Friday 2nd December 2016
Redbrick Issue 1476, Vol. 81
FREE
Do you feel Safe in Selly? Five attacks reported in the last two weeks Increased police presence in the area
Redbrick
The Official University of Birmingham Student Newspaper, est. 1936 Harry Burgess
Redbrick Christmas Special Food // Christmas Markets - Birmingham vs Germany Culture // What shows to see this season Life & Style // Your best gift guide
Hannah Roberts
Redbrick Careers give the lowdown on how to get a career in Law
Imogen Tink reviews The Nutcracker at the Hippodrome
Redbrick Music recommend the best albums of 2016
Redbrick Travel checks out Christmas around the world
Careers Page 15
Culture Page 18
Music Page 20
Travel Page 30
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REDBRICK
Friday 2nd December 2016
redbrick.me
Letter from the committee... I can’t believe we’ve already reached the last edition of the year! This term has actually flown by, and, yes, I know this has been said pretty much every week since the start of the term. I’ve only been a part of Redbrick this year, and only Social Sec for the last few weeks, but it’s already starting to feel like home. All the committee members have made me feel really welcome, and I think this is going to be the start of a long, fun relationship with the paper. If you’re considering joining the society, go for it! On the 24th of January we'll be at the Give it a Go fair in the Great Hall, so that would be a great time to chat to us about Redbrick. We’re always looking for new writers to help make our content better and better – the more the merrier – and, as the new Social Sec, I guarantee there are going to be some pretty amazing socials over the next few months. Speaking of being Social Sec, the majority of my time on the committee so far has been spent planning the first ever Christmas Formal, which happened yesterday. By now, you’ll all know what a roaring success it was, but for me, as I’m writing this, I’m still nervously and excitedly waiting for it to happen. The night consisted of a wine reception and three course meal in the Old Library at the Custard Factory. We can be fancy
when we want to be! Of course, we couldn’t be completely serious, so there was a Christmas quiz and some cheesy music to balance all that sophistication out. Hopefully this will be the first of many Christmas socials held by Redbrick! And don’t you worry, I’ve already got a few ideas for next term, including a fundraiser quiz night, the second Societies’ Night of the academic year, and maybe, just maybe, a weekend away. Myself and the rest of the committee really want to make Redbrick as sociable as possible, but there are lots of other elements to being in the society and making this paper. Before I joined the committee I was an Editorial Assistant, a role I didn’t even know existed before Redbrick! The role consists of proofreading the paper's content, and making sure the paper is consistent, whilst ensuring it all flows between sections. But we’re just one small part of the team that is behind creating this paper every two weeks. We have over 300 members in Redbrick, and every one of those people contributes in some way - whether it be writing an article, designing the layout of the paper or developing the website. I need to give a special shout out to Anna, our Editor. Although she’s a final year, writing her dissertation, and is chair of two societies, she continues to give
one hundred percent to Redbrick. Despite the boatload of work she must have to do, she’s always there if you’ve got a question, and helps to make this paper as great as it is. Honestly, I don’t know how she does it. So, this marks our sixth edition of the term, and the last before Christmas. Make yourself a hot drink, settle down somewhere cosy, and enjoy reading the best student paper around. Have a fantastic Christmas holiday, don’t work too hard, and we look forward to welcoming you back with our first edition of 2017. From the dungeons, we salute you,
Laura Burgess, Social Secretary
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Online this week at redbrick.me... FILM
FOOD
GAMING
MUSIC
The Rise of Denis Villeneuve
Rebecca Cutler reviews Selly Oak's new food hotspot, Cafe 55
Gaming attempts to out-run the unrelenting storm in Shu
Album Review: 24K Magic Bruno Mars
Redbrick Editorial Team Editor Anna Griffiths editor@redbrickonline.co.uk
Deputy Editors Harry Turner Imogen Lancaster deputy@redbrickonline.co.uk
Print & Features Editor Gabriella Marcucci print@redbrickonline.co.uk
Digital Editor Conrad Duncan digital@redbrickonline.co.uk
Lead Developer Andreea Gheorghe
News Editors Beriwan Ceren Grace Duncan Gregory Robinson Joseph Timan
Music Editors Daniella Bassett Greg Woodin Holly Carter Phil Jones
news@redbrickonline.co.uk
music@redbrickonline.co.uk
Comment Editor Aamina Siddiqi Harry Tennison Joe Goodsall
Film Editors Alex McDonald George Griffths Joe Ryan
comment@redbrickonline.co.uk
Culture Editors Imogen Tink Olivia Boyce Sophie Taylor culture@redbrickonline.co.uk
marketing@redbrickonline.co.uk
Social Secretary Laura Burgess social@redbrickonline.co.uk
Travel Editors Carys Bedford Delfina Rainoldi Sophie Braybrook travel@redbrickonline.co.uk
developer@redbrickonline.co.uk
Marketing Secretary William Baxter
film@redbrickonline.co.uk
Life&Style Editors Kamila Geremek Nia Roberts Sophie Kesterton Zoe Screti lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk
Television Editors James Tyson Lara Billington Tamsin Hackett tv@redbrickonline.co.uk
Sci&Tech Editors Ellen Daugherty James Pettit Kara Watson tech@redbrickonline.co.uk
Food Editors Lauren Kelly Phoebe Radford Tasha Smart Tamar Smith food@redbrickonline.co.uk
Sport Editors Dan Steeden Harry Wilkinson Nancy Frostick Nicola Kenton sport@redbrickonline.co.uk
Gaming Editors James Lentschner James Marvin Nick Burton Roshni Patel gaming@redbrickonline.co.uk
Careers Editor Lael Hardtman Mira Lodhia careers@redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 251 2462
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Editorial Assistants Redbrick is printed through www.mortonAnna Burton sprint.com Anna Troughton 01507 523 456 Elizabeth Alker Emily Roberts To advertise in Redbrick, get in touch with Martha Sanders marketing@redbrickonline.co.uk or visit Laura Burgess www.redbrick.me/advertise-with-redbrick Phillippa Baker for more details, and to see our rate card. William Baxter Designed and typeset by Redbrick Copyright (C) Redbrick 2015 The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.
NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
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Crime Wave Grips Selly Oak Beriwan Ceren and Grace Duncan News Editors
Women in Selly Oak have been advised not to walk home alone after a string of indecent exposure attacks have taken place in the area. There have been five attacks reported since 20th November where women have been approached by a man wearing a mask. In two of these attacks the women have been threatened with a knife. The first two incidents happened in the early hours of Sunday the 20th on Lottie Road. A man wearing a gorilla mask pushed a passer-by, while holding a knife and exposing himself.
"I physically tremble at the thought of going out alone..." Later that day, a man beckoned to a resident on her doorstep who immediately closed her door. On Thursday the 24th, there was another incident when a young woman was grabbed and threat-
ened by a man on Hubert Road by a man wearing a gorilla mask and exposing himself. After a struggle, she managed to get away. The attacks have caused concern among students in particular with some telling Redbrick, ‘I am really worried now when I come back from uni late. I never felt unsafe in Selly before, I always took it as scaremongering, but now I try to change my plans so I don't have to walk around Selly in the dark alone.’ Second year, Materials Engineering student Fran Cumming, said that it was ‘scary as fuck’. Whilst English and Philosophy student Izzy Hendley told Redbrick that, ‘the crime wave has left me fearful, I physically tremble at the thought of going out alone which is ironic as I live a lonesome and isolated lifestyle.’ While none of the women have been physically hurt, the incidents have left them understandably shaken. Police state that they have ‘flooded’ the area with plain clothes officers in an attempt to catch the perpetrator. They are also searching CCTV to see if the offender can be identified in this way. The offender is believed to be a slim, white male with short grey
hair, aged in his 40s or 50s and about 5ft 7ins tall. The crimes are not just affecting women however, with an increase in muggings also being reported. One male second year History student was mugged in the early hours of Monday morning at knife point and had his wallet and phone taken.
"'[the police] didn’t sound too surprised, almost like they expect this sort of thing to happen’" Another mugging vicitim from earlier this month took to Facebook to explain what happened to him: ‘About 24 hours ago I was mugged by 5 men. Me and a friend were walking around Selly Park when we were restrained and forced into an alleyway where I was 'relieved' of my wallet, phone and ID. Fortunately I wasn't physically harmed and none of my friend's possessions were stolen, but I'm still a little shaken by this.’ The victim told Redbrick, ‘the police’s reaction was rather swift
and a bit more sympathetic than expected. When I was giving my statement ... they didn’t sound too surprised, almost like they expect this sort of thing to happen’, he continued. ‘The receptionist I talked to in the station said that there were far more incidents being registered, even if some of them were unsuccessful muggings or encounters’. Izzie Nicholds, Guild Housing and Community Officer, released a statement on the Guild website advising students on ways to keep safe in Selly. The list includes: personal safety equipments that are available from UoB Security (located in Aston Webb) and safety alarms that are available for free from the Community Wardens/Student Mentors (located at Guild Advice). For further advice, it is recommended to speak with members of the police at the Uni Centre or the station located on Bournville Lane. During this period the police appeal for increased diligence in the Selly Oak area. If you have any information call the police immediately on 101 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.
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Student Charged With Attempted Murder After Selly Stabbing Mohammad Rahim News Reporter
Student Salum Mohammed, aged 22, from Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak has now appeared before magistrates charged with attempted murder after a stabbing in Selly Oak. The victim was a 21-year-old man who was left with multiple stab wounds in the attack on Raddlebarn Road, Selly Oak which occurred at Monday, October 24 at 6.40pm. The road was still closed at the junction of Willow Road the morning after the attack as forensic investigators examined the area further. The attack came a week after four stabbings occurred in Birmingham in the space of 24 hours, including a fatal case of ‘gentle giant’ Giovanni Lewis. This, unfortunately, contributes to recent findings which showed that violent crime in West Midlands has increased by 19 per cent. Mohammed has been remanded in custody whilst the victim continues his recovery from his life-threatening injuries. Anyone with any information is asked to contact Force CID at Bournville Lane.
University Buys Building In City Centre Grace Duncan News Editor @gracieellen_
On Wednesday 30th November the University announced that it will buy Birmingham’s former Municipal Bank at 301 Broad Street, one of the city’s best known civic buildings, to establish a home in the city centre. The university is working with Birmingham City Council to restore and modernise the currently unoccupied building. The building, designed by architect, T Cecil Howitt, in the
classical architectural style, sits opposite Centenary Square and the Library of Birmingham and is Grade II listed. The proposals that the university currently have for the development include: a community education hub, dining facilities, conference rooms and performance spaces for music and drama students. It will act as an extension to campus facilities. The original Municipal Bank was conceived by former Birmingham Lord Mayor, Neville Chamberlain. The father of Neville Chamberlain, Joseph Chamberlain, founded the university and wanted
to connect education and skills with employment and a local economy to serve the whole population. The aim of the project is to build on the heritage established by the city’s forefathers. The Vice-Chancellor of the University of Birmingham made a statement saying: ‘We are now bringing this historic landmark back into use for the people of Birmingham, providing a new public gateway to the University’s research and cultural assets.’ ‘The decision reflects the University’s commitment to playing an active role in the development of the city and to the sharing
of research and knowledge beyond campus boundaries.’
"the University’s commitment to playing an active role in the development of the city"
brings outstanding potential for a number of exciting initiatives from cultural showcases and community engagement to professional education and access to research. As we develop plans to restore the space, we will continue to explore and consult on how to bring the best of the University to the city.’ One third year student told Redbrick that, ‘I think it’s really great that the university is expanding across Birmingham especially if we can find a way to interact with the wider city community.’
Trevor Payne, Director of Estates at the University, said: ‘The large and flexible space
Campaign Urges Library To 'Free The Tea' Emily Darby News Reporter
In response to the new Library’s rules that prohibit eating and drinking in study spaces, the Guild are planning a walk-in demonstration, called ‘Free the Tea’, that will centre around UoB students going into the library together holding cups of tea to protest the ban. The £60 million library is claimed to be part of a ‘new generation of libraries in UK higher education’ on the University’s website. Nevertheless, this is little consolation to the many students who have expressed the importance of snacks, coffee and tea for their study by signing a petition which has gained over 1,300 supporters.
The Change.org petition states: ‘It is unrealistic to expect students to not consume food or drink in the study space in the library due to it wasting a large amount of time from your studies’. It highlights the long queues and lack of café seating as some of the main reasons as to why this is an issue. The statement also expresses fear that students may feel ‘personally victimised’ by ‘unprofessional’ staff when they do decide to bring food or drink to the library. Rosie Edney, who started the petition told Redbrick: ‘Having been evicted from the library numerous times for drinking coffee and eating, a friend and I found it frustrating that we were being forced to take a significant period of time out of our days to have a coffee or eat. ‘We decided to make a petition because there’s a feeling of dis-
content between several other students we spoke to and a concern as to the feasibility of only being able to drink or eat in the cafe during periods of high influx of students’.
"the campaign will continue until there is ‘a library that works for students’." In response, the Guild’s Representation and Resources Officer, Brandon Hattiloney, this week announced that there will be a ‘Free the Tea’ protest which is to take place on Tuesday 6th December. According to the Guild website, the demonstration will
start at 1pm when students will meet outside the library and go in together with hot drinks ‘to highlight how unenforceable the new rules are’. It is also stated that 100 branded mugs will be provided, but due to speculation that there will be a high turnout of students at the event, the Guild advises students to bring their own drinks. On Friday 18th November, Hattiloney promised in a video update that the campaign is making positive progress, saying that he will met with the Academic Registrar. The Guild Officer said: ‘Guys we’re winning’, stating that the University ‘have plans to expand the area in which you can eat’. He announced that the library will open up the ground floor study space as an eating area and
that focus groups will also be organised so that students can directly put forward their views and ideas about the library to University staff. Hattiloney reassured students that the protest would ‘still go ahead’ on December 6th and that the campaign will continue until there is ‘a library that works for students’. The following week, Guild President Ellie Keiller posted an update through Facebook saying that there is now a study space in the Library that you can eat and drink in. In the Facebook status, she said, ‘The Wolfson room has a different entrance and from today you can eat an drink in there.’ She also added that students can eat and drink any food in the library cafe, not just food that was purchased there.
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NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricknews
NUS Claim 15,000 Attend National Demo in London Redbrick's John Wimperis reports on the 15,000-strong protest against racism, austerity, and rising tuition fees John Wimperis News Reporter @john_wimperis
UoB students joined thousands of other students and lecturers from various universities on Saturday 19th November to march through the streets of London in the ‘United for Education’ demonstration, jointly held by the National Union of Students (NUS) and Universities and Colleges Union (UCU). The demonstration was mainly in response to the Higher Education Bill, which NUS President Malia Bouattia called a ‘deeply risky ideologically-led market experiment in further and higher education.’ If passed, the bill would give universities a Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) ranking which would allow the highest ranked universities to raise their tuition fees. Many purple placards were distributed by the NUS and carried by a great deal of the students present, calling for a boycott of the National Students’ Survey (NSS), which will be used as an indicator for the TEF ranking. Guild of Students’ President Ellie Keiller was critical of TEF, telling Redbrick, ‘a university’s NSS score and graduate employment salaries are not an indicator of quality and should not be used as such.’ She was also concerned that allowing fees to increase at ‘good’ universities would result in ‘driving a social wedge between those who can afford a “good”
education and those who cannot.’ Despite the bill being at the centre of the protest, placards promoting a variety of causes were held by many of the 15,000 students that were estimated to have attended the march. ‘Tories Out’ and ‘End Austerity’ signs were commonplace, as were ‘Cut War not Welfare’ and ‘No to Islamaphobia’ placards. One student, who marched with Oxford Labour Club, held aloft a placard supporting an unconventional theory that ‘Teresa did Harambe.’
"Jeremy Corbyn addressed the crowd with a video message that was unfortunately affected by technical issues" Just before one o'clock in the afternoon, demonstrators moved off from where they'd been gathering next to Hyde Park, and proceeded down Picadilly with chants of ‘Education should be free, not just for the bourgeoisie.’ The demonstrators then marched along Pall Mall, before passing through Trafalgar Square and down Whitehall into Parliament Square. A little further down the road, the NUS had constructed a stage, and
here the march became a rally. Bouattia opened the rally with a short speech addressed to ‘brothers, sisters, and non-binary siblings’ where she urged the demonstrators to ‘unite against all forms of fascism’ and condemned the ‘despair, inequality, and racism this government is trying to organise.’ Among the speakers who followed her were UCU General Secretary Sally Hunt, and two of 45,000 international students who were deported without evidence while studying at British universities in 2014. Labour Party leader, Jeremy Corbyn, addressed the crowd with a video message that was unfortunately affected by technical issues. In his last few audible sentences, he spoke of the importance of ensuring that ‘the benefits of education are accessible to all,’ which was met with a great cheer from the students. This reception was beaten only by the cheers for Guardian columnist Owen Jones, who addressed the rally from the stage. Jones told the demonstrators: ‘a society that fails to invest in education, fails to invest in young people, fails to invest in the future, is vandalism.’ ‘We have a clear message to the racists and the fascists,’ he added, telling them, ‘we have defeated you before and we are going to defeat you all over again. And when we are finished with you, we will toss you onto the scrap heap of history where you
will rot until the end of time.’ Darletta Scruggs, a prominent member of the Black Lives Matter movement from Chicago also addressed the students. As did Claudia Cole, whose son Julian Cole who would have graduated from Bedfordshire University this year, but has been in a vegetative state since 2014 as a result of police brutality he experienced.
"There was a really good spirit about the march and we hope now that the government listens to students" A minute of silence was also held to pay respect to those who have been murdered as a result of their gender identity, as the demonstration took place the day before the transgender day of remembrance. The rally dispersed by four o’clock, with after parties being held at the nearby universities of Goldsmiths and SOAS. Keiller told Redbrick ‘it was a great day, there was a really good spirit about the march, and we hope now that the government listens to students.’
Higher Education Bill Progresses To House Of Lords Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman
On Monday 21st November, two days after demonstrations in London against rising tuition fees, MPs voted by a majority of 279 to 214 to approve the third reading of the Higher Education Bill meaning it will now progress to the House of Lords. Universities Minister Jo Johnson said in his concluding remarks that the bill would ensure that ‘students and the taxpayer receive good value for money from the system.’ Amongst many of the amendments to the bill that were rejected by MPs was one proposed by Labour MP and former NUS President, Wes Streeting, to set up an independent panel to agree future changes to the student loan repayment system. Gordon Marsden MP, Shadow Minister for Higher Education, criticised the government, saying: ‘Nowhere is there any adequate protections in this bill [...] for students, nothing for existing institutions, nothing to support them.' Shortly after the debate, NUS Vice President for Higher Education, Sorana Vieru, took to Facebook to share her frustration over the result, saying: ‘How are we to trust anything politicians say, or blame students for becoming disillusioned with parliamentary politics?’ The Higher Education Bill will now progress to be debated in the House of Lords, the second chamber of the UK Parliament which voted in favour of the rise in tuition fees to £9,000 in 2010.
Autumn Statement: How Will It Affect Us? Alice Rogers News Reporter @AliceR16
Last Wednesday, 23rd November, saw the publication of the annual Autumn Statement, giving Philip Hammond his first opportunity as Chancellor to address the question of what steps the government will take to prepare for the postBrexit British economy. In the opening lines of his speech to the House of Commons, Hammond rejoiced in the International Monetary Fund (IMF)’s prediction that ‘Britain will be the fastest growing major advanced economy in the world this year’, claiming that the economy has ‘bounced back from the depths of recession’ He outlined a number of key areas in which adjustments should be made in order to accommodate the continuation of this apparent economic success, highlighting areas such as the so-called ‘productivity gap’ and the housing crisis. He also stressed the importance of devoting large efforts into addressing the salient disparity of economic growth and prosperity across the country. But are any of these changes
likely to affect millennials? And if this autumn statement appears to so, in which areas are they most put this pressing issue at the top of likely to feel an impact? the government’s priority list. Firstly, those aged 21-24 can On Wednesday, it was revealed expect to see a 10p rise in the that the government is to invest minimum wage as of April 2017, £2.3 billion into housing, with the and a 5p increase for those who aim of building a further 100,000 fall into the 18-20 bracket. This affordable houses nationwide, rise is a move towards the govern- making access into the housing ment’s plans to see the minimum market that bit more feasible for wage for those aged 25 and over the majority of young people in at £9 by 2020, as outlined by the the country. former chancellor, George The statement also Osborne. revealed that it will ban Wages aside, letting agent’s fees ‘as another major soon as possible’ in source of anxiety England and Wales, for many mileliminating certain lennials in the administrative UK is the costs that are curaffordability of rently incurred The amount the housing. It is prior to the tenant no wonder that entering into a government will this is the case, housing contract. invest into given the fact that These costs, which housing - according to were calculated by research carried out Citizen’s Advice to by the independent average £337 nationally, market research group have long been criticised for Ipsos MORI in 2014 - the number exploiting the most economically of 27 year old homeowners stood vulnerable in society, throwing at 23% less than those of the same them deeper into debt. age in 1998. Theresa May’s govThis is certainly something to ernment has clearly acknowledged celebrate for students, many of the need to tackle this issue, and whom move houses year on year,
£2.3 billion
meaning that they are required to hand over this payment on multiple occasions. For a long time, this idea has received vast support in other circles, including Campbell Robb, the chief executive of housing charity Shelter, the driving force behind the campaign to change the law.
"Millions of renters in England have felt the financial strain of unfair letting agent fees for far too long" ‘Millions of renters in England have felt the financial strain of unfair letting agent fees for far too long,’ Robb said, ‘so we’re delighted with the government’s decision to ban them.’ This development follows far behind the example of Scotland, where these fees were banned in 2012. Nevertheless, despite seemingly moving towards a fairer
housing system, many in the housing industry have warned that introducing this measure will be likely to result in an even heavier financial burden on exactly those that it aims to protect. According to David Cox, managing director of the Association of Residential Letting Agents (ARLA), ‘If fees are banned, these costs will be passed on to landlords, who will need to recoup the costs elsewhere, inevitably through higher rents.’ Whether the autumn statement is likely to make the lives of millennials any easier is currently unclear. It is likely to put a bit more money in young people’s pockets thanks to the increase in minimum wage and the revision of laws surrounding the housing industry, so long as we don’t see a climb in rent charges. The government’s plans to invest more money in affordable housing may be music to the ears of the most optimistic millennials, but there is still a long way to go to find the answer to the housing crisis. The answer at this stage is simply that only time will tell.
NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricknews
05
Guild To Hold ‘Trial’ Live Music Event in January After Your Ideas Vote As the Guild Officer Team announce a ‘trial’ live music event at Joe’s Bar in January, Redbrick investigates what challenges were faced, what measures are being taken, and what future plans are in place for there to be more live music at the Guild Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman
Next January, a year after the suggestion to have more live music at the Guild passed on the Your Ideas platform, the Guild Officer Team are organising an open-mic style music event at Joe’s Bar. The event will give an opportunity for Guild student groups to showcase their talent, with some initial interest for involvement coming from the Live and Unsigned Music Society (LUMSoc) and Jazz, Funk and Soul Society (JFSSoc). Activities and Development Officer Natalie Cox compared the event to an open-mic night at The S’Oak and said that it will be like a normal Joe’s night, ‘really chilled out and casual, where you can just go and watch a band.’ She also added that this is one of the first live music events that the Guild has organised centrally. Although the Freshers’ Snow Ball event on Friday 2nd December will feature performances from DJs MistaJam and Shift K3Y at the Guild, this will be the first ‘band night’ organised by the Officers Team since they were mandated with the idea of having more live music at the Guild last January. Speaking to Redbrick, Adam Goldstone, the student who originally proposed the idea, said: ‘Before coming to university I kind of just assumed that there would be regular live music events at the Guild.’
"...really chilled out and casual, where you can just go and watch a band..." The description of his idea made reference to the fact that the Guild has a history of hosting ‘some of the biggest bands in the country’. This impressive list of artists includes Paul McCartney and the Wings in 1973, Duran Duran in 1979 and Blur in 1990. Perhaps surprisingly, big names could be found performing at the Guild as recently as 2009 when Calvin Harris played at Freshers’ Fest. ‘When I was on Guild Council, I wanted to run for Entertainments Committee,’ Goldstone said, ‘but found out it no longer existed, so I got in touch with the Officer Team.’ After nothing came about from his correspondence with the former Guild Officers, he decided that the most successful way of getting live music at the Guild was to mandate the Officer Team with the task of making it happen through the Your Ideas platform.
When voting closed, the idea had received one of the most positive responses, and was mandated to the Activities & Development Officer at the time, Ben Chapman. Although Chapman said that the Guild were looking into ways in which to facilitate regular live music nights, the mandate eventually had to be passed onto his successor, Natalie Cox. Speaking to Redbrick, Cox said that she has approached the idea from the perspective that live music played by societies is ‘under the radar in the Guild’ so giving student groups an opportunity to perform is her priority. She said that the music groups that she spoke to at a mini-forum earlier this semester gave a positive response to the idea of such an event, but preferred for it to be held at the beginning of the following semester.
"My hope is that this will help create a better atmosphere in Joe’s and encourage more people coming there for a pint" Representation and Resources Officer Brandon Hattiloney, told Redbrick that he had originally envisaged having a live music event in the Guild’s Underground, but was happy to see the first event at Joe’s Bar. ‘My hope is that this will help create a better atmosphere in Joe’s and encourage more people coming there for a pint,’ he said, ‘because I think it’s a really good facility, a really good bar.’ Hattiloney, who included having more live music at the Guild in his manifesto, said, ‘because there were so many elements and so many people to get together, it just took a little while longer than we would have wanted to.’ LUMSoc President Shannon Farmer, told Redbrick that she
"...A massive constraint is availability..." thought it would be good to open up Joe’s to this kind of event, but said that as a society they’ve tried to put on gigs in the Underground before. ‘A massive constraint is availability,’ she said. ‘Room bookings went up the other day, and the Underground goes straight away.’ Farmer explained that LUMSoc tried to organise an end of year event at the Guild last year but had
a ‘lack of communication’ when trying to book the Underground. ‘It took them two weeks to confirm that we couldn’t have it,’ she said, ‘which actually was really devastating for us because it meant we lost our headliners.’
"There’s no use in me fulfilling the mandate, and fulfilling my manifesto pledge by taking away from other people"
Bristol Pear or the Indie Lounge in Selly Oak do not charge them for using their venue, so their only costs there would be for a sound technicians or band expenses. She said: ‘Hopefully the Guild will be able to pay for security costs, and if there are any costs for bar staff. Because at the end of the day the Guild are set up to help student life and help improve it. By making us pay something that maybe we can’t afford, it might be a bit of a hindrance.’ Addressing the costs that student groups might incur by organising an event at the Guild themselves, Hattiloney said that it’s now much easier and cheaper to put on events that involve tech costs, but if you put on a large event that requires security, this cost is unavoidable.
Cox said that she’s aware of room booking issues, some of which were caused by a lack of staff over the summer. However, she has laid out measures that are being taken to address the issue. These include extending the hours that rooms can be booked by societies to 10pm, and allowing students to have access to a timetable showing which rooms are available to be booked. On a similar note, Hattiloney said, ‘space is always an issue in the Guild.’ He acknowledged He also added that the that having Guild organGuild may be able to ised music events in help societies cover the Underground these costs. ‘What might reduce its I’d always availability for stuencourage,’ he dent groups. said, ‘is if some‘There’s no use in one wants to put me fulfilling the on an event like Min bar spend in mandate, and fulthat, especially order to hire the filling my manias we’re just festo pledge by takbeginning to do Underground ing away from other this, and it’s an people,’ he said, ‘and existing mandate, that’s not something come and talk to the that I want to do.’ Officer Team because Nevertheless, he added: we’ll help facilitate it.’ ‘Through the existing system we Whilst the Officer Team have can always create a situation where described this event as a trial and there will be time and space. In my that future events might look difhead it’s not a good enough excuse ferent, one worry has been that the for me, or whoever’s sat in my Officers will concentrate excluchair, to say that there wasn’t sively on Guild-affiliated student space and time to do it.’ groups. Goldstone told Redbrick, Another issue preventing stu- ‘I did originally think that it would dent groups from putting on live be open not just to student groups, music events at the Guild is the because there are plenty of stucost that might come with it. dents that are not members of stuWhilst societies can put on a gig at dent groups. Joe’s Bar for free, holding a large event in the Underground requires student groups to pay for security costs, and opening the bar requires a minimum spend of £350, which the society would have to cover if bar sales aren’t high enough. What’s more, tech costs could become a factor depending on the type of event being held. Farmer told Redbrick that LUMSoc want to hold events at the Guild because, ‘it’s hard to get first years to Selly Oak, it’s hard to find space in Selly Oak and it’s hard to get any students into town.' ‘I also envisaged local bands However, she did say that the that were just starting out and
"Hopefully the Guild will be able to pay for security costs, and if there are any costs for bar staff"
£350
"It’s hard to get first years to Selly Oak, it’s hard to find space in Selly Oak and it’s hard to get any students into town"
would relish the opportunity to perform in front of a student audience,’ Goldstone said. ‘The Guild isn’t just for members of student groups, it should have events for all students. But I see this as a step in the right direction as long as it continues.’ Although Cox said that booking professional bands was beyond her remit and the focus of the mandate which is on student groups, she told Redbrick that the Officer Team have contacted big artists in the past but were told that the venue is too small, too far from the city centre and is too limited by tickets almost exclusively being sold to UoB students. Hattiloney said, ‘I would like the university and the Guild to have more of a culture of having performances and having music,’ and added that the event in January will be used as a model to bring in larger acts. ‘I would hope that people see what we’re trying to achieve,’ he said. ‘I have a stage that I want to get to, but I think it’s always going to be a continual development.’ Speaking of future plans, Cox said that ‘everything at the Guild is a trial’, using Societies’ Night in October as a recent example of a successful one. She also said that she would love for Friday nights at the Guild to be an open mic night. ‘They do it in Selly Oak as well which potentially has better venues,’ she said, ‘but Joe’s is more central to the Vale, Pritchatts and everywhere really.’
"The Guild isn’t just for members of student groups, it should have events for all students" Farmer said, that music events with only student groups performing would still be great, but that she’d like to also see professional bands playing at the Guild again one day. ‘In an ideal world, it would be really cool to get an event where there are bigger bands,’ she said, ‘but I think this is all going to take a lot of time, and having student groups playing is a lot easier.’ The next round of 'Your Ideas' voting closes on Friday 2nd December. The most popualr ideas currently include the disaffiliation of the Guild from Castle Cars taxi service and the allowing of printing credits to be topped up online. It remains to be seen what else the scheme will be able to achieve in this academic year and how well the proposed January event at the Guild will go.
06
NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricknews
Brexit Could Make Some University Courses Unavailable News Reporter, John Wimperis, investigates the effect Brexit will have on the availabiliy of certain courses in Scottish universities John Wimperis News Reporter
With EU funding to end and the number of international students from the EU expected to fall, many Scottish university courses may not have enough students to continue being taught and, according to one university ViceChancellor, one third of British universities might be under threat. Professor Sir Tim O’Shea, the Principal of Edinburgh University, claimed that ‘in some quite important areas, it is the students from the EU that are ensuring that key subjects have enough highly qualified students to study them.’ He also highlighted how courses could become ‘unviable, in the sense that there would not be enough university students to teach'. Out of the almost 232,570 students at Scottish universities,
around 20,000 are international students from the EU. Alistair Sim, the Director of Universities Scotland, acknowledged that, although high demand for places for home students remains, ‘a sudden loss of EU students could send shockwaves through certain subjects.’ He raised concerns that this could even ‘limit choice for our home students'. However, Mary Senior, Scottish Officer for UCU, the lecturers’ union, claimed that cutting courses was not the answer. She argued that ‘it is important for universities not to take shortsighted decisions based on worst case scenarios, and instead plan for the long-term future of all subjects.’ There are currently 125,000 international students from the EU studying at universities across the UK, supporting 19,000 British jobs and contributing £2.7 billion to the economy. However UCAS reported that, for the 2017/18 aca-
demic year, there has been a 9% drop in the number of early applications to British universities from the EU.
"It is important for universities not to take short sighted decisions based on worst case scenarios" The Brexit vote has undeniably been a critical factor in this. Sara Abouhilal, a first year Liberal Arts student at UoB who is from Poland, told Redbrick that ‘despite the university’s prompt reassurance my conditions are not going to change, I am now much more insecure about my future in the UK as a European student.’ She
said that, despite Brexit, ‘people think of [Britain] as a bright, better world so they will probably still want to come’, although she noted that if there was an increase in fees ‘people are not going to be able to afford it.’ The Prime Minister has not offered any guarantee to EU students in the UK beyond the 2017/18 academic year. Professor Hugh Brady, the Vice Chancellor of Bristol University, said the government must not use EU students as ‘bargaining chips’. Brady said in a Sky News interview that ‘if we want to continue to compete at that very top level, we have to maintain funding and, if international student funding drops, that hole has got to be fulfilled be either government funding or increased tuition fees.’ The UK receives about £1 billion from the EU in research funding each year, and EU funding comprises as much as 15% of a university’s
income at some institutions in the UK. ‘The lower one third of the sector would be under threat very quickly,’ warned Brady, in reference to the effects of the loss of EU students and funding, although he acknowledged that universities with a strong international reputation would be able to ‘weather the storm’. The Government stated that, as the UK leaves the EU, they would seek to ‘remain a leading destination for the brightest and best minds at all stages of their careers’. However, Brady claimed that ‘the UK system is up there with the very best in the world at the moment.’ He asked ‘why would we possibly want to jeopardise that system which is so important for our economic future?’
West Midland MEPs Express Uncertainty Over Brexit Impact Discussion at Birmingham Library addressed what will happen after exit Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman
Two West Midland MEPs answered questions on postBrexit Britain at a political debate at the Library of Birmingham. These included EU research grants, student exchange programs and the status of EU citizens in the UK. The event, which was organised by the European Parliament Information Office in the UK, is part of a series of events called ‘Meet your MEPs: What kind of Brexit do you want?’, and was moderated by BBC Wales presenter Jamie Owen. One of the greatest issues raised by audience members was the impact it would have on universities. Jessica Neumann who works in the International Office at Aston University said that the government’s response regarding the future of the Erasmus scheme so far has been ‘radio silence’. When asked whether the referendum has had an impact on student engagement, she noted there have been questions from students regarding potential mobility, and
it had been difficult to respond due to lack of information. Labour MEP Neena Gill noted that the government has confirmed that students up until the 2017 intake will be covered for the duration of their course. Nevertheless, she agreed that there is a prevalent sense of uncertainty for universities, much like other sectors, and highlighted the impact that this has been reported to have had already.
"We are ‘shooting ourselves in the foot’ with regards to research" Another audience member shared his concern that we are ‘shooting ourselves in the foot’ with regards to research as uncertainty remains over funding. He claimed that a lot of funding for research in the UK comes from EU grants and doesn’t believe that these grants will be replaced by the government. Sympathising with the gravity of the issue, UKIP MEP James
Carver said that the money that will be saved by the cessation of UK contributions to the EU will allow the government to spend more money than they currently do on research. When confronted with doubt over his claim, he responded by saying, ‘mark my words, this will be a big issue.’ One audience member, a French national who teaches a politics class at Aston University, highlighted her uncertainty over the future of EU citizens who have been living and working in the UK for several years. She also shared her experience of a personal incident that occurred whilst at work immediately after the Brexit vote in which a customer asked her, ‘have you packed your bags yet?’ Another EU citizen in the audience, a Portuguese postgraduate student, expressed concerns over being treated as a second -class citizen. She worries that EU citizens might not be granted equal access to public resources like the NHS given the anti-immigration rhetoric during the referendum campaign often focusing on the drain on resources. On a similar note, another audience member raised the point
that as an EU citizen with only Polish nationality, he was not allowed to vote on the future of his children who have grown up in the UK. He said that he felt part of British society and didn’t want to be alienated.
"75% of voters aged 24 and under voted to remain" Reporting on behalf of Redbrick, I asked the MEPs what can be done to ensure that young people’s views and concerns will be considered during the Brexit process given reports that 75% of voters aged 24 and under voted to remain in the EU. Labour MEP Neena Gill acknowledged that it would be young people who will feel the impact of Brexit the most, and said that there needs to be a campaign around remaining in the single market to ensure the best opportunities will be available in the future. Meanwhile, UKIP MEP James Carver said that young people need to engage with government
institutions and step away from party politics to get their voices heard. He claimed that he was encouraged by the high levels of engagement by young people in inner cities during the referendum campaign, and reminded the audience that many young people also voted to leave. Speaking to Redbrick after the event, one audience member shared her involvement in a youth movement called ‘Undivided’ that has recently picked up national media interest. Undivided is a youth group which came together in the wake of the EU Referendum to fight for young people to get the best deal in post-Brexit Britain. The group is formed of members from different backgrounds including both Leave and Remain voters as well as those under 18 who were not able to vote. They claim to be united by ‘the desire to fight for young people’s interests in all Brexit negotiations and ensure positive change.’ For more information on Undivided, you can visit their website: http:// www.weareundivided.co.uk/
NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricknews
07
Redbrick Investigates: The Race For First Mayor With just over five months until polling day, News Reporter, Erin Santillo introduces the candidates for the West Midland's first Mayorship Erin Santillo News Reporter
We may all be forgiven for developing a certain wariness in trusting political polls and bookmakers’ odds given the events of recent months, but Ladbrokes’ dramatic switch to favour the Conservative candidate for next year’s West Midlands Mayor election has strongly highlighted how the new seat will be a highly contested affair. Since the announcement of his candidacy in September, Andy Street CBE, former Managing Director of John Lewis, has been trailing behind his Labour rival, Sion Simon, in pollsters’ predictions. However, last week saw the odds change to a 4/6 chance of victory for Street, against Simon’s 5/4.
"A 4/6 chance of victory for Street, against Simon’s 5/4" With the election being held on 4th May 2017, this is one of the first key moments in what could develop into a tightly fought campaign. The winner will assume their office for three years until 2020, in order for the next vote to coincide with the local council elections; after which their political tenancy will be four years long. Similar to the role of the Mayor of London, the first Mayor of the region will oversee policy on transport, housing, business investment, jobs and strategic planning developments. They will also chair the West Midlands Combined Authority, which will be responsible for distributing £36.5 million of governmental funding into infrastructure improvements, and could also adopt the role of the regional Police and Crime Commissioner in the future. At the time of publishing, four candidates have been announced to be standing for the post. These are, in the current order of voting predictions, Andy Street for the Conservatives, Sion Simon for Labour, Beverley Nielson for the Liberal Democrats and the Green Party’s James Burn. As an introduction to Redbrick News’ coverage of the campaigns, we can now offer a brief summary of each of the candidates’ backgrounds and manifesto proposals for the future.
Andy Street CBE (CON) Born in Banbury, Oxfordshire, Street moved to the Northfield and Solihull area at a young age and attended King Edward’s School, which is situated opposite UoB’s Barber Institute of Fine Arts. After graduating from K e b l e College, University of Oxford, with a degree in Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE), he joined a graduate training programme at John Lewis in 1985, where he ascended the ranks before becoming Managing Director of the successful workers’ co-operative in 2007. Over his nine year tenure, Street increased sales by 50% and doubled the number of John Lewis stores nationwide, whilst becoming an influential member of the Prime Minister’s business advisory group. He has also chaired the Greater Birmingham and Solihull Local Enterprise Partnership (GBSLEP), which has enabled business and governmental cohesion in infrastructure developments and promoted the recent development of Paradise Circus. Following on from this work, Street has declared that housing and infrastructure will be at the heart of his mayoral manifesto. Despite his recent Conservative Party membership announcement, he has stated that he will ‘go beyond traditional political loyalties’ in this campaign, in order to ‘build the economic powerhouse of Britain in an inclusive way’.
supported the creation of new sixth-form colleges in Sandwell and Longbridge. After resigning before the 2010 general election, he campaigned for the establishment of a Mayor for Birmingham (a campaign that he lost in a referendum in 2012) and then became Labour’s European Spokesperson on the Employment and Social Affairs Committee as a Member of the E u r o p e a n Parliament (MEP) in May 2014. Ever since George Osbourne’s announcement of further devolution sparked the creation of his dream mayoral job, Simon has restarted his previous campaign. A strong supporter of the Remain campaign in this year’s EU referendum, Simon has announced that he will ‘vigorously’ challenge zero hour contracts, youth unemployment and agency work if he is elected next year.
"...A strong supporter of the Remain campaign" Beverley Nielsen (LIB DEM)
"...he will ‘go beyond traditional political loyalties'" Sion Simon MEP (LAB) The son of two Welsh-speaking teachers, Simon was raised in Hampstead and Great Barr and attended Magdalen College, University of Oxford, where he earned a degree in PPE. After a brief stint as a newspaper columnist for the Daily Telegraph and the Spectator, he stood for and won the election to become MP for Erdington. During this time, Simon became the UK’s Music Ambassador and Minister for Further Education; as which he
A highly successful local businesswoman, Nielsen was born in Worcestershire and from a young age developed a number of national ventures. Perhaps most notable were the launches of her IDEA thinktank and Birmingham Made Me (BMM) annual expo (in collaboration with Birmingham City University [BCU], where she is currently a director). Her work with BMM led her to work with ‘worldleading brands’ such as Jaguar Land Rover and AGA Rangemaster, and helped her become the Chief Executive of the Heart of England Tourist Board
and the West Midlands Director of the Confederation of British Industry (CBI) for twelve years.
"Mayoral priorities include securing housing and infrastructure funding" Nielsen’s role in the CBI which, at one point, also included international business deals in order to improve competitiveness across European markets - introduced her to politics, which sparked her successful campaign to become a Liberal Democrat county councillor for M a l v e r n , Worcestershire. In this position, Nielsen promoted entrepreneurial business and a boost in outdoor learning opportunities for young people. This experience has shaped her mayoral priorities, which include securing housing and infrastructure funding and giving the West Midlands a ‘fairer share of the national resource’. James Burn (GREEN) Although he may not have the business credentials of some of the other candidates, Burn’s political stance is firmly rooted in sparking a green ‘industrial revolution’ through increasing expenditure in low-carbon industries and manufacturing. Raised in the West Midlands, his political career began when he was elected a local councillor for the Green Party in Chelmsley Wood in 2014. Since then, Burn has become the opposition leader on S o l i h u l l Council, where he has been outspoken in his condemnation of the plans to build a second runway at Birmingham Airport. With a background in child protection and social work,
his policies are also focussed on improving investment in skills and transport links in deprived areas such as Sandwell and Wolverhampton. Burn believes that his mayorship would see a bridging of the regional skills gap, stating that it is a ‘scandal’ that one in seven people in the West Midlands have no qualifications compared with one in twelve nationally.
"...political stance is firmly rooted in sparking a green ‘industrial revolution’" He recently claimed that he envisions a ‘regional economy where no-one is left behind’. All four of these candidates are likely to attend debates and deliver speeches in the near future, which can be followed via social media channels and local journalism sources. Hopefully the above introductions have at least given you a flavour of the campaigns that are soon to be launched. If you live in Birmingham, Walsall, Sandwell, Dudley, Coventry, Solihull or Wolverhampton you will be able to vote in the 2017 election. Returning to the declaration that Ladbrokes are now favouring businessman Andy Street to win the election over the three other candidates, perhaps this is another reflection on the electorate’s r e c e n t rejection of career politicians in favour of ‘outsiders’ – as we have seen in the past few weeks across the Atlantic. It is also important to note that there is nothing stopping any other candidates from undeclared parties, such as UKIP, or Independent politicians from joining the campaign trail. However, with the bookmakers announcing odds and manifestos being published, it is clear that the race for the West Midlands’ first Mayor is already well underway.
Do you have opinions on this article? Tell them us: @redbrickpaper
08
NEWS
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricknews
UCL Rent Strike Results In £350,000 In Bursaries Emily Darby News Reporter
London students who took part in a rent strike last spring, one of the largest in British history, have succeeded as University College London (UCL) offers rent freezes and accommodation bursaries for disadvantaged students of up to £350,000. The main fear amongst students who took part in the strike is that university is becoming a profit-making business. This fear comes as institutions continue to raise rent prices and privatise halls, each year further deterring hundreds of poorer students from entering higher education. This year’s accommodation costs have risen by 18%.
Shelly Asquith, NUS Vice President of Welfare, fears that ‘the cost of living is driving people out of education,’ and blames the lack of response from universities who refuse to act on the rising costs as the main culprit for the strikes that have taken place. According to NUS statistics, students fork out £134 per week for their rent on average, while students in London pay £226 per week, leaving 50% of students unable to afford basic living expenses including rent and bills. Esther Lutz-Davis, a representative for Rent Strike Working Group, explains that ‘loans barely cover rent, and in London they don’t cover it,’ so many students are living in poverty as a result. In addition, the wider housing crisis has played a key role in outpricing students. The surge in
popularity of luxury accommodation and studio flats has caused an expansion that is pricing students out of the market. According to NUS, the number of such accommodation has increased from 6% in 2011 to 29% this academic year. Asquith attributes strength in numbers to the success of the rent strikes. ‘It makes it very difficult for the university to evict people en masse,’ she said. ‘It means students have more strength, in terms of negotiations and bargaining.’ With universities clambering to attract the best EU students after the Brexit vote, it seems likely that they will concede to strikers in order to avoid looking unattractive to potential students, due to high accommodation costs. Angus O’Brien, who helped organised last year’s UCL strike
said: ‘We knew that on the money side they could wait us out, but what they couldn’t take was the damage to their image. Students
"Loans barely cover rent, and in London they don’t cover it,’ so many students are living in poverty as a result." shouldn’t be scared to get their message out because they will find that lots of people are sympa-
thetic. And it’s very difficult for the university to counteract that.’ However, the organisation of the campaign is what set it up for success. Students held large demonstrations, started petitions and retained media interest. The plan to boycott on a university open day is what ultimately caused the university to stand down and respond. Asquith agrees that the campaign kept the university on its toes, and pledges to keep supporting strikes across the UK. Despite the NUS having had a poor reputation for supporting students over the past few years, under its new leadership, it seems to back student action. Asquith thus promises: ‘We’re going to see more rent strikes happening around different parts of the UK.’
London Uni Bans Red-Top Newspapers Josh Hamilton News Reporter
One hundred and eighty-two students of the City University of London's 19,500 strong student body recently voted that The Sun, Daily Mail and Daily Express should be banned from the campus. The decision came at their student union’s annual general meeting, in which the motion ‘opposing fascism and social divisiveness in the UK media’ was passed. It was stated that the papers targeted the ‘poorest members of society,’ and published Islamophobic content and hate
speech, as well as ‘inherently sexist’ articles. The motion indicates that in doing this, freedom of speech is being abused.
"There was no longer a place on campus fit for displaying such newspapers" The student’s union have made it unclear as to how the ban would be enforced, but decided that there
was no longer a place on campus fit for displaying such newspapers. They said that students should take an active role in pressuring the papers to ‘cease to fuel fascism, racial tension and hatred in society.’ City University of London runs a high-ranking journalism course. There are concerns that students could be deprived of a wide range of resources whilst studying. Many graduates also go on to be employed with such companies, causing worry over future job prospects. Niamh Coffey, second year History student at the University of Birmingham, said that ‘whilst they’re pretty awful papers and
their articles aren’t up to much, you can’t really dictate what people read. If you want to be the most knowledgeable person possible, you have to read a wide range of sources. If not, you’ll wind up in an intellectual bubble. So no, I don’t agree with the ban.’ Jodie Gisberg, chief executive of the Index on Censorship, also believes that the university should not be dictating what their students read. He said, ‘people should be free to choose what they read. Rather than banning things, we should be encouraging people to voice their objections to views and opinions they don’t like.’ This
comes from a fear amongst some students that issues are whitewashed, and not directly confronted. Harry Lindow, second year Birmingham Law student, said ‘you shouldn’t take away from anyone’s freedom of expression. We should be entitled to say whatever we want in our modern democracy, even if it is trashy. Although I think other universities will probably cave and end up banning them too.’ Only time will tell if UoB and other universities will follow suit and ban red-top papers from their campuses, or if students will be left with the decision of what to read.
Reading Boycotts University Challenge Branwen Onono News Reporter
Earlier this month, University of Reading students revealed that they would be boycotting BBC’s University Challenge due to claims of ‘misogynistic and sexist remarks’ by Jeremy Paxman. The student union voted 120 to 105 in favour of boycotting the BBC2 quiz show. Paxman claims to be ‘baffled’ by the decision to boycott as the incident occurred in February 2015, when Reading lost to Imperial College London by 75 points. Paxman cites a conversation about a team mascot (a hand knitted ‘Jeremy Paxman’ doll) as the source of the issue: ‘Across the several yards separating the chairman’s desk from the teams, I asked the whole team whether they took it to bed with them.’ Paxman added ‘though no com-
plaint was made at the time, this, apparently, is what has upset them.’ The 2015 team consisted of only one female team mate. Writing on Reading’s student union website, Niall Hamilton, the union’s education officer said that ‘misogyny and sexism are not about ‘offending’ contestants, but undermining and oppressing individuals due to their gender.’ The student union declined to give any further details citing a confidentiality agreement. The union’s boycott is not supported by the University of Reading who said that University Challenge is a ‘national institution’ and will be acting to make sure that the University is present in the contest. The University of Reading’s University Challenge team is usually organised by their student union. The university spokesman says that, ‘the university now plans to step in and recruit a team, given the students’
union has opted out’. University Challenge first aired in 1962, and was revived by the BBC in 1994 with Jeremy Paxman taking the role of quizmaster. Magdalen College, Oxford, and the University of Manchester have the most wins with four each. Neither the University of Reading or the University of Birmingham have ever won University Challenge. The boycott comes in a year that the University of Birmingham has been successful in the quiz show. In the second round, broadcasted on November 14th, Birmingham’s team beat the University of St. Andrews by 80 points, earning a place in the quarter finals. UoB’s team, captained by George Greenlees, blitzed through questions on Dutch scientists and Ancient Greece to secure their place in the next stage of the competition. Greenlees took to Twitter after his
win to congratulate the St. Andrews’ team, writing: "Finally caught up with last night. St Andrews were a great team, the camera doesn't do justice to how close the starters were.”
University of Birmingham has been successful so far in this years challenge beating University of St Andrews 195 to 115 points in the second round that aired the 14th of November.
COMMENT
Friday 2nd December 2015
@redbrickcomment
09
2016: Year In Review
Comment Editor Joe Goodsall recaps some of the positive aspects of 2016 Joe Goodsall
the JUNO spacecraft completed a Jupiter flyby, bringing us new insight into the workings of the huge planet. This is the first close flyby conducted so far away from Earth. It is a great testament to the ability of the scientists and engineers involved in the crafts construction, that it was able to conduct such an operation successfully and still send back information. The Pluto flyby from last year also yielded new results as, for the first time, we got photographic images of Pluto. And if that wasn’t enough, there have been recent murmurings among some members of the scientific community, that Pluto could be re-promoted to become a planet again. The most obviously positive story of the year must have been the Olympics and Paralympics. This was an exceptional year for Britain. Not only did we send 366 competitors in 25 sports, but they came home with 67 medals, 27 of which were gold. This put Britain, 2nd on the medal tables behind the U.S.A and ahead of China. On top of that, Andy Murray became No. 1 ranked Tennis player in the world after his victory at the Paris
Masters, after winning the Grand Slam, ATP World Tour Finals, Olympic Games and Masters 1000 titles, all in the same year, becoming the first person to do so. And it was good news in the Paralympics as well as Britain came home with 174 medals, 64 of which were gold. With a strong team, getting an unprecedented amount of publicity at home, Britain’s Paralympic team has never been stronger or more popular.
ades of work and millions of pounds going into their conservation. The atmosphere is also showing positive signs. Though the amount of CO2 in the air is still staggeringly high, an international study, published in Nature Communications showed that global efforts to go green are having a noticeable impact on the levels of carbon in the atmosphere whilst emissions from burning fossil fuels have seen ‘almost no growth’ according to a separate study from the University
of East Anglia. Health news was another area which looked fairly grim. The zika virus which sprang up in which sent many people into panic, quite overlooking the fact that the WHO (World Health Organisation) called an end to the Ebola epidemic in the Republic of Guinea and in Liberia. Since Ebola was such a hot button issue last year it is a great relief that we can stop worrying about the spread of the seemingly incurable disease. Another breakthrough with a seemingly incurable disease (in this case, Motor Neurones Disease) was announced this year. It turns out the Ice Bucket Challenge wasn't a waste of time after all! You don’t remember the Ice Bucket Challenge? That fad from a couple of years ago? Where people poured water over themselves? Remember now? Well, regardless, the money raised, funded a huge breakthrough in research, as members of the ALS Association announced that they had identified a new gene which associated with the disease, opening up new possibilities to finding a cure. Science was in the news as
Environmental conservation has been taken seriously. India planted 50 million trees.
Britain participated in the Olympics and Paralympics winning in 214 medals in total.
The solar powered plane made a trip around the world without stopping for fuel.
Andy Murray becomes the World No. 1 in Paris after winning four international titles.
The global tiger population increases for the first time in a century.
David Attenborough gave us an incredible second series of Planet Earth.
Yes he Khan! Sadiq Khan storms the mayoral race and opens a 24 hour tube service.
The Great British Bake off gave us the wonderful baker, Selasi Gbormittah.
President Obama met the future King of England just before his bedtime.
Kylie Jenner predicted that 2016 was the year of realising stuff and she was right.
Comment Editor @MightyLlama42
Last year, Redbrick Comment observed that 2015 had not been a great year and expressed hope that the next year would be better. 2016 read that article, laughed and then proceeded to force feed us our own words time and time again. It would be cliché to list the things which went wrong this year, and frankly, what good would it do everyone to remind them of all the bad things? So in the spirit of a fast approaching Christmas, Redbrick Comment will be eating its own words and tempting fate once more, as we take an overview of all the good things which happened in 2016. Trump’s stance on climate change might cause many concern (and not without good reason!) but it overlooks the fact that this has been a very good year for environmental conservation. India alone planted 50, 000, 000 trees in just one day whilst a solar powered plane, designed and flown by Bertrand Piccard, made its first round the world flight
without stopping for fuel, revolutionising air travel and paving the way for energy efficient travel of the future. The tiger population began to grow again for the first time in 100 years, justifying dec-
"It would be cliché to list the things which went wrong this year, and frankly, what good would it do everyone?"
"This was an exceptional year for Britain... they came home with 67 medals, 27 of which were gold" But we can’t overlook the fact that 2016 just piles on one disappointment after another. Now we don’t like to tempt fate, but I might venture to say that things can only get better from here. Here’s to hoping that next year's issue, will have no need of a good news column!
The Silver Linings of This Abysmal Year
Satirist Sam Yearley gives a new perspective on some of the things from this year Sam Yearley Satirist @YearleySam
In the final month of 2016 it is important to look back and take stock of how the year has gone, and I am hoping to help put a positive spin on some things that people are currently thinking of negatively.
1. Celebrity Deaths:
Alas, there have been many deaths this year of notable celebs who will be sorely missed around the world. The list includes great names such as: Bowie, Snape, Jean Wilder, New C h e k o v, Muhammad Ali, The Prince Formerly known
as Prince, and the lists goes on, full of too many people that meant so much to so many. But, one thing to bear in mind is that what do all these people have in common? They won’t have to live through Trump’s presidency! They’ve really dodged a bullet there! (No pun intended for those that literally failed to dodge a bullet). And there isn’t one amongst us who isn’t jealous of that lucky bunch. Leonard Cohen was even lucky enough to make the list, managing to depart just a few sweet hours before Trump’s victory was announced. What celebs do you want to spare from
Trump’s presidency? My personal choice is Mike Pence.
2. The First Female President NOT Elected:
Let me finish! If you missed the above joke, let me make it clear that I wanted Hillary to win, and I think Trump’s undemocratic victory is a terrible injustice. However, there are a few undeniable upsides to Hillary not getting into office. Firstly, the opportunity to be the first female president is still up for grabs! All you US girls out there, take this as an inspiration to get involved, and get political. You could be the first female president of the United States and go down in history! And if the US needs anything right now, it’s more women in politics.
Secondly, it’s important to note that with a Trump victory it means we’re still winning 2-1 against the US for non-white non-male leaders! Go Brits!
3. Harambe:
The death of this noble and proud Gorilla brought tears to many eyes, but it is important to remember that... that... NOPE! Sorry! I’ve not got anything for this one! I thought I could find a joke in here somewhere, but it’s impossible! Let’s just move on!
4.The End of the DiCaprio Oscar Memes:
When award season came around and Leonardo finally won his long sought Oscar the world wept. It was the end of an era, from memes to dad jokes; so many classics were now null and
void as a result of that evening. It was a difficult time, but we all got through it, and now we can look back and see the wonder that the occasion actually created. For a few beautiful weeks, we could all make jokes about DiCaprio FINALLY winning that Oscar. It was a golden age for no small part due to the fact that we could all rehash old jokes about him not winning one and change the tense. It was an easy few weeks for comedy writers. And I guess the guy finally won something he cherished etc. etc. So as we move into 2017, try to bear all of this in mind, and maybe things that happen next year will be a little easier if you’re able to put the positive spin on it yourself.
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COMMENT
Friday 2nd December 2016
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When Will The Wizarding World Stop?
Commentator Kat Smith questions the need for more Potter content Kat Smith
Comment Writer
Leaving the cinema in 2011 wrapped in our Hogwarts scarves, circular glasses and lightning bolt sharpie-tattoos, we faced the bittersweet end of our favourite series: Harry Potter. Or that’s what we thought. Growing up anticipating a new book or movie following our well-loved wizarding trio felt like a comfort blanket; our generation grew up with Harry, Hermione and Ron as the protagonists of our daily bedtime stories, inspiring us with the possibilities of what secondaryschool-aged teenagers could achieve. Most people would remark at how lucky we were to have such an extensive yet relatable story to follow during our childhood. When the final Deathly Hallows film was released, it was enough for my 13-year-oldself to accept the ending of something that had begun before I was born. One last trip to the cinema to see the final instalment on the big screen. It was a moment that had been anticipated globally for years. After the series ended, the Warner Brother’s studio tour and various movie marathons were
enough to indulge my nostalgia. To me, Harry’s story was over. Now, almost 20 years after the first Harry Potter book was published in June 1997, we find ourselves surrounded by trailers, billboards and bus posters once again. The build-up and now the cinematic release of Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them has taken over most social media feeds, with various articles containing endless relatable GIFs of Eddie Redmayne and Buzzfeed quizzes on which beast we’d be. At first I was excited to get a spin-off exploring more of the wizarding world, but on learning that Rowling had planned for five of these films to be made, it all began to seem a little excessive.
"I don’t think the magic of Harry’s story can be surpassed or heightened" To be fair to J.K. Rowling, she had made it clear from the beginning that Newt Scamander (whom the story follows) was not just going to be another,
older Harry so perhaps we don’t have to be so protective of the original story. And when you write books and screenplays for almost 15 years about a whole world that’s limited to the adventures of the protagonist, it must be tempting to keep going when their story ends. Maybe this is wishful thinking, but it doesn’t seem that the introduction of a Fantastic Beasts series is an attempt at cash-grabbing for Rowling. She is, after all, known for losing her place on the Forbes billionaires list due to the extent of her charitable giving and for founding her charity Lumos which seeks to end the institutionalisation of children. The original Fantastic Beasts book was also written to raise money for Comic Relief and alongside its companion, ‘Quidditch through the Ages’, they raised £17 million for the charity. I hope the new series isn’t to reel in even more than the approximate $10 billion made by the movie franchise alone... I really hope it’s a genuine attempt to prolong the magic. Though, there are still questions regarding what these new films will do to the story itself. The focus on other elements of the wizarding world seems to dilute the original story; I don’t
think the magic of Harry’s story can be surpassed or heightened by any other backstory or spinoff as any attempt will be futile. The magic of the Wizarding
world as we’ve seen it doesn’t only lie in the various beasts and spells. The protagonists’ development over the years and their lives growing up together and alongside us was the main charm of the Harry Potter story, with the actual magic merely making this more enchanting. Why can’t we just leave it how it is? The release of the new films makes me wonder if we’ll get to the point where there will be as many films about the wizarding world as there is the normal world - maybe we’ll eventually get a story about the origins of
the first wizards on earth, or the wizarding world's reaction to the apocalypse (I say this as a joke but to be honest, it might happen). It all seems to be unnecessarily prolonging the story, especially when Fantastic Beasts is set 70 years before Harry reads the Scamander’s book. The curiosity we have regarding the pretext to the original series is perhaps better left unsatisfied – it seems to be more magical that way. I’ve always had an admiration for authors and producers who can tell when it’s right for a series to end. HBO admitted their plans to end the Game of Thrones television series after season eight while it’s still in it’s prime and although it’s sad to know it’ll end, we’ll be glad we didn’t get a chance to be bored of it. It would’ve been better this way for Harry Potter as well, it’s not the only franchise with the potential for spin-off movies (consider the Hunger Games etc.) but surely it’s better to end with a bang rather than fizzling out. Though I can’t currently imagine losing excitement over the wizarding world, I’m scared that five more movies will bring me close to looking back on the Potter franchise with fatigue rather than fondness.
Expression Without Emojis
Comment Editor Aamina Siddiqi expresses an unpopular opinion Aamina Siddiqi Comment Editor @aamina_siddiqi
I’m an emoji hater. According to a 2015 Emoji Report, my lack of participation makes me one of the elusive 8% of internet users who do not use emoji - we should have a support club. The 2016 Emoji Report states that 2.3 trillion messages sent this year incorporated within it an emoji and that heavy mobile phone users are part of the 'emoji elite’. Does that make those who avoid them the emoji peasant?
"Not engaging in something is like being a foreigner and purchasing a translation dictionary doesn’t help much." Last year the Oxford English Dictionary’s word of the year was not a word but rather the crying laughing emoji because it comprised 20% of all emojis used in the UK. Humans are also the only species that have a language and that use words to communicate what they want to say and express how they feel . Emoji usage in the face of this is a regression. Since their worldwide domination, I just have a
lot of questions. Can you no longer tell someone that you love them without using the appropriately coloured heart to match your aesthetic? Does everything need to be followed with a symbol? Do people really have signature emojis? Not engaging in something that is fairly widespread is a lot like being a foreigner and not understanding a word that anyone says and purchasing a translation dictionary that doesn’t help. I do feel that there are now gaps in my language because the tone of what is understood over text is heavily elicited by the emojis used. A message saying ‘happy birthday’ doesn’t enthuse the sentiments behind it unless it is surrounded by sparkles and balloons. I receive emails with emojis in the subject and it has even permeated the real world with emoji plus toys and memorabilia - even if you love them, the last thing you need in your life are emoji socks. How far does it go? Will the novels of the future be littered with emojis because the author is unable to communicate what they mean in a similar fashion to a children’s sound book where the in-text symbol tells the reader what symbol to press to get a sound. Do people who say ‘lol’
in real life one day try to speak in emoji? However, since emojis are a Japanese creation it is evident that the symbols being used aren’t stemming from a language that is English. Under the clothing options there is a kimono, when it comes to food there are sushi, rice, ramen, prawn and being renowned for their transportation this is also represented in emoji. The emojis that represented human beings were a defaulted yellow colour but since expressing a diversity in skin tones, Apple released five skin tones in response which actually led to backlash because the default yellow colour still remains and is synonymous to a history of racism that east Asians have been subjected to. Still there have been other updates to reclaim the emoji, eye rolling for instance has been captured in emoji form and there are more world flags than ever before, but not one for Wales or Scotland (presumably after a second independence referendum for freedom). The iPhone emoji also got an iOS update by Apple and there have been many improvements when it comes to inclusivity, there are
a range of families including single parents, there is now a man and a woman wearing a turban but where’s the man with a beard for the hipsters? Where’s the hijab emoji? And, where is the left-handed inclusivity? The hand holding the pen is a right hand, the boy and girl both have their right hands raised and all writing tools are slanted to the right except for the pencil. Are left handers only represented with a pencil because it is the only thing that can be erased?
"Will the novels of the future be littered with emojis because the author is unable to communicate what they mean?" Kim Kardashian, perhaps after being frustrated at being represented through the peach emoji, released ‘Kimoji’ which was released because the star felt as though she was missing out with emoji usage and decided to create her own. They include various parts of Kim’s body, emoji’s of Kim different expressions and hair colours (including her crying), phrases like ‘bye bitch’ and of course a selfie emoji. For those of us who aren’t multi millionaires and cannot create emojis to suit our needs, there is Bitstrips and
Bitmoji where users can create themselves in an emoji form and use them in messages and other forms of social media such as Facebook and Snapchat. The CEO of Bitstrips Jacob Blackstock told Business Insider that 'it adds back into conversation what makes us human’ but is that because most of the conversations we are having are now online and not over the phone or in person? It is possible to send the ‘wrong emoji’ and one that can be so loaded with inappropriate meaning, but the same can happen with autocorrect. There are definitely positive sides to using emojis as they aid conversation and also the universality of some symbols create the scope for communication among people who do not have a shared language, which may become imperative as some countries open their borders for international refugees. Humans who have preceded us used symbols to communicate, the walls of ancient Egypt were covered with hieroglyphics (the O.G. emoji) and historians who have studied these mention the richness of stories conveyed in the them; a picture can say a thousand words. I am aware that my opinion in disliking the modern day emoji is an unpopular one and that I have made life difficult for myself in using words that I so dearly love. But Maybe one day the fear of missing out will get to me and I’ll send a thumbs up.
COMMENT
Friday 2nd December 2016
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Politically International Student Correct Tweets Woes
Commentator Kamila Geremek Jaffer Muljiani is upset by the treatment of interis concerned with online censor- national students in this country ship amidst political parties Jaffer Muljiani
Kamila Geremek Commentator
There is no denying that social media has a huge influence in the way we view our world. Twitter is the perfect platform to express your views in just 140 characters however if your views do not fit the general consensus of the average twitter user are you actually allowed to express those views? Twitter suspended high-profile accounts associated with the alt-right movement, the same day the social media service said it would crack down on hate speech. Twitter has always
"People can get very aggressive and attached to their political views" been a place of free speech, a way to engage with people from all over the world and discuss politics, the environment or even what you’re having for breakfast. The issue here is the views expressed by these accounts could be argued to just be simply racist, but ultimately they are just another political view held by an individual who places himself on the extreme right of the political spectrum. One of the accounts suspended, owned by Richard Spencer, said that he enacted blacks, Asians, Hispanics and Jews removed from the US entirely. Spencer has since posted a video on YouTube claiming that Twitter has attempted to wipe out the alt right and that it would not succeed in doing so. Personally, he is right, these views will always remain and they will always find their way to be publicized on some sort of media platform, so why does Twitter want to ban such views? The main problem with using Twitter as a platform for political engagements is the people can get very aggressive and attached to their politics views, and that it is impossible to hold a view that is not in line with what everyone else is saying. This was clearly visible during the Presidential Election when insults were flying all over timelines. News stories and conspiracy theories were constantly written about every day leading up the election, and it honestly felt too terrifying to speak out on anything without the potential of having five different accounts replying with hate. The main frustration is that many people that speak out have actually not educated themselves enough to express their views in a coherent argument. Twitter can easily influence your views if you are only exposed to one side of the argument or, if you only see one biased news story tweeted about throughout the day. This is the issue
that occurred with the fake news stories that were visible on Facebook, posted by Facebook itself. Social media makes us jump to conclusions and make judgments upon a topic purely because it appears frequetly on our timelines and therefore must be the general view. On the other hand, Twitter allows for young people to engage in politics meaning that turnout can improve. You don’t have to look far to see that political engagement has increased with the use of twitter for politics by the millennial generation of fresh newly registered voters. All timelines were poring with tweets following the results of the Brexit referendum, some expressing joy whilst other looking at the countries future in disbelief and misery. But the most important thing was that people were engaged and that they cared. It’s the perfect place to see the argument from both sides, if you do your research, and make your own judgment and because it is so concise and interactive it means that its not like reading the newspaper, its in fact just like having chat with your friends but with the whole world. So should views that are so far right be banned? Would someone with extremely left wing views be treated in the same manner? If twitter is truly to be used as a place of free speech and a place away from discrimination, then a balance must be struck. Ultimately, the alt-right is making general points, some that have been publically outspoken by the elect-president himself, and unless they are being truly racist and applying stereotypes and using vulgar language, then such views should be allowed to be expressed, for the sake of democracy and education.
"It is impossible to hold a view that is not in line with what everyone else is saying" Politics should never be about attacking someone’s personal views but a way of being involved with an intellectually stimulating debate where you can express your arguments and reveal the flaws of the other side. I am all for Twitter cracking down on hate speech but at the same time it is completely unfair to silence those that have extreme views that do not fit in with the general public, after all democracy is all about being represented and what better way to achieve that then to express your views in 140 characters or less.
Commentator
When Theresa May was sworn in as Britain’s Prime Minister on the 11th of July 2016, there were groans across the international student community. In a nation where xenophobia and hate crimes are on the rise, this was yet another nail in the coffin for the international student. We pay exorbitant fees often more than twice the £9000 that EU/British students do, for the price of being born elsewhere. On arrival at University, international students queue to give fingerprints and eye scans - something you’d associate with criminals rather than students (this despite giving biometrics prior to flying in). I flew into Birmingham a little over two years ago, a little bit nervous, a little bit apprehensive, but excited. I’ve had experiences I wouldn’t have had elsewhere, made friends from all walks of life, worked part-time, volunteered, played a sport, sat on society committees - I’ve adapted, integrated and have absolutely loved my time here. I’ve put in blood (I cut myself opening a can of beans), sweat and tears. I’ve built a life for
myself. I’ve learned how to make a good cup of tea. I complain about the weather everyday - regardless of whether it is sunny, rainy, cold or warm. I've got a constant cold. The other day, I felt a strange sense of satisfaction in standing in a long queue at Tesco and occasionally tuttutting when someone took too long at the checkout counter. I've come to enjoy being a miserable, sarcastic git. Which is why it is jarring, as graduation draws near, to find
"I've learned how to make a good cup of tea. I complain about the weather everyday..." out that it is nearly impossible to continue my life here. As opposed to other countries like Canada, Australia and the United States - where a peri-
od of at least a year is given after graduation to find work, student visas for international students in Britain expire about four months after graduation - not a lot of time to find work. Finding a job is even harder than it is for a British/EU student. Even top firms such as Unilever and Tesco don’t accept applications to their graduate scheme from international students with no explanation as to why. I don’t expect to be handed a job on a plate just because I’ve moved three thousand miles, contributed tens of thousands of pounds into the economy, paid higher fees and integrated into society. I do however, expect to be given the opportunity to at least apply for graduate schemes. If someone else is the better fit, that’s fair enough, at least I ran the race. As it stands, I haven’t even got onto the track.
Finding Memo
Satirist Sam Yearley gives a new perspective on some of the things from this year Sam Yearley Satirist @YearleySam
On the 7th of November a memo was leaked from Downing Street revealing that May and her cabinet have worryingly little planned for the exit of the EU. This was a rare insight into the behind the scenes of government goingson, and I hope to delve into the small print of this memo, and take a good look at what the mainstream media have overlooked. Brexit is a huge undertaking, and will require a lot of people doing a lot of things if it’s all going to work properly. This is understandable, but the prediction for the number of civil servants that will need to be hired is staggering. A whopping 30,000 additional civil servants is going to be required to handle all the tasks of Brexit, and this number becomes even scarier when you think about the fact we can’t use immigrant labour to get it done. It seems up until this point the word ‘servant’ had been synonymous with the word ‘immigrant’ to the Tories, and this has led to their shocking lack of preparation. Part of the
memo is someone pointing out to May that the civil servants hired need to be trained professionals to handle these tasks, and also that hiring a bunch of immigrants to do all this work would be a proper piss take, that no one would let her get away with. There is also the matter of the nation being left wondering what the cabinet has been up to for the last 4 months? Brexit’s the only thing that’s been in the news, so they’ve not been discussing anything else. Luckily, by analysing language used within the memo, I believe I have worked out exactly what it is May and her cabinet have been up to all this time. Key words have been repeated throughout the memo, including ‘we will have to drop some policies’, ‘oh, stick it where the sun don’t shine’, and perhaps most damningly of all ‘May is really losing her marbles’ That’s right! I believe that the people we’ve entrusted to run this country including the prime minister we all put our faith in when we
voted for her, have been doing nothing but playing a huge game of KerPlunk. Notice that the cabinet have been really secretive about their discussions and meetings. They’ve released almost nothing to the press about their plans, and it’s because they don’t have any. My theory is that May is on a winning streak. Winning game after game of KerPlunk against those she assembled for no other reason than to play the game. How else can you explain Boris Johnson and Jeremy Hunt still being on the cabinet after years of screw ups? They’ve proved themselves on the round plastic battle ground. That’s how! I know a lot of people out there won’t believe this - they’ll call me mad. But stop for a moment and think about it. I can’t believe that a government of experienced politicians has spent four months planning for one of the biggest challenges our nation has ever faced, and the result has been absolutely nothing. This can’t be a result of them actually being quite incompetent. No, it’s got to be KerPlunk.
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Friday 2nd December 2016
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Christmas Market: Home and Away Will Haynes Food Writer
On my third visit to the markets in three years, I opted to try a dish that I have eaten in Germany once before, and thoroughly enjoyed. A Schnitzel is meat, thinned by pounding with a tenderizer, coated with flour, beaten eggs and bread crumbs, and then fried. In Germany, Schnitzel is usually made of pork, so I opted for that instead of chicken. A cutlet of fried meat with a side of fries, you can’t go wrong, right? Unfortunately, the dish I was served was disappointing: a chewy loin of pork (that my plastic cutlery could not conquer), coated in a bland, soggy breadcrumb coating. The chips were better, thin and crispy, but ruined by drowning in a lacklustre mushroom sauce with no depth of flavour.
Caitlin Dickinson
Phoebe Radford
This year was my first time at the Birmingham Christmas markets, so I undoubtedly had to try something new. I bought a half-pint of ‘weissbeir’ which is a wheat beer I have never tried before, and it tasted much like a bitter ale. Bright gold in colour, with a foamy top, it was certainly worth every penny I spent. After a couple of these, I sampled some festive chocolates in the shape of snowmen and Christmas trees at a stall. Given my sweet tooth, these stole the show of the food scene at the Christmas markets.
The promise of German street food was the main reason I was so excited to go to the Christmas markets, but having eaten very little all day, I was starving by the time we arrived and headed to the first frankfurter stand in sight. It wasn’t the most authentic sausage, but it was big and you can choose your toppings and add them yourself (so no one was being stingy with the ketchup). I do wish I’d looked around a bit more before I decided as later I saw a grilled ham stand with these huge hams on a spit roast that smelled incredible. Later in the evening I had a selection of chocolates from a chocolatier stand. They were pricey, but I am already planning my next trip to the markets so I can get another Bailey’s chocolate!
Food Writer
Food Editor
Birmingham Sahar Jamfar Food Writer
Even though I know the German market is the same every year, it doesn’t stop me visiting several times in such a small period. For the first visit of 2016, I obviously had a bratwurst, followed by a
Tasha Smart Food Editor
Being veggie, I was forced to search through the piles upon piles of frankfurters to see what I could discover. I stumbled across a veggie hut offering Zwiebel im Bierteig, effectively a deep-fried onion. Though hesitant at first, I gave it a go. I must say it was a massive helping (at £4 I did want something substantial), and it was somewhat reminiscent of an onion ring in flavour – though much harder to eat! Tearing it apart while walking around led to a bit of a mess, and I ultimately did abandon it. I’d suggest it as maybe something to share amongst a group, not just for one!
"It's well worth a visit!" The dessert items on offer all looked amazing, from crepes filled with nutella to churros and chocolate. However, I chose to opt for something a bit less heavy in the form of a Bailey’s hot chocolate. At £5 it was a bit pricey, and the portion wasn’t massive, but it was certainly delicious. Perfectly creamy and sweet, you could certainly taste the Bailey’s, and everyone was in agreement that it was a great hot chocolate.
cup of hot toffee cider and a camembert and cranberry pretzel. The hot cider felt amazing to drink in the cold weather and the pretzel was such a heavenly combination. The atmosphere was great, not too busy but also not too quiet. The stalls had great gift ideas too, there were many things I was tempted by (mainly for myself). It’s well worth a visit!
Jennifer Cook Food Writer
The first thing that struck me about the Weinachtsmarkt in Heidelberg (which is ‘Christmas Market’ for anyone who isn’t an expert on German festive vocabulary) was how seamlessly it fit in with the old town. Of course you don’t expect to find a full-sized carousel in front of your lecture hall everyday but the old town squares that usually offer no more than a place to sit or a rack to park your bike suddenly felt like they had a dedicated purpose. My first glimpse of this hidden potential occurred last week
"So, what was my consensus when the big reveal came? Sehr gut natürlich!" as I wove between various delivery vans and food trucks on my journey to class. Whilst some might think that the exposure to this unglamorous side of events may threaten to jeopardise the illusion of a mystical winter won
derland, it really only added to my excitement. So, what was my consensus when the big reveal came? Sehr gut natürlich! I don’t know if it’s the fact that everything unfamiliar to me here holds an exciting potential or the fact that I went to the market on an empty stomach but I thoroughly enjoyed myself. I was fortunate to have with
me my very own German guide who patiently answered all my questions, which mainly consisted of me pointing and repeating ‘remind me what that means?’ over and over again. Having someone that actually knew about German culture and traditions
with me was a massive bonus, as I was able to get the insider view on whether the items for sale at the market were typically German or if they were...well, over-priced things for the tourists to buy. I may talk about tourists with an air of derision now but that didn’t stop me from acting like one during my visit. Souvenir mug? Of course.
Heidelberg
In terms of food there was a large variety on offer, much more than
"The market offered a bounty of culinary delights" the expected repetitions of Bratwurst and Kartoffel stalls. The market offered a bounty of culinary delights including: an all vegan stand (offering a falafel wrap and pumpkin soup); a Langos stall (langos being a traditional Hungarian dough dish served with either sweet or savoury toppings); a Raclette stall (which made its presence known by the aroma it emitted across the square) and a stand offering Kartoffelpuffer (think potato rosti) and Dampfnudel (think GBBO). As for the drinks available,
Glühwein was by no means the only option. Glühbier and Jäegertee were two of the traditional winter drinks on offer, whilst the Kinderpunsch and Weinachsztimtapfel were there for those who preferred to have a more memorable evening, literally. If you ever get the chance to experience a real German market I wholeheartedly encourage you to go and enjoy it for yourself; it truly is a wonderful way to start the festive period. In the meantime (whilst the threat of student loans prohibit whimsical international travel), go to the German Society and try and grab yourself a native who can give you the honest picture of whether Birmingham’s replica market really measures up to size.
Price Comparison Bratwurst €3.50 Currywurst €4.00 Gluhwein €3.00 (+ €2.50 deposit for mug) Pommes €3.00 Sweet Crepe €2.50-€3.50 Savoury Crepe €3.50-€4.50
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Friday 2nd December 2016
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The Ultimate Christmas Gift Guide The Life&Style team recommend gifts that should be on your shopping list this year Grandparents- Kamila Geremek Cosy Slippers: All grandparents deserve comfort and what better way to achieve that than receiving some fabulously warm slippers that they can lounge around in all day long. My personal preference is the UGG Scuffette, a perfectly warm slipper that is super soft and makes you never want to take them off. Cookbooks: Most of us probably have that one grandparent who always thinks we look too skinny and need to be overstuffed at the dinner table during Christmas, so a cookbook is perfect if they’re constantly experimenting in the kitchen. If you wanted a more personalised touch, the “My family Cookbook” (available on Amazon) is perfect for the grandparents who have an array of family recipes that are scattered all over the kitchen. Personalised Photo Products: If you’re looking for a sentimental gift, this is ideal. A personalised calendar is great for the grandparent who likes to stay organised or a mouse mat of the giant family picture you took last Christmas for those that are always connecting on Skype with their loved ones. A photo album is also a good choice if you have a lot of family pictures to choose from and it's too difficult to decide which ones should make it on the personalised gift. Drink Accessories: If your grandparents have a massive bar stocked with all kinds of alcohol that they frequently like to enjoy alongside their peaceful evenings then some drinking accessories would be a good way to go. Whisky stones, cocktail shakers, fancy curly straws or even some new drinking glasses, it's entirely up to you, a perfect socking filler or main gift depending on how much cash you want to splash.
Siblings- Lucy Joseph Home Accessories: Are your siblings setting up a new home? Why not get them something that doesn't quite fit into that ‘essential’ categorybut something their new pad would benefit from nonetheless, for example, a smoothie maker! There are some very well priced ones out there at the moment! Or why not go for personalised posters or cushions? An Experience: Personally, I think this is the winning option. Treat yourself and your siblings to an activity that you can all enjoy together, combining your interests and hobbies. Whether that be going to a musical or football match, having afternoon tea or a photoshoot, take a day out this holiday to spend with your siblings and make some memories that will no doubt last longer than anything else. Something for NYE: Every year, we make plans that weigh far too heavily on our expectations - and I’m sure we all try to look our best when participating in this annual disappointment. Regardless, grab your brother or sister something that will jazz up their outfit, whether it be a delicate little anklet or a pocket square in your brother’s favourite colour. You know them best and you’ll know what will make them feel like fire that night. Subscriptions: Although this is quite an expensive present to uphold (including a monthly fee) you might be able to get short period subscriptions. Knowing your siblings, you’ll know where their interests lie and what will make them excited each month for their anticipated delivery. From ‘The Economist’ to a monthly bunch of flowers; this would be the present that keeps on giving.
Girlfriends & Boyfriends- Eleanor Ebbage Makeup: Buying makeup for your girlfriend can be quite intimidating because there’s so much to choose from. NARS do great quality eyeshadow palettes or lipsticks, or stay classic with MAC. If you’re feeling fancy and she’s a true beauty hoarder, check out the Hourglass Ambient Lighting Powders to really make her swoon. A new purse or cardholder: People never really buy their own purses so it makes a great gift, and a little leather cardholder would be perfect for someone who always complains that they have a heavy bag as it saves on space. Cardholders are also the perfect accessory for a girl who loves her loyalty cards!
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Jewellery: For the classic romantic, you can never go wrong with a piece of jewellery that they’ll love. If you know what they like, go for a necklace or ring, or for something subtle you could go for a bracelet charm. Chances are she’ll love whatever jewellery you opt for - just make sure you know if she’s a gold or silver type girl! Xbox / PlayStation games: If he’s a guy who likes to chill out with a game every now and then, new releases like Battlefield 1, Call of Duty Infinite Warfare and Fifa 17 are a great choice. You could even make a bigger gift out of these by making a gaming hamper with a couple of beers and snacks to keep him going whilst gaming! Gym attire: If he is always at the gym or playing sport, a new pair of gym trainers, joggers or a sports top could be the highlight of his Christmas! Nike or Gymshark are trusted brands to go for and offer a range of products.
Parents- Sophie Webb Technology: It seems to be the curse of our generation to have to introduce and educate our older family members on the technology of our day. They would never buy it themselves, because they see it as an unnecessary waste of time, but if you buy them it as a gift, they are pressured into learning how to use it in order not to offend you. Day trips: When you went to uni, they lost what was a primary focus of their lives for eighteen years. While some parents embrace this new found freedom, many are completely lost with an empty nest and only the pet dog to look after. Getting them a pre-paid trip as a Christmas present not only gives them something to look forward to, it also brightens up the inevitable monotony of their lives when you are not there! Shopping trip: This one is ideal if you really have spent your entire student loan and want an extremely low budget gift idea. In the words of this year’s Sainsbury’s advert, the greatest gift is you, so your fabulous company and expert fashion advice is arguably the ultimate Christmas present. It won’t cost you anything except your time. If you feel guilty about your lack of expenditure, you can always throw in a gift card or the promise of treating them to lunch out as well. Joke present: Everyone loves a joke present, even your parents. However, it would probably be worth getting them something a little more serious as well!
Madeleine Bourne reveals how to get exactly what you want this year Approach it as if you’re helping them Finding the perfect gift for your loved ones is hard. Which is why it’s important to help out those that may be getting you a gift. Statements such as ‘If you’re stuck for ideas I could send you a few links to things I wouldn’t mind getting?’ approach the topic from a generous angle.
Drop as many hints as possible ‘You know what, wouldn’t it be so cool to have a Polaroid camera?’ ‘I could really do with a few more ontrend clothes.’ ‘That new Xbox game looks really good, like really good.’ Subtly hinting at what you want does the trick just fine. Layer up your hints by reminding your loved one on a regular basis, just so it will cement in their mind next time they’re out Christmas shopping.
Indulge in the Santa list writing If you’ve got a younger sibling, when they sit down to write their Santa list, make sure you also sit down with them and write one. This in turn appears to your parents as if you’re being ever so supportive to your little one, helping them write their list to Father Christmas. When they collect the lists in, they’ll have a few ideas of what to get you.
Use social media to your advantage If family members follow you on Instagram, Twitter or Facebook, you should indeed use this to your advantage. The beauty of social media is that there really isn’t an excepted maximum amount of times you can post a day, so you can really go to town with photos and Tweets about products that you’ve been lusting over.
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FEATURES
Friday 2nd December 2016
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C ul t u re ' s Wi n t e r P re v i e w
Culture editors Imogen Tink and Olivia Boyce preview some of the productions in Birmingham and further afield this holiday season
Pantomimes
The Nutcracker
Of course, this particular holiday season wouldn’t be complete without the presence of another staple genre of British theatrical history – the pantomime. Pantomimes are retellings of fairly recognisable fairy tales, staged with an emphasis on ‘family-friendly comedy’. There is always a little magic, the occasional dame and the odd musical number thrown in. Often attracting rather large names to star in these productions, they tend to be a hit with audiences of all ages, going from strength to strength and attracting many theatregoers. Though there are many performed all over the country each winter, below are some of those of particular note in the area around Birmingham.
For those of you looking to be swept away into an enchanted world for the night, Sir Peter Wright’s glorious production of ‘The Nutcracker’ is the show for you. Sir Peter's ‘gift’ to the city of Birmingham has once again been brought to the stage at the Hippodrome by the Birmingham Royal Ballet. A magical and festive tale of dreams, toys coming to life, fairies and dancing sweets, this is an experience not to be missed. With Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s beautiful and iconic music, the excellent direction of Sir Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov and Vincent Redman, and John F. Macfarlane’s innovative design of the bold set and the intricate costumes, it is no wonder that this show is a firm family favourite, and one of many of Birmingham’s festive traditions. With tickets starting from £19, this matchless show is not to be missed!
Aladdin The Wolverhampton Grand’s pantomime this year is Aladdin. With a cast including X-Factor winner Joe McElderry, Lisa Riley, and Britain's Got Talent finalist soprano Lucy Kay, it promises to be a magic-carpet ride of adventure. Aladdin runs at the Wolverhampton Grand from the 10th of December to the 22nd of January.
Bill Cooper
Treasure Island
The Tempest
After the success of last year’s production of ‘The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe’, the Birmingham REP are holding host this year to ‘Treasure Island’. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic novel, the show follows the swashbuckling escapades of Jim and the crew of the Hispaniola, as they go on a journey to an island where boundless treasures and riches await them. Everything will be risked, but what will be gained? An adventure, certainly. ‘Treasure Island’ is running from the 25th of November to the 7th of January.
A little further afield, in the Swan Theatre in Stratford Upon Avon, is the RSC’s ground-breaking new production of The Tempest. It stars Shakespearian acting legend Simon Russell Beale as Prospero, the displaced nobleman and now powerful sorcerer who rules over one of literature's most famous islands. His quest for revenge soon turns into a powerful tale about love, forgiveness and humanity. With impressive staging, and the digital creation of an avatar for the spirit-like Ariel (Mark Quartley), it is a production garnering wide critical acclaim. Read the review of The Tempest by Culture’s Will Gillingham on page 19, and for more information, visit the RSC website.
The
Wind in Willows
the
The tale of a slightly smaller yet no less significant adventure will also be playing at the Birmingham Old Rep: Kenneth Grahame’s much loved tale ‘The Wind in the Willows’. Join Mole, Ratty, Badger and friends as their peaceful lives by the riverbank are disrupted by the appearance of the bombastic Mr Toad and his shiny new motor car, and they end up pursuing a journey that they would never have imagined happening in their wildest dreams� This gentle, light hearted show, appealing to those of all ages, is staying at the Old Rep from the 21st of November until the 31st of December.
London Theatre Dick Whittington Few lists would be complete without the addition of the almost legendary pantomimes performed each year at the Birmingham Hippodrome. After a record-breaking production of Aladdin in 2015 seen by over 119,000 theatregoers, they return in December with this year’s offering – Dick Whittington. Starring John Barrowman, known best for his role as Captain Jack Harkness in Doctor Who and Torchwood, as the title character, it offers a tale of adventure, with some spectacular 3D work thrown in for good measure. With a cast including musical theatre star Jodie Prenger, EastEnders’s very own bad guy Steve McFadden, and also featuring Matt Slack and The Krankies, it promises to be one show that will not easily be forgotten. Dick Whittington runs at the Hippodrome from 19th December 2016 to the 29th of January 2017.
Bradley P Johnson
Elliott Brown
For those looking to catch a show in London’s West End, this winter period has a remarkable range to offer. Those seeking musical offerings have quite the range to choose from. Wicked, the show about what really happened before Dorothy dropped into Oz, is now celebrating its tenth successive year in the West End. Featuring beautiful and memorable songs like ‘Defying Gravity’ and ‘For Good’, it’s a stunningly realised tale of unlikely friendship in the face of adversity. There’s Matilda, an award-winning musical based on the iconic film that features lyrics and score by Tim Minchin, as well as long-running favourites like The Phantom of the Opera and Les Misérables. For those looking for something a little more adult, there is The Book of Mormon, the Tony Award winning show from the creative team behind South Park. If plays are more to your fancy this festive season, then there are plenty to pique your theatrical interests. The Shakespeare Trilogy, taking place at King’s Cross Theatre, has garnered critical applause for its revolutionary take on an impressive triple bill of Shakespearian greats - The Tempest, Henry IV and Julius Caesar. Director Phyllida Lloyd, who has been making wave both sides of the Atlantic with her brave productions, here directs all female casts including Harriet Walter. The National Theatre host an acclaimed production of Peter Pan, J M Barrie’s classic, whilst Sadler’s Wells theatre hosts acclaimed choreographer Matthew Bourne’s new production of The Red Shoes before its transfer to Birmingham next spring.
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Friday 2nd December 2016
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This Week in Law:
Holdsworth's Club Careers editors explore careers in Law
Law plays an intrinsic part of all our lives. The law as we know it, and those who practise it as their chosen vocation, touch the deepest issues in all our lives, from technology to real estate to data protection; wherever there is dispute, there’s legality involved. The majority of lawyers work as solicitors, whilst some operate as self-employed barristers based in chambers. Like many other vocations, law is subject to changing, and there are an increasing number of alternative pathways to qualification you can take. But when you consider that there are roughly 30,000 students across the UK studying law, with only 5,500 training schemes and 500 puplaiges on offer it's clear than not everyone can progress to a legal career. The Holdsworth Club hosted a Careers Week from 21st-25th November, to expand on your options and put you in contact with your future.
In the eye of the storm
Camile Brigdes, 3rd year law student, Careers contributor and Holdsworth member covers the Trainee Panel and gives you the inside scoop.
One of the Holdsworth’s Careers events included a Trainee Panel on Wednesday, which gave us the inside scoop on what it’s really like being a trainee solicitor. We heard from four current Trainees at various firms including Allen & Overy, DLA Piper, Squire Patton Boggs, and White Case in an informal chat followed with questions from the Holdsworth members.
How do you choose what law firm to apply to?
What's the most challenging aspect of being a trainee?
All of the trainees agreed it’s about speaking to people and seeing if you could see yourself working with them.
The hardest thing is going from an environment where you know a lot to one where you know absolutely nothing.
"You'll be giving up your evenings sometimes, but understand that you're working as a part of a team, and it can actually be quite fun!"
What did the LPC consist of? It’s nothing like the law degree, but all the trainees agreed that in comparison to studying law, it’s not difficult at all. That’s a relief!
Do you have any tips on the application process? When filling out application forms, if you can take out the name of the firm and put another firm’s name in and it still makes sense, then it’s not specific enough!
Other advice inluded 'Know your own strengths, and use them', '....read the papers and look at cases that the firm has worked on' and to 'have a knowledge of the legal market - be prepared to name three competitors'.
Paths to Success Here, Careers Editor Mira Lodhia speaks to Georgina King, third year law student who has successfully secured a training contract. How did you narrow down your choice of firms? The best thing for me was to really get to know a firm - if you can see yourself working there, then you know it is the right firm for you. So I tried to get as much exposure as possible - law fairs, open days, opportunities at the university. This is when you get to understand a firm’s personality and differentiate them from the crowd. What types of work experience have you done over your time at university? I made sure to start early when I got to University so I attended a number of first year open days at firms including Herbert Smith Freehills, Slaughter and May, and Freshfields. This is what led to the opportunity in becoming Campus Brand Manager for Herbert Smith Freehills in my second year. During the summer after second year I got a fantastic opportunity to do a Vacation Scheme at Linklaters. It was the best experience I could have got and fell in love with the firm almost instantly, knowing it was the place where I wanted to train as a solicitor. After this vacation scheme I did a 3-month placement at
Rolls-Royce in their commercial department. I knew all law firms look for ‘commercial awareness’ so thought what better way to gain commercial awareness than work at a commercial company. This has provided me with skills that I will take to my training contract at Linklaters. What do you think were the key skills that you think helped you land your contract? I think the experience that I have gained throughout my life helped me land a training contract. Whilst I may have had legal work experience, a lot of my skills focused on my experience working as a waitress since the age of 14. This meant I have worked with people for a good proportion of my life, in situations where things did not always go smoothly. I also think showing you do activities outside of learning is important. They want to know you are human. I think you just have to be yourself, which may be cliché, but it definitely pays off in the long run. Is there any advice you would give to first year law students? Start early. There is no harm in gaining experience in your first year. Even if you change your mind further down the line and think it might not be the career for you then the things you have learnt will be applicable to any career you choose. It shows dedication to the career and the firms, which will definitely set you apart from the crowd.
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CAREERS
Friday December 2nd 2016
@redbrickcareers
A Run Down: Making Law Easy
A guide to making the most of your time at university Lael Hardtman Careers Editor @ehardtman
A note on Commerical Awareness
First Year Law Starting university is daunting. So make sure to be on your A game and ensure you’ll have a career in Law before it even begins. The key to success? Like anything, it’s the accumulation of your knowledge, skills, and experience. Keep up your commercial awareness during this period. At its core, it’s about staying up to date on the daily goings on in the business and commercial world. And that means exhibiting a variety of interests, in business and finance, applied with a knowledge of the working culture of your chosen firm, and of course, an understanding of what it Banking is your role entails. Remember: law firms are businesses, and each firm has a different structure, so awareness is key. How do you go about gaining this hefty list of skills? Pick up the paper and read The
Mira Lodhia Careers Editor @LodhiaMira
What is Law, in your understanding, and what motivated you to pursue it as a degree and vocation? Law isn’t just about the statutes we come across when completing the degree and means much more than a bunch of cases from 80 years ago. Every profession and every individual adheres to a concept “law”, even if they don’t realise. It intrigues me that we enter into contracts unknowingly on daily basis, whether this is using public transport or buying an item from a shop. This concept motivated me to pursue a career within the legal profession and after research, I realised that a Law degree was the quickest way to get into private practice. How did you narrow down your choice of firms? I knew from quite early on that I wanted to go into commercial law, at an international firm. I then had to make a choice
Raph Barnett-Ward
Guardian once and a while, and work your way up to the Financial Times. Commercial awareness helps you as a lawyer to deliver solid advice to your clients in a language they’ll understand. It can come up in interviews in the form of questions, or topical group exercises - so be prepared.
Careers Contributor
Second Year Law Your second year is where the pressure gets added, and also where you apply to the illustrious vacation scheme (briefly: an internship with a law firm over the vacation period of university). Don’t worry if you don’t get one though, many of the jobs and experiences you have at university are transferrable to law. Keep your grades up—you’ll want at least a 2:1 so don’t neglect to hit the books. If you aren’t already, get involved with your local law society (re: the Holdsworth Club, turn your page to the left). And third years? You should know the game. Go get your training contracts and pursue your LPC. The world's your oyster.
A word by Rumana Khanom on: Getting your Foot in the Door
Silver or Gold: the quest for Magic Circle
between London or regional firms and after having experience at both, I decided to go for London. What types of work experience have you done over your time at university? I have completed two vacation schemes at Eversheds and Bird&Bird. I have also worked in busy retailers such as Next and M&S. What are you most excited about in regards to starting y o u r training c o n tract? I will have to move to London, so this will very exciting. In addition, the approach taken by the firm is very unique in their sector stance, so I am excited to see how I adapt to this when conducting every-day tasks. What do you were the key skills that you think helped you land your contract? I interacted with a Global Head
"Every profession adheres to a concept of law, even if they don't realise it." of the firm who provided excelling feedback to Graduate Recruitment. All other vacation scheme students were provided work from associates and trainees, however, I was given the opportunity to work alongside that partner in highprofile cases. In addition, Graduate Recruitment commented on my genuine personality following a successful pitch task my team had to deliver near the end of the scheme. Is there any advice you would give to first year law students? In first year, get your foot (literally) in the door of any and every firm regardless of their size or type of work. Build up your list of different firms that you have spoken to and shown genuine interest in as this will not only show employers you have done your research, but will also allow you to realise the type of law you want to go into.
For those not common to the term, the 'Silver Circle' is a group of corporate law firms headquartered in London. Each of them are outside the infamous 'Magic Circle', and have a lower turnover than the members of that group, but have an average profits per equity partner (PEP) and average revenue per lawyer (RPL) far above the UK average. Without doubt those employed by firms in the 'Silver Circle' are on a higher wage. They are some of the most prestigious law firms in the country. Each 'Silver Circle' firm belongs to the UK top 50, however, they are pretty spread out in the chart. At number nine in The Lawyer's table of firms by revenue, Herbert Smith ranks highest – it's the only one in the top ten and has a turnover of more than £670m. Ashurst is next at number 13, with less than half the turnover of Herbert Smith, while Berwin Leighton Paisner, King & Wood Mallesons, Macfarlanes, and Travers Smith fall further down the pecking order still in 17th, 22nd, 29th and 41st place respectively. Another benefit of working in the 'Silver Circle' is networking, and an improved CV for working with these major organisations. Many of these firms have oversea offices, and are thus international
reaching. Although also a key feature of smaller law firms you can specialise within law in the 'Silver Circle'. Each firm has its own distinct set of specialisms. Ashurst has always been big in the corporate and finance spheres, BLP made its name in real estate, Herbert Smith's two main areas are disputes and corporate, Travers Smith is predominantly a corporate firm, Macfarlanes also has a top-notch corporate practice, but this is accompanied by a strong private client offering, and KWM is prominent in the corporate and private equity spheres. One of the drawbacks of working within in 'Silver Circle' is the levels of stress - be that the stress of an unpredicatable and constantly monitored workload or long days (usually 9am-7:30pm). It is not surprising to expect that you'd be part of big deals and could be working into the early hours. In contrast, work at a smaller law firm is still incredibly busy but is not as stressful. You are still on a competitive wage (average £50,000 a year), but unlike the 'Silver Circle' you have a more flexible workload and you have significant client contact. With a more relaxed atmosphere, you grow as a lawyer rather than being thrown into the deep-end of a loud, hectic law firm. Overall both have their positives and negatives, but you can be sure that working in any law firm will be an interesting, busy and unique experience.
CAREERS
Friday December 2nd 2016
@redbrickcareers
17
Law for Non-Law A guide by yours truly Mira Lodhia Careers Editor @LodhiaMira
First Year Non-Law As a first year non-law student who’s considering a career in law you may have less access or exposure to information about career events in law, therefore being proactive is a must. Numerous law firms hold career information events, not exclusive to law students throughout the year, so it can be useful to get in touch with the university’s career service. The university also holds an annual law fair which is attended by lots of different types of law firms from international commercial firms like Allen and Overy to smaller regional ones such as Mills and Reeves. This is an event again, not exclusive to law students and is an excellent opportunity to find out what kind of career in law interests you and gain information from law firms themselves. Therefore, it’s important to research firms beforehand and prepare any questions you have.
Second year nonlaw
discipline could give you transferable skills that add to the wealth of experience that you have which helps you stand out. Some law firms such as Baker and McKenzie hold insight programmes for first years open to law and non-law students, which are a great way to demonstrate your commitment to law from an early stage. Being prepared, and familiar with the possible paths you can take into your career in law is important, as it differs slightly to law students. Unlike law students you’ll need to the Graduate Diploma in Law (GDL) a one year course conversion for nonlaw students wishing to qualify as a solicitor or barrister, in addition to the Legal Practice Course (LPC) or Bar Professional Training Course that all prospective solicitors and barristers must take . In order to avoid any nasty surprises it’s worth researching the fees of these courses, ways to fund them and if the firms that you’re interested in fund them.
"Being prepared and familiar with the possible paths you can take in your career in Law is important."
It’s also important to remember that your non-law background can be what sets you apart, so any work experience outside of the legal profession or activities within your degree
A template to follow Lael Hardtman Careers Editor @ehardtman
Here we interview 3rd year Politics student Cara Bissada, and her top tips for getting into law from a non-law perspective. What do you study now, and how do you feel your current subject will equip you to study/practice law in the future? I am in my final year at university and study International Relations with Political Science. I believe that the analytical and research skills that I have gained during my studies will help me not only during my GDL but also when practicing law. Furthermore, working as a lawyer, commercial awareness is important and having a great basic knowledge of different academic areas is a plus. Having had modules in Political Economy, it helped me not only to understand the economic terminology but it helps me to understand how the economy can affect businesses or how it creates certain opportunities.
Being able to participate in political discussions and knowing what is happening in the world is essential when you talk to your colleagues or even clients.
"Try to get an internship or vacation scheme to make sure becoming a lawyer is really what you want to do." What is Law, in your understanding, and what motivates you to pursue it? In my opinion law is a legal set of rules which regulates all aspects of live and society. My motivation to pursue a career in law originated from my academic studies and my work experience at law firms. One of my current modules is Law and Politics in the International Order and it just really shows
how interdependent law and politics are and this has introduced me to the idea of a career in law. Over the summer, I did an internship with Eversheds LLP in Dubai and it just confirmed to me that this is the sort of work I want to do in my life. My advice for everyone thinking of going into law, is try to get an internship or a vacation scheme to be sure that becoming a lawyer is really what you want to do. Why not study Law at an undergraduate level? I have always been very interested in Politics and have known since my first year that I wanted to pursue a career in law. That is the unique aspect about studying in the UK, it has allowed me to do my undergraduate in a subject I am passionate about but at the same time I will still be able to pursue a career in law thanks to the Graduate Diploma in Law. It has actually become a growing trend of law firms hiring its trainees from different academic backgrounds as it allows for us to contribute something new to the work life of the law firm as we have a different perspec-
During your second year it’s essential to research the possible routes for your career in law and start to act on your decision. You should start to seriously consider what area of law you’re interested in and what type of firm you’d like to work for. In order for you to make a decision, talking to the careers service is always a good idea, as they’ll be able to guide you through the process or direct you to those who can. It’s also important to start demonstrating a real commitment to a career in law; attending career events held by law firms is a great way to show this commitment, as well being a good opportunity to network and discuss the recruitment process. For example, at a drinks reception with Hogan Lovells last year, I was informed that for some firms such as Hogan Lovells, non-law students should apply to their winter vacation scheme in their third year, as the summer vacation scheme is not open to them. Before applying to vacation schemes as a nonlaw student during your penultimate year, it’s essential to check which ones you’re eligible for, perhaps summer vacation schemes in your in second year or winter schemes in your third.
tive of certain situations that law students have. What’s your future plan for pursuing Law? (GDL, LPC, BPTC?) After I graduate this summer, I will be moving to London where I will start my GDL at BPP University. During the GDL I will be applying for training contracts which you need to apply for two years in advance. After my GDL, I want to do a Masters in Public International Law as this is the area I want to specialize in during my career. I plan to become a solicitor, so I will be doing the LPC. I just feel that working at a law firm will allow you to work in a colleague environment and experience different practice areas in a diverse environment.
Third Year NonLaw Third year non-law students should begin to take every opportunity they can to find out as much information as possible about life as a lawyer. For those that haven’t yet secured a training contract, there’s still time to get one as some firms hold Winter and Spring training contracts for non-law students, while others hold open days. You should also begin to apply to the GDL if you wish to do it immediately after graduation, or whether or not you want to take a gap year if you’re self funding.
Grad schemes and beyond. Here's a list of graduate schemes, vac schemes, and firms to help you get started on your law journey.
Allen and Overy Allen and Overy offer Vacation Schemes to students in their penultimate or final year of study and is open to all degree disciplines. You can apply to the Spring and Summer vacation scheme from 1 October – 31 December 2016.
Slaughter and May Slaughter and May hold open days for 1st year law and nonlaw students every year on Tuesday 28 March 2017 and Thursday 13 April 2017. Open days are an excellent opportunity to get an insight into life at a city firm and talk to trainees, associates and partners about their experience. Apply by January 31 2017.
Mills and Reeve Summer placements are open to penultimate and final year law students and non-law students. This is a chance to experience first hand what the life of a trainee solicitor is like and get a real feel for the firm you enjoy working at. There are vacation schemes in Birmingham, Manchester, Norwich and Cambridge. Apply by January 31 2017.
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CULTURE
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickculture
Review: Article 19 presents ‘The Crucible’ Beth Gilbert & Jacob Standbridge,
Review: Sir Peter Wright’s ‘The Nutcracker’ at The Hippodrome Imogen Tink Culture Editor @imogentink
"A journey of synth orchestra, power ballads, and strong scouser accents"…
Charlotte Panting Culture Critic @LottiePanting
Number of words
Arthur in Miller’s The Crucible is this page's considered one of the most poignant and revealing pieces of theatre ever written, with its enduring ability to connect with audiences regardless of age or social boundary. Telling the story of the infamous Salem Witch Trials of 1692, the play deals with themes of injustice, race and gender and hysteria. In a world increasingly appearing more and more unpredictable, the play’s overlying concerns with the consequences of fear and persecution appear to present a frightening reflection of our own society. It is therefore no small undertaking that Article 19 have given themselves in choosing to stage this production, but what they have achieved is truly powerful. From the moment you entered the Amos room it was impossible to escape the tension. Faced with a strikingly bare set, consisting of black curtains and a bed in the centre of the stage. This starkness combined with the eerie music set off a bleak, ominous tone. The decision to stage the performance within such an enclosed space created an oppressive somewhat claustrophobic atmosphere, reinforcing the sense of entrapment felt by the characters onstage. This proximity of the action to the audience also ensures that the audience felt involved within the action of the play, a particularly poignant device as it forces the audience to consider the significance of the play to their own situation. The characters in The Crucible are notoriously complex, and recognition must be given in particular to Sophie Macdonald’s Abigail Williams and Jason Timmington’s John Proctor. Macdonald managed to create an Abigail far more problematic than the out and out villain that many are tempted to view her as. In the opening scene of the play, Macdonald played upon Abigail’s desperation and fear, presenting a girl who is concerned with survival in an oppressive environment. In contrast the dignity and controlled manner in which she carried herself in the
final act, showed a clear progression from a lower class citizen to a respected and ultimately feared member of society. One could not help but marvel at her magnetic stage presence throughout. Likewise, Timmington’s portrayal of John Proctor was powerful. Timmington’s softly spoken delivery, commanded a calm respect making his violent outbursts in the final acts all the more powerful in their contrast to his normal state. The onstage chemistry between Timmington’s character and Jess Boot’s Elizabeth Proctor was truly touching. The understated intimacy that the two managed to produce was incredibly realistic and their interactions within the final scene of the play were undoubtedly the one of the highlights. Within the whole cast there were no weak elements, however special mention must be afforded to the actresses playing the girls, in particular Bethan MacFarlane. Their depiction of their fake possessions were eerily realistic, causing the audience themselves to momentarily doubt whether they are indeed merely pretending. Perhaps one of the most intriguing and daring decisions was the inclusion of the extra scene between Abigail and Proctor in the woods following Elizabeth’s arrest. Despite this scene having been discarded from most productions following its original performance, Gilbert and Brown’s decision to involve this scene allowed them to add a greater depth to the Abigail and John Proctor’s relationship. Abigail appears deranged by her newfound power. As audience members it has been made clear to us that there is no real evidence of witches in Salem, yet Abigail’s rant about hypocrisy shows that to her it is no longer make-believe. This added element of potential insanity turns Abigail away from a vindictive vengeful scorned lover, to a deluded young woman who truly believes that she does God’s work. Article 19’s production was, in short, an intense thought-provoking piece, of which both cast and crew should be immensely proud of what they have managed to create.
It seems that the most wonderful time of the year is just around the corner again. For many, Christmas truly starts when we start enacting our annual festive traditions. Whether it’s carol singing, seeing how much alcohol it is humanly possible to ‘feed’ a Christmas cake with, or sitting down with your nearest and dearest to watch A Muppet’s Christmas Carol for the umpteenth time (a regular occurrence in my family), it is safe to say that there will always be something that will shine a light in everyone during the dark and cold December days. In Birmingham the opening night of Sir Peter Wright’s much beloved production of The Nutcracker brought the festive spirit well and truly into the city. A magical tale of toys coming to life, Rat kings and dancing sweets, to name a few, is enough to fill anyone’s heart, old or young, with joy. Having attended the opening night of last years production, I was lucky enough to be able to do so again this year, and I sit here writing, just as I did last year, with those same feelings of happiness and deep satisfaction. The tale of The Nutcracker is one familiar to all; the night before Christmas, a young girl goes on an adventure in a dream land conjured up by a magician, during which she encounters all manner of magical experiences, including her own toy Nutcracker transformed into a man, and is eventually transformed herself, in more ways than one. Karla Doorbar’s Clara captures perfectly her innocent and vulnerable, yet adventurous, nature, just as Joseph Caley embodies the romance and chivalry of the Nutcracker Prince. Both managed to maintain beauty and elegance in their movements, despite the high physical demand required by ballet. Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky’s iconic score pro-
vides a familiar and enchanting musical frame to this wonderful show. Under Koen Kessel’s musical direction, conductor Nicolette Frailon and the Birmingham Royal Ballet Sinfonia mastered Tchaikovsky’s much loved music to a tee. With a combination of the fine array of talent displayed by the dancers of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, the superb choreography of Sir Peter Wright, Lev Ivanov and Vincent Redman, and John F. Macfarlane’s innovative design of the bold set and the intricate costumes, it is no wonder that this performance was met with such thunderous applause from its thrilled audience.
"The eclecticism of ‘The Nutcracker’ signifies the richness that can be gained from understanding and experiencing other cultures" Sir Peter’s production is very inclusive – characters of different cultures, ages and even different species all appear. During the Stahlbaum’s Christmas party, there is a point where all characters, from the elderly grandmother and grandfather to the young children also attending the festivities, dance together in a group; this creates a celebration of all the characters, regardless of their differences, an idea which permeates the rest of the performance. After all, during Clara’s adventures in the magical dream world, she encounters a diverse range of characters and figures in Drosselmeyer’s fantasy land. Spanish, Chinese, Arabian and Russian dancers perform, not to mention the ethereal Snow Fairy
(Samara Downs), the sinister Rat King (Yasuo Atsuji) and the glorious dance of the Sugar Plum Fairy, stunningly executed by Momoko Hirata. The eclecticism of The Nutcracker signifies the richness that can be gained from understanding and experiencing other cultures. For instance, the serenity of the Arabian dance, beautifully portrayed by Céline Gittens, Miles Gilliver, Tom Rogers and Edivaldo Souza da Silba, completely juxtaposes with Aitor Galende and Lewis Turner’s light hearted Chinese dance. If anything, the combination of the varying style of these dances highlights our differences as human beings and shows how these differences can complement each other, contributing to the very experience of living. In an age where anything deemed ‘different’ or ‘unfamiliar’ is often attacked, this message of the celebration of the other is timely, and should be embraced just as Clara embraces it on her adventure. The tale concludes, as Clara wakes up in her family home and is reunited with her toy nutcracker, lying at the bottom of the Christmas tree. The magic is over, and the realities of Clara’s life must resume; yet we get a strong sense that she has learnt much from her experiences, and will take them with her as she grows up. With this jubilant conclusion, it seemed fitting that Sir Peter Wright was welcomed onto the stage as the members of the Birmingham Royal Ballet took their bows. As well as a celebration of Sir Peter’s 90th birthday, which was on the day of this performance, our riotous applause was a testament to a man whose work has managed to provide so much joy to so many people, and will continue to do so for many years to come. In the closing words of David Bentley, director of the Birmingham Royal Ballet, 'Christmas really has started now' – Sir Peter, this was all down to you. Thank you, and Happy Birthday!
Bill Cooper
CULTURE
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickculture
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Review: ‘The Tempest’ at the RSC Will Gillingham Culture Critic
The Royal Shakespeare Company’s presentation of The Tempest, directed by Gregory Doran, is a ground-breaking phenomenon; a feat of technological prowess, which weaves between the language of the four-century divide, resulting in a masterclass which stands as the cornerstone of theatrical innovation. Although the first of its kind, this infallible modern recreation for the digital era exhibits an inexhaustible attention to detail, which plays on the senses long after the final bows have been taken, and causes the production to feel inherently superlative of all that could follow. Shakespeare, in embodying himself in Prospero, was aware of the dormant power of this play, but it is in this production that his words are fully realised: this is such stuff as dreams are made on. The precedent is set in place within the short minutes of the opening scene. As the auditorium fills, a life-size replica of the wrecked bow of a ship arches monolithic across the breadth of the stage. Its fated crew enter nonchalantly, and silence settles. Without warning, a thunderclap ricochets out of the speakers, and the stage comes to life. Lightning arcs through the capillaries of the floor lighting, and with these
flashes we see the storm, projected against the screen at the rear. As the inevitable demise of the ship comes to pass, the swirled ‘cloud’ screen descends centrestage, depicting the drowning crew. The effects here are startling, and it is only as the play continues that it becomes apparent that these are merely a precursor to the true ambition of the creative team.
"The masque is, without caveat or reservation, a triumph of the highest order" As the characters of Prospero (Simon Russell Beale) and Miranda (Jenny Rainsford) are introduced, their personalities are at once enthralling. Beale handles Prospero not with the gait of the autocratic overlord, but rather with that of the unhinged islander, and as Miranda rallies against his providential storm, an impression of their strained relationship is formed. This is reiterated in the physical act of Prospero putting her to sleep: his dominion over her exercised by putting her under with his hands rather than just his voice. And it is from this that we are led into our first encounter with Ariel (Mark Quarterly),
whose sensational commanding aspect is the driving force of this production. At two years in the making, the visual artistry of Ariel is a sight to behold. Translucent, cylindrical screens capture his avatar drifting above the stage, the movements performed live by Quarterly through motion capture. The projection, lifelike yet ethereal, breathes magic into the play, with this foray into uncharted territory being conveyed with the poise and ability of a learned and perfected craft. These revolutionary effects don’t detract from Quarterly himself, however. Each of Quarterly’s steps is accounted for as the avatar dissipates, giving him a fluidity of movement which allows him not to walk, but rather to flow through the space his avatar leaves behind. His stage presence is potent and assured, and with his remarkable blue-silver appearance, a sense of clarity dawns – this is the true vessel of Prospero’s might. By no means diminishing the calibre of the production are the quipping trio of Caliban (Joe Dixon), Trinculo (Simon Trinder) and Stephano (Tony Jayawardena). Implicit in their interaction is Doran’s astute grasp of the original script, with the characters’ intonation and precise comedic timing drawing modern-day laughter from lines intended for a centuries-old spectatorship. Also on display here is the extraordi-
nary costume design (supervised by Ed Parry), most notable through Caliban. Through the use of a skin suit, Dixon is transformed into a grotesque, pot-bellied troll, wrapped in ropes and smeared in clay. A protruding, bulbous spine runs down his back, and his sole prop, a fish, is grasped covetously in his crooked, mottled hands. It is evident from this that the visual capacity of the projections has not had a neglectful impact on any aspect of the proceedings, and the meticulous handling of the crux of the play – the masque scene, is demonstrative of this. The masque is, without caveat or reservation, a triumph of the highest order. The scene rolls exponentially from strength to strength, only growing in its unerring quality. The harmonic
resonance of Iris (Elly Condron), Juno (Jennifer Witton) and Ceres (Samantha Hay) augment projections of the changing environment unfolding behind them, and as dancers enter the stage, the marriage of the digital with the musical brings to bear a scene which is wondrously, and entirely, captivating. This level of merit is maintained thereafter as the play draws us into its conclusion, to the reception of a fully deserved standing ovation. This production is a revolutionary masterpiece, and it seems that to ground it in any form of praise would be to do it an injustice. And so only this: the pioneering pinnacle of the dramatic industry is awaiting bookings less than an hour away. To miss such an opportunity would be nothing short of sacrilege.
Topher McGrillis
MUSIC
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Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickmusic
Chance the Rapper Colouring Book
Glass Animals How To Be A Human Being
Radiohead A Moon Shaped Pool
Danny Brown Atrocity Exhibition
Greg Woodin
Perhaps the defining sound of the summer, with the release of Coloring Book back in May, Chance the Rapper came of age. From Chicago’s notorious gang violence on ‘Summer Friends’ to the progression of innocent childhood relationships on ‘Juke Jam,’ on his third mixtape Chancellor Bennett’s sunny vocals light up a range of topics, but never once does the idiosyncratic rapper lose his signature happy-go-lucky charm. An endlessly entertaining album chock full of clever wordplay and uplifting melodies, Coloring Book trades the drug references of Acid Rap (well, some of them) for gospel vocals, trumpets and spoken word passages that sound more like sermons than verses, preaching without sounding preachy; exuding optimism without sounding corny.
Georgie Deaville
After the success of jaw-dropping debut LP ZABA two years ago, the term ‘second album syndrome’ (that old chestnut) was floating around prior to the release of How To Be A Human Being. However, Glass Animals proved that we had no need to worry. A playful collection of short stories accumulated during their time of the road: 'HTBAHB' is a vibrant medley of various devised characters, including the stoner girlfriend of 'Season 2 Episode 3' to the cellar inhabiting nerd of 'Life Itself.' Being curiously conceptual and deliciously experimental, you’ll find yourself involuntary re-listening in order to make sure you haven’t missed anything.
Greg McCallum
Conrad Duncan
Radiohead’s return with their ninth album A Moon Shaped Pool brought a new level of melancholy to their music; yet somehow they manage to make this feeling of desolation sound beautiful and thoughtprovoking. From the harsh, dissonant strings on ‘Burn The Witch,’ to the delicate, eerie piano melody on ‘Daydreaming,’ the instrumentals throughout the whole record are incredible to listen to, picking up more momentum as every song progresses. Thom Yorke’s soaring vocals are as good as they’ve ever been, and with the heart-wrenching lyrics on this album they are especially enjoyable to listen to.
Danny Brown has always been a great rapper but he has often struggled to find the right projects to support his talents. On 2013’s Old, he resolved the conflict between his party persona and the harshness of its reality by splitting them apart across a 19-track double album. On Atrocity Exhibition, he aggressively forces those two identities together. Over instrumentals that draw from art-rock and psychedelic rock as much as they do from classic hip-hop, Brown tells tales of excess that are as exciting as they are terrifying in his trademark highpitched drawl. Staring into the abyss has never sounded so good.
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Redbrick Music Frank Ocean Blonde
Jack Lawrence
Frank Ocean’s Blonde strips away much of the lavish production found on his debut Channel Orange, choosing instead to solely highlight Ocean’s vocal and lyrical talents. Much of the album is surprisingly minimal in instrumentation, with most songs being led by Ocean’s voice and backed by simple guitar, piano, and 808s. Despite this, Blonde manages to retain its pop sensibilities through its intimate and emotionally vulnerable songwriting. With its creative production techniques and incredible vocal performances, Blonde manages to be an album of duality - resigned and minimal yet equally expansive and powerful.
The Last Shadow Puppets Everything You've Come To Expect
Solange A Seat At The Table
Palace So Long Forever
Phil Jones
Alex Williams
Holly Carter
2016's hottest couple Alex Turner and Miles Kane returned this year with an album which took the Scott Walker-influenced sounds of its predecessor and turned the heat up to eleven. Turner and Kane swaggered and swayed through an album of bigger riffs, more obtuse lyrics and the most varied musical style of either of the architects' careers. Beefed up with a full band, including members of Mini Mansions, Turner and Kane produced stand-out moments such as the soulful sizzle of 'Dracula Teeth', the croony swoon of 'Sweet Dreams, TN' and the chugging drive of 'Miracle Aligner'. For some it was simply too much, but for those in on the joke TLSP produced 2016's finest moment.
She might be tired with these comparisons to her sister, however to her credit Solange has blown Beyonce out of the water in 2016 with A Seat at the Table. She has created a record brimmed with neosoul, funk and R&B. But A Seat at the Table has a Punk Rock mentality with powerful messages and themes she proliferates throughout. Solange has astoundingly created a record of the dramas of the 21st century African American female. She covers everything, going through every emotion that she encounters in public sphere to the personal. In all, A Seat at the Table summed up perfectly the perspective of Solange towards the US and herself, which is easier said than done.
After floating around the indie scene’s consciousness for a couple of years, the unique, soulful sound of Palace’s full-length debut So Long Forever was worth the wait. Multi-faceted, beautifully layered guitar riffs, intricate melodies and steady rhythms all magically combine to make a dreamy 43 minute listen. In song after emotional song, there is an overwhelming sense of ‘getting through it’ on So Long Forever. From the personal to the universal, Palace have the expression of emotion down to a fine art and there’s something calming about it despite its rawness. It’s lyrically down to earth yet musically transcendent, and just what we needed to get through 2016.
MUSIC
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickmusic
Jack Garratt Phase
David Bowie Blackstar
Thom Dent
Kirstie Sutherland 2016 has definitely been the year of Jack Garratt. His debut album was one of the most anticipated of the year, especially off the back of his BRITS' Critics Choice and Sound of 2016 awards. And boy, he sure did deliver. Phase is a short yet sweet exploration of purpose and also of genre, eleven tracks perfectly showcasing each and every facet of Garratt's artistry, inspiration and ultimately, his creativity. Each track is a blend of piano, drum machine, synths and smooth falsetto, ultimately packing a punch in a cohesive collection of songs. Phase translates perfectly on to a live stage, enhancing its already wonderful quality. I urge everyone to buy a ticket and go on a journey with him into the new year.
Bowie meant a lot of things to an astronomical number of people and his death, coming mere days after the release of Blackstar, was grieved the world over. If there can be an upside however, it is that this, his final record, is a work of sheer genius. The gutting melancholy of ‘Lazarus’, the heart-wrenching plea of ‘I Can’t Give Everything Away’ — this is the sound of an artist writing his own eulogy. When Blackstar first dropped on Bowie’s birthday it seemed just another direction, ‘Lazarus’ just another guise for pop’s finest chameleon. Posthumous, it took on an incredible new potency as reappraisal after reappraisal revealed secret after secret. On his 27th album, the only one ever to not feature himself on the cover, Bowie finally removed the mask and made a record about David Bowie.
Lady Gaga Joanne
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Christne and the Queens Chaleur Humaine
Gregory Robinson The long awaited return of contemporary pop’s most provocative star happed this year when Lady Gaga released her fifth studio album Joanne. Gone are the days where the spectacle of outrageous costumes and hard-core electronic beats dominated Gaga’s music. As a result, the world welcomed a more subdued, countrified incarnation of Gaga. Joanne is dedicated to Gaga’s Aunt who passed away at the age of nineteen due to Lupus. The album is raw in its approach to love, life and death and powerful with its melodies, production and lyrics. Joanne is old fashioned at its core but manages to retain enough of Gaga’s theatrics to make the collection a worthy addition to her growing catalogue.
Letty Gardner After enjoying two years of chart success in France, Christine and the Queens’ Chaleur Humaine was given a 2016 English release, adding new tracks and translations to the original French record. A gently glowing collection of beautifully formed pop music, Chaleur Humaine has brought Héloïse Letissier into the UK’s mainstream sights. Collaborating with the likes of Perfume Genius and rapper Tunji Ige, Letissier has introduced subtle R&B and hiphop influences into her otherwise electronic, delicate, and mellow album. Christine and the Queens has risen to the limelight with this moody, electronic collection of dark dance tracks.
Albums of the Year 2 0 1 6 Ulrika Spacek The Album Paranoia
Blood Orange Freetown Sound
Blaise Radley
Giulia Bardelli
In one form or another, Ulrika Spacek's core members have been making music together for well over a decade. The relatively unknown The Enigma Project became the relatively successful Tripwires, before spawning this, their latest iteration, with relatively little aplomb. Indeed, in a musical year defined by heartfelt final records and fiery eulogies, it's not surprising that Ulrika Spacek's The Album Paranoia didn't register on many radars. And yet, by diluting their unashamed '90s alt-rock influences into a tightly-written 10-track record, Ulrika Spacek quietly delivered one of the years most rewarding releases. When such an assured band breaks through it's normally seen as a rallying call – don't let this one go unheard for much longer.
If you’re a fan of synthpop and alternative R&B, then you’re in for a real treat. Freetown Sound, Dev Hynes’ third album under his Blood Orange moniker, will be the perfect soundtrack to your Sunday evening. It’s easy to indulge in when you have standout tracks ‘Hadron Collider’, ‘Hands Up’ and ‘Best To You’ providing you with the perfect blend of slow R&B juxtaposed with a faster old school, funk tempo. This is an album that reflects the struggling inequalities and injustices we still face in the world today featuring vocal clips from spoken word artists and documentaries. Hynes’ shy vocals add honesty behind the lyrics and story he is telling, making Freetown Sound truly a masterpiece of it’s own.
Ariana Grande Dangerous Woman
George Griffiths
‘Ain’t you ever seen a princess be a bad bitch?’ This is the main question and premise of Ariana Grande’s blockbuster third album, which sees the pint-sized popstrel get bolder, bigger and badder on a swaggering display of star power that takes no prisoners. From start to finish, Dangerous Woman, rolls out a pretty compelling plethora of evidence as to why Ariana Grande should be the biggest pop-star in the world.’ This is a popstar operating at the peak of her powers and, ultimately, making the best pop music in the world right now. The best (and most ignored) single of the year on the best (and most underrated) album of the year, you can’t get anymore scandalous than that.
Beyonce Lemonade
Megan Gibson
Lemonade, the album that got everyone discussing whether Jay-Z cheated on Beyonce, and if Rita Ora was ‘Becky with the good hair.’ This whole album exposes the raw talent of Beyonce, demonstrating multiple genres by collaborating with a range of artists such as, Jack White, James Blake, The Weeknd and Kendrick Lamar. Starting the rumours with smooth talking ‘Pray You Catch Me’ and ending on the vital sassy/girl power message of ‘Formation,’ this album brings back the, I am Sasha FIERCE. Like, who else could lyric - ‘I have hot sauce in my bad, swag’? Without a doubt, the most talked about and integral album of the year even if you can’t stream it for free.
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TELEVISION
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktv
Review: The Grand Tour Izzy Dertheridge TV Commentator @ambitious_izzy
Perfect review scores. Shattered viewership records. A rumoured £160 million budget…and a heck of a lot of hijinks. Ladies and gentlemen: Clarkson, Hammond and May are back. Despite the trio having been on air since 2002, their all-new series, The Grand Tour, was impatiently awaited by fans in all territories. Thousands of supporters stayed up to view the premiere of episode one just before midnight on the evening of Thursday, November 17, and the stream of enthusiastic response tweets swelled into Friday. Amazon maintains strict confidentiality regarding the viewing figures, but they have admitted that The Grand Tour has already breezed past the immensely popular show The Man in the High Castle, which means more than a couple of million. Therefore, the BBC will
need a stiff upper lip for a long while yet as its now-rival motoring show does even better since their sacking of Clarkson. The show begins with a movie-style clip of Clarkson leaving a familiar building in the rain and hailing a cab to the airport, headed to the dazzling destination known only as Los Angeles. Upon touchdown, he is straight into the car park and getting into a swanky blue Mustang…and so it begins. It’s difficult not to chuckle when I Can See Clearly Now the Rain Has Gone commences in the background as Clarkson drives idyllically through the desert, noticing Hammond and May tailing him in red and white Mustangs too. They reach their destination as a unit (a rare delicacy for these three!) and climb up onto a stage surrounded by a heaving crowd of applauding fans who greet them with gusto. In true ‘old Top Gear’ fashion, they begin by commenting on May’s famed slowness, Hammond’s short stature and Clarkson’s reputation as a “shaved
ape in a shirt”, before promising us a series of purely epic proportions. “We have poured everything we know, everything we care about, into this show,” affirms Clarkson; it’s easy to see when
shape to the deadly virus) and the celebrity challenges that will be undertaken by famous guests. Clarkson, Hammond and May then proceed to pit the McLaren P1, Porsche 918, and Ferrari
"The Holy Trinity of motoring broadcasting have made their sensational Amazon debut in a humongeous piece of gasonline fuelled heaven" everything gets going. However, the most satisfying thing to see as an audience is the reunification of the three ludicrous presenters that fans know and love. Included in the first episode is the introduction to the travelling tent which the trio will use to film different destinations every week, the lowdown regarding their new test track (nicknamed “The Eboladrome” due to its likeness in
LaFerrari against each other in a series of extensive tests at the Algarve International Circuit in Portugal – which looks stunning in 4K, it must be said. The tonguein-cheek nature of the trio’s interaction is appealing for all the family, new fans and old. Digital Spy sums it up wonderfully: “It's all the things we loved about their old show, but bigger, brighter and more blow-upier.” Some of the
skits are a little unusual to say the least – such as the fragmented “fight” between the presenters and the American audience regarding the Royal Air Force – but nevertheless, it is certainly entertainment at its peak. The Guardian’s Sam Wollaston said: "More than format, more even than the amount of money you throw at something, what really gives a television show its personality is the personnel. You can pour something into a different container, but it still tastes the same. And, like it or not, this tastes of Clarkson, Hammond and May. Fans of old Top Gear are going to be happy." And undoubtedly, the overwhelmingly delighted feedback that audiences have been giving demonstrates just that. The Grand Tour is available to watch on Amazon Prime each week from Friday 18 November.
Review: Kids on the Edge: The Gender Clinic Abbie Pease TV Critic @pease_abbie
Kids are increasingly being diagnosed with mental health conditions, pushing the health system to its limits and challenging parents up and down the country. In the first episode of a series on children’s mental health, Channel 4 looks at gender dysphoria, a condition only recently brought into the realm of public attention, with cases such as those of Caitlyn Jenner and Laverne Cox normalising the stigma surrounding transitioning. But what is it like for children who identify themselves with a gender that does not match their biological sex? Although psychologists know that the majority of cases do not persist past puberty, what about those children who are adamantly certain about their gender identity and wish to take irreversible treatment to change their bodies? Kids on the Edge:
The Gender Clinic explores the possibilities that are open to these children and their parents, following the lives of two kids wishing to change their sex. The documentary focuses on the Tavistock Centre, a clinic at the forefront of exploring young minds. Psychologists involved in treating young people in the centre stress the enormity of the battle against mental illness. In this first episode, the focus lies on the Gender Identity Development Service at Tavistock, the UKs only clinic dedicated to treating gender dysphoria. Gender dysphoria is a condition that occurs when an individual does not identify themselves with their biological sex. In the inability of psychologists to explain the condition, the documentary reveals the juvenile state at which psychology finds itself; both in terms of explaining the causes and treatments of gender dysphoria. This primitive state makes it difficult for parents to decide what the right decision is for their child. Should they stop puberty by using
blockers and begin along the path of transitioning, or prevent such drastic steps in order to make sure that it is not simply a phase? Families seek certainty, something that even doctors cannot guarantee. Switching between the home lives of the children and their experiences at the clinic, half of the programme is dedicated to Ashley, an outspoken and intelligent young girl who openly refers to herself as transgender. Ashley’s mother moved her across the country to Brighton to try and avoid the bullying that she was receiving in Ramsgate. Despite the families attempted escape, we soon find out that they move back home, choosing a life in which Ashley’s true identity is known. The documentary touches upon the experiences that Ashley has at school, the difficulty of her dad to accept her identity, and the commitment of her mum to accept her for who she is. The other half of the documentary focuses on Matt (known as Matilda at home), who is a shy
and creative eleven-year-old with autism. This connection between autism and gender dysphoria – which exists in half of the cases seen by the clinic - can increase the difficulty for parents, as an autistic child finds it hard to communicate their feelings. For instance, Matt uses drawings and stories to express himself. This makes it challenging for doctors and psychologists to know for sure whether children are genuine about their desire to change sex, or whether it is part of their vast imagination. Viewers soon become aware that, for Matt, gender dysphoria is a very real aspect of his life. This focus on the link between autism and gender dysphoria is the most interesting avenue of Kids On the Edge: The Gender Clinic, as it reveals the problems that co-occurring disorders can present to valid diagnosis. This well documented account of Ashley and Matt personalises the topic, giving a face to gender dysphoria in children, not as a condition but as a way of life for
some families in the UK. As well as giving insight into the disorder, the Channel 4 documentary touches on its cause, an area psychologists continue to struggle with. Ashley’s mum asks one of the doctors at the clinic whether her daughter could have female hormones. Although the response is negative, this raises questions about what causes gender dysphoria. If it is not biology, what is it that means Ashley considers herself a girl? This question, which runs throughout the documentary, breaks down the boundaries on gender, causing us to question whether the way we think about ourselves is innate, socially constructed, biological, or even an eclectic mix of all these factors. Got something to say? Tweet us your opinions @redbrickTV
TELEVISION
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktv
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Christmas Adverts: Past and Present TV Critic Samuel Reid reviews TV's best Christmas adverts. How do this year's ads compare? Samuel Reid TV Critic @samreid_
Over the past few years, following in the footsteps of John Lewis, department stores and supermarkets have battled it out to see who could make the most heartbreaking Christmas advert. They’ve pulled out all the stops, from sad acoustic covers of our favourite songs, to lonely old people, to sad animals. The supposed philosophy behind this style of advert was that it would remind us of the true meaning of Christmas. The sad old man of last year’s John Lewis advert reminded us to spend time with our loved ones. Sainsbury’s 2014 advert, to mark the 100th anniversary of the First
World War, showed the power of Christmas in uniting even the strongest of enemies. But then 2016 happened. It’s fair to say that this year won’t be looked back on fondly by many. The deaths of icons such as Bowie, Prince and Leonard Cohen, coupled with the after effects of Brexit, have left us bitter and divided. If one advert had dared to upset us even half as much as in previous years, there’s a chance we would just collectively agree to cancel Christmas. Instead we’re being inundated with adverts which much more accurately convey the excitement and happiness of Christmas. The perfect example of how this year’s adverts are aiming to reverse the cynical mindsets we’ve been stuck in is that of Tesco. Upon hearing some Christmas tunes blasting
through the tannoy, we hear Ruth Jones’ internal monologue, complaining that it’s way too early to even be thinking of the festive season. As she makes her way through the store, thinking of all the thing that will be going on
"This year's adverts are aiming to reverse the cynical mindsets we've been stuck in" over Christmas, her excitement gradually grows and she finishes with Tesco’s Christmas strapline for this year: ‘bring it on’. It’s not just Tesco who’ve taken a happier approach to Christmas advertising this year. Sainsbury’s, stop-motion musical number with
vocals from James Corden about the joys of spending time with family on Christmas is a far cry from last year’s cat induced house fire which ruined Christmas. Of course the house was restored through the love and generosity of neighbours and friends, but the point is, this year we don’t need to be brought down in order to be kicked back up. We just need lifting. Even retailers who have taken the emotional approach, such as Christmas favourites M&S, have gone for a more positive spin on the uplifting advert archetype.
Their Mrs. Claus focused advert never flirts with the idea of an unhappy Christmas, but still manages to be uplifting and hit the soft spot of even the biggest of Grinches among us. Hopefully, the happy Christmas advert, whose aim to make us feel all warm and fuzzy, is here to stay. In this year of political and emotional turmoil it’s clear that the British public needed a little positivity to get us in the Christmas spirit. Retailers only need to look to what is undeniably the best Christmas ad campaign of all time, that of Coca-Cola, to know that it’s not just what we need, it’s all we’ve ever wanted.
Review: I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Louise Dean reviews this year's series of I'm A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here! Louise Dean TV Critic
‘Fear’. ‘Nerve-wracking’. ‘How do you prepare?’ These phrases can only describe one programme: our favourite jungle-themed show, I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here!, which aired last night and is back for its 16th series. After everything that’s happened in the world recently, we all need a bit of light-hearted entertainment and the first episode of I’m a Celeb certainly didn’t disappoint. The campmates began their adventure in Australia looking glam and fresh, but this would be sure to change once they enter the jungle and are faced with hunger, bugs and endless bushtucker trials. The line-up features a fair share of soap and reality stars,
including Adam Thomas from Emmerdale, Larry Lamb from EastEnders, who proved himself to be a favourite when coming to Gogglebox’s Scarlett Moffatt’s rescue when she capsized in her canoe during the first task. Scarlett is sure to be one to watch and I predict will go far. She has that ‘girl next door’ appeal; was star struck when she met Ant and Dec for the first time, said she is up for trying new things, of which she demonstrated when she first tried ‘a quinoa’ and most importantly, never gives up, which will be vital for having a long stay in the jungle. There’s the humour value with stand-up comedian Joel Dommett, and plenty of sports stars, including dancers Ola Jordan along with Jordan Banjo from Diversity, footballer Wayne Bridge and Great Britain Hockey champion Sam Quek, who will all
definitely bring a competitive nature to camp. Lastly featured in the line up includes TV and radio presenter Lisa Snowdon, and Carol Vorderman from Countdown whose number skills could be useful in the future dingo-dollar challenges. The first camp mates who got to arrive in the initial idyllic surroundings for small talk and pleasantries would be called the ‘city campmates’ including Jordan, Lisa, Joel, Carol and Ola. Next, Ant and Dec made quite the entrance in their speedboat and we sure to come with an unpleasant surprise: that they would have to take part in a ‘lifeline’ task where they had to compete to pick from the other campmates, known as the ‘city campmates’, which one would represent them in a task to try and avoid doing the first bushtucker trial. Seems sim-
ple enough. However, what they didn’t realise was that they would have to also complete a task to save the campmates that had picked them as well, so both sets of campmates were set to do trials as soon as they started. If you’re not a fan of heights, then you won’t like either of the
challenges which were set. The city campmates had to do the 'city celeb challenge' where they had to walk the plank 334 ft. up in the air, stand in the ‘yellow game zone’ at the end of the plank and had to count to 60 seconds. The city campmates who were closest to 60 seconds would have their jungle campmates saved. The jungle campmates had their fair share of trials too in standard I’m a celeb style: having to jump out of planes and canoe through swamps. The results of both team’s efforts meant that Scarlett, Sam, Ola and Jordan had to face the ‘Tomb of Torment’ challenge. With revamped tasks, a good mix of campmates and plenty of critters, the next few weeks’ activity fresh from Oz is sure to set us up for a fantastic series!
Review: Secret Life of Prisons: Cutting Edge Morganna Chess TV Critic
The Secret Life of Prisons: Cutting Edge offers a gritty and disturbing insight into what really goes on behind bars in today’s British prisons. Through a montage of footage illegally filmed by prisoners on smuggled-in mobile phones, Channel 4’s documentary exposes the extreme violence, drug abuse and flawed prison system that remains hidden at the peripheries of modern society. We are introduced to Paula (aka ‘Princess Star’), a self-confessed prison smuggler, who is shown to artfully conceal mobile phones in ‘rigid mars bars’ and hide up to 30g of drugs in the sole of a single trainer. She receives requests from inmates through text
and makes around 10 visits per week to various prisons in order to hand over the contraband, profiting thousands in the process. Her most popular product of the moment is the harmful drug ‘Spice’
"Footage illegally filmed by prisoners on smuggled-in mobile phones" which, as Paula puts it, is ‘worth more than gold’ in the prison community. Virtually undetectable, Spice will not come up on drugs tests and is easy to smuggle inside, as Paula shockingly demonstrates when she sprays a liquid form of the drug onto an inconspicuous
child’s drawing, instantly making it worth £50. The majority of the footage showcases the effects of this highly desirable drug on prison life. One former inmate, ‘Simeon Bigfoot’, is depicted in a video taking half a gram of Spice for a dare and consequently having a heart attack and being pronounced dead for a few moments. He claimed that he had not been involved with drugs before his arrest but that it is an integral part of life inside; ‘the whole prison’s on it’. To combat the boredom of incarceration, many of the videos feature the popular prison game ‘are you willing to take a punch for a gram of Spice?’ and the documentary’s violent, blood-spattered footage reveals that, most of the time, the answer is yes. As opposed to attempting rehabilita-
tion, prisoners can become more intimately involved with drugs and violence in prison than they were before they were even arrested, thus helping contribute to the unnerving fact that almost half of prisoners will be back in jail within a year of their release. This overt unruly behaviour begs the question, where are all the guards? A video from HMP Bullingdon prison released earlier this year answers this question. Wearing masks and showcasing their illegal drugs, a group of inmates angrily blame the violent and drug-fuelled prison culture on severe staff shortages, bad conditions and a lack of education or constructive activities. In partial response to this passionate address, on November 4th a Ministry of Justice spokesperson
announced a ‘major overhaul on the prison system’ that will introduce 2,500 new prison guards to help solve the problems of violence, drugs, drones and mobile phones. The documentary ends with footage of over 200 prisoners at HMP Bedford rioting just two days after the announcement, reportedly against poor conditions. This leaves viewers to question whether this Cutting Edge exposure of the flawed prison system can really lead to positive change or whether the anarchy and violence will simply continue in new forms. Got something to say? Tweet us your opinions @redbrickTV
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FILM
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickfilm
Review: Arrival With Denis Villeneuve's first-contact thriller landing in British cinemas, Redbrick Film checks if we have anything to fear from this particular alien invasion Bea Harvie Film Critic
What would you do if the government knocked on your door and asked you to translate an alien language? Because that is just what happens to linguist Dr Louise Banks (Amy Adams) in the latest Villenevue film Arrival, based on the short story Story of Your Life. Twelve mysterious spacecrafts, arrive on earth, hovering in twelve different locations. With no knowledge of how they got here, or perhaps more importantly, what they are saying, Dr Louise
Banks (Adams) and theoretical physicist Dr Ian Donnelly (Jeremy Renner) are drafted in to answer the questions. With the world on the brink of declaring war, Banks and her team have to race against time to work out why these aliens are here. This is a thought provoking and fascinating sci-fi film, using real science and real paranoia. Fair warning, if you are hoping for a War of the Worlds scenario, this probably isn’t the film for you. Instead, the core of the film is about countries working together, sharing information and learning something from
"How many times do I have to say this Amy, you can't keep leaving your coffee cups on my work!"
this new alien race. Over a series of months, Banks learns to communicate with the aliens, learning their ‘written’ language – circular scriptures in squid like ink – and earning their trust. And in learning their language and trying to decipher the grammar, it raises interesting questions about the linguistic determinism theory. Does the way you talk deter-
"A thoughtprovoking and fascinating sci-fi film" mine the way you think? Do you dream in your language? It has beautiful cinematography, a fascinating glimpse at the philosophical and political questions. It is interesting, and incredibly thought provoking, investigating life as a progression, as cause and effect and sickness and health. It looks at life as more than just the time until you die. Adams is stellar. Her portrayal of a woman tired with the world yet who wants to learn, to understand, to help is painstakingly perfect. She leads the cast and is well matched by Renner’s performance as Donnelly, who provides some much needed friendship in the military campcum-base of operation. The timeframe of this movie over several months, reflects the painstaking data collection and
understanding that is so present in most scientific disciplines, but that Hollywood often skates over in favour of miraculous technologies. Hearing Banks explain to Forest Whitaker's Colonel Weber that a language is complex and cannot be taught or understood overnight was incredibly satisfying. As well as Renner’s little smirk in the background when the Colonel continues to ask why Banks can’t communicate with the aliens when she has only met them once. It was satisfying to see a film where science doesn’t happen instantly, but takes time. Also quietly amusing were the few quips about academic superiority between Banks (a lin-
"Adams is stellar. Her portrayal of a woman tired with the world yet who want to learn... is painstakingly perfect" guist) and Donnelly (a mathematician) about the benefit of maths. While not fast paced, the way the Arrival was presented was thought provoking and intelligent. Villeneue has outdone himself with this one. He may already have more than a
couple of awards under his belt, but I will be very offended if this doesn’t even get a nomination for another few. It was quietly grand, without any of the showy flash-bangs that Hollywood seems to deem necessary for modern cinema. It was a wonderful idea supported by stellar actors, and handled with sensitivity. For the most part. One implication that the Americans colonising Australia were the intellectual and technological superior to the Aborigines seems tactless, especially for a film about international unity and cohesion. On the whole however, despite being a film about aliens arriving on Earth, this is a well-considered film of a very high calibre. Part of its excellence derives from the lack of gung-ho and violence. It is about using your head and your heart, not a gun and a threat. It’s the alien film I didn’t realise I had been waiting for! VERDICT: If you want an intelligent film that probes at some of the questions of humanity, I would highly recommend Arrival. Adams portrayal of Banks was amazing, with genuinely affecting emotions valid philosophical questions were raised. A must-see and one of the best films of this year.
«««««
Films for the Bleak Midwinter
At the close of one of the worst years on record, Christmas escapism may be our last hope... or you could watch these instead Joe Ryan Film Editor
Every year during this, the most festive of seasons, those of us lucky enough to have loved ones tell our selves and our families that Christmas is best spent together. Any familial tensions are to be cast aside (or at least repressed) for the 12 days that we glibly preach peace on Earth and good will to all, the horrifying 353 days prior notwithstanding. Each year our admirable efforts striving towards the ideal of a stress-free holiday season typically last for about 30 minutes. After that, the only way to prise our nearest and dearest from each other's throats is to sedate them with dense foods, copious amounts of alcohol and the gogglebox. For edible sedatives, see the Food section, this is not our jursidiction. For the later, however, maybe give these not-so-perennial films a try for a less harrowing Christmas for at least some of the family. Beginning with a choice so
ubiquitous it almost doesn't qualify as alternative, Die Hard remains a film that dad's across the world's justify showing to their kids in December. "C'mon, it's set at Christmas" goes the pitiful excuse of the father to his put-upon better-half as their 8 year-old watches Bruce Willis shooting, swearing and "yippee ki-yay"-ing his way down a Los Angeles sky-scraper under attack by the incomparable Alan Rickman. That aside, there is a solid moral message here, namely that any marital crisis can be solved through wanton violence and property damage.
"To date the only film to make Belgium look exciting" Less obvious is the hilarious and endlessly quotable In Bruges, to date the only film to make Belgium look exciting. Dead children, psychopathic
'Twas the night before Christmas, and Colin wasn't taking any chances.
bosses and a healthy does of suicidal depression; the only difference between this and It's a Wonderful Life is the swearing. Colin Farrell and Brendan Gleeson bickering over everything from Flemish art to an oncoming race war is sure to remind your family that some arguments are not worth having. On a lighter note, Billy Wilder's romantic comedy The Apartment is full of Christmas cheer. It also deals with themes of corporate corruption, rape and
suicide, but somehow manages to be one of the most charming films ever made. Jack Lemmon's unique and inspired comic delivery makes him a magnetic screen presence, shifting between wit and pathos often in the same sentence. Despite the tragedy, there is a feel-good energy to the dialogue and scenarios that will leave you with a very confusing grin as the credits roll. If all the on-screen Christmas decoration are getting too much for you, maybe opt for a cinematic retelling of the nativity story. As may already have become obvious, our pick is somewhat unconventional. Children of Men charts an odyssey across a country under despotic rule to ensure delivery of an miraculous conception against all odds. A beautifully bleak film with pitch perfect, heart-rending performance that might make you hate children a little less. Sticking with dystopian futures, is there anything more Christmas-y than bureaucratic inefficiency? Terry Gilliam
doesn't seem to think so and Brazil, charting the exponentially detrimental consequences of a clerical error causing the wrong man to be abducted by the secret police on Christmas Eve, mixes an Orwellian future with black humour and surreal imagery to create one of the finest and most ambitious films ever made.
"Is there anything more Christmas-y than bureaucratic inefficiency?" Finally, there is The French Connection. There's very little Christmas here but Gene Hackman does dress as Santa early on and that's good enough reason to include this, the greatest cop movie ever made, here. Watch this film, if not at Christmas then during the aforementioned 353 dark days after January 6th. Merry Christmas.
FILM
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickfilm
25
Best In Show: The Best Film of 2016 Redbrick contributors present the official selection for this year's best movies, more insightful than Rotten Tomatoes, more accurate than the Oscars The Witch
The Danish Girl Matthew Bruce
“God made me a woman, but the doctor corrected the mistake that nature made”, surely the most memorable line from Tom Hooper’s beautiful film, The Danish Girl. The film details the life of artist Einar Wegener (subsequently Lili Elbe) and his long suffering wife and fellow artist, Gerda as they come to terms with his desire to become a woman in an age of intolerance, gambling all to undergo one of the first ever sexchange operations in 1930. Eddie Redmayne triumphs as Einar/Lili. His transition from one “character” to the other is seamless, his every movement proof of tireless study for the role. Alicia Vikander is equally as impressive. It is quite appropriate that this beautifully picturesque film is about the lives of two artists; it wouldn’t be overzealous to say that some of the lingering shots of Copenhagen are like paintings. Loosely based on a true story, the release couldn’t be timelier here in the 21st century, when all too belatedly begin to accept and admire sexual difference. It is reminiscent of the story of flamboyant writer Quentin Crisp’s struggle with homosexuality, which was brought to life in the 70s TV film, The Naked Civil Servant. Regardless, The Danish Girl is a film about which people will talk at length for a long time to come, bolstering Eddie Redmayne’s flourishing career. Film Critic
George Griffiths
If Trump's aim this year was to make America great again, first-time director Robert Eggers makes the same bet for the horror film with The Witch. A horror film which wears its influences on its sleeve - everything from Carpenter to Kubrick - and allows the audience the greatest horror of all; questioning whether what they're seeing before them is real at all. The titular witch, however is definitely real, snatching and pulverising a baby before the first ten minutes are out. The rest of the film is a slow-burn of anticipation and anti-climax which results in a Grand Guignol of gothic pulp. You'll never look at a goat the same way again. Film Editor
Son of Saul
The Assassin Joe Ryan
Hou Hsiao-Hsien’s first film in 8 years not only demonstrates a filmmaker at the top of his game, but also offers a measured and deeply affecting folkloric fable about duty, honour and family. Equal parts martial arts movie, character study and political drama, The Assassin portrays a woman, and a society, precariously balanced and on the brink of upheaval. The rulers of Weibo province tear themselves apart through vicious scheming as they are stalked by a mysterious killer with personal ties to her target. Impressionistic fight scenes, complex political maneuvering and a layered visual style of pure cinema lead to a quietly astonishing masterpiece unmatched by many films of the past decade. A distinctly atypical martial arts film - there are no flamboyant, virtuoso fight scenes and no clear moral code. What there is instead is a touching, beautiful, violent, thrilling masterpiece that beguiles and confronts all at once. It is a whole greater than the sum of its parts, that each play out together in a deceptively complex, interwoven narrative that nonetheless engages the audience right up until the final, majestic, windswept landscape. A rare film indeed and a true work of art. Film Editor
Hunt for the Wilderpeople Alex McDonald
Everyone now and again, we get a film that is devoid of cynicism and is just unapologetically joyful. Hunt for the Wilderpeople is the latest from Kiwi director Taika Waititi, a man who specialises in off-beat comedies with a lot of heart. A blend of dry wit, outrageous humour and emotional moments that don’t feel force make this easily the most charming film of 2016. Bringing the charm of Waititi’s script to life is the mother of all mismatched comedy duos in a disgruntled Sam Neill and a loud-mouthed rebellious Julian Dennison. Thanks to two nuanced performances, characters who could have been insufferable are endlessly endearing from start to finish. In a year of buddy comedy’s that never strive to be anything more than mediocre (step forward Ride Along 2 and Central Intelligence) Waititi breaks the mould and adds another gem to his résumé of quirky indie flicks. I cannot recommend Hunt for the Wilderpeople highly enough. Film Editor
"A rare film indeed, and a true work of art"
Star Trek Beyond
Conrad Duncan
Whenever a film about the holocaust comes out, inevitably the same question comes up. Do we really need to watch another film about it? The recognition of the event as one of history’s greatest atrocities is important but at some point, it is fair to ask whether these films are being made for exploitative reasons. Son of Saul is a rare thing then; a holocaust film that does not feel like it’s taking advantage of the emotional heft of its subject. Director László Nemes’ masterstroke is his decision to focus intensely on Saul (Géza Röhrig) with the camera staying close to his frame of vision. The result is a claustrophobic experience that feels, in the least crass way, immersive and harrowing. However, it would be wrong to say that Son of Saul is a film that’s devoted entirely to misery. Instead, it’s a cautionary tale about the unthinkable levels of suffering humans are capable of inflicting upon each other, and one that ends on a bittersweet note of hope. In a time when more aggressive and extreme ideologies are gaining greater popularity, it is a stark reminder of the need for common humanity and compassion. Digital Editor
Harry Turner
Star Trek Beyond shows how to do a good, standalone sequel with well-established characters without relying on homages to previous stories or teases for stories to come. In an industry where every production house at the moment is rushing to create their own inter-connected cinematic universe, Beyond is made special by in many ways ignoring this trend entirely. Sure, it picks up where the last left off, but it doesn’t rely on any long-running plot-points for its story – and indeed, unlike Into Darkness, it doesn’t try to retell a classic Trek story either. Beyond is a poster child for why simplicity can do wonders for blockbusters. It features fantastic character work, some great camera work, and an intriguing plot that mines the central appeal of the Star Trek franchise without relying on its decades-spanning mythos. If Civil War is the zenith of cinematic universe filmmaking, then Star Trek Beyond is the champion for the now traditional, standalone blockbusters. It’s not mind-blowing, but it is a great time – and one of the best films this year. Deputy Editor
26
FOOD
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickfood
Make The Ultimate Christmas Dinner Food Writer Will Haynes gives us a complete guide to creating this massive meal
Bread Roast Potatoes: Sauce: You will need:
You will need:
1kg King Edward or Maris Piper potatoes 100g duck or goose fat/100ml vegetable oil 4 cloves of garlic Dried rosemary 2 tbsp flour or semolina
1 large onion 6 cloves 1 bay leaf 6 black peppercorns 600ml whole milk 120g white breadcrumbs 50g butter
Method:
Turkey: You will need: A 5kg turkey or turkey crown to serve 7-8 with leftovers 100g softened butter A handful of finely chopped fresh parsley 4 crushed garlic cloves An onion and a lemon, halved A few sprigs of thyme or rosemary
Method: Preheat your oven to 200C/180C fan. In a bowl, beat the butter, garlic and parsley until combined, adding plenty of salt and pepper too. With your hands, open up a pocket between the breast meat and the skin, and spoon in some of the seasoned butter mixture to each side. Massage the outside of the bird to spread the butter evenly under the skin. Rub any remaining butter on the outside of the skin. Place the onion, lemon, and herb sprigs in the cavity of the bird. Roast the bird for 20 minutes, before turning the heat down to 180C/160C fan, for the next 3 hours and 20 minutes. To check if it’s cooked through, make sure the juices run clear and there is no sign of blood. If not, put it back in for 15 minutes and check again. You must rest the turkey for 30-45 minutes before carving, leaving it in a warm place, under foil. After carving, strip any leftover meat from the carcass and refrigerate.
Decorate the table with some christmas crackers for an extra festive feel
Stuffing: You will need:
250g pork sausage meat 100g chestnuts, chopped or blitzed 2 rashers of smoked streaky bacon, finely sliced 1 finely diced onion 50g breadcrumbs A handful of finely chopped fresh sage leaves A quarter of a fresh nutmeg, grated Zest of half a lemon, and quarter of an orange or clementine
Peel and cut the potatoes into even sizes. Boil in salted water for 8 minutes, and drain. While still hot and steaming in the colander, sprinkle over half the flour, and toss to coat and fluff up the outsides, before repeating with the rest of the flour. Then spread the potatoes out on a tray or board to cool before roasting. Put the fat/oil into a large roasting tray and place in the hot oven. After two minutes, add the garlic cloves whole. After a further 3 minutes, it’s time to add the potatoes to the hot fat. Be careful not to splash it on your skin, but try to coat the potatoes as best you can, as quickly as you can.
Veg: Carrots&Parsnips You will need: 500g peeled carrots 500g peeled parsnips 2 tbsp olive oil 4 tbsp honey
Method: Slice the carrots a n d parsnips lengthways into halves or quarters so that they are evenly sized. Mix the oil and honey in a bowl, t h e n toss the vegetables in the mixture to coat. Add to a roasting tray, season with plenty of salt and pepper, then roast for 30 minutes until soft, caramelised and starting to blacken on the ends.
600ml good chicken stock 2 tbsp plain flour A splash of port or good wine
Method: When you remove your turkey from the roasting tray, make sure to catch all the roasting juices. Put the tray on the hob on a high heat until it starts to sizzle and smoke, pour in a splash of port or wine.
Veg: Brussell Sprouts You will need:
Method:
Season well with salt, pepper, and rosemary, before returning to the oven to roast for an hour, or until dark golden brown and crispy. You may want to turn the potatoes to recoat in oil after 35-40 minutes.
You will need:
Pour the milk into a saucepan with the onion, cloves, bay leaf and peppercorns. Bring the mixture to the boil, and then remove from the heat and allow to cool for 15 minutes. Pass through a sieve and return the infused milk to the pan. Stir in the breadcrumbs, then return to a low heat and cook gently for 8 minutes or until you achieve the desired consistency. Stir in the butter and season with salt and black pepper to taste.
500g Brussel sprouts 2 rashers of smoked streaky bacon, finely sliced 2 diced medium shallots 75ml chicken stock
Method: To make this stuffing, simply combine the listed ingredients in a bowl and work together with your hands, adding plenty of salt and pepper. If you’re using a whole bird, you may want to cook half the stuffing in the neck cavity. With the rest, simply spread in a nice dish, and roast for an hour until dark and crispy on top.
Method:
Gravy:
Sweat the bacon for a few minutes in a sauté pan, then add the shallots and continue until sweet and caramelised. Add the sprouts and allow to sear for a few minutes before adding the stock, and stirring to coat. Cover, and turn the heat to low. Braise for 15 minutes or until the Brussel sprouts are soft and cooked through. Serve with plenty of salt and black pepper.
Use a wooden spoon to scrape all the residue off the tray. When the alcohol has cooked away, turn the heat down low and add the flour. Cook out for 2-3 minutes, but keep it moving. Then start to add the hot stock, a little at a time to avoid lumps. Continue until your gravy is the consistency you desire. If there is an unsightly layer of fat on the top, a good trick to skim it away is to drag a slice of fluffy white bread across the surface. Serve in a gravy boat, steaming hot.
Veg: Cabbage You will need: 1 red cabbage, shredded 2 large onions, finely sliced 2 bramley apples, finely sliced 2 tbsp dark brown sugar 1 star-anise and a cinnamon stick 150ml port or good wine 50g butter
Method: Fry the onions in butter for a few minutes, until soft. Add the cabbage and apples and cook for five minutes, before adding the sugar and wine. Throw in the cinnamon and staranise, cover and cook on a low heat for 2-3 hours, stirring occasionally, until the cabbage is really soft and sticky. Remove the cinnamon and staranise, then season well with salt and black pepper.
FOOD
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickfood
Recipe: Christmas Hot Chocolate Food Writer Caitlin Dickinson's festive twists on a hot chocolate The simplest way to make a hot chocolate is obvious to most of us - cocoa powder and hot milk mixed together - but at this festive time of the year, when we want to indulge in sweetness and a tipple of alcohol, making a hot chocolate with a twist is a great option.
For extra festivity, use a Christmassy mug and squirt cream on top in a spiral. Sprinkle the choc chips on and enjoy!
Red Velvet Hot Chocolate Ingredients: 3 tbsp Cocoa powder 1 tbsp Dark chocolate chips 1 Liquid red food colouring 2-3 tbsp Sugar 1 and 1/4 tbsp Vanilla flavouring 1 mug of milk Method: Heat your milk and then make a base with the cocoa powder and a small amount of hot milk. Add the red food colouring and mix into the base. Pour in the rest of your hot milk, then add the sugar and vanilla.
Method:
Heat your milk and then make a base with the cocoa powder and a small amount of the milk. Pour in the rest of the hot milk, then add the orange zest, cinnamon, sugar and dark chocolate to the liquid and stir thoroughly. Enjoy with cream on top, and perhaps a sprinkle of cinnamon.
White hot chocolate
Hot chocolate orange, with Christmas spice Ingredients: 1 orange zest 3 tbsp cocoa powder ¼ teaspoon of cinnamon 2 tbsp sugar 120g dark chocolate 1 mug of milk
Ingredients: 200g white chocolate chips 1 ½ tsp of vanilla extract 2 tbsp sugar 1 mug of milk Method:
Prepare the hot chocolate base as described before with a little bit of your hot milk and cocoa powder. Pour in the rest of the milk and add the chocolate chips, vanilla extract, and sugar. Heat further and continue to stir the liquid so that the chocolate is fully combined. Finish with cream on top.
Recipe: Mince Pie Crumble Sahar Jamfar Food Writer
Ingredients: 125g unsalted butter, cold from the fridge 185g plain flour, plus extra for dusting 3 tablespoons golden caster sugar 1 large egg 180g mincemeat 120g pot custard Method: Heat the oven to 200C/180C fan/gas 6. Put a baking sheet in the oven on the middle shelf. Cut the butter into small cubes.
Sift the flour into a large mixing bowl and add a pinch of salt. Tip the butter into the flour and use your fingers to rub the two together until it resembles breadcrumbs. Stir in 2 tablespoons of the sugar. Scoop 85g of the crumbs into a smaller bowl and set aside. Have two small bowls ready. Crack the egg on the side of one bowl, then carefully pull the shell apart in two halves, letting the yolk nestle into one side. Let the white drain away from the yolk into one bowl and put the yolk into the other bowl. Beat the egg yolk with a fork, then add it to the bigger bowl of butter and flour mix. Stir the yolk into the crumbs. Put your hand in the bowl and squeeze the crumbs together to make a ball. Knead the pastry a few times until smooth. Sprinkle some flour over your
work surface. Sprinkle a little more over the pastry and roll it out to the thickness of two £1 coins. Stamp the pastry with a cutter, re-rolling the trimmings to make 12 rounds. Gently push the rounds of pastry into the tin. Spoon 1 heaped teaspoon of the custard into each pastry case, followed by the mincemeat on top. Add the final 1 tablespoon of sugar to the smaller bowl of crumb mix. Pinch it together to make bigger clumps and mound it on top of the mincemeat. Slide the tin on top of the baking sheet and bake for 15 minutes until golden brown and the custard and mincemeat are starting to bubble. Cool in the tin for 15 minutes, then carefully lift the pies onto a rack and leave to cool. Enjoy!
27
Bitesize Review: BBC Winter Good Food Show Mimi Dang Food Writer
Do you fancy yourself the next Masterchef or see yourself rubbing shoulders with Mary Berry in the next Bake Off finals? If you answered yes and yes to the above, Birmingham National Exhibition Centre was the place to be last weekend as foodies flocked to the annual BBC Good Food show. With over 500 stalls to peruse with high quality sweets, preserves, and other edible goodies you’d wish you had a second stomach. From handmade chocolates to wow-ing product demonstrations (who knew watching soup be heated and made in a blender could be so satisfying?), there were stalls to tickle all fancies. The BBC Good Food stage was a great place to rest the sore feet as it featured a mix of celebrity interviews, cooking demos, and tips for the festive season. Stacie Stewart’s zucchini noodles and raw cacao balls (the latter I can say tasted great) made you super excited about 'clean' cooking, once you know how to buy low processed goods and maximise your ingredients. On the other end of the spectrum, Bake Off’s chirpy Nadiya Hussain had us thinking otherwise with her family ritual “Dessert for Dinner”. That’s totally okay because it’s only once a month, right? The excitement of Bake Off was far from over! This year saw Mary Berry grace the Good Food stage. There are two Queens in this country, one who rules common-
wealth and the other who rules the kitchen. The baking Queen herself showed off her skills alongside Paul Hollywood and other UK top chefs. 11am was definitely not too early to start sipping the cider, beer, and wine samples which were all within a close walk of each other. We sampled our way through the exhibition with Irish coffee in one hand and homemade granola in the other. With so much high quality food on show, the exhibition attracts those who appreciate the time and creativity shining in each product. For those new to the game, you can't help but join the club and get excited about the variety of fudge and jams as well. With skin products, ceramics and crafts also available, you could be sure to pick up a unique Christmas gift for the whole family. Or even a signed book by Mary Berry! The show was definitely an event for those interested in food, cooking, drinks, or just brownies alone (which there were plenty of). Tips from the top chefs in the country really got you more intrigued by the wonderful ways to transform quality ingredients into a balanced, fulfilling meal! It's not always about appearance when it tastes that great. So stop watching those Buzzfeed food tutorials because after the Good Food show, I've got motivation for the whole year. To the kitchen!
Christmas Pub Grub
Can't be bothered to cook? Food Editor Phoebe Radford explores what's on offer in Selly Oak
So it’s Christmas and you really want to enjoy a cute Christmas dinner with your housemates, but none of you can cook, or your tiny galley kitchen makes cooking a roast nearly impossible. If this is the case, then it’s time to turn your back on the kitchen and head into Selly. Here’s a bitesize preview of all the Christmas dinners on offer in our beloved Selly Oak pubs. The Goose The Goose is in a giving mood this Christmas, offering a three course Christmas dinner for £11.99, or two courses for just £9.99. For starters, you can choose a tomato and cream soup, a prawn cocktail, or breaded camembert with a festive cranberry dip. Star of the show is the roast turkey dinner, which comes with sage and onion stuffing, and a pig in blanket. All the main courses come
with vegetables and crispy potatoes (maybe the budget price can’t stretch to roast potatoes?). If you’re a vegetarian then your only main option is a Cheddar cheese, cream, and leek tart. Meat eaters could instead go for the less-festive choices of a rump steak (for an extra £1.50) or the punny Bah Hum Burger, which is a beef patty topped with cheese, bacon, stuffing, a pig in blanket, cranberry sauce, and roast potatoes. For dessert there is obviously a Christmas Pudding, but also a baked vanilla cheesecake or a chocolate fudge cake. If this tempts you (more likely the price does) then you can book online at http://www.gooseovt.co.uk/. The Bristol Pear One of the best-loved pubs in Selly, the Bristol Pear has a three course Christmas menu priced at
£12.45. The choices are very similar to those offered at The Goose. Starters include tomato soup, breaded Camembert, or chicken wings. For the mains, there is the obligatory Turkey roast with all the trimmings and the vegetarian leek tart. The Bristol Pear go one bett e r than The
Goose with an additional vegetarian option, but this is a rather boring mushroom and halloumi burger. Alternative main courses include the boneless beef rib, or the Xxxmas burger, which is another festive themed burger with cheese, bacon and turkey.
If a set menu doesn’t take your fancy, then the Bristol Pear do sharing platters (seasonably named ‘Sleighs’). Sleigh One is £10.24, and has a variety of finger foods, like chicken wings, pigs in blankets, stuffing balls, and other nibbles. Sleighs Two and Three include all the items of the previous platters with added extras and will set you back £12.45 or £14.45, respectively. The Country Girl Less well known in Selly Oak, The Country Girl is on Raddlebarn Road, near the top of Heeley Road. They have a ‘Festive Fayre’ menu running from 28th November until 30th December, and priced at £13.49 for two courses, or £15.99 for three. The menu bears similarities to the other Christmas menus in Selly Oak. For starters, you could choose from tomato soup,
breaded mushrooms, pate, or smoked salmon and prawn salad. The centrepiece of their main menu is, of course, the Turkey roast. The other options are a steak, a Salmon fillet, and a vegetable tart. Like both The Goose and the Bristol Pear, The Country Girl has created a Christmassy burger, but uniquely this is a chicken burger with brie, bacon, and cranberry sauce. For something sweet you can choose from Christmas Pudding, Salted Caramel Profiteroles, vanilla Panna Cotta, or white chocolate and cherry cheesecake. If you do choose The Country Girl for your house Christmas meal, then definitely take advantage of their Fizz Club deal; get a bottle for £10 on Friday and Saturday from 5pm.
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LIFE & STYLE
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricklife
'Tis The Season: To Be As Unhealthy As You Wish
Life&Style writer Katie McDonald explains why it is fine to enjoy the festive season without worrying about fitness Katie McDonald
called manners, no-one wants to upset Grandma. Christmas is expensive. We put a lot of hard work into The festive season is here again. spending our student loans on So for us, that means a mince gifts for all the family, plus all pie or two and one cheeky glass of sherry with your Nan, right? Let me be brutally honest; we’re students and it’s one of the – no, the - most celebrated time of the year where we worship food and drink. It’s the biggest excuse of the year to be as unhealthy as you like, and no one will judge you. your Uni mates from your new We all know everyone starts group chat, plus your old school planning Christmas in early friends on the odd chance you summer. You’ve got your shop- might reunite for more food and ping lists, workout regimes and drink. It adds up. I’ve lost hours festive plans sorted by the abso- – no, days – thinking about, lute latest, in September. Well, I shopping for and wrapping all have a confession – I have bare- my presents, which is why I ly started mine and am willing blagged that last assignment by to bet that you’re in exactly the the way. So I accept the fact I same position. We all are. We’re will need comfort food from the students so the time for ridicu- moment I step in the front door. lous amounts of delicious grub Get me a mince pie already! and booze is our time to indulge. You will regret it, if you Three months ago, Freshers don’t indulge. If you say “no went from paddling in the shal- thanks” to the extra Christmas low end of our colleges to being pudding, if you turn down the thrown into the deep end of drop more red wine, if you use University life. Since then, the “I’m driving” excuse when we’ve managed to not drown in Auntie Sue offers just another the pile of assignments we have, glass, even though you’re home nor the alcohol we’ve poured already and she’s too tipsy to down our throats to cope. So, notice, it’s a mistake. Come you aren’t allowed to judge me January assignments, you’ll be for the next two weeks for kicking yourself; not because accepting the extra portions. It’s you had overstepped the mark Life&Style writer @lifeofamissfit
"Make the most of each mouthwatering bite, take the extra cake"
and gave into the few too many attempted to twerk after a glass mince pies, but because you too many, the look on you pardidn’t. When January comes, ents' faces when they open a everyone turns back into nor- gift that they love, the laughter mal human beings that don’t eat and the fun. Chiristmas is about for the sake of it, or at least they family so why spend your time try to. So, make the most of in the gym when you could be each mouth-watering bite, take spending quality time with the extra cake, have the extra yours? glass. First years, your first Say yes to ‘food’ because Christmas will be filled with when that oh-so depressing your Mum and Dad telling you post New Year slump hits us, how proud they are that you it’s no longer socially accepta- made it through your first term, ble to eat like a horse. Enjoy all so come January it will be time the lovely food, drink, zero to believe in yourself, prove obligations of gym visits and them right and shine. Second essay stresses that Christmas years, your penultimate brings because when January is Christmas has gone, which here, don’t we know it. I won’t should show you how fast the lie; it will hit you like a tonne next few months of bricks and the 9th will go. Best get December, the glorious thinking of day of the end of term, how to will be ancient history. spend your When second semeslast sumter starts, deadlines mer. creep and you will Finally, The amount of have forgotten about I speak to weight the average the extremely optimy fellow person gains over mistic and achievable final years. New Year’s resolutions U n l e s s Christmas that you made. you’re mad And, let's face it, the enough to even memories you want to bring consider postback to university after the grad, this is your last Christmas break aren't of how ever few months of University many hours you spent in the life, of dissertations, exams and gym or how many miles you ‘the future’. Now, aren’t you all ran but those important family glad you let your hair down at memories; the way your uncle Christmas?
7lb
Top Five: Celebrity Movembers Life&Style writer Sophie Webb gives her pick of the best celebrity movembers this year
David Beckham
Daniel Craig
Dylan Hartley
Tom Hardy
Ben Miller
Ex-England football player David Beckham is well known for his extensive charity work, supporting many different causes around the world. He has participated in Movember numerous times, and undeniably completely nails the look every time! With facial hair that is regularly cited as inspirational to men, David Beckham gives off that suave, stylish and sophisticated vibe!
This is quite a different look from the suave and sophisticated clean-shaven 007 we are used to seeing Daniel Craig play. However, although it definitely takes some getting used to, it’s certainly admirable that he chose to make such a bold statement out of his fundraising rather than just opting for the stubble many people do. One thing is for sure, the blue eyes your mum is always gushing about are still as penetrating as ever!
England rugby team captain Dylan Hartley’s fabulous moustache shows that even ‘tough’, sporty guys can and should get involved with the Movember campaign. He explained: "For every moustache grown it prompts a discussion...that discussion leads to awareness...awareness can lead to identification and early identification can lead to help and/or prevention. It's good to talk people, so for the sake of all the sons, brothers, dads and grandads out there - get growing and get talking!"
Tidy was clearly not the word that was on Tom Hardy’s mind when he took on the Movember challenge. However, oddly enough, he still looks great even with a huge fluffy beard that looks strangely cavemanesque. He must be one of the only men who can grow a messy beard and still look good. And, let’s face it, you’d still fancy him even if he had food stuck in it wouldn’t you?
Comedian, actor, and director Ben Miller recently completed a 100km solo tandem bike ride around the south of England, the route topically being in the shape of a moustache. He did the ride in memory of his grandfather and father, both of whom died from prostate cancer, his father passing away shortly after retiring. He hoped that by doing so he could raise awareness of prostate cancer on behalf of his father and encourage more men to get themselves checked out. Even without the moustache, he would deserve to be on this list. Kudos!
LIFE & STYLE
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricklife
Feeling The Pressure: Freshers, It's Okay
Life&Style writer Antonia Miles explains why it's normal to feel overwhelmed as a fresher as the Autumn term draws to a close The first semester of your first year at university is drawing to a close. Scary, right? We certainly all felt nervous when we moved to university; who could forget the nervous butterflies we all felt stepping into what would be our new home for the year! But you’ve made it this far and in some ways, many of your worries have amounted to nothing. You’ve settled in well, you’ve made friends and you haven’t burnt the kitchen down (not yet anyway!) Ultimately, we all enter student life with rather romanticised images in our head and absurdly high expectations of the ‘best years’ of our lives which are just about to begin. But these expectations can be really dangerous. It leads us to thinking that we must be having a good time all the time, or something is seriously wrong with us. If the reality of uni life isn’t quite what you expected it to be, you’re not alone and what you are feeling is completely normal.
It’s okay to be feeling homesick...� For many of us it’s the first time that we’re living away from home. It was okay at first; you had Freshers to enjoy and home was probably the last thing on your mind. But now the reality of uni has set in, the workload is increasing and people are going out less, you can’t help but feel r e a l l y homesick. And it’s completely normal to feel this way.
like the people you’re surrounded by, you’ve only known these people for a couple of months. It’s okay to feel lonely and to crave the familiarity of your friendship group at home, from time to time.
It’s okay to feel lonely sometimes... University is one of the most socially inclusive communities you could belong to, yet it can also feel like one of the most isolating and lonely places. No matter how much you
It’s okay to not be friends with everyone...� There’s a lot of pressure placed on Freshers in the first month of university to ‘’make as many friends as possible’’ but in simple terms, you are not going to click with everyone you meet. Leaving the first
It’s okay to be feeling under pressure...� The workload is increasing and the assignments are piling up. It’s okay to be feeling under pressure. If you’re worrying about something, the chances are someone else is too so it’s important to speak up and contact the relevant people to ask for help.
term of university with one good friend by your side, is one more friend than you started with. It’s perfectly normal to still be figuring out where you fit in and not to belong to the huge social group you envisioned yourself being in. It’s okay to explore your options...� You’ve religiously committed to Stuesdays, Snobs and Fab week in week out but you’re beginning to tire of the sight of a VK. It’s okay to feel this way! Student nights are great for socialising and meeting new people at first, but it’s okay to want to venture beyond Broad Street and explore other nights out and other things to do in your spare time in the city. It’s okay to be yourself... The purpose of university is not to mould its students into a clone; university is about embracing diversity and celebrating difference. So even when you feel like you’re different to everyone else around you, it’s always okay to be yourself.
Top Five: Christmas Markets
Life&Style writer Mimi Dang shares which Christmas markets across the UK are guaranteed to put you in the festive mood 1. London, 18th November- 2nd January
There’s a few markets here to choose from including German Southbank Centre Winter Market near Waterloo, a new one at Leicester Square and Hyde Park’s extraordinary Winter Wonderland. You’ll be kept busy with most things within a short distance. Go for a skate on the Open Air Ice Rink or take in sparkling London views on the Giant Observation wheel. Each market will have something slightly different to offer, whether you want to catch a Christmas show at the Southbank markets or tuck into some German-style street food at the Kingston markets - it’s all up to you. Check online which market will most tickle your fancy or be a champ and plan a market for each night of the week.
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FIERCE Christmas Movies From rom-coms to pure cheese, Christmas films cover it all. They are the perfect excuse to take a study break, get cosy in front of the TV with a lovely hot chocolate and feel all fuzzy and warm inside about the festive season. Guaranteed to make even a total grinch smile!
Berry Tones An autumn staple. berry tones are still beautiful throughout winter. From deep velvets to glossy lips, there are so many ways to incorporate these shades into your look. Why not give them a little Christmas twist with a hint of glitter too! The perfect combination.
Clothes Show It may be the last one in Birmingham before it moves to Liverpool but, undeniably, Clothes Show is one of the highlights of the year for any fashionista. With so many great brands, a sprinkling of celebrities and a spectacular cat walk show, there is so much to love about this eventand it's right on our doorstep!
Holographic Make Up Whilst the new array of holographic lip glosses, highlighters and eyeshadows might be insta-worthy, they are definitely not something that can be pulled of in real life.
Crop Tops They may have been a wardrobe essential over summer and yes, they can look great, but surely it is too cold to be baring your midriff right now?! I'll definitely be sticking to cosy jumpers for a while!
2. Bath, 24th November- 11th December
Check out the rows of chalets planted along the streets of the Abbey and the Roman Baths. Most are local to Bath so you’ll get the chance to pick up some crafts like ceramics and toys handmade in the city itself! Why not treat yourself to some warm food and drink after a skate at the Ice Rink.
3. York, 17th November- 23rd December
Once again, York Minster plays the backdrop for St Nicholas’ Fair with chalets decking out traditional foods and crafts. Yorkshire foods will be making an appearance. Bombard the senses with the festival aromas of mulled wine and roasted chestnuts, there’s nothing quite like it. Even that’s warming enough for the insides. Tickets for booking are available to check out some great performances.
4. Leeds, 11th November- 18th December
Millennium Square will be playing host to Leeds Christkindelmarkt. Step off the carousel ride to enjoy some traditional foods with light entertainment (preferably in that order) including bratwurst sausages and schnitzels. This year there’ll be an après-ski-esque feel with a new Ski Hutte bar popping up this year so get your earmuffs and beanies on! Chase away those Winter chills with a hot drink at German Kuh Stall or mulled wine at Gluhwein.
Tights They are an essential in the colder winter months but tights are an absolute pain! You pull on a pair only to find out that every pair you own has some form of hole or ladder, then spend the whole day sorting out your granny ankles.
Zoe Screti
Life&Style Editor
5. Birmingham, 17th November- 29th December
It's right on your doorstep so go and see the City Centre transformed into what’s been called the largest Christmas market outside of Germany and Austria itself! You can be sure they’ll be the traditional German fare including Bratwurst and of course pretzels. Grab a hot chocolate to wrap those cold gloved fingers around.
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TRAVEL
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktravel
Hidden Gem: Christmas in the Holy Land Sam Nightingale Bartlett
parade at the Church of the Annunciation. Fireworks, a concert and much celebration usually follow this on the 25th.
Travel Writer
Around December time each year through Primary school we’ve all been dressed up by overly eager teachers as shepherds, wise kings or if unlucky a farm yard animal. Yes, we all know the story of the Nativity well, including the place names such as Nazareth, Jerusalem and of course Bethlehem. Yet despite the Nativity’s centrality to our favourite time of year, very few of us have gone to the source for our Christmas celebrations. The holiday season is of course a time for friends and family, but also for unforgettable experiences, and wouldn’t a long weekend in the Holy Land be just that? Whether religious or not the history and culture on offer in Bethlehem and Jerusalem make for a stunning few days. What’s more, the bright lights of party city Tel Aviv will be waiting for you to top off the trip, and maybe New Years, with some more conventional fun.
"... Bethlehem and Jerusalem make for a stunning few days." Israel is a cheap and easy option with its airport- Ben Gurion- being just a five hour flight away. You can find flights with EasyJet for under £100 if you book in advance. If you prefer a more comfortable option, British Airways or Israel’s El Al are still very moderately priced and far more luxurious that the cheaper Airlines. Accommodation is no problem either, with Tel Aviv only an hour away from Jerusalem and Bethlehem you can choose to stay at, and access either, or both if intending to stay longer. A full range of options are available, from 5 star hotels, such
"Tel Aviv is the Mediterranean's city that never sleeps..." as the famous King David, to great low-key backpacker hostels such as The Post. Another idea would be to Airbnb an apartment. If you look well enough there are some great finds at a good price in both Tel Aviv and Jerusalem, which are both good bases for travelling around the country. Having been considered the centre of the world for centuries, Jerusalem is home to an unparalleled host of religious, historical and cultural sites. The narrow streets of the Old City are particularly vibrant in December as the Jewish holiday of Hanukkah can coincide with Christian Palestinian’s preparation for Christmas. Over this period pilgrims from around the world flood into town, contributing to a cosmopolitan and celebratory feel which replaces the tensions which can otherwise be present in the city. Despite most Israeli’s not celebrating the holiday, the Armenian and Christian quarters in particular are lit up with decorations. There are countless incredible religious and historical sites in Jerusalem, many of which are best to be visited at this time of year. You may want to soak in the atmosphere along Via Dolorosa as pilgrims sing and dance their way to the magnificent Church of the Holy Sepulchre, Jesus’s resting place. The Lutheran Church of the Redeemer and Anglican St George’s Cathedral are both good places to catch a carol service, which are often in English. This is a seasonal experience not to be
missed whether you’re religious or not.
"The narrow streets of the Old City are particularly vibrant in December..." Bethlehem is in the Palestinian territories, and the real centre of Christmas in the Holy Land. Here you may want to take the short walk from Jerusalem with the Latin Patriarch and his follower’s procession on Christmas Eve, which cumulates in Manger Square with a colourful and joyous ceremonial parade. You can find the stunning life-size Nativity Grotto, and grand Christmas tree outside of Jesus’ birthplace, the Church of the Nativity. Make sure to stick around, as thousands of Palestinians and pilgrims alike flock to the square to eat, drink and celebrate all evening up until Midnight Mass at the Basilica of the Nativity. Tickets for this are free, but sell out many months in advance, so if you don’t have one, you can watch with many thousands on a big screen from the square. Note that if you don’t fancy the walk the Israeli Ministry of Tourism puts on free shuttle buses from Jerusalem’s Old City, for more information on this check
their website. Though Bethlehem is effectively joined onto Jerusalem, it’s actually a Palestinian territory, so you have to pass through checkpoints in and out. This is part of the unfortunate reality of the IsraelPalestine conflict. It is worth checking Foreign Office for advice before you travel, though it should be known that both Israeli and Palestinian security is stringent, and Bethlehem at Christmas is not known for conflict. Another destination is Nazareth, which is especially good if you like outdoors. The city is nestled in the picturesque and green hills of the Galilee region which is the largely Christian Arab town where Jesus grew up. You may like to hike parts of the Nativity trail, which snakes through the West Bank’s Judaean Desert past the stunn i n g Wa d i Qelt and Jericho, t h e world’s oldest c i t y . Ending up in rolling countryside with incredible views of the Sea of Galilee, and finally in Nazareth, you may make it in time for the Christmas
Once the Christmas celebrations have been completed, New Years or Sylvester, as its known in Israel, will be fast approaching. TelAviv truly is the Mediterranean’s city that never sleeps, filled with bars and clubs that wouldn’t be out of place in New York or London, but with a beach on their doorstep. New Years has become huge in TLV, and with its array of world class restaurants and nightclubs, why not stay until January 1st. I’d highly recommend spending a good few days exploring the city, including its unique Bauhaus architecture, sampling some local hummus and some of their other classic food like their scrumptious felafel; as well as relaxing at the beach, since in December you can get temperatures as high as 18 degrees if you’re lucky. Warm up your night in the pop up bars of Old Jaffa Market before heading to the Allenby and Rothschild Avenues to continue the party. Ultimately a weekend in Tel Aviv will be the best way to top off your holiday break in the Holy Land, mixing ancient history and culture with a good dose of modern, 21st Century fun.
A Postcard From... Christmas in Florence Isabel Shaw Travel Writer @izzykshaw
After scrolling tirelessly for a destination in Europe both affordable and attractive we finally agreed with Florence. Despite maybe marginally overseeing the affordable criterion, the city exceeded every expectation. Even during the Christmas season, which wasn’t a seemingly favoured time of year to go, Florence became my favourite Italian city. With its handsome architecture, abundance of renaissance art, quirky shops, and Tuscan cuisine, it's impossible not to fall in love with it. One of the many beauties of Florence is its size, nowhere worth going seems to be more than a fifteen-minute walk away; so, where you stay is of little
importance. However, instead of staying in a commercialised hotel, why not invest in an Airbnb? We stayed in a small authentic apartment, near Piazza Santa Croce, which had a kitchen that we never used; unsurprisingly, considering the ever-constant temptation of Italian food! Aside from the quaint allure and Tuscan charm of Italian decor, Italian apartments are very cold during winter, so make sure you bring layers. Italians know how to dress, so it makes sense that they know how to shop. Florence, albeit is no Milan, however, it still hosts a wide variety of shops ranging from markets to
high end fashion labels. The Mercato Tedesco di Natale, one of the top ten christmas markets in Italy, is situated is the Piazza Santa Croce, directly oposite the Basillica, which makes for a very majestic Christmassy atmosphere. Sort your way through a winter maze of wooden huts, displaying food and stocking fillers from all over Europe. If the Christmas cheer is getting a bit too much, head to Via Tornabuoni, where you can window shop to your heart's content, where the likes of Gucci, Prada and Pucci hold their beauti-
ful boutiques. If you consider yourself to be more the foody sort, and have some money to spare, try a daylong cookery course. After guide around Florence’s food markets, you will be taught to make a three course Italian meal by a leading Florentine chef, whilst simultaneously tasting local wines. Good food is not hard to come by, but do avoid restaurants with hustling waiters standing outside, this is not usually a promising sign! One restaurant worth visiting is the Porteria Vecchio Vicolo Firenze unpretentious and home to some of the best pasta dishes at affordable prices. For pudding, why not grab a gelato? Not restricted to the summer season, Vestri, a Chocolatier, serves up your flavour of ice cream in a steaming cup of festive spiced hot chocolate! Italy's array of Art Galleries make for a great escape from the
harsh cold winter air. Two mustsees are Uffizi, home to many of Botticieli and da Vinci masterpieces. Then also Galleria dell’Accademia, Michalengos David being probably the only piece you recognise, nonetheless is worth the visit. All Galleries are free to the public on the first Sunday of every month, so if you plan your trip in advace, then you could manage to save some money too! If Renaissance Art doesn’t take your fancy, the Ponte Vecchio in Old Town is a sight worth seeing; the medieval bridge is impressive in the day, but even more spectacular at night. Florence is an aesthetic treat, and a place to inspire you out of your overworked, post- semester exhaustion and into the Christmas spirit!
TRAVEL
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktravel
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Cheap Trips: Krakow at Christmas Travel writer Hannah explores Krakow during the jolliest time of the year and gives great tips on how to plan a trip to this vibrant destination Hannah Woodbridge Travel Writer @hannahwoodbridge
Birmingham is known for its Christmas markets, but if you want more than Brum has to offer, then Krakow is the place to head. Although Germany is the usual destination of choice for Christmas markets, Poland offers a much cheaper and less busy experience, giving you the ability to buy, eat and enjoy the festivities more. Furthermore, Poland, as a devout Catholic country, gives you the opportunity to experience a more traditional and less commercialised Christmas, and therefore offers a unique travel experience. So Krakow, Poland is the perfect place to head this holiday season with its affordability, traditions and even its light dusting of snow.
Travel: Direct return flights from Birmingham to Krakow start at around £90 with Ryanair (or £70 with EasyJet from London Gatwick), making the initial cost of the trip quite reasonable. Travel within Krakow also helps travellers on a budget. The Old Town and Wawel Castle are easy to walk around and it give you the chance to soak up Krakow’s medieval architecture and cultural sights. The other major areas of Krakow are Kazimierz and Podgórze, the Jewish quarters, these are slightly further away, taking between 20 and 30 minutes to walk to. Alternatively, for as little as 2.80z, a tram can whisk you away from the Old Town within minutes. The most common (and luxurious) way to explore Krakow is by golf cart. Companies will attempt to tout you for their tours, so there is a good opportunity to haggle if you’re up for it.
Accommodation: Due to the weak Polish Zloty, accommodation is really cheap despite it normally being the most expensive part of the trip. From as little as £3 a night, you can get a bed in a hostel or even for only about £13 per night you can get a decent hotel room, making it even affordable to splash out and have a little luxury. However, I would recommend two hostels in particular. Firstly, the Goodbye Lenin Hostel, based in Kazimierz (between the Old Town and Podgórze) offers the perfect base to explore the whole of Krakow. The hostel itself is slightly bizarre - decorated and adorned with Communist memorabilia and relics - it is a museum as much as it is a hostel. If its your first time in Eastern Europe, definitely stay at Goodbye Lenin Hostel as it gives you the opportunity to learn about some of the continent’s recent history. However, if it’s purely a Christmas experience you want to indulge in, then head for the Hostel Rynek 7. Starting at approximately £7 per night, this modern hostel gives you the maximum Christmas experience, as it’s right on the Old Town Square or Rynek Glowny itself! Meaning you are just meters away from the market and many other festive experiences this great city has to offer. Attractions: The Christmas Market is the highlight attraction in Krakow. Throughout the year, Rynek Glowny’s famous market attracts
visitors from across the globe but at Christmas it expands to over 80 stalls. Giving you the ability to buy the traditional arts and crafts but also Christmas decorations, gifts, and a whole lot of food. There is local cheese, sausages, gingerbread and cakes to purchase; as well as fresh pierogi (Polish stuffed dumplings), stews and cherry vodka to fill you up as you explore the market. The Christmas market also has one very famous resident, but he is slightly different to the Santa Claus we know. St Nicholas as he is called in Poland, is a far more traditional character and is portrayed as a saint. St Nicholas dresses in purple and gold, wears a bishop’s hat and carries a shepherd’s crook. Moreover, St Nicholas does not bring children their gifts on Christmas Eve but instead on December 6th, his holy day, and so brings the start of the Christmas festivities. Beyond the Christmas market there are lots of other shopping centres and stores where you can pick up affordable presents for family, friends and yourself. There is also a lot more than just shopping that Christmas in Krakow has to offer. Most interesting is the tradition of szopki or Christmas cribs, an exclusively Cracovian tradition, they offer something completely different when visiting this city at Christmas. Szopki are elaborate nativity scenes made originally by craftsmen and churches but now also various local businesses as well. Within the ornate szopki there are the typical nativity char-
acters but also Krakow’s own famous sights, attractions and even the legendary Wawel dragon. At the start of December there is then the annual szopki competition, where they are displayed in Rynek Glowny. They are then moved to the local history museum where they’ll be on display till February, and admission is completely free. Krakow’s remaining festive highlights include two seasonal outdoor ice rinks and numerous carollers and Christmas concerts around the city. Midnight mass is also an important ritual on Christmas Eve, and so can provide an interesting insight into Poland’s devout beliefs and family life. Furthermore, there are few Christmas events outside the Old Town. However, in Kazimierz and Podgórze the local Jewish community puts on several events over Hanukah. They include cookery schools, candle-making classes and a choral concert. The events are open to all, completely free, and can provide a valuable education about this community and its tragic past.
Food: Although there is a lot of food to feast on at the markets, typical Polish Christmases involve a 12 course feast on Christmas Eve. Wigilia, as it is known, involves eating 12 meat-free dishes representing the 12 apostles. It begins
after the first star is spotted in the night sky and with the breaking of the Opatki (similar to a communion wafer). Dishes follow and can include: beetroot soup, pierogi, sauerkraut, a whole carp, cookies and poppy seed cake. The meal ends with the family heading to Midnight Mass. It might be hard as a guest to get invited to this intimate family affair but you certainly won’t go hungry in Krakow. For a feast on a budget, head to Pod Wawelem in the Old Town. Mammoth portions await at super low prices. Specialising in traditional Polish and Eastern European cuisine, options include: schnitzel, kebabs, pork knuckle and stuffed pancakes. The portions are huge and a main course can feed two people at least, even better a delicious dish only costs around £5. If visiting Kazimierz, I recommend trying a Zapiekanka. Similar to pizza, these cheesy, half baguettes (with numerous topping combinations) are available from many street food vendors, and at only £1.50 each are a bargain too hard to resist. Not only a great place to explore all year round, Krakow at Christmas offers something different. It guarantees you a festive paradise of tasty food, bustling markets and unique traditions all with a dusting of snow. Making it somewhere special to visit and completely doable on a very small budget.
Top 3: Travel Stocking Fillers for under £10 Alys Haswell Travel Writer @alyshaswell
3. Luckies scratch map travel edition This scratch map is a smaller version of Luckies original best-selling world map. With the countries of the world starting as gold filled outlines, each time you scratch the foil off of a destination a different colour will be revealed, meaning the wider you travel the more colourful your map will become. This mini edition is compact enough to carry with you on your travels should you be on a gap year, or travelling for an indefinite period of time. Although it may be small in size, it does not lack details of the world map, so can still provide a visual record of your adventures. This is the perfect present for a globetrotting friend or family member.
2. Small micro fibre travel towel Although this is arguably a more practical than exciting gift, a micro fibre towel is a must have for any keen traveller. Whether going on a camping trip, outdoor sporting adventure, or inter-railing, this gift is lightweight and takes up minimal space in your bag. Its material is extra absorbent, and dries very quickly, which is essential for when you are on the go. Micro fibre towels are available in many sizes in many outdoor sports retailers, and often come in a compact mesh carry-bag. These towels are also ideal to take to the gym, so you can use them all year round, not just when you are living out of a backpack.
1. Lonely Planet colouring book With adult colouring books proving to be a comeback trend of 2016, this gift is ideal for anyone with an interest in travelling. Many of us would have put colouring books on our Christmas wish lists as children to create brightly coloured scribbled masterpieces with, but this book is filled with beautifully intricate illustrations to bring out your inner creativity. Featuring drawings of the world’s best 100 places, as voted by Lonely Planet readers, it will definitely provide inspiration for future travels too. As colouring is believed to be a great form of relaxation, this present could help to banish the post-Christmas blues, and relieve the stresses of everyday work, and university life.
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SCI & TECH
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktech
Wondering Why Old Joe Went Red On Thursday? The University has paid tribute to and spread awareness about World AIDS Day by lighting up Old Joe Rachel Kahn Sci&Tech Writer @rachellk96
On Thursday 1st December, Old Joe lit up red to acknowledge World AIDS day. Globally, 36.7 million people are living with HIV and 18.2 million people receive antiretroviral therapy (ART) every year, clearly highlighting the scale of the problem. ART, although effective cannot eliminate the viral infection completely, instead essentially keeping it dormant so the virus is less problematic to us. Human Immunodeficiency virus, HIV, is a virus that infects the cells of our immune system. One of the main reasons the virus is so problematic is due to the fact it can incorporate into the genome of the cell it infects. This means, every time the cell divides, which happens a number of times a day, a copy of the virus genome goes with it, resulting in an exponential number of cells being infected. Our immune system is vital for defence against invading pathogens such as bacteria and as HIV takes hold, it means someone suffering with HIV becomes increasingly susceptible to opportunistic infections such as tuberculosis whilst also being at increased risk of some cancers. As this process continues, immune function decreases which gives rise to the condition we know as ‘AIDS’. World AIDS Day also gave us the opportunity to find out a bit more about the HIV research going on at the University of Birmingham and how its chang-
ing the field as we might know it. Dr Isabel Nawroth is a researcher at the Centre of Human Virology and the University of Birmingham working on HIV. Around the body, a number of different oxygen environments exist which has different effects on our cells. Some cells face a low oxygen environment known as ‘hypoxia’, and Dr Nawroth is investigating what effect this has on viral replication. As mentioned, conventional ART therapy doesn’t get rid of the virus completely but keeps it at such low levels it’s less problematic. However, new therapies are now exploring the idea of ‘shock
and kill,’ which aims to spike the levels of the virus in the body, bringing out any virus that may be ‘dormant’. This would then be followed by other anti-viral therapies to eradicate the virus completely. Dr Nawroth has found that an oxygen deprived environment affects how the virus can be reactivated out of its dormant state, which could provide a novel target for ‘shock’ therapies in the future. Not only was Old Joe highlight a huge public health problem, but also celebrating some of the amazing research going on here in Birmingham.
36.7 Million people are living with HIV globally
Review: Life Sciences in Six The slick, smart event that highlights just some of the University’s most important 18.2 Life Sciences research Captions go in the corner of pictures and shouldn't be hyphenated
Joanna Chustecki Sci&Tech Writer
The University of Birmingham is a ‘powerhouse of life sciences research,’ states Provost Tim Jones, welcoming alumni, students, and researchers to Life Sciences in Six. This showcase of the best new findings in healthcare and disease treatment takes place in the Bramall Music Hall, lit up in blue and full of enthusiastic, curious faces. We experience six speakers, each with just 6 minutes to present their incredible research, and the impact it is having on a local, national and global level. As we hear from Professor Paul Moss, Director of Research
and Knowledge Transfer, the University sets an unrivalled pace in Life Sciences research. This is in part due to Birmingham’s stable and diverse population, making the large local area an ideal environment for clinical trials. This, and our strong links with world renowned hospitals and research facilities within what has been dubbed ‘the medical quarter’ has allowed Birmingham Health Partners to grow one of the largest clinical trials portfolios in Europe. The quality of research heading out of the University and its affiliated partners is world-class, and with each speaker this is consistently shown. One of the highlights of the event came from
Professor Liam Grover and his talk ‘How can sugar be used to treat burns?’, providing the audience with an insight into the crossover between chemical and material engineering at the University, and its medical applications. The talk provided a shining example of interdisciplinary research at the University, a strong theme throughout the event. Another stand out was Dr Nick Loman, and his work on genome sequencing to help us tackle Ebola and Zika viruses. The tracking of the spread of Ebola across Africa, through real time genetic sequencing of a proportion of newly arising cases allowed Dr Lomans’ team to produce a stunning generated map of Africa, showing the
migration of people carrying and subsequently infecting new regions within and outside of the African continent. This was a real highlight, an incredible resource for the study of the virus, and any future epidemics we face. The speakers do incredibly well keeping up with the snappy pace, with each talk not only having given an insight into their work but leaving the audience with many more questions they came with, and many ideas to consider. It is brilliant to see the University rightly showcasing the incredible work undertaken with affiliated networks, industry partnerships, and healthcare trusts, showing that yes, UoB really is a powerhouse of research.
Creature Feature: Narwhal
Ellen Daugherty Sci&Tech Editor
Often dubbed as the “unicorn of the ocean,” the Narwhal is an extremely rare and fascinating whale, with a prehistoric fairytalelike tusk. Narwhals are in the same family as the beluga whale. They are characterised by a spiralled, sword-like horn, that is made primarily of ivory. This is actually just an extremely protruding upper canine, that can grow up to 8.8ft in males. Females can grow smaller tusks, but it is not vital for their survival. This suggests that the tusk could be used either in mating rituals by males, or as a way for females to assess the fitness of males. Male competition can be seen in the ‘tusking’ behaviour that they display. It involves the males crossing tusks in sword fight. However, scientists are still unsure of the purpose of this behaviour. Aside being a large tooth, the narwhal tusk also has sensory capabilities. As it is not protected by a layer of enamel, it allows the narwhals to sense any changes in the chemical balance in the water, which allows it to perceive its surrounding environment, through the numerous nerves in the end of the tusk. Narwhals travel in pods of 10-100 individuals, in which they feed on squid, fish and shrimp. They can be found primarily in Arctic waters, where they spend up to 5 winter months under sea ice. These impressive creatures are labelled as ‘nearly threatened’ by IUCN, as they are susceptible to the ivory industry. More needs to be done to stop ivory poachers, from harming this magnificent species.
SCI & TECH
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricktech
GDS Report Reveals Women Affected More By MDMA Women recieve twice as much MDMA-related treatment than men James Pettit Sci&Tech Editor @pettit_james
Although half as many women are reported to take MDMA or ecstasy pills than men, women are now two to three times more likely to seek emergency medical treatment after taking the drug. Recent data released by the Global Drugs Survey (GDS), a London-based global research company which investigates trends in drug usage, shows that in the last three years the number of British female clubbers seeking treatment after taking MDMA has quadrupled. One theory as to why there is a difference in gender response lies in the oestrogen hormone. Ecstasy makes the body retain water, and also increases bodily temperatures which can often lead to hyperthermia. The user begins to sweat more, whilst also drink-
ing more water as a consequence of increased energy levels and subsequent dehydration. Sweating whilst drinking too much water can often develop into a dangerous condition called hyponatremia. When you sweat too much, the sodium content of your blood depletes. This can have an adverse effect on your body because sodium is an electrolyte which allows your body’s cells to control the amount of water that is maintained in and around them. The excess water that builds up in your system swells the cells, often causing massive damage to the brain. Cells have pumps on them, which can reduce the swelling that has been caused by the increased water. Women have a higher risk of being a casualty of this type of injury, because oestrogen inhibits these pumps from working as well. The Director and founder of GDS, Dr. Adam Winstock, stated
"The GDS reported that UK MDMA users take on average more than anywhere else globally"
in a recent interview that although ‘everyone needs to be careful... women need to pay extra attention to things like how much they are using, how they are mixing, where they are and who they’re with.’ In this year alone, ten young British women have died. The GDS have reported that UK MDMA users take on average almost half a gram a night, more than anywhere else globally. Yet rather than just a cultural issue, experts have also blamed the increase in hospitalisation on the increased potency of the pills and tablets that are being pressed.
Pills now contain more MDMA content than ever before. Higher strength pills mean that users are more susceptible to taking more than intended. Despite the problems that come with taking such an unreliable drug, the dangers should not be over sensationalised. According to the GDS, just under 1% of those that took MDMA in the last year globally sought emergency medical treatment. If used sensibly and cautiously, such dangers can be minimised.
oSTEM: Supporting LGBT+ Students Tatiana Zhelezniakova Sci&Tech Writer @tvzhel
Living in a Western country like the UK, it’s easy to consider ourselves a progressive society, accepting of minority groups. Historical comparisons of attitude and the legal system show an often positive evolution – for example, in the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual or Transgender (LGBT+) community. From marriage to age of consent, same sex adoption and illegal discrimination, the rights for the hetero- and homosexual people are equal...on paper. Unfortunately, in real life situations, there is a distinct imbalance to the detriment of the LGBT+ community members. This is particularly palpable in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics)
subjects at university and in the workplace. STEM subjects are notoriously difficult both to get into and to study, and the extra stress of being LGBT+ has a pernicious effect on the students’ mental health. In addition to that, many of the STEM fields are still dominated by a cis male demographic, often making it harder for people who don’t fit the mould to continue in these fields. There is an obvious gap in support offered to LGBT+ students, which led to the establishment of oSTEM in 2005 in the USA. The University of Birmingham is only UK’s second oSTEM chapter, and was set up in October 2015 by Kitty, a physics student. This association aims to
provide a safe space for students to meet and discuss challenges they are facing, host speakers from relevant fields to encourage students to persevere in their studies and show them the careers they can build. They are closely linked with women in STEM, as there are many issues these groups have in common. While the university provides welfare tutors, they’re poorly prepared to deal with LGBT+ issues. 'My tutor didn’t even know what LGBT stood for' – says Jade, the chair of Birmingham’s oSTEM chapter. It is not to say that there is no attempt by the university to tackle this, but the lecturers, particularly of the older generation, find it difficult to adapt to what they consider an 'overly politicalcorrect' atmosphere. This kind of attitude promotes feelings of embarrassment, and belittles prob-
lems LGBT+ students face. It’s been proven time and time again that language is the first frontier of prejudice, and this is often demonstrated in the quotidian life of minority students. Despite this, there are positive changes occurring every day – there is a continuing effort by the university to look into LGBT+ discrimination on campus, there have been recent introductions of gender-neutral toilets, and there are more and more popular events on campus aimed at LGBT+ students. Most of all, increasingly these students are speaking out and making their presence known. The world may look bleak, but there are bright young people who are constantly striving to make a difference.
Pre-Exam Prep: Nap or Cram? Kara Watson Sci&Tech Editor @Karaml_Watson
Do you spend the few hours before your exams frantically flipping through your notes praying that something is going to go in? Well now you can take a nap instead! New research by the Duke-NUS Medical School, Singapore has found that taking a nap before being tested on a subject can be more beneficial than cramming. The researchers spent 80 minutes teaching the volunteers about different ant and crab species – an
unfamiliar topic to them. After this they were split into three groups which each did different activities for the next hour. One group took a nap, another watched a movie, and the rest revised what they had learnt. They then had another 80 minute teaching session before being tested on the topic. The nappers got the highest results out of the three groups, and this was even replicated a week later. It is not entirely clear why sleeping helps us to revise, but the researchers think it has something to do with our brain
reinforcing memories while we are asleep. Other studies have backed this up, as one showed that sleeping strengthens the connections between neurons in our brain to make sure we keep important memories. Cramming may be an acceptable strategy for very short term memory, it doesn’t help in the long run. Before you com-
pletely pack away your work though, the researchers emphasise that the volunteers did need to attend their study sessions, so unfortunately you can’t take naps in your lectures and still get top marks. Larger studies will be needed to verify these results, but with the evidence that sleep does aid memory, it might be worth stopping the cramming sessions, and relaxing a bit instead.
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AutumnSense: new UoB invention tackling train delays caused by leaf fall James Pettit Sci&Tech Editor @pettit_james
Annual disruption to train lines peak mid-November in the autumn fall, when leaves that fall on the track couple with the moisture in the air and on the ground, resulting in thousands of unhappy commuters. Yet rather than being merely a nuisance for passengers travelling by train at peak times, wet leaves also posit a real safety concern for train operators. When leaves on the line are mixed with moisture or dew, they create a Teflon-like substance which can potentially double the braking distance, cause signalling issues, or prevent the operation of the track circuits. Now Lee Chapman, Professor of Climate Resilience from the University of Birmingham, has helped to produce a sensory technology which can accurately predict leaf fall from the moisture levels on the track. The technology goes by the Febrezelike moniker of AutumnSense, and works by using low-cost sensors to constantly gauge moisture levels on the railway from various railway locations across the network. When this data is combined with forecasts of leaf-fall, railway operators are able to notify when and where the risk of disruption is greatest, which facilitates the programming of automatic treatment trains to clear the lines before the rush hour commute. The team are working on developing the next aspect of the technology, which can measure the amount of leaves that are left remaining on the trees. After having run initial trials of the product on a stretch of above ground London Underground tracks, AutumnSense is looking to move swiftly toward a network wide trial, and is expected to roll out commercially by Autumn 2017. Chapman was working in conjunction with UoB’s technology transfer company Alta Innovations, with funding from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council and the Rail Safety and Standards board. Alta Innovations is a subsidiary company owned by UoB which facilitates the process of academics becoming inventors through the identification and development of intellectual property. Through an operating division within the company named AltaSense, Chapman has already developed WinterSense, a similar technology which takes low cost sensors fitted to lamp posts with the goal to deliver data on road surface temperatures, displaying where road gritting is needed and where it isn’t. This is to be in mass production by the end of this winter.
34
GAMING
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickgames
Feature: Games Marketing and Hype
Andrew Price evaluates if the gaming industry hype machines can really deliver on the promises they make Andrew Price
Gaming Contributor
As the amount of money spent on producing videogames has increased, the funding for marketing has gone through the roof as publishers produce high-quality television adverts and embark on massive social-media campaigns. Although marketing is a necessity for new videogames, the current marketing culture has led to grandiose claims by developers and near impossible expectations for new games. This is problematic as customers are given false impressions and games publishers and developers lose the trust of their fan bases. This begs the question, what is to be done about videogames marketing? On October 16th 2016, Rockstar Games changed its Twitter cover photo to a faded black logo with a red background. An inconspicuous change, yet it led to speculation from fans of Red Dead Redemption, hoping for the announcement of a sequel. Fans were granted that wish two days later when Rockstar posted the trailer for Red Dead Redemption 2 on their Twitter page. This news trended on Facebook and Twitter, the story was covered by news media websites and within weeks YouTube channels had posted in-depth analyses of the trailer. Rockstar had started their new marketing campaign with a bang and the hype around the game had appeared overnight.
"It is clear that these marketing techniques have negative consequences for consumers" Despite the wide coverage of this story, the end of the trailer states that Red Dead Redemption 2 will not be released until Fall 2017, at least a year away. That means that there will be months of speculation as fans consume any little bit of information Rockstar releases, sometimes jumping to conclusions with only the tiniest shred of evidence, and building up expectations of the game. This marketing style implemented by Rockstar is just one example of a trend within the videogames industry, in which companies announce upcoming titles long in advance; whilst creating a buzz around the new titles. Another example is of Fallout 4. Bethesda posted a countdown clock on their website without giving any information as to what it was for. Instantly, fans of the Fallout series assumed that it was counting down to an announcement of a new Fallout game. When the countdown finished, the trailer for Fallout 4 started to play, marking the start of a marketing campaign that included a live-streamed showcase to start E3, television adverts, posters in city centres, a series of short videos and several pre-order bonuses depending on
how much customers spent and at which store they bought the game from. The problem with this form of marketing within the video games industry is that creates an environment in which fans are desperate for more information and expectations increase as the release date approaches. This desire for information leads to embellished claims by developers in interviews. During an interview at E3, Fallout 4’s lead producer Jeff Gardiner claimed that he had played the game for nearly 400 hours, suggesting that Fallout 4 was set to be a big game with lots of content. However, Fallout 4 lacked the depth of previous installments, relying on ‘radiant’ quests which were just simple tasks that were repeated with no real impact on the game other than gaining some experience. Whilst on the Late Night Show with Stephen Colbert, the founder of Hello Games stated that players of the game No Man’s Sky would be able to meet each other in the enormous game universe, although it would be highly unlikely given the scale of the game. However, this was debunked when two live-streamers realised they were close to each other and attempted to find each other. Despite being in what seemed to be the exact same space, neither could see the other. This created speculation that Stephen Colbert may have been overstating the games capabilities. No Man’s Sky has been the subject of criticism about another marketing technique used within the games industry, that is the use of misleading materials in trailers. It was claimed that Hello Games used promotion materials that were supposed to represent the completed game but were not actually taken from the finished version of the game, a practice known as ‘bullshots.’ Consequently, they are the subject of an ongoing investigation by the Advertising Standards Authority. This is not the only case of these tactics being used by a games developer. There was significant anticipation for the release of Watch Dogs, however it soon came out that the game's graphics were weaker than the graphics of the trailer; which was supposedly showing gameplay. This discovery was met with criticism from consumers and critics alike. The use of non-gameplay footage in trailers also poses a problem for consumers. Although game trailers state when a trailer is using footage that is not game-
play, it is still misleading to the consumer. The Battlefield 1 trailer that has been seen on UK TV channels states that none of the footage used is gameplay. Although it clearly states this, the footage used gives the impression of an action-packed game with beautiful graphics and dynamic gameplay, without actually showing what the game looks like. Technically they are letting the buyer beware, but it is still misleading. Furthermore, fans tend to want trailers with actual gameplay, rather than cinematic shots, as they would want to see what the game looks like. It is clear that these marketing techniques have negative consequences for consumers. They are misled into buying games through embellishment of comments during interviews; they watch trailers that consist of non-gameplay footage or bullshots; and they must wait for months for games to be released whilst being bombarded with marketing ploys. Furthermore, these techniques create immense hype that builds up expectations that, when not met, lead to disappointment and frustration.
"To use footage that is not from the game is misleading to consumers" What is less clear, is the impact of these techniques on game publishers and developers. These techniques are employed to build up hype for a game to increase pre-orders. However, when the hype of these games is not met, and customers have to deal with unachieved expectations, they lose trust in the companies. Watch Dogs was highly anticipated as one of the first new IPs (intellectual property) for the current generation of consoles, but was met with generally average reviews and a rather negative reputation. This in turn has effected the sales of Watch Dogs 2. Most critics believe that whilst Watch Dogs 2 has its flaws, it is a substantial improvement on the original. Despite this, the pre-orders of Watch Dogs 2 were below the expectations of Ubisoft. This is likely due to initial scepticism of the game because of the marketing of the first Watch Dogs. Therefore, the current climate of marketing within the videogames industry needs to adjust. It is possible that looking at the mar-
keting techniques used by the film industry could provide the solution. The marketing of films is by no means perfect. Trailers often consist of the best parts of the film and in some cases, social media websites are used to build hype, increasing expectations which are not achieved, Suicide Squad comes to mind. However, there are still lessons to be learned. Firstly, video games should be announced at least a year or two in advance, but that is not when the marketing campaign should start. Films tend to be announced years ahead of release, Marvel have already announced the next 8 films they will release including Captain Marvel which will not be released until 2019. Games companies could do this too, to inform fans and consumers of upcoming releases, instead of shrouding them in mystery until a grand reveal followed by a long marketing campaign. Secondly, video games should not start their marketing campaigns until a few months before the release of the game. The longer the campaign, the more marketing materials used, the greater the expectations and so the more likely consumers will be disappointed. Films normally advertise a month or so before their release, why do video games need to start over a year before the release? A marketing campaign can be done effectively in a shorter period of time. Moreover, this would stop marketing campaigns of games from overlapping. Finally, only use footage from the game itself. To use footage that is not from the game is misleading to consumers, even if the trailer states that the footage is not gameplay. Not only is it not consumer friendly, it goes against the wishes of gamers who desire actual gameplay. Although film trailers are often criticised for using the best clips of the film, at least the footage used is from the film. Marketing in the videogames industry has started to become more prevalent within mainstream media such as television adverts. This is good as it helps to fight against claims that videogames are for children, and reinforces videogames' claim as a legitimate form of media that adults can engage in. However, the marketing techniques employed are becoming increasingly consumerunfriendly. In order to maintain the trust in the games industry by customers, publishers need to change their methods quickly or face a decline in pre-orders and possibly sales.
GAMING
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbrickgames
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Looking Ahead: What to look out for in 2017... With the end of 2016 upon us, Gaming Editor James Marvin runs down next year's big releases that you need keep an eye out for
RESIDENT EVIL 7 I like DC and I really like Batman. Injustice: Gods Among Us was one of my favourite games of last generation. Not just because it was a fantastic fighting game but it was a great realisation of the DC characters and one of the best stories in a fighting game to date. If Injustice 2 can bring even more depth than its predeccessor, build upon the great framework that they implemetned here (which also influenced Mortal Kombat X to a degree) and put Red Hood in the roster that's an instant buy from me.
The next installment in the classic horror series arrives January 24th and brings the namesake of the series back to the forefront of its gameplay. Unlike its predecessors however Resident Evil 7 is ditching its usual third person perspective in favour for a very Amnesia-esque first person horror experience. Whether it will just be a cheap rip off of an established formula or a stunning return to form for the franchise (after the abysmal entry of Resi 6) remains to be seen, but the wait isn't too long until we're welcomed to the family.
Quite possibly the most hyped game for PlayStation 4 this generation is just around the corner. Not much is actually known about Horizon: Zero Dawn other than your character is called Aloy and there's robot dinosaurs. The latter being a selling point on its own. With a massive openworld to explore and from the developers of the acclaimed Killzone series, theres plenty of reasons why this game should be one of the best to come out next year. Pre-release coverage has been mostly positive. We can only hope that after release that maintains.
HORIZON: ZERO DAWN
INJUSTICE 2
RED DEAD REDEMPTION 2
Red Dead Redemption 2. Does any more really need to be said? Its predecessor was probably, one of if not the, best open-world sandbox game. A game that pretty much defined the early seventh generation of consoles. It encompassed everything that made westerns great, the setting, the characters, the story all of it was 100%, 10/10 material and some regard it as Rockstar Game's best game in recent years. Even above the likes of Grand Theft Auto IV and even V. Of course so far they've only release a very, very, very short trailer - but the hype is already building fast.
SNIPER ELITE 4 When I first heard about Sniper Elite 4 I couldn’t put into words how little I cared about the game. However, that all changed when I got my hands-on with the game at this year’s EGX. I was blown away with the amount of tweaks, refinements and improvements that Rebellion had put into the next entry of their most famous work. There were even glimmers of implementing fan feedback such as an actually interesting story and characters that weren’t your typical two dimensional, gruff voiced man. Whilst I still feel I need more to go on to be as hyped for as some of the other entries on this list, it is now a game that is highlighted and underlined on my radar going forward into next year, especially as a stealth fanatic gamer. Rebellion has my hopes high, I’m just hoping that my enthusiasm for Sniper Elite 4 pays off.
MASS EFFECT: ANDROMEDA It returns. Arguably the best RPG trilogy of last generation (some say of all time) and possibly the best Sci-Fi story across most media (even with the rather lacklustre ending) the original Mass Effect trilogy is a series of games that holds a space in the heart of many gamers. The characters and world that Bioware created in those games set a benchmark that has yet to be bested in any other similar RPG. The return of such a powerhouse name to the eight generation of consoles has had many hyped up right from the mere announcement of Mass Effect: Andromeda. Not only will the next entry take place in a whole new galaxy that gives Bioware plenty of space for creative freedom, but with new species, characters and locations obviously confirmed I can't wait to get boots on the ground in Andromeda.
36
Sport
Friday 2nd December 2016
@redbricksport
Chelsea’s Systematic Revolution Under Antonio Conte Sports writer, Bradley West, explores the influence Antonio Conte has had over his Chelsea side and the reasons behind this
Bradley West Sports Writer
After a disastrous season of turbulence symbolised by a 10th place finish, and a quiet start to this season, Chelsea’s 5-0 demolition of Everton made it a run of five straight league victories without conceding a goal. In achieving this, Antonio Conte has successfully turned Chelsea’s fortunes around and revived a good deal of confidence around the London side that had been missing for some time. But just how has Conte gone about this, and how have things changed? Well, for starters, things haven’t exactly changed overnight. The arrival of Antonio Conte was announced as early as the beginning of April and so the Italian had a considerable amount of time (longer than just the summer months) to plan his takeover of the club and shape the team under his own mould. Despite this though, Chelsea started the season playing a 4-2-3-1 system, one not favoured by Conte himself, most likely in an attempt to avoid upsetting the apple cart too much and to avoid presenting himself as a
"Conte's revitalisation came in the form of reintroducing a home comfort for the Italian, his favoured 3-4-3"
one-trick pony manager. Add in the factor that the former Italian national coach would have undoubtedly wanted time to fully assess his squad in competitive competition and Chelsea’s comparative early season struggles are easy to understand. No one game is more indicative of the beginning to Conte’s reign than the 2-1 defeat to Liverpool at Stamford Bridge in mid-September. In this game, Chelsea were deservedly beaten by a much more impressive looking Liverpool side whose high pressing style forced the four-man Chelsea defence into submission. Liverpool painfully exposed the London club’s defensive frailties with Chelsea looking leaderless at the back and whilst Chelsea were without their influential captain, John Terry, this defeat illustrated the size of the task that Conte had on his hands. Fast forward eight days and the turning point for Conte came with a truly daunting reality check for the Italian as a hapless Chelsea were thumped 3-0 by Arsenal. Chelsea’s defensive weaknesses were once again exposed, possibly even more so than against Liverpool. For a manager who has built a reputation on defensive stability and a solid foundation laid by a cohesive set of tactics, this was something he was not used to. Clearly, this represented a turning point in Chelsea’s fortunes as since this point the London side have won every single Premier League game and not conceded in doing so. Having promised a “solution” after the Arsenal game, Conte’s revitalisation came in the form of reintroducing a home comfort for the Italian, his favoured 3-4-3 system. Introducing Cesar Azpilicueta, Gary Cahill and David Luiz in a three-man part-
nership at the back immediately seemed much more comfortable and, more importantly, structured and solid for the south London side. Undoubtedly, Conte had spent the week following the Arsenal defeat drilling the structural aspects of his favoured 3-4-3 into the side as the subsequent victory at Hull provided a glimpse into the stable organisation he has long demanded from his previous sides.
"Clearly, this represented a turning point in Chelsea’s fortunes as since this point the London side have won every single Premier League game and not conceded in doing so" In his previous club managerial spell in Italy managing Juventus Conte demanded that his wingbacks, Kwadwo Asamoah and Stephan Lichtsteiner, be the industrious workhorses of the team supporting attacks whilst crucially tracking back to turn the back three into a back five. If the system was going to work at Chelsea then Conte needed two wingbacks that could do the same. Having signed talented wingback Marcus Alonso in the summer he was the obvious choice to be deployed as one of the two wingbacks for the Blues but what was less obvious was who would join him. Victor Moses was chosen to be the right wingback as part of Conte’s reorganisation, something that if you’d told me would happen before the start of the season
I would have laughed you out of the hypothetical building for even suggesting. Moses proved in the Hull victory, however, that he could be more than up to the task in an unfamiliar role, no doubt thanks in part to a rigorous spell of adaptation undertaken in training under the watchful eye of his Italian manager. The Nigerian was extremely busy during this game, providing just the industry needed in getting back to defend whilst then producing inventiveness when surging forward to support the attack. Moses’ performance that day was the blueprint for how Conte sees his wingbacks and this type of output has been repeated in every game he has played since. For Conte’s Chelsea, the wingbacks are perhaps even more important than ever as the Italian has deployed his attacking midfielders (namely Hazard and Pedro) in more central positions behind the lone Diego Costa, emphasising just how impressive Moses and Alonso have been. Speaking of the front three, Conte’s revitalisation has stemmed also from an increased confidence up front and much of this is once again down to the system. With a 3/5 man defence in operation depending on whether the Blues are in possession, and a central midfield duo of N’Golo Kante and Nemanja Matic shielding the defence, Chelsea’s forward players now have the freedom to roam and attack without needing to get back and defend. Such is the confidence up top that Eden Hazard looks completely revitalised and over his 2015/16 nightmare season whilst Diego Costa continues to churn out goals like there is no tomorrow; the system is simply getting the best out of Chelsea’s main men. So, Antonio Conte’s tactical
revolution has stemmed around solidifying Chelsea’s defence with a 3-4-3 system that allows their star flair players in attack the freedom to be as creative and fluid up top without any niggling defensive responsibilities. The key question now is: can they sustain this form? On current form, you’d have to say they’ll be right up there in the title mix come May if they can keep everyone fit. In a similar way to how Liverpool and Tottenham have been successful over the last year or so, Chelsea’s new system is getting the best out of every player and providing a force that is the collective sum of all their parts rather than being heavily reliant on a few star players. Having said this, in Eden Hazard and Diego Costa, Chelsea also have that dash of star power needed to propel a team to success. Clearly though, sterner tests lay ahead such as the imminent Tottenham and Manchester City double-header but should the south London side come through them with a decent handful of points the confidence around the club will continue to grow and their momentum will become harder for the Premier League’s top sides to overcome.
"Chelsea's new system is getting the best out of every player and providing a force that is the collective sum of all their parts"
Quiz Question of the Week: Chelsea conceded their first Premier League goal in a while last weekend, but how many minutes exactly did Conte's men hold out for? Answer: 601 minutes
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In Honour of Speed Harry Wilkinson pays tribute to Gary Speed: a man who left a legacy which will be long remembered by both the sporting world and the entire nation of Wales Harry Wilkinson Sports Print Editor
It was five years ago - on the 27th November 2011 - and the whole sporting world went into absolute shock. Gary Speed, the manager of the Welsh national team, had died in his Cheshire home by hanging. What followed was a incredulous, still period of confusion and grief. It just didn’t seem to make sense, not to anyone. It was a desperate, terrible time. On Sunday, football united in the remembrance of a exceedingly pleasant person, as well as a legend of the British game. Speed once held the record for the most Premier League appearances, and still holds the record for most Wales caps by an outfield player - most of which made whilst being captain. He went on to manage Wales, utilising the struggling team to move up from their lowest ranking of 117th to
"Speed created a new sense of optimism, a new spark of pride with a feeling that anything could be achieved if they truly believed it could"
45th in a matter of months. Speed created a new sense of optimism, a new spark of pride with a feeling that anything could be achieved if they truly believed it could. The style of play was attractive and effective, and saw Wales outplay the likes of Bulgaria, Montenegro and Switzerland. Wales seemed only to be progressing more and more, as they thrashed Norway 4-1 Speed's final game as manager, two weeks prior to his death. Chris Coleman proudly came in to manage Wales, and was highly respectful in his acknowledment that the circumstances in which he got the job were ‘the worst possible’. Now, Coleman has ensured that Speed’s work as Wales manager will never be forgotten - his time as the coach a catalyst and foundation for Wales’ recent success. And it's Wales’ recent success that honours the life of Speed so suitably. By just getting Wales to the Euros, Coleman had lead them to qualify for their first major tournament since the 1958 World Cup. Wales turned up in France not just for the occasion though - they turned up to see what waves they could make in the world of football. Wales finished top of their group, ahead of England, Russia and Slovakia. They beat Northern Ireland in the first knock-out stage, then Belgium 3-1 in the
quarter-final. Sadly, without one of the main-men Aaron Ramsey available for the semi-final (who Speed made Wales’ youngest ever captain at the age of 20), Wales were knocked-out by the eventual winners Portugal. Initial disappointment was soon replaced with beaming pride though, as Wales' players returned to Cardiff as heroes. It was an incredible showing which put smiles on the faces of all who witnessed; the spirit of Wales an inspiration to thousands - millions - of football fans. It was a beautiful story, an unforgettable experience for the whole of Wales - and was all built on the foundation that Speed lay. The tournament represented a roaring flame lit from a spark spanning five years, a spark created by Speed. The country revelled and united, adding more power to the flame, inspired by the passionate leadership from Williams, the skill and class of Ramsey, and the power and pace of Bale. The players were the orchestrators whilst the Welsh people watched on, intense and teary-eyed, as this small nation performed with a spirit which sent shockwaves through the whole world of football. Speed was just 42 when he died, but left a legacy which influenced football, and the happiness of whole nation in more ways than he’ll ever know.
Gary Speed 1969 – 2011
Who Needs Swanny When You’ve Got Moeen? Cameron Uppal Sports Writer
It was a seminal moment in the stratosphere of English cricket, the moment when the pendulum swung in favour of the Australians for what had felt like the first in a very long time. It was the 2013 2014 Ashes series down under and England, quite rightly, arrived buoyant and brimming with confidence. This was after all a team that had an eerie sense of dominance on the international stage; they had only lost 2 international test series in the space of what was approaching 5 years and appeared to have a mental stranglehold on the Australians with thoroughly convincing Ashes victories in 2009, 2010 - 2011 and the summer of 2013. The England team was packed with character; players like Anderson, Broad, Cook or Swann who in any given moment could single handily turn the tide of the test match. It was incredible to witness the amount of times that these great players would stride out onto the pitch, with the sound of Jerusalem resonating in their ears, and put in a match winning performance. None more so than Graeme Swann. Needless to say then that when
Sports writer, Cameron Uppal, explores whether Moeen Ali is filling the gap left by Graeme Swann he decided to retire midway through a disastrous 5-0 Ashes defeat down under he left an ominous hole to fill. As his former Captain Michael Vaughan said at the time, 'Spinners of his quality are a rare breed.' Lest we forget Swann had a knack of getting crucial wickets at the right time. Very often on the first over a spell, he would manage to get a big fish out, with the likes of Clarke, Chanderpaul or Sehwag being amongst those to crumble. His ability to turn the ball in the final few days were imperative to a lot of England’s wins, with his fine performance against India in the summer of 2011 springing to mind. Yet when he said in December of 2013 that his body could no longer get the ball to turn like it used to and that he was therefore not able to influence the game as he had, England needed to find a replacement, and fast. It is fair to say that when Moeen Ali initially broke onto the international scene there were those who were sceptical. The general consensus was that he was a decent batsman who could do a job with a bit of part-time spin. And now on the back of a
remarkable 117 against India, Moeen has pretty much become indispensable to the team. Let us put this into perspective, his batting has never been in doubt. But over the last couple of years he has taken it to an unassailable level where he is no longer a tailender who could bat a bit, but now considered worthy of a place higher up in England’s order. As a gentleman sitting next to me at the Edgbaston test match against Pakistan this summer commented 'He’s good enough to play as a batsman, he really is - I would play him at 3.' The dispute has often come around his bowling. But this is changing. In essence the gap left by Swann was so difficult to fill, not because of his great technical ability to spin the ball, but because his sheer weight of character would force a wicket. Now Moeen is doing this. Vaughan was spot on when he described spin bowlers as a rare breed in the sense that in modern-day cricket we often only see one spinner selected in the team, so they have to carry the sole weight of responsibility to do their job for the team. It is something that is accredited to all of
the great spin bowlers down the years from Warne to Muralitharan; the ability to get a key batsman out at a crucial time in the match. Moeen’s spin, which the Australians fatally scoffed at to their peril in 2015 has drastically improved and as a result he has managed to get those wickets. He has also done an amazing job of
the pitch. He is happy to be a role model for young British - Muslim kids across the country and is inspiring a younger generation in exactly the right way by showing just how proud he is to represent his country. He is a great ambassador for the game and has become paramount to the England setup both on and off the pitch.
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Friday 2nd December 2016
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Spotlight On: Gymnastics
5 Reasons to Try Gymnastics
Online Editor, Nicola Kenton, spoke to Gymnastics Club Captain, William Fisher, about how the Gymnastics club have done so far this year
1) It is really good for improving your flexibility, strength and balance.
Nicola Kenton Online Editor @QueenNikNak
On Saturday 19th November, the Birmingham Gymnastics club hosted their annual 'Birmingham Open' competition. The competition saw 237 competitors from 16 different universities taking part and was an opportunity for some of the new intake from September to compete for the first time. There are three different levels of ability within the club: novice, intermediate and advanced. At the Birmingham Open, the novice gymnasts (both men and women)
perform set routines on two apparatus - the floor and the vault. These include moves such as a jump with 1/2 turn, a backward roll, cartwheels and handsprings. For the intermediate women, they also only compete on the vault and floor with set routines but they can include a somersault on the floor. Intermediate men are able to pick three apparatus on which they can perform. The routines are still set; however, they are intended to show competence and a good handle of the basics needed for the apparatus chosen. Advanced competitors are able to perform their own routines, which follow BUCS guidelines - the
women perform on three apparatus, while the men are allowed to compete on four. A couple of Birmingham's novice gymnasts, who were competing for the first time, won medals at the Birmingham Open; they, 'enjoyed the experience and were inspired to compete again.' In terms of training sessions, gymnastics train twice a week. The sessions are 2 hours and 1.5 hours long respectively, with the novices training first followed by the intermediate and advanced gymnasts. On top of that, there is a 2 hour training session for the competition squad. In total that is 9 hours per week, and there's also a free conditioning session avail-
able for all members for 1 hour.
2) We have a lot of members and a large number of novices, so it is a great social environment.
Contact Details:
3) Everyone is very welcoming and friendly, we allow anyone to join our club and anyone can compete if they like.
Email: uob.gymnastics@gmail.com Twitter: uobgymnastics Facebook: University of Birmingham Gymnastics & Trampolining Snapchat and Instagram: gymnasticsuob
4) Gymnastics has many transferable skills for other sports so if you do other sports, gymnastics is very likely to make you better at them. 5) Gymnastics is an individual sport at its core and everything you achieve in the sport is down to you at the end of the day, which means it can be incredibly rewarding.
UoB Boat Club: The Season So Far William White and Tania Griffin It has been a busy start to the year for the rowing club and as the Christmas holidays draw closer, the winter racing season is already in full swing. Back in October, whilst the beginner captains were busy welcoming new rowers into the club, several of the performance ath-
Campus Sports Results November 30th
letes were away competing at the British Rowing Championships in Nottingham. Racing here being a prerequisite for entering the GB trials system means that the caliber of entries is always high and the event is set up to provide close and exciting racing. Two double sculls from the club were entered; Peter Purcell-Gilpin – fresh off the back of U23 world championships in Rotterdam - paired up
with junior international William White, whilst Ollie Clark, a second year who started rowing at Bedford Modern school and Finn Sprackling (who learnt to row at Birmingham) paired up to form the second double. Peter and William placed 4th in the U23 category and Ollie and Finn 7th. Some impressive results against a strong field, and a good start to the season for the men’s squad. The second event of the 2016/17 season for the boat club was Head of the River Fours, which is 6.8km raced over the famous (or perhaps infamous!) Oxford-Cambridge Boat Race course. Racing here is challenging for even the most experienced crews as the weather can lead to tough racing conditions. This prestigious event
attracts several Olympians from Great Britain and around Europe, making for some exciting celebrity spotting on the start line. Birmingham were represented in two quad sculls; Peter and William were joined by fellow club member Pierre Roisin and Stephen Cox of The Army Boat Club to form a composite boat in the elite category; Ollie and Finn raced alongside H e n r y Bambridge and George Hatto in the intermediate category. A stiff head wind through the race only added to the fatigue in the crew’s legs and by the time they came up to the finishing straight the line couldn’t come soon enough. Both crews raced well in tough (but thankfully better than forecast)
"All squads are now preparing for a weekend of racing at Bristol and Wallingford on the 3rd and 4th December."
Badminton (men's) 1sts 6-2 Durham 1sts Football (women's) 1sts 4-1 Loughborough 1sts Volleyball (men's) 1sts 3-0 Derby 1sts
conditions overall placing 34th and 104th out of 468 crews. Matching a club record set in 2012. Alongside the racing it has been a busy term for the club as a whole. Before and after lectures club members can be found getting the miles in on the rowing machines whilst Wednesday afternoon and weekends are spent on the water either at Edgbaston reservoir or in Worcester on the River Severn. All squads are now preparing for a weekend of racing at Bristol and Wallingford on the 3rd and 4th December. It will be the beginner squads’ first race and their captains Connor Bedford, Lucy Feather (beginner men) and Harriet Lowe (beginner women) have been working hard teaching the rowing technique and delivering strong land training programmes in preparation. The whole club is looking forward to the weekend racing an exciting way to end a busy term of training. Best of luck to all crews competing.
Badminton (men's) 2nds 7-1 Worcester 1sts Hockey (men's) 2nds 4-2 Edinburgh 1sts Volleyball (women's) 1sts 3-2 Anglia Ruskin 1sts
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Top 5: Reasons For Trying Martial Arts Tobias Green Sports Writer
There is a certain tranquillity to the ferocity that is martial arts. It has stood the test of time, centuries and millennia old; yet is still relevant today. Shaolin Monks won battles based purely upon the knowledge of Kung Fu, and today military across the world are taught the hand-to-hand combat of various martial art styles. Yet despite the name ‘Martial Arts’ meaning the ‘Arts of War’, there is far more to it than violence. With countless practices from copious countries and places, with teachings handed down by generations, each form of martial art brings with it a deep and rich culture. Here are the top 5 reasons for trying it out: 1. Fitness For any martial art, whether Boxing, Muay Thai, Kung Fu, Ju-Jitsu, Karate, or MMA, comes with it a serious workout. Look at martial artists like Bruce Lee - if you’re doing martial arts, you’re getting shredded. It’s a full body workout that truly pushes you to your limits. Not to mention, letting out explosive energy in a flurry of punches is extremely satisfying. These workouts focus every muscle of your body, building lean strength and endurance. Almost all forms of martial art will train in short bursts of energy followed by low-level exertion, this is interval training and leads to an incredible increase in durability and strength. Pretty much: doing martial arts equals getting fit. I can honestly say if you turn up to any of the UoB Boxing or Muay Thai sessions, you will not
Sports writer, Tobias Green, provides his top five reasons for taking part in the sport of martial arts walk away without feeling sufficiently exhausted. 2. Fat Loss On top of just making you fitter, martial arts is one of the most effective ways to shred fat. Training is said to burn 36% more fat than regular aerobic exercises, such as running or cycling. Not to mention, interval training isn’t just good for your stamina and power; these short, intense bursts, followed by low intensity seriously boost your metabolism, resulting in your body being naturally cleansed of fat cells faster (and you don’t have to do anything). 3. Mentality Stop. Think. Breathe. Despite a large bulk of martial arts being focused on fighting, hitting hard, moving fast, and beating your opponent, there is so much more. Even just starting, you’re challenging yourself to try something new, out of your comfort zone, to better yourself. An obscure form of peace that I have found through boxing and muay thai is the knowledge that I am safe when I go on a night out and some drunk triangle with road-rage is squaring up to me. Knowing you can fight makes it mentally easier to walk away from a fight. You’ll find no need to prove oneself in a testosterone filled pub brawl when you know you could win anyway. Even if you just feel insecure about walking home from a club on your own, it’ll help. Furthermore, as with any form of
exercise, it leaves you feeling as though you’ve accomplished something, because you have. 4. Success Walking out of the gym sweating like a waterfall never stops feeling good, when your body is successful, as are you. And with it comes appreciation of your body, seeing the progress and change in your body shape gives you drive to not only keep training, but to work in all aspects of your life whether that be doing more essays, trying new things or even just turning up to those pesky Monday morning lectures. With martial arts you’re taught to observe the
situation, think of the best outcome and react fast. This is an invaluable skill for life. In addition, the way in which martial arts is trained has been medically proven as one of the most effective ways to increase your heart's health. If you feel and think well - you do well. 5. It’s Awesome Finally, martial arts are awesome. When have you ever watched a fighter knock someone out with one punch in a fight on TV, or James Bond take out ten guys in a movie and thought ‘that was alright.’ You hear about Monks in China doing incredible
feats like balancing on spears or seeing a boxer dodge 10 punches in a row, doesn’t it just make you think wow. Martial arts are pretty cool, like wouldn’t it just be awesome to be a black belt, a master, a champion? Take UFC for example, chances are you’ve probably heard of Conor McGregor. Everyone loves Conor, he’s a champ; imagine being able to fight like him? Have you ever thought to yourself ‘you know what wouldn’t be useful, or cool? Being able to fight.’ No. Because being able to fight like some ninja would be insane. Martial arts are awesome.
What It is Like to be Selected for Your Country Whilst Studying at UoB Thomas Dodd spoke to current Maths PhD student and part-time UoB lecturer Alex Tisbury about being called up to the England Dodgeball squad last month Every aspiring athlete grows up dreaming of representing their country, but getting a chance to do so while still studying at University is an opportunity that comes round once in a blue moon. But that’s exactly what University of Birmingham PhD postgrad Alex Tisbury experienced recently, after the Mathematics student received a call-up to the England Dodgeball Squad last month. And there was an added sense of satisfaction for the 24-year-old, who narrowly missed out on a place in the National team in 2015. 'We found out by email, I literally didn’t know what to think,' he
said. 'I had been training for this for so long, it was such an honour. 'I’ve played a lot of sport my whole life but this is probably my greatest achievement.' Tisbury (affectionately known as ‘Tiz’), who can include a multitude of sports on his resume, first caught the bug for Dodgeball in his earlier days at Birmingham, but the sport itself was not a recognised society when he began his undergraduate degree in 2010. 'I played golf, cricket and table tennis as my main three sports growing up, so I have always had the hand-eye coordination which is very important for the catching side of dodgeball.
Fencing (men's) 2nds 109-119 UoB 1sts Netball 1sts 39-62 Loughborough 1sts Basketball (men's) 2nds 77-78 UCB 1sts
'I started playing in my fourth year of University, which is three and a half years ago now... that is not long, but dodgeball is a fairly new sport, a lot of people who play internationally now have only just really got into it themselves, the first European championships weren’t until 2010. 'There are so many others with a UoB connection who are involved with their National squads doing really well too.' After selection heartbreak twelve months ago, part-time lecturer Tisbury learnt his lessons for 2016 and said a change in the environment of the trial day helped to turn the tide in his favour and launch him into the
squad for the coming months. 'It was a lot more fun and enjoyable this time round and I think that probably helped me get through, because it is so much easier to play your best when the atmosphere is conducive to it. 'The trials work in two parts. There are open trials for those people not currently in the squad and then if you come through those there are closed trials, which are little more tense as people are playing for their positions.' Dodgeball may currently be undergoing a rules shake-up in an attempt to make the sport a world phenomenon, but Tisbury is just hoping there will be no changes regarding his own position among
Football (men's) 1sts 0-2 Northumbria 1sts Table Tennis (men's) 1sts 0-17 Nottingham 2nds Badminton (women's) 2nds 4-4 Nottingham 3rds
England’s elite any time soon. 'The goal now is to try to stay in the squad,' he said. 'You have to re-trial every year so now I am in the squad I shall have to go to the closed trials next year and play for my position again, which will obviously be really tense.' However, it was an inauspicious start to his National career for Tisbury, as he watched his teammates lose from the side lines for the first time in years at last weekend’s UKDBA Six Nation’s Championship final on Merseyside, as England Men picked up a silver medal. You can listen to Alex's interview in full with BBC Radio Shropshire's Alex Seftel online.
Rosberg Takes Maiden World Title in Abu Dhabi 02.12.2016 Bradley West analyses Antonio Conte's revolution at Chelsea
Page 36 Nicola Kenton provides a Spotlight On: Gymnastics
Page 38 Tobias Green gives you five reasons to try Martial Arts
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Nicola Kenton Online Editor @QueenNikNak
On Friday, Hamilton was ahead of
Rosberg in both practice sessions. However, only the second session was representative of the conditions that would be faced in qualifying and the race - due to it being an evening/night race. In the final practice session on Saturday, Hamilton was ahead of Rosberg once again but both Mercedes were lower down the order in fourth and position. The weekend was not only about the battle in the World Championship though. It was also about two stalwarts of the sport deciding that their time was up. Felipe Massa had announced his retirement earlier in the season and was celebrated at his home race - the Brazilian Grand Prix. The other driver who announced that this was his last weekend was Jenson Button. The 2009 World Champion has a contract at McLaren to drive in 2018 but he treated this race weekend as his final one in a Formula One car - having been in the sport for 17 seasons. Sunday came and nerves were seen in the Mercedes garage in everyone
apart from the drivers. Toto Wolff and Niki Lauda stated that if the drivers started to back one another to the rest of the field, the undercut would be threatened; the team-mate behind would be able to pit before and possible overtake the car in front. The red lights went out and both Mercedes got away well, RäikkÜnen overtook Ricciardo to take third place and the Australian then had to defend from Vettel in fifth. Verstappen didn't have a great first lap as he ran out of room in Turn 1 and contact was made with Hulkenberg, meaning the Dutchman span and ended up in last place. The frontrunners stayed there until the first round of pit-stops came. Hamilton pitted first and came back onto track behind Vettel and ahead of Verstappen. Rosberg pitted on the next lap but ended up behind the Dutchman; the battle that happened was one of no risk. If there was an opportunity, Rosberg would pounce upon it as long as there was no risk to his car. Hamilton was comfortable out front and watching the battle behind. Eventually, Rosberg overtook Verstappen and began to close the gap to Hamilton. Verstappen then made his only pit-stop on lap 21 while Rosberg continued to chase down his team-
mate. On lap 28 and 29, Hamilton and Rosberg pitted for the last time but Ferrari threw a spanner in the works by leaving Vettel out until lap 37. Hamilton knew that Rosberg finishing second was not enough for him to win the world championship and decided on a different tactic - drive slowly but keep the DRS gap to Rosberg. Vettel pitted with 18 laps remaining and the race was now on. The Brit kept a small 1.2 second buffer back to Rosberg while waiting for Vettel to make his way up to the fight at the front. In the last five laps, the top four cars were within 6 seconds of each other and Vettel managed to pass Verstappen on lap 51 to join the battle at the front. Mercedes had continually been on the radio to Hamilton asking him to set specific lap times but the Brit did not want to listen. Vettel got closer to Rosberg but both Germans were within two seconds of Hamilton and the positions did not change.
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