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Queen’s Mourns Mandela The Gown Staff Members @thegownqub
Queen’s University has paid tribute to Honorary Graduate and former President of South Africa Nelson Mandela, who passed away on December 5th. The anti-apartheid leader, who won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1993 and went on to become the country’s first black President the following year, received an honorary Doctorate for distinction in public service from Queen’s in 2008, earning the title of “Centenary Honorary Graduate”. He inspired a generation of student activists in the 1980s, including those in Queen’s who lent their support to the anti-apartheid movement and renamed the Students’ Union’s live music venue, formerly the McMordie Hall, Mandela Hall in 1986. Upon accepting his honorary degree from the university, Mr Mandela commented, “Thank you for the honour bestowed upon us today. I regret not being with you in person. My grandchildren will be impressed when I can boast with an honorary doctorate from such an esteemed institution. Queen’s University Belfast plays a central role in the life of Northern Ireland and is key to its future. We have long admired the people of Northern Ireland who have evolved much and who, like our own people
in South Africa, are now working together to build a new society. I have often said before, education is the greatest liberator of all. My university education was unconventional and an experience far removed from that of your students. Throughout Africa children still find it too difficult to get even a basic, formal education. The educators have a duty to use the skills they developed to give something back to the world. We are honoured to have learnt that the student body decided to name the hall at the University after us to highlight the cause of the people of South Africa during Apartheid. We thank you for your efforts. In honouring us, you honour the people of South Africa too. We thank you for that”. Speaking on the death of Mr Mandela, the university’s Acting Vice Chancellor, Professor James McElnay, stated: “The Queen’s family is deeply saddened by the news of Nelson Mandela’s death. He was an international statesman whose selfless commitment to justice, equality and reconciliation, coupled with courage and leadership, transformed a nation. He was a truly inspirational global citizen”. He continued, “The University extends its sincere sympathy to his wife Graça Machel, and his family circle”. Tributes poured in, too, from the Students’ Union, where a book of con-
dolence was opened in the foyer to allow students to pen their reflections on the deceased leader. Students’ Union Vice President Campaigns and Communications, Connor Daly, noted in a blog published on the Union’s website, “In saying farewell to Nelson Mandela, we do so to an icon who inspired millions right across the globe. Speaking as a young person, Mandela‘s principles and values, and his compassion and willingness to always do the right thing, will always inspire me”. Caoimhe MacNeill, the Students’ Union’s Vice President Equality and Diversity, added, “Nelson Mandela will forever continue to symbolise courage, respect, and an unending passion for a better world. We mourn the loss of a hero but we remember a man who endured decades of abuse and imprisonment before walking free without bitterness and hatred. This weekend, we remember how, despite past hatreds and grievances, we really can learn to love, for in the words of Mandela: “Love comes more naturally to the human heart than its opposite””. Mr Mandela was buried yesterday, shortly after 11am, in his home village of Qunu, South Africa. The burial followed a memorial service, and had been preceded by a week of events in celebration of the politician’s life.
Nelson Mandela, former President of South Africa, who passed away earlier this month. Photo from Flickr.
University Staff Hold Second Day of Strike Action Liam Cassidy Contributor December 3rd saw university staff – across the UK and at Queen’s University - stage a second day of industrial action in two months, in the ongoing pay dispute between the University College Union (UCU), UNITE, and higher education organizations. This strike followed that of Wednesday October 31st, as university management have not yet responded to union requests for a renegotiation of pay rates for university staff. Those striking believe these pay rates to be disproportionate to the rate of inflation.
UCU argue that staff have suffered, on average, a pay cut of between 13% and 15% in the last four years as universities fail to increase wages in proportion to the rising cost of living. The union also criticizes the perceived increase in workload for educational staff. In UCU’s eyes, universities are “failing to prioritise the staff who make our colleges and universities work”, with their budgeting decisions. The union has voiced its concern for future employees, particularly those on temporary contracts, should university management stand by these decisions.
As no resolution was reached between the unions and universities across the UK on the disputes surrounding staff pay after the initial strike earlier in the semester, UCU at Queen’s felt they were “left with no choice but to mount a second strike” and that this second strike was “a real chance to further demonstrate our resolve and to bring the employers back to the negotiations”. As with October’s strike, Queen’s did not support the unions’ decision to take further industrial action, calling it “regrettable” in an email to all students reiterating its stance. The
university’s effort to maintain a “business as usual” approach was, however, unsuccessful in many schools, as numerous classes were cancelled or disrupted by the action. In a Student Council meeting last month, the Students’ Union had extended solidarity to Queen’s staff and supported their strike action. The decision to do so followed the proposal of a motion by Union President Niall McShane, which outlined how the student body, “values the contribution of academic and support staff to Higher Education”. December 3rd’s rallies mirrored
those of October 31st, with staff and students forming picket lines in front of the Lanyon, SU and Elmwood buildings from 8am, culminating in a rally staged in the SU Snackbar at 1pm. After the Student Council decision to extend solidarity to staff, there was an increased student presence at both the picket lines and at the rally, with Mr McShane representing the Union in a speech to those assembled in the Snackbar.
Story continues on page three.
The Gown
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02 The Gown Editorial The Gown is the independent student newspaper at Queen’s University Belfast, established 1955. The Gown Team 2013/ 2014 Editor Tara McEvoy editor@thegown.net General Manager Megan Liddy business@thegown.net News Editors Kylie Noble Fiachra O’ Maolcraoibhe news@thegown.net Assistant - James Douglas
Tara McEvoy Editor @tara_mcevoy
With Christmas just around the corner, classes may be winding down in universities across the UK - but the student movement is
Lifestyle Editor Sonia Benhassine lifestyle@thegown.net Health Correspondent Michael Grant Sports Editor Michael Doran sports@thegown.net Assistant - Conor Coyle Opinion Editor Brian Martin info@thegown.net Photography Editor Darragh Hobbs Assistant - Desmond Eastwood Business Manager Orry Robinson business@thegown.net Web Manager Anna Growcott Social Media Manager David Stewart Design Editor Matthew Morete Contributors Liam Cassidy James Smith Charles Cook Joe Gilson Michaela Clarke Ryan McGroarty Kaity Hall Amy Slack Niall Coleman Jennifer Gorman Katie Matthews
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On that note, from myself and the rest of the team here at The Gown, have a happy Christmas and best of luck with January's assessments – we’ll see you in the new year for another semester’s worth of excitement.
Here we are, the final Hood for 2013. The festive season will soon render campus quieter than a Saturday night at Elms – in fact, the month is already driving hoards of students towards the McClay, as beads of sweat begin to appear on the foreheads of those who had previously prided themselves on not attending a single class this semester. Many a sleeping bag or even a fort made out of books has been spotted in the library in the last few weeks. As Silent Night is gently hummed from the barricades of Coleraine’s senior common room and the first flakes of snow fall onto the empty
SU Mag holders throughout the university, let’s all take a cup of fortified tonic cheer and think warmly about the year gone past. The first thing that the Union has pulled from its mighty sack is the new website, which finally arrived this month to no fanfare at all. It has been brewing for nearly four years, and, spelling errors aside, it's a lot better than the last one. Then again, a man in a loincloth standing on a bucket shouting "I AM ERROR" would have been a slight improvement on the last website. Curiously absent from the new site, incidentally, are a huge number
Letters
Letters reflect the personal beliefs of their authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gown’s editorial team.
of the SU Council Minute archives –they’ve mostly disappeared into the ether, covering only last year. But, we wouldn’t want students to remember when council actually got things done. On the topic of things nowhere-to-be-seen, all those who placed bets that they wouldn’t see another SU Mag in 2013 can use their winnings to spread some festive cheer, or at least keep themselves in cramming coffees. The Gown may not be fortnightly anymore, but by my count, the monthly SU Mag is a touch behind - it’s released two issues so far, which puts it on schedule for October… 2012.
Things might seem quiet on the Western front, then, but, just as the first mouthful of Christmas dinner must give way to bowel cramps and resentment, so too this holiday lull must end. The fees debate hasn't gone away, and it'll likely start up again once the festive season is over. The sabbs, of course, will select their successors from the student body and coerce the electorate into voting them in in March, perpetuating the vicious cycle of student disinvolvement, apathy and oligarchy in the Students’ Union. Merry Christmas, by the way.
“Queen’s Students Have Shown Apathetic Disinterest” Today is December 3rd, a relatively unremarkable day in the student calendar. Yet today was also the day university staff, (a broad term encompassing all from cleaners to senior lecturers) attended their second strike of the year. Unison passed a motion on October 8th, the UCU on October 10th, with Unite closely behind four days later. The day, as some may recall, the first strike took place was on October 31st. I mention this for the very simple reason of providing a timeline. Between the strikes being called and the first instance of action elapsed three weeks. Following that were almost another five. During the afternoon meeting on
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October 31st, many staff members, as well as union officials, laid out the reasons why they felt industrial
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In the meantime, though, the vast majority of the student body will be rather more preoccupied with wiling away the final days of 2013 in the McClay Library in search of divine inspiration for essays, before returning home for a festive bout of
fridge-raiding, merriment and preexam panic.
The Hood The Hood is The Gown’s anonymous whistleblower cum satirist. Founded in 1976 by a generous donation from the Sir Humphrey Hood Foundation, the Hood has consistently broken news of wrongdoing in the elected officials of the Students’ Union, as well as the wider student movement and the university itself. Loved by people who care too much about SU politics and despised by officers who should care more, the Hood delivers the news and the schmooze on those who waste your union dues. @upthehood
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It remains to be seen how further protests may unfold as we enter
the new year, but for now, this new wave of activism definitely seems worth keeping an eye on.
The Hood
Arts Editor Peter McGoran arts@thegown.net Assistant - Conor Kerr Correspondents Film- Patrick McAnea Music - Hayley Gault Theatre - Colm Doran TV - Adam McAllister Features Editor Matthew Law features@thegown.net Assistant - Níamh Marley
doing quite the opposite. In recent weeks, campuses throughout the nation have seen the emergence of a new strain of activism, featured on page five, with students extending their solidarity to striking staff in the form of a spate of occupations, demonstrations and marches.
action was necessary. What was also on the agenda was talk of trying to engage students; to ask students to get involved and to rally their support.
and taking on other jobs in related fields. Lack of interest now will impact on the conditions some of us will be working under in the future.
tives playing at politics; patting themselves on the back and congratulating each other on a job well done, when, in reality, nothing has happened.
A cursory glance over social media and various news sites has shown how students in dozens of universities across the UK have shown solidarity with their lecturers. At Queen’s we have shown, at best, apathetic disinterest. I won’t outline any of the arguments here - there are already many who can do so better and more articulately than I.
The purpose of this letter isn’t strictly to air grievances about an apathetic student body - each of us (myself included) can provide a dozen different excuses. What is, in my view, most galling is the lack of any real support from QUBSU. Certainly a motion was passed (how many weeks later?) voicing support, but little action has been taken.
Take a look around campus, and look to see if you can find any information relating to QUBSU’s stance. Where is the guidance for students wishing to voice support? Where is the show of solidarity? I received a sparse email last night (on December 2nd) at exactly 19:59, and it is the first and only communication I have received from the Students’ Union.
However, this is an issue which affects all of us as students, not least because the immense pressures placed on staff impact on our learning experience, but also because many of us will want
I am not of the view that any kind of militant occupation is required or even useful, but the sheer lack of visible support has been noticeable. It is something that has been commented on by union officials, staff and also bodies of students. What we have seen is a group of elected representa-
to proceed towards further studies, some towards becoming academics
How can the reasonable demands from staff be heard if students and the body that is supposedly there to represent them are too afraid to speak up? Gerard
“Blurred Lines Ban to be Deplored” Dear Sir/Madam,
nalists and even worse commentators.
marry one someday in the future. That doesn't make me a misogynist. Neither
I hadn't read The Gown since I graduated in 2011 but I couldn't believe the amount of good newspaper space devoted to an irritating and irrelevant pop song.
I'm quite sure Robin Thicke didn't sit down whenever he composed the song thinking of condoning sexual assault. The difference between Thicke and the rather boring Mr Spedding [“Blurred Lines Ban to be Applauded”, The Gown, November 26th, 2013] is that Robin isn't afraid to express his perfectly natural love of women. I am a fan of women myself and intend to
does some edgy, perfectly common references to sex in a pop song. Sex sells, remember. Think of the sad state Miley Cyrus has gotten herself into because of better hidden misogyny of the music industry.
All the good buzzwords like 'safe space' and 'misogyny' were thrown around with the casual smugness we have come to expect from poor jour-
I'm just gobsmacked that the fantasies of some pop singer are now considered worthy of microscopic debate. If
Mr Spedding and the Gown team want to actually do something about sexism actually get out and get active about it. It's very easy hiding behind computer screens and changing the world. Yours sincerely, Mr Graeme Wallace
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LIAM CASSIDY| University Staff Hold Second Day of Strikes MICHAEL GRANT | SWOT Release Charity Single KYLIE NOBLE | NUS-USI Launches ‘Pound in Your Pocket’ Survey JAMES SMITH | UUP and SDLP Youth Groups Debate at Queen’s THE GOWN | UU Staff and Students Occupy Senior Common Room
News
MATTHEW LAW | Students Protest Range of Issues Across UK
University Staff Hold Second Day of Strike Action (Continued from page one). Liam Cassidy Contributor Students’ Union President Niall McShane addressed both staff and students on the Students’ Union’s commitment to supporting the campaign, stating, “I’m delighted to be here today to show our solidarity with our staff members, who play a very important role in higher education and the student experience here at Queen’s”. He ended his speech with a reiteration of his support: “Hopefully over the course of the next few weeks, the discussion that is ongoing will come to a resolution that will be unanimous... You [the university staff] played a very important role in my higher education, in providing me with advice and support, as with all students at
Queen’s. It’s important that we recognize the role that you play and support you in your campaign just as you have supported us in our campaign [on tuition fees] over recent years, and will continue to do so in the fight for higher education in Northern Ireland. I want just to say, on behalf of the students of Queen’s University, that we fully support the campaign that’s ongoing at the moment, and will continue to support that campaign”. Speaking to The Gown after the strike action, President of the UCU at Queen’s, Professor Mike Larkin, said, “We are grateful for the continuing strong support we have received from students at this time”. “Our actions”, Professor Larkin added, “are there to highlight the many hundreds of staff on short-term contracts
who receive much lower pay. We want a well-paid and motivated workforce to deliver a top class education to our students”. Future industrial action has not yet been confirmed by UCU, yet national talks on this possibility commenced in London on Friday 6th December. When asked about the future of the campaign, Professor Larkin outlined, “We are now working to contract. This means that the goodwill shown by many staff who work long hours at evenings and weekends will start to be withdrawn”. While both the UCU and the university are keen to avoid any further disruption to education, the course of any future action will be decided upon in the coming weeks and may, argue the unions, be unavoidable.
The Lanyon building on December 3rd. Photo from The Gown archives.
ta-dah Brand new website alert! We listened to your feedback and we’ve built you a brand new website. We’ve totally rewritten, recreated, redesigned, and recoded every little bit of it, and we truly hope you like it. We’ve thrown oodles of love, care, and attention at it just for you. Pop on over to qubsu.org to have a peek.
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The Gown
04 News SWOT Release Charity Single The Students Working Overseas Trust has released their very own Christmas single – The Gown reports on the pace at which the track is gathering momentum. Michael Grant Health Correspondent @mickgrant
You may have heard of a bit of commotion recently, regarding some Queen’s students and a video making the rounds on YouTube and Facebook – but, unlike in the past, this time it has nothing to do with some dodgy parking in the Holylands. With around 30,000 hits in just a few weeks, the video in question is actually a charity music track written and performed by some of the university’s own fourth year medical students. Members of the charitable society SWOT have put down their stethoscopes and picked up their instruments for the benefit of hospitals in developing countries. SWOT stands for the Students Working Overseas Trust, and is a charitable society
run by fourth year medical students here at Queen’s. Over the past 35 years, through a number of fundraising endeavours – most notably the massive, annual SWOT fashion Show – the society has sought to raise as much money as possible for those in need of improved healthcare in the most impoverished areas of the world. Not only does the society raise this money, the fourth year student doctors take every penny of the funds raised to developing nations themselves, whilst they work in these areas during their six week summer elective. Together with hospital staff, they decide what the money should be spent on – be it medical supplies, setting up a rural clinic or paying the salary of a midwife in a rural clinic.
Ylvis, they came up with a song in the hopes of it going viral. Current SWOT President Jonny McDowell said the idea originated as a joke but snowballed into a fresh fundraising idea after he took on his current role. Speaking to The Gown, Mr McDowell noted, “The response has been fantastic. We have appeared on UTV live. We've had write-ups from the Daily Mirror and Belfast Telegraph. We were even contacted by a student journalist in Taiwan who had picked up the song and did a piece on us. We have appeared on BBC Radio Ulster with John Toal and Alan Simpson, Downtown Radio with Kirstie McMurray, and Blast 106 with Philip Reynolds and Chris Barber. The support from Queen’s has been incredible!”
This year the committee decided to try something different and, following in the footsteps of internet legends like Rebecca Black and
With the help of local company Four Creatives, SWOT made a video to accompany the track. This can be found easily by typing “This is SWOT” into
The cover of “This is SWOT”, the new single from QUB’s SWOT society. the YouTube search bar. While the thousands of views garnered by the video have delighted the committee and helped raise awareness around their cause, they are still keen that
people purchase the song (for the price of a roll of polo mints, you could do a lot worse). A link for this can be found in the YouTube video description.
NUS-USI Launches ‘Pound in Your Pocket’ Survey NUS-USI has launched a survey on student finance which they claim to be Northern Ireland’s most detailed ever. “The ‘Pound in Your Pocket’ survey”, Ms Hall added, “is a ground-breaking research project that will shine a light on the many significant problems that students face in trying to live on a very limited income”. NUS-USI hopes that the results of the survey will help shape the policy on student funding. The survey will examine the hours that students have to work in jobs on top of their studies. It will also look at payday loans amongst students and the costs they face for accommodation, as well as examining the level of worry that students have about their financial situation. The logo of the National Union of Students-Union of Students Ireland Kylie Noble News Editor @Kylie_Noble94
The National Union of StudentsUnion of Students Ireland’s (NUS-USI) ‘Pound in Your Pocket’ survey will be open to all further and higher
education students in the region. The Union’s President, Rebecca Hall, has encouraged all students to take part, stating, “This survey is arguably one of the most important opportunities for students in Northern Ireland to get the message across to government about the difficult financial
situation they have to deal with on a daily basis. As well as being the most detailed survey on student finance ever carried out here, we are very confident that it will also be the biggest survey on student finance in Northern Ireland ever”.
The NUS-USI’s President continued that, “The survey is open to both college and university students, and taking part in this survey will help create the strongest possible evidence base for more help for students. The cost of living is very high at present. Heating and travel costs are high, and so are food and
electricity bills. People can see the impact that the recession has had on the job market, but I believe it is also very important that we can see the impact that the recession and associated factors have had on students here too”. “Financial problems”, she emphasised, “can have a devastating impact on students’ lives. They can cause very significant mental health problems or can result in many not being able to complete their course and follow the career path that they have the potential to take. It is crucial that we can build up as accurate a picture as possible of all the financial challenges facing students, so that we can deliver positive change for everyone studying at universities and colleges here. That’s why it’s so important that as many students here as possible complete our survey”. The survey can be accessed at www. nusconnect.org.uk/niPIYP.
UUP and SDLP Youth Groups Debate at Queen’s The youth wings of the UUP and SDLP came together recently to debate the motion “This House believes the UUP and SDLP are ideal partners in government and opposition”. James Smith Contributor On Tuesday December 3rd, Ulster Young Unionists (UYU, the youth wing of the UUP) hosted a debate with the SDLP Youth, entitled “This House believes the UUP and SDLP are ideal partners in government and opposition”. The debate was held in the Lanyon
building’s Canada room. SDLP Youth
is much they do agree on – arguing
members Richard James and Colin Brown put up a spirited defence for the proposition. They argued that an official opposition would go a long way towards normalising politics in this country, and would help foster a spirit of co-operation between unionists and nationalists. They recognised clear differences between the two parties, such as their economic ideologies, but stressed that there
that they found more points of commonality, for example, than the DUP and Sinn Féin. Alexander Redpath represented UYU, speaking in opposition to the motion. He argued that such a collation could weaken each party’s independence, ability to manoeuvre and respond to crises or struggles within their respective communities.
Mr Redpath contested that the parties would risk becoming further excluded and weakened by amalgamating. The parties, he suggested, should instead concentrate on trying to replace the current Sinn Féin/DUP assembly, that once in power the UUP and SDLP could focus on working together to restructure Northern Irish politics. After each speaker had delivered
their address, questions were taken from the audience. Issues raised included that of whether having a coalition in opposition could cement the current sectarian divide in Northern Irish politics rather, than weakening it. The motion was defeated by a vote of 9 to 10, with 2 abstentions.
The Gown
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News 05 UU Staff and Students Occupy Senior Common Room Protestors behind the “Occupy Coleraine/ Occupy the Senior Common Room” Campaign have vowed to continue their occupation throughout Christmas if their demands are not met. The Gown Staff Members @thegownqub
Staff and students of the University of Ulster are beginning the third week of their occupation of the Coleraine campus’s senior common room. The group claim that the space is to be turned into an executive dining area, while the university have contested this and claim that the room will be used for meetings and teaching facilities. The occupation began on December 1st, the evening before a day of UKwide industrial action by university staff, and at its peak has included as many as 160 protestors. The senior common room is the last of its kind in Northern Ireland, and offers a venue for staff and students to convene. It represents one of few such meeting areas on the Coleraine campus, and has, students argue, provided a “neutral space” since its establishment, playing an important role in facilitating discussion during the height of Northern Ireland’s Troubles. Speaking to The Gown, Chloë Gault, a final year University of Ulster student and member of the Occupy Coleraine campaign, defined her role as, “part of a large committee of students who have come together to protest against the privatisation of the things we love, the senior common room – an
area shared by undergraduates, postgraduates and staff members”. Ms Gault was moved by the level of support the campaign has received to date, noting, “It’s been overwhelming. The amount of support we’ve had has been superb. It’s been difficult at times because obviously you don’t know if you’re making any gains, but at the end of the day you’re making a statement and that’s worth more than anything else”. The University of Ulster’s Students’ Union have issued a statement in support of the campaign, commenting, “We fully support and commend our students in UUC on their occupation of the Senior Common Room in their fight to maintain appropriate social facilities for staff and post graduate students. An occupation is no easy thing to be involved with and requires a lot of personal sacrifice... We believe that these are public universities that belong to the staff that work in them, the students that study in them, and the community within which they are based. They don’t belong to the Vice Chancellors and executive groups that manage them. We believe in stopping the increasing privatisation and commodification of UK higher education”. President of the National Union of Students-Union of Students Ireland (NUS-USI), Rebecca Hall, has echoed
Members of the Occupy SCR Campaign, inside Coleraine campus’s senior common room. Photo by Tyler McNally. these sentiments in a blog post for the NUS website, writing, “Just like their peers all over the UK, these people [involved with the Occupy SCR campaign] are standing up and saying no - no to cuts, no to poor pay for staff, no to bad student services. NUS-USI wishes to offer solidarity to those in occupation in Coleraine”.
University management, claim the occupiers, have yet to approach the group to discuss negotiations on the future of the room. The protesters have claimed that they will continue their campaign over the Christmas period unless their demands – that the senior common room is not repurposed - are met.
“We’re very committed to what we’re attempting to do”, says Ms Gault: “If that’s what we have to do, we will stay over Christmas. That’s an unfortunate fact”. For more on this story, please visit www. thegown.net.
Students Protest Range of Issues Across UK Student protests are continuing across the UK as universities witness a spate of occupations, protests and rallies.
Student graffiti in the UK’s capital. Photo by the Students’ Union of the University of the Arts London, from Flickr. Matthew Law Features Editor @Nantan_Cochise
Since the beginning of the month, a wave of student activism has swept over a number of university cam-
puses in the UK, with the most publicised protests having taken place at the University of Sussex, University of Ulster, and University of London. Further protests have taken place at universities in Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds, and Southampton.
On the 26th of November at the University of Sussex, the third floor of the university’s campus conference centre was occupied by a group of students in support of industrial action by lecturers and other university staff due to take
place on December 2nd. Around thirty students took place in the occupation, which later resulted in five being suspended from the university. These suspensions have since been lifted, but the university has stated that disciplinary action over the occupation is still being considered due to the alleged thefts and violent behaviour by which it was accompanied. The University of London, too, has played host to much student protest in recent weeks. The traditional UK hub of student activism, London last week witnessed a protest entitled ‘Cops Off Campus’, against police intervention in student activism. The protest followed accusations that the police had been heavy-handed when breaking up an occupation of rooms in Senate House, the administrative centre of the University of London, on December 4th, where forty-one arrests were made. The ‘Cops Off Campus’ protest of last Wednesday, December 11th, saw over 2,000 people from across the UK gather in the capital. This is not the first time student protests in the UK have become
heated. In 2010, students in London made headline news after protests against planned education cuts and an increase in tuition fees turned violent. Large numbers of demonstrators turned out, with the first major protest on the November 10th, 2010, attracting around 50,000 supporters. Heavy clashes with police ensued and sporadic acts of violence and vandalism were reported, although the authorities state that the majority of the protests were peaceful. The 2010 protests died down as Christmas approached, however it is unclear if this year's activity will follow the same course. Several leaders of this month’s protests and occupations have claimed that the events of the past weeks mark only the beginning of wider student action against privatisation of university services and rises in tuition fees, amongst other issues. University of London Union (ULU) president Michael Chessum has stated that this is the "beginning of a mass anti-privatisation movement".
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PETER MCGORAN | Gown About Town CHARLES COOK | Top Ten Albums of 2013 JOE GILSON | Top Ten Movies of 2013 MICHAELA CLARKE | A LegenDerry Year for the City of Culture
Arts GOWN ABOUT TOWN Peter McGoran Arts Editor @PeterMcGoran
Pubs and Clubs Tilt Two floors of old-school arcade gaming, pool tables, graffiticovered walls and imaginatively named cocktails, this bar is the new Cuckoo (run by the same owners, in fact) but may even have one up on that establishment, because it boasts its own built-in Mexican burrito bar. At the top of the Ormeau Road, it’s slightly out of the way for students, but well worth a visit - and has themed nights every night of the week! Gigs Shine’s Boxing Night and NYE Parties Every so often you’ll have a night-out which you either count as one of the best in your life, or where you won’t remember a single thing. Shine has a peculiar kind of brilliance in both fields. For anyone who’s been before, you know what I mean. For anyone who hasn’t, go to one of these events and you’ll know soon enough. Tickets will sell out fast. See http://www.shine.net/ for further details. And So I Watch You From Afar at Limelight Don’t let anyone tell you Belfast doesn’t have local talent. Instrumental rock band ASIWYFA are explosive, energetic and their particular brand of music makes them well suited to live performances. Search for tickets for their December 29th Belfast gig on http://www. ticketmaster.co.uk/. Film Anchorman 2 It’s taken nine years to release a sequel to the most quotable movie of all time? Boy, that escalated slowly… Shameless jokes aside, I think everyone is hoping this will be justas good as the first movie. Anchorman shows from December 18th at Movie House Cinemas.
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RYAN MCGROARTY | Turner Prize Exhibition Comes to Ebrington
The Gown’s Top Ten Albums of 2013 There’s no doubt that 2013 has been a cracking year for music. In case you missed out on any of the excellent tunes that have been gracing the airwaves, here’s The Gown’s run down of the top ten albums of the past twelve months. Charles Cook Contributor
1
Arctic Monkeys – AM It’s predictable, but there’s no denying it: AM is the album of 2013. Alex Turner’s motley crew have really outdone themselves this time, creating the epitome of the Arctics’ sound – the perfect balance between the cheeky musings of their debut and their later-day, darker material.
2
Parquet Courts – Light Up Gold Light Up Gold is the stand-out debut of 2013. Its creators, the Brooklyn group Parquet Courts, weave a masterful and angsty blend of garage-punk, permeated with viciously scathing and witty lyrics. Simply Brilliant.
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Drenge – Drenge I’m unable to comment on what’s made rock brothers Drenge so angry. Their raucous performance at Glastonbury was famously
cited in Labour MP Tom Watson’s resignation letter to Ed Milliband. Every molecule of that same hedonistic live spirit is embodied in this record, in the form of searing riffs and shotgun drumming. It demands to be heard.
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The Strokes - Comedown Machine After a disappointing fourth album, Comedown Machine was a return to form for the New York City band. It’s catchy, but also urgent and honest. Gone is a Julian Casablancas that sings songs with titles like ‘Barely Legal’ – now he wails about out finding the right pet dog for his home and settling down.
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Daft Punk - Random Access Memories With Random Access Memories, Daft Punk were bold. The French duo could have just churned out another album of four-to-the-floor house hits, but instead they chose to try and freshen up the scene.
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Earl Sweatshirt – Doris Despite all of his bluster and boasting, when Kanye West sleeps at night, he dreams he could be as good as Earl. With rapping unparalleled by his peers, Sweatshirt’s Doris is dirty, witty and brilliant – this is the rap album to hear in 2013.
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Fat Freddy’s Drop - Blackbird Although fairly unknown in the UK, ‘The Drop’ are arguably New Zealand’s best known band. Their third offering, Blackbird, contains only the freshest and finest reggae and soul beats, harking back to funky summer vibes even in these cold winter days.
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My Bloody Valentine – MBV Not to be confused with emo band Bullet for My Valentine, My Bloody Valentine are an altogether more serious proposition. 22 years on from the release of their critically acclaimed album Loveless, in February My Bloody Valentine finally released follow-up MBV. Although it doesn’t
quite compare to the heart wrenching shoe-gaze of its predecessor, it still knocks its modern contemporaries out of the water.
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Kanye West - Yeezus Somehow, between pulling PR stunts and researching preposterous people to whom to compare himself (Willy Wonka, Jesus, Steve Jobs), Kanye also managed to find the time to produce a solid album that was both gritty and dark, filled with brooding synthesizers and autotuned vocals that sounded startlingly emotional.
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Girls Names - The New Life Belfast’s Girls Names have really stepped up their game this year with second album The New Life. They’re undoubtedly one to watch, and when they’re on your front doorstep, there’s no excuse not to.
Reviews
The Gown gives you the run down of the music and cinema to check out over the coming weeks (and what you might want to avoid)!
Comedy Gig (Bar Sub) Queen’s Radio’s Radio HaHa
Film (Paramount Vantage) Nebraska
Gig (Black Box) Stornoway
Film (Lionsgate) Hunger Games: Catching Fire
By Hayley Gault Queen’s Radio returned to the live stage recently with the fifth of its Radio HaHa fundraiser nights, which certainly delivered in its promise to bring us both the best in established comedians and fresh local talent. The line up boasted a total of five comedic performers, including the head of Queen’s Radio himself, Alan Irwin - who wasn’t afraid of taking centre stage whilst MC-ing the sold out show. First up was disillusioned Dubliner and former Queen’s student Christian Talbot who didn’t just warm up the crowd, but had them in fits of laughter. Next was Newry man Darren Matthews, who made light of Northern Irish politics and stereotypes. The crowd then enjoyed a musical interlude, but a comic one of course. The musical stylings of Aiden Strangeman centred around the general perils of being a young adult to hilarious effect. He was followed the brilliant Shane Todd, and then came the show’s headliner: Comedy Central’s Michael Legge. The Ulsterman was on good form, however his comedy would have perhaps been suited to an older crowd. All in all it proved to be a diverse, intimate, interactive gig, where almost every performer could have stayed on longer to no complaints from the audience.
By Charles Cook With Nebraska, director Alexander Payne has truly created a film of substance. It’s thoughtful, harrowing and starkly beautiful all at once.
By Peter McGoran Stornoway are effortlessly precise, lyrically nuanced, and, when they took to the Black Box’s stage, were good-mannered, sharply-dressed and out to please a packed audience. Their opening number, “Farewell Appalachia”, won over members of the audience who had previously seemed more interested in finding out what was at the bottom of pint glass than what was going on on-stage.
By Peter McGoran The second instalment of Suzanne Collins’ Hunger Games trilogy returns us to the totalitarian state of Panem where our hero (and role model for pre-teen girls everywhere), Katniss Everdeen (Jennifer Lawerence) has inspired a rebellion which threatens to spill out into an all-out revolution. In an attempt to stem its tide, President Coriolanus Snow (Donald Sutherland) forces her to compete once again in the annual Hunger Games, hoping to kill her off.
He tells the tale of Woody Grant, an ageing American veteran who receives a marketing letter claiming he’s won a million dollars. Woody becomes obsessed with the money, attempting to travel to Nebraska in order to collect his reward. Woody’s son agrees to drive him, leading the pair on a road trip that explores both their relationship with each other and with the American dream. The film builds and explores the motives and emotions of its characters though a series of beautifully shot and choreographed social situations in which both the Grant men seem increasingly detached and isolated. Nebraska would not be the success it is without the stellar performances of leading actors Bruce Dern and Will Forte. They don’t just act, but inhabit their characters - and are completely absorbing on screen. In spite of the black-and-white media, they make Nebraska one of the most vividly colorful films of the year.
The band met roaring applause when they mashed one of their older hits “I Saw You Blink” together with some of the Northern Irish songs that have given them inspiration – cue Van’s “Moondance”, The Undertones’ “Teenage Kicks”, and - wait for it “I’ll Tell Me Ma”. Their varied and peculiar influences are apparent throughout the concert, particularly with the beautiful, elegant vignettes of Beachcombers’ Window. For their encore, the band finish with “Zorbing” (my personal favourite song of theirs, and, if the cheers and standing ovations it elicits are anything to go by, everyone else’s too). Giving life to beautiful lyrics, instrumentally diverse and with a perfect stage presence – Stornoway well and truly nailed this gig.
Lawrence shines with a complex portrayal of what could have been, in lesser hands, merely a story of down-to-earth girl fighting for survival against a cruel state. Rather, the complexities of Katniss’ self-effacing, multi-dimensional character are played up, making it impossible to imagine any other actress in the role. For anyone fearing a sense of déjà vu at seeing Katniss and her sidekick Peeta Mellark (Josh Hutcherson) thrown back into the arena playing the same old (hunger) game for a second time round, fear not! The context, the characters, and the game itself are entirely different this time round - with enough smart twists and turns to keep viewers on their toes.
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The Gown
08 Arts The Gown’s Top Ten Movies of 2013 The announcement of Oscar nominees may be just around the corner, but in the meantime, here’s The Gown’s guide to the definitive cinematic moments of 2013. Joe Gilson Contributor
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The Great Beauty The Great Beauty is one of those films that just mesmerises. Proustian in script and with shades of Fellini in its cinematography, this film captivates to no end. It tells the tale of Jep Gambardella, King of the High Life and of Rome. “I didn’t want to just go to parties. I wanted to have the power to make them a failure”, states the King, played by Toni Servillo with ease and great aplomb. The Great Beauty is humorous, magical, hypnotic and stunning. Easily the best film of the year.
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Mud Mud, like Mark Twain’s Huckleberry Finn, is bursting
with youthful exuberance. Starring Matthew McConaughey, it follows the story of two young boys who encounter a fugitive living in an old abandoned boat in an Arkansas forest on the banks of the Mississippi and try to reunite him with his lost love. Beautifully shot and brilliantly acted, Mud is an exploration of innocence and experience that captures the audience in a world of wonder, grit and adventure.
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Frances Ha Noah Baumbach is one of those rare beasts in modern cinema: a scriptwriter who gets as much recognition as a director. Sure, he directs his films as well, but it’s his dialogue that lives in the memory. This film deals with the late coming of age of
a woman who wants more from her life. It’s sweet, quirky, funny: everything we’ve come to expect from Baumbach.
creatures in captivity, Blackfish tells the story of a trainer’s death at the hands of a magnificent, savage Killer Whale named Tilikum.
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Rush It’s a film about Formula One, but don’t let that put you off. The racing is a platform for the tale of one of the great rivalries in sport. Rush chronicles hunger, will to win, skill, ego, pressure, nerves and friendship, as director Ron Howard brings to glorious colour this true story of two men and their wildly differing ideals, personalities and methods.
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Blackfish A documentary which details the cruelty and oft-devastating consequences of keeping sentient
This Is The End Seth Rogen, Jay Barachel, Jonah Hill, Craig Robinson and Danny McBride attend a party at James Franco’s house. The apocalypse happens. Hilarity ensues.
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Django Unchained Quentin Tarantino’s movie featured whip-smart writing and some hugely memorable scenes, and, as we’ve come to expect from his oeuvre, sparked its fair share of controversy.
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Aguirre, the Wrath of God Bit of a cheat this one: it’s from 1972 but was restored and re-released this year in all its former glory. Timeless and brilliant.
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Gravity Like it or lump it, Gravity was a true cinematic event. Hollywood heavyweights Sandra Bullock and George Clooney brought to life a touching story against the backdrop of the most impressive 3D visuals of the year.
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Anchorman: The Legend Continues (It remains to be seen if Anchorman 2 will make the cut of the year’s best films, but surely Ferrell and co. won’t let us down... right?)
A LegenDerry Year for the UK’s City of Culture When Northern Ireland’s second city took on the mantle of City of Culture, it had a lot to which to live up. Yet 2013 saw the complete rejuvenation of Derry/ Londonderry - resulting in a year which its people will remember for decades to come. Michaela Clarke Contributor Derry/Londonderry's City of Culture celebrations kicked off on January 20th with the “Sons and Daughters” Opening Ceremony, which included many of the city's great figures. This was to be a year of massive development for the city and its communities, and offered a vast array of cultural and artistic festivities. It was, indeed, set to become a 'LegenDerry' year. The city reinvigorated many of its disused landmarks. Most notably, Ebrington Barracks played host to BBC Radio 1's Big Weekend, one of the focal points of 2013, bringing people together from far and wide to enjoy the entertainment. This weekend was a seminal occasion for the city. Not only did it provide a great festival for locals, it also showcased to the rest of the United Kingdom the extraordinary potential of this truly
modern metropolis. The All Ireland Fleadh was another memorable gathering, which brought communities together to engage with each other and enjoy the culture of Irish music. The Fleadh is a worldwide music festival which attracts many people from all walks of life – and took on a new lease of life in the vibrant surroundings of the City of Culture. The recent Celtronic festival, too, brought something a little different to the city’s musical table. There have also been many noteworthy celebrations of the dramatic arts, culminating in the hugely successful Foyle Film Festival. Within the space of twelve months, this historic walled city has become a hub for cross-community, cross-cultural events and memorising artistic spectacles. Derry/ Londonderry also hosted a huge amount of Halloween events during the holiday period, closing with a dazzling firework
First Minister Peter Robinson, Deputy First Minister Martin McGuinness, Culture Company Chief Executive, Shona McCarthy and Culture Company Chair, Martin Bradley in Derry/ Londonderry. Photo from Flickr. display. When it came to arts, the magical “Lumiere” showcase lit up the city, while the Turner Prize exhibition (also reviewed in this issue), made its Northern Irish debut.
The increased footfall has been a great economic boost for the city as well as the surrounding areas. It has put Derry/ Londonderry on the map, and shown that this it’s worth
visiting. Overall, 2013 has been a huge success for the City of Culture. Emerging from a troubled past, it has finally shown the rest of the world what LegenDerry has to offer.
The Turner Prize Exhibition Comes to Ebrington The prestigious Turner Prize’s annual exhibition has, for the first time, left England. The Gown reports on its visit to Derry/Londonderry. Ryan McGroarty Contributor French installation artist Laure Prouvost is the recipient of this year's Turner Prize. Prouvost was awarded the £25,000 prize at an award ceremony in Derry/Londonderry on Monday December 2nd. The prestigious prize is presented to an artist under 50 years of age each year and has a colourful history that favours the controversial. Other shortlisted artists this year included Glaswegian humorist David Shrigley, live artist Tino Sheghal and oil-painter Lynette Yiadom-Boakye. Housed in the former British army barracks at Ebrington, 2013 marks the first year
the exhibition has been displayed outside of England. The Ebrington site was rejuvenated in 2011 and has since played host to many major music events, connected as it is to the city centre via its own twisty olive branch over the Foyle – the Peace Bridge. The interior of the building is stunning and the event has been heavily attended since its opening, with large crowds serving to accentuate the disparities between the artists’ works. With the exception of the work of Yiadom-Boakye, each piece is further enriched by our contribution to it. In other words – attendees get back what they put in.
David Shrigley's contribution best fuels the fun, communal vibe. We are invited to take part in his “life” drawing class. A 7ft, ill-portioned, gleefully naked man machine blinks and urinates whilst visitors, from toddlers to pensioners, have a go at capturing his essence. With this popular piece Shrigley has managed to deconstruct notions of high art and accuracy. The unconventional form of his mannequin means we can draw from it whatever we like. Tino Seghal's piece is arguably the most polarising – visitors enter a bare, bright room and are ambushed for a chat by some of Turner’s representa-
tives. They offer an exchange – two pounds for a conversation about the market economy. This subject matter can really go anywhere and we are the performers. In reality, it’s just a chat but in the context of the Turner Prize exhibiton, it appeared to irk and confuse one visitor, who asked: “What? Is this really art?” Lynette Yiadom-Boakye is the most traditional artist to have been placed on this year’s shortlist, with her painted portraits. Finally, winner Prouvost's work comes in the form of an installation. A dark, uncomfortable space is scattered with
the artefacts of her grandparents’ life in the cabin they once shared. A range of her grandfather's sculptures are reborn as coat hangers, chairs and teapots. We sit on and around these memories whilst Prouvost speaks to us from a screen in the gallery. Her silly, sensual story reveals itself to be fictitious and yet we find ourselves utterly engaged. A voiceover rings our, repeating the phrase: “In Grandma's dream...” and we are bombarded with images and video. It's almost hypnotic - we no longer feel like tourists in Prouvost's surreal dream-world, but inhabitants. The Turner Prize exhibition stays open to the public until the 5th January.
The Gown
09 Features
KAITY HALL| 2013: The Year in Review AMY SLACK | The High Street V Online Retail NIALL COLEMAN | Iraq: A Decade On
2013: The Year in Review Pop culture in 2013 was bold, frequently bemusing, but far from boring. Here, we look back. Kaity Hall Contributor The year is drawing to close, bringing with it a chance to reflect on the last twelve months. In anticipation of a brand new shiny year, the question of how 2013 will be remembered comes to the fore. Whether you have been “twerking” the year away or pondering “what the fox says”, 2013 has been anything but dull.
Still fresh in our memories, it almost goes without mentioning Miley Cyrus and Robin Thickes’ outrageous appearance at MTV’s Video Music Awards. In her performance of “We Can’t Stop”, Cyrus furiously ‘twerked’ and wielded a foam finger whilst dancing provocatively with Thicke. Before all that, however, 2013 seemed destined to be the year of comebacks. From Justin Timberlake to Primal Scream, Lily Allen to McBusted (a hybrid of McFly and
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Busted), a variety of artists seized the chance to give the limelight another shot. Perhaps most notably, David Bowie kicked off 2013 with single “Where Are We Now?”. Although he missed out on the number one slot, the song’s release sparked a flurry of tweets and Facebook posts full of praise for one of Britain’s most admired musicians. This year will also be remembered for the birth of future King of England,
Prince George, in July, and for the arrival of Kim Kardashian and Kanye Wests’ charmingly named baby, North West, in June. Moving on to consider the year’s televisual output, 2013 has been somewhat of an emotional rollercoaster. The internet imploded with reactions to the “Red Wedding” episode of the hugely successful Game of Thrones, and after six years the misadventures of chemistry teacher turned meth kingpin Walter White were finally put to bed in one of the greatest moments in TV history, with the finale of Breaking Bad. Yet the death of the much loved,
sardonic, talking dog Brian in Family Guy was perhaps the most unexpected moment in television in 2013. These are just some of the landmarks in popular culture that have occurred in the last twelve months. We still may not know exactly what the fox says after continuous questioning in 2013’s parody song “What Does The Fox Say?” by Swedish artist Ylvis, but we live in hope that we’ll find out one day. Whether you’ll remember 2013 for Bowie’s return, the birth of Prince George or for too much “twerking”, it’s given us plenty to mull over, even as we look ahead to what 2014 will bring.
The High Street V Online Retail The festive season has already seen a record-high number of consumers flocking to the internet to buy gifts, but what impact will this have on high street retailers pre-Christmas?
Belfast gears up for its busiest shopping season. Photo by Wikimedia Commons. Amy Slack Contributor As Christmas approaches, almost everyone has begun shopping for presents for their loved ones - and many will have turned to the internet in their search for the perfect gift. After all, online shopping makes Christmas very easy, especially for the busy
and economically-drained student. The internet can help at every stage, from trawling websites for gift inspiration to comparing prices for the best deal. The idea of having your presents delivered to your front door is tempting, too – you can complete your Christmas shopping without ever having to leave your house.
Iraq: A Decade On
Unfortunately, this temptation to stay at home rather than go out and shop is having a detrimental effect on the high street. Fewer of us than ever before are braving the crowds and the cold. Online sales are growing year on year, accounting for around 10% of all retail business in 2012, up from only 2% in 2006. Meanwhile, high street retailers face rising expenses such as rent and electricity, as well as increasing competition from online retailers such as Amazon, who can often offer identical products at much lower prices. As a consequence, analysts predict that as many as 1 in 5 high street shops could be lost in the next five years. One advantage that high street shops do have over their online counterparts is the opportunity for custom-
Niall Coleman Contributor When America’s first bombs fell on Baghdad in March 2003, they were bombing an already dangerously unstable society. The effects of the IranIraq war of 1980-1988, the Gulf War of 1991 and the sanctions imposed by
the UN following the Iraqi invasion of Kuwait in 1990 had largely left Iraqi society behind the rubble. Images of Saddam Hussein’s statue being pulled to the ground gave hope to some, but left just as many disillusioned. December 13th marks the ten year anniversary of Hussein's capture. Since
Perhaps the biggest indicator of the popularity of online Christmas shopping is “Cyber Monday”. Originally conceived as a counterpart to to Black Friday, the day when many Americans begin their Christmas shopping, “Cyber Monday” sees many online retailers offer huge discounts over a 24-hour period. The day has become increasingly international in scope. According to Visa, this year’s “Cyber Monday” (Decem-
ber 2nd) was the biggest day for online spending in history, witnessing an estimated 7.7 million transactions and £450 million spend. Nevertheless, internet shopping does have one distinct disadvantage when compared with the high street in the run up to Christmas. Online shops have to rely on deliveries, leaving any last-minute shopping open to the risk of delays. So, for those of our readers who might have been planning on ordering your gifts online but have been putting it off until now, be warned. Royal Mail advise that all items with First Class delivery should be ordered no later than December 20th if they need to arrive by the 25th. If you miss that cut-off date, the high street beckons. After all, the shops will still be open on Christmas Eve.
Ten years since American forces staged the capture of former Iraqi President Saddam Hussein, how has Iraq changed – and in what direction is the country moving? then Iraq has struggled to define itself, even after 2011’s withdrawal of American troops – and remains a smouldering pot of sectarian strife and political corruption. Indeed, concrete walls and armed checkpoints created during the American occupation remain in place. A decade after the capture that paved the way for Hussein’s execution, Iraq still grapples with the bitter legacy of his fall.
Former President of Iraq, Saddam Hussein. Photo from Flickr.
ers to see the physical product before purchase. Clothes can be tried on, perfume can be tested, and opinions can be sought from on-hand sales assistants on anything from books to toiletries. By contrast, customers shopping over the internet would normally have to wait until delivery to see their final purchase.
Iraqi officials talk of the “upward trajectory” in the security, economy and politics of the country. Yet terrorist groups including Jama'at al-Tawhid wal-Jihad have become prominent, and were especially active during 2005 and 2006. The group prompted the 2007 surge in peacekeeping troops from approximately 144,000 in 2006 to a peak of 157,800 in 2008. Whilst this quelled some violence, Al-Qaeda was, and still is, active in Iraq. Sectarian animosity came to a head last year, when former Vice President Tariq al-Hashemi was accused of conspiracy
against the national government and sentenced to death in September 2012. Such unresolved tensions have allowed violence to continue to breed in Iraq: according to the database maintained by the Iraq Body Count project, 4,573 civilians died in Iraq in 2012.
and 2006 following targeting from various militias, leaving the country on its knees following what has been described as a “brain-drain”. The forcing out of Iraq’s educated professionals has rendered its ability to rebuild itself questionable.
Hassiba Hadj Sahraoui, Middle East and North Africa Deputy Director at Amnesty International highlights yet more causes for concern, claiming that attacks on civilians, torture of detainees and unfair trials are widespread in the country. Amnesty International reports that government forces commit torture with impunity, especially against those arrested on suspicion of terrorism – with electric shock torture, partial suffocation, beatings and food deprivation common practice. Iraq holds one of the highest execution rates in the world – last year alone, 129 Iraqi prisoners were hanged. Furthermore, the Brookings Institution claim that 40 percent of Iraq’s professionals fled between 2003
Some things, however, have improved since Hussein was overthrown ten years ago. Now that United Nations sanctions have been lifted, Iraq can profit from its massive oil reserves. Iraq has the seventh-fastest increasing GDP on earth, according to Intelligence Unit, reaching $170 billion in 2012. Bank officials expect this to continue to grow by at least 9.4 percent each year until 2015. Yet this income has made little discernible difference for many Iraqi citizens, with 23 percent of the nation living in poverty – 60 percent of Iraqi households live without basic provisions such as clean drinking water, sanitation and food security.
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The Gown
10 Lifestyle
JENNIFER GORMAN | The Season of Giving KATIE MATTHEWS | Regift for a Thriftier Christmas MICHAEL GRANT | Snoozing Your Way to Success
The Season of Giving Those involved in charity groups at Queen’s have planned a range of events and fundraising activities for the forthcoming weeks – check out a selection of what’s happening around campus. Jennifer Gorman Contributor
Charities at Queen’s are active all year round - especially so in the lead up to Christmas. In order to make the most of the spirit of giving, many charity events are taking place campus-wide and Queen’s students can take part, donate and enjoy the events on offer. Here at The Gown we hope to highlight some of the charitable activities you can get involved in during this season of good will: PiPs Programmes Receiving significant support from the School of Education here at Queen’s, this local non profit social enterprise has developed a number
of suicide prevention and awareness training programmes. This is training that saves lives: enabling local people to gain the skills necessary to be more aware of the risk of suicide and the sources of help available, it benefits the community greatly. To help keep this service open, the School of Education is holding a ‘Christmas Charity Coffee’ from 3.30 to 4.30 on Wednesday December 18th. RAG One of the most notable societies at Queen’s, RAG work tirelessly all year round to raise money for their five main charities and the festive season is no exception. If you missed out on the ‘Give-A-Gift Grotto’ on 3rd
December, you can still support RAG in the run up to Christmas by attending a quiz organised for one of their elected charities (Age Northern Ireland) on Wednesday December 18th in Bar Sub, in the Students’ Union. Childreach International This year, a team is in place at Queen’s to work for the charity, who improve children’s access to healthcare, education and protection on a global scale. Each member of the team has been tasked with raising a minimum of £2,000 to go towards, ‘The Big Build Tanzania’. The members, in August 2014, work in Tanzanian schools and carry out improvement projects alongside the local community. Many of the
The festive logo of Queen’s University’s RAG group. students are devoting Christmas to raising the wider student body’s awareness of the project.
These Queen’s charities and their affiliated charities would greatly appreciate your help and donations at this time - their events are set to be great fun for all involved.
Regift for a Thriftier Christmas Snoozing Your Way to Success If you’re strapped for cash this month, read on for indispensible tips on how to keep your Christmas gifts within budget - bear in mind that it’s the thought that counts!
We’re all tempted by the allure of the all-night cramming session now and again, but catching forty winks might actually help your chances in an exam- find out how! Michael Grant Health Correspondent @mickgrant
We prudish westerners like to do it at night, while some of our European cousins like nothing better than getting some in the afternoon. Our parents believe we’re doing it too much, but we think we can’t get enough. I’m talking, of course, about sleep.
this period of sleep, occurring about an hour after you’ve gone to bed, has profound effects on a person’s ability to learn from tasks that they’ve performed previously. The brain effectively uses sleep and dreams as a way to rehearse the information it has just consumed, helping to establish it in the memory. This is why getting enough sleep is especially important during your pre-exam crams.
Christmas gifts. Photo by Alan Cleaver, taken from Flickr. Katie Matthews Contributor How many of you have ever received an unwanted gift? We all know that awkward moment – you’ve opened up a pointless present and have to smile through the pain and disappointment. We thank the bearer, vowing to make the best use of what they have brought us and inevitably toss it to the side, knowing that it will never see the light of day again. But what if there was another way? What if these gifts could be re-homed and fulfil their true potential? Ladies and gentlemen, there is a way. Something to be learnt by one and all this festive season, to save us from the stockpiles of bath salts and scented candles. The art of regifting. Regifting is the act of passing on your unwanted gift to someone else. Usually, when people are faced with this
concept, they turn their noses up at the thought of something so “cheap”. However the word “cheap” doesn’t necessarily carry negative connotations for students. We all know that Christmas is a tough old time for money: toast, pasta and beans are establishing themselves as a staple part of our diets, we’re wishing the festive season away simply to get the next loan instalment, and the thought of buying everyone Christmas presents suddenly doesn’t seem so appealing. Some unwanted gifts can provide the basis for a fabulous gift that somebody else will use. If there is a way of being creative (but frugal!) then utilise it. Regifting is still giving with care, and it’s recommended that you make sure whatever you pass on is in good condition! If you have to improve it slightly by making it more personal or ironing out a few creases, then don’t be afraid to get stuck-in and save yourself some pennies!
In fact, you may even be helping to save the environment (regifting’s recycling, right?). Sometimes a personalised gift, no matter how expensive, is a lot more valuable than something straight off the shelf. After all, as our parents always told us, “It’s the thought that counts”. Perhaps making a few Christmas cards, getting creative with crayons and ribbons or taking the time to make a unique label could be the difference between purchasing a bottle of Glen’s and a bottle of Smirnoff for the Christmas staff party. There is, however, one golden rule to remember if you are to master the art successfully: never give the regifted gift back to the person who gave you it in the first place! However you approach your presents this Christmas, regifting is always an option. You never know, your gift might have exchanged hands a couple of times before it got to you!
However, sleep might be the first thing to be sacrificed this exam season – between the dreaded allnighters before the test and the celebratory all-nighters after – but you should tread carefully when it comes to forgoing sleep during this time. It plays a large part in our learning, so missing out on some Zs during January might not be your best bet if you want that precious 2:1. But why is sleep necessary? And, more importantly, how can we make the most of the sleep that we do get? It’s the common consensus that consciousness can be divided into 3 distinct states: awake, REM (rapid eye movement) sleep and non-REM sleep. During a full night’s sleep, you’ll go through around 5 cycles of REM and non-REM. REM sleep is the portion of sleep in which your brain remains highly active, and is indicated by jerky eye movements in the sleeper. Research has shown that
Sleep is important; it helps us to stay healthy, learn from our experiences and may even get us better grades. So what can we do to try to ensure that we don’t look like we’ve been dragged backwards through the bushes in Botanic Gardens during those early morning lectures? Here are 5 tips that are sure to smooth your transition to, and from, slumber: • Reduce the amount of light in your environment at least half an hour before you go to bed. • Make your bedroom dark and cool to ease your body into sleep. • Turn off mobile phones, computers and anything that can excite the brain – the ping of a new tweet is the enemy of sleep. • Try to avoid caffeine anytime after lunch. • Increase the amount of light you experience when trying to wake up.
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The Gown
Opinion
12
The following articles are based on the personal beliefs of their authors, and do not necessarily reflect the views of The Gown’s editorial team.
The Potential Effects of Scottish Independence As Scotland prepares for a referendum on its independence from the United Kingdom, James Smith considers the repercussions the vote could have on Northern Ireland. James Smith Contributor
The world owes a great deal more to Scotland than it often has occasion to show. Ideas formulated during the Scottish enlightenment by men like David Hume and the much-misunderstood Adam Smith played their fair share in contributions to such momentous events as the American revolution, the age of enlightenment, industrialisation and the curtailing of state power. And now, a great deal relies on Scotland – for the country’s referendum on independence from Britain is sure to greatly influence the immediate future for other UK regions. Although very little was said about Northern Ireland in the Scottish National Party’s (SNP’s) recent white paper (outlining their plans for an
independent Scotland) that does not change the fact that should Scotland leave the United Kingdom, the consequences for Northern Ireland could be substantial. An independent Scotland, for example, could ignite fears about the possibility of a renewed interest in a United Ireland. Independence could also complicate a whole host of already volatile issues here, including flags, national identity and cultural ties - and could put Northern Ireland in a difficult position should Westminster and Edinburgh ever clash. The SNP argue that independence would be good for business. While this may indeed turn out to be true, economically speaking it’s hard to see how an independent Scotland could be anything but bad for Northern Ireland. Assuming Scotland is allowed to keep sterling as its cur-
rency, and allowed to remain in the European Union, there will still exist a barrier to trade that did not exist before. Add to that variations in laws and regulations that may spring up, and you see why some businesses in Northern Ireland are quaking in their boots. With its plans to lower corporation tax and provide new incentives for businesses to set up shop in Scotland, the SNP seems to be pinning its hopes on emulating the success of other small European countries such as Belgium, Holland, Denmark or Norway. This could strike Northern Ireland a double blow - with the revenue from Scotland gone, it’s likely that Westminster would further squeeze Stormont’s already strained budget, crippling Northern Ireland’s public sector at a time when private companies would be jumping ship to Scotland.
Scotland’s First Minister, Alex Salmond. Photo from Flickr. Citizens of Northern Ireland cannot, obviously, vote on Scottish independence. Nevertheless, whatever happens it’s certain that we’re well within the blast radius - and perhaps deserve to at least have our opinion on Scottish independence heard,
even if it is unbinding. As long time allies, Scotland should understand what effects its departure could have for the rest of us and take these into consideration, if for nothing else than for the sake of old friends.
Sports Queen’s Rugby Club Lift First Trust Ulster Senior Cup Queen's battled a Ballynahinch side at Ravenhill to clinch victory in the Ulster Senior Cup final, setting them up for future successes. Michael Doran Sports Editor @MichaelDoran_
A dogged defensive effort from Queen’s Rugby Club allowed the team to score the First Trust Ulster Senior Cup trophy for the 23rd time in its proud history, after an engaging encounter with Ballynahinch at Ravenhill. The Blues entered the game as underdogs; plying their All Ireland League trade two grades below their County Down opponents. In
the opening exchanges, the game ebbed and flowed with nerves affecting both kickers. The teams twice exchanged unconverted tries, with flashes of individual brilliance from fullback Damon Hall first putting in Captain Stuart McIlwaine untouched, then setting up Michael McAuley to slide over for Queen’s. The break came with the score level at 10-10 and everything left to play for in front of a sizeable crowd. Queen’s played with renewed intensity after the restart, with
outhalf Ritchie McMaster edging the side ahead for the first time in the game at the fifty-six minute mark. Ten minutes later, a simple penalty extended the team’s lead to 6 points. Hall will rue a missed interception that could have sealed the game there and then, and the post then denied McMaster to set up a nail biting finish to an entertaining game of rugby. In the final stages, Queen’s knew that they faced a wounded animal and Ballynahinch proceeded to lay siege to their line in search of the
coveted try that would win it. They forced two penalties in the final ten minutes and came with wave after wave of attack, but were unable to break through a Queen’s defence that proved testimony to months of conditioning preparation and held firm. With outside centre Colvin sinbinned as the seconds ticked away, Ballynahinch made it within touching distance of the try-line, but couldn’t find a way through. With their backs against the wall, Queen’s hung in like a determined
heavyweight, battered but refusing to concede the killer blow. A late turnover insured that Paddy Armstrong’s men took home the spoils, with flanker Matthew Clarke named Man of the Match on the night, but the story of the game was written by a team effort. Once the chants of “Keep the Blue Flag Flying High” die down, with their name etched on the trophy again, Queen’s can look forward to testing their mettle in the semi-finals of the Bateman Cup All Ireland Competition in the coming weeks.
Queen’s GAA Honours Famous Player Seán O’Neill The Queen’s man and legendary Gaelic football star has been inducted into Queen’s GAA’s ‘Hall of Fame’. Michael Doran Sports Editor @MichaelDoran_
“Legend” is a word thrown around a lot in modern sporting contexts, but its use is rarely as justified as in reference to Seán O’Neill’s status within the history of Queen’s GAA. On December 7th - perhaps fittingly in the same week that the 2014 GAA Festival at Upper Malone was launched at Croke Park – a myriad of figures who’ve been involved
with Gaelic football at the University came together to honour the Law graduate and retired solicitor with the inaugural Paddy O’Hara Medal of Honour, presented by the Past Members’ Union. The decision was also made to induct O’Neill as the first ever member of the Queen’s GAA ‘Hall of Fame’. Undoubtedly the club’s most famous son, the Newry man was part of the 1958 Sigerson Cup winning side which brought the trophy to Ulster for the first time. He won third level GAA’s highest
honour again as a player in 1964, and as manager in 1982. O’Neill also won three All Ireland Championships and eight Ulster titles as a key component of the fabled Down side of the 1960s which revolutionised the game, and in 2000 was named wing half forward on the GAA’s Football team of the Millennium. His record of eight Railway Cup football medals has never been broken. Speaking on the evening, the Hall of Famer acknowledged his pride at being associated with the man
the award is named for, the late Paddy O’Hara who managed that 1958 side – “a unique figure who made a significant contribution to Queen’s”. O’Hara was inextricably linked with GAA at Queen’s and indeed Ulster in practically every capacity until his passing in 2008, including a role as chairman of the PMU. O’Neill continued, “While I appreciate that the name of the recipient may be important, for me the man whose name is inscribed on the medal is what makes this
honour so special. I want to thank the Past Members’ Union and the club for the work they have done to make this a very special evening for me and my family”. The award will now be presented every two years.
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