The Founder - Volume 7, Issue 4

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Volume 7 | Issue 4 Tuesday 27 November 2012 thefounder.co.uk

the independent student newspaper of royal holloway, university of london

Outrage as Cooper declines to lay wreath Is Daniel in the lions’ den, or is it all just a bunch of poppycock?

Thomas Seal Editor

page 4»

Photo: Thomas Seal

‘Demo2012’: A day of anger, rain and factionalism

On November 9, ULU Vice President (and then-Acting President) Daniel Cooper posted an entry on his blog entitled: ‘Why I Declined An Invitation To Lay a Wreath at the UOL’s Rememberance (sic) Service’, the reaction of which has since led into furore and an extensive debate, making headlines across London student press, the Oxford Student, and even national and international headlines in the Telegraph and Huffington Post.

In the controversial entry, which contains his letter to the Rvd. Stephen Williams, Cooper states that he declined to attend the ceremony ‘on principle’, claiming that modern-day remembrance ‘doesn’t fit with the reality of what took place in WWI’. He goes on to explain that the legacy of WWI as a ‘scramble for colonial possessions’ is not sufficiently addressed and PM David Cameron’s style of remembrance is ‘an insult to those sent to die’.

The very next day, a group titled ‘Dan Cooper Must Resign as ULU Vice-President’ appeared on Facebook and has since garnered over

continued overleaf »»»

News

Comment & Debate

Features

Arts

The Trial of the Toffs:

Lee Nelson: ‘Chav fashion? Stolen trainers’

A New Montague ‘Fresh’ DeLarge epic

The North London Effect:

LEE ROTA catches up with the touring comedian

He goes to a GM. Things get out of hand.

Our brand-news Sports Editor THEO CHILES talks Seven Sisters.

TOBY FULLER explains that classism is a two-way street

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thefounder.co.uk For the latest news, reviews, and everything Holloway, get online Check out our website For all of our paper content, and even more: thefounder.co.uk Follow us on Twitter The Founder tweets all the latest breaking news and stories here: twitter.com/rhulfounder Photo: Thomas Seal

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Union Chair Joe Rayment looks on as Orbital Deputy Editor Alex Pegler makes the case for students to condemn Cooper’s actions.

Please recycle this newspaper when you are finished Recycling bins are located at: Arts Building, The Hub, Gowar and Wedderburn Halls, T-Dubbs

tf editorial team Editor-in-Chief Thomas Seal

Managing Editors Toby Fuller, Scott Wilson, Peter Hammond and Richard Cunningham News Editors Peter Hammond Alexandra Ioannou Comment & Debate Editor Toby Fuller Features Editor Felicity King Film Editor Zlatina Nikolova

Music Editor Katie Osmon Arts Editor Scott Wilson Sport Editor Theo Chiles Pictures Editor Amy Taheri Subeditors Alexandra Ioannou Anna Redbond

This edition designed by Thomas Seal, Amy Taheri and Richard Cunningham

The Founder is the independent student newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London. We distribute at least 4,000 free copies every fortnight during term time around campus and to popular student venues in and around Egham.

The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editor-in-Chief, especially of comment and opinion 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 this fortnight’s stories.

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continued from front »»» 1,700 ‘likes’. Their ‘Official Statement of Intent’ claims they believe the reputation of ULU has been ‘severely damaged’ and that he attempted to ‘politicise an apolitical event for his own political gain.’ They are currently petitioning ULU President Michael Chessum for a vote of no-confidence in Cooper, after unsuccessfully lobbying for his resignation. It is unclear how many members of this group are actually ULU members.

Cooper claims David Cameron’s style of remembrance is ‘an insult to those sent to die’ Cooper has since posted a followup carefully responding to his detractors, but it has been widely dismissed as unsatisfactory due to its lack of an actual apology for the offense they feel he has caused.

Much public debate has focused on whether Cooper was writing in a personal capacity or as a representative of ULU, and whether he was somehow duty-bound to attend. His blog has been defended by some supporters as ‘personal’, though critics have pointed out it bears the official ULU logo and his job title in the banner. However, Cooper and the new ULU President Michael Chessum have maintained there was no neglect of the VP or Acting President roles, citing the total absence of any official ULU policy on the matter.

Also contentious was Cooper’s apparent oversight not sending an elected ULU representative to the ceremony in his place, though a ULU staff member did attend.

In an attempt to reify student opinion at Holloway, a strongly-worded motion was proposed by The Orbital’s Deputy Editor Alex Pegler at the General Meeting on Tuesday 13 November to ‘condemn Daniel Cooper... for his decision’. The motion was seconded by Insanity’s Station Man-

ager and Head of Marketing, Philip Nutter and Sally Harris respectively.

However, no vote was reached, and instead the issue passed to a campuswide referendum on the suggestion of Non-BUCS Student Activites Coordinator, Jordan Schiller.

The last referendum held by SURHUL was two years ago, asking students for their official support behind a lecturers’ strike. Although that referendum did not make quoracy (the minimum number of votes), the motion was passed in the following General Meeting and the quorum has since been dropped. Despite the controversy this issue has sparked, SU sources anticipate voter turnout of less than 10%.The referendum was preceded by an Emergency GM on Friday 16 November, which saw both sides of the debate ardent but largely entrenched. The proposing side claimed ‘99% of people’ would support the motion, though The Founder’s exit poll (above) puts the figure of students just under 60%. Demonstrating how this issue has internally divided the SU, halfway through the EGM Student Trustee Oliver Rushby proposed a vote of no confidence in the Union Chair, Joe Rayment, on the grounds of bias. However, it was promptly shot down.

Rushby’s accusation stemmed from Rayment having been outspoken in his online opposition to Cooper, but such online fervour has been less appreciated during General Meetings; less than two hours after the meeting, Rayment released a statement entitled ‘Why I regret the hashtag and

News

why I support the critics of the General Meeting’, following recent articles in both this publication (Vol 7 Issue 2) and The Orbital regarding the lack of respect for opinions and even bullying in the ‘safe space’ of GMs, particularly on Twitter. This is the latest in a string of incidents that raise questions over the online responsibilities of students and their representatives.

Since the EGM, on the 16 November the emphatically-titled petition ‘Defend Daniel Cooper! Defend the Right to Criticise War and Militarism!’ was launched on Cooper’s blog, and a letter defending Cooper’s decision has also been written and signed by twenty-four RHUL History professors and teachers, including the Head of Department Dr. Sarah Ansari.

At the time of printing, the online referendum is provisionally scheduled for Tuesday 27 November.

Should SURHUL condemn ULU Vice President Daniel Cooper for his refusal to attend the ULU Remembrance service?

The Founder’s ‘exit poll’:

Yes

ar e

The Founder The Independent Student Newspaper of Royal Holloway, University of London Email: editor@thefounder.co.uk

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

32%

on ’t c

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Id

2

13%

A note on the graph: Data was collected from our poll at facebook.com/TheFounder from 15 November to 23 November. Total number of votes was when counted was 119. Interestingly, although the poll showed the ‘Yes’ vote winning for the majority of the time posted, in the last two days before going to print, a large block of 30-40 ‘No’ votes appeared together, suggesting organised voting from some source. - Ed.

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Your only choice is to e-mail:

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Gaza peace more uncertain than ever Peter Hammond News Editor Since and before the establishment of Israel as a state in 1948 there has been trouble in the region. Hitherto conflict has been rife, particularly centred on the heavily disputed and contested West Bank. The tinderbox of conflict was re-ignited on 14 November with the assassination of the military leader of Hamas, Ahmed Jabari, creating new fears of an unending war in the region.

The primary solution offered to the contest of land was that of a two-state solution, where both Israel and Palestine are accepted as two separate nations. This was attested by a poll to both Israelis and Palestinians in 2007, both sides keen for peaceful resolution.

However, since the killing on 14th deaths and injuries have escalated on both sides, with Palestine sustaining particularly heavy causalities. Israel said the strike was launched to prevent rocket fire from Palestine military outposts. Exactly a week on from the initial attack a bomb was detonated in Tel Aviv, and whilst losses from this latest strike remain unclear, Hamas was quick to condone the action. Israel condemned the action as terrorism, but this did not negate the sounds of elation and celebratory gunfire heard all over Israel.

Many Israelis feel as if their nation was forced into this latest surge in violence because of the frequent rocket attacks that they are subjected

flickr/ Amir Farshad Ebrahimi

The aftermath of Israeli bombing on the Gaza strip. to. However, as the far more militarily capable power Israel’s actions against civilians have earned a great deal of international condemnation.

The losses to the Palestinian civilian population in this latest bout have been markedly high (now standing at nearly 140), with Israel’s reluctance to deploy ground troops fuelling indiscriminate rocket attacks. This was affirmed by the Israel Defence Forces’ statement that only roughly half of the sites they attacked were of military relevance.

Throughout these attacks any form of peace talks were being pushed to succeed, headed by Hilary Clinton.

It is hoped that the additional input of the Egyptian president in days to come will encourage Israel to submit to a permanent resolution in order

to preserve their tenuous links with other neighbouring countries.

A ceasefire was declared on 21 November, but in light of preceding ceasefires the final moments of conflict are often the bloodiest. Additionally, a ceasefire has never yet acted as permanent deterrent against fighting, with recurrent aggression between the two sides. However, efforts were made the previous day to enact an agreement, but that attempt was not successful.

In essence, world leaders deploring the violence may have lead to this temporary solution, but it has brought nothing new to the table.

Until a United Nations resolution can solve the contention for one side or the other, the region remains in a state of tumultuous flux.

Comment: 98 Checkpoints

Jordan demanded the return of the West Bank in 1974 and in 1988 formally handed it over to the Palestinian Authority, but as of December 2010 375,000 Israelis live in 121 settlements in the West Bank as opposed to the 0 who lived there in 1967. Regardless of the legality of this, it is patently clear what is happening. Beitar Illit, the largest Israeli settlement in the West Bank, has 45,000 inhabitants and it has recently come under fire for releasing the sewage into Palestinian arable land.

The village of Wadi Fukin has complained to the Israeli Authorities about mistreatment from the settlers and that the impact of settlers has run 11 of the local wells dry. There are fears that this Settlopolis will enlarge over the years as 112 apartments were built in 2010 and in 2011 there were 612 housing tenders issued.

Beitar Illit will keep expanding: in 1984 it was a settlement of a few families and now there are 375,000 inhabitants; an increase in population that is indicative of a new form of colonisation and expansion.

98 Checkpoints is a political blog set up by two Royal Holloway students, focused on providing informative articles and opinion pieces taken from sources on the ground; including diplomatic figures, political activists and residents of the area with first-hand experience of a conflict that is often misrepresented by mainstream media.

See: www.98checkpoints.com

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News

‘Demo2012’

News Frustrations of march reveal students may be as divided as government they protest Thomas Seal Editor

On Wednesday 21 November, 10,000 students from all parts of the UK congregated in the capital to protest the Government’s ongoing cuts to education spending. The demonstration, dubbed ‘Demo2012’ by its organisers, the National Union of Students (NUS), marked the two-year anniversary of the large NUS protest in 2010, which is now mostly-remembered for the attack on the Conservative Party HQ at Milbank. However, ‘Demo2012’ saw significantly less violence and lower attendance than the 50,000 person demo in 2010.

The march was generally marked by high spirits, and some students from as far as Aberdeen were present in high numbers, but protestors could not ignore dishearteningly cold, wet weather and significant political-infighting amongst student organisations.

Photos anticlockwise from above: an ironic placard, the rainy march Many universities and colleges, infrom Waterloo to the Oval, ULU Pres and VP Chessum and Cooper cluding RHUL, met outside ULU on confer intimately, anti-NUS protestors join protest on the Strand, a Malet Street in Bloomsbury, and othpolice helicopter rather symbolically hovers over Senate House, masked er protestors gathered to make ‘feeder protestors rush the police line at Westminster. marches’ in various parts of central London before all eventually merging on the main route down Victoria Embankment along to Westminster and then, somewhat controversially, over two miles’ walk south of the Thames to The Oval at Kennington.

Although masked, ‘black bloc’ protestors formed a notable presence, the day passed largely peacefully. Minor scuffles were most notably seen when protestors attempted to gain entrance to Parliament Square, but police presence was immovably heavy, as was the case at all stages of the march. The Met appears to have taken lessons learned from Milbank to heart.

Photos: Thomas Seal

The route, organised by the NUS, has come under much criticism both before and since the march from other student organisations such as the National Campaign Against Fees and Cuts (NCAFC) for being insufficiently disruptive, in what they see as a move to placate authorities.

Their website states: ‘We are...extremely disappointed with the proposed route for the demonstration. It marches along Embankment, one of the least visible and effective routes possible.’ The statement, which is notably signed by several of the NUS’s own National Executive Committee, including ULU President Michael Chessum and Vice President Daniel Cooper, goes on: ‘Both the slogan (Education, Employ, Empower) and the route for #demo2012 are a long way from what conference voted for, and neither seemed to have involved any meaningful consultation.’

These critics, however responsible for the infighting, may ultimately be vindicated by the poor response the post-Westminster route received from all sides. In response to the first speaker at the end rally, the London Student tweeted: ‘"It's too easy to be ignored in parks in the rain". The question may then arise as to why

we're here.’ Some students also unsuccessfully tried to start a human blockade on Westminster bridge, and others allegedly tried to ‘kettle’ fellow students into staying at Westminster, before crowd-consent finally reestablished the route to The Oval.

In the end, ‘Demo2012’ may be remembered more for its factionalism than for its solidarity.

Several members of the ULU contingent were seen to be marching with a large ‘Smash the NUS’ banner.

Later, at the conclusion of the march, NUS President Liam Burns was booed and heckled off stage, before being replaced on the Kennington rally stage by anti-NUS protestors.

Burns attempted to finish his speech amongst protestors on the wet field with a megaphone.

As well as struggling with the Left - including a distractingly large and vocal contingent marching against the occupation of Gaza as opposed to education cuts - the march also faced student dissent from the other side of the specturm online, under the parodic right-wing twitter hashtag ‘#deluded2012’. However, unlike the anti-NUS protestors, these partisans were nowhere to be seen during the rainy march.

Could sex toys end the recession? market has been valued at $7 billion per year and is projected to reach $52 billion by 2020.

Theories to explain the cause of We may have been in recession since this inflation range from the success 2008, but it seems like no one has told of adult novel trilogy Fifty Shades of the sex toy industry. While major industries have faced the strain of the economic downturn, sales in erotic items in the UK have increased by as much as 400%. It has been estimated that the average British adult spends £6.57 on their sex lives per year, and the entire market has been valued at £250 million a year. The increase in consumer demand in this particular industry has had such dramatic effect on the economy as a whole, that it has been named as a factor for pushing the UK out of recession.

It’s not just the UK that is benefitting from the boost in the sale of erotic items; the US sex toy market flickr/Kake Pugh has also seen a record increase. The

Chrissie Ambrose

Grey to recession hit couples looking for a cost effective way to enjoy their evenings. The success of Fifty Shades of Grey is certainly a compelling factor; the first book of the series has enjoyed a wide readership, selling 31

million copies and has been translated into 33 different languages. Author E.L. James has even collaborated with sex toy manufacturers to create the official bondage kit for the series, set to be sold across the UK and America in late November.

Inevitably, this increase in the sale of sex toys and the role it has played in encouraging economic growth has been heavily scrutinised. Health store Boots were criticised last January for selling sex toys prominently in their stores nationwide, sparking controversy as children could easily see them. But the rise in popularity of sex toys is proving to be a hard trend to buck. Channel 4’s documentary More Sex Please We’re British, looking into the working lives of online sex toy retailers Lovehoney, is indicative of how our culture has become increasingly more open about our sex lives.

This lead to the discovery of a rather interesting website. Lovehoney have now set up a “Sex Map”, a website allowing anyone to search a town or city in the UK and find out how much residents spend on their sex lives in relation to the national average.

Egham, according to www.lovehoney.co.uk/sexmap, spends 1.7 times the national average per year on their sex lives, and, most notably, 2.9 times the national average on erotic shoes and costumes. This is a notable increase on our neighbouring town Staines, where residents spend 1.2 times the national average on sex toys.

The expanding nature and enigmatic allure of this market has injected substantial capital into a previously closed area, granting a rather unexpected boost to the economy of the United Kingdom.

Volunteering for the International Brawl outside Medicine results in arrest Kitchen Project at RHUL Vanessa Onwughalu Community Action Team Volunteering, as we all know, means offering your help willingly and happily without expecting anything back, however, this doesn’t mean you shouldn’t be interested or enjoy what you are doing.

Volunteering has been made easy to engage with as a student, due to the existence of Community Action at Royal Holloway which has a whole range of different options. As an international student I especially have been impressed by the wide selection of volunteering in projects that interest me.

The Community Action international team recently came up with the International Kitchen Project (which is great as I love cooking!). The project aims to provide local school children and young people from youth centres with the opportunity to experience exciting cooking activities, learn about the diversity and attractions of international cuisine, taste the traditional dishes of different countries as well as use their own initiatives and creativity while preparing the food.

During this process the volunteers also give the young students interesting facts about their country and also their eating habits! This is very exciting as it enables international students to get fully involved and to get

together in groups and make exciting international dishes for younger kids who can get involved and learn about the different nations represented at Royal Holloway. At the end of the day it’s all fun and games for both the volunteers and the young people (except if a food fight breaks out - which may still be fun for us all!). Generally the International Kitchen Project is a great way for international students to get involved in the local community, which is good because there are quite a number of nationalities here at

Royal Holloway.

There really is something for everyone, but if you do have an idea, or a suggestion, or simply want to find out more we would love to hear from you.

The Community Action team is now running regular weekly drop-in sessions in venues across campus or you could email volunteering@rhul.ac.uk To find out more about volunteering with Community Action visit the website at www.rhul.ac.uk/volunteering or the ‘RHUL Community Action’ Facebook page.

Photo: Thomas Seal

Thomas Seal Police are investigating a serious assault that took place outside Medicine at 11pm on the night of Saturday 17.

Both Surrey Police and the South East Coast Ambulance Service were called to the scene. Though there are no reports of serious injuries, several minor injuries have been reported and blood was observed at the site the next day (see above).

Surrey Police state that the incident involved a ‘small group of men’, and

officers have arrested a 20-year-old man from Egham on suspicion of common assault and assaulting a police officer. He has been released on police bail until December 20 while the investigation continues.

There are no reports of any further incidents, allegations or arrests at this stage.

Surrey Police encourage anyone who witnessed the incident or with any further information to call them on 101, quoting reference RM/12/5896, or to call Crimestoppers on 0800 555111.

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News

College News Shining a light on future sporting STARS

RHUL Student Nominated for ‘Most Deserving Student’ Prize

Elite student athletes at Royal Holloway are to be made members of the Student Talented Athlete Recognition Scheme (STARS) during a special awards ceremony.

Twenty-five awardees including Thomas Smallbone, a Geography student and professional rugby player with London Irish, and fencer Acland Bryant, who is studying Mathematics and is a hopeful for the 2016 Olympics, will get bursaries to help them achieve their full potential.

The ceremony on Wednesday 28 November, will also see five-time Olympic gold medallist Sir Steve Redgrave awarded an Honorary Degree.

Since its launch in 1996, STARS has supported many Olympians and more than 90 world-class athletes. A number of alumni competed at the 2012 Olympics, all of whom were supported by Royal Holloway’s sports bursaries.

Mark Hyndman, Sports Development Executive at Royal Holloway, said: “All 25 students who will be recognised in the STARS Awards have shown outstanding ability,

Carol Baker, a social work student who juggles her studies with several part-time jobs, has been nominated for a national competition.

The ‘Britain’s Most Deserving Student’ competition is run by Motors. co.uk and celebrates extraordinary achievements by students.

Carol was nominated by her partner Nigel Jones-Morris, who said: “She has worked incredibly hard for six years working towards a Masters Degree and qualifying as a Social Worker. She has done this while holding down several part-time jobs to help fund her education, and while having a severe knee problem that leaves her in constant pain.

“Despite this, she never complains and just keeps smiling. She works incredibly hard to achieve her goals and is focused on making a difference to peoples’ lives.”

Carol, who is a mature student, currently works for Woking Youth Centre, while also becoming a student ambassador and an e-learning mentor and promoting inclusion in higher education at residential summer schools. She believes that many young people lack the confidence and

with many representing Royal Holloway at the highest level. We hope this bursary will help them in their quest for sporting glory and, you never know, could even lead to them becoming Olympic champions.”

Ones to watch among the STARS awardees include Emelia Gorecka, a Psychology student and international long-distance runner with huge potential. She will join Emily Moss, who is studying German and Isabel Brinsden, who is studying English, to form part of Royal Holloway’s cross country team at this year’s British Universities and Colleges Sport championships. Indeed, they are tipped to give some of the bigger running institutions a ‘run’ for their money!

The support offered by STARS aims to reflect the amount of time, effort, enthusiasm and dedication its awardees put into their training and performance, and their contribution to the scheme.

They will be entitled to benefits including financial support, free access to campus sports facilities, a liaison mentor, access to a strength and conditioning coach and discounted chiropractic care.

belief that they can go to university and need mentors to show them what they can achieve.

Indeed, it wasn’t until Carol reached her late twenties that she finally decided to apply to university in a bid to improve her future prospects. She said: “I wasn’t academic at school and it’s been a long journey. When I qualify I want to work in mental health with young people, as I know that is the time when they need support the most, both accessing services and making decisions about their future.”

The prize for winning the competition is a car worth £5,000 and £1,000 towards a student society of the winners’ choice.

Motors.co.uk will select a shortlist of 10 nominees on 26 November. Voting will then be opened to the public who will decide the winner.

Wellbeing: A Message from RHUL It is vital to your studies and your time at university that you take care of yourself and maintain a good level of wellbeing. We thought it would be useful to remind you of some of the support we provide to help students maintain their emotional health and a good level of wellbeing. Emotional health is how balanced and confident you feel emotionally and it can change due to your own personal circumstances.

Here at Royal Holloway, we work to ensure we create an inclusive environment and to anticipate support requirements needed by students. We are lucky to have a wide range of support for students in this area, from the Educational Support Office, to Student Counselling and the campus Health Centre, who are regularly visited by a psychiatrist and psychologist. Never feel like you have to wait to ask for help if

flickr/Crashmaster007

you are finding it difficult to cope. Students can usually get nurse appointments at extremely short notice in an emergency.

In addition to this support, the College and SU have signed up as affiliates of London Nightline as an additional service for our students. They offer support by a confidential listening, nonjudgemental and practical information service from 6pm – 8pm every night during term on 0207 631 101, via Skype (nightline. org.uk), or by email at listening@nightline.org.uk. Alternatively you might wish to contact the Samaritans on 0845 7 909090 who provide a similar service.

For lots of top tips and positive thinking, why not have a look at our page on Facebook at www.facebook.com/RHULHealthAndWellbeing

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

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&

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Debate

The Trial of the Toffs Is all classism from the top down? Comment and Debate Editor Toby Fuller shares his view...

T

he student politics of British universities has always conducted itself with what one could call a bellicose energy. The toxic mixture of polarising ideologies and an increasingly diverse student populace has bred an irrational approach to political debate, saturated with the lip-smacking rhetoric of hostility. With the rising tension in the aftermath of ‘Coopergate’ and the 2012 NUS Demonstration, the language of our fellow students has descended into the realms of delusionary class war, vilifying the perceived enemy of the ‘Toff ’, the ‘Buller-Boys’.

The OED cites the first use of the word ‘toff ’ at around 1851, the definition being ‘a person who is stylishly dressed or who has a smart appearance; a swell; (hence) one of the well-to-do, a ‘nob’’. Indeed, the ‘nobish’ connotations of the term have increased since the 19th Century, now being a favourable term of abuse across the social spectrum, from the alehouse to the university debating-hall.

To many, it rings in the ears with

an uncomfortable familiarity, often associated with aggressive political point scoring and at times threats and abuses of physical violence.

In recent weeks the word ‘toff ’ has been thrown at all opposition to the established Left at Royal Holloway, with all those taking objection to SU policy being branded as ‘haters of the poor’ and ‘Bullingdon-Tories’, regardless of genuine political affiliation. It is a sad truth that such abuse has now culminated in more than just verbal harassment, but a physical assault on a fellow student, purely based upon an irrational and bigoted class prejudice.

It would appear that the outspoken votaries of egalitarianism, those who wear their thumping red hearts upon their sleeve, have committed the gross hypocrisy of judgement based upon individual appearance.

To verbally or physically attack an individual for the colour of their skin, their religious beliefs or indeed their sexual orientation would, quite rightly, face social condemnation and official sanctions. The ‘toffs’ on the other hand, well they’re fair game.

Let us consider, for one moment, the history of the ‘toff ’ in relation to socialist and liberal ideologies.

Perhaps consider Oscar Wilde; a dandy, a popinjay, quite frankly a vainglorious and self-indulgent ‘nob’.

Through his literature Wilde exposed the hypocrisies of Victorian society, the repression of homosexuality and indeed explicitly doffed his hat to the Left in his essay ‘The Soul of Man under Socialism’.

What about that wealthy middleclassed Jew, Karl Marx? Well, despite the frivolity of his youth in spending his father’s money on late night binges in Berlin taverns and the autumn of his life spent in bourgeois domesticity in West London, we are all aware of his abhorrence for the subjugation of the working classes.

The philosopher, The Right Honourable Bertrand Arthur William Russell, 3rd Earl Russell, OM, FRS; he was also a member of the British Humanist Association, an active member of the pacifist movement and member of the British Labour Party.

Consider the Old Etonian and

Imperial Police Officer Eric Blair, latter known as George Orwell. Is one expected to ignore the beauty of his literature and its contribution to democratic socialism simply because he was appalled to discover that the working classes did not ‘dress for dinner’? I think not.

It would appear that British socialism has been shaped by the ‘toff ’, that those belonging to the middle and upper classes were not always quite what one would expect. The vilification we have witnessed of our fellow students is based upon fabrications, it is irrational and it is a disgrace to any individual who calls themselves a democrat, a liberal or indeed a

socialist. The Left have defined their opposition in such a way that negates their honourable intentions; the vehement language of class-war blinding them of our political reality.

‘If thought corrupts language, language can also corrupt thought’.

– Orwell I would like to express my support for the leadership shown by the SURHUL Executive Committee, particularly the Sabbaticals and Chair, who have endeavoured to discourage and prevent verbal and physical harassment of individual students based upon political beliefs and opinions.

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Debate & ‘No Platform for Fascists’: To What Extent Should We Protect Free Speech?

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No censorship

own. Further from this, by allowing all views to be expressed we encourage an atmosphere of natural moderation, rather than allowing extremism to fester in the minds of those who do not share our own experiences and education. As members of a democratic and progressive society we have a responsibility to rationally consider opinions of others.

Universities UK recognises that these ‘extremist views’ can be ‘considered ‘offensive’ but urges that something ‘offensive...does not in itself amount to unlawful harassment’.

Opposition of this motion does not propose harassment or discrimination against particular groups, but instead accepts that sometimes there must be a compromise between ‘free expression’ and offending someone.

Just because harassment occurs as a result of some extremist views, does not mean to say that these views should be moderated. Instead harassment is something which should be moderated and dealt with by the law.

Indeed, all types of views, not just extremist ones can lead to harassment.

The SU and its media are intrinsic proponents of the university institution and therefore have a duty to ‘do all that is reasonably practicable to ensure that [free expression] is secured’ and a responsibility to maintain intellectual integrity.

rights.

Every expression of a belief in the media is ideologically revealing of Over the past few years the debate those involved in its formulation. Of of media censorship regarding the writer it says that they are willing extremist views has increased in its to put those ideas into words for the intensity and fervour. With rise of whole world to see, and it shows that radical religious and political views the publisher is willing to facilitate in contemporary Britain, it has also its expression. For the readers it says become increasingly necessary for that they are willing to support a pathe moderation of the freedom of per that is prepared to publish those expression within university and views. In the case of a university Student Union media. paper, these views are also associated First, one must define one’s terms. with the views of the university as In this context, the right to the free- a whole. When extremist views bedom of expression is that defined by come associated with the views of a the Universal Declaration of Human university, they bring that institution Rights (UDHR) and as recognised by into disrepute by violating common the International Covenant on Civil moral standards. In order to prevent and Political Rights (ICCPR). Unithis, it is necessary for there to be versity media is anything published some form of censorship or moderawith association to the university, tion of these extremist views. for example, Insanity radio. Moderation refers to the act of censoring, either by an overseeing body or by the choice of not publishing a work by the editors and extremist views are views that violate common moral standards.

There remains two significant points integral to this debate; first that University media is representative of the university as a whole and second that moderation is not in violation of anyone’s rights and is in fact necessary to uphold individual

Max Simpson

The freedom of expression clashes with the right live freely from persecution. This means that in order for one’s rights to be upheld another must be compromised.

flickr/People’s Open Graphics

Mussolini would be able to run at SURHUL because of last GM’s vote. Just putting that out there. - Ed.

Whilst the freedom of expression is a right, duties and responsibilities are attached to those rights. If one chooses not to fulfil such obligations then one waives these rights. The ICCPR state that freedom of expression is limited by these responsibilities, including limiting freedom of expression ‘for the protection of morals’. Extremist views by definition are not moral and therefore freedom of expression

does not apply to them according to international human rights law.

In order to uphold other human rights, freedom of expression must be curbed. Society functions on a social contract; as an individual I am granted certain rights and in return I am expected to uphold the rights of others. In this way, everyone within the social contract has their own personal rights which are upheld by everyone else. The government exists to enforce this social contract by implementing sanctions on those who break the contract.

The government also acts as an arbiter in the occasions where there are clashes of rights, which often happens in the case of freedom of expression. The freedom of expression clashes with the right live freely from persecution. This means that in order for one’s rights to be upheld another must be compromised. The right to be free from persecution trumps the right to expression as persecution is harmful whereas curbing expression is not. For this reason, moderation of the extremist views is necessary to uphold human rights.

It is necessary to moderate extremist views in university media to prevent the university from becoming associated with ideas that violate common moral standards. More importantly, censorship is required in order to protect the rights of others to lead their lives free from oppression and persecution.

Yes to censorship

views.

Universities UK, of which Royal Holloway is a member, sets out that: It is the belief of this side of the ‘the obligation [of the university] is house that freedom of expression in not merely to refrain from limiting university media and the SU should or infringing freedom of speech, not be moderated in the case of but rather to do all that is reasonextremist views. Evidently, the tenably practicable to ensure that it is sion of this motion occurs between secured’. Ensuring the security of free the right to free expression and the expression would specifically involve possible ‘dangers’ that free expresthe inclusion of ‘extremist views’, for sion might create. However, this the reason that they are the product debate does not just concern itself of individuals exercising their right with necessity of individual freedom to free speech, and as the SU itself of expression, but the vital role of states, they strive to ‘promote the universities roles in protecting these interests’ of students. rights.

The university has always been and A university is described by the is still a place where free expression Oxford English Dictionary as ‘a is not only allowed, but vehemently high level educational institution’, encouraged because that is why peoan education being ‘an enlightenple go to university. Higher educaing experience’. ‘The university’ as tion recognises that education does an institution has for centuries been not just involve teaching and being characterised by its forward thinktaught, but is an active process of ing, innovative students - one only learning in a very special way; subhas to consider Wittenberg, a centre sequently becoming an ‘enlightening of the European Enlightenment - and experience’. Not moderating extremthe production of theses, reports ist views is not only recognising the ideas which challenge the status quo. validity of the right to freedom of Today, ‘the university’ is the expression, but defending education, centre of much contention over fees, too. structure, access, and the nature As part of this ‘enlightening exand necessity of higher education perience’ we should expect to come itself. However, against these raging into contact with views which are debates and changes, the principles different from the norm, including of university education, by the very extremist ideologies. University, definition of the phrase itself, still by its definition and stand, and are very much alive; history, coupled to its the higher education action group values today, would Universities UK reminds us students point to exactly an exare still ‘at the forefront of protest perience of that which movements and campaigns’. is outside of ‘the norm’.

As defined by the motion, the ‘meAside from the univerdia’ and ‘SU’ are intrinsically part of sity institution, we as the university institution and as such students should relish have an obligation to uphold these in becoming forwardprinciples of the university above thinking, intelligent their own agendas. The SU - and the people who are capable media, governed by the SU - sets out of listening to the views in its Constitution Proper that it is of others, regardless for the ‘advancement of education’ of of social perceptions, students; an education which would, and come to our own one would hope, include the educaconclusions. tion of all students and ‘an education’ If we intend to avoid in the broadest sense. Further to this, intellectual dogma, it hopes to ‘promote the interests’ of we must be willing to students; again, one would hope this listen to all opposition implies the interest of all students. as even if these are false The Constitution Proper does not beliefs, they can only propound the moderation of certain act to reinforce our

Molly Dyas

&

10

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

tf Comment Debate Perspectives on the Gaza Crisis Dominic Pini In 1948, the world saw the start of the Arab-Israeli conflict, the extension of which has been seen in the bombings and attacks of recent weeks. The belligerents were the Arab Nationalists and the Zionist Jews, individually hell-bent on removing the other from ‘its’ land.

In the years since this, the Israelis have gained much more land than was stipulated in the original treaty, gaining them their ‘expansionist’ reputation.

Yet why has this conflict endured with no foreseeable resolution? Well there are two communities, one Arab and predominantly Muslim, and one Jewish; both are approximately the same size and number with apparently legitimate claims to at least part of the land.

The majority of Jewish people, both diasporic and Israeli, have consistently argued for a two-state solution to this question of land; this was also the view expressed by the United States Congress, the American Jewry, the European Union, the United Nations and the Palestinian Liberation Organisation.

So why, I hear you cry, hasn’t this happened? The issue is that the party of God holds the veto, and on this both sides agree. The dispute is ‘well which God?’ –here, the religious twist has exacerbated the problems.

This may lead you to believe that I hold views in favour of a simple, two-state solution; I do not. I believe that the Palestinian government today is incredibly volatile, with the Gaza Strip being governed by Hamas and the West Bank by Fatah, the two rival political parties are engaged in their own power struggle. I see Israel as a more transparent, democratic country, which protects the rights of women and minority groups.

This is not entirely true for Palestinian Israelis who are treated appallingly by the government, leading an Israeli High Court Justice to write in 2000: “The Arab citizens of Israel live in a reality in which they experience discrimination as Arabs”. My proposed solution is that Palestine firstly unites, with a single party or coalition. I also think that Israel is currently in contravention of its own Declaration of Independence, by not ensuring equal rights to all citizens.

Even if these two requirements were to be fulfilled, I am certain that the conflict would not end. The reli-

gious battle lines have already been drawn and sadly, are ones which will not easily be expunged.

Toby Fuller

Malcolm Adams On Wednesday 14th November, Israel began its latest attack on the people of Gaza. It started with the assassination of Hamas leader Ahmed Jabari as he was returning with ceasefire documents from a meeting with Israeli representatives in Cairo; all of this occurring in the build up to the Israeli presidential elections.

Since then, the Israeli Defence Force, the fourth largest military force in the world that receives $5 billion of foreign aid from the USA every year, has attacked the besieged Gaza strip with shelling and warplanes, predominately killing civilians. US President Barack Obama declared that the US was ‘fully supportive of Israel's right to defend itself ’ and British Foreign Secretary William Hague declared that Hamas was to blame for Israel’s attacks. With this level of support, it is unsurprising that the Israeli government has declared that it would be expanding its operations in Gaza, calling upon 75,000 reservists to prepare for a ground invasion.

Rightfully, on the nights of the 15, 16, and 17 November, thousands of people have been protesting outside of the Israeli embassy in solidarity with the Palestinians. However, whilst expressing our outrage at Israel’s policies, we must also never forget the large amount of British corporate support for Israel which allows for the colonisation of Palestine.

Marks & Spencers are one of the largest UK corporate sponsors of Israel. Every year they do over £240 million of trade with Israeli companies. They participate in the BritishIsraeli Chamber of Commerce, pushing for closer trading relations between the countries.

British banks also are deeply involved in Israeli Apartheid. Barclays, the largest global investor in the arms trade and market maker for arms manufacturer ITT Exelis, has significant direct investments in Israeli companies. They are also trying to penetrate onto the Israeli High Street, with an application to open branches submitted in 2011.

Lloyds TSB and HSBC also have provided significant support for

flickr/Israel Defence Forces

Israel’s ‘Iron Dome’ missile defence system in action.

Israel. In 2004, the Zionist-led Board of Deputies of British Jews, staunch defenders of Israeli crimes, accused the charity Interpal of involvement in ‘terrorism’, a smear which later required them to pay damages.

Lloyds TSB has demanded that the Islamic Bank of Britain cease all dealings with the registered charity. By hitting Interpal’s banking facilities, Lloyds TSB aims to support Israel by shutting off the trickle of aid that Interpal has managed to get into occupied Palestine over the years of Israel’s brutal siege. HSBC has aided

the Israeli government to issue bonds on the international capital markets, which helps fund the establishment of illegal settlements in occupied territories and the building of the associated infrastructure in contravention of Israel’s obligations in international law.

The support which British imperialism has for Israel, a state that has broken 65 UN resolutions and whose illegal siege of Gaza has created a situation which, according to the UN will result in Gaza being uninhabitable by 2020, is sickening. Just as

Despite Hilary Clinton’s call for a ‘durable outcome’ of the IsraelPalestine conflict, one anticipates the moment when the region once again descends into chaotic rocket exchange. The result of this all too familiar story is simply the pointless loss of civilian lives on both sides of the border.

However, what appears to be more disturbing to the external observer is the obvious bias of the British media in its coverage of the most recent Gaza crisis. The past week has been filled with the Palestinian death tolls and the international criticism of the Israeli Defence Forces in their handling of the situation.

The stories of Hamas rocket attacks, specifically targeting Israeli civilians, were initially hidden in the news columns, taking second place to the plight of the Palestinian people. Over the past few days, however, the reality of Hamas activity has come to the fore.

Images of the dead bodies of ‘collaborators’ being dragged through the streets of Gaza have seeped into the press, along with Hamas’ praise for the terrorist bomb attack on a civilian bus in Tel-Aviv.

Despite this corruption of the reality of the Gaza conflict, one can only hope that the actions of newly elected President Morsi are a sign of a maturing Egyptian state and the possibility of rational dialogue in the region. Through the Egyptian and US moderators in Cairo, an escalating conflict has been prevented and the hope for sustained peace looks increasingly possible with regional powers beginning to play a constructive role in resolving the embittered stalemate. people campaigned against South African Apartheid and British corporate support for South Africa in the 1980’s, so we need more people campaigning against Israeli Apartheid.

The people of Gaza will still be living under siege once Israel’s war planes have stopped bombing, and women will still be forced to give birth at check points once the latest military aggression is over. Our solidarity with the anti-colonial struggle of the Palestinians must continue.

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Features

‘Go East, Young Man’ An Interview with Lee Nelson

in China, or elsewhere. CRCC Asia have led the way from the beginning, and remain the UK’s leading It’s not every day your CEO takes you provider, helping 1500 students and out for lunch. Nor is it every day you graduates to experience such opyou? meet the Consulate-General, work portunities this year alone. “Internwith Lee Rota on a live advert for MacDonald’s, or ships have been going global for the I love my Amber so much, she’s only contact and meet CFOs at investpast few years” said Laura. “This is girl in the world for me - but if she ment banks with the hope of lining by no means a bad thing, nor is it Lee! Seems like you're in the middle came on tour she’d wreck my chances up a multi-million dollar IPO listing unexpected. The growing trend has contract. Neither is it every day that been driven by students and graduof a never ending tour, does it ever of pulling other birds.

you do an internship in Shanghai or ates looking to combine travel with get boring or is it just a way of life Can we expect to see another series Beijing. ‘stand out from the crowd’ profesfor you now? of your well good show?

Internship: the word is on the lips sional work experience. For this, the of many a university student. Barely obvious place to go is China.”

It’s just one big party, traveling My stand-up DVD Lee Nelson Live a generation ago, the word meant Suzanne Woodman, a 2011 CRCC around the country performing in is coming out in November, I’m host- virtually nothing. In fact, the concept Asia intern now working at Towers loads of crap towns and banging birds after. We’ve even got a tour bus. ing Live At The Apollo in December is so new that the Swedish don’t even Watson as an Investment Analyst, have a word for it yet - and that’s echoes such thoughts saying of her I drive, Omelette does directions, its and then I’ve got my brand new TV show Lee Nelson’s Well Funny People from the country that brought the experiences that “interning in China fat nav! coming out early 2013! world IKEA, H&M and Volvo. proved to be an invaluable experi

Nowadays, the word internship is ence as it gave me the opportunity What do you do to keep yourself What's the worst thing you've ever everywhere. However, the state of to gain an insight into the vibrant occupied whilst on the road? done to someone who you're living the global economy has brought an culture and business life in China. with? unforeseen thinning of domestic op- It also makes a great talking point Hanging with Omelette, playing portunities for students and graduespecially at interviews, as people Xbox, eating fried chicken, drivI once cling-filmed Omelette to his ates. As a case in point, according are very much interested in hearing ing too fast, drinking Sambuca and bed at 3 in the morning, and shoved to Law Gazzette, there are 1000 about your first hand experience of dogging. an entire box of crunchy nut cornapplications for 70 student internship such a dynamic business environ positions with law firm Addleshaw ment.”

Do you miss your kids when you’re flakes in his gob! I didn’t realize he had a nut allergy.

Goddard – a firm not even considWith Chinese companies prizing on tour?

ered to be within the “Magic Circle” Western education, photocopying is Finally: does your hat have a name? group. the last thing the intern is asked to When I’m on tour I miss my little In recent years, competition for do; they are usually given a greater boy so much – I hate having to buy Are you stoned you nutter?! domestic internships and jobs has level of responsibility in their profesmy own cigarettes. been utterly fierce, and as a result sional work experience than they

Catch Lee Nelson on his nationwide students and graduates are lookcould hope to have in the UK. “You As a pioneer of chav fashion, what stand-up tour ‘Lee Nelson Live’ at ing abroad for opportunities. One do you think will be 'in' for 2013?

London’s Indigo O2 on the 17th such country these young heads November, the DVD of the show is are turning to is China, the country Stolen trainers. available to pre order now: www. many commentators are describ leenelson.com ing as ‘exciting’, ‘dynamic’ and the Does Amber come on tour with crucially important to understand, culturally, economically and politically. Such will be China’s dominance in the near future that we will all be doing business there. Knowledge of China, and its business and cultural environments will therefore be a much sought-after quality amongst employers. The number of students and graduates looking to gain such experience is consequently on the rise – something that does not surprise Laura Joyce, the UK General Manager for China consultancy and recruitment specialists, CRCC Asia.

CRCC Asia’s pioneering China Internship Program has been designed to act as a stepping stone to allow all participants to go on and successfully launch their chosen careers at home,

M. Pettit

tf

are definitely thrown in at the deep end,” exclaimed Marketing and Advertising student Hannah Clark who interned in the Beijing office of an international communications agency, “but that makes for a great experience and you learn a lot in a short time.”

The opportunities available to young graduates in China are plentiful for those that venture East. CRCC Asia are proud that 30% of their interns are offered a full-time position in China after their internship.

The internship experiences many have had caused CRCC Asia alumni to re-think their career trajectory.

Since her internship in China, Emma Whenham – now a trainee solicitor at a “Magic Circle” London Law Firm - told CRCC Asia that “as a result of my experiences, I have been inspired to take secondment opportunities in China with my current firm and to focus my career towards Asia in the long-term.”

With such fierce competition for internships in the UK, and the East able to provide the opportunities students want, the old adage “go west, young man” may well need to be rethought.

For further information on CRCC Asia’s China Internship Program, please visit www.crccasia.com/internships

Next deadline

The deadline for the first issue of next term is New Year’s Day, 2013!

flickr/D. M. Cook

12

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Features

Felicity King Features Editor

The Last Taboo

’m going to ask you to imagine something. It’s alright, I can hear you. You’re saying: “oh no, what, really? I’m actually going to have to do something? Felicity, you’ve totally missed the whole point of a newspaper. A newspaper is this wonderful thing that can sit on your lap and just instinctively make you look clever; without-note the without- you actually having to do anything.” Well, I’m sorry, I know you’re probably exhausted from a night of alternating between checking Facebook and catching up with ‘Made in Chelsea’ but I have faith in you, you can do this.

Don’t worry, you don’t have to imagine anything ridiculous; the world’s still round, it’s still raining, buses are still late. What I want you to imagine is that you’ve broken your leg. How you broke it, I’ll leave up to you. I would probably break my leg tripping over a banana on the floor in Tesco (this did actually happen to me once) but you, you can break it diving to save a tiny child from a savage bear if you would like. That’s fine. Now, what do you do next?

You’ve saved tiny child from savage bear, said bear has been conveniently distracted by a Morris Dancing Labrador or something, and you’re left on the ground in pain. What do you do?

What you do is obvious. You call 999 and you go to hospital. You get taken straight there, you get treated, you get better, and, well, you probably also get your picture in the local paper, being an amazing, brave, child rescuer and all. But what if it wasn’t like that? What if that didn’t happen? What if you were scared and in pain and there wasn’t an ambulance coming? What if you weren’t allowed into hospital straight away? What if they sent you home and made you wait for months, even years, to be seen? What if you were shunted from doctor to doctor? Well, you’re going to say, I can’t imagine that. No, it is hard to imagine that because, despite the fact that we moan and we moan and we moan about our NHS, it does take our physical injuries seriously.

What it does not always do, however, is take mental illness seriously.

Statistics vary, but around one in four of us will get a mental illness in our lifetime. Four in ten of us will get cancer; but while both these illnesses are devastating and potentially life-threatening, only one of them is always recognised as such. For example, according to an article published

by The Guardian last year, one in six people believe that lack of will power and self-discipline is responsible for some mental illnesses; while around 22 percent of people do not think of

I

Get involved in the London Library Student Prize, win £5000 and membership student price is very fair, it is a little more than your Tesco shop.

However, the kind people at the The London Library is, according London Library, in partnership with to its website, 'the world's largest independent lending library'. It's also The Times and Milkround, are thinking of how to get you involved, along a lovely building, harbouring floor to ceiling bookshelves, walkways and with a bit of pocket money. The theme for this year's contest is 'Gap ladders and armchairs. If you have Years: A New Form of Colonialism?' ever been to Senate House Library, The deadline is Friday 11th January, then that is a shadow of what is offirst prize is £5000 and membership fered to you at the London Library. to one of the best resource librarUnfortunately- but for essential ies in the world, publication in The reasons, such as having the money Times, and the offer of a minito maintain the service- membership is required, and even though the internship. Three runners up will win

Scott Wilson

£1000, and although their work will not be published in The Times, the internship opportunity still stands.

At an evening for student journalists hosted at the London Library, The Founder board was able to discuss areas of the industry with the talented journalists from The Times, and we cannot stress enough how beneficial it would be to get involved with an opportunity that could change your life.

To enter the Prize, and for more information, visit www.londonlibrarystudentprize.com

mental illness as a ‘real’ illness. The worst thing we can do to people with mental disorders is to deny that they are suffering, to suggest that what they’re going through isn’t a proper illness, and to therefore belittle and ignore their pain. Imagine that you’ve broken your leg, saved that cute kid Tommy from that evil bear, gone to the hospital, and been sent away because ‘there isn’t anything wrong with you.’ Imagine being told by a trained, professional doctor that you’re just making a fuss. See, the point is, that would never happen to you, oh noble child rescuer with the broken leg. That would never happen to you because your broken leg can be seen and touched. Mental illness doesn’t show up on an X-ray, but that does not mean for one moment that it’s any less serious.

The underlying principle of the NHS is that all people deserve free healthcare. You might have to wait for a very long time; you might have to sit on skanky orange plastic chairs, (why, just why are they always orange?), you might have nothing but Mars bars to eat, because the vending machines in Casualty departments are always half empty and wholly shit, but eventually, you will be seen. That’s a given. Health care and treatment is a right we all have in this country. It is not, however, a

given for people with a mental illness. Patients do not have a right to many therapy based treatments. We claim, as a country, to see and treat mental illness in the same way we do any other illness, and yet, unlike any other, some of its most effective treatments are considered an indulgence, and not a legal right.

A report by the Schizophrenia Commission, released only days ago, showed huge issues still prevalent in mental healthcare. Patients often see a string of different psychiatrists, are frequently misdiagnosed, heavily reliant on medication, and even denied certain treatments, in particular therapy based ones. Saddest of all, though, is the lack of basic kindness and compassion with which these people are often treated. I’m going to make a wild assumption here. I’m going to assume you probably know five or more people. If you don’t, that’s totally fine; there is absolutely nothing wrong with only knowing four people, nothing wrong at all. I’m sure they’re four very nice people, and that’s all that matters. If you do know more than five people, though, whether or not you are aware of it, chances are you know somebody with a mental health issue. It is an illness that affects all of us in one way or another, and it’s about time we gave it the attention it deserves.

Want to Feature in the Founder?

The Features section is what you want to make of it! Investigation, speculation, promotion, fandom, column-writing, storytelling or anything in between!

Contact the Features Editor to find out more at:

features@thefounder. co.uk

13

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Features

tf Separating the tweets from the chaff, so you don’t have to...

Spot any choice RHUL tweets that need to be seen? Send them to editor@thefounder.co.uk!

Too Much Technology I'm secretly being judged every time I check a text or bring a laptop to my seminars. Do we really need all The other day, whilst travelling on these clever things to survive? Are the bus, I happened to overhear they making our lives easier, or just two middle-aged women talking. adding to the stress? Weren't we One asked the other whether her perfectly happy just playing Snake on daughter tweeted much, to which the our Nokia 3410s? other replied: 'No, she doesn't tweet, I did, of course, go through those she has a very plain phone.' The difficult 90s kid phases of wanting a first woman tutted in derision and Gameboy Colour more than natural they then went on to talk about the light, then wanting a Playstation daughter's love-life, which probably more than human society, and then isn't relevant. wanting a mobile phone more than Now I've never really been one any sort of secondary education. But to care too much about technology, I'm now 20, and even though the and couldn't help but feel a bit annumber of times I check Facebook noyed at the negative connotations per hour must far outweigh the that this girl had just received, just number of words I've ever said to my because her phone was deemed a friends, rather than appreciating the bit 'plain'. Then I was struck with modern world more, I've come to the worry that perhaps that's how care less about how clever my gadgets are. I've had the same phone for people are judged nowadays, and

Joshua King

many years, and it does have email and stuff, but that's just because my last one broke when I fell over and the man in the shop assured me that this was the perfect phone for my needs.

To be honest, I now very much resent the choice he made for me, because though I love being able to check Twitter absolutely everywhere I go, I wish I didn't. Checking Twitter everywhere I go stops me being excited when I come home to three new interactions, and stops me interacting as much with the real people.

It strikes me that I'm a member of perhaps the last generation that both remembers life before the technological renaissance and can't remember how we lived without it.

I suppose my real fear is that maybe I dislike these clever technological things because I find them difficult

to figure out, or even use properly.

I'm one of those people that put up with a laptop even though it doesn't work because I can't figure out how to transfer my iTunes library. But I sit here now, watching my housemate struggle through Assassin's Creed with a jealous - but welcome – distance, whilst I read the texts that have reached me successfully, and I can't help but think we've become too lenient with difficult technology.

I was far less stressed out when I played nice, simple Crash Bandicoot as a child, and it was comforting to know that I could walk around in public without someone hacking into my big, old, half-inch screened, five-pixel mobile's Bluetooth. I like my life to be simple, and seeing as it's controlled by machines, I'd like to at least keep them as simple as possible.

So maybe I'm being sentimental,

or nostalgic, or just technophobic when I say that I like the fact that my phone and laptop and games consoles are in the blurry, forgotten space that came before the new cutting-edge market. For me, new technology equals new difficulties and whether you have the newest phone or not, you're always going to be judged for it by the women on the bus. I suppose this is one of the things we have to accept in the modern world, and luckily we're still at a point in time when machines haven't taken over entirely. So with this in mind, I plan to calmly last as long as I can with my less than amazing phone and mediocre PlayStation skills and only face the oncoming storm of confusing, oppressive and all-encompassing technology when I absolutely have to. Or I might just read a book.

14

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Founder’s Building Molly Dyas

Piton de la Fournaise at Sunrise, La Réunion Charlotte Fox

Holloway View

pictures@thefounder.co.uk Showcasing the best scenery and moments of the Royal Holloway lifestyle. If you’ve taken a shot that you’re proud of recently, send it in with a commentary and the best one will get the prize of a whole page spread!

Battersea Fireworks Bonfire Gayatri Kamineni

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Arts

Arts

17

A Body Without a Heart Chekov’s Uncle Vanya

Credit: Alex Hiscocks

flickr/bebouchard

A review of The Mikado Dominic Pini

Review of The Student Workshop’s Picture of Dorian Gray Caitlin Turnbull To misquote Oscar Wilde: “there is no such thing as a moral or immoral play: plays are either well performed, or poorly performed. That is all.”

The Student Workshop’s production of The Picture of Dorian Gray was definitely the former.

The most stunning thing about this play was the interpretation of the characters. As an ardent lover of the novel, I am always interested in seeing new aspects of the characters, and The Student Workshop didn’t

disappoint. Samuel Wall’s portrayal of Basil Hallward was both natural, showing a friendly chemistry with Christie Grattan’s Lord Henry Wotton through his laughter in the opening scene, and extremely emotive.

In the original novel, Basil is a very emotional character—when Dorian leaves with Lord Henry, Basil throws himself down on the sofa, and it is implied that he cries when Dorian is engaged to Sibyl Vane. Sam Luffman’s direction and Samuel’s performance displayed this characteristic of Basil perfectly. In highly charged,

harrowing scenes, Basil’s torment over his attraction to Dorian- a man becoming steadily crueller before his eyes- was strikingly written across the actor’s face.

Luffman made a number of small directorial decisions which contributed to this production’s success.

Minor characters became something special: Lord Fermor (Jack Glanville) and Mister Hubbard (James Ireland) were transformed from little more than useful plot devices into incredibly funny characters. Again, the small touches made this so special:

Lord Fermor muttering to himself about women and laughing raucously at his own jokes; Hubbard stealing from Dorian’s house, and James Vane’s utilisation as a very powerful and tragic character. Indeed, Paddy Le Count’s performance was electrifying- Jim Vane’s awkwardness at his place in his class and fierce love of his sister was portrayed wonderfully.

His on-stage chemistry with both Bethan Sullivan (Mrs Vane), showing the estranged relationship of a fatherless son with his mother, and Isla Jefferey (Sibyl Vane), was very well adapted. The relationship between the two siblings made the few scenes that the Vane family dominated highly enjoyable.

Dorian’s monologue was another interesting touch, and a spine-chilling performance.

Joshua Brown was captivating as he walked among the audience, speaking and shouting, while every other character stood on the stage, holding up eerie blue lights to their faces. The scene was a haunting portrayal of conflicting guilt and

greed, pride and a mental breakdown, providing a segue between Dorian’s hiding of the portrait and the night of Basil’s murder. Another haunting scene was that in which Dorian blackmails Alan Campbell (David Rees), who is implied to have been a past lover of Dorian’s. Brown and Rees worked as a perfect yin and yang of abuser and victim, a manipulative but passionate kiss bringing out a dark meaning of sexual abuse from Wilde’s original novel.

Having seen the 1976 BBC adaptation of The Picture of Dorian Gray, which uses the same script by John Osbourne, I can say that The Student’s Workshop production was more enjoyable, with more memorable direction and characterisation.

A few small slip-ups were made in dialogue, but nothing so jarring as to damage the audience’s enjoyment of the play. Although the ending was ambiguous enough to confuse an audience member who had not read the book, the overall the cast and crew of this production have something to vain about.

As more details emerge about the Royal Holloway’s Savoy Opera Society’s recent production of The Mikado, directed by Harry Highton and musically directed by Charlotte Marino, was, to say the least, excellent. To stage a production which has been performed in some great venue or other continuously since its debut is no mean feat. However, with the help of a strong cast, a great orchestra, and obviously, the unsung heroes of all productions: the productionand backstage-teams; RHUL S.O.S. pulled it off.

I sat in the auditorium and was ravished by the production, hanging on each and every word of my favourite of Gilbert and Sullivan’s works. The language and linguistic nuances delight audiences of all ages from the puerile name of the operetta in full, The Mikado; or, The Town of Titipu, to the wonderful line “The youth who winked a roving eye, or breathed a non-connubial sigh, was thereupon condemned to die—he usually objected” in the third number, ‘Our great Mikado, virtuous man’.

Musically the performance was great, making the most of the delicious libretto, which parodies the English upper classes in a typically ‘G&S’ fashion. The strength of the chorus combined with the distinct nature of the soloists’ voices meant that the multi-layering for which Arthur Sullivan is so famous was as

full-bodied and luscious as the score deserves. The angelic soprano YumYum (Beckie Burtenshaw) combined with the incredibly powerful tenor of Nanki-Poo (Marshall Howell) made for an excellent blend of rich tones. Pooh-Bah (Chris Key), Ko-Ko (Adam Hitchen), and Pish-Tush (Ciaran Walshe)—the latter two making their Royal Holloway performance debuts—not only made for a hilarious grouping onstage, but also made their immensely difficult trio in Act I seem effortless. The strong performances of Pitti-Sing (Franny Sadler) and Peep-Bo (Sarah Bishop), added to Burtenshaw’s, made ‘Three little maids from school are we’ (arguably the most famous song from the show) a visual and aural delight.

Dramatically there were no weak links. The comic timing of Hitchen and Jack Hopkins—who played the eponymous antagonist— made for a hilarious pairing, although Key and Hannah Cartwright, who played the sensationally predatory Katisha, stole the show, both giving performances that received rapturous applause and uproarious laughter from an unfalteringly appreciative audience.

One cannot begin to fathom how such a great production was put together in such a short space of time. It was really a pleasure to watch. The highest praise must go to all involved, and each and every one of them should be immeasurably proud of their fantastic achievement.

Bravo!

full of tears and a heart truly moved, but with mild apathy.

Posner clearly respects When a cast this good tackles a bona Chekhov. Being reverential can fide masterpiece like this, Uncle be good, but there is a difference Vanya at theVaudeville Theatre between being reverential and being should be, as the publicity claims, overformal. There’s no reading be“the theatrical event of the year”. tween the lines: until a character says But while there is much to admire “I’m happy” or “I’m sad” they express in Lyndsay Posner’s over-reverential nary an emotion, as if scared of strikstaging, there’s little to love. It’s a ing the wrong tone. As such, no tone good production, undoubtedly, is struck whatsoever. Christopher often very good. But it is Chekhov as Oram’s set – a pared-back, wooden directed by a neurosurgeon – with construction – may be beautiful, but clinical precision but little heart. In the long scene changes don’t help. It being too reverential Posner does the resembles a children’s puppet theatre. play a disservice. The cold samovar At times it looks like a puppet perin Act I could be a metaphor for this formance with a one-handed puppetproduction – though true to Chekeer who can only control one actor at hov’s world, it’s hard to warm to. any one time: in Act II, when Vanya

The play, a study of stilted and Astrov are drunk, they forget to lives and provincial boredom, is be drunk when not in the spotlight, perhaps Chekhov’s finest hour and and in Act III Vanya’s wonderfully one of the finest pieces of theatre. acted outburst is greeted with little Through Vanya’s worries of a wasted reaction. Chekhov was a pioneer of life, Yelena’s marital miseries, Sonya’s naturalism, but here there’s an air of suppressed feelings, Dr Astrov’s artifice and theatricality that hinders cold heart and through Professor this.

Serebryakov’s delusions of grandeur,

With the exceptions of Chekhov deals deftly and subtly with Downton Abbey’s Laura Carmithe human condition. chael’s stunning stage debut as a

Nobody told director sensitive and superlative Sonya, and Posner, though, that when directing Samuel West’s astutely drawn, angsta play about stilted lives, the show ridden Astrov, none of the actors shouldn’t be stilted. And nobody delve into their characters enough. told him that when the characters In the title role, Ken Stott is intermitfeel bored, the audience shouldn’t. At tently amazing. Chekhov’s Vanya is times the play tantalisingly catches a creation of domestic tragedy, but fire and touches the heart, but too Stott’s ‘Varnya’ (as the others insist often lacks the essential emotional on pronouncing it), though easily core. You’d be forgiven for walking watchable and charmingly comic, out of this production not with eyes never feels truly tragic. Anna Friel

Nicholas Hyder

conveys something of her character’s plight but she doesn’t dig deep enough into Yelena’s situation. As the production goes on in its run, they will most likely warm up. Though Chekhov’s creations are easily empathetic, it’s hard to connect to these characters.

Uncle Vanya is a strikingly human and humane work. It is certainly a masterpiece, one of the greatest plays of all time. This staging makes it fine – just fine. A fine play in itself is one thing, but a mediocre masterpiece is another. Chekhov is a theatrical titan and a masterful playwright. Had this been my first Chekhov, I’d think this a good play by a good author, instead of a great play by a great author.

Posner’s production is fine piano playing with the soft pedal firmly down. Though right notes may be played, it’s hard to appreciate them. I left neither overwhelmed by the play’s stunning emotional conclusion (and at the end Carmichael is dazzlingly good) nor hugely disappointed. Should you go, you will admire the set, the fine performances by a good ensemble, the attention to detail. But you won’t fall in love and you won’t be moved. The words, the setting, the clothes, the props, may all be Chekhovian, but the emotions aren’t, and it’s the emotions that truly make Chekhov. So much is right here, but by not touching the heart Posner’s good production falters at greatness.

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Arts

Music

THE

The River: love and truth, explained in mystery and trout.

CAT -OLOGUE K

flickr/Pig Business

production into brilliance.

However, it is commitment, that sense of utter honesty, which is comThe River is a show that constantly pletely undermined by the events of but gently tests its audience. It is set the play. How many other women in a snug log cabin in the woods, could ‘The Man’ have bought to his in which we watch a man beguile a remote, romantic hut and spoken female guest with his ecstatic fervour words of such sincerity to? We are about the nature of fishing, and per- not even provided with his name, suade her to join him for a midnight and if we were, why would it be his cast. We are then presented with real one? Lies litter the play, an unthe aftermath - only with a differsure chain of events shaking up the ent woman. These two women trade reality even further. A caught trout places throughout the play. There and a glittering heart-shaped stone are slight differences between their are presented in the show as possible stories, but they always adhere to the interpretations of the man and the same flow, sometimes even speakwomen, yet even this can be turned ing the same lines. The substance of around, the sea trout swimming the script is difficult to summarise home year after year “until it gets without spoiling the plot, but it is an caught”, embodying a hopeful view essentially duplicitous thing. Very of the man’s activities rather than as a little actually happens with regards stone heart: cold, seemingly precious to action, but psychologically the and repetitive. It could be argued characters and audience develop. over forever.

The script is a masterpiece of writThe River is the first script Jez ing, but it is such a fragile, gentle Butterworth has written since 2009s construction that it can only be Jerusalem, one of the most critically fully realized when everything else acclaimed shows of the twenty-first is perfect: the intense performances century with a script which could from Dominic West, Laura Donnelly accurately be described as a powerand Miranda Raison; the exacting house. That bomb of a delivery could realism and subtlety of the weathered not be a more removed world from hut; the almost hidden lights and the slippery fish that is The River, unobtrusive sound effects, which one with its’ quiet intelligence and sense doesn’t notice because this construct- of the unknown. The River ran at ed world is so complete, that to have the Royal Court Theatre, from the any of these elements even slightly October 18 to the November 17. It is different would tip it into boredom. a play that will always puzzle, and is It’s this sense of utter commitment all the better for it. on all aspects which pushes this

Oscar Balfour

eats. He’s the archetypal tragic young poet, right? Wrong. How can we possibly call somebody who created, in just a few short years, one of the finest and best-loved bodies of poetry in the English Language tragic?

Keats’ poetry is very nearly a part of my DNA. My grandfather, James, was an English scholar and senior lecturer in English Literature (as well as one of the code crackers in WW2 who helped crack Enigma!) and he loved Keats his whole life. In the days when families used to sit around the kitchen table together each day, he inspired a lifelong love of Keats in my Mum, Aline, which she would later pass on to me.

Keats took much of his inspiration from sculptors and artists. There’s an indescribable physicality to his poems that makes you feel as if each work is a miniature living tableau. I once described his poetry as ‘lyrical braille’ and now I think I can explain why: to really read Keats, you need to read him with your body. Stars cascade across your eyelids, birdsong softly hums in your ears, woody scents cling to your nostrils, summer cider trickles across your tongue… but, perhaps most of all, emotion chimes bold and clear in your heart, flooding every fibre of your being.

Among Keats’ poems, it is hard to have favourites, but these are my top three. The first is ‘Bright Star’, about a young Keats musing on his desire to be as constant as the shining thimbles of light he beheld in the night sky. It does, like much Romanticist work, flicker across that fragile membrane between life and death. But, as much as Keats is longing for another realm, somehow his feet remain

planted on very earthly ground.

In another, 'To Hope', Keats steals the show with more spellbinding painting with words. This time, however, the shimmering beacon of light is not a star, but hope itself.

Keats welcomes hope to unwrap his soul from gloom, and, as much as his darker phrases blackened our outlook, as his silver slivers of hope soften his despair and lift him up, they do exactly the same for us as readers.

Finally, a recommendation for Keats would not and could not be complete without mention of what M.R. Ridley called ‘the most serenely flawless poem in the English language’; I give you ‘To Autumn.’

It’s as if a Shakespeare play had been swept up in a lyrical whirlwind and then fallen through the skies onto a perfect nineteenth century harvest.

Eight months ago, I never wanted to read another Keats poem ever again. After struggling through my final year dissertation, in a reverse of Romeo and Juliet, my hate had sprung from my love. From March until now, I have barely even looked at the cover of any of my Keats anthologies, never mind considered reading them. That was then. This is now.

This month, I got the shock of my life. After finding out just days before that my mum had cancer (and not tuberculosis as initially diagnosednow, that would have been very Keatsian!), events took a tragic turn.

My darling Mum passed away on the 15th of November. Never have I felt a stronger pull than that to remain by my mum’s hospital bedside in those last hours. And yet, at the same time, I wanted to run away, tell myself it

By Cat Kay was a dream, or rather nightmare, which I could wake up from.

Eventually, I drifted into a dreamless sleep with my hand intertwined with my mum’s. Later, when I woke up I did not realise why ; all was quiet and still. Then I realised all was quiet and still, including my peacesteeped Mum, who, at that moment, I realised, had stepped off our earthly plains.

My Mum always made it abundantly clear to us, that, should this happen, as it now has, we should not fall apart, but live on, for her. Another form of immortality can be found in ink. I notice that people often refer to Shakespeare in the present tense.

‘He is the greatest playwright we’ve ever known'. Keats is the same. His poetry remains unchanged with age: timeless, beautiful, haunting, in a celestial rather than a ghoulish sense.

My mum’s dad passed away in an autumn of the 1980s. My own mum has just passed away this autumn.

But, fittingly, it was always her favourite season of the year. Keats captured for her, for me, and many others, a constant autumn of perfect russets, ochres and seasonal ripeness.

Keats’ poem is a sylvan frieze of potentiality, always just shy of a winter that will never come. For my Mum, this year winter will not come. I like to think that she’s wrapped in her favourite scarf in a Keatsian Autumn amidst cool breezes and on colourful, crunchy carpet of leaves. My Mum once told my grandfather that she loved him so much she would die for him. He replied: "Ah- but would you live for me?" If she asked me the same question today, I would have only one answer, singing on my every breath: Yes.

Album review: ‘Grrr!’

The Rolling Stones

Nostalgia... but at what cost?

Sean Littlejohn Upon writing this review, ‘Grrr!’ – the album which marks the 50th Anniversary of the godfathers of rock ‘n’ roll’s formation - sits at number three in the official midweek chart.

Competing with new releases from heavyweights past and present, (Rod Stewart and One Direction) does this offering rekindle a mythological time when London was swinging and the Rolling Stones were musical gods, or just part of a futile attempt to recapture the band’s former glories?

The Stones’ familiar legacy of adolescent waywardness is currently enjoying a renaissance with the back catalogue being discovered by a whole new generation. With the steady drop feeding of rare photographs and previously unseen interviews, as well as their biographical documentary ‘Crossfire Hurricane’, there’s never been a better time to release an anthology of their best offerings, old and new.

‘Grrr!’ on its announcement was widely criticised for being yet another arm of a lucrative militarystyle marketing campaign and with only two new tracks amongst 48 past

Time to get that Christmas playlist together. If it’s your first one, then you’ll need to start with an album of standard and classic Christmas songs.

The most complete is the reasonably priced ‘Now That’s What I Call Christmas’, a 3-cd box set released last month.

Of the other albums, Cee- Lo’s ‘Magic Moments’ presents a soul and R&B take on Christmas classics. It starts strongly with the Stevie Wonder classic ‘What Christmas Means to Me’ and a duet with Christina Aguilera of ‘Baby it’s Cold Outside.’

Other highlights are a fun cover of Dr Seuss’s ‘You’re a Mean One, Mr Grinch,’ and soul ballad ‘Mary, Did You Know.’

One of Cee-Lo’s duets, with Rod Stewart, also shows up as the title track of the latter’s ‘Merry Christmas, Baby’. The album of Christmas standards starts off well with ‘Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas’ and a duet with Michael Buble, but mostly remains at the easy listening level of Stewart’s American Songbook albums. At its worst it is dull easy listening, but its best is ‘WeThree Kings’ with Mary J Blige, showing both singers at their best with a

Sean Littlejohn

Medicine was the venue chosen to play host to ‘Love Music, Hate Hatred’, a night of live music taking its cues from the ‘Love Music, Hate Racism’ campaign launched by the movement ‘Unite Against Fascism’ to combat racism with something that everyone – regardless of race – has a common love for: music.

But it’s a shame that Medicine wouldn’t give the event any great attention, given the genuine talent on display and the good-natured intentions of the night. For instance, not clearing away the pool tables for the evening – situated right in front of the ‘stage’ – was just downright disrespectful to the artists on show. As such, the audience consisted mostly of half-drunk pool players paying attention in between their shots.

But, as I’ve already said, there was a wealth of talent on display, even Sufjan’s musical style always made if the playing order was illogical. him suited to singing hymns and And Now We’re Even, hailing from Christmas songs, but this is definitely Kingston upon Thames, shook the one for existing fans who already night into life with their old-school have the first box set. brand of punk. Off the back of air time on Mike Davies’ punk show on Radio 1, and fresh out of the studio from recording their upcoming album ‘March to May’, they played like (and probably should have been) the headlining band. The everimpressive Hannah Bowers followed, Sufjan Stevens ‘Silver & Gold: armed with a powerfully captivatSongs for Christmas Vol. 6-10’, is the ing voice and self-penned songs second of two boxed set of Christmas lyrically reminiscent of Ed Sheeran, EPs. This set adds 58 songs to the drawing in a steady crowd from the 42 released in 2007, but costs three casual drinkers who were otherwise times as much (the download is much cheaper). Still, one third of the great arrangement. Stewart’s take on busy with their pints. Headline act songs are original compositions and ‘What Child is This’ is also genuinely Nadia and the Machine – winners of last year’s ‘Holloway’s Got Talent’ the production is more polished than moving.

And at last! John Travolta and Ol- competition, and graduates of the the first set. ivia Newton John release their long Leaky Sheep stage at Beach Break unawaited follow-up to the Grease Live 2012, closed the night with a soundtrack – ‘This Christmas’. It’s set decorated of creative and unique not immediately obvious what this mash-ups, and gimmick rapper ‘Dizalbum’s about from the cryptic title, zee’ David Young proved one of the but the cheesy album cover is pretty highlights of the entire night. indicative of its content. Worth a Overall, it was a fun night marred listen (for a laugh) on Spotify. by poor organisation.

Review: Christmas albums The sublime to the ridiculous Harun Musho’d

classics (78 if you go for the superdeluxe edition) it’s easy to see why.

Though their new tracks, ‘One More Shot’ and ‘Doom and Gloom’ sit comfortably among the familiar stadium rock belters; the latter as NME’s Mark Beaumont described as a “Gimme Shelter for the Wii generation”, for me it doesn’t compare to either the fire or melody of 1969 classic – but does it need to? Track listings are largely made up of the more commercially notable 60s output and outnumber those released in the last twenty years 6:1. For this reason ‘Grrr!’ offers the better compilation and clearer sense of chronological release than their last effort with 40 licks ten years ago.

So if it’s a comprehensive education into one of Britain’s most important and successful music exports then there has never been a better compilation. But for those die-hard fans well versed in all things rolling stones who wish to avoid a Jacko-like trap of re-release for the sake of two songs, best save your pennies for the grossly over-priced tour later this month. If you can get a ticket, that is.

Review: ‘Love Music, Hate Hatred’ @ Medicine, RHUL: Nadia and the Machine, Hannah Bowers, And Now We’re Even

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Music

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

If you would like to contribute to the next edition of the Founder, please send your submissions to:

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• editor@thefounder.co.uk for general enquiries, or if you’d like to help with design.

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Katherine McKenzie

get asked this all the time, do you still wear the same hat you were known for on The X Factor? And where can I get one?

No, I decided to take it off. It was from H&M if I remember rightly. But then people started sending them to me and I ended up with too many…

the way.

Album review: Example’s The Evolution of Man: Regressive or Progressive?

What do you think about shows like Let’s be honest, since winning The X The X Factor and Britain’s Got Talent Factor back in 2010, Matt Cardle has as ways of getting into the music indushardly had the successful break into try for all those aspiring musicians out the music industry that may have there? been expected.

It can really work for some people However, winning the ITV taland it can really not for others. It’s the ent show rarely leads to long-term Fair enough. So your new album ‘The risk that you take. But then you don’t recording success. You’re better off Fire’, was released on October 29. get anywhere in life if you don’t take finishing second or third if history How do you feel it relates to your first risks. I’m not saying it’s the best way is anything to go by; JLS, Olly Murs album, ‘Letters’? to go. I’m not saying it’s the worst way and One Direction have all done I had tons more control over this to go. It is a way to go. I tried for over pretty well for themselves. album than I did the last one. I got to fourteen years to get into the industry Katie Osmon Cardle stood out with his powerful co-write it as well as play the majority through various means and none of Music Editor vocals and modest image on the live of the instruments on the album, bar them were working for me until I went shows, receiving the most votes to One of Royal Holloway’s own alumthe violin. I don’t play violin. But I did on the show. stay from viewers every week except the majority of it, and I wrote a lot of ni, Elliot Gleave, aka Example, has the very first. Despite a number one the songs on the piano as well. released his fourth album; a mixture So what did you think about RATM’s single with ‘When We Collide’, Carof UK hip-hop, soft rock, dance mu‘Killing in the Name of ’ achieving the dle’s later material failed to hit the sic with dubstep creeping in – few (if My personal favourite is ‘All That Christmas number one back in 2009? top spot again. Musical differences any) have managed to combine these Matters’ and I read that was written There was a campaign to stop the led Cardle to part ways with Syco styles with the same commercial sucon the piano. predictability of the X Factor winner Music and Columbia Records back cess that Example has enjoyed.

Yes it was. That was the only song getting the top spot every year. in May. that I’ve got on the album that I wrote I wasn’t watching that year, but had His last album, ‘Playing in the Unlike many previous X Factor solely by myself. And that is probShadows’ charted at number one in I been following it I probably would winners, however, this was not the ably the most raw and personal track have felt bad for Joe [McElderry, 2009 the UK charts. ‘Say Nothing’, the lead end of Cardle’s pop music career. about my break-up. And it can be single from ‘The Evolution of Man’, X Factor winner]. But I was over the Last month, his new label, So What difficult – I’m not being a wetty about moon when I heard Zack de la Rocha’s debuted at number two suggesting Recordings, announced ‘The Fire’ is it – but it can be quite hard at times to voice coming over Radio 1 going, “Hi, his most recent album will follow in set for release on October 29. Emerg- sing it, because of how raw the emoa similar suit. You’d have thought this this is Zack de la Rocha. This is our ing from a rollercoaster two years, tions in it are. And it’s nice to write on Christmas number one, ‘Killing in the would have made his lyrics a little Cardle is determined to continue to the piano, you know?

Name Of ’”. I was over the moon. But, more upbeat; that would be quite make music he is passionate about. wrong. The album is essentially a obviously, it was bad for Joe… 13-track apology for behaving like He is still the acoustic guitar-playing, What other instruments do you play, an idiot and taking vast amounts of cheeky chappy from Essex with the just out of curiosity?

Thanks very much for your time and drugs over the past few years. stunning falsetto. And, more impor- Drums, bass, acoustic guitar, electric enjoy your day of press.

It’s the lyrics more than the tunes tantly, he is still a really nice guy. guitar, piano, percussion…I’ve been a I’m just in my flat, chilling. It’s good. that have evolved in Example’s musician since I was about eight years Thanks for your time. Take care of overtly post-therapy album. In First of all, although you probably old and you pick these things up along yourself

‘Snakeskin’, he says it best by crooning: “It’s time to make a fresh start”.

But you have to feel sorry for his ex-girlfriend when she was putting up with him through his tumultuous relationship with drugs and alcohol abuse: “I get home at half five/We fight till sunrise” (‘Say Nothing’) not to mention the “Lots of crying…/ Lots of lying” he spits out in ‘Come Taste the Rainbow’. However, I have a fair amount of respect for a rapper that can pronounce “methylenedioxymethamphetamine” and rhyme it with “settlin’” in the album’s opening track.

Getting Graham Coxon on board doesn’t make this a rock album (unless your idea of rock is U2) as some critics have suggested, though it does add to the repertoire of genres Example already mixes. ‘Crying out for Help’ certainly benefits from Coxon’s guitars. The album as a whole still feels lacking; hopefully this is only the beginning of Example’s evolution.

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The next submissions deadline is New Year’s Day, 2013.

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the founder

the independent student newspaper of royal holloway, university of london

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Humour - Part the 3rd -

The General Meeting; or, Running for King of the Students’ Union Hello, darlings! It’s Monty, fresh and pickled, returning from the ancient wastes of highchappery where few dare to tread for fear of the strange monsters and woman-beasts that feature in drunken lore, and boozy myth. It’s a strange and dangerous landscape: a world where an honest looking man offers you and your chums discount wine, and the next morning you wake up in the National Portrait Gallery cuddling a tapestry.

My most recent foray into this dark landscape from which I send you glorious report involves our happy little union down the hill from Founder’s castle. I have grown to love our union, my little wine-chicks. I go there dressed as film villains, porn stars and in black tie at every opportunity, and the music there does strange things to my head- stranger things to my hips, and compounds on my enormous sense of lust until I am the resident lust-monster of thrustville.

And then I heard about these curious nights called ‘GMs’. General Meetings. Grand Movements of a campus-focused political symphony, where my views and opinions were both needed and fantastic. I was going to play a part in the ‘big picture’, make life easier and more replete for my fellow students. I was well equipped, too. At my dear old school, HugoFontaine-Wellington’s School For Boys, I was the captain of the debating society, resident lord of dipsoc, chief whip of Chaucer (my school house), and the only boy of our year never to receive a written warning from the police for brutal social misdemeanours- I committed them, yes, but I talked my way out of arrest like a fallen angel charming his way back into God’s own dressing gown.

My mission: make our SU a superpower. My motion: to install a dictatorship of

virtue, and create a juggernaut of efficiency.

Everyone could be a part of my vision. We would gel together and push towards a brighter dawn. I went to the GM looking dapper.

School blazer, club tie, pocket watch, cigarette case, and a ceremonial sword I had down my trousers, which we would use to seal our revolutionary pact.

When I arrived I didn’t really know what to do. There were rows and rows of

dragged down by bureaucracy, I said. We needed a figurehead- not a president, but a warriorking, I said. I could be that warrior, I said. And I ended, with my arms spread wide, ushering all my new chums into my compassionate embrace, and I heard strange noises. Booing. The sound of a lot of people, who should like you, expressing the contrary.

In the next hour, I was slated so viciously, my friends, I had to frequently check to see if my limbs were still intact. I was subjected to such a wave of antagonism I was unsure whether I had actually entered a hitherto unknown hell, and the people around me were really demonic hellspawn sent to torment me. I did not know what to do. I drank on, pouring that one saintwine- down my gullet in order to keep myself pure.

Readers remember that Monty never wavers; he just sometimes stumbles a bit.

This was one of those times.

Mid-tirade, I knocked a little woman plastic chairs and it looked as if I might be a over before she could take the microphone and tad overdressed. I went to the bar, my spiritual rant about my tie, and whipped out the sword I home, and ordered those little plastic bottles had concealed in my trousers. I held it above my of wine they serve you on aeroplanes. I bided head. The room exploded, but I exploded more. my time, looked down at my notes, and sat

“People,” I shouted, “My dear people. content that I was a revolutionary hero in the I hear discontent. I hear sounds of confusion, making. and the crappy debating skills that normally

And then the debates finally began. happen when people lose all sense of perspecIt started off ponderously slow, elections and tive. I stand with you against austerity. I haven’t voting and other silly things. Every time a new bought a blazer for three months and I don’t speaker took the stand I took a drink- and drink Rioja anymore. I will be your Caesar, then it was my turn. install a royal line to our dear union-”

The stand was a prime, voluptuous

And then, just as it was getting really virgin waiting for a chap like me, and I took it. good, security broadsided me so hard I woke up On the screen behind me were the words ‘Mo- on disciplinary shore, and was banned from our tion to apply core power base to SU managedear union for a month. That is the end of my ment.’ I unveiled my luscious plan to my felfirst term at licentious Holloway, for it is Christlows: there were too many positions in the SU, mas soon.

I said. Efficient and brutal power was being

Your eternal pal Monty, signing off.

flickr/myPhotoshopBrushes

The Adventures of: Montague ‘Fresh’ DeLarge

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The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Film Review: The Perks of Being a Wallflower

tickld.com

*****

with the marvelously 90s spirit of the story, including songs from The Smiths, David Bowie, Cracker and Sonic Youth. Basically, this is the Based on the book by Stephen time when people used to write on Chbosky and directed by him, ‘The Perks of Being A Wallflower’ is a film massive clunky type-writers (that word-producing thing before lapabout high-school, but rather than tops), listened to music on reasonfocusing on characters who hate school, it is about the rest of the stu- ably-sized headphones, made mixed tapes and even owned records made dents, their teacher and life in genfrom actual vinyl. eral. Although it is about outcasts, The perk of the film is that it’s not it isn’t about the angsty pretentious trying to be smart, and although it know-alls. has slightly melodramatic and overInstead, it’s about Logan Leman’s the-top moments, it’s not awfully Charlie, and the year of 1991 - his serious. It doesn’t portray adolesfirst year of high-school. However, cence as a tragic period of one’s life rather than portraying him as the when no one understands them. The miserable loner sat in the corner characters of ‘The Perks of Being a (well, it does for just a little bit), the Wallflower’ are not perfect – in fact, film pushes him into his freshman they are rather flawed, but that’s part year of high-school with shouting, of the whole story and I really don’t cool music and learning what love want to spoil it all for you. There’s the is. Unlike most teen/coming-of-age stories, where the protagonist meets occasional break-down or black-out but there are reasons for that, too. the even more depressed sidekick, Charlie meets Sam (Emma Watson) Probably the adaptation from page to screen could have been smoother, and her gay step-brother Patrick and as a result some moments in the (Ezra Miller – ‘We Need to Talk script sound artificial, but then that About Kevin’). The two of them are not afraid to declare their eccentric- also adds to the characters’ charm. ity to the world, either at a party or at The actors fit well in their roles with the Rocky Horror Picture Show they Emma Watson coming out of Hermione’s skin and Leman being cast as put on. something different from the usual The film’s charm partially lies in the fact that it is not set in the immediate outsider. Overall, Chbosky’s film may not be cinematically flawless, but contemporary. That’s probably why it’s still witty and makes a statement its’ soundtrack, compiled by mumost teenage films do not – it’s better sic supervisor Alexandra Patsavas, to live life than just look at it. seems original and fits perfectly

Sara Cramer

Source: NME

Disney Buys Lucasfilm filmmakers of the age, and arguably showed Disney the way back to its earlier success by the 1980s.

I have always been a fan of George The move makes sense for DisLucas, and looked up to him for his ney on a number of levels. The two bold efforts to keep hold of every companies have been getting closer percent of his multibillion-pound in recent decades and Disney World company, Lucasfilm. In a nutshell, has even been running regular Star every single piece of Star Wars mer- Wars weekends. Lucasfilm has also chandise sold contributes to Lucas’ started to produce products for a already substantial money pot. That younger audience, such as the ‘Clone is why when I first heard the rumour Wars’ television series. For Disney, of Disney’s attempt to buy Lucasfilm acquiring Lucasfilm allows them to I was a little surprised to say the reach a further demographic in the least. audience - to target males of all ages.

At first Disney’s decision to buy Disney bought Marvel EntertainLucasfilm- the production company ment in 2009 for the exact figure behind ‘Stars Wars’ and ‘Indiana that Lucasfilm was purchased for, Jones’- may seem random, but after $4bn (£2.5bn), so their catalogue is looking into Lucasfilm’s history it ac- consistently expanding. tually seems that decision was always Lucasfilm is worth $5.2bn, but inevitable. Few people may know Disney are only paying $4bn. that Disney’s animation arm, Pixar, is However, many critics and analysts a company founded by George Lucas are claiming that George Lucas has and was originally a sub-company reached the peak with the ‘Star Wars’ of Lucasfilm. However, Lucasfilm’s franchise, and needs to hand it over relationship with Disney reaches to a larger force to continue to grow back even further to the 1970s. the brand. Lucas claimed himself Disney’s success with the relatively that it is ‘time to pass it over to a new unexploited children and family generation of filmmakers.’ Interestmarket originally drove the company ingly, George Lucas will receive half forward in the 30s and 50s, however, of the company purchase price in its films in the 1970s had been a flop cash and the other half in Disney in comparison. George Lucas and stock, making him the second highhis habitual partner in crime, Steven est shareholder behind the late Steve Spielberg, became the defining Jobs. Lucas will also act as a creative

Lucy Moore

consultant for the new movies.

What next?

I was a little sceptical about the effect that Disney would have over the franchise, being bought up with the likes of Anakin Skywalker and C-3PO. However, analysts such as Paul Dergarabedian, an expert in box office analysis and tracking, have suggested that the prospect of fresh creative talent will invigorate the franchise, and already have avid fans excited about the new owner and products.

Fans should fear not as Disney’s CEO, Mr. Iger, reported that “Disney respects and understands, probably better than just about anyone else, the importance of iconic characters and what it takes to protect and leverage them effectively”. Disney has a reputation to allow creative freedom to reach new entities.

The relationship between Disney and its 'independent divisions', which now include Lucasfilm, is really synergetic, analysts said, ‘with the Disney prized underlings providing the valuable products and the company taking care of marketing, distributing and all the dirty jobs of bringing the movies nearer to audiences worldwide’. So do not fear, Star Wars fans, the Disney imprint will not reach Star Wars yet.

24

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Film

Five Important Film Historical Biopics

News in Brief

Zlatina Nikolova Film Editor

Tegan Moran

Downfall (2004)

and memorable.

Milk (2008)

Set primarily in the 1970s, ‘Milk’ is a film about the struggle of gay rights Directed by Oliver Hirschbiegel, activist Harvey Milk to become this film details the last few days of Nazi Germany, focusing on the lives the first gay man elected to office in the USA. Harvey Milk is played of those living in Hitler's bunker.

by Sean Penn, and ‘Milk’ also stars ‘Downfall’ attempts to be as hisJosh Brolin and James Franco. Due torically accurate as possible, and is based on both the work of historians to the use of the actual areas of San Francisco that Milk lived and worked as well as eyewitness accounts, in particular Trudi Junge, Hitler's secre- in for filming, there are several anachronistic buildings and products tary during his final years in power. visible throughout. However, the The inaccuracies that can be chronology of the film is relatively found are small- certain objects accurate, and even uses footage of manufactured after the end of the Second World War, for example. The the time period within the narrative desperation of those closest to Hitler to add to the feel of the film. This is an incredibly moving film about a is portrayed with skill, and the film gives a chilling sense of the inevitable man not nearly as well-known as he failure of the Nazi regime. ‘Downfall’ should be. is a must-see for anyone interested in the study of WWII. The Young Victoria

The King’s Speech (2010) ‘The King’s Speech’, starring Colin Firth and Geoffrey Rush, is an exploration of the speech impediment of George VI, the father of the current Queen. Australian speech therapist Lionel Logue (Rush) helps the King deal with his stammer through his accession to the throne and the start of the Second World War. Warm hearted and amusing, this film does contain a few intentional inaccuracies, in order to be more widely accessible. The friendship between Logue and the King is exaggerated for the modern audience- in reality, the speech therapist never called George VI 'Bertie'. Despite this, the film is a good introduction to the 1936 Abdication Crisis, and manages to be both easy to watch,

Animated features contending for an Academy Award This year we have seen a number of animated features being released and most of them will be making an appearance on the list of the contenders for Best Animated Feature at the 2013 Academy Awards.

Just think about it: we have had ‘Pirates! Band of Misfits’, ‘Brave’, ‘Hotel Transylvania’, ‘ParaNorman’, ‘Frankenweenie’, ‘Ice Age: Continental Drift’ and ‘Madagascar 3: Europe’s Most Wanted’. ‘Rise of the Guardians’ has just been released and we are still waiting for ‘Dorothy of Oz’.

Allegedly, 21 animated features have been submitted for consideration by the Academy, including the aforementioned but also ‘Wreck-It Ralph’, ‘The Rabbi’s Cat’, ‘From Up on Poppy Hill’ and ‘Dr Seuss’ The Lorax’.

in 2011, it has been delayed due to issues with the script, developed by Bryan Fuller.

However, with Robert Downey Jr. as Geppetto and Jane Goldman, who has previously worked on ‘Stardust’, ‘Kick-Ass’, ‘X-Men: First Class’ and ‘The Woman in Black’, the project is back in development. The film will focus not on the wooden boy, however, but on Geppetto’s search for him after he goes missing.

Aaron Sorkin on Steve Jobs’ biopic

Although there are two films about the Apple genius in the making, there is a certain amount of pressure on the script, developed by writer Aaron Sorkin. Although there is another film in production, entitled ‘Jobs: Get Inspired’ starring Ashton Kutcher as Jobs and directed

by Joshua Michael Stern, there is unspoken anticipation surrounding Sorkin’s script.

In a recent interview he has revealed that the script he is working on will consist of only three 30-minute scenes. These will be showing Tim Burton Eyes ‘Pinocchio’ (2009) three significant launches throughAfter this years’ ‘Dark Shadows’ and out his career, including the original ‘The Young Victoria’ is a depiction of ‘Frankenweenie’, director Tim Burton Macintosh computer of 1984, the the start of the reign of Queen Victo- has been approached for the adapta- launch of the NeXT cube after he left ria, played by Emily Blunt, and helps tion of Carlo Coloddi’s fairy tale.

Apple and the first iPod launch in to dispel the image of the monarch as Although the project was announced 2001. old and gloomy.

There are some glaring errors - a key moment of mortal peril for a certain character is, in fact, fictional.

However, the film deserves credit for reforming the image of Victoria, by portraying her as a romantic heroine of a sort.

Sam Mendes after Bond 23 Naturally, after the success of ‘Skyfall’, Sam Mendes and writer John Logan have teamed up on a TV series project about vampire hunters.

Stories will probably include popular characters from literature like Doctor Frankenstein and Van Helsing.

Mendes will produce and possibly direct. Several networks like HBO and Showcase have already been approached about the series, which hopefully we’ll see on screen soon.

Sport A Season in Formula 1

As the F1 season draws to a close, Rian Hoskins takes us through his highlights flickr/w3i_u

The Dark Knight shooter hearing postponed After allegedly ramming his head into a wall, the hearing of James Holmes (see below), charged with starting open fire, killing twelve people and injuring 58 more at a screening of Christopher Nolan’s ‘The Dark Knight Rises’ this July, has been postponed.

Since the attack in Aurora, Colorado on July 20, he has been held in Arapahoe County jail. His hearing has been delayed to 10 December because he rammed his head into a wall in prison and was then sent to a hospital. His lawyers succeeded in getting a postponement, arguing that he is entitled to be present at all of his court hearings.

Little Ashes (2008)

for me it would have to be the Abu Dhabi Grand Prix. On a track known Rian Hoskins more for its glamour than its racing, we weren’t expecting much of a spect has truly been one of the best tacle. However, we got the best race Formula seasons to date. Last ever held in the Middle East. season we saw Sebastian VetThere were a number of incidents tel dominate in his all conquering in the first 20 laps, including a masRed Bull, where he wrapped up the sive collision between Nico Rosberg driver’s title with four races to go and Narain Karthikeyan. While and eventually helping to take the Vettel was trying to carve his way constructors championship at the through the field after being demoted following event. to the pit lane due to not having This year it has been a different enough fuel in the car for qualifystory with a total of eight drivers tak- ing, Lewis Hamilton was controling at least one victory and with both ling the race. That was until lap 20 championships going down to the when a fuel pump problem led to his wire. With a total of 20 events, this retirement and meant Kimi Raikhas been the longest race calendar konen inherited the race lead. While in history, and there are so many Raikkonen would take victory ahead highlights to choose from. of Fernando Alonso, Vettel drove one of his best races to finish third. With action happening up and down the Race of the Season field, it truly was a remarkable race to watch.

With so many fantastic races, it is hard to choose the best one, but

I

Where to begin? Little Ashes portrays a circle of creative minds, including Salvador Dali and Federico Garcia Lorca, in 1920s Spain. It could be considered a good introduction to the culture of the period, although the nature of the relationship between Dali and Lorca, contested by historians, is over-emphasised within the film.

Overall, this film is worth a watch purely for the artistic creativity the low budget necessitated, and the moustache sported by Robert Pattinson (see left).

Credit: Reuters flickr/HeatherWeaver

25

The Founder | Tuesday 27 November 2012

Colorado mass killer James Holmes in court

one of the best campaigns in history (even better than his two championBest Driver ships in 2005 and 2006). He has fully justified his status as the best driver My driver of the season would have to be Ferrari’s Fernando Alonso. on the grid.

The Spaniard began the season with a car that was over a second slower Best Team than the pace-setting McLaren car, yet he still managed to acquire top While Red Bull developed their finishing positions wherever he car to be the fastest on the grid, the could. He took a brilliant victory in team that has impressed me the most the wet at Malaysia and then, after has been Lotus. They have really a few races where he scored points improved from last season and now consistently, he won the European their ambitions to be challenging Grand Prix in front of his adoring for championships are beginning to fans, which was one of the best drives come to fruition. They are willing seen in recent memory. He followed to take risks when it comes to car this with pole positions in Britain development, and have a stronger and Germany, finishing second and claim than anyone to be the most infirst respectively. novative team. Their driver line up of While it seemed at the time Alonso Raikkonen and Grosjean is the most could take the title, Red Bull drastiexciting pairing on the grid, as both cally stepped up their game and are aggressive drivers who will push Vettel caught up to overtake him in the car to its limits, the team can the championship in Korea, but nosurely be happy with their perforone will deny that Alonso has driven mance and points total this season.

Best Moment This would have to be when Pastor Maldonado won the Spanish Grand Prix for Williams back in May. Due to Williams, a team which was untouchable in the early to mid-1990s and not winning a race since 2004, this was a moment where everyone in the paddock congratulated the team for helping to turn round the fortunes of Sir Frank Williams and his beloved team.

It has been a spectacular season from start to finish and I can safely say that there has never been a better time to be a Formula One fan. Now, it’s the long winter break until the season starts again in March 2013.

The North London Effect: More bang for your buck flickr/Matt and Kim Rudge

Sport

Meet: Theo Chiles Sports Editor Hi, my name’s Theo, I’m a third year classics student from London and I’m the new Sports Editor here at The Founder. Sports and sports writing are my passions; I’m particularly keen on football, although in the interest of maintaining the pretence of objectivity I won’t reveal whom I support. I also play and write about tennis when I can.

As a nod to my American ancestry I also keep an eye on baseball and American football, particularly

the San Francisco teams.

That said, anything that’s well written will catch my eye, so if you’ve got an opinion on any sport at all I’ll be happy to listen to your ideas; just send me an email here at sports@ thefounder.co.uk.

This is a bit short but I’m full of thanksgiving turkey and I simply can’t think of anything else to say about myself that anyone would want to read so it’ll have to do.

22 November 2012

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I

n recent Premier League seasons, the football narrative has lost its way. The focus these days is on which managers are next on the chopping block, which clubs are in crisis, and which players are sleeping with their teammates’ sisters’ cousins’ dog walkers. Meanwhile the ugly side of the game reared its head during the John Terry and Luis Suarez cases, reminding everyone that tackling racism must remain one the FA’s highest priorities.

‘The game itself has become almost an afterthought’

While all this has been going on, the game itself has become almost an afterthought, a tangential and unimportant storyline tacked on to the end of a particularly dreary soap opera simply to fill time.

In short, the game needs an image boost, and it need look no further than the redemptive powers of the North London Derby.

Just over a week ago, Arsenal and Tottenham Hotspurs met for the 173rd time, and for the second time in two seasons, the Gunners ran out 5-2 winners at the Emirates. The 14 goals in those two games, added to the 41 in the previous 11 meetings means that the two teams are averaging an impressive 4.6 goals a game.

Consequently this fixture has become a timely celebration of the things that we rightly love about

football. Ever since Spurs managed their first win against Arsenal in almost ten years when they romped to a 5-1 trouncing in the 2008 League Cup, the passion and intensity have been restored to this great rivalry, and the goals have followed suit.

There have been thrashings, dramatic comebacks, late winners, red cards, penalties, both scored and saved, all against the backdrop of the often dramatic race for Champions League qualification.

To put the figure of 4.6 goals a game in context, using a similar sample size for the other major Premiership derbies you get the following, underwhelming numbers: the Tyne-Wear fixture (Sunderland and Newcastle for the uninitiated) is mustering 2.7 goals; the two Manchester teams are scoring at a rate of 2.4 a game, and bringing up the rear are the Mer-

seyside and West London derbies, managing a meagre 2.2 and 1.9 goals per game respectively.

Clearly there’s something in the water along the Seven Sisters Road.

Arsenal vs. Tottenham is the highest scoring Premier League fixture with 121 goals, and the seven scored last weekend should leave it at the top of the pile for some time yet.

Purists will argue good defensive play is as important as goals, if not more so and it’s true that the North London Derby has been known to plumb the depths of defensive incompetency.

I would suggest that this fixture will live much longer in the memory than any dour 1-0 or 2-1 win however. As will any number of recent meetings between these two teams: the 5-2 win for Arsenal last season for example, or Tottenham’s dramatic

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These are the games that live long in the memory, the games that make you want to dust your boots off and go have a kick about in the park.

These are the games that remind you why you became a football fan in the first place. So the next time John Terry does something incalculably stupid (and there will be a next time), or your team’s mascot sleeps with the manager’s wife, try to remember the North London Derby, and that there are at least two teams still doing football the right way.

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