Brand new Redbrick website The rapper and actor on music, Guild comicElection books and his newatshow at the REP Find all of our articles and up-to-date coverage www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
The University of Birmingham's Student Newspaper since 1936
Campaigning kicks off for Guild Officer Elections
See News page 6 for your guide to the elections and interviews with the two hopefuls for the position of President
Friday 4th March 2011 Volume 75 | Issue 1387 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Brum Dine With Me Meet the contestants and preview their menus Food, Page 13
Academy Awards 2011
Glen Moutrie
Selly Oak burglaries drop 70 per cent Tom Byrne Reporter
There has been a 70 per cent drop in the number of burglaries in student houses around crime hotspot Selly Oak, over the past four years. Student homes and accommodation are typically seen as an easy target for burglars as they are able to swipe multiple laptops, mobile phones, iPods and other valuables from just one residence, safe in the knowledge that the property is likely to be vacant throughout the course of the day. However, thanks to the use of forensic property marking product SelectaDNA, combined with a new scheme undertaken by the Guild of Students, student burgla-
ries in the Selly Oak area have dropped by 70 per cent when compared with the statistics from the previous four years. The scheme run by the Guild of Students included a team of Community Wardens from our University who have joined up with security officials and the West Midlands police in order to target crooks. The initiative involves a doorto-door campaign that highlights the importance of security to students and also the launch of a text service to that sends students relevant crime information. Students are being encouraged to use SelectaDNA to mark their valuable electronic equipment. The SelectaDNA formula is made up of an ultraviolet tracer
and unique DNA code, therefore if a marked item is stolen and later recovered by the police it can be scanned and traced back to its rightful owner. Jonny Kirby, Vice President for Housing and Community, said: 'The Community Wardens are committed to making sure Selly Oak is a better place for all who live there. With the latest figures, it certainly seems that their dedication and tenacity is starting to pay off. The fact that burglaries in the area have dropped by 70 per cent, during a time notorious for break-ins, is a tremendous achievement'. 'The ideas and funds have come from a collaboration between the Guild, the Police, the Council and the Safer Birmingham
Partnership – but we could not have delivered such an attack on crime and enjoy such awesome results without the drive and commitment of our Wardens. They are a credit to themselves and to the Guild, and without them and their work, Selly Oak would be a more dangerous and unpleasant place to live and study'. First year Chemistry student Neil Harris said: 'Initially I was worried about moving into Selly Oak next year, as you hear of people who have been victims of burglary in the area. However, with the measures that both the Guild and West Midlands Police have taken to tackle the issue I am now feeling more assured about living there.'
Highs, lows and everything else you need to know about this year's Oscars Film, Page 16
Hockey victory Women's team make national finals for the second year in a row Sport, Page 28
2
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 Web Designers Dan Southall Chris Hutchinson Technical Director Jeremy Levett News Editors Helen Crane Glen Moutrie Anna Hughes James Brilliant 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 Lexie Wilson James Reevell Alexander Blanchard arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Music Editors Will Franklin Charlie Bailey music@redbrickonline.co.uk Television Editors Joe McGrath Amber Alexander Charlotte Lytton tv@redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
4th March 2011
redbrickonline.co.uk
University Highlight of the week
Lifestyle Editors Briony Singh Rob Lewis lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk Food Editors Harriet Constable Dami Olugbode food@redbrickonline.co.uk
The Cadbury Papers
Travel Editors Ed Gordon James Cull travel@redbrickonline.co.uk
The Cadbury Papers relate to local brand Cadbury and refer mainly to the Cocoa trade in West Africa from about 1900 to 1960. The collection comprises papers relating to the Standard Trial 1908-1909 - the case of the Cadbury Brothers Ltd. vs The Standard Newspapers Limited - as well as correspondence and legal documents. Miscellaneous documents relating to the case are also included with correspondence, mainly reflecting on Portugese West Africa and the Trial.
Sport Editors James Phillips Simon Hall Sam Price sport@redbrickonline.co.uk
Any student may visit the library with a valid student ID card
Online Sport Editor Joseph Audley Technology Editors 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
Courtesy of the The Cadbury Research Library
News feed CRIME
Ashley Cole in shooting incident
New breast cancer breakthrough
Ashley Cole shot and wounded a Sports Science intern shortly after Chelsea's defeat by Everton. He was shot by a .22 calibre air rifle-the most powerful gun that can be owned legally in the UK without a license.
Scientists at Queen's University, Belfast have discovered a method of causing breast cancer cells to self-destruct. There is hope that the new technique could combat the side effects of chemotherapy and radiotherapy treatments. TECHNOLOGY
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
Birmingham City Council have agreed to save ÂŁ212 million for the next financial year. This will mean 2,450 jobs are likely to be lost. Crowds of protesters gathered around the meeting, with Unions describing the cuts as 'social vandalism'.
Customs officials have been ordered to seize all shipments of Playstation 3s due to a row between Sony and LG over the playback capability for Blu-Ray discs. If the ban is extended it could affect stock available in shops within three weeks.
Expert reports this week have revealed that blood pressure increases incrementally for every extra sugary drink consumed per day. These claims have been backed up through research on over 2,500 people.
John Galliano has been sacked by fashion house Dior after 'odious behaviour' made in a Paris bar during a drunken rant. He alledgedly made antisemitic and racist comments.
EDUCATION
ENTERTAINMENT
Calls for paper exams to be scrapped
King's Speech best picture
ECONOMY
ROYAL FAMILY
An exams watchdog has said that computerised exams should replace pen and paper tests as our generation is used to digital learning. Two exam boards agree, however many headteachers state that resources would be problematic.
British film The King's Speech won Best Picture at the Academy awards, with Colin Firth bagging Best Actor. Christian Bale picked up best supporting actor for The Fighter and Natalie Portman won the best actress award for Black Swan.
PS3 imports banned Sugary drinks raise over Sony/LG row blood pressure
For meeting times find us on facebook or email section editors.
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.
B'ham City Council to lose ÂŁ212 million
FASHION
Copy Editors Anna Lumsden Charlotte Goodwin Elsa Heath Rosie Pearce Sian Stanfield Olivia Wilson Rosamund Cox Lucy Cash
Copyright (C) Redbrick 2011
LOCAL
HEALTH
Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Jazzarie Lee Bethany Richardson
Designed and typeset by Redbrick.
HEALTH
John Galliano sacked by Dior
Inflation will fall back to target
Royal wedding has its own website
Governor of the Bank of England Mervyn King has said that inflation will fall back to its target rate, however has agreed that they do not know by how quickly nor how far.
A website has been launched for the impending royal wedding. The website features exclusive content, a virtual tour of Buckingham Palace and a live stream of the wedding.
TECHNOLOGY
CRIME
Google finds deleted Gmail accounts
Man held over attack on royal car
Google has sent out apologies to customers who found their Gmail inboxes empty due to accounts being wiped clean. A software bug was blamed, and 0.02% of Gmail customers were affected. The lost emails have now been restored.
A man has been arrested over an attack on a car carrying Prince Charles and the Camilla during a student fees protest in London last year. The man, 34, has been arrested on charges of violent disorder and criminal damage.
Redbrick
4th March 2011
redbrickonline.co.uk
Quotes of the week Nick Clegg, asked whether he was in charge during the prime minister's absence: 'Yeah, I suppose I am. I forgot about that'. He then insisted he was 'working very hard'.
A Prime Ministerial spokesman said of Larry the cat:
The creator of a new range of ice cream, made with breast milk:
'He has shown no interest in the many mice in Downing Street. There is a distinct lack of killer instinct'.
'Some people will hear about it and go yuck – but actually it's pure organic, free-range and totally natural'.
Col. Gaddafi on the protesters in Libya: 'They love me. All my people are with me, they love me all. They will die to protect me, my people'.
Spotlight on Societies Guild TV Station Managers: Lola Lawall and Alisa Cate Holt Weekly Meetings: 2pm, Wednesdays in the G:TV studio How long has G:TV been running for?
What is G:TV all about? Our main aim is to produce interesting programmes for students by students. Our content ranges from documentaries, music videos to light entertainment and animation. G:TV highlights One vivid memory has to be when the studio got burnt down a few years ago. Why should we get involved?
In 2010 we won Best Title Sequence and Video to Music.
You can acquire a range of new skills. There is a wide cross-section of students involved from Biological Sciences to Drama.
We have high hopes for our 2011 entries which we believe to be even bigger and better.
G:TV is also a place to meet new people and boost your confidence in a fun environment.
G:TV in five words
Ways to get involved
Fun, unpredictable, original, eccentric and ambitious.
Just come along to one of our meetings or join the Facebook group 'Guild TV 2010-2011'. There are a huge amount of roles
Like 'Redbrick' on Facebook and follow on twitter @redbrickpaper
within television production so even if you don't want to be in front of the camera there are opportunities to film, edit or even write scripts. 3 Fun Facts Ex-members of G:TV include: Lizo Mzimba, Philippa Forrester and Chris Tarrant Last year, 10 years' worth of footage was lost because of a computer error, yet we still managed to enter and win some categories in the NaSTAs.
In summer term last year, we broadcast a week-long live breakfast show called 'Good Morning Birmingham' Upcoming Events and Ideas We are always thinking of new and creative ideas programmes. We are hoping to bring back 'Good Morning Birmingham' next term. We will be entering the NaSTAs again next year and next week we will be holding a film showing of all our entries, so come along and bring the popcorn.
Stats of the week
£11.8bn
HSBC's pre-tax profits for 2010, more than double the profits Europe's biggest bank recorded in 2009
150 Also check out our new website @ www. redbrickpaper.co.uk
Letter from the editor Samuel Lear Unlike many of my fellow student editors across the country, I do not share a blind love for the Guardian newspaper, but at Redbrick, we always strive to learn from our professional counterparts, and take the best of all. That said, one aspect of our favourite left-wing publication that I should like to be in praise of generally, is its 'in praise of' column on their editorial page. Today, I am in praise of courage. There are three types that have received the spotlight this week: firstly, the courage of the Libyan protesters, who are risking their lives in pursuit of substantial change for their country; another type of courage, is that of Steven Davies, who is perhaps the first sportsman in recent memory to 'come out' before reaching the peak of his career, despite sexuality remaining a very taboo subject in the sporting world.
'The amount of energy that has been devoted to these Elections has been truly staggering...'
42 years. It is one of the longest running student television societies in the UK.
G:TV won Best Female at the National Student Television Awards (NaSTA) in 2008 and then 2009.
3
Number of British nationals rescued by SAS special forces in the Libyan desert on Sunday night
4 The number of Oscars The King's Speech won, including Best Picture, Best Actor and Best Director
8
Candidates for the position of Vice President of Activities & Development in this year's Guild Elections
Finally, and on a more local level, I wish to praise the courage of those standing in the Guild Elections. Having followed them keenly on the campaign trail and in their downtime, the amount of energy that has been devoted to these Elections has been truly staggering, despite the risks involved. On a slight aside, I am also in praise of those who have been following our online coverage of the Elections – what better time to release our new website!?
Top 1o:
Kid's TV shows of the nineties
10. The Racoons 9. Kenan & Kel 8. Brum 7. Hey Arnold 6. Zap! 5. Power Rangers 4. Pokemon 3. Fun House 2. Sesame Street 1. Get Your Own Back
4 News
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
This week in statistics
130
the amount in pence petrol prices have risen to in some areas, the highest level ever
Redbrick
Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie, Anna Hughes, James Brilliant
37 million £100,000 2 the number of Americans who watched the Oscars on Sunday; a decrease of 10% from last year
the percentage of students at the top 25 univerThe amount Nescafe paid for their sities coffee-maker to be in the This Morn- in the UK who ing studio, the first time product were eligible placement has been allowed on for free school British TV meals
Students set up Twitter news feed for Selly Oak Caroline Mortimer Reporter
Three Birmingham students have started up a unique Twitter service targeting students and young people living in Selly Oak. The Selly Oak News, or the S.O.N, has been gathering followers since its debut on Twitter and Facebook two weeks ago and is designed to give students daily updates on news affecting Selly Oak and the surrounding Birmingham area. The feed was created by three second year undergraduates; Hugh Hopkins, Jonathan Craven, and Nicholas Day, who thought that Selly Oak needed a daily update service to give its residents 'small bits of relevant information which are easy a n d
quick to find.' Hugh Hopkins, a second year Business Management with Communications student, says that the service will not be designed to report the news in full like traditional sources such as Redbrick, but instead provide a 'non-invasive news service' that gives people a brief insight into what is going on around Selly Oak and Birmingham as a whole. Nicholas Day, second year Sport and Exercise Science, said 'the good thing about this service is that it normally provides Facebook links to the events it's promoting, on Facebook you normally get a lot of messages from promoters but with this it appears in your news feed you don't have to open it.' Jonathan Craven, second year Ancient History student, said: 'the problem with Twitter is that you get an information overload and it is hard to find what's relevant.' The Selly Oak News is designed to sift through all the information available and find what's relevant. Currently, the team collect
Is this the end for gap yahs? Judith Hawkins Reporter
The number of people choosing to take a gap year has decreased, according to some of the companies which provide placements, as many aim to beat the rise in tuition fees set for September 2012. One of the companies experiencing a fall in applicants for next year is Projects Abroad, which normally provides placements for 8,000 volunteers annually. This month its applications were down by 10 per cent, with founder and director Peter Slowe describing the feeling of many students that they must go to university straight away as 'a real crying shame', adding that 'This is the only time in their lives they can take off with their parents approving, and their teachers approving. It is something of intrinsic value and it is something that has been completely screwed up by this policy
of tuition fees.' Mr Slowe also commented on how smaller companies were suffering even more from the drop in applications, although none he believed had yet been taken into administration as a result. Other gap year providers are still receiving sufficient numbers, but have found that the places which are usually taken up by school-leavers are instead being filled by the rising number of graduates who are unable to find employment and are looking for ways to enhance their CVs. In 2006, when Labour first introduced top-up fees, those who had taken a gap year in 2005 were given a waiver exempting them from having to pay the increase. Mr Slowe remarked, 'I wish they'd do the same again' in the hope that this would stop schoolleavers being dissuaded from taking a gap year simply because of rising fees.In contrast the expedition company Raleigh has seen an increase in those wanting to take a gap year with them. Spokeswoman Rachel Collinson said she understood that other providers had seen a decline and noted that many of their customers were now choosing to take a 'mini-gap' during the summer holidays as an alternative to a whole year out.
information from 'searching and scourging' Twitter feeds and news outlets but increasingly over the past week more and more students have been contributing information to the feed. The project is small at the
moment, with the founders saying that it has been growing 'organically' through Facebook, though they are currently designing a website that they hope will go live in a few weeks.The feed also promotes local performances, charity
fundraising and sporting events both at the University and across Birmingham. They can be followed on Twitter @SellyOakNews, found on Facebook or emailed at thesellyoaknews@gmail.com.
Five per cent of UCAS applicants plagiarised personal statements Charlotte Lytton Reporter
A UCAS survey has found that five per cent of students plagiarised in their 2010-2011 university applications. Of the 500,000 applicants, 25,000 have admitted to cutting and pasting passages from model personal statements available online. Staff were able to spot the similarities as most came from studential.com, a website that gives in depth information about the university application process. It also offers a personal statement editing and critique service, but at £59.99, students decided to opt for the free exemplars available on the site. The survey shows that 234 aspiring scientists wrote on their applications: 'Ever since I accidentally burnt holes in my pyjamas after experimenting with a chemistry set on my eighth birthday, I have always had a passion for science' whilst almost four hundred medical school hopefuls began their personal statement declaring their 'fascination for how the human body works.' Copied material is most common in the openings and conclusions of personal statements, where potential students are most
keen to impress. Studential.com does warn against plagiarism, stating that it is 'just nasty', but these latest findings have sparked fears that teenagers are using online content in GCSE and A Level coursework as well.
Ever since I burnt a hole in my pyjamas after experimenting with a chemistry set on my eighth birthday I've had a passion for science – found in 234 science personal statements The high competition for university places is said to be to blame for the rise in plagiarism, as personal statements become increasingly important.
UCAS has admitted to seeing a rise in fraudulent applications over the past few years, but stated that five per cent is a relatively low proportion of plagiarists. The admissions service believe the findings are a result of almost all university applications being filled out online, where there is an increased temptation to plagiarise. UCAS also noted that a number of students from overseas were applying to English universities as a means of getting into the country, and then disappearing upon arrival. To combat these problems, UCAS has said it will double its team of investigators, as well as continuing to use fraud detection software which picks up on plagiarised online material. A spokesman for UCAS said that students who copy material are unlikely to be rejected purely on those grounds. However, applicants must be careful when asked to expand on comments made in their personal statements in interviews, as being unable to do so could damage their chances. It has been suggested that some students have been unwitting copycats, unaware that using pre-existing online material is in fact against the rules.
Redbrick
Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie, Anna Hughes & James Brilliant
25-30
The percentage increase young women could pay for car insurance premiums after new legislation banning charging more to men purely because of their gender
News 5
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
1 million 190 The amount of money in dollars Nelly Furtado recieved for a performance for the Gaddafi family in 2007, which she is now to donate to charity
The amount in pounds a meal for two people costs at Heston Blumenthal's newly opened restaurant, Dinner
16
the number of countries the UK is stopping aid to, including China, Iraq and Kosovo
Aaron Porter explains his Millions cut from UK research projects motivations to stand down Judith Hawkins Reporter
Documents released under the Freedom of Information Act have revealed that the Government is withdrawing millions of pounds intended for research projects in the education, employment and business sectors. In total 70 projects worth £8.9 million have been scrapped, including a £400,000 evaluation of academy schools established under Labour. A Department for Education spokesman explained that the Government was considering alternative ways of assessing academies and said: 'There is no point in simply doing research for research's sake – it is only right that it reflects ministers' priorities and informs the policies of the Government.' These cuts have led to criticism that the current Government is turning its back on evidence-based policy-making. A spokesman from the Radical Statistics Group, the statisticians and researchers who called for the list of projects to be made public, said: 'Key Government ministers have proved themselves to be practically innumerate in their use of existing evidence to
justify new policy moves. How do we know they have cut/curtailed the right projects?' Other axed schemes include a £2.8m survey of disabled children's services, research on the Fire Service estimated at £177,000, and six already commenced projects funded by the Department for Work and Pensions costing £612,000. The list reveals that over £715,000 has been spent on research that will now be left uncompleted. RadStats described this as 'a double whammy of waste.' Ludi Simpson, professor of population studies at Manchester University, has criticised another decision to scrap the Citizenship Survey. She described the survey as 'the only source of assessing how people felt about immigration and integration. All surveys cost what they do. We will be left only with unrepresentative internet surveys, unsuitable for serious government policy-making.' In response a Department for Work and Pensions spokesman said that ministers were 'committed to evidence-based policy making' and added that in the current financial year the department was still estimated to spend £20m on research and evaluation.
Judith Hawkins Reporter
NUS President Aaron Porter, who announced last week that he will not stand for re-election in April, has further explained his reasons for this decision as well as giving his own assessment of events during his eight months in charge. In an interview with the Guardian he said, 'I think that the NUS, and also me personally, need to be able to draw a line under the tuition fee debate, and I suspected that my continuation as NUS president would've inhibited us to move on… The year would have been a postmortem of whether we did everything we needed to do, and that's not healthy for the NUS. We needed to remain on the front foot to fight the cuts and that's why I think it's best run by someone else.' Despite the forthcoming introduction of higher tuition fees Mr Porter said: 'We've run a successful high-profile campaign. A disastrous campaign would be one that made no impact whatsoever. This made an indelible imprint in the public's consciousness and in the political landscape.' Recently Mr Porter has faced
criticism from students and NUS officers who believe he has given in too easily to the Government, and has been accused of taking more action against student protesters than against the changes to higher education. During a demonstration in Manchester last month his scheduled talk was cancelled when the crowd started directing their anger towards the NUS President, with him having to be led to safety by police. Regarding this he said: 'I wouldn't treat people that I hated like that, and I just don't think it's on.' When asked whether it was the actions of those protestors who stormed Millbank Tower who succeeded in making the issue of tuition fees high-profile, not the NUS, Mr Porter replied that 'for every argument to say that Millbank was helpful, there's a counter argument to say that it was equally unhelpful. I've had politicians come up to me and say because of what we saw, they were more inclined to vote for the proposals.' Following the damage caused at Millbank, Mr Porter was quick to condemn the violence, and continues to stress such actions are not part of the NUS' methods, nor the intention of most students. 'I
speak to hundreds of students every single week, and the overwhelming majority think that NUS got the tactics spot on, that we struck the right balance.' Asked what he intends to do next the 26-year-old said: 'Lots of people have made the assumption that my future lies in politics, and I don't think that's been helpful' however he also noted that he is not 'the kind of person to sort of drift off into obscurity.'
Guild Presidential candidates debate for first time Freddie Herzog Assistant News Editor
For the first time in the University's history, the two candidates for the position of Guild President have openly debated their policies to an audience in the Guild Council Chambers. The debate was also broadcast live on the University's radio station, Burn FM, and was chaired by the station's co-head of news, Katherine Seton. In Mark Harrop's opening remarks, he wanted to make it clear that he considers himself to be down to earth and laid back, but his primary aim is to be strongly engaged with students. Rachael Twumasi discussed her policies on maintaining a good quality of education. Other policies included ensuring the library has all the books on subjects' reading lists, and to improve employability prospects with more career fairs as well as creating a simpler mitigation process, fulfilling her philosophy of 'more fun less stress'. To prevent losses of quality enduced by cuts to the University, Twumasi would want to open a greater dialogue between University departments and students, hoping that a greater number of student protests would be a positive way of ensuring the quality of education. Harrop added that greater student protests are key, describing
activism as 'essential'. In a slight faux pas, Harrop implied he advocated student violence, but quickly clarified in a rebuttal to Twumasi that this was not the case at all. In response to the question 'What is the Guild's long-term vision on the relationship with the University?', Twumasi said that she wanted to put Birmingham 'back on the map' and see it rise up the league tables. Conversly Harrop felt that if the Guild doesn't have a good working relationship with students then no progress will be made. In response to how the candidates would make sure students have a good time at University, Harrop argued that food and drink in Joe's bar is too expensive and wants to introduce a loyalty card. He also said that it is important to ensure there is also entertainment available that doesn't merely revolve around drinking. Twumasi also said that more varied entertainment at the University is needed and this would be achieved through better advertising, including a 'What's on' board in the Guild reception. The final question posed was 'How could the candidates ensure that the Guild represents all students?' Twumasi said that talking to students is the best way to improve interaction and involvement, and wants a far greater student voice at the Guild. Arguing that in-
ternational and Erasmus students are on the periphery of University social life, Twumasi said she will reach out to them. To improve representation she would make the Guild less of an exclusive club and believes that she herself is a less typically 'Guildy' candidate. Harrop felt that that the Guild does not reach out to enough peo-
ple, but by working with the NonSabbatical officers he thought this can be achieved. He wants to include Non-Sabbaticals in meetings to create more of a team effort and tailor the Guild for everyone. The final part of the debate was taken up with open questions from the floor, ranging from guaranteeing free speech to widening
The two candidates prior to the debate
participation within the University to improving graduate prospects. In her final remarks, Twumasi stated her desire to push for greater involvement and interactivity across all student areas. Mark Harrop emphasised his passion for the University and wants to make sure he brings the same experiences to students.
Freddie Herzog
6 News
Q&A What do the officer team do? The officer team are elected by students to represent them within the Guild. Depending on their position they take charge of different issues affecting the student population. There are seven full-time officers who take a year out from their course and are paid to do the job, and eleven non-sabbatical officers who volunteer whilst completing their studies.
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
Editors – Helen Crane, Glen Moutrie, Anna Hughes and James Brilliant
ELECTION SPECIAL Guild Election Campaigns Kick off Monday saw the beginning of the two week campaign for 30 candidates seeking the seven available sabbatical positions as well as the 13 other students who are running for the non-sabbatical positions.
What are the different roles? President – The President leads the officer team and student volunteers, and is responsible for ensuring that everyone around them is working to the best of their ability. Vice President (Activities and Development) – The VPAD is responsible for societies, ensuring that students have a high quality experience. They also work to increase participation and get activities officially recognised for after uni. Budgets for groups also come under their remit. Vice President (Democracy and Resources) – The VPDR makes sure that elections are fair and accessible, promoting Guild Council and other democratic structures. Vice President (Education) – The VPE is concerned with academic matters, representing students to the University and making sure their needs are taken into account when decisions are made. Vice President (Housing & Community) – The VPHC ensures that University accomodation is of a high standard and manages Resident's Associations. They also promote positive relations between students and locals. Vice President (Sport) – The VPS manages student sports and develop sporting facilities. Vice President (Welfare) – The VPW promotes student wellbeing to the University and external bodies. They also distribute information to students on issues like sexual health and crime. Non-sabbatical positions – The eight part-time positions are Anti-Racism, Anti-Fascism officer, who ensures that all students are treated equally, Community Action Officer, who supports community volunteering projects, Disabled Student's officer, who promotes disabled rights and Ethical and Environmental Officer who endeavours to make the Guild more environmentally responsible. The Ethnic Minority Student's Officer who represents the interests of ethnic minority students, the Home Student's Officer supports those who choose to live at home, the International Student's Officer supports international students and the LGBTQ Officer and who campaigns for the rights of Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer students. You can also vote to re-open nominations (RON) if you do not think any of the candidates are good enough. How do I vote? Log on to the my.bham portal from 9am on Monday 7th – 4pm on Friday 11th March.
Presidential candidates speak to Redbrick Judith Hawkins speaks to the two hopefuls: Mark Harrop 'Potter' and Rachael 'Super-Rae' Twumasi What made you decide to run for President? Harrop: What I want to achieve is value for students and a better University experience. The Guild needs a strong visual and approachable leader and I feel that with the experience that I've got I'll be the best placed to do this. Twumasi: During a leadership course and a political tour of Israel the Presidents of other student unions said I should go for it. They were really supportive and they said to me you'll definitely kick yourself if you see the other candidates and think you could have done a better job than them. What are the key changes that you plan to make if you win? Harrop: Number one is a loyalty card in Joe's, as our bar prices are one of the most expensive outside of London. Other key changes I plan to make are in the library because if there is currently only one plug socket to 50 spaces
Twumasi: I really care about quality of education, employability, 'more fun less stress', a greener Guild and societies at it's heart. I think everyone should get exactly what they're paying for, such as more constructive feedback and good facilities, which are fairly balanced between departments. I want to be in all of the meetings where cuts are being discussed. I want to change the perception that the Guild is this club that either you're in or you're out because it's meant to represent everyone. How do you feel your campaign is going so far? Harrop: The campaign is so much fun. I'm talking to students, doing lecture shout-outs and people are reacting really well to the Harry Potter theme. I'm putting my point across but also getting the opinions of students and am able to tackle the issues head on. It's a lot of work, very tiring, but it's so worth it. Twumasi: It's going well. It is tiring, especially because it is Fair Trade fortnight so I'm also running round sorting out events for that, as well as for the Law Society and the kids I work with at Debate Mate. There's so much going on right now but it's been so much fun and it's great to see what the other candidates have been up to as well. In what ways have your previous University roles given you the experience needed to be President?
We asked 102 students: Will you vote?
We asked 102 students: 'What do you most want from the officer team?'
for laptops. I want to introduce essay and dissertation printing discounts. Finally everyone says that the Guild needs to publicise itself more so we will get more comprehensive smartphone apps as well as putting TV screens in major University buildings.
Harrop: They help you to deal with time management, and with a team because conflicts will arise. The way tackle it these is head on to make sure that we act in the best interests of students. It also teaches you to be tough-skinned because not everything is going to
Polls by Zahra Kassamali work first time but if you don't succeed try and try again. It gives you a confidence and a determination to see things through as you get to see the benefits of what you've achieved. Twumasi: I've worked with a range of different people all over the country doing all sorts of different subjects and pushed things that are important to them. It's helped me to work on teams and achieve compromise, as when arguments arise by making it clear to everyone that whichever method you're taking, you are reaching the same aim that everyone wants you can ensure people get along better. After University do you want to have a career in politics? Harrop: Going into public office is something I would consider, but I think I would be better in a policy making area. Along the lines you might see me running in some form of election so keep an eye out, though I'll try not to run with the same Potter theme! Twumasi: No. I want to go into academics and writing. Obviously I'm very interested i n politics and anyone who's seen my debating blogs will know that, but I'd prefer to go into teaching and mainly I want to be a writer. Lastly, sum up the main reasons why people should vote for you
Harrop: People should vote for me because I am 150 per cent committed, and determined to achieve my aims. What you're hearing from me is the bottom line answer, I don't mess about, I've got the experience, I've got the know-how and I've got the acumen to make what would be a fantastic Guild President, who is approachable and determined. Twumasi: If I'm elected I'll do everything I can to make sure that every single person's student experience is the best that it can be, so that's whether you're an Erasmus student, an international student, a home student, whether you live in Selly Oak or in the Vale, whether you live in private halls or in a house. People can always come and talk to me and I will r e spond to it and take action on it.
Redbrick
4th March 2011
Comment & Features Editorial Rosa McMahon Comment and Features Editor
redbrickonline.co.uk
7
Is this the end of the library love affair? Ali Hendy discusses the proposed library cuts sweeping the country and the reactors against them
Student apathy
Campus is ablaze with fancy dress, and student apathy has been caught in its flames. It is a very surreal sight, to look at the library and its surrounding area, and seeing banners, sweets, flyers and overly bright clothing covering every patch of grass and brick in sight. Every last flyer, slogan and campaigner hoping to gain the vote which will capture election victory and change, or indeed maintain, the Guild's standards for the future. Public opinion goes that students are lazy, boozy, materialistic and, above all, fully immersed in individualism. Television spells out the message that we don't care about anything, and can't see beyond our computer screens or the mirrors which we admire ourselves in. I wonder what such critics would have to say about campuses across the country during Guild Officer election time. How would they explain the retreat, or perhaps replacement, of dull 'me me me' characteristics, to wanting to make campus, and indeed university life the fullest it can possibly be? After all, the revolution sweeping the Middle East began with young people using social networking sites as a platform for their freedom of speech, and so it swept across, in total, hundreds of years of dictation, to reach a point where the people felt that not only they had a say – but should finally be listened to. Of course our student voices on campus, and those in Egypt, are totally incomparable. However, it does feel like this is a niche time for young adults, if such a middle aged phrase may be used. Of course Guild Elections are not new – students have been campaigning for other students' welfare and university experience for years. But there is a buzz about campus. Maybe it's the free sweets, napkins, pens, roast dinners or balloon rides, likely. But if university is a microcosm of wider society, which I truly believe it is, then there is no space for bystanders. We must participate. As highlighted by Samuel Lear, our Editor, Redbrick should be a key place for students to extract their information on the coming election which will, most certainly, affect their coming year in this University, and the generations of Undergraduates yet to come. Comment and Features values the input of its readership and would like to apologise if any offence was caused by last week's 'How do you solve a problem like... Richard Dawkins' by Alexander Blanchard. This was not the intention of the usually lighthearted and pithy column. Letters received for publication will appear online in the coming days along with a response from the writer.
Emily Grey
I
am in a relationship with the library: consider it Facebook official. And this isn't some sordid, one night fling, it's a life-long partnership, astrologically fated. Romeo and Juliet style, from the very beginning. Allow me to spell out this affair in the most appropriate style. Here is a story: once upon a time, there was a little girl who went to the library to take out books, six or more each time. First, they were books which helped her learn to read, and later, books that made
Shadow Minister for Culture and Media Gloria de Piero, who stated recently that 'almost 80 per cent of 11-15 year olds visit a library and children's borrowing continues to increase year on year.' Even more demonstrative of national feeling for the humble library, is the uproar voiced towards recent threats to library funding. Country-wide, 400 libraries face serious cuts. The Guardian's 'Protest Map' reveals a depressing sea of purple tags, demarking several possible librarycasualties in almost every major town and city.
been going to extraordinary lengths to protect their local. In Sheffield, locals gathered en masse to checkout the maximum 15 books allowed, the sentiment being that a library cannot be closed when its vital product is in the clutches of determined campaigners. In Suffolk and the Isle of Wight, residents sent hoards of Valentine's love letters to their libraries, and famous writers, including Kate Mosse, Mark Haddon and Phillip Pullman, who described the cuts as a 'darkening of things', took part in 'Save our Libraries' read-ins all
'The unanticipated, strong reactions provoked by possible funding threats shows the ability of libraries to evoke passion and compel their protection'
450
library closures her think about the world in which she lived. She had some books at home, but her reading-habit was too expensive for her parents to pay for her fix each time. As her teenage years commenced, she used the library less but one day, she started studying at university and found herself dependent on the books once more. Sound familiar? I'm not alone, according to
For many of these, this means having to close their doors to the toddlers, children, job-seekers and elderly individuals that depend on them as free learning centres. That aside from the other millions of greedy book-devourers who use libraries to think, write and take their share of pages that inspire and teach. For these reasons, library-users up and down the country have
over the country. Most seriously, a Birmingham-based human-rights law firm 'Public Interest Lawyers' is launching a high-court challenge against cuts announced by Somerset and Gloucestershire councils, stating that they are violating the terms of the 1964 Public Libraries and Museums Act for local authorities to provide a 'comprehensive and efficient library service for everyone wanting to use it.'
Of course, libraries are of less direct societal importance than fragile services in the health sector, but their importance is not confined to the learning they provide for sticky-fingered tots. 1 in 5 British residents still do not have access to the internet, and depend upon library services to word-process CVs and search for jobs. Birmingham, where 40 libraries are currently being assessed for closure, has become emblematic of this debate. The new Centenary Square library planned to open in 2013 has been held up as hope for vivacity and funding in the arts and education. However, the money-guzzling ÂŁ200 million mega-structure now appears a misplaced venture, pointlessly flashy and holding a certain poignancy when considered in the light of smaller, struggling local services. Aside from concern over whether its funding will be able to be sustained after completion, the centrality of its location alienates the suburban communities, whose journey to reach its books would require a bus fare. The unanticipated, strong reactions provoked by possible funding threats shows the ability of libraries to evoke passion and compel their protection. As Mark Haddon put it, 'Libraries are the NHS for the mind; one of the very few places where we are all equal.' They are at the centre of a democratic society, representing a hope for learning and a better understanding of things. They are a free education, allowing anyone to read their way up the social ladder without hindrance, or requirement. If you consider yourself part of this bookish polygamy and you want to use some of those loaned words to protect the books from whence they came, support your local library and prevent further haemorrhaging of ink.
8 Comment & Features
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Taxation: the 50p question
Redbrick
Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann
Preserved reserve? What are the British stereotypes, and are they being eroded? Olivia Thomson Commentator
wwarby on Flickr Amanda Callaghan Commentator
Those earning over £150,000 annually saw a significant reduction in their take home pay as of April 2010 when the new 50p income tax rate was implemented in the hope of increasing public finances. Those on the left clapped their hands together in delight at this ideological win, applauding the decision to tax the rich more punitively. The general consensus on the right was one of foreboding at the policy. They argued that the new rate would discourage foreign investment and provide high earners with an incentive to leave the country, taking their bulging wallets with them. As a consequence their understanding was this would be wholly counterproductive for the economy. The Institute of Directors substantiated this view citing business confidence and entrepreneurialism as victims of the new rate, ultimately warning that the tax band would have a detrimental effect on the United Kingdom's already woeful economic situation. January 2011. Tax receipts are up nearly 18 per cent on the previous year's taking. The impressive haul cannot really be attributed to changes in employment or overall earnings as these have only marginally increased by just over one
percent. Advocates of the tax band cry out in vindication pointing out that the impressive tax revenues speak for themselves. Case closed, 'yaaboosucks' to the Tories. Or is it? According to political journalist Fraser Nelson, the answer is no. Nelson attributes the high tax revenues to a far more nefarious source. Apparently, the self employed earning over the £150,000 threshold were assessed in the tax year 2009-2010, before the tax rate was introduced. As such, they sucked forward their incomes so as to avoid the punishing tax in the following tax year. This would explain the surplus bounty this January as a one-off before future taxation would reveal the true negative effects of the tax rate. Worse still, Nelson reveals that the super-duper rich have been diddling their finances pretty much for time immemorial. Shockingly he suggests that our richest earners are adept are avoiding taxation, choosing to hire accountants and move cash overseas to minimise their losses. Nelson goes on to argue that the only way to raise public finances during such difficult times is to lower the threshold on the top rate of income tax. He points to other European countries who have made such seemingly paradoxical economic policies to stimulate higher revenue. He believes the top earners in the country are ac-
Surely if we are to appreciate the effect income tax has on our economy it is necessary to strictly regulate the taxes we expect citizens to pay? tually far more responsive to high taxation than Brown or Darling predicted. Like many in his school of thought he is alluding to the mysterious sounding and intellectually daunting Laffer curve which, in layman's terms, is the curve whereby at a point, a certain level of taxation will not actually garner higher revenues. Initial tax receipts may look promising but this is short-term and in the long-term this does not bode well for future tax revenue. His point is one of pragmatism – to get more out of the rich we must be very gentle. Squeeze too hard and they'll jump ship and what good would that be? Mine is one of economic transparency and honesty. If such a high proportion of our top earners are able to legally avoid taxation when it suits them, then how can the point whereby a level of taxation is detrimental to public revenue be accurately measured? Surely if we are to appreciate the effect income tax has on our economy it is necessary to strictly regulate the taxes we expect citizens to pay? Laffer curves and elasticity ratios aside for a moment, I propose that fiscal policies implemented are actually realised in society rather than ignored and dodged by those who can afford it. Only then can any broad consensus regarding their effectiveness be reached.
I'm not usually one for labelling or stereotyping. But realistically, we all do it, and equally is it done to us. Surely one of the most persistent and long-standing English (but not necessarily British) stereotypes is that aristocratic and BBC-inspired familiar image of someone well-spoken, polite, slightly stuffy perhaps, and emotionally reserved. In its most caricatured form (typically a royal family member or Winston Churchill), this tends to apply to an older generation; however, this idea of somebody 'very proper' persists in even Britishmade film and television. Think of Hermione Granger; surely one of the most world-widely known portrayals of a young English girl (albeit one with magical powers; a slight deviation from the stereotype here, perhaps). Think of modern presentations of English people; a smorgasbord of personality types such as 2003's Love Actually features people of various ages and careers, yet all seemingly with the same crisp accents and well-shaped vowels in their speech, the clear-cut tones of Keira Knightley and Colin Firth, and the peculiar musicality of the middle class South-East England pronunciation of 'fuck'. Even more recent television shows like the BBC's Outnumbered and Episodes hint at some form of inability to express emotion as per the stereotype. Tamsin Greig's character in the most recent episode of Episodes even remarks 'We're British; we talk' – in a show supposedly mocking the antiquated assumptions that Americans have held on to. Families in America even now refer to the pass-the-tea-and-all-will-bewell 'stiff upper lip' of their English counterparts. However, from my omniscient third-year perspective I can happily inform you that, at least for our generation and hopefully for those to come, a notion of 'English
reserve' finally seems outdated. My friends and I splurge out our feelings to each other on a regular basis, as I'm sure many people do, and even if you don't, is it really a peculiarly English trait? Of course, English people do hold back socially – but only in the sense that most sane people tend to restrain themselves a little when in public, and I'm pretty sure something of this self-control is known to all civilisation. As for emotional openness, these days it's pretty much down to your personality and how much you feel comfortable revealing to others; in England, emotional expression
Tea, a British pastime is as idiosyncratic as any other nation. What is frequently mentioned on this subject is a gender divide and the idea that men are less willing to openly divulge the gory details of their inner minds; perhaps a Western-orientated bias, but certainly not restricted to Englishmen. But if this stereotype is (however slowly) being eroded, what in England takes priority? The lad, á la Guy Ritchie films? The chav? The self-mocking intellectual á la Stephen Fry/Charlie Brooker? The posh girl? The pregnant teen? I suppose it depends on who is actually judging us – stereotypes are always relative. One thing's for certain, the age of apparent emotional sterility is coming to an end, and we will somehow tell the world (eventually). If anyone doesn't believe you? Try propping them up outside Gatecrasher from about 2:30am on a Tuesday morning…
Teetering on the brink: democracy in the balance Uprisings in North Africa and the Middle East are surging against autocracy, but are these states ready for anything else? Niall Kempson Commentator
Across the world all eyes have been on North Africa and the Middle East as the recent protests in Tunisia have sparked off a veritable cascade of uprisings and revolts against oppressive and authoritarian regimes. Countries affected include Bahrain, Algeria, Jordan, Yemen, Syria, Lebanon, Egypt and now Libya. This has been described as a domino effect of progressive democratic change, but can we really be sure that these states, with no history or historical desire for democracy, are really able to handle it? There are many who argue that democracy can be created in any country regardless of the past, but I do not believe this is the case. Have you seen Iraq recently? Or, for that matter, Russia? The French Revolution also springs to mind. In the UK, and every other liberal democracy, democracy has slowly developed through cen-
turies of hardship, sacrifice and oppression of brave and selfless citizens. We are seeing the beginning of this process in Northern Africa and the Middle East but it is only the beginning of a journey, one that we ourselves are yet to complete.
When Africa and the Middle East have attempted democracy it has historically given rise to brutal tyrants such as Robert Mugabe and Hosni Mubarak. The cry: 'Down with the Tyrant!' has become commonplace in many of these countries but will one
INSA dictator simply replace another and continue years of brutal oppression or will the Middle East and Africa enter a golden age of popular politics? This is not an attempt to patronise or belittle those countries that are in a state of open
revolt, in fact we should commend the bravery, determination and passion of those who are committed to pursuing their basic human rights. The quest for human rights is a just cause but the question should be whether these countries will be able to impose progressive change and keep it when so many other countries have failed in this endeavour. It seems likely that these revolutions and uprisings will amount to nothing but a continuation of dictatorships and tyrannies in the short-term. However, they are opening the floodgates for the slow and steady reform that these states urgently need. In the end only time will tell whether history will be repeated and autocracy will take hold of these states again. Historically there is no evidence that anything will change so quickly, but we should try to think optimistically about the outcome of these revolutions – however distant the likelihood of change is.
Redbrick
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – Rosa McMahon, Seb Mann
Insert quirky alliterative gimmick
Comment & Features 9
The Guild Elections are unavoidable, but should we approach manifesto pledges with caution? Owen Earwicker Commentator
The Guild Elections are upon us and, as candidates take over our lectures and invade campus, we are all encouraged to read manifestos and consider the future of our Guild. Among the wacky and thoroughly student-like campaigns (including a fair few copyright infringements), promises are being made in return for votes. Sure, we can be taken in by the simplicity of the campaign sign, the creativity of the slogans and the catch-phrases, but ultimately it is what can be realistically delivered which should consume our thoughts as we cast our votes. Last year the current sabbatical team made promises in their equally wacky manifestos, many of which have been achieved. Rob Hunter, for example, Vice-President for Education and Access, has been working with Dora Meredith, Guild President, to ensure better library provision. In Dora's blog from the 24th February, she states that 'from Easter, hours will be extended considerably and from next year the iLounge will also be open for longer.' This was one of Rob Hunter's key election pledges upon which he was voted on. In other areas he has been equally successful, including his work on personal tutoring;
according to his blog he has been developing national policy on this issue with the NUS. Furthermore, Matt Lamb, Vice-President for Student Activities and Development, managed to combine some of his manifesto pledges by seeking a joint-solution. He has been reviewing the IT systems in order to make them more accessible and informative to students: 'As two of my manifesto pledges were IT-related this is a good chance for me to secure an online events calendar for student groups in a prominent position on a new website, and a touch screen in the Guild to act as an information point where any students can browse all the services and societies we offer.' But what of Dora Meredith, the Guild President? Her objectives were clear: more live events, an end to unfair treatment of students, to ensure student safety and acquire better recognition/facilities for sport. So where are the live events? Perhaps this is something we still have to look forward to? Or perhaps, even, this was a pledge that in reality was easier said than done? When one looks through her blog archives, one sees a lot of work regarding the tuition fee rises and cuts to education. For her stand against them we should be very grateful; ultimately the cuts could not have been predicted by her at
the time of polling last year. The Vice-President for Democracy and Resources, Ashley Chambers, had simple and broad pledges, summarised in three goals: to increase accessibility, accountability and affordability. These have largely been met through various policy reviews, student feedback opportunities and work on prices in Joe's. In an interview he stressed to me that he managed to reduce the price of Snakebite to two pounds (an issue which I'm sure was of paramount concern to us all), highlighting that he has done 'extensive work ensuring that value for money is a key goal in the Guild's long-term strategic plan'. His work on accountability will get under way after the Elections. But I asked him about his own personal accountability with regard to his blog. The other Sabbatical Officers have recently updated with dense prose reassuring us that our votes were not wasted. None of this appears in Ashley's. I pressed him on the issue, and he said that 'it is a time issue to an extent and it is on the way, but I do have a certain reluctance with blogging. If the five students on average per month that actually read my blog would prefer that I spend an hour or two of my week writing a holistic picture of what I do then I will. But it will take time away from something else.'
He added that 'accountability is much more important than simply writing a blog. This year has seen the introduction of forums, where students can raise operational issues or suggestions which the Officers are actioned to fix.' Regarding his lack of blogging, though, we all work to deadlines but politicians must do as much as they can to make the public aware of what they are doing. I'm not sure how to take Ashley's stance on this. There is a nobility in it – devoting his time completely to his work, rather than PR. But someone who stood on a pledge of accountability should make himself openly accountable. I'm sure like me, you all look forward to reading his upcoming blog. Overall, it seems that there is a disparity between what is said and what is done when it comes to student politics, though it is not always the fault of those involved. And this makes me consider politics in a broader sense. Think back to the Liberal Democrat promises which have been forgotten by the party as they entered coalition. Are we really to believe that had they got a majority, they would have carried them all out? Let's be realistic about it. In an ideal world everything politicians say could be taken at face value. They would mean what they say, and act upon it. But this is not an ideal world. The realities of politics often hinder the possibilities. When you read the manifestos of the candidates over the next few weeks, I implore you to think carefully. Vote on the issues that matter to you, but remember not all of them will be possible in practice. Ultimately, you can't always get what you want.
How do you solve a problem like... Pruf-reeding by Vicky Hodgkinson
In any written form of communication, proofreading is essential to ensure your academic and social musings make sense and your perceived IQ is safeguarded. Various excuses for avoiding proofreading include: 'I can't be bothered', 'I'm sure I knew what I was doing when I wrote it', 'I never want to look at that damn essay again as long as I live' and the classic, 'I was in a rush.' What is the answer to this nightmarish and tedious process? Essay-wise, proof-read as you go along. Paragraph by paragraph is your best bet, so when you reach the 6000 (or so) word limit you won't have the overwhelming urge to bash your head against the nearest wall rather than look at a computer screen ever again. Alternatively you could find some kind soul who will read it for you out of the goodness of their heart (if not, bribe them). Make sure whoever you chose is fairly literate, otherwise your essay may deteriorate beyond your own preproofreading illiteracy.
Why a disabled children's presenter isn't wrong Oscar French Commentator
When the BBC appointed a disabled children's television presenter in 2009, there was, lamentably, yet somehow unsurprisingly, a resultant flood of complaints from parents. The target of the backlash was 29-year old Cerrie Burnell who presents the Bedtime Hour programme on the corporation's digital channel for toddlers, CBeebies. Out of a supposed concern for their children's well-being, mothers and fathers bombarded the message boards, voicing ill-founded fears that the new presenter would 'give kids nightmares' and suggesting that her missing lower right arm should be 'covered up with long sleeves'. Tiresomely, there were those among the throng branding this as an example of positive discrimination, which some believe the BBC has institutionalised. In the case of Burnell, this view is an unquestionable display of ignorance; on screen she radiates a naturally warm and kind-hearted persona that makes her undeniably suitable for very young children. The unrelenting cynicism of our country, however, was bound to engender cries of 'political correctness gone mad' from some. Generally speaking, the unease that many people feel when it comes to the issue is understand-
able. At times, there is a danger of a PC agenda creeping beyond acceptable levels in some quarters, the BBC included. There is no doubt that aptitude for a position must always be the overarching factor for employers; this is fundamental to equality. Likewise, the censorship of art to fulfil a quota is a horrendously bureaucratic state of affairs. Yet, when it comes to media and publications aimed specifically at children, I feel the approach must be completely different. To a child, books and television are an objective, unbiased representation of the real world, unless explicitly fantastical in content. As a consequence they play a significant role in shaping children's values, ideals and sense of judgement. Regardless of intention, the enormous responsibility this places on the shoulders publishers and broadcasters is incontrovertible. We must present a pluralistic society to our children if we are to encourage tolerance, a principle that many of us would consider to be integral to the future of civilization. Ensuring that ethnic-minority names are present in primary school maths textbooks is not social engineering; it's mind expansion because rightly or wrongly, the media now stands alongside teachers and parents as a major source of influence over every child.
If this alone does not justify positive discrimination in children's media in your eyes then I urge you to read Johann Hari's powerful article, 'Why is it wrong to protect gay children?' which was published in The Independent last month. It recounts the short life of Jonathan Reynolds who, at 15, became the victim of severe bullying because he was accused, accurately or not, of being gay. After being branded a 'faggot' and a 'poof' by his contemporaries, he threw himself under a train during his GCSEs. 'Blame the people who were horrible and injust to me. This is because of them, I am human just like them': was the last text he sent his sister. This is not an isolated case: statistics suggest that gay children are six times more likely to commit suicide than their counterparts. Regarding racial discrimination, there are even reports of young black children attempting to bleach their skin in order to look 'normal'. These cruel tragedies could be avoided if schemes such as the homosexual literature initiative were introduced into the national curriculum. The project, which was test in a Leytonstone Primary school two years ago, introduced children's stories such as 'the prince and the prince' to the reading list. Inevitably, this was denounced by some as an attempt to 'sexualise children;' which is,
of course, a ridiculous suggestion given that the stories were simple fairytales which merely demonstrated the existence of same sex relationships. Despite this, I would concur that it is a parent's right and duty to explain these aspects of our society to their offspring. Nevertheless, the media cannot simply hide minority groups from children. To do so is self-evidently backwards and damaging; visible representation of our societies' many, varied subsections is a necessity. Surely a politically correct agenda is a small price to pay if it helps give our children the chance to grow up as compassionate, unprejudiced individuals who judge each other purely on individual merit and not on hated fuelled classification.
Cbeebies presenter Cerrie Burnell
Look closer... Don't edit your work when you've just drunk three cans of energy drink or when you haven't slept for days – i.e. leave time between finishing the essay or project. It's best to cast a rested eye upon your work for a clear headed analysis of your typos. Text-wise, predictive text and autocorrect are appalling devices for making you look like a nonsensical fool. My favourite autocorrect is when you type in 'pop'. For example, 'I'm just going to pop in the library' and autocorrect replaces 'pop' with 'poo'. My inner child bursts giggles at the hilarity of someone pooing in the library. Don't just mindlessly stab at the keys or touch screen and maybe just read that text back to yourself. Usually my text messages look like I've rolled my face across the screen and my intended recipient receives a 'Hibfnskaejnm?' They are left bemused and then I have to send a second embarrassed text explaining what I really meant. Time to take my own advice I think.
Solved a problem? features@redbrickonline.co.uk
10 redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
4th March 2011
Arts
Hans Koller, Jazz Composer Extraordinaire Online Interview
Ikonic Originals: Dijkman and Orchardson
Refer By Marojolijn Dijkman Elsa Heath Critic
The latest exhibitions at the IKON invite guests to participate and actively engage with modern, exciting ways of producing and interpreting art. This was heralded through the
unveiling of two new exhibitions: Robert Orchardson's Endless Façade and Marjolijn Dijkman's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum. Although each had different themes and were presented in different mediums, both were visually captivating. Abstract enough to
allow the viewer to make their own interpretations of the pieces whilst still maintaining a level of clarity so that viewers were not put off. Robert Orchardson has previously said that his Endless Façade was inspired by science-fiction films and the work of architects
CBSO Mahler No.10 at The Symphony Hall
Alice Young Critic
Mahler may have been a bit of a control freak when it came to precision in his compositions, but unfortunately he was unable to have such a firm handle on his time management (or his wife); he died of a broken heart before completing his magnificent 10th Symphony. Deryck Cooke's realization of Mahler's score is generally considered to be a credible performance version of the work, and its recital this evening, directed by Sakari Oramo, continued the CBSO's Mahler cycle.
The acoustics in Birmingham's Symphony Hall lend themselves perfectly to the extraordinary complexities and detail of Mahler's work. Everything in this symphony from the quiet pizzicato on the strings to the glorious sustained trumpet notes can be received with the exact balance and texture Mahler intended. The disadvantage of this clarity was apparent in an otherwise flawless evening when at points both flutes and violas were creeping out of tune – disappointing to hear from such a highly esteemed orchestra, but by no means did it steal from what was generally a stunning performance.
Returning to his old haunt, Oramo clearly felt at home with the CBSO and his connection to both the orchestra and the piece made for an intense performance. He was able to engage with Mahler's autobiographical music so as it quite clearly displayed the composer's emotional state. The result was a profoundly affecting journey through the juxtaposing sentiments of desolation and desire. The Mahlerian orchestra is typically large, and Cooke's scoring takes this into account. The extra brass and woodwind are used not only to create volume, but more readily for texture. Most notably, this comes in to play in the first movement with the almost frightening nine-note dissonance – itsaftermath is felt throughout the following movements, instilling the sad sentiment that Mahler was a man obsessed with his impending death. The fourth movement rattles through an almost overly energetic waltz which breaks down in exhaustion; the CBSO captured the dark atmosphere which concludes the movement faultlessly, with its eerie muffled drum strokes, reminiscent of funeral drums. The fifth seems to reflect a more resolute theme of love for his wife; even in his final days, Mahler still had faith in the romance which had inspired so much of his earlier work. Oramo certainly indulged in the movement's soft and drawn out conclusion, making for a serene finish.
who focused on futuristic designs. To communicate this vision to the audience, Orchardson employed displays of geometric shapes, such as a silver diamond lattice. This free-standing construction was set up in the corner of the room in full view of the entrance (which was a wide, triangular slit in the wall – another reference to a futuristic era, perhaps) so that people could not fail to notice its shimmering lines, instantly reminiscent of Star Wars. Marjolijn Dijkman's Theatrum Orbis Terrarum is no less fascinating. She seemed to be especially interested in the work of the Lunar Society. Originally founded in Birmingham during the eighteenth century, the Society was a group of men from the fields of philosophy, science and other progressive subjects who met to discuss the latest inventions and findings of the day. The Society continues to meet regularly in the city and focuses on the importance of debate and new ideas in many of the same fields as their predecessors. Dijkman's exhibition focused on the theme of new ideas and discovery. Dijkman made use of modern materials cleverly, to produce inspiring and thought-provoking art. One example was a model of the solar system made from foam discs. It had been laid out on the floor and was definitely a success with the younger viewers. The other aspect of the exhibition was a long series of photographs which often captured ob-
jects, people and places which were the epitome of modern life and progression. Particularly striking was the photograph of a line of red telephone boxes perched on top of an arid hill. On speaking to Dijkman, she remarked that the Lunar Society was 'the core of the exhibition. The exhibition is a big collection of things; making reference to the issues that they talked about, and
Although each had different themes and were presented in different mediums, both were visually captivating also the results of globalisation'. The joy of this genre of art, at its best simple and unexplained, something that was a recurring theme in these enjoyable exhibitions. Both exhibtions run until 25th April at the Ikon Gallery, Digbeth
Slutcracker at Glee Club
Richard Higgs Critic
Tim Key is a poet, but don't hold that against him. Far from the visionary romanticism of Blake or the pornographic anthromorphism of D. H. Lawrence, he instead practically throws away his absurd vignettes, excerpts of eaves-dropped conversations and lists of animals he believes he could (or could not) fit inside. 'I've got 300 pigs / said Dave Pollard / Yet another one of his bloody lies / YOU HAVEN'T EVEN GOT A BLOODY FARM MATE! / One of the locals shouted'. Laughing? Probably not. Key's 'anti-poetry' cannot simply be printed. Throughout his recitations he comments on the pieces, almost as if he has discovered an incoherent notebook in a more pretentious and tragically untalented man's dress jacket. Pretentious? This is a performer whose entrance into the thrice sold out Glee Club's Studio saw his leisurely stroll to the stage
celebrated with the cracking open of a can of lager – the foamy ejaculate soaking his scruffy beard and Adidas windbreaker. Key's cheeky, shambling approach to comedy and poetry lets his work breathe, silences are ingeniously filled with trad jazz numbers, classical music or even absurd cinematic projections – never allowing the audience to drift off. Mid-way through Act III saw Key play a game of 'the floor is lava', an attempt to travel from one side of the venue to other without touching the ground, in this case using stepping stones as diverse as a typewriter; some cake and the bodies of the audience themselves. Upon reaching his destination (the top of a fridge), Key plucked magnetized postcards (on which he'd scrawled more art) from the face of his chilly throne. This wasn't comedy or poetry, but Key's own brand of vaudevillian peculiarity is fresh, exciting and hilarious, even if it doesn't rhyme.
Redbrick
Arts 11
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – Alexander Blanchard, James Reevell & Lexie Wilson
An unlikely chorister there is more scope'. The Welsh National Opera consider Birmingham its English home, and for Radcliffe it holds special resonance, growing up with the Hippodrome as her main point of access to the art form. 'It's a second home. If it all goes well in Birmingham then its thumbs up for the rest of the tour. It's a big venue, with a big audience that's always enthusiastic'. Radcliffe is enthusiastic about the latest shows, remarking that one of the difficulties of being a chorister is staying focused, amid the quality of soloist singing. 'There's this one gorgeous quiet, flat note. I just go, gosh, that's amazing. In Travatore the music reaches you, its an emotive vehicle. To be part of that is pretty incredible'. Clive Barba James Reevell Arts Editor
So, what constitutes an opera singer? A man with a beard? Fabulously wealthy? Incredibly posh? Not from Birmingham? Classically trained from the age of five? Louise Radcliffe fits none of these descriptions, she is a born and bred Brummie, scraping by freelancing for years and now the most recent addition to The Welsh National Opera's chorus. And no
beard as far as I can tell over the phone. Would she change it at all? Not a chance. 'It's pretty fantastic that I get to make a living singing on stage. The competition is so strong that I never thought I would get this far'. Radcliffe is an interesting set of contradictions, and certainly the greatest is that she is something of an unlikely opera singer. Although coming from a family of musicians, her interest in opera was somewhat fleeting, and it was not until arriv-
ing at the University of Manchester to study English Literature that her passion truly blossomed. 'When you go to university its up to you, I had to make music happen, I was going to lose it otherwise'. She then gained acceptance to Trinity Music College, before taking extensive singing lessons to help fully train her voice. 'It's not such a disadvantage arriving late, because your voice needs to mature. If I was an instrumentalist I'd have no chance, but with opera
Previews
Portrait of an Actress As... Old Joint Stock 4-5th March £10
The Welsh National Opera perform 'Die Fledermaus' and 'Il trovatore' at the Birmingham Hippodrome 9th – 12th March. For more information visit www. birminghamhippodrome.com
'If you had a red brick, what would you do with it?' I'd use it as the start of the foundations for a house, one brick is all I can afford!
Hans Koller Sextet CBSO Centre 4th March £12
Watch This Presents: Somewhere between 6 and 7 at Amos Room
Ustad Yar Mohammed at The Drum
The Cleansing Of Constance Brown AE Harris Building 1st – 19th March £9
Watch This
The Drum Emma Wellbelove Critic
After hearing about Afghan artist Ustad Yar Mohammad, a government official who fled to Holland due to a history of political snags, the evening certainly promised intrigue. Yar Mohammad gracefully introduced himself to fellow musicians and friends; it was in these encounters that his honour became obvious. It was a relatively shaky start as presenters stumbled over scripts and audience members were deafened by a few technical hiccups. However, after performances from local musicians, a rendition of happy birthday and what was beginning to feel like a spontaneous open-mic night the lights were eventually dimmed, seats were filled and Yar Mohammad took to the stage. The style of the music was similar to its neighbouring countries, the songs were led by the
mystic drone of the harmonium and there was an eerie quality in the marriage of the expressive vocals and sweet woodwind. The folk music was busied by tinny sounds of percussion and strings coming from a slightly less impressive electric keyboard, but this combination of the traditional and modern sounds told exciting stories for any ears to appreciate. Casual chitter-chatter between performers transformed into a truly hypnotising performance. Intrigued by the traditional instruments, enthused by a bouncy percussion double act and spellbound by the pure sounding Tula, the audience was completely entranced. Although we were all invited to take to the dance floor, only one soul did so and lasted a mere five seconds, however when I turned around there was a sea of nodding heads and twitching feet – an atmosphere of real community and celebration for the esteemed Ustad Yar Mohammad.
Matt Saull Critic
The latest Watch This production, Sarah Weston's Somewhere Between 6 & 7, was a triumph. Nominated for the 2010 Buxton Fringe New Writing award, the wonderfully dark comedy sets upon themes of loneliness, suicide and purpose. Taking the audience on an, at-times, bewildering journey, SB6&7 (as the hipsters call it) strove to provoke. The piece opened with Sofia, played by Hannah Scanlon, preparing to launch herself off the top of an office block, only to be stopped by Katie, Rhiannon Atkins, mistaking Sofia for her sister. Having realised it wasn't her sibling, Katie apologises for disturbing her… In the somewhat inhospitable surroundings of the Rosa Parks room and with the sound coming from the director huddled over iPod speakers in the corner, it was the superb three woman cast that
brought the production to life. Elena Voce-Siriani shone as the dull workaholic Joanne, while the wonderfully deadpan Scanlon juxtaposed with Atkins to humorous effect on numerous occasions. All three displayed character acting at its finest, seamlessly interchanging between various supporting characters ranging from Welsh Transport Sector workers to Bus conductors (of a more English disposition), although the scene in which the three characters argued over a bus-fare seemed somewhat facetious given the setting. In between the sixth and seventh scene, the piece took on a whole new dimension, obliterating the idea of a fourth wall, when all the characters dropped the charade of acting and simply chatted to the director. This seeming comedy of errors was a wonderful example of how SB6&7 had the audience squirming in the chairs. I was surprised no-one gave up their seat.
Pitchfork Disney Amos Room 8th – 10th March £4
Notes To My Future Self mac 4th March – 9th April £8
12 redbrickonline.co.uk
4th March 2011
Food
Did you know?
Chocolate first came to Great Britain in 1650! For more chocolate facts visit: www.cadbury.co.uk
Is eating meat moral?
Up and coming chef : Lorraine Pascale
Food Writer Tim Philpott explores the history of meat eating in Paris and questions whether killing animals for food can really be justified which I have tried to counter this ty, the French people were striving with, but surely causing a defence- for a better alternative than simply less animal pain is still unneces- starving to death. sary, whatever your perspective. For instance, in 1870 (bear Despite this, during a recent with me), resulted in to Paris beweekend visit to Paris, another ing seiged by what is now part of friend's vegetarianism was placed Germany. Food was in short supunder severe pressure. The Pari- ply, and Parisians, if they wanted sians, while they are known for to survive, were forced to consume their culinary extravagance, are any animal available. Dog, cat, rat not known for their abstention and horse were only the beginfrom meat-eating. Indeed, they nings of what may be called 'culiseem to place it centre-stage in nary desperation' – the Parisians ways many Britons can't handle. had no choice but to extend this Steaks are cooked rare as a mat- to the elephants, kangaroos and ter of course and even at Christ- other rare beasts kept in the zoos. mas, vegetables seem thin on the Britons may see this as barbaric, ground. The French, as a nation but at no point in history can our obviously struggle with the veg- city-dwellers claim to have been under the same dreadful pressure As I'm sure anyone would agree, etarian concept. As a historian I can't help but in order to stay alive. what we choose to eat is as much With this in mind, one can't a personal lifestyle choice as what see the cultural background of this we wear, what sports and activities situation. In my dissertation re- simply roll into Paris expecting we take part in and whether we search I came across information the morality of vegetarianism to drink, smoke or take other drugs. that, by its total (and wonderful) have the same clout as it does in Since it's a free country and all irrelevance to my topic, I was dis- Britain. As is often the case with that, these are obviously our own tracted by. A Frenchman called such ideas, trying to export culture Gustave d'Eichtal visiting Lon- based on a set of values which may decisions to make. However, my friend, who re- don in the 1830s remarked on the not be shared is almost inevitably cently graduated with a philosophy great amount of meat consumed doomed to fail. The love of food degree, stated whilst at our local by workers in London compared to and fine cuisine, especially meat, pub that 'there's no justification Paris. Meat is, of course, tradition- are things which we invariably for eating meat.' Considering he ally represented a luxury for those associate with Parisian culture. was chewing on some Parma ham rarely able to afford it. Few realise Perhaps it is a symbolic (if subas he said it, this obviously caught that while Blighty sailed along, conscious) statement that on their my attention. He said that meat- accumulating vast land masses, part they have left their darkest eating was like standing in a small waving the Union Jack in people's times behind them. Surely, whilst room next to a sheep and swinging faces, French society was rocked the eating of meat is a hard habit a bat. If swinging the bat gave you by four revolutions, the overthrow to break for most Britons, for Paimmense pleasure, but inevitably of three kings, the crowning of two risians, the idea of deserting what hurt the sheep, would you still empires and the invasion of a fas- they have only just begun to truly do it? There are a few arguments cist dictator. During such instabili- appreciate must be unthinkable.
The healthy eater: Mixed Salad James Morrisson Food Writer
Anyone who has ever tried to recreate a recipe from the television with the same ease and simplicity as Jamie or Nigella will know that such a feat is never achievable. After the thirty minutes they say it should take, you have only just sorted out your ingredients. By the time you are ready to serve, it has taken you over an hour and you haven't yet even tackled the washing up! Most people imagine that to eat healthily and cook well, you need lots of time and endless evenings to fritter away, and to a very limited extent that is true. However as I hope you will have seen from this series of articles, eating more healthily doesn't have to mean an entire overhaul of your diet, but just simply managing to get a few key ingredients into your food that will have the maximum impact for your body. If you're struggling to make time for eating properly, that's where this week's ingredient comes in: mixed salad. Rather than selecting just one type of lettuce for a salad, mixed greens often provide a whole host of different leaves each with their own
Redbrick
unique blend of nutrients. The phytonutrients found in many of the bagged salads, research has suggested, may help keep away age-related conditions like heart disease and diabetes. Although this may be not the greatest concern for twenty-something year old students, these nutrients also act as antioxidants helping to fend off muscle damage brought on by exercise. To perk up what might seem like a boring bowl of greens, start getting creative with some dressing. You don't need to bother with any shop-bought varieties; the ones you can think up yourself allow your salads to be far more exciting. For your basic dressing mix 1 part vinegar with 3 parts olive oil and add a few twists of salt and pepper. Put the ingredients in a jam jar and shake. Then you can try adding different things like mustard, spices, herbs, natural yoghurt or even a pinch of lemon. As well as the usual ways of eating, why not try frying the leaves with any leftover chopped potato and add some chopped bacon for a quick bubble and squeak. Or simply wilt them in a hot pan and serve as a bed for grilled chicken, salmon or anything else you please.
Amelia Roberts Food Writer
Mastering the art of all things baked, a new it-chef has hit our TV screens in the form of Lorraine Pascale. The former runway model has had a change in career paths and has set her sights on cooking fame. With her brand new BBC2 TV series Baking Made Easy, a book of the same name, and her own cake shop, 'Ella's Bakehouse' in the heart of London's ultra chic Covent Garden already under her belt, she is definitely one to watch. Lorraine clearly understands that simplicity is key. Her cooking style is fuss-free, simple and natural – more endearing than the intimidating likes of Gordon Ramsay. Her translatable style makes her a perfect fit into the lives of the modern day woman and is key to her appeal. Lorraine welcomes us into the normality of her home-life and really does make baking seem effortlessly easy. Pascale does not hide behind her simple recipes with a lack of culinary knowledge – she most certainly has the credentials to back up her newfound cooking journey. She learnt to cook at the
prestigious Pru Leigh School in London and has worked at some of the capital's best culinary outlets, the Mandarin Oriental being just one on her CV. Donned as the 'new Nigella' of the food world by many, Pascale aims to bring the skills and ideas of traditional baking into 2011. With her fun, easy and exciting new twists on old classics she is surely on to a winner. Her offerings include both sweet and savoury delights to tantalise any taste buds – from the Italian inspired Rosemary and sea salt focaccia, to a three-tiered classic American red velvet cake. Cupcakes are making a comeback according to Lorraine. She thanks the recession for bringing baking back into the nation's hearts as she explains that in times of austerity, community feeling is rejuvenated and baking is a way of bringing the family together, but on a budget. With her simple style and infectious vivacity, Lorraine Pascale's Baking Made Easy will definitely be joining my cookery book collection. This new queen of television cooking is finally bringing some much-needed glamour to the nation's kitchens and the baking world. Her series is currently airing on BBC2 on Mondays at 8:30 pm and don't worry if you've missed the previous episodes, you can catch them all online on BBC iPlayer. All of her recipes are available on her website, http://www.lorrainepascale.com
Is red meat a mis-steak?
Vicky Hodgkinson investigates the health risks attached to eating red meat
As a six year old child I could frequently be seen polishing off a thick steak, refusing any vegetables and any help to cut it up, instead wielding the large, sharp steak knife myself. Several years later spectators sat astounded as I ate a huge T-bone steak for lunch and then in the evening of the same day had a rib-eye for dinner. Nowadays I'm a little more demure when it comes to dining out, but this week I should perhaps be worried since the news that eating more than 70 grams of red meat a day can increase your risk of bowel cancer. The Scientific Advisory Com-
mittee on Nutrition (SACN) recently published evidence suggesting people who eat 90 grams (the current amount that the Government suggests is a 'safe' amount to eat a day) of red and processed meat increase the chances of getting bowel cancer. The proof behind the research suggests red meat contains substances that have been linked to bowel cancer, particularly the compound 'haem' (the substance that gives red meat its colour) which, in some studies, has been shown to damage the lining of the colon. The World Cancer Research
Fund (WCRF) has recommended limiting red meat consumption to 500 grams a week in cooked weight (that's about 750 grams in uncooked weight). The charity estimated 3,800 cases of bowel cancer could be prevented every year if people specifically cut processed meats out of their diet. Bowel Cancer is the third most common cancer in the UK with approximately 36,000 people diagnosed every year, with 16,500 of those leading to death. As a student, putting my childhood carnivorous tendencies aside, I tend to either avoid meat for cost reasons or opt for chicken, a white meat. But what constitutes 70 grams of meat? The Government helpfully published a list to answer this query and save us the effort of laboriously weighing out our sausages. 70 grams of red meat include: one medium portion of Shepherd's Pie and a rasher of bacon, two standard beef burgers, six slices of salami, one lamb chop, two slices of roast lamb, beef or pork or three slices of ham. I think I can live with that. although I wouldn't have liked to tell my six-year-old self that I was only allowed two slices of beef. I can only imagine the hissy fit that would have ensued. It seems every year some food or other is labelled with carcinogenic properties and 2011 appears to be no exception. For now I will watch my red meat consumption and wait to look at the study that proves this one to be nonsense.
Redbrick
Review: Café Ikon, Brindley Place Victoria Shires Food Writer
You might think that an evening that culminates in asking the waiter if he has set up a business in 'adult shops' proves the sign of a bad night but, you could not be more wrong. At the last minute, I was invited to review Café Ikon in Brindley Place which situates itself just next to the Ikon Gallery. A Spanish tapas café, it names itself as a relaxed setting for lunch, dinner and drinks after work with daily specials, an extensive wine list and free Wi-Fi for customers. When I first walked into the café, it seemed rather empty with only two or three tables occupied, the atmosphere was quiet and introverted. The café décor was simple and minimalist, with only a few small tea-light candles gracing each table. My initial assumptions that this was a cafe with no atmosphere disappeared as I ordered drinks (Belvoir Juices, with Apple and Blueberry) and browsed the menu. Although initially confused about which was the expected way to order (I am no tapas connoisseur), our waitress explained that guests usually choose two or three
Carne or Pescado (meat or fish) dishes and then add Vegetal (vegetables) to accompany. It is then a case of sharing, digging in and trying different things. Although the Gambas al ajillo (Prawns with chilli, cream and garlic) caught my eye, the Carne Paella with chorizo, chicken and meatballs was too tempting to resist. We tucked into bread and mixed olives and waited the 45 minute cooking time for our typically Spanish main. The cafe began to heat up, and when the paella did arrive it was a spectacle, full of colour and flavour that was delicious. The portion was
too big for two but would be ideal for a group of friends who wanted to share as well as trying the other Carne or Pescado dishes. At £12.80 each, the paella did seem pricey but eating it as as main means a lot of food for your money. We asked Laura, our waitress, about student deals and she mentioned the Express Menu which consists of a selection of three tapas for only £7.95 (available Monday-Friday 12-3pm). The lunch seems like the best option for a student budget, with soups, salads and sandwiches also available at this time and priced at around £4. There was also talk of Cafe Ikon introducing after work drinks-and-tapas deals but this is something to keep our eyes out for, with 'after work' substituted for 'after library'. The food is traditional, authentic and is all sourced from Spain. The flavours are vibrant and the choice is vast with lots of options for vegetarians and the tapas element offers something for everyone. I am determined to go back to try the Marinated lamb with spices and lemon and the Salmon steak in cream and cider sauce. The desserts also need to be further explored as Spanish churros just weren't enough.
How Basic is too Basic? Charlotte Coltman Food Writer
As students we aren't the richest of social groups. Therefore we are forced to make decisions on when to splurge and when to save and with necessities such as course books (okay, I lie… clothes and alcohol), when eating up our budget, our diet is often the first thing to suffer. For example, I had a housemate last year who survived solely on a diet of sausage sandwiches, though whether this was due to an over-whelming love of pig products, or an attempt to live frugally I was never sure. For those of us that wish to shop cheaply, but still desire variety, buying a supermarket's own brands might just be the way to go. Despite the substantial savings however, I have noticed that there is sometimes a stigma attached to these products. A friend once looked at me with absolute horror as I picked up a Tesco value item, almost shaming me into putting it back on the shelf. So, I have to ask – is this just the result of food snobbery, or are we compromising our food standards by buying cheaper, and if so,
Food 13
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – Dami Olugbode, Harriet Constable
how much? Now, I'm not ashamed to admit I do, at times, buy value foods. For example, I just can't bring myself to spend a whopping £1.95 on a bottle of Heinz Ketchup when I can get a bottle of Tesco value ketchup, exactly the same size, for 25p. That's a whopping 8 times cheaper! (And by my calculations, almost enough to buy a pint of snakebite at Fab). Okay, so the packaging isn't
A friend of mine once looked at me with absolute horror as I picked up a Tesco value item. quite as nice to look at but as I'm not Andy Warhol I can't say I'm too fussed about that. I checked the ingredients for nasty surprises but found nothing and after a little bit of research I found the nutritional value to be practically the same, and sometimes even slightly better. Tomato ketchup enthusiasts may argue that there is a slight taste difference, but not enough in my opinion to warrant the difference in price.
Ingredients: 3 cloves garlic 6 ripe large tomatoes 1/4 pound (100 g) peeled almonds A bunch of basil Olive oil, salt, and pepper
So, the contestants have been selected, and the dinner party battle begins this weekend. Our four pairs are hoping to win Brum Dine With Me 2011, and a meal for two at award-winning restaurant the Dilshad. Lets find out who Redbrick Food have chosen to compete and what they have in store for us...
You are invited to: Steffi and Charlotte's dinner party
You are invited to: Mikey and Fred's dinner party
Date: Friday the 4th of March
Date: Saturday the 5th of March
Time: 7.30 pm
Time: 7.30 pm
Starter Mini Moroccan Mezze
Main Course Honey Glazed Chicken with lemon and coriander cous cous
Dessert This said, I am aware that standards differ from product to product. My encounter with Tesco value sausages for example, was one of a less positive nature – appear as they did to contain more bread crumbs than meat, to the point where I started to wonder if they could be marketed as suitable for vegetarians. And of course, any of you used to shopping at Harrods or eating only Tesco Finest may be in for a shock but we are after all, lowly students and on the whole, I have found my experience of own brand products to be happy enough. It may be a matter of trial and error but if it ultimately leaves my bank account looking happier, then it does me. The trick, I would argue, is to be vigilant in your shopping, check the nutrition of what you are buying, sometimes it is better to go middle of the road rather than bargain basement. If there's little difference nutritionally or taste-wise, or you think the difference isn't worth getting in the red for, then buy basic and be proud of your thrifty ways! It may be worth it if it allows you to spend more on the things that matter… like those new shoes you saw in Top Shop.
Recipe of the Week: Pesto alla Trapanese I first ate this in a restaurant in Sicily in July this year and enjoyed it so much I had to go and research the recipe. It is really easy to make and this recipe is my own, perfected through trial and error. Pesto alla Trapanese is a speciality dish of the North-West of Sicily. It can be served with any kind of pasta and doesn't even have to be heated up!
Brum Dine With Me: Meet the contestants...
Method: 1. Finely chop the garlic and grind it in with the basil and salt to make a paste 2. Chop the tomatoes up into little cubes and remove all the seeds 3. Work the tomatoes and almonds into the garlic and basil mix 4. Grind all the ingredients together and then add pepper to taste 5. Slowly add olive oil (about 2 tablespoons) or a sufficient amount to produce a sauce 6. Boil the pasta and serve the Trapanese sauce on top for a fresh spring dish By Vicky Hodgkinson
Starter Soup of the day
Main Course Roast Leg of Lamb with flair accompaniments
Dessert
Moroccan Pound Cake ~
Let's Get Ready to Rumble, Crumble ~
Steffi Earle (right) is in second year studying English and Classics.
Fred Clarke (right) studies Maths and Sports Science and is in year three.
Charlotte Lytton (left) studies English Literature and Philosophy, she is in her second year.
Michael Horrocks (left) studies History and is also in third year.
You are invited to: Anthea and Mike's dinner party
You are invited to: Natalie and Katy's dinner party
Date: Friday the 11th of March
Date: Saturday the 12th of March
Time: 7.30 pm
Time: 7.30 pm
Starter
Starter
Toasted ciabatta with Parma ham, goats cheese and
Assortment of Mezze
caramelized onion marmalade
Main Course (Very) Slow roasted pork belly, mash and veg.
Dessert Chocolate and praline pancake cake. Followed by homemade truffles. ~
Main Course Lamb and apricot Tagine with couscous and other Arabic salads
Dessert Assorted baklava, served with coffee. ~
Anthea Roper-Nield (left) is a second year Biosciences student with a year in France.
Katherine Dockreay (left) studies International Business and is in her first year.
Mike Greenland (right) is a first year studying Electrical Engineering.
Natalie Render (right) is a Geography student, also in her first year.
14 redbrickonline.co.uk
Life&Style
4th March 2011
Redbrick
Fierce or Finished? Fierceall you like: you
Style icon Stella McCartney Ida Sundstrom Writer
The daughter of a former Beatle, Stella has made a name for herself through her designs. Today, McCartney is not solely a distinguished name in music but also in fashion, having been at the forefront setting the trends for the past seasons. Being a member of the McCartney family has had its contrasts. Growing up living on a remote farm in Sussex with sheep and horses and attending a local state school, Stella speaks about how she's grateful for the normal childhood she had. Stella points out how her parents always encouraged their children to be down to earth and says that that
sentiment has strongly influenced her life and work today. Nevertheless, while her childhood may have been down to earth, being a McCartney was not without its benefits. When Stella was fifteen she worked for a summer in the studio where the legendary Christian Lacroix was producing his first collection. Stella McCartney graduated from Central St. Martin's College of Art and Design in 1995, her designs were already popular and she sold her St. Martin's graduate collection allowing her to finance her first full collection. Stella's graduation show made front-page news, featuring friends Naomi Campbell and Kate Moss walking the runway to a song composed by her father for the occasion called Stella May Day. Her clothes caught the eye of several buyers from high-end department stores who looked past the surrounding extravaganza and bought her line for sale in their stores. Only two years after graduating, Stella landed the job as head designer at the infamous label Chloé, replacing none other than Karl Lagerfeld himself. Now as if that wasn't
Throw away fashion
enough to showcase her talent, during her stay at Chloé she increased the brand's sales five-fold, making the brand a major player in the fashion industry. In 2001, having spent four years at Chloé, the Gucci Group wanted Stella to create her own label and as such the label Stella McCartney was born. The brand Stella McCartney is now synonymous with sharp tailoring that has an unmistakable feminine touch. The lady herself was quoted saying that she loves how tailoring makes it simple to look incredible while adding that she can't help adding a floaty silk blouse under a tailored jacket. The Stella McCartney brand has inspired the high street for the past years. Last season the whole fashion industry was buzzing about her floral print dresses, apparently inspired by drawings she found in gardening books from the fifties. This season, we're all talking about the white and denim tailoring that inspired
this spring's trends. The brand Stella McCartney is not only famous for its design but also its ethos of sustainability. Stella McCartney, an outspoken vegetarian, has pushed for change in the fashion industry by refusing to use leather and fur in her work not only out of the respect for the animals, but because of the environmentally harmful process of producing the materials. The success of Stella McCartney has not come from just her name; her designs are successful because her vision of what women would like to wear is actually translatable to real life women. Leading her own way through the maze that is the fashion industry, Stella has become a role model for anyone wishing to pursue a different path to the norm.
Inside LFW
Redbrick's new website Of course! (www.redbrickpaper. co.uk) The Tudors Jonathan Rhys Meyers, sex, sex and more sex, the odd tiara and plenty of decapitation. Saturday night must-see TV. Paris Fashion Week The big guns show the rest how it's done. Christina Hendricks models for Vivienne Westwood The dresses are made for curves and DAMN she has the curves. Jacqui Smith does porn It destroyed her political career so her upcoming look at the UK porn industry will make intersting viewing. Summer dressing The odd day of sunshine is sending us wild with anticipation. Extreme wardrobe planning is required. Ready to get your legs out?
Finished John Galliano – Dior's chief designer's disgusting behaviour whilst out in Paris. Not cool.
Katie Cattell Writer
You look absolutely stunning in that dress, where did you buy it? Whatever the answer is: whether it be a high street brand, or – and I wish this was actually a possibility – a prestigious French couture house piece, this question will always be greeted with a smile from any wanton fashionista. Yet when it comes to budget fashion – the stuff that clogs up that neglected region of the wardrobe – we don't expect to be hailed as a fashionista. It's possible to traipse around Birmingham and grab a fairly decent outfit for £20, but probability states that it's unlikely to reach the age when it could ever be deemed as a vintage article. Rips, spills, the odd singe and the lost button will confront this piece within a few wears, making that cute LBD or smock top a casualty that's easier to replace than to repair. Yet, there's always the excuse that the clothes weren't even of a good quality and, well, I didn't really like the look anyway… so why spend the money? Fashion is often criticised for being fickle. The bright neon trend in vogue this spring season will be completely bleached out into the clean, crisp white shirts, by summer. The major enticement of
throw-away fashion is that the styles crammed onto the rails emulate the unstable 'key' trends of the catwalk, some of which are unlikely to re-surface for a few years. Think leotards, tartan print and white gypsy skirts. Plus, binging on budget fashion will not leave the plastic screaming in the agony of debt. However, the shopping experience is likely to be as satisfactory as munching through a mayo-greased burger: the hunger for fashion is merely stifled not fulfilled. Affordable fashion isn't always rubbish; it may conjure up all sorts of ethical issues, but in terms of practicality, is an investment in something as simple as a plain white designer labelled shirt ever going to be a good investment? The fabric of costlier garments is often more sumptuous; the tailoring exquisitely skilful and the unique twists upon minor detailing lend the clothes an art-like quality unparalleled by throwaway fashion. A few coveted momentarily expensive staple garments, consistently re-worn are precious gems whether upper-end high street or designer. There's nothing quite as awkward as spotting your identikit clothes twin on campus but if you accessorize with a chic little designer jacket no one would know. Hell, if Kate Moss gets copied why worry.
Amy Dudack Writer
Last week saw the finest names and faces of the fashion world come together in the beautiful surroundings of London's Somerset House to showcase their greatest designs for Autumn/Winter 2011. So you can imagine my luck when I was asked to work backstage at designer Marios Schwab's catwalk show. Waking up at the bright and early hour of 6am was not enough to put me off, and after braving the tube I found myself outside the stunning scenery of Somerset House. Being directed to the courtyard, I was ushered into the backstage door of what looked like a very large marquee, and at once was faced with what can only be described as a fashionista's idea of heavenly chaos. To my left, makeup artists and hairdressers amidst the shining lights of the mirrors were chasing models whose legs seemed to go on forever. To my right, rail upon rail of dresses, skirts, suits and shirts were being sorted, steamed and sewn to ensure everything was perfect for the upcoming show. After a quick rehearsal, with time running short I was assigned to a beautiful and friendly American model, who I would be dressing at an extremely high speed to
get her out on time for the show – think missing your alarm for a lecture and rushing to get dressed and times that by a hundred! The model had two gorgeous looks, a sophisticated but edgy navy shirt teamed with a black leather skirt and silver buckles, and a matching jacket and skirt embroidered with pearls. These were both finished off with some fierce black heels. Before long it was crunch time. The atmosphere was stressful and it was crucial to get the model ready as fast as possible, but we did it and the show was a success. The models looked amazing and it felt great to be a part of helping the designer showcase his collection in the best way possible. So what were the trends on the catwalk? Contoured dresses in bright, popping limes, reds and oranges mixed with statement, structured jackets in eye-catching reds and sophisticated blacks. Elaborate details were seen all over the runway which means that the thought of the blistering cold months of Autumn and Winter do not seem quite so miserable anymore. An unforgettable experience with an insight into the fashion world made this an overall fantastic day. The only thing I wish is that I had someone to help me get dressed in the morning…
Library Hours They finally extend! But once all of my assessed work is in. Great. Christian Bale's beard Darling, you are hot, but not with that face-fur. Oscar dresses According to a male British journalist, Mandy Moore's looked like a vajazzle... Charlie Sheen 'I am on a drug. It's called "Charlie Sheen" It's not available because if you try it once, you will die. Your face will melt off, and your children will weep over your exploded body'. Who said Hollywood doesn't drive you crazy? Baby Gaga Icecream made of Breast Milk. Speechless. Students not caring for the Guild Officer Elections It might be annoying for a few weeks, but they maintain the Guild, which maintains our University's rep, which helps us get jobs. Rob, Briony & Victoria Shires
Life&Style 15
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
Editors – Briony Singh and Rob Lewis
Sartorial Suits, shirts and shoes We look at the three 'S's in a man's wardrobe
4
1 Steel blue liquid ultra skinny suit, Jacket £100, Trousers £50, Topman
1
6
5
2 Linehan, £70, ALDO 3 Globe Black Patent, £395, Oliver Sweeny 4 Pink Slim Fit Men's Shirt – £89, Thomas Pink 5 Slim Fit Shirt, Reduced to £14, ASOS 6 Tom Ford made exclusively for James Bond Quantum of Solace
2
Marcus Bott Writer
I love suits because they can say so much about a man. When going for interviews it is vital to give the best impression and you can be sure the first thing your interviewers will check out is how you dress. You can immediately spot when a man is not comfortable in his suit and looks like a 12 year old dressing up for the first time so it is important to get it right. Here are some absolutely brilliant suits along with the trimmings and some alternatives for us students with less cash to splash.
3
Suits Tom Ford One of my favourite designers, I aspire to one day own a suit made by him. My love for his style started after seeing Daniel Craig in the suit above. Obviously tailored, this suit fits perfectly. As Richard James, Savile Row tailor advises, 'Fit. Fit. And fit. Be aware of the shoulders and chest: too big, and the suit is wearing you; too small, and it looks like something borrowed from your younger brother'.
Topman
This alternative from Topman (1) is a skinny fit, with tapered sides
that give the impression of a more tailored look. The lighter colour is a great alternative to the common black suit and will make you stand out. However, it is only wise to attempt the skinny suit if you have a smaller frame.
Shirts Pink When choosing what shirt to wear with your suit, there is one golden rule: If the suit has stripes the shirt has to be plain. Stripe overload, common with young guys, can make you look senseless rather than sophisticated. With dark suits such as the
Tom Ford pictured above, a light shirt works the best. You can never go wrong with a crisp white shirt but for something a little bit different light shades of pink and blue can be an option (4).
ASOS This alternative (5) looks great with or without a tie and at an affordable price too. Its light tone means that it can be worn with a variety of suits and ties and will still be turning heads wherever you go.
Shoes Oliver Sweeny
Choosing the right shoes is never easy and often the style depends on the accompanying suit. Personally I prefer slip-ons to laces and think the shinier the better. This pair from Oliver Sweeny (3) do just the job but may not be to everyone's taste.
ALDO
This pair from ALDO, with 'concealed elastics' makes the first-week shoe pain slightly more bearable. The most important thing to is to be your own man. Go shopping on your own, not with the wife or girlfriend. Only you know what you look and feel comfortable in.
16
Redbrick
4th March 2011
redbrickonline.co.uk
Film
Tarantino's Next Project Announced The director's next film will be a spaghetti western with Inglorious Basterds star, Christoph Waltz
2011 Academy Awards
Film News
In case you missed them, Kate Ferris provides everything you need to know about this year's Oscars The Big Shocks The Big Trends •The King's Speech 4 – 3 The Social Network It was expected that these two films would dominate the top awards in a closely fought competition, but with The Social Network emerging victorious. Everyone was talking about a 'BAFTA backlash' – the Americans getting their own back after a British-dominated BAFTAs. But the Academy awarded 3 top of the top prizes to King's with Social only achieving Best Editing, Adapted Screenplay and Original Score. •Melissa Speech!
Leo's
F***ing
Not only did Leo win Best Supporting Actress, but also the honour of being the first person to say the F-word in an acceptance speech: 'When I watch Kate two years ago it looked so f*ing easy.' She also gains the dubious accolade of outswearing Christian Bale.
The Big Winners
•Tom Hooper
Best Picture – The King's Speech
Best Actress – Natalie Portman (Black Swan)
Best Director – Tom Hooper (The King's Speech)
Best Supporting Actor Christian Bale (The Fighter)
Best Actor – Colin Firth (The King's Speech)
Best Supporting Actress – Melissa Leo (The Fighter)
–
Not even BAFTA thought he did better than David Fincher (The Social Network), but bizarrely, The Academy did. One can only presume they were looking for a more polished film, one with some beautifully artistic shots, but without the dark palette of Social.
Top Ten – Unconvincing Accents
7 Brad Pitt,
The Devil's Own
From this it seems to be harder to affect Irish than try to hide it; Pitt wasn't believable as a suave Irish terrorist in 1997 and then went on to overdo an Irish accent, admittedly for comic effect, three years later, in Snatch.
6 Harrison Ford,
K:19 The Widowmaker
With a Russian accent so bad the film made only two thirds of its budget back, Harrison should stick to Americans or space smugglers.
5 Keanu Reeves, Francis Shaw Film Writer
Some are done by people too famous to be convincing, others are just plain awful. The rest are both. Here is a rundown of the ten of the worst.
10 Dick van Dyke, Mary Poppins
'Blimey guv'nur!' There is a reason why 'Van Dyking it' is now the verb attributed to actors doing a bad British accent, some of whom populate the next nine entries.
9 Colin Farrell,
The Way Back
Consistent and not offensive but Colin Farrell is just too Irish to carry off Russian convincingly. Nothing here to distract from…
8 Colin Farrell, Alexander Ancient Greek is admittedly a hard one to pull off, but whatever it is, it isn't Irish! Also, what was up with Jolie's strange, purring drawl? Alexander is one big accent accident.
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Accents really aren't Keanu's forte. This may be known now, but Reeves goes above and beyond to mangle a British accent in Coppola's Dracula redux. Stick to time travel, dude.
4 Winona Ryder,
Bram Stoker's Dracula
Keanu was the least of this movie's accent problems. Winona Ryder is horrific as Mina, giving the impression that she researched her upper-crust, English dialect by listening to children playing, 'tea party'.
•Déjà-vu This was the year of the adaptation. Half of the nominees for Best Picture were adapted from books or based on true stories. This year there were also more franchises and sequels than any other year. On balance, though, perhaps adapting a true story is a more honourable way to make a film than a sequel. If cinema-goers want to see something they already know, then an adapted story is the best way to make a good, but successful, film. •Challenging Convention This year's Oscar pack tended to challenge their characters and audiences in refreshing ways. From a man overcoming a debilitating impediment (The King's Speech)or a ballerina dealing with personal demons (Black Swan), to challenging prejudices with a lesbian couple (The Kids Are Alright) or building an entire film around a character cutting his own arm off (127 Hours), audiences have been made to think and feel this year, arguably more so than in 2010. film@redbrickonline.co.uk Find 'Redbrick film' on facebook
3 Mel Gibson, Braveheart Aussie Mel's Scottish intonation in this Oscar-winning picture was so ineffectual, native Scots voted it one of the worst attempts of all time. They can butcher our accent but they cannae take our freedom!
Next Bourne? After three films as our beloved Jason Bourne, Matt Damon has declined working on the new project, The Bourne Legacy, and has said goodbye to the character. Who will be the next Bourne? Jake Gyllenhaal – hot property thanks to the recent Love and Other Drugs – currently heads up a very long list which reportedly includes Tobey Maguire, Garrett Hedlund and Josh Harnett. Unfortunately, it will be 2012 before we get to enjoy Bourne's next adventure.
Inception in 3D? Still just a rumour, but filmmaker Jonathan Liebesman (Battle:Los Angeles) commented during an interview that Warner Bros will convert Christopher Nolan's mind-maze into 3D. The news bodes well: imagine the city folding in on itself in 3D. Apparently, Nolan is not a huge advocate of the technology but fan pressures could change the British director's mind and a tri-dimensional version of the acclaimed work could be on the cards.
2 Kevin Costner, Robin
Hood: Prince of Thieves
Aussie Russell Crowe did a less than great job, but Kevin Costner's accent takes the biscuit. It came and went throughout the film. Alan Rickman as the Sheriff should have just killed him and put us out of our misery. It spawned Cary Elwes' line in Robin Hood: Men in Tights, 'Unlike some other Robin Hoods, I can speak with an English accent.'
1 Mickey Rooney,
Breakfast At Tiffany's
It's hard to believe Tiffany's producers would stoop so low by casting Mickey Rooney as Holly's stereotypical Japanese neighbour. He managed to offend droves of film critics and movie goers while pretending to be a buck-toothed and bespectacled native Japanese speaker. One of the worst and most cringe-inducing casting decisions ever.
The Bodyguard Who could have forgotten the legendary scene in which Kevin Costner holds Whitney Houston while 'I will always love you' plays in the background? It may divide the fans of the 1992 drama, but a updated version is on the way. Costner's character is now an Iraq war veteran who leaves the army and gets a job as a starlet protector. The threats are far removed from the original and involve new technologies such as Facebook or Twitter. Candidates for the new diva are reported to include Christina Aguilera and Taylor Swift. Ángela Avellana
Redbrick
Film 17
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – Matt Davis, Elmley de la Cour
Justified Existence: Nicolas Cage
Pretty Please! Izzy Sanders Film Writer
Nicholas Cage's career is best described as a force-of-nature. Putting his name to over sixty films, some of these may have been of
questionable quality, but there is no denying his passion and dedication to acting. Born Nicholas Coppola to a prestigious family of directors, producers and actors, he made the decision to change his name rather than suffer nepotism (owing to his uncle, legendary film director Francis Ford Coppola). The name comes from the Marvel superhero Luke Cage, which shows, not only Nick Cage's relentless 'nerdiness', but also his eclectic cultural tastes. There are two very different sides to Cage's career – that of Raising Arizona (1987), Leaving Las Vegas (1995) and Adaptation (2002), leaving him with scores of awards nominations and critical acclaim. While movies Con Air (1997), Gone in Sixty Seconds (2000) and Lord of War (2005) clearly don't receive the deserved praise. While this is most likely due to his off-beat style, and quirky role choices, Cage doesn't find himself
Reviews
limited by type casting. Instead he focuses on roles that he would rather take, and while sometimes he makes mistakes, often (as his career has progressed) he is proved right. He went through a recent patch of critic's favour in 2009/2010 with a mixed bag of, Werner Herzog's Bad Lieutenant, the independent Kick-Ass and Disney's The Sorcerer's Apprentice; yet it was only a matter of time before his latest adventure Drive Angry (2011) bombed at the box office. His freedom of expression allow for some interesting life choices. The new Ghost Rider film coming out next year, and naming his infant son Kal-El after the birth name of Superman, clearly indicates that Cage doesn't much care for the norms of 'the business' or society. Regardless of what is printed about him, he has such a strong following now, that they will always love him. !
!
!
!
!
UNMISSABLE
No Chance! Lucy Steiner Film Writer
If you search Nicolas Cage on YouTube, one of the first videos to appear is the appropriately titled Nicolas Cage Losing His Shit. This four-minute montage of madness perfectly summarises the result of when Nic is allowed out of his Cage and onto the screen. The screaming, wailing, incoherent mess suggests that Cage is following the example of the likes of Mel Gibson whilst dragging his over-inflated ego into the cinematic dumpster. Having achieved his position through nepotism, because it was certainly not talent, Cage seems determined to destroy any project he can get his hands on. Nicolas Cage used to be bearable in the days of Raising Arizona and Leaving Las Vegas. So what the hell happened? !
!
!
!
EXCELLENT
!
!
!
Maybe it was the fact that serious money issues meant the bailiffs came calling or that Cage developed an inability to say no to any job offer, but the result of this has been some of the most painful performances and biggest cinema flops of recent years. Anyone remember The Weather Man, Ghost Rider or The Season of the Witch? It is Cage's bipolar method of acting which switches instantaneously between bulging-eyed lunatic to mumbling loser that really yanks my chain, as he is totally incapable of keeping it together for a mere ninety minutes of film. Cage is well on his way to being laughed out of town due to his stale odour of desperation and schizophrenic acting tendencies. His irksome, soppy-eyed face no longer holds any reverence after the calamity of a career he has lately wielded. At this rate his career is diminishing at the same alarming pace as his hairline. The sooner the better I say.
GOOD
!
!
POOR
!
TRAGIC
Unknown
Adjustment Bureau Director: George Nolfi Cast: Matt Damon, Emily Blunt Certificate: 12A Matt Damon's latest action blockbuster follows in the tradition of his Jason Bourne outings and rides Inception's wave of popularity. With its rapid pace and twisting story it is certainly ambitious. Unfortunately, it doesn't live up to any of the successes it seeks to emulate. Adjustment Bureau's content portrays mysterious, fedora-wearing shady men who mysteriously hamper a burgeoning relationship between Matt Damon's immature Congressman and a ballerina. From that point on the rollercoaster of revelations wastes no time descending into pure craziness. The quality of the acting throughout the film is very impressive, with Emily Blunt and Terrance Stamp turning in performances worthy of their pedigree. However, the script and plot makes this all irrelevant. The fast paced story gives the false impres-
sion that important events are happening. However, the majority of the film is merely setup and it leaves very little time for a proper conclusion, and as a result it is a very unsatisfying watch. Previous films in this style like The Forgotten and The Box all suffer from this problem, the concept the writers attempted to set up is too much for a two hour film and so they are forced to let the plot dwindle. The Adjustment Bureau is one of the most ridiculous of these films because of its horrendously convoluted premise and
awful attempts to make it seem like the plot could become a reality. On paper, this film sounds like a potentially successful idea – it is well cast and well acted despite the immersion breaking silliness of the hat-wearing antagonists. However, it falls short and fails to meet the high expectations placed upon films claiming to be in the 'thinking man's action' genre. It is pointless, unsatisfying and very quickly descends into irreconcilable idiocy. Francis Shaw !
!
Gnomeo & Juliet Director: Kelly Asbery Cast: James McAvoy, Emily Blunt, Maggie Smith Certificate: U Can you imagine the most beautiful and tragic love story ever written being reproduced as an animation? Stop imagining it, the result of this weird combination is called Gnomeo and Juliet and surprisingly, it works. But, in this production, characters aren't people or toys but ceramic gnomes that come alive when we aren't seeing them. Changing the setting from Verona to a London suburb, Kelly Asbury's (Shrek 2) animation film portrays the fight between two bands of rival gnomes, the Blues and the Reds. Since time immemorially – or at least since they were bought – they've live engaged in a violent and funny battle. In a night expedition to the rival garden, the brave Blue protagonist, Gnomeo (James McAvoy), accidently meets the courageous, Juliet (Em-
ily Blunt), daughter of the Reds' leader. When they notice that one is Blue and the other is Red, and that they should hate each other, it is too late. They are irremediably in love. However, similarities with Shakespeare's most famous tragedy should end here. In this interpretation, Juliet's servant is a flirty frog and Romeo's best friend a mute mushroom. In addition, there are plenty of comical situations and references to recent films such as the Matrix and American Beauty – Gnomeo and Juliet is
both dynamic and breezy. One of its major strengths is the soundtrack; edited Elton John songs which includes a duet with Lady Gaga. Also, Elton, in his animated form playing the piano is particularly hilarious. Unfortunately, the rhythm decreases towards the end of the movie. Although Gnomeo and Juliet is far from the best animation film of recent years, if you found yourself laughing with titles such as Finding Nemo or Shrek, you will probably enjoy it. Ángela Martínez Avellana !
!
!
Director: Jaume Collet-Sera Cast: Liam Neeson, Diane Kruger, January Jones Certificate: 12A Unknown opens with white titles against a cloudy sky – pretentious, but implying substance. The cinematography isn't bad for the first five minutes either, contrasting the drive through a greyish, monochrome Berlin (landmark shots abound) with the bright, opulent foyer of the Adlon Hotel, where Dr Martin Harris (Neeson) and his wife Elizabeth (Jones) check in. Or rather, where Elizabeth checks in. Harris, over in Berlin for a bio-tech conference, hails a taxi back to the airport to regain a suitcase with contents of immense importance, having accidentally left it behind. Unfortunately, a truck hits the taxi, and Harris only survives because the truck's driver, Gina (Kruger), swerves and plunges into an icy river. What follows feels all too familiar. Harris wakes up four days later in hospital with partial memory loss, conveniently remembers his absent wife and high-tails (there's a whole lot of hightailing goes on) back to the Adlon. However, Harris appears to have been the victim of an all too real identity
theft, facing the bizarre circumstance of a stranger masquerading as himself, while Elizabeth denies knowing him. So he quests to prove his identity, aided by a reluctant Gina. Despite an impressive cast, this is poor fare. Neeson aims at a controlled performance but ends up sounding wooden and Jones plays it much the same way. There's nothing in particular to fault Kruger on, and Ganz stands out as the ex-Stasi (East German secret police) member whom Harris enlists the aid of. But, Langella, as Harris' colleague and friend is about as convincing as the plot itself, which seems increasingly like it was ripped-off from 2010's Salt. Except, unlike Salt's director, Noyce, Collet-Serra apparently had nothing like as clear a vision for his film. Unknown hasn't enough action for the action fan, and has too many plot holes for the more narrative-aware – the biggest of all being the premise that a man may suffer complete, absolute amnesia, and a resulting personality change from a bump on the head. The story is unoriginal, and by the end the only thing left 'unknown' is the point. Tom Cole !
!
18
4th March 2011
redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
Television
Silk new legal drama redbrickonline.co.uk
A feast for the eyes
TV Replay
Charlotte Lytton Television Editor
Kitchen based entertainment has been on the rise for the last few years, with many of the world's top chefs fighting it out to be the best baker on the box. Not only are the professionals trying their hand at TV cookery, but amateurs are also getting their spatulas at the ready in the hopes of becoming the next big cheese. Come Dine With Me has encouraged foodies to open their doors to the nation for a whopping 22 series, including a host of celebrity specials. What started as mere daytime fodder for Channel 4 has turned into a big money maker, being nominated for numerous awards and earning itself a primetime slot on Sunday evenings. It also sparked a new wave of rate-and-slate TV shows in which contestants are pitted against one another to determine who has the best house/wedding/vajazzle (just watch this space). Narrator Dave Lamb is undoubtedly behind the programme's success. With his acerbic comments, razor sharp wit and not infrequent casual abuse, these wannabes are made to look more Michelin man than Michelin starred. With one competitor receiving death threats last month from viewers enraged by his comparison of a cod dinner to a 'sick bag', Come Dine With Me has definitely made its fork mark on the culinary TV world. Transitioning from the rude to the ridiculous, innovator, risk taker and all round mentalist Heston Blumenthal returned to the screen
Take advantage of internet television and catch up on all the shows you missed the first time around.. New Series Silk – BBC iPlayer Marchlands – ITV Player Mad Dogs – Sky Player Bedlam – Sky Player Boardwalk Empire – Sky Player Treme – Sky Player Historical Dramas The Promise – 4OD The Tudors – BBC iPlayer
Gregg Wallace and John Torode return to present the revamped MasterChef last week. Mission Impossible tracks his attempt to overhaul the kitchens of the NHS, British Airways and the Royal Navy with sperm shakes and worm pizzas to name but a few of his latest wacky creations. His shows have become a steady hit with viewers keen to watch him experiment with some strange and rather unsettling ingredients, which he hopes to integrate into mainstream cookery. Not content with inflicting snail porridge on the world, he has decided that the ailing children of Alder Hey Hospital are to be his
latest victims as he 'injects the fun back into food.' From one egg headed gastronome to another, Gregg Wallace is back on MasterChef with Aussie pal John Torode to find an undiscovered culinary star. The show has undergone a bit of an overhaul for its seventh series, with an X Factor style audition process and a swanky new kitchen for the contestants to get their grill on. There are 20 places currently occupied by the competitors, but this will be whittled down to three finalists over the coming
weeks. The exotic travel location of the grand finale is under wraps for now, but after last year's Asian extravaganza, we've got high hopes for this year's bigger budget affair. Food is clearly big business at the moment, with a whole host of both ethical and informative shows making it to the small screen. Whilst they are of course primarily for entertainment's sake, this can be easy to forget for some outlandish chefs. Put the snot smoothie down, Heston. Those children have suffered enough.
Documentaries The Real King's Speech – 4OD Ross Kemp: Extreme World – Sky Player Guilty Pleasures Take Me Out – ITV Player Dancing on Ice – ITV Player Gossip Girl – ITV Player The Vampire Diaries – ITV Player Tool Academy – 4OD
Telephone lines in Tudor times? Sarah Murphy Reporter
'Sexed up and dumbed down' are just a few of the words being used to describe the state of the historical dramas that have graced our screens since mid autumn. Shows such as Upstairs Downstairs and The Promise have aimed to bring a slice of history to the small screen but how accurate are they? Whilst 'Americanisation' is an ever increasing problem, there is in fact one thing guaranteed to boil the blood of any historian or would be nit picker, and that one thing is historical inaccuracy. Whilst the sight of a silver TV aerial or some double yellow lines on the dusty streets of Candleford may cause some of us to cringe a little, it only really takes a few minutes for us to just forgive and forget. However, there are some discrepancies which are in fact beyond our powers of absolution and are less likely to be overlooked. This is particularly evident in long running period dramas such as the BBC's The Tudors. Although the sixteenth cen-
tury drama has been celebrated by some for renewing an interest in early modern British history, it has also fuelled a lot of criticism and I for one can see why. Whilst it's hard to complain about seeing Jonathan Rhys Meyers get his kit off every other week it is at the same time disappointing to see the massive sacrifice in historical context and accuracy that has been made for the sake of increased ratings and entertainment. The primary criticism to be made of the show is in fact its longevity. With it having taken up to four series' just for Henry to have done the required amount of chopping (off of people's heads!) and changing to encounter current wife Catherine Howard. Despite this having been an incredibly brutal way to get rid of your exes, the dear chap hasn't aged a single day. I'm sorry to tell you ladies and gents but by this point our blessed King Henry was in fact quite rotund and rife with a supposed bout of syphilis. Now tell me, how attractive is he now? Acclaimed Tudor historian David Starkey has even gone as far as
describing the show as a disgrace, with the BBC having 'squandered' public money in order to appeal to an American audience. One final claim of inaccuracy being made about the Tudors is in relation to the sheer amount of sexual activity going on within Henry's court, which may lead one to wonder, if he was really getting that much action, why on earth was he so bitter? However, whilst complaints have been made by veterans about fabrications in the Land Girls and the appearance of the odd telegraph pole in Downton Abbey, a debate has been circulating amongst historians and television journalists alike. The question has been raised as to whether these historical oversights do in fact matter or if we are all actually just a bunch of nit picking, busy bodies with nothing better to do? It often comes down to a matter of interpretation and whether you believe period or early modern dramas serve an educational or entertainment based function. Nonetheless, I ask you to watch with caution when you switch over to BBC2.What often glitters in Tudor court isn't always gold.
Six wives down and Henry hasn't aged a day
Television 19
4th March 2011 redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
Editors – Amber Alexander, Charlotte Lytton
Drawing a Blanc Sarah Pullen Reporter
If, like me, you despair at the number of great British television shows which cross the Atlantic only to become pale imitations of their former selves, then the BBC's Episodes will be right up your street. The series, which concluded on 21st February, centres around British husband-and-wife comedy writing team Sean and Beverly Lincoln (played by Stephen Mangan and Tamsin Greig respectively) as they struggle to remake their
BAFTA award winning sitcom in the States. The result is that their hit show, Lyman's Boys, about the amiable headmaster of an elite British boarding school (originally played by Richard Griffiths), is swiftly transformed into Pucks!, with Matt LeBlanc playing the lead role of Lyman – who is now a hockey coach. LeBlanc plays a caricature of himself, and does it brilliantly. I was never a great fan of him in Friends, but he is truly funny in his new role. Aloof, arrogant and sarcastic, he plays off of Mangan and
Greig with some great results. Mangan and Greig (who have previously co-starred in British sitcom Green Wing) are very believable, both as creative partners and as loving, if often testy, spouses. Greig's portrayal of an uptight but equally witty writer watching as her brainchild, and with it her marriage, is torn to pieces by Hollywood is both compelling and entertaining. Meanwhile Mangan's character's blooming bromance with LeBlanc, as he is seduced by both the charms of his show's star but also by Hollywood itself, is great to watch.
The appeal of Episodes is – aside from strong performances from the three leads – in its portrayal of the cultural clash between the UK and the US. The writers (Friends co creator, David Crane, and his partner from The Class, Jeffrey Klarik) employ patently British understatement and sarcasm brilliantly, contrasting it strongly with the stereotypically crass Hollywood sense of humour. Crane and Klarik seem to have aimed to create a cutting satire of Hollywood, and in this sense, they have not delivered. They have endeavoured to display the corruption and interference of the US networks, but have succeeded only in poking a bit of fun at the network bosses, rather than delivering any kind of blow to the industry. Episodes aimed to be a little too clever and fell short. Having said that, they have successfully produced one of the wittiest new sitcoms in years, created very relatable characters, forged strong, believable relationships between those characters and included the most entertaining fight scene in BBC history – all this in only seven episodes. The end of the series was a clear set up for another, and negotiations are already underway. However, whether or not the show's premise can sustain another series to the same standard as the first remains to be seen. Some great foundations have been laid, and if the next series is half as entertaining as this one, it will be well worth watching. Episodes is available on BBC iPlayer now.
What strikes me most about the programme is how very young and fickle these girls are. Many of the agency's girls are booked after walking in to the office from the street, and to the untrained eye, they really don't seem like anything special. However, the years of 'nurturing' – aka offering a small amount of money and endless ego massage, do not seem to be helping these teenagers. Leomie Anderson is set to be the next big thing (or rather the next size 6 thing) in the modelling world, and Premier has also flown her over to the States in the hopes that she'll be the star of the
catwalk. She claims to love the glamorous lifestyle, but as a sixteen year old girl on another continent in a cut throat industry, I wonder how true that is. Unfortunately, The Model Agency is a somewhat unappealing look at the rather bland process that goes into finding new talent. The 'fresh faces division' seems to be a pleasant sounding name that masks the almost sinister pursuit of youth and beauty in these young girls, who are too naïve to know what they want. Encouraging people to pursue their modelling dreams is fine – forcing them into it is not.
The cast of Episodes
Model Behaviour? Charlotte Lytton Television Editor
In a society obsessed with appearances, models are hot property, treated like demi-goddesses by their legions of adoring fans. But how do they get to the top? New fly-on-the-wall series The Model Agency takes a peek at one of the most notoriously decadent and glamorous industries in the world through the eyes of Premier Model Management Company. The series follows the preparations for London Fashion Week and the daily working lives of the agency's employees. In all honesty, the show is fairly dull. Ten years ago, when modelling was still an elite and unobtainable profession, this may have been insightful. However, after a non-stop stream of fashion TV since the launch of the America's Next Top Model franchise some 16 seasons ago, The Model Agency appears rather bleak in comparison. Based in Covent Garden, former model and founder Carole White runs a team of 'bookers' and 'scouters' (this is model speak for people who separate the hotties from the notties) looking for the next Kate Moss. As we learn from the first episode, not all is plain sailing in model-land. India Farrell, a 16 year old student from Manchester, has been on Premier's books for four years. Scouted at the tender age of 12, the agency had high hopes that this would be her year, sending her to New York for the start of Fashion
Week 2010. After being told she 'couldn't gain any more weight' by an American agent, India crumbled under the pressure and decided to return home to focus on her studies and abandon modelling – for the short term at least. Cue outrage/faux concern from the agency, whose endless calls and promises that she would 'regret this forever' failed to convince her to stick with it. Shocked at her decision to want to pursue higher education (how dare she?), Premier had to quickly find a new unsuspecting victim to channel their dreams of prestige into.
The staff at Premier Model Management
Death in the 'Dales Natalie Timmins Reporter
As part of Jackson Walsh's continuing disability storyline in Emmerdale, the soap's writers are said to be planning an assisted suicide plot to end his time in the 'Dales, at the hands of his lover and mother. Since the tragic crash saw Jackson paralysed from the neck down, viewers have seen his mental torment as he has become dependent on his mother, Hazel. Attempting to set former flame Aaron free of his guilt by encouraging him to live his life, he must also face his own demons after having his livelihood cruelly ripped away from him. So when a character is devastatingly ill or hurt, writers normally have one of two options: send them away to pastures new, or kill them off. Jackson's purpose has been served: now time for his exit, although the controversial topic of assisted suicide will be a delicate topic to handle. Physically, Jackson is incapable of carrying out such a determined decision, but mentally he knows that he cannot continue being a burden on those he loves, providing the pivotal point in his story arc. He cannot act alone, leaving the moral pathway littered with choices for Hazel and Aaron. According to the plot leak, Aaron Livesy will crush up tablets and leave them in Jackson's drink – leaving a big question mark over Aaron's future, where it will be clear that Jackson could not have achieved this alone. Eastenders has broached the subject of euthanasia before, withDot Cotton helping terminally ill friend Ethel Skinner overdose on morphine tablets. It remains to be seen whether or not Emmerdale can cope with a similarly tragic storyline. Ethel's reasons and quality of life being different to Jackson's in coping with illness, it is possible that Emmerdale could be taking a wrong turn in showing demise instead of recovery? In portraying the disability of a young, mentally fit man, will Emmerdale be seen as copping out of providing Jackson with a happy ending which sees him accepting his disability and learning to cope with his limitations? On one hand, Emmerdale has the potential to show the pain of coping with deciding to die, and the mental trauma of this. However, there is also the potential for the storyline to just wipe Jackson out and see life carry on as normal. This would not do justice to Mark Silcock's fantastic portrayal of the character, or the sensitivity of euthanasia as a social issue. Whilst the soap's representatives have neither confirmed nor denied this storyline, it remains to be seen whether Jackson will get the send-off he deserves. The implications of such a devastating topic like euthanasia will be felt in soap-land for months. In the wake of the Eastenders baby-swap scandal, it has to be questioned whether the world of television can cope with such a heavy plot-line that is a potential minefield.
20 redbrickonline.co.uk
4th March 2011
Music Jukebox
Redbrick
Eminem and Rihanna set to headline V Fest 2011 as line-up is announced. www.nme.com/news
Album Reviews PJ Harvey
Let England Shake
9
7
Yuck Yuck
William Franklin Music Editor
Radiohead – Little By Little The King of Limbs is predictably unpredictable. Like most (if not all) Radiohead albums, initial listens are a chore, requiring repeated attempts to peel back the layers of neurotic noise to reveal the juicy sonic wonders below. Little By Little though, immediately leaps to your attention with its come-hither lyrics and jangling percussion ripped straight from the outtakes of The Eraser. While the rest of the KOL still labours in mediocrity, this continues to shine as the diamond in the (hopefully temporary) rough. Four Tet – Pinnacles Released in tandem with Snaith's latest self-reinvention (see below), Pinnacles is short on surprises at first. The first three minutes go to all the familiar places, echoey beats pound out an unobtrusive rhythm and a single, simple synth pattern gleams with regularity, not ingenuity. But then the piano comes crashing in, the drums rise ecstatically and that simple country synth pattern is transformed into a dazzling cyborg bird call.
Jennifer Anderson Matthew Barton Critic
Fans of Polly Jean Harvey have come to expect the unexpected at album release time, such is the Dorset musician's propensity for reinvention. Her restless creative spirit has served her well, progressing from the raw blues riffs of her earliest records through the bubbling electronica of the late '90s to the spectral piano balladry of 2007's White Chalk. Let England Shake changes tack again, and finds Harvey embracing observational lyrics centred around war and conflict. It is primarily sung in a distinctive high vocal style atop a bed of shimmering effect-drenched guitars and twangy autoharp. The album was recorded in five weeks in a Dorset
Single Reviews
Critic
church last spring and is one of Harvey's most sonically attractive records. The band feels loose and light, and the songs bristle with energy. The Words That Maketh Murder marries a singsong melody with handclaps and sax as Harvey sings of soldiers falling 'like lumps of meat', while The Glorious Land is an urgent rocker interrupted with dissonant bugle calls. Other highlights include the desolate All and Everyone and the inspired Written on the Forehead, which sounds like Cocteau Twins collaborating with a reggae band. It's a landmark work, one that is surprisingly accessible yet subtle enough to warrant repeated listening. It has garnered perhaps the best reviews of Harvey's 20-year career and cements her status as Britain's premier female rock star.
This month saw the release of new band Yuck's self named debut album. Their single Get Away has been getting a fair amount of airtime and it is easy to see why it is a hit. The band has an ability to hit a soft spot somewhere in the regions between pop and rock, appealing to a wide and varied audience. A winning combination of rasping guitars and catchy pop hooks is sure to propel the band to success – even if only for a year. Yuck are soon to go on their first tour with Egyptian Hip-Hop and Veronica Falls (no I haven't heard of them either). They are so new in fact that so far the band have only played one live show together. Similarities can certainly be drawn between Yuck and those gems of the 80s and 90s, Sonic
Foo Fighters
The Streets
Rope
Computers & Blues
Metronomy
Youth and Dinosaur Jr to name a couple. There is also an undercurrent of a sort of teenage angst in a number of their tracks, including Get Away, that can be identified in some of Sonic's material. It would appear that Yuck are enjoying a trip down memory lane and pandering to our nostalgic tendencies – and I know that I'm not complaining. On a rather different note, the two tracks bringing up the rear on the album are, in comparison, very different. Both are much slower, with Rose Gives A Lily being almost hypnotic. Could this be giving us a peek as to what we can expect to hear from Yuck in the future? We can only guess, but one thing is for sure: if you're partial to some 90s rock/alternative classics then check out their album, and watch out for them coming to a venue in Birmingham in what is sure to be the not too distant future.
8
She Wants
Daphni – Ye Ye The artist formerly known as Caribou has taken an unexpected change of direction, eschewing the crystal clear instrumental electronica that made Swim such a treat for the ears, in favour of a more industrial style. Opening with a techno-101 beat it quickly snowballs into towering Orbitalesque trance, with a healthy dose of reverberating house thumps thrown in. Toro Y Moi – New Beat No more chillwave I'm afraid. Chaz Bundick has moved on to sonic pastures new. The synths are far more polished and refined, but there's just enough spacey distort on the vocals to dull the otherwise squeaky-clean pop veneer. Tyler, The Creator – Yonkers Riding on a lurching, staggered beat, Odd Future's mostly critically revered member angrily attacks your ears with some of the most volatile battle-raps in recent memory while he 'mocks deaf rock stars' and 'stabs Bruno Mars in his goddamn oesophagus'. You will fear him. The prophecy is fulfilled, no pop star is safe. He also crashes Hayley William's plane. Okay. So I laughed at that one.
Metronomy are no longer a celebration of heartbreakers and all the kinds of drama entangled with me having a thing for you, you having a thing for me and so on. Once bursting with eccentric electronica and playful pitch, it appears they have matured a little since debut album Nights Out was let loose on the world three years ago. Nowadays it's more nights in, just you and Metronomy and a bottle of rosé, maybe an atmospheric lava lamp is also present. 'It's getting late...the hours come. The hours go', softly seduces you with its mellow, tantalising charm. We're still left clueless as to what exactly she so heartily desires, but I think we can rest assured it's funky. Charlotte Ashley
Rope, from the forthcoming Foos album Wasting Light, is a tantalising morsel of what to expect from the latest release. Foo Fighters ventured into the more radiofriendly zone with 2005's In Your Honour. Instead of following this same commercial trajectory, Rope harks back to a rawer, edgier time in the Foo Fighters' career. Even the production has been stripped back, being entirely recorded in analogue in Grohl's garage. The result is a single that demonstrates the band's own ear for blending smooth melodies with overdriven guitar riffs to make catchy, yet uncompromising, rock music. Hawkins' signature drumming style is prominent throughout the track and showcases a talent that understands the need for a balance between animal-style tub-thumping and restraint when necessary. Grohl's vocals are raw and powerful, yet melodiously sublime at the same time. This wouldn't sound out of place on There is Nothing Left to Lose but still shows the band growing and honing their sound whilst remembering their roots. Jake Pembroke
Tamara Roper Critic
After a decade that can only be called tumultuous, The Streets have decided to call it a day. Computers and Blues is Mike Skinner's final farewell, and after three years of speculating over what his album of 'dancing music to drink tea to' would sound like, we can be assured that The Streets are well and truly over. Over the last ten years, Skinner has arguably got softer in his lyrics, progressively losing some of the grit that drove his first two albums, and Computers and Blues is very much on the cushioned side. OMG is a charming example of Skinner's ability to mix materialism with reality – 'I looked at your relationship status/In a relationship/An earthquake hit me'. Neurosis over a relationship status is something that apparently affects pop stars too. The hopes of many were riding high on the album and very much reflective of his career, Computers and Blues is for the most part touching and clever. It's not
difficult to pin-point the songs on the album that don't make much of an impact though – ABC seems like a bit of a waste of album space, Trust Me and Blip on a Screen pass by without any lasting impression, despite the latter being about Skinner's son. There's definitely a sense that Mike is breathing a sigh of relief at stepping down. Without Thinking is one of the more upbeat tracks on the album (despite a sample that sounds uncannily like Natasha Bedingfield) – an ode to the promise of spontaneity, something the last ten years may have lacked for one of the saviours of British hiphop. No doubt this won't be the last we see of Skinner – his internet omnipresence would make it hard to forget him too quickly. Closing track Lock the Locks makes it clear that The Streets have produced their last. This is a brilliant send off for The Streets, and does exactly what it set out to do – leave us with a lasting taste in our mouths and the knowledge that Mike Skinner really did do something for British music.
Redbrick
Essential Albums
Live Reviews Mogwai HMV Institute 24/02/2011
At The Drive-in
Relationship of Command (2000) Charlie Bailey Music Editor
Has there ever been a more derided genre than post-hardcore? Well, possibly Gabber (justified) or Italo Dance (also justified). But why the hate for punk's little bratty cousin? Sure he turned a bit trendy in the new millennium, got a fringe and some skinny jeans and ended up as Emo. But once upon a time this was all so new. Once upon a time there was a band called At The Drive-in. And this band? They made a record in 2000, before all the eyeliner and two-tone hair and before most of us were even teenagers, called Relationship of Command. And this album? It. F***ing. Rocked. Devoid of artifice, with none of the self-indulgent moping, it emerged from town in Texas snarling and spitting, ready to fight and feed and screw anything
#15
in sight. After having honed a live experience on the road that blew away anyone who saw them, it was only on their final album that ATD-i got it together and put everything into the finest record of their career. With Ross Robinson's behind the desk Relationship of Command was everything that a punk record should be: energetic, intelligent and above all, passionate. You can just hear it in every second of tracks like Mannequin Republic or as Jim Ward's thrashes his guitar to within an inch of his life and Cedric Bixler unleashes vocals that are densely lyrical and fiercely abrasive. With eleven years to look back, it seems the runt of the punk litter did have one great moment: When a band from El Paso took all that blood and bile, all of the outrage and the energy that made it so special and committed it to record.
No stage acrobatics. No dresscodes. No pouts. No image. No pretension. No lyrics. The Glaswegians' brand of instrumental post-rock (a tag they would no doubt hate being ascribed) was overwhelming. Kicking off with the opener to their latest album Hardcore Will Never Die… But You Will, White Noise served as a fanfare to the dazzling white lights of Mogwai's stage show. Always a band to perform new, perhaps unfamiliar material, it was not until the strobe light accompanied I'm Jim Morrison, I'm Dead that the punters began nodding their heads. The straightforward groove of San Pedro broke up slow burners such as How to Be A Werewolf – a track that acted as a kind of musical score to a projection of a cyclist. The short film featured the aforementioned protagonist pedaling through a long,
dark tunnel, until the dual climax of a wall of sound coupled with a visual breakthrough into the burning light of the Scottish Highlands. This is about as theatrical as the band gets – Stuart Braithwaite's thickly accented speech limited only to the sincerest 'Thank you'. The show's single hiccup concerned a twice attempted but ultimately abandoned version of Mexican Grand Prix – the electronica based track being called off by the giant bassist Dominic Aitchison, apparently unhappy with a synthesizer trigger. The thrilling Batcat followed Mogwai Fear Satan – a twelveminute journey that allows each member to tinker with the smallest of musical ideas, refining them delicately until devastating the audience with a crushing reprise. For an encore, instead of ramping up the energy with an up-tempo epic, the Phrygian, glassy guitar lines of My Father, My King, soothed the ears of a rabid crowd whilst a warm glow bathed the entire room. Richard Higgs
Can you tell us a bit about the theme of 'Deconstruction' and where the working title – 'Deconstruction of a Cheeseburger' came from? The sense that on some level there
He never went away! 'After' was a brilliant album, and he is a brilliant artist. He's my age and has a child, the similarities in terms of certain
Saturday 5th After Hours Hare and Hounds
Sunday 6th
The Flats The Temple @ HMV Jay Phelps Hare and Hounds
Monday 7th
The Decemberists HMV Institute Diagram of the Heart HMV Institute
Tuesday 8th
8bit Lounge Hare and Hounds Royal Republic O2 Academy 3
The Wombats HMV Institute tions have begun.
I don't think...
How many people a day ask you 'When are you going to do Strapping Young Lad again?'
You haven't toured the UK since 2006 – what do you like/ (and hate!) about the UK?
Only one today, thank you for it!
I can't say I hate anything about the UK that I don't hate about anywhere else (crowds, traffic, noise etc...) but in terms of what I like? I think that I relate to the sense of humor, and I have many friends here, so it's a great place to do what I do. I have had some wonderful experiences here (UK) and the conversations are usually excellent.
I doubt I could fit my ass in that thing anymore, and god knows where it went. Vai is a good friend and a constant source of inspiration. His work with an orchestra directly inspired me to try it (in my own way) for Deconstruction.
What brought about having Ihsahn on the project? It's a brilliant prospect, but some might be surprised to see that he emerged from the grimm and frostbitten north.
Fu Manchu O2 Academy 2
Thursday 10th
Are you and Steve Vai on good terms still, and do you still have the PVC suit from 'Down into the pain'?
Both in a way...I think as a result of making such a complicated statement with a clear mind, you end up observing yourself and your processes without a massive sense of self importance that comes from analysis typically. These four records represent 'the end of the beginning' and as such, are a cathartic reflection as per usual without really being about my 'state of mind'...if anything, it's an observation of someone observing their state of mind.
Friday 4th
Wild Palms Hare and Hounds
Charlie Bailey and Richard Higgs get some quality time with a legend
is a predisposition artistically in many folks to arrogantly believe that as humans, we are capable of understanding the 'true nature of reality' if we go deep enough, arrogant of course, because in my opinion, we are not only incorrectly wired for that type of information, but also that the search seems based in control issues. The cheeseburger is arbitrary, it could have just as well been a rubber duck...or a plant, really, the point is 'everything is in everything' and upon closer inspection, trying to understand the mind of infinity is futile and supremely arrogant. The search may be not, but the assumption it's within our grasp seems to end in chaos and problems peeing in public.
Music Diary 4th – 10th
Wednesday 9th
The world of Devin Townsend
According to the font of all knowledge that is Wikipedia you've stated this will be your heaviest DTBP album. It seems like previously you tied your work in closely with where you're at personally, is this a reflection of that tendency again, or is it something more external?
Music 21
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – Charlie Bailey, William Franklin
elements of our process made me think it would be cool. Plus I love the guy, he's lovely. You're working with two drummers on this album; what made you settle on that set up for the album? I wanted a variety of drummers initially, but I settled on one 'new' face (in my world), Dirk, to do the inhuman stuff, and my touring drummer Ryan to play the elements that I would have needed him to learn anyways. They both did a wonderful job. Always a pleasure to work with Ryan, and watching Dirk play things I thought were impossible was a dream come true. What are your plans following the release of 'Ghost' and 'Deconstruction'? I always have several projects in the works, and now is no exception. I have 3 different avenues to take, but I believe that Z2 (Ziltoid 2) will more than likely be my next focus. There may be some lower key projects in between, but Z2 is a big, big undertaking and prepara-
Before Ki was released, you said that there might be a huge, fancy and expensive boxset of the most recent cycle of records – any more news on this? It will be released hopefully towards the end of the year and will be made available in different levels. During the making of these records, there has often been more music and video than could be fit onto one disk. I look forward to purging the whole process into one place. I believe it's a good outlet for my emotional and artistic expression (the project) and to have it all in one place would provide complete clarity as far as I'm concerned. What music have you been listening to lately, and in particular, what sounds have influenced 'Deconstruction' and 'Ghost'? I have been listening to (over the past few months) Deadmau5, Allyson Krause, Gojira, Tiesto, and Georgy Ligety. Everything I do is influenced by my whole world, so pinpointing the exact things for the new records isn't really viable
TesseracT played Birmingham early February this year, and onstage and off, they did not stop talking about their 'educational experience' with you – what do you think you taught them? What improper dental hygiene looks like after 38 years of life... :) Tesseract are a great group of people and they were great to play with and become friends with. I honored to think they took something positive away from our professional jackass-ery! Could Ziltoid ever make an appearance on Futurama? I bet he could shred the 'holophoner'. Is a Ziltoid graphic novel, musical or action figure on the cards? Yes, we're (slowly) working on several things with him (action figures, comic book, internet tv series etc...) he's not going anywhere, and I believe the next Ziltoid record will be littered with Ziltoidian smudge and goop. Watch out humans! ...his space wang is flaccid now, but you never know... You're confirmed for Bloodstock 2011, Can you come up with two words to describe UK metal festivals? - Fookin ace!
22 redbrickonline.co.uk
4th March 2011
Technology
Redbrick
Keep up to date with the latest technology news and rumours @redbricktech
BAVGA's 2011 Review Dead Space 2 Sam Atkins finds out whether the survival horror sequel will be the first must play game of 2011
Joshua Lindsey Writer
As the hype from the BAFTAs and the Brits subsides and the wait for the Oscars begins, there is one more date for your diary; the British Academy Video Games Awards.The nominations for the 7th Game BAFTAs have just been announced. Chief among these is Assassin's Creed: Brotherhood which has been nominated for seven awards including Best Game, Best Gameplay and Technical Innovation. In all 44 games have been nominated in 16 categories including Sports, Handheld and Use of Audio. Assassins Creed will have some fierce competition particularly for the Multiplayer Award where it is up against Call of Duty: Black Ops and Halo Reach. Other titles to watch out for are Heavy Rain which in nominated for 6 awards including Technical Innovation and Mass Effect 2 which could take the award for Story. Unlike the original BAFTAs, the video games awards are 'all about the content' as Mock the Week's Dara Ó Briain points out. Ó Briain will be hosting the event which he believes is 'important for young people' because 'if you are young and creative in the UK you go into video games.' This young talent is recognised by the One to Watch Award which will go to one of three teams made of recent science and arts graduates. Each of this year's young finalists have 'considerable commercial potential' says Revolution Software's Charles Cecil. While the next generation of developers awaits the judge's decision, one man who will already be celebrating is Peter Molyneux, who has received the academy's Fellowship at this year's awards. He is responsible for creating a whole new genre of gaming known as 'God games' and is the creative force behind Theme Park, Black and White and the Fable trilogy. The British Academy Video Games Awards will be held on the 16th of March at the London Hilton.
Want to be a Tech editor? We're looking for a replacement Technology editor for next term. If you are interested please email technology@redbrickonline. co.uk
Isaac Clarke sure has it rough. Those who have played 2008's classic Dead Space will understand, the lead character's journey across the Ishimura mining spaceship can only be described as torture. Fighting off hoards of Necromorphs (the 'infected' creatures of Dead Space) is the least of his worries though, an apparition of his dead ex-girlfriend along with voices in his head causing Isaac to lose his mind. This is where Dead Space 2 picks up, with Isaac being interrogated for the information his damaged mind now contains. This is also where developers Visceral Games decide to properly introduce us to the lead character. He was a mute hero in the first game, and the addition of a voice here is the first major change in the storytelling of the series. You empathise with Isaac throughout Dead Space 2, visions of his deceased girlfriend forcing him to break free from his captors and find out exactly why he was being held in the first place. The other major change for the sequel is the setting. The original game was set completely on the Ishimura ship, taking you across the various decks and sections in search of way to get rid of the Necromorphs. Dead Space 2 takes place in the Sprawl, a horribly generic name for a base on the planet's surface; you discover exactly what for later in the game. The environment is definitely more open; with bigger rooms to explore, but don't go into the game expecting some sort of open world
style setting. Dead Space 2 remains faithful to how linear the first game was, the new setting brings something different to the table. Each chapter in the original game was made to look aesthetically different to the last, but it all still retained the look of the Ishimura ship itself. Here that's not a problem, as you are taken through a huge variety of settings ranging from a Church to a Necromorph ridden primary school, both of which being two of the game's most haunting sections. The architecture is impressive across the game too, bearing a resemblance to Bioshock's Rapture, where the environment holds just as much detail as the characters
themselves. But Isaac isn't just walking around these impressively detailed environments; he has some 'friends' to deal with too. The Necromorphs are even more deadly too, with some new additions to their ranks being truly terrifying as foes. The Veloceraptor inspired creatures that appear at key moments in the game to provide a true challenge are the most notable addition to the enemies here, the Gollum-like Pack coming a close second due to their sheer numbers. The selection of Necromorphs is much more varied in Dead Space 2, more enemies requiring Stasis and limb dismemberment than last time round. Visceral perform their
duty as developer admirably in this respect, they keep the gunplay varied through a combination of well implemented combat situations and some excellent weaponry. Dead Space 2 is a joyous experience. It's thrilling, intense and genuinely terrifying in its premier moments, making it the first must play of 2011. It's an undeniably more polished experience than the first game – and not just in graphical terms. While it may lose its way slightly right before the end, the expanded narrative is well worth sticking around for. Visceral Games have produced one of the best new franchises of the generation, and judging by the success of Dead Space 2, this won't be the last we see of Isaac Clarke.
also made to pay £300 to UCL for bringing the university into 'disrepute', having to pay the fine in order to graduate. In response to these setbacks FitFinder is back and has been relaunched under a new name – Floxx. After attracting funding from ex-Dragons Den star Doug Richard, Floxx is looking to take the flirty website global. It has already gained popularity in universities across America; with the likes of Harvard students now indulging in a bit of anonymous flirtation. The new look site allows for students to easily post their flirtatious messages at a variety of locations across campuses with the ability for replies from other users and even the possibility of the target of the message responding back. The problems that faced FitFinder will certainly face Floxx. This time, however, the founder of this service should be a lot more prepared. FitFinder was banned from a number of university campuses last year because of views that the service was seedy and distracting students from their studies. It seems to me that Floxx will not be any more distracting for students than any other social media site already out there which
provide hours worth of procrastination across campuses. Regarding the critics of the service who look down on the flirtatious content of the website, it does not allow the use of profanity in postings and other potentially offensive posts can be flagged up by users which will then be brought to attention to the Floxx moderating team. While the content and purpose of Floxx is a lot more risqué, than what some people might think is appropriate for use around a university campus, there is no stopping people from doing exactly the same thing on other sites, such as Facebook or Twitter, but in this case the anonymity of the site will certainly provoke users to be more daring in the posts that they create. As the service begins to reestablish popularity amongst student bodies across the country it is more than likely that universities will take a stance against the rebranded social media site and ban access to it from all campus computers. This poses no threat to smartphone users though, as Floxx have currently got Blackberry and iPhone apps in the pipeline. Keep an eye on Floxx as it begins to gain more popularity and crucially, more notoriety.
The return of FitFinder.com? Adam Ball Writer
Last year saw the rise of a new social media which spread nationwide across university campuses in FitFinder.com. To those unfamiliar with the purpose of FitFinder, it was a website that allowed students to anonymously post short flirtatious
messages with descriptions of the location on campus and the physical attributes of these so called 'fitties'. Last year, after starting to gain some notoriety amongst several UK universities the founder Rich Martell, a Computer Science student at University College London was forced to shut the site down. Along with this Martell was
Redbrick
redbrickonline.co.uk
4th March 2011
Sport The magnificent seven?
Heartbreak for the men's hockey in the BUCS semi-final in Nottingham
23
So near yet so far for the boys, p26
Stefano Goosey puts the questions to the seven candidates vying for the position of Vice President for Sport These are the faces of the seven people competing to be the University of Birmingham's VPS. Voting opens on Monday 7th March via my.bham and stays open for a week. Top row: (left to right) Amy Rowland, Tim Smith, Greg Freeman. Bottom row: (left to right) Luke Frostick, Jamie Vickery, Chloe Mulcahy, Tim Mason
The American football team and I was the club president in 2008 and 2010. Prior to university I represented the GB American football team.
tion of Sport who would you pick to join you? Well I'd pick Michael Johnson and Ian Holloway, a genius and an all round top bloke!
If you were a captain on Question of Sport who would you pick to join you? Graeme Swann and Jimmy Bullard. I'd want it to be the funniest day of filming possible.
Chloe Mulcahy
Luke Frostick Who is your sporting hero? Lance Armstrong. I used to watch the Tour de France every year and thought he was a god of sporting achievement. Which University of Birmingham teams do you represent? I am the club captain for the university fencing team and I have fenced on the squad for the last three years. I am also the vicecaptain of the Wing Chun Kung Fu club. If you were a captain on Question of Sport who would you pick to join you? Lance Armstrong for reasons I've already said and Jet Li because‌ he's Jet Li.
Who is your sporting hero? It would have to be my older sister Tor, who showed me how to enjoy sports from being part of a team and achieving results together. Which University of Birmingham teams do you represent? I am currently the club captain of women's hockey and in my first year I was part of the women's fourth team who won the BUCS gold in the knockouts. What ambitions do you have after university? I would like to work within the
health service and tackle the problem of obesity.
Tim Smith Who is your sporting hero? Goran Ivanisevic. He showed what can be achieved through self-belief and determination at Wimbledon in 2001. Which University of Birmingham teams do you represent? I am the president and founder of the Aussie Rules football team which is now blossoming into one of the most exciting teams at the University.
The Week In Numbers
165
The number of games since Sir Alex Ferguson named the same starting XI twice in a row before the Chelsea game. Perhaps he should have kept rotating?
400/1 1190 20 50
Odds of Ireland to win the cricket World Cup match after England's innings.
Jonny Wilkinson's test point score to regain his record as highest international scorer.
years this week since Ryan Giggs made his Manchester United debut. The Welshman has won 11 league titles and made more than 850 appearances since that day in 1991. Balls it took Ireland's Kevin O'Brien to score his century against England – the fastest hundred in cricket World Cup history.
If you were a captain on Question of Sport who would you pick to join you? Sir Steve Redgrave and Martin Johnson - both are determined and driven.
Greg Freeman Who is your sporting hero? Keiron Cunningham who played his whole career for St. Helens and performed with absolute commitment every time he put on the shirt. His example of leadership and pride were very important to me. Which University of Birmingham team do you represent?
Jamie Vickery Who is your sporting hero? It would have to be Michael Johnson; the fact that he broke the 200m and 400m world records by large margins so many years ago still astounds me. Which University of Birmingham teams do you represent? I represent the athletics and cross country teams and I am a two time BUCS finalist and I won a bronze medal at the 2010 BUCS Championships with the Birmingham 4x200m team. If you were a captain on Ques-
The Week In Quotes
Ellen MacArthur was my favourite sporting hero growing up. I admired her ability to take risks and her strength when facing adversity. Which University of Birmingham team do you represent? I am currently club captain of women's rugby. This year we are undefeated and looking to win the Trophy Cup and gain promotion into the Premiership. If you were a captain on Question of Sport who would you pick to join you? I would pick Dara O'Briain and Lawrence Dallaglio. Between them they have the sporting knowledge and hilarity to make for victory as well as hilarious viewing.
Tim Mason Who is your sporting hero? Martin Johnson. He led by example for Leicester Tigers and for England and he showed with the right attitude anything is possible. Which University of Birmingham team do you represent? I represent the Birmingham rowing team. Having had no experience before university they took me in and now four years later I am part of the senior men's squad. What ambitions do you have after university? I want to work in sport and sports development. I would like to make things happen for others and giving them the opportunity to achieve their full potential.
The Redbrick Sport Quiz
'If you leprechauns can't get over the line now, I don't know... My mum could win it from here; you've done the hard work.'
1) Who is the world record-holder for the women's 100m and 200m?
Geoffrey Boycott with Ireland requiring 7 to win from 9 balls. They didn't let him down...
2) Legendary footballer Alfredo di Stefano played international football for which three countries?
'We don't really care about anyone else. If we keep winning all our games, we'll be in with a shout.' Chelsea's midfield maestro Frank Lampard is focussing on his club and his club only
3) When was the last time England won the RBS Six Nations?
'Sport is in danger...It is a big problem in the entire world. There is no safe haven..'
4) Who was the last English golfer to win a major, and in what year?
Jacques Rogge, President of the IOC isn't taking the threat of illegal betting lightly
'Class is permanent. Form is fickle. I would be wise enough to know not to write him off.' Lee Westwood isn't writing off golf legend Tiger Woods just yet
5) In tennis, which nation is currently the Davis Cup champions after winning the trophy in 2010? 1,Florence Griffith-Joyner 2, Argentina, Colombia, Spain 3, 2003 4, Nick Faldo, 1996 5, Serbia
Amy Rowland
Who is your sporting hero?
24 Sport
Sport Thoughts
Redbrick
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall, Sam Price
Willo rocket keeps men's title bid on track
New Redbrick Sport editor Sam Price kicks off a new weekly column by contemplating the intricate relationship between sport and politics. Sport. That divine thing; the one entity which competitors and viewers alike can participate in physically and emotionally while bigger issues, such as world politics, take a backseat. In theory, sport and politics should remain separate, but in practice the two are inextricably linked and can have a major influence on each other.
The Birmingham boys battle hard as goal scorer Williams launches a throw down the line Men's Football
Take the recent example of Bahrain. This was supposed to be the scene of the opening Grand Prix of the Formula One season, an occasion that would arouse excitement considering the thrilling finish to the previous campaign. However, the political turmoil and violent protests in the country make it an unsafe venue to stage the event. Nobody wins here, from the Bahrain track organisers, to the Formula One moguls and benefactors all the way to the television companies – but it is a decision which cannot be argued with. This is nothing new; a parallel can be seen in the cricket world where the politically volatile situation in Pakistan has made it too risky an environment to stage international cricket matches, which has been to the detriment of the Pakistan team. The last thing fans of sport want is for politics to affect how tournaments are conducted. But this has been rife all the way through sport, from Olympic Games boycotts due to Cold War tensions, to the recent decision to hold the 2022 World Cup in Qatar despite its colossal summer temperatures.
Nonetheless, sport and politics can be of simultaneous benefit to each other. The examples are widespread: Jesse Owens' medal haul in the 1936 Berlin Olympics generated black pride, while South African victory in the 1995 Rugby World Cup went some way to breaking down Apartheid prejudices and promoting national unity. Whether providing positive or negative ramifications, sport and politics will remain inseparable. The venues, the competition formats, the money involved - these decisions all have their roots in politics. But one hopes that no matter where the event is held, under what circumstances and in what temperature (stadium cooling technology anyone?), political concerns will never encroach on the raw emotion of competitive sport.
Birmingham 1sts
2
Northumbria 1sts
0
Dave Rudge Sport Reporter
Birmingham men's football first team put their quarter-final exit from the BUCS Championships last week firmly behind them with an efficient 2 – 0 victory over Northumbria. Before kick-off, Paul Lewin's boys sat one point behind leaders Stirling in first place with just two games left to play. So, victory at home to second from bottom Northumbria was a necessity. But the relegation-threatened North East outfit managed to force a 1-1 draw the last time these sides met back in January, and a home win here was by no means a foregone conclusion. The hosts began the game on the front foot, and after four minutes were almost rewarded with an early lead. Benoit Bruyat played a lofted through-ball to Nick Vasey down the right flank. A precise first touch by Vasey allowed him to
surge past his marker and go oneon-one with Northumbria 'keeper James Roberts. But the on-rushing stopper got down well to snuff out Vasey's shot. The home side continued to dictate the pace of the game. On 17 minutes, a poor clearance by Northumbria centre-back (and David Luiz look-alike) Soner Ozay fell to the vibrant Vasey on the edge of the area. He made space for the shot and rifled in a decent right-footed effort which Roberts palmed over the bar. Moments later, Birmingham captain Dave Bellis slid the ball through to Alan Haines inside the penalty area but his left-foot finish was weak. Then on 28 minutes, in their first meaningful attack of the game, the visitors almost took the lead when the unmarked Jake Richardson headed narrowly over from close range. Birmingham did not heed the warning signs and a minute later they should really have been behind. A long ball over the top caught the hosts' backline flat and Northumbria's Peter Walting broke clean through only to be denied by an incredible reflex save by Eric Hathway.
The momentum was starting to shift away from the home side. On 36 minutes Watling broke down the left and picked out his rangy strike-partner Nat Price. Holding off a strong challenge, Price rolled the ball into the path of Mark Bertram. But Hathway pulled off a fantastic finger-tip save to deny him, turning the ball against the woodwork. But the miss of the half came four minutes before the interval. The indefatigable Jamie Roberts picked out Bellis on the edge of the area. Bellis skinned two plays to bring him one-on-one with Roberts, but he unselfishly squared to centre forward Tony Boto, who, with an open goal in front of him, fluffed his lines. The opening stages of the second half were comparatively dull. Northumbria were growing in confidence and beginning to take control of the game. On the hour mark, Bertram had Hathway rooted to the spot when he stuck a 20yard shot just inches wide of the post. The visitors missed another glorious chance to take the lead ten minutes later – Price failing to convert a one-on-one after being
Freddie Herzog fed by substitute Paul Bertram. But with 80 minutes on the clock, something quite incredible happened. Just as it looked like neither side was going to the win this game, up stepped Birmingham left-back Jamie 'Willo' Williams. Out of nothing, he sent a 35-yard piledriver flying through a crowd of players, the shot continuing to rise until it hit the back of the net, sending the home bench wild. Brum looked a different team after scoring. Bellis hit the post on 87 minutes and Boto, atoning for his earlier miss, tapped in a Rob Godfrey cross the seal the win. After the whistle, a delighted Bellis praised Williams for his 'wonder-strike', calling it 'a special goal'. He went on to say he expects a fiery encounter away to Loughborough next week, the winner of which could potentially lift the title.
1
Magic Number Both sides hit the woodwork once during the match
Tate's girls sail into semi finals in style
Captain Katie Quarterman demonstrates her athleticism as Brum overcome tough opposition Women's Squash
Birmingham 1sts
3
Manchester 1sts
1
Frankie Conway Sport Reporter
Birmingham's quartet of Jenny Tamblyn, Katie Quarterman, Georgia Jennings and Hannah Vaughan produced a very commanding performance to brush aside a spirited Manchester line up 3-1 in the quarter final of the BUCS champion-
ship. Birmingham are in the midst of a fine run of form that has seen them win their last six matches. Coach John Tate spoke very highly of his charges before the contest, saying: 'The season's been amazing so far. We won the league and are undefeated in the knockout. I can't ask for any more.' Birmingham's confidence was there for all to see in the early goings as the home side flew out of the blocks. In the opening match, Vaughan completed an 11-2, 11-7 11-4 victory, executing a barrage of hard drives which overwhelmed
Millie Guy
her challenger. Jennings continued the home side's winning sequence by outclassing her opponent, running out an 11-5, 11-7, 11-5 winner. Her lob serve was a key weapon for her, allowing her to establish a good early footing in the rallies. The result was put beyond all doubt when the hosts' captain Quarterman produced an emphatic display in dominating her opponent 11-1, 11-1, 11-1. Showing extreme focus throughout, Quarterman was able to control the centre of the court, dictating all the rallies with a range of deft drop
shots and high lobs. From a neutral's perspective, the highlight of the day came in the final game when the two number ones locked horns in what turned out to be an epic encounter. Having shared the first two games, Manchester's Nat Coombs was able to step up the pace of her shots to take a tight third game 11-9. The next game proved to be a classic all on its own. After storming into an 8-3 lead, it appeared the away player was going to get Manchester a hard earned consolation point. But Tamblyn scrapped for everything, saving three match points with fine winners. However, on her fourth match point, Coombs completed her win 11-6, 10-12, 11-9, 15-13. After the game, captain Quarterman heaped praise on her team's performance. 'Everyone played really well. We're looking forward to the semi-final and are ready for the sterner challenges to come.' Indeed Birmingham will face a tough task in the next round against a highly regarded Leeds Met team, who comfortably saw off Bristol 4-0 in their quarterfinal. But on today's evidence the Birmingham charge will take some holding, and can take confidence into their remaining fixtures.
Redbrick
Sport 25
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall, Sam Price
Hockey heartbreak in extra time thriller Men's Hockey (AET)
Birmingham 1sts
2
Durham 1sts
3
Rob Padden
Water Polo Correspondent
Brum will hope to replicate Wednesday's form in the semis Millie Guy
Last weekend saw the BUCS water polo semi finals for both the University of Birmingham men's and women's first teams. With three games each to play it was always going to be tough; however, with the event being hosted up the road in Walsall it was essentially a home fixture. The women had a lot to prove, having come second last year and winning the year before that and they did not disappoint. They got off to a flying start in a one-sided game against Leeds Met winning 24–1. With lots of counter attacking play the girls really showed what they were capable of and provided a lot of entertainment for the home crowd. The goal scorers were Lauren Keight with eight, Kate Teasdale with nine, Alex Hill with five, and Lucy Tucker with two. The remaining two games were much closer affairs with Bristol and Manchester being much more evenly matched. Both teams were much more physical around the pool and only edged Brum out by a couple of goals. Under increased pressure from the opposition, there were a couple of missed opportunities which in different circumstances would have gone the Midlanders' way. The final scores were 5-4 to Bristol 10-8 to Manchester, the close scores showing how hard the games were fought and leaving Birmingham a lot to be proud of. In the men's competition the weekend ended well for Birmingham after a 10-7 loss to Manchester in the first game. The current champions were always going to be tough but Birmingham showed that they were ready for the challenge by going up 3 – 1 in the first quarter. The second game on Saturday against Warwick was another good game for the Birmingham goal scorers, ending 15-7. The final game against Leeds on the Sunday was therefore a 'must win' in order to gain qualification for the finals. With the current Great Britain goalkeeper between the posts Warwick presented a formidable opposition. However, the Brum boys stepped up the mark yet again and continued their goal scoring ways, winning 8–3. The addition to the squad this year of Mike Thomas gave a great boost defensively and allowed for some really creative attacking play. Qualification for the BUCS finals is a great gift to the team's departing coach Vargin Yeke, whose work has turned Birmingham into one of the top water polo universities in the UK. The finals are also to be held in Walsall on the 19th and 20th of March.
overcame Mutch in their second game 11-2. This turned out to be a rare highlight for the visitors as Mutch fought back to win his last two games 11-7 and 12-10. Dixon secured a more comfortable win, beating opponent Rik Keating in straight games 11-511-511-5. A rather epic encounter between Brum's Dan Mcginn and Daniel Ward of Edinburgh saw the former complete a 5-0 victory for the hosts, but not before he was given a scare. With the match locked at one apiece, McGinn found an extra gear to edge past his oppo-
Water polo
John Wilmott Sport Reporter
The Birmingham men's first hockey team suffered the ultimate heartbreak on Wednesday as they went down 3-2 to a Durham side who scored the winner with the last play of extra time. The West Midlands side, who had held a 1-0 lead through an unstoppable shot from Peter Jackson going into the interval, felt they had the game sewn up when Charlie Hayward pushed in late to restore a 2-1 lead. However, Durham pegged the Birmingham boys back before going on to find the winner in extra time with the last action of the match. Having failed to beat the North East side in their previous two meetings earlier in the season, it was Birmingham who started the stronger, finding the breakthrough in the 13th minute. Having won their first short corner of the game, Craven stopped well, allowing Jackson to fire the ball top right, away from the despairing grasp of opposition keeper Williams. After the goal, a solid defensive performance from the likes of Tristan Wild kept the Northern Premier side at bay, allowing a deserved half time lead for Jackson's side. The second half continued in much the same vein until ten minutes in when Durham were able to capitalise from their second short corner of the match. The ball was pushed out and stopped by former England under-18 Czerniewski, allowing Dan Coultas to drag flick it high and to the right, leaving Graham Broome with little chance in the Brum goal. With the game finely balanced, Birmingham coach Stott urged his
Contrasting emotions after an epic extra time battle Rita Toth (left) Tom Flathers (right) players on, prompting some great game, but to his and the team's dis- found the composure to drill it into responses from his players includ- may it came back off the post, giv- the bottom left of the goal and give ing Cambodian born Mike Penny ing Durham a lifeline. It was one Durham the win with the last acand northerner Will Byas. After they took with both hands. With tion of the match. an equal exchange of yellow cards, less than thirty seconds remainAfter the game Dom Foster, a the game entered its latter stages. ing, they scrambled an equaliser regular for the winning side, comThen, with five minutes to spare, through the otherwise ineffective mented upon how he believed the Stott's team grabbed what they Merrett. BUCS finalists 'rode their luck' thought would be a deserved winWith extra time upon them, and how delighted they all were to ner. Messent burst down the left Birmingham picked themselves up gain such a big win in such a tight before cutting in and laying the to remain in the ascendancy, edg- match. Captain of the beaten semiball to Hayward, who pushed it be- ing a cagey few minutes to go into finalists Jackson believed that it yond Williams. the last ten looking the more likely 'was just one of those days, they With Durham in disarray, of the two teams to score. How- had three shots and scored three Richard Marshall flicked the ball ever, after a highly contentious goals.' It is certainly a hard result towards goal, looking to seal the short corner was awarded, Coultas for Brum's boys to stomach.
Shots on and off target
Ventures into opp. D
Short and long corners
Victory gives Brum Mutch to smile about Men's Squash
Birmingham 1sts
5
Edinburgh 1sts
0
Matthew Sharpe Sport Reporter
The Birmingham men's squash first team swept aside their Edinburgh counterparts 5-0 on Wednesday afternoon to progress into the semi finals of the knockouts. Both the semi finals and the final itself are being held in Birmingham this year, so they will be hoping to make home advantage count as they prepare for a tough last four match against either Leeds Met or Manchester. The victory marked Brum's second successive whitewash following their win at Durham last month and unfortunately signalled the end of the line for a spirited Edinburgh outfit. The first match saw Birmingham's Nick Hornby take on Nick Roberts, who was sporting the nickname 'Crouch' on his jersey due to his resemblance to the gangly Tottenham and England striker. There was little between the two players, but thankfully for the hosts it was Hornby who seized the initiative,
Mixed fortunes in water polo
executing several clever shots as he sealed the first game by 12 points to 10. The second and third games followed a similar pattern, Hornby continuing to have the slight edge, particularly during the longer rallies, over his opponent. He subsequently closed out the remaining two games 11-8 11-8, which opened up an overall 1-0 lead for the home side. Meanwhile on the third court, Brum captain Richard Shellam was taking on Edinburgh's Alex Iveson. The winning vibes sent out by Hornby seemed to have a positive influence on the rest of the team, and Shellam was consequently also able to seal victory against his opponent. This was not, however, without one or two slight difficulties as Iveson pushed all the way, the pair competing in several fabulous rallies as Shellam managed to squeeze past 15-13 in his second game. Nevertheless, he was able to win the third game 12-10 to put Birmingham into a strong position at 2-0 up. It was then the turn of Ali Mutch and Olly Dixon for Brum. In another closely fought match, Mutch wrapped up the first game 11-5, before Edinburgh managed to finally get themselves a deserved game, as Ian Tennant
nent 11-8 and 12-10 in the final two games. The quality of squash was there for all to appreciate though, and the two players were applauded off the court at the end. Afterwards, a tired McGinn expressed his delight at having secured progress to the semi finals. 'It was a good match to play in, I'm glad we're in the semis and I'd like to thank the players for their efforts' said the Brum man. It would appear then, that Birmingham are shaping up quite nicely to perhaps lift the trophy on home soil come the end of the season.
Rob Padden
26 Sport
Redbrick
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall, Sam Price
Big success in big event Men's Rugby Union
Birmingham 1sts
27
Worcester 1sts
10
Joel Lamy Sport Reporter
It was dubbed the 'Big Event' and it certainly lived up to the hype as Birmingham came from behind to run out 27-10 winners against Worcester and consolidate second place in the league. The home side came into the match after a third narrow loss against Nottingham Trent on Monday had ended all hopes of promotion to the Northern Premier Division A, whilst Worcester were battling against relegation themselves. Despite being at opposite ends of the table, it was the visitors who started the stronger. After one promising break had been ended by a knock on, a second resulted in a penalty in front of the posts which was duly converted by fly half Luke Milton. Birmingham, though, responded straight away with a penalty of their own straight from the restart. Worcester were penalised for not going for the ball as the home side tried a dummy, allowing kicker Ben Farr to level the scores. Stefan Cooksammy was making a lot of ground with ball in hand and one such run should have resulted in the opening try, but the hosts were penalised for a forward pass. The away side punished the mistake by scoring soon after. Loz Freeze dodged several Birmingham tackles as he broke through the middle and managed to dive the ball over the line. Milton scored the conversion to give the away side a 10-3 lead. However, Birmingham responded well. Strong vocal backing from the large crowd, led by Henry McVittie, made for a great atmo-
Sport Shorts BUCS Squash
sphere and gave a lift to the players. And the equalising try came as Tom Plumer, at the bottom of a large ruck, just managed to touch the ball down with the referee taking his time to award the score. The turnaround was completed as Farr, running on to an off-load from Pete Matthews, scored by the posts to give Birmingham a 17-10 half-time lead. It was a big blow for Worcester soclose to half time and in the second half they did not threaten as much, with some big challenges coming in from the Birmingham players stopping their attacks. Each one was greeted by a big roar from the lively crowd. The match became scrappy as both sides made unforced errors and it wasn't until late on that the hosts increased their lead. After an infringement by the Worcester scrum, which had been outmuscled all match, Farr scored again from the right to make the score 21-10. The final flourish was delivered by Cooksammy, running onto a off-load by substitute Huw Thomas to score a deserved try. Home coach Mike Umaga was proud of his team's players, because 'they did everything that was asked of them' and he paid tribute to their fitness as this was their third game in a week. With promotion out of reach, the aim now is to hold on to second place with only a few matches to go.
Last weekend saw the University of Birmingham's Munrow sport centre play host to the BUCS Individual Squash Championships. Some of the country's finest squash talents flocked to Birmingham to fight it out for the most prestigious crown in student squash. The men's A competition was fiercely contested and the standard of squash was at an all-time high. This was highlighted by the presence of UWE's Mohamed Elshorbagy, who currently occupies the senior world number nine position. A real highlight came when Birmingham's Ali Mutch took on the Egyptian powerhouse. The Brum athlete ran his world-class opponent extremely close, taking a well-deserved game off him before fading in the latter stages. Elshorbagy took the match 3-1 and didn't look back from there, going on to win the competition on Sunday. In the women's tournament, Vanessa Atkinson went into the competition as favourite and lived up to the hype to cruise through the rounds before defeating second seed Sarah-Jane Perry in the final.
Archery
Kick Success Birmingham 5/5 Worcester
2/2
Brum score a try (top) and get stuck in (bottom)
Tom Flathers
Glasgow sent packing by Barr's boys Men's Basketball
Birmingham 1sts
77
Glasgow 1sts
64
Ben Brown Sport Reporter
The University of Birmingham men's basketball team welcomed Glasgow to the Munrow for the playoffs, with the winner advancing through to the next round. It was to be a long journey home for the visitors as the hosts ran out 7764 winners in front of a sizeable crowd. Glasgow started strongly, immediately putting pressure on the Birmingham defence. However, the hosts were willing to soak up the pressure and attack on the counter, and indeed it was Birmingham who put the first points on the board courtesy of a freethrow from centre Andy Blakeway. It wasn't long until the home side had increased their lead, going up 5-0 before Glasgow could get a score of their own. The visitors responded well though, playing some quick-pass offence to go with their physical defence, for a while restricting Birmingham to 3-point attempts. However, with point guard
Birmingham proved to be the masters of the court Freddie Herzog Kaphel Ulett-Waul pulling the strings, it wasn't long until Birmingham started to break Glasgow down. Ulett-Waul attacked from deep, consistently linking up with Blakeway in the final third to pose the visitors' defence all kinds of problems. The pressure told, and Glasgow struggled to contain the tall centre, giving up free-throws with regularity. At the end of the
first quarter Birmingham led 2113. Going into the second quarter, Glasgow's offence started to come to life, with point guard Archer looking impressive. Bit by bit, Glasgow started to claw their way back into the game. Were it not for a succession of 3-pointers from small forward Jake Barr, the score at the half would have been much
closer. As it were, Birmingham maintained their lead going into half time, up 42-35. Much like the first half, Glasgow came out firing after the break, and the hosts responded in the like. The result was some frantic endto-end basketball, with both teams playing with speed and quality. Barr was the standout player for Birmingham as they just about managed to keep the visitors at arms length. However, perhaps because of the pace at the start of the half, both offences started to get sloppy and made a series of unforced errors. It seemed whichever team could break out of its slump first would have the momentum going into the fourth quarter. It was Ulett-Watul who provided the spark for the hosts, a magnificent 3-pointer putting Birmingham 15 points up with just seven minutes to play. Now it was just a question of whether Birmingham could survive the final Glasgow pressure, with visiting shooting guard Kieliauskas making a series of impressive baskets. Birmingham worked hard on defence to ensure there would be no easy points for the visitors. In the end, Brum survived the onslaught, defeating their Scottish rivals to advance into the next round of the playoffs.
Birmingham's archers had mixed fortunes as they competed in the British University Team Championships in Edinburgh last Friday. Brum's two teams both performed well with Birmingham A finishing a valiant runner-up and the B team making it through the first round. Birmingham A, made up of Jeff Puckering, Jack Bryant and Steven Johnson, suffered a bad start in qualification and actually qualified in 21st place, behind the B team who progressed in 18th position. However, they pulled together in the knockout rounds to defeat Imperial, Loughborough and two Edinburgh teams before suffering defeat to Nottingham A in the final.
Top Results The pick of this week's other results for the University's teams... Men's badminton won 7-1 away to Oxford. Women's badminton won 6-2 away to Southampton. Women's football won 4-0 away to Worcester. Golf beat Edinburgh 6-0 at home. Women's rugby union won 59-15 away to Notts Trent.
Redbrick
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall, Sam Price
This week in... 2004 Pele named his top 125 players to mark a FIFA anniversary, causing controversy when he left out a number of high profile Brazilians. 2010 Eoin Morgan produced a vital century in an ODI to spare England's blushes against Bangladesh. This also secured a series victory for England after they had experienced some unexpected difficulties. Unfortunately, he wasn't there to help England this week.
Couldn't make it up A Panamanian player in the Columbian championship has been vilified after kicking an injured owl which was on the pitch during a match last weekend. Video footage shows the bird struggling on the turf before the player decides to kick it with quite sickening brutality. British Sprint canoeists were banned from helping the rescue operation in Queensland Australia, as they had the wrong clothing. The dangerous conditions dictate insurance premiums and with the canoeists arriving with only singlets, shorts and flip-flops, were reluctantly turned away.
Picture of the week
Sport 27
4th March 2011 www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
On the Redbrick website this week... www.redbrickpaper.co.uk A new era for Birmingham City? Joel Lamy looks into the implications of City's recent Carling Cup victory and how Alex McLeish masterminded the success over Arsenal.
Out with the old and in with the new
Big sporting figures becoming old news
As the likes of Ronaldo and Edwin Van Der Sar are calling it a day, a new generation is emerging. Josh Reynolds and Scott Steinberg discuss what this means for football.
With the likes of Roger Federer, and Tiger Woods seemingly fading fast, Frankie Conway comments on how the big names in sport aren't so dominant any more.
Redbrick Sport Recommends... www.popeandswift.co.uk For often insightful, sometimes controversial and always entertaining views on all aspects of sport, check out Pope and Swift, written by former Redbrick Sport editors Tom Clarke and Ben Whitelaw. The Guardian Gallery One of the most entertaining sporting features on the web, the Guardian's weekly football gallery sees readers creating and editing comedic images of the players, managers and club owners who are in the news.
Controversial ...
Classic Goal...
After Laurent Koscielny and Wojciech Szczesny made fools of themselves to hand Birmingham City the Carling Cup last weekend, Blues' midfielder Barry Ferguson slapped the French defender across the head. Unsporting? Or did the embarrassed centre-back deserve it? Youtube search: Van Nistelrooy Man United Basel Ruud Van Nistelrooy has scored many goals in his career, but few as good as this for Manchester United back in 2002. A show of strength and skill is enough to beat the Basle defence before he finishes expertly from the tightest of angles.
Heroes... Kevin O'Brien
The Irish cricketer produced one of the World Cup's greatest ever innings, scoring a magnificent century off just 50 balls, breaking many of the competition's records in the process.
Alex McLeish
Birmingham City's Scottish manager led the club to their first trophy in near half a century, following on from a record Premier League finish last year with a Carling Cup victory.
and Villains... Wayne Rooney
The Manchester United and England forward escaped punishment despite an atrocious elbow on Wigan's James McCarthy. Video footage clearly shows Rooney to be in the wrong yet still no suspension was forthcoming.
Ashley Cole
The Chelsea defender was in the news for all the wrong reasons yet again, this time for allegedly shooting a student, who was on work experience at the club, with a rifle.
Redbrick Crossword: We would like to congratulate Molly Wright, a first year History student, who won last week's crossword. We will email you to collect your prize. There is no crossword this week but look out for the one in next week's issue.
Did you know?
There is a scale for measuring how spicy a food is. It is called the Scoville Heat Index. The spiciest pepper has over 1,000,000 Scoville units. Both Madonna and Celine Dion are cousins of Prince Charles' wife, Camilla. In all of Shakespeare's works, only one word starts with an 'X' – Xanthippe, Socrates' wife. He uses her name in The Taming of the Shrew.
On this day
'Segesta' by Vicky Hodgkinson This well preserved Doric Temple can be found on a hill just outside the site of the ancient city of Segesta, in Sicily. It was built sometime in the late 5th Century BC and there is evidence to suggest that the temple was not finished; the columns have not been fluted and there are still tabs present in the blocks of the base (used for lifting the blocks into place but then normally removed). It also lacks a cella and was never roofed over. The temple is also unusual for being a Hellenic temple in a city not mainly populated by Greeks. Send your pictures of the week to pow@redbrickonline.co.uk
1493 – Explorer Christopher Columbus arrives back in Lisbon, Portugal, aboard his ship Niña from his voyage to what is now The Bahamas and other islands in the Caribbean. 1877 – Tchaikovsky's ballet Swan Lake receives its première performance at the Bolshoi Theatre in Moscow. 2001 – A massive car bomb explodes in front of the BBC Television Centre in London, seriously injuring one person. The attack was attributed to the Real IRA.
28 Sport
Sport
Redbrick
4th March 2011 www.redbrickonline.co.uk
Editors – James Phillips, Simon Hall, Sam Price
Meet the VPS candidates Redbrick Sport gets to know the seven students bidding to replace Julz as Vice President for Sport, p23
Bath drowned as girls remain on course to retain crown Ventures into opposition D
Women's Hockey
Birmingham 1sts
6
Bath 1sts
2
Rory Millar Sport Reporter
Birmingham women's hockey team progressed through to the final of the BUCS knockout cup where they will meet bitter rivals Loughborough to defend their crown, after outplaying and defeating the University of Bath 6-2 in Wednesday's semi-final at Beeston hockey club in Nottingham. Bath looked most likely to open the scoring in the early stages with the impressive Jenny Mashford, who made several good saves throughout, making a great double save from Lucy McNaught and Lucy Moir. Kirsty Dawson also did well to clear the ball off the line following a Zoe Shipperley shot from one of the four short corners the side had in the opening 10 minutes. Birmingham weathered this storm and mid-way through the half won a short corner that was well worked, with Sarah Page and Sophie Bray linking up brilliantly before finding Emily Atkinson at the back post who applied the finish to open the scoring. This lead was quickly doubled with Anna Griffiths stroking the ball into an empty net, after the ball had been squared to her from Page who had waltzed through the Bath defence with ease.
Shots on and off target
Short corners, long corners
Hockey photo gallery available at www.redbrickpaper.co.uk
Rita Toth
The West Midlanders had a chance a few minutes later to go three goals up, with Bray turning her marker Hannah Tsui before striking just past the far post. The third goal did come soon after though, with Alice Sharp applying the finishing touch to a move she had started. Sharp easily dispossessed Bath midfielder Jo
Slade on the half way line, driving forward before offloading to Elin Thomas on the left who in turn squared it back to Sharp who made no mistake from close range. Bath came out strongly after the break, and found a way back into the game with Dani Black showing great composure by flicking the ball over the oncoming
keeper and into the top left of the net. Any hopes of a comeback were short-lived, however, as Page grabbed a goal to restore the three goal deficit soon after, finishing well into the bottom left corner after Sharp's close range shot had rebounded to her following a good save from Harriett Stretton.
This transformed the rest of the first period the game into a much more even contest, with shots peppering each team's goal but both goalkeepers appeared to be in top form. The second period seemed to be going the way of the first but the hosts finally managed to beat the away side's keeper Andy McRitchie. This came after great work around the back of the net from Ben Delebeo, who saw his shot hit the post, only for it to rebound to Pete Cail, who smashed it into an open net. The score line remained unchanged through to the end of the second period. Stirling then came out after the break looking like they meant business and immediately stepped their game up a gear. Their equaliser came when Kenny Dunn accelerated passed a defender and hit a screamer from 15 yards out into the goal, leaving keeper Dan Charles no chance. This motivated the travelling side into action, forcing Charles into a string of superb saves to keep Brum in the game. The hosts knew they had to come back into the game and did so through Charlie Hassan. Like
Thomas before, he took on three defenders before switching to take a left-handed shot which flew
past McRitchie's shoulder. Brum pressed on and found their fourth through Delebeo, who beat the
Bath then had a period of sustained pressure with Sarah Haycroft clearing off the line from a short corner after the keeper had been beaten, while Mashford made yet another fine save to deny Pip Mitchell after being set-up well by Bath skipper Emma Batten. With 20 minutes to play, Abby Webb put the game well and truly out of Bath's reach, smashing home into the empty net after Griffiths had done well to slip the ball past the keeper who had perhaps wrongly opted to rush out. The Somerset side did manage to salvage another goal with a few minutes left on the clock, giving the travelling contingent who had made the long journey north something to cheer about, with Jess Rickman capitalising on the loose ball after the Birmingham defence had tried to pass their way out of a congested area. There was still enough time for Birmingham to go up the other end and score a sixth, with four-goal hero from the previous round Sophie Bray making no mistake from close range to make it 6-2. Brum coach Phil Gooderham, said: 'I'm delighted with the girl's performance. They played very well, created lots of chances and thoroughly deserved progressing through to their third consecutive final.' Sarah Page, the skipper, reiterated Gooderham's words saying: 'everyone played really well and all the hard work has definitely paid off as we are really excited about reaching yet another final.'
Lacrosse lads reach semi-finals at Stirling's expense Men's Lacrosse
Birmingham 1sts
5
Stirling 1sts
3
Phil Shepka Sport Reporter
In a game described by team captain Jonathon MacDonald-Taylor as 'a battle of the goalkeepers', Birmingham's men's lacrosse first team made it through to the semifinals of the BUCS knockout cup after beating a strong Stirling outfit 5-3. During the first five minutes of the game, the home side struck the first blow. Will Thompson took advantage of some sloppy play from the Scots and was given time to pick out Pete Bidewell who shot low into the net. The hosts definitely seemed to have the early advantage but were unable to find their way past the resilient Stirling defence again. The game turned with a moment of individual brilliance from the away side's Gareth Thomas, who took it around three Brum defenders and then slotted home.
keeper at his near post. Throughout the game, however, they found themselves frustrated by the great defensive show by Stirling and would have scored more had it not been for their efforts. Early in the final period, the home side sealed their victory with more impressive play from Delebeo who found Hassan to score his second of the day with a long-range effort. Late on, Dave Carr scored a consolation goal for Stirling but it wasn't enough to make a mark on the result. MacDonald-Taylor said that the basis of this win was the 'solid defensive display produced' and believed that his team were saved by their keeper Charles after numerous stops to keep Stirling at bay. The semi-finals now await as Brum look to continue their push for the coveted BUCS trophy. Shots on target/Total shots
Brum fought off a strong challenge from Stirling Dmitry Trushchenkov
Birmingham
22/31
Stirling
20/25
INSIDE Election Special & Interviews >> 6 | Brum Dine with Me >> 13 | Men's suits report >> 15 | Oscar Winners >> 16 | Sport Matrix >> 27