Issue 1495 by Redbrick

Redbrick Issue 1495 , Vol. 83

Friday 21st September 2018

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Exploring the University's new Dubai campus

We tackle the biggest myths about student life

Getting the most out of the UK's second city

The best TV to binge with your new flatmates

News 3

Life&Style 5

Culture 6

Television 7

Welcome to Birmingham Your comprehensive guide to making the most of first year

Redbrick

The Official University of Birmingham Student Newspaper, est. 1936

An Exclusive Look At The Green Heart Redbrick News take a look behind the scenes of the newest addition to campus Liam Taft, Sophie Woodley & Megan Stanley News Editors

The University’s controversial Green Heart project, currently under construction on campus, is on track to open in early 2019. Redbrick gained exclusive access to the construction site to learn more about what the project will look like, the struggles that the construction team have overcome, and how the space will serve students at UoB. The Green Heart is built on the site of the old library, deemed unfit for purpose and demolished last year. Open green space was part of the original heritage of UoB’s campus before it was developed. Therefore, the team wanted to return to this original vision of the University’s founders. Plans for the project were drawn up by landscape architect Chris Churchman and the designers responsible for creating the 2012 Olympic Park. One major aesthetic component is a bronze door sculpture, on loan from Birmingham Museum & Art Gallery, which is engraved with poetry by T.S. Eliot. Three shields will be on display, including the UoB crest, which were saved from the old library and have been restored by a stonemason. The Green Heart is designed like a ladder: on one side is The Rill – a large water feature which flows alongside the new library – and on the other is the raised walkway next to Muirhead Tower. Connecting these two elements together are several pathways and areas of green space. The Rill will be home to a range of plants, hoping to attract more wildlife to the area and protect the campus’ biodiversity. There will also be a sanctuary to protect the local hedgehog population. Attention has been paid to water management, in order to prevent future damage on campus (which was affected by

flash flooding earlier this year). An amphitheatre, with a predicted capacity of between three and five thousand, is currently being constructed where the North Car Park was previously located. This will provide space for performances from student drama groups and will also host university events, such as the Proms. A large lawn connects the library to Muirhead Tower, which will soon be home to a new food outlet. One reason for constructing the raised walkway near Muirhead Tower is to cover up the lower levels of the tower, which were never intended to be on display. Another reason is to provide a more direct route between the University and Pritchatts Road, especially for wheelchairs and white stick users, making the area more accessible. The Green Heart will also provide outdoor study spaces for students. An additional 70 WiFi spots have been provided to ensure that visitors can access the internet, as well as many USB ports. A new Learning Centre is being constructed nearby, which will house more lecture theatres, seminar rooms, and independent study spaces. The project has been controversial amongst students, especially regarding funding. Two years ago, a banner advertising the Green Heart was draped across the old library, costing £27,000 (or the price of a three-year degree), understandably causing outcry, with many believing that the funds for the project could have been allocated to more practical needs such as mental health services. Senior Project Manager Stephen Ashton told Redbrick that the Capital program – which includes several projects across the university – has cost between £160-180m. ‘I know it is a lot of money,’ he says, ‘but in the big scheme of the Capital program, it is important that we spend some money on the bits between the buildings so that we can have a good consistent experience across the

campus.’ Questions have also been raised about the purpose of the project, with some claiming that the Green Heart is just a vanity project used to advertise to prospective students. Ashton agrees that this is partly the motivation behind the project, but claims it is not the primary aim. ‘There are layers of things we want to do,’ he says, ‘it is a place where you can go and work, it is a place where you can relax and enjoy time inbetween more formal activities on campus, and it is a really good place where you can meet people.’ The loss of the North Car Park to make way for the new amphitheatre has also proved controversial, with some students concerned that there are now too few parking spaces on campus. Ashton makes it clear that the project

INSIDE: An Introduction to Redbrick’s Sections, and How to Get Involved In Your Student Newspaper

had to go through a planning application, which required the project planners to maintain approximately 3,000 car parking spaces. What’s more, there are plans in place to construct three new car parks on the location where the Munrow Sports Centre used to be, in order to ‘take the pressure off some areas on campus.’ The construction of the Green Heart is on schedule to open in January, despite flooding earlier in the year and high temperatures during the summer, which threatened to kill trees in the area. A small opening ceremony is scheduled, in which the Vice Chancellor and Guild President will open the North Gate for the first time. More events will follow throughout spring and summer, potentially culminating in June’s Graduation Ball. www.redbrick.me

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Friday 21st September 2018

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Letter from the committee... Almost two years ago to the very day, I picked up a copy of the freshers’ issue of Redbrick at Societies Fair, found a quiet corner in my flat on the Vale, and read a blurb written by the then Editorin-Chief Anna Griffiths as she laid out why Redbrick is the best society around. Today, somehow, that pen has been passed to me. So, forgive me if I seem to cheat a bit, but I think that the best way to start is to offer you the three things she said that have stuck with me all of this time. Firstly, Redbrick is the official student paper of the university and so there is no better way to gain journalism experience than writing for us. Secondly, Redbrick publishes such a wide variety of content that there will always be something that suits your interests. And, finally, Redbrick is at its foremost a society and a community, and it is very true that some of my closest friendships have been formed in our office underneath the Guild of Students. Since reading Anna’s words that day, the majority of my work for Redbrick has been achieved with the News section. I have always operated, however, knowing that my degree takes priority. Well, most of the time at least. But I won’t go on any more about my journey, because that is only one story. One way to experience the society. Rather, my best advice would

be to join now and make Redbrick the society you want it to be. We have twelve fantastic sections, an award-winning website and we print a 40-page paper every fortnight, so there is such a wide variety of work to do. That means that, whatever your university workload and whatever your interests are, Redbrick can be tailored to whatever you want to do and however much time you want to give it. We are not asking for your soul, although it’s fair to say that some of our most dedicated contributors over the years have certainly offered it. Most importantly, you don't have to be a fresher; you don’t have to study an Arts degree; you don’t even have to want to go into journalism; you just need enthusiasm. And, who knows, in another two years’ time one of you will probably be sitting in this chair struggling over what to write in the Editor’s column as well. From the dungeons, we salute you.

Redbrick Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Erin Santillo

Lead Developer Jivan Paul

editor@redbrick.me

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Deputy Editors Issy Campbell Kat Smith

Social Secretary Sorcha Hornett

Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TT 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrick.me Redbrick is printed through www.mortonsprint.com 01507 523 456

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Digital Editors Jonny Isaacs John Wimperis

Erin Santillo Editor-in-Chief

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Designed and typeset by Redbrick Copyright (C) Redbrick 2018 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.

Meet the sections: News

3 Comment

Culture

6 Music

7 Film

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The section for all writers, reporters and photographers, covering everything from global headlines to campus updates.

The home of debate, conversation and free speech at Redbrick. If you’re passionate about it, we are.

Reviewing the best art, theatre and performance the West Midlands has to offer.

With reviews spanning from local music to international artists; club nights to arena concerts, all genres are welcome.

For those looking to see and review the very latest in cinema - be it Hollywood blockbusters or Netflix originals.

Edited by: Tom Leaman; Megan Stanley; Liam Taft and Sophie Woodley

Edited by: Natalia Carter; Emily Chapman; Alex Cirant-Taljaard and Amelia Hiller

Edited by: Olivia Boyce; Hannah Brierley; Rebecca Marie Moore and Natalie Welch

Edited by: Emily Barker; Letty Gardner; Harry Hetherington and Kieran Read

Edited by: Lucy McCann; Todd Waugh Ambridge and Josh Woods

Television

7 Gaming

Food&Drink 5 Travel

Life&Style

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The average person in Britain spends 10 years of their life watching TV. So why not write about it?

The latest gaming news, reviews, discussion and events, from the student perspective.

The perfect place to figure out what you’re eating tonight - or to share your latest recipes and money-saving tips.

Home of the latest destination articles, travel tips, and more. Even if you’re not travelling anytime soon, tell us about past adventures.

Covering fashion and beauty as well as mental health and social media, Life&Style is your companion to navigating student life.

Edited by: Niamh Brennan; Morgana Chess and Jess Green

Edited by: Christopher Hall; James Law; Imogen Mellor and Sam Nason

Edited by: Dean Mobbs

Edited by: Laura Botia and Evangeline Hunt

Edited by: Yasmine Kennedy; Sophie Kesterton; Imogen Lancaster and Ellie Silcock

Sci&Tech

Sport

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If you want to report on the latest breakthrough technologies and scientific advances in the modern world - or even just review the latest iPhone.

Reporting on campus fixtures and the latest from the very pinnacle of world sport, as well as the best student health and fitness tips.

Edited by: Francesca Benson; Katie Jones and Will Nunn

Edited by: Jake Bradshaw and Jack Simpkin

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NEWS

Friday 21st September 2018

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Mental Health Conference Held Between the Guild and the University Sophie Woodley News Editor

On 6th September, a joint venture Mental Health Conference was held between the Guild of Students and the University. Newly appointed Welfare Officer Izzy Bygrave led the conference, with the Director of Student Affairs. Redbrick spoke to Bygrave, who said the conference aimed to ‘bring together everyone across the university who deals with mental health in some form.’ This involved staff from the Guild of Students, Student Services, Security, Welfare Tutors, and Accommodation Managers. An ‘amazing turnout’ of 85 staff attended in total, with a further 15 full-time and part-time Officers.

‘Staff and students who attended are working towards a collaborative, cross-campus system,’ said Bygrave. This will provide support to students and ensure everyone is aware of who offers what, and where it is available.

"An ‘amazing turnout’ of 85 staff attended in total" Bygrave stated that ‘the best bit of the day was the student panel, as four students spoke about their experiences with the support services in front of the room.’ Describing it as a ‘really positive discussion,’ she told us how powerful the conference was

for attendees. Redbrick spoke to third year English student Emily Atkinson, who says, ‘Departmental welfare officers are really efficient and treat you like an individual, with willingness to hear to what you have to say.’ Chloe Holliday, another third year student at UoB, stated, ‘Having reliable mental health support, especially when you start University, is really important because you’re living independently for the first time and need to remember to prioritise your own wellbeing.’ Current support services from the Guild of Students involve student groups such as DAMSA, Headucate, Student Minds and B-Eat. These are all societies that aim to provide mental health support for students at UoB.

More information about the support services that the University of Birmingham has to

offer can be found at: www.guildofstudents.com/support/healthand-wellbeing/mental-health

Guild President Visits Dubai Campus Tom Leaman News Editor

Reece Patrick Roberts, President of the Guild of Students at the University of Birmingham, visited the newly-opened UoB campus in Dubai last week. Speaking to Redbrick News, Roberts described the trip as ‘far from shaking hands or taking pictures outside shiny new buildings. It was to recognise the genuine concerns of students

around welfare, student rights, and academic freedoms.’ Between September 9th and 13th, Roberts and International Officer Joanne Park visited the UAE to address the concerns students have raised regarding the new campus in the Middle-Eastern country. A full report will be issued in the near future. Roberts went to the UAE with questions regarding the campus from a range of sources. ‘The questions I asked whilst out in Reece Patrick Roberts

Dubai were shaped by concerns my team and I had as officers but also, more personally, as a gay officer.’ These questions were aimed at university staff, students and to government officials while in the country. In an exclusive statement for Redbrick, Roberts described the discussions held between New York University Abu Dhabi, Heriot-Watt University, Middlesex University, The Government of Dubai and the staff at University of Birmingham Dubai. The most important conversations held were with students of NYUAD and Heriot-Watt, ‘ensuring the message I was receiving from staff was being translated into the student experience.’ A primary issue raised was how sexual misconduct would be addressed and prevented at the new campus. One example of how inclusion and education are ensured at a campus in the UAE came from NYUAD’s Senior Director of Inclusion & Equity. Roberts’ release to Redbrick describes how NYUAD ‘runs

compulsory workshops on respect for students,’ ranging from crosscultural open-mindedness to issues such as ‘consent, sexual misconduct and bystander intervention.’

"'The questions [...] were shaped by concerns my team and I had as officers but also, more personally, as a gay officer" Having schemes such as this already running in the country gives hope that the University of Birmingham will be able to work around the controversial laws and customs in Dubai, particularly regarding the LGBT community. The Guild will be operating in Dubai, under the name The Students’ Association, to represent students on the campus. In a recent statement on the

Guild website, Roberts said that he ‘will work tirelessly for students at home and those studying abroad during my time in office – and I will not stop when the Dubai campus opens.’ Roberts has previously expressed his discontent about the Dubai campus opening: in the Guild Presidential debate in February, he said he would ‘put his foot down and say people from my university should not be going to Dubai unless the University (and the Vice Chancellor) can guarantee, in writing, a safe space.’ However, he did say that he expects that students at the campus should be able to remain safe. A final report is currently being produced, which will be completely independent of the University. This will be produced in cooperation with the ‘relevant officers and associations over the coming weeks.’ The report promises to be Roberts’ ‘honest opinion about the campus and what will be needed to ensure the promised Edgbaston experience in Dubai is actually felt by the students out in the UAE.’

£2.8m WiFi Upgrade By Early 2019 Erin Santillo Editor-in-Chief

A ‘world class’ and ‘super fast’ WiFi network that aims to reach all areas of the University of Birmingham’s campus is due to be finished in early 2019, despite significant delays. The project, which has reached 75% completion over the summer break, is estimated to be costing the university £2.8m. This upgrade comes after WiFi complaints through the National Student Survey were gradually increasing regarding the older hardware that has been in place for the past 10 years. With 50,000

users of the Eduroam WiFi network across an average week, and that number set to increase, IT Services opted to upgrade the 2,100 WiFi access points across an 18 month project as part of UoB’s digital strategy.

"The programme should be futureproof ‘for at least five or six years’" Notably, students will only be able to connect to the high speed WiFi if they use the Eduroam

network on their devices, as opposed to the older UoBWiFi system. Speaking to Redbrick, IT Services’ Mat Butcher stated that the upgrades will mean the WiFi signal will eventually be strong enough to be picked up even in the Green Heart, explaining that ‘wherever you are on campus, you should be able to connect to WiFi of the same quality as within buildings.’ He also told us that the programme should be future-proof ‘for at least five or six years,’ at which point the network will be subject to another review. IT Services had hoped for 85% of the project to be com-

pleted before the start of semester, but the ageing infrastructure in some of UoB’s older buildings has slowed contractors down. As a result, work will continue out of hours during first semester.

"Work will continue out of hours during first semester" The WiFi upgrade will also be rolled out across the University’s satellite sites – such as the Orchard Learning Resource Centre in Selly

Oak – although this will not include student accommodation WiFi, as this is provided by an external company. Using technology developed by the world’s leading WiFi supplier, Aruba, the University tested the upgrade last year in the Main Library, Collaborative Teaching Laboratory, Murray Learning Centre and Computer Sciences. With a 90% student satisfaction rating and a ‘significant drop’ in calls to the IT Service Desk from those buildings, UoB decided to replicate the upgrade across campus. Student satisfaction will be measured again with a series of surveys after the programme has finished.

FEATURES

Friday 21st September 2018

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Birmingham’s Hidden Gems

Redbrick explore the city's best places for your social life and your Instagram feed If you are not from Birmingham, moving to the UK’s second city ready for university can be a little daunting. Luckily, Redbrick have put together this guide to five of Birmingham’s best hidden gems that you can explore with your newfound friends during Freshers’ Week and beyond. From golf to the Glee Comedy Club, there is something for everyone to enjoy.

Winterbourne House and Gardens Sorcha Hornett Social Secretary

Situated on the path from the Vale to the Guild of Students sits Winterbourne House and Garden, a hidden campus destination. It is a rare surviving example of an early 20th century suburban villa

and garden, with the house being built in 1903, and is the perfect place to visit if you want to escape chaotic university life for an hour. The 7-acre botanic garden is the perfect place for Instagram snaps, especially the cacti greenhouse and the Edgbaston Pool, which offers a view of the top of the Chamberlain Tower. After a walk

around the gardens you can enjoy afternoon tea on the terrace, and in the summertime they offer live jazz performances. The house is also open for viewing and has two floors of museum interactive exhibition rooms that bring the history

of the house to life. Winterbourne is open daily, and the best part is that it is free for students if you show your student ID, so there really is nothing stopping you from taking a visit.

Digbeth Dining Club Sophie Woodley News Editor

Digbeth Dining Club collates food, drink, live music and an alternative setting, making it one of the most atmospheric places in Birmingham. Located on Trinity Street in Digbeth, the award winning event is perfect for exploring Birmingham outside of Broad Street and the renowned Bullring. The array of street food provided at Digbeth Dining Club lies at the heart of the event. Delicious

Lane7 Kat Smith Deputy Editor

The Cube may be largely associated with fancy hotels, innovative architecture and Marco Pierre White, but Lane7 offers a far more familiar environment for us students. With nine walnut bowling lanes, a bar serving an array of cocktails, beer pong

vegan, vegetarian and meat options are available and for great quality food, it is worth splashing the cash if you fancy treating yourself at the weekend. However, it is the live music and busy setting that makes Digbeth Dining Club more than a food-filled evening. With numerous bars and small, aesthetic stages, the event is also ideal for enjoying drinks (and maybe even a dance!) with friends. Whether in warm or cold conditions, the fairy lights and street food huts provide a great opportunity for a

sociable evening with friends, a romantic setting, or a way to kick-start your experience of Birmingham’s buzzing nightlife. So, for those of you who love culture, music, food and art, or want to try something new, this all-encompassing event is for you. Head down to Digbeth Dining Club every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and follow their Instagram @digbethdiningclub for more information.

tables as well as a multitude of arcade games, this venue has everything you need for a good time out in the city. Its chilled, adult vibe sets it worlds apart from your usual bowling alley, making it the perfect place to get to know your new flatmates, course mates or society friends. And we are definitely in luck, with Birmingham’s venue being only one of four in the UK. The retro arcade games are a particular highlight because of their authenticity and decent price (you can buy six tokens for a fiver). If

you are looking for somewhere to play old-school Pacman or Space Invaders, showcase your dancing skills or shoot as many hoops as you can, this is the best place in Birmingham to do it. Also, when it is situated next door to the Mailbox and a short walk from Brindley Place, Lane7 could not be more conveniently placed for you to treat yourself to a post-bowling drink or meal. The £3 photo booth is also a lovely way to remember your night and perfect that Instagram post. Trust me, it’s all as cool as it sounds.

Amelia Hiller Comment Editor

Located just outside the Custard Factory in Digbeth, Ghetto Golf is an 18-hole, adult only indoor mini-golf course with its very own cocktail bar. As soon as you enter, you are immersed into a

Phil Champion

Gavin Wray

Ghetto Golf world of glow in the dark street art. Each hole is different – one moment you will be aiming a ball into the hole on a double decker bus, and next you will be playing mini-golf on a replica bowling alley, all whilst listening to music from some of Birmingham’s prime DJ’s. Staff are often found walking around

The Glee Club Laura Mosley Redbrick Writer

Lane7

If you are interested in exploring Birmingham a bit further than Broad Street, then The Glee is the perfect place to start. Hosting different comedy nights every Thursday, Friday, and Saturday alongside touring comedians, the

club offers plenty of opportunities to ease your way into standup comedy; whether it’s your first time or you are a seasoned audience member. Thursday’s Comedy Carousel is performed in front of a big screen where comedians remark on the weirdest things from the web that week. It is also the winner of the What’s On Readers’ Award 2018 for Best

taking orders so that you can enjoy incredible cocktails, beers or soft drinks while you play, and you can also order Americanstyle BBQ street food at the bar. At just £10 per person, this is a great icebreaker for Freshers’ Week, and always a guaranteed winner with students throughout the year.

Comedy Show, and with student tickets priced at £6 it is cheaper than a night out. It is a great way to discover new comedians, and with fellow Brummie Andy Robinson hosting the show, it will take no time at all for this to be one of your favourite hotspots in the city. There is also a bar and menu for a spot of food and drink. But beware of the random seating allocation – it is a fun show but you might find that if you’re put in the front row, quite a few of the jokes might end up being directed towards you...

LIFE&STYLE / FOOD&DRINK

Friday 21st September 2018

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Seven Myths About University Life

Life&Style Editors Imogen Lancaster and Sophie Kesterton tackle the common misconceptions surrounding student life, especially during your first week 1. YOU'LL MEET YOUR FRIENDS IN FRESHERS' WEEK AND FRESHERS' WEEK ONLY Many first years feel a huge pressure to forge friendships in the first week, especially when it comes to flatmates. But do not lose hope if you do not click with everyone you meet in the first few days. In reality, there are plenty of friendship-making opportunities at Birmingham, whether it be via your course or through the University’s vast array of societies.

2. FIRST YEAR DOESN'T MATTER It is a well-known fact that your first year counts for nothing when it comes to your final degree grade, which provides a sense of security for students who want to live at large and embrace the party life in first year (justifiably so). But, it is a myth that this doesn’t matter at all - sorry to burst your bubble. You really ought to try at least a little bit to

ensure you are prepared to embrace second and third year, which get progressively more challenging. Furthermore, when it comes to years abroad and years in industry, if you so wish to do one, your first year grade is integral to help secure your spot on these very competitive programs.

3. YOU SHOULD GO OUT EVERY NIGHT OF FRESHERS' WEEK If you go out every night of Freshers’, you will most likely to find yourself close to death (unless you really are hardcore and have a stellar immune system). It is more than okay to take a break and give yourself a night off. At the end of the day, taking it a easier will help you enjoy the rest of your week and upcoming months without getting the dreaded Freshers’ flu. Also, you have the rest of your degree to make the most of Birmingham’s nightlife, so don’t feel the pressure to cram it all into Freshers’ week if your body is telling you no. The best nights are most likely yet to come once you work out where and what your favourite events are!

4. UNIVERSITY IS ALL FUN AND GAMES Through the likes of social media and the stories you hear from relatives and friends, you will tend to only see and hear the positive when it comes to university. But remember that it is okay to have a down day and find things difficult from time to time. University is not always perfect: you are bound to find it stressful around, for example, exam periods and assignment handins... but that’s okay and it will pass. And remember there are always resources to turn to if you are finding it especially tough.

5. SORT OUT YOUR HOUSE FOR NEXT YEAR ASAP

6. YOU WILL LIVE OFF OF BEANS AND TOAST

It goes without saying that it is ideal to get the faff of sorting next year’s accommodation out of the way. But when it comes to Selly Oak, Birmingham’s go-to student area, you are guaranteed to find a place to live no matter what time of year it is. It is important to take some time to make sure you are going to be living with the right people. There are plenty of estate agents in Birmingham, as well at the student union’s very own ‘Guild Lettings’, who are ready to help you out once you are ready.

It is the most notorious staple student meal out there but for perhaps the first time, you have a chance to experiment with what you eat and test out your cooking ability. There are plenty of cheap options beyond the standard beans on toast if your budget needs to stretch. Cheaper supermarkets like Aldi in Selly Oak are an ideal option.

"University is not always perfect"

"Do the things that you are excited by"

Remember to keep these myths in mind as you enter your first year. The reality of university is not always what you expect it to be. But, through the highs and lows that come with being a student, you are guaranteed to have the best few years at UoB!

7. SIGN UP TO AS MANY SOCIETIES AS POSSIBLE You really are spoilt for choice at Birmingham when it comes to societies: just go along to the fair in Freshers’ Week to see for yourself. But there is no point signing up for every society under the sun and inundating yourself by committing to too much. University life is an important mix of societies, socialising and studies, so go for as many as you feel you can and want to commit to. In short: do the things that you are excited by.

Food: How To Eat Like a Student

As term looms ever closer, Redbrick Food&Drink discuss the all important topic of budgeting, and how you can make the most out of your money Dean Mobbs Food Editor

Now, if you are like me, I know many of you will cringe at the words used so many times by our parents over the years. We are of course talking about ‘offer,’ ‘sale’ and the worst one of all: ‘BOGOF.’ But honestly, when it comes to university life and specifically being a fresher, your eating habits are going to learn to love them.

BUDGET YOUR MEALS There are so many things I could say to help you budget your meals, but let me tell you what the main thing is. Before university, many of us are used to eating branded foods like Heinz baked beans or Blue Dragon sweet chilli sauce, but now you are going to have to start getting

used to the idea of a cheaper alternative; Aldi’s own. This store will be your best friend in Selly Oak (there is also one in Edgbaston for those on the Vale), and it could not come into your life at a better time. You will learn soon enough what ingredients will become the staple of your university diet, and being honest, it really all boils down to one thing... pasta! When trying to budget, pasta will really become your best friend. I cannot tell you how many times this ingredient has actually, genuinely, completely saved my life. Macaroni cheese? Done. Pomodoro? Done. Lasagne? Done. Granted, all of these things require other ingredients, but they literally would not be anything without the core heart of the meal. From the basic dishes to ones that take a bit more effort, pasta can almost certainly provide you with a cheap meal. This guarantees savings, which means you can afford more nights out, and a lot more stationary... I definitely know

which one I would be more excited about.

RESIST TAKEAWAY Now to possibly one of the biggest tips we here at Redbrick Food&Drink can give to you: do not be lazy. I know that takeaway might seem particularly appetising now that you have finally got your own place and money, but it's simply not sustainable. Not only do the bills add up, but eventually you are going to ruin the love you have for pizza and Chinese food. In fact, you deserve a treat every now and again. But trust me, it will lose its comforting quality if you keep getting them.

MAKE THAT LIST If you take anything from this article, then let it be this: no one

will deny that it is tempting, and frankly just easy, to buy meals or ingredients one bit at a time, especially if you live so close to the shop. But the problem with this is that you will end up spending way more money than you originally intended. Each time you pop to the shop you always end up seeing something else you might fancy, and you can easily be spending £15 or £20 a day without even realising. The best way to avoid this is to follow in your parents’ footsteps and do the weekly shop we all waited for back at home. If you have a strict list to follow it will be a lot easier to stay on budget, and it also means that the one trip a week will leave you with more money to spend on random items that you do actually fancy when filling your trolley. Something I learned far too late into my university life was that the more you go to the shop, even if it is just for milk, the more you are going to spend. It makes all the difference taking two minutes out to write that list and do a full half an hour shop.

Lisa Fotos

CULTURE

Friday 21st September 2018

@redbrickculture

A Cultural Tour of Birmingham Redbrick's Culture Editors Olivia Boyce and Natalie Welch take you through everything you need to see, hear and do this year in the UK's second city Olivia Boyce & Natalie Welch Culture Editors

Firstly, Birmingham is home to the Hippodrome, a venue that often plays host to touring productions of world-class West End theatre, world-premiere dance works and events such as TEDxBrum. Previous shows include Wicked, Evita and Matilda, and the venue also regularly hosts the Welsh National Opera and ballet companies from Birmingham and beyond. Their Patrick Centre space is equally thrilling, hosting newly devised works and a variety of family-oriented productions, and the venue also has a First Night ticket scheme. Upcoming productions include War Horse, Kinky Boots and Les Misérables. The Birmingham REP boasts some of the most diverse seasons of work year after year, and their upcoming season is no exception. The main HOUSE auditorium sees the venue’s largest productions, with an upcoming season that includes The Lovely Bones, Heart of Darkness and a new adaptation of The Wizard of Oz. The STUDIO and the DOOR, two Birmingham Hippodrome

smaller performance spaces, have played host to some truly astounding pieces including Iphigenia in Splott and Cuttin’ It, and provide many of the most exciting new works a home in Birmingham. The REP’s Preview Club programme is just one way to access tickets at reduced prices. Birmingham’s Town Hall and Symphony Hall offer a broad program of events with something for everyone. Symphony Hall’s spectacular 2262 seat concert hall is a perfect place to experience classical and rock performers alike, and both venues also host comedians including Jason Byrne, Sarah Millican and Katherine Ryan. Jazzlines, a programme of creative jazz music, often offers free performances, and performance poetry and spoken work events and the occasional dance spectaculars also feature in their seasons. Previous acts include Collabro, The City of Birmingham Symphony Orchestra and Sandi Toksvig, and upcoming performers include Lea Salonga and Cliff Richard. With return tickets starting at only £4.30 (not including a railcard dicsount), it would be a shame to not visit The Grand Theatre in Wolverhampton. The theatre hosts many major touring

productions; Top Hat, Kinky Boots and The Whitney Houston Show will all be visiting Wolverhampton this coming winter. If the plethora of acclaimed productions were not enough to convince you of a visit, the theatre building itself is also quite remarkable. Designed by architect Charles J. Phipps, The Grand Theatre is a grade II listed building and not only looks but feels regal and luxurious, definitely worth a visit during your time in the West Midlands.

"The Ikon Gallery is a worldrenowned art venue in the very centre of Birmingham" Elsewhere, Stratford-uponAvon is home to three wonderful theatres all run by the Royal Shakespeare Company. Their main theatre, The Royal Shakespeare Theatre, is the home of many Shakespeare productions, as well as other, more contemporary plays. The RSC can be quite experimental, often trying to put a more contemporary spin on Shakespeare – they really showcase how timeless these plays are. Connected to The Royal Shakespeare Theatre is The Swan Theatre: The Swan is a very intimate theatre, only sitting 426, and regularly hosts plays by Shakespeare’s contemporaries – such as Christopher Marlowe, Ben Jonson, and John Webster. And finally, The Other Place, which regularly hosts festivals of new work, such as The Mischief Festival which will be hosted there until October. With not only these beautiful theatres to see but some Instagram-worthy thatched houses, a range of tourist attractions and a return train ticket starting at £8.40, Stratford-upon-Avon is a must-see. Birmingham itself has many other performance venues, with the Crescent Theatre of Brindleyplace featuring exciting

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productions of classic plays and new works alike, including Romeo and Juliet and Sherlock Holmes: The Sign of Four. The mac, located close to campus in the Cannon Hill Park area, is a pioneering venue that specialises in contemporary work, offering a programme that includes dance, cinema, art exhibitions, music and spoken word, theatre and comedy, and it is well worth a visit. The Old Joint Stock Theatre has seen exciting productions of productions such as Sideshow, War of the Worlds and Oyster Boy. The Alexandra, previously the New Alexandra Theatre, has a variety of tribute acts, touring musicals and plays such as Private Lives and The Sound of Music, and also has a lovely piano bar to enjoy some music and drinks before a performance. The Old Rep, just a short walk from New Street Station, has seen recent shows that include RENT and Private Peaceful, and The Blue Orange Theatre’s upcoming season includes A Journey Through War and Dracula. Birmingham is also a city with much to offer for fans of dance of all forms. The Elmhurst Ballet School train the dancers of the future, with showcases taking place each year, and the worldfamous Birmingham Royal Ballet perform elegant and breathtaking ballets with an upcoming programme including The Nutcracker and Beauty and the Beast. World-renowned choreographer Matthew Bourne’s stunning ballet/dance creations often visit venues such as the Hippodrome, with his production of The Red Shoes winning multiple Olivier awards and audience acclaim. The B-Side hip-hop festival returns each year to the Hippodrome, providing dance classes and astounding performances, whilst venues such as the mac regularly host contemporary dance performances such as the upcoming Motionhouse Dance Theatre. For art, the Ikon Gallery is a world-renowned art venue in the very centre of Birmingham. The gallery hosts a number of contemporary art installations. The Ikon’s latest exhibit, Polly Apfelbaum’s ‘Waiting for the UFOs (a space

set between a landscape and a bunch of flowers)’ opened earlier this week: although the title is taken from the Graham Parker song ‘Waiting for UFOs’, her art is structured around the wider issues and political landscapes of America, also concerned with the legacy of American post-war art. With free entry and a location just around the corner from Brindleyplace, The Ikon makes for a lovely day out in Birmingham. Even closer to home is The Barber Institute, literally on your doorstep whilst you are here at the University of Birmingham. It is just across from the Guild of Students' entrance, and has free entry. The Barber has quite an astounding collection of paintings, including Vincent van Gogh’s ‘A Peasant Woman Digging’ and Claude Monet’s ‘The Church of Varengeville’. The institute also has an exhibition room, with new and exciting exhibitions opening every two to three months. The Barber Institute also has a small library in case you are looking for somewhere intimate to work on campus. For a glimpse at just some of what is to offer in and around Birmingham, head to redbrick. me/culture to read reviews and coverage.

WELCOME MEETING 27th September 2018 - 7-9pm Guild Council Chambers

MUSIC / TELEVISION

Friday 21st September 2018

@redbrickmusic / @redbricktv

Birmingham By Night: Our Guide to the City’s Best Nightlife Nightingales Marianne Holt Music Critic

Birmingham’s Gay Village is a queer paradise - whether it be midweek or the weekend you can head to Hurst Street to sashay to Cher and Carly Rae Jepsen until 6am. The Gay Village boasts a multitude of karaoke and drag nights, as well as Birmingham’s only lesbian pub.

"Nightingales is the crème de la crème of this gaybourhood" Nightingales is the crème de la crème of this gaybourhood - head there on a Thursday for their student night Pounded for £1 drinks and free entry until 11pm. Nightingales host a superb selection of drag shows showcasing local queens and the biggest drag superstars in the world. RuPaul finalist Naomi Small played there just last week. Gales never fails to

surprise us with their shows. Icons that have graced their stage include Girls Aloud’s Nadine Coyle, Sandra from Gogglebox and even Gemma Collins. Evacuate the dancefloor because Cascada will be performing here on Saturday 5th October.

emerging artists. The immense variety offered by The Mill means there is something for everyone, so make sure you check it out.

Hare & Hounds Letty Gardner

The Mill Sophie Rashley Music Critic

The Rainbow Warehouse closing was a significant blow to UoB nightlife. Luckily, new Digbeth venue The Mill is opening its doors on the 28th of September in its place. The warehouse has been completely renovated to offer big club nights like Triple Cooked and Cirque De Soul, as well as live DJ acts. Propaganda is also launching here on the opening date, September 28th, with a live DJ set by Roy Stride from Scouting for Girls, suggesting the venue will offer a wide variety of music genres and club experiences. As well as big names, the second room will offer a smaller, more intimate space to showcase

Music Editor

Based in Kings Heath, the Hare & Hounds is the place to go for gigs and DJ nights. Taking on a host of big names since the close of Rainbow Venues last year, Hare & Hounds puts on gigs in their two small upstairs rooms, as their pub bustles on the ground floor. Here a live show is a much more intimate event, with even their biggest room having a capacity of just 250. It is a personable venue, with musicians often mingling with the audience after they play.

"A personable venue" With a variety of different events on every week, and ticket prices being very reasonable, Hare & Hounds is one of the top venues to catch live performances.

SoulJam Sorcha Hornett Social Secretary

SoulJam burst onto the scene just under a year ago, promising the best night of funk, soul and disco, with no other regular event in Birmingham dedicated purely to these types of music. It started at Lab11, which remains their venue of choice nearly a year on. The music creates the perfect event for you to dance the night away with your friends, and with a playlist featuring the likes of CHIC, Chaka Khan, and Kool & the Gang, it always promises to be an evening with feelgood music you will certainly know. Tickets range from £5-7 so not only is it budget friendly, but you are guaranteed to have a good night here (just watch as drinks can be expensive!).

Fab 'N' Fresh Issy Campbell Deputy Editor

Fab ‘N’ Fresh is our very own student night hosted at the Guild. Taking place most Saturdays, Fab is typically filled with Second and Third years drowning their sorrows in VKs. The music is tacky, the drinks are not cheap and sometimes there are so many people you can barely move, but we love it all the same. Perhaps not the most obvious choice for Freshers, but do not discount it. Your university experience will be incomplete without seeing the lights come on at 4am. Fab will soon become your go-to choice, followed by drunk food at your preferred chicken shop in Selly - and you will absolutely love it.

TV’s Top Picks: Best Shows to Binge With Your New Flatmates

TV Editors Morgana Chess, Jessica Green and Niamh Brennan take us through some of their favourite TV shows to bond over with your new housemates during Freshers Morgana’s Picks: Netflix: Evil Genius Nothing says flatmate bonding like a murder documentary. Subtitled ‘The true story of America’s most diabolical bank heist’, Netflix’s Evil Genius is an excellent choice for those first few weeks of getting to know each other. The true-crime documentary is a university staple that allows flatmates to puzzle out the crime together, grab each other for support during dramatic plot twists, and also often leads to interesting intellectual discussions. Evil Genius will hook viewers in the first episode with a pizza delivery driver and the bomb that is strapped around his neck. Best enjoyed: Following a communal flat dinner with a cuppa tea in hand.

Netflix: Gavin and Stacey New flatmates can also be united through enjoying old classics and there is nothing quite so classic as Gavin and Stacey. This well-loved tv show that pokes fun at the differences between the English and

Welsh has stood the test of time and I will tell you why. We will never get bored of Nessa’s attitude, Smithy’s takeaway orders, Bryn’s awe at technology, or the married squabbling of Dawn and Pete. Every character is charming and the script is hilarious, a perfect uni watch. Best enjoyed: The morning after a Fab ‘N’ Fresh, with blankets and lots of snacks.

Jessica’s Picks: Netflix: The Good Place Whether you and your new flatmates are in it for the comedy, or are in fact after an existential debate about death itself, then The Good Place is the show for you. The first season follows Eleanor Shellstrop, who after being selfish and self-absorbed during her time on Earth, mistakenly gets put in ‘The Good Place’ to live out a paradisal afterlife. You will find yourselves marvelling together at just how genius the show is, from the witty one-

liners to the automatic replacement of residents’ curse words with phrases deemed more acceptable. So, what the fork are you waiting for? Best enjoyed: Unhindered by a hangover, so you can keep up with the quick quips.

at UoB - so it is only right to watch your fellow Brummie in action. Best enjoyed: Drinking endless cups of English Breakfast tea, because that is how the Crawleys would have done it.

Amazon Prime: Downton Abbey

Niamh’s Picks: BBC/Netflix: Happy Valley

If you can decide as a flat that you are ready to embark on a six series journey of tears and heartache, then it is time you started watching Downton Abbey together. The show follows the scandalous lives of the aristocratic Crawley family and their servants in the early 1900s. You may have thought of Downton as just that boring period drama your Nan used to watch on Sunday evenings, but I can guarantee that your entire flat will be sobbing together over each unfortunate breakup and every untimely death. And besides, Matthew Goode (who plays main character Henry Talbot) used to be a drama student

If the friendships in your flat can make it through Happy Valley, they can make it through anything. Once you resist solo binge-watching the entire series in one evening whilst the rest of your flat sleeps, the crime drama will have everyone sat around arguing about ‘whodunnit’, trying to prove the superiority of their detective skills. The intensity of emotion that flows through Sarah Lancashire’s performance as Sergeant Cadwell will have you so emotionally invested that you will feel like it is your duty to help her along the way. Best enjoyed: With pen and paper in hand ready to gather clues of your own.

Netflix: Brookyln Nine-Nine Brooklyn Nine-Nine will help any and every flat come together even if it is only to agree on one thing: it really is THAT good. When you watch the relationship between Boyle and Peralta you will want one of your own, and the companionship of the 99th precinct will be the envy of every flat. Thousands of people came together to save Brooklyn Nine-Nine from cancellation so you and your flat could enjoy it. There is something for everyone, with each character bringing a different type of humour to the show. From Holt’s deadpan satire to the farce of Hitchcock and Scully’s disgusting presentation, you can trust in NineNine to lift the mood and leave no one bored. Best enjoyed: Anywhere, anytime. NINE NINE.

21.09.2018

SPORT UoB Sport and Fitness Is It Worth It? Redbrick Sport weigh up the pros and cons of the university's new £55 million gym, and discuss how students can get the most out of their membership Harry Wilkinson Sport Reporter

UoB Sport and Fitness has been a feature of campus since May 2017. The fresh build has top quality facilities, including a new swimming pool (Birmingham’s only Olympic-standard pool), many rooms for a variety of activities and a gym with state-of-the-art equipment. The quality of the centre cannot be disputed - although it is not free of problems. The place has a large, dramatic entrance oozing with grandeur - some might say unnecessarily so. The size of this entrance, although impressive, seems barely practical, with the high ceiling catering only for a novice climbing wall, alongside intentional, perhaps slightly superficial magnificence.

"The place has a large, dramatic entrance oozing with grandeur some might say unnecessarily so" The centre itself is vast, with many spaces for activities including the massive Munrow Hall, which holds 12 badminton courts and is capable of catering for big events such as Lockdown Basketball (which sees UoB’s best take on those of Birmingham’s other universities). It also boasts a 50m swimming pool, with a timetable that ensures there are always lanes available for members to swim. Additionally there are excellent facilities for squash, martial arts, spinning classes etc., and of course, the main gym.

Fitness classes are very well organised at the centre: there is a healthy range and all are easy to book using the app or on stations near the front desk. For example, there are numerous spinning classes available throughout the day, each usually lasting around 45 mins and therefore easy to fit in with your schedule. Before discussing some of the minor controversies surrounding the university gym, we should first discuss what it holds. The gym has two floors: the first floor housing mainly cardio equipment (100 cardio stations according to the official website) such as treadmills and spinning bikes, as well as non-cardio resistance machines. This floor boasts a wide variety of machines, all of which are still brand new and state-of-the-art. The second floor houses the freeweights, along with accompanying benches, cables and a few pieces of cardio equipment including a couple of spinning bikes, rowing machines and underused non-electric treadmills. There are five flat benches, two incline and about ten adjustable benches; dumbbells going up to 56 kg in multiples of two; a couple of leg press machines and more. There are also nine heavy lifting stations for squats and deadlifts, which strangely have no mirrors. The equipment is good, but the real question is whether there is enough of it, as well as enough space to use it. For the price of £265 per year (up from £205 the previous year) I would personally say it is just about worth it. £265 is a perfectly reasonable price for a gym with this quality of equipment. However, as previously mentioned, what makes its reasonable status questionable is the problem of overcrowding. The only realistic solution for the overcrowding problem would be to sell fewer memberships, which would add to the already-additional problem of there being

a shortage of memberships, thus being counterproductive overall. The real problem must have been created way back in the initial designing of the centre: making the gym too small. This is a little frustrating considering the size of the centre as a whole, especially given the grandeur of the large entrance discussed previously.

"If the inconvenience of overcrowdedness is an obstacle, then the convenience of being located on campus makes up for it" This problem of busyness is not devastating however, as most of the time the gym is usable. On weekends, for example, the gym is rarely busy, if not fairly empty if you fancy a Sunday afternoon pump. In the week you just have to either be lucky or avoid evenings, if you can. Anytime after 5pm you are asking for trouble, and being students with time at our disposal, there are not really many excuses that prevent you from going before then. It just adds an extra obstacle - or, depending on how you look at it, an extra test of how much you actually want to commit to going to the gym regularly. Additionally, the gym’s perfect location must be considered. If the inconvenience of overcrowdedness is an obstacle, then the convenience of being located on campus makes up for it. This is enhanced further by the fact there are not many options outside of the university gym, other than a very decent easyGym in Kings Heath, Ironworks near Kings Norton Station and a Pure Gym at Five Ways, all

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Prices and availability accurate as of 20/09/18. For more information on UoB Sport and Fitness membership visit: www.sportandfitness.bham.ac.uk of which, although less expensive and less busy than the UoB gym, are far less conveniently located unless you have a car or are willing to commute via train. All things considered, the university gym is worth the investment if you are someone who wants to commit to going regularly. The pros outweigh the cons; you just have to roll with the punches.