Spark Newspaper - April 2019 by The Spark

WRITTEN BY STUDENTS FOR STUDENTS

APRIL , 2019

Knights Archers Host National Competition One of the biggest events on the university archery calendar comes to Reading - read on inside.

Page

Captain Marvel: A Review

Page

Everybody loves a hero. Be sure to check out this muchanticipated review.

Body Positivity

Page

Being perfect is neither normal nor reality. Student writer Nia looks at the impact of Instagram on our mental health.

RUSU SAYS REVISE

NEW VEGAN MENUS

FIND OUT WHAT YOU CAN DO TO IMPROVE YOUR STUDY ROUTINE BY GETTING INVOLVED IN THE CAMPAIGN.

HEAD OVER TO PAGE 25 TO FIND OUT WHAT NEW DISHES MOJOS ARE SERVING UP THIS TERM.

A TOUGH LOSS FOR READING AT VARSITY Despite incredible efforts and powerful performances, unfortunately Reading Knights came away from Varsity 2019 with an overall loss. After a long day of heated sporting rivalry on Saturday 30th March, the ultimate score was 37.5 - 17.5 to our hosts, Oxford Brookes – find out more in our Sports section. Each and every Reading representative should be proud of their hard work and dedication in the competition – we’ll get you next year when we’re back on our own turf, Oxford Brookes...

OUR HOUSE: MUSICAL REVIEW

Kia MacKenzie | News Editor

The Tim Firth musical recreated and re-imagined by RUDS was a night to remember. In this fun and quirky drama with a dark underbelly, the RUDS cast are impressive and original in their roles. Inspired by the music of Madness, the production does not disappoint with its live music and selection of hits.

As the first English University to employ a female professor, it is important to note that the University of Reading has continued to make advancements in reducing the median hourly rate of pay gaps, with a notable increase of women entering into academic roles. The University of Reading is already above the national sector

average, with a higher proportion of female professors by almost 10%. A reduction in the median hourly rate of pay gap is through an increased number of women entering higher academic roles. With 64.5% of women occupying lower quartiles, the pay gap is a result of occupational segregation. However, the number of women in the upper quartiles has increased

since 2017, and the university has reported that “74% of female academic staff who applied for promotion to professor were successful”. There is a clear increase in women taking on these academic roles, and the university has ensured that representation and diversity is encouraged in creating the Dean for Diversity and Inclusion,

with a male and female professor appointed on a job-share basis. Not only is the university ensuring and encouraging the increase of women into academic roles and a decrease in the pay gap, but they are naming buildings around campus to recognise the significance of high-profile women relating to the university.

Contents

CONTENTS

APRIL 29 , 2019

RUSU ELECTION RESULTS 04 Find out more about your new RUSU officers.

MEGHAN MARKLE’S ACCENT 07 Professor Jane Setter discusses whether Meghan’s accent is becoming more British.

WHAT THE ‘DUCK’? 09 Writer, Joel, talks all things ducks about our new fluffy friends on campus.

IT’S OK NOT TO BE OK 16 Spark’s deputy editor. Sarah, explores the topics of mental health and the where students can go to for support.

TEAM

EXAM SEASON STRESS 18

P R I N T E D I TO R TA Z U S H E R EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

BOOBS 21

D E P U T Y E D I TO R SARAH MAQBOOL DEPUTYEDITOR@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

These useful tips will help you to cope with any feelings of panic or self-doubt during exam season.

Listen up, girls! Knowing what to look out for on your boobs could save your life!

CELEBRITY BAKE-OFF 26

Catch up on all the best bits from Channel 4’s annual baking extravanganza.

NETFLIX ALGORTIHM 29 Writer Louis looks at the magic behind Netflix reccomendations and asks whether the media company knows ourselves more than we do.

THREE CHEERS! 34 Reading Knight’s Cheer: a year in review.

VARSITY 2019 39 What REALLY went down at this iconic event?

WANT TO WRITE FOR THE SPARK?

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

N E W S E D I TO R KIA MACKENZIE NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK L I F E S T Y L E E D I TO R H O L LY F O U R N I E R LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER. CO.UK S U B E D I TO R S S A B I TA B U R K E P R I YA K H A I R A E N T E R TA I N M E N T E D I TO R LO I S P LU M M E R E N T E R TA I N M E N T@ S PA R K N E W S PAPER.CO.UK S P O RT S E D I TO R JASMINE DAVIS SPORT@SPARKNEWSPAPER. CO.UK LEAD DESIGNER X I AO M E N G FA N G C A RTO O N I S T F LO R E N C I A B OT TA MARKETING AND DISTRIBUTION MADELINE EASTWOOD ALEXANDRA WINFIELD

Editorial

APRIL 29 , 2019

UTILISING SMALL ROOMS Top tips for making your university bedroom as cosy and homely as possible.

WITHIN TEMPTATION

We catch up with vocalist Sharon den Adel.

NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

CELEBRITIES STAND UP TO CANCER

Read all about this year’s SU2C and SAS fundraisers which raised an impressive $123.6 million across the world.

THE GLOVES ARE OFF

Reading University Boxing Society hosts its first ever Boxing Show to showcase the talent of Reading’s rising stars

Welcome back to your monthly issue of The Spark! I hope you all enjoyed your well-deserved Easter break and are back in full force for the exam season ahead! In the light of new beginnings, we recently welcomed a new team of committee members to The Spark, who have put their skills to work for the first time in this issue. We also look forward to seeing the work of our new online and social media teams in the coming months. Visit our website and social media pages for campus updates throughout the month! Whilst the thought of this term might be mundane for some, there’s actually a huge amount to look forward to on and off of campus. In News this month, you’ll find articles reflecting on events from last term: these include coverage of Elections Night, Chinese New Year, and our lovely campus ducks! At the same time, you’ll also find updates on Cafe Mondial’s new free-from menu, summer internships, and the Change It! and Let Me! campaigns occurring on campus. If you’re looking for something a little more world-relevant, you can also read Professor Jane Setter’s review of Meghan Markle’s Accent. In Lifestyle, you’ll find many handy advice articles on coping with exam stress, maintaining a healthy lifestyle and how to give yourself the perfect revision break. Elsewhere in Lifestyle, you can also find insightful reads on making the most of leftover foreign coins, men’s role in the Feminism movement, and dealing with job rejection.  In Entertainment this month, there’s also much to be excited about. Close to campus, there’s a review of RUMS’ spring concert,

as well as RUDS’ production of Our House and your monthly film line-up for the Reading Film Theatre. This is joined by some excellent reviews of both new and classic films including Fighting with my Family, Captain Marvel, and 10 Things I Hate About You. Meanwhile, for the music lovers of you, album reviews of Solange’s ‘When I Get Home’ and The Killer’s ‘Hot Fuss’ are more likely to be your cup of tea. Student writer, Jack Hawes, also looks at an upcoming summer of music and what we can expect from our favourite music festivals. There is also a range of content to be read in our Sports section. Our Sports Editor, Jasmine, looks back at last month’s Varsity tournament, as well as Reading FC’s performance this month. If you’re looking for some fitness inspiration or something to keep you occupied this summer, why not also head over to Sport to find out what the ‘5 hottest sports to try this summer’ are… Reading Knights Cheer also give an enlightening review of their success so far this year. There’s a huge variety of content to read this month and much to look forward to in the term ahead. As always, we are continuing to welcome new writers to our ever-growing team, and urge that you get in touch if you are interested. We are also still on the search for a new Sports Editor to join our Print Team and are calling for anyone with a passion for sport, writing, or design to get in contact and apply for the role. Please email editor.spark@reading.ac.uk.

Taz Usher

News

STUDENTS’ UNION ELECTION RESULTS The voting period was much shorter this year than others, but it is reassuring to see that so many people are keen to get involved and have their say in the future of the university. Lauren Tavener

That time of year had quickly rolled around again, when posters start appearing around campus, and your Facebook feed seems to be littered with election videos of brave yet slightly awkward choreography and singing, and people dressed up in extremely bright colours asking for your vote. The voting period was much shorter this year than others, and as a result the voting count was slightly lower at around 3000, but for only 2 and a half days of voting, it is reassuring to see that so many people are keen to get involved and have their say in the future of the university. On Wednesday 13th March, we gathered in 3Sixty to find out who had won in the tightly fought elections. The evening began with the announcements of the school reps, then the part time officers, and lastly, the fulltime officers. Of the full-time officers, first up was Diversity Officer. The position was won by Zeid Sharif, who, in his gracious acceptance speech, was very optimistic about the year to come. According to Zeid, the election process was fun, but due to the short time period allowed for voting this year, it was “intense and therefore all the more nerve-wracking”. Zeid was encouraged by his friends to apply for the role, believing he would be great for the job. His success in the elections clearly indicate that this is the consensus on campus, too. Zeid champions the need for making voices heard across campus by strengthening the communication with part-time officers.

One of the most fought-for positions in this year’s election was the role of Welfare Officer, with the heart-breaking events earlier this year weighing heavy in our minds. Gemma King won the role this year, with a heart-warming and encouraging speech, highlighting that “you don’t have to be the loudest or most confident person to have your voice heard”. When speaking to her, Gemma was sure to highlight the need for improved safety and is eager to work in collaboration with the university to figure out what can be done. Gemma’s manifesto also included the improvement of access to mental health support, an issue which has been at the forefront of university discussions across the UK. Arguably, the most coveted role of the annual RUSU main election is the role of president. Next year, taking over from Jason Dabydoyal will be Molli Cleaver. Molli was clearly elated when the results came in, which was an incredibly tense process whereby votes went through multiple rounds of redistribution. Molli “has been involved in RUSU since year 1” and as a result, is particularly excited to implement her ideas for more event space, which was clearly stated in her manifesto. Molli said she is “keen to get across her passion and make sure the students feel like their voices have been heard”. Next up was the role of Education Officer. This title has been won by Fifi Bangham. Fifi previously held the role of the Institute of Education School Rep,

APRIL 29 , 2019

News

APRIL 29 , 2019

The Unwitting Man on the Ground; The People’s March, 23rd March. Jesse Billington | 3rd Year Zoology Lately Brexit has been described as many things, from an itchy blanket of country spanning despair, to an all engulfing fog of political confusion. And last month I ended up truly engulfed in the chaos of it all. Having planned a society trip across London I forgot to check if it would clash with anything. As it turned out the route of the photo hunt overlaid perfectly with large sections of the route for a pro-Brexit march. I’ve never been to a political march before, and hadn’t exactly planned to go to one on this occasion. I simply wanted to get to the pub.

Outfits were getting wackier, and by the time I had reached Hyde Park Corner the noise emanating from the area was buzzing with chatter, chanting, and music. Now two miles from my pint of bitter, I was still several landmarks away. It turned out that the easiest way of getting through a big crowd of people when they are heading one way, and you the other, is to stick the biggest lens on your camera and waggle it above your head in a seemingly professional manner. People assume you’re press and move out of the way or pose for photos and so clear a pathway. Coming up under the

NEWS EDITORIAL Kia MacKenzie | News Editor As we finally welcome in the warm weather and long-awaited Spring, our News section brings you a whole host of fun and interesting articles. I have the pleasure of announcing that I have now taken over as News editor from the wonderful Sabita and am beginning my journey with the Spark this month. With her fantastic support we have put together a fantastic range of articles for this section, so I hope you enjoy it. I’m a second year English Literature student, so without question one of my hobbies is of course reading! As always, we are open to new articles about any goings on at the University that you want to write about, just feel free to email new.spark@ reading.ac.uk. Have a good month everyone!

URS AND LIBRARY SAFETY BUS

One man’s desperate plea for a pint in the midst of political pandemonium. The problem was, separating me from a quiet pint of something cold and brown was about two miles and around two million people. I’m quite happy fighting my way through bustling airports but this was something else.

and so is familiar with the Fifi’s manifesto included emphasising the need for improved study space, a need felt by all students with the renovation of the library underway. Similarly, Fifi also included the need for constant access to resources, and making reading lists easier to access to accompany this. Lastly, but by no means least, was the role for Activities Officer. Daisy O’Connor was elected to this role, whose manifesto included the advocation for a buddy system, which would aim to improve the involvement of students in societies and sports with the reassurance of a friendly face to go with. Daisy also promoted the need for an alteration in the way in which societies were funded, by allowing them to apply for a funding booster

during the year which would accommodate for the possibility of an influx of members. Lastly, Daisy’s manifesto included the interesting idea of a food redistribution programme, run by volunteers to help the homeless in Reading. It’s nice to see ideas in a manifesto expanding outside the University campus to help the wider population, impacting more than the experience of students and allowing students to become more positively involved outside of the university. A big congratulations is due, not only to the full-time officers, but the part-time and school reps, also. It’s always great to see lots of people getting involved in a bid to improve the university experience for all involved.

The Brunelian masterpiece of Paddington Station sees nearly 36 million travellers per year pass through it, but on the 23rd of March this place was full to overflowing. Walking out across Hyde Park to escape it all proved entirely futile, with remainers already pooling with their banners, flags and signs. Walking further across one of London’s great parks I encountered more and more clumps of people emblazoned in blue, with EU flags gathering around.

Wellington arch, I nipped past Buckingham Palace and Saint James’ Park. Encountering the march again at Whitehall, the flow of people moved on to Westminster, pausing only to shout some vitriolic phrases down Downing Street. It was here I managed to slip out of the stream and look back down the road at the mass of people. A wild blend of young and old, people from every denomination, and walk of life is a reminder to us all about the importance of unification and solidarity. It was a stunning show of people coming together for a joint cause and doing so peacefully, and without causing too much chaos. And, I did finally get my pint.

Kia MacKenzie | News Editor If you are planning a late-night revision session or have ended up staying on campus later than you planned and don’t feel safe or comfortable walking home alone, don’t forget that the university has a safety bus from the URS! Running from 19:00-00:00 during the summer term, it prioritises lone females and canto drop you off at your accommodation, just sign up at the URS information desk. It runs every hour meeting in the reception, and feel free to ask the URS staff for more information.

MPs Dressed as Monkeys: in the middle of Brexit, Bristol Museum Louis Goldstein | Online Editor “Devolved Parliament” painted by street artist Banksy in 2009, is a satire of the House of Commons. It has been re-displayed in Bristol since March 29th, the same

day that the United Kingdom should have initially left the European Union. On his Instagram profile, the artist comented: “Laugh now, but one day no-one will be in charge”.

The work is presented as part of the 10th anniversary of the exhibition “Banksy versus Bristol Museum”, and will be on display for five months in Banksy’s hometown.

News

APRIL, 2019

READING UNIVERSITY STUDENTS IN SCHOOLS VOLUNTEERING SCHEME Holly Leppington | Second year English Language and Literature

For students wanting experience in the teaching industry, or simply working with children, this initiative is a great step in the right direction.

Change It! Campaign Sarah Maqbool | First year Environmental Science Voting Period: Mon 18th March 2019 – Fri 22nd March 2019 Voting Turnout: Campaign Vote (368 votes) + Policy Vote (467 votes) = 835 votes cast Campaigns passed: RUSU to campaign for the provision of environmentally friendly products (202 votes). Policies passed: Should RUSU support the People’s Vote Campaign? (467 votes). FOR the motion: 356 votes (76.2%) AGAINST the motion: 91 votes (19.4%) Abstentions cast: 20 (4.4%) The ‘Change It!’ submissions so far… Creation of a pedestrian crossing on Whiteknights Road outside Wessex Hall/ Bridges Hall to allow pedestrians safe passage. Left-over food from University cafeterias to be donated to local homeless charities to reduce campus food waste. University counselling service to be freely accessible to all students and for counselling appointments to be available at more regular intervals. Hot water to be provided across all university cafeterias to minimize hot drink cost to students and reduce university waste. Introduction of trigger warnings for course texts that contain information about traumatising topics (e.g. abuse) so that students with related experiences are aware of the content and can prepare themselves (e.g. arrange-

> >

@UniRdg_SiS During the bustle of freshers’ fayre in my first year, I stumbled across the Students in Schools volunteering stand, and as any overly keen fresher does, I signed myself up. This decision has been one of the best during my time at University so far. Two years down the line, volunteering in schools has developed my confidence and communication skills, and has been

“This decision has been one of the best during my time at University so far” a great way to relieve stress while making a difference.

Students in Schools is a brilliant opportunity for students to go into schools for two hours a week (or more if you’re up for it!) and assist a class of children in either a primary or a secondary school. In primary, you may read with children 1:1, which is crucial to their reading development, or work in small groups of children on various activities. If you are multilingual, you can be a vital help in the classroom with children who require extra English support. In secondary, you can choose the subject you would like to help out with (which does not need to be the subject you are studying) and be a role model for these children. I have volunteered in two primary schools over the past two years, and I can honestly say that I have thoroughly enjoyed my time spent in these

schools. Admittedly, I was nervous as I initially stepped into the classroom of thirty new faces, but as soon as I got stuck in, I loved every minute! Seeing the children progress in their reading development and the lightbulb moments when they finally understand something they were stuck on makes it so worthwhile. Not to mention my acquired skills in space-themed dance and biology bingo! The hours you volunteer will count towards your RED award, and the experience can boost your CV, but most importantly, this is a rewarding opportunity where you can have fun while making a difference. Anyone is welcome to get involved regardless of your degree programme, and if you would like to do so you can contact: j.macdevitt@reading.ac.uk.

ments with staff) for study. duty hole punches & staplers to be available for student use in all main study areas across campus, so that students can keep their documents organised and reduce the need for them to bring their own. Cigarette waste disposal to be included on all bins across university campuses to minimize cigarette litter. Creation of an additional entrance to Whiteknights Campus next to Car Park 7, including the provision of a pedestrian/cyclist crossing and a cycling lane down Wellington Avenue to increase road safety for residents around Northcourt Avenue that cycle to campus. RUSU Environment & Ethics Officer to be made into a full-time role in order to ensure that both RUSU and the university’s environmental impact is closely monitored and that both organisations lead the way in making all University of Reading campuses environmentally friendly. Student souvenirs to be made more affordable.

> Heavy

What do you think of these ideas championed by fellow students? Be sure to comment your thoughts on RUSU’s ‘Change It!’ webpage! For a campaign or policy idea to be passed, it must receive a minimum of 200 votes so be sure to vote during the next voting round of ‘Change It!’ and attend the next Student Voice meeting to support the changes you’d like to occur. Save the Dates! Student Voice: Thurs 16th May 2019 Change It! Ideas Deadline: Tues 30th April 2019 (12pm) Change It! Voting Period: Mon 20th May (10am) – Fri 24th May 2019 (5pm)

#LetMe – Looking at Campus Accessibility Blythe Varney | RUSU Disability Officer

Throughout my tenure as a RUSU Part Time Officer, I’ve received lots of emails and messages mentioning problems disabled students have when around campus. Rather than tackle problems individually, I decided on a campaign asking students to take pictures of problems around campus and submit them via social media with a caption noting where and when the problem was. Problems included automatic doors not working, broken or blocked lifts, blue badge parking used without permits, and disabled toilets failing to meet regulations. These will be part of a report that will be presented to the university with ideas of how to improve them and make campus more accessible for everyone. If you want to take part, snap a picture of a problem and tweet or post it on Facebook with #LetMe and your

News

APRIL, 2019

Palm Oil: Dangers, and Awarness Olga Shevchenko | MSc Applied International Development On Monday 18th March – Friday 22nd March, during lunchtime the 2018/2019 Environment & Ethics Officer Ellie Moore presented her campaign to raise awareness on the effects of palm oil in the RUSU foyer.

Ellie Moore

turers of palm oil. She told me and my classmates

Cut down on palm oil consumption, or search for ethical manufacturers how harmful the production of the palm oil is to Indonesian and Malaysian forests. At the same time, switching to other types of oil – coconut or rapeseed- could be also damaging because of the differences between their production conditions. She asked us to cut down on the consumption of palm oil, or search for ethical manufac-

My classmate, who is Indonesian, argued that in the affected country itself in Indonesia, to switch from palm oil would mean changing people’s diet and lifestyle, and this is not an easy thing to do. She said that in this case it would be necessary to work with the government to invoke policies to make the shift to more sustainable products and manufacturing, and even then, it would take a lot of time and effort. Not to say it could not be done, of course! If you’re interested in the issue, here’s the website Ellie recommends checking to find out more: https://www.ethicalconsumer.org/ palm-oil-free-list.

Professor Jane Setter: Is Meghan Becoming More British? Sabita Burke | Sub Editor There is always something interesting being discovered at the hands of our academic staff here at Reading. Last term, phonology and phonetics lecturer in the Department of English Language and Applied Linguistics, Professor Jane Setter, helped in carrying out research into changes in Meghan Markle’s accent since marrying Prince Harry. The team of linguists wished to find out whether speculations surrounding the newlywed Duchess of Sussex about her accent becoming more British were true. Whilst it proved difficult to make definite decisions, the team did conclude that Meghan occasionally produced vowels that were a much closer match to southern English than American accents. It was suggested that Meghan was aiming to develop a style that sounded more aristocratic, to fit in as part of the Royal Family when participating in encounters with the public. There was speculation as to whether the Duchess had had some accent coaching. Jane pointed out that Meghan could be participating in the sociolinguistic phenomenon of accommodation, which is when speakers unconsciously switch up their language to become more similar to those they are talking to. As well as phonological features such as vowels and consonants,

Word of the Month: Influencer In the past few years, the rise of the ‘YouTuber’ has been overwhelming, also accompanied by ‘Instagrammers’. The influencer market’s reach is so wide now that the most popular answer from children to ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ is to be a YouTuber. So, just how influential are influencers? Clearly, companies think that the answer is very. Multiple studies have cited that YouTuber influencers are now more influential than classic celebrities, due to an increased relatability. This perceived relatability means that viewers are more likely to buy what is recommended to them by an influencer than a traditional celebrity.

According to recent studies, the utilisation of influencer marketing has been the fastest growing customer acquisition method, resulting in a 67% increase in companies influencer marketing budget. The way in which content is being consumed has rapidly changed, and companies are responding to this. Whether that is YouTube, Instagram or another form of social media, we are constantly consuming media and interacting with some form of influencer daily. With companies readily utilising this, it has to be argued that influencers are extremely influential, whether we are conscious of it or not.

“The most popular answer from children to ‘what do you want to be when you grow up’ is to be a YouTuber”

Professor Jane Setter

Meghan was aiming to develop a style that sounded more aristocratic Meghan has also been found to be changing her intonation patterns. Whereas Americans tend to use a rising tone when asking yes/no questions, Meghan was shown to be adopting the British pitch pattern of falling then rising, when asking the question, “Did you make that for us?” Unfortunately, the linguists were unable to find clear enough recordings of Meghan’s speech from her pre-Harry days, as phonetic data analysis can only be accurate if it of the cleanest quality. Without much to compare with her new-found seemingly “British” melodies, it was difficult to conclude just how much Meghan’s accent changed.

Mark Jones, Flikr

News

LOVE IS IN THE AIR

Sabita Burke | Sub Editor The students of UoR are always passionate about improving the quality of our university experience- none more so than our anonymous peer who has set up a Facebook page entitled “Find Your Crush at UoR”. This dedicated matchmaker posts descriptions of the people you’re crushing on, in an effort to locate your loved one.

READING FESTIVAL 2019: A STRONG LINEUP SO FAR Jesse Billington | 3rd Year Zoology

From Dave to Machine Gun Kelly, 70 names are added to the line-up of Reading Festival completing a strong list already composed of headliners like The 1975 or Post Malone.

APRIL , 2019

WHAT THE ‘DUCK’? QUACKING NEW ARRIVALS Joel Coram | 2018-19 Bird Soc President If you walked past the lake last term, you would have no doubt seen the family of Egyptian geese raising their young. Laying their eggs in February, the goslings were up against the elements and four out of the six hatchlings survived their crucial first few months. But don’t worry if you missed them because there are plenty more ducklings hatching over spring.

Don’ be tempted to feed them bread. The most numerous duck species on the lake over the spring and summer are the mallards. Instantly recognisable with the males’ shiny green heads, there has been a lot of competition during this year’s breeding season. In early April, a pair had 12 ducklings and it is likely many others are due to have offspring soon. Unfortunately, despite looking super cute and cuddly, the likelihood of the ducklings surviving is limited. With a plethora of predators, including red foxes patrolling the campus

CALLING ALL STUDENTS! Sabita Burke | Sub Editor

Across the student body of those who have not previously been involved with The Spark, the impression that people have is that the newspaper is elitist. This is absolutely not true! We welcome writers and contributors, undergrads and postgrads, non-native English speakers and students who have never picked up a pen in their lives! If you’re interested in getting involved, either on a one-off , ad-hoc or regular basis, email editor.spark@reading.ac.uk. Joel Coram

and carps lurking in the lake, any duckling caught off-guard will sadly end up as part of the food chain.

If there ever was an award for the most likely-to-be-eaten ducklings, it would go to the mandarin ducks. The phenomenally quirky ducks from China (which are now residents in the UK) nest in trees, and while the ducklings can survive the long fall to the ground, they’re rarely destined for adulthood.

offspring. Usually hatching all at the same time in early June, each pair will join their young together in one large gaggle. Providing there’s enough food to go around, the goslings will flourish and add to their ever-increasing and noisy numbers on campus. If you want to support the ducklings during their first few weeks of life, don’t be tempted to feed them bread. Despite the mountains of bread poured into the lake

by overzealous children, it’s not the most suitable food – causing the occasional deformity and preventing proper absorption of nutrients. Opt for frozen vegetables or duck feed instead. So if you have some spare time over this busy exam period, be sure to take a relaxing stroll around the lake. The ducklings can be a perfect source of stress relief and are very photogenic. If you want to find out more, feel free to join the Bird Society too.

The ducklings can be a perfect source of stress relief and are very photogenic. Despite their best efforts, there has yet to be a duckling surviving though to adulthood in recent years on campus. On the other end of the spectrum, the Canada geese have oodles of Bird Society Instagram

News

APRIL, 2019

How a Placement Can Suit You Tanisha Rowswell | Geography Student Over summer, I undertook a placement in the NHS – and yes I am a geography student; but that doesn’t stop you from undertaking a placement in a different field of study. As much as I love geography I had always wanted to be a doctor. However, over the last few years I have realised that you don’t need to have a clinical or biological degree background to work for the NHS. Therefore, the inspiration for this article is to make you aware that you don’t have to follow the norms.

The main reason I wanted to undertake a summer placement as opposed to the year-long counterpart, was because I didn’t want to take a year out of my degree. I decided to apply for a four-week Mapping Analyst role within the NHS, and I am so glad I did as I had the most insightful and valuable time. By undertaking a four-week placement it gave me an in-depth understanding into what working for the organisation would be like, without the 12-month obligation. The experience enabled me to

“Employers will value your personality and passion for a subject over your degree” realise that I would value working for the NHS or a similar organisation in the future, whereas my friend realised that he would not want to undertake his placement role for his future career. A major part of graduate job applications is the work experience section. Many graduate employers are reluctant to employ grads with little real world experience. Therefore, one of the paramount benefits of a summer placement is that you get on the job training and learn key skills graduate employers look for in candidates. During my placement, I learnt a range of technical, transferable, academic and personal skills which will undoubtedly help me when applying

for future job roles. The whole experience greatly improved my social skills, and my confidence too. This will put me in a much better position for future job interviews and I am sure it will also help me in various personal situations too. During my placement, I had the opportunity to meet numerous individuals from all aspects of the NHS- you never know, you might impress someone so much they might ask for your contact details for future job opportunities! Therefore, don’t be afraid to apply for roles you feel you might not be as suited to because of your degree. Most of the time employers will value your personality and passion for a subject over your degree (unless you’re applying for clinical or engineering roles). Ask the university careers centre for further professional advice if you are worried. Everyone is different and just because your friends might all be applying for the same job roles that doesn’t mean you should follow suit. It is extremely important to make use of the time you have off over summer and be proactive. Therefore, by completing a summer placement this makes you more attractive to employers and boosts your CV considerably; enabling you to stand out from the crowd! I hope this has persuaded you that you do not have to base your future on your degree title. Visit the careers centre at http:// student.reading.ac.uk/essentials/ careers_and_professional_development for further help and advice

GREEN UNION! THE FIGHT AGAINST PALM OIL Rachel Osbourne | 2nd year Consumer Behaviour and Marketing dent

Rachel Osbourne

They say the grass is always greener on the other side, but on the night of Saturday, 23rd of March, there was no debating where the greenest spot on campus was. From the outside, it looked like another ordinary Union night, full of wild students just wanting to escape the ever-pressing deadlines. Step inside though, and you would find there was something slightly different about 3Sixty that night.

“Palm oil is a major cause of deforestation” As you walked in you would have seen the green spotlights, flooding in over the crowds of students, spilling onto their outfits. Look up and you would have seen the orangutans swinging on the vines above, giving a jungle feeling to the night, and growing over the stage you would have seen the leaves, all adding to a decorative environmental theme.

This night was the huge finale to the Palm Oil Awareness Week, hosted by RUSU. This new makeover may have caused some to spare a thought, become curious and even start questioning the issues that palm oil is pressing onto the earth. Palm oil is a major cause of deforestation. Large areas of forest are burned, destroying the homes of many animals such as orangutans and the Sumatran rhino. Unknown to many, It is found in a diverse range of products spanning from shampoos to biscuits and as most people are unaware of the harms of palm oil, this night was important one for raising awareness about it.

Other events for the palm oil awareness week included the Stand & Sculpture event as well as the Jungle themed photo booth. This is just a small piece of the environmental movement on campus, with more students becoming environmentally aware. As the Zero Waste Society is set to become an official society in September, green events will become a lot more frequent. So, perhaps that night, when students went home, stuffing their faces full of chocolate at 3 a.m., maybe they took a closer look at the ingredients and checked for palm oil. We can only hope.

Large areas of forest are burned, destroying the homes of many animals such as orangutans and the Sumatran rhino.

News

APRIL, 2019

Nozomi Tolworthy

CHINESE NEW YEAR: INTERVIEW WITH NOZOMI TOLWORTHY Raj Kahn | 2nd year English Literature and Politics Each year is represented by one of 12 Chinese Zodiac animals. 2019 is the year of the pig. 1) Why was Chinese New Year 2019 the “Year of the Pig”? The zodiac system was originally connected with worship of animals, and has existed in Chinese culture since the Qin dynasty, around 2,000 years ago! As such, the zodiac signs play an integral part in Chinese culture. Each animal has different characteristics and meanings which is often used to determine a person’s fortune and luck for the coming year and even their compatibility with other zodiacs. This is the order they are in: rat, ox, tiger, rabbit, drago n ,   s n a ke ,   h o r s e ,   g o at , m o n key, rooster, dog and finally pig 2) Is Chinese New Year celebrated only in China?  Definitely not! Chinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20%

of the world. The celebrations are not limited to China. Hong Kong, Laos, South Korea, Singapore, Vietnam and many Asian countries celebrate Chinese New Year as a national holiday. Usually, celebrations begin on Chinese New Year Eve and can last around 15 days. 3) What are some of the holiday traditions? Before celebrations kick off, it is tradition for people to clean their

“Chinese New Year is celebrated by more than 20% of the world. ” houses thoroughly, almost like having a big ‘spring clean’. Decorations are then displayed once

the house is clean. Chinese New Year is a time for family, and this is seen as the most important part of the holiday. New Year’s Visits Red packets, fruit, candy and cakes are often gifted when you go on a New Year’s visit to see friends and family. Upon giving and receiving red packets, of course one will say (san nin faai lok / xīn nián kuài lè) meaning Happy New Year and another very common phrase said in China means to ‘wish you wealth and prosperity’ in English. Food With family being at the heart of Chinese New Year, family feasts are extremely important. Families often have a large reunion for a New Year’s Eve dinner. Although every region and household will have different customs, there are often some common dishes seen on every dinner table, such as Spring Rolls. These are eaten to celebrate the coming of the first

Learning about different cultures and traditions enables you to understand so much more about the world. day of spring. They are a wish for prosperity and wealth because they look like bars of gold! Dumplings  The word for dumplings in Chinese means ‘exchange’ and midnight hours. Placed together they mean the exchange between the old and the new year. By eating dumplings, you are therefore sending away the old and welcoming in the new. Dumplings are also shaped like ancient Chinese silver and gold ingots and as such, symbolise good fortune. There are steamed as well as pan-fried dumplings that are eaten during Chinese New Year. Parades and Performances Each holiday has its own set of activities and traditions. During

Chinese New Year, there may be the releasing of lanterns for the lantern festival, firework displays and often parades that include a dragon dance or lion dance. Fireworks are set off as it is thought that the noise and lights will scare away any evil sprits. The dragon is a symbol of China, and is an important part of Chinese culture. Chinese dragons symbolise wisdom, power and wealth, and they are believed to bring good luck to people. As such, dragon dances are an important cultural activity during Chinese New Year as well as Mid-Autumn Festival. Similarly, lion dances can be seen at many festive events from Chinese New Year to weddings. The lion is meticulously designed, with movable eyes and mouth.

News

APRIL, 2019

Farming, crafting and a silent disco: British Science Week at the MERL Olga Shevchenko | MSc Applied International Development Nozomi Tolworthy

Each lion is operated by 2 performers, one as the head and one as the body. Lion dances often involve crowd interaction where the lion may open its mouth asking for food and the crowd are given cabbage leave to throw to the lion. 4) What are the most popular decorations for Chinese New Year? Decorations for Chinese New Year are predominantly red, as the colour red represents happiness and good fortune. Here are some popular decorations used for Chinese New Year. Fortune: Certain words are displayed during Chinese New Year. The most common mean happiness and good fortune. It is often displayed on square red paper and put up on doors, windows and walls around homes and commercial buildings. Many like to put the word for ‘happiness’ upside down. The word for ‘upside down’ (is a homophone of the word for ‘here’. This pun represents that good fortune is coming, or is already here. Paper Cutting Arts: The word ‘happiness’ is often incorporated into other decorations such as paper cutting arts. This is a folk craft that is usually seen on windows with the literal translation meaning ‘window flower’. The images on these decorations often include fish, grains, as well as dragons and peaches. The zodiac for the year is often the image on these decorations too. Lanterns: There are often different activities for each day of the Chinese New Year holidays, often including the lantern festival. Some places still release lanterns for the festival, but for environmental rea-

sons, many people choose to simply display their lanterns at home. There are many different styles of lanterns displayed ranging from red spheres to dragons! 5) What celebratory events were held by RUSU during February for Chinese New Year? This year we made Chinese New Year a campus-wide celebration. We created pin badges with the Chinese symbol for happiness and good fortune printed on them. These are for all students and staff at UoR – wear one on your lanyard, jacket or even your backpack to show your support for the celebrations and participation in the festivities on campus. You can pick one up by RUSU reception. I also hosted events including a calligraphy workshop, lion dance and ‘make your own dumplings’ workshop. 6) As the RUSU Diversity Officer, why do you think it is important to learn about different cultures and traditions? There’s no downside to have a global understanding and mindset. Learning about different cultures and traditions enables you to understand so much more about the world. Furthermore, being able to celebrate a tradition you would celebrate with your family at home, here at uni, helps make uni feel like home and feel like a place where you are represented and where you feel like you matter. That’s why I have been working to ensure more cultural celebrations are celebrated on campus by staff and students and I hope to continue to do so whilst I am still in office as RUSU Diversity Officer 2018/19.

The Museum of English Rural Life (MERL) in Reading is simply amazing. The first time I went there with my classmates, I was impressed and wanted to come and visit again. On the 14th of March the opportunity presented itself, with a night of celebration of the British Science week. For those of you who have not been to MERL, it is a museum with an impressive display of collections and activities about anything rural, alongside a very popular Twitter! They have interactive games where you get to “feed the community”, a real-size figure of a horse, and many objects that could have been found in English countryside throughout history, including machinery and veterinary kits.

“It’s a museum with an impressive display of collections ” Coming back to the event, dedicated to the British Science week, you could see everything described above, and many other activities, prepared for the occasion. We played a game in which we had to make decisions for the farmer regarding a cow’s health, learned about pest control, created an amulet to protect the household and crops (that we took home with us), decorated cookies and made some badges.

Olga Shevchenko

“During the normal opening hours the museum is free for you to visit and explore.” But the most fun was an activity called “create your own bug”. It was impressive how many adults jumped at the opportunity to become creative and draw a bug with any characteristics they wished – as long as it had 6 legs. You needed to come up with a function for the bug – someone opted for delivering mail, and I created a bug that feeds on plastic (wouldn’t this be amazing?) and a name (mine was Zero Waste Bug). There were even some activities that we did not have time to try, including planting your own plant. All of this was accompanied by live music, or if you wanted to escape people, the choice of a silent disco in the other room. The museum was not particularly crowded,

but instead had people who came that were genuinely engaged with the activities offered, making it hard to resist joining in. We had a nice break amid the chaos of Week 11. This event had an entry charge, but during the normal opening hours the museum is free for you to visit and explore. Their website is merl.reading.ac.uk, and the museum galleries are open Tuesday to Friday, 9am to 5pm, and at weekends 10am to 5pm. It is definitely worth a visit, especially if you ever thought that Reading is boring and are looking for somewhere different to spend your afternoon. This place might convince you this is not the case.

Notice Board

CHANGE IT VOTING 20-25 MAY

APRIL , 2019

QUICK ANNOUNCEMNTS

Student finance applications are now fully open. The deadline being the 21st June 2019 for SFE returning students. Check Gov.co.uk for more information.

RUSU Cafés: A New Range of Food Café Mondial and Mojo’s Bar have recently begun serving an exciting new and improved menu which includes more vegetarian, vegan and gluten-free food.

> > >

Summer Internships Now Open! Don’t forget that the Reading University Internship Scheme is now open, and offers a range of placements exclusively for UoR students. ‘The Spark Lifestyle Group’ on Facebook has now moved to ‘The Spark Newspaper Lifestyle Group’. Please join the group for updates on writing for The Spark! RUSU Says Relax is starting again this year on the 26th of April. Head pver to rusu.co.uk/events for more information.

Sports and Dance Awards Ball 2019! Drinks and a twocourse meal to celebrate a fantastic year of sport. Tuesday 30th April, 7pm, 3Sixty

Cricket match: Reading Men’s 1st team V Portsmouth Men’s 2nd team Wednesday 15th May, 12pm, Reading University Sports Park

> > > > >

Cricket match: Reading Men’s 2nd team V St Mary’s Men’s 1st team Wednesday 22nd May, 12pm, Reading University Sports Park Cricket match: Reading Men’s 1st team V Royal Holloway Men’s 1st team Wednesday 22nd May, 12pm, Reading University Sports Park 30th April: Change It ideas deadline. Submit your ideas for change at rusu.co.uk/changeit by this dat. 16th May: Student Voice: Come to 3Sixty at 6-8pm to have your say on Change It ideas, hear what your Fulltime Officers are working on, and hold them to account. Anyone welcome, free pizza provided! 20-25th May:Change It Voting. Your chance to vote on Campaign and Policy ideas passed at Student Voice. Every vote counts!

Notice Board

Lifestyle

APRIL , 2019

Lifestyle

REAL TALK- IT’S OK TO NOT For those of you who aren’t feeling ok, what steps should you take from here? Sarah Maqbool | First Year, BSc Environmental Science with Professional Experienc

I once read a quote that described depression as akin to drowning whilst watching everyone around you breathing. I do agree with that statement, but I also think it oversimplifies a complex mental illness into a statement that’s difficult to understand unless you’ve experienced what its like to drown first hand. For those of you reading this article, whether you have experienced mental illness yourself or witnessed its presence in someone else, I want you to take a moment and imagine. Imagine you are afraid, terrified actually. You’re extremely conscious of every mistake you makewhether it is during interactions with loved ones, your studies or the basic mundane tasks of every day life. You have extremely high expectations of yourself, so high that the weight of the pressure you put on yourself cripples you day after day. Now add pressure and disappointment from family and teachers, even those you considered your friends. The heaviest is the disappointment and guilt you have about what you believe to be your worst failures. You keep convincing yourself you’re ok because you need to be ok. You have to be ok. You must be improving drastically otherwise there might as well be no improvement at all. The weight of these beliefs and thoughts slowly suffocates you from the inside. You don’t believe you’re good enough and you don’t believe you ever will be. Painful memories are remembered at unwelcome moments and it increasingly feels as if you are walking around with your scars torn open and exposed to the air. And even more so, it feels as if the people around you are able to notice. So you isolate yourself. Stop taking care of yourself. Eventually, the abyss begins its invasion of your mind. Its whispers are subtle in the beginning but eventually its

presence is unmistakablely loud. It follows you everywhere and rubs salt in your bleeding wounds. Experiences such as these are a daily reality for many students across the modern world. According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) it is estimated that 300 million people suffer with depression, whilst 60 million suffer with bipolar affective disorder and 23 million are affected by schizophrenia and other psychoses.

Don’t ever allow your mind to trick you into thinking you’re not good enough. So how are these statistics relevant to you? Because I want you to understand that you are not alone. You are not alone and you are going to be ok, even if you don’t feel ok at this very moment. As one of my favourite bloggers once said, ‘We are all rolling with the punches- right now’. Everyone is always struggling with something that they keep hidden from the world. You don’t have to be perfect in the slightest. You simply have to do the best with what you’ve got, even if it means taking one small step at a time until you get to where you want to be. Don’t ever allow your mind to trick you into thinking you are not good enough or you don’t deserve support. Simply put, nobody in the history of mankind has performed at their best 24 hours a day, seven days a week. It’s good to have goals and to aspire to them, but you must be kind

Lifestyle

APRIL , 2019

T BE OK.

to yourself. It’s ok to slip up once in a while and not be ok because living itself is a giant learning curve for everyone.

It’s good to have goals and to aspire to them. You must be kind to yourself. For those of you who aren’t feeling ok, what steps should you take from here? The most important action you can take is talking to someone you trust. Talk to them about how you’ve been feeling, maybe even ask for advice. You’d be surprised just how much talking to someone

alone can make things clearer, give an overall perspective of a situation. Once you’ve done that, you must take a look at your ‘support network’ which is in essence, the different types of support available to you. There is the University Counselling Service and the Disability Advisory Service based in the Carrington Building. The University of Reading also offers free membership of the online support platform, Big White Wall, which can be accessed 24 hours a day, seven days a week. A similar free platform is Elefriends, an online community run by mental health charity, Mind. Talking Therapies Berkshire also offer self-referral into their service, whilst for emergencies you can get in touch with the Berkshire Mental Health Crisis Team or call 999. Support is available to you, you are not alone.

How to cope with regressive vegans and ideals of perfectionism within the vegan community: ‘A word to transitioning vegans’. Amelia Ling | Year 2, BA English Literature

You’ve most probably heard of veganism, whether you support the movement, are indifferent, or simply detest it. Regardless of personal opinion it is evidential that the plant-based lifestyle has boomed with popularity in recent years and is only increasing in demand. In June 2018 it was claimed by BBC News that in the UK there are approximately 540,000 vegans, and this will only continue to increase statistically in the next year. Numerous vegan and vegetarian alternatives are now plentiful and have increased in number more significantly since the beginning of 2019. Encouragement for almost all local supermarkets to purchase these alternatives, and to decrease individual meat and dairy consumption, only makes the transition to a more plantbased lifestyle even more accessible. The presence of vegans numerically and vocally is undeniable. Although their voices are passionate, it must be admitted that the community can be intimidating at times and hold onto a regressive concept of perfectionism which is only detrimental to that of the community. If you feel you can transition fully this is great, but only after considering your own personal welfare. Those who are courageously recovering from eating disorders, or those who currently struggle to look after themselves, should always put their health first and not feel obligated or pressured into transitioning. A plant-based lifestyle can help some individuals in the process of recovery, allowing for a sense of routine in their diet and in finding purpose. Others find the concept

restrictive, which would only hinder their individual recovery. Both attempts at recovery are valid, plant based or otherwise. With ‘individual’ being the crucial word, the process of eating a more plant-based diet is one that is individual and does not have to be applicable to everyone else. Being vegan in such a powerful and influential community can be harmful when the notion of the individual if forgotten. Regressive forms of veganism as previously mentioned, can be seen through this idea of the ‘perfect vegan’ which does not exist and only encourages notions of elitism and egocentrism. All vegans have ‘slipped up’ by accidentally eating something containing an animal by-product, whether that be an ingredient they were previously unaware of, or a company’s change in recipe or policy. These ‘slip ups’ are normal, they do happen, and they do not make you a ‘worse vegan’. You can only do what you can manage as an individual, to decrease the consumptive and performative ways in which animals are used.

Transitioning vegans, be kind to yourselves.

Lent Lily Woodford | Year 2, BA English Language and LIterature This year I decided to do Lent. I have recently had bad habit of ordering too many meal deals and takeaways that I couldn’t justify. Thus, I thought that Lent would be the perfect opportunity for a detox. I gave up crisps, chocolate, sweets, and takeaways. The

feeling of giving something up is incredible. Even if you’re not giving something up for religious reasons, the feeling of making a pledge and sticking to it is really fulfilling and makes the treats after Lent far more enjoyable.

SPARE FOREIGN CURRENCY NOT WORTH CONVERTING? DONATE IT! Sarah Maqbool Many of us are familiar with the highs and lows of currency exchange rates. In a matter of minutes (depending on inflation) you can either be slightly more or less wealthy than when you arrived at your destination. But what do we do with the spare foreign currency we end up with when we return home, particularly those not worth converting? Don’t throw them away, donate them to the Royal Berkshire Hospital Charity! They accept all foreign coins & notes regardless of country, including pre-Euro, old Irish and old British! Simply donate any spare currency at their collection point: Royal Berkshire Hospital, Level 2, opposite Marks & Spencer by the main reception (enter via the Craven Road Entrance).

HOW TO SURVIVE WITH REJECTION Nia Dalton | Year 3, BA English Language and Applied Linguistics

5 top tips for dealing with career rejection. Getting declined from a job sucks! We’ve all spent hours perfecting a CV and application, to be rejected in a single sentence. The important part is to come back fighting! Follow these tips and you’ll succeed: 1. Don’t take it personally. Sometimes you just aren’t what they’re looking for, and that’s okay! 2. Ask for feedback. 3. Don’t give up! Be persistent. 4. Always have options. Focus on your dream job, but don’t restrict yourself. 5. Remember that everything happens for a reason, and what’s meant to be will be!

Lifestyle

HOW TO RELIEVE STRESS DURING EXAM SEASON Laura McClintock | Year 1, BSc International Development

Exam season and deadlines have arrived; read on for some tips to relieve stress.

Exams and deadlines may be a source of stress, worry and anxiety for some. Nevertheless, there are things we can do to relax during this time to maximise our potential and minimise the impact on our well-being. 1. Take off some pressure by adjusting your mentality. The majority of the year is behind us, most of the work has been done. Remind yourself of this to take some pressure off yourself and trust that you know your stuff. 2. Work smart. Furiously reading chunks of text all day long (or night) is going to exhaust you and probably stress you out more. Find out the key pieces of information you need to know and focus on them.

“Hopefully these tips will give you some motivation to take care of yourself during exams.”

3. Make sure you’re getting plenty of sleep. Sleep is essential during exams as it is when our body restores the immune system and regulates cortisol levels (stress hormones), as well as processing information into long-term memory. Taking cat naps throughout the day can be really beneficial if you’re not able to sleep enough at night.

“It is so important to eat enough wholesome food to keep your brain functioning” 4. Eat a nutritious diet. Whilst being healthy is probably not a priority during exam season, it is so important to eat enough wholesome food to keep your brain functioning when you need it the most. Having a small stock of wholesome foods at home that you can grab and make with little effort is essential. Some ideas: instant oats, frozen fruit and veg, dried fruits and nuts, pasta with

veg, whole-wheat toast and peanut butter, microwave rice and premade veg, lentils, beans or chicken.

Hopefully these tips will give you some motivation to take care of yourself during exams. Making the effort to keep on top of your basic needs will alleviate some stress and enhance your academic performance. Remember, whilst exams are an important aspect of your degree, your health comes first!

“Making the effort to keep on top of your basic needs will alleviate some stress and enhance your academic performance”

APRIL, 2019

Dragged Back to Reality Josh Coombes | Year 2. BA Philosophy and English Literature Reflections on the strange feeling you get after finishing a Netflix series “The more things change, the more they stay the same.” So says Quark, the resident Ferengi bartender—a big-eared species, with heavy brows and sharp teeth—at the end of Star Trek: Deep Space Nine, a show which has enriched my life for over half a year. Now I’ve finished watching every episode on Netflix, Quark’s words ring true. Despite the immense change that took place between the start of Season One and the end of Season Seven, I now face, for at least a short period while I choose what to watch next, a return to the real world: a world of commitments, and laundry, and people who nag. You will notice that this article is in the Lifestyle section of the newspaper in front of you, and not the Entertainment section. This is not a review of DS9, although you definitely ought to watch it if you’re at all interested in sci-fi, or in vast political intrigues like Game of Thrones. No, this is a reflection on the strange mixture of sadness and accomplishment that we tend to feel once we’ve finished binge-watching a show. There is an element of disbelief when you’re watching Netflix and you see a trailer for another show after the final episode of the one you were watching has ended. It happens when you’re reading a book, too. You turn the last page and you’re confronted menacingly by advertisements for other

books by the same author (or publishing house). Without wishing to be unforgivably dramatic, it’s like having a matchmaker try and set you up with someone else while you’re mourning at the funeral of your significant other. There is a special, irreplaceable connection that exists between you and the deceased programme. A time of mourning is needed, a time of reflection to properly appreciate the work that went into the production of your show; to savour the satisfying complexity of the plot; to celebrate the show’s flawed but wonderful characters and the family they made you feel part of. This is also the perfect opportunity to explore the expanded universe of the show: there might be fanfiction (officially licenced or otherwise) that you can read to fill the hole in your life left by the show’s absence. If not, write some! Or, if you’re anything like me, subject your friends to a complete rewatch of the series from the beginning to the end. When you and your favourite show reach the end of your journey together, take a minute to look back and express gratitude. They have been, and always will be, your friends.

Take a Mindful Break. Sarah Maqbool Give your brain a break. Here are some mindful break ideas to help you get the most out of your free time.

1 2 3

Short Breaks (10 – 30 mins) -Listen to relaxing nature sounds (e.g. rainfall, waves). -Listen to themed ambience sounds (e.g. busy café, library). -Close your eyes and listen to your surroundings, be present in the moment. Medium Breaks (30 mins – 1 hour 30 mins) -Take a walk, notice your environment. -Read a book. -Do a random act of kindness. Big Breaks (more than 1 hour 30 mins) -Do something creative that requires a lot of focus (e.g. make a gift, learn how to sew). -Attend a mindfulness workshop. -Visit a restaurant or café with a friend or family member. Enjoy yourself!

Lifestyle

APRIL, 2019

Utilising a Small Room at University Louisa Chopping | Year 2, BA English Literature Moving into a university room can be daunting as it is somewhere where you will spend a lot of time, and it will become your second home. Ensuring that you make it as homely as possible is an important factor, and there are various ways for which you can do this!

Firstly, as hundreds of people will have lived there before there may be signs of wear and tear, and typically university rooms are quite dull. To cover up the carpet and make it cozier, buying a rug is a good idea as not only does it add colour but also comfort. Photographs are also important to bring a sense of home to university; you could print Polaroids and create a collage on a pin-board to remind you of the people you love during times of homesickness, and if you are not allowed photos on the walls stick them to furniture- e.g. cupboards!

they brighten up your room and make it more vibrant.

Here’s 5 (Even if I Am Stating the Obvious) Tips for Balancing a Healthy Lifestyle at University Holly Fournier, Lifestyle Editor 1. Utilize the library. This is an obvious one that I know most people already do. Nevertheless, I cannot stress enough how much work you can get done in the library compared to your bedroom in your halls or student house. For me, in my student house, distractions are inevitable. I have found that I get 10 times more work done by studying from 9-5 in the library. 2. It’s okay to have a day off. If you are feeling down or overwhelmed, try to not be so hard on yourself; it is okay to take time out! It is much more beneficial to take a break from studying by relaxing for the day than cramming in revision because you feel guilty. You might not take in the information anyway.

Lastly, bed decor is not the first thing people think of, however adding a selection of cushions and a throw to your bed can help your room look more put-together.

“Exercising is an excellent stress relief”

“Fairy-lights are a must have.”

3. Exercise. I feel that exercising whilst studying is incredibly important, regardless of feeling bombarded by your revision timetable. This is because I have found that exercising is an excellent stress relief, even if you are just playing a sport for a couple hours a week or taking a walk across our beautiful and scenic campus. Furthermore,

Fairy-lights are a must-have, as

The 5-Step Process to a Successful Day of Revision Sabita Burke, Sub Editor Exam season. The time of year that fills you with enough terror to make you wish you’d never applied to university, and leaves you trawling Google for cheap flights to Mexico. Never fear! In the first of a series of musings on all things study-related, I recount some of the tricks I’ve learnt that help me revise.

make an effort to sleep.

1. The night before

3. The to-do list

A good day of productivity begins with a good night of rest. When setting your alarm to wake up early, set another for later this evening to turn those lights off and

Structure, and plan. Factor in external influences such as social plans or tiredness.

2. The setup Desk space dictates headspace. Decluttering your work table creates the fresh vibe you need to feel ready to tackle your workload. Candles and a cup of tea never go amiss.

4. Concentration Try the Pomodoro technique. Setting a 25-minute timer allows you to truly focus. Take a 5-minute break, and repeat. 5. Attitude Be positive about your studies; remind yourself why you’re aiming for these grades. Remember, every minute of perseverance now will come back to you tenfold on results day.

“It’s okay to have a day off.”

university is not just about the degree you are going to get; it is also about being involved in societies and taking part in extracurricular activities, as you want to remember your time at university as being both a hardworking AND enjoyable experience. 4. I have found that eating healthier and cooking a lot are very therapeutic, which helps when it comes to exam stress. 5. Sleep. Just because the URS is open for 24 hours doesn’t mean your brain is open for 24 hours.

Lifestyle

ODE TO MAY Louis Goldstein, Online Editor Between bank holidays and the return of warm weather, May is always an important month for students finishing their final exams and starting to drink their first snakebites of the summer. It will also be a month to celebrate successes with social events like the Student Experience Awards and the RUSU Graduation Ball 2019.

NY BASED BRAND KITH OPEN THEIR FIRST INTERNATIONAL STORE IN LONDON

APRIL , 2019

GERMAN ESSENTIAL PHRASES AND CULTURE FOR THE WORKPLACE

Emily Woodall |Year 2, BA Germann For students hoping to work abroad either during university or after graduation, Germany is a fantastic destination with a thriving economy and a perspective into a different working environment. Living there will also help to improve your language skills. Working is one of the three options for years abroad as part of a languages degree, and it’s a great way to get your foot in the door for the future. Here is a guideline for customs in the German workplace to help you be more travel aware when going abroad. Workplace culture in Germany:

Louis Goldstein, Online Editor

The famous concept store, known for its ground-breaking collaborations with Lebron James, Donatella Versace and Tommy Hilfiger, is opening their first international store in Selfridges, Home of London’s Finest Fashion.

Germany has its own workplace culture, and despite it not being too different from other western European countries, it still has its own particular customs to be aware of: 1. Working means working! -In Germany, the workplace is just that; a place to work and not for socialising or using private email etc. -Some offices may be more social than others, but it could seem a bit

cold at first.

able time off!

2. Germans start work early. -This isn’t the best news if you’re a night owl (like me!), but Germans will often be in the office for around 7.30am to start work, linking to the school system which starts early but finishes at lunch.

5. Formalities in the workplace… -As a new colleague it’s better to initially use ‘Herr/Frau…’ rather than their first name and ‘Sie’ rather than ‘Du’ to avoid coming across as impolite.

3. Direct communication is better. -Germans in the office will generally communicate their ideas more bluntly, and not leave anything to guess work or reading between the lines.

6. Dress code -The smart-casual dress code in Germany is often more casual than in Britain, with men often wearing jeans and a smart jacket

and women not wearing heels. -However, it’s often better to dress smartly to begin with and then adapt when you see what others at the office wear. 7. And most importantly… punctuality… -This is highly valued in Germany; lack of punctuality will look unprofessional, and it’s common practice to be there before the set time. For more info and advice, visit: https://travelaware.campaign.gov. uk/

Tips and info for working abroad in Germany 4. Holiday means holiday! --Similar to the first point, when you are on holiday (most people get 30 days paid holiday in Germany) you aren’t usually expected to answer any emails or phone calls, meaning a much more enjoy-

WHY YOU SHOULD GO TO

SUMMER BALL

Louis Goldstein, Online Editor

As Summer arrives, First Year students will be soon confronted with the mind-killing decision of getting tickets for the Summer Ball. The event doesn’t disappoint! Every year, the RUSU committee chooses a theme, proposes rides and an all-night-long party for the students. It is clearly the best way to celebrate the end of the year with your flatmates before some well-deserved holidays! Make sure you get a ticket!

Train station in Germany - Photo by Emily Woodall

Lifestyle

APRIL , 2019

BOOBS, BREASTS, TATAS, TITS. Marcie Weeks | Year 1, BA Archaeology and history

Knowing your boobs could save your life.

WHAT ARE BEAUTY CAPSULES? Ari Carrington | Graduate, BA English Literature

Image Credit:: CoppaFeel! Great! Now I have your attention. Hello guys, gals and non-binary pals! CoppaFeel! wants you to know your boobs - it could save your life. The charity was founded in 2009 by Kristin Hallenga. At 23 she was diagnosed with stage two breast cancer. Shocked at the fact she had no idea cancer could strike so young, she started Coppafeel! with her twin sister. Passionate to educate young people about keeping themselves healthy and safe, the charity has grown fast and continues to do brilliant work. Here at the University of Reading our Uni Boob team wants to remind you how important it is to regularly check your chest. Girls, guys and anyone in-between can be at risk of breast cancer. So, if you are a dude you should be checking your chest too! So, what do you need to do? Well, it really is as simple as coppin’ a feel and knowing what your normal is, whether they be boobs or pecks - get to know your chest. If you are someone who gets periods, your boobs will change across the month - so get to know your cycle so you know your normal changes. Many people have pain in their chest during their period so make note if it is worse than normal or happening more regularly. Make it part of your routine. You can check anywhere. In the shower, when you are getting dressed, before bed, in the mirror, or watching Netflix. And all you need to do it is your hands. So, do what feels comfortable, check-

ing wherever there is breast tissue. So not just the breast itself - but up to your collar bones and armpit as well. Don’t forget to look too - some of the signs can be visual. What should I look for? Breast cancer can appear in ways other than the dread lump. The above diagram is a handy guide of what you need to look out for.

We’ve got the low down on the ‘grammable pills blowing up your feed.

What to do if I find something? Get it off your chest. Give your local GP a call. If you want to, you can request to see a female doctor or have a chaperone present. Take some notes about what you want to say, or bring a pen and paper if you want to note down what the doctor tells you. After asking you some questions, the doctor will carry out a visual and physical examination. It might be embarrassing or scary, but don’t worry. They have seen it all before and it is better to be safe than sorry. You can find us on Facebook as The University of Reading Uni Boob Team, and on the RUSU website. You can also sign up for our breastcheck reminders by texting UBT UOR to 70500. If you want to find about more about breast cancer, checking and all other boob-tastic information you can visit https://coppafeel.org/.

They’re blowing up your social media feed, but what even are they? I sat down with JuicePlus+ rep Antonia Isles to find out more about these curiously ‘grammable pills.

“These capsules are for anyone looking to do more for their health, mind and skin” First things first, not all capsules are made alike. Generally speaking, most health and beauty capsules are designed to increase your general health, promoting better skin, hair, life, etc. For JuicePlus+ there’s a definite focus on nutrition. As Antonia tells me, their capsules are made up of just fruit and veg (33 different kinds to be exact!), just with the sugar and water taken out. As the fruits and veggies are minimal-

ly processed, the live nutrients remain, and help fight oxidative stress. The focus here seems to be on nutrition, getting as many nutrients in, with minimal effort. As a student, this is definitely something I can get behind. But these capsules aren’t just designed for busy people on the go, or those that just can’t get to grips with cooking. They’re really for anyone looking to do more for their health, mind and skin.

“Anyone thinking about supplementing their diet with beauty capsules should do their research first” Obviously, there’s a lot of scepticism around this sort of product, and Antonia’s no stranger to this – she was sceptical herself at first:

“I wasn’t sure in the beginning, and over Christmas I was expecting to break out, but I didn’t and this was only change.” Apparently more recently, she’s noticed a real change in her hair as well, with the length “skyrocketing”. These are some serious results. No wonder she jokingly calls these capsules her “magic beans”!

“15 calories per capsule” Clearly, these kinds of results aren’t guaranteed, and any thinking about supplementing their diet with beauty capsules of any kind should do their research first. JuicePlus+ have been great on this front, with reps like Antonia always ready to answer any questions like I had. Even when the questions were curveballs – turns out there’s 15 calories per capsule by the way.

Lifestyle

APRIL, 2019

WHAT DO YOU REALLY

WEIGH? Kickstarting Mental Health Awareness Week with Body Positivity Nia Dalton | Year 3, BA English Language and Applied Linguistics

Lose some weight. Twist your waist. Put your right leg forward. Point your toe. Breathe in. Fake laugh. Flick your hair. Airbrush your skin. Whiten your teeth. Filter the image. Perfect - that’s the Instagram shot. Today’s culture teaches us to want to change our bodies and aspire to look like somebody else. That is all about to change. Cheers to the revolution of self-love, body positivity and a healthier mindset. Next month is Mental Health Awareness Week, and the theme for 2019 is Body Image. From Monday 13th to Sunday 19th May, every body will be celebrated across the UK. Following Jameela Jamil’s ‘I Weigh’ body positivity movement, it couldn’t come at a better time! We are all growing up in the generation of Instagram influencers, Facetune and the Kardashians. Before social media, unrealistic body ideals were plastered across billboards and magazines; now, they’re ubiquitous among our phones too. No-longer is it just models, and ce-

lebrities being airbrushed and filtered, but our friends, families and ourselves feel the need to as well. Instagram influencers are taking over the world, one pointed toe and pout at a time. Daily I scroll through my Instagram feed and see petite, tanned girls with curves in all the right places. I don’t see cellulite, spots or frizzy hair. Of course, how could you possibly portray yourself as perfect, if you’ve got a giant zit? No, you must airbrush that out!

“Join the era of self-love, and ask yourself ‘What do you really weigh?’”

We are all guilty of comparing ourselves to others. Admittedly, it is hard to learn to love yourself when you are surrounded by photos that look quite the opposite of your mirror image. But, wishing you had a smaller nose, a thigh gap or longer legs isn’t going to change your appearance, and certainly isn’t going to make you any happier. It is time to stop hating on your body and start loving what your mama gave you! Body image, self-esteem and mental health are all linked. If you don’t like the look of your body, it’s difficult to feel good about your whole self. Concentrating on your ‘flaws’ can make you feel down, despise your body and yourself. The solution? If we all learned to love our bodies a little bit more, and in turn love ourselves a lot more, we might be able to protect our mental health too. Among the photoshopped bodies and perfectly-angled figures on Instagram, is the revolutionary ‘I Weigh’ movement. ‘I Weigh’ encourages everybody to feel valued

Anabelle Hill, third year English Language student says, “I Weigh my family, my dog, amazing flatmates, a big smile and lots of energy” and confident in their own skin - which is exactly what we all need! Jameela Jamil, 26-yearold-actress turned body-positivity preacher, kickstarted the Instagram page and now has almost 500k followers.

“Challenging people to consider all the attributes they value about themselves” In a revolution against shame and self-hatred, Jameela is leading the way with self-love and

body positivity. Challenging people to consider all the attributes they value about themselves, Jameela asks people what they really weigh. In light of the ‘I Weigh’ movement, and to kick-start Mental Health Awareness Week, I am going to practice what I preach … So, here is my #IWeigh: A hefty dissertation, a student, great friends, an amazing family, hard-working. And I smile every day. Join the era of self-love, and ask yourself ‘What do you really weigh?’

Lifestyle

APRIL, 2019

Workplace languages and phrases in German Following my other article on Germany, here’s a compilation of key phrases and language to use in the German workplace.

Can Men Be Feminists Too? Rosie Neville |Year 2, BA English Literature

To be a feminist do you have to be an angry man-hating women, or can men be a part of this movement too?

Emily Woodall |Year 2, BA German Grammar and the basics. Obviously the first step is to get the basics right; the tenses, vocab, general grammar. Don’t worry if you slip up- give it your best go, and you can ask colleagues to point out major errors. Don’t be afraid to ask for help– it’s better to ask than make a mistake in an important business situation! ‘Telko’ This is short for ‘Telefonkonferenz’ (telephone conference) and will be useful to know to get started in the office. “Wollen wir Du sagen?” In a German office, you should use the polite version of ‘you’ – ‘Sie’, rather than the informal ‘Du’ until told otherwise by a colleague. Don’t be surprised if this doesn’t happen at all – it’s not that they are being cold, but it’s just the formality of the German workplace. If you aren’t sure, it’s worth asking someone you work with what the common practice in the office is with the phrase: “Wollen wir Du (oder Sie) sagen?” (“Do we want the polite or informal ‘you’?”). Business letters A commonly used formal start to a letter is ‘Sehr geehrte Frau…/ Sehr geehrter Herr...’ which is similar to ‘respected Mr/Mrs…’. When you sign off the letter, a respectable phrase to use is: ‘Mit

freundlichen Grüßen’ (‘friendly greetings’). Phone calls Similarly to the above, when speaking on a phone call you will be representing the company and therefore you’ll need to be formal and polite. A good opening line is: ‘Hier spricht (literally, here speaks) [your name]‘ and possibly say the company you’re working for as well. When ending the call, make sure to be polite, and use the phrase ‘auf Wiederhören’ (speak to you soon), rather than ‘auf Wiedersehen’ (goodbye). Hopefully this has given you an insight into working in Germany and will make you more aware of specific phrases. Visit the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office’s website and social media channels for more advice: Website: https://travelaware.campaign.gov.uk/ For Germany advice: https://www. gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice/germany Facebook: https://www.facebook. com/fcotravel Twitter: https://twitter.com/ FCOtravel Youtube: https://www.youtube. com/user/fcotravel

Feminism is a movement which has been around since the late 19th Century. It was created to bring about equality between men and women. However, in past years it seems to be viewed by many simply as a group of angry women who dislike men. What people seem to forget is that feminism is perhaps one of the most significant social movements to have happened, and men and women could still today be viewed significantly differently in terms of their status within society. What people also seem to forget, is that men can be feminists too.

“Is the term feminism becoming outdated?” I have noticed recently that many men feel quite reluctant and perhaps even offended at the idea of feminism. They believe that they will just be met with anger and antagonism from women. Many people seem to think that the movement was something that women produced in order to target men. Second year student Sean Renny says he feels that there is a danger that feminism could be perceived as “an attack on men, rather than a fight for equality”. He added: “I would say that the goal of feminism, equality between men and women, is great, but I feel the movement’s goal is too far diffused

“Why do so many men feel like feminism is a movement that excludes them?” now from what it once was”. This is the attitude that many men have, and we must question whether it has become a movement which excludes men, which is the very thing that feminism fights against. Is feminism changing society to a place in which men are now excluded? The question must be asked as to why so many men feel like feminism is a movement that excludes them. Second year student Lewis Bull argued that: “men can definitely be involved in feminism, however I think it requires them to be educated, and it is something which can be affected by their upbringing. For example, I have grown up for a bit of my life with just my mum and sister so I feel like I think differently to some oth-

er people who may have grown up in a more male environment”. Perhaps society needs to receive more education about what feminism actually is, and it should be made clear that men too can be a part of it, as many men are, without it being emasculating. Alternatively, perhaps we need to move away from the term ‘feminism’ and create more of an all-encompassing group in which more men feel that they too can be a part of. Is the term ‘feminism’ becoming outdated? Perhaps it is time for a new name in which both men and women feel that they can be equally involved, so that men can be feminists too.

Entertainment

APRIL, 2019

Entertainment

CELEBRITIES STAND UP TO The Best of Channel 4’s annual fundraising extravaganza. Millie Farquhar | Third Year, English Literature This year, Channel 4’s fundraising extravaganza for Stand Up To Cancer has reached new heights with two very different shows. The Great Celebrity Bake Off for SU2C returns to the fold for its second year with the likes of Johnny Vegas and James Acaster bringing their bakes to the tent. Whilst Celebrity SAS: Who Dares Wins for SU2C came onto our screens in a massive way.

I was reminded of Ridley Scott’s G.I. Jane (1997). A film which follows Jordan O’Neil, a female naval officer who is put through the Navy Seal selection process in order to prove that women are as capable as men. And I cannot help but see the similarities as I see celebrities taken out of their comfort zones in order to prove they are more capable than even they believe.

Celebrity SAS brings twelve famous faces together to face one of the most difficult tests of endurance, survival and fitness there is. Celebrities like Radio 1’s Dev Griffin and Love Island’s Camila Thurlow are taken away from the comfort of their sets and studios and forced to live in an unforgiving ex-military base in the Chilean Andes whilst being put through their paces by Ant Middleton and his team of ex-special forces instructors.

This show is also incredibly important for SU2C because it shows mankind’s ability to band together in tough situations. I couldn’t help but shed a tear as all 12 celebrities came together to face their fears, and battle through the tasks, which included falling backwards out of helicopters, carrying each other up the Andes with no survival gear and running through rainforests with huge amounts of weight on their backs.

Shows like this may seem brutal, but I am always curious about the brain’s reaction to being

A slightly less hardcore show that Channel 4 has put forward this year is the second series

“This show is also incredibly important for SU2C because it shows mankind’s ability to band together in tough situations.” pushed to their limits. The SAS Selection process is a gruelling and horrible challenge that only the strongest people can pass. People train for years for the chance to even be allowed to try and only the strongest pass. Therefore, it would seem impossible for 12 celebrities to come together and pass the tests if they are designed for hardened soldiers. When watching the first episode

of Celebrity Bake off. This year, celebrities from across the UK entered the hallowed bake-off tent with their biscuits, cakes and pastries. This year’s crop of celebrities included the comedian and all-round weirdo James Acaster, who’s appearance on the show has since given birth to one of my favourite memes of the year so far. One episode that always brings a smile to my face is the third ep-

SU2C

Entertainment

APRIL, 2019

O CANCER CHANNEL 4

In The Middle of Our Street: RUDS Latest Musical Inspired by the music of Madness, the RUDS production does not disappoint with its live music and selection of classic hits. Millie Lois Plummer Farquhar| |Entertainment Third Year Editor Love, family and responsibility. Our House is a play that embodies dichotomy and consequence. It explores the dual paths that life could take after one fateful event. On his 16th birthday, Camden lad Joe Casey is faced with a moral dilemma that will undoubtedly change his life forever. Inspired by the music of Madness, this production is an energetic and creative take on the Tim Firth musical that left the audience eager to return to the House of Fun. Opening night. Brick walls stand menacingly on an otherwise desolate stage. An instrumental medley of Madness hits floods the

deceased father (played hauntingly by Teddy Turpin) lingers at the side of the stage and looks on. Casey Street residents and school friends all rush in to kick off the play’s appropriate first number, Our House, which is fun and bursting with quirkiness and energy inherent to the zeitgeist of 80s Madness. But despite the youthful fun and carelessness, there are dark undertones of crime laced in the domestic landscape, with frequent allusions to Joe’s father’s legacy acting as a cold reminder – that a life of crime can only end in devastation. Inevitably for Joe, things

“But despite the youthful fun and carelessness, there are dark undertones of crime laced in the domestic landscape...”

isode of the series which includes an appearance from rapper Big Narstie which should be enough of an incentive to watch the show. But if it isn’t, there is an incredible twist on the second day of the episode which has led to some of the best Bake-Off I have ever seen. Whilst these shows are funny, inspiring and enjoyable to watch, it is important to remember why they are being shown. Stand Up To Cancer is an incredible organisation which helps so many people across the UK deal with cancer. I think it is impossible to find someone who has not been affected by cancer today, whether it is through seeing a relative or friend go through it or having experienced it personally. However cliché it might sound, these shows prove to me just how incredible we are as humans. Whilst baking a cake might not seem like hiking up a mountain or

carrying an injured friend across a muddy field like the SAS selection process, the groups of celebrities that come together show that we are all united against cancer. It shows that anyone, whether they are suffering, surviving or feeling unsupported is not alone and that there are so many options for them to get the help they need. In 2019, the SU2C season finished on Channel 4 with an incredible evening of entertainment led by comedians, actors and presenters which helped to raise over $123.6 million across the world. This year I hope they have raise even more. If you would like more information, head over to: www.standuptocancer.org.uk

room while lights flicker and spin from colour to colour, pulling the audience into a dreamy flashback. Couples dance on stage as if in a romantic dream, swaying to a rose-coloured doo-wop ballad, while the lights focus on the central couple revealed to be Joe’s parents. Fast-forward sixteen years to a humble living room on Casey Street, the same dancing girl, portrayed emotively by Gemma Hughes, is all grown-up with a teenage son, Joe, to match. It’s the night of his 16th birthday, a milestone that is sure to change the world around him as he knows it. He babbles excitedly about Sarah (played impressively by Jess Martin) who is the girl of his dreams, while the ghostly presence of his

take a turn for the worse as the police turn up when he breaks into a building development overlooking Casey Street. His life splits into two paths, good and bad; one who gives himself up to the police and the other who flees and leaves Sarah. Seven years, two alternative lives. One path means a life of criminality while the other loses him the girl he loves. With charming and jovial renditions of “My Girl,” “House of Fun” and “Embarrassment;” this production successfully captures an undeniably cheeky and wistful essence, stressing the importance of friendship, love and loyalty. Be sure to catch RUDS’ next performance!

EDITOR’S NOTE Lois Plummer | Entertainment Editor

The April edition of The Spark brings reviews, top tips, music recommendations – and some new faces. With spring on the way, and exam period looming, we’ve started to comprise some playlists to help with studying and de-stressing which you can find on our Spotify: #The Spark Newspaper. Find our playlists on Pages 24 and 26. In film and TV, we’ve got a much-anticipated Captain Marvel review on Page 27, along with Broad City and Fleabag on Pages 26 and 24. In music news, we’ve got the latest festival updates on Page 24 and some album reviews from artists new and old on Pages 23 and 26. If you’re interested in writing for us, don’t hesitate to get in touch!

HOT FUSS – THE KILLERS

LIZARD KING RECORDS

Jack Hawes | First Year Politics & IR

With The Killers being one of the Glastonbury headliners this year, what better way is there to celebrate than taking a trip back to 2004 and reviewing the album that started it all, ‘Hot Fuss.’ The album that gifted us with ‘Mr Brightside,’ which to this day remains stuck in our heads, but what is often forgotten, is that this album plays host to a number of anthemic tracks, from ‘Smile Like You Mean it’ to ‘Andy, You’re a Star.’ A brilliant collection of absolute classics.

Skinny Lister – Live at Cambridge Junction Jack Hawes | First Year, Politics & IR

After the release of their fourth album, ‘The Story Is…’ back in March, Skinny Lister embarked on their massive UK/EU tour. On the 10th April they arrived at the Cambridge Junction, and with

a large flagon of cider in hand, they delivered a roaring night of live music. The tracks from their new album fitted perfectly alongside the bands classic material, which were all out in full. Each song they played demonstrated why they are one of the most uniquely brilliant talents today.

SKINNYLISTER.COM

Entertainment

FLEABAG: NOW PRAYING FOR DIVINE INTERVENTION Rebecca Uffindell | Fourth Year, Art & English Literature

A review of Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag Season Two.

BBC Fleabag is a six part comedy that first came to our screens in 2016. It documents the life of a hilarious and eccentric young woman living in London. Phoebe Waller-Bridge plays the show’s protagonist, Fleabag, who also starred in films like Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018) while she produces the TV show Killing Eve (2019).

Phoebe Waller-Bridge’s Fleabag has now -finally- returned to our screens and does not disappoint. It’s full of the usual quick wit, biting comments and genuine heart. Cue look to camera.

“It’s full of the usual quick wit, biting comments and genuine heart.” The events of season two take place 371 days after seasons one’s powerful and intense finale. As series two commences, we take a seat next to Fleabag as she’s invited to a family meal celebrating the engagement of Oliva Colman’s awful Godmother and Bill Paterson’s bumbling Dad. Of course, this is the first

time since the events of season one that sees Sian Clifford’s Claire reunited with Fleabag since her previous rejection. Of course, without going into too much detail (no one likes a spoiler), this dinner is far from successful and sets in motion the events to follow for this season whilst re-establishing the typical traits of each character that we have come to loathe and love.

What sets this season apart from season one is the inclusion of Andrew Scott’s Priest who, despite adopting the role of a pinnacle member of society who is solely devoted to God, is deeply confused and troubled by his actions. Not only does he swear, drink and smoke (he is rather partial to a can of G&T during the day), he is incredibly tempted sexually by Fleabag.

Godmother is as awful as ever, the queen of put downs disguised as care and compassion, Claire is just as uptight and rigid in her opinions and Dad is just as inarticulate yet just as warm towards his children. Who could forget Brett Gelman’s Martin who is just as drunk and slimy throughout.

What is so cleverly tackled is the dynamic between Fleabag and The Priest and how each desperately crave each other but both know how it would be detrimental to their character. We are left to question: Can Fleabag abstain from repeating the same actions that had led to her downfall and can she finally heal and forgive herself?

*shivers*

It would be a sin to miss this.

APRIL, 2019

The March Album, Festival and Local Music News Round Up Jack Hawes | First Year, Politics & IR In music news, March was a cracking month as the first wave of acts were announced for the granddaddy of all festivals, Glastonbury, and from the few names revealed, the festival is shaping up to be an amazing event. It features some incredible headof the Reading Uni Band soc, Moliners, a mix of modern favourites rass of Molasses, have signed to a and some bona fide legends. In label and will be releasing their smaller festival news, 2000 trees next album soon, so make sure to have announced Deaf Havana as catch them when they come back their Saturday headliner, joining to Reading. a terrific line up of rock and alterThat’s the music news but what native bands, with the likes of You other music and festivals are stuMe at Six, Every Time I Die and dents looking forward to? Frank Turner. Shaun O’Brian, Year 1, PPE: In more local news, The Retreat “I’m looking forward to returning Fest Weekender will be running to Download because it’s been 7 in Reading’s Facebar, on the 20thyears since I last went and I can’t 21st April, and will be a great wait to see my boys Tesla and Skid showcase for local bands. In Row.” album news, Billie Eilish broke UK chart records when her deDaniel Broomhead, Year 1, Combut album, “When We All Fall puter Science: Asleep, Where Do We Go?” went “I can’t wait for the new Alterstraight to number one, making bridge album but also new releasher the youngest-ever (she’s seves from Catfish and the Bottlemen, en-bloody-teen) solo artist to top Sabaton and The Cranberries. the album charts. The month also Guns N’Roses may release new saw Sigrid’s much hyped debut stuff as well, which is great.” album, “Sucker Punch,” and Ca nadian punk legends PUP also Ed Lewis, Year 3, Art: brought out a new album, “Mor“Would like to see Foo Fighters and bid Stuff,” right before they kick Royal Blood at Reading Festival off their huge UK/EU tour. March this year.” was also a massive month for tour news, with alternative legends the Eddy Pernice, Year 2, Law: Pixies, who not only announced “New music from Marina of course an autumn UK/EU tour but also and I’m looking forward to seeing plans for a new album. Although, her at the Royal Albert Hall in May. they weren’t the only ones, as The She was me and my best friend’s Twilight Sad announced a winter favorite artist since I was 14 and tour that will see the band play we have been waiting to see her their biggest headline show at live for 6 years now.” Kentish Town Forum. Also, friends

April Monthly Favourites

1 2 3 4 5

Stay Flo - Solange We’re loving this chill jazz-infused track from Solange’s new album, When I Get Home. It came just in time for lounging around on campus in the Spring sunshine. Super Sad Generation – Arlo Parks A relatively new artist on the scene, Arlo Parks delivers a tender lo-fi love letter to the milennial generation. Somebody Told Me – The Killers An absolute indie rock classic from their debut album, Hot Fuss, is a perfect way to kick of your summer. My Life, My Architecture – Skinny Lister This track from their new album, The Story Is..., is full of the expressive folk rock we’ve come to know and love. King James – Anderson.Paak Our favourite experimental hip-hop and RnB artist is back. Follow our April Monthly Favourites playlist on Spotify @The Spark Newspaper.

Entertainment

APRIL , 2019

RUMS’ Latest Success: Spring Concert Review Millie Lois Plummer Farquhar| Entertainment | Editor March saw the blossom of yellow daffodils and the first blushes of the spring sunshine to come, and the RUMS’ spring concert did not disappoint in embracing the season. RUMS/FACEBOOK

The string ensemble opened the show with “Waltz No.2” by Shostakovich, in true tradition, con-

Interested in joining RUMS? Check out Page 27 for more info! juring fairytales of Russian princesses and sugar plum fairies. The brass ensemble gave an impressive and jovial performance, inciting the audience with Offenbach’s “The Can Can.” Perhaps one of the most treasured performances from the night was the flute choir’s “The Sound of Music” medley, sprightly and spirited,

full of nostalgia. The much-anticipated jazz band did not disappoint with Adderley’s classic, funky blues with “Work Song,” transforming the room into a 1950s smoke-filled jazz café. The solos were accomplished, the piano full of swing and doo-wop, while the choir clicked and chirped in true West Side Story fashion. From 60s jazz to 70s disco, the vocal choir lit up the room with an outstanding medley of ABBA hits from the popular musical “Mamma Mia.” The vocals were crisp and professional, engaging the audience in a glitzy disco ball dream. The night ended with a bang, the clarinet band’s exquisite performance followed by an explosive Stevie Wonder medley.

Broad City, End of an Era Elsie Stuart | First Year, English Literature & Film Celebrating the end of the show Broad City after its final episode. After five years, five seasons, and fifty episodes, the eclectic, feminist, and bold show Broad City is over. Female grossness isn’t always something so readily celebrated on our televisions, but this series encapsulated vulgar and hilarious depictions of women in city life today, making some pretty good memes as it went. During its run time from web-series to popular Comedy Central show, a cult following came out of the depths, myself definitely included - no shame here! The mass reaction to it came simply because it gave an outlet which was relatable and honest; a city show which had day to day characters which we all know, stupid yet witty, aspirational yet not always getting there. Creators Ilana Glazer and Abbi Jacobson gave us two ridiculous best friends who inspired us to be unapologetic and bold, but also make us think, “ah, better not be doing that.” Set in New York, the city becomes almost the third character, animated and diverse, whilst also dirty, overpriced, and just unpleasant at times. A plethora of shows have been and will be set in the Big Apple, yet I find Broad City’s take on it the freshest – not always full of rich socialites with bratty teens and not just a slum with Victorian-esque hygiene.

LINDA KALLERUS

“Female grossness isn’t always something so readily celebrated on our televisions...” Whilst political and brash in its tone, this show was first and foremost a comedy, done so through hilariously ridiculous slapstick, as well as intelligent witty commentary, often done side by side. A female led sitcom which focused

on friendships rather than all-consuming relationships, wegot to see an unapologetic feminine perspective upon your life as a twenty or thirty something, it felt almost like a comfort blanket, and that you were part of a community; a sisterhood.

IMDB

How Does the Recommendation Algorithm Work? Louis Goldstein | Third Year, Consumer Behaviour and Marketing If you find it amazing that Netflix regularly offers you movies and series that seem to have been chosen especially for you, don’t be surprised. To convince its subscribers to consume more and more content, Netflix has developed ultra-powerful algorithms that know your tastes almost better than you do. Here’s how it works: the more content you look at, the more you allow algorithms to perform sophisticated calculations to determine what your expectations are. They analyse how you navigate the site, how long it takes to play a series or film, or the time you

watched specific content. The machine learning also analyses the movies and series you have abandoned along the way and the content you have watched before and after certain videos. To better target your tastes, Netflix also tracks the comments you can leave on the site and relies on tags to identify the nature of what you have viewed. Recently, the site has also decided to modify its content presentation to allow customers to get a better idea of what they are about to watch. As you can see, Netflix leaves nothing to chance to capture your attention. Happy Procrastination Time.

“Netflix has developed ultra-powerful algorithms that know your tastes almost better than you do.”

freestocks.org/Unsplash

Entertainment

RUMS: MUSIC FOR EVERYONE

Reading University Music Society offers a variety of ensembles and skills. With weekly rehearsals, termly concerts as well as a range of socials and trips, there is something for everyone. If you are a musician/singer at any level and are interested, check out their page on RUSU and join!

THE SPRING PLAYLIST

JULYKINGS/TUMBLR

The sun is shining, the flowers are blooming and the days are getting longer. For our Spring playlist, we’ve collected the coolest indie tunes and 90s tracks to blast with the windows rolled down this season. Make sure you’re following our other themed playlists and find us on Spotify! @The Spark Newspaper

WHAT’S ON @ FILM THEATRE?

VICE/IMDB

Fancy a break from exam revision and assignments? Head on down to the film theatre in the Palmer Building for a classic movie night to calm those exam nerves. Tuesday 30th April @ 8pm10:30pm, Palmer Building Vice. Christian Bale plays Dick Cheney in this entertaining political biopic. Wednesday 1st May @ 7:30pm9:40pm, Minghella Building Swiss Army Man. Daniel Radcliffe plays a corpse and unlikely friend on a deserted island.

APRIL , 2019

REVIEWS

TOP PICKS OF THE MONTH... KATALAY NET/FLICKR

TOUCHSTONE

IMDB

COLUMBIA

Taz Usher | Print Editor

Elsie Stuart | First Year, English Literature & Film

Lois Plummer | Entertainment Editor

Olivia Mill | Secretary & Social Representative

WHEN I GET HOME - SOLANGE

A SPARK OF LIGHT - JODI PICOULT

FIGHTING WITH MY FAMILY

10 THINGS I HATE ABOUT YOU

Solange’s highly anticipated When I Get Home falls delightfully into a musical liminal space.

Tense, emotional and vivid. Jodi Picoult tells a story of what happens when an enraged shooter storms an abortion clinic and holds hostages.

Born with wrestling in her veins, Saraya Knight (ring name ‘Paige’) dreams of only one thing; becoming an all-time champ.

At the tail end of last month, 10 Things I Hate About You had its 20th anniversary;

With elements of RnB, soul and hip hop, listeners are thrown into a psychedelic funk ether which nods to both old and new tradition. The album opens with the dreamy “Things I Imagined,” experimental jazz guitar and synth entices listeners to fall under its sweet languorous love spell. The bold, cosmic blend of genres and samples from spoken poetry invites an intimate and pensive listening experience, guaranteed to excite old and new listeners of Solange as well as lovers of 90s RnB and hip hop. The album features contributions from the likes of Playboi Carti on the track “Almeda,” a hazy trap fever dream of a Texan cityscape, while the piano and bass echoing experimental jazz roots are evident of Sampha’s influence in tracks like “Time (Is).” “Binz” represents an exciting change in pace, a jazz bass arpeggio compliments angelic harmonies alongside dreamy 90s drumbeats. The lack of traditional song structure is ambiguous and free, full of movement and openness, alluding to the likes of Lauryn Hill and Alice Coltrane yet remaining incessantly and irrevocably Solange Knowles. The overall effect is inherently spiritual, an enriching homage to the black music and culture entangled in Solange’s deep pink sun-drenched dreamscape of Texan sunsets, of imagining, of home. When I Get Home debuted at number 18 in the UK and number 7 in the US.

Jodi Picoult, a number one best seller and author of My Sister’s Keeper, is known for her heart-wrenching stories and this one is no different. Women and men, doctors and nurses, all terrified as they are held at gun point in the only abortion centre in the county. Police outside and SWAT team at the ready, what will happen next? This novel is tense and realistic as readers learn of all the different characters through personal life stories. The story is written in reverse order so as the novel develops the scenes are retold back to front, from 5pm to 9am, on this one dramatic day which includes multiple flashbacks. Allowing readers to understand how the shooter came to make his decision to enter this abortion clinic with guns blazing, ready to take revenge. This book explores views from pro-choice and pro-lifers in the debate on abortion, sharing points of view from every angle imaginable. I recommend this book to anyone who likes some drama with equalling amounts of suspense. With violence, honesty and emotion this book is harrowing and realistic, a tough read but a very worthy one.

So, when the opportunity to try out for the WWE arises for her and big brother, Zak, and only Paige gets picked, she must face the impossible decision of training in America alone, or rejecting the offer all together. Paige’s decision to take the leap and go to the US lands her in an even stickier situation where she must fight to fit in with the crowd and swallow the criticism of her no-nonsense coach ‘Hutch’ (Vince Vaughn). The WWE is tougher than she had ever imagined and pleasing the fans is nothing like the experience in her tight-knit hometown.  This terrific re-telling of a real story carries hints of comedy as well as inspiration. On humour grounds, Dwayne Jonson and Nick Frost can be thanked; The Rock’s appearance carrying a great degree of personal significance to Johnson’s past. In terms of performance, Florence Pugh (Paige) is inspiring; demonstrating not only natural-like talents of a wrestler, but exceptional acting skills. Leana Headey (Paige’s mum) and Jack Lowden (Zak) should also be highly commended.  ‘Fighting with my Family’ is a valuable reminder of the strength and perseverance it takes to achieve your dreams. Paige might not be the WWE’s typical contestant, but her unbeatable mindset and family support system are like no other.

the Shakespeare adaptation turned teen classic which stands the tests of time as one of the best high school dramas to come out of the genre overload of the nineties and noughties. Iconic cast – who were actually the right age - killer soundtrack, and witty commentary that encapsulated universal teen struggles and angst helped pave the way for this modern Taming of the Shrew. Looking back at the film two decades later, it still resonates with a current crowd and provides relatability for teens and adults alike, with nods to both Shakespeare and the pop scene of its era, only the questionable fashion separating it from now. Heath Ledger charms irresistibly as Patrick, now almost bittersweet as your inevitable crush or jealousy of him ties with mourning and tragedy. Despite the somewhat possessive behaviour of the male characters, the strong female force of Katerina, her relationship with her sister and her resilient feminist attitude drives the movie which is admirable and refreshing to see, especially as she doesn’t have to change herself to ‘get the guy.’ So, if you want to delve into the ocean of 1999 cult films, 10 Things About You is a positive, romantic, and ska-filled movie which will leave you either empowered, elated, or like me, just desperate for someone to serenade you with Frankie Valli.

Entertainment

APRIL, 2019

CINEMA SPRING SEASON

Inspiring, Funny and Tender: A Captain Marvel Review Ryan Harnell | First Year, International Development

As spring is back, the calendar of movie releases has some incredible upcom-

A Marvel fan’s review of the world’s latest superhero flick.

ing titles for the month of May. Louis Goldstein | Third Year, Consumer Behaviour and Marketing

Quick review of the movie releases for May

IMDB

Captain Marvel is a colourful, inspiring and surprisingly heartfelt addition to the MCU’s growing catalogue of universally loved superheroes - and believe me, our fresh-faced and instantly likeable heroine does not drop the ball. That said, I would like to say that whilst this film is an above par spin on Marvel’s origin movie formula, it is by no means perfect. It suffers from some minor caveats along the way, such as pac-

“Brie Larson as Carol Danvers is funny, charismatic and quirky.” ing issues that make the narrative drag and seem clunky. A friend of mine who saw it perfectly summed it up when he said that he wasn’t sure he was enjoying the film until around the midway point when it really comes into its own and sets up an epic second half. He’s a casual Marvel fan and I would imagine that most average-movie goers will have similar sentiments. Captain Marvel’s other weakness lies in its VFX and some of the costume designs which, apart from the Skrull shape-shifting and Captain Marvel’s abilities themselves, fall below the standard set by Guardians of the Galaxy, Thor: Ragnarok and Infinity War. Now I’ve got that out the way let’s focus on

the strengths of this film, of which there are many: Brie Larson as Carol Danvers is funny, charismatic and quirky, and I for one cannot wait for her to play a larger role in the MCU going forward - from her innate badassery to her chemistry with the supporting cast, who I will come on to in a minute, to her very resonant quest to discover who she is. I mean, who at our age doesn’t find that relatable? Captain Marvel has a good soundtrack and decent villains in the form of the self-righteous Kree Empire but its greatest strength, bar the hero herself, is undoubtedly its impressive roster of supporting talent. Samuel L. Jackson’s digitally de-aged Nick Fury is everything you’d expect from a plucky government agent who finds himself caught in a buddy-cop relationship with an alien warrior, and Ben Mendhelson’s sarcastic but jarringly tender Skrull General Talos provides a highly relevant platform upon which to explore the themes of war, terrorism and the families caught in an otherwise sci-fi setting. Jude Law’s deliciously smarmy Yon-Rogg and Annette Benning’s secret character are also clear standouts in this film. Overall, I believe that Captain Marvel will appeal to fans of the MCU both new and old, whilst bringing something fresh, inspiring and at times tear-jerking to an increasingly crowded universe of heroes and heroines that audiences can look forward to seeing more of in the future.

JEREMY YAP/UNSPLASH

In the blockbuster scene, this season will be marked by the release of “Avengers: Endgame,” the last episode of the Avengers saga, made by Marvel Studios on the 26th of April. Sci-Fi fans around the world will gather for the movie which should be the most important release of the year.

“Sci-Fi fans around the world will gather for the movie” Marvel Studios will also release the new X-Men movie called “Dark Phoenix” starring Sophie Turner, known for playing Sansa Stark in Games of Thrones. If you don’t feel like superheroes are your cup of tea, “Tolkien” and “Godzilla: King of the Monsters” will also be screened in May.

“The Hustle,” starring Anne Hathaway and Rebel Wilson, will release on 10th of May in an adventure to stop the dirty rotten men who have wronged them.

THE STUDY PLAYLIST

“Two major animation movies will be released in May” We will also have the release of “Booksmart,” a fresh comedy following two girls in their last year of high school, looking for their first relationships. If you need to take kids to the cinema, two major animation movies will be released in May. We will discover the adventure of “Detective Pikachu” on the 10th of May but also Disney’s “Aladin” that will bring together Will Smith and Mena Massoud (playing Aladin) on the 24th of May.

JULIENNESTUDIES/TUMBLR

With exams and assignment deadlines looming it’s the perfect time to start following out themed playlists so you’re prepared for the Summer Term. In our Study Tunes playlist, we’ve selected some chill indie and ambient pop to help get you in the right headspace for studying. Find us on Spotify! @The Spark Newspaper

Entertainment

APRIL, 2019

THE TEMPTATION TO QUIT...

Millie’s Mumblings

Millie Farquhar | Third Year, English Literature

This month I decided that after I graduate, I want to go to film school and learn to be an assistant director. The course I am hoping to take does not require a degree to get into and a lot of the people I have met in the industry have never gone to Uni and never plan to. The first thing I was told on set when I announced I was a student at university was ‘Why are you doing that, drop out and do this!’ Now, 2 months away from finishing my degree, I am faced with an obstacle of 15,000 words and a growing temptation to just take the easy road and drop out. So instead of feeding the beast and giving into the demons, you, dear reader, can hold me to account and keep me moving forward. There are a few moments in our lives that I would consider to be monumental decisions that can affect our future and this is one of them, deciding whether or not to quit something is a choice with

two obvious outcomes. Either you quit, or you don’t. Sometimes the choice is easy, like choosing to drop out of a race due to injury, where carrying on might lead to further pain and damage to you.

“Temptation is a dangerous thing...” Dropping out allows you to look after yourself and take the time to recover. I had to face such a decision when it came to my Machu Picchu climb which was supposed to take place in August of this year. I injured my shoulder in MMA training and was forced to choose between training for the trek and potentially worsening my injury which would make the trek impossible or dropping out of the climb altogether and allowing myself to recover.

VLAD BAGACIAN/UNSPLASH

“Either you quit, or you don’t.” But education is a strange one. The landscape of the working world is ever changing and there is less and less emphasis put on a degree and more put on our experiences and extra curriculars. It is still possible to succeed without a piece of paper that says I spent 3 years at University. I grew up in the cadets, as part of an army family, we were taught from a young age that quitting wasn’t an option. That you shouldn’t quit when it is an option, so you are ready when it isn’t. And I try so hard to carry that training on through everything in my life and not just in physical exercise. If I carry on with my degree, I could succeed and graduate, but I could also fail and return home with a bad degree or nothing. But quitting only

“Dear Reader, think long and hard the next time temptation rears its ugly head.” has one outcome and that is just failing. Temptation is a dangerous thing, it whispers to us when we don’t want to and it tells us to give up and just go home. But we don’t have to listen to it and more often than not, if we don’t we become stronger for it. So, Dear Reader, think long and hard the next time temptation rears its ugly head. Consider the outcomes of continuing or not. And consider the effect it will have on you and your life if you listen.

“Consider the effect it will have on you and your life.”

Sports

APRIL , 2019

Sports

CHEER: A YEAR TO REMEM It’s been an incredibly busy year for Reading Knights Cheer; as the summer term arrives and revision for exams takes over, we’re looking back at their achievements and what they’ve been up to over the past year. Emma Scott | 2nd Year English Language and Applied Linguistics 2018 - 19 has been action-packed for Reading Knights Cheer; with each team training every week with their coaches, bi-weekly tumble sessions run by tumble coaches Katy Bonnard and Ella-Grace Harwood, as well as the occasional extra practices at the Berkshire Talent Academy - a fully equipped gym for cheerleading in Newbury - their preparation for the season has been non-stop. This year Reading Knights Cheer have had five different teams four competition teams and one performance team, a team that performs at sport matches across campus. The competition teams are split into different divisions depending on the difficulty and routine content; Zinc, the Pom team, specialise in a dance-based routine and are coached by Amber Thorne. As well as a section of dance within the routines, the cheer teams also perform jumps and stunts which consist of a group of performers lifting and throwing another performer into the air in different ways. The level one team, also known as Steel, has been coached by Hope Archer a third-year student here at the University of Reading. Platinum, the level two team, and Lithium, the level three team, are both coached by Reading alumni and ex Reading Knights cheerleaders, Jen Allsopp and Dee Islam. Reading Knights Cheer have showcased a plethora of talent, competing in both Manchester and Nottingham, as well as performing their routines at different sports matches across campus and at Varsity. On the 10th February, teams Steel, Platinum and Lithium all travelled up to Man-

chester to compete at the Future Cheer UK University Cheerleading Nationals. With team meals and cocktails in Manchester City Centre the night before, it was a hugely successful and enjoyable weekend for Reading Knights, with both Platinum and Lithium coming in fourth place and Steel achieving a brilliant and well-deserved second place. However, it was straight back to training the next day to work on the judge’s comments and prepare for the next competition. On the 24th March, Steel, Platinum, Lithium and Zinc competed in Nottingham’s Motorpoint Arena at the ICC British and University Nationals. With another round of team meals and cocktails, plus a gorgeous stay at a luxurious hotel on the University of Nottingham campus the night before, the cheerleaders were able to relax and prepare for the competition the following day. In the arena, the start of the day gave Reading Knights the chance to watch some of the best cheer teams in the UK and support the Crimson Heat Tigers who also train at the Berkshire Talent Academy. With the university divisions competing in the afternoon, all four teams gave it their everything on the competition floor and after a long day the results were in; Zinc came 6th, Lithium 5th, Platinum 3rd and another fantastic 2nd place for Steel. Whilst the competition teams have been busy competing, performance squad Titanium have been supporting the American Football team by cheering at one of their matches, as well as performing at showcases put on by Reading Knights Cheer to raise money for

Reading Knights at Manchester Central Convention Complex the society. We’ve loved their energetic routine, and performance coach and third year student at the University of Reading, Becky Price, said “They have done amazing this year with learning the routine and stunting. I’m super proud to have been their coach”. With competition season over, there was one final chance for Reading Knights Cheer to showcase their talent. A hugely anticipated event in the University of Reading’s calendar, Varsity sent Titanium, Zinc, Steel, Platinum

Sports

APRIL, 2019

A Summer of Sport: What does 2019 have in store?

MBER

As we (somehow!) find ourselves launching into the start of the summer term, it’s the perfect time to look ahead to the upcoming national sporting events on the horizon. From football to netball, tennis to cricket, swimming to cycling, there’s lots to get excited about as summer approaches. Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor FA Cup Finals The climax of the FA Cup is always exciting and often dramatic; Saturday 18th May will see Manchester City and Watford fight for the trophy, while in the women’s competition, Man City will take on West Ham on Saturday 4th May: both finals will be held at Wembley Stadium. Cricket World Cup Hosted by England and Wales this year, the ICC Cricket World Cup takes place between 30th May and 14th July at venues across the country. Ten nations will compete against each other in a round-robin format. The last final of the four-yearly tournament was won by previous joint-hosts Australia in 2015.

legends of the game – the likes of Federer, Nadal, Williams – face the sport’s young, upcoming stars such as Alexander Zverev and Daria Kasatkina. Tour de France From the 6th to the 28th July, the Tour de France will hit the headlines of the cycling world, as riders cycle 21 day-long stages in an attempt to claim the title after last year’s victor Geraint Thomas, who went on to win the BBC Sports Personality of the Year in 2018. Netball World Cup From the 12th to the 21st July, the Netball World Cup will unfold in Liverpool; sixteen teams from around the world will battle it out for the hottest title in the sport. Organisers of the tournament have

England’s Lionesses will face Scotland, Argentina and Japan in Group D of the women’s FIFA World Cup in France

DEE ISLAM

and Lithium along with other Knights sports teams to Oxford Brookes University to compete and perform their routines one last time. In an attempt to secure a victory for Reading Knights, Steel, Platinum and Lithium competed against Oxford Brookes’ level 1, 2 and 3 teams with Zinc and Titanium performing their routines between each category whilst the judging took place. With all three teams coming in second place, it wasn’t the result they had hoped for. However, Titanium continued

to do Reading Knights proud with their half time performance at a basketball game and a rugby league match. Overall, it’s been a fantastic year for Reading Knights Cheer and if you’re interested in joining Reading Knights Cheerleaders next year, take a look at their page on the RUSU website, follow their Instagram @uorknightscheer or visit them at the next societies fair.

Women’s FIFA World Cup 2019 sees France host the women’s football World Cup, between 7th June and 7th July. England’s ladies will face Scotland, Argentina and Japan in Group D. With a current FIFA ranking of #3, here’s hoping they can improve on their best performance yet, which was third place at the last World Cup in 2015. Wimbledon The best two weeks of tennis in the year, Wimbledon fever always grips the nation for the first fortnight of July. With or without Andy Murray on court, there’s sure to be plenty of action as we witness the

a vision to empower women and promote competitive female sport. England will be looking to follow on from success at the Commonwealth Games, while Australia will be fighting back, having won the three previous World Cup titles. World Aquatics Championships Held every two years, this competition features the disciplines of swimming, diving, synchronised swimming, open water swimming and water polo, and will take place in South Korea between 12th – 28th July 2019.

READING FC WOMEN NARROWLY MISS OUT ON FA CUP FINAL PLACE Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor It couldn’t have been more tense: Reading FC Women suffered a crushing defeat against West Ham in their FA Cup semi-final. The match, on Sunday 14th April, ended with a full-time score of 1-1, Reading having taken the lead just after half time. Extra time saw no more goals, so the teams battled it out in a penalty shoot-out, with Cho So-hyun booking West Ham’s place in the final at Wembley. They’ll face Manchester City Women on 4th May. Meanwhile, it’s a tough loss for Reading Women, who currently sit 6th in the Super League table, one point above their victors at the time of writing.

EVER THOUGHT ABOUT WRITING FOR THE SPORTS SECTION?

Whether you’re a member of a sports team, or you just like to spectate: if you’re interested in sport, you can write for The Spark! We’re always looking to grow the sports section and cover even more amazing activities across campus and beyond. It’s also a great way to promote your society or club and share your passion for sport and exercise. If you think you might be interested, feel free to join our Facebook group The Spark Sport, or email sport@sparknewspaper. co.uk.

Summer BUCS League Table Round-Up Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor The end of the 2019/20 sporting year is approaching: it’s a good time to reflect on how Reading Knights are performing in the BUCS league tables. Currently seated at #48 out of

153 colleges and universities, Reading is performing well. Top of the table are Loughborough, Nottingham and Durham in the #1, #2 and #3 spots. Reading is closely following Kent and Derby

Universities, however both Portsmouth and Plymouth are nipping at our heels, at #49 and #50..

Sports

READING UNIVERSITY BOXING SOCIETY HOSTS FIRST EVER BOXING SHOW

The Boxing Home Show saw amateur debut bouts from Reading’s rising stars, as well as Home Counties Senior Elite Championship bouts, in RUSU’s 3Sixty.

APRIL, 2019 JOSH RODD

Reading Boxers Lewis Parker (left) and Nicholas Sigrist (right) put on a spectacular show FAISAL RUTANSINGWA

Matthew Aamlid (Boxer), Simone Mansi (Boxer), Lewis Parker (Boxer), Thomas Lovell (Boxer), Lee Hancock (Head Coach), Vincent Basham (President, Assistant Coach), Josh Rodd (Vice President), Ademola Odusanya (Boxer), Alfie Hancock (Boxer), Will Annang (Boxer, Assistant Coach).

Historic Boxing Show displays the best local and regional talent in the sport

Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor On Saturday 30th March, a historic sporting event took place in 3Sixty: for the first time ever, Reading University Boxing Society hosted its Boxing Home Show, featuring boxers from both Reading and surrounding universities and gyms in their amateur debuts. This event proudly placed Reading on the map for university boxing and showcased the skills and talents of our upcoming boxing stars. Vincent Basham, President of RUBOX (Reading University Boxing Society), told us more about the fantastic day. “We’ve had the show planned since December, and most boxers started training seriously for their bouts shortly after their return to Reading at the start of the Spring Term. We train our boxers twice a week at the Reading Amateur Boxing & Fitness Gym in Reading town centre, with an additional weekly fitness and technique class at SportsPark, on campus. To supplement all of this, we have cardio training for an hour once a week, with a range of running exercises.” The commitment and passion of RUBOX members was evident as the show unfolded. Vincent told The Spark: “In total, Reading boxers took 4 wins from 10

bouts against very game opponents from both Portsmouth Uni and other local boxing gyms. All competitors brought their best and gave their opponents a tough contest, regardless of their bout outcome.” So why exactly is an event like this so significant for boxing at Reading? Vincent says, “This event was very important for RUBOX,

“The club is ready to step up and make a name for itself within the university boxing circuit.” not only because it provided our boxers with a platform to compete within their own students’ union, but it also helped us build relations with the other university teams who were invited to compete against our boxers. In addition, we were privileged to host six of the Home Counties Senior Elite Championship bouts, which featured some fantastic action from the regions’ best boxers and really helped to put our show on

JOSH RODD

the map.” And it seems RUSU’s 3Sixty was the perfect place to host such a spectacular show. “The support we received from RUSU staff, in addition to the fantastic venue itself, meant we were really able to make the show the best it could be. Details such as the sound, lighting, and a naturally open space to host the ring meant spectators were able to experience boxing and support in a top-tier environment. As the show was in our students’ union, our boxers were easily able to invite supporters from Uni, which created a very pro-Reading crowd and brought out the best in our boxers’ performances. Also, the boxers were treated to the large area of Monterey and Mondial to warm up, a much bigger space than typically available at shows, and crucially not forced to share with their opponents!” Boxing at the University of Reading is going from strength to strength; boxers Thomas Lovell and Will Annang shared their thoughts about the sport with us. Thomas said: “I’m attracted to the sport because, although you need a good, supportive team around you, at the end of the day when it’s all said and done, it’s about you: you’re the one on your own in the ring. You get out what you put in to the sport, and win or lose, it is

because of your efforts in and out of the gym.” Similarly, Will commented: “The discipline, hardcore fitness and self-development are the key things which attract me to boxing. Since it is a lone sport, all the pressure, responsibility and drive is down to me. The sport has really made me an independent person.” And it appears boxing will to continue to grow and flourish at Reading: President Vincent remarks “Alongside our ever-increasing roster of competitive boxers, we are now being invited to take part

in competitions at other universities, for example, we have four of our boxers representing the team at the University Box-Cup in Birmingham at the end of April, each with a very strong chance of finishing with a medal. With a solid competitive squad ready to take the club to new heights, and a steady influx of members every year, the club is ready to step up and make a name for itself within the university boxing circuit. Who knows, maybe next year we will be challenging Oxford Brookes in the 2020 Varsity?”

The 5 hottest sports to try this summer! Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor

1 2 3 4 5

Frisbee Cheap, fun and easy to pick up and play, a spot of Frisbee on the field with mates is a sure-fire winner for those warm evenings. Rounders Likewise, rounders is inclusive and a laugh for everyone, with minimal equipment needed and pretty basic rules – the perfect squad afternoon, before hitting Park Bar. Tennis With both outdoor and indoor courts available, why not book a slot and challenge someone to a match? Swimming Cool off with a dip in the pool: swimming is a fantastic way to exercise throughout the summer months. Surfing If you’re fancying something exotic, why not take a trip to the beach and whip out those surfing skills! And the best bit – there are societies for all five of these sports at the University of Reading! Check out the RUSU website for more information on taking part: https://www.rusu.co.uk/student-activities/sports/reading-knights/

VA LID ON M E DI U M OR L ARG E P I Z Z A O N LY

EVERY SINGLE DAY

DONâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;T FORGET THE CODE! WWW.DOMINOS.CO.UK

JUST USE CODE:

PIZZA241 AT THE CHECKOUT

64 CHRISTCHURCH ROAD READING, RG2 7AZ /DominosPizza

@Dominos_UK

0118 975 8889 StudentsOfDominos

Click

Tap the app

*Buy one get one free on medium & large pizza only. Valid online only. Free pizza must be equal or lesser value than the first. Not valid with any other offer. Offer can be withdrawn without notice. Available in participating stores only. Student ID required.

Sports

APRIL , 2019

Varsity 2019: What Went Down This year, Reading University brought an incredible atmosphere to Oxford Brookes that was like no other. Spectators were unbelievably supportive, with many students travelling up to Oxford to watch their friends play in various matches across different locations, such as Oxford Sports Lawn Tennis Club, Oxford Rugby Club, and primarily Oxford Brookes’ Headington Campus.

ROB VENTIN Holly Fournier | 2nd Year English Language Despite losing this year’s Varsity tournament overall, with a scoreline of 37.5 - 17.5, the past two years have seen fantastic wins for Reading. Ali Perry, RUSU’s Activities Officer, said “This year, Brookes definitely looked strong across the board, but our Knights teams didn’t go down without a fight. It was a beautiful day for Varsity, where captains, players and spectators alike made the trip up to Oxford for a packed day, with 55 matches in total. We put in a val-

iant effort and I’m really proud of all our teams, with a special shoutout to the 16 of them that won and the three teams that drew. Our tro-

“We put in a valiant effort and I’m really proud of all our teams” - RUSU Activities Officer Ali Perry phy cabinet is looking a little empty, but don’t forget: 2020, homeground, we’ll get them next year!” Well done to everyone who participated in Varsity this year, and thank you to everyone who supported Reading Knights!

Knights Archers Host National Competition Imogen Sullivan-Bell | MSc Psychology Conversion For the first time, on the 31st March 2019, Reading Knights Archers hosted the 17th annual British University Team Championships (BUTC) - one of the biggest events on the university archery calendar - attracting 96 student archers from 25 universities. Known for its unique hit-or-miss format, BUTC pits teams of three archers against ranked opponents in head-to-head knockout rounds, shooting 6cm discs from 18 metres away; the winning team from each match progresses until podium spots are decided in spectacular semi-final and final rounds. What really sets BUTC apart, however, is the atmosphere. As teams were knocked out, the crowd of cheering and heckling spectators grew; regional league universities banded together to bring roaring chants of support with flags and signs as the stakes got higher each round, with members of the public even being drawn in by the noise! The Reading A team shot remarkably well, beating Plymouth B to become the first Knights team since 2016 to advance to the second round, before being knocked out by eventual silver medallists Loughborough. Reading B achieved hits by all team members but were knocked out in the first round by a strong Oxford A team. After a series of thrilling medal matches, Warwick A beat Loughborough to win gold, with Plymouth A narrowly taking

MALCOLM REES

Regional league universities banded together to bring roaring chants of support with flags and signs, as the stakes got higher each round

CHRISTOPHER VINEY bronze from last year’s hosts Birmingham. More than 30 Reading students helped with the months of planning and on the day itself, resulting in the event being an incredible success, and special thanks being given to Knights Archers 2018/19 President Emma Brand by the impressed

team of BUTC organisers. For a full review of the day, visit www.uksaa. com/BUTC, and if getting involved in archery takes your fancy head to the Knights Archers Facebook page and drop us a message at www. facebook.com/KnightsArchersPage, or see our RUSU page at www.rusu. com/KnightsArchers!

Fogle, he rowed across the Atlantic Ocean to raise money for Children In Need in 2005-6, and has since competed in the South Pole race, the European Triathlon Championships, and the New York Marathon, and was one of the fastest celebrities to run the 2012 London Marathon. He’s also endured life-threatening injury following a cycling incident

in 2010 which damaged the frontal lobe of his brain, leaving him with epilepsy and affected personality. The 2019 boat race, held on Sunday 7th April, was the 165th men’s race and the 74th women’s; Cambridge dominated both events, with a clean sweep in this year’s series over Oxford.

James Cracknell, former University of Reading student, rows for Cambridge in The Boat Race The UoR alumnus was part of the winning Cambridge team, aged 46 Jasmine Davis | Sports Editor One of the fiercest head-to-head battles in sport, The Oxford and Cambridge Boat Race is a historic tradition and a national occasion. While the race always hits the headlines, there was something unique about this year’s event – or rather, someone. James Cracknell OBE, double-Olympic gold medal-winning rower and six-time World Champion, returned to the waters as a

Cracknell graduated with a BSc degree in Human Geography from the University of Reading in 1993 member of the victorious Cambridge team. Aged 46, Cracknell is currently studying for a MPhil

degree in Human Evolution at Cambridge University. However, he previously studied right here at the University of Reading, graduating with a BSc degree in Human Geography in 1993. Cracknell is the oldest and most decorated rower to ever compete in the event. However, Cracknell has constantly pushed himself to the max, undertaking demanding physical feats. Alongside Ben