Issue 1377

Rachel Hewison interviews the Jackass gang about their latest outing Read the full interview and review, p16

Redbrick

The University of Birmingham's Student Newspaper since 1936

Friday November 12th 2010 Volume 73 | Issue 1377 redbrickonline.co.uk

Student protest marred by riots Approximately 50,000 Students Conservative Party HQ stormed NUS furious with small scale violence News Update, p3 Comment and Features, P9

Mike Roberts INSIDE

The NUS student protest outside Parliament Square

US Mid-Term Analysis >> 8 | Puzzles >> 10 | Poetry special >> 12 | NEW Lady X column >> 14 | Film LGBTQ special part 1 >> 17

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12th November 2010

News

Comment & Features on China's forgotten plight to find its role on the world stage Edwina Moorhouse, page 7

Redbrick Editorial Editor Samuel Lear Deputy Editors Victoria Shires Sam Langtree Online Editor Micaela Winter Treasurer Jonathan Craven Art Director Thomas Walters Chief Photographer Mike Roberts chiefphotographer@redbrickonline.co.uk Technical Director Jeremy Levett News Editors Helen Crane Glen Moutrie Anna Hughes news@redbrickonline.co.uk Features Editors Rosa McMahon Seb Mann features@redbrickonline.co.uk Film Editors Elmley de la Cour Matt Davis film@redbrickonline.co.uk Arts & Culture Editors Sian Gray James Reevell arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Music Editors Will Franklin Charlie Bailey music@redbrickonline.co.uk

Glen Moutrie

Travel Editors Ed Gordon James Cull travel@redbrickonline.co.uk Sport Editors James Phillips Simon Hall sport@redbrickonline.co.uk Technology Editor Stuart Gittings Manpreet Pangli technology@redbrickonline.co.uk Crossword Editor John Rizkallah Editorial Assistants Victoria Bull Rochelle Balach Laura Hewitt Vikki Jeff Will Hunter Kate Selvaratnam Online Editorial Assistants Charmaine Katz Becky Sibson Danielle Fox Sophie MurrayMorris Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Jazzarie Lee Photography Editor Bethany Richardson Copy Editors Olivia Wilson Anna Lumsden Sian Stanfield Emily Haseldine

T

wo Filipinos battle it out in a Gawad Kalinga village, just north of Manila. Gawad Kalinga is a charity that is based in the Philippines and builds homes and often entire villages throughout the nation.

Send your pictures and a brief summary to pow@redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick Calendar

redbrickonline.co.uk/events

Television Editors Natalie Timmins Joe McGrath tv@redbrickonline. co.uk

Theatre

Lifestyle Editors Briony Singh Rob Lewis lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk

Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Food Editors Harriet Constable Dami Olugbode food@redbrickonline.co.uk

AMOS ROOM, 18-21 NOVEMBER, 7PM Infinity Stage Company present Edward Albee's epic Who's Afraid of Virgina Woolf? Prices range from £4-6.

Copyright (C) Redbrick 2010 Redbrick strives to uphold the NUJ Code of Conduct. The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.

To contact us: Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TU 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrickonline.co.uk www.redbrickonline.co.uk Redbrick is printed through www.quotemeprint.com: 08451 300667.

Advertising: Contact Aimee Fitzpatrick in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524 or a.fitzpatrick@guild. bham.ac.uk

Full events listings available online

Music & Nightlife

Sports

We Are Scientists

Lax to the Max

CV Workshop

HMV INSTITUTE, 16 NOVEMBER, 7PM We Are Scientists are pleased to announce 'The American Barbarians Tour' throughout the UK in November. Tickets £13.50, see http:// venues.meanfiddler.com/hmv-institute for details.

MUNROW TRACK PITCH, 17 NOVEMBER, 2PM Come and see our championship winning ladies lacrosse team take on arch rivals Loughborough. Last year the ladies lacrosse team remained undefeated throughout the BUCS season and therefore claimed the BUCS title. This match sees the beginning of their fight to secure the title for the second year running.

WINSON GREEN, 13 NOVEMBER, 1PM A free hands-on session for students who want to learn about jobsourcing techniques such as CV structure and job interview questions, as well as academic techniques such as essay-writing. The event is at 86-95 Bacchus Road, Winson Green, B18 4QY. There will be free bus transport to and from the university. To confirm you will attend, please email dlcfbirmingham@yahoo.co.uk

1.4 Billion Reasons

We Are Scientists Welsh National Opera

Welsh National Opera – The Magic Flute HIPPODROME, 13 NOVEMBER, 7.15PM Some of Mozart's most beautiful music can be found in this performance, mixing comedy and pantomime with philosophy and religion.

A free pre-performance talk begins at 6:15pm. Tickets from £15 available from www.birminghamhippodrome.com.

Talks,

Middle East Peace Orchestra TOWN HALL, 16 NOVEMBER, 7.30PM A unique and moving collaboration between Arab and Jewish musicians from across Israel, Palestine, Egypt, Iraq, Syria, Jordan, Lebanon and Scandinavia.

Middle East Peace Orchestra

Lax to the Max

3k Campus Relay AROUND CAMPUS, 20 NOVEMBER, 1PM Join the 10th annual 3K campus relay race. Men's, women's and mixed teams welcome. Be as creative as you like with the mixed team with fancy dress or even a 'multiple legged' race. Applications due by 13 November. Find out more and get an application form: www.sport. bham.ac.uk/events/2010/11/campusrelay.shtml

UNDERGROUND, 23 NOVEMBER, 7PM Based on leading research, the 90-minute presentation clearly articulates the facts of extreme poverty and demonstrates that making simple changes everyone can be a part of the solution. Please RSVP via: www.globalpovertyproject. com/events/attend/293

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Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie and Anna Hughes

News 3

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

University Cuts Fallout Students protest against a rise in tuition fees Edwina Moorhouse Senior Reporter

On Wednesday, an estimated 50,000 students took to the streets outside Parliament to protest against higher education cuts and raises to tuition fees, in an NUS organised demo.

Although the march was mostly peaceful, and stewarded by both police and student representatives, there was an outburst of small scale violence promptly condemned by the London Mayor Boris Johnson as 'intolerable.'

The protest came in light of the coalition Government announcing ten days ago that tuition fees were set to rise to as much as £9,000 for some universities, and cuts to higher education are estimated at around £400 million, resulting in a huge loss to the standard universities are expected to maintain.

The aim of 'Demolition' was to show the members of Parliament that students would not be 'cut out' when education stands as a pillar of society.

Wednesday's show of student solidarity took an unexpected turn towards mob mentality when a small group of presumed students smashed the windows of the Milibank building in Westminister,

a building containing the Conservative Party headquarters.

Rising to shouts of 'Tory scum' the individuals pushed back police lines with a scuffle and entered the building, as shattered glass lay beneath their feet. Scotland Yard later reported that 14 people, including police and students, had been injured in the incident, although not critically.

Standing nearby, Redbrick witnessed people surging forward and protestors clad in black with the lower features of their face covered, spray painting 'A' for anarchy on the walls outside the Government building.

Speaking to Redbrick and Burn FM, researcher Katherine Seton and Eric Pickles, former Chairman of the Conservative Party, said that in regards to the protest it was 'part of democracy, and no one should really object.'

As for the changes in higher education, he declared that 'the last thing we want is to dissuade anyone from going into higher education.'

In contrast, NUS President Aaron Porter told students from the top of a stationary double decker bus that the measures were unacceptable and his fear was that government 'know exactly what they are doing, but just don't care.'

He added, in particular reference to the Liberal Democrats, 'the broken promises fall thick and fast but the consequences fall on the next generation.'

The protest had begun peacefully with thousands taking to

Tens of thousands of students attended 'Demolition' Mike Roberts

Reaction to tuition fee cuts from Russell Group Laura Frost Reporter

The Director General of the Russell Group, Dr Wendy Piatt, has announced that the recent lift of the tuition fee cap will benefit students and save money.

The Russell Group is a collaboration of the top 20 universities in terms of research and government funding, including the University of Birmingham.

According to Piatt, 'lifting the fee cap to £9,000 for new students in England from 2012 is a welcome reform that will help our universities maintain and enhance their world-class status.'

Piatt and the Russell Group announced their support for the Browne Review when it was released, describing the proposed reforms as 'necessary' and 'urgent'.

The Russell Group continued

to say that the only way the UK can continue to have universities that can excel and compete with other universities worldwide is for the British public to accept the reforms that are being put into place.

Piatt supported her argument by mentioning that international countries, such as the USA, are all putting billions of pounds into their leading universities.

Following this example, the Russell Group intends to spend plenty of money in order to ensure the quality of their universities across the country.

Whilst it has been reported that poorer students will be the ones experiencing the most damage due to these reforms, Piatt has argued that this is not the case, saying that 'there has been much misinformation.'

She added that the government are putting into place a system that 'is fair and progressive in protecting low earners,' whilst

Parliament Square and the road running parallel to the Houses of Parliament with placards and t-shirts identifying them with their respective universities.

Donning yellow t-shirts with the slogan, 'Birmingham University

those who come from richer families will be asked to contribute more. It has been reported a system of progressive repayment for graduates should be introduced.

State school students being taken in by Russell Group universities has increased from 68.3% in 1997 to 74.5% this year. Since the introduction of fees in 2006, the demand for higher education has also increased, suggesting that some students may perceive their degree to be a worthy investment.

Piatt asserted that the Russell Group will work hard to ensure that everything 'is robust, fair and consistent with both government objectives and maintaining the academic standards of our universities.'

She added 'To remain in the higher education premier league we must give our universities access to vital additional investment. Otherwise we will be relegated to the third division.'

Students say We Won't Be Cut Out', eleven coaches of students from the university got involved courtesy of the Guild, joining in the chants and liaising with other Student Unions.

President of the Guild Dora Meredith said 'it was brilliant to see such an impressive turn out' although it was a 'shame that a small group distracted the media's attention. It shouldn't be forgotten that most people who attended were there to make the case for the importance of higher education.'

The media response was fast and dramatic as pictures began to emerge on live television of the fires that had been started and the shattered window panes.

Third year Political Science student Darius Fekri commented, 'if you don't feel excluded from the political system you aren't paying much attention' and he 'wasn't surprised they smashed stuff.' He added that although the event 'wasn't well publicised on campus, there was a good turnout.'

It remains to be seen how David Cameron will respond to the events of Wednesday when he returns from China, but it can surely be said that the demonstration was marred by the actions of a minority for whom the consequences will be great.

Browne Review consulted MPs Freddie Herzog Reporter

According to rumours, the Browne Review on university funding had been sat on ministers' desks for months before the official publication date.

This would have compromised the review's independence from the government.

However, Vice Chancellor of the University of Birmingham Professor David Eastwood, who sat on the review's panel, has denied this claim, saying 'it is assumed that lots of versions of our report were circulating around Whitehall. That wasn't the case.'

He continued to say that John Browne, the former chief executive of BP, who chaired the review was 'insistent that the review should be independent, that our recommendations would be our recommendations… He was as good as his

word.'

Eastwood's views have been criticised by a fellow Vice Chancellor, Salford University's Professor Martin Hall.

Hall argues that the review compromised its independence by anticipating a political debate that had yet to take place.

It anticipated, correctly, government cuts to the higher education budget before they were announced.

David Eastwood has stuck by his views insisting that the panel 'recognised the fiscal realities', but did admit that the quality of debate was 'unusually high'.

'Where there may have been differences, we reflected further and we called for additional evidence,' he says.

'There weren't arguments. It wasn't that way of working. We weren't there to represent positions; we were there to bring a range of perspectives.'

What £9,000 can buy you A deposit on a two bedroom flat in Manor Park, East London

Four and a half days rent of a chauffeur driven Rolls Royce Phantom

5,625

cappuccinos in the University Library iLounge

6

round the world flights with STA Travel's most extensive package.

4 News

Uni

Watch Charlotte Lytton Jennifer Anderson

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12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie and Anna Hughes

Istanbul

UCL

Guadalajara

Germany and Turkey have worked together to create a new university in Istanbul specialising in engineering sciences. The Deutsch-Türkische Universität will welcome its first 5000 students in 2011, before the remaining construction work is done over the next three years.

American poet Dante Micheaux was so shocked at the way foreign postgraduate students were treated at UCL, he is lobbying for change within the university and at a national level. Micheaux came over from the University of New York to complete a PhD and has now represented postgraduate students at various NUS conferences.

Mexico's leading university is said to be in a 'critical' financial situation as a result of the government's failure to deliver 701 million pesos (over £35 million). A letter was sent to President Felipe Calderon stating that the Jalisco government is refusing to hand over the funds earmarked for them.

Great Hall celebration for 40 Quota set for Uni years of Radio West Midlands state school intake Edwina Moorhouse Senior Reporter

On Monday, the Great Hall was once again showcased as the host for debate, as BBC Radio West Midlands celebrated 40 years of being on the air with a panel discussion.

The theme of the discussion was 'The Future of the West Midlands' and was chaired by breakfast presenter Phil Upton.

On the panel itself were two representatives of the University, Guild President Dora Meredith and History professor Dr Carl Chinn, accompanied by entertainment legend Jasper Carrott and East End Foods company director Jason Wouhra.

BBC Radio West Midlands began on 9th November 1970 as BBC Radio Birmingham, and was broadcast from studios in Edgbaston.

Nowadays it is presented live from the Mailbox, but still reports the events that are changing and shaping Birmingham, such as this year's visit from Pope Benedict.

As Keith Beech, managing editor, said recently, 'It's been four decades of great change within the area, a period that's seen many momentous events and news stories.'

The debate, which encouraged audience participation and feedback, was not being broadcast live but instead recorded for a slot on Friday morning. Audience members had been encouraged before recording started to submit their questions, and were then selected to read them out to the panellists.

Subjects covered included the Brummie accent, the 'negative press' from London, and tourism.

A subject which got all of the panellists interacting with the audience was the question 'How

Weronika Podgorska

can young people make a contribution?'

Dora opened the discussion by talking about the need to build a sense of community and create a 'dialogue between different demographics,' which Dr Chinn then elaborated on by emphatically proclaiming that young people need 'hope' and 'self-inspiration.'

Local businessman Mo Chaudry, who was in the front row, suggested 'role models' and 'mentor enterprise' as an idea for the future of youth in the West Midlands.

On other topics, Jasper Carrott spoke in-depth about 'confidence' in the West Midlands, which he admitted was the biggest issue facing the region. Jokingly announcing 'we are the centre of the universe,' he urged the audience to sing proud about the merits of Birmingham as 'we can match any city in the UK.' The event was a somewhat star-studded local event, with the aforementioned Mo Chaudry who recently appeared on The Secret Millionaire, famous radio host Ed Doolan, and many city councillors.

Host for the night, Phil Upton ended the evening on a lighthearted note, quizzing the panellists about which local team would finish highest in the Premiership this year.

Edward Robinson Reporter

Under plans unveiled by the Government last week, Britain's best universities will be forced to accept more applicants from lowincome households and ethnic minority backgrounds.

Universities Minister, David Willetts, announced that universities wishing to charge students higher than £6,000 (with an upper limit of £9,000) would be obliged to participate in the new National Scholarships scheme.

Willetts said that: 'the scheme will be 'targeted on bright potential students from poor backgrounds to encourage them to apply to university and meet their aspirations.' The Government will consult students and universities on the specifics of the plan, but the preference of ministers is for universities to substantially increase their scholarship funding.

Each university wishing to charge more than £6,000 will have to draw up new access agreements with the Office of Fair Access, the government body tasked with ensuring higher education institutes admit enough applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.

The proposals envisage tougher sanctions for failing universities. Any institution which is

deemed to have missed their benchmarks, and is charging students higher than the £6,000 cap, will have a proportion of their funding automatically redirected to the OFA for use in access schemes.

Universities are expected to be required to meet quotas relating to the numbers of students they accept from three different groups – those from low income areas of the country, schools with below average numbers of pupils graduating to higher education, and those from deprived households.

Universities already have such quotas, but elite institutions often miss their targets. Last year, the University of Oxford was ordered to take an increase of 4.25 per cent in state school pupils for the next five years. However, numbers actually fell by 1.5 per cent in the last admissions cycle.

Mr. Willetts' plans for more stringent access numbers are believed to have been because of coalition fears that up to half of Liberal Democrat MPs could rebel against the decision to raise fee limits. All 57 LibDem MPs signed pledges at the recent Liberal Democrat party conference to oppose any increase in tuition fees.

2 year courses a better alternative?

Due to the imminent rise in tuition fees, prospective university students may opt for two year degree courses as a faster, cheaper alternative.

Fees are rise to as much as £9000 per year, which is expected to make students from poorer backgrounds less likely to apply

for more traditional three year courses.

These courses would be more intensive as the first year of university is regarded as less important and many institutions do not count it towards your final degree.

However, Sally Hunt, General Secretary of the University and College Union, said that a two year degree will put more pressure on university lecturers and take focus away from their research.

She said 'Two-year degrees may sound great on paper but are in effect education on the cheap.

Our universities are places of learning, not academic sweatshops, and we need to get away from the idea that more can be delivered for less.'

Aaron Porter, President of the NUS, claimed it shouldn't simply be a 'cheap alternative' and that for many subjects, a longer programme is vital in gaining a deeper

Enzo Arnone

Heather Mungin

Darliah Rogers

'I think it's a bad idea because there is less time to get an overall understanding and I don't like the fact that we have to pay for university anyway.'

'I'd rather have a three year course because I think first year is important in teaching you how to write and perform at university standards.'

'It's very well fitting it in and going to the job market quicker but what are you missing out on academically? That's the important question you've got to answer.'

Caroline Mortimer Senior Reporter

Classics 2nd year

English and Drama 1st year

Economic & Social History 1st year

understanding and allowing time to get involved with extra-curricular activities.

Researchers from the University of Staffordshire have calculated that a student could save £20,000 by opting for a two year course, accounting for an extra year's salary. Results were also found to be two thirds higher than those from their three year counterparts.

Vince Cable, Business Secretary, claimed he was not advocating two year courses but admits they may become the logical choice for many students.

Currently, private Buckingham University are the only institution in the country to offer two year courses consisting of a four term year with little summer vacation and 40 teaching weeks. Seven other universities are trialling the two year option, primarily in business and law subjects.

Dr Terence Kealey, vice-chancellor of Buckingham University, added 'Many more people are suited to two-year courses than realise it. Two years is a very cost-effective option.'

Buckingham's Dean of Law, Professor Susan Edwards said the two year Law course offered at

Buckingham covers broadly the same content as the three year courses and 'It's more intense but we produce students who employers know are going to deliver, prioritise and be focused.'

Poll Caroline Mortimer asked 100 Birmingham students: With regard to contact hours, would you like either more, less or the same amount weekly?

Glen Moutrie

Redbrick

Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie and Anna Hughes

News 5

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Southampton

Newcastle

Last week, His Royal Highness the Duke of York visited the engineering labs of the Sustainable Energy Research Group at the University of Southampton.

Renowned worldwide, the group is said to be dedicated to the cause of finding more sustainable resources.

A new study being conducted by Newcastle University has been launched in order to reform the way paramedics deal with stroke victims. The ground-breaking study was introduced at the end of October on World Stroke Day and will continue to run for the next year.

Guild Council's Robert Sassoon Charlotte Lytton Reporter

The newly elected chair of Guild Council took time out this week to talk with Redbrick after last week's election.

A former member of the UK Youth Parliament, second year Business Management student Robert is no stranger to the election process, and he talks to Redbrick about the campaign trail and electoral success.

You've just been appointed Chair of Guild Council. How does it feel?

It feels fantastic. I had my eye on this position from the day I arrived here last year, so it was a really good feeling when I won!

As a former member of the UK Youth Parliament (UKYP), do you think your awareness of political campaigns helped your own?

Yes. The UKYP taught me so many things that have been invaluable at university. I was lucky enough to be a Member of the UK Youth Parliament for two years, so I really got a lot in during that time!

During my time as a MYP (Member of Youth Parliament), I was a hospital governor, sat on a Government Steering Committee and was in a Police Independent Advisory group, so I have a lot of experience in committee-style meetings.

Greenwich A graduate from the University of Greenwich has been awarded the prestigious title of Young Entrepreneur of the Year. Charmaine Kemp was crowned the winner after creating a used mobility equipment business, charmingly entitled Wheelie Good Mobility.

Science students could be eligible for £1,000 scholarships

for representing students at the university?

Absolutely. The Guild Council is the decision-making body of our Guild and it affects every student that comes to this university, whether they realise it or not. It would be fantastic if we could engage even more students than ever this year in the excellent work that Guild Council does in representing students.

Are you looking forward to the first meeting?

I'm really looking forward to it.

I'm hoping to be able to cut down on time wasting in the meeting to ensure that it runs as effectively and efficiently as possible. I'd really encourage students who are interested in seeing what Guild Council does to come to our first meeting on Thursday 18th November at 6pm in the Guild Council Chamber!

"The Guild Council affects every student that comes to this university, whether they realise it or not. It would be fantastic to engage even more students."

Do you think the Guild council positions are important

Potential science students could potentially get £1,000 in scholarships Kerinna Gray & Ryan Jones Reporter

Students looking to study the increasingly under represented STEM subjects of science, technology, engineering and maths could receive an extra £1,000 with the 'Eliahou Dangoor Scholarships'.

The scholarship is offered by both the Russell Group of UK universities, of which Birmingham is a part, and the 1994 group.

It was the result of a £3 million donation from Dr Naim Dangoor that could potentially aid 4,000 students.

The scholarship aims to encourage undergraduate applicants to study STEM subjects at UK leading universities such as the University of Birmingham, following declining participation rates in

recent years.

It will mostly benefit students from low income families, an assistance made more significant considering the current financial backdrop of a reduced higher education budget and increases in tuition fees.

The scholarship is the largest private bursary or scholarship widening participation scheme known to the Office for Fair Access (OFFA) in the UK. Matched government funding brings the total funds available to students to £4 million. In the current academic year 44 students have won the £1000 scholarship.

Dr Dangoor studied at the University of London in the 1930s and went on to build a successful business empire in Iraq. He was then exiled along with his family

ell brown @ flickr after political conflict in the 1960s, emigrating to Britain.

Dr Dangoor, who named the scholarship after his father, said he wished to thank the country which gave him refuge when he left Iraq in the 1960s.

In order to be eligible for the scholarship a student must meet several requirements: having UK nationality, paying full UK tuition fees, studying a STEM subject and receiving the full maintenance grant.

Funds will be administered by individual universities, meaning that students should apply directly to the university which they are planning to attend; the university will then make a decision about who will receive its scholarships.

Students lobby for Cancer Research in London Nadia Tavana Reporter

Four students and a scientist from the University of Birmingham travelled to London last week to lobby in aid of Cancer Research UK. From Birmingham, final year Political Sciences students Frances Trivett, Amy Banaghan and Barry Theocharides spent the day lobbying their local MP's.

Andy McLarnon, a University of Birmingham scientist based at the School of Cancer Sciences also joined them.

Organised by Cancer Research UK, the nation's leading cancer charity, the event saw people from all over England assemble in London to lobby MP's on important health issues.

Seventy-five Cancer Research Ambassadors met with their local

MP to advance new calls from the charity, in order to give GP's increased access to diagnostic tests and promote the accurate recording of the stage in which cancer is diagnosed.

The lobby was part of Cancer Research UK's 'Commit to Beat Cancer' campaign, set up at the end of 2009, aiming to make UK cancer outcomes the best in Europe within the next 10 years.

The campaign involves five main pillars; to prevent more cancers, to detect cancers earlier, to tackle cancer inequalities, to provide world-class treatments and to protect the UK's research base.

Mr McLarnon said that 'early diagnosis of cancer can really increase the chance of a positive outcome for patients, and if the lobby day achieves its aims, it's great to be part of something that pushes such an important issue

Birmingham's own Medical School

slingpool @ flickr

higher up the political agenda.'

The event was the biggest lobby ever organised by Cancer Research UK and saw the involvement of the charity's CEO Harpal Kumar as well as executive directors, chief clinicians and full-time volunteers who organised presentations, informative talks and group activities.

The result was a complete success, with many MPs committing themselves to doing more to beat cancer.

Amy Banaghan said of the event: 'Although initially I was apprehensive about lobbying my MP [Henry Smith, Crawley], I found the experience very rewarding and genuinely felt I had made a difference.'

Cancer Research hopes to influence the new Cancer Strategy revised by the government and released this winter.

6 redbrickonline.co.uk

12th November 2010

Comment & Features

Editorial Rosa McMahon Comment and Features Editor

Redbrick

The death of an American dream

American politics has always seemed alien compared to the British model, and the recent Mid-Terms have done nothing to discourage this view, argues Matt Flatman

A letter to the Deputy Prime Minister

Dear Nick Clegg, I'm sure you won't mind me saying that you look tired, drained, and quite frankly completely ashamed of everything since May. I have been meaning to write this letter for a while, however my concerns for your physical well-being aren't my top priority. I have dissertation work, The Apprentice to watch, and I'm reading The Finkler Question which just won the Man Booker Prize (a very good read).

It may be a frank comment for me to make, after all I am only a student, along with the poor and the elderly, we are mere minions in your new political system.

I saw your comment piece in The Guardian on Tuesday.

Did you see all the comments below it? I feel you must read them Nick, they are insights into critical public response which you won't receive on your staged visits to schools with Cameron, your boss and new best friend.

People are calling you a Tory, and disconnected from the real impact that your welfare changes will make. I too wonder if you have spoken to the people that it will affect.

Receiving money you need, forming a life for yourself with it, and then having it taken away from you, isn't really fair. I suppose it's like before the election, when you were told you had votes in the bag; polls showed you to have persuaded 51% of the public that breaking away from the old political model was essential.

And then quicker than you can say 'Tory boy' your party flopped with voters, X Factor politics became a frequented slogan, and the things you had been promised (votes, power and respect) disappeared into thin air.

You say 'the many people on benefits who go to great lengths to find work must be supported.

Those who refuse to take up work opportunities will face new, targeted penalties', and with this I agree. Yet why, with your transparent sympathetic rhetoric, are you cutting benefits for those who need and rely on the state. The ill, the disabled and the elderly don't need your articles in newspapers, or TV appearances, they need continuity and stability.

Anyway, best go. There's been a pretty large protest this week, not sure if you've noticed, there were probably a lot of students‌ Yours Sincerely, Rosa McMahon

The Tea Party including Rand Paul, Marco Rubio and Sarah Palin gather in a suitably serious environment

I

have never really understood America. I can't comprehend the way they do things across the social spectrum. I don't understand their overzealous patriotism; their tendency to supersize culture: from the ever bigger, shinier media output to the ever bigger, shinier fast food portions.

I don't understand their ostensible life-long hang-up with high school; their enthusiasm for sports no one else really cares about, or their rejection of both the sport and word 'football'.

American politics has been another such aspect which is beyond my full comprehension. I feel like many others are in the same boat in this respect: looking in from the outside with a mixture of fascination, bemusement and disbelief.

You can almost hear the incredulity of the collective international voice back in 2004: 'You mean you actually re-elected George W. Bush?'

There are other major sticking points as well, such as his initial appointment to office in 2000 which saw a huge miscarriage of proportional representation. In the elections that year, Bush's opponent Al Gore received a 0.5 per cent majority of the popular vote but couldn't obtain the presidency due to his failure to secure the vote of swing state Florida. So America, the defiant advocate of democracy, had elected the candidate with the least votes. The outsider's disillu-

sionment was engendered or, most probably, just confirmed.

The election of incumbent president Barack Obama two years ago perhaps altered this perspective. A reappraisal was needed.

America, a nation historically associated with conservatism and racial tensions, had appointed a young, progressive, black head of state. Perhaps some sort of ideological corner had been turned?

Here was a man who promised to readdress America's global standing, to bridge the gap between the States and the rest of the world. His international popularity was already apparent in his sell out European tour which comprised of speeches at huge venues. It received enamoured approval and earned Obama the moniker of 'the rock and roll president'.

But now, two years into his tenure, it seems that much of the initial domestic raptures of 'Obamamania' have subsided. There are tell-tale symptoms: a widespread discontent with the perceived lack of jobs, with unemployment thought to be at 18 per cent; a lingering resentment over his passing of the controversial medical coverage bill; and understandable concerns that National debt stands at an unfathomable amount of over $13,500,000,000,000 (that's thirteen and a half trillion dollars). All of this has meant that Obama's approval ratings have declined steeply to the extent that the majority of

The Tea Party movement is reactionary and utterly regressive. It is propogated by the sensationalist misinformation of Fox News the populace now disapprove of his overall performance.

This trend of disaffection has seen a prominent and vicious backlash from a grassroots movement of conservatives called the Tea Party. The influence of this faction has already culminated in a number of Tea Party backed Republicans winning seats during a substantial victory over Obama's Democrats in the recent Mid-Term elections. 'Tea' is an acronym for

Lauren Wheatley/Beth Richardson 'taxed-enough-already' and their ideology is for the cessation of the big spending and big government they attribute to Obama's tenure.

One prominent figure head of this movement is insidious Fox News populist Glenn Beck, a patriot so devoted that he will often break into tears of love for his country live on air, and this is how he has forged his career. He also makes wild conjectures; having previously labelled Obama a socialist and a racist, whilst comparing some of his policy to that of Hitler. The Tea Party's candidate of choice for the next election would be Sarah Palin, an evangelical Christian who advocates the teaching of creationism and the abolition of abortions.

The Tea Party movement is reactionary and utterly regressive.

It is propagated by the sensationalist misinformation of Fox News which is absorbed religiously by its devout following. Due to this sort of fraudulent media, about a fifth of Americans (mistakenly) think Obama is a Muslim, whereas only a third think (correctly) that he's a Christian.

So America seems inevitably to be gravitating towards the realms of enigma and inconceivability again. This Tea Party movement is creating profound turbulence. It would see America shift seismically away from us, away from rationality and away from progress. We can only hope they have the sense to ride out the tremors.

Redbrick

12th November 2010

www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann

Comment & Features 7

Is this what society needs?

A discussion on the UNICEF schools project, which hopes to enable school children to grow into confident, active and responsible citizens Siobhan Palmer Commentator

Last Tuesday, the results accompanying a UNICEF UK research project were published. Thirty-one schools across the UK participated in the UNICEF Rights Respecting School Award (RRSA), in which students are educated about their human rights, and taught to distinguish between wants, needs and rights.

The award emphasises that with rights come responsibilities and pupils are encouraged to draw up school and classroom charters.

According to the study, schools reported a more pleasant classroom environment with children being more cooperative, better staff-student relationships and a reduction in shouting and bullying. Some schools reported increased attendance, higher student attainment and even a reduction in truancy and fixed-term exclusions.

My original reaction to this study was one of scepticism. Why should knowing about human rights make any difference to a student's attitude to school? Are human rights not just common sense? It sounded to me as if they were being portrayed as some kind of magical intelligence; the effects produced seemed far above the capability of something that in school, I would have perceived as distant legislation unrelated to me.

However, although I was ready to dismiss the claims as far-fetched,

Nearly two-thirds of the 31 schools involved in the project raised their attainment over the period 2007-2010 From 2007 to 2010, eight of the 14 schools that had more than 20 per cent of children eligible for free school meals improved their attainment

Will being taught about human rights benefit these children?

it did make me realise that I didn't know what human rights are.

Discovering this simple information enlightened me to a whole new perspective. Human rights are not just common sense. In fact, reading through the detailed list of thirty articles on what should be basic human entitlements, I found myself thinking that many world leaders could benefit from an RRSA scheme. Human rights are not something to be taken for granted; they are ideals which we still need to be aiming for, not just in other countries, but the UK as well. Freedom to marry who you want and to practise whatever religion you wish without persecution still aren't rights which can just be taken for granted in the western world. Many states in the USA, for example, still don't allow gay marriage. Anita Tiessen, Deputy Executive Director of UNICEF UK,

described it as 'wrong that children in the UK don't learn about their rights' and urged the government to 'put it right'. Over a hundred universities took part in Wednesday's march against the rise in tuition fees, and if everybody had been taught that it is part of the human rights act that higher education should be equally accessible to all, perhaps everyone would have attended.

A year eleven pupil told UNICEF UK that learning about human rights 'makes you realise that if you disrupt lessons you're taking everyone else's rights to education away as well as your own.' I think a strikingly large number of grownups still haven't learnt that lesson yet, and the more school students given the opportunity to take part in this scheme, the better. It might not be magical, but might lead to a few less votes for the BNP.

Enough of tea parties and Obama-mania, China is where we need to focus our attention Edwina Moorhouse Commentator

If you were in awe of the United States in 2009 for putting a black President in the oval office, having him gain the Nobel Peace Prize after nine months and then rank top of the Forbes most powerful list, I suggest you now turn your eyes to the world stage where China has been waiting in the wings. In one year, this nation has been the focus of increased media coverage, and with good reasons too.

In February of this year I talked about Google, censorship and the somewhat timid response in the West, finishing with 'we can only sit back and watch events unfold, and see how Amer­ica will han­dle China in 2010.' I think it is safe to say that now as the year draws to a close, it is China holding all the cards.

Although the year has been more than significant in terms of economic growth, foreign relations and trade – there is nearly an entry a day filed under 'China' on the BBC website – it is the 2010 Nobel Peace Prize and Forbes most powerful list, that have truly caught my attention. On October 8th, jailed human rights activist Liu Xiaobo won the peace prize, and in the wake of that announcement followed a storm of controversy; quite naturally, when you consider he was a leader in the 1989 Tiananmen Square protests.

Is there no such thing as bad publicity when it comes to China?

Last year an American President, this year a jailed Chinese activist. If you can indulge me some Western prejudice, the prize highlighted the active human rights movement in China, and where there's smoke there's fire. China's strength and influence is propagated by the fact that countries, despite protestations about human rights, still strive to seek a relationship with this nation 'in the rush to sign lucrative contracts' (BBC). David Cameron visited Hu Jintao in China this week, and France have already signed business deals worth billions of euros, after all, the western market is key to China's resurgence. Is there no such thing as bad publicity when it comes to China?

China's growing global presence Perhaps the Nobel Peace Prize hasn't quite convinced you, since it doesn't involve anyone senior in the actual Chinese government.

The Forbes most powerful list however, does exactly that. As it proclaims on its website 'there are 6.8 billion people on the planet.

These are the 68 who matter,' and top of the prestigious list this year is President Hu Jintao, replacing last year's number one President Barack Obama.

The implications of this will be reverberating into 2011, for now this will only fuel whispers that the world's most powerful leader is ambiguous; it is only a matter of time before China's economy also moves into first place. China is proving to the rest of the world

that it can maintain its ideology with some fine adjustments, and grow into nothing short of a 'superpower.' We are truly watching the remarkable unfold.

Media portrayal of China has been as if on a tightrope this year, somewhere between fear and admiration. As the 'next generation' do we find ourselves concerned or fascinated? I am no academic, but it looks like the balance of power is shifting again as our world becomes more multipolar and US unilateralism declines.

Finally, after everything I had read in the newspapers this year, it is John Humphrys' recent trip to China, broadcast on Radio 4, that really made me think. In an article for the BBC he stated that most

people he spoke to did not seem 'terribly interested in western-style democracy' and with this in mind 'as the Communist Party continues to deliver all that, they don't particularly see any reason to look for a different system.' Perhaps the media should take a leaf out of his book to start admiring and stop judging.

If I were to make a tenuous prediction I would say that 2011 is the year to spend less time watching tea parties and pay greater attention to the other side of the world. For if legendary broadcaster John Humphrys can end 2010 enlightened on China, I'm sure we all can too.

8 Comment & Features

Redbrick

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann

A creative way to crack the deficit

How do you solve a problem like... being hit by a shoe

A liberalised drugs policy would benefit the economy, our Dutch neighbours are living proof Oliver MacArthur Commentator

'Proposition 19', if enacted, would have been a decisive change for Californian drug policy. Under pressure from a mountainous budget deficit, policy makers are beginning to yield towards unorthodox methods of raising revenue. Also known as the 'Regulate, Control and Tax Cannabis Act of 2010', the proposition is attracting huge controversy across the Atlantic. Unfortunately, California appears to have closed its door on the proposition. In light of previous developments, the smoking ban for example, it is likely that if California voted 'yes', there would have been widespread reassessment of current policies within Europe and the UK, all eager to trim their respective budget deficits. Despite the Californian setback, it is vital we foster harmbased, scientific approach to drug policy. Internationally, decisive liberalisations of drug policy will end the drug wars in the Americas and bring more tax revenues to government coffers.

According to a recent study by the United Nations, The Netherlands already earns over 400 million Euros from corporate cannabis taxation. Although politi-

650m

The amount in pounds that the Dutch government make from a liberalised drugs policy

cally sensitive, a further move towards total decriminalisation would yield a further 420 million Euros due to savings from policing, judicial procedures and a broader tax base. The Californian estimates suggest revenues of $1.4 billion per year. Furthermore, it is estimated that 1.3 million people will visit the Netherlands as 'drug tourists' each year, with obvious economic benefits. In total, the cannabis tax revenues of the Dutch government equate to roughly £650 million. This would provide invaluable government revenues at a time of fiscal austerity.

Inevitably, there is a trade-off between the economic benefits and the potential social costs such as addiction, further pressure on the NHS and the much debated psychological effects. However, it appears that any conclusion on the potential social costs requires intensive examination. Although perhaps debatable, the Dutch police suggested the widespread use of cannabis contributed to the reduced levels of violence following England's defeat to Portugal in Euro 2000. This is a stark contrast from the pitched street battles found in many British town centres following heavy sessions in the local boozer. According to the European Monitoring Centre for Drugs and Drug Addiction, it is estimated that 22.6 per cent of the Dutch population use cannabis, and this contrasts with 29.6 per cent in the UK, 30.6 per cent in France and, staggeringly, the 42.4 per cent in the USA who use the drug. Thus, the accusation that liberalisation is correlated with increased use contradicts statistical evidence.

Furthermore, the notion of cannabis as a 'gateway drug' is suspicious. The Trimbos Institute suggests that 'The Netherlands has few drugs-related deaths compared with other countries. In fact, legalisation would remove the user's personal contact with hard-

by Alexander Blanchard

Nearly a third of the British population use cannabis ened criminals who are eager and willing to offer one the prospect of some 'new gear' of a decidedly darker and dangerous nature.

Surprisingly, the potential legalisation has interesting implications in regard to Britain's ethnic disparities. Ethnic minorities are far more likely to be searched, despite similar levels of drug consumption by whites. As a result, our prisons bulge with ethnic minority offenders on drug charges. Due to the sustained prevalence of institutional racism, a decisive liberalisation of drug policy would represent a significant emancipation for ethnic minorities. It is nonsense that we burden so many lives with criminal records as a result of youthful indiscretions and a cruel, hypocritical judicial framework.

Richard Garside denounces

Millie Guy

recent policy developments suggesting that, 'Ultimately, criminalisation is a blunt and ineffective mechanism.' Successful prohibition is fantasy – repression only drives the business into the shadows where the quality of the substance reduces significantly. Street drugs are far more dangerous than regulated suppliers. Previously, there has been an ad hoc, on-thehoof approach to policy – making.

Recent developments in policy have suggested a robust stance from the government, yet it is ironic that the arguably most harmful drugs such as alcohol or tobacco are free to buy over the counter. The coalition government have promised us a 'new politics' – a pragmatic, evidence-based approach to drug policy would be a good start.

When I grow up, I wanna be famous Ever wondered what to do when you've finished your degree? Laura Hewitt got some professional help We have reached the age when that fail-safe conversation-starter of our childhoods, 'What do you want to be when you are older?', has been rendered meaningless.

The realisation that we are 'older', and that we will very soon have to 'be' something, is certainly the existential mindset of those graduating this year. Students in younger years: you have a little longer before this harsh reality becomes apparent. Prepare yourselves – it's not pleasant.

I'd like to say that I took matters into my own hands, but in truth my parents took matters and placed them into my hands for me.

At the recommendation of a family friend, I was booked to see a firm specialising in occupational psychology – essentially, careers advice deluxe.

I was far from reluctant; my career is something I frequently think about. I have had many changes of heart over the years, from acting (too bitchy), to architecture (too much maths), to human rights activist (too dangerous). But it is impossible to tell whether the assumptions we make

about jobs, both positive and negative, are correct or ill-founded. I needed somebody 'in the know' to tell me categorically which career I would be most suited to.

A date was booked to visit them, and in the meantime I was sent two questionnaires and a personal history form to complete.

The questionnaires were multiplechoice; one asked a series of seemingly abstract questions, such as: 'Which of the following objects is the odd one out: a candle, the moon or an electric light?' The other asked how I'd feel, on a scale of one to five, about a whole list of jobs and tasks, from conserving trees to flying a plane; organising sports events to writing a novel.

The personal history form was essentially a detailed CV, along with personality-probing questions, such as: 'If you could spend a day doing anything you wanted, what would you really enjoy doing?' My very honest answer – 'secretly, spending all day in my pajamas reading' – did, I was told, raise a few smiles.

On the day, the morning was spent doing a series of aptitude

tests in exam conditions.

Numerical, verbal, spatial, mechanical: they weren't easy, and tested the whole range of my abilities. The results showed I was an 'all-rounder', which, although flattering, wasn't that helpful in terms of indicating a career path.

The afternoon interview was the most enlightening part. A kind but straight-talking careers psychologist turned out to be exactly the person I needed to talk to. She was able to advise me, based on my personality, which careers to avoid and which working environments I'd be exactly right for. I got the confirmation I was looking for that my ideal job would, indeed, be ideal for me.

No matter what stage you have reached in your degree, you should be thinking about what you want from a career. If you start planning early enough, you might actually end up 'being' what you wanted to 'be'.

Are you interested in doing something like this? Get in touch: features@redbrickonline.co.uk

Where next?

'It asked how I'd feel, on a scale of one to five, about a whole list of jobs and tasks, from conserving trees to flying a plane; organising sports events to writing a novel'

Being heckled as a politician must be unnerving, but it doesn't have to be devastating.

Yet, given that the ensuing response to a heckler can either be beneficial or detrimental to the image of a politician, it begs the question of why astute spin doctors haven't done more to tap into this rich source of potential approval.

One form of protest that has inspired many imitators is the rather novel 'shoe-ing', an adaptation of the deep Arab insult popularised by Iraqi broadcaster Muntadar al-Zaidi when he famously threw his shoes at George W. Bush during a press conference in 2008.

What is most interesting about a shoe-ing is not whether the shoe makes contact or not, but how the politician emerges from it and the upshot on the politician's 'image'.

Ouch

Credit where it is due for Bush, his calm ducking-anddiving enabled him to surface from his shoe-ing with the look of a suave protagonist from some 80s TV detective show. Alas, he quickly ruined that image by retorting with his characteristic lack of wit; 'So what if the guy threw a shoe at me?'

Then there is the former Australian Prime Minister John Howard, who did nothing but assume the look of a bemused Koala after his shoe-ing last week live on Australian television. If only his PR agent had the foresight to arm with some ingenious line; perhaps 'a soleful protest' or 'that might have been laced with something.'

Then there's the unfortunate case of the Israeli ambassador to Sweden, whose initial response was to scurry away from the lecture he was giving at the University of Stockholm in 2009.

It seems that, with the exception of Chinese Premier Wen Jiabao – whose calm, if somewhat inanimate, response at Cambridge University in 2009 won him a round of applause – the sight of a Hush Puppy mid-flight is enough to upset the disposition of most politicians.

Given today's style of X Factor politics, and the perceptible lack of differentiation between ideologies and policies across the political spectrum, it is the politician who can turn the situation to his advantage, and catch the shoe, that will be getting my vote.

Redbrick

Comment & Features 9

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann

Cuts to housing benefits pose a direct risk to social mobility 14,260

Households in Birmingham loosing money due to changes to Local Housing Allowance

£39

Per week worse off as a result of changes

19,200

Council housing's inhabitants will be hit by the changes Joe Jervis

Political Commentator

For all the cutting of public sector expenditure announced by George Osborne in his recent Spending Review, one policy has risen to eclipse all others in terms of controversy.

The decision to reduce housing benefit has rightly induced resentment from many corners of Britain amidst fears that the lives of socially deprived individuals and families will be further impaired by the new limitations placed upon allowances handed out to those renting properties in the private sector. The caps, which will range from £250 for one bedroom apartments to £400 for four or more bedrooms, are generally available to those earning under £16,000 salaries and could lead to serious economic and social repercussions for poor people living within affluent areas of Britain.

The significance of these caps is increased further by the most damaging aspect of the policy: the introduction of a new calculation

to be used by the Local Housing Allowance (LMA) in order to determine the amount of cash received by each individual. Whereas previously the allowance was determined in relation to the mean average of rents within an area – or the 50th percentile – the new system will now see the benefits relate to the 30th percentile.

This further reduction in spending is expected to see the number of claimants affected by the cuts rise from 21,000 to 770,000 and the homeless charity Shelter has pointed towards figures which show that one in ten households will suffer the substantial shortfall of £30 per week.

Predictably, criticism has come from opposition Labour MPs such as Douglas Alexander and prominent Lib Dems such as Simon Hughes. But the most controversial comments have come from the Conservative Mayor of London, Boris Johnson.

By sending out a warning highlighting the possibility of 'Kosovostyle social cleansing', Johnson has invited upon himself endless

criticism for both 'scaremongering' and showing an apparent lack of respect to those who died in the Balkan violence.

These comments came barely 48 hours after Labour MP Chris Bryant was attacked by Nick Clegg for warning of the possibility that people would be 'socially engineered and sociologically cleansed out of London.'

Coalition MPs were quick to react to the comments. Vince Cable lamented the use of 'inflammatory language on a difficult and sensitive issue' whilst David Cameron asked how it can ever be deemed fair to ask the tax payer to fund housing for others in areas in which they could only dream of living. Cameron's point is undoubtedly valid, yet the issue is far more complicated.

And while the phrases used by Johnson and Bryant were melodramatic, the underlying arguments remain strong.

It must be noted that many of those residing in wealthy areas are situated in such regions due to family connection and tradition.

Households in Birmingham on the housing waiting list

The creation of more suburbs where unemployment and crime rate is high and morale and aspiration is low can be seen as nothing other than regressive and damaging to Britain.

Regardless of arguments over the use of tax payers' money, to many observers it will appear harsh to enforce a person to suddenly uproot from their hometown.

Meanwhile, many people out of work deem it necessary to reside in big cities due to the increased employment opportunities. Their short-term economic position may suffer (wealthy areas mean higher living costs) but their long-term prospects are certainly enhanced.

It is no coincidence that, of the 21,000 claimants who the government predicts will be affected by the cuts, 17,000 are situated in London. The apprehension felt about forcing thousands of people out of the city was best illustrated

by Boris Johnson's assertion that he would 'resist any attempt to recreate a London where the rich and poor cannot live together.'

The potential return to the dark days of crude segregation along wealth lines would recreate the so-called 'them and us' mentality which would only serve to damage ongoing attempts at creating an upwardly mobile society. The creation of more suburbs where unemployment and crime rate is high and morale and aspiration is low can be seen as nothing other than regressive and damaging to Britain.

We need only look across the English Channel in order to recognise where such social upheaval could lead. Paris is a prime example of a city with stark segregation between rich and poor and all too evident hostility. The lack of funding for social housing, insufficient job opportunities and high youth unemployment led to major rioting in 2005 and, five years on, relationships between those in the rich inner-city and poor suburban areas appear all too distant.

So, perhaps the coalition government should think again about implementing policy which could re-open sociological class division within Britain and, more specifically, London.

Fees protest: have students failed themselves?

News Editor Helen Crane comments on the national demonstration against the rise in tuition fees in London Having witnessed the protests against rising tuition fees in London I cannot help but feel a sense of disappointment. However, this was not in the political system or the coalition government as you might expect, but towards students themselves.

This is not because I have no sympathy with their cause; I do.

Coming from a fairly run-of-themill comprehensive where the majority of students opt out of higher

A scene from the demonstration

education I am certain that the prospect of £9,000 a year in tuition fees would have been enough to put me off university altogether, or at least prompt me to seriously reconsider my choice of course and institution.

Few in my position would argue that these cuts will have a positive impact on students, but I think that the conduct of a minority of people at the protest today may have ultimately been detrimental

Helen Crane

to both the perception of students in general and the viability of the demonstration's stance on fees.

As I am sure most people will be aware, the media have latched on to images of students smashing windows at the Tory headquarters, setting fires and being restrained by police.

This kind of behaviour, although very much that of the minority, serves to perpetuate the idea that students are antagonists; willing to use any excuse to cause disturbance.

The nature of the protest - one of outrage over seemingly unfair government action against a particular section of society - echoes the miner's strikes against the Conservative government of the 1980's. The sad thing is that by attempting to turn what began as a peaceful protest into a riot, the original message has been devalued. This was exacerbated by students dressed in black with the masked faces of anarchists.

It detracted from the positive fact that the predicted turnout of 24,000 was almost doubled; dis-

proving the widely-held theory that students in this country are, for the most part, lazy and apathetic.

Part of me respects the more aggressive students for being relentless and keeping alive the spark of student idealism of our parent's generation. But whereas the causes of the past were international and large-scale - apartheid and the Vietnam war - the issue of higher education funding affects us as a group directly.

We are the lucky ones who will not bear the brunt of the tuition fee increases, yet we have a responsibility to future students to present ourselves as worthy of continuing public investment. This was certainly not the image conveyed by the students spray-painting 'Tory Scum' on the side of the Millbank building during the demonstration.

Perhaps the media is partly to blame for taking the actions of the few and broadcasting them to a world where the news is made solely on the basis of a few moments of footage. However, it appeared that some people were there for

the wrong reasons. Whilst tonguein-cheek picket signs are fine, personal attacks on Cameron perhaps diminish the message. Is the media generalising students as riotous and politically inept really so different from us making crude generalisations about Tory politicians and their personal lives? After all, this protest was against £9,000 fees, not against David Cameron.

Whilst few are naive enough to think that the demonstration will have a direct impact on coalition policy, taking advantage of the right to a peaceful protest is vital in a country where the ruling government are without the consensus of a full parliamentary majority.

It was encouraging to see modern students, often typecast as apathetic rich kids whose parents will foot the bill for their education without limit, protesting against a rise in fees for the students of 2012.

However, the potential that this may have been overshadowed by a small majority of students with misguided notions of anarchism is very unfortunate.

10 Editorial

Redbrick

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick Editorial

Apologies and Clarifications

Just the start?

Sam Langtree An event which has been overshadowed in the media by highly exaggerated reports of violence and chaos, Wednesday's student protest, has given a revealing glimpse at student voice against government and societies' voice against students.

That over 50,000 students turned out at the demonstration, when only 24,000 were estimated to appear is a welcoming sign of the passion and morals that reside within our demographic. It is promising to know that the student body is capable of expressing its dissatisfaction and unrest in such a unified manner with the exception of those few who seemed to be there to cause chaos for the sake of it.

That this protest was highly underestimated both in the number of students attending and the number of police officers dispatched is a sign that until now the government has not taken us seriously, proving their lack of understanding on how strongly the student community seems to feel. This frustration can be seen in many of the videos floating around the net which show a political unrest not seen for decades.

Upon seeing much of the news coverage yesterday it appeared that 'Tory scum' has become something of an ancestral battle cry for many students, being shouted out now as it was almost 30 years ago. This, alongside an almost joyful splicing of Nick Clegg's character, made one message certainly clear: The coalition govern-

Concerning the News article in last week's issue, we would like to clarify that Carol Smith was responsible for cutting and dying the Law Lecture's hair for charity in her salon in the Guild, all at her own expense.

Deputy Editor ment is not providing for students.

David Cameron's initial comment appears to be one of scorn, determined to carry on with the plan of increased tuition fees. 'We won't go back. Look, even if we wanted to, we shouldn't go back to the idea that university is free.' My issue with this is not that university education should be free but that it should not be increased, creating more pressure on students who face an uphill battle against class structures and elitism, which this increased tuition fees will obviously enhance.

That both ministers and protesters have since both concluded that this is 'just the beginning,' there are hints that our PM is in for a torrid time.

Nick Clegg too, certainly isn't getting the easiest of rides, as anyone who saw Labour's deputy leader Harriet Harman during this week's Prime Minister's Questions will know. Her criticism, much the same as the 50,000 students marching through London at the time was 'we all know what it's like: you are at freshers' week, you meet up with a dodgy bloke and you do things that you regret. Isn't it true he has been led astray by the Tories, isn't that the truth of it?'

Clegg himself admitted on Thursday's Daybreak that he 'should have been more careful,' when it came to signing a pre-election pledge to oppose a rise in tuition fees. By revealing this, it could be said he's

Apologies to Teodora Barzakova whose name was misprinted in last week's issue of Redbrick as Theodora Barzakova.

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

done more than just convert to the Tory way of life, with some rather dubious intent from the start. For this reason alone, many, many students feel betrayed as the man who six months ago appeared a saviour, has done a complete U-turn on his policies, his principles and his demographic.

So then, it appears that with current students protesting for themselves and those who will be entering university in 2012, the larg-

The Redbrick Crossword

Mordo Nahum Puzzles Editor This weeks prize is a choice between either The Help by Kathryn Stockett or Last Night in Twisted River by John Irving

1_2_3_4_5_6== _=_=_=_=_=_=7 8____=9______ _=_=_=_=_=_=_ 0_______=a___ _===_=_=b=_=_ c_d___=e_____ _=_=_=f=_===_ g___=h____i__ _=_=j=_=_=_=_ k______=l____ _=_=_=_=_=_=_ ==m__________ Across

1. Kids TV show made by the creator of The Muppets (7, 4) 8. Nimble, fleet of foot (5) 9. Ruler of Ancient Egypt (7) 10. Good will; sends ink (anag.) (8) 11. Weight-loss scheme (4) 13. Collision, force (6) 15. Old bloke (6) 17. ____ Guinness, actor who played Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars (4) 18. The ________ Progress, Christian novel by John Bunyan first

published in 1678 (8) 21. Dried grapes (7) 22. Caribbean island bordering the Dominican Republic (5) 23. American poet who published all his work in one collection titled Leaves Of Grass (4, 7)

Down

1. American singer known as 'Ol' Blue Eyes' (5, 7) 2. Pertaining to birds (5) 3. Spanish town; 1937 painting by

Pablo Picasso (8) 4. American city near the Texas/ Mexico border (2, 4) 5. ____ Fruits, sweets which in 1998 became known as Starburst (4) 6. Lenny _______, singer-songwriter who had a UK number one with Fly Away (7) 7. Cocktail containing vodka, coffee liqueur and cream (5, 7) 12. System of aesthetics; huge fins (anag.) (4, 4) 14. Sneak-peek (7) 16. Tabletop puzzle; power tool (6) 19. Expression, saying (5) 20. Small glass vessel (4)

est and most effective objection thus far has been made, mostly in a peaceful and good-natured manner, but dimmed by a small minority who went too far and appear to have condemned us before the press. Whether or not there'll be similar protests of this scale remains to be seen, but what is certain is that we have more passion than the government has given us credit for and we won't allow ourselves to be collectively and repeatedly screwed over.

Sudoku

Video of the week

Cassetteboy vs The Bloody Apprentice The new series of The Apprentice is now mid-way through and if you haven't seen this already, check out Cassetteboy's hilarious parody on youtube.com.

Did you know?

Last issues solution:

This week's winner is Richard Bull, 4th year Chemistry student. We will email you with details of collecting your prize.

Finished crosswords to be submitted to the Redbrick office.

Deadline 17/10/10.

All meetings take place in student development, apart from music and sport which use the guild common room.

The objective of the game is to insert the numbers 1-9 into each row, column, and 3x3 box once Medium

Hard

=m=s=e=s=s=b= pulpit=picard =t=r=h=a=o=o= deli=anderson ===t=n=e=c=k= firefox=whale =n===l=d===y= otter=servant =e=r=v=f=i=== brianeno=kiwi =v=s=r=r=i=i= bayern=munich =l=r=e=s=g=k=

Meeting Times News – Thurs 5pm Features – Tues 5pm Film – Fri 2pm Arts – Wed 3pm Music – Wed 4pm TV – Wed 3pm Lifestyle – Wed 12pm Food – Wed 2pm Travel – Weds 1.30pm Sports – Fri 2pm Photography – Fri 11.15am

The blue-ringed octopus is only the size of a golf ball but it's poison is powerful enough to kill an adult human in a matter of minutes.

It is believed that the fear of the number 13 stems from primitive man being unable to count past 12. With 12 being the end of the line, 13 was moving into unknown territory.

On this day Scribble box

1823 – The Great North Holland Canal (Amsterdam) opens.

1933 – The first Sunday football game was played in Philadelphia, this was previously illegal.

1998 – Then Vice President of the United States Al Gore symbolically signs the Kyoto Protocol.

12 redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

12th November 2010

Arts

Modigliani paintings break billion pound record at New York auction www.guardian.co.uk

Poetry Special: exploring the poetry revolution

Where are we going? The new direction for poetry James Bunting Arts Commentator

In an issue of Redbrick in my first year I remember reading a debate about the importance and the enjoyment of poetry. As a poetry lover, I found it particularly frustrating to be presented with an argument in favour of my passion as equally ill-informed and redundant as the argument against it.

The reason I recollect this incident for you is that it served a single purpose: that of raising the question of poetry's place in the world.

In literary terms, poetry is frequently referred to as the highest form. But, this isn't an English exam paper, so we can accept and move on from this apparent fact.

What the article two years ago failed entirely to understand was not the pros and cons of poetry, but the role it plays; poetry is everywhere. It is with no great ease that I have to suggest that slogans, to a degree, amount to poetry.

What pains me most is that every Saturday night as you sit down to watch X-factor or every time you enjoy the latest musings of Eminem or Cheryl Cole, you are enjoying poetry in the lyrics they belt out, obviously I make no comment on the quality of poetry in hand, that is up to you. What I'm trying to show you is that poetry's importance rockets day on day.

Every time a book of any merit is published, it seems one of the

Seamus Heaney is regarded as one of the greatest living poets by some greatest honours that can be conveyed upon it by reviewers and readers a-like is the description 'poetic'. When prose becomes poetry it seems sparks fly — or rather copies fly from the shelves.

And this is all before we even turn to poetry itself.

So what is out there in the poetry world in 2010? It's not just Seamus Heaney and his potatoes obsession; it's not just Andrew

Indigo League Presents: Poetry Slam

Motion and his charisma-less persona. What is out there is a scene as diverse as the histories and traditions which make it up.

Slam poetry is perhaps one of the biggest movers of the last few years: in brief, a competitive event where poets progress through rounds by performing one or more poems in three minutes to impress the audience who then vote for their favourite.

Thomas Walters Over the last few years we have also seen the emergence of poetry tents at festivals; Latitude Festival and Glastonbury are perhaps the best known for their performances from some big names in poetry.

In addition to this, Youtube is awash with performance poetry and recitals. Ranging from up and coming poets at local open mics, to professionally recorded short films

Popshot magazine: Poetry at your fingertips

Indigo League Nathan Crossan Smith Critic

'It's a lot like Ready Steady Cook and I'm a lot like Ainsley Harriet' explained Chaz Redhead, MC for the Birmingham /Bath Spa poetry slam, to an excited crowd at the surprisingly overcrowded Beorma Bar, considering the event's clash with the Vale Fireworks. The slam: poets perform their pieces within the strictly observed allocation of three minutes. A poet from the opposing team then responds, after which there is an audience 'Red Peppers/Green Peppers' style vote. There are two halves to the slam, each preceded by guest poet performances and each made up of four rounds.

It was my first slam, as it was for most people there, and the format served us brilliantly as a means to enjoy fresh, funny and reflective poetry. The voting was undertaken earnestly, insofar as it was a respectful meditation on the honest thoughts that had been laid bare to us, but the score itself

wasn't really followed. The audience were willing and responsive, with resounding cheers and Southern-American style 'woops' following almost every performance, and with good reason. We were given, as our reward for choosing slam over sparklers, an intimate tour of memories, fantasies and thoughts. We travailed the country on the '13.42 slow as shit train' to visit a lover; we took over the Bullring for a 'perfect day' and took 'two steps back' to really 'look at the stars'. There was the expected moralising and theorising, but this was delivered with humour and wrapped in satisfying rhyme, and was at times enlightening.

Birmingham won 5-3, but this didn't matter much to audience or teams, more keen to chat about, laugh and reflect on a night resplendent with words and ideas.

Keep your eyes peeled for the next slam. To get involved contact 'thewritersbloc.bham@gmail. com'.

or recordings of slam competitions.

If you were to spend even half an hour on Youtube you could probably bank on being rendered speechless more than once, the poetry available is performed to you and delivered in a way GCSE English lessons never suggested it could.

That's not to say page-poetry is dead or dying. There are still many poets whose craft is well and truly thriving; let us not forget, Seamus Heaney is considered one of the greatest living poets by some.

What I'm trying to point out is that poetry is no longer the domain of English teachers and emotional thirteen year-olds. Google Dizraeli, Byron Vincent, Luke Wright or even Andrea Gibson, and you will find poetry to make the hairs on the back of your neck stand up and stay that way long after the performance has ended.

Poetry isn't just about words any more, it's about the delivery of those words. Poetry is becoming more and more about the performance as it moves with the times and becomes as much a form of entertainment as any theatre production or stand-up routine.

So, before you condemn poetry to the sort of ill-informed debate I mentioned before, take a look at what's out there — even what's at our very own uni — and you'll be more than pleasantly surprised at what you find.

popshotpopshot.com Sian Gray Arts Editor

Popshot; not a name you may have come across but one that you certainly should. Pay close attention, Popshot is picking up speed and showing no signs of stopping. This isn't a band or a new dolled up celebrity, Popshot is a poetry magazine, and before you start turning away, it encompasses all that is good in the declining world of the Arts.

Popshot is a bi-annual magazine, self described as aiming to

release Poetry from the 'clammy hands of school anthologies and funeral readings' and combines original, thought provoking poetry with fantastical and dream like illustrations.

The magazine is the brain child of Jacob Denno, who started the publication at the age of 23 and has since gone on to edit this magazine which is now distributed world wide, falling into the hands of poet junkies and average Joes the world over.

This isn't a magazine meant for a clique of young poets, nor

meant for the troubled teenager, this is – to use a somewhat clichéd term – poetry for the masses. It's visual, quirky and unassuming, packed with short poems from unknown poets (be sure to remember that this is not a magazine built for name dropping) with the effect of an earthquake, rocketing through the poetry world and separating yesterday from today and tomorrow. Those from the past are not permitted through the Popshot doors and onto the pages of this beautiful collated magazine. Those writing are young and inspired.

They're writing what they feel, from teenage drama to political satire. There is a 'topic', or a theme if you like, in each issue, these have ranged from 'Modern Living' and 'The Liberate Issue' to 'The Wonder of the Ordinary'.

Denno has single-handedly created an outlet for poetry and has allowed for it to stretch its wings beyond school anthologies and heavy books. Having said that, the magazine should be given the care of that shown to a novel. It is precious and contains within it some of the greatest works by poets who demonstrate that creativity does thrive even when the money runs out.

To subscribe to Popshot or to submit work visit: www.popshotpopshot.com

Redbrick

Arts 13

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Sian Gray, James Reevell

The Strange Case of Dr. Jekyll and Mr. Hyde at The Old Joint Stock The Many Lives of Dr Jekyll and Hyde

Previews Lee Mack

Written by Henry Louis Stevenson and publshed in 1886.

After criticism from his wife Stevenson burnt the manuscript and started again.

After burning the manuscript Stevenson rewrote the entire play in 6 days, allegedley fuelled by cocaine.

Tread The Boards Sophie Lawrence Critic Tread the Boards Theatre Company tackle Robert Louis Stevenson's legendary tale in the apt Victorian setting of this charming little theatre.

Local to the West Midlands, 'contemporary twists on classic works' are clearly what Tread the Boards excel in. Here they present their UK premiere of Noah Smith's adaptation of Stevenson's original novella.

The dual nature of man is a

theory Dr Henry Jekyll is obsessed with, and whilst his peers scoff, his suppressed self, Edward Hyde, grows ever stronger and more destructive as his creator's world visibly crumbles around him. The audience are jolted into Jekyll's descent into madness, as the faces of good and evil battle it out through a single man.

Dr. Henry Jekyll, the meek, bespectacled 'pillar of the community', undergoes a complete transformation through resident scare actor Dan Gough, who emerges, hunched, growling and wolf like as Edward Hyde. The audience are

Take of Hoffman at The Crescent

quite literally showered with sweat as Hyde lunges at the front row with maddening snarls.

The choices and inner turmoil of both Jekyll and Hyde are always commented on by the taunting voices of the ghostly-clad Maid and Butler, providing the audience with a haunting narrative and stage directions by torch light. The chilling effect of this is strengthened by the simple spot lighting and intimacy of the tiny and charming Old Joint Stock theatre.

Outstanding performances from the Maid and the Butler (Jennifer Hodges and Andrew Maguire)

The play has been adapted an outrageous amount of times.

With over 123 film adaptations alone. provide extra sparkle to the play.

Their chemistry is brilliant, slipping effortlessly between roles and accents – a Cockney pimp here, a Glaswegian policeman there, highlighting their versatility. They add a touch of dark humour to an otherwise tragic tale.

Tread the Boards delve into the terrifying possibilities, and ultimately fatal consequences, of experimenting with the inner self, with their chilling adaptation of a literary classic. Let the monstrous face of Edward Hyde serve as a warning to us all!

Symphony Hall 10th – 11th November Hailing from the Republic of the North, this master of his craft has finally achieved the superstar statues that he deserves.

Tickets £20

Bird Club

Club DV8 12th November What do you get when you combine stripper, politics and cabaret?

An unforgettable evening where all you senses will not only be challenged but assaulted.

Tickets £6

I (for Identity) at GCH

Free art tour

UofB Drama

Midlands Opera Emma Jones Critic This season's main performance sees the acclaimed amateur opera company present a novel take on a nineteenth-century favourite, involving amongst other things a charlestowning automaton and Charlie Chaplin. What could have been a pioneering production however seemed to suffer from a bad case of first night nerves.

The artistic direction involved in the staging was inventive, bordering on the inspired at times.

Particularly effective was the use of the chorus as props, inconspicuously angling mirrors to create a glitzy mirror ball effect.

However, the principle of transmuting this opera into a vision of the twenties film industry was only partially successful.

Sadly, the set design and construction also conspired to introduce an element of undesired confusion. Red carpets bunching up, lead actors tripping over, trap doors opening at inopportune moments and props breaking on stage detracted from the spectacle.

In terms of the cast, there was

a frustrating mix of brilliant principals will a largely lacklustre chorus. Forgotten lines and talking on stage before intervals commenced seemed a little unprofessional.

Which was disappointing as there were some truly brilliant moments.

An outstanding performance were given by Lorraine Payne, whose dizzying cadenzas and formidable range showcased the talent that Midland Opera are capable of fostering.

Payne's acting was skilful and uncontrived, a far cry from the tired melodramatic gestures resorted to by some other performers. She was joined by strong performances from Anna Hainsworth and Sheila Giles. The orchestra too performed superbly with their reduced score and benefitted from the addition of Birmingham graduate Sarah Dyble as harpist.

Ultimately, a fresh production with much to recommend. It clearly suffered from some teething problems even after last rehearsal.

Hopefully these can be eliminated as soon as possible to allow the company to give a performance of the quality their audience has come to expect .

Katie Dancey Critic I for Identity may have been a student performance with a student technical team and student actors, but this performance would not have been out of place at the Birmingham REP. The show was seamless and the actors had displayed discipline throughout.

The University's drama department put on four public performances a year – I for Identity was their first for 2010.

The piece was devised and directed by Matt Turner with third year undergraduates and was quite honestly the best thing I have ever seen at the University.

The performance dealt with difficult subjects, such as the war in Afghanistan and the recent earthquake in Indonesia, which were contrasted effectively with lighter subjects, where the ensemble adopted characters of trainspotters, scuttling around in a group making comical observations.

A live projection of the audience on to a screen behind the stage was a constant reminder of the play's main theme and

immersed the audience completely within the world of the play.

The removal of a coat and bag transformed each actor from trainspotter into a character with an individual identity and amongst sketches linked with similar themes familiar scenes were played out, such as The Importance of Being Ernest, A Midsummer Night's Dream, and, to the audience's delight, Casablanca. Lewis Doherty, in particular, was outstanding and clearly highly versatile.

Although the piece at times had me in stitches, it did not fail to deliver serious messages. Delivered in a broadcaster style, the actors delivered facts and figures about recent natural disasters and wars to a handheld camera – the video was projected onto two screens sandwiching the 'audience screen.'

If you missed I for Identity, I can only offer my commiserations.

However, there are still three more productions from the department this academic year, and if they are even half as good as this, then they are not to be missed. Matt Turner and his students have raised the bar, and one can only hope for more of the same.

BMAG 18th November A look at the gallery's new exhibits of twentieth century art, with Kaija Katiavuori.

Meet in the Round Room at 1pm.

Rasanova

The Drum 18th November Worth going just for the name.

This Jamaican twist on a classic story featuring razor sharp comedy will have you falling out of your seat with laughter.

Tickets: £20

14 redbrickonline.co.uk

Lifestyle

12th November 2010

Redbrick

Fierce or Finished?

Style icon Alexa Chung Susannah Maze Reporter

When reflecting upon iconic style in fashion history, it's clear who the real contenders are. Grace Kelly, Coco Chanel, Jackie Kennedy – these are the women whose individual styles posses a classic longevity. But who will be looked upon from our generation as a 'style icon' in the future and who inspires a myriad of style copycats now? In an age where fads and fashions pass by in a flash, it takes something truly special for a stylish woman in the public eye to sustain a 'current' fashionable status. Enter fashion darling Alexa Chung.

With the tired title of 'model turned presenter', Chung could have easily fallen victim to the ravages of It-Girldom, and just as quickly have dropped off fashion's radar. On the contrary, Chung has subtly rejected her It-Girl status, branding it a 'rather depressing title to hold'. Alexa's sharp and satirical approach on Popworld has proven her to be more than just a pretty face.

Her nonchalance is mirrored in her personal style. No other ingénue does effortless chic better

than Alexa. Whether it be a classic Breton stripe, jeans and a pair of French Soles, or an Isabel Marant cocktail dress, Chung has a way of making whatever she wears scream 'What, this old thing?' Her enthusiasm for High Street dress-

'Despite her wit, poise and undeniable style Alexa remains far from a threat' ing and vintage steals further cement Alexa's unpretentious attitude to dressing. This, coupled with her reluctance to surrender to a showbiz lifestyle makes Chung not only a fashion icon, but a great role model.

Despite her wit, poise and undeniable style, Alexa remains far from a threat – a rare breed in a bitchy girl world. Much of this is due to her unwillingness to dress for the opposite sex. Chung has rather poignantly rejected dressing for male attention, admitting

Say hello to Lady X

Fierce she finds it 'easier to dress as a man' herself. Forever championing the classic simplicity of a pair of jeans, men's shirt and battered converse, time and time again Alexa has mastered the tricky combination of both approachable and sexy. For somebody so irrefutably beautiful to have gained a girl-next-door reputation is a notable achievement in itself.

Whilst Alexa's personal style remains strong, she never fails to keep even the most dedicated fashion followers on their toes. In addition to some daring daily fashion choices, Chung is not afraid to push the boundaries at major events. It was at this year's prestigious Met Ball that Chung wore her most divisive outfit to date.

Stepping out in a 3.1 Phillip Lim tuxedo, Alexa posed with confidence alongside women in beautiful evening gowns; now that is what you call fashion bravery. Just when you think you're going to see Chung in another leggy/blazer number – she knocks your cashmere socks off.

Domino's Pizza Hands down the best take-out pizza. It's the sauce...

Starbucks' Red Cups You know Christmas is on the way now these iconic cups are here.

Gingerbread latte anyone?

It is this hesitance to become a slave to fashion that landed Chung at the top of Vogue's Best Dressed List last year. And something tells me we will be seeing a lot more style acclaim for her in the future. In addition to having proven that she has fabulous style, moreover she has redefined 'cool' by dressing for herself, and putting her own Alexa-spin on the latest trends. It takes a strong force to eschew the It-Girl hype and maintain attention, much less to uphold the title of Fashion Icon – and Alexa is just that. After all, not just anybody gets a Mulberry bag named after them, do they?

Aldi We used to deny it, but now we're proud. Everything is cheap, including the alcohol!

Old school games consoles Whether an N64 or a Sega Mega Drive, the dodgy graphics have us reliving out childhood!

Ally McBeal Her fashion sense may be so 90s, but we defy any girl not to relate to her.

Hand Cream Unless you're after a pair of man hands this winter, get moisturising!

Pearls EVERYWHERE on the High Street. We're embracing our classy side.

Katie Cattell

Winter nail wars!

Stacey Barnes

around campus with their head's down). Meanwhile the once pleasurable pastime of drinking has become a grim necessity, as we try to distract ourselves from the knowledge that now every assignment counts and our parents expect us to have something to show for three years of behaving like animals – preferably a degree, not an STD.

Lady X Columnist

Ladies and Gentleman, Nymphomaniacs and Degenerates, I welcome you to another year at the University of Birmingham, where after six weeks of pretending to work as hard as we play, most of us have made it to the second half of term and somehow managed to elude both alcohol poisoning and chlamydia. Things are only going to go downhill from here.

For those (not so) ingenuous first-years amongst us, student life isn't looking quite as bright through the Midlands' drizzle as it did when they first arrived.

Suddenly sharing a tiny flat with a bunch of 'eccentrics' and obsessive compulsives feels more like a living hell than living. With the passing of the drunken Freshers' haze, that promised land of milk and honey; free-loving, bronzed gods and goddesses is starting to look more like no man's land, filled with pushy Ugg dragging girls and spotty Jägermeister soaked manchildren.

For the rest of us, every day is a constant struggle to repress and avoid our first and/or second year mistakes (note the people walking

"Luckily...I am here to lighten up your hectic lives, or at least stir up a little bit of scandal" Luckily for you I am here to lighten up your hectic lives, or at least stir up a little bit of scandal, because let's face it, it's so much easier to feel good about yourself when you hear about the cringeworthy antics of others.

Fortunately the student ghettos surrounding The University Of Birmingham are a beehive of illicit activity and I'm ready to reveal everything I've silently observed over the past two years. Do you remember that orgy which supposedly took place outside Aitken? Well, it's not an urban legend and if you look hard enough you might find some photographic evidence on Facebook.

So if you want to avoid a spot in this column, which will show student life as it really is, then you better behave. Don't think, like a certain Business student who had a little 'accident' after a heavy night at Oceana last year that I won't be watching. Until next time...

Your very own gossip queen, Lady X.

Reporter

Round One: In the designer corner we have DIOR Vernis Longwearing Nail Lacquer in No. 219 – Nude Chic, £16.50 for 10ml. The Dior range features a wide, flat brush with curved tip that makes application super quick and easy.

Up against Dior is Rimmel London's Lycra PRO Nail Polish in No. 365 – Beige Style, £4.49 for 12ml. This also has a Dior-esque Maxi brush for 'mistake-free application', and both shades were practically the same to the naked eye. Oh-so-subtle with a natural but glossy finish, these nudes were both low-maintenance and low-key. However, in terms of longevity, the Rimmel had as much staying-power as a Slush puppy in summer, whereas the Dior hadn't chipped all weekend – one point to team designer!

Round Two: greigy mushrooms (grey + beige = greige, duh!). For the label lovers; Chanel Le Vernis Nail Colour in No. 505 – Particuliére, £16.50 for 13ml.

I loved the matte finish that still managed to be subtly shiny (without being shimmery) and seemed impeccably modern.

This shade is like the ridged underside of a mushroom

Finished Diamond teeth Kanye West's got them, but there are better ways to spend your student loan.

– perfect for complimenting this season's autumnal and camel shades. Chanel battled it out with Rimmel's Lasting Finish Nail Polish in No. 121 – Glace, £2.99 for 8ml. This was a shimmery version of the same shade, but when it came to performance the difference was not so easy to detect.

In fact, both colours chipped and flaked off considerably, though whether this is due to quality of product or my 2 days of arm-flailing dancing and hand-intensive shopping I am not sure. Here I call a tie, proving that an impressive price tag does not guarantee a far superior performance on Winter's key beauty battleground. (All prices from Boots)

Lifestyle Men

Kate Moss for Topshop Her 14th and last collection. You can't call a piece a 'classic' when it's just a rehash of your earlier collections.

Twilight Halfway through season two and True Blood is where it's at people.

Lady Gaga Sociology As if it wasn't hard enough to get a job with a proper degree…

Getting dark at 5pm Staggering around campus is a trial when you're carrying a bag of books, now you can't ruddy see!

Waking up with your make-up on A failed attempt with a baby wipe at 3am leaves your face to age and a great deal of scrubbing in the morning.

Come on boys, we know you read Lifestyle so why not come and write for us?

Christmas is here Sighted our first Christmas tree this week. It's November; leave the baubles in the box a couple weeks longer eh?

Meetings are at 12 on Wednesdays in the Guild of Students (Student Development)

Friends falling out Let's just be nice to one another and save on a whole lot of grief.

Vicky Hodkingson

Redbrick

Sprucing up Selly!

Lara Edwards Reporter

Whether you’re living in university hall's or rented accommodation, student housing often lacks individuality and rarely feels like a proper home. But with a few accessories, prints and a good choice of bedding you can inject a bit of personality into your o n c e grotty abode. Ikea often seems like the only option when it comes to homewares for students, due to its dirt cheap prices, but here are some alternatives to help you brighten your room and put your own stamp on your surroundings.

If you're feeling extravagant, then why not browse the 'Gifts and Home' section of the Urban Outfitters website. There are lots of decorative ornaments, photo frames and prints to give your room an eclectic, romantic feel. Quirky cushions like the owl above (£24), plus vintage style photo frame (£20) are some of my favourite products, with a tree house jewellery stand coming in at a steal at only £12.

PHOTOBOX gives you loads of options for prints starting from really cheap prices. My favourite is the collage print where you can upload lots of photos and make them into a collage for only £16.50.

Photos are the easiest way to per-

Lifestyle 15

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Briony Singh, Rob Lewis

sonalise your bedroom and with a standard print only costing 5p they won’t break the bank either. Photobox has weekly offers like three for two mix and match and 40 free prints when you sign up so it’s ideal for students.

BHS isn’t renowned for its fashionable image, but this is set to change over the next few years as the company has been merged into the Arcadia group, which includes High Street favourites Topshop and Miss Selfridge.

It’s a worthy alternative to Ikea in terms of value for money and they have a great range of bedding at the moment called 'FiftiesBliss' featuring prints reminiscent of Cath Kidston products, but with 20 per cent off at the moment BHS’s bed linen is less than half the price.

OLIVER BONAS has some kitsch cutlery inspired clocks, beautiful lamp shades and mock chandeliers if you feel like adding a bit of sparkle to your living room.

LITTLEWOODS currently feature a Moroccan inspired collection with decorative pieces like lanterns and Buddha ornaments if you have more exotic taste.

All it takes to start an interior revolution is a little careful planning and a throw cushion!

Cosmetics in the cupboard Rosie Hatch Reporter

We all know how expensive toiletries and other beauty products can be. I picked up a few essentials at Superdrug the other day and was shocked when the cashier announced the total was £40! Refusing to believe that looking fabulous has to cost the earth, I set about trying to find some budget alternatives to the pricey products I usually use.

Mayo Being a tad obsessed with having shiny hair, I was recently tipped off by a friend that using mayonnaise on your hair works wonders. Afterwards, hair is said to feel soft like never before and be super shiny. Just make sure you rinse it out properly, I can’t imagine that would smell very nice the next day!

Avocado If you're too scared to pop some haemorrhoid cream on those dark circles and bored of cucumber slices for depuffing tired eyes then why not try some thinly slicing Avocado as an effective replacement. Eye bag be gone.

Aspirin I discovered the aspirin and honey face mask on YouTube a couple of years ago and never cease to be amazed every

time I use it. Take 2-3 uncoated aspirin tablets and mix with a couple of drops of water. Take the back end of a spoon and you should be able to just break them apart. Mix the resulting powdery aspirin with about a teaspoon of honey, apply to your face and leave on for 5-10 minutes (make sure you have a tissue on hand as it can get drippy!).

As you wash it off, make sure to rub the aspirin in to scrub the skin.

Voila, soft, smooth and more blemish-free skin. I don’t know how it works, but it does!

Haemorrhoid cream I’ve heard this old wives tale many a time but have never got round to trying it, mainly because I’m too embarrassed to go and buy haemorrhoid cream! But allegedly, dabbing haemorrhoid cream under your eyes will reduce the look of dark circles – perfect for the morning after! I’d be careful with this one, some people claim it stings whilst others swear by it, but if you’ve tried it let me know!

Olive Oil and Salt I used to swear by a particular brand of exfoliant which was once gifted to me, but when I went to buy some myself, I almost choked at the price. I have since discovered that a little salt, mixed with a little olive oil works wonders. The salt does the scrubbing whilst the olive oil moisturizes brilliantly. Stay away from too much water whilst you’re scrubbing though, or the salt will dissolve!

Coffee Coffee bean extract

is a key ingredient in many anticellulite creams, but it is said to be just as effective to cut out the middle man and use the coffee itself. Apply ground coffee beans to the area you’re worried about and massage, do this every day and the look of cellulite will be reduced. I’m sceptical about this one, it probably does work but not necessarily because of the coffee. Increasing the circulation to the area by massaging is going to help break down the fatty deposits anyway, so maybe the coffee isn’t all it’s cracked up to be.

And one which doesn’t work...

Toothpaste This trick is touted by magazine after magazine but I, and many of my friends, have tried it and it has only made the problem worse. Toothpaste supposedly dries out spots, but you’d be better sticking with an anti-bacterial such as tea tree oil to get rid of it all together.

So next time you need a trip to Boots, try searching your bathroom cabinet or your kitchen cupboard before you go. Use the suggestions here, or try have a look on the internet for many more, and get the same results which a much reduced price tag!

16 redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

12th November 2010

Film

Shout films play at MAC Films screening as part of Birmingham's queer culture festival all appear at the Midlands Arts Centre

Jackass 3D – Don't try this at home...

Rachel Hewison meets up with the gang and casts her eye over their latest offering

long that I know both what everyone's physically capable of doing and what their fears are, so if it's time to punish Bam, then its snakes. If it's going to be standing in front of a bull then, Johnny's the only one that's going to do that, or if a guy needs to poop, you go call Dave England.

So was a third film always going to happen?

Johnny Knoxville: No, no. We said we were done after the first two.

Spike Jonze: We said we were done after the first one. A couple of years go by and everyone's getting antsy, so we did another one and the same thing happened this year.

Jeff Tremaine: So this is the last one, and we'll see you in three years.

Do you think your enduring popularity is becuase nobody makes good, old-school action films anymore?

JK: I think that's part of it, and I think a big part of it is the spirit amongst the group. You can tell we're family and we give each other hell, and in this movie it's better than in any of the other movies. It was good then but it's just...it's a special group of guys.

SJ: There's a real set of values; you might prank out your friend but everyone cares about each other.

JK: Pranks are always followed by a hug. If someone gets you good, you either tell them great job or a feeble sorry.

JK: He's the world's best but he's also very territorial. Other guys can work with poop but he's the only one who can produce it. If someone else produces it we have a problem.

Is there a line where you think that's too far or is it pretty much fair game?

JK: Anything is fair game as long as it's in the right spirit. If it's dark that's just not us. That said, I'm not too sure I know where that line is.

When you began, ten years ago, what was your aim or ambition?

JK: To make each other laugh.

So how do you decide who does what?

JT: Which is the same as now, although we're more believers in the impossible.

JT: We've been together for so

film@redbrickonline.co.uk

Film News Cameron predicts that this practice will continue, and end with extensive use on TV. The novelty of 3D is sure to wear out when it becomes the regular way we see TV. The Avatar helmsman also believes that glasses-free 3D is probably 'only eight to ten years away.'

Director: Jeff Tremaine Cast: Johnny Knoxville, Bam Margera Cert: 18 If you're already a fan of the first two films, then this latest installment will not let you down.

Starting with the 'Big Hand' stunt, where Johnny and Weeman set up a giant hand, pull it back and release into an unsuspecting victim, your mouth is already aching from laughing.

More hilarious stunts follow, such as the 'Master blaster', where the gang attempt to carry out various activities behind a jet plane with its engines running, and 'Super super glue' in which some unfortunate cast members get super glued together in compromising positions.

True to form, some moments are absolutely disgusting. Dave England's 'Poo-canoe' (you can see where this is going) and the' Poo-cocktail supreme' shock, particularly. I could hear the girl behind me actually wretching at that moment.

Others are eye watering. I don't think I've ever seen anyone's body bend in the way that Johnny's does in 'The invisible man.'

Yet another film released in 3D, the extra dimension worked extremely well when applied in

James Cameron has slated the film studios that add 3D to films post-production, saying that the quality just isn't what it should be.

This comes after failed attempts by Warner Brothers to add 3D to the latest Harry Potter installment.

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film called The Blair Witch Project.

Although sequels can been seen as the new Hollywood horror, all the creative powers are doing At number seven, Saw 3D, released two weeks ago, was the sixth sequel in the franchise. Friday 13th has 12 sequels - the most of any horror movie

James Cameron That is not the only reason that the king of the world found himself in the news this week. It has finally been confirmed that Cameron will not be directing Cleopatra. His Avatar sequels are more of a priority to him. No one can blame him; Avatar is his creation and he wants to make sure he does it right.

Dark Shadows

3D's Future

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What Horror?!

Heather Smeeton takes a kitchen knife to Hollywood's lack of ideas

James Bond To kick off film news this week, there's some exciting news for MGM, which might just save them: the return of James Bond. Despite last week's report of MGM filing bankruptcy the latest Bond film is planned to hit our screens in November 2012. Rumour has it that a partner will be contributing the costs in return for half the rights.

This is one small step in the right direction for MGM. Let's hope they can pull another action packed Bond film out of the bag!

the right way but, still, I'd estimate the remaining 75 per cent or so of the film's 3D-ness was utterly forgettable. For long chunks, the technology could've been used much more effectively.

Nonetheless, the stunts flowed together extremely well and it had the good grace to end just as you started to get bored. The camaraderie between the guys is clear, and when they laugh you can't help but laugh along with them.

The fun spirit of the group is palpable and that's what makes Jackass special.

Lastly, calling all Johnny Depp fans; there is now an eighth Burton/Depp collaboration on the cards. This time, Depp will be making the transformation into a vampire, for the film adaptation of the 1960s gothic daytime soap, Dark Shadows. As home ground for the pair goes, Dark Shadows could see the dramatic return to form for which hardcore Tim Burton fans have been waiting.

Rebecca Leeson

Picture this: it's night time, adult actors barely passing as adolescents can be seen and copious amounts of alcohol are being drunk. No, it's not your average student night out, unless your nights are regularly ruined by a mask-wielding maniac (having said that, who knows what happened on your Halloween?).

This convention of horror's slasher genre has been witnessed by all generations since the late 70s with John Carpenter's Halloween hitting the screens with a bang.

Since then, many films have followed these footsteps closely, knowing that audiences love to munch on their pricey snacks while watching a murderer slice and dice through the pathetically poorly developed characters. Yet has 30 years of this already been

too much for this genre?

Halloween this year seemed to focus on two films: Saw 3D and Paranormal Activity 2. Two sequels. On the one hand, this could be because many filmmakers

'Hollywood horror has dug itself an early grave' would fear the fanbase that would surround Saw's opening weekend.

On the other, it could be just plain laziness to think of something creative to battle its figures.

At least Paranormal Activity tried last year, even if the conceptwas pretty reminiscent of a little

is taking an original that worked wonders for their piggy banks, and saying to themselves 'perhaps one more wouldn't hurt.'

Yet, with this attitude, one more becomes two, two becomes three and before you know it, there are enough sequels to start your own bonfire and do a ritual dance around it.

The most frustrating lack of horror originality that permeates this genre today is remakes of foreign films, the most recent being Let Me In. The Swedish original, Let the Right One In, came out two years ago, yet American film creators felt the need to remake it, just to take some money for themselves. All this amounts to is stealing the limelight from the original and glossing over it with Hollywood's cash.

In reality, Hollywood horror has, for now, dug itself an early grave. Perhaps filmmakers should leave the scares to people who have originality and know what they are doing. For this horror fan, the lure of foreign horror and the original film concepts will do just fine. With a bag of popcorn of course.

Redbrick

Film 17

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors - Matt Davis, Elmley de la Cour

Gay & Lesbian Special - part 1

To celebrate SHOUT, Birmingham's queer culture festival, we look at all things lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transvestite in cinema over two weeks

Reviews Boys On Film debuts a collection of shorts

Director: Laurent Bocahut, Philip Brooks Cast: Avelido, Barbara, Bibiche Cert: 18

Dan Guzman LGBTQ Chairman

As an active member of the LGBTQ association at Birmingham, I feel it's very important that LGBTQ people are represented in society. Possibly one of the largest barriers to this is that so much of the 'queer' lifestyle is kept behind closed doors.

Birmingham’s SHOUT Festival is making sure that this doesn't happen with its broad showcase of LGBTQ-themed film, drama and entertainment.

The festival is a celebration of the diversity of queer lifestyle, focusing on both the good and the bad. There are events of all sorts for many audiences. SHOUT spans the entire arts spectrum, but, in this section, we are taking SHOUT as an opportunity to celebrate the role of cinema within this culture, and we have reviews of Boys on Film and Woubi Cheri, both of which are showing as part of the festival.

Whether you're gay, straight, bi, queer, trans, male, female, old or young, I strongly encourage anybody who embraces diversity in our society to attend a SHOUT event. There's a very good chance that you could learn a lot from the festival, and it should be a lot of fun too!

Visit www.getreadytoshout. org.uk to find out more.

Woubi Cheri

Boys on Film makes for an interesting if perceptively awkward evening of cinema. A muddle of short film was taken from an area of cinema that seems to have become sadly neglected and associated exclusively with a feel of taboo in recent years.

The first film; a French short entitled Candy Boy seems stylistically reminiscent of Miyazaki’s animé style, due to its notable pastel colouring and shuddering wide eyes. Despite the naïveté accompanying this style, this was definitely a very adult take on cartoon.

The second, Protect me from What I Want, is a British production, and the drama is placed within an urban setting where homosexuality was considered both unconventional and wrong.

The use of trembling steady-cam shots gave this short film and the relationship it recorded a feel of the illicit as the main character commented he felt ‘nervous and ashamed, I feel disgusted’. Yet, the final smile within the concluding shot left the audience with a feel of

optimism at its close.

The third film in this cinematic portfolio, Dish, portrayed a more cliché and at times comical depiction of homosexuality. A country-esque musical score rumbled suggestions of the Deep South and lent a sense of the idiosyncratic to the production. However, the final scene redeemed itself, providing a real sense of sincerity and clarity to the film.

The fourth, Breath, was a more subtle, curious and exploratory account of homosexuality.

Symbolic imagery provided a figurative feel, and this metaphorical aspect came as a breath of fresh air after an intense series of explicit productions.

The Final film Love is surprisingly affecting and carries a real sense of profundity as it displays the alarming consequences of a violent fervor. Love, as a production, reflected the surprising sensibility that pervaded throughout this collection of short films.

The first film that gives homosexual and transgender African people a voice, Woubi Cheri follows Barbara in his day to day life in the run up to the 1997 annual party for the Ivory Coast Transvestite Association.

Barbara is a loud and proud transvestite living in French speaking Abidjan in the Ivory Coast, whose main aim of life is to spread the word and generate acceptance for himself and people like him. The party he organises is a celebration of just this, with guests of all sexual orientations attending and helping to achieve recognition.

Filmed in a documentary style, the actual quality of Woubi Cheri is quite poor, and the structure of the plot line is no better.

The colloquial language used is quite hard to follow and, with no actual beginning-middle-end outline, I kind of got a bit lost half way through.

However, it does deserve some credit for the brave way in which the issues facing many people in Africa are represented.

As the first film of this kind to come out of Africa, the topic is addressed quite unexpectedly – Barbara and members of the ICTA are shown in their true light, and the reality of exactly how they live is definitely not shied away from.

Woubi Cheri is a big strike back at the negativity and, in many cases, violence hurled in the direction of homosexual, bisexual and transgender people living in overwhelmingly discriminatory societies.

Although I do agree with giving misrepresented groups a voice and with changing laws existent in countries that condemn homosexuals to death, the poor quality of the film makes it hard to stay interested when watching. I would not recommend this film unless you were interested in the political agenda it represents.

GEMMA FOTTLES !

Eleanor Dodson !

!

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Izzy Sanders electrifies with her Top 10 LGBTQ Characters 2 Sonny Wortzik, Dog Day Afternoon

6 June Buckridge, The Killing of Sister George

Celebrating the top LGBTQ characters, it is tempting to limit the list to the sudden boom of gay films from the 1990s. However this article is concerned with the broad spectrum of representations. I urge you to watch these all films.

10 'The Murderer', Cruising

There have always been representations of gay men as subversive and dangerous. Cruising deals with this as Al Pacino’s straight cop must investigate the alien world of the 70s ‘scene’, chasing a sadistic murder.

9 Renato Baldi, La Cage aux Folles

People might rather I put Robin Williams’ The Birdcage here.

However while the 1996 remake is a decent film, I feel that the character of Renato as the manager of a Saint-Tropez nightclub feels moreprogressive in the original classic.

Here we see Pacino playing a deeply conflicted bisexual married man, robbing a bank to pay for his boyfriend’s gender reassignment.

Brilliant early cinematic representation of lesbian relationships.

Beryl Reid plays a soap star nearing retirement living with her girlfriend. Shows not only the lesbian world of 1960s London, but the strains of alcoholism on relationships.

4 Lola, Kinky Boots

8 Melville Far, The Victim

Also out in 2005, Kinky Boots told of a failing shoe factory saved by the flamboyant Lola (Chiwetel Ejiofor), a transvestite who turns their fortunes around by designing a range of ‘kinky boots’ to take to Italy.

A British film set before the 1967 partial decriminalisation of homosexuality, Dirk Bogarde plays a tormented London barrister dealing with the common threat of blackmail.

7Boys Brandon Teena, Don't Cry

5 Ennis Del Mar, Brokeback Mountain

The true story of Brandon Teena, a FTM transgender who was murdered by his male friends when they discover Brandon’s secret.

Swank gives a career defining performance in this raw look at transgender issues.

A return to form for Heath as his gruff young cowboy. He steals the film with his intense performance.

Masculine yet gentle, Ennis gave a fresh look at homosexual prejudices.

3 Harvey Milk, Milk No list would be complete without Sean Penn’s Oscar winning portrayal of this gay rights activist.

Mapping the life and career of Harvey Milk, as a flawed man and affectionate politician.

1Scott Wallace Wells, Pilgrim vs. the World Kieran Culkin totally steals this film with his sarcastic gay roommate of the title character. Wallace is a far cry from the screaming, flapping gay best friend character common in many recent comedies.

He is smarter and sexier than Scott and ultimately gets more sex than the hapless Pilgrim.

18 redbrickonline.co.uk

Television The Top Ten TV Teachers

5

10

Simon Casey

From the Channel 4 series Teachers, Simon is an English teacher at Summerdown Comprehensive. His laid back approach to teaching makes him a likeable character. He is the focus of series one and two, as viewers get a glimpse into his complicated and amusing private life. He was also arguably the best looking of all the Channel 4 Teachers.

9

Susan Kennedy

Previously a teacher at Erinsborough High School in Channel Five soap Neighbours, Susan was popular amongst both staff and students. Even though she was as an extremely friendly teacher, Susan was suitably strict, which earns her the respect of the pupils.

8

Principal Skinner

Despite running Springfield Elementary into the ground, the exsoldier and mommy's boy Skinner is still one of the funniest headteachers around. Watching him quake as Superintendant Chalmer's screams 'Skinner!' is one of the highlights of going to school in The Simpsons.

7

Mr. Gilbert

As the psychotic head of sixth form on Channel 4 comedy series The Inbetweeners, Mr. Gilbert stands for no nonsense. His sadistic nature and bullying of school nerd Will makes for humorous viewing.

6

Ross Gellar

In later series of Friends, Ross works as a professor at New York University and it is here that he causes a stir by falling for one of his students. His geekiness and funny quirks makes him an extremely likeable character. However, his social awkwardness and obsession with paleontology makes him a bit of a boring teacher!

Redbrick

12th November 2010

Steph Haydock

Although no longer a teacher on Waterloo Road, Steph used to be head of the French department.

Her extreme lenience with the pupils and her lack of control over her classes meant that she could not earn respect from either staff or students. Played by Denise Welch, her wit and humour makes her an entertaining character.

4

Mr. Robson

From the children's classic TV series Grange Hill, Mr. Robson clocked up fifteen years as a teacher. With his no-nonsense approach to teaching he earned a reputation as being firm but fair.

3

Tom Clarkson

A friend in need...

Amber Alexander Reporter

It's that time of year again when middle-aged women dance around in scantily clad outfits, uptight men eagerly reach for the microphone as 'club' tracks play in the background and the world watches gleefully as the most carefully put together people make utter fools of themselves.

No, I'm not talking about your mother's office Christmas party. I am instead referring to the BBC's Children in Need, which will be returning for its 31st appeal on 19th November at 7pm.

The seven-hour extravaganza (I never last through the whole show either!) will once again be fronted by long-running presenter Terry Wogan and Strictly Come Dancing's Tess Daly.

As usual the event will feature some of the UK's biggest personalities, including actors, singers, newsreaders and, of course, Pudsey

bear, although this time accompanied by his best friend Blush (yes this has to be the corniest night of the year but it's for a good cause so I'll go with it).

As well as including a host of cringe-inducing, yet hopefully highly entertaining, celebrity acts; the show will celebrate the thousands of fundraisers who have been playing their part since 20th September.

£39 million was raised in the last Pudsey appeal.

The motto for this year's appeal, which once again aims to raise millions of pounds for disadvantaged children and young people across the UK, is 'show your spots, let's raise lots,' which encourages

'Show your spots, let's raise lots': Children in Need 2010

Reporter

It's mid-November and that can mean only one thing – it's time for a new band of celebrities to step in to the jungle and on to our television screens for the tenth series of I'm a Celebrity, Get Me Out of Here!

The show, which first aired in 2002, got in on the ground floor of the reality TV craze, and amongst other things, the show can be credited (or blamed) with spawning the main tabloid fodder of the past few

Will Schuester

Played by the gorgeous Matthew Morrison, Will is a Spanish teacher at William McKinley High School. From the pilot episode of Glee, he was in charge of reviving the school's glee club and this sees him become popular amongst both students and staff.

Sarah Welsby

people to do something outside of their normal routine in order to raise money for this worthy cause.

With last year's total of £39 million to beat, the producers have their work cut out to encourage viewers to donate even more.

The show will have to be spectacular and I have a feeling that it will be. Not only will the ladies from Loose Women be performing their very own rendition of Girls Aloud's 'The Promise', but Peter Andre will be making a long-awaited comeback, by giving what is sure to be a truly heartfelt tribute to Michael Jackson.

Jokes aside, we can actually look forward to performances from the likes of Cheryl Cole, The Saturdays, Take That, Maroon 5 and Ellie Goulding. The adorable JLS will be performing the official Children In Need single 'Love You More'.

More entertainment will come from the cast of Eastenders and Coronation Street, a 'pop-star' edition of Strictly Come Dancing, some newsreader antics and a gokarting challenge between Lewis Hamilton and Jenson Button.

Throughout the programme videos from around the UK will be broadcast, showing us exactly who will benefit from the money raised.

As a sensitive soul I often have to fight the urge to close my eyes and cover my ears when these tearjerking recordings are played, but it's nice to see the difference we are making.

Once again, Children In Need is set to be a fun-filled and highly emotional evening, so don't miss it and remember to donate whatever you can spare. Surely it's worth a few pounds to see Peter Andre attempting to rekindle his singing career... again!

Rumble in the Jungle Rosie Widrington-May

Probably the most popular out of the Waterloo Road teachers, Tom is popular with the boys of the school because he doesn't push them and with the girls because of his good looks. He recently found out that he has a son at the school, but unlike Grantly he doesn't let his private life interfere with his career.

1

TV catch-up services on trial: redbrickonline.co.uk

Susan Mayer

So internet 'cleaning' sessions and general uselessness aside, the ditzy housewife turned art teacher in an attempt to get her son into a private school. Although her time at school has involved figuring out school codes for the children's ability levels, as well as the odd lesbian encounter, we know that bubbly Susan would be a favourite with fingerpainters in any primary school.

2

Quality Catch-Up?

Tabloid gold: Katie and Peter

years: Katie Price and Peter Andre.

Over the past ten years we've seen tears, tantrums and terrifying trials, all for our viewing pleasure and it's been a wild ride, that's for sure! From former Eastenders' actor Dean Gaffney's gut-wrenching trials in series six, to the hilarious moment a half-asleep Christopher Biggins hugged a rat in series seven, there's rarely been a dull moment.

Favourite trials have included the Z-listers being buried alive, crawling through dark, enduring claustrophobic caves, and who could forget the infamous food trials, a staple part of the series diet!

However, despite the shows enduring popularity, it has had its fair share of controversy, particularly as last year's 'Rat-Gate', where Stuart Manning and eventual King of the Jungle Gino D'Acampo faced extreme criticism for killing rats for food – not filled up by the kangaroo testicles, boys?

Still, I'm a Celebrity remains the TV highlight of winter. So what's on the menu for this series?

Crocodile anus apparently.

As for the celebrities who may be unlucky enough to taste the jungle delicacies, rumoured entrants to this year's camp include former

Jungle hosts Ant and Dec X Factor runner-up Stacey Solomon, former Liberal Democrat MP Lembit Opik, and BAFTA nominated actor Nigel Havers.

Perhaps most interestingly though, the irritating yet strangely loveable Irish twins John and Edward – aka Jedward – are also rumoured to be jetting across the globe to take part in the series. Love them or hate them, it would surely make great viewing, though the results of the Bush Tucker Trial votes might be even easy to predict!

However, this is all just speculation and the only confirmed details are that comedy duo Ant and Dec will be back to present the new series and that the show will return this Sunday 14th November at 9pm on ITV1, and I for one can't wait to indulge in two and a half weeks of great telly. Let's just hope this series is as good as its predecessors.

Television 19

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

Editors – Natalie Timmins, Joe McGrath

That morning feeling: Daybreak or Daybroken?

Charlotte Lytton reports on Daybreak's disastrous early viewing figures, alongside its presenters swift fall from grace

Daybreak presenters, Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley.

In a matter of months, TV presenting duo Adrian Chiles and Christine Bleakley have suffered a spectacular fall from grace.

Formerly the popular poster figures for The One Show, their move to ITV has gone worse than could have been expected.

After award winning enter-

tainment programme GMTV was rebranded in order to welcome the channel's new arrivals, ratings have taken an unprecedented hit, and the show's producers are said to be in talks about whether or not to axe it completely.

Many of GMTV's darlings were given the boot to make way

for the new format. After ten years on the show apiece, Andrew Castle and Ben Sheppard were given their marching orders when Daybreak began.

Believing that a new look and new hosts would inject some vitality into weekday mornings, ITV drafted Chiles in with a six year

Now that Jonathan Ross has left the BBC, Rebecca Hardwick looks at the man who will be filling his Friday night slot

Graham Norton When I heard that Graham Norton was taking over Jonathan Ross's Friday night slot I wasn't exactly overwhelmed.

It was a somewhat safe and predictable choice, moving Norton's show from one night to another. However, to my surprise so far Norton has certainly proved that he is worthy of the prime-time slot and appears to be a breath of fresh air in comparison to Ross.

Don't get me wrong, Ross is an excellent chat-host but by the end of his nine year stint doing Friday Night with Jonathan Ross he was certainly losing his shine. With the series coming to a close, the show increasingly felt like it was all about Ross, with Ross appear-

Out!

Jonathan Ross ing as the celebrity rather than the guests.

This combined with the Andrew Sachs affair, which Ross never really recovered from, meant that it was definitely the right time for him to step down.

This is in stark contrast to Norton who seems to get the most out of his guests and certainly doesn't steal the limelight.

On each show Norton has three or four guests: usually featuring a musician, a comedian and Hollywood star.

Unusually, Norton interviews all the guests at once generating a really good dynamic. Norton has had some great guests already during the series, including Alan Sugar

ally withdrew their contract offer, leaving her no choice but to join ITV's sofa.

The viewing figures for Daybreak's debut show peaked at 1.5 million, but just six weeks later, the numbers were as low as 500,000.

Endless criticism has plagued the programme, and most notably the presenters, as the money lavished on the rebrand seems to have gone to waste.

Audiences are now lower than they were for its predecessor, GMTV, and BBC Breakfast has stormed into the number one spot for morning television.

To add further insult to injury, it was reported that viewing figures almost trebled when new entertainment presenter Kate Garraway paired up with Dan Lobb to present the show whilst Chiles and Bleakley were away.

Hopefully, things will pick up for Daybreak as the show goes on.

The media storm surrounding their move seems to have tainted things from the start, and with only two months of the new programme under their belts, they have plenty of time to broaden their appeal and reach new audiences.

However, with an average audience of five million viewers back over at The One Show, perhaps the presenting pair are beginning to realise what they've given up...

Box Bites The latest TV News

Norton vs. Wossy

In...

presenting contract for the channel, with Bleakley contracted for at least three. However, after just two months on their new sofa, rumours are rife that the two may quit their jobs due to poor ratings and a huge slump in their popularity.

Grumpy Brummie, Chiles, made a name for himself as an entertainment host on The Beeb, most recently fronting BBC Two's The Apprentice: You're Fired. His sarcastic humour may have won him fans in the past, but his new, early morning persona clearly isn't going down the same way.

Steering clear of the headlines wherever possible, both he and his co-star have kept remarkably quiet on the subject of Daybreak's never-ending drama.

Presenting partner and total antithesis Bleakley may not have commented on the show itself, but is constantly in the tabloids and gossip magazines thanks to her relationship with Chelsea footballer Frank Lampard.

After her success on Strictly Come Dancing a few years back, Christine quickly became a national sweetheart, and the presenting duo were soon attracting viewers in their droves to the magazine style show.

However, after leaving the BBC in limbo for too long when debating her big move, they eventu-

and Charlotte Church.

My particular favourite was Russell Howard, who definitely stole the first show, with his risqué anecdote about Shakira. He may not be a big VIP, like those which were on Ross's show, but his contribution had the audience in stitches.

Norton's trademark feature is the Red Chair. At the end of show Norton invites members of the audience to tell their best ever story in the Red Chair: if the story proves to be boring the person is flipped out of the chair.

This is a really fun feature, though sometimes a bit cringey. On last week's show there was a very shaky marriage proposal. This was not comfortable viewing, although thankfully she said yes.

On each show there is also a musical performance, so far this series there have been performances from James Blunt, Charlotte Church and The Pet Shops Boys – not a bad selection!

And it only gets better – Rihanna is set to perform on next week's show.

Therefore Norton is definitely a commendable replacement for Ross.

He may not be the big TV personality that Ross is or have a big fancy set, but his approach is refreshing and highly entertaining, Norton is a likeable host and genuinely funny.

On this week's show his guests are Colin Farrell, Daniel Radcliffe, Rhod Gilbert and Rihanna, and should definitely be worth a watch.

Tune in to The Graham Norton Show at 10.35 on Friday nights on BBC One.

Sarah Welsby gives us the latest telly news

X-Factor's Katie Waissel The Mighty Boosh star Noel Fielding has accused former host of Never Mind The Buzzcocks Simon Amstell of ruining the show, on which Fielding is now a permanent team captain.

Fielding backed up the claim by saying guests are now too scared to appear on the show after Amstell's brutal, sarcastic presenting style.

Surely Amstell was only continuing from original host Mark Lamarr's style, who also ripped into guests regularly. Maybe Noel is just too much of a sensitive soul for a show like Buzzcocks.

Corrie stars Barbara Knox and Eileen Derbyshire (that's Rita Sullivan and Emily Bishop to you and me) have been awarded MBE's this week, who between them have nearly racked up an impressive 100 years on the soap. Apparently the Queen watches Corrie 'when she has the time.'

The X Factor's Katie Waissel has apparently been asked to leave the show.

The singer, who has been in the bottom two with Belle Amie and Treyc Cohen, has concerned

producers on the show after reportedly delaying the finalists' charity video shoot for six hours after suffering from a panic attack.

She allegedly went on to cry hysterically all night. It's just a talent show Katie.

On a lighter X Factor note, the Glee cast are rumoured to be performing on an upcoming results show. It has been said that Simon Cowell is working out the finer details.

There seem to be problems concerning who will be in charge of the set; both the X Factor and Glee production teams want control.

Give them what they want Simon, this is too good to not happen!

X-Men star James Marsden has signed up for a guest appearance on a forthcoming episode of Modern Family. He is said to be playing the role of Mitchell and Cameron's neighbour, who apparently become very excited every time Marsden's character takes off his shirt. So this means lots of topless James Marsden? Thank you Modern Family.

Red Dwarf fans will be pleased to hear that producer Andrew Ellard has confirmed that a new series is in the prepping stage, and should begin filming at the end of this year.

The cult programme's star Craig Charles has attributed the new series to the shows revival on the freeview channel Dave, which has generated new interest. Apparently it will be one series of six episodes… for now. Watch this space.

20 redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

12th November 2010

Music Jukebox

Pulp reform for 2011 Summer tours drownedinsound.com/news

Single Reviews

Spotlight On... Metal

Enter Shikari

William Franklin

Destabilise

Röyksopp – The Alcoholic The Norwegian duo took a break from Alpine-Electropop and returned in September with Senior.

More withdrawn, it sees them toning down their distinctive synth-honks for a far more downtempo sound. 'The Alcoholic' is probably the best example of this, lined with ambient chords and led on a winding path by patient electro-twinges. It ends up in this audio glade, where samples of chirruping birds and pattering rain bring it to a placid conclusion. It's blissfully idyllic, and worlds apart from 'Happy Up Here'.

Shit Robot – Take 'Em Up With a video as synthetically aesthetic as the track, DFA's own Shit Robot has produced something of magnitude this time. Featuring LCD Soundsystem's Nancy Whang, although this might not be the verb I'm looking for - dominated by, seems more appropriate. Her soulful vocals are as good a match for the mechanised dance-pop as her dripping neon figure is for the video.

El Guincho – Bombay

Richard Warrell and the 'cult' of Heavy Metal A lot of my friends are not heavy metal fans and a lot of them ask me about it, having never really known where to start with it. Often, people seem quite intimidated by metal. It doesn't help that the most outspoken supporters of metal tend not to be the most approachable characters. But lurking in the background is a wonderful community. Often they are people you would never expect to find there.

There is more to metal than the grinding guitars and growling vocals of Slipknot, and weird stories about Marilyn Manson. Both things have a place, but there is more to be interested in than that.

Those bands were intentionally shocking when they emerged in the late 1990s, but bands such as Nightwish or Def Leppard offer wildly different spins on the metal sound. A good starting point for many is Iron Maiden – the soaring operatic vocals of Bruce Dickinson are very accessible, and the lyrics are catchy. Another good place to

look is at Turisas, with their cover of Boney M.'s 'Rasputin'. Here you can listen to metal at its most playful, and 'danceable'. The other half of the appeal of metal is the community.

Heavy metal is huge. Download Festival 2010 had a crowd of over 100, 000 people – making it the second biggest event of its type in the UK after Glastonbury. In the last three years The Prodigy, Iron Maiden, AC/DC and Metallica all had number one albums.

It's amazing something so large escapes the public consciousness really, but this size is also how the metal community manages to sustain itself without the support of the mainstream media – we just don't need it. It generates itself, not requiring the media to dictate how one should act and dress, and where one should go.

Well, in theory – you'll always get the posers who read Kerrang, but they're harmless and tend to stick to themselves anyway, al-

lowing the rest of us to get on with doing whatever we want. I would argue that the social aspect is perhaps more appealing than the music itself. One of my housemates had the choice of living with coursemates, or a house of metal fans, and is perfectly happy with her choice – despite not being an expressly metal fan herself.

In concert, the two forces combine – watch a live video of Iron Maiden's Fear Of The Dark and the crowd's unity is matched only in impressiveness by the power of the music. Outsiders – this is what you're missing. Don't write us off as introverted freaks, allow yourself to enjoy our and your own metal world.

For more information, The University of Birmingham Metal Society can be contacted at www.tinyurl.com/metalsoc. Membership is not required to attend events.

'Destabilise' makes you want to emerge from a mosh pit reeking of sweat. Epic sounds dominate this single, with a clear evolution and culmination of past Shikari sounds. From Rou shouting raps to a pre-chorus that layers synths into an unyielding crescendo – 'Destabilise' is marked by angry genius. Equally dominant lyrics ensure this single isn't just about the vast array of sounds produced.

Amy Davidson

Flashguns

Come and See the Lights Writing on 'Come and See the Lights' is no easy feat, as there really isn't much to say. Flashguns have for the last two years been one of those bands whose presence has been felt but not remarked on. Their new single is unlikely to make any progress in becoming noticed. Featuring reasonably bland lyrics and a feeling that they've been churned out of an indie hit making machine, but to no avail.

Tamara Roper

Essential Albums Double-header

Pablo Díaz-Reixa's sound is as distinctive as they come. A narcotic blend of psychedelica and latin rhythms. 'Bombay' is no different: lilting steel drums, reggaeinspired beats and pop-vocal choruses. World music is rarely this gratifying and forward-thinking.

Curren$y – King Kong This is stoner hip-hop at its least demanding; with spatial synths so sparse you'll have time for a bathroom-break between the headnodding beats. The raps are arrogant, irreverent and unassuming; fans of Asher Roth will find a kindred spirit in this lazy pot-head.

Zola Jesus – Lightstick The xx have proven that skeletal music has its place in an industry dominated by high-budget arena rock and pop. 'Lightstick' might push that sentiment a little too far for most, bare-bones piano and heavily distorted vocals are the only real production on this morose but dramatic tease. follow us: Redbrick Music on facebook email us: music@redbrickonline.co.uk

Daft Punk

Homework (1996) Noel Byrne Critic

With the upcoming Tron movie remake, anticipation could not be higher from the next offering from Daft Punk, who are masterminding the soundtrack for it.

Why so much buzz around two mysterious french DJ's who dress up as robots? The answer is they delivered one of the most influential electronic albums of the 90s in Homework.

Helped along with some striking visuals courtesy of classic music video's from Spike Jonze and Michel Gondry, it became a classic album for dance music and it stands alongside some of the best albums that the 90s produced.

From the infectious funk and catchy robotic vocals of 'Around the World' to the expert blending of house and crunchy techno on 'Da Funk', this album managed

#7 to show dance music in a futuristic light whilst having a distinctive retro element to it, ultimately meaning it had something for everyone.

Whilst the singles were very accessible to a wide market, the rest of the album explores funk, crunchy bass and chopped up rhythms. This isn't just a straightforward dance album, if you listen to it, you can see there is a definite method to Daft Punk's dance madness. Commentary on the French government's stance on rave in the 90s features on the track 'Revolution 909'. On its own this would fall flat but it's done in such a way that it's just part of another great track from Daft Punk.

You get a sense that these guys have the confidence and swagger of a stadium-filling rock band, rather than 'some guys behind some turntables.'

Miles Davis

Kind Of Blue (1959) Stephanie De Lucia Critic

After I listen to any Miles Davis music, I automatically crave a cocktail. His music has a natural ability to transport the listener to a smoky bar in downtown New York, where 'the gin is cold but the piano's hot', as it were. But, as a Sex and the City lover, I am totally biased as the programme featured a lot of Miles Davis' music back when it was about sex and the city and not about necrophilia.

So, I'll pretend that I'm a Miles Davis virgin and honestly review his greatest album, Kind of Blue. This obviously cannot be done without a glass of wine, so I'll grab that and get started. And perhaps dim the lights.

Silence. A piano, a bass, a high hat and off he goes. His 'So What' has a way of easing the listener into the randomness that is jazz music

#8 and suddenly I don't feel the sadness that inevitably comes when you're in your room drinking alone and looking online at one way tickets to New York City. Arguably his most emotive track, 'Blue in Green', has me thinking back to ex-boyfriends, and the realisation that I'm in my room, alone, on a Saturday night and ever so slightly tipsy, hits me hard. This clearly calls for another glass of wine.

As his album tracks progress I find myself tapping my foot to 'Freddie Freeloader' and 'Kind of Blue' and out of the blues, excuse the pun, I'm happily onto my third glass of wine and making high hat noises to accompany the music.

This album is perfect for anyone who's got a bit of a jazzy side, and let's face it, who doesn't? Take yourself on an emotional journey and have a listen. Blurry brilliant.

Music 21

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Redbrick

Editors – Charlie Bailey, William Franklin

Live Reviews

Music Diary

I Blame Coco

Akala

I arrived at the O2 expecting a crowd of edgy and hip young things to be thronging the door, but after strolling past the doormen, I realised there was a rather more varied turn out for up-and-coming band I Blame Coco.

Mention must be made first to her dazzling support act Kyla La Grange whose husky voice, dark lyrics and commanding performance captivated the tentative bunch watching. Definitely an artist to watch out for and those who arrived after her set seriously missed out.

Coco then emerged with her band, sporting an inspired outfit which involved an awesome Disney jumper and a huge medal which swung as she moved around the stage. They kicked off with 'Self Machine', its chorus 'lonely robot in a wasteland/rusting in a lonely harbour' echoing around the room and reaching out to grab the audience's attention.

It's clear that music is in the genes (her dad is Police front-man and all round legend Sting) as she delivered intense and edgy performances, her impassioned voice rising out of her small frame and mesmerising everyone. She did display some pretty quirky facial expressions though; something which didn't immediately help her to connect with the crowd.

'Quicker' and new single 'Turn Your Back on Love' followed, bringing to the evening an 80s synth vibe reminiscent of artists

On a rainy evening in Birmingham, a few hundred people were queuing up outside the O2 academy in search of some Friday night entertainment. Upon entering the venue, we were surprised by the quiet, relaxed atmosphere and, the lack of people. However, small crowds are something that the artist we had come to see is accustomed to.

Our warm-up act was not an upcoming rapper trying to make his way in the music industry, but instead we were presented with a poet who goes by the name of Anthony Anaxagorou. We had come to hear some live rap music, but the night started off with something rather different.

Anaxagorou recited some of his poems to us which related to social and political issues that are very important to humanity today and especially to the younger generation, such as racism, war, genocide, religion and commentary on western living.

After being taken in by this overwhelming poetry, it was time for the main act of the evening to make his way to the stage.

Akala's performance on the night was a mix of his old and new songs, a couple of acapellas and some enlightening speeches. He's clearly a well educated person and this is evident within his music, but it is just a shame that it is not heard by a larger audience, not just in the UK but the world. One thing that really struck us about Akala was that he has a clear set

12th – 18th

O2 Academy 05/11/2010

O2 Academy 2 02/11/2010

like La Roux and managing to get the robots among us to dance a little. Her voice is rich and low, giving her songs an edge which both delights and distresses.

The evening reached a rousing end with her most recognisable hit to date, 'Caesar', a gut-wrenching affair featuring vocals from Swedish songstress Robyn, during which the two very tall (and therefore very annoying) guys in front of me narrowly avoided injury in their attempt to get to the sweaty towel Coco threw into the audience. Very rock and roll.

I wish there could have been more moments like this, but it was all in all an impressive evening.

With her debut album out on November 8th I hope she gets the attention she deserves, because she's got the style and presence to captivate and thrill live (and semialive) audiences.

Liz Murray

Album Reviews Beans On Toast 7 The Wanted

Friday 12th

The Vaccines The Temple@HMV Institute Anberlin O2 Academy 2

Saturday 13th Ram Records HMV Institute of values. He could easily 'sell out' like other artists to reach the top of the charts. And yet he continues to produce music which still has an abundance of raw passion. As Akala says himself in the song 'Find no enemy', 'they can forget the charts, all I want is your hearts', a lyric that symbolises his will to resist changing his intellectually grabbing lyrical framework just for the sake of chart success. Unlike other hip hop artists he does not talk about 'the material' in his music, but focuses on social and political issues on both the global and national scale. In his live shows he combines wit and expert lyricism with rhyming precision that is not seen in the mainstream of rap.

There are no artists touring the UK circuit like him and we recommend going to a gig if you can. Even if you do not consider yourself a fan of the genre we still think you will be impressed by the content and delivery of the music on show.

Paul Brown & Cesare Facchini

2020SOUNDSYSTEM Hare and Hounds

Sunday 14th Dungen O2 Academy 3

Goldfrapp with Retrograde (DJ set) O2 Academy

Monday 15th Kele HMV Institute Ellie Goulding O2 Academy

Tuesday 16th We Are Scientists HMV Institute

Wednesday 17th Gorillaz NIA

Thursday 18th

Kids in Glass Houses O2 Academy

Reissues and Re-releases

5

French Horn Rebellion

6

Writing On The Wall

The Wanted

Beans On Toast (aka. Jay and notable friend of Frank Turner) is set to release his thirty minute long second album Writing On The Wall on the 1st December. This follows up his debut two-disc, fifty track monster Standing On A Chair, and is released to celebrate his thirtieth birthday on yes, the 1st December (rebelliously not on a Monday, the usual album release date).

His battered sandpaper voice croaks through songs about drugs, love, and friendship. He parodies a variety of categories and certainly has a dark sense of humour, however crude and marginally witty: 'I'm younger than I look. Last night I had a pretty girl sucking on my (dramatic pause) conversation'... Lovely.

The approach to his music appears to be the direct, observational and conversational three-chord bashing on a half-sized acoustic guitar approach. Beans On Toast is however joined by an array of musicians on this album who add yet another dimension to his anecdotes, and the odd conversations in between tracks add a live feel to the brief whistle-stop tour of Jay's life.

The album's over before it's really started, but at the same time the charm is in its brevity. A little amateurish, but this merely adds to the feeling that you're listening to an old friend, sat with you, furiously strumming his guitar, and musing on his views about life.

Max, Siva, Jay, Tom, Nathan, their male worker boots and their incredibly camp dance moves make up the latest boy band sensation that is The Wanted.

Their self-titled debut includes everything we've come to expect of manufactured bands like these. Firstly there's the obvious, upbeat first single, 'All Time Low', written specifically to be the big hit and spark the interest of teenage girls and radio DJ's all over the country. Then there's the slower ballad – 'Heart Vacancy' – written to make women melt with its sensitive lyrics, showing a softer side to the lads. It also has an abundance of key changes, harmonies and heartfelt warbling.

Overall it's inoffensive pop music and what's so wrong with that you ask? Well nothing really except you've heard it all before.

And it's beginning to seem out of order for record labels to expect you to part with your cash to buy album after album of the same music.

The album does feature a bizarre homage to 'The Good, the Bad and the Ugly' which is a little different from the average boy band song; 'Let's Get Ugly' incorporates the Western style music associated with the movie genre.

But the song's chorus is lazy and so the only song with promise of being original also falls flat.

In a musical genre increasingly expanding (as typified by the Grand Spectacular's satirical dig 'We all play synth') it is becoming ever more difficult for electronic acts to stand out among the sea of synth pop bands. And I'm afraid to say that despite the novel use of brass instruments French Horn Rebellion's debut album just doesn't manage it either.

The Brooklyn based duo's forthcoming debut album entitled The Infinite Music Of French Horn Rebellion meanders through a haze of electronic ambience without any clear direction that makes the sporadic horn interjections comical. 'Last Summer' makes me think of a brass band rompy pomping at a village fete. Maybe this was the approach they were going for, but encased in synth and falsetto vocals something tells me it wasn't.

It's not completely underwhelming though. The single 'Up All Night' is fun and well worth a listen, just a very poor clue to how the rest of the album will turn out. And 'Last Summer' has some funky disco beats that sit well.

On the whole the album is just a little too drawn out, perhaps if it had been condensed it may have stood out against the already saturated electronic music landscape.

Rachael Hogg

Laura Schofield

Alice Swift

The Infinite Music Of French Horn Rebellion

Nostalgic gem, or cynical cash-in?

Charlie Bailey Music Editor

So once again, big news in the music industry is not an upcoming and revolutionary artist. Instead Queen have grabbed headlines with the announcement of their intention to reissue their backcatalogue. For a band that to all intents and purposes has been defunct since the death of Freddie Mercury in 1991, to suddenly spring this on the music buying public reeks of more than cheery nostalgia.

Yes it is 40 years since Queen signed with EMI; and plenty of bands re-release albums all the time. The problem is that it has become symptomatic of an ailing industry. The whole enterprise is concerned with providing a record company with reliable income from a tried and tested artist, with minimal costs beyond promotion, and none of the risks involved with recording new material or signing an unproven band.

There is a good case for revisiting old material. In the case of high profile bands like Queen however, it reflects badly in an age when physical media is not limited like the original vinyl press runs of their output, all of which has been digitised and released in CD form already. With the whole of music history effectively at our fingertips with the internet, through legal and illegal means there is simply

no need to put out material that already exists with a few arbitrary bells and whistles attached that the artist never intended in the first place.

It seems that whilst hundred or thousands of young bands struggle to tour and release albums every year, the artists we view as 'canon' are untouchable and can do no wrong. This is bollocks pure and simple. There are worse examples than Queen, but the whole mindset is objectionable.

Stagnation in cultures has often been identified as a sign of decline generally and it reflects badly on us as consumers that we tow the line and snap up the latest 'deluxe-ultimate edition' of a favourite band whenever the music industry proffers it in exchange for our cash.

We should be demanding higher standards and brave new bands. Instead we retreat to the comfort blanket of nostalgia even as we help to prop up a system that has force fed us far less deserving bands than Queen.

So I say to Brian May et al: stop pandering to your overlords' demands; It is your artistic duty to combat the malaise of music culture by challenging it. And if you can't produce works on a par with your prior albums, then let someone else take up the reigns, I'm sure your bank balances aren't too shaky.

22

redbrickonline.co.uk

Food

Top 5 Comfort Foods

1. Ice Cream

It may be freezing outside, but ice cream is still an essential.

Any decent film night would be incomplete without it, surely?

Cadbury's range is so tasty that I tend to find myself requiring another tub just a few days after purchasing the first. Try either the Crunchie or Flake flavours next time you hit the shops.

2. Cookies

Redbrick

12th November 2010

Did you know

Chicken Tikka Masala was invented here in Birmingham!

The Sauce of a Good Meal James Morrison Food Writer

Think of a dish, any dish. I bet you it has some sort of sauce in it.

Go on , think about it: whether it be pasta, rice, noodles, jacket potato, pizza, curry or even Mexican enchiladas, a good sauce is crucial to each culinary success.

My theory is simple. If you can get a repertoire of a few simple sauces under your belt, you will never be short of an idea for a meal again. Now let me prove it to you.

Nearly all meals of a good student cook contain two key elements. The base will be the pasta, rice or noodles of the meal. This main ingredient – often a carbohydrate – makes up the bulk of the dish. The second is the sauce element which provides the flavour, variety and nutrition to the food – let's face it, a plain plate of rice would be bland to even the most primitive of taste-buds.

So it stands to reason, if you can master the four or five 'base'

elements mentioned above, with any one of three or four sauces, you have just planned your next fifteen student meals.

.TheA classic tomato sauce simple tomato-based sauce

is the perfect place to start. Begin by frying some chopped onions in oil for five minutes. To lift the flavour in lighter dishes, try taking a teaspoon or two of sugar and add to the onions. This helps to caramelise them and bring a slight sweetness to the sauce (trust me, this is a very good thing!). Then fry with the onions your preferred vegetables such as peppers, mushrooms and courgettes – they all work well so just go for it.

Once your vegetables have softened you can add your tinned chopped tomatoes (or I find the cartons of the passatta you can buy in Aldi, are just perfect). Turn your pan up, then back down to cook through. After ten minutes, you are ready to add your meat ingredient.

Minced meat (or soya for vegetarians) always works well in heavier chilli-type dishes, while I often reach for a tin of tuna in those lighter ones – but bacon, sausage or anything similar will work. Oh, and for the vegetarians amongst you, kidney, borlotti or other tinned beans work beautifully, and should certainly be added to that chilli.

Now just allow the sauce to cook for another five minutes and then either stir in, pour on to any one of the 'base' carbohydrate ingredients.

.TheFirst, creamy white sauce start by melting a knob

of butter in a pan. Once fully melted, take the pan off the heat and sieve in a tablespoon of flour.

Stir the flour into the butter with a wooden spoon until the butter is absorbed.

You can now place the pan back on a low heat, whilst adding as much milk as needed. Stir gently until the sauce starts to thicken,

this always takes longer than I expect, but be patient and it will get there in the end.

Once thickened, cheese can be added along with cooked vegetables, and stirred into some pasta to bake for 20 minutes in the oven.

Alternatively, add some dried herbs and serve over a roasted fillet of fish, or even fry a handful mushrooms with some chopped chicken and serve with any of those base ingredients.

If you're feeling particularly adventurous, or perhaps want to cook for your house-mates this weekend, put the chicken and mushroom sauce just mentioned in a dish and cover with some puffed pastry for a filling Sunday lunch.

Finally, in-keeping with this week's Asian theme, why not try recreating your favourite takeaway? Fry any vegetables of your choice, then some meat or seafood, before stirring in one of Fresh Asia's curry pastes (around £1.50) and some coconut milk. Simple!

Cookies provide the perfect essaywriting fuel. Reward yourself with one for every page (or sentence?!) completed. Tesco are currently offering two for £1.50 on our favourite Maryland range.

3. Popcorn

Another perfect accompaniment to nights spent in front of X Factor. Critique Cher, Katie or Matt whilst tucking into plenty of handfuls of Butterkist Toffee Popcorn. It's currently available for just £1 at Tesco.

4. Chocolate

Plane food fights back

Food writer Samantha Bott thinks aeroplane meals are something to write home about

Dear Redbrick Food,

Despite one friend's protestations, a Terry's Chocolate Orange cannot be classed as a portion of fruit. Nevertheless, Tesco's three for £5 offer will arguably benefit your bank balance, if nothing else.

5. Cereal

Crunchy Nut Clusters are always tasty, whether quickly shovelled down before a 9am lecture, or enjoyed following a great night at Fab. Grab two for £4 at Tesco.

Nicola Barton

Last week, I found myself in the Mason Lounge, happily perusing the latest issue of Redbrick, when I came across something so outrageous that I was forced to push the paper aside and calm down. There are not many things that can provoke such an intense reaction, but one of the core passions of my life had been criticised and I could not sit back and accept it. So here it is, my defence of the divine creation that is aeroplane food.

Let us start from the beginning. There you are in economyclass, crammed in like batterychickens, your legs are aching and you're feeling airsick. You're bored of the entertainment but incapable of obtaining any sleep. Restless and grumpy, you're surrounded by insufferably fidgety and irritating passengers (not to mention those you aren't related to). Just as you begin to wonder whether your destination is worth this, the moment arrives. You hear the wheels of the trolley, the air stewardess comes into view and you catch the

heavenly scent of omelette and bacon gliding through the air. A wave of tension grips everybody.

Where is she along the aisle? How long do I have to wait? Finally, after what feels like an age, she places the tray before you and never are you more thankful for a meal than in that moment. What can be better than hurtling along at 500 miles per hour, several thousand miles above ground, enjoying a hot meal?

Actually, there is one thing that can make plane food even more fantastic. Occasionally you will happen upon some poor sap who decided against ordering the in-flight meal. You can sense the bitter resentment of his hungry children. These uninformed beings feel a sense of superiority over plane food but they are all the same: at first they can cope, smugly sneering at the masses with their plastic plates but invariably, they crack. The cheerfully chomping, gratefully gobbling, and the countless looks of satisfaction close in on them and it all gets too much.

Quietly, hoping that nobody will realise, they dig into their wallets and request a meal. Unfortunately however, the hostess must politely rebuff them and the passenger is left to wallow in his own hunger and regret.

The only negative trait of plane food is that it is finished too soon.

The actual food is, in my opinion, utterly delightful. However, more importantly, plane food is not just about the items served on a tray, it is an experience: satisfying your appetite whilst cruising on the edge of outer space; the true wonder of an aeronautical age. So let's raise a glass – or rather, a plastic cup of 'orange juice' – to the in-flight, economy-class, airline-meal. Travelling wouldn't be the same without it!

I hope that I have persuaded you.

Yours sincerely, Samantha Bott

13p

Redbrick Food Guild of Students

University of Birmingham Edgbaston Park Road, Edgbaston, Birmingham, B15 2TU

Redbrick

Dilshad leaves food writers hungry for more

Jordan Warner and Rosie Adams sample Selly Oak's finest Indian cuisine

Katherine Smart As you close your front door and head onto the Bristol Road you are faced with a vast selection of student eateries that offer decent food, reasonable prices and a relaxed atmosphere. So how do you choose between them? Many of the restaurants in Selly Oak are two-a-penny for what they offer to students, and often we find ourselves returning to the same establishments more out of habit than enjoyment.

This year at Redbrick Food, we're all about change. Our previous experiences of Selly Oak curries were, to say the least, nothing to shout about, so we were eager to see if Dilshad could offer us more than the watery kormas that we students have become accustomed to.

Upon our first steps into the restaurant, we felt immediately detached from bustling Selly Oak. This was due to the subtly blinded windows, separating customers from the sights and sounds of the main street, the immediate warm welcome from the staff, and the delicious smell that suggested

Food 23

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – Dami Olugbode, Harriet Constable

great things were to come.

We were then offered the menu, accompanied by papodoms, mint and chilli sauces and an onion salad. The menu is full to the brim with old favourites, plus a few carefully selected dishes unique to the Dilshad. We were stumped for choice. Wanting to veer away from the curry classics, we were matched with dishes that suited our differing tastes.

We were then presented with a trio of starters, featuring Salmon Tikka from the upcoming menu, Onion Bhajees and Dilshad's signature dish, the Chicken Tikka Pathia Puri. This chicken based starter was cooked in a sweet and sour onion and pepper sauce and served in light fluffy bread. We were told this was their most popular dish, and at £3.95, the price is just as appealing as the flavour.

As our empty starter plates were cleared, one thing that was noticeable to us as we appreciated the classic décor, was the presence of students alongside locals enjoying their dining experience together. One thing Dilshad is proud of

is the diversity of their customers, who come from as far away as Los Angeles to sample some of the restaurant's classics.

Our mains were then served promptly by the waiters, who provided a high level of service throughout the dinner without ever being imposing. Our selection of dishes included traditional Butter Chicken, King Prawn Bhuna and a Lamb Rogan Josh. These were accompanied by custom Indian sundries of Mushroom and Pilau Rice, and a sweet Peshwari Naan. The spread on our table was certainly impressive, with such an array of colours and smells that neither of us had ever experienced before in an Indian restaurant.

We couldn't wait to get stuck in, and upon tasting we found the food was delicious and perfectly spiced. With its sweet and creamy sauce, the Butter Chicken is ideally suited to any lover of the common Korma, and the mushroom rice offered an exciting alternative to the sometimes too-plain Pilau. Once we had eaten our fill, the generous portions left food on our plates that was far too good to waste, and we were provided with doggy-bags to take home.

Even after all of that, we still managed to polish off dessert. The intriguingly named 'Suspense' was a scoop of vanilla ice-cream coated with crunchy hazelnuts. It was the ideal ending to such a wonderfully rich meal, and on finding out that all of the desserts were only £2.95, we were struck with the sheer value Dilshad offers its customers.

The restaurant has no need to rely on gimmicks or discounts as the food speaks for itself. The Dilshad is truly in a league if its own, perfect for an intimate, romantic meal and large parties alike, it provides a completely separate experience to the establishments directed solely at students. The fact that we had heated up our leftovers by 11am the next morning, really is testament to the absolute quality of the food and, as the Latin wording in the Dilshad's crest states, 'the taste cannot be disputed'. As we discovered, it really can't.

A Dollar a Day

Vicky Hodgkinson recounts her Asian food experiences Travelling on a shoestring can be tricky. It would be wonderful to dine in the world's best restaurants, but your money needs to stretch to getting you home, not keeping you wined and dined.

A few years ago I travelled to Cambodia and Thailand with twenty friends. We had an extremely tight budget and on crossing the Thai border the exchange rate halved, meaning our finances got even tighter. In Bangkok we went for street stalls, eating all sorts of finger foods and some extremely fattening pancakes fried in ghee.

Calorie counting, we were not.

Fortunately many of my companions had lost their appetite as a side effect of the malaria tablets we were taking. A dollar a day for them was more than adequate.

Food wasn't their focus and they were more interested in sight seeing and taking in the local culture.

Unluckily for me, I got the hallucination side effects and still had a gargantuan appetite. Whilst everyone else delicately nibbled on fresh pineapple I had to get the biggest plate of rice or noodles that any street stall or café had to offer.

I eagerly eyed up what I thought would be tasty and dismissed what looked like it could cause a horrific upset stomach – however, there is a fine line.

The hill tribe people of the Chiang Rai region of northern Thailand served up the culinary highlight of the trip (this had conveniently been pre-paid for).

On our first night we sat, looking

out at the tea fields that the locals farmed, and ate a typical dinner.

They served us boiled vegetables, sticky white rice, freshly grown cucumber and some extremely crunchy bean sprouts. The food was simple but they served it with a chilli sauce that made the simplicity of the meal refreshing and fulfilling after a four-hour trek.

The next day in the jungle we were treated to a traditional bamboo meal. Our guide set up a fire in a small clearing and stuffed rice, noodles and bamboo shoots with sugar into thick bamboo stems that acted as pans. He then added water so the food could cook. We were given a bamboo cup with bamboo chopsticks to eat our meal. The experience was somewhat surreal, as we were effectively eating bamboo, out of bamboo, in a bamboo forest.

Once the food was ready, the sticks were laid down and cracked open to reveal our lunch. Another of the guides had discovered a particularly large and juicy larvae, which he generously proceeded to heat up for two members of my party to eat.

Unfortunately, our gastronomic experience deteriorated when we went to Ko Samet Island in the last week of our trip. We lived on the worst attempt at an English cooked breakfast (including hot cocktail sausages) and Cornetto ice creams. In hindsight I wish I'd had a budget that stretched the whole five weeks, but a dollar a day was a challenge I'd gladly accept again.

Recipe of the Week Chicken Adobo 2 Onions, chopped Large piece of fresh ginger, peeled and grated 4 cloves of garlic, crushed Rice enough for 4 people

Method

1.

Rosie Adams Food Writer

This unusual but extremely tasty curry originates from the Philippines, and luckily for us students it couldn't be easier to prepare. This recipe serves 4 people, and doesn't require any expensive pastes or sauces to bring a taste of Asia to your student kitchen!

Ingredients 6 Chicken thighs 500ml malt vinegar 200ml soya sauce 1 tin of coconut milk

In a frying pan, brown off the chicken thighs in oil until golden.

Transfer into a large saucepan with a little more oil.

2.

Add the onions to the saucepan and cook until they are slightly brown.

3.

Next, add the vinegar, soya sauce, ginger and garlic to the saucepan and stir to ensure all the chicken thighs are covered by the sauce.

4.

Bring the mixture to the boil and cover the saucepan with a lid.

Leave to cook for 20 to 25 minutes.

5. Meanwhile, cook the rice. This

Student Shop – Fresh Asia

recipe works best with boiled long grain rice, but would still taste great with microwave or boil in the bag rice, depending on your preference!

6.

Once the mixture has finished cooking, take off the heat and add the coconut milk to the saucepan and stir – this will give the curry a great creamy texture – and it's now ready to serve.

Like what you see here? Check out our website, www.redbrickonline.co.uk, for more tasty, student-proof recipes you can make at home!

Siobhan Palmer Commentator

For those of you students still unaware, the underground of the Guild of Students is now home to the new Asian supermarket, Fresh Asia. The supermarket offers a wide variety of Asian foods including sauces, with the old favourite

of sweet chilli costing only £1.69 for a large 730ml bottle: considerably cheaper than the supermarket equivalent. Fresh Asia does stock some recognisable names such as Amoy and Kikkoman, however don't be put off by the unknown brands as they are often cheaper than their commercial equals.

Fresh Asia is open from 10am until 6pm, Monday to Saturday and also offers a 10 per cent discount to students on purchases over £5.

This does not include rice, but they do guarantee it is the cheapest in Birmingham! I heartily recommend students pay a visit to this interesting supermarket. Fresh Asia couldn't be more conveniently located on campus, so pop in and pick up a bargain or two!

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12th November 2010

redbrickonline.co.uk

Sport

Redbrick

Hockey men produce storming comeback

Leeds beaten at Bournbrook p 27

The referee's a woman Redbrick Sport talk about all things referee with Hollie Moisey, who is among the gradually increasing quota of female refs in England.

James Phillips Sports Editor

The subject of refereeing is always a hot topic in the world of football, and the year 2010 has been no different. From Frank Lampard's disallowed goal against Germany and Howard Webb's 14 yellow card final at the World Cup, to this season's Premier League where Mark Clattenburg was centre of attention over Nani's hotly disputed goal at Old Trafford last month. Stoke City manager Tony Pulis has even suggested recently that bad referees should be relegated.

An interesting development in refereeing over the last few years has been the gradually increasing presence of female referees. With Amy Fearn becoming the first female to take over a football league game earlier this year when Tony Bates left the field injured, and several women refereeing in the Conference and elsewhere in nonleague football, it might not be so long before we see female referees involved in the Premier League.

And if they are good enough, then why not?

This week, Redbrick Sport caught up with the University of Birmingham's very own female ref Hollie Moisey to discuss all things referee. Moisey, 19, is a second year Accounting and Finance student and she has been involved in refereeing for five years. During termtime she officiates in the men's senior Midland Football Combination League, as well as both the BUCS league on Wednesdays and Midlands Universities League on Saturdays. When asked how she got into refereeing in the first place she explains, 'When I was 14, I was running the line for my local non-league club, Durley, when an away player said 'you don't know what you're doing, you're a girl'.

Being quite stubborn I decided to take the basic refereeing course to prove him wrong'. Moisey qualified to be a ref with assistance from nearby Southampton Football Club, who along with Charlton Athletic and Reading have the best systems for training young referees. The club used young referees to officiate their academy teams and provided mentoring sessions from older refs at intervals during the youth matches so the young referees could see what they were doing right and wrong.

Unfortunately, although perhaps expectedly, female referees can still experience a lot of prejudice and discrimination within the game. 'Some people think I'm weak just because I'm a girl' says Moisey, who also expresses her disappointment at the way 'some people generally doubt that women should be involved in football'. Another problem facing female referees is when they are judged on their appearance. Lisa Rashid, one of the FA's 11 female referee ambassadors, has previously received comments saying that 'she shouldn't be a ref because she's too pretty.'

Tabloid newspapers have also run articles on 'sexy refs' which does seem to undermine the whole profession. There has been quite a lot of controversy surrounding female referees, particularly when Fearn, under her maiden name of Rayner back in 2006, incurred the wrath of Luton Town manager Mike Newell. Newell made some vicious sexist remarks after Rayner, who was running the line, didn't award his team a penalty. He was reprimanded and apologised but the incident left a sour taste for female referees.

Surprisingly, Moisey says that there is usually less respect when taking charge of women's football than when officiating men. 'Men often go two ways, either they respect you straight away or they don't but a lot of the time they get on with it' but apparently female players are more likely to dispute decisions. Despite this, the women's FA Cup Final has been officiated by all-female teams for the last three seasons. Janie Frampton, the National Referee Manager for Education and Training played a big role in ensuring that female referees at least get to take charge of the showpiece event of the female footballing calendar in England.

UEFA, European football's governing body, are currently trialling a new system in the European competitions with two extra officials, one stood behind each penalty area. Moisey explains their roles, 'They have input over incidents that happen in the eighteenyard box. They are in fact allowed to enter the box at any time but we haven't seen that happen yet as it is likely to cause controversy. They are supposed to clarify if incidents happen in or out of the box, assist in the awarding of penalties and make calls if the ball crosses the line. The sticks they carry are receivers which they can buzz to get the referee's attention'. Moisey feels that the experiment could work if there was a better understanding of the extra official's role but currently there wouldn't be enough level one (top level) qualified referees to have six officials in every Premier League and Football League game. A lot more referees would have to be fast-tracked up the qualification pyramid.

As for the constant debate over whether technology should be brought into the game, Moisey believes that there should definitely

Young ref recruits at South Downs college where a full refereeing qualification is offered. be something to establish whether the ball has crossed the line. Unfortunately experiments with both 'Hawkeye' (the technology used in tennis) and a micro-chip being placed in the football have both failed, and the alternative of video technology would cause the problem of having to pause the game to watch the video back. But Moisey doesn't think technology should be brought in for other decisions, 'for offside decisions it would just be over-ruling the assistants and there is always going to be human error in the game. Penalty decisions are often debatable even with replays. If you made every decision with the use of technology it would take the passion out of football.'

As part of the Referee Association, Moisey attended the women's football refereeing conference last week in Birmingham where many topical issues were discussed. She also regularly attends Referee Association meetings at nearby Kings Norton, where she is usually the only female in attendance (there are approximately 27,000 male refs in the country, as opposed to just over 1000 females). Most re-

cently Premier League referee Andre Marriner was the guest speaker, and one of the topics discussed was the Nani goal against Tottenham Hotspur last month. The official stance on the matter was that as Clattenburg didn't think it was a penalty and didn't see Nani's handball, there was no reason to blow the whistle or to wave play on as no offence had been seen. Although Clattenburg may have realised something was wrong when Spurs keeper Heurelho Gomes put the ball down as if for a free-kick, at no point had he made it look like he was awarding a free-kick and therefore the goal was perfectly legal and simply down to Gomes not playing to the whistle.

On the prospect of one day being in Clattenburg's place and refereeing in the Premier League, Moisey still feels it is 'a tough challenge at the moment' but 'when a female referee is good enough she should get the chance'. There has actually already been a female assistant referee in the Premier League, Wendy Toms, who made her top flight debut back in 1997. Moisey cites Toms as a role

thefa.com

model for all female officials, 'She broke down the barriers which the rest of us can now go through', as Toms was literally the first female referee on the FA's radar. At only 19 and with most top flight referees in their 30s at least, maybe one day Moisey could be among the first group of female referees to regularly officiate in the Premier League. Stranger things have happened in football.

Get into refereeing The first steps into refereeing are easier than many would expect. Birmingham student Matt Bridgeman, originally from Potters Bar, has been doing it since he was 15. After taking an eight lesson course with just one session each week, he has officiated in several youth leagues and has been an assistant in some senior non-league games. Similarly, Biology student Ryan Hamnett, originally from Copenhagen, did a course this summer which consisted of two 9am-5pm sessions on Saturdays and one 'Safeguarding Children' workshop.

Hamnett is set to start refereeing in the Central Warwickshire Youth Football League soon.

For more information visit www.thefa.com/GetIntoFootball/Referee

Moisey, on right of trio as part of the first all-girl ref team in the Wessex League.

The Daily Echo, thefa.com

Redbrick

Sport 25

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors - James Phillips, Simon Hall

Cooksammy and co defeat Durham at Bournbrook Men's Rugby Union

Birmingham 1sts

26

Durham 2nds

14

Rory Millar Sport Reporter

On Wednesday, Birmingham men’s rugby first team comfortably defeated Durham second team 2614 on a cold but sunny afternoon at the Bournbrook.

It was the home side’s second win in their opening four fixtures of the BUCS Northern Premier B division and their first victory since the impressive home display against local rivals Warwick in mid October. After losing away at Sheffield Hallam in their previous fixture, it was important to get the win and the side duly delivered. The first ten minutes of the tie were scrappy and uneventful but it was Durham who took the lead against the run of play. The home side gave a penalty away on the half way line which was kicked deep into the corner by fly-half Adam Dudgeon.

From the resulting line out, a good drive by the away pack led to second row Joe Burnett crashing over from close range to open the scoring for the visitors. Dudgeon made no mistake with the conversion, to make the score 7-0.

Durham could have improved upon their dream start just minutes later after winning another penalty, this time in a central position on the 10 metre line in the Birmingham half. Dudgeon elected to go for the posts, but dragged his kick narrowly wide so the score remained 7-0 to the side from the North East.

Midway through the half, the hosts opened their account with fly half Huw Thomas, who was successful in four of his seven kicks across the afternoon, scoring a penalty on the opponents’ 22 just left of centre to reduce the deficit to 7-3.

Birmingham started to take

Birmingham kept their eye on the ball as their Northern opposition crumbled on Wednesday control of the game and showed some promising signs, with good runs by David Devlin-Jones and Stefan Cooksammy almost leading to their first try of the afternoon.

Some good tackling from the visitors and poor discipline from the home side, who gave away 13 penalties throughout the game, meant Birmingham were kept out until the 37th minute before scrum-half Ed Mckee scored out of nowhere.

Durham had a scrum on their own 22, the ball broke loose and Mckee capitalised upon it to cruise in unopposed right beneath the posts which Thomas duly converted.

Just before the break, Thomas had a chance to extend the lead with a tough penalty from the 10 metre line but couldn’t quite get the distance so the score remained

10-7 as the sides went in for half time.

Durham came out stronger after the break, and had a golden opportunity to draw level within two minutes of the restart when a penalty was awarded inside the 22 directly in front of the posts, but Dudgeon dragged his kick horribly wide of the left hand post.

Birmingham responded with a penalty before substitute inside centre Matt Gardner scored in the left corner after a great move on 55 minutes. After winning a line out by the half way line on the right hand side of the pitch, the forwards had a great running maul to inside the opposition 22, before passing it out through the backs all the way to Cooksammy on the left wing who cut inside but was held up just

before the line. The ball was recycled well by Mckee passing out to Thomas who offloaded to Gardner , and he finished well in the corner.

The conversion was missed but with the score at 18-7, Birmingham were building a healthy lead.

Durham hit back almost immediately though with Sean Rayner crashing over after good play on the left from number 8 Dave Stodell. Dudgeon’s resulting conversion was successful, and with the deficit reduced to just four points, it meant a nervy last 20 minutes could have been on the cards.

But the hosts showed no signs of any nerves, bossing the last quarter of the game and setting up camp in the opposition half for the remainder of the match. With ten

Tom Flathers minutes to play, George Symonds put the game beyond doubt, capping off a fine performance with a try in the right corner following yet another good drive from the Birmingham forwards who dominated throughout. The kick was missed, but in the closing stages a simple penalty by Thomas from in front of the posts put further gloss on the scoreline as the home side deservedly ran out 26-14 winners.

After the game, Birmingham captain Seamus Mckimm said: ‘We did very well to come back after the early setback. I have been here four years and some of our sides in the past would not have responded nearly as well as we did today.’ He went on to say that ‘it was a solid team performance and a very good win.’

Winning run goes on for Barr's basketball boys Men's Basketball

Birmingham 1sts

26

Wolverhampton 1sts

14

Stefano Goosey Sport Reporter

Birmingham’s men’s basketball first team ensured their strong start to the season continued after defeating Wolverhampton by 99 points to 57. The home side dominated their second consecutive midlands derby compared to the close game last week against Coventry.

After defeating Nottingham, Oxford Brookes and a narrow win over Coventry, the Lions produced their highest scoring performance of the season. There was an atmospheric crowd at the Munrow Sports Hall following on from the women’s netball victory with a very much NBA style entertainment.

Birmingham started the rout in the first quarter by taking an early lead as they showed that quality of possession is more important than quantity. A fine individual performance from captain Jake Barr gave

the lions the foundations to create a 15 point lead by the end of the quarter. Kaphel Waul’s silky skills combining with Barr’s vision provided enough for Brum to take a sizeable lead. Wolverhampton committed 5 fouls with Andy Blakeway converting 4 of the 10 free throws, but the hosts clinical finishing elsewhere meant the missed opportunities didn’t matter.

The second quarter quickly followed and an exceptional performance from David Salisbury took the home side into an insurmountable lead. The relatively short but effective Salisbury scored 4 three pointers and ended the quarter with a total of 18 points. Birmingham showed why they were the better side with a strong defence and a counter attacking style of play, which gained points whereas the away side struggled to break through and relied on individuals to score points. This reliance on key players failed to pay dividends and the score was an emphatic 63 points to 24 at half time.

The crowd expected the points to continue to pile up but clearly Wolverhampton’s coach used his own hairdryer version of a team

talk to change their fortunes. The away side made substitutions and they proved to be the stronger side by scoring 16 points more than the Lions. Wolves captain Richard Gromuls did his best to bring his side back in the game by converting all of his four free throws and his form transformed the visitors into a competitive outfit.

The third quarter ended 7745 to the home side and it seemed Birmingham weren’t going to run away with the result after a spirited comeback from the away side. Unluckily for the away team this gave the Lions the incentive to pounce back and regain their form. Points were shared between the home players in the fourth and final quarter as Birmingham showed their resolve by winning the game 99 points to 57.

The match showed the Lions great form and class as they continue their unbeaten season with 4 wins and no losses. Warwick await in their next game. As it stands, Birmingham are the favourites to win the Midlands 1A conference and should be looking with confidence towards the playoffs.

Four wins in a row for Brum

Rita Toth

26 Sport

Redbrick

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Roberts' ladies seal pivotal win Netball

Birmingham 1sts

54

Cambridge 1sts

27

John Wilmott Sport Reporter

Birmingham's netball first team took a huge stride towards their ultimate goal of promotion from the Midlands 1A division with a magnificent 54-27 win against a strong Cambridge side.

An early assault saw Birmingham take a staggering 21-5 lead by the end of the first quarter, with Hannah Kennedy and Laura Brocklebank putting the opposition's defence to the sword. From this point on the previous league leaders looked suitably frustrated as Dionne Williams' team went from strength to strength, closing out the win and sending the firsts top of the league.

Birmingham had come into the game looking to protect their 100% home record against a wellprepared Cambridge side fresh from a slim 3 point defeat against favourites Loughborough's second team. The game was eagerly anticipated with the home team knowing that any form of victory would see them leapfrog Cambridge and begin to add real momentum to their promotion aspirations.

Their early season form had been good, with only one narrow loss to table toppers Loughborough seconds mixed in with a strong result against Nottingham and a heavy win in the Birmingham University derby. Cambridge had also posted a strong set of results, losing only one game to the strong Loughborough opposition. On paper there appeared to be very little to call between the two teams. Prior to the game, team captain Kate Roberts had expressed her confidence of a result but was under no illusion it

would be plain sailing.

However, right from the first whistle Roberts led by example and covered every inch of the court, leaving the opposition merely chasing shadows. She worked well with wing attack Laura Price, setting a tempo that caught the visitors cold. Birmingham raced into a 6-2 lead, with opposing goalkeeper Antonia Akoto powerless to stop the front pair of Kennedy and Brocklebank racking up the goals.

It was as dominating a quarter as you are ever likely to get with the home side notching up 21 goals from 27 shots, a stark comparison to Cambridge's five goals and the opposition were clearly in disarray as the quarter came to a close.

While the game was not over, the away side needed to step up their game and attempt to gain a foothold in the game. While the second quarter was less one-sided, Birmingham still managed to edge it, maintaining their high standards with the defence of Sarah Bishton and Harriet Bradley holding firm along with the help of the ever-present captain Roberts. With a halftime score of 32-15, the game was still alive, but by the end of the third quarter it was very much dead and buried.

While Cambridge managed to create more openings, the shooting and pivoting from Birmingham was faultless, scoring all twelve shots they had to finish the third quarter with an insurmountable lead of 44-21.

The game was closed out well in the final quarter, with Cambridge grudgingly accepting a final score of 53-27, much to the delight of the crowd and home players alike. After the game, team captain Roberts praised her fellow players saying it was, 'just brilliant,' and 'the best game we have played so far.' These comments were backed up further by coach Williams who called it a 'stonker,' and sent out a clear message to title rivals with the

comment, 'This is how we play.'

With only one game to go in the first round of matches, the Birmingham players and staff alike will feel they have a real opportunity to push on and gain promotion,

rising to the top level of women's university netball. And with performances such as this one, there is little doubt that they have the ability and belief to take the title come the 30th of January.

Birmingham 1sts

3

Cranfield 1sts

0

Joseph Audley Sport Reporter

The Birmingham women's volleyball first team achieved their first victory of the season, winning in straight sets against a weak Cranfield side in the Munrow New Gym on Wednesday. The home side displayed an organised performance in which all players put in a fantastic effort, thoroughly deserving the win.

After losing the last few games Birmingham were desperate to get off the mark with a relatively new team. 'We only have two players from the team last year and the new faces have been under pressure to perform,' explained Coach Ollie Bertrand. 'The games we have already played have been very close, but we are improving and hope to pass this mental barrier in order to win.'

Birmingham got off to a great start winning the first five points and dominating the serve. With very few mistakes and good organ-

isation of positions, the home side took the first set 25-7. The visitors struggled to get a hold of the game however as they had a lack of communication and struggled to cope with the well-placed returns from Nadine Meyer. The girls played well as a team and it seemed that the pressure of only playing together a few times was relieved.

The second set started much like the first with the leaders holding their serve well and it became clear that Birmingham were not going to drop many points this week. Captain Ildegrada Da Costa Cabral provided excellent set-ups for Meyer to storm ahead to 13-3.

Although Cranfield got themselves more organised they could only manage six more points before Birmingham won the second set 25-9, making the score 2-0 on sets.

Last week Birmingham went on to lose after taking the first two sets so the girls knew that they had to remain focused and not let their hard-earned lead slip. The third set began fairly closely with Cranfield performing the best they had all game. The visitors managed to reduce the deficit numerous times and were keen to get something out of their visit to the West Midlands. However, they did not stand a chance, as they created many

Sports Shorts Brumski

Brumski snowboarder Sarah Murtagh beat fierce competition to claim 3rd place in the big air competition at the British University Dryslope Championships last weekend in Edinburgh.

Despite gaining an injury the day before, Sarah went on to land a solid array of tricks in qualification, progressing to the one run finals where she landed a perfect frontside 180 rotation over the big kicker to win the bronze medal.

Rhys Crilley

Korfball

Brum's first home game of the season resulted in an emphatic 18-5 victory over Castle, a result no doubt likely to impress Coach Andrew Davies with BUCS regionals on the horizon. Birmingham looked bright from the onset, scoring quickly to establish a four goal lead and from there they never looked back. Punishing in their attack, Brum recycled the ball well and dominated the collect, allowing Aleks Turner to help himself to a seven goal haul as his team cruised to a comfortable victory.

Aleks Turner

Lionheart Award Xavier Disley, a member of Brum's vastly improved cycling club has become the first ever recipient of UBSport's 'Lionheart Award'. As a reward, Disley will receive an honorary one-term scholarship for his tremendous effort and dedication.

Lacrosse Birmingham had Cambridge at their feet

Dmitry Trushchenkov

Volleyball girls leap off bottom spot Women's Volleyball

Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall

The women's lacrosse team's unbelievable unbeaten run finally came to an end on Wednesday as they went down 15-8 away to Durham. The northerners have recently recruited some American talent into their squad so there is no shame in the defeat, but Brum will need to recover quickly if they are to overcome Loughborough next week.

First team fixtures Support our clubs!

Game of the week: Women's Lacrosse vs Loughborough Munrow Track 2.30pm Men's Badminton vs Loughborough Munrow Sports Hall 2pm

The volleyball girls hit top form unforced errors for themselves throughout the game, with the home side on top form.

Birmingham's reactions were faster and more accurate than their opposition's, with Anne Thyssen and Da Costa Cabral combining well to set up powerful returns. After under an hour of play the home side took the third set 25-11 and won the game 3-0. The winners showed a good spirit throughout

Dmitry Trushchenkov the game and hardly gave away anything, as shown by the fact that Cranfield did not lead once.

There were smiles all round at the sound of the final whistle and the whole squad were pleased with their first points of the season. The disappointment of the previous games has almost been forgotten as Birmingham go into next week's fixture against Cambridge full of confidence from a deserved win.

Women's Badminton vs Loughborough Munrow Sports Hall 2pm Women's Basketball vs Loughborough Munrow Sports Hall 7pm Women's Fencing vs Manchester Munrow New Gym 2pm Women's Squash vs Cambridge Munrow Squash Courts 2pm Men's Table Tennis vs Aston Munrow New Gym 4.30pm

Redbrick

Sport 27

12th November 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall

Linnell lands brace as Leeds lose Men's Hockey

Birmingham 1sts

5

Leeds 1sts

3

Sam Price Sport Reporter

On a chilly Wednesday afternoon at Bournbrook, the University of Birmingham men’s hockey first XV overcame a two goal half time deficit to claim a 5-3 victory over their Leeds counterparts. Before the game, new coach Stephen Floyd stressed the need to ‘turn our good performances into league points’, and if this wasn’t Brum’s most impressive performance of the season, they will certainly be pleased to get the result.

The team are looking to build upon last season’s second place finish in the BUCS Premier League North, and went into the game unbeaten in this campaign after three away games in which they won one and drew two matches. They faced a Leeds side bottom of the table after three straight defeats, but the form book was ripped up in the opening stages with the away team dominating and taking a second minute lead through a deflected effort. Brum were as sluggish as the visitors were inventive, and the home team struggled to penetrate a strong Leeds defence marshalled by the headband wearing partnership of Michael Newman and captain Oliver Howick.

The away side nearly doubled their advantage through a penalty corner, which should have served as a warning to the Birmingham defence. An excellently worked second short corner was converted by the impressive Daniel Mills to

Crouching tiger: A solid defence provided the foundation for the much-needed win make the score 2-0. Birmingham were rattled, but improved as the first half wore on, forcing a couple of top drawer saves from opposition goalkeeper Josh Pewter, who denied winger Phil Messent a goal.

The half time whistle ended the hosts’ best spell of the match so far as Leeds went in two goals to the good.

Goalmouth scramble: A brave save keeps Brum at bay

Tom Flathers

Visiting coach David Lancaster was happy with Leeds’ first half display, but said ‘the crucial thing now is who gets the next goal’. His words were prophetic as a transformed Birmingham side pulled a goal back five minutes into the second half, a squared pass teeing up Richard Gear Evans in the shooting circle, who finished with aplomb. Brum maintained their intensity and kept pushing for an equaliser; attacks were patiently built up from defence with captain Pete Jackson very much to the fore, and the hosts were unlucky to have a goal chalked off that would have levelled the scores.

However, it became clear which side was in the ascendancy, and the equaliser came from an incisive Birmingham counter attack, where some superb passing led to a goal from Rhys Linnell. The match had swung, and a surging run from Tom Sibley gave Linnell the chance to double his tally and put

the hosts ahead for the first time in the game. He made no mistake, and Birmingham put their foot on the accelerator in an attempt to kill off the tie; Messent bringing about another save from Pewter who was getting the better of that personal duel. Mistakes crept into the visitors’ play as tired legs attempted to rally, Leeds piling forward in search of an equalising goal. It was not to be, however, as Charlie Hayward made sure for the hosts with a late strike after good play from Gear Evans. Brum’s superior

Penalty Corners converted

Birmingham Leeds

0/3 2/3

Tom Flathers

fitness was telling, and they even scrambled a fifth goal, whilst Leeds added a consolation with the last shot of the game through Newman following another short corner.

Birmingham were slow out of the blocks but eventually strolled to victory with an assured second half display, playing some impressive hockey in the process.

When asked what inspired the turnaround, double goal scorer Linnell praised the half time team talk from Floyd, who himself was relieved with the win. ‘We began poorly, were very tentative and gave them the advantage. But we started to play after 25 minutes and completely dominated the second half. It was just disappointing to give away three goals’, the coach said after the game. Birmingham will be buoyed by their second half performance, and can take confidence into a potentially difficult encounter away to Durham next week.

Golfers iron out slow start to claim win Daniel Beattie Golf Correspondent

The golfers were blessed with great weather as they edged past Northumbria

Tom Flathers

Wednesday morning saw Birmingham's golfers overcome a plucky Northumbria outfit in what proved to be an extremely close encounter. The 10am start was bitter and the Brum team were feeling the cold with a sloppy performance on the front nine. Despite this, Aaron Lansberry led the team off and managed to put the first point on the board winning 3 and 2. Antony Nash suffered a hangover this week losing 2 and 1, after winning the BUCS Individual stroke play qualifier at Woodhall spa last week by what felt like a country mile.

Lauren Spray played a very

tough debut match against last years BUCS finals winner Nicky Maddison who proved to be too strong, Lauren lost 4 and 3.

Fresher Lee Elliot put in another solid performance winning 3 and 1; Dan Beattie also managed to sneak a win 1up which left Sian James (pro) with a slippery 8-footer on the last which she managed to hole to the see the team win 3.5 – 2.5.

The second team also managed to turn around a very slow start to the morning to beat Loughborough’s second team 3.5-2.5 Next week sees the firsts returning to Woodhall Spa to play Lincoln firsts in what could prove to be one of the biggest games of the season.

28 Sport

Sport

Redbrick

November 12th 2010 www.redbrickonline.co.uk

Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall

Blowing the whistle Redbrick Sport talks extra officials, video technology and Mark Clattenburg with female ref Hollie Moisey, p24

Leeds Met feel the full force of the Lions' roar American Football

Birmingham Leeds Met Carnegie

41 0

Luke Durston Sport Reporter

xpLosION on Saturday the 6th of November marked the return of back-to-back BUAFL champions the Birmingham Lions. Seeking to record a 25th straight victory the Lions put on an imperious display for the massed spectators by mauling Leeds Met Carnegie 41-0.

The game, billed as the biggest event in the university sport calendar had transformed the leafy Bournbrook pitch into a bustling hive of activity as the teams, resplendent in their sleek uniforms took to the field.

The home side roared into an early 8-0 first quarter lead following 2 points gained from a safety and a touchdown for versatile running back Dan Conroy who would be a persistent thorn in Carnegie's side throughout the game. The first touchdown was likely to be crucial in calming early season nerves and it was brought about by confident passing plays from quarterback Tristan Varney linking up with receivers John Zinkus and Josh Vines to make big yardage gains in the visitors' half of the field. This set up Conroy to make a jinking dart wide and run the ball 22 yards into the end zone to notch up the first of his 3 touchdowns in the game.

In contrast to Birmingham's varied offence, Leeds elected to run the ball on almost every play with the ball only ever leaving new quarterback Jory Bray's hands for an instant as it was transferred to running back Jon Wheatley who ploughed relentlessly into the Brum defensive line. But the defensive line held firm and the Yorkshire side's offence was rendered almost impotent, with little yardage and no scoring in sight as they limped towards the end of the first half even further behind.

Touchdowns from Conroy and Eniola Osonaike had extended the Lions' lead to 21-0 in the second quarter as quarterback and UBSport scholar Varney began to assert his quality on the game with quick, incisive passing. Strong running play from Jackie Smith on the visitors side then gave them a solitary glimpse of scoring as their first venture deep into Lions' territory brought them within 5 yards of the end zone. But with minutes remaining until half time the efforts of the defensive line kept Carnegie at bay going into the much-awaited half time break.

At this stage the half-time delights of the Birmingham Pussycats cheerleaders and a dazzling fireworks display won't have cheered the hearts of Leeds' players whose shoulders were sagging

INSIDE

AFL Terminology Safety A rare way of scoring when a player tackles an opponent in possession of the ball in his own end zone. Worth 2 points Touchdown A scoring play in which any part of the ball crosses the plane of the opponent's goal line. Worth 6 points.

Quarterback The offensive player who receives the ball from the center at the start of each play.

Receiver An offensive player whose job it is to catch the football.

End Zone A 10-yard section stretching the width of the field at both ends of the playing field. Where touchdowns are scored.

Running Back An offensive player who runs with the football.

Down A down is a period of time that one team has the ball. The goal is to make three plays (first, second, and third down) and gain 10 yards on the field toward the end zone. under the weight of heavy pads.

The home team, however, looked strong and composed as they continued to bare the weight of expectation weighing on their own shoulders going into the second half of play.

After the halftime fireworks had abated, fireworks of a different kind continued to light up the field of play, with explosions of boots driving through the turf and helmets clashing with pads ringing into the night. Big hits started raining in, notably from Birmingham's Greg Pearson and the visitors began to fumble the ball under pressure, compounding their miserable night of running the football.

Varney on the other hand was irrepressible, delivering the ball with ease into holes in the Leeds defence both wide and through the middle. It was only a matter of time before the lead was strengthened further and this time it came via a pass to Zinkus through the middle who was able to waltz in for the score. During the 3rd and 4th quarters the game became less of a contest and more of an exhibition of Brum's superiority, a rushing touchdown from Teejay Dai-

Top: The Lions are clearly number 1. Bottom: The Birmingham Pussycats added to the spectacle Tom Flathers Orenuge and an intercepted pass returned 10 yards into the end 3rd Down Completion zone from Conroy completed the rout at a final score of 41-0.

As whistles and cheers from the crowd greeted the end of the game Carnegie's head coach Paul Wake was pragmatic in defeat pointing out that 'Birmingham showed why they are two-time champions,' going on to say that 'it's a steep learning curve but we hope to meet them again in the post-season.' Lions captain Greg Freeman was understandably Pass Completion pleased, not just with the performance, but the night as a whole, Birmingham Quarterback Leeds Met Quarterback stating that 'I've never seen the Tristan Varney Jory Bray event and the cheerleaders looking so impressive.' He added that 'we've sent out a statement tonight by playing one of the better teams we will face and sending them home well beaten.'

Freeman was guarded against complacency saying “now we'll just take things from here,” but such an impressive opening game victory will ensure that the Lions and the fans watching on will hope to remember, remember the 6th of November as the night when the 3rd title charge began.

Thomas Walters

Birmingham Leeds Met

42.9% 0%

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