Spark 20150423 - Vol.71, Issue1 by The Spark

friday 24th april 2015

NEWS

NEW COMMITTEE

spark volume 71, Issue 1

LIFESTYLE

Your new Spark Committee would like to introduce themselves!

SPORT

ENTERTAINMENT

Alexander McQueen

How to NOT watch a new film

Get an insider’s perspective of the Alexander McQueen exhibition ‘Savage Beauty’

Gabrielle Linnett describes her recent viewing experience of hit film ‘Cinderella’

All About That Base

Dan Stephens looks at how cheerleading is more than just poms poms and short skirts'

Can Milliband really promise tuition fees cut if elected? Experts challenge Ed and say Labour’s pledge to cut tuition fees cannot be implemented HANNAH CROFTS 2nd Year English Literature

Ed Miliband's pledge to reduce tuition fees to £6,000 by autumn 2016 has been criticised by experts who argue that it is just not viable. Miliband intends to fund this fee cut by reducing tax relief on pensions for the wealthy – specifically, those who earn more than £150,000 per year. Yet, experts have expressed their reservations on whether Labour really can fulfil this promise. The University of Birmingham's Professor Alan Cliff is one critic, although he welcomes anything that will "result in future students having less debt at the end of their studies". "Politicians and universities need to work together on issues that make a direct difference to students

He says there are: "catches with such proposals, including the extent to which a Labour Government could continue such a funding commitment over the

five years of a Parliament with all of the potential uncertainties over that period, and the extent to which future student numbers may need to be controlled to afford such proposals." Another critique comes from Michelle Highman, Chief Executive of The Money Charity. She believes that the announcement is "a step in the right direction", however, she does not see this as the most important issue to students. To her, the ever-rising cost of living

is a far more pressing matter that needs addressing. Highman says: "Politicians and universities need to work together on issues that make a direct difference to students, like paying their maintenance support monthly rather than termly and making sure they have money left to live on after paying their rent." Here at Reading, second year student Emily Smith agrees; she says: "it makes more sense to pay maintenance instalments monthly as that’s when most students pay

their rent. This issue is something I’d prefer Ed Miliband to focus on - rather than cutting tuition he should be increasing maintenance loans and changing when they’re paid." She adds: "besides, how can he even make a pledge to cut fees when it involves cutting something else? How can I be sure he won’t later change his mind or go back on his promise like Nick Clegg? It’s all tosh to me." On the other hand, TAEDs

student Amber-May Ellis told The Spark she still has faith in Labour and their tuition fee pledge, and intends to vote for them in May. She says: "Ed knows what he’s doing. His pledge to reduce fees is a positive one and any critics are just trying to stir up trouble. I know the fee reduction won’t affect me but my sister will benefit and I want her to be able to go to university without being saddled with as much debt as me. Cutting tuition fees is very, very important."

NEWS|EDITORIAL

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

Editors Round Two: Getting back in Picks the office The Editor looks forward to spending another year with the newspaper NATHALIE SIAH, The Editor

Health it up! Check out why Reading’s High Street has been named incredibly unhealthy and how we can fix it

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Fashion v Art Push the boundaries with this review on Alexander McQueen’s exhibition of Savage Beauty in London. Find out what makes this showcase so extravagant

In a relationship, if you mess up you don’t always get a second chance. My roller coaster ride of a time with The Spark (and the committee) started off by building up any sort of notion we had of running a newspaper sky high, and then plummeting down into the depths of insanity. Hanging on for dear life till our knuckles bled, there was comfort in knowing we stayed on the tracks till the very end.

For some reason, I somehow decided it was a good idea to give it another go and apply for the position one more time in my final year. So here’s a big thank you to RUSU for putting the paper back in my hands for another round and trusting me

with the chance to do it all again. There’s nothing better than bullying a totally new committee on a daily basis (just joking, I love you all seriously) and have people thank for me for pointing out their mistakes. I wouldn’t trade it for the world. Just like in Spider-Man, the Sam Raimi series—not the recent films with as very handsome Andrew Garfield—I truly get the sense that “with great power comes great responsibility.” With our huge win at the Societies Media Awards his year, especially taking home the ‘Stream of the Year’ award, I find myself smiling knowing that we had a fantastic run. We honestly had no idea what we were doing at the start but somehow pulled it all together. It’s odd however, on the same night that we nabbed the award, I was asked

by several individuals how we were going to follow up with the coming year. It’s amazing how people quickly look ahead. With another year comes a greater responsibility, and I feel the pressure already. "Despite failure, people forget that mistakes aren’t really the end of the world as we know it (we can thank the apocalypse for that). There’s always another lemon, just make sure you’re a bit smarter with it next time."

I suddenly got back in touch with one of my old high school friends. He had been dating a very jealous, controlling girl and after their relationship deteriorated, he broke the silence and called me up. Despite the years passed, he and I had more

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Mind Juices Flowing Check out how students have expressed themselves with these new great variety of poems this issue with themes of revision, memories and more

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Jump! If you’ve never tried trampolining, there’s nothing to fear. TJ Hiew tells all in what the sport that changed her life and how much she ended up loving it

Uncle Ben pushes The Spark to be even better in the coming year Drawn by Kate Bowen

in common than we thought. However, there was one major difference. Where I was quite jaded about the whole dating scene, he brought a surprisingly positive outlook on the situation. Single and ready to mingle, he could finally breathe again and wanted take control of his life. “You deserve better” is what he said to me, and those three words couldn’t have struck me harder than if Zeus himself decided to throw me a thunderbolt. It is without a doubt that I believe everyone deserves a second chance—whether it be love, grades, friends or whatever excrement-sounding object is sent hurdling at you. Despite failure, people forget that mistakes aren’t really the end of the world as we know it (we can thank the apocalypse for that). There’s always another lemon, just make sure you’re a bit smarter with it next time. With these words in mind, I want to try my hardest to make sure The Spark gets the dedication and energy that it deserves. I don’t want to let any aspiring writers down. If you missed your time to get that sparkle, open a fresh new page and start typing. It’s as easy as sending me an e-mail with a simple idea and bribing me with a cookie (just kidding, I like coffee better). I know that we can work through anything because trust me, we’re all ‘second-ers’ or even ‘third-ers’ by the very least. I know I am. Whoever coined the phrase “practice makes perfect” was missing a key point; the reality that practice entails a little tear and tumble. I’d rather like to go by this phrase instead, “all errors pave the way to perfection” and know that for everyone, there are many more errors to make to get where we want to be. We just have to start one more time. Good luck!

EDITORIAL

DEPUTYEDITOR@SPARKNEWSPAPER.AC.UK

|NEWS

Humour Heals

Looking at the term ahead and how to keep yourself sane

JESS O’DONNELL AND JEN DANIEL Co-Deputy Editors

The Summer Term brings with it a sense of optimism; it brings to mind sunshine, bright blue skies and picnics by the lake, not to mention temperatures above 10 degrees. However, that sunshine and optimism tends to get forgotten in favour of exams and wondering whether sleeping in the library would actually make you do more work. This year, we at The Spark want to change those negative feelings. Sadly enough we don’t have a magical way to cancel every exam, but just a couple of tips. One, really; don’t take yourself too seriously. Laughing has been scientifically proven (seriously) to be good for you, so laugh, and laugh often in between working, whether it’s at the eccentricities of your flat mates or cat videos on YouTube. This editorial will hopefully provide the first of many laughs this term as we go through our Best and Worst pranks from April Fools over the years.

The Best: Now, these really depend on your definition of ‘best’. Here, ‘best’ just means the pranks were pulled off amazingly well, regardless of how cruel they are! We’ve ranked them in order of how great we think they are – number one being the greatest of all. 1. A guy pretends to propose to his girlfriend, but when he opens the ring box, there is no ring. Instead, he’s filled it with insects, which he then proceeds to throw at his poor girlfriend. Harsh! 2. A teacher has a strict policy against using mobile phones in his class. Should anyone’s phone ring during class, he makes them have the conversation on speaker phone. His students took advantage of this: a friend of one pupil called her pretending to be a nurse and told her that she was pregnant. As the whole class listen in, the teacher is mortified.

3. A man goes to a drive-thru and orders a cold drink, then quickly adds dry ice while the server isn’t looking. When the server returns, the confusion ensues! 4. Two friends decide to prank their friend by throwing cups of ice cold water on him while he showers. Little does one friend know, the other told the victim all about this plan. The victim then hides behind the bathroom door and jumps out, making his friend spill the cups of water all over himself. Pranking the prankster! 5. A man gets his friends to build a snowman around him, then waits for his wife to return home before launching himself out to terrify her. The question is: was waiting inside that freezing cave of snow really worth it?!

The Worst: In this case, these are some of the worst pranks I have ever heard of; don’t be surprised that the majority of them end in legal action. We’ve ranked them in order of offensive to downright shocking and advise that no one attempt any of these. 1. The Mirror showed some humour last April Fools when they printed ‘Kim Jong Un Bans One Direction from North Koreaunless they get a haircut’. A controversial headline, one which garnered much criticism from North Korea and One Direction fans alike. This joke article claimed that Kim Jong Un would create his own replacement band ‘Un Direction’ and they would have reasonable haircuts instead. I guess their haircuts are not one of the ‘Little Things’ Kim Jong Un loves about 1D. 2. Glenn Howlett was a general manager at London’s city hall, with over 30 years’ experience. Fellow colleagues—including three top city managers—decided it would be classic to send out a memo on April 1st stating a very important corporate renewal plan was due in only two weeks’ time, when in reality it was still months away. In a panic, Glenn Howlett cut short an exotic vacation to

go home and start the plan. Due to his increasing state of panic, he collapsed from stress-induced heart palpitations, and after medical attention came to the conclusion that he wanted to retire early. A colleague eventually fessed up to the entire prank and Glen Howlett sued for damages and threatened to quit. Don’t let revision turn you into Glenn Howlett, folks. 3. Tyell Morton was one senior who decided to spice up the annual prank in a high school in Indiana, US. He planted a box containing a creepy doll in the girls changing room, which looked overly suspicious to an onlooker. Indiana’s Bomb Squad cleared the entire area and the school evacuated which cost $8000. Needless to say, he was charged with institutional criminal mischief. 4. Some marriages end badly, but then there are some that end horribly. This was the 2004 prank of a divorcee who rang his exwife and got her to drive to their old home to ‘see’ something. What she saw was her ex-husband hanging from a tree in their yard and immediately called 911. As it turns out, he used a harness to hang himself from the tree and was entirely fine, but faced a $1000 fine and a year in jail for falsely reporting an incident. My favourite part of this prank is that his name is Randy Wood. 5. This Fido Fools fail occurred when Paul Goobie—presumably a cat person—thought it would be hilarious to attach a dead Chihuahua to colleague Kevin Meloy’s car. Meloy was hard of hearing and drove several miles with the dead dog dragged along behind, without any kind of idea of what was going on. Eventually, several miles on, someone got his attention and he alerted the police. Paul Goobie was later charged with unlawful disposal of a dead animal for this awful crime. So, there’s our round up of the biggest successes and fails when it comes to April Fool’s Day. We hope it made you smile amidst the torture of revision. Photo credit: Jess O'Donnell

CUT TUITION FEES Experts say that Miliband’s pledge to cut fees is not viable

LEARN A LANGUAGE Find out why learning a foreign language is both important and rewarding

MAINTENANCE NOT ENOUGH 75%of students say that maintenance loans are insufficient

CRASHING YOUNG DRIVERS New research shows that only 14% would know what to do after a crash

NEWS

CONTENTS

24|04|15 NEWS The University of Reading climbs 11 places and is now ranked in the top 25 universities for student experience, according to The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2015

P4 LIFESTYLE

In this issue’s Campus Style take a look at what other people are wearing around campus and see who they are and what inspires their particular fashion choices. Including where to buy them!

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ENTERTAINMENT Ollie Weeden sits down to have an exclusive chat with the co-director and lead of the play, RUMBSA Night, Angela Hii and Akma Khan

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SPORTS Check out what Alex Sewell thought about England's most recent outings

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WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO... Designer-Paula Whetstone Designer- Kit Lane Designer- Anna Scully Designer- Ben Cross

The University climbs 11 places from last year’s result Image from Reading University Website

University of Reading in top 25 universities for student experience HARRIET LYNDS News Editor

The Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2015 found that the University of Reading has climbed 11 places from last year, to 22nd overall. Students ranked the university joint 5th for ‘good environment on campus/around university’; joint 6th for ‘good student union’; joint 7th for ‘good accommodation’; and ‘joint 10th’ for good social life’.

Following results from the Independent National Student Survey 2014 which found that almost 90% of students are satisfied with the University of Reading, the Times’ survey polled almost 14,700 students across the UK, drawing on 21 aspects of university life that students say matter to them the most. These aspects include academic and staffing issues, the quality of the social life, cost of on-campus services and the standard of facilities.

The University of Reading also ranked joint 15th in ‘good support/welfare’ and joint 14th in ‘personal requirements catered for.’ Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University said: “It is good to be ranked amongst the top 25 UK universities for student experience. Whilst league tables are only one measure of success, this survey is particularly useful as it reflects the views of our students. “Improving the student

experience is an important priority for all universities. The fact that we have risen 11 places is a testament to the continuing hard work of staff across the University during the last 12 months. “There is no room for complacency though. We will be using the results of this survey to identify areas for further improvement as we seek to enhance the opportunities for all students who choose to study at Reading.”

GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|NEWS

Society Spotlight: Hip Hop Society IDUS D. EREDIAUWA

3rd Year Business and Management

A Little Bit About Us The University of Reading Hip-Hop society (U.R.H.H.S) officially started in September 2014 by myself and Ashleen La Malfa Donaldson (Vice President). After both being introduced to a set of charismatic personalities, our current committee was forged. The society was created to unite students through a mutual appreciation of Hip-Hop and showcase its culture. As an outsider looking in, Reading struck me as a location that didn’t appear to be ‘culturally equipped’. It was thus my primary motivation to establish a group that introduced and involved a new culture into the community. Music amongst many things compels people to unite and I truly believe that this society would bring the multitude of HipHop enthusiasts together. Now with close to 200 likes and over 60 on-line members within the first four weeks of its launch, we have ultimately been successful in our first year here at the University. Why join Hip-Hop Society? The Hip-Hop movement has

generally received a negative reception due to the substantial amount of prejudice surrounding the topic and scepticism in engaging with the culture simply based on misunderstandings perpetuated in the media. Here at the U.R.H.H.S we necessitate acceptance of integration in order to break free from the predominant stereotype insinuating that the culture of a black demographic is confined to that demographic alone. This society has a community atmosphere like no other; surrounding yourself with individuals that not only appreciate and respect your distinctive perception but treat you as one of their own. If you want experiences and a platform that can consistently be improved this is the society for you. We will relentlessly put on bold events, showcases and socials that will showcase talent on campus and in Reading—not to mention provide access to an assortment of rather well tailored or ‘dope’ merchandise. How can you join the Hip Hop Society? Our Membership scheme is outlined as follows: Inland HipHop Society members (students) £6.15 and Outland Hip-Hop Society members (non-student)

£8.15. Individuals can sign up directly via the RUSU student activities board under ‘Hobbies and Interest’. You can also sfind us on Facebook and Twitter both under University of Reading HipHop Society. Members are kept up to date with regular emails to their University accounts, informing them ofs upcoming events, activities and related freebies like vintage records, concert tickets and clothing throughout the academic year. Upcoming Events Grand Summer Event ‘Underground J.A.M’

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A showcase of young artists amongst students in all shapes and forms e.g. rappers, singers, dancers etc. Spoken word – ‘Night of the Poetic Purge’ Themed socials Fashion exhibit

streetwear

show/Art

Trips to live performances of artists such as Flatbush Zombies x The Underachievers, Logic and the O2’s Wireless line-up in the summer

Photo credit: Ashleen La Malfa Donaldson

Reading helps to bring back rare bird of prey

SARAH PENNY 1st Year English Literature

Research from the University of Reading published in the Journal Ibis, led by Dr Mel Orros and ecologist Professor Mark Fellowes has discovered that 1 in 20 households around Reading have helped Red Kites make an unexpected comeback. This bird of prey, almost extinct in Britain and Ireland, is now regularly fed by more than 4,300 households which causes up to 300 a day to ‘commute’ into town from the surrounding countryside. These impressive birds have a wingspan of 1.75m and were once common in medieval towns as they were used to clear the streets of dead animal carcasses. But centuries of prosecution meant

that few were left in Wales by the 1930s. However, following a successful reintroduction programme starting in the Chiltern Hills in 1989, Red Kites have returned as a widespread British bird. When asked why they have flourished Professor Fellowes said: “There are very few nesting or natural feeding sites in suburban areas, but we know that hundreds of Red Kites visit Reading every day.” "People had assumed waste food and road kill attracted them, but very little of this is actually available as our modern towns are remarkably clean. What we found was that people in Reading are providing enough food to provide the daily food needs for hundreds of Red Kites.” Households have been found to put out meats such as chicken instead of seed meant for Blue

Tits or Robins. Brenda King, a receptionist from Earley, Reading is an example of someone who occasionally puts leftovers out. She said: “They are beautiful birds and to be able to see them up close is just marvellous. Now they will come in six at a time.” Despite this, conservation groups have asked people not to feed the Kites due to reports of birds stealing food from barbecues and picnics. But Professor Fellowes said feeding has possibly helped breeding and increased their chances of surviving winter weather, which would make finding food in the wild challenging. He also added: "The success of the species in the UK means we may now act as a lifeboat for Red Kites, as numbers in their European strongholds are in decline.” “Providing supplementary

food is a wonderful way to help garden birds, while allowing us to get close to nature," he said. "But who would have thought that our fascination with feeding birds would result in such a spectacular species becoming a common

suburban sight?" As a result, there are around 2,700 breeding pairs across the UK which bodes well for their continuing abundance in the future.

NEWS|GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

It’s only spring, honest! REBECCA REILLY 3rd Year Meteorology

With the summer term approaching fast and exams even faster, the weather does its normal trick in trying to sway us from our desks. The warmer than average temperatures that we saw over campus on Tuesday the 14th and Wednesday the 15th of April reached a high of 24°C on Wednesday. This is well above the monthly average for Reading. The average daytime temperature in Reading ranges from about 12°C

at the beginning of the month to 15°C nearing the end of April. However, this wasn’t the hottest temperature Reading has seen over years: on the 16th of April 1949 we saw a record temperature of 26.2°C. Reading is forecast to return to normal monthly averages for the rest of the month. As for those “April showers”, the month so far has appeared shower-free. The mean rainfall for April here on campus accumulates to only 48mm, which normally falls in one day. Do these warmer spring temperatures mean a hot

summer? As it’s still the middle of spring, summer temperatures are still hard to accurately predict. Reading articles declaring it’s going to be a “BBQ summer” are not reliable or well researched. Current seasonal outlooks produced by the Met Office are indicating that temperatures do not appear to be any colder than average, but certainly not apocalyptically hot. However, for now, we shall just have to wait until summer comes and enjoy the gorgeous spring weather!

Reading campus in the sunshine Photographed by Rebecca Reilly

GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|NEWS

University’s Dr Carmel 70,000 UK Houston-Price comments on Graduates childhood obesity Over-Paying Parents must take responsibility and encourage a Their Student healthy diet early on Loans HARRIET LYNDS News Editor

Student Loan Company confirms that £40.5m was overpaid to them in 2012/13 PENNY LOMAX

2nd Year Mathematics and Statistics

In responding to a Freedom of Information Request, The Student Loans Company (“the SLC”) reported that, in 2012/13, 70,600 graduates overpaid a total of over £40.5m via deductions from their salary.

Student loans have long been a fact of life for the majority of the UK’s students. For graduates in employment, these loans are repaid by a percentage deduction from their salary after they have earned a certain amount. This repayment makes wages stretch less than imagined, but even less far when there are no effective means in place to stop deductions in the final year of repayment. The student loan system is complex and it is HMRC’s reluctance to improve the information sharing with the SLC that causes the problem. Deductions for graduates’ student loan repayments are made every time the payroll is run, with their employer reporting to HMRC details of the amount that’s been deducted. Obligated under the threat of penalties, employers have to use the Real Time Information (RTI) system to tell HMRC. However, HMRC has no similar obligation to inform the Student Loans Company of these repayments. They only actually have to report and pay once annually - at the end of the tax year. This means that employees’ repayments are kept by HM Treasury for up to a year before

the Student Loans Company receive them, which causes problems when it comes to the payees’ final settlements. Due to repayment details not reaching the Student Loans Company until the end of the tax year, current tax year repayments cannot be seen until then, so they cannot see if the final payments have been made. This means that The SLC cannot send employers the ‘stop notice’ necessary for them to legally stop deducting repayments from their employees’ salaries. Once graduates spot they are overpaying, the SLC will hand back the cash with interest. However, there have been dozens of reports from students forced to wait months for their money. "Student loans have long been a fact of life for the majority of the UK’s students. For graduates in employment, these loans are repaid by a percentage deduction from their salary..."

In a study of 2,976 families in the UK, only 4 parents thought that their child was very overweight while medical assessments put that figure at 369. Dr Carmel Houston-Price from the University of Reading’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences says: “These are worrying statistics. Parents must take responsibility for their children's health and acknowledge when there is a problem. “Research suggests that helping children to eat healthily early on could be key to reducing childhood obesity, so signs of obesity in young children should be taken seriously." Questionnaires were given to nearly 3,000 families asking if their child was obese, overweight, underweight or a healthy weight. The survey found that 31% of parents underestimated the weight of their child. Children are heavily influenced by families, schools and other child-care environments and it is these surroundings that need to change for the better. Introducing a healthier regime is imperative in

A direct debit scheme was introduced in 2009 that put employees in charge of their final two years of repayments to avoid this ineffective, inefficient communication, but these figures show this not to have helped. Recent graduates will not face this problem in the near future, since it only affects those who have almost finished paying off their student loan. However it is worth being aware of the issue for the future.

order to prevent both immediate and long-term effects on a child's well-being. Dr Carmel Houston-Price continues: “Higher fruit and vegetable consumption is associated with lower levels of obesity. One approach to tackling obesity is to encourage greater consumption of fruit and vegetables. But getting toddlers to try something new - especially vegetables - is not an easy task. Getting to know the food through fun games and activities can help though. "Long-term health effects vary from being at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, a stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis."

“Research at the University of Reading has shown that toddlers who had drawn, smelled and poked unusual vegetables, such as sweet potato and broad beans were 32% more likely to taste them over other vegetables at a mealtime. Looking at picture books about foods also encourages children to try them later on."

"The survey found that 31% of parents underestimated the weight of their child."

Childhood obesity has more than doubled in children in the past 30 years, so encouraging the younger generation to have a healthy lifestyle is now more important than ever. Doctors warn if parents do not start to recognise obesity in their children, there could be extremely damaging health consequences. Immediate health effects include high cholesterol, high blood pressure and, not to mention, psychological problems such as stigmatization and a low self-esteem. Long-term health effects vary from being at risk for heart disease, type 2 diabetes, a stroke, several types of cancer, and osteoarthritis. “By developing a fondness for a wide variety of healthy foods, toddlers stand the best chance of having a ‘five a day' diet later in life. This will bring lower levels of obesity and cardiovascular disease alongside a range of other health benefits."

NEWS| GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Introducing: The Spark Committee

Nathalie Siah The Editor

Jennifer Daniel Co-Deputy Editor

Jess O’Donnell Co-Deputy Editor

Nathalie, the Editor, is in second year Law, and can be found with coffee in one hand and a red pen in the other. Easily identified, she is the short Asian girl with a Canadian accent, muttering case law and walking around campus. She enjoys doodling, singing in the shower, bakeries, proofreading and colour-coded things.

Jennifer is a part two English Language student who loves food and instagramming her dog.

Jess is the second Deputy Editor, a second year law student, and is known for her lecture stopping sneeze and ability to crack jokes in the toughest of situations. She enjoys reading, online shopping, singing (poorly) and chocolate. She can be found either asleep in the Foxhill common room or skipping around the library. instead of working.

Beatrice Ridge Head of Photography

Emma Campbell – Secretary

Natalie Pavelin – Marketing & Distribution

You can catch Head of Photography Beatrice kicking back with a glass of rosé and a jacket potato at Mojo's bar, partial to a sambuca shot and frequently found wearing double denim. She'll be out most nights denying she's not an alcoholic. In her spare time she's a first year Art student and by night bartender at a new cocktail bar in town!

Emma is 19, from Hertfordshire and currently in her first year of university studying English. She is a crazily organized person, but also loves her social life. She's spend a lot of her spare time at the gym, and horse riding whilst she's home. She also loves to travel, and is looking forward to spending her summer interrailing around Europe. Emma is really looking forward to meeting the new team!

Natalie is the marketing and distribution position. She is in her first year of law and loves going out with friends and promoting for local nightclubs. She hopes to make The Spark more available to a wide network of people!

GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|NEWS

Harriet Lynds News Editor

Annabel Vinton-Horsley Lifestyle Editor

Amy Banda Entertainment Editor

Harriet is in her second year of English Literature, often found surrounded by a pile of books and a cup of tea. She is easily recognized by her long, blonde hair and enjoys reading, writing and taking photographs.

Annabel, Lifestyle Editor, is doing English Literature in her first year. She is often referred to as the girl from Essex who won't stop talking!

Amy, the Entertainment Editor, is in second year English Language. A keen lover of film, she can often be found at the cinema (when she isn't studying at the library, of course). She enjoys trips to the theatre, has an eclectic taste in music and likes reading classic novels.

Ollie Weeden Sports Editor

Jessie Webb Design Editor

Elliot Spain Design Editor

Ollie, the Sports Editor, is in second year law. Often found roaming the town with a drink in one hand and a pair of drum sticks in the other. He enjoys nothing more than listening to The Killers, going to the cinema and, of course, enjoying a fantastic game of football.

Jessie, co-design editor, is in Part One Graphic Communication having switched from Psychology. She is a massive animal lover, eccentric and can often be found trying to stop her glasses from falling off her head. Also commonly found staring off into the distance picturing what sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s having for dinner that evening, as food is never far from the mind!

Elliot has a unique charismatic creativity that he applies to everything he does. Elliot can be seen in any crowd, from his crazy curls, big glasses and his height. Elliot studies Graphic Design and can be found hunched over a computer making pretty things.

Careers Why and how I got my year placement LUKE COOPER Student Careers Assistant

First year: over. Exams: done. Sense of direction: non-existent. After completing Part One of my Maths degree, a lot of people told me that a decent grade from my course would get me “any job I want” and “open lots of doors”. These comments were comforting, but didn’t change the reality that I had no clue what I was going to do when I graduated. I was beginning to question exactly how I was going to obtain a career in solving lecturers’ equations! The jobs weren’t going to find me and I didn’t know what these jobs even were. What I did know was that I thoroughly enjoyed my degree and wanted to work within its field. A pharmaceutical company called Quintiles came onto campus to give a talk about Statistical Programming. I had never heard of this profession, but it sounded good to me. I was intrigued at the idea of a placement: getting an opportunity to specialise in my chosen field and gain some real experience while others were still just studying. Having found it difficult to find part-time work before coming to university, I’d had a glimpse into the competitiveness of the job market, motivating me to get any edge I could over the competition.

I decided that the experience provided by a placement would be invaluable, so I began research into careers in my field. After looking for the kinds of placements advertised to students taking my degree, I found that a demand existed for people who could handle numbers and were interested in programming. It was still summer, but I set to work. This involved plenty of CV writing and bookmarking potential employers. From the Placement Officer in my department, I received a list of some of the companies who previously advertised placements. I was excited to learn that there was a Microsoft office in Reading, which offered Data Analyst placements. Here was the chance to work at one of the most renowned companies on the planet! At this stage, it was too early to apply for many of the placements, but using my time during the summer to research companies was absolutely crucial. You need all the practice, inspiration and research you can get when it comes to finding placements. It was initially frustrating that no placements were being advertised, but getting the ideas really prepared me for September and October – when the applications began to open. As I filled out applications

Jobs of the Week

My Jobs Online

This term, we’ll be offering a variety of events to aid your career development. Our events programme includes skills workshops, information sessions and employer presentations. Here’s a taster of some the events we’re running:

My Jobs Online (MJO) is a onestop shop for all things careers – it’s more than just jobs! MJO offers: • A jobs board that covers parttime work, placements and graduate roles • An event management system where you can explore the events we offer and book a place • A system for managing appointments with Careers Advisers and Placement officers (for some Henley Business School and ICMA students, these appointments can be booked online) • An e-guidance system that allows you to send queries to a Careers Adviser or Placement Officer

• Marketing your non-business degree to business – 27 April, 1 to 2 pm • LinkedIn Clinic – 1 May, 1 to 2 pm • How to access the Careers Centre after graduation – 26 May, 1 to 2pm • Which Career? – 28 May, 1 to 2.30 pm • Recruitment Bootcamp – 29 May, 11am to 1 pm All of the jobs listed below can be found on My Jobs Online, the Careers Centre’s online jobs portal (see www.reading.ac.uk/ careers/jobs)

My Jobs Online is designed specifically for Reading students and graduates – all the employers advertising jobs and placements are targeting you! MJO also allows you to set email preferences to receive targeted information about jobs and events that interest you. To find out more, log in using your University username and password at: https://reading. targetconnect.net/student/login. html

and attended interviews, I began to learn a lot about what certain companies do and what it’s like in a work place environment. Importantly, I learnt a lot about perfecting interview technique and application forms. With this experience, I’ve gained a much better understanding of the kind of places my degree could take me. Even if I hadn’t been accepted for a placement, I still would have learnt a lot.

If I hadn’t researched early, received tonnes of help from my Placement Officer, devoted time to investigating opportunities, and gotten help from the Careers Centre, I wonder if I would have secured a placement at all. Next year, I get to stay in Reading, and commute to a Statistical Programming placement at Boehringer Ingelheim. I’m sure I’ve made the right decision.

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It is important to recognise gender equality…but you have to do it right JESS BICKERS

1st Year Engligh Literature

In an increasing media discourse around women’s rights and equality, it has become a topic of interest to address injustices faced by men as well as women. An article in the latest edition of The Spark raised this very issue. It mentioned that men are also underrepresented and disadvantaged in society, and experience ‘copious inequalities’. However, as a feminist myself, I felt that, while the intention of the article was correct, what it considered were not the inequalities that men face. A different approach needs to be adopted in order to address the issue of injustices against men. One of the inequalities the

article claimed was that women make up the majority of primary school teachers across England, with men representing just 12.4%. The article put this down to gender stereotypes, implying men were the victims in this situation. It raised the question of how can we expect our children to grow up under the incorrect assumption that men do not have teaching and nurturing capabilities. But how can we expect our children to grow up under the impression that women only have teaching and nurturing capabilities, and nothing else? Arguably when you see women in teaching and childcare, and men in a variety of roles, the message is not: ‘women are doing this because men can’t’, instead it could give the impression that ‘women can’t do anything else’. Another inequality argued was

that Brownies only accepts girls. Girl Guides, as is their umbrella name, was set up in 1910 by Agnes Baden-Powell as her brother’s organisation, Scouts, would not take girls. Brownies is not sexist towards men, it is a space created in a male environment for girls to enjoy the same experiences that have already been given to boys. Arguably, Brownies merely creates a level playing field for young children to have the same opportunities as each other, irrespective of their gender. The same answer can be given to the article’s query: ‘the university has a Women’s Officer, but what resources are there available for our male students?’ The Women’s Officer and any position, organisation, or campaign that is woman-centric, is a space created for women for

specific, sensitive issues. However I do not think that only women’s issues are important, of course. I think that the University should also have a Men’s Officer, given that men do face issues that might benefit from having a specific officer to deal with them. An issue like sexual assault, given the overwhelming stigma that men face if they admit they have been sexually assaulted, could most definitely use more attention. Men have as many issues as women do, while not always in the same category, they equally deserve to be heard. To put women’s issues on a higher pedestal than men’s is not the point of feminism; feminism is about equality of the genders. These are injustices feminism is helping to stop. Feminism is not about destroying men,

but about destroying gender stereotypes. Feminism is realising that experiences and emotions do not fit into boxes labelled ‘male’ and ‘female’, but only ‘human’, as we are all equal. That’s why we challenge the University of Reading to continue to recognise issues, tackle them, and ensure that every student, whether male or female, feels equal and safe.

The Importance of Learning a Foreign Language CALLUM CLAY IIWLP Spanish 6 Student

I remember studying Italian as a 20 credit module in my first year and dreading every class I went to. I simply could not get to grips with it. The nuances of verb stems, the adjectives, the nouns, where and when to use which tense. A strong comprehension of grammar itself was alien in my native-English let alone in a foreign language. Yet within months I had switched that feeling of dread for one of excitement and intrigue. The well-structured mixture of interactive, independent, and group-based learning enabled me to monitor my progress easily. In other modules it is difficult to know how well you are doing until you receive feedback on your assignments. By that point, it is often too late. When learning a foreign language, it is easier to identify weaknesses early on either via feedback from your tutor or your own self-awareness.

For me it was writing, I could never grasp the variety of written sentence structures. It was simply easier to speak it and comprehend it than it was to successfully write it. However, by developing reading comprehension in the language, my written skills fed off that knowledge and began to improve. Learning a foreign language can be daunting for anyone, but for many it is a very rewarding and enjoyable educational experience. It takes many out of the routine of lectures and tutorials into entirely new modes of learning. It also helps students understand the four key components of language learning (reading, listening, speaking, and writing) and can even help them become more aware of the components, especially grammar, of their own native language. It also has the added advantage of learning about other cultures which can benefit your degree programme. For me, learning Italian meant I could use native

Bracknell Town Centre Image by Callum Clay

sources to research my dissertation topic of Italian democracy during the Berlusconi eras. The Institution-Wide Language Programme (IWLP) at our University has ten foreign languages to choose from and is available for credit (worth 20 credits) or non-credit. It has a

satisfaction rate of 94% from Reading students and with more employers wanting graduates with bi-lingual, some even multilingual, capabilities this would be a valuable skill for students from all degree programmes. So while you are deciding which modules to do for your next

year of study, why not consider learning a foreign language with our IWLP? Follow IWLP on Facebook: www.facebook.com/ IWLPReadingUniversity

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GENERAL NEWS

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University of Reading contributes to research about dwindling bee population The University publishes a paper on species diversity in pollinators in the Royal Society’s journal RACHEL HOPLEY 2nd Year Classics

The number of bee species has further decreased in rural areas than it has in cities and towns over the last eighty years, according to a report published on 1st April 2015 by the University of Reading in the journal Royal Society Proceedings B. The plight of bees has been widely documented over the last few years, with reasons for their disappearances including climate change, use of pesticides,

introduction of non-native plants and use of land, particularly arable farming. In February 2015, a study by the University of Bristol announced that suburbia may be better at nurturing a wider variety of species of insect pollinators than farmland. However, no such research has been conducted using historical land to compare it with current land. With a newly digitalized British land cover map and using sites over four English counties, University of Reading’s Centre for Agri-Environmental research

24 hour gym to be built in Reading Retail park HARRIET LYNDS News Editor

Plans to build a new 24-hour gym, simply called, ‘The Gym’, mean that it would be the second of its kind in Reading - the other being located in the Broad Street Mall in town. On behalf of CBRE Global Investors, agents, Savills (UK) Limited, submitted a planning application to Reading Borough Council. ‘The Gym’ is set to occupy the former site of electrical appliances shop Currys at the Oxford Road retail park in West Reading. If approved, the monthly fees would start at £10.99 and there would be no minimum contract. With 9 gyms already operating in Reading, health and fitness competition in the town is high. Tim Price, director of commercial planning for Savills,

said: "If all goes well with the planning process we would look to open towards the end of 2015. “However if we don’t get a decision from the council until summer then plans to open could be delayed until 2016.” A new gym in town could be beneficial for everyone, but psychology student, Ellis, believes that it would be particularly beneficial for students. He says: “working out has been proven to help increase cognitive ability and since a lot of students come out of university overweight due to stressful binge eating, another opportunity for exercise is exactly what the town could do with.” In contrast, Mathematics and Statistics student, Penny, says: “£10.99 is a good price for students, but I’m not sure the town really needs another gym and so I doubt it would encourage more people to participate in fitness.”

(CAER) compared bee and wasp pollinators in an area to the use of the land over the last eighty years. It was found that, as expected, all areas suffered loss of species diversity but at sites of arable farmland there was a far greater loss than in urbanised areas. Dr Deepa Senapathi the lead researcher from CAER has explained the results. She states: "Over the past century, rural landscapes in Britain have become increasingly dominated by large expanses of monoculture - the growing of a single type of plant, which has helped boost

crop production. But without a mixture of habitat and food sources, rural areas can sometimes be little better than green deserts for biodiversity.” In contrast, she says: "Urban areas may benefit bees more than farmland by providing a wide variety of flowering plants, providing a cosmopolitan menu for insects from spring through to autumn.” The study proves to be significant on a national level as Professor Simon Potts, co-author of the research, says: "This study highlights the need for a more

joined-up environmental policy to help insect pollinators, which are critical both to our food security and farmers' profits. Britain's rich rural tapestry of fields, heaths, woods and grassland that existed in the 1930s has increasingly been replaced by arable farming and urban development. While many individual wildlife sites have been maintained, this is not enough. We need to encourage a mixture of diverse land uses in the wider countryside.”

Reading high street receives an unhealthy ranking DANIELLE PAGLIONICO

2nd Year English Language

The Royal Society for Public Health (RSPH) have placed the Reading high street as 17th in a list of 70 different high streets ranked in an unhealthy order. The high streets of Coventry, Middlesbrough and Preston were similarly placed near the unhealthier end of the high street spectrum, whereas high streets in areas like Shrewsbury and Salisbury were placed towards the healthier end of the high street scale. RSPH defines a healthy high street as one which possesses green grocers, libraries, clinics, swimming pools and the like.

Additionally, RSPH state healthy high streets are characterised by being less noisy, possessing numerous things to see and do, and remaining as safe environments where the public do not frequently fear crime, violence and suchlike. Conversely, unhealthy high streets are identified by the presence of tanning salons, tobacconists, bookies and fast food takeaways. In order to rank each high street accurately, each high street was awarded plus points for signs of healthy premises and minus points for establishments regarded by RSPH as unhealthy. RSPH suggest that the Reading high street could be ranked as healthier by improving services such as health initiatives, rather

than merely providing a good retail experience. They suggest this due to the fact that the high street is located in the centre of a community which therefore attracts those of various ages and social status. RSPH continue by highlighting the importance of high streets becoming diverse places 'in which to have fun, and enhance health and wellbeing', so that more of the general public will be attracted to these areas. Reading Borough Council planners remain aware of many of the ideas posited by RSPH. However, many regularly object to changing the use of enterprises that RSPH consider to be unhealthy, such as bookies or pay day loan shops.

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A third of young drivers don’t know what to do after a crash SOPHIE CLINTON 2nd Year English Literature

According to insurer, Ingenie, 17 to 24 year olds feel that driving lessons do not adequately prepare them for a crash situation. The new research shows that only 14% of those involved in a crash knew how to deal with the situation. 74% of young drivers failed to acquire the other party’s contact details, 82% did not acquire witness information and 71% forgot to note the registration details of the other vehicles involved. 21 year old university student, Oliver, crashed his car when he was 19 and had no information with him on his insurers. He said: “I didn’t even know the name of my insurance company, I share the car with my mum and barely use it, she sorts all that stuff.” This seems to be a general consensus amongst young drivers. Even those who have not crashed explained that their parents had either organised their insurance,

or were a second driver on their car and could therefore help out in these situations. English literature student, Sophia, was involved in a car crash when she was 18. She says: “The lack of information I had about my insurers left me feeling embarrassed and unable to talk to the other driver myself, meaning I felt obliged to put him into contact with my parents. For me this was a disappointment, as learning to drive had become a new stage of independence, so I felt lost when I was unable to deal with this situation.” There is an obligation for drivers to report to their insurers about any scale of crash and over a fifth of young people waited 7 days or more before getting in contact. This delay could result in some young drivers being unfairly penalised. While just 40% of older drivers reported feelings of emotional distress after a crash, a massive 91% of young people experienced this, and 21% were completely put off driving again.

The RAC Foundation also conducted a survey, showing that between 2008 and 2012 there was an average of 188,368 people injured in some form of car

Liberation & Representation Awards Nominations Outstanding Contribution to Liberation and Representation 1. Tommy Snipe Integration Event of the Year 1. Yang Liu – One World Week 2. 50 Shades of Grey : The romanticisation of abuse or liberation of female sexuality?

Campaign of the Year 1. Zero Tolerance Policy to Sexual Harassment Campaign 2. Mature and Postgraduate Students’ Common Room Campaign Campaigner of the Year 1. Tommy Snipe 2. Ella Hawkins

accident per year. It goes on to show that one in eight of those drivers were between the ages of 17-19. This is a surprising figure, considering

Get Involved with Democracy Day! DANIELLE PAGLIONICO

2nd Year English Language

On Saturday the 25th April, the School of Politics, Economics and International Relations will be holding an exciting topical event, centred on the upcoming UK elections. It will be a chance for our University community and members of the public alike to engage in a thoughtful discussion about the key issues in the election. The day will include: - An introduction by the Vice Chancellor Sir David Bell - Participation from representatives of the main political parties,

that in fact this age category concludes to just 1.5% of licensed drivers.

including Sir George Young (Conservative) and Lord Purvis of Tweed (Lib Dem). - An analysis of manifesto issues such as healthcare and foreign policy, and the session will close with - A ‘question time’ session to close This event is a fantastic opportunity to have an inclusive discussion and showcase how we can contribute to important topical issues. Come along and get involved! Key facts: Saturday 25th April, 1pm-5pm, Agriculture Building. To register your attendance, please email spear.events@reading.ac.uk

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JCR Awards Nominations

Fundraising of the Year 1. St Georges JCR 2. Benyon JCR 3. Bridges JCR Community Engagement Award Revealed on the night Committee Member of the Year 1. Sophie Bryan – St. Georges JCR 2. Anastasia Perrett – Wantage JCR 3. Sophie Connaghan – Benyon JCR 4. Kerry Evans – St Patrick’s JCR 5. Ellie Campbell – Wessex JCR 6. Emma McGuickan – Stenton JCR 7. Tarran Sanders – Mackinder JCR 8. Alethea Walker – Sherfield JCR 9. Eddie Morris – St. Georges JCR President of the Year 1. Beth Fryer – St Georges JCR 2. Sharonpreet Sadhra – Benyon JCR 3. Cameron Hayes – St Patrick’s JCR 4. Matt Newell – Wessex JCR 5. Charlotte James – Sherfield JCR 6. Sarah Gill – Bridges JCR 7. Ben Cooper – Childs JCR 8. Tom O’Toole-Mills – Wantage JCR Most Improved JCR 1. Bridges JCR 2. Benyon JCR 3. Childs JCR 4. Mackinder JCR 5. Wantage JCR 6. Wessex JCR 7. Stenton JCR 8. Sherfield JCR 9. Windsor JCR

10. St Patrick’s JCR 11. St Georges JCR

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Volunteering Awards Nominations Project of the Year 1. KEEN 2. Helping Hands 3. Re-Fresh 4. RAG 5. Learning Lab 6. Play Street

Most Improved Volunteering Project 1. KEEN 2. Student Eats Botanika Garden 3. Tea Party Committee

Project Coordinator of the Year 1. Amelia Patten - RAG 2. Shermaine Lee – Helping Hands 3. Charlotte Davis – KEEN 4. Arron Watson – Student Eats 5. Adya Surbhi – Soup Kitchen: Helping Hands

Community Volunteer of the Year 1. Futoon Al Mahruqi – One off 2. Mike Long – Harris Gardens 3. Hayley Cooper – Lakeside 4. Emily Carter – KEEN 5. Jordan Howells – Hexham Community Strikers

Best Fundraising Event 1. Jailbreak – RAG 2. Dance in a Day – RUBLS 3. Charity Show - Ballet

Fundraiser of the Year 1. Molly Davis and Eden Kewley – RAG 2. Natalie Smith and Flo Quick – Cheerleading

JCR Event of the Year 1. Winter Formal – St Georges JCR 2. St Patrick’s Hall Weekender – St Patrick’s JCR 3. “I’m a Student Get me Out of here” – St Georges JCR 4. Burns Night Formal – Wantage JCR 5. Summer Event – Wessex JCR 6. Safe Sex Ball – Mackinder JCR Best Freshers’ Week 1. St Georges JCR 2. St Patrick’s JCR 3. Sherfield JCR 4. Bridges JCR 5. Benyon JCR 6. Wantage JCR 7. Wessex JCR 8. Childs JCR 9. Stenton JCR 10. Sherfield JCR 11. Mackinder JCR JCR of the Year 1. St Georges JCR 2. Wantage JCR 3. St Patrick’s JCR 4. Wessex JCR 5. Benyon JCR 6. Bridges JCR 7. Childs JCR 8. Mackinder JCR 9. Windsor JCR 10. Stenton JCR 11. Sherfield JCR Welfare Initiative of the Year 1. Zach Evans – St Georges JCR 2. Nick Snell – Windsor JCR 3. Alethea Walker – Sherfield JCR 4. Bridges JCR 5. Ellie Campbell – Wessex JCR 6. Wantage JCR

Outstanding Contribution to One-Off Volunteering 1. Futoon Al Mahruqi 2. Vali Thies 3. Baking Society Freshers’ Angel of the Year 1. Corbin Spicer 2. Charlotte Stemp 3. Phillipa Oppenheimer 4. Andrew Mackinnon 5. Steven Gilbert

EAT FOR EXAMS! Find out what’s best to eat while you revise!

MAKING HISTORY IN PRAGUE Read all about the History societies trip to Prague and what they got up to.

INSTAGRAM TO FOLLOW Take a look at an inspiring instagram page all about travel.

BANK HOLIDAYS Learn about the top places to go on bank holidays, in and around Reading..

LIFESTYLE Days on Dartmoor

Photography by Sarah Kenchington

SARAH KENCHINGTON 1st Year English Literature

Sometimes it can be good to get away from the hectic buzz of things. At times, whilst the ride is exhilarating, life can get too fast, and you need to unwind for a few days. With the Easter Holidays fast approaching, and an overwhelming sense of stress

beginning to get to us, a group of friends and I began to plan a few days away down in Devon; specifically to Dartmoor. We all have those places which hold special feelings and memories for us, and for me that place is, without a shadow of a doubt, Dartmoor. Many hours growing up have been spent hiking across it, discovering new Tors, rivers and viewpoints. In

fact, the four friends I went with over Easter came into my life due to Dartmoor itself. Simply being back there puts smiles onto all of our faces. It draws us in like nowhere else. The week immediately after Easter the whole UK was blessed with stunning weather, so we picked our time well. When we’ve been there before for event trainings, we’ve been weighed

down by huge packs, whereas this time we had three day bags between the five of us. There was therefore no point at which any of us felt “Ugh this is exhausting” - it was just fun and freeing. Climbing to the top of the North Moor called Leather Tor, we could see for miles across all of Dartmoor and right down to Plymouth. Yes, we were a touch sunburnt, but we didn’t care.

It made me consider how sometimes it’s good to get away from busy day to day life, and take some time out. In an age where we are always connected to our busy schedules and technology, it’s easy to forget there still are places where you truly can escape. So to anyone who feels that an escape is well needed - I would thoroughly recommend a few days on Dartmoor.

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Making History in Prague JESSICA FREELAND 3rd Year History with Study Abroad

Following the success of the Reading University Making History society trip to Berlin last year, this Easter a whopping thirty-three of us headed to the Czech capital of Prague. Having arrived late at night, we woke up the following morning eager to see what Prague had to offer. Our route began by visiting Charles Bridge - number one on all tourist tick-lists. The Bridge was built to provide a route from the Old Town to Prague Castle, an important route as Prague was the seat of the King of Bohemia. We all did our best to dodge the hordes of tourists whilst enjoying our first real view of the city. We then took a slight detour to see the John Lennon Wall. Under the Communist regime, the wall became a vehicle for disgruntled youths to express their grievances. The authorities would repeatedly whitewash their messages, accusing them of being agents of Western capitalism. The wall became associated with John Lennon and his ideals of peace and love, and since the fall of Communism the wall continues to express these ideals. After feeling sufficiently peaced-out and loved-up, we headed up the hill to the Castle complex. You can get a ticket that gets you into most of the buildings in the area. We first had a peek at St-Vitus Cathedral. It is the most dominant building on the Prague skyline and is a fantastic example of late-gothic architecture. We then had a look in the remains of the Medieval Castle - there wasn't much left apart from the original

hall which was big enough to hold jousts! Our evening's revelries took us on a bar crawl of the city. With the first hour including unlimited free absinthe, the evening quickly spiraled into debauchery. The night for some ended abruptly by experiencing the Czech hospital system after some very drunken and extremely disorderly dancing on tables. For most of us, we saw in the early hours of the morning in the super club Karlovy Lazne, becoming particularly fond of the 'Kaleidoscope' floor which played endless oldies and mesmerised you with its lit-up floor. “To fully appreciate the square, climb the Gothic tower of the Old Town Hall. From here you get spectacular views of the square and the entire city” The following morning we understandably had a slower start to the day. We began with a sobering visit to the very unique Sex Machines Museum. The museum was full of early modern chastity belts and antimasturbation devices, replica medieval machines to assist in all kinds of antics, screenings of the earliest porn films, and culminated in some quite scary modern BDSM equipment. Thinking that we ought to spend the afternoon a little more culturally, the group split for us all to explore the Old Town Square area. Most of us quickly hurried in search of food, more specifically, Goulash - a Czech dish that many of us had become particularly partial to. It is basically a delicious beef stew served often with dumplings or some sort of potato.

Campus Crushes

Is your love life limited to the library? Are you raring for a Reading romance? If so get in touch with Campus Crushes! To submit your campus crush, email deputyeditor@sparknewspaper.co.uk .

We were lucky to have a lot of sun while we were there, but it was also pretty windy and Goulash warmed us right up. To fully appreciate the square, we climbed the Gothic tower of the Old Town Hall. From here you get spectacular views of the square and the entire city. At the bottom of the tower is one of Prague's biggest sites - the Astronomical Clock. We timed it perfectly and joined the hoards of tourists who gazed up to see the little figures pop out and jig about as the hour changed. The clock itself is beautiful but is probably more useful in telling you about the stars than the actual time. We had been told that you can see concerts in Prague for a fraction of the price that you'd pay in most capital cities. We gave it a go and saw a fantastic string quartet and it was one of the highlights of the trip. On our final day, after packing up and putting our bags in storage, we headed up towards the Petrin Tower. Whilst we were climbing up the hill, a deafening, crackling announcement echoed across the city. It continued for about five minutes before being replaced by a siren. It was horribly eerie. We couldn't see anyone else and had no idea what was happening. In our hungover state, dramatic, panicky ideas spread amongst the group, that we were about to be showered with nuclear bombs or something equally ridiculous. One of us even text his mum and sister that he loved them! After the siren ended and we had a quick google: we learnt it was the monthly airraid siren drill and all felt very silly. The Tower gives great panoramic views but if you don't fancy the climb up there (which

Credit to Jess Freeland

feels a bit precarious in the wind) the views just from the walk up the hill are good enough. Also up on the hill is the Strahov Monastery. Here we stopped for lunch where we could fully appreciate the views of the city. We then had a little explore in its beautiful libraries with a small exhibition of some historical manuscripts associated to the monastery. It was an unexpected find that I would recommend if you are in the area. We ended our trip by trying

To the blonde haired girl in front of me in the queue for Bubble Tea, You were wearing a white dress, and I wish I’d told you how Tearrific you looked!.

To the girl smoking outside the library at 2am the Thursday before the end of term, you light my fire.. Fancy a date?.

To the guy who gave me directions while I was completely lost in HUMSS, Thank you for trying to help, but I got even more lost in your eyes. .

To the lad listening to Tom Jones with Beats headphones in Eat At the Square. It's not unusual how much I want to date you.

the Two Tone Beer. We jumped on a tram and headed for the area it was supposed to be sold in. We poked our head round the door of the first bar we found and were in luck. They layer the syrupy dark beer on top of Pilsner lager, and it was delicious. Our return journey was filled with more delays and a manic rush to get to the airport when our transfer didn't pitch up. Although this tainted our final day, I don't think it stopped any of us wishing we were back in Prague for more.

TRAVEL

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Instagram to Follow BASIL AL-ALI

3rd Year Business and Management

Everyone wants to travel the world and experience the different cultures that countries have to offer. The magazine Travel + Leisure have created their own Instagram account called @ travelandleisure, that just must be checked out. They continuously post breathtaking photos from places all around the world. The pictures can give you so many good ideas of where to visit and what scenery to see. The account gives a huge variety of not only city but rural photos. They also use bright colours in the majority of their photos which really stand out. Some of my personal

favourites from the account are the ones of the blue waters of the Bahamas with pink clouds, spring blossoms in Kyoto, Japan, and Dubai’s skyline from above the clouds. With over 494k followers and 2,200 posts, this account is definitely going to push you to follow your itch to explore the world. Remember it is more important to collect moments rather than things, and now is the best time to do it as you are young and have no responsibilities. There are many reasons you should travel and this Instagram account could give you the push you need. Traveling allows you to experience different cultures and customs that you have probably never experienced before. This can teach you a new way of

understanding and to be more accepting of people while also understanding their viewpoints. Although you probably won't become fluent during a short trip to a country you visit, you will be able to pick up some of the basics, which can make you more interesting, and it helps you experience the country in a more organic way. There is so much amazing architecture and scenery to be seen all around the world, for example the Egyptian pyramids or the Great Wall of China. Finally, traveling teaches you to be grateful for what you currently have at home and that the grass isn’t always greener on the other side.

Credit to @travelandleisure

May Bank Holiday Things To Do Nathan Fake an English electronic music artist from Norfolk with a delectable discography, and the pop-up cinema Lost Picture Show. This is much more than a music festival - it's a cultural showcase. It might be a little pricey for a student budget but it’s certainly worth it.

Credit to Benedict Adam, Flickr

HANNAH CROFTS 2rd Year English Literature

The May Bank holiday is upon us, and it’s the perfect opportunity to get out of the house and enjoy your last weekend of freedom before exams begin. Bank holidays are great (who doesn’t love a 3 day weekend?!) and this one’s the best excuse to take a break from revision and hang out with your friends. There’s plenty to do, both in and around Reading, and these are my top picks...

London Event: Land of Kings - Music and Arts Festival - Dalston, Hackney Cost: £25, festival tickets. £15, Reading to Hackney Central day return train ticket with student card. Spread over 15 venues, with over 16 hours of alternative music, interactive art, and film screenings, Land of Kings is a unique festival that allows you to explore Dalston’s hidden nooks and crannies. The line up includes The 2 Bears, a musical duo described as "rave-garage" and "pop-hip-house", Brighton based DJ foursome Soft Rocks,

Brighton Event: Brighton Fringe Cost: £22, day return train ticket with a student railcard The largest arts festival in England, Brighton Fringe runs throughout the whole of May. With over 200 free events you can save your pennies for another day by only spending on travel. My top two highlights of these free events include the 2011 'Funny Women' finalist Sarah Callaghan with her stand up show Elephant - she’s fantastic and definitely one not to miss: "Callaghan’s comedy is down to earth, working class Londoner: ballsy, mouthy and with the quick witted deliver you’d expect from a teenager with attitude." (Broadway Baby). Then there’s the @5ftinf Pop-Up Shop where you can get creative by taking part in mini workshops, such as making some beautiful garlands or learning tips on mobile photography (so you can finally take that perfect Instagram). The woman behind @5ftinf is Philippa

Stanton, who under this handle has 430k Instagram followers and through her Instagram she daily photographs ‘The Table’, where she takes ordinary objects and places them in artistic compositions drawing inspiration from feelings rather than meanings. This is much more than a simple pop-up craft shop, it’s an incredibly fascinating interactive experience that creative types will love. In addition to the Fringe, make sure you also take some time to meander through The Lanes where Brighton houses its array of quaint and quirky shops, and if you’re after an indulgent pick me up then be sure to pop into Choccywoccydoodah on Boyces Street, too. Oxford Event: Punting and Pub Cost: £6, Oxford to Reading day return train ticket with student railcard £4, boat hire Bursting with culture, there’s always something to do in Oxford. Head down to Magdalen Bridge Boathouse where you can hire a boat for £20, which works out at £4 each for a group of 5, and go punting down the Thames. Afterwards, there's an abundance of bars and pubs you can explore, however, The Turf Tavern is

definitely one not to miss. A popular student haunt hidden away down an alley, it's been frequented by ex-Aussie PM Bob Hawke who downed a yard of ale there in 11 seconds, breaking a Guinness World Record, and Bill Clinton when he was a student in the '60s (with local legend saying he smoked weed there - cheeky Bill). The Turk Tavern offers plenty of history and plenty of alcoholic beverages too, including a variety of beers and a selection of real ale. The majority of the seating is outside, making it perfect for a (hopefully) sunny Bank Holiday. Reading Event: Sunday Lunch at The Abbot Pub Cost: £11+ If you are after a more laid back, lazier weekend closer to home, having a proper pub lunch is the perfect accompaniment to any bank holiday. Nestled in Cemetery Junction, among the student area, is The Abbot, a cosy pub with a relaxed and welcoming vibe. It’s the perfect place for a Sunday Roast, with prices that start at £11. They even have a selection of board games for you to enjoy after. So, if you’re hankering for a roast that’s nearly as good as your mum's, this is the place to come - you definitely won’t be disappointed.

LIFESTYLE |FOOD & BEAUTY

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Revision Foods – Eat for Exams!

Lipstick Lovin’ HANNAH GAY

4th Year French and International Relations

If there's one thing for sure, it is that I am no beauty expert and I always stick to what I know. Well, I might not be any expert, but I am open to testing new, reasonably priced products. When it comes to my lips, I'm a blonde who likes her pinks. Call me a girly girl, but hey, it's what I know.I have tried many, many lip-glosses and decided it was time to go for a matte look. My housemate had several Topshop lipsticks that always look great on her, so I decided to give one a go. At £8, this was a way to try out a new product without breaking the bank.I went for the ‘Falling Fast’ shade, a little less daring than her shades of purple, but one that I hoped would suit me.

Credit to Elizabeth Andrews

ELIZABETH ANDREWS

4th Year Food Technology with BioProcessing

Staying calm and focused this term will be half the battle. However, as well as revision, there are some other things you can do to improve your exam performance, and therefore exam success! Stay hydrated We are advised to drink around 2 litres of water a day, and this is especially important during warmer weather. Water supports a number of chemical reactions in

Credit to Elizabeth Andrews

the body, and improves our brain function, making it easier to digest and remember the information that you have revised throughout the day. Take a bottle of water in to each exam, and regularly take sips to stay hydrated and improve exam performance and concentration. Maintain good energy levels Try and avoid consuming too many high sugar treats, including sweets and chocolate, especially during a revision session. Try and opt for foods which will provide a high source of energy for a sustained period of time. This could include houmous with vegetable dips (e.g. carrot or cucumber sticks), apple crisps, dried fruit or flapjacks, or even a fruity muffin. Be inventive with your snacks, and try different flavours and foods to make them more exciting during a dull study session. Sleep well Sleep is our body’s essential time to digest information and rest, so make sure you get your recommended eight hours a night at least. Warm milk or herbal tea just before going to bed will improve the quality of your sleep. It is also suggested to avoid caffeinated drinks up to 3 hours before

sleeping. Through improving our protein consumption we can obtain an essential hormone called melotonin. This hormone is known to have sleep-inducing effects. Boost your immune system The last thing you want during an exam is a cold! Eat plenty of fruits and vegetables to get the essential vitamins and minerals you need to fight off the germs. If you’re susceptible to coughs and colds, try taking a daily Vitamin C tablet (available from any supermarket).

“focus on your exams, but support your work and revision with a healthy, balanced lifestyle”

Take a break! Suffering from fatigue or ‘burn out’ reduces motivation which makes revision even more difficult. Make sure you take regularly breaks, even just for 10 minutes, to rest your eyes and your brain and start a-fresh again. Although you want to cram as much revision in as possible, in the evenings, read a book or magazine to detract your mind

Credit to Emily Hodges

“At £8, this was a way to try out a new product without breaking the student bank account!” To put it simply, I am pretty impressed. The smoothness of the product ensures that it glides onto the lips effortlessly, yet is easy to dab off if any unwanted marks get onto your skin. I feel that the colour really suits me and fits in with the way that I apply the rest of my make up. With reference to the other colours for this product, I know that they look fantastic for those of you who prefer something a little more ‘out there’. The one downfall I would give the product is that although the colour does last fairly well, the whole freshness of the colour does need reapplying fairly soon after each application. My tip would therefore be to carry it around with you! That aside, I would recommend this to anyone!

from it. Exercise will help clear any stress or anxiety by burning off energy, and will clear your mind ready for your next study session – even a 20 minute walk will help, or a session in the gym. Overall, focus on your exams, but support your work and revision with a healthy, balanced lifestyle; this will improve your concentration and ability to retain information. Use exercise to destress and once you have finished

Credit to Emily Hodges

an exam, don’t dwell on your answers – you cannot change anything at that point so forget all about it and start concentrating on your next exam! I wish you all good luck in your exams – I hope some of these tips will help you! Just remember, there isn’t long to go and then you have a long summer break ahead of you – start making plans now so you have something exciting to look forward to!

FOOD

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|LIFESTYLE

Simple Students Suppers - Spring Salads! ELIZABETH ANDREWS

4th Year Food Technology with BioProcessing

As the weather becomes warmer and lighter, refreshing meals become a lot more appealing. Add some colour to your mealtimes with fresh fruits and vegetables – easy to prepare, and very little washing up afterwards! Having a range of different colours on your plate means you are getting a wider range of nutrients, especially vitamins, which are particularly essential for revision. Salad 1 – BBQ Chicken Salad Ingredients (serves 2) – 4 chicken breasts, approximately 300g BBQ sauce (depending on your preference), 2 large handfuls of lettuce or spinach, 100g Ranch Dressing (or a combination of

garlic, onion, buttermilk, salt, herbs, or paprika as available), 1 Lime, 1 large salad tomato, and 2 flour tortillas (cut in to strips).

Method – Grill the chicken for about 20-25 minutes at 200ᴼC until cooked. If you have an onion, finely slice and add these on to the same tray for about 10 minutes to soften. Shred the chicken finely. To make the dressing, thoroughly mix the ranch dressing (or alternative ingredients chosen), with the juice of the lime (and flesh if you like a stronger citrus flavour), and tomato until it makes a smooth paste. If you like a spicy dressing, add a finely chopped jalapeno. Add the desired amount of lettuce or spinach on your plate, add a few spoonfuls of chicken and onions (you can add some black bean salsa here if you wish), pour on the dressing and serve with warmed tortilla strips. Enjoy!

Easy Picnic Recipes

Salad 2 – Couscous Based Salads

Use a selection of your favourite foods to make a healthy, appealing and satisfying salad for dinner. One of my favourites includes the use of smoked mackerel with rocket and olives (see recipe below). However, you can add any ingredients you like. For example: tomatoes, cucumber, other oily fish (scientifically proven to increase brain function), lettuce, watercress etc. The possibilities with this recipe are endless! Use one bowl for the couscous then add in all your chopped ingredients, leaving you with very little washing up! Ingredients – 2 smoked mackerel fillets, a handful of cherry tomatoes (sundried tomatoes are a nice alternative), a handful of black olives, a large handful of rocket, a drop of olive oil and a pinch of herbs (rosemary and Ingredients: ● 1 romaine lettuce ● 2 large tomatoes ● 2 spring onions ● 1 ripe avocado, peeled, with stones removed and chopped ● 3 tbsp lemon juice ● 85g feta cheese ● 1/4 tsp dried oregano ● 1/4 tsp dried mint ● 5 tbsp extra-virgin olive oil ● 2 tbsp black kalamata olives Method: Chop up all the ingredients and gently mix them together. Then whisk the lemon juice and olive oil together and drizzle over. Asian Inspired Quinoa Salad. Serves 4 High protein, low fat and gluten free, quinoa is the perfect wholesome substitute for rice or couscous, making this Asian inspired salad incredibly hearty. Ingredients:

HANNAH CROFTS 2rd Year English Literature

Summer is nearly here, and while revision is a priority, with the beautiful weather there is no better reason to get outside and have a picnic. You can still make the most of the sunshine despite

all the dreary revision by getting a group of friends together and going for a revision picnic. Pack up these yummy recipe ideas and head outside: Greek Salad. Serves 4. Packed full of healthy ingredients this super easy Greek salad is delicious.

● 260g cooked quinoa ● 6 carrots, spiraled or shredded ● 100g edamame bean ● 2 red peppers, diced ● 8 tbsp sesame seed ● 10 tbsp sesame oil ● 6 tbsp tamari ● 4 tsp rice wine vinegar ● 4 tsp lime juice (can substitute with lemon) ● 4 tsp maple syrup ● 4 tsp sriracha sauce

Credit to Elizabeth Andrews

sage go particularly well), half a standard sachet of couscous. Method – Boil a small amount of water in a kettle, and mix with the couscous (the water level should be just above the couscous level in the bowl). Leave to one side for the couscous to absorb the water. Method: Cook the quinoa and leave to cool before mixing together with the diced pepper, edamame, and carrot. Whisk the remaining ingredients to make a dressing and pour into the salad before mixing again. Guacamole Dip. Serves 4. This tasty dip is very yummy and goes great with nachos. Ingredients: ● 2 avocados, peeled, with stones removed and chopped ● 1 small red onion, finely chopped ● 1 clove garlic, minced ● 1 ripe tomato, chopped ● 1 lime, juiced Method: Mash up the avocados and stir in the onion, garlic, tomato and lime juice. Bring along some nachos to dip, or alternatively carrot sticks if you’re trying to be healthy. Fruit Salad, Serves 4. Simple, healthy, and bursting with flavours, plus the coconut adds a tropical twist. Ingredients: ● ½ pineapple ● 1 ripe mango ● 1 papaya

Meanwhile, finely chop the mackerel, tomatoes, olives, and rocket. Drizzle with about a tablespoon of olive oil and add in any herbs of your choice. Black pepper or paprika could also be used to give it a spicy flavour. Enjoy!

● 2 kiwi fruit ● 2 bananas ● 25g pomegranate seeds ● 3 tbsp shredded sweetened dried coconut Method: Chop up all the fruit and carefully mix together with the pomegranate seeds and dried coconut. Homemade Lemonade. Makes 1 Litre. There’s something very satisfying about making your own lemonade, and this refreshing recipe is a delight. Besides, everybody knows nothing compares with the taste of homemade lemonade. Ingredients: ● 3 unwaxed lemons, roughly chopped ● 140g caster sugar ● 1l cold water Method: Blend the lemons, sugar and half the water in a food processor. Pour the liquid through a sieve and into a bowl, then combine with the remaining water. Transport in a sealable bottle or jug and serve with ice. If you find it’s too bitter you can mix it with soda water, or add more sugar to taste and then blend again.

LIFESTYLE|MR MAGNETIC & MISS ADVISED

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK Dear No-Motivation Nancy,

Miss Advised

First things first, you WON’T fail! Trust me, if you’ve made it into your third year fail-free then that is a credit to you and how hard you have worked. Are there any particular revision methods that helped you get through first and second year that you could use again this year? I understand how hard it is to get yourself motivated- the sun is a massive distraction and all you want to do is sit in the beer garden! You’ve got to keep in mind that you can do all those fun things after you finish exams; you are in your third year so you’ll be finishing quite early on in the term, and there will be many weeks where you can relax, and most importantly they will be guilt free!

Miss Advised, I’m a third year student currently trying to revise for my final exams. The thing is, I am very easily distracted! For most of the Easter vacation, I have stayed at my house in Reading in order to get some work done, but because a few of my friends stayed too we just end up getting distracted and either going out to the pub or going for meals in the evenings. When the sun is out in the daytime it’s especially hard to just sit inside and work. I constantly have this feeling that I have so much time to do it all in but then when I look at my exam dates they seem so close! I am really worried I’m going to fail them, but it’s so hard to get the motivation to revise, how do I get myself going with this? I don’t want to mess this up!

Try writing a plan. Plans are the best way of working out how many days you have until certain exams and then planning how many hours you are going to spend revising each module. On your plan you can also put incentives- one Friday night you can go to the pub once you’ve done a solid 8 hours of revision that day, or you can visit a friend for a night in with a takeaway after you’ve finished revising a certain section one day.

From No-Motivation Nancy

From Miss (also a little addicted) Advised

The true incentive will be the thought of finishing, then celebrating without the revision cloud hanging overhead. The true motivation will come from remembering the reason why you came to University in the first place, and why you chose the course you’re doing. Chin up, a little hard work never hurt anyone- and think of all that free time between exams and graduation! Good luck!

Mr Magnetic Dear Watchaholic, You are preaching to the converted. This is a common problem, it actually predates computers, it goes back to when TV was first invented (well not quite as far back as that, pretty much when Sky came out). For me it all started with Jeremy Kyle – who wants to revise for GCSE’s when those all important lie detector results are coming up after the break? It’s only gotten worse now that catalogues of mediocre programming is available at the click of a button. Firstly, you have to get out of your room, whilst not unheard of it is much harder to watch TV in the library (mostly because the internet is so slow on campus). If this isn’t stopping you - you can download site blockers that can remove social media and websites like Netflix for predetermined amounts of time – taking away not just the temptation but also the availability of these sites. Still not managing to get stuff done? Here’s my advice. Transcribe your notes from lectures, blackboard lecture slides, and anything else you have to aid your studies onto good old fashioned paper (there are these things called ‘books’ I have heard legends speak of). Do this whilst having TV on in the background; the monotonous task of copying does not require your full attention. Once completed take these pages somewhere and leave the laptop behind. You can sit and go through your notes in peace.

Drawn by Kate Bowen

Dear Mr Magnetic. I have an addiction, and it’s getting pretty bad. All I ever want to do is watch Netflix, I come home and just put it straight on. I have a double bed and my only partner is my laptop, I sleep with it like a child and his stuffed toy. I know I should be revising, but I find myself just watching Netflix. Half the time it’s season after season of stuff I’ve watched before – exams are coming up and I have no motivation. What do I do? Regards,

Remember to reward yourself, do a good, all day stint in the library, aided only with ink and paper and when you get home do a good all night stint watching tripe. Good luck in your exams, we are the first generation to face these immense challenges – with the great power of Google and Wikipedia comes the great responsibility of shutting off Netflix. Best, Mr Magnetic

Watchaholic

FASHION

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Campus Style: Style spotted on campus this month CAITLIN MCCLINCHY 2nd Year German and Economics

3rd Year English Language

Name: Yasmin Course: Politics and International Relations Wearing: New Look Kimono, top from British Heart Foundation, ASOS jeans, red Converse, ASOS jewellery Influence: “I really like natural hair and take inspiration from Solange Knowles and Alexa Chung. I also read a lot of fashion blogs such as ‘What Olivia Did’ and ‘I Want You to Know’, and I like browsing Pinterest for looks.” Name: Ronald Course: Foundation Course Wearing: : Sweatshirt from Hong Kong, and Nike shorts Influence: “Probably my parents and my friends.”

Name: Sophie Course: Psychology Wearing: Jacket from a vintage shop in The Oracle, Topshop jeans, black Converse Influence: “I don’t really take influences from people, I just like casual looks.”

Is Fashion Art?

Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty 2nd Year German and Economics

The death of fashion designer, Lee Alexander McQueen, in 2010 has lead to much discussion about how to celebrate his remarkable work. ‘Savage Beauty: Alexander McQueen’ is the first to display this broadly. The exhibition presents different themes within atmospheric rooms alongside powerful sound effects and lighting. It has always been clear to me that fashion is one of many forms of art and this further confirmed my ideas. There is little biographical information but the curator noted that this is because his personality and life is within his works. The most notable theme throughout is McQueen’s fascination with nature and the cyclical aspect of it. A dress made

Name: Joyce Course: International Foundation Programme with Speech and Language Therapy Wearing: Name necklace, black coat, white top, acid wash jeans, red Converse Influence: “I’m inspired by my sister and Helen Keller. I take fashion influences from Cara Delevigne because she is natural but also doesn’t care what people think.”

CHRISTIAN WALTERS

Name: Marina Course: English Literature Wearing: Boyfriend’s jacket, ASOS jeans, Converse Influence: “My friends and people at home in Walthamstow.”

CAITLIN MCCLINCHY

|LIFESTYLE

of razor-clam shells worn by Erin O’Connor is one of the most prominent pieces. McQueen had collected the shells from a beach as they no longer had a use and by creating a dress with them, he gave them a new life. Then, O’Connor destroyed the dress on the catwalk by ripping the shells off. Thus showing that nature is continuous and changing, as is fashion. He said that he could gain inspiration from the smallest things. One aspect he explored was contrasting the natural world with the beauty of embellishment. The bodice of a dress was made from horse hair and covered with glass beads, resembling algae. It is interesting to see the dresses in person rather than on the catwalk as the great detail and artistic beauty is more apparent. Not only were the ideas of McQueen incredible, but also

his skill. The cuts of the pieces are very important to note; it was interesting to discover how he designed from the side of the body, rather than the front to shape pieces to the spine. I found that the cut often reflected the empowerment of women which was one of McQueen’s greatest beliefs. He famously said, “I want people to be afraid of the women I dress”. It was not only inspiring to see femininity in the exhibition but also alongside power. When writing this article, I struggled to find images to use that did the experience justice. It was very much an art exhibition perhaps because it was not chronological. The emotion was evident in every part with the use of catwalk videos and sound effects. McQueen’s catwalk shows are renowned for their involvement of the audience and this was recreated in the exhibition as it came alive. There is no doubt that each piece spoke for itself; there is nothing quite like the beauty and perfection of an Alexander McQueen dress, no

Credit to Sarah Foster-Edwards

matter what the material or cut. Additionally the continuity of the curation was incredible: even with romanticism of lace being juxtaposed with the gothic and macabre that was almost haunting. The uncovering of the apparent lost underwater city Atlantis was the inspiration for McQueen’s final complete collection, ‘Plato’s Atlantis’. This is the most futuristic of the collections and is stunning to see it in person, with ‘Armadillo’ boots and aquatically printed silk. As well as this exhibition portraying great skill from Lee

Alexander McQueen, the most poignant is the non-static appeal and sentiment that it brings with it. It is undoubtedly thoughtprovoking, and most definitely art; this is a dimension that fashion exhibitions don’t often manage to emulate. ‘Alexander McQueen: Savage Beauty’ runs until 2nd August 2015 and will indisputably be one of many exhibitions on the designer. Tickets are available online but you can also turn up on the day: doors open at 10am and there are about 200 tickets available each day.

YOUNG GUNS SHOOT TO KILL Ollie Weeden reviews an electrifying performance by Young Guns at the

HOROSCOPES Find out what this month has in store for you!

BLOODDBOURNE Requirements: Hard core gaming skills and an immense endurance

DARK SIDE OF THE MOON A reflective poem written by Louise Ingham

ENTERTAINMENT

Photographed by Nathalie Siah

The Terminal: a chance to escape the UK for only a moment NATHALIE SIAH The Editor

Leaving a crowded 3sixty late on a Friday night, I have to say that RUMBSA’s production of The Terminal was an evening to remember. Many people of

different cultures came to the event and enjoyed a ‘taster’ of the homes of many here at the University of Reading. Having spent much of my time in Malaysia (my home away from home), The Terminal allowed me to be temporarily whisked back to a place where all sentences

end in ‘lah’, everyone calls each other ‘Uncle’ or ‘Auntie’ and it is too hot to try anything but live. I was enthused to find nasi lemak, a traditional dish, sold at the performance; a fine choice for the evening. It was a spicy treat for anyone who hasn’t had the dish before, and a lovely meal for all

those who find familiarity in the smells and tastes of the exotic platter. The show itself was full of laughs (including the good old fashioned “Sei!”s) and drama. The story is centered on Hannah, played by Angela Hii, a young Malay girl who dares to run from

the traditional lifestyle and her father Ibrahim. Played by Harith Khan, this man is best described as an exceptionally controlling father who will do anything, including setting up an elaborate proposal, to keep his daughter nearby after the death of his wife. continues on next page...

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

ARTS

| ENTERTAINMENT

RUMBSA Night: Cast interview OLLIE WEEDEN Sports Editor

After we were treated to a night of culture and intrigue, this reporter sat down to talk to the co-director and star of the play Angela Hii and her lead, Harith Khan. Q: Thank you for being with us today. First of all, how do you think the night went? H: The night went well, there were some nerves before we went on but I think, in the end, we just had fun with it on stage. The jokes we made went down well and the Malaysian food was also great! Q: So what was the atmosphere backstage like? H Very Malaysian! The audience were almost all Malaysians, for once the English were a minority! Q: What was it like working under the director Arthur Woon? H I liked him because he was never just a friend. When he needed to be, he could be very serious and he wasn't afraid to tell you off if you hadn't learnt your lines.

A: We were all prepared well in advance, we could have done the production earlier but he always wanted more rehearsals. He also allows for improvisation, he can be very chilled but he always wants to know exactly what you want to improvise and where! H He also looks good in a suit! Q: As I understand, you both cowrote the script to the play, did either of you have any previous experience of writing? A: I did. I write plays for fun. I directed a school play based on my ideas but this is the first time I've had something of mine which has been performed! H I watch a lot of shows like Family Guy, one of my dream jobs would be to write a script for them. It will never happen, I just wanted to see if I could do it! Q: So what inspiration did you have for the story behind the play? H Well, Angela and I are in a relationship but we are of different races which can cause a lot of tension in Malaysia with regard to cultural and religious boundaries.

Our current generation doesn't care so much which causes more tension with the older generation so that was something that we wanted to write about. Q: The play certainly does deal with a lot of social issues which still affect Malaysia today, so is this something that you were always keen on addressing? A: Yes, we wanted The Terminal to be relatable to students here. Everything they go through. We didn't really want to do half a story in Malaysia and half a story in the UK. We decided on showing events leading up to her leaving for the UK. Q: Angela, you yourself ended up playing Hannah, the star of the show, although as I understand it another was cast and only two days before the show she tragically lost her voice. So how were you able to deal with the pressure of suddenly having to play the main star of the show? A: I didn't really have time to panic. I'm the co-director after all. Arthur approached me very casually and said that she couldn’t possibly do it. She was screaming and it sounded like a whisper. I

Photographed by Nathalie Siah

had been to every rehearsal, so I knew pretty much everyone's lines and I had directed her so many times. When I wrote her character, I knew what she was going to say and how she was going to say it, and I always tried to project that onto her whilst allowing her to give the character her own unique style. So I took on the role in the way that I saw it. Q: And Harith you played Ibrahim, a father to Hannah. Seeing as you and Angela have been together for a long time, and you wrote the play together, was there ever any awkwardness because you're in a relationship together? H Absolutely not, I love shouting at her! Our scenes were very emotional. I think these same emotions are those which you get in a romantic relationship so I tried to convey that, just without the romantic side of it. So I just translated that. A: It was awkward when people brought it up, as nobody was supposed to know! Q: As you mentioned earlier, on the night the crowd were mostly Malaysian and made lots of noise. Was that something which added to the pressure or were you able to ...Hannah befriends a young and fun-loving Chinese boy named Jit Weng despite her family’s wishes and that of another man-hunkZak Efron-type-looking love interest—Arif. Hii puts on a good fight taking over the role several days before the show after the original lead, Jasmeet Kaur, had taken ill. She has a cool demeanor although it’s clear she does not feel the utmost comfortable on stage. Khan on the other hand easily shows his heart on his sleeve by playing an angry desperate father in the many scenes with a permanent scowl on his face, and a noticeable dandruff problem on his head. Although this was not aproduction in which acting was very strong, there were several notable talents on stage. Firstly, the MC’s were awkward but sweet in the most charming of ways. By introducing the play and making short announcements, they were the glue that kept the show alive. Also, Jia-Ting Chua who played Jit, was exceptionally dashing.

feed off it? H I fed off it, definitely. It was the only way that we were able to improvise at times. A: They were really responsive, so easy to please! They made all sorts of noise, typical crowd noise. I took it that they were so relaxed and really chilled so they weren't exactly a tough crowd to please. That made it OK. Even laughing at things which weren't meant to be funny! We just tried to push the anger even more. Q: So, finally, I understand that this is a yearly thing for RUMBSA. As far as you know, are there any plans for next year in the works? H Yeah, our Vice President is currently working on a bunch of scripts already. A: Harith has plans for a script as well, a lot of comedy, his ideas for the play are very slapstick. Full of cheap jokes. But at the same time, it has quite a good storyline to it and so we'll try to pitch it soon. We have a year, and we have to include next year's first year students as well.

With his performance, the carefree personality in his character really shone through; by far the best actor of the night. Oddly enough, although a completely minor character, Arif’s best friend Adib, played by Derrick Lee proved to be entertaining in his rendition of High School Musical’s “Breaking Free”. It is obvious that both writers Hii and Khan lack experience in writing a play. Each of the character’s names was said about every other sentence, the characters are fairly shallow and the plot is resolved too quickly. However, the ambience was nostalgic enough to be its saving grace. If you put your thoughts of a professional show aside, an evening spent with friends thinking of home is always a good one. A good effort to RUMBSA for putting The Terminal together, it was definitely a lovely experience.

ENTERTAINMENT | MUSIC & FILMS

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.

The Water Diviner – a story of blood and love NATHALIE SIAH The Editor

Winning several awards already in Australia, The Water Diviner is a fantastic directorial debut and is captured brilliantly by Russell Crowe as both the star and director of the film. This enchanting tale follows the story of a father, with an unusual ability to find water in Australia, who goes on a hunt to find his sons’ bodies after they had gone missing in the Battle in Gallipoli at the end of World War I. He seeks to find and bring them back to bury their bodies in home soil. While making his way from Australia to Istanbul he finds himself at a hotel where the owner of the establishment, the beautiful Ayshe (Olga Kurylenko) and her very charming little boy Orhan (Dylan Georgiades) aid him on his fearless quest. Based on a true story, the film is a tribute reaching out to those who were lost and symbolizes strength, courage and most of all love. Crowe portraying Joshua Connor, an Australian farmer, is a strong father figure and draws on his own life for inspiration. Crowe states that there was no doubt in reading the script, that it’s affected him in a deep way having two sons of his own. It is clear from the film that he puts himself in the shoes of Joshua in a real and honest way. In particular, the use of the

magic carpet relating to the story of One Thousand and One Nights, is a beautiful symbol of freedom and safety that he provides for his children. This caring spirit carries a strong weight in his character and is undeniably genius in his depiction. Creating a different perspective from many war films, Crowe attempts to depart from the pomp and circumstance view of war. Rather, he relates to the sufferings of soldiers past by stating, “This is an unashamedly anti-war film. It doesn’t glorify its situation; in fact it shows it for its reality.” Scenes in the film which include long drawn out injuries, remind us that death in battle may not be instantaneous but rather occurring over several hours. The film comes to the conclusion that there exists a shared notion that enemies who were once at gunpoint with one another, now have more in common than ever before, and it isn’t worth the tears. Kurylenko on the other hand is a lovely, graceful leading lady. Playing a tense and sometimes anxious character, she brings intrigue and an air of fun to an exotic location. She is a striking flavour to the role, however under the strained circumstances it is unclear whether the romance between Joshua and Ayshe is significant, or even blooming. It is only until the end of the film, that we learn through coffee of all things that the pair might be an item. A single stretch too far I’d say, but sweet nonetheless.

Russell Crowe and Olga Kurylenko in London for a Press Conference on The Water Diviner, Credit: Photographed by Nathalie Siah

New to the genre of a period drama, Kurylenko admits that this was mainly the reason she was drawn to the film in the first place. The challenge of learning Turkish;

immersing herself in another culture and decade was enjoyable for her and showcased her talent as an actress immensely. The Water Diviner is a film to

be watched this summer. Russell Crowe makes a bold move with his directorial debut. With a strong cast and fine story behind him, he makes his mark with a proud start.

OLLIE WEEDEN

including 'This is Not', 'Towers' and 'Dearly Departed.' With the crowd begging for more, it came as no surprise when we were treated to new music from their new album 'Ones and Zeros' (due to be released June 8th). Whilst many of us were not as familiar with the new songs, they still proved more than enough bait with which to feed the already hyped crowd. Gustav Wood's vocal performance was fantastic, flawlessly displaying his experience at this level. The instrumentation was similarly perfectly executed, with guitarists Fraser and John Taylor supporting well. The set appeared slightly short, with the band closing

the night with what is probably their most highly acclaimed song 'Bones'. Many who were expecting an encore were left slightly disappointed. However, these feelings were quickly dispelled when people noticed the band (most of whom had crowdsurfed all the way back to the bar) all too happy to take pictures with fans and sign a few autographs. This seemed like a lovely gesture, as this was something which many bands with their level of fame would simply not be interested in doing. Therefore, a few selfies later, it became a night well worth attending and one which the town can only hope will come around again soon.

Young Guns shoot to kill on Friar Street Sports Editor

It was a much anticipated night, with a sold out crowd coming from far and wide to see a band rapidly making their way to the top. Expectations were rightfully high as we gathered to see the group from Buckinghamshire. The Bowery District once again proved a fitting venue for such a gig, creating an intimate atmosphere which immediately got the crowd involved after the band opened with last year's single 'I Want Out'. This began with 30 minutes of the band tearing through the first half of their 2012 album 'Bones', containing many crowd favourites

GAMING

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Bloodborne: the soul of souls

WING LAM, KAR 2nd Year Law

Bloodborne is the game that gives you reason to buy a PS4 instantly from game stall, and then sell it the next day after you die over a hundred times. I believe most gamers have heard of the soul series from From Software Demon’s Souls, Dark Souls and Dark Souls 2. This series features lots of death with very limited storytelling. It requires hard core game skills and immense endurance. As a spirit successor of the series, Bloodborne has nailed it when the players find out that they first awaken bare handed, find a wolf down the stairs, get killed in two minutes after pressing the

new game button, and find out that they must die once before getting any weapons. The only major drawback of this is the long loading time after death, which drives players mad when they die so frequently. Some gamers joke about it as the new penalty of death, and it was implemented to give players time for reflection. The user interface, like the game itself, is very simple. The player can still see the same phrase from Souls ‘YOU DIED’ in Times New Roman so frequently that you will start complaining about why couldn’t just design a new font type. The developer abandoned the fancies and focused on game play. When monsters dash through the garden, players can see petals in the air.

When the boss strikes heavily, players can feel its pressure by their blown coat. Compared to the Souls, Bloodborne has lowered its difficulty, and fastened its game pace. There is no such thing as parry or block in Bloodborne only one shield is available and it was meant to mock Souls’ players. In order to fight, the players must master rolling and sweeping dashes. They must learn to counterstrike their enemies with the firearm in their left hand. The health regain system allows players to recover lost health by striking back at the attackers. This encourages the players to become aggressive. Although stories are not explicit in the game, they are memorable. In Bloodborne players can only gather

information from descriptions of items and a few lines from NPCs. Due to this, players can only guess what happened from loots and realise something has been done wrong afterwards. One of the most impressive NPCs is Father Gascoigne. He can be found as the second boss. In battle, if you use a music box from a little girl, who has asked the player to find her mother, Father Gascoigne will react to it. Later, after he has been defeated, the player can find a red brooch in the area, which had belonged to the little girl’s mother. When the player gives the little girl the brooch, her sister takes her position and asks you to find her white ribbon. The player can then find her ribbon which has been dropped by a pig demon. It

How not to watch a new film GABRIELLE LINNETT German

Having grown up surrounded by classic Disney films, the announcement of a live action production of Cinderella was nothing if not exciting. However, my dreams of falling under its magical spell were quickly dashed as I settled into my seat at the cinema with the worst film viewing attitude I could have mustered. The conditions under which my poor attitude developed were not wholly my fault. Sat amongst a group of people all too familiar with the recent Disney hit Frozen, the short animation film Frozen Fever starring characters from the aforementioned production was received as sickly and irritating. I understand the target audience for Cinderella includes those who also appreciate Frozen, but when attending a showing of the film at 19:45 I do not expect to be bombarded with the animated characters so sweet they would give you need of a filling. This did not bode well for Cinderella. The annoyance felt from having the Frozen Fever film thrust upon me did not depart before Cinderella started. This is precisely how not to watch a new

film. Instead of allowing myself to delve into the storyline, empathise with the characters and share in their turmoil, I spent the entirety of the film criticising it and adding my own ridiculing commentary. Although it made for an entertaining viewing experience; it was at the cost of enjoying the film itself. As a student of cinematic studies, my lecturers would have been proud - picking apart the production as it crossed the screen made for an interesting breakdown - yet I cannot help but feel that this is not the objective when you pay the charges set by profiteering cinemas to indulge in their offerings. After ruining the new Cinderella film for myself with an overly critical eye (for the first viewing of the film – subsequent viewings should be more critical analyses) I do not wish to do the same for readers of The Spark. The negative observations made will thus remain my own. I earnestly hope that there are traces of a good film below that which I picked from the production, yet I fear that, as the introductory Frozen short animation film did, Cinderella will leave an unpleasant sugary taste in your mouth. Disagree? Great! Write up your review of Cinderella and let us bask in the light of a film that tries so hard to be enchanting.

can then be returned to the little girl’s sister. When the player next reloads the area, they can see a girl by a cliff with a white ribbon in her hand. To describe Bloodborne accurately, I would say that it is a game of deduction. It keeps what is core about action games, for example, thrilling fights, and scraps other unnecessary elements. It wouldn’t force you to read codex and listen to NPC’s autobiography, or put lots of collectives that you will never complete. Most of the time players just engage in killing monsters and exploring. Compared to other games where their stories overwhelm its playability (such as The Order:1886 and Beyond: Two Souls), Bloodborne is polar opposite.

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TV & FILMS

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FTT- Behind the Curtain IMOGEN GIBBS

3rd Film, Theatre and Television

Third year has certainly been a dramatic one for the Film, Theatre and Television finalists. Those who opted for theatre as their specialism have worked incredibly hard to produce performances which are both critically and visually engaging. Being a film student, I had the pleasure of being able to wholly enjoy these performances during festival week whilst also taking part in one. Seven students of the 31-large FTT family chose theatre and they did not disappoint. Jack Lovegrove, who directed two short plays by Bertolt Brecht He Who Says Yes and He Who Says No, explains the excitement of seeing his piece come alive,

“Although the process was stressful it’s fantastic to see it all coming together. My play was heavily reliant on audience participation and I was apprehensive as I had only rehearsed with the cast!”. Lovegrove also discusses the development, from researching, deciding on a script, auditions and rehearsals, to four months down the line where the piece has come alive, “Although we had assistance from FTT tutors and technicians (who were incredible throughout) part of the assessment was to ensure that we made all the decisions, including lights, sounds, staging, costume and more!.” Rachel McMillan explored The Events by David Greig, which is a fictional play written in response to the Anders Breivik attacks in Norway, 2011. The Events

explores the social, political and religious factors contributing to the creation of a killer. I questioned why Rachel choose to tackle something so resonant, “I wanted to choose a piece that was culturally still relevant, after the outbreaks in Woolwich and more recently the Charlie Hebdo attacks. Such events keep repeating themselves and I wanted to explore and begin to understand factors that could lead someone to commit a massacre of this magnitude in contemporary society.” Rachel worked with two main cast members and a choir of 11 members, solely creating soundscape through voice which underpinned the narrative. “Conducting a choir was a challenge. I have never worked in that way before. It was very important to have this nostalgic

group sound in a piece about community identity. It really helped working with a group of such talented and supportive people.” Other productions included two devised pieces: Burn Britain Burn by Lottie Gilbourne, which was an immersive piece exploring the London riots of 2011 and Nuclear by Kadisha Williams. Nuclear explored postnatal depression, not only in women, but also in fathers. “Devising meant that there was a long research and development process, even before constructing a script for my actors. It was challenging as we created our own performances from scratch and for the first time doing this, it can be quite rigorous. I chose the smallest of the three theatre spaces as I felt that the intimate setting would allow the audience to feel more

connected to the performance.” The Theatre festival was highly varied with other interesting works by Philip Ridley, Sarah Kane and Anthony Nielson, directed by Sam Cahalin, Sam Moore and Jasmine Pastakia respectively. What was amazing about our festival was the sense of community that came from everyone producing something so creative together. The directors did an incredible amount of work to create these projects, alongside them were student actors who rehearsed religiously and students from the department who assisted in teching. It may sound cliché (but so true) FTT truly is one big family, and what a talented family it is. The FTT film finalists’ festival took place Monday March 16th Thursday 19th.

Game of Thrones Leak and Instant Streams, what does this mean for the future of television? GARETH GORDON 3rd English Literature

I’ve been desperately awaiting the return of Game of Thrones. A few days before it was due to air in America (British audiences having to wait an extra day) the first four episodes were leaked online. My first reaction was, of course, ecstatic. Like anybody now part of the Cult-of-Netflix, I’m accustomed to watching my shows in binges. I’ve devoured Unbreakable Kimmy Schmidt, House of Cards series 3, and revision will be a distant memory as soon as Orange is the New Black comes out. However, on reflection I am pretty gutted for the leak, and genuinely worried for the impact it will have on television. Firstly, the guys who make the show do a really good job and they deserve to have their stories told as they want them to be told. It’s not a Netflix original and the show is

structured so that part of the fun is a juicy cliff-hanger that makes you desperate to see it next week. Secondly, as annoying as adverts are, they are vital in television shows making money. If viewership for Game of Thrones on HBO drops because people are watching it online before it comes out, then that’s going to affect the budget for next season. Streaming online can be great (so long as you don’t mind breaking the law) if you’re out and miss the show and are desperate to catch up, but with stuff leaking online before broadcasting it could mean a backlash for season 6 in terms of the shows budget – we all want to see more dragons, right? Admittedly, this shouldn’t make a massive difference in the UK; as an audience we are likely to stream more because American shows are usually online before they come out on T.V over here. But let’s hope our cousins across the Atlantic have the good sense to tune in to watch – even if they do mute the TV as they watch next

week's leaked episode online. Television is frequently watched on laptops now and a lot of great shows are released a whole season at a time. What a marvel: I can just chew up as much as I like and a season is gone in a day or two. Whilst this is great for some shows, I have to admit that there are some drawbacks. Everyone you meet is either further ahead or further behind than you. This means that any conversation about it is either spent with fingers in your ears to avoid spoilers or treading on eggshells to avoid spoiling. One of the best parts of Breaking Bad season 5 was the mid-season break. Yes, it was torturous having to wait so long, but the anticipation made it all the sweeter. Some of my best televisionwatching experiences take place when I know that my friends and I are on the same page, and we can spend the week trying to figure out plots and discussing the events of the last episode in detail. Not only is online streaming

illegal, and sites can seriously damage your computers with viruses, but also as it becomes more popular it’s going to affect the way in which we watch television, for the worse. When ratings drop, shows get cancelled and at the end of the day the big studios want your money – why? So that they can put the majority of it into their fat pockets, but they do invest some back into

producing good quality T.V. So don’t be selfish - stream if you must, but every now and then go and gather your family and watch some primetime T.V as it was meant to be viewed. The great irony is that if T.V viewership falls and budgets are cut, the shows won’t be as good and we won’t be bothered to sieve through pop ups to get to the bad quality stream.

ENTERTAINMENT|WATTSUP

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WATTSUP? Do you put the ‘ha’ in laug-ha-ble? Prove it and try doing WattsUp on for size.

Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: I'm a guy, you have two chances to find the right answer. No prizes. Ian S., 2nd year Law: You can find much worse stuff elsewhere on the internet why censor it?

Zayn Malik has stated that he was leaving One Direction. Directioners, what do you have to say about making the legendary fivesome to just a mere four? Farah S., 2nd year Law: They will survive. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: I am...not a Directioner... Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Four Directions? Can we now? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Shouldn't have named their album "Four", it was a bad omen. Julie, English Studies: It's a shame that Zayn has to leave the group but I do understand him. Having to face groupies, critics and all that must be terrible. Lora J., 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: It has become clear to me that there is only one direction and that direction is toward the destruction of capitalism and the establishment of a communist society.

A Star Wars enthusiast spent four years creating an animated film on YouTube which have been watched by millions. Pathetic or awesome? Farah S., 2nd year Law: Let the guy do what he wants, it’s awesome. Julie, English Studies: I've never watched Star Wars (shame on me!) but I guess it's awesome to spend so much time on a project. Lora J., 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: She/he seems like a coolie to me. Good on ‘em! Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Awesome to spend time on something you love. Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: It's Star Wars. It's automatically awesome. Whoever doesn't like Star Wars...you're not human.

Michelle Obama appears to be close to bald after appearing on television to give a talk on nutrition. Who rocks bald the best? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Winston Churchill. Julie, English Studies: Michelle Obama? Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Michael Stipe of R.E.M. and Natalie Portman. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Agent 47. Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Michelle Obama and bald are two things I would least expect to be put in the same sentence. And by the way, Terry Crew is king of bald. End of story. Ian S., 2nd year Law: It's got to be Vin Diesel and Dwayne Johnson. Bald men on a mission! Unstoppable duo.

Easter symbolizes rebirth. If you were reborn again as an Easter bunny, what is the first thing that you would do? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Embrace the freedom I will have. Julie, English Studies: Eat carrots. Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Steal Kit Kats and kiss kittens. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Escape from human beings. Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Question myself on that decision. I mean, why be reborn as an Easter bunny? The thing's not manly enough. Ian S., 2nd year Law: What rabbits do best ;)

Instagram has censored photographs by an artist who is fully clothed woman on her period. She argues that it is somehow appropriate for society however to show a woman who is almost naked. Should these photos stay up or should they be kept off the lens? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Stay. Let it be. Julie, English Studies: Up, freedom of speech. Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Certainly not. People need to stop being squeamish about normal human functions. The female body is only publicly accepted when it's overtly sexualized. Time to reclaim that and put an end to this bullshit. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: I don't understand what the problem is with periods. Do men feel uncomfortable looking at blood?

The eclipse that took place recently was quite a letdown in Reading. What did you do instead of looking out for the natural beauty? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Stayed in my room, rumbling about the English weather that prevented me from watching the eclipse. Julie, English Studies: My Literature essay: deadlines. Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Dissertation work in HumSS :'( Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Search for eclipse photos online and look at them. Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Slept, woke up, and made bacons and eggs. Ian S., 2nd year Law: I was asleep in my bed....

News host Natarsha Belling has been made a laughing stock by having a penisshaped neckline on her top. Are people just being nasty or childish? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Definitely childish. Julie, English Studies: Childish but funny! Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Perhaps it was her intention to gain notoriety with this ode to penis. Evidently more people know her now and her profile has been significantly raised. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: We all know these kind of jokes never get old and people are generally nasty all the time. Farah S., 2nd year Law: Neither, its 'fashion' people! Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Childish. Then again, we all laugh when some video makes an artistic reference to a penis. Ian S., 2nd year Law: LOL

Captain America: Civil War teams up Captain America and Iron Man. Do you think these two will make a good team? Or are they two leaders that have too different of opinions? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Hottest team in the world definitely. Julie, English Studies: Different is good. Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: To be fair Iron man is a bad ass and he doesn't need a side man like Captain America. Capt. A is too vanilla and it seems like he might be too upset dealing with 1D breaking up to lead anyone. Sure they'll make a good team but Iron Man will always be the baws. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Good team: Captain leads, Iron man pays. Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Might as well have a uni-wide debate on that topic. Surely this is more meaningful than the election debate we just hosted. Ian S., 2nd year Law: Let's be honest, Batman would wreck them both...

It has been attempted by students to make cookies in a cup. Is this a true bakers’ delight or the easy way out? TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: I call it innovation. Julie, English Studies: Easy way out! But it's good though. Lora J, 4th year English Literature and Italian Studies: Seems legit to me. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: I heard it can be disastrous, but if it turns out good it definitely can be bakers' delight. Farah S., 2nd year Law: Does it even work? Christopher J L, 2nd year Law: Well it wouldn't be a cookie anymore... Ian S., 2nd year Law: Don't students have better things to do?

HOROSCOPE

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horoscope KIRSTY SAGGERS

Find out what the stars are saying about you this month...

Horoscopes Writer 2nd Year History

Aries

ARIES MARCH 21st-APRIL 20th

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 24th- OCTOBER 23rd

With deadlines looming, planning ahead is more important now than ever - don't leave everything until the last minute! Following in the footsteps of others will inspire you to become organised and efficient in your planning and your work. Be sure to pay attention to any opportunities to win this month, as good luck seems to be heading your way. The number 10 will prove especially lucky.

Good luck will come your way if you take the chances presented to you so don't be afraid to take a risk! It could be a tough few weeks as you may have to push yourself to work as hard as possible to reach your goals, but you will definitely enjoy the pay off that it brings. The number 17 seems to bring luck for you mid-month, and you'll start to see your work paying off at this point too.

libra

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24th-NOVEMBER 22nd

TAURUS APRIL 21st-MAY21st Taurus

A new relationship could be on the horizon if you are looking for one, but only if you aren't afraid to make the first move. A simple 'hello' could spark the beginning of something special, so speak up! A family member may need your help in some way, try to be there and supportive and you may find yourself becoming closer than ever - you could even be enlightened about some family secrets.

Scorpio

GEMINI MAY 22nd-JUNE 21st Gemini

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23rd-DECEMBER 21st

You may be having difficulties concentrating, so try to set achievable goals and spread them out over time - even if panic causes you to think you should cram everything in at once. The chance to try something completely different doesn't come around that often, so when it presents itself this month you would be foolish not to throw yourself into it and enjoy every second.

Sagittarius

Cancer

Grab any opportunities that come your way in the near future, you never know what it could bring. It is said that travel broadens your horizons, Capricorn and any trips you take this coming month will be sure to introduce you to something new and exciting - but be wary of something that seems too good to be true. Follow the colour green to get what you want.

LEO JULY 24th-AUGUST 23rd leo

Something you have been wanting for a long time could come to fruition at last this month, so make the most of this and appreciate your efforts paying off. Make some time for yourself and focus on relaxing - chances are you've been overworking yourself lately and you need to cool down. Work might be important but you may make a fundamental mistake when stressed out.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21st -FEBUARY 19th If you are hoping to make new friends then you should make contact with someone you were recently introduced to - it could be the beginning of a long term friendship and open up new opportunities for you. This month Aquarius looks like it could be your lucky month - you'll have good luck without even trying. Although if you need a little help along the way, luck seems to surround the letter B.

VIRGO AUGUST 24th- SEPTEMBER 23rd virgo

This could be the perfect time to make amends with someone from your past, so give them a call. Friendship will be very important to you this month so be a good friend and try to see things from their point of view. Procrastination is also something you need to deal with this upcoming month so don't let it get the better of you. Although, small breaks are essential so use these for those well needed catch ups with friends.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22nd- JANUARY 20th

CANCER JUNE 22nd-JULY 23rd You may hold yourself back out of fears that people won't like the real you, but letting your true personality come through will feel like a huge relief. A chance to make some money may present itself to you, you would be wise to take it even if you feel that you don't need the extra funds - you never know what you'll need to save for.

If you're looking for a new job or career change then now is the perfect time to hand out your CV and start applying for jobs - your dream job could be within your reach. You can achieve anything this month if you put your mind to it. Goals will seem more attainable than in the past and you should take the chance to achieve them now whilst you feel motivated.

PISCES FEBUARY 20th-MARCH 20th

Don't be afraid to be adventurous and put yourself out there in the upcoming weeks, otherwise you could miss out on an amazing event. This month is a time for being with others, particularly by helping them out. Your skills can be taught to friends and passing them on to others will feel more rewarding than keeping them to yourself. You will also benefit from arranging to meet up with old friends.

Pisces

A new experience may seem daunting at first but once you throw yourself into it you will feel better for it and proud of your achievement. Speaking of change, you should expect a special relationship to move along in a different direction this month - it's up to you whether it's positive or not. You are the one in control at the minute, decisions are ultimately yours so be sure to not rush into anything.

ENTERTAINMENT|CREATIVE CORNER

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RUFUS FERLINGHETTI

SOL VARDI

Untitled Raiku

Again

Sweet mulch mellow smells– Evaporating mornings Become sweet warm noons

I’m walking alone here, so dark and so cold. He is right behind me, he’s not going to stop. I can feel his breath on my shivering neck But I want it to happen, I want it to break.

Approaching summer, Mantra shall be: be like bees Eat, Sleep, Exam, Zzzzzz Awake. Fly, Honey trees Summer tan awaits. The setting slow sols Jazzing up the party post The hard worked days Bittersweet bird chirps– Crackling barbecues surrounds A gathering.

We students Reading Here To the ones who will read this remember Remember we are forever to be Remembered by the ones that we Love and cherish, our influencees.

Horoscopes Writer 1st Year Food Bioscience

He’s been following me for as long as I know. He is always around when it’s dark and it’s cold. For a while I’ve been wondering what would happen if say I would stop walking and wait. I want it to happen, I really do too But I will never know until he goes through With the plan to slice open my shivering neck With the knife that I hold in my very hand.

Creative Corner

So let us live our liveliness loud And tranquilly rest in peace. Commanding great energy for our "-ivities": Studies, societies, creativities, innovate, Punctualities, grammarticularities and whatever-it-is-we-do-ities. Remember No matter the future, regardless our past we are students for life So long as we live right now and treasure the present, shared for life.

LOUISE INGHAM 2nd year Law

Dark side of the Moon So many stones of you left unturned, Parts of you hidden away and Concealed. Turn your face and I’m left with The dark side of the moon, your Shield. Tried so hard to break through, Reach for the key but no use, you’re Sealed.

COMICS & GAMES

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Awards Bank Holiday Bees Bloodborne Cheerleaders Frisbee Hip Hop Humour Kendo Killer Magic Leak

Moon Nominations Office Picnic Retail Park Revision Six Nations Three Lions Trampoline Unhealthy Water Diviner

PUZZLE POINT

Interested in Online Journalism?

The Spark needs You!

WE NEED YOU! Drawn by Harry Richardson, 1st Year Archaeology

Online Editor for The Spark Newspaper wanted. For Application infomation

Visit: sparknewspaper.co.uk or Email: editor.spark@reading.ac.uk

SWIMMING FOR GOLD Take a look at how the season went for our swimmers with Basil Al Ali!

HOCKEY New President Will Carter reflects on Mixed Hockey's season this year

SIX NATIONS Relive the exciting final day of this year's Six Nations tournament with Ollie Weeden

TRAMPOLINING TJ Hiew looks back on her time trampolining and what has inspired her to get this far

SPORT

Credit to Reading Knights Cheerleaders

Reading Knights Cheerleaders - All About That Base Cheerleading isn't just about poms poms and leotards... DAN STEPHENS 2nd Year Graphic Design

Pom poms are not the only thing in a modern cheerleader’s arsenal. In fact many cheerleaders arm themselves not with poms, but instead with an extensive repertoire of ariel team stunting, advanced gymnastics and

synchronised motions. The world of cheerleading is to many an unknown. Sure, we support fellow sport teams at matches home and away - but our main focus is competitive cheerleading. The stigma remains. Being seen as a “girl’s sport” many are deterred from the idea of cheerleading in case of what

others may think. The truth of the situation couldn’t be more different. When a twenty-five strong team walks onto the mat on competition day, first impressions are casted and in actuality the amount of males on a squad generally indicated how good a squad is. The more guys the better! Although that isn't to say

their necessary - girls can stunt just as hard as guys can. Whether you're a back (the power behind the stunt), a front (the stability), a base (the core of the stunt) or a flyer (the one in the air) cheer is not for the faint hearted. Cheerleading is about strength, sportsmanship and spirit. A killer upper body work out, cheerleaders

are conditioned to perform a two and a half minute routine which involves elements like: stunting (throwing willing participants in the air), tumbling (gymnastic floor routines), jumps and motions. All to be executed flawlessly for that first place trophy. Working hard a whole term, continues on next page...

CAMPUS SPORTS

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK ...competing at a national level against as many as twenty other squads, and walking home with a trophy from your team’s hard work, effort and determination is an euphoric feeling. All teams are shown respect and a great sense of sportsmanship is apparent. The Reading Knights Cheerleaders have a variety of squads to cater to everyone’s abilities and levels. Ranging from our level 3 co-ed squad which involves both girls and guys, level 2 all girl squad (only girls allowed), pom, jazz, dance, match day and the new and highly popular group stunt (teams of four or five stunting for a whole routine) there really is a position for everyone. Training twice a week during term time, we prepare ourselves for competition which happens from around two to four times a year. We have the biggest committee, and one of the largest (and across the board cheapest) memberships of all of the Knights sport societies. Every year we are improving which is evident in our competition rankings which has changed from placing mid ranges to the higher end bringing back trophies for third, second and first. This year we have competed

at Crystal Palace, Birmingham, Exeter, Telford and brought back upper end trophies. Last year in Bournemouth we walked away with three grand champion trophies, thus acing our categories, cheerleading is certainly looking good for next year. Spirit is an important word for cheerleaders - a real sense of enthusiasm is distinct within us from around campus to competition, being a 'cheerer' is a lifestyle that is present in all areas of your life. The other kind of spirit is also present in cheer with the best socials, intoxicated party time is just as important as sober training time. All who enter the society and become a member are welcomed to the cheer family, and with our family growing bigger every year, it's not too late to join. Even the cheerleading Alumknights can't keep away with many popping in for training sessions, cheerleading at Reading is definitely something special. If you're a first or second year, guy or girl and you want to join look for our stall at the 2015 Freshers Fayre in the next academic year! Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter to be kept in the loop!

| SPORTS

RUSC – A review of the 2014-2015 season

BASIL AL-ALI

3rd Year Business and Management

We have achieved a lot this season with success in all of the competitions attended. We competed in the long course and short course national championships in Sheffield, team champs and varsity. We also beat the stacked Oxford Brookes in their back yard with all of their Olympic calibre swimmers. This year, some of our club records were broken at Leighton Park, Ponds Forge and UEA’s pool. Emily Ard broke the women’s 50m and 100m breaststroke records and the 200m IM record. Sarah Brades broke the women’s 50m and 100m backstroke records and the 100m IM record. Marcos Soutullo Rodriguez broke many of the male records including all of the breaststroke ones! We will need to find recruits for next year as many of our swimmers who've been with us for 3 years are sadly leaving this year. The future of the club

Credit to RUSC

looks bright, however, as there have been many advancements throughout the year and financial investments which I'm sure will rapidly improve the club. We've had a lot of people sign up for membership this year and a strong contingent of people have attended both practices and socials regularly. This has helped to make the club more successful and helped us to recruit more people to the club. The club was nominated for

five awards at the recent Sports Ball, which is a very proud achievement for us. We have also won awards during the previous three years. For instance, best male athlete, best female athlete, most improved and most dedicated team. It has been an honour representing the Knights swim team over the last three years and I hope it can continue to improve and grow.

Ultimate Frisbee The ultimate sport!

CALLUM BARNETT 2nd Year Human and Physical Geography

Credit to Reading Knights Cheerleaders

What is ultimate Frisbee? In simple terms, it is a seven on seven game. Once a player has the disc, he or she has to stop running and has ten seconds to pass it to another team-mate. A team scores by catching the disc in the opposing team’s end zone. It is a very fast paced sport full of sprinting, throwing and diving. However, it is also very tactical, as between points you have to set up your defence and offensive sides and be able to read the opposing players next move. Almost every university has a team, and it goes even further with around 80 club teams, which compete in regional, national, and international competitions. Finally, it is a non-contact sport and is all about the spirit of the game, which means self-refereeing; after games the two teams talk to each other about what was good and bad then do fun calls after like

Credit to RUUF

disc jousting. One player has to use his water bottle to knock the disc from the other player's hand whilst the other is trying to do the same. The ultimate Frisbee team at Reading has been very busy this year. Reading has been to Southampton to compete in a friendly game, an indoor regional competition in Chichester, a fun indoor tournament in Surrey and an outdoor regional also in Southampton. We won varsity, and the best is still yet to come with another fun indoor tournament

at Leicester, hosting an outdoor two day tournament in Reading, and topping it all off by attending an international tournament in Bucharest. Not mention all the film, quiz nights and friendlies they’ve had. It has certainly been a busy year for us! When do we play? Wednesday - 6-8 Paddock (Outdoor- behind tennis courts). Thursday- 4.456.15 Sportspark (Indoor). They even have professional coaching from the local club team who recently won mixed tour 2. Be sure to come check us out!

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University of Reading Mixed Hockey A season review WILL CARTER 2nd Year Law

The University’s mixed hockey team has gone from strength to strength this year. We’ve maintained our strong social and inclusive aspect, whilst developing a strong, competitive work ethic towards our matches. At the start of the year we got in a great crop of freshers who have gelled fantastically in the team, and really come out of their shells since joining mixed hockey. As we take people of all abilities, the club is very diverse in terms of skill and goals. Yet somehow, this works perfectly for the club as the more experienced members help coach those who have recently started the sport, which has not only led to the development of many people into talented hockey players, but it has also helped create a tight-knit community. Mixed hockey, whilst only training on Wednesdays and Fridays, can regularly be found meeting up in many of the bars across campus just for a general get-together. It also helps that as a club, we keep in contact with

a number of former members of the club. We play against the ‘old boy’s’ team once per term, with many more socials with them as well. This is advantageous because all of our members know what happens to us after we leave the university! We regularly go on tour with these members, both to our tour in Warwick, held in March, against a number of Universities such as Warwick, Leicester, De Montfort and Buxton. This year we took 15 of our members to Warwick and won in the 11-a-side game 2-1. On top of Warwick tour, we also go to Yateley in July to play mixed hockey against teams from all over the country, even as far as Glamorgan! This tour is more social, and involves standard university touring rules and somewhat inappropriate tour shirts, but is great to break up the mundane nature of Summer when away from University. In terms of games this year, the mixed hockey team plays against other mixed sides from around the area. This year we have played teams such as Amersham & Chalfont and the University of Winchester. Having started the

Credit to RUMH

season with a side much-changed from last year’s, it took a while for the new-look Reading side to adapt. But since Christmas, we have been in truly fantastic form! We beat the University of Winchester, and at the recent Varsity between Oxford Brookes

and Reading, the mixed team came away with a comprehensive 3-0 victory, despite having been out till the early hours of the morning the night before due to our end of season formal! We’ll be looking to build on this year’s committee’s fantastic work next year with our

brand new committee. We’re a very social and inclusive club, so we would love to see our club carry on developing, and we look forward to the next crop of fresher’s and anyone else who would be interested in joining next September!

The Way of the Sword comes to Reading Uni STEVEN HARVEY 1st Year Classical Studies

Credit to Rick Collins

Kendo is one of the newest sport societies to be founded here at Reading University, though it is quickly finding its feet. Here’s a brief outline of what it involves: The meaning of the word kendo is “The Way of the Sword”; the martial art descends directly from samurai roots and practices. Its earliest and oldest form began as kenjutsu when the use of bamboo swords called shinai was developed for practice. Kendo is practised in full armour and fought with shinai. The purpose of the martial art is to mould the

mind and body and strive for improvement in the art of Kendo. Kendo does not only make you physically stronger; the principle of staring down an opponent’s sword and still driving forward applies to all of life’s challenges. A typical practice involves a warm-up, practice cuts, and then timed sparring in full armour. The society practice is currently lead by Keiichiro Kato, a Japanese 3rd-dan student, and myself, and together we strive to practice authentic Japan-Style kendo. The club is fortunate enough to have strong links to Kendo clubs across the country, meaning as the club progresses there will be teachers of a very high level visiting to coach and teach.

Though the club may still be in its infancy, within just a few weeks of its founding, two of our members attended the UK University Taikai on 21st/22nd February, and fought for Reading. The club won several fights, and we are proud to say Keiichiro Kato took the bronze medal in the Men’s Open. For those of you interested, please do come and try it out, we practice in 3sixty 4PM-6PM every Friday - all are welcome. Or come and find us for a drink in Mojo’s Bar afterwards, where we go after the end of every session – and find us on Facebook under ‘Reading University Kendo Society’.

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| SPORTS

Lady and the Tramp(oline) TJ HIEW 2nd Year Law

For the first 20 years of my life, I had never seen an actual trampoline, for trampolining is not a common sport back home. I am not even sure if it's existed in Malaysia during the past 20 years. I have only see them through screens and newspapers. I first heard about this sport in 2004 during the Olympics. My dad told me about it, and said “there is nothing interesting to watch. People keep falling out of it.” During the next few years I never saw nor heard about the sport again until 2008, at the Olympics. When He Wenna, a trampoline gymnast who I highly admire for her elegance and accuracy, won China’s first Olympic gold medal in trampolining; all of a sudden the sport became well-known in the Olympics as she was crowned by the media as the “Prettiest Olympic Champion in History”. I'd always wanted to be a gymnast, ever since I was a small girl. I nearly had the opportunity to be one when I was nine, however I was rejected by the rhythmic gymnastics coach during a talent scout for the obvious reason – I was 'too fat' to be a gymnast. I cried really hard after the incident. Eleven years later, while checking out the clubs and societies available in the UoR, I found out that there is a trampolining club in the university, and thus was very hopeful. During fresher’s fayre, I managed to find them, and because of the scar of my broken heart from years ago, the first question I asked was, “do you filter students according to their weight?” “No.” The first bounce on the trampoline I had was the taster session in October 2013. My legs wobbled because the trampoline bed was springier than I thought. But it was fun and exciting. I finally got to do it. I thought I progressed quite well for the first 2-3 months, and somewhere in December, one of my coaches walked pass me before he had to leave the session earlier for some reasons, and said, “I’m going to teach you somersaults next week.” I nearly screamed and jumped for joy. That was the moment I had been waiting for as long as I can remember. Having the wish

granted to me in two months since my very first session, I considered that a great achievement in my life. “Where we’re going?” “Up.” “What (shape) are we doing?” “Tuck.” “And land on your?” “Feet.” These are the three questions asked by the coach to be answered before doing any supported somersaults (in the case above, a tuck front), at least before the first one. The first few attempts was of course unsuccessful. The moment I finally landed on my feet safely, I got a bit too happy. I had muscle aches and minor injuries every now and then during my first year of trampolining, from bruises on my knees to backache, but I didn't spare much thought for it. When I had backache, it was near the end of our sessions for the academic year, so I had time off to take a rest. It was during the summer holidays back in Malaysia when the worries started. My backache continued throughout July. More than three whole months off the sport, I started to wonder if I would have to start from zero and my previous efforts would all go down into the drain. Thankfully, this was not the case. Tuck, pike, straddle: all was well. But that did not end the worries. One day in town, my left foot was severely painful, so painful that the journey back to Windsor Hall was like a route march. I suddenly realised that injuries are more than just a physical obstacle: they're a mental challenge. For that case, the first mental challenge came from approaching my very first competition in Bath, the second one being the limited time I anticipate that I'm able to do the sport. Differences in mentality towards competitions were also something to overcome. Back in the days when I was in the school’s table tennis team, before any competitions, as long as we see a chance, we always think of how to win. But here, they think of fun. I found it unacceptable at first, because what's the point of competing when you are only going to have fun or just get a new personal best? But as time progressed, I started to learn to see things in a different light. I did have a morning when I woke up and felt like giving

Credit to Reading Knights Trampolining

up on this sport because I don’t see myself improving. It felt so terrible during the session that evening that I couldn’t even do the second element in my routine as I kept falling off, and my coach had to move the crash mat in order for me to land safely after a very simple straddle jump. Pressures came too when people who do not do sports as well could not understand that sporting cultures are different here in the West. Friends from my home country, who are studying here,

are filled with curiosity about trampolining, and the FAQ I get is, “what do you actually do on the trampoline?”. The more curious they are, the happier I am to explain it. However, there are people who don’t even know how to appreciate this as a sport. On the Sports Awards Ceremony night, someone sent a Tweet that implied trampoline and archery “are not real sports”. It upsets and angers me to see 'haters' like that. Of course, we should behave one level above such people. We know we cannot please every single

individual in this world. No matter how good we are, there is always opposition. Most importantly of all, I also have supportive coaches, who are willing to listen to me when it comes to problems and give me the best advice. Trampolining, to me, is more than a sport, more than an experience: It’s an expedition. I cannot wait to see what lies ahead. Every time I stand on the red +, I tell myself, “Remember, every bounce is an opportunity”.

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The dramatic conclusion of the Six Nations 2015 OLLIE WEEDEN Sports Editor

The finale to this year's Six Nations did not disappoint with the last round of games concluding with England falling agonisingly short of the 26 point winning margin they so desperately needed, as they convincingly beat France 55-35 which will live long in the memory. This came after Wales annihilated Italy 61-20 in Rome and Ireland enjoyed a 40-10 demolition of Scotland, enough to see them surpass Wales and attain a points advantage just beyond England. With all three nations having won three of their previous games, the stage was set for the incredible final day, one of the best since the tournament was founded way back in 1883. In total, 221 points were scored, in just three games. The day began with England as leaders, but it was closely run, with Ireland and Wales behind

them separated only on points difference. They were to play in reverse order to decide who would eventually lift the famous trophy. The opening match then left us with Wales only leading Italy by a mere point at the halfway point. This slender lead was soon broadened however by a second half hat-trick of tries by George North. This ensured that Ireland needed to beat Scotland by at least 21 points in order to lead on points difference. This proved to be more simple than we expected, with Ireland recording a thumping victory by a margin of 30 points. This, despite Wales' commanding win, put them out of contention which left it up to England in a showdown with none other than Les Bleus. In an exhilarating end-to-end game which unfolded England pulled steadily clear but were, truthfully, left exposed by defensive errors which were fully taken advantage of by a strong French side. England came excruciatingly close, with Jack Nowell's late try putting them 20 points clear meaning that a conversion would hand them the title.

BUCS American Football 2014-2015 - London

BUCS Football 2014-2015 - South Eastern 4A P W D L GD Pts 1 Portsmouth 2nd 10 8 0 2 22 24 2 Chichester 4th 10 7 1 2 11 22 3 Reading 2nd 10 5 0 5 3 15 4 Surrey 2nd 10 4 1 5 -5 13 5 Buckingham New 2nd 10 3 0 7 -10 9 6 Sussex 2nd 10 2 0 8 -21 6

'"It was tumultuous. Exhausting. I spare a thought for England, they were superb today and probably deserved a share of the spoils." England may feel disappointed, and possibly downright unfortunate to have two other home nations run it so closely by them. However, there are still positives. Lancaster, whilst he may have had his critics recently, has surely proved that he is the right man for the job and more than capable of leading England to success at the World Cup. Chris Robshaw performed admirably and should surely retain the captain's armband for

BUCS Rugby Union 2014-2015 - South Eastern 1A P W D L GD BP Pts 1 King's College 1st 14 12 0 2 113 7 57 2 UCL 1st (RUMS) 14 10 0 4 78 9 45 3 Reading 1st 14 8 0 6 63 10 44 4 Portsmouth 1st 14 7 0 7 30 6 36 5 Brunel 1st 13 5 0 8 -88 8 30 6 Brighton 1st 14 6 0 8 -50 5 26 7 Imperial 1st 14 7 0 7 78 5 9 8 Imperial 2nd (Medics) 13 0 0 13 -224 2 -23

BUCS Hockey 2014-2015 - South Eastern 1A P W D L GD Pts 1 Sussex 1st 10 7 0 3 -1 21 2 King's College 1st (GKT) 10 5 4 1 5 19 3 Reading 1st 10 6 1 3 18 19 4 St Mary's 1st 10 5 1 4 1 16 5 UCL 1st 10 3 2 5 -5 11 6 Chichester 1st 10 0 0 10 -18 0

League Tables

P W D L GD Pts 1 Kingston 1st 8 8 0 0 225 16 2 Royal Holloway 1st 8 7 0 1 84 14 3 Reading 1st 8 5 0 3 45 10 4 King's College 1st 8 5 0 3 50 10 5 Brunel 1st 8 4 0 4 -35 8 6 City 1st 8 1 0 7 -103 2 7 Westminster 1st 6 2 0 4 -26 2 8 Greenwich 1st 7 2 0 5 -69 2

This was sadly not to be, with England instead having to spend the closing minutes hammering away at a steadfast French defence. In the end, despite a handsome win, it was Ireland who were to take home the spoils and the title of champions of the Six Nations 2015. England head coach Stuart Lancaster had this to say after the game: "I'm gutted really. It was one of the most courageous performances I've seen from a team. It was an unbelievable game of rugby." Ireland coach Joe Schmidt was similarly bewildered, and gracious in victory saying how:

the foreseeable future. It also goes without saying that the supposed 'risks' which were taken by taking a few inexperienced players to the tournament were shown to be completely untrue as we saw the likes of Billy Vunipola (with only 17 caps) and George Ford (with only 11 at the age of 22) fully meriting their inclusions. This was certainly not a year to forget, with our home nations performing admirably and running it so close, it was truly a fantastic advert for the sport of Rugby and a great warmup for the World Cup later this year. This England side may not be the finished article, with the defence looking questionable at times and the squad lacking pace in certain areas. However, under the leadership of Stuart Lancaster and the continued inclusion of more and more promising, young domestic players, the future looks bright and we should be able to look forward to a very enjoyable World Cup for all and one which may be able to attract a new legion of fans upon our home turf.

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Unbeaten since Brazil, The Three Lions take on Lithuania and Italy ALEX SEWELL

2nd Year English Language

Editor Nathalie Siah Deputy Editor Jess O'Donnell, Jen Daniel News Editor Harriet Lynds Lifestyle Editor Annabel Horsley Entertainment Editor Amy Banda Sport Editor Ollie Weeden Design Editor Elliot Spain, Jessie Webb Head of Photography Beatrice Ridge Marketing and Distribution Natalie Pavelin Secretary Emma Campbell

England’s 2014 World Cup flop was another one to forget for faithful fans who saw their promising team leave Brazil with only one point to their name. With 2016 UEFA European Championship qualification the next goal for Roy Hodgson’s side, it was important for the squad to move on and step up to the challenge. Thankfully, the hangover did not last long as the Three Lions have been in fine form ever since their toothless exit. Led by the recentlyappointed Manchester United Captain Wayne Rooney, England have gathered momentum and are unbeaten since the World Cup. The qualification Group E contains six teams: England, Slovenia, Switzerland, San Marino, Lithuania and Estonia. Although it may not be the most challenging of groups, Hodgson’s side have taken it by storm, scoring 11 and conceding only one goal. The most impressive of those victories involved an away win against Switzerland, one of the overachievers at the World Cup. Thanks to two goals from Danny Welbeck, England comfortably eased Switzerland aside and began their bid for Euro qualification with a win. Three wins later and England are flying through the qualifying stage. England’s last two games saw them face two teams in contrasting form; a Lithuania side looking for their first win in three games and an Italy side who are unbeaten since their shock World Cup exit. Looking to keep the momentum going, the Three Lions seemed certain to beat Lithuania, the nation ranked 94th in the world by FIFA. There had been much debate over the fourth striker

spot with Sturridge, Rooney and Welbeck occupying the other three spaces. This season a few English strikers have emerged onto the scene, seizing their chance in the Premier League. Most notably, QPR’s Charlie Austin has 17 goals and Tottenham’s Harry Kane has 19. This gave Hodgson a tough decision, but it was the joint-top scorer in the Premier League, Kane, who predictably made the squad. England began the game against Lithuania in fine style, with Rooney hitting the post after being played through on goal by Aston Villa’s Fabian Delph early on. That did not do much to stop the England captain however, as he continued to head in the rebound from a Welbeck shot in the sixth minute. The Three Lions were certainly in the mood for goals, creating chance after chance as Rooney hit the wood-work again with a looping header. Just before half-time, Welbeck reacted quickest to flick in Jordan Henderson’s shot with his head and give England a comfortable lead. Once again, it was the captain Rooney pulling the strings as he whipped in a low cross to Raheem Sterling and the Liverpool youngster skilfully guided it into the net. Three goals up, it was the moment all of Wembley were waiting for as Rooney made way for the highly anticipated debutant Harry Kane. Only 79 seconds into his debut, Kane continued his electric form to power in a header from Sterling’s cross past the goalkeeper and make it four goals to nil. A dream come true for the Tottenham youngster and indeed a dream come true for England, who have witnessed the emergence of a clinical goal-scorer in the young man. Fans enjoyed watching an emphatic win for England as they made it five wins out of five

in group E and stayed in poleposition for the win. The second of the two games proved to be a tougher test, as England faced an in-form Italy who were looking to extend their unbeaten run. Being only a friendly, both teams began with experimental sides. Despite his recent troubles with Southampton, Graziano Pelle gave Italy a well-deserved lead in the 29th minute. His glancing header from Chellini’s in-swinging cross was too quick for England and Manchester City goalkeeper Joe Hart. Italy continued to dominate over a pedestrian England side throughout the half, but failed to capitalise on a host of chances. It was clear Hodgson’s experiment was not working; things needed to change if England were to save their eightgame unbeaten run. Rooney, who was playing in midfield, switched with Arsenal’s Theo Walcott, who was ineffective from upfront. The most influential change saw Phil Jones move from the holding-midfield role back to his usual position in defence, allowing fellow Manchester United teammate Michael Carrick

to fulfil the anchoring midfield role. Immediately, Carrick’s arrival provided cohesion in midfield, showing his experience at this level as England began to control the game. Another substitute, Tottenham winger Andros Townsend, came on to equalise for England, hitting a thunderous strike with his weaker, right foot into the far side of the goal, leaving goalkeeper Buffon no chance. Townsend’s goal earned England a creditable draw that, due to their inspired second half performance, was deserved on the night. Despite the experimental failures, there were positives to take from the game. Hodgson has found consistency in Joe Hart, who had another excellent game in goal, and Rooney, who is the heart of England’s attack. With the development of some promising young players such as Kane and Sterling, the squad is progressing well and has real potential to go far in the European Championships, a competition that has eluded England ever since its creation in 1960.

The Spark Newspaper is designed and typeset by students at the University of Reading. Printed at Newbury News Limited, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire, RG12 2DW. Published and funded by Reading University Students’ Union, contact: studentengagemtn@rusu.co.uk. Our students strive for accuracy but on occasion can make mistakes. Errors can be corrected/acknowledged by contacting the Editor. Complaints should be made to the Editor in the first instance, and thereafter to RUSU. All complaints should be made in writing. All articles, letters etc. must include a name, address, and contact number/email address. These may be withheld from publication at specific request. The Spark Newspaper or RUSU can take no responsibility for products or services advertised herein. The Spark Newspaper reserves the right to reject or edit any submissions. No part of this publication may be reproduced in any form without written permission from the Editor. The views expressed in The Spark Newspaper do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor or RUSU, particularly those expressed in the comments pages, which are often opinions of the specific authors. Photographs in The Spark Newspaper are copyright, and you will need permission from the photographer to re-use. Contact the Editor at: editor.spark@reading.ac.uk.