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REDBRICK

12th March 2010 ISSUE 1369 VOL 74

THE UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER SINCE 1936

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Who will be running the show next year? Photo: Yuxuan Zhan

Election campaign begins Samuel Lear THE candidates for all Guild positions were placed under the spotlight for the first time on Tuesday afternoon when students were able to pose their questions and challenge the election hopefuls.

A crowded Guild Council Chamber sat through nearly three hours of speeches and questions in order to gain a greater insight into the policies put forward by the prospective candidates, whose fate will be determined next Saturday.

With over sixteen positions being contested, a number of key issues arose, ranging from the escalating crimes rates in Selly Oak to the opening hours of the Main Library.

With much attention being drawn towards the presidential candidates, there was both agreement on many areas, such as the need to make the Guild more relevant to students and diverging priorities, such as the opening hours of the library.

In her speech, Dora Meredith highlighted crime rates and low employment figures as being two of the most pressing issues, and felt the need for every student to get a 'fair share out of university life'.

James Williams cited a lack of student face-to-face interaction with Guild Officers as a key concern, and has proposed a 'Guild on Tour' campaign that seeks to 'get out there' to make the Guild more 'relevant'.

A lack of 'student ownership' of the Guild was the key

message coming from Nick Petrie, who highlighted the necessity for a 'complete reimagination of communications', which extends to standardising essay feedback.

Sharmake Abyan promised to make the Guild 'more relevant to students' and expressed his concerns over the voting turnout last year, that saw 18% vote. He also proposed the library becoming a 24-hour service.

All manifestos can be retrieved online at the respective candidate's website. Keep updated with Redbrick coverage throughout the week for election updates, which will include online interviews with the four presidential candidates.

President reflects on year

News

Catrin Shi

Film

THE Guild of Students has seen an encouraging and productive year so far, and has raised its profile not only on campus but also nationally, the Guild President has said.

Fabian Neuner believes that his year as President has been successful on an individual level and also in terms of the Sabbatical Officer team. 'We have seen really positive change in the Guild this year,' says Neuner, 'through each of us setting out to achieve our individual aims as officers, we have seen progress which has really strengthened the Guild and the student body as a whole.'

The Guild of Students has been becoming more recognisable in the student sphere, following the success of the 'Know Your Guild' campaign, which Neuner believes has made the Guild more 'approachable'.

The Guild has expanded its profile into the national media, and Neuner has recently been invited to give his opinion on a national radio show, reflecting on student participation in the coming General Election.

One of the biggest achievements has been increasing the influence the Guild has in University decision making and framework, explains Neuner.

'The University are increasingly taking the student voice into account, and making the student experience part of their framework in decision making (i.e. exam feedback) We want to see that students are not seen as customers, but as co-producers in their education and as a significant part of the university community.'

Continued on page 5 >>

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Exclusive interviews with the Presidential candidates

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Top Ten: Exits are they on the way out?

Lifestyle

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Lifestyle girls go nude and blush pink

Sport

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Birmingham rowers heading for victory in the Head of the River Race

2 News

This week...

Calendar Carnival present Chronos Friday 12th March. A dubstep/drum & bass/electro/techno night in the Underground, Advance tickets £3.50, http://bit.ly/cwJAzR Redress Fashion Show Friday 12th March from 6.45pm, Great Hall. Tickets £5 from 19 Gales Farmshop in Uni Centre, http://bit.ly/a5336z Sport Relief mile around campus Friday 12th March, meeting at the Munrow Sports Centre at 12pm – all welcome Birmingham St Patrick's Day Parade Sunday 14th March in the City Centre (from Camp Hill to Digbeth, via the Bullring), from 12pm.

Voting opens for Guild Officer Elections and Referendum Monday 15th March at 9am via my.bham. Voting also opens for the Referendum.

Photosoc photo Exhibition 15th – 19th March, in the Main Library. Email photosoc@guild.bham.ac.uk for details Infinity Stage Company presents Antony and Cleopatra 15th-17th March, 7pm in the Underground, tickets £4/£5/£6. Email Infinity@guild. bham.ac.uk for details.

Officer Election Candidate Hustings Tuesday 16th March from 1pm in Mermaid Square. Your chance to question the candidates – free soup will also be provided.

Article 19 present Arsenic and Old Lace 17th – 19th March, 7.30pm in the Deb Hall. Tickets £4 (members), £5 (students), £7 (adults). Email Article19@guild.bham.ac.uk for details.

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Government funding for PhDs under review Scott Steinberg A review into postgraduate education has been launched to decide whether the Government should fund PhDs only at elite universities.

The review, led by Adrian Smith the ex-principal of Queen Mary University, will see if it would be more efficient to spend taxpayer's money on the institutions where students are the least likely to drop-out.

12% The percentage the postgraduate sector expanded between 2002 and 2008 The institutions likely to continue to receive Government funding include the 1994 group and the Russell Group, which the University of Birmingham is a member. Other universities would not be stopped from funding PhDs themselves. Some universities have called

Picture of the week: Qing Meng

for this to be adjusted so that the greatest research institutions are still cared for financially.

However, university think-tank Million+ warns that this could create a two tier system creating social divisions.

The chief-executive of Million+, Pam Tatlow, said: 'A concentration of postgraduate research funding will mean that business, the economy and participation will suffer.' Million+ also believes that Britain's international reputation would suffer and claims that currently 37 per cent of postgraduates are a part of the 'modern universities.'

The problem, though, is that there are not enough British postgraduates in these universities, as although the number of students in further education has increased by 12 per cent from 2002 to 2008 this is mainly due to the intake of overseas students.

The University and College Union (UCU) have offered a solution of their own to help during this difficult time in the economy. They sug-

gest increasing corporation tax to 32.87 per cent, the average of the G7 (Canada, France, Germany, Italy, Japan, USA and UK), so that tuition fees can be scrapped; arguing that businesses should finance degrees, as they benefit from the number of university graduates produced.

The director general of the Russell Group, Wendy Piatt, said: 'Postgraduate research students cannot thrive in isolation – their programmes must be underpinned by excellent research," Piatt says. "They need to experience a demanding and stimulating research environment reflecting the latest developments in their field, including access to firstrate facilities, infrastructure and expertise.'

'Doctoral students benefit greatly if they are working in a critical mass of researchers and fellow postgraduates in their own and other disciplines.'

The results of Adrian Smith's review are to be made public in a matter of weeks.

Photograph taken at FOCUS ON IMAGING, Europe's biggest annual imaging show hosted at the NEC, Birmingham. Send your photos to pow@redbrickonline.co.uk

4 News

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Meet the Guild Presidential candidates...

Dora MEREDITH DORA Meredith stressed increased employability, tackling crime and supporting University sport as her main manifesto points.

'In the current economic climate [employability] should be a high priority' she said. 'It really worries me that 1 in every 3 students that graduated last year said in the National Student Survey that they felt that the University could have done a lot more to improve their communi-

cation and presentation skills in order to help them get a job,' Meredith would aim to have careers advisers located within each school and integrate skills that employers look for throughout degree courses, as opposed to only towards the end. She suggested using alumni contacts to help students gain access to internships.

When discussing ways to tackle the high crime rate in the Selly

Oak area, she explained that: 'Bournville police have told me that there's a lot of external funding that is currently being wasted - for better lighting, laptop security, bike locks - we should be utilising this to make students feel safer.'

Lobbying landlords to provide burglar alarms and window locks was cited as an achievable aim, along with working with external bodies to ensure that 'crime is kept a priori-

ty.'

JAMES Williams stated that the salient aspect of his campaign was his 'Guild on Tour' scheme, that will seek to 'show students the different services the guild can offer'.

He claimed that it was the Guild's 'duty to make sure that students get the support, representation, and the help that they need'.

Williams then went on to discuss his plans to implement a 24 hour

Learning Centre system.

He suggested that 'the university is happy with students revising until five in the morning, but they don't seem happy to see the students doing their essays until five in the morning'.

Williams also claimed that the Vice-Chancellor was 'very keen to extend people's access to computers'.

When pressed over the logistics of implementing greater numbers

of computer clusters, he responded by highlighting that 'there is a lot of space in a lot of departments where they have common rooms where computers can be added.'

When questioned over the feasibility of his policy to cut drinks prices in Joe's Bar, he claimed that it was a 'myth that they can't be lowered' Williams cited the 'welfare aspect' as being behind the reason for the current pricing structure,

and claims that 'it is a case of taking revenue from other areas.'

Bureaucracy was another area cited as being in need of improvement, he stated that there are 'a lot of meetings that have to take place' and that 'a lot of these meetings are 2pm-3pm in the afternoon - the perfect time to talk to students.'

'Why not schedule them at 9-10am when students are still in bed?', he suggested.

'A NEW ethos for the Guild' was the overriding message from Nick Petrie.

He felt that 'students need ownership of their union' and that they 'dont realise what their officers are here to do.'

He also proposed that the Guild needs to undergo a 'new communications strategy' 'The Guild needs to rethink how it approaches students', he added.

Petrie claimed that the underlying issue is

the habits of human nature - how people become attached to certain news sources, and he wanted the guild 'to be everything for the students'.

When questioned on his manifesto compared with the other candidates, he claimed that he didn't lack ambition: 'Not at all, because I think that aiming to put the Guild at the centre of every student's life doesn't lack ambition in any way.'

He made it clear that he didn't want to 'make promises that [he] couldn't deliver on.'

Petrie emphasised that he is also focusing on the smaller issues which are relevant to the average student, such as extending library hours, and standardising mitigation and essay feedback.

He claimed that 'smaller changes can have an impact', and that the majority of his policies are 'measures that are not

going to cost much money'. In relation to this, he added that 'there is a real demand to ensure that we are providing value for students', both in terms of resources and student experience. He also feels that his past experience has put him in good stead: 'I have seen the issues that really matter to students' and a 'broad understanding of what issues are at the heart of students'.

who you stand for you must be failing somewhere.'

In terms of student services, a re-assessment of the current library opening hours was high on Abyan's agenda. He said that he would push for the Guild to do an independent survey into student's requirements, and believes that a 24 hour library service is something which would be viable.

When asked whether this would encourage bad working

habits, Abyan responded that: 'We can always put limits to what we do and say that we can't have a 24 hour library because you're learning bad habits. However, the role of the President isn't to limit students education; the University should give you the choice.'

This proposal would likely prove costly, but Abyan argued that the University has a responsibility to provide you with a good student experience, and that he

would lobby against cuts. He claimed that: 'If you put more money into things like the library that will enhance your education.'

Overall, he believes that increasing student involvement in the Guild will increase its influence. His final comment was that: 'Only 4723 students voted in last year's election - if we can get more students to vote and more people to know about the Guild, then the University will take us seriously.'

If elected she aims to create a 'greater buzz' around the University's sporting achievements, and ensure that students are consulted about funding She added that she would make sure that Guild events are 'affordable' and stressed the importance of utilising student buying power so that they 'aren't targeted unfairly by companies.'

James WILLIAMS

Nick PETRIE

Sharmake ABYAN

SHARMAKE Abyan's campaign objectives are in the areas of making the Guild accessible to all and providing better services for students.

'I want to make sure that the Guild is more than a building in the corner of the University', he said. He stressed the importance of making the officer team more recognisable, claiming that: 'As the President, your main objective is to serve the students, and if the students don't know who you are and

News

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Guild President has seen 'positive change' during his time in office demands that students are taken seriously.'

This year has also seen a re-modelling of the decision-making process, which has been taking place over the past twoyears. We are now proposing a more accessible, 'less archaic' model, which allows students to get in touch with officers easily.

'The Guild needs someone who can make sure the University keeps its promises on the projects we have built upon so far' – Fabian Neuner

Current Guild President Fabian Neuner. Photo: Mike Roberts << Cont. from page 1 The Sabb team have been particularly proud of students this year in their participation in Guild-

organised protests and events.

The student fees flashmob, which took place in November as part of the 'Tell David' campaign, is just one example

of how the Guild has become a more influential part of student life at Birmingham.

Student participation also works in the students' own benefit, explains

Neuner. 'Higher student participation in events such as the flashmob raises the national media profile of the Guild, which in turn brings the student body into the media and

However, assures Neuner, there is still work to be done. 'We are very pleased with the improvements in Guild communication this year, such as the e-newsletters and emails, but it could be even better.' The Sabb team are currently working off the results of recent student surveys in order to do this.

So what would the President like to see of his replacement? 'The Guild needs someone who can make sure the University keeps its promises on the projects we have built

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upon so far,' says Neuner.

With so much on the agenda, he admits, it can at times be difficult to manage, however the primary objective is to ensure that student views and issues are well represented. 'University strategic and academic frameworks need to have students at the forefront,' says Neuner.

'We have managed to achieve this so far, however we need to ensure that students do not become overlooked.'

The key to a successful year is in co-operation, says Neuner. 'The Sabb team is most effective when it is united. The new Sabbs need to have a clear vision for goals to be achieved.'

One of the President's main roles is to have a good knowledge of what each of his or her officers are working towards, so the team do not overlap or clash in their objectives. Coherence is essential.

'I want to wish all the campaigners good luck,' says Neuner. 'And don't forget to eat or sleep during your campaign!'

Guild Council Referendum hopes to improve student representation Nargis Erabi IN the anticipation of the upcoming Guild Elections, the news of the recent reform proposal concerning Guild decision making has reminded us what important work awaits the future Guild Officers Group.

The review of the old model for the first time in nearly a hundred years is a result of intense research of the ways in which the current system of democratic guild decision making can be improved – not only to make it more accessible to an average student with limited time to spare to extensive participation in the political life of the university; but also to make the changes requested by the university population easier to generate.

The current system in place has served our University well for years, and yet, the persistent issue of confusion about the representation of student concerns – for instance the lack of clarity

as to what representative is the best person to contact about a particular issue, has led to the questions raised about the possible enhancement or overall change of it. The whole planned effect of the proposed reform is to simplify the whole process whilst offering important training opportunities and improved guidance for the participating students.

So what makes the new vision of Guild system so innovative? Key aspects of the reform, such as introduction of Open Forums – designed to let students raise their opinions and suggestions, and Steering Group – designed to resolve straightforward questions, or direct them to the Open Forums, are certainly novel and promise to deliver the desired effect of making the Guild system more efficient.

Certain features of the old systems are left intact – for instance Equality and Diversity Committee and Students Group commit-

tee, to continue with the important function of those structures; however, the majority of current sub-committees would be disbanded with the subjects from these areas directed towards open meetings.

Vice President Democracy and Resources, Tom Guise, said of the referendum: 'Probably the key thing is to streamline representation, and we're taking it down to its purest form'.

The background work to bring about this important transformation of the system was started last academic year, and was monitored by Guild's market research process and student consultation, in order to keep the student body informed of this significant restructuring, considering that the process of change is sternly democratic in its core, the change has to be voted for by students in the upcoming referendum.

The proposed scheme is still being improved and corrected, but is

Proposed new structure to Guild decision making Graphic: Tom Walters expected to be close to completion in the next academic year, should the students' votes prove to be favourable. Voting for the referendum will be tied in with that for the

Guild Officer Elections on my.bham from 15th – 19th March. The present cohort of Student Guild Officers and student representatives is working to improve the design of the

scheme, which would be continued by the next representatives of student voices – i.e. the new elected candidates.

6 News

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

BBC to axe Asian network at Mailbox Catherine Burgess Grace Chapple AS part of new plans to save money, the BBC has recently announced its intention to cut one of its most recognized radio stations – the Mailbox – based international Asian Network.

Director general Mark Thompson stated that the Network, along with BBC 6 Music, will end in 2011 at the earliest. 600 jobs have been threatened by this announcement and

Union leaders warn of strikes in response to any compulsory redundancies. Thompson also added that in the future, the BBC aims to spend 90p of every £1 license fee on programming, in a bid to create higher quality content across the surviving stations.

The BBC's investment in the station of an extra £1m 4 years ago facilitated a 30 per cent increase in the number of full-time staff, in an attempt to make British South Asian interests more mainstream. However, this

fatal news highlights the Network's failure – echoed by its 20 per cent decline in listening figures last year.

Various celebrities have been speaking out to defend the station.

Singer Jay Sean vented his outrage on his Twitter page, claiming: 'This is crazy. We (Asians) have no mainstream platforms as it is'. On another social networking site, a 'Save the BBC Asian Network!!!'

Facebook group has gained nearly 15,000 members in the past week, reflecting the public response.

A campaigner in defence of the Network and a devout listener spoke about the recent decline in listeners, suggesting that 'all of us (Asians) are online 24/7 now; surfing stations that speak to us in our mother's mother tongue'. He made further claims that 'the demographic that really matter is the youth; and they're busy playlisting bootlegged Desi tracks onto their smartphones via YouTube. For kids today, that's their Asian Network'.

Local drug farm raided Anna Brown LAST week West Midlands Police discovered an illegal cannabis farm when they raided a house on one of Birmingham's wealthiest streets.

Police stormed into the seven-bedroom house on Roman Road, Little Aston, where other residents include Premier League footballers and wealthy entrepreneurs, to find £250,000 worth of drugs, which was much more than they were expecting.

The three arrested at the house are not the owners of the property, but are thought to be 'gardeners' who tended to the plants. The property was one of eight addresses to be raided last week, leading to the seizure of over one thousand cannabis plants and the arrest of seventeen men and women, most of whom are believed to be Vietnamese. Sixteen of those arrested were charged with conspiracy to cultivate and supply a controlled drug and appeared before magis-

trates last Thursday, whilst one man was bailed.

The revelation of a cannabis farm in Roman Road surprised other residents of the street, which include Waking the Dead star Trevor Eve and former England and Wolves manager Graham Taylor. Police said that at least two other properties were being used as production sites.

One Little Aston resident, who did not wish to be named, said: 'I cannot believe something like this was going on. People tend to be very private in this area. You don't expect a cannabis factory on this street.'

More than fifty officers were involved in the raids, and PC Stacey Paterson, of West Midlands Police's proactive unit, said £50,000 in cash was also recovered in the raids. She also stated that 'this operation was carried out in response to public concerns about drugs. We hope that it sends out a clear message that this kind of illegal activity will not be tolerated.'

Radio network to get the axe. Photo: Kimberley Faria

Influential figures demand protection of the arts in letter to The Observer James Green THE plight of the arts and humanities at British universities has been highlighted in a letter written to The Observer newspaper by a group of leading academics and cultural figures.

The letter, whose signatories include directors of major art institutions and several university vice-chancellors, expresses concerns for the future of subjects such as philosophy, languages, history and literature due to a perceived bias in favour the sciences.

Last year the Government ring-fenced funding for the sciences and related subjects, leading to fears that other areas of study may suffer when the funding cuts recently announced by Lord Mandelson, the Business Secretary, are implemented.

Mandelson has denied that the Government is employing utilitarian criteria when assessing funding needs. Fears that the requirements of industry will be placed above broader cultural and intellectual concerns were

intensified when he demanded stronger links between business and universities.

He claimed, however, that such worries were unfounded: 'There is public value in every subject and academic discipline provided by the universities. They are there to provide us with both civilisation and competitiveness.'

The letter contends that even in narrow eco-

nomic terms, a policy which neglects the arts and humanities would be misguided, due to the prosperity of Britain's creative economy and the success of its museums, galleries and theatres.

It also stresses the capacity of arts subjects to stimulate debate and incorporate diverse viewpoints. Subjects such as literature, philosophy and history teach students to look at the world from a

different perspective, to challenge ideas and to communicate effectively, to bring the flexibility and imagination that employers need and welcome.

Among those who have signed the letter are Sir Nicholas Kenyon, the managing director of the Barbican, and Nicholas Penny, the director of the National Gallery.

Jonathan Bate, professor of English at Warwick University, said: 'I believe

Funding for arts is coming second to sciences. Photo: Mike Roberts

universities are about education, developing the person and the citizen.

There is more to citizenship than business, innovation and skills.'

Richard Rylance, the chief executive of the Arts and Humanities Research Council, urged those involved in arts subjects to bang their drum.

'If you believe in what you are doing, tell people.

Remind people just how good the UK is at arts and humanities. According to the Government, one third of the world's research in this area takes place on this small island.' He also criticised a recent Government directive which insists that academics in all departments should be able to demonstrate the short-term economic benefit of their work.

A member of Birmingham's teaching staff, who works in an arts department, said: 'The Government has fallen victim to the twin cults of measurability and usefulness. The impact of scientific research is often measurable in ways that only rarely apply to arts subjects.'

News Briefs Jack Davis BUDGET DATE ANNOUNCED PRIME Minister Gordon Brown has named 24th March as the day that he will announce the pre – election budget.

This was declared during a passionate speech from the Prime Minister, where he vowed to pull the UK's economy through the 'storm' of the recession, by halving Britain's £178 billion deficit within four years.

He also announced there would be a pay freeze for all senior staff in the civil service, military, judges, GP's, dentists and NHS. The March date of the announcement of the budget makes a 6th May General Election all the more likely.

BIGGEST RAILWAY STRIKE SINCE 1990s LOOMS NETWORK Rail yesterday revealed that it had drawn up plans to deal with a walk out by thousands of workers.

There are fears that ballot results could spark a strike on the railways over pay and working practises.

The strike is most likely to take place over the Easter weekend, causing disruption for thousands of travellers.

FOREIGN OFFICE CALLS FOR CASH INJECTION THE Foreign office has asked the treasury for a cash injection totalling around £135 million to fill the budget shortfall after the value of the pound has slumped.

This is a major issue, because half of Foreign Office deals are made in foreign currency.

A spokeswoman for the Foreign Office said that the request was 'routine'.

MP David Miliband said that the injection from the Treasury was required to 'cover ongoing operational costs such as the payment of suppliers' until Parliament approved extra funds later this month.

SALFORD STUDENTS HAVE 24-HOUR HUG TWO Salford University students have undertaken a record-breaking hug for charity.

Faisal Mohyud-Din and Mohammed Azeem hugged for 24 hours and 17 minutes to raise money for the Christie cancer unit in Oldham.

REDBRICK 1369 /12th MARCH 2010

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Comment & Features

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Features

Comment

Chile: solidarity in the wake of tragedy Clocking Off Having lived in Santiago for a year, Jonathan Gilbert reflects on the resilience of the Chilean people after February's earthquake 'STORMS fill the morning in the heart of the summer,' begins a stanza written

by Pablo Neruda, Chile's Nobel Prize winning poet and diplomat, in 1924.

Today, in the aftermath of the world's fifth-strongest earthquake since the turn of the 20th century, the Chilean people are, not for the first time in their history, faced with the challenge of rising up through stormy political and social circumstances.

As autumn ensues in the Andean nation, March's oppressive summer heat will gradually give way to darker days and longer nights; the physical task of rebuilding Chile's central regions devastated by the 8.8 magnitude tremor will be complicated and problematic, and will require huge swathes of investment.

However, in such a politically perturbed and polarized country, the other very real crisis that needs to be addressed following the quake is the resultant low-ebbing confidence and trust of the Chilean people both in their Concertación government and in their President-elect Sebastián Piñera.

Marcos Atenas, a resident of San Bernardo in the extreme south of Santiago, the country's capital, believes his views regarding the roots of some of the current antagonism towards the centre-left Concertación coalition, which has dominated Chilean politics since the end of military rule in 1990 and which is currently headed by President Michelle Bachelet, are representative of a large proportion of the population. 'The government had reports warning about a potential quake but it chose to ignore them. It has been at fault in its management of the situation. In the affected areas there was a much more urgent need for the armed forces.'

On 11 September 1973 Chile lived its darkest hour. The democratically elected Marxist President Salvador Allende was betrayed by Commander-inChief of the Chilean Army

Augusto Pinochet who led a military coup against the government, bombing the presidential palace, La Moneda, where a trapped Allende eventually ended his own life. Pinochet's military dictatorship remained at the country's helm for 17 years and committed brutal crimes against humanity, torturing 29,000 Chileans and murdering over 3,000.

Perceptions of the military as a tool for imposing the dictatorship's repressive order linger in today's democratic Chile.

Atenas says that this impacted upon the present regime's response to the earthquake: 'The government opposes the ways of the military dictatorship.

forcing a curfew and providing aid supplies.

In a country which recently voted in its first democratic right-wing president for 52 years, in Piñera, there are also criticisms about how the government has responded economically to its current predicament.

Alonso Escobar, from Las Torres, a working class neighbourhood in Santiago, explains: 'The prices of staple goods have increased excessively. A kilo of lemons which cost 30p now costs £1. I believe the state has reacted badly in terms of not intervening in the market and allowing businessmen to take advantage of such devastation.'

The Chilean flag is raised out of the rubble It was scared to mobilise its troops and declare a 'state of catastrophe'. Even though it's been 20 years since the dictatorship left power, the Concertación has an unfounded fear of the armed forces. I say unfounded because those who governed during military rule, on the whole, now play no role in the armed forces, which has seen substantial reform.'

Soldiers have now been deployed in Concepción and the city's surrounding areas, worst affected by the earthquake; securing the streets, en-

Piñera amassed a personal fortune during the neoliberal years of Pinochet's rule and had vowed to sell his shares in corporations such as the 26 per cent stake he holds in the airline LAN, before being sworn in on 11 March. However, he recently announced that 'now is not the time to be worrying about such an issue,' provoking great anger amongst the population.

Escobar continues: 'Sebastián Piñera, by selling just 6 per cent of his LAN shares, could raise a

significant amount of the funds required to rebuild the country. There are a number of powerful businessmen who have shied away at this time of crisis. The rich continue to fill their pockets but the Chilean people will lift themselves up out of the rubble.'

Such great disparities between rich and poor have been long ignored by the Concertación. Atenas says that the looting which the country bore witness to was, 'the most drastic and expressive unfurling' of these social and economic problems.

However despite these concerns, in a time of great uncertainty and tragedy, Chile has been engulfed by a togetherness and a surfacing national pride.

Last weekend's 'Chile helps Chile' national televised campaign raised more than double its £15 million target. Chile has been shaken but its people stand strong.

Michel Fritz, born in the coastal town of El Quisco, will soon travel to Concepción to help with the relief effort and describes the feelings of the nation: 'It's so emotional to see the unity that my country has shown.

After 'Chile helps Chile' everyone fled into the streets with flags, singing the national anthem. We cried with joy because of what the people are doing to help. I'm proud to be Chilean. It's a beautiful country with beautiful people. It doesn't matter how many times we get knocked down, but how many times we show the courage to pick ourselves back up.'

The country's air is turbulent yet the Chilean flag flies high in its gusts.

If there is anything that can be learnt from Chile's troubled past, it is that its citizens will unite and show solidarity in the face of adversity. They will respond with a timeless adage, which formed the last words spoken by Allende in 1973 and which sums up the spirit of their nation: Long live Chile! Long live its people!

Comment & Features Editorial Rosa McMahon explores the intricate details of fancy dress

THIS is my very first 'Clocking Off' and I have spent the last hour typing, deleting words and sighing mournfully. I hope it doesn't spell how interesting I am.

My week has comprised of a chic Charity Ball at the start, going out in fancy dress mid-week, and the all time low of essay deadline realisation at the end. Nelly Furtado was right, all good things really do come to an end, or at least like a bird they swoop low before picking up again.

The fancy dress part of my week was something which I am well-known for not making much effort with.

The joke goes that I wear my favourite black dress and add a tiny contribution to the theme, usually to appease those who have gone all out and had a face transplant to look the most convincing.

It was this week however that I ditched the black dress, donned a checkered one, and opted for the geek chic look – a boffin – on a 'B' themed bar crawl. It was a comment about my glasses, however, which became the inspiration for this piece.

They are large, oversized and lensless, and to be very honest they are most certainly joke glasses. It was then to my great amusement that a man asked in a bar, seriously and genuinely, 'so do you normally wear contacts?'. I laughed loudly, and perhaps even snorted a little bit, politely played along with a 'yes I do' and snuck away.

I lied. I don't wear contacts, in fact I do

wear glasses, but with a very weak prescription, and minus the joke factor.

This is why fancy dress fascinates me.

Indeed the best dresseruppers are those who don't look like they are dressing up at all, but are naturals at said theme of the night. It is rather special that now, in our university youth, we can go anywhere, dressed as anything, and get away with it. In several years time we would undoubtedly be labelled 'mutton dressed as lamb' if, in our mid to late twenties, we go dancing dressed as jungle animals. Certainly this is no way to impress colleagues in high flying graduate careers.

Yet in the realms of Barracuda, Oceana, sometimes Gatecrasher, and way too often Fab, looking like a fool, and not caring receives congratulatory applause, or more likely a snakebite from others.

I, unfortunately, have never received a snakebite, or even an applause for my attire.

Except once, when I went as 'Earl Grey' for an 'E' themed night.

However, the dirty lad jokes which followed, playing on the tea idea, slightly detracted from my own glee as the legendary tea man.

Luckily for me I have an army of crafty, imaginative and humorous friends who are more than happy to make my token article for the evening, chuckle at my effort, and propose to steal all my black dresses.

8 Comment & Features

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Birmingham's Cultural Campus Stephanie

Harvey

ONCE again we discover there is far more to the University of Birmingham than may meet the untrained or uninformed eye. It is not necessary to go to the bright lights of the city centre or further afield to truly experience some cultural masterpieces that are guaranteed to inspire, amuse, interest, even amaze. There are five different areas of cultural interest around the University of Birmingham that demand our appreciation: The Barber Institute, the Lapworth Museum of Geology (very much a museum of a museum, beautifully untampered with), the Winterbourne Gardens and House (perfect for a lunchtime wander as the weather begins to treat us better), the Special Collections (located in the main library on the 4th floor) which contains rare books and archives, and finally the Research and Cultural collections which are located variously around the University and are perhaps the lesser known of these. The Cultural Collections relate to African art, Archaeology, Physics, Biosciences, Fine and Decorative Art —with more planned for the future. The introduction to a new free booklet, which can be found at the reception desk in the Aston Webb building, comments: 'From Archaeology to Zoology, from West African Masks to modern British landscape paintings, The University of

Mermaid Square Birmingham Research and Cultural Collections hosts a vast range of extraordinary artefacts that play a valuable social, cultural and educational role in campus life and in wider communities'. Following an ongoing effort by the various curators for each collection and the departments they involve, you may be familiar with the temporary exhibitions and events they have put

looks at the heritage

University's

on which are generally free and accessible to all.

While the better known Barber Institute has a nationwide reputation and contains art by major artists such as Monet, van Gogh, Picasso, Turner, the Research and Cultural collections can introduce one to a variety of different subjects in a most tangible and experiential way.

All of the collections are significant to students

artistic

their exhibiting more publicly too – there are people working hard behind the scenes to provide us with a stimulating and interesting environment on campus but if it is not revealed or not appreciated much of it may sadly remain somewhat hidden behind closed doors.

The academics are aware of the significance of their collections and their positive impact on teaching and are dedicat-

In Brief

Sorry seems to be the hardest word Caroline Mortimer TWO weeks ago, Gordon Brown issued an apology to the children who were forcibly extradited to the Commonwealth from the twenties to the sixties.

Now, I understand why symbolically this is important to the people whose lives were ruined by this policy and I do not want to come across as if these people don't deserve an apology because they do. However, they deserved an apology from the people who sent them, and of course this is impossible, but Brown's apology doesn't make up for anything; it's just a mawkish PR stunt.

If he apologises for

something without having any particular personal guilt attached to it, it becomes an empty political gesture designed to give his government positive press as earnest and humble rather than

120,000

The amount of children sent to Australia by the UK

the bloated, incompetent and corrupt government portrayed in the press in recent years.

What if Brown were to apologise for the things he is actually responsible for? Whatever you may think about whether or

not he is responsible for the economic mess we're in, if he were to admit any wrongdoing it would be political suicide.

Of course, the fund Brown is planning to set up to help immigrant children find their lost relatives is a positive benefit to come out of this.

However, where was this 50 years ago? An apology might have been more appropriate then, when they realised what they had done.

The British Government has done some awful things in the past but instead of using them in modern politics to deflect focus from today's problems we should attempt to learn from our mistakes and never repeat them.

Footballers' wives and lives Philip Hughes

Paolozzi's bronze sculpture on campus both related and unrelated to the topic – there is a story and a purpose to its existence and presence on the campus – an environment of teaching, learning and exploring. As Claire Mullett, Deputy University Curator explicated the collections contain 'objects that encapsulate the essence of a department'. Asking her opinion of some of her favourite pieces around the University she highlighted the 'seat' sculpture outside the Library by Sir Eduardo Paolozzi – arguably one of the finest British sculptors and pop artists.

The exhibition found in the entrance of the Law school also by Paolozzi is colourful and intriguing.

It plays on traditional cultural concepts, adorning not only the walls but the ceiling too; The Danford Collection which belongs to the West African studies department and contains an exhibition of objects and art from countries in West Africa, in particular the African 'Yoruba' tribe; and if you are in the Arts building take a moment to admire the artwork on the walls on either side of the entrance hall and the art work placed variously on the stairways and halls, many by well known artists. Access to some of these collections is an issue as booking is required for some of the cultural collections however as Claire explained, they are working on widening availability. However, this depends on demand for

ed to increasing students exposure to them. Speaking to Dr Reginald Cline Cole, the head of West African and Development studies, he explained: 'The collections are very important to us. They have been especially commissioned to get people thinking about a range of cultural artifacts. Even for those alien to the subject, seeing the collection can be the beginning of a long term interest in other cultures. They give an insight into everyday life for a culture that is very different to ours'.

The highlight of my mini cultural expedition around campus was to be found in the Lapworth Museum of Geology where, after my initial excitement of being greeted by a giant Tyrannosaurus head in the entrance, the curator Jonathon Clatworthy revealed his personal favourite piece – and despite the sparkling stones and dinosaur heads which surrounded us, the fossil of a 'Dudley Bug' – found locally fifteen minutes away and dating to 425 million years ago – perfectly preserved and fitting snugly in the hand, captured his and mine imagination as we wondered at this ancient world we found ourselves on.

And an admirable looking bug it was indeed.

Head to http://www.collections.bham.ac.uk/ to access online archives of what's available round the University.

FOOTBALL has not been a shy sport in the news lately. Unfortunately, it's been for all the wrong reasons. The race for the Premier League is the closest it's been in years and England are on their way to the World Cup, but lately football has become embroiled in controversy of events off the pitch rather than anything taking place on it.

A football fan or not, you will of course already have heard about the two biggest stories; Ashley Cole being left by his wife Cheryl for alleged

cheating, and former England captain John Terry's, again, alleged affair with the ex-girlfriend of a former teammate.

This culminated in Terry being boo-ed at Wembley by England fans, and the infamous handshake-that-didn'thappen between Terry and Wayne Bridge – the man whom he supposedly scorned. Of course all this has received lengthy press coverage, almost topping that of the game that followed. The frenzied focus on these stories demonstrates how football has been commoditised as part of our celebrity-obsessed culture, where 'WAGs' and

scandal take precedence over the game itself.

Behind these sleaze stories, there's been further focus on the state of football's finances. Two weeks ago Portsmouth became the first Premier League club to go into administration, and there's been increasing anger against the Glazer family and debts they've accrued at Manchester United. Again, actually kicking a ball comes second to finances.

I think I'm speaking for all football fans when I say: 'can we just get back to the game?'

Just another meaty Monday?

Victoria Bull COMING from a family of unashamed carnivores, I have had little first-hand experience of vegetarianism. Whilst I love a good salad, and seem to pile my plate higher with carrots than roast beef on a Sunday, I have always seen meat as the staple feature of almost any meal.

This is precisely why I was intrigued to hear the reference on Birmingham's Galaxy FM to 'Meat Free Mondays' last week. This is an initiative which began in Australia in 2008, and seems to be spreading worldwide by encouraging everyone to eat at least one meatfree dinner per week. Of course I am not opposed to vegetarian cooking, but, like many, am un-

used to it.

Sponsored by the vegetarian food company 'Goodlife', the website promoting Meat Free Mondays combats this problem by offering many simple and, dare I say it, delicious sounding veggie-based dishes, From homemade gnocchi, to the curious dish of 'pink mash'.

The benefits many of us are likely to see in cutting down on our meatintakes are the improvements to our waistlines and to our wallets. However Goodlife points out many, less obvious reasons, to partake in Meat Free Mondays. These include the impact lower meat production could have on world hunger, as the livestock industry appears to make inefficient use of water and grain and can cause shortages. Additionally, UN Cli-

mate Scientist Rajenda Pachauri suggests, 'People should consider eating less meat as a way of combating global warming. UN figures suggest that meat production puts more greenhouse gases into the atmosphere than transport'.

First year student Amanda Wigram agrees with the idea behind Meat Free Mondays. She says, 'Eating meat is fine, but if everybody ate it less often it could remove the need for factory farming, which I think is unethical'.

If you are swayed by the widespread and personal benefits to reducing the amount of meat in your diet, get to the market in University Square this week for all the ingredients you need to go meat free this Monday!

Comment & Features

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Investigation: Student parents

9

Stephanie Jenner and Victoria Bull investigate the difficulties of balancing parenthood and being a student The politics ONE of the biggest barriers to further education is finance, and this is especially true for student-parents. Melesa Jones reported that her student loan is similar to that of a regular student, but she has two children to support. Our online research into funding available for studentparents has shown Government websites to be confusing, contradictory and occasionally incorrect. While the financial aid offered is considered excellent by the studentparents we spoke to, many have been misinformed by Government and city-council staff and there is a distinct lack of easily-accessible information. This process is complicated and long-winded, and distracts from parenting and studying.

Additionally, information from the University has been scattered on the website or hidden in the obscure 'diversity' section.

However, this information will be moved to the more prominent position on the Welcome 2010 site soon. The Guild's Welfare Officer notes that grants and scholarships are constantly under-applied for because students don't know they exist.

Birmingham's Student Diversity Adviser, Jane Tope, believes that the root of these problems lies in the fact that no one knows how many studentparents there are. The Guild's preliminary survey shows that 1,500 students (4.6 per cent) have dependents, although due to lack of participation in surveys, this number is probably higher. This September will be the first time University registration asks if students have dependents, making Birmingham a pioneering institution on this matter. Ms Tope believes that

Key Facts

76%

of student parents receive no childcare funding

11% receive enough to

cover their expenses it's 77% think difficult for

them to get involved in university life

75%

of student parents feel that being a student parent is a positive experience

this will enable resources to be targeted more effectively.

Ms Tope is currently compiling a comprehensive pack with the information and support student-parents require to remain in higher education. Our interviews with current student-parents have revealed that advice is inconsistent and worryingly reliant on luckily having a sympathetic tutor. A set standard would

the 'Placement Request' system allows studentparents to request NHS placements that facilitate their childcare arrangements. Additionally, Year Tutors meet student-parents to discuss how best to manage their commitments, to arrange return to the course and refresher teaching, according to individual circumstances.

While this system appears to be one of the best at the university, medical

The difficulties MEDICAL student Sophia Barnes fell pregnant before starting University.

After deferring her place for a year, Sophia dove headfirst into a gruelling routine of waking at 4am and cramming in two hours of study before waking and dressing her two year old son, leaving for his on-campus day care centre at 8am and arriving at Birmingham's medical school at 8.45am in order to simply begin her working day. Sophia's contact hours do not finish until 5pm, but she still has a further three hours to spend collecting her son, making dinner and performing general household tasks until finally, she can put both herself and her child to bed. For many students the idea of an 8pm bedtime is simply ludicrous, but for Sophia and other studentparents, it is routine.

12 Months

The waiting list for nursery places

How successful is the university in helping student parents? support student-parents and train university staff.

The Guild's Welfare Office takes issue with the Government's push for a 50 per cent university attendance from school leavers when they fail to provide the support to implement this. The Government offers an inadequate service that is difficult to access and does not appreciate their responsibilities, especially as the NUS is reliant on governmental support.

The NUS produced a comprehensive preliminary report, 'Meet the Parents', which explores the experiences of studentparents and is the first step towards improvements. This report identifies the need for universities to appreciate the diversity of their students and make allowances for student-parents in terms of timetabling, deadlines and mitigations. Our Medical School has a comprehensive and widely advertised support system in place for their students, but are reliant on individuals coming to them for advice. Student Support staff member Penny Hewlett explained that

student-parents had still experienced major problems as tutors had little awareness of their existence; one was told she was 'daft' for returning to her studies after having her baby and felt she was being pressured to take temporary withdrawal although she chose to continue. Another student was shouted at by a tutor after asking to keep her mobile on as she was expecting an important call from her son's nursery.

While universities do have a duty of care towards their studentparents, support needs to come firstly from the government. Advice and information needs to be clear, accessible and consistent. The NUS has made student-parents a priority campaign this year, but it will be a long process of data collection, analyses and campaigning before we start to see major changes. Our University seems to be responding well to this interest, but for the majority higher education will remain difficult and unattainable if a student happens to also be a parent.

Sophia is not the only student-parent coping with a demanding routine.

Ayisha Khan-Kheil, also studying Medicine, often experiences twelve hour days in between leaving her home in Coventry in the early morning and returning at night, after a challenging day at placement in City Hospital and retrieving her daughter from an off-campus nursery. For the majority of students who don't have

Childcare CHILDCARE has been identified as the main issue facing student-parents by several authorities.

Student-parents have not been recognised or targeted before by universities as requiring specialist attention, provision for them is often scattered, inconsistent and inaccessible. While the University of Birmingham's childcare facilities provide the best they can, considerable change needs to come from a higher authority.

A major concern is the lack of current information available on the University website.

Childcare at the University is delegated to the 'Hospitality and Accommodation' department – an administrative anomaly which does little to aid prospective students at Birmingham. It was also

children, it is feasible to wonder just how, and indeed why, student-parents like these chose the admirable, yet extremely arduous path of squeezing in a degree amongst their other primary, full-time responsibility – their child.

The NUS report Meet the Parents identified that one of the main reasons students with dependents opt for University study was the aim to be a good role model for their children. Additionally, the possibility of increased earning potential and the prospect of self-fulfilment were ranked as influencing factors in their decision to complete a degree.

Ayisha explains, 'Having children makes you realise what's important. I have to be a role model.'

Twenty-eight year old Melesa Jones had two children before applying to University to study English and American Literature. Like Ayisha, Melesa's main reason for choosing to complete a degree mirrors the results of the NUS research project – it is her method of self-fulfilment.

Although this attitude is commendable, it is not surprising that balancing a degree with running a family has more than its fair share of difficulties. In Melesa's case, her contact hours with the University are compromised by the necessity to ensure both of her daughters arrive at school on time, which often leaves her unable to make her early morning seminars. Whilst she commented that the University have been 'very helpful and really understanding' about her situation, unac-

commodating timetabling is an issue faced by many student-parents. Ayisha admits that her incredibly early starts mean she sometimes falls asleep during 8am lectures.

disappointing to discover that some information on the Childcare page was wrong – a seemingly helpful 'Holiday Club' was advertised, despite the fact that the scheme was aborted last year.

More positively, action has been taken to remove the incorrect information and re-organise the website. An upcoming pre-school unit, Acorns, is also being established – a tremendous development in available childcare near campus.

Despite this, the University-run Elms and Oaks nurseries seem to be accessible predominantly to the children of staff, rather than those of student-parents (it is estimated that there are only 5-10 children of students across both nurseries). There is also a waiting list of 12 months which is impractical for unplanned pregnancies

and necessitates seeking childcare further from campus. Also, while government financial aid can help student-parents with fees, childcare remains expensive.

NUS research indicates that nationally, students are not considered to be 'good customers' for many childcare providers due to irregular hours, awkward times and lastminute timetable changes. This raises issues concerning universities' roles in accommodating all diversity within their student body.

Unbeknown to many, the Guild currently runs several child-oriented activities for student-parents and their children, which are a brilliant way to meet others in a similar position, and allows parents time to study.

However this is currently poorly advertised and results in low turn-outs.

1500 The potential numbers of Birmingham students with dependents A perhaps more demoralising obstacle faced by many student-parents is that of isolation – both geographically, as many live away from campus, and socially, as family commitments impact on traditional elements of student experience, and they can feel more mature than their peers. Melesa describes this experience as 'disheartening' whereas Sophia confesses she felt 'isolated all through summer' because of childcare commitments.

For the majority of students who do not have children there are already enough strains and stresses in terms of deadlines, workloads and eventual student debt. Student-parents not only have their own debts, but also those of their children, and in addition to the usual worries every student has about their degrees, they also experience increased isolation from coursemates. However, it is the lack of effective and accessible support that is the real disheartening issue facing current and future student-parents, as it disadvantages them for simply wanting to improve their position in life.

10 Comment & Features

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Lane's domain

No, Mr Bond, we expect you to work

Tom Lane offers some advice on essay presentation and submission

Jude Hill meets 'John' and discusses the prospect of a very secretive career

ACCORDING to University policy, in order to be accepted a final draft must be double spaced and correctly presented using standard indentation and size 12 Times New Roman font, except for the title which should be in size 14 Times New Arabic, underlined. Each page must be numbered in bold in the bottom right hand corner. Your student number should appear in the top left hand corner of page one and each subsequent prime numbered page.

Please customise your margins to no less than 3.63 cm; failure to do this will result in your missing out on the chance to have your lecturer scribble illegible criticisms at the side of the page.

Referencing: Unless otherwise specified, you must use the Harvard System – for full details of this please purchase The Final Year Information Handbook from the Undergraduate Office (competitively priced at £12.50).

However, if your dissertation tutor wears a top hat or has a double-barrel surname, use the Cambridge System.

Insert a bibliography on the essay's final page – this MUST be italicised.

List each cited book's author, publisher, printing house, date of release, edition number, library shelf-mark and colour of front-cover.

Alternatively just copy and paste the reference links on the relevant Wikipedia page.

Deadline and submission: Please hand in at least two identical copies of your essay in between the hours of 12:00 on Monday 29th March and 13:30 on Tuesday 30th March (note that due to administrative procedure the office will be temporarily closed from 12:30 – 18:00 on Monday and on Tuesday morning).

Your work must be placed on Ms. Smith's desk in such a way that space remains for a pot of coffee. The paper on which your essay is printed must be of medium thickness and contain traces of calcium carbonate, and each copy of your work should be placed inside a transparent plastic wallet. Your department does not accept submissions in translucent and/or opaque containers. Upon submission you will be asked to complete a Bureaucracy Form™ which will sit in

the bottom drawer of the Student Records' filing cabinet until the University's next restructuring. Your form will only be valid if completed in BLOCK CAPITALS, in black pen and/or HB pencil. If she remembers to do so, Ms. Smith will then give you a receipt; do not lose this if it is your intention to graduate in 2010.

Before you hand in hard copies of your essay, you should upload it electronically using TurnitinUK. All being well, an online drop-in box that allows you to do this should appear on your WebCT several minutes before the deadline, accessible through the directories Final Year Admin/Other Stuff/Superfluous Red Tape/You Got Here Eventually Didn't You. Your Internet Browser will initially block you from using this, then a box will appear that says 'Are you sure you want to repeat the tedious process?' Click yes.

Plagiarism: You will be asked to declare that you have not knowingly plagiarised another's work during your dissertation, nor have you attempted to do so.

Please leave your bank details with Ms. Smith so that we can run background checks on transactions you may have made with online essay writing services. The University regards plagiarism with the utmost seriousness, and does not accept the library losing all the books on the reading list as an excuse. Do not attempt to slip us a bottle of champagne: we get enough of that at conferences.

Mitigations: No late work will be accepted, unless a Mitigating Circumstances form is completed, signed and countersigned by your personal tutor, head of department, the vicechancellor and Gordon Brown. Here you must calculate the number of your family members and/or pets that have been killed or maimed in the last year multiplied by the number of friends they have on Facebook. Attach photographs. List all illnesses you have suffered from this semester, then cross them out and tick the box that says 'hungover?' Hope for the best.

In order for your dissertation to pass it must be at least 50 words in length and written in English.

NORMALLY when I walk into a building for an interview, I ask at reception and get told where I can find my interviewee. However, this is no normal interview and this is with no normal interviewee.

So instead of walking into the reception and asking a receptionist, I meet

slipping a self destructing message into your coat pocket, you now just go online. Not quite as fun, but far more practical.

I am meeting 'John' so that he can tell me all about the various opportunities available to graduates in the intelligence community. He starts off

ing a career as a spy or 'operational officer' was the war on terrorism, the alleged racial discrimination and plenty reported on bad intelligence. As 'John' points out, the majority of the MI6 is now concentrated on counter terrorism, and the likelihood is that you would be

MI6 Headquarters, London. Photo: Neothermic from Flickr a man with a green coat over his arm who talks to me in hushed whispers about 'John' the man who I am meeting upstairs.

'John' is the head recruitment officer at the MI6, a job that has been made easier through the MI6's 2006 open recruitment policy, so instead of having a hooded figure

by saying that the 'Midland universities need to get a sense of entitlement, much like those at Oxbridge universities'.

However is it really a lack of 'entitlement' that keeps us from working for the MI6? For me, it is not.

One of the main reasons that had previously stopped me from start-

going into a job revolving around this at some level. He does however point out some of the benefits that joining the MI6 brings, which include several postings abroad, the opportunity to learn new languages and an ever-changing job. So perhaps it may not be as bad as many cases such as

Binyam Mohammed have made the intelligence community out to be.

Despite being a secret service, which gives them anonymity from the Freedom of Information act, they are held accountable by several people including the Government, Foreign Secretary and all their finances are carefully monitored. After all, ten thousand spent on cleaning an MP's moat pales in comparison to the price of a ruined MI6 operation.

Despite the majority of employees being white, male and Oxbridge candidates, the diversity is increasing, only 65 per cent of employees are male and eight per cent of employees are now ethnic minorities.

So perhaps it is not as bad as some sections of the media have made it out to be. I however have had to delve, so when I asked about the allegations that they had used mobile phones to track people, I was told that 'they could not discuss operational matters', but they used 'all tools available to them'.

So Facebook could hypothetically be used to gather people's information, and MI6 would work with countries with a questionable human rights record, if it were for the 'greater good'.

MI6 does have its good points and bad points, so perhaps the decision to apply no longer comes from a tap on the shoulder, but instead comes from the front pages of a newspaper.

Student Politics: Part 2, The Labour Party Martin Theaker talks to the University's Labour Society about the party's past and their hopes for the forthcoming election WITH the general election looming, it's time to continue our investigation into the issues that will make a difference in 2010.

This week, I met with Labour Society Chair Louise Suen and Vice-Chair Callum Anderson to discuss their party's chances in the upcoming contest.

'We're confident of staying competitive' says Suen, 'this isn't a foregone conclusion, and the latest polls have us only five points behind the Conservatives'. 'It's certainly going to be close' adds Anderson, 'but I think most anger with the government is about the personnel, not the movement. We've had thirteen years of New Labour and people are ready for some kind of change'.

So what do they think of the opposition? 'Labour certainly represents more

of society than the Conservatives, but it's not all about image' claims Suen.

'I don't care if David Cameron went to Eton, it's his policies that I don't agree with. At the end of the day, the core values of the Labour Party have stayed the same; fairer distribution of wealth and assisting those sections of society which need it most'.

This leads us neatly onto one of the main issues for the election – the economy. 'The cuts are only going to make it worse' argues Anderson.

Suen agrees that 'we need to reject this laissez-faire idea that everything will sort itself out. The Tories want to depend more on the voluntary sector for social support, which is wrong'.

What about political threats from outside of the big three? 'The ex-

penses scandal is going to punish all the Parliamentary parties equally' maintains Anderson, 'but we are all alert to the danger of extremist parties, particularly in a recession'.

Additionally what about the continuing public anger with Blair's legacy and British military commitments in Afghanistan? 'We can't argue that all Labour members are either for or against the war' says Suen, 'but all the government can do now is ensure that the army is being properly equipped and that returning soldiers have access to facilities they need, such as treatment for posttraumatic stress disorder.

At the end of the day, foreign policy is a fading issue when people have to think 'how am I going to feed myself for the rest of the year?'

So why should students vote Labour? Both Suen and Anderson agree that Labour has already actively assisted students through Education Maintenance Allowance (EMA) schemes and by opening up higher education to the underprivileged. At the end of the day, Suen concludes, 'Labour's commitment to appropriate funding for universities is fairer and represents a larger commitment to students than anything offered by the opposition.

The Birmingham University Labour Student Group campaigns weekly and regularly invites speakers and activists to its meetings, and if we could get students in Selly Oak to take an interest in local politics, we could seriously affect the way the local area is run'.

Next week: Lib Dems

Editorial

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

11

REDBRICK EDITORIAL

Please send all letters to letters@redbrickonline.co.uk. Letters/emails for publication must be marked 'for publication' and include your name and course title. Letters without these details will not be published. We reserve the right to edit letters.

GUILD ELECTION COVERAGE Help contribute to our live coverage On twitter: follow us at @redbrickpaper and use the Hashtag '#Guildvote10' in your tweets.

On Flickr: please send in any photos of candidates on the campaign trail â&#x20AC;&#x201C; you can add them to our Flickr group or send them to elections@redbrickonline.co.uk Redbrick will be live blogging at the Guild Election Results night on Saturday 20th March. Go to www.redbrickonline.co.uk for live coverage as the results come in, with audioboos and photos of the winners of the night. Go to www.redbrickonline. co.uk for interactive map and photos of the candidates' campaigns around campus.

The Redbrick awards will be taking place on 6th May. We are now pleased to announce that the awards will be judged by Emma Packham, VPSAD, and Dr Tom Lockwood, English department lecturer.

Send your nominations to: awards@redbrickonline.co.uk Corrections and Clarifications: We sincerely apologise that the Features article 'Student Politics: Part 1, The Conservatives' was credited to Samina Patel, but was actually written by Samina Amin.

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Fill out our survey at www.redbrickonline.co.uk Acting Editor Jessica Tarrant j.tarrant@redbrickonline.co.uk Deputy Editor Nadine Baldwick Online Editor Pete Blakemore Pictures Editor Thomas Walters Chief Photographer Lucy Percival

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The time is coming to pass on the mantle to a new Redbrick committee.

If you have unlimited dedication, enthusiasm and a passion for journalism, you could take the helm and steer Redbrick on its path to awards and glamour. The committee is comprised of an Editor, two Deputy Editors, an Online Editor and a Treasurer. If you think you would be interested and would like any more information please email: j.tarrant@ redbrickonline.co.uk. You must be a member to run or vote so don't forget to come in and fill out a membership form.

We will be holding our AGM on Wenesday 28th April. Venue tbc.

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12 Film

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

1

Opening Credits

Film of the Week

Genevieve Taylor reviews the film we've all been waiting for: Tim Burton's Alice in Wonderland Director: Tim Burton Cast: Johnny Depp, Helena Bonham Carter, Stephen Fry Cert: 12A

Alex Jacques Rosie Willmot Rosie's dissertation-ing so it's me again this week.

On Sunday night I faced the standard film editor's dilemma: watch the 82nd Academy Awards or get a decent amount of sleep enabling me to try and salvage what remains of my degree… two hours into the four-hour broadcast my horrendous error was all too apparent. No interesting speeches, no shock winners, no intrigue, it was as dull and painful as being a Liverpool fan this year. It seems staggering that the whole film year is geared around this nonsense.

Worse still, the films on offer were pretty uninspiring; there will never be a day I'll choose to watch The Hurt Locker ahead of Goodfella's.

To cheer this editorial up it's time for another protracted metaphor: next week is the marvellous St Patrick's Day, and

this issue really resembles it in many ways.

Genevieve's review of Alice in Wonderland is as rewarding as that first sip of Guinness, whilst Sam's review of Chloe resembles the shouty man that appears towards the end of the night. Elmley reminds you of the warring couple in the corner, breaking your heart with his rubbishing of Crazy Heart. Izzy's review of Legion has clearly started knocking them back early on and is staggering about inappropriately, coming on to Rob Watts' Film News. Sandra and Holly's reflections on the worlds of Burton and Hugh Grant is the aloof table busy drinking port, trying to ignore the rowdy Fairbanks who's storming off in a loud way with his Top Ten exits. Finally, my interview with Paul Greengrass and Matt Damon is like the beer goggles: it looks great but on closer inspection it's a right mess. Right, it's your round – enjoy.

Cinema has a history of great pairings: Scorsese and DiCaprio, Soderbergh and Clooney, Scott and Crowe. But perhaps the one that springs to most minds is the super-team of Johnny Depp and Tim Burton. Each of their collaborations sparks unparalleled enthusiasm and critical acclaim. Their work both individual and united shares a common vein – that of the darkly whimsical, the kooky and sweetly sinister; all beautifully in tone with Lewis Carroll's masterpiece Alice in Wonderland. The new film is inspired by the book, featuring the same characters and world but combining and weaving a new story.

This difficult task of rejuvenating a classic is given to screenwriter Linda Woolverton (The Lion King) and, while the film can tend toward a cut-and-paste collage of Wonderland's beloved and loathed personalities, she does succeed in refreshing Carroll's world. The plot seems to fit nicely

into three parts: the first in the real world, Alice coming to terms with being a woman and confronted with a very public marriage proposal, the second in her journey through Wonderland, and the final act, a climaxing battle with the fearsome Jabberwocky.

When likened to one of the Red Queen's stolen tarts it is without a doubt the second of these parts which forms the sweet filling, the first the vital crust holding it all together and the third, unfortunately, the slightly flimsy outer casing. Burton clearly delights in exploring Wonderland and its characters and it shows in his beautifully imagined world. It would be wrong to say the final battle is in any way poor, as it is wonderfully captured and makes startling use of 3D technology, but the film shines when it's taken as more of a series of brilliant character pieces.

Depp's Mad Hatter is a revelation. Showing us the best of his talent for accents, strange magnetism and touchingly nuanced sadness, he stands out amongst a brilliant array of mostly British talent. Helena

Bonham Carter provides a hilarious, grotesquely childlike rendition of the Red Queen/The Queen of Hearts (Carroll's two characters being combined here). Anne Hathaway is excellent as her 'White' counterpart, while Stephen Fry, Alan Rickman, and Crispin Glover as the creepy

Knave, also shine.

Alice in Wonderland is not only pure, gorgeous escapism, it's also a showcase of fantastic, character-driven performances.

It's very probably Burton's masterpiece and is arguably (opening weekend box-office agreeing) the best 3D movie of the past year.

Film

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Bourne to run

13

Alex Jacques talks to Oscar-winning Matt Damon and Bafta-winning Paul Greengrass

The men who are about to open up to the bad breath and hangovers of the press are unique within their field. Matt Damon occupies the same league as Clooney, Depp and Pitt, yet does so without the baggage and aloofness of a 'star'; there's no paparazzi outside the hotel when he arrives, neither is there an entourage.

Paul Greengrass is a compelling director unafraid to tackle emotive issues (see his work below). When both are faced with questions from the floor, open rebuttals materialise instead of the usual evasive answers.

Greengrass is especially engaging when talking about the political message of the film: 'I wanted to do a film about Iraq as

it is an issue driving our world; it seemed the root of the fear and paranoia that has appeared. For me the audience was asked to fight a war it opposed so we wanted to make a broad appeal film on the subject.' Greengrass dismisses suggestions that America has no appetite for Iraq films in the wake of poor box office receipts.

'It's a challenge to take a broad audience to this subject. I think cinema needs to engage directly and feel fuelled by what's going on out there. So with Matt and I, people know what they're going to get: drive and immersion, clear characters and strong agendas. It's not Bourne, it's one step beyond, and I think the audience will be rewarded if they take this step.'

Green Zone is the third film that Damon and Greengrass have collaborated on and Damon explained why it's become such a successful partnership: 'Paul creates an environment where you have such freedom, there's never anyone telling you to deliver a certain way, he's more interested in capturing something in real time.

Normally you're restricted by the 11 minute load the camera can take; Paul employs a back up camera so you can carry on and that allows everyone to stay in this heightened reality, without everyone stopping to get a cup of tea half way through.'

Damon offers a far greater insight to the life of a leading actor than most; he beams recalling

how Clint Eastwood 'shoots no more than ten hours a day, which is very civilised'. When pushed on the volume of work he undertakes Damon is open about his motivation; 'I want to direct and I can't pass up the chance to learn from Paul and Clint, as long as that keeps happening I'll keep working'. Asked if this might include another Bourne film, Damon grins, 'Paul's been trying to persuade me the whole time we've been in London, so probably'.

Green Zone is a highly polished action thriller that exhilarates the audience with electrifying pace. Sadly, it's political message is overpowering and poorly delivered. A full review can be found on the Redbrick website.

THE GREENGRASS LIST Bloody Sunday

Gritty and bold debut detailing the conflict in Northern Ireland.

...Supremacy

Improved upon the first with greater skill than his predecessor.

United 93

Attracted criticism for realising this drama so soon after 9/11.

...Ultimatum

Sealed his arrival to the directing elite with this pulsating picture.

'I want to direct and I can't pass up the chance to learn from Paul and Clint' Matt Damon

Reviews LEGION

CRAZY HEART

CHLOE

Izzy Sanders

Elmley De La Cour

Sam Jansen

Director: Scott Stewart Cast: Paul Bettany, Adrianne Palicki Cert:15

Director: Scott Cooper Cast: Jeff Bridges, Maggie Gyllenhaal Cert: 15

Director: Atom Egoyan Cast: Amanda Seyfried, Julianne Moore Cert: 15

It is December 23rd, the arch-angel Michael (Paul Bettany) drops to earth, hacks off his wings and removes his 'halo', to protect humanity from God's wrath.

And so the foreshadowing begins, as the inhabitants of Paradise Falls diner find themselves isolated from the rest of the world, teaming up with Michael to fight legions of the possessed.

Why is the apocalypse coming to Paradise Falls?

Partly because of its irritatingly ominous name, but mainly because of Charlie (Adrianne Palicki) whose unborn child will be humanity's 'only hope'.

Think less Jesus of Nazareth and more John Connor.

Legion is not without problems. Several deaths feel gratuitous and formulaic, limited to the 'one-at-a-time' trope of su rvi va l horror.

Furthermore, much is lost in lieu of forced characterisation. In an effort to make Charlie less of a Mary Sue, she is a hard-

smoking bitch with 'the world' on her shoulders, who draws little sympathy for her situation.

These problems aside, there are a lot of things Legion does right.

Several of the film's set pieces are very well executed. A little old lady telling everyone they are all going to 'fucking burn' before tearing a man's throat out is genuinely entertaining.

However, this film is stolen by the arch-angels Michael and Gabriel (Kevin Durand) who are subtly well characterised.

Their opposition to each other is intriguingly represented in their fight scenes where Gabriel fights with a mace, and Michael fights with a machine gun.

Ultimately Legion is a very simple film, but it doesn't try to be anything more, or sequel whore; if you're looking for a solid action/horror you could do a lot worse.

Adapted from Thomas Cobb's novel, Jeff Bridges plays Bad Blake, a once famous country singer, whose luck has taken a downward turn.

Crazy Heart suffers in not knowing what it wants to be. It isn't a biopic. It isn't a traditional struggle against adversity, because Blake's only real problem is a bit of booze. Equally, music doesn't feature strongly enough to make that the film's centre. Nonetheless, Crazy Heart proceeds with every clichĂŠ expected from the above: a redemptive relationship, the inevitable accident and the reconnection with estranged children. What remains is a lifeless plot that severely lacks momentum and fails to engage the audience.

The cast all deliver good performances but the lack of any real magic in Cooper's dialogue fails to allow them to achieve anything more. Bridges' performance, labelled 'the performance of a lifetime,' is what it could have been, had Cooper's

script not been so flat and his direction so incidental.

Cooper also makes misjudgements. No effort is made to disguise the fact that both Farrell and Gyllenhaal are half Bridges' age, making Bridges' rapport with Farrell unconvincing and his relationship with Gyllenhaal just uncomfortable.

Crazy Heart does have positive elements.

The music is handled well, with Bridges singing convincingly. The songs themselves are also good and the Texan landscape provides yet another beautiful cinematic backdrop. However, these positives were hamstrung by the film's gaping problems.

If you want a musical biopic, watch Walk the Line; if you want an adversity flick, choose The Wrestler: both are excellent. The same cannot be said for Crazy Heart.

Men are bastards. They lie, they swindle and they have affairs. All of them.

Such is the world as presented by Chloe. There may be another message, but this film is far too busy festering in the vitriolic bile of its own misandrist underpinnings to make a decent job of coherently delivering anything else.

Moore plays woe-maligned Catherine, cruelly shut out of her teenage son's life and seemingly drifting apart from her despicable husband, David (Neeson), who flirts with every bit of skirt he sets eyes on. Convinced that he is having an affair, Catherine hires call-girl Chloe (Seyfried) to seduce him and then report back with all the gory details.

Chloe has a different agenda, however, and the 'business transaction' soon takes on a more pleasurable guise â&#x20AC;&#x201C; for some, at least.

Admittedly, the plot is almost Hitchcockian up until the point at which lesbian sex comes into play. Whilst I'm not nor-

mally one for spoilers, those who would be irreparably damaged at the sight of Julianne Moore's fifty-year-old nipples standing erect whilst Amanda Seyfried forages for goodies in her naughty zone will surely thank me for the rare transgression.

On a more positive note, Moore's performance is passable, though clearly constrained by a weak script. There is also a slight reprieve from all the man-bashing at the film's climax, but this is really akin to closing the stable door after the horse has bolted, mated with a badger and formed a travelling freak-show from its genetically malformed offspring.

In short, not even girl-on-girl action can save this utter abomination. Avoid at all costs.

Sam doesn't think you should avoid the new Redbrick film podcast available from Tuesday

14 Film

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2009

Justified Existence

Silverscreen

With release of Alice in Wonderland, Sandra Heng conveys the finer points of Tim Burton's works

Holly Edwards remembers Nicholas Hoult when he was a wee one, in About a Boy

There is only one name in show-business synonymous with the wild and the eccentric: Tim Burton.

He's got his critics, but no-one can deny that his works are modern classics. The colourful characters, the insane lines, the mind-bending scenes.

Burton's bold and daring visions deserve to be apprised.

Each film has its own unique feel. Few directors have achieved the amazing feat of creating so many iconic characters, every one of them memorable: Edward Scissorhands, Jack Skellington, Willy Wonka, Sweeney Tod and that Evil-Monkey from Planet of the Apes.

Burton's characters disturb us with their atypical and peculiar nature; they sound, speak and move like wacky visitors from other worlds.

Their twisted logic pokes fun at ours; better yet, they're also charming.

Burton is capable of creating fantastic visual spectacles, both bizarre and pleasing to the eye.

The entire landscape has a Burton touch; every minute detail tells a story, every stage is layered with meaning. Burton cannot leave his backgrounds as simple, normal scenery; from the television room, the glass lift descending in fireworks, the Red Queen's

castle, to the misty woods of Sleepy Hollow and its decaying wooden English houses, it's all a feast for the eyes.

Burton has had an incredible 30-year career: he's covered a range of genres, apocalyptical animations, depressing musicals, even sadistic monkeys ruling the earth - you name it, he's done it. Not all his films meet critical acclaim, and he has a habit of always casting Johnny Depp and Helena Bonham Carter, but the casting works.

Burton is iconic: there's no-one else in Hollywood as deeply devoted to the eccentrics of society and the insanity of life.

About a Boy revolves around two characters and the effect they have on each other. Hugh Grant's character is selfassured, selfish and generally self-centred and he plays this surprisingly well when you consider that normally he is the dithering, self-conscious, quintessentially English toff in the majority of his roles. He plays the idiot beautifully with an internal monologue constantly telling us his appalling thoughts.

Nicholas Hoult plays Marcus. In fact, it's rather weird watching him being an insecure, naĂŻve child with no interpersonal skills after watching Skins.

Top Ten: Exits Simon Fairbanks I decided to provide the inevitable sequel to last week: Top Ten exits.

Steering clear of death scenes, I have opted for some of the most iconic and downright cool exits in cinematic history.

10. Neo Fully converted into The One, Neo ends the first Matrix by recruiting others to the Real World via a payphone. He then flies at the camera Supermanstylee to Rage Against The Machine. Dude.

9. E.T. E.T. finally goes home after some epic bicycle skills courtesy of Elliott.

His reunion with the adult E.T.s is a classic Spielberg happy ending.

8. Pulp Fiction Vincent Vega and Jules Winnfield are cool. Not only can they convince armed robbers to walk away mid-robbery, but they can strut out of the restaurant wearing shorts and still look good.

7. Up The Oscar-winning Up begins with octogenarian Carl Fredericksen escaping suburbia in a house lifted by hundreds of colourful balloons.

Another dosage of Pixar magic.

6. Hannibal Lecter Hannibal escapes a building swarming with FBI agents by wearing the face of one of his guards and masquerading as a victim. He is escorted out of the front door by paramedics. Genius.

5. Indiana Jones Indy knows how to make a quick exit and this is his best. The young Indy, played by River Phoenix, escapes a band of marauders on a freight train by hopping into a Vanishing Cabinet. The Cabinet collapses and, without explanation, Indy is next seen running away from the train outside. Utter nonsense but hilarious.

4. The Joker After pulling off an exceptionally-executed bank robbery, the Joker leaves his associates dead and William Fich

The plot focuses on Marcus' journey that emcompasses him being bullied at school to dealing with a suicidal mother, and this tends to provide most of the emotional drama in the film.

You would have thought that any plot that revolves around a suicidal mother would not be filled with many laughs, but surprisingly this film is packed with them, usually coming from Grant's cruel one-liners.

The only real criticism I have of this film is typical of most Hugh Grant films: I cannot remember the name of Hugh Grant's character.

For me, no matter how

funny the character is or how individual, it still just seems like Hugh Grant. Similarly, I have no idea what Marcus' mum's name is as she only really matters in her capacity as Marcus' mum.

Unusually for an adaptation that is significantly different to the book, I didn't mind the changes made. Everything was still in keeping with the characters and general message of the book.

This message, repeated often by the various characters, is 'no man is an island'. However, I would also like to think the message is about how much one person can change our lives for the better.

Film News ter with a mouth full of smoke-grenade. He then drives off in a yellow school bus just in time to join the morning school run.

3. James Bond The Spy Who Loved Me begins with Roger Moore fleeing Russians by plummeting off a mountain on skis. But never fear: he whips out a Union Jack parachute.

3

2. Jerry Maguire Definitely the least stylish exit on the list but arguably the most memorable. Jerry is fired and told to pack up his things. His exiting freakout and failure to arouse any followers with his passionate speech (except RenĂŠe Zellweger and a goldfish) is Tom Cruise at his best.

2

1. Keyser Soze Following an awesome mug-smashing revelation montage, Kevin Spacey's Verbal Kint is revealed to be elusive uber-villain Keyser Soze. The dissolving of his limp as he walks away from the police station is one of the best twists in modern cinema.

1

Rob Watts So, the Oscars were on Sunday with The Hurt Locker winning big, and you can check out a full review at Redbrick online.

More importantly, those looking to re-live the best moments of their youth will be pleased to hear that certain films and TV shows are returning to the big screen.

The biggest news of the week is that New Line are attempting to reboot the much loved Police Academy franchise, although it is unclear if original 'stars' Steve Guttenberg and that guy who made funny noises will return.

The Smurfs movie has added a few more names to its voice cast list including Alan Cumming and Katy Perry.

Neil Patrick Harris is also set to star as a human character in the film which will mix CGI and live action.

As it is all about

rehashing once phenomenal ideas this week, it comes as no surprise to learn that production on Paranormal Activity 2 is storming ahead. Original cast member Micah Sloat may very well return which is odd given the events of the first film.

However, he had this to say: 'it's really cool and it's not gonna suck'.

Also in pre-production is In The Beginning, from Paramount studios.

This is a retelling of the Book of Genesis, and will be shown in 3D. Hidalgo writer John Fusco has drafted a script. Finally, comedian David Baddiel's first foray into movie script writing, The Infidel, starring Omid Djalili, will be released on 9th April a date to remember if you want to see how a Muslim family man copes with the news that he's actually Jewish.

Last but not least, be sure to check out the brand-spanking new trailer for TRON: Legacy now online.

Arts & Culture

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Comedy: New talent from the Drum vs A British Maestro...

Leo Muhammed @ The Drum

Photo Courtesy: The Drum

Theatre:

Music: To folk and Bach again...

The Indian Boy @ The Crescent

Rattle's Bach @ Symphony Hall

A strange evening by all accounts – Leo Muhammed's act was an odd and rather frightening mish mash of slap stick, visual comedy and preaching about the follies of today's youth, using religious metaphors wherever possible.

I was hopeful it would be a fun-filled evening.

The night began with a couple of light-hearted warm up acts, including young comedy duo, ACTing Up, who were none other than Ashley J from EastEnders and, wait for

Teodora Barzakova The studio of the Crescent is transformed into an amazing, dense forest, the atmosphere is magical; it even smells of green leaves and spring. We are in a Shakespearean fairyland and a wild boy lives in peace.

Inspired by A Midsummer Night's Dream and written for the RSC, The Indian Boy is a modern fairytale about the mystic relationship between the human mind and the natural world. When Peter decides to build a huge complex of properties in the middle of a forest, he has to get rid of a boy that inhabits the place. He catches him and admits him into the psychiatric ward. The doctor wants to help the Indian boy but he appears to be a hopeless case. At the same time the forest protects itself from the builders with inexplicable and unusual consequences.

The writer, Rona Munro, has explored the complexity of the characters that gradually reveal themselves throughout the play. Their lives seem to be irreversibly affected by the boy's fascination and love for the woods

it, Tee-J from CBBC's Kerching. They were flamboyant, humorous and entertaining relaying arguments they had endured with ghetto ex-girlfriends etc.

Having enjoyed the enthusiastic ramblings of the ACTing Up boys, nothing could have prepared me for the arrival of 'Mr Frazier', Muhammed's generally dubious and terrifying on-stage alterego. He entered the stage on a child's electric truck dressed as a Michael Jackson with a bad wig, fake spots and teeth and holding a tub of what he claimed was raw tripe.

Julian Clary @ Town Hall

Ho, ho, ho – please stop with your subtle and cutting wit Mr Muhammed, my sides are splitting… cough.

After the interval, Muhammed emerged looking completely different with a smart suit on and having lost the fake teeth and so with baited breath I sat back in my seat waiting for the jokes to roll on.

However, I was waiting all night, because what I hadn't realised is that Leo Muhammed likes to think of himself as an 'edutainer'. He had a PowerPoint presentation with statistics on teenage pregnancies and helpful pictures of the devil to illustrate what children will become if not beaten and properly disciplined.

His most fervent argument was with parents today calling children 'kids', Mr Muhammed felt that as the devil is often depicted as a goat, by calling children 'kids' parents are forcing them to stay in their animalistic, evil, state's for eternity.

The night ended with Leo singing 'Children are the future' and the audience joining in, passionately. At this point I quietly rose and vacated the building, I think you can all understand why.

Rhiannon Atkins

and the wild. The forest itself is personified; it seems to cross over from the imaginary world into our own time and space, whilst its spirits protect it from intruders.

The performance could be described as one that engages with environmental issues, but it seems to me that it is human nature itself focus.

When we tamper with the lush natural world, we can rediscover the harmony and peace within ourselves.

The stage effects are key to the play. The confined space adds to the delivery of the adventurous plot as the actors' emotional transformations are clearly and effectively delivered to the audience. The changing lights create the mystic, sometimes frightening, sometimes trippy atmosphere. The Indian Boy reminded me of the animation FernGully: The Last Rainforest, but it was even more enjoyable for it was performed by some very talented and enthusiastic actors.

An interesting play that the RSA missed out on, but only to The Crescent's definite advantage.

15

Samuel Lear A PACKED Symphony Hall was treated to a rousing rendition of J.S. Bach's St Matthew Passion in mark of Sir Simon Rattle's first guest return to the CBSO in four years.

Rattle, who conducted the CBSO for 18 years, and is seen to have transformed the orchestra into a world-renowned institution, is now the Principle Conductor of the Berliner Philharmoniker, arguably the most prestigious orchestra in the world.

He dedicated the three-hour long piece to the tenor Philip Langridge, who tragically died of lung cancer the night before, and the intrinsic emotions of the choral masterpiece were tuned to perfection.

Andris Nelsons, the CBSO principal conductor, marketed the event by stating, 'In the whole of music there's nothing else quite like it: Bach's dramatic re-telling of the events of Holy Week has a power and expressive beauty that add up to an overwhelming experience'.

We were not disappointed. Rattle's phenomenal interpretation was apparent in his debutant

James Reevell With its high vaulted ceiling and giant gilded organ the Town Hall is a strange venue to play host to the filthy frivolity of Julian Clary, who having turned 50 and written a show about it has maybe decided that it is time to move onto more auspicious surroundings.

Thankfully though, however elevated the surroundings, Clary's humour remains firmly in the gutter for the most part, with virtually every joke returning to penises. Like the cocks he describes some of Clary's jokes are giant, powerful spouts of glorious camp hilarity, whilst many are inadequate and flop limply.

Clary's greatest strength is that he is the Queen of Mince, and gosh does he believe it, demanding members of the public not touch or breathe upon him, whilst entering the stage on roller blades all confirming that he is camp royalty.

Yet from this position egalitarian campness, sashaying around the stage Clary spews forth vulgarity after vulgarity, demanding in the first five minutes to discuss fisting

conduction of this masterpiece. The sombre mood was captured delicately where it was most required, and it enraptured the audience in a feeling of mesmerizing grief and solemnity that left every member overpowered.

There were the odd moments of over-exuberance in places, but that did not detract from the beauty, and was more a stunning reflection of the intense feeling of the soloists, especially through the most tragic moments, where the cry of despair from Christian Gerhaher in his role as Christus was overwhelming.

The phenomenal togetherness displayed by the conductor, orchestra, soloists and the choruses was appreciated by a fifteen-minute standing ovation. As Rattle departed the stage for the last time, there was a mark of assurance that the CBSO will continue to thrive under the youthful leadership of Andris Nelsons, who himself is gaining an exponentially flourishing international reputation.

The performance was aired on BBC Radio 3 on Wednesday, and students are able to gain last-minute tickets for performances for as little as £4.

among highlights.

Clary has attempted to expand his repertoire with tales of living in the country and a po-faced take upon psychism, but still never leaves his camp credentials far away, with an innuendo always ready to strike. Audience interaction is Clary's strongest point, plucking members of the audience at random and subjecting them to probings too rude to mention in these pages.

Perhaps the strangest part of Clary's demeanor is the fact that somehow he manages to take a position of haughty, social and moral superiority over audience members

despite moments ago discussing his deep dislike of being slapped in the face with a cock that has no rhthym, the lack of rythym being the crucial problem. Yet, whilst torturing the straight, Clary never appears to be a bully, as lesser comics can, rather he creates a sense of audience member having a rare privilege as he imitates removing anal beads to unplug their karma.

Still, with plenty of clever humour and bawdy innuendo Julian Clary is certainly worth a go, no damn, a good hard ride, oh bollocks, an erm, evening of filthy fun..well you know what I mean.

Photo Courtesy: Town Hall

Fairport Convention @ Town Hall Natasha Pitt Fairport Convention utilized the fantastic acoustics of the Town Hall to their advantage and created a joyful and fitting atmosphere amongst the somewhat mature audience, who despite their age seemed to really get into the show.

Fairport Convention have been around for over forty years, and despite this they continue to attract listeners (albeit the same ones who were there back in '67) and retain the musical spirit and passion that they are continually loved for.

The band, consisting of five main members, was opened by Dark Horses, a band comprised of Flossy and Keith Donnelly who succeeded in opening the show with enthusiasm and a touch of northern humour. Flossy's acappella version of Killing Time was particularly moving and the two musicians blended together perfectly.

Fairport Convention followed with a lively adaptation of a Morris song and subsequently played a whole range of their back catalogue as well as more recent releases.

A personable and down to earth band, Fairport Convention engaged with the audience before each song and continued to do so throughout. Each song was brought to life with their animated stage presence. With this their forty years of playing together has given them a smooth and assured performance.

The eight minute long medley of various tracks included an array of instruments, including the ukulele, which featured even more heavily in 'The Ukulele Song'.

It is without doubt that the band are extraordinarily talented and indeed we could appreciate this and their legacy; nevertheless we couldn't help but feel a little out of place at such a concert.

A group who are all clearly very musically talented and extremely experienced were, however, not necessarily the epitome of student indie culture and this may have explained the low turn out of young people.

However, it would be a perfect gift for the dad we wish would finally enter the 21st century.

16 Arts & Culture

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Dance: Ballet is the word...

Sleeping Beauty @ The Hippodrome

Sampad Asian Dance @ Town Hall

Samantha Clarke

Rochelle Balach

Having never seen a ballet before, I was eager and excited to see the Birmingham Royal Ballet production of The Sleeping Beauty. Indeed, it seemed that there was good reason to be. The production was quite incredible, and on leaving the Birmingham Hippodrome I was not alone in feeling amazed at the talent that had just witnessed.

The Sleeping Beauty follows the story of the young Princess Aurora in the court of Imperial St. Petersburg. In the first scene, we see the christening celebrations of Princess Aurora and the

entrance of the comical Master of Ceremonies, Catalabutte.

However, when King Florestan and his Queen forget to invite Fairy Carabosse, the sinister character vows that Aurora shall prick her finger with a spindle and die. Fortunately, the Lilac Fairy promises that Aurora will not die but will fall into a deep sleep from which she will be awakened by a prince’s kiss. During the story, the audience sees the young Prince Florimund endeavouring to find and wake Princess Aurora with a kiss, and therefore breaking Fairy Carabosse’s spell.

The ballet was beautiful, and in some cases

jaw dropping! Particular mention has to be awarded to Nao Sakuma, who played Princess Aurora as she captivated the audience with her talent as a virtuoso classical dancer.

Nao’s frequent partner Chi Cao played Prince Florimund was also superb and put on a stunning performance, especially during his dances with Nao. Marion Tait had great presence on stage in her role as the sinister Fairy Carabosse.

The music and flow of the dancers worked in perfect harmony and the ease in which the stars interacted with each other showed a clear understanding and ease at working with each other.

This made the performance as smooth as possible and guaranteed it to be maximum enjoyment.

The costumes, particularly in the scene set in the royal court, were mesmerizing, capturing the essence of Imperial Russia at its finest. Besides this, the lavish, heavily gilded backdrops made for extravagant opening and closing scenes. The lighthearted story of The Sleeping Beauty made for a wonderful first ballet, and a perfect introduction to the art. One I’d definitely recommend.

Photo Courtesy: The Hippdrome

This showcase of local and national talent was truly remarkable and conveyed commitment, community and creativity. It commenced with a scintillating exhibition of beautiful ladies in traditional wear, flaunting exuberantly coloured skirts in perfect symmetry to the modern, well-known tune, Jai ho!

Modern it may be, it was part of a vast array of dances including folk, classical, traditional, Bollywood and hip-hop, all coming together with the use of sound, lighting and at times extravagant props to portray what the Asian Spring meant for them.

The dancers included up to 13 individuals on the stage at one time, each

and the classic The Sleeping Beauty.

A ballet has so much to offer: from beautiful solos, to complicated dances, magnificent scenery, remarkable scores and timeless stories of love, adventure and loss.

An upper-class, awkward waste...

Lexie Frost

An inspiring, amazing institute...

Holly Pickford The first ballet I saw was The Nutcracker when I was in primary school; I honestly don’t remember much about it other than the Rat King being terrifying! I didn’t see anyothers until the start of my second year, when the Birmingham Royal Ballet (BRB) performed one of my favorite fairy tales, Beauty and the Beast. So off I went with my best mate, Alice, and sat totally captivated by the en-

chanting dancing before me. It was enrapturing, passionate, with spectacular costumes and even had ‘magical’ elements to it.

Since then I have been a convert to the ballet and have been back to the Hippodrome on numerous occasions to watch the BRB bring many wonderful stories to life.

I have only ever seen ballets staged at the Hippodrome by the BRB, which I think may be part of the reason I love the ballet. David Bintley, the

This is a controversial stance. I love to watch an Argentinean tango, my eyes well up watching opera. I read high literature and poetry, have acted and danced in the theatre; I am not criticising ballet through lack of trying or ignorance. I applaud the dancers for achieving such athleticism and am keenly aware of how difficult it is to be a dancer but ballet leaves me cold. (don't hit me).

Why? Firstly, b a l l e t doesn't help its own image by routinely charging upwards of £30 to see a performance. How can ballet crave greater understanding when it prices out a wider audience (mainly the young), perpetuating accusations of artistic snobbery? £30 to witness prim interpretations of literature that were better

more captivating. As the yellows, golds, purples, greens flashed around the stage, it was difficult to keep up with all the costume changes, carried out so eloquently.

In every dance, the music continuously at times confusingly, changed tempo but the dancers remained on top form, their quick feet in perfect time with the pace of the rapid rhythms as they swayed, swung and swindled the audience’s attention. The bells, the jingles, the sashes, the jewels added to the hypnotic effect of the spectacular dances; for that afternoon, shimmers and glistens enchanted the Town Hall and led to euphoric array of dance that was full of passion and energy.

The Hina & Co dance group, one of the highlights of the Sampad event.

Is Ballet still a worthwhile Art Form? choreographer and director of the BRB, has a knack of taking any story and making it come to life. He has been responsible for some of the best performances; Cyrano the story of a man with a big nose and an even bigger heart,

with their own wonderful talent, never stumbling out of the group formation. This was surprising, the ages, a mixture of girls and boys, ranged from around five years to perhaps 25 years, the youngest stars remaining flawlessly professional, even when dancing alongside the intimidating glamorous divas, that rocked the stage in true belly dance fashion.

The choreography was not only breathtaking but also memorising, some dances told a tale of love and romance, others of the seasons and praise of them, all entrapping the audience in a whirlwind of passion and excitement. At times, drummers accompanied the dancers, making the experience of the Asian Spring all the

served by words? £30 to fail to find any pas de deux remotely erotic (the dancers are usually too aware of making a pretty scene than revealing the depths of their souls) £30 for having to stifle giggles at what ultimately boils down to the embarrassment of men in tights? Seriously, if ballet was performed with looser-fitting garments, it may be taken more seriously. The seriousness and hauteur in which it conducts itself makes it as impenetrable as it is inaccessable.

I remember childhood ballet classes being the first time I was conscious of my weight, body shape, lack of grace and elegance. And bullying. It is an art form that cruelly separates the able and the remnants at an early age and leaves a darker legacy than the innocent arabesques would suggest.

Previews Events that make you go WOW! BBC Big Band: Duke Ellington @ Town Hall, Friday 12th March, 8.00pm –The BBC Big Band is back and it's sure to be good! Tickets £20.

Ghetto Warrior @ The Drum, Friday, 12th March, 7.30pm - A searing play looking at one woman's life in the ghettos of Kingston, JA. Tickets £8.

The Anniversay of The Mikado @ Town Hall, Saturday 13th March 7.30pm – Gilbert & Sullivan's masterpiece is on show starring Alistair McGowan.

Tickets £10-32.

Livebox with Speech Debelle @ The Drum Sunday 14th March, 7.45pm – A Livebox special featuring Mercury Prize winning artist Speech Debelle. Tickets £10-15.

Begin/End @ The REP, Monday 15th March Wednesday 17th March, 7.00pm – A look at anger and uncertainty being dealt with through friendship and gang unity. Tickets £10.

Handful Of Henna @ The Drum, Wednesday 17th March - Thursday 18th March, 7.30pm – A young girl experiences reverse migraton from the UK to India in this lauded play. Tickets £8.

The Romantic Violin: Tasmin Little Performs Bruch @ Town Hall , Wednesday 17th March 2.30pm – The talented violinist performs Orchestra of the Swan. Tickets £12.-23.

St. Patrick's Day Comedy Special @ The Glee Club, Wednesday 17th March, 7.30pm - On possibly the most unholy night of the year, Glee Club is playing host to four of the most fantastic Irish comedians to celebrate, in true style, all that is Irish. Tickets £12.

18 Travel

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Travel News Bites Alex Cloney

Germans tell Greeks to sell their islands As Greece fights against insolvency, German MPs have come up with an answer: they suggest that Greece sells off some of its islands to help pay off its debts. Unsurprisingly they propose themselves as willing buyers and claim to have taken a particular fancy to Corfu.

Father lets his son take control An air traffic controller has been suspended after allowing his son to direct planes at JFK Airport. On audio footage the boy is heard giving directions to pilots preparing for take-off; even saying 'adios amigo' to one pilot. The father is heard to say, 'that's what you get, guys, when the kids are out of school'. $10 U.S. tourism tax proposed A law has been passed in the U.S. that will introduce a tourism tax. Previously, entrance into the country had been free for Europeans but now the U.S. government is planning to charge $10 for the privilege of visiting.

Ironically, this is a bid to increase numbers of tourists as the money raised will go towards a campaign to promote the U.S. as a holiday destination.

Flying Scotsmen Two hundred and thirty-five skiers in Scotland have set a world record for the amount of people going down a piste in kilts. The event comes after Scotland's best ski season since 2001 and some of the proceeds will go to a programme promoting schools skiing.

German deficiency Police were called out to a flat in Bochum, Germany after a woman reported 'suspicious noises' somewhere in her flat. Concerned, the police arrived at the flat only to find the source of the noises was a vibrator left on in a drawer of her wardrobe.

Studying down under Comment: Is studying in Australia all it's cracked up to be?

James Cull I recently read a press release which said that some Brits will be jetting off to Australia to study at one of their forty-seven universities due to the lack of places here in England and/or getting rejected from a British university. Now I can understand the appeals of going to Australia for a holiday at least; the seemingly endless sunshine and warm weather, the attractive locals (if the cast of Neighbours is anything to go by) and the prospect of having a white sandy beach not polluted with North Sea junk just around the corner. But to study? That's a different kettle of fish all together.

Firstly Australia, if you haven't noticed, is a very long way away. The quickest flights with only one change will get you there in a little under 30 hours, and if you take the time difference into account it'll take you almost two days to get there. To just 'pop home' will cost you at least £700, which in student terms is nearly your loan for the entire

term, or at least twenty very drunken and satisfying nights out on Broad Street, whichever way you look at it.

Secondly, there's the continuous danger of being bitten/stung/attacked/mauled/poisoned (delete as appropriate) by one of the many deadly animals Australia is home to. OK, maybe not in the cities but the risk is still there; it certainly adds an interesting twist to a walk in the park or a dip in the ocean.

The UK seems to pride itself on higher education; we have some of the best universities in the world and the UK is a popular destination for international students however it seems that the government has made a fundamental error regarding university places. Granted studying in Australia carries a certain ring to it however we (British students) pay higher fees as well. A Bachelor of Economics degree for example, at the University of Sydney costs around AU$26,000 (£15,270) in tuition fees alone per year and other degrees don't come much cheaper. Add

on accommodation and maintenance costs (food, books, going out etc.) plus the cost of getting you and your stuff over there and you're talking at least £25,000 a year. And that's without the visits to Mummy and Daddy back in Blighty.

There is some support available for UK students via the Professional and Career Development loan however you can only borrow a maximum of £10,000 a year, which will not even cover your tuition fees, and you have

to intend to return to the UK after you've completed your degree. Why would anyone want to pay that when we've got perfectly good universities back home in England which are a lot cheaper in comparison?

I find myself smirking when I think back to Labour's 1997 election manifesto and Tony Blair ironically harking on about 'education, education, education'. He evidently forgot about universities being a place of education. Cheers, Tone.

Photo: Eustaquio Santimano on flickr

The myth of the £10 return

Postcard from the road: The Road not Taken

Ed Gordon

James Bunting

Since Stellios launched EasyJet in a furore of noise and garish orange livery, the UK has been subject to a 'cheap flight' culture; a deluge of low cost and no frills flights have been shipping the masses out to their favoured destinations for the past fifteen years or so, and, with the launch of the £99 flight to Malaysia recently, the trend looks set to continue.

If you have ever clicked that flashing blue button at the top of an internet page though, the ones that promise a weekend of glorious sun for £20, or a ski-break for £30, you will know that it is not really the whole truth.

The fare is fair; the fare you could take on the chin. If you desperately need to get to the heart of culture that is Malaga in April, then you would perhaps be willing to spend the hundreds required.

What are hard to take are the hidden charges. When we buy that DVD we've been waiting for, the tax is inclusive so we take it on the chin. Take your £10 flight to the checkout though and it will ultimately quadruple in price.

Of course, it is unreasonable to assume that we want to take things on our

Two roads diverged in a yellow wood and sorry I could not travel both.

Wait…this has been said before. But the idea is up for grabs even if the words aren't, so I'm going to go with it.

Picture it: you're walking along the street, with no aim or purpose other than to see what's out there, and suddenly you find yourself at a fork in the road. Maybe two adjacent bars with equally appealing drinks menus and equally attractive customers among whom you are confident you could mingle successfully; where do you go? What sways your decision to go one way and keep 'the first for another day'? To choose the bar with the cheaper vodka; not the bar with the cheaper whisky?

It happens to all of us at some point – in life as well as travelling – and there are different ways to decide where your feet shall go. Robert Frost chose the 'one less travelled by'. For many people take the one more travelled by. As for me? I flip a coin. I'm serious.

When in India my friend and I had the choice of going up to Darjeeling or across to Varanasi from Kolkata, we flipped a coin and the coin said across: So we got on a train and

Graphic: Tom Walters holidays, so the charge for baggage seems legitimate.

The inconvenience of carrying things should be recompensed fairly, so, at the cheapest, £15 a bag is about right...

Having finally swallowed the bitterest pill of having to pay to take the stupid blow-up crocodile with you on your travels, then there is the simple task of filling in the details, and putting it on Daddy's plastic. Yet, here, again, at the end of all

things, the 'cheap' flights will stick the knife in and twist to bleed out the last of your patience as you watch the fees slowly rise.

The question of a truly 'cheap' flight is a hard one. They do exist for the well prepared; if you jump in early and know your mind. For the majority of us though, these £1 flights – about £50 after charges – are hard to find; though they still work out cheaper than flying with the larger companies such as BA or

Virgin. The problem perhaps lies with the assault on our ignorance, rather than the actual total price.

When we think we are getting a cheapie to Magaluf, or a quickie to Tenerife for less than a sandwich, it hurts to then find out going to Blackpool would ultimately be cheaper.

Maybe a price inclusive of all charges would find more customers than ones where we know we are being lied to.

never looked back. From Varanasi we could continue west to the Karma Sutra haven of Khajuraho, or head north to the Himalayas and the hippy paradise of Kathmandu; the trusty coin said north and we left the next day without a second thought.

Even now the coin still has a place in my indecisive heart.

As my year as Travel Editor reaches its concluding weeks I am confronted with the same 'fork-in-theroad' dilemma. Should I stay or should I go now?

Hang on, that's been used before too… no matter. The point is I had to choose whether or not to continue in my position or move on; I made this decision without my tried and tested coin method but that's not as poetic so, for the sake of creativity, let's say I flipped a coin and it said tails. Tails as in turn tail and leave. So that is what I'm doing; vacating the Redbrick office.

Luckily I try not to travel alone so, while I'm off on one road, two intrepid travellers will continue on this one for your reading enjoyment.

They'll walk on without any form of chance making their decisions, and bring you tales and anecdotes from wherever they end up. As for me? Well…

I'll send a postcard.

Music

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Redbrick meets... Get Frank Just embarking on her quest to shed some much needed light on locals bands, Ellen Tout chatted to lead singer Frankie...

IT'S a shame that there are so many University of Birmingham student bands that barely get a look-in.

Take Get Frank, for example, who is, in the words of my flatmate, like Florence and the Machine but better!

Get Frank vocalist, Frankie Ward, studies Drama and Theatre Arts.

She has performed at Vale Festival, helped manage BurnFM and even blagged her way on stage with The Mystery Jets. Her confident and talkative nature shone through, a quality which worked to her advantage during her recent performance at The Bristol Pear's 'Help Haiti' gig.

To start with I asked Frankie to describe her musical style in three words. With a smirk she replied, 'honest, ramshackle fun'. What does honest, ramshackle fun sound like I hear you ask?

When I first listened to Get Frank I immediately thought of Laura Marling and Regina Spektor.

Frankie's own inspiration and icons, however, were the ever so slightly more traditional Kirsty MacCole and Billy Bragg.

'Blur were my favou-

rite band from the age of six, Great Escape was the first album I ever owned.

It was a present for my eighth birthday, but then so was Spice Girls' Spice, so maybe they influenced me too!' On the contrary 'some of my favourite songs are by unsigned bands.' This seems a great attitude to uphold; Frankie is a fan and 'official choreographer' of fellow student band The July Days.

Talking to Frankie, it was obvious how passionately she felt about her music, as well as that of others. Not only can Frankie sing, but she also plays the ukulele, glockenspiel, flute and panpipes, to name a few. 'I make music with whatever I've got.' She described the outcome as often sounding blunt and admitted that 'some people might think I'm just this idiot' 'I'm not anti-men, I just write mean things about them' she confessed. However, with a closer listen to her music, it is clear that Get Frank is far from just another Lily Allen. Her voice is strikingly beautiful, whilst the accompaniments sound

Live Reviews Field Music 01/03 @ O2 Academy 3 Jonathan 'JC Chasez' Craven I ADMIT that prior to this gig, I had never heard of Field Music. However, always willing to try new things, I took the chance to head on down to the intimate O2 Academy 3.

Their sound is hard to describe with, at times, an almost prog-rock feel about the way the songs are put together. Whatever genre the band decide to place themselves under, I urge you to give their newest album a listen, you won't be disappointed by the variety of sounds it has to offer.

The band opened with All You'd Ever Need to Say, a song that showcases the band's effortless vocals

and harmonies. Tracks The Rest is Noise and Let's Write a Book followed, both encapsulating the bands rather alternative sound. The only problem came when the band downed instruments and began talking to the crowd, who were quite clearly more interested in listening to the music than the bands annoying Mackem accents. Nevertheless, this was a gig that managed to reaffirm my belief in new and interesting music again. A refreshing change from the rather stagnant trickle of fresh music around at the moment. Watch out for Field Music.

What's On...

Music Diary Friday 12th Dave Matthews Band O2 Academy Frightened Rabbit O2 Academy 2 Killa Kela O2 Academy 3 Newton Faulkner Symphony Hall

Saturday 13th The Stranglers O2 Academy General Fiasco O2 Academy 3 Gabby Young & Other Animals The Flapper

like they have tumbled out of a fairytale.

So, what does the future hold for Get Frank?

Frankie hopes to one day have financial backing and to 'tour and have people turn up'. She plans to continue to write 'music that people can dance to' and talks optimistically about the future. Looking to

the very near future, Get Frank will be performing at The Bulls Head on the 24th March, as well as Oxjam festival in April. If her set at the Bristol Pear was anything to judge by, then fans are in for a treat.

You can find Get Frank online at www.myspace. com/getfrankmusic

The Miserable Rich 04/03 @ Glee Club William Telford IT'S been a while since I've had the pleasure of seeing a little known band who can engage the audience with showmanship, true technical ability and originality.The band's self-described 'chamber folk pop' came as a pleasant surprise.

The opening of their set almost crept up on the audience when the cello, violin, guitar, and double bass feigned a last minute tune-up and instead launched into Early Mourning, experimenting with dissonance and vocal harmonies masterfully.

If Tom Waits had collaborated with Nick Drake, I get the feeling this would be the outcome, and to me that's an exciting idea. Combining

19

Chris T-T O2 Academy 3 Kat Vipers Hare and Hounds Underoath The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Tuesday 16th The Brute Chorus Hare and Hounds Folka Miseria Hare and Hounds

Wednesday 17th Audio Bullys O2 Academy 2 Kids Love Lies Hare and Hounds

Chris Addison The Slade Rooms, Wolverhampton

Reverend and The Makers Kasbah, Coventry

The Hollies The Civic Hall, Wolverhampton

Thursday 18th

Sunday 14th Delphic & Chew Lips O2 Academy 2

Monday 15th

Skindred O2 Academy 2 Martyn Joseph Hare and Hounds Dub Pistols Rainbow

Local Natives 03/03 @ O2 Academy Sam Langtree the kind of instrumentation that wouldn't have been out of place in a baroque chamber orchestra with an abstract experimentalism, The Miserable Rich create a truly unique sound.

Singer James DeMalpaquet's charming assertion that 'trying to seduce a yummy mummy' was the inspiration for one of his songs sums up the band's modest and humorous image, while other subject matters, varying from alcoholism and Anglo-American relations, to monkeys and poodles, ensures charismatic and sometimes cryptic lyricism.

I thoroughly recommend giving their album Twelve Ways to Count a

Fresh off the back of being 'that new pitchfork band' and the darlings of the blogosphere, California's Local Natives hit up the UK. Their first album Gorilla Manor has been a critical success with the soft lilting melodies and three-piece harmonies comparable to those of Grizzly Bear, albeit with a more optimistic and joyous presence.

Taking the stage the five piece appeared both humble and exuberant with the large yet quiet crowd in the O3 stage.

Launching straight into 'Who Knows Who Cares' the versatile quintet performed together with confidence and ease. Their brilliant rearrangement of the Talking Head's classic

Warning Sign was a particular highlight prompting a rare burst of energy from the crowd who spent most of the night behaving in a subdued manner.

The band spent much of the night jumping between instruments, swapping guitars and taking on percussion and keyboardist roles. While this was impressive, what stood out the most was the casual way the three vocalists matched the voices so smoothly in a manner most choirs would be enviable of. With tracks like Camera Talk and successful semi-epic closer Sun Hands Local Natives have the tunes and the presence to fully in the footsteps of bands such as Fleet Foxes.

20 Music

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2009

Album Reviews Jim Kroft Between the Devil & The Deep Blue Sea

7

Will Hunter IF the musical stylings of Simon & Garfunkel were to breed with the voice of David Bowie, Jim Kroft would be their hideously disfigured love child. The Scottish-born songwriter's works resonate with comfortably whiny lyrics, and soft backing music, in what can only be described as a fusion of Frightened Rabbit The Winter of Mixed Drinks

5 Dan Richford I LOVE Frightened Rabbit: the catchy hooks and compelling choruses, gloomy -yet-fun lyrics, the grey allure of Scottish vocals.

And here we have another album for it all to come together on. Good times, I thought, and eagerly whacked the CD into the laptop, turned the speakers up high and… Well, he's still Scottish.

Maybe that's a bit harsh. With more listening and time to compare it to what's out there, it doesn't

mainstream folk and acid jazz. And, strangely, it appears to work.

Kroft brackets himself in the genre of 'unclassified', and in some respects he isn't being pretentious. It is genuinely hard to classify his 'sound'. It is very hard to find two tracks that sound alike on this album, making for very easy listening.

Time spent as a squatter with Berlin's finest pseudo-bohemian types shows on most of the songs on this record. Each song appears to contain its own message to society, which is a bit of a grandiose stance to take, not to mention overdone these days. The fact that it isn't especially to my personal taste doesn't detract from the point that this album is a well-written, well-produced piece. fare quite so badly. It is a grower, and it is worth a listen, but it's quite unexceptional in comparison to the charming heights of its predecessors.

This is their third, following two very good, but very similar, albums. Continuing with that same sound would be met with criticism, but changing to a whole new sound might alienate fans. The Winter of Mixed Drinks finds an unhappy middleground.

They have developed as a band and they've definitely grown musically, sporting a bigger, more driven sound that'll suit those big festival stages they look likely to be playing this summer. They just seem to have lost the youthful charisma that endeared us to them in the first place.

Hutchison's passionate vocals are, as always, captivating. But for me and my laptop, it's out with the new, and in with the old. Much better.

Ellie Goulding Lights

3 Ellen Tout MISS Goulding was the critics' choice at the recent Brit awards, and is tipped as 'The Florence and the Machine of 2010'.

Sorry Ellie, but I don't agree. This is easy-listening pop, with nothing gripping or cutting-edge about it. If you love Cheryl Cole or Taylor Swift, then don't hesitate to buy Lights. Otherwise your money is probably best invested elsewhere.

Joanna Newsom Have One On Me

9 Matthew Barton IF you thought Joanna Newsom's 2006 Ys was ostentatious, with its five songs (running as long as 17 minutes) swathed in opulent string arrangements, then the idea of a two-hour, three-disc, 18track magnum opus might send you screaming.

Yet Newsom's ambition and vision is matched by songs of real beauty and potency. The LisaSimpson-and-old-lady-ina-blender of yore is much more palatable on this

Admittedly, Miss Goulding does seem like a nice girl with a good voice, but, really, who wants nice? Look at debut single Starry Eyed, which sounds like La Roux remixed with Cascada. Her performance at the Brits lacked energy or passion.

This seems a real shame and, having heard a demo of the track Wish I Stayed, I had expectations of a raw, alt-folk album. Sadly, Lights progresses repetitively and soon became irritating.

Writing this, I feel a little guilty. After all, what has Ellie Goulding ever done wrong to me? I simply feel that, considering the hype surrounding her music, the final product does her voice little justice and is relatively bland. If this is the best that 2010 has to offer musically then I plan to hide under a rock and wait for 2011.

Vindex Ultima Thule

outing. Newsom's voice has a new depth and richness, but ultimately it's the strength of the songs that shine. Alternately expansive (Autumn), sassy (the Judee Sill-aping Good Intentions Paving Company), and wilfully obscure (Esme), the album consistently impresses with its scope and diversity.

The trademark harp (making '81 quite possibly the most beautiful song of the year) is prevalent, and beautiful, but the piano and rhythm arrangements lend a near-gospel soulfulness amidst the more elaborate epics. At times, she recalls Joni Mitchell and Laura Nyro, a compliment of the highest order, and it's exciting to hear a modern singer-songwriter approach – and often reach – such heights.

The record is long, dense and complex, and requires patience and perseverance; but the rewards, if you're willing, are rich.

Dead Like Harry Know The Joy of Good Living

9 John Asquith MANY historically pivotal heavy metal bands have enjoyed a resurgence in popularity over the past ten years, fuelled by the homage paid to them by the current generation of musicians.

On Ultima Thule, it becomes apparent very quickly that Vindex's acknowledged influences of Judas Priest and Megadeth are more than just a nod to their predecessors.

3

Katie Cattell SHEFFIELD: often hyped as some sort of modernday Mecca for the music industry, having spawned the likes of Arctic Monkeys, Reverend and the Makers, Pulp and now…

Dead Like Harry.

Can the sextet's debut album live up to such high expectations? Maybe not, but they all share the same producer, the talented Alan Smyth.

Dead Like Harry casting themselves musically somewhere between

These influences, along with a pinch of Iron Maiden's operatics, have been taken and crafted into a heavy, melodic and consistent album; by far the best example of this homage I've heard in many months, far from simple repetition or imitation.

The sound is tight and well balanced. Opening track Forever Metalized serves as a perfect indicator of what to expect from the album. Monstrous, evil-sounding tracks such as The Last of the Mountain Kings are brilliantly counterbalanced by less melancholic additions such as Denim and Leather. Likewise, the slower pace of the epic title track is used to set up the rapid drumbeats and chugging riffs of Siege of Syracuse.

If you have any interest in this genre, Ultimate Thule is well worth the trip into obscurity required to find it.

Fleetwood Mac and Bruce Springsteen. This sees to be more in recognition of the fact they like bluesy/ country/folksy music than because they actually sound like them. In fact, they are nearer to the Beautiful South.

The music fades monotonously into the background, while their ideal listener presumably puts the fabled joy of good living into practice – a glass of wine, maybe a little snooze.

The apparent hook to one of the more 'catchy' tracks Sarah is the word “Sarah” repetitively echoed in a grating calland-response whinny style between male and female vocalists.

Being shortlisted as finalists for Glastonbury 2009's emerging talent competition may just have been Dead Like Harry's pinnacle moment.

Essentially, although this album is free to download I don't think it's worth it.

Redbrick meets... Varney & Sons Ellen Tout is so keen on new music, one student band wasn't enough for her. We set her loose on Varney & Sons.

WE may not have been sat backstage at the Academy with paparazzi swarming around us, but that does not mean that the future isn't bright for student band Varney & Sons. I was lucky enough to meet with Daniel Priddle and Ollie Morgan from the group.

Both play guitar and contribute vocals; they're both English students, Morgan studying it with Creative Writing.

To begin with, I ask the boys to describe their band's sound in three words. Their answer? Var-

ney. And. Sons.

If this has left you none the wiser, then in my own words: Varney & Sons resemble a traditional indie boy band sent back in time and given a 50s twist.

This definitely isn't a criticism; their EP Buy Local is catchy and layered with marching vocals and rhythmic drumming.

The opening track Snobs has even been played in Brum's favourite indie club – guess which!

Varney & Sons formed during the boys' second year, thanks to a Facebook group. I was intrigued if with hindsight there was any advice that they could offer to aspiring musicians. Without hesitation Morgan simply recommended 'play all the time.'

Similarly, Daniel urged

people not to pass up opportunities, 'even if you're playing to a man and a cardboard box.'

It seems that with so many opportunities to network and meet potential band mates that university is an ideal catalyst for the birth of new bands.

Morgan even admitted that music is the 'best distraction' from real life and provides a target to aim for. 'Music is fun; university work isn't.'

Why did they choose the name Varney & Sons?

Have you ever spotted the work of public toilet fixtures manufacturers Twyford and Sons? Then there's your answer. Ingeniously, Varney is the surname of their bassist, Matt. However, both Daniel and Morgan stressed that they are not a Mum-

ford and Sons rip-off.

Daniel cited his inspirations as Nick Cave and The Flaming Lips, also his dream band to support live, meanwhile Morgan swayed towards The Strokes.

Are Varney & Sons set to accomplish fame and fortune? Morgan hopes 'just to be successful musically.' Daniel wants 'enough money to live and buy guitar pedals.' I don't own a crystal ball, but with their friendly nature, memorable music and self-described 'northern charm,' I see no reason why Varney & Sons couldn't go far.

Varney & Sons will be performing at The Surface Unsigned Festival, at The Flapper, on 27th March.

Lifestyle

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010 Hello from Lifestyle lovelies Jess and Alex Welcome to Lifestyle, the pages you casually flick through whilst simultaneously forgetting your dissertation woes and your formative distresses...aren't we kind to you? So it is officially week 10, the most tedious week in the academic year, where about twelve essays are in for the next week or so and all hands are on deck (or on Red Bull) to get them finished. Fear not, make a cup of tea, sit down somewhere comfy and relax with some Lifestyle Loving. To paraphrase this week's fabulous section, Julia searches the High Street for Chanel-inspired chic on the cheap; Danielle and Rebecca stub out the issue of smoking once and for all; Danielle Taylor is more Fierce than Finished with her satirical outlook on what's hot and what's not this week; with Alice in Wonderland's everchanging size in mind, Briony discusses the issue of size discrimination and Dan talks to us about what mothers mean to us in the run up to Mother's Day. Our dedicated Lifestyle followers will be equally excited about...

WE HAVE AN EXTRA HALF A PAGE! We have decided to celebrate this phenomenon with our top buys of the week!

Bye! (off to finish that essay).

Catwalk: Chanel (student) chic Julia Whiting Bonjour mes amis! I am about to enlighten you on how you can sport Chanel chic on a student budget.

Yes! A Parisian-inspired outfit needn't cost thousands of pounds as high street shops have been flooded with chain bags, silk blouses and tweed jackets. All at reasonable prices.

The Parisian trend is inspired by the way Chanel mixes tailored jackets, trousers and skirts with floaty, feminine silks.

The trademark Chanel monochrome colours of ivory, creams, beiges and pinks teamed with black bows and stitching can be seen in many high street stores.

Making your Mum feel special – We all take our Mums hideously for granted, but it's time to pull our socks up. This Mother's Day it's all about the personal touch; think breakfast in bed, home made-cards and quality time together.

Aldi – I admit I flirt with Sainsburys, and Tesco Express is my post–Fab booty call, but Aldi will always be the one I come home to. Where else can you buy instant noodles for 25 pence?

Sunglasses – The sun has been putting in a few guest appearances lately, and that's a perfectly acceptable excuse to dig out your oversized sunglasses, and swan around campus like the exotic, mysterious creature you are.

New Look; £30 dress or the use of crochet and wicker to give the traditional chain bag a modern edge. The iconic tweed suits are still going strong, but are teemed with more casual clog-like heels to create a countryside/outdoor feel to the trend.

Topshop; £35

Different textures are also prevalent in recent Chanel collections, such as the use of lace to add a feminine feel to a black

It is comforting to know that we no longer have to lust after a Chanel-inspired wardrobe.

With many staple Parisian lookalikes costing less than £50, we can all exude Parisian chic without filing for bankruptcy.

I have included some of the hottest Chanel-inspired pieces to get your juices flowing! ASOS has a wide range of blouses and tailored jackets that can be worn with high-waisted

trousers, or a floaty, layered skirt. My favourite item, the skater skirt from Topshop, is one of the most versatile pieces as it can be dressed down with a plain black top, flats and a cardigan, or it can be worn with a fitted jacket and heels to give it a more sophisticated edge. This trend is based on subtlety and should be finished with a simple chain bag or a clutch, such as the light grey quilted bag from New Look or the small basketlike clutch from Topshop. So fear not! Chanel chic needn't come with a hefty price tag, thanks to the good old British high street.

Over the last century there has been a dramatic change in the way smoking has been viewed by society. Back in the good old days smoking was actually seen as good for your health. Yes, good. It was perfectly acceptable to indulge in this habit in bars, clubs, restaurants and any public place of your choice. It was promoted by sportsmen, seen as sexy, cool, and a good product for advertisement. Today, if you want a calming release from a stressful day at work, you are forced to stand outside in the cold whilst being informed that you are antisocial. So what is it that has changed the minds of doctors as well as people today?

A few sources that I spoke to claimed that smoking helped to focus their minds, as well as relax them in order to be mentally prepared for the challenges of the day. They also informed me that there was no evidence at all that nicotine

could actually cause cancer, and it has in fact been proven to be good for your health in an organic form. I also learnt that it has been established to improve concentration and memory, helping with conditions such as depression, schizophrenia, Parkinson's disease and attention disorder.

In a world where people throw themselves out of planes as a hobby, enjoy skiing, cave diving and pot holing – can we not allow smokers the same entitlement? To take the risks they want with their lives, and not suffer criticism for their personal choices.

Photo: Lucy Percival

Against (Bray): Smoking should be banned. There, I've said it. As controversial as it may be, what with the current emphasis on 'political correctness' and 'human rights', I think smoking should be made illegal. Even though it has already been banned in public places – that is, within four walls, it is still allowed in outdoor public areas.

What especially grates on my nerves are the slow groups of smokers that casually stroll through the high street, all lit up, and make an already difficult overtaking manoeuvre near impossible, so one is then faced with the crazy choice of death by smoke inhalation versus death by speeding cars in the road.

A non-smoker can also feel punished for not succumbing to the grossness of such a habit (and having a nice pair of clean lungs) on nights out. If a group of smokers cave into the temptation of a cheeky fag, what is their only non-

Simple pleasures – My favourite quote at the moment is 'happiness is a cup of tea and a new magazine.' Never a truer word spoken.

Canvas House – Good Samaritans don't come any better than the saintly souls at 29 Tiverton Road. They clean up Selly Oak, provide a chill out zone for students, oh, and give out more free food than you can shake a stick at.

Being a better housemate – Re-kindle the dying flame by making grand gestures, say, buy the loo roll and remove your old pizza boxes from the lounge.

Tiverton Gym – If the thought of wearing less clothing in Spring is not an entirely comfortable one, put the remote control down and take action. As a further incentive, if you go to the gym during off–peak hours, you can enjoy that smug après exercise feeling for free.

Finished Trends – It feels like you only just forked out for those sequinned, GaGa-esque granny pants and they're already yesterday's news! Fashion is an expensive hobby and our bank balances aren't being very understanding.

Topshop; £35

Debate: To smoke or not to smoke? Danielle Fox and Rebecca Bray investigate For (Fox):

Fierce

21

smoker friend to do? Continue dancing, alone, and become an easy target for the sleazy drunkards? Or go with them so as not to feel unsociable and stand, freezing in the chill of an early March morning, kidding themselves they are

'I just don't understand why someone would inflict such damage on their bodies' getting 'fresh' air? Neither sound especially appealing to me, yet this issue can be resolved if smoking was banned. More importantly, hard working tax-payers must be becoming increasingly frustrated seeing the already strained resources of the NHS being put under yet more needless pressure. I just don't understand why someone would continue to inflict such damage on their bodies when the product itself, comes with shocking health warnings, urging us not to buy it.

'Smoking kills'. Ban it.

Nauseating Couples – No, it is not ok to sit on your boyfriend's lap, kissing in the library. Yes, we're sniggering at your gushing status updates about how much you 'wuv' your 'bubba'. Maybe you should consider taking it down a notch… or ten.

Job Application Clichés – 'I am dedicated to my personal development… I always put 110% into everything I do… my greatest weakness is that I expect too much of myself.' If I can't keep a straight face while writing this, what hope does any employer have?

Computers queues in the library – I'm jealous of the people I see queuing for computers; their lives must be so stress–free they can afford to waste their time waiting around all day. For everyone else, I recommend locating one of the computer clusters that are sprinkled around campus like hundreds and thousands.

Comparing marks – If a friend gets a first, our 2:1 instantly looks shoddy, and if they've done badly, we feel terrible for asking. Let's do ourselves a favour and keep it zipped.

Rising costs of takeaways – one chicken tikka masala, one rice, two onion bhaji's... £15! I could buy a small car for that amount.

Danielle Taylor

Website of the week: failbooking.com

Fancy a giggle at other people's expense? This is the website for you.

A site that pays homage to all those hilarious and downright inappropriate Facebook status' that should not be forgotten.

22 Lifestyle

Bloke de Brum:

Jack's date goes better than planned...

Usually when I meet a girl the first thing that crosses my mind is how good (or bad) she'd look naked. I have little concern for any consequences or feelings that may get hurt. However, two weeks ago I met a girl who I really had chemistry with, we got on incredibly well considering we'd just met, and she was good company to be around and didn't take herself too seriously either. So it was a shock that when I felt like this it was with a girl I didn't just want to have a brief and casual fling with; I actually felt like I could be exclusive with her. After some cautious and tedious texting back and forth for a few days I asked her if she'd like a drink that weekend, which she duly took me up on. So when Saturday

this offer – and we discussed courses, musical taste, where we liked to go out and if we had any mutual friends.

Usually at this stage with a girl, all I can think about is how good in bed she would be, but with this one I was actually interested in what she had to say and the conversation was flowing.

We had a few more drinks and before we knew what time it was, we had been at the pub for over three hours. We were genuinely getting on so well, and she seemed to be really enjoying herself too.

The time came where we both decided it was a good time to leave. As we got up from our table the same anxiety which I had been feeling before the date gripped me again; I

'I didn't intend on letting this girl get away from me.' night came around I was both anxious and excited.

I arrived at the Pear just after 9 and after a quick scout around, found she wasn't anywhere to be seen. I was a little nervous that she might not show up, but bought myself a pint anyway and positioned myself at a table with a clear view of the door.

Every brunette that walked passed gave me that mixed feeling of wanting to be sick and that feeling you get when you score a goal – what was this girl doing to me?

This definitely didn't feel like my normal penchant of mindless chitchat and niceties before insisting she 'meets my housemates'…naked …in my room.

After five minutes of glancing over at the door every few seconds, she walked in. She saw me in the corner and smiling approached me and greeted me with a hug – thankfully not the exceedingly awkward 'boy meets girl handshake' – and we commenced the usual formalities of a first date.

I bought her a drink – although she seemed slightly taken aback by

wanted to kiss her goodnight, but didn't want to ruin my chances with her and come on too quickly.

I was sure she liked me as well though, so it really was a toss-up. In the end I decided not to risk it and just hugged her goodnight. I really felt like I had a connection with this girl.

The next day I text her, saying thankyou for her company the night before and suggested we should meet up again. She replied and agreed that we should have a second date.

I don't intend on letting this girl get away from me.

CAMPUS COUTURE coming soon!

THIS is for all you sexy fashionistas togged up in your finest!

Lifestyle Photographers will be scouting campus each week for Brum's best dressed – all the photo's will go online.

Our weekly favourites will be featured right here. Now you don't need an excuse to dress up for lectures!

REDBRICK 1369 /12th MARCH 2010

Issue:

Less to lose and more to gain?

Briony Singh It seems to be the blight of our society that trim, toned bodies are plastered over every magazine, billboard and television throughout the land.

This fantasised and completely misrepresentative body image has caused an increase in strict dieting and manic exercise regimes by women (and a fair few men) across the world. It would seem that our culture is fixated with getting thinner, presumably to get healthier, but also to feel more attractive; the celebrity vogue would suggest that slimmer means more attractive, bigger means less so.

is a one-edged sword; if you are naturally bigger you are considered (not only by others but yourself) as imperfect.

This is obviously untrue, however, it is rarely looked at from the other perspective, for example a naturally thin person who feels inadequate and wants to gain weight.

'No shop stocks her size so she has to resort to browsing the child's section in Next.'

discriminatory as chains such as Topshop and Gap not stocking sizes 16 plus? And where there is a thriving industry for clothing shops that cater specifically for sizes 1624, there is no such niche in the market for those of a smaller body type. Why? Because they would probably be accused of advocating and feeding into the size zero fad that has been haunting the catwalk for the past decade.

I am not defending those who try to lose weight

in an unhealthy way, let that be clear, but it seems that through our socially constructed obsession with weight loss (which is backed and encouraged by a billion-pound market) we have lost touch with what we see as 'good' and 'bad' in terms of body image.

It seems to me that we need to forget the social pressures and what we are made to think is attractive, and instead love our bodies just as they are.

Photo: Anastasia Smith

To this I say, bull. Forgive my lack of elegance, but it seems that size discrimination at the moment

Yes, that's what I said.

A good friend of mine is petite (size 4/6) yet she is naturally so. Somehow she can eat like a pig and not gain an ounce. I know what you're thinking, 'how annoying' and yet, this is not her fault. She has a very fast metabolism and finds it easy to lose weight.

Envious we may be, but why? Because as unfortunate as it is, we have been conditioned to think that being slim is a goal that we should aspire to. But is it fair that because no shop stocks her size she has to resort to browsing the child's section in Next just to get something close to what she wants without looking twelve? Is this not just as

Culture:

What does Mother's Day mean to

you? Daniel Styles finds out What are you up to this Mother's Day? Perhaps you are travelling home just to see your mum, or maybe she's coming to you? Are you even celebrating (and I use the word 'celebrating' loosely) Mother's Day? For me, Mother's Day has always been roughly the same each year; breakfast in bed (for Mum), presents, church and then usually out for a meal. That's about it. I think Mother's Day, Fathers' Day and Valentine's Day are just reasons for shops to make more money through making these days much more commercialised than they need to be. Don't get me wrong, I like Valentine's Photo: Lucy Percicval

Day and I'm sure I'll like Father's Day if I ever am one, but why do we need a specific day to celebrate our mothers, fathers and love? Surely we can do it every day without needing to buy cards and presents.

It has got me thinking though about mothers and I thought the perfect way to start the Mothering Sunday weekend was to gauge people's views of their own mothers and what type of mother they have. My mum likes to take an interest in my life, without being too probing, encouraging me to always do what's best for me, regardless of what others

think. I'd say my mum is the friendly, but 'knowswhen-to-discipline' mum.

Chris Benjamin, a 2nd year politics student said his was a 'working mum; more helpful than nosey in my personal life'. Some mums are great at getting us out of tricky situations; others like 2nd year econom-

'It is the stereotypical view that men don't really care too much about Mothers' Day.' ics student Anna Childs' mum are 'like friends'. But then there are the embarrassing mums (not those who embarrass us sometimes, but those who are constantly embarrassing).

One of my school friend's mum considered herself 'one of the lads' – which did get quite awkward on many occasions. I would have said that this is more of a problem for guys than girls, yet Kate Statham, a 2nd year Geography and Economics student, argues 'that there is nothing more annoying than mothers who think they are the same age as their

daughters, trying to join in with the girly chat'.

Many people believe that Mother's Day is more of a girl thing; that girls take it more seriously and enjoy spending the day celebrating their mum. It is the stereotypical view that boys (and men) don't really care too much about Mother's Day, just like other special occasions.

People think that boys forget Mothers' Day just like they do with birthdays and anniversaries.

Ellie Boyd, a 2nd year Law student, stated 'I have to remind my brothers every year that Mother's Day is coming up'. Just because this is true for one person, doesn't mean it is true for everyone!

In fact I, like many other men always remember Mother's Day and John MacKenzie, a 2nd year Law student agrees, saying 'I never forget Mother's Day'. Mothering Sunday for many Christians is the day for celebrating our mothers. But in reality, mothers are something to be celebrated every day.

We don't need one day in 365 to show our love and appreciation to our mothers; why can't we do it everyday?

Lifestyle/Television

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

Alex and Jess' top buys of the week:

Pink and Nude

1) These gorgeous nude and lace knickers are from old faithful Topshop at £6.00

2.

23

1.

2) Pretty in Pink?

Grab yourself this little number at Miss Selfridge – a snip at £38.00

5) We have fallen head over heels for these lovely nude and faux snakeskin numbers from Topshop. £65.00 well spent!

4.

3) For a little bit of indulgence, try one of Bobby Brown's Shimmer Brick Compacts. £29.50 3.

5.

6) If you like it then you should put this ring on it – £6.00 from Miss Selfridge

6.

7)Where 7. better to lay your lovely head than this Cath Kidson number– £18.00

8) Arm 8. candy in the shape of Asos's beautiful nude bag. £35.00

9.

4) A handy buy at only £4.00- Asos. com.

9) With the sun tentatively showing its face, the time has come to throw on some sunnies – £10.00, Asos.

Box Bites

TV Gold: Spaced

Natalie Timmins brings us this week's tantalising telly news

Simon Fairbanks takes us back to the nineties with the cult classic

In the wake of his sex-text scandal, Vernon Kay has reportedly been thrown a lifeline in the form of a £1 million presenting contract with ITV1. Career sorted, now to sort his life out…

Dana Delany, who plays the deranged Katherine Mayfair on Desperate Housewives, is considering her future in Wysteria Lane after being offered a significant role in ABC pilot series, Body of Evidence. Well, there's only so long Katherine can kid herself that Mike's interested…

SPACED is a pop-culture phenomenon, students love it and it launched a thousand careers. But where did it all go right?

After all, it is simply a story about Tim (Simon Pegg) and Daisy (Jessica Stevenson) sharing a flat together. So what is the secret to its success?

Maybe Spaced was just in the right place at the right time. The two series, consisting of a mere fourteen episodes, were shown between 1999 and 2001. As such, they became an ode to the departing nineties and satisfied twenty-first century viewers who were hung up on the past decade.

The spirit of the nineties echoes throughout Spaced with reoccurring motifs such as the PlayStation One, skateboarding, clubbing, comic books, drugs and modern art.

The second series was further littered with nineties film references with entire episodes revolving around parodies of Fight Club and The Matrix.

There is even an ongoing joke about Tim's hatred for Jar Jar Binks.

The film references aren't limited to the nineties and this is another possible reason for Spaced's success.

Each episode is riddled with in-jokes, both obvious and obscure, al-

Dancing on Ice star Christopher Dean has announced the end of his 16 year marriage to Jill Trenary, with his people denying claims of him being romantically linked to DOI judge Karen Barber. Love has definitely been put on ice at the moment.

Manchester comedian Jason Manford has landed a Friday night deal with ITV1, where he'll be hosting Comedy Rocks, a selection of sets from some of the best stand-ups in the country, as well as hosting musical guests and giving the audience the chance to prove their comedy worth.

Benidorm creator Derren Litten has confirmed that there will be a fourth series of the hit comedy, due to air in 2011. As well as this, Litten has promiised a one-off special in 2010, as well as a live episode in 2011.

9.3 million viewers tuned in to watch Bradley's funeral on Eastenders after his tragic fall from the rooftops in the live episode. The obser-

vant amongst us noticed Bradley's hand twitch after his apparent death, so if nothing else it's a relief to confirm that he's actually gone. We're all waiting for killer Stacey's next move…

And finally, in the run-up to the new series of Doctor Who, the show's producers have been dropping us tantalising hints to keep our interest, including an episode where assistant Amy Pond is pregnant (let's hope it's not the Doctor's…), Matt Smith being pictured with a trolley full of odds and ends, and the revelation that episode ten is set to be emotional.

We've never looked forward to Spring this much before.

luding to popular cinema.

Platoon, Close Encounters, Evil Dead II, Jurassic Park and Star Wars (repeatedly) are all referenced over the course of the two series and therefore repeat viewings are much-rewarded.

In many ways, Spaced was a precursor to the high standard of comedy that is now on TV. Unlike past sitcoms, Spaced avoided using a laughter-track and studio sets. Spaced was filmed on location, with sophisticated editing, soundtrack and direction courtesy of Edgar Wright.

Arguably, without Spaced we would not have The Office, Peep Show, Gavin & Stacey and The Inbetweeners.

Furthermore, Simon Pegg, Nick Frost and Edgar Wright would not be storming Hollywood

right now if it wasn't for Spaced. Without Spaced, we would not have Shaun of the Dead or Hot Fuzz and so this triumvirate of British talent would remain unknown.

Even the actors who cameo in Spaced have progressed considerably in the past ten years, including Bill Bailey, David Walliams and Ricky Gervais.

All of these reasons could help justify our loyalty to Spaced. Then again, maybe we just love the characters, whether it be Brian, the sociallyawkward artist, or Mike, the cuddly Army fanatic.

And let's not forget that it is downright hilarious.

It is hard to say why we love it. But one thing is for sure: we will continue to watch this Spaced.

24 Television

Top ten TV villains Annie Hodson 1. Clare Devine, Hollyoaks Proving once and for all that you should never trust a woman in leopard print, Clare stalked the streets of Chester in search of a man with a healthy bank balance and limited brain cells (sorry, Max). After various nefarious deeds, Clare fell off a cliff and was pronounced dead by the hopelessly naive residents of soap land's least intelligent suburb. Of course, she reappeared and set fire to the Loft before being dragged off to jail, where she currently resides, presumably hoisting up her wonder bra and plotting her escape.

2. The Demon Headmaster

Remember the days when children's television existed solely to scare the crap out of you? The Demon Headmaster was no exception – the minute the glasses came off and the trippy tie-dye special effects started swirling around, you knew you were in trouble. 'Funny you should be tired... so early in the morning...'

Glee Club is disbanded.

And that's how Sue 'C's it.

5. The Carver, Nip/Tuck While some names on this list are more on the comedy side of evil, The Carver firmly belongs in the mind-numbing terror category. With his charming habit of slashing the face of his victims, not to mention his proliferation for rape and murder, this guy pretty much makes the Joker seem cuddly by comparison.

6. Spike, Buffy the Vampire Slayer Back in the days when vampires actually committed to evil-doing, as opposed to moping around like some love struck boy-band reject, Spike rampaged through Sunnydale like a bleached blonde Jack the Ripper; leaving a trail of bleeding corpses and memorable quips in his wake. And he never sparkled. You hear that, Edward Cullen?

7. Mr Burns, The Simpsons Name: C. Montgomery Burns. Occupation: Evil Tycoon.

Motto: What good is money if it can't inspire fear in your fellow man? Assassination Attempts: 1. Successful Assassination Attempts: 0.

Ex-cellent!

4. Sue Sylvester, Glee Sue Sylvester doesn't trust a man with curly hair. Sue thinks the desire to procreate shows deep personal weakness.

Sue doesn't like Spanish class, wheelchair ramps, or homeless people. Sue will not be satisfied until

Over the rainbow...

Jemma Saunders previews Andrew Lloyd Webber's next musical masterpiece.

WORLD-famous composer Andrew Lloyd Webber has created many new stars of musical theatre over the past four years through his televised searches for a Maria, a Joseph and a Nancy.

This spring The Lord returns to BBC One in hope of finding the perfect Dorothy to star in the forthcoming West End production of The Wizard of Oz. The ever-enthusiastic Graham Norton will again present the talent show, which has been aptly titled Over The Rainbow after Judy Garland's iconic song from the 1939 film.

The judging panel, however, contains no familiar faces from last year's I'd Do Anything, with John Barrowman currently committed to Desperate Housewives (oh yes, ladies!).

So, in a bid to bring together three new judges with a wealth of experience in music and theatre, Charlotte Church,

Sheila Hancock and John Partridge will be joining Andrew in the quest to find a singer worthy of those ruby slippers.

Auditions for the role of Dorothy have already taken place around the UK, so viewers will undoubtedly have classic cringe-worthy and jaw-dropping moments to look forward to when Over The Rainbow begins.

Admittedly, musical theatre isn't everyone's cup of tea and there are many who will write off this latest collaboration between Andrew and the BBC purely as another singing contest.

However, with the popularity of Glee and the continued hype surrounding The X Factor, Over The Rainbow combines components from both these programmes that will ensure audiences follow the dreams of the contestants all the way along a yellow brick road to the West End.

By royal appointment Charlotte Lytton tells us why Essex is the home of royalty...

AFTER the success of last year's royal dating experiment, Undercover Princes, BBC Three have decided to give the girls a go with new series Undercover Princesses.

Three heiresses from various corners of the globe are swapping chateaux and chauffeurs for a somewhat less regal abode in Essex in a bid to find true love.

However, their identities will remain undercover as they live, work and date in the UK. The first hour long episode aired on Sunday, where Princesses Nvannungi Sheillah, Xenia and Aaliya assumed their new roles as underpaid, overworked employees.

Working as a waitress, Princess Nvannungi decided to change her name to the wondrously subtle Cinderella, in a bid to blend in more with the crowd. Painfully shy Aaliya, the only princess to keep her name, began work in a cricket shop, whilst Gaby (a.k.a Xenia) got to work sweeping and shampooing in the local hairdresser.

At 35, Aaliya is the eldest of the group, but her inability to approach men is holding her back.

Undressing a male mannequin was sadly as close as she got to the opposite sex in the opening show, whereas flirty twentysomething Gaby clearly had no problems in the

dating department.

Securing herself a rendez-vous with a work colleague, she was by far the most successful of the girls, unlike picky Cinderella, whose hatred for smokers and drinkers unsurprisingly didn't lead her to find romance in the nightclubs of Essex.

The women all have very different tastes in men, but quintessentially British charmer Hugh Grant is lusted after by all three.

Eyeing up the locals in fish and chip shops, these girls are looking for love and don't have long to find it. With only three weeks in the UK to find Mr Right, time is ticking for these ladies in waiting.

Many facets of British culture serve to utterly stupefy the princesses, particularly the jacket potato, catching buses and earning a living; all of which are entirely new concepts for these royals.

To their credit, they all seemed to enjoy their first day of work. This, however, didn't stop two of them pulling a sickie to bake a cake on their second day.

A clip of next week's show sees some more promising romance on the cards, but as of yet, Aaliya, Gaby and Cinderella have only just begun the search for Prince Charming and happily ever after.

Questioning Question Time Cheyenne Bunsie

3. Team Rocket, Pokémon

Poor old Team Rocket. As villains go, they weren't really up to much. Their plans backfired, their fighting skills were weak, and every episode ended in them being outwitted by three children whose collective IQs couldn't have totalled more than 17 – if we're generous.

You almost wished they'd just forget about capturing Pikachu and get a nice job at Marks & Spencer's.

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

8. Archie Mitchell, Eastenders Does anyone believe Archie Mitchell is actually dead? No good soap villain ever really dies; odds are Archie'll float back into the Vic in a year or two with a smirk on his face and a battered bunch of flowers for Peggy in his hand. Hey, if Dirty Den can come back...

9. The Master, Doctor Who Ever straddling the line between charming and psychotic, the Doctor's one true arch-enemy may have had his hands full with enslaving the universe, but still found time to engage in oddly homoerotic banter with the Doctor, as well as a quick Scissor Sisters sing along.

The hallmark of great villainy is definitely multitasking.

10. Piers Morgan The horror... the horror...

WITH the nation soon to be gripped by the general election, the BBC took the time to consider those who haven't marked the date in their diaries.

BBC Three's First Time Voters Question Time was hosted by X Factor favourite Dermot O'Leary (he has a degree in politics, don't you know?), and aimed to uncover theworld of politics to members of the public who had never voted before.

After recovering from the initial outrage at the crime committed by 'remixing' the traditional Question Time opening (not the first time BBC bigwigs have tried to be down with the kidz), I paid attention to the panel: Minister for Higher Education David Lamy, Shadow Culture secretary Jeremy Hunt MP, MP of the Liberal Democrats Julia Goldsworthy, winner of the first Apprentice Tim Campbell, political satirist Rory Bremner and Jamelia...

Yes, Jamelia the sing-

er: credited with being a member of the Prince's Trust but more likely known these days for being on 8 out of 10 Cats every other week.

Unsurprisingly, the top questions from the first-time voters were the issues surrounding university graduates and the jobs that seem to elude those fresh from the exam hall.

This debate threw up the nightmare possibility of the 'lost generation' and the fact that over 923,000 of 18 to 24 year olds are unemployed.

Lamy asserted that there were jobs out there whilst sparking a further debate with Tim about vocational skills versus university qualifications; and Bremner was every bit the genius of Bremner, Bird and Fortune, managing to bang his head on the table whilst painting a better picture of Labour than Lamy himself.

Goldsworthy attempted to champion party leader Nick Clegg, better known as the 'other guy', and whilst seeming to get away with dub-

bing the Lib Dems as the party of trust, free from any expenses dirt. However, Dermot swiftly mentioned the leather rocking chair Goldsworthy herself claimed for.

Other O'Leary lines included asking why David Cameron appeared on The Alan Titchmarsh Show the year before as Hunt was criticising Prime Minister Gordon Brown's decision to be interviewed a few weeks ago on Piers Morgan's Life Stories. Nice one Dermot.

Meanwhile, Jamelia seemed to be playing voice of the public and became incensed by the statistic from the electoral commission that revealed 56 per cent of 18-24 year olds are not registered to vote, reiterating the figures over and over in case the entire room had forgotten, and demanding action from Lamy despite the fact she had only been made aware the statistic existed a few moments before.

Overall, First time voter's Question Time aimed to give a platform to members of the public

concerned about prominent issues. It was apparent that many felt that they could not trust or identify with politicians or party leaders and their policies.

The panel were (mostly) well chosen and sparked interesting debates, whilst O'Leary showed his versatility by chairing the heated table competently and challenging when necessary.

Perhaps a little bit more is needed to encourage voting, and the BBC will be answering this call with programmes dedicated to the election, including a presidentialstyle debate between the leaders of the three main parties.

Sport

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th March 2010

Rowing to victory

25

Georgina Killick gives us the lowdown on Birmingham's rowers as they prepare for their biggest event of the year Birmingham's rowers training hard in preparation for their big event

Photo: Alice Peal

Photo: Alice Peal AS the weather finally begins to turn into something looking like spring the University of Birmingham Boat Club is starting to emerge from the cold slog winter training and is looking forward to the start of their summer season.

Rowing through the winter can be a miserable task, especially when snow drowns the first BUCS event of the year and freezes half of the athletes. This time its all about endurance training; long sessions on the rowing machine and intensive weight programs to build base fitness.

For the most competitive athletes such as Cass-

The women's first eight

Photo: Stuart Redden ie Donovan, who is currently training with the Great Britain U23 squad and Mark Jinks, one of four boys who last year won gold at the National Championships, this involves anything up to three hours a day in the gym, rowing, running and cycling to build the stamina needed and as many as five early mornings a week out rowing on Edgbaston Reservoir.

For those with more modest expectations the demands can still be high and many novice rowers find themselves doing an hour a day within their first term. In the past this has been an effective way of sorting the men from

the boys, so to speak.

Luckily the vitality and friendliness of the club has meant that this year hardly any new bodies have been scared off by the workload.

chance to put that training to use. For the girls' beginner and senior teams this involves a seven kilometer timed race along the windy and bendy, not to mention tidal, River

'There is the potential for us to do serious damage across the board this year' This weekend, almost all of the club's crews are heading down to London for some of the longest and most important races of the year so far and a

Photo: Georgina Killick

Thames! The Women's Eights' Head of the River Race as it is named runs along the same stretch of the river as the Oxbridge Boat Race and provides a significant challenge to both those rowing and those coxing. It is also attended by almost every university and club team in the entire country with almost 300 boats on the water and is one of the most prestigious events for a crew to compete in.

Two years ago the University of Birmingham women put in a spectacular performance at this event with both novice and senior crews winning their categories. This year they will take to the water hoping to recapture some of that magic.

'It's a really special memory for everyone who was involved' said women's captain Cassie Donovan, 'But we also

want to move forward and get new successes. We're all working really hard for the summer.'

The men's crews race on Sunday along the same stretch of river but over a shorter course. This will be a competitive event in itself for the crews involved but they will also use it as practice for the Men's Head of the River Race on the 27th of March.

'We've had a great response from the men's and women's teams this year as training has stepped up for the big races' said rowing head coach Stuart Redden. 'There's lots of really hard work being done across the squads.'

He added 'These races in London are a great chance to build skills and confidence for the summer season. There is the potential for us to do serious damage across the board this year, we are certainly looking to medal at BUCS and take crews on to Europe. When a crew decides it's going to push to be the best we can almost always get them there' All the hard work is already paying off. Races in the winter season are essentially time trials on rivers. Given the severity of the weather over the last few months in some cases races have been cancelled but this has not stopped the Development Squad starting their row-

ing careers successfully.

The girls 1st 4+ won their first race in Bristol and the girls 1st eight got bronze in the BUCS head race last month both of which were fantastic results. Other crews also performed above and beyond expectations showing the promise which the club now has to work with over the coming months.

For the senior teams the winter has been a little more difficult as crews have been shaken up last minute and injury and heavy workloads have prevented all athletes from being available. However, BUCS results showed that the top crews were pushing to be amongst the medals and many remain confident that they can go on to do good things.

From this stage in the year all senior athletes will be training at least twice a day if they are going to be in the fastest boats. Rowing can be one of the most demanding sports at university or any level and the amount of time needed just to get good enough to be average is huge. Nevertheless, Birmingham are approaching the coming season with every reason to be confident. â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The crew's performances in London will be covered exclusively at www. redbrickonline.co.uk

26 Sport

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th March 2010

Clasping Coventry can't hold onto brutal Brum Men's Rugby League 2nd: Birmingham v Coventry 36 - 10 Stuart Young ON a fresh, sunny afternoon at the Metchley pitches, the University of Birmingham Men’s Rugby League 2nd team ran out convincing winners against a ponderous 1st team from Coventry University. Birmingham’s superior kicking game and use of the ball, in addition to a number of blunders by the Coventry outfit, culminated in a comfortable 36-10 victory for the home team.

Having only achieved one point this season and finishing bottom of the BUCS Midlands League, Coventry on paper appeared to be a relatively weak opponent that was low on confidence. The first five minutes of the game gave the spectator no reason to question this assumption. Coventry looked nervy, failing to catch the ball from the kick-off and then knocking it on in the first tackle of the game. Although Birmingham dominated possession deep in Coventry’s half, they failed to capitalise and put points on the board early.

Reacting like a wounded animal, Coventry fought back in the next ten minutes of the game.

They gained good terri-

tory in the Birmingham half and created a number of chances. Finally, after a high kick by the Coventry fly-half, the opposition regained the ball and from the resulting phases bundled over to break the deadlock. The try was duly converted by the Coventry captain to give them a six point lead.

However, this was the only sustained period of pressure that Coventry managed in the entire game. From this point Birmingham fought back and controlled the half. Andy Stimson’s intelligent and well-executed kicking game stood in contrast to the wasteful and misjudged kicking from the boot of his opposite number. In the 21st minute, after a long grubber kick from new captain Stimson, Greg Stewart showed good pace to beat the opposition full-back and dive over to give the home team their first try. The conversion from James ‘Screech’ Johnson left the scores equal at 6-6.

Birmingham did not stop here however, picking up the pace of the game and converting a number of chances before the end of the half. The best move of a physical match gave Birmingham the lead five minutes later. After an excellent break down the centre of the pitch, through a slick exchange of short passes and offloads, Dan Gay ran in another score for Brum.

The initial break gained fifty metres and showed the potential of the Birmingham team to play attractive rugby.

Unfortunately for Coventry, two more tries followed before the half was over. Firstly, Johnson

Desperate defence: The Coventry backline were left struggling in the face of a forceful Brum attack

Photo: Tom Flathers scored after a break down the right wing, following two missed tackles by the Coventry back-line. Then Birmingham winger, Joe Nuitt, took advantage of a mistake by the Coventry full-back following another exemplary kick from Stimson. As all four of the home team’s first half tries were converted, the score reached 24-6 at half-time.

In the second half Birmingham picked up where they left off, more than matching the physical presence of Coventry by consistently breaking through tackles. In fact, Birmingham would have scored soon after the restart if the away side’s

winger did not put in a massive hit as his Birmingham counterpart drove for the corner. Unfortunately, the physicality of the match came to a head when Andreas Kenney was rightfully sin-binned by the referee for throwing a succession of punches after he had been tackled.

Although it was not a condonable incident, it actually contributed to what became an exciting, if somewhat disjointed, second half. Birmingham still endeavoured to remain on the front foot while Coventry at times exploited having an extra player. For this reason, the match became an endto-end affair, as neither

team sustained a period of good possession.

It was the away side that struck first in the second half. In the 58th minute, the Birmingham defence became stretched and the Coventry centre ran a good line through the gap before rolling over to get his team into doubl figures.

However, the away side were their own worst enemy after this point, contributing to the concession of two Birmingham tries in the next ten minutes. James Mullins scored an unconverted try straight from the kick-off of the one just conceded, as Birmingham capitalised on confusion in the

Coventry defence, who let the ball bounce out into touch. Then from the next restart the Coventry players ran in front of the kicker giving Birmingham the ball on the halfway line. From the resulting phases, Adam Cusack, in only his second game playing Rugby League, dived over just to the left of the posts. The rout was complete.

In fact, the man of the match award was given to Cusack, and it is fair to say he had a fine game and deserved his try. Overall, it was an excellent performance from the home side, which mirrored a convincing result against fiesty opposition.

Crossword cracker

Get your kit out for Sport Relief NEXT Friday, 19th March at midday, there will be a mile walk around campus to raise money for Sport Relief. The idea has been put forward

by VPS Katie Ford, who wants all clubs, both university and intra-mural, to make an appearance wearing their sports kits, no matter what the sport. Swimmers turn up in your costumes, American footballers bring your helmets and cricketers don your whites! Come to the Munrow Sports Centre and remember to donate to the great cause by chucking £1 into one of the many cash buckets when on campus. There is also a prize of a £50 bar tab for the club who bring the most members in Kukri kit, so it should be a great occasion all round. Turn up with your team-mates and do your bit for a great cause.

Don't miss your chance to win award winning sports writer, Simon Barnes' take on the world of sport!

Sport

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th March 2010

Bourne shows supremacy in semi-final Men's Tennis 1st: Birmingham v Cambridge 7-3 Patrick Surlis AN excellent team performance from the Birmingham Men’s 1st team ensured their progression to the final of Midlands Conference Cup, coming through this semi final against a competitive Cambridge side as 7-3 victors. The fact that this match was one of the closest Birmingham have come to losing this season is a testament to the outstanding consistency and strength in depth of this Birmingham team.

Although conditions were far from ideal at the Pri-

W

ory tennis club, Birmingham demonstrated great character to emerge victorious.

The team, composed this week of Jamie Bourne, Sam Davies, Simon Blatchford and Adam Chapman, made a shaky start in the doubles portion of the match. Blatchford and Chapman won 8-3 after falling behind early but Bourne and Davies succumbed 8-5 to Rob Legg and Nick Jenkins of Cambridge. In both games the Birmingham pairs fell behind in the opening few games, no doubt partly due to the fact that they were forced to stand around for an hour and a half whilst the Cambridge team were delayed en-route, and whereas Blatchford and Chapman recovered sufficiently to win comfortably, it was clear that Bourne and Davies’ opponents were the players to beat as they sealed the win in convincing fashion.

The singles matches began immediately after

Photos: Tom Flathers

Redbrick 1369

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Devine victory over Durham in last sixteen Golf 2nd: Birmingham v Durham 5-1

A Birmingham player stamps his authority on the match and involved some excellent tennis from both sides. Chapman’s match against Greg Caterer was eventually the scene of great drama and jubilation for the Brum side.

Davies wrapped up his match with Michael Sharp of Cambridge within the hour, dispatching his opposite number 6-4 6-2 to hand Birmingham much needed early points.

The next match to finish was Blatchford’s encounter with Legg, a match Legg eventually won 6-4 6-3 with Blatchford struggling to find his rhythm right from the start, levelling the overall points tally at 3-3.

It was clear, however, from the equal measure of yelps of frustration and cheers of excitement

on Chapman’s court that something dramatic was unfolding. Having secured the first set on a tiebreak 7-6 thanks to an outrageous net cord winner, Chapman raced into a 4-0 lead in the second, only to completely collapse to the point where he found himself 5-4 down. Managing to regain his composure with the support of his teammates on the sidelines he forced a tiebreak, emerging victorious 15-13 in an epic series of points in which Chapman squandered at least five match points before finally hammering down a winner to his and his watching teammates delight. This giving Birmingham a 5-3 lead, meant that a Bourne victory over Jenkins would seal a Brum victory.

After starting badly and losing the first set 4-6, Bourne re-established himself in the match, winning a tiebreak in the second 7-5 before destroying his opponent in the third, 6-1, thus giving Birmingham a 7-3 victory and a spot in the final against a Coventry side that Birmingham have already beaten comprehensively this season.

Commenting on the match team captain Bourne said that he was ‘delighted with the performance considering this was the most challenging match we have faced this year’ he continued, ‘we are confident that if we play like this in the final in a few weeks time we stand an excellent chance of winning.'

=the===redbrick==crossword= Mordo Nahum

27

Sponsored by Waterstone's at the University of Birmingham The prize this week is a copy of The Meaning of Sport by Simon Barnes

Across

Down

1. (Untested) idea (10) 7. One Hundred Years of ________, famous Spanish novel (8) 8. Musical TV series set in an American high school (4) 9. Test (4) 10. The lack of belief in God (7) 12. The belief that God made the universe (11) 14. Being from the Red Planet (7) 16. ____ Wilder, American actor who famously portrayed Willy Wonka (4) 19. Fruit peel; rolling paper (4) 20. Japanese video game company (8) 21. 2005 Kanye West song featuring vocals by Jamie Foxx (4, 6)

1. _____'s Law, which relates the length of a spring to the load on the spring (5) 2. Lowest military rank for a soldier (7) 3. Onomatopoeic dull sound (4) 4. Sub-atomic particle (8) 5. Fireplace (5) 6. Joanna ______, American harpist and singer (6) 11. Laboured; red satin (anag) (8) 12. Arthur C. ______, British sci-fi author (6) 13. Variety of lettuce (7) 15. Argentine style of dance (5) 17. Homeworld of the Ewoks in Star Wars (5) 18. Opposed to (4)

THE University of Birmingham’s Golf 2nd team had a successful start to their BUCS Trophy Knockout campaign, defeating Durham’s 1st team 5-1 in the last 16 stage. On a tricky, windy Wednesday at the PGA National Course, the team took full advantage of the tremendous, vast greens and secured a comfortable victory.

Aaron Lansberry was out first and was unlucky to come away with nothing, after losing 4 and 3 to a tough opponent.

However, the match was drawn level after Ben Giles eventually closed out his match on the 16th green, with a 3 and 2 victory.

Tom Devine and Harry Boyd gave Birmingham a 3-1 lead, Tom closing out his match on the 17th and Harry holding out down the last hole, to eventually win two up. This left Birmingham needing only half a point from the last group but they finished it off in style, picking up 2 more points to finish the game off 5-1.

Despite a late surge from her opponent, Charlotte Hope won 3 and 1 and Charles Molony held his nerve down the 18th to finish one up. The 2nd team now look forward to a quarter final against UHI or Loughborough on March 24th.

By Thomas Devine

Last issue's solutions:

forrestgump=g ==i=t=h=n=a=l benicio=manna ==g=h=r=a=i=d poll=iannucci a=e=h=x=n===a notion=beirut d===s=u=d=a=o alcapone=over b=r=i=i=z=i== eject=chinook a=e=a=e=n=l== r=pulpfiction Think you've cracked it? Pop your completed crosswords (and bribes, naturally) in to the Redbrick office with your NAME, COURSE, YEAR and EMAIL ADDRESS for a chance to win a copy of The Meaning of Sport by Simon Barnes from the University's Waterstone's branch.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday 16th March 2010.

Last issue's winner was Jack Thornton, 3rd Year, History. We will email you to arrange a time to collect your prize.

28 Sport

REDBRICK 1369 / 12th MARCH 2010

SPORT

27 Tennis Final awaits for Brum after beating Cambridge 2nds

25 Rowing A look at one of Birmingham's more successful clubs

Quarter-finals call for captain Coe

Coe charges through the opposition

Women's Rugby Union 1st: Birmingham v Liverpool 47-10 Dave Rudge AN emphatic 47-10 victory over Liverpool at the Bournbrook pitches on Wednesday afternoon saw Birmingham's Rugby Union women's 1st XV cruise through to the quarter-final of the BUCS Cup. Tries for Chloe Downer, Natalie Kwatia, Alex HarrisonWolff, Abby Meadows, Ally Beech and four for captain fantastic Jo Coe led them to an easy win against a determined but under-strength opponent.

Right from the off, the game had a sense of

the inevitable about it.

The hosts pushed Liverpool back, deep inside their 22. Fran Calnan got in behind to score after just one minute, but her try was disallowed when she was adjudged to have dropped the ball.

Birmingham were using the width of the pitch well and finding a lot of space down the left. On nine minutes, a fumble

by Liverpool's Sophie Hodgkinson was gobbled up by Coe who ran clean through to score the first try of the game. Downer put the following conversion kick just inside the left post to give the home side a 7-0 lead.

The hosts extended their lead with a flowing move on 13 minutes. Ellie Webb found HarrissonWolff in the middle, who drew the Liverpool defenders away before sliding in Calnan down the left. She was tackled on the tryline but the roll away fell to Downer who bundled it over to make it 12-0.

The visitors made

their first real incursion into Birmingham's 22 on 17 minutes. Kara Johnstone kicked the ball along the ground behind the defence. Running onto it, she volleyed it behind the try line, but Webb was at hand to sweep up and clear the danger.

Liverpool, however, were not discouraged and began to apply some sustained pressure, forcing several scrums and line-outs in and around the home side's 22.

But Birmingham held firm, soaking it up before unloading the sucker-punch. The explosive Kwatia tore down the away team's overstretched left flank, past two opponents to score an excellent try and cap a wonderful counter-attack. Then, Downer dispatched her conversion right between the posts to make the score 19-0.

A scrappy try from Harrison-Wolff on 29 minutes, followed by one from Coe on the stroke of half time and anoth-

er good conversion by Downer gave the hosts a whopping 31-0 lead going into the break. Birmingham had been simply outstanding in the first half and the game looked as good as over.

The second half began at a slower tempo with lots of injury stoppages and swarming causing the flow of the game to break down. On 48 minutes, Liverpool finally got off the mark. The excellent Johnstone broke through the hosts' defence and sprinted clear to score a brilliant solo try. But five minutes later, Coe picked up the baton again, scything through the Liverpool right for her third try of the game, taking the scores to 37-5.

Three minutes on Birmingham scored yet again after a sensational team move started by the combative Harrison-Wolff. She collected the ball from deep, rode three challenges and laid it square to Meadows. Seeing nothing but grass in front of

Photo: Tom Flathers her, she sprinted for the try line, was hauled to the ground, but was able to roll it back to Beech for a simple try, putting the hosts out of sight at 42-5.

On 63 minutes, Coe added another coat of gloss to her shimmering performance. A solid tackle by Calnan in the middle of the park won possession for Birmingham. She fed in the captain down the left who flew past Johnstone and Hodgkinson to make the score 47-5.

The away team were playing for pride and had been since the get-go. But instead of rolling over, they attacked Birmingham relentlessly for the remainder of the game.

One minute from time, their positive attitude paid off with a try for Katy Ashcroft, sparking such jubilant celebrations; you would think that they had won the game.

The whistle went and the cheers went out, followed by the customary whooping and sing-

ing

from the victors.

Afterwards, captain Coe said she was 'hopeful' her side could go all the way in this year's trophy, adding, 'we're one of the strongest teams in the cup now and our victory against Liverpool proves that.'

When asked about her own performance, Coe said she was 'really pleased. I didn't expect to score four tries. But they came as a result of the runs from other people. I think the whole team did well. I thought Alex [Harrison-Wolff] played really well. She had an awesome game.'

This was a resounding win for Birmingham, one which will certainly serve them well going into the quarter-finals of the competition. However, Liverpool were playing with the bare 15 and had a number of their first team players missing for this game. It would be fair to say that far tougher challenges lie in store for Coe and co.

Online exclusives A report on Brumski's success at the indoor finals, a preview of the impending Formula One season and an insight into Great Britain's tennis failings... All available right now at www.redbrickonline.co.uk