FRIDAY
JANUARY
WELCOME TO FIDO THIS latest addition to College news stands is intended to f i l l the vacuum created by the demise of 'Felix'. There i s a need i n an i n s t i t u t i on of t h i s size for a p u b l i cation which provides news, comment a n d e n t e r t a i n m e n t i n a reponsible and objective manner, a n d w h i c h c a n be u s e d to p u b l i c i s e important information. In previous years, 'Felix' has come close to achieving these objectives. T h i s y e a r , however, a l l p r e t e nce o f u s e f u l n e s s has gone and ' F e l i x ' h a s become l i t t l e more than a vehicle for private vendettas. 'Fido' is written and pro individuced by a g r o u p of duals w i t h i n t h e C o l l e g e who are s a d d e n e d by t h e d e p t h s t o which 'Felix' has sunk. ' F i d o ' w i l l continue to appear at appropriate intervals to feline chew the t a i l o f f the miscreant for as l o n g as is necessary.
13 1984 HOUSING BENEFITS
FIASCO
THIS C h r i s t m a s h u n d r e d s o f I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e s t u d e n t s have w i t n e s s e d f i r s t hand the c h a o s , a n d i n some c a s e s a l m o s t total breakdown, of the Government's Housing Benefit scheme. The t a l e i s o n e o f q u e u e s , delays, which and outright incompetence w a i t i n g f o r b e n e f i t f o r many m o n t h s
contradictory advice will leave students t o come.
The c o n s i d e r a b l e c o n f u s i o n , r e s u l t i n g from major changes i n the Housing B e n e f i t system, was g r e a t l y c o m p o u n d e d b y 'Felix' editor's last minute refusal to print the information v i t a l to those needing to claim, (contd. p.3)
PHEH!
HHAT A FELIX
BILL
REPORTS a r e coming i n of a shocked reaction to the revelation t h a t e a c h c o p y o f F E L I X c o s t s more t h a n THE TIMES. One h o r r i f i e d o f f i c i a l t o l d F I D O : " I f we gave everyone a c o p y o f THE TIMES o n a F r i d a y , we w o u l d be seeing a p r o f i t s i t u a t i o n and p e o p l e would know more a b o u t w h a t i s g o i n g o n a t I m p e r i a l t h a n t h e y do n o w " . Latest figures indicate t h a t the a c t u a l cost to the students of producing FELIX i s i n excess of ÂŁ 2 5 , 0 0 0 per annum. Taking i n t o account a commercial r e n t a l value for FELIX premises, the real cost is likely to exceed ÂŁ30,000. A s s u m i n g a p r i n t r u n o f 4 , 0 0 0 , 31 t i m e s a y e a r , a unit c o s t o f o v e r 24p a c o p y is obtained. Precise figures a r e n o t a v a i l a b l e b u t i t seems b e y o n d d o u b t t h a t Felix r e p r e s e n t s some o f t h e m o s t e x p e n s i v e b i n filling m a t e r i a l t h a t p u b l i c money c a n b u y . FELIX claims t o be a f r e e n e w s p a p e r a n d i t seems that i n d i f f e r e n c e t o i t s c u r r e n t p e r f o r m a n c e may be b a s e d o n a misconception that since i t i s free it doesn't cost anything. The r e v e l a t i o n comes a t a t i m e when many u n i o n clubs a n d s o c i e t i e s do n o t h a v e t h e r e s o u r c e s to carry like out t h e i r a c t i v i t i e s to the extent t h a t they would and when many i n d i v i d u a l students are facing severe financial hardship. The r e a l i s a t i o n t h a t t h i s amount o f money i s l i t e r a l l y b e i n g t h r o w n away i s l i k e l y t o p r o v o k e a strong r e a c t i o n throughout the C o l l e g e .
A C o l l e g e B i n on F r i d a y A f t e r n o o n
- 1 -
Of
I M P E R I A L
C O L L E G E
O F
SCIE
On,
T
Or
Optics Section, Thf
s,,
Prince Consort R c Telephone: 01-.'
7 October
A'6
PA,
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•36,
° h, * A
1983 0/f
Mr Edi Fel IC
P Ghosh tor ix Union
Dear
Mr
We a r e who
Ghosh writing
are
very
current
own had
of
as
have
in
difficulty.
criticisms
contact,
establishment
Senior
involved
experience
we
Student
you
closely
series
From o u r
Yours
to
we
and know
Furthermore of
Services
the
present
Tutors
with of
student
Michael
that
of
that he
and
has
is
the
welfare
to
comment
which
hundreds genuinely
made
residence
of
Arthur
many
he
members
a major scheme
Officer.
sincerely
P
G Mantle
K L
L
C
Alvin
F H
Barnham
Margaret
0
Cunningham
Pratt Potter
R L
Pretzel
L E
Culver
K E
P J
Fi nlay
D R F
M P
Jones
R W Wilde
THE LETTER
FELIX
Weale
DID NOT PRINT
-
2 -
students
concerned
since
West
his
staff
on
the
appeared
contribution
R W Smi t h
K W J
of
have
College
with
for to
all
in
whom students
the
appointment
Felix.
as
(Contd.
from f r o n t
page) Judging from t h e i r p r e v i o u s performance 6 months is likely t o be a more realistic estimate! S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s w i l l be m a k i n g a major e f f o r t t o c h a s e up u n r e s o l v e d claims d u r i n g t h i s term so i f you have y e t t o hear anything from your h o u s i n g a u t h o r i t y or you are experiencing particular problems with your claim please call into Student Services.
The t a l e b e g i n s b a c k i n A p r i l ' 8 3 when the new housing benefits system was first introduced. The system removed responsibility for meeting housing costs from the D.H.S.S. to local housing authorities and widened the p r o v i s i o n s of making the o l d r e n t and r a t e r e b a t e system many students e l i g i b l e to claim for the f i r s t time. F r o m t h e o u t s e t i t was e v i d e n t t h a t t h e scheme h a d b e e n r u s h e d t h r o u g h w i t h little consultation and that the local h o u s i n g a u t h o r i t i e s were t o t a l l y unprepared for i t s implementation.
1
NEH HEAD TENANCY Aware o f t h e c o n f u s i o n w h i c h was l i k e l y to ensue, Student Services took steps i n the weeks l e a d i n g up t o t h e v a c a t i o n t o c o n t a c t o f f i c e s and the both the c e n t r a l D . H . S . S . housing a u t h o r i t i e s around I . e . to t r y and agree procedures for students needing to claim back r e n t payments. F o r some weeks both the D.H.S.S. and the housing authorities sought to avoid accepting the r e s p o n s i b i l i t y f o r a u t h o r i s i n g payments for students. It was obvious that the Standard Housing Benefit s y s t e m was g o i n g t o p r o v e t h e most useful for the majority of students. Student S e r v i c e s began t o advise students accordingly by preparing an article explaining the complexities of, and procedures for, c l a i m i ng benefits over the vacation. The a r t i c l e was d u e t o a p p e a r i n t h e f i n a l F E L I X o f t e r m a n d was r e a d y by t h e copy d e a d l i n e o f Monday, 5 t h December.
8 E a r l ' s Court
Square
The w o r k of maintaining Imperial as the College with more a c c o m m o d a t i o n than any part of the University continued other unabated. At the beginning of the s e s s i o n s t u d e n t s moved i n t o N o . 8, a c o l l e c t i o n of individual f l a t s a n d rooms a n d a communal kitchen for those without their own facilities.
On Monday m o r n i n g j u s t a few h o u r s before t h e a r t i c l e was due t o be s u b m i t t e d t o F E L I X an I . e . s t u d e n t r e t u r n e d to Student S e r v i c e s having b e e n t u r n e d away by H a m m e r s m i t h and Fulham housing authority w h i l s t attempting to submit a c l a i m for housing benefit. As the m o r n i n g wore on f u r t h e r c a s e s were a l s o reported from Hammersmith and Fulham, and Kensington and C h e l s e a . The F E L I X editor was informed o f the p r o b l e m and agreed to postpone the d e a d l i n e f o r the a r t i c l e .
The tale of the a c q u i s i t i o n of No.8 is fraught with drama. When t h e house was first seen by Senior Surveyor, Hector Cameron C l a r k , and S t u d e n t S e r v i c e s O f f i c e r , Michael Arthur, it was in a state of unbelievable deriliction. As t h e r e were only six w e e k s t o go t o t h e beginning of assurances of complete term the owner's r e f u r b i s h m e n t were g r e e t e d w i t h c o n s i d e r a b l e scepticism. I t was a g r e e d t h a t t h e C o l l e g e would r e c o n s i d e r the p r o p e r t y once the work was c o m p l e t e d .
Two days later i t became c l e a r that the Student Services a r t i c l e was correct and that t he p r o b l e m l a y w i t h bad organisation w i t h i n l o c a l a u t h o r i t y housing departments. FELIX editor then decided that the The a r t i c l e was t o o l a t e f o r i n c l u s i o n . He d i d , however, promise t o mention h o u s i n g b e n e f i t s in h i s e d i t o r i a l and d i r e c t those seeking information to Student S e r v i c e s . In the e v e n t he d i d n ' t . Luckily Student S e r v i c e s had a r r a n g e d for 2,500 copies of the a r t i c l e to be printed and d i s t r i b u t e d .
No more was h e a r d f r o m t h e o w n e r s u n t i l a week before the b e g i n n i n g o f term, though t h e r e s i d e n t s o f N o . 6 , a n o t h e r head t e n a n c y , reported frantic activity in the neighbouring premises.
No doubt t h e n e x t few w e e k s w i l l see yet more chaos, confusion, e x c u s e s and d e l a y s b e f o r e s t u d e n t s f i n a l l y r e c e i v e t h e i r money. Kensington and C h e l s e a have o p t i m i s t i c a l l y estimated that they should be able to resolve claims within about 6 weeks.
Messrs Cameron C l a r k and A r t h u r r e t u r n e d t o the house and w e r e flabbergasted by the t r a n s f o r m a t i o n from slum t o d e s i r a b l e residence. A d e a l was c o n c l u d e d a n d No.8 now provides some o f t h e m o s t comfortable accommodation t h e C o l l e g e has t o o f f e r . 3
JOLLY
BARCLAYS
GOOD FELLOWS
TECHMART
News was released t h i s week o f the 1984 Fellows and Associates who w i l l receive their scrolls o n C o m m e m o r a t i o n Day o n 25 October.
Expect t o see the b e s t o f I m p e r i a l College at B a r c l a y s Techmart - the New T e c h n o l o g y Exhibition to be h e l d i n F e b r u a r y at the National Exhibition Centre.
Mr Sumantrao Moolgaokar - engineering s t u d e n t a t I m p e r i a l i n t h e 1920s a n d e m i n e n t Indian engineer.
The Exhibition i s designed to give small, medium and large companies, research i n s t i t u t e s and p r i v a t e i n v e n t o r s t h e chance to display new technologies. Imperial C o l l e g e w i l l s h a r e a p a v i l i o n w i t h 17 other universities - the first time British universities have entered the commercial m a r k e t p l a c e i n t h i s way. Imperial College in research raised more than £16 m i l l i o n g r a n t s and c o n t r a c t s l a s t y e a r .
S i r C l i v e S i n c l a i r - well-known to a l l s t r o k i n g t h e i r ZX81s. Emeritus founding historian
Professor "SKEM" F E n g FRS father of soil mechanics and extraordinaire.
P r o f e s s o r S i r R i c h a r d S o u t h w o o d FRS head o f Z o o l o g y and D i r e c t o r o f the S t a t i o n - now a t O x f o r d . Dr H P K Ursprung - President - IC's sister institution and the
those
exField
CANCER
Dr P e t e r R i g b y ' s team i n Biochemistry has received wide media coverage since p u b l i c a t i o n o f a p a p e r i n NATURE a n d C E L L i n December. The team has discovered a number of genes which are a c t i v e in all tumour c e l l s but not i n n o r m a l c e l l s . It is that t h i s discovery w i l l lead to a thought greater understanding of the enigma that leads to surrounding the process cancer.
o f ETH Z u r i c h
associate
Mr J i m Cunningham - linch-pin in D e p a r t m e n t o f A e r o n a u t i c s f r o m 1949 t o
CLUE
the 1982.
£1.5M FOR IC COMPANY One of IC's companies - Imperial B i o t e c h n o l o g y L i m i t e d (IBT) has r a i s e d £ 1 . 5 m in a p r i v a t e p l a c i n g on the Stock Exchange. IBT i s t h e enzyme a n d biological products company established in 1982 by IC and 3iVentures. Part of the deal was an exclusive 10 y e a r l e a s e o n t h e P i l o t Plant in the Biochemistry Building. IBT, now v a l u e d a t a r o u n d £5m, i s o n t h e t h r e s h o l d o f exploiting new p r o d u c t o p p o r t u n i t i e s i n t h e food, diary, brewing and diagnostic industries.
JUBILEE
OUT DAMNED SPOT! ACCORDING t o A r i a d n e - (New S c i e n t i s t - 5 January) someone a t I m p e r i a l C o l l e g e knows how t o r e m o v e P e n t e l i n k s t a i n s . . . . s o a k the s t a i n i n milk for a couple of hours. Now we know....
THUNDER,
LECTURER
WISE
OR
THERE i s now no e x c u s e f o r b e i n g u n p r e p a r e d for 'sudden weather c h a n g e s ' . On L e v e l 2 Sherfield Building, there is a monitor showing t h e l a s t e s t M e t e o s a t images o f the Western European area. The images are received and processed i n the Centre for Remote Sensing. Customers f o r the weather m o v i e s now i n c l u d e BBC B r e a k f a s t T V , Thames News a t S i x a n d I T N News a t O n e .
JOHN EGAN, ex-Imperial College student and C h a i r m a n o f J a g u a r C a r s , i s t o g i v e t h e 1984 J u b i l e e Lecture i n March. I t s h o u l d be w e l l worth hearing. Since Mr E g a n took over Jaguar Cars i n 1980 t h e company h a s h a d a remarkable turnaround. Last week the sales for company announced record world 1983 o f £ 5 5 0 m .
19B4 IS
LIGHTNING
IN ACID
RAIN
S I R JOHN MASON, FRS, e x - D i r e c t o r - G e n e r a l of the Meteorological Office, has c h o s e n the Centre f o r E n v i r o n m e n t a l T e c h n o l o g y as his base from which to direct a major new research project on acid rain. The £5 m i l l i o n independent p r o j e c t i s being funded by the C e n t r a l E l e c t r i c i t y Generating Beard and the N a t i o n a l C o a l B o a r d , and w i l l last several years. The project is being Royal Society in conducted by the association w i t h t h e N o r w e g i a n Academy o f Sciences and L e t t e r s and t h e R o y a l Swedish Academy o f S c i e n c e s .
YEAR
THE EQUAL O p p o r t u n i t i e s C o m m i s s i o n a n d the Engineering C o u n c i l have j o i n e d forces to launch a major i n i t i a t i v e t o persuade more women a n d girls to take up careers in engineering. Women in Science and Engineering w i l l run throughout 1984, will be aimed l a r g e l y at schools and college. Imperial College's proportion of women students has risen steadily over recent y e a r s - i t now s t a n d s a t 16%. -
4
-
MONEY MONEY MONEY - YOUR BENEFITS
FOR THE u m p t e e n t h y e a r i n succession the increase in the grant has fallen s i g n i f i c a n t l y below the r i s e i n the c o s t of living. For many the problem w i l l be exacerbated n e x t y e a r by t h e h a l v i n g o f t h e minimum g r a n t t o £ 2 1 0 p e r y e a r . grant is It i s arguable that the l e v e l of set i n the l i g h t of other b e n e f i t s a v a i l a b l e to students. I t i s t h e r e f o r e v i t a l t h a t you know a b o u t a l l t h e b e n e f i t s w h i c h go t o make up the financial net a v a i l a b l e for your support. The S t u d e n t s ' U n i o n i s a l s o h o p i n g t o r u n a campaign on student grants t h i s term so watch out f o r i n f o r m a t i o n - t h i s i s an i s s u e which concerns you! Rent and Benefit)
Rate
Rebates
(Standard
Housing
As we s t r u g g l e t o s o r t o u t t h e tangle of claims outstanding from the Christmas vacation it seems t a n t a m o u n t to tempting f a t e t o recommend r e n t a n d r a t e r e b a t e s a s a form o f income . However i f y o u r r e n t and rates a r e o v e r £ 1 9 . 4 5 p e r week a n d a s long as you a r e p r e p a r e d t o w a i t a n y t h i n g from 1 to 6 m o n t h s f o r y o u r c l a i m t o be resolved, i t i s worth applying. St u d e nt S e r v i c e s have application f o r m s f o r some b o r o u g h s a n d t h e a d d r e s s e s o f Town H a l l s f o r o t h e r b o r o u g h s . Covenants
Free Prescriptions, Treatment
Glasses
and
Dental
Although students are not automatically e n t i t l e d to free p r e s c r i p t i o n s , g l a s s e s and d e n t a l t r e a t m e n t , most s t u d e n t s c a n g e t them free on the grounds o f low income. For w i t h e x t r a t e r m - t i m e income such as those scholarships, sponsorships etc e l i g i b i l i t y may be l i m i t e d t o t h e v a c a t i o n p e r i o d s when your income i s l o w e r , but i t i s always w o r t h applying. Full details o f c o s t s and the ways t o r e c l a i m them a r e g i v e n i n leaflets P11, G11 a n d D11 a v a i l a b l e from Student Services, your local D.H.S.S. and most central Post Offices. Miscellaneous There are a number of other benefits available to students in certain circumstances eg. dependents allowances, travel costs, and v a c a t i o n h a r d s h i p g r a n t s ; from educational charities,and help a s s i s t a n c e from s t a t e b e n e f i t s s u c h as C h i l d Benefit, Family Income Supplement, and U r g e n t Needs P a y m e n t s . It is impossible to include much d e t a i l h e r e s o i t i s i m p o r t a n t t h a t you check your entitlements. Further details and specific help with all the benefits i n t h i s a r t i c l e a r e a v a i l a b l e from the Student Services Office any weekday between 9.30 a.m. and 5.30 p.m. THESE B E N E F I T S A R E YOURS BY R I G H T . MAKE SURE YOU C L A I M THEM!
For those students reliant on a high parental contribution to 'top up' their grants, convenants can p r o v i d e the single most p r o f i t a b l e form o f e x t r a income. The idea of a deed o f covenant i s that your p a r e n t s commit t o w r i t i n g an u n d e r t a k i n g to pay y o u a c e r t a i n sum o f money e a c h year. After each payment y o u f i l l i n a form for the t a x o f f i c e and t h e y w i l l r e f u n d you the basic rate of tax t h a t your parents have a l r e a d y p a i d o n t h e money t h e y g i v e y o u . There a r e a number o f s p e c i a l p o i n t s which t h e c o v e n a n t m u s t s a t i s f y t o be a c c e p t e d by follow the rules the taxman but i f you carefully a covenant can p r o v i d e a p a i n l e s s way of i n c r e a s i n g t h e money your parents g i v e y o u by 4 3 V Supplementary/Unemployment
CHECKLIST
HHAT'S
ON IN SOUTH KEN
Don't m i s s t h e L I G H T DIMENSIONS Exhibition at t h e S c i e n c e Museum. I t ' s a l l about the evolution o f h o l o g r a p h y and i s on u n t i l t h e 4th o f March. Opening
times:
Monday-Saturday: Sunday:
10.00-17.15 14.30-17.15
Entrance:
£1.75 adults £1.00 students, children o v e r s e v e n a n d OAPs
Benefit
Few students are able to r e c e i v e any help from these benefits during term-time primarily because they a r e dependent on the claimant's a v a i l a b i l i t y for work. During t h e C h r i s t m a s and E a s t e r v a c a t i o n s students who have p a i d s u f f i c i e n t N a t i o n a l I n s u r a n c e c o n t r i b u t i o n s are e l i g i b l e for supplementary benefit. During the summer vacation, undergraduates who d o n ' t f i n d w o r k a n d are available to 'sign on' w i l l receive either unemployment o r s u p p l e m e n t a r y b e n e f i t .
V & A THEATRE MUSEUM Outside Room 134 - a small devoted to the l i f e of S i r Ralph - 1902-1983
exhibition Richardson
FREMANTLE
FIGHTS
BACK
DESPITE f r e n e t i c a t t a c k s on t h e F r e m a n t l e by a c e r t a i n withered organ, this illustrious residence has r e c e n t l y been g r a c e d by the inclusion of ' F e l i x ' hackette Diane Love amongst i t s r e s i d e n t s . In the course of l a s t term, extensive roof r e p a i r s were c a r r i e d out and a comprehensive guarantee obtained. Imagine the s u r p r i s e o f Student S e r v i c e s s t a f f on r e c e i v i n g a phone call from a d i s t r a u g h t Ms L o v e reporting that a l e a k had d e v e l o p e d and water was p o u r i n g i n t o her room. F o r t u n a t e l y Ms L o v e was at home t h a t n i g h t a n d damage t o £500 worth o f r e c o r d s was a v e r t e d . Steps were immediately taken to rehouse the distraught hackette. A Rat-Infested Level
5,
Cellar
According to the Sub-Warden, N i c k James, only o n e room h a s l e a k e d s i n c e t h e repairs were completed and t h e p r o b l e m c e a s e d as soon as i t s o c c u p a n t had been r e h o u s e d .
on
Sherfield
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a sc c u CJ 3 O t-l O i - l 5 * « cu . C u jz -p M +> at "M —I >» O CU £> 73 O O V 1-3 73 in tJ m in m
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13 XI < W O O
D i r e c t o r J o h n M a c k e n z i e has c h o s e n t o e x c i s e several characters, almost all of the Catholic h a n d - w r i n g i n g and a lot of the moral ambiguity of the original of the novel. This was presumably because the average punter cannot cope with such complexity, but i t leaves the f i l m s l i g h t l y unbalanced. Despite this, however, the sometimes leaden Gere and a particularly u n p l e a s a n t (and u n n e c e s s a r y ) t o r t u r e scene, The Honorary Consul r e t a i n s some of the structure of the book, multi-layered clearly the improbable presenting of the plot. It is wellcomplexities w i t h pacy a c t i o n scenes and a photographed, t y p i c a l l y G r e e n e - i s h t o u c h o f humour amidst the tragedy. An e n t e r t a i n i n g and w a t c h a b l e f i l m , t h e n , w h i c h w i l l p r o b a b l y p a c k 'em i n , but i n a d i f f e r e n t c l a s s from the book.
MICRO MAN AT THE MOVIES
THE HONORARY C o n s u l (18 r a t i n g , l o c a l s and West End) inevitably lacks some of the s u b t l e t y and nuance o f Graham G r e e n e ' s n o v e l of English e x - p a t r i o t s m i x e d up in South American m i c r o - p o l i t i c s - Greene does not generally transfer well to the cinema screen. Caught between the d e s i r e t o f i l m a modern-day c l a s s i c novel (the a u t h o r ' s own favourite) and t h e need t o p r o d u c e a massmarket product, the f i l m ' s producers chose Michael Caine ( s u r p r i s i n g l y good as the eponymous d r u n k ) and R i c h a r d Gere (of the gorgeous bum a n d dodgy English accent) playing a hard, e m o t i o n l e s s d o c t o r . He g e t s i n v o l v e d w i t h the e x - p r o s t i t u t e wife of the Consul, newcomer E l p i d i a C a r r i l l o , l o o k i n g good but u n d e r - u s e d , giving friendly-or-ishe? local police chief Bob ('Long Good Friday') Hoskins, in excellent form as u s u a l , cause f o r s u s p i c i o n .
P.S. Avoid at a l l costs the accompanying short 'Fire-fighter', a quite appalling piece of j i n g o i s t i c garbage g l o r i f y i n g the k i l l i n g o f A r g i e s by the M a r i n e s i n the y o u know-wheres in 1982. F i n a n c e d by the M i n i s t r y o f Defence, need I say m o r e . . . ? -
6
HINESPEAK
1983 V i n t a g e R e p o r t
HARD ROCK CAFE 150 O l d P a r k L a n e Open: M i d d a y t o M i d n i g h t Sunday t o T h u r s d a y , Midday t o 1 a.m. F r i d a y & Saturday
Set amidst the stucco and concrete wilderness of Hyde P a r k C o r n e r stands a restaurant w h i c h e v e r y o n e has h e a r d o f but few h a v e v i s i t e d . The Hard Rock C a f e ' s r e p u t a t i o n for ultra trendiness and long queues may be offputting but the reality is somewhat different from the l e g e n d . Arriving just b e f o r e seven on a T h u r s d a y e v e n i n g the queue was m i n i m a l t h o u g h when we l e f t a t n i n e , it had grown c o n s i d e r a b l y . The w a l l s a r e a c o l l a g e o f A m e r i c a b i l i a f r o m a mounted buffalo head to Jim Connors. Contrasting a r e a s o f b r i g h t l i g h t and dark shadows and p l e a s a n t l y b a l a n c e d sound l e v e l s of chatter and music - mainly 70s-10cc, Blondie, Bachmann T u r n e r Overdrive et al made f o r p l e a s a n t e n o u g h s u r r o u n d i n g s . T h e r e are crowded t a b l e s i n the middle w i t h more comfortable f i x e d s e a t i n g on a r a i s e d dias around t h e edge. L a r g e brown V e n e t i a n b l i n d s keep the ambiance i n and the d r e a r y winter evening out. Nonetheless, i t i s not g r e a t l y dulled o u t o f t h e o r d i n a r y now, i t s impact by the p r o l i f e r a t i o n o f a r r i v i s t e i m i t a t o r s -notably Maxwells. The f o o d , also, a l t h o u g h generous and w e l l prepared, is not unusual. T h e menu is short. Starters a r e c o n f i n e d t o soup and c o r n - o n - t h e - c o b both a t 90p. Main courses f a l l into three categories. Three v a r i e t i e s of s t e a k from £ 6 . 7 5 - £ 7 . 7 5 ; three sandwich concoctions from £3.25 - £3.45 and four 1/41b b u r g e r s from £ 2 . 9 5 - £ 3 . 3 5 . The JfcLb version of a l l the burgers c o s t s £3.55 much b e t t e r v a l u e . The h a l f p o u n d b u r g e r i s l a r g e but u n i n s p i r e d - as o r d i n a r y a burger as you c o u l d f i n d anywhere. The H a r d R o c k ' s Club Sandwich £3.45 (bread, lettuce, tomatoes, mayonnaise, bacon and chicken, s e r v e d w i t h a m o u n t a i n o f c h i p s ) i s more f o r t h e gourmand t h a n t h e gourmet and n e i t h e r o f the t wo o f us who t r i e d it lasted the course. Although both the burger and sandwich c o s t s a l i t t l e over the odds, in quantity terms alone, they are w e l l worth it. The p u d d i n g s a r e g o o d . Seven o p t i o n s costing from £ 1 . 0 5 - £ 1 . 9 5 . The h o t f u d g e sundae ( £ 1 . 8 0 ) and the banana s p l i t (1.95) were m o n s t r o u s and d e l i c i o u ; ( C o n t d . on p . 8 )
After a late and wet Spring, flowering o c c u r r e d i n f i n e w e a t h e r a n d was f o l l o w e d b y a hot, d r y summer f r o m J u n e t o A u g u s t . The grapes were brought in under ideal conditions w i t h sunny weather p r i o r t o the harvest in late September. The general p r o m i s e i s f o r b o t h q u a l i t y and q u a n t i t y . BORDEAUX Another q u a l i t y v i n t a g e (the fifth in six years). Overall production w i l l be 10-20% l e s s t h a n 1 9 8 2 . The C l a r e t s w i l l , a s usual, vary from p r o p e r t y t o p r o p e r t y but should have more b a l a n c e a n d elegance i f l e s s power t h a n 8 2 ' s . The d r y W h i t e s s h o u l d be firmer than t h e somewhat flabby 1982 vintage. BURGUNDY The r e g i o n s u f f e r e d more through f r o s t and r o t and t h i s r e d u c e d t h e c r o p from last year's high level. The w i n e s t h a t w e r e made will be concentrated and high in alcohol. The Beaujolais crop was very successful, fuller than l a s t year's, the crus s h o u l d keep w e l l . Chablis is better balanced w i t h a c i d i t y t h a n 1982 b u t i n the Cote D'Or i s more variable with VosneRomanee and C h a m b o l l e - M u s i g n y b a d l y h i t by hail. Overall, the hot weather reduced juice and toughened s k i n s g i v i n g a tannic, long-lasting s t y l e o f B u r g u n d y t h a t may be the best s i n c e 1978. CHAMPAGNE A n o u t s t a n d i n g v i n t a g e for the second year r u n n i n g . The h u g e h a r v e s t w i l l produce 300 m i l l i o n bottles and allow rebuilding of the stocks depleted by poor y e a r s i n 1978, 1980 and 1 9 8 1 . This should guarantee p r i c e s t a b i l i t y . LOIRE Higher than average crop with expectations of an e x c e l l e n t v i n t a g e from Muscadet t o S a n c e r r e and P o u i l l y - F u m e . GERMANY May be the best Mosel Riesling v i n t a g e s i n c e 1976. SPAIN Severe d r o u g h t i n S p r i n g and Summer caused a 10-25% l o s s i n v o l u m e i n Rioja, though q u a l i t y r e p o r t s are good. T h e r e may be a t e m p t a t i o n t o i n c r e a s e p r i c e s . CALIFORNIA 10-30% down i n yield due to severe summer rain. An average quality v i n t a g e w i t h some e x c e p t i o n s . ENGLAND A t l a s t a bumper c r o p with ideal weather c o n d i t i o n s . Quality very encouraging "The
Nose
PRIZE HOW MANY TIMES HAS FELIX
COMPETITION BROKEN THE NUJ CODE OF CONDUCT?
REPRODUCED b e l o w i s t h e N U J c o d e o f c o n d u c t . How many i n s t a n c e s c a n y o u remember, this session, of ' F e l i x ' breaching various parts of the code?
7 A journalist shall protect sources of information.
8 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l not accept bribes nor shall he/she allow other inducements to i n f l u e n c e the performance of h i s / h e r p r o f e s sional duties.
1 A j o u r n a l i s t has a d u t y t o m a i n t a i n the h i g h e s t p r o f e s s i o n a l and e t h i c a l s t a n d a r d s . 2 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l at a l l times defend the principle o f the freedom o f the press and other media i n r e l a t i o n to the c o l l e c t i o n of information and the e x p r e s s i o n of comment and criticism. He/she shall strive to eliminate distortion, news s u p p r e s s i o n a n d censorship.
9 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l not lend h i m / h e r s e l f to the d i s t o r t i o n or suppression of the truth because of a d v e r t i s i n g or other considerations . 10 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l n o t o r i g i n a t e m a t e r i a l which encourages d i s c r i m i n a t i o n on grounds of race, colour, creed, gender or s e x u a l orientation.
that 3 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l s t r i v e to ensure the information he/she disseminates i s f a i r and accurate, avoid the expression of comment and c o n j e c t u r e as e s t a b l i s h e d fact and f a l s i f i c a t i o n by d i s t o r t i o n , selection or misrepresentation. 4 A j o u r n a l i s t s h a l l r e c t i f y promptly harmful inaccuracies, ensure that correction and apologies receive prominence and a f f o r d t h e r i g h t o f r e p l y persons c r i t i c i s e d when the issue is sufficient importance.
take private 11 A j o u r n a l i s t shall not advantage of information gained in the course of his/her duties, before the information i s p u b l i c knowledge.
any the due to of
Write down your list of breaches preferably w i t h t h e number o f t h e 'Felix' issue and p a g e number it appeared on, showing c l e a r l y w h i c h p a r t o f the code the breach r e f e r s .
5 A journalist shall obtain information, photographs and illustrations only by straightforward means. The u s e of other means c a n be j u s t i f i e d o n l y b y over-riding The c o n s i d e r a t i o n s of the p u b l i c i n t e r e s t . journalist is entitled to exercise a personal c o n sc i e n t i o us o b j e c t i o n to the use o f such means.
Send y o u r c o m p l e t e d e n t r y
to:
The E d i t o r ,
Sherfield
Lynda D a v i e s ,
Building
THE W0 BEST ENTRIES HILL EACH WIN A BOTTLE OF WHISKY
6 Subject to j u s t i f i c a t i o n by over-riding a journaconsideration of public i n t e r e s t , list shall do nothing which entails i n t r u s i o n i n t o p r i v a t e g r i e f and d i s t r e s s .
(Gastropod
confidential
contd.)
An e x t e n s i v e l i s t o f u n u s u a l c o c k t a i l s i s o n offer, costing between £ 2 . 5 0 and £2.90 very e x p e n s i v e - b u t t h e r e i s a Happy H o u r , Monday - F r i d a y 5 . 3 0 - 6 . 3 0 p . m . when they cost £1.50. We t r i e d D e p t h C h a r g e w h i c h i s a bit too sharp and Karma Killer a l t o g e t h e r too sweet. A l a b a m a Slammer was t h e b e s t we t r i e d . P a i n i n t h e Bum s o u n d e d intriguing. The bill for four came to £ 3 4 . 5 5 i n c l u d i n g d r i n k s a n d 10% s e r v i c e . If you go in Happy H o u r , or leave out the cocktails, you s h o u l d be a b l e t o g e t away w i t h £6 - £7 p e r h e a d . For reasons t h a t , in hindsight, are not overly apparent, p e o p l e come f r o m a l l o v e r the world to eat i n the Hard Rock Cafe. H o w e v e r s i n c e i t i s o n l y a 20p b u s r i d e f r o m College, it is well worth at least one visit. -
8
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