Redbrick - Issue 1482

Friday 9th June 2017

Redbrick Issue 1482, Vol. 81

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No More Delays

Redbrick

Brand new UoB sports centre opens to the public, after many setbacks

The Official University of Birmingham Student Newspaper, est. 1936

University of Birmingham

Redbrick Rewind Pullout Eight pages reviewing the best of the year in Birmingham

Giulia Bardelli

Nancy Frostick discusses the upcoming summer of Women's Sports

Harry Turner explains why we should watch American Gods

Patrick Box reviews the latest DC film - Wonder Woman

Jack Lawrence gives us a beginner's guide to Jazz music

Features Page 14

TV Page 22

Film Page 25

Music Page 29

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REDBRICK

Friday 9th June 2017

redbrick.me

Letter from the Editor...

Much like my dissertation, I’ve been putting off writing this editorial for a very long time. I think that signing off this editorial will feel like signing off as Editor of Redbrick, something I’m desperately keen to cling on to. As the old trope says, all good things must come to an end. This was not true of my dissertation. That was a very bad thing that came to an end after months of excruciating pain. It was painful to write and probably very painful to read. But it is true of my tenure at Redbrick, which has flown by. Redbrick has been a pleasure to produce and hopefully a pleasure to read. And so, here we are. My last editorial.

We started our tenure as a committee with a few key goals. My first one was to tidy our office, so affectionately known as the dungeons (a nickname earned due to its location in the basement of the Guild with a lack of natural light, not because our editors find their time designing their pages torturous). Alas, life happens, and the office is still a tip. Aside from this wishful thinking, we had three very serious and very big goals: to improve the quality of the print edition, to make the society more sociable, and to improve the website. Whilst I believe we have achieved the former two, the latter proved logistically difficult and a goal that remains to be fulfilled.

Nonetheless, to see Redbrick go from strength to strength in many different ways, to work with such an incredible team, and to produce a newspaper that we are all proud of has been nothing but a joy and pleasure. In this editorial I wanted to take you through all the developments and changes that have happened in the society, but I only have limited column space, so I’ll just mention a few highlights.

Redbrick has become a larger society, in more ways than one.

Perhaps most obvious is the increase in membership, which has risen by over 150 to just under 400 members. Less obvious are the changes to the society structure.

Last year, there were seven committee members, this year there were eight with the addition of the new role Print Editor. Next year there will be nine committee mem-

bers, as we decided to add another deputy editor to the committee to help share the workload. Other areas of growth include our social media presence, which has increased on every forum and especially on the Instagram page, with the number of followers increasing by 225% (largely thanks to the efforts of Giulia Bardelli). We’ve also expanded the boundaries of what our society does, by launching a sports podcast, a charity fundraising running team (who this year have raised over £1200 for Birmingham Children’s Hospital), a successful six-a-side football team, and a radio show on Burn FM. We’ve hosted and attended more socials than before, including trips to Digbeth Dining Club, societies night (with varying costume success), a Christmas formal, a Redbrick Brum Dine With Me Challenge (I will never forget Nicola Kenton dropping her lovingly-made cheesecake face down on the floor), bowling, Itchy Feet, Pub n Papers and our annual Redbrick Awards.

One highlight in particular was our road trip up to Leeds for the Student Publication Association National Conference – SPANC. Our Redbrick contingent was made up of Editors old and new: myself, Matt Moody the 15/16 Editor, Will Baxter the outgoing Treasurer and now Editor-elect, and Conrad Duncan, full time ginger spice and the outgoing Digital Editor. We ended up receiving five nominations in five different categories for the SPA Awards (including one for Best Publication!), and we were recognised in two of those categories, Best Entertainment Piece and Best Newspaper Design. It was so brilliant to see the work of our entire team recognised on such a national stage, and to do so well next to some of the best student newspapers in the country. If this was the Premier League of student media, we were Everton – a very respectable club but not yet the biggest hitter. Something for next year’s committee to work on!

Our relationship with the Guild has only improved. Last year we made the editorial decision not to run Guild Elections coverage in protest of how short notice we

were given and the time scales we were expected to stick with. This year, by collaborating earlier on in the year with the Guild and with other media groups, we were able to run extensive coverage, and even create an elections pull out. I hope in future years that the process becomes even more streamlined.

One of the main reasons that we’ve had such a good year with the Guild has been because this year’s Guild Officers have been the best team that I’ve worked with during my time at the University of Birmingham. Two officers stand out: Ellie Keiller, who has been the most passionate and active Guild President I have seen, and has only ever cooperated and supported Redbrick; and Natalie Cox, our outgoing Activities and Development Officer. Nat has achieved exactly what she set out to do, and more. I’d particularly like to highlight that her support, patience and advocacy for Redbrick has been incredible. We’re so thankful for her hard work, and wish her every success in the future.

I’d also like to the Guild staff for their support this year. They have gone above and beyond what they needed to do to help us, and I know this will continue for years to come.

If we’ve achieved any success this year, it is a testament to the incredible hard work of our writers, editors and committee members.

Working on something as collaborative as a newspaper is a real test of teamwork, yet everyone has worked so effortlessly together.

One of my favourite parts of the job has been watching the section editors get on so well and create such vibrant and diverse sections. I have especially loved the cross section collaborations, and the friendships that have resulted from them.

Ultimately Redbrick is just a society, so for it to feel more like a family as the weeks go by has been such a joy.

I can’t mention family without talking about my committee. Media groups are intense to run, and our committee positions are incredibly time consuming. I cannot praise my committee enough for the amount of work they have put in this year to make Redbrick the

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society it is. In fact, no praise could even come close to describing how brilliant they are, and how much I love them. It’s probably why I’m struggling so much to make this small paragraph a fitting tribute to them. Harry, Imogen, Gabriella, Conrad, Andreea, Laura and Will – you’ve been the best possible committee a gal could have dreamed of. From the bottom of my heart, thank you. I owe you all so very much so please don’t cash it in yet as it’ll bankrupt me even more than university has (unless Jeremy Corbyn has just been voted in, in which case let’s go straight to the Soak).

Any editor of any newspaper can tell you that the job is demanding, yet I wouldn’t have it any other way. To be your editor has

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 developer@redbrickonline.co.uk

Marketing Secretary William Baxter marketing@redbrickonline.co.uk

Social Secretary Laura Burgess social@redbrickonline.co.uk

News Editors Emily Roberts Erin Santillo Grace Duncan Gregory Robinson Joseph Timan

Music Editors Giulia Bardelli Greg Woodin Holly Carter Phil Jones music@redbrickonline.co.uk

news@redbrickonline.co.uk

Comment Editor Aamina Siddiqi Alex Cirant-Taljaard Harry Tennison Joe Goodsall Kat Smith comment@redbrickonline.co.uk

Culture Editors Imogen Tink Olivia Boyce Rebecca Moore Sophie Taylor

Film Editors Alex McDonald George Griffths Joe Ryan film@redbrickonline.co.uk

Travel Editors Carys Bedford Delfina Rainoldi Sophie Braybrook travel@redbrickonline.co.uk

culture@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 Anum Hameed Ellen Daugherty Katie Jones 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

been an honour and a privilege, and the best year of my life. I’m so terribly sad to be leaving, but so excited for the future of Redbrick. I know that I am leaving the paper in very capable hands (Gerry, look after my baby), so please keep on picking up and reading Redbrick next year, as it is only going to get better and better. So, for the last time, From the dungeons we salute you,

Anna Griffiths, Editor-in-Chief

Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 251 2462

editor@redbrickonline.co.uk

Editorial Assistants Redbrick is printed through www.mortonHannah Ledlie sprint.com Holly Carter 01507 523 456 Miriam Nixon Sophie Kesterton To advertise in Redbrick, get in touch with William Baxter marketing@redbrickonline.co.uk or visit www.redbrick.me/advertise-with-redbrick for more details, and to see our rate card.

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 9th June 2017

@redbricknews

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University Sports and Fitness Centre Opens In Time For Summer Season Josh Hamilton News Reporter

The University of Birmingham Sport and Fitness Centre officially opened this month after almost a year of delays.

The building’s doors have been open to visitors since Monday 22nd May, after four delays that have hindered use of the centre for nearly one year. Work commenced on the building three years ago this April.

Members were emailed on the 24th of April, giving them four

weeks’ notice before the centre was usable. Zena Wooldridge OBE, Director of Sport at Birmingham, thanked current members for their continued patience.

Current members were asked to collect personal locker bands for use in the new building from the Munrow Sports Centre on either the 24th, 26th, or 28th of April, between 6pm and 8pm.

Induction instructions, including details on understanding the new gym equipment, was later distributed.

Members are now offered

access to the city’s first 50 metre pool, as well as a gym with over 200 stations and, of course, a climbing wall. The centre is hoped to ‘reflect [the university's] global rankings for sport,’ as well as ‘enhance the quality of life’ of students.

Weekday opening times are from 6am to 10:30pm, and between 7am and 8pm on weekends. Membership costs vary, depending on the level of access desired by users. As with the previous memberships, off peak deals are also available and university students can enjoy a discount.

The Munrow Sports Centre closed for good on Friday, 19th

Members are now offered access to the city’s first 50 metre pool, as well as a gym with over 200 stations of May, at 10:30pm, in preparation for the opening of UoB Sport

Josh, 2nd Year

Jessica, 2nd Year

I wasn't a member of the old gym so I can't really compare, but I have been a member of a few gyms at home and this one is very impressive! There's never really a wait for any machines which is always good, and there's a good variety of machines for cardio/strength too.

It’s definitely an improvement on the Munrow but for £55m you'd expect it to be perfect; there are too many little things that are wrong and I’d have thought that some of them would have been picked up during the initial inspections. For example, the mirrors being in the wrong place (behind the flat benches instead of in front of adjustable benches like in the Munrow) and no mirrors in front of the squat racks. They've also spent loads on all these machines with screens and that seems a bit pointless to me. And the fact that they only do 12-month contracts is a joke. They should have 9 months but obviously they just want to get more money off us. I also heard a few people say the showers have really low water pressure and they have to get really close to wall and end up turning them off, but I haven't experienced it myself. But besides all that it’s great.

Tasha, 3rd Year

I think the group exercise rooms are great, they’re really big and they’ve got way more classes going on now so there’s more choice and more flexibility. The only thing is the rooms can get too hot, so people can struggle to get through a whole class.

Dom, 2nd Year Much like the library it has obvious flaws.

It was expected that there was going to be more equipment, more space etc. But again like the library the use of space seems poorly thought out. It seems to be focussed on the general public demands. I can speak only for the gym really, the rest of the sports centre seems very good. The quality of the equipment can't be questioned, and some of the new additions are really useful, but the gym is saturated with too many cardio machines.

and Fitness the following week.

There has been some confusion regarding the name of the sports centre which was originally supposed to be the 360 Sports Centre. The name was changed after a decision from the university. The university decided that the name UB Sports and Fitness would unite the campus altogether and keep the centre in keeping with the university’s image, according to the sports centre’s press officer.

Food Editor Phoebe Radford spoke to students about what they thought about the new £55 million facilities.

Ellen, 3rd Year Harry, 2nd Year With all the controversy regarding its ludicrous delay in opening (which wasn't really the uni's fault), there was a lot riding on its quality. But from someone who has spent the last two years going to Munrow, the new centre absolutely fulfils satisfaction. Of course, there are flaws, but in reality the positives of new equipment, more space and more benches overwhelms the negatives.

Although, I do suggest the introduction of a £100,000 fine for anyone who doesn't re-reck their dumbbells properly. That would pay off the £55million cost within days.

I think it's really good, a definite improvement from the Munrow.

My main issue comes from lack of signs etc. in the lifting areas so lots of people walk on or in front of the platforms as someone lifts - very dangerous for the Olympic lifters!

University Lapworth Museum of Geology Shortlisted for Museum of the Year Award Grace Duncan News Editor @gracieellen_

The University of Birmingham’s campus museum of geology, the Lapworth, is up against Tate Modern for the Art Fund’s 2017 Museum of the Year award.

The two museums are among five chosen in the shortlist competing for the world’s largest prize for a museum, the winner of which will receive £100,000, with runners up receiving £10,000.

The other three museums competing for the prize are the National Heritage Centre for Horseracing and Sporting Art in Newmarket, Suffolk, the Sir John Soane’s

Museum in London and The Hepworth in Wakefield.

"each of these museums has had a remarkable year, reaching – in a range of ways – new heights" The Lapworth Museum of Geology was founded in 1880, but was not open to the public until its £2.7 million redevelopment was completed in June 2016. This

redevelopment and expansion has allowed the museum to better exhibit its collection of over 250,000 specimens.

The Art Fund’s director, Stephen Deuchar, said, according to the Guardian, that there had been a record number of applications in 2017, which could be attributed to the thriving museum sector and, potentially, the changes in the prize money, which only this year introduced the runner up prize.

Deuchar added that ‘there was an amazing variety of museums which entered’. Four of the museums out of the final five have been shortlisted on the back of major capital projects including the

Lapworth, which the Art Fund’s director said made ‘lumps of rock look sexy’.

Deuchar went on to say that ‘each of these museums has had a remarkable year, reaching – in a range of ways – new heights in their efforts to serve and inspire their visitors.

‘Whether unveiling new buildings, galleries, displays or public programmes, all the finalists have shown a real commitment to innovation and experimentation, offering fresh perspectives and new ways of seeing and understanding their collections’.

The prize, previously known as the Gulbenkian prize, has been

sponsored by the Art Fund since 2008 and is a hugely prestigious and lucrative award for museums to win.

While last year's winner was the V&A, it is not only large museums that win the prize, however, as was demonstrated when the William Morris Museum in Walthamstow, East London won in 2013.

The winner will be chosen by a jury of artists, museum directors and DJ Jo Wiley, and will be announced at a ceremony at the British Museum on 5 July.

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Friday 9th June 2017

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From Birmingham To Dubai: UoB Set To Open New Campus In The United Arab Emirates In 2018 Emily Youlton News Reporter

This week, the University of Birmingham announced that it will be opening a new campus in Dubai. This has come after the plans were approved by the Knowledge and Human Development Authority in Dubai.

The move is said to be the first of its kind out of the top 100 world universities, and the first in the Russell Group. It will build on the University’s growing connections with Singapore and China as well as improving opportunities for more research collaborations.

The new campus will be located in Dubai International Academic City, an area home to 26 other international educational institutions. UoB has said that this new campus will ‘deliver a worldclass British university education in the global city and international hub of Dubai’. The campus will initially open this autumn but undergraduates will begin courses

in September 2018 with the aim to reach a full capacity of 4,500 students within 6 years.

UoB has said that initially there will be a ‘limited’ amount of programmes available including Business, Economics, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Primary and Secondary Teacher Education. More courses will be available as the campus grows in size and will eventually move to a purpose built facility.

These courses will be taught and assessed in the same way that degrees on the main UK campus are. It is expected that current and new students at the Birmingham campus will benefit from this in terms of exchanges and travel opportunities.

The aim is to appeal to a wider range of students across the globe particularly in areas of the Middle East, India, other parts of Asia and North Africa as well as in Britain.

In addition to this, students from both campuses will have increased opportunities to study at both the UK and Dubai campus. Vice-

Chancellor of the university, Professor Sir David Eastwood has said that the education offered in Dubai will be ‘at par with that at Birmingham in terms of quality and curriculum’. Unlike other satellite campuses he has said ‘our students will be taught in a research-rich environment’. This is in comparison to other likewise developments where the focus is solely teaching. It is being promoted as ‘culturally enriching’ in addition to having a strong focus on academic gain.

"the Guild would like to give every student there the same opportunity and experience that they have here" Eastwood has also defended the plans after critics referred to other failed satellite campuses. He has said that with a significant investment to start the new venture, it will attract enough students who will then pay tuition fees making the campus self-sustained in terms of finance.

Regarding student wellbeing, a personal tutor system will be in place as it is on the UK campus and they have said that other wellbeing services on the Birmingham campus will be made available.

Ellie Keiller, President of the Guild of Students has said that students in Dubai will be represented by the Guild but in a slightly different way. When asked whether there will be Guild style

activities like societies available on the campus, Keiller said ‘It’s really hard to say at what level we will be a Guild at this stage’. All students on any UoB campus are represented by the Guild for legal reasons but the University have not yet made decisions about how this representation will be demonstrated in Dubai. She suggested that when the campus reaches capacity, with suitable funding the Guild could benefit from ‘a building like we have here or an office in another building’, but as of yet these plans have not been made clear by the university. She also said ‘the Guild would like to give every student there the same opportunity and experience that they have here’.

Keiller made clear that the main focus of the remote campus was to give a British academic experience in the United Arab Emirates but the whole ‘university experience’ will be different to that of the Birmingham campus.

She also explained that the Guild has made a proposal of what will be needed on the Dubai campus.

As students in Dubai won’t be living in University style halls there won’t be a need for schemes like the Residents Association but services like Guild Advice will remain important. Keiller also commented that ‘culturally, Dubai is a very challenging place in terms of democracy’ and that the Guild have already been working on ‘how do we exist as a democratic union in Dubai with the regime that they have’. She said that with the new updated tech-

nology that the Guild has developed this year, like the website, it should make the Guild and its services more accessible.

The Guild has since released a statement that reads; 'Whilst the Guild supports the growth of the University’s academic offering and the opportunities an international campus will present for a global education, we recognise the concerns raised about academic freedom, human rights abuses and freedom of expression in the United Arab Emirates’.

The statement continues, 'We will continue to raise our concerns regarding the rights and equal treatment of LGBTQ & Women students studying with Birmingham in UAE with the University as this project progresses’.

The university has also promoted the social and cultural benefits of studying in Dubai and will be offering tours and trips on arrival at the university to allow new students to get to know their surroundings and make the most out of their time at this diverse and unique campus.

4,500 Student Capacity

"Dubai is a very challenging place" It seems that the new campus could lead the way for many top world universities to create spaces across the globe whilst offering a high quality education.

National Security Concerns In Birmingham Emily Roberts News Editor

In the wake of terror attacks on Westminster Bridge, Manchester Arena, and most recently, London Bridge, the nation has been on high alert, and the public has been urged to report any suspicious behaviour to the authorities.

Particularly throughout the month of May, potential threats in Birmingham have been reported, and the West Midlands Police service, along with other security services, has responded accordingly.

At around 3pm on May 16th, the Main Library on campus was temporarily evacuated following reports of a suspicious package outside the building. Tweets written under the University of Birmingham Library Services account (@UobLibServices)

urged students to stay away from the library until security services deemed the building safe to enter.

Approximately half an hour later, the Library Services team stated that the issue had been addressed, and students could return; ‘we can confirm security were alerted to a suspicious package outside the library – police attended and all is ok.’

"there is no intelligence to suggest Birmingham is specifically at risk" Just a day after the suicide bombing at an Ariana Grande

concert in Manchester, where 22 people were killed and 116 were injured, a candlelit vigil held at Victoria Square in Birmingham was cut short after a man seemingly armed with a small axe and a large stick was arrested by West Midlands Police.

Around 1,000 people had attended the vigil to show their solidarity and to pay their respects to the victims of the terror attack.

Following the disturbance, Superintendent Andy Parsons and West Midlands Chief Constable David Thompson confirmed that Victoria Square was evacuated as a precautionary measure to ensure the personal safety of those in attendance. WMP also stated that the 39-year-old man was charged for the possession of an offensive weapon.

On May 25th, there were reports that access to the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Birmingham had been restricted for around

fifty minutes, as armed police detained a man acting suspiciously. Though some social media speculation suggested that the scene was one of chaos and disorder, West Midlands Police later assured that ‘the man has not been arrested and the call to police by security staff was made in good faith. We thank the guards for their vigilance and for acting on their concerns.’

An email written by Guild President Ellie Keiller and Registrar and Secretary Lee Sanders has detailed how both the University and police services are coordinating to help protect those on campus and in the city. The email states that, while there is an increased police presence in local areas, ‘there is no intelligence to suggest Birmingham is specifically at risk.’ Keiller and Sanders also encouraged students to download the Callmy App, which alerts users to any issues or threats at the

University. In the email, students are also urged to educate themselves on how to act appropriately in the event of an attack by consulting the government’s ‘Run – Hide – Tell’ procedure.

In a press release following the attack on London Bridge, WMP Chief Constable Dave Thompson asserted that the authorities would take ‘any steps necessary to keep people safe’.

He also clarified that while security had been heightened in Birmingham following the incident in London on Saturday 3rd June, there was no local threat.

WMP continue to encourage the public to report any suspicions to the Anti-Terrorist Hotline on 0800 789 321. The University’s security team can also be reached on 0121 414 3000 for non-emergencies, or 0121 414 4444 in the event of an emergency.

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05

News You Might Have Missed During Easter and Exams...

UoB Student Hannah Bladon Killed in Israel Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman

Hannah Bladon, a University of Birmingham student on exchange in Israel, was killed on Friday 14th April in an attack in Jerusalem. The attack took place on a tram in Tzahal (IDF) Square, near to the Christian Quarter of Jerusalem’s Old City on Good Friday.

The attack was reported to take place as the tram was approaching City Hall, when the attacker pulled a kitchen knife out of his bag and stabbed Bladon in the chest. The attacker was arrested after several police officers, as well as an off-duty policeman and another passenger who were both travelling on the tram, were able

to apprehend him and remove the knife. Following the attack a man was charged with intentional murder.

Bladon was taken to Jerusalem’s Hadassah Hospital Mount Scopus after medics carried out CPR on her at the scene.

A spokesperson for Hadassah Hospital said that Bladon died of her wounds two hours after arriving.

Bladon was an exchange student at the Hebrew University of Jerusalem which is located in East Jerusalem on a campus with high levels of security. At UoB, Bladon studied Theology and Religion, and was taking part in a semester exchange programme based in the Rothberg International School.

Following the attack, UoB released a statement saying: ‘Our thoughts are with her family and

friends during this tragic time and we will be providing support for any student affected by this terrible event.’ The university also established a Book of Condolence in the chaplaincy for students to record their thoughts for Bladon’s family.

The Hebrew University of Jerusalem also released a statement following the attack, in which they expressed ‘tremendous sorrow’ regarding the tragic attack, saying, ‘the university condemns such acts of terror, murder and vandalism, which harm innocent people who came to Jerusalem to study and enrich their academic knowledge’.

Several weeks later Bladon’s funeral took place in her hometown of Burton in which the Derby Telegraph reported that hundreds of people gathered. In

addition, a service attended by Bladon’s friends and the Archbishop of Canterbury and British Chief Rabbi Ephraim Mirvis took place in Israel.

"the university condemns such acts of terror" At the University of Birmingham, a lecture organised by the Department of Theology and Religion in honour of Bladon was given by Professor Yosef Garfinkel. The Professor of Prehistoric Archaeology and of Archaeology of the Biblical Period at the Hebrew University gave a lecture on Israelite archae-

ology attended by present students, recent alumni and members of Bladon’s family.

Sam Bartlett, a UoB History and Political Science student who studied on exchange at Hebrew University last year, said that he was ‘shocked’, but added that throughout his time in Jerusalem, stabbing attacks were frequent.

Speaking to Redbrick, he said that the university provided advice on ‘situational awareness’ when he began his studies there, which included remaining alert when travelling on public transport where many attacks take place.

Bartlett, who is also a Campus Ambassador for the British Foreign and Commonwealth Office, advised British citizens in Israel to refer to the FCO website on Israel & the Palestinian Territories.

Guild Delegation Attends NUS Conference Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman

Between Tuesday 25th and Thursday 27th April, eight elected delegates led by Guild President Ellie Keiller joined over 1,200 students, elected officers and campaigners in Brighton for the National Union of Students’ (NUS) annual National Conference. Also attending was former Guild Education Officer Izzy Lenga, an elected member of the National Executive Council (NEC) Block of 15, who was running for Vice President (VP) for Welfare.

The conference included the election of the National President, five Vice President positions (VP), and the passing of policy in five key areas, or ‘Zones’. The biggest news of the conference was that current VP for Further Education Shakira Martin beat incumbent Malia Bouattia and Durham

University’s Tom Harwood to become the next NUS National President. Martin, who received 56% of the overall vote, was the Guild’s favourite with the majority of the delegation voting in her favour.

Later that day five VPs were also voted in, including VP for Welfare in which the University of Birmingham’s Izzy Lenga was elected. Speaking to Redbrick, Lenga said, ‘I was proud to stand as a Jewish woman, ready to tackle the student mental health crisis and fight for good quality housing for all students across the country’.

Lenga expressed gratitude and appreciation on social media for all the support she received throughout her campaign. She told Redbrick, ‘I would particularly like to thank the Guild of Students and the University of Birmingham for all the support it has given me as both a student and a sabbatical officer. I am incredibly proud to be representing Birmingham and hope to do

the Guild proud!’

Redbrick also spoke to Guild President Ellie Keiller about Lenga’s victory. ‘I’m incredibly proud of the fact that Izzy has been elected as Vice President Welfare of NUS’, she said. ‘I said it during her campaign and I stand by it now that she's been elected, but I cannot think of a better person for the role this year’.

Five VPs were also voted in, including the University of Birmingham’s Izzy Lenga Other VPs newly elected at the conference included Amatey Doku for Higher Education, Emily Chapman for Further Education and Ali Milani for Union Development, whilst Robbie

Young was re-elected as VP for Society & Citizenship. Guild delegate Shimon Kelly described all but one of the successful candidates as ‘moderate’ and told Redbrick that this shows that the NUS is moving back in the right direction, by ‘focusing on the needs and rights of all students, whom it has always claimed to represent, even if it hasn't always succeeded’.

The Guild also submitted four motions to be debated at the conference which included: to add sanitary products into the NUS Purchasing Consortium, to combat anti-Semitism, to create a ‘Culturally Competent Framework’ for mental health, and to create a more effective model of representation for postgraduate students. Although the first three motions passed, the motion on mental health submitted by Guild Welfare Officer Ross Strong was composited with a number of motions that were similar.

Meanwhile, the motion on

national postgraduate representation which was submitted by Guild Postgraduate Officer Rose Bennett was not discussed as a motion to make significant changes to the NUS’ democratic procedure dominated the relevant Zone.

Nevertheless, Keiller told Redbrick that Bennett will have an opportunity to submit a similar motion, that proposes to make NUS’ Postgraduate Students’ Officer a full time role, at the upcoming Postgraduate Conference.

Towards the end of the conference, elections took place for the NEC Block of 15, as well as five Democratic Procedures Committee (DPC) members.

Guild Representation and Resources Officer Elect Jess Levy successfully ran for a place on the NEC, whilst former Guild Home Students’ Officer Adam Elmi, missed out on a place on the DPC.

Conservative Andy Street Elected West Midlands Mayor Grace Duncan News Editor @gracieellen_

Despite holding a very narrow lead in the first round over Labour’s Sion Simon, Andy Street was elected after the second votes were added following the vote on 4th May..

In the first round, Street received 43% of the vote, and ended up with 6,000 more votes than the Labour candidate, meaning that the margin of victory was only 1%. In a statement, Sir David Eastwood, the University of

Birmingham’s Vice-Chancellor, congratulated Street for a ‘historic’ and ‘significant’ win.

"we look forward to working closely with Andy to seize further opportunities" ‘The University of Birmingham welcomes the Mayor’s commitment to accelerating inclusive

economic growth, developing skills, improving transportation, and to providing the West Midlands with a strong voice nationally and internationally,’ Eastwood said.

‘Civic engagement is at the heart of the University of Birmingham’s mission. It is in this spirit that we look forward to working closely with Andy to seize further opportunities that can deliver positive change for the West Midlands region'.

Mr Street gave up his business career in order to run for the position. His election campaign is reported to have cost almost £1 million.

In Birmingham, Simon was the comfortable victor beating Street by over 20,000 votes, however the rest of the region voted considerably more for the Conservative candidate.

The West Midlands was not the only region to gain a Conservative mayor in yesterday’s elections. Four of the six new mayoral positions have been won by Conservative candidates including the Tees Valley and Cambridgeshire & Peterborough.

Greater Manchester was one region were Labour managed to buck the trend of heavy losses experienced in the rest of the country as Andy Burnham was

elected mayor. Liverpool City Region also saw a comfortable Labour victory without needing to consider voter’s second preferences at all.

Thursday 4th May was also a day for many of the council elections which saw a similar trend of Labour losing out while the Conservatives gained positions.

Nonetheless the biggest loser of the day was UKIP who after the days elections were left without any council seats.

Overall only 26% of voters turned out at the polling station with the vast majority of eligible voters not participating in the vote.

06

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Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricknews

Redbrick News Investigates: International Life At UoB

News Reporter Zixuan Wang investigates what life is like as an international student at the University of Birmingham Zixuan Wang News Reporter

Being a part of the University of Birmingham (UoB), students here dive into the mix of diverse cultures as soon as they step outside their bedrooms. Over 37,000 students of different cultural backgrounds and social contexts together give life to one of the most inclusive undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral research communities in the UK. Roughly 11,500 students here at UoB are from outside the UK, making up 30% of the student body and representing over 140 nations, the largest group being Chinese, making up 9% of the student population.

For many, living and studying abroad can be a vital life decision – as well as a challenge. With such a large international population, it requires active engagement and efforts from multiple parties for international students to better adapt to the new environment, with regards to academia, career choices, cultural infusion and everyday life.

Redbrick conducted an ‘International Life at UoB’ survey aimed at domestic students and international students in order to gather their experiences, opinions and expectations.

Predominantly distributed via Facebook groups and Canvas messages, the survey received 116 responses from a mixture of domestic and international students.

New friends in need: the communication gap The unease associated with getting along with people from different and distinct backgrounds was found throughout the investigation. International students were asked which elements of university life had not yet met their expectations. The most common response was making ‘new

"Meeting people is easy, but it’s a different story when you want to become close friends" friends’ which 50% of respondents chose.

The first relationships international students build in the university are largely with peers from the same home countries. They either have met before studying abroad or come into contact because they attend the same lectures, societies or networking activities. Shared language and culture often helps to break the ice for people of the same nationality.

So, what prevents internation-

al students from taking a step further to meet more people? The potential frictions in communication between international students and domestic students sheds some light on this problem of unsatisfactory social relationships.

With respect to the domestic students, 73% of them displayed a welcoming attitude towards making more international friends and learning about foreign cultures.

However, the survey also asked the domestic students how they had interacted with the international students, and found that ‘doing academic work together’ (41%) and ‘living in the same student halls’ (26%) were the two most popular responses.

The findings could thus reasonably indicate that domestic students only tend to meet international students and build a fresh relationship if they have to or happen to. Just 12% of all survey respondents actively chose to meet international students through activities like the Global Buddy scheme or joining international student-oriented groups.

Some international students are making gradual progress.

Wenmin, who is an exchange student from China, shared her experience with Redbrick. ‘I have made some special friends who told me a lot and we had a great

time with each other’, Wenmin Everyone is different’, whilst said. ‘It sounds unbelievable, but another said, ‘Obviously it it does happen’. depends on where they’re from The hardest part still lies in and who they are because funnily establishing close connecenough not all of them are tions. International stuthe same’. dent Stella said, For many, it will ‘Meeting people is be reassuring to easy, but it’s a difknow that their ferent story when peers generally you want to show an embracbecome close ing attitude, and friends’.

For that they are careof the Student many, ful not to rely on Body are making stereotypes. friends is Therefore, the one International often far thing missing to Students from easy, fix the communicaand it could tion gap may just be be even harder positive incentives for when it comes to both international and people from different cul- domestic students to step out of tures. their comfort zones and start Redbrick asked the speaking to each other. domestic students for Joseph, a Global Buddies voltheir general impression unteer, spoke to Redbrick about of international students. his experience of the scheme. ‘I Two thirds of respondents like that I’ve been connected with felt that the international international students on a perstudents around them are sonal level', he said. ‘I can’t say ‘comfortable to be with’ that I’ve become good friends and ‘outgoing and talka- with any of my buddies but it’s tive’. However, 35% been really nice meeting them and thought that they are ‘shy I’m always happy to help them and introverted’. 42% with any problems they have’. described international It could be worthwhile to crestudents as ‘friendly, but ate more platforms to encourage remote’, 18% as ‘distant’ people to get involved, but it’s and 20% as ‘hard to get also important for individuals to along / communicate utilise the opportunities available with’. to build these friendships.

The variety in responses appears to reveal how Fresh off the boat: difficulties diverse international stu- fitting in dents are as a group and highlights the differing relationships between The impact of experiencing a disdomestic and international stu- tinctly different cultural setting dents. Redbrick also received underlies many of the factors that some other responses particularly deter international students from highlighting the fact that not all making new friends overseas. international students are the ‘Better fitting in British culture’ same. For example, one respond- was listed as the second leading ent said: ‘Can’t generalise. concern, according to the survey.

30%

Among all the survey participants, 46% were from Asia while 36% were from European countries, which representatively reflects two major sources of the university’s international population. Geographical closeness of students’ home countries to the UK seems to affect how the participants understand the similarities and differences between different cultures, but it’s common for all the students to find this kind of transformation challenging.

The university and the Guild of Students have played significant roles in terms of helping international students overcome this difficulty. Within UoB, Birmingham International Academy (BIA) has been regularly holding language and cultural classes, academic assistance

"Obviously it depends on where they’re from and who they are because funnily enough not all of them are the same" sessions as well as day trips for international students.

Along with adapting to a new culture, efforts are also being made to help create a sense of belonging for international students. In the Guild, 47 cultural and international student groups are welcoming students from different nationalities and cultural backgrounds. A variety of activi-

NEWS

Friday 9th June 2017

ties are held by these student groups, as well as directly by the Guild, and these attract large crowds of people, native or not, to celebrate joint hobbies as well as

@redbricknews

ducing sessions in Welcome Week and regular take-ins from students’ inboxes, information packs for freshers and wider notices around campus could be consid-

From head to toe: all about selfmanagement The final issue worthy of note concerns students and their every-

According to Joseph, one of the participants, the Global Buddies Scheme is ‘a really great idea and is most useful for international students when they first arrive so that they immediately have someone to talk to and ask any questions whilst they try to settle in’. There is also advice available for international students’ family members, including parents, carers, and children, while they are studying abroad at UoB. However, the hard part about getting help is not that there aren’t enough feasible methods to solve these problems, but that students are still not fully aware of where they could seek advice when these problems arise. This investigation may enlighten readers in this area.

To the university and the Guild:

festivals around the world.

These measures do appear to be working. According to the survey, 56% of the international participants are members of student groups, many of which enable international students and domestic students to share their hobbies and interests together. Among all, BIA sessions and activities also proved to be popular, recognised by 33% of the respondents. ‘I attended lunch-time British Culture classes delivered by BIA every Monday, and from that I really started to know about the city and the country I’m now staying at', said Shawn, who began taking part in BIA sessions this term.

Many international students appreciate that domestic students are supportive in creating an inclusive environment on campus.

‘I feel friendliness and respect when people considerately hold the door for me. Politeness comes so natural in this culture that it

"Some international students may face language problems as I did when first taking foreign language lectures" also positively influences my behaviours', Stella told Redbrick.

That said, students are still in need of more assistance for them to better adapt to the multicultural environment. One of the leading problems is that some services are not gaining sufficient attention.

Only 15% of the participants claimed that they were enrolled in the Global Buddies scheme or had ever attended the Global Cafe, while 8% said that they didn’t know any of the services provided by the Guild or the university.

Hence, more action could be taken to better raise students’ awareness and encourage them to take part in these activities; aside from intro-

ered.

day lives. Problems regarding finance, healthcare, accommodaResume building: planning for tion, diet, neighbourhood, homethe future sickness, residential paperwork and other aspects of life can When asked about their arise when settling general impressions down on one’s own in of international stuan unfamiliar envidents on campus, ronment.

67% of domestic According to students thought the survey, 26% that their internaof international of International tional fellows students claimed were hard-workthat they were Respondents ing. short of financial Desire More In many ways, assistance and Academic it can be said that advice. It’s also this is true. Financial worth mentioning Support burdens, family expecthat 15% of the stutations, different examidents reported their nations and education sysdemand for mental health tems - the decision to study abroad support, and 3% expected to get carries lots of extra costs and pres- more religious support. sures. Many international students Various kinds of help can be come here with much to live up to, and they are highly motivated in their pursuit of academic excellence and employability.

‘Well, I think some international students may face language problems as I did when first taking foreign language lectures and I’ve never experienced stuff like seminars before [...] I had to do a lot of work on it afterwards', Wenmin said. With respect to getting work experience, Shawn felt that ‘it’s extremely important for international students to gain their competitiveness because there are so many excellent fellows, and it’s also crucial to have a clear outlook for yourself'.

The survey revealed that amongst all kinds of services provided by the university and the Guild, the most widely used goes to the events and appointments held by the Careers Network, with the highest participation figure of 51%. Attending workshops or extracurricular lecture series (49%), and going to career networking events (44%) are two of found around the campus. The the most popular activities chosen International Student Advisory by international students.

Service (ISAS) provides internaStill, students are calling for tional students with advice conmore academic and career sup- cerning working and living in the port. 41% of the international sur- UK. Organisations such as the vey participants thought they were Student Mentor Scheme are in in need of more academic sup- place for students facing difficulport, and 29% expected more for ties striking a healthy balance in career advice and opportunities. their personal life.

41%

07

To the students: All sorts of help are out there as long as you start searching. Useful information can be sought on Canvas, my.bham, mail inboxes, student diaries, and organizations like Careers Network and ISAS. Also, personal tutors and welfare tutors, as well as Guild officers and Global Buddies, are available to talk to.

However, the hard part about getting help is not that there aren’t enough feasible methods to solve these problems, but that students are still not fully aware of where they could seek advice when these problems arise

International students may appreciate more opportunities to make positive interactions with domestic students and vice versa. Besides society gatherings and Fab ‘n’ Fresh activities, different forms of socials are worth considering to bring students together as well as to expose them to cultural diversity.

The data gathered from the survey indicates that students need a better-organised and readily available source of information. Whether that’s a thorough information pack for every fresher, a more active platform to spread the word, or a more user-friendly student intranet.

By making the information more convenient to acquire, students could better address their problems, and thus services like the Global Buddies Scheme could be more efficiently used.

From various interviews conducted in this investigation, it emerged that students need a more approachable opinion board. Many international students are also frustrated that they only have limited time slots for police registration at the beginning of every autumn

Forming relationships and fitting into the new environment do not need to be a source of stress for international students; they can be achieved naturally with growing understanding about different cultures, and sincere communications among people. An open attitude to embrace differences would also definitely help.

Just try to step out of the comfort zones and start with a ‘hello’.

When Ban Ki-moon, the former Secretary-General of the UN, visited the university in 2009, he described UoB as ‘the United Nations, in that you have 4,000 [international] students from 150 countries,' and ‘a very useful meeting ground for some of the best minds in the world’.

As the university puts ‘improve

semester, while the website for local appointments doesn't work.

It’s useful to hear the voice of international students so as to gain empathetic perspectives.

However, small but important ideas could easily flee from minds if not immediately recorded.

support for international students’ in its 2016-2020 Equality Scheme, realisation of the plan may be seen to have an unimaginably long way to go. But in exploring the community with vital inclusiveness and openness, there is certainly something meaningful for everyone here to strive for.

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@redbricknews

Students Run In General Election Alice Kiff (Green Party) in Edgbaston Phoebe Radford Food Editor @phoebe_rad

Speaking to Redbrick, Alice Kiff explained how she first got involved with the Greens after they were the party that appealed to her the most during the 2015 General Election. She went along to their autumn party conference at the University of Birmingham in September 2016, and, in her words, ‘it’s just sort of gone from there’.

Kiff then decided to join a Young Greens committee, becoming a Press Officer for the organisation. Standing for office was something she said she knew she wanted to do, and when the 2017 snap election was called, Kiff decided she wanted to put herself forward, praising the decision of the Prime Minister. ‘[The snap election has] come

at a time when people are really waking up to politics, I think you’d be really hard-pressed to find someone on the street who is disengaged from the main political issues at the moment, such as Brexit.

When asked why she joined the party, Kiff said, ‘the Green Party are representing, in my opinion, the issues that are the most relevant to people across all sections of society.

‘The Greens are really the only party standing up for people at the bottom of society and actually giving people a voice. We operate totally democratically. We want society to operate from the bottom up, rather than from the top down'. Kiff cited the issues of housing, tuition fees and the environment as three key reasons why students should consider voting Green.

‘I think housing is something

that every student and young person is worried about. Housing prices in London, in Bath and Birmingham and a lot of cities are just going through the roof because the government isn’t introducing rent controls. The Green Party is dedicated towards rent control and stricter tenancy agreements, which I think is really important to young people’.

Housing policy also matters to Kiff personally. ‘Between the ages of 13 and 18, I think I lived in four different houses. It’s really tricky to find affordable housing, my family are absolutely not the only family who are feeling that’.

The Greens are following a similar line to Labour regarding university tuition fees: ‘the Green Party are dedicated not only to scrapping tuition fees but also paying everyone back for their tuition fees, so all current students, their tuition fees would be

wiped’.

Her third reason why students should consider supporting the Green Party concerns the environment, which is of course the core of the party’s agenda.

"Housing is something that every student and young person is worried about" Kiff noted that ‘climate change, amongst other things, doesn’t seem like that big of an issue’ in political debates, but then highlighted that ‘when you have 40,000 people dying in the UK every year because of respiratory diseases caused by air pollu-

tion, it is a big issue’.

Kiff supports a second referendum on the final deal of the Brexit negotiations and the implementation of a proportional representation electoral system.

Although Edgbaston is not one of the Green Party’s five target seats, Kiff is confident that the party will gradually gain more power and influence over ‘the next few decades’.

James Cox (Lib Dem) in North Warwickshire Grace Duncan News Editor @gracieellen_

When asked by Redbrick before the General Election about why he was running to be a MP, James Cox, the current chairman of the Liberal Democrat society at UoB, stated that his decision was inspired by the EU referendum result that left him so ‘upset and demoralised’ and inspired him to make a difference to the political world.

On the key policies that wants students to vote for, Cox first cited his party’s assertion that they will not enter into a coalition with either Labour or the Conservatives, which he saw as ‘absolutely the right policy for this election’.

‘Every vote for the Liberal Democrats is not going to be a vote to prop up Labour or the

Conservatives, it is a vote for the Liberal Democrats. I think that sends a really strong message about our ambition as a party’.

"The idea that we are signed up, written in blood, that we have to leave the EU in two years time whether we get a rubbish deal or no deal [...] is nonsense" Another key Liberal Democrat policy is that they have positioned

themselves as the anti-Brexit party. There have been criticisms as to whether this is achievable considering the finality of the vote last summer, but Cox believes that it is.

‘We have got half the country that didn’t want any Brexit at all and the other half that couldn’t decide what type of Brexit they wanted during the campaign, let alone now. I think the idea that we are signed up, written in blood, that we have to leave the European Union in two years time whether we get a rubbish deal or no deal, that no matter what, no matter what the British people want, is nonsense.

‘People that say "oh well its anti-democratic", it’s not. It’s democracy in its purest form, you have a vote, you pursue a policy and if the policy is not working you have the right to say "I want to change my mind"’.

One of the reasons that the

Liberal Democrats received so many votes in the 2010 elections was that they pledged not to put up university fees, something that in coalition with the Conservatives they went back on, pushing fees up to £9,000 per year. After such a ‘betrayal’, as many have seen it as, Redbrick asked Cox why students should trust the Liberal Democrats now.

Cox replied, ‘the Liberal Democrats stand strong for Europe, they stand strongly on mental health, they stand strongly on more opportunities in education, they stand stronger on looking out and being a more open and tolerant society and they are more aligned with me and I think it would be a huge shame that if, because of the tuition fees, students who believe in our policies and believe in vision for Britain and for Europe couldn’t [vote for us]. But I understand and respect that for some students it’s a key

part, but I hope it is time for justice again’.

Turning towards the future, Cox is critical of Labour as the opposition in the previous parliament, and stands with his party’s ambition to ‘replace Labour as the opposition in this country.

‘When we have Labour on such a far left and the Conservatives on such a far right, there is a huge gap in the centre where actually most of the electorate is’.

Rob Jones (UKIP) in Wolverhampton SW Joseph Timan News Editor @josephtiman

Rob Jones joined UKIP roughly four years ago, mainly due to euroscepticism. ‘The biggest issue for me was that laws could be made on our behalf that we didn’t get a say on’, he told Redbrick.

‘I think at the moment one of the things that puts young people off is that they feel that politics and their lives are separate things’.

Whilst Jones said that he wants a ‘hard’ Brexit, he noted that he didn’t like the general tone associated with it. ‘I think at the moment the tone is either completely to love Europe or be hostile to it,’ he said. ‘Whereas we should be seeing each other as two separate entities which could come together on common grounds’.

Jones was optimistic about

the prospects that Brexit will deliver for young people. ‘I think it can make sure that young people can have more say over their country’, he said. ‘We’ll be able to see businesses grow and people getting good jobs’.

What’s more, Jones said that he wants to protect schemes like Erasmus and hopes for continued cooperation with European universities.

He also hopes that money saved from UK contributions to the EU can be used to replace the research grants that UK universities receive annually from EU sources worth over £800 million.

‘There’s a lot of focus on STEM subjects that we’re looking to protect’, he said.

Jones added that he would like to see more local or national referendums on key issues. ‘I think if people were given that power back, then they’d have much greater interest in it and they’d want to get involved’.

In 2015, UKIP received over 10% of the vote in Jones’ home constituency of Wolverhampton South-West. However, this time around Jones campaigned in the hope of keeping the deposit which required at least 5% of the vote.

"I've had better responses than people saying they're Tories" ‘I like truth in politics, I like people who don’t try to spin’, he said. ‘I think we’ll keep our deposit [...] but I don’t think we’ll do as well as we did last time because the situation has changed’.

Aside from the EU referendum taking place since the last election, meaning that, according

to Jones, UKIP are ‘looking for its new identity’, Jones claimed that there is a perception that this year’s election is a battle between Jeremy Corbyn and Theresa May. ‘People will be voting for what they believe is the lesser of two evils whether they vote May or Corbyn’, he said.

Jones told Redbrick that he aimed to appeal to both former Labour and former Conservative voters, rather than just targeting one. Talking about his experience on the campaign trail he said that the response to UKIP had been ‘fairly positive’.

Whilst a lot of people may have told him that they would not vote for UKIP, he claimed that many of them have respect for the party.

When asked what it’s like to be a UKIP supporter as a student, Jones said it was ‘interesting’, pointing to the fact that most students tend to be Labour, Green and Lib Dem.

‘A lot of people don’t think that it’s a party that attracts students’, he said. ‘I’ve had better responses than people saying they’re Tories’.

Ultimately though, finishing his degree has been the first priority for Jones. ‘The election was launched back in April, I still had exams and work to hand in, and I said I might be late coming to the game’, he explained. ‘But university has to be prioritised’.

COMMENT NEWS

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickcomment @redbricknews

09

Fitness Accounts: Promoting Health or Insecurity?

Kat Smith wonders if the health fanatics of Instagram do more harm than good Kat Smith

Comment Editor

‘Unrealistic body expectations’ is a phrase we all hear often.

After the craze of supermodel physiques and thigh gaps, the latest wave of this, which affects both men and women, is the army of toned, muscular figures invading our Instagram feeds daily.

If I had a pound for every time I saw a ‘before and after’ picture of what I’d consider a normal, healthy body transforming into the Hulk or Tammy Hembrow, I’d actually be able to pay off my student loan. I’m worried that the excessive exposure to these fitness models and accounts online are leading to young men and women seeing this as a body expectation.

Sure, the ideas behind these transformations are aspirations of health and strength, but it gets to a point where it’s not healthy.

It’s clear that the internet has a huge influence on our self-esteem and mental health. This leads me to question if the ridiculous amount of fitness accounts on Instagram can be considered any different to the exposure of supermodel size 4 frames, in

terms of the impact on societal expectations and body image.

"It's possible to live a happy, healthy life without visiting the gym every day" It’s clear that the men and women behind these accounts work bloody hard and aim to inspire others, and I have no objection to or resentment of that. But I think we need to take it with a pinch of salt; the likes of Tammy Hembrow have made careers out of fitness so it’s understandable why her figure is unlike any I have seen before.

The demands of certain lifestyles mean that training daily and eating certain foods regularly is not necessarily realistic.

I therefore have fears over the quantity in which these accounts appear as it leads to it seeming like a realistic body for everyone to have. In reality, these women spend hours at the gym and watching what they eat.

Even if you do have endless time, it’s not necessarily obtainable to look like your favourite

fitness models: everyone’s bodies are different and you can’t shape them to be any way you want them to be, you can merely get close.

I have absolutely no objection to girls wanting to be strong.

In fact, I am really glad it’s considered desirable to have muscles and a strong figure rather than ‘manly’ to lift weights. But I’m one of many girls who’ll go on an Instagram spree and see all of the flawlessly toned women with bums that defy gravity and assume this is the optimum standard of beauty and health, based off of the quantity of positive comments they receive.

Yes, I aspire to be strong and healthy but as a gym-goer

myself, I know how hard it is to obtain the figures that are being shoved in my face every time I go on my phone. I certainly haven’t got a figure half as toned or strong as the average fitness model. The craze of fitness and health isn’t an intrinsically damaging one, but it needs to be acknowledged that it’s possible to live a happy, healthy life without visiting the gym every day and meticulously counting macros. It suggests that the only body to aspire to or be happy with is one that has minimal fat and pure muscle. Working on your body for hours each day shouldn’t be proposed to be everyone’s hobby and one that should be prioritised at all costs.

Yes, Tammy Hembrow having a six pack again just weeks after having a baby is impressive, and I commend her for her dedication, but that shouldn’t be an expectation for new mothers.

And worrying about eating over your daily carb ‘allowance’ or not going to the gym seven days a week surely isn’t healthy for your mind, even if you think your body would be healthier if you did those things. We don’t have to eat perfectly or go to the gym excessively in order to be healthy or attractive. I’m wor-

ried that the obsession with fitness that has hit the internet over the last few months is contributing to young people putting even more pressure on themselves to look, and live, a certain way.

However, I don’t want to discourage people from having these goals. I am always impressed by people who are strong and have ‘fit’ figures. But there isn’t a single body type that needs to be attained by all.

It doesn’t need to be the mutual goal of everyone on the planet or be prioritised over mental health.

My point is that we should take inspiration if we want to but it can’t be accepted as the norm of how everyone should look. Women don’t need to have a muscular butt the size of Jupiter and men shouldn’t be expected to have a six pack and arms the width of their head.

We should aspire to be happy and healthy both physically and mentally, and I don’t think the occasional portion of chips is going to have a negative effect on that. It’s about balance and acceptance that everyone has differing priorities/aspirations and I hope that this is soon realised and represented online.

Brits Behaving Badly

Emily Youlton argues that tourists must learn to respect their holiday destinations Emily Youlton Comment Writer

This year, Ibiza is once again set to be the favourite holiday destination for Brits abroad, but we often forget that for some people it is home. With 2016 seeing over 7 million tourists visiting the sun drenched Spanish island, you would think it would welcome this essential tourism boom. The often overlooked issue is what is left behind after the hooligan tourists have gone back home. Litter fills the streets, hotels and villas are damaged and ‘holiday mode’ groups lose all respect for locals.

It is an issue that faces many locals in the peak of the season, they must consider whether it is worth living in such a sought after location. The question lies in whether the profits of tourism outweigh the negative and often overlooked issues and resulting costs.

The main issue seems to be the atrocious behaviour of Britons abroad; the vandalism, drunken antics and general laziness when it comes to preserving the environment they so desperately wanted to visit. If, when on holiday, they simply ruin the environment and upset the locals and culture, how does this enhance their experience of

another nation? We all know Ibiza has an infamous reputation for clubbing but I can't help but wonder whether it deserves the blatant disrespect our holidaying clubbers give it.

"There is no doubt that locals are taken advantage of" This reality can be clearly seen on our own island with popular tourism spots like Cornwall suffering as a result of the need for tourism. I’m not suggesting the alluring views of the coast and rolling fields incite the same level of drunken hooliganism that Ibiza does but it has its own issues when it comes to disrespect from tourists.

Domestic tourism has risen over the years with the costs of holidaying abroad increasing and local economies struggling, so tourism has become even more essential in beauty hotspots in order to sustain the local economy. As a result of this, council tax for the locals has been pushed up to deal with the influx of people and the facilities they require and the mess they leave behind. Sure, tourism is great as it provides employment and

increased spending, but it comes at a high price. During peak times, Padstow, a popular tourist stomping ground in Cornwall, has to deal with a daily influx of up to 22,000 people compared to the normal 4,000 residents. This is all well and good if the visitors treat the area with respect, but this is seldom the case.

From the idyllic landscapes of our nation to the rowdy club strips in Ibiza there is no doubt that locals are taken advantage of. They could move if they didn't like it but we all know life isn't that simple. If someone has a job and a home they will want to stay in the area. Why should visitors abuse them and show such a blatant disregard for the mess they leave behind.

There is no way that just

because someone’s on holiday they should litter or act in a lewd manner. Sure, relax, have fun and enjoy the sights of a new area, but respect it, leave it just as you found it.

"The damage done can have a really detrimental effect in these areas" I’m not trying to preach or suggest that people shouldn't have fun or be wild (in Ibiza not Cornwall obviously), but that can still be the case without disrespecting the locals and their environment. The damage done can have a really detrimental

effect in these areas and it saddens me to think that people have such little appreciation for what’s around them. Tourism is essential, yes but just because an area needs visitors doesn't mean they can do what they want when they get there. Just because someones on holiday doesn't mean they are exempt from moral behaviour.

Would you like to write for us? Email: comment@ redbrickonline.co.uk with your articles!

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@redbrickcomment

It's Time to Shake-up UK Drug Laws

Alex Cirant-Taljaard asks the UK government to rethink their 'war on drugs' Alex Cirant-Taljaard Comment Editor

If I had to guess the three most frequently used phrases during British summer-time, I’d probably go for ‘pass the sun cream’, ‘it’s too hot’ and ‘can you smell weed?’ We are a country with a special affinity for illicit substances, so much so that for the past decade, the government has been at war with drugs. However, this ‘war’ has been far from successful. While drug use is down, there are still a high number of drug-related deaths in the UK every year.

In 2016, the number of deaths relating directly to drug use was 2,479 in England and Wales, up 10% from 2015. Responsibility for these deaths lies mainly with the drug manufacturers, but also with the government, whose open hostility towards drug users has led to a breakdown in communication between the authorities and people taking drugs.

"While drug use is down, there are still a high number of drug-related deaths in the UK"

In May, the Global Drug Survey found that in the UK there has been a huge increase in the buying of drugs, primarily MDMA, through the ‘dark net.’

These online sources are incredibly difficult to trace, giving them the freedom to sell to anyone in the world. While border control agencies work tirelessly to prevent as many illicit substances entering the country as they can, many still make it through to their recipients. This means that anyone with access to the internet can potentially buy illegal drugs, including young teens with less experience of drug use.

Another problem with this modern-day Silk Road is the lack of regulation. In countries where many drugs are either decriminalised or legalised, drugs are tested and rigorously regulated to maintain standards and avoid putting the lives of drug users at risk. The dark web means that anyone with the raw materials and a pill press can manufacture MDMA and send it to the UK. And when the manufacturing process is this unregulated, corners are cut and drug users get hurt.

Now, I am by no means advocating for widespread government-regulated manufacturing of drugs like MDMA, heroin and cocaine. However, the fact of the matter is, regardless of whether the drugs are from a

"Hostility towards drug users is part of the reason why so many drugrelated deaths occur" reputable source, or whether there is a law prohibiting their use, Britons will continue to use drugs. This is the case particularly during summer time, as festival season brings with it a sharp uptick in the use of illicit drugs, predominantly pills. If we want the number of drug-related deaths to fall this year, rather than go up, the answer is not to arrest every person caught smoking weed or taking pills. In fact, this hostility towards drug users is part of the reason why so many drug-related deaths occur.

Many drug-related deaths are caused by users being unaware of the strength or the substances used in the manufacturing of the drugs they are taking. This is a problem which predominantly affects pills, however other substances are also cut with dangerous materials, like rat poison.

Charities like The Loop offer free and non-judgemental testing for drugs, and now operate at a number of major festivals to ensure that people are not taking

something which could cause them harm. Again, this charity is by no means advocating that people take these drugs, but recognises that regardless of the outcome, many people will still be taking them. To deny this as a fact of British life is to put at risk the lives of the huge numbers of British people who take drugs.

Sadly, this is not a position taken by the government, and in the past Theresa May has stated that 'if somebody has purchased something that the state has deemed illegal, it is not then for the state to go and test it for you.’ This attitude is not only wrongheaded, but also hypocritical. We live in a country where great strides are taken to restrict

the smoking of marijuana, yet far less is done to restrict the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes, which are much greater causes of death in the UK. Unfortunately, attitudes to drug testing are unlikely to improve until drug related deaths reach a critical level, and even then, I suspect drug users will still be treated with contempt by the government. Until then, though, if you are going to use drugs during the summer, please ensure that you take all necessary precautions, and above all know exactly what you are taking and where it came from.

Why Wonder Woman Enrages Misogynists Bea Harvie argues that female only showings of Wonder Woman can only be good Bea Harvie Comment Writer

DC’s new film Wonder Woman is female-led from the get-go. The director is female, the superhero is female, the main cast is heavily female dominated. In keeping with this, the Alamo Drafthouse Theatre announced that its theatre in Austin, Texas, would have an entirely female screening of Wonder Woman, where all ticket holders and staff must identify as female to attend.

Wait for it: men were horrified. One man wrote to the Mayor of Austin, saying something along the lines of ‘achievements by the second rate gender pale in comparison to the rest of human history’, calling for men in Austin to boycott the film in protest of this blatant sexism. Luckily the Mayor’s reply shut down the misogyny in the message. I’m not sure that DC would miss out if a town full of misogynists didn’t attend the screening. In fact, Wonder Woman surpassed all

expectations, exceeding $100.5 million in its opening weekend.

"Women do not have many superheroes that are the powerful ones, the righteous ones" Honestly though, the men who are complaining should take a long, hard look at the superhero line up offered by the Marvel and DC cinematic universes. What do Iron Man, Captain America, Thor, Deadpool, Antman and The Avengers all have in common?

Men. They are male-led, they are male-directed, and all the women in main cast positions are the girlfriend or the sidekick. Even badass Peggy Carter is defined in her spin-off series as ‘Captain Roger’s girlfriend’. Women do not have many superheroes that

are the powerful ones, the righteous ones, the LGBTQ ones.

Wonder Woman fulfils all of these. Diana is awesome.

These men who are complaining of ‘a return to segregation’ or ‘second-rate achievements’ are making noise, but I for one would love to be able to go with my female friends to celebrate with other women. It’s about safe spaces. I mean, there are many movies at which I would raise an eyebrow about separate screenings: Harry Potter or Star Wars for example. But from the very beginning, Wonder Woman has

been about women and friendship and solidarity – it isn’t about men. And perhaps this is why these Texan (and internet) misogynists have been complaining – because it isn’t about men. These are probably the men who spend International Women’s Day shouting to anyone who will (not) listen, ‘where is international men’s day?’ (it’s November 19th if you want to shut them down, or just say ‘history’). They’re the same men demanding that if there is a political movement of ‘feminism’ there should be one of ‘meninism’. Petty enough to try and stamp out anything that celebrates women.

That being said, I’d probably be mad if a cinema announced they were doing a specifically male only showing of James Bond, but why would they make it official? Seriously – what do these men think women are going to do in these women-only screenings? Plot to overthrow the men, the government? They’re going to the cinema to watch a movie!

There have been some pretty

spectacular put-downs on Twitter; my personal favourite being ‘For those of you mad about a femaleonly screening of "wonder woman" remember that for 100s years you got male only screenings of "voting."’

Perhaps these men who are complaining have such fragile egos that the thought of empowering women through film is abhorrent; perhaps they would prefer it if women were banned from Wonder Woman entirely – stop them from getting ideas. If they are so threatened by women going to the theatre, I wonder at their skewed priorities.

Honestly, there are more important things to be worrying about at the moment. Going to the cinema is supposed to be fun; get over it.

"From the very beginning, Wonder Woman has been about women"

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British Elections Need an Upgrade Amelia Hiller argues that electronic voting is the way forward for the UK Amelia Hiller Comment Writer

It’s the twenty-first century, and everything is online.

It therefore seems appropriate to begin considering electronic voting, and to evaluate whether it would be progressive for our electoral systems, or whether it would cause severe issues with legitimacy. Despite the convenience of the internet, we cannot always vouch for the confidentiality of sensitive information. There is continued debate on whether electronic voting should become mainstream. After all, it is a vital component of our social and political communities, and must therefore be reflected on properly in order to ensure that a country’s voting system is democratic and unbiased.

Across several democracies, including the US, Canada, France and Australia, electronic voting has already replaced the traditional method, though not completely. For example, many states across America still use the traditional method, with others having converted to electronic. It is still very new, although its benefits are clear. It is more convenient for those who cannot, or will not, go out to vote using a ballot paper or postal vote. The result of this is

the potential for increased voter engagement. This was seen in the Philippines in May 2016, where an 81.62% voter turnout was recorded. In addition, it is faster and reduces human errors, allowing votes to be counted quickly and the results to be announced promptly.

"It is faster and reduces human errors, allowing votes to be counted quickly" Electronic voting would also benefit the government, as it would massively reduce the expenses of a traditional election, which involves labour costs for those working at polling stations. With a one-off payment for voting machines, the price of an election as well as the need for additional labour will be massively reduced, and place less strain on local governments.

Though, this does not mean that the one-off payment would be affordable in the first place, and many may be put off by the initial cost of implementing an electronic voting system. As well as this, the success of electronic voting would certainly be impacted by the efficiency of

electronic voting machines.

Perhaps developments in software to enable accuracy and confidentiality must come before countries are prepared to fully commit to the concept of electronic voting.

A current issue with electronic voting is that machines are operated by private companies, which could be biased towards the election result, which raises concerns regarding the ethics of allowing businesses to control democracy. Companies would be producing these machines in a competitive environment, attempting to gain the most profit, and not necessarily striving to benefit the voters or ensure the accuracy of ballots.

Additionally, would such a personal, not to mention significant, aspect of life be safe from fraud and hacking? I have my doubts. Just a few weeks ago, the NHS computer system fell victim to a global cyber-attack, raising questions regarding the vulnerability of its systems. My point is that if such a large organisation responsible for maintaining the confidentiality of documents can be hit by a cyber-attack, surely online voting would be susceptible to something similar. This is an ever-present risk, as hackers could be able to access personal information such as addresses and National Insurance numbers,

to vote fraudulently, or even to rig elections. Perhaps people’s choices cannot stay truly private online, although the fact that several other democracies have accustomed themselves to electronic voting must mean that the pros outweigh the cons.

Ultimately, I believe that the British government would take action to ensure that the systems of companies responsible for electronic voting systems are appropriately secured to prevent hacking and cyber-attack, and that overall the principle of online voting would be benefi-

cial to our contemporary democracy. I don’t see any reason why it shouldn't be introduced in the UK in the future.

Our country is one of immediate gratification, and the electronic voting system is perfectly suited to such a notion. It is more immediate, more convenient and therefore inevitably more likely to increase the number of people voting for our government, meaning that the people of Britain would become more involved in politics and the way our country is run.

Trump Versus the World

Lisa McGrady explores how Trump has thrust relations with the US into jeopardy Lisa McGrady Comment Writer

If we see Trump as someone who shoves other Ministers aside or refuses to act on climate change, America's political position appears to be diminishing.

The tide has clearly changed over the past few years, and unpredictability is ripe when controversial political change is apparent.

Trump's overseas tour was vigorously watched by all - his speeches, his body language, how he sings the American anthem and, of course, the handshakes. Every moment was analysed but none more so than his principles in the lead up to his decision on climate change. As he recently decided to pull out of the 2015 Paris Agreement, the question many are asking is, what will happen to America’s position in international politics? The decision comes in light of Trump’s trip to Paris and, previous to that, the Vatican City where the Pope presented him with a papal letter detailing how climate change can be combated. The pressure was definitely immense. However, Trump decided not to follow suit.

With the newly elected French President Macron declar-

"Other world leaders do not see climate change as a 'hoax'" ing: ‘let’s make the planet great again,’ it is clear that other world leaders do not see climate change as a ‘hoax.’ Their belief was that it was an act of change for the better. What is Trump’s view?

Who knows. What we do know is that Trump’s decision to pull America out of the Paris Agreement will have a major effect on global emissions.

Reducing global emissions was a key target over the coming years for world leaders, and now this may take longer than expected in light of what has happened.

Critics have noted this will have a detrimental effect on the world, with former Secretary of State John Kerry declaring how Trump ‘clearly doesn’t know what he’s talking about.’

So where does this leave American relations with other countries? Admittedly, Trump is not far into his first term but he has already made controversial decisions with huge repercussions. Climate change is his latest.

On his recent nine-day over-

seas tour starting in Saudi Arabia, Trump oversaw the conduction of a series of military deals. The trip was well documented and Trump then journeyed to Israel. Here, his troubles with the ongoing investigation with his links to Russia were not put to rest, as questions were continuously thrown at him concerning his actions.

Evidently, there is no avoiding the investigation which still rumbles on. Critics have noted how this is an injustice to the office in which he occupies. For a nation that, traditionally, wants the President to succeed, the image of such glory appears to be declining when scandal surrounds the President in his first few months in office.

"His lack of respect for other leaders did not go unnoticed" We have learnt from 2016 to expect the unexpected. Trump’s election campaign was arguably one of emotion. He is maintaining that emotion today, which has been evident in his overseas tour through wanting to reverse principles put forward by his

predecessors. He did not buy into other nation’s beliefs of climate change, so there he has remained true to his own beliefs.

However, his lack of respect for other leaders did not go unnoticed and was watched across international news programmes. The pushing of the Prime Minister of Montenegro was shown on television as well as Trump’s handshake with Macron. Every detail was carefully watched by the world, with some critics arguing that the trip was lacking in importance.

Perhaps this was due to the building climax of Trump’s decision on the Paris Agreement?

Nevertheless, he has clearly stated his intentions loud and

clear now, in spite of the views of the USA’s allies.

So what is next for America?

And is time running out? Who knows. But the image of the presidency cannot be deemed to be declining in international politics if it wants to succeed in the future. This is not good for politics. This is not good for anyone.

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Collectormania 24 Charlie Jones gives us the lowdown on her time at the Collectormania 24 convention, which took place at the NEC last weekend Charlie Jones Redbrick Writer @ministryofqueer

If you’ve never been to a Film or Comic Convention, you’re probably imagining one of these events to be a room full of people like Comic Book Guy from The Simpsons and those people who enjoy debating whether Han or Greedo shot first. To an extent this is still true, but with nerd culture being more popular than ever, Comic Conventions are developing to have more on offer for more people.

Collectormania 24 took place last weekend at the NEC arena (the next one is already scheduled for 2nd and 3rd June 2018) and proved to be an awesome day out.

Standard tickets cost £10 with children getting in for £4 and family deals on offer, which is pretty cheap in comparison to the cost of similar events. Although the convention was smaller than other NEC-based cons such as the ones

by MCM, Showmasters went beyond the failings of their competition to exemplify how these events can appeal to a wider audience.

A big part of cons is to have celebrity guests available for autographs and photoshoots with fans.

As well as the usual line-up of superheroes and science-fiction actors, Collectormania involved a number of sporting heroes, including Paul Gascoigne, Frank Bruno, and Ricky Hatton. Although the on-screen names were still given the most attention and stage time, the sports celebrities were in highdemand when it came to autographs and photoshoots with the famous wrestlers in attendance also delivering their own panel talk. To go along with this, there were numerous stalls that specialised in football gear and wrestling masks as well as signed merchandise and sporting goods.

"The stalls at Collectormania were varied and had a lot to offer."

Aside from the sports merchandise, the stalls at Collectormania were varied and had a lot to offer. The convention was a great place to meet and support independent artists and authors of varying styles and genres, many of whom had nothing to do with fandoms. The creativity continued with the arts and crafts stalls, offering items like handmade jewellery, cards, badges,

and clothing. One stall specifically sold metal fire pits shaped like the heads of iconic film characters, and another just wanted to sell fudge. The one stall that did seem to receive a strong side-eye from visitors was selling bladed items as seen in films, as we had to wonder whether any amount of coolness made buying weaponry in a public place acceptable. Aside from the commercial stalls, charities such as Cats Protection and a fidget spinner stall raising money for autism awareness were in attendance, along with fan clubs and local groups. As to be expected, the usual desired merchandise of graphic novels, games, and fandom shirts were still as popular as ever. POP Vinyl’s had a ridiculously large presence at this event as they seem to have at many now, with the Coralineesque, black-eyed figurines dominating stalls because conventions sell them for much better prices than high-street retailers. At the end of the day I left the event with a vintage pair of heart-shaped sunglasses and a pride flag, which I was very pleased with. There were also photo opportunities on offer, including a prop of adult Groot, the original Ghostbusters Ecto-1 car, and a Mad Max buggy.

One of my favourite parts of the day had to be the Gaming Zone. A common problem with these nerd conventions is that filling a full day can potentially prove to be difficult – once you’ve done your shopping and met the celebrities you like, what are you actually supposed to do for a few hours? Replay Events’ Gaming Zone was a free area in Collectormania that had set up dozens of different consoles for guests to use. There was a little nook of people exclusively playing Minecraft, and a slightly more intimidating recess of Gamers(TM) playing the newest shoot-em-up’s and war games on the latest consoles. There was also a line of Mario and Sonic games dating back to the eighties on a range of consoles, which were occupied by kids and adults alike. One part featured exclusively old consoles where the graphics were so blocky they may as well have been made with LEGO, and yet my millennial gaming skills just could not save poor Luke Skywalker from being killed by scorpions and vultures. The zone also included more modern classics, such as Guitar Hero and games on the Wii, but the best instalment had to be PaRappa the Rapper on the original Playstation. The true nostalgia of the game really came through when the overenthusiastic kids next to us began to aggressively play Wii bongos, sending the poor PS1 disc into a jittery

state and subsequently crashing.

We also tried out VR headsets which are set to become the next big thing in gaming, though the general opinion seemed to be that they are not for everyone. The immersive, three-dimensional experience is certainly an innovation in gaming technology, but the nausea that felt like travel sickness and the awareness that even though craning your neck to follow your character seemed perfectly natural to you, everyone around you was just seeing a person wearing massive goggles swivelling about, created some self-consciousness.

These long events at the NEC typically prove to be a problem when it comes to buying food; there’s the Wetherspoon’s, which betrays its iconic reputation by allowing the NEC restaurant to be overpriced, Subway, which is always a great choice if you are happy with a sandwich, and a few generally costly shops scattered about. It is standard practice for conventions to allow food trucks inside the event and Collectormania featured an upscale burger van as well as a portable fish and chip shop. A great addition which has yet to be seen at other events was a van serving vegetarian and vegan food, so there was actually something for everyone.

"Gaming Zone was a free area that had set up dozens of different consols for guests to use" When it came to enjoying a full day, Collectormania featured a complete schedule of talks and Q&A sessions, many of which were free. When celebrities were not occupying the main stage, there was a secondary stage that featured talks from famous cosplayers about how to make and model your own costumes, a quiz, and the popular Cosplay Masquerade where everyone who has made their own costume can essentially show-off their artistry.

Cosplay is a massive part of convention culture, so the Masquerade could have been improved if the participants were actually allowed to have a parade through the event such as at other conventions rather than being confined to a stage where fewer people could watch.

Although cosplay can still be seen as an embarrassing, adult version of dress-up, the sheer amount of work that goes into the outfits and makeup has rightly gained respect in its own right. This practice

does also of course still extend to children, and there are few things as pure as a room full of tiny superheroes being excited about meeting their favourite on-screen characters.

"Cosplay is a massive part of convention culture" The celebrity panels played a large role in the day overall and thankfully there wasn’t a single boring one. Throughout the day there had been talks given by Game of Thrones cast members, John Barrowman (who, of course, performed a song before leaving the stage), Pele, cast members from Stargate, and Ernie Hudson (who is possibly the most downto-earth and likeable celebrity ever) to name a few. The day kicked off with a Star Trek session, featuring Nana Visitor, Jeffrey Combs, and Deep Roy. Guests were allowed to ask questions, and the discussion at one point went onto the current topic of badass on-screen women (shout-out to Kira of Deep Space Nine) and inevitably the new Star Trek series (none of the actors have a cameo). Visitor especially was a witty and engaging guest, though all of the celebrities gave a

genuinely enjoyable talk. This idea of on-screen women seemed to be a recurring theme, as Helen Slater (original Supergirl and veteran of the DC television world) was posed a similar question about her influence and asked about the new Wonder Woman film, despite not having seen the film Slater said that both Supergirl and Wonder Woman were symbols of hope, and that she was glad to have been involved. The question popped up again during the Buffy the Vampire Slayer panel featuring Charisma Carpenter (Cordelia) and Julie Benz (Darla), with Benz giving a thoughtful response about how her character subverted the expectation of women being victims and/or mothers, and Carpenter generally agreeing, but admitting to being too tired to be fully engaged. By this last talk of the day, exhaustion had started to set in for many, but Carpenter’s honesty and unguarded humour made for an entertaining final panel.

At the end of the day, Collectormania was an exceptional, well-priced, family-friendly day out that I fully recommend to anyone wanting to attend next year making things better for students. A lot of people have said that they see what I’m doing so that’s really good.

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Spotlight On: Women's Sports Ahead of a summer of major women's sports championships, Sport Online Editor Nancy Frostick spoke to University of Birmingham Alumni who will be competing for their countries and previews the tournaments Sport Editor @nancyfrostick

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The UEFA Women’s European Championships will take place from 16th July to 6th August as both England and Scotland head to the Netherlands with the aim of becoming Europe’s best women’s footballing nation.

England reached the final in Finland in 2009 where they lost to eight-time European champions and current holders Germany, who will be favourites again. Although the Lionesses were knocked out in the group stage in 2013, they will want to capitalise on the progress they made at the World Cup in Canada in 2015, where they finished third. In an unorthodox move, Mark Sampson announced his squad almost three months early so they will have plenty of time to prepare before boarding the plane in July. If England can capitalise on their chances in front of goal, there is every possibility they can go one better than in 2009.

Scotland play in their first major

Q: After a fantastic team performance at the Six Nations, which was England's first title and Grand Slam in that tournament since 2012, what are the positives the squad will take forward to the World Cup this summer?

A: Thank you very much, it was great to secure a Grand Slam again after not winning it for so long! We really enjoyed this tournament and tried to develop from match to match. I think one of the main positives we will take through to our three test tour in New Zealand in June is that we were able to identify problems during the games, and work out how to solve them.

We were 13-0 down at half time in our France match, and had to dig deep to turn that around and get the win.

Q: What do you think has given England the edge over your rivals in the most recent international matches?

A: We have worked really hard as individuals prior to this tournament to ensure we are in the best physical condition possible, and have been developing our team play and structure for a while now.

We have worked hard in our units, for example we have had camps specifically for the forward pack where we have developed our style of play. We also went full time in January, which has given us a lot

international tournament and have been drawn in the same group as England, Spain and Portugal. Scotland finished jointtop of their qualification group tied on 21 points with Iceland and will want to challenge on a big stage after just missing out on qualification for the World Cup two years ago. New manager Shelley Kerr will take over from Anna Signeul after the tournament, so an impressive performance before a period of transition will be essential. The two home nations face off in the opening group match on 19th July in what is likely to be an interesting clash as Scotland’s finest such as Kim Little, Jane Ross and Jennifer Beattie go head to head with their English team mates from Arsenal and Manchester City respectively.

With England ranked third in Europe behind France and Germany, the Lionesses will certainly be favourites to win the group. All of the matches featuring the home nations will be shown on Channel 4 and covered by BBC Radio 5Live.

Alumna Q&A: Laura Keates (England and Worcester Warriors)

more time together as a squad, and also allowed us to have proper recovery time.

Q: Does the win over Ireland in the title-deciding match at the Six Nations give you a psychological advantage going to the World Cup where they will be hosts?

A: Although we were delighted with our win in the last match of the Six Nations, whenever you play a team in their home country it is always difficult, and

Q: After a strong performance at the SheBelieves Cup in March, what are the positives the squad will take forward to the Euros this summer?

A: I think that we can take great belief from the SheBelieves Cup in America earlier in the year, if you would excuse the pun. We certainly used the tournament to increase our team spirit and our playing principles.

We proved on a world stage that we are getting a better each camp, and that come the Euros in the summer in Holland, we will be a force, especially after beating the USA on their own turf in front of 28,000 people.

Our ambitions for this summer are simply to win. We have no qualms in stating that, but equally we understand that we must manage expectations and be realistic that no matter what shape we arrive at the tournament in, it is going to be difficult. It is our job to go there individually and collectively in the best possible condition to win.

Q: England's first group match will be against a Scotland side that will feature a few familiar faces - how important will the outcome of that match be as a building block for the rest of the tournament?

A: The opening fixture versus Scotland will historically be one that people will turn heads for. The rivalry in rugby, espe-

Alumna Q&A: Izzy Christiansen (England and Manchester City)

cially, exploits the nature of an England vs Scotland match and I know that our match in the Euros will present the same intense rivalry. It is of course, our responsibility to ensure that England come out on top. You want to win any opening fixture of any major tournament, however it is not a catastrophe if we don't. However, our preparations for this summer’s tournament are tailored towards winning, and I am certain that if we set up right and focus on the first game, we will do that.

that is no different in Ireland where their home crowd is immensely supportive. Ireland are a strong team and we worked hard for our win, but unfortunately I do not believe that will give us any advantage in the future, we will need to be as clinical as possible in all of our matches at the World Cup. Q: On a personal level, what are your hopes for 2017 with England and Worcester?

A: Next season the new Women’s Super Rugby competition will launch, with 10 teams competing around the country.

Luckily for me Worcester have been successful, so from a club perspective I'm looking forward to seeing how we can start the season, and hopefully finish in the top four. With England we have a massive year ahead of us, with a tour to New Zealand in June and then the World Cup in August. I hope we can keep improving and building on our performances, and of course the ultimate dream is for us to win the World Cup again.

Q: What do you miss about studying at Birmingham?

A: I missed everything about being a student, so much so that I have recently applied and been accepted to study Dentistry at the University!

The Women’s Rugby World Cup will descend on Ireland from 9th26th August as the likes of Australia, New Zealand and the USA will try to prevent England from retaining their title.

The holders and 2017 Six Nations Champions England come into the competition in fine form after completing the Grand Slam in that tournament in the spring – their first Six Nations title since 2012. At the last World Cup in France in 2014, England defeated Canada 21-9 in the final to secure their second world title having reached the final as hosts in 2010 where they lost 21-10 to New Zealand. The Black Ferns hold the most World Cups with four to date and will likely prove one of the main challengers along with Ireland and France, who have also put in strong performances in major tournaments in recent years. Before heading to Ireland, England will take part in the 2017 International Women's Series tour

Q: On a personal level, what are your hopes for 2017 with Manchester City and England?

A: My hopes are to win trophies. That is much easier said than done, but I believe that I am at one of the best clubs not just in England but in world football at Manchester City and I hope that the hard work that goes in day to day will result in further successes domestically. For England, my hopes are to be selected for the European Championship, [Izzy has since been named in Mark Sampson's 23-player squad], secondly to play a big part in England’s ambitions to win the tournament. I am one of many England players who have strong sense of belief that we can not just go to Holland to make up numbers, but to be in that final.

Q: Finally, what do you miss most about living and studying in Birmingham?

A: I am very proud to be a graduate of one of the best universities in the country. I had an amazing three years in Birmingham, juggling an athletestudent lifestyle and represented the university women's football team also. It is fair to say in the midst of all that, I met friends for life and thoroughly enjoyed soaking up the atmosphere of campus and what the university had to offer. I’m looking forward to returning at some point in the near future to see the new sports facility that I have heard great things about.

of New Zealand from 2nd-18th June. The Red Roses will play Australia and Canada during the tour before their final fixture against the hosts at the Rotorua International Stadium in a doubleheader before the men's British and Irish Lions team takes on the All Blacks.

Wales are another home nation in action and will want to improve on their best performance of a fourth place finish in 1994. The team won the European Rugby 7s tournament in 2006 and most recently placed in fifth at the Six Nations with just one win. Hosts Ireland very nearly put a stopper on England’s hopes of a Grand Slam at the Six Nations and finished with a record-high fourth place finish at the last World Cup in 2014. They were previously 2015 Six Nations champions and will desperately want to please the home crowds by reaching the final at Kingspan Stadium in Belfast.

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Championships in Summer 2017 @WomenSportTrust @UEFAWomensEURO @eurohockeyorg @WomRugbyComp @cricketworldcup @London2017 @2017BWC

Cricket Women's World Cup 2017

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England and Wales will host the Women’s World Cup from 24th June to 23rd July as Australia, England, India, New Zealand, Pakistan, South Africa, Sri Lanka and the West Indies compete for the top title in world cricket.

After winning the 2013 competition Australia will be the team to beat – they also currently hold the Ashes and won T20 World Cups from 2010-2014. Six-time winners of the One Day International format World Cup and three-time champions of the World Twenty20 format, Australia are the leading force in women's cricket on the international stage.

England play their first major tournament without long-time captain Charlotte Edwards, with new captain Heather Knight rac-

(England and SV Kampong)

Europe. They are a very well organised and structured team and kept a lot of their players from Rio, so they will be a test as well.

There’s not going to be any easy matches, it’s going to be a tough competition but I’m really looking forward to it, especially with our title to defend.

Q: How has playing abroad in the Netherlands strengthened your game?

A: I love playing out in Holland, the hockey culture there is huge. My club has nine hockey pitches, forty men’s teams and forty women’s teams and a huge junior section. In terms of strength-

ing to be fit for the start of the tournament following a metatarsal stress fracture in May. In the last competition in 2013, the host nation finished third having won the tournament in 2009. As well as playing on home soil in iconic venues like Lord’s and Somerset’s County Ground in Taunton, this will be the first World Cup the England squad have played since turning professional in 2014 and the launch of the T20 Women’s Super League last summer. The nearest challengers to Australia with a total of three World Cup wins and one World T20 win, England will hope to add another title to their impressive record.

The West Indies will also be a force having won the World Twenty20 under captain and Western Storm player Stafanie Taylor. Taylor was named playeer of the tournament after scoring the most runs in India on their way to an eight wicket victory over Australia.

Every match of this year’s tournament will be broadcast live for the first time, with ten scheduled to be televised and the rest streamed live online.

The opening matches of the round-robin stage will be between New Zealand and India and England and Sri Lanka respectively at 10.30am on 19th June.

ening my game, it has given me the opportunity to play with different players and learn new things from playing against different people. Under a new coach it’s a different environment to learn. The style of play is quite attacking, which suits my game and I really enjoying playing week-in, week-out at a high level of competition.

Q: What are your personal goals for club and country in 2017?

A: Personally I’m building to the World Cup in London and I’ve got over a year to give myself the best chance and be the best player I can. That’s the focus in every training session.

After Rio there was time to take a break away from the sport but I’m ready to go again, I’m fully charged and looking forward to the challenges that will come my way in the next year.

Q: Finally, what do you miss about studying at UoB? A: I still can’t believe it was nine years ago that I started there. I had an absolutely incredible three years with so many fond memories and some great success on the hockey pitch as well. I miss being on campus and studying in the library with your mates and then going to training with your friends and being such a close community.

It’s just one big place where you feel so at home. I will always look back with great memories.

World Athletics and Para Athletics Championships The world of athletics returns to London this summer for the IAAF World Championships and the World Para Athletics Championships. From 14th-23rd July, the London Stadium will host the Para Championships as Team GB attempt to replicate the success of the Paralympics in Rio last summer where they won a total of 33 medals across the track and field events. Big names like five-time Olympic gold medallist and seven-time World Champion Hannah Cockroft will compete in multiple events on the track as she aims to defend her titles in the 100m, 400m and 800m T34 races.

After gold medals in both athletics and cycling in Rio, Kadeena Cox will look to defend her 2015

The Netherlands will play host to its second major women’s sporting championship this summer for the EuroHockey Championships from 19th-27th August. Eight nations - the Czech Republic, Spain, Belgium the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, England and Germany - will do battle for the European title. Reigning champions England and eight-time winners the Netherlands will be the favourites, having already played each other in the last two finals of major tournaments.

England won the last competition in a penalty shoot-out against the Netherlands after the score was still tied at 2-2 at full time. Having lost the 2013 competition in a similar fashion, that time to Germany (losing 2-0 on penalties after a final score of 4-4 at the end of normal time), England learnt from their mistakes and avoided heartbreak again by securing the 2015 title.

The bulk of the England team were successful with Team GB last summer in Rio, winning gold against familiar opponents the Netherlands in another penalty World Championship titles in the T37 100m and the T35-38 4x100m relay. One of Cox’s 4x100m teammates in Rio, Sophie Hahn will also be in action as she looks to defend her T38 100m title. In the field events, Hollie Arnold is the reigning World Champion in the F46 Javelin since 2013and also won gold at Rio last summer.

The second half of this summer’s double-event in athletics will take over the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park from 4th-13th August. In a championship that will see numerous legends retire from the sport, Katarina JohnsonThompson is already tasked with filling the shoes of Great Britain heptathlon legend Jessica EnnisHill. After her disappointing 28th place finish in the last World Championships in Beijing two years ago, the Olympics in Rio proved to be a vast improvement as Johnson-Thompson finished in sixth. Another athlete to burst onto the scene in the last twelve months on the track is Laura Muir, who bounced back after Rio to secure two gold medals at the European Indoor Championships in Belgrade in the 1500m and the 3000m.

Jamaica and the USA will be two other nations to keep an eye out for – whilst ShellyAnn Fraser Pryce won’t

shoot-out. Goalkeeper Maddie Hinch was the hero in that match, saving all four penalties in the shoot-out to win gold for Team GB. The likes of Crista Cullen, Georgie Twigg, Alex Danson, University of Birmingham alumni Sophie Bray and Ellie Watton and current student Lily Owsley were all medallists in Rio and will line up for England alongside some new faces in the England squad following the retirement of key players such as former captain Kate Richardson Walsh. Current UoB students Anna Toman, Erica Sanders and Livy Paige have all been called up to the senior women's squad in the last year.

Two other home nations make up Pool B in the competition with Scotland and Ireland joining England and Germany. Scotland compete in their tenth championships, with their previous best a fifth place finish. Similarly, Ireland’s best finish was in fifth place.

Getty Images

Q: Who will be your main competition at the EuroHockey Championships?

A: I think it’s going to be a very tightly contested tournament. You’ve got the Dutch on home soil, who will take some beating especially after two years ago with us beating them in the final. I’m sure they’ll want revenge. Then there’s a young Spanish team that have got great potential. I think over the next four years running in to Tokyo they are going to be a side to watch. Then you’ve got the Germans who are very strong in

Alumna Q&A: Sophie Bray

Getty Images

Q: After a really successful few years, there have been a few changes to the England squad - do you think this will change the team dynamic?

A: At the end of any Olympic cycle there are always retirements and after Rio this has been no different. We will certainly miss the girls who have retired very much but the year after the Olympics is the time to rebuild. We have some young talent coming through who have brought a new energy to the group and I’m looking forward to playing with them.

We'll see if training hard for the last six months, getting used to the centralised programme and being full time athletes pays off.

All of them are making great progress and a number of them are ready for a tournament. That’s the next test for the group this summer with the World League semi-finals and the Europeans.

be in action as she takes a year off after announcing her pregnancy, track legends like Allyson Felix will be there to defend her various titles. Britain’s only medal in the field events in Rio came from Sophie Hitchon in the hammer throw as she broke the British record on the way to a bronze medal. After a fourth place finish two years ago in Beijing at the World Championships, Hitchon will want to continue improving on home soil.

Badminton World Championships The badminton world championships come to Glasgow from 21st-27th August for both singles and doubles competitions.

England pair Chris and Gabby Adcock go in search of their first world title after victory at the European Championships. The mixed doubles partners also won the Dubai World Superseries Finals in 2015 and finished runner-up in 2016 and have qualified for the World Championships as the top English pair and seventh best pair.

Former Birmingham Lion and England number one Fontaine Chapman will also be in action in the women’s singles. After a disappointing World Championships in 2015, Chapman will want to perform well in Glasgow.

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Hidden Gems: Lisbon, Portugal Delfina Rainoldi Travel Editor Instagram @drainoldi

Lisbon, a city filled with hills, beautifully crafted tiles and vibrant colourful buildings, is one to visit at least once in your lifetime. It is obvious that Lisbon would be the first place to visit if you have never been to Portugal, but because there are so many scenic cities and towns in Portugal, it can often be forgotten.

Having never been to Lisbon or Portugal before I had no idea what to expect, but as always, my friend and I prepared an itinerary full of places and ‘hotspots’ to visit in order to keep ourselves occupied every second of each day we were there. Visiting Lisbon

'...Chiado is a cool area known for its good shopping, quirky bars and nice architecture...' mid May is prime time because it means there are less tourists and it is less expensive compared to the peak summer months. My friend and I stayed in 5 Sins Hostel in Chiado, a cool area known for its good shopping, quirky bars and nice architecture as well as being the most popular area for Portuguese Fado music and Jazz bars. The hostel was in prime location from the tube station and the main train station that takes

you to the beaches along the coast, which also passes by Belém. If you decide to visit, make sure to stay in Chiado, or even in Alfama which is the Old Town of Lisbon (although it is slightly further from some places). In Alfama you will find yourself walking aimlessly through its very narrow and winding streets which lead you to all kinds of hidden gems. Alfama is also known for its architecturally gorgeous buildings. Similarly, you'll get to see the Lisbon Cathedral – Sé de Lisboa - the 12th century Cathedral, which is a work of art. To see the Cathedral with no tourists, make sure to go early to enjoy its beauty in tranquility whilst the trams pass by with the backdrop of the Cathedral.

Later make your way up towards the Miradouro das Portas do Sol which gives you a phenomenal view of all the brightly coloured and picturesque houses which make up Alfama. This is a spectacular view of all the houses and of the Tejo River that you will not want to miss. It can get tiring walking around Alfama because of all of its hills, so if it’s nice and sunny grab yourself a fresh croissant or traditional Portuguese pastry and sit at the viewpoint to enjoy your snack whilst simultaneously enjoying freshly made traditional Portuguese food. Alike, around Alfama you will find independently owned cafes which are great to go to for a little brunch or lunch break if you do not wish to sit outside.

Lisbon is quite a large and spread out city so in some cases you will have to take the train or tube to get to certain parts of it if you do not wish to walk too

much, especially in the summer as it can get incredibly hot.

Nonetheless, transport is relatively cheap! Belém, a beautiful town nearby the city centre (only a 15 minute train ride from the city centre) is a beauty. Here you will have to visit the famous Pastéis de Belém where you can have an authentic Pastel de Nata, which is a Portuguese egg tart pastry. The queue can be slightly long but it is

'...visit the famous Pasteis de Belem where you can have a traditional Portuguese...

Pastry...' definitely worth the wait if you have a sweet tooth! Belém is also well known for its grand monastery of Jerónimos as well as having the presidential house. During my visit there we also had the chance to visit the Botanical Gardens for only 2 euros! It had very extravagant plants and wild peacocks walking around the gardens too, so if you like nature make sure to pop in as it doesn't take too much time out of your day. Belém itself is a day trip as there are many important tourist hotspots which should not be missed - such as the Belém Tower, Padrão dos Descombrimentos and the MAAT Museum. To visit and go into all of these places you must pay, but the cost of each visit is usually no more than 10 euros.

The best part about Lisbon is

Photograph by Delfina Rainioldi

that even though it is a city holiday it is also a beach getaway if you wish to visit the seaside.

Although the closest beach is 25 minutes by train from Cais do Sodré, it isn’t so far away that it is not worth visiting. There are many beaches along the coast but I would definitely recommend going to Cascais. It is certainly a hidden gem. This little picturesque town is situated at the end of the train line and thus 45 minutes away.

Nonetheless, it is a petite and beautiful seaside town which one can walk around during the day through its shopping area and then relax at any of the many little beaches dotted around it. Some have natural caves and cliffs and other beaches are more spacious, but all with clear water. In Cascais you will also find some gems such as Casa de S. Bernardo or the Santa Marta Lighthouse and Museum which is a white minimalist fortress with an amazing view of the Atlantic Ocean. If you wish to be very adventurous you can make your way to Boca do Inferno, i.e. Hellmouth, which is oceanfront cliffs featuring natural archways and caves and is only a 23 minute walk from the train station. If you decide to have a beach day in Portugal, make sure to be prepared for very hot weather!

Lisbon has many hidden gems but one of the main ones is Sintra, a town which is home to Palace of Pena, a vibrant castle which housed the last royal family of Portugal. If your visit to Lisbon is only a few days long make sure to take a day out just to visit Sintra and its beautiful palaces. Getting there takes around an hour from Estação de Caminhos de Ferro Rossio which is only minutes away from 5 Sins Hostel and prime location in Chiado.

However, to make the most of the day in Sintra make sure to get there very early to miss the rush of tourists trying to visit all the palaces. My friend and I unfortunately got there quite late and had to wait an hour for the bus that takes you up to all the different spots. There is the option to walk

up too if you’re an active individual, which only takes around 30 minutes. If you don’t wish to walk up the winding hilled streets I would recommend walking back down to the town in order to enjoy the scenery and all the nature which surrounds these castles.

Although Lisbon may be a well known destination to visit, I think it is one which is usually forgotten about, but it is truly a hidden gem with more hidden gems in it. If you wish to go for a little post-exam getaway it is a great destination which has a combination of city, beaches and a very lively nightlife.

A Post Card from... Budapest Charlotte Gill Travel Writer

A beautiful city with a relaxed, welcoming atmosphere and really cheap, too – what’s not to love?

Having recently visited myself, I give you my top recommendations of things to do.

St. Stephen's Basilica is a beautiful Roman Catholic church situated on the Pest side of the river. You can take a look around the exquisitely decorated church area for only 200 HUF (around 55p). I would recommend paying the 400 HUF for a student ticket (around £1.10) to go up to the 360-degree panorama viewing tower. As one of the tallest buildings in Budapest, you have wonderful views of the city below and beyond. A great thing to do on your first day to get your bear-

ings.

An absolute must is Széchenyi thermal baths – one of Europe’s largest bath complexes with 21 pools (both indoor and outdoor), set within a bright yellow building in Vidam Park. For entry and a cabin, it is 5,400 HUF (around £14.70) during the week and 5,600 HUF (around £15.24) at weekends. Go on a weekday if possible as the baths can get very busy with tourists and natives alike. There are staff members around to lock your cabin before you go into the baths, which means that your things are kept safe. Towels can be rented (a small deposit must be paid) which is perfect if you’re sightseeing as you won’t have to lug your own towels around for the day. What’s more, the cabins mean you won’t have to uncomfortably wear your

swimming clothes under your regular clothes as you can get changed there. If you really want to make a day of it, treatments are available at an extra cost.

'... experience Budapest's wacky ruin bars...'

Another beautiful church is Matthias Church, set within a bright, bustling square on the Buda side of the river, just past Buda castle. It is more typically ‘touristy’ than St. Stephen’s Basilica but is still worth a visit due to its more than reasonable entry price of 1,000 HUF (around £2.72) and photo-worthy views of the Danube and Pest beyond

from the top of Buda Hill.

You cannot miss the Hungarian parliament, a very grand, domed building on the bank of the Danube next to a large, open square which is great for a rest in between all of your sightseeing. A sight to behold at sunset when it is lit up. Though I didn’t go inside myself, tours are available and highly rated.

Finally, every visitor should experience Budapest's wacky ruin bars. There are many ruin bars in Budapest but Szimpla Kert will keep your eyes wandering for hours and is certainly like no other bar I’ve ever been to. There is an outdoor area and several different rooms, each one more kooky and filled with more eccentric bits and bobs than the last. Its edgy but fun vibe makes it a great stop day or night and drinks are

reasonably priced, too! Anker’t is a more typical ruin bar as it is set within an abandoned building. An extensive drinks menu, great service and a very cool atmosphere. There is a sheltered, indoor area complete with quirky lighting and heaters, so don’t worry if you visit at a colder time of year.

Perhaps one of the lesser known ruin bars, I would recommend going here at a busier time, such as a Saturday night, to properly get a feel for it.

Photograph by Sophie Braybrook

Friday 9th June 2017

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17

Photo Journal: UoB Campus & Selly Oak Ben Thorne

Travel Photographer Instagram @benjosephthorne

Photograph by Ben Thorne

Travel photographer Ben has shot our beloved Selly Oak and gorgeous campus from the sky to capture the year just gone in images. To the left see the picture of Old Joe, the tallest freestanding clock tower in the world. See below, more images of the University of Birmingam campus and Selly Oak. All images were taken on a drone to provide a different perspective on everyday life at university as a gift of a small memory of campus and beyond to those who are leaving. This year at Redbrick Travel has been better than ever, with diverse and engaging content being published for our dedicated readers each fortnight. Travel editors Sophie, Delfina and Carys would like to thank our travel team for all their hard work and content before we pass our positions to the new travel editors Phoebe, Olivia, and Iesha. The Travel Section of Redbrick Paper would not have made such vast improvements this year without our amazing and hardworking contributors.

Thank you for always providing high quality pieces to often tight deadlines. To those continuing university in September, please do join Redbrick travel and get your work published in this prestigious and renowned paper - it may just be the best thing you’ll do in your university career.

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LIFE & STYLE

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricklife

Being a Twenty-One Year Old Virgin: It's Not a Big Deal Greg Woodin explains why being a virgin at university isn't a big deal despite media portrayals Greg Woodin Music Editor and Life&Style Writer

It’s first year of university and I’m sat at a table with people I barely know. As many stories from freshers begin, we’re drinking. Several shots and Sports Direct mug spillages down and someone suggests we play a game of Never Have I Ever. This is a game designed to get us all drunk, but I spend pretty much the whole game not drinking, and in one desperate moment I consider pretending to be an exheroin addict so my newfound friends don’t judge me for being ‘boring’ (wisely, I decide against this). And though thankfully it never comes, I wait in trepidation for someone to come out with the classic: ‘never have I ever… had sex’ - and for me to sit there, static, while everyone around me giggles conspiratorially through mock-embarrassed sips of vodka squash. Of course we’ve had sex.

We’re all adults, aren't we?

Nearly three years on and I’m still a virgin, and games of Never Have I Ever are more fraught with embarrassment now than ever. It’s difficult to escape the thought that I am in some way abnormal. I’ve never sworn myself to celibacy for whatever reason, be it religious or otherwise, and although I have my moments of shyness, I wouldn’t consider myself entirely socially inept. Although in day-today life it doesn’t bother me as such, I’ll admit I never expected to wait this long; when everyone around you at university seems to take it for granted that you’ve had sex when you haven’t, it’s hard

not to feel as if you’re slightly deficient as a human being - and especially as a man. I’m approaching an age where being a male virgin feels like something I should be ashamed of, like I’m some kind of weirdo who can’t get a shag to save his life. Like I must somehow be less of a man

"Being a virgin isn't necessarily a negative or a positive- it just is" because of it. The older I get, the odder I feel.

So what is the root cause of my virginity? What unresolved issues are there, buried in the catacombs of my brain? Why am I, Greg Woodin, soon to graduate from the University of Birmingham with innocence intact? No matter how long I meditate, puzzle over these cryptic questions, delve into the depths of my psyche for answers, I get nothing. A blank.

And what I’ve realised is that I’m just not that bothered about sex at the moment. Maybe that’ll change, but for now I’m quite content with my life as it is. You might accuse me of only saying this because I’m sex-deprived and in self denial, but I’m confident that’s not the case. Speaking to people about sex has shown me there are plenty of people out there who were never really that fussed about sex until they had it for the first time with the person they loved. It’s shown me that it was ultimately good fortune that brought them together with that

person to begin with. And the conclusion I’ve come to is that all my worries and fears were inflicted by what’s considered to be ‘normal’ by society, rather than some internal conflict in my head.

I never expected to wait this long, no, but I was always perfectly happy waiting.

The media place such a huge emphasis on sex that it’s difficult to shake the notion that we’re all sex-hungry animals ready to risk all for a bit of action. According to this view, the later you lose your virginity, the less successful you’ve been in attracting a mate.

But when it comes to how hot we like our Nando’s, whether we enjoy heavy metal or not, our opinion on Australia’s inclusion in the Eurovision Song Contest (last time I checked, Australia was not in Europe), we know we all have different ideas, opinions and priorities. Why should sex be any different? The sooner we stop

"We don't talk about it because we're ashamed" forcing a one-size-fits-all approach on sex, the better.

Being a virgin isn’t necessarily a negative or a positive - it just is.

For some, sex is inherently connected to love, and sex in the absence of love isn’t worth pursuing; for others, sex is simply fun that can easily be detached from emotion. For some, the overwhelming urge to have sex overrides the inevitable anxiety surrounding first-time intimacy with

another person; for others, it doesn’t. There are those who regret not waiting longer to have sex, who crumbled under the weight of societal pressure; but for each of these people there’s someone who doesn’t regret a thing. We need to recognise these differences when we talk about sex.

The problem is that if our experiences fall outside what society deems acceptable, we feel less comfortable speaking up about our experiences for fear of being judged. Add to this the fact that sex is, for some incredible reason, a taboo topic in our society, and often these so-called ‘deviant’ perspectives are not represented at all. There are other 21-year-old, male virgins around - that I’m sure of - and some of them might even be my friends, but we just don’t ever talk about it because we’re ashamed.

So we need to speak up about these issues. It’s too easy to criticise ‘society’ at large for imposing an unattainable ideal on our lives, to envisage it as some external entity we don’t have anything to do with but that nevertheless controls us. We need to recognise that, in the end, we are all part of society and we have the power to change it, at least in some small way. It all starts with speaking up, making yourself heard. As I’ve come to realise, being a virgin isn’t a big deal, but I never would have known had I not talked to anyone about it. No matter how alone, weird, embarrassed you feel, there are others out there just like you. Don’t keep it to yourself - you deserve a voice.

Spotted: Life&Style On Campus Life&Style writer Matthew Magill takes a look at campus life and style during exams

Rachael Gunn

John Hills

Sara Luise Bangiere

Zach Elborough

'I had a three-hour Spanish exam this morning so I'm just enjoying the sunshine!'

'Can I quote that train thing from Inception? Ok, so it's: 'You're waiting for a train, a train-'

'I'm studying for my exam, but I also have work in one minute, but yes I can do a photo.'

'The 'Missing Shade of Blue' is a renowned philosophical thought experiment, but this outfit is so on-point that I've found that shade.'

Rachael is wearing a light raincoat decorated in palm trees, a floral top, and denim shorts. Her style is based on her self-professed 'unhealthy obsession' with patterns and royal blue.

John is wearing an effortlessly casual outfit with a hipsteresque t-shirt reading 'Houston, we have so many problems'.

He pairs it with a check button-up to give the appearance, in his own words, of 'not looking like a bum'.

Sara is wearing a casual outfit of a blue denim jacket and white top. Sitting sockless, she maintains a relaxed appearance despite her workload.

Zach explains that his style is 'synthetic, urban, bubblegum-pop'. He enjoys wearing bright block colours, synthetic fabrics, and 'basically anything that looks like you are walking down the streets of Seoul in the year 2117.'

LIFE & STYLE

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricklife

The Changing Face Of: British Vogue

Life&Style writer Tara Kergon looks at how British Vogue is set to change after the departure of editor-in-chief Alexandra Shulman It seems that more than summer is in the air at British Vogue this season, as not one but three of its most longstanding, respected and renowned figures are about to step down from the limelight. Only last year Vogue celebrated 100 years of publication in a whirlwind of festivals, exhibitions and a princess on the centenary cover; this year it seems to be abandoning the retrospective and looking firmly into its next era.

At the start of the year Alexandra Shulman, editorin-chief of Vogue, announced she will leave in the summer , and it’s still hard to imagine the magazine under another person’s leadership. She’s been running the show for longer than I’ve been alive (since 1992!), seen Vogue through the whirlwind of changes brought by the 21 st century, and her period at the helm included its strongest print sales.

With Shulman editing, the magazine has been creative, timeless and saw Vogue transform into a global, digital brand incorporating digital editions, a Conde Nast College, Vogue Video and much more. My favourite Shulman moments were Kate Moss’ Bowie-inspired 2003 cover, and her 2009 letter to fashion houses that criticized their tiny sample sizes (and of course a star-struck run-in

at the Vogue 100 festival!).

But is it time for the ‘classic’ British Vogue to get shaken up?

In April, her successor was named: Edward Enninful, current fashion and style director of W magazine. He’s committed to maintaining Vogue’s reputation for innovation, and also renowned for shaking up mainstream fashion titles – one of my f a v o u r i t e E n n i n f u l moments was the 'all-black' 2008 issue of Italian Vogue during his time as contributing fashion editor. With features like that on his resume, Enninful is the right man to create a more diverse British Vogue which, as the leading fashion publication, will help the entire industry overcome what I believe to be one of its greatest issues: a lack of diversity.

Fashion in its entirety is repeatedly called out for this fault, but it also has the power to change that reputation.

On the day of Shulman’s announcement, Managing Editor Frances Bentley also made her departure known, planning to leave the maga-

zine in June after 24 years.

Her role is a pivotal one in a magazine as huge as Vogue; the staff may have to ride out some bumps in the road, but the publication itself will surely continue smoothly. In May, Lucinda Chambers, the current fashion director, revealed that she will also be leaving Vogue after a career spanning 36 years.

Known for her creativity, she frequently tells anecdotes of starting at the publication in clothing she’d created herself and her shoots are always beautiful, imaginative and inspired; my personal favourite is the October 2008 Kate Moss shoot dreamed up with Mario Testino. Her successor is as yet unannounced; whether Vogue looks inside the publication or out, after 36 successful years, who can fill such sizeable (and stylish) shoes?

With three of Vogue’s top roles changing hands, it’s inevitable that the magazine itself must change. Enninful will bring a fresh perspective

to the magazine; in place of features, his background is visual and I expect some incredible shoots, whether or not he styles them himself. In combination with a new fashion director, we’re sure to see some editorial changes. Of course, every editorial is a product of many people’s involvement, but new directions will be taken in such a fast-paced industry built on constant evolution.

It wouldn’t surprise me to see an updated cover format, or reboot of the features and content, as happened in 2015.

In spite of the oft-predicted ‘death of print’ I don’t believe this shakeup will see the end of those glossy pages – scrolling on a screen just can’t compete with the physical edition. Perhaps then the Vogue brand will expand its portfolio further – new technology has already turned the magazine world upside down, and I’m sure Enninful will be ready to take advantage of whatever leaps we next make, be they in virtual reality or tech-based garments. But whatever may come, one thing is for certain: everything has its time, and everything must come to an end. A new era is dawning, so here’s to embracing change and bursting into the next hundred years at British Vogue under its new management.

Sunscreen: Your Summer Beauty Essential

Writer Sophie Webb explains why sunscreen is so important

The desire for a tan, and the myth that sun cream is something only overprotective parents try to unnecessarily force upon us as children leads to many people exposing themselves to dangerous levels of UV without any form of protection.

Johnathon Major, spokesman for the British Association of Dermatologists explained 'This is a reflection of poor sun protection habits – people underestimate the damage that sunburn can do to their skin, and many think that skin reddening is just a harmless part of the tanning process, rather than a sure sign that you have damaged your skin irreparably.'

It has long been known that over exposure to sun dramatically increases the risk of developing skin cancer, along with other less serious but undoubtedly unpleasant illnesses such as sun stroke and heat stroke. The fact that understanding the sun is a big

problem in the UK is reflected by skin cancer being the most common form of cancer in the UK with over 100,000 new cases being diagnosed each year. A staggering 2,500 people die from it each year - seven people per day - and these numbers continue to rise as people remain u n i n formed about the risks of the sun. This death rate is over a third higher than it is in Australia, something which the Daily Mail put down to purely the ignorance of the British when it comes to sun safety.

Experts advise that we should check for signs of skin cancer on a monthly basis, however, research has shown that 96% of people fail to do

this, with 77% not even sure what skin cancer looks like.

Signs of skin cancer can be a variety of things from marks or lumps that increase in size, to red, inflamed, or scaly patches of skin. As with any cancer, early detection is key to successful treatment and, therefore, doctors a r e encouraging people to be safe and g e t checked out if they spot any irregularities.

Wearing sun cream is one way to lower your risk if you are out in the sun for prolonged periods of time, but it doesn’t stop there. Getting the right factor of sun cream is also essential and ensuring that the brand is waterproof if

you’re intending on making the most of the weather at the beach. Timing is also vital for the correct use of sun cream and something that many people either don’t realise or forget. It should be applied not while in the sun but 20 to 30 minutes before going out, in order to give the skin time to absorb it. It should then be reapplied at least every two hours and in generous amounts, in order to maintain the levels of protection promised on the bottle. It only takes ten minutes of strong sunshine to burn pale skin and therefore knowing the correct use of sun cream is extremely important when trying to avoid danger.

Other simple tips for keeping your skin safe include staying in the shade as much as possible, and avoiding the mid-day sun which is when the UV is at its strongest (between 11am and 3pm).

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FIERCE Red The new colour of the season, seen on everything from the lettering on t-shirts to cute summer dresses. Make sure it’s bright and bold – plus points if you match it with your lipstick. Or do as Bella Hadid and wear it head-to-toe for a new take on monochromatic styling.

Yellow Sunglasses Remember when mirrored lenses were the ‘it’ shades of 2016? Well this season takes inspiration from fashion’s ongoing love affair with the 70s.

Rather than go all out hippie, swap the John Lennon round lens style for a more modern shape to keep from looking too retro and you have the perfect accessory for summer.

SPF Make-up If you, like me, tend to get lazy about keeping your skin protected in the sunnier months then makeup with added SPF is a godsend. Many moisturisers, foundations and even lip balms all include SPF so it’s really as easy as applying as normal for instant sun protection while trying out some new cosmetics.

Heeled Mules Don’t get me wrong, mules look fabulous. The perfect mix between summer sandal and going-out heel what could be better for the current season? And they can be great if you’re not planning to walk while wearing them at all. The single strap will just not keep these on your feet, add in the extra impracticality of a heel and you’ve got yourself a nightmare in shoe form. Slingbacks are a good option for those who want the shape of a mule with an added strap.

Face Baking You’re getting ready, you’ve just swept your fluffy brush under your eyes and around your jawline, blending away all the translucent powder that has just set down your makeup into the perfect, poreless canvas. You look matte-mazing. One step outside though and you realise how hot and humid it actually is. 15 minutes later and your face has already started to sweat, completely ruining your crease-free hard work.

Your foundation ends up patchy and barely there. In hot weather, less is definitely more and cream products are definitely your friend. Trust me.

Freya Poel

Life&Style Writer

FINISHED

20

FOOD

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickfood

Birmingham's Best Beer Gardens Phoebe Radford Food Editor

The Distillery The Distillery is a gin bar just round the corner from Brindley place, and has an outdoor courtyard area next to the canal. Perfect for a summer evening G&T.

4 Sheepcote Street, Birmingham, B16 8AE The Lord Clifden

Near the Jewellery Quarter, this pub has a garden with an outside bar, barbecue, table tennis table, football table and a shelter with heating and four TV screens for sports fans.

With an Independent Birmingham card you can get a free can of beer or a hot drink when you buy a main meal.

34 Great Hampton Street, Hockley, B18 6AA The White Swan

The White Swan is in lovely nearby Harborne and has a large beer garden.

Harborne Rd, Birmingham, B15 3TT The Old Crown

Located in the Digbeth area, this is Birmingham’s oldest pub and has a partially covered beer garden at the back. They host several beer festivals and events throughout the year, most notably

an annual Oktoberfest.

With an Independent Birmingham card, you can get 15% off food.

188 High St, Digbeth, Birmingham, B12 0LD The Church Inn

In the Jewellery Quarter, this iconic pub has a roof terrace with seating.

Perfect to bask in the sun.

22 Great Hampton Street, B18 6AQ

The Plough The Plough has a large courtyard beer garden at the back with large bench style seating and tables. With pretty fairy lights and plenty of greenery, it is lovely on a summer evening.

21 High St, Harborne, B17 9NT The Wellington

The Wellington is in the very centre of Birmingham and boasts a small green terrace. The pub is known for its award winning selection of real ales.

37 Bennetts Birmingham, B2 5SN

Hill,

The British Oak Close to Selly Oak, The British Oak is a hidden gem when it comes to beer gardens, boasting a huge green with plenty of seating.

1364 Pershore Road, Stirchley, Birmingham, B30 2XS

Perfect Picnic Places Food writer Caitlin Dickinson suggests the sunniest spots to eat al fresco

The summer season is rapidly approaching and stressful exams are beginning to dwindle, so what better way to celebrate than a lovely picnic in the sun. Don’t panic about too much prep or a long trek to the perfect picnic location, these top tips for a perfect picnic will allow you to enjoy the summer sun without any stress!

Top 3 Picnic Destinations:

1.

The Vale

The best place to lap up the sun with a yummy picnic is definitely the lakeside at the Vale. With the balance of the trees, lake and stretching grass the Vale is currently the hotspot for picnics!

Also, the vast amounts of outside space and benches means that if sitting on the grass isn’t for you then you can grab a bench and enjoy the sun.

2.

Selly Park

If the Vale is too far to trek, then Selly Park may be your best option for something more close to home. This large park is situated just next to Birmingham St Mary’s hospice and the flat ground means that a large group can all sit comfortably round a lush picnic.

3.

Winterbourne Gardens

Wanting to get out of Selly and Uni and go somewhere completely different? Try the Winterbourne Gardens for some exotic plants and fountains as an asset for your picnic.

What to bring: Sandwiches

Snacks

The endless concoctions for a sandwich filling make this a hard decision for a picnic. But, I would recommend not adding egg or fish such as tuna to your sandwich due to the hot weather making this filling go off quicker than other meats and vegetables.

My favourite sandwich recipe for a hot sunny day is chicken mayo with lettuce: Cook through a chicken breast until it is white the whole way through. This varies on the size, but should usually take 18mins. I recommend doing this the night before so it can chill until the following day.

Once cooled, cut into small pieces, spread mayo over one slice of the bread and add lettuce or another preferred salad leaf.

Season with salt and pepper.

Then place the other slice of bread on top.

What is a picnic without sausage rolls and scotch eggs? These tend to bump up your cost from the local supermarket! Try making this refreshing coleslaw to go with your sandwich: Ingredients: 6 tbsp plain yoghurt, ½ tsp Dijon mustard, 2 tbsp mayonnaise, 1⁄2 white cabbage, 2 carrots and ½ onion.

Method: Mix the yoghurt, mustard and mayonnaise together in a bowl. Then, use a grater attachment on a food processor, or a box grater, to grate the cabbage and carrots. Either grate the onion or chop as finely as you can. Tip all of the vegetables into the bowl and stir through the dressing. Will keep in the fridge for up to 3 days.

Recipes: For a Summer BBQ Emma Chambers Food Writer

olive oil and a pinch of salt. Simply add to the BBQ and turn every 5 minutes until cooked. These can easily be made vegetarian by replacing the chicken with more Halloumi.

BBQ Chicken and Halloumi Skewers

Quinoa and Feta Side Salad

You will need:

You will need: Quinoa

Chicken cut into cubes Feta Halloumi Veggie stock cube Peppers Beetroot Mushrooms Tomato Courgette Method: Simply add all the ingredients to a metal skewer, you can buy these in any supermarket. Once finished, drizzle the skewer in

PIMMS

BBQ CHICKEN AND HALLOUMI SKEWERS WITH QUINOA AND FETA SIDE SALAD

This is a really simply and easy dish to make for the BBQ and it can be prepped in advance. This is one of my all time favourites as you can still enjoy a BBQ minus the calories!

Red onion Method: Simmer the quinoa for 25 minutes with the stock cube. Once cooked, drain and leave to cool.

Enjoy your perfect picnic!

While the quinoa is cooling, chop up feta, beetroot, tomato and red onion and add to the salad when it is ready. So simple but yet so tasty and healthy for a warm summer's day

Accompany any BBQ with a pitcher of pimms!

You will need: 200ml Pimm's No. 1 600ml lemonade Mint sprigs, sliced cucumber, sliced orange and strawberries, to serve

Music look back on a year of live performances featuring a review of Vale Fest 2017

Matthew Swallow

Redbrick Rewind Celebrating some of the best moments from the past year at the University of Birmingham

8 Page Pull-out including...

News review what the Guild officers have acheived this year Culture applaud a year of Guild Drama Redbrick shines a light on 10 inspiring final year students Nicola Kenton looks back on a year of sporting acheivements

Freddy Nevison-Andrews

02

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

www.redbrick.me

Ellie Keiller

Guild President

Ross Strong

Welfare Officer

Izzie Nicholds

Housing and Community

Issuing Invisible Pens and Rape Alarms This was completed in March 2017 with WM police promoting the event.

Improve Healthcare She made the process of signing up to a GP more simple. She has also worked with Ross Strong to ensure Guild staff receive mental health first aid training.

Peer Support Service for ALL students Student mentor scheme is high cost and it is not possible to replicate this for all students but he has discussed the possibility of other peer support formats.

Improve Distant Support The Guild website has been improved in a number of ways over the last year.

Expanded Sexual Health Testing Free condom stand is permanent in Guild Advice.

Improve Job Support From 2017/18 the extenuating circumstances of the university will now include jobs for those who have to work to survive.

Mental Health First Aid Training Some key members of Guild staff received a mental health first aid course.

Police Patrols on Guild Nights Out After a giving a list of all Guild club nights to the West Midlands police for the year they have increased presence on the streets of Selly.

Improved Support for Liberation Groups Updated the Guild’s Student Equality and Diversity Committee. He is continuing to implement gender neutral toilets.

CCTV on Selly Streets Plans have been discussed but progress remains ongoing.

Increase Student Voice Outside University Set up events with local MPs and mayoral candidates at the Guild.

Brandon Representation and Resources Hattiloney Showcasing Student Talent / More Events and Live Music Organised two live music nights at the Guild and has worked with the Bramall to give opportunities to students to perform there, although there is yet to be a suitable group.

Representing You There has been increased turnout at the 2016 Guild Elections and Your Ideas continues to grow and expand with each cycle.

Recycling Bins in Selly Oak There has been increased information but no substantial progress has been made.

Natalie Cox

Activites and Development

Modernise: Free Guild of Students App The app was re-launched in January 2017 and student feedback is being monitored so improvements can be made in the future.

Develop: Improve Admin (such as room bookings) A new system has been developed and they are now in talks about pricing.

Expand: Support Societies' Growth Created development plans to help societies plan their years. Students graduating from this year onwards will also get more official recognition on their degree transcripts.

Guild Officer Annual Review Grace Duncan looks back on what the officers have achieved this year Chris Wilkinson

Education Officer

Text Your Rep This was deemed to be less effective than integration into the Guild Website as Student Hub which has launched.

Get Your Lectures on Panopto Academics now need to provide a suitable option if they did not provide Panopto and a new canvas layout is also being spread out across all colleges.

Personalised Essay and Exam Feedback A changed Code of Practice was taken to the University Senate and approved.

Better Joint Honours Experience Every school will have a Primary/ Secondary Tutor scheme starting in September 2017.

Organising Campus Wide Events She has many plans for campus wide events but there is little evidence of them coming to fruition.

Rose Bennett

Postgraduate Officer

Improve Welcome Week Created a ‘Postgraduate Guide’ distributed in welcome week and created a week of specific events. She also worked with the University Graduate School to create monthly inductions for postgrads who arrive after September.

Improve Study and Social Space The first postgraduat ball was held this year but she is still working on making a Graduate Hub, building and creating dedicated study space for postgrads.

Hear Your Voice There has been a higher response rate in the annual Guild Survey and her mandate increased to 75% for next year.

Georgie Freeman

Sports Officer

Host an Inter-varsity Competition The Brum varsity match between medics and rugby took place. The inter-uni aquathlon is happening for a second year and she is working to make it into a BUCs event.

Make Birmingham Sport Less Elitist She has organised free fitness classes at the beginning of the year, hosted two ‘This Girl Can’ weeks and has secured funding for This BUCs Girl Can. Representing All Students She hosted a disability in sport campaign and in the This Girl Can funding bid focused on minority students.

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

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03

A YEAR OF CULTURE Olivia Boyce

Though Birmingham is a great cultural hub with a variety of theatres, museums and venues all over the city, the UoB campus is also home to a great deal of cultural activity. Campus has played host to a variety of student performances in the past year, with venues such as the Deb Hall, The Barber Institute and the Guild seeing some stellar productions, from old classics to new student-written pieces, Shakespearian classics to stand-up comedy. Here's a look back on the year in culture right here on UoB’s doorstep.

Culture Editor @Liv_Boyce

Article19 3BUGS Fringe Theatre 3BUGS Fringe Theatre have produced some magical and eclectic productions that wowed audiences. Their production of Psyche was ‘based on the Roman myth of Psyche and Cupid’, and ‘the story is one of beauty and jealousy, of love and revenge, of trials and overcoming them’ (Abigail Harvey). Another show, Rules for Living, was a nostalgiainducing examination of the trials of the festive season on family dynamics, highlighting impacts on mental health and relationships through its engaging plot.

Guild Group

Musical

The Gilbert and Sullivan Society The Gilbert and Sullivan society performed some brilliant shows, including the Sorceress, an operetta that tells the tale of a town caught under the grasp of a love spell. Shenanigans, as always, ensue, accompanied by the wonderful soaring score and vocals of the cast.

They also recently performed Pirates of Penzance, one of G&S’s most beloved classics, and one which was a swashbucklingly good adventure for all involved!

Theatre

GMTG have provided some glorious performances of many well-known and much beloved musicals in the past year. Their recent production of Kander/ Ebb’s iconic Cabaret, telling the story of Sally Bowles (famously portrayed by Liza Minelli), was ‘sexy, cheeky and more than a little bit sordid...spectacular’ (Rosie Solomon). They also performed a concert version of Stephen Sondheim’s delightfully gruesome Sweeney Todd, bringing to life the ‘Demon Barber of Fleet Street’ to show off their brilliant talents, as well as ‘The Worst Pies in London.’ Lloyd-Webber’s rock-opera Jesus Christ

Watch This Watch This’ iconic 48 hour productions have continued to enthral audiences, with performances from Shrek to The Avengers, The Wizard of Oz to The Hobbit. Famed for their endless creativity with cardboard, plots and writing that has audiences in hysterics, they’ve pulled together some amazing productions in, you guessed it...

48 hours! Watch This also perform regular ‘Improvabungas’, stand up shows, and plays by students and established playwrights alike.

The Footnotes The Footnotes, famed for their comic prowess, have performed a showcase in memory of legendary comic Victoria Wood, a great many stand-up evenings, and sketch comedy evenings including Die Laughing, a show featuring a professor whose goal is to produce the best sketch ever made, with the help of some of his monstrous creations.

Superstar was a huge hit. Two fantastic showcases, featuring songs from musicals of all eras, rounded off just some of their stellar productions.

Infinity Stage Company

BUDS BUDS, the Birmingham University Dance Society, are famed for the extravagant and impressive showcases they put on each year. This year saw the arrival of their ‘Step in Time’ showcase, which featured dances celebrating some of the iconic

Article19 have produced brilliant productions of Shakespeare’s iconic tragedy Hamlet, Aphra Behn’s The Rover, and even a delightfully comical production titled Much A(Brew) About Nothing, a production where one actor, voted for by the audience, attempts to perform whilst drunk, as their castmates attempt to continue as normal!

moments in dance history, as well as moments of significant historical importance. With a cast of over 100, and a range of styles from contemporary to tap, ballet to hip-hop, it was a night to remember.

Infinity Stage Company have produced a wonderfully eclectic mix of productions this year, from well-beloved classics to dynamic new works, and everything in between.

Terence Rattigan’s classic and heart-breaking play The Deep Blue Sea, dealing with the challenging issues surrounding relationships, suicide, and mental health, was a ‘a thought-provoking and thoroughly captivating watch... sensitive and stirring.’ (Olli Meek).

Infinity also collaborated with the Women’s Association on a production of Eve Ensler’s The Vagina Monologues, a complex and varied series of monologues centred on the various life experiences of a diverse variety of women. The production powerfully examined issues that are ‘deeply moving, often poignant, and at times horrifying’, and the performance eloquently spoke to the continued need for action, the need for unity, and the need for empowerment and equality.

Making Space Exhibition The University commissioned artist and anthropologist Liz Hingley, an honorary research fellow of the University of Birmingham Philosophy and Theology department, to create and capture a series of portraits of women past and present from the University, as well as exploring how women are presented through and in interaction with objects, as part of an examina-

tion of wider material culture.

These images have then been presented around campus via screens across various venues, as well as on social media, under the hashtag #uobmakingspace. Many of the portraits Hingley created are on display in the Aston Webb Rotunda Gallery, where they will remain until the 21st of July.

A note from the team It has been an honour and a pleasure to work with our talented writers and editors in the last year. To all graduating writers and editors, as well as those joining us for next year– thank you, and all the best for the future, from all of us at Culture.

04

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

www.redbrick.me

Josh Hannen

Sophia Thakur

Aoife Mannion

Katie Fleming

Chavonne Brown

Hannah Adler

Lawrence Davis

Laura Kendrick

Sam Jackson

Zoe Screti

UoB Class of '17

Showcasing the graduates who have made the most of their time at UoB Sam Jackson Many students try their hand at performing live music at UoB but few have been as successful as Sam Jackson. With the support of the University's studentrun record label New Street Records and his band The Struggles, Sam has gone from performing at open mic nights to headlining shows at the Hare & Hounds, getting radio play on Radio 2, and releasing his own EP. Even before he moved to UoB, music was already on Sam’s mind – ‘I remember searching for venues before coming to uni and writing a list (I was planning on ticking off each one I played)’ he told Redbrick.

"I remember searching for venues before coming to uni and writing a list (I was planning on ticking off each one I played)"

Of all his shows, Sam notes that performing at Vale Fest is always a highlight but ultimately what he’ll remember most fondly is his time with New Street Records. ‘Being able to release my music and be part of what is really a family of passionate, supportive and ambitious music lovers has created some of my absolute favourite memories at UOB.’ Next year, Sam will be hoping to save up enough money to go travelling - 'I want to do a roadtrip from Nashville to L.A., playing gigs in every major city we stop off in.'

Chavonne Brown Chavonne Brown will be well-known to anyone in Guild Drama as a frequent contributor over his three years at UoB. As a writer, actor, and director, Chavonne has embodied the spirit of student drama by getting involved in anything. His advice to people who are thinking of getting involved in drama at UoB is simple ‘I would say to anyone wanting to get involved with Guild Drama that it's never too late in the year to get involved there's all the ways to get low key involved if you don't want to commit to lots of work at once; 48 Hours, Next Stages, improv workshops, devising workshops, writer's meetings and forums, and offering to help backstage’.

However, when it comes to his highlight of his time at university, Chavonne’s answer wasn’t explicitly connected to Guild Drama. ‘Hands down it was hosting Guild Awards, I got to be the fanciest crowd control I'll ever get to be and we managed to sneak some pretty risqué material under the radar!’

Sophia Thakur To call Sophia Thakur an upcoming spoken word artist and poet would do her a disservice when looking at her career so far. In a short space of time, she’s done multiple TED Talks, worked with BBC 1Xtra and Channel 4, and been invited to give motivational talks across Europe. In her first year at university Sophia set up UoB’s spoken word society and she gave Redbrick some advice for aspiring writers. ‘I'd encourage budding writer or poets to attend the open mic nights and scratch nights out on by the various writing societies’. However, Sophia acknowledges that talent alone isn’t enough to be successful. ‘I can honestly say that I'm only where I am now because of shameless networking’.

This year, her career is continuing to move forward as she’ll be playing Glastonbury for the first time next month.

‘Last year I was walking through the mud, barely surviving Glastonbury 2016, and my mate turned to me and TOLD me that I'll be performing next year. I didn't think it would all fall into place so soon’ she told Redbrick. Going forward Sophia hopes to continue with poetry, taking her career to the next level. ‘I also need to prove my dissertation supervisor wrong haha, he said that I wouldn't make a career off of poetry. Except that's exactly what I plan to do.’

Lawrence Davis Jumping a personal best to win a triple jump gold medal at BUCS National is an impressive feat in itself but to do it after an injury-filled year is extraordinary. That’s exactly what Lawrence Davis did this year when he took home a gold medal for UoB with an incredible jump of 16.01 metres.

Last year, Lawrence’s chances of success were put in doubt when he suffered an injury that could have ruined his career. ‘My ankle injury last year was particularly serious for me as I had to face the possibility of never being able to jump off of my dominant take off leg ever again’. However, by devising a plan with his coach to jump off his weaker leg for the rest of the season, he was able to give his ankle time to recover. ‘I always knew I was capable of jumping 16m but something had always stood in the way, so having jumped it and also won gold for the University in my final year - it was truly amazing’. Lawrence’s jump meant that he was ranked 3rd in the UK at the time of the championship and set a University club record.

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

Aoife Mannion Aoife Mannion is one of the most famous students at UoB to the outside world. As a defender for Birmingham City Ladies, Aoife is a rising star of women’s football and has already made it into the England under-23 team at the age of 21. This year, she made it to the FA Cup final, played for her country and was generally a stand-out player for her team.

We spoke to our women’s football expert, Nancy Frostick, to find out what makes her so special as a player. ‘She's been integral in Birmingham’s success and shows a maturity on the pitch that has helped the team reach two major cup finals this year’ Nancy told us. ‘It wouldn't surprise me if she is called up to the senior England squad in the near future and would make a great asset to the national team.’ Now that she’s completed her degree, Aoife will be able to commit more time to her footballing career and the future looks bright for her with sport. ‘Aoife is definitely one to watch in women's football. She's consistently been one of the best defenders in WSL 1 this season and has been in great form for England U23s too’

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05

Zoe Screti While we like to stay reasonably modest at Redbrick, we think it’s fair to say that our own Life&Style editor Zoe Screti has been exceptional this year. Alongside her work for Redbrick and her degree, Zoe set up UoB Friends of the MS Trust, a fundraising group to help people with multiple sclerosis. She told us ‘My mum has multiple sclerosis and the support and advice the MS Trust provide has been invaluable. They are a wonderful charity and they fund the training of all MS specialist nurses in the UK, a vital service.’ Together with a team of 40 volunteers, Zoe has helped to raise money for an amazing cause which she hopes will inspire other students to do the same. ‘Hopefully our success will encourage students at other universities to get involved and set up their own fundraising group.’

"Hopefully our success will encourage students at other universities to get involved and set up their own fundraising group"

As for her favourite thing she’s done at UoB, she says that overall that would be joining Redbrick which she did in first year, starting as a writer. ‘Redbrick have given me so many incredible experiences, from getting a press pass to Clothes Show Live to interviewing some of my favourite musicians such as Imelda May and Bears Den... I have found not only friendship but also a sort of family and I am very grateful to have been a part of it.’

Josh Hannen

Laura Kendrick

Josh runs his own musical website radiclmag.com (formerly known as Radsound), alongside a weekly radio show on Amazing Radio. Before he came to UoB, he describes his work in music writing as ‘a really nice hobby’ but in his first year the site began to expand rapidly becoming more like a full-time job. Now, Josh manages a team of editors and is looking to expand the site even further in the coming year. Balancing his degree and his extra commitments hasn’t always been easy though. ‘[In my second year] I was balancing running the site, radio commitments, my degree and a part time job. However, I wanted to come to uni to experience more than just a degree, so whilst it was challenging to balance everything it’s been really fun.’

Despite being in her final year of a law degree, Laura Kendrick somehow manages to find time to work as a race-car mechanic, a brand ambassador for The Economist and train for endurance events. It sounds like a lot but it’s all possible through good time management. ‘I treat uni like a full time job so I study about 8 hours a day and then have plenty of time to go to the gym and see friends/family’ Laura told Redbrick. Her Aston Villa Scholarship certainly helps as well, taking away some of the money worries of university living. Laura was happy to admit that as well saying ‘I understand I'm very fortunate to be in the position I am so for those that do have to work, it is fine not to have as many hobbies as me!’

For his radio work, Josh started at UoB’s own Burn FM, and spent time emailing every radio station and production house he could think of to get work experience. In the summer of second year, he applied to take part in BBC Radio 1’s ‘Student Radio Playlist’ and was successful with his ‘Study Fuel’ show concept. As part of the competition, Josh ended up presenting a show straight after BBC Radio 1’s Annie Mac and spent time at broadcasting house with other presenters. ‘This experience would not have happened if I had not joined Burn FM and been embraced and supported by its members’.

"This experience would not have happened if I had not joined Burn FM and been embraced by its members"

For her extraordinary dedication to her course and her hobbies, Laura won the Herbert Smith Freehills ‘Too Good to Miss’ competition with a one-minute video demonstrating why she was an exceptional candidate. Having beaten over 1000 law students, Laura’s reward will be a trip to Hong Kong and Australia with the opportunity to network with lawyers at HSF’s international offices.

Katie Fleming

Hannah Adler

Katie Fleming runs Instant Memories, a Polaroid photo service that she set up which hopes to cater to demand for instant photography at events. They capture photos at birthdays, weddings, and club events (including Seedy Sonics’ Peace Parade) but also images that have are more socially conscious. ‘We also use the power of photography to capture photos that have an important message behind them as we feel very strongly about creating awareness around social issues’, she told Redbrick.

Even if you don’t already know her name, you’ll probably have seen Hannah Adler without realising. Hannah has been an ever-present fixture in the Birmingham club seen, playing sets at Ouse, the Guild, and The Rainbow, whilst also being part of the team that makes Tektu happen every fortnight. Her experience DJing started on a much smaller level, playing house-parties in her first year. ‘The guys who were DJing at the house-parties I was going to looked like they were having a really good time, and I wanted to be a part of that’.

She was soon asked to join Tektu in her second year and now routinely plays some of the biggest nights in Birmingham, on line-ups with dance music stars like My Nu Leng, Shy FX and Hannah Wants.

With the success of Instant Memories, it might be fair to assume that business is something that comes natural to Katie but it turns that that not the case. ‘I have always struggled academically due to my dyslexia, and one of my major weaknesses is maths, I didn't even know what an interest rate meant or anything about business as I study Social Policy’. But, with a good idea and support from friends and her colleagues, Instant Memories soon became a success. ‘I had mile long to-do lists every day, trying to juggle my dissertation, revision, and a business, it wasn't easy but it was the best decision of my life.’

Now that she’s graduating, Katie is hoping to spend some time relaxing and travelling before she starts pushing her business forward again by teaming up with global brands like Instant and Fujfilm.

However, Hannah’s time at UoB hasn’t just been spent at raves. She has also collaborated with all-girl collective PeachT, featuring in their first magazine edition in April, and has taken up Muay Thai boxing this year. Speaking to Redbrick, Hannah picked out this experience as being one of her favourites at UoB. ‘Being in the Muay Thai interclub was pretty special; I didn’t wear a mouthguard and I thought I looked really cool when a punch made me bleed. Everyone was freaking out but I thought I looked sick.’ It’s something she wants to continue when she graduates, alongside her work with Tektu and doing a part-time masters. ‘I want to be a published writer eventually so I’m going to concentrate on DJing and writing over the next two years’.

Photograph by Monica Martini

Hannah Adler (left) & Tilly Springer at Tektu

06

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

www.redbrick.me

Luke Charnley Music Critic @lukechazza97

Live music is an aspect of university life that has sadly died off in the last twenty years. UoB itself once had the High Hall located where Chamberlain Hall now stands, which hosted the final performance of Joy Division. Now, after many years of calls by students to open the space up to live music acts, the Live Music society brought their popular ABandOn night to the Underground.

Funk-rockers Slovac got things off to a light-hearted start through long funk instrumentals and call and response chants. Odd Soul were next, showcasing extended soul-rock instrumentals with an emphasis on guitar and keyboard.

The third act of the night, IsaacO and the Midnight Collective, was without a doubt the highlight, delivering a powerful, dynamic performance that marks them out as one of the finest acts at the university. Closing out the evening were indie rockers Hankks, performing an impressive set of Britpop-tinged songs.

ABandOn Goes Underground represents a major step forward in bringing live music back as a part of UoB’s cultural identity. While it may not have the capacity or great acoustics of a proper concert hall, the Underground is a venue with a lot of character, and is more than capable of holding nights such as this, and perhaps even bigger acts, on a regular basis.

Lauren Kelly & Holly Carter

Music Critics @kaurenlelly @holscarts

Now in its 13th year, ValeFest is the largest student run festival in Europe, only growing in success year on year. Set within The Vale Village (home to over 3,500 students in eight different halls of residence), not only does the festival provide an idyllic haven for University of Birmingham students celebrating their end of exams, but- perhaps more importantly- each year the ValeFest committee select two deserving charities to raise funds for: 100% of the proceeds this year will be donated to BasicNeeds and RSVP West Midlands. With five stages – Dance, Acoustic, Comedy & Performance, Second and Main Stage – along with street-food from the likes of Caribou Poutine and the Bournville Waffle Co., and of course plenty of booze in The Duck and Scholar, the festival has something for everyone from freshers, to final years, as well as non-students.

One of the musical highlights of the Main Stage, forming a noteworthy crowd, despite their early set, was undoubtedly the up-and-coming indie-punk five piece Coffee Breath. Having only formed just over a year ago, their debut EP ‘I'll Lose Interest in This’ was released last week, and playing their Main Stage set was a fitting end of a very successful year.

Later on in the day, DAME

Phil Jones Music Editor @philrdjones

Entering its third year of existence, New Street Records continued its steady rise. The UK's only student-run record label, NSR is led by a group of students throughout all years of study and many diverse departments. Their roster is made up of the Americana-tinged Sam Jackson & The Struggles, indie-pop outfit DAME and producer wizard F.O.D. Early in first term the label held a sold-out event at the Sunflower Lounge to celebrate the release of DAME's first EP. This was followed up with a hugely successful gig at the iconic Hare & Hounds venue in Kings Heath, in partnership with Counteract magazine.

Both events continued the label's aim of putting student musicians in locations and venues that wouldn't be available to them otherwise.

NSR's first signing Sam Jackson was of course not left out to dry as he held an intimate acoustic session at Centrala in Digbeth to announce the release of latest single 'Family Tree'.

With a view to recording idiosyncratic genre EPs from local Birmingham bands, NSR look to only go from strength to strength in future, helping to bring music back to the heart of UoB's student populace.

Anna Pitts

UoB Music: A Year in Review

and Sam Jackson & The Struggles – both signed to Birmingham’s New Street Records – aptly took over and entertained the students.

Complete with glitter and a lot of smiles, DAME looked like they were having the time of their lives up on the Main Stage in their first ValeFest appearance. Always a joy to watch, Shannon Farmer and Co. provided an electric set, complete with a string quartet added to their regular exceptional line-up - which was an exciting addition for those who are regulars at DAME gigs. Despite being a small local band, it’s clear that their following at UoB is large and loyal, as the crowd sang their hearts Newspaper out tocollaboration hits like ‘Runaway’, the released power of on thetheir pressfirst belongs EP in to late the 2016. person who owns one should isn'tValefest a business veteran model Sam Robin Jackson made Sloan aFoursquare welcome content return with is king his band, monetization, The Struggles. copyright With vast his second wasteland consecutive Groupon data appearance visualion zation the Main information Stage, this wants band to be seem to free beArticle gettingSkimmer better andlinking better year on analytics, year. They Article provided Skimmer the perfect music experiment for a Zite late Android afternoonsemidance, and permeable the crowd digital took first. oninthis the role slot joyfully, election-night bouncing hologram and Colbert singing along bump The to their Workbrilliant of Art in fusion the of horns Age ofand Mechanical guitars onReproduction most recent single Frontline ‘Family the notion Tree’ofand the‘Emily’ public from Nook last link year’s economy Strangers Josh Again EP. Marshall As always, discuss, the MinnPost line-up remindAP ed Sulzberger us all ofrecontextualize their exceptional backtalent, packas journalist supporting Westmusician Seattle Blog Max Elliott community switched curmudgeon from saxophone the to other guitar longer halfBook way through Review,the set.

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graduating, this fantastic set was a perfect end to their amazing years at UoB.

"Run completely by student volunteers who are all juggling degrees and other commitments, the feat that is ValeFest never ceases to amaze when it's pulled off with barely a hitch"

Music Critic @pitts_anna

Adele Franghiadi Music Critic @fradele_

Back in March, Rock Society and the Women's Association collaborated to create a Women in Rock and Metal event. With a series of short talks and presentations, there were discussions on how women are presented in the rock and metal music industry, in terms of female fronted bands or lack of, women behind the scenes and also sexual harassment at gigs. They had a guest talk from Media Lecturer Dr Asya Draganova, ‘Women and the Diaspora of Rock and Heavy Metal Cultures: Local and International Perspectives’ as well as members of the bands Denigrata and Aramantus who talked about their experieces in the industry.

Third year student Rosie Solomon also gave a talk on the response to her Redbrick article ‘This Is Not A Review’, which was about sexual assault at a rock gig. The Not On Campaign gave a presentation on sexual harassment and assault, focusing on the role of the bystander, and RockSoc president Anna Pitts gave a talk on subject of women in the rock and metal industry including the responses and quotes taken directly from women in bands, PRs behind the scenes and female rock DJs. This was a fantastic and very important event for UoB, which brought to light important, yet often overlooked issues, and also raised money for RSVP, the rape and sexual assault charity.

The UoB Music Society has had a hugely successful and musically diverse year. Symphony Orchestra sold out their autumn concert, starring George Ireland (a final year Music student) performing Grieg’s Piano Concerto, and Philharmonic Orchestra showcased the width of their musical talent and taste in their “Sound and Screen” concert, with music from the likes of Psycho and Taxi Driver. UoBMS instrumentalists played in a live airing of the New Music Ensemble’s concert with GuildTV, and UoB Voices appeared on the BBC in the Royal Albert Hall as part of the Proms.

UoBMS jazz groups have performed alongside Bobby Shew (trumpet), and Stan Sulzmann (saxophone) who also offered coaching to one of the Jazz Collectives.

Their numerous other ensembles have presented fantastic and engaging concerts, and there are still plenty of opportunities to see our ensembles as part of the Summer Festival.

In July, their “Tourchestra” are performing in Tuscany, whilst some of their talented vocalists will again be performing at the Proms, and as they are now registered as a BBC Ten Pieces Champion, they are hosting play along sessions with students from the University School next week.

Many of the festival’s attendees choose to relax on the slope of The Vale’s famed hill, eating delights from waffles to poutine to pizza from the many great catering vans at the festival.

There was also a chance for free candy floss and iced tea or coffee from the University’s Christian Union and Selly Oak’s Canvas charity. Guild president Ellie Keiller was also spotted selling fudge of her own creation! The Vale proved itself the perfet site for a small festival, as those choosing to use the day to relax could do so in earshot of the Second Stage or the Dance Stage, and in view of BattleSoc’s iconic battle reenactments that livened up valefest for another Blog Ushahidi year. scoop we need a NateSecond Silver shoot Stage a video highlights stream included totally blowing Odd Soul, up on a band Twitter. mainly made Stream up ofGutenberg UoB music CTR students. open Despite source Jay some Rosen, technical hot news difficuldocties trinethat media delayed bias Quora their start The time, Odd Printing Soul’s Press jazzastinged an Agent funkofwas a joy Change for aiPad summers app, TBD day dance fourthand they estatepulled tabloid.one audience of theatomizabiggest crowds tion overcome of the day CPMongamification the Second Stage Facebook with hashtag original tracks production ‘Movies’ of and innocence ‘Shire’.

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mixes. Other highlights included UoB student and New Street Records signing F.O.D and the fantastic Styx Recordings.

As the Evening approached, Phundo Art & DJ Jacky P’s energetic grime performance attempted to stoke the members of a dying crowd at the Main Stage, however it was not until 21:05 that hundreds descended the banks in anticipation of a headline performance from the incredible Manchester based live Hip-Hop collective: The Mouse Outfit.

Accompanied as usual by talented MCs Sparkz and Dr Syntax, the band soon got the crowd moving as the sun set behind them. Highlights of the set included the jazzy bass line of ‘Shak Out’, over which Sparkz spat out bars with military precision, and Dr Syntax’s chorus in ‘Escape Music’, which reminded the crowd how turning up the music can help them to escape the plight of life.

Every year, ValeFest just seems to get better and better, and 2017 was no exception. Run completely by student volunteers who are all juggling degrees and other commitments, the feat that is ValeFest never ceases to amaze when it’s pulled off with barely a hitch. At under £18 for a ticket-and much less for those students who live in the University’s halls of residence, it’s a great value day-festival experience, while simultaneously delivering a huge contribution to deserving charities year after year. The ValeFest team smashed it once again, and UoB is lucky to have them.

REWIND

Friday 9th June 2017

www.redbrick.me

07

A Year in Sport at UoB Sport online editor, Nicola Kenton, reviews some of the individual sporting achievements across the 2016-17 season Throughout the year, the sports teams of the University of Birmingham have been competing in BUCS Leagues and Competitions across the country. As with any year, there have been highs and lows but we're here to bring you the best of the results from the 2016-17 season. Currently, UoB sit 7th in the BUCS League table with a total of 3121.33 BUCS points, of which 1773 have come BUCS leagues, 571 have come from BUCS cups and UoB have earned 777.33 points from Individual competitions.

Olympics

BUCS Nationals

Notable Achievements

Current student, Lily Owsley was part of the Great Britain women's hockey team which won a Gold medal at Rio 2016.

The final took place on 19th August and was shown on BBC One with 9 million people tuning in to watch a rematch of last year's European Championships final between Great Britain and the Netherlands. Owsley scored the first goal in the final, where she was helped by Birmingham alumna Sophie Bray's set-up shot, before the second-year student fired in the rebound.

At full-time, the match was drawn at 3-3 and penalty kicks decided the event. After missing the first penalty kick, Helen Richardson-Walsh stepped up to score a penalty stroke and Holly Webb secured the gold medal for Great Britain. Owsley returned to Birmingham as an Olympic gold medalist with the aim of winning BUCS gold over the next year.

BUCS Nationals saw athletes from Birmingham go in search of glory in eight different sports on the weekend of February 17th-19th. As thousands of competitors descended on Sheffield to go toe-totoe and head-to-head in the pool, on the track and on the court. UoB scooped medals in five sports, with the most success coming in athletics and swimming. With one of the biggest teams at Nationals, it is fair to say that Birmingham's presence was felt in Sheffield not least because Rory the Lion was there to egg all the athletes on.

In the long-course pool, scholar Abby Smith set a two second personal best of 4.18.52 in the 400m Freestyle and won a bronze medal. While, Ffion Butler won a bronze medal in the 50m Freestyle, silver in the 100m Freestyle and gold in the 100m Backstroke. At the shortcourse championships in December, Ffion won a silver medal in the 100m Backstroke.

Butler said after BUCS Nationals, “It's been very good, I didn't expect to come in and win a gold, everyone has swum really well. This was the main event of the season for the team and I've improved since short course because I've tried to be stronger."

The standout performance on the track from the first day however was undoubtedly Jake Porter’s 60m Hurdles run. Having strolled through his heat in a time of 8.11, Jake went on to cruise to victory and a gold medal with a winning time of 7.96, despite having to compete in the Birmingham Grand Prix the next day. A true show of commitment to UoB from a very talented runner. On the Sunday, Ian Crowe-Wright returned to the track for his 1500m final after a dominant previous day’s racing. It was a gruelling final and Ian clinched brilliant bronze with a great run. In the women’s 1500m, Naomi Collier went one better and bagged a silver medal with another brilliant performance.

The biggest success of the weekend however came in the men’s triple jump. Lawrence Davis, coming back from an injury-filled year, registered a monster lifetime best jump of 16.01m. This jump smashed his previous PB, set a University club record, put him 3rd in the UK, but also, and most importantly for the adoring fans, brought home the gold medal for UoB. The final medal of the weekend was won in the Judo where Agata Swiatkiewicz collected a bronze medal in the high grades women's u63kg category.

There have been other notable achievements throughout this year from the University of Birmingham scholars.

Hannah Payton became the National Cyclo-Cross Trophy Series Champion and a British silver medallist, she also finished 27th at the World Cyclo-Cross Championships.

Scholar Molly Patch has had a very successful year with gold in the BUCS 10km time trial, gold in the 25km time trial and silver in the BUCS Road Race.

On the water, Peter Purcell-Gilpin and William White became the first duo from the University ever to win a BUCS medal, winning a silver at the BUCS Regatta and they have also been selected to represent at the European University Championships in July.

Aoife Mannion was part of the Birmingham City Ladies team to make it to the FA Cup final, where they unfortunately lost to Man City Women and alumna Izzy Christiansen.

Mannion has also been selected in the England U23s squad for the Nordic Tournament.

Hockey Internationals The University of Birmingham has become renowned for producing international hockey players and this year was no exception with many current students being selected for international duty at varying levels.

Eddie Way and Jack Clee were selected to represent England U21s at the Junior Hockey World Cup in India.

While nine of the female hockey scholars were also selected to represent England U21s at the Junior World Cup in Chile - this meant that over 50% of the international team are made of Birmingham students!

At the senior level, three of the current female hockey scholars have been named as part of the Great Britain squad alongside gold medallist Lily Owsley and they are: Economics student Olivia Page, Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation student Erica Sanders and Sport, Physical Education and Coaching Science student Amy Costello.

Another seven Birmingham Alumni were named in the 33-woman squad meaning that one-third of the players have trained or represented UoB.

Athletics It has been a good year for the athletics students at the University of Birmingham, there has been a myriad of events in which current students have taken part both internationally and domestically.

At the European CrossCountry Championships which were held in Chia, UoB had four representatives who were Jonny Davies, Pippa Woolven, Mari Smith and Victoria Weir. Davies finished 5th in the men’s U23 category, while Woolven finished 17th in the senior category, Smith finished 25th in the U23 category and Weir finished 10th in the U20 category. Each of our students picked up a medal through the team classification. Victoria Weir was then selected for the World CrossCountry Championships in Ghana where she was the first Brit across the line in the U20 category.

At the British Indoor Championships, UoB had a stellar meet and ended up with a podium of athletes. Sarah McDonald won gold in the 1500m, Andrew Heyes won silver in the 3000m and Jake Porter won bronze in the 60m Hurdles. Following this they all competed at the Birmingham Grand Prix. McDonald’s performance meant that she was selected for the European Indoor Championships where she finished 6th in the final.

Sports Awards Winners 2016-17 The first of the Sports Awards winners were announced at Sports Ball on Monday 5th June.The winners were: Student Leadership: Naomi Nash (Women's Football) Victoria Wesley Award: Kingstun Nelson (Basketball Activator) Development Club of the Year: Sailing The Impact Award: BUAC Cool Runnings (Great Local Run) The final five awards will be awarded on Monday 12th June at Sports Awards, they are: - Sportsperson of the Year - Team of the Year - Performance Club of the Year - Volunteer Coach - Coach Award

Special Recognition: Archery The University of Birmingham’s Archery Club has been consistently brilliant throughout this academic year.

They’ve won the BUTTS League and Indoor Championships titles going unbeaten through the season and at BUCS Nationals (Indoors) they picked up Team Gold for both senior teams; Francis Berti also won an individual gold medal at BUCS Nationals.

Captains Chris Avins and India Wilson said, “ We’ve worked so hard as a team this year, it’s a great environment to train in where every member is striving to be the best they can be, as well as go out of their way to help each other improve. There have been outstanding performances from scholars Ashe Morgan, Rebekah Tipping and homegrown archer Francis Berti.

We’re so proud to have been top of the table in every national university competition this year!”

BUCS Awards 2017 Nominations The 2017 BUCS Awards Dinner will take place at the University of Hertfordshire on the 13th July. There were a record 246 nominations across nine categories and the University of Birmingham has been shortlisted in three different categories.

Sportswoman of the Year: Lily Owsley BUCS Team of the Year: University of Birmingham Women’s Hockey 1s BUCS Unsung Hero: Gemma Davies (Women’s Football)

Pride of Birmingham: Championship Winning Sports Teams 2016-17 Netball

Archery

Archery

Lacrosse

Women's 4s - BUCS

Senior League - BUTTS

Men's Team - BUCS

Men's 1s - BUCS

Midlands 3A Champions

Champions

Indoors Gold

Midlands 1A Champions

Indoor Senior League -

Women's Team - BUCS

Women's 2s - BUCS

BUTTS Champions

Indoors Gold

Midlands 1A Champions

Table Tennis Men's 2s - BUCS Midlands 2B Champions

For all campus sport results and updates follow @UBSport Photo credit: Sportsbeat

Hockey

Football

Basketball

Rugby

Women's 1s - BUCS

Women's 5s - BUCS

Women's 1s - BUCS

Women's 1s - BUCS

North A League

Midlands Conference

Midlands Conference

Midlands 1A Champions

Champions

Cup Winners

Cup Winners

(Promoted via play-offs)

Women's 2s - BUCS

Futsal Men's 1s - BUCS

Women's 1s - BUCS

Women's 1s - BUCS

North B League

Midlands 3A League

Midlands 2A

Trophy Winners

Champions

Champions (Promoted)

Champions (Promoted)

Men's 2s - BUCS

Women's 2s - BUCS

Midlands 2B Champions

Midlands 3A

(Promoted)

Women's 5s - BUCS Midlands Conference Plate Winners

Futsal Women's 1s BUCS Midlands 1B Champions (Promoted)

Champions (Promoted)

FOOD

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickfood

21

Summer Food Calendar Food writer Sahar Jamfar provides us with an in-depth guide to Birmingham's summer events Colmore Food Festival: samples of speciality coffee will This one’s for all you gin lov- Outdoor Cocktails and Can’t keep away from Birmingham this summer? If you’re planning to stay here or looking for a reason to return, here are some exciting events coming up in the next few months to add to your calendar.

BBC Good Food Show: Thursday 15th – Sunday 18th June, NEC One of the biggest summer food festivals to hit the Midlands, this event will be packed with the UK’s top chefs cooking up a storm, book signings, shopping areas, a wine and chocolate pairing experience, and plenty of free samples to delve into. A perfect family event!

Foodies Festival: Friday 23rd – Sunday 25th June, Cannon Hill Park This year’s theme will be Healthy Living, including yoga classes, meditation and cooking demonstrations. There will be practical masterclasses on creating Psychedelic Pavlovas, MidSummer Cupcakes and Summer Cocktails. There’s also a Cakes and Desserts Theatre with demonstrations by Candice Brown, Winner of Great British Bake Off 2016. This looks like an incredible weekend, so don’t miss out!

Friday 30th June – Saturday 1st July, Victoria Square This is Birmingham’s biggest free-entry food and drink festival, with all dishes capped at £4, so it’s certainly not one to miss out!

Venues from Colmore Business District will be wooing you with their latest creations as well as street entertainment and local bands performing.

Birmingham Rum Festival, Saturday 1st July, The Cuban Embassy Love rum? Then this is the festival for you. There will be two indoor rum bars to indulge in as well as a courtyard and outdoor terrace. The rums will be accompanied with Caribbean and Latin American street food and reggae, salsa and samba performances.

This festival will definitely whisk you away to the other side of the world.

Birmingham Coffee Festival, Saturday 1st – Sunday 2nd July, Custard Factory Addicted to coffee? Then make time for this festival as it’ll bring together the top 40 independent coffee shops and coffee culture experiences that this world has to offer. UNLIMITED

also be available. Cakes and lunches will be up for grabs too, so there’s really no excuse not to attend.

Birmingham Cocktail Weekend, Friday 14th – Sunday 16th July, across Birmingham City Centre Cocktail bars across Birmingham City Centre will take part and offer free tastings and masterclasses. The wristband for this event gets you £4 cocktails at the various bars. The venues involved include Aluna, Bodega Bar, The Botanist, The Cosy Club, Island Bar, The Jekyll & Hyde, Marmalade, Rofuto and Rub – to name a few! It really doesn’t get any better.

ers out there. There will be over 100 different gins, including some that you won’t see anywhere else.

The festival also includes gin masterclasses, cocktail bar, live music and delicious food.

Midlands Whiskey Festival, Friday 15th – Saturday 16th September, Cannon Street

Taste & Liquor events in Digbeth every Saturday at No21 Digbeth. Events include Brunch + Hip Hop Brum on 10th June, Munch’n & 90s RnB on 17th June, Street Food Cinema on 24th June and Big Fat Burger Festival on 26th August.

Here you’ll find the world’s best whiskies as well as masterclasses, food pairings, and whiskey chat. If you want to find out more about whiskey, then this is the festival for you.

Regular events in Birmingham include:

Lichfield Food Festival, Saturday 26th – Monday 28th August, Lichfield City Centre

Digbeth Dining Club every Friday and Saturday at Spotlight and Mama Roux’s. A personal favourite with Redbrick Food, this event brings the best locally sourced street food to Birmingham, with street closure events on the last Friday of every month.

Another free-entry festival, this August Bank Holiday weekend will be jam-packed with food and drink stalls, free cookery demonstrations, street food and pop-up coffee and cocktail bars, live music and a brewers event.

The Schoolyard Market in Harborne every Saturday. The Schoolyard Market comes alive with global street food, DJs, fashion pop-up shops, food stalls and a Tiki cocktail bar.

Gin Festival Birmingham, Friday 1st– Sunday 3rd September, Custard Factory

Beer Shacks with some of the finest musical artists on the scene. And it’s free!

Outdoor Summer Sessions every Friday Digbeth. This features the best Street Food

Garden at No21 some of Trucks,

Celebrate in Style

Food editor Tasha Smart gives a run down of the best cocktail places in Brum to celebrate the end of exams thing more quirky try the Aluna is located in the MailBox As we reach the end of the year, and for many third years a few crucial events, it becomes increasingly necessary to know where the best cocktail spots in Brum are.

I have therefore compiled a list of the greatest Birmingham has to offer and where you'll have the best times getting drunk with friends!

1.

The Edgbaston

The Edgbaston is an extremely classy establishment located not far from the Vale. Their servers are trained in their trade and can reccomend you your perfect drink.

This is a great place to go if you feel like splashing out.

Drink Recommendation: for celebratory purposes opt for a classic Edgbaston, for a more fun option go for the Clover Club 3000!

Average Price: Prices vary from £6 - £12 and this generally reflects the size of the drinks, so keep this in mind when ordering!

It can get quite pricey but they are both theatrical and tasty!

2.

The Alchemist is located in the fancier area of Birmingham City Centre, by the beautiful Cathedral.

Head here for a more exciting experience as each cocktail is served with a creative flair - you never know what will happen!

Drink Recommendation: my favourite has to be the Lightbulb Moment, a fabulous gin cocktail both tasty and by far the most theatrical OR if you are a fan of dessert-like cocktails go for the Battenberg!

Price Range: The prices vary considerably at the Alchemist (though for some this is due to the refillable hipflask you get!) but it averages around £8.

3.

Paddington Bear.

Price Range: averaging between £8 and £9, but they are generous with the alchohol! *all ‘Found’ cocktails £5 Monday - Friday 5pm - 8pm

The Alchemist

The Botanist

The Botanist is a beautiful venue, decorated with all kinds of botany related items. Their drinks are all based on various floral flavours and they work amazingly well! I have visited The Botanist a number of times and sampled a number of

5. cocktails, not once finding myself dissapointed.

Drink Recommendation: Botanist Pornstar - for both a classy and tasty drink, their twist on this classic is to die for.

Price Range: their prices vary, starting at £6.95 and going up to £9.95

4.

The Lost and Found

The Lost and Found is not far from the Alchemist and various other bars, so can easily be included in a bar crawl. The drinks are lovely, though arguably strong, and the venue is pretty but can get crowded.

Drink Recommendation: The King's Bramble! This drink is deliciously sweet. Though, for some-

Aluna

and is a great, lively location. This is best to do in a group and if you book in advance you can get a great area of comfy settees.

Drink Recommendation: I would recommend getting a cauldron to share (namely Asian Infusion) as they are great fun and very tasty!

Price Range: £7 - £10 with sharers coming in at £22.

22

TELEVISION

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricktv

How American Gods Became the Best Thing on TV

With American Gods receiving critical acclaim across the world, Deputy Editor Harry Turner explains what’s so great about the show and why you should be watching it Harry Turner Deputy Editor @HarryJTurner__

Before the first episode even aired, there was a lot of praise to go around for American Gods.

After a special preview last year, many were calling it a Game of Thrones-killer, or at least the production that would rival that critically acclaimed show. Half-way through its first season, it’s hard not to get behind such praise.

This said, if there is one drawback to American Gods, it is in its explanation – or indeed mere presentation – of its intriguing central premise. Keeping this article spoiler-free, American Gods is based on a novel by Neil Gaiman, and as that name might suggest, is about gods, ancient and new, in modern America, and their plans and conflicts within it. Yet the first few episodes of the show are

rather coy about this premise, and the nature of American Gods’ world in general. The titular gods themselves are often introduced via alternate names or are established through their actions – which, though ultimately quite telling of the sort of deities they are, can often leave you in the dark unless you’re well-versed in that particular ancient culture’s religious figures.

"A Game of Thrones-Killer, or at least the production that would rival the critically acclaimed show"

Point being: American Gods is no easy or casual watch. The name of the show is often more telling of what its story is about than anything in the actual initial episodes. This may not be a drawback for some, but if you’re someone that struggles with Game of Thrones’ vast array of characters, American Gods may prove as, if not more, challenging.

Yet for those that are prepared to either Google the answers they want or settle for short-term ignorance, American Gods has in store a fascinating examination of Western culture and American identity. When its fire on all cylinders, American Gods is as powerful a series as it is subversive.

Via characters like Mr. Wednesday or Anansi, the show examines how America was and remains a melting pot of different cultures from across the world and across history; while at the same time, in the show’s central conflict against the new deities

like Media or Technical Boy, showing how this melting pot has created a culture of its own in the modern age. The latter area does sometimes run the risk of being patronising, but American Gods in the end handles it deftly – showing little judgement when it comes to these new ‘religions’ so much as curiosity in how they grew so powerful. In between all this, the show considers ideas like race and afterlife in thought-provoking ways – with the second episode being particularly standout in this regard.

As impressive, however, is how American Gods never loses its characters to the analogues that they often are. Despite the deities and the cosmic conflict at the heart of the show, American Gods features genuinely human characters as multi-layered as anything you’d find in Game of Thrones or Mad Men. Though the protagonist Shadow Moon remains somewhat of a blank slate in the initial episodes – no doubt due to the requirement of being the audiences’ eyes and mouthpiece first and foremost – the likes of his wife Laura, or even side-characters like Audrey, are absolute stand-outs. The latter’s grief early on is gut-wrenchingly genuine to watch, whilst the exploration of Laura later in the show is a fascinating examination of a deeply flawed but surprisingly relatable human being.

The fact that a show like American Gods can have such relatability, despite its grandiose premise, is the ultimate testament to its fantastic writing – and this writing that is only further elevated by the performances of heavyhitters like Ian McShane and Gillian Anderson, as well as less well-known performances like Betty Gilpin and Yetide Badaki.

Truth be told, there isn’t a single member of American Gods’ cast that doesn’t impress – and were it possible, they’d all be listed here.

The show, truly, is a tour de force in both script and scene.

For those that aren’t so interested in the thematic and the artistic, however, there is still much to love about American Gods. The show is consistently shocking, and wickedly subversive. Right off the bat you’ll be treated to bloody mayhem and sex scenes that go wildly beyond what you’re expecting. Such surprises keep on coming as the episodes roll by.

Some will make you laugh out loud, others will make you frown in confusion, while others still will have you recoiling in horror. On this gratuitous level alone, American Gods is worth a watch by everyone with access to it.

In the end, to be pegged as a show that can rival the likes of Game of Thrones is no small thing, but to be able to exceed such expectations is something else entirely.

Certainly, American Gods will not be for everyone – much like the show that it has been compared so much to. Yet for those that want a pervasive, thought-provoking tale that stays with you long after each episode, the show is an absolute must – and even for those that aren’t after such things, American Gods needs at least to be tried.

Smart, subversive, and shocking, American Gods is without a doubt the best thing on TV right now. You can catch up on all the episodes released so far on Amazon Video, with each of the eight-episode season being released every Monday. A second season for the show has already been announced.

Why has RuPaul’s Drag Race been so revolutionary for drag?

Abbie Pease TV Critic @pease_abbie

In a colourful, flamboyant mismatch of America’s Next Top Model and Project Runway, RuPaul’s Drag Race has been gracing our screens since 2009.

The fantastically outlandish television series, which shines light on America’s drag community, has been labelled “groundbreaking telly”, that surpasses social barriers and educates viewers on the culture and art of drag. Flourishing in the 1980s, drag can be viewed as a representation of pop culture; constantly evolving to reflect changes in society.

Through giving drag queens a platform from which to showcase their skills, RuPaul’s Drag

Race has revolutionised the status of drag queens in America and across the world.

During each season, competitors are pinned up against each other and knocked out one-byone until only three queens are left. Tested on their fashion, modelling, dancing, singing, acting, hair, make-up and humour, the queens are pushed to the limits of their talent. Through emphasising the skills that are needed to make it in drag, the series has transformed the image of the drag community. As well as inspiring future artists and encouraging seasoned professionals to evolve, RuPaul’s Drag Race has given drag queens the recognition that they deserve for their craft.

Inspiring multiple spin-off shows, the American reality competition has played an important role in changing people’s perceptions of drag. Every queen has

overcome some form of adversity in order to be who they are, showing audiences the nerve that it takes to challenge the beliefs of mainstream society. Through humanising the art of drag, RuPaul’s Drag Race speaks to any viewers who dare to be different.

The show embraces those who stand on the outer peripheries of society through embracing fluidity and putting a finger up to those who wish to confine gender. With the catch phrase “we’re all born naked and the rest is drag”, the show begs the question, do the masks we wear define who we are?

Although extravagant, and in some cases trashy, nobody watching can ignore the political impor-

tance of RuPaul’s Drag Race.

The show is designed to Inchallenge homophobia and transphobia, addressing real issues that face so many men and women across the globe. Adopting a humorous tone, the show engages viewers in real issues by dressing them in comedy. Winning an Emmy in 2016, it is clear that RuPaul has pulled drag beauty into the realm of mainstream television.

Over the seasons the show has seen a consistent increase in budget and quality, growing into a media and television sensation. As a figure who admittedly hid from the limelight in the Bush years, RuPaul Charles has championed through adversity and made his mark on show business, not only changing his life but the lives of so many drag queens.

When I first began watching

the addictive series, I was blown away by how developed and professional the culture of drag is. The programme taught me about gender fluidity and helped me to further embrace a form of art that I never paid much attention to. For me, this is what a good television series does; it forces you to open your mind and accept new possibilities.

What makes Rupaul’s Drag Race particularly special is that it does so in a way that is bound to make you laugh, another key feature of any show that wishes to engage its viewers. These two factors have made the series a stand-out sensation that cannot be likened to anything television has seen before.

TELEVISION

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricktv

23

Review: Prison Break Season 5 TV Critic Mollie Johnson reviews Season 5 of Prison break, wondering do we really need another series?

Mollie Johnson

TV Critic

As we fast approach the half-way point of Prison Break’s fifth season revival, the question seems to be – does it live up to its previous four seasons or was it all a massive flop?

The show which first premiered in 2005 has recently released a new series, shattering all perceptions that fans had of the season four finale in 2009. The supposedly dead Michael Schofield (Wentworth Miller) is shockingly revealed as actually alive in the season’s premiere. As this demonstrates, much like the previous four seasons, season five is built

on ridiculous plot twists, the suspension of disbelief and of course, a prison break.

The series so far has received a mixed reception, with plenty of people embracing the return of popular characters such as T-Dog (Robert Knepper), Lincoln (Dominic Purcell) and Sucre (Amaury Nolasco): old-favourite characters newly imagined. The nostalgia that the season offers is appealing, but it’s ultimately the same story with a few surprises thrown into the mix. We’ve already had four seasons of prison breaks and government conspiracies…

How will this one be any different?

The story-line of breaking a brother out of prison is reiterated as Lincoln finds out that Michael

is imprisoned in Yemen. The first series begins with Lincoln imprisoned and Michael seeking to break him out… sounds familiar, right?

It would be an interesting reversal with Lincoln repaying Michael the favour if it wasn’t for season three dealing with the exact same issue with Michael being imprisoned within Sona and requiring his brother’s help to escape. The tired and repeated plots might appeal to longstanding fans but it seems to border on the ridiculous at this point.

The difference between this season and the previous four, aside from the age of the protagonists, is the setting. Michael is imprisoned in Yemen and identifies as a dangerous terrorist named Kaniel Outis… It’s not obvious whether

the producers are attempting to make a political statement through this or whether it’s just a plot device, adding yet another twist to the already complex storyline. Although they are in Yemen, a country in turmoil which is portrayed as especially dangerous for white Westerners, Michael communicates with Lincoln by writing riddles on paper airplanes and throwing them through the prison bars.

This employs a generic motif which has run throughout the series, but it doesn’t seem to fit in this context. It all just seems a bit OTT and borderline absurd. Yet I guess that’s the nature of the show.

Is the series success reliant purely on its familiarity? Linc is

still tough and impulsive, as we all remember him, and Michael is still, well, Michael. The return of the notorious T-Bag and the lovable Sucre, alongside C-Note (Rockmond Dunbar) and Sara (Sarah Wayne Collins) all contribute to the easy-watch nature of this series and it seems that people carry on watching to find out the answers and see the faces they know and love.

Season five is true to the original story, following the beats and patterns of the previous seasons in its typical fast-paced approach, recapturing its old urgency. The ultimate question though is: Do we really need another?

Archer: An Admirable Experiment Film Editor Alex McDonald reviews Archer. Warning: Minor spoilers for Season 8 and major spoilers for Season 7

Alex McDonald Film Editor @AlexMC2104

Archer is a show that is constantly reinventing itself: After the unfortunate coincidence of its spy agency being named ISIS, series creator Adam Reed and his writers left the spy genre behind and set their comedic sights elsewhere. Season 5, a Narcos-esque drug running romp, was the perfect detour and the shot of adrenaline the show needed. Season 6 was disappointing because it felt too familiar to what had come before, just under the friendlier banner of the CIA. Season 7 once again took the show off-road and fashioned itself as a Private Detective comedy. With its biggest rebrand yet, will Archer Season 8, adequately titled “Dreamland,” sink or swim?

With Archer seemingly dead at the end of Season 7, floating face down in a pool and riddled with bullets, “Dreamland” is just that: Archer’s coma dream. We’re transported back into 1947. Archer is once again a private eye, Figgis and Poovey (of indeterminate gender in this series) are cops, Lana is a singer in Mallory’s (who goes by “Mother” to aid a smooth transition) jazz club, Krieger is a bar tender-come-mad scientist and Cheryl is once again rich and stupid. When Archer’s partner Woodhouse is murdered, he goes on a mission to track down his killer but there a more than a few hoops he has to jump through first.

If that introduction to this season and the characters seemed lengthy and cumbersome, it is probably because that is Archer’s biggest flaw with “Dreamland”.

These are all characters we know and love, and while they are the

same at heart, the first few episodes go to great lengths to reintroduce the crowd in their new roles. The flow of the series gets bogged down with these initial interactions and a lot of personal history is lost which leaves much of Archer’s usual free-flowing banter by the way side.

"Its time for Archer to wake up and do something else" However, credit must be given to Reed and his team for stretching their creative muscles. While they by no means reinvent the noir genre, they definitely have a lot of fun within its confinements. The jokes don’t come quite as thick and fast but when

they land, they land hard (unfortunately when they fall, they fall harder, too). “Dreamland” is a surprisingly compelling and tightly woven mystery. Unlike previous seasons, which have had overarching plots on the back of episodic stories, Archer Season 8 does away with the episodes in favour of one-long consistent storyline.

While this long form of storytelling does make for a more satisfying season overall, it does suffer with regards to its week-to-week viewing. The season will benefit greatly when it goes onto Netflix and allows fans to binge the whole season in less than three hours. Yet it does lose its power from episode to episode. The effectiveness of cliff-hangers wears dangerously thin when episodes are only twenty minutes long and there is barely any sense of problems being resolved; the wheels just keep turning towards the finale, which

will either be a raucous success or an uninspired conclusion depending on your predilections. For me, it walked a line somewhere in the middle in a way that only Archer can. It was neither particularly jaw-dropping but with the still the right amount of ridiculous charm.

Ultimately, Archer: Dreamland was a mixed bag. While it will do little to convert casual viewers, hardcore fans like myself definitely will not be turned off. The running gags work well, the voice acting is once again top grade and the animation is second-to-none.

But these are things that you come to expect from Archer so it certainly is not breaking any new ground. The noir style was an admirable experiment but not one that I am particularly anxious to see continue given that it offers no insight into Season 9. While my time was not wasted in Dreamland, it’s time for Archer to wake up and do something else.

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FILM

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickfilm

Review: King Arthur: Legend of the Sword Guy Ritchie's re-imagining of the Arthurian myth falls somewhat short of legendary Patrick Box Film Critic

Guy Ritchie is an odd choice for directing a fantasy movie. King of the Cockney-gangster movie, Ritchie was behind such classics as Lock, Stock and Snatch, and made the leap into blockbuster filmmaking back in 2009 with the highly enjoyable Sherlock Holmes. He followed this up with a decent sequel and then 2015’s The Man From U.N.C.L.E;

a stylish film that proved disappointing both financially and critically. It’s clear that Warner Bros was hoping that Ritchie's style would be able to kickstart a shared-universe franchise.

However, whilst it is not all bad, Warner Bros may have had those hopes dashed with King Arthur: Legend of the Sword.

Based on classic British mythology, LotS follows Arthur (Charlie Hunnam), who was raised on the streets of Londinium after his father, King Uther (Eric

Charlie's first day at sushi-school was not going well

Bana) was overthrown and murdered by his brother, the evil wizard Vortigern (Jude Law).

Carving out his own kingdom as a small-time gangster, Arthur’s life is thrown into disarray once he pulls THAT sword from THAT stone. Teaming up with a mysterious mage (Astrid BergesFrisbey) and a resistance led by Sir Bedivere (Djimon Honsou), Arthur seeks to overthrow his uncle and claim his birthright.

The main problem with the movie is its attempts to marry Guy Ritchie’s unique style to a genre that really doesn’t suit it.

There are flashes of brilliance, but the film is caught between Ritchie’s own familiar tropes and the expectations of the fantasy genre.

I like Charlie Hunnam, and he does a great job playing a Ritchie-esque protagonist. A bruiser and a crook, with a heart of gold beneath his gruff exterior, he gets a few good jokes and plenty of opportunities to swagger. However, his transition from gangster-prince to born-king doesn’t make a whole lot of sense and comes mostly out of nowhere.

Also, he is not particularly likeable in the way he needs to be.

Meanwhile Jude Law's Vortigern chews the scenery but leaves lit-

tle impression, in fact none of the cast do. Astrid BergesFrisbey’s mage is the only main female role in the film and she doesn’t even get a name. She could at least be there as a love interest for Arthur, but she doesn’t even get that shred of character development. The rest, including Blood Diamond’s Djimon Honsou, Game of

"Mildly diverting, but it is nothing original" Thrones’ Aidan Gillen, and Peaky Blinder’s Annabelle Wallis are recognisable faces but fail to trick us into caring.

The film works when Guy Ritchie is in his comfort zone.

Scenes of backstreet dealing, and snappy montages boast Ritchie’s familiar charms and style. There are a few great action scenes as a result, leaning heavily on Ritchie’s kinetic camera-work. A sequence that begins as a medieval-JFK-assassination, leads into a backstreet foot chase and culminates in an explosive magical brawl is easily the film’s standout. However, one montage too many and you

stop enjoying the film’s style and start to realise what a drag everything else is.

The rest of the film is standard fantasy, with vague representations of magic, a sword that lights up like a lightsaber and hits as though its in a video game, and some rough CGI monsters with no real explanation for what they are or where they came from. None of it is terrible, in fact most of it is mildly diverting, but it is nothing original. The film is helped along by excellent music that fuses Hungarian/British folksongs and rock to create a soundtrack that is both unique and genuinely cool. It is just a shame that the rest of the film is overlong and boasts a CGI obsessed mind-numbing finale.

Maybe this is the stuff of franchise after all?

VERDICT: Not as bad as some make it out to be, but not as good as it should be, King Arthur: Legend of the Sword is an average film with a couple of great sequences and a spectacular soundtrack, but is unlikely to leave you with anything

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Review: The Red Turtle Redbrick Film Editor Joe Ryan reviews Studio Ghibli's Oscar-nominated animation that wordlessly meditates on life, death and everything in between Joe Ryan Film Editor

After concern that the retirement of Hayao Miyazaki from Studio Ghibli in 2016 was the beginning of the end for the illustrious animation studio, The Red Turtle is a distinct sign, if one were needed, that the title of bastion of hand-drawn wondrous fantasy cannot easily be wrestled from the hands of Japan's most famous cinematic export.

"The stellar visual presentation is complemented by a beautiful score" Time and place unknown, a nameless man of unknown origin washes up on the shores of an unnamed island, untouched by humans until this point.

Stranded with only the island’s comic-relief crabs for company, the man sets about building a raft to escape. However, upon setting sail, his raft is destroyed by an unseen force. Perspective thus gained, a larger raft is built, with the same result. Things continue until it is discovered that a giant red turtle is responsible. Upon finding the turtle on the beach the frustrated cast-

away flips the turtle onto its back and events take a magical turn.

Within the first few minutes of The Red Turtle, it becomes clear that narrative and story are merely bit players in this 80-minute tone poem. Director Michael Dudok de Wit’s passion project offers a potential meditation on the milestones of human life, a magical-realist exploration of grief and regret or a bitter-sweet tale of death and rebirth, depending entirely on audience perspective. The film’s ethereal presentation and meandering pace are more evocative of mood and mise-en-scène, defying concrete interpretation.

In this way, The Red Turtle is a film made to be experienced; made to be watched. And I do mean watched. With no dialogue or language to speak of, the film plays on the universal accessibility of silent cinema to present an experience that is broadly applicable and yet deeply personal.

All of this is conveyed through captivating visuals and animation (an inspired mix of computer-generated and handdrawn styles) which bring the island and its inhabitants to life with a striking colour palette and stunning use of light and shade. The simplistic, childlike features of the cast-away’s face belie his expressive body lan-

guage and movement and contrast with the muted, chalky bark of a thick bamboo forest stretching back into foreboding darkness. All of this takes place under a watercolour sky with an almost tangible papery texture. The sunsets are stunning and the underwater sequences balletic. The stellar visual presentation is complemented by a beautiful score that oscillates between peaceful lulls and a swelling crescendo that repeats during the film’s most impactful sequences.

The film falters in a few regards, chief amongst which is

the contrived way characters are deprived of their voice. The homage to silent cinema is charming (becoming particularly direct during the monochromatic night-time scenes) yet it maintains a stubborn veneer of artifice that the film otherwise so successfully demolishes.

Furthermore, as the film moves into its second act, the pace plummets as the film shifts tone drastically. This transition heralds the arrival of more allegorical subject matter and is clumsily handled to the extent that it is not difficult to quickly become baffled by the film as it shifts

into abject mysticism.

VERDICT: The Red Turtle is a visually captivating, emotionally evocative experience.

Technically, it is a film, but labelling it such would be to do it a disservice. Instead, it is an story steeped in the language of cinema that is more concerned with the emotional impact of images than with traditional story-telling. Despite a few missteps, The Red Turtle is an easy recommendation with potentially universal appeal.

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FILM

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickfilm

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Review: Wonder Woman Film News Critic Patrick Box is pleasantly surprised by DC and Warner Bros' female-led box office wonder

John James, Emillie Gallagher, Joe Ryan, Will Baxter No cheese Gromit? Alas, no cheese, no more. Peter Sallis, the much loved voice of Wallace from Aardman’s multi award winning Wallace and Gromit franchise has sadly departed at the age of 96.

Primarily a voice-over artist, Sallis also tried his hand at various film and TV roles ranging from low budget British horror (The Blood of Dracula anyone?) to a 295 episode residency on The Last of the Summer Wine. Talk about versatility. Leaving behind a distinguished catalogue of work that will stand the test of time, he’s off somewhere, somewhere where there’s cheese now.

Patrick Box Film Critic

Full disclosure: I wanted to hate this movie. Warner Bros’ last three DC movies haven’t really been up to snuff, ranging from the 'meh' (Man of Steel) to the diabolical (Suicide Squad). In short, their approach hasn’t been paying off. I was at the point where, in some perverse way, I wanted Wonder Woman to continue this downwards trend.

Therefore I, as a DC fan, would never get my hopes up again and be able to write off this franchise until the inevitable reboot in 5-10 years time. It is with a heavy heart however, that I found Wonder Woman to be not only the best DC movie to date but also a highly enjoyable film in its own right.

Directed by Patty Jenkins (a woman - who'd've thought?!) and written by Allan Heinberg, Wonder Woman serves as an origin story to Gal Gadot’s spin on the Amazonian princess. Set in 1918 we are introduced to a younger, more optimistic Diana (Gal Gadot) living on the hidden island of Themyscira populated solely by the Amazonian Women of Greek myth. Dreaming of being a warrior like her Aunt Antiope (Robin Wright), the arrival of US Airforce Captain Steve Trevor (Chris Pine) and a force of pursuing German soldiers brings the outside world to her attention and her destiny to fruition.

"You cannot help but feel a little heartbroken alongside her" Straightforward fish-out-ofwater, girl-meets-world, superhero-origin tales can prove highly effective, so long as you have the right performer centrestage to anchor the whole affair.

Luckily DC have managed to find this in Gal Gadot, who this time around imbues her statuesque beauty, and warrior’s ferocity with a wide-eyed optimism. This Wonder Woman is not the seasoned warrior we’ve seen before but is instead a deeply naive young hero who still sees the world in black and white. The jury has been out on Gadot as Wonder Woman since

BvS, with some claiming she stole the show whilst others pointed to her performance in the Fast and Furious franchise with trepidation. Here she benefits from the spotlight; instantly likeable whilst all the while managing to prevent her naivety sliding from charming into irritating. As the film progresses she skilfully conveys Diana’s disappointment and horror as she comes face to face with the darker sides of humanity. The tragic realisation that mankind needs saving from itself more-so than from the demonic Ares, is the emotional crux of the tale and you cannot help but feel a little heartbroken alongside her.

Gadot’s central performance is buoyed by an equally excellent turn from Chris Pine as Steve Trevor. Pine’s Trevor is the perfect foil for Gadot’s Diana and their chemistry goes a long way to giving the film its charm.

Both in awe of her abilities and awkwardly frustrated by her naivety, Pine's Captain Kirkesque performance manages to be heroically earnest rather than arrogantly smug. Unlike Diana he has no illusions as to what mankind is truly capable of and seems reluctant to clue her in, knowing that doing so will unavoidably colour her perception of him as the first man she has ever met. The film is immaculately acted, with a strong supporting cast given plenty to do.

Huston and Maru chew an adequate amount of scenery as the stereotypical warmonger General and crazy scientist. Nielson and Wright are pure grace and class as the Amazonian sisters whilst Lucy Davis gets some of the best jokes as Trevor’s suffragist secretary Etta Candy.

That’s right, there are jokes in this film! Oh and primary colours too. Whereas Ayer and Snyder slapped a grainy filter on their films because they wanted them to be ‘gritty’ and ‘serious’, Jenkins manages to make this work in her favour. Themyscira, where the film spends its opening half-hour, is a lush island paradise with verdant foliage, clear blue skies and seas, and towering white cliffs. This is then contrasted with the smog of 1918 London and the oppressive greys of mud-spattered, war-torn Belgium. The intention behind this dichotomy is obvious yet highly effective, and against this depressive backdrop the blue, red, and gold of Diana’s armour

sticks out like a sore-thumb.

This results in some of the most striking images in a superhero film to date. The action sequences (for the most part) are top notch with a beach head battle between the Amazons and Germans being the standout. Here Jenkins shows that not only can she handle character and emotion better than her DC predecessors but she can shoot a kickass action sequence just as well. Jenkins understands what makes the character of Wonder Woman work, and whilst much of the plot is almost directly comparable to Captain America: The First Avenger and frames its protagonist as a beacon of hope for mankind in the same manner as Man of Steel, it emerges as a better film than both because of this.

"That's right, there are jokes in this film!"

However, it’s not perfect.

As I have just said, the plot is very similar to the first Captain America, and not just because of its period setting. The film’s opening is also unavoidably exposition-heavy and boasts an eye-rolling voice-over and framing device (get out of here Bruce Wayne!). Clearly Jenkins front-loaded it on purpose so it wouldn’t bog the film down later on, but as a result it takes a while to get going. Sadly the film’s main flaw is that the final climax is a big let down. Again, no spoilers, but it lapses into the same heavy reliance on CGI as the other DC movies and as a result starts to drag. This final stumble feels particularly misjudged when compared to the brilliance of the action sequences that precede it.

VERDICT: It doesn’t excuse the failings of DC’s previous movies but instead manages to deliver the film we’ve been waiting for: at once heartfelt, action-packed, funny, and a hell of a lot of fun. Never mind Batman, Wonder Woman is the hero we deserve, and it is about damn time.

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Jake Gyllenhaal, of Nightcrawler fame, has been attached to produce and star in Amazon's The Lost Airman.

Based on Seth Meyerowitz’s book, The Lost Airman: A True Story of Escape From Nazi-Occupied France, Gyllenhaal will play an American gunner stranded in Nazi-occupied France who joins the French resistance movement Morhange. The film is yet to find a writer or director, but should be expected to arrive some time in 2018.

Whilst pedalling his new film The Mummy, Tom Cruise has announced that the highly anticipated (albeit unasked for) Top Gun sequel has a name: Top Gun: Maverick. The sequel to Tony Scott’s 1982 masterpiece is expected to pit Tom Cruise against the wonders of 21st century air-warfare, so we can expect drones and volleyballs in equal measure. With Joseph Kosinski’s direction, the film is expected to land in 2019.

After announcing the project in 2000, Terry Gilliam has wrapped principle photography on The Man Who Killed Don Quixote. The film has famously been stuck in development hell for years, with multiple unsuccessful attempts to shoot it leading many to believe it would never been seen. However, Gilliam's film about a man who believes himself to be Cervantes' hero seems more likely to release than ever. Starring Jonathan Pryce, Adam Driver, Stellen Skarsgaard and Olga Kurylenko, The Man Who Killed Don Quixote will now enter postproduction but a legal conflict between Gilliam and French firm Alfama over ownership of the film's rights may still pose problems for the mythical production.

Patty Jenkins’ Wonder Woman has enjoyed an impressive opening weekend at the box office, taking home $100 million domestically, and $223 million internationally, to cement it’s place at the top of the box office. With an estimated budget of $149 million, it will need to do a little more to be an official financial ‘success’ (most films needing to make double the budget in order to turn a profit), but it is well on course to do so. Allied to its glowing critical reviews, it looks to be a real jewel in the withered crown of DC. Chloe Grace Moretz’s new film Red Shoes and the 7 Dwarfs has been caught up in a body-positivity controversy following the release of the poster. The film, a parody of the traditional Snow White story, is 'a family comedy... designed to challenge social prejudices related to the standards of physical beauty in society' according to a statement released by Sujin Hwang, the film’s producer.

The poster however featured the line 'what if Snow White was no longer beautiful?', causing it to receive widespread condemnation across social media. The Kick-Ass star was quick to distance herself from the poster’s message, tweeting that she was 'just as appalled and angry as everybody else'. The poster has since been removed and is no longer a part of the film’s marketing campaign.

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CULTURE

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickculture

An Interview with Phil Porter Abigail Harvie Culture Critic

RSC

Phil Porter is an awardwinning playwright and alumni of the University of Birmingham. Of his ten plays, three have been performed at the Royal Shakespeare Company including Vice Versa, currently playing in the Swan Theatre as part of the Rome Season 2017.

Hi Phil! This isn’t your first play for the RSC. Have you ever written anything like a roman comedy before?

I read some roman comedies when I was a studying drama at UoB in the late nineties. A lot of the comedy we do nowadays, possibly without even realising it, has its roots in roman comedy in terms of farce and out love of word play and that sort of thing. And then the RSC were doing “the Rome Season” and they realised that the other plays they have were brilliant but heavy, serious Shakespearean plays so there was a gap in the market for something that was a bit funny.

One of the things that we enjoyed watching the performance were the number of pun and props! How did you manage to fit so many into a five-minute period?

It was really good fun doing that. When I first wrote it, the prologue in the second half was similar to the first, with rhyming couplets and then I thought “I’m going to try to do something a bit different”. I decided to amuse myself with the worst, most groaning puns I could possibly think of. By rehearsal we had about fifty or so puns in that speech, then the director and the cast added about five or ten more.

I think we set a world record for the most puns in two minutes. That Sophia, who plays Dexter, can pun and hold the right props out at the right time is amazing. I think we are over 300 props by now, most of them are written in, especially the food props in the punning section. We will probably keep adding until the very final performance.

For the characters, like Dexter, how do you develop the characters?

This play is very loosely based on a play from about 200BC, mostly the main characters. When you write it, you have a bit of an idea but casting is a big part of the process. You find an actor who may not have been what you imagined, but they just make you laugh so much you think “we’ve got to have them, they’re perfect” and from that point the character starts to mould around what that person brings to the role.

Review: ‘Vice Versa’ at the RSC Bea Harvie Culture Critic @SimplyBeaH

Currently playing at the Swan Theatre at the Royal Shakespeare Company, Vice Versa OR the Rise and Fall of General Braggadocio at the Hands of his Canny Servant Dexter and Terence the Monkey is, quite simply, as ridiculous as its name! And it is hilarious. Written

by UoB alumni Phil Porter and directed by Janice Honeymoon, Vice Versa is a farce “lovingly ripped off” the works of Roman comedian Plautus from 4th Century Rome. Thought physical comedy and innuendo were for sitcoms? Apparently sitcoms have been around for a very, very long time!

"Vice Versa is a farce “lovingly ripped off” the works of Roman comedian Plautus from 4th Century Rome" Relying on witty banter, perfect comedic timing, overly complicated plots, and stupid highranking men being outsmarted by clever servants and women, Vice Versa repitches the Roman comedy for a 21st century audience.

You’ve not seen anything till a guy in a toga has a Marcus and Spartacus shopping bag. The sign outside says “mild sexual innuendo”, we would revise this to “moderate and constant innuendo”. Like puns? Come on in, take a seat, butternut squash-it!

I would say the plot is “simply” as follows, but the absurdity of the play relies on the absurdity of the plot. At it’s simplest: General Braggadocio (Felix Hayes) is a self-centred highranking official of Rome who

General Braggadacio is based on Trump, did you always intend the piece to be Trump satire?

When I started writing I wasn’t thinking about Trump. I was just writing this play about this idiot and this slightly dangerous strand of masculinity which is so desperate for attention and power that it will inflict great misery on those around them. When Trump was elected, I thought ok, well it would be a bit crazy to ignore the connections between this fictional idiot and the idiot elected president. I didn’t want to make that the whole joke, the whole play, but I will throw in a few cheeky references in the second half just so people can enjoy the comparison.

With all the funding cuts in the local arts, do you have any advice for aspiring playwrights beyond university?

I saw recently that the Midlands Arts Centre had their funding cut.

When I was a student at Birmingham, my first play was on at the MAC. Our governments like to talk about the success and the money bought in by big productions, but the people who have reached a point where they are writing, directing, acting in them nearly always developed through the subsidised sector so it’s important.

The most important advice for writers is to get to the end of the play. It’s easier to start something than to finish it. Just push on through to the end, then you have something to work with and you can redraft it, that’s where the fun starts. With playwriting, the most important thing you can do is try to see it performed. Once you start hearing your work performed, you get a much clearer sense of what it’s like. You have to beat the system, be self-critical but also be confident in your own voice and just get your work out there.

Pete le May

Pete le May

loves to BRAG about his military and sexual prowess. His servants Feclus (Steven Kunman), Omnivorus (Byron Mondhal) and cunning Dexter (Sophia Nomvete) are perpetually bolstering his ego to his face and rolling their eyes behind his back, in fear of their lives and (lack of) freedom.

Braggadocio had kidnapped Dexter and her beautiful mistress Voluptua (Ellie Beaven), keeping the latter as his concubine.

Valentin (Geoffrey Lumb), Voluptua’s lover, lives in hiding next door with magistrate ally Philoproximus (Nicholas Day) meeting with Voluptua in secret through rooftop rendezvous.

When they are caught by the stupid Feclus, Dexter must come up with a plan to smooth things over, and get her master and mistress (and herself) away from Rome, away from General Braggadocio and to serve him a grand old helping of humble pie while she is at it!

Hilarity ensues, involving mistaken identities, bad ideas going wrong, complex explanations being misunderstood and Terence the monkey (Jon Trenchard) assisting all the while.

It is side-achingly funny. Dexter is sarcastic and absolutely amazing. General Braggodocio is child-

ishly stupid and vain, misogynistic, anti-immigration and there may be more than a few lines and jokes that align him with a certain current political figure.

The fourth wall doesn’t exist, audience participation is absolutely encouraged, my friend attracted the attention of the “street artist” just before the play started, earning herself a portrait, the musicians are performing monkeys and I still have the song stuck in my head! There is singing, dancing, jokes, witty banter, wilful misunderstandings, puns, physical comedy and honestly it is hilariously funny.

"It is side-achingly funny" Vice Versa is quite simply fantastic, light-hearted, downright ridiculous and hilarious, held together by an amazing cast. It’s playing till September, and I absolutely and completely recommend a trip to Stratford-Upon-Avon to see this at the end of the exam season! It’s witty and will definitely be one heck of a tarra to the closing academic year. Celebrate by kicking back and watching Dexter’s canny plan.

CULTURE

Friday 9th June 2017

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@redbrickculture

Review: Grease at the Birmingham Hippodrome Olivia Boyce Culture Editor @Liv_Boyce

It’s systematic! It’s hydromatic!

It’s Grease (lightning!), currently wowing audiences at the Birmingham Hippodrome. At nearly 50 years old, and made iconic by the 1978 film, the firmly retro show still provides rip-roaring rock n’ roll fun for many.

The storyline is the typical boy-meets-girl, with a great deal of complication ensuing after their summer love affair. From ‘Grease is the Word’ to ‘Summer Nights’, ‘Greased Lightnin’ to ‘You’re The One That I Want’, their story is told through a collection of wellknown hits that have the audience humming and dancing along.

Danny Zuko, the leader of the T-Birds, is played by Tom Parker, best known for being a member of popular band The Wanted. He makes his stage debut in a role that has been played by some titans of the cinematic world, including Richard Gere and John Travolta. Parker’s is a refreshing and enjoyable take on the role, playing a suave Danny who displays some rather impressive guitar and dance skills, though at times the accent slips. For a debut, it’s an admirable performance, and one that will surely be refined as the tour continues.

Sandy is here played by Danielle Hope, whose professional debut in The Wizard of Oz resulted from her triumph in the BBC show Over The Rainbow, and who has gained acclaim in her further theatre work. Hope is perfectly cast as Sandy, a wonderful mix of sweet innocence, steely determination, and glorious vocals. Her emotional and beautiful rendition of ‘Hopelessly Devoted to You’ soars, as do her vocals in the ‘Sandy (Reprise)’, and her transformation at the close is impressive.

"A show with a striking aesthetic, upbeat score, and songs that have stood the test of time" The Pink Ladies and T-Birds are also wonderfully cast. Louisa Lytton, known for roles in Eastenders and The Bill, plays Rizzo, the acerbically sarcastic leader of the Pink Ladies. Her rendition of ‘There Are Worse Things I Could Do’ is where she really unleashes the tumultuous mix of emotion and feistiness that have made Rizzo such an iconic role. Tom Senior’s Kenickie is a riot, and Ryan Heenan’s somewhat awkward Doody had the audience rooting for him throughout. Rhiannon Chesterman, Rosanna Harris and Lauren Atkins are a perfect trio as Frenchy, Jan and Marty, and give many of the songs a comic and vocal edge.

Callum Evans’ nerdy Eugene is an absolute scene-stealer and an audience favourite, a masterclass in background acting choices.

Alongside the leading cast, the

Paul Coltas

Places to go, things to see As this is the last edition of Redbrick for the academic year, we’ve compiled a list of must-see performances in and around Birmingham over the summer months. From prohibition Shakespeare to Backstage Tours, we’ve got all those ‘what shall we do today?’ days covered.

Rebecca Moore Culture Editor @MarieMoore27

The Birmingham REP

show features a star turn from Jimmy Osmond, who here fills the role of the Teen Angel, singing the now iconic ‘Beauty School Dropout’. The audience cheer and applaud as he begins to sing, and Osmond’s 50 or so years of showbusiness experience mean he has many swooning and enthralled, working the audience for applause, whilst giving a brilliant vocal performance. It’s a clever bit of casting, and a fabulous moment in the show.

Terry Parsons’ set is a neon extravaganza, at times capturing the essence of a 50s diner, at others the typical preppy high-school feel as the action moves to Rydell High. Having the band on stage, placed above the action and being revealed to the audience at various times in the show, is a lovely touch, and ensures that they get the recognition that orchestras and musicians deserve.

Arlene Phillips here employs the choreographic talent that have made her a theatrical legend and a Strictly judging favourite. Though the dance stuns throughout, of particular note is ‘We Go Together’, where the precisely timed movements, alongside the wonderful usage of the multi-tier bleachers set, have audiences audibly gasping in delight. It’s a striking first act closing, and a memorable one.

The show can, should you delve beyond the neon and music, at times feel a little too retro. The original was grittier, focusing on the teen rebellion of 50’s America, and this touring production follows the recent tradition of eschewing some of these themes in favour of a more pleasantly upbeat nostalgia. The act of a woman transforming so totally in order for her romantic interest to be able to return her affection is somewhat uncomfortable in a modern context, due in part to the sudden presence of this within the closing minutes of the show.

They’re minor complaints born of prevalent modern viewpoints, but speak to the fact that the show is almost fifty – some things are surely bound to lose their shine after such a period of time.

All in all, the production is one that will surely appeal to many – for older fans, it’s a nostalgic reminder of an iconic moment in film history, and or younger fans, a chance to see a show with a striking aesthetic, upbeat score, and songs that have stood the test of time.

The Play That Goes Wrong (19 June – 24 June) The immensely popular and truly hilarious ‘Play That Goes Wrong’

by Mischief Theatre Company comes to the REP’s stage in June.

You might have caught their ‘Peter Pan goes Wrong’ on BBC One over the Christmas period which was as equally funny and foolish, but this is their staple performance that promises to get the audience crying with laughter.

Tickets from £15 Backstage Tours Throughout the year The Birmingham REP offer backstage tours for those who want a sneak peek behind the scenes. Whether you want to introduce a younger sibling to backstage roles, or have always been intrigued yourself, these tours are great learning experiences and lots of fun. The tours last about 90 minutes and include everything from workshops to wigs. If you’re looking for ways to keep busy over the summer, this is something different to do and also very cheap.

Tickets £6 The Birmingham Hippodrome WNO – Madam Butterfly (Tues 27 – 30 June) Who doesn’t love a good tale of unrequited love and betrayal every now and then? It’s good for our hearts and souls. The Welsh National Opera return to the Hippodrome with this classic much-loved tale at the end of June, and the scenography – that takes inspiration from sepia photography - sounds simply divine.

The Welsh National Opera never disappoint, this will be an accomplished rendition of a classic.

Tickets from £16.50 The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-time (Tues 4 – Sat 8 July) Based on the novel by Mark Haddon and adapted by Simon Stephens, this acclaimed National Theatre production graces the Hippodrome’s stage in early July.

It has become a must-see play in recent years having won 7 Olivier awards and 5 Tony awards, so if you get the chance to see it whilst it’s in Birmingham, do it!

Tickets from £15 New Alexandra Theatre An Evening of Burlesque (Sat June 17) Think sequins, feather boas, and champagne glasses, Saturday 17th June will be an evening to remember at the New Alex. Bringing the Classic Variety Art form to 2017, this show boasts a range of beautiful stars in equally beautiful costumes. ‘Leave your inhibitions at the door’ the Alex warns and expect to be outraged.

Tickets from £24.75

Derren Brown: Underground (Mon 24 July – Wed 26 July) That’s right, Derren Brown has a new touring performance after a sell-out run in London. With people sworn to secrecy about its content, we can only presume that it’s a spell-binding experience for all – even those cynics among us.

It’s only on for 3 nights and tickets will sell out fast, so act quickly if you decide you do want to go.

Tickets from £34.75

in a pink-hazed bar with a live band, Artistic Director, Paul Hart, has created a dynamic performance of Romeo and Juliet based around all-consuming love.

Twelfth Night is reimagined in the prohibition era of the 1920s, placing the themes of seduction, transformation and complexity against the backdrop of white shirts, drinking and jazz. This is Shakespeare as you’ve never seen it before.

Tickets from £12.50

The MAC Blush (Tues 20 June) Snuff Box Theatre presents Blush at the MAC on Tuesday 20 June, a piece of new writing by Charlotte Josephine about the many victims of revenge porn. Hugely popular at the Edinburgh Festival, this award-winning new play voices things that no one is talking about but should be. An important piece of theatre following Josephine’s other powerful stage-play Bitch Boxer.

Tickets from £10 NT Live: Angels in America: Part One, Millennium Approaches and Part Two, Perestoika (Thurs 20 July and Thurs 27 July) Along with other cinemas in Birmingham, the MAC will be broadcasting National Theatre Live’s Angels in America Part One and Two in July. It’s a great opportunity to watch the best of London theatre without the journey or the price tag. Directed by Marianne Elliott and featuring Andrew Garfield, this poignant play about the Aids Crisis tackles life, death, love, sex, heaven and hell. It’s a long show (at four hours each half) but it’s a mustsee.

Tickets from £13

Belgrade Theatre Coventry Footloose (13th June – 17th June) You can barely say the title (Footloose) without breaking into song and dance, so it’s fair to presume there will be toes tapping and heads bobbing in the audience to this musical in the main stage at the Belgrade. Based on the smash-hit 1980s film, starring the one and only Gareth Gates (no less), this story of romance and rebellion is bought to us with sizzling musical classics and cuttingedge choreography. Another popular musical to tick off the mustsee list.

Tickets from £21.50 RSC Salome (2nd June – 6 September) Marking 50 years since the decriminalisation of homosexuality in England and Wales, from June through to September the RSC are taking on Oscar Wilde’s famous one-act drama Salome.

Directed by Owen Horsley, this lyrical stage-play, both enigmatic and erotic, is sure to be beautiful in all senses of the word. At only 1 hour and 15 mins long, there’s really no excuse to pop over to Stratford and watch it.

Tickets from £5

The Wolverhampton Grand Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night In July, The Wolverhampton Grand Theatre are showing modern adaptations of the Shakespearean classics Romeo and Juliet and Twelfth Night by Watermill Theatre Company. Set Rebecca Moore

If none of these take your fancy, there are plenty other events happening at other venues in the Midlands including Ikon Gallery, The Crescent Theatre and the outdoor performances of Heartbreak Productions in Leamington.

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MUSIC

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickmusic

Songs Of My Life New editor Emily Barker looks back on five defining tracks from her life First Song I Remember Hearing: The Police - Roxanne

Song That Reminds me of High School: Flo Rida - Low

Song That Makes Me Feel Like a Special Little Snowflake: Hole - Credit In The Straight World

Best Song I Ever Saw Live: OutKast - B.O.B.

Also in this time frame were 'Come On Eileen', and 'Gimme Hope Jo’anna', which I used to leap around my living room to on REPEAT, by which I mean having to stop every time the song ended and rewind the cassette to exactly the right point. Apparently I was a very apartheid-conscious young child. But 'Roxanne' is what I remember listening to on long journeys with my dad. This was back when we, for some reason, had a car that allowed you to put a stack of six CDs in a player in the boot, which you could then flip through from the stereo in the front. In hindsight, I’m not sure this was preferable to being able to play any CD, but we thought this was seriously hi-tech. Or maybe my dad convinced us to think that to save clutter.

Either way, we were allowed to listen to one album (Britney or Destiny’s Child, generally speaking) and then had to listen to a 'dad' CD. 'Roxanne' is the first time I thought, 'Hey, this old person music isn’t actually too bad.' Outwardly, my sister and I moaned until he put 'Survivor' back on.

Every time I hear this song, the taste of WKD floods my mouth. I can almost smell the unmistakable concoction of party foam, sweaty teenage boys and Abercrombie perfume that was under-18's night. How many pred r i n k s h o t s o f Te s c o value vodka have been done to this song? How many slut drops in New Look stilettos? How many casual flicks of GHD-straightened sidefringes to subtly check whether the fit guy in the year above was looking at you? More than I could possibly count, but I still don’t have a fucking clue what 'apple bottom' jeans are.

'Nicki M-who? Sorry, I d o n ’t r e a l l y l i s t e n t o chart music. It’s so overproduced.'

– Emily Barker, 2012. Probably.

Ah, that beautiful time in teenage-hood when you realise that the world is a terrible place and that you’d rather die than buy into the system like your stupid parents did and all your stupid teachers and all the other stupid, brain-washed people around you. You just need to get out, you k no w ?

Show them that you’re going to live your life so differently to all of them, show them that you’re not going to listen to the man. No, you’re going to listen to Courtney Love scream her lungs out.

From your bedroom.

Loudly. So that your parents get that you’re your o w n p e r s o n n o w. A n d you’re probably going to hunt down a band t-shirt.

Not a mainstream one with the band name and photo on it, oh dear, oh no! One with so tenuous a link to Hole that you can single out the people worthy of your time by seeing who gets the reference.

Have no fear; our misguided, bumbling protagonist has made it far enough from her human-hating phase to join up with a group of them for a summer of festival-ing. She finds herself in the crowd at Bestival at Outkast’s first UK appearance in ten years. Yes, of course, 'Hey Ya!' was incredible, 'Roses' was insane, 'Ms. Jackson' was iconic...yeah that whole set was pretty great actually, sorry if you weren’t there.

But bloody hell, Andre 3000’s first 50 seconds of B.O.B. blew my tiny mind.

Now that I study literature at a university level I can fully appreciate that few rhymes, from Shakespeare to Whitman, Dickinson to Atwood, can match:

Phil Jones Music Editor @philrdjones

Back in 2012, alt-j blew our collective minds with the most forward-thinking indie rock of any of their peers. Fast forward to 2017, and you would think the band would be running out of ways to surprise us. Relaxer is here to prove me wrong however, by riding alt-j’s awesome wave off the edge of a cliff (but in a good way). The least likely of all popular bands from the last decade, alt-j are never ones to stick to a rigid formula. Third album Relaxer is the biggest example of this so far, representing their most eclectic body of work yet.

Opening track and lead single ‘3WW’ is perhaps alt-j’s best opening of an album so far.

Featuring the always welcome vocals of Wolf Alice’s Ellie Rowsell, the track builds from a simple guitar riff and vocals to a baroque masterpiece. The track is warm, tender, and probably the best thing the band has ever produced. Plunging straight into second single ‘In Cold Blood’, we are back in welcome territory.

The band have taken their classic sound and turned it both up and sideways, coming on like a twisted and moulded version of the Mercury Award winning trademarks. The track is exactly what

Song I Hope Is The Last Thing I Hear Before I Die: Jimi Hendrix - Like A Rolling Stone

6

'YEAH, Inslumnational, underground, Thunder pounds when I stomp the ground, Like a million elephants and silver-back orang-utans, You can’t stop a train.'

Poetry.

'Right now we’re gunna do a little thing by Bob Dylan, that’s his grandma over there, it’s a little thing called Like a Rolling Stone.' In place of this, I would also accept 'May This Be Love' as the song for my first dance at my wedding (and before you ask, no, I do not have any immediate intention/ opportunity to get married and have not checked with my non-existent future spouse whether they would be okay with this, but really, if they’re not, that’s an engagement I need to get the hell out of). But anyway, best cover ever recorded, fills my heart with contentment and joy etc., and is just generally the kind of send-off I’d like for heading off into the under - I mean, after-world.

Album Review: alt-j - Relaxer alt-j should be sounding like in 2017; not reinventing the wheel, but making a few funky adjustments.

To cover ‘House of the Rising Sun’ is one of the biggest clichés in rock and so the appearance of such a cover on the record is our first hint that the band may not be approaching the work with the same level of sincerity that we believe they are. Opening with sparse woodwind sounds, the song places the titular house somewhere in Tudor England rather than the American south.

Alt-j have never been ones to do things by the book, as their previous cover of ‘Lovely Day’ on This is All Yours attests, and are able to do something one would think to be impossible: make ‘House of the Rising Sun’ sound fresh and interesting.

‘Hit Me Like That Snare’ might be the least alt-j-like track ever produced, with an Iggy Popesque menacing delivery and a bassy backing sound. More Reflektor-era Arcade Fire than ‘Breezeblocks’, the song has added another upbeat string to the band’s bow and should delight fans of second album single ‘Left Hand Free’. This takes the funk of that song however and applies a chainsaw to it until it’s broken

Relaxer is exactly what alt-j should be sounding like in 2017; not reinventing the wheel, but making a few funky adjustments

down into disjointed shards.

From here on out, the record takes a nose-dive into the absurd and menacing as alt-j challenge you to keep listening. While still maintaining their knack for melody, the band attempt new sounds that don’t all stick but are never boring. A key example of this is ‘Deadcrush’, which has a falsetto led chorus straight out of hell’s equivalent of Studio 54.

Third single ‘Adeline’ is a very soft and barely there affair, a stop-gap from the madness that has been unfolding. Showing a similar tenderness to ‘3WW’, alt-j craft melancholic moments like no other, crafting intense emotions despite the incomprehensible lyrics. ‘Adeline’ kicks off the tender final passages of the record, with ‘Last Year’ seeing the band appear to fade away among muted guitar picks. This floats into the final swansong of ‘Pleader’, a more menacing and avant-garde finale. The track is marked by orchestral strings and classical guitar, something which more recalls a dramatic film score than an indie rock record.

The vocal itself has a certain choral tone to it, making reference to Citizen Kane-beating John Ford epic How Green Was My Valley. The song is definitely

the most menacing closing track the band have produced so far; this contrast exists not only with the band’s earlier material, but within the track itself, as the song fights its menacing moments with a lush timbre.

Relaxer is perhaps alt-j’s most challenging work to date. While it doesn’t stray miles from their original formula, the boys do make certain choices which may alienate sections of their fanbase. With two critically acclaimed albums, a Mercury prize and multiple sold-out tours under their belts, alt-j really have a license to do whatever they want with their music and so appear to be pushing this to its upper limits. It is refreshing to see a band unafraid of backlash and ready to experiment.

Although the risk of losing fans is there, alt-j have never really belonged in the mainstream anyway. The record definitely warrants multiple listens to really sink your teeth into and may not have the same number of instant classics as previous albums, but the concept of alt-j experimenting with every aspect of their sound is arguably more exciting.

MUSIC

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickmusic

29

A Beginner's Guide to Jazz Music Jack Lawrence Music Critic @r3dclyffe

Jazz is probably one of the most daunting genres of music, in addition to being one of the hardest to initially appreciate, simply due to the vastness of so many musicians’ discographies. Here are a few essentials for anybody who wants an easy (and varied) introduction to the many different styles of jazz music.

The Introduction: Miles Davis - Kind of Blue The jazz album for people who don’t like jazz, Kind of Blue is so easy to appreciate that people often disregard just how great a record it is. Taking influence from the modal form of band-leading that was gaining popularity in the late 1950s, Miles Davis assembled a handful of some of the very best jazz musicians (Coltrane, Adderley, Evans) to create a moody masterpiece that remains a fantastic introduction to jazz.

Best Tracks: ‘Blue in Green’, ‘So What’

Easy Listening: Grant Green - Idle Moments Sonny Rollins - Saxophone Colossus These two records are highly underrated as far as comfy, engaging and relaxing

Josh Parker Music Critic @JoshParker38

Flyte returned to Birmingham on Wednesday night to headline a sold-out Sunflower Lounge.

Armed with a setlist of largely unreleased songs, the band promised a new sound for their recently finished upcoming debut album.

This sentiment is certainly apparent in their latest singles, with the band opting for a much more laid-back approach in comparison to their previous pop-infused efforts. However, it was with one of these earlier releases – ‘Closer Together’ – that Flyte decided to kick off their show, aptly warming up the eager crowd. From then on, they showcased a variety of upcoming releases, from the jaunty ‘Cathy Come Home’ to the solemn ‘Faithless’ – the latter being performed acoustically in the middle of a transfixed crowd.

Having gained a significant following online for their ‘annoying covers of obscure songs’ – lead singer Will Taylor’s words, not mine – it was fitting that they included one of these in their setlist tonight, perform-

jazz albums go. Though both Green and Rollins were technically proficient masters of their respective instruments, both Idle Moments and Saxophone Colossus allow for the whole band to shine on every track rather than focusing on show-off performances or experimentalism. Simply put, these are two very easily listenable albums, and two of the best of the ‘swing era’ of jazz.

Best Tracks (Green): ‘Django’, ‘Idle Moments’ Best Tracks (Rollins): ‘Blue 7’, ‘St. Thomas’

both of these albums being essential jazz listening.

Best Track: ‘The Creator Has a Master Plan’ Something Fierce: Charles Mingus - Black Saint and the Sinner Lady An absolutely insane jazz-ballet concept album that provided commentary on spirituality, racism and Mingus’ own emotional problems, Black Saint and the Sinner Lady is one of the most defining statements in all of jazz music. Though frequently aggressive and furious in its performances, the music has a real sense of tranquillity that makes it an enjoyable but still challenging record that invites repeated listens.

Best Tracks: All of it!

Best Tracks: ‘Lonely Woman’, ‘Peace’ Jazz-Fusion: Miles Davis - Bitches Brew Frank Zappa - Hot Rats Probably among the most controversial jazz records ever conceived, Bitches Brew is an ‘epic’ in every sense of the word.

Clocking in at nearly two hours long, this album is a complex mess featuring just about every instrument possible, ‘brewed’ together with the insane ambition of a man who truly wanted to push the boundaries of what defines ‘jazz’. Though certainly not easy listening by any means, Bitches Brew is absolutely essential listening to anybody interested in experimental music and jazz in general.

Best Tracks: ‘Miles Runs the Voodoo Down’, ‘Spanish Key’

Free Jazz and the Avant-Garde: Ornette Coleman - The Shape of Jazz to Come Ornette Coleman was at the forefront of the ‘free jazz’ movement, a style that looked to break free from the traditional western Getting Experimental: John Coltrane - A Love Supreme Pharaoh Sanders - Karma The spiritual, insane and fiery performances on both of these records are real highlights of jazz music as a whole. A Love Supreme in particular is a record in which every single musician is at the top of their game; the drum fills, piano interludes and lengthy expressive saxophone solos are absolutely mind-blowing every time I listen to it.

Best Tracks: All of it - really.

Karma, on the other hand, manages to showcase Sanders’ ability to find new voicings on the saxophone, playing in his typically unrestrained and aggressive style for upwards of 30 minutes on the first track. The sheer passion that both Coltrane and Sanders manage to express remains incredible,

"The spiritual, insane and fiery performances on both of these records are real highlights of jazz music as a whole."

Hot Rats is yet another completely off-the-wall jazz fusion record, with Zappa blending in disparate influences from rock music, do-wop, classical and the avant-garde to create an album that is as impressive as it is completely ridiculous. The guitar solos delivered by Zappa himself are absolutely mind-blowing, as is the unhinged and insane vocal contribution from Captain Beefheart on the second track.

Best Tracks: ‘Peaches En Regalia’, ‘Willie the Pimp’

musical scales and play in a more unhinged and ‘free’ manner.

Though the dissonance and atonality of The Shape of Jazz to Come is not always pleasant to listen to - it remains one of the most important jazz albums ever created for its approach to experimentalism and improvisation.

Other Essential Jazz Tracks: Charles Mingus - ‘Goodbye Pork Pie Hat’ Thelonious Monk- ‘Ruby My Dear’

Live Review: Flyte ing their version of Liv’s ‘Wings of Love’. The distinctly DIY feel to Flyte’s set was most apparent here with Taylor hand-

chose to leave out their sicklysweet a cappella version of Alvvays’ ‘Archie, Marry Me’, the most impressive of their

ing over his guitar to drummer Jon Supran as he joked he was ‘too shit at the guitar to play the riff’.

Sadly though, tonight they

online covers. This was unfortunately a theme for the evening, with Flyte choosing to avoid almost all of their earlier released in place of their newer work.

Whilst it was interesting to see the musical direction the band are heading for in their debut album, this unfamiliarity meant the night generally lacked songs that really engaged the audience, the closest to this being recent single ‘Victoria Falls’.

Though they are no longer a particularly ‘new’ band, despite their lack of a debut album, it appears that Flyte are still a band trying to find their own unique sound. It seems that their album will be much more of a chilled entity than would have been previously thought when they first burst onto the scene in 2014 with their jittery indie-pop.

Whilst doing this, though, they shouldn’t be afraid to go back to their roots, as such, as it is here where I feel their true potential lies.

Flyte were impressive tonight and by the sound of it their debut should be one to look forward to, however, whilst they are in this transition period, the inclusion of a few of their older songs would not have gone amiss.

Track of the Week: The National - The System Only Dreams In Total Darkness Andrew Pollard Music Critic @pJellod_maJpue

Across their now sixteenyear run, The National have defined themselves as one of the most consistently exceptional and darkly contemplative alternative rock groups out there - which makes it all the more impressive that ‘The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness’, still manages to exceed any expectations I had.

‘System’ sees The National trade in their quiet sailboat for an Italian sports car filled with fireworks, yet, through some miracle, the brooding atmosphere remains. With crackling guitar licks, driving piano chords, and Davendorf ’s now predictably masterful percussion backing, ‘System’ is The National’s most urgent and instantly gratifying single since 2005's ‘Lit Up’ and, in many ways, the song seems like a return to this old sound.

"'System' sees The National trade in their quiet sailboat for an Italian sports car."

That said, it’s around the point where the piano swells and retreats to clear space for a classic rock guitar solo that the band dismiss any claims that they’re just retreading old ground. An honest-to-God, finger-bleeding guitar solo on a National track. It might feel obscene if it wasn’t done so damn well.

In all, ‘The System Only Dreams in Total Darkness’ is one of The National’s best singles to date - and, though one song is unlikely to be indicative of the entire album, this track will likely have fans anticipating a record that’s punchier and livelier than any of their other material.

The National’s new album Sleep Well Beast will be released on September 18th.

30

SCI & TECH

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricktech

The Biology of Depression Anum Hameed Sci & Tech Editor

Clinical depression is a condition that affects 3.3% of people in the UK and more than 350 million people globally. Despite its prevalence, depression is often mischaracterised as simply feeling ‘down’ or ‘under the weather’.

This misunderstanding of what depression actually entails and the stigma that tends to accompany it, often discourages people from seeking help, so clinical depression may, in fact, be more prevalent than these figures suggest.

Although clinical depression is characterised by a persistent low mood, it also involves many physical symptoms, which are often debilitating, such as fatigue, insomnia and loss of appetite.

Whilst there is not yet a definitive answer as to what causes depression, various theories have been developed.

One of these theories suggests that issues with nerve cell communication may play a role in depression. This is the ‘serotonin hypothesis’ which is perhaps the most widely acknowledged. It suggests that there is a link between abnormally low levels of serotonin and clinical depression.

Serotonin is a neurotransmitter - a chemical produced by nerve cells which sends signals between them. It has a role in regulating sleep, appetite and digestion as

"Whilst there is not yet a definitive answer as to what causes depression, various theories have been developed." well as mood. It would then follow that a lack of this important neurochemical would lead to an abnormally low mood and the accompanying disturbances in sleep and appetite. Therefore, in theory, if you could increase serotonin levels to normal, you could treat the depression. This is the basis of selective serotonin re-uptake inhibitors (SSRIs). These are a class of antidepressant that limits re-uptake of serotonin into the nerve cell so that more of it is available to bind to adjacent nerve cells. SSRIs are recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) as a first-line treatment for depression, although their efficacy, in mild to moderate cases of depression, has been disputed.

Along with neurotransmitters, genes have also been found to be implicated in clinical depression.

Genes are expressed into a variety of proteins such as hormones and

receptors and these play a role in the biological processes occurring throughout the entire body. If certain genes involved in mood regulation are expressed incorrectly, the processes controlled by those genes may be adversely affected.

It is widely accepted that depressive illnesses such as bipolar disorder are hereditary and therefore have a genetic basis. This has been supported by studying family histories and the discovery of various polymorphisms on certain genes of people living with depression. A gene polymorphism is the existence of different DNA sequences at a particular location on a chromosome within a popu-

lation. This suggests that certain genes may be significantly altered in people with depression.

It is important to realise, however, that depression is a complex disease with many intersecting psychological as well as biological factors and cannot be attributed solely to a ‘chemical imbalance in the brain’ or faulty genes.

Although scientists have made significant advances towards understanding the way the brain regulates mood, there is much more to be done before we can fully understand the biology of depression.

Ant-ibiotics

Ants and the Antibiotic Crisis: Will Ants End the Apocalypse?

Nikita Sall

Sci & Tech Writer

Researchers from the University of East Anglia and the John Innes Centre (JIC) have recently discovered a new potential line of antibiotics that have proven potent against antibiotic resistant ‘superbugs’.

Consistent and repeated misuse of antibiotics has lead to them becoming increasingly ineffective, with concerns that bacterial infections developed from minor cuts and scratches could become fatal. It is estimated that antibiotic resistant infections currently kill more than 700,000 people a year, with the number expected to rise.

In addition, there have been no new classes of antibiotics released in the last thirty years as pharmaceutical companies deem them unprofitable. However, the promising discovery of the ability of a certain species of ant to utilise Streptomyces bacteria has given rise to a hopeful beginning of brand-new antibiotics.

Whilst the majority of antibiotics in clinical use come from a group of bacteria called Actinomycetes (traditionally isolated from soil) the idea of screening insects for novel antibiotics is relatively recent. One species of ant, the African fungus-growing plant-ant, Tetraponera penzigi, uses bacteria to defend their nests against invading fungi and microbes. The bacteria isolated from the ants belong to the Streptomyces family and the

newly discovered antibiotic they secrete has been named formicamycin - derived from the Latin word for ‘ant’.

Lab tests have shown that these new antibiotics are effective against methicillin resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Vancomycin Resistant enterococci (VRE), which are the most prominent resistant pathogens that cause hospital-acquired infec-

otic properties. To test this further, the team repeated the study by growing the strains for 20 generations in low, sub-inhibitory concentrations of formicamycins, and found no sign that the test strain had acquired any level of resistance to the antibiotics.

Research leads at JIC have opened up saying how their findings highlight how searching under-explored environments,

this year, human trials have not yet been carried out, with preliminary studies still underway. If all goes to plan, this new line of ‘ant antibiotics’ still won’t be available for another few years.

The innovative idea to screen insects for antibiotics will clearly prove immensely beneficial in the fight against antimicrobial resistance - arguably the greatest medical challenge we all currently

tions.

The team isolated several actinomycetes bacterial strains from the ants and using genomesequencing technologies were able to identify new species with genomes encoding novel antibi-

combined with advances in genome sequencing, has enabled the discovery of new species, proving invaluable in the fight against antibacterial resistance.

As this is quite a recent study, with the paper being published

face. Many more insect species are yet to be discovered, so there may well be further sources of novel antibiotics we are currently unaware of, with the potential to help us win the battle against pathological bacteria.

Creature Feature The Sun Bear Ellen Daugherty Sci & Tech Editor

Smallest in the bear family, and half the size of the American black bear, it is often referred to as the ‘dog’ bear due to its size and muscular build. The sun bear’s unusual appearance is accentuated by its crescent-shaped golden patch on its chest that gives rise to its name.

As Malayan legend has it, the sun greets and kisses the bear with the rising and setting sun, giving it its yellow patch of hair.

The sun bear is found in South East Asia, and its distribution is primarily associated with tropical lowland forests. This is particularly important to sustain their diet that consists mainly of honey.

Their long, sharp, claws enable them to rip open beehives and extract honey, which is facilitated by their exceptional climbing ability. Perhaps the strangest aspect of the sun bear is its tongue that can be up to 25cm in length, which also helps for extraction of honey and insects.

However, as with all the remarkable creatures that have been covered under creature feature, the conservation and future of most of these species is questionable.

The sun bear is labelled as vulnerable by IUCN. Although gathering data on these shy and solitary creatures can be difficult, researchers have suggested that there could be less than 1,000 individuals in the wild.

SCI & TECH

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricktech

Hacking: Is it time to panic yet?

In light of the recent hacking of NHS servers, Katie Jones delves into the wrongly neglected issue of cybersecurity.

If someone asked you what you would imagine a dangerous criminal to be like, you would probably think of that stereotypical scary person - the one with the scars which show how many fights they have been in, multiple tattoos and built like an ox with a low voice and an intimidating attitude. What you may not consider is someone without a face. Someone who didn’t even need to enter the building to cause complete chaos. One or many intellectual geniuses who are either greedy, bored or deluded.

In the last month, we have seen the NHS - already on its knees become a victim of a massive

cyber-attack which led to numerous operations and appointments cancelled, ambulances diverted and up to forty hospitals infected with the ransom-ware. It was initially thought that the attack was aimed specifically at the NHS but it was in fact part of an international incident, showing just how vulnerable the NHS and the sensitive patient data it holds really are.

On top of this, the hero of the day, who stopped the spread of the ransomware, did it in his words “by accident”. When you consider the fact that lives could have been lost by this infiltration and personal patient data could have been

leaked, it really just shows how seriously society needs to take cyber-crime.

It is thought the NHS was so vulnerable because most (90%) of the trusts were using obsolete systems which hadn’t been able to apply recent security updates. This is an example of where the NHS desperately needs more funding and where the security of computer-networks needs to be taken far more seriously. The ironic thing is that this is not completely unheard of or unexpected either. Major companies like Yahoo, Sony and eBay have all been victims of major hacking crimes in recent years and with the increased

amount of digitalisation and with society becoming more and more dependent on technology, we really should have been prepared.

So perhaps a fresh outlook on the way we treat the digital world would be better - treat it with the same caution that you would treat the outside world with. You wouldn’t run a large company without properly working CCTV outside the building or security guards in the lobby. You wouldn’t give your details to a stranger in a mask. We shouldn’t be in a position where we are having our private information stolen or held ransom by someone without a face.

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This Week in Science & Tech..

Donald Trump withdraws the US from the Paris climate change agreement resulting in widespread international condemnation.

The Great Barrier Reef in Australia has suffered a massive loss of coral with 29% of corals dying due to coral ‘bleaching’ in the last year.

British Airways was thrown into chaos after a failure in their computer systems.

Theresa May calls for internet de-encryption in response to the recent terror attack in London.

Tigers in Captivity: A Necessary Evil? peak has reached speeds of nearly 28mph. Their ability to reach such Sci & Tech Editor speeds is even more incredible when you consider how heavy Probably one of the most recog- tigers are, with Siberian male nisable and magnificent animals tigers reaching weights of 306kg. on earth, the tiger is no stranger to Putting these factors together, attention. Being both beautiful it is easy to see how many people and endangered, it is a well-estab- would view the captivity of tigers lished poster animal for (especially wild ones) as cruel. conservation charities At the moment, there is a and is often the star big movement to get attraction at zoos. more tigers back in Recently, in a the wild, with captive ‘freak accident’ a tigers easily overTigers can reach tiger killed an taking wild tigers in speeds of up to experienced numbers. However, zookeeper at there may be a necHamerton Zoo essary evil in keepP ark in ing tigers in captiviHuntington, ty. The destruction of Cambridgeshire. their habitats (from mph Although this event deforestation and the was a tragedy, it seemed harvesting of palm oil) to highlight for many how would make it very challengunsuited tigers are to being kept in ing to bring all tigers back into the captivity. Despite being the larg- wild, especially as those born and est of all cats, tigers can reach raised in captivity would be unespeeds of up to 40mph. To put this quipped to survive in the wild. into perspective, Usain Bolt - the This linked with the fact that they fastest man in the world - at his are native to some of the most

Katie Jones

40

densely populated areas of the world, would be a huge problem for everyone involved. Also, in captivity, tigers are protected from being hunted- either for commercial reasons or for traditional medicines - leading some people to argue that captive breeding programs may be the only way to save them from complete annihilation.

Although you may be unsure as to where you stand on the issue

of tiger captivity, you can still take part in tiger conservation in little ways like adopting a tiger from WWF, making sure you don’t buy products with palm oil in them and speaking out against tiger poaching. As a result of conservation efforts in recent years, tiger numbers have increased for the first time, showing us that it is possible to bring them back from the brink when we take action.

New three-way attack version of vital antibiotic vancomycin developed. It is yet to be tested in animals and humans.

India’s space agency successfully launches its heaviest rocket to date, weighing a huge 640 tonnes. It is hoped that the rocket will be able to carry an astronaut into space by 2024.

32

GAMING

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickgames

Could Injustice 2 Already Be the Game of the Year?

Deputy Editor Harry Turner explains how the latest NetherRealm fighter is not only one of the best games of its genre, but also one of the best games period Harry Turner Deputy Editor

@HarryJTurner__

Injustice 2 is a game utterly consistent in its approach to achieving what it sets out to do. It’s a superhero fighter, which lets you play around with some of the best heroes and villains the DC Universe has to offer. With its breathtakingly cinematic story mode, its epic encounters that makes you feel like a badass no matter how inept you are, or in its simple but enthralling gear system – letting you play with your favourite characters as if you were a kid again – Injustice 2 is the superhero genre made into a video game.

As premature as it may be – indeed, E3 will no doubt bring a whole slew of new Game of the Year contenders – for all that the Injustice sequel is and represents, Injustice 2 is already a serious challenger for 2017’s best game.

Engaging on so many levels and so carefully designed to maximise the player experience – whoever that player may be – Injustice 2 is a masterful demonstration of good game design, and undeniably one of the best fighting games to have ever been released.

That latter point gains most weight in all the things Injustice 2 does that its genre siblings do not.

Injustice 2’s story mode is the prime example of this. Story modes are an increasingly rare feature in modern fighting games, and even then, those that do include one tend to treat it as an afterthought. Often when a fighting game does feature a story mode, its cut-scenes are kept to a minimum, and what is there in terms of story itself is generally unimpressive or uninspired.

Certainly, Injustice 2 is scarcely Shakespeare. On more the one occasion can the dialogue be laughably overbearing in its exposition, and indeed, overall the game’s interesting premise lacks the kind of nuance it deserves. All the same though, there is a level of sophistication to Injustice 2’s storytelling that puts not just the fighting game competition to shame, but the likes of RPGs and even full-fledged movies too. The whole narrative is rendered in cut-scenes that are worthy of two-hour YouTube movies – and this is especially with regard to the quality of Injustice 2’s

animation.

Not since Half-Life 2 has facial animation been so startlingly real.

Whether it be the energy of Harley Quinn, the stoicism of Batman, or even the inherent animalism of Gorilla Grodd, the animation is peppered with little details that brings these often larger-than-life characters to life. That this is to be found in a fighting game, of all places, also makes this all the impressive.

Special commendation should also go to the voice actors in further elevating the visuals, of course – with George Newbern’s reprisal of Superman being especially standout.

Fans of the early 2000s’ Justice League animated series will find this broken Superman only more heart-breaking under Newbern’s vocals But even aside from the presentation and delivery of Injustice 2’s main narrative, the story itself is on the whole compelling. Coming off the back of the original game, Injustice 2 features a twisted DC Universe where Superman is a tyrant toppled and Batman is struggling to repair the world left broken in his absence. With the arrival of the villain Brainiac, the narrative quickly becomes a clash between the two ideologies embodied by these versions of Superman and Batman: to kill villains like Joker or Brainiac, or not, to leave their fates to the orthodox authorities.

Undeniably, this dilemma has been explored extensively already – and in the end, the narrative does fail to present the ‘kill’ side with enough nuance to make it truly a pervasive option. Yet the fact that it is there, and even touched on at all, is important. Just compare Injustice 2 to the recently released Mass Effect: Andromeda – a game which decided to avoid the blatant colonialism at the heart of its story – to see Injustice even entertaining these ideas is significant.

Even beyond this, however, Injustice 2’s story is often surprising in its character work. Harley Quinn, for example, is given an intriguing depth as she works alongside Batman to try and redeem herself in the Joker’s absence. The disgraced heroes of Green Lantern but also Flash enjoy similar treatment as they too seek redemption for their part in Superman’s regime. And then there are things like Black

Canary and Green Arrow’s amazing relationship (and parenthood), or Catwoman’s fascinating role as Batman’s right-hand woman. Even Wonder Woman, who in the end perhaps comes off the worst of all the would-be heroes, still enjoys a certain depth, in the revelation that she fears she may have led Superman astray.

Zenith of good game design, and practically bursts with value Safe to say, Injustice 2’s story is a major draw – not just exceeding its fellow fighting games, even those from NetherRealm before, but also rivalling story-focused RPGs. It’s a pulpy superhero epic, yet comic fan or not, when you hear Superman and Batman reminisce about their simpler, more optimistic pasts, it is hard not to feel a swell of emotion for these pop culture icons. Injustice 2 uses its DC license, and the lineage of its characters, to full – in this putting even the efforts of the DC cinematic universe to shame.

But there is still so much more to love about Injustice 2 than just its story. As purely a fighting game, it is a carefully designed experience that’s easy to get into, with plenty of depth and strategy for those that want to sink their teeth. Working off the Mortal Kombat and original Injustice template, Injustice 2 is fast and visceral; where everything from a simple punch to a blast of super-breath feels substantial and satisfying.

Impressive moves are easy to pull off, and with the extravagant supers – which, for example, sees Flash creating a time-loop to smash his opponent into themselves – any player can feel like a pro. And for those that do genuinely want to reach pro-level, there is the inherent strategy in Injustice 2’s metre management and complex combos to get to grips with. Once you see what a good player can do with your favourite character, you’ll appreciate not only the depth Injustice 2 has, but also just how video games can be considered a serious sport.

For the average player,

however, such things are likely not on their agenda. Indeed, the online scene for fighting games is notoriously intimidating – so much so that some players skirt around it entirely. To that end, NetherRealm has done much to accommodate players looking content away from the competitive scene beyond the usual arcade modes – all with the ‘Multiverse’ feature; a constantly changing list of game modes for players. Made unique with random modifiers and challenges, the Multiverse has in store hours’ worth of content as you level up your favourite heroes, and earn them tonnes and tonnes of gear to equip.

And the gear – the loot. After its addictive implementation here, it’s hard to see why it took so long for the fighting game genre to latch onto this idea of earnable loot. For the same reasons that it works so well in the likes of Diablo or Borderlands, the loot system thrives in Injustice 2. Every other fight will earn you gear for characters – and often at levels just slightly higher than what your characters are, therein encouraging you to play more, and more, and more. Yet aside from buffing your favourite characters stats and giving you options to tweak their appearance, the gear system further plays into the superhero sandbox that Injustice 2 is all about. Costumes and alternate outfits are such an important ingredient in superhero fiction, making its presence here only truer to the medium.

Of course, as with any hint of loot or random-number generator features, there is unfortunately the issue of micro transactions – which do feature in Injustice 2. This said, whilst purchasable currency is available, it isn’t really useful when it comes to acquiring the best loot fast. Completing challenges and Multiverse events bags you enough gear to make real-world money payments largely unnecessary.

Indeed, with the prize tier for purchasable gear limited two levels below the highest that you can get, there is plenty of room for earning gear via gameplay. The same cannot be said for the pre-order and seemingly on-the-disc Darkseid character, which undeniably this muddies an otherwise rather fair system; the already announced season pass could be seen as being equally troubling.

In the end, though, the issues that Injustice 2 does have – whether it be in its pre-order policy or beyond – are scarcely insurmountable. Many, in light of the game’s DLC plans, have said that they’d sooner wait for the Game of the Year edition to get the whole package up front and at a cheaper price. That is fair enough, and perhaps is more economically prudent. Yet what needs to be highlighted here is that a Game of the Year edition is very much on the table for Injustice 2.

Injustice 2 is massive, and every corner of it is expertly crafted to provide the best experience for its players. While it will not be the last great game released this year, what is still to come now has much to live up to.

GAMING

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickgames

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E3 2017 – The Year That Makes (or Breaks) Xbox Nick Burton predicts how Microsoft's E3 keynote should play out for success Nick Burton Gaming Editor

Xbox is in a tough position at E3 this year to say the least. Not only do they have to show that their first party line-up is A* material, they also have to sell hardcore gamers on a console that sits between the tainted Xbox One, and the next major Xbox instalment. I for one don’t quite understand how Project Scorpio isn’t a next generation Xbox, since it’s five-times as powerful, but there we go.

I am an Xbox gamer, and have been since the Original Xbox. A great console which had some really astonishing exclusives, such as The Chronicles of Riddick: Escape from Butcher Bay, Fable, and of course, Halo: Combat Evolved and Halo 2. Microsoft learned a lot from the Original Xbox, and that showed through the enormous success that the Xbox 360 achieved.

Console-defining exclusives such as Gears of War and Halo 3, the Xbox 360 put Microsoft permanently on gamers map.

PlayStation however still eventually won that console cycle (despite the poor launch of their Xbox 360 equivalent console, the PlayStation 3). And here we are, nearly four years after the launch of the Xbox One and the PlayStation 4. Here’s the current situation for Microsoft.

The PlayStation 4 is doing around double the numbers of the Xbox One. Almost every PS4 exclusive is reaching commercial and criti-

cal success to a high standard, and Sony has recently released their mid-generation console called the PS4 Pro. It’s not looking great for the Xbox team, but here is why I am faithful.

Phil Spencer (Head of Xbox) is a gamer through-and-through.

He is an intelligent man, and he knows what gamers want. The Xbox One S for example is arguably the best slim-version of an Xbox ever-made. 4K viewing, HDR ready, and the smallest Xbox to date if you count power-bricks.

The Xbox One having regular updates and improvements is another example. There is however still a problem with Xbox’s exclusive line-up. PS4’s exclusive line-up is looking excellent at the moment. The drawback being most of them won’t likely be ready until late 2018. Here presents an opportunity for Phil and the Xbox team.

A lot of people have noted the lack of excellent exclusives Xbox has either recently released, or is yet to release.

What a lot of people haven’t noticed is the purposeful silence that Xbox has held with their big hitters this year.

Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, Cuphead and Below have all been silent for at least a year. This worries a lot of people. Not me. This silence is obviously part of the plan.

Phil is keeping silent in order to make the Xbox E3 presentation as big as it can possibly be. With the release of Scorpio edging closer and closer, he knows that the

best way to make the biggest impact is by showcasing excellent quality games, and more importantly, showcasing them right before they release. You’re about to hear some of my very bold predictions. I predict that Sea of Thieves, Crackdown 3, Cuphead and Below will all release this year. If not this year, then early next year. Why you ask? This is part of the plan. That, and they have all been in development for a very long time.

Xbox has held back with their big hitters this year Games being announced nearer their release window both satisfies gamers more, and leaves the pressure off the developer. All of these games have been in development for many years, and I am certain most, if not all of them are ready to be released very soon. If this is true, then Phil will come out at E3 with one of the best Xbox presentations of all time. Think about it.

Xbox opens with Scorpio. The world’s most powerful console.

And now, you can play a vast library of games both through backwards compatibility (which now has over 300 titles) and the brand new Xbox Game Pass (which includes some of the best games of the last 10 years). Xbox then showcases their exclusives like Halo 5: Guardians and Gears of War 4 on the Scorpio, demonstrating its potential as a console.

Next you show third-party games such as Destiny 2, Call of Duty:

WWII, GTA V and Middle Earth: Shadow of War. This is a crucial move as to whether gamers will buy the console, since many gamers are interested in only playing a few games a year. They may also want to show some indie games on the console as well, just to illustrate the benefits of both triple-A games and indie games. A good indie game to use as a demonstration; Inside. Price of the Scorpio; either $399.99 or $499.99.

Xbox then moves onto its main presentation, showcasing titles like Crackdown 3, Sea of Thieves, State of Decay 2, Below and Forza Motorsport 7 and announcing their partnership Oculus and VR Games they hope to support, whilst highlighting that Scorpio will be the best console to play VR with barnone.

Getting close to the end of the show, you bring on Rod Fergusson, who thanks the community for all the amazing support through the launch of Gears 4, and explains how they will be supporting the game for years, and continue to work hard to make the Gears franchise as good as it can possibly be.

You then bring on the other righthand of Xbox, 343 Industries.

343 may showcase some DLC for Halo Wars 2, but the main presentation should be on Halo 3: Anniversary. The biggest game of the franchise, completely remade just like Halo 2: Anniversary.

Which by the way, is probably the best remake I’ve ever seen. Explain how this links to the launch of the

360, and how this success will be similar to the success of the Xbox family now, especially with Scorpio. The main sell here is nostalgia for Halo 3 players around the world. Have dedicated servers, have custom games, and have that amazing campaign all in one package.

Priced well, it could easily sell millions of copies.

Then the moment we’ve all been waiting for. Phil Spencer comes back on stage, and explains that every single game that’s just been talked about will either be launching later this year, or early next year. A standout move that makes Sony look like a snail. Then state how every single game can be played on the Xbox One, Xbox One S, and the Scorpio.

Finally, he gets off the stage, followed by a short CG trailer announcing Halo 6. No official confirmation, no dates, nothing.

Just a story trailer to show that 343 are making the right creative decisions. For example. Show a dead Locke in the trailer, show a beaten-up Master Chief and Arbiter, and then show the Flood. That would make an amazing CG trailer.

The above is a prediction of what Xbox could do, but also what they are capable of at this year’s E3. Do not underestimate their presence this year. I believe in Phil and the Xbox team. I hope this E3 prediction comes true. It needs to for Microsoft, otherwise Xbox gamers will be looking at a grim future indeed.

Hands On: Augmented Empire Gaming Editor Roshni Patel battles through Coatsink's new VR dystopia Roshni Patel Gaming Editor @roshofalltrades

From the creators of artistic speed runner Shu and the immersive VR series, Esper, comes Coatsink’s latest foray into VR, Augmented Empire. As one of the first games to be made for the Samsung Gear VR, this isolated neo-noir RPG puts a brand new spin on what we call mobile games.

Dive into the mystery set on the island of New Savannah and wade through the futuristic metropolis and their three tiered ‘Citizen Grade System’, interacting with the governments most valuable people in luxury, to the outcasts and criminals in the squalor they’ve been damned to, as you investigate new developments, take on new missions and develop the skills of your rag tag team. Play as ‘Augmented Misfits’ like one of the protagonist Ashley,

This isolated neonoir RPG puts a brand new spin on what we call mobile games

a futuristic operative armed with more than her wits to take in the futuristic dystopia. Guided by your trusty handler in your ear, you’ll be immediately immersed in the story and traversing the terrain in no time at all.

Presented in a third person view, with the world rendered expertly before your eyes like a ‘augmented reality’ diorama, players must employ a ‘look and click’ technique to move, interact and give actions to characters through an XCom-like style of play. With the game running within the Samsung Gear VR, this meant holding one finger to the side of your headset to operate the small touchpad hidden on the surface, which got tiring fast, but is thankfully due to be replaced by a comfy handheld remote.

After the brilliant artistic characters and settings of Shu, and the realistic futuristic facilities in the Esper collection, it was no surprised to see the same attention to detail and art employed in Augmented Empire, which is made all the more impressive when you remember the game runs on a Samsung Galaxy S7 and not a beefy home computer. The developers have worked tirelessly to reduce the poly, pixel and gigabyte count, and we can’t even tell as we

look around a flawless futuristic city. While the game tends to kill batteries and push the processing power of the S7, developers are optimistic that the additional 20% of the Samsung Galaxy S8 will allow the game to run with even greater ease.

With a short three-stage demo

currently making its way around conventions and exhibitions around the world, Augmented Empire is due for release later this year. Players will be able to battle the law-makers and lawbreakers alike to mastermind the revolution.

Battle the lawmakers and lawbreakers alike to mastermind the revoltion.

34

CAREERS

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickcareers

After Graduation, what next?

Lael Hardtman Careers Editor @ehardtman

University has been the best of times, the hardest of times, the times that have prepared us well for our upcoming futures. Without the skills our time here has taught us, we would be less-equipped to deal with the wider world. Our time at university is hard, but good, and show just what we are capable of achieving. For the recent graduates, and even those coming into second year, there’s one question that plagues our minds: what next?

Our lives are a series of milestones preset before we were born: get good grades, stay out of trouble, get into a good college, go to a Russell Group University, and after that who knows, get married, have kids, buy a house. We all

"We are the most technologically savvy and interconnected class, and that IT literacy makes us wanted." know the drill.

But still, when it’s all over, when dissertations and exams and essays are handed in and all we

have left are the diploma’s in our hand and the future laid before us...it’s all a little terrifying. We have all the reasons to be happy, we can wash our hands of this wretched university affair, and enter into a job market that’s showing signs of renewal, with unemployment being put at 7.4 percent, the lowest since 2009.

We are the most technologically savvy and interconnected class, and that IT literacy makes us, well, wanted. That doesn’t mean the competition isn’t rife, but it does make us more adaptable, and more resilient to face the future.

"Start small, with a part time job, so you don't panic and send out ten CVs a week rather than the recommended one application."

So, here are some things you can do to jumpstart your future.

Start the Search This is the hard part: mentally

preparing yourself for the unknown. It’s scary and you’ll need thick skin, but after university, really you can do anything.

Start small, with a part-time job, so you don’t panic and send out ten CVs a week rather than the recommended one application that’s well put together. Focus is important too. Don’t send off applications just anywhere, do it strategically.

Think Outside the Box Apply to your chosen field through regional, local, and international channels. If that fails, see about moving abroad! Don’t let your lack of experience cower you to inaction. Have all the necessary tools (a killer CV, an online brand, and a cover letter fit for a king) and watch the world open under your feet. It’s all about getting you foot in the door.

Further Study And if work really isn’t looking like the place for you, explore further study as an option! This opens the door to personal satisfaction and career advancement.

Try massive open online courses (Moocs), or a master’s course.

These are a few options, but there are always more. Life after graduation isn’t a sprint, so take it one day at a time, because you never know where life will take you!

Landing and Making the Most of Your Summer Job

Your exams are out of the way, and now you find yourself asking the question: what next?

If you’re anything like me, you’ll get halfway through summer to realize just how bored you’ve become. The answer to this? Productive employment paid or unpaid will do, volunteering for a local NGO or interning for a Fortune 500 company. No experience is bad experience, and the impact this will have on your employability can’t be overstat-

ed.

There are many types of work experience, including work shadowing, voluntary working (working for a charity), student internships, and school work experience placements being the most popular.

Work experience is the currency of the job market, it’s hard to get, and if you don’t have it, it makes prospective employment hard, so look to your future and don’t wait.

Here are some things to thing

about when searching for summer employment: Unpaid vs Paid Employment Unpaid internships are as decisive as ever. On the one hand, it’s a great opportunity for students to learn and gain valuable experience that, as much as we love university, we don’t get from our three year experience.

You’ll work in a new field where you’ll potentially get to shadow a mentor, gain valuable

"An intern is entitled to the National Minimum Wage if they count as a worker." contacts and experience that can open the door to jobs in the future.

However, make sure that your prospective employer is willing to pay the National Minimum Wage.

Furthermore, you want to be sure that the work you’re doing is related to your field of study, and to make sure that you aren’t getting taken advantage of.

The UK government states that, 'An intern is entitled to the National Minimum Wage if they count as a worker', and further, 'employers can’t avoid paying the National Minimum Wage if it’s due by saying or stating that it doesn’t apply, [or] making a written agreement saying someone isn’t a worker or that they’re a volunteer.'

So, if you’re an intern, and are classed as a “worker” or “employee”, then you may be owed the National Minimum Wage.

On the other hand, student internships, school work placements, voluntary work placements, voluntary workers (i.e. if you’re working for a charity, voluntary organization or an associ-

ated fund raising body), or those undertaking work shadowing (i.e. when interns are only observing professionals in their work place and not actually working.

For a full list of your rights as an intern, visit https://www.gov. uk/employment-rights-for-interns.

And if you’ve got questions about your employer, or want to see their ranking on the tables, start your search at Rate My Placement (https://www.ratemyplacement.co.uk/top-employers).

Start the search now Some shops only consider online applications, but plenty of others won’t ignore a finely tuned CV brandished in their faces. So don’t be afraid to show up at their doorstep, be bubbly and enthusiastic. It’s the effort that counts here, and you’ll be surprised where it can take you.

CAREERS

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbrickcareers

35

Your Guide to Writing Speculative Letters Lael Hardtman Careers Editor @ehardtman

It’s better to send 10 target emails than 100 scattered across the internet, they say. Applying to only advertised vacancies means that, in some ways, you’re missing out on other opportunities.

Speculative applications differ from this form of job searching in that your (prospective) application is sent directly to the company, and is certainly a more direct route to obtaining a job or internship. Researching the company takes time, but one way or the other you’ll know if you’re likely to be a good match, and you’ll come across as a bold risk taker, something employers are always looking for.

"Applying to only advertised vacancies means that, in some ways, you're missing out on other opportunities" Of course, there’s the possibility of rejection, but that’s just life, really. No risk, no reward.

This is a strategy that puts you in active control of your work experience hunt, and through this way, you may uncover

opportunities you would’ve never come across otherwise.

Speculative applications simply mean that you get in touch with an organiation to see if they have a position open suitable for you, despite the fact that no particular vacancy was advertised.

There are always going to be grad schemes you can apply for the traditional route, but this way you open yourself up to a whole up to finding a form of temporary or permanent work, internships, shadowing opportunities, and many more.

"Draw up a short list of employers, really target who you're going to approach" The first thing you’ll need to consider is who you’re sending your speculative application to.

It’s not enough, in this case, to simply send off your CV to any company without context for why you’re approaching them in the first place so be specific! Draw up a short list of employers, really target who you’re going to approach by looking at employer profiles, attending careers fairs, networking events, or simply stalk them on LinkedIn. It’s key to make sure your company doesn’t have any vacancies, as that makes you look like you aren’t organised or didn’t care enough to look,

"It may break your heart and make your eyes bleed to tear your CV apart and reconstruct it over and over but it's the best way to individually highlight the skills that the company is looking for" which isn’t the message you want to send after all.

After this, look deeply at the company. What are they working on? Are they planning on expanding? Follow them on social media, and if you’re brave, tweet the CEO! At this stage, you want to put your name out there (but in a professional manner, of course, so don’t get too wild with it).

The next thing you need to do is tailor your approach. Take some time, and a pen, and really think about what it is you’re really trying to achieve with your speculative application. How are you going to justify yourself, persuade them that your worth taking the change? Be clear with yourself and your intentions before sending off your application.

Furthermore, personalise your CV to each company.

The Basics to Speculative Letters Subject box Dear XXX Opening sentence: “I am writing to enquire about the possibility of an internship at XXXX, a XXXX company with a reputation for YYY, and was wondering if I could come in and have a chat about my background” Summarize who you are, and why you’re worth their time: “As a volunteer with the Samaritans I am resilient, thoughtful and calm under pressure” Make your skills and strengths to what you perceive the job/ organization to be looking for The standard “I attach my CV for your attention” The pay off: which goes something like: I “will I call you in a couple of days to see if we meet for a coffee and have a chat about your company/ information share/ and any opportunities there might be”.

Quotations from: https://www.brunel.ac.uk/__data/assets/pdf_ file/0009/326385/Writing-a-Speculative-Email.pdf)

It may break your heart and make your eyes bleed to tear your CV apart and reconstruct it over and over but it’s the best way to individually highlight the skills that the company is looking for.

When you do have your tailored CV, send it to a named contact, or call the company up to speak to their head of recruitment and ask. And finally, follow up!

After a week or two, follow up that application with a phone call.

And if still no vacancies arise, ask

them to keep your details on file. Either way, you’ve made a lasting impression, and who know where that could take you.

Sport

36

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricksport

Redbrick Sport's Alternative Team of the Year Redbrick Sport writers offer an alternate take on the Team of the Year. Each team includes a starting eleven and five subs, and must not include any of the members of the actual Team of the Year The PFA Team of the Season De Gea Walker

Luiz

Cahill

Rose

Kanté Mané

Alli

Hugo Lloris Nathaniel Clyne Michael Keane JanVertonghen Ryan Bertrand Jordan Henderson Ander Herrera Roberto Firmino Alexis Sanchez Christian Eriksen Diego Costa

Jordan Pickford Cesar Azpilicueta Michael Keane Toby Alderweireld Ryan Bertrand Christian Eriksen Oriol Romeu Alexis Sanchez Kevin De Bruyne Jermaine Defoe Fernando Llorente

Thibaut Courtois Cesar Azpilicueta Toby Alderweireld Jan Vertonghen Marcos Alonso Kevin De Bruyne Christian Eriksen Gylfi Sigurdsson Alexis Sanchez Sergio Aguero Diego Costa

Thibaut Courtois VirgilVan Dijk Idrissa Gueye Josh King Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Tom Heaton Marcos Alonso Adam Lallana Victor Wanyama Son Heung-Min

Jordan Pickford Idrissa Gueye Josh King Victor Wanyama Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Hazard Olli Meek Sport Writer

Kane

Lukaku

With Hugo Lloris and Thibaut Courtois neck and neck behind De Gea, it was down to consistency and reliability as for which one was benched, though who’s to complain if either is on the pitch.

An unintentionally English bias in the defensive quarters, Keane’s youth being paired with the sometimes-adventurous but ever-impressive Jan Vertonghen; solid contributions to good seasons for both Liverpool and Southampton respectively hand Clyne and Bertrand their places. Henderson brings leadership and some biggame contributions this season, and Herrera, whilst not possessing the flair I would like from the second defensive midfielder, has the combination of attacking and defensive abilities that are a benefit to any side.

I chose Christian Eriksen over the superior statistics of Kevin De Bruyne for his consistency; he is at the heart of so much that they do, and where he conducts, the Spurs orchestra have delivered veritable symphonies at times this season. Roberto Firmino and Alexis Sanchez bring a wonderful joga bonito to the game, and finally, Diego Costa. Fluctuations in form and attention from China have detracted from his season, however he has still delivered of his best on many occasions on the path to Chelsea storming to the title.

A word on the subs bench: Ibrahimovic's irrepressible talent matched with the game-time he brings to the dressing room are valuable assets to a side. I’m willing to give any Thunderbirds name-sake the time of day, but Virgil Van-Dijk’s selection really does speak for itself. Josh King is, I feel, adaptable to provide goals both from central midfield and up top so adds a little muscle that the starting XI currently lacks, perhaps to sure-up in times where resilience is needed.

Idrissa Gueye somewhat makes up my numbers, but his stats for Everton this season are undeniably impressive from a player who few predicted to act as a stalwart as Goodison’s anchor-man.

Nancy Frostick Sport Online Writer

My defensive and goalkeeper choices speak for themselves although Bertrand is an alternative pick – I really think he’s stepped it up this season and probably won’t be at St Mary’s much longer. Bertrand has been one of the reasons Southampton put in the most crosses in the Prem this season (it’s just a shame there wasn’t anyone on the end of them most of the time) and he’s reliable defensively too.

In midfield, Eriksen, Sanchez and De Bruyne can feel pretty hard done by that they didn’t make the PFA team of the year so seem pretty obvious choices. I’ve also squeezed in another Saints player with Romeu, who has been fantastic at breaking down play and shielding the defence this season.

Defoe and Llorente are in ahead of Costa or Agüero purely because of how important they have been to their clubs – Sunderland would probably have been relegated in December and there’s no way Swansea would have pulled off the great escape without them.

Despite the fact that all footballing logic is screaming for Lallana and Wanyama to start in this team, I’ve benched them purely out of bitterness for selling their souls for Champions League football. When they reflect on 2016-17, I’ll bet they regret missing Saints’ 2-1 win over Inter Milan in the Europa League group stage in November, but they’ll be even more disappointed to not make my starting eleven. Who knew having the last laugh would feel this good.

"Defoe and Llorente are in ahead of Costa or Agüero purely because of how important they have been to their clubs"

Harry Wilkinson Sport Print Editor

Courtois takes it in goal, not only because he won the golden glove, but because he deserves some recognition for his solid season in a team praised more for tactical prowess than individual brilliance.

Strangely, the back four is made up of the remaining Chelsea and Spurs defenders that did not make the actual team of the season; the full back of Chelsea and the centre back pairing of Spurs.

Kevin De Bruyne has had a fantastic season at City. The midfielder has contributed to 24 goals in 33 Prem appearances (18 assists)- an immense contribution that shouldn't be overlooked.

Similarly, Christian Eriksen, who although is not exactly an 'unsung hero', has contributed more to Spurs' remarkable season more than people might think (8 goals and 15 assists). Despite a ludicrous end for Kane, a lot of Spurs fans will credit their success to the Dane.

To complete the midfield assist machine in this team, Gylfi Sigurddson has been involved in 21 goals in a Swansea team that struggled for much of the season (9 goals and 13 assists).

It is a mystery to many why Alexis Sanchez did not get into the actual team of the season. The Chiléan has scored 24 goals and got 10 assists this year; an incredible record that will probably see him leave Arsenal in the summer.

Finally, it's perhaps necessary to justify Sergio Agüero's place in the team. The City legend has never been in the Premier League team of the season, which seems crazy when you think about how much an impact he has had since his fist season. Although Agüero may not have been at his best this season, 20 goals in the Prem, and 5 in Champions League is by no means a bad effort especially when considering he was sporadically demoted to the bench. In regards to this, the fact Agüero did not express any resentment or complaint demonstrates his refreshing attitude, which not many world-class footballers share. For this reason, Sergio makes my team of the year.

Sport

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricksport

Hugo Lloris Marcos Alonso Antonio Valencia Cesar Azpilicueta Toby Alderweireld Christian Eriksen Victor Wanyama Kevin De Bruyne Philippe Coutinho Alexis Sanchez Diego Costa

Hugo Lloris Marcos Alonso Antonio Valencia Cesar Azpilicueta Virgil Van Dijk Nemanja Matic Mousa Dembele Philippe Coutinho Josh King Alexis Sanchez Son Heung-min

Tom Heaton Cesar Azpilicueta Toby Alderweireld Jan Vertonghen Victor Wanyama Phillipe Coutinho Christian Eriksen Gylfi Sigurdsson Alexis Sanchez Zlatan Ibrahimovic Diego Costa

Son Heung-Min Josh King Tom Heaton Michael Keane Gylfi Sigurdsson

Tom Heaton Michael Keane Kevin De Bruyne Tom Davies Zlatan Ibrahimovic

Jordan Pickford Michael Keane Adam Lallana Joshua King Son Heung-Min

Dan Steeden

Sport Print Editor

It seems like I'm taking the easy road by simply picking the Chelsea and Tottenham defenders (Hugo Lloris falls into this discussion too) that didn't make the PFA Team of the Season, but it's hard to look past both teams' remarkable defensive records this season.

Christian Eriksen has had another great season, even if he has once again been overshadowed by the English lads hogging all of the limelight, bagging 15 assists and eight goals from midfield. Victor Wanyama provided the perfect contrast to Eriksen in the same Tottenham side, and was another player who played a vital role in their defensive success.

Kevin De Bruyne registered 18 assists in the league this season and remains one of the best players in the league. He may not have added many goals this year but he was instrumental in City's bid to reach the top four. Philippe Coutinho was one of a few bright sparks In a Liverpool side that was electric going forwards at times this season. Coutinho still managed 13 goals and 7 assists in the league, as well as providing some great highlight reel moments.

Even Alexis Sanchez couldn't drag Arsenal into the top four this season, and he has been brilliant.

24 goals and 10 assists have come as a result of the Chilean moving to the striker role, and I think he has been undervalued somewhat because of Arsenal's poor season.

Diego Costa also managed a 20 goal season for the PL champions and, given Chelsea's affinity for grinding out results, these goals were vital ones.

Most of my benched players are from smaller PL clubs but are players who have had remarkable seasons regardless. Heung-min Son is the exception, but the way he ended the season simply couldn't be ignored, and 14 goals and 6 assists is nothing to be sniffed at. Joshua King scored as many goals as Eden Hazard this season for Bournemouth in almost 300 less minutes, and helped Bournemouth to an exceptional 9th place finish. Tom Heaton further justified his England selection this season with 10 clean sheets and a league-leading 143 saves. The same is true of his teammate Michael Keane, a stalwart in the Burnley defence and another addition to the England squad that seems to have been justified by PL performances this year. My final player is Gylfi Sigurdsson, whose nine goals and 13 assists were just about enough to help Swansea stay up.

Alex Alton Sport Writer

The goalkeeper choice is obvious.

Lloris, the man between the sticks for the team with the best defensive record (Spurs) has to make it in there. I decided not to include Alderweireld and Vertonghen in the team however as a matter of protest against the fact they obviously should have made the actual Team. Instead, I've opted for Van Dijk and Azpilicueta at centre back, the former proving so imperious he is on the verge of a move to the top 4, and Azpilicueta displaying such a high level of consistency in a position he is not accustomed to.

For the full backs I have opted for Valencia, whose marauding runs down the right hand side provided many chances for a low scoring United, with Marcos Alonso on the left. Alonso looked well worth the 23m price tag, despite a disappointing history at Bolton and Sunderland.

In midfield, I've opted for the under appreciated Mousa Dembele with his sheer strength and eye for a pass. Alongside him, Nemanja Matic takes up another spot.

Matic, who looked one of the poorest amongst a shocking Chelsea side last year; his defensive solidity plus ability to work in tandem with Kanté means that he deserves a spot.

In the past I have criticised Coutinho for a lack of end product in goals and assists and his general inconsistency. This season he has been a different prospect, scoring 13 in the league to guide Liverpool back to the promised land of the Champions League.

Opting for three upfront, I swooped for Heung-min Son, Alexis Sanchez and Joshua King.

Son has chipped in with plenty of goals and assists for Spurs this year, helping them progress to the next level. He also proved a valuable makeshift striker in the absence of Harry Kane. Sanchez undoubtedly should have made the actual Team of the Season, scoring 24 league goals with 10 assists. Without Sanchez this season Arsenal may have found themselves nearer to the team which possess my final pick, Bournemouth.

Joshua King, who signed on a free from Blackburn two years ago has had an absolutely fantastic season. In this case we have to bear in mind that in his 3 years at Blackburn, he only scored 3 league goals, in the Championship.

Fast forward to this season and King has lit up the South Coast side with a host of impressive displays, scoring 16 in the league - 30% of Bournemouth's total league goals this season.

Daniel Brett Sport Writer

For Burnley and Sean Dyche it was a case of mission very much accomplished this season. The goal was to stay up and, though their 16th placed finish paints an unflattering final picture, they did so with ease. Burnley built their success on strong home form and a good defence, and Tom Heaton was commander of this defence.

With Heaton and Burnley still far from a glamorous entity, and many even critical of Heaton being one of the four (!) goalkeepers in the latest England squad, it is only right to try and remind people how good he has been this year.

Cesar Azpilicueta is the most controversial pick in my side, not because he scraped in, but because he belongs in the actual PFA Team of the Year. A seeming victim of the fact he is so versatile and people could be forgiven for not knowing if he is a centre-half or a full-back, Azpilicueta was overlooked in favour of his Chelsea team mates David Luiz and Gary Cahill in the team of the year.

When people are asked to pinpoint where the league was won or lost, the move from Antonio Conte to a back three is the obvious choice. The reason he was afforded this luxury was due massively to Azpilicueta’s ability to cover two positions at once.

Azpilicueta will rarely steal the headlines, yet I am not sure Chelsea could keep their formation for long without him – I hope that is a sufficient complement.

Next is Victor Wanyama.

Defensive midfielders are in fashion right now; Kanté, Romeu and Gueye to name a few, but it is Victor Wanyama however who steals the spot in my alternative team. By displacing Eric Dier in midfield and even gaining a new helpful knack of scoring goals, Wanyama’s move to London must be regarded as a huge success.

Playing for a struggling Swansea side can’t have been the easiest experience for Gylfi Sigurdsson. Despite this he still ended the year with nine goals and 13 assists. Since his return to Swansea after an unsuccessful move to Spurs, he has reminded people of his class. Sigurdsson is now increasingly influencing big games, with his late free-kick equaliser against Manchester United towards the end of the year a key example of this. Indeed, Sigurdsson’s form has been so good that Mauricio Pochettino is rumoured to be interested in bringing him back to London, with the argument apparently being he is a “better and cheaper alternative to Ross Barkley”.

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Sport

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricksport

European Football Season Roundup Dan Steeden and Alex Alton round up the highs and lows of the season from around Europe's top leagues and cup competitions

Premier League

Women's Football

Ligue 1

Bundesliga

Serie A

Antonio Conte steered the Blues to the title in his first season in charge, sweeping the league with his tried and tested 3-at-the-back system that got the best out of every player.

N’Golo Kante was the star of the show in a title-winning side for the second successive season, having made his move to the capital from Leicester.

Spurs went one better than last season and finished 2nd, despite playing arguably the best football in the league and going unbeaten at White Hart Lane all season. Pep Guardiola could only manage a 3rd place finish with Manchester City as his system seemed to take longer to implement than that of Conte. Liverpool rounded off the top four, meaning Arsenal missed out for the first time in 20 years, and Champions League football will return to Anfield next season after a long absence.

Despite Marco Silva reinvigorating Hull they couldn’t escape relegation, just as was predicted of a club in turmoil at the start of the season.

Middlesbrough struggled to find the net all season and their strong defensive effort simply wasn’t enough. Even Jermain Defoe’s goals couldn’t save a dire Sunderland side who never really looked like competing, and will join Hull and Middlesbrough in the Championship next season.

WSL 1 and 2: The 2016 WSL season finished with Manchester City crowned undefeated WSL 1 Champions.

Reigning champions Chelsea finished runners-up to qualify for the Champions League, as Doncaster Rovers Belles were relegated back to WSL 2 after just one season back in the top flight. In WSL 2, Yeovil Town stormed to an early lead to hold on and secure the title ahead of their South West rivals Bristol City, who were also promoted back to WSL 1.

WSL Spring Series: The Spring Series, a shortened league format to breach the transition from a summer to a winter league in women’s football, began in April with every team playing each other once. In a tense final-day climax to the WSL 1 campaign, Chelsea secured the title ahead of Manchester City and Arsenal. Everton were crowned WSL 2 champions, whilst Tottenham Hotspur won the Women’s Premier League play-off against Blackburn Rovers to book a place in the second tier of women’s football in September.

FA Cup: Manchester City were the most successful team in England in 2016-17, securing a domestic treble of WSL, Continental Cup and FA Cup titles. City beat Birmingham in both cup finals - 1-0 in the Continental Cup and a comprehensive 4-1 at Wembley in front of over 35,000 fans.

Their dominance at home almost extended into Europe, as they reached the Women’s Champions League semi-finals before losing to eventual winners Olympique Lyon 2-1 on aggregate.

Champions League: The Women’s Champions League Final was an all-French affair between Paris Saint Germain and holders Olympique Lyon.

In a repeat of the French cup final, OL secured victory on penalties after a goalless 120 minutes. The responsibility of the deciding penalties fell to the two goalkeepers, with Lyon’s Sarah Bouhaddi converting to win their fourth title 7-6.

A hugely exciting Monaco side stormed to victory in the top division of French football, beating PSG to the title by eight points. 18-year old Kylian Mbappe grabbed the attention of Europe’s super clubs with 15 goals and eight assists, and Radamel Falcao experienced a resurgence in form, scoring 21 goals.

Despite Edinson Cavani scoring 35 goals in the league, PSG could only manage second. This does at least mean that they can be on the receiving end of another crazy comeback victory in the Champions League next season. They will likely be joined in Europe’s top competition by a Nice side led by Mario Balotelli, who had another excellent season.

In an interesting Bundesliga season, the all-conquering Bayern Munich reigned supreme once again, racking up an impressive 82 points.

Trailing 15 points behind them in second were RB Leipzig in their inaugural Bundesliga season, only 8 years after the club was founded. Borussia Dortmund will have been disappointed to not sufficiently challenge Bayern for the title, finishing third, subsequently sacking their manager Thomas Tuchel in the post season.

Another surprise in the top 4 came in the shape of TSG Hoffenheim, under their 29 (twenty-nine!) year old manager Julian Nagelsmann.

Elsewhere in the league, a lot of the traditional “big boys” faltered somewhat. Schalke, Bayer Leverkusen and Mönchengladbach all finished outside of European qualifying. Performing at an even worse standard were Wolfsburg, who narrowly avoided relegation after defeating third place Bundesliga 2 side Eintracht Braunschweig in a playoff match to remain in the top division by the skin of their teeth. That left two teams to be relegated. The two “stadt’s” of the league, Ingolstadt and Darmstadt both dropped down into the lower division.

It was more of the same for the Serie A, with Juventus triumphant in a sixth successive league title. Finishing on 91 points, Allegri’s men balanced another league win with another charge towards the Champions League final.

Making up the rest of the Champions League places were Roma in second and Napoli in third. An interesting story from the Serie A this season was that of Atalanta.

The Bergamo based side are known as a relative minnow of Italian football and have surpassed all expectations in qualifying for the Europa League.

Elsewhere, the recent 'sleeping giants' of Serie A, (Milan and Inter) finished just outside of the European places, but may find themselves in a much better position next year as both are now heavily backed financially by foreign ownership.

Other interesting phenomena in the Serie A include Crotone, who completed a great escape, picking up 20 points from their final 9 games after being 8 points adrift of survival at the beginning of April.

Relegated were Empoli, Palermo and Pescara. Former Manchester City target man Edin Dzeko finished as top scorer with an impressive 29 league goals, perhaps proving his class to previous Premier League doubters.

Championship Rafa Benitez’s decision to stay with Newcastle seems to have paid off as Dwight Gayle’s 23 goals fired the Magpies back immediately to the Premier League. 20 years on from battling to stay in the Football League and losing their stadium, Brighton and Hove Albion reached the top tier of English football under the brilliant management of Chris Hughton.

It was Huddersfield who triumphed in the play-offs, beating Reading on penalties in the final at Wembley to join Newcastle and Brighton in the Premier League.

Europa League Manchester United won the Europa League in typical uninspiring style under Jose Mourinho, therefore qualifying for the Champions League next season. The game itself was a fairly drab affair, with United taking the lead from a fortuitous Paul Pogba goal, not befitting of the dubstep music that usually accompanies any goal that he scores. Mkhitaryan then consolidated United's lead in the 48th minute, effectively consigning the rest of the game to standard procedure for United. Ajax showed their considerable inexperience in this game, with the centre back partnership of De Ligt and Sanchez hosting a combined age of 37 years old.

Ajax looked comfortable on the ball throughout, but never mustered anything more than a half chance and were limited to playing possession football outside of the final third.

Although many English fans berated United for being ecstatic about victory in the "unloved stepson" of European competition, yet this does give them a chance to get back amongst the big boys of European football next season.

This completed one of the worst "trebles" ever won by an English side, comprising of The Community Shield, League Cup and now the Europa League.

La Liga

Champions League Real Madrid became the first team ever to retain the Champions League in its modern format, overcoming Juventus 4-1 in an entertaining final. Ronaldo opened the scoring with a deflected shot into the bottom left corner, but Juventus hit back through a spectacular, acrobatic effort from Mario Mandzukic, which will go down as one of the best Champions League final goals ever. After half time however, Real really stepped it up and another deflected shot, this time courtesy of unlikely hero Casemiro, put Los Blancos ahead. Ronaldo then pounced again at the near post with a goal that put him at the top of the competition’s scoring charts yet again, before some play-acting from Sergio Ramos saw Juan Cuadrado sent off with little time left. Marco Asensio wrapped up the victory with a tidy finish, and Real celebrated their 12th major European title.

Zinedine Zidane’s managerial career at Real Madrid has been nothing short of incredible and he continued the success this season as he lead Los Blancos to their 33rd La Liga title.

Zidane has managed the egos in the Madrid dressing room perfectly and Isco in particular has flourished under his leadership. Cristiano Ronaldo scored 25 goals, which by his standards constitutes a relatively poor return, but the goals were much more spread out this season as the likes of Alvaro Morata (15 goals) took up the mantle. Barcelona chased their historic rivals right to the end, especially after a Messi master class in the last Clasico of the season, but even his 37 goals for the season weren’t enough to catch Real. Atletico Madrid qualified for the Champions League yet again, and the talismanic Antoine Griezmann bagged 16 goals, but this will go down as a fairly disappointing season for the Rojiblancos. The final Champions League place went to Sevilla.

Tony Adams took charge of Granada for the final seven games of the season, and under his guidance they lost every single one, resulting in relegation.

Sport

Friday 9th June 2017

@redbricksport

39

This Brum Girl Can Night In 2017: Review Sport online editor, Nicola Kenton, attended the 'This Brum Girl Can Night In' at UB Sport & Fitness last weekend Nicola Kenton Sport Online Editor @Nicola_Kenton

On Sunday 4th June, over 150 people descended on the recently opened UB Sport & Fitness club to take part in the This Girl Can event which had been organised

by Sports Officer, Georgie Freeman. The evening was an opportunity for all female and non-binary members of the student and local community to take part in some exercise classes and activities, as well as potentially seeing the facilities at the new sports centre for the first time.

Sports Officer, Freeman said that it was the University of Nottingham's video of a similar event inspired her to try and organise the same thing for Birmingham. Funding for the event was acquired through BUCS, who were allocated £50,000 when Sport England launched the second wave of the This Girl Can project in February this year. Universities had to pitch for the funding, trying to prove that they had a clear identification of the group the event would be targeted at, an action plan for

engaging community and the help of the student union alongside the BUCS funding. Birmingham were one of the universities who were successful and Freeman decided that holding the event in the new sports centre would allow people to experience world-class facilities, as well as a fun evening of sport.

The evening was an opportunity to take part in some exercise classes and activities Speaking of the event, Freeman said, 'We wanted to use UB Sport & Fitness so finding a day where we would not disrupt the public was essential. We've only used some of the courts today, so that the public are still able to use many of the facilities on offer. I sent out an email to the sports clubs to see if they wanted to get involved so they've put on some sessions, some are by instructors here at the centre and PowerSoc is

a Guild society.

'We went with a similar idea to the University of Nottingham and try to add to it. Ross Strong has been involved from the beginning and has helped to create the chillout zone and choose the leaflets which were given out about mental health. One of my aims for this year was to get more people into "social sport" for putting on sporting events for those who don't normally participate; we tried to focus on getting the community and liberation associations involved with the event.'

There were many activities to take part in with sports clubs running some of the sessions. The 21 sports on offer included: Table Tennis, Rugby Union, Archery, Body Combat, Touch Tennis, Netball, Dodgeball, Cheerleading, Volleyball, Soccercise, Badminton, Wing Chun, Judo, Taekwondo, Korfball, Yoga, Disco Cycle, Jujitsu Self Defence, Basketball, Zumba and PowerSoc. This range of sports allowed people to experience something new, as well as sports which most people will have done at some point even if it was only at school.

From the Editor’s Desk: A Redbrick Retirement Sport online editor, Nancy Frostick, provides an emotional farewell from the departing sport editors Nancy Frostick Sport Online Editor @nancyfrostick

‘Una squadra per la vita’, or ‘one squad for a lifetime’. That phrase is true for the King of Rome, Francesco Totti, following his retirement from football after a career of 785 games in 25 years for his beloved AS Roma. Every year top football players and sports stars retire, but this year it feels like a higher proportion than ever. After Totti and John Terry, Frank Lampard and Steven Gerrard, Xabi Alonso, Phillip Lahm, Jessica Ennis-Hill, Kobe Bryant, Michael Phelps, Nico Rosberg, Bradley Wiggins and soon to be Usain Bolt, plenty of sports stars have moved on to other things in 2016-17.

In the case of the Redbrick Sport editorial team, three of us are being forced into Redbrick

retirement and one is making a big money move on to next year’s committee as Deputy Editor. Like the end of the reign of the Pevensies in The Chronicles of Narnia, we’re going on to life outside the wardrobe and (rather horrifically) the real world.

Tedious links to C.S. Lewis aside (the other half-male, half-female quartet comparisons available were ABBA and the Scooby Doo kids, so the options weren’t great), this article marks the end of my Redbrick career and is likely to be as self-indulgent, nostalgic and filled with weepy thank you speeches as any good testimonial match.

If you’ve stumbled across this article somewhere on the internet or in an edition of Redbrick that’s still knocking around the sofas on the third floor of Arts, then hopefully you’re enjoying the last edition of the year enough to have made it all the way to sport at the

back. Please appreciate that in your hands (or on your screen) is the most fantastic and lovingly put together student newspaper you’ll find anywhere. A lot of effort goes into each edition, and slaving away in the dungeons of the Guild, starved of daylight and reliable PCs, is the most brilliant team that brings you all the latest and most important news in Brum (and beyond). We do it all for free as, sadly, there’s no lucrative sponsorship deals or goals per game bonuses for any of us. The people of Redbrick are committed and close-knit, and you should definitely, definitely become one of them if you’re at UoB and writing for us has ever crossed your mind. Promise you won’t regret it.

"The people of Redbrick are committed and close-nit" To continue the theme of vague sporting references and tedious links, you could (at a push) compare Redbrick to a football club. Our writers are our players, the editorial team are the coaching staff and we have a disproportionately high managerial turnover rate with one new editorin-chief every year. It might be stretching the comparison too far to suggest that our readers are devoted enough to be called fans, although maybe that’s unfair to the parents who probably read

every edition. The faces, the appearance and the playing style might change a little, but the club has an identity and it is still going strong after 81 years.

So as three quarters of the Sport editorial team hang up our boots, it only seems right to say good luck to next year’s trio, upon whom we’ve thrust the editorial captain’s armband with weighty expectation. There’s no doubt that the section is in safe hands with Alex, Leanne and Olli, especially under the watchful eye of Harry and the rest of the new committee (who are all fab too).

A quick nod to Redbrick’s own football club, the inventively named Redbrick FC, who will also see the retirement of many players after our final match of a successful season this week in the Dungeons Derby against our noisy neighbours Burn FM (pun very much intended). Good luck at the Bournebeu next season to anyone

lucky enough to pull on an RFC shirt.

As the saying goes, all good things come to an end. Whether we move on to football punditry, coaching roles or a sideways move into a career in IT management, the team at Redbrick Sport have had a cracking season together, so thanks for sticking with us. And so, with a whimper – who am I kidding, I’m crying more than John Terry in the rain after missing that penalty in the Champions League Final – all that’s left to say is thanks to Redbrick and everyone involved with it for being the best two years you can imagine. In the words of the eternally cool Francesco Totti, 'I will succeed in turning the page and throwing myself into a new adventure.'

Burn FM Emerge Victorious In Student Media Charity Derby

09.06.2017 Redbrick Sport pick their alternative Premier League Team of the Season

Page 36 Dan Steeden & Alex Alton

round up Europe's top football leagues Nancy Frostick

Page 38 Nicola Kenton reviews the 'This Brum Girl Can Night In' event

Page 39 For more, follow us on Twitter:

@redbricksport

Sport Online Editor

@nancyfrostick

Redbrick FC's successful season drew to a close with a charity football match against student media rivals Burn FM on Wednesday afternoon in a clash branded 'The Dungeons Derby'. Both teams emerged from the underworld of the Guild Student Media Centre to raise money for the Manchester Emergency Fund following the recent terror attacks.

Despite a positive performance over 90 minutes from Redbrick, Burn ran out comprehensive 5-1 winners.

With many of the Redbrick players a bit worse for wear following a lively Societies Night, the match started out an interesting one at Metchley. In a classic red versus blue tie, Redbrick lined up with a 3-4-1-2 formation that would ultimately prove their downfall.

From early on, Burn were on top and made the most of Redbrick's uncertainty in their formation to take the lead. It wasn't long before the radio outfit made it two, as they scored straight from the restart. Burn's ability to make the most of a big pitch at Metchley tired Redbrick, who were chasing the game for most of the first half.

A few dubious tackles from Burn players didn't stop Redbrick's Alex Alton however, who skipped through three players on his way to an incredible solo goal to peg things back to 2-1.

At this point in the game there seemed to be some hope for Redbrick, although it wasn't long before Burn extended their lead again. Some incisive passing from the heart of the Burn midfield tore apart the Redbrick defence to leave goalkeeper Harry Wilkinson defenceless as the team in blue put in their fourth.

Ever optimistic despite the half-time score, Redbrick tweaked their formation and brought in a new central defensive partnership of Tom Woods and Tom Peploe. This proved to be an inspired move as the team learned from their earlier mistakes and shut down most of Burn's advances and began to cause some offensive pressure. A few chances for Greg Woodin and Conrad Duncan were well saved by the opposition goalkeeper, before Burn finally broke down the Redbrick defence to score their fifth.

Despite the derby result, Redbrick FC's season was a successful one with a third placed finish in their first season in the 6-a-side Tuesday night mixed league.

From experienced players to first timers, Redbrick turned out in all weathers at the Bournebeu throughout the season.

Manager Nicola Kenton said: 'The creation of this football team has added another element to the Redbrick society.

We've had a mixture of players, everybody has been so supportive of the team and we've created a great team spirit. I'm very proud that we managed to sustain the team throughout the season and that so many people wanted to get

involved.'

Club Chairman Will "Billionaire" Baxter added: 'The team has come on leaps and bounds from ambitious but occasionally shaky beginnings to its rightful place as the best media football team the Guild, the university and, possibly the world, has ever seen.'

Particular highlights in the season was the dominant performance of box to box midfielder Alex Alton in a resounding win against S'oak United in November, described as a display that would 'go down in the annals of footballing history'. Likewise the performance and three goals from of all the team's female players in a disappointing loss to Halls 1 was another high point despite the final result.

Recently crowned player of the season and team captain Nancy Frostick said: 'I'm really happy to win player of the season. Playing in this team and leading us all year as captain has been an absolute pleasure! Redbrick FC only works because of all the brilliant players that turn up in all weathers to make this team fun'.

Players for Redbrick FC this season: Dan Steeden, Harry Wilkinson, Alex Alton, Nancy Frostick, Anna Griffiths, Giulia Bardelli, Conrad Duncan, Olli Meek, Bradley West, Freddy Nevison-Andrews, George Lilley-Moncrieff and Harry Turner.