26 February 2015 Vol. 16 Lent Issue 7
The
Cambridge Student
Cambridge isn’t always perfect, but at least the evenings are growing longer. Check out pages 15-16 for more.
Image: Pranav Singh
Graduate Union engulfed by charity status scandal
T
Sam Rhodes and Colm Murphy Associate Editors
he Graduate Union (GU) has this week been accused by graduate students of gross incompetence and chronic mismanagement. The Cambridge Student can report that the Graduate Union has been removed from the Charity Commission register in contested circumstances. This move is significant as the brand new constitution, which was devised in 2013-14 after a scandal where the then GU President, Arsalan Ghani, resigned following a vote of no confidence, assumes that the GU is registered with the Charity Commission as a charitable organization. According to the Charities Act 2011, the Commission “must remove”
any charity which it either “no longer considers a charity” or one which has “ceased to exist, or does not operate”. According to the Charity Commission’s website, deregistration apparently only happens 6 months after an overdue annual return. However, in a statement to TCS, the current President Evianne van Gijn stated: “It should be emphasised that this issue will not entail any disruption of the Graduate Union’s services and operations within the University, nor inconvenience its membership at large. “Our recently elected Executive Committee is busily organising academic, welfare, environmental, families, social and international events.
These have all been very well attended by our graduate members and we’ve had excellent feedback from graduate students and MCRs alike.” One graduate student, who wished to remain anonymous, commented on the deregistration: “To be deregistered from the Charities Commission takes a particular kind of cleverness.” Competing claims have been put forward as explanations for the deregistration. TCS received a statement from President van Gijn, who said the deregistration “relates to legacy issues from past years, before the election of the current President and Board of Trustees”. Continued on page 4...
Comment – Is relaxation a complete waste of time?: p13 Features – The tale of an invisible disability: p17 Cartoon – On Cambridge theatre: p20 Theatre – Is student theatre worth it?: p23 Books – Defending children’s literature from the Engling elite: p25
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 2 Scottish Society lead Wilberforce debate on the future of the Union Olly Hudson Deputy News Editor With the General Election rapidly approaching, The Wilberforce Society, Cambridge University’s student-run thinktank, this week joined forces with the Scottish Society to host a discussion on the future of the Union after 7 May. The event considered a broad range of constitutional and political questions that threaten to undermine the traditional three-party system and could produce a realignment of the UK left. This comes as the Scottish National Party claim increased influence in Westminster. Topics included the prospects for English devolution, how best to implement the promised further devolved powers for Scotland, as well as the likely impact of the Scottish question on British politics as a whole. A recent forecast by the New Statesman, based on Lord Ashcroft polling, predicted that the Scottish National Party were set to win 56 seats out of a total of 59 contested Scottish seats, while Labour were set to win 270 seats to the Conservatives’ 272. If replicated in May, this would be the closest margin of seats between Labour and the Conservatives seen since 1974, a result which is widely predicted to hand
the SNP the balance of power. campaigns and voter-registration stalls Discussion also focused on the success to prevent students from missing out on of the Scottish independence referendum “The postthe chance to cast their ballots. Students in generating engagement in politics referendum in their second, third and fourth years among students, as well as the problems energy has will be unaffected by the changes. related to lowering the voting age from gone behind With regard to the impact of the 18 to 16. Scottish referendum on party politics, the Greens The September poll saw more than Scottish Society Co-President and event 100,000 16 and 17 year-olds included on and the SNP” co-host Zack Hassan commented to The the electoral register and able to vote for Cambridge Student: “There was a lot the first time. Nonetheless, there remain concerns that student turnout may fall drastically at the next election. A report from the Labour party suggested that the government’s decision to shift voter registration from households to individuals could see up to 1 million voters, many of them in university towns, dropping off the register. Ed Miliband has labelled the changes a “scandal”. The government has claimed that 4.5 million people have applied to register under the new system since June, while promising to invest £14 million on initiatives to “maximise” voter registration in the run up to the General Election. The Liberal Democrats have meanwhile accused Labour of “scaremongering”. In Cambridge, colleges can no longer bulk-register first-year students. CUSU and the JCRs are currently leading Better without the red?
of political energy that was gathered in the referendum and where that’s gone is behind the Scottish Greens and the SNP.” He added: “It will be interesting to see whether those people actually feel like their vote has counted in the General Election, or whether they are going to feel really disappointed afterwards. I really can’t call that.”
Image: Smooth_O
Moving Mountains: Exercise is the key to tackling mental illness Tonicha Upham Deputy News Editor
Delivery and Development for the Mental Health Foundation, went into detail about the specific benefits Last week, Churchill College hosted a of exercise. Up to one third of the national conference on the impact of population may suffer from insomnia, exercise on the body and mind. she noted, and just 50 minutes of The Moving Mountains conference, exercise would be enough to reduce tailored around the theme: ‘making the impossible possible with exercise’, featured a range of speakers, including General Practitioners, Consultants, representatives of various charities and students. They spoke to a varied audience comprised largely of students and medical professionals. At a dinner for delegates following the conference, Stephen Hawking appeared as the main Guest of Honour. The conference aimed to promote the positive impact of exercise on the body and mind. The Master of Churchill, Dame Athene Donald, noted in her introductory speech that the college’s namesake had himself suffered from depression. The talks focused on the use of exercise for those with mental health problems, cystic fibrosis and rheumatoid arthritis, but it was emphasised that the themes covered could be applied to any chronic conditions. Isabella Goldie, the Director of Riot for reading week...
pre-sleep anxiety in those affected. Perhaps especially relevant, given the conference’s proximity to week five and the #endweek5blues campaign, was the talk given by third-year medic Ben Coumbe. He delivered a personal talk based on his own experiences with
depression, aimed at ending the stigma and emphasising the positive impact of exercise on mental health. Within the University environment, Ben Coumbe suggested, there is a “blame game” between academics and students, and the general reaction to mental health difficulties is to withdraw from social activities in order to better complete academic work. On the topic of the campaign for a reading week, he commented: “I think spreading out the workload over a longer period may actually be more beneficial and produce a more manageable workload for individuals whilst also enabling them to enjoy sports, music, and other activities, and I think it’s that kind of balanced lifestyle that we should be promoting.” The University saw action taking place throughout week five in support of a reading week. After CUSU voted to back the proposal, a number of students took part in a ‘week five boycott’, refusing to hand in work. Cambridge Defend Education also staged a rally last Wednesday outside the Senate House in support of a reading week and to raise awareness of mental health Image: Colm Murphy issues, wearing pinned blue squares.
“There is a blame game between academics and students within the University”
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 3 Labour Party’s pink battle bus makes its latest stop in Cambridge Rachel Balmer Deputy News Editor Harriet Harman’s pink bus rolled through Cambridge on Tuesday, the latest stop on the Labour Party’s nationwide tour to promote its ‘Woman to Woman’ campaign. Harman, along with Daniel Zeichner, the Labour parliamentary candidate for Cambridge, met family lawyers and representatives from Cambridge Women’s Resource Centre, Cambridge Rape Crisis Centre and the Cambridge Women’s Refuge. Harman called on Cambridge women to vote Labour for their “positive progressive view” on women which, she argued, reflected the city’s reputation for female equality. She added that: “Politics is too important to be left to the boys.” The team are touring Britain in the pink battle bus to discuss with women what they want from the government. They are also encouraging women to cast their vote, since it is estimated that 9.1 million did not do so in the last general election. However, the battle bus has faced heavy criticism from many, not least from Labour’s political rivals, with many labelling it ‘patronising’ to women due to the choice of colour.
Labour’s ‘barbie bus’? Harman defended the bright pink bus on the visit to Cambridge, claiming that women are concerned about policies rather than the colour of the bus. Melissa Macdonald, the Vice Chairman of Cambridge University Conservative Association commented: “While I welcome the aim of improving voter participation, the idea that a pink bus will encourage women to vote could not be more patronising; the underlying message that all women are the same and will be drawn to Labour en masse shows Labour’s dedication to crude identity politics and a complete lack of respect for and understanding of women
Image: liarpoliticians via YouTube as individuals.” Furthermore, Julian Huppert, MP for Cambridge, echoed this sentiment, telling The Cambridge Student: “Labour’s pink bus gimmick is patronising and offensive to many women. But perhaps worse is the fact that it was launched with the stated aim to ‘have a conversation about the kitchen table, and around the kitchen table’ rather than something which ‘just reaches the boardroom table.’” He continued: “The Lib Dem vision is of a society where men and women are treated equally and fairly – we do not want to see a return to the 1950s.” However, Cambridge Universities
Joke candidate sets CUSU sabbatical elections alight Anna Carruthers News Editor CUSU’s election campaigns have kicked off with an upswing in the number of candidates, including Milo Edwards’s joke candidacy for presidency. In contrast to last year only two positions are uncontested: Welfare Officer and Education Officer. Last year the positions of President, Women’s and Education Officers were all uncontested, and there were initially no candidates for Welfare Officer or Coordinator. In the resulting by-election, the two positions were uncontested. One anonymous third-year NatSci student said: “Given last year’s embarrassing omnishambles at least this year’s election actually has people running. If you’re going to have an election that no one votes for, you might as well have multiple candidates for people to not vote for.” A third-year historian was more enthusiastic: “This may well be the most exciting CUSU campaign season
ever, which admittedly isn’t saying a lot.” A less enthusiastic response was given by a fourth-year MML student, who commented: “Honestly, I have no knowledge of or interest in CUSU”. The election for Women’s Officer looks to be one of the most exciting. Daisy Hughes, Amy Reddington and Charlie Chorley all claim in their manifestos to hold differing views on the role of the Women’s Campaign and its controversial image within the University student body. Tim Squirrell commented on Twitter: “In particular there are 3 (?) candidates for Women’s Officer, all offering different visions of what that role should entail. It feels less like a straight student union election and more like a referendum on particular kinds of student politics and feminism.” Also proving interesting is the election for CUSU Coordinator. Ivan Tchernev was spotted jogging around Sidgwick Site, Downing Site and Market Square with a large banner declaring his candidacy. His opponent, the incumbent Coordinator Jemma
“I had a laugh but ultimately it is a sad reflection of student apathy”
Labour Club Women rebutted the reactions of their rivals, commenting: “Criticisms of the bus being patronising are simply undermining a very valid and much needed campaign effort for women. The point we are missing is that none of the other political parties actually have their own women’s campaign and by launching this initiative, Labour is showing its commitment to engaging the 9.1 million women who did not turn out to vote in the last general election.” “It’s also worth noting that pink is actually the colour Labour has repeatedly used for all its conferences and policy announcements.” Maddy Austin and Suzanna Beaupre, co-founders of the St Catharine’s Gender Discussion group, told TCS that “The pink van is not too patronising. The fact that the media have been focusing solely on the colour of the van is more patronising, ignoring issues that Labour want to discuss which are relevant to women.” They also added: “With the majority of MPs being male, women’s opinions are severely lacking in our politics, and an attempt to engage women is no bad thing. Concerted efforts will need to take place in order to ensure women believe they are genuinely represented.”
Stewart, plans on distributing free sanitary products to colleges in the coming days. Milo Edwards is running as a joke candidate for President against Katie Akers, Leo Kallaway and Priscilla Mensah. Edwards has released a video and manifesto outlining a number of his satirical policies. Highlights include: “Milo will rename Jesus Green in honour of Professor Mary Beard, henceforth calling it ‘Professor Green’”; “CUSU will provide subsidised Freddos, so we can relive the glory days when they were 10p” and “Milo will petition Cambridge to make a biopic about
Flagging up the big issues
“Politics is too important to be left to the boys”
Eddie Redmayne, starring Professor Stephen Hawking.” The situation is reminiscent of last year’s Oxford University Student Union’s surprise election of joke candidate Louis Trup. One second-year historian commented: “I had a laugh but ultimately it is a sad reflection of student apathy. We elect joke candidates to represent us and then wonder why we keep getting fucked over.” “For a joke candidate he isn’t actually that funny” said one damning third-year PPS student.
Image: Anna Carruthers
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 4 Continued from page 1... Ms van Gijn began her term of office on 22 August 2014. This is over a month after the missed deadline for the annual return., However, The Cambridge Student has obtained minutes of a meeting of the Graduate Union Trustee Board on 8 July, in which van Gijn was present as an observer. In this meeting, it was reported that the 2012 and 2013 accounts were signed off by a trustee, and the auditors were “waiting for final information from the GU accounts clerk, before final acceptance”. Repeated further requests for comment, including a request to define “legacy issues”, have fallen on deaf ears. Van Gijn also refused to deny that the GU had been in contact with the Charities Commission during her time in office. A TCS reporter was subsequently sent an anonymous email to a personal account from an individual calling themselves ‘Apple Lemon Lime Tree’. This email, which called recent TCS reporting on the GU “speculative, unsubstantiated, grossly misleading bulshit [sic]”, implied that investigations should be directed at the previous administration. It described van Gijn as a “highly organised, successful and forthright current GU president”, and claimed that van Gijn was in contact with the CCSSU (Council Committee on the Supervision of the Student Unions) “within days to sort things out”. It added: “Perhaps she [Evianne]
was never told about this issue? Perhaps it was swept under the rug by people before her?” The email continued: “I’ll tell you who was around: Richard Jones and Helen Hoogewerf-McComb.... These were the trustees of the GU. These were the people responsible for looking after the GU’s registration. These are the people you should be questioning or at least asking questions about.” Richard Jones is the former Graduate Union President for the previous 201314 term. He is also a current candidate for GU Presidential elections next week. Helen Hoogewerf-McComb is the current CUSU president and a former trustee of the Graduate Union, as previous Welfare and Rights Officer. TCS has reached out to Jones and Hoogewerf-McComb to ask them why the annual return was not completed when they left office, around the time of the deadline, and what “legacy issues” could be. Richard Jones has disputed the idea that the deregistration is related to these “legacy issues”. When questioned, he said: “Last year, we did what needed to be done, and spent considerable time on completing the audit exercise. “Given some of the complexities faced by the GU during 2012-13, it is entirely plausible that there would have been a number of follow up queries. My understanding is that followup correspondence arose during the autumn and winter of 2014, which was not satisfactorily responded to.”
“I do not think the GU is capable of political or welfare support for Graduate students.”
Thinking of applying for a master’s in 2015? LSE will be awarding 175 new LSE Graduate Bursaries of £10,000 and 120 Anniversary Scholarships worth between £3,000 and £25,000. For further information on all funding opportunities at LSE visit: lse.ac.uk/mastersAwards
The GU: forcibly deregistered Jones also confirmed the available minutes, saying: “The audit process was discussed at the first meeting of the new trustees.” He claims that, at the end of his term of office, the “GU’s progress through the audit process for 2011-12 and 2012-13 was duly reported at the GU AGM in May 2014. As President, I reported this progress to the University through the annual cycle of formal meetings.” Jones was unable to comment any further due to his status as a candidate in the upcoming GU presidential elections. When TCS contacted CUSU President Hoogewerf-McComb, she said: “Given the nature of some of the allegations made during the campaign to noconfidence the 2012-13 GU President [van Gijn], GU Trustees had to take great care to ensure that representations made to the Charity Commission were accurate. This sort of due diligence work takes time, with the result being that the final documents had not been submitted to the Charity Commission prior to handover, although I believe they were ready to be finalised by the auditors. Continuing Trustees and incoming officers were provided with an update on the status of the audited accounts in a Trustee Board meeting during the handover period.” This comes as the Graduate Union has so far failed to hold a constitutionally compliant Council meeting under van Gijn’s presidency. The GU’s constitution states that such meetings shall be held at least once a term. At a recent GU Council meeting on 20 January, several agenda points were crossed off the list, including the President’s update and a report from the Welfare and Rights Officer, along with questions to the Council. These items are mandated in the constitution to occur at all council meetings. Furthermore, no meeting has successfully reached the mandated quorum of 15 people. When questioned in person regarding these irregularities, GU Secretary Matthew Grosvenor told TCS that he was “doing the best he can” and informed us that his PhD was his first priority. He also insisted that the minutes were simply taking time to
Image: Howard Lake write up. The constitution demands that all such minutes are published within 14 days of the meeting. Furthermore, Grosvenor admitted in an email to the Union body dated 15 February 2015 that these constitutional requirements had not been met by any meeting to that date. One PhD student, who also wished to remain anonymous, commented on the GU’s level of democracy: “Structurally, the Graduate Union is even less democratic than CUSU because most graduate students do not associate with their college or really outside of their college. The faculty is seen as the main thing, so small interest groups can take control of the Graduate Union and no one really notices.” Under the 1994 Education Act, the University has a responsibility to “take such steps as are reasonably practicable to secure that any students’ union... at the establishment operates in a fair and democratic manner and is accountable for its finances”. In her initial comment Ms van Gijn wanted to emphasise that the GU “have been working closely with the University to resolve this quickly and efficiently”. A University spokesman, when contacted, commented: “Mindful of the provisions of the 1994 Education Act, the University Council, both directly and through its Committee on the Supervision of the Student Unions has received and will continue to receive reports as the Graduate Union Board of Trustees works to resolve the matter and re-register with the Charity Commission.” One ex-MCR committee member commented on the “chronic” problems within the GU, saying: “The general feeling is that it’s a completely useless body” and that “I’ve heard exactly zero people say anything good about them.” Another graduate student added: “The GU has supported me with no welfare support, no academic support. I’ve never needed the GU, and even if I did need the GU, I wouldn’t trust it…I do not think the GU is capable of political or welfare support for Graduate students.”
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 5 ‘Fifty Shades’ whips up a storm in Cambridge Tonicha Upham Deputy News Editor The Fifty Shades effect has hit Cambridge, according to Deviance, a latex and fetish shop. The store’s owners have said that there has been a spike in sales of corsets and men’s latex. Deviance also reports that eager customers have snapped up their entire stock of riding crops. The store, which claims to serve a wide-ranging clientele including students, university lecturers, police officers and pensioners, has reported a “real upsurge” in the couple of weeks since the release of the film Fifty Shades of Grey, based on the first book in the bestselling erotic trilogy by E. L. James. It is believed that this is due to the fact that the trilogy has helped to erase taboos surrounding BDSM. Meanwhile, the Sawtry branch of sex superstore chain Pulse and Cocktails similarly reported that Fifty Shades of Grey had triggered an increase in customers, in this case amounting to a 60% rise in sales. Despite having ordered in extra stock to handle the week leading up to and including the release of the film and Valentine’s Day, the store nevertheless sold out of handcuffs. The company also experienced technical problems as
greater numbers of customers tried to access their website. One Cambridge student, who confirmed they had watched Fifty Shades of Grey, commented on the subject of the film’s role in encouraging an increased interest in BDSM: “I hope the film itself hasn’t [increased interest in BDSM], as it’s a really bad depiction of BDSM, but if it’s made it more open and more readily available then that’s got to be a good thing because hopefully people will research it before getting involved in it.” The owners of Deviance admitted, however, that although sales have risen as a result of Fifty Shades of Grey, Cambridge is still not entirely open to the concept of BDSM, even suggesting that as a city Cambridge is quite resistant to attempts to bring BDSM into the mainstream. Interest in and discussion of BDSM are thought to have increased considerably as a result of the cinematic release of Fifty Shades of Grey. The book and film, however, are not without controversy; in particular, the plot has been criticised for its depiction of a BDSM relationship. Many believe that Fifty Shades of Grey romanticises domestic abuse. Regardless of general attitudes towards BDSM in this city as a
“Breaking out of the monotony of work and having a good romp should be heartily encouraged” A bit of kink never hurt anybody whole, this isn’t the first time that Cambridge’s BDSM community has reared its head in the face of media coverage of the Fifty Shades effect: in 2013, nearby Trumpington Village Hall made headlines when it cancelled what it believed was a ‘relationship support group meeting’. The event in question in fact turned out to be a daylong BDSM workshop. Reflecting on BDSM within the
Image: Konstantin Stepanov student population, and its possible benefits, one Cambridge student, who wished to remain anonymous, told The Cambridge Student: “Anything that encourages people to get in touch with their sexuality can only be a good thing. At Cambridge it’s easy to get cooped up and stuck in ‘work mode’, so breaking out of the monotony of work and having a good romp should be heartily encouraged.”
Cameron calls for a Conservative comeback in Cambridge Imran Marashli News Reporter Prime Minister David Cameron visited Cambridge this week, warmly praising Cambridge’s role in the development of science and technology while also affirming his wish for Cambridge “to be a Conservative seat again”. Mr Cameron, speaking at the Cambridge Science Park on Thursday, extolled Cambridge’s combination of high-quality education, employment and science. Cameron’s visit also coincided with the announcement of a proposed new technology centre, the Trinity College Centre, which will cost an estimated £4.8 million and will open in September 2016. According to Cameron, such enterprise is vital for Britain in the global economic “race”. He said: “We have some of the best universities in the world, we have some of the best scientists and researchers in the world, and we have some of the best science- and technology-based businesses in the world. “If we can bring all those things together, as you are here, and create new products, new services, and keep investing in the sciences and emerging
technologies, then there’s no reason why we can’t be a huge success.” Cameron also made reference to the ongoing development of a second railway station. Alternatively, other party leaders denounced the record of David Cameron’s government. Rupert Read, the Green Party Parliamentary Candidate, remarked: “Here in Cambridge, there are families who can’t afford to heat their home, and many people who can’t find jobs that pay enough to get by on. “This Government’s economic plan is working, but only working for them.” Furthermore, the Prime Minister desires to see Cambridge become a Conservative seat again. In response to an alleged leaked list of targeted marginal seats – which did not include Cambridge – he told Cambridge News: “We don’t actually publish a list of our target marginal seats because when you’re in a battle, it’s not very good to tell your opponents what you’re targeting and what you’re not targeting. “Cambridge was a Conservative seat and I want it to be a Conservative seat again. If we weren’t targeting Cambridge, what am I doing here?” Recent polling shows a two-way
battle between the Liberal Democrats and Labour; Cambridge has not been Conservative since 1992. Nonetheless, Chamali Fernando, Cambridge’s Conservative Parliamentary Candidate, demonstrated some optimism over Conservative electoral prospects, using the hashtag #TurnCambridgeBlue on her
Twitter account. However, Daniel Zeichner, the Labour Parliamentary Candidate, dismissed this rhetoric: “Of course a party leader will always back their candidate - my sense is that the vast majority of Cambridge people do not want a Conservative government in power.”
Is he pondering a long-term economic plan, or another defeat in Cambridge?
‘I want Cambridge to be a Conservative seat again’
Photo: Wikimedia
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 6 College Watch
Images: Hannah Taylor (above), Jessica McHugh (below)
King's
Peterhouse
Tit Hall
Medwards
KCSU is campaigning for a £2 standard meal price, including sides, as a way to make Hall affordable. In order to demonstrate popular support following a vote for direct action, KCSU notified the College that they would be organising a Hall boycott for Monday 23 and Tuesday 24 February. During the boycott, those entering Hall were flyered and an offer of alternative food in the JCR was made. KCSU requested that people make a £2 voluntary contribution per meal. College authorities responded by sending home canteen staff who were on zero-hour contracts. Subsequently, KCSU organised a separate collection in order to reimburse these staff for some of their wages. Rumours began to circulate within the student body that repercussions would involve a crackdown on college-based events which use the College bar. As a result, the KCSU President has announced that he will meet with the lay dean to confirm that King’s Mingle and the King’s Affair will continue.
Peterhouse was honoured on Monday by a visit from the heir to the throne, as Prince Charles came to formally open the Whittle Building. His Royal Highness met with the architect, builders and stonemason that helped to construct the new accommodation, as well as the JCR Committee members, before receiving a guided tour of one lucky student’s room. After the customary champagne reception, the Prince of Wales revealed a plaque commemorating his visit. During his speech, he apologised for any disruption his visit had caused and encouraged students to blame any subsequent drop in exam results on him. Students seemed enthusiastic about the visit, particularly about the zealous security measures, which included security guards checking under individual cobbles for potential threats. Vice President Maggie Polk said that the event was “the weirdest thing I’ve ever done”.
Trinity Hall is attempting a novel fundraising technique: selling the right to name rooms. The College was recently given permission to redevelop the St Clement’s Gardens houses on Thompson’s Lane. This was because, according to the College, the “current terraced houses are in a bad state of repair and are inadequate for the needs of students today.” The plans consist of a four-storey building with 72 ensuite student rooms, a common room, and kitchens on every floor. However, at the end of their post, the College gave an advertisement “for those who may be interested in supporting the project”. They said: “We are offering the opportunity to name one of the 72 student bedrooms for £75,000 or the seminar space for £500,000.” A third-year Tit Hall student said, “It seems like a creative way of raising some funds for the College. I would hope that they also name some rooms after important and influential alumni who don’t have that kind of cash to hand.”
Medwards has recently played host to an Open Barbers event, hosted by CUSU LGBT+ as part of LGBT+ History Month. Open Barbers calls itself a “queer-friendly hairdressing service for all lengths, genders and sexualities”. Medwards student Imogen Buxton said that the event “was really cool and exactly the sort of thing that a women’s college can and should provide space and support for: the breaking down of traditional and constraining gender and sexuality identity boundaries. Lots of students think it was really great and an important event – we’re hoping we can organise future similar events within Murray Edwards.” When asked why the event was not publicised to the Medwards student body, the events team responded by stating that the event was not instigated by College; it just provided the space. They did say that in future they hope to improve communication by involving the JCR and MCR presidents in the booking process when appropriate.
Anna Carruthers
Stevie Collister-Hertz
Colm Murphy
Anna Carruthers
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
News 7 Cultural cohesion: Parliamentary candidates agree (for once) Colm Murphy Associate Editor General Election candidates for four of the political parties in Cambridge all largely agreed that arts and culture were crucial to Cambridge’s prosperity, at a debate on Thursday 19 February. Julian Huppert, Liberal Democrat MP, shared a platform with Labour’s Daniel Zeichner, Green Party’s Rupert Read and the Conservative candidate Chamili Fernando. The event was held at the Cambridge Junction. It was chaired by Professor Helen Weinstein, the Creative Director at the media production company HistoryWorks. The event was advertised with the questions: “What roles can art and culture play in our society?” and “How can our politicians commit to arts and culture in a tough economic climate?” Huppert, who is running for reelection, said he wanted to “help people harness the power of creativity and to be able to be involved in the arts as participants or audience. “A school education that doesn’t include the arts and learning to be creative is one that has not succeeded, and a society that doesn’t ensure cultural events exist and are open to a wide range of people is one that is not doing the best for the people involved.”
Zeichner agreed, but stressed that this was a Labour principle: “Labour will return to our mission to widen access to arts and culture – we are considering an entitlement for every young person to attend at least one cultural event free of charge every year.” However, he also mentioned the controversial Leveson Inquiry into press standards in 2011 and 2012, arguing that “Labour will implement the Leveson proposals to provide access to justice for victims of press abuses, which the current Government has failed to do.” When questioned on the infamous Labour Party tweet last year which said Labour would not cancel cuts to the arts budget, Zeichner said it was made by a Press Officer and that Twitter is not a very good medium for debate. Rupert Read emphasised the noneconomic benefits of arts and culture: “The Green view is that art and culture is a public good and an intrinsic good. It’s not just about the money that ‘the creative industries’ earn. “Quality of life is more important than commercial outcomes.” However, Chamili Fernando thought that the economic aspect was more important. She claimed that she was the sole candidate who prepared and provided costed pledges and figures on art and culture. Cambridge Junction’s Director
“There was a consensus that access to all for art and culture was an important part of society”
A junction for agreement? Daniel Brine said to Cambridge News “there was a consensus that access to all for art and culture was an important part of society” Brine continued: “All candidates
Photo: Historyworks made strong cases for the importance of arts and culture – in education, in employment opportunities, in our cultural institutions, and in our day-today lives.”
Anglia Ruskin students nominated for top illustrations award Shilpita Mathews Deputy News Editor Three Anglia Ruskin University students have been shortlisted for the Best Illustrated Book, Best Fiction for 5–12s and Best Book for Teens categories of the Waterstones Children’s Book Prize 2015. They study the University’s children’s book illustration course. The nominated students include: Suzanne Barton’s The Dawn Chorus, Steve Antony’s The Queen’s Hat and Victoria Turnbull’s The Sea Tiger. All designs were developed while the students were at Anglia Ruskin as part of their Masters’ course. Professor of illustration Martin Salisbury shared that: “We are extremely proud of the fact that three of the six books on the Waterstones shortlist are works by our graduates, who once again are making a major contribution to the global children’s publishing industry.” “Whatever the outcome at the Waterstones awards, we wish them continuing success in their careers.” However, one Cambridge student
was less impressed with some of the submissions. Speaking to The Cambridge Student, she said: “The Dawn Chorus one is a bit underwhelming” adding that “it looks a bit like wallpaper.” After this round, the winner will go on to contest for the overall Waterstones Children’s Book of the Year 2015. The results for this will be announced on the 26th of March. Each contestant stands a chance of winning £2,000 with the overall winner receiving £3,000 for the final award. The annual Waterstone’s Children’s Book Prize has been running since 2005. ARU runs a Centre for Children’s Book Studies, which combines the Cambridge School of Art, the Faculty of Education and Department of English and Media. It works closely with Cambridge University’s Faculty of Education in order, according to its website, to “bring together theory and practice” in an “ongoing collaboration”. As Sir Quentin Blake recently visited the Cambridge Union on the 25 February, it seems that Cambridge remains at the forefront for children’s books illustrations.
Cambridge remains at the forefront of children’s books illustrations
Children’s books nominated for itheir llustration
Image: Anglia Ruskin University
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Science & Research
9
Protecting the weird, wonderful and obscure to be so big that it took 14 hours to pass. Nick Harvey This extraordinarily abundant animal Science & Research Contributor went extinct early in the 20th century. What do you think the world’s most trafficked mammal is? Everyone has heard of rhino horn and elephant ivory being illegally transported around the world. The trade in tiger parts is well known too, their bones and other body parts being used for traditional Chinese medicine. In fact it is none of these iconic animals. Instead it is the pangolin that holds this unfortunate title, an animal that is not at all well known in the western world, mainly because it doesn’t survive well in captivity. There is only one zoo in Europe that has them. As Prince William remarked “The pangolin runs the risk of becoming extinct before most people have even heard of them”. In this regard, the pangolin is not alone. Thousands of species have disappeared or are at risk of disappearing before they ever entered the collective consciousness of society. How many people have heard of the warrah or the pig-footed bandicoot? Even the extinction of the Passenger Pigeon, which is one of the most dramatic in human history, is generally unknown among the general public. Before Europeans arrived in North America, there were estimated to be 3-5 billion of these birds and one flock was reported
Native to large swathes of Africa, India and South-East Asia, the pangolin is a remarkable, if a very peculiar, animal. It is the only mammal wholly covered in scales, and like an armadillo it curls itself into a ball when threatened. Its tongue is as long as its body and it uses it to eat up to seven million ants and termites in a year. Last year, work done by Oxford University in collaboration with the the Public Security Bureau for Forests of China’s Yunnan Province uncovered the shocking scale of the trade. The study discovered 2.59 tonnes of scales, from around 5,000 animals, and 259 intact pangolins. Around 100,000 pangolins a year are caught and sent to China and Vietnam, the hotspots of consumption of endangered animals. Their meat is a delicacy and their scales are thought to have ‘medicinal’ properties, from treatment of pus and palsy, to the stimulation of lactation. The story is so frequent in the sphere of conservation to be almost mundane and it is hard not to become jaded and weary when faced with the same problem over and over again. However, there are ways it can be tackled. Education in the countries that consume these animals, tighter custom controls at national borders and engaging local communities
1
Shreya Kulkarni Science & Research Editor
If allowed to continue, pangolin trade threatens to consign the species to extinction
Long live the odd pangolin! in conservation in countries of origin can all help. If allowed to continue, the trade in pangolins threatens to consign this engaging and charismatic creature to the growing list of species that pass almost unnoticed from the face of the earth. Its death will add another name to the list of animals lost to future generations, joining
A Cambridge project has uncovered a frugal Dukes regifting of his wedding present, nearly 600 years ago. Faced with a wedding and no wedding gift Francis I of Brittany altered the manuscript of his first wife, to present as a new and loving gift to his bride-to-be, Isabella Stuart in 1442. Since then the manuscript, now known as the Hours of Isabella Stuart, has inspired volumes of work from art historians. The MINIARE (Manuscript Illumination: Non-Invasive Analysis, Research and Expertise) cross-displinary group applied a number of investigative techniques to dig deeper into the elusive history of the regifted illustrated manuscript. Spectroscopy, Infrared imaging and photomicroscopy helped to peel back the many layers of bygone artists, informing them of the material makeup of paints used, from egg yolks to smalt. This new non-invasive approach ensures the safe keeping of delicate and antique works of art, as sample taking could produce permenant damage. The co-operation of different fields in uncovering the story behind the medieval manuscript is hoped to be applied to other art pieces, as Dr Spike Bucklow of the Hamilton Kerr Institute states, “It’s an opportunity to see how disciplines relate to each other.”
2
Image: David Brossard the ranks of the quagga, the thylacine and the dodo. Each one has their own unique history and characteristics that make them special and worth holding on to. The pangolin has the potential to be the poster-boy for the weird, the wonderful and the obscure animals that face extinction but get little attention. Long live the pangolin!
Researchers from the university’s McDonald Institute have found that children of teenage fathers show an increased number of DNA mutations. In collaboration with scientists from the Institute of Forensic Genetics in Münster, Germany, the team have discovered that sperm cells of adolescent boys showed six times the rate of DNA mutations compared to egg cells from teenage girls. Men produce germ cells, the progenitors to sperm cells in men and egg cells in women, throughout their lives. It was previously thought that the number of genetic mutations increased with the age of the man, but this new finding in teenage men seems to contradict the ageing rule. “It appears that the male germ cells accumulate DNA errors unnoticed during childhood, or commit DNA errors at an especially high level at the onset of puberty. However, the reason for this is not yet clear,” said geneticist Dr Peter Forster, who conducted the study. The new finding could help further our understanding into the high incidence rates of congenital abnormalites, including spina bifida, schizophrenia and autism, of children of teenage fathers. Whilst the risk is increased this is still low at 2% compared to 1.5% of the general population.
3
Work by the Department of Chemistry has uncovered a key molecular chaperone that could prevent the build up of toxic proteins in Alzheimer’s disease. The roots of Alzheimer’s disease lie in the naturally ocurring protein, amyloidbeta, which abnormally folds. These folded proteins can promote the death of brain cells, causing the memory-loss pathology of Alzheimer’s disease. Researchers at Cambridge, in close collaboration with scientists around Europe, have found the potential inhibitory effect of the protein ‘Brichos’. Normally ‘Brichos’ acts as a molecular chaperone, performing the housekeeping errands of cells. However in the presence of the amyloid-beta protein, the chaperone prevents their toxic misfolding and did not produce the detrimental effects in brain cells, normally seen. The team are now looking at other potential inhibiting molecules. This novel work could provide insights into treatments for this ever-growing disease. Dr Samuel Cohen, the leading author of the paper commented on the find, “It’s striking that nature – through molecular chaperones – has evolved a similar approach to our own by focusing on very specifically inhibiting the key steps leading to Alzheimer’s.”
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Editorial 10 Being interesting at dinner parties Jack May Editor-in-Chief
T
hroughout this term, I’ve tried to use this editorial space to push two fairly obvious agendas. Admittedly, there’s been the odd week of digression, but broadly speaking this editorial page has either been about ‘isn’t Cambridge ridiculous’ in both bad and good ways, or ‘look after yourself guys’, or both. This has often been to tie into whatever story has been on our front page in that week, whether it be the story about the “unnecessary pressure” felt by a majority of students (‘“Unnecessary pressure” on majority of students’, Vol. 16, Lent Issue 1), and the ensuing reading week campaign (‘“Enough”: Fierce debate erupts over reading week’, Vol. 16, Lent Issue 2), or concerning revelations regarding intermitting students and Cambridge’s famed ‘drop-out rate’ (‘“Lowest drop-out rate” challenged by new stats’, Vol. 16, Lent Issue 5). That’s all well and good, and this has been an incredibly productive space in which to splurge on these topics, but there’s a danger of taking it to extremes. There’s a possibility that you can be too indulgent with your self-care. Perhaps there’s no such thing as ‘The unfathomable happiness of a 2.ii’ (Vol. 16, Lent Issue 5), and maybe it’s easy to overstate ‘The importance of being happy’ (Vol. 16, Lent Issue 2). If there’s a limit to such things my feeling is that Associate Editor Sam Rhodes and I discovered it last weekend, when we did what all sensible Cambridge students bearing the burden of mid-term stress would do by going to Paris for the weekend. There was a certain extent to which we were there for very important business-type professional journalism
Letters to the Editor
reasons, but mostly we were taking the Dear Editor, him to ‘chosen one’ Harry Potter. Sam chance to nip out of Cambridge for a bit, Rhodes, meanwhile, may be considered and take a proper break. It was with keen interest that I comparable to Harry’s loyal, admirable We left early on Friday morning, and followed your recent excursion, sidekick Ron Weasley. Those familiar we were back in time for tea on Sunday dubbed ‘#CaiusToParis’ on Twitter. with high-level Potter theory will know evening. In that time, we had a two-hour, Deeply excited though I am that that Harry can be taken to represent incredibly alcoholic lunch sitting in a Cambridge’s best student newspaper is Slytherin, and Ron, Hufflepuff. This was restaurant opposite the Notre Dame, recommending midterm trips to Europe’s emulated by your choices of House scarf enjoyed night-time cityscapes from #TCSToParis is most beautiful city, I can’t help but feel in the photos from Platform 9¾. It is atop the Arc de Triomphe, and took a more inclusive your contingent was lacking something – clear that you were lacking a Ravenclaw compulsory selfie with the Mona Lisa in or, dare I say it, someone. in your midst. Your trip may have been – though it the Musée du Louvre. My concerns began to bubble upon cunning and ambitious, and just and What we did not do is read anything doesn’t rhyme seeing you two gentlemen attempting loyal, but any task that required wit and relevant to our degrees, reply to any in a French to gain access to Platform 9¾. Despite learning would have defeated you. emails from our supervisors, or have a accent your best efforts – and your cheekiest Where was your Hermione? Probably quick cry upon realising we had only grins – it would seem that neither of you in the library, getting stressed about done half the reading for an essay due could access the platform. I feared that distant academic challenges. I have in six hours. you would try other means of reaching spoken to her and, crippled by KOMO And that’s important. It’s important Paris, such as trying to make a battered (‘Knowledge of Missing Out’) she that we made a whole bunch of memories. old Ford Anglia fly. Or, indeed, trying to demands a repeat visit in the summer When I tell my grandchildren (egg donor drive it. At this point in time, you needed holidays. #TCSToParis is more inclusive, and surrogate permitting) about this someone who knows that to get through anyway – though it doesn’t pleasingly particular weekend in February 2015, Platform 9¾ all you have to do is say the rhyme when said in a French accent. I won’t be telling them of yet another Elvish word for ‘friend’, or, failing that, weekend spent generating hash-job is in possession of a driving licence. Love, opinions I don’t support in response to Considering Jack’s role as Editorbooks I don’t understand. I’ll be telling in-Chief it may be fair to compare Your Biggest Fan them about the time I decided to do something crazy. Ultimately, that’s the crux of it. It’s not realistic for me to tell you to take international trips every weekend, or indeed every term. If you can afford to do that, you’re probably not the sort of person I want to get stuck in conversation with. Instead, do something extraordinary every week. Learn how to juggle. Start learning French. Run to Girton. Go kayaking. It doesn’t matter what it is, or who you do it with. What matters is that it’s memorable. Doing extraordinary things will make you happier, healthier, and more interesting to sit next to at dinner parties. In the end, isn’t that what’s most important? Go to www.tcs.cam.ac.uk/apply or email editor@tcs.cam.ac.uk Image: Alex Shuttleworth
Lent Term Team 2015 Editor-in-Chief
Jack May
Associate Editors
Colm Murphy Sam Rhodes Freya Sanders
News Editors
Sam Raby
TV & Film Editor
Grace Murray
Fashion Editor
Maddy Airlie
Books Editor
Alice Mottram
Julius Haswell
Lifestyle Editors
Jessy Ahluwalia Lucy Meekley
Amelia Oakley Elsa Maishman Chase Smith
Food & Drink Editor
Julia Stanyard
Sian Avery
Sport Editors
Charles Martland Flora McFarlane
Design Editor
Daisy Schofield
Production Editor
Tom Saunders
Shreya Kulkarni
Comment Editors
Albi Stanley Rebecca Moore Brontë Philips William Hewstone
Jenny Steinitz Anna Carruthers Interviews Editor
Deputy News
Technology Editor
Science & Research Editor
Rachel Balmer Shilpita Mathews Features Editors Jack Lewy Tonicha Upham Olly Hudson Catherine Maguire Columns Editor
Investigation Editor Ellie Hayward
Theatre Editor
Harry Parker
Dispatches Editor
Music Editors
Miriam Shovel Tom Ronan
Will Amor
Social Media Managers
Yema Stowell Ru Merritt
Sub Editors
Basha Wells-Dion Santi Willder Natalia Rye
Chief Sub Editors
Megan Proops Char Furniss-Roe
Directors
Ciara Berry Jemma Stewart Siu Hong Yu Hazel Shearing Thomas Saunders
TCS Top Dogs
Colm Murphy Jenny Steinitz
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Comment 12 Greece remains enslaved to her Eurozone creditors Chris Rowe Comment Contributor
A
rmageddon has been avoided with a deal agreed between Greece and her Eurozone bailout lenders last Friday to extend the country’s €172bn rescue programme for a further four months. The decision to request an extension represented a climb down from the bellicose rhetoric of the Syriza government. The Greek prime minister, Alexis Tsirpas, reneged on countless election pledges, including a promise to abrogate the existing bailout programme and to reduce sovereign debt levels. Few were surprised by the ultimate consensus and its nature. The revival of the phrase “Grexit” by political commentators in the last few weeks appeared incongruous considering the degree of nonchalance exhibited by investors. A shot was not fired but Greece once again surrendered to her financial creditors, namely Germany. With noisier conflicts occurring throughout the world, the significance of the ongoing power struggle within the Eurozone is easy to miss. Greece’s initial heyday after her adoption of the Euro, manifested in the plenitude of Porsches on Greek roads despite the penury of high-earning
Greek taxpayers, was but a mirage. In the years preceding the crisis, Greece’s productivity levels diverged significantly from those of both Germany and the Netherlands. With the onset of economic crisis, Greece’s subsequent inability to devalue her currency, locked in the economic prison of the Euro, precluded any hope of economic revival. Painful austerity, with Germany demanding an annual budget surplus of 3.5% of GDP, is only prolonging the protracted economic turmoil in which Greece currently finds herself. The proponents of the monetary union, repeatedly ignoring their own ‘convergence criteria’ attached to membership of the union in the process of extending its scope, are the real culprits. With youth unemployment as high as 49.8% in Greece and 53.5% in Spain, the misguided ambitions of Eurocrats, the roots of which were political, have destroyed the prospects of an entire generation in these peripheral nations. The scale of devastation is hard for us to comprehend, with overall unemployment in Britain standing at just 5.7% and youth unemployment at 16.2%. It’s perhaps harder still for Germany, enjoying youth unemployment as low as 7.2%. Fault for the peripheral nations’
Germany is the nation pointing a metaphorical gun at an unarmed opponent
current economic travails cannot be entirely detached from the suffering countries themselves – their political leaders often fiddled with the numbers, implemented lax fiscal regimes, and engaged in corruption, all of which spelled damnation for the monetary union. Greece’s fate, however, is not predetermined. Attributing blame is largely a fruitless exercise when the solution can be found only in one place. Germany is the nation pointing the metaphorical gun at an unarmed opponent. It is time for the weapons to be dropped and for a degree of charity to be displayed towards Greece. If German altruism is not forthcoming,
perhaps self-interest will ultimately lead to greater lenience. Should Merkel not give some ground, the Greeks will realise that their economic impotence has cost them their political selfdetermination. How else can a Syriza victory, the archetypal anti-austerity party, in a coalition with members of the extreme left, entail unabated, crippling austerity? It is a cruel irony that the European project, initially established to prevent the domination of any one country over another, has inexorably led to the reassertion of the mantra “might is right”; with Germany intransigent visà-vis austerity, there is no sign that this doctrine will soon be discarded.
Was Syriza’s win only ever going to be symbolic?
Image: Thierry Erhmann
Reading week for Cambridge: A reply to the critics Oscar Addis, Alisa McDougall, and Paul Rd Comment Contributors
O
ver the last few weeks there’s been much debate surrounding Cambridge’s recently proposed reading week. In the name of intellectual rigour and academic excellence, a number of people have gone out on a limb and criticised the idea. We thought we’d just mention a few things in reply. Many seem to be beside themselves, terrified of the prospect that a reading week would ruin the intensity that helps
Fight the power
Cambridge to prepare its students for high-pressure careers. Unfortunately, these claims seem to ignore the fact that many universities throughout the UK (as well as Psychology in Cambridge) already have a reading week. University education is more than just preparing the corporate managers and highpowered lawyers for the world. Many of us are here to get a good education, master a subject, and grow and develop intellectually. Stress and pressure don’t help us do any of these things. Oddly, it seems to be the more privileged students who want terms to continue the way they are. But tradition should not take
priority over the needs of people who are suffering and marginalised, or the wants of the majority of students. Other critics claim Cambridge has a low drop-out rate and high student satisfaction overall, so it can’t possibly have problems. However, the drop-out statistics given by HESA are inaccurate. Conveniently, they do not include the many students who intermit and don’t return afterwards. Furthermore, there’s a huge difference between assessing the University as a whole and the quality of specific aspects of University and college life. Many issues are left to colleges, not the University. There are many things that make Cambridge great: its libraries, academic community, other students, teaching standards etc, but this does not mean that it takes good care of its more vulnerable students. The statistics bear this out: of Cambridge students, only 55% find their workload manageable, compared to 78% nationally; only 38% think their course doesn’t apply unnecessary pressure, compared to 66% nationally; only 27% say they can complete their Image: Tonicha Upham work to their satisfaction, compared to
60% nationally; and only 39% say they are given enough time to understand what they’re learning, compared to 70% nationally. It’s not looking great, is it? Others maintain that there’s no evidence that a reading week will help.This is a bold claim, but, once again, it is not true. Firstly, for many of those with disabilities or physical and mental illnesses, a period of rest will help recovery and prevent further deterioration. That is not to say that a reading week will be a magical cure and help in every case, but personal testimonies give us reason to think that it would aid enough people to be worthwhile. Secondly, we have received far more statements of support than critique from students, especially those suffering from mental and physical illnesses. We have also received support from supervisors, academics, and support staff. Are we to assume they are wrong about what’s good for them? Thirdly, many of us have had, or had reports of, the benefits of reading weeks at other universities with otherwise the same teaching regime. We have every reason to think it would be similarly beneficial here.
That is not to say that a reading week will be a magical cure for everyone
26 Febuary 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Comment 13 Is relaxation a complete waste of our time? Bathsheba Wells-Dion Comment Contributor
A
Everyone loves to play with fire
fter spending the Christmas Vacation in the secluded realms of rural Norfolk, it was actually a relief to get back to the frantic pace of Cambridge life. To go from being constantly busy in a frenzy of productivity to a stretch of four unstructured weeks was a drastic change to which I never quite adapted. Though I’m sure the Long Vacation will be a welcome relief after the traumatic experience that is Exam Term, those three long months are beginning to look like an interminable length of time. Especially considering how much Image: DVIDSH I struggled with the last break, and that was only four weeks. I know it’s only Lent Term now, but with holiday plans becoming an increasingly frequent topic of conversation, the fear of missing out strikes hard. Everyone you speak to seems to be doing internships with international organisations, or saving orphans in the Global South. The pressure is on to prove that you are doing something worthwhile and / or CV embellishing with your time. Don’t get me wrong, these are all very useful, even admirable, ways to spend your vacation. But at the same time – as I am finding out painfully in my second term at Cambridge – it is very easy to get sucked into the bubble of business If you’ve ever and competition. We’re quick to forget spent an that there is more to life than essays and deadlines. hour of your ‘I’ll sleep when term is over’ is time helping
Volunteering is the key to your future Emily Kell Comment Contributor
T
he word ‘volunteering’ strikes fear and even confusion, on occasion, into the hearts of many. The typical response I get when I tell others that I work for Cambridge Hub, a charity with a vision of mainstream student social action, is a bemused look and a derisive ‘but Cambridge students don’t have time to volunteer’. The reality is that volunteering needn’t draw you away from that riveting essay about Marlowe for too long; instead, it can be your ticket out of the bubble, into a fasttracked, highly successful and impactful career. Volunteering can encompass a vast array of activities and, more likely than not, you’re already a keen volunteer and haven’t realised it; if you’ve ever organised a talk in college, you’ve volunteered. If you’ve ever played for your college sports team, you’ve volunteered. If you’ve ever spent an hour of your time helping somebody else, you’ve volunteered. The skills you gain whilst volunteering are invaluable. They are what separates the wheat from the chaff, showcasing why you are the best candidate for a job: when a speaker cancelled at the last minute or when the team’s morale was at an all-time low, your quick thinking and optimism saved the day. It is your engagement not just with a tricky maths problem, but with the local community and the wider issues around you outside of the library which show you to be a person able to go one step further than the rest, and demonstrate how your drive, passion and enthusiasm will take you places. The volunteer you are today will shape the leader you are tomorrow; with plenty of opportunities available,
university really is the best place to start. Organised by Student Hubs and NUS, Student Volunteering Week (SVW) aims to bring together individuals and organisations across the UK to celebrate the achievements and impact of student volunteers in the local community, encouraging and inspiring more students to volunteer, with over 100 different colleges and universities taking part in this national campaign. As part of Student Volunteering Week, Cambridge Hub in collaboration with Cambridgeshire City Council has organised Volunteer for Cambridge, a city-wide fair to bring together 80 Cambridge-based organisations who create positive social and environmental change through volunteering. Volunteer for Cambridge will provide a chance to escape the bubble by fusing all sections of the Cambridge community together, student and non-student alike, to offer opportunities and celebrate volunteering. The stallholders hope to offer a taste of their amazing volunteering opportunities throughout the year in Cambridge. Through Volunteer for Cambridge, we can create ‘one Cambridge’, a city where everyone feels they have a stake, an interest and a part to play in making the city better. As students, you can have a real impact on the local community during your time here whilst gaining invaluable skills that can boost employability. It’s win-win, and with opportunities to get stuck into volunteering activities from firefighting to yoga, there’s no excuse not to head down to the fair this Saturday to find how you will make your mark in Cambridge this year. Emily Kerr is the Projects Officer for Cambridge Hub. Volunteer for Cambridge is taking place this Saturday 11 a.m.–4 p.m. at the Guildhall.
the rallying call of all those battling through the midnight essay crisis, the early morning lectures, or possibly even one too many nights in Cindies… And why not? Our terms are so short and intense that we tend to sacrifice everything from a decent night’s sleep to our mental wellbeing just to stay on top of things. Maybe we should embrace the freedom, the chance to catch up on those many hours of lost sleep all in one go. The ability to binge watch Netflix for 24 straight hours and know that there are precisely zero lectures that you have to go to that day. Or equally, using the time to make the most of all those travel plans and opportunities (academic, work related, or otherwise) that you would never be able to fit in around everything going on during term time. Is a summer spent in relaxation a wasted one? I don’t think so. Being at Cambridge is one of the best opportunities we will have; all the work experience and internships are bonus extras. If there is something that you are passionate about and would regret missing out on, then go for it. But don’t force yourself to use up your chance to relax and recover from the stress of university just because you feel you have to, or because everyone else is doing it. So by all means go and save those orphans. Track down an elite multinational organisation to get involved with. But also spend some time trying to find that work-relaxation balance that is all too rare in Cambridge.
somebody else, you’ve volunteered
Put your feet up this summer
Image: Xime
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Interviews
14
Ed Balls on Europe, drinking societies, and trusting the new guy Julius Haswell Interviews Editor
O
n a horribly rainy Thursday, a small room in some ugly building in St John’s is filled with eager undergraduates awaiting the arrival of the Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer, Ed Balls. We continue to wait. And continue again. The party waits for 30 minutes before the pair of Ed Balls and Daniel Zeichner, arrive. Not only have they just been on a walk on the backs, but they also bring lots of pizza with them. Whether it was an attempt at bonding with undergraduates, or just lunch, we’re under Ed’s spell by the time he started speaking. Ed Ball’s is very confident in his public speaking, and it is obvious from the start. He captivated the room quickly, and started with a very confident response to my question on why Britain should stay in the EU: “For 60 years we have lived in Europe in relative peace and prosperity, and we have solved problems productively together for that time too. War-torn countries would be in a far worse state if we hadn’t acted together as a group of countries. “With things like climate change, there’s no way we can stand up to countries like India and China alone, so we have to do it together with other
Red Ed with a wry smile countries. Britain also benefits and relies on an EU style single market economy. It’s vital we keep ties with the EU.” Daniel Zeichner, the Labour party candidate for Cambridge whom Ed had come to support, was also clearly captivated by the big name in politics sitting beside him. He said very little over the course of the interview, mainly letting the Shadow Chancellor take the
Image: National Archives via Wikimedia Commons
The question is whether you trust the new guy
hits, but he did add that “Cambridge people feel very strongly about staying in the EU.” The other Ed, Mr Miliband has also come under fire over the campaign, amidst rumours that his backbench MPs had lost faith in his leadership, but his right-hand man came to his defence: “His biggest weakness is that he hasn’t been PM before. Apart from that the only
question is ‘Do you trust the new guy’, and for me the answer is yes.” There were hints however that Balls was not as sure about his answers as he seemed at first. His response to a question about Oxbridge “privilege” in the House of Commons was shaky, and he seemed to show cracks in his answers. “Compared to 30 years ago, the benches are now far better.” He followed with a phrase that seemed like it was taken straight out of the seventies. “In the Labour benches we have far more women and people of colour than before. We also have more people from different backgrounds as MPs.” When grilled on the similarities between him and David Cameron, in that Balls was a member of The Steamers drinking society where he was embarrassingly photographed wearing a Nazi costume, he seemed to not really have an answer and rambled round the topic. He finished by saying “the similarities between David and me end at university I can assure you.” His ability to hold an audience is, however, almost unrivalled. Perhaps it is his position in Parliament, perhaps it is his piercing stare. Everyone in the room seemed captivated by the Shadow Chancellor, even if he was spilling pizza on the table.
John Cooper Clarke: “I don’t juggle with chainsaws. I just read it.” Phoebe Thomson Interviews Contributor
J
At school, he learnt poetry off by heart, (“the Michael Gove method”). “There’s no way a twelve-year-old boy’s going to understand what John Keats wrote,” he says. “But that wasn’t the point. What we had to do was learn the words, no matter what it means – find that out later. It’s the best approach.” Cooper Clarke seems to suggest that poems are to be learned and lyrics sung before they can be understood and enjoyed. Well it worked for him! All poetry should be literate and musical, he claims. “If a poem’s good
then the music is written into it, it’s already musical… if it doesn’t sound any good, it’s because it isn’t any good. The main thing with poetry is what it sounds like.” Shakespeare “didn’t send it off to the publishers, he gave it to actors – the better to appreciate the beauty of those words, do you know what I’m saying?” He suddenly strikes the table – his Martini is shaken – “I don’t get sick of being called a punk poet,” he says. “But what I do object to is being called a performance poet … I don’t juggle
ohn Cooper Clarke is wearing black and being handed a Martini. He swaggers over to the poster advertising tonight’s event. He likes the picture of himself that has been chosen. “Where did you get that photograph of me?” he asks, and grins. I start by asking him about the relationship between music and poetry. “I think that when poetry and music work best together,” he begins. “It’s called a song.” “I would say that all art aspires to poetry,” Cooper Clarke says. “Whenever somebody thinks that something is artistic, they always say it has a poetic quality, don’t they?” He finds poetry in the Great American Songbook, “where music and lyrics, you know, fit perfectly.” As a child, Cooper Clarke “loved American popular music.” His uncle introduced him to Ella Fitzgerald, Doris Day, Nat King Cole and Frank Sinatra (“obviously”), whose sophisticated lyrics introduced him to “all of those things that a child doesn’t Cooper Clarke is just reading, he’s not performing know about.”
with chainsaws. I just fucking read it. I’m a poet who reads his work to people. Where’s the performance? I’m not fucking tap-dancing.” And yet, his voice often strays into performance. His grins and advises aspiring poets to “stay out of showbiz… that’s my gig!” “Put this in,” he tells me (I have done, John!) “Every advert that I’ve had anything to do with has won prizes… And I did this series for The Independent newspaper, about 20 years ago… They had a guy there that was writing my stuff in my style… I never had to rewrite a fucking word! This guy was frightening, he had his finger on my pulse. It was like I’d written it!” Cooper Clarke finds the idea that his voice can be performed by another writer “fantastic!” The ability of others to adopt his distinct, musical voice and style throws up questions of performance and authenticity. John Cooper Clarke is told that there is a room full of people waiting to hear him speak. “Well,” he smiles. “I hope they are… Can I slip out the door though, and have a cigarette with my drink?” Image: Bryan Ledgard Sounds about right.
Stay out of showbiz... that’s my gig
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Dispatches 15 Wandering through Jerusalems Dorota Molin Year Abroad Columnist, Israel
A
t some point in history, Jerusalem and its shadow, that of it’s reputation split. The shadow continued to live in people’s minds, even when people lived elsewhere. Yet for many, it was more than an image; it was a hope for a better future and a central theme in religion. But sometimes when the city and its shadow would meet, they would be too different to reunite. ‘Jerusalem of Gold’ expressed the idea of the glory. But while many would treat this as a metaphor, others understood it literally. I am talking about this to my Ethiopian friend, a student in Jerusalem. “The Jews in Ethiopia really believed that Jerusalem is made of gold. But even more – they were convinced everyone here is religious and people coexist in peace.” I ask her where this faith came from and she explains the history of Jews in Ethiopia. “It’s an ancient community whose Judaism has always been independent from the rest. For example, we don’t celebrate some of the newer Jewish holidays. We only adhere to the
Bible.”And it seems that what this book promised about the future glory of the city, they took literally. So it was this hope that brought around 80,000 Jews from this African country to Israel. Yet many of them found here a bitter reality. Insufficient education, lack of integration and low socio-economic status were the main hardships. According to a recent study, they’re one of the most underprivileged communities in the country, earning much less than Israeli Arabs. I ask my friend how it affected the faith of Ethiopians here. “Obviously this was disappointing. But they didn’t lose their faith. Because faith was what thousands of generations [in Ethiopia] relied on.” The faith sustained and preserved Judaism in Ethiopia for probably over 2,000 years. It brought them to Israel and it would continue here. The shadow and the reality cannot be reunited again. Many Ethiopians still live in absorption centres like the one in Talpiot, Jerusalem. Yet they still meet to celebrate Sig’d, their unique festival. They pray for the restoration of the city, because they believe it is yet to come. Maybe for them, the shadow is the reality and the reality is only its shadow.
Yo hablo Cambridge English Will Amor Dispatches Editor
T
“The Jews in Ethiopia really believed that Jerusalem is made of gold”
he UK has a handful of high quality, expensive and well sought-after exports. The most obvious are of course the Bondbased classics such as Rolls Royce and Scotch whisky. However, one of the less obvious exports is the English language: there is a booming international industry in Teaching English as a Foreign Language, or TEFL. The language of business, of the internet, and of Kim Kardashian, speaking English is an invaluable skill in an increasingly globalised world. Obviously, being the birthplace of the language, as well as the home of English’s most desirable accents, the UK receives a lot of money from the TEFL trade, be it in students who visit the country for language courses, students who want to practise their skills, or indeed the British publishing houses which print a glut of textbooks. However, Cambridge is arguably the worldwide capital of TEFL, not for its language schools, nor for its tourism, nor even the University Press. What Cambridge has is exams.
The suite of Cambridge English exams offers a big shiny certificate for everyone from infant beginners, to serious businessmen, to teenagers applying to British and American universities. While they are not the only EFL exams, the Cambridge ones certainly are the gold standard, and many of the English language textbooks and courses include exercises designed to prepare students for the exams, even if they’re published by the Oxford University Press or Pearson. As well as being a great source of income for the University, the Cambridge, English exams have a curious side effect: they make Cambridge one of the best known words in the English language. Similarly, the image of King’s Chapel over a punt-filled Cam on a sun-drenched Easter afternoon is inextricably linked to English language classes for millions of students. While Harvard, MIT and Oxford may be exalted names among those already rotating in academic circles, for the common learner of English, Cambridge is by far the most familiar and resonant. It should come, therefore, as little surprise that at his wedding, Prince William was made Duke of Cambridge, rather than of Oxford. GDBO.
I’m struggling
and I don’t know
WHERE to turn. Drop in, call, or email…
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Features 16 Striving to embrace our flaws
M
any of us spend our lives striving for perfection, for a flawless complexion, for endless bounties and for knowledge and absolute ideals. In this world a flaw can be derived as fatal. Yet surely, sometimes, a flaw can be something that we embrace, as a fundamental part of our character. Read on to discover a selection of our favourite flaws...
Anna Carruthers It’s rare that a camera will manage to catch me with my eyes open. Flash and I just aren’t friends. It took seven photos at prom to get a decent one and then it was only because I’d physically pried my eyes open with my fingers. These days I just look forward to the humorous photos – they make a great talking point. Rebecca Moore Why do the thing you’re meant to be doing when you can do everything else? On deadline day each week I will meticulously organise another microscopic aspect of my life. This week it was my iTunes library. I can’t possibly start my essay until I find the right album covers. Some positive procrastination is hardly unreasonable.
Chase Caldwell Smith As my fellow Features Editors have repeatedly chastised me, I don’t have a filter (I really don’t). Everything and anything I think can bubble up from the depths of my confused thoughts and turn into an enthusiastic exclamation. As I only half-joke, I can make any situation more awkward just by opening my mouth. It’s endearing, it’s annoying, it’s Amelia Oakley completely me. Throughout my life, I’ve been plagued by a curse of anti-sociality, a plague on Elsa Maishman first impressions: my resting bitch face. If you ever happen to make it into a The moment I begin to concentrate, even Part 1A MML lecture, I will be instantly slightly, it happens. My (unfortunately recognisable as the girl who walks in 15 overly-expressive) nostrils flare, my minutes late. Lectures, supervisions, brow tightens and I start the unstoppable social gatherings, public transport; I process of contortion into ‘the face’. am so perpetually tardy that on the The worst thing is the more interested rare occasion that I manage to turn I am, the more it happens. Normally, up to something on time, I get really I can brush aside this regrettable trait uncomfortable and stand around not with my overzealousness, but when it is knowing what to do with myself. On documented on national television, in a the plus side, I never waste precious close-up whilst listening to the story of amounts of time hanging around waiting a Holocaust survivor, things can get a for events to begin. little awkward.
Go rain on my (King’s) Parade Elsa Maishman Features Editor
Don’t let rain dampen your spirits
F
rom Guinness to Saint Patrick to roast potatoes, there are a lot of things that come to mind at the mention of ‘Ireland.’ One of the less obvious things that remind me of home, however, is rain.
Image: Daisy Schofield I don’t mean to say that I enjoy being rained on. During Emma Sprints, a rowing race in Michaelmas, it rained without stopping for the four hours we were on the river. As I sat there shivering, losing the feeling in my fingers one by
one, I couldn’t remember ever having been so cold and miserable in my life. And when it rains during the week, it’s a struggle to convince myself that a lecture is worth getting damp for during my eight-minute cycle to Sidgwick. Having to sit in wet clothes for an hour is never fun, and returning to my room to discover that the rain has soaked through my backpack onto my laptop can only be described as distressing. Most students might be happy that in Cambridge it hardly ever rains. But occasionally, this abnormally dry microclimate sometimes prompts me to make google searches of the word ‘Ireland’, and staring longingly at pictures of lush rolling hills, dotted with sheep and invariably overcast by threatening black clouds. In Ireland, we are drenched by rain every other day, and sometimes continuously for weeks on end. Rain is a nuisance, something that can ruin your day or spoil an event. But it’s an integral part of my memories of home, something that reminds me of Ireland during term-time, and of Britain too when I find myself abroad, longing for a miserable British drizzle to liven up that annoying Mediterranean sunshine.
Awkward imperfections Charlotte Furniss-Roe Features Contibutor
R
eading other people’s emotions is something I just don’t know how to do. Think along the lines of: “your face just changed. Are you hungry?” If someone hugs me or touches me without warning I tend to freak out and flap my hands around. If someone cries in front of me, my game plan is to pat them on the head, mumble something and then run away. I tend to overcompensate in politeness, meaning that when a waiter gives me my food I will say ‘sorry.’ I have been told I dance like I’ve accidentally dropped a contact lens and am trying to find it on the floor. I yelled “Night cheese!” at my supervisor the other day. My favourite word has now become ‘oop’. As in, when I do that awkward ‘Time Warp’ style step to the left and then step to the right when someone’s in my way and say “oop sorry”. To make this all worse, I have a very British complexion, and so whenever I do anything slightly embarassing my face goes bright red.
The last time I hugged my mum, she turned to me, asking “Why are you so awkward?”
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Features 17 Perfectionist sub-editing Meg Proops Chief Sub Editor
S
ub-editors don’t have a great reputation. Read the comments on any online article and it’s likely there will be a complaint about the subheading not matching the content, with the journalist jumping in to ensure the readers that they didn’t write this: it was the subs’ fault. Their reputation is summed up pretty well by a comment a writer once made to me – “sub-editors are generally just frustrated writers.” Harsh words. And so, so wrong. Here at TCS, we proofread every article (twice), checking spelling and grammar as well as making sure everything is consistent with the House Style Guide. Should numbers be written in letters or digits? Does ‘History student’ need a capital letter? These are the questions that plague us as we spend hours in the office each week. We make sure that there are no rogue lines on the page, that images are clear and correctly credited and that the page generally looks good. In short: subbing is the perfectionist’s dream. It’s for the kind of people who despair at the confusion between ‘their’, ‘there’ and ‘they’re’, or for those who debate the merits of the Oxford comma for an unhealthy length of time. There’s nothing quite like the satisfaction that comes with fixing a page and admiring the finished newspaper in all its glorious consistency – a feeling which our degree Image: Sophie Buck work rarely allows.
Image: Sophie Buck
Do you despair at the confusion betwen ‘their,’ ‘there’ and ‘they’re’? There, there...
The tale of an invisible disability Tonicha Upham Features Contributor
A
lthough my disability adviser told me in Freshers’ Week that I am, effectively, disabled, this term, my tutor insisted that the difficulties caused by my condition don’t make me lazy or feckless, nor do they indicate that I’m slacking off and not working hard enough. This was a far cry from the opinions of irritated classmates at school, who, not being close friends and thus distanced from my situation, regularly suggested that I was faking my condition for attention or better grades. It wasn’t fair that I had extra time in exams, because I could do the work anyway. I complained too much. Using a laptop in class distracted them because it was so noisy. And did I really have to use that topical pain gel in the classroom? Because it stinks. I have what might be called an ‘invisible disability’, though I’d never classified it as such. For over four years
I have suffered from neuropathic pain in my wrist. The severity of this pain varies, but 99% of the time writing a sentence by hand is too much. Typing is also difficult. My treatment largely focuses on finding ways to adapt to living with pain: no medication has been fully effective, and I may never be painfree. I’m also more susceptible to other nerve-related problems. Right now, it’s neuralgia. I rely on voice recorders and speech recognition. With these, I can work without my condition getting in the way as much, and I can indulge in student journalism without having to worry about the medical repercussions. My quality of life has increased considerably thanks to my Disabled Students’ Allowance, but I can’t help feeling a certain detachment from everything I write. As someone whose primary ambition in life is to write, the disconnection from pen and paper, and even at times from the keyboard, is
I’m not ‘the disabled student’, I’m Tonicha, hatlover, feminist and proud ASNAC
ITackling the stereotype frustrating. And what will happen when I have a cold and can’t even dictate? I don’t want to walk into a room and introduce myself as ‘disabled’, as though it’s an occupation. People don’t always need to know. My condition isn’t outwardly obvious, so sometimes I feel reluctant to disclose it. It leads to awkward questions. Where is the pain? How bad is it? The list goes on.
Image: Jessica McHugh Since accepting myself as disabled, life has become easier, but I don’t use disability as a means of defining myself. Yes, it’s an imperfection, but it’s made me stronger. I’m not Tonicha, the disabled student whose body doesn’t function properly. Instead, I am Tonicha, book-lover, hat-lover, cat-lover, feminist, ASNAC, and much more besides.
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Features 18 All experiences matter
Look out! The tourists are coming
Chris Page Columnist
C
Amelia Oakley Features Contributor
In praise of taking time off
O
ne of the best things I have ever done was take time out of my education. I have taken a year out to be a CUSU Sabb, which in itself was a rather horrible, exhausting experience, but I learned a lot. Currently I am taking another year or two out to work as the Schools Liason Officer, partially because I care about access work, but mostly because there is literally no money for Gender Studies PhDs. I won’t deny there’s a bit of frustration in knowing that people my age are now fully into their careers. People younger than me have gotten several years into their PhDs. A small, bitter part of me asks what the hell have I done? Part of the reason for taking time out was economic. I self-funded my masters and am in a frightening amount of debt. Part of it was political. I was so incensed by the flaws in Cambridge’s welfare system that I ran for a CUSU position so I could change it – fat chance. I will (fingers crossed) be starting a PhD in 2016/17, probably finishing it in 2019, when I’m 28 years old; I might be 30 before I get my dream job of teaching Gender Theory. But I don’t regret it. Through my work as a CUSU Sabb and an SLO, I have had valuable time outside the bubble of academia. It has made me a more empathetic person. I’m of the opinion that academics should be required to do work experience, volunteering outside of academia. My experience of working with academics is that many are truly brilliant at their subjects but have never lived in the real world. They’ve never thought about life as someone who perhaps may not have shared their experience of rushing through Oxbridge at the top of their class and then becoming a fellow at 26. An important part of teaching is understanding the lived experience of those around you, and if you lack experience of the world outside the academy, that can be tricky. Cambridge is all about goals. Get the first, get the distinction, write that PhD, write that book. Implicitly, I’ve always felt that there’s a P.S. to this: ‘by 25’. Whatever. I do intend to write the PhD, and be an academic, and write good books about gender, but does it matter that that might be in my 30s? Nope. I’ve taken time out and it’s allowed me to be a comedian, an activist, a blogger, it’s given me the time to think carefully about what I want to do with my life. Seriously, take time out if you want to: it’s a good thing.
Distressed porters sprint to the aid of their pristine lawns
ambridge is a hotbed of cameras from all corners of the Earth, ready and primed to catch you yawning, trudging at slower than walking pace en route to your 9 a.m., well OK, maybe 11 a.m.. When I first arrived I was unprepared for the number of tourists who flood the streets daily, let alone the invasion of townies and tourists swarming the streets every weekend, ensuring that cycling without constantly ringing my rather pompous bell is an utter impossibility. For me, luckily, these troublesome tourist encounters are quarantined to the infection zone in the city centre. Studying at Jesus means that I’m no more than three minutes walk from Sainsbury’s and five from the throngs of town. But for some reason the road which leads from the ADC to the College gates, no more than a 30-second walk at most, is too much for the tourist groups, too great a feat for the history hunters, too far a trek for the less than mildly enthusiastic school groups being paraded round the colleges by their jolly teacher reeling off facts about application stats and The Theory of Everything filming locations. Rumour has it that the silent ‘near Cambridge’ at the end of Jesus’s ridiculously long full name (The College
Keeping the tourists out of the Blessed Virgin Mary, Saint John the Evangelist and the glorious Virgin Saint Radegund, near Cambridge, for those interested) is thanks to Elizabeth I, who decided that Jesus was just a little too far out to warrant a visit – who knows what she would have thought of Girton. Lizzy’s shade means that I can live in relative peace, safe in the knowledge that I won’t bump into a lost tour-group whilst I jam out in pyjamas to the sweet sounds of TLC’s No Scrubs. It also makes college just that little bit more homely: without much tourist footfall we escape the wrath of card checks and ‘don’t walk on the grass’ signage, and we’re free to frolic and skip through the
Image:CGP Gray Plodge without the threat of an entry fee. But every now and then it happens. The unexpected. The uninvited. You are merrily walking back to your room, after an absolutely cracking brunch, and your path is blocked — you can’t move, you can’t escape. Swarmed around one of Jesus’s many, rather peculiar statues (really they are very strange) are a gaggle of gawping tourists and worst of all, they’re on the grass. Images of distressed porters sprinting to the aid of their pristine lawns rush through my mind. But I don’t have my arrogant bike bell to hand, so I stumble by murmuring ‘sorry, excuse me,’ like the polite citizen I am.
Student Spotlight: Wildlife Conservation Society Casey Wright Features Contributor
T
We’re positive that our efforts are making a difference
he words ‘Dismount from your bicycle kind sir and buy a bloody cake!’ echoed through the Downing Site at 8.30 a.m. on the Monday morning of Week Five. The demand may seem pretty hardline, especially when written down, but there was a whole lot of heart and an immense love for a good cause behind it. The numbers of hirola antelope, unique to Kenya and Somalia, have devastatingly dropped from over 14,000
The endangered hirola antelope
in the 1970s to fewer than 400 now. The bake sale on Monday morning, where cyclists were jokingly (although actually somewhat seriously) instructed to dismount, was in aid of this species on the brink of extinction, and organised by Cambridge University Wildlife Conservation Society. Founded at the beginning of this academic year, the society has been expanding since and has organised a charity formal, a screening of the documentary feature film Virunga, and a ringing demonstration with the Wicken Fen group. The society is passionate about the
conservation of wildlife on both a local and global scale, and is dedicated to finding original and exciting ways to get students involved in raising money for our chosen charity, the Ishaqbini Hirola Conservancy, in Northern Kenya, via the UK-based Tusk Trust. We’re positive that our efforts can make a difference, and are therefore willing to go to great lengths to prove this, from discovering the true sassiness of the blue tit who, judging by the bite marks of those on the bird-ringing trip, likes the taste of human flesh, to getting on a plane to Kenya this summer and collaborating with the Lale’enok resource centre to study the lion, cheetah and wild dog population, in conjunction with their Rebuilding the Pride programme. There will be an opportunity for members to work on the project within Cambridge itself, as well as the chance to travel to East Africa for a more hands on experience. We are continually taking on new members, and hope to see our society grow into something that is just as effective and empowered as our president was when instructing cyclists to ‘dismount!’ to buy a Krispy Kreme or Image: Giovanni Fasanelli via YouTube a cake, and save the hirola antelope.
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Features 19 Cambridge Curiosity Cabinet
Motivation inspiration: Getting started on that essay Genevieve Cox Features Contributor
W
hen you’ve got a pile of books sitting sky high on your desk, even washing that days-old bowl of cereal becomes an attractive form of procrastination. So how to deal with a crisis of a lack of essay motivation? Attitude I cannot emphasise how important it is to not stress about an essay. Of course, this is easier said than done, and worrying a bit about work is probably a good thing as long as you’ve retained a sense of perspective. It is helpful to remember that the essay is meant to be a prompt for discussion in supervisions rather than a feat of perfection; as one History lecturer put it, it is your first word on the subject, not your last. The more relaxed you are, the more likely it is that you’ll be able to generate original arguments and assimilate the reading that you’ve done. Environment It’s not easy to write an essay at the best of times, but when your neighbours are doing Tequila Slammers next door, it becomes nigh on impossible. Inserting ear plugs or listening to music can be helpful, but don’t be afraid to politely
Guy Lewy Columnist Corpus’s curious clock
T
When essay-writing, food is always a comfort request (or forcefully demand) some peace and quiet. Removing distractions from close proximity also works, but only if you have the willpower to resist your buzzing phone or shiny new nail polish. Quite frankly, all my willpower is taken up trying to persist with the essay in the first place. In such instances, food is an inexpressible comfort. My favourite snacks for essay crises would have to be Taste the Difference cookies and a 50p bag of tortilla chips from Sainsbury’s. Getting started Before sitting down to pen your masterpiece, it is important to give yourself time to think. For arts and humanities, work out your driving argument and then fit your supporting evidence around it.
Image: Moyen Brenn
Remember that any plan you make is always going to be subject to change so don’t quash any strokes of genius just because they don’t fit in with what you were planning to say. It is also worth debating the terms of the question. Not only does this help you to think about the underlying issues, but it also has the added bonus of boosting that word count. None of what I’ve said is particularly groundbreaking because let’s face it, getting motivated for that essay is never going to be easy. The key is to do what works for you and to recognise that there is no such thing as a perfect essay. Even if there’s a deadline looming, sometimes taking some time out can be the best way to cope with impending work crises. As a friend once said, “The best way to deal with a reading list is to go to Life.”
The more relaxed you are, the more you’ll be able to generate original arguments
Extracts from the hidden gems of Cambridge reading lists Chase, History. “It is a matter of debate, indeed, why ... historians actually do what they do, and even more so, what it is that they aim to achieve.” Miriam, Psychology. “Hull used (and perhaps abused) his graduate students by teaching them to blink in anticipation of a slap to the face... for practical as well as ethical reasons, researchers no longer use the face slap.” Freya, English Literature. “Coffee, ‘this wakeful and civil drink’, encouraged business acumen, cool deliberation and rational conversation. It made men sober, not merry.” Justin, History. “‘Greensleeves’, hugely popular for nearly five hundred years, has recently been voted the most annoying telephone hold tune in England. ‘Every time it comes on the line, I want to smash the phone with a pick-axe’, commented one man (the editor of a website devoted to the management of stress).” Erica, Psychology. “Can casual sex trigger feelings of romantic love? Most liberated adults have had sex with a friend or acquaintance and never fallen in love with him or her. But it can happen. The natives of rural Nepal say of this, ‘Naso pasyo, maya basyo,’ or ‘the penis entered and love arrived.’”
Sam, HSPS. “Males also perform so-called penis-fencing: in this rare behaviour, thus observed only in the field, two males hang face to face from a branch while rubbing their erect penises together as if crossed swords.” Anna, History. “James Boswell in the eighteenth century was generally impotent the first time he slept with women of his own class, though in sex with lower-class girls he could easily prove his manhood.”
A source of endless amusement.
Lucy, History. “The identification of wheat with maize extended to the language of Christian Prayer. “May You give us now our daily tortillas,” reads a Nahuatl translation of the Lord’s Prayer from 1634.” Helen, History. “A consensus is only a consensus as long as there is a consensus the consensus exists.” Sophia, History. “...the widespread recognition that intense schoolgirl crushes were dangerous...”
Image: Chase Caldwell Smith
Penis-fencing, Greensleeves, & experimental slapping
he Corpus Clock is a strange beast. Grabbing the attention of every passing tourist, it clunks the seconds away in what was until 2005 the main entrance of NatWest, but is now the edge of Corpus’s Taylor Library. Both the library and the clock are the brainchild of John Taylor, an inventor and former Corpuscle who paid for the project himself, with proceeds from having created the thermostat which turns your kettle off once it’s boiled. Visually, it clearly isn’t your average clock. It certainly wasn’t built like one. Those golden waves were not cast, beaten or milled, but exploded into their form. Taylor sent off a steel cast and an aluminium sheet to be surrounded by explosives and blown up underwater in a Dutch military base, firing the mould into the sheet to shape the front of the case. But what goes on inside this case is even weirder. The grim wanderer on top of the piece seems to be almost alive. You might assume there’s a complex mechanism or a computer controlling him, but in fact it’s the other way around: he is the mechanism and he controls the timepiece. The creature is itself a savvy array of hinged weights and levers, his steady rocking locking the wheels inside. And that blue light which seems to get turned on sequentially instead of a second hand? Actually all of the lights are turned on inside, all the time. An unseen and unnecessarily elaborate series of discs with slits spin inside, obscuring all but one of the constantly illuminated lights on each ring each second. To most, more striking than the intelligence of the work is its disquieting creepiness. The chronophage (timeeater) is devouring your seconds until they are all gone. Surprisingly few people can recall having passed the clock at something o’clock, but if you do you’ll notice that the hour doesn’t come with chimes, but a strange woody rattling. This is because three o’clock, for example, is heralded by internally dropping a chain three times into a baby-sized coffin. The sound of this morbid reminder of transience is broadcast live for our listening pleasure by a little speaker on the outside. It’s one of the more absurd Cambridge experiences, but if you ever find yourself walking by at two minutes to – stay a little while and listen.
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Cartoon 20
Cartoon by Miranda Gabbott
E L C Y C T ’ DON IGHTS! L T U O H T I W
…AND AVOID A £30 FINE.
Bike lights available from CUSU for just £8. Old Examination Hall, Free School Lane, Cambridge, CB2 3RF.
Open 9am-5pm Mon-Fri | 01223 333 313 | info@cusu.cam.ac.uk
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Games & Technology
21
Going gaming for charity: Jagex holds 24 hour charity game-a-thon Sam Raby Games & Tech Editor
T
himself, but had thought of the idea whilst working as a teacher with disabled children. Whilst parents had always be thrilled with the power of technology to help their children communicate, they would always tell him at how much of a loss they were at for what to do with them in their spare time. For some people with incredibly debilitating conditions, like cerebal palsy, watching TV or listening to music is pretty much all the entertainment available; and gaming gives them a way to be active. to
not just watch things happen, but to do them themselves. As Mick emphasised, these disabled people gain a sense of freedom and self-expression that they just wouldn’t have otherwise. The event raised £70,000 last year which is incredibly important to the charity, for whom manufacturing specialist equipment, making trips directly to clients’ homes, and attending to their ongoing needs doesn’t come cheap. As each client’s condition is unique to them and changes over time
ucked away in north west of Cambridge is the seldom seen Science Park. Hidden amongst its tangle of drab laboratories is the headquarters of games company Jagex. Not the most famous of developers, but they produced the highly influential Runescape that certainly captivated many of my friends when I was at school and is still going strong today. The studio that day was playing host to a sponsored gaming marathon: a non-stop, 24 hour, play session. The bottom floor had been filled with rows of computers, swarmed by eager gamers; and the action commentated, and watched, by thousands over the internet. The marathon in question was Gameblast. An annual charity event where money is donated to Special Effect. Special Effect are an organisation that help severely disabled people game again, developing and advising individuals on the necessary specialist equipment to do so. On the surface it sounds like an incredibly niche aim, but as I talked to company CEO Mick Donegan, I realised it was an incredibly important one. Mick, in an ironic twist of fate, wasn’t actually much of a gamer It’s not a marathon in the conventional sense
Gaming is about far more than mowing down pedestrians on Grand Theft Auto
Image: kaex0r
their requirements also shift and they need ongoing support from the charity. Gaming is still a stigmatised activity and is not something that draws a lot of public sympathy. However in the niche gaming community they found an audience who know first-hand the importance of games to certain people, and how much losing one’s games can matter. Individuals around the world donated over the internet and even giant UK retailer Game included a mention of the charity on all of their receipts in the lead up to the event. Event organiser Kate Ryan said that despite the difficulty in organising Gameblast the support of the donors had been ‘overwhelming’. In both the wider actions of the donors and the palpable passion surrounding the event there was a tangible and wonderful sense of community. As Special Effect’s CEO said, gaming is about far more than mowing down pedestrians on Grand Theft Auto, and can act as a source of identity for people, bringing them together and motivating them to help each other. I left in a feeling of quiet contentment, a warm buzz nestled in my stomach. Just under my nose on the edge of town there were people simply doing what they loved and making a positive difference to the world around them. Soppy indeed but true nonetheless.
Is technology anti-social?
Blast from the past
Meggie Fairclough Games & Tech Contributor
Aislinn McDonagh Games & Tech Contributor
P
soon as the waiter came, they hid them out of sight as if they had been caught. Similarly, I also saw a couple on a date both of whom had their iPhones sneaking out from under their table napkins. As soon as there was a lull in conversation, fingers where pulled like magnets to their devices. What hope can there be to find love in this way? Is it just me who thinks this is so sad? What can we teach our children about politeness, when we are becoming silent, emotionally bereft zombies addicted to technology? Our present worlds have now extended beyond the dinner table, to the worlds we can’t quite see, but are merely represented through various displays on the screen.
erhaps the thing that annoys me the most in this life is walking into a restaurant to the sound of silence. This is not to say that the restaurant is empty, but rather that nobody is talking to each other. Instead, they are talking via their technology to others ‘outside’, and there is more clicking and plate-scraping rather than actual chatting. Yes, there is interpersonal engagement, but in the here and now no social interaction. Technology has become an inhibitor of one-to-one conversation, where now, people find it difficult to engage with someone sitting on the opposite side of the table. No matter whether this person be the Queen, a celebrity or just a family member, the human population is slowly losing its ability to talk on a personal level; texting or tweeting the wider world is seen to be a greater priority than what is being said at any given moment. The funny thing is not only that people know what they are doing isn’t ‘right’ but is essentially downright rude. For example, this week I observed a whole family fixated upon their phones, yet as Guys?
Technology has become an inhibitor of one to one conversation
A
Wallace, among others, added rich plots and a less formulaic structure to the game. Age of Empires III, which focused on colonialism, was admittedly, a bit of a let down in my opinion. Without the real idea of developing an empire, replacing it with expansion, it felt less compelling and fun than its previous instalment, but still a good game in its own right. I suspected this might have been the cynical effect of ageing, but in fact, having re-installed AoE II on my old laptop, the second instalment still holds up. As a franchise, it’s great because each game grew and progressed without being just a ‘better’ iteration of the previous (as in The Sims), and it was playable for pretty much all ages without dating.
s a child I was a PC gamer: my dad’s old white desktop and Windows 97. I played everything from Zoo Tycoon to Theme Hospital. However, when I saw the title of this piece, I knew that best of all was Age of Empires. Age of Empires, for the uninitiated, was an amazing game combining adventure, strategy and world building. The first iteration saw you take humans from the Stone Age through to the early Roman Empire by mining resources, building towns and developing technology in a race against competing empires, all the building defences for war. Part one was, however, nothing to the incomparable Age of Empires II. This title shifted forward, with players going from the Dark Ages through to the Renaissance, and allowing you to play as a wide variety of civilisations from the Byzantines to the Japanese. It kept the same basic principles but included more features, and the wonderful addition of historical campaigns. The stories of Image: Ken Banks Ghengis Khan, Joan of Arc, and William Beauty
Image: Siddhartha Thota
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
TV & Film
22
Cambridge’s student film festival is back Grace Murray TV & Film Editor
S
ince 2010, the Watersprite International Student Film Festival has been introducing Cambridge to films from around the world, and it will be back here again for a weekend (6–8 March) packed with screenings and speakers. Its 33 nominees for 2015 come from 13 different countries, which makes it a perfect opportunity for those of us raised on Hollywood fodder to step outside of the bubble and appreciate the world of filmmaking which thrives outside of blockbusters and sequels. International films can seem daunting, mostly because they aren’t given the same exposure as home-grown pictures. They’re often shown in limited slots in the cinema, and they’re rarely available easily online. Even the Academy Awards segregate Best Picture nominees from those not in the English language, encouraging that distinction between Hollywood-approved film and the huge pool of talent outside those boundaries. Cinemas might organise another showing of Birdman, but we’re unlikely to see Ida, the Best Foreign Language Film of 2015, reappear on our screens. Watersprite’s nominees for Best Fiction include films from Germany, Nepal and Spain, and they’ll be shown
Watersprite is a chance to see short student films from all over the world
throughout the weekend alongside their British competition. The festival prides itself on bringing together the best of student film from a host of film schools, and the screenings (though yet to be announced) will include both fiction and documentaries. It showcases the more eclectic and experimental side of filmmaking, of which one of the more striking examples this year is a Swiss animation called Plug & Play, ‘fingerdrawn’ entirely with the touchpad of a laptop. The idea might be bizarre, but it’s unlike anything else you’ll see all year. Watersprite is a welcome reminder that there’s a world outside endless romantic comedies and superhero movies, in which new creators are exploring the limits of film as a medium and in doing so might just have created something new. It’s a process which isn’t just taking place in Los Angeles studios, but on laptops and tablets across cultures, countries and continents. So whether you’re a seasoned visitor to arthouse cinemas or tend to stick to Netflix, take the chance to watch something outside of your comfort zone. Best of all, the festival’s free, so put that last essay of term aside and enjoy one of Cambridge’s more unique events. The nominees for the festival can be found online at Watersprite’s website: http://www.watersprite.org.uk. Watersprite will host guest speakers through the weekend
Image: Watersprite
Feminism and French film at Medwards
Learn a language with ‘Friends’
Flora McFarlane and Olivia Barber TV & Film Contributors
Grace Murray TV & Film Editor
N
otions of feminism are a hot topic at Murray Edwards at the moment. As a result we’ve chosen to show a film that champions the feminist cause and shows the fundamental need for female solidarity, an issue that existed in the female liberation of the 1960s and 1970s, and persists to this day. The director makes her mark Image: Wiki Commons Pauline (Valerie Mairesse) is an aspiring young singer from a middle class and be proud of the college’s feminist background whilst Suzanne (Thérèse identity. Dame Barbara pointed out Liotard), is a country girl unable to that the Oxford English Dictionary’s support her family. The film itself, L’une definition of feminism is, simply put, that chante, l’autre pas (dir. Agnes Varda), We’re hoping of equality, to which Murray Edwards demonstrates how two women, though to reinforce has always been committed. from very different backgrounds and The ‘Flicks4Chicks’ film night (men the desire with very different characters, can be are also very welcome – we’re suckers for united in the struggles that they share as for greater rhymes) aims to highlight and champion equality in women of the late 20th century. the feminist cause. We’re drawing from Dame Barbara Stocking, the President Cambridge the past and looking towards the future, of Murray Edwards, recently told the and hoping to reinforce the desire for student body that the college has for greater equality in Cambridge. a long time been working to promote its identity as an all-women’s college. The ‘Flicks4Chicks’ screening will be What’s more, she stated the need for held at Murray Edwards College at 8 Murray Edwards students to stand up p.m. on Friday 27 February.
T
hose of you who’ve studied a second language have heard all the rhetoric before. It looks good on a CV, it broadens your mind, and it makes you the designated speaker in all social situations on holiday regardless of location (“You speak Spanish, don’t you? Well, I mean, Portuguese is pretty similar, isn’t it? Can you order the cab?”). Yet somehow, teenagers still aren’t rushing to pick up modern foreign languages in school and are thus depriving themselves of one of the true material benefits of studying them: watching dubbed versions of Friends and calling it work.
Friends, rerun endlessly on TV and added to Netflix this year by some cruel god of procrastination, is the perfect tool for learning a language. You know all of the episodes by heart anyway, so even if you don’t quite understand what’s being said, you can work back from memory. Subtitles aren’t really necessary when you can identify the German word for ‘lobster’ purely because Phoebe’s the one saying it. The case against dubbed film and TV argues that artistry can get lost in translation, but their utility for language learners is hard to ignore. Put Friends in our classrooms and maybe we’d remember more from our French lessons than how to ask about the weather. It’s not much to ask, is it?
Owning these in no way suggests you’re obsessed
Image: Kate Williams
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Theatre Vox pop: Is student theatre worth it?
23 Review: ‘Footlights Spring Revue’
L
ast year’s price hike at the ADC once again threw out into the open the question of quite how much is being spent on student theatre. Some argue that the financial capacity we have to imitate professional theatre is what sets the Cambridge scene apart from the rest. Others say that it is irresponsible to put amateur students in charge of budgets so large. We asked three students for their opinions. Elsa Maishman, regular theatregoer “The funding and resources to which Cambridge productions have access is one reason why they are easily confused with, and sometimes better than, those put on by professionals. The world of theatre is littered with Cambridge graduates, and in some amateur shows it’s already possible to spot the professional actors, directors or production team of tomorrow. “The high standard of Cambridge shows gives aspiring students the chance to gain experience and expertise, whilst on the flip side still being accessible enough that ‘newbies’ can drift in and out without ambition – giving different roles a try, for nothing more than a bit of fun.”
The Footlights gang
Freya Sanders Theatre Reviewer
T
o expect a lot from the Footlights Spring Revue is fair. It should be a showcase of the very best ideas of Cambridge’s very best comedians. This year’s Revue is entertaining, certainly, but the pizazz – the balance of genius and silliness that keeps Footlights fans coming back for more – was only partial.
David Moncrieff, occasional thesp “You hear complaints about the price hike at the ADC but the fact is that there are not many theatre scenes in the world, professional or not, where you can go to see a show regularly for £5. Add to this the fact that the standard of acting and directing in Cambridge has got to be the best of any university in the country. “For anyone seriously interested in going into theatre, it’s an unmissable opportunity to be able to take part in shows which have the same production value as those which you might find on a professional circuit.” Finn Dameron, budding critic “The only problem is the fact that if you are interested in going to the theatre, or even if you have friends who are involved in productions, you end up going to the theatre a lot more than you might go to a professional production. “Consequently you end up spending much larger amounts of money on going to a show than you can afford. This isn’t to say that going to the theatre is not worth it – I’ve seen many brilliant shows in my time here – but they can certainly be hit and miss. The fact that you can never really know does make me feel a little uneasy about spending so much Lucy Moss in ‘Attempts on Her Life’ money on the theatre.”
Image: Hunter Allen The show starts slowly. In the first half, many of the sketches feel stilted, perhaps because they lack a certain drive. There is often little sense of development in the sketches, meaning they often fall a little flat. Punch lines, where they exist, are half-hearted, meaning the audience is left feeling dissatisfied, before being thrown into the next sketch. The second half, however, feels like a different show. It’s less polished – but
in a good way. The natural tendency of the Footlights to descend into silliness is indulged to just the right extent, particularly by Luke Sumner, who performs energetically and often hysterically well. Archie Henderson (and his hip movements) also deserves a mention for his exhibition of diverse talents – a source of much hilarity. The setting of the show – the jazz trio, the black and white film sketches – harks back to the Footlights’ illustrious past. It could have been more entwined with the on-stage sketches, but overall it’s a nice touch. In particular, the play’s use of cinematography is outstanding, adding texture to the show, and proving a medium for some of the threads that run through it. There’s the odd tired gag or return to cliché, but these are offset by moments of genius, especially those that play with both the audience and the conventional structure of a sketch show. Despite its slow start, the latest offering from the Footlights is enjoyable. Those who have been spoiled by the Cambridge comedy scene may find themselves a little disappointed, but it’s not difficult to appreciate the time and talent that’s gone into this show.
The natural tendency of the Footlights to descend into silliness is indulged to just the right extent
Review: ‘Attempts on Her Life’ Sarah-Jane Tollan Theatre Reviewer
W
ho is Anne? She is Anne, but also Annie, and Anya. She is a psychotic terrorist, a homicidal mother, a suicidal artist. She is a polysemy, pushing forth ideas regarding social injustice, the public and private, the identity. She is an empty stage for director Tania Clarke to decorate playwright Martin Crimp’s richly empty script, a script with no characters, no stage directions, and no plot. The result is a production of incredibly polished chaos, of static, stereo-fed voicemail messages that unnervingly trickle down upon you, and strobe lights that submerge everything into surreal slow motion. Crimp’s play is a creative, liberated vacuum, and Clarke masterfully puts her directorial stamp onto it. They are a collection of scenes that could be easily stifled by ineffective actors, and yet Clarke’s cast throw themselves onto the frontline. Each one gives a magnificent performance that ignites every scenario and frames them individually into a dramatic gallery, no one piece holding precedence over Image: J Hjorth another. Her actors are chameleon-like,
fluidly switching between personas with talented ease, layering the mystery of ‘Anne’ with the mysteries of their own identities as they enter and exit through numerous doors, reappearing in different costumes, speaking in different accents and languages. At times, the production pushes too much towards the eccentric; the inclusion of interpretative dance seems oddly included in certain scenes. The four men in suits partaking in paganlike discourse and engaging in what can only be described as an aerobics class, as well as the need to end particular scenarios with spontaneous robotics to electro music, are bewildering. Of course, when it is used for pathos, it heightens the mood invariably; the short scene between two women caught in a not-so platonic relationship to Mazzy Star’s ‘Into Dust’ does make a considerable impression. Attempts On Her Life is a paradoxical production; one of harmonious acting in staged chaos, of mental clarity in emotional confusion, of identity in fragmentation. It sweeps you up mercilessly in its entertaining obscurity; you catch yourself frowning, you catch yourself laughing, you catch yourself asking: ‘Who is Anne?’
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Music 24 TV theme tunes
Is vinyl really better quality, or just hipster frill?
Meggie Fairclough Music Contributor
William Noble Music Contributor
here is something about the Friends theme tune that makes you want to get up and dance around the living room as if you are hearing it for the first time, even though you have probably watched the same episode about 20 times or if the story is another make-up and break-up of some different form. “So no one told you life was going to be this way” - need I say more?
s we move further and further into the 21st century, our everyday lives are becoming increasingly convenient, digitalised and sanitised. This pattern has become visible with almost every form of entertainment: Netflix has replaced videos and DVDs to a considerable extent, Kindles are certainly starting to replace hard-copy books, we get pretty
T
A
Listening to music on vinyl is like sitting down with a favourite book
Songs of Praise airs during the classic Sunday night last-minute panic. The theme tune marks the point of time running out and hails the beginning of a coffee fuelled all-nighter. It is often more appealing to listen to people singing hymns than to write 2,000 words due for the next day. Although it may seem calming and serene to ears un-tuned to reading lists and deadlines, for students, this orchestrated piece becomes more terrifying than pacifying.
much all of our news online and music has gone from vinyl to CDs to streaming ot buying online. Rather than owning physical copies of our media, we now rely almost exclusively (especially in the case of films and music) on the internet, but does this mean that we are losing something here in our newly digital age? Listening to music on vinyl is like sitting down with a favourite book and getting that old book smell, or opening up a broadsheet newspaper. There is a
Vinyl provides a tangible listening experience
certain ritual to it. Picking up an album, taking it out of the sleeve (another plus to vinyl, incidentally; more space for cover art), placing it on the turntable and lowering the stylus onto the outermost grooves of the record all make for a more active listening experience. Many times I have noticed things in tracks from listening to vinyl that I would never have noticed if listening on iTunes or YouTube. It requires care and time; records can be easily damaged, but while this may be seen as a disadvantage, it also leads to a greater appreciation of the music’s value. Music that’s being streamed can be easily discarded, but with vinyl you’re making an investment. I’m no audiophile or collector; I don’t care all that much about getting the highest possible sound quality from my music, so I don’t know whether vinyl equals better sound quality. I also don’t care all that much about getting rare releases of albums, so I guess that puts my own appreciation of vinyl in ‘hipster’ territory. And yet there is definitely something about vinyl which is more physical, more tangible, and more real. Listening to vinyl feels more organic; it’s like there is a physical connection to the original recording that can be found in the grooves. If appreciating vinyl makes Image: Antti T. Nissinen you a hipster, then that’s no bad thing.
Personal Playlist: Songs to affirm my self Will Spencer Music Contributor
Can the Take Me Out theme tune even be considered introductory music? “No likey, no lighty” pretty much sums it up. It is more reminiscent of a cheesy phone alert, but then again you can get much more cheese from a program if you tried!
fulfilling potential of love. He rounds off the title line in the song with “to you”, making it particularly personal. The fact that the second person is so unusually prevalent in this song says much about the intimacy of his lyricism.
M
orrissey pithily sums up the essence of existence in his song ‘Lost’: “Everybody’s lost, but they’re pretending they’re not.” The search for identity in the finite time that we have is perhaps the question that overshadows our time in the world. Here are my suggestions to help you with this search.
‘Accept Yourself’ – The Smiths Appearing on Hatful of Hollow, the 1984 compilation album which comes closest to replicating the untamed force of the Smiths’ live appearances, ‘Accept Yourself’ encapsulates Morrissey’s irresistible emergence as heartfelt representative of the lonely outsider. The X-Factor has, quite honestly, a The lyrical honesty is matched by the horrific, repetitive and boring theme tune. sincerity of his voice: Morrissey takes However, it does signal Saturday nights himself, and his audience, seriously. filled with take-aways, chilling and trash TV. The show itself may be useless, ‘I Know It’s Gonna Happen Someday’ full of sob stories and pathetic singing, – Morrissey but the atmosphere it carries with it is This song, from 1992 album Your truly unbeatable. Arsenal, is impassioned and pithy. Images: Jian Awe, Dom Archer, Morrissey implores us to “please wait, Wikipedia don’t lose faith”, inspiring belief in the
“Everybody’s lost, but they’re pretending they’re not
‘Human Being’ – The New York Dolls Probably the most underrated band in music history, The New York Dolls were ahead of their time in nearly every respect. Their cross-dressing provided an arresting visual accompaniment to their viciously clever lyrics and powerful sound, replete with countless irresistible hooks. ‘Human Being’ is a celebration of individuality, a rejection of the expectation that humanity should revolve around conformity. Above all, singer David Johansen inspires the listener to embrace the ‘being’ in ‘human being’, and all the flaws that come with it.
and love: she is not the receiver, but the bestower of love, and an unpredictable one at that. Her refusal to make any promises asserts her independence. ‘My Way’ – Frank Sinatra Sinatra’s crooning is so marvellous in this track that the words themselves are often overlooked. Sinatra may not have written the song, but he imbues it with a force that transcends the lyric sheet. Sinatra revolutionised our perception of the male voice, and its potential as a portal for reflection. Both the singer and the song itself are fantastic examples of the twin cornerstones of directness and profundity which define great art.
‘I’m Not Sayin’’ – Nico Nico’s finest talents lay in her ability to sound at once ingenuous and worldly-wise. Written by Gordon Lightfoot, ‘I’m Not Sayin’’ showcases her vocal talent. Nico bursts open stereotypes associated with femininity Hello cat
Image: Stab At Sleep
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Books 25 Defending children’s literature from the Engling elite Anastasia Picton Books Contributor
S
collection featuring Mamma Mia and The Sound of Music, completing my shamefully cheesy collection. As students at Cambridge, there is a danger of becoming literary snobs, conforming to the innate elitism of the ‘classic’. You may despise Wuthering Heights in private, but God forbid you reveal this human flaw in Freshers’ Week, and you simply must love The Waste Land, even if you do recognise
that Eliot was an arrogant dick. I was shot down by my teacher for referencing The Faraway Tree in the first draft of my personal statement, which was edited to Wordsworth’s Prelude. Admitting that my literary idol is J.K. Rowling in my college interview would have been a laughable offence. Yet I cannot seem to cure my love of reading the critically dubious children’s book. I’ve wanted to be a children’s
tudying the great Victorian novelists and modernist revolutionists, it was not Dickens or Joyce who captured my heart but the less renowned George Macdonald, with his fairy tales for adults exposing my true love of fantasy protected by a façade of literary acceptance. While my fellow Englings possess Walt Whitman collections, The Complete Shakespeare and The Canterbury Tales – all pride-worthy texts of any respectable student reading English at the University of Cambridge – I have instead polluted my precious shelf space with books intended for the under tens. Most Cambridge students will have had ‘it looks like Hogwarts/it has robes like Hogwarts/it secretly is Hogwarts’ as at least one of the reasons to apply, so might be forgiving of my collection of Rowling’s masterpieces cluttering my shelf. Pippi Longstocking and Winnie the Pooh, however, are an immature step too far, whilst teen trash The Perks of Being a Wallflower is simply bad taste. Perhaps most risqué of all is my abandonment of books for a film This totally counts as career work – there’s a flying fox and everything
author for as long as I can remember, and my apparent maturity hasn’t quelled this deep ambition. There is a Perhaps I have remained a child in danger of mind, but I feel more compelled to becoming write for the seven-year-old reader in literary the unlimited world of fantasy, with no snobs at real academic value, than to produce a recognised epic moulded to fit the Cambridge classical canon. And so, while I can get lost in The Faerie Queen and work my way through a good Dickens, nothing can make me laugh out loud or bring a tear to my eye quite so successfully as the blissful escape into the wonderland of imaginative literature written for children. I’m not suggesting that classics aren’t rightfully valued, or aren’t crucial to our literary heritage, but sometimes it’s important to branch out of our elite literary bubble. Don’t judge someone on the bus for reading a young adult book you think is poorly written with no follow through on plot, be relieved that they are opting to read a book in the 21st century. As for me, I will continue relying on breaks from Milton to be reminded by Antoine De Saint-Exupery that while most adults will see a drawing of a hat, I can see the drawing of a boa constrictor Image: normanack swallowing an elephant.
Books and sickness: The essential literary first aid kit Alice Mottram Books Editor
L
short stories. The Adventures of Sherlock Holmes is great for the drowsy patient, comprised of 12 short stories which can be dipped in and out of. Each contains a case, including the famous ‘Scandal in Bohemia’, adapted by the BBC into the episode ‘A Scandal in Belgravia’. The stories provide much needed escapism, before you fall asleep again.
There is a danger of us becoming literary snobs at Cambridge
ying in bed after having been violently sick, it is easy to get bored. The four walls of your college room close in, and despite having an imminent essay deadline, you find yourself unable to muster the courage to accomplish even the most menial tasks. And the pastime that will nourish you to health again? It can only be a book. Sure to make even the most morose patient feel better is Thank You, Jeeves, the first novel in the canon of works by P. G. Wodehouse. As the idle rich and minor aristocrat Wooster is rescued from romantic entanglements by Jeeves, his quick-thinking valet, each story showcases a thoroughly British sense of humour. This first novel alone features a banjolele, a burning cottage and such inventive characters as Lord ‘Chuffy’ Chuffnell and Sir Roderick Glossop. Similarly enthralling, and featuring adventures more perilous than those of Jeeves and Wooster, are the Sherlock Holmes stories. Conan Doyle’s legacy is of four novels and five collections of She’s judging him for not using this valuable sick-time to read
If you’re too ill even for reading, fear not, for the audiobook was invented for people just like you. Perhaps the most comforting voice to be heard when you are swaddled in blankets feeling like death is that of Stephen Fry, who narrates the Harry Potter audiobooks. The books are an essential part of the literary first aid kit, and if you haven’t
read them, a prolonged period of illness provides ample time. Stephen Fry takes on all the characters’ voices, including a truly unmissable Hermione. Spanning 125 hours, if Harry Potter doesn’t see you through to health, then no book ever will. Pride and Prejudice is, however, the quintessential choice for the sick and lonely. Austen is witty and charming, and there is enough romance to make you feel snuggly and warm in your solitary recuperation. The difficult relationship between Darcy and Elizabeth, his imperious aunt, her gaggle of sisters, are so well known as to seem like friends to the reader. Added bonus, it contains a treatise on illness. Mrs Bennet engineers Jane’s illness in the hope of tempting affection from Mr Bingley, prompting her husband to remark with cutting cynicism that “if she should die, it would be a comfort to know that it was all in pursuit of Mr Bingley”. This is a book which will make you laugh and cry, and if you’re lucky like Jane, you will find suitors knocking on your door with offerings of soup and Image: freeparking :-| undying love.
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Fashion
26
Bopping about backstage: Taking the party to the ADC
Photography: Jodie Coates Models: Isobel Laidler and Alice Mottram Stylist: Maddy Airlie Clothes and accessories: models’ and stylist’s own
26 February 2015
the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Food & Drink
27
Clare claims victory at the Cambridge University Culinary Competition Julia Stanyard Food & Drink Editor
S
and it was certainly a feast to remember. The starter featured “hand-dived scallops” accompanied by , very thinly sliced raw apple which provided the perfect complement to the flavour of the scallops, and crisped artichoke. Chestnut grated on top added another interesting element to the dish. Such an impressive first act was very difficult to follow, and chicken – usually rather uninspiring when it makes an appearance on formal menus – seemed to be a safe choice. However, chicken at formals is not usually served perfectly tender, encrusted with pistachio nuts,
ince 2006, an enthusiastic committee of Head Chefs and Catering Managers form across the university have organised the biannual Cambridge University Culinary Competition, a fiercely-fought two-day contest open to all 31 colleges and the Cambridge Regional College pitting both chefs and front-of-house staff against one another. This year’s event, described by organisers as “bigger and better than ever” featured a dynamic array of trade stands and cookery demonstrations interspersed between various classes, nine of which were “live” (served at the competition) and seven “static”. The categories were diverse, some touching on environmental issues, such as the Sustainable Fish Class and the Low Carbon Meal Challenge, which featured a sumptuous selection of local Cambridge produce. The Street Food Challenge was also an interesting addition to the 2015 event. The centrepiece of the show, however, was undoubtedly La Parade de Chefs, a contest of two heats spanning both days of the competition, involving four different college teams, each serving a three-course menu to a group of 12 discerning guests. Fighting off stiff competition from Fitzwilliam and Corpus Christi among Clare’s scallop starter Image: Best Sunday Lunch others, Clare took the title for this class,
Dessert was a triumph of presentation, as starter had been a triumph of flavour
alongside creamed potatoes and leeks. Dessert, however, outshone the main as it was a triumph of presentation; as much as the starter had been a triumph of flavour. Guests were presented with a strange-looking chocolate orb, surrounded by sugarcoated jelly squares. Bonna, the Clare front-of-house representative who kept everyone entertained throughout the meal, and introduced herself as ‘the tiger’, immediately appeared with a jug of hot chocolate sauce. This was poured over the chocolate sphere, melting the
Clare’s chocolate tour de force Corpus’ Denham Vale Beef Image: Cambridge Cookery School Image: Corpus Food
Getting Baked: Taking on the soufflé
4. Carefully fold the egg whites into the egg yolk mixture, be very careful not to over-mix. It doesn’t need to be pehaps parsley or oregano – could be homogenous, and streaks of egg white used if thyme isn’t your thing. is fine. Divide between the dishes. Expand your baking repertoire by conquering the formidable soufflé. If ever there were a reason to procrastinate, this would be it. Give your tastebuds a treat and bake to impress.
Imogen Coulson Food and Drink Columnist
T
here are lots of urban myths surrounding soufflés: perceived by many as the pinnacle of culinary technique, they are about as temperamental as an angry supervisor (if we are to believe everything we see on Bake Off). But this common assumption is wrong, and the proof is in the pudding. Tangy yet rich, light but satisfying: soufflés are perfect if you want to impress – or if you just fancy something mouth-wateringly delectable for supper. Whipped up in less than 45 minutes they really aren’t tricky at all. Make sure the egg whites are whisked until stiff and the ingredients are all at room temperature, then you’re set. Old eggs also help ensure you don’t end up with collapsed soufflés (horror of horrors), although obviously make sure they are still in date; I would never want to be responsible for a bout of week 6 food poisoning. Almost any herb –
These are perfect if you want to impress – or just fancy something delectable for supper
shell and revealing the ice-cream and chocolate delights hidden within. After such an impressive array of dishes, Clare’s victory comes as no surprise. Overall, the Culinary Competition was a fantastic event, receiving a deluge of good comments from both participants and attendees. It can be easy for students, eating in Hall day in, day out, to become somewhat blasé about our college food. So it is at events like this one, which allow our chefs to showcase their best dishes, that prove that our colleges really do employ some remarkably talented catering staff.
5. Bake in oven for around 20 minutes, until golden brown on top and puffed. 6. Serve immediately. Perfect with a green salad lightly dressed in lemon juice, olive oil, salt and pepper.
Ingredients: 2 eggs, separated 125g goat’s cheese 60g pecorino, finely & freshly grated (or parmesan) 50ml double cream 1/2tbsp thyme, finely chopped Salt & black pepper (to taste) Instructions: 1. Preheat oven to 200°c, butter two small ovenproof dishes and dust with some of the grated pecorino. 2. In a bowl, mix together the egg yolks, goats cheese, double cream, thyme & black pepper. 3. In a separate, clean bowl, whisk the egg whites until stiff peaks form with a Mary Berry, game on pinch of salt.
Image: Imogen Coulson
YOUR VOICE CAN CHANGE THE UNIVERSITY!
YOUR
USE VOTE VOTE FOR THE FOLLOWING ROLES:
CUSU PRESIDENT
GU PRESIDENT
WOMEN’S OFFICER
ACCESS OFFICER
COORDINATOR
UNIVERSITY COUNCILLOR
EDUCATION OFFICER
NUS DELEGATE
WELFARE OFFICER
ETHICAL AFFAIRS OFFICER
VOTE ONLINE - WWW.VOTE.CUSU.CAM.AC.UK
OPENS MONDAY 2ND MARCH CLOSES 7PM - TUESDAY 3RD MARCH PAPER VOTING IN COLLEGES WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH - 8AM - 7PM
2015
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Lifestyle 29 Five ways to be a nicer person Meggie Fairclough Lifestyle Contributor
Get your Mo Farah on
Image: Richard Phipps
Bolt your way to a runner’s high Maddy Austin Lifestyle Contributor Remember you never regret exercise You might regret watching TV instead of doing work but you won’t regret going for a run. Running leaves you feeling relaxed and on top of your game. You may be a hot mess but it’s a hot mess that will soon be able to run up stairs without collapsing. The struggle is real but the dream is within grasp, if you run for it. Be a Goldilocks Don’t run on an empty stomach but
equally don’t eat a massive amount of heavy food before going for a run. Do as Goldilocks did. She may have been high maintenance but she was right about this.
path. This man is an inspiration to us all. While it is still embarrassing to be overtaken by a pensioner, ignore his wispy hair blowing in the wind as he glides past you like the angel he is, and Find a time of day that suits you just try to focus on the road ahead, even If you happen to like running in the if it is a tad blurry. morning before everyone else hits the streets then go then. If you prefer hitting Avoid running too much too soon the streets mere minutes before the sun Starting off lightly then building up goes down, then go with your instincts. time and speed is key. Gradually easing yourself into running will help you to Don’t be put off by speedy runners maintain motivation and prevent injury. There will always be an elderly Get huffing and puffing and in no time gentleman wearing an unholy amount you too can be that old man, chuckling of lycra overtaking everyone in his into the horizon.
You might regret watching TV but you won’t regret going for a run
Top tips to succeed at interviews Natalia Rye-Carriegas Lifestyle Contributor
Do
Don’t
Dress professionally as this gives the impression that you are serious about the position.
Arrive at the interview hungover or otherwise intoxicated. Even if you are really nervous.
Research the company thoroughly as this will show the interviewer that you are genuinely interested in the job.
Highlight any weaknesses or faults unless specifically asked to do so.
Make eye contact as this will make the interviewer think you are alert and aware, even if you are not. Take time to think about your answers in a careful manner as this will show the interviewer that you are reflecting on their questions. Ask questions as this shows you are genuinely interested in the company in question. Remember to say thank you to the interviewers as this will show that you Don’t be hungover are grateful for the opportunity.
Mumble and use excessive filler words (e.g. ‘um’, ‘er’ or ‘hmmm’).
Being nice to people is one of the most important, fundamental things that we can do as students. Here are five ways to do it better: Be kind There is nothing nicer than an act of random kindness, where people have no real reason to be nice or considerate, but do so anyway. This may be something basic like just opening the door for an extra few seconds, making someone a coffee or even saying hello to a complete stranger. Offer help Help people who are struggling. It may sound obvious, but it’s true. We all struggle at something sometime, and often become so wrapped up in our own little worlds that we forget others struggle at things too. It may require more bravery on your part to offer help than receive it, but that’s part of the challenge of being a nicer person. Smile Smile at people; it is that simple! If you are smiled at it makes you feel good, and if you feel good you smile more. A basic cycle, and once you start smiling the cycle will continue and continue and you will consequently be nicer. What’s more, smiling is like yawning; once one person does it, it sets off a cascade and soon everyone is smiling. Be the one to start it all off! Be generous Pay off a friend’s student loan... yeah right! Nice can only get you so far! Moving swiftly on. Be honest Be nice to yourself. This is absolutely essential. To achieve this you have to be true to yourself and let your true colours shine through, not being afraid to let other people see you for who you really are. It is all very well helping to save the world, but often being nice involves the little things that affect individuals, and not embarking on great worldsaving missions.
Blurt out the first thing that occurs to you when asked a question. Panic if it does not seem like thinks are going your way. Ask questions which can be found out easily in a prospectus/online. Eat your breakfast en route – it will end badly. Be afraid to ask for clarification. They’re Get smiling! Image:mfcxer via Youtube not trying to trick you.
Image: T. Hososhima
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Sport 30 Football – a racist game?
Captain’s column: Netball
Max Dowbenko Sport Contributor
Flora McFarlane Sport Editor
F
specific fans as ‘the racism problem’ in football is too simple. Rather, the Paris incident was a highlighted outburst of what remains an underlying problem in British football. Fans who attend matches remain predominantly white, working class, and there is most certainly a gang mentality among some sections of support that leads to racism and homophobia. For instance, in 2010/11, there were 43 arrests for racist chants amongst fans in England and Wales. I myself have witnessed the supporters of my local team, Nottingham Forest, chant “You’re just a small town in Baghdad” at Leicester City supporters, Leicester being a city with a high Asian population. This was not picked up by any form of media. The Metro racism may have been shocking, but to view it as an isolated incident, and without an underlying issue, would be a mistake.
ollowing Chelsea FC’s clash with Paris Saint-Germain on 17 February, a black man, now identified as Souleymane S, was refused entry onto a Paris metro train by Chelsea fans, who then proceeded to sing: “We’re racist, we’re racist, and that’s the way we like it”. Unsurprisingly, the incident soon made national and international news when it was filmed and released. Since the incident, Chelsea have publically condemned the fans involved, making the statement: “Such behaviour is abhorrent and has no place in football or society. “We will support any criminal action against those involved and, should evidence point to involvement of Chelsea season-ticket holders or members of the club, will take the strongest possible action against them, including banning orders”. Chelsea have a history of strong links to the far right, with the notorious Headhunter hooligan firm having links to both the National Front and NeoNazi group Combat 18. Last year, also surrounding a match with PSG, hundreds of Chelsea fans were involved in a riot in Paris. The racism shown by its players is not something to be ignored either. Yet to label Chelsea or even those Still proud?
N
etball captain Emily Coulter speaks to The Cambridge Student about preparations for the upcoming match against ‘The Other Place’, painting a positive picture for the Light Blue’s chances.
“This year is definitely going to be the biggest chance Cambridge have had in a long time”
Image: Ben Sutheland
to be the biggest chance Cambridge have had in a long time. Any star players to look out for? It’s difficult to choose because we have a good depth in the squad and we’ve built on strong foundations from last year, but Frances Lee-Barber and Hayley Smith have come in this year and done very well. How will you be preparing? Fitness is generally an expected thing, so I think that we’re going to be focusing more on the mental side of the game. Oxford are generally quite aggressive but Cambridge play quite a polite style of netball I think, so we’re doing a lot on mental strength. If you were to pick an anthem for the team to run out to, what would it be? For the last two years, the netball ‘song’ has been ‘Rather Be’ by Clean Bandit so that would be a top choice!
When and where is Varsity? It’s on 1 March at the University Sports Centre. It’s going to be its christening because it’s the first time it’s been played there. How has the season gone so far? It’s been going really great. The Blues are undefeated and are likely to secure promotion and the Seconds have only lost one match, so promotion is on the cards for them. Has training been going well? Training has been going well. We have three two-hour sessions a week where everyone works really hard. The sports centre staff have commented on how keen we are! What’s the rivalry between the teams like? What was last year’s result? People look to this event as the event of the season but in some ways BUCS promotion is more important this year! Oxford won both last year, the Blues had a close match though. Oxford have had a few injuries and lost a few players, including Steve Redgrave’s daughter Natalie, so this year is definitely going Game faces on
Image: Emily Coulter
The exclusivity of sport Meggie Fairclough Sport Contributor
Thinking of applying for a master’s in 2015? LSE will be awarding 175 new LSE Graduate Bursaries of £10,000 and 120 Anniversary Scholarships worth between £3,000 and £25,000. For further information on all funding opportunities at LSE visit: lse.ac.uk/mastersAwards
S
port is like Marmite; it’s all or nothing. You’re either good at it and enjoy it, or you hate it. It seems to be either about ‘eating pies and no exercise’ or lycra, guava juice and 6 a.m. starts. The very nature of team sports means that draws are unlikely to be satisfactory – competition is prioritised over doing sport simply for sport’s sake. It’s worth mentioning that looking at the rowing teams cruising down the River Cam is pretty inspiring. However teamwork, and the atmosphere that accompanies it, is not for everyone; there may be students who aren’t very competitive and are quite happy with things ending in a draw and the friendly exchange of handshakes. It’s important to recognise that this is also valid and should not be considered antisocial or boring. Once students have arrived at university, they have either established themselves as ‘sporty’ or ‘non-sporty’. This has resulted from years of school
events, teams and competitions where pupils succeed or don’t. Getting a medal or a trophy, even if it is plastic and for competing in the egg-and-spoon race, can have such an impact on later atittudes to sport and competition in general. When it gets to university, we’ve already formed our mindsets concerning sport. Those deemed as ‘sporty’ are likely to have their own area of sporting excellence and are happy to do what they are good at. Freshers’ Week tried to give new students the idea that anyone from any level could achieve anything in sport, but it’s actually an illusion. Young children are able to get involved in loads of different sports but they’re not expected to become a pro overnight. Rather, it is about widening their experiences and immersing them in a range of different activities. This is no longer the case at university: from my experience,trying new things from scratch is not as easy. This may just be endemic to Cambridge, but it seems that to be ‘sporty’ here, being average is no longer adequate; you have to be ‘un-sporty’, or get good fast.
26 February 2015
the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Sport
31
It’s ‘Wolfie’: Martin Adams talks all things Darts Charles Martland Sport Editor
T
he game of darts has come a long way over the past 15 years. From a sport enjoyed by many and watched by thousands each year, it has experienced a transformation in popularity, with this years’ PDC World Championship Final watched by over 1.5 million people. One man who has been, and still remains, at the very heart of the game is Martin Adams, the three times World Champion and figurehead of the British Darts Organisation (BDO). The man affectionately known as ‘Wolfie’ at the oche began his journey to the top of the darting ladder in the 1980s, encouraged originally by friends and neighbours, improving as he progressed over the next decade. Supported by Eric Bristow, the captain of the national darts team in the early 1990s, Adams represented his country, before taking up the England captaincy himself in 1993. He retained this for an unprecedented period of 20 years. Much has been made of the decision taken by Adams, who also represents Cambridgeshire at county level, never to move across to the more lucrative and arguably more high-quality PDC form of the game. Over the years, Adams
has remained loyal to BDO darts and attributes his commitment to the guidance he received when he first started playing darts professionally: “Before the PDC there was only one place to play darts … I was given support and encouragement from unpaid officials who often didn’t realise how they were helping me. I don’t forget that support and I would certainly not turn my back on them or the organisation.” So what about the multitude of players who have crossed the divide in recent years (Simon Whitlock, Gary Anderson, Stephen Bunting, to name three)? Adams is keen to stress that there is nothing wrong with the PDC, yet admits it is frustrating to see players use the BDO, which undoubtedly holds its own unique value, character and quality, simply as a route to the PDC. Adams said: “What I don’t warm to is players using the Lakeside as a springboard to move to the PDC.” The sense of a tight-knit group within the BDO is brought home by Adams’ memories of Phill Nixon, whom he beat in a thrilling 2007 World Championship Final, winning 7–6 having led 6–0 only to be pegged back and taken to a deciding leg. The sad passing of Nixon in 2013, suggests Adams, was heart-breaking for many players on the circuit, yet the memory of Nixon helped to bring all the
professional throwers closer together: “The loss of Phill was an extremely sad point in many players’ lives … he was loved by so many … but it wasn’t hard to keep going because we all knew that is what Phill would have wanted … his memory is with us and we continue to celebrate his life both on and off the oche.” This January saw Adams narrowly miss out on a fourth BDO world crown, as he was edged out in a thriller at the Lakeside by Scott Mitchell, by seven sets to six. He reflects upon the contest as one which, on another day, might have gone his way: “I am happy with the way I played, but some early opportunities were missed which may have changed the outcome.” Many viewers of the final noted the exemplary sportsmanship displayed by Adams in defeat, which is something he believes is crucial not just in darts, but in all sports and disciplines. “In any defeat or success, it is always important to have respect for your opponent,” he says, a refreshing statement to hear from someone involved in the highly competitive world of sport. Adams, who is 58 years old, is looking forward to bouncing back from that disappointment.He sees 2015 as an opportunity to, “keep playing and win as many titles as I can,” before he returns
Crossword 1.
2.
5.
4.
3.
11. Take me in your lectures (5) 12. Egyptian hieroglyph used to signify ‘protection’ (2) 13. Internet domain code for the ROI(2) 15. Adjective to describe Editor-in-Chief Jack May and Associate Editor Sam Rhodes’ weekend in Paris. (8)
6.
to the Lakeside, as the lyrics of his Duran Duran walkout music suggests, ‘Hungry like the Wolf’ for success. The Surrey-born player will also appear on our screens in the coming weeks as part of a BBC-organised Let’s play darts for Comic Relief special, which will also feature the comedians Lee Mack and Tim Vine, as well as Richard Osman, the co-host of the popular quiz programme Pointless. In a darting world where players are constantly switching their allegiance from BDO to PDC, it is fantastic to see Martin Adams, alongside many other current tungsten throwers, remaining loyal to the Lakeside and the undoubted value it has to offer. For all the glamour of the PDC we surely cannot afford to lose the BDO, itself a unique organisation to be cherished as the founder of professional darts.
“I dont forget that support and would certainly not turn my back on them”
Thomas Prideaux-Ghee
Down
9.
10.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
Across
Image: Bar Activity
Sudoku
7.
8.
Martin Adams
7. Registered trade union for doctors in 1. Cambridge latex and fetish shop, hit the United Kingdom (3) by an increase in sales following the 8. Wealthiest nation in the world (3) release of Fifty Shades of Grey (8) 9. Only 35.6% of ____ undergraduate 5. Park famed in cult movie (8) students are women (4)
1. On Saturday 21 February, Editor-inChief Jack May and Associate Editor Sam Rhodes enjoyed ______ in Paris (8) 2. “Was that quotation ________? (8) 3. The owner of a creed you’d find in our Games & Technology section (8) 4. Sour Cream & ______ (6) 6. I think, therefore I __ (2) 10. The solid remains of grapes, olives, or other fruit after pressing for oil. (4) 14. Phone home (2) The solution to this week’s puzzles will be printed in our next issue. We’re also looking for more crosswords and sudokus to appear in future issues. If you think you’ve got what it takes to devise a bamboozling masterpiece for us, send it over to editor@tcs.cam.ac.uk.
Last week’s solutions
26 February 2015 the cambridge student
www.tcs.cam.ac.uk
Sport 32
On the charge: the Women’s Blues progressed to the Semi-Finals on Wednesday after a dominant victory over Nottingham
Image: Will Lyon-Tupman
17 0
Alistair Gempf Sport Contributor
T
he Cambridge Pythons’ final game of the regular season was played on Sunday against the Kent Falcons. Cambridge ran out 17–0 winners with an impressive defensive performance, winning the East Conference and making it to the playoffs. Cambridge got a field goal on their first drive, after Tom Carr blocked a punt, and Joe Moore ran the ball in for a touchdown, giving Cambridge the 10–0 lead. Joe Yarwood’s pass to James Digby then increased the lead to 17 points. The second half saw no scoring, the highlight being Jack Tavener’s interception when Kent were driving towards the Pythons’ end zone to keep the shut out. The win sees Cambridge go on to the southern playoffs and play Surrey. The winner will go on to the final to play for promotion to the Premiership.
Cambridge Durham
4 8
Flora McFarlane Sport Contributor
T
he Women’s Blues travelled to Durham to play in the Quarter Finals of the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) Cup. Durham boasts a strong side, including several international players. Kondratowicz and Coombs were playing two top level opponents and only managed to get one game on the scoreboard between them: a 0–6, 0–6 loss for Kondratowicz and 1–6, 0–6 for Coombs, playing Jessica Ren who has represented the UK. McFarlane had a closer match than the score suggests, playing some long rallies, but ultimately being defeated 2–6, 0–6. The doubles was again a one-sided affair, with Coombs and Kondratowicz losing 0–6, 1–6. A disappointing but unsurprising result against the current title holders in the team’s final match of the season.
Women's Lacrosse
Cambridge Kent
Women's Tennis
Mixed American Football
Lacrosse Blues reach BUCS Semi-Finals as Pythons make the play-offs Cambridge Nottingham
12 6
Charles Martland Sport Editor
T
he Blues comfortably overcame Nottingham on Wednesday in their BUCS Quarter Final, and so remain unbeaten this season. Cambridge settled quickly and began to take the match in their stride, with goals coming at regular intervals. Whenever the opposition attacked, Cambridge’s defence proved as strong as their attack, with several good saves by the goalkeeper complementing their drive forward. Cambridge led by 6–0, before Nottingham pegged them back to 6–3 at half-time. After the break, the Blues’ energy remained consistently high, with a good intensity in their play throughout, preventing the visitors from getting back into the game. Further goals followed, allowing the Blues to progress easily to the Semi-Finals of the competition, in which they will host Loughborough.