/guildcouncil, or email council@guild.bham.ac.uk
When is the next Guild Council? When: Tuesday 6th December 2011, 6pm Where: Guild Council Chambers, Guild Building
What do I need to do to attend? All students can come to Guild Council and speak on any of the agenda items. All you need to do is turn up to the Guild Council Chambers at 6pm on the night of Guild Council. If you can’t attend the meeting, follow what’s happening on Twitter using #guildcouncil
council@guild.bham.ac.uk
@guildcouncil
10 Comment & Features
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Political correctness should not always be ridiculed Louise Rubbert Commentator
Over the recent years 'political correctness' is a term which has been gradually instilled onto our brains via outlets such as the Daily Mail whose favourite game seems to be 'finding the ridiculous new rule!' This has resulted in such stories as the children who were banned from singing Baa Baa Black Sheep at Nursery, instead replacing it with Rainbow Sheep; a far more politically correct and wonderfully diverse, yet highly unnecessary new character to ensure that the kiddies don't grow up to be horrifically racist. Anyway, this is not a tirade against political correctness 'gone mad' it is one against the growing backlash towards it. A new trend has caught my attention; 'Inappropriate' or 'Bad Taste' parties whereby people dress up in offensive costumes. I witnessed photos from one such party which proudly displayed somebody dressed as Adolf Hitler surrounded by six girls dressed in striped pyjamas with Kippahs on their heads.
'Perhaps playing a drinking game to Schindler's List would have made them think twice about stepping out?' It's not wonderfully clever, it's insulting and these parties should not be used as an advent for smallminded individuals to parade their twisted creative skills. Perhaps playing a drinking game to Schindler's List would have made them think twice about stepping out in clothing which
Bionic eyes: A step too far?
crudely tramples over a shocking and upsetting part of Jewish history. Furthermore, sites such as Sickipedia have an alarming ability to victimise a whole spectrum of different people. My heart sinks when I witness a blatant copy and paste job from Sickipedia straight onto a status update on Facebook and to add further insult to injury people actually click 'like'. Although it may feel like getting one over on our supposed 'nanny state' which increasingly insists on telling us we need to change our traditions in order to incorporate our growing multicultural society, in reality it's just plain ignorance. In my endeavour to understand the reasoning behind this rise of anti-political correctness I've been met with the response that it's okay if the person behind the comment is from that cultural background. Such as Chris Rock and Warwick Davis in Ricky Gervais' new television outing. But is it? Just because a joke about a Dwarf comes from a Dwarf does that entitle us to laugh at it
Commentator
Sarah Cozens Commentator
The concept of a bionic eye can be simply explained through the development of a contact lens that is hoping to enable the user to project images in front of their eyes. Sound ridiculous or does it sound incredible? Or is it a bit of both? The aim of this bionic contact lens, being developed in America, is for wearers to be able to project whatever it is that they would be doing, and see the images as if they were 'floating'. There are various ideas to incorporate many other uses, for example, a driver being able to see where they need to go next projected onto their windscreen. Or, for the gamers out there, it could project you into that world and provide a virtual gaming experience that was previously unimaginable. However, although these sound like incredible developments, and the process of implementing such a device into a developing society may seem plausible, is it necessarily a good thing? Using the example of the route planner, alarm bells ring. To begin with, is it really necessary when we all seem to own or
have access to a SatNav? And secondly, how distracting and potentially lethal it could be. The implications could be hazardous to say the least. Is it a step too far? Some would argue that it is merely the adaptations we are making within a very quickly developing society, and concepts such as this will be the foundation of the new generation. The idea of being able to see your e-mails floating before your eyes as soon as they are sent is a concept that I find very difficult to comprehend. In my opinion, this is an idea that may overstep the boundaries of real social interaction. If we were all to use the bionic contact lens on a daily basis, there is a risk that the real and the virtual could become so intertwined that it becomes very difficult to distinguish one from the other. There have been changes within recent years which have transformed the lives we all lead today, the two main examples of this are the internet and the mobile phone. However, the bionic contact lens is something that, presently, seems to have an enormous potential for dangers that we cannot understand or pre-empt, but we all know what harm the internet can do.
even if it's offensive? Maybe I need to lighten up, or perhaps some individuals need to understand that racially motivated
jokes or those made out of other people's misfortunes can actually be quite hurtful, no matter whose mouth it may come from.
Sex education is essential Niall Kempson
Illustration of a 'bionic' eye
Warwick Davies – Star of BBC's Life's Too Short
A few months ago the Coalition Government shelved Labour's plans for the compulsory teaching of sex education in primary schools. Immediately, I'm expecting a response from a large proportion of the electorate to be along the lines of agreement; 'we shouldn't expose young people to the teaching of sex and relationship, it's perverse'. Compulsory sex education does not risk 'sexualising' young people and that the rising number of teen pregnancies and young people staying in abusive relationships needs to be tackled from an earlier age more effectively and hopefully I'll have convinced you to join my crusade by the time you finish this article. At the moment sex and relationship classes are taught on an optional basis with parents maintaining the right to withdraw their child from such lessons. The plans the Coalition withdrew in September would have enabled par-
ents to withdraw children on religious grounds, but only up until the child is 15 years old. Children would be taught 'the facts of life' and puberty at primary school and about pregnancy, contraception, HIV and relationships (including homosexual) at secondary school. Such plans would have potentially prevented children being ignorant of certain aspects of sex and relationships and when the time comes for them to embrace these aspects. One would hope that they could be emotionally prepared for any choices they might make. Plans to make sex education compulsory are not about sexualising children; they are about providing a framework in schools that allow children to learn about sex and relationships in a safe environment. There has always been a strong backlash against legislation attempting to make sex education compulsory. Cries of 'nanny state!' and 'anti-civil liberties!' echo around Parliament and the media and yet little is being done to solve the problem of young people not being properly educated about sex
Freddie Herzog
Pregnant teen and relationships. Conservative MP Nadine Dorries clearly represents this position in Parliament. Ms Dorries, in her latest crusade against liberal values, would rather girls were not taught the facts about sex, pregnancy and relationships. Instead Ms Dorries is supporting a bill that would make it compulsory for teachers to recommend abstinence to girls. Apparently girls are better educated about sex through a policy of teaching them nothing about sex. Teaching abstinence to children can only have negative consequences: they are not being taught about safe sex, they are being taught to ignore the very nature of human sexuality. Statistics from America (where abstinence is taught) show an increase in the number of teen pregnancies under the policy of teaching abstinence. I'm not advocating the sexualisation of young people; I'm advising that people should be properly educated about sex education – with the exception of those who may withdraw for religious reasons. If young people are educated about mechanics and safe practice of sex, STIs, and relationships from a young age then we can ensure that young people will become more sexually and emotionally aware about the choices that they make later in life.
What’s on in term two?
Guild vacation opening hours From Saturday 10th December to Monday 9th January, the Guild operates restricted opening hours. Mon-Fri: 9am-5pm Weekends: Closed The Guild is fully closed between Thursday 22nd December (12.30pm) and re-opens Wednesday 4th January 2012.
As term one draws to an end, here’s a few things to look out for when you return in January 2012...
Officer Team Elections Nominations for the seven full-time sabbatical and ten part-time non sabbatical officers open on Monday 16th January. These are the biggest Guild Elections of the year, and will determine the team that leads the Guild of Students during 2012/2013. Being a Guild Officer gives you the chance to directly improve the lives of Birmingham students while gaining valuable new skills and experience. Following the nominations process campaigning opens on Monday 27th February, with online voting taking place between Friday 2nd – Friday 9th March.
GET INV OLVED!
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Get Involved Fair The Guild has once again teamed up with the University for the Get Involved Fair on Tuesday 31st January at the Great Hall, Aston Webb. This is your chance to find out more about what your Union and University has to offer. From societies, volunteering projects and sports teams to funding, enterprise and careers guidance; find out how you can get involved with your University. It’s never too late to get involved with a student group. By joining a group you can meet new people, learn a new skill and develop employability skills.
Guild Awards
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Tuesday 20th March sees the return of the Guild Awards. This annual event celebrates and recognises the fantastic work of University of Birmingham students, including those involved in Residents’ Associations, Volunteering, Guild Council, Student Reps, Student Staff members and Student Groups. Nominations and auditions for the awards open at the beginning of term two, watch this space for further information.
For up-to-date information on Guild events and news visit guildofstudents.com
12 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
2nd December 2011
Technology
For the full story of the new Mars Rover go to redbrickpaper.co.uk
you might 2011 in games: a look back at Redbrick's top five Some have missed
Dead Space 2
Elder Scrolls V: Skyrim
Dead Space 2 is the story of one man's fight against a terrifying hallucination of his dead girlfriend. This game is one of the scariest this year and the sci-fi backdrop enforces the game's central theme, loneliness. Despite the loneliness and the scary dead girl, this is a great game full of adventure and sees the series finish on a bang.
5 L.A.Noire
Uncharted 3: Drake's Deception Uncharted 3 is an adventure masterpiece like no other. Not a moment of the two years of development was wasted. The game is packed to the brim with vast set pieces, unforgettable characters and a gripping plot. Uncharted 3 received a five star review from Redbrick and boasts a score of 92 on Metacritic.
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Steve Jobs: the movie? Stuart Ritchie Feature Writer
Just six weeks have passed since the tragic death of Steve Jobs and already plans are being made to make a film based on the best-selling biography written by Walter Isaacson which was released only nineteen days after Jobs' death.. Aaron Sorkin, the screenplay writer for The Social Network, has already expressed an interest in taking on the challenge of adapting the biography for the big screen. The screenplay writer reportedly told E!Online that, 'Sony has asked me to write the movie and its something I'm strongly considering.' Although he is still reading the biography and only in the 'thinking-about-it-stages', it is a project he may take on. Even if he doesn't take on the project, Sorkin stated that it would certainly be 'a great movie no matter who writes it.' Isaacson's exclusive biography of Jobs has been an instant success on both sides of the Atlantic. The biography was released less than three weeks after Jobs' death from pancreatic cancer on the 5th of October this year. Within one week sales in the UK had reached 37,000 and 379,000 in the US. The success of the biography indicates that it will most likely be adapted into film whether Sorkin writes it or not. If someone were to adapt the biography into a film Sorkin is certainly the right person. The Social Network became an instant hit when he retold the story of how CEO and founder of Facebook Mark Zuckerburg changed the face of social media forever. The film garnered critical acclaim and
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And the winner is....
Set in 1950s America, L.A. Noire follows the story of detective Cole Phelps as he tries to solve a string of grizzly murders and suspicious house fires in the murky underworld of LA. GTA meets Heavy Rain, L.A. Noire is a blend of sophisticated mysteries, puzzle-solving and high speed car chases that has something for everyone.
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Skyrim isn't a game in the traditional sense, it's more a toolset designed to generate stories. The freedom Skyrim offers takes the role-playing genre to new heights. It's a rich world filled with discoveries. Despite being released in the same week as Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3, Skyrim sold 3.5 million copies in 48 hours.
won three out of the eight Oscars it was nominated for in 2010. Sorkin won the Oscar for best screenplay. He is also in a privileged position for having known Jobs personally, which would make the film that much more realistic with his personal touch. Sorkin stated that he was asked by Jobs to write a story for Pixar in the 1990s after he had left Apple, but refused because he was concerned that he would not be able to do such a story justice. However, this is not the first time Steve Jobs' life has been adapted into film. In 1999 Martin Burke directed a film entitled Pirates of Silicon Valley, a story about how Steve Jobs and Bill Gates transformed the world through Macs and personal computers. The film tracked the ensuing rivalry between Microsoft and Apple. Although the film was relatively small in its release, it did gather positive reviews currently standing at 86% positive on Rotten Tomatoes. It also won the 2000 American Cinema Editors Award for Best Edited Motion Picture Movie for Commercial Television and was nominated for six Emmy Awards. With such praise stemming from a small time release it makes the prospect of a bigger release that much more exciting. It has also been reported that Noah Wyles who played Jobs in the original film would like to play him again. After the release of the original, Jobs commented on the fact that Wyles did a 'good job' of impersonating him and commented on the uncanny resemblance the two shared. In any case the success of the biography coupled with the success of a previous film makes the prospect of a screenplay written by Sorkin very exciting.
Portal 2
The inspiration for Portal 2 came from a small experiment using Valve's Source engine. From this grew one of the most unique games of the year. The gameplay revolves around solving puzzles using a teleportation device. Surrounding this concept is an immersive yet quirky story set loosely in the Half Life universe. When expanding the original concept into a full game the Valve team surpassed all expectations. The franchise was expanded by the welcome edition of a co-op mode. Throughout Portal 2 the player is treated to some excellent voice acting including Stephen Merchant and J.K. Simmons. Portal 2 sold over three million copies and scored 95 on Metacritic.
Minecraft
Its infamous, its blocky and it was finally released this year. Minecraft is the ultimate sandbox game with unlimited possibilities for you to explore. You can build sky-scraping castles or tunnel to the centre of the earth – its up to you. The game is only available on PC, Android and iOS at the moment, but there are plans to bring it to the consoles next year.
From Dust
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Another indie sandbox game From Dust gives you the power of a god, and a land of helpless people to play with. You can shape the land, control the waves or, if you feel like it, spend your time throwing lava around. This game may not be long but it is constantly challenging and its well worth a look.
Pokemon is back
Compiled by the whole technology team.
Got your own favourite game? Why not follow the full story online at redbrickpaper.co.uk
That's right, Pokemon is back and available on Blackberry. All your favourites are now available on your phone in the ultimate fusion of current and retro technology. Whether you choose Red, Blue or Yellow, you can now relive your childhood anywhere. Warning: trying to catch them all may interfere with your degree.
Mars Rover Curiosity searches for life
Joshua Issac Writer
NASA has this week launched its £1.6 billion spacecraft, Curiosity, the most powerful Mars probe built to-date. The car-sized rover, Curiosity, weighing about a tonne, left Florida on an Atlas V rocket on Saturday at 10:02am local time (3:02pm GMT). Its 570 million kilometre journey to Mars will take eight and a half months with the nuclearpowered probe due to arrive on Mars on 6th August 2012. A rover is a vehicle that travels across the surface of a planet or a satellite instead of being stationary. The use of rovers to explore Mars began in 1971 with the unsuccessful Soviet Mars 2. The first successful Mars rover was the American Sojourner, which landed on Mars in 1997. In January 2004 two more of NASA's rovers landed on Mars; Spirit and Opportunity. The
European Space Agency is currently developing ExoMars, planned to launch in 2018. NASA began planning the Mars Science Laboratory, tasked with developing Curiosity, in 2003 and had been expecting to launch the spacecraft by 2009. However, it was not ready at the time and the team had to wait until 2011, by which time the cost of the mission had risen 56 per cent over budget to £1.6 billion. Being much larger and more capable than any of the previous missions to Mars, Curiosity will employ a combination of several landing mechanisms to successfully land on Mars. The probe is protected within a heat-shield during the travel and the entry into the Martian atmosphere. At about 16 km above Mars's surface, Curiosity's parachute is opened. The heatshield is then dropped, and the rover starts scanning the ground. The landing engines start-up at
about 1.5 km above the surface and the rover is then lowered on to the surface. After the rover reaches the ground, the harness is cut and the landing module crash-lands away from the rover. The primary objective of Curiosity is to investigate the organic compounds on Mars in order to determine whether life could have existed there. It will also analyse the Martian climate and geology. The nuclear-powered Curiosity comes equipped with 10 scientific instruments weighing 80 kg to help it carry out its mission, including a laser. It sports a two metre long, five-jointed robotic arm to which a five cm drill is attached, that will allow it to collect rock samples. Curiosity will land inside the 150 km wide Gale crater, which contains a central peak that rises five km above the plain. The crater contains types of rock not previously investigated on Mars. During its two year mission, Curiosity will slowly ascend the Gale crater's central peak, the layers of which preserve a billion years of Martian history. Curiosity will study the soil in order to establish whether there was once water on the planet, as some minerals previously found there would suggest. The sediments in the soil may contain important clues to the habitability of the past environment of Mars. 'We have started a new era of exploration of Mars with this mission, not just technologically, but scientifically,' said Doug McCuistion, director of the Mars Exploration Program at NASA. 'Down in the bottom of Gale Crater, those images are going to be just stunning. It will be like sitting at the bottom of the Grand Canyon.'
Redbrick
Television
redbrickpaper.co.uk
2nd December 2011
Eleanor Pitt looks at this year's hottest Christmas specials redbrickpaper.co.uk
Adventurer Bear Grylls bares all
Charlotte Lytton talks to warrior of the wild Bear Grylls about family life, yoga and intrepid exploring Get in a hot bath with my three kids Jesse, Marmaduke and Huckleberry and a cup of tea on the side! Wild eh?! What was your experience of going to university and being a student like? Being frustrated that I just wanted to adventure and that academia was not making me smile enough! Don't get me wrong, university is great, but what I really learnt from it is the value of a few great buddies and teaching myself that life is really very simple: what you put in is what you get out.
Hi Bear! What are you working on at the moment? I just finished up a bunch of Bear Grylls Live shows in Australia. It was a blast and a little nerve wracking as I played guitar and sung in front of several thousands of people for the first time, but everyone's response was so supportive. I am also gearing up for another new big TV series with Discovery which I'm not allowed to talk about yet as it is under wraps, but it is going to be wild – big time! What is the best thing about your job? And the worst? I feel super lucky to have a job that is what I always dreamt of when I was a boy – basically getting muddy and climbing trees! The real joy is to use that privilege to encourage young people worldwide to be able to follow their dreams in return. The hardest thing about my job isn't the snake bites or the
crocodiles, it's being away from my family. I have a satellite phone call every day back to my wife and the boys, wherever we are, whatever time zone, to say goodnight. That's a really important part of my day. In fact, it's the best part.
What would you like people to know about you that they don't already? There are quite a few things! I practice yoga, and I play the guitar and sing. Not brilliantly, but my kids enjoy it! Something else people might not know is that for part of the year I live on a remote island without any mains plumbing or electricity. What else? Well, my favourite film is Point Break. And I have a wife, Shara, and three children.
You had a very serious accident 15 years ago that nearly left you paralysed. Did it increase your sense of adventure knowing that you had been given a second chance? It gave me an awareness that we only get one shot at life and you've got to live it boldly. Life is so precious and when you come so close to dying it makes you realise that every day is a gift to be lived. Every day I am grateful and thank God, then I get out there and throw myself into these adventures 120 per cent. It's not rocket science!
Do you have any career ambitions that are unfulfilled? You bet! I kinda need 10 life times to scratch the surface of all the ambitions! Next up is this new show format we are doing and then we head to the Congo in Africa to attempt to kayak this monster river!
What do you do to relax?
Can you ever see yourself in a
When you come so close to dying, it makes you realise that every day is a gift
different profession? I am always open to stuff – you just have to have one main thing. It is fun though to have a job that gives me the wilderness as my backyard. I've been blessed being the host of Man vs Wild, but to me it feels like it's just the beginning. What initially made you want to become an explorer? I was just always the kid who could climb the highest tree and loved being muddy 24/7 – not a lot has changed in that sense! It is still what makes me happiest. Do you enjoy working on TV and the fame it brings you? After I climbed Everest, Discovery and Channel 4 approached me, having read my book The Kid Who Climbed Everest that tells the story of what happened on the mountain, and the four guys who lost their lives there. Discovery asked me if they could drop me in some difficult places so I could show people how to survive! They knew my background of combat survival with the British Special Forces and wanted to explore the whole thing of survival in the extremes. I was nervous of doing TV at the start and took some persuading, but it has been a blast and a great privilege to be involved with. Like all good things, it is all about having a great team, and throwing yourself into it completely. Would you encourage others to follow in your footsteps? Life is about following your heart and dreams. You must never listen to the dream-stealers! And the difference between extraordinary and ordinary is so often that little word 'extra'. People distinguish themselves in the big moments – by giving that little bit extra when everyone else is quitting! Where others see a crisis you got to see opportunity. Then life becomes interesting.
Where's the creativity in Christmas TV? Eleanor Pitt Critic
Nothing says Christmas TV better than a copy of the Radio Times bumper issue highlighted with the shows to watch over the festive period. There are the classics – the TV that has to be there every year otherwise it's not really Christmas – a Wallace and Gromit film for example, and of course, The Snowman. We all look forward to our favourite Christmas specials: Doctor Who, Strictly Come Dancing, Top Gear to name a few, because these programmes provide the viewers with something new, a new storyline, a new situation, fresh drama or comedy. There's something exciting about them and that's what we look forward to with Christmas viewing. Perfect Christmas TV is a blend between timeless and new; the specials and then the classics that the family know, cherish and enjoy watching together (for five
minutes at least). But are we being offered anything new this year? If last year was anything to go by, probably not. There's a fine line between classic and cliché, but has the line been crossed? Aren't we all getting a bit sick of reruns of the Vicar of
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Dibley's Christmas Special? Yes, she still falls in the puddle, and the surprise of the Batman and Robin costumes in Only Fools and Horses is long gone. Broadcasters fail to see that tastes and certainly the times have changed. The Daily Mail has re-
ported that this year 'terrestrial broadcasters are expected to air more than 380 hours of repeats between them in the two week period around Christmas Day.' It is disappointing to look at the Christmas offerings and see only a handful of brand new shows and I think the problem lies with comedy. We know films such as Love Actually, Miracle on 34th Street and The Grinch are going to be churned out again and again, but I can't quite forgive repeats of lack lustre comedy in the same way. Where are the new gripping dramas? The new funny gems? There are some, but they are rare. Remember The Worst Christmas of My Life aired in 2006? Or even better, The Flint Street Nativity, a TV adaption of Tim Firth's play which was aired in 1999 (if you haven't seen it, YouTube it). Christmas is about indulging in lots of great TV treats, but can we if the listings are full of stale repeats?
Top TV quotes 2011
Compiled by Claire Kelvin & Charlotte Lytton 'Who knows who the next heir will be. Probably a chimney sweep Lady Grantham, Downton Abbey
'She's cleverer than you and she's dead.' Sherlock Holmes, Sherlock 'Business is a jungle – but I love animals.' Francis Boulle, Made in Chelsea
'Money doesn't buy you happiness, but neither does poverty.' James McCullagh, Young Apprentice 'I'm not going to prison. I'm posh and pretty – I'd get battered both ends.' JP, Fresh Meat 'I feel like two totally different people – Dr Jekyll and Mrs Whore.' Penny, Big Bang Theory 'Yes, he likes that… Alfie. Though personally, he likes to be called Stormageddon, Dark Lord of All.' The Doctor, Dr. Who
14 Television
Redbrick
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Charlotte Lytton & James Moore
Feeling festive – Top 5 Christmas adverts
'Holidays are Coming'
'Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without…'
Some sayTheir its notWonderlands Christmas until you've seen a Coca Cola advert on mac TV. So with that reasoning, there Novfive – 29th Jan couldn't 26th be a top Christmas Freea adverts of all time list without classic 90s Coke ad to kick us off.
Their Wonderlands Marks and Spencer present this star-studded advert with themac likes of Stephen Fry, Philip Glenister, Nov Joanna – 29thLumJan Jennifer 26th Saunders, Free ley and Wallace & Gromit. Success or sell-out?
Round 1
'M&S 2008'
'Last Dictator Standing'
'John Lewis 2010'
M&S again with a grainy homemovie style Christmas with Take That, Lily Cole and Twiggy.
Their Wonderlands This weird-yet-funny Nandos advert may not feel very Christmac massy, but that's what sets it apart 26thThat Nov – an 29th from others. and epicJan waFree ter fight between Robert Mugabe and the late Colonel Gaddafi.
Their Last year's John Wonderlands Lewis ad was a true Christmas advert and not maca cinematic story like the current 26th Novrealistic – 29thand Jan one. It was more of Free course featured Ellie Goulding's lovely cover of 'Your Song'.
Round 2
1. Who won the latest series of Celebrity Big Brother 2011?
6. What is the new singing show, for 2012, on BBC1 called?
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2. Who won Britain's Got Talent 2011?
7. Who won the 2011 series of The Apprentice?
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3. Which series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me out of Here began this month?
8. Which band is rumoured to be performing on the X Factor final 2011?
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4. TOWIE star Amy Childs is filming a new show, what's it called?
9. Who was the first celebrity to leave Strictly Come Dancing 2011?
---------------------------------------5. Where is the new reality show, following a similar format to TOWIE and Made In Chelsea, to be set? ----------------------------------------
Answers online at redbrickpaper.co.uk
Round 3
11. Jeremy Kyle moved to Saturday night television this year, but what was his game show called? ---------------------------------------12. Matt Le Blanc teamed up with Tamsin Greig and Stephen Mangan for a show titled what? ---------------------------------------13. Which member of Educating Essex did Redbrick TV interview? ---------------------------------------14. Ricky Gervais returned with a new series, but what is it called?
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10. Which band in this year's X Factor were not put together by the judges?
15. Who was the Belgian star that let ITV2 cameras in behind closed doors to their life?
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Questions by – Charlotte Goodwin and Russell Webb
Images by – Akhil Kothari, Beth Richardson, Elin Stone and Sophie Rogers
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Student Lettings Agent
16 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Film
'Now I have a machine gun. Ho ho ho.'
Die Hard (1988)
Midnight in Paris
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Woody Allen proves yet again he's still got it with this light, funny, fantastical movie, set partly in the harsh superficiality of the present, and (through the aid of unexplained timetravel) partly in the romanticised Parisian Jazz Age. From the brutally candid Ernest Hemingway to the hilariously peculiar Salvador DalĂ, the film becomes a who's who for amusing muses and for lovers of cultural journeys. It is undoubtedly the best film of the year.
Redbrick
2nd December 2011
Submarine Submarine is one of the most impressive films of 2011 for several reasons, and ones that make it stand out among the other films on this list. First of all, it's funny. But funny in an intelligent and witty way, and perfectly acted by its young stars. It's a fabulously beautiful film, all the more impressive for the fact that this is Ayoade's directorial debut. But Submarine's biggest success is its infinite relatability, how much of your 15 year old self you can see in Oliver. It is a wonderful, multifaceted film that you can watch over and over again.
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Blue Valentine
Harry Potter
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Maybe it is because we literally grew up with 'the boy who lived' that this final movie came to symbolize the official ending of our childhood. Maybe it is because we still aren't over our Emma Watson crush. But most likely this dark and riveting battle movie is one of the best of 2011 because it did not fail to deliver. Minor flaws aside, we got some pretty decent acting, visually stunning action scenes and just about the right amount of emotion.
X-Men: First Class
Blue Valentine is an original and moving film. The use of parallel and intertwined visions of a relationship's delicate start and cataclysmic end are simultaneously touching and tragic. Ryan Gosling is superb as Dean, a charming but flawed man desperately losing everything, and Michelle Williams plays Cindy, his lover, with an elegant fragility that earned her an Academy Award Nomination. The script is concise and tender and with a minimalist soundtrack and some beautiful visuals and this tale of poignant modern romance was a must-see of 2011.
Still reeling from the horrors of Wolverine, this was a superbly cast breath of fresh air for the franchise. Charles Xavier and Erik Lensherr play off against each other perfectly. With Michael Fassbender stealing the show with the subtly tortured delivery of his cross-continental revenge tragedy. The score is faultless, the CGI excellent making this the finest X-Men outing to date.
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WNTTAK
Top 10 Films Of
2011
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Can a person be born evil? Based on Lionel Schriver's bestseller, this haunting film examines that question through the eyes of Tilda Swinton, the mother of every parent's Words by: (1-10) Alana worst nightmare: Kevin (the promising Ezra Smithee, Kate Ferris, Miller). Told through flashbacks, the causes Rosalind Fursland, Pieter Colpaert, James and devastating consequences of a high school massacre are revealed. Vivid cinDolton, Isidore Sandematography, superb direction, disturbingly ers, Beth Ditzel, Eleanor Dobson, Seth Twigg honest performances and a powerful message make We Need To Talk About Kevin a & Genevieve Taylor must see. Unsettling, unflinching and unforgettable.
Drive
A tour-de-force of excellent acting, brilliant direction and a stunningly brave retro soundtrack, Drive is undoubtedly the best film of the year. It will be remembered as the film that truly heralded Ryan Gosling as a worldwide Oscar-worthy star. His performance is a revelation: tender yet menacing, confident yet naĂŻve. Gosling is supported by Breaking Bad's excellent Bryan Cranston who again is sure to make a sound film career after his turn in this. Carey Mulligan is also predictably fantastic and her relationship with Gosling's character is a strong, sweet oasis in a desert of bleakness. The aesthetic of the film is perhaps what
most set it apart from the other films on this list. The retro, neon pink styling could so easily have looked tacky but contrasted with Drive's gritty ultra-violence it became brilliantly iconic. Director Nicholas WindingRefn uses music to excellent effect. The memorable soundtrack is topped off by credits' song A Real Hero by College feat. Electric Youth which beautifully supports the haunting, emotional finale. Drive is Redbrick's no. 1 film of 2011 and rightly so. If it is not recognised at the Oscars which may be the case due to its hyper violence it will be a true shame as this film really deserves to sweep the boards.
7 Super 8
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The Guard Without a doubt, the funniest film of the year was The Guard. Made by John Michael McDonagh, it followed in the footsteps of his brother's film In Bruges to be a dark but winningly hilarious tale. Brendan Gleeson is a revelation in the role and this is truly his masterpiece.
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Heart-warming, yet surprisingly dark for a film whose cast is largely made up of kids, Super 8 is intense, emotional and more than a little nerdy (in true J. J. Abrams style). Paying tribute to Spielberg's 80s thrillers, it's a true delight for fans of the genre. The wonderfully original concept and visual effects will leave you dazzled. See it if you haven't already!
The Skin I Live In Pedro Almodovar's The Skin I Live In stood out from this year's ultimately lacklustre crowd. For the first time in twenty-one years, the Spanish director was reunited with his once leading man, Antonio Banderas, in tale of sex, beauty and gender. Every scene is a work of art: clean, clinical and highly considered. Each performance is imbued with an intense realism that subverts the morals of the audience, leaving them in a state of disarray.
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Redbrick
Film News
Reviews
UNMISSABLE
Hugo Jamie Kershaw Critic
Director: Martin Scorsese Cast: Asa Butterfield, Chloe Moretz, Sir Ben Kingsley Cert: TBC
Pieter Colpaert
It is fitting that Martin Scorsese's first foray into 3D filming should be with Hugo. The film itself plays out as homage to classical film, the pioneers that brought us moving pictures and the innovators that first showed us our dreams in the afternoon. If this sounds like an unusual opening for a review of a 3D family film, rest assured: Hugo is an enchanting tale that the whole family really can enjoy.
Critic
Twilight Seizures So, does anyone need another reason not to go see that new Twilight movie? Here goes: Breaking Dawn is reportedly causing seizures in several of its viewers. The much-discussed birth sequence in the movie, which is accompanied by bright, flashing lights, may apparently cause 'photosensitive epilepsy'. A man from California 'fell to the floor, started convulsing, snorting and had difficulty breathing'. He woke up on the theatre floor and had to be removed by paramedics. Meanwhile, several other cases have been reported. Stay safe, children!
Part-Time Film Stars Great news for all the fans out there of New-Zealand's funniest folk-comedy duo: after a radio show and two amazing seasons of Flight of the Conchords on HBO, Bret and Jemaine are now thinking about doing a feature film. Bret McKenzie stated: 'We are going to try and do a movie. We just need a story!' It is of course still pretty early to start exulting, but with the rising Hollywood exposure for both of our favorite kiwis, we are pretty optimistic about the chances for this movie to actually happen. It's business time!
EXCELLENT
POOR
GOOD
TRAGIC
Based on the novel The Invention of Hugo Cabret by Brian Selznick, the film charts the efforts of Hugo Cabret (Asa Butterfield), a young orphan who lives within the walls of a Parisian train station, to uncover the mystery of an automaton discovered by his late father. He is accompanied in his journey by Isabelle (Chloë Grace Moretz), a precocious young girl entranced by the mystery of classical novels, and is hounded at every turn by the station inspector (Sacha Baron Cohen), who adds humour and suspense to proceedings. As you would expect from a Scorsese film, the cast is stellar, from the tender closeness of Moretz and Butterfield to the subtle yet masterful performance of Sir Ben Kingsley as Papa Georges,
which helps to ensure Hugo rises above your average family film. Indeed, Scorsese's influence can be felt at every turn. 3D always feels appropriate and enhances proceedings rather than distracting, and the pacing is exquisite, immersing us in Hugo's world: don't expect youngsters, or their parents, to start fidgeting at any point! The real star here, however, is the story. It draws you in from the first shots of Hugo in his hidden domain and leads you on an adventure that will keep you smiling the whole way through. Hugo shows us the magic that can be found around any corner and is certain to be a hit with the whole family this winter.
pair blazing up with a retired George W. Bush. Not the real one though. And so, having made the 'natural' transition to 3D, A Very Harold and Kumar Christmas is born. So, how important is the 3D you ask? Well, the 3D sequences themselves aren't bad, it's just that they're few and far between, and despite being somewhat entertaining, the ones that have been included feel unnecessary. They are, however, marginally enriched by their 'tongue-in-cheek' attitude towards the 3D genre. So the crux of Harold and Kumar 3 is that, shock horror, 3D doesn't particularly enhance the film. It just pokes fun at how irritating 3D is, which in fairness, is kind of funny. Despite its shortcomings, the film manages to succeed in the
way its predecessors did, and that's by offering a slew of amusing silliness, complete with epic 'laugh out loud' set-pieces and a sexually altered, but arguably wackier NPH. It all makes for highly entertaining stuff, even if the comedy occasionally gets bogged down by some dull, relationship-mending sections between the duo. H&K 3 may not a Christmas classic, but this isn't a problem, because essentially, the film's more parody than anything else. And there's still enough seasonal flare here to raise a smile or two across the audiences face. In sum then, the film is just jingle balls to the wall fun, plain and simple, and the fact that it'll make you laugh alone makes it a viable watch. So go and give it a watch. After all, 'tis the season to be jolly.
A Very Harold & Kumar 3D Christmas Matthew Clemens Critic
Director: Todd Strauss-Schulsen Cast: John Cho, Kal Penn, Neil Patrick Harris Cert: 18 The first Harold and Kumar had hilarious stoner gags, crazy drug induced animal encounters, epic flatulence and a gloriously misogynistic Neil Patrick Harris (NPH), aka Barney from How I Met Your Mother, who throughout the film steals cars, ogles women and snorts lines of coke off the backs of half naked strippers. Audiences were shocked – that is, until they saw Escape from Guantanamo Bay, which, amazingly, was even crazier – one example being the
Ben Whishaw = Q Sam Mendes announced that he will bring back Q, Bond's legendary gadget master in his new James Bond adaptation, Skyfall. This character has not been around since John Cleese played him in Die Another Day (2002). However, instead of a quirky old and wise man, Mendes opted for the younger and probably more appealing face of Ben Whishaw (Perfume, Layer Cake). This could possibly be a breakthrough role for this young, very talented British actor and makes us even more excited for this new Bond, which should hit UK cinemas in October 2012.
Film 17
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Genevieve Taylor & Isidore Sanders
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Trailer-Off: Snow White vs Mirror, Mirror Snow White and the Huntsman Kate Ferris Critic
Snow White and the Huntsman gives the classic fairytale a gothic makeover, darkening the themes, tone and action and combining with a crowd-drawing cast to make this not only a pretty certain hit, but also a genuinely original retelling of the tale. Bona fide actress and genuine beautiful person Charlize Theron plays the Evil Queen, and Thor heart-throb-come-action-man Chris Hemsworth is the Huntsman. However, it is Kristen Stewart, one third of the world's most lucrative love triangle, who's really going to pull in the box office bucks for this production. With only the trailer to go by, Theron appears to be the main stay of the film, playing the Queen with a desensitised evil that could be quite exciting. Stewart isn't exactly spreading her wings with another gothic literary adaptation, although she does don a suit of armour at one point. Casting aside, conceptually this could really be quite something. The focus is far more on battles and action, rather than the one-upmanship between two pretty girls. Many of the fairy tale tropes are twisted out of recognition: the Huntsman is no Prince Charming and the dwarves are
not dwarves (Ray Winstone plays one). But herein lies the originality of this film: it's turning expectation on its head and presenting a postfeminist, never seen before retelling of this famous story. Yes, it is appealing to a mass market and it isn't providing art over moneymaking potential, but it's a big studio film: that's what it's meant to do. But at least it's giving us something new, which Mirror, Mirror, repeating a formulaic 'funny fairy tale' template we've seen so many times before, just isn't.
Mirror, Mirror David Gluckstein Critic
Hands up, who likes swashbucklingly, good ol'fashioned family fun? If your answer to this question is a screaming, eyes wide, 'YES!' then Mirror, Mirror is the Snow White adaptation for you, not Snow White and the Huntsmen. If your answer is, 'No!' then frankly you need t o get your head checked, because who doesn't love, swashbuckling, good
ol'fashioned family fun! Mirror, Mirror is brought to the silver screen by the director of Immortals, Tarsem Singh; this should be less of a stick to beat the man with, and rather leave us safe in the knowledge that he has made his bad film and this is set to be the good apology. Furthermore, Singh has brought the ambitious shots of Immortals, to create a fairytale world that looks cinematically breathtaking and every bit as immersive. Top billing on the cast list goes to Julia Roberts, who appears to revel in playing the camped-up wicked queen. Other than Sean Bean (playing the King), the other leading roles have been landed by lesser known actors. Armie Hammer (The Social Network) plays the handsome Prince, and Lily Collins takes on Snow White, every bit the embodiment of Shrek's Fiona. This comparison sums-up Mirror, Mirror fairly well. It is a tongue-in-cheek retelling of a classic fairytale. Finally, without wishing to demean what looks like an impressive effort too much, Snow White and the Huntsman has no dwarves in the trailer. The Snow White story without dwarves is like Star Wars without light-sabres: you can enjoy the plot, but deep down you know there is something missing. Artistic license is one thing, but to cynically hijack a well-known title and rip out its core is criminal.
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Redbrick
2nd December 2011
Arts
'Bah! Humbug!' Just like Scrooge, Redbrick Arts will keep working over the Christmas break, see exclusive reviews and interviews at redbrickpaper.co.uk
Step into Christmas with.... The Redbrick Arts team select their guests for a Christmas dinner to remember Charles Bukowski
Charles Bukowski would be my ideal Christmas dinner guest. He'd probably arrive late, and certainly arrive drunk. After heaving his drooping gut into his chair, he'd begin by insulting the
Tracey Emin
What would be better than dear ole' Tracey as our host? The volau-vents are served out of used condoms, the turkey's been basted with something it's best not to think about and instead of coins in the Christmas pudding, one picks out parts of past lovers. Plus, the table runner would be neon. Oooh, classy...
quality of the food and the other guests' conversations, eventually throw up onto the turkey before lecherously but inexplicably successfully copping off with one of the female guests. However, his infamous tales (and the resplendently embittered way he told them) would somehow make it all worthwhile, and a part of his performance.
Harold Pinter
I think I would invite Harold Pinter, just for all the awkward silences.
Words clockwise from the top left: James Dolton, Alexander Blanchard, Elisha Owen, Lexie Wilson, Emily Priestnall and Matt Saull.
Bertrand Russell What better guest to have at Christmas dinner than the philosopher, logician, and social critic Bertrand Russell? Clever, charming and dashingly good-looking (even if, in his grand old age, he was starting to look like Sam the Eagle from The Muppets) Russell comes equipped with an abundance of after-dinner anecdotes. Gather round, kids, and listen to Bertrand tell everyone about how sitting in the smoking area of a plane saved his life – 'I shall die if I can't smoke' – or the alleged affair with T.S. Eliot's wife that sent her into a downward spiral of depression. What larks!
Sylvia Plath
Oscar Wilde
With her eye for spotting beauty in the least likely of places, if ever any gaps crop up in conversation Sylvia could smooth things over with that jarringly graceful poetic flare. Just make sure someone keeps her away from the oven.
It has to be Oscar Wilde. Firstly, because he would definitely provide the wit and elegance every good dinner party needs. And, secondly, so he can remind me (and those propositioned by Bukowski I should imagine) that 'after a good dinner, one can forgive anybody, even one's relatives'.
? y e rk u T s a m st ri h C r o s u ll a h P Festive Sick of staring at that pale, dead-eyed Christmas turkey? (And no, we don't mean the Queen's speech.) Then get granny to neck her sherry and aerate her with a trip to see one of these great 'festive' nudes
Auguste Rodin's seminal scultpure The Kiss features not one nude, but two – intertwined. It's on display at the gorgeous Turner Contemporary in Margate until 2 September 2012.
Karl J Kaul's picture of the rather meaty Vegas mimicking Demi Moore's 'pregnant' Vanity Fair pose is on display at the National Portrait Gallery until 8 January 2012.
The Barber's Function II – a new exhibition of photos by students from BIAD's UG course in photography –includes thisfine, buttery gem by Natalie Collyer.
Here's something to get Granny hot under the collar. The Victoria and Albert museum in London contains a superb plaster cast of Michelangelo's 1501 renaissance masterpiece David – arguably one of history's greatest and most beautiful sculptures. Though if David's red-topped ivory tower doesn't sit well with your sensibilities, then the V&A have a fig leaf that was created in response to Queen Victoria's shock upon first viewing the statue's nudity, which was hung on the figure prior to royal visits (exhibited all year round).
Redbrick
Arts 19
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Alexander Blanchard & Lexie Wilson
An Audience with April Ashley at Birmingham Conservatoire Ami Coxill-Moore Critic
As Birmingham's SHOUT festival draws to a close, Birmingham Conservatoire played host to an evening with one of the most iconic figures in the transgender community, April Ashley. Ashley reached acclaimed success, becoming Vogue's number one underwear model until, for the price of £5, a former friend outed her as being transgender in 1961. As she crossed the stage dressed in a gold floor length dress and abundance of jewellery, Ashley, now 76, carried equal amounts of glamour and elegance of that portrayed in the photos shown of her in her prime. Interviewed in front of a mixed audience, Ashley spoke in a downto-earth manner with fierce honesty about all aspects of her life,
from the excruciatingly harrowing reflections on her working class Catholic childhood in Liverpool, to name-dropping her way through the fascinatingly desirable life she achieved for herself. The audience recoil in shock as Ashley shares details on the beatings she received from her mother, which left her with a hole in her back deep enough for doctors to put their thumb through and feel her spine. Suicide attempts resulted in her admittance to an asylum, where she was strapped to a bed and given male hormones for a year, along with 'electric treatment', an approach that was so intrusive it caused her eyeballs to bleed. The collected manner in which Ashley narrates such accounts often mean you have to remind yourself that the strong character on
stage is the person who lived out such devastating stories. The mood goes from being utterly devastating to ultimately uplifting in the turn of a question. After undergoing sex reassignment surgery in Morocco, Ashley moved to London where she reinvented herself. Ashley radiates feelings of hope and amazement, as she recounts how life as a top model saw her nicknamed 'Madame Butterfly' by Albert Einstein, painted by Salvador Dali, and propositioned by Paul McCartney. The names and anecdotes keep rolling as you realise the scale of Ashley's extraordinarily tough, dazzling and inspirational life, which she sums up beautifully when stating she has 'never lost the joy of when body and mind all become one'.
Previews
Article 19 presents: Hamlet
AE Harris Building 2nd – 4th December £5
Lee Nelson... Live at Symphony Hall Bethany Wells
Critic
Often compared to the likes of Al Murray and Harry Enfield, Simon Brodkin creates his comedy through his alter ego, Lee Nelson, a typical 'sarf Landan' geezer. Brodkin, or shall we say Nelson, has had major success in the past year, with his Well Good Show raking in a couple of million BBC 3 viewers. This success has now heightened further with him embarking on a tour across Britain. Nelson's strutting rudeboy persona was received well by the Birmingham audience, as he effortlessly managed to create his estate-life humour. Despite his comedy being simplistic and slightly one-dimensional, his beer belly
fans were definitely catered to. Whilst on stage Brodkin ensured that his lovable, cheeky chav alter ego never escaped his stereotype by littering his performance with crude references, swearing at least every two sentences and adopting a very dumb-sounding southern accent. You could not criticise Brodkin for a lack of energy within his performance. At points his dipsy hat was literally bounding from one end of the stage to the other as he enthusiastically delivered his script. However, if this amount of energy was put into the structure of the show then much better comedy would have occurred. Saying this, perhaps it is just the simplicity and commonness of Brodkin's material that demands
GMTG present: The Drowsy Chaperone
at Deb Hall
Hollie Jones Critic
Anything but drowsy, this term's production, was one to see. Set in the 1920s, an era of prohibition, showgirls and gangsters, The Drowsy Chaperone tells the story of showgirl Janet van de Graaff played by Beth Reynolds, who must give up her career in order to marry the man she loves. Aptly described as a 'musical within a comedy' there is a second dimension to this production. In addition to us audience members in the stalls, there also exists a one man audience on stage. Watching from a moth-eaten armchair, tucked away at the side of the stage, 'Man in Chair' (James Loveder) features as the highlight of the show. A seemingly friendless social recluse, the effeminate 'Man in Chair' uses musicals to escape a life that is as drab as the sitting
room in which he lives it. Acting as a comedic narrator to the main plot, 'Man in Chair' frequently interrupts the LP from which the musical is supposedly playing to engage the audience and offer his own personal footnotes on the show. The high calibre of the cast perfectly complimented the intelligent, sharp and witty script, and the idea that the audience is listening to the musical on an old LP is cleverly maintained throughout. At one point, the record 'sticks', causing the last notes (and dance steps) of the song to be repeated numerous times until 'Man in Chair' fixes the turntable. The nonsensical Toldeo Surprise was perhaps the most engaging and uplifting number of the show, involving every one of the extremely talented cast. This was closely followed by the boasting serenade I Am Aldoplpho, Latin lover of the Drowsy Chaperone herself, whose vocal range stunned every member of the audience. Credit must be given to the brilliant choreographers, producers and directors, who created a convincing and professional musical with minimal props. Indeed, the sparse scenery and special effects speaks volumes of the actors too, whose performance alone was enough to acquire shrieks of laughter, and rapturous applause throughout.
such a muddled and hazy arrangement. However, on numerous occasions throughout the show there were some glimpses of smart comedy. Despite the pin-up-chav character who was delivering, Brodkin touched upon surprising issues such as education and politics. However he brought his notso-law-abiding nature right back to the show as he presented his passionate want of legalising drugs through wittily transforming famous supermarket slogans. Brodkin's comedy is clearly successful and it does work on a certain level, regardless of how hollow the actual humour may be. However, why does Brodkin feel the need to hide behind this silly polo-neck-wearing creation of his?
The REP's Sleeping Beauty
The Crescent 2nd Dec – 11th Jan £9
Watch This presents:
3BUGS present: Trainspotting
at TCs
James Dolton Critic
As director Robbie Curran commented in his revealing directorial notes, Trainspotting is not a 'play about drugs' but a play about 'friendship, betrayal, love, loss, choices, 90s sub-culture, jealousy, goals, class and ultimately life, which just happens to have drugs in it'. It was very much in this expansive spirit that the function room of renowned student drinking den TC's became the setting of Irvine Welch's gritty epic Trainspotting, faithfully down to the very last soup can. The main characters sat stonyfaced and staring out impassively at the dingy surroundings as the audience entered and this foreboding image set an atmosphere of hushed anticipation. This was the first of many creative uses of physical theatre, starting from the ingenious opening, which saw the
entire cast striding back and forth in front of a dazed and confused Mark Renton (the excellent David Williams) with increasing rapidity over atmospheric pounding, which devolved into club music just as the cast began to dance. There was also a tremendous use of dramatic light alterations to show change in settings, often cued up by physical cues from the stage. The action regularly spilled over into the aisle and from the back of the room, a welcome attempt from the director to combat the fact that vision from the back of the flat hall floor was occasionally obscured, especially when the characters lolled listlessly about the floor (which as junkies, happened often). The entirety of the small cast was strong but there were individual highlight performances. Simon 'Sick Boy' Williamson (Alan Wilyman) was superb in presenting the two sides of a drug user: his cocksure arrogance of the highs in stark contrast with the traumatic paranoia of the comedowns, whilst the foul mouthed malevolence of Begbie (Francis Redhead) was skin-crawling. The fragility of David William's Renton was especially captivating: the heart rending screams he let out toward the play's denouement left an eerie stillness that remained over the audience even while exiting. Fascinating, comical and relevant.
Thicker Than Water The Amos Room 5th – 7th December £4
A Christmas Carol Town Hall
11th December £10
Cinderella
The Hippodrome
17th Dec – 29th Jan £15
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2nd December 2011
Music Songs of 2011 Jukebox
Redbrick
Nickelback announce plans to write a musical www.music-news.com
2011 Dubstep Awards
William Franklin Music Editor
Labrinth – Earthquake (feat. Tinie Tempah) In terms of mindless, unassuming fun, nobody produced a polished urban pop hit of the same magnitude as Labrinth this year. On a meaty set of speakers, 'Earthquake' really will make the earth shake. Theophilus London – Love Is Real Theophilus has become the latest poster boy of Brooklyn hipsterhop. With an interest, bordering on obsession, with The Smiths, he ticks all the right genre-bending boxes, and his first real LP, after a multitude of mixtapes, has become a bit of a Music section favourite at Redbrick. We’re still waiting on a collaboration with Nicki Minaj though Theo. Just saying. Washed Out – Amor Fati 2011 was the year chillwave died. Toro Y Moi went all disco on us, Neon Indian’s sophomore LP failed to emerge, and Ernest Greene (aka, Washed Out) decided he’d rather write songs about the politics of love than getting high on a sunny day. On the upside, this intimate songwriting is all over Ernie's latest, and its briliant. Active Child – You Are All I See I can’t recommend Active Child enough. 'I’m In Your Church At Night' was one of the sleeper-hits of last year, and his unique formula of choral synth-pop is all the more refined on his debut of this year.
Redbrick's Christmas Turkey of the Week
Olly Murs & The Muppets – Dance With Me Tonight
Contact us: music@redbrickpaper.co.uk Twitter – @redbrickmusic Facebook – Redbrick Music
Fina Charleson Kiss My Bass Host
The much-awaited awards ceremony for avid dub-steppers drew to an explosive close on Sunday at 6am. Celebrating 10 years of Dubstep, this wasn't your average awards ceremony. Instead of the ceremonial stereotype of fine-dining, people were up on their feet, digging into the tunes rammed with heavy basslines and grizzly kick-snares, skanking away on the crackly, sticky floor. Instead of elegant hand-clapping, heads were banging in unison to show their appraisal to the talents publicly voted by the committed fans. As we arrived at the grimy Digbeth district, both the music and the atmosphere fitted perfectly. The swift entrance into Rainbow
meant we could get to the music within several staggering strides nothing like the rowdy long queues at Gatecrasher. It just confirmed that people were there for only one thing - to enjoy the music they love. Hosted by Rod Azlan, the DJ and MC well-known in the dubstep community presented awards between 1-1.30 am. Although a very talented man, the award-giving dragged on a bit and you could tell people were itching to hear the DJ's talents. What’s more, the constant bum-grabbing by the maledominated event grew tedious, but that disappeared after around 2am when people started to get into the groove of the music. The night started at 9pm, where people were invited to three different rooms dependent on your
Album Reviews 8 Michael Bublé
People were there for one thing - to enjoy the music they love. dubstep preferences. The set list was released a week before so people were able to plan their schedule. Our clan arrived around 12am where we were instantly seduced into the Warehouse arena, where Flux Pavilion was smashing the bass, playing tunes that have made it into the charts such as 'I Can’t Stop' and 'Bass Cannon'. Visuals seemed quite amateurish considering the size and importance of the event, but it gave more focus to
6 The Staves Mexico EP
Christmas
Critic
Critic
To some people, Michael Bublé is a guilty pleasure. His voice, like melted chocolate, will jolt women’s ovaries into overdrive as he rumbles his way smoothly through Christmas classics on his latest album. The album includes all the best Christmas songs, harking back to the days of Crosby, Sinatra and Nat King Cole. 'Santa Claus is Coming to Town' opens with a simple bass and high hat before the brass band introduces itself midway through the first verse. Innovations like this make Bublé’s Christmas album a must have this season. Drunk uncles everywhere will be absolutely loving Michael Bublé’s swingin’ version of 'Jingle Bells' which could have been taken directly from a 1940s Christmas party; you can almost hear the show girls’ feathers ruffling. My personal favourite is Bublé’s version of Cynthia Basinet’s 'Santa Baby', in which he makes Basinet’s original Christmas list every so slightly more masculine – though I would love to see Bublé in sable. The best part of Michael Bublé’s rendition of the Christmas greats, is that while they are all im-
mediately recognisable, he makes them sound fresh and quite literally jazzes them up. Think Louis Prima – his songs were repeatedly covered by swing musicians, but no one else had that tsa tsa tzu largely created by his Italianisms and penchant for brass. Rather than Italianisms, Canadian bornand-bred Michael Bublé has his Michael Bubléisms that create the same kind of musical magic that can be attributed to very few swing artists. Strings are also well represented. 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' will give you guaranteed goosebumps and an immediate craving for a warm fire and glass of mulled wine. There is a little something for everyone, and Bublé does not limit himself to swing. He covers Mariah Carey’s 'All I Want For Christmas' and includes a few more modern Christmas songs such as the Hispanic Feliz Navidad and his very own 'Cold December Night'. It's a timeless album to put on the Christmas playlist for hopelessly drunk Christmas Days everywhere. Sounds like: Louis Prima
Music Diary
2nd Dec– 8th Dec Friday 2nd
Luke Sewell Stefanie De Lucia
the raw talents and being absorbed into the hype. Based on personal preference, we stayed mainly in the Warehouse room where the music followed more of the classic, slower 140 BPM. The beauty of this event was that you could follow which ever music scent tickled your fancy, be it grimy fidget dubstep, to the laidback, hip-swinging style. A personal highlight was when the UK 2009 and 2010 beatbox champion, Reeps One, had the audience in absolute awe. Everyone had the same passionate interest in music. Lead by such stars well-known in the dubstep family as Joker, Coki, Bare Noize and Doctor P; overall, the whole night was revelling in a deep sense of community. Best £27.50 spent so far this year.
The Staves would probably best be described as a cross between Warpaint and a group of three Laura Marlings. Their three track EP certainly has a predominantly folky feel, and wouldn’t sound out of place on the O Brother, Where Art Thou? soundtrack. The nu-folk scene is certainly going strong, with the rise of Mumford and Sons last year, Laura Marling’s number one on NME’s 2010 ‘Cool List’ and with Stornoway's debut album receving critical acclaim. Having said this, The Staves do appear to lack any of the originality in sound which gave Mumford & Sons and Marling their breakthrough success. All three tracks are brilliantly accomplished, although lyrically, the title track 'Mexico' is a highlight. The EP is certainly pleasant to listen to, possessing the same precious vocals and flowing acoustic guitar (both cleanly produced) that are the hallmarks of their peers. Though promising, The Staves probably lack the edge to set them apart from a variety of talented contemporary folk artists. Sounds like: Laura Marling
Duran Duran LG Arena
Hospitality Birmingham Rainbow Warehouse
Saturday 3rd
Goodnight Lenin Birmingham Cathedral
Sunday 4th
We Were Promised Jetpacks Hare & Hounds Jedward:Victory Symphony Hall
Monday 5th
The Red Jumpsuit Apparatus/ Hawthorne Heights The End
Tuesday 6th Kasabian The NIA
Def Leppard/ Motley Crue LG Arena
Wednesday 7th Wilcox/ Hawker O2 Academy
Thursday 8th The Saturdays LG Arena Jay Sean O2 Academy
Redbrick
Editors – Tamara Roper & William Franklin
Music 21
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Live Reviews
Red Hot Chili Peppers LG Arena 19/11/2011
Symphonie Fantastique Symphony Hall 26/11/2011
Helen Ramsay Critic
Zoë Green Critic
How many of us have turned an unrequited love into a five movement landmark symphony? This is precisely what Hector Berlioz resorted to in order to capture the attention of the beautiful Irish actress Harriet Smithson in 1830, creating the Symphonie Fantastique which still captures audiences today. Last week, Edward Gardner, director of the English National Opera, took up the baton as the new guest conductor of the City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra to perform the Symphonie Fantastique. Even the magnificent Symphony Hall seemed too small to house this monumental work of romantic agony. Written by an emotional man of just 27 years old, the Symphonie Fantastique tackles de-
pression, obsession, religion and drug abuse. The symphony sees a lovesick artist take a large dose of opium, pushing him into a deep sleep, and his memories and visions appear to him as music. For one moment at the end of the first movement, the orchestra plays as softly as possible, and hums like an organ. The symphony hall seemed to glow, as if the artist was looking for peace and forgiveness within religion. Later, the artist spots his love across a hazy ball room as a waltz swirls around him, reminding me of a certain night of my own at Snobs earlier this year. The cor anglais calls out to the oboe, only to hear a distant rumble of thunder, pointing out how lonely it can be for those in love. My argument is the relevance of this symphony to young people today. Some of us, right now, are experiencing their first love, which is said to be the most powerful and
obsessive love of them all. Admittedly, the final two movements depict the character watching his own execution and funeral, complete with cackling witches and an over bearing statement of the Dies Irae, a Gregorian hymn associated with funerals, heard from the bass brass. However the feeling of dying of humiliation in front of him is one I'm sure many of us can relate to. I'm not sure whether to describe the conclusion of the story of Hector and Harriet as happy. Harriet did indeed hear the Symphony Fantastique performed in Paris, and agreed to marry him. The lovers lived happily for many years until they divorced, but were buried side by side in Montmarte Cemetery. So guys, if you really do want the girl of your dreams to take notice of you, try taking a leaf of out of Berlioz's book. It's worth a shot.
For those of you who feared for the Red Hot Chili Peppers after the departure of long-running guitarist John Frusciante, let me assure you – just as this tour assured me – they've still got it. Newly accompanied by the skilful guitar-work of Frusciante's replacement, Josh Klinghoffer, bassist Michael Balzary bounded around the stage with the visceral enthusiasm that first earned him the nickname 'Flea'. Drummer Chad Smith still bears a striking resemblance to actor Will Ferrell and, thanks to the blow-up doll hovering above the crowd in the arms of a keen fan, we can still see singer Anthony Kiedis (or at least his inflatable counterpart) donning nothing but a convenientlyplaced tube sock. Swelling with tension, the introduction to the band's opening song, 'Monarchy of Roses', was a thundering upsurge into the funkrock that the Peppers do best, and seemed to invoke within the band members the feverish energy that would ricochet between them throughout the entire show. With a
musical repertoire spanning three decades and including hits such as 'By The Way', 'Can't Stop' and 'Scar Tissue', this was one of only four songs that they would play from their latest album I'm With You. The band also performed two covers: Stevie Wonder's 'Higher Ground' and Neil Young's hit 'Everybody Knows This is Nowhere'; a process Kiedis described as 'drifting in and out of the 70s'. Of course, one track bound to make its way onto their set list was 1992 hit 'Under the Bridge': as the familiar guitar riff reverberated around the stadium, the crowd were doused in blue light and, as if in perfect synchrony, lifted their cameras and phones ready to sing its opening lines in awe. Also met by a similar response was the band's haunting rendition of 'Californication', which they performed before an eerie visual backdrop of orbiting and cascading pills. The highlight of the show was the moment in which Flea and Josh's closing jam erupted into an enthralling fusion of rock and dub reggae. Having covered 'Under The Bridge' previously, my only hope is that X Factor's Janet doesn't try and attempt this too.
Frank Turner O2 Academy 24/11/2011
Redbrick meets... Frank Turner Tamara Roper Music Editor
Veteran Frank Turner fans will know that something like a quarter of his songs are about the trials of playing tiny shows to not very many people. Arriving at the O2 on the night of his gig served as a reminder that this is no longer the case. A sold out show, an upscale tour bus hiding around the corner and some artfully placed candle sticks on stage subtly proclaimed success. For somebody who is selling out every venue he books, Frank Turner is as humble as ever. Cramming an impressive 21 songs into his hour and a half set, he is eager to please and beaming with delight as his audience, who ranged from young teenagers to middle aged men, bellowed every line back at him. Stand out tracks included 'I Knew Prufrock', an ode to old friends, 'Love Ire and Song', dedicated to 'all of the old punks in the audience', and surprisingly, 'One
Foot Before the Other', a tip of the hat to Turner's hardcore roots, that saw a darker light display and the man doing what he does best – getting opinionated. The gig was not a standard sing-along, fists-in-the-air affair (although there was no lacking in either). A closing cover of Queen's 'Somebody to Love' showed Frank bounding about the stage like Freddie Mercury reincarnate, drummer Nigel Powell's 13 year old son guesting on the encore of 'Photosynthesis' and a spectacular shower of paper to close what had been an absolute whirlwind 90 minutes. For those who worry that Frank Turner has become complacent can put their fears to bed. Despite rising fame and a top 10 album, the man continues to put his entire soul into every performance. The more fans he collects, the harder he works. For those upset to have missed him, don't dismay, as the man never stops touring.
Josh Holder Critic
Frank Turner is surely one of the hardest working musicians around. Since his hardcore band Million Dead split in 2005, he has performed a series of over 1,000 solo gigs across 30 different countries. His fourth album, England Keep My Bones, was released in the summer and has been his most commercially successful album yet, resulting in an a rapid expansion of his devoted fan base. Redbrick met with Turner at the O2 Academy Birmingham on the third night of his European tour. Despite performing on the main stage at this summer's Reading festival, embarking on his first headline American tour and releasing his most ambitious album to date, Turner claimed his highlight of the year was being invited to perform on stage with his favourite band The Weakerthans. He sang a verse of their track 'Pamphleteer' and recalls coming off stage thinking, 'I could die right now and that
would be okay'. England Keep My Bones features a track called 'Glory Hallelujah', essentially an atheist hymn, with the chorus: 'There is no god, we're all in this together'. Turner claims he initially wrote the chorus and discarded it, thinking, 'Oh that's provocative, isn't it,' but was encouraged to finish the track by a friend. 'When you sing a hymn, it's a statement of belief, and it's a joyous thing. I wanted to say the same thing, hopefully it comes across like that'. Turner told us that his transition from hardcore to folk happened inadvertently. Having no desire to form another band after the unpleasant ending to Million Dead, he started performing solo in a series of acoustic shows and felt as if he'd found his niche. Despite this, he has announced that he will be embarking on a hardcore side project shortly. 'There's a physicality in playing that sort of music that I only touch on occasionally with what I'm doing now'. Recalling memories of Million Dead shows,
he said, 'There's just something about bending double and screaming your guts out that I miss'. Although Turner isn't sure when he will have time to record the project, he told us that 'people ask if it's going be as heavy as Million Dead – no, it's going to be 10 times more extreme than that. It's going to be very aggressive, very extreme, very confrontational music'. Closing this tour is a huge show at Wembley arena, with Billy Bragg announced as a support act. Turner admits, 'It's a bit mad that Billy is opening for me. I don't even like saying it out loud, it sounds wrong'. The 12,000 capacity show will be Turner's largest headline show to date, a huge feat for an artist on an independent label and comanaging himself. As the interview ends, with a taxi waiting outside and his tour manager urging him to hurry up, Turner was more than happy to pose for a photograph. It is completely true what they say; Frank Turner really is one of the nicest guys in rock.
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Life&Style
Redbrick
2nd December 2011
The ultimate Christmas gift guide GIRLFRIENDS Ipod Shuffle: Engrave it with a personal message and fill it with her favourite music. It's the modern day mixtape. (Apple)
BOYFRIENDS Reindeer Jumper: Get a little Bridget Jones with this festive chunky knit; stylish and bang on trend! (Topshop)
Something to do together: A romantic weekend away or a daytrip to a spa.
Record Player: For the man in your life who loves both music and vintage items; they are brought up to date with a radio, USB port, and a subwoofer socket (whatever that is).
Jewellery: Keep it simple and elegant. Note whether your girl wears gold or silver – or buy both to make your decision easier.
Signed poster: Any memorabilia you can find, signed by their heroes, will make you the best girlfriend in the world. Ebay is amazing for any gift like this.
MUM Loungewear: A luxury dressing gown, from M&S or The White Company, is the perfect present to encourage your busy mum to relax. Festive accessories: To give your mum that extra sparkle for her New Years Eve celebrations, buy her a fabulous, glitzy clutch bag! Bubbles: If you have more spare change, personalised champagne is a fabulous way to show your mum just how much she means to you. (gettingpersonal.co.uk)
DAD Don't Break The Bottle wine puzzle: Simply lock a bottle of wine in the wooden puzzle ready for Christmas day and watch Dad's mind boggle trying to get it open. (firebox.com) This Is Your Life photo album: Give your Dad something a little more sentimental this year. (Urban Outfitters) An Abbey Road laptop case: Designed with an image of the iconic studios, with a protective interior. (Urban Outfitters)
Fierce & Finished Fierce Esther Newman Writer
'Driving Home for Christmas' by Chris Rea: Yes it's totally cringe, but oh-so-Christmassy to play this and sing at the top of your voice on your drive home. 'Friday Fab': Always the best one of term. Christmas albums: Michael Bublé, Justin Bieber, Glee… I want them all. I will play them everyday until New Year, and yes, I will still listen to them in June. Party dresses: Even though we may be bursting at the seams with stomachs full of mince pies, an excuse to wear sparkles will never be passed up. Advent calendars: A little choccie every morning for 25 days… ahhh, that's why 'tis the season to be jolly. Christmas adverts: With a special mention to John Lewis. A tear will be brought to the eye of even the biggest Scrooge as it's official: he is the cutest boy ever. Deadlines after Christmas: Officially noessays or impending exams until January. Let the procrastination begin as we know even with a month to organise, we'll still leave it to the very end.
Finished April Shacklock Writer
Deadlines before Christmas: It's mean and insensitive. Week 11 is for getting drunk, going out and dancing to Christmas songs. The Bullring at weekends: Queuing for escalators, stressed shop assistants, empty shelves, mile long queue for Starbucks… I wouldn't bother.
STOCKING FILLERS Home-made soaps: Pop down to the German Christmas Market (New Street onwards) and purchase some of the hand-made soaps, lotions or candles. The stalls smell amazing, and these presents are a great way of dodging the cliché 'Body Lotion Set' from Boots. Christmas pudding bin bags: They make taking out the Christmas rubbish a little more enjoyable and are guaranteed to put a smile on any Selly Oak bin
man's face! (www. paperchase.co.uk) Mulled wine spices: After all, this is the season to be 'merry', so let someone have a go at making their own mulled wine. Oxfam offers a great gift set on their website, and you won't need to feel any guilt on the hangover – you were doing you're bit for charity! (www.oxfam. org.uk)
DIFFICULT PEOPLE Fussy friend: Try a subscription to their favourite magazine or, name a star after them! (www. universal-star-registry.com) Retro reminders: Wow Grumpy-Gramps with traditional memorabilia from the good old days! (www.mappamundi.co.uk)
Akhil Kothari PETS Dog-knits: A fun, festive jumper will keep your pooch warm on cold winter nights. (www. divadogs.co.uk) Personalised pet bowl: Guaranteed to look cute in any home. (www.emmabridgewater. co.uk)
The secrecy of Secret Santa: I want to know who has me so I can drop big hints. Cooking Christmas dinner for your housemates: Stressful! We appreciate our parents' cooking so much more now. Christmas pudding: Who actually likes it? We are the chocolate Yule Log generation. Rihanna: Dodgy X Factor performance, disappointing new album, booed at the O2 arena. What's happened, Rhi-Rhi?
Festive treats: Forget feeding your dog left-over turkey from Christmas dinner, he can now have his very own Christmas selection box! (www.pressies4dogs.co.uk)
The Starbucks Gingerbread Latte: A grande gingerbread latte has 330 calories and 13g of fat… I wish it could be Christmas every day – we wouldn't have to worry about having a beach body ever Contributors: Ida Sundstrom, Amy Wakeham, Geraldine Tovey, Vicky Haworth, Lucy Whife, Maddie Kilminster & Rhiannon Johns again. Fruit basket: Surprise that awkward Aunt with a thoughtfully chosen basket. (www.britishbouquets.co.uk/fruitbaskets)
Life&Style Christmas wish lists, Scrooge's Christmas rant, Christmas diet tips, Jimmy Choo's CEO departure and DIY nail art... Read online at redbrickpaper.co.uk
The X Factor charity single: Is it the song choice, or the absence of Frankie Cocozza that doesn't feel right? It's definitely the song choice.
Redbrick
Travel Editors – Emily Booth & Louise Spratt
redbrickpaper.co.uk
2nd December 2011
'Experience? I bought it. Health? I risked it. Adequate financial aid? I grabbed what I could and went without the remainder' – Evelyn Cheesman
Multi-cultural Christmas celebrations
Will Spence takes us on a tour of some rather curious Christmas traditions Roller-blade in Venezuela Parts of South America have very traditional Christian values and Venezuela is no different. In the capital Caracas, however, a very odd yet effective tradition is in place on Christmas Eve. The main roads in the capital are shut down to allow people to blade to Christmas Mass. Roasted chestnuts are hanging on trees by the side of the road for people to grab for a tasty treat before entering the church.
Caracas, Román Emin on Flickr
Riga, Latvia, xmacex on Flickr
Rubber Slippers in Italy on Flickr
Get presents in Latvia For the little kids who can't wait to get up and see what Santa has brought them, the Latvian Christmas tradition is perfect. Christmas is spread out over 12 days, with smaller gifts being brought on the first and the best ones on the twelfth. The Christmas tree, which was actually invented in Latvia, is supposed to touch the ceiling no matter what house you live in.
Run from the devil in Austria If you've been naughty this year, stay off the Austrian streets this Christmas. Krampus, Santa Claus' little helper, is believed to go punishing naughty children, allowing Santa to deliver presents to only those who have been good. Nowadays youngsters dress up as Krampus with troll masks to scare others, but traditionally his tale is told by parents to stop their children from misbehaving.
Travel Editor
Rummaging through clothes drawers in search of the woolly jumpers and thick socks to get me through the resilient British winter, I reluctantly move last summer's travel outfits aside. Swapping the shorts for leg warmers is a cruel reminder of just how distant those afternoon siestas and brochure-perfect beaches now are. Heading into the darkness every day at 4.30pm, the thought of removing clothes for the morning shower is somewhat unbearable. It is not only the length or tog of my home and away wardrobes that strike a chord. Pulling out the vibrant MC Hammer-style harem trousers I bought from Arabian markets in Spain, I wonder if I can really pull off this bohemian look in the UK without looking like a misplaced hippie. In a disheartening moment of realisation, I began questioning my various holiday whims; those impulsive piercings, the coconut earrings I absolutely had to buy to look the part, even though I wasted half an hour every time I put them in. Not to mention the full head of braids I modelled for a week, complete with electric blue ribbon, inspired by the Afro-Caribbean in-
fluences of Brazil and the failure to remember that I am a white European, with wispy hair and an easily-burnt scalp. Really, what was I thinking? The thought of daring to leave my Selly Oak abode sporting some of these 'in the moment' trends now seems completely ridiculous. Holiday memories have been converted into cinematographic flashback sequences that fill me with nostalgia yet also seem dream-like in their foolishness.
'I am a white European, with wispy hair and an easily – burnt scalp' It poses the question whether what we do abroad should really stay abroad; is it just an accepted fact that the things we buy and the antics we get up to should be left in the world of travel memories, or is it possible to transcend the dream – reality barrier? Undoubtedly, many of us have travel tales of embarrassing incidents or mischievous mishaps and it is fair to say that these anecdotes are indeed best left where they occurred; the notion of freedom, travelling and being amongst people who do not know us can some-
Are we taking the piste? Isabella Fritz Reporter
Bored of the generic skiing hotspots? Want to try somewhere a little bit different this Christmas? Here are some bizarre ski resorts around the world in pole position this winter. Dubai 'The coolest thing to do in Dubai'. The slogan used by the first indoor ski resort in the Middle East to promote its 22,500 square meters of real snow covered slopes. The resort is related to the Mall of Emirates, so it is like skiing in a shopping centre. Ski clothing and equipment can be rented there, so you don't have to bring your own all the way to the desert. This cool fun isn't that cheap. For adults it is approximately £30 for two hours skiing. www.skidxb.com Georgia The Gudauri Ski is a ski resort in the middle of the Caucasus Mountains; only a two-hour journey from the International Airport of Tbilisi. Apart from using the conventional chairlifts there is also the opportunity to try
trekkyandy on Flickr Some Christmas tradition facts… Don't send red cards for Christmas in Japan, as this is considered the colour of death and is associated with funerals. If you fancy getting married this year, head to the Czech Republic, stand facing the front door on Christmas Eve and throw your shoe behind you. If it lands toe facing the door, you're in luck. New Year's Eve in Spain sets the challenge of gobbling 12 grapes for every dong of the bell at midnight, in the name of luck.
Should what happens abroad stay abroad? Louise Spratt
23
times be a bit too liberating. What about the people we do get to know, however? Should the friendships we find on the road be left behind too, only allowed to cross over via email and Facebook, or can they enter into our reality without seeming like a silly pair of trousers that no longer suit us? Having been away for a year, I've realised that I'm a different person at home and away; not in a Jekyll and Hyde sense but in terms of attitudes and customs; it comes with the culture. Switching cultures requires some adaptation, which is not always easy. This is why certain behaviours, relationships and fashions work better in their natural environment where, perhaps, they should stay. Yet, despite cultural mismatches, the thought of separating the travel world and the 'real' world saddens me; do we not travel to learn from others and enrich our 'real' lives after all? So I'll ignore the odd looks I get as I ask for a red wine spritzer at the bar, or don my hippie trousers and coconut jewellery, (but I swear the blue braids were a one-off) and while cultural acclimatisation can be testing at times, I'll continue to awaken those travel dreams and take a bit of Britishness with me next time I hop on a plane.
heliskiing instead, and ski down the untouched snow of the slopes. Certainly a once in a lifetime experience but the prices are almost as high as the mountains. One day of Heliskiing costs almost £500. www.heliksir.com. Australia When the ski season in Europe is long over and summer approaches, the ski resorts Down Under are just about to start their season. Take, for example, the Perisher Resort (www.perisher.com.au), about six hours by car from Sydney. Instead of cocktails and beach parties, the Perisher resort offers an array of après-ski options. But then again, do you really want to go skiing when you are in Australia? Cyprus The island in the Mediterranean Sea provides not only glorious beaches but also a ski resort. You can ski for half the day in the mountains and relax on the beach for the remainder. The slopes are named after Greek gods. A day pass on Mount Olympus will set you back approximately £20. For more information see www.skicyprus.com
Johanna Beach, Australia – Rob Young on Flickr
World happenings: December Camilla Schmid Reporter
Festival of the Lights, Lyon, 8th -11th December Every year this French city is lit up with candles in windows of the local houses. Four million people flock here to see the light architects' shows and music, not to mention the annual Lyon Christmas markets, creating a truly unique and festive atmosphere. London to Lyon return, Easyjet: 7th-11th December, from £114 on www.skyscanner.net Eurostar: From £109 return German markets, Birmingham The Berlin Christmas markets are perhaps a bit out of the student budget, but don't fear, you can get the authentic feel right here in Birmingham. With hundreds of traditional Frankfurt stalls, you'll be inspired with gift ideas for everyone. And why not pre-drink with a twist on traditional German beer in the bustling Victoria Square or cherry flavoured mulled wine for an extra kick? Hogmanay, Edinburgh Celebrate the end of the year with a bang at Edinburgh's New Year's Eve Street Party. 80,000 people
gather in the heart of the city with fireworks, drink and a huge live music line-up including Mark Ronson and Bombay Bicycle Club. And if that's not exciting enough, join the crazy people on New Year's Day who brave a swim at the 'Loony Dook', raising thousands for local charities – an event not to be missed. New Street to Edinburgh: from £28.70 one way with a railcard
robbie_shade on Flickr Christmas day in Australia Not your classic winter scene, but the sun, sea and surf is definitely an experience to remember. Trade the common roast turkey for some shrimp on the barbie and you've got a traditional Aussie Christmas. If you can't reach that far, a good British Christmas can't be knocked. Embrace the quality TV, the hearty meals and all-round loving that comes with the season. (Ticket prices accurate 25/11/11)
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2nd December 2011
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FoodIkon Gallery Café: a unique hidden gem Did yule know?
Traditionally, Christmas puddings were not sweet at all; the dried fruit was used as a means of preserving leftover meat. The first reference to Christmas pudding as we now know it was in the 19th century.
Three of the best: independent cafés Richard Higgs Writer
Jordan Warner Food Editor
Six/Eight Kafe Located on Temple Row, the Six/ Eight Kafe has some of the best coffee in Birmingham. Grab a double shot Latte for £2.50 and sit back with a Gourmet Ciabatta (sourced from Anderson and Hill Deli) and a slice of Guinness cake. The café is named after its postal address and the owners' love of jazz – the 6/8 representing an offbeat time signature Independent art covers the walls, with a rotating gallery of local artists presenting their work. Careful to foster a relationship with the creative community, Six/ Eight host live bands, zine festivals, photography lectures and poetry nights.
Brewsmiths Slightly out of the town centre, a trip to Brewsmiths is definitely worth it! It's under the Queensway Arches. More precisely, it is a twenty-second walk from Subway City. Brewsmiths can provide you with one of the biggest selections of teas in the city – as well as a great selection of paninis, ciabattas and coffee. With free Wi-Fi, friendly owners, a great choice of board games and newspapers, you can be as productive or as unproductive as you like! The café hosts coffee mornings for MacMillan cancer support, provides tea for those heading to work and sells locally produced zines on the counter. Brewsmiths is an excellent place to work, relax or just drink tea when you want to get away from the hustle and bustle of central Birmingham.
With a glass of red, a plethora of mixed Spanish tapas, low lighting and a handful of good friends, you could forgive me for feeling more like I was in a sophisticated Catalan café, than around the corner from Gatecrasher and Risa. Yet, this is the charm that I was so enthusiastically enthralled by on Wednesday night that I quite literally declared the food in the Ikon Gallery Café the best I have tasted anywhere in Birmingham the following day. For me, food is more than just taste, smell or looks. There is an experience to be enjoyed by having a good quality meal that means more than just satisfying a hungry belly. A night out dining with friends can often be quite pricey if you follow the normal path of choosing stuck-up, trendy-named restaurants because we are 'told' that they are the best places to eat. Well, to me, this is rubbish. If I am to invest a substantial part of my weekly allowance on a night out with friends than I expect more than just the cliché 'fine-dining experience' in return. I may be stretching this all a little far for the Ikon Gallery Café which is, essentially, exactly what its name suggests – a café to go alongside an established landmark: the Ikon art gallery. This café feels so much more though! There is a real feeling of unlimited potential that in the right hands could aid the Ikon Café in becoming one of Birmingham's most established
eateries, without the stigma of being just another gallery café. This was all discussed openly with the member of staff serving us who confidently declared that their singular chef in the kitchen possessed boundless culinary skills and ideas, and with the right use of branding and marketing, could really expand their current restaurant's status. It was simple, elegant, nonpretentious and most importantly, enjoyable. We opted for the house red, which, considering the location (1 Oozels Place) was relatively cheap at £15.50 a bottle. This easi-
Keep calm and carry on – Drink some tea!
Recipe: Mum's homemade coffee cake Elizabeth Cook Writer
Caffe Chino You can find this lovely Asian Bakery and Teahouse in the Arcadian, a stone's throw from the Bullring. Selling a great selection of drinks, sweets, pastries and cakes, every time I visit I try something I didn't realize existed. Vanilla Bubble Tea, Ice Green Lattes, Mango Ice Pearls, Basil Seed drinks, a wide selection of teas as well as the usual coffee-house fare. The pale green storefront houses a pretty sitting room – the seats facing a multitude of tempting Far-Eastern sweets and treats. An award-winning bakery, their cakes look and taste wonderful, and their pastry-based foods are equally excellent – Sweet Pork and Pineapple buns go down great with a Soy Milkshake!
ly went down and nicely relaxed us for our gluttonous ten-dish tapas fiesta that was possibly enough food for a party of six, rather than two hungry critics. Wild mushrooms, honey vegetables and premeal olives catered for vegetarians looking for a Spanish take on classic roasted veg. On the other hand, meat lovers (which my guest and I certainly are) could be tempted by sirloin strips in a garlicy marsalla sauce, lentils and chorizo with a sweet red pepper reduction and meat-balls in a paprika-spiced tomato sauce. The real prize-winner though
Rosie Sharratt Online Food & Life&Style Editor What are you buying when you visit Starbucks? Is it just coffee that you will find in your thick white mug, one of many generic millions across the country? Starbucks' success rests on selling us a lifestyle we can't help but aspire to. They're serving up a carefully synthesized concept of cool, calm and big-city glamour, to which our high streets can't help but surrender. We can now define ourselves from the inside out - even what we ingest carries meaning. But we have forgotten the pride we used to take in our heritage, replacing it with an Americanised individuality which, enticing as it may be, is not
our own. The British Empire was built on tea, fuelled by the humble but noble drink that has grown to define us. Tea cheers us up, calms us down, keeps us in to chat with loved ones, drives us out each morning to take on the day. For Britain, coffee chains are the flirty crush seducing us in every shopping centre, while tea is the love that was there all along; the love we are in danger of losing. Amid the pre-programmed kookiness of the American coffee chains, there is a corner of our high street that will be forever England. We can't let this small but integral part of our history fade away. So next time you fancy a beverage, why not pay your respects to all things British? Find an independent café for a cuppa.
Coffee cake isn't everybody's cup of tea, but for those of you partial to a slice or two, here we have a tasty homemade recipe passed down by my mum. She makes and sells cakes as a part-time job and this coffee cake is a delicious treat.
Ingredients:
For the cake: 150g caster sugar 150g butter or margarine 150g self-raising flour 3 eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1 tbsp instant coffee (or more if you prefer) For the buttercream icing: 225g icing sugar 100g butter (not margarine) 1½ tbsp instant coffee A few tablespoons of apricot jam
1)
Pre-heat the oven to 160°C/325°F/Gas Mark 3. Line two sandwich tins with baking paper.
Food Online Exclusive interviews Check out our interviews with Birmingham's best known chefs, asking everything from what they eat at home to their inspiration for individual culinary creations.
was the patatas ailioli! I would have smothered just about anything in this tremendous garlic mayonnaise and been happy with the result. The meal was a mixture of garlic, herbs, freshness of produce and culinary bliss. We sat for two and a half hours and had to refuse the waitress four times with taking the last remains of our plates as we were too busy chatting, drinking and scooping up left-over sauce on to pieces of bread. I like restaurants like the Gallery Café the most, purely because they don't attempt to be something they aren't. The environment was relaxed and comfortable, but in truth the layout could be enhanced by different styles that more greatly reflect the cuisine. However, don't let that take away from the Café's charm – it only serves to give the café an almost 'unknown' feeling to it. Almost as if, because it isn't on the magic-circle list of culinary dining in Birmingham, it doesn't see the need to alter what is working well for it. It also allows the food to stand prominent without any fussy or elaborate backdrop. This gives it a hidden-gem quality that is so difficult to find in modern British restaurants. In my opinion, the final bill of £73.25 is reflective of the quality of the meal as well as the whole night. I would have paid more for this meal and as a student on a budget, that means a lot. I cannot fault this restaurant and will genuinely return as soon as I possibly can.
Reviews Read praise and criticism of Birmingham's restaurants and cafés to help you decide where to hold a preChristmas dinner with your housemates!
2)
Cream together the caster sugar, butter and eggs. Add the baking powder and then sieve in the flour.
3)
Mix the coffee with 1tbsp of hot water and allow to dissolve. Add to the cake mixture and stir in.
4)
Pour evenly into the two tins and pop into the oven for 30 minutes.
5)
Mix together the icing sugar and the butter and, as before, mix the 1½ tbsp of coffee with 1tbsp of water and stir before adding to the icing mixture.
6)
Allow your cake to cool before icing, and then spread the icing over one side of each separate cake half. Place the other half on top and decorate. Fake holly or themed sprinkles can give the cake a festive Christmas twist.
7)
8)
Serve, and enjoy!
Recipes Check out our online recipes, along with our little-known food facts to rustle up your own kitchen delights this Christmas!
All this and more at redbrickpaper.co.uk
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2nd December 2011
Sport 12 moments that mattered
25
Volleyball win 3-1
Joshua Reynolds reports on the Birmingham men's victory over York, p26
Redbrick Sport gives you a collection of the sporting moments to savour from the year 2011
Barcelona conquer Europe In their Champions League final triumph Barcelona were too good for Manchester United at Wembley, winning 3-1 with goals from Pedro, Lionel Messi and David Villa to cement their place in history.
Mo Farah and Dai Greene golds Mo Farah and Dai Greene were the shining lights of Britain's peformance in Daegu for the World Athletics Championships. Farah produced a gutsy display to win the 5000m, while Greene was superb in taking the gold medal for the 400m hurdles.
England win the Ashes 3-1 The groundwork was done in 2010, but it was nonetheless a fantastic moment when England secured a resounding 3-1 series victory at Sydney, allowing Andrew Strauss' men to lift the Ashes down under.
Frankel wins 2000 Guineas Cavendish wins Tour De France Darren Clarke wins the Open In one of the greatest performances ever seen, Frankel decimated the 2000 Guineas field at Newmarket to ensure his name will live on in horseracing history. Tom Queally barely had to get to work on the three-yearold 'superhorse'.
Usain Bolt disqualified
Mark Cavendish became the first British winner of the points classification, securing victory with a record third consecutive win in the final stage at the Avenue des ChampsÉlysÊes. The Manx sprinter was imperious throughout and will hope his performance will be enough to win Sports Personality of the Year for 2011.
New Zealand win World Cup
Darren Clarke has had a career of ups and downs, but triumphed at Royal St. Georges in July to win the British Open, his maiden major title victory. Clarke played consistently in extremely testing conditions to hang on the for the three shot win in his 20th Open appearance.
Djokovic wins Wimbledon
In one of the great shocks in Athletics history, firm favourite Usain Bolt inexplicably false started in the final of the 100 metres, which meant automatic disqualification, gifting the gold medal to fellow countryman Yohan Blake.
New Zealand won the Rugby World Cup on home soil in October, defeating a resolute France 9-8 in a nail-biting final. Captained by the inspirational Richie McGraw, the hosts justified pre-tournament favouritism, going unbeaten in the tournament to secure their first World Cup in 20 years and delighting the nation of kiwis.
Novak Djokovic proved himself the best player in the world in July, with a mesmerising performance to beat Rafael Nadal 6-4, 6-1, 1-6, 6-3 in another epic Wimbledon final. Djokovic's strokeplay was a joy to behold, to which the Spaniard had no answer.
Vettel wins Formula One
David Haye loses to Klitschko
City win 6-1 at Old Trafford
The Week In Numbers
13,000
Indian cricketer Rahul Dravid this week joined compatriot Sachin Tendulkar in becoming the second ever player to reach 13,000 test runs. Dravid has averaged a staggering 53.29.
2 1.5 17 83
Sunderland have won just two out of their last 15 games at the Stadium of Light, leading to the sacking of manager Steve Bruce. million. The number of Olympic football tickets put back on sale on a first-come-firstserve basis.
Roger Federer is now unbeaten in 17 matches, having won successive titles in Basel, Paris and now London. Matches played by Rafael Nadal on the ATP World Tour this season. Players have called for the tennis calendar to be reduced.
After plenty of pre-match hype, much of it coming from Haye himself, the Englishman was outclassed by Wladimir Klitschko in a complete anticlimax. It's safe to say this was not the glittering end to his career Haye had in mind.
The Week In Quotes 'Gary was a magnificent person, bright, fun and a wonderful family man - he lit up every room he walked into. I am proud to have been his friend and will miss him dreadfully.'
Alan Shearer was one of the many to pay tribute to Gary Speed, who was liked and respected by everyone involved with British football.
'It feels very special indeed. I know it's one of my greatest accomplishments. It was the strongest finish to a season I've ever had in my career.'
Roger Federer was delighted after beating Jo Wilfred Tsonga in the final of the ATP tour finals, and will hope to add his haul of grand slams next season.
'The last bout was a 50/50. This time I don't deserve that. I don't have a title, but what I do bring is excitement and I bring a value - but I don't believe it's 50/50.'
English boxer David Haye on potential earnings should he come out of retirement to face Vitali Klitschko next year.
'I think Balotelli got himself sent off. His actions spoke louder than anybody else's didn't they? Sometimes, if you look in the mirror, you get the answer.'
Kenny Dalglish refuted Roberto Mancini's view that Liverpool players got Mario Balotelli sent off in the match last Sunday.
The ground shifted in footballing terms last month. Manchester City quite literally came, saw, and conquered their more decorated rivals with a 6-1 demolition on their own patch.
The Redbrick Sport Quiz 1) Which player replaced Andy Murray in the ATP Tour Finals after the Scot had to withdraw because of injury? 2) Who are the only team to have lost to Blackburn Rovers in the Premier League this season? 3) Who are the only two footballers to have played more Premier League games than the late Gary Speed? 4) Which two golfers guided USA to victory in the Golf World Cup last week? 5) Which rugby national team beat the Barbarians at Twickenham last weekend? 1, Janko Tipsarevic 2, Arsenal 3, Ryan Giggs and David James 4, Matt Kuchar and Gary Woodland 5, Australia
Sebastian Vettel retained his drivers World Championship in Japan, becoming the youngest ever back-to-back winner of the title in a season he utterly dominated.
26 Sport
Redbrick
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Sam Price, Joseph Audley & Raphael Sheridan
Birmingham Butcher their rivals Men's Volleyball
Birmingham 1sts
3
York 1sts
1
Joshua Reynolds Sport Reporter
In the men’s volleyball match between the University of Birmingham and the University of York on Wednesday, one would struggle to argue against a proposition that the better side won, as Brum sealed a 3-1 victory, thus booking themselves a place in the BUCS finals. Having been somewhat unfortunate in their recent league encounters, the home team were intent on ‘staying positive and earning the win’ according to team captain, Carl Butcher. As for the visitors, they too had yet to impose themselves on their competitors in the league, but with their team boasting immense physical presence, they made Birmingham work until the very end for their victory. That said, the hosts certainly didn’t make things easy for themselves, as on a number of occasions throughout the contest they stormed into healthy leads, only to allow their opposition back into the tie once more. In the early stages Brum were the first to settle into the game, despite hitting their first two serves out. Their opponents were slow out of the traps and made a number of unforced errors in the opening exchanges which allowed Butcher’s boys to carve out a 10-4 advantage in the first set. At one stage, York hitter Jonas Polex had his head in his hands after failing to hit home a perfect set from team captain Chris Stent.
With the score standing at 2113 in favour of the home side, the visitors called time-out. By this stage Birmingham looked to be in cruise control, with the powerful spikes of Ayo Bakare and almost faultless performances from Butcher and Oliver Hoelzinger proving too much for their northern adversaries. However, when play resumed Brum seemed to let their guard down, and before they knew it they had allowed York to win six points from a possible nine to bring the scores to 24-19. Alas, the hosts were not to be denied and took the first set 25-19. The beginning of the second set nigh on mirrored that of the first, with Birmingham racing into a 12-6 lead. Frustration was clearly mounting in the away camp, as a series of close refereeing decisions went against them, which led Stent to tell teammate Tom Brackpool to ‘calm down’. Nevertheless, just when it all looked to be going downhill for York, they scraped their way back into the set to trail by just three points at 15-12. After another time-out it looked as if the visitors’ revival would be short-lived, Birmingham soon increasing the deficit to six points to make it 21-15. However, it was at this point that Polex really found his range on the court, serving 10 points to help his team steal the set 25-21. Disappointed with the manner in which they had squandered the second set, Brum rallied themselves in the third to run out 25-14 winners, with Peter Marshall and Andrew Isabirye in particular asserting themselves on proceedings. Successive needless mistakes from the away side proved costly, and they had seemingly undone their hard work from the previous
Korfball tournament
The University of Birmingham Korfball club are this Saturday (3rd December) hosting the BUCS Regional Qualifiying Competition, at the NIA Community Hall, which takes place from 9.30am to 5pm. There are nine teams and 100 competitors entered into this Southern Region competition. Birmingham are defending champions, having won for the past three years, so could use some support in bidding to triumph again this year.
Lacrosse success
The women's development lacrosse team took victory in their first ever tournament last Sunday. The tournament was held in Nottingham, and was the first in a series of development tournaments for lacrosse teams in the Midlands. The girls drew 3-3 with Nottingham Trent, before beating Keele 5-0, Nottingham 3-2 and Warwick 3-0 to claim the competition victory. The men's development team also put in a good showing, finishing second respectively. Birmingham edged the key points in a close encounter Mathis Baumert set, Birmingham this time around managing to keep them at arm’s length throughout. As the teams took to the court for the fourth and what would prove to be the final set of the afternoon, the home side seemed determined to kill off the match, and sure enough class told in the end. Even so, they continued to falter when they earned themselves a lead, with York battling back on several occasions to make the fi-
nal points of the match extremely tense affairs. Brum nonetheless managed to close out the contest, largely thanks to the magnificent serves of Butcher in the later stages. A deserved victory, albeit hard earned, will do wonders for the confidence of the Birmingham team, with this victory meaning that they now have the BUCS finals in Sheffield to look forward to next term.
Brum dunked out by Middlesex Men's Basketball
Birmingham 1sts
61
Middlesex 1sts
85
Tom Williamson Sport Reporter
Birmingham men’s basketball first team took on Middlesex firsts in the BUCS Championship cup first
round. The game was fast paced and frenetic throughout, with Middlesex taking control in the second quarter at 40-36, before eventually running up a big lead in the fourth quarter, to run out comfortable 8561 winners. This was no less than they deserved in a thrilling end-toend match. The game began at a frantic pace, with both sides throwing themselves into the action.
Birmingham were outscored by relentless opposition
Mathis Baumert
Sport Shorts
Gonzalo Perez opened the scoring for Birmingham with a basket from distance. Perez impressed throughout this half, controlling the pace of the play from the centre of the court and also setting up numerous assaults on the Middlesex net. Patrick Highton also netted a brace for his side to help them into an early 13-2 lead, as did Jamel Felix for Middlesex, who played an integral part in helping the visitors get back into the game at 13-8. The passion on both sides was clear, something which led to numerous penalties, as well as both coaches being frequently out of their seats. The quarter finished with Birmingham marginally ahead at 22-20 The second quarter saw Middlesex start to pull ahead. Tayo Ogunyinka scored the points that gave his side a 24-22 lead. Middlesex really pushed on in this half after a slow start and opened up a seven point lead at 29-22. It was clear that Birmingham were unable to cope with the bombardment at this point. However, the hosts did rally to get back to 2929. Aaron Moseley scored three points for Middlesex, which gave them a 34-31 lead, an advantage that they maintained until the end. The visitors finished the quarter 40-36 ahead. In the third quarter Atis Kham scored twice to put his side 45-38 ahead. Felix also netted several in this half. In this period he used his pace to full advantage and con-
trolled the game. Middlesex used their pacy players to counter attack on numerous occasions and their height advantage overwhelmed Birmingham. Middlesex continued to score, opening up a ten point lead at 63-53 at the end of the quarter. Middlesex started to run up a big lead when the game entered its fourth quarter. Julius Visoakas and Alex Ducass both added points to give Middlesex a 69-53 advantage. Jan Pieper added more for his side, using his aerial advantage. Birmingham’s Kaphel Ulett-Waul went on an impressive run to add two points for his side, but by this point the game was beyond rescue for Birmingham. The game finished with Middlesex running out comprehensive 85-61 winners After the game, Middlesex were understandably ecstatic. Their coach Jerome Wright said ‘the game went really well, we had a slow start, but managed to open up a consistent gap in the second quarter and increased our pressure in the fourth. We did well on our defending and our intensity and it was a very good team effort - the lads played really well.’
Turnovers
Birmingham
7
Middlesex
5
Other Results and Next Week's Fixtures This week's results:
Men's Lacrosse 1sts won 6-5 against Manchester Met 1sts Women's Rugby 1sts won 19-7 against Loughborough 1sts Men's Squash 2nds won 5-0 against Oxford 1sts Men's Hockey 2nds won 3-2 against Lougborough 3rds Men's Fencing 1sts lost 119-117 to Cambridge 1sts Women's Basketball 1sts won 58-45 against Liverpool 1sts
Next week's fixtures (Wednesday 7th): Game of the week: Men's Rugby Union 1sts vs Edinburgh 1sts Bournbrook 2.30pm Men's Football 2nds vs UoB 3rds Munrow Track 6.30pm Women's Volleyball 1sts vs Anglia Ruskin 1sts Munrow New Gym 6.30pm Men's Fencing 1sts vs Warwick 1sts Munrow New Gym 2pm Men's Badminton 2nds vs UEA 1sts Munrow Sports Hall 2pm Women's Basketball 2nds vs Staffordshire 1sts Metchley 2pm Men's Rugby Union 2nds vs Coventry 1sts Metchley 2.15pm
Redbrick
This week in... 1998
Controversial boxer Mike Tyson faced a potential 20-year jail sentence after assaulting two men. The boxer had kicked and punched two men who were involved in a car accident with his wife. 2009 David Beckham and Lord Triesman met FIFA President Sepp Blatter in a final push to host the 2018 World Cup. Blatter stressed that Beckham had to be the public face of the England bid for it to have any chance of success.
Couldn't make it up
Hero Remembered The footballing world was in mourning after news broke of the death of Wales manager Gary Speed, aged 42. Speed, the first player to play 500 Premier League games, was found dead in his Cheshire home on 27 November after police were called to his address.
World cup shockers
This week's Wednesday Debate sees England's league pitted against Spain's. James Dolton makes the case for the Premier League being the best around, whereas James Newbon believes La Liga offers better entertainment.
Where are they now? Weekend Wager
Classic Goal...
Tottenham, Man City and Everton to win Football Accumulator
Former Newcastle striker Les Ferdinand hasn't stopped. He worked as a pundit for BBC Sport and Setanta Sports before founding Team48 Motorsport, promoting black drivers in motor racing. When not flying his helicopter, he's either racing around the Top Gear test track, or fundraising for Cancer Reseach.
Your money should be safe with this accumulator. In-form Tottenham play struggling Bolton, Man City should overpower Norwich City, while an improving Everton team host a Stoke side that usually struggle in Europa League weeks.
Club in Focus... Archery Club Whether you are an experienced archer or have never shot before, the University of Birmingham Archery Club is welcome to any student or staff. As well as taking part just for fun, the club participates in every type of competitive archery (recurve, compound and longbow). The top archers finished a fantastic second in the British University Team Championships last year. The experienced archers finished fifth in the indoor league, with the novice archers taking second. Those interested can observe training sessions before getting involved.
Club Captain - Paul Griffin Training Times Wednesday 7.00pm - 10.00pm Sunday 3.00pm - 6.00pm Contact committee@ubarchery.co.uk www.ubarchery.co.uk committee@ubarchery.co.uk Twitter - UBArchery
Mordo Nahum Puzzles Editor
Completed crosswords to be submitted to the Redbrick office. (Redbrick Office located in the basement of the Guild)
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Year: Email Address:
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Heineken Cup Fraser Kesteven reviews the Heineken Cup, which kicked off two weeks ago. The Europe-wide competition has already produced several exciting games, especially as the Celtic teams appear to have hit the ground running...
This week's prize is a £5 Waterstones Gift Voucher
Name:
Tim Krul
Following England's disastrous performance at the 2011 Rugby World Cup, ten Redbrick Sport writers state their contenders for the worst ever World Cup campaigns, from Zaire in 1974 to France in 2010.
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Heroes...
This week on the Redbrick website... Best football league?
Last week, Manchester City posted a record annual loss of £197.5 million. Not flustered by this, City bosses have commissioned personalised snoods for all squad players during winter training, complete with name, squad number and national flag. Hamit Altintop, riding high after winning 2010's FIFA Goal of the Year, spectacularly crashed to earth after committing one of the worst dives seen all season. The Turk's antics against Croatia were so obvious that it prompted a mixture of laughter and disgust from those watching.
Sport 27
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Editors – Sam Price, Joseph Audley & Raphael Sheridan
Across
4. Shock; wound (6) 5. Overlook; young lady (4) 7. Ivy League university (7) 10. Brainbox? (5) 11. R&B musician who has collaborated with Kanye West (7) 12. Foe (5) 14/3. English Victorian-era novelist (7, 7) 15. Iraqi city (5) 16. _______ S. Grant, 18th U.S. president (7) 20. See 23 21. Miserly antagonist of A Christmas Carol (7) 22. Animal skin; conceal (4) 23/20. Novel by 14 Across (6, 5)
Down
1. Purple (5) 2. Clever; well-dressed (5) 3. See 14 Across 4. Defrost (4) 6. Melons (anag.) (6) 8. Tarmac (7) 9. Dishearten; lower (7) 10. Wooden beam (7) 13. Jewish name for God (6) 14. Christian military campaign (7) 17. The top of the head (5) 18. Loves (anag.) (5) 19. ____ Stravinsky, Russian composer (4)
Youtube search: Joe Audley vs Sunnyhill Departing sport editor Joseph Audley scored the goal of his life playing for his local team at the age of 18. He took the ball down 35 yards out and stopped it dead. A quick look up and a heavy swing of the right foot saw the ball fly into the top-right corner, leaving everyone watching amazed. He certainly won't score many better!
The young Dutch goalkeeper was integral in preventing Manchester United from winning last Saturday. Krul, 23, pulled off a series of brilliant saves in the final 20 minutes to earn Newcastle United a valuable and deserved draw at Old Trafford.
Roger Federer
The Swiss beat Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in three sets in the final of the ATP World Tour Finals in London. In doing so, the 30-year-old won his 70th career title in his 100th final. 'I'm so fortunate to have had a great career. I don't know how I'm still walking', he said.
Mark Webber
In a season dominated by team mate Sebastian Vettel, Mark Webber kept his composure and secured his first win of the season in Brazil. Unfortunately, Webber won't be able to build on his success, as it was the last race of the season.
and Villains... Mario Balotelli
The Manchester City striker reverted to type by getting sent off within 18 minutes after coming on as a substitute against Liverpool. 'I don't think that the referee wanted to give a yellow card but the Liverpool players said something' said City manager Roberto Mancini, after the game.
The Two Steves
Bruce has been sacked by Sunderland following a 2-1 home loss to struggling Wigan, while Kean will surely be the next managerial casualty. Blackburn have won just once in the Premier League, and were knocked out of the Carling Cup by Cardiff City midweek.
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28 Sport
Redbrick
2nd December 2011 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Sport
Editors – Sam Price, Joseph Audley & Raphael Sheridan
What's your sporting highlight of 2011? Turn to p25 to read Redbrick Sport's most memorable sporting moments of the year
Improbable comeback sees Brum progress Netball
Birmingham 1sts
42
Loughborough 2nds
39
Raphael Sheridan Sport Editor
Birmingham were 37-25 down after the third quarter
Tom Flathers
Two minutes before the final whistle, Birmingham’s Laura Brocklebank had the most pressurising shot of the match. The entire contest had come to this singular point and the match, on a knifeedge, would be decided by her shot. Steadying herself and with the crowd going wild around her, she lifted the ball above her head and let it sail. Up to that point, Loughborough had looked superior in every aspect. Their focus was evident 45 minutes before play began. ‘It will have to be literally no more than a minute,’ said captain Natalie Ekweogwu when asked for an interview. That was before the home team had even arrived and they meant business. Ten minutes later, Birmingham’s injured captain Laura Price explained why, ‘They played here last week in the league and we beat them by six.’ Loughborough had a score to settle, but what would win, explained Birmingham coach Joan Hunter, would be ‘fitness and mental toughness. Both teams play quickly. The team that can keep their head in the middle of the storm will win.’ They were to be prophetic
words. The pace of play was rapid, yet after a tightly fought first quarter which saw the hosts lead 1210, Loughborough rapidly gained the momentum and started to run away with the contest. ‘We were almost complacent’ said Birmingham’s Hannah Kennedy after the game, ‘we wanted to keep it settled but we almost did too much in that regard.’ The combination of brilliant defensive work (courtesy of Ekweogwu) and near flawless shooting from Charlotte Roye and Helen Hancock saw the away side leading 17-24 after the second quarter and 27-35 in the third quarter. During the interval, as Birmingham found themselves eight goals down, the situation looked bleak. The home side’s continuity between defence and attack had disappeared, and both Hunter and Price found themselves with the gargantuan task of keeping the team in the cup. Their efforts in the third quarter had largely failed, with Loughborough merely extending the lead. ‘The girls seemed dejected’ said Price, ‘We had stopped talking to each other and not helping each other out, but I said to them that last week we’d come back from a seven goal deficit. Never say never.’ Those words resonated throughout the team, and as play re-started something extraordinary happened. In four minutes, Birmingham scored seven goals
without reply, taking the score to 34-36. The crowd, sensing a remarkable comeback, went wild. Everything was Birmingham’s from that point in. Joan Hunter’s pre-match words were coming true, and with two minutes to go the scores were level at 37 apiece. Then Brocklebank found herself, ball in hand, with that shot. With everyone watching the ball sailed straight through the hoop. The home side, improbably, impossibly, were ahead. And with that, Loughborough’s fate was sealed. At 42-39, the referee blew the whistle. As the crowd celebrated this most unlikely of victories, the away team burst into tears and the hosts were overjoyed. ‘I don’t think any of us ever doubted it,’ said Kennedy before Brocklebank added, ‘we wanted to win it for Laura.’ So a lesson for their opponents in the next round: write this team off at your peril, for when the going gets tough, the tough get going.
Magic Number
15
Brum scored as many goals in the fourth quarter (15) as they did in the second and third combined
Trent end winning streak Men's Rugby League
Birmingham 1sts
12
Nottingham Trent 1sts
16
Felix Keith Sport Reporter
Birmingham men’s rugby league first team were narrowly defeated by Nottingham Trent 12-16 at the Metchley pitches on Wednesday. Coming off the back of three straight wins, confidence was high to face the mid-table opposition, but it wasn’t to go to plan for the home side. They failed to take their chances as the away team triumphed through clinical taking of opportunities. It was a bright start by the hosts and the defence seemed strong on both sides, but the theme of the match showed itself early on. A break down the flank saw Birmingham spurn a good chance when the pass inside the fullback was knocked on. They continued to press and further chances were missed; the wrong option was chosen, allowing the defence to re-
INSIDE
group and the move to break down on a few occasions. These missed opportunities were always going to prove costly and did so when 23 minutes in Nottingham opened the scoring with their first break of the game. A break down the inside-right channel was ruthlessly exposed allowing Johnny Shields to run it under the posts. The conversion was then added leaving the hosts further behind. The next try was a result of a glaring Birmingham mistake. On the fifth phase the ball was kicked straight into an onrushing player and James O’Halloran dribbled it over the try line before touching it down. The resulting conversion was missed leaving the away team 10-0 up at half-time. The hosts had dominated possession and made chances through line breaks, but failed to capitalise on any of them. There was an immediate response after the break with Birmingham scoring their first try. An overlap was created down the left wing and Josh Bull beat the fullback to finish the move. The try was converted by Sam Edgar, bringing the hosts back into the game. Un-
fortunately a sucker punch was to follow as a kick bobbled favourably for the attackers and a simple two on one ended in a try under the posts for Nottingham by Alex Will. Birmingham responded with some big hits, often provided by scrum half Greg Stewart, but again failed to turn chances into points with that crucial last pass or bit of skill required. Ultimately their reward came too late, but was merited in their overall play: a break down the right channel was exploited by the composed attackers and Stewart eventually scored. The conversion was missed leaving the score at 12-16. A frantic last few minutes then unfolded but the comeback was left too late and Birmingham were left to rue their missed early chances. The score-line didn’t accurately reflect the general play but the coach, ‘Pinky’ was clear in seeing his team’s failures, ‘I can’t fault the effort – the commitment was there, but we didn’t convert our dominance into points.’ This defeat ends a run of three wins for Birmingham, as Nottingham Trent leapfrog them in the table.
Possession of the ball was clearly a poisoned chalice
Matt Shelton
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