EST. 1936
Redbrick Friday 27th January 2012 | Volume 76 | Issue 1404 | redbrickpaper.co.uk
Art after Auschwitch
Alice Young, Pieter Colpaert and Alexander Blanchard explore the art and literature of the Holocaust, Arts, p.20
Birmingham student challenges University injunction in court The University of Birmingham are facing lawyers which hope to overturn the high court injunction that prevents students from staging occupationstyle protests. On the blog 'brightgreenscotland.org' a first year student has confirmed that he signed up to legal aid in order to, with the help of Public Interest lawyers, challenge the injunction with the ultimate aim of having it removed entirely. Read the full article in News, page 5
Inside The Secret Life of Young British Asians The University's Aston Webb building
Michael Drury
Areeq Chowdhury, Comment, Page 6
Business course fails to return half of first term's coursework on time Zak Bentley Reporter
The University of Birmingham’s Business School has failed to meet their own requirements on several occasions concerning deadlines for marking assignments. Business management had late feedback for 7 of 14 pieces of work. It is a problem that started last year with the Centre for Urban and Regional Studies releasing marks on 4th March 2011 when they should have been released on 18th January 2011. This department has since been merged with the Business School.
Students were informed at the beginning of this year by the school that it was unacceptable that work was marked late and that they should let them know if it were to happen again as they were working hard to fix the problems that were experienced. However, the issues have continued and many students have received seven out of their last eight assignments late with two of those assignments now more than a month overdue. The University of Birmingham has a cross-department rule that all assignments must be returned to students within four weeks. Rob Sassoon, who is Chair of the Student Representative Council for the school, says this is indicative of a serious problem. Sassoon said, ‘given our degree teaches us about management and communication, it is somewhat ironic the school does not practice what it preaches.’ Students have commented that there is a lack of acknowl-
edgement or apology from staff that return assignments late. They have added that it is particularly frustrating as they are penalised if work is handed in just five min-
‘We strongly refute any suggestion that this reflects mismanagement, rather it reflects the shortcomings of some individuals alongside the misunderstandings of some new members of staff new to the system.' utes late and yet there seems to be no accountability for members of staff. Sassoon was set to meet Professor Edward Peck on Wednesday who is Pro-Vice Chancellor and Head of the College of Social Sciences to discuss these issues, which Sassoon says ‘the students are taking very serious-
ly.’
One Business student who wishes to remain anonymous said: ‘this disparity between expectation and reality will be reflected on student surveys, leading to the University falling even further down the league tables.’ Professor of Marketing, Isabelle Szmigin said: ‘The University has a requirement that all course work marks should be returned within a four week period. Lecturers should make clear to students when the course work is to be returned. This year we had a few incidences where this did not happen. We are taking this very seriously and the lecturers concerned will be talking to the Head of School regarding the circumstances.’ She added ‘We strongly refute any suggestion that this reflects mismanagement, rather it reflects the shortcomings of some individuals alongside the misunderstandings of some new members of staff new to the system. In addi-
tion the school lost its key undergraduate administrator just before Christmas with no time to recruit someone to cover the busy new year period. This doubtless meant that some issues that would have been picked up by an experienced administrator were not. We are very sorry for the inconvenience that this has caused our students and we deeply regret and apologise for it. We are striving to do our best for our students and recognise when we fall short, however, we sincerely hope that they will see this within the broader picture of their positive experiences at Birmingham.’
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Redbrick Editorial Editor Glen Moutrie Deputy Editors Victoria Bull James Phillips Online Editor Chris Hutchinson Art Director Beth Richardson Photography Editors Freddie Herzog Millie Guy chiefphotographer@redbrickonline.co.uk Technical Director Jeremy Levett News Editors Anna Hughes Kerrina Gray Rhiannon DoyleMaw Online News Editor Freddie Herzog news@redbrickonline.co.uk C&F Editors Randy Callaghan Oscar French Online C&F Editor Owen Earwicker features@redbrickonline.co.uk Arts Editors Lexie Wilson Alexander Blanchard Online Arts Editor Anna Lumsden arts@redbrickonline.co.uk Music Editors Will Franklin Tamara Roper Online Music Editor Josh Holder music@redbrickonline.co.uk Television Editors Charlotte Lytton James Moore tv@redbrickonline.co.uk Film Editors Genevieve Taylor Isidore Sanders Online Film Editor Matthew Clemens film@redbrickonline.co.uk
Redbrick
27th January 2012
Food Editors James Morrison Jordan Warner Online Food Editor Rosie Sharratt food@redbrickonline.co.uk Life&Style Editors Sophie Cowling Lara Edwards lifestyle@redbrickonline.co.uk Travel Editors Emily Booth Louise Spratt travel@redbrickonline.co.uk Technology Editors Joshua Lindsey Ruth Bradley Online Tech Editor Dan Lesser technology@redbrickonline.co.uk Sport Editors Sam Price Raphael Sheridan Online Sport Editor Joel Lamy sport@redbrickonline.co.uk Crossword Editor John Rizkallah Senior Editorial Assistant Kate Selvaratnam Editorial Assistants Ellie Jarvis Isabel Mason Sarah Musgrove Elisha Owen Ravina Khela
The Middle East: for beginners. Part one Patrick McGhee Reporter
Egypt Egypt was a key focal point during the Arab Spring in 2011. While boasting economic development and stability, Hosni Mubarak's government had been politically oppressive, marginalising opposition parties, suppressing dissents with force and maintaining emergency law. Amidst popular demonstrations, Mr Mubarak stepped down as Egypt's president in February 2011 after three decades in office. However, protesters took to the streets again in November, disappointed with the slow progress made towards democratic reform by the interim military council that subsequently assumed power in the country. Despite this distrust towards the country's military leaders, democratic processes have begun. The results of Egypt's parliamentary elections were declared in January 2012, confirming electoral success for the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP), which was set up by the Muslim Brotherhood. The presiendtial election is due to be held before June 2012.
Online Editorial Assistants Rosie Pearce Josh Taylor Eimear Luddy
Libya
Syria
Colonel Gaddafi assumed the leadership in Libya after ousting the country's monarchy in 1969. Surrounding himself with loyal subordinates, Gaddafi remained in dictatorial control of the country for over forty years. In 2003, the regime agreed to cease its pursuit of weapons of mass destruction. The Gaddafi regime's violent response to protests in 2011, however, triggered condemnation from the United Nations, and led to the establishment of a no-fly zone over the country. After a military conflict between pro-Gaddafi loyalists and rebel groups backed by western air support, Gaddafi was eventually captured and killed in October 2011. The International Criminal Court (ICC) has since suggested that his killing could constitute a war crime. Gaddafi's son Saif al-Islam was captured alive in November 2011 in the south of Libya as he tried to cross the country's border into Niger. Since the fall of Gaddafi's regime, inspectors from the Organisation for the Prohibition of Chemical Weapons (OPCW) have verified the existence of previously undeclared chemical weapons in Libya.
Violent suppression of anti-government protests by President Bashar al-Assad's regime has taken place since demonstrations began in March 2011 in Syria. Those who oppose the government have a number of serious complaints, including the nearly 50-year long emergency law that has been imposed on the country and the incarceration of political detainees. Protesters also call for the implementation of democratic reforms and free and fair elections, as well as the resignation of President Assad himself. Mr Assad has refused to leave, and what little reform he has suggested has been viewed as unsatisfactory. Government forces have repeatedly put down marches and meetings and have opened fire at demonstrators. It is estimated that the authorities have so far killed over 5,000 civilians. In November 2011, the Arab League decided to suspend Syria and later imposed economic sanctions with the aim of encouraging the beginnings of a peace process. Towards the end of the year, observers from the Arab League were deployed in the country to monitor the situation. In January 2012, members of the Gulf Co-operation Council including the biggest member, Saudi Arabia, announced that they would pull their inspectors out of Syria.
Junior Art Directors Lauren Wheatley Sophie Rogers Akhil Kothari
Part two of the Middle East: Beginner's guide will appear in next w e e k ' s Redbrick
Proofreaders Amy Saul Lucy Haffenden Anna Lumsden Elizabeth Waind Sian Stanfield Community Manager Sophie MurrayMorris
Designed and typeset by Redbrick. Copyright (C) Redbrick 2012 Redbrick strives to uphold the NUJ Code of Conduct. The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the Editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication. To contact us: Redbrick Guild of Students Edgbaston Park Road Birmingham B15 2TU 0121 251 2462 editor@redbrickonline.co.uk redbrickpaper.co.uk Redbrick is printed through www.quotemeprint.com: 300667.
TECHNOLOGY
Apple profits more than doubled Pressure was taken off Apple CEO Tim Cook as the company's profits more than doubled in the last quarter of 2011 compared to last year. The number of sales increased for iPhones and iPads, with sales for iPods decreasing.
MEDIA
08451
Advertising: Contact Aimee Fitzpatrick in Guild Marketing on 0121 251 2524
ENTERTAINMENT
USA
Obama attacks economic inequality In a State of Union address Barack Obama has attacked economic inequality as he embarks on his bid for re-election in 2012. He called for an economy 'where everyone gets a fair shot, and everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same set of rules'
ECONOMY
UK GDP falls by 0.2 per cent Economic activity in the UK shrank by 0.2% in the last quarter of 2011, amid fears of a recession. It is the situation in Europe that is said to be at blame for this decline. However, there was an increase of 0.9% in the economy over 2011.
POLITICS
MANCHESTER
Call for reform in European Court
TV psychic found dead in cell
The Prime Minister has accused the European Court of Human Rights in Strasbourg for getting involved in “national decisions where it does not need to”. He is calling for reforms that will reduce the court's backlog of 152,800 cases.
Martin Smith, who appeared as a psychic on Living's Most Haunted was found hanged in his cell. He was convicted last year of 11 counts of rape, attempted rape and indecent assault and sentenced to 16 years of imprisonment.
MEDIA
ENVIRONMENT
Call for end of media sexism
Hugo and The Artist Assange to present lead Oscar race new TV show
Appeal upheld in halving solar payout
EAVES – End Violence against Women, Object and Equality Now called on Lord Justice Leveson's inquiry to back a ban on sexualised images of women in the media, in order to eliminate the objectification of women in the media.
With 11 nominations, it is Martin Scorsese's Hugo, closely followed by Michel Hazanavicius's The Artist, which reigns in the race for Oscar honours, to be handed out on the 26th of February. Gary Oldman is also nominated for best actor.
An appeal has been upheld to halve the tariff paid to households with solar panels from 43p per kilowatt-hour to 21p. It was ruled that changing the tariffs before the end of an official consultation period was 'legally flawed'.
Plans published on the WikiLeaks website on Monday announced a 10-part TV show in which the founder will interview 'key political players, thinkers and revolutionaries'. The show is due to launch in Russia in March.
News 3
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
News shorts compiled by Zahra Damji
SOMALIA
ARTS
Two foreign aid workers freed
Male ballet dancer quits
After a US military raid resulted in a shoot out, Jessica Buchanan and Poul Thisted were freed after three months of being held hostage. The two foreign workers were kidnapped by gunmen in north-central town of Galkayo last October.
The youngest-ever principal dancer at the Royal Ballet School has quit, shocking the ballet world. Sergei Polunin, 21, was described as 'one of the most gifted dancers of his generation' and was due to dance in The Dream next week.
EGYPT
LAW
Egypt celebrates year of uprising
Brown calls for fund for global education
Thousands have gathered in Cairo to mark one year since the start of the uprising that toppled President Hosni Mobarak. State of emergency laws, which have been in place for decades, were partially lifted to allow for the celebrations.
The former prime minister called for a global fund to raise the £13bn required to bring education to the world’s poorest children. His report comes as the deadline approaches for the global target for universal primary education by 2015.
Crime in Selly Oak poll Redbrick has reported several cases of crime in recent weeks, including a mugging last weekend and the discovery of cannabis in a skip. See online for more on this story. We asked students online at redbrickpaper.co.uk 'Do you think crime is a big problem in Selly Oak?'
ENTERTAINMENT
CELEBRITY
BIRMINGHAM
NATURE
Nomination for child murder film
Second child for Taylor-Wood
'Fake' Birmingham doctor denies fraud
English setter dog faces extinction
A film, telling the story of the murders of three boys in 1993, has gained an Oscar nomination and the criticism of the boys' parents. The parents of Michael Moore and Stevie Branch said the film 'glorified' the murderers.
Acclaimed film director Sam Taylor-Wood has given birth to her second child, Romy Hero Johnson. Taylor-Wood is married to Kick-Ass star Aaron Johnson, and the couple also have a 18-month-old daughter together.
A health worker said he did not pretend to be a qualified doctor, denying four counts of fraud and one of deception. 49-year-old Abdul Pirzana is charged relating to work he alledgedly carried out in practices throughout the city.
Several dog breeds native to the UK are in decline due to current fashions of exotic breeds. The English setter has been placed on the list of vulnerable breeds for the first time, while there's been a treble in registered Siberian huskies.
Spotlight on Societies: Potter Soc Who is your president? Emmie Bryant about?
What is the society all
A lot of our generation were Harry Potter fans at one point when growing up, so this society is for anyone who still retains a love of the franchise. Once you've joined up, you can be sorted and then start competing for house points, and hopefully win the house cup at the end of the year. How long have you been running? We were recognised in November, and we held our first event in week one of this semester. Your society's highlight? An amusing game of Aurors Vs. Death Eaters, in which we filled the Guild Council Chambers with Harry Potter fans pointing at each other shouting "Expelliarmus!", and then a great Sorting ceremony the following week when the mem-
bers of the society got put into their Hogwarts Houses. Your society in five words? Magical, fun, friendly, nerdy, different Three facts about your society? 1. The president started it with a tentative text message to the person who is now the secretary, and two months later we have over 60 registered members and over 160 facebook members. 2. One of our core values is complete involvement and integration, from the level of getting non-committee members as involved as possible in the day-to-day running
of the society. 3. Our primary aim is to defeat the Dark Lord. Why should we get involved? It's a fantastic way to meet new people. Whether you come alone or with a friend, once you get sorted into a house you'll quickly get to know the other people there (our heads of house will make sure of that) and you'll end up with a feeling of house pride.
HEALTH
Aretha Franklin cancels wedding 69-year-old Aretha Franklin, has called off her wedding to William Wilkerson weeks after announcing their engagement, saying that their relationship was moving too fast. The singer was admitted to hospital fwith an unknown illness last year.
Regulating the masses Chris Hutchinson Online Editor
The Leveson Inquiry is currently reviewing the culture, ethics and practices of the press, aiming to make recommendations on the future of press regulation. At the heart of the inquiry is a simple question - 'Who guards the guardians?'. Whilst its conclusions are by no means guaranteed, due to the evolving nature of ‘the press’, I would argue that press regulation is an impossible feat. Journalism is changing, with digitally driven reporting becoming the standard. This style of journalism is quick, engaging and not restricted by deadlines or publication cycles. In practice, this means that if a story breaks at 3am, it has the potential to be covered, reported and shared en masse with the world, by 3:30am. Maybe it’s just me, but I don’t see ‘press regulation’ squeezing its way into that equation. In a world of liveblogging and instant Twitter feeds, this begs the question - how is the blogosphere regulated? On an almost daily basis, I see flagrant violation of media law, from contempt of court, to privacy, to copyright. This new form of ‘citizen journalism’, where anyone has the ability to say whatever they wish, goes entirely unregulated. The ease of sharing news, blog posts and tweets across the web has transgressed traditional boundaries of space and time, and the entire process becomes much more fluid. This unpredictable system would be a logistical nightmare to regulate. This isn’t to say that citizen journalism is a bad thing - in the case of Ian Tomlinson’s death in 2009, a combination of professional, digital and citizen journalism resulted in the truth behind his death finally being revealed. At the same time, it is worth remembering the reasons behind media law in the UK. The importance of protecting copyrighted material, privacy and personal rights cannot be understated. The Guild of Students and its Sabbatical Officers actively use social media sites to share current news and events. Whilst Redbrick’s content is scrutinised by the Guild, there is no similar system in place to monitor the work done by Sabbatical Officers on Twitter and Facebook. This means that poor language, inappropriate content and damaging or offensive material can slip through the net. After calls for one MP to resign earlier this month following inappropriate comments made on Twitter, the Guild’s lack of consideration for the importance of social networks is cause for significant worry, and I can only hope that Sabbatical Officers begin to take responsibility for their online presence.
Redbrick Photography Competition! When? Friday 27th- Sunday 29th January
How can we get involved?
Where? www.redbrickpaper.co.uk/ photocompetition
Just turn up to any event! Or join our Facebook group (University of Birmingham PotterSoc) or follow us on twitter (@uobpottersoc).
What? Titles will be released today
4 News
Redbrick
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Education News in Brief It has been reported that students are struggling to cope with writing in examinations as they are so unused to writing. According to a blog on The Guardian students have been brought up on a 'diet of vowel-free touch typing' and that students' are becoming 'too feeble for handwritten assessments'.
Teachers have been warned over adding students as friends on the social networking site Facebook. Out of all teachers accused of misconduct last year one in ten had used Facebook as way of forming inappropriate relationships with students. Facebook transcripts are also being formed as evidence in court.
No firm future plans to make use of unsafe Chamberlain Hall Rhian Lubin Reporter
It has been revealed that Chamberlain Hall, located on the Vale, has been closed for the last six years due to it becoming in breach of a fire safety order. The building, which is predominantly out of use other than as a food production area in the basement, was closed due to 'The Regulatory Reform (Fire Safety) Order 2005'. Given the state of the building at the time, the University deemed that the process to make the building comply with the new regulation would have been too complex and expensive. In response to an enquiry by Redbrick about the future of
Chamberlain Hall it was said that the initial plan would have been to refurbish the building whilst simultaneously carrying out plans to comply with the fire regulation. This, according to the University, was the only way to make the process 'cost-effective', despite the building being 40 years old and requiring a lot of work. The University continued that there has been recent assessment into the future of the building, and that plans to refurbish would only be pursued if the building was given another 30 years life expectancy as it would be extremely expensive, and invited architects to 'produce outline concepts' of what might be achieved. As the building cannot be inhabited due to failing to comply
with fire safety regulation no rent is being lost. The University said that they will be making 'major investments' in improving 'on campus residences' in the next five years, including Chamberlain. They also added that since the closure of Chamberlain, work has been done on Mason Hall, hosting 840 new rooms. Redbrick asked students what they thought of Chamberlain Hall... 'It doesn't look like anyone's used it for years. Bit of an eyesore.' Chris Beech, first year Dentistry
It has been reported that by 2020 there will be a 20 per cent rise in the number of primary school children, putting pressure on schools. This comes as existing schools in some parts of the country, including London and Bristol, are struggling already to cope with the level of children wanting to attend.
19 cars vandalised on Dawlish Rhiannon Doyle-Maw News Editor
The police are investigating damage caused to 19 cars in and around the Dawlish Road area in Selly Oak. The incidents took place in the early hours of Friday morning and resulted in three arrests. Police officers arrested three men aged 20, 21 and 24 on Friday morning on suspicion of criminal damage. However, the 21-year-old man and the 24-year-old man were later released without charge. The 20-year-old man was bailed w i t h
'I wasn't sure if anyone lived there or not. I think they should knock it down, it's horrible!' Caroline Murphy, first year English and Philosophy 'I thought they were old council flats, not halls of residence...why is there a food production company in there?' Emma Kay, second year Psychology 'Its a bit freaky...sometimes I see a few lights on but it doesn't look like anyone should be in there!' Sophie Palmer, first year English
Chamberlain Hall
Freddie Herzog
Guild employs new 'Vote Match' system Freddie Herzog Online News Editor
The Guild of Students is due to employ a new tool to aid voting for the sabbatical and non-sabbatical officer positions. Vote Match, part of the campaign Unlock Democracy is a democratic tool to enable voters to select candidates based on policy preferences. Unlock Democracy sells itself as the UK's leading campaign for democracy, rights and freedom. In the UK General Election in 2010 it had over a million unique users' complete 1.2 million surveys. Birmingham has chosen to use Vote Match to increase turn out at elections, based on a 25 per cent increase of the turnout at the Leeds University Student Union elections in 2011. Hugo Sumner, Vice President for Democracy and Resources said: 'Vote Match is a brand new initiative for the Guild which will help to increase debate around candidate policy during the upcoming Officer Elections. In the past, students have commented on how gimmicks often take priority over policy, which is why it is
being introduced.' The core of the Vote Match system is based on a set of between twenty and thirty statements where voters indicate whether they agree or disagree. Users are then asked which subject areas interest them and then a final results screen shows them which candidates they most closely agree with. For the sabbatical officers this would mean seven separate quizzes as there are seven different positions available. Vote match is deliberately designed to be politically neutral and while it may change the mind of voters, it is not designed to preference one candidate over another. Sumner added: 'The e-voting system, as used in previous years, has not changed and will not be affected by Vote Match. Students will be able to access Vote Match through a number of different online mediums, such as the Guild website and Facebook.' Nominations for the Guild Officer Elections have already opened and end on Monday 6th February. For more information on Vote Match see redbrickpaper.co.uk
Dawlish Road
Freddie Herzog
strict conditions until later this month pending further enquiries. On the 21st of January Selly Oak Police tweeted 'We are not taking mindless vandalism lightly.' And urged anyone with any information to come forward. Crime in Selly Oak is an issue that affects a majority of students and the arrests made have shown an encouraging sign that it is being taken seriously. Bianca Baum, a second year Psychology student at the University of Birmingham, said 'Yeah it does worry me, but I like having my car at university and being able to drive home whenever more than I'm worried something will happen to my car. But I would obviously prefer if car vandalism was less frequent in Selly Oak!' This vandalism comes after Redbrick reported instances of crime happening at the weekend of the 14th of January, when police advised people to take care walking home after Fab 'n' Fresh at the Guild. See more at redbrickpaper.co.uk
Nopales burrito van on campus in robbery investigation Amani Hughes Reporter
Nopales, the burrito van located near the fruit market on campus, was broken into on Friday 13th of January. The whole till and bags of change were taken from the van, which is protected by a padlock. The owner of Nopales, Tim Stillwell, told Redbrick that a 'substantial chunk was taken from the property. You think that a university campus would be a safe place but then you realise it is not.' He returned to the van on Monday morning to find the door of the van wide open and the whole of the till and float taken. Stillwell reported the incident to the local police and University security on Monday morning; the police are waiting to see what the CCTV footage will reveal. There was a tip off on the weekend about a group of teenagers who were hanging around campus on Sunday evening, however no suspects have been named yet by the police. Despite the area being covered by CCTV cameras the criminals managed to escape
carrying the till through campus. Stillwell said, 'Nopales is a new business which was already struggling this is just another hit to take as well but we have got to get up and running again; it is all part of the learning curve.' Last year the van was operating under test training, but this term became a full time business
The Nopales burrito van
employing eight students from the University. Stillwell said that no money will be kept on the premises from now on and it will all be cashed up in the bank. Nopales was originally set up by Stillwell after he graduated in 2011. He has plans to open a city centre restaurant next year.
Michael Drury
Redbrick
News 5
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
According to the grant letter from the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to the Higher Education Funding Council for England, published today, says that maximum student places at universities will be cut by 5,000 in 2012-2013.
There has been a 4% increase in the number of female professors in the last year, however there are still many less female than male professors. Female professors now make up just under 20 percent of all professors in the UK.
The government has launched a new service to help universities across the UK expand internationally. Foreign Secretary William Hague launched The HE Global Integrated Advisory Service (HE Global) which aims to make universities more competitive on a global market.
Societies lose permanent rooms in redevelopment Jo Thomas Reporter
Several societies have lost room space after a 'room review' conducted by the Guild of Students. Following plans to welcome a Costa coffee shop in the common room, the Guild is to undergo a change in room layout. Currently the Guild has a large number of rooms, some of which are allocated exclusively to certain societies with particular needs and many which are available to be hired out by all. With the decision to re-create the common room into a coffee lounge and install a new hub of 20 computers, a motion passed by the Guild last year, there was instant debate over where those societies who previously used the large space regularly would meet. These included dance societies, who have around 300 members. In a conversation with Fliss Cross, Vice President (Activities and Development) Redbrick were informed that all groups using rooms in the Guild were contacted with questionnaires about their needs. Some who needed specific
rooms (e.g. Artsoc) willingly offered their room, when not in use by them, to be put forward as an additional space for larger groups to meet or rehearse. Cross also said that every society would like their own room in the Guild, but even before the reshuffle, there simply wasn't space to accommodate a burgeoning number of societies, now numbering over 190. According to Cross, there were many aspects to consider when anticipating the change to the common room, resulting in a widespread reshuffle and amendments made to the 'exclusive use' previously granted to two of the four liberation groups. Both the Women's Association and LGBTQ (Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender and Queer) groups have lost the exclusive use of their previous rooms, meaning that now all four liberation groups don't have their own 'safe space', but instead are equally granted priority over all other groups when they wish to book a room. Following consultation with student groups, plans are also underway to convert a large space in
the basement to ensure a space with the same specification as the common room is still available. Currently separated into two smaller rooms and used mainly for drama rehearsals, it will soon become a large contemporary dance studio with a wooden floor, mirrored wall and sophisticated sound system. The dance society, BUDS, will be one of the most directly affected by the restructure as they book the common room for four hours every night during the week to accommodate dance classes. However, the common room space will not be made unavailable until the new dance studio is complete. Lucy Morley, BUDs co-chair, said, 'The basement redevelopment is a great idea and will make more effective use of space to be shared between the dance societies. However, it is a shame the common room is not going to be available, as if we are prevented from using the studio at any time we could be forced to use lecture rooms on campus which means moving furniture and dancing on carpet which is less than ideal for us'.
The Guild of Students
Jo Thomas
Student to sue the University in order to turn over high court injunction preventing students from protesting Rhiannon Doyle-Maw News Editor
The University of Birmingham are facing lawyers which hope to overturn the high court injunction that prevents students from staging occupation-style protests. On the blog 'brightgreenscotlandorg' a first year student has confirmed that he signed up to legal aid in order to, with the help of Public Interest lawyers, challenge the injunction with the ultimate aim of having it removed entirely. Following the occupation of the North Gate House, University of Birmingham obtained an injunction that prevents those students involved from staging occupations on its grounds for a year. A breach of this injunction could result in a student being fined, or even imprisoned. Public Interest Lawyers, who represent University of Birmingham students, have composed a letter to Professor David Eastwood, the University's Vice Chancellor, to demand the injunction be immediately abandoned. The terms of the injunction state that, 'The defendants shall not, without the prior written consent of the claimant, [Birmingham University] enter or remain upon land comprising the claimant's campus and buildings at the University of Birmingham‌for the purpose of any occupational protest action.' However, Tessa Gregory, a solicitor at the firm, quoted in The
Guardian, has said of the injunction that is has 'criminalised legitimate protest' and was 'completely at odds with the University's duty to respect and protect students' right to freedom of expression and association'. Some have voiced the concern that the order, granted by Judge David Grant on 25th November 2011, is broad enough to have the potential to set precedent that could criminalise any forms of protest that stay in one place for an extended period of time. Sheffield University dropped its high court order banning all forms of protest on campus after its students' union contested the claim. They have since submitted a possession order. The University of Birmingham have upheld their injuction on occupations. On the website 'brightgreenscotland.org' the student discusses
Campus protest last year
the motive for this move, claiming that from starting the university 'one thing has really shocked me and that is the draconian measures taken by the University of Birmingham'. 'This injunction is an attack on the rights of students to protest on campus, not only because a major part of university life is to express ourselves and to freely speak our minds, but more fundamentally by breaching human rights, a matter which was brought to the attention of the university, soon after the injunction was put in place, by Amnesty International and Liberty.' A spokeswoman for University of Birmingham told The Guardian that the injunction was a last resort and peaceful protests had continued to take place on campus since. They also stated that it had been put in place as recent occupations had posed safety risks to those that
Freddie Herzog
Students at the North Gate occupation the university has an obligation to protect. In a statement the university have said, 'The injunction only affects those students who were involved in the occupation last November. It does not prohibit them from peaceful protest, just from illegally occupying other buildings on campus, without prior consent of the University, for a period of 12 months. 'The University respects the rights of individuals to protest peacefully within the law...However the University also has an obligation to protect the safety and well-being of our students, staff and the wider community and recent student occupations have all included significant safety issues.' The University has said that they are working with the Guild of Students to 'develop a protocol
Freddie Herzog
that will highlight our joint commitment to recognise and preserve the right of peaceful protest and freedom of speech within the University's Freedom of Speech Code of Practice.' However, on 'brightgreenscotland.org', it has been stated that the student feels the injunction is representative of the University 'squashing student actions' and that if it goes unchallenged it appears to be justified. The University have stated that, in light of the injunction, they are aiming to work on how the expression of students can be articulated in a way that respects the law and health and safety of protesters, the public and staff, and other students. Despite this, the University of Birmingham's 250-acre campus will remain under the legislation.
6 redbrickpaper.co.uk
27th January 2012
Comment & Features Editorial Oscar French
Comment and Features Editor
May you live in interesting times
Avid comment aficionados were horrified to discover a timeline of Edd Bauer's life in the place of last issue's editorial. The Redbrick office was soon a river of tears, people are still mopping up around me as I write this. So, it's 2012. The year we've all been waiting for. Humanity has a climatic twelve months ahead, in case you hadn't heard. London is hosting the Olympics, and there's that forthcoming Mayan apocalypse. The cynic in me can't help but think that the two events are connected. Aside from the planned and the prophesised, predicting the future is a somewhat futile endeavour. With that in mind, I'm going to try to do so in my first editorial. With Western economies skating on thin ice, and the Eurozone in disarray, 2012 will be remembered as the year we finally realised that our economic situation is more than a mere recession. At the risk of sounding alarmist, America and Europe are now in terminal decline, and faith in a five year recovery is something we must abandon. The evidence is conclusive, whilst our construction industry stagnates; the Chinese are capable of building an earthquake proof, skyscraper in just fifteen days. By 2025, they will likely spend more on defence than the USA. The BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India, China) countries are gathering pace, and will soon emerge as the new world powers.
'We won't be scavenging in the gutter for mouldy rats to eat, or killing each other with sticks, we'll just be poorer' There, I've upset you now, but being born in the dying days of a capitalist empire is not as bad as one might initially presume. We won't be scavenging in the gutter for mouldy rats to gnaw, or killing each other with sticks, we'll just be poorer, and things that today are taken for granted will soon seem a reckless indulgence. If the prospect of a life without lattes and extra virgin olive oil seems insurmountable, then perhaps you need to revise your expectations. To everybody else, think of this as an opportunity. It may be ironic that the proverb 'may you live in interesting times' is Chinese but it is no less pertinent. More importantly, it will provide Redbrick with an abundance of Comment articles over the coming semester.
Redbrick
Areeq Chowdhury explores the difficulties encountered by some students with strict parents as they balance their culture and heritage with modern life... The secret double lives of young, British Asians. Sounds like a Channel Four documentary, right? Or possibly one showing on BBC Three. But no, this is just a simple way of labelling a very serious issue in today's society. It affects millions of young people across the world. Unfortunately, although not unsurprisingly, it is not often talked about and it's a topic that is usually swept under the carpet, hidden. For a young British Asian living in today's society; having a relationship, going out with friends, or enjoying a drink is sometimes a complex matter filled with anxiety, guilt, fear, and secrecy. It's a sad affair, but I wouldn't deem it an overstatement to say that this could well grow into a notable Western human rights issue over the next few decades. Birmingham is a beacon of diversity and mixed cultures in Britain. Walking through our university campus, you can see mixed race couples holding hands, kissing, and laughing together. A Friday night at Gatecrasher, or a Thursday night in Risa, you will see hoards of young British Asians drinking, dancing, having a good time. By no means is this just the British Asian youth though, it could be anyone, from any race, any culture, any background. The difference here is the attitude of some British Asian parents. In Asian culture, respect for elders and obeying your parents can take precedence above all. If you agree with the views of your parents and wish to obey them, then, of course, that is fine and this issue will not be so relevant. On the other hand, if your views on life fall out of line of those with your parents and you happen to fall in love outside of your culture of origin, or desire to go clubbing with your friends, or socialise with alcoholic drinks, then everything is completely different. Westernisation around the world has given birth to a more learned youth, a youth that does not fear following their own thoughts and views on life. Books, music, and films all have themes of love, happiness, and hope, but for many young British Asians, these are often considered just as fiction. For example, Afshan Azad, the Muslim actress who played Padma Patil in the Harry Potter movies, was beaten and brandished a 'slag' by her father and brother when they had found out that she had a Hindu boyfriend. However, this isn't just the case for big movie stars. More locally, a young mixed race couple from Birmingham died when they fell into a canal during Diwali last year. The boy, Fayz Uddin, was from a Bangladeshi family, and his girlfriend, Sara Rylance, was from an English one. Out of fear, they had to keep their relationship a secret and Fayz's death was the first time that his parents found out about his relationship. It is this unfair fear of being disowned by, or causing anger to, their parents that I wish to raise awareness of. This fear doesn't just relate to relation-
A secret double life for young, British Asians?
Oliver Swain ships either. It can refer to young British Asians hiding their drinking habits, or their nights out in sweaty nightclubs. This isn't often talked about for a number of reasons. First of all, I would suggest that it is quite a recent issue spreading widely over the last couple of decades, and secondly, it is an issue where not much can be done to resolve it. It saddens me though, that we live in
a society where there are those that feel that to love is wrong, to enjoy different cultures is wrong, and that to live a happy, harmless life is wrong. Humanity isn't divided by colour, sexuality, religion, culture, or an imaginary line drawn on a map. There are good people, and there are bad people. That is the only division. Respect your parents, love them, but don't forget
to respect yourself and your own happiness. That's for everyone. Me included. The only way that this issue will be dealt with is if individuals are brave and stand up for what they believe in. Education, discussion and reasoning are imperative. That way, the generations of our children, or our children's children may not have to struggle in the same manner.
27th January 2012
Redbrick
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Comment & Features 7
'Assassination' is just another word for murder Sam Jones
'Despite what the media's right-wrong binary representations would suggest, this alone cannot be used to justify their murder'
Commentator
Iran's attempt to acquire nuclear weapons is currently one of the greatest issues in international relations and looks likely to become only more pressing as we delve into 2012. It's an issue that has the potential to radically unsettle the current order both in the Middle East and beyond. Looking further into the future, as a situation indicative of the growing availability of nuclear weapons to actors other than the traditional Western powers, the issue could have enormous repercussions for the entire planet. With this in mind, it would seem an almost impossible task to separate a related debate from a wider context, but it's needs to be done. In the past three years at least four high-level Iranian civilian nuclear scientists have been murdered. Their names were Masoud Alimohammadi, Majid Shahiari, Darioush Rezaeubejad and Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan. They were not just civilians, they were civilians of a nation that we are not supposed to be at war with and with which we are told negotiation is the key to resolving our differences (assuming you don't listen to the Republican presidential candidates). In two of the cases, the victims were murdered by motorcycle-riding assailants who attached magnetic bombs to their cars. In another, the victim was shot dead by gunmen and in another by a bomb
Car bomb wreck attached to a motorcycle. They were clearly murdered by Western intelligence agencies, most likely those of the United States and Israel. That a British operative did not pull the trigger or plant the bomb though should not in any way be interpreted as a sign of our blamelessness. If British intelligence has
not already been involved in these actions, it undoubtedly will be in the future. Besides, this brewing conflict is routinely framed as Iran versus 'The West', so as citizens of a Western nation we are responsible to at least some extent. The four victims were working for Iran's nuclear programme.
Whatever your opinion on the matter, even if you believe the programme to genuinely be for energy purposes, they were helping to develop Iran's nuclear capability. Despite what the media's dehumanisation and pervasive right-wrong binary representations would suggest though, this alone cannot be used to justify their murder. It's lazy thinking and it's awful. I ask you, what would your reaction be if a friend of yours was murdered by another country, one with which you were not at war, purely because of their civilian involvement with a programme to develop a new weapon. Suppose they were helping BAE Systems design a new bomber. Forget about what Iran may do with a nuclear weapon for a moment; Britain has its fair share of appalling acts in the history books. Would you consider it justified? Would you consider it morally excusable? I'm not telling you that it wasn't necessary for these scientists to be killed. I consider the murder of ci-
vilians to always be wrong, but I understand that there's space for a certain amount of Machiavellian logic if you hold a nuclear-armed Iran to be intolerable. However, I do urge you to recognise that whilst we reassure ourselves with tales of our moral superiority we are committing acts which, if reversed so that we were the victims, we would find abhorrent. I can't imagine many people would attribute blame for the Iraq war to the BAE Systems employee, yet we use this very logic to justify our actions, and even then only when we bother with a justification. If you think what Iran's doing is bad, that's fine, but is it bad enough to justify what we're doing?
Nuclear scientists killed since 2010 12 January 2010, Masoud Alimohammadi aged 50. 29 November 2010, Majid Shahriyari aged 40 had 'no known links to banned nuclear work.' 23 July 2011, Darioush Rezaeinejad aged 35. 11 January 2012, Mostafa Ahmadi Roshan aged 32.
Refusing to allow our children to fail will do them no favours Olivia Ovenden Commentator
It has never been unheard of to see parents desperately trying to motivate their children to achieve their best at the crucial stages in their lives, perhaps even pushing their own regrets and academic, sporting or musical disappointments onto their children. However parents vicariously living through their children and protecting them from every one of life's disappointments by prohibiting the natural course of inevitable failure are doing their children no favours. Considering our societies fixation with the celebration of success and achievement it seems hardly surprising that perceptions of failure and the relative merits of it have become a little skewed. The middle classes in particular seem to have created a war strategy for marching their children from classroom to office that looks fairly full proof. Starting with the expensive nursery schools, to tutors for 11+, overpriced London crammers for GCSE revision, professional friends to 'redraft' their personal statements and then of course you can re-sit any public exam you like if you have the money. Then there's the eight week long intensive internships with The Guardian with your God-mother or one in Fashion that this girl snagged with the embalmed body of Alexander McQueen. Beyond this if your offspring can't find a graduate job within the first few weeks of graduation then there's always a friend who might be able to place them 'somewhere' in their office. There seems to be
no shame in the nepotism game anymore, a point starkly proved at most social events that merge parents and children where a 40 something hedge fund manager is always standing in the corner announcing 'it's not what you know anymore, its who you know' and tapping his nose as if emulating the wisdom of a scientist completing nuclear fusion. I'm not going to for a second try to suggest that it compatible with the nature of parenting to encourage your children to fail or try and not to steer them on the right course. Yet, it seems a scary to
think we might be the generation raised without ever being humbled by falling on our faces, not fearing failure because it isn't really a reality. Archetypical success stories now come to us like a fairy-tale that we should expect in turn to be as easy for us, children embarking on the first stages of their careers would do well to be reminded that the likes of Einstein, Darwin, Bill Gates, Walt Disney (and we all know the one about J.K Rowling) all had to endure the humility of failure before enjoying their success.
Yes short-term helping your son with an economics essay or getting their A Level re-marked might not make a difference beyond enabling them but the mindset behind these constant safeguards is potentially damaging. The consequences of which may be devastating if, having never experienced failure growing up, being completely unable to cope with it as an adult. The fact success is so often linked to monetary solutions also doesn't offer much longevity, whilst your parents may be in an advantageous socio-economic po-
sition where they are able to curtail failure it is doing your children a huge disservice as there is nothing to say you will be able to do the same for your children. Our new obsession with refusing to accept any degree of failure is far too reactionary and perhaps children should be reminded of the words of a former Prime Minister who failed in school and faced years of political struggle, being defeated in every election for public office until he succeeded. Churchill remarked that 'success is not final, failure is not fatal.'
Middle class parenting atMiddle its veryclasses worst
8 Comment & Features
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Redbrick puts the spotlight on this year's upcoming Guild Officer & US elections.
The Importance of Credibility Alexander Ross Commentator
Nominations are now open for the Guild Officer Elections, signalling that a new campaigning season is round the corner. Undoubtedly students will be bombarded by the witty, catchy and clichéd candidate names along with the traditional fancy dress outfits, cardboard placards and a variety of sweets (Costco must make a fortune from the amount of lollipops they sell during this time). These apparently are the vital ingredients necessary for a successful election. I am sceptical of this, whilst I applaud their creativity I believe it devalues the whole voting process and diminishes the candidate's credibility. Do we really want to vote for a person who presents themselves as some ridiculous gimmick such as the irritating Gio Compario, also known as the 'go-compare man' or as Mr Blobby? These are people who are supposed to represent us; with the government set to make dramatic changes to the higher education system and the clamping down on student protests surely we want characters per- ceived as respectable to do this. This
is not to say that the guild officers do not do a stellar job (avoid being accused of slander). The point I am trying to make is that from the perspective of a regular student all that is seen are the outfits and the placards, it does not elicit confidence.
When policies are shrouded in gimmicks, how can we judge the true character of those we are voting for? Whilst I will not be giving my views on the Edd Bauer controversy in this article – he gives his own in another article in the paper – it is endearing to see our officers showing who they really are rather than hiding behind a façade of gimmicks and regurgitated policies. Last year, I realised whilst chewing on some Haribos given to me by a wizard how difficult
it was to differentiate between the candidates, let alone who was running for what! I felt disenfranchised from the whole process and voted because I felt I had to not because I strongly agreed with anyone. There were the standard 'greater representation', 'better facilities', 'cheaper booze' etc. but nothing that really stood out to me, nothing that shouted I deserve your vote. A similar article to this one was written last year about the importance of focusing on what really matters to you in manifestoes and I totally agree. But this is hard to ascertain when on many occasions reality denies their implementation. Moreover, when their policies are shrouded in gimmicks that make everyone seem the same how can we possibly judge the true character of those we are voting for? Perhaps I am questioning the true democracy of the guild elections, I know that last year I voted on personality and names rather on what I believed in, which I should undoubtedly be lambasted for, but this does not make it right. The illusion of consensus does nothing to represent students, there needs to be diversity so that all are represented and to encourage greater participation. Without this, interest in what our officers are doing will arise mostly out of controversy, this is not healthy.
Freddie Herzog
Rick Perry's Swansong
The Governor Andy Peck Commentator
Governor Rick Perry has finally bowed out of the race after seeing the writing on the wall; huge great, metaphorical lettering in the form of the long red 'dislike' line under his 'Strong' campaign video, his poor showing in Iowa, no show in New Hampshire and inability to inspire above 5% support in South Carolina. So lacklustre was his popularity, CNN had to 'bend' the entry rules to allow him to enter the South Carolina debate at all. It's no surprise really, being one of the candidates to declare his campaign, he struggled with campaign finance and making a mark from the beginning, and unfortunately, this was the high point. He, perhaps, slipped up when in the September debates, he failed to remember the names of the federal departments he wanted to scrap, then reminding everybody, at his own expense, in his 'Leno' Campaign ad. He may have lost voter confidence was when he mistook Iraq for Iran, thought the voting age was 21 or misread Kim Jongil as Kim Jong II and he certainly didn't do himself any favours by appearing to be drunk, drugged or mad during a 25 minute speech in New Hampshire in early November. Then again, slip ups and gaffes are not always recipes for electoral disaster; fellow Texan George W Bush can attest to that. Perry was certainly 'aw shucks' folks-y enough to be forgiven a certain number of factual errors, and with a better campaign staff, might have got away with more. Bush had evil genius Karl Rove running his campaign who knew exactly how to slander his opponents, he devastated John McCain's 2000 bid, while covering up the mishaps of
Guild Officers: A Recipe for Success Caroline Mortimer Commentator
There are many key ingredients that go into a successful Guild Officer. However before anything can be prepared the candidate must reach the conclusion that all politics, whether student, local or national, has very little to do with policy and a lot more to do with the pretty package it comes in. Bearing this in mind and by following Redbrick's simple recipe you can create your very own Sabbatical Officer!
Step One
Taking one typical student with an interest in student politics or welfare you first need to fashion a gimmick around them. It can be
anything from a falsely assumed royal title, some form of animal suit or even just a portable campaign wagon. Just make sure it has plenty of original flavour (superheroes need not apply) with plenty of colour to make sure a voter actually remembers who you are when it comes down to logging onto WebCT.
Step Two
Next add an endless supply of sweets and some very willing and committed friends/ people with embarrassing (or incriminating) photos of whom you can upload to Facebook at any given moment. This will require around two weeks and your entire body weight in Drumsticks to make so it's good
to have an inexhaustible supply of man and sugar power to make your campaign stand out.
Step Three
At this point the policies you run on are not important, just make sure they do not have too much of a political or ideological angle otherwise it could spoil the whole dish. Keep them simmering on the back burner, making sure they are full bodied in case anyone actually asks you about them.
Step Four
After all this is prepared, remember to not overcook it. Although the library is an excellent
place to canvass, a voter will ultimately choose the candidate that annoys/harasses them the least so go for a light touch where possible.
his own candidate. But then Bush was not actually as vacuous as he sometimes appeared. You don't become President on parochial charm alone and Perry is proof of this. Faults of the candidate aside, Perry campaigned on a difficult platform that would have been challenging even to a more skilful politician. He promised to cut the federal government appeasing small government types while at the same time promising strict government enforcement of Christian moral values to court fundamentalists. These opposite ends of sides of the Republican Party detest each other and have mutually exclusive aims. Perry therefore had an ideological chasm to straddle, while Ron Paul and Mitt Romney could appeal directly to fiscal conservatives, Rick Santorum could eagerly and effectively campaign for the votes of the social conservatives. Perry was left spreading his meagre resources far too thinly, appealing to everyone and no one, everywhere, all at once. It must have been exhausting. I'll miss Perry's contribution to the race; it all gets a little more serious now. But his well timed pull out and endorsement of Newt Gingrich, and Gingrich's own poll boost may make South Carolina a major upset to the Romney campaign, and has the possibility to be the most lasting political impression the Rick Perry candidacy has made. Over the coming months, we will be providing coverage and in-depth analysis as the presidential election unfolds. Check www.redbrickpaper. co.uk from next week for regular blogposts, candidate bios and comprehensive coverage of all things United States.
...
ative opinion
For an altern
Check out next weeks edition for a sabbatical officers take on the health of Guild Democracy. Plus - see page five for news on vote match and Guild elections
Step Five
Finally, in addition to the blood, sweat and tears that will undoubtedly go into your campaign you also need to have no sense of shame. You will essentially spend two weeks of your life wandering around campus, knocking on doors for attention like a drunken girl during Fresher's week. Dignity and restraint are for the unimaginative in this contest, people are voting for caricatures not candidates!
Elin Stone
Student Voice
ND
2 Y A D S THUR
Y R A U R FEB
With 80 ele cted stude nt representa tives mee ting five tim each yea es r, Guild Co u n democrat cil is the ic voice o f Students University at the of Birming h a m. Throug Guild Cou h ncil, stude n t s University at the of Birming ham decid policy of t e the he Guild a n d ensure it working fo ’s r its memb ers.
What’s being discussed at the next Guild Council? Guild members have submitted a number of motions on a range of topics. Here are some of the issues that will be debated and voted on at Guild Council • The way you can hold your officers to account • Campaigning against the closure of Biological Recording course • Introducing more vegan, vegetarian and Kosher food into the Guild • Introducing a removal process for underperforming RA and Student Group Committee members • Defending the right to protest • Opposing parking restriction scheme • Changing the President’s role • Lobbying the University to preserve the architectural history of the university • Active support for a petition to call a General Meeting • Demonstrating against the HE White Paper And, as always, a chance for you to ask questions of your Officer Team about the work they have been doing for you! For a full agenda, please visit guildofstudents.com/guildcouncil, or email council@guild.bham.ac.uk
When is the next Guild Council? When: Thursday 2nd February, 6pm Where: Guild Council Chambers, Guild Building
What do I need to do to attend? All students can come to Guild Council and speak on any of the agenda items. All you need to do is turn up to the Guild Council Chambers at 6pm on the night of Guild Council. If you can’t attend the meeting, follow what’s happening on Twitter using #guildcouncil
council@guild.bham.ac.uk
@guildcouncil
10 Comment & Features
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Facts are Sacred: The Guardian's greatest mistake?
The final front page. 07/2011 Matthew Hewson Commentator
During the Christmas break there was an intriguing and important development in the Milly Dowler phone hacking case. It pertained to reporting by The Guardian and it has, to a degree, slipped under the radar. The Metropolitan police found that News of the World reporters weren't responsible for some voicemail deletions; specifically, those that had given her parents false hope that she was still alive. In fact, Operation Weeting (the police investigation into the hacking) still isn't sure who deleted them. This revelation sparked a significant amount of outrage; for many, the 'false hope' develop-
ment was crucial in the closure of the News of the World. The story so thoroughly upset the public that Rupert Murdoch tactically shut down the paper, unwilling to allow its tarnished name to pollute his other business prospects. The paper's closure resulted in many job losses at a time when employment opportunities in journalism are few and far between. The closure also hit the newspaper industry unexpectedly hard. It had been assumed that readers of the News of the World would simply opt for a new Sunday national. Instead, most of their readers have simply stopped buying a Sunday paper. At a time when print media is in financial crisis, such a loss of readership is hugely worrying. It's not then hard to see why there's such a level of vitriol being directed at The Guardian. Gutter press apologists are insufferable. The phone hacking scandal illustrates the very bottom of journalism, an amoral cesspit of 'good stories' and 'great photos' with scant concern for how these things are achieved or what lines have been crossed in achieving them. The Guardian gaffe doesn't make what the News of the World did any less wrong. Yet it is undeniable that the very human aspect of the 'false hope' within the Milly Dowler story was the key to bringing the paper down – phone hacking is crude, but in the eyes of the public, it was at least possible that it had being done for journalistic, investigative reasons. But deleting messages? That showed a callous and wanton disregard for any kind of ethical
boundary. It is not unreasonable to suggest that if The Guardian hadn't reported the deletions, the News of the World would still exist. Despite assuming the position of a supreme moral arbiter in the phone hacking scandal, The Guardian now look as guilty of crude, sensationalist journalism as any other newspaper. Certainly, the Metropolitan police deserve their share of the blame; they had previously claimed that the News of the World was responsible. Do not, however, think that this absolves The Guardian of any responsibility. Throughout the course of their hacking investigation, they became perfectly acquainted with the Met's poor handling of the case. It is not acceptable to subject information to intense scrutiny when it contradicts your story, and naively accept it when it doesn't. Nor do I have time for those who have tried to claim that the phone-hacking indirectly deleted the messages; that after they were listened to, the voicemail service automatically removed them. This may or may not have happened. In many regards, it is a moot point. The paper was not directly responsible. The Guardian mis-reported a fact of breathtaking importance, and in doing so, they closed a newspaper that had survived for 168 years, a newspaper that was at one point, the most read in the country. If you are to wash everyone's dirty linen in public, then your own must be spotless. As The Guardian like to profess loudly on their website, 'comment is free, but facts are sacred'.
Milly Dowler
Comment Cartoon: Stop Online Piracy Act
Congress shall make no law respecting an establishment of religion, or prohibiting the free exercise thereof; or abridging the freedom of speech, or of the press.
The United States Constitution Amendment I Illustrated by Elin Stone
! D E V L O NV
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a m p 0 3 . 3 m 10.30a This is your chance to find out about the wide range of societies and volunteering opportunities you can get involved with, and get information on key university services. For more information visit: guildofstudents.com/groups or visit Student Development, on the ground floor of the Guild building
GET INVOLVED !
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12 redbrickpaper.co.uk
27th January 2012
Television
Redbrick
Check out Eleanor Pitt's review of Room 101 at redbrickpaper.co.uk
Best of British: Top 5 sitcoms
Telly Talk Hannah Lloyd-Davies Critic
5.
Brendan O'Carroll plays Irish (Mammy) Mrs Brown who has six kids and has to contend with letting the last of her babies fly. Currently in its second series, the show is filmed in front of a live audience with mistakes and impromptu laughter left in, making for a different sort of show.
Not Going Out
Miranda
Mrs.Brown's Boys
4.
Miranda Hart's turn to camera monologue style has captivated British audiences. Catchphrases such as 'bear-with' and bursts of Heather Small have infiltrated the small screen for two series with a third being planned for this summer.
3.
Gavin and Stacey
Starring top standups Lee Mack and Tim Vine playing character versions of themselves. Mack is an out of work, lazy northerner and Vine is an uptight, pedantic southerner trying to protect his sister from Mack's advances. Hilarious physical humour and one-liners.
2.
An Essex boy falls in love with a Welsh girl in a whirlwind romance written by James Corden and Ruth Jones, who play two of the best characters in sitcom history: Smithy and Nessa. The awkwardness and changes in their romance ensures brilliance in all three series of the show.
The Inbetweeners
1.
After three series and a blockbuster movie, the four unlikely lads play out the teenage years that we all both cherish and cringe. Will, Simon, Jay and Neil contend with their awkwardness with girls and being generally uncool to entertain the young and old alike.
Reviews: This week's hottest shows Whitechapel Lucy Mulgrew Critic
Returning for its third season, the first episode of Whitechapel does not disappoint. Opening with a bloody mass murder, the mystery gets off to a flying start with a truly surreal winged creature pervading the episode. Reminiscent of the Victorian Gothic, yet cut against a rowdy Black Eyed Pea's soundtrack, there's an unavoidable sense of the past and present colliding.
New Girl Aisha Bushby Critic
Zooey Deschanel is making a welcome return to the small screen in quirky new comedy New Girl. Jess is an offbeat teacher who makes up her own theme songs, attempts to go on a date in a pair of dungarees and inevitably always ends up in some kind of trouble. Though she might not be as perfect as her model best friend, it is hard to believe that, with her startling blue eyes,
Death Valley Charlotte Goodwin Critic
The new scripted horror comedy show from America is Death Valley on MTV. The show merges the popular television show themes of vampires, werewolves and zombies combined with a reality show format. The new show follows a group of police officers who together make up the 'Undead Task Force' in San Fernando Valley. In the programme they are being filmed by a made-up reality show channel
And the past's definitely coming back to haunt DI Chandler as he tries to use the crime archives and expert knowledge to solve the present day murder mystery. Twists and turns provide a number of suspects and as the detectives close the gap on the culprit, there's a strange revelation leaving us on a cliff-hanger. At times the plot seems clunky with obvious deductions and it's not a patch on its BBC counterpart, Sherlock, though maybe it is unfair to compare the two. There is enough intrigue and Gothic mystique to interest casual viewers and ensure a return of die -hard fans. any man would deny a chance to live with Jess. However, her three male roommates would disagree, finding her wackiness a nuisance. Of course, her happy-go-lucky attitude charms them eventually and they unwittingly grow as fond of her as we do. It is not just Deschanel that appeals to us – her three roommates are all as loveable: there's Nick the law school dropout, Winston the aggressive coach and Schmidt, who likes to see himself as a lady's man. New Girl is feel-good and fun, weird and wonderful, and Deschanel alone is worth a watch.
as the officers attempt to eradicate problems from vampire prostitutes to biker werewolves. The latter group of supernatural beings actually comically kidnap one of the officers. In the opening scene the show displays a warning that there will be extreme gore and violence, and the show doesn't disappoint, if you're into humans and the 'undead' being stabbed; there is a constant supply of blood and fighting action. The show does not attempt to be serious though, and the vampire genre is parodied through a run of comedy through the show.
I have been a fan of The Simpsons ever since I can remember: what's not to like? The show hilariously conveys the adventures of America's most dysfunctional family. Through the cartoon medium, the writers have entertained children, whilst endlessly inserting gags that appeal to adults. They've also managed to comment on important issues such as the environment, education, politics, family and much more, having an undeniable influence on popular culture. What is unbelievable is that the writers have done this for over twenty years, which is why we have seen Homer, Marge, Bart, Lisa and Maggie in almost every situation imaginable. Despite being a die-hard fan, this is where my current problem lies: I feel that more recent series have lost the charm that made the show great. Earlier episodes involved relatable plot lines, like Homer's unwanted attraction to his coworker Mindy. Nowadays, however, the episode plots are much more contrived and implausible such as, in a disturbing episode, Grandpa Simpson and Selma becoming a couple – eeew! Even in cartoon-world that is gross and uncalled for! Perhaps the biggest example of its declining quality is sadly, The Simpsons Movie, where the writers weirdly opted to make the entire film focused on a crazy environmental theme rather than using a heartfelt family-oriented plot in the same style as those that first endeared audiences worldwide. Unfortunately, it seems as though the writers are running out of ideas, which is not surprising considering how long the show has been on our screens. Therefore, although it pains me to say, I think that the writers should concentrate on producing a truly great final series to bow out on, leaving fans like myself with a reminder of why the show became so successful. Despite my sentiments, the show's creator, Matt Groening, has stated that he doesn't 'see any end in sight'. So for those of you who completely disagree with my opinion, this is surely 'excellent' news, as Mr Burns would say.
R E C I F F O D L I U G 2 1 0 2 S N O I T C E EL Student Voice
E C N E R E F F WHAT DI ? E K A M U O WOULD Y
and n e p o w o n re a s m. Nomination p 2 1 t a ry a ru b e F 6th close on Monday BETTER GUILD 28,000 students rely on services provided by the Guild of Students. Guild Officers have improved student services through... • Launching the Joes+ loyalty card - creating student savings of over £17,000 • Improving facilities by introducing a high street bank, coffee shop, additional social learning space, and a dance studio
BETTER YOU
BETTER UNIVERSITY
Not every graduate can lead a multi-million pound organisation which inspires and develops thousands of students by...
Guild Officers have successfully campaigned for free printer credits, longer library opening hours, and improved sports facilities. Guild Officers do this by...
• Leading the work of over three hundred Guild employees
• Lobbying for change in University committee meetings
• Working with members of the Guild, University, local and national community
• Supporting students in University disciplinary hearings
• Undergoing intensive training from Guild and NUS specialists in preparation for the role Guild Officers are enhancing their vital transferable skills to allow them to stand out amongst other graduates
• Working with Student Reps in University schools and departments
• Making the Guild more environmentally friendly by reducing waste and promoting recycling
For more information or to download a nominations pack, visit guildofstudents.com/elections or drop into Student Voice on the ground floor of the Guild.
Guild Officer Elections Newsfeed
elections@guild.bham.ac.uk
14 Television
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Child TV stars of the Nineties: where are they now? Eleanor Pitt looks back at our favourite American idols from yesteryear to see what they did after their 15 minutes of fame AMANDA BYNES
KENAN & KEL
With her own one woman show at the tender age of 13, Amanda was surely destined for success. Unlike the vast majority of her Nickelodeon contemporaries, she has gone on to achieve some silver screen success, starring in a few small time films and playing a supporting role in the 2007 box office hit Hairspray. Her luck may have run out now though, as the offers seem to be drying up, meaning Amanda hasn't been seen on screen for several years. Perhaps a lack of opportunities in film might force her back into the studio for a revival of her hilariously off the wall sketch show.
TIA & TAMERA Tamera and Tia Mowry were Nickelodeon's famous twins for five years in the 1990s as the stars of Sister, Sister. Now grown up, the pair have had various acting roles before becoming reality TV stars with their own show Tia & Tamera. Think Kardashians, just, well, less of them, and less plastic surgery/divorces. In fact, Tia is now married and recently gave birth to her first child, and Tamera married in 2011. Not only did they have a taste of fame, but their brother Tahj was a Disney Channel idol for many years when starring as everyone's favourite swot, TJ, in Smart Guy. They may not have the same prestige these days, but they haven't entirely faded into oblivion.
SCREECH POWERS
Kenan Thompson and Kel Mitchell, otherwise known as Kenan & Kel, are two names that rang in most of our ears in the late 1990s. But what did they do after the show finished? Well, to put rumours to bed, Kel is still alive, and did not die in a car crash as alleged. In fact, he continues a busy career in acting and the music industry. Kenan also continued in acting roles including Snakes on a Plane, and is a member of the Saturday Night Live crew.
Dustin Diamond used to be remembered for his comedy role as Screech in Saved by the Bell. That was until 2006, when Diamond famously created his own sex tape. Needless to say, his career took a nosedive and a year later in 2007 he appeared on Celebrity Fit Club in the US, where he notoriously argued with his fellow competitors. A classic example of child stars gone astray, Diamond well and truly went off the rails after SBTB ended.
SABRINA THE TEENAGE WITCH
After Clarissa Explains it All and Sabrina the Teenage Witch, what on earth happened to Melissa Joan Hart? Well, not a lot actually, she got married in 2003, and in 2006 had the first of her two boys, Mason, followed by Braydon in 2008. In 2009 she was featured on the cover of People magazine for dramatically losing three stone, and ironically followed this feat of fitness by opening a sweet shop called SweetHart's Sweets a week later. Since then, she has appeared on Dancing with the Stars and had a few acting roles in US TV series and mini-movies, but when it comes to leading roles, the magic has clearly worn off for our favourite mystic Meg.
27th January 2012
Redbrick
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Film The Beginner's Guide to... Michael Fassbender
15
'It's alright to be afraid, David, because this part won't be like a comic book. Real life doesn't fit into little boxes that were drawn for it. '
Unbreakable (2000)
Film News
This week lucky Beth Ditzel brings us a simply fabulous guide to beautiful Bendy's best bits
You may not have heard of him, but if you've been to the cinema in the past year, you will most likely have seen a film starring Michael Fassbender. Born in 1977 to GermanIrish parents, Fassbender spent his childhood between Heidelberg, Germany and County Kerry, Ireland. He was trained at the Drama Centre in London, and currently resides in the UK or in L.A, yet still maintains his strong Southern Irish accent.
Early Roles
In 2000 he had a recurring role in Steven Spielberg's WWII epic miniseries Band of Brothers and a very small but very topless role in 300. He appeared here and there across British TV, with parts in Holby City and Murphy's Law, and remember the Guinness advert where a man swims from Ireland to New York to apologise to his brother? That was him. He had a few big screen parts; along with Kelly Reilly, he appeared as a holidaying couple terrorised by local youths in the underrated Eden Lake and was Romola Garai's lover in Angel, but was yet to make a strong public impression
Breakthrough
His break-out role was of IRA vol-
unteer Bobby Sands in Hunger, by Turner Prize winner-turned-director Steve McQueen (no, not that Steve McQueen). To play Sands, who led the Maze prison hunger strike of 1976, Fassbender lost 30lbs, and lived for 5 months on a diet of only 600 calories per day. He finally came onto Hollywood's radar in 2009 as dashing British paratrooper Lt. Archie Hicox in Quentin Tarantino's Inglourious Basterds. He appears in perhaps the film's most tense scene; no spoilers here, but don't ask him to order three whiskeys anytime soon. Although not the traditional route to take when coming out the other side of a Tarantino film, Fassbender's next project was Fish Tank, Andrea Arnold's powerful portrait of life in a council estate. Fassbender won critical acclaim for his role, in which he seduces the 15 year old daughter of his girlfriend. He next was a Roman Legionnaire in the little seen Centurion, and the only saving grace in the otherwise abysmal Jonah Hex.
portrayal of the young Magneto in X-Men: First Class, in which he showed off his vast array of languages (English, German, French and Spanish). Next up was David Cronenberg's A Dangerous Method playing psychiatrist Carl Yung to Kiera Knightley's disturbed mental patient. Fassbender can currently be seen in his most recent partnership with Hunger director McQueen, the critically acclaimed Shame, an unflinching portrait of sex addiction. Fassbender plays Brandon, a successful 30-somethingyear-old in New York, whose hedonistic lifestyle of prostitutes and pornography spirals out o f control
when his wayward younger sister (Carey Mulligan) comes to stay. Coming soon is action thriller Haywire, in which he plays a double-crossing assassin alongside a stellar cast including Ewan McGregor, Channing Tatum and Antonio Banderas. He'll play an android in Ridley Scott's Alien prequel Prometheus, the trailer of which has been an internet sensation since December, and most excitingly, he'll team up for the third time with McQueen to make Twelve Years a Slave, set in America's Deep South in an as of yet unnamed part. Although he lost out on a Golden Globe to George Clooney, fingers-crossed there'll be Oscar nominations coming his way very soon. If you hadn't heard of him already, there's no chance you'll miss his sharksmile in the coming months. No doubt about it, Fassy's heading for greatness.
Bradley Cooper is a fine piece of merchandise nowadays. His new film, The Words, recently caused a stir for the Sundance Film Festival when a bidding war broke out. The new drama tells the story of a writer who plagarises a long lost manuscript only later to pay the price. However, it would seem CBS Films was paying the real price of $2 million in order to purchase the distribution rights. Let's hope that the film will live up to budding expectations.
2011 was Fassy's year; starting with his sizzling Mr Rochester in Cary Fukunaga's Jane Eyre and then receiving rave reviews for his
The Hobbit
Following McQueen's new release, Matt McGrath feels no Shame in sharing his tempting top 5
Bad Lieutenant
#2
1
Critic
The Words
Now
Five of the Best: Addiction Films
Most of the films in this list focus on one kind of addiction, but Harvey Keitel seems to encompass every kind of addiction society faces. The unnamed Lieutenant is a police officer that takes drugs, drinks, repeatedly has sex and gambles – all while managing to heroically arrest criminals in New York City. No stranger to addiction films, as shown by 5 on this list, Nic Cage stars in the remake.
Less Than Zero
best performances #4 Jr's as Julian, a rich teenager One of Robert Downey
What list about addiction is complete without Requiem For a Dream? As melodramatic as it is, Darren Aronofsky pulls no punches showing how drug addiction is not just something which can affect experimenting youngsters but also the older generations. In Requiem for a Dream Aronofsky juxtaposes the graphic heroin addiction of a 20something-year-old with the addiction to weight loss pills and television which his lonely mother faces. Ultimately both addictions appear to be equally as devastating.
With the trailer released recently it comes as no surprise that people are eager to know how long is left until this magical film is released. Jackson revealed at the West of Memphis Sundance Premiere that filming was 'probably two-thirds of the way through' and that he still had a 'hundred days of shooting'. One hundred days! Even if the release date has been confirmed for December, it doesn't make the grueling waiting time that much easier...
who becomes involved in the Los Angeles party scene. The most tragic aspect of the film is that we see Julian graduate high school and proceed to slowly descend into a world of cocaine usage. His friends try and help him, but their support is not enough to overpower his crippling substance abuse.
Requiem for a Dream
#
Heather Smeeton
The Host
The Man With...
#3
The Man With The Golden Arm (1955) was the first film to tackle the issue of illegal drug use. Frank Sinatra stars as Frankie Machine, newly released from prison, who is dragged back into the underworld of heroin addiction. Despite the film's age, the portrayal of addiction is just as harrowing as in contemporary portraits of heroin use such as Trainspotting or The Basketball Diaries.
Leaving Las Vegas
Oscar #5 afor well-deserved his performance in Nicolas Cage picked up
Mike Figgis' classic. This gloomy tale is about a man who becomes completely reliant on alcohol after being abandoned by his family. It is not a pretty sight, but here Cage's bleak and brilliant performance shows the depths a man plagued by alcoholism can sink to. An unmissable career best for Cage (interviewed next week).
Breaking Dawn: Part One's intake of almost $710 globally (and still climbing) proves how popular the Meyer franchise continues to be. It should come as no shock that her latest 'book', (unrelated to Twilight) The Host, now boasts an almost-full complement of main characters, with Diane Kruger joining Saoirse Ronan, William Hurt and Max Irons. The film is set for a 2013 release, and will undoubtedly set hysterical fans rushing to the screens, even without the simpering, sparkles of the Cullen Clan. The premise is of a mysterious soul, named The Wanderer, fusing with with a captured human, in an attempt to locate a desperate, lone pocket of surviving humans on Earth.
16 Film
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Reviews J. Edgar
Redbrick
UNMISSABLE
EXCELLENT
GOOD
Critic
Director: Sean Durkin Cast: Elizabeth Olsen Cert: 15
Critic
Director: Clint Eastwood Cast: Leonardo DiCaprio, Judi Dench, Armie Hammer Cert: 15 J. Edgar is a generally interesting (yet, at times, dull) biopic about an intriguing individual. The story has a dual focus, the ascension of J. Edgar Hoover (DiCaprio) within the FBI and his time at its head; dealing with the threat of Bolshevism and Communism to the United States. By any means necessary. The other focus of the film is upon the personal life of Hoover, his eccentricities, his relationship with his mother (Judi Dench) and
TRAGIC
Martha Marcy May...
Kate Ferris
David Gluckstein
POOR
with colleague Clyde Tolson (Armie Hammer). The plot is somewhat rambling: offering up anecdotal portrayals of Hoover's personality allowing the audience to interpret the impact of his private life upon that of his public one. However, the film spans such an expansive period that nothing quite gets the attention it deserves. It is possible that this is a result of the duo of director Clint Eastwood, and writer Dustin Lance Black (Milk). The motives of these two individuals appear to have been compromised, meaning that the film suffers from being neither quite one thing nor the other. What is missing in the plot is made up for by the central performances of DiCaprio and Hammer.
The former carries the script with power and conviction, throughout the time line of Hoover's life and the relationship between him and Tolson is portrayed with tenderness and sincerity. It is within the relationships of the film that writer and director are most successful, making one wish that they had been the focal point. J. Edgar leaves one slightly better informed about American Cold War history and the evolution of the FBI. It offers an interesting portrait of a complex individual. However, whether or not these complexities are enough to hang a film upon is unclear, and could be the reason for the disjointed and unfortunately tedious plot. !
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Martha Marcy May Marlene is the dark tale of Martha, a young girl who escapes from a cult but struggles to come to terms with her experience. The film flits between Martha's experience in the cult and her time with her sister Lucy and brother-in-law Ted after her escape, a framework which creates a fluidity between real and imagined, past and present. As Martha's memories become more chilling, her mental state and behaviour spiral out of control, straining her relationship with Lucy and Ted. Elizabeth Olsen (Martha) has been winning praise across the board for this role, and here's one more. She is magnificent, making Martha infinitely complex, yet completely believable and compelling. John Hawkes is also worth a mention for his chilling portrayal
of the controlling, slightly psychopathic, cult leader Patrick. However, all the performers really deliver, making Martha's cult experience as realistic and disturbing as it is. This is director Sean Durkin's first feature, and you would never have known it. The writing is great, the narrative never drags and you are kept enthralled from start to finish. Despite the quality of this film, it is unlikely to cause any upset at the Oscars, as it is just a little left of the mainstream. Martha Marcy doesn't come to conclusions, it isn't triumphalist, it's not Hollywood. This is not a film that will sit in a handy box. This is smart, sophisticated film-making. Durkin wants you to think, to wonder what the hell is going on. And you do. What's the lasting impression of this film? You feel disturbed, you worry about Martha's future. You've been on an emotional journey and you're not sure if you're quite out the other side. !
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Unjustified: David Cameron's UK Film Industry Remarks James Dolton shares his view on the Prime Minister's recent suggestions for future British film projects In a recent visit to the historic Pinewood Studios, home most famously to the James Bond franchise, Prime Minister David Cameron was quoted as declaring that whilst we are in a 'golden age' of British cinema, he hopes that our country's production companies will strive for 'commercially successful pictures', as opposed to what he euphemistically called 'culturally rewarding' efforts. This is somewhat strange. After all, 'commercially successful' or 'commercially viable' films are not an easily definable quantity. One need only look at the recent spectacular failure of Hollywood animation-by-numbers effort Mars Need Moms. It had an estimated budget of 150 million dollars and took under seven million in its opening weekend, despite featuring a strong cast includ- ing established stars
like Seth Green and Joan Cusack. Clearly then, profitable cinema is not simply just working out what brand of film is currently selling and churning out more of the same. It could even be argued that in these times of economic insecurity, any film released in a cinema needs to be a little edgy or 'culturally rewarding' as Mr. Cameron rather belittlingly refers to interest a viewer. A very current example is the magnificent The Artist. Whilst this was produced and filmed stateside, the fact that this homage to silent film shot in black and white is winning such plaudits as well as already grossing above its estimated budget is an example for British cinema. In recent years British cinema abounds with examples of films that vary wildly from the cinematic norm i n style and
content. In 2010 the Chris Morris effort Four Lions was hugely popular and profitable despite being a comedy tackling the tricky topic of suicide bombers, whilst last year's Oscar clean-up act The Kings Speech had a budget of less than 15 million pounds but has taken almost 400 million to date. Not bad for what Charlie Brooker playfully referred to as 'Rocky for stammerers'. All these films have been commercially (and critically) successful without having the formulaic content that might not be expected of a box office hit. Indeed, perhaps this is the
point: a film which makes its sole concern fitting the pieces together typical of commercial triumphs by its very nature puts issues of artistry secondary, which paradoxically will almost certainly result in it being a poorer film. Good pictures can, and should, take risks in their presentation. On top of these arguments that concern the fiscal realism of the situation, there is another crucial comment to make. Whilst it is clear that films (particularly independent films) can be commercially successful without having to sell out their morals or resort to ground previously tread, it feels like this argument (and Cameron) has sort of missed the point. Shouldn't the goal of our cinema industry be to make good films? It seems absurd that 'culturally rewarding' has somehow become a negative term. We should encourage our actors and directors to produce interesting and creative works of quality and not simply to engage in the same tawdry twaddle for the sake of sheer capitalism. Finance
has always driven the motionpicture business, but we must remember that whilst film-making is an industry, films should never be made in a manner that could be described as 'industrious'. Our little country has a proud heritage of excellent and inventive cinema in an eclectic variety of big budget mainstream projects and quirky independent projects, and neither should be abandoned in the misguided belief that money is all that matters.
Redbrick
Travel
Rebecca Jones interviews Carnival RAG committee member Camilla Schmid on the latest hitchhike.
What's involved? We will leave Birmingham at 7am in teams of two or three on Friday 17th February 2012, and hitchhike our way up to Edinburgh in fancy dress, hopefully arriving by the end of the day. The weekend will
be spent exploring famous sights such as Edinburgh Castle and St Giles' Cathedral, along with experiencing Edinburgh's nightlife, before returning home late afternoon on Sunday 19th to share stories of our experiences.
What charities is the hitchhike supporting? The money is split between eight local Birmingham charities, including St Mary's Hospice, Edwards Trust and MS Society, to name a few.
How much will it cost? There is a sign-up fee of £45, which covers two nights hostel stay, a coach ride home and a charity hitchhike T-shirt. Participants will have to collect a minimum sponsorship of £55 – this may seem a lot but when you tell people that you're hitchhiking, they should be pretty keen to make a donation.
Isn't it dangerous? Universities up and down the country have been running hitchhikes like this for years and there have never been any horror stories. In fact, you will return with countless stories of the amazing people you have met. I took part in the Newcastle hitchhike last semester and although it took my team an embarrassing thirteen hours to arrive, we got there in the end! And if all else fails, there will be a safety car hanging back to pick you up if no one else will.
How do people sign up? If you're not already a member of the Carnival RAG society, sign up is free. There will be event information on the Carnival RAG Facebook page so check us out there.
Reporter
Whether going away for one week or one year, we all panic about the things to take away and leave behind. Often, it is advisable to just settle for the essentials, which sounds like fairly simple advice. However, complication arises when it comes to defining exactly what these essentials are. Some would class their laptop as an essential. Others may rate their hair straighteners highly and there are those who can't cope without sentimental items, such as family heirlooms. Despite each of these 'essentials' fitting into different categories, the common problematic factor is their value. When it comes to tradition or technology, this is perhaps the most obvious drawback of opting for the latter more modern option. Taking the most recent Nikon camera or a Macbook abroad could be intimidating for locals of certain countries but certainly extremely attractive to potential pickpockets. However, in this day and age technology is an integral part of our lives and, as long as travellers are savvy by keeping them safely locked away and visibility of these items to a minimum, they can enhance the travelling experience. Take the iPod touch, for in-
stance. While you could opt for an older Apple mp3 player, or even a Walkman for cheaper musical entertainment, the benefits of the latest addition are countless.
'In this day and age technology is an integral part of our lives' Aside from hours of music, you can capture one-off moments with the gadget's in-built camera and video, plan your holiday with the calendar and jot down essential notes or travel memoirs while learning a new language with podcast classes. Not to mention the relatively inexpensive – often free – apps that you can download to your iPod with a Wi-Fi connection, that prove invaluable when on the road. With apps for Skyscanner, Hostelworld and Wikilinks, you can arrange tickets, accommodation and a tourist itinery on the go, eradicating hours of unnecessary stress and hassle, leaving you more time to enjoy yourself. Smart phones are equally multifunctional. Androids, iPhones and Blackberrys allow you to naviagte with GPS, check those all
Prague: Ultimate Getaway
Taken by Eleanor Milligan-Manby: Bolovia 2009
Joe Alderman
Technology or Tradition for Travel? Gemma Fottles
Photo of the Week
What other events do Carnival RAG have coming up? If you can't make these dates, 'Escape and Evade', the ultimate hitch-hiking challenge, is coming up soon. Participants have 72 hours to get as far away from Birmingham as they possibly can, using any mode of transport so long as it's free. Last year my team reached Madrid after three days of travelling by trains, bus, car and even a lorry. I count my charity hitchhikes among the most amazing experiences of my life, so I'd strongly recommend it to anyone. For more information email hitch@carnivalrag.com or visit us in our office hours; 2-4pm every Wednesday downstairs in the Guild.
Carnival RAG's hitch to Newcastle
17
Travel Quote of the Week: 'For my part, I travel not to go anywhere, but to go. I travel for travel's sake. The great affair is to move.' – Robert Louis Stevenson
Hitch to Edinburgh with Carnival Rag If being back in Birmingham after the Christmas break is already taking its toll, an adventure in Edinburgh may sound like the dream break, especially when you can travel there for free. If this sounds like the perfect way to beat the back-to-uni blues then Carnival RAG's sponsored charity hitch may be for you. Birmingham's Raising and Giving society, the largest volunteering group on campus, runs regular charity hitchhikes throughout the year to various locations, and this February the chosen destination is Edinburgh.
redbrickpaper.co.uk
27th January 2012
important emails (as life still goes on) or Skype home. However, using contract phones abroad can lead to a nasty shock on your return, denting the bank balance, so it may be wise to take a cheaper handset, and rely on free Wi-Fi with iPods or iPads. The Amazon Kindle can store hundreds of books, while many texts are free to download. Not only will your suitcase be much lighter, but you will also have a huge choice of reading material. On the other hand, a book can't really break. If you drop it on the floor, accidentally stand on it, spill water over it or just generally don't look after it as well as you should then it doesn't matter. Chances are you'll still be able to read it, no one is actually going to want to steal it and you won't be racked with guilt over effectively clumsily throwing £100 down the drain. When travelling anywhere the best advice is to only take what you can afford to lose. Chances are you'll be able to live without your laptop for a few weeks or months, you probably won't die without your GHD's, and maybe you'll be too busy to read twenty books on a Kindle. Leaving behind those home comforts will force you to embrace a completely new culture and open your eyes to the places around you, even if it is a bit less convenient.
Charlotte Callaghan Reporter
Need an escape away from uni but have very little money to do so? Then why not head to Prague, the ultimate student destination. It fits all categories for a student break away: it's cheap, famous for its beer, and beautiful too. A popular stag-do destination, there are an abundance of great hostels. Why not try PLUS Prague Hostel: it has a swimming pool and sauna, a late-night bar, and even hair dryers for girls. This is comes at the grand price of £4.33 per night. As for nights out, there are classier evenings in stylish locations, such as Hawaiian cocktail bars (Aloha Bar & Club), or for a trashy Euro-club night, there is the world famous Karlovy-Lazne Club. Spanning over 5 floors, each features different music styles to suit your clubbing needs. Prague isn't just known for its party scene; it also has many cultural attractions. Prague Castle is one of the largest ancient castles in the world and the climb up to it is just as impressive. The view of the city from the castle is breathtaking, and doesn't cost a penny. For a bit of self-indulgence the shopping prospects are also abundant in Prague; alongside the interna-
tional stores found in Wenceslas Square and around the Old Town Square, there are also many local stores and markets dotted around, offering many a bargain. If the idea of a Czech trainadventure doesn't scare you too much, then why not venture out of the city to the 'Church of Bones' (Kutná Hora). The candelabra, chalices, and decorations in the church are all sculpted from human bones, rumoured to be the work of a monk gone-mad. Reaching for your Czech phrasebook now? To give you a head start, I'll leave you with an important phrase: 'Dám si jedno pivo prosím' (I'll have a beer please).
Charlotte Callaghan Charlottle Callaghan
18 redbrickpaper.co.uk
27th January 2012
Music Most Anticipated
Jukebox
Tamara Roper & Will Franklin Music Editors
Major Lazer – Original Don The latest offering from Diplo and Switch's unstoppable side project, 'Original Don' is a tour de force. What on earth is going on? Dancehall beats next to chanting on top of something vaguely Spanish sounding? Who knows. Frank Ocean – Songs For Women Like seemingly all male R&B stars, Frank Ocean is a serial womanizer, and isn't afraid to sing about it. 'Songs For Women' is pretty atypical in this respect though, while it opens with him confessing he used to harmonise his way into ladies' pants, as it progresses, his relationship with a school crush leads him to a different conclusion. It's very much in Frank's narrative lyrical style and taps into a respect for women that is chronically lacking amongst his OFWGKTA peers.
Redbrick
Damon Albarn remixes Lana Del Rey www.pitchfork.com/news
$#*! My Dad Sings To Single Reviews With... Papa Wilson
Lexie Wilson Arts Editor
If there is one thing that my dad can never be accused of, it's being predictable. Or boring. Or run-ofthe-mill. The six CD changer in his car is surely only a Matt Cardle album away from becoming something of an urban legend amongst aspiring embarrassing dads. They will speak in revered whispers as they recount the alarming but certified fact that over the years and countless school runs, it has featured everything from Faithless to the Gladiator Soundtrack; an 80s electro compilation to Gregorian chant music. His music taste knows no boundaries or limitations. Nothing is too loud, too obscure or too out there. He once pulled the car over on a foggy country road to write
down the name of the ironically eponymous Antony and the Johnsons when it was played in the dark depths of late night Radio 2. Equally, I don't think I will ever be able to purge from my memory the magic moment back in 2004 where my poor, defenceless French exchange student was welcomed into the country with the turning of the car's ignition triggering the crushing bass and growling vocals of the first track of Evanescence's album. Lapses into heavy metal aside, he is also known to dabble in drum and bass (no, seriously), and another unconventional but long lasting Wilson favourite being what can only be described as disturbingly camp music. I'm citing both the Cher and Enrique Iglesias albums as my predominant offenders in this last category. On the back of that it might sound odd to call him my musical hero, but he really is. I'm indebted to him not only for passing on a pathological hatred of everything about Robbie Williams, or just for introducing me to artists like Leonard Cohen and Joan Baez, but more so for teaching me first hand that music taste is something innately fluid and to never allow myself to be constrained by a single genre or even by an overarching pretension. Also, a lasting legacy of that CD changer is that there is no situation in this world that can't be made less bleak with a bit of Dusty Springfield. Just saying.
Album Reviews 9 Enter Shikari
Nicki Minaj Stupid Hoe
Chris Isaak Live It Up
Stefanie De Lucia Critic
Jonathon Milnes
Nicki Minaj Correspondent
'I am the female Weezy' is what she declares at the end of the track, a statement that given her recent transformation into a global superstar is unusually a modest statement for the fresh queen of hip-hop. With the release of the extended edition of her sophomore album Pink Friday: Roman Reloaded due for release on valentines day, 'Stupid Hoe' is a taster of what's to come. Minaj continues to explore her various alter-egos, and this track is arguably the best to date that highlights just how versatile her voice can be. It's big, it's bold and truly distasteful, but by god I love it! Oh, and it has a super cool video to match.
Chris Isaak's Live It Up could have been taken right out of a stack of our parents' 45s – such is the likeness to 50s rock 'n' roll. Because it's new, the sound differs to that of the likes of Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison. Listening to Chris Issak, knowing it was produced last year, the voice seems to suit a little dirty bar rather than the performance spaces of Vegas. There's something classic about Live It Up yet Isaak's band gives the song a rock beat as opposed to a stripper and shuffle beat typical of old-time rock 'n' roll music. If you close your eyes and take a deep breath, you can almost smell the wafts of blue blooded American men chewing on tobacco. To me, this song is a slice of 'real' America that can only really market itself towards 'real' Americans stuck in a time warp. There's definitely a wide market for that over the pond, though I can't see such a kind of music being a success over here.
7 Lianne La Havas Forget
A Flash Flood of Colour
Goyte – Somebody I Used to Know Yeah, alright, technically this guy already has an album out already. No matter. This song will be huge this year. If you're not one of the 48 million people who've watched it on YouTube, you will be one of the rest of the world who hears it in the next few months. Xylophones, delicate lyrics and one bizarre looking Australian man. Original.
Eva Hibbs Critic
Josh Carvell Critic
Somebody thought it would be a good idea to give Redbrick Music a radio show. Tune in to Burn FM on a Wednesday at 6pm for scripted banter, excellent music and the occasional poorly crafted pun. Follow us on Twitter at @redbrickmusic or email at music@ redbrickonline.co.uk
Enter Shikari are a band renowned for pushing what front man Rou Reynolds calls 'music genres' worthless boundaries', and their third studio album is no different. A Flash Flood Of Colour is a melting pot of genres, encompassing everything from hardcore to dubstep, both acknowledging and developing their innovative sound. At the heart of the album lie deeply political yet highly relevant messages about the unstable nature of society. 'Meltdown' is an urgent and energetic song driven by a powerful, in-your-face riff. Lyrically it is frank and impassioned, with Reynolds declaring 'fear begins to vanish when we
realise that countries are just lines drawn in the sand with a stick'. Similarly, songs such as 'Search Party' and 'Constellations' continue the theme of unity, with the later a heartfelt song about the choices that face us: whether to live sustainably or face a 'system meltdown'. Enter Shikari's aggressive side is displayed through tracks like 'Gandhi Mate, Gandhi' and 'Arguing With Thermometers' which display the band's musical diversity. 'Gandhi Mate, Gandhi' is a Dubstep driven song that lyrically borders on the ridiculous, with Reynolds aggressive rants broken up with an interlude of studio banter to remind listeners that despite their serious message, the band aren't as self righteous as appear-
ances may indicate. A clear highlight of the album is 'Sssnakepit', a song seamlessly blending drum and bass and punk to make an intense, pulsating tune seething with raw aggression. In 'A Flash Flood Of Colour', the listener is taken on a journey of vastly varying moods and styles with Rou Reynolds leading the way with a rousing call to arms. Regardless of whether the political message is embraced or deemed a distraction, Enter Shikari have made a delightfully eccentric and progressive record capable of granting the band serious mainstream attention. Sounds like: The King Blues
There are only so many times you can read that an artist is tipped for success in the coming year before you start to wish the opposite. Don't judge me, it just all seems slightly contrived when the BBC, The Observer and MTV dub Lianna La Havas as encompassing the 'Sound of 2012'. Who really knows, after all, what the sound of this year will be? Some believe it'll be the sound of the earth imploding on itself.... But hopefully the journalists are right; and it will instead be a pleasant, exceedingly smooth year. It's true what they say: she got soul, and it's nice to hear this kind of understated genre-revival, but it seems that she has more presence live than on disc. Forget, is unfortunately, mostly forgettable, but watch her perform on Later... with Jools Holland. She's a gorgeous, charming common ground between you and your parents; perhaps they'll get you all tickets for her upcoming tour and reckon they're ahead of the game, keeping up with the sound of the modern times, eh?! Sounds like: Corinne Bailey Rae
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Redbrick's Favourite Music Style Icons 6. Prince He might have been a Prince by name, but he was the king of overindulgence. Renowned for sporting gorgeous plum suits and ruffled shirts as much as for leotards, legwarmers and his spectacular perm, he even brought his effeminate style to his instrument, with guitars shaped like swans, unpronounceable symbols and even his near-legendary member.
James Dolton peers into the closet of music fashion.
3. Kurt Cobain A slight curveball from the wilful excesses of the rest of this list, but in the early 90s, Cobain was the king of cool. Trashy jeans with rips in the knees and grimy striped jumpers will forever be associated with him and the disdainful way he wore them, whilst his arrival at Reading Festival in a surgical gown was a rare theatrical touch. 2. Bjork Blessed with a fashion sense as crackers as the majority of her back catalogue. The enormous ginger wig she donned for the cover of Biophilia and the headdress she wore on her recent European tour comprised of a multitude of rainbow coloured furry balls may be preposterous, but have nothing on the nude bodysuit adorned with a life-size swan she inexplicably wore in 2001 on the red carpet of the Oscars. Remarkable.
5. Nicki Minaj A Redbrick Music favourite, the Minaj improves every track she crops up on and dresses pretty snazzy too: regularly fluctuating hair styles and colours and a creative combination of sexuality and fantasy form the basic gist of her wardrobe. Most crucially, and unlike the rather soulless and pretentious artistry of some current divas, Minaj seems to genuinely enjoy playing dress up almost as much as we enjoy watching.
1. Adam Ant A personal fancy dress staple, the 'Dandy Highwayman' may have been a one trick pony, but what a trick it was. Knee high boots, hair braids, a spectacularly gilded military jacket totally unfit for active service and the infamous white stripe across the face is one of the most iconic images of music and fashion colliding of all time.
4. Kanye West Everyone's favourite egocentric has always had a penchant for more interesting fare than the usual rapper, being credited with the re-popularisation of varsity jackets as well as the bizarre trend of shutter shades. Expect blazers with an array of creative footwear, from loafers to throwback hi-tops.
Essential Albums
Etta James: A Tribute Music Editor
Transcendent of genre, and a legend in her own right, soul singer Etta James tragically died on the 21st of January from leukemia. Sadly, her death was not unexpected, as James had been diagnosed with dementia in 2010. An inspiration to so many female musicians, Etta James herself had no easy life. Abandoned by her 14 year old mother and raised by her landlady, Etta James drew inspiration from the hardships of her life to write songs such as 'At Last' and 'All I Could Do Was Cry'. Her passing came tragically five days before her 74th birthday, and in the two days since the news broke, stars have been flocking to pay tribute to her. The singer Can-
Josh Holder Critic
Tamara Roper
di Staton has said 'she was a true soul sister... when she sang, everybody felt it. Indeed, it was in a club toilet singing James's song 'Something's Got A Hold On Me' that Florence Welch was discovered. It seems ironic that the weekend Adele manages to equal Queen in weeks at the top of the album chart is the weekend one of her greatest influences passes away. James' career, consisting of over 20 albums, spanned over 50 years. Singing under the cruellest of circumstances from the beginning of her teens, it was in 2011 that she released her final album. Her death has come as a timely reminder that the age of great soul singers will never end.
#21
Bloc Party Silent Alarm (2005)
Bursting onto the British indie scene in 2003, Bloc Party were catapulted into the spotlight after front man Kele Okereke attended a Franz Ferdinand concert and handed a copy of their single 'She's Hearing Voices' to Radio 1 DJ Steve Lamacq. After branding the track 'genius', he subsequently played the song on his show and offered the band a live session. This generated a huge buzz and led to the band signing their record deal in April 2004. Silent Alarm rockets along at an even faster pace than their rapid rise to fame. Opening track 'Like Eating Glass' features heavy guitars and piercing drums, whilst Kele sings 'it's so cold in this house', a cry that will ring true for
anyone living in student housing, but the song is actually the bleak story of a family break up. The album holds danceable rock riffs that feature an abundance of raw energy. 'Banquet' is the album's standout track, with Kele's rhythm guitar and Russel Lissack's lead guitar playing to each other with an unmatched level of chemistry, with precise timing necessary to prevent the delicately interlaced riffs from totally collapsing. You have to admire the level of concentration required to play, especially live. Silent Alarm is a remarkably socially aware album and triumphant in its aim to offer a soundtrack to adolescent life in contemporary Britain. The album explores all of the subjects that dominate the teenage mind, from awkward romance on 'This Mod-
ern Love', to political rants on 'Helicopter'. Kele has an amazing talent for turning the clock back to reflect on his teenage years. The emotional urgency of Kele's vocal delivery, joined by the relentless energy of the icy clean riffs and sharp, precise drum hits, make this the perfect accompaniment to these cold winter mornings. Silent Alarm garners its essential status because each of its individual components are so flawless. Kele's vocals are impeccable, with tender, relatable lyrics. Matt Tong drums like his life depends on it. Russel's lead guitar shifts into focus at just the right moments, whilst Gordon Moake's bass ties everything together into one highly polished package. With the band working on their fourth studio album, the only question is, how can they top perfection?
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Arts Pieter Colpaert Critic
Theodor Adorno famously stated that writing poetry after Auschwitz would be barbaric. Nevertheless, decades after the horrors of the Holocaust, the event keeps inspiring great artists and writers. In the last couple of years, a new generation of popular Jewish American writers seems to have arisen, trying to find new, inventive ways of reimaging and representing the Holocaust through literature. Most of them are 2nd or 3rd generation victims, the children and grandchildren of those who actually lived through it. In creating a fictional representation of the traumatic experience their families have lived through, they seem to be looking for new and often postmodern ways of coping with this past. This has brought us some of the finest contemporary literature. Probably the most important and well-know is Maus, the Pulitzer-Prize winning graphic novel by Art Spiegelman, brilliant comic writer and child of two Holocaust survivors. In an incredibly delicate
Redbrick
27th January 2012
'I write to understand as much as to be understood.' – Elie Wiesel
way, he tells both the story of his father's survival in the concentration camp and their own deeply troubled relationship. What is special about the book is Spiegelman's use of animal imagery, where Jews are depicted as mice and Nazis as dogs. It is a remarkable and often criticized choice, because depicting Jews as vermin could arguably be adapting to the Nazi imagery. However, when you read the book, you can see how Spiegelman uses this to create some emotional distance from the events and is actually reversing this imagery, by effectively 'rehumanizing' his characters. The harrowing black-andwhite drawings, the multiple layers, together with the authenticity and sometimes unexpected humour of the story, make this an essential read. If you've never read a graphic novel before, let this be the first one. Everything Is Illuminated is the debut novel of Jonathan Safran Foer, a gifted, young American author. After being rejected by several publishers, Foer got himself a massive book deal with Houghton
Mifflin and the novel became an international, prize-winning bestseller. It tells the story of Foer's fictional alter-ego, who travels to Ukraine in search for the woman who saved his grandfather's life during the Nazi occupation of his shtetl Trachimbrod. The novel switches between the story of this quest and a magical-realist narrative about Trachimbrod, its citizens and Foer's family history. The book is dazzlingly inventive, touching and laugh-out-loud funny. Even if the structure of the book might be confusing at times, staying deliberately vague and ambiguous about what is real and
what is not, it is still highly readable; one of the most ingenuous and unusual novels of recent times (disclaimer: read the book, but by all means stay away from Liev Schreiber's terrible film adaptation. Thank you.) Philip Roth is one of America's greatest, long-standing authors, who seems to have won every single literary prize in the world – with exception of his long-awaited Noble Prize. His 2004 novel The Plot Against America does not directly engage with the Holocaust, but details the story of the Roth family to the backdrop of the gruesome 'what-if' scenario of an America
where Franklin D. Roosevelt gets defeated by Charles Lindbergh, notorious Nazi sympathizer, in the 1940 presidential elections. Roth's flawless sense of style and observation, depicting this world through the eyes of a 7-year old child, makes it easy for the reader to suspend his disbelief and go along with this masterly crafted alternate history. His portrayal of the everydayness of an increasingly anti-semitic America is both horrifying and powerful. A true tour-de-force, and perfect introduction for everyone who isn't yet familiar with the genius of Philip Roth.
Art after Auschwitz With Holocaust memorial day on the 27th of January, we explore the art and literature that the Holocaust subsequently engendered. Alice Young gives a portrait of Primo Levi, the chemist who vividly portrayed the dehumanisation of Jews in Auschwitz; Pieter Colpaert takes a look at three pieces of contemporary literature, whilst Alexander Blanchard interprets the Berlin memorial.
Alexander Blanchard Arts Editor
For its sheer size, and its staggering expansiveness, The Memorial to the Murdered Jews of Europe in Berlin – located one block south of the Brandenburg Gate, only a stone's throw from Hitler's bunker – is notably unassuming. It's drab, droll and grey; entirely reminiscent of that grey torpor that seems to colour all of the ideas that we hold of the Holocaust. From the greyscale images of emaciated bodies taken by the Allies, to the horrifying accounts of its survivors, the memorial seems replete with that grey, squalid inertia. Ostensibly the memorial is uninteresting; the architect, Peter Eisenman, was reluctant to
use any symbolism. Yet a small amount of reflection seems to furnish the grey 2,711 concrete slabs (an inconsequential number) with a panoply of allegories. The endless repetition of rows of featureless grey blocks quickly grows inane and seemingly divorced from human reason. It is entirely apt, then, in depicting a crime that, being so heinous and so vile, yet so mechanistic, so pervasive and perpetrated so incessantly, it becomes monotonous. To walk amongst The Memorial is to be put intuitively in mind of what Hannah Arendt termed 'the banality of evil' – a normalisation of the unthinkable. In other respects the square blocks seem a microcosm of the concentration camp experience. The square goods carriages used to transport prisoners, or the neat blocks of rudimentary huts seen in aerial photos of the camps. However, once one descends into the memorial, this neat, discernible microcosm dissipates. One becomes trapped, enveloped, in a claustrophobic, precipitous darkness – Primo Levi's epithet 'The Black Hold of Auschwitz' becomes lodged in one's mind. It's an uneasy, confusing atmosphere and it's not long before one loses sight of the family or friends that one entered into the memorial with.
The endpapers of Maus by Art Spiegelman
Read the full extended version of Alice Young's portrait of Primo Levi online and find out about events around Birmingham in memory of the Holocaust.
Primo Levi: If This Is A Man
Alice Young Critic
Primo Levi was an ordinary man with an extraordinary story; his book If This Is A Man recounts his experiences in Auschwitz and is known to be one of the greatest literary insights into the shocking fate which befell so many guiltless men and women at the hands of the Nazi regime. Levi was an Italian Jew who was arrested for his political activities in 1944. In a twist of luck (Levi believes much of one's fate in the camps comes down to chance) he was punished not for his politics, which would probably have meant execution, but for his faith. Subsequently he was introduced to
the atrocities of life as a prisoner in a Nazi work camp. As a chemist he was able to spend some time working inside, and this was most likely his reason for surviving until the Red Army liberated the camp in 1945. What makes this book so unique is Levi's dispassionate account of his experiences. The lack of emotive prose allows the reader to understand the shocking treatment of the prisoners as it occurred, without lashings of adjectives describing how everything felt. Not only does this constantly remind us that this is a real story, but it also emphasises the harsh reality that life in the concentration camps was cold, and bleak, and not concerned with any human emotion. It is this objectivity which affects you to the core of your being, and achieves what Levi begs of his reader – that you will never, ever forget what happened. Despite Levi's detached way of recounting his story, there appear throughout some surprising
emotional dichotomies. There are courageous men, and there are men capable of terrible acts; there are those who appear to cope, and those who are utterly destroyed; there is incomprehensible optimism and there is absolute resignation; and it is the sense of optimism, of hope, which is the most fascinating notion in the book. When everything in the camp is designed to remove identity and men are treated like beasts, and almost every ounce of humanity is prised away from you – what do you have left to hope for? Levi leaves all these questions open for consideration, but does highlight that due to another man's hope and humanity, he managed to remember that he too was a man. Perhaps it is this ability to hope, to have faith in something better, that makes us human, and that is something the Nazis could not destroy, despite their best efforts. It is this underlying question of the nature of humanity in the most desperate of places that bestows such an incredible legacy.
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And Next on BBC3... at the Amos Room
Alice Young Critic
If you've ever been to one of the University of Birmingham comedy society's events, you'll know that highbrow wit and good taste are not on the agenda. Instead what you'll find is the ability of a group of talented students to delight, entertain, and frequently shock their audience; their first sketch show of the year was by all accounts no disappointment. And Next on BBC 3… comprised a collection of sketches, voiceovers and video clips parodying some of the films and TV programmes we all love, or, in some cases, love to hate. Whilst crudely mimicking these popular shows, Birmingham Footnotes managed to balance witty insights with just pure silliness. Amongst the impressive number of sketches, there were a few which fell a little flat but a great many that stood out as incredibly well-considered and performed with sharp timing. It seemed those with a more simple concept result in the best comic effect; Voldemort and the Death Eaters attempting to use public transport, Sopranoinspired gangsters struggling to abide by their stereotype, and vari-
ous videos of something-ordinaryoccurring-to-the-music-of-Coldplay were perhaps among the most successful. Another inspired skit, executed superbly by Joe Belham, was the man with 'Sim-drome', a disease whereby a man starts behaving like a character from The Sims; where many of the other sketches relied upon the strength of the writing rather than the acting, it was Belham's ability to apparently become a 'Sim' which resonated strongly with the audience. Without hoping to discredit the others involved, there were rather a few moments where the evening felt like a one-man-show, with Chazz Redhead's colourful outbursts and not-so-subtle acts of exhibitionism somewhat stealing the limelight. However, brilliant humour and charisma were endemic , from the bad dancing and over-the-top shoot-outs to the witty (terrible) puns in the voiceovers to the extraordinarily funny programme designed by Richard Higgs. Indeed, they may seem like a bunch of nutters, but the Birmingham Footnotes are wonderfully adept at making people laugh as much and as hard as possible. And, surely, what more could you want?
Previews
Frankenstein at mac
Izzy Gibbin Critic
Staging a full-length classic novel with just three actors and few props is no easy task, but director Chris Cooper may just have pulled it off with his production of Frankenstein at mac. Happily, the production shied away from all the old clichés associated with Frankenstein films; gone was the creepy dungeon setting, elaborate makeup and even the famous bolt through the monster's neck. Instead, it stripped the plot right down to its bare, gritty essentials, relying solely on the talents of its cast in the place of showy special effects and dramatic scenery. From the start the atmosphere was rife with tension conveyed by the dim light, almost empty stage and eerie silence, punctuated only by the sounds of the audience's nervous bottom-shuffling in the stalls. Danny O'Grady's unnerving placidity was chillingly effective in the role of the eponymous Victor Frankenstein, though it occasionally verged into monotony. The real star, however, was Richard Holmes as the Monster. Dressed only in white rags that
were evocative, though perhaps only to me, of Lazarus being raised from the dead. His performance managed to incite both immense sympathy for his abandonment and rage at his cold-blooded murders. His transition from childlike innocence to misery at life's cruelties was well executed, and it was this gradual development of his character that gave pace to the otherwise quite static dialogue. It was pleasing to see that the many idiosyncrasies of the central characters, which made the book such a fantastic read in the first place, were exploited during the course of the play to marvellously creepy effect. Frankenstein's bizarre and controlling relationship with his adopted sister Elizabeth, whom he eventually marries, was well portrayed. At one point he referred to his eventual wife as 'Little Mother', subtly playing on the somewhat romantic feelings that Frankenstein is implied to harbour for his Mother in the novel. For those in the audience who had not read Frankenstein the use of only three actors to play multiple parts may have been a little hard to follow, but fans of Mary Shelley's original novel would be pleased with the play's faithful realization of this classic story.
The Classics Revisited: Jane Eyre Helen McPake Critic
There has been an influx of the period dramas gracing our screens in recent months, but what of the books that many of these dramas are based on? How many people, after watching an adaptation of a classic novel, declare their intent to read the original; and how many carry out this intention? Classics are classics for a reason, and that reason is that they are worth it. They deserve to be famous, and more than that, they deserve to be read. As a great lover of books, after recently reading Jane Eyre, I have to put it up there with the very best. Brontë cleverly retains the romance that so many readers crave whilst simultaneously subverting our expectations of the genre. The protagonists, Jane and Mr Rochester, are not your typical
handsome, beautiful, respectable couple. Jane is 'poor, and plain' whilst Edward Rochester is 'past youth... with stern features and a heavy brow'. So what attracts us to this odd, unattractive couple? Perhaps we warm to them because they are not possessed of the faultless, classical beauty of which men and women of classical literature are so renowned. It is because they are so different from the norm that we become interested in them, and their story. This being said, Brontë does not neglect the classic tradition of placing obstacles in the path of the two 'star-crossed lovers'. But the chief obstacle to their happiness is not wealth, pride, or the rivalry of the accomplished and handsome Miss Blanche Ingram. No, the obstacle to their union, hinted at darkly throughout the text, but only revealed at the very moment when Jane is about to say 'I do', is none other than Mrs Rochester.
Yes, Mr Rochester is already married. A match made when he was too naive to know better, Edward Rochester has to suffer the torment and shame of concealing an insane wife in the upper chambers of Thornfield Hall - a problem which is exacerbated by his falling in love with the woman whom he employs as governess. Mrs Rochester maintains a dark, ominous presence even whilst we, and Jane, are unaware of her existence. More than once Jane describes hearing 'curious laugh; distinct, formal, mirthless'. This portentous laugh creates a pervasive undercurrent of fear and apprehension which is enhanced by its anonymity. The reader fears for Jane, for Mr Rochester; we harbour doubts as to their chances of happiness. And these doubts are, unfortunately, well-founded. Upon discovering that she has narrowly avoided
bigamy, Jane ups and leaves Thornfield Hall without a word of goodbye to anyone. She makes her fortune as a school teacher under the pseudonym Jane Elliott, and for a long time we are as ignorant as she to the fate of Edward Rochester and the inhabitants of Thornfield. So, to summarise: the couple are divided, Mr Rochester is already married, Jane has created a new identity for herself. Is this the end? Does Brontë continue to subvert expectations by omitting that happy ending that we all know and love? Or does some twist of fate reunite the lovers, and if so, how, and why? These are questions which can only be answered by reading the novel (don't see the film first!), an undertaking which I strongly recommend.
Over The Rainbow The Alexandra 27th and 28th January £18.50
Sax in The City Symphony Hall 27th January Free
Nick Makoha: My Father and Other Superheroes mac 1st-4th February £10
The Age of Leonardo Lunch Time Talk The Barber 2nd February Free
Annette Fagon and Kwaku
The Drum 3rd February £10.50
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Life&Style
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27th January 2012
Golden Globes Style Verdict: Our male housemates review the best and worst of the fashion Read online at redbrickpaper.co.uk/lifestyle
Great Gatsby: 1920s Glamour is back on trend
Lucy Whife Writer
Not only does the beautiful Carey Mulligan have BAFTA and other award nominations in abundance, she's engaged to the lead singer of Mumford & Sons and has just nabbed the role of Daisy Buchanan in the 2012 film adaptation of The Great Gatsby, where she'll be starring alongside Leonardo DiCaprio. Aside from Mulligan's unstoppable career moves which make us all green with envy, her role in The Great Gatsby mirrors a significant fashion trend for 2012 – the 1920s Gatsby Glamour is back.
Last month signified the 70th anniversary of the death of literary legend F. Scott Fitzgerald. and the catwalk and media are giving full recognition to celebrate one of the most famous writers of the 1920s. Designers like Marc Jacobs and Ralph Lauren filled the New York spring Fashion Week catwalks with the predicted trend for Spring '12, displaying ankle-grazing gowns, beaded turbans and Chicago-like silk dresses. Daisy Buchanan, the protagonist of The Great Gatsby, supplies ideal inspiration for your wardrobe this year. The Roaring Twenties are notorious for women's liberation. As World War One finished and the suffragettes finally gained the vote, fashion reciprocated; woman gained boyish independence, choosing a shapeless silhouette with bobbed hairstyles. Hemlines rose along with the economy, and embellishment boomed. However, whilst us mere students may not be able to
Are your leggings making you fat? April Shacklock Writer
Leggings – we students love them. They're comfortable, versatile and cheap. But according to experts, they are making us fat, in more ways than one! It is not only the 'holding in' effect they have on our legs, bum and tum, but the high percentage of lycra in the material means they will stretch, masking the effect of weight gain. Physiotherapist Sammy Margo claims: 'They hold in and support the quadriceps, buttocks and core muscles in your tummy, and do the job the muscles are supposed to do. As a result, the muscles are allowed to relax and switch off, so when we reveal our bodies for the first time as summer approaches, they are not as firm as they otherwise would be.' This statement may seem a little extreme, as we are wearing cotton based leggings, not leggings made from reinforced steel, but the basic concept is true. The tight fit and flattering black colour encourages us to feel comfortable with our body. Lycra leggings have been a wardrobe staple since their comeback in 2006. It may seem that leggings can hide a multitude of sins; overindulgent Christmases, 'fresher's fifteen', a week without shaving, as they stretch and you take comfort in believing you haven't increased in dress size, but beware, summer is coming,
afford Mr Jacob's latest designer range, this glamorous trend has fortunately trickled down to the high street, and more importantly into the Bullring. Topshop, as our first port of call, is full of pieces showcasing 1920s charm. The fringed bandeau dress featured here summarises the era perfectly. Team with a pair of black heels and clutch, and you have the perfect outfit for a sophisticated-do. These complimentary earrings by ASOS could be mistaken for vintage and will add 1920s sparkle to any outfit. Dresses with a straight-down cut and dropped waist-line are flattering and in-keeping with the style. A pleated, dip-hem dress (see Oasis) is perfect for summertime, and pick coral for a bang on trend colour. If you are willing to spend a little more, this All Saints miniskirt comes at a pricey £165, but the hand detail mosaic embellishment makes it well worth the cost. Pastel colours such as lavender, white and pinks were extremely popular with excessive sparkle for the evenings. Sequinned tops and dresses are perfect worn with a faux-fur
coat and T-bar stilettos. Whilst the student budget doesn't stretch to the alluring champagne-drinking and Charleston-dancing of the 1920s, it is still possible to indulge in the flapper frenzy and update our wardrobe with a little bit of Gatsby this springtime.
1920s Glamour on the high street:
All Saints
Geraldine Tovey Writer
As I walked back into my Selly Oak home at the beginning of January, laden with leftover Christmas treats, I was overwhelmed with a bittersweet feeling as I realised that this will be my last proper term at the University of Birmingham. I cannot believe that I am coming towards the end of my third year already. I know it's a cliché, but it really does seem like yesterday that I was a naïve fresher living in halls. On one level I am really excited to graduate – after years of education I finally get to go out into the real world and start a career. Also, as much as I love learning, all of this third year work feels like purgatory. Dissertations, extended essays and final year projects really do feel like an endless moun-
Fierce Amy Wakeham Writer
The underdog: How ridiculously gorgeous has Neville Longbottom, aka Matthew Lewis, become? Tall, dark, chiseled cheekbones…by far the best looking of the Harry Potter crew now (Daniel Radcliffe must be mad). Summer holidays: We're dreaming of sundresses, wide blue skies and sun baked landscapes. It's the only way to get through January – plus it means we can plan our summer wardrobe now. Pastel eye shadow: If it can't be summer outside yet, then at least we can heat things up with a pop of azure, moss or daffodil coloured eyeshadow. Wear whilst dreaming up your summer holiday.
ASOS
Topshop
The Beginning of the End
and they are forecasting crop tops. We officially have seven weeks left of winter, so start weaning yourself off leggings now. Embrace new, rigid, pastel coloured jeans, or when leggings are necessary, make sure you're doing your gluteus maximus exercises as you wait for a computer in the library.
Fierce & Finished
tain of work. There are also certain aspects about student living that I am not going to miss; having a freezing cold house in winter to save on bills, and living off Tesco value and Aldi food. I am still very sad to go however; there are so many things that are only really acceptable to do when you are a student, such as wearing a onesie and body paint in public, waking up at 12 in the afternoon and getting so annihilated at pre-drinks that you can't make it out. The student lifestyle is the epitome of laziness, and for the most part is free from responsibilities, which is something we will never have again. I am also going to miss my friends, and knowing that I won't be able to see them every day will be hard to adjust to. Unlike leaving school or college where your friends will still be in a local area, we are all going to be scattered across the country, from places like Preston to Southampton. Ultimately, leaving university is abandoning an era of your life, and this makes me saddest of all. I honestly feel like I have changed so much during my time at Birmingham and have really grown up. I have made a lot of mistakes, mostly involving men, alcohol and far too many missed lectures, yet without being cringe worthy it is those mistakes that have made me the woman that I am today. Although I am ready to leave, I am going to miss this place so much.
Couture tees: Embellishment? Check. Sequins? Check. Luxe fabrics? Check. The hottest trend right now is so easy to master: the only rule is the more decadent, the better. Who knew that such a simple concept would become the look du jour? Sophia Kokosalaki for ASOS: London's next big thing is launching an affordable and ethically produced collection for our favourite online store. Made in Sri Lanka by a woman's cooperative, fashion editors worldwide are falling over themselves to get their hands on the jersey and lace creations. Versace for H&M? So last year.
Finished Maddie Kilminster Writer
Mini-skirts: Forget freezing out in the cold, the maxi skirt is a must-have. Think elegance, think Parisian, think Gatsby. Facebook timeline: Given the hype surrounding this new “revolutionary way of virtually telling our life stories”, can anyone else help feeling a little underwhelmed? We have better things to do than trek through our Facebook history to find embarrassing teenage statuses! Fancy dress: Freshers, Halloween, Christmas, then Refreshers – surely we've exhausted all possible fancy dress outfits known to man? Let's roll into spring with a little more class shall we? Reality TV: New Britain's Got Talent judging panel? So what? We've seen it all before. It's time for a new TV trend to sweep the nation! With talented acting this time please? Velvet: However luscious and glamorous, we must firmly leave behind this winter party trend as we glide into the next season. Katy and Russell: This trainwreck couple have been on the celebrity radar far too much lately.
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A Fitness Resolution You Can Stick To Did anyone make that notorious New Year's resolution to get fit after an indulgent festive season? If you are determined to beat your January blues and keen not to lose motivation, then why not mix up your fitness routine with a range of exciting exercise classes that will keep you active throughout the whole year? Life&Style writers Katie Pitney and Anna Fearon have tested out a great range of local classes so you don't have to: Step N Tone – Munrow Sports Centre Out come the boxes, on goes the fast beat tracks and away we go. This class mixes step routines with squats, lunges and sit-ups. It is great for those of you that want a light introduction to exercise. It is a mild cardio work-out that's well worth your time. This motivating class with a straightforward exercise routine will give you respite from all those long days of lectures and seminars.
race to the finish line in this class. Determination and hard work is needed in this session but you can always control your output to suit your stamina. The music will provide a motivating atmosphere, and by cycling in time to the beat you're bound to reach your goal! At the end of the class it's guaranteed you will feel refreshed and ready to face your work. Don't for-
get your water bottle and towel! Body Attack – Munrow Sports Centre In this busy class you will endure some extreme aerobics, which combines high-energy interval training with athletic aerobic movements and strength sta-
bilization exercises. Attack that body, attack those extra pounds… let's build some strength and stamina! The instructors are bound to get you burning those 800 calories per class. All those attending will encourage and support you…it's a great way to make new friends! Pole Fitness – Flaunt Dance Ltd at The Custard Factory Here is our wild card for those of you who fancy a fun, sexy way to tone your core muscles. Pole fitness doesn't have to bear the prejudices which many associate with it. It's definitely harder than it looks, but we promise the moves will become easier the more you practice. This will build your confidence as well as tone your body. You can pop along to large group sessions or you can choose a select group of your closest friends to join you. We hope we've given you 'fitness for thought'; there are plenty of classes to choose from, so…get moving everyone!
Spin – Munrow Sports Centre Fancy a hard-core cardio workout? Then get on that bike! Temperatures get hot as we all
Campus 'A Lighter Street Style Shade of Blue': Sadie Palmer and Esther Newman Writers
Jack, 1st Year Medieval and Ancient History student, claimed he'd 'much prefer to be dressed as a knight! Why do you want me for your photo?' Well, Jack, because we love your 'farmer chic' outfit! A dark palette, with Jake's red checked shirt peeping from beneath a moss green woollen cardigan, is the perfect colour pop. Layer this with his bang on trend navy Barbour, and for those long wet wintery walks to campus, Jake is warm and stylish. His classic leather bag for those piles of history books trumps the hundreds of sports bags we see on campus, and, a forever classic of any male's wardrobe: converse!
Sadie Palmer
We're the Kids in America: Young Hollywood Tiffany Bowers Writer
With the awards season comes a troupe of impeccably presented celebrities in equally impeccable outfits, sashaying down the red carpet and showing off their incredible dresses for the world to see. Who is wearing what is always something that fascinates me; noting those who have taken fashion risks, and those who have stuck to their staple look a la Jenifer Aniston, who knows how to do understated casual chic to perfection. But this year, something else has caught my eye: the young Hollywood starlets who are taking the industry and red carpet by storm – and it looks like they are here to stay. Hailee Steinfeld is the girl who has impressed me the most. At age 15 she has already found her unique and impressive style and she dresses appropriately for every occasion. As the new and fresh face of Miu Miu, and with a budding acting career, staring in award winning True Grit, she undoubted-
ly has a bright future within both Hollywood and the fashion world. She reportedly co-designed her gown for the 2011 Oscars, a beautiful pale pink Marchesa prom dress, accessorized with matching satin peep toes and an alice band to subtly remind us that she is only a teenager. Not only was this dress perfect for the occasion and her age, (and it must be pretty hard to dress a 15 year old for the Academy Awards), but it was on-trend and demonstrated her fashion prowess. Chloe Moretz is another pintsized fashionista, who pushes the boundaries when it comes to her red carpet style. She fiercely wears classic Stella McCartney and glamorous Dolce and Gabbana, as well as embracing edgier younger labels such as Christopher Kane and Proenza Schouler. Formidable duo Dakota and Elle Fanning are also taking the industry by storm, stepping out in unique couture pieces as well as perfecting their casual day look. Elle is the face of Marc by Marc Jacobs and has managed to develop an iconic style by the ten-
der age of 13! Even Disney princess Miley Cyrus has stepped up her game and abandoned body con for the red carpet, and was spotted in a futuristic David Koma dress with sheer panel detailing at the People's Choice Awards last week. These girls have managed to move straight from childhood into couture without a second glace. They are sophisticated, beautiful and incredibly talented, and they are giving the Vanessa Hudgens I-wear-anything-with-tasselsgeneration a run for their money. Young Hollywood are proving that you don't always have to display every inch of your flesh and wear 7 inch Louboutins to be red-carpet ready. One to watch 2012: Elizabeth Olsen. The younger sister of Mary-Kate and Ashley Olsen is set to become a huge star in 2012 with her performance in film Martha Marcy May Marlene. Critics have stated her acting talent has already surpassed her sisters, so watch this space...
Pastels
Sophie Cowling Life&Style Editor
Perhaps a subtle retaliation to the Steps come-back at the end of 2011 or more likely an unrelated but happy coincidence, the fashion world has pioneered a lighter instead of 'deeper' shade of blue this season through arguably the key trend: pastels. While we have returned to Birmingham with the post-Christmas assumption that winter must now be over with summer surely imminent, just looking out the window tells a different seasonal story. Along with everyone telling us it's the 'most depressing time of the year', something that is sure to pull you out of any 'deep' January 'blues' (Steps references – over) are the Spring Summer collections that will be appearing on the high street over the next few weeks. As the dregs of the sales retreat back into the storage room the new season is exciting, fresh, colourful and optimistic. I was lucky enough to witness a few of the shows first-hand in September and what became apparent was the overwhelming amount of different trends: from Gatsby glamour to pyjama daywear; crop tops with maxi skirts to short and sporty; floral patterns to paisley. If you are eager to welcome the new season trends, do not let the weather deter you. Incorporate a pastel coloured T-shirt or jumper with skinny jeans and Chelsea boots to welcome the new season, whilst keeping warm. Below are a couple of examples of how to apply a spring/summer flare to your winter wardrobe.
Sophie Cowling Life&Style Editor
Ashley Madekwe is a London girl living in LA. She's an Actress / Fashionista and her blog 'Ring My Bell' details her glamorous lifestyle, the events she goes to and, crucially, the clothes she wears. Obviously influenced by the LA casual chic style mantra but maintaining her London kookycool style roots, she photographs her looks from red-carpet ready to strolling around the streets of Los Angeles. Whether it's her beauty, amazing expensive clothes or the fact that her boyfriend is her blog photographer – L&S can't help but feel a teeny bit jealous of Ashley. http://ashley-ringmybell. blogspot.com/
Topshop knitted circle foil jumper in ice blue £38. Soft and cosy to wear, with a perfectly on trend icy exterior, the foil circle references another trend this season: subtle shine.
MOTO high waist Kristen jeans £40. With a range of different pale pastel colours available, these MOTO jeans in Blush can be teamed with a plain white tee and chunky cardigan to perfect the transitional trend look.
24
27th January 2012
redbrickpaper.co.uk
Food
Online this week
Check out our warming soup recipes to fuel you through the winter months.
Doctor, Doctor... Elizabeth Cook Writer Poor Gillian McKeith. She’s had a bit of a tough time recently. First her rather dubious fainting fits on I’m a Celebrity proved unsavoury with the British public. Then emerged the comparison photos featuring her and ‘yummy-mummy’ Nigella Lawson, rather harshly judging them on their looks in accordance to their lifestyles. But perhaps most alarming is the damage caused to her reputation after her deceptive use of the title ‘Doctor’ landed her trouble with the critics and the British Advertising Standards Authority. Investigations into her credentials revealed she was not the medical doctor she was advertising herself as. But does this really come as such a shock? Undoubtedly Gillian’s methods have been successful for many – her book ‘You Are What You Eat’ has sold over 3 million copies, with a television show of the same title now broadcast in over 34 countries. But her false claim to a doctorate has sparked a continuing debate, and Gillian’s misleading use of the title of 'Doctor' is nothing when compared to many other so-called ‘nutritionists’. The British Dietetic Association states on their website that ‘Registered Dietitians’ (RDs) are the only qualified health professionals that are able to assess, diagnose and treat diet and nutrition problems at an individual and wider public health level.’ Anyone can set themselves up as a nutritionist, although genuine nutritionists have to register to be recognised as professionals. The establishment of so many high-street ‘pop-up’ nutritionists and nutritional therapists is therefore a serious cause for concern, and potentially places many patients at risk. The magazine Which? recently published a report exposing the dangers of seeking advice from seemingly professional nutritionists. They sent undercover reporters to consultations with a range
Gillian McKeith of nutritionists and ‘nutritional therapists’, with reporters claiming to be suffering from a wide range of ailments. Their medical team revealed that 6 of the 15 consultations that took place were classed as ‘dangerous fails’, 8 as ‘fails’ and only one as a ‘borderline pass’. The advice given to the reporters classed as failures could potentially endanger their health, and ranges from the stupid to the downright dangerous. For example, one nutritional therapist advised a woman that she could get rid of her cancer through cutting out sugar as opposed to radiotherapy, claiming that cancer ‘feeds’ on sugar. Another told a reporter that if the treatments made him feel worse, he shouldn’t contact his doctor because they ‘wouldn’t understand’. Several of them failed
to spot symptoms that could indicate more serious illnesses. One nutritional therapist even asked the undercover reporter to hold various liquids in their mouth before claiming he had a chromium deficiency. The British Dietetic Association has produced a leaflet highlighting the dangers of so-called nutritionists. It urges the public to check the Health Professions Council online register to confirm they will be meeting with a registered dietician, before making appointments. The results of the Which? report are disturbing to say the least, but through following the advice of the British Dietetic Association we can help to stamp out this worrying trend and ensure that we receive advice from qualified, registered professionals.
Beet-ing the January Blues Hannah Rowe Writer Beetroot is definitely one of those ‘don’t judge a book by its cover’ vegetables. On the outside they are unassuming, dull-grey lumps but cut them open and a fuschia gem is revealed. They are a distinctly underrated vegetable in this country, despite being readily available. This may be because we’ve limited consumption to the very acquired taste of the pickled beetroot found in jars. Let’s face it, when presented with this slimy, vinegary vegetable you avoid it like the plague. It’s a shame because beetroots are incredibly good for you. They contain magnesium, potassium, iron, folic acid and vitamins A, B6 and C. They have also been considered an aphrodisiac since Roman times and there may even be some scientific proof behind this,
Redbrick
as beetroots contain lots of Boron which is related to the production of sex hormones! So, here at Redbrick Food we want to help society reclaim the humble beetroot! Here’s our top four suggestions for what to do with a raw beetroot (and you’ll be pleased to hear that none of them involve drowning it in vinegar): Beetroot Risotto: Pink ricewhat’s not to like? Place cooked, cubed beetroot in a pan with onion, garlic and thyme. Once softened, add the risotto rice for a couple of minutes. Then add some chicken or vegetable stock and a dash of white wine, if you have any dubious looking, half-empty bottles knocking around. Let it simmer for about twenty minutes until it’s a glorious bowl of gloopy pinkness. Warm Beetroot Salad: Roast chunks of beetroot with other
root vegetables, in olive oil and a sprinkle of thyme. Place on a bed of rocket and crumble goats cheese or feta on top. A honey and mustard dressing would be great with this, also. Roasted Vegetable Dauphinois: This sounds uber-fancy, but don’t panic it’s really easy to make. Slice beetroot, parsnip and carrots and layer them in a dish. Sprinkle liberally with crushed garlic and sage. Then pour cream over the slices and bake. I like to think that the health benefits of the beetroot cancel out the fact that it’s cooked in cream. Beetroot and Apple Crumble: This comes courtesy of Hugh Fearnley-Whittingstall. Simply cook and puree beetroots then place with diced apples, nutmeg and honey. Cover with a crumble mix and bake.
Recipe Book: Student Cookbook Conquering leftovers Sophie Attwood Writer Cooking in a student kitchen that is situated deep in the heart of Selly Oak is difficult at the best at times. So avoiding grime whilst carefully following the words of verbose chefs sometimes becomes just that little bit too painful. With recipe books a recurrent feature on birthday and Christmas lists, I’ve spent hours leafing through endless pages of different approaches to cookery. But, time after time, I still find myself reaching for my favourite recipe book. Sam Stern’s Student Cookbook offers the opportunity to regain your love for food, even if only half of the rings on the hob work and the handle to your pan is dangerously unstable. Bright colours burst from the pictures on each page and make you realise that even the most simple of recipes can be transformed to look and taste great. At the bottom of each recipe, Sam shows you how to adapt each recipe for whether you’re feeling extravagant or you’re feeling the pinch. With the book, there’s a speedy guide for checking the cost of each meal, as each recipe is marked with a price symbol. These range from ‘£’ – completely rock bottom Value-range budget, to ‘£££’, for
the times when your kind Grandma sends money tucked inside a birthday card. Sam Stern's Student Cookbook covers eleven sections, from light snacks to dessert. In these you can expect innovative ideas which are easy and quick to do, yet can be transformed into something a little more artistic by those who are up to the challenge. Take for example, the ‘Fast Veg Tart’ (p.186). The price symbol at the top shows that it is cheap to make, and the easy to follow instructions allow this to be prepared in less than fifteen minutes. This recipe is a personal favourite; tried, tested, and tested again. It’s easy to add meat to and simple to incorporate it into a healthy meal. There’s a recipe in here for everyone. So the next time you’re reaching for a marmite, chocolate and pasta concoction after a long day of lectures, stop for moment and reach for this cookbook. He’s only our age but he’s a genius. He understands the hardships of cooking when it's paired with university life. And, more importantly, he knows how to make cooking fun, healthy, and somehow much more appealing. Sam Stern's Student Cookbook is published by Walker Books and retails for around £10.
The Student Wine Guide Emma-Clare Dove introduces Redbrick's Wine Guide Whether you’re out for a meal with friends or cooking up a treat for a date, chances are you’ll want a glass of wine to enjoy with it. You might pick a refreshing white wine, or prefer a rich and seductive red. Although your choice of drink is based on your mood and personal tastes, you can use wine to complement and enhance your food. There are certain combinations that are very compatible. A well-matched wine will accentuate all the delicious flavours within. However, a bad match can leave you with a bitter taste that could completely spoil your meal. It used to be simple; white wine went with fish and poultry and red wine went with red meat. Yet, with dishes becoming more complex, and with multicultural influences, it can be difficult to choose a wine that will work with your meal. Finding the 'make it or break it' wine sounds like a daunting task, but there are a few basic rules that you can follow to ensure success. The key to this is balance. The flavours in the wine should not overpower the food and vice versa. A simple way to do this is to make sure your food and wine share similar characteristics. Delicate dishes are delicious with fresh and crisp white wines, whereas rich, heavy
meals are better matched with deep, full-bodied reds. You can also pair your wine with the dominant flavour of your meal. Tomatoes, lemons and vinegar are high-acid flavours, so will require a wine that has matching acidity. Sharper wines such as Sauvignon Blanc and Riesling will accompany these flavours beautifully. Sweet foods will make your wine taste sharper, and therefore it is best to avoid a dry wine as this will taste too acidic. Instead go for a sweeter wine such as Chenin Blanc. For dessert, make sure your wine is at least as sweet as the pudding. However, sometimes, opposites can attract. Hot and spicy foods benefit from sweeter wines, and you can use acidic wine to cut through the richness of a dish, as long it has plenty of flavour. A good way to ensure your wine complements your food is to work with geographical location. These flavours have evolved together over time so will often work well together. I hope you can see the benefit of picking the right bottle for your food. Over the coming weeks we will be adding to the Redbrick Online Student Wine Guide. So why not go to redbrick. me/35298 and check out our first instalment?
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redbrickpaper.co.uk
27th January 2012
Sport
25
Squash Special
Turn to page 26 to see how Birmingham's men and women's second teams fared in Wednesday's matches
Has Britain found its needle in the Haystack? After a potentially career-defining race, which included beating an Olympic Champion, Redbrick Sport writer James Newbon talks to elite runner Jonny Hay about his magnificent performance and his future ambitions
Age:19 Degree: Chemistry Running Club: Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club Achievements: 2011 European Under 20 bronze medalist Second place in Great Edinburgh 3km Cross Country meeting Ranked European number one in the 5000m Ranked European number two in the 1500m Having recently come away from the Short Course 3km event at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Cross Country, meeting with a second place finish and only five seconds behind Olympic gold medalist Asbel Kiprop (leaving two other gold medalists in his wake), Jonny Hay is making a name for himself in the athletics world. The product of Aldershot, Farnham and District Athletics Club already has a European Under 20 bronze medal to his name and is a potential prospect for this year's Olympics. The 19 year old is currently in his first year of a Chemistry degree at Birmingham and I met up with him to discuss his recent successes, aims and training at the University. How did you get into running? At primary school, my P.E. teacher said why don't you go down to a local club, you look pretty good. So I wandered down and I've been there ever since. Hay is one of the brightest prospects the University can boast
You've run various different distances from 1500m
The Week In Numbers
The Week In Quotes
9.3
143 2 557
Carlos Tevez's dispute with Manchester City has reportedly cost the Argentinian striker ÂŁ9.3 million in wages, fines and lost bonuses.
through to 5km on both track and cross-country. What's your preferred discipline? I think my favourite distance is the 1500m but I'd say my best distance is the 5km on the track. I just enjoy the thrill a bit more in the 1500m. It's more of a competitive event at times and you never know what's going to happen in it. But it was in the 5km that you came third in Estonia, so how did you come to be selected to represent Great Britain's Under 20 team? I had the trial two weeks before Estonia, which was the UK Nationals, and I won both the 1500m and the 5km there but decided to run the 5km in Estonia. Out in Estonia it was pretty hot so in a way I sometimes wish I'd done the 1500m purely because of the heat. I think the temperature was up to 29 degrees and 75% humidity so it was pretty difficult out there. But the race went OK, although I was slightly disappointed with third as I had the quickest time going into the event by something like 14 seconds. But I came out of the race knowing I'd put everything into it. I staggered across the line and was suffering from heat exhaustion for the next 45 minutes. Moving onto Edinburgh, was that the first time you challenged senior athletes at that level? At that level, yes. I'd done a little European club event for seniors but that was nothing major compared to this. Being up against three Olympic champions is something quite different. So I take it the result wasn't expected. What were your aims prior to the race? A top ten or top eight finish and first British athlete home was the aim. So I was pretty chuffed with
'I'm worried because when English players are involved in more serious things, nothing happens, whereas when foreigners are involved, such as Balotelli or Kompany, they were treated harder. If I find that there is something strange against Balotelli, my duty is to protect and then take him away.'
Mario Balotelli's agent Mino Raiola has defended his client over his recent four-match ban for a stamp on Scott Parker, threatening that he may leave the English game in the near future.
Combined total of England's top six batting lineup in both innings of the first test against Pakistan. 'His all-round game has become one of the best, if not the best, in the game. His scoring ability, mixed with his tactical prowThe number of matches it took Robbie Keane to ess... he's overtaken Higgins now.' equal Fernando Torres' goal haul for the season. Defeated snooker finalist Shaun Murphy had high praise for his vic-
1
tor Neil Robertson, who prevailed 10-6 to win the Masters.
'If they want to send me off every game, no problem. I will win Australia captain Michael Clarke is in this league anyway because my team is a strong team.' scintillating batting form, having hit 557 Fiery Swindon manager Paulo Di Canio made a bold claim after beruns in his first three Test innings of 2011. ing sent to the stands during his side's 1-0 victory over Macclesfield.
million. Host country Equitorial Guinea's bonus for winning a match at the African Cup of Nations having defeated Libya 1-0 in the opening game of the tournament.
'David will dominate the heavyweight division. We now go to the next level. Tonight we saw a real heavyweight star born.'
Frank Maloney, manager of boxer David Price, couldn't contain his excitement after the Liverpudlian's first round victory over John McDermott.
the performance and was surprised as well. I just seemed to move through well and next thing I know I'm going past [Kenenisa] Bekele and the like. What was going through your mind at that point? Were you aware you were in the midst of Olympic champions? The only one I noticed was Bekele when I overtook him. But later on in the race and down the home straight, I had no idea who I was going past and it was only when I finished and could look back and see who I'd beaten that I could go, 'wow, that's pretty cool.' It's given me a boost of confidence that I can hit the senior age group with. I know my aspirations aren't too far apart from how I'm running at the moment. Talking about aspirations, I see you were in the Daily Mail's 'London 2012 Athletics Watch'. Are the Olympics this year a possibility or are you looking further ahead? I think it's a possibility, yes. I never rule any event out. However, my main aim for the season is senior Europeans. If I run well enough to get selected off the back of that for the Olympics, it'd be amazing. What do you aim to have completed by the time you leave university? It's a long way ahead. There are a lot of events in between: this year's Europeans, the Olympics, the Worlds next year and Commonwealths in a few years' time. Hopefully I'll perform in all to a certain standard and possibly by the end I'll even be medalling at a major championship. To read the full article visit our website: www.redbrickpaper. co.uk/sport
The Redbrick Sport Quiz 1) Who is the highest non-European goalscorer in the history of the Premier League? 2) Who were the four singles Grand Slam winners in women's tennis in 2011? 3) What are the names of the English brothers who have been dominant in Triathlon in recent years? 4) The Wales national football team have only reached one World Cup, in which they were knocked out 1-0 in the quarter-final by Brazil. Which year was this? 5) Who is the male European Champion for 100 and 200 metres?
1, Dwight Yorke 2, Kim Clijsters, Li Na, Petra Kvitova and Sam Stosur 3, Alistair and Jonathon Brownlee 4, 1958 5, Christophe Lemaitre
Jonny Hay
26 Sport
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Birmingham close but no cigar Women's Squash
Birmingham 1sts
2
Nottingham Trent 1sts 3 Tom Cooper Sport Reporter
Birmingham women's squash team narrowly lost their match against Nottingham Trent by just 10 points overall, in a closely fought game where both sides won two matches each. This was the girls' first defeat of the season and their captain Amanda Wigram could do little but concede that her team had been beaten by a better side. The Nottingham Trent side, despite the absence of their captain due to injury, arrived full of confidence with a team comprising of number one Sophie Lamon, number two and British racket ball champion Lucy Townly, Emma
King and Natasha Kent. They would face a Birmingham side under the leadership of Wigram that also contained Millie Batten, Bethany Mann, and Elinor Williams. In the first round of matches Williams confidently defeated King by three games to love with wins of 11-4 11-3 11-1. King said of the defeat, 'I know I could have done a lot better, but there are signs of improvement that I can take with me into the next match. I have only been playing since September and the other girl said she has played since she was nine so it's not so bad!' At the same time as this Batten put on an assured performance to beat Kent, also by a score of three games to zero. Batten stated she was happy with the way she had played before conceding that there was always room for improvement. At the halfway stage in the match Birmingham held a con-
vincing 2-0 lead. Now it was the turn of the two sides most senior players to compete. In an eagerly awaited contest Wigram was pitted against Townly, and despite putting on a competitive and energetic display, found herself against an opponent in tremendous form. Townly won her games 3-0 with impressive sores of 11-4 11-5 and 11-3. A philosophical Wigram later said that 'I am happy with the way I played, there was little more I could have done'. Across on the other court the visitors' comeback was being completed as Lamon, a former British number one, comfortably defeated Mann 3-0. Mann admitted 'I was thoroughly beaten, I tried my very best and feel that I played well, there was just nothing more that I could do'. The clearly satisfied and confident Lamon had little to say but declare, 'I played well and I am happy with the win, I just hope it's enough for the team'.
With the game tied at two wins apiece an anxious wait followed as the individual scores were calculated to see who had prevailed. Eventually by the narrowest of margins of 88 points to 78, reigning champions Nottingham Trent were declared the winners. 'I am proud of my team', said Wigram, 'we played our best and could do little more. Given the strength of the opposition it could have been much worse.' The girls will face few harder sides this season and having come so close to victory they must now feel especially confident as they travel to Oxford for next week's game.
Total Points
Birmingham
78
Nottingham Trent
88
Sport Shorts BUCS Cross-Country
The BUCS Cross-Country Championships take place next Saturday, on the 4th February in Cardiff. Birmingham will go to the Welsh capital with high hopes following excellent performances in Liverpool at the end of last year. The men's team will be looking to regain their BUCS title, while star runners Jonny Hay, Niall Fleming, Hannah Walker and Lauren Howarth will be among the leading contenders to gain individual medals for Brum.
Squash
University of Birmingham sport have their latest Premier League squash match on Tuesday 31st January. The match starts at 7pm at the Munrow, with tickets to the event at ÂŁ2.50 for students, although it would be recommended to get down early to secure good seats. Refreshments are available, with Raising the Bar offering a meal deal of ÂŁ4.95 for a panini/ sandwich and a pint/drink.
Other Results and Next Week's Fixtures Results: Men's Hockey 1sts drew 3-3 against Sheffield Hallam 1sts Men's Hockey 3rds Worcester 3rds 5-2
beat
Men's Tennis 1sts drew 6-6 with Warwick 1sts A close encounter was decided by the number of points won Emily Guy
Despite Brum's best efforts, Trent proved too strong
Emily Guy
Fozard unfazed by defeat Men's Squash
Birmingham 2nds
2
Cambridge 1sts
3
Tom Williamson Sport Reporter
Birmingham men's squash second team faced off against the Cambridge first team. The home side were looking to continue their progress from before Christmas, which saw them go top with 21 points from eight games. The contest was action packed and, after nearly 25 games, Cambridge won the match 3-2. The first match saw Birmingham's Sam Huxtable face Henry Pelham. The first round saw Pelham take the lead early, grabbing a 7-3 lead. The action throughout was both fast paced and frenetic, with the players frequently bumping into each other but ended with Pelham taking the first game 11-8. The second game was less manic, and saw the hosts prevail 11-9. The third saw the intensity pick up again with Huxtable taking a 4-1 lead, before being pegged back to 7-3. However, he kept the lead and won 11-5, to go 2-1 up with two games left. In the fourth game, Pelham improved and raced into an 8-4 lead, allowing him to win easily 11-5. The final game would be the decider, with the winner taking
the points for their team. Pelham carried on from the previous game, and took an early 6-2 lead. He held his lead comfortably throughout and won the game 11-6. The second match saw Birmingham's Sam Mullins face John Anderson. Mullins came flying out of the traps, taking a 7-0 lead in the first game. Despite this, Anderson showed steel and fought back to take the first game 13-11. Mullins regrouped to take the second game 11-6. Despite this, Anderson then firmly took control of the remaining two games, winning both the third and fourth games. Next up was Birmingham's Robert Harrison who faced Cambridge's Richard Keating. Harrison took control of the game early on and won the first game 11-7. The second game showed true sporting intensity, with the players repeatedly bumping into each other. Harrison won again 11-3 to go 2-0 up. The third was closer and saw Keating win 11-7. In the fourth Harrison recorded an easy 11-5 win to win 3-1 overall. The penultimate encounter saw Mike McKay face off against Birmingham's James Ryan. The match was a five game epic and saw McKay win 3-2. In the first game, Ryan won a very close game 13-11. McKay won the next one 116, but the third was a real thriller. Ryan took an early lead, but was repeatedly pegged back. He was
Women's Tennis 2nds beat Aston 1sts 10-2 Women's Rugby beat Edinburgh 1sts 46-12 Men's Lacrosse 1sts Staffordshire 1sts 10-5
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Next Week's Fixtures: Game of the week: Women's Hockey 1sts vs Oxford 1sts Bournbrook 5.15pm Men's Football 1sts vs Manchester 1sts Munrow Track 5pm Women's Basketball 1sts vs Nottingham 1sts Munrow Sports Hall 5.30pm Men's Lacrosse 1sts vs Stirling 1sts Metchley 2pm
Brum retain title ambitions despite this setback Hannah Macdowell never more than two points ahead, eventually winning 19-17. In the final two games McKay showed superb character to win the match, winning 11-9 and 13-11. The final match saw Peter Fozard win 3-2 against Jake Maughan. He won the first 11-3, before a closer game followed which he won 11-7. Maughan won the third before Fozard recorded a comfortable victory at 11-5 to win the match, but this was not enough
to save his team overall. At the close of play, Cambridge's players were delighted with their win. Birmingham's Fozard was disappointed but saw positives. 'This was one of our toughest matches, and only our second loss so far. That we have lost twice by three games to two shows that we are firmly in contention to win the league title. Despite this loss today I believe we can and will win the league.'
Men's Rugby League 1sts vs Oxford 1sts Bournbrook 3pm Men's Table Tennis 1sts vs Nottingham Trent 1sts Munrow New Gym 2pm Men's Hockey 2nds vs Sheffield 1sts Bournbrook P2 3.45pm Netball 2nds vs UEA 1sts Munrow Sports Hall 1.30pm
This week in... 1993 The Italian Parliament was furious and Lazio coach Dino Zoff called it 'not a pretty gesture.' The man in question was, unsurprisingly, Paul Gascoigne, who was fined £9,000 after belching into a microphone when quizzed about his exclusion from the team. 2005 Marat Safin won the Australian Open in what was considered by many to be a vintage tournament. He beat Roger Federer in an epic contest before seeing off Aussie Lleyton Hewitt in the final.
Couldn't make it up
Olympic Countdown
182 days to go
Former sprint hurdler - now pundit for the BBC - Colin Jackson has a formidable record. Amongst other achievements, his world record stood for over a decade and he won an Olympic silver medal in 1988. He stands at 1.82m.
Frankie Conway gives an impassioned account of where British tennis has gone wrong after a disappointing Australian Open showing, in which five British hopefuls went out in the first round.
Blayne Pereira looks ahead to the Super Bowl XVLI, where the New England Patriots take on the New York Giants. The match takes place on February 5th, and Giants' quarterback Eli Manning is predicted to play a crucial role.
Where are they now? Weekend Wager
Classic Goal...
Sky Bet Chase, Doncaster 2.50 (Saturday 28th)
A degree of sympathy ought to be spared for Dutch striker Pierre van Hooijdonk. After being relegated with Nottingham Forest in 1999, he lost £2 million eight years later after becoming a victim of fraud. It demonstrated a naive side to van Hooijdonk, because he invested the money in a Chinese textile company that never existed.
Wymott has disappointed in his last two runs since a promising sixth in the Hennessey, but has the class to bounce back, and at 20-1 is well worth an each way flutter.
It's not easy being a surfing club in the Midlands, but in Brumsurf the University have a club to be proud of. Accommodating all abilities from beginner to advanced, Brumsurf organises fortnightly trips to the coast, providing transport, wetsuits, surfboards, and legendary nights out. Joining Brumsurf gives students the opportunity to have cheap lessons with qualified instructors, meet new people and partake in the summer trip to France and Spain.
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Youtube search: Amr Zaki overhead goal vs Liverpool Wigan Athletic striker Amr Zaki scored a memorable goal against Liverpool in 2008. Antonio Valencia floated a ball into the box and a flying Zaki executed a superb overhead kick to give Wigan the lead. He was later to leave the club in acrimonious circumstances.
Club in Focus... Brumsurf Club Captain - Tom Smith tom_smith1310@yahoo.co.uk Contact: http://brumsurf.wordpress.com/ Search 'Brumsurf' on Facebook like the page or join the group Email: brumsurf@gmail.com brumsurf@guild.bham.ac.uk
Mordo Nahum Puzzles Editor
Across
Down
1. Rock the ______, song by The Clash (6) 4. Coniferous tree native to the Mediterranean (5) 7. Ripens (anag.) (6) 8. Country on the Arabian peninsula (6) 9/21. Hungarian actor who portrayed 4 down in the 1931 film (4, 6) 10. Stick out (8) 12. Antarctic carnivore; real old apes (anag.) (7, 4) 17. So on and so forth (2, 6) 19. Unit of mass (4) 20. Catchphrase (6) 21. See 9 22. Bloodsucking worm (5) 23. ______ B. Johnson, former U.S. President (6)
1. Hide (7) 2. Highest female singing voice (7) 3. Flying vehicle (9) 4/5. Antagonist of Bram Stoker's vampire novel (5, 7) 6. Decayed, putrid (6) 11. The Central Criminal Court in London (3, 6) 13. Confine (7) 14. Busy; betrothed (7) 15. Collaboration; love affair (7) 16. Carnivorous mammal; deceitful person (6) 18. Garbage (5)
Henrietta Knight
The Oxbridge graduate has won the Gold Cup three times with Best Mate, but recently her stables have come under hard times. However, her best horse, Somersby, won the Victor Chandler Chase at Ascot last week in a thrilling encounter.
and Villains... Mario Balotelli
Wymott 20-1
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The Cambridge-based Australian beat Shaun Murphy 10-6 to win the 2012 Snooker Masters. The 29 year old has returned to form after a poor eighteen months. 'I completely took my foot off the pedal after the 2010 World Championship' he said.
Super Bowl Preview
British Tennis
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Neil Robertson
With less than a week of January left, in a window that has been significantly less eventful than last year's, Tom Harvey and Ross Highfield debate whether it is a postive thing for English football, or if it should be abolished.
The Redbrick Crossword Please complete this form before you hand in your completed crossword into the Redbrick office.
Heroes...
This week on the Redbrick website... Transfer Window
Oxford United defender Michael Duberry scored a hatrick last weekend in the 2-2 draw against Hereford United. What made the feat all the more remarkable was that it included two own goals and a last minute equaliser. As increasing numbers of fans moan about the fragile state of footballers, a Norwegian TV channel has provided an original solution. The game, called 'Bubble football' involves players wearing zorb balls, thereby allowing as much contact as possible.
Sport 27
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Just as Tottenham Hotspur's title challenge looked convincing, Balotelli not only stamped on Scott Parker's head, but remained on the pitch a n d scored a 95th minute penalty to win the game for Manchester City. Perfect preparation for Harry Redknapp's court appearance the following day!
Arsene Wenger
'I don't have to justify every decision' said the beleaguered Arsenal manager. Think again, Arsene! Gooners aplenty were left speechless after he inexplicably brought off star man Alex Oxlade-Chamberlain for Andrey Arshavin. The Russian was at fault for Manchester United's winner at the weekend.
Tomas Berdych
Not content with beating veteran Nicolas Almagro in the fourth round of the Australian Open, the Czech also felt the need to snub a post-match handshake. Berdych felt that an approach shot had been blasted at him, hence the refusal. He later apologised.
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28 Sport
Sport
27th January 2012 redbrickpaper.co.uk
Redbrick
Jonny Hay After a stellar race, could London 2012 be next for the Birmingham Fresher? p25
Notts deny Birmingham top spot Men's Rugby Union
Birmingham 1sts
16
Nottingham 1sts
18
James Dolton Sport Reporter
Birmingham men's rugby firsts were left to rue a missed opportunity after a narrow home loss to local rivals Nottingham. Birmingham sat in second in the BUCS Premier North B division and could have topped the league with a victory, but were instead dealt a frustrating 16-18 defeat. Their opponents came to the Bournbrook pitch off the back of a victory over Loughborough 2nds on Saturday 21st January, but showed no early signs of tiredness. Indeed they struck the first blow barely thirty seconds after kick off when hooker Ben Garrett bundled over to score on the left wing a few phases after a lost kick off. Notts centre and kicker Hall missed a difficult conversion attempt, leaving the early score at 0-5. The home team were quick to respond however, second row Sam Markey winning a penalty after excessive Nottingham holding almost immediately from the restart. Flanker Dan Wood powered this over from 30 yards out, adding three to Birmingham's total. This seemed to instil a new confidence on the team, who began to play some excellent rugby. Full-back Matt Smith made a su-
perb line break left, whilst beautiful fast hands from the whole back line saw winger Ben Farr almost put down on the right touchline. This pressure was made clear when the visitors rushed offside in midfield, conceding a penalty that Wood duly converted from 15 yards to put Brum in front. Birmingham were dominating this period of the first half: the pack won the first four scrums in a row, including two against the head, and Wood slotted another penalty from the edge of the 22 to consolidate the lead. However, the freezing temperature and swirling winds made it hard to build a platform: a number of kicks were blown straight into touch whilst several half-breaks were thwarted by knock-ons. To further this frustration, five minutes from half-time Nottingham gained a close lineout from a sliced kick. Flanker Williams collected the ball off the top and popped it to scrum half Humphreys, who wriggled through the middle of the Birmingham forwards to score. Hall again missed his conversion with a poor effort, but after a Birmingham offload went astray in midfield straight from the kick-off Hall made amends, finally managing to put between the posts. The referee therefore blew for half-time with the score at 9-13. During half time the rain began to throw down with renewed vigour, and this shaped the nature of the second half, a scrappy
Meurig Gallagher
Brum were often foiled by last-ditch tackles in a frustrating encounter affair filled with knock-ons and turnovers. Nottingham came close in the 50th minute with continuous pressure through the right side, but a huge tackle from Brum fly-half Peter Gizauskas forced a turnover. Birmingham had a huge chance 15 minutes later when a mazy run from left winger Robin Montgomery reached the opposition five-metre line but Birmingham again let the ball slip away. Eventually, it was Nottingham who broke the deadlock, when Smith was judged to have kicked straight into touch from just outside his 22. Nottingham set up a
maul from the resulting line out and Number 8 and captain Cooper barged over to make the score 9-18 with just ten minutes to play. Birmingham dominated these final minutes, spending almost all of them camped on the Nottingham five metre line. With ten to go, Nottingham saw Cooper sent to the sin bin for attempting to impede the advance of the Birmingham scrum, and two scrums later a penalty try was awarded as Nottingham's pack crumbled. Wood hurriedly buried the extras but there was barely a minute to play. Birmingham captured the
ball from the restart and managed into advance the Nottingham half, yet another knock-on saw the referee blow the final whistle, leaving the Birmingham XV dejected at losing a game that for long periods they had controlled and damaging their hopes of topping the league with just five games left to make up the deficit. Penalty Count
Birmingham
6
Nottingham
13
Philly on fire as Brum triumph in battle of sisters Netball
Birmingham 3rds
45
UEA 1sts
25
Reece Lawrence Sport Reporter
Birmingham put in a solid performance on Wednesday afternoon to beat the University of East Anglia (UEA) at the Munrow Sports Hall and ensure that their year got off to a winning start. The game was not as closely fought as the previous encounter between the two sides back in October, thanks mainly to Birmingham's determination to keep the scoring between the opposing teams as far apart as possible. The encounter was notable for being a family affair, with sisters Rachel and Sarah Clark representing the home and away teams respectively. Ahead of the game it was revealed they had not spoken – a clear sign that any family ties were being put on hold for the duration of the clash.
The match itself was a decent spectacle, with plenty of end-toend attacking and clever passing moves between Birmingham's Centre Harriet Rogers and Wing Attack Joanne Clarke. They combined well with the prolific Philly Koehli, who was lethal in her shooting throughout the game and rounded off several impressive attacks. From the first whistle Birmingham pushed forward and scored, though UEA did level the scores from 6-3 down in the first quarter to make it 7-7. However, the hosts increased the intensity of their play to lead 12-9 as the quarter ended – a lead they never relinquished. Birmingham increased their advantage to 18-13 in the second quarter, and were helped by a series of fouls committed by the East Anglia defence which allowed Koehli to add to her goal tally. By half time, the home side led 2215 and were able to alter some of their player roles. They went on to dominate the third quarter, working hard to
chase up missed chances and displaying improving levels of fitness. They were also aided by some wasteful shooting from UEA's offensive players and by the start of the final quarter the difference between the sides was reflected in the 34-20 scoreline. The last fifteen minutes were more even in terms of overall play, but Birmingham's superiority was already cemented and at full time a 20 point gap had the final score at 45-25.
Magic Number
40
Philly Koelhi scored 40 points, 15 more than UEA's total
Home coach Joan Hunter was pleased with the performance, 'I'm very happy. Today was a good win.' She added of her attackers, 'they worked together very well and they have an understanding; the shooting will tell you that.' Captain Clark was equally sat-
The thirds never looked like throwing away the lead isfied about winning her personal battle, 'I do enjoy playing my sister, but it's more exciting to win.
Michael Drury
I'm very pleased with the team, and the result shows how well we performed.'
INSIDE Turn to page 26 and read about couple of close encounters in the squash, where the men and women's second teams were in action