Redbrick Issue 1496, Vol. 83
Friday 12th October 2018
The return of the Redbrick Crossword
Reviewing the best of EGX's new releases
Features 15
Gaming 26
FREE
Can we cure cocaine addiction?
Mourinho's Manchester Madness
Sci&Tech 34
Sport 37
HS2 On Track:
Train line begins construction in Birmingham
Redbrick
page 7
The Official University of Birmingham Student Newspaper, est. 1936
Students Take a Stand Against Selly Oak Crime With safety in the student suburb a bigger concern than ever, Guild Officers have created a petition urging the University to act Liam Taft News Editor
The Guild of Students Officer Team have demanded that the University of Birmingham take more action to protect students living in Selly Oak. The online petition – which already amassed over 6,000 signatures – calls for the University to take a more active role in the community to ensure the safety of students. They request that the University’s security staff increasingly patrol the streets of Selly Oak – an approach which has been successful implemented in other universities such as Bristol and Manchester. Other proposals include lobbying landlords to improve the security of student housing. They also direct the report to the local council, asking them to work with the university to improve CCTV provisions in the area. The petition asks the University to use its political influence to enact change in the local community. The authors praise the ‘wonderful support’ from the local police and
acknowledge national funding cuts to local services. However, they believe that more can be done to make students feel safe. The petition was posted just days after a 22-year-old man, who was not a UoB student, was stabbed on Heeley Road. Police reports have confirmed that a 15 year-old boy has been charged with attempted murder, while another teenager remains in custody with six counts of attempted robbery. The victim is in a critical yet stable condition in hospital. In a statement posted in response to the stabbings, the University have written that ‘the safety of students is of critical importance', and that they are ‘working closely’ with West Midlands Police and the Guild of Students to ‘respond to safety concerns.’ In the wake of the stabbing on Monday, the Facebook group Fab N’ Fresh has seen a spike in posts regarding concerns about student safety. Between Monday and Tuesday at 21:00, there were more than 60 posts on the page that concerned student safety. One student wrote: ‘The crime rate in Selly Oak is getting out of control. The university is making huge investments on campus but is com-
Police cordon off the scene of Sunday morning's stabbing on Heeley Road photo credit: @SnapperSK
pletely forgetting to invest back into the students.’ Some directed their comments directly to the Vice-Chancellor: ‘I’m sure Sir Dave has enough money in his piggy bank to fund some proper and fully-trained security for the student neighbourhood.’ Guild Officers agree that student safety has not been prioritised by UoB, but emphasise that they are taking measures to combat the issue. They reassure students that they ‘continually work with the university and the police to address issues of crime and safety in areas around the university.’ Two new schemes are being launched this term aimed at improving student safety. The
INSIDE: The New Guild Of Students Women's Officers Speak About Their Experiences So Far
Streetwatch Volunteer Scheme will introduce volunteer patrols on the streets of Selly Oak. Guild Officers hope this will provide more on-hand help for students in distress. The introduction of a new safety bus has also been brought forwards. At the Guild Officer Question Time on Monday, Guild President Reece Patrick Roberts announced that this is only a trial scheme. He urged students to ‘please use this service’ so that the University considers introducing a second bus. Students are urged to phone 101 if they have any information that may be relevant to the police, or dial 999 in an emergency.
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Letter from the committee... We have somehow managed to create our first full edition as an editorial team, and I can say with certainty it’s been a pleasure. It’s pretty terrifying to acknowledge I’ve been part of Redbrick for just over two years now, but I can say without any doubt that it is the best thing I’ve done at UoB. In all honestly, I wasn’t really sure what to write for this editorial. So I guess I’ll try and paint a picture of what the last couple of weeks have been like here at the Redbrick office in the depths of the Guild. Starting off the year and setting everything up has been somewhat stressful at times. At least three out of nine of us committee members have been ill in the last week, probably down to working overtime getting everything set up but also due to second-hand Freshers’ Flu and the occasional Fab... But in spite of all the exhaustion, it has been nothing short of rewarding. Meeting with section editors, old and new, has confirmed the innovation, passion and skill our team possess. Their pages have been stunning this week and have surpassed the already-high expectations I had of this year’s team, especially when I reflect on how messy my first print pages were as an editor for Comment last year! Everyone’s creativity and commitment at Redbrick makes me indescribably excited for the near future and proud to be helping to lead
one of the, if not the, best student newspapers around. I also want to welcome our newest addition to the committee, Theo dore Wrigley, who will be our Marketing Secretary & Treasurer for the 2018/19 year. His enthusiasm and passion for the paper shone at our EGM on Tuesday and we’re all looking forward to what he brings to the role. He's definitely off to a great start. Interviewing the Women’s Officers, Holly and Alif, was a particular highlight of this paper for me. Their eloquence and intellect permeated the entire conversation we had and I can only hope that we will have the honour of speaking to them again. My fellow Deputy Editor Issy Campbell has been my partner in crime over the last few weeks and I cannot express how grateful I am to be able to work alongside her. As a Deputy Editor, alongside the wonderful Issy Campbell, I have had the pleasure of running Editorial Assistant sections. We always say without exaggeration that our EAs are the unsung heroes at Redbrick. Their meticulous attention to detail is vital to ensuring our paper is the best it can be. Alongside everyone at Redbrick, their involvement is voluntary and they definitely deserve recognition. It’s great to see so many new faces around and it’s never too late to join us. With EA roles, Section
Editor and Writer positions available across as many as twelve sections, I strongly believe everybody has a place at Redbrick. Here’s to a successful and enjoyable year... I have no doubt that it will be.
Kat Smith Deputy Editor
Clarification: In response to the ‘£2.8m WiFi Upgrade By Early 2019’ News article that was published in our previous issue, IT Services wish to clarify that they were aiming for 85% of student study areas to be upgraded before the start of semester, not 85% of the entire project as was stated in the article. With the delays, this now means that the project is due to be completed sometime in 2019, although this may not be ‘early’ in the year as described. Ed.
Follow us on Instagram @redbrickpaper Want to be featured? Send us your photos at: deputy@redbrickonline.co.uk and/or tag us in your photos by using #redbrickinstagram
Online this week at redbrick.me... MUSIC
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Live Review: Rex Orange County
Why Bodyguard Has Taken The UK By Storm
Alex Day Doesn't Deserve to Live (Or Die) On the Internet
London Fashion Week 2018 Breakdown
Redbrick Editorial Team Editor-in-Chief Erin Santillo editor@redbrick.me
Deputy Editors Issy Campbell Kat Smith
News Editors Tom Leaman Megan Stanley Liam Taft Sophie Woodley news@redbrick.me
Film Editors Lucy McCann Todd WaughAmbridge Josh Woods
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Digital Editors Jonny Isaacs John Wimperis digital@redbrick.me
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Social Secretary Sorcha Hornett social@redbrick.me
Comment Editors Natalia Carter Emily Chapman Alex Cirant-Taljaard Amelia Hiller comment@redbrick.me
Culture Editors Olivia Boyce Natalie Welch culture@redbrick.me
Music Editors Emily Barker Letty Gardner Harry Hetherington Kieran Read music@redbrick.me
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film@redbrick.me
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Print & Features Editor Thom Dent
Travel Editors Laura Botia Evangeline Hunt
Television Editors Niamh Brennan Morgana Chess Jessica Green tv@redbrick.me
Gaming Editors Christopher Hall James Law Imogen Mellor Sam Nason
Life&Style Editors Yasmine Kennedy Sophie Kesterton Imogen Lancaster Ellie Silcock lifestyle@redbrick.me
Sport Editors Jake Bradshaw Jack Simpkin sport@redbrick.me
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Editorial Assistants Molly Bailey Ellie Duncan Roisin Evans editor@redbrick.me Thea Grattidge Charlotte Gill Harriet Laban Lottricia Millett Holly Pittaway Amy Rogers Redbrick is printed through Akhil Uppalapati www.mortonsprint.com Charlotte Yates 01507 523 456 Charlotte Staines Nicky Maclean To advertise in Redbrick, get in touch with marketing@redbrickonline.co.uk or visit www.redbrick.me/advertise-with-redbrick for more details, and to see our rate card. Designed and typeset by Redbrick Copyright (C) Redbrick 2018 The views expressed in Redbrick do not necessarily reflect those of the editors, the Guild or the publishers. If you find an error of fact in our pages, please write to the editor. Our policy is to correct mistakes promptly in print and to apologise where appropriate. We reserve the right to edit any article, letter or email submitted for publication.
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Freshers Column: News Writers Discuss Their First Week at University Rebecca Hall News Writer
The word ‘freshers’ invokes a multitude of feelings. For some, it’s fun, alcohol and the excitement of making new friends. For others, it’s homesickness and nerves. I had been eagerly counting down the days to moving-in and beginning this new university a d v e n t u r e . However, I was completely blindsided by a feeling of homesickness and the fear that the close friendships I had made at school would always be much better than those I could ever dream of making at university.
Surrounded by social media that frequently showed everyone having the time of their life during Freshers’ Week, I began to feel isolated. However, after reaching out, it quickly became clear that my feelings were completely normal. Due to my overthinking, I hadn’t looked at how good my time actually was. I was surrounded by a wonderful group of people not only within my flat but the wider block, as well as some amazing course-mates. There were, in reality, many amazing things going on in my life. Everyone experiences Freshers in completely different ways, but all of those feelings are valid, and
you are never as alone as you often think - remember that life itself is an ongoing process of ups and downs.
"You are never alone as you often think" After a turbulent beginning, I know that the weeks will get better and that just like so many people, I will look back and say that my first year of university was initially difficult, but was eventually filled with friends and fun. Next year I hope to look back and be able to say that university taught me that you can overcome anything, so long as you are willing to try.
Olivia Shanahan News Writer
Freshers’ Week is definitely overwhelming. Having never lived independently away from my family, the prospect of cooking, cleaning, and making new friends with complete strangers made the thought of university very daunting. The first week was filled with highs and lows, and the lack of lectures or seminars made it very easy to sit in your room watching Netflix all day. The fear of social awkwardness definitely made me unsure if I was going to enjoy Freshers’ Week, and even my university experience in general.
However, one thing I learnt from Freshers’ Week is that you have to be proactive and push yourself out of your comfort zone, even if this does mean a few awkward silences. The events - including societies fairs, subject inductions and countless nights out - are a whirlwind. I was so lucky to meet some really amazing people in my first week who instantly made me feel more comfortable, and this made my Freshers’ Week so much more enjoyable. As I finish my first week of lectures, I feel like I’ve been here for years and even though I don’t feel like Birmingham is my home just yet, I am excited to see what the next year will bring!
UoB Students' Spending in Bottom 10 Liam Taft
tom (£208). The report was conducted by online money advice website Save the Student. They asked 3,617 The National Student Money students about their spending habSurvey 2018 has found that its and found that this figure varies University of Birmingham stu- hugely across UK institutions. dents spend less money than After rent, the average those at most other unistudent spends £364 versities in the UK. per month. The data UoB students spend also shows that £271 per month on although students average, which in London places them in the receive larger bottom 10 nationmaintenance wide. loans, students of students said The survey in other areas takes into account of the UK have that they struggle spending on food, similar living with money socialising, bills, costs. travel, and illegal But what are substances afterrent. most students spendBirmingham City ing their money on? University has some of the bigFood devours almost a third gest student spenders in the coun- of the budget and socialising also try, with an average of £426 per takes up a large portion. Transport student. On the top of the table and course materials are also costwas Goldsmiths (£626) and ly. Spending on illegal substances Chester Uni was at the very bot- is low at most universities. The News Editor
72%
University of St Andrews was the highest spender, with an average of £31 per month. The report also found that 72% of students said that they struggle with money and 57% said that their university did not adequately support them during financial trouble. Money also has an impact on
"UoB students spend £271 per month on average"
year. Postgraduate Officer Jessica Small is critical of the lack of funding available for students from poor socioeconomic backgrounds. One of her key manifesto points is a widening participation strategy for postgraduate students. UoB currently doesn’t provide any scholarships or bursaries for these students, which she argues is ‘discouraging people from workingclass backgrounds from taking
part in graduate education.’ Jake Butler, Save the Student’s money expert, said: ‘No matter where you go to university, it can be expensive. And the student loan most likely won't cover your costs. ‘I'd recommend any student to try and hunt down extra funding by contacting their uni student services. It's a harsh reality that a part-time job is a key part of student life these days too.’
student mental health. The report suggests that 37% of students suffer with poor mental health because of money worries. UoB offers the Chamberlain Award to students from who live in a household which earns less than £36,000 per annum. Students can receive between £1,000 and £2,000 throughout the academic
Uni Social Inclusion Rankings Released
The Times 'Good University Guide' placed UoB 116th out of 133 in their social inclusion league table Aneesa Ahmed News Writer
The Times has published their Good University Guide, which criticises Russell Group universities for a lack of social inclusion. This marks the first time that the social inclusion ranking table has been created by The Times. In The Times Good University Guide 2019, the University of Birmingham was ranked 116th out of 133 on the social inclusion table. The University of Birmingham
has been ranked as having a lower-than-average number of people from ‘minority backgrounds’.
"A further 16 Russell Group universities were also ranked in the bottom 20" This includes students from ethnic backgrounds, deprived areas and state schools.
The total percentage of students at UoB who have attended state schools is 67.3%, while only 7.1% of students were raised in deprived areas. The percentage of black ethnic students at the university is 4.7%. A further 16 Russell Group universities were also ranked in the bottom 20. The Times also commented on social inclusion ranking tables. They said: ‘using a multi-indicator table such as this ensures that a university cannot ride to the top of our social diversity ranking based on outstanding work in one
area alone. Success comes from more broadly based achievement in recruiting from the areas in society least represented in higher education.’ Redbrick spoke to first-year students about UoB’s ranking for social inclusion. Joe, a Mechanical Engineering Student, said: ‘I would say that I have seen lots of groups of international students who don’t socialise with others. However, there is the Prichatts Park global community’. Joe went on to commend the efforts of the Global Community for its cohesion.
Hasena, who studies Chemistry, expressed that she was slightly disappointed at first to see some divisions within students after she moved to UoB from South London. She said that the ‘university should take more action to promote social cohesion’ and that inclusivity should be a priority. In August, the university launched an initiative to improve equality, diversity and inclusion in engineering and physical sciences. The university is 'taking part in the first initiative of its kind' in promoting the project.
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Collaborative Teaching Lab Opens Megan Stanley News Editor
The new Collaborative Teaching Laboratory (CTL) opened at the beginning of this academic year. The new facility, which cost £40 million, began construction in December 2016. According to the University’s website, the new building is set to, ‘rethink the way STEM subjects are taught at the University.’ Built by construction and infrastructure company Morgan Sindall and designed by architect Sheppard Robson, the facility is designed to move away from specific-subject labs. The hope is to be more interdisciplinary of science and engineering subjects. The CTL features highly-specific facilities such as a dry lab, an
e-lab, and a wet lab, which will allow students to experience industry-like environments. Virtual reality technology will also be available to support student learning. On the lower-ground floor is an event space which has been designed to create an interactive environment and visually-stimulating displays for STEM showcases. The CTL has also been awarded the BREEAM Excellent standard and an EPC A Rating for energy efficiency. Trevor Payne, Director of Estates at the University of Birmingham, said: ‘We are very proud of the Collaborative Teaching Laboratory.’ ‘It really epitomises our commitment to providing the very best academic facilities for our
students. Beyond this, however, the CTL is a space that will not only support degree-related learning, but also prepare undergraduates for their professional lives, giving them an unparalleled student experience.’
"It really epitomises our committment to providing the very best academic facilities" Richard Fielding, Morgan Sindall’s area director in the Midlands, added: ‘Universities in
Megan Stanley
the Midlands need world-class laboratories and teaching spaces to compete on an increasingly competitive international stage.’ ‘The innovative design of the CTL sets a new standard for collaborative academic facilities and will enable a step change in the way STEM subjects are taught.
‘It’s one of a number of significant projects we’ve worked in partnership with the university to deliver, and everyone involved can be proud of the end result.’ Do you have opinions on this article? Contact us on Twitter at @redbricknews
International Advertising of UK Universities Criticised Florence Jones News Writer
A large number of universities have been exaggerating their international ranking, according to Which? University. A university’s international status is, in some cases, being inflated on websites and in other marketing material as more UK Universities are looking to recruit international students. The managing director of Which? University states, ‘It is critical that prospective students can trust the facts that higher education institutions are putting forward. However, we’ve found numerous examples of universities falling short.’ Global league tables typically
rank 1,000 institutions in total, leaving 25,000 unranked. Universities extrapolate their ranked position from the large amount of universities which are not in the table.
"It is critical that prospective students can trust the facts that higher education institutions are putting forward"
Ulster University in Northern misleading marketing campaigns. Ireland claimed to be in the top The Advertising Standards 3% of universities worldAuthority (ASA) launched a wide but was in fact crackdown on tactics ranked at 600th in which inflate the status one particular of universities. league table. The University Newcastle of Birmingham University simwebsite claims that ilarly claimed UoB is home to UK universities to be in the top ‘over 5,000 inter1% of the QS national students used misleading (Quacquarelli from more than marketing in Symonds) World 150 countries, and rankings. It was 31% of our academic 2017 in fact 141st in a staff [are] from overtotal of 1,000 instituseas.’ tions. However, International In 2017, Watchdog found Pro-Vice-Chancellor Professor that six universities, including the Robin Mason is proud ‘to be University of Leicester and amongst the world’s top 100 uniFalmouth University, had used versities.’ According to the QS
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World rankings for 2019, UoB is placed 79th in the table. The Times Higher Education World University Rankings, however, placed UoB at 116th in 2019 and 141st in 2018. QS also ranked Reading University 188th in the table, though Reading claimed to be in the ‘top 1%’ of worldwide universities. The Advertising Standards Authority (ASA) criticised Reading for this claim. Similar rulings were later issued by the ASA to other universities such as the University of West London and Falmouth University. The ASA committee concluded, ‘it is important that advertisers do not make claims which could mislead would-be students into making the wrong decision.’
UoB Launches New Digital Degree Apprenticeship Programme Aishwarya Chandran News Writer
The University of Birmingham launched a new degree apprenticeship programme this year in partnership with Vodafone, giving students industry experience whilst studying a degree in Computer Science. This course will last for four years, with students studying core aspects of Computer Science along with a technology placement during third-year. In firstyear, Vodafone will be able to give students a summer insight scheme, as well as an entire industry year in third-year. At the end of the degree, students on the degree programme
will progress straight into employment, with Vodafone offering all individuals a full-time or parttime job after graduation. As a Vodafone employee, graduates of the scheme will get access to all employee benefits including retail discounts, wellbeing (including a cycle to work scheme), pension scheme and the ability to buy shares at the company. The tuition fees for this course are fullyfunded by UoB; students can earn money whilst studying their degree. This new programme follows another recent partnership scheme with PricewaterhouseCoopers for their digital degree apprenticeship programmes, which is a startpoint for students to learn more about technology in the work-
place, being involved with the changes within the industry and developing new skills along this process. Since September 2018, the University has introduced the first sets of students on to their Digital Degree Apprenticeship programmes in Computer Science. A total of 40 students are currently enrolled on to new Vodafone apprenticeship scheme. HR Director Adam Parsons mentions, ‘Digital sectors like artificial intelligence, cloud services and the Internet of Things represent exciting opportunities for the UK economy. The education and mentoring programmes we have created will help us to make the most of these opportunities.'
Megan Stanley
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Officer Question Time: Meet Your New Guild Officers
The 2018/19 Guild Officers held their first Officer Question Time on Monday evening. News Editors Megan Stanley and Sophie Woodley report on the event Megan Stanley & Sophie Woodley News Editors
Guild President: Reece Patrick Roberts Roberts was the first officer to deliver his statement to the floor, and began with the recent issues of safety in Selly Oak. Roberts confirmed that the night bus to the Selly Oak from the university will begin next week. He announced that he and the other officers have released a statement and a video alongside a petition to the University, local MPs, and the Birmingham Mayor Andy Street to say that more action needs to be taken regarding Selly Oak safety: ‘Time and time again we are offered empty promises, empty solutions that are never fulfilled because momentum of these crimes disappears as it starts to get sunnier’. Roberts commended PC Charlie Richards and the rest of the West Midlands Police for their work in reassuring students of Selly Oak safety. However, he reiterated that if nothing is done the problem will get worse. Roberts told the audience: ‘The police will struggle to cope with crime unless the key stakeholders, the Guild, the University, the Counsellors, MPs and the police all take collective responsibility for safety in Selly Oak’. Moving on, Roberts discussed the fact there will be a formal review of the accountability structures and that the Guild are investigating how to improve diversity. ‘We want to make sure no student feels put off by taking part in our elections and our Guild of Students,’ Roberts said. Roberts also said that the mental health conference that occurred a few weeks ago has improved relationships between the Guild and the University regarding mental health. They are also hoping to introduce compulsory consent classes, called ‘respect classes.’ ‘Being an international university, the ideas of what respect means is something we really want to engage with our first years to make it feel like they can call it out and they feel comfortable calling it out, but also to ensure we respect our fellow students’. Robert concluded by discussing the recent trip to Dubai, and said that his report is currently being written and will be released soon. Activities and Employment Officer: Robyn Macpherson Macpherson began by discussing proposed improvements to the room-booking system. She explained that the system is being centralised and should improve as the semester moves forward. The new system may also include a ‘priority booking’ element instead of the current first-come, firstserve system. Macpherson moved on to dis-
cuss the workshops that will replace the mini-forums for committee support. In the new workshops content will be more relevant for the committees that attend. She also discussed the idea of holding a sponsorship fair in the spring to help new society treasurers get funding. Macpherson also discussed new methods of rewarding societies. She announced that Society of the Month was Brum Surf, while Spotlight On was given to a member of the Business Society. Education Officer: Adam Goldstone Entering his second year in the role, Goldstone told the audience that he is still in regular contact with the library regarding study spaces, which is something he was working on last year. By the end of the year, there will be a mobile app that will display availability of study spaces and have other interactive elements. The project is looking for student input before its release. Goldstone referred back to his manifesto aim of creating a more personalised academic experience for students. The university code of practise will be reviewed this year to make it more relevant and to ensure that it is followed correctly throughout the entire university. Goldstone is still working on the Article 26 Scholarship, which, when finalised, will provide financial support for asylum seekers. Work is currently being done to help promote the scholarship to attract those eligible, but he that admitted working to Home Office rules is difficult. Finally, Goldstone questioned if the online feedback policy that was introduced last year by the university is being used in practice and wants to hear student feedback on the system. Postgraduate Officer: Jessica Small Over the last few months, Small ran over 20 postgraduateonly events, including the first postgraduate-only Fab N Fresh event. A new Facebook page, the Guild of Students Postgraduate Community, has been set up to help ease communication with students, which is where future events will be advertised. Library closing hours have been extended from 8pm to 10pm during the holidays, however Small reiterated that work still needed to be done to ensure a 24-hour library is available for postgraduates as it is throughout the rest of the year. Small will be introducing office hours within the next few weeks, and is working with
Student Voice regarding postgraduate research and mental health. She said that she is also planning to lobby the university about introducing bursaries for postgraduate students, as well as working to introduce a parents and carers part-time officer role. Welfare and Community Officer: Izzy Bygrave Izzy Bygrave has been in contact with the university over the past few months about mental health. The mental health conference, held in early September, brought all the different mental health services together. Going forward, Bygrave is hoping to change the system so it is more of a cross-campus structure. This will mean that information is more readily available for students who may have previously moved between departments. Welfare will also work with the Postgraduate Officer to work on improving postgraduate mental health services. Bygrave is also working to establish a review-like website for
estate agents and landlords. However, it will take a few years for the reviews to build up and form a comprehensive comparison website for UoB students. Both Bygrave and Roberts are looking at short-term and longterm solutions regarding safety in Selly Oak. International Officer: Joanne Park As a newly formed role, Park began by explaining that she hasn’t had the time to achieve as much as other officers on the panel. Over the last few months, Park has been in conversation with both the university and the Guild to see what she can do to support international students. Since taking up the role, Park has held socials for international students such as tours, film nights, and the first ever international activities meet-and-greet which allowed international students to meet society committee mem-
bers. Park also introduced a workshop with university security services on the first day of the semester to provide important information about scams that international students might be vulnerable to, and advice on how to stay safe in their new country. On social media, Park has created an International Community Facebook page so students can access information regarding the Guild and events. For Chinese students, Park will be introducing a Chinese social media page. Sports Officer: Simon Price New Sports Officer Simon Price started by noting the daily meetings he has had, which have included looking at how gym memberships are bought and when they’re released. He confirms how UoB sport ‘definitely’ have this as a main priority due to an increasingly high demand. Price has also been involved in the Tiverton gym project, which is currently a ‘hot conversation’. UoB have invested the full amount of money into the project, which hopes to cater for 3,000 memberships. Finally, the new bronze, silver, gold system for sports funding was discussed by Price. Under this system, sports committees will be encouraged to fulfil more goals and achieve more as a group with the reward of increased. Achievements involve having committee members mental health trained, being part of the NotOn campaign and holding an AGM to attain the bronze funding level. Disabled Officers: Shamima Akhtar and Jay Martin Both mentioned their talk with the Director of Student Affairs, their attendance at Welfare Officer Izzy’s mental health conference, and a talk they attended this week with UoB’s Head of Disability. One of their priorities at the moment is with ‘Forward Thinking Birmingham’, a local mental health service. Shamima and Jay also mentioned their work with the NUS disabled students campaign, and are planning to reach out to Selly Oak’s MP Steve McCabe. They went on to state the problems which students with physical disabilities encounter across UoB’s campus. As a result, both have worked over the summer to seek solutions on how to overcome this, such as examining how new buildings are being adapted to be accessible. They concluded their talk with their plans on introducing an accessible map available on an app. This will allow students to seek the most accessible points on
campus. Women’s Officers: Holly Battrick and Alif Trevathan Holly and Alif stated that their main priority is currently ‘Reclaim the Night’, a protest march on sexual violence and assault which is expected to take place in early February. This year, they are planning to host the march in Birmingham’s city centre. This is the biggest piece of work they are focusing on, as they are working with charities, trade unions and the city council. Battrick explained how their manifesto made the NotOn workshops compulsory for societies. She went on to discuss their work with the Guild President, Reece Patrick Roberts, and his visit to UoB’s Dubai campus, as they helped to examine what the campus will be like for women studying there. Mature Students Officer: Lauren Kennedy Kennedy began by addressing the problems she has faced recruiting people to her group and says that to ‘counteract the problem’ a mixer event will be held on 22nd October. She invited and encouraged all part-time or mature students to attend. Currently, no parent or carer officer position exists, so Kennedy discussed her plans of implementing this, as well as kick-starting a Parent and Carer Association. Kennedy ended her talk by recounting her own difficulties as a student and a parent, and how she aims to start a crèche to support students with children. LGBTQ Officer: Jessica Rutland Jessica, also speaking on behalf of fellow officer Josie, spoke of their work with Reece Patrick Roberts after his recent trip to Dubai. Rutland claimed how this is an ongoing project for them, which they are ‘very excited’ about. Over summer, both Jess and Josie started mapping out a ‘fully cohesive’ map of gender-neutral toilets over campus, which ‘wasn’t very full at all’. Rutland also discussed the ongoing problem of making gender-neutral disabled access toilets, the lack of which Rutland claims is ‘not okay’. They plan to put gender-neutral toilets on the same mapping app. Their two manifesto points will be worked towards via LGBTQ+ training for people who work across all areas of welfare at UoB. A ‘student approach’ will be given to this training, because ‘our voices do need to be heard’. They also pointed out that some lecture content can be ‘triggering’ for some. Both Josie and Jess are aiming to tackle this during their time as LGBTQ Officers.
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UoB Vice-Chancellor Calls for Essay Mill Outlaw 46 university chiefs have called for essay-writing companies to be made illegal, amid concerns that they are threatening the integrity of degree courses Irram Gheer News Writer
The University of Birmingham’s Vice-Chancellor Sir David Eastwood is one of many university chiefs calling for essay-writing companies to be made illegal. ‘Essay mills’ provide students with original assignments-for-order but are a form of academic fraud. In a letter to Education Secretary Damian Hinds (available on the Russell Group website), university leaders have called for new laws to target those who offer such services rather than the students who use them. They say that essay-writing companies are
‘unfair to the vast majority of honest, hard-working students’.
"We need to be clear that plagiarism is a form of cheating" ‘This form of cheating is particularly hard to detect and whilst universities must continue to do their part, it is clear to us the time has come for the government to give legislative backing to the efforts to shut down these operations’.
It is not currently against the law for commercial essay-writing services to operate in the UK. However, according to UoB’s code of conduct, a student attempting to pass work that is not their own is considered serious plagiarism and will result in an academic misconduct hearing. Sir David Eastwood said ‘we need to be clear that plagiarism is a form of cheating. It undermines the integrity of UK Higher Education’. ‘Essay mills have no place in Higher Education and New Zealand, Ireland, Australia and 17 US states have already implemented legislative bans. As a sector, we need to ensure that we are addressing the root cause of the
Caleb Roenigk
problem. This is why I joined the cards, students need to be eduover 40 other Vicecated on the potentially Chancellors in writing life-shattering conseto the government to quences they may seek action on this face by using these issue’. services. ‘A legislative He said ‘I approach could also want the shut down all sector to do UK-based essay more to grip graduates have mills and would the problem, send a strong for example by bought an statement to tackling adverassignment employers and tisement of these students around services in their the world about the institutions and value of a UK finally blocking these degree’. services from sending an A second-year Theology alarming number of emails to and Religion student at UoB told Redbrick that he used an essaywriting service in his first year. ‘I had tweeted as a joke that I needed to pay someone to write my essay. I then received messages from probably five or six essaywriting companies. One of them told me that they would charge 30 pounds per 600 words and it would be written by a PhD student’. ‘I was curious and figured it would be worth a try. Within five days of sending the payment and criteria, I received the essay. The entire thing was littered with the inboxes of university students spelling mistakes and sentences and staff’. that just didn’t make any sense. A recent survey at Swansea They had told me that the essay Medical School showed that in would be graded as a first but the past four years, as many as after reading it, I was too embar- one in seven graduates have rassed to even submit it’. bought an assignment. This is Westminster Universities estimated to be 31 million stuMinister Sam Gyimah said that dents globally. while legislative action is not off
1 in 7
"Essay-writing companies are 'unfair to the vast majority of honest, hardworking students'"
Million Pound Business Prize for UoB Students Aishwarya Chandran News Writer
Plans on bringing the global ‘Hult Prize’ competition, established in 2010, to the University of Birmingham have begun. B-Enterprising, Birmingham Startup Society, are planning their next steps on recruiting students to enter. The competition involves students across the globe competing to win $1 million USD. This is based on creating a solution to a given issue that is a current trend in our society; this year’s issue is tackling youth unemployment. There are four stages in the competition, where students across the world compete in teams to find an innovative solution to a given problem in the current news. The first stage is comprised of
every university, in each city of the country, competing against one another to get through to the next stage. The winning team in each university progresses on to the regional finals, battling head-tohead with other students internationally. The second stage is narrowed down to one winning team per country, who move on to the third stage of the competition: Summer Business Accelerator. During this stage, teams devise prototypes and have extensive training and mentoring from professionals. In the fourth and final stage, the winning team receives $1m which is put towards making their project a reality. The Hult Prize has previously been endorsed by well-known, notable figures including former President of the United States of America, Bill Clinton, and the
United Nations. In the UK, the award was showcased at University College London for the first time last year, where the prize was well received; the team at their university won the global prize. Campus director of the Hult
"We have a wealth of untapped talent at Birmingham" Prize for the University of Birmingham, Sami Raza, says, ‘I personally believe that we have a wealth of untapped talent at Birmingham who have the tenacity, intelligence and drive to compete globally to make a lasting change.’
NEWS
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricknews
07
UoB's Hotel and Conference Centre Opens its Doors Sophie Woodley News Editor
A new hotel and conference centre has been completed on campus over the summer. The facility was completed in August, on the University’s main Edgbaston campus. The project is aimed to enhance the experience of those visiting and staying on campus. The new hotel is capable of accommodating up to 172 people. A provision of 220 beds has been created as a result. Both the hotel and conference centre are situated near the
University’s existing conference facilities.
"The beautifullyrestored Grade II-listed Garth House is now a luxury hotel" A grade II listed building, Garth House, has been regenerated as part of the new development. The Arts and Crafts House was built in 1900. Hornton
Grange, built in 1928, has similarly been renovated. This is in order to preserve the work for future generations. Key features of the 2018 build involve capacity, technology, and catering - with large rooms to accommodate guests, free highspeed Wi-Fi, and the ‘1900 Steakhouse Bar&Grill’. The hotel and conference centre’s website states, ‘The beautifully-restored Grade II-listed Garth House is now a luxury hotel’. The new project is also designed to increase flexibility for conferences and other events at the University. Conference rooms
University’s state-of-the-art are able to hold anywhere sports club. between 20 and 200 delThe university’s egates. Events such as website, which weddings are also provides inforable to take place mation on its at the new centre. varying event Seamless venues, states, access between ‘From the campus and the beds in the new informal and freshly built park intimate to the is also a central hotel in grand and glitconcept; the link Edgbaston tering, you’ll between a wide range of facilities to find a unique colcampus have been lection of event implemented. venues set in and For example, the Great around our leafy, historiHall, the Bramall, The Barber cal campus’. Institute of Fine Arts and the
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HS2 Build Starts in Birmingham Rebecca Hall News Writer
The building of HS2 began in Birmingham on Sunday 30th September. The multi-billion pound project is set to pass near Balsall Common, Hampton-in-Arden and Chelmsley Wood, with two major new stations being built in the West Midlands. One is to be at Curzon Street in central Birmingham and the other is an ‘interchange station’ close to Birmingham International Airport. The West Midlands Mayor, Andy Street, was joined by Transport Secretary Chris Grayling to mark the start of construction. Following this, Mr Street joined the Conservative Party Conference, saying that
HS2 is evidence that the party ‘stands up for those in the great towns and cities of the Midlands and the North of England’. High-Speed Rail is set to bring some economic advantages to Birmingham. Jacobs Engineering, the retailing banking section of HSBC and Deutsche Bank are among companies relocating their headquarters or expanding Birminghambased operations.
"It will supercharge the city as the place to invest and locate" HS2 is aimed at supporting future generations by opening a National College for High-Speed
Rail, teaching 1,265 students a year. The new infrastructure will also add to the already developing area. John Clancy (leader of Birmingham City council) said ‘It will super-charge the city as the place to invest and locate, and we are already feeling the positive impacts here and across the wider region’. Rail travel between Birmingham and London is expected to double in the next 20 years, so HS2 is adding up to 18 services an hour to-and-from two of the UK’s core economies. A resident of Solihull, named Mandy, told Redbrick of fears the area’s residents share, stating that ‘HS2 will cut up Solihull. It’s going through roads, footpaths and even villages.’ Locals argue that the noise will alter life for the residents of
Grimshaw Architects
Designs for the new Curzon Street Station have been released Birmingham, changing sleep appalled by the recently-pubpatterns and the ability to relax lished HS2 plans. These have or concentrate at home. been described as ‘hideous conRichard Lloyd, a key memcrete’. ber in the Heart of England The completion of HS2 is estiHigh-Speed Railway Action mated to be after 2033. Group, states that the residents of the Chilterns area have been
Stand Up to Racism Propose New UoB Society Tom Leaman News Editor
On Tuesday 9th October a planning meeting was held at the Bournebrook Pavilion to discuss a proposed new society to be set up in partnership with campaign group Stand Up to Racism. The ‘Kick Racism Off Campus’ event was led by Charlie Bonnington - the potential President of the society were it to become affiliated with the Guild of Students. Bonnington invited Christine Lewis of Stand Up to Racism to speak at the event. Stand Up to Racism is currently led at national level by Diane Abbott MP.
Proposed benefits of joining the society would be access to educational trips and campaigns, such as a forthcoming trip to Krakow and Auschwitz between the 8th and 12th November (which there are currently no UoB students attending) and a ‘Solidarity with Refugees’ event in Calais event on October 21st.
"People don't realise how many people hold these views" The event was allowed to be held for free at the Pavilion venue,
despite the usual fee being around £425. In front of an audience of 14 potential members, Bonnington and Lewis discussed how prevalent an issue racism still is, using examples of support for individuals such as Tommy Robinson and Donald Trump. Bonnington’s primary objective for the group is to ‘oppose racism wherever it is’, suggesting that ‘people don’t realise how many people hold these views’. In order to counter the issues at hand, Bonnington suggested
that confronting such individuals and groups for their views would generate change. In his talk, he said that ‘we need a wide mass movement to oppose [people with racist beliefs].’ He suggested that the proposed society would ‘want to create debate with these people’, as ‘debate is the only way to solve these issues’. While Bonnington discussed the possible implications of racist beliefs, Lewis discussed the pros-
pect of a re-emergence of fascism at levels similar to 1930’s Europe. She said: ‘If you look at Europe right now… there is a rise in fascism’, which may have emerged from ‘desperation and anger’ from governmental decisions which has broken out in a right-wing response. She continued by saying that the aim of fascism is ‘getting rid of all democracy,’ which is an ‘absolute problem’. Lewis also believes that a normalisation of racism from individuals such as Donald Trump is allowing fascism to grow.
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COMMENT
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickcomment
Whose Crisis is it Anyway? Abby Spreadborough and Isobel Doyle consider who is responsible for dealing with a mental health crisis across the UK's higher education institutions Abby Spreadborough & Isobel Doyle Comment Writers
A new academic year presents itself with new opportunities during the fervent excitement of freshers week. Yet, there will be those amongst our community who are struggling. Student mental health has dominated the headlines in recent months. Between August 2016 and July 2017, according to the Office for National Statistics, 95 students took their own lives. Therefore, It is imperative that we consider - who is dealing with this tragedy?
"Across the country a crisis is erupting" Across the country a crisis is erupting as institutions fail to holistically cope with student wellbeing. Currently, the university offers a range of mental
health services including dedicated welfare officers within each department, Nightline, and one-to-one counselling sessions. However, a university-wide mental health framework is nonexistent. Instead, instances of poor mental health are dealt with on a case-by-case basis. This largely ineffective policy can be seen in a variety of top ranking universities in the UK. Many others such as Loughborough and Cambridge are in the process of reviewing outdated frameworks. As such, it comes as no surprise that students continue to slip through the net; such was the case for a third-year Univeristy of Bristol student who committed suicide only a month ago, after being assessed by welfare officers and his local GP. A lack of thorough and consistent care led to a numbness and distress which was ultimately fatal, but avoidable. In response to this, universities are beginning to reform their approach towards student mental health. For example, 94% of the University of Bristol’s students signed up to have mental health alerts sent to their parents this academic year. All students are aware of the leap from school
to university, including the feelings of isolation, peer pressure and inadequacy. We go from an environment of constant support and supervision to one of independence both in our studies and personal lives. Surely Bristol’s policy would assist in this transition, providing a vital link home to ease students into their new lives as undergraduates. All universities should be following Bristol’s example, by taking steps in the right direction toward positive action.
"For fear of judgement, many of these invisible illnesses go undetected" Others may argue that this is a violation of privacy and may deter students from seeking out support. This accompanies the wider stigma attached to poor mental health which is clearly still prevalent. For fear of judgement, many of these invisible illnesses go undetected - in fact,
one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year. This means that someone in your flat, seminar group or sports team could be suffering in silence.It is clear that alternative intervention is required in order to provide students with the support that they need. For instance, compulsory talks could be given by trained welfare officers detailing the recognisable signs of common mental health disorders each term. This way, not only members of staff, but potentially other students, will be able to help those who may be affected. It can be as simple as encouraging activity to regulate mood, downloading a mindfulness app or taking part in extra curriculars. It is not just students, however, that need support. Applicants and parents require more awareness of the welfare services on offer. Currently, some institutions have guarded their policies and have made them accessible only to staff and students. Greater transparency is required to make clear to parents and applicants what they’re potentially paying for. Some
have suggested that a national grading system not too dissimilar to the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework should be created to rate pastoral care.
"Someone in your flat, seminar group or sports team could be suffering in silence" Regardless of which method of improving welfare is best or most practical, it is undoubtedly clear that change needs to be made - not only institutionally but also in terms of reforming our mindsets. Until this shift has occurred, ensure that if you are having problems you seek out the support available to you, check regularly in with the people around you and push to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health.
Are Undergraduates Going Under? Despite efforts to make higher education more accessible, the system still leaves far too many behind, comments Estelle Dragan Estelle Dragan Comment Writer
In an age of growing competition, rapid societal change and uncertainty about future jobs, undergraduates are increasingly being thrown into a deepening pool of academic average. A degree simply isn’t enough anymore to stand out on the steepening career ladder. Nowadays, it is all about embellishing yourself with the extras – the extra work experience, the extra volunteering, the extra contacts. Welcome to the epoch of the extra-curriculum vitae.
"The penultimate year of undergraduate study is a time of immense unease" Not only are undergraduates having to complete swarms of essays and ticking off reading lists under strict deadlines, they
are also having to meet the dreaded career deadline. The penultimate year of undergraduate study is a time of immense unease and stress for many. The transition from this sheltered university life to the ‘real world’ turns fellow course mates into fellow competitors. The word ‘internship’ is an often ugly one for students. The pressure to gain work experience is huge. Without this, undergraduates often fall into a postgraduate void in which the practicalities of work are alien to them. The so-called transferable skills acquired in abundant essay writing and referencing simply don’t translate into the practical working day. In fact, during my last internship, the core skills needed, such as a basic use of Microsoft Excel, had not been touched since the early years of secondary school. Finding all of this experience doesn’t come easily nor free either. More often than not, internships are not paid. Inevitably, many students simply cannot afford to spend weeks of their summer without an income. Travel expenses, accommodation and food costs
are all factors to be considered by our overdraft-ridden student bank accounts. The privilege game doesn’t stop there either. With career success becoming less and less about what you know and more and more about
who you know, many internships are set up through contacts. Higher education, a supposedly fair system accessible to all regardless of income, still leaves many behind. Those who
can afford to work unpaid for longer periods of time are likely to acquire better experience, and thus the better jobs after graduation. Is the world really our oyster? I think not.
COMMENT
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickcomment
09
Engaging the Youth in Politics is No Easy Fix Hannah Lay argues that there is no magic answer to getting young people engaged in politics Hannah Lay Comment Writer
I attended a fringe event on Tuesday hosted alongside the Conservative Party Conference. The talk, entitled ‘How to engage young people in politics’, sounded interesting and I was keen to go along and hear what the participants had to say. The panellists discussed the question and responded to audience questions. We heard from Ellis Palmer, a BBC news journalist, Anna Humphreys, the president of the University’s Conservatives, Jack Brereton, a Conservative MP, and Reece Patrick Roberts, the Guild President. I enjoyed the talk but, for me, it did not answer the question posed in its title. A key problem was: how can a group of politically engaged people really understand the motivations of those who are not engaged? The panel consisted of four very politically-minded people, and judging by the questions the audience were asking they weren't disengaged with politics. From the outset, we lacked the opinion of those at the heart of the debate. The panel discussed ways to get young people engaged with
politics. One suggested creating forums to give the youth a platform to talk about issues that matter to them. and I think giving the younger population a voice in politics is great. However, as a politics student, I am already engaged and perhaps that’s why I like the idea of youth forums.
"Judging by the questions the audience were asking they were not disengaged with politics" Obviously, I cannot speak on behalf of my peers who choose not to engage with politics, but I firmly believe even if the government suddenly created regular forums for young people, this would not increase political participation among those, who at present, choose not to engage with politics. If someone is not already interested, they are unlikely to turn up to a forum. One of the panellists argued
that increasing the representation of young people within Parliament would engage more young people with politics. Getting more young MPs into Parliament is a fantastic idea. After all, how can we expect a group of predominantly older MPs to really understand the issues that matter most to us? They haven’t been our age for many years and are quite frankly out of touch. We need increased representation, a parliament that reflects those who voted for them. However, I do not think getting more young MPs into Parliament is the magic cure to increase youth engagement. Put it this way: my constituency has had the same MP since 2001 and I can be quite certain that, based on conversations with my peers back home, only a small minority could name him. Probably not because of his age, but because they simply do not care. If a young person, or any person for that matter is interested in local politics they will research their local MP, if they aren’t interested they will not – it’s simple. There was also some discussion about how we should educate our young people in politics. One panellist suggested that all children should be taught
about politics at school, which is something I agree with. The English curriculum has a compulsory religious education element. If religious education is accepted as a core part of our curriculum then politics should be too. Engagement starts with exposure, so children should be exposed to politics from a young age.
"After all, how can we expect a group of predominantly older MPs to really understand the issues that matter most to us?" Alongside a debate of how to engage young people, the panellists also debated the concept of engagement itself. Literature on the topic seems obsessed with voting, and statistics generally show that those aged 18-24 have
some of the lowest turnout levels at elections. However, if we viewed engagement differently, for example, a discussion about an interesting news story with friends over dinner or voting in a Facebook poll, statistics might show different results. It's important to remember though, even if we were to define engagement as voting, the last general election saw the highest youth turnout in 25 years. Although this increase was arguably a result of some idealistic policies created to grab the youth vote, this is still evidence of political involvement. Whichever way you define engagement, perhaps the picture about youth and politics has been painted too negatively and young people are more involved than they are made out to be. There is no magic answer to how to get all young people engaged in politics. It should not be underestimated that a lot are engaged, they attend talks such as Tuesday’s and discuss current affairs with their friends. However, we need to continue to engage our peers in political debates and teach the younger generations about politics so that in the future we don’t need talks such as the one I attended on Tuesday.
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COMMENT
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickcomment
Left to Fend For Ourselves: A Retrospective on Student Suicide
Holly Pittaway reflects on the recent release of student suicide figures, arguing that we must raise awareness of declining mental health in the student population Holly Pittaway Comment Writer
Following the release of the figures for student suicide over the past academic year by the Office for National Statistics this summer, the question of whether British universities are properly dealing with student mental health has once again been raised to top priority. While the ONS found that there were only 95 reported student deaths by suicide throughout England and Wales between July 2017 to present day, a figure that rounds up to 4.7 deaths per 100,000 students (with the majority of victims being male), it is clear that student suicide and mental health issues are still very much prevalent throughout the higher education system. Another study featured in The Telegraph showed that the suicide rate among students rose by 56% between 2007 and 2016, as one of its researchers commented that, ‘this is the first time we can conclusively say that as far as suicide is concerned, there is a real problem in higher education.’ But one has to question the logic here – was this study really the ‘first’ indication that there was something very dark happening at universities throughout the UK? Not in my opinion, and certainly not according to the hard evidence.
"It is clear that student suicide and mental health issues are still very much prevalent throughout the higher education system" For students at the University of Birmingham, suicide has been a very pressing issue since the 1960s, and possibly even earlier. In November 1960, an article featured in the Guild News (the predecessor to Redbrick) found that there was a ‘high rate’ of suicide amongst students according to the National Union of Students (NUS). They claimed, however, that many suicides had been ‘disguised as accidents’ by their respective university boards, perhaps in order to conceal a potential mental health crisis, or to cover their own tracks when it came to investigation. The Guild President at the time, Gwyn Morgan, submitted a statement, saying: ‘We’re worried about the apparent lack of concern at the stress and mental strains at some universities.’
Despite this, however, the ‘lack of concern’ (or perhaps, lack of action) continued. In January 1966, one Redbrick writer asked the question, ‘Are we inhuman?’ after the suicide of a student at the start of term went virtually unnoticed. Judging by the welcome address given by the then Vice Chancellor to kick off the academic year, perhaps the answer is yes, we are inhuman, as his speech took a cold, dark turn when he announced matterof-factly that before the end of their university careers, ‘several would have committed suicide if past years were any guide to the future.’ What a way to get into the spirit of Freshers’, right?
eerily similar to that of Din’s was reported, after Andrew Wordon, a 22 year-old Engineering student who was often described as a ‘happy’ person, killed himself after finding out he had to retake the third year of his degree. The University, once again, kept quiet about Wordon’s academic troubles, a mistake that the young man’s family said cost his life. Student mental illness is at an all-time high, with 94% of
universities reporting a sharp increase in the number of students trying to access support systems over the last five years, and the situation shows no sign of improvement. But, is there a realistic solution to this problem? The University could start by employing more permanent, qualified mental health workers – a recent investigation by The Tab revealed that UoB currently only employs six counsellors to cater for its 30,000 students, and
of these six, only one is fulltime. I’m no good at maths, but 30,000 divided by 6 surely equals disaster. As a new cohort of Freshers arrive to start their university experience, all we can do as students is raise awareness and encourage those who might be struggling to speak up. But the inescapable fact is, universities need more counsellors - so until that happens, it seems we’ll be left to fend for ourselves.
Part-Time Student Suicide (per 100,000)
"In January 1966, one Redbrick writer asked the question, 'Are we inhuman?' after the suicide of a student at the start of term went virtually unnoticed" During this decade, Birmingham saw a massive increase in student uptake, and by 1966, 5,500 students were enrolled at the institution, a figure that may seem small by today’s standards, but nonetheless, still had a huge impact on student wellbeing. One student described feeling like a ‘batteryfed chicken,’ saying, ‘one can almost walk round the entire [Student’s Union] without seeing a familiar face,’ a fact that certainly left many Freshers feeling lost and forgotten about in the larger scheme of things. Despite calls for more recognition and action to be taken regarding student mental health, in June 1979 a Mechanical Engineering student, Abdul Majid Meher Din, committed a very public suicide by jumping from the roof of Muirhead Tower, which he had accessed via scaffolding. Din had failed a year of his course and thus had to re-sit some of his exams, and despite being extremely depressed, no action was taken to prevent this tragedy from happening. How did Din manage to slip past the University’s radar, that is, if they even had their radar switched on in the first place? Suicide, it seems, is a sad and unavoidable part of being a student. Just recently in August 2017, a case that is
Full-Time Student Suicide (per 100,000)
Source: ONS (2018) For anyone struggling with their mental wellbeing, the following links can offer much needed support and information: Nightline
Guild of Students
https://birminghamnightline. weebly.com/
https://www.guildofstudents.com/support
COMMENT
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickcomment
11
Improve Menstruation Education, Period Eleanor Martin outlines the importance of a gender inclusive approach to menstrual health education
Eleanor Martin Comment Writer
Whilst the UK has seen an increase in attempts to break the menstrual taboo by a range of organisations, the education system is still failing to address the issue. Recently, brands such as Always and Bodyform, along with charities and universities, have produced campaigns recog-
nising the implications of the taboo around periods and the subsequent phenomenon of ‘period poverty’. However, I believe there is also a need to tackle the root of the taboo in the early stages of education. Birmingham’s Guild of Students promotes an open conversation around menstruation, offering free sanitary products in various locations including on their reception. It is significant that these tampons and pads are
positioned at eye level. This not only helps those who are struggling to access essential period products, but also discourages students from feeling embarrassed about menstruating. Whilst working on reception over the past two years I have received many positive responses to this idea from the Guild, as visitors to the desk are often surprised and comforted to see that the university is trying to tackle the taboo. However, it has occurred to me that many students might be surprised to see sanitary products on a reception desk because it is the first time they have encountered period positivity in their everyday lives. Whilst free sanitary product schemes in universities help students to reconsider the way they feel about menstruation, I think there is even more of a need for this sort of approach in UK schools. Young girls are being socialised into being ashamed of their periods before they even start. I would argue that university age is too late to completely change our negative attitudes to menstruation, which are deeply ingrained by the time we are 18. First and foremost, we need to prevent teenagers from having preconceived ideas about periods. Over the last five months I’ve been working with the charity Irise International, whose aim is to fight the menstrual taboo and
period poverty in the UK and East Africa. In July, I delivered a series of workshops to secondary school pupils on behalf of Irise. Not only was this a chance to raise awareness about the charity, it was also a helpful method of gauging how young teenagers already feel about periods. I soon realised that there is a need for organisations such as Irise to intervene because our education system is failing to challenge the menstrual taboo at formative stages.
"Young girls are being socialised into being ashamed of their periods before they even start" Since I was mainly working in a girls’ school with Years 9-12, I avoided some of the challenges I might have faced from a younger or mixed-gender audience. Yet many of the girls (Year 10s in particular) felt uncomfortable discussing menstrual health. This was unsurprising since it has been reported that in the UK, 48% of girls feel embarrassed by their period, with the figure rising to 56% of 14 year olds.
This particular school accepts boys in the sixth form, so I expected that the workshop might be received differently by Year 12 groups. It turned out that each class had just one male student - I wasn’t worried about this as my workshop was not exclusive in any way. Yet what disappointed me most was how their male teacher approached these male students. Before I came into the school he told the boys that it wasn’t necessary for them to attend the lesson. This teacher also announced at the beginning of each workshop that the content might be shocking or uncomfortable, yet my purpose for being there was to prevent them from feeling this about periods. All of this revealed to me the importance of a gender inclusive approach to menstrual health education well before secondary school age. It is essential for everyone, not just people who have periods, to be taught before their teenage years that menstruation is nothing to be ashamed of. There is also a need for teachers to be more ‘period positive’ as they begin to influence young people. If charities like Irise are supported in their endeavour to educate young children about their bodies, attitudes can change, and period poverty can be prevented.
Poll of the Week: Freshers’ Week s
% 50
No
"No-one has preconceptions and you can totally reinvent youtself"
50 %
Ye
While Freshers' Week is a great oppurtunity to meet new people, some suggest that University drinking culture is having a negative impact on students
Does Freshers’ Week Have a Negative Impact on Students?
"It's one of the last truly free weeks you'll have" "The preconceptions of Freshers week can make students feel as if they're 'abnormal' if they're not enjoying themselves" "It's a big build up without a lot of pay-off" "The negative elements ... are expected to be hidden behind fake smiles" "It's good to be thrown in at the deep end"
Take part in our polls:
@RedbrickComment
Redbrick Comment Contributors
Isobel Doyle Comment Writer
A recent online poll which asked the question: ‘Does Freshers’ Week have a negative impact on students?’ came out with a 50/50 ‘Yes’ or ‘No’ response, with 35 respondents in each category. While it may be surprising to some that half of these respondents (the majority of whom were University of Birmingham students) empathised with the downsides of Freshers’, it is easy to see the effects of this arguably pressurised environment. I think it’s fair to assume that many people’s first week at university is emotionally turbulent, and often frequented with periods of loneliness and homesickness. Consequently, the unwritten expectation that this will be the ‘best week of your life’ encourages individuals to binge on alcohol and put themselves in
potentially dangerous situations, for example by entrusting their safety to people they have never met before. However, this is not to say that Freshers’ Week does not provide people with a unique opportunity to meet new people. Not only is it possible to socialise with individuals from opposite sides of the country, or even opposite sides of the world, but the atmosphere of new beginnings pushes people to leave their comfort zone and discover new things about themselves. I think the question, therefore, becomes whether the positives of Freshers’ Week are more representative of the general university experience, while the drawbacks remain exclusive to this period of the academic year. If this is the case, then perhaps Freshers’ should be shortened - or not exist at all - in order to give new arrivals the most beneficial and representative picture of university life.
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FEATURES
Friday 12th October 2018
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Redbrick Meets: Women's Officers We spoke to the elected Women’s Officers at the Guild, Holly and Alif, about their upcoming plans for the year and the challenges they’ve already faced…
something to do with your role, if not, what would you do if for some reason you disagreed on a decision?
Kat Smith & Issy Campbell Deputy Editors
Thank you to you both for joining us and giving up your time to speak to us. We want to find out more about you both as individuals, your partnership in this role and the projects or obstacles you’re currently tackling. First of all, please introduce yourselves and explain what life is like for you outside the Guild: Alif: I’m Alif, co-Women’s Officer with Holly. We are both involved in local activism and we’ve been doing that for our whole uni careers. I study English and Philosophy and have just entered my final year. Holly: I’m Holly, I’m also going into my final year of Philosophy. As Alif said, outside of our degree we spend most of our time in the Guild or involved in politics of some description.
So, how did you two meet and why did you decided to run for Women’s Officer together? Holly: We met at Women and Non-Binary Association, where I ran for Chair of the committee and Alif ran for Black and Ethnic Minority Rep, and were both elected onto the committee for the last academic year. Alif: We were also really good friends with the Women’s Officer last year, and she was really supportive during the whole process. Holly: We had concerns with being able to do it all because of final year and stuff, so that’s why we decided to run together. We’re also just really good friends!
Holly: Definitely. I also think it’s important that we liaise with all the other officers, especially gaining the input of the other liberation officers, as intersectionality is one of our manifesto points. Alif: Also, we’ve been friends for long enough to feel totally comfortable to disagree with each other. It’d be totally fine. For example, if we are discussing something to do with race, Holly turns to me because she’s white and I’m not. It’s all about finding and respecting who knows what, and listening to each other.
Holly: Because we were very close to the old Women’s Officer, and also both have committee experience, we are used to working in the Guild. We both had a relatively good idea about what would be involved and how much work it would be. Alif: Also, we are both super passionate about the role, so are more than happy to put the work in!
Do you think that the Women’s Officer should be a full time position?
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It’s great to hear you guys feel like you work so well in a team and agree on so much. Have you ever disagreed on
Alif: It absolutely should be. It wouldn’t be out of the blue, as the Postgrad Officer was Part Time only two years ago. It is something we have discussed, it
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"To be clear, this group will be treated the same as any other student group. They will go through the same process as everyone else" Term has only just started, but what sort of things have you had to deal with so far? Alif: I think the biggest thing we are working on at the moment is Reclaim The Night, which we want to happen in the city centre. It’s so much work it’s almost overwhelming, but it’s so exciting, and we really feel like we can do this.
As you mentioned, you are Part Time Officers, you both are volunteers. Did you go into this position knowing Holly: Exactly. We’ve also the amount of work that had another pretty major issue would be involved? to tackle - the potential for a
Holly: Absolutely, we are representing approximately half of campus!
Alif: Exactly, together well.
A photo of participants at last year’s Reclaim The Night at the Guild
Alif: Well so far we haven’t disagreed on anything. We’ve got a very similar political background, but if something ever did come up, we would talk about it first and foremost. We would try and make a compromise. But honestly, I can’t see that happening. It definitely wouldn’t be a problem if it did.
isn’t top of our priority list right now. We have a lot going on and we want to make sure we are sticking to our manifesto. But it is definitely something we are thinking about.
pro-life student group to be set up at the Guild of Students. As Women’s Officers, and very passionate protectors of the right to choose what happens to your body, this is something we are very concerned about.
Although they are sharing content on Facebook and organising events, as well as there clearly being a discussion that it will happen, can you confirm if the society is actually going ahead? Holly: Well it is all up in the air at the moment. As with any student group, their proposal will go through the SGX, Student Groups Executive, which is a committee that makes decisions about new student groups. At the moment we can’t confirm it will go ahead, and there is currently no date set for the next SGX meeting.
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Alif: To be clear, this group will be treated the same as any other student group. They will go through the same process as everyone else.
"The possibility of harm is so great that we couldn’t stand by and not do anything" Holly: Exactly. Also, to voice our concerns, we have put together a document to give to the SGX, outlining reasons why the group would be harmful, quoting the Guild’s ‘Zero Tolerance Policy’. Hopefully that will be taken into consideration.
Can you explain why, as Women’s Officers, you do not want this group to go ahead as part of the Guild? Holly: Well, as already mentioned the Guild has a ‘Zero Tolerance’ policy, parts of which really highlight why it shouldn't go ahead. For example Section 2.5 says the Guild does not tolerate belittling or questioning over someone's pregnancy and in 2.8 it forbids intrusive comments about gender. It’s very hard to see how a society like this, which is inherently gendered, is not going to violate that. Alif: Absolutely. From the Facebook page we have seen them talk about encouraging a ‘culture of Life’ on campus. We’re worried that this means their events won’t simply be private discussions, but instead opportunities to impose whatever sexist attitudes they have across campus. This is not something we want. We don’t want people who can get pregnant, women or other, to feel like they are on a campus that is not safe for them, or that the Guild officially endorses ideologies that attempt to remove their autonomy.
Could one not argue that by stopping this, you’re just stifling freedom of speech? Holly: That is of course an argument that has been raised. Freedom of speech is a value that we all uphold, but it has to be balanced with being free from harm within a Guild that is supposed to represent you. When you are looking at a group that has the potential to do a lot of harm, you really have to weigh up whether it is worth upholding freedom of speech. Therefore, we do not believe they should have a platform. Alif: We aren’t saying that they cannot hold their own beliefs. Everyone is entitled to their own private opinion. Holly: Yes exactly, we just don’t feel like this should have an official platform and be endorsed by a body that is meant to represent all of us.
So, what happens if you are pro-life? Doesn’t making a society give you the space
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to explore these ideas and meet like-minded people? Holly: Yeah, for sure. That’s the great thing about having societies; you get to meet people who have views like yours. For example, political societies are able to debate things like current policies, and whilst certain policy has the ability to cause a great deal of harm, it is rarely debating a person’s right to bodily autonomy. We’re not stopping a group of pro-life people meeting up and talking about their views. Alif: Just as we don’t want them to impose their views on us, we’re not going to try and impose ours onto them. It’s about the potential to cause harm, harm which could then be endorsed by a student’s union which is supposed to be protecting and representing all of us. This has the ability to make people feel unsafe on campus, especially considering the dangers groups such as this one have posed in the past.
While a pro-life group would be new to our campus and to our uni, it is not new to our city or to the world... these groups campaign everywhere. Have you had experience with pro-life groups (unaffiliated with universi ties) and if so how has this created an expectation for what you believe the damage would be to students? Holly: We’ve had a number of dealings with pro-life groups in Birmingham specifically, particularly through our activism with Women and Non-Binary Association. We’ve counter-protested things like the March for Life, and also a group called Abort67. Alif: When Abort67 brought their campaign to Birmingham they used a lot of graphic imagery, including pictures of what was supposed to be an aborted foetus. People, including children walking past were of course visibly distressed by it. This is a recurring theme amongst lots of pro-life groups. It aims to cause disgust, shame and fear. So, we counter-protested angrily, and covered the sign with our bodies and our own signs. Our only aim was to stop them spreading lies about the nature of abortion and to protect the children walking by, but in response we have been called every name under the sun by pro-life activists.
"We're hoping to take [Reclaim the Night] to the city centre this year" Holly: It’s always been very misogynistic, and we’ve had several encounters with men who have said outrageous things to us. Most recently, a male protester told us that we were ‘irrational bitches,’ that we didn’t know what we were talking about. and that we should read the Bible. They also filmed us on several occasions, without our consent. Alif: They bring in speakers
Guild of Students from America, and if you look into it they are funded almost exclusively by rich American conservatives, which is frankly quite terrifying. Holly: And another big concern, which has also been raised by the NUS in their guideline ‘Keeping Campuses ProChoice’, is that a lot of the time these groups are prone to not just bending the truth but outright lying. We’ve had a number of leaflets from pro-life groups that have literally just promoted lies. For example, they often claim that abortion is a dangerous, life-threatening procedure, but statistically abortions in the first and second trimester are safer than pregnancy and giving birth. 1.6% of abortions happen after this time and it’s in cases of extreme risk to the person who’s pregnant. Another myth is that foetuses feel a great deal of pain during the abortion process, but actually foetuses don’t feel pain until the 24th week of pregnancy. This is accepted by the Royal College of Obstetricians [and Gynaecologists], and as I already said, only a very small proportion of abortions happen after this time. Alif: The fact of the matter is, people who can get pregnant are going to be negatively impacted by the misinformation spread by these kind of groups. And more widely, this kind of rhetoric has the potential to create a bigger culture of shame around abortion, when in fact abortion is essentially a form of healthcare. It is always going to happen, so even if the agendas of pro-life groups are realised, they will only be making it unsafe. Holly: Exactly, we have to question to what extent are they protecting people as they claim? And also, in terms of how groups like this can impact campuses, we have attended a Guild endorsed event during which a high profile pro-life campaigner
spoke. When we asked how she felt about survivors of sexual violence accessing abortion, she outright called them cowards. People can say that the group will be regulated by the Guild, but this was a Guild society event. So what’s to prevent an official pro-life group won’t say things like that?
"The goal would be to have consent workshops be mandatory for everyone who attends this university" Alif: And who knows how many survivors of sexual assault and violence were in that crowd listening to her say those things and what that might have done. The possibility of harm is so great that we couldn’t stand by and not do anything.
How does this fit in with other universities? We know that there are universities that have ‘Students for Life’style societies - how is this being allowed? Who’s helping them to set up? Holly: We know that there are other unis such as Oxford and Bristol that have allowed these groups to set up. We are also aware of a group called the Alliance of Pro-life Students (APS) who support and provide resources for pro-life student groups. We understand that the group in question want to have speakers come in from the APS, and from the previous experience we’ve mentioned, we know that that could be seriously damaging. Alif: I think there has been backlash from universities where
they have tried to shut down pro-life groups in the past, but the NUS guidelines state it is perfectly legal to write prochoice policy into student’s union policy. So, while there has been backlash at other universities, what we’re trying to do is essentially in line with an NUSproduced document. We are in the parameters of what we are allowed to do.
We’ve already talked a lot about the pro-life group and what you’re doing to combat this but that’s just one issue that you are tackling. Can you tell Redbrick what else this year holds for the Women’s Officers? Holly: So a huge project of ours which Alif has already mentioned is Reclaim the Night. It’s something that Holly Campbell, who was the Women’s Officer before us, worked really hard to do on campus last year. It was really successful, and had about 150 people attend in the snow which was an amazing achievement. We’re hoping to take that to the city centre this year. Alif: It’s a lot of work, it’s the ins and outs of which you don’t foresee unless you’re involved in it. So far it’s going really well and we’ve had a lot of support from the Guild for it. The campaigns team have been really great. So that’s our main project at the moment, but we are also super involved in Not On and trying to establish consent workshops as mandatory firstly for societies as per our manifesto, but ultimately for all students. Holly and Alif can be contacted via their Part Time Officer Facebook page: Holly Battrick (Alif and Holly WO) or via their email address at: wo@guild. co.uk. They also now have fortnightly contact hours on Fridays between 10:30-12:30 in the Malala Yousafzai meeting room, on the top floor of the Guild.
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TELEVISION
ITV's Empowering Portrayals: Women From Our Past
TV Editor Jessica Green explores her favourite ITV period dramas and their depictions of historical female characters, both real and fictive, as strong-minded and independent women of their time Jessica Green
TV Editor
When it comes to achieving gender equality across the board, the world has a long way to go. Many women still cannot claim to have control over their own bodies, the glass ceiling remains resolutely un-shattered in far too many industries and female victims of sexual assault still face traumatic struggles in their pursuit of justice. But as well as acknowledging the discrimination that women still face in 2018, it is worth celebrating the progress we have made over recent years in the battle for equality. Movements such as #MeToo and Time’s Up have enabled women to stand together against their sexual abusers. Women can now have children alongside maintaining successful careers. Just this year, Ireland voted to overturn its near-total ban on abortion. None of this would have been possible however, without the women who fought for our freedom long before the term ‘Feminism’ even existed. The movement has progressed at a fierce pace over the last century, with women relentlessly pushing for equal educational opportunities, easier access to contraception and the right to vote. Whilst the characters that appear in historical period dramas are exactly that – fictional characters – they represent very real women who once struggled through situations just like the ones depicted on television. Here are my personal favourite female characters who shed
Masterpiece / ITV
the shackles of their time and whose fight for emancipation is embodied in some of ITV’s best period dramas.
Downton Abbey's Mary Crawley
When thinking of who to label as a Feminist in ITV’s award-winning period drama Downton Abbey, the mind immediately jumps to Sybil Crawley, who shunned her sedentary aristocratic lifestyle to work as a nurse during the first world war and who made many impassioned speeches about women’s right to vote. However, whilst Sybil boasts bold Feminist traits that are well worth admiring, Mary will always remain my favourite of the three Crawley sisters.
her distant cousin and heir to the fortune, Matthew Crawley, Mary remains true to herself and refuses to marry somebody she is so fundamentally different to (until she ends up actually falling head over heels in love with him – but we shall allow it). Mary faces more obstacles as the series progresses however, in true Mary fashion, she refuses to conform to the male-dominated society that is determined to hold her back. From smaller gestures such as getting her hair fashioned into a modern bob and refusing to ride side-saddle, to much larger endeavours such as running her father's estate as an equal alongside the Estate Manager, Mary makes it clear that she is well and truly in charge. Mary’s journey as a woman throughout the series is certainly a tumultuous one and I can’t wait to see how she continues to challenge the patriarchy in the upcoming Downton Abbey movie (due to hit our screens in September 2019).
"In true Mary fashion, she refuses to conform Vanity Fair's Becky to the maledominated society Sharp on the 1848 novel of that tries to hold the Based same name, ITV’s newest historical-drama series drew to a her back" close on Sunday evening after its We are immediately made aware of the patriarchal society Mary finds herself trapped in during the first series of Downton, where it is clear that despite being the eldest child, she is not entitled to inherit her father’s estate as a result of her gender. Far from impressed with
seven episode run. Born the illegitimate daughter of an opera girl and an art teacher, main character Becky Sharp starts out life with very little to her name. Far from making her modest and humble however, beginning on such a low rung of the ladder plays a large part in making Becky the feisty and ambitious woman she is.
Mammoth Screen / ITV Determined to achieve a new status for herself and eventually move amongst the circles of Georgian high society, Becky embarks on a journey of manipulating her way to the top. She utilises her beauty and charm to attract an abundance of powerful men, steadily working up from a schoolgirl, to a Governess, to a secretary, to eventually achieving her goal of being presented at court. She abuses her relationships with landlords and servants to acquire homes and services she cannot afford. She also schemes her way into receiving money from oblivious friends which she gleefully stashes away from the eyes of her husband in her bedroom drawer.
"Becky is a fiery and determined female character who knows exactly what she wants, stopping at nothing to get it" Though Becky Sharp's selfinterest means she may not be at the forefront of the fight for women’s rights, there is no denying that she is a fiery and determined female character who knows exactly what she wants, stopping at nothing to get it. Whilst her era was an extremely restrictive one for women, Becky makes use of the assets she does have, exploiting male weaknesses and holding several powerful men at her mercy. Her resilience and refusal to be held back by the restrictions placed upon her
as a woman without wealth, is what enables her to become the witty, resourceful and self-made female character that drew me in from the outset.
Victoria's Victoria Starring Jenna Coleman as the titular character, ITV’s Victoria dramatises the Queen’s acsent to the throne and subsequent life on it. Despite being only eighteen when she took on the role of monarch, the show makes it clear that Victoria was more than capable of ruling the country as a confident and strong-minded young woman, in a time when women were expected to be confined to the domestic sphere. What makes this series even more poignant is the fact that the main character is not purely fictional but based off somebody real and tangible. When Victoria bravely and purposely draws out a suspected assassin by following a route he had previously been sighted on – that really happened. When she attempts to delay her own pregnancy for fear that it could prevent her from efficiently ruling the country – that’s really how she felt. When she refuses Tory Leader, Sir Robert Peel's demands to dismiss several Ladies of her Bedchamber and replace them with the wives of Tories – that’s really how badass she was. Victoria’s refusal to be controlled by men as a female monarch is a prominent feature throughout the series. She remains an extemely influential woman who paved the way to female empowerment for all of us today.
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Mind+Solve After a couple of years in the shadowy nether-realms of Not Being In The Paper, I am proud to announce the long-awaited return of the legendary Redbrick Crossword. Since 1936 the University of Birmingham’s Official Student Newspaper has strived to expand the minds of its readership, through an exciting blend of cutting-edge reporting and intelligent criticism that has become our signature. But now, 82 years on from Redbrick's founding, the good
students of UoB are ready to have this knowledge tested. So, just how much have you learned in the last 82 years? Do you know your Old Joes from your Big Bens? Just how much do you know about Joseph Chamberlain? How well-versed are you in the ins and outs of the UK's second city? The Redbrick Crossword returns as the ultimate test of your student knowledge. Of course, this is a modern world - so, in order to fit in, we have expanded our puzzles remit to include Sudokus, word challenges and our pioneering First Lines feature. Hopefully there is enough here to satisfy even the most curious amongst us.
Across 1. Fruity Selly Oak pub (7,4) 4. How many of our sections have you read? (7) 9. Colourful nickname of Birmingham football team (5) 10. Free gallery at Brindleyplace (4) 12. Are we in the north or the south? (5) 13. More of this happened in Birmingham than in Venice (9) 14. Purple Bourneville factory (7) 17. Birmingham's illest gangsters (8) 19. Sport played in Edgbaston (7) 20. Old Joe's surname (11)
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‘It was a wrong number that started it, the telephone ringing three times in the dead of night, and the voice on the other end asking for someone he was not.’ ‘I was on a heavy tip / Trying to cross a canyon with a broken limb...’ ‘All right, enough is enough -- you can't eat the Venetian blinds, Curly. I just had 'em installed on Wednesday.’
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Anagrams films. All you have to do is tell us which novels, songs, poems or films the lines come from. It really is as simple as that.
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Print & Features Editor @thomdent
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Issue 1496 Puzzles compiled by Issy Campbell, Thom Dent & Erin Santillo
Thom Dent
The Redbrick Crossword
Can you rearrange the words below to find the names of five West Midlands towns?
1. PLOWMAN THROVE 2. EIGHT HANKS
3. RON REHAB 4. LILO LUSH 5. FOLDED SLOT TUNIC 6. ROSEBUD GRIT 7. ABSENT DOG
Get in touch with Redbrick Mind&Solve by sending all answers, applications and queries to print@redbrick.me. We welcome all suggestions, and encourage anybody with a keen eye to get involved as either a puzzles editor or contributor.
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Designing Disaster: Fast Fashion and the Environment
Whilst retail therapy may be a favoured pastime for many, indulging in the fast fashion phenomenon comes at a price far beyond the bank statement Imogen Lancaster Life&Style Editor
A couple of months ago, lifestyle vlogger and social media influencer Niomi Smart uploaded a picture of herself on Instagram in a Karen Millen dress that she admits to having worn multiple times, both on and off social media. Whilst many would not bat an eyelid at this, in the eyes of avid Instagrammers and the fashion industry the act of rewearing clothes has somehow become a fashion faux-pas. In the caption that follows, Smart openly critiques the fast fashion world we live in. We regard clothing as disposable with the mentality of ‘wear it once, throw it away, buy something new.’ She goes on to express her wish to go back to a time where it was perfectly acceptable to rewear your favourite items from your wardrobe, without it being somewhat frowned upon. Indeed, our appearance seems to be so critical in upholding and establishing our image nowadays and appearing to have a vast, varied, and often high-end wardrobe on social media is just one part of maintaining this identity. And with this, a new phenomenon has been born where shoppers are buying new clothes simply to post a photo on Instagram, before returning these purchases to the store. This is all in an effort to appear trendy on social media and maintain a look that is often both financially unattainable and unrealistic. But nevertheless, our generation are still going to great lengths to achieve this, therefore giving clothing a shorter and shorter lifespan. Nowadays, trends go out of fashion as quickly as they come in, leaving much of your wardrobe ‘obsolete’ within a season or two, at least by the fashion indus-
try’s standards. Consequently, in an attempt to be ‘on-trend’, many of us disregard and dispose of our outdated pieces (despite their complete functionality and almost perfect condition) and buy into the latest hot new thing. The fashion industry unsurprisingly promotes consumerism and encourages unnecessary mass consumption for their financial gain. Whilst the novelty factor of a new outfit provides short term satisfaction for buyers, this ‘fastfashion’ mentality and quick turnaround in clothing production has an alarming and obvious effect on the environment. Therefore, not only are we to blame for our spending habits, but the clothing brands we buy into are indisputably at fault, and arguably even more so for encouraging these habits.
"Fashion brands generate an unimaginable quantity of unnecessary textile waste" It is hardly breaking news that fashion brands generate an unimaginable quantity of unnecessary textile waste, as disregarded, unsold, and excess clothing and fabric ends up in landfill. But many may be ignorant to the reality and sheer scale of it. According to the Victoria and Albert Museum’s ‘Fashioned from Nature’ exhibition, around 300,000 tonnes of clothing are discarded to landfill in the UK each year. Not only is this unthinkable from an environmental perspective, but it is also unnecessary and largely preventable. With this in mind, it is perhaps unsurprising
that the fashion industry was calculated in 2015 to be the second largest polluting enterprise on the planet. While more recent efforts and initiatives have reduced this statistic, fashion remains in the top 10 contributors to pollution worldwide. However, the landfill crisis is just one issue amongst many. For as long as the concept of fashion has been around, the production of clothing has impacted the environment in more ways than one. Raw materials have consistently been exploited to create coloured dyes, and to manufacture fibres and fabrics like cotton. Coal and oil have been heavily relied upon in textile production since the Industrial Revolution, with obvious consequences in terms of polluting the environment and depleting our non-renewable resources. Whalebone has been hunted to create heavily structured garments such as corsets, whilst other animals have similarly been sought after for their ‘attractive’ skins, furs and feathers to create aesthetically pleasing luxury pieces. This is not to mention the cheap overseas retailers used by many high street brands to mass produce their products and ensure accessibility and affordability, resulting in excessive carbon footprints as well as well-publicised human rights issues. As recently as August, it was revealed that Burberry has burned more than £90 million worth of clothing, accessories and perfumes over the past five years to maintain a sense of ‘brand exclusivity.’ Since this revelation, Burberry’s chief executive officer Marco Gobbetti has committed to ending the destruction of unsold products. The fact that these revelations were published by the company themselves in their annual report for 2018 shows, however, the scale to which Burberry were unaware of the
shezimanezi/Shutterstock damage such a policy causes. But a light at the end of the tunnel: some high-end and high street brands are becoming more environmentally conscious as they begin to recognise the demand and necessity for change. Numerous brands like Patagonia, Calvin Klein and H&M have also begun using recycled materials in some of their clothing production. Victoria’s Secret have also set up a scheme where you can receive the equivalent of $10 off your next bra when you bring in any old one to recycle. Although this does somewhat encourage customers to get rid of their old lingerie and invest in new products, this recycling initiative does help prevent bras being unnecessarily thrown away and ending up in landfill (which would have been the inevitable outcome otherwise). It is an initiative which benefits the customer, the company and the environment.
"Burberry has burned more than £90 million worth of clothing, accessories and perfumes over the past five years"
A still from Stella McCartney’s Autumn/Winter 2017 campaign, shot on a landfill site in eastern Scotland
Beyond recycling, other brands are introducing alternative eco-friendly initiatives. In 2012, Nike released their ‘Flyknit Racer’ trainers, which utilised impres-
sive computer technology in the production process to ensure that every component of the shoe is cut exactly to size, thus reducing textile waste by over 50%. The excess waste problem has been tackled by clothing brand Unmade by adopting the concept of ‘made to order.’ Unmade creates individual clothing items on demand according to your size, rather than mass-producing garments. Finally, Stella McCartney has been influential in initiating conversation about the subject – her winter range photo shoot for 2017 was located on a rubbish site, which arguably makes a disapproving statement on fast fashion and addresses the landfill crisis. McCartney is also known for incorporating eco-friendly materials in her clothing production. With time, we can hope these efforts will become normalised, and standardised widespread practices in fashion to come. Celebrities also have the potential to be successful driving forces in promoting recycled and eco-friendly garments to the wider population, thanks to their large following and influence. One such notable advocate includes Emma Watson, who made a statement by wearing a Calvin Klein number to the 2016 Met Gala, which was made from recycled plastic bottles (it is now on display at the V&A in their aforementioned exhibition). This recycling process is considerably less damaging in comparison to the environmental impact of creating brand-new polyester, for example. And with the likes of the Green Carpet movement, which sees notable indi-
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viduals wearing eco-friendly fashion, a growing number of celebrities are on board, including Jessica Alba, Olivia Wilde, Gwyneth Paltrow and Michelle Obama, amongst others. So, although Emma Watson’s outfit choice was just one small step forward in promoting a sustainable fashion industry, an increasing number of high profile advocates are bringing publicity to these up-andcoming developments in fashion.
"Whilst notable brands and individuals are making significant progress, there is more to be done" Whilst notable brands and individuals are making significant progress, there is more to be done. There needs to be more transparency in the fashion industry so that consumers understand every step of the process. This will ultimately help them make informed and sustainable choices, and will result in loyal, trusting customers. Most importantly, brands need to address the often flawed systems and processes in the fashion industry and adapt to accommodate changing times. Brands must be open-minded to eco-friendly, ethical, sustainable, and Fairtrade alternatives to set a precedent for fashion to come. With time, hopefully more brands will also recognise the importance of the Oeko-Tex certification, which ensures textile
products to be produced in socially and environmentally-sound conditions and free from harmful substances. And perhaps, as consumers, we should look beyond the high street and towards ecofriendly, independent alternatives. There are countless up-and-coming brands which are taking initiative, and often have the sole objective of lessening fashion’s environmental impact - we just have to look for them. Ultimately our buying power is a powerful thing, with potential to make a big impact. Although sustainability may come with a price tag for brands and consumers alike, it is the obvious step in becoming environmentally responsible, and it is a price far smaller than the consequences of the alternative. In fact, modern luxury now goes hand-in-hand with being environmentally conscientious and has become a fashion statement in its own right. Forget ‘out with the old and in with the new’ and adopt the wise words of Vivienne Westwood ‘buy less, choose well, make it last’ - as your mantra. So reuse, repurpose and upcycle. Patch up and adjust, and this trend will certainly not go out of fashion any time soon. If you are interested in the issue of fashion and the environment, the V&A’s exhibition ‘Fashioned from Nature’ continues to be on display until January 27th.
Emily Youlton
BurnFM Station Manager @Burn_FM
Emma Watson at the 2016 Met Gala, one of many prominant figures championing eco-friendly fashion.
Autumn is here. The leaves are golden, the sun sets earlier and campus is yet again full of students, new and not-so-new. What a wonderful time of year. Some say Christmas is the best but I cannot deny the magic of a new year at University and it feels great to be back. Freshers’ week was manic and I know that was not just for Burn FM, it was lovely to chat to so many of the other societies who were gearing up for the year ahead. It was so much fun to meet some new faces and we had the chance to pop up everywhere during freshers week. We had fun at move-in day, enjoyed the dancing during our performance on Chancellor’s Court, got the chance to meet so many keen freshers and of course had a ball trialling our new studio equipment. It was a jampacked week and it was just the beginning! We are two weeks in now and it still feels fresh. I’m so excited for us to go live, Monday 15th October at 9am... now that’s a date for the diary. We will start our shiny new autumn schedule and it’s looking fabulous. After a record number of applications, our programming team worked hard to coordinate a schedule and, not to be biased, it’s looking pretty sweet! So here’s to the next academic year, a final year for many of our committee, but a new year for Burn FM in so many ways. We have a brand new studio, a slick new
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website and all these wonderful new shows. Stay tuned for so much more to come; we have a show that suits everyone from unique music, political shows and some hilarious games and quizzes to get involved in. We will be appearing at events, running our own live music night and covering music, arts, sport and news on campus and in Birmingham beyond. It’s all happening and there seems to be a real buzz. I can’t wait to see what another year of Student radio will bring. Catch us on air from Monday 15th October on burnfm.com
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February 2018
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CULTURE
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickculture
Culture Corner: Meet the Committee Members of the Redbrick Committee share some of their favourite cultural objects or places John Wimperis Ancestor I, Barbara Hepworth It is difficult to explain why I love the art of Barbara Hepworth. You probably can analyse these large nicely shaped pieces of metal and stone, but I’ve never really felt the need to. Hepworth’s art is one of the few things I am happy to say that I just like, and leave it at that. That said, my affection for Ancestor I (otherwise known as that sculpture thing kinda near the library) is not so hard to pin down. Not only does it just look great, in the way that I find most Hepworths do, but it is a campus staple that is a little humbler than Old Joe. Being the organised soul I am, I have found myself pulling all-
nighters in the library a few more times than I would like to admit. Stepping outside to clear my head, or chat with a friend on a cigarette break, it has always been nice to amble over and sit and chat by the statue. It inspires nothing profound, but it is familiar and just kind of nice. Athens Airport Museum Greece, or even just Athens, is packed with ancient sites and museums of such incredible spectacle and significance that they are very likely to blow you away. This one, however, won’t. I was spending the night in the terminal of Athens International after my friends and I made a small mistake in our travel arrangements. It was then that I stumbled
across this small one-room museum, tucked away on the first floor. Given the nation’s long and rich history, you cannot build anything in Greece without excavating a small settlement. This is true of the airport too and this museum houses information and artefacts from the ancient village they found beneath it. It is a lovely opportunity to see a well-curated museum dedicated to a tiny village, a rural constituency of Athens. It is not a famous place and hardly forged world history, but through chance it has found itself being remembered anyway. And I think that gives a bit of hope to us all.
Erin Santillo Andy Roberts (Flickr)
Jonny Isaacs Slaughterhouse-5, Kurt Vonnegut When I picked up Slaughterhouse-5, in all honesty I was happy that it was under 200 pages, so that I could be done with it quickly and say that I’ve read it. I didn’t realise just how quickly that would be. About 2pm on a Sunday in the Christmas holidays, with friends home from university whom I was desperate to see, and a never-ending demand of festive family events, I sat down on my bed to start what I thought would be another war story. Though I could see the appeal for someone else, it just didn't seem like my thing. By 10pm, with two arrangements cancelled, I was already impressing on my brother the immediacy with which he needed to read this book. I’m not sure I have anything original to contribute to the discussion of this phenomenal novel,
A Thousand Splendid Suns, Khaled Hosseini Very few novels bring me to tears, and even fewer manage to change my perception of a city that, for the majority of my lifetime, has been associated with war and death, but Khaled Hosseini’s A Thousand Splendid Suns manages to do both. Revolving around the tragic suffering of Mariam and Laila, two Afghan women, and their lives in the capital Kabul, this novel paints such a vivid portrait of raw pain in the midst of beauty. Embalmed in Hosseini’s metaphorrich language, Kabul becomes recognisable in our own cities of the UK, and this purposefully jars with the abusive male-dominated culture of beatings and forced marriages that pervades the narrative. The title, A Thousand Splendid Suns, draws reference to the beauty of the hidden people of Kabul, borrowed from the translation of a 17th Century Iranian poem, and this novel helps to shine a light on
but never has a story made me go from shuddering with horror to laughing audibly, so profoundly or so often. The clarity and devastation with which Vonnegut explains the carpet-bombing of Dresden without ever directly describing it has earned him a place in my top five authors.
"Never has a story made me go from shuddering with horror to laughing audibly, so profoundly or so often" As someone who suffers from mental illness I found myself identifying with Billy Pilgrim and Vonnegut himself, but not in the
kind of derivative way that many attempts at portraying mental health fall into; rather completely absorbed into the unique chaos of Billy’s mind. When I was returned abruptly to the unique chaos of my own mind, I genuinely felt I had a better understanding of both the nature and context of that same chaos. Born A Crime, Trevor Noah I often try to explain my interest in apartheid-era South Africa in terms of my own family history in the founding of Camps Bay, Cape Town, but after reading Trevor Noah’s raucous autobiography I realised that my interest in this time needs no justification. Or at least that the justification can extend beyond a personal stake and be rooted in the hundreds of thousands of individual stories, all of which vary wildly despite the obvious common theme. I first read Born A Crime whilst waiting with my sister in A&E in the ungodly hours of the morning.
Francisclarke, Wikimedia their stories. Although Hosseini is best known for The Kite Runner, this novel is by far his finest masterpiece.
"This novel paints such a vivid portrait of raw pain in the midst of beauty" Billy Elliot the Musical, Lee Hall & Elton John Over the years, I have performed in dozens of musicals, but it is one that I have never had the pleasure of bringing to the stage that brings my Culture Corner to
Much to the annoyance, I’m sure, of the other patients, I was sitting in the corner of the waiting room trying to stifle fits of laughter brought on by the comedic genius Noah brings to his personal history.
"Born A Crime takes place during one of the biggest injustices in human history, but will have you in stitches nonetheless" As a comedy piece, this book plays out much like Noah’s standup or nightly performance on The Daily Show with Trevor Noah and to one who has followed his career
its conclusion. Based on the film of 2000, Billy Elliot the Musical tells of a boy pigeon-holed into boxing by his family, who finds his real passion in ballet. With a backdrop of working class Durham, the musical pushes back against the notion of masculine performativity by subverting typical gender norms, using the maledominated 1984-85 miners’ strike as the central juxtaposition to the tutus and pointe shoes of the dancing world. Yes, the physical ability of 11-year-old Billy is always an incredible sight to behold – with the famed ‘Electricity’ routine always gaining huge applause – but it is the highly successful message of embracing individuality combined with the incredible balance of musical numbers that makes this show spring to the top of my list.
in comedy, some of the stories play a familiar tune. All of this is to say, if you enjoy Noah as a comedian, then you will enjoy his autobiography as a comedy book regardless of its powerful message. As for the message, Born A Crime is a story of a mother and son who yearn for their individualism even while their society deems the former a criminal, and denies the latter’s legal existence altogether. The title refers simply to the fact that the sexual union between Noah’s black mother and white father was a crime at the time of his conception. This truly personal tale details how a young Trevor Noah struggled to find his place in a black-African society that could never forget his whiteness; and a white State that could never forgive his blackness. Much like Slaughterhouse-5 above, Born A Crime takes place during one of the biggest injustices in human history, but will have you in stitches nonetheless.
CULTURE
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickculture
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Wikimedia Commons, Library of Congress
Kat Smith Ophelia, John Everett Millais This Pre-Raphaelite masterpiece is one of my favourite paintings ever. It reminds me of A Level Fine Art and my exploration of the tragic woman throughout time. It was a huge inspiration for me to eventually portray a modern-day tragic woman using similar techniques. It makes me think about the portrayal of women in art, as complex, natural beings who are constantly at the mercy of men. One of my favourite aspects is how symbolism is king, the nettles representing pain and the innocence of the daisy to only mention a couple of these nuanced details. Despite its complexity in many aspects, I love the overall simplic-
Issy Campbell The Lovely Bones, Alice Sebold The Lovely Bones is perhaps not the usual choice of book for a 13 year old girl bored on holiday, but that’s exactly what I picked up when my family and I went to Turkey. This was the first book that had me hooked from the very beginning; the first line reads ‘My name was Salmon, like the fish; first name Susie. I was fourteen when I was murdered on December 6, 1973.’ Despite the exploration of such haunting topics as sexual assault, murder and grief, Sebold executes them with the perfect amount of delicacy yet boldness.
ity of the subject matter and colour palette, something I think can be lost in modern art where surrealism and representation can be twisted beyond recognition. There is certainly something to be said for overt communication when it comes to artwork.
"This PreRaphaelite masterpiece is one of my favourite paintings ever"
Frans Hals Museum, Haarlem For my mum’s birthday I agreed that I would buy us flights to somewhere in Europe. To my delight she chose Amsterdam, and we booked our accomodation just outside of the city in Haarlem. The town was the home of Frans Hals, a Dutch Golden Age artist and so it felt only right to see his work. The Museum featured his paintings and those of contemporary
‘Migrant Mother’, Dorothea Lange This iconic photo of the Great Depression in 1930s USA has always stood out to me. Perhaps it’s my curiosity of the US’s short but cinematic history, where American dreams and prosperity crashed into poverty and despair, or maybe it’s the representation of a mother looking after her children in desperate circumstances or simply the striking composition of the photo. There’s just something about this image, with a distant defiance in the subject’s (Florence Thompson) face that seems to transcend the many years since it was taken. She looks strong yet measured, and I feel like I can read every thought she was experiencing while her portrait was taken.
artists inspired by his work. Frans Hals was innovative and his work was key to the evolution of 17th century portraiture, so his classical works were side by side with artists who were also not afraid to break the mould. The result was incredibly unique and in my opinion a better experience than the Rijksmuseum and the Van Gogh museum.
Picador
A dark and twisted novella, a brutal vision of ice-cold Scottish winds and teenage desolation, the insidiously psychological way in which Iain Banks draws us into the mind of narrator Frank Cauldhame... at so many points in this book it is hard to comprehend its gruesomeness, and this is one of the reasons why I have never forgotten it even years after last putting it down. Controversial on its release back in 1984, and still a deeply shocking read thirty years later, The Wasp Factory is one of the most affecting novels I have ever read; a savage, uncompromising masterpiece.
Although the novel is not a true story, it was inspired by Sebold's own experiences of assault, and I think this is why some scenes are so chilling and hard to read. This book haunted my memory for so long, I actually returned to it for my A-Level English Literature coursework and found it to be just as gripping as I did 5 years earlier.
The Louvre, Abu Dhabi It’s rare for me to say a place took my breath away, but The Louvre did just that. After opening recently, I knew it would be a must see when I travelled to Abu Dhabi on my family holiday this summer. I really didn’t think it would have a lot of work displayed, but the museum took me three hours to explore. My favourite pieces were Vincent van Gogh’s ‘Self Portrait’, Leonardo Da Vinci’s ‘La Belle Ferronniere’ and the ‘Fountain of Light’, which is a 23-foot-high chandelier and contains 32,400 crystals - it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. The museum itself was also astounding, with architect Jean Nouvel creating a floating
The Wasp Factory, Iain Banks I can’t remember why I first picked this book up. Amongst the collection of monochrome-bound Banks novels that sat on my parents’ bookshelf, The Wasp Factory did nothing to really stand out. However, whether or not I chose to pick it out, or had it presented to me randomly, the book itself is far from innocuous.
"A savage, uncompromising masterpiece"
"Sebold executes them with the perfect amount of delicacy yet boldness"
Sorcha Hornett
Thom Dent
dome of light and shade. The light filters through the perforations in the dome and creates a ‘rain of light’, and it was truly the most beautiful thing I have ever seen. If you ever find yourself in Abu Dhabi, I cannot recommend this museum enough.
"Fitzgerald’s novel is heart-wrenching but beautifully told" Tender is the Night, F. Scott Fitzgerald Tender is the Night is Fitzgerald’s fourth and final novel. Published during some of the dark-
est years of his life, it mirrors the events of Fitzgerald’s personal life as he struggles with his wife’s schizophrenia. The characters of Dick and Nicole Diver are ones that will always stay with me, and Fitzgerald depicts their downfall beautifully. The novel is notoriously bleak, with no happy ending and dealing with mental health, sexual assault and alcoholism. He lays his problems bare, and though told through fictional characters and a fictional story you can tell this is very much about his own life and own struggles. Fitzgerald’s novel is heart-wrenching but beautifully told, conjuring images that make you feel like you’re there, watching the drama unfold yourself. In my opinion, this is Fitzgerald’s best piece of work and definitely worth a read.
‘As I Walked Out One Evening’, W. H. Auden Something a little closer to home: Wystan Hugh Auden may have adopted US citizenship later in his life, but the reality is that he was born in York and raised in Birmingham. In fact, alongside the inarguable cultural allure of Peace and Aston Villa, Auden’s poetry was one of the main reasons I was attracted to moving to Birmingham. ‘As I Walked Out One Evening’, a poem I had studied at A Level, is still one of my favourites, and one of the most wonderful I have so far encountered (or at least, this is what I thought when I was seventeen). I actually find a large portion of Auden’s poetry quite frustrating – the bulk of it is too twee and balladlike for my tastes, and when Auden does attempt philosophical musings, as he does on ‘1st September 1939’, the results are generally overbearing. ‘Evening’, though, is his most perfect compromise of the two, and I will always consider its final stanza to be the most powerful four lines ever written by human hand (I refuse to spoil them for you by repeating them here though, please find and read this poem).
Slywire, Wikimedia
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MUSIC
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickmusic
Live Review: Hunee
Hunee laid down a nation-spanning, genre-defying set at Hare & Hounds that was as inconsistent as it was exploratory, Barney Murphy-King details Barney MurphyKing Music Critic
Hunee is a DJ/Producer who has ridden an enormous wave of popularity over recent years, gaining fame for his varied and energetic selections. You are as likely to hear him playing a choice Brazilian samba cut as you are classic house or disco. His eclectic style is one that suits local promoters Leftfoot down to the ground and follows naturally from last season’s bookings (Alexander
Nut, Young Marco, Jayda G etc.). The Hare & Hounds is a venue perfectly suited to the family of DJs Hunee comes from. A stark contrast to most of the other industrial and hard-edged clubs in Digbeth, it is actually a grade II listed, 111-year-old pub with a rather more welcoming atmosphere situated in Kings Heath. With muted lighting, a healthily sized disco ball and impeccable sound (they boast that they have the best PA in the city), there was a palpable buzz around the venue as Hunee took over the decks
slightly after his scheduled start time. He reset the mood after the warm up and started with the slow but sassy disco classic ‘Happiness’ by The Pointer Sisters, then maintaining a steady stream of crowd pleasing (if cheesy) disco until around 1 am. This early section was obviously planned to ease the crowd in, although it seemed a little misjudged as the crowd was raring to go as soon as he took to the decks. There were some great selections alongside some questionable ones in the early part of his set (a cover of ‘Eye Of The
Tiger’ left some quizzical looks on the faces of fellow punters), but as the night rode on, his selections became much more well received. Staying true to timeless sounds (acid lines, piano riffs and uplifting vocal samples) he switched between house, techno and electro with relative ease, providing both gritty toughness and also uplifting energy. A stand out moment was Ian Pooley’s recent edit of Jovonn’s New Jersey house classic, ‘Pianos Of Gold’. As his set drew to a close, he steered away from conventional
dance music, opting instead for Brazilian and reggae, somewhat losing the momentum rather than rounding off the set. The 3am closing time ensured that there was still a packed out room right until the last. All in all, however, this was a typically successful set for Hunee, he united many disparate musical styles in one joyous, energetic and vibrant effort. I left with the feeling that Leftfoot’s brand is uniquely accessible, and is a great entry point for those who have not yet delved into Birmingham club culture.
Single Review: The Japanese House - Lilo Naomi Bruneel Music Critic
After the much-anticipated wait, The Japanese House has finally released the new single ‘Lilo’. Amber Bain, the musician at the heart of the synth-pop act, released the EP, Saw You In a Dream, last June, leaving fans yearning for over a year. Yet, the buzzing excitement became more gripping once Bain began to count down on social media, feeding her Twitter fans with hazy, deadpan images up until the release. The echoing vocals stick with the dreamy bliss epitomised by The Japanese House. The overall song is less acoustic in comparison to ‘Cool Blue’ - instead gravitating towards an artificial sound, as in the likes of ‘Count to Nine’. Whether ‘Lilo’ is a progression or a declination (and, despite the long wait, listeners aren’t overwhelmed by a drastic change), an
opiate lullaby element remains. Fragments of the song are vaguely reminiscent of the 1975’s ‘Somebody Else’, which is no shock considering that ‘Lilo’ was co-produced by the band’s George David.
"The peaceful serenity of Bain’s synthesised magic physicalises the nebulous subject of drifting in and out of love"
can survive falling out of it’, hinting towards her relationship with Marika Hackman. There is underlining ambiguity as to whether Bain is seeking refuge in another person (perhaps after breaking away from Hackman) or whether the single is a touching tribute to their time spent together. The single’s central theme of love extends to the warmth of friendship, for Bain states that the lyrics for ‘Lilo’ were inspired by her best friend encouraging her into a new relationship: ‘Gemma told me that she met someone / It was the person I’d been counting on.’ The peaceful serenity of Bain’s synthesised magic physicalises the nebulous subject of drifting in and out of love. With eyes closed and earphones in, The Japanese House truly has us ‘floating like a lilo.’
Bain gave a personal insight into the depths of ‘Lilo’ by stating that ‘t is a reminder to me that I am good at falling in love and I
Dirty Hit Records
Album Review: Aphex Twin Collapse EP Harry Croxford Music Critic
The past few years have certainly been busy for Richard D. James, electronic pioneer and longstanding Warp Records signee, following the 2014 release of his sixth studio album, Syro. Collapse EP is a far more succinct record than Syro, and is perhaps the strongest addition to the Aphex Twin discography since the Richard D. James Album. Suffering from none of the ails of previous releases, Richard D. James has added something truly noteworthy to his monumental series of albums. Composed of five rhythmically spasmodic tracks, Collapse EP combines the icy synth melodies
of songs like ‘Xtal’ and ‘Heliosphan’ from his era-defining LP Selected Ambient Works 85-92, with the rapidly unstable electronic drums of James’ other project AFX.
"James has added something truly noteworthy to his monumental series of albums" With the opening track, and leading single from the EP, ‘T69 Collapse’ one is transported back
to those earlier tracks. However, as James’ has so often shown when he is at his best, ‘T69 Collapse’ is in no way derivative. The subtle and relatively quiet synth melody at the beginning of the track is immediately offset by an increasingly cacophonous drum line. With unpredictable kicks and snares bouncing between both stereo channels, the listener pales in their attempt to keep up with this erratic piece. Typified around the 1:55 mark in which both the main melody and drum line shift radically, as James takes us further into the depths of this fractured, harsh, yet sublimely captivating electronic soundscape. This ever-surprising and dynamically evolving ethos extends to the later tracks also,
with the heavy bass and drums of ‘1st 44’ sounding very much like a UK Garage or Grime track (with a distinctive Aphex Twin unpredictability). If a choice was to be made, though, about the track that encapsulates the EP’s sound as a whole, ‘MT1 t29r2’, would be that track. With a melody line straight out of a charming music box, assailed repeatedly by a rave-inspired drumline of increasing intensity it is hard to not be impressed by how each drum interacts and reacts to another. In this masterful display of James’ acute attention to detail the resulting effect is one of granulated, irregular, texture. This textured approach results in an inability for the listener to discern
any sort of consistent rhythmic pattern, an effect that lasts throughout much of the EP. With ‘abundance10edit[2 R8's, FZ20m & a 909]' and ‘pthex’ sharing in bulging synths and abrupt changes that prove to be both shocking yet intensely captivating, rounding off the EP with such tact and expertise, traits that have defined and still define the Aphex Twin moniker. When listening to Collapse EP you get a sense for the enthusiasm and ecstasy James appears to derive from creating these erratic tunes, and I for one wish only to share this revelry in whatever he decides to do next.
MUSIC
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickmusic
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Album Review: Yves Tumor - Safe in The Hands of Love James Rodker Music Critic
The way we digest music in the past decade or so has changed. The effort and expense of buying music before the advent of streaming services enforced the barriers between genres; it was much more difficult to dip your toe into a wide variety of different musical pools. In this current cultural moment therefore, when the relevancy of genre is being questioned, the artists that really stand out as sounding fresh and of our time are the ones who can traverse across the spectrums of style. Yves Tumor’s Safe in the Hands of Love does this so effortlessly and so fittingly as to bridge the murky chasms of the music landscape and reveal an underlying tonal commonality. The record saunters through icy techno, some almost listless trip-hop, waves of shimmering ambient punctuated by some jawclenching noise, and even a distressing sermon of pain-soaked spoken word. While this may at first appear jumbled and unsure of itself, once you step back and appreciate this ambitious work as a whole, the connecting threads do begin to show. We are introduced into this
complex web with ‘Faith in Nothing Except in Salvation’, a wail of slanted jazz that slowly builds the tone of the record, only to have that tone harshly reconstituted in the next track, ‘Economy of Freedom’.
"Once you step back and appreciate this ambitious work as a whole, the connecting threads do begin to show" On first listen, this does feel like quite a sharp U-turn. By switching the drums and brass for crackling synths which spurt out of the track like distant solar flares as the record progresses, however, it becomes clear that this first transition is really one of the least disruptive. The real surprise comes with the track ‘Noid’, a suspiciously uplifting song that could easily have been written by The Verve if not for the faint screams sampled into the background.
This amount of experimentation and genre spanning was to be expected from the release. Yves Tumor’s two previous records, When Man Fails You and Serpent Music, were even more risky, at
times feeling a tad scattered and incohesive. They are both full of some truly beautiful pieces of music but failed to lock on to a concrete tone in the manner that Safe in the Hands of Love does.
The way this is achieved is most evident in the two tracks ‘Licking an Orchid’ and ‘Recognizing the Enemy’. They both have an uncomfortable distance to them, as if being sung to you from the other side of a window. The latter is strung with haunting echoes and tense, building drums which lift it to being one of the strongest tracks on the album along with ‘Hope in Suffering (Escaping Oblivion & Overcoming Powerlessness)’. This piece revisits the intense, blood curdling moments from the first album in tracks like ‘Body As Wilhelm’. The spoken word is genuinely unnerving and, staggered against the melty strings, paints a twisted soundscape littered with gunshot samples. If you listen to this track while staring at the album art, you’re in for a pretty spooky time. This album slips away from you with each track, and while that does prevent each of the experimentations from being explored in any real depth, the tone is retained so surprisingly consistently throughout as to create an entirely cohesive work befitting of this new era in music.
Live Review: Arctic Monkeys
Print & Features Editor Thom Dent explains why the sonic eclecticism of Arctic Monkeys' live show is a blessing and a curse Thom Dent
Print & Features Editor
The Arctic Monkeys are fully aware that their latest record, Tranquility Base Hotel & Casino, does not gel stylistically with nearly all of what comprises the rest of their back catalogue. Seeing them live on the group’s latest tour, then, at many points feels like watching two entirely separate artists competing simultaneously for the same stage. For the packed crowd inside Arena Birmingham - made up mostly of indie lads there only for ‘When The Sun Goes Down’,who spent the entirety of the Lemon Twigs’ support set shouting at the skinny 70s teens to hurry up and get off the stage (they may have phrased this in a somewhat ruder way) Arctic Monkeys’ setlist did at times have the potential to be jarring. Indeed, opening with the slowburning and delicate ‘Star Treatment’ before transitioning immediately into ‘Brianstorm’ arguably the heaviest song the band have ever written - was a bizarre experience, like chasing down a glass of Château Latour by necking an entire keg of Strongbow. However, what became immediately obvious through the way Turner and co. handled their sprawling discography is that very first point: Arctic Monkeys know
full well that their music is anything but consistent. Watching them shake their hips through ‘Snap Out Of It’, before arriving at the mood-soaked ‘505’ after taking an adolescent detour through a catty rendition of ‘The View From The Afternoon’ - this is an artist whose work is truly chameleonic, a band capable of touching any genre and changing their aesthetic to match. Admittedly, not every one of their experiments works: neither the hippie hot-trash of AM lowlight ‘Mad Sounds’ nor the fairground elevator music of ‘Batphone’ make an appearance. But it does feel as if, when Alex Turner spends the set morphing from snarling Sheffield kid to Arizona concierge romantic, the Arctic Monkeys are finally having fun. There are still certain disappointments in the band’s set - the fusty and joyless rock of ‘Arabella’ still sits pride of place in their encore, while many moshpit fans are left slightly short-changed by the omission of the aforementioned ‘When The Sun Goes Down’. However, despite having a new record to sell, Arctic Monkeys do refrain from peppering the night with too many deep cuts from Tranquility Base, instead trimming the fat and playing only the best of their new material resulting in surprisingly excellent versions of singles ‘Four Out Of Five’ and the album’s title track,
Raph_PH / Wikimedia Commons as well as a tongue-in-cheek rendition of ‘One Point Perspective’ that may well have formed the night’s best moment, characterised by sultry lighting and suave gesticulation from Turner’s best impression of a seedy Las Vegas karaoke singer. The old tunes were great, and unsurprisingly so, but it was in their handling of the new stuff that Sheffield’s finest proved their worth and properly justified the ticket prices. Over the years, many people have compared Arctic Monkeys to a plethora of artists. None of them,
however, feels more apt than the similarities between them and the late David Bowie (even if, given his justifiably legendary status, such a statement can feel blasphemous). Like Bowie, the Monkeys flit from genre to genre, never stopping in one place for too long and always searching for new ways to broaden their horizons, although their journey so far has not yielded nearly the same hitrate as Bowie’s. Although this endless experimentation has been met with widespread confusion from the hordes of cider-swilling
faux-northern boys expecting Arctic Monkeys to be nothing more than the next Oasis - the band do not seem to care about any of this. Watching them performing, it feels as if they care about nothing besides enjoying themselves. Compare this to the AM tour, in which the group sleepwalked through show after show playing a carbon copy of the previous night’s performance (right down to Turner’s rehearsed ad-libs), and you can see that Arctic Monkeys are heading in the right direction.
22
FILM
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickfilm
Review: Venom
Film Critic Rhys Lloyd-Jones finds the first Spider-Man spinoff lacking in bite Rhys Lloyd-Jones Film Critic
Venom will leave a bad taste in your mouth, but in the same way that junk food does: it may be bad for you, but there is something appealing about it when it decides not to take itself seriously. The film feels as though the odds are stacked against it from the start, as Sony’s attempt to launch their own cinematic Spider-Man universe (bizarrely without the lead webslinger) seems sure to continue the studio’s streak of bad luck that they have courted for ten years or so, with remarkable missteps such as the grey and gritty reboot The Amazing Spider-Man or The Emoji Movie. The less said about that last one, the better. The character of Eddie Brock, who finds himself bonded with the alien symbiote Venom, does not demand his own movie, instead working better as a darker parallel to Peter Parker. Yet Sony must have felt that we needed this movie, rushing it out of development hell and onto our screens in less than a year since the first teaser images. The adverts for this film felt literally out of place, set in San Francisco not New York, as though scared that Spider-Man himself might have swung into shot, resulting in a lawsuit at their door. However, despite the underwhelming trailers and with Sony at the helm –
ever an optimist – I felt some hope for this movie. Like most of the world, I harbour unspoken feelings for Tom Hardy, the central star, knowing that his performances can do no wrong in the likes of The Dark Knight Rises and Mad Max: Fury Road; I felt safe in the knowledge that he could surely save any film. I also felt reassured knowing that this film was directed by Ruben Fleischer, who handled horror and comedy in a brilliant balance in Zombieland. So I bought my ticket, settled down, hopeful and doubtful all at once.
"Venom does not demand his own movie" Until the eponymous Venom shows up, the first act of this film feels like a train struggling to leave the station. The scenes are held together by Hardy, who treads his way carefully around the messy dialogue as delicately as he can, but the lines still feel as though they came out of an early 2000s straight-to-DVD feature. Hardy plays Eddie Brock, a down on his luck journalist, whose often shaken and meek demeanour contrasts with Hardy’s gruff voice and peak physique. Like any double act (think Laurel and Hardy, or Simon and Garfunkel) having just the one does not feel right and, without Venom, Eddie
struggles to become a realised character until his second half is brought into the fold. We are also introduced to the other key players in the film such as Anne, played by Michelle Williams, who has more to do than most comic book film love interests, but there is never a moment that really defines her as a character. Eddie has defining heroic moments and the villain, Carlton Drake – played by the brilliant and criminally wasted actor Riz Ahmed – has his share of monologues, but Anne is never fully fleshed out. The only moment that comes close to being memorable is weird. Just weird and uncomfortable. Drake is fine as a villain and that’s about it: fine and nothing more, with no horrendous aspects to ruin him but nothing to make him a truly special villain. Within this first act, the slow pace and blatant exposition weighs Venom down before it has even begun, beginning tonally as a poor horror film.
"The film works best when it is a buddy comedy" Once the second act kicks in, the film picks up pace. Venom arrives, standing at around seven feet, and owns the stage in genuinely entertaining action set-pieces. The main fault with the action is that there really is not enough; even when not at its most coher-
Sony Pictures ent, these sequences still work as entertainment and spectacle, so their scarcity is a shame for the film. Despite this, the second act is leaps and bounds ahead of the rest of the film. The exchanges between Eddie and Venom, and Hardy’s physicality when discovering his new powers, is often funny (if sometimes cringey) and when the film drops the horror in exchange for comedy, it is surprisingly fun to watch. The third act arrives unexpectedly and finishes as soon as it seems to have begun, leaving us with a confused and rushed ending. The film works best when it is a buddy comedy between Eddie and Venom, a dynamic that unfor-
tunately gets lost in the muddled plot – but when this duo interact, Venom defies the Sony curse. VERDICT: If you were planning to see Venom anyway, then go for it. If you leave your brain in the foyer, the film’s comedic side does enough to balance the mismatch between body horror and comedy. However, if you were looking for a movie that is worth a trip to the cinema and your coveted student loan, this isn’t going to be it. I have seen worse films than Venom but that by no means makes it good.
Review: The House with a Clock in Its Walls Can Jack Black's new film live up to his recent Hollywood Walk of Fame star? Alex Green Film Critic
The House with a Clock in Its Walls seems an odd film at first glance. Eli Roth turns his horror hands to a 12A family film that’s more akin to Harry Potter than Hostel. But seeing a director step out of their comfort zone is always intriguing, so colour me interested in his newest picture. The film begins with an orphaned child, Lewis (Owen Vaccaro),
Universal Pictures
moving to the town of New Zebedee in Michigan to live with his uncle Jonathan Barnavelt (Jack Black). There, he finds all sorts of otherworldly sights and sounds, their enigmatic neighbour Florence Zimmerman (Cate Blanchett), and a mystery of ticking in the walls of the house. Along the way, he will learn about warlocks, deal with school troubles and try to find out more about the place he is supposed to call home. On the surface, this could be a great film, one that tells a compel-
ling story with magic and wonder at the heart of it. And yet, The House with a Clock in Its Walls cannot shake the feeling of being a disappointment. But it does deserve credit for what it gets right. First, the film has some excellent set and costume design, with the setting of 1955 allowing Roth to create a very slick visual style that blends the sophisticated 50s American look with a fantastical flavouring of reds, blues and – in Zimmerman’s case – purples. The house itself is brilliantly envisioned, providing a colourful palette and grounding the story in an interesting location. It is certainly eye-catching. This detail extends to Nathan Barr’s score as well, which bounces gleefully along to the film with quickness, and adds tension in some scenes.
"Roth creates a very slick visual style" Praise should also be given to Cate Blanchett. Whilst Black and Vaccaro are fine in their roles (if a little flat at times), Blanchett seems to excel in hers – inhabiting a witty, engaging and at points damaged character. The banter
between Florence and Jonathan provides some clever lines and comedic value that elevates the film. Saying this isn’t surprising: after all, Blanchett elevates most films she is in, and she does so here with grace and style, injecting a great sense of swagger and life into Florence Zimmerman.
"Some major story issues ... drag it into the mire" Sadly, that’s where the positives end. The film has some major story issues that really drag it into the mire. It lacks any focus or depth, meaning that the mystery around the clock is not fully explored; the world of magic relies on vague fireballs and unexplained hexes. It also means some of Lewis’ school life gets in the way of what could have been an intriguing adventure around the house. Whilst the characters are serviceable, they lack the depth required to make them memorable, except for Zimmerman. Her intriguing backstory is hinted at, but appears to have been curtailed by the constraints of a 12A family film. The villain, played by Kyle MacLachlan (Twin Peaks), is decent enough considering he
doesn’t show up until far too late in the film, but the former Agent Cooper plays his role with drive, even if his plan makes little sense and has an obvious plot hole in it. Aside from some mediocre characters, it becomes clear that there are other serious problems with the script. It does not help as well that in the third act some of the visual effects start to look bad, creeping into Black Panther levels of shaky. There are some effects that look like they belong in an Aardman animation as opposed to a high budget live action film. Ultimately, I admire Roth for taking on this project, and his directorial hands result in a visually appealing film with moments of fun. But despite the good intentions of the minds behind it, what we have ended up with is an average family film that will probably be lost to time. VERDICT: Whilst kids could love it, A House with a Clock in Its Walls feels like it should be more. A visual and auditory delight, it lacks further substance. It’s not bad. But it’s not good. It’s merely average.
FILM
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickfilm
23
Review: Johnny English Strikes Again Rowan Atkinson and Ben Miller reunite in this third entry to the spy-spoof series Rory Applin Film Critic
Johnny English Strikes Again is the third instalment in the comedy spy series written by William Davies, directed by David Kerr and of course starring the iconic comedy legend Rowan Atkinson; the mind behind such culturally seminal pieces of British humour as Blackadder and Mr. Bean. And while this film will hardly reach that level of cultural significance, it certainly manages to be entertaining.
"Don't expect any deeply meaningful high-brow satire" This latest addition to the Atkinson canon is set in the wake of a massive cyber-attack that compromises the identities of all known ‘MI7’ agents. Therefore, the Prime Minister (Emma Thompson) has no other option but to employ the dubious talents of a retired agent to bring to justice the person responsible for the attack. Enter Johnny English (Atkinson) in all his uselessness, bringing with him his endlessly loyal, and certainly more capable, sidekick Bough (Ben Miller). Bough was absent from English’s last cinematic outing, and his return in this film will be warmly welcomed by fans of the 2003 original. The two pursue the perpetrator of this cyber-attack: young, wealthy and charismatic Silicon Valley tech-mogul Jason Volta (Jake Lacy), attempting to bring him to justice before he can take control of the internet for some malicious purpose that is not entirely clear. Strikes Again is first and foremost a family friendly film and, to be upfront about it, a rather silly and low-brow piece of comedy – which if you have
Universal Pictures
seen any of the previous films in the series will probably be of no surprise to you. So, in short, do not expect any deeply meaningful high-brow satire, but instead be aware of the kid-friendly slapstick nature of the piece. This is not to say that it is completely void of any sort of social commentary, as the film does address quite extensively the idea of the old school, glamourous (and rather misogynistic) nature of how espionage is portrayed in popular culture; for example in the original James Bond movies of the 1960s and 70s. This is contrasted with the technologically-advanced, politically-correct culture of today, where the old-school Bond would find himself terribly lost. Poking fun at both concepts, through English’s repeated failure in his constant endeavour to maintain his antiquated Bondesque approach to espionage, seen through his awkward attempts to seduce Russian spy Ophelia (Olga Kurylenko). Strikes Again mocks the contradictions of red-tape bureaucracy through MI7’s initial refusal to give English a gun without mounds of paperwork, and the replacement of classic sports cars as the standard mode of transport for secret agents with environmentally-friendly hybrids. These gybes provide the film with something slightly more intellectually driven in addition to its simplistic physical comedy, although this remains very much a piece of cinema made for easygoing entertainment as opposed to commentary.
"Atkinson's performance demonstrates how he is a master of physical comedy"
Universal Pictures Most of the film’s comedy is slapstick in nature. This is by far the most effective form of humour used in the film, totally outshining any of the purely dialogue-based jokes. The one-liners fall flat at points, especially when contrasted with the physicality of Atkinson that is responsible for the majority of the big laughs of the film. Atkinson’s performance demonstrates how he is a master of physical comedy, as seen in the dancefloor scene and the virtual reality simulation scene – which is far and away the funniest part of the film. However, towards the second half, the film relies less on Atkinson’s skill and more on larger pieces of CGI wizardry that don’t quite have the same comedic impact as the earlier set-pieces that were driven purely by Atkinson himself. This coupled with the sometimeshalf-hearted laughs created by the dialogue negatively impacts the film’s value as a whole; although this is not to spite
Atkinson’s brilliant performance that brings in many large laughs.
"The purely dialogue-based jokes ... fall flat" However, some of the character work provided by other actors did induce some humour, such as the villainous billionaire Jason Volta – clearly a parody of the arrogant, self-consumed-yetcharismatic tech-moguls becoming more present in the social consciousness at present. Although this character does become too irritating to be believably charming, an engaging villain that causes conflict within the audience’s morals and sympathies may be asking too much for a family friendly caper. Also, Emma Thompson’s Prime Minister is an interesting satire on political figures who care more about seeming ‘cur-
rent’ and being popular than the welfare of the people, something that has been evident in politics on both sides of the Atlantic recently. Again, though, her dialogue does at times fall short and she lacks the goofy hilarity that Johnny English does so well to be considered an entirely worthwhile character. VERDICT: Johnny English Strikes Again offers an average yet still entertaining familyfriendly outing, that I would not say to avoid, although probably would not explicitly recommend either. This film does boast some excellent physical comedy delivered by Atkinson - although this is surrounded by less impressive dialogue and CGI physicality that, whilst still funny, is not as effective as Atkinson’s pure, unadulterated slapstick performance.
TELEVISION
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Friday 12th October 2018
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Review: Maniac
Tom Denham gives us the run down on Netflix's new star-studded psychological thriller Tom Denham Television Critic
It is difficult to know what to expect when first encountering Netflix’s Maniac; the trailer merely depicts two characters, Jonah Hill and Emma Stone, enrolling onto a pharmaceutical drug trial and brief snippets of multiple different stories involving the two. However, I promise you, once you embark upon this mini-series, you will become enthralled by the array of adventures Maniac has to offer. Directed by Cary Joji Fukunaga, Maniac is set in a nearfuture world of huge gleaming advertisements, 80s era technology, and ‘ADBUDDY’, a service whereby you are paid for someone in advertising to speak at you. In this world, we are introduced to Owen and Annie, two outsiders who are scarred by previous traumatic incidents which inhibit them from fitting in with society. Jonah Hill’s Owen, to my knowledge, is a first and unique performance by him. We are used to Hill playing comedic characters in such films as Superbad (in which he co-starred with Emma Stone, admittedly portraying a very different relationship between the two); but in Maniac, Hill plays a severely introverted and seemingly broken character. Owen suffers from diagnosed paranoid schizophrenia: he lives in constant doubt of reality; he believes the universe is ruled by certain patters; he believes he has fifth brother, a facsimile of his most hated brother Jed, which no one else can see or hear; and he fears creating personal connections. Talking therapy has failed him. His family
have renounced him (he doesn’t even feature in the family portrait!) and want him to wrongfully defend his over-achieving brother in trial. He feels lost until his ‘non-real’ brother promises him that he is the chosen saviour of the universe. Such a possibility is offered by a drug trial which considers him a ‘hero candidate.’
"We enter an epic journey taken on by these two shipwrecked souls" Meanwhile, Emma Stone’s Annie is a cold, stubborn, antisocial, deceptive and impulsive character, a victim of borderline personality disorder. She is haunted by a close familial bereavement (searching for meaning behind the death and pining for internal peace and self-acceptance) and her mother’s walking out of the family home. Annie illegally abuses an ‘A’ shaped pill as almost a psychological selfharm: the drug forces her to relive the incident which caused her family member to die. It is her desire for this drug which drives her to manipulate herself onto the same drug trial onto which Owen enrols. From here, we enter an epic journey taken by these two shipwrecked souls. The pharmaceutical drug trial promises a happier life (‘pure, unaffected joy’), and involves three stages and three pills: the first forces you to re-live
Michael K. Short / Netflix your traumatic experiences within your own mind; the second helps to identify the brain’s defence mechanisms and work around them; the third forces you to confront and accept your core traumas, as the GRTA (a mega-computer and artificial intelligence) forges healthier pathways. The treatment provides simulated alternative realities (dreams or reflections) which all exhibit, or allude to, characters, ideas and issues of Annie and Owen’s lives. For unknown reasons, Annie and Owen’s simulated realities become entangled, driving them to share unique and tantalising adventures, from elves to gangsters, to a Long-Island couple fighting fur-wearing gangsters over a lemur – it is these stories
which offer light relief and allow Hill and Stone to show-off their talent as diverse actors. All goes well until the artificial intelligence, the ‘GRTA’ does ‘2001 HAL’, and begins to malfunction due to overwhelming human feelings. The running of the trial by Dr. James Manterlay (Justin Theroux), a theatrical scientist addicted to computerised porn stimulators, and Dr. Azumi Fujita (Sonoya Mizuno), a straight-faced professional, provides an entertaining duel thread to Annie and Owen’s story, especially when Manterlay’s self-entitled mother (Sally Field) is called in to therapise the mega-computer. Maniac covers an array of contemporary issues, from the treatment of mental-health issues,
to the dangers of artificial intelligence, and even artificial intelligence suffering from mentalhealth issues. The series emphasises the importance of companionship and mutual care. Within their chaotic realities, whether actual or simulated, Annie and Owen see each other for who they are when no-one else can. They are connected by their desire for friendship and resolution. Owen’s fantasy is a self-prophecy, or perhaps more; his dream of driving away with someone he cares for, of being free, is so palpable perhaps his theory of cosmic patterns are not just the ramblings of a maniac.
Netflix Originals You Need To Watch Emily Calder picks the best of the platform's most popular shows so you don't have to Emily Calder
a reboot of a 2003 series, a ‘Fab Five’ compiled of gay male presenters (each specialising in their own field) tackle the task of ‘making over’ those in need. Whilst the cast and premise provides a great deal of entertainment, what really makes this show a must-see is its incredible sense of sentiment. These presenters do more than groom straight males; they turn lives around, connect with individuals of all cultural backgrounds, and truly restore your faith that there is good in the world.
Television Critic
Best Comedy: Kimmy Schmidt
Unbreakable
Tina Fey’s famous sitcom follows an unusual situation: four women are released from an underground bunker after 15 years. This doesn’t sound hilarious, but trust me, it is. Protagonist Kimmy emerges with an ‘unbreakable’, as the title suggests, and beaming optimism. She tackles a new life in New York City alongside a flamboyantly queer roommate and a batty landlady, and thus hilarity ensues. Watching Kimmy roam the city in sparkly trainers and adjust to modern life with genius phrases like ‘hash brown no filter’ is unquestionably a joy that we all need in our lives. Best Drama: American Vandal Its second season released only last month, this true-crime satire utilises the mockumentary medium to investigate two crimes. The first season follows the
Best True Crime Series: Making a Murderer
drawing of phallic images on faculty cars in a California High School, whilst the second visits a Catholic private school whose cafeteria’s lemonade is tainted by laxatives. Although it surveys unexceptional crimes, the genius of the series is that ‘Who drew the dicks?’ becomes a question to which we all desperately wish to know the answer. Combining the
enthralling plot of true crime with unorthodox humour and modern technology, this show will certainly have you glued to your screen. Best Reality TV: Queer Eye If you haven’t seen this show, you need to drop whatever you’re doing right now and watch it. In
Having announced an upcoming second season, Making a Murderer is a must-see for anyone interested in crime and conspiracy. The series is a gripping exploration of the conviction of Steven Avery, a 41-year-old released from an 18-year prison sentence for a rape he did not commit. Two years after exoneration by means of DNA evidence, Steven is charged with Teresa Halbach’s murder. With detailed investigation into the crime itself,
Steven’s nephew’s involvement and the American Justice System, this emotional rollercoaster will leave you itching for the next instalment. Best Spin-Off: Gilmore Girls: A Year in the Life If you loved the original series’ depiction of small-town drama and family relationships, you will be pleased to hear that Lorelai and Rory return to our screens in this four-episode sequel to Gilmore Girls. With its original cut unexpectedly short, the follow-up offers some closure in exploring the characters’ lives ten years later. The wholesome familiarity and humour of the original series is just as prominent, and as rumours of a second season circulate the internet, this is an essential watch for Gilmore Girls fans. Do you agree with Emily's choice of the best Netflix Originals? Let us know on Twitter @redbricktv
TELEVISION
Friday 12th October 2018
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Social Media Meets Reality TV Channel 4 creates original new social experiment The Circle Kat Smith Deputy Editor
Rivalling the popularity of ITV’s Love Island, The Circle burst onto our screens for the first time this autumn. Channel 4’s social mediabased TV show has been the talk of Twitter, with ‘players’ confined to their own apartment in London, living alongside the others but never actually meeting them in person - well, at least while they’re in there. The name might not be the most inventive, with the concept of a circle lending itself already to a payments app and an underwhelming Netflix film starring Tom Hanks and Emma Watson. But that aside, this show is as much of a masterpiece as an addictive reality show can be. Another massive plus is that it is, quite simply, funny as hell. A young sesh legend pretending to be a 65-year-old retired antiques dealer? A guy pretending to be a girl using his girlfriend’s pics and cringing at his fellow males attempts at flirting? Amazing. And when players realise their online best buds are not who they say they are, the shock is hilarious. It feels much more harmless than being glued to the drama of fights, heartbreak and deceit that permeates many reality TV shows. Although it’s got its fair share of spitefulness, most notably in the form of Freddie, the majority of it feels almost wholesome. Dan and his turtle Fiji is the prime example of this. It’s also a relatively
unproblematic nightly reality show, especially next to Love Island. Diversity in race, age and sexuality is much more prominent. From the first promotional videos of The Circle, I suspected it was going to be a grand glorification of social media and
how y o u can successfully transform yourself into another person online. But the reality of the show was far different, with Alex/ Kate realising it’s a lot harder to deceive online, both practically and morally, than maybe would be expected. Without dowsing itself in overt political commen-
tary, The Circle has a subtle foreboding undertone. It’s like the IT lessons we got in school and relentless warnings from our parents: talking to strangers online when you can’t see or hear them, in reality, is problematic no matter our age or experience. Even if not all catfishes a r e
predators, it’s clear that many people are well-versed in deception, which can have devastating consequences on the victim of their lies. You don’t feel bad for the players being catfished because of their awareness that not everything is what it seems in The
Circle. However, this consciousness should translate beyond the small screen that we don’t need to be confined to a swanky London apartment to fall victim to dishonesty online. We can spend a while analysing the philosophical undertones and moral lessons of The Circle, but the reason it is so great is purely because it is unadulterated entertainment. With term starting and the stresses of university creeping up on many of us, sometimes it’s nice to tune into something, well, basic. While I loved Killing Eve and Bodyguard, a little bit of ‘mindless’ TV never hurt anyone. My one criticism of The Circle would be that it could be a little longer. When there are so many different players entering and leaving the game, it’s hard for them to get to know eachother well enough to suss everyone out. Just like with Love Island, it takes at least a few days for the niceties to melt away. If it was over five weeks, not only we would get to know the players better but they would understand each-other better too, in turn being even more entertaining for us. With that being said, I don’t think I could be in social confinement for even a week with my only company being strangers on a screen. So, I guess I’ll let Channel 4 off on this one.
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Insatiable: A Hot Mess Amrita Mande reviews the controversial Netflix show that is sparking
Top TV Picks for October
Riverdale Netflix 11th October
The Romanoffs Amazon Prime 12th October
debate about body image and bullying Amrita Mande Television Critic
The second the trailer for Insatiable dropped, the internet was up in arms. Articles were popping up accusing the show of fat-shaming and a petition to get it cancelled got over 200,000 signatures. In response, Netflix asked the public to wait and give the show a chance.
"Fat-shaming was the least of the show's issues" Well, I gave the show a chance. I saw all 12 episodes and I agree that people shouldn’t have prematurely attacked the show for fat-shaming - because that was the least of the show's issues. The problems start from the misleading premise; the show isn’t about a fat girl who loses weight and then goes on a Mean Girls-esque journey to get revenge. Honestly though, I can’t entirely fault the shows’ creators for that; after watching it I don’t
think I could explain such a strange and convoluted plot in less than a 20-minute power point presentation. Now don’t get me wrong, I love a good plot twist every now and then, but when the show changes direction every three episodes and ends the season with kidnappings, murders and exorcisms, you have to wonder how the show even got greenlit. In this series Debbie Ryan plays the main character, Patty Bladell. Now, I’m all for a good anti-hero, but this show achieves new levels of cringe as Patty continues to make the exact same impulsive decisions that hurt others and then expects everyone to rally around to help her. She’s a really terrible person and a character who the audience can’t even cheer for because she’s just the worst.
"In trying so hard to be self-aware, the show flounders and drowns" Most of the other characters are so one-dimensional and lack
any development that sometimes it feels like you’re watching a bad episode of Family Guy. And as much as I appreciate an ensemble cast, it’s not really a good sign when a les significant storyline takes over and makes you forget the protagonist even existed. The show tries to use ‘satire’ as a shield against these criticisms but in trying so hard to be self-aware, the show flounders and drowns in its ambition. Despite all this, I do believe that the show has a good heart deep, deep down. It tries to deal with social issues like LGBTQ+ issues and body image, but it often struggles to do these justice. One rare shining moment was in a scene between Patty and Nonnie, her best friend. Nonnie comes out to Patty and admits to having feelings for her. She then breaks down, afraid that she’s ruined everything. Patty tries to console her by saying, ‘I don’t care,’ to which Nonnie responds, echoing the audiences’ thoughts, ‘You always make it about you.’ Sadly, this moment cannot redeem others, like when the show pats itself on the back for comparing being fat to being trans. Or when the show portrays Nonnie (who early in the show was trying to come to terms with
her sexuality) as predator-like. The show doesn’t get a pass on fat-shaming either. Despite ‘Skinny is magic’ being the mantra for the show, Patty’s life gets a lot worse after losing weight. But praising the show for not fat-shaming as much as it could have is like thanking someone for not stabbing you after stealing your wallet.
"It is a train wreck that gets progressively worse" In short, Insatiable is a train wreck that gets progressively worse with every episode. But maybe that’s what got it renewed. Sure, it’s almost painful to watch at times, but there’s just something about the insanity that’s addictive. Even though I had to keep pausing to process the madness, I just couldn’t help but watch it.
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New Girl E4 18th October
Daredevil Netflix 19th October
GAMING
Friday 12th October 2018
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Smash Picks
I waited for an hour in the queue for Kingdom Hearts III, as someone who hadn’t played a Kingdom Hearts game before, and the wait was so worth it! The demo at EGX featured two levels, a huge battle against a giant rock monster in the Hercules universe and battled in toy mechs in the Toy Story universe. Both were bags of fun, with the obvious Disney charm rubbing off on me. I played with glee at the tight combat mechanics that feel old school with a modern twist, and loved fighting alongside Buzz, Woody and friends.
but satisfying experience and just a text based game. You as a player, enter a party. You see the normal rowdy things like people taking shots, a beer being spilled, people drunkenly kissing, but there is something different. Something that shouldn’t be there. And that’s what you need to investigate. I would tell you more but really if you can ever play Given Time, then you should. Play it without any more information or clues given to you. I commend it’s originality, it’s music, and the creator Liam De Valmency, for such an independent experience. I haven't stopped talking or thinking about it since EGX, and I don’t
This may be cheating. Given Time isn’t exactly a game in itself. It’s part of a bigger game, Dreams, which is coming out on the Playstation some time in the ‘future.’ Brought to you Media Molecule (those guys who made the delightful Little Big Planet series), Dreams plans on using the popular level building that LBP got to be known for, as a game in itself. A game where you can make games. Pretty original huh? Given Time is one of those games. If you play it and ‘get it,’ as it were, it would maybe only take you 10-15 minutes. It’s a small
What really amazed me about the game however was the variation. One level was a giant spectacle of a boss fight complete with shooting fireworks from a train at a rock monster and attacking its weak points (for massive damage), the other a smaller level featuring a quick romp through Andy’s bedroom and heading to the toy store to battle mechs! At the end of the demo, I felt enthused to play the full release and I think that fans of the series will not be let down. The core mechanics look like that of games prior but updated with good craftsmanship. Consider me a new
Kingdom Hearts fan. Alex Green
5
Shadow the Hedgehog
think I will for a long time yet. Imogen Mellor
"A game where you can make games. Pretty original, huh?"
4
Rare
Dreams: Given Time
James Law
Banjo & Kazooie
3
Capcom
Kingdom Hearts III
the game inhabits, whilst keeping me chuckling along to the silly songs and nonsensical personalities I ran into. That was just the demo, too. I’m excited to see what the development team have in store for the full release, and I’ll absolutely be one of the first to check it out.
Phoenix Wright
13
years since Kingdom Hearts II
2
Ubisoft
Media Molecule
The Leftfield Collection is pretty damn cool. Curated by Feral Vector founder David Hayward, it showcases the more ‘out there’ offerings from the indie games scene. One that caught my eye more than everything else at EGX, though, was Hypnospace Outlaw. This game takes place in a fictional desktop computer setting, simulating the internet in 1999. Filled with ridiculous references, nostalgia, and the kind of absurdist humour you’ll quickly warm to if you let yourself. I let myself. I got sucked in by the quirky soundtrack, ridiculous
characters and enticing quest that had me in the shoes of an internet cop, trying to stop crimes and busting people for bullying. Soon enough, just like Real Online Life, you’re burrowing down various rabbit holes, seeking out hidden parts of the site in a Her Storyesque search for the underlying goings-on. When I finished the demo, I realised I’d been there for over two hours. I didn’t get bored like I normally would with a narrative game based on my own skills of search and deduction (they’re not very good). Instead, Hypnospace Outlaw challenged me to keep searching for the deeper secrets of the online space
Square Enix
Hypnospace Outlaw
No More Robots
Redbrick Editors and Writers alike give their views on some of EGX's hottest titles
SEGA
EGX: Redbrick's Top Picks
Redbrick's Top 5
Rayman
Gwen Frey
Kine Kine was amongst one of the most popular indie games to be found at this year’s EGX. At its heart it is a music themed puzzle game in the same vein as Bloxorz – a game most commonly found on the screens of bored kids during IT lessons – however, at it’s core it is a quirky and challenging story about three aspiring musicians Euler, Quat, and Roo – desperately searching for their big break. In order to achieve their dreams however the three must work together to escape a dark mindscape of what would appear to be stacked boxes and
miscellaneous musical equipment. The art style of the game very much seems to draw from the graphic-novel style. This gives a whimsical breath of life to the darker environment in which the puzzles take place. This is something which – at least in my own experience – occurred regularly. The game is a challenging one, but satisfyingly so. The difficulty level ramps up as you progress through the game as you take control of more of the three robots at any one time, yet as the obstacles increase, the sense of accomplishment one feels for overcoming them increases in kind. The game has great
countermeasures against getting stuck, the player is able to ‘undo’ or ‘redo’ moves on the fly, allowing a quick and effective way to retrace your steps and gather your thoughts. I can’t wait to fall even more in love with Kine’s quirky yellow robots and quirkier gameplay upon the game’s full release! Tom Martin
1
Nintendo
26
Waluigi
GAMING
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickgaming
A Brave Plan
The Bradwell Conspiracy
Life is Strange 2 I wasn't that interested in seeing Life is Strange 2 at EGX. Life is Strange was an affecting and unique lens on teenage girlhood, but prequel Before the Storm wobbled in the orbit of surrounding controversy and hollow mechanics. Appearances suggested that their successor couldn't have been further from Blackwell High and its endearingly plasticky cast, however leaving the demo I couldn’t contain my excitement and trepidation for the Diaz brothers’ story. The Diaz family live in a sprawling yet hazy suburb set in the Pacific Northwest. Esteban Diaz is a mechanic, setting aside time on fixing up a car for his eldest son Sean to take to prom. Sean’s degree of acerbic backchat and rebellion is dependent on player choice during his dialogue and exploration. Though loving,
The Bradwell Conspiracy is a narrative-driven adventure game laced with puzzles and brought into this world by A Brave Plan and Bossa Studios. Set in 2026, The Bradwell Conspiracy begins with the player coming to consciousness alone inside the Bradwell family’s Stonehenge museum and research facility which has been wracked by a devastating explosion of an unknown cause. As you try to get your bearings and discover a way out of the ruined facility you
he does struggle with his relationship to his hyperimaginative younger brother Daniel. I found myself struck by the graphical and technical improvements - conversations feel more naturalistic, malleable and engaging, and animations are expressive on detailed but stylised models. There is still a twinge of (in)famous awkwardness to interactions that are the metaphorical Marmite of Life is Strange, which may disengage those new players. Lastly, I'm incredibly glad DONTNOD kept and combined the series’ soft, light palettes and storybook aesthetic with a serious take on the realities of contemporary America for visible minorities. No time travel is something I actually welcomed. The choices split the screen into two halves, a thematic decision that clarifies the finality of these decisions compared to Max’s abilities, and
come across another survivor, Amber, who is trapped in a separate part of the complex. Through the aid of augmented reality glasses, you must work with Amber to solve the puzzles of the building to escape and attempt to unravel the hidden secrets of the Bradwell family’s legacy. The game is reminiscent of
"Clever puzzles, engaging dialogue, layers of mystery"
emphasises Sean and Daniel's central dynamic. I think it would have been highly questionable to use a time travel mechanic, as if the boys had only spoken in the ‘right’ way in the ‘right’ sequence with the ‘right’ items, they may have avoided consequence. This would have reduced the sociopolitical complexities of these ‘fictional’ situations into a fallacy, unavoidably parodying the policing of marginalised bodies that hardly ever get a second, third, fourth chance. If Life is Strange 2 wishes to represent the challenges facing a Mexican immigrant family as faithfully as is possible, then this was a commendable decision, rather than bowing to seek continuity with Life is Strange. So time travel may be out but supernatural phenomena is in, because if popular tropes have taught us anything about that corner of the world, it's that every
The Witness, Portal, and Firewatch with clever puzzles, engaging dialogue, layers of mystery, and a well-designed aesthetic environment that is sure to leave you wanting more. There’s no official word on a release date yet, but the developers said that they are applying the finishing touches at the moment and that it would be released for PC very soon (with other platform releases down the line). So if you’re looking for a story-rich adventure that’s ripe with puzzles and intrigue, keep your eyes peeled for The Bradwell Conspiracy. Galen Reich
day is Freaky Friday over there. Suffice to say, my expectations were shattered by the shockwave of an ending - or perhaps more aptly put, a beginning - that truly gripped me. I'm really looking forward to the opportunity of playing Life is Strange 2. Imogen Claire
DONTNOD
Interview: Hugo ‘Coldhands’ Kay
The Fall of Telltale Games Gaming Editor @samjnason
Developers of such popular episodic adventure games as The Walking Dead, The Wolf Among Us and Tales from the Borderlands, Telltale Games have remained in the public eye for their licensing of several recognisable IPs – however the past two weeks have seen a catastrophic collapse for the company. Most recently working on the final season of The Walking Dead, 21st September saw a mass exodus of Telltale employees, with roughly 90% of its staff (some 225 – 250 workers ) let go. Major financial issues were cited as the cause for these layoffs, following the loss of the company’s final major investor – with no money and nowhere else to look for further investment, Telltale’s only recourse was to cease production. In a press release, Telltale stated the following: ‘Today Telltale Games made the difficult decision to begin a majority studio closure following a year marked by insurmountable challenges. A majority of the company’s employees were dismissed earlier this morning, with a small group of 25 employees staying on to fulfil the company’s obligations to its board and
partners.’ Those dismissed were given no warning, with a ‘last-minute company wide meeting’ scheduled for just before midday. Following the announcement employees were given half an hour to leave the office and say their goodbyes – devastating given the fact the day began like any other. Furthermore workers received no severance and would only retain healthcare benefits until the end of the month; literally 9 days later. The final two are extremely problematic and are the main points of criticism many have taken out of the situation. Postlayoff support for the employees was almost non-existent. Being Bay Area-based, rent is certainly not cheap, and therefore employees rely heavily on the money provided by work. Reportedly many lived from pay check to pay check – a luxury taken from them with no notice. The withdrawal of health care affects not only those dismissed but also their families. There has been speculation management waited until the end of the month to begin Telltale’s closure, so they could honour their employees healthcare for the shortest time possible. It is debatable as to how soon Telltale knew these mass dismissals were a necessity – but no matter what, it’s clear to see
there was next to no preparation done for it. While The Walking Dead: The Final Season was their ongoing project, Telltale had also announced a myriad of different games to come prior to their closure. The Wolf Among Us: Season Two and Game of Thrones: Season Two were both due to begin development within the near future. While no official statement has been given on the status of these titles, it looks very likely these ill-fated games follow the employees out the doors of Telltale Games. The 25 employees mentioned in the press release refer to a skeleton crew who are workinghrough the last of Telltale’s commitments to their partners. This includes Telltale’s Minecraft: Story Mode, that was seeing its port to Netflix this fall – time will tell whether this timeframe can still be met. The chaos at Telltale has led many to revitalise calls for game developers to unionise. Advocacy group Game Workers Unite released a statement following the layoffs, calling the executives at Nintendo
Sam Nason
Telltale Games ‘incompetent’ and ‘exploitative.’ They also said that while unionisation cannot fix Telltale after the fact, ‘it could have prevented so much of the damage to countless workers’ lives by ensuring benefits such as severance pay and healthcare that lasts from job to job.’ Once again, these controversies remain the underline of the situation. Some employees had reportedly began working at Telltale earlier that week. Such a sudden closure left so many financially vulnerable and lost that it seems natural for the discussion on game developer unions to reopen. Since its mass layoffs Telltale has been extremely quiet and many wait to hear again from the dormant company – whether that be about their dismissed employees or their projects. One thing remains certain however – that the fall of Telltale will go down in video game history as the one of the biggest management mishaps of all time.
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Review: Donut County Christopher Hall Gaming Editor @ChrisJonathanH1
Donut County is a game with a really good idea which doesn’t fully capitalise on that idea. The result is a fairly middle of the road game; one you won’t regret playing the entire way through but one that is tough to recommend considering how many better games there are out there. The game is about a racoon that is part of Donut County who supposedly delivers donuts to people - however the racoon is mistaken and delivers a hole to people instead, inadvertently trapping people underground as a result of this. You play back each scenario of how the villagers got trapped. The writing is fairly decent with some funny lines although it does tend to wear a bit thin with its humour. That being said, the writing is never bad, it simply tends to lose its impact over time. The story is similarly decent and inoffensive. You play as the hole and move around, swallowing objects and as a result, the hole gets bigger meaning bigger things can fit inside. There is a twist to each level but sadly these twists are shallow, meaning there are a fair amount of missed opportunities. This just masks how repetitive the game is. Each level plays the same, with the only difference being whatever twist is involved. Each twist goes anywhere between decent to fairly dull but each level as a whole is only serviceable for entertainment and since these concepts are rarely built on even the best twists don’t have add a ton of impact on the game. For each level completed you get new entries in the ‘trashopedia,’ an encyclopedia but from the raccoon’s prospective. This is a mixed bag. There are some funny entries and some not so great ones, where it talks about items as if they are garbage, but like with most of the game’s writing, it wears thin. Graphically it’s not intensive but it does have a decent cartoony artstyle with mostly bright colours which works well with the type of game since it is light-hearted. The music also fits rather well with the type of game and there are some great parts of the soundtrack. Performance is absolutely fine with no noticeable framerate dips on a PS4 Pro but that is to be expected considering the fact that it’s not graphically remarkable in any way. The game’s length is about two hours and it does suffer in the last third. It's never really dull but apart from the first few levels the levels rarely are above serviceable and a fair amount of them are somewhat dull. And that is the game as a whole. It’s not a bad game but it’s one that flirts with mediocrity fairly often, and taken as a whole it’s unremarkable. It’s something that is fun enough and gives what you'd expect, but when you finish the two hour story, it won’t take many more hours until you forget about it.
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FOOD&DRINK
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickfood
Book Review:
Mastering The Art of French Cookery Tim Abington
blame the guests: ‘It is so marvellously rich and deeply flavoured Food&Drink Writer that if you pick the right guests, your reward will be in watching Mastering the Art of French their pleasure as well as relishing Cookery would be snubbed if it your own.' were written today. The scorn of Every single word is deliber‘unusual combinations’ or ‘sur- ate. Nothing, ingredients nor prise presentations’ is hardly in methods, is compromisable. Work vogue. Today’s fashion of drop- through all twenty odd pages for ping ingredients for whatever rea- the Thermidor. Use a priceless son is described as akin to the bottle in a chicken broth. There death knell of food. are better ways of serving a fine French Cookery, instead, is wine, a glass for one. And a disdetailed enough to stretch into a dain for any individuality, obeysecond volume. ing the commands line by line, is Julia Child and her partner a boring approach. Simone Beck presumed, writing Child has marvelous prose. in 1961, either that the intended The dessert souffle is allegedly audience of Americans the ‘epitome and triumph lacked any grasp of the of French cookery.’ kitchen, or that labourHowever, her ing through a recipe description of the "The authors' a dozen pages long charcuterie as a is rewarding. ‘keystone of credentials are It does feature French civilizaundeniable, the typical French tion’ is stretchthough Child and croissant and ing the flattery a baguette, though tad. Beck have the only after detailing ‘Hot soup on prose of a the white sauce, an a cold day, cold omelette and an soup on a hot day, dictator" entire chapter about and the smell of poaching an egg. soup simmering in the The authors’ credentials kitchen are fundamental, are undeniable, though Child and undoubtedly even atavistic, pleasBeck have the prose of a dictator. ures and solaces that give a speOne must select a whole fish, and cial kind of satisfaction.’ - atavisit must be fresh-smelling and tic is an impressive synonym for a fresh-tasting. Mussels must have recipe book. a rather long and careful cleaning French Cookery really is a process. book of its time. Its patrons were The lines are empty of ambi- 60s American housewives, readguity and experimentation. Child ing to ‘keep up with the Joneses.’ and Beck belonged to the Cercle The omelette, instead of becomdes Gourmettes. Cordon Bleu ing the standard of Parisian restrained. Both could cook and tauranting, has become a stalwart knew it. If the kitchen collapsed, of the All-American diner.
Review: Natural Bar & Kitchen Brianna Miller Food&Drink Writer
As the rise of the vegan diet movement continues, we find ourselves searching more and more for delicious restaurants and cafes to feast on glorious plant-based meals. I had found Birmingham city centre to be quite limited in the exclusively vegan food department, until I stumbled across the Holy Grail itself. Natural Bar & Kitchen is a relatively new establishment based just opposite the Mailbox, and is probably one of my new favourite hangouts. To start, the interior design of the place resembles a modern yet rustic restaurant straight out of Shoreditch, smack bang in Birmingham centre. With open brick walls and low hanging filament bulbs, you immediately feel like a trendy vegan hipster (but the good kind). However, the main event is the food. For a start, a vegan buffet (yes, for real) is available for you to load up a plate with deli-
cious curries, rices, raw salad and This dish came with fries (which I roasted veggies, which are also upgraded to sweet potato), and a available as a take out. Prices cost of only £5.95 was a solid vary, as it is calculated on the price for what you got. A thick weight of your plate at the end. slice of toasted sourdough was Buffet aside, my favourite part is loaded with BBQ spiced pulled the a la carte selection; a menu jackfruit, topped with sauerkraut packed with quirky vegan and pea shoots. For those dishes that intrigue as who are yet to experiwell as entice you. ence the delight of Number one was the jackfruit, you abso‘Vegan Fish and lutely must. It has a Chips’, which consimilar texture to For a sisted of a tofu pulled pork, and slice wrapped in a the flavour is so beautiful, nori sheet and deep delicate it can be vegan fried, with homecooked with a range lunch made fries and of spices to create mushy peas, which the most delicious my friend opted for. savoury flavours. Being a vegan himself, he We didn’t stop here, stated that the textures and fla- also ordering a plate of the homevours ‘satisfied his craving for made baked nachos to share. I real fish and chips,’ which of think this was the best part for me, course he no longer eats. I think as the nachos were made from that puts into perspective how beetroot and carrot as well as tradelicious and effective this take ditional corn, so an array of colon the traditional British seaside our splashed over the plate. They dish is. were topped with delicious homeI ordered the interesting ‘BBQ made ‘cashew cheeze’ which genJackfruit Sourdough Sandwich’. uinely tasted like the real thing, albeit a little ‘cashew-y’ on its own. They were piled up with salsa and guacamole, with corn and jalapeños to complete the dish. The texture of the tortillas were soft with a subtle crunch, a little bit like the Walkers’ ‘Popped’ crisps, but far more healthy and far more delicious. By the end of the lunch, I was stuffed but delightfully satisfied, although this meant I had to forgo the amazing selection of raw desserts they had on offer. For under £10, I had enjoyed a beautiful homemade vegan lunch. I recommend Natural Bar & Kitchen to anyone looking for a delicious plant-based feast.
£10
Home Truths on Healthy Eating Food&Drink Editor Dean Mobbs shares his home-cooking expertise Dean Mobbs Food&Drink Editor
Dealing with your diet can be something particularly difficult, especially when moving to university. Something that we all have to watch is whether or not we are still getting the nutrients that we need, when we need them.
"It will start to affect your everyday life, and your university experience" How many times have you had an actual three-meal day since you have been at your new flat? If the answer is anything other than ‘every day’ then you are not giving yourself what you need throughout the day. As well as this, what do the meals you are eating consist of?
Something that affects so many students is a lack of protein, fibre, and other things that everyone needs in order for their body to function correctly. If you are not getting these, your body will soon tell you, and eventually it will start to affect how you are performing not just in your everyday life, but in your university experience as well. I know this seems to have taken a rather dark turn, but there is really nothing to worry about as long as you keep on top of the foods you should be eating, the foods you shouldn’t be eating, and when the correct times are to eat them. I know you are just waiting for me to say it, so here it is: breakfast is the most important meal of the day. More than that, breakfast foods are particularly important when setting your body up for the day ahead. If you are not getting your dose of fibre, how do you expect your body to properly digest the rest of the food you eat throughout the day? The short answer is that it cannot. So many times have I woken up late, thrown my clothes on and
forced myself out of the door without breakfast. This is not the way you should be doing things, and you really will not be able to function. I cannot stress enough how important it is to wake up with enough time to both get ready and eat breakfast.
"You need to be able to keep your strength up so that you can stayed focussed" Moving on, lunch is needed to carry you on throughout the day. If you do not have this, how do you expect your body to be able to retain energy needed to carry you to dinner? Quite frankly, you cannot. There are so many reasons why you should be eating lunch, but this is the most important. So, regardless of what you have coming up, there is always time to pop into a shop and get a sandwich or a salad; something that you can take to your next
lecture with you. You need to be able to keep your strength up so that you can stay focussed and perform to the best of your abilities. Finally, let’s talk dinner. Like I said, what you eat is just as important as when you eat, and you need to be able to completely satiate yourself for the last proper meal of your day. This means a wide variety of all things that your body needs, and in enough of a proportion to make up for whether or not you had time to eat properly throughout your day (although you should have already given your body what it needs up to this point). When making your dinner, make sure that you are giving it your all, ready for the night when you can snack and eat as much as you want. Now that you have given your body everything needed for the night and preceding day, you can relax until you have to get up the next morning and start it all over again, of course leaving yourelf enough time to have that all important breakfast! Now, I will leave you with this: put your health higher than
where it is ranked at the moment. Nobody has their health at the top of their priority list, but wherever it is, just move it up one. Food and eating habits are an amazing way of sorting yourself out, and cost both little money and little effort. If you are considering ignoring all of the priceless advice I have just given you, then I really hope that you at least listen to this one small thing.
"I cannot stress enough how important it is to wake up with enough time to eat breakfast" If you cannot give yourself the time to eat three meals a day, then eat two nutritious ones, and give yourself the things that you need to function, because in all honestly, your univeristy degree is going to need you performing at your absolute best!
FOOD&DRINK
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbrickfood
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Elizabeth David: The Cook That Changed Everything Food&Drink Writer Tim Abington takes an indepth look at cookery's finest chef Tim Abington Food&Drink Writer
Dried pasta is ubiquitous in Britain. Teatime arrives, and out it comes, hauled from the cupboard. A handful is thrown into the pot, and without a cursory glance, the packet is stuffed behind the mixed herbs. The origins of the British obsession with the Italian cuisine though, is wrapped up in affairs and seduction. Elizabeth David, recently returned from sortes across the Aegean sea, brought the lavishness of its coastline to the dreariness of Britain in A Book of Mediterranean Food. When depressed at the rationing of the fifties, David wrote seductively of lemons, and cream. When appalled at the pot pie stalwart, she brought ratatouille, risotto and gazpacho
to the British kitchen. Eggs were in short supply; using wine in the recipe was an extravagance, unforgivable, though it was doubtless a tempting luxury to the householders in queues for tripe. Leafing through Mediterranean Food added a touch of the southern spice to a familiar kitchen table.
"Elizabeth David cooked with sincerity and refused to be drawn into faddishness" Elizabeth David popularised all those peculiars of serving spaghetti: that abundance of cheese and the heap of sauce which we are told by the well-travelled sort
is an abhorrence to the Italians. David wrote, that to cook spaghetti, ‘do not break it up unless you want to turn it into a pudding,’ ‘stir it round, much as you would toss a salad,’ and ‘buy imported Italian spaghetti’. ‘Lastly, if you are serving the classic spaghetti Bolognese, see that it is highly flavoured, of a suitable thickness and plentiful, accompanied by a generous dish of grated cheese.’ All familiar phrases in the present. Admittedly, her recipe for roasted boar is impractical for a normal kitchen - although to quote David, ‘who wants to eat the same food every day?’ The element of the fantastic is an escapism from the otherwise depressingly familiar food aisle. The ingredients of Mediterranean Food are an unapologetic affront to nouvelle cuisine. Elizabeth David cooked
with sincerity and refused to be drawn into faddishness. It has a refreshing list of unashamedly rich ingredients: wine, cream and butter. Herbs and spices are abundant. The recipe for stuffing a whole roast sheep (two cups of partly cooked rice, a dozen chestnuts, currents, pistachio, cayenne pepper, and a teaspoon of cinnamon) or the twenty cloves of garlic (and a gigot of mutton) are delightful reminders of the possibility of cooking. David once wrote of the Mediterranean marketplace: ‘the
pungent local wines; the aromatic perfume of the rosemary, wild marjoram and the basil drying in the kitchens; the brilliance of the market stalls piled high with pimentos, aubergines, tomatoes, olives, melons, figs and limes.’ Mediterranean Food was a luxurious abundance. Bolognese was unimaginably tropical to a Britain confined to swede and the occasional cauliflower. Ponder its glamorous origins when dropping the mince in the tinned tomato, doubtless for the fifth time in a week.
New Recipes for Your New Flat Blues
Food&Drink Writer Flick Hemming shares her housemate-impressing meal secrets Flick Hemming Food&Drink Writer
Struggling to get out of a readymeal rut? Sick of pasta every night and want to impress your new housemates? Looking for something super easy but edible and vaguely healthy to eat? Check these three recipes out!
Fish Finger Tacos Fish fingers are an oven food, and basic freezer necessity, but here is a taco-twist, ideal for communal cooking and making those flat meals a little more interesting. Ingredients: - Fish fingers - Tacos - Spring onion - Peppers - Extra veggies if you are so
inclined e.g. peas, courgettes finely chopped - For the carnivores, salami or chorizo chopped into small pieces - Salt, pepper and oil - Optional: sauces, curry powder Method: 1) Pre-heat the oven to the temperature stated on the fish finger packet, and follow instructions on how to cook the fish. Don’t forget to wipe your (borrowed) baking tray with a little butter/oil to stop the fish sticking. 2) Whilst your oven is warming up, wash and chop your veggies/meat. 3) Place ‘your’ frying pan on a medium heat with a swirl of oil. 4) Chop half a sprig of spring onion and add to the pan. 5) After a hot minute, throw your peppers in and turn up the heat.
6) After 5-7 minutes you can go ahead and add any other ingredients. Make sure to cook meat separately if you have any vegetarians in your house. 7) Cook until the meat is done and the veggies have taken on a nice BBQ look (roughly 10 minutes). 8) Turn off the heat on your toppings and when the fish is cooked you are ready to assemble your tacos!
Pitta Pizzas Cheaper and healthier than take out, these pitta-bread pizzas are easy and quick to cook. Tailored exactly to your tastes, they will definitely impress your housemates! Great for sharing but 1-2 pittas will serve 1 person. Suggestion: whip up some
salad to have alongside your pizzas or throw some oven-chips in there. Also great to eat cold the next day for lunch to lighten up your library session.
Sweet Tortillas These toasted tortillas make a great pudding or an alternative to pancakes for a classic flat brunch
Ingredients: - Pitta-bread - Tomato sauce (pizza base sauce or green/red pesto works really well too) - Your own choice of toppings e.g. as a veggie: peppers; spring onions, etc. - Cheese! - Courgette - For the meat eaters out there; salami, ham, (cooked) bacon
Ingredients: - Tortilla wraps - Toppings of your choice e.g. for a breakfast theme, chocolate spread, strawberries, blueberries, grapes and/or raspberries make a good combo. - Alternatively, for an indulgent pudding: chocolate, peanut butter, mini-marshmallows, banana, ice cream, cream.
Method: 1) Pre-heat your oven to 190°C. 2) If you need to cook your meat or veggies do this now. Hint: giving your peppers etc. a quick fry like in the first recipe will make your pizza taste that little bit more ‘gourmet’ and stops the pizza base getting soggy in the oven. 3) Once you have cooked your toppings, turn off the heat and place your pittas on your baking tray/rack. 4) Next, start creating your masterpiece! Note: if you are using a baking tray you should use oil or non-stick paper to avoid heartbroken pizzas. 5) Ideally start with your base sauce. Rip up and scatter a bit of mozzarella. 7) Next, the toppings, and finish with a scattering of ground pepper and/or grated cheese. 8) When your oven is up to temperature, slide in your tray and leave to cook for 10-15 minutes. When they look cooked and slightly crispy on top, take out!
Method: 1) Pre-heat the oven to 200°C. 2) Wash and chop your fruit into small pieces. 3) Whip out your tortilla wraps and place about 4 in a pile on the chopping board. 4) Slice into quarters. Repeat until you have enough quarters for you and your housemates. (4-6 quarters per head, depending on your peckishness). 5) If you have a cupcake tray, place each quarter over the cupcake hole and gently push inwards, to create a little tortilla cup. If you don’t have one of these, you can cut your quarters in half and spread out flat or slightly scrunched up to make a 3D structure on a normal baking tray, in effect creating a tortilla chip. 6) Slot them into your preheated oven, and bake for 5-7 minutes until they turn slightly golden-brown. 7) Remove them from the oven, and while they are still hot smoother your chosen sauce over each toasted tortilla. 8) Add your toppings!
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TRAVEL
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricktravel
Nine Days In: Northern Thailand Lily Haugh Travel Writer
After forty hours of relentless travel, my boyfriend, Jack, and I arrive at Chiang Mai Airport. An excruciating thirteen hours has been added to our journey after what seemed a relatively harmless hour and a half delay on our first flight. Ammy, our guide, greets us excitedly the next morning. Despite jet-lag weighing on us like a second backpack, her enthusiasm is infectious, and we muster the last of our energy for our nine-day Northern Thailand tour. Admittedly, we could have been less cliché in our choice of destination. But, visiting the fareast for the first time, the widelyraved about Thailand seemed the most apparent option. With my experience of Thai food limited to inauthentic attempts at green curry, the cuisine is a much-anticipated mystery. Arguably, it is only on Thailand’s shores that I truly taste the Thai Green Curry in all its splendour. Being vegetarian does restrict my options, and I often request tofu, which arrives in one of two forms: generic tofu, and egg tofu. Egg tofu essentially resembles hard-boiled egg whites
(trust me, it doesn’t taste much better than it sounds) and it seems that eggs, constituting the protein element of nearly every meal, become a life-line: vegans beware! Sticky rice, a Northern specialty, is another dish that we are soon well-acquainted with. Besides eggs and rice, coconut is next on my heavy consumption list. I am yet to experience any sweet dish that trumps hot coconut cream poured generously over banana, or the miracle of deepfried coconut ice cream. Only a few days in and I am already a coconut addict! At least twice a day, sometimes more, we visit a temple. These majestic places of worship soon become as standard as a Tesco on a British street corner, however I prefer the reassuring eyes of the great golden Buddha to the suffocating presence of commercialism. Ammy teaches us temple etiquette, including the traditional prayer: kneeling, we move our hands from the heart, to the third eye, then bow our forehead to the ground. Occasionally, the tour can feel like a fast-tracked Buddhist conversion course. The final temple we visit strikes us as the most unusual: its modern architecture and artwork, we suspect, is geared at western
tourists. Whilst, customarily, temple paintings depict religious narratives, these paintings depict well known Hollywood motifs. However, it is the heads of Marvel superheroes hanging disturbingly from the trees outside that prove the trickiest to relate to conventional Buddhist ideology. Our most meaningful insight into the role that Buddhist religion assumes in local lives comes from joining an early morning village ceremony. At six thirty, after a strong dose of caffeine, we are purchasing food off the back of a pick-up truck outside the local monastery: this food is donated to the monks, forming their one frugal meal of the day. Feeling like imposters, irksome tourists with cameras in hand, the warm welcome we receive is surprising. Lining up to distribute the sticky rice, the lady in front of me demonstrates squeezing the rice between her fingertips before placing it in the bowls. The communal atmosphere is supportive and relaxed, with laughter rippling through the room whenever a mistake is made. Unexpectedly, at the end, one of the eldest monks even approaches us, curious about where we are from. Later that day we meet a trainee Monk. Surreally, we discover a mutual love for Harry Potter. Never could I predict showing a Buddhist monk photos of the Hogwarts Express at Harry Potter Studios. A moment’s appreciation in this article, therefore, must go to J.K Rowling, whose magic transcends all cultural and religious difference. At the homestay, I discover a talent for weaving. I smugly lift my finished basket, garnished with a woven flower; the village weaver takes over from Jack, whose weaving skills are, well, yet to be discovered. But, an hour or so later, out in the paddy fields, Jack redeems himself, pushing a heavy, almost Victorian plough through the thick mud. By the penultimate day, we somehow seem to have avoided the worst of the monsoon: getting
caught in a downpour is surely inevitable? My prediction is correct. Returning from Sukhothai National Park, the sky unleashes its full force of ferocious rain. Even the screens on our local transport cannot completely repel the mania of the monsoon. The driver, sat on a motorbike at the
yellow fog that envelopes the city. Settling down an hour later in the ‘Sky Bar’ of our hotel, Bangkok looks quite different: we overlook a glamorous sunset, pierced by the silhouette of an immense temple. The sun pulses towards the horizon at an unbe-
front, has almost no refuge: he makes the Western taxi driver experience, complete with leather seats, temperature control and the latest tunes, look like retirement. So far, Thailand’s roads have proven relatively safe, but that is before reaching the treacherous outskirts of Bangkok. The entry road is a snake, the traffic its meal: slow and painful to digest. The cars stop and start unpredictably, accelerating before stopping suddenly inches behind the vehicle ahead. Finally, in desperate need of a Thai oil massage and a strong gin and tonic, we are dropped off at the hotel. London is practically rural in comparison to this towering and chaotic urban jungle: in an apparent attempt to fully maximise the use of space, the roads crisscross like an extensive concrete weaving piece and the buildings are crammed closely together. Every other person we see wears a mask, attempting to protect themselves from the heavy
lievable pace and we are cast into night. Shortly, we are to follow the sun’s journey to other side of the earth. Admittedly, by the time we arrive home, we feel exhausted as oppose to culturally enlightened. But, as the clouds of jet lag slowly retreat from our minds, we look back at our travels afresh. Yes, Thailand is possibly the most cliché of all student destinations, and I may well have returned sporting a pair of elephant trousers. However, despite the poverty in Thailand, there seems an abundance of optimism and a presence of community that, in England, we increasingly lack. The philosophies shaping Thai society, emphasising a mindful and compassionate approach to life, reveal the embarrassing extent of our consumerist western lifestyles. Regardless of embodying the university student cliché in doing so, travelling in Thailand has been a precious and unforgettable experience.
Top 5 Day Trips In: Nice Zuzanna Edwards Travel Writer
Situated on the French Coast, Nice offers some idyllic day trips for every traveller. Antibes This medieval port town has something for everybody: beaches, live music, and the famous Musée Picasso. With one of the
largest local markets in the area (opening every morning) this is a great place to find any artisanal souvenirs, as well as try the local produce, which is also supplied to the surrounding restaurants. Valbonne While considerably less well known than some of its surrounding neighbours, this is a perfect destination if you want to get a better feel of traditional local life. Having said that, if you’re starting to feel a little homesick while in the South of France, Valbonne is perfect for that too, as it has a thriving English community, particularly over the summer season. Cannes Home to one of the world’s most famous film festivals, this iconic destination is definitely
one to check off. Popular amongst the rich and famous, the Promenade de la Croisette is renowned for its luxurious shops, hotels, and restaurants. Mougins Celebrated as an artistic hub on the Cote d’Azur, the village has an array of official cultural facilities, as well as countless art studios dotted throughout. The charming, narrow streets are filled with flowers straight from a fairy-tale, but it’s also easy to spot street art around every corner - so it’s sure to impress anyone! Gourdon Arguably one of the most beautiful places of historical heritage in France, Gourdon is a medieval fortress that sits in the rolling hills of the French Riviera.
Whilst Gourdon is the furthest of these destinations from Nice, the panoramic views of the coastal
cities are incomparable to anywhere else.
TRAVEL
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricktravel
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My Trip To: Naples Tom Leaman News Editor
If you read online reviews or discussions about the city of Naples, a word that seems to have become synonymous with the city is ‘unsafe’. The Numbeo Crime Index for Europe lists Naples as the third least-safe city in Europe (incidentally only one place above Birmingham). However, my experience in Italy’s third city told a very different tale to the statistics. Granted, Naples isn’t the prettiest city in the world, but with most of Italy’s wealth being made and invested in the north of the country this shouldn’t come as a surprise. The closely-packed together houses and flats and heavilygraffitied walls of the city really are a representation of the socioeconomic situation in Naples, widely considered to be one of the poorest parts of the country. This is epitomised by the very centre of the city. The areas around the main station - Napoli Centrale and the Piazza Garibaldi - look less-than-appealing. They are safe from petty crime, given you
follow relatively common-sense rules to protect both yourself and your valuables. With the seemingly inevitable safety-based discussion of Naples over, the deserving main talking points of the Campania region can be addressed. Virtually everybody is aware of the ancient city that piqued the interests of the music world in 2013, but Pompeii is far more than the title of an overplayed Bastille song. It’s a compelling insight into everyday Roman life, and also a worrying reminder of the destructiveness of Vesuvius and the stark danger it poses to over 500,000 citizens living in the ‘red zone’. Of the two choices of navigating Pompeii, I opted for a guided tour instead of finding my own way around the 170acre site. Both have their flaws. Everything I saw in the city was supported with the context behind it from a guide (useful as there were few signs and even those were only in Italian), though I did have to skip some important parts of the archaeological site to keep within the tour’s timings, such as the iconic Amphitheatre. All told, being able to understand
everything I was seeing gives the guided tour an edge, as it would have been tricky to even decipher what ruined building I was standing in without the guide’s commentary. From both Naples and Pompeii, the shadow of Mount Vesuvius is inescapable. It is
Pompeii, making it an ideal way to see both in a day. The views from the summit over the Bay of Naples from the crater made the effort worthwhile, though don’t expect to see too much action from within the volcano itself - a small amount of steam is the only evidence of activity.
definitely worth the bus or train (Circumvesuvina line from Napoli Centrale) to the volcano. I went for the bus, not least because it climbed the first 1000 metres of the mountain, meaning it was then only a 200-metre climb to the summit. The bus also went on to
One of the best aspects of the city itself (besides €5 pizza) is the architecture. The historic buildings in the Piazza del Plebiscito are the best example of this, though the castle that towers above the port is also a good photo spot. The cathedral, Duomo di Napoli, is free
to the public, though donations are expected. Externally, it really represents the way the city has been built. The cathedral is connected to apartment blocks and shops, making the area a real mishmash. Inside, it rivals other iconic Italian cathedrals such as Milan and Florence in its design. It is also the resting place of the city’s patron saint San Gennaro, leading to the bizarre bi-annual tradition of a vial of his blood supposedly being turned solid from liquid form; failure for it to solidify foreshadows a disaster for the city. Luckily, despite the city’s less-than-generous reputation for its crime rates, no disasters befell me during my time in Naples. If you are willing to put up with the graffiti and the less attractive parts of the city, Naples and its surrounding area hold some of the most important attractions in both Italy and Europe. It is also ideally located in order to reach the stunning island of Capri, which is a 50-minute boat trip from Naples. It is completely justifiable in time and expense, with a chairlift up the Monte Solaro mountain from Anacapri.
A Student's Guide To: Brighton Kat Smith Deputy Editor
Brighton isn’t exactly a hidden gem, it’s more of a garish diamond situated on the south coast of sunny England. Popular with many, and notorious for its costliness, I visited Brighton in June for a mini-break with my friends. Quite frankly, I expected to have to spend a lot of money
to have a good time. I had only really heard about extortionate seaside rides and expensive escape rooms, but to my surprise I was able to experience the city for a forgivable price without compromising much. Soak up the Art As a keen art nerd, I was shocked to find out that Banksy’s two kissing policemen was originally situated on a pub in Brighton. My A Level art teacher
will be disappointed. A stone’s throw from the station, a replica of the famous piece can be found on the outside wall of Prince Albert. Though it was taken from the wall and sold in 2011, the framed piece is still a fun find, even if it is next to a bin... Surrounding Banksy’s masterpiece is an abundance of famous faces painted on Prince Albert. The colours, liberty and sheer joyfulness embodied in the art felt like an apt last sighting of this wonderful city.
Unfortunately, my travel companions were not the biggest art fans so I wasn’t able to go into the galleries and shops I wanted to, but Brighton struck me as a brilliant place for creatives. Its reputation states it as being so, but I feared it was going to be pretentious or way too hipster. While it has its fair share of independent shops and #edgy cafes, it felt accessible and welcoming. Little touches like CassArt’s ‘draw what you see’ stand outside their shop really
demonstrate the relaxed and social vibe of the city. Go Dog Spotting I met Reggie and Kimchi, amongst many other furry friends. I unashamedly asked everyone I bumped into with a dog if I could fuss them and I genuinely consider that an activity. I’m used to the southern attitude of keeping yourself to yourself, but Brighton felt a lot friendlier. It was so friendly that I went into a vape shop to meet Kimchi (#KimchitheStaffy on Instagram), somewhere I don’t normally feel like I belong! Explore the Lanes The Lanes are a defining part of Brighton’s identity. There you will find countless independent and small shops, stocking everything under the sun. It’s easy to find yourself going round in circles, but it’s an alright place to get lost. If you prefer mainstream shops, there are also plenty of those, ranging from high street favourites to high-end brands. You will also find the so-called ‘Mothership’ of Choccywoccydoodah in the Brighton lanes, with amazing cakes and sculptures. It is where the chocolatier began and their only other store is in London. They also frequently have amazing tasters, with us being lucky enough to try amarettoinfused chocolate cake. Picnic by the Sea While chips smothered in salt and vinegar was the obvious choice for a sunny afternoon by the seaside, our fear of the seagulls and the fact we had just inhaled our weekly recommended intake of pasta meant we opted
for fruit instead. Brighton may be known for its pier, but the pebbled beach that surrounds it was almost as bustling. Nearer to the sea, the beach offers a place of calm to chill when the seagulls aren’t trying to eat you alive.
George IV and is an iconic part of the city. Though you can pay to go inside, with student prices currently standing at £12, the gardens are a sight to behold in themselves. Volunteers work
Get a Spontaneous Piercing/ Tattoo Maybe me telling you to factor this into your trip undermines the ‘spontaneous’ element, but with the plethora of tattoo and piercing shops in Brighton, the temptation is hard to resist. I had wanted a navel piercing for a while and Brighton felt like the perfect place. After a little bit of research, I found Guru in the North Laines. They offer 10% student discount and had an appointment the day I went in to ask despite being popular. It has also created a little memory of a fantastic trip, so that’s a bonus. I may not have been brave enough to get a last-minute tattoo, but there are definitely enough options to choose from!
tirelessly to maintain the vast flower population and there is an aim for the gardens to encourage wildlife to return to the centre of Brighton. Its position in the heart of the city means you can easily weave it into your day, whether it’s on your way to the beach or on your way hope from the Lanes, and you are sure to feel a little more cultured at the end of it. Brighton may be known to be on the pricier side when it comes to excursions, but being so rich in culture means there are countless free/cheap things to do. With direct trains from London and many other UK towns and cities, you also won’t have to max out your overdraft to get there. Balancing seaside rides or drinks in bars with sightseeing is the perfect way to stay in-budget while still experiencing the best of this magnificent city.
Wander Through the Royal Pavilion Grounds The Royal Pavilion was built as the seaside palace for King
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LIFE&STYLE
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricklife
Fat Faming: Cosmo's Controversial Cover Life&Style Writer Alice Macfarlane questions whether Cosmo Cover Girl Tess Holliday wrongly normalises obesity or actually represents a step towards inclusivity Alice Macfarlane Life&Style Writer
It’s the Cosmo cover that divided the nation. We have all seen it, and we have all formed our own opinions about it. But what is it about Tess Holliday’s debut magazine appearance that is sparking such heated controversy? With the plussize model’s announcement that she is officially a ‘Cosmo Girl’ sending Twitter into a frenzy, one thing is for sure: this cover has attracted a whole lot of attention. But is the feature promoting body positivity, or simply advocating a dangerously unhealthy lifestyle? Weighing in at 300lbs, it’s fair to say that Tess Holliday is not your conventional cover girl. Claiming to be the ‘heaviest she’s ever been,’ the 5ft 3 model falls comfortably into the morbidly obese category. So, in a society that (quite rightly)
condemns the glorification of ‘size zero’ models, why should we be celebrating an opposite, yet equally harmful lifestyle? From one extreme to another, neither of these sizes are healthy, nor do they represent the image of the ‘average’ woman that body positivity campaigns seek to promote.
"Glorifying a lifestyle that leads to such an unhealthy size is fundamentally wrong" The fact is that a size such as Holliday’s can only be obtained through a severely unhealthy lifestyle, and one cannot weigh upwards of 300lbs simply due to natural variations in body type. Therefore, this cover arguably misses the mark in terms of promoting a positive message. Critics have argued that the feature is edging away from being a piece on body positivity and instead, it is encouraging weight-gain in the face of Britain’s ever-increasing obesity crisis. Should magazines be allowed to promote something that is blatantly harmful? Without a doubt, the body positivity movement is of vital importance, but glorifying a lifestyle that leads to such an unhealthy size is fundamentally wrong. However, to this notion we
must ask ourselves: are we simply missing the overall point of this Cosmo cover? In the wave of what was actually an overwhelmingly positive response, people have defended Holliday’s feature, claiming that not only are its critics misinterpreting the message behind it, but that the idea that it is ‘promoting obesity’ is ridiculous. Perhaps we are overstating the influence of such magazines in our modern society? A society in which paper magazine sales continue to face a steep decline each year. The likelihood is that those that read Holliday’s article are not going to be immediately inspired to opt for the unhealthy lifestyle that causes you to reach such a size. Instead, the point behind this cover was simply to provide some level of inclusivity for larger women who are so often marginalised in the fashion and beauty industry.
"The point behind this cover was simply to provide some level of inclusivity for larger women" This cover is about visibility, not health concerns. Critics have a tendency to reduce Holliday’s feature simply to the photos presented on the cover. But this article extends beyond the boundaries of a photograph. Discussing issues of mental health, internet trolling and body
confidence, many women felt their own voices portrayed through Holliday’s words, showing how this cover means so much more than its aesthetic. There are thousands of different perspectives on this Cosmo coverall you need to do is type Tess Holliday into your search bar and you will see for yourself. Undeniably, 300lbs is not a healthy weight. Nor is being morbidly obese something that should be celebrated or encouraged. But the point of this feature remains up for debate. On the surface, it seems like a glorification of a dangerously unhealthy lifestyle. But behind the
photos lies a message of inclusivity and acceptance. As a nation, we must collectively agree to disagree on the matter because love it or hate it, nothing changes the fact that Tess Holliday is the Cosmo girl that broke the internet. Want to share your opinion on this subject? Tweet us to let us know @redbrickpaper
The Reinvented Cycling Shorts Life&Style Writer Elizabeth Wilson takes a look at how cycling shorts have transformed from a sportswear staple to the hottest new thing Elizabeth Wilson Life&Style Writer
Cycling shorts aren’t just for the keen rider anymore: the skin-tight trend has recently been popularised by the likes of Kylie Jenner and Bella Hadid and has taken centre-stage at AW18 fashion weeks. First seen on Princess Diana two decades ago in 1995, this sports item came back to the forefront of style this summer, showing that fashion really does go round in circles. And celebrities have played a significant part in realising the rebirth of this trend, in particular Kim KardashianWest who has been seen sporting the Yeezy brand bottoms. Since then, with the rise of Instagram influencer culture, this athletic attire has been inescapably splattered over our feeds and the likes of fashion magazines. It is clear that these Lycra tights are not just for wind resist-
ance and sporting ease anymore, but should this trend be here to stay? Boohoo boss Carol Kane was shocked by the up-and-coming cycling shorts trend, something she hoped ‘would never reemerge.’ However, similar fast fashion sites like PrettyLittleThing have reported a 50% jump in sales from March to September since
"This athletic attire has been inescapably splattered over our feeds" this trend came about. Not only have many retailers, both high-end and high street, jumped on the cycling shorts bandwagon but consumers have clearly taken a liking to this up-
and-coming trend, as demonstrated by the clear demand and rising
"Some may shake their head at this seemingly bizarre turn in the fashion world, believing cycling shorts to be an unflattering necessity" sales. Cycling shorts are even appearing on high fashion runways like Prada and Fendi. Burberry recently even cashed in on the craze, releasing their own £230 pair that are selling so well the brand is battling to keep up with demand. While they may not be every-
one’s cup of tea, these versatile shorts seem like a no-brainer. Dressed up with a shirt and some heels, you can wear these to a fancy cocktail night. Or perhaps channel Kylie Jenner herself by taking inspriation from her embellished all-in-one cycling shorts piece worn to her 21st birthday party to achieve a truly glammedup look. Or alternatively, dress your shorts down with an oversized tee or jumper and a scrunchie. You can wear these for some 90s hangover chic. Some may shake their head at this seemingly bizarre turn in the fashion world, believing cycling shorts to be an unflattering necessity rather than a glamourous addition to your wardrobe. But it seems there’s a clear reason why your favourite style icons love these shorts: style plus comfort is a clear winner for the modern woman. If we can look good and still be free enough to cycle, then why not?
Instagram/kyliejenner
LIFE&STYLE
Friday 12th October 2018
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@redbricklife
The Ins and Outs of STIs
Life&Style Editor Sophie Kesterton gives the lowdown on the dangers of unprotected sex at university ease. As HIV and many other STIs do not always show any Life&Style Editor symptoms, it is easy to see why this is the case. This can According to Fresh Student then create a knock-on effect, Living, 25% of university as oblivious carriers will not freshers will catch a know to take extra preSexually Transmitted cautions so will likeInfection. This indily pass it on to any cates that (at least) sexual partners 25% of freshers they have. And will not practice of so the cycle safe sex, while university freshers will continues. some others will catch a Sexually The figures probably be unsafe Transmitted Infection from the NHS but just get lucky and Fresh (in both senses of Student Living the expression) and raise the question avoid contracting any as to why so many STIs. In fact, Fresh Student sexually active students Living confirms this, reporting are not taking precautions. on a Student Room survey ‘Safe sex’ is a phrase that is which found that 63% of sexu- thrown around a lot, but perally active students admit to haps the problem is that many having unprotected sex, how- people are not clear about its ever more than half of said meaning and, crucially, the percentage have never been tested for sexually transmitted infections. There are so many incentives to use proper protection, yet still so many do not bother with it. As a result, according to the most recent NHS findings, young people aged 16 to 24 account for:
Sophie Kesterton
25%
• • •
63% of chlamydia cases 52% of genital warts cases 42% of herpes cases
And those figures are before we take into account the hundreds of people who are living their lives completely unaware that they have an STI – a staggering 25% of people with HIV are unaware that they are carrying the dis-
"Talking about sex can be anything from mildly awkward to permanently scarring"
ised’, while staying clear of the topic labels you the equally undesirable ‘prude’ or as ‘frigid’ - or perhaps talking about it in terms of safety and protection makes you boring and unadventurous. So at an age where sex is very commonplace, but talking about sex can be anything from mildly awkward to permanently scarring. It should not have to be, but it often is. So it is difficult to imagine how our generation is supposed to even come close to being properly informed about the risks and sensitivities surrounding sex. Given this paradox we find ourselves in, the figures stated above are hardly surprising. The sex education system is also failing many of us, with 40% of students deeming their sex-ed experience ‘just average’ and 27% going as far as to describe it as ‘poor’, according to Fresh Student Living. As a result, many young people turn to the internet for information and support. With a whole wealth of knowledge at the click of a button, the need for
those uncomfortable sex-talks and embarrassing sex-ed classes is greatly reduced. But while the internet is often a great source of information, it is also one of the biggest culprits for providing misinformation and fake news, which only complicates the problem further, leaving young people confused and with very few obvious sources left to consult. For reliable information about sexual health, you can use the following resources: • The Family Planning Association (FPA) • Brook • NHS sexual health website • National Sexual Health Helpline – 0300 123 7123 How to get tested: • Visit your GP • Go to a GUM clinic • Order a free self-test kit from Umbrella Health or the Terrence Higgins Trust
severity of the potential consequences of being ‘unsafe.' As students, while there are many things on our agendas, sex undoubtedly nears the top of the list for many people. But, ironically, it is one of the most taboo subjects out there. Talking about it too much or too openly brands you as ‘promiscuous’ or ‘overly sexual-
Deputy Editor Kat Smith explains the pros of this nonmainstream sanitary product Deputy Editor
I was initially sceptical about the menstrual cup trend. I was all for protecting the environment, my body and my purse, but I didn’t like the thought of reusing the same thing for such an intimate part of my body. However, since investing in one myself, I have been thoroughly proved wrong.
Menstrual cups can last up to 10 years with the right care, making the £20 or so purchase an investment. Tampons and pads may seem cheaper, but paying for them month in, month out, adds up quick. Goodbye tampon tax.
It takes a bit of getting used to, but I don’t know anyone who’s committed to a menstrual cup and subsequently ditched it. Its comfort, longevity and ease has now made periods something I rarely worry about.
Price
Environment
As students, money is a concern for a lot of us.
Antonia Miles Life&Style Writer
Maya Angelou Maya Angelou is best known for redefining the genre of autobiography through her use of autobiographical fiction in ‘I Know Why the Caged Bird Sings’, widely considered to be one of Angelou’s most notable works. Her impassioned defence of black culture and her willingness to openly confront issues of racism, identity and unequal power relations have earned her well-deserved status as one of the literary greats.
Barack Obama Obama’s two terms in office as the President of the United States represented something far bigger than a successive win for America’s democrats. The election of America’s first black President, though not absolving America of its racist history, gave the whole world a reason to feel optimistic. During his time in office, Obama certainly made true of his promises to create a far more inclusive society where race would no longer be a barrier to accessing resources, through his transformative ‘Obama Care’ reforms.
Oprah Winfrey Media mogul Oprah Winfrey first soared to fame with her infamous chat show, which secured her a very comfortable seat at the table of the world’s most influential media personalities. Aside from becoming the first black female entrepreneur on the Bloomberg Billionaires Index, she has used her international status as a platform to promote many liberal causes close to her heart, including LGBTQI rights and the promotion of AfricanAmerican History and culture, remaining a strong figurehead within civil rights activism.
ronment. The average woman uses 11,000 tampons in her lifetime this can easily be swapped out for under 11 moon cups. Periods are notoriously taboo, yet all of us blessed with
a female body experience them. Even if menstrual cups aren’t for you, learning what you find best for your body in terms of menstruation is a massive investment of your time and money.
A pivotal figure in the civil rights movement in the 1960s, it was Martin Luther King’s dream to live in a world free from racial discrimination. He will eternally be remembered for the powerful and emotive speeches he made about overcoming racial barriers and for remaining an advocate for peaceful protest, even in an American society which otherwise sought to silence him.
Rosa Parks Rosa Parks, an integral node of the US civil rights movement of the 1950s and 1960s, is most famous for her influential boycott of racially segregated buses in 1955. She will always be a symbol of courage, bravery and of hope for the civil rights movement, in the ongoing fight to break down racial barriers and ensure black people are fairly represented in society.
Preparation
And no matter how many times we’ve had a period, we’ve all gone round asking if someone has any tampons. We’re not always prepared for our period to hit, or for when we need to be out for longer than expected and so need more products. When a menstrual cup can stay in for ages and can be carried subtly in a bag at all times, you will always be prepared.
Ease
Influential Figures Past and Present
Martin Luther King Jr.
Menstruation Inspiration: Menstrual Cups Kat Smith
Black History Month:
Sanitary waste also has a devastating effect on the envi-
See online for full version
Patricia Moraleda
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SCI&TECH
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricktech
Facebook Hit by Largest Data Breach in Site's History Will Nunn
Sci&Tech Editor
An unusual spike in Facebook user activity on the 16th of September has triggered an investigation which subsequently uncovered one of the largest hacks in the site’s history. On the 25th, it was revealed that around 50 million accounts were impacted. These users were logged out by the site along with an additional 40 million at risk users. The attack came in the wake of a Taiwanese hacker threatening to delete site founder Mark Zuckerberg’s own account, but it is unknown whether they were connected. The identity of the culprit is yet to be found. The hack utilised two bugs in the Facebook system in tandem to gain control of any profile. Facebook profiles include a ‘View As’ function which allows users to view their own profile as it would
be seen by another user of their choice. A bug resulted in the video upload tool appearing within user pages generated by view as. When clicked, the video upload function generates an ‘access token’, allowing the account to r e m a i n signed in on the device used. The Users Affected hackers were able to use the upload function within the ‘View As’ page to trigger access tokens for any user of their choice, gaining control of their account. Logging at risk users out resets their access tokens, meaning hackers would need to repeat the process to gain access into those accounts again. Facebook has also removed the ‘View As’ function at the time of writing. A sophisticated
50 Million
understanding of the way the site works would have been required to notice this kind of weakness. This all comes during one of the most challenging years in the site’s history, and adds to mounting concerns for user privacy. Back in March, it was revealed that Cambridge Analytica had used the personal data of millions of users without consent to individually tailor political advertisements on behalf of right-wing political groups in both America and the UK. Facebook now has an estimated 2.23 billion active users according to figures at the end of the second quarter of 2018. The sheer scale of personal data posted to the site serves as a goldmine for advertisers, but the data obtained by Cambridge Analyitca has thrown the nature of the way Facebook handles user data into question. If you are concerned your own account may have been compro-
mised the usual advice applies. Make sure to use a strong password, check your account settings and make sure you recognise all of the devices signed into your account, disable ‘keep me logged in’ functions or auto-login and set up two-factor authentication to maximise the security of your account.
Behind the Spice Epidemic
Sci&Tech Editor Francesca Benson explores the science behind the drug Francesca Benson Sci&Tech Editor
In recent times, the news has been full of reports of an increased number of people appearing disoriented, slumped, and volatile on streets throughout the world. It has become apparent that many of these people are under the influence of a drug commonly known as spice. Spice is one term used to refer to synthetic cannabinoids, although other names include K2 and Black Mamba. These compounds bind to the same receptors
in the brain as the main active chemicals in cannabis – primarily THC. One key figure in the development of these compounds is John W. Huffman. In 1993, the synthetic cannabinoid JWH-018 was synthesised by Huffman for the sole purpose of studying the function of cannabinoid receptors. However, JWH-018 then went on to be synthesised illicitly by other laboratories, and distributed for use as a psychoactive drug. The structure of the compounds are often altered to form ‘analogues’ in order to dodge legislation banning them, leading to the number of unique reported
synthetic cannabinoids spiking from just 2 in 2009 to 84 in 2015. This can lead to consumers not knowing exactly which drug they are putting into their body. These drugs are sold sprayed onto herbs and passed off as incense, and labels falsely indicate that the mixture is not intended for human consumption in another effort to get around laws concerning psychoactive substances. Historically, synthetic cannabinoids have gained prominence as a ‘legal high’ in response to the legal prohibition of cannabis. Despite their structural similarity to cannabis and action on the
same receptors when consumed, the effects of the two drugs can be worlds apart. This is due to the fact that THC is a partial agonist to the receptors, whereas synthetic cannabinoids are full agonists and therefore a lot stronger. One key difference is that synthetic cannabinoids can have serious withdrawal symptoms, indicating that they may be chemically addictive. Some effects of the drug can include symptoms of psychosis such as hallucinations and anxiety, and some users have even been hospitalised for issues such as vomiting, violence, and suicidal thoughts.
A Cure for Cocaine Addiction? Issy Greenwood Sci&Tech Writer
In England alone, an estimated 300,000 people are thought to be dependent on heroin or crack cocaine, rendering this a drug epidemic. Intensive research has therefore been carried out in recent years to attempt to combat the addictive, often fatal, nature of these drugs. Lead researcher Ming Xu and his team from the University of Chicago believe they may have found the most promising therapy for future treatment of cocaine addiction during trials on mice. These findings were published in the journal Nature Biomedical Engineering, and are believed to be the first step towards an approved intervention for cocaine addiction. Using CRISPR (which stands for clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats, a powerful gene editing tool) technology, mouse epidermal stem cells were engineered to express an enhanced form of butyrylcholinesterase. This enzyme hydrolyses cocaine, breaking it down
into its various components, with the enhanced form being over 4,400 times as efficient as the unedited equivalent of the enzyme. These mouse stem cells were then cultured on mouse dermis to produce a skin-like ‘organoid’ which was grafted onto the skin of the mouse. This skin graft allowed the continuous release of enzyme into the blood stream of the mouse with levels found to be stable for ten weeks. During this time, the enzyme effectively hydrolysed cocaine as well as reducing levels of dopamine in the mouse’s blood. The standard action of crack cocaine blocks the reuptake of dopamine in the brain, causing levels to increase dramatically and as a result increased stimulation of motor activity and other reward
related behaviours are established in the body. This is the basis of the addictive nature of the drug. Thus, with the new treatment having been shown to reduce levels of dopamine, the addictive effects of the drug became non-existent. Ming Xu and his team conditioned all the mice to approach cues paired with the effect of the cocaine reward, however after four days of conditioning the wild-type mice spent a much greater amount of time in places associated with cocaine than the engineered mice; who no longer sought the cocaine. In contrast, all mice whether wild-type or engineered - displayed addictive behaviour for ethanol. This suggested that the high associated with cocaine was not being felt by these engi-
neered mice. Not only is this therapy thought to prevent the addictive effects of cocaine being established, but it was also proven to prevent overdose in mice exposed to typically lethal doses. Doses of between 40 and 160 mg per kg body mass had almost zero lethality in the genetically engineered mice, however doses of 80 mg per kg were found to be 50% lethal and doses of 120160 mg per kg were 100% lethal in the normal wild-type mice. Such findings provide a dramatic leap in the search for an approved intervention for cocaine addiction in humans. Not only were the engineered stem cells found to have very minimal potential to mutate into cancerous cells, but the use of a skin graft also eliminates the need for viral vectors. In other therapies, viruses were used to genetically engineer cells to produce enzymes, however the side-effects are potentially very harmful for the immune system. Thus, the research of Ming Xu and his team is critical and carries a greatly reduced risk from previous therapeutic interventions.
Creature Feature: Anyway, Here's Wondiwoi... Francesca Benson Sci&Tech Editor
Thought to be extinct since 1928, a rare and mysterious creature has very recently been spotted in the wild. Breaking a staggering ninety year period of evading humans, the Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroo (Dendrolagus mayri) was spotted and photographed in July 2018 by British amateur botanist Michael Smith in West Papua New Guinea, Indonesia. Only a single specimen has ever been previously observed, a male which currently resides in the Natural History Museum in London. The species was soughtafter enough to make it into the Global Wildlfe Conservation list of the '25 Most Wanted Lost Species'. The elusiveness of the Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroo is thought to be down to the very small habitat the species inhabits, only occupying an estimated area of up to two hundred square kilometres in the Wondiwoi mountains. This habitat is also extremely hard to reach, as it is at an elevation of around five thousand six hundred feet and surrounded by dense bamboo which needs to be cut to make a path. Living in trees and primarily eating fruit, the Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroo has strong forelimbs to facilitate climbing, which draw many anatomical comparisons to monkeys. Good climbing skills could explain why the specimen observed in 2018 was in a tree about ninety feet above the ground. Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroos are one sub-species of the genus Dendrolagus, alongside around thirteen other types of tree Kangaroo. They are marsupials and have been classed as Macropods, which puts them in the same family as Wallabies and other varieties of Kangaroo. The latin name of the species is derived from the name of Ernst Mayr, a leading evolutionary biologist at the time. Mayr was the person who observed and shot the first (and until recently, only) specimen in 1928. It is estimated that only fifty individuals of the species are still alive today, and the species is currently classified as critically endangered. A proposal to build a gold mine in the Wondiwoi Mountains may pose a threat to the few Wondiwoi Tree Kangaroos left. Hopefully, the re-discovery of the species will fuel efforts to protect and learn more about these elusive marsupials.
SCI&TECH
Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricktech
AR: Saving Lives in Natural Disasters Imogen Donovan Sci&Tech Writer
At the beginning of September, The Weather Channel used augmented reality (AR) visualisations to stress the severity of Hurricane Florence as it moved towards the Carolina coast following an official downgrade in category by the National Hurricane Centre. Presenter Erika Navarro explains the simulated weather conditions around her, gesturing at her body to quantify just how high the water will rise and issuing progressive warnings to follow advice and evacuate the affected area. The innovative and creative
mixed reality report was a viral success because it pragmatically showed what Hurricane Florence was capable of. Signs, symbols, and numbers are difficult to relate to, and are perceived differently by each person: for example, -15°C would be considered abnormally cold for the United Kingdom, but that is the average day temperature in the winter months for Sudbury, Ontario, Canada. AR may be the key to successfully communicating serious warnings about climate change and its effects. Despite concerted efforts, the term 'climate change' feels distant and hypothetical, even though it is happening yes-
terday, today, and tomorrow. Due to the complexity of the Earth's systems, it is near impossible to construct an image of just what will change and how, as it will affect us all in varying mechanisms, scales and rates. When AR is used like this, it becomes all too real. As weather trends intensify and become more unpredictable, integrating AR into forecasting reports could quite literally save lives. Environmental data such as snowdrift could be shown similarly to the Hurricane Florence flooding, and allow residents to prepare effectively and therefore reduce risk of leaving the house when it is not absolutely neces-
sary. Visibility due to fog, rain or pollution could be quantified to show exactly how much one could see in those conditions and encourage slower, more careful driving. Wind strength could be translated from km per hour into a simulation of the power the wind has on natural and man-made surroundings. Finally, moving from hypothetical situations and into reality, there are places that are already bearing the brunt of climatic shifts. Quantifying the rise in sea level or the intensity of heatwaves in these locations may iterate their stories to the wider world, and mobilise aid and media attention as the number of climate refugees surely increases in the coming years. Evidently, adding this human element to climatic and environmental reporting is significantly affecting. With any luck, the positive reception that this example experienced will incite a snowballing of similar techniques to really represent the sobering actuality of extreme weather events.
Medicine Made for You Charlotte Begley Sci&Tech Writer
Over the past decade, discussion on the possibility of personalised medicine in the NHS has been increasing. It has been a point regarded as having great potential in the future of healthcare, but there has so far been little opportunity to translate this from theory to reality. However, this concept is now coming into practice. From 1st October 2018, the NHS will be introducing such procedures as part of routine health assessments. Personalised medicine can be defined as using technologies to assess the genetic makeup of a patient. This allows for the determination of specific genetic traits
linked to the cause of a disease that can be targeted in treatment. This information can be used in diagnosing rare diseases, or be taken into consideration when prescribing medication to ensure a negative reaction will not occur in susceptible individuals. Such technology can allow for greater efficiency in the treatment of disease, saving the NHS both time and money. For example, medicines with a greater chance of being effective can be prescribed based on the genetics of a patient, reducing costs associated with the ‘trial-and-error’ tactic commonly used in healthcare which leads to unused medication that goes to waste. Further to this, earlier diagnosis of conditions comes with the advantage of potentially cheaper management of the disease.
Prevention of illness is widely considered a better option than treating any resulting complications. It gives better quality of life for the patient, and less time and money would need to be invested by the NHS to treat what would likely be more severe symptoms by the time of diagnosis. Improved understanding of the impact of genetics on disease states is highly appealing. It would allow for the design of therapeutics based around the genes noted to be associated with disease, for example. However, this goes hand in hand with potential ethical concerns. Stricter guidelines in terms of informed consent must be revised and published in response to a new system such as this. Patients must be made aware of the potential use of data in research
before this takes place to give them the choice to opt out of the procedure. Overall, the prospect of personalised medicine as a routine healthcare assessment appears to show great promise. However, ethical concerns must still be monitored throughout the initial rollout of the service, and in later years when the t e c h niques may be expanded into further areas of the NHS.
App Review: Ike Will Nunn Sci&Tech Editor
'I have two kinds of problems: the urgent and the important,' President Eisenhower once said, 'The urgent are not important and the important are not urgent.'
This quote forms the basis of the design of Ike, a to-do list app which uses a time planning technique called an Eisenhower Matrix. The technique divides tasks into one of four categories: they are either important and urgent, not important and urgent, not urgent and important or neither important or urgent. As such, the home page of Ike is split into four sections corresponding to each of these categories. This simple system is excellent for keeping track of everything and for breaking down all your tasks into easier chunks. When a new task is created a deadline can be set, for which the app will prompt you near to when it is due or overdue. You can also add reminders, notes, photos and audio recordings. In addition the app allows users to create multiple lists so
that tasks can be segmented, for example separate to-do lists for course deadlines and hobbies. Ike is a more fleshed out and subdivided option than Google’s Tasks app, which opts for a more streamlined and simplistic approach. Ike’s shortcomings come where unlike Google’s offerings (namely Keep, Tasks and Calendar) Ike does not integrate with any other apps. The interconnectivity of the Google ecosystem is second to none, but Ike allows for much more comprehensive organisation. It works much better for situa-
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This Week in Sci&Tech... The Nobel Prize in Physics has been awarded to a woman, 55 years after the last female recipient of the prize. Professor Donna Strickland of the University of Waterloo, alongside Professor Gérard Mourou, was awarded the prize 'for their method of generating high-intensity, ultra-short optical pulses.' Data from the Kepler space telescope has revealed the first moon outside of our solar system. The exomoon is the same size as Neptune, and is orbiting the planet Kepler-1625b, 8000 light years away from Earth. The Lancet Diabetes and Endocrinology journal has published analysis calling into question the effectiveness of vitamin D supplements on bone health. A large number of studies on the topic have recently been published, and analysing them all has suggested that 'vitamin D does not prevent fractures, falls or improve bone mineral density, whether at high or low dose.' Elon Musk has stepped down as the chairman of Tesla following his failed attempt to take the company private. He will remain CEO. A revolutionary spinal implant has enabled a group of paraplegic patients to regain mobility by electrically stimulating their spinal cords. Two of the subjects are able to walk again.
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Friday 12th October 2018
@redbricksport
Health & Fitness: Seven Ways to Motivate Yourself to Exercise at Uni Health&Fitness Writer Alex Kirkup-Lee gives us her seven ways that might spark motivation towards achieving that consistent fitness lifestyle at university Alex Kirkup-Lee Health&Fitness Writer
Get a Training Buddy
It can be hard to motivate yourself to workout alone, so finding a friend to workout with is a great way to motivate yourself! Even if you do not actually train together, it is a good idea to plan to go to the gym at the same time. Having someone to walk with and setting a time to go means you can’t cancel last minute. If you are new to the gym, ask a friend who already goes to let you go with them and show you their routine; it can make walking into a gym of active and athletic people much less daunting!
Join a Sports Club Working out in a gym not your thing? Join a sports club! There are 55 sports clubs to pick from at UoB, and many people will be trying out different sports they have never done before. Whether you are playing a sport at a national level, or want to try something completely new, there is something for everyone. There are many sports that are non-competitive, providing a great way to meet new people and workout, without having to commit to regular training.
Make a Plan Make a plan and get your workout done sooner rather than later. Schedule your workout into your university timetable. That way you are much less likely to cancel or make other arrangements in that time. Plan what you are going to do in each workout, so you start each day knowing exactly what you are doing. Some people find it easier to workout at the same time every day. Getting up and working out in the morning means you get your workout out of the way first thing. It also means you are likely to concentrate better on your uni work that day, eat healthier food, and just be in a better mood than if you slept in that extra hour.
Go for a Walk Exercise does not always have to be a high intensity, 60-minute workout everyday. Even just going for a walk is a great way to get some exercise and fresh air, especially if you have been stuck in lectures all day. Studies have found walking to be just as effec-
tive as running. A recent comparison of the results of the National Runner’s Health Study with the National Walker’s Health Study found that both walking and running resulted in similar reductions in the risk of high blood pressure, high cholesterol, diabetes and heart disease. Walking is not only physically beneficial, but mentally. A study by Stanford University found that walking increases creative output by an average of 60%. So next time you are stuck staring at your screen wondering how to start that essay, take a break and have a walk outside. You might just find an idea will come to you.
Set Goals Set yourself short and long term goals to motivate you to train. However, be careful to not set unrealistic goals. It is perfectly okay to schedule in, for example, 3x45 minute workouts a week. If you set smaller, realistic goals, you are much more likely to stick to them and feel positive and motivated, than if you set unrealistic goals that you cannot meet. Any exercise is better than none so don’t throw yourself in the deep end! In terms of long-term goals, signing up for a race is a great way to motivate yourself over a longer period of time. The Great Birmingham 10K is coming up in May 2019, giving you plenty of time to train. Or if you fancy something a bit different, Tough Mudder is also returning to Birmingham in May, giving you enough time to build your strength and endurance.
Eat & Sleep Properly Sometimes healthy eating and sleeping can get pushed to the bottom priority at uni. While it’s fine to have late nights and takeaways some of the time, if you do it too much you are unlikely to feel energized and happy. On nights when you are not going out, try to get to bed at a good time, especially if you are behind on sleep from partying the night before. Quite often students have a habit of skipping breakfast, but getting up 10 minutes earlier to grab a bite before your 9am lecture will actually make you feel much more energized, meaning you will feel much more motivated to workout rather than go home and nap.
Download an App
Seven Minute workout (Free) Short on time? Seven provides workouts based on scientific studies to provide the maximum benefit in the shortest possible time. You have no excuse not to workout anymore as the workouts can be performed in your bedroom. The app works to your personal goals and fitness levels. Streaks (£4.99) Streaks helps you set your goals and stick to them. In the app you can track the tasks you want to complete each day, with the goal of building a streak of consecutive days. The app will automatically know when you have completed your tasks through the iPhone Health App. Pocket Yoga (£2.99) Pocket Yoga provides you with your own personal yoga classes in your own home. There are over 200 poses, showing you the correct posture and alignment. The app maintains an ongoing log of your practices so you can easily track your progress. MyFitnessPal (Free) MyFitnessPal is regarded by many as the easiest way to keep track of your daily calories. Using your phone camera, the app is able to scan the barcodes of food and give you details of what it contains, including calories, macronutrients (carbs, fats, protein), micronutrients, and more. This is an extremely useful and conveninet tool, meaning there is no real excuse to lose track of calories if you are committed to counting them. You can set a daily goal which will be relative to your goal of either losing weight, maintaining or gaining (if you are bulking) and the app will subtract your calorie intake throughout the day, showing you clearly how much you have consumed and how much more you have left (I would recommend finding out your basal metabolic rate prior to setting your daily goal). Even if you do not like the idea of constantly keeping track and scanning your food, doing this for just a week could really help in the long-term as it gives you an idea of which foods have what calories (you might be surprised). Sleep Cycle App (Free): Sleep Cycle is an app that monitors your sleep, giving you statistics about the noises and movements you make in the night. It also gives you your average sleep time. Moreover, the app acts as an alarm that wakes you up within a 30 minute time-frame which is dependent on your stage of sleep. This allows you to wake you up softly, when you are at a lighter state of sleep, meaning getting up is made less stressful.
Why You Should Try: Bench Press Harry Wilkinson
Health&Fitness Editor
The bench press is a big compound movement that works a variety of muscle groups. The muscles worked include the chest, triceps, shoulders, core and also the legs if it is done properly. bench is a good benchmark of how strong you are as a casual or professional gym goer. ‘What do you bench?’ is a common question among gym regulars. In my opinion there’s no better feeling in the gym than seeing the barbell go up and slamming it back onto the bench. Bench is not just an exercise for men. The benefits of benching is just the same for women as it is for men: it builds muscle creating more tone, increases core strength and increases overall upper body strength. In ‘Why Women Should Bench Press’, on fitnessadvisory. org, it talks about how the bench is a great way to balance out the muscles in your body. Muscle imbalances can cause injury, so avoiding them should be a priority. Here are some quick tips to
improve your bench: keep your legs separated as it increases the power generated from the floor to your lift; make sure your hands are in the right place (just wider than shoulder width and equal to each other); squeeze the bar before you lift as it fires up your muscles in preparation. Another very important tip that will both improve the strength of your lift and help avoid injury is to retract the scapula. Prior to laying down on the bench, shrug your shoulders, then rotate your shoulders backwards so that you feel your shoulders blades (scapula) moving towards eachother. When you lie down after doing this, you should feel your scapula pressured against the bench, your elbows tucked in and a general ‘tightness.’ This ‘tightness’ is good as it allows you to explode into your lift. If you’ve never benched before, try it next time you hit the gym. You will soon start adding plates to the bar, and in my opinion there is no better feeling in the gym than hearing a couple of plates slapping together. But remember, just lifting the bar is a great way to begin.
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Friday 12th October 2018
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Horne Honoured as Tigers Is José Snatch Victory in Midlands Derby Past His Sport Writer Daniel Hague reports on an emotional local Rugby Union derby on Saturday at Twickenham Daniel Hague Sport Writer
Leicester Tigers were in clinical form on Saturday at Twickenham as they put a dampener on Rob Horne’s special day to take victory in the first East Midlands derby of the Gallagher Premiership season. Last April, Horne, former Australian international and Northampton Saints captain, was the victim of a seemingly innocuous concussion after a regular on-field collision. What initially seemed relatively insignificant
turned out to be anything but. All five nerves in Horne’s right arm were detached from his spinal cord resulting in a loss of movement and chronic pain. Within seconds his livelihood had been brutally stripped away from him. That is why, in effort to raise money and awareness, Leicester and Northampton played their local derby Premiership fixture eighty miles down the M1 at Twickenham last weekend.
"Within seconds his livelihood had been brutally stripped away from him." Early on, Northampton managed to establish a foothold in the game. A Dan Cole error, somewhat vindicating Eddie Jones’ decision to leave him out of the ‘England Performance Squad’ ahead of the upcoming Autumn Internationals, combined with
significant pressure on the Leicester line saw Jamie Gibson cross for an unconverted try. Nonetheless, this was a poor reward for the amount of possession Northampton had and they were was duly punished by Leicester who scored two opportunistic tries on the half-hour mark. Winger Jonah Holmes was influential in both, feeding Ben Youngs for the first, before breaking down the left and offloading to Jordan Olowefela for the second. Northampton manage to salvage a second try deep into overtime thanks to a determined forwards pack effort, leaving the score at 20-10 in Leicester’s favour going into the break. If the first half was poor, the second was worse. A George Ford penalty stretched Leicester’s lead to thirteen points, but from then on Northampton largely monopolised possession, aided by Leicester steady concession of penalties. Eventually, the Saints did manage to turn their possession into points, as Alex Waller dived over from a driving maul to reduce the deficit to 8. Welsh international Dan Biggar was unable however to convert a rela-
tively routine kick which left the game just outside of Northampton’s reach. The final score was Leicester 23 - Northampton 15, which sees the Tigers move up to fifth. Saints Director of Rugby Chris Boyd was quick to highlight 'crucial mistakes' that let his side down on the day. On the other hand Leicester interim Head Coach Geordan Murphy was far more pleased, referring to his goal line defence in particular as ‘nigh on heroic.’ What had promised to be a fiery game was all but put out by the wet weather. Murphy will be the happier of the two coaches, but neither have much to be pleased about. Leicester were often trapped behind there own twenty-two, lacking both the tactical nous and execution to escape. In contrast, Northampton had large swathes of possession but failed to capitalise due to a number of handling errors and lack of ingenuity. A game for the purist, this East Midlands derby will be remembered for all the good that surrounded the game, rather than all the bad that happened during it.
Sports Club of the Fortnight: Lifesaving Jack Simpkin Sport Editor
We caught up with UoB Lifesaving’s club captain Francesca Symonds, and head coach Alfie Pau, to find out more about the club. Immediately, it was clear to see both were keen to stress the value of the skills people gain from being part of the club.
"It wouldn't be ridiculous to say that if it wasn't for our club, then there would be a few people that wouldn't be alive today" Pau, speaking from experience, said: ‘You gain a really valuable set of life skills. We have got members who have performed CPR, who’ve bandaged people
who’ve been bleeding, and saved people from drowning. Last year we had one of our members save someone from having a seizure at New Street Station. It wouldn’t be ridiculous to say that if it wasn’t for our club, then there would be a few people who wouldn’t be alive today.’ Symonds added; ‘you go out knowing you are capable of helping someone who is in desperate need of first aid.’ In an amongst a mixture of both dry-side, and water training, club captain Symonds was eager to demonstrate the fun, social, side to the club as well: ‘It’s very relaxed, we are competitive, but it’s very relaxed, very inclusive. We also do socials, we go to Sports Night, but we do a lot of other socials as well. We go camping in Wales every summer. We are all friends, we do it because we’re doing it with all the people that we love at university.’ Not only can the club offer its members teaching on vital life skills, but Pau also explained how those at the club can turn their experience into formal qualifications whilst at university, ‘Outside of training, we offer the “National Lifeguard Qualification”, and that’s a course that costs £190, but that gives you the right to work in any swimming pool in the country. We have a person within our
A note from the Sports Officer: Simon Price Sports Officer
club who teaches that themselves, so we can offer it at a much-reduced rate. The national average cost is £250. It gives you are really fun way to make a bit of money whilst you’re at university.’
Training Times: Thursday: 19:30-22:15 Friday: 18:00-21:00 Saturday: 17:00-18:00 Sunday: 18:00-20:00 If you would like to find out more, or get involved with Lifesaving, find them @ UBlifesaving on Intagram, or e-mail the club at: captain. ublifesaving@gmail.com
I have decided that the first ‘Sports Club of the Fortnight’ will be Lifesaving. Their social media has been excellent, they had an amazing sports fair stand, they have introduced all their committee on social media, offered free taster sessions, promoted the new sports centre brilliantly, as well as their National Pool Lifeguard Qualification, which is also subsidised through the club. This competition, each fortnight, will recognise a club that has shown excellent commitment to provide the best student experience to its members. The winning sports club will be featured right here with their own article in Redbrick, on top of receiving six guest list spaces for sports night! Each club will be chosen based on what is sent through to @guild_ sports on social media. If you are a sports club and feel like you should be the next club featured make sure to tag @guild_sports on Instagram, Twitter and Facebook to be in for a chance!
Best?
A word from the Sports Editor Jake Bradshaw Sport Editor
Whatever you think of José Mourinho, he is a serial winner. His eight league wins across Europe to date, as well as his two Champions League and two Europa League wins, show why many consider him to be one of the best managers in modern football. Recently, however, things have not been going his way. The 2018-2019 season did not start well for Mourinho, with two loses in his first three games. During his press conference following defeat to Spurs, Mourinho stormed out, calling for ‘respect’ from the assembled media representatives. Recently, United have drawn three matches at Old Trafford, and have lost away to West Ham, a result which brought up their worst league start in 29 years. More shocking than the results, however, is the torrid state of relationships between Mourinho and his players. The contrast between this Mourinho and the Mourinho of old is startling. Gone is the chipper, sarcastic ‘Special One’, to be replaced by a morose, unhappy ‘Snappy One’. This change has been brought about by Mourinho’s mis-handling of his players. He has always stamped his authority on teams, and the current personality issues he faces with Paul Pogba are reminiscent of his clashes with Sergio Ramos, Iker Casillas and Cristiano Ronaldo at Real Madrid. Upon his return to Chelsea, Mourinho regained some of his old energy and passion, which reflected itself in a Premier League win during his second year. In his third year, disaster stuck, and after less than half a season he was out, having tried and failed to take on key figures like Eden Hazard and John Terry. On the back of those failures, it is even more difficult to understand Mourinho’s actions. Despite claiming that he has ‘no problem’ with Pogba, he told the French World Cup winner he would not captain United again, and a frosty exchange on the training ground was filmed just days before their loss to West Ham. While other managers like Pep Guardiola and Jurgen Klopp foster friendly, father-like relationships with their players, the United boss seems fed-up with his. We should remember, however, that Mourinho has won more titles than all the other Premier League managers combined. He was also the first manager to win all the domestic trophies in four different European leagues, and as such, must be regarded highly. But it should come as no surprise when I say Mourinho has created a situation at United that is untenable. His inability to adapt to the needs and wants of modern professional footballers may prove his undoing.
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Friday 12th October 2018
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Wolves & Albion Flying, City & Villa With Work to Do Sport Writers Joe Myko and George Garrett bring us up to speed on the very latest from the West Midlands' top four football sides. George Garrett Sport Writer
Wolves Premier League The return of Wolverhampton Wanderers to the Premier League after a six year absence has been impressive. Portuguese passion combined with discipline and organisation have proven to be an effective combination, helping them to seventh place in the table. Being unbeaten at home, with four wins from their first eight games and only one defeat, suggests Nuno Santo’s men will be just fine this season. Unchanged in every league game so far- a Premier League record- the team from the Black Country have found a system that works for them already. Only conceding six goals in the first eight games suggests organisation at the back, with the likes of Ryan Bennett and Willy Boly proving very difficult to break down. With defence comes attack, and Wolves do not lack attacking options. Raul Jimenez, Mexican international who’s on loan from Benfica has been involved in just under half of the nine top-flight goals scored this season, linking superbly with Helder Costa and Diego Jota.
"This side is not phased by who they play or where they are playing" Another menacing asset that Nuno has at his disposal is former Barcelona winger Adama Traore, with raw pace penetrating tired legs in the second half as a substitute. What’s apparent is that Nuno has a method figured out. After almost every game he stresses how his players deserve rewards because of how hard they work; they have faith in him, and as proven by his consistent team selection, he has faith in them. Eye-catching results like holding the champions, Manchester City, on the opening day, or going to Old Trafford and getting a draw, in a game they could well have won, reiterates how this side is not phased by who they play or where they are
playing. They have a method and they look to execute it, and so far it has worked. One thing that’s for sure is that they have made Molineux a fortress, losing just one of their last 25 league games at home (W17 D7 L1). Yet, one nil away wins at West Ham and Crystal Palace suggests they are just as capable of picking up points away from home. Like any Premier League season, Wolves are likely to go through a blip, usually when injuries begin to be picked up, and fixture congestion stalls progress. This is where the depth of the squad will be needed, and Nuno’s tactical ability will be put to the Premier League test. That said, it’s difficult to doubt this team at the moment. They play with freedom, whilst at the same time are extremely well organised making for an entertaining and successful combination. They walked away with the Championship last year and came into this season with their doubters, but right now they’re proving their doubters wrong and it’s great to see. Key Player: João Moutinho End of season prediction: 9th.
City After a slow start at St Andrew’s, Gary Monk’s Birmingham City are beginning to find some form as they look to improve on what was a disappointing start to the season. They sit 17th, with a modest 14 points from their opening 12 games, suggesting that Monk’s men may struggle this season. That said, they’re unbeaten in their last 8, beating Rotherham 3-1 in their last outing, and things are beginning to look brighter in Birmingham. Stalemates have been the story of the season so far, with 8 draws from 12, and only 2 wins, the Blues haven’t been able to push on up the table. Even so, Birmingham haven’t lost at home since March 6th, similarly results like a 2-1 win away at Leeds imply that this side does have the capability to potentially make a playoff push. They have the assets going forward with the likes of Lukas Jutkiewicz, who netted a hat trick in his most recent outing. Another name to look out for is Spanish winger Jota, a man beginning to flourish under Gary Monk. He has been nowhere near his best since joining from Brentford for a club record fee in 2017, but he’s beginning to show signs of the form he has proven in the Championship previously. Defensively they rate as the 4th best defence in the Championship, leading one to question why it is they sit so deep in the table. They need to find ways of winning games rather than drawing them. Nonetheless,
although it has been a frustrating start, City fans can be positive with what is to come. No doubt it will be difficult, with the Championship being so unpredictable and demanding, and potentially points reductions from the EFL lurking due to ‘financial breaches.’ However, if the club’s media reaction is anything to go by, then it would seem they’re not too concerned over the matter. Accordingly, if this team does begin to string results together, there’s no reason why they can’t climb the ladder and get St Andrew’s rocking once again. Key Player: Jota End of season prediction: 11th.
Joe Myko Sport Writer
Villa Managerless and coasting idly along in 15th place 12 games into the season would not have been what Aston Villa’s newly-invested owners would have hoped for after their ambitious ventures in the summer transfer market. Holding onto enigmatic England U21 midfielder Jack Grealish, who Villa reportedly rejected a £25 million offer for on deadline day from Tottenham Hotspur, had put the wind back into the sails of a historic club who had been downtrodden with apathetic performances in recent seasons.
"Performances this season have simply been industrious at best and clueless at worst" However, after the wealthy duo of American business tycoon Wes Edens and Egyptian Nassif Sawiris added to the financial spending power of former majority shareholder Dr. Tony Xia, there was a renewed optimism for Premier League promotion hopes at the club’s third attempt since 2016’s relegation. The highly-publicised loan acquisitions of the likes of Everton’s Yannick Bolasie, Manchester United’s Axel Tuanzebe, Chelsea’s Tammy Abraham and Lille’s former Dutch international Anwar El-Ghazi was huge statement of financial intent to the rest of the football league – particularly as the club had recently come under the watchful eye of Financial Fair Play. Despite the newly acquired power at their disposal, both in financial and attacking terms, per-
formances this season have simply been industrious at best and clueless at worst. Countless changes in attacking formations, shoehorning the likes of Grealish into almost every position on the pitch, whilst choosing to start the season with Australian midfielder Mile Jedinak as a first choice centre back, were some of the clear signs of incompetence which ultimately led to the dismissal of Steve Bruce on October 3rd , after two years in charge of the club. Villa’s season fully transcended into circus mode the night before Bruce’s sacking, during the 3-3 draw with Preston North End. A memorable affair had seen Villa go 2-0 up, have captain James Chester sent off, go 3-2 down with than five minutes to go and score a dramatic equaliser only minutes later – before missing a 96th minute to acquire all three points.
Brimingham Mail Steve Bruce was reported to have a cabbage thrown at him by a disgruntled supporter at full time, as young men drove round the streets of Aston screaming ‘Bruce Out’ through a megaphone; a truly absurd end to a night which may have given the newly ex-manager a more authentic sense of empathy towards the proud supporters of this club – bewilderment, dismay and an overwhelming desire to ask what the **** is going on. There have been various managers rumoured to be in line to succeed Bruce, including the likes of Arsenal legend Thierry Henry and former Villa and Chelsea captain, John Terry. At the time of writing, those are both still just rumours. However, we can only be sure that with arguably one of the most talented squads, financially ambitious owners, and loyal set of supporters this league has ever seen – there is only one missing piece of the puzzle for Aston Villa to restore their place in the Premier League: managerial competence. Key Player: Jack Grealish End of season prediction: 15th.
Albion A strong start to their first season back in the Championship since 2009-10 sees West Bromwich
Albion firmly sat in the automatic promotion position of 2nd, only one point off Sheffield United in top spot. After impressing during his brief spell as caretaker last season, ex-player and fan favourite Darren Moore has been given the opportunity to try and secure promotion back to the Premier League at the first time of asking for West Brom. The Baggies’ fans will be feeling quietly confident in their chances of immediately reclaiming a position in the top tier after a number high-profile summer signings; securing the services of the likes of Newcastle’s Dwight Gayle (loan), Manchester United’s Sam Johnstone, and the astute acquisitions of free agents Bakary Sako and Wes Hoolahan. Dwight Gayle’s form in front of goal this season will be pivotal, having proven to be a clinical goal scorer in this division previously – spearheading Newcastle to the Championship title with 23 goals in the 2016-2017 season.
"The feel-good factor currently exuberating around The Hawthorns" The goal scoring threat offered by the pacey frontman, who has already hit the back of the net five times in eight league appearances this season, combined with the likes winger Oliver Burke, Sako, Hoolahan, and young star Harvey Barnes on loan from Leicester City, makes it hard to see the Sandwell-based club finishing anywhere other than a play-off position. The feel-good factor currently exuberating around The Hawthorns would have been heightened further with the recent appointment of new sporting and technical director Luke Dowling – officially replacing Nick Hammond, who was dismissed back in April. Many of those with a keen eye on West Brom’s performances this season believe that there is still more to come from the newly established squad. There is still room for improvement for the current league runners-up as their squad begins to gel. It was 130 years ago to the day on 8 September that West Brom became one of the founded members of the Football League back in 1888. After a strong start, and adept movements in the transfer market this season, this historic club will be determined to reinstate what they will feel is a rightful position in the most financially lucrative league in world football – something that their squad is more than capable of achieving this season. Key Player: Dwight Gayle End of season prediction: 2nd.
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Friday 12th October 2018
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Progress, Not Perfection: Why the Champions League Should Embrace VAR Sport Writer Kit Shepard reacts to the news that VAR will be introduced in the Champions League as of next season Kit Shepard Sport Writer
It divided the nation in the FA Cup. It divided the world last summer. It will soon divide us every other Tuesday and Wednesday night. VAR is coming to the Champions League. After a meeting at their headquarters in Nyon, Switzerland last month, the UEFA Executive Committee confirmed that the Video Assistant Referee system will make its debut in Europe’s premier club competition next season. The technology will be introduced in the play-off round in August 2019 and will be used in every Champions League match in the 2019/20 season thereafter.
"We are set for big changes (and more penalties)" So, we are set for big changes (and more penalties) in European football, but not everyone is happy, with some believing that VAR only increases controversy
and ruins the speed of the game. Yet although it has its flaws, football fans should welcome the introduction of VAR to the Champions League.
"VAR, when used as it was in the World Cup, is a worthwhile addition to football" Prior to this year’s World Cup, many were sceptical about the increased technology, and they had a right to be. VAR had been trialed in last season’s FA Cup and was, quite frankly, abysmal. While the right decisions were made eventually, the key issue was the excessive time the process took, as the lengthy delays and lack of communication for fans turned these contests into a farce. At this stage, the future for VAR looked bleak. However, things changed this summer. VAR, when used as it was in the World Cup, is a worthwhile addition to football, and the Champions League will be better for it. When the video referees
were called upon in Russia, the decisions were made relatively efficiently and controversy, for the most part, was reduced. If Russia 2018 taught us anything about VAR, it’s that the system is only as good as the referees on the pitch. For whatever reason, the officials during the FA Cup fiascos had not adapted to the technology, resulting in the lengthy delays which disrupted the game’s flow. On the other hand, the referees in the World Cup were far better trained to cope with the new system, thus allowing them to communicate quickly with the video assistants, make the right decision, and resume proceedings with little fuss. UEFA referees, who have the best part of a year to prepare for VAR in the Champions League, should be able to do the same.
"The system is only as good as the referees on the pitch"
Twitter: @UEFA VAR cannot totally eradicate incorrect calls in football. Although replay makes it obvious whether a player is offside many decisions, especially fouls, handballs, and the colour of the card, are subjective and can be debated for eternity, even with the technology. Nevertheless, the system gives referees the opportunity to reverse the calls that are obviously incorrect. If they still get it wrong, that is the fault of the man
making the decision, not VAR. Video assistants will not make the Champions League perfect. Occasionally, a penalty decision will be questionable, or the game will be delayed unnecessarily, as we were showed during the World Cup. Despite this, if VAR can be used in the Champions League as it was in Russia, then its sporadic shortcomings are a small price to pay.
Six of the Best: Why England’s Batting Should Give Them the Edge Jonathan Korn previews England's latest ODI tour Jonathan Korn Sport Writer
England’s ODI cricketers head to South Asia on a high. The world’s best one-day side according to ICC rankings, Eoin Morgan’s men face Sri Lanka in a five- match series running from the 10th to the 23rd of October. It is not, on the face of it, a serious obstacle for England to clear. Sri Lanka are a lowly eighth
Twitter / @bbctms
in the rankings, and their recent performances in last month’s Asia Cup were nothing short of catastrophic. Humiliating defeats to Bangladesh and to Afghanistan come hot on the heels of 5-0 drubbings at the hands of both India and Pakistan. The side itself is in turmoil, with elder statesman Angelo Matthews dropped first as captain and subsequently from the tour completely. Even though they are England’s opponents this October, it is hard not to look at
the side formerly of Kumar Sangakkara, Mahela Jayawardene and Muttiah Muralitharan and feel a sense of sadness that a great cricketing nation has been reduced to a bunch of second-raters consistently humiliated on the international stage. In stark contrast, the England side could not be in better shape. A dominant series victory over the Aussies was a sweet moment for those like me who grew up watching the likes of Ricky Ponting, Adam Gilchrist, Shane Warne and Glenn McGrath tearing the English apart. It included the highest runs total ever recorded in a one-day international, a whopping 481-6 with masterful centuries from Jonny Bairstow and Jason Roy. Whilst the bowling attack of Mark Wood, Adil Rashid, Chris Woakes et al, joined now by Olly Stone, the Warwickshire seamer, is potent, it is England’s top order batsmen who strike fear into even the most dangerous of bowling attacks. The sheer audacity and inventiveness of England’s top six makes even the most well-versed cricket fan gasp. They play shots I didn’t even know existed. Sweeps,
reverse sweeps, paddles and hooks, as well as the more conventional strokes. You name it, they’ve got it. Watching England bat in limited overs cricket is a real treat, and on slow Sri Lankan pitches, one would fancy plenty more high scores.
"England are hot and Sri Lanka are not" It would be easy to cross the line from confidence into an arrogance which is dangerous. England should struggle on spinning wickets both in the ODI’s and in the upcoming test series. Sri Lanka’s spinners are amongst the world’s best, and it would be sheer folly to under-estimate them. The Asian side retain some real talent, from Lasith Malinga’s deadly slower-ball Yorkers, to the quality stroke play of opener Upul Tharanga. Cricket is never easy away from home, the cliché goes, and these games are no exception. England’s seamers should struggle on slow, lifeless pitches, and
whether spinners Moeen Ali and Adil Rashid can provide the cutting-edge sharpness the side require, remains to be seen. Ultimately though, England should have enough. The top six of Bairstow, Roy, Alex Hales, Joe Root, Eoin Morgan and Jos Buttler remain imperiously good and should carry England home. The formbook suggests, quite simply, that England are hot and Sri Lanka are not. However, cricket is played on grass, not in statistics books, and only by the end of October will we know whether England remain on track. 1st ODI: Dambulla, Oct 10 2nd ODI: Dambulla, Oct 13 3rd ODI: Pallekele, Oct 17 4th ODI: Pallekele, Oct 20 5th ODI: Colombo, Oct 23 Likely England XI: Roy, Bairstow, Root, Morgan (C), Stokes, Buttler, Ali, Woakes, S Curran, Rashid, Wood Jonathan Korn’s prediction: Sri Lanka 1-4 England
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Sport Writer Isabel Baldwin reports from Bournbrook as Gaelic Football snatch the bragging rights with International Rules victory over rivals Aussie Rules Isabel Baldwin Sport Writer
Last Saturday evening, the Bournbrook pitches played host to a thrilling fixture as an intense and aggressive rivalry was played out through the return of the University of Birmingham’s International Rules, an innovative combination of the two sports Gaelic Football and Aussie Rules. After its absence last year, the crowds gathered around the parameter of the Bournbrook pitches to watch the Aussie Rules and Gaelic Football teams face off against one another in an exciting fixture that saw the Gaelic Football team storm to a 53-29 victory. The scoring ebbed and flowed in a tightly contested first quarter, but it was Gaelic who came out strongest after the break, proving unstoppable as they scored goal after goal to mount an impressive 33-11 lead by halftime. The final two quarters continued in a similar fashion, with an Aussie Rules comeback nowhere in sight. The Aussie Rules side went into the game looking to defend their title from 2016, however, it was not to be. When asked what went wrong for his side, star man Sam Walon claimed the use of the Gaelic Football round ball, rather than the traditional egg-shaped ball Aussie Rules are accustomed to, affected his team’s chances. However, the GB international believed the scoreline did not reflect his team’s performance, ‘It was a relatively even game in the end but they just converted better and that was it.’ After the final whistle, Gaelic coach, Eoin Campbell, expressed his pride for his side and their well deserved victory. ‘I’m delighted. I couldn’t be any prouder of the lads. We’ve put in a hell of a lot of work over the past two weeks. [...] We worked a bit on tactics in the last few weeks in terms
of defending, so we sort of set up a line that we weren't allowed to let them pass and so, they didn’t really get a lot of goal chances, we sort of held them at bay.’ Gaelic forwards Tomas O’Keeffe and Daniel Boyce both put in impressive performances and, in the words of their coach, ‘gave them hell’ to bring home the victory.
"I'm delighted. I couldn't be any prouder of the lads" Both sides will have thrived on the opportunity to be back on the pitch as a team after the summer and will be looking to kick start their seasons with UoB victories. After finishing second in the BUCS Midlands North League last season, Gaelic Football take on Loughborough on OCtober 20th as they look to impress in the BUCS Midlands & South League this season. As for Aussie Rules, they will launch their campaign on the 10th November in the AFL’s brand-new National University League this season, as they compete as one of the three inaugural participants, alongside academic heavyweights Oxford and Cambridge. Club president, Matti Darowski, is full of confidence that his teams will bounce back well from this defeat: ‘we are aiming to be double champions, men’s and women’s, and there’s no reason why we can’t do that. We like to think that we are the best university team in the country, potentially even in Europe.’
Jack Simpkin Sport Editor
In the build-up to Saturday’s big event, we
sat down with Gaelic Football’s club captain Jack Feron, and Aussie Rules club president Matti Darwoski, to find out a little bit more about the rivalry. Feron (pictured with the ball above) in particular did not hide from the realities of the rivalry, describing it as a ‘primal instinct’ for him and his fellow players to stand against the Aussie Rules club. Darwoski echoed similar sentiments, explaining, ‘it’s always heated, and the rivalry is right on your doorstep. We don’t even know how to explain it, it’s just there.’ The Aussie Rules president even eluded to a way the way his club mock their rivals based on ‘the fact that the letter ‘e’ is next to the letter ‘r’ on the keyboard, so we call them “Garlic Football.”’ Understandably, neither club are entirely familiar with this hybrid sport, so when asked what the biggest hurdle is that this sport poses to their respective sports, both had different answers. Feron noted the increased physicality as the biggest difference, ‘Gaelic is a physical sport, but this is a step up in that respect. Nailing the tackles and taking the high balls will be key,’ whilst Darowski echoed Walon in explaining how using Gaelic’s round football for this sport is a big change for his players to consider as ‘it has a completely different technique. In Aussie Rules you have to kick it with the side of your foot rather than your laces.’ International Rules as an event will inevitably draw comparisons with American Football’s ‘xpLosION’ event, and both men were keen to compare the two buoyantly. ‘It would definitely fill crowds. You can watch American Football, and it’s all a bit stop-start, but this is full throttle from the get go, and I think that’s what people want to see,’ were the thoughts of Feron, supported by Darowski who claimed, ‘Neutrals loved it last time. They said they’d rather go to [International Rules] than “xpLosION”, or any other sport. People really enjoy watching it.’
12.10.2018
Gaelic Trash Aussie Rules in International Rivalry
Fiona Kelly
GAELIC FOOTBALL
53
AUSSIE RULES
29
INSIDE SPORT THIS WEEK:
England in Asia
39
Bruce Sacked
38
Horne Honoured
37