The Spark Issue 4 - 5 December 2014

monday 8th december 2014

spark volume 69, Issue 4

NEWS

LIFESTYLE

EDUCATION

WARMING WINTER PUDDINGS

UofRis leading the way for teaching evolution in schools nationwide

Try some of these recipes for puds that will warm you through until Christmas!

ENTERTAINMENT

SPORT

INTERSTELLAR

FORMULA 1

The new sci-fi film that all others will have to live up to

Analysis of the recent bankruptcies in the world’s richest motorsport competition

Online climate change RU:ON TV hosts first filmed course launched for University debate free by University Students rally round to discuss recent Dapper Laughs scandal NIKI IGBAROOLA

3rd Year Classical Studies and English Literature

With social media serving as the only forum for most students to engage with current affairs and voice their opinions, the University’s TV channel, RU:ON TV, have decided to rectify that by providing a debate opportunity open to all students.

The first of such events was held this term to resounding success. The question: what is sexual harassment and was Dapper Laughs promoting it?

As you can imagine, such a topic raised many voices and the team in support of the character Dapper Laughs sustained their argument wonderfully and courageously in the face of severe backlash from both their opponents and the audience.

JAMIE GOSTLOW Online Editor

A free online course on the effects of climate change has been created by the University of Reading’s Walker Institute.

‘Our Changing Climate: Past, Present, Future’ is available to the public through the FutureLearn learning platform, aimed at educating people on the causes and effects of climate change.

The course started on 10th November and sees experts in archaeology, climate science, geography and engineering from Reading share their knowledge for a fascinating journey through time. Each week is dedicated to a different topic under the broad banner of climate change.

Participants will begin by learning about the science behind the climate system, and the methods and techniques used to measure changes in the Earth’s

climate. Week 2 examines how humans are affecting freshwater supplies and the pressures we face on our water resources. Then, participants will learn about food and cities, before ending the course on the politics of climate change.

Lead educator, and Development Manager at the Walker Institute, Dr Maria Noguer said: “The course gives a broad perspective from the fundamental science of the atmosphere to the Continued on page 5

“The team in support of the character Dapper Laughs sustained their argument wonderfully and courageously.”

The inclusion of audience members in the debate added to the lively nature of the affair as it nullified the formal atmosphere that usually surrounds debates.

Panellists were required to defend statements made when faced with audience criticism or

questioning creating a fast paced repartee that made an hour-long event feel like substantially less.

One of the major fears held by students, who were aware of, but did not attend this event, was that it seemed like one aimed at politically inclined students, but an assurance can be made that the construct of this event makes it more discursive and all views are deemed valid and respectfully engaged with.

The singular critique will be in the promotion of this event by the society as the lack of large spread awareness was likely a contributor to the smaller audience numbers.

However, having seen the reception of this event, there is hope that the committee creates higher awareness for the next debate and an even more lively discussion can be held.

Luckily for all who were unable to attend, this was a filmed event and personal opinions can be formed by simply viewing the debate as well as the work RU:ON TV has done in the course of the academic year so far.

Follow RU:ON on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RUON or subscribe to their YouTube Channel www.youtube.com/user/ RUONTelevision to keep up to date with the latest events and videos.

NEWS|EDITORIAL

EDITOR.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

The cold never bothered me anyway It's a green Christmas for everyone at The Spark NATHALIE SIAH The Editor

CONTENTS

08|12|14 NEWS

State school graduates earn less than those who have been privately educated, new research finds

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FOOD

Your easy guide to make a simple, festive Christmas Dinner with your housemates.

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When I moved to the UK last year, I was waiting for it to snow.

I brought too many sweaters and scarves, looking out my window for a storm; the kind that piles up to your hips and you can skip school for. I always thought winter needed an icy blitz to kick start it off, like when the Ice Queen casted a curse on Narnia. Its belowzero harshness is so dramatic that everyone automatically knows this season is boss.

In Canada, its extremity reaches a life threatening level when things start freezing over. Icicles fall off roofs and kill people, the elderly perish via sidewalk slips and cars skid off highways (seriously, don’t visit during winter). I know it sounds terrible but I promise that not all of it is dangerous. You can create as many Frostys as you like, throw snowballs at your mortal enemies and skate until

ENTERTAINMENT The competition for best Christmas ad is definitely on this year, but which entry has you feeling festive?

With moral issues, slipper ALEC WOOLFORD socks and Christmas Deputy Editor dinners in the mix, they’re certainly worth watching.

“So this is Christmas, and

your legs turn to jelly. Having this frozen escapade my entire life, you can imagine that the holidays didn’t seem like they ever started for me. If any of you know the song Green Christmas by the Barenaked Ladies, the lyrics “all this mistletoe, no kiss” really spoke to me. The fact that the grass was still green on the other side made me the Grinch.

It was a lonely time then, moving to a new country without the comforts of home. I missed candy canes, apple cider and wearing thermal underwear. I missed the still air and the bare trees sleeping. But mostly, I missed having that Christmas cheer. One night I was sitting in my room curled up with Love Actually and watching Bill Nighy sing “if you really love Christmas, come on and let it snow”, I quickly realized that if I was going to make the most of a Christmas abroad,

I’d have to make my own fun.

Needless to say I closed my laptop and had the best fun saying to myself, “Oh why not?” I gave the UK a chance and 2013 a theme that I’d never forget—try anything.

I had Indian food on Christmas day, and opened presents in a hotel room when my parents visited. I tried minced pies, mulled wine, stollen and panettone. I made a footprint in the first frost on campus leaving a mark on my territory; as the astronauts did on the moon. I even forced my Malaysian friends to go outside (it is seriously entertaining, try it sometime).

And this year, even though I still miss snow, I look back and think about how grateful of where I am.

Not because I don’t have to wear my down feather coat, but because this snowless December I got to be with the most amazing friends I had the chance to meet. Plus, the dangerously fast Ferris wheel at

Christmas Fair with that someone special was worth the wait.

So here’s to the end of 2014, the last Spark of the year. Each page was a little crinkle of joy and stress for us behind our little glowing computer screens, but every moment has been a blast. As we close another chapter of our lives, I hope that everyone has had the chance to celebrate what we had and still have. Even if everything feels like a mess, and you wish things could happen differently, remember that nobody wants a Scrooge on Christmas. Find yourself a cozy corner, a lovely tree and rock out to some jingle bells. If you’ve got it really bad, I recommend a little love from a sexy Prime Minister Hugh Grant.

We’ll be back soon with more sparkle—Editor out!

rights to fight larger threats.

notable Christmas appeals being run for great causes and details to donate can be easily found online.

As The Spark is fundamentally a university newspaper, I’ll also point you in the direction of the Raising and Giving society (RAG). This year they’ve raised a fantastic amount of money for various charities including 'The Rahab Project’ which is based in Reading and also 'Children With Cancer UK’. You can support them by joining the society and getting involved or by buying their 2015 Naked Calendar featuring male and female students of the University of Reading.

Happy Xmas

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SPORT

Giants win the World Series for the third time in five years, it tells us a lot about the current state of the sport.

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WITH SPECIAL THANKS TO...

Designer- Paula Whetstone Designer-Rhys Jones Designer-Chrissie Levick

what have you done? Another year over, a new one just begun”.

Maybe over-examining Christmas lyrics has been overdone, especially in the wake of the mixed response to recording of Band Aid 30 single, but as an English Lit student, I had to start with a quotation.

Happy Xmas (War is Over)

by John Lennon and Yoko Ono was written as a song of protest, but also because, as Lennon later said, “I was sick of hearing White Christmas”. Ironically, it has since become even more synonymous with Christmas than Bing Crosby’s classic. The words written in 1970, with a refrain created before then, still have relevance today. The famous slogan, “War is Over, If You Want It”, captures the idealism and of the late 1960s but in the face of today’s problems, the protest seems simplistic and naïve.

After the killing of fusilier Lee Rigby last year, we hear on an almost daily basis that war is threatening to be brought to the streets of Great Britain. Earlier this year, the terrorist threat level was raised from “substantial” to “severe”, and as Theresa May mulls over controversial new police powers to fight terrorism, the world seems a much more dangerous place.

“War is Over, If You want it” is not a responsible defence policy in the 21st century. The Vietnam War (the inspiration for Happy Xmas) seems relatively moderate in comparison to the civil wars raging across the Middle-East.

“As global conflicts become messier and moral lines become increasingly blurred, we find ourselves at risk of sacrificing our individual rights to fight As global conflicts become messier and moral lines become increasingly blurred, we find ourselves at risk of sacrificing our individual

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“... it is vital to remember that the most important cost of world peace isn’t political or economic but humanitarian." larger threats."

So what can be done? Protest and activism are both essential tools, but as Christmas comes around many charities run special appeals to help those around the world who are in need. For all the rhetoric, it is vital to remember that the most important cost of world peace isn’t political or economic but humanitarian. There are many

HENLEY BUSINESS SCHOOL Find out why Henley Business School has marched up in the national rankings

DANCE DEGREE Despite promising employment prospects, many think a dance degree isn’t worth it

HEALTHIER DIETS The unthinkable has happened: students are ditching alcohol for healthier diets!

UOR RESEARCH UoR research could lead to a further 360 million diagnosed with autism

NEWS

UoR finds pomegranate poking sets toddlers on a healthy track

UoR finds toddlers more likely to be healthier in later life after playing fruit and veg games

Water way to end 2014!

UoR says 2014 could be one of wettest years on record ABBIE WEAVING News Editor By including vegetables in games, toddlers are more likely to have healthier diets

ALEC WOOLFORD Deputy Editor

Toddlers could receive a head-start to a healthier diet later in life by engaging in tactile fruit and veg games at nursery school, according to new research by the University of Reading.

In a study of Berkshire nursery children, the researchers found that toddlers who had drawn, smelled and poked unusual vegetables were 32% more likely to eat them over other vegetables at mealtimes. The toddlers also touched 66% of the vegetables they had done the activities with, compared to only 49% of the unfamiliar vegetables.

The researchers then conducted a mealtime taste test to see whether exposure to the fruit and veg made any difference to

the children's choices. Straight away, the researchers noticed that most children chose to touch and taste the fruit and vegetables that had been used in the activities first, before they considered whether to taste the foods they had not seen before.

The study involved 92 children from six nurseries, aged between 12 and 36 months. They were separated into a control group and a study group which took part in sensory activities with unfamiliar foods, such as sweet potato, broad beans, rhubarb and pomegranates, every day for four weeks.

Dr Carmel Houston-Price, from the University's School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, led the study. She said: “Fruit and vegetables are the cornerstone of a healthy diet. By developing a fondness for a wide variety of healthy foods toddlers

stand the best chance of having a ‘five a day' diet later in life.”

The research comes after health leaders called for an emergency taskforce to be set up to tackle childhood obesity in England earlier this year. The group called for better co-ordination of obesity treatment services so that all children can be encouraged to eat healthily from a young age.

Dr Houston-Price added: “Poor diet in childhood is associated with obesity and increases the risk of a range of life-threatening illnesses in later life.

Our research could help parents to introduce more vegetables into children's diets, and encourage children to make healthy food choices and actually enjoy eating healthily as they grow older.”

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This season could be the third wettest winter on record for Reading, according to researchers at the University of Reading.

Despite national reports claiming that the end of this year will be the wettest for 33 years, Reading’s outlook cannot be accurately predicted.

Meteorologist at the University, Roger Brugge, said: “The figures quoted of the wettest winter in 33 years are a national average, so in some places it might the wettest in 50 years, and others the wettest in 20 years.

“We can't say at this point how badly Reading will be affected.”

In fact, the average temperature for the town this year is likely

to be 11ºc – the same as 2011 and one of the warmest years in 100 years for Reading.

For clues to the weather’s activity, Mr Brugge noted the importance of looking to the west, since “weather often comes to Reading from the south-west”.

He continued: “At the moment, 2014 is behind 1951, where there was a yearly rainfall of 897mm and 1903, where there was 961mm.

“This year currently stands at 893mm, so it's likely it'll be very close to 1951 but some way off 1903.

“From the Met Office figures we see, you can say there's about 25% chance of it being very, very wet over the course of the winter.”

NEWS|COMMENT

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

The 2014 Female Power List; here’s to girl power Here's the top 3 women who have made 2014 a great year for female empowerment JESSICA PHILLIPS Deputy Editor

Helen Phillips Courtesy of Jessica Phillips

2014 has proved to be a fantastic year for girl power; Emma Watson gave a fantastic speech at the UN promoting the #HeForShe Campaign, Angela Merkel demonstrated herself to be a confident and capable world leader by exercising her political muscles at the NATO Summit Wales, and Jennifer Lawrence continued her reign as the funny girl of Hollywood reminding us that that you don’t have to be super-skinny or have the heart of an ice queen to succeed in society or business. With so many notable and motivational personalities to choose from this year, picking only three women proved to be a difficult challenge. However, after great deliberation, here are my personal favourite top three inspirational and influential women of the last twelve months: Michelle Obama Smart, relatable, fashionable, athletic and inspiring; Michelle Obama might be the coolest First Lady to ever set foot in the White House. Her appeal is owed largely to her down to earth nature and ability to laugh at herself, which is no more clearly exemplified than by the viral Vine of her dancing with a turnip to promote a healthier lifestyle. However, since her husband Barack Obama took office in 2009, she has proven to

be anything but a shrinking violet when it comes to politics, and has taken a frontline role in working towards instigating positive social change in America. She has worked tirelessly in the hope of encouraging brighter futures for every American citizen regardless of their race, religion, gender or socio-economic background.

In 2014 she was proactive in launching the Reach Higher Initiative, which is a programme that aims to encourage young people to take control of their futures and help them meet their full potential by taking advantage of further education opportunities after high school. Michelle Obama is walking proof that women can achieve pretty much anything with determination, gumption and a positive attitude. On top of all of this, she still manages to remain fashion forward in in her quest for equality and individual betterment. So whether you take inspiration from her outlook on life, her dedication to physical fitness, political innovation, or just want to raid her shoe collection, there’s no denying that the First Lady is the Commander-in-Chief when it comes to holding the torch for girl power.

Hilary Mantel You might think that Hilary Mantel is an ambiguous candidate

for The 2014 Female Power List given the controversy surrounding her name this year following the publication of her topical book, The Assassination of Margaret Thatcher. Many political figures such as MPs Stewart Jackson and Nadine Dorries condemned her indulgence in envisaging the callous scenario of the murder of the former Prime Minister.

However, they say there’s no such thing as bad publicity, which has shown to be true given that the hardback copies of the book have sold out on the Harper Collins website, and rave reviews for Mantel have been expressed in The Sunday Times, and Evening Standard amongst other newspapers. I for one applaud her for not giving in to political correctness, for standing her ground, and not apologising for her literary work, but defending it. In the face of public criticism she demonstrated that she too, like Margaret Thatcher is not one for turning. She claimed in The Guardian that she believed, “You mustn't be too timid to risk getting it wrong” and that taking chances are necessary to gain respect and to achieve in any field. Mantel is a perfect example of resilience and common sense showing us all that a powerful imagination can reap many benefits; that

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criticism is not fact and can often be used as fuel for success.

Helen Phillips Okay, this one might be cheating a little, but if you knew this woman like I do, I’m sure you’d agree that she deserves her place on this list. You might have guessed it, Helen Phillips is my mother. She has been my chauffer for the last nine months as I haven’t been able to drive, my personal assistant during my dissertation research, my photographer at parties, partner in crime when taking a few too many wallpaper samples from Homebase, and my singing partner during car journeys where we rock out to Carrie Underwood.

Without my mother, I doubt I’d still be studying at university, had the confidence to write for the student newspaper, and certainly wouldn’t have such an amazing hat collection from her 1980s wardrobe. She is always there for me, and has been known to stay up all night making me a dreamcatcher to expel my childhood nightmares of Maleficent, saved me from eternal banishment to my bedroom after crashing my father’s car, and continues to put my interests above her own.

However, as well as being my hero in many instances, she has also instilled in me that I can often

save myself. She continues to reinforce this fact with a lasting reminder of a canvas that stands in a proud place of my bedroom which reads, “Realise how good you really are”. It might be a little bit cheesy, but the message gets across and often provides me with that extra boosts on deadline days.

Because of my mother I know that I can’t please everyone and that I have strengths and weaknesses.

Just because I can’t dance, doesn’t mean I’m not capable of the best sun salutation yoga has ever seen. Just because I can’t swim, doesn’t mean I can’t give Mary Berry a run for her money when it comes to making lasagne, and just because I’m a granny at heart who loves tea and Downton Abbey, doesn’t mean that I can’t throw out some pretty witty one liners.

This is the perfect time of year for us all to show our appreciation for mothers everywhere and give back to these special women; our fairy godmothers who are able to remedy our problems with their invisible magic wands.

To me, Helen Phillips is a pretty inspirational woman and has made 2014 a year full of laughter and adventure. My mother has provided me with one of the greatest gifts you can give by showing me that happy endings are often achieved by believing in yourself.

GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

UoR evolves school curriculums

The University played host to over 300 schoolchildren in a bid to teach the theory of evolution ABBIE WEAVING News Editor

The University of Reading has created an event for local schools to promote the teaching of evolution.

Set up as part of the Learning about Science and Religion (LASAR) project, the University played host to over 300 10-year-olds at the Institute of Education in Redlands Road.

With children from 11 schools in attendance, workshops were held which included

discussions about ‘religious time’ versus the children’s creation of a ‘washing line of time’.

What’s more, Sir Isaac Newton made a “guest appearance” as well as a panel of scholars who were quizzed by the attendees over whether scientists can be religious as well as believing in the theory of evolution.

Dr Berry Billingsley, leader of the project and associate professor of science education, said: “It is fantastic that evolution is to be taught in primary education but many schools are anxious about

the best way to teach these ideas.”

“So successful has the University’s initiative been, that teaching evolution will become compulsory in UK schools from next year.”larger

threats."

So successful has the University’s initiative been, that teaching evolution will become compulsory in UK schools from next year..

University poised to sell significant plot of land in Reading ZAK PRIOR Sports Editor

The University of Reading is poised to sell of a significant amount of land in the Shinfield area, just outside of the town, south of the M4. The land which totals 101 acres is being sold with development potential for up to 1200 houses. The purchase could allow the University, who have been looking to sell the plot since 2012, to receive close to £100m.

The large plot size has allowed three of Britain’s largest construction firms, Linden Homes,

Bovis Homes and Bloor Homes to work together to help construct what is currently know as the West of Shinfield Development.

The three firms will be hoping for completion of the entire project by 2024, while surveyors expect the plot to be worth up to £400million following completion.

The Wokingham Borough planning permission looks to add a total of 1200 homes, with an additional 150 specialist homes, for the elderly and sheltered accommodation. The plans also outline the potential for a new village centre to be created at the same time, including a

number of business facilities and a supermarket. The plans also stress the importance of a new primary school and community centre that are to be built on the plot.

The sale presents a significant windfall for the University, which will hopefully be invested in student related areas. With the sale of this yet to happen, any benefit will be a fairly long time away.

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|NEWS

Unpaid internships cost graduates close to £1,000 a month

MATTHEW BRITTEN 3rd Year Ancient History and Archaeology

In recently released statistics, it has been announced by the Sutton Trust that there are around 21,000 people working in unpaid internships in the UK. Almost a third of recent UK graduates are working in these positions in order to improve their job prospects. Dr Lee Elliot Major of the Sutton Trust said: “Unpaid internships are increasingly the gateway to a job in the most competitive professions. But, as research shows, the cost of taking on an internship without pay is beyond the means of the vast majority of individuals,” and graduates are being warned of the high costs associated.

Statistically, in the north of the country, a six month unpaid internship could cost graduates around £4,700 and a whopping £5,500 for an internship in London, not including transport costs which for a placement in Manchester are estimated at around £800.

The report follows another Continued from front page consequences of climate change.

“Together, we’ll find out what climate change means for you and the part we play in the climate of the future.”

The FutureLearn learning platform provides an innovative way of studying. Each subsection combines video explanations by professors from the University of Reading, along with more conventional articles and links to further reading.

In addition, participants are encouraged to discuss and debate topics using the online forums.

It is a simple and well produced tool that has proved popular with users. Nogeur was so moved by personal stories from users about flooding around the world that she attached a separate article detailing a small sample.

Pam Novak says that where he

recent survey showing that seven out of ten people in the UK feel that unpaid internships favour the wealthier in society, who are more likely to be able to manage without income for the duration of an internship.

Many included in the report also argued that any form of work should include pay, and has called into question moral issues surrounding unpaid work. In light of the publication of these statistics, there is a call for all work lasting longer than a month to at least meet minimum wage standards, if not the national living wage which currently stands at £7.85 per hour, with London reaching £9.15 per hour.

Dr Lee Elliot Major concluded: “Paying all interns who work for over a month the minimum wage would significantly improve access to these placements for those from more modest backgrounds.”

lives, in New York, there has been two 100-year floods in five years, meanwhile Pady Wu explains how severe weather events occur “almost every year” in Taiwan.

The use of the forums highlights how people from all over the world are participating in the course; providing information on a truly global scale.

‘Our Changing Climate’ is open to everybody, regardless of experience or qualifications.

Upon completion, participants are also able to purchase recognised accreditation for their efforts.

The Walker Institute for Climate System Research was established at the University of Reading in Autumn 2006. It aims to be a world leader in integrated climate system research in order to deliver a better understanding of climate and its impact on society.

NEWS|GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

UofR scientists play leading roles in UN climate report UofR scientists have been leading authors in a new report on Climate Change by the IPCC ALEC WOOLFORD Deputy Editor

The most comprehensive picture ever assembled of the evidence, effects and potential solutions to climate change has been provided by the latest UN climate report according to scientists at the University of Reading.

The Synthesis Report, published by the UN's Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change, pulls

together the key conclusions from a series of reports published over the last year, covering the physical science of climate change, its impacts, how society must adapt to them, and how to mitigate against future problems.

The IPCC is the leading body for the examination of climate change, established by the United Nations Environment Programme and the World Meteorological Organization to provide the world

"Delaying action will make addressing climate change more difficult, more dangerous and more expensive" with a clear scientific view on the current state of climate change and its potential environmental and socio-economic consequences.

What’s more, University of Reading scientists have played a leading role in the IPCC report, with 19 scientists

involved as named authors, five as lead authors and many more contributing in the process.

Professor Nigel Arnell, an IPCC lead author and Director of the University of Reading's Walker Institute for Climate System Research, said: "Deep cuts in global greenhouse gas emissions are needed by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change, with emissions needing to fall close to zero by the end of the century.

He continued:”Agreeing

a global deal to achieve such substantial reductions in greenhouse gases is the enormous challenge that will face governments when they meet at the UN climate summit in Peru next month, and Paris next year. Delaying action will make addressing climate change more difficult, more dangerous and more expensive."

Reading neighbourhood planning scheme working well

Reading’s School of Real Estate and Planning is helping to shape future communities KATRINA HORDERN 3rd Year Archaeology

The University of Reading and Locality conducted a study, and the subsequent report published at the end of October found that 90% of those asked felt that their neighbourhood plan had gone either satisfactorily or well.

"These developments include where shops are built, what infrastructure is needed and how it will look."

Reading's neighbourhood planning scheme is running smoothly

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Developed in April 2012, the planning scheme aims to let communities establish a shared vision of their plot and how to build upon it. These developments include where shops are built, what infrastructure is needed and how it will look.

The report stated that although some difficulties were encountered for things such as accessing the skills and knowledge needed for neighbourhood planning, communities tended to overcome these by utilising support from consultants or the local authority.

Some communities suggested that a better explanation of what

the scheme involved might help, and further support and guidance from local authorities would also be beneficial during the process.

The University of Reading is a leading centre for work in examining planning and communities. The report into User Experience of Neighbourhood planning in England is the first primary research collecting information from those who were involved in preparing their community neighbourhood plan.

Professor Gavin Parker who led the project and who is based at the School of Real Estate and Planning at the Henley Business School, said: “It’s very good news that so many people are willing to engage in shaping their future. Well over 1000 communities are working on Neighbourhood Plans already.

This report will aid policy-makers, planners and neighbourhoods”.

The report follows the announcement of £23.5m funding being provided by the Department of Communities and Local Government to promote the scheme so that more communities across England get involved.

COMMENT & EDITOR'S PICKS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|NEWS

1.7 billion steps too far THE by the EU? EDITORS If there’s one thing the EU could do to further PICKS aggravate the British people at such a unsettled NATHALIE SIAH

time, it’s ask for more money

The Editor

OLIVIA HIGHWOOD

EXPENSIVE CREAMS

2nd Year Politics and International Relations

That being said, they are acting completely within their rights.

Every member state must pay a set amount from their economy towards funding the EU. As a result, because our economy is doing very well at the moment, we are having to ‘pay the price’.

In some ways, this can be seen as punishment for doing better than other states, which is a baffling concept in itself. What’s more, countries such as Greece also have to pay extra dues, despite having an economy in ruin.

However, it is not the amount to be paid that is the issue with this, it is the way that the EU have asked it to be paid. They have demanded a huge sum quickly, making it almost impossible to pay. Furthermore, this demand is only ‘provisional’, and could increase further in the near future.

Surely this must make every Briton wonder if we are getting value for money from the EU, even if they have never questioned membership before. Just think of improvements that could be made to the NHS, the number of potholes that could be filled, or the amount of new jobs and houses that could

This review and comparison of market creams against high street brands is essential for those hunting for the perfect skin routine.

THE REBIRTH OF POKÉMON

George Osbourne should be praised for manage to split the EU bill in two, not criticised

be created with that kind of money.

Accordingly, when George Osborne began negotiations with the EU, his aim was not necessarily to get out of paying the bill - this would go against EU ruling - but it was to give us more time in which to pay the bill. In spite of this, when he announced that he had managed to get agreement for the bill to be split into two instalments, everyone rushed to criticise him.

What did people expect? He couldn’t just demand to be exempt from a written agreement that we as a nation have signed. Of course the opposition was first to be his critic, but what he did

was commendable, and he did not come back empty-handed, as was broadly speculated.

As well as delaying and splitting the bill, EU rules have been changed to ensure that we are never faced with such a big bill that has to be paid so quickly again. He may have cleverly spun the words in the tweet that he used to announce this, but every politician does.

So the bill is a nasty one, but we signed up for it, and if Ed Balls thinks he can get out of paying it while remaining in the EU, I would love to see him try.

UoR scientists part of hindgut research team ZAK PRIOR Sports Editor

A new study into the horse’s hindgut has been cofounded by a group of scientists from the University of Reading, working with groups from both the University of Surrey and the University of Liverpool.

They were awarded £100,000 to use toward their research by the Petplan Charitable Trust.

The research centres on

creating a laboratory model of the hindgut, which will be at Surrey’s new veterinary medicine centre.

The aim is to find out more about the bacteria within the gut, an area that little is currently known about. This in turn will allow further research into disease prevention. It is expected that the research will take up to two years.

Scientists at the University will be able to take advantage of nuclear magnetic resonance technology, allowing them to assist with the

project. This technology will allow the researchers to evaluate how changes to the hindgut, such as a difference in diet or the use of medication, are affecting the microbial community.

"The research centres on creating a laboratory model of the hindgut, which will be at Surrey’s new veterinary medicine

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This brief introduction and personal comment on the game series paints a fantastical story ready to be received worldwide. graphics and music.

A MUDDY VICTORY

A must read for American Football lovers everywhere on the Reading Knights’ big win against Kings College London Regents this season.

CAMPUS FASHION

This quirky take on rainy fashion by Caitlin McClinchey is a positive and stylish feature of the December issue for both men and women.

RED AWARD Need hours for your RED Award?

Helping The Spark may help you ultimately gain the experience you’re looking for filling up the core activities on your RED Award sheet!

If you’re writing an article for the Lifestyle, Entertainment or Sports section, you will be awarded with 1 ½ hours per article. News articles on the other

hand are awarded 30 minutes per article. If you’re artist or photographer, you can gain up to 3 hours depending how long you work!

If you’ve already written, drawn or photographed for The Spark, the Editor Nathalie Siah can sign off your sheet for you. Contact her at editor. spark@reading.ac.uk for more information.

|NEWS

NEWS| GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Research finds privately educated graduates earn more

Students respond to suggestion that private education helps students outside of the classroom more NIKI IGBAROOLA

3rd Year Classical Studies and English Literature

Reports gathered by the Institute for Fiscal Earnings show that privately educated graduates earn noticeably more than their equally qualified state school counterparts, concluding that universities do not level the playing field.

Questions are raised as to whether educational achievement or socio-economic background is more important in obtaining a job.

Within this study, emphasis was placed on non-cognitive thinking and its importance in the real world. A commentator described a job interview between two equally qualified candidates where the deciding factor was in the firmer handshake and ability to hold eye contact. The successful candidate is said to have had a private educational background, suggesting that there are skills outside of the

academic arena that employers look for when hiring graduates.

However, it is impossible to ignore the possibility that privately educated graduates might have access to a larger networking pool and have better access to the higher paying jobs.

Despite conceptions of education as a route to social mobility, Dr Claire Crawford, a research fellow at IFS, said: ‘Amongst those who succeed in obtaining a degree, family background – and in particular the type of school they went to – continues to influence their success in the work place.’

However, students at the University of Reading have fought back against such research and question the credibility of these suggestions.

Nicole Correia, a third year English Literature student, wants a more detailed report of the industries to which these findings pertain, and credits the success of the students she has met while at University, both private and

“However, students at the University of Reading have fought back against such research and question the credibility of these suggestions.” state educated, to hard work.

She told The Spark: “I am motivated to earn whatever is appropriate for the job and within the industry I will work in, rather than competing or even comparing with my peers of more affluent families.”

What’s more, other students suggested that the propensity of highly ranked institutions to admit a high number of privately educated students skews success in the work place in their favour. Here we see a comment on the admission policy held by many universities and the possible damaging effects on a great deal of graduates in terms of long-term career success.

Should these findings be true, questions must be raised as to the importance placed on educational performance and whether tools to aid in networking and social conduct should be introduced into the curriculum from an earlier age.

Studies like this also reiterate the notion that we live in a society where you get what you pay for, and with a £4,500

average difference in salary, privately educated students seem to be reaping the benefits of their parents’ earning power.

University discovers sun’s magnet opens the UK to increased lightning

Thanks to this recent research, the University will be able to improve future storm MATTHEW BRITTEN 3rd Year Ancient History and Archaeology

A recent discovery by the University of Reading suggests that increased lightning activity is caused by the sun. In a recently published study, researchers from Reading’s Meteorology Department discovered that the 50% increase in lightning strikes in the last five years, based on satellite and Met Office data, coincide with the Earth’s magnetic field being ‘bended’ temporarily by that of the Sun. Where the Earth’s magnetic field would usually provide a shield against space particles, known as galactic cosmic rays,

it has been observed that the temporary manipulation from the Sun’s magnetic field has let these rays through causing chain reactions leading to lightning events in thunder clouds.

Dr Matt Owens, lead researcher for the study, said: “We’ve discovered that the Sun's powerful magnetic field is having a big influence on UK lightning rates.

The Sun's magnetic field is like a bar magnet, so as the Sun rotates its magnetic field alternately points toward and away from the Earth, pulling the Earth's own magnetic field one way and then another.” This change in direction can allow these rays to enter the upper atmosphere.

The University of Reading has been at the forefront of studies into the relationships between

lightning events and the influence of space events on our planet’s weather systems. This new research hopes to improve our predictions for future storm events.

Dr Owens continued: “We now plan to combine regular weather forecasts, which predict when and where thunderclouds

“The University has been at the forefront of studies into the relationships between lightning and the influence of space events on our weather systems.” will form, with solar magnetic field predictions. This means a reliable lightning forecast could now be a genuine possibility.”

For more information, the scientific paper is available to read and download for free from Environmental Research Letters: http://iopscience.iop.org/17489326/9/11/115009/article

University finds that the sun is responsible for increased lightening

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How will you replace your phone if it gets lost, damaged or stolen?

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For lifestyle tips and tricks from the No. 1 student insurance provider visit hub.endsleigh.co.uk/security Protect your possessions and always remember to Check, Lock, Leave.

*If your item is lost, stolen or unrepairable we’ll replace it within 24 hours – 1 working day of your claim being approved. **Price based on insuring a laptop up to the value of £500, an iPhone 4s and a bike up to £200 for a student living on campus.

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NEWS|GENERAL NEWS

NEWS@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

UoR creates new test for assessing baby development DANIELLE PAGLIONICO

A new test – the Early Report

by Infant Caregivers (ERIC) - has been developed by the University of Reading.

In partnership with the Royal Berkshire Hospital NHS Foundation Trust among other organisations, this test (which has been found to be 99% effective) allows parents to easily assess whether their premature or low birth weight babies suffer with delayed development.

2nd Year English Language

“If these problems are detected as early as possible, this will result in a higher percentage of babies being given the chance of a better quality of life."

If these problems are detected as early as possible, this will result in a higher percentage of babies being given the chance of a better quality of life.

Within a three-year study, the test proved to be just as effective as the standard assessment currently used – the Bayley Scales of Infant Development - at identifying cognitive problems.

ERIC has the potential to identify more problems than the Bayley test, since unlike the Bayley test, it can be used to assess a wide age group of children between the ages of ten and twenty-four months.

The project leader, Dr Graham Schafer, from the University’s School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences points out that “over 50,000 children are born prematurely in the UK every year – most are not routinely followed up for cognitive development checks”, which consequently means that many problems go undetected, and only come to attention in future years.

ERIC creates a simple standardised score based on the age of the child, and can be easily downloaded online.

This test merely requires the use of everyday household items, such as bowls and small toys, making it easily accessible to virtually anyone who may have concerns about the development of their children. Furthermore, the test only lasts an hour and can be carried out at home, which further widens its accessibility.

University hosts Roman classroom day School children not only had a peek at the ancient classroom, but also a taste for Roman cuisine ABBIE WEAVING News Editor

The University of Reading played host to a group of local schoolchildren last month, providing an insight into a Roman classroom.

Students learnt how to write on wax tablet with a stylus, as well as how to read from papyrus scrolls.

The University’s Department of Classics sought to highlight the differences between the ancient classroom and modern teaching environments. As well as handling replicas of ancient teaching tools, students got the opportunity to dress up and learn multiplication with Roman numerals.

What’s more, teachers continued to replicate ancient

teaching methods by only speaking to children individually and not addressing the class as a whole.

Professor Eleanor Dickey from the department, said: “The changes in the way children are taught now are massive, even going back 10 years. Well we are going back 2,000 years!

“There was no set curriculum parents paid for what they wanted their child to learn - no set classes, year groups or times for attendance.

“There was no set curriculum - parents paid for what they wanted their child to learn - no set classes, year groups or times for attendance.”

“The University’s Department of Classics sought to highlight the differences between the ancient classroom and modern teaching environments.”

“But children wouldn't get away with skipping lessons. The majority of parents sent their children to school with a slave who not only kept them safe on the way there but also reported back any errant behaviour.”

Schoolchildren were given the opportunity to try ancient cuisine as well as the Roman classroom.

Professor Dickey continued: “No obelisk has been left unturned to create an authentic atmosphere, from Roman costumes to windows looking out on the River Nile.

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Courtesy of Flickr Images

GENERAL NEWS

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|NEWS

Anxious teens require tailored treatment says UoR

Without specific treatment, teenagers are at risk from further mental health problems later in life ABBIE WEAVING News Editor

Teenagers needing treatment for anxiety should receive tailored attention, say researchers at the University of Reading.

Currently, teenagers needing psychological treatment are grouped with children much younger than themselves, despite the fact that their symptoms are more severe.

These findings come from a recent study run by Dr Polly Waite at the University, who found that ‘one size fits all’ treatment is not effective for teenagers. In fact, results show that insufficient treatment could lead to problems in later life, such as depression, suicide, alcohol and drug abuse and under-achievement in education.

My Jobs Online My Jobs Online (MJO) is a one-stop shop for all things careers – it’s more than just jobs!

MJOoffers: • A jobs board that covers parttime work, placements and graduate roles An event management system where you can explore the events we offer and book a place • A system for managing appointments with Careers Advisers and Placement officers (for some Henley Business School and ICMA students, these appointments can be booked online) • An e-guidance system that allows you to send queries to a Careers Adviser or Placement Officer My Jobs Online is designed specifically for Reading students and graduates – all the employers advertising jobs and placements are targeting you! MJO also allows you to set email preferences to receive targeted information about jobs and events that interest you. To find out more, login using your University username and password at: https://reading. targetconnect.net/student/login. html

Despite the fact that children are particularly vulnerable to developing mental health issues, only 6% of the country’s budget is dedicated to this sort of healthcare.

What’s more, over three quarters of these services have had their funding frozen or cut completely.

Clinical Lecturer from the School of Psychology and Clinical Language and Sciences at the University, Dr Waite, said: “Mental health services lack funds and direction but can still change the course of a child's life. When it comes to dealing with anxiety, we need to vastly improve how we treat teenagers. By dealing headon with the symptoms found in adolescents, we could make a huge difference to young people's lives.”

Of the study, she added: “Nearly 300,000 children and adolescents in the UK suffer from

anxiety disorders. Most teenagers with anxiety problems receive cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT), and we know CBT works - 60% of children and young people who receive treatment are free of anxiety problems later in life. However, that statistic could still be improved.

Careers Advisor

As a Careers Adviser, I sometimes meet students who feel demoralised because they either lack career direction or are struggling to find vacancies that interest them. I recently met a Biological Sciences graduate called Russell who was at the end of his tether, caught in the trap of doing general web searches for jobs. This approach can drag you into a spiral of applying for uninspiring, inappropriate jobs.

As Russell wrote in a recent blog (available at blogs.reading. ac.uk/careers/): “In today’s world the first thing you do is grab your laptop, open up Google and search ‘graduate jobs’. It goes without saying, but this process is extremely tedious!”

A little advice from a professional Careers Adviser can point you in a more productive direction.

Russell arrived at the Careers Centre with various ideas, including medical writing. He

mental health problems, leading to fewer suicides and incidence of drug and alcohol problems.”

“Surprisingly, only 6% of the country’s budget is dedicated to mental healthcare” “We found that teenagers are often receiving treatment designed for younger children which is then simply adapted or made ‘cooler’.

Many teenagers therefore will be receiving treatment that does not specifically address symptoms that occur in adolescents. This may mean they have poorer

Be proactive TANIA LYDEN

treatment outcomes, putting their futures at risk. By targeting treatment more effectively, we could stop teenagers developing

had read about it online, but was struggling to find opportunities in this hidden area of work. We discussed a more proactive approach called ‘informational interviewing’, where he would ask medical writing companies to give him half an hour of their time to investigate the role and make a more certain career choice. Armed with a few contacts from me and some of his own, Russell tried out this technique. He writes: “At first I was unconfident, expecting to be ignored. It required some effort, but I found a few people in the industry and after a couple of polite emails I was talking to these people about medical writing.”

Three days later, Russell was back asking for help with an interview he’d secured! He told me how impressed companies were with his proactivity, how he’d run out of time to meet all the people who agreed to speak to him, and how it gave him the confidence that medical writing was the career for him.

Taking this speculative approach can create open conversations about how you can be a better candidate and, in time, can open the door to the right job

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for you. As Russell says in his blog: “Patience is key, but if you’re looking for work, don’t waste your time with online search engines, get out there and be proactive.”

Career Events In this column, we’ll keep you updated on the events we run during term-time, from skills workshops to information sessions and employer presentations.

Here’s a taster of some of the events we’re running next term: CV workshops, Psychometric Testing workshops, Exploring the Hidden Job Market, and – at the far reaches of the Careers universe – Exploring Careers in the Space Sector. Watch this space for details!

A listing of all our events can be found at: www. reading.ac.uk/careers/events/

Jobs of the week

All of the jobs listed below can be found on My Jobs Online, the Careers Centre’s online jobs portal (see www. reading.ac.uk/careers/jobs) : Graduate Job of the week: Employer: Marstons Brewery Job Title: Pub Graduate Programme In brief: Learn to know about prosperous pub Closing Date: 11

all there is managing a or restaurant January 2015

Placement of the week: Employer: Mattel UK Job Title: Brand Marketing Intern In brief: A 12 month placement in the brand marketing team of a leading toy maker Closing Date: 28 February 2015 Part-time job of the week: Employer: Total Hospitality Job Title: Christmas Waiting Staff In brief: Work in December and early January at events and weddings across the South Closing Date: 6 February 2015

WINTER WONDERLAND Visiting Winter Wonderland this Christmas? Here are our top tips in planning your day!

POLAND Travel to Krakow, Poland this Christmas for a magi cal getaway.

BEAUTY PRODUCTS It’s time to get buying those beauty products to he lp your skin and lips in this miserable, cold weather!

DEALING WITH STRESS A student guide to overcoming stress through unders tanding its causes and practicing mindful living.

LIFESTYLE Visiting Winter Wonderland EMMA REEVES 3rd Year English Literature

Winter Wonderland Credit to Emma Reeves

Imagine a Christmas market on steroids, with rides, Santa Land, a Bavarian beer village, ice rink and many other attractions thrown in- and you have Winter Wonderland. It can be the perfect place to get into the Christmas spirit, or some might say a winter nightmare comparable to (attempting) the trek along Oxford Street at Christmas. It is important to plan your visit to get the most out of it, and to ensure you will not become scrooge any time soon. Here are some tips to get you started: Book in advance You have to purchase timeslot tickets for ice- skating, the Magical Ice Kingdom (recommended), Zippo’s Circus (recommended), Bar Ice and the Giant

Wheel. The popular attractions sell out quickly, so it’s important to book in advance online.

Transport The mood can be killed before you even enter the park if you choose to get off at Hyde Park Corner, notorious for its crowds and shutting when too busy. It’s a lot easier, and more pleasant to get off at another underground station, such as Green Park, and enjoy a 5 minute stroll to the park.

Time Get there for opening time (10am) to avoid the crowds, especially on weekends when it is particularly busy. Many people prefer going at night for the lights and atmosphere. It is better, and

quieter to do this on a weekday. but it’s Christmas) food here.

Naturally the nearer to Christ- From sweet snacks to hog roast, mas it gets, the busier it gets. Bavarian specialities like bratwurst, and gourmet food stalls. In the past there has been an internaShop around There are more wooden chalet tional meat stall- try buffalo and stalls added every year, so shop kangaroo meat amongst others. around a bit before purchasing anything (or eating anything). Follow the crowd Some stalls are basically clones When the crowds do pick up, do of each other. It’s also nice to not get yourself into the tricky look around them all, as unique situation of walking against themfinds are often spread out. Look it is a struggle, especially to get out for the novelty fake snow. past the sea of people to look at the surrounding stalls. Follow the crowds and be patient, it’s usually Eat There are so many options for quieter and more spread out after food and drink, such as Bar Ice, the first stretch of shops, which the Bavarian beer Village, the Car- are best to look at when it is quiet. ousel Bar and Fire Pit. Grab a hot cider, mulled wine or hot choco- Make a day out of it! late and wander round, before po- Had enough? Visit the nearby tentially getting some (overpriced Victoria and Albert Museum, or

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shop in Knightsbridge and see the Christmas window display at Harrods. Try the Natural History Museum’s ice rink (book in advance) or if you want more, visit another Christmas market such as South Bank’s. Winterville at Victoria Park is new this year, and looks set to challenge Winter Wonderland’s status as master of Christmas markets- it even has a roller disco!

Winter Wonderland opening times: 21st November: 5pm- 10pm 22nd November 2014 to 4th January 2015: 10am-10pm More information: http://www.hydeparkwinterwonderland.com

TRAVEL

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|LIFESTYLE

Interview: Study Abroad EMMA REEVES

the real world, I knew it was an unmissable opportunity.

An interview with some of the University’s study Abroad ambassadors…

How did you find out about Study Abroad and why did you do it?

Rebecca: When I applied for university initially at 17 that’s what I wanted to do, it was on UCAS, so that’s pretty off the bat from my entire university career that I was going abroad.

Tom: My good friend went to Rhode Island, I was like wow that sounds fun so I did it.

Merryn: I was forced into it as I study Languages, but I chose Reading as it included a year abroad.

Joe: At the end of second year a guy next to me in a meeting was talking about Aarhus. I decided to go for it, after a few weeks of sorting everything I found out I was to leave in a month and a half’s time. It was a bit sudden but that’s how I did it.

3rd Year English Literature

Merryn Thomas Rebecca Kittson Tom Starling Amy McWilliams Joe Doyle Where did you study?

Rebecca: Uppsala University, Sweden.

Tom: I went to Rhode Island State University in America for a semester.

Merryn: I started off the year at the University of Grenoble in France, and in my second term I moved to the University of Florence in Italy.

Amy: I studied at the University of Ottawa in Canada for a semester.

Joe: Aarhus University, Denmark.

How did you decide on location?

Merryn: For Grenoble, I knew it was the most accessible city in France as I use a wheelchair.

It’s also really beautiful and surrounded by mountains.5 Rebecca: I’d never been to Sweden before so I thought why not.

Scandinavia is where it’s at, they all speak perfect English. Language is definitely not an issue for these European countries.

Tom: Basically I’ve always wanted to study American politics, it’s my passion. So when I realised I could actually study in the country which sparked my interest, and experience politics in

What was the best part of the experience?

Rebecca, Tom: Travelling.

Merryn, Amy: Meeting loads of great people.

Joe: I met my girlfriend, she has just moved to Reading. Hopefully I will get a PhD in Denmark next year.

The worst part?

Tom: Unexpected challenges, such as a visa problems.

Rebecca: I had to apply for a permit in Sweden as I was there for a year. Originally it was rejected, but the universities got involved and it got sorted. So support is there for any problems!

Any weird facts?

Tom: Americans don’t have ket-

Image Credit to Merryn Thomas, Rebecca Kittson and Amy Williams

tles. Really weird. They boil tea in a pot on the stove.

What was your favourite place?

Tom: D.C. Definitely. Fantastic city. A bit warm.

Merryn: I lived in one of the best cities in the world (Florence). Seeing the Arctic Monkeys outdoors in a little piazza was gorgeous.

Amy: New York.

Is it affordable?

Amy: It is affordable. The more you save, the more you can travel.

Halls can be cheaper abroad too.

Tom: Yes. I spent my money travelling. There’s also grants available.

Rebecca: My parents and the Erasmus grant helped.

Merryn: France was cheap, rent in Italy was expensive.

The benefits?

Rebecca: I study Law, and have noticed that I’m more laid back and organised this year.

Amy: I’m also more focused on

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work. I took a module in Political Science, the lecturers worked for the government what was interesting.

Merryn: I’m much more independent. It changed my life. Also the different academic structure in Italy meant that I had a four hour seminar every Friday- seminars here now fly by!

Joe: I spent most of my time in labs on an Organic Chemistry project. The practical experience has been great for my Chemistry degree.

who stayed, and you make so many friends when you're away.

Good friends keep in touch.

How was the transition back to Reading?

Amy: I sorted a house for third year this time last year. I rented a room from someone who was on study abroad during the term that I was in Reading.

Rebecca: I’m in halls with a bunch of friends I lived with in first year.

Merryn: Even if you do have FOMO, think how amazing your CV will look compared to those

How would you describe Study Abroad?

Merryn: The best thing I’ve ever done.

Amy: The best four months of my life, cliche as it sounds!

Rebecca: Life enhancing!

Joe: Best year of my life so far.

What advice do you have for those interested?

Rebecca: It all works out. Never say no. Do everything.

Merryn: There’s always support if you need it.

Joe: My mum gave great advice, she said don’t worry about it. Book a plane ticket and you will find somewhere to live. And I did.

Amy: Go for it. Take lots of photos!

LIFESTYLE |TRAVEL & BEAUTY

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Becoming International

Christmas Markets 2014

Getting used to a third year abroad

It’s that time of year again - the time for watching Love Actually in front of the fire, for getting excited about opening your advent calendar (despite technically being adults now) and of course, Christmas shopping! Nothing makes shopping as special as when you do it at a Christmas market, and there are so many to choose from.

The market at Winchester is idyllic; I go every year without fail. Designed like a traditional German market, the stalls are rustic wooden chalets and with the gothic backdrop of Winchester Cathedral it makes for a wonderfully romantic experience. There are unique decorations and gifts for sale, many are handmade and brought from all around the world.

There is also the chance to ice skate with the rink placed in the centre of the stalls; although it is very popular so I do recommend booking. As well as this, there is a wide variety of food and drink, a warming cup of mulled wine always goes down well. The market runs from 20th November to the

SEANA GATEHOUSE 3rd Year French & English Language

I have no doubt that for anyone who chooses a degree in Languages, the prospect of a third year spent in a foreign country is an exciting one. It is something that we all fear, yet cannot wait for. Ever since I decided to study French at the age of 16, I’ve wondered where in France I would go, who I would meet, and whether I would ever be ready for it.

As the long awaited year abroad finally loomed, my stomach was churning with both excitement and nerves. Moving out of my house in Reading was strange, and knowing that I wouldn't be returning to study there for well over a year was even weirder.

My summer at home, leading up to France, seemed to be a stressful and nerve-wracking waiting game as I tried to sort out the biggest move of my life so far.

Moving day came, and ever since then time has just flown.

I’m now over a quarter of the way through my year abroad in Lyon, France and I can honestly say that I have no idea how it feels. I can tell you that I love it. It’s amazing and incredible and I LOVE telling people that I live in France, that ‘Yes, I do actually think I’m a lot better at French already’. But, I’m in a blur of loving every second yet at the same time missing so much from home and the comfort of being somewhere where you know and understand what everyone is talking about. There are a few things you learn when living as an international student on your year abroad, and a fair few come as quite a surprise. For

one, you learn that everyone who speaks English instantly becomes your friend. Whether you meet them at university, on Facebook, in the queue for the loos or on the tram, if they speak the same language as you, you’re friends.

Another thing would be that despite seeming to have barely any hours in university and a virtually non-existent workload, you seem to be busy all the time! You find that you spend money so fast, you actually have to check for a hole in the bottom of your purse. Meeting people and making friends is not cheap - you go out for meals and drinks and parties and coffees to socialise, and before you know it you’ve got loads of friends but absolutely no money. I guess you can say that you also grow up a bit. Even though I’m not even halfway through yet, I’ve already become one of those ‘boring yet sophisticated people’ who would much rather just go out for a glass of wine and a cheeseboard than spend the whole night dancing and not being able to speak to anyone.

In the past three months so much has happened and changed, but I still can’t wait to see what the rest of this year brings! Having such easy access to so much of Europe means that I’ve got a lot of travelling planned and even more to look forward to.

And, I’m sure, a whole load of more weird and wonderful things to discover about living abroad and becoming an International.

Credit to Seana Gatehouse

LOUISE INGHAM 2nd Year Law

21st December and is open every day from 10am to 6/7.30pm.

The city of Bath also hosts its own Christmas market every year, with both the Abbey and the Roman Baths being taken over for the experience. The stalls are full of gifts and decorations in wooden chalets and many of the products handmade and made in the UK. There is also “Bath on Ice”, which offers festive outdoor ice skating with the gorgeous setting of the Royal Victoria Park and the Royal Crescent. If you fancied taking someone special there are “Dates on Ice” nights offering live music and the surrounding area is lit up magically.

The market runs from the 27th November to the 14th December.

Reading also hosts its very own Christmas market at Read-

ing Town Hall Square, so it’s the perfect opportunity take a break from studying and go and do some Christmas shopping! There are over 40 stalls with gift ideas such as jewellery, toys and crafts as well as a large selection of food and drink. Cider, beer and wine is sold and if you are feeling especially like a poor student, there is wine to sample for free.

The market runs from the 27th November to the 7th December.

There are many more than this in the UK as well as abroad, so go exploring and give your friends and family a unique, festive gift from one of these wonderful markets this Christmas.

Winchester Christmas Markets

Beauty Essentials to Survive Winter REBECCA MCARDLE 3rd Year English Language

When the cold weather hits, lips need extra TLC. They’re particularly vulnerable to chapping and dryness as they lose more moisture than any other part of the face and body, so be sure to exfoliate regularly to keep them smooth. A favourite product of mine is the LUSH Lip Scrub; pinch a small amount, rub over your lips, and lick it off. Simple! The hardest part will be deciding which one of the equally tasty flavours to get.

Once you’ve scrubbed away the dryness, use a moisturising lip balm or treatment to keep your lips conditioned.

Blistex have a wide range of products that achieve this perfectly. The Intensive Moisturiser Hydrating Lip Cream is ideal for keeping in your bag

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and applying regularly throughout the day. The cooling effect left after application from the minty flavour is really soothing too.

Dry skin is a result of skin being deprived of its natural protective oils, and the harsh, freezing temperatures in winter months like to rob us of these. The Ultimate Body Oil Beauty Scrub by Garnier contains four nourishing oils – Argan, Macademia, Almond and Rose – to soften and hydrate your skin whilst leaving you smelling amazing. It has the added bonus of exfoliating beads to alleviate dry and rough skin too. Use this rinse off gel formula in the shower, and follow straight after with the oil moisturiser in the same range to keep it penetrating into your skin throughout the day.

Your hard-earned tan from summer may have faded now, but that doesn’t mean your skin needs to look pasty and lifeless until the sun finally shines on it

again! For a radiant complexion and to add a bit of brightness into the dull winter days, use Dove Summer Glow Nourishing Lotion to enhance the skin’s natural colour and subtly build a light, streak-free tan. With continued use, you can build upon the tan to develop it to the shade you want.

The contrast between the bitter outdoor temperatures and indoor warmth plays havoc on our skin. This can cause hands to become rough and dry to touch, with flaky skin and sore redness.

Elizabeth Arden Eight Hour Intensive Moisturising Hand Treatment gets to work straight away to deeply soothe the skin. When used overnight, there’s a definite improvement in the hydration of my hands. It’s the perfect size for your handbag, too, so can be applied when you’re on the go.

BEAUTY

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|LIFESTYLE

Beauty Product Review – Boot’s Benefit AMBER IVATT

3rd Year English Literature & Creative Writing

There I was roaming Boots for the perfect bronzer, when all of a sudden I caught her glimpsing at me. The dreaded woman in white approached me with pearly teeth and asked: “Can I help you with anything today?”

But for once in my life I was glad that she did, or else I would never have taken advantage of the Benefit Beauty Bonbons Christmas gift box.

“The award winning mascara, they’re Real! is an absolute dream and I’ve never tried a mascara like it!."

For only £39.50, (for a limited time only) this fantastic offer contains Benefit’s best products including the High Beam highlighter that is perfect to sculpt your cheekbones and t-zone. The award winning mascara, they’re Real! is an absolute dream and I’ve never tried a mascara like it! The mascara brush tackles it all, length, volume and a spiky brush at the end to grab those stubborn bottom lashes individually. Another award winning product that this gift box offers is the POREfessional face primer, best known for minimising pores and giving an airbrush glow underneath your foundation.

The Hoola bronzer is perfect for all skin tones, which is ideal if you like to whip out the old St Tropez for a night out, while keeping your complexion bare in the day for the winter months. This

product will still achieve a glow, which will suit your skin tone.

And the Hoola lip-gloss is a beautiful shimmering nude that is ideal to work over Mac’s Hover lip liner and it tastes just like coconut. So whoever is the lucky one kissing you under the mistletoe this Christmas, they will definitely be impressed!

I would genuinely recommend investing in this product, as it would be perfect for sisters and friends for a Christmas present. Or if you can’t keep your hands off this amazing deal, this is a great excuse to spoil yourself from all that hard work this term. It is also a huge bargain since all of these products costs on average around £20 separately. A bonus is it will give you extra advantage points on your Boots card for the New Year!

Do expensive creams or serums really work?

HANNAH GAY

Product Review Elemis Hydra - Boost Day Cream

4th Year French & International Relations

When I started experimenting with cosmetics, my Granny began to drum into me the importance of a good skin care routine. According to her, makeup needn’t be expensive, but every girl should invest in a good quality day and night cream.

As a student, I unfortunately haven’t had the money to really splash out on designer skin care brands, and for the last couple of years I have used Boots No7 “Essential Moisture” range (RRP 9.95). This cream has certainly done the job. It smells nice, has a perfectly balanced consistency, and gives my skin just the right amount of hydration without making it overly greasy.

However, as soon as the new academic year started, (and as soon as the student loan dropped), I decided to take my Granny’s advice and to actually invest in a more upmarket skin care brand. I chose Clarins, a very traditional, well established cosmetics company popular with women of all ages. After some deliberation, I purchased two classic creams from the counter, the “Multi Active Day Cream” (RRP £37.50) and the “Multi-Active Night Cream” (RRP £39.60). The packaging was certainly very sophisticated, however this is the only

Boots Benefit Christmas gift box' Credit to Boots

NIKI IGBAROOLA

3rd Year Classical Studies & English Literature

impressive selling point of these products. Both creams were of a very thick consistency, which was fine for the hydrating night time routine, although it was too rich for day time use. Makeup didn’t sit so well on top of this heavy base, and I often found that it began to slide off gradually during the day, and left me with a shiny face. With regards to smell, I don’t believe that the Clarins creams had any more of a luxurious scent than my trusty No 7 companions, and considering their price, I expected them to smell a lot plusher than many of the highstreet brands. Unfortunately I will have to disregard my Granny’s advice for now, I don’t believe a good skin care routine is dependent upon price, I believe it is dependent upon a brand that works for you and your skin type, and No 7 has the perfect products that care for my combination skin type.

There is however one product that I worship, and even though it is in the higher price range, I believe it to be worth every penny:

“Elizabeth Arden’s Eight Hour Cream”. This rich serum/cream is not predominantly used for your entire face, (although I have known girls to use it as a facial protector when going skiing), but is of more useful to specific areas of your skin care routine. I have very dry hands, and suffer from eczema during the winter months. The Eight Hour cream soothes any spots of dry irritated skin in seconds, and is also a fabulous lip and cuticle conditioner. I also use it every morning to shape my eyebrows, its serum like consistency keeps them in place and sets them for the day. Elizabeth Arden herself perfectly sums up this amazing product and describes it as “the legendary skincare classic that works wonders to moisturize and protect anyway you choose.” Although this product is around the £25 mark, one tube will last you more than six months, and it is a trusty handbag companion that has a multitude of uses.

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Soft skin, even tone and an oil free face are three of the most important things I look for in a face cream and over the last three weeks I have been impressed by the Elemis day Boost Face Cream. In life, I am a die-hard Avon fan but as ‘change is good’ I found myself on the look-out for something new. As previously stated, the softness of my skin is highly important for me especially in winter where the harsh winds can quickly dehydrate skin, therefore, any products for my face has to be highly moisturising without clogging my pores.

It was quite coincidental then that I received a sample of this cream three weeks ago and I remain impressed.

Having worked in Sales over the summer, I found myself wearing make-up almost on a daily basis, leading to my natural skin taking on a very dull appearance.

But within a few days of using this lotion, my skin appeared brighter and I was able to slowly ditch the make-up and now go confidently completely without.

One of the first things I noticed and greatly appreciated was the lack of oil build up that usually

occurs after a few hours. This is highly important especially on a make-up free face. There is something very lightweight about this cream so that you not only get the natural look, but feel it too.

Naturally, I have very soft skin (thank you mother) but there is an added silkiness to the softness that seems to have come from a religious use of this moisturiser. As a day cream, it seems to recommend itself to single daily use but personally I applied it after every shower and before putting on my make-up prior to a night out. Unfortunately, I have lately found that using this lotion before applying heavy night out make-up has caused me to rely on the shine control effects of powder a bit more than usual which means more time spent peering into the dimly lit mirrors of club bathrooms.

Overall, great skin boosting lotion that looks to be a winter essential.

LIFESTYLE |HEALTH & FOOD

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK “Foods especially rich in Vitamin A, such as sweet potato, carrots and fresh tuna, increase your white blood cell count which improves your ability to fight infections.”

Courtesy of Flickr Images

Don't miss out because of the Winter bug A guide to staying healthy this winter

ELIZABETH ANDREWS 4th Year Food Technogoloy with Bio-Processing

I’m sure I am not alone in saying I hate winter; the cold temperatures, evenings which begin around 4pm, and the germs circulating the lecture theatres following a new wave of ‘Freshers’ Flu’.

Staying healthy at University can be struggle, especially during the winter months. However, with a few simple changes, you can easily fight the Christmas colds and Festive fevers.

Whilst there is a temptation to spend 3-4 nights a week out drinking and clubbing, when the nights get colder, try and limit this to once or twice a week. Not only will extensive exposure to low temperatures

15-Minute Meal: Chicken, Leek and Ham Pie

LYDIA ENGLAND

4th Year Food Science and Business

There is nothing more comforting at this time of year than a pie, but they can take forever to make! So if you haven’t got time to make a slow-cooked Beef and Guiness Pie with cheesy pastry or mini pulled pork pies, this recipe is for a quick and easy “deconstructed” pie with a creamy chicken sauce and puffy pastry lid. With very little chopping or cooking involved, even the culinary-challenged can whip this up in a hurry, anyone can do it!

increase your risk of colds, flu and infections, it will also limit the amount of sleep you are getting – this will reduce your T-cell count and increase inflammatory cytokine production. In short, our fever response is significantly reduced with lack of sleep, reducing our ability to fight colds and flu if we should catch a germ.

Make sure you eat well – try Serves 4 , Costs £1.90 pp Ingredients

2 chicken breasts 1 leek 1 clove of garlic 4-5 pieces of ham or bacon 1 tbsp mixed herbs 1 tbsp chopped tarragon, parsley or chives if you can get them Plenty of black pepper 1 pack of ready rolled puff pastry 1 medium pot of double cream (or reduced fat crème fraiche) A splash of milk

Method 1) First take the pastry and unroll it. It should be on a sheet of greaseproof paper so you can simply pop this on a baking tray.

If it is on plastic, transfer to a greased baking tray. Brush the pastry with the milk and sprinkle with salt and pepper all over. Prick lightly with a fork.

2)Pop this in an oven at 180°C for around 12 minutes. Keep checking

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and avoid energy dense foods with no real nutritional value. Ditch the Fry-ups for your Five-a-day. Eating plenty of fruits and vegetables which are all rich in a range of vitamins and minerals will improve your ability to fight the flu. Replace a slice of toast with a fresh fruit smoothie for breakfast – a quick and easy way to get in 3-4 portions of fruit right at the start of the day! Foods especially rich in Vitamin A, such as sweet potato, carrots and fresh tuna, increase your white blood cell count which improves your ability to fight infections. When exposed to stress, our bodies especially require Vitamin C to maintain our Immune System, so when coursework is due, or end of term exams are looming, try and increase your intake of fruit juices and citrus fruits.

Exercise regularly. The increased flow of Red Blood Cells round the body and increased hydration during physical exertion will detect any foreign bodies early, and flush them out before they can spread and develop in to a cough or a cold. Try and eat at least one hot, nutritious meal a day and try and drink regular hot drinks.

Overall, there are several simple ways to stay healthy this winter, making sure you don’t miss out on all the Christmas parties; Get lots of sleep! A recommended 7-9 hours per night should boost your immune function!

Wash hands and houseto make sure it isn’t burning. You want it puffed up and golden brown.

3) While the pastry is cooking, make the filling. Heat a little oil in a large frying pan or saucepan. Chop the leeks into medium chunks and finely chop the garlic, add to the pan. Cook these for a few minutes on a medium heat until soft.

4) While these are cooking, chop the chicken and the ham. The smaller you chop the chicken, the quicker it will cook. Add these to the pan along with the herbs and couple of pinches of black pepper.

5) When the chicken is cooked, stir in the cream and let this bubble away gently for a couple of minutes to thicken.

6) When the pastry is cooked, cut into four even pieces.

hold items regularly to prevent spreading of germs throughout friends and housemates.

Get your 5-a-day and more – make sure you eat a range of foods containing vitamins and minerals essential for boosting your Immune system.

However, despite all this, it is still possible you will eventually fall victim to the common cold. Ensure you have cold and flu remedies ready in a cupboard somewhere, so should you become ill, you can start medication early and kill any germs off before your symptoms get any worse. Lemsip hot lemon drinks are particularly effective, and useful if you don’t like taking tablets!

Try with a squeeze of fresh lemon juice and a tablespoon of honey to increase the benefits to the max.

Finally, remember – look after your body and it will look after you!

Breakfast Smoothies are a particularly good way of increasing your fruit intake.

Credit to Elizabeth Andrews

7) Serve the sauce on four plates and top each with a piece of the pastry.

8) You should have an oozy, creamy sauce with crispy yet still soft-in-the-middle pastry.

The perfect pie without slaving over the stove for hours! Try this with Mushrooms, leeks and spinach for a vegetarian version.

HEALTH & FOOD

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Don't Worry A student guide to dealing with stress JON GILBERT 2nd Year Real Estate

In Western culture there is a misplaced belief that external factors are the root causes of stress.

Although demanding circumstances often act to trigger the stress response, stress is an internal condition, one which, with practise, we can all learn to manage and contain. Despite how stressed an imminent coursework deadline can sometimes feel, if you manage your anxiety effectively you will not only feel better about yourself but you may also find that you are able to work to a higher standard. To overcome stress, I propose that you must firstly establish the root causes of your negative thoughts and secondly be prepared to act on them through the process of mindful living.

Stress is often caused by a person's desire to be successful at any costs. In society today, we are made to believe that relative factors such as our career, money, social status and possessions determine our successfulness. As we grow up, our decisions and the ways in which we chose to live are heavily influenced by these sorts of societal pressures. Although being ambitious is a positive thing, becoming too focused on what unrealistic standards can lead into a downward cycle of unhealthy habits and living. The Chinese philosopher Lao Tzu said: "a good traveller has no fixed plans, and is not intent on arriving". Being too rigid with your long-term ambitions can leave you anxious that you are never going to achieve what you set out to do. By pinning your hopes on certain things falling into place and being better in the future, you are by definition disregarding the importance of the present. When work is getting too much it can seem like the obvious choice to forget to do all the things which normally make you happy. Letting your work consume you in this way will not help you in the short or long term.

Being disciplined enough to maintain a sustainable daily regime of work and play will significantly help you get through periods of stress. Below is a selection of the things which keep me sane when a surprise deadline appears:

Avoid complicating things where possible Wherever possible try to avoid making situations worse than they need to be. If you can be organised and prepared at all times you will significantly reduce the number of your issues.

Do the things you love regularly Whether it is sports, music or reading, find things which interest you and use them as a way to unwind.

Practise yoga I only got round to trying yoga for the first time a couple of months ago and I am already hooked. As a physical and mental discipline, it allows you to exercise and stretch, whilst it also requires you to focus your brain, giving you a period of respite from anything on your mind.

Eat well When you’re stressed it is important to maintain a balanced diet.

Take your time over your cooking and use meal times as a break from the work that is stressing you out.

Have a good sing in the shower Don't take yourself seriously all the time. When work is getting you down have a laugh about it. There can be few better relaxation songs than Bob Marley's classic 'Three Little Birds'.

"Letting your work consume you in this way will not help you in the short or long term.

Being disciplined enough to maintain a sustainable daily regime of work and play will significantly help you get through periods of stress."

|LIFESTYLE

When life gives you lemons…

Find someone with tequila and salt!

ELIZABETH ANDREWS 4th Year Food Technogoloy with Bio-Processing

The Bramble another, more popular, Gin-based cocktail

Although seen as a classier way to spend the evening, as opposed to a night down the pub, an evening of cocktails does not have to be expensive. A student budget can easily stretch to an evening-in, without the expense of transport and worry of paying double the price for a smaller drink!

Add Blackberry Liquer /Cordial to your Gin & Tonic for a fruity flavor

To get the professional touch on your own homemade cocktails, try the following tips; Shake your drinks well to ensure they are thoroughly mixed – this will give the ideal appearance and colour distribution.

Make sure the drink temperature and glass temperature match – if you want to serve "Mixology (the art of a drink at room temperature, preparing and mixing drinks) then no further action is reis no mystery. With many quired. If, however, you want people mystified when it to serve your cocktail ice-cold, comes to mixing drinks, try filling your glass with ice there are very few who for a couple of minutes to bring attempt it themselves.” your glass down to ice cold temperature. This will keep Mixology (the art of preparing your drink cooler for longer. and mixing drinks) is no mystery. With many people mystified “Pay attention to ratios when it comes to mixing drinks, – the proportion of each there are very few who attempt ingredient in a drink can it themselves. However, with a be crucial to the flavour, few simple steps and recipes, especially when mixing it is very easy to hold your very pungent spirits." own cocktail party without even leaving your home. Cocktails do not have to be fancy, just a few Pay attention to ratios – the ingredients in a glass with ice; proportion of each ingredient especially if you’re a beginner, in a drink can be crucial to the it is a very easy skill to pick up! flavour, especially when mixFor making your own cock- ing pungent spirits. With your tails, DIY cocktail-making kits new kit (or just a measuring are easily available to buy, for jug will do), try to adhere to around £10 for a starter kit; this the quantities advised by the will usually include at least a recipe, at least to begin with! measuring cup, shaker and begin- After a few practices you can ners recipe book. Amazon do a experiment more with flavours good selection of kits for a range depending on preference. of prices so you can pick the most Now you know how to do appropriate depending on your it, why not give it a go? Follow level of expertise and budget. some of the simple recipes below

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Purple Haze a strong but sophisticated gin-based cocktail from Water Street Café, Vancouver

to make your all-time favourites; Martini – Gin, Dry Vermouth (about 1:3) ratio; add to shaker and shake well before draining in to glass. Serve with Olive as preferred.

Long Island Iced Tea – equal measures of Vodka, Tequila, Triple Sec and Gin. Shake well with the juice of ½ lemon, and 30ml sugar syrup*. Transfer to a tall glass with ice and top up with Cola until glass is full. *You can make your own sugar syrup by mixing 2 parts water with 1 part sugar. Stir well until combined.

Mojito – generous serving of white rum (approx. 40ml per drink), mixed with the juice of a lime, mint leaves, 2 tbsp sugar and soda water to taste. Mix well and enjoy!

“And if you can’t remember these recipes, download the MixologyTM app on to your phone which will give you on-demand cocktail mixtures!"

And if you can’t remember these recipes, download the MixologyTM app on to your phone which will give you on-demand cocktail mixtures!

Once you had the basics mastered, why not try some more advanced drinks, as below?

LIFESTYLE|FOOD

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Warming Winter Puddings LYDIA ENGLAND

4th Year Food Science and Business

It’s cold and it’s miserable outside. We're almost in the Christmas season now and the only thing getting us all through the end of term is the thought of some home comforts for a few weeks over the holidays. Among those comforts, no doubt, is the food.

In fact nothing says comfort to me more than good food and what better food is there than Christmas food? There’s no reason why we can’t all get in a festive mood now with a few hearty puds to warm up winter. Full of warming spices; forget your waistline, this is nutrition for the soul!

Crumble A classic, and for good reason.

Try taking a punnet of plums, quartering them and simmering until soft in a pan with 100g

sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon, 1 tbsp mixed spice and a splash of water.

Place in a deep roasting dish and top with 150g plain flour, 50g oats, 100g butter and 50g sugar, mixed together with your hands until it resembles breadcrumbs.

Bake at 180° for 30 minutes.

Pain

au

chocolat

Pudding

Think French bread and butter pudding, with chocolate. Lightly butter a deep roasting dish. Slice a bunch of pain au chocolat croissants into three and layer into your dish until full. Bring 75ml milk, 200ml double cream and the zest of an orange to the boil in a saucepan. Pour on top of 2 eggs and 50g sugar that have been mixed in a jug. Stir until thoroughly combined and pour over the pain au chocolat. Bake at 160° for 40 minutes until the top is all crispy and golden.

Apple and Sultana Strudel If you can’t make it to a Christmas market this year, the cinnamon in this cheat’s-classic will send you straight to one! The ingredients are pretty cheap too.

Peel and core three regular apples and chop into 1cm ish cubes. Put in a bowl and mix together with 3 tbsp sugar, 1 tbsp cinnamon and a handful of sultanas. Take a sheet of ready-rolled puff pastry and place the apple mix on one side of it. Cut slits in the other side about every 1cm. Pull that side over to cover the apples, the slits mean you should be able to see the filling underneath. Press the edges of the pastry together with a fork to seal all the yumminess in. Sprinkle a bit of extra sugar over the top for crunch.

Cook at 180°C for 25 minutes and serve with lots of hot custard.

So go and get baking to beat the winter blues and keep you going until Christmas!

Simple Student Suppers Christmas Dinner for students who hear stomachs jingling ELIZABETH ANDREWS 4th Year Food Technogoloy with Bio-Processing

Some people find it an intimidating task to make a roast dinner, there really is nothing to it! Why not get your housemates together to make a proper festive supper to prepare and share before the term is out? Splash out on a good bottle (or three) of wine and some Christmas crackers, and celebrate in style. Splitting the cost six ways with housemates can reduce individual expenses, and with everyone responsible for a different aspect of dinner, it shouldn’t be a stressful experience!

For the Roast Chicken: A 2kg chicken (will serve about 6) 50g butter Fresh Bay leaves Fresh Thyme 2 Garlic Cloves Drizzle of Olive Oil Salt & Pepper to taste

Heat the oven to about 220ᴼC, Gas Mark 7. Whilst it’s heating up, stuff the chicken with fresh

garlic and herbs (bay and thyme work well) and season well. Cover the chicken with butter and sprinkle with ground black pepper and salt to taste. Roast for about 20 minutes before reducing the heat to 180ᴼc for a further 45 minutes. This makes the chicken skin golden brown in colour and crispy in texture! Remove from the oven when the chicken juice runs clear when pierced (as opposed to blood) and leave to rest for 10-15 minutes to keep the meat moist.

For the Roast Potatoes:

12 Potatoes (either Maris Piper or King Edwards will be best) 3tbsp Vegetable Oil 150g Goose/Duck Fat

Peel and halve the potatoes, then transfer in to a saucepan.

Cover with cold water then bring to the boil and simmer gently for 4-5 minutes to part-boil without softening. Gently drain the potatoes so they should keep their shape. Preheat the oven to 180ᴼc and line a roasting dish (any ovenproof ceramic dish will do) with 3tbsp oil and 140g goose/duck fat. Heat the fat in the oven for

approximately 5 minutes until exceptionally hot and sizzling – be careful when removing from the oven! Tip the potatoes in to the dish and roast in the oven for about an hour, turning every 10-15 minutes to ensure they cook evenly.

To accompany your meat and potatoes, you will need some vegetables. Either roast some parsnips, carrots, red onions and leeks in the oven for 30 minutes, or buy some frozen pre-prepared vegetables (ASDA do a generous bag for about £1.50£2) and boil at the last minute.

Allocate responsibilities out throughout the group, with one person in charge of the meat, one in charge of the vegetables, someone to make the potatoes, someone to make or buy a dessert, and, of course, someone in charge of drinks! Add some nibbles, crackers and Christmas cheer for a stress-free Christmas Dinner!

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Prezzo Review GARETH GORDON 3rd Year English Literature

Prezzo, as far as I’m concerned, is one of the better places to eat in Reading. It is located at the bottom of the High-street, just around corner from the HMV exit of The Oracle.

The pricing is moderate, there are of course cheaper places to eat, but the food quality is certainly high. The thrifty spender can get a good quality meal for a reasonable price and they even offer 25% for students with an NUS card. Looking online you can find vouchers for two main meals for £12.95. Share a started and get a dessert you can have a three-course meal for fifteen pounds. This may not be viable for a weekly visit (when £15 pounds is considered in terms of Jagerbombs it’s nearly a nights worth of drinking). But it’s perfect for special occasions, perhaps that nice meal with course friends before the Christmas break.

We’re all cash strapped around this time, so a cheap(ish) dinner option that doesn’t sacrifice on quality is ideal.

O.K. Let’s talk food. If you’re going to do to Prezzo I insist you get the Breadboard to start. I’m sure there are lots of lovely items to appetize you, but I’ve never tried them. Nothing will beat the Breadboard. Split between

two it’s an affordable platter of carbohydrates. With four different varieties of bread, including a pesto topped soft bread, you can’t go wrong. Seriously, it should be criminal to go to Prez and not get the Bread Board.

There are a wide variety of mains at Prezzo, all of which you’d expect to find on an Italian menu. Pasta, Pizza, you get the picture. I’ve skipped around the menu on the few times and never been disappointed. It’s an easy menu to please even the fussiest of eaters. Avoid the grills and specials as they can be pricey and are often not included in the discount.

Check with your server to ensure you’re getting the cheapest price possible, the cheque can add up if you’re not on the ball.

The dessert menu is pretty decent too. There is an option to have a mini dessert with a coffee for a cheap price, but when the desserts say they’re mini – they mean mini, so if you haven’t had your fill yet you’re best forking out and ordering from the main dessert menu.

Of course for price Prezzo isn’t going to beat Mojo’s or Cotton Club, but for a change of scene it is a welcome choice. So if you’ve just popped into town for a few vital items, and bought everything in sight and the thought of cooking sends you into a spiral of despair; Prezzo is the one.

FOOD & FASHION

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|LIFESTYLE

Style in the Rain CAITLIN MCLINCHY 2nd Year German and Economics

It has been a somewhat miserable week on campus. Nevertheless, Reading students cheered us up with their inventive dress sense, and we want to share it with you if the cold weather has exhausted your inspiration.

First year Baz makes an impact with her badge-adorned military style jacket. You can achieve the same look without having to spend on the high street versions.

Collecting badges (markets are great) to create your own personalised jacket is a really fun way to customize your clothes without it looking over the top. Her cropped hairstyle keeps the slightly tomboy look cute. Baz’ fake leather trousers are a big trend currently and can be worn to flatter most shapes; they are also extremely versatile, if you’re brave enough.

Different tones of grey and blue pull together Will’s casual look. The quilted feature of his shirt provides some nice detailing and texture. Snoods are a great way to stay cozy without your whole outfit being dominated.

A trio of scarves: Xinyuan has chosen polka dots, whilst Ling and Xueying have opted for checks.

The colourful natures of their accessories have still tied in perfectly with their winter ensembles.

The biker-style of Xinyuan’s jacket is a ‘must-have’ and can take you into winter by layering over a hoodie.

The autumn winter season last year was dominated by the pink coat trend, which was largely overworked. Ling’s powder blue alternative provides the same fun appeal but appears fresh. It is also worth mentioning that if you are going to have one coat, it may as well be a fun colour!

Alternatively, Xueying’s style and colour of coat with metal details will be a lasting classic so is a great choice if you’re someone that likes to stay modern and on trend.

Thank you to such lovely participants this week for being willing to stand in the cold! Hopefully you’ve picked up some style inspiration but if not, just look to your peers as Reading is brimming with great fashion choices this year. Could you be modeling for us next time?

Campus Style Credit to Rika Soeharjono

Secret Savings at Bella Italia NATHALIE SIAH The Editor

There’s nothing like a secret to spread around like wildfire. So here’s one to start the rumour mill exclusively for shhhtudents. Bella Italia is offering an amazing secret £5 menu just for us bookworms, available from Sunday to Thursday at any Bella Italia restaurant of your choosing in the UK. I decided it might be worth checking out what the hype was about and with an almost empty wallet, headed down to the nearest one near The Oracle for dinner. It was a delightful dining experience, easy on your pockets and comforting for all Italian lovers out there. The atmosphere is perfect for a date but still fun for a meal with friends. There are several choices of pizzas such as the ‘Perfect Pepperoni’, ‘Arrabbiata Pizza’ and ‘Funghi Fury’ however you do have the

option to create your own pizza with two toppings. Some of the few more interesting toppings include pancetta, cotto ham, roasted peppers, olives and spinach.

Instead of a crusty pizza, I opted for a steaming bowl of pasta to accompany the candle lit table and the chilly weather. The options for pastas are simple but pleasant.

My only criticism is the fact that there isn’t anything daring on the menu, but for the price these sauces and spices make sense.

The pasta named ‘Say Cheese’ was the most fun sounding and a good choice for the evening.

Consisting of casarecci pasta in a four cheese sauce, I was curious to the thickness and the consistency.

A bit of a gooey texture and light in flavour, I would say that it’s not my favourite but would be a hit to any cheese lovers out there. The casarecci pasta on the other hand was fresh and bouncy, the best part of the dish.

This menu also has a 2 for 1 cocktail offer which can be

" It was a delightful dining experience, easy on your pockets and comforting for all Italian lovers out there.” lovely if you’ve got a table for two. I ordered the Verona Colada cocktail which is a Malibu rum combined with pineapple juice and blood orange San Pellegrino.

The drink is a lovely shade of light pink and a taste to match. A subtle fruity and tropical experience, the Malibu rum hits you later with a sharp flavour of coconut.

I would recommend this particular drink with a pizza however due to its dryness.

If you’re short on cash (student troubles) and have a craving for Italian food, don’t pass up on this amazing offer. It just begs to be taken advantage of with friends, family and that special someone especially during the Christmas holidays.

Say Cheese Pasta Credit to Nathalie Siah

Verona Colada Cocktail Credit to Nathalie Siah

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LIFESTYLE|MR MAGNETIC & MISS ADVISED

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK 5 Top tips for students this festive season Being a student at Christmas is interesting to say the least.

Christmas paraphernalia is around every corner, but it’s difficult to get excited until that final essay is handed in, right? It is also an amazing time to make a fool out of yourself at the staff party and wear hideously extravagant Rudolph jumpers. Here are some top tips to keep you ice cool this winter; 1) Flat Christmas dinners.

These can be done for a fiver each, and although it won’t taste as good as ya mum’s, the effort put into the meal alone will enhance the enjoyment of it. It’s also a nice little bonding session between the flat and an excuse to get drunk at midday.

Drawn by Kate Bowen

2) Secret Santa.

If, like me, there is an abundance of students in your flat then you know you can’t afford presents for everyone. Secret Santa is the perfect solution- make a budget and pick names out of a hat. (Just make sure the person organising doesn’t put their name in 10 times…trust me, it’s tempting.)

There is nothing worse than not having done an essay and everyone going out to the final Wednesday union, but you’re pulling an all-nighter because you didn’t finish your essay in time. Easier said than done, and you’ll need uber motivation for this. But isn’t it so worth it?

4) Get Netflix!

It’s 2014, and I assume at least one person in every household is signed up to this life saving site, but if not it’s so worth getting.

It costs peanuts when split between a number of you, and it means you and your flat can laze around watching cheesy Crimbo films and Gavin and Stacey until your bum imprints on the sofa.

5) Budgeting!

The word all students dread to hear. Make a cohesive Christmas list to make your Oracle trip easier, and so you don’t buy that random top you’ll never wear because it was ‘cute’.

Remember, when buying gifts, your parents know you’re a skint student, and thoughtful presents always beat that £50 voucher your Dad will never spend.

Miss Advised

3) Do your work asap!

Miss Advised Miss Advised,

There is this guy in one of my lectures who I met at the start of term. We always sit together in classes, and if not we’re making awkward glances across the room. When we’re not discussing maths equations, we’re generally chatting and interested about each other’s lives. At the start, I wouldn’t say he was my type, but now I’ve got to know him I’m kind of interested and we have loads in common!

It’s getting close to Christmas now and I really want one of us to make a move- but time is running out.

How do I suggest that I want to meet up, or (major cringe) that I fancy him?

Please help!

Miss single, and ready to mingle Dear Miss single, it’s your time to mingle!

What a better excuse than the festive season to get to know someone better?

How about you accidently have a tab up on your computer in the lecture about Reading Christmas markets, or that new bar in town? It’s a great starting point in conversation, and you can emphasise ‘oh ma gaaad it looks amazing, I would really love to check it out but my flatmates don’t want to go’ etc etc…

Hopefully he will get the hint, and suggest you both go together. If not (the male species and hints don’t always work) then ask him if he fancies it—be casual and don’t make it into a big deal. If you’re stuttering and going as red as Rudolph’s nose, it screams ‘I WELL FANCY YOU’. Say something along the lines of ‘this looks cool, I could definitely do with that after that boring lecture this Friday. What do you reckon?’

If he feels the same connection you do towards him, he will be all over the idea like a rash (such a romantic turn of phrase). Play it relaxed, but at the end of the day be yourself! It is, after all, your personality he obviously gets along with.

Good luck, hopefully you’ll get a cheeky kiss under the mistletoe this year!

Miss Advised

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Having trouble sleeping? Fancy your flatmate? Ask the experts!

The Spark is pleased to have our resident Agony Aunt and Uncle. Mr Magnetic and Miss Advised are here to answer your questions and offer advice for your university life!

Simply send your questions into missadvisedsparknewspaper. co.uk OR mrmagnetic@ sparknewspaper.co.uk.

Look out for the responses in the next issue of The Spark, on campus.

TRAVEL

LIFESTYLE@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

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Krakow, Poland - A Magical Christmas Getaway JESSICA PHILLIPS Deputy Editor

Krakow might be Poland’s second largest city, but when it comes to choosing a magical Christmas break, it comes out on top. This ancient city has plenty to offer eager travellers and boasts many sites of interests for fashion lovers and budding historians alike.

Whether you’re looking for your annual intake of foreign customs, a bargain purchase of Poland’s native gemstone, amber, or you just want to taste the exquisite cuisine such as the famous White Barszcz Zurek, Krakow is definitely the place for you.

Krakow has been a hub of culture and knowledge for centuries and hosts Jagiellonian University for example, which was founded in 1362, and is one of the oldest centres of learning in all of Europe.

This university attracted many new artists, humanists, and scientific thinkers from both Italy and Germany, and encouraged the city to adopt a new architectural style.

Krakow therefore encapsulated many awe-inspiring buildings which are now gatekeepers to a glimpse into Renaissance Europe.

This city is also one of enchantment and has all of the ingredients needed for the foundations of a real life fairy-tale. Krakow has long earned the reputation of being a city of heroes full of warriors ready to defend their homelands from outside invasion. Between the 17th and 20th century, many armies have stormed its grounds; first came the Swedish

invasion of 1655, and most notoriously Hitler’s Nazi forces in 1939.

However, this history of myth and magic is no more clearly seen than by the legend of King Krakus and the Wawel Dragon. The story goes that the Wawel Dragon terrorised a once peaceful land by slaying livestock and the finest maidens in the land. The King therefore promised his daughter’s hand in marriage to the bravest hero who could vanquish the beast. A poor cobbler named Krak emerged victorious by killing the monster, and henceforth married the princess, became King and built Wawel Castle and his city on the Dragon’s lair.

Wawel Castle and the Dragon’s lair are definitely not to be missed if Poland is your chosen holiday destination. Prices vary depending on which exhibitions you are interested in, but there are always discounted rates for students, and there are often offers running, such as November offering free entry for all visitors. There’s something for everyone, from want-to-be princesses who fancy roaming the royal gardens, to those pleasure seekers hoping to catch a glimpse of the monstrous beast. However, if Happily Ever After isn’t what you’re looking for, Wawel Castle also became home to many villains in its time, none more so than the evil Adolf Hitler who set up his General Government within the castle’s walls, and cast a much darker spell on the royal residence.

Of a similar nature, Schindler’s List was filmed on the cobbled streets of Krakow at Oskar Schindler’s factory, which helped over a 1,000 Jews escape the fate of Nazi gas chambers, and Plaszow

“From want-to-be princesses who fancy roaming the royal gardens, to those pleasure seekers hoping to catch a glimpse of the monstrous beast. " Labour Camp during World War II. Most of the movie was filmed at the real life locations where history was made, such as within Schindler’s apartments at 7 Straszewskiego Street, and outside of the Birkenau Concentration Camp, which makes spotting film locations an added bonus as you wander through the city streets.

Both Auschwitz and Auschwitz-Birkenau are just outside of Krakow, roughly 70km away and take about an hour and a half to get to by bus. They are definitely worth visiting despite the journey time as they allow you to comprehend the tragedy that occurred within their prisons almost 70 years ago, and serve as memorials to those who died at the hands of prejudice. It is definitely a harrowing experience to visit the gravesite of at least 1 million innocent people, but until you see the constructs of evil with your own eyes, it really is impossible to imagine.

Entry to the complex is free, and is open to visitors throughout the Christmas vacation period except for on Christmas and New Year’s Day. If you visit between 10.30am and 1.20pm you will be able to take an English guided tour, which is highly recommended, and will cost approximately 40 zloty, which is equivalent to about £7.50 in sterling. Once inside,

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you will be able to see where Rudolph Hoess, the Auschwitz Camp Commandant, was hanged for his crimes against humanity. You will also be able to view the original barracks, the watch tower, and the railway which transported its prisoners into the camp. The most emotive display to be witnessed however, are the exhibitions of the belongings of the inmates which range from luggage, passports, children’s shoes, and most poignant of all, human hair and objects made from human flesh.

“On a lighter note, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a remarkable attraction and has served as one of the world’s oldest salt mines.”

On a lighter note, the Wieliczka Salt Mine is a remarkable attraction and has served as one of the world’s oldest salt mines. It is now a listed World Heritage Site, and houses three chapels, a cathedral and has been home to a hospital located 135 metres underground, which has famously treated respiratory disorders with its sodium chloride, magnesium, and calcium rich air particles. Famous faces such as Bill Clinton and Pope John Paul II have visited the site, and at no more than £15 pounds to enter, there’s nothing stopping you reaping the cultural and health benefits this extraordinary site has to offer.

Lastly, but by no means least, the Main Square situated in Krakow’s Old Town is a treasure trove of history, culture, Polish cuisine and discounted popular fashion brands. This area is one of the

largest Medieval Market Squares in Europe, and is among a handful of areas of Poland which remains relatively untouched by the ravages of the Second World War. At the centre of the square is the Cloth Hall which sells everything from precious jewellery to little souvenirs to take home to family and friends. During its golden age in the 15th century, it was a centre for international commerce and trade, and today you too could have plenty of opportunity to grab yourself a bargain by putting your bartering skills to the test.

Adjacent to the square stands St Mary’s Church which is the epitome of elegance and beauty, and was regarded by Pablo Picasso to be the eighth wonder of the world. Keep an ear out, for every hour a trumpet is played and cut off mid-stream from the highest tower to commemorate the 13th century trumpeter who was killed trying to warn his fellow countrymen of the Mongol invasion.

There really is no question that Christmas is the perfect time of year to enjoy all that Krakow has to offer due to Christmas lasting a little longer in this part of the world, as the holiday cheer runs through until the end of January.

Come and see the snowfall, the array of Christmas markets and idiosyncratic traditions such as the Szopka Festival. With a return flight costing as little as £160, there really is no reason why you shouldn’t pack your snow boots and get ready to spend this festive season in one of the most magical places this Earth has to offer.

5 MUST READS Once the Christmas hype settles let your imaginatio n take you away with Jasmine’s 5 books for those nights by the fire.

SUNSET OVERDRIVE Want something a little different for your latest toy? Check out The Spark’s review of Sunset Overdrive for some inspiration.

ALBUM REVIEW Following the popular hit Am I Wrong Nico & Vinz released an album great for both chilled and social evenings

PANTOMIMES Pantomimes....the gems of our childhood. But now?

Emma reflects on the winter family outing that some may have missed *gasp*

ENTERTAINMENT A Rebirth: Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby

©2014 Pokémon/ Nintendo

WING LAM KAR 2nd year Law

For those of you who don't know, or already knew but still want to hear about it one more time, Nintendo has remade Pokémon Ruby/ Sapphire. Originally launched in 2002, this new, '3Dlised' version Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire can be played on N3DS. Pokémon has been the most remarkable part of our childhood for many of us (I cannot accept life without it, just a personal opinion) and Pokémon Ruby/Sapphire was the most, if not one of the greatest of the whole Pokémon series.

"The Pokémon series has a habit of remaking their older versions. With the example of FireRed/LeafGreen and HeartGold/SoulSilver"

The Pokémon series has a habit of remaking their older versions.

With the example of FireRed/ LeafGreen and HeartGold/ SoulSilver, it is not surprising that they eventually came to Ruby/ Sapphire, not to mention the fact that they have to promote their newly invented mega evolution. In fact, I was expecting a grey version to come out as the enhanced version of Black/White, but now they seem to have abandoned their usual call and have stepped right up to the next generation.

Mega evolution was first introduced firstly not by game, but in the anime originating from Red/Green with a main character called Red (the default name of the character is either Red/Green). This anime stands independently from the existing endless anime series with Ash as the main character. It has then been introduced into Pokémon Generation IV, namely the X/Y, and the newly released

"Through the use of Mega Stones, players are able to evolve their Pokémon to their ultimate form, which is stronger and much cooler."

Omega Ruby/Alpha Sapphire.

Through the use of Mega Stones, players are able to evolve their Pokémon to their ultimate form, which is stronger and much cooler. It does more than change appearances though.

Their types, ability and stats are also affected. For example Charizard can evolve to Mega Charizard X with fire and dragon type (and finally becomes a real dragon), or to Mega Charizard Y, with the Drought ability.

The game itself has extensive content with an expanded city, exploring an area with an improved secret base. Also, with the new Pokémon search app, players can catch Pokémon with special moves, often found incredibly useful in breeding. Alongside

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other features implanted from X/Y--Pokémon Amie and Super Training, it may be hard to imagine how long one takes just training their best Pokémon.

And of course the Pokéblocks and the Contests are back, with the updated Berry map and modernized talent shows.

Remember the days when you could play the Pokéblocks minigame? Furthermore, there is a prize for anyone who wins the first one that I am sure everyone will love—a cosplay Pikachu.

And for a collector like me, this "And for a collector like me, this means several more hours of gaming just to get all the prizes." means several more hours of gaming just to get all the prizes.

On a fun note, the IGN review of Pokémon Alpha Sapphire and Omega Ruby has been

the laughing stock through the internet due to one reviewer's unique and negative view of the game. The title of the review tells a lot—Still holds water.

This water feature in Ruby and Sapphire has famously and seemingly accidentally offended this reviewer. Her disappointment in the comparatively bigger portion of sea area players have to explore is very clear. I’m not sure if she has a water phobia, but her comment and mark she gave to the game (7.8) has successfully angered most gamers.

"Her disappointment in the comparatively bigger portion of sea area players have to explore is very clear. I’m not sure if she has a water phobia, but her comment and mark she gave to the game (7.8) has successfully angered most gamers."|

GAMING & MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|ENTERTAINMENT

Exploding Teddies and Energy Drink Monsters This can only be Sunset Overdrive SEAN NICOL

1st Year English Literature and Film & Theatre

Run. Jump.

Grind.

Glide.

Shoot.

Laugh.

These are the things you will do most in Sunset Overdrive and despite some shortcomings, you will definitely enjoy your time in the neon-orange city.

Sunset Overdrive’s story is nothing to write home about, for sure. A large conglomerate named Fizzco is introducing a new brand of energy drink. You, the player, begin the story at the launch of this drink as a down and out janitor. However you discover that the drink turns all those who consume it into horrible mutant monsters, nicknamed OD. The rest of the game is your own ‘awesomepocalypse’, where you traverse the city doing tasks for various factions to gain their favour and return the city to some form of normality.

Sadly the stories and missions are not particularly original. You will mostly go from point A to

Courtesy of Flickr Images

B to fetch C or kill X number of monsters. The true non-gameplay charm comes from the various characters, factions and their dialogue. The range of characters goes from Bushido following scouts, to Mexican themed ninja cheerleaders and spoilt trustfund brats. It’s a very diverse and hilarious cast of characters.

Humour is one of the game’s top features. Constant jabs at

typical game tropes, references to pop culture and a general devilmay-care attitude permeates throughout the game. Even your character’s respawn animation is amusing; you may find yourself rising up from the ground a-la a cheesy B horror movie.

The sheer level of character customisation you have in Sunset Overdrive is also striking. Initially the base differences, i.e. body size,

are indeed quite limited. However your wearable object range, regardless of gender, is quite impressive. You can wear almost anything that you can think of, and then some. The customisation really helps personalise your character to your own taste, despite having the personality in the palm of the writers’ hands.

Yet the gameplay is where Sunset Overdrive truly shines.

You can bounce on, grind and wall run across almost anything within the fictional Sunset City with ease and grace. This excellent system offers new and wonderful traversal possibilities never before seen in games and allows for a truly open environment.

The creators behind Sunset Overdrive, Insomniac, have a history of creating games, such as the Rachet and Clank series, which feature insane weapons with various bizarre effects; Sunset Overdrive delivers on this promise.

The sheer number of unique guns is astounding, with guns such as the TNTeddy launching explosive teddy bears and High

Tempting Technologies

Fidelity launching bouncing deadly records towards you enemies. The game’s weaponry really shows the creativity that’s gone into Sunset Overdrive.

As with every game, there are some hitches to the experience. The story is both dull and unimportant; it is simply used as a means to an end and to introduce the player to new characters and objects. Some players may find the humour quite grating as it heavily relies on current pop-culture and internet humour, which makes the game date quickly too. Additionally the shooting mechanics leave quite a lot to be desired; despite the variety of guns, they all feel similar and fall into broad categories of weapon types.

Sunset Overdrive has so much heart and charm that it could easily win over a disillusioned gamer, tired with the generic shooters that have been flooding the market.

Despite its shortcomings in story and shooting mechanics, the style, attitude and colour palette really make it stand out in the post Modern Warfare market and a must buy for anyone with an Xbox One. 8/10

With Christmas fast approaching, get some inspiration from gadgets that should be on your wish list.

BASIL AL-ALI

3rd yar Business and Management

GOPRO HERO4 The Hero4 is the latest action camera released by GoPro. The top of the range black edition shoots in 4k at 30 frames per second, offers slow-motion and has a built in touch display. Previous versions have lacked these key features, so you were not able to watch your footage until you uploaded it or bought the display separately. At £369 it is an expensive piece of kit but it offers HD filming and photos, the convenience of fitting it in your pocket and durability, unlike most cameras on the market.

PS4 The Play Station 4 is perfect for people who love to game all day, but it is also much more than that.

You can watch movies on your PS4 and use your tablets and smart phones to control it. There is also a new touchpad system and speakers on the controller, which will enhance the gamers’ experience. Very exciting games have been released recently, including the likes of Far Cry 4, Assassin’s Creed Unity and Destiny, and others will be released soon. Sony has added a new share button to the controllers so people can easily edit and share their gameplay with the world through social media.

DRONE Drones are a relatively new type of technology to the market, so there isn't as much choice as with other devices. Having said that, the Parrot AR Drone 2.0 is the most popular drone on the market and that is down to its ability to film in 720p HD and to fly for 20 minutes before needing to be recharged. The drone is controlled with your smart phone via Wi-Fi and enables you to instantly view what you are filming on your tablet. The Parrot AR Drone 2.0 will set you back about £270 but what's it worth to be a pioneer of this technology.

SAMSUNG GEAR VR As a product that allows you to be

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fully immersed in the media you are viewing, this is one of the first virtual reality products to hit the market. It. Samsung’s device can be used for films and TV programs, which will make you feel like you are amongst the action. Gaming companies are designing products to take advantage of this new technology, as well as sports and travel set to offer media using this machine. The Samsung Gear VR takes 3D to another level!

ENTERTAINMENT|TV

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Xmas Ad Wars

Contains spoilers, which you can only worry about with these special adverts!

Courtesy of Metro UK

HANNAH BIRT

3rd year Politics & International Relations

Silence fell as my housemates and I watched a small boy, Sam, run around London with his pet penguin, Monty. There is something quite emotional about a penguin searching for love, longingly staring out of public transport at adoring couples and moping around while everyone else enjoys the snow. However, in true Christmas spirit, Monty finds true love under the Christmas tree when Sam presents him with his new penguin girlfriend, Mabel. As the camera angle changes it is revealed that Monty and Mabel are not actually real penguins. They are in fact toys given to Sam for Christmas.

It has begun. The John Lewis ad has aired. 4 million people watched the advert via YouTube in the first 24 hours of its release and John Lewis became the champion of Christmas 2014.

The John Lewis advert was, in my eyes, enjoyable. The simple combination of an adorable child, a penguin and a whole lot of Christmas cheer was accompanied

by Tom Odell’s vocals, adding the simplicity and charm of the ad. " It has begun. The John Lewis ad has aired. 4 million people watched the advert via YouTube in the first 24 hours of its release and John Lewis became the champion of Christmas 2014."

But then last week Sainsbury’s released their Christmas advert; suddenly the Monty themed slipper socks seem slightly silly.

The advert follows the brief friendship between Jim and Otto, soldiers fighting on the Western Front during Christmas 1914.

Deep in the trenches, Jim receives a parcel from home containing a photograph of his love and a bar of chocolate. The ad cuts between

both the British and German trenches, allowing the audience to listen to ‘Silent night’ and the German ‘Stille Nacht’. Jim bravely persuades his troops to follow him over the parapet. There is a brief moment of panic as the German soldiers clutch their guns, cautiously, before Otto convinces his comrades to surrender their weapons as a sign of goodwill. The two sides begin to play football as Jim and Otto share stories from home. Suddenly gunfire is heard and the peace is snatched away as quickly as it came. Jim and Otto shake hands and exchange gifts within their over coats; Otto receives Jim’s Chocolate bar and Jim receives a homemade biscuit from Otto. (I can’t help but think that Otto got the better deal in the exchange, Jim’s biscuit looks slightly soggy) “Christmas is for Sharing” Sainsbury’s reminds us at the end of the ad.

It was an emotional piece of drama, especially as it has aired

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during the centenary year of the Great War. The advert shows the true meaning of Christmas: sharing. It also reminds us of the sacrifice our soldiers make, lest we forget those who have fallen for us. I would argue that the topic of WW1 is probably too emotional for the purpose of promoting a large chain of supermarkets.

However Sainsbury’s is donating the profit of their World War One chocolate bar to the British Legion.

"It was an emotional piece of drama, especially as it has aired during the centenary year of the Great War. The advert shows the true meaning of Christmas: sharing."

Lidl’s Christmas adverts is all about the food. A large group of people enter a grand mansion and are greeted with champagne on arrival, along with Christmas crackers followed by lobster and turkey. The group happily

consume Christmas food, nodding along to how amazing the food is. One of the guests chirps up, ”I’m doing Christmas at home this year, I want to know where all this food is from!”. The guests begin to guess where all of this amazing food is from, presuming Waitrose or Marks and Spencer.

But then! It’s all from Lidl.

The party goers are shocked.

This advert was boring and slightly patronising. But the food did look amazing.

TELEVISION & ARTS

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|ENTERTAINMENT

Jungle junkies: Get Me Out of Here is back!

After fourteen years #imaceleb still manages to shock OLIVIA JEFFERY 3rd year Film & Theatre

On its staggering fourteenth series, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here returns to our television screens this November with Ant and Dec presenting the hit reality programme.

Featuring a host of celebrities such as former playboy model Kendra Wilkinson, rapper Tinchy Stryder and presenter Melanie Sykes, It is set to be a scream.

New to this series is the introduction of The Slamer where half of the celebrities were kept prisoner and only had porridge to eat. To save them the remaining celebrities have been completing the dreaded Bushtucker trials.

In week one the trials included Snakes in a Drain where world superbike champion Carl “Foggy” Fogarty was strapped to the bottom of a pit slowly filling with forty snakes for twelve whole

minutes. Luckily Foggy won all the stars for the team. Footballer Jimmy Bullard followed on, swearing his way through the Tunnel of Terror - an underwater corridor of various compartments filled with eels, crabs and snakes amongst other nasties. Instead of meals for the camp he chose to save ‘Allo ‘Allo star Vicki Michelle from The Slammer and add her to the team in Croc Creek.

“I feel like I’ve got malaria”, cried an outraged TOWIE favourite Gemma Collins, in The Slammer, whilst on Wednesday Tinchy Stryder went into the Chamber of Horrors. He faced seven different chambers filled with creatures and rotting meat.

Tinchy managed to get enough stars to free another celebrity, choosing Gemma Collins.

Whose going to win this series only time will tell? #imaceleb

Do you hiss at the evil queen?

Are people missing out by ditching the panto?

EMMA KNOWLES 3rd year Philosophy

When I was younger, going to the pantomime with all the family was something of a New Year’s Eve tradition. Every year we’d rock up, light-up wands in hand, and enjoy the show before ending the afternoon with arms linked for an Auld Lang Syne rendition that was 5% ‘auld lang syne’ and 95% garbled nonsense. It’s sadly no longer a part of my Christmas proceedings, but I’ll always be pro-pantomime, ridiculousness and kitsch traits aside.

"The protagonist of any pantomime will be both a household name and usually a man in tights: Aladdin, Peter Pan and James (of Giant Peach fame)"

Whether people are missing out by not attending a pantomime is another question entirely. For those of you who have never been, allow me to give you a condensed rundown of typical pantomime custom. The protagonist of any pantomime will be both a household name and usually a man in tights: Aladdin, Peter Pan and James (of Giant Peach fame) are just a few I’ve seen before. A middle-aged man (a has-been soap star if you’re lucky) dons a wig, a dress and calls himself Widow Twanky. A jester pulls kids up from the audience to talk about their Christmas presents, sing nursery rhymes and generally look terrified. There’s lots of booing and hissing for the Evil Queen, even more slapstick “He’s behind you!”s for Twanky and the jester as they’re unknowingly approached by a troop of very convincing, not at all kids-in-sheets, ghosts,

and there is always a super soaker ready to drench the front few rows of the audience. Guess where I would sit every year?

"Pantomimes may sound like train wrecks, but in reality they’re full of corny jokes, brilliant dance numbers and happily-everafters."

Pantomimes may sound like train wrecks, but in reality they’re full of corny jokes, brilliant dance numbers and happily-ever-afters.

It might just be the nostalgia talking, and if you didn’t go to at least one in your childhood it probably wouldn’t be the same now, but I do think that by not going to the pantomime people miss out on one of the most shamelessly fun parts of the festive season.

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ENTERTAINMENT|TELEVISION

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

Nico & Vinz’ Black Star Elephant HANNAH GAY 4th year French and International Relations

Nico & Vinz are an AfroNorwegian duo who burst through the scene with their single Am I Wrong this summer. The successful release, a fusion of pop and reggae, has seemingly been following me around for months now, so I jumped at the chance of hearing what else this diverse duo has to offer. Their album Black Star Elephant is a compilation of 21 songs that incorporates a multitude of genres, including reggae, soul and Latino, but with cultural undertones of traditional West African dance music. The album is laced with sweet guitar riffs, bongos and poppy beats, making it the perfect summer soundtrack; I was immediately transported back to a Balinese beach upon my first listen and it certainly made these dark and rainy Reading evenings slightly brighter.

The duo has been praised by many music critics not only for their diversity, but also for their

use of authentic traditional cultural elements; in an interview the pair defined themselves as African and this identity is certainly translated throughout Black Elephant Star.

So, are the tracks any good? I must admit for such a broad first album, the record has a surprisingly high number of very good quality songs.

After re-hearing their first single and the first track on the album Am I Wrong, and familiarising yourself with their up-beat sound, the rest of the record naturally flows into a smooth and laid back blend of cheerful and simplistic beats with sweet and soft vocals.

This is an album that is extremely easy to listen to; it can effortlessly set the mood for a chilled out or sociable evening with friends and there is a continuity of positive energy throughout the whole piece. My personal favourite track is My Melody, the eighth on the album, and one of the simplest.

The simplistic acoustic guitar and bongos, along with the reggae style vocals of the duo, really reflected the musical works of Ziggy Marley, who is renowned for his more gentle approach to the reggae genre. Nico & Vinz are

a refreshing new addition to the charts. In a world of large scale music that is frequently dominated by electronic production, it often becomes easy to lose sight of the excellence of more simplistic

approaches to music. For me, Nico & Vinz have re-established the beauty of traditional cultural sounds from the past.

Lucius – Hey, Doreen ‘Fresh, Charismatic, Upbeat’ THOMAS FLEW 2nd year Italian

On its staggering fourteenth series, I’m A Celebrity Get Me Out of Here returns to our television screens this November with Ant and Dec presenting the hit reality programme. Featuring a host of celebrities such as former playboy model Kendra Wilkinson, rapper Tinchy Stryder and presenter Melanie Sykes, It is set to be a scream.

New to this series is the introduction of The Slamer where half of the celebrities were kept prisoner and only had porridge to eat. To save them the remaining celebrities have been completing the dreaded Bushtucker trials.

In week one the trials included Snakes in a Drain where world superbike champion Carl “Foggy” Fogarty was strapped to the bottom of a pit slowly filling with forty snakes for twelve whole minutes. Luckily

Foggy won all the stars for the team. Footballer Jimmy Bullard followed on, swearing his way through the Tunnel of Terror - an underwater corridor of various compartments filled with eels, crabs and snakes amongst other nasties. Instead of meals for the camp he chose to save ‘Allo ‘Allo star Vicki Michelle from The Slammer and add her to the team in Croc Creek.

“I feel like I’ve got malaria”, cried an outraged TOWIE favourite Gemma Collins, in The Slammer, whilst on Wednesday Tinchy Stryder went into the Chamber of Horrors. He faced seven different chambers filled with creatures and rotting meat.

Tinchy managed to get enough stars to free another celebrity, choosing Gemma Collins. Whose going to win this series only time will tell? #imaceleb “Hey, Doreen”, the new single from five piece indie-pop group Lucius exhibits the Brooklynbased band at their most energetic and infectious. Their sound feels

"What stands out most from “Hey, Doreen” is how remarkably polished the band’s sound is." heavily inspired by the girl-group pop of the ‘60s, full of refrains of “oh yeah” and “whoa”, yet the dynamism and overwhelming energy of the song is undeniably modern. The vocals of singers Jess Wolfe and Holly Laessig pack the punch needed to elevate the clean and uncomplicated melodies to a more memorable level, but the nuanced harmonies found on the rest of their debut album Wildewoman are lacking here. What stands out most from “Hey, Doreen” is how remarkably polished the band’s sound is; they’ve immediately forged themselves an instantly recognisable identity that is fresh, charismatic and upbeat. “Hey, Doreen” is the kind of song that you want to wake up to, so relentlessly cheery that you have no choice but to feel better.

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Courtesy of Thomas Flew

MUSIC

ENTERTAINMENT@SPARKNEWSPAPER.CO.UK

|ENTERTAINMENT

Review: Rival State’s Youth Tax VICTORIA BRUSH 1st year Philosophy & English Literature

With the works of Kasabian, Royal Blood and Foo Fighters appearing and pleasing many, it is fair to say that the rock genre is not going unnoticed. One band that is trying to succeed in this popular genre is Rival State, five musicians from New Zealand who are now touring around the UK. However this band is not new to the music industry, after splitting up in 2007 no one has heard from them until now. Having played at Sonisphere festival this summer and completed their first UK tour, Rival State has released a new E.P, Youth Tax, consisting of six original songs each as interesting as the next.

The E.P’s first song, Sleep Talker, starts with a powerful guitar and drum instrumental, answering the question of why it was chosen as their primary track.

The repeating guitar riff and lyrics are enjoyable to begin with, but like many rock songs, you could not listen to it over and over again without getting bored. The song is genuinely entertaining, the vocals matched with the combination

of instruments creates a different sound which has not been heard for a while; certainly worthy of first track position.

Aces was the first single released from the E.P this June and is the second song on Youth Tax. With its energetic beginning and amazing chorus, the band made the best selection when choosing this as their first single.

It is a much more memorable song in comparison to the previous track, with music that can be easily found at festivals like Reading or Download. Listeners are able to hear Luke Van Hoof’s vocals on a more personal level, creating a better sound for this already adequate rock song.

The following track brings us back to a time of teenage angst movies. Four Leaf Clover includes an essence of 90’s American rock. Whether Rival State was influenced by it or not, audiences can hear similarities between Rival State, Weezer and some of the Foo Fighters’ older material. The lyrics are, as in previous tracks, exciting to listen to. However this song seems to drag on a bit and I would not be surprised if after two choruses, you would move on to another track.

The next two songs Taking

Credit to Gemma Reynolds Photography

Our Time and Fall from the Sky seem to follow the same structure as previous tracks, starting with a guitar instrumental followed by verse and chorus, which does sadly become dull. Nevertheless, we find a slower and more down to earth piece of music in Fall from the Sky. When listening to the start of the song, I mistook it for a typical Imagine Dragons track, whether that is good or not, you can decide. Fall from the Sky provides a form of variety to Youth Tax, which is very refreshing and needed. This is my favourite track of the E.P; the melody seems much more relaxed and personal, and I could imagine

Fall from the Sky sounding brilliant in an acoustic session.

The last song from Youth Tax is Scatter Brains which leaves the listener amazed due to the energy provided by vocals, drums, bass and guitar that Rival State finishes with. Scatter Brains is by far the most powerful song on the E.P and could be easily be the finishing track on a festival stage. If you were to listen to just one track on this E.P, I would definitely recommend Scatter Brains to adequately represent Rival State’s work and potential.

Rival State has mastered a triumphant comeback with this

E.P. Although the music does seem to become repetitive after a while, they have been able to successfully create an original set of songs which are amazing to listen too. This band will definitely have greater things to come and I believe that if they follow this performance, they will become a headline act very soon.

3.5 STARS

Review: Kill It Kid’s You Owe Nothing Inspired by many, but does Kill It Kid meet the mark?

ADAM CHALKER History Masters

The success of White Stripes and Black Keys proves that, in terms of alternative blues, the Americans have taken the lead in recent years. Following the triumphant summer Royal Blood had, Bath Spa alumni Kill It Kid attempt to redress that balance with their second album, You Owe Nothing. " It is a largely underwhelming start, especially considering the brilliance of Royal Blood’s debut. The lyrics are largely uninteresting with a repetitive refrain" The album starts in an expected direction. Opening track “Black it Out” is reminiscent of early

Queens of the Stone Age and the heavier end of the White Stripes’ spectrum (think Hardest Button by Button). It is a largely underwhelming start, especially considering the brilliance of Royal Blood’s debut. The lyrics are largely uninteresting with a repetitive refrain of “Black it Out” throughout. It does not bode well for the rest of the album.

Second song “High Class” is something of an improvement.

It shows the band fulfilling their Led Zeppelin fantasies. It is a much more fun venture, with the break at the end of the song being particularly impressive.

This fun is also presented in “Sick of Case of Loving You”, with Queens of the Stone Age being an obvious reference point one again. The song also shows a particularly Sabbath-esque riff,

bearing comparison to “Arabella” by the Arctic Monkeys. I’m sure it would be great to pogo along to.

Lead single “Caroline” provides a change of pace, being a much softer affair. The song actually brings to mind “I Don’t Wanna Be” by Gavin DeGraw (the theme from One Tree Hill). I’m not entirely convinced that this change works. “Tired of the Way You Want to Live” shows a return to the classic rock sound, with this one sounding like AC/DC. The album continues in this vain throughout, with the Black Keys-esque “I’ll be the First” sounding a lot like “Little Black Submarines” from El Camino.

“Don’t it Feel Good”, with vocals from female singer Stephanie Ward, sounds like Blood Red Shoes or a heavier No Doubt.

Overall, You Owe Nothing is

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a mediocre album; it is passable.

It lacks the originality and novelty that Royal Blood’s work possesses. Kill It Kid is not as good as their aforementioned transatlantic counterparts.

Classic rock revivalism is all very well and good, but it needs some form of speciality from the musicians involved. Kill It Kid does not always have this and,

by the end of the album, the same rock riffs and song structures become tiring. There is certainly potential in Kill It Kid and I am sure their live sets are impressive, however this does not always translate effectively on record.

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WATTSUP? Do you put the ‘ha’ in laug-ha-ble?

Prove it and try doing WattsUp on for size.

1.

In the song Santa Claus is coming to town, the lyrics are pretty shady--“he’s making a list and checking it twice, gonna find out who’s naughty or nice.” Do you think Santa is a jolly good fellow or an old man with a hidden agenda?

Stefanie W., 2nd year Zoology: Actually he's quite naughty. He likes doing naughty things with nice children.

Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: Some old guy with a beard forces his way down the chimney and expects his sack to please children. Hmm. Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: An old man with issues on children.

Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: Jolly good fellow. For God's sake don't ruin my innocence and good thoughts about Santa. I'm trying to be on his good list this year.

TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: I am a good girl all the time. So if he gives me presents, he's a jolly good fellow, if not, he's defo got a hidden agenda.

Ollie W., 2nd year Law: I'm sure even jolly good fellows have agendas too sometimes... ho ho ho.

Myfi S., 2nd year Philosophy: A jolly good fellow!...with a kinky side!

Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: I think he's a jolly good old man with a shady agenda.

Arran A., 3rd year Philosophy: Obviously a hidden agenda who knows what he's getting those elves to build in their spare time!!

2.

If Santa had Twitter, what would his Twitter name be?

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: @DeadSantaChristmasnear Stefanie W., 2nd year Zoology: @ Yeayounaughtynaughty Ollie W., 2nd year Law: @SCLausszXMAS2k14 TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: @IWorkOnceAYear Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: @1of365 Mike L., 2nd year Biological Sciences: @ HotSnowflake564 Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: @TheRealStNicholas Myfi S., 2nd year Philosophy: @SantaBaby Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: @fathertwittermas Arran A., 3rd year Philosophy: @watcherinthenorth

5.

Mariah Carey’s “All I Want for Christmas is You” is undoubtedly one of the best tunes to howl your lungs out. But let’s get real, you want more than that!

Change up the lyrics of this masterpiece to belt out what you really need. E.g. “I just miss the garden gnome, that is why I’m going home” changed from “I just want you for my own, more than you could ever know.”

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Santa, won't you bring me the game I really need?

Won't you please bring my PS4?

Stefanie W., 2nd year Zoology: Never heard of the song but anyway, it's true that all I want for Christmas is Tom. Well maybe a first class in my degree too.

Ollie W., 2nd year Law: I just want to loudly groan, at all the viruses on my phone.

TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: I don't want a lot for Christmas, there is just one thing I want.

I don't want any assignments, just want snow and have some fun!

Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: I just want you...Yeah so call me?

Mike L., 2nd year Biological Sciences: All I want for Christmas, is a smiling pile of poo.

Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: Christmas time I've got one sock, Father Christmas is such a Myfi S., 2nd year Philosophy: I don't care who's been queuing, cos I just really need to pee.

Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: All I want for Christmas is poo.

HAHAHAHAHHAHHAHAHHAHA…no Oli.

6.

3.

In the Netherlands, St. Nicholas’ day is celebrated by putting out clogs or shoes for presents. If you could choose where your presents would arrive and what they could be put in, where would it be?

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: In my computer.

Ollie W., 2nd year Law: In a Ford Mustang...which coincidentally could also be a present?

TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Owl post!

Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: Right outside my front door, carried by a Victoria's Secret model.

Mike L., 2nd year Biological Sciences: In a Lamborghini, outside my house.

Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: Every Christmas tree has to go in the town centre. On the day, people flock to open their presents together.

Myfi S., 2nd year Philosophy: Chocolate chips in a cookie!

Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: Clogs will suffice.

4.

Mike L., 2nd year Biological Sciences: I couldn't kiss him because if I did, he'd melt because I'm just too hot.

Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: Smooch. Yolo.

Myfi S., 2nd year Philosophy: I would make out with his face!!

Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: I'd give him a big sloppy one.

Arran A., 3rd year Philosophy: I'd have to give him the cold shoulder.

If you were under the mistletoe with Frosty the Snowman, would you kiss him and freeze your lips/risk melting him or reject his love?

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Can't risk melting him. Some things are better when you cannot reach.

Stefanie W., 2nd year Zoology: Er...No. I'm not planning to kiss anyone other than Tom. Ollie W., 2nd year Law: At the risk of sounding 'cold' (geddit?) I would have to turn him down.

TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Reject his love. Sorry, I can't kiss a snowman I just met.

Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: No. I might get hypothermia on my lips.

The Christmas holidays are a time for family and friends. What is the most embarrassing thing you’ve done as a family? P.s.: Matching Christmas jumpers are fun.

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: Playing truth or dare with my parents.

Ollie W., 2nd year Law: My Mum tried to dress up a horse to resemble a reindeer.

Needless to say the horse did not enjoy it.

Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: I have a huge list for that. You're going to have to give me a few minutes to find one...actually give me a few hours.

Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: One Xmas eve I dreamt my brother had swallowed his tongue. I woke everyone up. My brother was fine. I cried.

Everyone laughed.

Oliver R., 3rd year English & Politics: Harmonize happy birthdays.

Arran A., 3rd year Philosophy: Apparently having anything other than turkey for Xmas dinner is embarrassing and we do that every year!

7.

In Canada, the temperature can drop to about -40 ºC and every year someone manages to freeze to death. What would you do if you managed to freeze over to a Christmas 500 years into the future?

Wing Lam K., 2nd year Law: A contemporary Christmas jumper.

Stefanie W., 2nd year Zoology: It would be fun. You can ask Steve Rogers.

Ollie W., 2nd year Law: Check the price of Freddos.

TJ Hiew, 2nd year Law: Nothing. The cold never bothered me anyway. ;) Christopher J L., 2nd year Law: See if hoverboards are in existence. If they are, I'll buy one. If not, I'll freeze again for another 500.

Mike L., 2nd year Biological Sciences: Pretend I'm Doctor Who. Jamie G., 3rd year History & International Relations: Tell the world that back in my day we thought global warming was inevitable. Obviously not.

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HOROSCOPE

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

KIRSTY SAGGERS Horoscopes Writer

ARIES MARCH 21st-APRIL 20th Aries

LIBRA SEPTEMBER 24th- OCTOBER 23rd

You may have been keeping your emotions to yourself for some time, the only way to make progress is to let others know how you feel. It’s getting colder outside but that doesn't mean you should be frosty towards people who are looking out for you; they only want what's best for you.

December brings the prospect of increasing your income, so look out for opportunities and make use of the luck that number 8 brings.

libra

TAURUS APRIL 21st-MAY21st Taurus

SCORPIO OCTOBER 24th-NOVEMBER 22nd

You may come across hard times this month, but it is nothing you can't handle - especially if you allow others to help you. It will not be all struggles though, you will hear some good news about a project you have been working on and there could be a chance for new opportunities at work. Don't let your feelings get the better of you this month: you need to think first before making decisions. Pay attention to the number 16.

Sagittarius

GEMINI MAY 22nd-JUNE 21st Gemini

Your schedule may be demanding, however you need to take some time for yourself, even if it is only a few hours a day. Your best ideas will come to you when you are relaxing and you will feel inspired to try something new. You may come across some surprising information that makes you question what you thought you knew, but don't believe everything you hear. Look to the number 3 for luck this month.

Don't give up your independence for others this month, it is only by doing things for yourself that you'll discover new things. For those in Scorpio relationships, make time to benefit from it just being the two of you. For those looking for someone, you could find them on a spontaneous day out. Learning a new skill could be on the cards this month, so don't miss out on opportunities that appear to you.

CAPRICORN DECEMBER 22nd- JANUARY 20th

You have a strong character and this will work in your favour this month, particularly if you are confronted with a problem. You may feel like you're stuck in a situation with no way out; this couldn't be further from the truth. All it takes is a bit of consideration and a willingness to try new approaches. You will definitely reap the rewards. Your lucky number this month seems to be 5.

Being yourself is the most important thing this month, as it will be easier for you to lose yourself in people's perception of you. Don't let your Capricorn opinions be changed by others and stick to what you believe. You will benefit from taking a trip to one of your favourite places from the past as it's good to keep memories alive and keep in contact with the people you used to know.

LEO JULY 24th-AUGUST 23rd leo

AQUARIUS JANUARY 21st -FEBUARY 19th

Your confidence may have taken a beating lately, but things will start to improve this month. Following a different direction could lead to discovering a new side of yourself and it's up to you to decide whether the change is positive or negative. Friends and family will be generous in this season of giving and you should be generous back, being there for them costs nothing!

The sky is the limit for you this month so don't be afraid to do something outside of your comfort zone - be spontaneous, don't over think and try Aquarius to do something you were too scared to do before. Whilst you're trying something new, take the time to rid yourself of a bad habit. It's time to move on to something different and more positive. People will like you more for it and you will feel better in yourself as a result.

VIRGO AUGUST 24th- SEPTEMBER 23rd virgo

People look to you as a reliable friend, so don't be surprised if you are sought after for advice this month.Friends and family will feel that you have the answers and look to you for comfort. A long chat with a friend or partner will lead to you feeling happier than before this month and smiling is contagious, so don't be afraid to spread that positivity! This month the numbers 4 and 13 could bring you luck.

SAGITTARIUS NOVEMBER 23rd-DECEMBER 21st

CANCER JUNE 22nd-JULY 23rd Cancer

Don't devote all your time to one project, putting all of your eggs in one basket could leave you with nothing. Accept any invitations that come your way, this month you're going to have a lot of fun and make some amazing memories. Don't forget the importance of staying healthy though, you will feel the benefits of good food and exercise now more than ever. The number 9 may bring you good fortune this month.

PISCES FEBUARY 20th-MARCH 20th

Others may have their own ideas and opinions on what choices you make, but it all comes down to you - only you can make the right decision. Choose wisely and you could be lucky, this month seems to bring prosperity for Virgo. Is someone not giving you the attention you feel you deserve? Organising a day out with them will allow you to get to know each other better and strengthen your relationship as a whole.

29

Pisces

Listen to what your dreams have been telling you lately, the answer to your problems could be hidden in your subconscious. The forecast may be rainy, so make the most of a rainy day and do that thing you've been meaning to do for months; you'll be feeling especially productive this month. In the midst of your productivity make plans to go somewhere new with someone important to you, you'll have the most fun you can remember having in ages!

30

BOOKS

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5 Books To Brighten Your Winter Let your imagination take you away this Winter JASMINE DAMEN 1st year English Literature & Language

Winter break is one of the best times to indulge in that toppling tower of books you’ve so desperately wanted to read throughout the autumn term, but have had absolutely no time for.

For months, you sat staring at it, waiting. Finally, you have time to curl up on the sofa in your pyjamas and read a good book. Here are my five favourite books to read over the winter break before returning to normality in January.

LET IT SNOW – John Green, Maureen Johnson & Lauren Myracle Heard of The Fault in Our Stars?

Have I got your attention? Okay good. John Green has teamed up with two amazingly talented YA authors to write Let it Snow; three short stories all set around a waffle house in the same storm-stricken town at Christmas. Not enticing enough for you? How about when the characters start showing up in each other’s stories? The way the different plots intertwine within and between each other creates a whirlwind of clever, witty, and meaningful connections.

The trio of stories could just as easily stand as one, but they come together as a set to give a hilarious and perfect holiday read.

Dash and Lily’s book of Dares – Rachel Cohn & David Levithan Set in New York City at the height of Christmas, Dash finds a little red notebook with instructions for a dare in a bustling bookstore.

From here, Lily and Dash send each other on heart-warmingly ridiculous dares around the city, all the while growing closer through encrypted notes and messages.

Both characters have distinctively opposite voices, but fit together into an endearing, yet adventurous read that’ll make you want to find your own little red notebook!

Harry Potter, but it never fails to fill me with nostalgic warmth, especially around Christmas time.

When Harry experiences his first proper Christmas with new found friends in the snow-blanketed Hogwarts, we experience it with him too. The warm, frothy butter beer, the endless matches of Wizard Chess and, of course, the troll in the dungeon! Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone embodies the very essence of Christmas: appreciating the people you love. It’s a must read at Christmas (and in general really!)

THE NIGHT CIRCUS – Erin Morgenstern Whilst not strictly set at Christmas time, this book definitely has a distinctive magical and mysterious feel to it. Unlike other novels, which feature a solid chronological plot, The Night Circus is told from various perspectives over the course of a decade. It focuses on two magicians who know nothing except the very fact that they are in training for a competition.

Goodreads summarises it “The circus arrives without warning.

No announcements precede it. It is simply there, when yesterday it was not.” You’ll either love it or hate it. For me, it was a no brainer.

The Book Thief – Markus Zusak If you’re prepared to cry until you’re no longer alive, then this is the one for you. Death narrates the story of Liesel, a young girl living in Nazi Germany who finds herself living with The Hubermanns, her adoptive parents. Whilst you could read this anytime of the year (and you definitely should), the winter snow throughout reminds you of what winter and Christmas should be about, making the story hit you just that much harder.

Courtesy of Flickr Images

HARRY POTTER AND THE PHILOSOPHER’S STONE – J.K. Rowling I don’t know what it is about

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ENTERTAINMENT|FILM

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Interstellar Review

Courtesy of Flickr Images

GARY GORDON 3rd year English Literature

Interstellar is Nolan’s masterpiece.

To say it is the greatest film from the director of Inception and The Dark Knight Trilogy is no small claim, but I make it here. With a run time of nearly three hours, it is well worth the price of a ticket.

The film is obviously inspired by sci-fi classics such as Kubrick’s 2001: A Space Odyssey. But there is freshness and originality to the piece that firmly blasts Interstellar into the future of filmmaking.

It is the Sci-Fi film that future Sci-fi films will be compared to.

The film opens with an Earth that is plagued by famine. Resources and energy is placed into farming, into sustaining life on Earth. This world is explored through Cooper (Matthew McConaughey) and his family. Some suggest this opening act goes on for too long and I can understand where they are coming from. After all this is a film that promises space travel and it does take some time to blast off, but the family story constructed in the first section, crucially grounds the second and third acts. It also drives the action and characters throughout the entire narrative.

What sets this film apart from weaker sci-fi films is that behind all the technology and fantasy there is a strong character based plot.

The second act, in which the astronauts take off into space, is where the movie really kicks into gear. The stunning shots of their ship, the Endurance, travelling through space are spectacular, and the chief reason why this film must be watched on the big screen. There’s no cheap 3D needed to draw people in, just cinematic magic allowing the audience to feel fully immersed in… well, the universe. Highoctane action features in this section of Interstellar, but constantly pushing the piece is Cooper and his human story.

The third act just explodes, plot twists so mind bending they make The Sixth Sense look like an episode of Heartbeat. I wont go into any more detail and ruin it for those who haven’t seen it yet. To those people I say just allow yourself to be absorbed by the story, relax into the narrative and go with it.

I completely avoided trailers before this film, which was important to me. It meant nothing was spoilt; I honestly knew very little before going in.

Afterwards, however, I

furiously explored the internet reading everything I could.

Having only seen the film once this review is only based upon my initial reaction, which is glazed with awe and amazement.

Maybe with a second watch I’ll find little gripes, but more than likely I’ll find and relive more amazing moments. I have missed out many things which make this a spectacular film, partly because of spoilers but mostly because there is not the time. McConaughey gives another brilliant leading man performance and Interstellar features the best acting Hathaway has ever done. Jessica Chastain’s subtle and clever performance is also mesmerising.

There are flaws, which critics have highlighted, some I agree with and some I do not. To address them for the sake of balance seems redundant as the triumphs of the film far outweigh the inevitable hiccups when dealing with a film on this immense scale.

It’s as sentimental and as it is scientific. Ultimately, it’s just shy of perfect. Go see it, go see it now.

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COMICS & GAMES

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Drawn by Harry Richardson

Angel of Death Pokemon Benefit Rain style Christmas market Roman classroom December Snowflake

Hyde Park Sun's Magnet Interstellar Winter warming Jungle Junkies World Series Mud

Spend a Day LOUISE INGHAM 2nd year Law

I love wasting time with you, doing nothing, Lying side by side, chest to chest, just touching.

Make me laugh with no effort at all, Give me inspiration when I hit the wall.

Picnics in the rain, long talks at night, And if I’m upset, you’ll turn on the light.

I love not cooking with you, ordering instead, Spend the day doing nothing, end up in bed.

Catch each other as we always trip and fall, Bend down to kiss me ‘cause I’m only small.

I love when we curl up together at night, And wake up to you at the first light.

Drawn by Laura Burridge

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ENTERTAINMENT|FILM

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5 films to tickle your fancy this Christmas EMILY SKEW

4th year French and Italian

With Christmas around the corner, it’s time to start planning those evenings in front of the TV watching a great film and getting into the festive mood.

While we all know that Elf, Love Actually, Home Alone and The Grinch are among some of the best, there are many others often left on the sidelines. This list will give you five must watch Christmas films for when you have exhausted your favourites.

ARTHUR CHRISTMAS This 2011 film (from the creators of Wallace and Gromit) tells the story of a family of Santa Clauses who have modernised the art of present delivering with highly trained elves and high tech gadgets.

It is a smoothly run operation until something goes horribly wrong.

Then in steps the unlikely hero, Arthur, who, with many disasters along the way, manages to save Christmas. My expectations for this film weren’t very high as I expected it to be aimed at young children, but I was very surprised by the witty humour and sarcasm.

This mixed with the typical jolly, sentimental Christmas business made for a really great film.

MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET If you thought Mara Wilson was good in Matilda, this film is better because she’s even cuter. She plays a young girl in New York whose mother told her (aged 6) that Santa doesn’t exist, but after meeting a Santa in a toy store she knows he is the real one and so she makes it her mission to convince the rest of the world. I think this film has everything: Christmas in New York (what more could you want?), great acting from the cast (like Richard Attenborough as Santa), and a brilliant ending to give you the warm festive feeling and possibly the odd tear.

THE SANTA CLAUSE For me, this is definitely a Christmas Eve classic to watch in front of the fire. It’s the story of a man who inadvertently kills Santa and finds himself, very reluctantly, having to take on his role the day before Christmas. We follow Tim Allen’s character to the North Pole and are introduced to its charming grotto, which is like a child’s imagination come to life, and we see him gradually learn to accept that he is the new Santa. The addition of a mega cute kid and a great chirstmassy feeling makes this film worthy of the list.

JACK FROST While this may not have been a hit with the critics, it’s one of those sentimental, soppy family films which will melt your heart. The plot follows a boy who finds out that his dead father is reincarnated as a snowman which, yes, is a bit silly, but is also light-hearted and fairly amusing. With action, adventure and laughs along the way, it’s definitely worth a watch.

THE SNOWMAN Even without dialogue, the music score with signature song “Walking in the air” are enough to give you goose bumps when enjoying this film. It is essentially Christmas wrapped up into a 30 minute bundle of friendship, happiness and joy. The icing on the (Christmas) cake is obviously the utterly magical journey of the boy and the snowman flying through the air towards the North Pole. If this film doesn’t get you in the mood for a jolly Christmas, then I’m not sure what will!

Courtesy of Flickr Images

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Courtesy of Flickr Images

BASEBALL Giants win the World Series for the third time in five years

LOCAL FOOTBALL Sports Reporter Gareth Thomas reports on Reading FC, a month when winning was difficult

FOOTBALL Have we seen enough from England's team to progress to Euro 2016?

THE FA CUP Here's a review of Aldershot’s FA Cup run as they beat Portsmouth in the first round

SPORT

England: How the Three A look at the NFL playoff picture Lions fared in this month's international break BASIL AL-ALI

3rd Year Business and Management

With week 12 almost in the books, it’s time to take a look at who is in the hunt for a playoff berth in each conference.

AFC Leading teams.

Although no teams have guaranteed themselves entry into the playoffs yet, theDenver Broncos and New England Patriots lead the AFC standings after being extremely impressive.

The two offensive juggernauts are only separated by the victory that New England earned against Denver in Foxboro.

The best of the rest

OLLIE WEEDEN 2nd Year Law

As Wembley fell silent in remembrance on the evening of November 15th, you might have forgiven Wayne Rooney for harbouring thoughts of his impend ing 100th appearance for his country. It seems that he has, until recently, forever had to bear the pressure of being England's golden boy'. An image intensified by coaches claiming that ‘"here has not been a player under 20 as good as him since I became a manager”, (Arsene Wenger, October 2002).

Despite this, there still seems to be a lingering feeling that Rooney has not quite fulfilled what we had all expected. His potential seemed limitless, yet where have the trophies been? Why does it seem impossible for our brightest

talent to be able to replicate his (often excellent) club form on the international stage? With these questions frustratingly remaining unanswered, it only seemed fitting that, upon Wayne Rooney's 100th appearance for his country, as captain over a young and inexperienced England side, now was the time to answer his critics.

England's first test came in the form of a home quali fier to Slovenia. England have, to their credit, maintained their 100% winning record since a forgettable World Cup last summer. Squad selection surprised few, with deserved call ups for Southampton's Fraser Forster and Nathaniel Clyne and a chance for a debut from West Bromwich Albion's free-scoring Saido Berahino. Ross Barkley and Luke Shaw's selection further added

to what was another youthful looking squad.The game was rather slow for much of the first half,with England struggling to create space in between a resolute Slovenian defence organised by Inter Milan's Samir Handanovic.

It took an own goal by England's Jordan Henderson in the 57th minute to provide the wake-up call which England desperately needed. Slovenia's lead was, however, quickly cancelled out only two minutes later by a Wayne Rooney penalty. This seemed to provide the impetus for England to push on attack to much success, with Danny Welbeck providing a sublime finish past the stunned.

Handanovic to make it 2-1. A second goal from Welbeck (round ing off an intricate move initiated

by Raheem Sterling) brought Continued on page 37

35

The Colts and Bengals both lead their divisions currently but Indianapolis have three dreadful teams in their division while all the teams in the Bengals division have a good chance of pushing them out of their spot. The Steelers and Chiefs areboth in a Wild Card spot at the moment but they both have teams in their division with the same record, ready to pounce should they make any mistakes.

The worst of the rest

The Texans, Bills, Dolphins and Ravens still have an opportunity to make the playoffs but they will need a mixture of wins and other results to fall in their favour. I don’t expect any of these teams to make it.

Who’s basically out

The Titans and Jets head coaches are in danger of losing their jobs, as they are almost as bad as the Jaguars and Raiders.

They could eventually be picking first in next year’s draft by the time

the season finishes but for now they should be focused on playing for pride as their seasons should be mathematically over soon.

Who’s already out

Jacksonville and Oakland seem to be competing for the first overall pick in the 2015 NFL draft as they have both only managed to win one game this season. They have both been terrible in all three facets of the game; offence, defence and special teams. Fans of the two ball clubs must hope that next year is better than the recent past.

NFC Leading teams

The Cardinals, Eagles, Packers and Cowboys have dominated this season, all winning at least eight games each. The Cardinals are the leaders of the pack with the most wins in the NFL but they have to be worried after recently losing their starting quarterback and getting blown out in Seattle this past Sunday. The other three teams are looking good to make the playoffs thanks to their early season form but must keep focused if they want to get home field advantage. The best of the rest The NFC South is up for grabs as the division leader is the Saints at 4-6. The Falcons only have one more loss than the Saints and the Panthers also still have an opportunity thanks to the inconsistency in their division.

The Lions record is currently keeping them outside of the playoffs but if they were to win all their games they could make it in.

The Seahawks and 49ers are set to battle it out for the Wild Card spot in the NFC as the division rivals are tied with 7-4 Continued on page 38

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SPORT.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

It's hard to win for Reading, in the cold November rain GARETH THOMAS Sports Reporter

It never rains but it pours for Reading fans, as the miserable weather that November brings has extended itself to the Royals’form, sitting 15th and far from the playoffs. Following on from a poor October that did nothing to help prove Nigel Adkins is the right man for the job, Reading have managed just three points from a possible twelve.

Ending the month with a resounding 3-0 thrashing of Blackpool at the Madejski, Adkins’men hoped to make a winning start to November, and begin moving back towards the playoff positions. However, it started disappointingly with a trip to Blackburn Rovers at Ewood Park.

Reading started the game promisingly, striking the bar with a Glenn Murray header, but with just 17 minutes on the clock the home side struck first through Rudy Gestede’s bullet header,from a great cross by Ben

Marshall. Reading responded well, and just before half time a Jordan Obita cross from wide left evaded everyone but Murray arriving at the back post to tap in from a couple of yards out.

Rovers came out vibrant from the break, and quickly began creating chances. No more than ten minutes into the half and Marshall went from goal supplier to goal scorer, rifling a free kick past Adam Federici to make it 2-1.

Gestede wrapped up the points with a cool finish after Jordan Rhodes struck the post, following another pinpoint Marshall cross.

However it was briefly back to winning ways at the Madejski, as Reading dispatched Rotherham with ease. Goals from Jamie Mackie and a Simon Cox brace sent the Championship new boys back to Yorkshire pointless, and left Reading relieved with all three points. Slack defending from Rotherham gifted Mackie with the opportunity to notch his first goal of the season which he executed with aplomb, curling into the top left corner.

“Cox put the icing on the cake just nine minutes later, lashing a volley into the top corner ."

Into the second half and after further Reading pressure, Mackie slid a cute pass into the path of Cox who finished calmly into the corner. Cox put the icing on the cake just nine minutes later, lashing a volley into the top corner following an astute first touch, to conclude a strong performance, and an urgently needed win.

The good feeling around the Madejski didn’t last long however. Just four days after the Rotherham win, Reading fell to a 1-0 loss at home to Charlton in a scrappy affair that could have been settled either way.

Despite dominating possession and managing 20 attempts on the Addicks’ goal, the definitive strike went the way of the visitors and Igor Vetokele. Mustering just four shots on target, Reading saw Charlton have the best of the early play, and they scored the decisive goal after 39 minutes. Chris

Solly cut in from the right and delivered a wonderfully whipped cross meeting the athletic jump of Vetokele, and the Belgian directed his header perfectly into the top corner for his eighth of the season.

“The night went horrendously for Reading defender Alex Pearce."

A trip west down the M4 to Cardiff proved not to be the remedy for returning to winning ways, as Russell Slade’s men took a 2-0 lead into half time, only for Michael Hector to grab an 81st minute consolation goal. The night went horrendously for Reading defender Alex Pearce; wrestling in the box with Cardiff’s Ben Turner, Pearce managed to convert Peter Whittingham’s cross into his own goal to gift Cardiff the lead after 20 minutes. Things only went from bad to worse for the centre half, as he was then deemed to have felled former Reading man Adam Le Fondre in the box, meaning a straight red and penalty.

Whittingham tucked the spot kick away as Pearce followed his

marching orders down the tunnel.

A rare error from David Marshall presented Reading with the consolation goal, after the keeper spilled Hector’s drive through his arms and into the back of net – needless to say, a result Cardiff certainly deserved.

The result leaves Reading 14th with an extra game played, eight points from the playoffs, and just five above the relegation zone.

Herein lies Reading’s problem; they are only picking up points against relegation candidates.

At home, wins against the likes of Rotherham and Blackpool of late and a point to Wolves are the only points won – bar a draw away to Leeds – in ten games.

The form and opposition Reading have faced in past few months does little to suggest they are on course for an expected top half finish and they could find themselves flirting with wrong end of the table come Christmas.

FA Cup progress for The Shots MATTHEW COX

3rd Year English Literature & FTT

The ‘magic’ of the FA Cup is a sorcery that is put under the microscope every year in at least one of the major tabloids. There is no doubt that the debate will continue until mankind evolves into a metaphysical form and are too plain busy helping Matthew McConaughey send some stuff to his daughter to bother with a domestic cup anymore. Until then, recent results like Warrington’s win over Exeter will always inspire journalistic fanfare, but the cup’s detractors will point to teams like Southampton fielding weakened teams last season as a sign of its waning importance. I pondered the competition’s stature over the course of a first-round clash which was close to my heart; Portsmouth v Aldershot Town.

As an Aldershot native and a season ticket holder throughout

my teens the prospect of The Shots being drawn with a side who won the Cup as recently as 2008 was exciting, but a lot has happened since then. Portsmouth have famously fallen three levels to League Two after financial issues and Aldershot have been promoted to and relegated from that same league amid financial difficulty of their own; the gulf between the two sides is certainly not what it once was.

However the draw – a Hampshire derby contested for the first time in the second iteration of Aldershot football after the first’s bankruptcy in 1992 - still captured the imagination of my hometown at least. The club sold out their allocation of 2,500 for the first tie at Fratton Park in no time, and the travelling fans (myself included) were rewarded with a 2-2 draw and a brilliant second half performance which was almost enough for a win. As it was, Danny Hollands’ late header set up at a

replay at the Electrical Services Stadium, or as it should be known, The Rec, on 19 November.

Standing in our traditional spot, I noticed the group my lot usually stands next to (which includes a Paul Whitehouse lookalike and someone who resembles the one on Pointless who sits down) struggled to enter a swelled East Bank which was at its noisy best.

Attendance at Aldershot typically stays under the 2,000 mark currently but Pompey’s visit had seen it rise to 5,374, For the first time in years, I had to get down to a midweek game more than five minutes earlier than kick off time. There was a feeling around the ground which had been toooften absent in recent years – everyone was bang up for it.

Much like the first tie, Portsmouth just about had the better of the first 45; Shots Keeper Phil Smith did well to keep out Jed Wallace’s scissor-kick in the best chance of the half. But, save for a

36

Wallace finish ruled out for offside (an error in hindsight), Aldershot were the better side after the break once they’d settled into the game and became more composed in possession. Respected midfielder Mark Molesley headed a terrific opportunity across the face of goal before Brett Williams and Dan Holman both had impressive strikes from the edge of the area parried by Pompey keeper Paul Jones. The ground was alive with belief.

The corner resulting from livewire Holman’s effort produced the big moment. With ten minutes to go, Molesley scored one of the scrappiest goals I have ever seen live in professional football, forcing the ball across the line in a goalmouth scramble which you’d see sooner on a playground than on BT Sport. If anything that made it sweeter – Aldershot is an unglamorous place at best and this goal was its footballing embodiment, and due to my

tongue-in-cheek, tribalistic love I have for my town, I went nuts for it.

Owing much to a heroic covering challenge from makeshift left-back Jordan Roberts, Aldershot held out for the win. On paper it might not have been an upset for the ages, but for Aldershot fans Portsmouth are a big club and this was up there as a high point in the club’s history. As for the FA Cup, this is what it does best. This is the only competition in which Jarrow Roofing Boldon Community Association FC could feasibly have a crack at Manchester United with a plucky run of wins; so when you see Sunderland’s second string beaten tamely by Stoke’s in January, remember the Warringtons and the Aldershots that live for the ‘magic’ of the cup’s earlier rounds.

GENERAL SPORTS

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Baseball is changing following the Giants win ZAK PRIOR Sports Editor

On Thursday 30th November, at roughly 4am UK time, the San Francisco Giants won their third world series in five years. Coming through a tight game seven, the Giants beat the Kansas City Royals 4-3, whilst also winning the series by the same margin. In what could now be a baseball dynasty, the Giants have won in 2010, 2012 and 2014. The Giants have been quietly dominant over this period, despite having had off years between each win. Two teams that prioritise team spirit came to battle it out in what became one of the closest battle of wills that the MLB has seen in a while.

The series was dominated

by Giants’ pitcher Madison Bumgarner, who won the series MVP award. He started twice, in game one and game five, giving up one run in seven innings and throwing a complete game shutout, respectively. Only three days later he came back and pitched in relief, throwing five innings with no runs conceded. This shows the confidence from the Giants coaching staff as Bumgarner has put himself in consideration for the greatest world series pitcher

Continued from page 35 \his total to an impressive five in qualifying. So once again England seemed to win without really impressing, a trend which seems likely to continue given the relatively straight-forward qualifying group England have been bestowed. This should ensure safe passage to France 2016, but what England will need to do before then to convince us that better times lie ahead is receive a truer test of their mettle.

This challenge came when England second match was an away trip to face the 'Auld

ever. The only run that he has given up over five World Series appearances was in game one, giving a 0.25 ERA over that period.

In the lead up to the July 31st trade deadline, three major trades took place. All three allowed top pitchers to head to two of the American League’s top teams, both with world series aspirations.

The Oakland Athletics traded for Jeff Samardzija from the Cubs and the Boston Red Sox’s Jon Lester. While the Tampa Bay Rays decided to send ace pitcher David Price to Detroit, helping bolster the Tigers’ already impressive starting rotation. Both teams gave up a number of future prospects, taking a win-now approach.

Whilst both of these teams made it into the post-season, neither was able to progress past the American League Divisional Series.

This lack of success looks to limit willingness to trade for top players mid-season in the coming years. Both teams had started strongly and were both top of their division at the time.

Following the all-star break the Athletics went 29-38 while the tigers went 37-34. Both far off the winning percentages they needed to be at. The Giants comparatively went 35-31, while the Royals went 41-27. The Royals had the second half of the season that

Enemy'. England against Scotland, football's oldest derby, and one not played north of the border since 1999. Playing away from home against a confident Scotland, buoyed by their qualifying victory over the Republic of Ireland, and with a strong passionate crowd behind them, this was to prove a tough test for the Three Lions.

Roy Hodgson surprised many, including myself, by switching to a 4-3-3 formation.

One which forced an in-form Danny Welbeck into an unfamiliar wide position. I was also intrigued to see a new central defensive

Oakland wanted. Ultimately the two teams met in the American League Wild Card game that Kansas City went on to win.

The Royals displayed unease at pulling off high profile trades, only going for deals that were buy-low opportunities on players with expiring contracts. Players such as Josh Willingham, from the Minnesota Twins, who provided some important RBI’s during the final stretch of the season.

In keeping a solid group together, both the Royals and the Giants were able to keep considerable team chemistry that seems to become much more important during the postseason, where each game matters much more. As a deeply psychological game, baseball can often be misunderstood as massive guys

trying to hit the ball out of the park.

The reality is that every player on the team could hit the ball out of the park, the best players are those that are able to master their own minds and maintain consistency.

Pablo Sandoval has been able to do this during his playoff career with the Giants. He has also been able to help others maintain that consistency by being a leader in the clubhouse. Ultimately both the Giants and Royals showed that the most important factor in playoff success is ensuring the mental well being of your players throughout the season.

This allowed both teams to fulfil the American sport cliche of coming good when the playoffs arrive. They were both able to overcome big spending divisional rivals, the Dodgers and the Tigers.

The thrilling world series was a fitting end to a great season of Major League Baseball. A truly up and down season. This year was won by the teams that play the game of baseball, not the business of baseball. Of course teams like the Yankees and the Dodgers are going to have large off-seasons and keep spending obscene amounts of money ($500m in payroll between the two teams). The Marlins will also guarantee $325m to one player. We can live knowing that what made this year great was that a team won the World Series this year, not a group of individuals that happen to be wearing the same uniform. The dynasty that the Giants are now a part of shows that this is the best formula for success for smaller market teams.

partnership of Gary Cahill and Chris Smalling, with the latter proving my doubts unwarranted with a strong performance throughout. It was a promising first half, with England utilising the pace of Welbeck and Clyne in wide areas to good effect. Rooney once again proved his versatility by operating as a central target man up front, holding up the ball well on the counter-attack and creating numerous chances for former club mate Danny Welbeck. It was in the 32nd minute when Jack Wilshere hit a defence splitting forty yard pass up towards Oxlade-Chamberlain whose inside runs paid off as his glancing header sent the ball past a bewildered David Marshall. The second half lived up to the first with a Milner free kick producing a fine headed goal by none other than Wayne Rooney in only the 47th minute. Scotland were given hope by a close range finish through a brilliant piece of link up

play provided by Hull City's Andy Robertson. This, however, proved only a consolation as England reasserted themselves with another Rooney goal in the 85th minute.

His 46th international goal.

scored and only 2 conceded, the statistics, as they say, do not lie.

The win in Glasgow was certainly a more comprehensive test of England's ability, and the manner in which England won will have told Hodgson much more about his players than any routine win in qualifiers. So what does 2015 hold for England? With matches resuming as late as March, it will be a little while until we see another England squad come together. When that time comes, there seems to be a qualifier against Lithuania waiting, and the small matter of a friendly match against the Italians only four days later. If this month's fixtures are anything to go by, it seems that we need only answer ourselves one question. Can England do it on a cold, rainy night in Glasgow?

Yes, it seems that they can.

37

“So with a young squad, brimming with talent and confidence, lead by a now experienced captain in Wayne Rooney, can we finally say with any confidence that England are on a road to recovery?"

So with a young squad, brimming with talent and confidence, lead by a now experienced captain in Wayne Rooney, can we finally say with any confidence that England are on a road to recovery? It must be said that England have not met any of football's elite since the debacle in Brazil. Therefore their comeback must be judged within that context. However, 6 wins in as many games with 15 goals

SPORTS |GENERAL SPORTS

SPORT.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

The demise of Marussia and Caterham: why does it matter?

TOM WICKS

3rd Year Politics and International Relations

May 25 2014, and after four years of failure, the first of the “new” teams got their first ever points in Formula 1 after Jules Bianchi finished ninth in the prestigious Monaco Grand Prix. However in the ensuing months, the jubilation of finally seeing Marussia’s work being paid off was abruptly ended prior to the USA Grand Prix less than six months later. Both Marussia and Caterham pulled out of the race citing financial difficulties, with both groups entering administration shortly after. The saga shows the state that Formula 1 is in today, with just 18 permanent drivers and the smallest grid since 2002 when the Arrows teams folded, the last team to leave Formula 1 mid-season.

The way these two teams have ended their stint in Formula 1 finishes an initially encouraging, yet ultimately failed experiment by the FIA, and highlights how poorly treated they have been.

Marussia and Caterham (then known as Virgin Racing and Team Lotus) were part of a three team expansion to Formula 1

Continued from page 35 records.The worst of the rest The Rams, Vikings and Bears playoff hopes are slim and they need to have a good finish to the season in order to be in with a shot. They need to win all their games while also hoping that other teams help them out.

in 2010 along with the already defunct Hispania racing team.

The three new teams ran on much smaller budgets in comparison to the more historic teams such as Ferrari, McLaren and Mercedes on the belief that a €50m budget cap would soon be enforced on all of the other teams. This was never enforced, putting the three new teams into an extremely difficult situation right from the first race. With lower quality engines and technologies as well as the reduced budget, it was certain that Marussia and Caterham would almost never be competitive, let alone score points.

So why will they be missed?

It is almost reasonable to dismiss Marussia and Caterham as perennial and no-hopers.

Their lack of progress over four and a half years in the sport has been glaringly obvious, and only Sauber’s regression this year has meant they have had any serious competition with a long-term team. They have never troubled the scorers and even the head of the sport, Bernie

Ecclestone, has been open in his criticism of the two teams, going so far as to saying ‘they should close if they do not have the money’ in July of this year.

Marussia and Caterham’s value to the sport is much more than just filling four grid spots though.

A smaller grid of 16 or 18 cars shows just how flawed Formula 1 is in its disparity of financial management. Fellow teams Force India, Lotus and Sauber are not competitive in comparison to the rest of the teams, and have held talks with the FIA themselves over their long-term future. Marussia and Caterham’s demise has the potential to start a worrying trend of a very small grid with no chance for any other new team to join and cement themselves as a competitive force in the championship.

Worryingly this does not seem to be a problem to Bernie Ecclestone. As long as enough cars are on the grid to fill the points system (requiring ten cars) and the revenue keeps climbing, this issue is never going to be addressed.

What can be done?

What does the future hold?

The seemingly obvious solution of letting newer teams operate on a lower budget while bringing down the budgets of the bigger teams has been promised but not delivered. A crowdfunding initiative to get Caterham back onto the grid for the American and Brazilian Grands Prix failed for those two rounds, but is a reason that the team will be at the finale in Abu Dhabi after raising around £2.5m. Marussia have also got back into the paddock for this weekend’s race, but both teams will have to rely on “pay drivers”, which bring large amounts of personal sponsorship money and essentially get their seat purely on that basis.

This is in no way sustainable in the long term. While pay drivers will bring large funds, it can only last so long before this situation rears its head again, as Marussia and Caterham will still struggle and not get the financial bonuses of scoring points. Whether it is buying out

the better teams’ old cars, having a larger engine allowance or more fuel for every race, these will never be implemented as it is deemed unequal, even it will benefit Marussia and Caterham.

Nevertheless, Caterham are still for now on the Formula 1 entry list for 2015, again with Renault engines which supply Red Bull racing, one of the main teams in Formula 1. Another alternative is having three-car teams, although this might only last so long before even the bigger teams struggle to keep themselves afloat by dedicating their efforts to yet another car, driver and staff for the third car.

The future of Formula 1 is always short-sighted, but we can all hope that this sorry episode in the sport’s history will encourage the FIA to learn and make the door into Formula 1 an open one, instead of a sport reserved for the elites and rich.

Mud, Determination and Victory

Who’s basically out

The New York Giants season is almost over after losing to Dallas on Sunday night. The G-Men were unable to pull off the victory against the Cowboys despite leading 21-10 at half time and their rookie Odell Beckham Jr. making possibly the best catch in NFL history. Although there is a list of teams who mathematically have a possibility of still making the playoffs it is likely that along with the Giants, the Buccaneers and Redskins will be eliminated next week.

The Knights defensive line about to break through the Regent's offence Photographed by Farah Shaqhirah

38

The Reading Knights have collected their first victory of the season 8-2 against the Kings College London Regents, who came into their third fixture of the season undefeated having won their opening two games against the City University Sentinels and the Brunel Bears. But they were to be upset by the Reading Knights who came into their second game following a loss against the Kingston Cougars, despite showing promise shutting down the Cougar’s offence in the second half. The game was played on the new home ground opposite Sportspark on Whiteknights campus, where the pitch matched the weather; cold, and wet.

Continued on page 39

GENERAL SPORTS

SPORT.SPARK@READING.AC.UK

| SPORTS

The team after a cold muddy game Photographed by Hazel Jacobson

The crowd braving the cold and rain to cheer on the Knights Photographed by Hazel Jacobson

Continued from page 39 The first points of the game went to Kings College after they earned a two point safety shortly after kick off. However this lead was short lived as the Knights offence retaliated, marching the ball into the Regent’s end zone.

The ball was carried over by William Holmes who is a first year tight end at the University studying Agriculture. Building on the momentum and with no time to waste, veteran second year running back Ben Fisher, quickly took the ball over the goal line for an additional two points, putting the score to 8-2.

With the first half drawing to a close, and the rain not easing up, what was clear was that this game was going to be a close game of inches with neither

team wanting to give up ground.

This was seen with the Knight’s defensive line fighting tooth and nail in the second half to prevent the Regents offence from retaking the lead that they had so early on in the game. The third and fourth quarters saw defensive lineman Uba, who was interviewed for The Spark in October, breaking through the Regents offensive line, causing massive disruption to their quarterback and instilling fear every time he broke through. This showed how much determination the Knights had to hold their lead.

On the other side of the ball the Knights offence were mere inches away from scoring a second touchdown in the third quarter. A punt at the end of a drive bounced inches away from the Regents goal line. The race to the ball was

spearheaded by offensive line captain Mitch Smith, who tried to chase the ball down and get it into the end zone for another touchdown. However despite his best efforts he was beaten to the ball by a Regent player who slid the ball into the end zone for a touchback, meaning that no points were scored, keeping the score at the end of the third quarter at 8-2 to the Knights.

The fourth quarter saw one of the most nail biting and heartstopping moments in current Knights memory. The Knights defence were moved back to their goal line due to a flag, Kings College needed a touchdown and a PAT to take the lead by one point. It all boiled down to the completion of a 6 yard pass from the Regents quarterback, with under a minute left on the clock.

39

The ball was snapped, caught by the quarterback who was facing pressure from our defensive line, he stepped back, picked his man and released the ball into the air.

Both side-lines watching with baited breath as the ball made its way towards the hands of a Regent receiver; the Knights hoping that the pass was incomplete and the Regents hoping the ball found its way safely into the hands of one of their receivers. As the ball neared his hands the pass was dropped with seconds to spare.

As the full time whistle blew the final score remained 8-2.

The Knights victory over Kings College was an important one.

Not only because it was the first victory of the season but also as it was the first victory on the new home ground; having moved from the old Bulmershe campus to

Whiteknights campus in the centre of the University. The significance of the move is demonstrated by the boost in support that the Knights have seen at their home games this season, with past players, parents and friends of current Knights, and members of the University’s cheerleading squad all braving the weather to come down and cheer on the Knights.

Taking the boost in spectators and the first victory of the season, the Knights now go into two away games facing the Westminster Dragons on the 30th November and the Brunel Burners on the 7th December to conclude the first half of the season; with high hopes that they can come away with further victories.

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