Sparknewspaper - Aussie flu hits campus - Jan18

Monday, JANUARY 15 2017

SPARK VOL 75 ISSUE NO. 4 FREE

UNIVERSITY CHALLENGE

TRAVEL SOCIETY

Reading Alumni fail against an Oxford college, scoring 0.

Vice President Rebecca recounts a recent trip to Dublin

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MOVIE MADNESS

HERE COME THE GIRLS

Reviewing some of 2017's biggest Celebrate sportswomen with 'This and most recent releases Girl Can'

Aussie flu hits campus PAGE 27

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A headache like “permanent brain freeze”

EMER SCULLY Print Editor

STUDENTS have been warned to not “soldier on” if they think they may be suffering from the ‘Aussie Flu’ as stinging eyes, aches and pains and a searing headache not unlike “permanent brain freeze” hit Reading this week.

According to the universities resident expert on influenza, Professor Ian Jones, the ‘Aussie flu’, otherwise known as H3N2 has seen the highest number of hospital admissions due to a flu in years.

Whilst the number of people suffering from the flu remains the same as last year, the numbers of people who have to go to hospital from their symptoms is three times higher.

The flu can cause intense body aches, coughing, exhaustion, fever, headaches, minor congestion, a sore throat as well as vomiting and diarrhea.

Students at the University of Reading have already started suffering from the ‘Aussie flu’ after the beginning of the spring term saw thousands of students

arrive back in Reading.

One student suffered from the flu on Christmas Day, and managed to infect her parents and work colleagues after the illness left her bed bound for six days.

Eden Sinclair, 1st year graphic communication, said: “I realized I had the flu on Christmas day when I started suffering from a really congested chest and everything

"I could not leave my bed for six days. I went through two boxes of tissues and it was not fun"

hurt. I couldn’t leave my bed for six days. I went through two boxes of tissues and it was not fun.

“There was a lot of cold symptoms like sneezing a coughing and I’d be really hot and then really cold. The headaches also made me feel like I had permanent brain

freeze. It was unpleasant to say the least. I don’t usually get colds so it was unusual and I had a really high temperature.

“I didn’t go to the doctor but dosed up and paracetamol and slept it out. I gave it to both of my parents and all of my work colleagues. They’re not best please.

“I think it is spreading quickly. I caught it from my boss Christmas Eve and I had it Christmas day. It’s not too serious just unpleasant.”

Another student had a 39 degree fever during the worst of her illness, and a really intense headache as well as the fever which left her boiling hot and then freezing cold.

Véronique Hawksworth, 3rd year Politics and International Relations, said: “It was pretty bad, it started with a really intense headache for two days and then I had a 39 degree fever, I was going from freezing cold to boiling hot every five minutes, and on top of that obviously a cough and sore throat.

“I still have a cough five days after the fever ended. I was in bed for three or four days, and

Credit to: Manon Jones

I probably have passed it on from the early stages because it isn’t immediately obvious that it’s flu, and that’s probably

"I was going from freezing cold to boiling"

one of the main reasons lots of people are getting it, also because the incubation period is pretty long.

“Also students weren’t really encouraged to get the flu jab (as much as older people anyway) so I think people forget that they’re at risk.”

(Continues on page 4...)

Professor Pagel said: “It is remarkable to think that words used today, in particular ‘two,’ ‘three’ and ‘five’ connect us with ancestors from perhaps 10,000 or more years ago who would have used words similar to those in use today.

“What is particularly

surprising is how these words have lived so long – spanning nearly the entire history of the Indo-European language family – and have done so without a writing system, being passed on solely in the spoken tradition.”

(Continues on page 3)

Numbers one to five the oldest words in existence

JESSICA DUDLEY 3rd Year Ancient History

THE NUMBERS one to five are among the oldest words, dating back hundreds of thousands of years, according to University of Reading researchers.

Professor Mark Pagel has

been looking into the history of Indo-European languages, the basis of our language today, and has found that these low number words can be found consistently throughout history, some of the numbers have a possible lifespan of up to 100,000 years.

"low number words can be found consistently throughout history" 1

NEWS|EDITORIAL

EMER SCULLY Print Editor

THE WORST part about university, and the most difficult thing to have to face, is the fact that your degree will (not always, but often) not be enough to get you where you want to go after you graduate.

Through all the essays, seminars, lectures, journal entries, and exams there is that tiny voice in the back of your mind which reminds you that a lot of people with degrees are working in the same retail job they began when they were 16-years-old.

But what can you do to solve this inevitability of not having enough to guarantee you a job? This is when experience

How to Get Work Experience

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

comes in. That dreaded word, and the worst part about job applications. If you want to go into a competitive industry, like journalism, advertising, teaching, and loads of others, you have to have experience to even be considered. And experience, a lot of the time, involves working for free, and that totally sucks.

So how do you get this experience, and balance it with your university studies? To be perfectly honest with you, it involves a lot of luck. A lot of sending the right email to the right person, or knowing someone already in the industry who can get you a placement.

The important thing, like with anything, is to really think about what you want to do, and what job you actually want to experience. Often the best thing about any experience is being able to cross that particular career path off your wish list.

For example, my Year Ten work experience was the worst two-weeks of my life, and I cried on the second Monday I

had to go in because it was that awful. I can honestly say I will never be a micro-biologist, and I am quite happy I realised that early on and decided to avoid science during my A-Levels.

If you are unsure about what you want to do when you leave university, as I know a lot of people are, the best thing is to organise a work placement.

My first piece of advice is to think small! Local papers, village schools and independent businesses are far more likely to have the time and resources to take you on for a week, compared to industry giants such as The Guardian, Eton College, or Microsoft. Also start early.

The reason I got my first work placement at the Reading Chronicle was because I had to have a placement for a module, panicked, and organised mine months before anyone else had even thought about it.

So you have picked a company you want to complete a placement at, but what do you do now? A quick, polite

email telling the manager, editor, or HR department who you are, what you want, and why they should offer you the experience is a brilliant way to start. Depending on the person a certain amount of flattery might help but definitely make sure you know who you are addressing, even if this means calling the company up and asking for the name and email of the person who deals with work experience.

Once you have written and sent your email it is always good practice to wait for a couple of weeks before phoning them up and inquiring as to whether they received your email. It may have been lost in the midst of a hectic inbox, or accidentally ended up in their junk folder. Also, being able to have a chat with someone to get a bit of your personality across will always help with their decision. Remember, having someone in an office for work experience can sometimes be a pain. A work experience person will not know how the

office works or the job, and can often be in the way. You need to show that you will be able to help, and having a bubbly personality, and bringing that across through a quick phone call. cannot hurt.

Equally, even if they do not want to offer you a full weeks’ work experience, do not be disheartened. Ask if you can just come in for a day and have a chat to learn more about the job, the company, and what working there is like. It is a great way to network, and, if they like you, they might change their minds and decide to offer you work experience despite their initial refusal.

Ultimately, the most important part it to not take rejection personally, let the company know you are and that you will not be a pain, and definitely be enthusiastic and show willingness to learn.

And the best part about work experience? If you do a good job they might ask you to work for them full-time after your degree!

New Year’s Resolutions

Are you Undergraduate of the year?

HARRIET SALMONS

Print Editor

A cynical approach to Deputy Editor

NEW YEAR, new me – that’s all people seem to be saying this time of year, and to be brutally honest, I do not understand New Year’s Resolutions. When I was younger I always used to make them because I felt I had to: stop biting my nails, eat less chocolate, be nicer to my parents. But in the last few years I’ve stopped making them, because I would never stick to these forced changes, which is all New Year’s Resolutions are, really.

Why is there only one time in the year where people feel they have to change something about themselves; would it not be better to change things you’re unhappy with as and when you think of them, rather than saving them up in some corner of your brain to bring up on January 1st? Half the time you can’t remember all these changes you came up with

anyway and opt for something minor and stereotypical, like ‘exercise more.’

I also hate the question, “what is your New Year’s Resolution?” because I always feel I have to come up with some lame resolution, or an even lamer excuse as to why I hadn’t made one; I never thought people’s response to “I don’t have one” would be some sarcastic remark about thinking I was perfect. In actuality, it’s not that at all, I am such a selfdeprecating person, and I come up with radical life changes at least once a month. For me, I would much rather do this than wait until the beginning of a year to make a huge change.

All in all, I believe that if you want to change yourself then feel free, but why wait until New Year to do so? Don’t let society tell you when you can change yourself, and just do it as and when you want to.

It’s your life.

EMER SCULLY

THE ANNUAL Undergraduate of the Year Awards are up and running for nominations now, and if you want to be in with a chance of meeting Countdown's resident maths genius Rachel Riley, go ahead and nominate yourself!

An internship is on offer as a prize for the twelve different undergraduate awards including companies like Rolls-Royce, M&S and Loreal as companies seek the best students to employ after graduation.

Connor Vidal is in his third year of a Mathematics degree and won the award for Mathematics, Economics and Finance last year, winning a placement with Gazprom Marketing and Trading in London.

He said: “I still can’t quite believe it, it was nearly nine months ago and it still makes me happy. It was great to

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represent the university and amazing to have my name called out as the winner.

“I was just happy to be in the top 10 and get a fancy meal, but I also got to meet Konnie Huq from Blue Peter and gained some brilliant work experience in the process.”

"I spent one week of the placement working in the Singapore office, it was on the 43rd floor of a 43-storey building"

Connor spent three months of his summer working in the finance team of one of the biggest gas energy suppliers in the world.

He added: “I was let loose on the companies’ accounts. As part of winning the award, I spent one week of the placement working in the Singapore office, it was

on the 43rd floor of a 43-storey building.

“You could see Malaysia out of one side of the office and Indonesia from the other.”

Since winning the award Connor has gained a “unique selling point” when trying to get into a career and has something to talk about with employers at career fairs.

He continued: “The experience looks great in the competitive world that is graduate jobs.

Since the placement I have had to look at other companies as sadly Gazprom does not currently have a graduate scheme, but I have been applying into the same, or similar, fields that my summer placement was in as I really enjoyed it.

“The graduate awards are definitely worth applying for as it takes no longer to apply for than any other summer or year placement opportunities, so it is definitely worth the time.

“To summarise the award in three words I would say it was ‘a lifechanging opportunity’.”

To enter the awards go to http:// undergraduateoftheyear.com/

Numbers one to five the oldest words in existence

JESSICA DUDLEY 3rd Year Ancient History

(Continues from front) This trend has also been found in the Bantu languages of Africa and the Austronesian languages of the south Pacific.

The researchers have suggested three possible explanations for the survival of these numbers.

They believe that it may be connected to ancient brain regions associated with the ability to perceive small numbers of objects without

low limit number words are some of the first words that children learn, it might tell us that simple counting abilities have played an important role

in our daily lives, and in out communication, throughout our evolution.”

This research was conducted alongside other evolutionary

language scientists from Santa Fe Institute and it has been published in the Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society journal on January 1.

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counting.

They cite evidence that even animals are able to perceive ‘numbers,’ even though they lack any formal counting system like our own.

Professor Pagel added: “Given that we know that these

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"it might tell us that simple counting abilities have played an important role in our daily lives, and in out communication, throughout our evolution"

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POOR SCORE ON UC Uni creates history on University Challenge with lowest ever score PAGE 7

15|01|18

ALYA ZAYED

RAIL FARE INCREASE Lucy tells us about the recent hike in the cost of train tickets PAGE 5

MURAL PROTECTED NEW BAR COMING BrewDog set to open new A mural celebrating Black History will not be taken bar in Reading down PAGE 11 PAGE 12

NEWS

Don’t let chains take over Does the death of After Dark mark the beginning of the end?

Print News Editor

I HAVE noticed a trend, nationally, but especially in Reading. Local, unique businesses are dying and slowly being replaced with big, trendy chains. Local clubs such as the iconic After Dark, which has been around since the 1970s saw major bands perform there such as Radiohead, Manic Street Preachers, and the Verve.

But its customer base has decreased steadily since 2007, and has not made a profit in many years, while club chains such as Lola Lo’s continue

to thrive. According to a statement released by the After Dark, parts of the building date from as early as the 1850s, and over time it has been almost

"I have absolutely nothing against mainstream clubs "

everything, from a Quaker Meeting Place, and a tinning factory, to a Caribbean and reggae club, and now it is a hub for the rock and alternative nightlife in Reading.

I have absolutely nothing

against mainstream clubs, but what I am against is letting anything with some semblance of character die. You would be hard-pressed to find locally owned, family run coffee shop.

Of course they exist, and are a part of what makes Reading so great, but they are often tucked away in alley ways, out of site of the main shopping streets.

By contrast, there are two Prêt à Manger branches nearly directly opposite each other right in the centre of town, where all the tourists, who do not know where the

independent shops are, flock to for a quick rest.

Thankfully, we still have the Purple Turtle (which only has one other branch in Oxford) but After Dark is once again under threat. The landlord of

year is not different, but the hospital rate is higher. It’s only one of many flus that circulate and is causing about 50% of infections but has a slightly higher pathology and seems to be more serious and get people hospitalized at a higher rather.

The hospitalization rate is three times higher than last year even though numbers of those affected are the same.

“Obviously this term flu will be circulating, and it is possible that those who are affected will be worse than the in past and it may take people out of lectures for a week.

“This won’t be a particularly aggressive epidemic. We might be taking precautions if it was a pandemic that no one had any immunity to.

“Usual personal hygiene is obviously important. It does depend on who else is around you and there’s a limited amount you can do.

“The advice would be if you feel you’ve got a respiratory

"I am against letting anything with some semblance of character die"

the property, who has financed the business for many years, has sought permission from the council to demolish the

building and build flats in its place.

If you would like more information about the planning application for the demolition of the After Dark, visit planning.reading.gov.uk and search for it using the Planning Application Number 172213. If you would like to express your support for the After Dark, or support for the building of flats, you can leave a comment which will be summarised with other comments in a publicly available report submitted to that Committee.

Aussie flu hits campus

EMER SCULLY 3rd Year English Literature

(continued from front..._ PROFESSOR Ian Jones, virologist at the University of Reading is an expert on flu and influenza and warns that the large number of people on campus will help the flu spread quicker, meaning refreshers flu could be worse than usual this year.

He said: “I don’t think it will particularly effect the

"The advice would be if you feel a respiratory infection worse than you are used to then get yourself to the GP"

University apart from the fact there’s a large number of people in one place. The University suffers from the problem of having large numbers of students and staff

"it is possible that those who are affected will be worse than in the past" so the opportunity to spread it is higher than normal. Beyond that there’s no particular data suggesting it’s targeting young people.

“The current situation is peculiar because the numbers of influenza cases from last

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"Things like headaches, stinging of the eyes, aches and pains would suggest influenza" infection worse than you are used to then get yourself to the GP as soon as you can and also do the recommended thing of taking yourself out of circulation for a while so don’t

actively spread it.

“Don’t soldier on if you think you are infected. Take a couple of days out and take the cold cures. Get through the worst of it and then come back to university. Two days would be adequate if it is more than the normal.

“Even a heavy cold is a nuisance you feel groggy for a day but if you feel it has the edge to it particularly headaches and aches and pains which are not caused by the virus but your response to it.

Those things tend to indicate influenza. " There’s a layer on top of the normal cold symptoms. Things like headaches, stinging of the eyes, aches and pains would suggest influenza."

|NEWS

New Rail Prices: Fare or Unfare?

GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Will a new increase in rail fares affect you?

If you have to commute or travel in London, it's likely they will

LUCY ROBBINS 3rd Year English Literature

A SIGNIFICANT hike in rail fairs could see students finding it more difficult to escape back home from exam stress in the future after prices rise by 3%.

As of January 3, 2018 prices have been raised across the country by an average 3.7%.

The exact amount varies by region, with the highest hikes seen in the North.

According to National Rail, the raise in prices will directly help the rail network.

They state that 97p from every pound in a ticket will go into “running and improving” services.

This increase may not appease those who have been affected by frequent strike action and delays across the network. However, there are

plans to further input money to the system.

Chris Grayling, Transport Secretary, said:“This government is continuing its record funding in Britain’s rail network.

“As a commuter, I know how frustrating it is to be delayed by problems on the line. Passengers want a railway they can rely on and that’s where this huge investment will make a real difference to their everyday lives - by renewing more tracks earlier and increasing maintenance to deliver far better services.

“This investment is about boosting reliability and punctuality for millions of journeys, and we will do this alongside building major upgrades around the country and delivering new, faster, more comfortable trains.”

Credit to: Tejvan Pettinger/

Around £48 billion will be spent on the network in a bid to improve the efficiency of the UK rail network.

One student, who asked not to be named, used to go home every weekend in order to make her time at university easier as she suffers from severe anxiety.

She said: “I suffer from really bad anxiety and like to go home every weekend to get away from socializing and just be where I feel comfortable.

“Going home and visiting my family on the weekend is more difficult because I cannot afford it.

“To be honest it is cheaper for me to go on holiday to Europe than to see my family in Cambridge. If I am going home every weekend that’s money I cannot afford to spend.”

In the short term, this means a higher price for an unchanged service, making the 16-25 Railcard ever more valuable.

The reduction in fares

for younger people on all journeys by 1/3 has always been welcome; in light of the new prices it will become even more essential, especially for students who usually travel by public transport.

The 16-25 Railcard also works for mature students 26 years and over in full-time education, recognizing the need for supplementing all students not just the typical 18-21 age range.

There are plans to go further in supplementing rail fares, and a trial card for 26-30 year olds not in full-time education is currently available for people in East Anglia.

The fact these cards are available does indicate that rail fares are unaffordable for many people and it is projected that this will not change for most of their twenties.

After Dark to potentially shut down... again VERONIQUE HAWKSWORTH

3rd Year Politics and International Relations

BELOVED nightclub the After Dark is an institution of Reading’s musical culture and history.

Just ask any of the locals who have grown up with it as a vibrant hotspot.

However, the club has come under threat again from development plans. A new planning application was submitted on December 11, and includes a request for the demolition of the existing premises to be replaced with two residential apartment blocks.

"The club has consistently attracted an older demographic of revellers, particularly to 80s nights"

This is not the first time the nightclub has been under threat; a similar application was denied in December 2016, following rejection from the council and a huge public outcry at the plans.

The club has had a particularly uncertain few months with previous manager, Neil Richards, being replaced with a new management team, who have sought to ‘refresh’ the club.

Since their takeover in October a series of refurbishments have been made and a host of new events introduced, including comedy nights and live music, in addition to the club nights that the After Dark is known for.

Despite this, from a statement issued on the After Dark Club Facebook page.

A spokesman for the nightclub, said: "The club has not made a profit for many years."

The planning application has been made through fears that this downward trend is set

"This is not the first time the nightclub has been under threat; a similar application was denied in December 2016"

to continue.

But why has a club which had such a public outcry at it’s potential closure not had significant attendance figures for years?

One reason for this is likely the club’s location. Peeking from a narrow alleyway at the top of London street, you would be forgiven for missing it.

With Reading’s nightlife being dominated by Friar Street, After Dark is really the sort of place where it helps if someone tells you about it first (and shows you where it is).

The club has consistently attracted an older demographic of revellers, particularly to 80s nights- so, it makes sense that

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it has struggled to break into the student market in the same way as Q club or Lola Lo’s.

However, the club has recently improved its student appeal through hosting consistently sold-out events

by Incognito Radio, who boast internationally renowned DJ’s and have re-established After Dark’s status as a unique, ahead-of-the-curve music venue.

The series of new events such as these have breathed life back into the venue, which is great news as After Dark isn’t just a nightclub, it’s a living representative of music subculture.

It has had several different incarnations over the decades including a church hall, Reggae club and a music venue, hosting bands from Cream in the 1960’s to Radiohead, The Verve and Manic Street Preachers in the 1990’s.

The club has always been a fortress of alternative culture and music, a welcome retreat for fans of old-school indie and

rock in a town dominated by cut-and-paste clubs playing the same chart music.

It is important that it lives on in Reading, both in tribute to its illustrious legacy, and also to support the current alternative music scene which is being hit by constant venue closures.

If you’re interested in supporting the After Dark club by having a dance within it’s legendary walls, it is open every Friday and Saturday night, playing a range of alternative and classic tunes from the 70’s-00’s. The current planning application can be viewed by visiting planning. reading.gov.uk.

"Peeking from a narrow alleyway at the top of a London street, you would be fogiven for missing it."

Volunteer in a Local School NEWS|LOCAL NEWS

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

to Help Young Children Read Beanstalk, a charity, train and support volunteers to help primary school-aged children to read Credit to: CREDIT HERE

ALYA ZAYED News Editor

NATIONAL literacy charity Beanstalk has launched a new campaign for 2018 to highlight the amazing work done by volunteers in primary schools to support children who struggle with reading.

Beanstalk's ‘reading heroes' improve the lives of children that need extra help to prevent them from falling behind at school and make reading enjoyable for them.

For over 40 years Beanstalk has recruited, trained and supported volunteers in primary schools to provide support to children. Many children across England leave primary school not having met the expected

standards of reading which can lead to problems in later life.

By working with children who have either fallen behind with their reading, lack confidence, or struggle with comprehension, Beanstalk's reading helpers can make a significant difference to children’s lives and future prospects. Their one-to-one sessions twice a week with the children they support will help them progress while also helping to encourage reading enjoyment. In 2016-2017 Beanstalk reading helpers supported approximately 11,000 children in England with their reading.

"Beanstalk reading helpers really are local heroes within our communities and do so

much more than just read.

They develop confidence, selfesteem and very importantly help make reading fun and enjoyable. We regularly hear from volunteers who have had ‘breakthrough' moments with a child because they found a particular book, poem or story which captivated that child's interests. These moments are often the turning point for a child and happen as a result of regular and consistent reading opportunities," explains Ginny Lunn, Chief Executive Officer at Beanstalk.

If you would like to become a Beanstalk reading hero in 2018 and would like to help children in your community reach their full potential, please visit beanstalkcharity.org.uk or email info@beanstalkcharity. org.uk for more information.

University Bars Now Cashless

LAURA STAES

2nd Year English Literature

THE DEPENDENCY of technology is increasing more by the year and has now also affected our campus bars. The popular and new system of contactless cards and apple pay has now become the only means of being able to pay of our drinks at the bar. The real question being – is good or bad?

Contactless cards have proven their efficiency not only to the cardholder but as well as to the bartenders. The long queues at park bar and union queues would improve simply because the bartender won’t need to give an exact amount of change and can move quickly from one person to another. As well as this the ability to avoid unnecessary stress because of the vast improvement in technology will create a more enjoyable experience for both parties.

Now seeing how this positively affects the staff

members, how does it affect the customers? For starters, we won’t need to queue at the ATM’s on campus for money in the freezing cold but we cannot set an effective budget of how much we may spend on our nights out on alcohol.

Consequently, students who are international and hold a foreign card, may experience that they will be charged tax for each time they get a drink and it doesn’t seem logical to buy all your drinks for the night in once to spare money that will be spent on tax. Thus, usually the resolution would have been to draw out cash or but alas is impossible due to this change so alternatives must be sought.

There is still the chance to buy drinks with our campus cards so that may help from being overloaded with tax after each transaction you make at the bar with your card.

All in all, the university is moving along with technology and helping us have a more pleasant evening at park bar and 3sixty.

How convenient will this really be?

Credit to: Max Pixel/ https://goo.gl/eN2xV9

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Reading Alumni Score 0 Making University Challenge History

LOCAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Reading’s Christmas University Challenge team, made up of celebrity alumni, enter the record books

ALEXIA LAVENDER Deputy Editor

A TEAM of celebrity alumni from the University of Reading who made it through to the Christmas University Challenge final have made history on the quiz show - by being the first team in the show’s 55 year history to score zero points.

The team were up against alumni from Keble College, Oxford, who won with 240 points. Reading beat University College London in the semifinals to progress to the final round.

The team from Reading consisted of past alumni including Leader of the Women’s Equality Party Sophie Walker, broadcaster Pippa Greenwood , anthropologist Anna Machin, and Springwatch presenter

"The team from Reading consisted of past alumni including Leader of the Women’s Equality Party Sophie Walker, broadcaster Pippa Greenwood , anthropologist Anna Machin, and Springwatch presenter Martin Hughes-Games"

Martin Hughes-Games.

University Challenge presenter and notorious question master Jeremy Paxman labelled the final result “a total whitewash”, but commented that the Reading team were “unlucky, perhaps, with the questions.”

Three members of the Reading team were interviewed about their historic loss by BBC Radio 5 presenter Emma Barnett. Pippa Greenwood, Anna Machin and Sophie Walker were quizzed about

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"Jeremy Paxman labelled the final result “a total whitewash”, but commented that the Reading team were “unlucky, perhaps, with the questions.”

|NEWS

their experience on the show, as well as how it felt to be record breaker.

Pippa Greenwood, commented: “We got to the finals, we had fun, and I couldn’t have asked to be with three more fun people.”

She agreed that they were “a little bit unlucky” with the questions they were asked and added that she was “persuaded into doing it”, and it was not her “natural territory.”

On the experience of being quizzed by Paxman, Anna Machin said, “[When Jeremy Paxman asks a question] your mind goes blank […] there are a certain amount of nerves there.

“We came up against the most amazing person in [Frank] Cotrell-Boyce, he literally was like a machine answering those questions, and as Pippa said, we had the best time.”

On a more positive note, team captain Sophie Walker, commented: “We’re the first team to have got zero, I suspect we’re also probably the first team to be told off for laughing too much.”

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8

Students Report Mental Health Problems MENTAL HEALTH

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|NEWS

Many struggle to cope with the stress of university Credit to: Ashley Adcox

JAMES FREEMAN

3rd Year Archaelogy and Ancient History

IN RECENT years, mental health has become one of the most prevalent issues affecting people in the UK. Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year. In England, a staggering 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem in any given week.

The most common mental

health problem in England is generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), affecting 5.9 out of 100 people. Other common mental health problems include post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) (4.4 out of 100), depression (3.3 out of 100) and antisocial personality disorder (3.3 out of 100) (mind.org.uk).

In the UK, the freedom and fun enjoyed by students at university is recognised.

However, this newly found

freedom does not come without additional stresses, as university life brings the greatest level of responsibility that many young people have experienced. Students are one of the groups worst affected by mental health issues. More than a quarter of students (27%) report having a mental health problem of some kind.

Thrown into an unfamiliar environment without friends or family, combined with

9

the pressure of increased financial responsibility and work deadlines, it is easy to see why students in the UK are struggling (Yougov.co.uk – Yougov survey 22nd-29th July 2016).

Out of students suffering from mental health problems, females (34%) are more likely to report suffering from a mental health problem than males (19%). The LGBT community suffers particularly

badly, with 45% reporting a mental health problem compared to their heterosexual peers at 22% (Yougov.co.uk – Yougov survey 22nd-29th July 2016).

Thankfully, mental health is gaining traction as an issue that desperately needs to be addressed further. However, whilst at university it is especially important to be aware of the signs of mental health issues that may affect you and those around you.

According to www.nhs. uk, these are the signs that someone you know may have depression: • Has lost interest in doing things they normally enjoy.

• Seems to be feeling down or hopeless.

• Has slower speech and movements or is more fidgety and restless than usual.

• Feels tired or doesn’t have much energy.

• Overeats or has lost their appetite.

• Sleeps more than usual or isn’t able to sleep.

• Struggles to concentrate on everyday things, such as watching television or reading.

Over 1 in 5 people in England have had suicidal thoughts in their lifetime (20.6/100), and as students are especially susceptible to mental health problems, awareness of the signs is vitally important.

The University of Reading counselling service contact: Email: counselling@reading. ac.uk Telephone: 0118 378 4216/0118 378 4218

Craft Beer Giant BrewDog to Open in Reading

NEWS| GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

The brewery is set to replace club and restaurant, Public ALYA ZAYED Print News Editor

THE SCOTTISH craft brewery BrewDog is set to come to Reading in the near future.

The new bar will be replacing the club Public on Castle Street, near Reading’s beloved Purple Turtle. BrewDog has been expanding quickly in recent months. It was founded in 2007, and in 2009 the company became the UK’s fastest growing alternative beer brand. Later in 2010, BrewDog created the UK’s strongest ever beer with a whopping ABV of 55% called ‘the End of History’of which only 12 bottles were available for the extremely friendly price of £500. The beer was sold in bottles that were inside mockstuffed animals, such squirrels.

Advocates for Animals called

the bottles "perverse" and a "stupid marketing gimmick.”

"in 2010, BrewDog created the UK’s strongest ever beer with a whopping ABV of 55% called ‘the End of History’of which only 12 bottles were available"

that it was a mockery of the brand’s so-called ‘punk’ ethos At the moment, BrewDog has over 40 bars in the UK, including one nearby in Oxford if you’re keen to try a BrewDog brew soon and can’t wait.

A spokesman for the brand said: "We have a site and we will be starting refurbishments in the next couple of weeks."

Their website claims that their new bar will feature “20 taps of awesome BrewDog and guest beer and serve up epic burgers and wings” and it is due to land in the first quarter of the year.

"BrewDog has over 40 bars in the UK, including one nearby in Oxford if you’re keen to try a BrewDog brew soon and can’t wait"

It is not clear at this moment what will be happening to Skint Mondays, Reading’s longest running club night which has rock/pop punk and house/ grime/D&B on the ground and first floors, respectively.

Previously Skint Mondays was at Coalition, then known as Sakura, so there is a strong chance Skint Mondays could return to its roots. The venue has previously undergone a transformation in August 2016, when the popular Reading bar and kitchen RYND was closed and replaced by Public.

Credit to: Eden Sinclair

The company has also received criticisms for its trademark of the word ‘punk’ for beer, with critics claiming

10

Reading’s Black History Mural Given Protection by Council GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|NEWS

The historic mural has been given protected status to prevent removal

ALYA ZAYED Print News Editor

READING’S historical black history mural has officially been given protected status as an ‘Asset of Community Value’ by the Reading Borough Council, meaning that it can no longer be pulled down and must be

kept.

Developers had planned to demolish it once the Central Club is sold, of which the mural is on the side, but campaigners protested any plans that would see the artwork removed.

Councillor Jo Lovelock, leader of Reading Borough Council, said: "The council has this week listed Reading’s historic black mural as an Asset of Community Value, which

reinforces our standpoint that we remain fully committed to securing its future.

"The mural remains of huge importance to the black community, the wider community and the council, as it represents Reading’s long history of celebrating different cultures and promoting tolerance.

"The council is also completely clear it expects

any offers received in the next round of bidding for the former Central Club building, to include plans to secure the mural’s future.

"All bids will be fully considered in terms of both the community value included in the bid, and the financial offer for the building itself."

The mural dates back to 1990 and had been showing signs of wear and tear in

recent years, which will have to be addressed by whomever purchases the Central Club.

The mural was surveyed

by Arte Conversation Ltd, experts in the treatment of painted structures, and once the authority has found out the level of work needed, it will pass on the information to any potential developers of the site.

The club itself has been empty since 2006.

Credit to: Ceridwen

11

Giving a voice to the forgotten women of British history

NEWS| GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

IMI SNELL

3rd Year English Literature

IT WAS a surprising moment a few months ago when I realised that Isabella Whitney was the first English woman to have ever published a poem credited under her own name. As part of my module titled ‘Lyric Voices’, I wrote an essay on one of her poems in which she reprimanded the man that had left her for another woman. It struck me as both empowering and important, and I was left confused as to why I had never heard of her before.

"the government made unemployment illegal" Born in Cheshire in about 1545, Whitney was part of a lower middle class family and moved to London at a young age to work in a wealthy household. Living with this new family, she quickly fell in love with another servant, William Gruffith. Convinced that they would be married Whitney set her heart on him, but was left disappointed and angry when he left to marry another women. Upset and confused, she wrote him a poem in the form of a letter called ‘I.W., to her Unconstant Lover’ and chastised him for breaking his promise. A few years later she was fired from her job. Under the Poor Law of 1572, the government made unemployment illegal so Whitney sold two of her poems to a publisher called Richard Jones. By the end of 1572, she was ready to end her life. Unmarried and without property she was desperate, but she kept writing and

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records show that she kept selling her work. It was in this time that she became the first female British poet to publish poetry under her own name.

Her trail goes cold there, but it is thought she died in about 1578. An amazing woman with an overlooked story.

Inspired by the centenary of women’s suffrage, the English Literature and History department are running a special event entitled ‘Inspired by Vote100: Celebrating Forgotten Women’ to commemorate women like Isabella Whitney that history seems to have forgotten. Speaking on a variety of different subjects, including literature, science and politics, the event will feature the talents of Dr Mary Morrissey, Professor David Stack, Dr Jacqui Turner and Dr Maddi Davies, as well as a number of students. It aims to give historically disregarded women a little of the spotlight.

As part of the evening’s talks, there will also be a small exhibition run by Special Collections during the interval.

This will feature objects and papers from the Women’s Suffrage movement and other disregarded women of history, all from the University’s archives It is vitality important that in a world of confusion we find ways to support and inspire each other, and give a voice to those who may have otherwise have been forgotten.

‘I.W. To her unconstant Lover’ and many other poems

by Isabella Whitney can be found in the University of Reading library or online.

‘Inspired by Vote100: Celebrating Forgotten Women’ will be on February 8 from 6pm until 9pm, Venue: the Van Emden Lecture Theatre

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PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

PHOTOGRAPHY

'I Need a Six Month Holiday'.

Twice a Year.

Location: Washington D.C Credit to: Harriet Salmons

Location: Amsterdam Credit to: Jennifer Green

Location: New York Credit to: Harriet Salmons

Location: Prague Credit to: Anna Paskhin

Location: Barbados Credit to: Lucy Robbins

Location: France Credit to: Florence Collinson

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Location: Barbados Credit to: Lucy Robbins

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

ANNA MOSS

Photography Assistant

CHRISTMAS time marks the perfect occasion to travel; Christmas markets, snow and stunning landscapes. This December I travelled around North-East Ireland and Dublin, driving through Wales on route.

Wales was full of stunning coastal beaches and hill-top houses, with a different view every corner you turned. I took the ferry from Hollyhead in Wales to Dublin, the place I go every Christmas to spend it with my family. My Mum and I decided to travel to Ireland a few days earlier than usual

to travel the North-East coast, so we settled on traveling to Donnegal. The National Park I visited was home to the Glenveagh Castle Gardens surrounded by a stunning landscape of lakes and forestry as well as amazing wildlife.

The following day I took a trip to Lake Esque, a perfectly still lake that mirrored all that was around it. You were able to walk around the entire lake along a wooden footpath, giving various angles and views of the stunning lake.

The local beaches also carried on for miles, it was perfect calming setting to spend hours walking on.

"surrounded by a stunning landscape of lakes and forestry as well as amazing wildlife"

PHOTOGRAPHY & ART

After the couple of days in Donegal I returned to Dublin, to visit my family and take part in our traditional boxing day walks. We walked along the Dun Laoghaire pier, a common walking route for Dubliners and visitors alike. The sun was setting just as we were walking which made for the perfect picture.

Location: Scotland

Location: Donegal, Ireland

Location: Dublin, Ireland

All Photo Credit to Anna Moss

Location: London

Location: Wales Location: Sardinia

15

LIFESTYLE| EDITORIAL AND MEDIA NEW YEAR Olivia shares tips on how to stick to New Year’s Resolutions.

THE HIGHLANDS STUDY ABROAD SKINCARE Emma gives us the lowdown Eilis sums up her Alicia explains how to keep on where to visit in Scotlands. University of Rhode Island your skin glowing in winter. experience

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SALLY NICHOLLS Lifestyle Editor

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

PAGE 23

LIFESTYLE

This month in Lifestyle HELLO 2018! Hopefully everybody had a lovely Christmas and New Year.

Sadly, now the fun parts of winter have passed and we are left to struggle on through the cold and darkness without the festive celebrations to keep us going. However, the Winter Solstice was back in December

PAGE 24

so there is at least longer light hours and the promise of Spring to look forward to. To help you get through winter in one piece, this month in Lifestyle we have a range of motivational articles.

These include sticking to New Year’s resolutions, developing A* time management skills, considering the impact of

social media on your health, and a helpful bit of reverse psychology in an article on “How to Fail Your Degree.”

Following this, four students have us turning green-eyed with envy as they share their travel stories to far away destinations including Rhode Island and Quebec, as well as

slightly closer ones such as Dublin and Scotland. These will no doubt get you dreaming of your summer holidaying whether you have got round to booking one or not as of yet.

Finally, in our makeup and fashion section, we bring you a new season makeup tutorial, showing you how to create a fresh new look in 2018. We also have all the info you need on taking care of your skin throughout winter, plus we

have the goss on the return of the velour tracksuit and why it is the new ideal attire for those 9am lectures.

If you would like to write for the lifestyle section of The Spark Newspaper then please get in touch either by joining our Facebook group, just search ‘The Spark Lifestyle Group’, or by emailing lifestyle@sparknewspaper. co.uk. Wishing you all a productive January!

filters to enhance the way we appear online, to the highly selective and superficial nature we adopt when choosing what to post, the news feeds of our friends are quickly becoming comparable to the other ‘fake news’ that we consume. Being a student is emotionally and socially taxing as it is, and it has been suggested that social media merely exacerbates the problems we face.

So, would the researchers involved in the recent findings suggest you delete all your accounts and say goodbye to sharing online for good?

Probably not. Instead, a more purposeful, responsible and genuine usage of social media is being advocated. At the start of this new year, we could actively begin to spend a bit less time online, and a little more time in the real world.

We might all be surprised at the unforeseen benefits of cutting down on social media; disconnecting from the digital world and reconnecting with the people above our screens.

(Anti) Social Media Exploring the harmful effects of social media and suggesting an alternative option

JACOB COLMAN 1st Year Philosophy

SOCIAL media… love it, hate it or just use and it feeling somewhere in the middle; from its humble beginnings in the early 2000s to its current user base numbering in the billions, social media has fast become entrenched into every aspect of our daily lives. With such a vast number of daily users, astronomical levels of revenue being created and a user population comparable to that of a continent, it might come as a surprise that the claim that social media makes the world more “open and connected” is now being heavily contested.

With suicide rates higher than ever, depression on an unprecedented rise and technology causing obstacles in unforeseen ways, increasingly Instagram filters and Facebook group chats simply don’t seem to be worth the social and emotional cost.

In recent years, a wealth of investigative research has

emerged on the detrimental effects of social media on our health and wellbeing, as well as its role on society as a whole. From Facebook and Twitter, to photo sharing apps like Instagram, places that were once a fun way to connect with the people in our lives are now being deemed comparable in their harmful effects as alcohol and drugs for millennials.

Research today has concluded two key reasons for the negative effects of social media. The first is attributed to the addictive qualities of social media sites. You know that feeling you get when you receive a text or hear the joyous tone of an Instagram like? Well that feeling is caused by a hormone called dopamine flooding the brain. This would be all well and good were it not for the fact that dopamine is the same chemical that is released in the brains of alcoholics, drug addicts and hardcore-gamblers.

This addictive tendency poses a real threat to our generation, let alone the estimated 7.5

million American preteens who are also accessing Facebookwith millions more accessing Instagram and other services with no age restriction. Whereas once we would confide in a friend during times of need, today more and more people are resorting to impersonal messaging or succumbing to the time wasting vacuum of apps portraying lives of seemingly happier people.

Credit to: Jacob Colman

" 7.5 million American preteens who are also accessing Facebookwith millions more accessing Instagram" Additionally, the recent reports found that social media has a profound effect on our mental health and happiness, with chances of depression in 18-25 year olds increasing by up to 80%. From photographic

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What a disconnected world looks like

How to time manage your year

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

MEGAN SIAREY

2nd Year English Literature

OH January, it has been a while. With a new year, comes a new term, and with that comes the concept of ‘this year will be the year I sort my life out’. Now, I am no life guru, but I do happen to have this thing called time management down. Well, to the best of my ability.

Time management is one of those skills that the adults in society, (well the more grown up adults) decided that we would all just wake up one day and have sorted. Alas, if only that was the case.

Brain de-clutter

Jot everything that you need to get done on a physical piece of paper.

Yes that is right, you have to go back to the Stone Age, well ‘Paper Age’, in order to complete this tip. The simple science is that there is no need to scroll up and down and all around to see your list. Instead, you can see everything on one lovely piece of paper. And when I say everything, I mean EVERYTHING. From that article you need to read, to the money you need to transfer, all the way to what you need to eat for dinner before it goes out of date.

Group your list into academic and non-academic sections

I have a section at the bottom of my list that is for the general things such as ‘update CV’. It is still going to bug me constantly, but it is also separate from my academic tasks that are more time sensitive.

Batch your tasks into smaller sections

If there is a book you need to read and a lecture to catch

up on from the same module, group these together. This can help you create a ‘file-cabinet’ system in your head, making it easier to focus on one section at a time.

Prioritise

Number your tasks. It can be helpful to start with the quick tasks such as printing off an article to begin with so you can get into the flow of working.

"Time management is one of those skills that the adults in society, (well the more grown up adults) decided that we would all just wake up one day and have sorted. "

Use your time effectively

If you have an hour in between lectures and have articles to print off, books to borrow, or maybe even something you need to speak to your tutor about, use these times to complete the quick tasks.

Tidy and declutter the workspace

It is true that a tidy space equals a tidy mind.

Do the worst task first

It is tempting to keep pushing a dreaded task to the bottom of your list. In the long run, your future self will hate you for it.

Turn your phone off

Distractions will reduce how effectively you are using your time. That group chat can be put on mute, and you can survive without looking at it for 40 minutes. I know, I didn’t think it was possible either but that is science for you.

STUDENT LIFE

Stay organised

Investing in a diary can plot out your time, and can give you an idea of if you can make a union night or that Tuesday ‘2-4-1’ cocktail night at Park Bar.

Morning routine

A routine can organise your thought process and put you Focus on auto-pilot so there is more Set a timer for 40 minutes and focus on your tasks for the day fully focus on a task. You will as opposed to what breakfast be amazed that in this time, if you are going to have. you are not doing the task then there is nothing to do at all. Overnight Oats This will lead to boredom so in Recipe the end doing the task simply I personally love making seems less boring than staring overnight oats before I go to at a wall. bed. All I have to do in the morning to get food is to grab Break big tasks into the pot out of the fridge and smaller steps I have a nutritious breakfast, An assignment can seem allowing me to avoid full daunting if you simply have grouchy mode.

‘DO ASSIGNMENT’ on your You do not need fancy list. Instead, break it down items, just milk or yoghurt, into sections such as, ‘read a sachet of oats, and some the question and brainstorm’, ‘research’, ‘plan’, ‘write’, ‘edit’ etc. You will feel more productive being able to cross more things off the list.

"If you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure to access the wealth of support that is available to students " Set your own Deadlines

A task may not need to be completed for another week, but planning to finish it a week prior leaves room for any mishaps, as well as giving you that valuable time to take a breather. Putting an essay aside and going back to it the next day can highlight things that at 4am deadline day you most likely will miss.

Interactive lists

In the modern age of technology, a list on a phone can be vital in making sure you keep paying attention to it.

There is also the magic ability to copy and paste tasks. Avoid a messy scribbled out list at all costs. It is all about keeping it clean-cut and tidy.

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|LIFESTYLE sweetener like honey. I add in frozen berries that are cheap at the supermarket and overnight they defrost. Make sure to have equal amounts of liquid to oats.

You can measure this by using a mug.

Make sure you are practising self-care

Whilst performing to your highest ability is important, taking time out to look after yourself is as important, if not more. Planning your time means you can afford to take that evening break and watch that movie with your housemates.

On a serious note, if you are feeling overwhelmed, make sure to access the wealth of support that is available to students. The welfare team are very helpful, ev ryone is human and needs to take a breather sometimes. If we were robots though, think of how the earth would look - for better or worse…

Credit to: Megan Siarey

LIFESTYLE| NEW YEAR

How to Make New Year’s Resolutions and How to Keep Them

TAZ USHER

1st Year English Language and Linguistics

WHILST cliché New Year͛ s resolutions to ͚get fit͛ and ͚get stuck in͛ with uni work may seem very contemporary ideas, New Year͛ s resolutions date back over 4,000 years ago to the ancient Babylonians. At this time, people gave vows to God during the harvest (often related to sin repentance and payment of debt) which were viewed as their personal resolutions.

New Year͛ s resolutions can be a great way to secure a fresh start for yourself and to let go of any mistakes from the previous year. The best way to form your New Year͛ s resolution is to make a list of all the things that you are hoping to achieve by the end of the year (whether that be university, lifestyle, or relationship related), and to identify your largest priority or an overall goal from the list. Top tip: try to avoid generalised resolutions such as

͚lose weight͛ or ͚get more firsts in my assignments͛. The best way to achieve health or grade related resolutions is to create resolutions which are more specific and therefore ones which will offer a larger sense of achievement in December.

Resolutions such as these might be a good starting point:

1.

2.

3.

4.

5.

Plan and cook at least 5 healthy meals a week Schedule my revision more effectively using a revision planner Keep in more regular contact with family and friends from home Join a new sports society Take a managerial role in group projects more often

These are only some of the hundreds of resolutions that you could create yourselvessetting specific objectives such as these will not only

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

give you a clearer sense of what you are actually aiming to achieve, but they will also help you to identify what smaller steps you will need to take in order to fulfil these goals. The next stage once you have your resolution...

Now you have come up with your resolution, the hard bit is practically over....well sort of! The next step to securing that fresh start is coming up with an achievable action plan which will get you well on your way to success. Here are a few questions you may want to consider before diving straight into the deep-end and trying to achieve your resolution in one go before January is up. How will you maintain the resolution throughout the whole year?The key to achieving your resolution is your diary. Use a coloured pen to produce a sub-goal for each month. Doing this will help you to piece together your

smaller monthly steps into one larger achievement at the end of the year. What sacrifices will you need to make in order to achieve your resolution? This is very important to consider- you do not want to throw yourself into anything which you will not be able to handle alongside your other commitments. For instance, if you are planning to cook healthier meals, you will need to factor this into your shopping list and consider how going home or weekly takeaway routines might affect this. If you achieve your resolution early in the year, can you extend it to achieve

Positivity All Year Round How to kick your year off to a positive start

OLIVIA WITHINGTON 2nd Year English Literature

PICTURE this: it is halfway through January. You are sat on the sofa cradling a food baby after eating pasta for the third day in a row. Despite all the positivity you felt on the first day of January, you’re starting to think ‘Maybe 2018 won’t be my year after all’.

I think we have all experienced this mid-January moment. The past few weeks have been a blur of stress, food and excitement. But now, it all seems to have come to a standstill. Christmas is over.

New Year is over. Refreshers is over. It all feels a bit anticlimactic and you’re left to deal with the hangover of the

Entering the New Year as I mean to go on: a bit tipsy but mostly positive.

festivities. You are poor and, let’s face it, perhaps a little chubbier than before. They call it January blues for a reason.

But here I am, like a superhero (whose tights don’t really fit anymore) to save you from your January slump and teach you how to be positive in the New Year.

The

New Year’s Resolution

A resolution is a good way to kick off the New Year.

However, statistics show that by as early as the 10th January people start abandoning their resolutions. One of the main reasons I believe this is, is because people are overambitious. If you want to fly around the world on a magical narwhal, you might have to rethink the practicality of that a bit.

Start by writing your resolution down in a diary, then break that down into mini resolutions. You want to stop being lazy? Plan out some specific steps that will lead to

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you being more pro-active.

For example, start by waking up earlier. Track your progress and give yourself credit for every little accomplishment because, as the saying goes, Rome wasn’t built in a day.

Be realistic, be patient and be organised!

Self-Love

Now bear with me because my inner-hippie might come out a bit here (don’t worry, I’ll leave the crystals at home for now). In order to be positive about our accomplishments, we have to feel positive about who we are as an individual.

This begins with a bit of selfreflection. Inevitably there are going to be things we do not like about ourselves. But the key is to focus on what we do like about ourselves, and this is not limited to physical attributes. If you are finding this difficult, maybe start with things you do not like about yourself instead. Divide these things into two subcategories of things you can and cannot change about yourself. Realise that the things you cannot change about yourself do not

an even bigger goal? If you enter the year with a flying start and have your resolution down to a T ͚ ͛ by March, use this success as motivation to strive further. If you decided to join a new society to meet more people whilst increasing your fitness, why not find some part-time work so that you can save to go on the sports tour? The best thing about New Year͛ s resolutions is they are completely personal and controlled by YOU. Use this to your advantage in 2018 and make a change which will benefit you for the rest of your student life and beyond.

matter. If there is nothing you can do then dwelling on it will only cause unnecessary negativity. As for the things you can change, evaluate whether you really need to change them to make you happy. If yes, then by all means, think about how you might change them to suit you.

Look after yourself.

You may want to spend every day curled up on the sofa watching the box-set of ‘Skins’, but in the long term this will only get you down.

Take yourself for a walk, cook a giant portion of lasagne to freeze in Tupperware, go to sleep at a reasonable time. Do at least one productive thing a day, even if that is just a bit of washing up. On those days where everything seems impossible, dedicate some time to yourself. Give yourself a good scrub in the shower, brush your teeth and change into a fresh pair of pyjamas.

Then do whatever you do to unwind: a cup of tea, a book, the box-set of ‘Skins’? Most importantly, do not feel guilty for caring for yourself. It is important. Sometimes, you’ve just got to start with YOU. Wishing everyone a happy and positive 2018!

|LIFESTYLE

5 Tactics to Help You Fail University STUDENT LIFE

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

KRISTIYAN BOGDANOV Placement Year Mathematics

THERE is a lot of information to advise you how to succeed in your university life and get a first in your course. But maybe you are not trying to do that. Maybe your goal is to do your absolute best to fail your degree. Unsurprisingly, this is a much easier objective to achieve. Here are 5 easy strategies to get yourself to become a non-graduate.

1. Do not go to lectures

The first and most crucial step is to stop going to lectures. If you decide to go, there is a chance that you will actually learn something or write down some notes. Therefore, you should avoid them like the plague. In some rare incidents, like persuasion from your friends or a boost in your shortlived ambitions, you might find yourself in the lecture

hall. Do not panic! Just look at the students, who are in a similar situation to you. They stare at their phones – what a great idea! So get on social media and do not pay attention to the lecturer. Shortly after, the lecture will be over. You will learn from your mistakes and you will be back to your normal strategy of not going to lectures.

2. Ruin your sleeping pattern

Go to bed late and wake up even later. Sleep for 10-11 hours a day. This will result in waking up more exhausted than you were when you went to bed. Sometimes it might be worth it to try to wake up for your 9am lecture. Do not worry – you will fail to do it and feel miserable throughout the entire day. Irregular sleep cycles will keep the productive side of your brain at bay. For the rest of the day, stay in your pyjamas, because this will demotivate you to go on campus. In the evenings, make sure to play video games and watch Netflix. The more screen

time before bed, the later you will fall asleep.

3.

Forget about assignments and revision

If you do well in your assignments, there is a chance that you will pass even if you do badly in your exams.

Assignments also encourage you to study throughout the year. That edge needs to be erased. Usually 2-3 weeks before your exams start, the panic switch inside your brain will be turned on. You will try to cram the entire study material into these weeks.

This is a great indication that you got to this point. Finally, make sure your revision is unorganised and chaotic. This will maximise your chances of not passing your exams.

REBECCA WHITE 3rd Year English Language

WHETHER you like making New Year’s resolutions or not, the New Year is the perfect opportunity to improve your health. It is the time of year where we can’t really rely on the weather for happiness (unless it is snowing, of course), and everyone is feeling a little bit worse for wear after over-indulging at Christmas. Getting healthy can be done in many ways, from improving your diet and fitness to re-kindling relationships with people we may have lost contact with over the past year Healthy eating is essential, however after indulging in lots of chocolate and cake over Christmas, it can be hard to remove them from your diet.

Therefore, instead of going cold turkey (no pun intended), it is often easier to keep them in

your diet to begin with, but just have less of them. For example, you may like to have one treat a day which you can look forward to, then the rest of the day you can eat healthily and replace unhealthy snacks with healthier ones. Healthy snacks like carrot sticks and hummus, or peanut butter on apple slices are delicious. and also a much healthier option. As time goes on and you reduce the amount of sugar in your diet, it will get easier to cut them out.

Likewise to healthy eating, fitness can also be hard to get back into after Christmas, not to mention the cold weather making everyone want to hibernate. It can be really hard to find the motivation to go to the gym at this time of year.

Instead of just going to the gym, it is a good idea to book into a fitness class which interests you and sounds fun. That way, you

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5. Concentrate on alcohol and clubbing

With so much free time on your hands, you are going to need a distraction. You should do your best to divert your attention from your studies. A great way to do that is to talk

If you are not a club-goer or alcohol drinker, you can skip this step. This is the last step, so if you are already doing the other 4 steps, you are on you way to fail your university degree. However, you can improve your chances if you systematically binge drink and go out clubbing in the middle of the week. In the mornings, make sure to wake up with a massive hangover. Doing this will help you destroy any resistance in your brain which urges you to be productive.

Instead, you will spend your day in bed, drinking water and thinking about your life decisions.

friends. Although university life is stressful and it can sometimes seem like there are not enough hours in the day, it is important to make time for the things you enjoy and things that make you relax.

Socialising is just as important as diet and fitness in

terms of getting healthy. The New Year is the perfect time to talk to people you may have lost contact with over the past year, so make the effort to meet a long lost friend for coffee and make the effort to do something fun with your friends.

These tips will help you to kick start your year in a happy and healthy way. Try and write a list of all the things you would like to achieve in 2018 to motivate you to get started.

4. Create drama in your life

Getting Healthy in the New Year will look forward to exercising which will make you more likely to go. You could also ask a friend to go with you, which will make it a more enjoyable experience. Having a certain time to be there also helps as you know you will have to be ready to leave the house - you won’t be able to keep putting it off.

Everybody knows how stressful being a student can be. Constant deadlines, the pressure to do well and trying to balance a social life with your work, as well as trying to keep fit and healthy. Mental health is really important in order to achieve your goals and balance your lifestyle. It is a good idea to try to reduce stress and find ways of managing stress, and if this is done in the New Year then you are more likely to have a more productive year.

Identifying the things that trigger your stress is a good way to start, and then find ways to relax, for example lighting a candle, hav-ing a warm bath, a hot drink or socialising with

about and be part of drama among your friends, family and relationships with others.

Who slept with who, who got drunk, who does not wash their dishes. Once you find something like this, do not stop talking and thinking about it. If you look close enough, there is always something new in your life to gossip about.

The Highlands

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Where to find the winter wonderland of your dreams in Scotland REBECCA WHITE 3rd Year English Language

WHILST procrastinating my dissertation by reading a BuzzFeed article on the UK’s best locations, it dawned on me: I needed to go to the Scottish Highlands. Feeling impulsive and knowing I had some money saved (which has to be the most dangerous combination of factors in existence), I asked my boyfriend if he wanted to go with me, and that same day we booked a hotel for the week term finished for Christmas. December arrived and off we went. The rather daunting 9-hour journey had encouraged us to book another hotel on the way up which split the driving into one day of 3.5-4ish hours and another of 5-6ish, depending on traffic and weather.

We finally made it to Boat of Garten where our hotel, The Boat Inn, was. We were greeted with the most quaint, snowy winter wonderland.

The hotel was a strange mix of gorgeous 5-star touches, mixed with a few run down 2-star elements. For example, we turned up and had no hot water from the shower, which was fixed within an hour of arriving, and there were a few

areas where the paint needed touching up. However, we had a massive room, with gorgeous views, a TV, lovely bathroom with two sinks and a huge bath, which somewhat strangely was in the middle of the room, but no complaints from me as I could take in the wonderful landscape view and watch TV, all whilst warming up from the day’s adventures.

Having recovered from the drive there, we woke up to heavy snow. We decided to drive to the local town, Aviemore, that had a little bit more going on than Boat of Garten. There were some stunning walks starting half an hour away from Aviemore, so having stocked up on snacks, off we went on a hike. Our goal was Loch Eiliein in the Rothiemurchus forest. Whether or not we found that exact loch we were not sure, but what we did find was utterly incredible.

It was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen in my whole life and for relatively little effort, we hiked for about an hour to get there, the terrain was easy going and I enjoyed every second.

We then visited Blair Atholl and Blair castle. Whilst it was not quite the image that comes to mind when you hear castle,

Credit to:Emma Phillips

"what we did find was utterly incredible. It was one of the most beautiful views I have ever seen in my whole life" Credit to:Emma Phillips

it was still absolutely gorgeous.

We went on a tour of the castle • Relatively easy to get to with experienced drivers which was well worth doing. It and good weather. was really interesting and full of fun titbits about the area. • Plenty to do in terms It is worth noting that if you of activities, from want to visit over the winter hikes to whiskey and season, check whether the gin distilleries to dog castle is open as it is normally sledding. shut over winter. If you visit the Highlands, do not limit yourself to visiting things that are in the immediate area. Blair Atholl was about an hour away from where we stayed and the • Eating out was drive there and back let us take occasionally expensive in the beautiful scenery, find depending on location. a nice place for lunch that we would otherwise have not gone • Need to be able to drive in extreme conditions. to, and see what other activities My boyfriend got stuck the Highlands had to offer further afield. with a lot of the driving To sum up the trip here is in the snow because he a cheeky little table of the is more experienced, and information you probably want did not scream at every to know better. patch of ice!

Cons

Pros

• Need to have some idea of what you would like to do when and what is close, whilst maintaining • Cheap holiday, about flexibility to do what £90 on fuel and £200 you want when you are on accommodation per there. Also associated person. costs of activities.

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|LIFESTYLE Credit to:Katharine Pebworth

A Guide to Quebec

KATHARINE PEBWORTH MA Applied Linguistics

CANADA is a very sought after holiday destination. For many of us in the UK, with its beautiful national parks and vibrant cities, Canada is on the bucket list. Whilst the delights of Toronto and Banff national park are such big draw factors, the likes of Montreal and French speaking Canada cannot be overlooked as destinations to be on that travel bucket list.

Here are 10 reasons why you should visit Montreal and Quebec City (other than the beautiful buildings and typical tourist sites):

"You could literally spend hours poring over these beautiful little shops and if you are anything like me this will make you fall in love with the

Montreal- it is the perfect mix between a North America city and a European one. It has a beautiful old town that could make you feel like you are in the heart of a French city, but also has great big boulevards and magical high-rise buildings that make you feel like you could be in the centre of NYC. Different cultures- Montreal is a multicultural dreamland.

Everywhere you turn there

"it is the perfect mix between a North American city and a European one" are different cultures and languages coming out of your ears. French is heavily encouraged but there are so many languages around that it is not a problem if French is not your forte.

GalleriesMontreal is certainly not short of an art gallery or two. To get those culture taste buds going, there are ample to choose from.

Museums- Quebec City itself is not a stranger to museums. You could spend days in Quebec City just

visiting museum after museum after museum. However be sure to check they are open as they are very French about their opening times - outside of the tourist seasons many are shut on multiple days of the week. Also, there was once a ‘Cats and Dogs’ exhibition in La Musée de la Civilisation, just saying.

The food- I am not exaggerating when I say that I tasted the best blueberries I have ever had in the Marché Jean-Talon in Montreal. The markets have such a great atmosphere with so many delicious foods to try.

Poutine- it is the most delicious, greasy, fantastic thing I have ever come across in my life. There is no way to describe it. It is French fries, gravy and cheese curds and you must try it.

The people- everybody is so, so, friendly. I know this is a said a lot about Canadians but it is very true I can assure you, at least in the Quebec region!

The historyQuebec has a very interesting and captivating history that has led to its French speaking identity today. For that reason alone it is well worth a visit to explore its past.

The nature- both cities are

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bursting with gardens and surrounded by parks to explore.

If you like to combine city breaks and outdoor activities, this region is perfect. Inside the cities themselves there is La Citadelle in Quebec City and Mount Royal in Montreal, which was one of the best places I went in Montreal. It is a beautiful escape from the hustle and bustle of the city with a great view.

"it is the most delicious, greasy, fantastic thing" Second hand book shopsthis may sound strange, but Quebec City is full to the brim of second hand bookshops.

You could literally spend hours poring over these beautiful little shops, and if you are anything like me this will make you fall in love with the city even more.

To be honest, I could go on for pages and pages about how fantastic this region of Canada is, in particular these two cities Montreal and Quebec City.

But, if you ever get the chance, I highly recommend you check them out for yourselves.

Credit to:Katharine Pebworth

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My study abroad experience at the University of Rhode Island EILIS MCGEE

3rd Year Art and English Literature

FALL semester 2017 has been the fastest 4 months of my life! It feels like a lifetime ago that I landed in America, unsure of what the reality of studying abroad would be.

Since then, my time has passed in a whirlwind of classes, assignments and trips with friends.

The college system in America is completely different to ours. Students are generally at college for four years, but graduation dates are more flexible and many people come to college undecided of what their major will be. Students are able to explore a range of classes before committing to their discipline. During my time in at the University of Rhode Island I took four studio art classes. These classes met twice a week for three hours.

Having a 24 hour week was a

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massive shock in comparison to my usual 6 hour time table in the UK. American college days are much longer than ours.

Classes can start as early as 8am (fortunately my earliest start was 10am), and the days can carry on until 9pm (I had two classes per week scheduled till 8:45pm). I found that I really enjoyed having this increase in contact time as it meant I got to know my classmates and professors better. I absolutely loved the classes I took while abroad and they allowed me to develop skills and explore processes I might not have otherwise had the opportunity to, such as developing my own photos in a darkroom and casting sculptures in bronze!

Although I was in America on ‘study’ abroad, I really wanted to take advantage of the opportunity to travel as much as I could. Rhode Island is the smallest state in the US and this made visiting the surrounding states much

easier. I visited New York three times while I was away, including having a traditional Thanksgiving in Brooklyn and seeing Central Park in the snow. I visited Boston twice and enjoyed exploring the art galleries and culture of the city.

I also took a trip to Portland in Maine, and found it to be a cold but lovely place. URI also organise trips at a subsidised rate, making them affordable for students. My friends and I spent many Saturdays on these ‘Ram Tours’ visiting places such as Martha’s Vineyard (a beautiful island where the Obama’s have been known to holiday) and Salem (where the witch trials took place).

By studying abroad I met many people from many places. Meeting people from so many countries opened my eyes to different cultures and I now have friends on several continents. As we were all new to the area we were determined to see as much of it as possible,

so hours of bus and train rides and trekking across unfamiliar cities following Google maps helped forge many lasting friendships.

is something we all did to the fullest. We are also so excited to announce something new for

vision from the 3 hours of drinking by the time we made it up there…

For those sceptics in the group we also went to the Leprechaun Museum in which we learnt about Irish folklore, acted out by our extravagant tour guide, venturing into different rooms beautifully illustrated to match the theme of the tale; even having enormous furniture to help us envision the tiny little people we were learning about, which proved to be a lot of fun!

Our initial large group fluctuated to smaller ones throughout the days there as different people wanted to prioritise different attractions – some visiting castles and combs, others vintage shops, some having a break in a

nearby café. This meant many of us had to use our initiatives and plan our own routes and timetables to ensure we were all time efficient and could capture everything.

The final night was spent in typical student fashion, starting in the Temple Bar and ending up in a club further into town.

It gave us a great opportunity to fully embrace our trip and be happy with everything we had accomplished whilst there; meeting new people and experiencing new things.

Even though this left us with an hour’s sleep before heading back to the airport, it was totally worth it in order to maximise our time.

The Travel Society always aim to have a wide variety of personalities to collaborate and ensure we all have an amazing trip away to let off steam and expand our knowledge on different corners of the world, as well as our peers. I feel that

The hardest thing about studying abroad was leaving.

Saying goodbye to people I had become so close with, not knowing when I would next see them was so sad. However, it just gives my friends and I more excuses to travel so that we can see each other again.

Credit to: Eilis McGee

The Travel Society’s trip to Dublin REBBECCA PERRINS 3rd Year English Lamguage Literature

THIS year, around 20 members of the Travel Society decided to venture to Dublin for our annual trip. All of us were crammed into two small hostel rooms, with a limited 3 days to explore the city, leaving myself and the President stressed to say the least. However, the excitement and motivation to finish a rather large to do list kept us going, regardless of our lack of sleep.

Whilst there, we took part in the Guinness Factory Tour, where we learnt about the brewing, advertising, and most importantly to us students, the taste testing. The sky garden provided a vast view of the city, even if we did have blurred

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the Travel Society in the New Year, so keep an eye out for that!

Credit to: Rebbecca Perrins

The group after completing the Guinness Tour

New season 1 makeup 2 LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

OLIVIA LOWDON 3rd Year English Literature

CHANGE up your makeup look in the New Year by adding a blue, iridescent centre onto a warm and smoky lid. Although this may be a new makeup look, I am sadly still using the same makeup palettes as usual (if you have read my makeup tutorials before, you will be more than familiar with my Venus palettes). This is a simple look, it just requires some blending and mixing of shades to get the right colours.

As I mentioned, I always use my Venus palettes for my makeup looks, so I would definitely recommend them if you are thinking of making a makeup purchase in the New Year! These Lime Crime palettes have been on the market for a while now but

Winter Skincare

How to look after your face in the cold winter months ALICIA O’DONNELL 3rd Year Classical Studies

WINTER has hit, and the cold can definitely pack a punch, especially when it comes to our skin. One of the worst problems it causes is to our faces, the least protected part of the body and most open to the harsh elements. I find myself changing my skin care routine at the best of times, but winter is when I try my hardest to ensure my skin is kept looking fresh.

The most important thing over the cold months is that you keep your skin moisturised, preferably before you go outside or before bed.

It’s likely that most of us will come down with a cold during flu season and when you are blowing your nose constantly you are just drying out all the skin around your nose –

they have become a well-loved cult classic for their grungy, bold shades.

Not only are they gorgeous colours, but all Lime Crime products are vegan and cruelty free. Although it seems like this article is sponsored by Lime Crime, I promise you it is not. I just really love these palettes.

MY PRODUCT LIST Venus 1 and Venus 2 by Lime Crime

Sheer Glow foundation by Nars Felt Tip Liner by Kiko Thick and Fast Mascara by Soap and Glory

Brow Kit by Barry M Expert Face Brush by Real Techniques

Eyeshadow brushes by Eco Tools

practically exfoliating yourself with tissues! I normally like to keep it simple when it comes to moisturisers and use Simple’s range of Kind to Skin, Hydrating Light Moisturiser.

But when my skin gets especially bad, I turn to the Body Shop’s Oils of Life. It’s not always the best solution if you have oily skin but as long as you avoid the worst areas of your face it is a good product for winter.

When cleaning your face in winter it is important to use products that do not take any moisture away from your skin. Always check that if your everyday cleanser is targeted to anti-spot treatment then it is not also drying your skin out, while this is definitely effective in treating acne it does nothing for soft, dewy skin. For a fun alternative, I would recommend trying Lush’s Tea Tree Toner Tab; you just pop it in a bowl of boiling water and steam your face over the bowl. It is so good for opening up your pores and by following it up with a hot cloth cleanser (Aldi’s Lacura cleanser is an absolute bargain and matches

First, prime your lids with a drop of foundation and then set with some pressed powder. This makes the blending as easy as possible.

After this, take a blending eyeshadow brush and, using the colour ‘Divine’ (nude brown) off the Venus 1 palette, apply the colour in a light sweeping motion above the crease of your eyelid. Also place some of the product into the corners of your eyes so that only the centre of the lid remains bare.

What you really want to do with this look is build some good, saturated colour. Take the shade ‘Venus’ (a dark, pinkish red) off the Venus 1 Palette and apply in the same fashion as above. Repeat this step with the colour ‘Jam’ (bright orange) off the Venus 2 palette, and the colour ‘Muse’ (deep crimson) off the Venus 1 palette. Make sure you blend with a thick brush until all the colours run smoothly together and are blended nicely. You want to end up with a deep,

MAKEUP AND FASHION

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purplish red.

Finish off the base colours with the shade ‘Mud’ off the Venus 2 palette to add that last bit of depth.

Now for the iridescent centre. You can use any shiny colour really, but I used the shade ‘Pigeon’ off the Venus 2 palette, which is an amazing petrol colour. Use the tip of your finger to apply the shade onto the centre of your eyelid to get a solid dose of colour. Keep applying until it is really saturated, and then blend

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out the corners with a blending brush.

Now, apply eyeliner on your upper lids and extend into a cat eye. Use a narrow brush to apply ‘Muse’ under your lower lash line and then put on your mascara, foundation and bronzer as usual. Fill in your eyebrows to your own tastes.

And that is all there is to it.

A quick tutorial that should garner you a few compliments, and if not, as long as you impress yourself, who cares?

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Credit to: Olivia Lowdon

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the quality of other top name brands) and finish with a liberal amount of moisturiser, then your face will feel incredible!

Everyone loves a good face mask and there is no better time to try some out than in winter. With the dark, cold evenings, what could be better than cosying up at home with a face mask on? For a quick and painless option, a sheet mask is about the easiest thing out there.

"Keep your skin moisturised."

There are so many brands and styles out there that there will definitely be something to suit exactly what you want.

On the other hand if you want something a bit fancier, try a mask that you apply yourself.

Lush do a wide range that are organic and kind to skin so are always my first stop when it comes to facial care.

All in all, look after your skin this winter – it is often the first thing people look at, so take care of it!

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In defence of the velour tracksuit GRACIE MADDISON 2nd Year English Literature

ROCKED by the likes of Missy Elliot, Paris Hilton and Kim Kardashian in the 2000s, the velvet tracksuit is making a return, and boy are we ready to embrace its soft, effortless joys. Whilst the 60s Adidas three-stripe made a popular appearance in 2017, 2018 sees the iconic Juicy Couture garment take the limelight.

Despite its unfair tacky reputation in recent years, the brand has just turned twenty and has made a powerful comeback with the matching two-piece being donned by Winnie Harlow and Kylie Jenner. The fashion world has even updated this humble staple, with a collab between Juicy Couture and French brand Vetements at the Paris Couture fashion week.

Thornton Bregazzi’s winter collection even featured a pair of blue velvet sweats with ruffled bottoms, whilst the outfit is more often than not

being paired with heels.

Arguably an impractical mix between sporty and comfortable, this icon is not purely for the likes of the instafamous. A velour maxi skirt and hoodie combo in baby pink has recently been rocked by singer Katy Perry. The outfit has also made an appearance in artist Solange Knowles’s music video ‘Don’t Touch My Hair’.

It is also the perfect apparel for student life. Its sassy vibes say you are effortless, sporty but with a hint of luxury, and the fact that it is meant to match also means it has valuable time saving properties - ideal for 9ams. Not to mention that they are unbelievably comfortable, and warm.

If you are looking to embrace the real deal, the Juicy Couture icons are currently being stocked by high street brands such as ASOS and Urban Outfitters, whilst H&M and Miss Guided are stocking equally garish but more affordable alternatives (bonus points for ones in primary colours!).

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EDITORIALS

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MARVEL VS DC

Who's leading the fight as we come into 2018?

BEST OF 2017 Millie gives us her top five movies of the year

THE GREATEST SHOWMAN CREATIVE CORNER Does the latest cinema hit live A selection of poems from two up to its name? creative corner regulars

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ENTERTAINMENT ARI CARRINGTON Print Entertainment Editor

IT’S January, the time for Christmas detoxes, back to school blues, and most importantly, New Year’s resolutions. And in the spirit of New Year’s resolutions, I want to share one of mine with you. Technically, this is a resolution I made at the start of the academic year, but when essays and work got overwhelming, it fell by the wayside (and then just got plain forgotten about during Christmas!), so my New Year’s resolution is to recommit to this resolution. But what is it? In short, it’s to say yes. Yes to opportunities, events, anything really. My goal is to stop overthinking things, stop letting anxiety get in my way, and to just start saying yes to any and all opportunities that come up.

I had some amazing times at the start of last term as a result of banishing doubt and diving in – I joined a lot of new societies this year, and even signed up for tour.

And I went on a trip to see Aladdin the musical with the English society, which was absolutely phenomenal – and something I wouldn’t have experienced if I’d stressed about it. The term was going amazing, but then deadlines piled up, I got a part-time job and it all got a bit much, so I started missing a few things. But remembering how great the first half of term was, I’m determined to recommit and make this whole year that amazing.

It’s going well so far too. I started a day early (on the 31st rather than the 1st), which gave me the opportunity for another new experience – actually going out on New Year’s Eve. I’m Credit to: EKO/flickr

usually at home for New Year’s, so I hang out with my family, but this year I had to be back for my job, so when a friend asked if I wanted to get together and go on a big night out for New Year’s, I just had to say yes. And it was amazing. Otherwise, in this first week of January that we’ve had, I’ve tried so many new and cool gym classes, signed up to go to all kinds of events and socials in the next couple of weeks, and I’m in the process of booking a big trip to Australia!

That all sounds like an awful lot of opportunities for a week, but if I’ve learnt anything in my time here at Uni, it’s that there’s opportunity literally everywhere you turn. You might be sceptical, but give saying yes a try, and you’ll soon see just how many things you suddenly find yourself signed up for. Take advantage of every chance you have, because it’ll be over sooner than you think!

And with Refresher’s week (or Give it a Go week, or whatever it’s called now) coming up this term, make sure to head down, grab a slice of free pizza, and sign up to try something new. There’s so many awesome societies and sports on offer here, it always amazes me when people say they haven’t signed up to any of them.

Seriously, give something a go!

So go to that taster session, try a new gym class, go to the cinema alone to see that movie you’re dying to see but your friends aren’t interested in (it’s not like you can talk to them once the movie starts anyway!) – don’t let anything hold you back from living your best life this year, and you’ll be amazed by just how great it gets.

Stars dressed in Black Wow at the Golden Globes

MILLIE FARQUAH 2nd Year

English Literature

LAST year saw the downfall of many high-profile men in the film industry, something that sent ripples throughout the world with the ‘#metoo’ movement and outcry from millions of people throughout the world calling for a change in the world of entertainment.

And on Sunday, January 7, the 75th annual golden globes hosted hundreds of Hollywood’s A-Listers dressed in black as part of the ‘Time’s Up’ campaign to protest sexual harassment and inequality in the world of film and

television, and this defiance of what has become normal in the industry seemed to spread.

Natalie Portman spoke out about the ‘all male’ nominees for Best Director while she was presenting the award, Debera Messings (Will and Grace, Prey) and Eva Longoria (Desperate Housewives) spoke out about the television network E! and their inexplicable payment gaps between male and female employees. Whilst the mother of all joy and hope, Oprah Winfrey made history by becoming the first black female to be presented with the Cecil B DeMille lifetime

achievement award.

During her emotional acceptance speech, Oprah Winfrey called for change and equality in the industry, stating ‘for too long women have not been believed’ and saying to the men who didn’t believe, or chose not to, that their ‘time was up.’

Change is here, and it is an undeniably exciting time to be a part of the entertainment industry. I look forward to the rest of awards season and the future, and hope that the day when everyone is equal and not afraid to speak out is closer than we think!

of her backstory, which has only been hinted at in previous movies. There’s a lot of drama, a lot of crime, and a lot of intrigue. It’s reminiscent of Melissa McCarthy’s Spy, but better, because it’s Fat Amy. We also get a guest performance from Ruby Rose, as part of the band Evermoist (yes, really). Ruby Rose delivers exactly what her fans have come to expect from her and makes a great bitchy, overtly sexual rival for the Bellas.

was supposed to be. Although some happy career news was called for by this point in the film, as the beginning of the film establishes all the recently graduated Bella’s as depressingly unable to find careers that they love, or do what they wanted to do with their college degrees. This strikes a needlessly real note - especially for those of us in our final year now – reminding us of the very difficult career landscape we’re about to try and break into, and the likelihood of it being unsuccessful.

Whilst it has its low points (what movie doesn’t), overall Pitch Perfect 3 is batsh*t insane, but in the best way.

It’s what the fans wanted from Pitch Perfect 2 and so much more – in fact let’s forget Pitch Perfect 2 ever existed and just watch Pitch Perfect 3 as the sequel that we deserved.

Pitch Perfect Hits the Right Note ARI CARRINGTON Print Entertainmen Editor

PITCH Perfect 3 was not as highly anticipated as it could have been, since Pitch Perfect 2 was not amazingly popular (although I won’t lie, I still enjoyed it!). But for everything Pitch Perfect 2 got wrong, Pitch Perfect 3 got it so much better than right.

This final chapter in the Bella’s lives sees them embark on a military tour, which for some reason ends in a competition to open for DJ Khaled. But it also sees the film switch genre, turning from a music-centric cheesefest into a comic crime-drama with a musical side plot. Okay technically the crime-drama is the side plot, but as always, Fat Amy completely steals the show and takes centre stage.

We see her reunite with her father and finally learn some

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"Fat Amy completely steals the show"

Beca’s big happy, careerstarting finale is cheesy and great, but seems unnecessary, and almost feels like they chucked it in just to remind us who the main character

Marvel versus DC

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“the fall of Asgard.” However, Thor: Ragnarok, truly means to anyone who has seen it, the JANUARY, a freezing time rise of the Thor franchise. Our of year and a universally favourite feuding brothers, acknowledged time of sadness, a Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and time when you put your virtually Loki (Tom Hiddleston) are unattainable goals for 2018 back in their third instalment into place. Joyous. However, if (or Thor-ilogy), only this time you’re an avid superhero movie there might not be any Asgard fan like me, then you may be left to fight over. Owing to the feeling surprisingly sprightly. unleashing of Odin’s (Antony This year, Marvel and DC are Hopkins) darkest secret, Thor is set to deliver some very late found stranded and held captive Christmas presents for fans, on the bizarre planet of Sakaar, in the form of films: Marvel’s in which a strange turn of events Avengers: Infinity War (2018) has the God of thunder set to and DC’s Aquaman (2018). fight against fellow marooned As Aquaman symbolises the pal and Avenger, the Hulk (Mark thrilling beginning of DC’s Ruffalo). But hold my hammer, new superhero band of misfits’ if that wasn’t enough for you, journey, and Infinity War Thor must desperately make it marks a conclusive end to the back to his planet Asgard before longstanding and much-loved it and all of its inhabitants are Marvel Cinematic Universe as completely demolished by we know it. It is clear to see why Ragnarok, the prophesied these anticipations alone are reckoning. Thor: Ragnarok is keeping me warm this winter! a masterful cinematic display Having this in mind, I shall of Marvel nailing (or should be reviewing the recent releases I say hammering… okay I’ll of Marvel’s Thor: Ragnarok stop now) their niche, with their (2017) and DC’s Justice League perfect formula of rambunctious (2017), to help you decide who humour and classic rock you should be paying most powered kickass action scenes. attention to this year… Marvel Pearson’s outlandish jokes are or DC? unswervingly unpredictable and endearing, the impeccable Thor: Ragnarok (2017) choice of Led Zeppelin’s Director: Taika Waititi “The Immigrant Song” sparks Written By: Eric Pearson Ragnarok, by definition means electric currents in both Gods,

ARI CARRINGTON Print Entertainmen Editor

Once Upon a Blitz MANON JONES Print Sports Editor

‘NO matter how your heart is grieving, if you keep on believing, the dream that you wish will come true’. During the four years in which Sergei Prokofiev was writing the music for Cinderella, the world was engaged in a war of industrial-scale brutality. As half of Europe fell to Nazi occupation, Britain suffered bombing raids and Russia battled against invading German forces, Prokofiev’s fairytale score inevitably became infused with the violence of the time. Matthew Bourne's 2017 interpretation of the classic fairy tale, has, at its heart, a true wartime romance. A chance meeting results in a magical night for Cinderella and her dashing young RAF pilot, together just long enough to fall in love before being parted by the horrors of the Blitz.

Bourne’s peculiar storytelling genius when he choreographed a show to this music in 1997 he went

straight to the heart of the darkness, relocating the plot to the London blitz and underpinning its magic with the threat of apocalypse.

It’s present in the music, with the sounds of exploding shells and the crump of anti-aircraft fire spliced into the pre-recorded score. It’s everywhere in Lez Brotherston’s superb period design, which gives us shattered buildings, scouring searchlights and also, in one astonishing set-piece, a bombing raid that appears to reduce the stage to rubble and flames.

Bourne unfolds his narrative, every detail of the story feels rooted in history, from the recasting of the prince as a glamorous but traumatised RAF pilot, to the ballroom scene at the Café de Paris – the famously glittering refuge of Mayfair socialites that was destroyed by the Luftwaffe in 1941. The move from fairytale to wartime reality never feels predictable. Cinderella’s monstrous step family become

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and human audiences alike, and the spell binding fight scenes gives one the need to also do battle against blinking, in order not to miss the flawlessly choreographed action.

Generally, these features do tend to come with the adrenaline igniting party that is the Marvel package, however, Waititi’s Thor seems to go above and beyond. The cinematography is quite unique to its predecessors, with every shot impressively oozing spectacular ethereal beauty; a modern-day recreation of heavenly mythological art, that you must see for yourself to believe. Alas, Ragnarok doesn’t just seem to have moved forward cinematographically, but the film also spoils us in (not one, but two!) multidimensional female main characters, who are typified as strong and independent within their own right, rather than as a romantic accessory to a male protagonist, or even more comically, simplified as evil as a result of an unrealistic backstory of being scorned by a man. For many reasons, Thor: Ragnarok is fresh, loud, and bursting with life, and has utterly revived Thor from his past as the strong, but often left trailing behind Avenger. Massive thanks to Waititi for giving Thor the movie he deserved, but as

Thor’s infamous tagline goes assumed to be because of the “that’s just what heroes do.” thick black mask which he dons most of the film, but alas, when Justice League (2017) the mask is removed, Affleck Directed by: Zack Synder is still suffocated and veiled.

Written by: Chris Terrio After DC’s recent renowned In between DC’s infamously success of the magnificent loved sombre and gritty tone, Wonder Woman (2017) movie Jason Momoa and Ezra Miller (reigning in $103.1 million at provide comic relief in the form the domestic box office), I could of the loveable brute Aquaman not have been more eager to and adorable outsider The witness its very own notorious Flash. However, whilst they comic book idols finally uniting did offer some one-dimensional to save humanity. However, hilarity, the lack of character sadly it would seem that the development was often an only thing they could not save overriding niggle.

Gal Gadot as Wonder Woman us from, was complete and utter disappointment. Following on remained my only saviour, as from Batman vs. Superman a fleshed-out character with (2017), Justice League sees realistic emotional variety, Batman (Ben Affleck) inspired however, this felt sooner

by Superman’s memory (Henry squashed and undone by Cavill) and on a quest to build frequent unnecessary comments a superhero team to defend concerning her looks, and at one the Earth from the greatest point, a fellow Justice League evil yet. He gains the trust of teammate needlessly falling on Wonder Woman (Gal Gadot) to her breasts. Oh…what about help him enlist a team, which Cyborg, I hear you say? Exactly. include big names: Aquaman The verdict: (Jason Momoa), The Flash Marvel (1) DC (0) (Ezra Miller) and Cyborg (Ray Whilst DC’s Aquaman (2018) Fisher). Despite a star-packed has a strong possibility of being cast and the long-awaited plot far more successful than its of DC’s very own Avengers, precursor by having a tighter the film flopped on multiple focus on Aquaman’s story accounts, with a stale story- (without any bad bats) and line and predictable “surprises” hopefully including a stronger that failed to distract or redeem sense of character progression, itself. Beginning the cast of after watching Thor: Ragnarok disenchantment, Ben’s Batman it would seem that Marvel’s remains a mere caricature of Infinity War (2018) with the Christian Bale’s, exuding no reappearance of the loveable personal expression to the role hammer yielding God would be other than stifled. This could be the one to watch .

a comic narrative in themselves.

The wicked stepmother, is a damaged, disappointed lush of a woman who, as played by the Michela Meazza, appears so brittle she might break. The two Stepsisters are spiteful, petty and vain – competitively engrossed with the spivs and officers who parade through the family house.

There’s also an entertaining gaggle of Stepbrothers, one of them a nervously romantic queer, another a sweaty-palmed pervert, perpetually trying to grope under the skirt of the unfortunate Cinders.

These characters are given the chance to develop and grow through the story, and expertly woven into the sections of pure dance. Over the years, Bourne has introduced more elaborate choreography, and his cast now includes more technically refined dancers, yet the balance between steps and drama is still beautifully maintained. During one classic moment in the ballroom scene, the dancers all turn to look at the elegant stairway, anticipating the arrival of more glamorous guests

but instead are confronted by the sight of a tipsy Private, still fumbling with his fly buttons, having nipped out for a pee.

Bourne’s finest character creation, though, is the mysterious male figure who takes on the function of Cinderella’s fairy godmother but also hovers over this wartime stage as the Angel of Death. Liam Mower is ideal as the Angel, charismatically beautiful and remote: decked out in a celestial silver suit, he breathes a different air from the others – his classically expansive movements modulated into a language of flight by airy spiralling jumps and arms that hover and fold like wings.

Andrew Monaghan, as Harry, sweetly embodies both aspects of his role, as the ace-pilot fantasy with whom Cinderella first imagines herself in love and the vulnerable, complicated reality of the man she marries. Ashley Shaw is a still more nuanced Cinders.

Even as the dowdy drudge of the family she has a witty rebellious streak, mocking the ghastly Stepmother, larking through a

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sexy duet with a tailor’s dummy.

Given that glint of spirit we can fully believe in the Cinderella who transforms into the blond, sequinned beauty of act 2 and also in the Cinderella who boldly accompanies Harry back to his lodgings for the night.

It’s in this drab setting that Bourne places the work’s central romantic duet. Sweet, artless and very human, with both the lovers in their 1940s underwear, the moment is perfectly pitched to a wartime plot in which love can never be more than a fleeting, fragile blessing. Certainly this couple almost don’t make it. After a nearby bomb shatters their night together, Cinderella is carried off on a stretcher and a traumatised Harry is left to struggle through the dark sleazy streets of London in search of her. Even though they’re finally allowed their happy ending, it takes place on a platform at Paddington station amid couples who, in some cases, are enduring tearful farewells.

Performing until January 27 at Sadlers Wells, London

ENTERTAINMENT|MILLIE'S MUMBLINGS MILLIE FARQUAH 2nd year

English Literature

WITH everything that happened last year, I am glad to see 2017 go, look forward to 2018, and cannot wait to see how the world of Entertainment will change to fix problems, adapt with changing times, and create a more equal environment.

But whilst we keep moving forward, I wanted to look back at 2017 and give you some of my best films that you should watch if you haven’t already, and if you have, maybe watch them again. So without further

ado, here are my top films for 2017: Logan This was a refreshingly gory addition to Hugh Jackman’s career as Wolverine. Spanning over 20 years, Logan is the final chapter in Wolverine’s story and it is beautifully written, directed and acted by everyone involved. The star that stood out to me the most was young Dafne Keen who brought the character of Laura to life so beautifully.

Guardians of the Galaxy Vol: 2 2017 saw the return of Marvel’s most lovable ‘super

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squad’. Guardians of the Galaxy Vol 2 was funny, witty and heart-breakingly beautiful.

Guardians of the Galaxy brings a colour and a humour to the Marvel universe that is beginning to spread into their other films (Thor: Ragnarok to name one), and I enjoyed watching it.

Beauty and the Beast Whilst it may have some issues with auto tune, Disney’s live action Beauty and the Beast is beautiful and makes my list on set and prop design alone! My favourite moments included Gaston’s song in the tavern and

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Credit to: DC Comics

acting. The Greatest Showman has such incredible songs that will have you laughing and crying as well as singing along for hours on end.

Wonder Woman Whilst I will be the first to admit that DC needs to really change the way they write and shoot their films, Wonder Woman is such a refreshing film that brought one of my favourite super heroes to life.

Gal Gadot truly embodied the role of Diana of Themyscira, and her chemistry with Chris Pine is wonderful. Something that shone through this film was the lack of an emphasis on Romance, whilst there is an element of it in the film, it doesn’t take centre stage in the way it does with so many more films with female protagonists and it was so wonderful to finally see a female superhero be given a good film and a beautiful origin story (unlike 2004s’ diabolical Catwoman starring Halle Berry)

the gut wrenching final scenes where you will find yourself in need of a tissue or two!

Whilst I know that there is no real castle with a handsome prince for me somewhere, this live action adaptation brought a new life to one of Disney’s most incredible stories.

"Gal Gadot truly embodied the role of Diana of Themyscira"

Credit to: Marvel Press Release

2The Greatest Showman

Even though it was only released on boxing day, The Greatest Showman has almost topped my list. With wonderfully catchy songs, and beautiful dance numbers, Hugh Jackman leads an incredible cast including Zac Efron and Zendaya, Keala Settle steals the spotlight as the ‘Bearded Woman,’ Lettie Lutz with her incredible voice and incredible

London hosts the Magical Lantern festival for its fourth year this Christmas TAZ USHER 1st year

English Language and Applied Linguistics

WHILST many of you may have heard of and visited some of London’s most famous Christmas pop-up attractions, including Hyde Park’s ‘Winter Wonderland’ and Clapham’s ‘Winterville’, a selection of the best art and light displays appeared at Chiswick’s Magical Lantern Festival this winter.

The festival featured hundreds of handcrafted, illuminated sculptures and cultural food stalls spread across the grounds of Chiswick House and Gardens, a 10-minute walk from Chiswick station.

The festival has been

spreading its unique light over London at Christmas time since 2013, attracting increasingly more visitors each year, and reaching over 100,000 this Christmas just past. And its growing popularity is no surprise owing to its breath-taking variety of visual masterpieces on show. As visitors followed the magical trail, they were met by arrangements ranging from Santa and his reindeers, Noah’s Ark, and concluding with the event’s grand finale, the Ancient Dynasty city. This final display also featured a collection of sculptures constructed from traditional porcelain plates, thus providing

its spectators with a refreshing taste of China’s history from 960 to 1279.

To add to the cultural feel of the event, festive tunes could also be heard when following the trail; most memorably ‘Jingle Bells’ which accompanied the multiple coloured lights used to construct the particularly impressive showcase of Big Ben, the Houses of Parliament and the Queen’s guards. It was traditional displays such as these which gave those visitors who had travelled to the event from overseas the perfect insight to a British Christmas.

There is little more that I can put into words over images

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about this spectacular event, however I’d like to recommend visiting the festival if given the opportunity to at the end of

2018. Putting this new ‘take’ on your next Christmas could be as cheap as £1 if you grab the festival’s early bird tickets on their Instagram page @ magiclantern or website at the start of November.

Credit to: Taz Usher

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The Greatest Showman - The musical theatre, moral-rich masterpiece FILM

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TAZ USHER

1st Year English Language and Applied Linguistics

TYPICALLY, before opting to pay extortionate prices to see films at the cinema, I skim the web for reviews and rotten tomato ratings to see if it’s worth the fuss. But for this particular film, following some of my stagey friend’s endorsement of ‘The Greatest Showman’ I became adamant on saving the entire film for my judgement on the big screen. And it certainly did not disappoint.

The film’s cyclical narrative, opening with a grand display of awe-inspiring circus talent and closing with this same spectacle, was one of the film’s producers’ (Jenny Bicks and Bill Condon) most impressive choices. This exuberance of lively costumes, musical theatre and colour is soon identified as the dream of an aspiring ‘showman’, young Phineas Barnum, whose determination to combine joy and talent for audiences is strictly confined to his imagination by the upper-class members of his society.

"did not dissapoint"

In the first few minutes of the film we are also introduced to the beautiful daughter of a highly privileged family, Charity, who Barnum appears to admire. It is at this point which the musical attribute of the film takes the spotlight with its original number ‘A Million Dreams.’. The lyrics and accompanying media tell the

Credit to: raminrahim/flickr

tale of the youths’ journey to adulthood and then parenthood as a couple, at which point Hugh Jackman and Michelle Williams adopt their roles.

Set primarily in the hubbub of Manhattan, this genius plot questions society’s perceptions of diversity, wealth and family loyalties, proving a tear-jerker at many moments. Barnum’s dreams of ‘making it’ in the world of showbiz takes its flight following the failure of an abandoned animal museum to attract visitors.

Consequently, with the help of his two daughters, he decides to extend it to something slightly more unique, hoping to give his audiences something new and exciting. Barnum pulls together people of all shapes, sizes, backgrounds and talents and in doing so does what no one had yet braved to do:

transform the excluded into the exceptional.

All seems to be running smoothly for Barnum when hundreds of keen spectators flock to the show and he manages to recruit a promising business partner: the wealthy Mr. Carlyle (played by Zac Efron, who performs in his second singing role since the popular High School Musical sequel). Barnum is making profit, elevating the discriminated, and fulfilling his greatest aspiration. But a group of local rebels, combined with critical journalists pose an obstacle for success which may have crushed his new business had he not met Jenny Lind.

The film’s second female protagonist, Lind, offers Barnum the best possibility for eternal wealth and success yet. Her acclaimed

“operatic” voice (solely pop to the disappointment of some viewers when heard singing ‘Never Enough’) is the precious jewel which he irrationally rushes to get his hands on. Yet, although his desire to bring quality entertainment to the stage promises a prosperous future, it is his true prized possessions which he withdraws his interest in: his wife, his daughters and circus family.

This emotional musical masterpiece alternates between evoking awe, sympathy, and aspiration from its viewers, proving that whilst it is greed and disaster which sometimes tear us away from our true dreams, it is family which will always bring us home.

A truly remarkable piece of musical theatre which should not and cannot be missed.

stole a gem, you need to get it and return it to the jungle to restore peace to the world.

Simple enough, and not really that original. It is quite difficult to be invested in a film when you can guess what will happen within the first 30 minutes.

Another issue I had with the writing was the lack of danger.

You would imagine that having four players, fighting their way through a jungle, that there would be an element of danger, but each player is given three lives. And many of the deaths that occur in the film are used for comedic effect rather than any kind of failure or sacrifice.

There is even a character with no weaknesses! As a gamer, not only would winning the game with a character as strong as that be far too easy,

it would be so boring! And it translates into Jumanji, I never got emotionally invested in any of the characters because I knew that they would be fine.

Furthermore, the final boss fight of the film is woefully disappointing.

Where this film succeeds is in the acting. Jack Black’s performance as high school student ‘Bethany’ stuck in the body of Doctor Shelly Oberon really saves the film and he is scarily good at impersonating 18-year-old girls! And he really works well with Karen Gillan’s character of Martha (or Ruby Roundhouse).

Another incredible pairing is Dwayne Johnson and Kevin Hart, characters of Fridge and Spencer, whose rivalry is hilarious and really keeps audience members interested

Jumanji: Welcome to the Jungle Welcomed to the Future MILLIE FARQUAH 2nd Year

English Literature

2017 SAW the release of so many remakes, and the last one to be released was Jumanji, a reimagined version of the 1995 film starring Robin Williams, is a simple but enjoyable film with plenty of nostalgic touches. The classic board game has been swapped for the console, and the story has changed with the times as well.

In terms of writing, Jumanji has a plot like ‘Ye Olde’ video games of the past. Someone

Credit to:Sony Pictures

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MANON JONES Print Sports Editor

WELCOME to the place where it's covered in all the colored lights. Where the runaways are running the night. Michael Gracey’s star-studded big top musical extravaganza burst on to the silver screens this New Year to grace us with the birth of show business, and tells of a visionary P.T. Barnum (played by Hugh Jackman) who rose from nothing to create a spectacle that became a worldwide sensation.

The film chronicles the cacophony and cheerfully disreputable vaudeville from which Barnum made his fortune: the macabre wax figures of historical figures and exotic stuffed animals, the cabinet of strange curiosities, the human oddities including a bearded lady (the stunning Keala Settle), the diminutive Tom Thumb (Sam Humphrey) and more, whose backgrounds and anatomical achievements he may have exaggerated just a trifle. And then we had the live-action circus acts that he tried next. This spectacle does go beyond in its message than it first appears. One of appreciating others for their talents, unique qualities and bringing together all walks of life.

It is reminiscent of Baz Luhrmann’s Moulin Rouge from 2001: a celebratory and euphoric entertainment which is not overly concerned with dramatic or psychological consistency and transports you to a multi-sensory world that captures all the fun of the circus with slick staging and catchy soundtrack including the powerful ‘This Is Me’ ballad where the bearded lady in the chorus bellows “I am brave, I am bruised, I am who I’m meant to be,” will pick you up on those hard days. There are four or five absolute bangers here, and you can count on at least one sticking in your head for a week or more. The entire cast are deeply committed to entertaining and leave you feeling an old-school musical thrill. throughout the film.

Overall Jumanji isn’t a bad film. It is a good way to spend two hours, it just falls short in the writing! But it is so funny and the acting is so good that I recommend it to everyone. Just don’t expect it to be winning any Oscars for Screen Writing any time soon.

ENTERTAINMENT| PUZZLES

Across

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1. Annual December festival (9) 7. Greek letter (4) 8. Several (8) 9. Come (6) 10. Thorn (6) 11. Made palatable (and sweet?) (5-6) 14. Of the people (6) 16. Cup (6) 18. Precious blue stone (8) 19. Offering (4) 20. Serenely (9)

Down

1. Shout of approval (5) 2. University town (7) 3. Feel (5) 4. Keepsake (7) 5. Sudden increase (5) 6. Drawn (6) 11. High-pitched cry (6) 12. Acknowledgement of payment (7) 13. Idea (7) 15. Accept eagerly (3,2) 16. Topic (5) 17. Large (5)

PUZZLEs

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CREATIVE CORNER

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CREATIVE CORNER A DIAMOND SHATTER ED AN D GL UED B ACK TOGETHER NICK ENGLAND Social Media

The ground is rent asunder as the peals of rolling thunder caress the flame washed valleys and the broken army rallies into a mess of blood and bone fighting for a distant throne that never stopped to care about them sent unto their deaths again the children and the parents weep and struggle to find the time to sleep as the ones they love cannot awaken limbs and lungs and lives all taken from those that cared for what was not theirs but somehow found a way to share the last of what they had with those in need who would be chained that others could be freed and thought they were fighting for what was right when truly they just fed the appetite of those who callously manipulated the trees of love to stones of hatred bitterness abounding in their guts the world is torn to muddy bloody ruts and the people grow used to a broken earth where tears of pain are another's mirth and forget to reach out in measured compassion instead falling prey to the dicta of fascism hatred and cruelty and a lack of understanding old structures of freedom become blamed for landing the people in this ravenous situation where any sign of caring is a goddamn revelation that any sane person would treat with suspicion for to show your soul is a cowardly admission that you still believe we can be redeemed if we fix something gashed apart at the seams.

RE A S ONS W HY I HATE YOU ARI CARRINGTON 3rd Year English Literature

I hate the way your laugh catches in your throat.

I hate how quickly you can take a joke from 0 to 100.

I hate that everyone likes you And that no one ever has anything to bad to say about you.

I hate your stupid face And the way it dimples when you smile.

I hate your thin and lanky frame And the way it hides your real strength.

I hate you for hurting me And for making me leave you.

And I hate how you got everyone To take your side.

But most of all I hate you because I don’t hate you.

I hate you because I love you And because I can’t let go.

And I hate you because We can never go back And because I want to.

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A W O M AN ' S TAL E NICK ENGLAND Social Media

Luxurious shower and scrub myself dry, Turn on the hairdryer and let the strands fly.

Shimmy myself into a dress I’m a knockout, sure to impress.

Now I’m all done up to the nines, I just about manage to find the time To do my nails, paint my face And hope that the effort won’t go to waste.

I put on my heels and look in the mirror A part of me wishes I was thinner But still, my God, I look like a solid ten.

Other girls might hope to find goodlooking men On a night out, but I’ll be happy to keep the cat in the bag.

I’ll consider it a good time so long as no one calls me a fag.

HOROSCOPES

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

ARIES MARCH 21st-APRIL 19th

Aries

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 23rd-OCTOBER 22nd

This month will teach you the importance of letting things go. Previously you may have found yourself stressed due to unfinished projects and pressing targets, and you need to appreciate the importance of abandoning a failed mission – it doesn’t necessarily mean you have failed. Consider this when making important decisions this month and look towards the number 11 for help.

libra

SCORPIO OCTOBER 23rd-NOVEMBER 21st

TAURUS APRIL 2Oth-MAY 20th

Your social life will peak with the beginning of the year and you will have the opportunity to let your hair down and spend quality time with your friends providing you make the time for it. Try to keep your weekends free towards the Taurus middle of the month as there will be a lot of chances to spend them having fun rather than working. Your lucky number this month is 6.

Scorpio

You have spent the last month celebrating and enjoying the good luck and fortune that December brought, and as a result, you may find it difficult to settle back into work. To help, try waking up a little earlier and easing yourself back into routine, and consider using a diary to help bring a sense of structure to your life. You will lean towards the colour red this month.

Sagittarius

CANCER JUNE 21st-JULY 22nd

Cancer

January presents the opportunity for positive new starts, and for you, this could mean completely putting the past behind you and focussing on your future goals. If you start to feel slightly uninspired or lacking in motivation, try writing down your aims and aspirations. Look for the number 4 this month, it will bring back a sense of balance in your life.

Capricorn

This month you will find yourself depending on the people around you more. You will quickly learn the friends you can rely on rather than those who withdraw from responsibility, and you may find this particularly significant towards the end of the month. The number 3 is lucky for you this month.

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21st -FEBUARY 19th This month will be positive regarding fortune. You will find it easier to save money but you may also be tempted into spending more. Creating a monthly budget will help you get your finances straight and encourage you to save rather Aquarius than spend. Follow the colour green, it’s lucky this month.

You will have a lot of energy at the beginning of January and ideally you want to maintain this level throughout the month, but it is natural to dip in and out of being active. Try to keep yourself focused and motivated by taking the time to balance it out with relaxation and making time for yourself.

For energy and happiness in January, search for the colour orange.

VIRGO AUGUST 23rd-SEPTEMBER 22nd

virgo

This month is positive for your health. You may find it beneficial to make slight changes in your life to live the healthiest lifestyle you can, and your happiness levels will increase dramatically because of it. To remain well and content this month, search for the colour pink.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22nd- JANUARY 20th

LEO JULY 23rd-AUGUST 22nd

leo

This month you may feel like you’re gravitating towards an old hobby you’ve lost touch with. You’re typically patient and determined attitude will allow you to regain the skills you have perhaps forgotten and allow you to relax and enjoy the time spent not working. This month your lucky colour is purple.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 22nd-DECEMBER 21st

GEMINI MAY 21st-JUNE 20th

Gemini

Creativity is one of the main themes in your life for the first month of the year. You will feel inspired in your line of work and find yourself able to complete inventive work with ease.

You may also find your creativity leads you down a different path, and you should follow it – it will benefit you. Your lucky number is 15 for this month.

PISCES FEBUARY 20th-MARCH 20th

This month you will be inspired to make and stick to New Year’s Resolutions. This is encouraging and positive regarding they are realistic – and it is important not to be hard on yourself if you don’t stick to them all. For help on creating resolutions, look towards the number 5 as it will help with improving your life and promoting a sense of structure.

Pisces

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You may find that this month you are gifted the opportunity to travel. If your calendar is reasonably empty you will benefit from a fleeting trip away, but if you are pushed to meet deadlines, it is important to decline to make sure your work doesn’t suffer. For guidance, search for the colour blue, it may help you come to a decision.

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WORLD SPORT

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SPORT 365 New Days, 365 New Chances.

Bring on 2018!

MANON JONES Sports Editor

365 NEW DAYS, 365 new chances! 2018 is finally here and let’s hope it brings us more joy than 2017 did for some.

Hopefully everybody had a lovely Christmas and New Year and ready to tackle these next few months head on. To help you to get through the dark winter months and help keep those new year resolutions the sports team have been working hard to bring you the latest scoop on all the action ready for term to kick off.

We know that for most

students that spring term is probably the toughest term to get through with more assignments, exams looming and for finalists that dreaded dissertation completion. This means long hours of study hunched over a desk. What if we told you that there is a way to combat the study blues by checking out Laura’s advice on how to exercise at your desk and help break down those library sessions.

Keep to those New Year resolutions by joining a class at SportsPark to help shift all of those roast potatoes and mice pies from the holidays.

Try something new this year by kayaking up the Thames for a unique perspective of the

capital.

We are very excited to announce that the University is launching in February Reading will be supporting the national #thisgirlcan campaign helping to encourage more women to get involved in sports.

The University will be celebrating sporting talent on campus and we would love to hear what your society has planned ahead of our February issue.

If you would like to try something new why not write for the sports section of The Spark Newspaper then please get in touch either by joining our Facebook group- The Spark Sport Group, or by emailing sport@sparknewspaper.co.uk.

Here Come The Girls

Ladies it’s your time to shine and celebrate exceptional sportswomen everywhere.

MANON JONES Sports Editor

WE are very excited to announce that this February(running from February 5 to 12) the University of Reading is launching their #thisgirlcan week in support of the national campaign helping to encourage

women to try something new!

This Girl Can is a national campaign that your RUSU Activities Officer, Charlotte O'Leary, is bringing to campus to celebrate women in sports.

The national campaign was developed by Sport England and a wide range of partnership

Credit to: @rubls

Credit to: Hannah Crees

organisations.

It’s a celebration of active women up and down the country who are doing their thing no matter how well they do it, how they look or even how red their face gets.

Sports should be a place where women can come together and be celebrated not based upon their physical features but their strengths as an athlete, a space to shake off the stresses of academia and worries where you can be passionate about learning something you always wanted to try and make new found friendships along the way.

Sport England CEO Jennie Price states:“We looked very carefully at what women were saying about why they felt sport and exercise was not for them.

"One of the strongest themes was a fear of judgement.

Worries about being judged for being the wrong size, not fit enough and not skilled enough came up time and again.”

Credit to: Manon Jones

"It’s a celebration of active women up and down the country"

Credit to: @readingpoloclub

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Credit to: RUSU

RUBOX Make Sure #thisgirlcan

SPORTS| SPORT ON CAMPUS

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Rachel Bowers boost #thisgirlcan campaign leading all girl boxing class WILL ANNANG 2nd Year Psychology

RUBOX (reading university boxing club) hosted senior Elite National Boxing Female Champion 2016, Rachel Bowers, to lead a female boxing session in hopes to boost female participation in sport, especially boxing, and help raise awareness for the upcoming #thisgirlcan campaign in February on campus.

On Sunday November 19, 12-14, Rachel and all the female RUBOX members (12), came together to hold a brilliant session focusing boxing technique, fitness and motivation in sport. Rachel Bowers lead the session as well as gave speeches about boxing’s importance in sport for everyone, as well as women.

RUBOX Vice President Thomas Lyons interviewed the committee's original female member Bryony Martin to learn more about why women

should give boxing a go.

Bryony joined the committee as the only girl as the team's secretary for 2017/ 2018 and manages the all-important admin of the club and working with them on new ways to bring the club forward.

"This academic year we have been joined by another girl as our social secretary which the club did not originally have.

But as the club has been brought up more social we have started doing a lot more nights out and things together.

As we have increased our number of girls in the club we had a lot of people who were interested in taking up the role which we thought was a really brilliant idea to help bring it forward in social terms and also in terms of female involvement."

"Something which boxing has helped me to do in my first year was to boost my confidence and I think that is something that I really wanted to mirror in the way that we

approach involving more girls into the sport this year. I think the confidence aspect of boxing and sport in general is so important and I think by helping to show girls that they can do something and give them the confidence to do it, it can help them to build their confidence even further and that was something which I felt needed to be the focus.

The problem with boxing and a lot of sports is that they are very male dominated and I think that's quite intimidating for a lot of girls in terms of joining, and I had sort of forgotten that as I joined a year ago and I have got to know everyone else so it hasn’t been an issue for me in the past few months, but it wasn't until I invited my best friend to and join me for a session that she told me, 'no Bryony I can't do that. There will be too many boys in the gym. I'll look sweaty and disgusting. I don't want to do it.'

I think that's why we

wanted to include some girlsonly sessions to try and make girls feel more comfortable, get to know the environment and learn how to do something in a way they didn't feel intimidated.”

One of RUBOX's aims this year is to increase female sporting participating and to help make the gym environment friendly and welcoming to help encourage newcomers to join.

They want tp create an inclusive environment not just in the gym but on campus to where even though the perceptions of sport are that

Credit to: Bryony Martins

2018 - The Year of

the Cheerleader?

different to cheese room, really.

This year’s will be more of the same, just with lots of fresh faces and hopefully even more spectators. Our and MJ medleys – so not that wonderful coach Dee will be

Our plans for the year, including our showcase and varsity GEORGIA MATTHEWS 2nd Year Language Sciences & Psychology

ALL of us at Reading Knights Cheer will be pulling our usual stunts and more (quite literally) in 2018, and on an even larger scale too!

With over 50 new members this year, we’re well and truly holding our own amongst the largest sports societies on campus.

Our newcomers have brought so much fun, hard work and dedication to our society, and their determination to be the best cheerleaders we’ve ever seen is palpable.

Couple that with our wonderful oldies (who embrace the sport so whole-heartedly, and absolutely smashed last season) and it looks like we are well on our way to 2018 being the year of the cheerleader! (Not the year of the dog, contrary to popular belief).

This year, we’re keen to show the Uni what cheerleading really is. From performing to thousands in some of the country’s biggest arenas, to cheering on other sports teams in the freezing cold, we’ll be there, smiling through our various injuries.

Some of the highlights of our calendar this year will be our very own showcase, and, of course, varsity.

Varsity is back in Reading for 2018 and we are buzzing.

We can’t wait to support our fellow Knights and really be proud of what our Uni can do.

Whether you’ll be playing, watching, or just pretending to watch, we can’t wait to have you all cheer along with us.

However, our personal favourite for the year will be our annual showcase. It was a massive hit last year, with the American Footballers nursing snakebites to our Britney

Credit to: Bev Welch

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it’s a male dominated industry a lot more encouragement for women taking on various roles in committees that actually helped to break down the barriers of it being this kind of industry and perceptions that are definitely more women are getting the opportunity to express their abilities, their opinions on the issue and being able to move past this barrier is encouraging. The club also hopes to push for entrance into BUCS to create more competitive competition for aspiring boxers and put Reading boxing on the map.

selling cupcakes from her very own Lotus Blossom Bakery, so make sure you get down to 360 and grab one before we eat them all ourselves (and getting a stitch mid-performance is a no-no, speaking from experience here).

But the best part of the afternoon for us will without doubt be getting to perform to our Uni, instead of on behalf of. While other sports teams get to show us what they’ve been working on over and over again throughout the year, some of us only get to perform on a comp mat miles away from Reading.

We’d love to show everyone just how much we put into being part of the Reading Knights, and exactly what it is we get up to out there on the mat. So please do keep your eyes peeled for more info and of course come in your thousands.

As you can see, we’re beyond excited for the year ahead and can’t wait to get back to it – 2018 is going to be our year!

| SPORTS

A Snapshot from the Side Lines SPORT ON CAMPUS

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

This months sport & dance snapshots

Credi t to: @rusp sc

Credit to: @ruswimming

Credit to: @readingknightsjitsu

C re di t to : @ re ad in gk

C re d it to : @ u o r_ la c ro

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Snowboxx 2018

SPORTS| WINTER SPORTS

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK Credit to: Kipras-Streimikis / Unsplash

2018 edition winter music and snow sport festival set to be biggest ever.

MANON JONES Sports Editor

BACK for its sixth year is the ultimate winter festival.

Kicking off from the Saturday, March 17-24 in Europe’s biggest and best ski area, the mighty French resort, Avoriaz.

The 2018 edition of Snowboxx is set to be the biggest festival in their six year history. So what exactly is Snowboxx? Snowboxx is an electronic music and snow sports festival.

With a lineup that combines house, techno, drum & bass, garage, grime and more, there's something for everyone looking to party on the slopes from après-ski to early hours.

This year’s lineup boasts some of the most exciting

artists such as Youngr, Apex Ape and all-star headliners such as the fabulous Chase & Status and not for getting the legendary Fat Boy Slim!

On top of the music and the incredible powder, there's paintballing, zorb bowling, extreme snowball fights, disco dodgeball, karaoke and all manner of other larks to ensure you'll never be short of something to do during your week in the mountains.

For those who have never stepped a foot on the slopes, Snowboxx is the perfect opportunity to learn the ropes.

There are a wide range of lesson packages on offer such as private beginner sessions costing around £99 that provides you with a dedicated instructor who will guide you

through the basics in a one to one session.

"The 2018 edition of Snowboxx is set to be the biggest festival in their six year history."

You even have the option of bringing a friend for further moral support! These lessons will have you cruising through the resort before you know it.

Tickets for Snowboxx 2018 are on sale now and you can secure your booking with deposits from just £50.

Best Places For: Ice Skating Skating round with a hot chocolate is the best way to stay warm.

LIBBY TWITCHEN Sports Online Editor

IT'S definitely time for a round up of the three best places for Ice Skating. Everybody loves to ice skate, whether you cling onto the side for an hour or are a semi-pro. Skating round with a hot chocolate is the best way to get you in the festive spirit.

Here are some of our top picks of cute ice rinks ready for next year : . Natural History Museum Here’s what you need to know: Open 11.00-21.00 (times vary) Closed 25 December Tickets from £8.80 – £39.60. Members save 10%.

You can skate alongside the beautiful background of the Waterhouse building, fairy lights and decorated Christmas trees. To warm up after your skate you can visit The Café Bar for a hot chocolate or mulled wine. Don’t miss out, book your tickets here: http://www.nhm.ac.uk/visit/ exhibitions/ice-rink/visit-andbooking.html . Hampton Court Here’s what you need to know: Skating sessions are 45 minutes on the ice (advise to

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arrive 30 minutes before your session to get ready) Closed 25 December The price includes skate hire.

Tickets from £14.00 – £40.00 (for a family skate ticket) This year Hampton Court has a bigger rink, early morning weekend skate sessions and more food on offer. You can skate alongside Henry VIII’s scenic palace with amazing views of The Thames. Don’t miss out, book your tickets here: http:// hamptoncourtpalaceicerink. co.uk/

Tickets from £7.50 plus booking fees For a more ‘grown-up’ ice-skating experience, Somerset House is the perfect location. The ‘Skate

"For a more ‘grown-up’ ice-skating experience, Somerset House is the perfect location."

3

. Somerset House Here’s what you need to know: 15 November 2017 – 14 January 2018 Open daily 10am-10.15pm (Occasional Club Nights run until 11.30pm and a few morning sessions from 8.45am to 9.45am).

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Lates’ nights bring a bit of fun to skating as a DJ descends on the ice. For children learning to skate, Somerset House also has it covered, as kids can learn to

skate in their Polar Cub Club.

Don’t miss out, book your tickets here: https://www. somersethouse.org.uk/whatson/skate-somerset-house Credit to: Terry Matthews/Unsplash

Muddy Dog CHALLENGE 2018 WORLD SPORT

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

| SPORTS

Are you ready to take on the challenge with your best friend?

LAURA STAES

2nd Year English Literature

THIS summer break Battersea Dogs and Cats are holding a Muddy Dog challenge.

There is an option to choose between a 2.5 or 5 km track to battle along with your furry friend or go solo and meet lots of sweet and muddy dogs.

This event will aid into helping abandoned and lonely dogs and cats that come into the Battersea Dogs and Cats care.

"All the money you raise goes towards helping the animals."

There are a range of locations you can choose from – Windsor, Nottingham, Manchester, Cardiff, Peterborough and Tunbridge Wells. Registration for owner and dog is 45 pounds and for owner alone it is 35. As well as this, there is a minimum sponsorship of 100 pounds.

"humans must be 18 or older, with dogs needing to be 1 or over. " Do not worry!All the money you raise goes towards helping the animals. What do you need to qualify? Well, humans must be 18 or older, with dogs needing to be 1 or over.

You do not need to be sporty fit or a professional track runner, just need to be relatively in shape, as the shortest track is 2.5 km. If you are worried about your pet, do not fear, there will be a vet at all times at the event. Make 2018 exciting and register for this years muddy dog challenge 2018!

Credit to: Matt Wall/Flickr

"Battersea Dogs and Cats are holding a Muddy Dog challenge."

Womens Hockey World Cup 2018

Get Your Gumsheilds Ready!

JESSICA DUDLEY 3rd Year Ancient History

IN 2018, the Women’s Hockey World Cup will have been a part of the Hockey calendar for 44 years, with the participation of 29 different nations, 535 games and 1,700 goals.

The fourteenth edition will be hosted by England in London. The games will take place in the Lee Valley Hockey and Tennis Centre in the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park, commencing on the Saturday, July 21, and concluding Sunday, August 5.

After winning Olympic gold for Great Britain at the Rio Olympics in 2016 England are one of the favourites to win.

FIH Hockey Stars Goalkeeper of the Year 2016 Maddie Hinch, Captain Alex Danson and the Olympic gold medalists Laura Unsworth, Susannah Townsend and Giselle Ansley.

Amongst the other 15 nations competing are the winners of the 2010 Hockey

"The Netherlands certainly have the most impressive World Cup history"

"The fourteenth edition will be hosted by England in London."

The team’s progress over recent years is undeniable: they won bronze in the 2010 Commonwealth games, then silver in 2014, 3rd in the Women’s World League 201213 and 4th in 2016-17, in 2015 they won the EuroHockey Nations Championship and came third 3rd in 2017.

The team is made up of world-class players including,

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World Cup, Argentina, and the 2014 winners, the Netherlands.

The Netherlands certainly have the most impressive World Cup history with seven titles under their belt, three of which were consecutive wins in 1983, 1986 and 1990. Their Head Coach Alyson Annan, a two-time Australian Olympic gold medal winner, led the Credit to: Stephen Jeapes/Flickr

team to silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics.

She will no doubt be encouraging her team to reclaim their position as world champions, which will ensure a pivotal first match when the Netherlands and England meet again.

As well as the success of the Netherlands, Argentina, Australia and Germany (playing as West Germany) have each won the World Cup twice. Although the Netherlands have won most of the World Cups, they have met Argentina eight times since 1991 and their match stats stand at three wins apiece and two draws.

This would suggest that these are the teams to watch.

Although these four winning nations lead in terms of win percentages, Korea and Canada sit comfortably in fifth and sixth place ahead of higher ranked rivals England, China, USA and New Zealand.

The USA also have a gold medalist coach, Janneke Schopman, who won the World Formatted: Superscript Cup in 2006 with the Netherlands, as well as Australia’s coach, Paul Gaudoin, who won gold at the Champions Trophy in 1999 with Australia. From the stats, to the coaches, to the teams, this is going to be a very interesting World Cup.

SPORTS| FITNESS

New Year, New You at the SportsPark

SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Everything you need to accomplish that age old New Year’s Resolution of getting fitter and healthier.

JESSICA DUDLEY 3rd Year Ancient History

THE University’s SportsPark has everything you need to accomplish that age old New Year’s Resolution of getting fitter and healthier.

Open weekdays 7.00 – 22.00 and 8.45 – 21.00 on the weekends, the SportsPark is in the perfect place to do a quick workout during a day on campus. With the best equipment, a wide range of weights, and plenty of stretch areas, the SportsPark has something for everyone.

There are three different memberships that are flexible and adapt to your budget and schedule.

Classic: £15.50 for 12 months, pay-as-you-go Book facilities at a discounted rate VO2: £20.50 per month, options for pay-as-you-go or the full amount upfront Unlimited access to the Fitness Studio Unlimited access to the

Group Classes Fitness Studio Induction VO2 Max: £28 per month, options for pay-as-you-go or the full amount upfront Unlimited access to the Fitness Studio Unlimited access to the Group Classes Fitness Studio Induction Free racket sport court hire, including Squash, Badminton, Table Tennis and Outdoor Tennis For more information or if you have any further questions regarding the memberships email sport@reading.ac.uk or call 01183788799.

The SportsPark has two main zones: The Cardiovascular Zone, this area is located upstairs and has 2x Watt bikes, a stretch/core area and the latest Cardiovascular equipment including bikes, treadmills, cross-trainers etc.

The majority of these machines have Sky TV and many exciting and adaptable training programmes. The Resistance Zone downstairs includes

a strength and conditioning area which has a variety of strength machines, a full range of dumbbells, 1 – 50kg, lifting platforms and squat racks. This Zone also has a stretch/core area.

One option that will really help those who struggle to stay motivated at the gym is the option for personal training and programming.

You are able to sit down and discuss your fitness targets and objectives with a trainer, who will then design a relevant and successful programme for you and also instruct you on how to carry it out safely and effectively. Your trainer can be booked in advance to assist you during your workout to keep you motivated and push you further. The programme can also be upgraded at a later date.

The range of classes available at the SportsPark are incredible and there is sure to be something for everyone.

These classes are perfect to fit into your University timetable, most classes are run everyday,

allowing you to pick what session is at the best time for you. There are a variety of Yoga, Spin, Step, Dance, HIIT, Core and Ab classes as well as Pilates, Zumba, legs bums & tums, Tai Chi, BoxFit, and

Pure Stretch.

You can find the full timetable of classes and descriptions on the Sports Park website: https://www.sport. reading.ac.uk/group-exercise. html

Credit to: Maria-Fernanda-Gonzalez / Unsplash

How to Exercise at your Desk Not getting up from your desk at least every 30 minutes can do more harm than you think.

6 Exercises to do every 30 minutes to improve 2nd Year English Literature your circulation and EXERCISING at your desk focus: LAURA STAES

is quite vital as computers take quite a large proportion of our daily lives especially us students, who use it them primarily to study.

The new term has started and most of us have made it a New Years resolution to study harder and put more time into our work. Paying attention to your body while studying will improve your health, as you are decreasing your risk to of obesity, type 2 diabetes, 2 and

1 2

Stand up and rub your neck

Jog in place for 30 seconds

3 4

Calf raises

Hug your knees to your chest Credit to: Jason Strull/ Unsplash

5 6

Roll your shoulders

Move head side to side

Suffering from these problems?

Dry eyes and headaches

Take a break from the laptop every 30 minutes to avoid this along with drinking plenty of water

An aching back and posture

Try setting your screen at eye level, elbows at 90 degrees and firmly plant your feet on the ground

"Exercising at your desk is vital"

Weak muscles and joints

Stretch your hips, roll wrists and stand up every 30 minutes to take a walk to avoid swollen ankles and stiff legs

metabolic disease.

Thus, I have made a quick guide on a couple of simple exercises to do at your desk and a couple of problem solvers to issues you may be having when sat at your desk.

Exposure to Germs

Clean desk regularly, and hand sanitizers will be your best friend

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Madejski Monthly SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

BECKY WATSON 2nd Year Film & Theatre

11 DECEMBER – Reading 2-2 Cardiff – Royals Denied Third Straight Win Reading looked set to end the Bluebirds’ four-game winning run when they cruised into a 2-0 lead in the first half.

Both sides went into the clash in decent form with Reading unbeaten in four and seeking a third straight win, while Cardiff had won their previous four.

An uneasy start ended with Cardiff creating the first real chance in the 14th minute when Vito Mannone produced a fine save to deny winger Nathaniel Mendez-Laing.

The scare woke Reading up and two minutes later they had taken the lead with a Callum Paterson own goal. Four minutes before the break Mo Barrow scored the second with a deflected strike.

It was late into the game when Cardiff began their unlikely comeback and scored the equaliser a minute into added time. Only seven minutes were needed for Cardiff to score the two goals and the drama continued with

a McShane header in the final seconds that only hit post.

There was even drama off the pitch when Neil Warnock was sent to the stands with 13 minutes remaining.

Despite missing out on a third consecutive win, Jaap Stam's side stretched their unbeaten run to five matches and climbed

to 14th. But the draw will still feel bitterly disappointing for Reading fans.

Stam, who selected an unchanged starting XI for the fourth match in a row, said in his post-match interview: "It's very frustrating. We started the game well and in the first half we played some very good

LOCAL SPORT

| SPORTS

A summary of Reading FC games this month at the Madejski Stadium. football. "They were always a threat coming forward, but I felt we dealt with the pace and the physique well in the first half. But we always know the opposition will do what they can to get back in the game. "We should have scored that third goal and maybe the game's done, but that didn't happen. "You need to deal with their threat from crosses and once they got that first goal, the belief was there and it was disappointing not to hold on, especially as we also hit the post before the end." (BBC) 23 December – Reading 1-2 Burton – Burton Spoil Royal’s Christmas Celebrations This was the 500th fixture at Madejski Stadium and celebrations were cut short.

Tom Flanagan's first goal in over five years was cancelled out by Mo Barrow’s equaliser 14 minutes from time when he latched onto Liam Kelly's cross.5 minutes later a costly error by Vito Mannone gave Burton three points to raise them out of the relegation zone.

Reading are 14th following a second straight defeat and have not won a single Saturday fixture at home this

season. This result was not the Christmas present Reading fans were hoping for. Many, including Jaap Stam, called it the “worst game” they have ever been to at the Madejski in front of a massive crowd for a highly promoted game.

The Royals had only two shots on target and many fans are desperately calling for a striker to be bought in the January transfer window. Even more fans are pointing fingers at Stam and demanding his sacking. When asked about this, Stam said “I do not fear for my job.”

Others feel that the performances cannot solely be blamed on Stam. Stam added: "After conceding two goals like that, it's frustrating. But to be honest, in how we played today, that's one of our worst games since I've been here.

"Quality on the ball, touches on the ball, choices - all basically wrong. Maybe it was because we wanted it too much. "We made the wrong choices and did things too quickly." (BBC) Player of the Month: Modou Barrow Coming up in January: Reading v Birmingham Reading v Brentford.

If In Doubt Paddle Out Credit to: Gary Haynard /Flickr

Experience London in a totally unique way as you kayak along the Thames after dark. to relax and enjoy MANON JONES Sports Editor

SECRET Adventures, the offthe-grid adventurers, have a number of epic experiences for keen explorers — think husky sledging in Sweden and wild camping in Scotland.

Bringing the excitement a little closer to home, Secret Adventures invite those outdoorsy types to have the chance to canoe along London’s oldest canal, paddle board in Paddington, or float through central London on a kayak, admiring the city’s best riverside landmarks, including Tower Bridge and the Shard.

Climb up a fire escape to a pub for dinner and a drink (included in price) and then kayak back.

Professional guides and kayak equipment all included also. Whether you’ve kayaked before or not everyone is welcome (18 years and over).

This trip is a unique way to experience some of the capital’s incredible riverside landmarks.

Starting in Limehouse basin, you’ll pass under Tower Bridge, stop off at a riverside pub for an early dinner along the way and then canoe back to Limehouse.

"think husky sledging in Sweden and wild camping in Scotland."

what is unquestionably one of London’s best adventures.

Even Londoners will be amazed at what this unique perspective on the city has to offer.

"This trip is a unique way to experience some of the capital’s incredible riverside landmarks"

This trip is perfect for any groups of friends, colleagues, couples or individuals. Even complete novices are welcome.

They schedule trips around the You’ll be accompanied tide to ensure that it assists you by Secret Adventurers in making this an enjoyable expert guides, enabling you introduction to the Thames.

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Credit to: Joanna Penn/Flickr

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU Keep your New Year resolutions by joining SportsPark

SNOWBOXX2018 Check out this electronic music and sports festival!

CHEERLEADING Will 2018 be the year of the cheerleader?

SPORTS PERSONALITY Jessica gives us the lowdown on the Sports Personalities of 2018

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Sports Editor

JESSICA DUDLEY 3rd Year Ancient History

WHAT a year for Sports! From record breakers to inspirational volunteers, the BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year celebrates a year of sporting heroes, stars and successes.

The Sport’s Personality of the Year was held in the Echo Arena, Liverpool on the Sunday, December 17,2017.

The show gives eight awards that are presented over the course of the programme.

The nominees are selected by a panel of twelve, this year it was made up of representatives from BBC Sport and BBC Radio 5 Live, Olympian Darren Campbell, Paralympian Danny Crates, Rugby Union player Maggie Alphonsi, broadcaster Colin Murray, Dame Katherine Grainger, and sports journalists. It was down to the public to choose who woneach award. The winners were: The Team of the year: The Women’s Cricket Team The team beat India by nine runs in the 2017 Cricket World Cup, Anya Shrubsole was named player of the match and finished with 6-46, the best figures in a World Cup final.

Danielle Hazell said “it’s been a fantastic year for women’s cricket and women’s sport in general...hopefully we have inspired women’s cricket.”

The Coach of the Year: Benke Blomkvist, Stephen Maguire and Christian Malcolm The three men behind the success of British sprinters were jointly named coach of the year.,Tthe three men helped GB’s men’s 4x100m team to World Championship gold.

“We’ve been trying to really bring it together and it came together that night, amazing... the guys done an unbelievable job...we get the cream of the cake but they’ve done the

SPORT

Go Mo, Go!

MANON JONES

BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year Round-Up. work.”

The Helen Rollason Award for Outstanding Achievement in the Face of Adversity: Bradley Lowery Helen Rollason was a BBC presenter and died of cancer in 1999.,Tthe award was set up to recognise those with courage, achievement, and the ability to inspire in adversity.

Bradley Lowery was diagnosed with Stage 4 High Risk Neuroblastoma, a childhood cancer. Gabby Logan said that Bradley was a “beautiful little boy who, like many, loved football... during his suffering he moved millions and raised millions.

Thanks to his energy, determination and spirit, it’s a rare thing to bring football fans together, but this little boy from County Durham did just that.” Sadly, Bradley lost his battle in July at the age of six but his parents were there to collect the award on his behalf.

Gemma, his motherum, said “he raised so much awareness for childhood cancer, it was unbelievable and I’m so proud of him.”

The Lifetime Achievement Award: Dame Jessica EnnisHill Jessica Ennis-Hill has been partaking in Athletics for 20 years. Her career has been accomplished and inspirational, winning gold in the 2005 European Jnr Championships; gold in the 2009 World Championships, gold in the 2010 European Champions, gold in the 2010 World Indoor Championships, gold in the

2011 World Championships, gold at the London Olympics and gold in the 2015 World Championships. In the 2017 New Years Honours list she was given a Damehood for her services to British athletics. “I am completely overwhelmed...I feel incredibly proud of the career that I have had. Thank you to everyone who has supported me.”

The Get Inspired Unsung Hero: Denise Larrad Denise Larrad encourages her community to get more physically active and inspires health and fitness. As well as starting running and walking groups, she visits the elderly in her community,improving their

mobility and health.

“When people achieve things that they didn’t think was possible, it makes me feel so proud, just so proud of them.” Denise received a well deserved standing ovation from the audience and finished her speech by saying “inactivity can be more detrimental to your health than smoking and there’s thousands of people up and down the country that are doing a spectrum of sports that you can get involved in.”

The Overseas Sports Personality of the Year: Roger Federer Federer has a record number of Grand Slam singles, 19, he has won the Australian Credit to: Marie-Lu Jones

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Open five times, Wimbledon eight times and the US Open five times. Claire Balding announced his award by stating “well, he’s fantastic.”

The Young Sports Personality of the Year: Phil Foden Phil Foden plays as a midfielder for Manchester City and the England under17 national team and he won the FIFA U-17 World Cup Golden Ball award in 2017. He accepted the award by thanking his team mates and added that he “feels very lucky to be a part of this team” and thanked his parents for “making all this possible.”

The BBC’s Sports Personality of the Year: Mo Farah The nominees for Sports Personality of the Year were; Elise Christie (Short Track Speed Skating), Chris Froome (Cycling), Lewis Hamilton (F1), Mo Farah (Athletics), Anthony Joshua (Boxing), Harry Kane (Football), Johanna Konta (Tennis), Jonnie Peacock (Para Athletics), Adam Peaty (Swimming), Jonathan Rea (Motorcycling), Anya Shrubsole (Cricket) and Bianca Walkden (Taekwondo). Jonnie Peacock came 3rd, accepting his award from Kenny Dalglish calling him a “legend” and 2nd place went to Jonathan Rea. Of course, the biggest award would be the most difficult to present, Mo was unable to attend the awards ceremony but was linked in on the big screen.

When it was time to present him as the winner his feed cut out, but not before we got to witness his face of complete shock and a very proud daughter. Gabby Logan joked that “it just about sums up Mo’s evening...I’m sure that’s Usain pulling the plug out somewhere” and Clare Balding responded with “it was the most brilliant non-interview that never happened.”