Vol 65 - Issue 2 - 2014

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Friday 7 February 2014 Volume 65

Issue

Exclusive: Wells Hall site sold What’s Inside?

Katrina Hordern

The University campus is always home to a number of redevelopments to improve facilities and add services for its staff and students.

Wells Hall, located on Upper Redlands Road and adjacent to Wantage Halls was once a thriving University halls of residence.

Built in 1974, Wells Hall contains 300 study bedrooms and an onsite warden’s accommodation. It closed in 2006 when it was deemed not fit for purpose and the University has decided that since the development of a number of new halls has been progressing, the land is no longer required and the property will be sold with planning permission, granted in February 2013, to a developer.

A statement sourced from the community engagement section of the University website notes “The proposals involve the demolition of the five-storey structure and the redevelopment of the site with 34 family homes in an attractive landscape setting with open spaces and mature trees.” A University spokesperson confirmed this (Monday 3 February) stating: “The University is currently negotiating the sale of the Wells Hall site to a developer. The planning consent for the site grants permission for the demolition of the existing buildings and construction of 34 houses.” After speaking with the University on Thursday 7 February, it has now been announced that the site has

been sold to a developer and will take ownership from Friday 28 March.

Within the development, the ecology has been investigated and efforts are in place to protect the conservation of the land on which Wells is built. There are some specimen trees which are to be maintained on the site, but also some roosting Pipistrelle bats and a low population of slow worms, measures will be put in place to protect these species whilst work is underway.

Compromises with residents living in Caduagn place have altered the plans slightly because some of the houses may have overlooked these existing houses because of the slope of the land. The University’s engagement with the local community has provided the local residents with the opportunity to have their opinions heard throughout the process of the developers design and now that the University is selling the property, development for residential houses should begin promptly.

The other redevelopment is Bridges Hall which was granted planning consent in April 2012.

With the works fully underway and a site visit by the Construction Society last term, the newer and more modern halls is on schedule to open for the 2014/15 academic year. The old Bridges Hall was named after a late Chancellor of the University of Reading, Edward Ettingdene Bridges. Construction of this building began in1964/5 and the first students

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moved in during the academic year of 1966/7. With the closure of the old halls in 2010 the company UPP, who are involved in managing the halls, are continuing to rebuild and keep halls on campus and the new Bridges Halls fits into their plans.

Dave Tanner the Assistant Director of Business Programmes & Standards at UPP has explained that the halls development has also benefited construction students during the summer. He said: “UPP took on interns from the University of Reading for 8 weeks work experience. Two students were working on other projects within the Brookfield Multiplex business, whilst the other two were working with UPP. They were given specific tasks including completing level surveys for external services, reviewing QA, managing small areas of works

and learning how a project is run while gaining valuable experience.”

Tanner added: “We have since employed three graduates from the University of Reading who are working here on the new development. They have all been given different trades to manage to further their knowledge within different aspects of construction. We plan to involve them in all aspects of the build to allow them to gain as much experience of different trades within the site from painting to external ground works.”

The news halls at Bridges will provide an additional 649 study bedrooms and includes a mix of premium en-suite rooms, townhouse style rooms, and a new category of rooms with shared bathrooms.

NUS back ‘Stop the student loan sell-off’ week David Tilbury

The ‘Students’ Assembly Against Austerity’, an “initiative” of the broadly left wing ‘People’s Assembly Against Austerity’, planned a “national week of action” starting Monday 3 February, focussed on protesting an anticipated “great student loan giveaway” of student loans sold to third parties.

The NUS NEC officially endorsed the Week of Action resolving to “support and promote” the campaign SAAA has cited the selling of £890 million of pre-1998 student loans to ‘Erudio Student Loans’ as proof of

future intent to outsource the work of the Student Loans Company to for-profit third parties.

The week plans to conclude with a protest outside the Department of Business, Innovation and Skills on Friday 7 February.

The NUS Executive Committee (elected at the yearly NUS Conference) officially endorsed the National Week of Action during an NEC meeting held on January 23, resolving to “support and promote the national week of action to stop the privatisation of student debt.

Marienna Pope-Weidemann, SOAS student and spokesperson for the Student Assembly Against Austerity wrote in a press release on January 31, “this is a direct attack on public education: handing over the tuition fees they said they needed to fund education, into the hands of private corporations. The sell

off will add to the financial burden of millions of graduates already struggling to make ends meet. Exploitation and privatisation is the face of austerity on campus - which the student wing of the People’s Assembly is building a movement to resist”.

Several students unions have officially endorsed the campaign and organised events In response to the NUS NEC call for a nationwide movement against student loan privatisation, several student unions have organised associated events including Cambridge University Students’ Union, The University of Sussex Students’

Union and The University of Bath Students’ Union. These unions have officially either endorsed or aligned with the SAAA campaign and lobbied their local MPs and put on events in opposition to the privatisation of student loans.

When questioned by Spark* on the stance that RUSU is taking on the privatisation of student debt and why RUSU have decided not to organise any action, RUSU President Mark Kelleher replied (on Wednesday 5) that “Reading University Students’ Union is extremely conscious of the fact that debt is an enormous burden for so many students. RUSU is here to help students at the University of Reading manage their debt and last term the RUSU Advice Service saved Reading students £69,328.”

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National Student Survey More students begin to challenge marks Daniel Mitchell

The National Student Survey (NSS) has now been launched and the University are encouraging as many students as possible to fill in the survey.

The NSS has been conducted since 2005 and asks undergraduates in the final year of their course to provide feedback. For students, the NSS is an opportunity to give an opinion on what has been enjoyable and what could have been improved on respective courses.

The survey asks twenty-three core questions that relate to six key aspects of the student learning experience and overall satisfaction with the University and Students’ Union.

An opportunity for students to give an opinion on what has been enjoyable and what could have been improved All Universities rely on the results of the NSS as it gives an insight into the student experience. The results are also published publicly on Unistats to help prospective students make informed decisions about where and what to study, and are used to inform many national league tables.

Last year 69% of students filled the NSS in, but the University are keen to beat that this year. They are keen for a higher completion rate because this ensures a more rounded picture of how students have found their time at Reading.

The University are offering all final year students who complete the NSS a free drink voucher - for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a cold non-alcoholic drink In 2012/2013, the University scored an overall satisfaction of 89%, which was above the sector average and was also an improvement on the previous year.

The University are offering all final year students who complete the NSS a free drink voucher – for coffee, tea, hot chocolate or a cold nonalcoholic drink - from Cafe Mondial in RUSU to keep students going as they study.

Students who wish to complete the survey and redeem their free drink should visit: www.thestudentsurvey.com

Emily King

The increase of tuition fees to £9,000 has subsequently increased the amount of students appealing against the marks that have been given to them by their lecturers.

It has been reported that many of these students have used legal representation to back their appeals or have demanded money as compensation. The news of this mark disputing amongst students has come from several delegates at a Westminster Higher Education Forum.

Students have used legal representation to back their appeals and have demanded money as compensation Robin Dutton, one of several who are a part of this Forum, stated that he now sees academic assessment as a ‘danger area’ due to the increase in appeals submitted by students in the new era of tuition fees. Mr Dutton goes on to the say that he thinks this kind of appeal is happening throughout universities in the UK and not just at his own university, University College Birmingham.

According to Mr Dutton: “more students have also been threatening to publicise their grievances, naming staff members” which has led to confidentiality clauses hav-

ing to be built into complaint procedures.

Communicating with someone from a legal background “makes the complaint process more complex and students do not always get the best deal” Other members of this forum have also come forward to give their statements on this matter. Ross Renton, Dean of students at the University of Hertfordshire, came forward to say that students were also: “seeking third-party help, rather than just going to their lecturers to complain.” This often seems to be someone who has come from a legal background.

He stated that this made the complaint process more complex and that students do not always get the best deal out of it.

Academic officials like Karen Stephenson, a partner in the education team at Weightmans, have even gone so far as to say that some students have used academic appeals as a way of getting out of paying their tuition fees.

She also added that the increasingly litigious nature of student complaints reflected the move towards a “transactional relationship” between students and their

Universities and concluded that: “Academics are no longer able to have informal conversations [with students] in corridors [about work] – you need to schedule meetings and make file notes” and this was also affecting the rapport between academics and students.

When University of Reading students, who pay £9,000 tuition fees, were asked whether they thought that because they pay higher tuition fees they have more right to appeal against the marks they have been given, their opinions swung two ways.

Ursula Davis stated that she definitely thinks that students in the new era of tuition fees have more right to appeal and said that: “if anything it is more of an incentive to, we are determined to get what we think we deserve out of our tuition fees.”

“Students in the new era of tuition fees have more right to appeal” Whereas other students like, Alex Webb and Maddy Wilson disagree.

Alex stated: “No, it doesn’t give us a right, otherwise we’re basically ‘buying’ our degrees.” And Maddy agreed by saying: “No, I think that’s quite a bizarre way of viewing your degree. We’re paying for the resources, not for the degree. We pay for the degree in hardwork.”

Vice-Chancellor warns Education Secretary Art students exhibition Daniel Mitchell

This week has seen Sir David Bell, Vice-Chancellor of the University of Reading, publicly disagree with the Education Secretary, Michael Gove about his latest comments.

Michael Gove believes that state schools in England should be more like private schools Michael Gove announced that he believes that state schools in England should be more like private schools and the row over the replacement of the Ofsted chair.

Mr Gove described how he would like to see the barriers between state and independent sectors broken down, which could lead to state pupils taking the private school entrance exams with the state schools also staying open longer. He concluded that: “the dominant consensus has been that state education in England [has been] barely satisfactory” for decades.

As well as this, Mr Gove has also recently decided not to renew Baroness Morgan’s term in office as Ofsted chair because although he felt that she had “done a fantastic job”,

he believed that the role needed “a fresh perspective”. This has led to Baroness Morgan suggesting that this is a “determined effort from Number 10” to appoint more Tories and she has been a victim in this.

However Sir David Bell, previous Permanent Secretary at the British Department for Education and former Chief Inspector of Schools for Ofsted, disagrees with Gove’s actions and beliefs Writing for the academic website The Conversation, Sir David Bell says that “[Gove should] not believe his own hype or surround himself with yes men”. His comments come in light of a broader argument where he argues that the Education Secretary needs to listen to advice from across the education sector about how best to reform schools.

Sir David Bell said that Gove should “not believe his own hype” In his article, Sir David states that: “The day-to-day grind of policy battles, firefighting and political dingdong can start to cut you off from outside ideas and thinking.”

“The row over Ofsted’s leadership shows the importance of retaining, and being seen to retain, indepen-

dent voices near the top – not simply “yes men”.”

Sir David suggests that Mr Gove should not dismiss all critics of his education policy but should engage with those offering an “intelligent critique”, without doing so he warns the Education Secretary of becoming isolated by listening only to supporters.

“The row over Ofsted’s leadership shows the importance of retaining and being seen to retain independent voices near the top” However, Gove defends his comments regarding the schools by arguing that he wants to push state schools further so that state and private schools could become indistinguishable from each other.

He suggests that if schools were to open for longer then this would allow more time for after-school activities as well as providing a place for children to do their homework.

Sir David wants Mr Gove to take his constructive criticism on board and reiterates that he should listen to the education experts.

Melanie Khuddro

The work of nine art students from the University of Reading was put on display at their very own public exhibition last week.

The show was entitled ‘Next to Nothing’ and featured contemporary pieces from the students that were designed to make a statement about everyday life.

The work was designed to make a statement about everyday life The exhibition was hosted by OpenHand OpenSpace and ran with free entry to the public, from Wednesday 22 January to Saturday 26 January, with a private viewing held on the Friday.

The show took place in a studio at The Keep on Oxford Road, an old military keep that has been used as an art studio since the 1980’s.

The Keep has seen the works of 1996 Turner Prize award-winner Douglas Gordon displayed in its gallery, amongst other notable artists and there had been a lot of anticipation running up to the event.

Before the launch, Lucy Hatch, studying in her final year for a BA in Art and Philosophy, said: “We are very excited about our exhibition.”

“Sometimes you can feel like you’re in a bubble at university and this is a chance for us to get out of the department and show our work to the outside world.”

The company’s administrator who hosted the display, Neile Wright, also commented saying: “I think the students’ exhibition is a great idea and a very exciting addition to our programme of events.”

OpenHand OpenSpace is an artistled centre in Reading that fosters excellence in contemporary art and provides affordable studio and exhibition space for artists.

The four-day exhibition proved to be such a success that OpenHand OpenSpace publicly congratulated the students the following Sunday for their “excellent exhibition of contemporary art”.

The students were congratulated for their excellent exhibition of contemporary art The students who composed the event were Dan Coogan, Lucy Hatch, Ro McCarthy, Faye Nelson, Bethany Oram, Hannah Purvey Tyrer, Jamie Sorensen, Olivia Stagg and Will Wilford.

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Art students help to refurbish children’s audiology ward Editor’s Picks Georgie Saunders

The Art Department here at the University of Reading has been getting involved in a planned community project between eight Fine Art students and the Child’s Audiology department at the Royal Berkshire Hospital.

In order to make the room more exciting it is being transformed into ‘The Garden of Earden’ The students working on the project are: Emma Wise, Kassie Headon, Charlotte Napier, Katie Wood, Katherine Nolan, Kelly Alcantara and Suzie Murray.

The project involves adding a splash of colour to the waiting room which certainly was not looking its best; dull, boring and definitely not a place where children want to be, let alone children with hearing problems who visit the waiting room on a regular basis.

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In order to make the room a more exciting place to be for the patients, it is being transformed into ‘The Garden of Earden’. Plans involve a crazy grass green floor, red toadstool chairs, a blue pond table, patterns to cover the plain windows, bendy mirrors and a custom made, interactive light installation to name a few.

So far, the budding artists have already installed two of their proposed murals and began the furniture revamp, painting and light installation.

The budding artists have already installed two murals and begun the furniture revamp However, after great progress they have come to a standstill on funding and are hoping that the Reading community can be of assistance to help them complete their project in the Audiology ward.

A crazy, fun, grass effect flooring has been found which would really tie the whole room together as a magical garden space that will bring together the artwork the students have already done, and are continuing to do.

However, this may not be possible due to the lack of funds and on their kickstarter page the project states that: “our current budget just won’t allow for us to install this at the waiting room, which is

why we are asking for your much needed help!” £1,702 has been raised so far but work will come to a standstill if the continuation of kind donations stops.

To find out more information on this project, the difference the revamp has made and how to donate, go to their page: www.kickstarter. com/projects/garden-of-earden or contact the University Art Department.

Zoology Society visit Marwell MERL receives £175,000 grant April Minnie-Potterton

A visit to Marwell Wildlife Zoo is a chance for anyone keen on animals to get up and close with the wonders of the natural world, however this was not the only thing that encouraged Reading University’s Zoology Society to take a trip in January.

Marwell are also a zoo dedicated to the conservation of wildlife, and it was this focus on conservation, as well as the rare species on offer, that made the trip to Winchester a must for the Zoology Society.

The ZooSoc have made a contribution to Marwell’s projects which aim to conserve species and habitats The Zoology Society were greeted with penguins and capybara as well as a wealth of other cute critters.

It was a truly enjoyable experience for all those who went, with the highlights being listed as watching an amur leopard at feeding time as

well as their social secretary getting up close and personal with a giraffe.

The snow leopards and red pandas were a few of the favourites amongst the Zoology students, to name a few, and even the weather held out. The rain only starting once Zoology Society were safely on the coach and on their way home.

A trip to Marwell Wildlife is thoroughly recommended for any animal lover, as the 140-acre park is home to over 170 endangered and exotic species, all homed in beautiful and serene surroundings. A handful of their most impressive features being their African Valley, with roaming giraffe and zebra, their penguin cove and their walkthrough aviary with a massive selection of exotic birds.

An added bonus is that just by visiting Marwell Wildlife, the Zoology Society have made a contribution to Marwell’s projects which aim to conserve species and habitats, both in Hampshire and around the world. A fantastic trip, and a worthwhile cause.

Katrina Hordern

The University owned Museum of English Rural Life has been awarded a grant of £175,000 from the Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) and the Wolfson Foundation.

The museum hosts an extensive collection relating to the history of agriculture and farming in England.

The museum will make some of its hidden possessions available for the public to view With this new funding from the Wolfson Foundation and DCMS, the museum will now be able to make some of its hidden possessions available for viewing by the public.

These items are currently only on display for those visitors on guided tours but once played in new display cases, every visitor to the Museum will be able to discover them.

These hidden objects include traditional crafts from our rural past, including some interesting Women’s Land Army material.

The DCMS/Wolfson Museums and Galleries Improvement Fund have awarded 40 grants to museums across the country in order to provide the means to improve and renovate their individual projects.

The grant provided at the Museum of English Rural Life here at the University of Reading should complement the current Heritage Lottery Funded project “Our Country Lives”. This aims to transform the museum, its layout and importantly change how visitors inter-

pret the displays of England’s rural past so they develop more of an understanding of how people lived.

The Wolfson Foundation is a charity that aims to support excellence, generally through the funding of capital infrastructure in the fields of science and medicine, health, education and the arts & humanities.

To date, nearly £40 million has been allocated for the refurbishment of museum and gallery spaces through this partnership of the DCMS and the Wolfson Foundation.

MERL Curator, Isabel Hughes, said: “This grant will transform the public’s access to collections never previously displayed. This will help us create a more relevant museum which our modern, urban audiences can relate to more easily.”

The £175,000 grant will complement the current Heritage Lottery Funded project “Our Country Lives” Kate Arnold-Forster, Director of MERL, added: “This is a very exciting time for MERL, the University of Reading and our visitors and we are very grateful for the support of the DCMS/Wolfson Foundation.”

The Museum of English Rural Life currently hosts activities throughout the year. There are various research seminars, group tours can be provided, there are opportunities to volunteer, and the museum also contains the MERL library, archives and special collections for the public (including University of Reading students) to access for free within the building’s reading room.

Reading is the number one place in the UK for employment, according to the Centre for Cities report.

The report shows that the percentage of people employed in the town increased 1.8% in 2013, which puts the employment rate at a remarkable 78.1% overall.

The town also came second to London when judged on average weekly earnings and ranked fifth for the amount of business start ups.

Nigel Horton-Baker, executive director for Reading UK CIC, the economic development company for the town, said: “The Centre for Cities report is a useful indicator of Reading’s strong economic performance in recent years. Reading exhibits consistent growth, year on year, and this report amply demonstrates why the combination of a highly-qualified workforce, strong labour market and an earning potential which is closing the gap on London makes Reading a good choice of strategic location for businesses and employees alike.”

UCU strikes again

The University and College Union has announced that it will be instructing members to take part in more strikes that will affect the students at the University.

The UCU has instructed members to take part in three 2-hour strikes and these have and will be taking place on Thursday 23 January 11am-1pm, Tuesday 28 January 2pm-4pm and Monday 10 February 9am-11am.

This action relates to the ongoing dispute regarding the 2013 pay award, which was paid “on account” with December salaries.

Hopefully Universities and the UCU will be able to come to a mutual agreement so that the action does not continue to disrupt students learning and the University schedule.

Uni into Community RUSU have been encouraging students to take part in student volunteering and their campaign ‘Uni into community’ aims to recognise that students are valuable members of the community.

Throughout the autumn term, 400 volunteers completed more than 2000 hours of volunteering.

This year’s Raising and Giving (RAG) committee have already raised £6000 for their chosen charities. Their Chair, Sophie Dalton, echoed the thoughts of many student volunteers: “Seeing the benefits to people’s lives really grabs you and makes you appreciate the smaller things in life you once took for granted.”

Other student volunteering projects that contributed to the total included: tea parties, Christmas festivities, helping children with their homework and much, much more.

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‘Improving your employability’ Katy Ashford

With the media full of stories about high unemployment and a lack of graduate jobs, it is no wonder students feel stressed about finding a job. RUSU aims to help provide you with the skills and confidence you need for the job market. On the 17th and 18th February RUSU are hosting an ‘Improving Your Employability’ campaign.

On Monday 17 February, the campaign will focus on the application process for jobs, particularly graduate schemes. Job applications commonly include online testing in the form of numerical reasoning, verbal reasoning and competency questions.

Students have to be ahead of the game when it comes to employability and RUSU hope this campaign will provide this opportunity These tests are more commonly than not used by recruiters to filter applicants, and practicing these tests is the only way to gain an insight into what to expect. So, at 11.00am we will be holding a workshop to practice these tests, improve your skills and receive feedback on how to improve your weaker areas. At

2.00pm we are also offering you the chance to come and practice two instruments which will help identify your personality strengths and how you work in a team – perfect for CV writing and interviews!

On Tuesday 18 February Intern Aware will be on campus, a charity which lobbies for fair and paid internships. RUSU believes Intern Aware’s campaign is incredibly important as unpaid internships exclude many talented students who just cannot afford to work for free. At 1.00pm Chris Hares from Intern Aware will run a workshop on student’s rights regarding internships.

Lastly, at 7.00pm we will be holding ‘The Big Q: Is a Degree Enough?’ This is a chance for you to both network with employers and find out about potential jobs.

But also to hear a panel of industry professionals have their say on what they think makes a good internship and whether just having a degree is enough to stay afloat in the 21st century job market.

It is increasingly important for students to be ahead of the game when it comes to employability and we hope this campaign will provide you an opportunity to do this.

For more information and to sign up to these events visit: www.rusu.co.uk/campaigns/improvingyouremployability/

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

Go green week: 10-14 February Tom Yearley

The 2014 Go Green Week will run between 10th and 14th February.

The University and RUSU have combined efforts to bring a week crammed with over 20 events, the most that this week has ever had.

With so many events, there will be something available for everyone.

The University and RUSU have combined efforts to bring a week crammed with over 20 events Whether you want to find out more about careers in the growing sustainability sector on Wednesday in the Sustainability Careers Workshop; test your entrepreneurial skills in the RU an Entrepreneur competition or watch the VC and Student President get their hands dirty recycling waste.

During the week, there will also be a competition to design an energy saving monitor for the Chemistry Building. The winning entry will receive £100 Oracle vouchers. Visit www.rdg.ac.uk/cleanandgreen/ greenweek for more information.

The week starts with an introduction to the Environment and Ethics Officer in RUSU between 1300 – 1500 on Monday. In the evening, the launch of the RU an Entrepreneur competition will take place

in the Thet Wing Aung Boardroom (RUSU) between 6.00 pm–7.30 pm.

Here potential entrepreneurs will be introduced to the competition run throughout Green Week. The idea is to take a social problem, such as waste, and find a social enterprise solution. The aim is to turn a problem to profit in a socially beneficial way.

On Tuesday, there is the opportunity to cheer on the Vice Chancellor and RUSU President as they battle to divert waste from Landfill. In the Palmer foyer between 1250 – 1330 join us for some cake as the competition begins. Last year the VC won.

RUSU will be hoping to prove that they are best at recycling this year.

The Sustainability Fayre will follow this event.

The Vice Chancellor and RUSU President will battle to divert waste from Landfill Wednesday sees the Green Careers workshop on campus. This is an opportunity to find out more about life after university from recent graduates working in the sustainability sector. There are graduates in construction, architecture and retail in addition to post graduate students. They will share their experiences and give some insight into this growth sector. After the workshop, the Frugal Fayre will be

in 3Sixty between 1200 – 1500. This event will let student receive tips and ideas for making your money stretch further.

Go green week also offers students to have your bike checked for free, meet graduates who will give insight into this sector and the chance to receive money saving tips Also during the week, take the chance to have your bike checked for free with Dr Bike. He will be available outside Eat at London Road on Monday between 1200 – 1400 and again outside Palmer on Wednesday between 1200 – 1400.

The week will close with a Love your campus litter pick on Valentine’s Day. Everyone who takes part will be offered a free hot drink to help get that extra bag of litter!

For more information about activities during the week and to see the most up to date list of events, please visit www.rdg.ac.uk/cleanandgreen/greenweek.

The timetable of events for Go green week can be found below:

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So-long soggy summers Facebook compared to ‘infectious disease’ Daniel Mitchell

Scientists at the University of Reading have suggested that soggy summers could soon be a thing of the past, according to research published in this month’s edition of the journal Nature Geoscience.

Recent studies have suggested that one of the major warm currents in the North Atlantic, the Atlantic meridonal overturning circulation, has shown that it has slowed down by up to fifteen per-cent in the last ten years. These findings could mean that this will lead to cooler and drier British summers in the future.

Scientists suggest soggy summers could be a thing of the past according to research published in the journal Nature Geoscience While the studies show that temperatures in the UK and Europe will fall, the change would occur over many years.

Dr Jon Robson, of the University’s National Centre for Atmospheric Science (NCAS), who led the study, said: “Our findings suggest there could be a relative cooling of the North Atlantic sooner rather than later, perhaps over the next decade

or so. In Britain we could see a return to drier summers, although it could also lead to more droughts in parts of Europe and Africa. However, there’s quite a bit of uncertainty about how fast these changes might happen, and other influences – such as sea ice and greenhouse gases – are also important.”

However, parts of Britain had the wettest January on record Professor Rowan Sutton, research director of NCAS and a co-author of the research, said: “Those of us who spend our summer holidays in Britain would welcome a move away from a recent succession of soggy summers. But this research certainly isn’t a forecast for summer 2014, or any other year. However, it could suggest a trend towards drier summers in the United Kingdom. These changes to the UK climate would occur on top of a longer-term man-made global warming trend.”

However, before the potential brighter and drier summers there could be more rain on the way with Met Office figures showing parts of Britain have had the wettest January on record and that this could be set to continue over the next few months.

Abbie Weaving

Facebook will lose 80% of its users between 2015 and 2017, according to new research carried out by Princeton University, USA. Many have remarked that we are addicted to social networking sites but new reports suggests that we could be infected.

Indeed, Princeton University has compared Facebook’s popularity to that of an infectious disease, claiming that as it reaches its peak popularity, infected users will abandon the site in order to recover.

According to the research published at Princeton it uses: “epidemiological models to explain user adoption and abandonment of online social networks, where adoption is analogous to infection and abandonment is analogous to recovery”.

Facebook will lose 80% of its users between 2015 and 2017 In addition it notes that: “ideas, like diseases, have been shown to spread infectiously between people before eventually dying out, and have been successfully described with epidemiological models”.

Although it may seem extreme to compare social networking activity to an infectious disease, the paper highlights that this correlation has

Spark* weather forecast:

been seen before with sites such as MySpace.

Facebook currently serves 1.2 billion users By examining the rise and fall of MySpace’s user population with the SIR (Susceptible, Infectious and Recovered) model for infectious diseases, the similarities could not be clearer.

The graphs demonstrate that social networking, like an infection, experiences rapid growth before reaching its peak and plummeting.

Coupled with growing interest in sites such as Instagram and Twitter, Facebook’s popularity is only thought to last a few more years.

Unlike MySpace, however, which held 100 million users at its peak, Facebook currently serves 1.2 billion users.

Princeton University believes this figure represents Facebook’s peak because numbers of people typing ‘Facebook’ into Google have recently declined.

However, many now use Facebook’s mobile app and the Internet is inundated with Facebook-related links. Accessing the site, therefore, no longer relies on Google searches alone.

Although the paper has not yet been peer-reviewed by fellow researchers, Facebook was nevertheless quick to launch an attack.

Mike Develin, Data Scientist at Facebook, posted an equally scathing report on the site, entitled ‘Debunking Princeton’. It states: “In keeping with the scientific principle correlation equals causation, our research unequivocally demonstrated that Princeton may be in danger of disappearing entirely.”

“Some methods of analysis lead to some crazy conclusions” Mike Develin added that the number of likes Princeton University has received on Facebook, Google searches, and mentions of the institution in Google Scholar, “have been declining for the last several years...While we are concerned for Princeton University, we are even more concerned about the fate of the planet — Google Trends for ‘air’ have also been declining steadily and our projections show that by the year 2060 there will be no air left.”

Develin finally notes in good humour: “We don’t really think Princeton or the world’s air supply is going anywhere soon. We love Princeton (and air),” before inviting people to remember that, “not all research is created equal – and some methods of analysis lead to pretty crazy conclusions.”

What is happening to the weather?

Friday 7-Sunday 9

Weather watcher

SaBrina Lee

The UK has received storm after storm this winter, and this week is no exception.

Overnight the 4th and into the 5th saw yet another storm, with two more expected this week, one Thursday night into the early hours of Friday morning and another on

Saturday which is likely to be the most intense.

Three storms in one week all bring heavy rains and strong winds That makes three storms in one week, all bringing heavy rains and

strong wind gusts.

The most intense weather conditions are most likely to be found in coastal and more southern regions, but do take care in Reading as localised flooding and strong winds are expected.

You have probably been thinking what has happened to the weather in recent months?

It is true that our extreme stormy winter has been very unusual, even disappointing when temperatures were too mild for a picturesque white Christmas.

We have been on the frontline to incoming low pressure systems steered off the Atlantic by a strong jet stream.

These systems have not only brought high winds and copious amounts of rainfall, but storm surges which have coincided with high tides, leading to a large proportion of the British coastline under red alert from coastal flooding.

Taking an overview of January as a whole, it has been the fifth wettest January ever, with parts of Central and Southern England receiving an average of 175.2mm of rain.

That’s double the monthly average rainfall. It comes with no surprise that our rivers and streams are at breaking point and for places like Somerset, flooding has become a reality as 25 square miles of land is already underwater.

The prospects of a drier February have been spoiled once again as more storms are being whipped up again in the Atlantic. It seems Mother Nature has her own plans.

6 COMMENT

Friday 7 February 2013 Spark*

comment.spark@reading.ac.uk

comment Parents should encourage children to take control of their own lives Clare Yacyshyn

While I do believe that adults should exercise control over their young child’s life, I think that an adult must encourage their child to grow into an independent and self sufficient being. Parents play a crucial role in forming their child’s values, and greatly influence the decisions they will make later in life. This early influence that parents have is natural and justifiable, but as the child gets older, parents should encourage their child to become independent and

develop their own values and opinions. Parents should utilize this early control in order to provide their children with the tools necessary to help them become confident adults. Thus, at some point the parent’s role must shift from governor to advisor.

As the child gets older and is able to make their own decisions, a line must be drawn.

While it is alright for a parent to choose their child’s school, I would argue that it would certainly NOT be right for them to choose their child’s university or future career.

University life and your twenties in general are considered by most as a very exciting time for exploration, experimentation and personal growth. All parents have experienced being in their twenties, and all the craziness, confusion, and new experiences that these years involve.

Since they likely carved out their lives during this time, I believe that they should encourage their children to do the same.

During this time teens will usually be making all kinds of “mistakes” and test out dif-

ferent kinds of identities until they find one that suits them.

Parents don’t want their children to get hurt or make the same mistakes that they made, and will try to help them avoid making these mistakes.

However, these mistakes are actually crucial because they allow us to experiment with our creativity and have a bit of fun. Since adolescence and your twenties is the only time in your life when you are truly unattached, you should be given a little license to have some fun.

The fine details of when

and how parents are involved in making decisions in their child’s life should be resolved through conversation between the parent and child. Overall, these are exciting times, when a young adult will desire their own freedom, but will look to their parents for advice on the important parts of life, and love their parents just as much as they did when they were a child. It can be a liberating experience for both parent and child when a parent loosens the reigns on their child, and watches as their child blossoms into adulthood.

go people can be seen with their mobile phones. If we replace phones with cigarettes, alcohol or chocolate, people would be quickly branded as addicts. But when everyone has the same habit we ignore it.

People often question the unusual and accept the status quo, but at what point do we reflect on ourselves and realise there is a problem here?

We are not designed to need to check our Facebook or Twitter accounts every half an hour, yet there is an impulse

to do it anyway. There is a psychological pull to seeing how many likes our status has and this addictive behaviour is dangerous. As a video that recently went viral shows us, people miss out on real life when they spend so much time fiddling with their virtual lives. The priorities need to be rebalanced because I fear the pull will only get stronger and where would that leave us? We wouldn’t be doing anything worth posting online anyway.

Was Kendrick Lamar robbed?

Internet addiction: Are we all victims to the world wide web?

The most prestigious music event of the year, the Grammys, was televised on 27th January 2014. One big winner was the hip hop duo Macklemore and Ryan Lewis, who won the most prestigious hip hop accolade, ‘Best rap album’. Now, there has been divided opinion as to whether the Best rap album should have gone to Macklemore.

Many critics as well as members of public had hoped that Kendrick Lamar would win the ‘Best rap album’ for the critically acclaimed Good.Kid.Mad City, including Macklemore himself.

In a recent instagram post, Macklemore had screenshot a text message explaining to Kendrick that he had been “robbed” and that he should have won that particular award. But was Macklemore right in thinking that? Well

When preparing to leave home for my year abroad in Austria, one of my biggest concerns was my mobile phone. Clearly I would have to buy one once I got to my destination, but my apprehension was greater than needing to cheaply text and call my colleagues. My priority was the instant and constant internet access I enjoy so much at home. I could have had a year free from frequent emails and Facebook notifications, and it probably would have been beneficial. But I didn’t need to put myself through that; there is nothing wrong with using the internet. Is there?

University lecture halls are often full of students and it is expected that each of them has a mobile phone, whether the phones are in bags, pockets or hands. Students are not alone though, wherever you

Wesley Gyechie

it’s undisputed that Macklemore have had a phenomenal year since their 2012 debut, with the album The Heist.

Their hugely popular song, Thrift Shop is now knocking 488 million views alone on YouTube. So at least on a commercial level, they deserved to win. But Kendrick Lamar’s album had Metacritic score of 91 and was seen by most critics as one of the best albums of 2012. So it could be argued from a critical standpoint, Kendrick should have won.

However, both artists have had a great success starting as fairly new artists coming on to scene, and it is nice to see a music peer honouring another’s artist’s work. Of course fans will always have their own opinions on who should have won, but at least in the eyes of Macklemore , it deserved to go to Kendrickand rightly so too.

Gabrielle Linnett

Image sourced from Google

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

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CAREERS 7

Careers Top Jobshop jobs: Chosen by Careers Service See the following for a selection of jobs selected by the University Careers Service:

Job Title: Personal Care Assistant Company: Private individual Location: Reading Pay: £7.51-£8.00 per hour.

Closing date: 21 April 2014 Job Title: Butterfly Tours Coordinator Company: Butterfly Tours Location: Reading Pay: National Minimum Wage and above Closing date: 21 April 2014

Job Title: In-Store Demonstrators Company: g2 Field Marketing Location: Opportunities Nationwide Pay: £75.00 per day (8 hours); £66.00 per day (6 hours).

Closing date: 17 April 2014 Job Title: Weekend PartTime Fundraiser Company: Workplace Giving UK Location: Reading Pay: National Minimum Wage and above Closing date: 17 April 2014

Job Title: Student Helper (Research) Company: University of Reading ICMA Centre Location: Campus Pay: National Minimum Wage and above Closing date: 16 April 2014 Job Title: 360 University Representative Company: 360 Ltd Location: University of Reading Pay: National Minimum Wage and above Closing date: 16 April 2014

Job Title: Part-Time Science Instructor Company: Bright Sparks Science Location: Berkshire and Oxfordshire Pay: £7.01-£7.50 Closing date: 10 April 2014

Job Title: Brand Rep Company: The Big Choice Group Location: University Pay: £9.51-£10.00 per hour Closing date: 22 April 2014

Job Title: NCS Mentor Company: Valley Leisure Limited Location: Andover/Basingstoke Pay: National Minimum Wage and above Closing date: 17 March 2014

Accountancy: Not Undergraduates: Get funding for just for maths boffins your research over the summer Ever thought about a career in accountancy? If you’re studying an arts, humanities, social science or science subject, chances are the answer’s ‘no’. In fact, a career in accountancy is open to all graduates, from all disciplines.

As well as being an area open to all, becoming an accountant can be a wise career move. Not only is it well paid, but becoming an accountant offers access to an interesting and varied profession.

This Friday, the Careers Centre is holding an event where you can find out more about converting your skills into to a thriving gradu-

Careers events February 10-21 The careers centre organises free training and development opportunities almost every day, many of which are put on by professional companies. An extensive list of forthcoming events is available at ‘My Jobs Online’, at the Careers, Placements and Experience section of the University website. All events require booking ahead to prevent overcrowding, this can be done online and within the Carrington building.

Careers centre events also count towards the RED Award (the University of Reading employability skills certificate), which is attached to your degree transcript, so be sure to sign up for that also.

These events are what your fees go towards, so make the best use of what’s at your disposal.

ate career in accountancy. A variety of different training providers and accountants will be there to explain the different routes and roles available in the profession.

Accounting offers good pay and access to interesting workplaces All students are welcome, and the event will be held between 1pm-2 .30pm. Find out more and sign up through My Jobs Online.

The University runs a highly successful scheme to give undergraduates a unique insight into the world of research. The Undergraduate Research Opportunities Programme (UROP) is now in its ninth year; this summer there will be over 50 paid six week research projects across the University.

Successful UROP applicants will receive a £1,200 bursary from the University to support their work.

Several students who took part in UROP last year will be presenting their projects at a major national undergraduate research conference in April and two have been

selected to showcase their work in the House of Commons later this month.

UROP is available in many leading institutes worldwid UROP provides a great opportunity to build your employability skills whilst finding out what research is really like through working with a team of experts.

Projects range across all faculties and some are suitable for students

from a number of disciplines. University of Reading students in the middle years of their undergraduate degree (current 2nd years on three year degrees and 2nd or 3rd years on four year degrees) are eligible to apply for UROP. Further details of the UROP programme can be found at www. reading.ac.uk/urop . The projects that will run this summer will be posted there from Wednesday 12th February to Friday 21st March, the closing date.

If you have any questions e-mail urop@reading.ac.uk.

8 INTERVIEW

Friday 7th February 2014 Spark*

interview.spark@reading.ac.uk

interview

Go Green Week: What can you do?

James Clayton

In this issue I spoke to Tom Yearly, the energy officer at the university about Go Green Week which runs from the 10th of February What is Go Green Week?

Go Green Week is a celebration of sustainable and environmental achievements over the last year.

We work in partnership with RUSU and other departments to highlight the environmental achievements that we have had since last year. A great way to promote green, sustainability and environmental initiatives which will help in achieving the goal of reducing the universities carbon emissions by 35% from the 2008/9 base.

You are promoting Go Green Week- What does it mean to you and what is your job role within the University?

I am the energy officer. Go Green Week is my opportunity to engage with staff and students. We run promotional and communicative events all year round inculding environmental road shows. We also run a green impact award scheme, this is run in universities across the UK. You work through a tool box online which includes making sure you have the correct bins, you are turning off lights, and are having environmental inductions to educate staff. Go Green Week brings it all together. With respect to my role at the University, I spend 30-40% of my time doing communications, outreach with RUSU or working with the communications office or other departments to help them take a proactive role in reducing their environmental impact. I spend a lot of time looking at data, with my head in spread sheets as well as working on the utility budgets. The university has a £6.5 million year budget to cover, gas, water, electricity and oil. We are always looking to make savings, as just 10% is a lot of money and we are looking at a 35% saving before 2015/6.

We run promotional events all year round What events do you have planned for the week and how do students get involved with them?

There are loads of events for students: on Monday there is a meet the environment and ethics officer 1-3 with Katy Ashford,

Photo courtesy of Lily Brown

the Community and Development Officer. At 6pm there is an are you an entrepreneur project which takes place in the Thet Win Aung boardroom. This is where you take an environmental or social issue, for example waste, and then using social enterprise that will add value to it and remove the problem as well as being profitable at the end. This will run all week with ideas being judged on Thursday.

On Tuesday is Battle of the Bins.

The RUSU President, Mark Kelleher vs The Vice Chancellor, Sir David Bell who will be all kitted up in the Palmer foyer at 12.50. Last year the Vice Chancellor won! On Wednesday there is a Green careers workshop from 1-2 in Palmer 107. This is to promote careers in the sustainable sector to students.

I was an economics student and it wasn’t until the last 6 months of my degree that I realised it was a great time to get into the environmental sector. I don’t think it is a problem that is going to go away so there is probably a sustainable career in this sector still and there is masses of money to be saved, technological opportunities environmental compliance isn’t going to go away. After 10 years I haven’t looked back. We have four recent graduates who now work in the sector to come back and run a global cafe type event. Each table will be hosted by a graduate and students will move round table to table, like speed dating, learning about what life after graduation is like. The aim is to persuade people that there is a really engaging and positive career in the environmental sector. There are also some Doctor Bike Sessions. [For the full Go Green Week timetable visit https://blogs.reading.ac.uk/cleanand-green/2014/01/]

How important are environmental issues on campus?

They are vital, year after year we hear from the NUS student surveys that a high percentage of students count the environmental reputation of their university an important consideration. So in line with improving the student experience, having a green and environmentally friendly campus is important to us. We have received three Green Flag awards. We are judged on being an attractive green space. That is great from an environmental perspective we try to be altruistic environmental friendly and sustainable. There is also a big financial aspect to it as well. Our 35% reduction target means in real terms in the last three years we have saved £6.1 million and 20,000 tonnes of CO2 with an investment of 1.6million.

That is a 4:1 return on investment and that is why it is important. in regards to CO2, the average UK citizen in a whole year emits about 10-12 tonnes of CO2 so we have effectively cut 2000 peoples CO2 out of the university which is fantastic achievement but there is still a long way to go. At the end of the last academic year we had made savings of 14.5%, we need to get to 35% so there is a long way to go but we are on target for 24% savings by the end of this academic year so we are still well on track.

We have received three Green Flag awards What further steps do you have planned for the future?

We have just installed new air extraction fans and fume cupboards in Chemistry. We have a competition running during green week to design a user interface to show which fume cupboards are in use and when. Fume cupboards are on 24/7 at the moment. They don’t need to be on this long and this causes wasted electricity as well as sucking the warm air from the rooms and extracting it to atmosphere. The new system that we are installing only works when in use. This reduces electricity usage by the fans and the amount of heat being lost from the building.

This one project alone is saving us about £200,000 a year. We are funded from central university funds, so what we save is straight off the bottom line of the university and reinvested into university initiatives. This is something that

often goes unseen but has a significant impact on the rest of the university.

What we save is reinvested straight back into university initiatives What are your main priorities for 2014?

We have many priorities this year, we have recently done a review of cavity wall insulation and identified a number of buildings which need improving. We are also looking at lighting and lighting controls, so if you go into the URS building, you will see we now have new lighting and controls in there.

You will see when you enter the building the lights come on, this reduces to 20% after 5 minutes and after 30mins of no movement they will turn off completely. We are looking at rolling these out across the university. As part of the new district heating system [this project is why a large part of the quad has been recently fenced off], this is replacing the old, inefficient system which is an old steam ring main. This being replaced with a medium temperature hot water system means that the water retains the heat better as it travels around the site as well as travelling in pipes which have improved insulation. The boilers that we use to heat the water are a lot more efficient. As well as these, one of the units will be a combined heat and power plant. We will be generating our own electricity on site and the waste heat from this will be used to heat hot water for the rest of the university so this is a much more efficient system. We are looking at saving £250,000 a year from this project. As well as this there are behavioural projects around the university to raise awareness of what the individual

can do. These are really basic such as turning off lights when you leave the room, turning off computers when they are not in use or if you have control of the heating turning it down just 1 degree saves a huge amount of energy. We have calculated that if one person turns off the light when they go home the relative saving of this one person would be £18,000 a year. There are approximately 20,000 people on campus so all these actions really do add up.

If that is on campus, have you any advice for students in housing which will make them greener as well as saving them money?

We produce the top 10 tips document which lists some of the easiest ways to save money. You need to understand how your heating works. Look at the set point of hot water, if it is above 60 degrees then this is too high, it should be set for its hottest use. It is recommended that for sanitary water you set your hot water to 60 degrees, but it is very rare that you will need it higher than this. Also look at the timing of your central heating. You are likely to be out during the day so you don’t need heating then and at night when you are in bed you certainly won’t need heating. I would recommend having it come on half an hour before you wake up and maybe for a few hours in the evening. Fortunately for students one of the best ways to heat your house are bodies and student houses are often densely populated. These two measures can save you £20-£30 per month!

There are lots of other easy things to do so check out our top tips which you can find on our blog, on our website (http://www.reading. ac.uk/cleanandgreen/) or from the RUSU website (http://www.rusu. co.uk/campaigns/gogreenweek/)

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

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10 ARTS&BOOKS

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

arts.spark@reading.ac.uk

Arts&BOOKS

On the Stage: The Duchess of Malfi Sam Wanamaker Playhouse ‘The Duchess of Malfi’ Daniel Mitchell

Shakespeare’s Globe is now home to a new and picturesque indoor venue, the Sam Wanamaker Playhouse. It is a small and intimate venue that can pack 340 people tightly into a pit and two tiers of galleries.

There are several objects that draw your attention but the main one is the innovation in the use of candlelight. The theatre is constructed to be just like a traditional seventeenth century theatre, which can also utilize artificial light when necessary. Like the Globe, the seats are not overly comfortable yet this is hardly noticeable as the way the theatre is constructed forces you to pay attention and it is very hard to think of doing anything else.

The Duchess of Malfi is a tragedy set in Italy With an indoor theatre at the Globe, their season can now operate in the winter as well as the summer.

‘The Duchess of Malfi’ was chosen to open the theatre and John Webster’s play is impeccably suited to this new theatre and could not be

more of a perfect match. The play is masked in darkness and the effects of the candle-lit venue works wonders for the darker scenes in the play. Some of these, like in the scene where Ferdinand gives the Duchess a fake wax hand, take place in pitch black and gives the atmosphere in the theatre a terribly thrilling edge.

The play is masked in darkness...the effects of a candle-lit venue work wonders for the darker scenes of the play The Duchess of Malfi is a tragedy set in Italy and focuses on the status of women, corruption, the misuse of power and discusses ideas of reputation. The play begins with the Duchess, a widow who has been encouraged not to remarry by her brothers, falling in love with a man outside of her class. Upon finding out that their sister is remarried and has given birth to children they plot revenge, which leads to terrible consequences and finally ends with them destroying themselves in the process.

Gemma Arterton has been cast in the role of the Duchess and has

previously performed in Shakespeare in the role of Rosaline at the Globe in Love Labour’s Lost back in 2007. Gemma’s performance as the Duchess is truly amazing and is great on many different levels. Her performance is natural, enticing and show-stopping although there could have been more of a noticeable on-stage sexual connection between her and her secret lover, Antonio.

Arterton is not the only cast member who produces an absolutely brilliant performance and the most notable are those of Ferdinand and Bosola. David Dawson plays the Duchess’ brother, Ferdinand, and his performance is simultaneously mesmerising and terrifying. He is tense and edgy and his portrayal of Ferdinand allows the audience to witness and almost understand his incestuous feelings for the Duchess.

sentation of the typical Jacobean stock character. His performance is exhilarating and allows the final scene of the play to be presented superbly, in which Bosola, Ferdinand and the Cardinal all die, the rest of the deaths are avenged and the truth is revealed to other characters.

The play is a brilliant match for the theatre The play is a brilliant match for the theatre and the cast has been selected with great care and atten-

tion. Some may complain about the positioning of the candelabra’s and the supporting pillars but the play is so hypnotic and entrancing it does not take much to adjust at all.

The average price of a ticket at the Playhouse starting at £10, something of a steal for any theatre lover. With this play already being rather well known and on a second-year Literature module at this University, I would thoroughly recommend trying to get hold of any tickets that remain.

Arteton’s performance as the Duchess is natural, enticing and show-stopping Sean Glider plays Bosola in this interpretation of Webster’s play and he gives a truly villainous pre-

5 books you have to read in this lifetime If you are ever struggling to make a decision on what to read and need a little inspiration, here are five books that you have to enjoy in this lifetime: Charlotte coster

1) And the Mountains Echoed

by Khaled Hosseini

2) One Day by David Nicholls

3) Never Let Me Go by Kazuo Ishiguro

4) Life of Pi by Yann Martel

5) Pride and Prejudice by Jane Austen

Khaled Hosseini is, quite frankly, a gifted storyteller and I could have slotted any of his three novels into this top slot. But this one is a beautifully crafted book where Hosseini effortlessly describes his characters’ reality in rich detail. It is long and rather complicated with a huge number of characters who are all linked in some way but his precise use of languages make it easily readable.

As the title suggests, all the action of this novel takes place on one day (July 15th, otherwise known as St Swithin’s Day) over a number of range of 20 years. The author skilfully allows the two main characters, Emma and Dex to grow in a realistic way that leads up to an exciting and unexpected climax.

Despite the rather gruesome subject matter that underlies the whole story, it is still possible to enjoy this novel. It displays humans at their best as well as their worst, telling the story of the three young characters who remain close as they descend into a troublesome adulthood.

You couldn’t imagine that a book which is largely set within a rowing boat could be at all exciting. But somehow Yann Martel manages it!

I suppose it does help when there is a tiger aboard as well!

The original chick flick, Jane Austen’s flowery language is not everyone’s cup of tea, but if you give it a chance, you will be drawn into this old fashioned world. With parties, beautiful dresses and upsets involving handsome men, it really doesn’t sound that different to what us girls have to face in the modern day.

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

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ARTS&BOOKS 11

The Future of Books: Which team are you on?

TEAM KINDLE TEAM BOOKS Lindsay Coles

So, what would I rather? Carrying a hefty book about in my bag, or having a whole library which can be installed onto my Kindle? I choose the Kindle option. This is just one of the many advantages of owning a Kindle.

Books on the Kindle are cheaper and quite a lot are free, which makes the Kindle a great investment Another benefit is that the Kindle is that the texts are much cheaper and, quite a lot are free, which makes the Kindle a great investment.

Additionally, delivery and going out to buy a book takes time. With the Kindle, you can acquire texts within a matter of seconds.

The Kindle also has the added bonus of being able to find pages, search words, play games, explore the internet, store music and watch films. This is something that the book will never be able to do.

Nevertheless, the Kindle similarly corresponds to the book. In response to those who complain that the Kindle has the disadvantage of not being paper-like, the Kindle aspires to look like the pages of books. With its pages appearing

crisp, clear and clean, it certainly achieves this.

The Kindle also benefits from being compact. I ask you, is that book in your case preventing you from taking those extra pair of shoes on holiday? Get a Kindle so you don’t have to take that book with you.

Free yourself from those books you’re struggling to carry and convert to the Kindle; there are too many advantages not to.

Laura Armstrong

When travelling, nothing is handier than a Kindle. It is lightweight and small enough to fit into any bag meaning you can take it anywhere and it barely weighs a thing.

Being able to download countless books and have them on you all the time to pick and choose leaves you feeling much freer with your reading opportunities.

Emily Glanfield

Everybody loves a thrilling pageturner, yet with the Kindle, this simple satisfaction is unachievable. How can it be a page-turner if you cannot physically turn the page? The feeling of giving a downloaded Kindle book as a gift, or borrowing a downloaded book from a friend is incomparable to the actual thing. Although we live in a world full of new technology, a physical book is one thing that simply cannot be replaced. A collection of downloads on a device, or a shelf of books that you can browse and flick through any book, at any moment, with ease? And let us not forget that new book smell. That is something a Kindle will certainly never be able to fulfil.

A physical book cannot simply be replaced

The Kindle is

Sarah Barratt

lightweight and small

It’s a rainy Sunday, the kettle’s on, you select an old classic in anticipation of an afternoon of absolutely nothing. But what? Oh no, your book has run out of battery and you can’t find the charger. Such is the modern world.

It is as light as a feather, you can store thousands of titles, blah blah blah, I get it. Call me old fashioned, but I’m still clinging on to the no-

enough to fit in any bag Although of course books have a hands-on appeal that people desire maybe the most important thing to consider that is if kindles are encouraging people who don’t normally read to do so, and isn’t that what matters?

tion that book shopping should be done in book shops. Getting lost between the aisles of a dingy little second hand place, discovering hidden gems. A book is far more than words on a page (or screen as the case may be): Bound into the book, is that wonderful woody scent, a feeling of nostalgia which is then passed to the next reader, and that unparalleled satisfaction as the pages in your left hand become thick between your fingers.

Among my most treasured possessions are a set of Hardy’s novels, inherited from my Grandfather, a beautiful little book of Ben Jonson’s poetry and a copy of Captain Corelli from my Dad. How can I carry on the tradition of passing these from generation to generation if the only ‘books’ I possess exist entirely on a kindle?

Reading is about escapism; leaving this world and immersing yourself in a new one. Now electronic books come complete with internet, escapism is impossible: You’ve just walked through the wardrobe, you’re nearly in Narnia when what? Oh Kevin Keyboard-Warrior has messaged you on Facebook.

Illusion shattered. The owner of a kindle cannot participate in the practice of leaving a great book on a bench or a beach for the next person to find and revel in. They cannot read whilst reclining in a rubber ring in the ocean… If a book gets a little wet, it’s no bother, it

will dry, and anyway it cost 50p in a charity shop. Sadly its electronic counterpart is rather more expensive to replace.

The wonderful woody scent, the feeling of nostalgia...

A well-stocked book shelf is a wondrous thing to behold, upon seeing such a strange and stimulating sight, guests are intrigued and conversation ensued. . The kindle is the reader’s equivalent to the music lover’s illegal download. Instant gratification, virtual communication and deep-rooted distraction; that’s what the kids want folks.

I fear books will soon be fond relics of a romanticised age, confined to the shelves of museums, gathering dust. But in my house, books will reign supreme, my shelves will always be adorned by my favourite authors; from Austen to Adie. And on a rainy and slow Sunday afternoon I know I can depend on them, just as they may depend on me.

Not I, Footfalls, Rockaby: A Review Duchess Theatre (Royal Court Theatre) Until the 15th February Samuel Beckett Trilogy

I first saw ‘Not I’ last year when Lisa Dwan came to perform it in our own Mingela Theatre – it was mesmerizing then and just as hypnotic tonight.

kate shaw

If linear narrative and bright lights are your thing, then this Beckett trilogy is probably not for you.

However, as University of Reading student you should be throwing yourself at all things Becktian.

As you enter the theatre, the Front of House staff warn that there will be moments of “total blackout”.

They were not wrong. As the lights dim for ‘Not I’, you don’t quite believe that they’ll go all the way out until there you are – sat in pitch black with 100-odd strangers.

Front of House staff warn that there will be moments of “total blackout” - you don’t quite believe them until there you are - sat in the pitch black Mouth, is suspended 6ft in the air and delivers her monologue at ‘the speed of thought’, what ensues is

overwhelming – it’s almost impossible to take in all the information, but I’m not sure that’s the point.

The next play, Footfalls, was by far my favourite. After another period of darkness, Dwan appears ghost-like on the edge of a rectangular patch of light. Every footfall is heard as she glides across the stage.

Beckett is known for his meticulous directions, and productions will not vary from these – Footfalls is a perfect example of why you shouldn’t. His work is oft described as musical, and the metronomic oscillation in this piece is key.

Finally, Rockaby. By this point you have been plunged into darkness twice, been straining to see when there is light and quite frankly

not entirely sure the whole thing isn’t some sort of elaborate Derren Brown type set up.

Mouth is suspended 6ft in the air as she delivers her monologue and what ensues is overwhelming Then you see a woman sits alone in a rocking chair contemplating her life, and in the half dark you are swayed with the movement of the chair, which seems to be moving on its own. Compelling seems like an understatement.

The whole show lasts 55 minutes, and it is indelibly burned into the brain. It’s a fantastic chance to see these three plays being performed.

Not your average evening out, but worth a punt for the literary types out there.

The whole show lasts 55 minutes, and it is indelibly burned into the brain.

Tickets are priced at £12, £20 or £25 and can be purchased from www.royalcourttheatre.com

12 MUSIC

music.spark@reading.ac.uk

music

LIVE REVIEW

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

Feeling 22? This week Nathalie took some snapshots of Taylor Swift’s gig at the 02 Arena... her favourite reasons to be in London.” Unfortunately, this pairing proved to be a horrifically awkward, unrehearsed yet endearing duet of Sheeran’s hit ‘Lego House’.

Swift recounts the story of how she heard the song on the radio, thought Sheeran had the voice of an angel and knew instantly that she had to write with him. Unfortunately, the duet ‘Everything has Changed’ was not performed in the concert disappointing many fans all around.

Her pairing with Ed Sheeran was awkward Closing with ‘We are Never Ever Getting Back Together’, this lively finale was a display of youth and

Taylor Swift/The Vamps 02 Arena London nathalie siah

“It’s good to be back in London,” Taylor Swift says with a twinkle in her eye. Extending for a second round of her RED tour in London, Taylor Swift’s first day back in the O2 arena was bursting full of energy in a sold out show of 15,000.

The Vamps, a friendly YouTube sensation who opened for the ‘Love Story’ singer, were an enthusiastic and fun foursome claiming they “had bought tickets for the show before finding out they were opening.”

She’s incredibly sweet and a great crowdpleaser The Tennessee born star is incredibly sweet and a crowd pleaser, dazzling fans with her adorable smile and stories of her doomed romantic experiences. Stopping to ask the crowd if she could “get a picture with you guys,” gives the singer a down to earth feel. One thing is clear—she knows how to put on a show. There is not much of a country girl that radiates from this polished act however hints of her roots still remain in her occasional lone vocals paired with acoustic guitar and strumming banjo in the ever sassy and fun-filled ‘Mean’. Shifts in style are imminent with a strong countryrock feel to dub step and even doowop. Engaged with the audience,

Swift made her way to different stages of the arena at the back and several platforms in the air.

The 24-year old songwriter juggled between themes of innocence and experience. Opening the set with ‘State of Grace’ and ‘Red’ from her latest album, alongside numbers such as ‘The Lucky One’ and ‘I Knew You Were Trouble’, was proven to be a sophisticated reflection on her highly publicized failed romances. On the other hand, smash hits ‘Love Story’, ‘You Belong With Me’ and ‘Sparks Fly’ served as a reminder of the fanciful princess dream in her previous musical successes. Surprise number ‘Fearless’ was chosen for the night as an ode to the “best date” she had ever had. Swift’s versatility in instruments was celebrated throughout the concert playing the guitar, banjo and most unexpected piano in a heart-felt rendition of ‘All Too Well’ also performed recently at the Grammy Awards.

Swift juggles between themes of innocence and experience Blessed with long slender legs, Swift doesn’t appear to dance with as much fluidity as other stars.

Although she puts her full efforts into the choreography, she is most at ease behind an instrument standing or sitting, but definitely not dancing. She glides in most numbers with ballerina-esque dance moves with delicate footwork in ‘Treacherous’, twirls in

‘Love Story’ and high jumps in ‘22’.

The show is a whirlwind of red sparkling guitars, all-American vintage gowns and gloves ending in a toy castle fantasy. Swift surprises the crowd with quick, regular costume changes from elegant dresses to ‘hipster’ classics consisting of fedoras, shorts and fun t-shirts.

The much anticipated appearance from “one of her best friends” Ed Sheeran, was “one of

radiance—a call to every 20 something year old in the audience.

A satisfying confetti-exploding ending to the night, no member remained in their seats. There was no encore in which Taylor indulged us with, nevertheless the colour red permeated the eyes of those who were there. Glamorous, sincere and relatable, this American sweetheart is worth the watch.

Photos taken by Nathalie Siah

Spark*

Friday 7 February 2014

music.spark@reading.ac.uk

MUSIC NEWS

MUSIC 13

SINGLES

Elbow New York Morning

Arctic Monkeys return to Reading and Leeds Festival

Grammys 2014: Daft Punk win big whilst Kendrick Lamar gets snubbed

Reading and Leeds Festivals have just confirmed The Arctic Monkeys as the second headliners for this years event. Joining the previously confirmed Blink-182, this will be the first time the band has headlined since 2009. Currently on tour in America, the band have said that their latest album AM is “so much fun” and that they’re not exhausted playing it live yet, even to the point that they’re not thinking about a follow up.

Also just confirmed for the festival are The 1975 and Warpaint, and Disclosure are set to play the NME tent. The new name for the rock stage, ‘The Pit’, has also been announced, which was chosen by fans through an online poll.

The announcement also leaves one headliner slot still open, with much speculation as to who will take it. According to website Efestivals New York band Interpol are strongly rumoured, and the growing touring and success of Foals would make them an obvious choice, but the big question will be if organisers go for another rap headliner after the mixed reaction to Eminem in 2013. If this was the case, we could easily see a place for the newly-reunited Outkast, although there’s a great deal of support for everyone’s favourite weed smoker Snoop Dogg too.

The 2014 Grammys were held at the end of last month, and in what is probably the least surprising news ever, there were some upsets. Most notably, US rapper Macklemore won the award for Best Rap Album beating out Kendrick Lamar’s Good Kid, m.A.A.d City, a decision that even Macklemore himself wasn’t happy with, later posting a text he sent to Kendrick online telling him that he was ‘robbed’.

Elsewhere, Daft Punk won the awards for album and record of the year for Random Access Memories and ‘Get Lucky’ respectively, also doing a live rendition of the latter featuring the legendary Stevie Wonder. Lorde also has

a good night, winning Song of the

the new Against Me! album will chronicle his struggle, with transgender dysphoria and eventual gender change, grabbed a lot of attention. For the recording sessions, Tom Gabel, now Laura Jane Grace, brought new rhythm section, including Inge Johansson and Atom Willard. With the promise of further developing the typical Against Me! musical aesthetics and dealing with a very intriguing topic, Transgender Dysphoria Blues is one of the first truly anticipated releases of 2014.

the record into new heights. It is a very inviting experience with the deliberate catchy and lyrically strong choruses. Dysphoria Blues is inspirational album, having a triumphant and optimistic tone throughout.

Transgender Dysphoria Blues is

ALBUM REVIEW

Against Me! Transgender Dysphoria Blues total treble music

milos rojko

Beginning in 2001, Against Me! were known, with releases such as Reinventing Axl Rose or The Eternal Cowboy, as the leading force of the underground hardcore punk scene. However with their two most recent albums, White Crosses and New Wave, they moved towards more arena rock sound and experienced increased popularity in the mainstream.

Tom Gabel’s announcement that

This is one of the first truly anticipated albums of 2014 Straight off, it is safe to say that Transgender Dysphoria Blues is a landmark record for its lyrical content. Grace’s strife is detailed with honesty and sensibility. As in the title-track, where Grace’s sings her thought-provoking lines with extreme passion, ‘You’ve got no hips to shake/ And you know it’s obvious/ But we can’t choose how we’re made’. It is the Grace’s vocal performance that pushes

This is a landmark record for its lyrical content Unfortunately, the simple and rigid songwriting is what holds the album back. There is minimal progression in sonics. Many songs are build around generic pop-punk riff and follow very basic verse/ chorus/verse song structure, as in ‘True Trans Soul Rebel’. There is not anything remotely new or innovative musically to be found, most of the aesthetics reference the classic pop-punk material of Blink 182 or Green Day. The musical variety or variation is something that lacks on most of the tracks.

There are few exceptions, as for example, the intimate folk ballad ‘Two Coffins’ or the furious ‘Drinking with the Jocks’.

Year and Best Pop Solo Performance for the overly infectious ‘Royals’, whilst Led Zeppelin won their first non-lifetime achievement Grammy for Best Rock Album. If you’re disgusted that this is only the first time Jimmy Page and Co. have won a Grammy in a career spanning a good 45 years, just remember that this is the same ceremony that once decided against giving Metallica a Best Metal Performance Award in favour of Jethro Tull, a band that mainly play with flutes.

certainly not a perfect album, largely due to the unoriginal structures that are present on a lot of these tracks. Still, the brave decision of Grace to describe the struggles of transgender woman is the main feature why this is a milestone release, certainly in rock. Furthermore, the scope and the intensity by which she describes her experience is what makes it particularly memorable.

The dismal musical companionship is not always doing justice to the heavy lyrics, nonetheless it is effective in intensifying the mean-

fiction records

patrick scott

The supposed ‘Mercury Prize curse’, born out of several bands winning the annual award for an album and then failing to produce anything of note following it, has been completely obliterated by Elbow. Since winning the prize in 2008 for The Seldom Seen Kid their follow ups have been just as successful and, crucially, just as good.

So whilst ‘New York Morning’ can’t really stand amongst the best of their impressive back catalogue, it serves as a suitable enough tease for their new album in March.

The title is pretty self-explanatory; the lyrics describe singer Guy Garvey’s experience whilst sitting in a New York cafe at 6am “as the city was waking up”. The portrayal of a sense of awe at being lost within a city that feels like a different, much more important world than the one that Elbow have previously sung about once again demonstrates the brilliance of Garvey’s lyricism, a large part of the reason why they’ve been so acclaimed for over 15 years.

The instrumentation supports this through glimmering synths that burst into anthemic pianos as the song progresses, but this also shows the song’s main flaw. Structure wise this doesn’t sound much different to some of the key tracks from 2011’s Build a Rocket Boys!, which isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but musically I was expecting a bit more progression. Despite this, ‘New York Morning’ is a decent first single that is sure to continue Elbow’s winning streak.

HHH

ing of Grace’s words and a worthy progression from Against Me!’s more recent anthemic releases.

This is still the best thing Against Me! have done to date and their potential seminal album.

HHHH

@musicsparkRDG

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Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

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film&TV

The Wolf of Wall Street: Frightful and comical entertainment Directed by: Martin Scorcese Starring: Leonardo DiCaprio, Jonah Hill, Margot Robbie Running Time: 180mins Genre:Biography/Comedy/ Crime

tured in the movie’s trailer, more is simply never enough.

DiCaprio’s driven; selfreferential portrayal of Belfort is outrageously entertaining

Emma Linnane

WARNING! – IF YOU DON’T WANT YOUR INNOCENT MINDS CORRUPTED, DO NOT SEE THIS MOVIE. 180 minutes of crime, corruption and fornicating, Martin Scorsese’s The Wolf of Wall Street is an exhilarating, eye-opening portrayal of society’s hidden, excessive and chaotic lifestyles.

I felt the film was slightly spoilt by the length Based on the true, autobiographical memoirs of debauched New Yorker Jordon Belton, – whom

incidentally briefly stars within the last scene of the film - depicts the events of his rise to a monumentally wealthy, successful and corrupt stockbroker head of his own firm,Stratton Oakmont, to his drug-fuelled demise. This fastpaced, covert blitz draws you in to Belfort’s world of dwarf-throwing parties, Quaaludes, coke, alcohol, deceit and endless women. As fea-

DiCaprio’s driven; self-referential portrayal of Belfort is outrageously entertaining, emphasising the cliché of repetitive, incorrigible business man whose victims remain as absent and insignificant through-out the course of the film as they were from Belfort’s moneydriven mind. DiCaprio cleverly interludes some of the more drastically shocking scenes with comedy, sugar-coating the extent of damage his characters choosing of lifestyle - involving mimicking the effect of being ‘palsied’ by some vintage Quaaludes - effects both himself and those around him.

The comic value of the film is further emphasised through the absurdity of the characters Belfort surrounds himself with. Jonah Hill’s character for instance, is

seemingly caricature. Hill portrays Donnie Azoff; a furniture salesman with limited intelligence and a set of bleached teeth, who becomes Belfort’s right-hand man. Similarly to Befort, Hill’s Donnie Azoff never displays any remorse for his actions, nor rebuke from any moral authority or integrity he recognises. However, Hills character, much like a computerised drone, has this likeability which shines through as his actions derive from his association with the big bad wolf rather than being self-inventive. Thus, his performance adds to the entertaining aspects of the film, as he stumbles alongside the shadowy stature of his unwholesome boss.

However, the big bad villain wouldn’t be complete with a beautiful woman by his side, or rather in Belfort’s case, countless beautiful woman who frankly we see a little bit too much of through-out the course of the film. (I honestly can’t emphasise enough just how much full frontal nudity there was!)

Enter, Margot Robbie who plays Belfort’s wife..well, second wife, Naomi Lapaglia. Her performance is engaging, whose character gets caught up in Belfort’s ‘Greed is

God’ attitude. However, I did feel with the repetitive nature of the film that three hours was simply, too long. I found myself feeling less engaged towards the end of the climax and ready to exit the cinema. There were certain scenes I feel that could have been edited out without an overall changing effect to the dramatics of the film.

Based on the true, autobiographical memoirs of debauched New Yorker Jordon Belton Thus, I felt the film was slightly spoilt by the length which took away from key aspects of the film which were then somewhat overplayed. However, all in all a thrilling blockbuster, which is frightfully yet comically entertaining.

HHHH

Devil’s Due: Two stars feels too generous, a big disappointment Directors: Matt BettinelliOlpin, Tyler Gillett Starring: Allison Miller, Zach Gilford, Sam Anderson Running Time: 89mins Genre: Horror

nation as to what becomes of the devil child when it grows up. Are we just expected to assume it turns into the child from The Omen? The ending is a bitter disappointment as we witness another couple set to echo the same mistakes as Zach and Sam by accepting a ride from the same taxi driver.

Siân Carrington

As a supernatural movie enthusiast, I was confident Devil’s Due would be the thriller of the year. This is what the trailer led me to believe.

And why wouldn’t it? It was a blatant collection of the most startling scenes, craftily edited in a way that made it look scarier than it was.

Devil’s Due is a predictable and derivative film that lazily encompasses the ideas of a number of other movies. It focuses on a couple of young newlyweds Zach and Sam who venture to the Dominican Republic for their honeymoon and on their last night find themselves at an subterranean party necking shots of tequila with a seemingly harmless taxi driver. A few minutes worth of obscure camera angles, Latin incantations and explosive bright light and we are forced to believe a demonic conception has

I strongly advise to take this off your movie-must-see list

just taken place. The lead up to the labour is nothing short of dull in which Sam experiences a few nosebleeds, mood fluctuations, tiredness and an appetite for raw meat… you know, just the usual symptoms you would expect to find if you’re carrying a demonic foetus.

I was equally frustrated that many questions were left unanswered such as who the group of men are that assist with the implantation of the foetus and why they are on the devil’s side. There is also no expla-

abandon it and leave it to the directors of Paranormal Activity?

The choice to award this film with a generous two stars is due to the excellent character development in the initial stages of the film. The young newlyweds were fantastically cast and easily relatable. The authenticity of their love is well depicted and in a way, this is what makes the end so tragic. You actually find yourself praying she has a miscarriage to not only avoid wit-

nessing a messy labour but to see the couple live happily ever after.

I strongly advise to take this off your movie-must-see list unless you seek a film that requires a short attention span and leaves nothing to the imagination.

HH

I am getting tired of irksome documentary-style films, especially if they are poorly constructed with a weak synopsis. It is an overly exhausted style that directors employ as a way of offering the characters’ perspective and to evoke a greater reaction from the audience. But thriller fans such as myself are all so used to it now that we’ve become fairly desensitised. It echoes the days of The Blair Witch Project which was an undoubted success at the time but if we consider how far we’ve come since then, surely the novelty of documentary style has run its course? Can we not

FILM NEWS IN BRIEF: Philip Seymour Hoffman, starred most recently in The Hunger Games - Catching Fire, has tragically passed away, aged 46. R.I.P. ...

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

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FILM&TV 15

I, Frankenstein 3D: Not as bad as you’d think, but not amazing

Jack Marshall

I was pleased when no one else volunteered to review I, Frankenstein. Produced by Tom Rosenberg (otherwise associated with the Underworld Franchise – a favourite of mine) and delivered as an extension to the story of Victor Frankenstein’s monster (Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein is my favourite classic novel), this was sure to be a winner. Bingo!

The tone was good – not a carbon copy of Underworld, but different enough to be suitably dark and gothic whilst setting it apart as its own. The themes present were also fitting of Shelley’s original novel – ideas that toyed with the concept of the Creature’s humanity and whether or not he had a soul (a key aspect of the film’s narrative).

As an extension of Shelley’s novel, I, Frankenstein works somewhat and opens with the Creature burying his creator (even though in the novel the Creature left Victor’s body upon Captain Walton’s ship, vowing to kill himself – but ignore this plot hole, you’ll get used to them). The Creature is then subsequently attacked by Demons (who want to capture him for their

master, a Demon Prince named Naberius) and saved by Gargoyles (defenders of the world against Demons). Just why the Demon Prince wants the Creature is the hanging carrot in this movie, dangled in front of your face all the way to the last twenty-thirty minutes. But this plot is subdued by the ongoing war between these two species (Underworld, anyone?)

The execution of what are otherwise good ideas and concepts was poor Herein lies the movies key narrative: good vs. evil; heaven vs. hell.

Slotting Frankenstein’s monster into this scenario is fitting though – is the Creature good or evil?

What better way to gauge this than place him/it in the middle of these warring, opposed factions and see which side he comes out on.

This is a good opportunity to mention the special effects, which were good in places. The “descent” of demons (i.e. when they’re killed) was visually impressive and very symbolic of the Devil and hell.

Equally stunning was the death of Gargoyles, again very emblematic of angels and heaven. I often found

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time he was on screen I suppressed the urge to scream at him: “WHY ARE YOU AMERICAN?!”. In a film that was dominated by British actors, based upon a novel by a British author, why the fudge was the lead AMERICAN! C’mon people, get it together.

As an extension of Shelley’s novel I, Frankenstein works myself wondering that, if the Creature were to die at the end, which way would he go? In a twisting column of flame to hell or a beaming tower of light to the heavens? I won’t spoil.

Other aspects of the special effects left a lot to be desired. The Demons in their non-human form looked like a hybrid mashup of Doctor Who’s Silurian’s and Harry Potter’s Gringott Goblins – very amusing and not particularly easy to take seriously. Add to this appalling, ‘demonic’ voices and I found myself snorting back laughter as Bill Nighy egotistically insists he cannot be destroyed.

Given that, Bill Nighy was actually pretty decent, as was Aaron Eckhart as the lead. Although every-

somewhat...

So, in all, it was a good effort to extend Shelley’s Frankenstein. The notion of reanimation was vital to the movie, so it makes sense to use this horrific, famous character in that sense. However the execution of what are otherwise as good ideas and concepts was poor (not aided by wooden performances from secondary cast members).

If you like Underworld then you’ll probably like this, if you’re a hardcore fan of Mary Shelley, avoid it unless you’re especially openminded!

HHH

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Directed by: Stuart Beattie Starring: Aaron Eckhart, Yvonne Strahovski, Bill Nighy Running Time: 192mins Genre: Action/Fantasy

16 FILM&TV

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film&TV

Inside Llewyn Davis: A trip down desolation row Director: Joel and Ethan Coen Starring: Oscar Isaac, Carey Mulligan, John Goodman Running Time: 104 minutes Genre: Drama, Music

Brother, Where Art Thou?, but it’s most immediate counterpart is the maligned A Serious Man, a Book of Job retelling without an obvious ending of redemption.

The film is about many things, but most of all it’s about one man and his music

Matthew Crowe

At many an occasion Inside Llewyn Davis plays like a musical; the narrative is stopped to play songs at their whole length, with lyrics reflecting a character’s feeling at that given moment (including a very catchy pop hit about lacking aspiration and staying where you are). In fact it seems all aspects of the movie – its tone, themes, structure and musical choices – centre around its protagonist, the movie hinging almost entirely around Oscar Isaac’s performance.

Thankfully, Isaac performs this character without fault, making his lack of representation – as with the whole film - the most glaring omission at the Oscars.

Llewyn Davis shifts from funny and understandable to at times almost unlikable, but despite this we still maintain a sense of empathy if only due to the sheer amount of misfortune that comes his way. Many have compared this folk take to the Coen Brother’s O

This of course means it’s not the cheeriest of watches, but despite the sombre tone Inside Llewyn Davis still maintains the Coen Brother’s signature dry wit. Pretty much all Coen Brother’s characters are comic characters stuck in various degrees of drama and the same is true here. This includes Carey Mulligan’s as the short tempered and emotional Jean, relative newcomer Stark Sands as Troy Nelson, acting as a happy counterpoint to Lleywn Davis, and

Coen regular John Goodman as Roland Turner, with nearly every one of his lines playing like a darkly comic zinger.

At many an occasion Inside Llewyn Davis plays like a musical Any particular faults with the film will probably come from one’s own preference. The tonal shifts between comic and dramatic are of course intentional, but on occasions these contrasts can become jarring, particularly as the movie begins its drive to Chicago. Of course if your tolerance for folk music is short this movie would irritate, but even if you are not familiar with the genre the movie is not an impenetrable bubble as a result. Some folk singers of the time have complained about the lack of a political and social

element widely prevalent in the 60’s, but conversely we are seeing the world from Davis’ perspective, a man focusing more on his own personal conflicts than those around him.

Isaac performs this character without fault In the end Inside Llewyn Davis is still about many things. How failing to compromise can destroy you, the line between success and failure and about a person’s place in their own time. But most of all, it’s about one man and his music.

Oh, and a cat, with a name literary majors will salivate over.

HHHH

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

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FILM&TV 17

TV Spotlight: Brooklyn Nine-Nine sode in America shows that there

Zoe Richardson

are a lot of people who believe in

The show follows the day to day life of detectives in Brooklyn, the main being the lazy but skilled Jake Peralta (Andy Samberg). The plots tend to be fairly formulaic, about catching perps or friendly competitions, it is the cast dynamic that makes this show shine. Although most likely pitched as an Andy Samberg vehicle for him to wisecrack his way through each episode, whilst Peralta is definitely the main character, he is not always the funniest.

Its awards haul suggests it’s very popular and unlikely to be cancelled The cast is diverse and fun, personal highlights being the constantly angry Diaz (Stephanie Beatriz) terrifying all around her and Terry Crews playing an officer who, having just had kids, is too scared to go into the field and hence this huge muscly action man acts like

this show and its cast.

If you are a fan of ensemble American comedy shows such as Parks and Recreation you will no doubt like Brooklyn Nine-Nine As well as the awards win, the show was put on Fox post-Super Bowl, the most watched American TV a big softie. Andre Braugher as the Captain Holt, the straightest of Straight Men (despite being gay and refreshingly not a caricature like many gay characters can be in a comedy) plays the role to such perfection that his actions and reactions with the rest of the cast are often some of the funniest scenes.

There is a hint of the will-theywon’t-they storyline that tend to fill many sitcoms, but it is very much

put in the background and the chemistry between the characters make it pleasant and believable.

It is the cast dynamic that makes this show shine If you are a fan of ensemble American comedy shows such as Parks

Review: August Osage County Directed by: John Wells Starring: Meryl Streep, Julia Roberts, Dermot Malroney Running time: 130 mins Genre: Black comedy Niki Igbaroola

Originally a play made for thestage, this movie transitioned beautifully unto the big screen and whilst I can see it not appealing to a mass audience, the pleasure of observing Meryl Streep’s continuous brilliance is reason enough to view this movie. It is phenomenal how flawlessly she invokes strong feelings of near hatred for a character dying of cancer without leaving the audience member with any feelings of guilt or remorse.

Evident the cast chosen for acting prowess, rather than star power Described as a dark-drama, the movie delivers on all counts. There is within Greek tragedy the notion of parents’ sins being visited on their children; a notion which is intrinsic to the plot of this movie. The

children are living out the mistakes of their parents who are still trying to escape those of their parents before them. This is in no way a story of hope, love or even new beginnings but instead you are forced to confront the cyclical nature of life.

Many, if not all of the characters within the play do not progress or change in the course of the movie but rather settle into their positions as jaded and highly bitter people.

It is a highly memorable movie that gives pause for thought without invoking feelings of depression The issues dealt with within the narrative are highly uncomfortable and at times nausea inducing but it is the lack of theatrics that contribute to the feeling of having experienced a probable reality. One of the most important scenes within this movie is set at the dinner table in the family house and that over whelming feeling of frustration that sometimes comes when faced with family gatherings is so palpable that as an audience member you are drawn into this emotion.

I found myself having to tamper

down feelings of stress and anger as this scene was played out.

It is evident after viewing the movie that the well celebrated cast were chosen more for their acting prowess than the star power that they contribute to this movie. No character really outshone the other but credit must be given to Benedict Cumberbatch for his performance as ‘Little Charles.’ Whilst his Southern accent occasionally slips, it is interesting to see him portray a simple minded character successfully.

and Recreation (which shares the same creator) , or even British shows like BBC3’s Bluestone 42, you will no doubt like Brooklyn Nine-Nine as it has very similar humour. The show also makes good use of cutaways that make for quick and hilarious jokes.

Already winning the Golden Globes for Best Comedy and Best Actor (for Andy Samberg) before the show had aired its tenth epi-

HHHHH

a lot of faith in it which means it is pretty safe to say you don’t need to worry about it being cancelled just as you’re getting into it, as can be the case with many American shows.

The American comedy is now airing on E4 on Thursday evenings and definitely worth a watch.

This fortnight at the RFT...

Student Tickets: £5.50

The Reading Film Theatre was established 40 years ago as an independant cinema with a policy to show the best films from around the world. With a mix of mainstream films and independant cinema, as well as foreign-language films, there is something for everyone and all are welcome. Below is a listing of showings for the upcoming fortnight...

Tuesday 11th February (8.00 PM) The Patience Stone (15) Thursday 13th February (7.30 PM) Project Wild Thing (PG)

This is in no way a story of hope or love What I loved most about this movie is that despite its heavy emotional and even mentally draining content, it does not burden its audience. It is a highly memorable movie that gives pause for thought without invoking feelings of depression: it gives you room to reflect objectively. Whilst still aware that this is not a wholly appealing movie for everyone, I will encourage people to see it because it truly is a great representation of acting at its finest.

event, implies that the channel has

Tuesday 18th February (8.00 PM) Nebraska (15) Wednesday 19th February (7.30 PM) Turning Point (15)

Prices: Members £5.50 Non-members £7.50

RFT@reading.ac.uk www.Readingfilmtheatre.co.uk

FILM NEWS IN BRIEF - Believe it or not, there will actually be a Postman Pat movie released this year

18 FILM&TV

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

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film&TV Grudge Match: Let’s get ready to mumble!

Directed by: Peter Segal Starring: Robert De Niro, Sylvester Stallone Running time: 117 mins Genre: Comedy

employment for the over 60’s and the decline of fame as you age, but I couldn’t quite see it through the cheap gags and outrageous situations.

In this film you can see De Niro thinking about his hefty pay cheque

OLIVER DICKINSON

I had low expectations. The cinema was empty apart from one hooded figure at the very front (why choose to sit in the front row of a vacant cinema? I have no clue) and a couple sitting right at the back. We were all there to see Grudge Match, in which rival boxers and best enemies, Billy ‘The Kid’ McDonnen (De Niro) and Henry ‘Razor’ Sharp (Stallone), come out of retirement for one last brawl dubbed ‘Grudgement Day’.

With Stallone at least you expect delivery reminiscent of a cold wet flannel The film takes different plot lines from various films, via waypoints of Stallone getting a prostate exam; Kid and Razor playing fisty cuffs in unflattering CGI suits and

It’s hard also to see a British audience for the film, some elements seem very American and alien.

But it could just be me. I’m not sporty.

an outrageous Rocky style montage in which 67 year old Stallone pulls a truck with his bare hands.

It is a spectacle to behold.

“At least you can count on always charismatic De Niro to lift the film up?” I hear you ask. I’m afraid not, in this film you can see him thinking about his hefty pay check though each facial expression and his extremely unlikeable character doesn’t quite seem to suit him.

In fact this is one of a string of films De Niro has done which seems a bit under him. His characterization also feels a bit forced and sometimes over macho and archetypical. With Stallone at least you expect delivery reminiscent of a cold wet flannel, so no disappointment there. Something the film does, quite unwisely, is try to make the audience sympathise with Stallone’s character and his

emotions, as most of the lines are inaudible. It felt like what the film really wanted to do was create an Expendables style romp with other ageing actors who have played sporting greats, in fact Micky ‘The Wrestler’ Rourke is perfect for the team, Mark ‘The Fighter’ Wahlberg can be the younger Jason Statham of the group.

Perhaps Grudge Match was trying to make a serious point about

Perhaps Grudge Match was trying to make a serious point about employment for the over 60’s The producers were of course banking on the audience’s familiarity with Stallone and De Niro, famous as boxers of cinematic past, going head to head to bring in the audience. Here, it has not paid off.

H

The Railway Man: Disappointing in places but the actors make up for it Directed By: Jonathan Teplitzky Starring: Colin Firth, Nicole Kidman, Jeremy Irvine Running Time: 133mins Genre: War/Drama Jonathan Edney

The Japanese army’s treatment of POWs has most notably been shown before in the classic film The Bridge on the River Kwai (1957) but thanks to Eric Lomax’s written account of his experiences and this film adaptation of them, we can have a greater look into the psychological impact of those events.

Jeremy Irvine is striking in his ability to capture Firth’s mannerisms and appearance Colin Firth plays an older Lomax, who appears to be a shy ‘railway enthusiast’ on meeting Patti (Kid-

man) on a train. The two fall in love and become married, only for Patti to find her new husband has become withdrawn and occasionally violent. Along with Patti, we discover the horrors that Lomax (played in the flashbacks by Jeremy Irvine) endured while under the Japanese in WWII. The opening section of the film plays almost like Brief Encounter, with Lomax’s knowledge of

max’s experiences with sequences where, on discovering that one of his torturers is still alive, he travels to find and confront him. When this great confrontation begins, we have only seen one scene of torture that is not as shocking as the ones shown later and the scenes are robbed of their full potential despite the great performances from Firth and Hiroyuki Sanada as the older Japanese translator.

the timetable providing particular amusement. Firth is (as usual) excellent at being slightly neurotic and even better when his terrible flashbacks haunt him and he breaks down. Nicole Kidman makes the best of a limited role, as does Stellan Skarsgard as a soldier from Lomax’s unit that witnessed some of what happened. The film really takes off when the flashback sequences begin, for the WWII setting is vividly recreated and Jer-

emy Irvine is striking in his ability to capture Firth’s mannerisms and appearance, easily convincing as a younger Lomax.

Ultimately, however, despite the undoubted impact of the torture scenes, the overall effect is somewhat muted. I think this possibly comes from the limited time devoted to the flashbacks compared to the storyline with Lomax’s trauma but also the decision by the filmmakers to intercut the worst of Lo-

The film really takes off when the flashback sequences begin; for WWII is vividly recreated The film’s moments retain some power, however, not least because Lomax’s final decision is a breath of fresh air among the many tales of revenge shown today. If the film feels ultimately disjointed, then the power of Lomax’s tale is still present, just not as effective as it could have been.

HHH

GAMING gaming.spark@reading.ac.uk 19

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

GAMING Review: Batman Arkham Origins Na-na-na-na-na-na-na-na... Batman!

Elliott Bear

Batman: Arkham Origins is the latest instalment in the Arkham series of videogames; serving as a prequel to the critical acclaimed Arkham Asylum and Arkham City games, Origins offers gamers the biggest Batman game to date.

Set in Gotham City on Christmas Eve, a young, less experienced Batman is on a mission to track down mob-boss Black Mask, who has put a $50,000,000 bounty on his head, attracting the attention of 8 deadly assassins. As previously mention, Origins is a prequel and tells the story of Batman’s early crime-fighting career, introducing many of his villains for the first time. Without spoiling anything, the story packs in plenty of twists and turns to make this the best (and darkest) story in an Arkham game to date – fans of the Dark Knight trilogy will be pleased.

Tight controls and simple to learn yet hard to master gameplay has players diving around as Batman, throwing kicks and breaking bones The gripping tale has the Caped Crusader face off against popular villains like Penguin and Bane, whilst also introducing lesser known characters into the mix, such as series newcomers Firefly, Copperhead and Deathstroke.

These new characters bring exciting boss battles to game, which is undoubtedly one of Origin’s

strongest points; a definite step up from previous games in the series.

The core gameplay of the previous games is still very much intact, whether looking at the story missions or the side content. Gameplay mechanics that are basically a combination of combat sequences and light puzzle solving is nearly identical to previous games.

Despite this, tight controls and simple to learn yet hard to master gameplay has players diving around as Batman, throwing kicks and breaking bones. Whilst there aren’t any substantial improvements, the gameplay is solid and newcomers will find plenty to love about the many brawls they’ll encounter in Gotham City.

The gameplay is solid and newcomers will find plenty to love about the many brawls they’ll encounter in Gotham City The invisible predator gameplay segments, in which Batman must stealthily eliminate armed enemies also returns from previous games, and whilst also still fun, contains no changes or updates.

Batman skulks around dim environments, grabbing enemies from behind, dropping down on them from above or attacking them head on with one of his many gadgets.

Batman’s trademark utility belt appears again, but is full of gadgets that are either present in previous games, or shamelessly ripped-off from the prior instalments and given different names – for example

Even Batman still has the time to spare for the ladies...

The boss fights are one of the definitive highlights of Batman Arkham Origins Origin’s glue grenade behaves identically in form and function to the ice grenade found in Arkham City.

This lack of innovation mars what is by all accounts an excellent game; Gotham City, the concrete playground players are free to navigate at any time, may be more than twice the size of the game world found in Arkham City, but over half of it is reused from City itself; whilst it makes sense within the context of the story, players familiar to the series may find themselves wondering if they’ve paid for an expansion pack rather than a full videogame.

When all is said and done, Origins is a mixed game; in many regards its story and boss battles make it the best in the series It’s not all doom and gloom however; the sound design in Origins is masterful. Christopher Drake provides a brooding orchestral score that swells in the dramatic moments and becomes quiet and understated when the action slows down – perfectly mimicking the mood of the game. Voice acting

is also spot-on, with Roger Craig Smith and Troy Baker replacing series regulars Kevin Conroy and Mark Hamill as Batman and the Joker respectively. Barker in particular deserves praise for his chilling portrayal; whilst not quite as good as Hamill’s BAFTA winning performances in previous games, Origins nonetheless marks a home run for the actor who delivered stunning performances as the lead in both Bioshock Infinite and The Last of Us in 2013.

Arkha Origins is let down by asset reuse and a lack of innovation; it feels rushed In addition to the reasonably lengthy main story, which clocks in at roughly 12 hours; players can also tackle up to a dozen side missions during their playthrough of Arkham Origins. Whilst some these amount to fairly standard fetch-quests in which the Dark Knight must hunt down a certain number of items, some of the more inventive missions, such as the case file investigations that has the player arriving at a crime

scene and using Batman’s detective skills to solve the crime and bring the perpetrator to justice.

If all of this wasn’t enough, Origins features a multiplayer mode for up to 6 people; players take control of either Batman or Robin and face off against Bane or Joker in stealthy skirmishes – this mode is okay, but frequent network errors across all platforms makes it hard to get a working game that isn’t disrupted by connection problems.

When all is said and done, Origins is a mixed game; in many regards it’s story and boss battles make it the best in the series, but is let down by asset reuse and a lack of innovation that makes it feel rushed despite its excellent quality.

In conclusion, Arkham Origins is a great game; it may not be the game series veterans feel they deserve, but if you’re a newcomer to the series – it’s a game you need right now.

Origins being so similar to its predecessors, makes this game good by default — but it does feel formulaic.

If it wasn’t for the exceptional story and tie-ins to the previous games, it would feel almost unnecessary. Origins has about the type of iteration that you see from yearly franchises, and this could be a disappointment if you were expecting anything different.

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Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

fashion.spark@reading.ac.uk

FASHION Haute Couture Boy London Erin Harding

Reya Raj

The 20th of January saw the launch of Paris Haute Couture Fashion Week 2014. The industries most reputed labels showed off their chic and innovative collections, taking over the French capital for five days. The likes of Lady Gaga, Kim and Kanye attended the event, as well as top models such as Rosie Huntington Whitely and Cara Delevingne making some stunning catwalk appearances.

Delevingne opened and closed Karl Lagerfeld’s Chanel Couture collection, looking like a radiant ice queen as she stormed the catwalk in two white dresses, the first an ugly duckling inspired outfit with feathered detail and the last, a glittery see through number which channelled the beauty of a swan. Lagerfeld’s show took place in an indoor enchanted forest, a perfect setting for his fairy tale inspired collection.

The Elie Saab catwalk oozed luxuriousness, with a sparkle around every corner. To say that his collection of dresses are glamorous would be an understatement, showing off beautiful champagne and soft pink colours with daring necklines, and even a floral wedding dress thrown in for good measure. I’m sure we’ll be seeing a lot of Elie Saab at the Oscars this year.

Having adorned the likes of Madonna, The Pet Shop Boys and Boy George, Boy London is familiar with notoriety, yet it remains veiled by an oblique aura through which founder, Stephane Raynor’s intention is imperceptible.

Through the mystery appears controversy where the brand’s logo intriguingly bears semblance to the German eagle (a symbol of the nation since the 11th Century), as modified and heralded by the Nazi Party between 1935-1945.

Eagle imagery, as put by Raynor, motivates distinction and strength.

With its origins firmly attributed to the ancients, the eagle is an icon of Rome, transcending time to play feature in the U.S. coat of arms.

Yet, Raynor’s vagueness infers that the eagle embodies the profilic strength Nazism once enjoyed.

Thus, Raynor acclaims not the party’s ethics, simply recognising its intensity, therefore making a simple and uncontroversial statement of historical fact.

Valentino ventured on the wild side, displaying a collection of nature inspired clothing. Greens, browns and blacks were the staple colours for ball gowns with huge leopard motifs and dresses with leafy detailing. Like in Chanel, feathers played a huge part and adorned everything from waistbands to trailing kimonos.

Above all, floral prints dominated Paris Couture Fashion Week, with the designers above and more creating some form of flowery delight. It is set to be a huge trend for SS14, so look out for it!

On closer inspection, the body of the bird shown in the logo is vulture-like. It is clear from

Raynor’s comments in various interviews, that if there is a conviction at all, it is a desire to present ‘youth.’ Surrounding himself with the young as a necessity, Raynor’s symbol pilfers from them to create an elixir of longevity. Since the ‘eagle’ is propaganda for youth culture, it is unlikely then, that the insignia is intended to depict dubious politics and wicked crime.

Remarks made by Raynor fail to inspire confidence in a categorical statement of the brand’s ethics. Interactions with the media are imbued with a sense of incomprehension; it is clear that designer and consumer think in parallel. Donning the apparel, one is brought into a fellowship, simultaneously, Raynor rejects collectivisation, heralding difference, and hence, newly inaugurated club-members cannot belong.

The curious juxtaposition of rejection, belonging, strength and stolen youth make it impossible to define Boy London by its emblem, perhaps this is Raynor’s true intention. Interviews give off an indiscernible feeling of a designer’s dogged struggle toward the pinnacle of all creation, ‘uniqueness’, consequently the inability to statically classify insignia realises this purpose. The logo’s dynamism ought to silhouette a consumer confident that their opinion is ineffectual on the design.

FASHION 21

SJP’s shoe debut

Hannah Stanford

The concept is amazing. Sarah Jessica Parker has designed her first debut shoe wear collection.

It is time for the big reveal. High expectations. Manolo Blahnik dreams. New York develops in our minds, the sounds of stilettos clicking against a concrete catwalk.

You are Carrie. You are walking on air (well in 6 inch heels) in New York and it really is true bliss...

Now, back to a sad reality with a thump. Sarah Jessica Parker has in some aspects made all our fantasies come true and in others mocked us, and snatched away our ditzy daydreams.

My first complaint, and I’m sure many others will agree is that the heel is no way near high enough.

No way near. Though some resemble some of the well-loved shoes of the series, others are more bon marché than très bonne. (No offence David Emmanuel).

Valentines date outfit ideas

Mariya Kaufman

I think I was 16 when I had my first actual Valentine’s date. I was freaking out. I turned out my whole wardrobe and tried every single dress twice, before I chose a dress which I ended up buying. It’s been three years since that first date and you would think that after the first one, the choice of dress would be an easy thing.

It’s still difficult. So, I thought, by writing this article I would help some of you make your own choice quicker.

2014 is the year of blue, gold and classic black.

Little Black Dress is always a good idea. The one I chose is made of a jersey fabric. It has a sheer lace overlay to the top, which makes it look even more sexy and interesting. The fit and flare shape of this dress makes the silhouette more precise and attractive. This kind of dress can be combined with a variety of necklaces and

earrings, as any shape and color suit black.

Number two choice is the gold dress. Gold is the right colour for any body shape, height and hair color. The dress I chose is made from a woven fabric. It is a handembellished design, round neckline with a zip through back. It has a beautiful geometric motif to the

front. It has a nice, natural color on the back and a “party” front. If this dress is combined with nude shoes, legs will look longer.

The final choice is the blue dress.

They say 2014 is the year of a blue horse, and horoscopes promise it to be a love year. The blue dress I chose had a very unique and interesting structure. It combines

cut-out bodice, an oversized bow, crew neckline with mesh insert and peplum style waist. This dress combines 3 colors and 3 different textures which makes it so unique.

I hope you find your own perfect

dress and have a great St. Valentine’s Day.

The Mary Jane type stiletto of the collection is beautiful, however, the more I browsed the collection the more I felt disheartened. Sarah Jessica Parker herself would not wear these shoes; they are no way near high enough. They are too safe; the wedges in particular look as if they have been found in a common bargain bin.

For a role model like SJP I was expecting her to deliver so much more for her footwear collection.

She has after all had the experience of modeling the best shoe designs the world has to offer. Is this not the woman that once exclaimed (Sex and the City quotes, obviously) ”I’m not afraid of heights, have you not seen my shoes?” and “I have this little substance problem... expensive footwear?”

Thank you SJP, I think you have helped to cure my substance problem. I won’t be abusing my bank account for these designs and those that do are obviously petrified of heights.

editor.spark@reading.ac.uk

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

SOCIETY SPOTLIGHT 22

volunteering Spotlight

RUSU volunteer project: ‘Helping Hands’ Anne Carpenter and Mina Him

Have you ever stopped to think about those people who don’t have a safe and nice home to go to at the end of the day, may not have a bed for the night or anywhere to have a shower or a change of clothes?

At Helping Hands we want to help members of our society who, for whatever reason, have ended up in this position.

From organising Christmas meals to huge fundraising events, this is our way of tackling a social problem we are all passionate about. Anyone can get involved – we’re just a group of students with the goal to help those less fortunate than ourselves. We meet once a week, at Wednesday 4-5pm in the Student Activities centre. We also receive support and guidance from RUSU’s Volunteering Coordinator.

Helping Hands is a relatively new campaign. Last summer, a group of volunteers from Reading University Volunteering Society, organised an event where they cooked and served a meal to a group of approximately 50 homeless people at Wycliffe Baptist Church. The meal also included entertainment from a magician and acts from the university’s break dance and circus arts societies.

This event was such a big success that it was decided that there would be a separate homeless project which would continue in the next academic year.

Prior achievements

On December 12, during Christmas volunteering week, the Helping Hands committee, along with over 30 other volunteers cooked and served a Christmas meal to around 40 people. Those invited along to the meal ranged from those who are currently homeless to those now living in sheltered housing. With the help of CIRDIC (Churches in Reading Drop in Centre) who provided the venue as well as the some of the food, we were able to produce a three course meal for our guests. In addition, support also came from the catering staff in Mojos who helped out a great deal with ordering the food. Although the meal didn’t run completely smoothly - at one point the oven turned off without anyone realising - the food was cooked and ready only a little later than planned. The overwhelming number of volunteers helped make the dinner a fantastic success and the guests gave great feedback about the delicious food and friendly helpers.

Also in autumn term, we put together around 20 winter packs which we donated to Launchpad.

Amongst other things, these packs contained toiletries, scarves, hats, and gloves. When the temperature hits O°C, volunteers from Launchpad hand out these winter packs to homeless people to help keep them warm and comfortable in the cold

Photo from the 2013 Christmas meal. Photo from Amy Moss (RUSU Volunteering Coordinator) temperatures. Small gestures like this which can really make a difference to people who are vulnerable and having to endure the horrific weather.

Future planning

Each term Helping Hands organises a big event and this term we will be running ‘The Big Sleep Out’ – we want as many students as possible to get sponsored to spend a night in a cardboard box.

The event will be taking place on March 7 from 5pm until 7am the next day in the field behind the Students Union Building. We will be raising money for Launchpad, a homeless charity that helps some of Reading’s most vulnerable people to turn their lives around.

We would love as many people to join in so even if you don’t fancy playing an active role in the society, you are more than welcome to take part in this exciting event!

There will be an information evening about the Big Sleep Out on Tuesday 11 February in Palmer 108 so please come along to find out how you can get involved.

We would love new members to join us, so what are you waiting for? Come along on Wednesdays, get involved and let’s make a difference! In the week commencing February 17, we will also be advertising several committee positions.

Please contact a.moss@reading. ac.uk for more information.

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

beauty.spark@reading.ac.uk

BEAUTY 23

BEAUTY

Nail noir: What’s trending this autumn/winter Hannah Stanford

sun).

Here I am wearing Fedora by Shellac. I have a hardener underneath my Shellac called Brisa Lite Removable Gel. This enables my colour to remain perfect for up to three weeks. It is also means my nails will grow without chipping and peeling as it provides extra strength. I will still need to take extraordinary care to keep them perfect and marigold Gloves are a must when doing the washing up! Brisa Lite Gel and Shellac is fab, unlike acrylic it lasts for ages

This autumn/winter is all about dark colour. Leaves are your inspiration. Your colour palette must consist of chocolate browns, amethysts, lusty reds and emerald greens. It’s a luxurious season.

Duskier shades are also great for elongating your fingers.

Though I am embracing the dark, polished nail trend. I can’t live without a bit of glitter and I am a super shellac fan. (It does help when your mum is a beautician and hoards every colour under the

and when removed properly will not damage the nail.

Duskier shades are also great for elongating your fingers.

After two coats of Fedora I lightly brushed the Antique Bronze Pigment Additive over the top of my ring finger (I struggle to resist having a bling ring finger). I then added a topcoat, scrub freshed the

nail and was good to go!

I know shellac is expensive, so here are some alternatives to achieve this look or similar with nail polish: Rimmel’s 60-second nail polish is great for when you are in a rush. Metal Rush is the exact colour of autumn leaves and will give your manicure a funky finish. Blackout and Rapid Ruby will be the basecolour for the season. It’s a great cheaper alternative at £3.69 RRP. It’s great for those of you who are more experimental with your nail designs!

SEVENTEEN Skin Wow Highlighter Maybelline Baby Skin Elle Turner

If you suffer from dull-looking skin in the winter like me then fear not... I think I may have just found “glow” in a bottle...

Whilst browsing the aisles of Boots (my regular haunt) I came across SEVENTEEN’s Skin Wow 3 Way Highlighter which I have to say, I love! I was a little apprehensive when I first applied it to the back of my hand as it is really quite shimmery but when used correctly it makes complexions look so fresh and beautiful.

I add a small pump of this to my moisturiser before adding my foundation and it makes such a difference! My face looked noticeably brighter and seemed more radiant. The trick is not to overdo it.

You only need the smallest amount to take you from dull to dewy, too

much and you’ll look a disco ball, a very dewy disco ball...

But if you’re not after an all over glow you can use this as a targeted highlighter by adding it to the high points of your face such as your cheek bones, eyebrow arch and cupids bow.

It makes skin look silky and luminous and all for only £5.99. My bank card can breathe a sigh of relief.

So to add a subtle sheen to these dull winter months, why not give this little highlighter a go!

If you’re anything like me then you’ll know that wrestling against those pesky dark circles can be an absolute mission - too light a concealer and you end up sporting grey under-eye bags, too dark and you’re just adding to the problem.

Which is why Bobbi Brown thought it wise to correct before concealing... It’s been a revelation!

I admit that in the picture the shade of said corrector looks a little scary (perhaps a touch too orange non?) But the trick here is to correct. The salmon tone helps to counter the blue of your undereyes to cancel it out so once I place the orangey-pink tone on top of my bags the result is a neutralizing effect which matches the rest of my skin tone. I use the shade bisque as I have a medium skin tone but they have a really wide colour range to

Who else was excited to see the launch of Maybelline Baby Skin?

I always find it really hard to find good primers at reasonable prices so I was super excited to try Baby Skin out as soon as I could get my hands on it...

Until recently I used the Smashbox Photo Finish Primer which some people hate because of its sticky, silicone-y feel, and others love due to the velvety smooth texture that it leaves after application.

I always find it really hard to find good primers at reasonable prices!

Banish bags with Bobbi Brown Elle Turner

Elle Turner

suit all different skin types. Then if you like a Kim K style highlight under your eyes you can always add the old touche eclat or Collection Lasting Perfection Concealerlater. The consistency is quite thick which means it’s not the most blendable of products but it does make it fairly opaque. I use a Real Techniques Shading Brush to ap ply it by pushing my brush into the

product and placing it where I need it. Then I use my ring finger to pat it in. You need a light hand with this as layering it on too thick could lead to it creasing.

Overall though, the Bobbi Brown Corrector is my fave corrector to date and as a long-suffering bag battler I can finally enjoy some respite while my gal Bobbi does all the work...

Well if you like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, then you’ll love this.

It is pretty much an exact dupe with the same clear gel-like consistency but for under a third of the price! (It’s £7.99 at the moment but if you buy one you can get the

second half price in Boots!)

Well if you like Smashbox Photo Finish Primer, then you’ll love this. It is pretty much an exact dupe!

I would say that this is probably aimed more at normal to oily skin because it leaves quite a matte texture. However, I have normal to dry skin and love a dewy finish.

Why then would I use this product I hear you asking me? The reason I love it is because it keeps every thing in place, minimizes pores and provides a flawless finish.

But to make my skin look dewy I’ll often add a cream blush or highlighter so that I “glow” in the right places (no-one wants a shiny forehead or chin right?).

So for a high street primer that won’t break the bank, I’d recommend giving Baby Skin a go!

And for the “glow” I was talking about check out the Seventeen Skin Wow Primer article (middle).

24 HEALTH&FOOD

Friday 7 February 2013 Spark*

health.spark@reading.ac.uk

HEALTH A simple guide to getting that six-pack Charlie Smith

OK, so you’ve successfully consumed all food in sight over the Christmas holidays. Now that it’s over, it’s time to work that festive podge off. I imagine when summer comes you’ll want to swan or ‘peacock’ around the pool and feel comfortable in your own skin. Well if you do, you’ll have to start now.

Here are the 2 simple yet effective exercises that will ensure you achieve those washboard abs, if done 5 days a week. Ladies, don’t fear, you don’t have the testosterone required to bulk up like the hulk, so these exercises are suitable for both men and women. The sets/

reps will vary depending on ability, I recommend starting at three sets of 5-10 repetitions a day, which should take no longer than five minutes, so anyone should be able to fit it into even an already busy schedule. Try to increase the reps as you feel your ability improves.

Crunches They may be an old trick, but if you do them properly, you can get some great results.

1. Lie on your back bend your knees with your feet flat on the floor.

2. Place your hands behind your head, or by your temples.

3. Tilt your chin slightly, leaving a

few inches of space between your chin and your chest.

4. Curl up and forward so that your head, neck, and shoulder blades lift off the floor, being careful not to strain your neck.

5. Hold for a moment at the top of the movement and then lower slowly back down then repeat.

Leg raises

This move targets your lower abs.

1. Lie on your back with your legs straight in front of you.

2. Place your hands behind your head for stability.

3. Slowly raise your legs off the floor and hold for two seconds at the top of the movement.

4. In a slow and controlled movement, lower your legs back down until your heel touches the floor then repeat.

Plank

This may not feel at first like it’s targeting your abs, but trust me, it burns (in a good way).

1. Start on your hands and knees, then lift your knees off the floor, so you are balanced on your hands

Health swap: Crisps Sarah Lienard

Everyone likes a crunchy snack while they’re studying, or as an extra to grab between lectures. And us British seem to have a particular penchant for crisps – eating 150 packets a year per person; per ton, that’s more than any other country in Europe. OK, they’re not exactly a health food, but there are some easy swaps you can make if you’re trying to eat a little healthier.

Or this

Popchips are just like normal crisps, but instead of frying, heat and pressure are used to ‘pop’ potato kernels – similar to how popcorn is made. Each packet contains around 23g, but because they weigh less than regular crisps, you won’t really notice the difference in portion.

Or that Doritos Chilli Heatwave might taste hot, but one thing that gets lost in all that spice is a whole lot of salt and sugar.

Eat this Twiglets come in slightly smaller packets (24g rather than the usual 30g), making portion control effortless. With 80% wholegrain, these crunchy treats have more fibre than other crisps, and are baked, instead of fried.

Per 24g packet: 98 calories, 0.1g sugars, 0.4g sat fat, 0.2g sodium.

Per 32.5g packet: 169 calories, 0.6g sugars, 0.8g sat fat, 0.42g salt.

Per 23g original packet: 93 calories, 0.5g sugars, 0.4g sat fat, 0.17g sodium.

Not that Walkers Prawn Cocktail crisps were a childhood favourite of mine.

Unfortunately, I’ve since realised that the ingredients list is a cocktail of salt, sugar and sweeteners, which is why they’re so unbelievably moreish. No need to cut them out completely, but they’re probably best saved for an occasional treat, rather than an everyday indulgence.

Per 30g: 148 calories, 1.4g sugars, 0.6 sat fat, 0.41g salt.

So remember when you’re rushing between lectures this week, a small swap can make a big difference to what you’re eating!

and toes, with legs extended.

2. Make sure your back is flat (don’t lift your bum in the air, as this will stop your abs from engaging) and hold for as long as comfortable.

3. Once you get better at this move, you can try holding it for longer, or modifying it to make it more challenging. Try resting on your forearms instead of your hands, or alternate between the two, making sure to keep your abs squeezed tight. Finally, try lifting one leg off the floor at a time, or moving your knees forward to your chest, then placing them back on the floor.

It’s not only about the exercise that you do - diet and stress are key factors that determine how much abdominal fat might be covering your six pack. As everyone should know by now, killer abs are made in the kitchen, not in the gym. So don’t think you can out train that cheeky late night snack or that whole chicken from Nandos. Focus on eating a balanced and healthy diet that provides enough protein, carbohydrates and calories to build and protect your muscle, without growing a beer belly at the same time!

Viren Mistry

Porridge

Snack smarter Winter is the season for food. If you think differently then you’re either lying or in sore need of some biscuits. In the blistering cold that makes us Brits put on half a dozen layers there’s nothing like a packet of digestives and a cuppa to see you through another tough day of lectures. But if you’re worried about packing on the pounds and want to start trying to slim down now then there are some changes you can make now to help. And don’t worry, it doesn’t involve starving: it involves snacking!

Addressing biscuits first (because let’s face it, who doesn’t like biscuits?) there is a very simple swap you can make. Just swap your Digestives (or Hobnobs etc.) for Rich Teas, take it from an experienced biscuit eater – your waistline will thank you for the swap. But if, like me, you find it hard to open a packet of biscuits without finishing them, there are healthier options to snack on that you can sub in to beat all your winter cravings! And don’t worry, I’m not going to ask you to eat nothing but almonds and celery sticks or starve in between your regular meals, I promise.

It’s not just for Goldilocks; whole grains will keep you fuller for longer, which will help stop you binge eating. It will help your muscles recover and strengthen your bones.

Add anything from berries to cinnamon to liven it up a bit; just don’t add excessive amounts of chocolate or syrup.

Sandwiches Not exactly a snack, but try packing an extra sandwich and snack on half when you feel like tucking in to a muffin.

Peanut butter Yes it is full of fat, but it contains high amounts of protein and the good fats and oils your body needs.

Another bonus? It’s packed with healthy nutrients.

Fruit and ‘dips’ Fruit is the usual go-to snack for dieters, and it can get boring, but adding some protein and healthy fat will keep you fuller for longer.

Slice up an apple or pear and dip into yogurt with a drizzle of honey, or blend some peanut butter up with greek yogurt to make it creamier and oh-so-satisfying!

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

health.spark@reading.ac.uk

HEALTH&FOOD 25

Food Your Valentine’s Day menu, sorted Katy Richardson, Lewis Kaye and Sarah Lienard

Trying to impress that guy or girl you’ve been flirting with since that fateful Wednesday at the union?

Want something quick, simple and delicious that will ensure they’ll be back for seconds?

Don’t stay up all night (cooking) to get lucky, our student recipes will win you the heart of even the toughest critics (and if that fails, have some decent wine on hand!).

So whether dining alone, with friends, or with a special someone this Valentine’s Day, treat your

tummy to something it will love, with this three course meal.

Starter: Cheese, onion and spinach pastry hearts 1 packet ready rolled puff pastry 2 medium onions, finely chopped Half bag spinach. cut into pieces 100g grated cheese, any type 1 egg yolk, beaten Salt and pepper Small knob of butter Pre-heat oven to 220°C/425°F/Gas Mark 7. Lightly fry the onions in a pan with butter, salt and pepper.

Mix spinach, onions and 2/3 grated

cheese in a bowl. Cut the pastry into 12 equal heart shapes, and put 6 of these onto an oiled baking tray for the bases. Then cut smaller hearts out of the 6 hearts left, and discard. Place the remaining ‘hollow’ heart shapes on top of the base hearts to form an edge. Place the spinach, onion and cheese mix inside, ensuring that the edge heart is uncovered (this is the part that will rise). Brush the edge of the pastry with egg yolk. Place in oven until pastry has risen and edges are golden brown. Serve hot or cold.

Main: Creamy carbonara 160g dry spaghetti or tagliatelle 5 rashers of bacon, cut into pieces 6 tablespoons single cream 2-3 cloves of garlic, finely chopped 1/2 an onion, finely chopped 3-4 mushrooms Salt and pepper Lightly fry onions and garlic in a pan with some oil, salt and pepper until soft and translucent, then add the bacon and mushrooms, until the bacon is cooked. In the meantime, boil the pasta for ten minutes, taking the mixture off the heat until the pasta is cooked through. Combine the cooked pasta with the mixture, and put back on a low heat.

Add the single cream to the frying pan and stir until hot throughout.

Dessert: Chocolate covered strawberries One punnet strawberries 1 or 2 bars of chocolate, either milk, white or dark Melt the chocolate in microwave, stirring every 10 seconds to ensure that it doesn’t burn. When the chocolate is fully melted, dip the strawberries into the chocolate and place in the fridge to set, placing them on a cling film covered plate for less mess. Once the chocolate has hardened remove from fridge and enjoy with that special someone!

For a cheeky alternative, share the fresh strawberries by dipping them into the melted chocolate, while it is still warm. Mix it up by using marshmallows, grapes or a fruit of your choice.

So the food is ready, but now it’s time to set the mood. Sprinkle the rose petals, light the scented candles and get Lionel Richie’s smooth vocals playing. If all goes to plan, in the words of R Kelly, “I don’t see nothing wrong, with a little bump and grind”.* *If you are dining alone or with friends, it’s probably best to tone it down a little.

Make your own: Bite-sized truffles

Nathalie Siah

When romance is involved, chocolates are an absolute must. Paired with flowers, a teddy bear, or a simple dinner, they are the perfect gift on Valentine’s Day. Unfortunately, these delicious treasures can become a big expense, especially when you’re purchasing for Christmas, Valentine’s Day and the Easter holidays all in a row. In Japan, young girls confess their love by making their own chocolate truffles for their special someone, which was my inspiration to create these lovely truffles.

With this recipe at your fingertips, you can win points with your significant other for the time and effort you spend making them without having to have to dig too deep into your savings. This version makes velvety soft and smooth truffles without the hard exterior, but if you happen to enjoy a bit of crunch, try out different coatings to add texture, as well as flavour.

One cup is equal to around 240ml,

so you can use a measuring jug if you don’t have cup measurements.

There’s also a huge bonus to making these chocolate truffles in advance: the delicious smell that will fill your kitchen, and the fact that this recipe makes 30-35 truffles.

Just keep them out of reach of your housemates!

Ingredients: 10 ounces of bittersweet chocolate, chopped fine 3 tablespoons unsalted butter ½ cup double cream ¼ cup rum ½ cup Dutch process cocoa powder, finely chopped nuts, or toasted coconut for coating

To make: Melt the chocolate and butter together on low heat and mix slowly until smooth, consistent and creamy.

Be careful that you do not burn the chocolate during this process as the truffles will become inedible, creating a strong bitter taste and smell. Set aside for further mixing.

You may place the bowl on a thick hand towel or rubber mat to ensure that the chocolate does not cool too quickly.

Next bring the heavy cream to a low simmer and pour into the chocolate and butter mixture. Stir slowly in circles with a rubber spatula avoiding air bubbles to form in the

chocolate. Pour in the rum as well.

Allow the cream to become completely immersed in the chocolate and become a much thinner and consistent mixture. Make sure that you do not allow the heavy cream to simmer for too long as the fat particles will separate and ruin your cream as well as your chocolate.

Once you have finished mixing, place your bowl into the fridge and allow the chocolate to chill for 2-3 hours, depending on the type of chocolate that you use. Chocolates of higher quality have different melting temperatures and cooling temperatures, so keep this in mind when in the store.

When the mixture is removed from the fridge, it should be firm throughout – the chocolate is then ready to be shaped. With a spoon, scoop small amounts of chocolate from your bowl and roll into petite bite-sized balls. Feel free to coat your chocolates in toppings at this point – experiment by coating the truffles in a single flavour, or by mixing together a combination of cocoa powder, nuts, or toasted coconut. Place on parchment paper or small paper cups of your choosing.

The truffles are best stored in the fridge inside an air-tight however can be kept frozen for a later date if necessary.

26 TRAVEL

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

travel.spark@reading.ac.uk

travel Top tips for aspiring travel writers How to make a good travel blog: Hannah Banks

1. Read other travel blogs By simply typing ‘travel blog’ into Google it brings up hundreds of different options for you to browse through. Alternatively, you can have a look through various travel magazines. These will often suggest or recommend blogs. By researching widely it is a great way of gaining inspiration; finding out what works and what doesn’t in the blogging world and eventually leads to you creating your own style and approach.

2. Pick a topic A travel related one, of course! By doing this it will give you and your blog focus. Preferably find one which is compelling for readers.

Examples include: student travel, cooking foreign cuisine, family holidays, back-packing, solo travel amongst many more.

3. Choose an appropriate blogging site or platform Its best to find something which works for you, whether that be hosting and creating your own site, or using one of the many hosted sites. Personally I prefer hosted sites as they’re often free, allow you to pick themes, add links to social media and are amongst many other blogs which makes your content far more accessible!

Commonly used sites includes Wordpress and Blogger.

4. Make a regular posting schedule Its best to post regularly (once a week, decide a time and stick to it). If you are traveling whilst writing make sure you plan blogging into your trip. Through regular posts your audience will stay engaged and stay interested in you and your travels. Readers like reliability and consistency.

Top tip: If you write a journal or keep a jotter whilst traveling to go alongside your blog, it will help you remember things like food you tasted, the weather, the culture and customs, hostel rec-

ommendations and key facts or trivial pieces of information.

A professional example of travel writing: I of the Sun summarises the highs and lows of backpacker travel; confirming the fact that you can come across a lot of lows but it just adds to the adventure of a lifetime. It certainly has inspired me to document my own travels.

5. Post pictures!

People will love seeing what you’re up to, the more obscure and hard to explain the better!

6. Keep your writing positive

We asked him what motivated him to travel, and how he began writing about his adventures, he said:

Traveling can, at times, be hard and you may encounter various horrible troubles such as a stolen wallet or an unfriendly stranger. try not to include these negative rants in your blog as negativity will often put people off reading more about your travels.

7. Avoid bland adjectives Things like “awesome”, “amazing” and “fascinating” are not very descriptive, try using descriptions which engage the senses for people to get a true reflection of what your experiences where like.

8. Encourage readers to comment What more could every travel blogger want than a topic or issue you’ve raised being discussed on your own blog. A place where lots of different people are sharing their thoughts and experiences perfect!

9. Network, Link and Share on social media!

Spread the word. Find other bloggers and support them too in the quest to succeed in travel blogging! You never know they may be able to help you get a bigger readership.

Emma Reeves

Ever wanted to turn your wanderlust into an income? Tell the world about all your experiences? Write about travel? Go beyond writing a blog? Here is an example of how you can turn your travels into a successful travel writing career.

University of Leeds graduate Richard did just that. At 22 years old he set off from his suburban town with a one way ticket to Malaysia, not sure of where he was going or when he was coming back. In turn his adventures took him around Malaysia, Thailand, Laos, Cambodia and Vietnam. He soon began to gain a lot of stories.

So many in fact, he turned them into a book, which has been widely praised.

10. Be patient, Rome wasn’t built in a day!

I dreamt of travelling the world and turning it into a book

Creating a successful blog takes time and effort. Enjoy seeing how your blog grows and develops. Be patient if it is slow to take off. It will be worth it in the end!

Spark* Travel Editor’s review of the work:

Want somewhere to begin your travel writing? Contribute to our section!

Email: travel.spark@reading.ac.uk

I of the Sun does not only sum up what it means to be young with itchy feet, and an incredible desire to explore the world, but it also explores other philosophical questions many young people will be able to relate to. The book is an enjoyable read which suitably

“Back when I was studying at university in Leeds, I dreamt of travelling the world, writing as I went along, and turning it into a book some day. When I was 22, I started my journey in Southeast Asia and ended up spending a year in the region - travelling, partying and working in a bar on Ko Phi Phi Island in Thailand. I kept a diary as I went along, and apart from a few missing days, managed to keep hold of it. Some years later, I eventually dug it out and started writing it up on the computer and creating a novel. Turning one year of my life into a book took three and a half years, but I got there eventually!”

An adventure of a lifetime has also created an income!

And with that adventure of a lifetime, he has turned it into an income. It is important to remember that documenting your travels can do more than simply retain the many memories you’ll want to look back on! Who said travel was just for fun? If you’re an inspiring writer, want to work in the travel industry or simply love to travel, then consider writing about your own adventures as a potential career route. Start with a blog, or document your travels in notebooks just like Richard did. Who knows where it will take you!

Or just read Richard Arthur’s stories for South East Asia, and worldwide travel inspiration. In a time where competition is ripe, he has successfully told his story in an interesting, and knowledgeable read (without removing the juicy bits).

I of the Sun is now available in paperback and Ebook format. You can purchase it from Amazon, iTunes, Waterstones and other leading retailers.

Want to learn more about Richard’s travel writing?

Visit: Website: www.iofthesun. com Facebook: https://www. facebook.com/iofthesun

Richard in the studio at BBC Radio Oxford

27 SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY

Amazon.com is taking to the skies to deliver the goods!

James Kennedy

Jeff Bezos, the CEO of the world’s largest online retailer Amazon, has recently announced that the delivery drones (nicknamed Octocopters) should be delivering packages by air in the near future, in a feature called Amazon Prime Air. The objective of the drones would be to deliver packages within 30 minutes of ordering, the dream being to one day live in a world where you can order a new book and it comes faster than a pizza would do.

Amazon is planning a fleet of mobile delivery drones to deliver packages under 5lbs or so The system would be GPS directed, with electric powered drones being able to fly and drop up to 5lb packages within 10 miles of the distribution centres, whilst hopefully avoiding high washing lines, flocks of birds and children’s balloons.

It is clear to see why this has sparked up so much public interest. Mr Bezos in an interview on CBS’s 60 minutes explained that while ‘this looks like science fiction, it’s not.’

It is a sign of the era of packages arriving late (and the consequent need to have human interaction between seasons of Breaking Bad) coming to a much needed end.

The panic felt, having belatedly remembered a loved one’s birthday, can then be shortened to a 30 minute wait, rather than

the current arrangement of six days of sideways looks and uncomfortable dinners before receiving the parcel.

However there are many different hurdles for the technology to first get through to be of serious use.

The unmanned drone has been used by American police forces to varying degrees of success, but this, the technology needed for spatial awareness, still has a long way to go before any use, let alone being trusted enough by the public to transport a gift without being caught in telephones wires or bunting.

The major concern with these drones is the current state of technology for spatial awareness These concerns, as well as ones considering privacy and security, are currently being considered by the FAA (the Federal Aviation Administration) and a report by it will hopefully be out early this year.

Another major concern that must be considered is the risk to drone-centred crime.

It must be considered that the vulnerability to a spatially unaware attack by an opportunistic criminal with a rock or, more likely in the United States of America, a gun, is substantial. To someone with motive, Amazon drones could be understood in the same way children would think of flying piñatas. This motive would only be increased on release days: imagine a fleet of drones taking

Jeff Bezos, CEO of Amazon.com inspects two possible drones. Image courtesy of www.webmania.com the next Call of Duty game to 12 year olds everywhere. How this possibility will prevented, or drones protected, is unsure.

Imagine ordering a package and it turning up less than an hour later Regardless of the concerns, the news is certainly exciting, and sitting back and cloud watching could only be made more enjoyable by dodging falling electronics. It could be argued that this would bring us closer

to the future imagined by the science fiction writers.

Failing that, 30 minutes deliveries sound pretty good. It will certainly be interesting to see where the technology goes from here - will other conpanies follow suit and we see the skies fill with packages?

Or much like the rise of 3D in cinemas - will this be a fad that doesn’t catch on?

Mr Bezos however, has managed to upturn almost every industry he has chosen to enter - most notably publishing and bookstores - who’s to say he can’t do it with his distribution network too?

Sci-tech Spark* is always on the look out for new writers! Whether you do a science, technology or engineering based course - or just love anything like that - we don’t mind! Just write a 500-700 word article on a topic of your choice and you could see it in the next issue of Spark*.

Drones- fad or the future?

Only time will tell - but if they can make this a sustainable and workable method of delivery it could spell the end for fleets of delivery trucks that are damaging the environment.

Would you want to see this happen overhead?

Go to www.sparknewspaper. co.uk or the Facebook page for Spark Sci/Tech and let us know what you think.

Keep up-to date and read more online at www.sparknewspaper.co.uk

Spark*

SCIENCE&TECHNOLOGY 28

Friday 7 February 2014

Beginner’s guide to the rise of Bitcoin Matthew Twells

If you’ve been reading the news lately, you might have come across Bitcoin a couple of times.

It’s a mysterious buzzword that’s been floated around most major news networks and newspapers in the last few months – but what is it?

In the simplest terms possible, Bitcoin is money. But not money in the way we conventionally think about it. You can’t carry a bitcoin in your wallet (in a way you can, but I’ll get on to that later) but a growing number of real-world retailers will let you pay with them.

Bitcoin is a form of electronic currency introduced in 2009 by an unknown programmer and developer called “Satoshi Nakamoto” - with some radical differences to the currency that you and I are used to using. A bitcoin is a note of payment that is broadcast and verified by a network of computers all over the world that you trade realworld currency for. A record is then added to a gigantic public transaction notebook called the blockchain, which shows who owns the bitcoins currently in circulation and the participants in all prior transactions. Once you’ve bought your bitcoins, you can store them in a specially generated secure web address stored on your smartphone or print a QR code out and keep them in your actual wallet. Told you could technically keep them in your wallet!

Confused? I don’t blame you – and importantly, why should you care about bitcoin in the first place?

Good question – the answer being money – and huge amounts

of it. Bitcoin’s major advantage over physical currency and traditional currency is that it is impossible for a government to intervene and devalue the currency by printing more of it.

Once there is 21 million bitcoin in circulation, production will stop – meaning that unlike traditional currency, the value will not drop like a stone when a cash-strapped government decides to pay its bills by printing billions of dollars (A basic tenet of economics is that as the supply of a good increases, its price drops). This means that while bitcoins ARE being generated, the prices are rocketing upwards, hitting $1,000 very recently. This is attracting the attention of investors looking to make quick money and lots of it – a person could buy 100 bitcoin for £80 one day and sell it for £800 a week later if he or she timed it right. A British man is searching through a landfill for a hard drive he accidentally threw away that was full of bitcoin wallets and is now worth somewhere in the region of £4,000,000 – so there’s part of the attraction.

Another is security.

Remember the “block chain” that I told you about earlier?

Anyone who buys even one bitcoin gets a copy of it. This means that every transaction done in bitcoins is mathematically verified by millions of computers around the world and then a record of it placed onto every single one – making it virtually impossible to a)trace ownership and b) forge a bitcoin. This makes it especially attractive, however, for one group of people in

particular: criminals.

As ownership of bitcoins is virtually impossible to trace when the data is bounced from millions of different computers all over the planet – the incentives for the criminal underworld to get involved become too great to resist.

Bitcoin was the chosen currency of the website Silk Road – basically a site like eBay where you could buy stolen credit card numbers and openly purchase large quantities of illegal drugs and weaponry usually reserved for military personnel. The users of the website were anonymous, using a web browser that masked their location by bouncing it all over the planet

and were using money that did the exact same thing – it was a drug or arms dealer’s wet dream.

Despite all that though, Bitcoin genuinely has the potential to transform how the world does business in the future. Money transfers for example are at the moment horribly expensive and slow, taking up to five days to make it from the UK to Australia for example. Bitcoin can do it in 10 minutes with minimal loss in exchange rates. There is a proposal to make a “real-estate block chain” where all publicrecords and new house sales would be recorded – meaning that buying or selling a house would be thousands of pounds

cheaper. An organisation called Coloured Coins is taking the idea even further and tweaking bitcoins to stand for anything as well as money – you could hold company stock or gold bullion or even a car through the service (with all the security advantages of bitcoin).

What does this all mean for the future? Well, anyone who makes their money through knowing more than their customer – investment salespeople, estate agents , bankers etc is about to receive a financial kick in the nuts when their services are eventually rendered pointless . It will be interesting to see where it all goes from here.

A Screenshot of a Bitcoin wallet - the wildly fluctuating cryptocurrency. Image couretsy of fsdn.com

Free app of the week: RunKeeper Matthew Twells

If you are at all into your fitness, chances are you already know what you’re doing - so most fitness apps probably don’t catch your eye. However, you might be missing a trick by not using one of the many new apps that help track your workouts.

RunKeeper is a lighter, faster, and free version of Nike+ Much like the very handy but hideously expensive Nike+ app

that usually comes with a pair of its running trainers, RunKeeper allows you to map out a route based on your current location and uses the accelerometer inside your phone to work out how fast you’re running.

Add to this the ability to compare your time againdst your previous runs - and you’ve got a way to clearly see whereabouts you’re improving and where in your run you’re starting to flag.

This may not sound fabulously exciting , but it’s tracking your workouts that is the secret to making incredible gains and head-turning changes in your body composition.

I personally use this app at least a few times a week, and it’s well worth a download. www.runkeeper.com

More than anything else , it’s the ability to track your progress and see it develop that will keep you running

Spark* Friday 24 December 2014

editor.spark@reading.ac.uk

THE SPARK TEAM 18

THE SPARK* TEAM NEWS

Daniel Mitchell

EDITOR

Abi Gammon

news.spark@reading.ac.uk

news.spark@reading.ac.uk

SPORT

POLITICAL COMMENT

Tom Newbold

sports.spark@reading.ac.uk

BEAUTY

Elle Turner

beauty.spark@reading.ac.uk

Calum Rogers editor.spark@reading.ac.uk

COMMENT & DEBATE

Nathalie Lowe

politics.spark@reading.ac.uk

Jodie Hitch comment.spark@reading.ac.uk

MUSIC

Siobhan Maguire

music.spark@reading.ac.uk

Samantha Yates

DESIGN DIRECTOR

Patrick Scott

music.spark@reading.ac.uk

Sabina Rouse

fashion.spark@reading.ac.uk

ALSO

Charlotte Coster

(Film & TV online editor)

Emma Reeves (Travel Editor)

Will Trickey (Designer)

Chrissie Levick Sam Winslet

TRAVEL

Hannah Banks

travel.spark@reading.ac.uk

James Clayton

Lily Brown

interview.spark@reading.ac.uk

interview.spark@reading.ac.uk

GAMING

SCI & TECH

Aaron Hall

gaming.spark@reading.ac.uk

FILM & TV

FASHION

fasion.spark@reading.ac.uk

INTERVIEW

(Designer)

Ioulia Zoukova (Designer)

Jack Marshall

Ollie FitzGerald

film.spark@reading.ac.uk

film.spark@reading.ac.uk

ARTS & BOOKS

PHOTOGRAPHY

Laura Armstrong

Sarah Harvey-Kelly

arts.spark@reading.ac.uk

Matt Twells

scitech.spark@reading.ac.uk

HEALTH

Sarah Lienard

health.spark@reading.ac.uk

Spark* is written, designed & typeset by students at the University of Reading. Printed by Newbury News Limited, Newspaper House, Faraday Road, Newbury, Berkshire. RG14 2DW. Published and funded by Reading University Students’ Union - studentengagement@rusu.co.uk. Spark* is completely editorially independent. 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/e-mail address. These may be withheld from publication at specific request. Spark* or RUSU can take no responsibility for products or services advertised herein. Spark* 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 Spark* do not necessarily reflect those of the Editor, particularly those expressed in the comments pages, which are often the opinions of the specific authors. Photographs in Spark* are copyright to the photographer concerned.

30 FUN&GAMES

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

fun.spark@reading.ac.uk

fun&games Crossword (cryptic)

Across 1 It holds points of scoundrel poet (8) 6 Copper in forgotten wood (6) 9 Greek god’s before old banger (6) 10 He explored mother set on short path (8) 11 Agamemnon? (5,4) 12 Villain, one at jazz’s last city (5) 14 Jitterbug likewise bears fruit (4) 15 Liberal in girl’s fears...

(10) 17 ...his damn being aired, taken, blown (10) 20 Out on holiday (4) 22 Little favourite at heartless play (5) 24 Sell diamonds before English youth (3,6) 26 A holt disturbed in scrap (8) 27 Cheek raised by bachelor in stub (6) 28 Lean Kipling boy arrested by agent (6) 29 Second king to reveal cutting key (8)

Solutions due next issue (Friday 21 March).

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Quick crossword Across 1 Work occasionally (4-4) 6 Merge (4) 8 Voucher (6) 9 Dry (6) 10 Effervesce (4) 11 Violence of drivers (4,4) 12 Cicero upset (anag.) (11) 16 Originative (8) 19 Scowl (4) 20 Adhere (6) 21 Drive back (6) 22 Proofreading mark (4) 23 Attractive images (3,5)

Down 2 Struggle (7) 3 Gemstone mineral Hitchcock film (5) 4 Viscera (7) 5 Lloyd Webber musical (5) 6 Plant disease affecting the stem (4,3) 7 Style of jazz (5) 13 Bulwark (7) 14 Magnify (7) 15 Over the moon (7) 17 Pomp (5) 18 Female relative (5) 19 African country, capital Tripoli (5)

Previous cryptic crossword solution Across: 1 Britney Spears, 8 Flamenco, 9 Rundle, 10 Nark, 11 Body clock, 13 Recluse, 14 Mastic, 15 Hot tub, 17 Pen name, 20 Ibuprofen, 21 Acai, 23 Colada, 24 Laminate, 25 Slippery slope.

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Down: 1 Balance the books, 2 Immoral, 3 Nana, 4 Yoo-hoo, 5 Party games, 6 Annulet, 7 Select committee, 12 Pseudocarp, 16 Topkapi, 18 No can do, 19 Feeler, 22 Amis.

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Down 2 Inferior dog atop Heather (7) 3 Shilling at murder, say (9) 4 Approval over shifting Metro range (10) 5 Hollows of dull pawn on these French (7) 6 Earplug exposed hiding (4) 7 Almost reject secretary’s guilt (5) 8 Small, crazy knight loses House about one (7) 13 Victory by daughter coins move from gale to breeze?

(4,6) 16 Cranky calibre is shown off (9) 18 Interest Church with topless pledge at apt place, perhaps (3,4) 19 The French get many at girl’s breaks (7) 21 Place to look up 101 changing a robe outside?

(7) 23 Wield male symbol of family (5) 25 Cold place of mud (4)

23 All puzzles designed by Matthew Sapsed

Spark* Friday 7 February 2014

sports.spark@reading.ac.uk

SPORT 31

Team GB gearing up for France spring Winter Olympics in Sochi surprise on lindsay coles

The first Winter Olympic Games occurred in 1924 in France. On the 6th February to the 23rd February 2014, the 22nd Winter Olympic Games will be hosted in Sochi, Russia.

Compared to only 16 nations participating in the 1924 Games, 83 nations will compete in Sochi. Nations such as Malta, Tonga, Zimbabwe and Paraguay will make their first Winter Olympic debut. Sochi will hold 98 events in 15 winter sport disciplines including snowboarding, figure skating, skeleton and biathlon (a combination of skiing and shooting). Only six nations have won medals at every Winter Olympic Games since it started and only the United States has won gold at every one.

Team GB will send their biggest team to the games since 1988 Team GB will send their biggest team to the games since 1988, the infamous Olympics in Calgary in which Jamaica made their debut, prompting the film ‘Cool Runnings.

This article will explore a handful of Team GB’s athletes who will be

competing in this year’s Games and the events they specialise in.

In figure skating, Team GB will take six athletes to Sochi. This will include skating partners, Penny Coomes and Nicholas Buckland, who qualified at the March 2013 World Figure Skating Championships in 13th place and won bronze at the European Championships in January. Eleven-time British Champion, Jenna McCorkell, will join them and will compete against current Winter Olympics gold medallist, South Korean, Yuna Kim, who is looking to end her sparkling career at 23 years and retain her title.

Team GB will take three bobsleigh teams to Sochi which will include two four-men teams and a women’s pair. Craig Pickering, former British 100m sprinter, will participate in a team and will be one of only a handful of athletes who have competed at both summer and winter games. Also, for the first time since 2002, Jamaica also has a two-man bobsleigh team who have qualified for the Games.

Hopeful medal contenders for Team GB include skeleton athlete Lizzy Yarnold, who won the skeleton World Cup title in January. Former skeleton World Champion, and silver medallist at the 2006 Winter Olympic Games in Turin, Shelley

Rudman, will form part of Team GB as well.

In snowboarding, Team GB’s Billy Morgan was placed second in the slopestyle world rankings after winning bronze at the World Cup in 2013. In 2011, Morgan became the first to ever land a triple backside rodeo. One to watch, however, is American, Shaun White, also known as ‘The Flying Tomato’. Although White has lost his trademark locks, he has not lost his snowboard skills as he hopes to achieve his third consecutive gold medal in Sochi.

In curling, Britain’s hopes for a medal look promising In curling, Britain’s hopes for a medal look promising as one women’s and one men’s team will compete in Sochi. Women’s team captain, Eve Muirhead, leads the British female team, who were selected first for Sochi after winning World Championship gold in 2011.

So, can Team GB go further than Amy Williams’ gold medal in the skeleton which made up Great Britain’s medal count in Vancouver 2010? There are certainly high hopes for the team. The BBC are covering the 2014 Winter Olympics Games both online and on TV.

Britain shock USA in Davis Cup tie on clay in San Diego

The team alongside successful GB captain, Leon Smith tom newbold

Great Britain beat the USA in the Davis Cup for the first time since 1935 to seal their place in the World Group quarter-finals last weekend.

Andy Murray won both his singles matches, as expected, over Donald Young and Sam Querrey. Meanwhile the British doubles pairing of Dom Inglot and Colin Fleming

lost their match to the world number one American partnership, the Bryan brothers.

It was James Ward however who sprung the surprise of the weekend as he beat Sam Querrey in a five-set thriller. Ward’s win meant that after Andy Murray’s win on Sunday, Britain had an unassailable 3-1 lead which ensured their place in the next round.

It was the first time Great Britain had won a Davis Cup World Group match for over 20 years, and the team will now be secretly confident of another victory in their next match against Italy.

The tie against the Italians is away, and set to be played on clay.

The Italians have two top 50 singles players which may give them an edge. However, assuming Andy Murray is fit to play and wins both his singles matches, all Britain will need is another James Ward-esque upset, or a doubles victory, that will then ensure a remarkable semi-final appearance, mostly likely against the formidable Swiss.

One player left out of the squad for this Davis Cup tie was enigmatic Dan Evans. The 23 year old, however, is expected to reach a career-high ranking on Monday after a good performance this week at a tournament in Zagreb.

Evans, along with James Ward, will be pushing for the second singles spot alongside Andy Murray in the tie against Italy, to be played in April.

opening Six Nations weekend ellis lane

This year the Six Nations began where it ended last year, in Cardiff.

With Wales bidding to become the first ever side to win three championships in a row, surely the Italy game was a given. Not so.

The Italians put up a fight and made it very difficult for the Welsh to play. This led to Wales making mistakes, with Rhys Priestland being turned over several times. Even Leigh Halfpenny was not immune to error; his pass was intercepted by man of the match Campagnaro who ran in his second try on his championship debut.

Halfpenny did make amends for his mistake; if it were not for his 13 points Wales would have been on the wrong side of the score board.

It was not pretty from Wales, they will know they were poor, but still won 23-15 against a very good Italian side. Is that the sign of champions?

Proceedings started with a bang at Stade de France when Huget crossed the try line with only 30 seconds gone. This lead increased to 16-3 with less than twenty minutes played, the signs did not look good for England. Then they began play, they kept calm and allowed the points to come to them. Danny Care’s break led to Mike Brown’s try just before halftime, the catalyst for the revival. England had snatched the lead when Luther Burrell scored on debut under the posts.

A France of old might have capitulated at this point; they had conceded 18 points without scoring one themselves. However, they didn’t , and showed why they can be called the best at times, with the young centre Fickou finishing off a passing move to make the score 26-24.

This spells the end of England’s Grand Slam ambitions but don’t

write them off yet, they were poor in the first half but much improved in the second. There are parallels to Wales’ performance against Ireland on last years’ opening weekend. For France it is a case of keeping going, and keeping improving.

At times on Saturday they were brilliant, playing open flowing rugby. They will have a score to settle next week against Italy.

The Joe Schmidt era began promisingly for Ireland as they controlled the Scots and eased to a 28-6 win at the Aviva Stadium, a win that moved them to the top of the championship at this early stage.

The ex-Leinster coach has certainly had his influence, and the intricate passing patterns that Ireland played were reminiscent of the Dublin province.

Two men have been much improved under Schmidt; Johnny Sexton and Rob Kearney. It is no coincidence that these both played under him at Leinster. Sexton looked like a new player in the green of Ireland; very different to the player we have seen at misfiring Racing Metro this year. He controlled the game with ease, he looked comfortable in his role and that is something that bodes well for Ireland with the Welsh coming to Dublin next week in one of the biggest games this year.

For the Scots there are certainly lessons to be learnt. They were turned over far too often and illdiscipline cost them points. When they did have possession the attack was far from adventurous and very predictable.

The Scots will struggle in Twickenham next week against an English side desperate to get a win under their belts, and the first silverware of this year’s championship, The Calcutta Cup.

The losing teams will have a score to settle this weekend, 8th/9th Feb

32 SPORT

Friday 7 February 2014 Spark*

sports.spark@reading.ac.uk

SPORT Rain affects UoR January sport BUCs and Campus Sport suffer from wet month tom newbold

A wet beginning to 2014 has meant a series of postponements and cancellations for sports teams at Reading University.

BUCs fixtures have been depleted for the first four weeks in a row of the Spring Term so far, whilst the Campus Sport 11-a-side tournament is also suffering from a backlog of fixtures.

The men’s university football teams are yet to play in 2014, although the women did manage a fixture between themselves at SportsPark towards the end of January. Similarly most of the Rugby teams are yet to play game, with one or two away fixtures managing to go ahead.

The rain hasn’t been a problem of course for indoor sports such as badminton and squash, although the dire start made to 2014 from the squash team might make them wish it could indeed rain indoors. A win over Brunel this week may go some way to lifting the dampened spirits of the Squash club.

The backlog in fixtures will no doubt mean a hectic second half to this term, with any free Wednesdays for teams with postponements likely to be taken up with their rearrangements.

Elsewhere the Campus Sport 11-aside league has also suffered from similar problems with the weather.

There is yet to be a single weekend where a full set of fixtures have managed to take place. Use of the

Sochi 2014 preview Six Nations first weekend report Britain enjoy astonishing Davis Cup win

WRITER The SportsPark pitches have been waterlogged and unplayable after a deluge of winter rain SportsPark astro pitch has meant at least four games can still take place each weekend, and two further games on a Wednesday should the pitch be free. Sooner rather than later the pitches at Bulmershe will have be utilised on Wednesday

afternoons in order to work through the large pile-up of fixtures awaiting most teams.

The Campus Sport 5-a-side tournament has been able to go ahead however on the 3G pitches. The two leagues reached their conclusions

in January, and the competition is now coming to an end with the final taking place this Wednesday (13th Feb) at 2pm on the 3G pitches. ORganisers are encouraging anybody to come down and support the finalists.

Reading FC continue promotion charge mike brown

Reading eased to their biggest away win of the season with a clinical display at struggling Millwall to further consolidate their position in the Championship play-offs.

Although the Lions are languishing near the foot of the table this season, a trip to the hostile New Den is certainly one of the more intimidating places to visit, for both players and fans alike, yet the Royals brushed aside their opponents to secure an emphatic 3-0 win.

The Championship table is starting to take shape now, with the unstoppable Leicester City surely racing towards the Premier League.

The division is unusual this season in the sense that the play-off spots have been occupied by the same teams for some time now.

Inside

As it stands, Reading are one of a host of teams battling it out for the second automatic spot despite sitting in sixth position. Some would argue that automatic promotion is beyond the Royals, but the Championship is known for delivering the unexpected and Nigel Adkins’ free-scoring side should certainly be looking up the table rather than just consolidating their position in the top six.

Home demolitions of Bolton Wanderers a fortnight ago (7-1), and Blackpool in midweek (5-1) has led to a genuine feeling of excitement and confidence amongst supporters, who are desperate to welcome the likes of Liverpool and Chelsea back to the Madejski having briefly enjoyed the glamour of the top flight last season.

Sandwiched between the two thrashings against Lancashire opposition was a somewhat surprising 2-0 defeat at Ipswich Town, but the assured and free-flowing performance at Millwall appears to suggest the result at Ipswich was a temporary blip to the Royals’ promotion charge.

Regular striker Pavel Pogrebnyak was on hand to poke in the opener against Millwall after Stephen Bowater’s fumble. Reading however were under the cosh during the second half as the hosts pushed for an equaliser, but two goals in four minutes wrapped things up, much to the delight of a strong away following.

Pogrebynyak was involved again, forcing Bywater in to a superb reaction save from a corner, however the rebound fell invitingly to

Alex Pearce to smash home. The celebrations had barely died down when USA international Danny Williams put the icing on the cake with a measured volley in to the bottom corner.

Tomorrow (8th Feb), a revitalised Sheffield Wednesday visit the Madejski. Christmas turkeys and chocolate yule logs were still on supermarket shelves the last time the Owls tasted defeat following a remarkable ten-match unbeaten run.

Adkins’ side and the supporters will be keen to avenge the 5-2 drubbing at Hillsborough the last time the sides met, and they can take considerable confidence in to the game having hit a sensational twelve goals in their last two home games – expect plenty more tomorrow!

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