The Founder, January 2018

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VOLUME IX, ISSUE IV • FRIDAY, 26 JANUARY 2018 • Royal Holloway, University of London • Egham, Surrey, TW20 0EX

Israeli Diplomat Quizzed On Human Rights Alumni Break World Record

RHUL Named RHUL Responds UK's Most To The Brexit Beautiful Uni

Teaching Letter

ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR ROSA SMITH Royal Holloway has offiNEWSbeen EDITOR cially given the title of the

UK’s Most Beautiful University University vice-chancellors following an online competiall over UK were tion thatthe attracted overapproached 21,000 in October third most senior votes on thebyHoliday Lettings government whip, Chris Heatonwebsite.

Harris, for details Brexit The asking university won of with teaching.

31% of the votes, beating the There a mixed response other 13 was historic universities fromfeatured universities, that in the with poll. some denouncing it asPaul political interferProfessor Layzell, ence in academic whilst Principal of Royalfreedom, Holloway, other universities were University of London said,quick ‘we to strike a bargain. are proud to have been officialMr Heaton-Harris, staunch ly named the UK’s mostabeauEurosceptic, asked universities tiful university.

Thank you to for ‘the names of voted professors everyone who for us.at your establishment who are‘Thomas involved in He continued, the teaching of European Holloway could have builtaffairs, a Photo courtesy of Isaac Kenyon. with particular to Brexit. ’ modest college reference but instead he Photo courtesy of Royal Holloway Diplomatic Society.

He also ‘a copy of the built the requested magnificent FoundFounders Squarethe at Royal Holloway. tinuously through twowithin nights andand syllabus and in links to thesuronlineIFFAH AHMED er’s Building stunning groups Israel Bar-Li eagerly discuss Israel’s present day in Israel.

She right HELENA KEEBLE

The team consisted of Isone day with support crewmembers lectures which relate to area.’ DEPUTY NEWS roundings.

Today, thethisuniexternal countries relationposition in the Middle East spoke of the after affects the SPORTS EDITOR EDITOR sac Kenyon, Ajayi-Obe Camilla Zupi, Hubbard Of 59buildings universities versity andthat therespondnew ship Leanne with the nation.and Quesand their perspective con- Benjamin Arab Spring had upon certain and Jack Hopkins who set up their many supporters visiting them, ined to Mr Building Heaton-Harris's letter, Davison continue to 28 On 16 November, At 3am on Sunday 14 January, the Jew- cerning minority rights. The religious communities and tions were asked about the in Founders Squaregroups on were cluding confused stuwere cooperative, be a statement of theproviding ambition Mrish and Team Atlanticsociety Discovery Israeli“very government and comtalkbroke beganthewithmachines an oversight Diplomatic how minority ex- some Friday 12 January, beginning their circumdents” after Friday’sbeing Students Union of Heaton-Harris most or all ofof Royal Holloway we have for ourwith students and world record for the on longest con-structures munity accepting political within welcomed posed to endangering task ofin beating previous world night. At LGBT 3am onindividuals Sunday morning whatdetermination he asked for. to provide an exclusive our tinualguest row speaker, on an indoor and how Israel rowing and externally other the stances. record of 30 hours.

They rowed conthe team claimed their feat, surpass them with the resources they Sharon Bar-Li, machinethe by aDeputy small mixed team on other Middle Eastern counMiddle Eastern countries.

The discussion saw a spark ...Continued on page 3. need to find their purpose and Ambassador of Israel. Many Bar-Li indulged on minor- in debate regarding diverse tries could potentially... succeed.’ students attended, listening to ity rights historically and in topics concerning minority

Index News..............................................................................1 News..............................................................................1 Opinion And And Debate......................................................6 Debate......................................................6 Opinion Lifestyle.........................................................................10 Lifestyle...........................................................................9 Features........................................................................12 Features........................................................................12 Arts...............................................................................14 Arts...............................................................................14 Arts: Film......................................................................17 Film......................................................................17 Arts: Arts: Music....................................................................19 Music....................................................................19 Arts: Sports...........................................................................21 Sports...........................................................................22

...Read the full story in Sports, pagePg. 23 2 Continued

Winter p. 9 Holloway Histories,p. p.12 12 EWD Wardrobe, Terrace p.4 RHUL Histories,

Matt Cliffe, p. p.

23 21 Alumni Day,

2 NEWS

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at news@thefounder.co.uk

Gyimah Appointed New Universities Minister ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR

The Founder Board 2017 - 2018 Co-Editors Dan Brady Lilia Vargas Costello

Sam Gyimah has been made Universities and Science Minister for England as part of Theresa May's cabinet reshuffle.

Replacing Jo Johnson, who became Transport Minister, Mr Gymiah will work alongside newly appointed Education Secretary Damian Hinds. His role will cover both the Department for Education and the Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy.

Dame Janet Beer, president of the umbrella group Universities UK, spoke of her enthusiasm regarding working with Mr Gyimah, particularly ‘to develop policy that supports universities to maximise their positive im-

Managing Editor Dan Brady Designer Lilia Vargas Costello

Photo via TheIndependent.co.uk.

pact on the economy, society and students.’

She revealed ‘the promised review of tertiary education funding in England and establishing the new regulatory framework and Office for Students will likely be top of the new minister's in-tray.

‘Improving post-study work visas for international students, supporting universities' role in promoting social mobility and securing our long-term participation in the European programmes Horizon 2020 and Erasmus+ should also be priorities.’

RHUL Raises Record In Christmas Big Give IFFAH AHMED DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR

As part of Royal Holloway’s Big Give Christmas Challenge for 2017, students, staff and alumni donated more than £116,000 towards work placements and scholarships.

All the donations raised from the Big Give Christmas Challenge will be utilised to help give student support with their education through internships, scholarships, work placements and employability initiatives.

Running between No-

vember 28 and December 5, with over 1000 on campus and online participants, supporters and donors helped raise funds through a variety of activities, and the initial £50,000 was raised.

During this week also, many fundraising events took place on the Royal Holloway campus, such as performances, festive activities and fun group photo opportunities with the university’s mascot, Colossus. The Festive Market and the Film Society’s Christmas orientated film screenings were also the highlight of the week.

The campaign is run and offi-

ciated by ‘The Big Give’ which was founded in 2007 by philanthropist Sir Alec Reed, an entrepreneur and Royal Holloway Honorary Fellow.

The Christmas Challenge campaign is one of the UK’s biggest online funding campaign which ensures help, aid, awareness and funds are raised for charities and their causes they promote.

Since the Big Give campaign was founded and launched ten years ago, in 2008, it has raised over a staggering £71 million for more than a range of 2,500 charity projects.

Sub-Editors Kyle Hoekstra Kia Clark Online Content Editor Kyle Hoekstra

News Editor Rosa Smith

Arts Editor Suzannah Ball

Deputy News Editor Iffah Ahmed

Film Editor Jack Salvadori

Opinon and Debate Editor Amanda Hudson Features Editor Laren Tayyip

Lifestyle Editor Emily May Webber Sport Editor Helena Keeble Music Editor Ele Walton

The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. This means we are not affiliated to the student union or the college. We pride ourselves on our investigative journalism and aim to keep our readers up to date with news on and off campus. The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor, particularly of opinion and debate pieces. Every effort has been made to contact the holders of copyright for any material used in this issue, and to ensure the accuracy of its stories.

To book ad space in The Founder, contact our managing editor at managingeditor@thefounder.co.uk.

THE FOUNDER is printed in Cambridge by Iliffe Print

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at news@thefounder.co.uk

NEWS 3

Cont. From Front Pg. Royal Holloway declined to provide Mr Heaton-Harris with a list of names of professors who are involved with the teaching of European affairs, with particular reference to Brexit, stating: ‘Whilst Brexit and its impact are matters attracting significant public interest, there is also heightened sensitivity following the UK’s vote to leave the European Union. The College considers that this sensitivity is such that disclosure of staff names could lead to unwarranted repercussions.’

RHUL also declined to disclose a copy of the syllabus and links to the online lectures which related to the topic, due to it effecting the College’s ability to compete in the student market. Royal

Holloway withheld the in- to be among the most information Mr Heaton-Har- ternational universities in ris requested under the Free- the UK. We welcome students and academics from all over the world to study and work here, ensuring an international and multihe College cultural perspective across considers that a close-knit and historic this sensitivity campus.

‘We collaborate with is such that disinstitutions, companies, closure of staff NGOs and governments the world.

By names could lead around sharing views, values and to unwarranted culture we learn from one another and deepen repercussions.' our understanding of the world, our role and purdom of Information Act. pose in it and how we can A spokesperson from have a positive impact. We Royal Holloway, told The value our diversity and our Founder: community is strengthened ‘Ours is a global com- by it.’ munity and we are proud Photo via https://inews.co.uk.

'T

Expansion Plans Prompt Backlash ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR

Egham and Englefield Green residents are complaining that the town and village are being turned into further extensions of Royal Holloway’s campus, as plans to convert a nursing home on Osbourne Road, Egham into student accomodation were fully approved.

The plans had previously been refused by Runnymede Borough Council (RBC) after receiving objections from residents.

Residents remain concerned that the apartments will still be rented to students, with one letter stating: ‘We believe it would be extremely unfair for us to have to spend our nights listening to loud music from parties

or drunken shouting as they return home which they are notorious for.’

Plans were also rejected

by RBC at the end of December to build 105 student flats at 40 and 41 Egham High Street. Chris Fisher, from Egham Resident’s Association, said of the council’s refusal: ‘Having a number of young and well-educated people there can be socially and economically beneficial.‘But you can have too much of a good thing and many of the existing residents feel they are being swamped.’Another controversial proposal to convert a four-storey building in St Jude’s Road, Englefield Green, into 29 student flats was submitted at the end of November, but is yet to be discussed by the council.

Photo via GetSurrey.co.uk.

4 NEWS

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at news@thefounder.co.uk

Davison Young Dropped As Students Minister Terrace Opens At Long Last KYLE HOEKSTRA SUB-EDITOR

Nine days after being appointed to the Office for Students, the champion of free schools and right-wing provocateur Toby Young resigned in the face of widespread criticism of his appropriateness for the position.

As Toby ‘@Toadmeister’ Young wrote in a statement on the Spectator website on 9 January, his appointment to the board had become ‘a distraction from its vital work of broadening access to higher education and defending academic freedom.’

The Office for Students chair, Sir Michael Barber, said Young had ‘reached the right conclusion.’

‘Many of his previous tweets and articles were offensive, and not in line with the values of

the Office for Students. Mr Young was right to offer an unreserved apology for these comments and he was correct to say that his continuation in the role would have distracted from our important work.’

Young met strong criticism from opposition figures including the shadow education secretary, Angela Rayner, who expressed concerns about Young’s history of homophobia, misogyny and indifference to the rights of people with disabilities in a letter to Theresa May. Young sought to disarm such criticsm in his piece in the Spectator, in which he wrote that ‘The caricature drawn of me in the last seven days, particularly on social media, has been unrecognisable to anyone who knows me.’

However, he conceded: ‘Some of the things I said be-

fore I got involved in education, when I was a journalistic provocateur, were either illjudged or just plain wrong – and I unreservedly apologise.’

The judgement of senior cabinet members including Boris Johnson and Michael Gove were called into question

by Young’s resignation, having defended his appointment.

Johnson described Young as the “ideal man for [the] job.”

Although it appears Young’s position was already untenable, it may be no coincidence that shortly before his resignation, student newspaper London Student contacted Young for comment regarding his presence at the “London Conference on Intelligence,” a meeting of white supremacist eugenicsts at UCL, whose attendees include neo-Nazis and apologists for paedophilia.

Council Calls To Clear Windsor Homeless ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR Photo by Lilia Vargas Costello.

ROSA SMITH NEWS EDITOR

The Emily Wilding Davison terrace on the second floor is now open for student use, Monday-Friday, from 9am to 3pm.

Due to health and safety measures and fire regulations, the terrace will be closed in adverse weather, and a maximum of 60 peo-

ple are permitted on it at any one time.

The terrace is a no smoking area, and food and drink are not permitted.

We visited the terrace and spoke to students to see what their reaction was, with second-year Economics student Myles Lewitt describing it as ‘a great place to relax from essay work’, as well as take in ‘stunning views of Founders’.

The leader of Windsor council has faced heavy criticism after calling for police intervention with rough sleepers ahead of the wedding of Prince Harry and Meghan Markle.

Simon Dudley, the council leader, wrote to Thames Valley Police asking they use legal powers under the Vagrancy Act 1824 and the Antisocial Behaviour, Crime and Policing Act 2014 against people sleeping on the streets and

begging.

Mr Dudley claimed that begging in the town created a ‘hostile atmosphere’ for both residents and tourists, and may cast the town in a ‘sadly unfavourable light’ ahead of the royal wedding.

Theresa May was quick to condemn his comments, saying ‘I don't agree with the comments that the leader of the council has made.’

As MP in for the neighbouring constituency of Maidenhead, she added: ‘Where there are issues of people who are aggressively

begging on the streets then it's important that councils work with the police to deal with that aggressive begging.’

Murphy James, of the Windsor Homeless Project, claimed it was ‘totally unwarranted to bring the royal wedding into this.

‘This shouldn't be a situation that's hit the headlines because of a royal wedding.

This is a situation that should have hit the headlines because there's people sleeping in bus shelters.’

Mr Dudley is facing a motion of no confidence.

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at news@thefounder.co.uk

Layzell Appointed Surrey Deputy Lieutenant IFFAH AHMED DEPUTY NEWS EDITOR

Professor Paul Layzell, Principal of Royal Holloway, has been appointed Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey.

Professor Layzell officially took up the new role on December 21 and was appointed this title and honour by Her Majesty’s Lord-Lieutenant of Surrey, Mr Michael MoreMolyneux.

The Lord-Lieutenant role entails being the Queen’s personal representative in the nation where they hold responsibility for many factors. These include active participation in social, voluntary and civic ceremonies as well as working with local, community units of the Armed Forces.

Professor Layzell’s role of being Deputy Lieutenant is to support and encourage the Lieutenancy framework in the county of Surrey. Furthermore, Professor Layzell will also be a representative figure at local functions and ceremonies for the Lord-Lieutenant.

Speaking of his new position, Professor Layzell said: ‘I am honoured to take up the historic role of as a Deputy Lieutenant of Surrey. I am looking forward to working with the Lord-Lieutenant and Vice Lord Lieutenant and the Deputy Lieutenant team to inspire and support the people living and working in Surrey.

‘At Royal Holloway, our purpose is to advance knowledge to change our world and share that knowledge so we can make a sustained and meaningful contribution on campus and beyond. Working with the Lieutenancy in Surrey, we will be able to share this passion with the wider community.’

NEWS 5

Interested in Journalism?

The Founder is currently seeking staff for the 2018/19 academic year. We are looking for: Section Editors Sub Editors Designers and Editors-In-Chief Watch our Facebook page for more information regarding applications: https://www.facebook.com/ TheFounderNewspaper/

6 OPINION AND DEBATE

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at opinion@thefounder.co.uk

[ReaderResponse]

RHUL Responds

Matthew Brooke addresses library issues.

AMANDA HUDSON OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR

In November’s issue of The Founder, I published an article in the Opinion and Debate section outlining some of the flaws of the Emily Wilding Davison Building. After Christmas break, I was given the opportunity to meet with Acting Director of Library Services, Matthew Brooke, to address some of these issues and discuss what the team is doing to improve students’ experience in the new library.

One of the main criticisms from students last term was how there never seemed to be enough seating to accommodate for the overwhelming number of students that flooded the library each day, despite signs advertising 1,140 new study spaces. This made me curious as to what, exactly, this study space count included.

According to Matthew, ‘The study space figure we provided is a total seat count.’ This means that the advertised number includes the more ‘social’ seating such as sofas, cushioned ledges and chairs placed on the bridges. Although not everyone would include these in their definition of ‘study space’, Matthew expressed that these seats were included in the architecture of the building in order to

provide for alternative study preferences, whilst keeping the layout open and sophisticated — a move which he states is ‘a deliberate step up from Bedford’s seating arrangements.’

The seating on the terrace, Matthew confirmed, was not included in the total number of study spaces due to unpredictable weather and the fact that it’s not open at night. Overall, he asserted that the goal when planning seating arrangements within the library was to place emphasis on desk spaces but also prioritise quality and comfort.

When asked about plans to accommodate for overcrowding, Matthew’s response was promising: ‘We’ve ordered an extra 93 desks for silent study areas, plus 20 desks for group study areas and 36 extra soft seats, which we expect to be installed by the end of February.’

This isn’t just to appease the crowd, however. ‘It’s difficult to know by only looking at floor plans exactly how a space will be used,’ Matthew explained.

‘Most of these additions have come as a result of seeing the building in use last term, and realising that there are certain spaces — such as the middle bridges — that could be used more efficiently.’

In addition to extra seating in the library, the old student services area in Windsor Build-

ing has been furnished with 10 double sofas for group study, and they’ve ordered a number of soft stools to be added to this space later this term. To alleviate some of the pressure placed on Café on the Square, a permanent coffee stand has been added on the ground floor of Windsor.

‘Admittedly, some parts of the building were unfinished last term,’ Matthew said of the library. ‘So over Christmas, we worked hard to ensure that everything was finished in order to provide a better overall experience for students.’ In regards to non-space related improvements, they examined every single electrical socket and mended the broken ones, fixed the card swipe mechanism on printers, increased the number of bins in the building as well as updated the cleaning service to a more rigorous regime.

‘This building has certainly changed campus,’ Matthew stated in closing. ‘It is, in my opinion, the best building on campus. Our goal at Library Services is to provide the best experience possible for the students who attend Royal Holloway and use this library.’

Though the Davison Building is new and still working out its kinks, Library Services will continue to encourage feedback, and will work to develop the building.

Your Uni...................................

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

OPINION AND DEBATE 7

Email the editor at opinion@thefounder.co.uk

It's Just Business:

Continuing the Holloway Legacy.

ELENA ROSSI STUDENT WRITER

Over the past term, Royal Holloway has begun to prioritise the Emily Wilding Davison Building, almost to the extent that the new library seems to be in competition with the campus’s previous champion, Founder’s Building. However, this is not merely a foolish obsession with the shiny addition to campus, but in fact, a clever business strategy. Royal Holloway is a small university, and it needs to compete with larger institutions. Possessing a state-of-the-art building allows Holloway to start rivalling with bigger universities.

A frequent issue the university faces is the question of why Royal Holloway is not a Russell Group University. The infamous association has typically been promoted within secondary schools, ultimately leading students to believe that all other universities are inferior. With hindsight, it is evident that this is not the case. The only reason Royal Holloway is not within this elite is simply that of the number of students the university admits and its lack of a medical school. These things should hardly be criteria for

a ‘prestigious’ university. The Russell Group is only a name and the alleged research benefits mean nothing today. However, this is the type of challenge Holloway faces, and the fears of reduced admission are ever-present.

It is sad to think potential students simply do not consider the university because of an empty title we do not possess.

The size of our university does not belittle its significance. In my own experience, it enhances our time here. Whilst I am concerned that the university could lose its identity by investing in too many business ventures — such as the new electronic engineering degree — for Royal Holloway to maintain a high status, it needs to keep up with the higher education trends.

Founder’s building is no longer enough to encourage students to visit on applicant days. The increasing pressure of university rankings needs to be taken into consideration.

Nonetheless, it seems the university’s advertisers are taking inspiration from the institution’s founder, Thomas Holloway. Holloway is remembered for the two large institutions he built: Royal Holloway College and the Holloway Sanatorium.

These buildings represented Holloway’s wealth and success.

They were a business venture for him. By investing the profits from his dubious pharmaceutical business into these fine institutions, he became known as a philanthropist. This may have seemed to be a generous donation to the community, but he intended for them to prove his own status. Thomas was a selfmade millionaire and stated that his life showed ‘what small beginnings may lead to, by ability, perseverance, and industry’.

These buildings demonstrated his accomplishments.

In the same way Holloway used the College and Sanatorium to advertise his achievements, the university’s administration is using the Davison Building to display the worth of our institution. The university is not belittling Holloway’s history by trying to promote the newer buildings on campus.

Instead, they are echoing the business methods of Thomas Holloway and presenting their worth to compete with other institutions of higher education. We must build upon the legacy of the College. As Holloway proved, small beginnings can develop into larger ventures.

...........................Your Opinion

8 OPINION AND DEBATE

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at opinion@thefounder.co.uk

'Where Are You From?': A Defense LILIA VARGAS COSTELLO CO-EDITOR & DESIGNER

I am from Hackensack, New Jersey, U.S.A. My mother was born in Normal, Illinois, but I look more like my father, who is dark skinned, born in Cuernavaca, Mexico. These are facts you could never guess by looking at me. You would have to ask. But should you?

While ‘where are you from?’ is, on the surface, a highly innocuous question, controversy has arisen within recent years surrounding the question as it relates to people of color. Columnists and online commentators have suggested that oftentimes, ‘where are you from?’ is an insinuation that a person of color does not belong, and that the asker wishes to associate them

with the ‘foreign’, rather than accepting them as part of their community. They often cite personal experiences in which the asker is unsatisfied with ‘Brooklyn’ or ‘South Carolina’, asking again: ‘No, where are you from, originally’. These points resonate with me as a person of color myself. Here, however, I make an argument for guarded optimism.

Over several years of noting the question and considering it critically, I have found that it is most often posed by established or recent immigrants like myself. In this instance, I recognize the question as a means of connection as opposed to division. Confirming one’s roots elsewhere suggests to the asker a unique shared experience. When I have been asked the question

by a white person, even if they have phrased it badly, I do not believe they are suggesting I don’t belong in New Jersey. Instead, their follow up questions tell me that they are interested, and it is this sparked interest which opens the door for further conversation. It may be my egotistical tendencies, but I enjoy and take pride in answering the questions that often pop up about my family history and Mexican culture, especially considering the lack of general knowledge about Central America here in Britain.

Like many evolutionary biologists, Stephen Stearns of Yale University predicts that globalization alongside many other factors will eventually homogenize the human population. Brown skin and brown

eyes will become the global norm. At this point, ‘where are you from?’ as it relates to race will become irrelevant. Today, however, the world remains in that crucial period of globalization, where we must expose ourselves to that which is different in order to gain perspective. If we bar ourselves from asking questions, from learning, we risk prolonging the time until this ideal global future arrives. In the struggle to achieve racial equality, there must be time for people of color to fight, to distrust and to correct those in the wrong.

However, there must also be time for the optimistic point of view, if significant progress is to be made.

Even so, I stress the importance of respecting the privacy and boundaries of each indi-

vidual. It is important to not consider this article as a free pass to disregard opposing arguments. We must have these conversations, the existence and effects of micro-aggressions recognized and internalized by those who may commit them unintentionally.

It remains that I am from Hackensack, New Jersey, where, after hearing our answering machine recorded in two languages, our upstairs neighbor left us a note making it clear she did not want us speaking Spanish in her house. She didn’t care where I was from, she only knew she wanted me and my father back there. Ask someone where they are from and they may think your question is silly, irrelevant, maybe even insensitive.

But there are worse things.

Selfish Resolutions Seldom See Success AMANDA HUDSON OPINION AND DEBATE EDITOR

If you’re like most people, every year by mid-December you start thinking about the looming new year and the expectations surrounding resolutions. As is tradition, we list the things we most want to improve about ourselves and use the New Year as a catalyst to turn over a new leaf. With today’s multitasking society, it comes as no surprise that an overwhelming majority fail to follow through with the resolutions we were once so adamant on keeping.

According to a survey conducted by Statistic Brain, 80 percent of the people who make resolutions give up on them by February. It’s almost as if we expect a fairy godmother to appear at the

stroke of midnight and — in a most Cinderella-esque fashion — instantly transform us from the dregs of society the previous year has pulvarised us down to, into the radiant, green-tea-drinking human beings of our dreams. It is a fact of probability that this almost never happens.

Yet, if it’s such a hopeless cause, why do we continue to make a tradition out of taunting ourselves with these doomed-from-the-start habits each year? As it turns out, New Year’s resolutions have a long and fascinating history that is deeply embedded in our culture.

Sarah Pruitt, writer for the History Channel, reports that the first recording of resolutions dates back to around 4,000 years ago in Babylonia.

Each year, the Babylonians took part in a sacred ritual of

promising their pagan gods that they would pay off any debts they owed and return any objects they had borrowed. Similarly, the Romans promised good conduct and made sacrifices for Janus, ‘the two-faced god [whom they believed] symbolically looked backwards into the previous year and ahead into the future’, and whom is the namesake of the calendar’s first month.

Subsequently, early Christians used the first day of the new year to reflect on their mistakes and resolve to be better people in the future.

Why then, if we’ve had over 4,000 years of experience, have we not mastered the art of keeping our New Year’s resolutions? The crux of the issue lies in the reality that the practise of resolution-making has become, in our increasingly secular society, purely materi-

alistic and self-centred.

This isn’t to say that we must belong to a religion in order to keep our resolutions, or that we should give up on New Year’s resolutions altogether.

According to Statistic Brain, someone who makes a resolution is ten times more likely to achieve their goal than someone who doesn’t bother at all.

This suggests that it’s not our willpower that fails us, but rather, the goals themselves that cause difficulties.

A ComRes poll reports that the most popular New Year’s resolutions of 2015 included: exercise more, eat better, save money, find love and travel more. These all sound great on paper; but in reality, they’re more idealist wishes than attainable goals. Not to mention, these sweeping generalisations about where we think we should be in life usually

don’t come with step-by-step instructions on how to achieve them. Thus, we become intimidated by the prospect of following through because we don’t see the results we want quick enough.

When we make promises to no one in particular, instead of playing an active role in making those promises come to fruition, we expect them to simply happen like self-fulfilling prophecies. It’s because of this that we tend to lose motivation. After all, it’s far easier to make excuses to ourselves as to why we’re breaking a promise than it is to let someone else down. Perhaps, when making our New Year’s resolutions, we ought to shift the focus off of ourselves and direct our renewed sense of energy that the New Year brings towards ways we can positively impact the outside world.

70 Egham Hill

71 Egham Hill

Over the past four years, Danehurst has successfully delivered new, purpose built student accommodation for students at Royal Holloway University of London.

What a journey it has been for us!

Simply, we just wish to say a big thank you to all students who have stayed at The Pad over the years, and to those that are staying at The Pad and Podium this year. We have been and continue to be impressed with the way you have looked after your studios and bedrooms, but most of all, your consideration shown to your fellow students and the neighbours!

We wish you a fabulous year at Royal Holloway and your continued success!

www.danehurst.org

10 LIFESTYLE

8 1 ' n .

I t o h 8 s ' t 1 ha ide to w

Your gu

2018. The Year of self-care, a royal wedding and even more fashion trends that will send us hunting through our parents’ wardrobes. So, if you want to know what’s popular for the next 365 days, here are the trends that are here to stay. From 90’s fashion to rainbow food plates, this is your 18 in 18...

STUDENT WRITER | GEORGIA REEVES

FASHION 1. Berets and baker boy caps.

The latest marker of a chic dresser, hats have become FANCY. If you don’t have one try Topshop or H&M 2. Asymmetric skirts and dresses.

No, not the 2011 kind where your dress is unexplainably longer at the back. Think diagonal cut skirts, one shoulder tops, and dresses with uneven hems.

3. 90s minimal.

Try a satin slip dresses, an oversized white shirt, check print everything. (Hit Egham High Street now to get your pick of the best charity shop gems) 4. Daytime, casual glitter.

Because who doesn’t want to wear sparkles every day?

5. Teddy coats.

The closest thing you can get to wearing a duvet to your 9am, these furry coats are here to stay.

6. 60s florals.

Who doesn’t want to look like their nan’s curtains? For this trend, try pairing a large, bold floral blouse with a leather skirt, or clash it with a bright colour.

7. Lavender.

Pantone’s colour of 2018 is Ultra Violet, will we see a shift from millennial pink to millennial purple?

8. Statement earrings.

Yes, you can still get away with those Pat Butcher-esque earrings.

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk about healthy, glowing skin. Before your makeup start with a good skincare routine, and use an illuminating primer mixed into your foundation.

10. Inclusive beauty Following the example of Fenty Beauty in 2017, many brands will be looking ahead to this year by updating and extending their range of foundation and concealer shades.

11. Cream face products.

It’s all about that base. Cream blusher, bronzer and highlighter will make your beauty routine super simple this year.

WHAT'S ON

12. Times Up. You may have noticed the celebs wearing all black at the Golden Globes in support of this movement against sexual harassment. If you haven’t seen Oprah’s Cecil B. DeMille acceptance speech yet – do it now!

13. Royal Wedding.

Windsor, 19th May. Get your finest on and get yourself to the castle, Harry’s getting married! Treat yourself to some roasted chicken and cry over the last handsome prince becoming unavailable.

14. Reading Festival.

With no Glasto this year, for a staycation to remember, why not pop down the road to Reading Fest at the end of August.

WHERE TO GO

15. Seville, Spain.

Lonely Planet has voted this city as 2018’s top holiday destination. Need more convincing? Filming for Game of Thrones took place here!

WHAT TO EAT

16. Veganuary.

Whether for health, animal or environmental reasons, becoming Vegan is still fashionable – why not try it for this month?

17. Rainbow on a plate.

Try mixing up vegetables to create a palette on your plate.

Everyone loves a dinner that they can Instagram!

SKINCARE

18. Avo on toast.

Yes, everyone’s favourite green veg is sticking around for 2018. Try it smashed, with a little bit of chilli on some wholemeal toast.

9. Dewy skin.

With the rise of cult brands like Glossier, this year is

Photos via http://www2.hm.com/en_gb/productpage.0612866003. html, https://m.hng.io/catalog/product/cache, http://www.crustys. com/wp-content, https://cdn.shopify.com/s/files.

LIFESTYLE 11

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at lifestyle@thefounder.co.uk

A Flex In The Right Direction EMILY MAY WEBBER LIFESTYLE EDITOR

Do you know your shroomdogs from your jackfruit? If not, then prepare for the rise of the flexitarian diet, and why veggie alternatives are taking the supermarkets by storm.

For those who are new to this style of eating, the flexitarian diet is what it says on the tin. It is all about flexibility.

It is made up of plant-based foods yet doesn’t rule out meat products. For some, the diet is a move towards health in an attempt to cut down on large quantities of meat. For others, the commitment to total vegetarianism, or veganism, is sometimes quite daunting.

Therefore, the element of enjoying meat-free meals whilst not committing to a diet of green is a trend that looks like it is here to stay.

It is not only bloggers and health gurus who are tapping into this trend. New research has concluded that 91% of us are now adopting a diet, which is swapping the mince for mushrooms (The Mirror).

In a push to make this more convenient for the everyday,

supermarket giants like Sainsbury’s have extended their range of veggie options that go beyond broccoli and tofu.

Last month, I stopped to look at a few new products on the vegetarian scene. On closer inspection, what looked like meat in BBQ sauce was actually ‘Pulled Jackfruit’ that is meant to imitate pulled pork.

Despite the fruit name, it has a fairly neutral taste that pairs well with any sauce. With its stringy texture, it is fast becoming one of the most popular vegan options of 2018. At a snip of the price of pork, and with no saturated fat it looks set to make an appearance at your next summer BBQ. Other items include the Cumberland shroomdogs, butternut squash lasagne sheets and, somewhat controversially, cauliflower steaks. With all these cashing in at £3 and under, it is no wonder many on a budget are looking to have a meat-free Monday. Also, with vegetarian options no longer consisting of a plate of leaves, many of these products are becoming the main dish at the dinner table, instead of the substitute reserved for the veggie few.

So, with a diet that suits the student pocket, I spoke to a fellow Royal Hollowly student on her experience with a flexitarian diet. Alice Lanham, a third-year Drama student, has recently adopted the flexitarian way of life. She told me how, ‘my diet doesn’t mean I am a complicated eater when I’m out with friends or going to restaurants. It has simply encouraged me to think outside the box when it comes to meals. This way of living has allowed also keep my food costs low at university, while leading a healthy lifestyle. There is so much inspiration on blogs at the moment it has never been easier to eat ‘Earth-friendly.’

It seems that with no obligations to cut out meat products, the affordable nature of veggie options, and with supermarkets expanding the choice of option, the flexitarian diet is the way forward for 2018. So instead of just switching the lights off, why not switch the steak to a shroomdog? If you are struggling to keep to the New Year’s resolutions, a flexitarian diet that has no rules could be exactly what you need.

Photo via https://www.bbcgoodfood.com/flexitarian-diet.

Markle v. Middleton: Setting The Style Bar High HOLLY MEREDITH STUDENT WRITER

Since Prince Harry successfully popped the question last year, the nation is set to have a royal wedding - and along with it, a new style icon.

It is no longer all eyes on Kate, as Ms. Markle is not holding back in the style stakes.

With their bouncy brunette hair and classic tastes, it is no wonder the public is speculating over whether Meghan has ‘stolen’ Kate’s style. Following

Meghan’s Christmas debut at Sandringham, the fashion eyes spotted the similarity between her beige Sentaler coat and the one Kate sported during her 2016 Canadian tour.

With the same brand choice and style, it is likely Meghan is trying to tick all the right boxes with her new in-laws. Yet despite the style competition, it looks like Kate has taken Meghan under her wing. After all, she knows what its like marrying into the royals and thrown under the style spot-

light. With royal engagements set to be a regular fixture in Meghan’s diary, it looks like Kate has taught her a few fashion tips. The famous red dress Kate wore to meet the Chinese President, is something Kate is set to pass onto Meghan. The Duchess has shown how what she wears is not simply an outfit. Her choice of dress allows her to appreciate a country’s culture and is a nod in the right direction to establishing good relationships.

It is not just coats that they

share the same taste in, as both ladies are partial to hitting the high street when it comes to fashion. Last month, Kate was spotted in a plaid coat from Zara, and within minutes the item was sold out.

It is not only Kate who enjoys picking up a bargain, as the ‘Suits’ star has also been seen in some budget friendly ensembles. During the Invictus Games, she was seen wearing Everlane jeans and carrying their brown tote. Everlane are a company known to use fac-

tories with high ethical standards, proving her moral conscience as well as great fashion sense – it is no wonder the nation has fallen in love with her.

So while Kate has been our designer Duchess for the last few years, is it time to make way for Meghan? While I like to think Meghan and Kate share each other’s wardrobes, it is clear they both just have a similar classic taste. So with the royal wedding set for May, it’s time to dig out our hats and see what styles are in store.

12 FEATURES

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at features@thefounder.co.uk

Putting Royal in Royal Holloway In this Hidden Histories, I am going to be looking at three lesser known royal events that took place at Royal Holloway. Overall, the university has had at least 15 visits from royalty, including visits from chancellors.

The sheer number of royal visits makes these stories hidden within Holloway’s history. STUDENT WRITER | ELENA ROSSI

The Jubilee Tree Planting In 1937, Queen Mary was invited to celebrate the college’s fiftieth anniversary. The visit had been delayed as a sign of respect following the death of King George V and the abdication of King Edward VIII. To mark the milestone for the university, the queen was asked to plant an oak tree in the north lawns.

Egham was so proud of the royal visit that the Savoy Cinema bought the film of Queen Mary’s visit, which they showed multiple times following the event. Although the tree planting ceremony was intended to produce a long-lasting symbol of Mary’s visit and the jubilee, the tree did not survive. What was meant to be a commemorative occasion has become buried beneath the university’s history.

However, Mary left a gift for the university that marks this occasion. The principle, Janet Ruth Bacon, sent a letter to the Queen’s private secretary thanking Mary for visiting and for ‘the beautiful History of Buckingham Palace which she… so generously sent…as a souvenir of her visit’. The book remains in Royal Holloway’s library today and is still, as Miss Bacon declared, ‘one of the library’s greatest treasures’.

The Powell Gates Princess Alice, Countess of Athlone, opened the Powell Gates, donated by History lecturer Miss Isabel Powell, in 1958. You may be asking yourself: where are these grand gates that required a member of the royal family to open them? They are the gates that stand under the North Tower of Founder’s Building. Today we take them for granted, but their production was an important donation to the university. Princess Alice declared she was ‘proud and happy to have the task of opening the wrought iron gates’. Moreover, she emphasised that the ‘historic connection [of the gates] would surely have pleased Miss Powell’. As it was her only request in her benefaction, Miss Powell evidently felt extremely connected to the university and wanted to ensure the safety of its students. Whilst this may seem like a minor event, it was considered significant enough to have a member of the royal family open the gates. A commemorative plaque in the entrance of the gate marks the event.

The Queen Mother Meets Colossus As part of her role as chancellor of the university, the Queen Mother visited the campus in November 1970. A very special guest was awaiting her on arrival: Colossus the Bear. Colossus was a seven-foot-tall stuffed grizzly bear that had been Holloway’s mascot since 1950. The Queen Mother was very lucky, as she met him as he gained his shiny new teeth. She looked extremely impressed with his dentures. Alas, the original Colossus was kidnapped by Imperial college in 1991 and his remains were discovered two years later, burnt by an animal rights protester. If the Students’ Union had paid the ransom, then this buddle of fur who charmed the Queen Mother may still be with us today. However, the college is creating a new Colossus from one of the trees that had to be cut down during the creation of the Davison Building.

It will stand in the forest behind Founders Building and hopefully he will bring joy to many, like his predecessor.

[TOP] The Queen plants a young oak on the north lawns.

[BOTTOM] The Queen is greeted by currently deceased Holloway mascot: Colossus. Photos via royalholloway. ac.uk.com

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at features@thefounder.co.uk

FEATURES 13

[Editor's Opinion]

Let's Talk About New Year LAREN TAYYIP FEATURES EDITOR

What are you looking forward to in the New Year? In an ideal world, how do you want 2018 to look? Feeling worried? Excited? Maybe you can’t wait to get started and leave 2017 behind.

Maybe it just wasn’t the year for you. Never mind, it’s in the past now. Time to wave goodbye. Pretend it never happened. This may be the next new and exciting chapter in your life.

Some of you may be graduating, others may be going abroad on their placement years. Maybe you have wonderful things to look forward to, like 21st birthday celebrations, summer holidays and exciting new jobs. You probably spent a long time thinking through your New Year resolutions, convincing yourselves that this year you will stick to them. Maybe you made your New Year resolutions on the night of New Year’s Eve, a glass of wine in one hand and cheese and crackers in the other.

You probably started sharing all of your ambitions for the New Year with your friends. It probably all went a little like this: ‘I promise to clean up after myself in the house, I will prepare for all seminars and lectures, I will resist online shopping, I will be kinder, and I will most definitely save the planet.’ You know it’s the end of the year when you start asking yourself questions like: What have I done right? What have I done wrong? And how will I do things differently? Some of you may have life changing resolutions for the New Year, while some of you may choose smaller hurdles to conquer.

Or, some of you may think you are so perfect that you can’t think of any New Year resolutions at all. To help you during this stressful process, here are some New Year resolutions we can all make together: To not invest in something just because a celebrity has bought or worn it: ‘Omg

Gigi and Kendall absolutely rocked those outfits in the Victoria Secret Fashion Show, I’m going to save up for it so that I can look just like them.’ Considering that they are supermodels, you probably won’t look like them even if you wore the same clothes, or in this instance, underwear. Your money is better off spent elsewhere, remember, you promised yourself not to spend money online shopping.

To not get unnecessarily angry at your partner: Instead of feeling your blood boil and not being able to help yourself, but to shout abuse at your partner for forgetting to take out the bins on Tuesday, take a deep breath and calm down. As frustrating as it may be that no one seems to listen to you, remember the reasons why you are with them and that after all, they are human too. Or maybe consider anger management classes if all else fails.

If you don’t have anything nice to say, then don’t say anything at all: We don’t always get on with everyone we meet. This can’t be helped, it’s a way of life.

Sometimes we can’t even stand our close friends from time to time. What we can help however, are the types of comments which we say to people. Yes, okay you may be right about how ugly her outfit is or how rude she was to your boyfriend, but these opinions can be kept a secret, after all, you wouldn’t want someone ruining your day with an unnecessary comment, even if they did deserve it.

To smile more in public: I don’t know about you but I constantly look angry. When I look around in the library or when I pass people in public, everyone looks miserable. It’s not until you start to have a conversation with someone until you realise they aren’t as angry as they look. Smiling never hurt nobody, give it a go! One smile could brighten up someone’s day.

So, if you want a few ideas, gives these a go! After all, 2018 is for new beginnings. Happy New Year and good luck with your resolutions, may you stick to them like you’ve never done before.

14 ARTS

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at arts@thefounder.co.uk

Basquiat Boom for Real At The Barbican

Exhibition samples a small piece of Basquiat's rich history.

Photo via https://www.gagosian.com.

ANNA LUCCHINETTI STUDENT WRITER

London, 2018 – An exhibition of Jean Michele Basquiat’s work is currently showing at the Barbican. Basquiat was born in Brooklyn in 1960 and, while he died at the age of twentyseven, he is remembered for his revolutionary way of conceiving art. In this exhibition, each room explores a theme linked

to the artist’s career; starting from the creation of the logo SAMO that started appearing on the New York City’s walls at the beginning of the 1980s, the exhibition continues exploring the people and the places that influenced Basquiat’s young mind.

The curators, Dieter Buchhart and Eleanor Nairne, recreate the cultural wave that was affecting New York City during a time of enormous cultural growth. Through photographs and videos, the exhibition shows where influential figures of the time frequently met to spend the nights together. As part of the show, there is a ninetyminute film directed by the notorious photographer Edo Bertoglio where Basquiat plays the main protagonist.

The film, Downtown 81, aims to help the audience to get an insight of the way of living in the downtown dur-

ing the 80s and to further explore its culture and influence on its contemporary artists.

The exhibition displays works of art created during Basquiat’s collaboration with Andy Warhol. After the two of them were encouraged to work together by the art dealer and collector Bruno Bischofberger, they started a long and fruitful collaboration. Basquiat Boom for Real also displays a wide collection of Basquiat’s self-portraits. These works are particularly ironic and selfconscious as the artist liked to make jokes on the way the art world used to perceive him and his idenity’s reduction to merely his biography. When Basquiat painted himself, he did not paint what he saw in the mirror, but rather the way he thought people perceived him and the way the art market was presenting him like.

In the last section of the exhibition, the curators collected

paintings and objects which prove that Basquiat used his passions as a source to get inspiration for his paintings.

For example, the room Bebop exhibits numerous paintings about jazz music and iconic figure of the field that Basquiat admired; one of them is Charlie Parker, a famous black musician who was the founder of the ‘bebop’ movement. In addition to music, Basquiat was very passionate about history of art. While growing, his mum took him to many art galleries and with the passing of the years he became an avid exhibition-goer. In Basquiat’s art, his knowledge of art history is used to propose revisited versions of notorious paintings made by artists like Leonardo da Vinci, Picasso, Éduard Manet, Marcel Duchamp and Henri Matisse.

Basquiat used to paint whatever he read or saw. Particularly, he was obsessed with the

use and perception of symbols and he enjoyed painting images he would see in the TV. Even though Basquiat Boom for Real is successful in making the audience analysing the artist’s way of thinking and his socio-political background, it omits some important elements of his life. Indeed, the exhibition does not reveal the dark side of Basquiat’s life: he frequently assumed drugs and he died because of a heroin overdose. Even though, this fact might not be the first thing the audience wants to hear about an artist, I think it is important to consider also the worst factors of an artist’s life as, in most cases, they are the ones that majorly influence their art. Nevertheless, Basquiat Boom for Real is worth a visit, but be aware that there is much more history behind what is displayed. Maybe that could be a good way to start further research.

Rachel Whiteread At The Tate – Our World Reflected SUZANNAH BALL ARTS EDITOR

Rachel Whiteread is a sharp and original artist. Her new exhibition at the Tate Britain demonstrates her creation of a new landscape where there was previously just open space, walking through her world of casting brings new perspective to the normality of the domestic life.

Whiteread has lived in worked in London for the majority of her life. Born in 1963, she studied painting at Brighton Polytechnic, and sculpture

at the Slade School of Art in London. Her sculptures are made using various casting techniques, including the use of plaster, rubber, resin, concrete and metals. She was the first woman to win the Tate’s Turner Prize in 1993.

Her casting varies from the simple water bottle to an entire house, even the vastness of her sculptures can be felt even through the tiny glinting stools which are lined up in the massive halls of the Tate. The exhibition offers an insight into Whiteread’s casting career,

from the intimate to colossal, the room has a huge range of pieces documenting her selfproclaimed ‘shy sculptures’ alongside massive casts of entire staircases; Whiteread purchased a soon-to-be demolished house in London’s East End before removing it of all parts and pouring concrete down its chimneys. Through this enthusiasm for casting she creates a new acknowledgement for negative space, the objects which we take for granted as necessary become the very things which are indeed missing, the limits of her

art know no bounds.

Walking into the exhibition produces an immediate appreciation for the ingenious artwork of Whiteread.

The room, although initially clinically white and void, becomes filled with creation as you make your way around the various shapes which take up the space. While some pieces are obvious as to what their mould is, others are far more inexplicable and I became rather proud of myself for working out their origin.

Whiteread’s ability to transform normal household ob-

jects into an item of complete and utter intrigue is phenomenal. While many mattresses were placed around the room each bared no resemblance to the former, there was no shared likeness and their surfaces betrayed no similarity.

Each was perfectly original and held ground as a piece of art on its own. Whiteread eloquently, and with no small effort, creates an absence of space where there remains an abundance of air.

Rachel Whiteread is at Tate Britain, London, until 21 January.

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at arts@thefounder.co.uk

ARTS 15

[Review]

On Re-Entering The Twilight Zone Anne Washburn successfuly adapts CBS television show.

SUZANNAH BALL ARTS EDITOR

Anne Washburn’s adaptation of The Twilight Zone, directed by Richard Jones, is based upon the CBS television series of the same name, and is the first production to be made in affiliation with CBS. It includes witty re-enactments of the eight traditional broadcasts in a weird and colourful (though not literally as the set remained monochrome throughout) assembly which

'A

n elegant balance between comedy and intrigue.' provided the audience with an elegant balance between comedy and intrigue.

The show begins in a diner as the main cast are grouped together in an introductory skit which surrounds the existence of a camouflaged alien.

The actors are charming in their interactions and take on their multiple parts with obvious confidence and capability.

Rather than simply acting, the cast it utilised throughout the play as they vigorously execute the repeated transformation of set. Cardboard cut-outs, which display otherworldly and uncanny images and caused ripples of laughter from the audience as they were spun to mimic rather lo-fi optical illusions, allow the production

to maintain the presence of its mid-20th century origin.

A horrifying plastic surgery takes place, a little girl is lost in another dimension, another girl is found to not be real, there are a number of astronauts who both do and do not exist and a group of suburban families argue over who gets to stay in a neighbour’s bunker as America is at the edge of extinction. All hell ensues.

Racial accusations are thrown, what counts as the real American dream is discussed and a politically relevant claim regarding a foreigner’s stealing of jobs was also included, there is a mirror placed between the cold war and Trump’s America. Jones and Washburn have managed to create a psychological thriller whilst simultaneously demonstrating an understanding of present issues.

Being a student I had only heard of, rather than seen, the original show. I was therefore left somewhat lost when obvious references were made to the more serious television production. However, this was only a fault of my own, and when the characters repeatedly found themselves unbeknownst with cigarettes in their hands, and bras, and behind their necks, it was easy to infer its relation to the original; Rod Serling’s recognisable summary of each episode is captured by each actor in turn.

The play’s insistence on including the traditional overview at the end of each mini-segment.

The Twilight Zone is playing at the Almeida Theatre, London, until the 27th of Jan- Photos courtesy of Marc Brenner. The show closes tomorrow after a successful run at the Almeida Theatre. uary.

16 18 ARTS ARTS: FILM

THE FOUNDER January 26, THE FOUNDER November 30, 2018 2017

Email Email the the editor editor at at arts@thefounder.co.uk film@thefounder.co.uk

In Defence of Harry and the Cursed Child [FilmOpEd] The Potter Hollywood Witchhunt EMILYSALVADORI MARKHAM JACK STUDENT WRITER FILM EDITOR

You must have heard of it.

According to Karlhouses Marx,a Your shelf probably ‘History repeats itself twice, firstof book from its first print run as tragedy, as farce’ The 4.5 millionsecond copies.

You .most innumerable, post-dated acculikely want tickets or, if you’re sations & confessions triggered really lucky, already have some. by the infamous Weinstein-gate And, if you’re a long-term are quickly leading to a film fan, inyou’re aware of the dustry probably where it is impossible criticisms. to distinguish paranoia from ‘The book is only a of script, hypocrisy, the distortion the not a real story’ , you might hear. past from the repugnance of ‘It into the wizarding thedoesn’t present.fitHollywood has fully embraced thesewritten posthumous world. ’ ‘It wasn’t

by JK trials to the celebrities’ morality Rowling herself - it’s nothing and behaviors, when’ they are more than fanfiction. off There’s the silvertruth screen. numin The this: the ber of assertions increases, as script is a limited experience well as the exclamation marks compared to the novel’s details following each accusation, as or the films’ visual effects. Not if to upsurge the sense of belong after starting the book, wilderment and astonishment itamong becomes obvious Jack an apparentlythat obliviThorne’s writingIt style is quite ous audience. seems that different to Rowling’s.

The plot the charming, doomed dream too is lacking, its script-form factory of Hollywood, with its somehow coherently depraved

doing little to hide plot representatives, has thedisapholes and inconsistencies pointed the audience, again. with the books’ universe.

Almost a century ago, in 1921, Hollywood faced outright its first, maMany fans rejor scandal: Roscoe “Fatty” Arject the Cursed Child. It buckle, always the wasn’t who written by played Rowling, silly-Billy simpleton in dozens it doesn’t read like Rowling ofand comedies, raped doesn’t a youngbeacit therefore tress - causing her death. For long within Rowling’s world. the first time, the audience was As my copy arrivedthat in shocked at the realization its cardboard sleeve, I comtheir idols were not like the jolly pared its first scene to The the characters they portrayed. epilogue in thetheDeathly trust was betrayed, dreamHallows.

I wastowards aware that ful admiration theseI couldn’t form my own opinsuddenly-stranger individuals was and iontorn untilapart, I came outthe thespectaother tors’ belief revealed to sideinnocent of the day-long endeavbeour a mere illusion.tickets The magic to purchase and was there anymore.

Thus, the not year-long wait to actua ally hundred years later, did we watch it. Now, however, forget thetoHollywoodian imit’s clear me that the critimorality already? How could cisms are missing something contemporary audience expect crucial: the play’s purpose. and demand the most normalWhen you look through ized, slickly sweet behaviour in the unequivocally first pages of desecrated the prothis gramme, you’ll notice a world today, frivolous by definition?

quick of against the series Thesummary allegations iland a small glossary, so of poor lustrious representatives the industry such as Spacey, old grandad canKevin familiarise Dustin with Hoffman Louis himself what a and ‘muggle’ is C.K. swell day by day, pushing again. As you watch the play, the superstars towards you’ll realise it does not their add “Sunset Boulevard”: accurate any major new characters or stories which seemInstead, to have plot development. it come out from a melodramatic returns to familiar locations, screenwriter’s pen in the 1950s. exploring themes Nauseating familiar descriptions of with familiar characters.toThe the stars who attempted sereason for this is simple.

The duce young, innocent victims Cursed Child isonly a story rewho, however, todaytohave visit Harry’s world a decade found the courage to offer their after his final was pubvicissitudes to book the hungry appetite of thetime, progressive goodlished.

This however, we thinking movement.

Mirroring return to a totally new form of the fear of a hunted animal with storytelling – the stage. noHarry escape, Potter the accused and icons the ultimate, desperate attempt to Cursed Child is a nod to the save their reputation and career fans who still crave more from is only to release humiliating, the wizarding world. It is not a miserable and unrealistic statesequel RowlingObviously, has made ments –ofJKapology. ittheclear that Harry’s story has post-dated scandals induce finished – but aofstage play a cynic suspect hypocrisy that encompasses its seven and exploitation for the alleged victims, but everyone can make

predecessors.

On stage, Jack their own opinion regarding Thorne’s style fades away and the coincidental convenience andRowling’s perfect timings of such reit’s characters who ports. the limelight. The efinhabit notsopossible, or correct, fectsIt isare seamless that I to ignore, but it is necessary to thought there was real magic react against neopuritan before my eyesthe (until one of mincer, and to reflect upon the crew made a split-second each case individually withmistake and I realised how it out prejudices. Those who rub was thethefivetheirdone). hands During at hearing alhour run time, audience leged private vicesthe of their idols, is transported fromenvy, the Hogwho they intimately enjoy warts Express,of to the Forbidthe spectacle watching them den Forest, to the Ministry of reduced at their same rank: no Magic and but to Godric’s more stars commonHollow. human beings, noblemen stripped It’s a playlike about acknowledging off past fromand their titles and conthe moving forward. ducted thefinal gallows front It’s abouttothe pushinHarry of a mass of angry plebeians. needs to be a father free from It isweight not ouroftask to express abthe memory, and the stract, moral judgements, but push his son, Albus, needs toit seems to be back to McCarthylearn that he can tread a sepaism and the witch-hunts of that rate to his family ahistory. time,path where a gossip, rumor JK Rowling not give – or a ‘tweet’ – did is enough to the story to Jack Thorne bedisintegrate a respected career. cause she disapproved of the its It is difficult to foresee how abnormal wave of scoops will

existence, because sheown acprogress, but which, for its paradoxical nature, exknowledged it wouldcould require tend like an oil stain and specific experience of bang the on theand frontpossibilities page other of ‘monlimits the sters’ .

Yet, as usual, we can seek stage. With enough knowlan answer in History:world, the Aredge of the wizarding it buckle scandal led to the estabis possible to smooth over the lishment of the dishonourable plot holes using details that Production Code, enduring a would too clunkycensorship to fit into long, be self-purifier spoken dialogue (if you aiming get the audience care, trust you fans’ narrative back.could An read aggressive censorreconstructions play ship to convince of the the everyday that exactly mando that, after this). all, the virtuous The Cursed Child creates Hollywood is an example of and it does belong amorality, new Hogwarts, onenot updated to a its different planet. Are the for twenty-first-century ridiculously extreme students with a newmeasures school undertaken the production crest and anby entirely different companies to punish the sinsoundtrack.

It is free from the ners (such as reshooting all the darkness that the generation scenes with Kevin Spacey from before lived under and it’s oba completed movie) the identivious that won’t change anycal, cathartic manoeuvres emtime soon.

The story is over ployed last time?

It seems the but Cursed shows casethe to say, ‘After Child all, tomorrow that sometimes it isthe valuable is another day’; yet, allegato return. tions will not be gone with the wind.

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at film@thefounder.co.uk

ARTS: FILM 17

[Review]

Last Jedi Frustrates Die Hard Fans JAMES BENDKOWSKI STUDENT WRITER

As the crisp 3am December air hit my face, I could not help but allow a boyish grin to spread across my face. Little did I know that only 3 hours later, that grin would have turned into confusion and disappointment.

Of course, I was going to watch the 8th instalment of a franchise I’ve had a lifelong and cult-like devotion to: Star Wars.

To say ‘Episode VIII: The Last Jedi’ was ‘highly anticipated’ would be an understatement: following the mixed reception ‘The Force Awakens’ received, this was the film that would have defined this new trilogy. Has Disney been respectful of one of the world’s most highly-regarded franchises or is this conglomerates approach to filmmaking something that was going to mar the recognition Star Wars globally receives on a Prequelslevel scale? Unfortunately I’d hazard to sway towards the latter. On my first viewing of ‘The Last Jedi’ I found myself in a state of mild frustration for a number of reasons that most likely could be acquitted to the studio behind the production of it as well as the current ‘blockbuster’ cinematic climate. ‘Episode 8’ demonstrates some of the cheapest comedy aspects that a Star Wars film has ever seen. To top this off, it would appear that the production methods that were employed in ‘The Force Awakens’, which paid homage to the traditional techniques of the original 1970’s trilogy, have disappeared.

The complex modelling

and puppetry has been replaced with CGI that seems to still demonstrate an element of the uncanny valley that plagued the prequels. It would appear that someone at the Disney editing suites forgot to lock the door, because one would think that George Lucas must have snuck in and ‘remastered’ the edit before release - his trademark slapstick comedy CGI creatures seem to haunt scenes as nothing but a cringy reminder of the past.

Whilst some may find these creations light-hearted, many have argued that they are not conducive to the narrative, and in fact devalue it; when the intensity of a scene is suddenly broken to get the cheapest of childish chuckles, compromising the entire captivation of the audience.

On top of these CGI monstrosities, there was the dialogue and narrative itself that at times had avid Star Wars fans feeling irritated. Take for instance the matching scene that we end ‘Episode 7’ with: Rey finally meeting the legendary Luke Skywalker after years of his absence, and offering him his iconic lightsaber hilt. As we re-join this scene in ‘Episode 8’, the poignancy of this offering is revealed to be nothing more than a 2-year set-up to a rather unsatisfactory punch line, as Skywalker takes the saber only to discard it over his shoulder in a comic fashion: a slap in the face to Star Wars enthusiastic, the fans’ trust and devotion was completely thrown away, much like the lightsaber.

The moving combination of Williams’ stunning musical outro to ‘Episode 7’ and the emotionality of Star

Wars fans witnessing the return of Mark Hamill as Luke Skywalker to our screens for the first time in 40 years, is turned into nothing but a joke as we resume ‘Episode 8’. A “Marvel-esque” meme which perfectly encapsulates Disney’s approach to the franchise; Han Solo was a comic character, yes, but this comedy defined his complex personality and his tonguein-cheek take on situations became one of his distinctive trademarks. When almost every main character in ‘Episode 8’ is laced with the same approach it does nothing but change the unique juxtaposition that this light-hearted jokiness provided when existing to conflict with the seriousness of the situations the protagonists found themselves in. Ultimately this resulted in every main character in ‘Ep.8’ having very two-dimensional personalities; there is no longer a witty comic relief character when everyone in the film is making wisecracks. Yet, this Marvel model of production has already proven successful and is being mimicked all over mainstream Hollywood franchises, compromised by the interspersed one-liners whose self-aware novelty has long worn off.

As Ben Shapiro put it, ‘characters would deviate from common sense in order to set up a joke.’ The Last Jedi tries so desperately to forge a new take on the franchise, and in doing so it tears everything that made it so iconic. It works so hard to appeal to a new demographic that it neglects the long-term fans, resulting in a major disappointment for all ages.

Photos via https://lumiere-a.akamaihd.net and https://ourprocess.files. wordpress.com.

18 ARTS: FILM

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at film@thefounder.co.uk

Black Mirror: A New Realism?

LAUREN JOHNSON STUDENT WRITER

I would like to start this article prefacing that this review may seem, at best, a mosaic of ideas, which may not seem altogether cognitive. However, following the fragmented nature of ‘Black Mirror’, I thought it would be best to keep you guessing with each word, sentence and paragraph, in a disjointed mirror-like format, constantly questioning whilst receiving a view point.

The visual spectacle of each new episode remains loyal to ‘Black Mirror’s classic theme, with its shocking

twists and turns of the narrative. As the fourth season breaks the internet, we enter unto new worlds of technological upheaval, questioning our morality, purposes, and mostly pushing human limits.

These philosophical, anthropological questions demand answers: why do we love?

Why do we memorize? Why do we exist? Or at least, what is the meaning behind these questions, and what do we hope to find? Are we the creator and the destructor, and are we lost unto ourselves? With the dawn of technological advancement, it seems like we finally begin to see ourselves as Gods. As we lose ourselves

in its filmic representations of the horrors of our conquests and achievements, our carnal desires and our downfalls, ‘Black Mirror’ shows our deepest wants manifesting as an endless cycle of technological nightmares: giving with one metaphorical hand and taking with the other one. The long awaited and anticipated season has truly lived up to its previous glory and title.

We can see tremendous filming technique, visionary tales and exemplary acting, effectively pulling on our heart strings. If we are now, as an audience, meant to perceive ourselves as witness to these horrors, we are accepting

that the aesthetic of violence is more than a fictional ideal.

‘Black Mirror’ employs this violence as a fictional device.

With the release of the longest season to date, the viewer is finally given more of an insight into the dystopic world of ‘Black Mirror’. In fact, unlike the previous seasons, it crosses the American borders, shifting its focus to the US without a justifiable buildup. This progression not only broadens narrative capabilities, but it also shows how the technological span is more advanced than the expected: a singular, restricted experience, can become an international problem. I would sug-

gest that ‘Black Mirror’ is the first in a new genre and a new take on “realist ideologies”. We are witnessing the issues of technology, after so many real disorders derived from the inappropriate and excessive use of Social Media, dating sites, and even the Dark Web. The idea of nihilism and creating a world filled with visual and acknowledged layers, might almost add a layer, the technological one, to Plato’s philosophy and his seven layers of reality. Moreover, and I would say, finally, ‘Black Mirror’ has attempted its first feature length project, titled ‘USS Callister’, which innovatively opens the fourth season.

Woody's Wonder Wheel: A Review JACK SALVADORI FILM EDITOR

It is now routine that when Woody Allen releases a new movie, he is already working on another one, committed to enrich his long filmography with a one-film-per-year policy. Considered as a reassurance for his fans, it is also a point of attack for some critics, who persist in judging his movies as “too similar to each other”, encouraging the director to carefully produce more sporadic and dedicated works.

Yet, negatively comparing his latest movies to his timeless masterpieces is certainly an error. Each film stands on its own, and even if Irrational Man (2015) and Café Society (2016) were not as innovative and ground-breaking as Manhattan (1979), they were still among the most interesting

and worth watching films of their season: a Woody Allen film must be seen regardless of the critical feedback.

The New Yorker director’s latest enterprise, Wonder Wheel (2017), is no exception.

There is no doubt in Allen’s unique mastery in minutely reconstructing past eras, travelling back in time by impeccably recreating the perfect atmosphere. This year, the eighty-two-year-old filmmaker brings us to iconic 1950s’ Coney Island, which, with its bright colours, carousels and accordion music, creates the stage for his characters’ intimate vicissitudes. An oppressive scenario which recalls the scenes of a stage play, convoluted into moral and material dilemmas expressed through the pessimistic and gloomy monologues of the protagonists: a quintet of poor souls

from the ‘50s, which seems immediately schematic and banal as they are closer to theatrical masks than cinematographic figures. They are preestablished characters, which cannot change or develop throughout the film, and are already well-known before they enter the scene. Thus, the failed actress remains the frustrated waitress, the vulgar husband keeps being a drunkard, the handsome lifeguard the insecure, aspiring writer with a superficial affection for poetry, and the mobsters, well, just mobsters, with their waxed hair and stereotypical guns. In other words, no one rises from the well-crafted pages of the script to transform the painful skirmishes of life into a universal perception of its tragic limitation. The breathtaking performances of the cast, particularly an im-

peccable Kate Winslet and a “resurrected” Jim Belushi, are essential to the film’s emotional strength as its narrative relies completely on the actors.

In the vast majority of Allen’s movies, there is a character who is meant to represent the author himself; on this occasion, Justin Timberlake is entrusted with this legacy, casted as the romantic writer framed into an unpleasant love triangle, delivering however a flat and unrealistic performance which does not match the highly dramatic ones of his co-stars. Yet, the most remarkable quality of Wonder Wheel is the overwhelming cinematography by the master Vittorio Storaro, who exploits Coney Island’s vivid colours to match the protagonists’ feelings and psychological framework. Each frame is a painting, stored in a picture gallery,

nicely wrapping up the film as a candy. Cinematography aside, it is true that, this time, Allen grants very few occasions to cheer up the audience.

The only classical, ‘Allenian’ humoristic element is the pyromaniac kid, who randomly sets up fires throughout the whole film. Just as a ferris wheel, Woody Allen never stops his cycle, continuing undeterred to juggle between humor and romance, chaos and drama, life and fiction, never losing his substantial nostalgic vein which has always distinguished his works, and made him one of the most addictive, idiosyncratic and sentimental cinematic figures of all time. For his aficionados, there is nothing else to do, if not to impatiently wait for his next work, already in post-production, A Rainy Day in New York (2018).

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at music@thefounder.co.uk

[Column]

Please Don't Follow Me

On Apple Music's new follow feature.

ELE WALTON MUSIC EDITOR

There are a lot of ways to stalk your friends online. I was once tracked to a party in Egham by my housemate using snap maps. Snap maps will tell you if someone is travelling, how they are travelling and even if they’re listening to music. It’s kind of eerie. But at least they can’t see what you’re listening to.

Now with the advent of Apple Music making it possible for you to follow your want to shout about, maybe an artist or two who you feel proud of knowing about before anyone else, but everyone has their auditory Achilles heel. So, imagine the stress of anyone being able to see everything you’ve been listening too. Every guilty pleasure, every teary song, every ‘gym hype’ playlist.

I don’t want people knowing that I’ve got a Pitbull song in my library or that I got hooked on Big Mountains ‘Baby I Love Your Way’ and played it on repeat last week Of course, it’s cool to see friends I have a whole new what other people are listenthing to be stressed about.

Music is a very personal ing to and enjoying, or what thing. It’s something people kind of playlists they might get obsessive about. Some- curate, but I’d be happier thing that people get a little with some kind of private aggro about. Certain artists mode. Let me enjoy Fleetor albums can open a debate wood Mac’s ‘Albatross’ in as big as pineapple on pizza peace without people won(I’m pro-pineapple if you dering why I’m listening to were curious). Sure, enough the Marks and Spencers Ad there's some music you feel music ten times a day.

'I don't

want people knowing I've got a Pitbull song in my library.'

ARTS: MUSIC 19

[Review]

KIMBRA

CHARLIE HILL STUDENT WRITER

You know when you’ve only seen an artist in photos and maybe music videos, but you still form a vivid mental image of what they look like, act like, are like, and that informs your understanding of their music? I had that for Kimbra.

If you know her, it’s most likely as the woman who sings the second verse on Gotye’s Somebody That I Used to Know. Despite the poppy charm of her music, this is the closest she has come to mainstream appeal. I knew her for her first album, and most intensely for the video to her song Settle Down. This song straddled the old and new with her smoky rasp and clean Minnie Ripperton falsetto wrapped up in a big band sound that had been sampled and reconstituted with a modern edge. And the artist herself seemed to represent that mix of old and new with her bob and her sundress. She looked timeless; a popstar perfectly in tune with the history of her genre. What’s more, she and her band could play it all live, no backing tracks, no overdubs. In live videos on Youtube I saw them improvise and toy with the elements of the songs so that each performance was its own unique instance of creation. She became for me a symbol of what Pop could be if the consideration was on the appeal of the music not a kind of addictive, inescapable repetition.

Of course, that image wasn’t the real person - nowhere near it. And even if I knew her personally, how much would that really inform my understanding of her creative process?

It’s always going to be a los-

Photo via https://vignette.wikia.nocookie.net/kimbra.

ing battle trying to square the person up to the product or the performance. But still, it was a shock. That edge of musical history had been totally erased. That big band sound had shrunk to a Kaoss Pad, a drum machine and a bunch of keyboards.

That’s not to say I wasn’t amazed at times. She is still a phenomenal singer and performer, and she had fully incorporated that electronic edge into her sound. She stood at the front of the stage in a rig of vocal effects that looked like it could drive a spaceship.

As she sang she processed her voice in real time, adding harmonies and stretching out delays into oscillated soundscapes that went perfectly with the vaporwave projections of polka-dot fighter jets and floating heads behind her.

She would spasm as the effects distorted her sound, her hands clutching at the dials and buttons as if distorting her voice was electrifying. There was

a lot of Imogen Heap, Bjork, and Eurythmics to her new sound and there was definitely something interesting and danceable going on. It just wasn’t what I was expecting at all. She had become an entirely different artist, even reconfiguring her older material to fit this new sound. She had become... Somebody That I Used to Know.

And that isn’t a bad thing.

We can’t expect artists to stagnate, to keep wheeling out the same hits every time we see them like a cover band of themselves. The new music she was producing felt very current.

It fit alongside upcoming acts like Shura or Nao (although the one thing they get right that Kimbra missed is having live drums to drive home all of that fuzz and glitches). I guess I’m just sad that I never got to see her when she was at that moment in her career, but perhaps what I think I missed out on is something that never existed in the first place.

20 ARTS: MUSIC

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at music@thefounder.co.uk

[Playlist] Year In Review The jury's out on 2017.

ELE WALTON MUSIC EDITOR

New year new me is pointless. What was wrong with last year anyway? In the name of selfishness this months playlist is made up of artists and songs I had on heavy rotation for most of 2017. Or at least the stuff I’ll admit to…

Ocean Eyes – Billie Eilish Ritual Blush – George Cosby Daddy Issues – The Neighbourhood 3WW – alt-j Runaway – Aurora Memories are Now – Jesca Hoop Find Me – Sigma Ft Birdy Don’t Delete the Kisses – Wolf Alice Knights in White Satin – The Moody Blues I need my Girl – The National Daffodils – Mark Ronson Ft Kevin Parker Outsider – Blanco White Thunder – Imagine Dragons

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk

SPORTS 21

Keys To Keeping Fit on Campus HELENA KEEBLE SPORTS EDITOR

It is well known that students tend to put on a bit of comfort weight over their degree. While this tends to fluctuate due to stress with deadlines and exams, New Year always brings around a wave of healthy thoughts and goals. Our parents have stuffed us full of treats and Christmas dinners, and now it is time to lose those pounds and brace ourselves to walk up Egham Hill each day. But, how do we do this?

As full time students, it can be hard to fit exercise and a healthy diet into our sched-

ule, especially with Runneymede Chicken down the road (even if we convince ourselves that walking up Egham Hill burns all the calories away). So here are my five top tips for keeping healthy and fit while at University; the land of stress, nights out and takeaways.

Number One: skip those Ubers. While we all get tempted to get a quick Uber up the hill it is only a fifteenminute walk and that slight vertical incline will keep your body moving and get those footsteps up on the fitbit that you got for Christmas. Your purse will also feel a lot better since, though cheap, those

£4 journeys gradually add up.

Number Two: join the gym. While this one comes with a lot debates across campus, the gym are currently offering a Six Month Gold Membership at £120. That sum may seem large but with PAYG equaling £6 you only have to go 20 times to make your money worth it, meaning you only have to go to a class or the gym once a week which is definitely achievable.

Number Three: with your gold membership you can join a social league, letting you get to know new people or develop your friendships further with flat mates, course mates and so on.

Number Four: go for walks and runs around the beautiful nature parks near campus. Living outside of London we are fortunate to have such stunning surroundings like Runnymede and Ankerwycke, Virginia Water and Windsor Park. So if you enjoy a good run, or want to go for a walk, why not do it in a beautiful environment where you can also get a casual photo for your Instagram later, because - let’s face it - you don’t go to Royal Holloway if you don’t have a photo of Virginia Water on your social media.

Number Five: make use of the Students’ Union’s Mar-

ket Day. If you hate that walk from campus to Tesco and are taking the healthy eating approach, pop to the SU between 10am and 4pm and grab your fruit and vegetables for the week. Just remember, if you are being healthy save your pennies and avoid the temptations of the pancakes and sweet bakery treats on offer.

Just remember, if you reach the summer and you are still not ‘beach body’ ready, you can always start again. Don’t be put off by a few pounds, your body is yours and as long as you respect it and are comfortable and that is all that matters.

Alumni Triumph, Win Sports Day

RHUL celebrates 11th annual Alumni Sports Day. HELENA KEEBLE SPORTS EDITOR

Photos by Helena Keeble.

On Saturday 13 January, Royal Holloway hosted the 11th edition of the Bears Alumni Sports Day, welcoming alumni to compete against our BUCS teams for the Hancock Cup. Using the campuses extensive sports facilities and grounds the day consisted of 16 sports, including Basketball, Table Tennis, Volleyball and Lacrosse.

After two years of defeat, the alumni succeeded the Hancock Cup, which was originally presented by alumnus and Honorary Fellow, Dr Richard Hancock (Chemistry,

1964) to Vice President Sport, Steff Milne. The overall results were 9-6, with the alumni defeating the students in Netball, Squash, Rugby (Men’s and Women’s), American Football, Tennis, Fencing, Hockey, and Volleyball. Meanwhile, the students won in Badminton, Football (Women’s), Basketball (Women’s), Lacrosse, Basketball (Men’s), and Rugby (Men’s).

With so many talented alumni team members, it must be the hope of our current students to train with vigilance and aim to retrieve the Hancock Cup in the next 2019 Royal Holloway Alumni Sports Day.

22 SPORTS

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk

[Interview]

Meet The Captain: RHUL Basketball looking forward to next year since we all got back.

What is your position?

I usually play point guard, this is mainly because one of the smaller players, with the average height on our team around 6’4” and the tallest player at 6”10’. The point guards roll is to distribute the ball to the players on the court, finding them in places where they are open and would have the best attempt at the basket.

What life experiences have you gained from basketball?

Playing basketball every week since school makes it a big part of your life. The amount I have learned from basketball in my life could not be quantified.

However, I feel that particularly this year, my leadership skills have been tested. Having to earn the respect of players older and better than me in the promise that I’m doing what I think is best has been difficult but incredibly enlightening.

Photos courtesy of Royal Holloway Basketball Club.

HELENA KEEBLE SPORTS EDITOR

Name: Barney Steven Wood Sport: Basketball The men’s basketball team has began this academic year to a terrific start, remaining undefeated in the BUCS league.

Here we hear from Barney Steven Wood, Co-Captain of the Men’s 1st team, on how basketball has impacted his social and academic life for the better.

What made you start bas- play with people better than you and work your way up to ketball? their level.

I started playing basketball seriously in secondary school, How does basketball benone of my teachers set up a efit your academic life? club on Wednesdays after school, and I would play eve- Basketball is the perfect disry day at lunch on a broken traction, it’s impossible to hoop without a net on the keep your mind on your deadplayground. After showing lines and stress when you’re how keen I was to my coach, on the court and have a hunhe asked me to attend men’s dred other things to think training for a team he played about. Everyone I’ve spoken for. With basketball, the best to that plays basketball agrees way to get better by far is to that basketball is imperative

to keeping sane at university, without basketball I would surely struggle academically.

What is your most memorable moment from basketball?

My most memorable moment from basketball was probably winning the Transylvania basketball tournament in 2017 on tour in Romania, we took our whole team and beat every team in the tournament. Have been

What would you say is the best part of being part of the basketball team and why would you encourage people to do basketball?

I would encourage anyone to play basketball due to its incredibly team based structure, the comradery involved and the friends you make can be for life.

I wouldn’t have wished to spend the hours I’ve been playing basketball on anything else, and I hope to continue past university and for the rest of my life.

THE FOUNDER January 26, 2018

Email the editor at sports@thefounder.co.uk

SPORTS 23

RHUL BUCS Scores Cont. From Badminton RHUL Women’s 1st City of London RHUL Women's 1st Brighton Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st Basketball RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Men’s 1st RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st Fencing RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 2nd Football RHUL Men’s 1st RHUL Men's 1st RHUL Men's 1st Golf RHUL Mixed 1st RHUL Mixed 1st Hockey RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Women's 1st RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Women's 1st Lacrosse RHUL Mixed 1st RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Women’s 1st RHUL Women’s 1st Rugby RHUL Women’s 1st 9 RHUL Women’s 1st Squash RHUL Men’s Table Tennis RHUL Men’s 2nd RHUL Men’s 2nd Tennis RHUL Men’s East London

5 – 3 6 - 2 8 - 0 7 - 1 6 - 2 5 - 3 8 - 0

Portsmouth Women's 1st RHUL Women's 1st Essex 2nd RHUL Men's 1st University of Medway Men's Reading Men's 2nd Hertfordshire Men's 2nd

51 – 28 91 - 23 77 – 60 56 - 35 70 - 58

Middlesex Women's 1st Regent's University Women's 1st Sussex Men's 1st King's College Men's 3rd Reading Men's 1st

125 – 124 135 - 79 135 - 69

Surrey Men's UWE 1st Essex Men's 2nd

11 – 1 3 - 0 5 - 1

UCL Men's 6th UCL Men's 4th RHUL Men's 4th

6 – 0 5.5 – 0.5

Portsmouth Mixed 1st Essex Mixed 1st

4 – 0 5 – 4 0 – 0 2 – 1

King's College Women's 1st Reading Women's 2nd Reading Women's 2nd Brunel Women's 1st

10 – 3 18 – 2 22 – 1 17 – 4

King’s College Mixed 1st Sussex Women’s 1st Kent Women’s 2nd Brighton Women’s 1st

3 – 5 65 – 17

Lil’ Babas

Royal Veterinary College Women’s 1st

3 – 2

Royal Veterinary College

14 – 3 13 – 4

Essex Men’s 2nd Sussex Men’s 3rd

8 – 4 8 – 4

Sussex Men’s 2nd RHUL Men’s 1st

Front Page

Photo by Helena Keeble.

HELENA KEEBLE SPORTS EDITOR

-ing the ecord by 10 percent at 33 hours. The team is currently waiting for confirmation

by Concept2, who are to maintain and adjudicate this record.

The team of alumni emphasized their gratitude towards the support they received by both existing students and staff at Royal Holloway, who were commended for their invaluable support and help before and during the event.

The world record was an ‘early stepping stone’ for Team Atlantic Discovery in their training to compete in the Talisker Whiskey Challenge, a rowing race across the Atlantic Ocean in December 2018 to raise funds for the charities Multiple Sclerosis Society (MSS) and BMSTC. This race consists of ‘propelling a rowing boat for 3000 nautical miles, in two hours shifts, from La Gomera, Spain to Antigua’. Like their weekend at Royal Holloway, the shift pattern of this challenge means that while two team members row, the other two will be resting and sleep-

ing.

Team member, Benjamin Ajayi-Obe emphasized the importance of the two charities that they are raising money for, particularly for himself since his mother was diagnosed with MS in 2002, a lifelong condition which can affect the brain and spinal chord, causing a wide range of problems such as issues with vision, arm or leg movement, sensation or balance.

The team are currently looking for sponsorship and commercial partnerships to help acquire the required expedition equipment. You can donate the Team’s #DiscoverAMile campaign to have your name emblazoned on the inside of the boat – the ‘Elida’ at http://atlanticdiscovery. co.uk/or you can simply donate money at https://www. justgiving.com/teams/Atlantic-Discovery-Competition.

Anyone wishing to support the Atlantic campaign can also get in tough with Team Atlantic Discovery through social media or their email: atlanticdiscovery2018@gmail. com.

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