Fresh December 2011
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HAPPY XMAS ROEHAMPTON enjoy your festive celebrations safely
W
andsworth police are working in partnership with Wandsworth council and licensed premises to run a pre-Christmas campaign warning of the personal safety issues associated with excess alcohol The campaign will run throughout December in the build-up to Christmas, with a special launch event to take place at Clapham Junction train station at 6pm on Friday 2nd December 2011. We aim to raise awareness amongst residents and visitors of the borough of how to celebrate safely and avoid putting themselves at risk during the festive period. Licensed premises across the borough have been invited to display posters, publicising messages for celebrating safely, with managers encouraged to work with staff to promote a policy of sensible drinking. When you are out celebrating it’s important to ...
Think about your personal safety • Be aware of what is happening around you, especially when you are in new locations or situations • Always keep your bags zipped or locked and valuables out of sight • Think about what you drink • Be aware of how many drinks you’ve had, and where you have left your glass • Don’t accept drinks from anyone you don’t know or trust completely This issue of Fresh was printed on recycled paper. Please make sure you re-use/recycle it too, or at least leave it aside for someone else to read later. All content is available online at www.roehampton.ac.uk
Fresh Newspaper
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EDITORIAL
www.roehamptonstudent.com
Steve Molyneaux - Editor in Chief & Production, VP Communications
Well Xmas is upon folks and another term at Roey is almost complete! Its been an eventful term with extreme highs and some very sad lows, but its been a term in which new friends, colleges, students and staff have come together to make your student life as great as it can be at Roehampton! Whilst you head off for the xmas break be sure to make the most of the family feeding you as we all know it’s what keeps us living for the next 12 weeks from January! I hope all the coursework is done and dusted for you to all have a stress free holiday but i’m sure some of you are as last minute as me so will still have a stack load of work this time of year! We have been thinking hard about how we can improve the monthly student newspaper and have came up with some ideas that so far have proved very popular with those we have asked, we hope that you will all enjoy the changes that will be made over xmas to Fresh and please give your feedback in the new year. We will also be looking to create a media society with specific job positions available to those who want to be an active part of Fresh or Fresh Air! All the details on how to get involved will be made public online so please keep checking our website and of course Facebook if you think it’s something you would like to be a part of. This edition of Fresh has some great news about new projects across the university along with some handy reviews from the best takeaway in town to the latest music that we’ve been given a preview of! Have a great Christmas holiday Roehampton and I look forward to seeing you all re-freshed in the new year :) Steveo x - Vice President Communications & Engagement
Sam Kendall Kirby, Editor, Student Media Officer
Becca Newton, Editor, Student Media Officer
Hello Guys!
Hey Guys!
Hope you’re well! It’s time to get festive and put your feet up after the first term of another great start to the university year!
A huge Happy Christmas to you all and I hope you have a great break from the big city!
Keep your eyes open next term as we plan to shake things up a little bit!
Take Care
We will be looking to get as many of you as possible on board in the new year to help make Fresh more contemporary and upto scratch with the rest of the media improvements that have been happening around the University this year - so keep in the know by checking www. roehamptonstudent.com regularly and the Roehampton SU Facebook and Twitter pages!
Sam x
Xmas love to you all :)
I jope Santa treats you well and you don’t have to work too hard over the festive season!
Becca x
Fresh Deadlines
16th December 20th January 10th February 21stApril
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BLOGS
RSU President, Alex Murray
Hello ho ho So the first term is drawing to a close and it’s pretty hard to believe we’re halfway through the year already! Deadlines have come and conquered and the battle is still ongoing for some of you, but stick with it. I would just like to bring to your attention a project that has just started called the Student-led Teaching Awards. This initiative is designed to give you, the students, an opportunity to say “well done” to members of staff who you feel have made an exceptional difference to your time at Roehampton. There are a series of awards you can nominate staff members for, the nomination form can be found online via the RSU website or Facebook group. It is a simple process of choosing the category, submitting the name and a reason why. The awards ceremony will take place before the Easter break, so there the plenty of time to make your submission. Give it a browse or feel free to get in contact if you have any further queries. I hope you all have a good break and come back in January all fresh and recovered. And for all those who didn’t make the most of this term, pleeease jump on the ship for the next. We’re here for a good time – not a long time, so make sure it’s the former rather than the latter. If ever you want to come and see what the RSU can do for you, give me shout anytime. Seasonal Love Alex
VP Welfare & Community, Claire Fitzsimons
gazeboed, but what I ask is that you all have a decent meal beforehand, drink water in between & make sure you look out for one another! Deadlines are fast approaching after Christmas, so please look after yourselves! Have a fabulous Christmas!
VP Communications & Engagement, Steve Molyneaux
Also this month, I am going to be doing welfare out of office. In the Library, social spaces, you name it, I’ll be there...With my lube, condom, attack alarms & also plenty of information regarding support services, finance and lots more! So if you see me, come and keep me company for a bit J Lastly....Alcohol. It’s Christmas, we’re all going to get a bit
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baz.barrett@roehampton.ac.uk
VP Communications & Egagement
steve.molyneaux@roehampton.ac.uk
VP Activities, Baz Barrett
Wintery Welcome Folks!
It’s now that time of year where we are now less than a month away from that well needed break, but there is still so much going on that there isn’t even time to breathe! “Deadlines suck!” “I’m broke” “I want my mummy!” are the general cries around Roehampton, but fear not my friends – Christmas at Roehampton is probably one of the best times of the year (along with summer of course). Christmas parties, Christmas Bash, winter pimms, Winter Wonderland – it’s just wonderful.
Firstly, I’m going to start by asking, how are you all? I ask this because I want you all to know that my door is always open & if you guys have any concerns regarding anything, please do come and see me. We are a community here at Roehampton, unlike most universities, and up here at the Union we’ve got your backs.
Throughout the rest of this term, you’ll be noticing our community police support team floating about campus. They’ll be here to help you guys learn more about personal safety, what to do should you encounter crime and how to prevent it. They’re a friendly bunch & happy to answer any questions you might have.
alex.murray@roehampton.ac.uk
Roehampton! Well another term at Roey is almost complete, whether it VP Welfare was your first term or just one of & Community many you have already experienced claire.fitzsimons@roehampton.ac.uk its sure been a busy one! We have been working hard behind the scenes at looking into how we can improve Fresh and engage a range of students into being a part of the Fresh team, we have a few ideas that will be made known to you all very soon and your feedback will be crucial to helping us improve the student newspaper. Another exciting change that you will all see very soon is the new university website! This huge overhaul of the website has happened thick and fast but something i’m sure you will all love! It brings Roehampton into the complex digital era in which we now work and helps us stand out amongst our biggest competitors as well as being a fantastic portal to student life at Roehampton. Keep your ears open for news of an official launch date! Now that we’re nearing the end of this semester I have had time to reflect upon the communication of the Union to all our students and how/where improvements can be made. I hope that when you return after the xmas break you will notice the clear visual improvements as well as me being able to tell you whats going on behind the scenes. Have a great break, where ever you end up this xmas, a great time to recharge the batteries and fill up on some good food to see you through the next semester :) BENTON!! XX
Hey everyone,
This month, all of the Body Image Programme peer leaders completed their training. Now we’re working towards the launch of the programme and invite all females across campus to come to our sessions to discuss something which affects us all, body image. Whether it be negative, or positive, we want to ensure that Roey girls are clued up on the truths behind those air brushed images found within the media. We want to switch the focus from weight & size, to healthiness & becoming comfortable with your body! The sessions are rather empowering, and you soon identify how easy it is to influence a individual’s perception of their body in a negative way, and how to confront those negative attitudes in order to turn them into something positive! Soon as we have some dates, I’ll make sure you all know about it & I hope to
RSU President: VP Activities
Lots of festive love Fitzy xxx
Contact us:
Speaking of College Christmas parties, just for your information: • Froebel Christmas Party – Sunday 11th December •
Southlands Christmas Party Thursday 8th December
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Whitelands Christmas Party Thursday 8th December
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Digby Christmas Party Tuesday 6th December
It is a fantastic college event that is put on with a lot of hard work involved by each college. Do not miss out! Roehampton took Children in need to a whole new level. The BOP was a fantastic turnout – one of the biggest Children in need BOP’s history has witnessed. To add to this, just through your sheer kind hearts and giving, we managed to raise £177.21 throughout the night. I would just like to say a massive thank you to everyone who contributed, whether it was a penny or a pound. Your efforts are much appreciated. Looking ahead, we have plenty of exciting motives to keep you guys entertained. Be a champion is a new active development which the RSU are working closely with the NUS to implement. Do you want to become a student ambassador and gain incredible experience in working towards the London Olympics 2012? Win tickets to see the Olympics yourselves. Look out for more information floating around. Amsterdam is still looking for keen Roehampton students to engage in its social life. Get yourself to RSU reception and put your £50 deposit down to secure your spot! Winter wonderland at Hyde Park always pumps you full of Christmas spirit. Look out for information regarding a day trip away in early December. As always, it is so good to see you guys, attending a BOP, Fez, joining a society, club or just popping along to a taster session to try something new. It’s what we’re here for. Keep enjoying yourself in the run up to Christmas and I look forward to seeing you around. Pre festive wishes, Baz
BLOGS
Digby Stuart CP, Jess Beeken Hello Digby!
It feels just like just yesterday we were all arriving at university ready for our first days as Roehampton Freshers, Roehampton second years or even (oh so depressingly) Roehampton third years, and wow, how time flies when you’re having fun right!? Before we all know it, Christmas is just around the corner and we all have to say our temporary goodbyes as we head off home for the festive break. But, save those tears for the Last Bop people, because Grand, Fez, The Bop and The Union aren’t going anywhere, and Refreshers Week will arrive as fast as you can say ‘I’m Digby till I die’!
packed schedule. Your very own FROEBEL ZEEBRAS will be doing their yearly performance in Monte Hall aka the STRIP! That’s right, 24 men will be dancing, stripping and finally posing full monte style on Thursday 8TH. Entry is £2 and that gets you a free shot. Not a bad deal as it works out to roughly 8p per naked man! The night will start around 7:30pm with the men approaching the stage at 8:30pm. On Sunday 11th we have our Christmas party with drinks starting at 5pm in the bar and then lots going on afterwards. Tickets will be limited so I hope you all RSVP as soon as possible. We have all the usual RSU events to look forward to including Xmas Grand, a few more Bops and then of course we will all need a well-deserved break from the bubble and we can all escape to our home for the winter! Make sure you join “Friedrich is my Homeboy: your guide to Froebel” This is where myself and your wonderful Social Sec publish lots of what’s going on at Froebel and we would hate for any of you to miss out.Otherwise has as stress free a December as you can. I know that this time of year gets tough but there are lots of people around to help you with work stress, money stress or party stress. Love you Froebel – Farmer Christmas Kisses to all of you over the next few weeks! FJ out!
Mount Clare Site Rep, Rachael Hinge
My time as Digby College President has been particularly hard for me over this last month, as I have had to watch the college come to terms with the tragic loss of one of our students, Melanie Scheen. I would like to take this opportunity to extend my personal deepest sympathies to Melanie’s family and friends. Although the loss of a student is something that is particularly upsetting for a college, it is also a time where the unity, strength and resilience shines through. As I said during Melanie’s memorial service Roehampton University offers their students one of the most personal student experiences in the country; colleges become communities, sports team and halls of residents become families, passers-by become friends and close friends become rocks in our lives. The whole of Digby should be proud of the way they came together to face such a daunting and sad time with great spirit, kindness and loyalty. Melanie’s memorial service was a humbling moment for me as College President, and the college’s community spirit and wholehearted support for persons closest to Melanie was praised by senior staff who attended. Those who took part in the service did themselves, the college, and most of all, Melanie, proud. Unfortunately, the progression of the Common Room improvements has come to a halt of late due to unexpected circumstances. Once things get back to normal around the college I promise to tackle the burning issue with all guns blazing. I acknowledge how long this project has taken (that is far too long for those of you who are not sure) and I am confident the issue WILL be sorted during my reign as College President. After meeting with the head of security a couple of times now I would like to take this opportunity to reiterate that, although crime in and around Roehampton University is minimal, students should still be conscious of their personal safety. Walk home through Bop via Digby Square (I promise it is the quickest and safest route – despite the ill-fated combination of gravelly terrain and 6 inch heels), remember to use the N74 night bus and please, please, please always try to stay in groups on nights out! Learn now, or learn the hard way later; the choice is yours. As I said earlier, I hope you all have a fantastic break over the festive period, wherever you may be! I for one am looking forward to a much needed rest back in Brighton. Writing this in November it feels odd and patently wrong saying this already, but, here it goes… Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year Digby! Lots of blue and yellow love, Your Digby CP, Beeken x
Froebel CP, Jon Carter
Frobel Froebel Froebel how I love you so and a College by any other name would just not be the same. This last month has seen the rise and fall of the mighty moustache. I have never smelt such man flesh in the air as has been around this university for the past 30 days! However, like the running man we just keep moving on and now we find ourselves here in perhaps the most festive months of our time here. The bar will start serving hot Pimms again, Richmond park will get all snowy and no doubt some absolute muppet will convince themselves that the lake is frozen enough to stand on without falling in…Epic fail is just around the corner! In terms of fun and games for our College this month we have quite a
www.roehamptonstudent.com
Hey residents of Mount Clare :) As a lot of you know we have got some microchips for all your valuables and I’ve gone round a few times sticking them on for you – I’ll start making a rota for you to come and get any more of your things done in the common room as and when you want. Also, the common room has been getting massively busy, especially on Wednesday and Friday nights (and Monday before Grand) so if you want to use the common room please let me know before hand :). There will be more information sheets going round next week, so I’ll be coming into the blocks again (microchips probably in hand as well) so see a lot of you then!! Xx Rach
Southlands CP, Rory Kinnaird Alright everyone, I guess the majority of you have deadlines that you are frantically trying to make, however that doesn’t mean your fun has to stop. Both the University and out College are providing events that you can enjoy and blow a bit of steam off. On Southlands we have our Christmas Dinner for both students and staff coming up on the 8th December which looks really promising. We are providing carols, a three course meal accompanied with a pianist and then a party afterwards with a bar which all can come along to. During the dinner we will also announce the winners of our flat competition of best decorated kitchen for Christmas, so Southlanders get decorating with your tinsel, paper chains and whatever else. If you attended the Children in Need Bop, you would have seen Adella and I representing our wonderful college by dancing on stage, unfortunately we did not win, but I thought the wheelchair dancing was pretty impressive. A group of our residents here on Southlands have decorated our social space to give it a more Christmas feel and get us all into the festive spirit! If anyone is interested in a locker for the year please e-mail southlands.lockers@gmail.com, we have about 20 left.On a much more serious note, the college has been shook with the tragic news of the passing away of one of our students, Glen James. Our thoughts go out to his family and his friends. Hopefully as a college we can pull together and support one another in these tough times. There is a book in our Chapel for anyone who wants to write something in memory or farewell to Glen, or pay their respects. Thanks, Rory.
Whitelands CP Wade Tomlinson Hello Whitelanders!!It’s finally December, we can finally shave these dodgy Moustaches off!!! No more looking like a 1960’s adult entertainment actor. We’re coming to the end of the 1st term and it’s starting to smell like Christmas outside. Our new social secretary Rachael Hill had a successful college night up at the bar which many turned up to enjoy. We annihilated the competition at the Campus dance of during Children in need Bop and we raised quite a bit of money, thanks to everyone for te support.The security issues have been addressed and we are working with them to keep things in order.The Free Whitelands’ Christmas Dinner is completely full, but the after party still has plenty of space; this is on Thursday the 8th. £2 entry on the door.Christmas Grand tickets are selling faster than One Directions album, this promises to be a good night. Wade’s team of selected master football players will be facing the security staff of Roehampton on Wednesday the 14th, outside the back of Whitelands; come and cheer us on!There are so many volunteering opportunities coming about so keep an eye out for the posters.Hope you lovely people are excited about the time off you have coming up. Have a great Christmas and a boom-shank new year!! Whitelands Love. Wade Tomlinson, BeefCake Legend, Whitelands CP. x
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Make sure your celebrations don’t end in tears
Designed and produced by the Corporate Communications Unit, Wandsworth Council DTS.1871 (10.11)
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www.roehamptonstudent.com
Winter has started to settle in and with it comes darker evenings, celebrations in the build up to Christmas and the purchase of presents. RSU try to encourage you to be extra vigilant at this time of year, here are some tips for you consider. On a Night Out If you are drinking alcohol, be careful not to let it affect your judgment or your ability to take care of yourself. Know your limit. Watch drinks and food to ensure that nothing is added to them. If something tastes odd, do not eat/drink any more of it. If you feel particularly strange after taking a drink (even a soft drink) or realise you have drunk too much, tell a friend immediately and make sure you are accompanied home by one of your own group. Stay with your friends – or at least always make sure that someone you trust knows where you are and who you are with at all times If you are attending RSU events take advantage of the free bus Keeping Valuables Safe Keep valuables out of sight and make sure you have at least one hand free and that you can move easily. Avoid carrying all your valuables in your bag. Use pockets and keep keys, your mobile, purse/wallet in separate pockets. Beware of pickpockets. Try to keep valuables in pockets on the inside of a jacket, preferably with a zip. If this is not possible, try to use tight pockets so that it will take more force to remove something and you will be more likely to feel it if someone tries. If you do put valuables in your bag, keep it shut and in front of you where you can see it at all times Avoid flashing expensive phones or cameras about. Consider using a cheap cover for them to disguise their value. Trains & Buses Check out times of buses and trains before setting off to avoid long waiting times at bus stops and stations. You can get live information about bus arrival times at http://countdown.tfl.gov.uk/#/ Wait for a bus or train in a well-lit place near other people whenever possible. Have your pass, ticket or correct change ready in your hand so that your wallet is out of sight. If a bus is empty or it is after dark, you may feel safer staying on the lower deck near the driver.Avoid empty carriages on trains. Always try to sit where there are lots of people. If you feel uneasy, move to another seat or carriage.Plan ahead. Before you go out, think about how you are going to get home.Try to use well-lit, busy streets and avoid danger spots like quiet,badly-lit alleyways, subways or isolated car parks. Walk down the middle of the pavement if the street is deserted. Stay alert – If you are chatting on your mobile phone or wearing a personal stereo, you will not hear potential danger approaching. If you think you are being followed, walk as confidently as possible towards other people, either on the street or at a safe place, e.g. a shop, garage, pub, etc. Consider carrying a personal safety alarm, which can be used to shock and disorientate an attacker giving you vital seconds to get away.
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www.roehamptonstudent.com
H
ey everyone! I am Craig Aldridge, the R.A.G Officer on the Student Union this year.What is R.A.G? Is a question I get asked constantly by people I meet round campus which is something we need to address straight away, so…
R.A.G stands for Raising and Giving; Raising and giving in the context of us as students Raising and Giving money to charity. Each year we have a R.A.G week, which you may have also had in college (or known it as Charity week or something similar) and during that week there will be special R.A.G FEZ & BOP and other RSU events. There will be day and night activities going on all over campus and many chances to give money and have a laugh while doing so. This year’s R.A.G week is from the 23rd to the 27th of January so this is advance notice about the event to get you aware, excited and telling everyone – awareness is key for R.A.G week to be successful! So get talking! We will be supporting 3 charities one local, one national and one international.
The local charity is Regenerate
The international charity is Jubilee Action
Giving) Group 2011-12 – search for it and join.
Regenerate are a local charity that run multiple projects for young people and their families primarily on the Alton Estate.
Jubilee Action is an international charity who work to rescue and protect children facing the most serious injustices, in particular those who are held in prison, subject to trafficking (slavery), recruited as child soldiers or living as street children.
Email me at aldridgc@roehampton.ac.uk or get in touch on the Facebook group if you want to get involved with R.A.G or have event ideas for it or want to help but don’t know how yet.
The Alton Estate is the Estate right out the back of Froebel so they couldn’t be any more local if they tried and although we may only be here for 3 years the university is a permanent part of it so we need to be involved in it rather than hiding in a ‘Uni bubble’ (Union Bar) . www.regenerateuk.co.uk The National charity is Missing People Missing People is a lifeline for the 250,000 people in the UK who go missing every year. 140,000 of them are children. They operate a 24/7 ‘Runaway Helpline. Which helps to bring children who have run away from home or from care services to safety. They also search for missing people around the UK through posters, the media and online, helping to reunite families and bring people home, while also supporting and helping those who are left behind when someone does go missing. This I know personally is an issue I have never given enough thought to, accepting it maybe as something that just happens sometimes, but reading about this issue and the charity has changed my thoughts on that and I hope we can truly help them. https://www.missingpeople.org.uk
They work with and support local partners to not only rescue these children but help educate, support and equip these children to be able to live lives that are not a continuation of the abuse and injustices that they have had to suffer. Although I don’t list any specific cases here, the sorts of abuse the children Jubilee Action work with have had to suffer is heart breaking. We have a big history of Human Rights support, study and influence at Roehampton and these are cases where those rights have been violated in the worst ways to the most vulnerable people, children.
Also email me if you want to run a separate charity event for a charity you care about and we can then hopefully get the whole of the Student Union aware of and supporting your event and charity and raising more money for it. Although R.A.G week is a long way of please keep it in your mind and start putting a few quid aside for it, if every student here gave just £1 we would make nearly £10,000! (But please give even more!) Let’s aim big and have a great time while actually making life changing differences in the lives of real people; next door, around the country and the other side of the world who do really need our help.
I know we can and will want to raise lots of money to Big Love, Craig! really help end this abuse of children. www.jubileeaction.co.uk So summing up… R.A.G is students Raising and Giving to charity. We have a R.A.G week for this from January 23rd -27th supporting 3 wonderful charities. We have a Facebook group: RSU R.A.G (Raising and
H T 7 2 D 23R Y R A U JAN
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Roehampton Employability and Entrepreneurship
www.roehamptonstudent.com
W
e are here to help and support all Roehampton students on their journey into employment. We provide professional and impartial information, advice and guidance on all employability matters, including helping you to find a job. All Roehampton students are able to consult with us during their studies and at any time after they graduate. Our Employability Advisors can assist you in all your career and job search queries. Each academic department has an Employability Advisor, making it easier for you to book an appointment or drop in for a quick query. Our team also run Workshops throughout the term during lunch hours, both at Whitelands and Digby Stuart campus. More information can be found on our website: www.roehampton.ac.uk/employability
Our Services: Employability Advisors A drop-in service with an Employability Advisor will be run in each academic department on a weekly basis. Employability Advisors are able to provide guidance and information on all employability queries, offering support in considering career options, searching for and application of jobs, volunteering, self-employment and work experience options. Please check our website for details of drop-in within your department.
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www.roehamptonstudent.com
LGBT+ Round Up H
ey Beautiful people, If you don’t know me by now (where have you been?) I’m Joshua and I am the RSU LGBT+ Officer. Where has the time gone? It seems like fresher’s week was last week and not several weeks ago. I hope everyone has settled in and got used to waking up after a night out with a headache, burning stomach, double vision and realising that even though alcohol may seem to be your friend during the night you finally find that in the morning the feeling isn’t quite the same. Oh well hair of the dog, I guess!! It is my job as the LGBT+ Officer to represent a hugely diverse group of students, making sure that these views are represented at different levels within the University. As well as my main job being the representation of LGBT+ Students I also am the President of the LGBT+ Society called Roecampton. Roecampton is the University’s Lesbian, Gay, Bi-sexual and Transgendered society and exists to provide a friendly environment where you can meet other LGBT+ students and enhance your experience at university. Roecampton is a social society but is also an excellent source of support for students who are uncomfortable or questioning with respect to their sexualityor gender identity. We also have a Women’s Rep specifically to address the balance in what can sometimes seem like a male-dominated environment. Roecampton maintains good connections with other London universities’ LGBTs and we attend each other’s union nights. LGBT+ represents the following:Anthrosexuals, Asexuals, Bisexuals, Gay, Intersexuality, Lesbian, Omnisexuals, Pansexuals, Queer, Straight Allies, Trans students. We run campaigns on LGBT+ issues and aim to fight Homophobia, Biphobia, Transphobia, Hetrosexism and to raise awareness about Sexual Health to help create a safe and inclusive environment in the university. This year we had a record number of sign ups at Fresher’s Fair which was really exciting for us as a society and since then have had a 5 society meetings and 11 Socials, Including an LGBT Fresher’s Party in Soho, Karaoke at the Union, Thorpe Park Fright Night, Nandos, Cocktails and Movie Nights to name a few. We are constantly organising social events so if you have any Ideas for events or Campaigns or just want to get involved, please don’t hesitate to contact me on roecamptonlgbt@live.co.uk. Looking forward to a year full of Total Gay Domination! Joshua McKenzie RSU LGBT+ Officer
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WALL OF FAME AND SHAME
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www.roehamptonstudent.com
WALL OF FAME AND SHAME
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Getting the best from our students, So we do our best for them!! What is a Programme Rep ???? A Programme Rep is an elected student from your programme they are there to represent the views, opinions and concerns that you as their fellow students may have. If you have some feedback on your programme or on any other academic service contact your department office or look on the Student Union website www.roehamptonstudent.com to find out who represents you.
What feedback should I be giving to my Rep?????
A Programme Reps main responsibility is to sit on the Programme Boards which happen between 3 – 4 times a year. Their main role is to liaise with their fellow students before these meetings to gather any views/opinions/ideas to feedback to members of staff on the Programme board and also to the Students’ Union. If you have anything that you feel the department needs to know it’s really important to seek out who your programme rep is don’t wait for them to approach you.
A lot of programme issues can be resolved quickly and effectively if they are highlighted to your Programme Rep in the first instance as they are ideally placed and trained to know where and who to direct any issues too.
Have you got something to say about your programme? Love something about your programme? Loathe something about your programme ???
TELL YOUR PROGRAMME REP!!!!
If your programme doesn’t have a rep why don’t you volunteer to become one, for more information on Programme Reps you can either speak to your Programme Convener or Gemma Kelly in the Students’ Union. Page 16
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YOUR LIBRARY, YOUR IMPROVeMENTS STUDENT SENATE FUNDS INVESTED IN 24HOUR LIBRARY SERVICE AT PEAK TIMES
H
aving received funding for a pilot project from Student Senate we will be trialling 24 hour opening of the Library for the first time ever! The 24 hour opening period also gives extended opening on Sundays from 8am, starting from Sunday 4th December.
Opening will be as follows: •
Sunday 4th December 0800 open up to Friday 9th December 2100
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Saturday 10th December 1100 - 1800
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Sunday 11th December 0800 open up to Friday 16th December 2100
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Saturday 17th and Sunday 18th December 1100 - 1800
During night shifts (between 2100 - 0800) we will operate non-core services with limited staffing and there will also be a security officer on duty throughout the night. Visit the Library website for full details of opening hours.
Referencing the right way with RefWorks T
he University Library has purchased a new user-friendly bibliographic software tool called RefWorks. RefWorks can help you to collect and manage references for your assignments from the library catalogue, journal databases and websites. The best bit is that with Write-N-Cite, at the click of a button you can quickly create intext citations and bibliographies while writing papers using one of the predefined University of Roehampton referencing styles, Harvard, MLA or APA. Learn how to get started by coming along to one of our RefWorks Workshops. The next workshop will be on Thu 8th Dec, 15:00-16:00 in the Library, Room 301A. Check the events in the library for further dates.
Tell us what you think about eBooks! The Library would like to understand how students use eBooks, so we’ve put together a short eBooks survey so that you can tell us about your experiences of using them. To thank you for filling in the survey and for your time, there will be a prize draw with the winner receiving a £50 Amazon voucher. Survey closes on the 15th of December 2011.
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C I Fresh MUS2011 Punk, Pop & Rock Reviewed! Liz Murray - Fresh Music Correspondent
The Splash - Upbeat Songs & Singalongs Pop Punk/ Ska (Released: 29th October)
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Futures Of The Left - Polymers Are Forever Electro/ Rock (Released: 14th November)
RP - We Fly Indie/ Pop (Released: 6th November)
f you're looking for a sell-out stadium supergroup with massive egos, then The Splash are not for you. If however, you like fun, fast-paced, catchy pop punk tunes that'll get stuck in your head for weeks, then you've come to the right place! 'Upbeat Songs & Singalongs' does exactly what it says on the tin and delivers happy, up-tempo music with incredibly clever, sometimes heartfelt lyrics. The ever so slightly tongue-in-cheek opening track 'Nothing New' draws you in and sets the tone for the rest of the EP, with lyrics like: “We know we're nothing new, we're not breaking the mould...” making it clear from the start that these guys don't take themselves too seriously. With so many bands out there wanting to be the next big thing, it's refreshing to know that there are still bands like The Splash, who are more interested in having fun and getting people have a bit of a sing and a dance. And that's exactly what you'll want to do when you hear these guys. There's something for everyone here, from personal favourite 'Up In Smoke' to the stupidly catchy crowd-pleaser, 'Drunk Enough'. Everyone knows what it's like to go out and get drunk with their friends after a stressful week of work, and this song does a great job of portraying that with gruff vocals, drum rolls and well written lyrics: “I need a way to cope with this, putting up with other people's shit, buy a drink, raise a glass, start the headache again...” This is a great EP, but there are a couple of problems with it; one being that it leaves you wanting more, and the other is that it really doesn't do the band's live performances justice, so if you get the chance to go and see The Splash, then do it!
here is only one word to describe this EP, and that word is weird. From the slightly strangled vocals, to the screeching synths, to the non-sensical lyrics: “Will you share your helicopter landing pad with Sweden? Yes of course they still speak English!”, there's absolutely nothing about 'Polymers Are Forever' that makes sense. That's not necessarily a bad thing though, because these Welsh rockers are making music that sounds like nothing you've ever heard before. The whole EP feels like a somewhat trippy journey into the unknown, and as soon as you think you've sussed out what this band are all about, they hit back with something completely different. The title track kicks in with an electro riff and a heavy beat which builds into a whirlwind of noises and sounds almost exactly like Does It Offend You, Yeah? More of this would have been great, but of course no two tracks are the same; You've also got a synth-lead post-punk, jump around the room sort of song and a slightly terrifying, repetitive, shouty affair that wouldn't sound out of place on a kid's TV show. The weirdest track is easily 'My Wife Is Unhappy', a strange little concoction made up of gentle guitars, ritualistic chanting, a bit of brass, even more odd lyrics and a lot of talking that fades into a creepy whisper. It's disjointed and jarring and you know what, no wonder your wife is unhappy if you're making music like this!
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hey say you should never judge a book by it's cover, and it looks like the same goes for CDs. When you get given a blank disc that's been scrawled over in red Sharpie, then naturally you expect the music on it is going to be a bit shit, but luckily for RP, that's not the case. Underneath all the permanent marker is a collection of good honest pop songs, with a slightly rocky edge. If you can look past the odd cheesy “Do-do-do-doo...” moment, then what you've got is essentially a heavier version of The Fray, with catchier riffs and more powerful vocals. 'Chasing Time' really stands out, with it's soaring, feel good chorus, toe-tapping riffs and positive lyrics: “Don't break me, don't tear me down, I'm faking, I'm chasing time...” And then you've got RP's next single, 'We Fly' which is also a strong contender for the title of best track. There's also a couple of acoustic songs which are pleasant, but let's be honest, a bit boring. Then for no apparent reason, everything gets a bit latino at the end of it all, with 'La Musica' and you're left wondering if you've been listening to the same band all along. Regardless of what sort of music you're into, everyone loves a bit of feel-good indie pop, so this is well worth a listen just for the happy tracks!
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L Fresh LOCA STOP THE DEER CULL RICHMOND PARK
Fionnuala Bland - LOCAL ENVIRONMENT AND CULTURE CORRESPONDeNT
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he November of 2011 has seen the death of another 200 deer in Richmond Park, despite protests from local animal lovers. The Royal Parks argue that the biannual cull is the only way of keeping the population at the manageable level of 650 deer. But there are alternative methods: methods, which do not involve killing the herd. I was amongst the group of just under twenty people, who, on the 5th November, tried to raise awareness of this by leafleting and petitioning in Kingston. The other attendees, ranging from twenty-seven to fifty-plus years old, were all invested in their activism. Many had years of campaigning behind them. At the very least, they had sent large volumes of letters concerning animal rights to the government. A mere eighteen-year old, arriving alone, ill-equipped (the majority of the protesters were armed with hand-made placards) and still recovering from Gaga Bop, I questioned myself what on earth was I doing here? The answer was simple. It was my duty. If the animals don’t have a voice for themselves, I should do my best to speak for them. While handing out leaflets to passers-by and asking them to sign the petition, I noticed that many people, although not thrilled with the idea of the animals being shot twice a year, accepted the cull as the only way of regulating the population. They didn’t seem to be aware of the non-lethal alternatives. Mrs Lesley Dove, 47, organised the protest with hopes of changing this:
that the cull is immoral, unnecessary and inexcusable. So why not create our own campaigns? Write our own letters? Make our own placards? If we, as students, raise awareness amongst the younger generations, we can make a difference.
“We thought by marching through Kingston with our petitions and leaflets and telling people about the cull, we could try to raise more awareness.” She has been campaigning since 2009 and has not yet had a result. She feels, however, that “the time is right now” with more options available, such as the use of birth control, for example. The Royal Parks could give the animals contraceptives either in their food or via the American method, “Gonacon”, a contraceptive dart that Mrs Dove has been promoting. “If those contraceptives are not licensed yet in the UK, I’d like
to know why the Royal Parks aren’t pushing for that, why they’re not lobbying government to license them so that they can avoid culling the deer.” I don’t believe that many, if any, of us enjoy the thought that the deer in Richmond Park we admire today may well be killed in the next cull. And there is no reason why the non-violent methods can’t be used instead. I think all the Royal Parks need is a bit of public pressure, a wake-up call enlightening them
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Griffiths gets fashionably festive Kate Griffiths - FASHION JOURNALIST
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n the words of Mr Holder, “It’s Christmasssssss” and I for one am so happy it’s that time of year again. The diet can go out the window for a good month and I can pretty much kick back in my dressing gown for most of the day. But when I’m not rocking the dressing gown or Christmas PJ’s, I like to make an effort during the festive period. It’s the season for parties so you want to make sure you’re looking your best, however, during December and January money is tight so instead of blowing your remaining loan on that gorgeous sequinned dress (I know, it’s going to be hard to resist) why not have a rummage at the back of your wardrobe and see if you can find some forgotten gems. Christmas is also the perfect time to get creative with your fashion, all those lazy days spent in front of the fire watching Elf re-runs and nursing a food baby are perfect for a bit of D.I.Y customizing. That old top that you thought was so outdated could now become as good as new, simply by attaching a lace peter-pan collar, or maybe you could add a bit of bling to those boring black party shoes with some studs down the heel or a coloured bow on the toe. Instantly, your old clothes look new and bang on trend, plus you get the feeling of satisfaction in making something that no-one else will have! It’s worth having a look around fabric shops such as Fabric Land in Kingston or haberdashery departments in stores like John Lewis as it will give you loads of inspiration and hopefully get your creative juices flowing! Ebay is also a good place to take a look at, as you can get loads of supplies without spending a fortune and check out online blogs for step-by-step guides to creating those masterpieces. So it’s time to grab your sewing kit and join you Nan on the sofa and pretty soon she could be asking you for a hand! Happy Christmas and A Customized New Year! Kate Louise Griffiths xXx
Kate’s Pointers for a great New Year:
1) Plan ahead. Make sure everyone knows where they are going in advance and get that killer outfit sorted a good week before. You don’t want to be rushing around at the last minute and settling for something that’s just OK because you’ve run out of time. The outfit sets the tone for the year ahead, so a poor outfit equals a poor year. Simple. 2)
Keep some lip balm handy at all times, you never know who might be lurking under the mistletoe.
3) Stock up on some breakfast essentials for the standard New Years Day hangover, nobody wants to trek it to the shop in their PJ’s the morning after.
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New lifestyle website for international and EU students studying in the UK is launched A website to help international and EU students settle into the UK and provide them with fun insights into British culture has been launched. International students make up a third of the student population in higher education and over 40% of post graduate students are from overseas, but yet until the launch of the GB Mag, earlier in the year, and now the website there wasn’t a media that caters for the needs of overseas students – which on the whole are very different to home students. Last year there were over half a million overseas students in the UK and the British council is predicting an eight per cent increase for next year. Furthermore these students contributed £2.5 billion in fees and £8.5 billion to the UK economy in 2009.
“A website to help international and EU students settle into the UK and provide them with fun insights into British culture has been launched.”
www.gbbag.co.uk aims to give overseas students a one-stop website with practical guidance on everything from registering with a doctor, to finding a part time job, to a monthly guide of British culture and festivities. As Cass Bi, from Shanghai- studying at Leeds University, confessed: “When I arrived in the UK a year ago I had absolutely no knowledge of British culture and whilst the university provided practical help it wasn’t able to help me acclimatise to my new surroundings.” “Even simple things like opening a bank account and registering with a doctor were difficult because everything is done differently here than in China, but the GB Bag website helped a lot and cleared up a lot of the confusion for me.”
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Last month two University of Roehampton students went to Shared Planet. Shared Planet is an annual two-day event where different People and Planet groups get together. This year the topics discussed were as diverse as sweat shops, fair trade, and the Israeli Palestinian conflict.
People and Planet’s 2011 main campaign is on Tar Sands extraction in Canada. This method of obtaining oil is more costly both financially and environmentally than conventional oil extraction. The ‘tar sands’ are the biggest industrial development project, the biggest capital investment project, and the biggest energy project in the world. (Greenpeace, 2011). Two members of the Beaver Lake Cree nation delivered an impassioned speech about the devastating effects of this venture, which has destroyed their way of life, poisoned their water, and made cancer rates go through the roof. To meet with people directly affected by this issue was very moving and certainly made us want to do more. So watch this space…
One of the most interesting workshops that I went to over the weekend was given by the Campaign Against the Arms Trade (C.A.A.T), and was about kicking arms dealers off campus. The C.A.A.T aim is a UK based organisation whose aim is to end the international arms trade. I was shocked to learn of the extent of the UK’s involvement in Human Rights abuses worldwide. For example during Israel’s attack on Gaza in 2008-2009, the British government admitted that UK weapons were ‘almost certainly’ used during these attacks. A B'Tselem report found that this operation killed at least 762 civilians, of which 318 were under 18, and more than 3,500 houses were destroyed leaving 20,000 people homeless. During this attack three Israeli civilians were killed and nine soldiers, four of whom were killed by friendly fire. More recently UK-made weapons were used in Bahrain and Libya to violently supress people fighting for democracy. Imogen
If this has caught your attention and you are interested in getting involved with People and Planet, contact the society president on: carpentf@roehampton.ac.uk. Or find us on Facebook under ‘Roehampton University People & Planet Society’. Page 24
www.roehamptonstudent.com
ROEHAMPTON REVIEWS ONLINE TAKEAWAY ORDER SITE! Pizza GOGO. 3 stars. pizza was good but had mushrooms and onions on which i didn't order and it was late delivery. Delivery to Roehampton – Sherfield Gardens (near the back of Froebel gate) 15% off on first order! < Always a positive for students Quality: 5* - Looks really nice and tastes about 4* Service: 5* on delivery, but 3* on the fact they gave me fanta when I asked for a diet coke Value: 5* its big pizza, big enough for 2!
Dong phoung came so quickly so would give them a five on service , a four on quality of food , and a 5 on value for a chinese take out ! So I ordered from the Indian takeaway 'K2' through hungryhouse. co.uk. Quality - 4. The quality of the food was very good I especially liked the Onion Bhaji's. Service - 5. The service was very polite and on time. Would order from here again definitely. Value - 5. The value for money was very good as I got 2 Onion Bhaji's, Pilau Rice, Chicken Dhansak and a Popadom for £10. Good portions as well as good quality food. I definitely recommend K2!
Ordered from kathmandu valley. The food I received was of a very high standard, I ordered the chicken tikka masala and was thoroughly pleased. There was an abundance of sauce accompanied with enough chicken to satisfy my needs. This has led to me giving them a 4 1/2 star rating for quality. The service from the delivery guy was friendly throughout but did not stand out in particular, leading to a 3 star rating for service and the value was adequate, just under £10 for a curry is fair so I would give 4 stars for that (5 considering it was actually free!!) Quality - 3 Service - 4 Value- 5 After deliberating which curry to have having already bought the beers we went for the local curry house in hope of something better than a casual dong phuong. The service lacked charisma but after only half an hour our order had arrived as we know ladies and gentleman you can't complain at that. The food was decent with a good value for money.So bottom line Roehampton get your naan involved and give em a ring.
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THANKSGIVING AT ROEHAMPTON JESS GAGNON - POST-GRADUATE TRUSTEE
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hanksgiving is a holiday tradition as important and meaningful as Christmas for many American families. While it is often comically associated with a belt-busting feast and men in tights scoring touchdowns, the significance of the holiday is more than the turkey on the table or the American football on TV. Thanksgiving is an opportunity to reflect on and celebrate the numerous reasons each of us has to be grateful. For the many American students studying at Roehampton, the fourth Thursday in November was their first Thanksgiving spent away from their families. On the Whitelands College campus, about 40 students gathered to partake in this American tradition. Since there is always room for more at the Thanksgiving table, along with American students, around 20 nationalities were represented.
jokes wrapped in bright holiday paper.
The potluck meal included some of the usual American favorites: roasted turkey, stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, glazed sweet potatoes, green bean casserole, apple pie, pecan pie, and pumpkin pie. There were also dishes from other parts of the world including fried rice, potatoes au gratin, tandoori chicken, karahi chicken, cheesecake, and banoffee pie. The Americans also discovered that Christmas Crackers are not edibles, but are paper crowns, small toys, and corny
In the spirit of giving that accompanies both the Thanksgiving and Christmas season, the student diners also helped fellow student Mark Ryan, MA Human Rights and International Relations, raise funds to fight prostate cancer. Mark grew a glorious mustache for Movember along with many of his fellow mo-bros on campus. “Celebrating at Roehampton was incredible. Being able to share this experience with so many friends made it feel like home. This year I am thankful for my family's support, the opportunities that life has given me, my amazing friends, the air in my lungs, and the immense potential of the future,” said Kiersten McGalliard, MA, Early Childhood Studies, Arizona, USA Tereza Gabrosellasi, MSc International Management with Finance, Ethiopia, said, “I have attended many social events at Roehampton since I joined. However, Thanksgiving was by far the best event. I thought it was nice how everyone got a chance to bring a dish from their own country and share it with others. I was also amazed by the number of people who showed up to the dinner as I wasn’t expecting it to be a big event. It wasn’t just about the gathering or the food, as it also got us all to think about the things we are thankful for the most. I am thankful for my family, friends, good health, and the education that I am receiving,” This was my first Thanksgiving, as we don't celebrate it in Norway. It was an amazing experience, where I got to taste cranberry sauce and different types of pies which I hadn't tasted before. … I am thankful for meeting so many amazing people here at Roehampton University, and getting to know people from so many different nationalities! It is very rewarding, and I learn something new every day,” said Elisabeth Juell, MSc, Marketing, Norway Ulfath Kuddus, MA, Education Leadership Management, Bangladesh, said, “I have celebrated Thanksgiving before, but it had never held special meaning for me. This year my boyfriend who is born and raised in the US was visiting over Thanksgiving. I knew we had to do something special, but had no idea what. The Whitelands dinner turned out to be perfect: good food, incredible company, and lots to be thankful for!" “I really appreciate the opportunity to celebrate my first Thanksgiving at Roehampton in such an international environment this year. … I have to say that this celebration was one of the best experiences in my life. I will always remember this day which showed me that it is important to share different traditions and that it does not matter where you are or where you come from as long as you enjoy the time with people who are around you,” said Anne Steinhoff, BSc, Marketing, Germany Aleata Elyn, Psych.D, Counseling Psychology, Wisconsin, USA, said, “For me, Thanksgiving is an opportunity to surround myself with people that I love and to express gratitude to them for the presence and support in my life. I give thanks every single day but it's a day of enhancing that gratitude, expressing it unconditionally, forgiving eternally and spreading love, laughter, and peace.” She continued, “I am incredibly grateful to be where I am today and for those who have helped me get to this place. The continuous support and encouragement from my family and best friends who have never given up on believing in me.. I am grateful for the motivated individuals in this world who pursue justice, change, and equality. I am grateful for the people who volunteer their time, share their warmth, and spread their happiness.”
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SPORT ROEHAMPTON: SQUASH
For more information about Squash at Roehampton, contact team captain Marc Pescod by phone
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quash at Roehampton is growing fast. There were only five regular players throughout the whole of last year and already this term there is a group of around twenty turning up on a regular basis to play and improve. The three strongest players from training make up the first team and under the guidance of coaching legend Paul Lindsay, Roehampton's first team has played three and won three in this years British Universities & Colleges Sport (BUCS) South Eastern Division; overpowering Royal Holloway and Brunel with a well-fought victory against Portsmouth in between those two results.
his being its third year of existence at Roehampton, it is still early days for the sport at the University but team captain Marc Pescod is impressed with the teams run of results, "I am really proud of the performances so far and we are all relishing the difficult fixtures ahead in the season”. These are promising times indeed, and the only way is up with the first team pushing for promotion and everyone at training vying to create a second and possibly even a third squash team for next year, giving a chance for more players to experience competitive matches. With big numbers coming to training, there has been more opportunity for the real reason why anyone joins a sports team at university: socials. “Squash starts on the court and ends in the bar” says social secretary George Rout. The inaugural squash social took place on a Wednesday night that no one can remember which ended in Fez with the entire team dressed as sportswomen. “The first social was all about eggs, runaways and men dressed as ladies of the night” George said, and he is already beginning work on the next social, “December 14th is a date for the diary, it's going to be like a good beef stroganoff; messy but still delicious” what exactly he's got cooking, we don't know, but he's hoping for a big turn out and with a trip to the quiet Spanish town of Salou for tour week along with many more socials planned Squash Social 2011 for the coming months, it looks to be a year to remember (or not) for Squash. Training takes place on Wednesdays from 2pm until 4pm and, because of the huge demand, there is now an added session on Fridays from 10am until 11am. Sessions consist of match-play and fitness drills as well as one-on-one and group coaching from head coach Paul Lindsay. Everyone is welcome at either or both sessions, but for maximum court time Friday is the best bet. Training happens at the Roehampton Club just down the road from the University towards Barnes train station. It is a very prestigious club with amazing facilities – five squash courts, including three glass-backed courts – and is the setting for the 2012 Roehampton Cup, a fantastic spectacle which sees twelve universities compete against each other over the weekend of February 11th and 12th and everyone is encouraged to come and support the teams. The squash team is very lucky to be able to train at the Roehampton Club for such a cheap price; bronze membership allows you to train there on Wednesdays and Fridays every week, and if you have bronze membership for any sport at Roehampton, there is no extra cost to join in with squash whenever you like. Squash improves your flexibility, fitness, strength, co-ordination and is one of the best calorie burners around with the potential to shed 517 calories in a 30-minute game – the equivalent of burning off one Big Mac. In theory, if you play flat-out for an hour at the Friday session, you can burn off three pints and a burger! Marc believes you should not be put off from coming to squash if you play another sport, “squash can work on your toning and fitness which will help whatever other sport you may play” and at no extra cost to come along, he is looking for even more interest at Roehampton, “the more the merrier, having a wide range of players at differing standards is great for training”. It is never too late to join, so come along to our taster session on Friday 9th December - meeting at The Union bar at 9.30am - to experience squash for the first time or if you can already play, put your ability to the test against other players.
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TALK SPORT: wHO’S TO BLAME
KINGSLEY BATES - INTERNATIONAL SPORT CORRESPONDeNT
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he Rugby World Cup. A disaster. Shambolic. Disgraceful. Words used to describe natural disaster responses by the United Nations, but are also suitable to describe England’s efforts in the world cup this summer. Lot’s of questions have been asked by the press, most notably, ‘Who’s to blame?’. Who? This question suggests that it is an individual, rather than the entire team plus management that is responsible for England’s poor performances during the tournament and a witch-hunt inevitably followed, analysing every player, the coach Martin Johnson and all the events that occurred on and off the field. A little bit like a police investigation. The result of the investigation? The source of all the problems leading to the teams exit to France in the quarter-finals? Two individuals were pointed out and immediately lambasted by the press and their colleagues in Rugby Union. Mike Tindall and Martin Johnson. The captain and the coach. It is easy to pick on the leaders for the failings of the group. The event that sticks out from the world cup, involving Tindall and several other members of the squad was the boozy night out in a nightclub. The one where Tindall behaved inappropriately towards an ex-girlfriend despite recently wedding Zara Phillips, the Queens granddaughter (that last bit of information is important, as many newspapers have shown). The players also got in trouble over drinking a few pints.
Starting with the inappropriate flirting, it is
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understandable that this behaviour reflects poorly on the team and the nation being represented in a world-wide competition. However, for the press and RFU to continue to bring this incident up in their investigation is strange considering that neither are married to the man. It is for Zara (the Queens granddaughter) to punish him, which I am certain she has done. It is not in the domain of the RFU to do so. As far as the drinking goes, I also think that it is not the greatest crime to enjoy a night out to celebrate winning the group to qualify for the knock-out stages. Professionally it can be understood to be a poor decision by the players, who should focus on training and preparing for the match against France. However, it should not be a punishable offence. Before the 1979 European Cup final, Brian Clough provided half pints to his players to relax them, and they went on to win the trophy against more experienced opposition.
The RFU saw fit to hand Tindall a £25,000 fine and ban him indefinitely from playing rugby for England, and suspended £5000 fines to his teammates. Tindall was made a scapegoat for the failure of an entire squad, some of whom behaved just as inappropriately as the captain and got away with it. It is easier to punish one person and make an example of him to show who is in charge. It is just a shame that a player who was successful for England and provided excellent service for years had to fall so the RFU can save face. Martin Johnson was also the centre of attention in the press. All of the papers and pundits were calling for his head the very next day after the defeat to France, saying he was inexperienced and not good enough for England. Funnily enough, among those critics were those who thought him good enough when they hired him, his own employers. Employers who turned their back on him and encouraged him to walk away when he needed support the most. At least the FA stuck by Fabio Capello after the ‘disastrous’ 2010 World Cup. They backed their manager, and the team have now qualified for Euro 2012 and are looking fairly strong ahead of the tournament. For Johnson, this is a humiliation that will follow him to his next job interview and limit his opportunities in management. He was a great England player, and led the team to success in the 2003 World Cup. He was a talismanic captain. The press and RFU forgot about
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TALK SPORT: A SEPP TOO FAR S
epp Blatter has always been a bit of a cretin. That’s by no means the most eloquent opening sentence I’ve ever used, but I don’t think there’s any need to be more whimsical and articulate about it. Sepp Blatter is a cretin, and an impressively persistent one at that. Blatter has made a game out of being a walking, talking disaster, and his career has revolved around outdoing his previous stupidity.
“There is no racism” Blatter remarked, adding “The one affected by this should say this is a game and shake hands”. “Congratulations Blatter” cried football. “What awesome timing and understanding”. It’s not difficult to see where the controversy is coming from. To even suggest that a victim of racial abuse should shake his perpetrators hand is an inexplicable point to make. There’s a reason Wayne Bridge doesn’t shake John Terry’s hand anymore – Because when someone else has done something wrong, it’s their obligation to appease the situation, not the victim’s. Blatter’s comments, though I’m sure he didn’t quite mean it as strongly as this, suggest a ‘get over it attitude’. It’s difficult to know what Blatter was really thinking when he made these comments, but I’ll give it a shot. I believe that Blatter was getting fed up with the alleged racism on the pitch, didn’t see it as a problem and wanted to deny it outright in order to squash the situation entirely. However, it’s backfired spectacularly because if anything, the head of football’s governing body showing a lack of compassion for victims of racial abuse on the pitch is only going to add a ton of coal to the fire.
Now he’s gone and said something a fair bit more idiotic than usual. Yes, even crazier than his comments about how women’s football should introduce hot pants to make it more popular. Even more ill-judged than his comparison of footballers to slaves. Even more bizarre than his idea of scrapping the offside rule. Even more insensitive than his comments that homosexual supporters should “refrain from sexual activity” in Qatar. If they gave awards for foolish statements, Sepp Blatter would have a trophy cabinet the size of London. This week, Blatter accomplished his pièce de résistance. It’s usually important not to overreact to these statements, especially considering the obstacle of the antagonist having to break through the language barrier. Often I think it’s worth giving the benefit of the doubt in these situations, because things can so easily be misconstrued and the media can make more of certain comments that were perhaps unintended. For example, a few weeks ago Man United ‘keeper Tomasz Kuszczak was vilified for using the term ‘slave’ in describing his situation at the club. Whilst the comparison is senseless, nobody can claim that they have never hyperbolised a bit. I think Kuszczak’s faux pas was just a small misunderstanding, but all it took was one of these instances and the press could paint it as an indictment of the ‘out-of-touch’ footballers. However, I don’t think we can give Blatter any leeway here. He not only made some very clear statements (“There is no racism… shake hands”), but he is the head of FIFA. That shouldn’t be a position you attain if you can’t say what you mean, and you make comments contrary to your intentions. Sepp Blatter is not someone who is constantly making mistakes and being misunderstood. Like I said, he’s just a cretin. FIFA’s image has been destroyed so effectively it’s difficult to find even one shred of credibility left within the organisation. They have totally lost the confidence of the fans thanks to repeated poor decisions and allegations of corruption. They desperately need a change, and I think it’s about time that the master of the gaffe himself stepped down. Like a true artist, Blatter has finished with his final flourish – a beautifully crass comment about racial abuse. Now he must step down.
JAKE FLEMING - INTERNATIONAL SPORT CORRESPONDeNT
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