Fresh Newspaper - October 2009

Fresh October 2009

News

ALL NEW!

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Arts

Environment

Features

Freshers Eeeek!

By Josh Paterson

W

ith over 2000 fresh faced students making their descent onto Roehampton each year, September always proves a popular week The ritual of Fresher’s Week, as synonymous with university as academia itself always leave little room aside towards ones sleep diet, and with this year like any other being a crash course into the RSU events programme, those blue and silver freshers passes proved hot property, giving wearers access to all events running during the week, from regular fixtures such as The Bop or the Clapham Grand, to the Roller Disco, new additions in the form of Fraud Fest and Silent Social, right through to guest appearances from George Lamb, BBC’s own Reggie Yates as well as Simon Bird(of Inbetweeners fame), who brought down a bag of laughter with him on Friday night for two shows at Monte Hall!

Fab Four: Roehampton students going back to school during FW ‘09

After the week that was, and after fresher’s flu saw to those said ‘fresh faces’ our Student Media Officer, Josh Paterson

recaps on his third Fresher’s week, life as a Flat Rep and the allure of his duvet throughout.

Sunday 20th September, Moving in Day. After months of anticipation, we grabbed our sunglasses and donned our flat rep t-shirts to await the arrival of our freshers. The sun shone over the masses arriving at Roehampton, the place that they will call home for the next three years, and some very stressed and anxious parents struggled up stairways with boxes and bags!

After a welcome ceremony from Paul Hodges, it was time to hit the Belfry, where freshers, second and third years all mingled til the wee hours, forging

new friendships and reuniting old companions.

Freshers Sunday is always one thing as a Roehampton student that I have always remembered and this year was no... >Story continues on Page 10

Campaigns in .profile: Campaigns Crawl & Black History Week

This issue of Fresh was printed on recycled paper . Please re-use/recycle it or even leave it here for someone .else to read later. remember, all content is available online at www.roehamptonstudent.com

Fresh Newspaper

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www.roehamptonstudent.com

Editorial Anant Naik, Editor in Cheif & Production, VP Communications Hello Roehampton, Welcome to the all-new Fresh newspaper! We’ve radically reshaped the paper this year by going for a far more classic approach to the layout, with less clutter and more room for information about what we’re all up to at RSU Towers.

Inside you’ll still find RSU News, Sabbatical Blogs, Features, Arts, Photos, Societies and Sport Roehampton, but now you’ll get to hear from the College DP’s, be more clued up about the environmental issues that effect you as a Roehampton student and we’ve also introduced a campaigns pullout on the centrefold especially for you to stick up on your wall! We’ve been collaborative while you’ve been away too, teaming up with Banquet Records in Kingston to bring you the best albums of the month, as chosen by their own in house genius’.

That’s enough from me, until page 6 at least, so all that’s left for you to do is open up this issue and enjoy!

Josh Paterson, Editor, Student Media Officer Hey Guys, my name is Josh Paterson and I am the Student Media Officer for RSU 2009/2010. Thanks for picking up a copy of Fresh, the first place to come for all the latest Roehampton news! We’ve got some great things planned for the year ahead, and we are looking for you guys to get involved!

We want writers and photographers from all over the university to help us make Fresh better than ever!

Drop by the RSU to come and see us!

Societies: Freshers Fair(p.18)

Feature: Freshers Week (p.10)

Fresh This issue of Fresh Newspaper was brought to you by: Editor in Chief & Production - Anant Naik Editor - Josh Patterson With special thanks to: The Sabbs, Harry Harris, Nikki Watson, Alex Murray, Tadashi Suzuki, Joe Booth, Callie Thorpe, Caty Garcia, Lucy Wallis, Luke Springett, Ed Eames, Theo Robertsen, Adam Le Breuilly, Chris Davis, Georgia Day, Nhya Pasha, Tim Evans, Rochelle Harvey, Banquet Records and Chris Perry.

Interview: The Maccabees (p.21)

WRITERS WANTED. Are you interested in writing for Fresh Newspaper? Is there something you're not happy with and think you could improve on?

Send in any articles you would like published to either fresh@roehampton.ac.uk or anant.naik@roehampton.ac.uk The deadline for the next edition of Fresh will be 30th October 2009.

For all advertising/marketing enquiries please email Chris O’Boyle on c.oboyle@roehampton.ac.uk or phone 020 8392 3221 RSU, Hirst Union Building, Digby Stuart College, Roehampton University, Roehampton Lane, London, SW15 5PH

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Fresh Newspaper

News

RSU and Chartwells team up to Manage the bars.

RSU sign up to the Sound Impact Awards.

Over the summer an opportunity to manage the 4 college bars (Digby, Froebel, Southlands & Whitelands) came up and RSU & Chartwells prepared a case to work in partnership to manage the bars and co-ordinate their activity.

Sound Impact is an environmental accreditation scheme with an awards element designed specifically for Students’ Unions.

For decades Students’ Unions have been at the forefront of social and environmental campaigning. However, with the majority of Unions not being metered for the utilities they use, and with sabbatical teams changing annually, unions have struggled to get to grips with their own environmental impacts.

Fortunately this proposal was accepted and we are now active in this partnership and currently responsible for the management and co-ordination of the bars; our main aims are to offer increased provisions (weekend opening), improve facilities, a co-ordinated approach resulting in better and stronger events and increased professionalism. Each partner has a distinctive role to play and the role of RSU is very much to co-ordinate the events programme and to listen to the feedback of the Deputy Presidents and student body to ensure the bars providing what the students require.

Chartwells role is far more operational looking after issues such as human resources, health and safety and licensing. Although we are at the very early stages we believe we are already achieving our aims and are confident over the next 12months significant improvements will have been witnessed.

Best Bar None Awards As part of our commitment to increase our professionalism as a retailer we have entered Roehampton into the ‘Best Bar None Awards’. This is a national accreditation scheme to ensure we are a responsible retailer and doing our upmost to ensure we are providing a safe and friendly atmosphere. Becky Aston RSU VP Welfare ‘The recent changes in the management of the bars have allowed us to enter these Best Bar None awards; this openness and willingness signifies our commitment to ensure a safe environment for students to drink and socialise’. The completed submission will be entered by the 12th October with a site visit taking place in November, will keep you updated with our progress.

Froebel Bar Transformed Over the course of the summer Froebel Bar had a facelift that even Joan Collins would be proud of. This project has taken time to come to fruition, with the bar being in a run down and tired state for a number of years. Kirsty Glynn worked behind the scenes to encourage college and the university to release some funds to give the bar it’s badly needed make over. Once the project was The all new Froebel Courtyard Bar. given the green light Dan Smith and Jill Gearing project managed the refurbishment with fantastic results. Nikki Watson (Froebel Deputy president). We would like to thank Andy Masheter, Ghazwa Alwani-Starr, Kirsty Glynn, Jill Gearing and Dan Smith for all their artwork.

“So much has changed since my fresher’s year - when I started the bar was painted blue, chips falling off the wall, the ceiling started falling down, we danced on the chairs and tables til all hours! then in my second year we painted the bar a “whorehouse” red and we still danced on the table and the chairs, Harris helped the ceiling fall down more, and the lino started to come up from the floor! finally after a lot of meetings and broken promises, we finally have the best bar on campus and we are still dancing on the tables and chairs and having a ball! big thanks for the new ceiling, floor, walls, and bar! “(Nikki Watson, Froebel DP)

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This scheme will help RSU by giving us the necessary framework to greening RSU and allowing us to develop and embed good practice. This is the first time RSU have entered these awards and will be striving to achieve the Bronze accreditation for this academic year, our submission needs to be entered by the 18th December so we have a lot of working to be cracking on with an extensive criteria to meet. Will keep you updated with our progress.

“This is an exciting time for RSU and is a clear statement of our attention of becoming a greener union and wanting to take a proactive stance on such an important issue affecting the whole world. A lot of our persistent hard work towards becoming greener, such as achieving Fair Trade status and launching the universities own allotment society last year, went unnoticed by some green league tables, and one of the reasons was because we weren’t participating in auditing schemes such as the Sound Impact Awards, so it’s great that we’re acting on it this year.” (Anant Naik, VP Communications).

Going Green RU has one of the most beautiful campuses in the UK and we are committed to improving our environmental performance. The University has been selected as one of just 20 higher education institutions to benefit from Defra’s £515k Greener Living Fund Programme, ‘Degrees Cooler’. RSU is working with The University’s Environmental Team based in Property and Facilities Management on this project. It is a flagship behaviour change programme aimed at improving both staff and student environmental performance.

The ultimate outcome will be a greener University with reduced energy consumption and increased recycling rates. Complementing this initiative, RSU has signed up for the Sound Environmental Impact Awards, a national scheme designed to encourage environmental best practice in Student Unions.

Everyone can do something to help improve RU’s environmental performance. For example, it might simply be switching off unnecessary lights, not overfilling kettles, closing windows or not dropping litter.

Enthusiastic environmentalists amongst you should consider volunteering to be University Environmental Champions – a network of staff and students who promote local environmental awareness. The next Environmental Champions Training Day is taking place on October 14th. If you’re interested contact Dr Jonathan Horner, the University’s Environmental Manager, on extension 3191 or email j.horner@roehampton.ac.uk – but hurry, places are filling fast!

With energy efficiency at the top of the Environmental Team’s agenda, additional meters are being installed to help monitor and manage the University’s electricity consumption. In addition, new voltage optimisation equipment has been installed at Froebel and Whitelands Colleges, with installations at Digby Stuart and Southlands Colleges due to be completed over Christmas. The new equipment will help to reduce the University’s total electricity consumption by up to 10%. The University has also signed up for 50% of its electricity to be ‘Green Energy’.

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Any Other Business Drama at Roehampton receives prestigious AHRC fellowship

mathematics and geography lessons, the giant puzzle pieces can be used for problem solving and teamwork, and the tyre obstacle course can challenge movement patterns in terms of stability, object control and locomotion.

The Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC) has awarded Terry O’Connor a five-year fellowship in the creative and performing arts at Roehampton. The fellowship is one of only six awarded in the UK this year.

Dr Jon Spence, Principal Lecturer in PE at Roehampton, who also leads the initiative and research in this area, said: “What we are finding is that outdoor learning spaces can improve the movement competencies of children and increase daily participation in high-quality physical activities, inspiring them to learn to move and move to learn.

The award follows Roehampton’s move to the position of number one new university in London for Drama research. The most recent Research Assessment Exercise (RAE), which measures the quality of research within UK universities, rated 100% of Roehampton’s Drama research to be of an internationally or nationally recognised standard. The RAE recognised the originality, significance and rigour of 60% of this research by classifying it as “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”.

In addition, Roehampton is in the process of developing two environmental learning spaces, a forest garden and an allotment. Including elements such as an amphitheatre and self-sustaining areas of mixed cultivation, the space will provide education students with the skills to integrate environment and sustainability lessons into their classes.

Terry will join colleagues in Drama, Theatre and Performance Studies at Roehampton to conduct an extensive creative research project around collaboration and dialogue in performance practice. Staging a series of creative works over the next five years, she will explore remote and intimate models for exchange, the languages and extremes of dialogic process and the relationship of collaborative negotiation to the sociology and poetics of conversation. She will also contribute to the vibrant postgraduate research culture at MA and PhD levels in Drama.

Terry is an internationally renowned performer. As a core member of Forced Entertainment – the UK’s leading experimental theatre company – she has created numerous large-scale and durational performance works. She has also worked alongside members of British companies Blast Theory, Vincent Dance Company and Third Angel and has performed with Jerome Bel, Richard Maxwell and the New York City Players, Tim Crouch and Meg Stuart.

Terry said: “It is a real honour to have this opportunity within the radical context of Drama at Roehampton to create new threads of connection between the academy and the vital edges of contemporary collaborative performance practice: a timely space in which to build and rebuild the transformative possibilities of conversation.”

Education students first in UK to benefit from outdoor multi-purpose learning space.

Located in Froebel College, the long-established home of teacher training at Roehampton University, the new facility is part of a national research project run by the University in partnership with Education and Special Projects (Ltd) (ESP), which has seen the installation and evaluation of outdoor learning spaces in 157 primary schools throughout the UK. To date, preliminary research findings suggest that outdoor learning spaces stimulate the cognitive, academic, social, and physical development of children and that the development of outdoor facilities and staff training can have an impact on whole-school improvement.

Education students will use the space to learn the kinaesthetic approach to learning, where children gain knowledge by carrying out a physical activity, so that they are both mentally and physically challenged, rather than just sitting and listening or watching a demonstration.

The space is designed to meet National Curriculum requirements, offer cross-curriculum teaching and can also be used in the teaching of children with special needs. For instance, the grid-lined whiteboard can be used for

NUS News

A round up from the national voice for students.

NUS welcomes Tories’ plans for extra university places NUS has welcomed a pledge from David Cameron that would see an additional 10,000 university places created. The extra places would be paid for by introducing an early repayment bonus for existing graduates repaying their debts to the taxpayer ahead of schedule, a move that NUS President, Wes Streeting, called “a creative solution to a short term problem”.

Streeting challenges Lammy to define his position on fees As part of the party conference programme, NUS hosted a fringe with Million+ at the Labour Party Conference where Wes Streeting warned the party not to hide behind the review stating, “It’s Streeting(far right) at the shameful that the government will not discuss fringe conference. higher education funding”. “Labour should set out it’s position on higher education and recognise that it is not in the interests of opportunity, access or mobility for fees to continue,” he said. “In a recession we should increase the funding into education to get more people off the dole.”

The clear messages taken from those who attended the fringe was that students must campaign now to debate the alternatives to top-up fees and challenge the political parties to have an open debate.

NUS announces discount deal for 16-25 Railcard NUS have announced a deal that will see students who hold an NUS Extra card get a 10% discount on a 16-25 railcard. The 16-25 Railcard normally costs £26 and saves users 1/3 on rail fares throughout the United Kingdom for a year.

Universities cannot be trusted to provide for poorer students, says NUS NUS president Wes Streeting has responded to comments by Oxford University’s new vice-chancellor, Professor Andrew Hamilton, saying that university bosses cannot be trusted to provide for poorer students. Professor Hamilton, who began his new job on Thursday, said that elite universities should offer bigger bursaries to poorer students if tuition fees rise.

Streeting said: “When universities were told that they could charge top up fees, they were also told that in return they would have to significantly improve their bursaries for poorer students. This didn’t happen. Last year, universities spent £19 million less than they had promised. They clearly cannot be relied upon to provide for poorer students.

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Fresh Newspaper

Sabbatical Blogs President, Gary Coates

VP Communications, Anant Naik

One word…. Chaos! The build up to and execution of Fresher’s / Induction week was just madness from start to finish. We’ve conducted training with all on-site Flat Reps as well as training up our very own RSU Officers, who are now complete with their very own Purple hoodies! Don’t pretend you’re not jealous!

It’s been a long summer in the Communications office, and what with my view overlooking an empty Digby Lawn, it’s been a pretty lonely one!

On the representative side of things, I’ve been out there welcoming students at college welcome sessions and speaking to them in their subject briefings, encouraging people to sign up to being a Programme Rep and making a difference to their course, it’s not too late! I’ve also sat on Student Experience Committee, where we discussed the results of the National Student Survey, which saw an improvement from last year.

I’ve also been visiting other Unions and working with other London Unions on looking at governance structures and joined up campaigning on what should be a large scale event concerning the student vote in the build up to the general election next year. Plenty more not covered here, but coming up… University Senate, Council, Programme Rep Training as well as our first S.U.C. of the year, I’ll update next time!

Apart from that, I hope everyone has started in a positive way and I wish you all the best with your year ahead!

VP Activities, Natasha Blake So it’s been a crazy couple of months but Sunday the 20th of September proved it was worth the blood sweat and tears. It may sound cheesy but having students back on campus really livens the university up and creates an atmosphere of excitement and energetic euphoria.

My role as VP activities hasn’t been disappointing and I would like to thank those who have helped along the way so far. As I have three main areas to take responsibility for I will be making most of the great connections we have on and off campus and will be working really close with Anant to communicate with the students and staff by any means necessary. I also have the pleasure of working with Becky with activities for campaigns as well as Gary on pushing the need for volunteering on and off campus.

Trips Away is doing extremely well, the uptake on those who want to participate in trips to Disneyland Paris and Brighton is great, with many more trips happening throughout the year, you wouldn’t want to miss out, so be sure to get involved. I’m really looking forward to Go-Ape myself! Activities are all ready in full swing and with more to come in the next month you can’t go wrong. With projects such as the allotment and Tai-Chi Classes you’ll be one with the earth. Be sure to join up to a Give it a go activities by contacting the RSU or myself.

Volunteering is going to big this year at Roehampton, we are going to be working with Wandsworth volunteer centre to provide great opportunities for students as well as expand the volunteering opportunities we already have on campus. The 10k run and various fundraisers we do would be nothing without the support of students and staff.

Clubs and Societies are becoming well known and established at the university and this year their affiliation and presence with the SU is very important, at the end of the year we will be holding a Societies Achievement Awards, to show appreciation to those that do extremely well in their society and dedicate their time to others. If you would like to start a new society or join one contact my self or Luke Springett (Societies President) to find out how.

Sports and Recreation is kicking off to a good start, with over 17 sports and 47 teams we hope to provide the best in physical activity at our university. Sports Roehampton wants to express its Inclusiveness to all students and staff, so we can engage in sport at all levels. £60 membership fee covers the whole year and you can do any sport you want, I can’t wait to get back on the field and socialise with great people.

So all’s well that ends well for now and the RSU activities team would like to hear from you if you have any questions or would like more information about activities and our jobs roles. There are plenty of great activities happening at Roehampton and I will be keeping you posted on all things activity based, so keep your eyes and ears peeled!

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It’s not just about sipping Crystal up at RSU towers, in fact, it’s not about that at all! Over the summer I’ve been busy with NUS training courses and receptions in Edinburgh and around London with the other Sabbs, as well as BAM Marketing’s annual website development conference which proved to be a right geek fest! I’ve also spent the past summer in the office, dusting off any old cobwebs and revamping our departmental marketing, for instance Programme Reps and Societies now have a logo by which they can be associated and represented by. Our RSU website (www.roehamptonstudent.com) had been given a complete overhaul by myself and Jon Foley as well, we’ve made loads of changes and hope they help you, the students, navigate better when using the website as a result. We’ve also got on the Twitter bandwagon, you can follow us on www.twitter.com/RoehamptonSU The Fresher’s Fair was massive success this year too, we gave our annual diaries and wall charts a huge push, and I’d like to thank Tadashi Suzuki and Kate Griffiths very much for their help with this. We always tend to get a lot of people signing up to write for Fresh, but this year there was a really positive amount of students signing up to be part of radio and video initiatives.

Radio is a service I really wish to pilot this year in the form of podcasts which will be broadcast in hotspots such as the internet café in Digby and off course, through the RSU website. Myself and Adam Le Breuilly (Publicity Officer) had a meeting with Phil Cheeseman (E-Learning) and he’s granted us access to a room to use. I’ve been in contact with members of the Student Radio Association (SRA), who have been helpful to refer to whilst looking into licencing. If we are able to acquire a license which lets us broadcast music then I think these podcasts will be a great thing for the DJ society to get involved with.

Again, if you’re interested in any area of the Communications department whatsoever, whether its writing for fresh, audio, video, photography or something wild, please don’t hesistate to contact me on anant.naik@roehampton.ac.uk

VP Welfare & Campaigns, Becky Aston So here we are at the start of another year, and if Fresher’s Week is anything to go by, it’s going to be a great few months.

Within the Welfare and Campaigns department we have a number of different things planned for 09/10. One of the most important aspects of the department is the campaigns that we do, which aim to inform and educate students, as well as provoke change.

Many of the campaigns that we have planned for the up coming year provide you guys with the chance to get involved in a number of different activities, ranging from food tasting to talent shows to obstacle courses to health screenings, to name a few.

One of the first things that the RSU has planned is the ‘Campaigns Crawl’ (12th-15th October), and this is a chance for you to tell us what else you think we should be campaigning for, and have your say. From the 26th – 30th October we also have Black History Week as part of Black History Month, so make sure you look out for what we have planned.

Also, in the Welfare department, I am always here to help as much as possible with issues that you guys may face while you are here, so please feel free to come by and see me (if you don’t have any issues I am always up for a chat over tea/coffee) As part of the department we also provide a limited number of freebies such as condoms, pregnancy tests, chlamydia screening kits, tampons, and for £1 you can buy an attack alarm.

Hope to see you around, take care!

www.roehamptonstudent.com

College Blogs DIGBY STUART, Harry Harris (DP)

SOUTHLANDS, Alex Murray

Every year brings a new expectation, a hope that the year to come could very well be the best of all, that it would be a time that we may never forget; the start of something amazing. As a fresher in ‘07, Roehampton simply hit me in the face: ALERT: YOU ARE HERE.

Moving in day, Bop, pre-quiz, Dirtbox, Quid’s in, joke for a shot – where do I start.

As floor reps however we stood impatiently for a new group of young people to come flooding into our college and the hope that this year group would bring with them the same ethos that had been instilled in us from our nervous beginnings; to get out there and squeeze every last drop out of the experience. I have to say judging on the first few rounds, this year could just be everything we were hoping for.

Fresher’s Sunday happened with a bang. The Belfry filled to capacity with new and old students, floor reps and fresher’s, second years and third years, in all my time here at Roehampton i have never seen the bar so busy, snakebites and vodka cokes splashing around with aplomb. It certainly was a sight for sore eyes; the only problem is that it was a time for sore heads for the week to come...

I truly hope all of you out there had a fantastic fresher’s week; I’m sure all of you have got your own stories to tell from Belf to Bop, Grand to Fez and I hope that the friendships you have found here, even so early on are ones that will stay with for many years to come.

In a post freshers week world all of us have now started our lectures and our routines must begin. Essay plans and presentations are on the agenda but here at Digby we still find time for some good old banter. Last night saw the first fundraiser for FRIGBY take place in the Belfry. Bets were made and music played and I think a good time had by all. The Lions putting nearly 200 pounds into the kitty for the big day and thus big thanks is in order for all who came down.

We have an entire year ahead of us, for some of us it will be our last and for some of you it’s only the beginning but I’m sure that the great expectations that we before it started will be fulfilled by the time it’s all over.

FROEBEL, Nikki Watson (DP) Hello Froebel and welcome to Roehampton. I hope everyone has gotten over the mentalness that was freshers week. I know that my body is still feeling the effects of it!

I have met some absolutley amazing new freshers, especially those who made my birthday even more amazing than it would have been – you know who you are! We had some amazing nights where I had a chance to meet loads of new faces at the fantastic Fresher’s events such as the Bop, Bands Night and the Back to School Disco.

Anyhow, as you are now getting into the knitty gritty of lectures, books, essays blah blah blah, I would just like to mention a few things that will be happening in Froebel which are going to make this one of the best years yet to be a student on this wonderful campus.

To enhance the wonderful community spirit at Froebel, there will be events this year exclusive to Froebel students such as the Top Table at dinner time in the canteen, BBQ’s on the picturesque Froebel Lawn, there will be plenty of trips away that will also be exclusive to Froebelites and on the 1st Tuesday of every month, there will be various events taking place in Froebel, in the beautiful setting of Grove House, moving into Froebel Bar. Lastly, you may have seen that Froebel Bar has had an absolutely wonderful makeover and is now without a doubt the best bar throughout the University so get down and make the most of the new pool tables, comfortable seating and legendary Froebel atmosphere. Once again, i would just like to say that this is a very exciting year to be a Froebel student and I for one am excited about the year ahead.

Moving in day is one of the most nerve wrecking days for everyone! Meeting the people you’re going to live with for the next year, oooo! However, this year’s fresher’s have to be one the greatest Southlands has known. The constant circle of chat day and night on the quad, only attempts to show how good this year is going to be for Southlanders.

Fresher’s week came and went, with an amazing Bop, Grand & Back to school night – but the fun didn’t stop for Southlands there. Our pre-grand quiz was a big success, so look out for others throughout the year with prizes for winners :D. Despite the slight lack of comedic genius, the joke-for-a-shot, before the back to school Bop, went down well with free shots going out left and right. Monday 28th - Southlands bar hosted the first of the years Dirtbox & Quid’s in event with live DJ’s and £1 drinks flying off the bar all night. I honestly did not expect the first event to be as successful as it was, regardless of the loan muck up, Southlanders stayed strong and went down to socialise in the bar and have a great time with a few cheeky drinks! The pyjama girls were a nice addition too!

The five-a-side court round the back of G block has been in constant use, so come get involved, bring a ball or join the games being played - good to see people running off their hangovers!

Anyone interested in doing a DJ slot at our next Dirtbox, get in contact with Alex Murray or Adam Ozdemir on facebook or ask at the Southlands bar. We’re expecting big things for 09/10 at Southlands and Roehampton so come down and get involved and enjoy your time at uni.

WHITELANDS, Tadashi Suzuki Oh, what can I say about Whitelands this year so far? Well, we are very lively and I see lot of smiles filled with excitement on their faces day and night. The freshers looked as if they were at a fun fair and enjoyed making many new friends. As for the 2nd and 3rd years, they enjoyed their reunion and exchanging summer stories. The bar has been quite busy so far starting from the bar opening which was a huge night of laughter, drinking and dance-offs.

The freshers in Whitelands this year have shown extra friendliness and they seem to have met new people regardless of what they study or where they live. They know how to enjoy themselves and party hard. They seem quite independent although they have just left home and settled down quickly, they seem comfortable, like they have been here for a while. They are up for chat and love talking to whomever they see. Some are alcoholics, some are bit crazy, mmm only some?

International students here seem to already fit into the UK style of living if you know what I mean! What else about our freshers this year? They are fit/hot/sexy/intelligent/kind. Beautiful people.Absolutely lovely!

The main events here would be the Acoustic night which take place every other Thursday in Whitelands bar (Barcode). Drinks promotions such as ‘Quids In’ all night.

Yes, £1 drinks!! With the live acoustic music, everybody can enjoy conversation with friends and meeting new people in a relaxed atmosphere. If you want to perform, come to the bar and ask for Ash! I’ve also decided to give free Japanese lesson once a week in the bar. Details of these will follow. For further information, join the facebook group. ‘Roehampton uni Whitelands College 09-10’ I will be updating upcoming events on there from now on!

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Fresh Newspaper

Environmental Where we stand...

Leading scientists have claimed that we have 100 months to act before we reach the point of runaway climate change.

These figures although alarming are now over a year old.

The situation is grave and the time to act has never been more upon us. Runaway climate change is the point at which, despite any action from ourselves, we will plunge into a spiral of drastic changes to our climate which will result in our planet becoming a place we just can’t be. All that is a little drastic and doesn’t have to happen, here at Roe we pride ourselves on our environmental consciousness and impacts.

It’s up to our generation to sort things out, so the best thing to do is to get involved...

We are lucky to have some amazing projects and groups already in action at Roehampton for students to get involved with during their time here all set up by students and staff and desperately needing extra people onboard: The universities main ‘green’ society is People and Planet, a group of like-minded students looking to tackle not just environmental issues, but human rights and social problems as well. We meet weekly and plan everything on a completely even field between all members. The direction the group moves in is the direction in which you take it. Last year we had Russian BBQs, got dubstep the bop, held a SU referendum, attended the G20 and dropped banners from the balcony of Duchesne. A small contingent of Roehampton students were also present for the shutting down of Stanstead airport last year. We are hoping to make this year even better than last year and we can only do that with you guys onboard, no matter your way of making a difference.

Get involved with P&P by joining our facebook group ‘Roehampton People and Planet 2009/10’ Through People and Planet last year we set up the Roehampton Uni Allotment, which has gotten so big it has now become a society of its own. RU Outdoors? Is that place to go if your way of changing the world involves a spade in your hand. RU Outdoors oversees and takes care of large group of allotments based in Froebel. Staff and Students work together as equals to grow tasty and nutritious organic food on campus.

Working with RSU they will be running a number of practical workshops and trips to help students pickup skills and knowledge on everything organic and permaculture. Head down to the allotments and get stuck in, eager diggers are always in need.

Make contact with RU Outdoors through their facebook group ‘RU Outdoors’ Roehampton is also host to the ingenious scheme of a food co-op.

Although not currently operational, we should soon be basking in its collective benefit once again. A food co-op is a scheme where a group of members all enter into the co-op together through a small fee. Using these fees the co-op trustee then purchases organic and fair-trade foodstuffs in bulk and sells them back to the members at cost price. In short, you get cheap and good food for minimal input. Once it’s back up and running we shall be making a big noise about it, so watch this space!

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There are also two incredibly important upcoming events in the world of climate change activism outside of the green grass of Roehampton: The Climate Swoop is a callout for mass direct action against Ratcliffeon-soar coal fired power station in Nottingham from the Climate Camp.

People from all around the country are being urged to amass at the power station on the 17th and 18th of October to swoop upon the power station using the archaic fuel of coal (the fuel source which releases the most CO2 than any other) and make their message heard through a variety of tactics.

If swooping upon power stations isn’t your idea of fun then in December from the 7th-21st the world faces a summit which will determine whether we will ever face climate change head on or whether we will just simply become toast, un-buttered and quite badly burnt, toast. COP15 is a summit of the most powerful (richest) countries in the world meeting in a stuffy room to talk politics, oil and solar power and decide the fate of the world. Chances are that they will just come up with a florally worded document which makes no sense to anyone and doesn’t do any good but this is viewed by many as our ‘last real chance’ at actually getting world governments to do anything definite towards combating climate change. No doubt in Copenhagen there will be large groups of very angry protestors running at lines of equally as angry armoured police officers but the action doesn’t have to end there. Here at Roe we are going to try and ask students to get involved in the build up to COP15 and launch awareness campaigns on campus in a bid to make sure our countries representatives go to Copenhagen with the right ideas in mind. Once again watch this space for more information about ways of getting involved.

In all, there isn’t really any excuse to be idle on the green front this year. Get out there and get involved! Whatever your approach or level of commitment there will be something for everyone this year, keep your eyes peeled for events and campaigns all through the year.

Joe Booth

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Credit Munch So last week was the time of the year which students from all over couldn’t wait for! Fresher’s Week! This year being my first year working as a officer for the RSU and being my last year at university I decided that I would get involved in everything .

One thing which caught my eye was Student Services’ Money Doctor scheme which aims to help students deal with their finances, something which I have struggled with a lot during my time at university. Having volunteered to the Money Doctor herself Nicky Reid (Financial Adviser for the university) along with my partner in crime Josh Paterson we formulated an idea to show students how to budget by making little changes with their habits of spending. We decided we would promote the idea of buying ‘basic ranges’ when doing a student food shopping rather than subscribing to pricey brands. These are cheaper alternatives which can help students save their pennies. As I work for Sainsbury part time I decided I would go for a long shot and see if I could get them to donate some basic food. I was in luck and was given £50 worth of shopping which I would like to say is one big trolley of shopping. With the shopping done, we then organised a taste test at the Fresher’s Fair where students would have to taste basic brand products against more expensive brands and see if they could tell the difference. The point of this activity was to show that a lot of the time we are paying for packaging and that by switching to a lower priced product you could be saving yourself some extra money.

student did the test many admitted that they couldn’t really tell the difference. Job done! All those who took part were also put into a free prize draw to win the whole trolley full of shopping. A lucky bunch of first year ladies from Lee House won. So overall the day was a success students got to eat free food and learn about budgeting that indeed was a productive day.

Callie Thorpe If you’re struggling with your finances, or just need a helping hand, dont hesitate to get in touch or book an appointment with Nicky Reid, the university’s Money Doctor at n.reid@roehampton.ac.uk or 0208 3923199.

I would also like to remind students as a university we are very ethically minded having researched I found that Sainsburys, even with their basic food range are ethical. Many of the products such as meat and fish are all responsibly sourced and products such as tea and bananas are fair trade, which I know will please many students.

Something which made me pleased was that every time a

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Features Fanatical Freshers

the lady herself, Amy…sorry Maybe Winehouse! She warbled her way thru the classic Amy hits including ‘Back to Black’ & ‘Rehab’, before setting the stage for the next tribute.

...different, certainly a night to remember!

Antarctic Monkeys quite literally blew the crowd away. One chord of ‘When the Sun Goes Down’ had the whole marquee moving like they were headlining the bill at a festival, and for me, the favourite act of the night.After cleaning up with some Monkeys classics, including ‘Mardy Bum’ and new single ‘Crying Lightning’, The Kins of Leon hit us with the unmistakable sound of those Tennessee tyrants.

Continued from front page...

Monday 21st September, The Bop with Reggie Yates.

Roehampton classic, The Bop, moved to Monday night for Freshers week, and with the college chants already in full swing on the walk over, this had the makings of a great night.

Tonight was also a first look at the new Froebel Bar, which you could now mistake for a trendy central London hotspot, minus the snakebites and picnic tables! With DJ Dave making his homecoming debut to the Freshers and Flat Reps of Roehampton, the dancefloor is full to the brim with a budding crowd, all eagerly awaiting the arrival of Radio 1’s favourite presenter, Reggie Yates.

Time flies when your having fun, which was certainly the case at The Bop, Reggie was on and smashing out some of the summers biggest anthems, including La Roux, Pendulum, and Dizzee Rascal.

After what was said to be one of the best opening event to Freshers in many years, we all had to muster up the energy for another 5 nights of fun filled affairs!

Tuesday 22nd September, Roller Disco.

These guys know their stuff, giving us renditions of KOL favourites like ‘The Bucket’ and ‘Charmer’, before we reach the inevitable climax of ‘Sex on Fire’, with the crowd roaring back the words, you could probably hear it from the other side of London!

Friday 25th September – Comedy Night.

Fighting on thru the tiredness, taking our seats at the Comedy night was something quite surreal. With the stage set up with a white marker board, a table with wine and a bible on, we know this isn’t going to be a dull evening! With introductions from a VT telling us that Simon Bird is trying to find a new Pope, things were about to heat up.

The man himself takes to the stage wearing religious robes, and he begins to explain we are all cardinals and that a new Pope was going to be anointed on campus.

With our hangovers slowly diminishing, the scene is set for Tuesday nights disco antics. Neon clad freshers descended upon Vauxhall’s Renaissance Rooms for a spin at the Roller Disco.

Obviously, crowd participation was inevitable, and everyone’s favourite ‘Inbetweener’ had students up on stage taking part in tasks to be in the running to become the new Pope!

After strapping into the roller-boots, it was time to party like it was 1989 and roll the night away! Some people loved it, some… maybe not so much! The 2 roller rinks brimming with freshers span like clockwork. Despite a few people with sore bottoms, everyone really got into the swing of things, rolling away to some 80’s classics and pulling shapes in true Travolta style!

Some of these tasks included Limbo, a race against time on a child’s tricycle, and guessing how far Simon could header a Bible.

Wednesday 23rd September, The Grand.

Saturday 26th September – Back 2 Skool with George Lamb/Silent Social.

Thankfully with no broken bones from Tuesday night, it was time for everyone to get out their glad rags and remember what it was like to dance without going around in circles!

The Grand is always a great night out, and once again, it served us proud. With the drinks flowing and the classic and chart tunes pumping, the night is in full swing and everyone is having a great time. Tonight was DJ Dave’s second guest appearance of the week; his classic anthems from Lady Gaga, and Britney Spears had us all in the mood to move! So after a few (too many!) drinks and a damn good dance, we all clambered on the bus back to bed, ready for a slightly less chaotic night on campus tomorrow.

Thursday 24th September – Fraud Fest.

The new addition to the Freshers Week line-up had everyone guessing.

What will they sound like? Will she actually look like Amy Winehouse, and is it actually Kings of Leon?

The night kicked off with the mellow and funky melodies in honour of

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With the new Pope appointed, we could all get an early night ready for the pinnacle event of Freshers Week on Saturday night.

After a week that seemed like it was never going to end, it was time for the finale of Freshers 2009. Out come the white shirts, school ties, and short skirts, for what is always the highlight of everyone’s week, Back 2 Skool.

In the marquee the Silent Social was in full swing, with some guest appearances from previous RSU DJ’s, and it’s not long before the legend that is no other than George Lamb take to the decks in the main room.

Giving us another round of massive chart hits, and quite literally blowing The Bop away, Freshers week 2009 is over, and boy did we all have fun!

We should all thank RSU for the amazing week of events they lined up for us, and no doubt they have got plenty more up their sleeves!

RU Mature?

Hi there. My name is Catalina (I prefer Caty!) and as many of you, I’m a fresher student. But unlike many, I’m also a mature/mum student. I’m here to tell you a bit of how I felt during fresher’s week. After lots of hard work to secure my place at Roehampton University, finally the day came when reality hit and I found myself a few days away from the exciting/dreadful week called “Fresher’s Week”! As I said before, I’m a mum; my son is 5 years old and goes to Year 1. Adorable kid, I must say!

Trying to prepare myself before fresher’s week was a mission. I felt like I had to have everything ready and in place for the BIG week! I needed to find a childminder that could pick up my son from school, but I didn’t even know which days and at what times I was going to be busy! I chased down a childminder that I once used before. She got back to me Thursday before fresher’s week and said that she could do it, and so we arranged all the details, phew!

I spent the whole weekend worrying about how fresher’s week would be; I must say I barely slept! And finally fresher’s week arrived! I took my son to school and explained to him that a childminder was going to pick him up as Mummy was going to be at university studying, just like him. He asked me if university was school for grown ups, and also if he could come as well because he liked the lake he saw when we came for Open Day. I have to say it melted my heart to know that he did understand what mummy was going to be doing at Uni! I asked him if he remembered the childminder, and to my surprise and horror he said NO!!!!! OMG! Now what am I going to do?

I’m going to leave my child at school being picked up by a total stranger!!!!!! I thought I couldn’t come and pick him up as we were having our Induction day! My heart sank!

I arrived at Uni, nervous, not to say freaking out! Not knowing what to do, just following the signs for Froebel College. I was very happy to find out that I wasn’t the only one completely lost and not knowing where to go! I saw a group of 8 Spanish students, each one pointing to a different direction and saying to each other “I think is this way!”

Well, that helped me to relax! We were all in the same boat!

Half way through the morning I realized that a lecture I thought I had wasn’t for my course, and that gave me a break between 2pm and 4pm! So I jumped on my bike and cycled to my son’s school, to be there at pick up time and hand him over to the childminder! I felt relieved!

I have manage to survive on my first fresher’s week, and I have to say I enjoyed every bit of it, but in the back of my head I know that I will encounter moments like the one of my first day, where things I thought I had all prepare and under control, will stumble and loose balance, making my life at Uni a bit more stressful than the rest of the students. And I’m sure more gratifying.

Caty Garcia

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Roehampton goes plinth crazy!

Some of you may have heard about Antony Gormley in the past, be it his famous sculptures or his fog box, the centerpiece to his ‘Blind Light’ exhibition at the Southbank Centre a couple years back.

Well, Over the summer, Gormley rekindled his love for London with his latest stunt ‘One and Other’ a commision where the famous fourth plinth of Trafalgar Square sees itself occupied by a different resident Katherine: Waking up early in the morning. on each hour.

Participants of the exhibition are chosen at random by lottery system and naturally, two Roehampton students, Katherine Stanley and Lauren McGuigan relished this soapbox op, put themselves forward and got chosen. read all about their experiences on the plinth below...

Katherine Stanley, 12th August, 6am-7am.

At 6am on the 12th of August I took my place on the 4th Plinth, Trafalgar Square as one of 2400 participants in Antony Gormley’s ‘Oneandother’. It’s a living monument of the UK right now: one person, for one hour, for 100 days.

I got a place.

People asked me things like ‘what is your trick?’. But I was asking questions like: ‘who am I?’ and ‘why is the answer so elusive?’. Much soul searching later, and to make a very long story short, I wrote a letter and passed it along to a passing stranger. Listen to my CBC radio interview for more info about my piece: http://podcast.cbc.ca/mp3/qpodcast_20090812_19048.mp3 It was a brilliant experience, I will never forget standing up there, being iconic, for an hour: http://www.oneandother.co.uk/participants/Katherine_S Lauren McGuigan, 7th October, 6pm-7pm.

“I was at a loss as to what I should do with my hour. My time on 7th October at 6pm was ideal to get a lot of attention and I already knew what cause I wished to highlight. My mum suffers with Thymic Carcinoma, an aggressive tumour next to her heart which unfortunately very few people know anything about, including many cancer charities or specialists. I felt my time could be used to highlight this, as knowledge is half the battle.

I decided since I wasn’t sure what to do, I’d let someone else decide. Anyone.

I auctioned my hour to the highest bidder; the money raised would go to the Christie Hospital, in Manchester. This is where my mum received her radiotherapy and is still ongoing treatment there. Unfortunately my mum will never be cured , but because the Christie are such pioneers in research as well as their cutting edge treatments, hopefully someone else’s mum will be.

I’ve raised £500 through the project, as most people have donated their bid even if it has not been successful. The winning bid received was for £200, and that was from a journalist in Manchester. He wanted me to stand up there displaying my civic pride by singing Manchester United Songs, dressed in team colours. And anyone who’s seen me in the Belfry on match day will agree I had an easy task. I’m just glad the journalist wasn’t a Chelsea fan!”

One and Other runs until October 22nd in Trafalgar Sq, London.

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Features Lost In Translation Lucy Wallis takes a look into the Great British phenomenom that is Freshers Week. often a culture shock for many home students, how did this type of induction fair up with International students at Roehampton this year?

For us at Roehampton and the majority of students all over the country, ‘Freshers Week’ is synonymous with university life.

Universities all over the UK see it as an essential part of welcoming new undergraduates and put in a great amount of dedication to make it a success. While the phenomena of this seven-day ritual is embedded in our understanding of ‘uni culture’, most of Roehampton’s international students have just experienced their first real Freshers Week – UK style!

I caught up with some of our international students to find out what they thought of Freshers Week and how got they involved: “I’ve never experienced anything like it before”, said Cristina, a Translation student from Valencia, Spain - arguably the most hardcore international fresher, who attended every event and even managed to fit in a few flat parties as well. There is no such ‘Freshers Week’ in Spanish universities or even an equivalent – it’s just straight down to business with lectures starting around the second week in September. The ‘Back to School’ night proved the most popular amongst the Spanish students – “It was my favourite”, grinned Cristina, “You don’t wear a uniform in Spanish schools so I loved the idea of dressing up all the same!”

Cristina had no doubts when asked which ‘freshers’ tradition she preferred, here or Spain – “Here, definitely here!” she shouted.

on both nights was so good, that it made up for any lost partying. Although in Norway, students do celebrate ‘Russ’, which involves 17 days of fancy dress and hardcore partying, it is more of a secondary school graduation festivity and therefore doesn’t have the same effect as our much-loved ‘Freshers Week’.

Helle and Maria were amazed by the organisation that went in to ‘Freshers Week’ and would choose their experience over any Norwegian university tradition – “From what we’re hearing from friends back home, we’re having much more fun here!”

The weeklong party fest has not proved so popular with the more mature international students, who thought while it was a fantastic display of fun and organisation, they had “just grown out of it”. Nikita and her flatmates, international students from India, China and the Virgin Islands, are not really the party-types and thought that ‘Freshers Week’ lacked enough events that suited their tastes or appealed to the mature students – “we may be older but we are still ‘freshers’ here at Roehampton”, they said. The flatmates did however, enjoy the Freshers Fayre, which they saw as a good way to sign up to all the clubs Roehampton has on offer. They described ‘Freshers Week’ as a “cool concept” and said it was “clearly noticeable” how much fun everyone was having.

All in all, a great success for ‘Freshers Week’ from the international student’s perspective – I’m sure Roehampton University has shown everyone how it’s done in true, memorable style. Let’s hope the international students remember their first week here for many years to come!

Students from last years Erasmus exchange

It was more praises from two international students from Norway, Maria and Helle, who thought ‘Freshers Week’ was a great way to get to know each other and make new friends. “It’s just a really social and easy way to get to know everyone”, said Helle.

Although they only managed to attend Monday’s Bop and the Grand on Wednesday, they thought the music and atmosphere

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Lucy Wallis

www.roehamptonstudent.com

RE? ME MO TO O S T O WAN SU PH T THE R EA N I VISIT L N RY O t.com GALLE amptonstuden S h e T o O PH O www.r THESE E FROM E E S TO OR ANY M 9!

PLUS M ERS WEEK ‘0 H S FRE

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Campaigns Pullout

STICK ME ON YOUR !

WALL

Campaigns Crawl: 12th-15th October The ‘Campaigns Crawl’ is our way of asking you, the students, what you think we should be campaigning for. This is an opportunity for you to have your say on what is important to you, and how we should be campaigning on these issues.

Roehampton University has a very large and diverse range of students, and it’s important that we make sure that we represent that, and that we really take a proactive approach in doing so.

Throughout the year you will see that we already have a number of campaigns planned which we have supported and taken part in over the past few years, and these have been increasingly successful, and not only do I want to carry on with this tradition, but I also want to see what else we can do.

Roehampton Students Union is for the students, run by the students, so make sure you have your say in what we do.

Monday 12th Southlands 12.00pm until 2.00pm Tuesday 13th Digby 12.00pm until 2.00pm Wednesday 14th Froebel 12.00pm until 2.00pm Thursday 15th Whitelands 12.00pm until 2.00pm Not only do we want students to have their say in the campaigns that we do over the coming year, we are also looking for students to hep with campaigns. So far the campaigns that we have planned are –

• • • • • • •

Campaigns Crawl (12-15th October) Black History Week (26th-30th October) Well Being Week (16th-20th October) S.H.A.G. Week (30th November – 4th December) R.A.G. Week (1st-5th February) L.G.B.T. History Week (22nd-26th February) Go Green Week (22nd-26th March)

If there is anything that you are interested in taking part in then please email becky.aston@roehampton.ac.uk for more information.

Active students: Roehampton students campaign on global issues and matters close to university life. From equal Womens rights to highlighting the need for ethical graduate jobs.

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Black History Week Black History Week is our celebration of black history, as part of Black History Month.

The aim of Black History Month is to promote knowledge of Black History and experience, as well as share information across the student community on positive Black contributions to British society, as well as heighten the awareness of Black people in their cultural heritage. Black History Week is our chance to embrace our diverse student population and to educate, inform, celebrate and share the history of all our cultures across campus.

Black people have always been at the forefront of human development, and Black History Month is how we can celebrate the goodness of living in a multicultural society. It is a time to reflect on the achievements and remember the good and the great who have challenged the norm and struggled to make the world a better place. If we want and inclusive society, then we need an inclusive history. Celebrating the achievement and contribution of Black communities in the UK comes from the idea of Dr Carter Godwin Woodson, a Black civil rights activist. He recognised that ‘those who have no record of what their forebears have accomplished lose the inspiration for change that comes with the teaching of history’. This is a time to reflect on the achievements and remember the good and the great who have challenged the norm and struggled to make the world a better place.

Roehampton’s Black History Week runs from 26th 30th October Monday 26th October Official Opening to Black History Week with Guest Speaker (tbc) Night in Southlands Bar Tuesday 27th October Fashion and Talent show in Froebel (a chance for the ACS to take control and showcase their talents and creativity!)

Wednesday 28th October ‘Lets Kick Racism Out Of Sport’ Thursday 29th October Dance Workshops and ‘Love Music Hate Racism’ speaker, followed by Bands Night in Belfry Bar Friday 30th October Exhibition in Monte Hall, Froebel, with food, music, and various forms of entertainment, showcasing and celebrating a number of different aspects of Black history.

The following exhibition will be on the ground floor of the Crucible Centre (Duchesne) throughout Black History Week Campaigning Against Slavery, from the 18th to the 21st Century

www.roehamptonstudent.com

This 16-panel exhibition takes the audience on a visual journey through history from the time of the Transatlantic Slave Trade to slavery in contemporary society. It also looks at how slavery has been challenged through popular campaigning and by the development of international standards to prohibit them.

As well as all of this we have another event which is taking place during October as part of Black History Month.

October 22nd – Dr Gurnam Singh 12.30 - 2.30 Lunch included Portrait Room Grove House Froebel College Launch of Roehampton University Research Project: Journeys to Success - learning experiences of Black and Minority ethnic students andWorkshop: Dr Gurnam Singh, Principal Lecturer, Coventry University and member of national BME student attainment summit team speaking on ‘Rethinking Human Difference - creating two way dialogue in teaching and learning’ RSVP lteu@ roehampton.ac.uk In conjunction with events for Black History Month and the LTEU’s research, Dr Singh’s workshop will begin by asking what we mean by being ‘human’. It will explore how different conceptions of being human can/do lead to different approaches to teaching and learning. The talk will then seek to situate the discussion within a historical perspective around human oppression and struggles for equality and human rights. It will emphasise in particular the links between human oppression, difference and silencing of the ‘other’. The final part of the talk will discuss the importance of critical dialogue as a means of developing more effective and inclusive ways for learning and teaching diverse groups of students.

This is such an important campaign, and it would be great to see as many people as possible get involved in celebrating the different aspects of our diverse community. Please look out for more information on the welfare and campaigns section of roehamptonstudent.com, as well on various posters around campus.

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Wall of Fame/Shame

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www.roehamptonstudent.com

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Societies Roundup: Freshers Fair 2009 As Societies President let me just say that I couldn’t be prouder of the Societies Marquee this year at Fresher’s fair. Of course in the morning it was all slightly nerve wracking with some Societies barely turning up in time and others frantically colouring in posters ten minutes before it was set to open. However as people started coming in the atmosphere in the Marquee changed, everyone was suddenly enthusiastic and welcoming, signup sheets were soon filled and needing replacing and of course the sugar intake in the tent sharply rose (free sweets after all, and what student is going to say no to something free).

It wasn’t just the freebies that drew people in to the marquee, the Roehampton Rascals put on an impressive performance, and the steel drums added a light-hearted mood to the event. We were lucky enough to be blessed with a perfect weather and with Fez being represented outside the Belfry and free food being given away it couldn’t have been a more perfect day.

The Societies had a good number of students sign up, with some getting well over what they expected. It was great to see that so many of the Societies had made an effort, with the Roehampton players showing the DVD of the musical they performed last year and the mature students Society having homemade cakes which were delicious. The air in the marquee was scented with the sweetness of cooking as Ingrid the International Students officer made the nicest Norwegian waffles!

I think after the enthusiasm shown during Fresher’s Fair Societies are in for an amazing year, watch out on campus for Events and posters because I think this year societies are going to be the best they’ve been yet, and it’s never too late to join.

Luke Springett Societies President

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www.roehamptonstudent.com

Roehampton Music Excited by X-Factor? Cried at The Choir? Want to make music?

Whatever your tastes, Roehampton Music gives you the chance to get involved! Here’s just a few examples of what’s going on this year... * The University Chorus is a non-auditioned choir that rehearses Wed nights in Southlands. It performs at least twice a year, and does mostly (but not only) classical music, opera and folk. All welcome, regardless of ability! * Jazz Band is run by professional saxophonist Jeff Darrohn – this ‘little big band’ plays jazz standards and other popular tunes. * Steel pans – didn’t you always want to try this? No previous experience required! * Classes – for example in musical theatre, piano, jazz improvisation, and Alexander Technique. * Workshops – this term, visiting singer Dessislava Stefanova is going to teach us how to do Bulgarian singing (which includes special vocal effects like shaking and hiccoughing!). Suitable for all who want to make a noise! * Instrument scholarships – we have a limited number of scholarships for first year students who want to study singing or an instrument. Visit our website for info on how to apply. * Chamber choirs – for more experienced singers, we have an auditioned women’s choir and chamber choir. * Study days – on early music, conducting, and other good stuff.

We’re always looking to support new music ventures. If there’s something musical you’d like to try that doesn’t currently exist, we can help make it happen – just get in touch!

Contact: michelle.sampson@btopenworld.com or visit our website at www.roehamptonmusic.org.uk

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Music The XX - XX (Young Turks/Rough Trade)

Muse - The Resistance

10

(Warner/Helium3)

Very rarely does a band come around that completely stops me in my tracks. Even more rare is this achieved on the strength of one album. The XX, however, are that band.

Possibly one of the most interesting bands to have come out of the past 10 years, the four piece perfectly convey the isolation and loneliness one can feel in such a sprawling city as London (originally from Putney, the XX attended the same school as Micachu, Hot Chip and dubstep-hero Burial.) The concept of ‘maximum-minimum’ is bandied about with much abandon, but on their self-titled debut, The XX manage to accomplish it with aplomb. If you were to strip down the band to its key elements, you could hardly believe that the intensity and prowess of the music could come from such simple beginnings. The most glorious aspect of the band are lead singers Romy Croft and Oliver Sim’s dueling, symbiotic vocals that never reach more than a gentle hush.

It’s almost as if the Moldy Peaches removed their shambolic elements, took singing lessons and then spent all of their time listening to The Jesus and Mary Chain.

The goth influence, glaringly apparent in their strict all-black attire and ‘Pornography’-era Cure haircuts, does not mean that the album is gloomy. Songs such as ‘Basic Space’ and ‘Night Time’ are genuinely uplifting, with percussionist Jamie layering simple, atmospheric drum samples that sound like a tranquilized Aphex Twin or DJ Shadow. The stand-out track on the album, ‘Basic Space’, sounds like it’s been found on an old tape deck, where the sound quality has aged beautifully. The band’s simplistic attitude make for such delightful hearing when a lot of contemporary music these days seems to be striving to be intentionally garish. Yes, I’m talking to you, Muse, Mika, Hockey, etc. Thank god for the XX, who seem to triumphantly distance themselves from the pretense that is modern music and instead carve their own path without relying on massively over the top production. In fact, samplist Jamie is the producer, and his flair and talent can be seen on the numerous remixes the XX have produced; one to certainly check out is their reworking of Florence and The Machine’s cover of ‘You’ve Got The Love.’

Quite simply, the XX are a band that I have not stopped listening to since I saw them at Reading earlier this year. If you’re going to buy one album, let it be this. It will prove to be one of the most satisying decisions you’re going to make.

Japanese Voyeurs - Sick And Creaming EP (Slimeball)

Ed Eames

-0

If you already own this E.P, then I seriously think you need to sit down somewhere and have a long hard think about what you have done. This is by far and large one of the most unpleasant experiences I have ever had to endure.

There is no merit whatsoever in any of the three tracks.

Instead of listening to this, I could have had far much more fun rupturing my bowels or hitting my genitals repeatedly with a meat tenderiser.

Seriously, it’s that unbearable.

Imagine the worst Nirvana covers band ever. Like, a band so bad that they seem allergic to rhythm, composition, music in general. Imagine that they were given some good amplifiers and guitar sounds. Then imagine that they’re fronted by a crackaddled Polly Pocket. Seriously, I hate this band so much that I won’t even do them the service of looking up the lead singer’s name. They are quite simply the worst band I have heard in the past two years. It’s the musical equivalent of finding your mum having a bubble bath with Hitler. And there’s only one towel.

Just to boost the word count, a band that are far more interesting are London-based S.C.U.M, a band who, despite owing all of their sound to the new Horrors’ album, make challenging and interesting music that is equal parts Misfits, Public Image Limited and Sonic Youth. Certainly worth checking out. Checking out Japanese Voyeurs, on the other hand, would be about as much fun as getting a lobotomy whilst being gang-raped by grunge musicians.

EE

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8

In today’s climate, reaching a fifth album alone comes with an element of achievement, but when you’re the most decorated live band of the past decade and have the second most obsessive fan base after the late King of Pop acting as your backbone, you either fluoresce or burn out spectacularly. Luckily, Muse chose to resist.

Conceived in Bellamy’s home in Lake Como, Italy, ‘The Resistance’ is the first album Matt, Chris and Dom have sculpted both in the recording booth and behind buttons, a first, which brought along with it fall outs over direction, paled to the scale of Parisian altercations, but musical differences all the same. The bands decision to ditch the producer allows The Resistance a greater breadth full of noises which backdate every musical direction they have previously taken, mirroring moments of Citizen Erased, the latter fringe of 2004’s Absolution, and supermassive verses championed in the slap Bass wealding ‘Undisclosed Desires’, the first track in which Matt plays nothing but his voice box. The showcase in itself it Muse’s resistance, in irrational dimention of sounds, a gut instict at warp speed.

The Resistance is more of a concept record than first meets the eye. ‘Uprising’, a Dr. Who meets Blondie call to arms against a force only referred to by Bellamy and co as ‘they’, complete with programmed UFO’s circling overhead opens up, meanwhile Unnatural Selection and MK Ultra, named after a mind control and chemical interrogation programme adopted by the C.I.A circa the 1950’s demonstrate the more visceral and violent elements of a resistance.

When Bellamy toyed with the idea of a fifteen-minute symphony a few months back, you’d be forgiven for first expecting fantasia over fantasy, yet here, in actualised state it proves to be the most impressive display on the album, worked as a three-parter, Exogenesis finds mankind leaving Earth, exhausted of all avenues, inspiration and resource, in an effort to start over again on a new planet.

United States of Eurasia, the first track leaked in a cyber-spy campaign whereby fans across the globe deciphered clues to unlock parts of the song before its full release, plys together pocket sized references from Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four with glam riffs and moments dripping of Mercury, with a rework of Chopin(Nocturne Op 9. No. 2) under the guise ‘Collateral Damage’at its tail. It’s not the only deposit of influence however, with I Belong To You resorting to ‘Mon Cœur S’ouvre à Ta Voix’ an ode to Camille Saint- Saëns’ French opera Samson and Delilah sending The Resistance momentarily out of orbit.

Aesthetically, there’s a vision of drawing parallels between the structures of modern electronic music with that of classical pillars such as Berlioz, Rachmaninoff and contemporary Phillip Glass. Something ambitious on paper, but in playback, it proves easier to digest. Since Absolution, Muse have only promised an apocalypse, at long last, The Resistance finally projects it.

Jay-Z - The Blueprint 3 (Roc Nation/Atlantic)

Anant Naik

5

Jay-Z is back once again and trying to recapture the magic of the 2001 classic The Blueprint. “What more can I say” he asked on The Black Album, the answer would appear to be “not much”. This time he’s given us an album with an almost complete lack of substance, add overrated “must have guests”, like Kid Cudi and Drake, and some shaky production by Timbaland, Swizz Beats and the aforementioned West and No I.D. to the mix, and you have a mediocre album from one of hip hops greats. Jay-Z’s flow is impeccable as usual and he does have a few good punches, but he’s just not saying anything worth saying. You’ve heard it all before, and over much better beats. Tracks worth getting hold of are Empire State of Mind, DOA and A Star Is Born.

Theo Robertsen

Interview: The Maccabees Fresh spoke to The Maccabees’ frontman Orlando Weeks ahead of the bands sell out headline show at Brixton Academy(3.10.2009), a gig that would go on to be refferred to as their “best ever” by the band themselves when they came off stage.

Did any of you attend University yourselves?

Yeah, I went to Brighton, I studied Illustration. Most of us went to Brighton, it’s just they didn’t stay as long as I did.

You played about 15 festivals this summer. Does that make you feel quite established as a band, considering artists such as Little Boots played about 30 dates on the circuit this summer?

Yeah I guess so, Its so different, we played to a lot of people at Glastonbury and then you go to Belgium and you don’t play to as many, I don’t know if it makes you feel like an established band. It’s nice to be able to pick and choose(your festivals) a little bit and that’s the only thing, your choices just get a little bit bigger.

What was your favorite festival this summer?

Is there anything that stood out like a sore thumb? (Sorry) The festival itself wasn’t particularly good, but we played in Switzerland and we got to drive over the Alps and we went to this place that was like a glacier and they dug a tunnel into the ice of the glacier so we were walking inside a glacier. I cant remember what its called(the festival). We’d had a shit day the day before because the police had assumed that we were all drug addled so they pulled the van over so we had The Maccabees: Pint of Guinness to get sniffer dogged, they took the van apart, took the drums out of the cases, they were convinced they just out of shot were going to find a big pill stash but there was fuck all there, so…that left us a bit unsure about Switzerland and then the next day we went in the glacier and it kind of put the world to rights.

You shocked critics by making a sterling follow up to your debut ‘Colour It In’ Did you feel pressured to please anyone based on the first albums success, be it labels, fans, friends?

Obviously you’re aware that you don’t want to upset people and you don’t want to feel as though you’ve let yourself down, that’s the strangest feeling I remember from it, not wanting to feel as if I could have done better. To look back and feel as if “oh if I was more strict with myself then I’d know that that shouldn’t have been on the record or that didn’t earn its place”, and that was the strongest motivation behind it. In any degree it’s relevant to be aware of what people around you think, because they’re the opinions that you value and that’s why they’re around you, otherwise why would they be there? But, it would be pointless to work really hard for two years trying to write the right thing to then come away from it going ‘”well at least she liked it”.

Are there any plans to use the same producer (Markus Dravs) next time around?

We love him to bits, he’s an absolute sweetheart and we’d be blessed to have him again.

‘Colour It In’ was produced by Stephen Street off course..

Stephen Street, Ben Hillier and Ian Harvey, it spoke volumes about the record, there were all these different people producing it, all these songs written from different periods of different understandings of different abilities. And that’s how I think it sounds. I’ve never listened to it but I assume that’s how it would sound, it’s like a collection of songs rather than a record as a complete thing, and I think that’s partly what has improved with Wall of Arms, is that its written to be a record, to carry an atmosphere, and to have a conscious effort to be consistent.

Your currently pushing the album with a bunch of academy dates, how’s that been going?

Ever yearned for that over-the-shop-floor culture in this section of Fresh? If so then this segment is for you. We’ve got together with Banquet Records in Kingston to compile a chart of their staff favourites of the past month.

Jon’s record...

The Cribs Ignore The Ignorant Mikes’s record...

Fat Freddy’s Drop Dr. Boondigga & The Big BW Daves’s record...

Frank Turner Poetry of the Dead

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Good, its nice to be playing that step up from the last lot, its always nice to feel like you’re doing a little bit better playing to more people and reaching a few more people. It sounds horrible, but reaching different dressing rooms, its exciting and fresh.

I remember some of your gigs at Universities and the early, now infamous Way Out West shows. Do you see that as a separate era of The Maccabees? Would you ever flirt with the idea of playing smaller scale shows more regularly again?

I remember them with a little bit of dread. That Brentford FC one was the most embarrassing nights of my life. I was just horribly drunk before we got to the venue, probably drunk when we were doing the gig, I think I fell over at least twice. The Strokes’ producer had come to see us, I threatened a fifteen year old for stealing my drink. Jamie (T) was there, thankfully he missed the gig, and I remember thinking ‘he’ll think I’m the biggest dick…”. Jack (Penate) was playing with us, its kind of funny now because it was so far away that I could say it never happened, although I accept that it did. You learn from these things. I’ve never gotten that drunk again.

Now I just have a Guinness whilst I watch the support band and that’s my ritual.

You had the transition where you’d play those types of shows, whilst many nowadays shoot straight to arenas etc. Do you feel it’s important that there’s that bridge? Has it developed your live shows?

You learn your trade a little bit, that’s the only thing, but were still scrappy. You get what you’re given, this is how our time has played out and paid out. We take it and make the most of it.

It’s part of the charm.

And rightly so that they put us here (Brixton Academy), that’s the impression from my friends that are coming tonight, like “don’t let us down”, theres a responsibility. This is the nearest thing to a home gig we could do. I don’t know whether the Clapham Grand really does gigs anymore.

We have a monthly music night there, a club night in Clapham.

Yeah? I’ve been down when there’s DJ’s but I haven’t seen a band there ever. Felix (guitarist) saw Oasis there, not too look ago, say five years or so, and I know the Cure have played there.

Your music is quite punchy, vibrant, awkward and quite adolescent, so people commonly familiarise The Maccabees as a band for a students or a younger generation alike. Do you have a target audience at all when writing and producing?

Just us, the things that characterise when we write is trying to keep five people happy. Its five peoples collective input channeled into one thing.

Are there any new song or projects in the pipeline for The Maccabees? Or any splinter projects?

I think everyones just recording on their laptops for now, we’ll see what happens.

Live: Luke Pickett The Relentless Garage, Highbury Friday 25th September The tiny, packed out room of the Relentless Garage would have only boosted the confidence of this talented twenty-something year old. As he came onto the stage the roar of the crowd, which was almost entirely made up of girls, was almost deafening. The style he presented, wearing a shirt, trousers and braces, would not have been seemingly obvious had he not been who he is.

The first two tracks, largely RnB based, were astounding, his voice made everybody in the room fall silent. Playing only alongside his keyboardist any man who brings enough talent to make a hundred something people fall silent and pay attention only to him, has to be admired. As he leans over to pick up his original Les Paul and begins to play tracks from his better known collection, the room still silent, begins to lip sync to the sounds of ‘Blood Money’ ‘Cruel Love’ and ‘Empty Corridors’ being amongst the favourites. Even the support acts consisting of Italian singer songwriter ‘The Niro’ and local girl ‘Jose Vanders’, stuck around and were in awe of such amazing talent.

Adam Le Breuilly

Jane’s record...

Brand New Daisy Aaron’s record...

Tom’s record...

Every Time I Die New Junk Aesthetic Ollie’s record...

Monstors of Folk Monstors of Folk

Kid Harpoon Once Piers’ record...

Break Return to the Temple EP Milly’s record...

Jamie T Kings and Queens

Adrian’s record...

Polar Bear Club Chasing Hamburg Punk Steve’s record...

Hockey Mind Chaos

Sean’s record...

Colour Anthology

Page 21

Fresh Newspaper

Books Books you should know before starting University Firstly let me introduce myself. I am Chris, a second year student and every month I’ll be urging you to relieve yourself of your T.V remote, beer bottle (momentarily) and previous concepts about reading and pick up a book. No, not ‘Confessions of shopoholic chocolate sex addicted dog walking call girl’, real pieces of literature. The three books I have chosen are mere fish in the ocean of choice presented to me, and could of easily choose the likes of Wilde, Joyce, Woolf and Stevenson and so on with equal effect, as standard, popular texts, as an introduction to reading.

1984

Author: George Orwell (1903-1950) Published: 1949 ‘Who controls the past now, controls the future, who controls the present now, controls the past’.

This novel is fitting to begin with, as it sparked my love of reading. By far George Orwell’s best work, he introduces us to the main protagonist, Winston Smith, a dissatisfied party member and a worker at the ‘Ministry of Truth’. His story can be broken down into three sections. Firstly Orwell establishes his vision of a dystopia. We see bleak tower blocks, untrustworthy children and posters of a moustached face with the slogan, ‘BIG BROTHER IS WATCHING YOU’.

Quite literally, for every residence is fitted with a two-way telescreen, that monitors its party members. ‘Newspeak’ is a language created by Orwell. It’s a language that supports the INGSOC’s (English Socialism Movement) ideology, as it makes antiparty statements ‘impossible’. A world in which a government takes away your voice? now we realise how accurate Orwell’s prediction is becoming. Furthermore the society of Airstrip One (formally England) is also under threat of a never-ending war between the three super-states, Oceania, Eurasia and Eastasia. Later we begin to question whether this war exists or not, as a constant state of fear would promote trust within the party. Secondly, there is Winston’s sexual rebellion against the party. He meets Julia, and they retreat to the proletariat slums, free of telescreens, for sexual rendezvous’. This is their downfall as the party enforces ‘antisexualism’. There is even rumour that neurologists are trying to ‘turn off’ the orgasm in hope more energy can be used towards supporting the party, (horrifying!) In the final section Winston is caught. After being brainwashed, he genuinely loves Big Brother, and we are not sure whether he is physically executed, or, for all intensive purposes, he is already dead.

Written during World War Two, Orwell takes his inspiration from war propaganda, the reorganization of nations and of power, and the bleak landscapes of a warravished Europe. Orwell articulates the hysteria felt, warning readers of the horrors of a totalitarian government, which he himself experienced in late 40’s Spain and Russia.

He questions the influence the government has on a society, and projects it into a fictional future that is scarily not so far from home. This book is brilliantly terrifying and worryingly accurate and will have you suspiciously staring at every CCTV camera.

Liked this? Try ‘We’ (1921) by Yevgeny Zamyatin

A Clockwork Orange Author: Anthony Burgess Published: 1962

‘The Korova milkbar sold milk-plus…which is what we were drinking. This would sharpen you up and make you ready for a bit of the old ultraviolence.’

Since us students are the minds of tomorrow, I thought it fitting to carry on along the line of the dystopian genre to discourage (or replicate) these terrifying predictions.

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We’ve all seen or at least heard of Kubrick’s film, (there’s always at least one droog at a Halloween party) and as a film it stands on its own two feet as a separate entity, but what about the book behind the film? What about what Burgess’ vision?

In a fictional not too distant future we meet our anti-hero, Alex. Alex is just like any other 15-year old, he’s in a gang, he enjoys random violence, joyriding, robbery, rape and Beethoven’s Ninth Symphony. He and his gang of droogs drink drugged milk, and go out to commit these crimes. Eventually Alex is caught and arrested for murder.

So begins ‘the ludovico technique’, a two-week programme that claims the offender will never commit any crimes again. He is forced to watch violent images whilst he is pumped with a nauseating drug. Through pure coincidence, as well as violence, hearing music, including his favourite 9th symphony, also evokes a feeling of nausea.

The prison chaplain is outraged, as Alex has no longer the ability to choose between good or evil. Despite this Alex is released back into society. Unable to fight back, his past attacks him, until he winds up at Mr Alexander’s house, a previous victim. Luckily Mr Alexander doesn’t recognise him, and uses his story to generate sympathy, and hate against the government programme. After being recognised, Alex is imprisoned, and jumps out a window to escape. In hospital government officials, who apologise and reverse the treatment, visit him. Alex returns to his old ways, but is soon bored and wants to go straight, and the books ends on a reflective note, as he wonders if his children will be as devastating on society. Burgess questions what it is to have free will in a totalitarian society. Initially Alex’s acts are seen as vile, but is there some admiration for his rebellion against being a cog in the government’s machine? His action upset the balance of this work-orientated society. Burgess invents his own language, Nadsat, a blend of slang and Russian, (droogs, korova,vidi, etc) to immerse us in a world which is bleak and hopeless. Written at a time of social change, the book has a powerful message on how much power does a state have over an individual, and what an individual has freedom to do within a state.

Liked this? Try ‘Crash’ (1973) by J.G. Ballard

The Catcher in the Rye Author: J.D Salinger Published: 1951

‘It’s funny. All you have to do is say something nobody understands and they’ll do practically anything you want them to.’

We’ve left the bleak dystopians alone now, but let me introduce you to another iconic anti-hero, Holden Caulfield. Holden is expelled from school, but his life lesson has only just begun. Staying in a decrepit hotel, he finds the underbelly of New York, encounters with prostitutes, and days wondering around the city drunk, ‘I don’t even know what I was running for - I guess I just felt like it.’ Lonely, Holden goes to visit his old English teacher, Mr Antolini.

After a discussion about a life, and a few ‘highballs’ (cocktails) he begins to pat Holden on the head. It is not clear to us what Mr. Antolini’s intentions are, but the reader may interpret it as sexual. Hold. It is unclear, but we believe he then lives in a mental hospital, and that he wants to return to formal education. The novel ends with the reader warning how disconnecting, misguiding and confusing adolescence can be. The novel begins with a reference to David Copperfield, and like Dickens’s novel, it is a dildungsroman, a coming-of-age novel. The books fame and controversy stems from its representation of sexuality, vulgarity and teenage angst. ‘That’s the thing about girls. Every time they do something pretty…you fall half in love with them.’ Due to its nature it has been censored, as it was believed to be promoting drinking and smoking, lying and sex, and even responsible for the murder of John Lennon. It is now a part of most school’s curriculum, and rightfully so. Sure it glamorises social taboos, but the message is Holden is miserable and melancholy, and aims to rebuild his life from this dramatic detour. American academic Louis Menand words it best when he states that the novel makes it’s audience realise, ‘alienation is just a phase’. This book’s essence is firmly rooted in the difficult transitional period between adolescence and adulthood, and is a must read for those who have ever experienced angst.

Liked this? Try ‘The Perks Of Being a Wallflower’ by Stephen Chbosky

Chris Davis

London Calling As many of you will have noticed our days are getting shorter. Night is sooner upon us and there is a chill in the air. There are two major things affected by this, farming…and fashion. Let it be known this piece is to discuss the influentially stimulating change in the latter.

Girls and boys, the sun has set on summer. Autumn has arrived...and it is shiny.

Fittingly parallel to Freshers Week 2009, was London Fashion Week’s 25th Anniversary. As many of you were inducted into a new programme, in a new setting, many a fashionista was indulging in a similar experience introducing new trends for the autumn/ winter collection. As all eyes chased models up and down London’s runways, it became clear and cohesive as to what we will all be wearing…or what we’d love to afford to wear.

Materials In terms of materials, your old faithful leathers are back in style (as if they ever left). Leather jackets can often be a most trusted ally on a night out, a sound investment and looks great with everything – Throw it on with many a frock for that sassy edge. Boys, a leather jacket will do nothing but favours for you. Piece it together with a vest and check shirt for that James Dean effect. Leather trousers are also a hot property, but it should go without saying not to wear both at the same time! For the authentics amongst you, go to Rokit in either Camden or Covent Garden.

Back to the future The 80’s are looking set for yet another comeback as its all going to sparkle and shine this season, sequined tops and glittery patterns. For the confident amongst you, it’s all about shoulders.

The iconic shoulder pad has not just graced a catwalk, but has been seen topping the arms of some of the most fashionable folk out there, who have subverted it into a Kate Moss meets Star Trek look.

Feel sexy and sultry this autumn. As the nights are getting colder, spice up your life with a little lace. Black and cream lace, whether as a top or dress it is a sure fire bet to keep you looking sassy and ‘in’ this season.

Military Boots/Doc. Martins and Boyfriend Blazers are items that were hugely explored and experimented with throughout fashion week and which will be essential for this season’s survival.

Although on the expensive side, All Saints have some extremely amazing choice of boots – especially if you’re after that worn, soft leather effect. For the hearty saves… track down a pair at Brick Lane, Camden or EBay. The Boyfriend Blazer may well replace the man himself, effortlessly providing you with style, comfort and confidence. This can work wonders for a simple outfit and is a must

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Fashion have for those looking to hop out of bed and into a lecture still looking effortlessly good.

Thrift away At the forefront of vintage fashion, Brick Lane is the only place you need to take yourself. ‘Absolute Vintage’ and ‘Beyond Retro’ are a haven for vintage attire.

Jackets, shirts, shoes, jeans, handbags, and dresses of all prints and sizes can be Blazer and swequin combo found at reasonable prices.

The entire lane is made up of shops of a similar nature, and some cockney throwbacks selling your £5 plimsoles. Brick Lane also plays host to vintage hotspot Rokit and plenty of legendary markets where you can grab yourself a bargain (and don’t be afraid to barter). Boys, you can more often than not pick up some of the best bargains here, original skinny Levi’s for £15 and check shirts for £10.

My top tip this time round is customisation. If you find a plain leather jacket, look upon it as a blank canvas, a means to fabric your own fashionable style. Pick up some studs and pierce them though the collar. Or buy yourself a blazer from Chaza (charity shop) sew in some shoulder pads and glue on some bright coloured gems to make it your own.

My top buy: ‘STYLE CITY: How London Became A Fashion Capital’

by Robert O’Byrne. * Chosen by the British Fashion Council as it’s book of the year as it celebrates it’s 25th anniversary * The definitive book on London Fashion since the 1970s A stunning book, that shows fashion photography and British designers at their best. Including work from Paul Smith and Betty Jackson. At £35.00 perhaps tell your parents it’s on your essential reading list.

Georgia Day.

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Fresh Newspaper

Films (500) Days Of Summer Directed by Marc Webb This movie has been out for nearly a month and I am urging you all to see it. Initially, I only wanted to see this film for Joseph Gordon-Levitt (10 Things I Hate About you). However I was pleasantly surprised at how good it actually was. The tagline of this movie reads ‘This is not a love story’. This is partly true as the film doesn’t take the form of a conventional love story and instead focuses more on Tom (Joseph Gordon-Lewitt) and his feelings towards Summer (Zooey Deschanel).

It relates to people of our age far more as it has an unusual quirky twist to it. The chemistry between the two leads works perfectly as their relationship develops throughout the film. The film travels back and forth in time over the 500 days that Tom and Summer know one another. The idea of jumping from days makes the film far more interesting and makes the relationship more real to the audience.

Look out for the dance scene which shouldn’t work in the film but surprisingly does. If you are still unsure about whether you should see this film then just listen to the soundtrack. It varies from Regina Spektor, The Smiths and The Temper Trap, which are spot on and just fit with the film.

Everyone can find something about this film that they can relate to. If you like films like Juno and Little Miss Sunshine then you will love this. It has the same sort of indie romcom vibe to it. This film has also been put in the official selection for the Sundance film festival 2009.

The Soloist

Fame

Directed by Joe Wright

Directed by Kevin Tancharoen

This film is based on a true story and a book by Steve Lopez. The story follows Nathaniel Ayers (Jamie Foxx) a cello player trained from the Julliard School. Ayers develops schizophrenia and becomes homeless. He begins to play on the streets of Los Angeles where Steve Lopez (Robert Downey Jr) discovers and befriends Ayers. Lopez an LA Times columnist starts writing about Ayers in his column. This film focuses on an unconventional friendship and the love of music. This film also deals with tough issues like illness, poverty and being homeless. The story is basically how a friendship is formed and how it develops into something meaningful and reliving lost dreams. The film is directed by Joe Wright (Pride and Prejudice and Atonement).

Both Robert Downey Jr is on form, however Jamie Foxx is slightly disappointing. This film had Oscar nomination buzzing around it but the film was pushed back to September. I recommend you read ‘The Soloist: A Lost Dream, an Unlikely Friendship, and the Redemptive Power of Music’ if you get the chance to.

On his debut, Kevin Tancharoen takes on the role of updating the classic 1980s musical Fame. The film follows a group of performers at the New York City High School of Performing Arts. The same school used in the original film. The film follows the typical high school stereotypes. Love it or hate it, this film is turning out to be quite a hit after topping the British box office in its first weekend. The movie has a whole new cast of mostly unknown actors and dancers. Many people are comparing it to the original, if it’s as good or better. I think if you want to enjoy this film you should watch it with an open mind and enjoy the different stories that develop like love and friendship. This film has a bit of everything and I came out of the cinema wanting to go to a school like the one in the film. Many reviews have compared this film to High School Musical and Save the Last Dance. I assure you it’s not at good as Save The Last Dance but definitely better than High School Musical. I went and saw this film with a bunch of my girl friends and I think that’s the kind of movie Fame is. Its hard to compare the Fame and the original Fame as there is a 29 year gap between the two. This film may divide the audience.

NP

NP

Nyha Pasha

Point Break (1991, Kathryn Bigelow) The recent death of Patrick Swayze begs the question ‘what was his finest film?’ Many would plump for either Dirty Dancing or Ghost. Maybe even Roadhouse or Donnie Darko. My choice is Point Break.

CLASSIC REVIEWS of the Courtesy ety Film Soci

Point Break is an MTV-era adrenaline-fuelled skydive through the surfing world with all the subtlety of an elephant on a missile. It will never make any 100 greatest lists but it is a genuinely entertaining and occasionally heart-warming film. Keanu Reeves’ brilliantly named FBI agent Johnny Utah goes undercover in the surfing community to discover the identity of a gang of armed robbers who dress as ex-presidents. He falls in with Swayze’s Bodhi, a cross between the Dalai Lama and Robbie Savage. Bodhi’s philosophical musings show the eager Utah a different path; one where he seeks the meaning of life through skydiving and surfing.

However, events eventually make Utah seek a choice between his new found lifestyle and his FBI career.

Keanu wasn’t all too impressed by Patricks levitating surf board.

With a bit of added Gary Busey, an 80’s rock soundtrack and a love interest, you have a hollow but somehow brilliant film. Dangerously overblown (slow-mo, impossible stunt work and a hilarious chase sequence all feature) but actually quite life-affirming. You could call it a ‘bromance’, a tale of friendship, family and love. The characters, however stupidly named, are somehow identifiable. Both Utah and Bodhi crave something better, something that is seemingly unattainable but which they find through a shared experience. None of this hides the film’s obvious flaws, but it does make it a compelling watch.

As a tribute to Swayze, it stands alone. Chewing up scenery and clunky dialogue, Swayze is at his most iconic and forever ensures he won’t just be known as that bloke from Dirty Dancing. Point Break is his overlooked gem and I implore you to watch it.

Page 24

Tim Evans

www.roehamptonstudent.com

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Putney 133 Putney High Street Tel: 020 8788 7600 Richmond 3 Quadrant House, The Quadrant Tel: 020 8439 9330 From £75 range or above with NUS Extra Card or valid student ID. Cannot be used with other offers.

Excludes reglazes, safety eyewear, any contact lens products and non-prescription sunglasses.

Not transferable in whole or part for cash. ©2009 Specsavers Optical Group. All rights reserved.

Page 25

Fresh Newspaper

Sport Roehampton Athletics Union: No chance of a Balls up!

Joining a team is a great way to help improve your fitness, learn new skills or even just help you to socialise! It can be daunting, but once you’ve made the first step you won’t want to go backwards.

We kicked off with a new format to Fresher’s Fair this year, not only giving students the chance to pay membership fees there and then but also offering students the chance to save money with a membership and gym combo scheme.

I just want to remind you all that there’s also so much to look forward to this year, including the AU Dinner and of course, everyone’s favourite…

TOUR! Before all of that though, our first AU Social is set to take place on Wednesday 14th October from 6pm-10pm Mens Basketball 2008/09: at Whitelands Barcode.

Nuthin’ but net.

There will off course be a fancy dress theme where sports teams will dress up as other sports teams to the confusion of everyone, there’ll also be games, cheap drinks, and lots of prizes up for grabs! Make sure that you come along, as all money that we raise will go towards the AU Dinner. You’ll be a fool to miss out!

We had a lot of interest with many students joining up on the days during Fresher’s Week and ever since then, but remember, it is never too late to sign up if you still wish to join a sport.

Rochelle Harvey AU President

With the first semester of 2009/10 well and truly underway, our AU President Rochelle Harvey recaps on her hectic Freshers week, involvement so far, and looks to the future.

Hi All! What a fantastic start to the year it’s been! Some of you will and some of you won’t know that sport has changed this year, encompassing the new name ‘Sport Roehampton’. This means many things, but most significantly, students don’t have to be restricted to just one team anymore!

Dave Bush has just started as our new Sports Development Officer (yes, he’s still hanging around). So if you have any queries throughout the year and can’t find me there, Dave will be stationed in the RSU during the weekdays.

Poster for the first AU Social of the year

Cheerleading 2008/09: No, the sun doesn’t shine from there!

Page 26

www.roehamptonstudent.com

Fixtures: 7th Oct - 11th Nov SPORT

HOME GROUND 7th Oct

14th Oct

21st Oct

Badminton (M)

ROErec

SOAS Ist

Badminton(W)

ROErec

Basketball(M)

28th Oct

4th Nov

11th Nov

Imperial Medics 2nd (2pm)

Essex 2nd (11am)

Bucks 1st

Kings Coll Medic 1st(11am)

Kings College 1st

Imperial Medics 1st (4pm)

Kingston 1st (2pm)

ROErec

UCL 1st (2.30 pm)

Queen Marys 1st

Greenwhich 1st

Essex 1st

Basketball(W)

ROErec

Chichester 1st (1pm)

Kingston 1st

Reading 1st (2pm)

Royal Holloway 1st

Football(M 1st)

BoE

Bucks 2nd

Portsmouth 3rd

CUP - LSE 1st

St. Marys 5th

Portsmouth 2nd

Football(M2nd)

Whitelands

LSE 1st

Portsmouth 5th

CUP - Queen Marys 1st

Football(M3rd)

Roe Playing Fields

Suffolk 1st (2pm)

CUP Chichester 4th

South Bank 3rd (2pm)

Kingston 5th

Football(M4th)

Roe Playing Fields

Kingston 2nd

Surrey (2pm)

College of Law 2nd

W London College 2nd (1pm)

City University

Oaklands College

Football(Digby)

Roe Playing Fields

Barnfield College

Middlesex 1st (1pm)

Hertswood School

MK College (1pm)

Bedford College 1st

Froebel (2pm)

Football(Froebel)

Roe Playing Fields

Hertswood School

MK College 3pm

Bedford College 1st

The Harefields Academy (3pm)

Middlesex 1st

Digby (2pm)

Football(S’lands)

Roe Playing Fields

West Thames College

College of Law 1st

Nescot (3pm)

Southampton Montefiore (3pm)

Southampton Medics (2pm)

West Thames College (2pm)

Football(W)

Roe Playing Fields

Middlesex 1st

Brunel 2nd (1pm)

Holloway 1st

Imperial 1st

Hockey(M)

BoE

Kingston 1st

Brighton 2nd (12pm)

CUP - Brighton 2nd (2.30pm)

Chichester 1st

Hockey(W)

BoE

Portsmouth 2nd

St Marys 2nd

CUP - Sussex 2nd (1pm)

Kings College 2nd

LSE 1st

Netball(1st)

MUGA

Kent 2nd

Royal Holloway 1st

CUP - Holloway 2nd (2pm)

St. Marys 2nd (1pm)

Chichester 3rd

Netball(2nd)

MUGA

Portsmouth 6th

TVU 1st (1pm)

Brunel 5th (2.30pm)

Imperial 2nd

Netball(3rd, 1)

MUGA

Epping Forest (1.30pm)

Chelmsford

Richmond 1st (2.30pm)

SEEVIC Ist

Greenwhich 1st

TVU 1st (1pm)

Netball(4th, 2)

MUGA

Middlesex 1st (3pm)

Suffolk 1st

Greenwhich 2nd (3pm)

Richmond 2nd

Medway 1st (3pm)

Kingston 2nd (2.30pm)

Rugby(M)

BoE

RUMS 2nd

Brunel 2nd

Portsmouth 3rd

Reading 3rd

Tennis(M, 1st)

NTC

Surrey 1st

Chichester 1st

CUP - Kent 2nd

Reading 1st

Brunel 1st

Tennis(M, 2nd)

Wimbledon Park

RUMS 1st

Brunel 2nd

CUP - Kings 2nd

Kingston 2nd

Bucks 1st

Tennis(W)

Wimbledon Park

Royal Holloway 2nd

Kings College 1st

Queen Marys 1st

Westminister 1st

Fixtures shown in yellow are played at home.

More information on fixtures, times and directions can be found online at www.roehamptonstudent.com/sports

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