est. 2010
Volume 5 Issue 6 6th May 2015 theheythroplion.co.uk
The
Lion
Thank You For Reading 2010-2015
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
EDITORIAL The
Editorial Team
Editor-in-Chief Fergus Cronin Coltsmann
ferguscoltsmann@hotmail.co.uk
Managing Editor Megan Skingsley megan.skingsley@yahoo.com
Copy Editor Katt Johnson
katherine.johnson@heythropcollege. ac.uk
News Editor Vacant
ferguscoltsmann@hotmail.co.uk
Comment Editor Terence Sibley
terence.sibley@heythropcollege.ac.uk
Culture Editor Jordan Mant
jordan.mant@hotmail.com
Lion
Head Writer Robert Leftwich
robleftwich@gmail.com
The
The Lion is the independent student newspaper of Heythrop College, University of London. We distribute at least 1000 free copies during term time around campus and to popular student venues in and around Kensington. The Lion is printed by Mortons Print Ltd. No part of this publication is to be reproduced, stored on a retrieval system or submitted in any form or by any means, without the prior permission of the publisher.
NEXT DEADLINE FOR SUBMISSIONS
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Please send your submissions to: megan.skingsley@yahoo.com NEXT ISSUE RELEASE DATE
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The views expressed in this publication are those of the author and not necessarily those of the Editors or of the Heythrop Students’ Union. 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.
Fergus Cronin-Coltsmann Outgoing Editor-in-Chief
Fatal
The End of things has been playing on my mind a lot recently. The End of Heythrop. The End of the Union. And now The End of The Lion. Some will tell you it isn’t The End. They’ll use phrases like ‘sustain and develop’, or attach the suffix ‘only as we know it’ in a delusional attempt to see over the horizon. This is, of course, bullshit. Heythrop is dead. For all intents and purposes, dead. Something might live on, something which calls itself ‘Heythrop’, maybe even something which looks a little like Heythrop. But the place you and I came to study is No More. The Union, too. The embarrassingly low voter turnout for the last elections and latest referendum, and the inquorate General Meet-
ings are all unprecedented and, quite frankly, pathetic. And now we shall not even have a single proper sabbatical officer, Offices which were fought hard for in previous years. And The Lion. You hold in your hands the last newspaper. I shall leave the details of what will come next to my successor, and I do not mean to dismiss what will come... but The Lion is, was, a fucking newspaper. This is what we do. What we were meant to do. If someone had told me when I became Editor-in-Chief that what I would be handing over now would not be a newspaper, I would have considered that a failure. Fate has forced our hand, in all of these cases. At least this is what everyone in charge of these things is telling you. It’s what I’m telling you, that I cannot see a way for the Paper ‘as we know it’ to continue.
Decide for yourself if you believe them and I. The End of things is sad. Sad for all. But The End of the Paper is particularly sad for me, The End of the Union particularly sad for the Sabbs, and The End of Heythrop should be particularly sad for the Senior Leadership Team. If the SLT find it sad, they haven’t done a very good job of expressing it. There is an article on the Times Higher Education website called ‘Dead Reckoning’. It’s by Peter Vardy, who used to lecture here. It’s about death and philosophy and university administration. It’s very good and I recommend you all read it. One of the points it makes is how society no longer prepares us for death, no longer has us confront death in a real way. Well, a part of my job as a journalist is to tell you how it is, and this is pretty fucking sad and The End.
Goodbyes, They Often Come In Waves Megan Skingsley Incoming Editor-in-Chief So as you may have gathered from the article above, The Lion Newspaper will not continue next year in its current format. Yes, you may not be able to roll the Lion up and hit your friends round the face with it, but you will be able to access the same articles online. We will still keep you up to date with the happenings of college in our news articles, the only difference being we will deliver them straight to your Newsfeed instead of you having to trek to the common room. This isn’t all we will be doing. There will still be a printed publication in the form of a magazine. Remember the PAWS Christmas extravaganza? It will be similar (although we ad-
mit a better quality) but sadly less Christmas-y (I know it’s upsetting but, alas, they cannot all be Christmas specials). You wanted more photography, columns, and a space for your creativity - so now you have got that chance. I agree that it is very sad that the paper will not be in printed form any more, however if I thought the current format was sustainable then we would be continuing with it, but it’s not. If student Newspapers were imperishable, then the London Student would still be printing issues. This way we get to continue a media outlet without even dropping our dedication to student news, which is impressive considering the amount of contributors we have at a small university. Yes, there are major changes
taking place in the college, and we will start to say goodbye to some of these elements, but the shifting course of the way we convey news only marks the start of a new venture. From someone ‘looking over the horizon’ there is not all doom and gloom to come. I think it’s important to bear in mind that whatever the future holds, there will be a group of dedicated students who aim to provide you with a high quality media publication. All of this is only possible with your continued contribution and support. If you would like to know more information about the magazine or how you can get involved, please contact me. I hope this provides some clarity as to the future of The Lion.
that guy was a bit melodramatic, good thing he’s going!
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
• • • •
HSU Elections Round Two
Voting opens on Wednesday 6th of May at 11PM Voting closes on Wednesday 27th of May at 11PM Two Candiates for President Three Candidates for VP
The nomination period for the HSU Exec by-elections and the reformed President and Vice-President positions has closed. Below is a breakdown of the manifestos of the President and VP candidates, and overleaf are short statements from the candidates running in the various by-elections. The
Presidental Candidates
uncertainty facing Heythrop in the future features in all of the candidates for the paid position’s manifestos, though none state whether they are opposed to the partnership with S.M.U.T or not. The common themes running through the campaigns are student representation and student experience, as well as
NEWS
improving the Common Room appearing in some - as it has done in previous years. The specific challenge facing the candidates this year will be to prove how they will be able to deliver on any manifesto pledges now the roles of President and VP are not full-time.
Vice-Presidental Candidates
Oliver Holdswoth
Jenny Moran
Stefan Barratt
Stephanie Browne
Highlighting the challenges Heythrop faces in the future, the lack of Freshers’, for example, second year Presidential candidate Oliver Holdsworth presents his solutions to these in his manifesto; breaking them down into the sections “Student Experience”, “Representation”, and “Student Welfare”. Holdsworth draws from his experience of leading multiple societies in his manifesto, stating that his time as President of the Logic Society and the Debating Society, Vice-President of the Philosophy Society, and treasurer of the Student Central Debating Society make him Presidential material. He also highlights his time as a Residential Assistant in Halls this year, claiming it provides him with an insight into dealing with problems that arise in Halls, such as that of evictions. Arguing that simply increasing spending on events will not improve them if attendance is poor, Holdsworth pledges to encourage students to attend nights out at Student Central and across London, as well as to build relationships with other universities in London, such as Richmond, Fordham, Imperial and Westminster. Holdsworth also pledges to introduce more events in the Common Room where alcohol will be provided for free, and to appropriately fund student societies to ensure their continuation. In his section on Representation, Holdsworth pledges to produce a fortnightly video which informs students as to the activities of the HSU Exec, as well as advertising events. He also states he will ensure regular communication with residents of Alban Halls and continue to fund Heythrop students’ attendance of NUS Liberation conferences. On student welfare, Holdsworth focuses on mental health issues, pledging to dedicate time to organise Mental Health Awareness Week, to organise small events with professionals throughout the year, and money to purchase reading material on mental health issues that will be made available in the Common Room. Holdsworth also states he wishes to ‘invest’ in Heythrop students, and so pledges to hire a math tutor to teach students and to subsides membership to Imperial’s gym.
Breaking down her manifesto into four key areas, “Representation and Communications”, “Student Experience”, “The HSU Environment”, and “Working with the Executive”, Jenny Moran, second year, draws heavily from her experience as this year’s Academic Affairs Officer. Moran highlights such experiences as co-chairing the Undergraduate Student Staff Liason Committee, attending the Academic Board, as well as her general experience as a Union officer. She states her experience thus far has led to her devolving a working relationship with staff members, given her insight into the valuable aspects of Heythrop’s academic life, and knowledge of the Union Exec. Moran pledges to get students’ direct opinion on key issues through EGMs or polls, and to organise a monthly meeting for students to hold her to account. She also commits to replying to all emails from students she receives on the day she receives them. Moran criticises the current way for students to liaise with college staff this year and promises to find a better way of handling it. As apart of her section on student experience, Moran pledges to support TOPSE proposals worked on by this year’s Exec, as well as pledging to continue current events put on offer in the Common Room. In addition to continuing the work of this year’s Exec, Moran says she will organise trips out for students to attend, and introduce more short courses available to students, such as yoga, and self-defence. Moran says she will encourage students to make use of Student Central, as well as continuing to build ties with Fordham and Richmond by inviting them to HSU events and societies. She also promises to safeguard one-to-one tutorials in the long and short term, and ensure the Bar is open frequently. Moran says she will redecorate the Common Room and maintain it throughout the year. She aims on doing this by installing more facilities and activities in the Common Room, such as a fridge, new lighting, and more electrical sockets. In promising to work alongside the Exec, Moran again highlights her time on the Exec and claims a part-time Admin job at a charity.
Stating the changes which Heythrop and the HSU face and have been through, Stefan Barratt claims that the next Vice-President must be able to “adapt to different and changing environments”. His manifesto mainly focuses upon improving student experience, though he does talk about how to communicate with the student body. Barratt pledges to install a letterbox in the HSU office to receive feedback, as well as committing to inviting the Course Reps to Activities Focus Groups. Improving the Common Room, reaching out to other Universities and Colleges in London, improving events, and involving the Bachelor of Divinity students are all ideas Barratt claims will invigorate student experience. Barratt states he will make the Common Room more appealing by improving the lighting, furniture and the layout, as well as suggesting that the garden could be used for music events. He believes these changes will be simple and cost effective. Barratt hopes to be more active in organising events with other University of London colleges, as he argues that reaching out to the opportunities afforded to Heythrop by being apart of UoL will play a apart of student life next year. He also wishes to work with Fordham, Richmond, and Imperial in order to improve Heythrop Societies and gain access to their activities. Similarly, Barratt pledges to “involve the intercollegiate residents of Alban Hall.... in our events”. Barratt says he will continue the work the current HSU Exec has done to organise “career-oriented activities”. He claims that he will use the Governors and their professional connections to source speakers, as well as inviting members of Heythrop’s Alumni and those studying Law conversion courses to provide an insight to students about life after Heythrop. Barratt also hopes to get the Bachelor of Divinity students involved in student life. He suggests creating a ‘buddy’ system between language students and BD students who happen to be fluent in the relevant language, in order to support students learning languages and integrate the BD students into Heythrop life.
The only second year candidate running for Vice-President, Stephanie Browne is leaning on her experience as a society head and Liberation activist in her campaign. In her manifesto, Browne states that as the President of the Feminist Society she has reinvigorated the society and gotten it involved in wider protests and demonstrations throughout the year. She also notes that she has attended an NUS conference and been involved in national student politics, as well as participating in different Liberation movements in London. Browne is trying to translate this experience into a campaign specifically relevant to Heythrop, highlighting “the need for a learning environment free of discrimination”. Browne also claims “I’m not taking on this role blindly”, supporting the claim by drawing on her time as President of FemSoc and claiming a “strong working relationship with the current union”. As Vice President, Browne says she will ensure student representation, improve the Common Room and events, and extend training available to the HSU Exec to all students. Browne states she will “fight for the rights of all students”, in addition to representing students on the relevant boards and supporting students oncampus. She picks up on Heythrop’s uncertain future and claims she will be “visible and approachable” in order to put the student body first as a Governor. Browne’s student experience plans involve improving the Common Room and events. While offering no specific details on how the Common Room would be improved, Browne does suggest a student/staff network night as a potential event, arguing “we have some of the brightest minds in the country at our university and it would be silly to not harness the conversation and intellect we have at our disposal”. Finally, Browne pledges to not only ensure the HSU and society heads are properly trained, but also to extend the training on offer to all students “so Heythrop is in good stead throughout this turbulent time”.
Dan Tobin
The need for strong leadership is the opening argument to Dan Tobin’s manifesto, as he highlights Heythrop’s uncertain future and the lack of a full undergraduate intake. Tobin offers a twelve point plan, broken down into the sections “Representation & Engagement”, “Student Experience”, and “Proactivity & Support” [sic], as an argument for why he would be “a strong, supportive, and proactive Vice-President”. Tobin pledges to communicate effectively with the student body through holding “drop-in sessions” that students can attend, and through “frequent... polls, meetings, and... informative emails”. This he hopes to support his argument that he will represent students’ views on the Governing Body, TOPSE, and other relevant boards, claiming he will “actively fight for student interests to be heard, considered and enacted”. As for student experience, Tobin’s plans include improving things oncampus and extending Heythrop’s off-campus activities and reach. Tobin states he will invite students from Fordham, Richmond, and other UoL colleges to Heythrop events in an attempt to bolster their attendance and “reinvigorate our social aspects and broaden our horizons”, as well as developing relationships with Student Central in order to benefit Heythrop’s societies. Tobin also states he wishes to “Harness London” by “making full use of the facilities and resources available to us in our capital”. Tobin states he wishes to “aim to enquire into the feasibility of redecorating the [Common Room] at minimal cost”, and also to tackle “the apathy that grips the student body”. He aims to do this by “launching aggressive campaigns”, which would involve improving student experience, reinvigorating Heythrop’s societies, and working with TOPSE to “create an atmosphere... that is energetic and engaging”.
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
female welfare
Publicity
Olivia Murphy
Megan Kendall
Sinead Purser
Heythrop is a beautifully diverse college and as Female Welfare Officer I would like to be seen as an approachable figure for each woman to feel comfortable with by sharing their information and asking for advice. One of my main aims would be to create an atmosphere of support and awareness. I would do this in two ways. Firstly for the individual, I would like them to know that any issue they present would be totally confidential and I would always provide a solution, even if it is beyond my control and requires a professional level, I would be more than happy to provide the relevant contact information and continue to support and check the progress of the individual. My second approach would be as a group which would meet every fortnight, with a presence on social media also, to discuss the current public issues with regards to welfare, in a relaxed and non-judgemental environment, the perfect atmosphere to build friendships. I believe that everyone deserves to be happy and have their voice heard in university life and it would be an honour if I could help people achieve this on any level. I would undertake a directly active approach in making sure I fulfil my duty as Female Welfare Officer, here to serve the women of the university, aware that it is of the utmost importance that I know what they want in order to make it happen. I shall be available beyond campus through Facebook and email, ready to help whatever hour.
I care greatly and am absolutely committed to ensuring that every student here gets the best experiences from university. I’ve been told I’m a great listener, and pride myself on thinking deeply about how I can help others, working out how best a situation can be sorted and the best way to make that happen. I have a great relationship with the newly elected Male Welfare Officer for next year and I believe we can work well as a team to ensure that every person who needs help with any academic or welfare issues receives it gladly. I plan to be on campus as much as possible to extend open-hours for students to come and see me regarding their concerns. I have a keen interest in psychological and human welfare issues, for example sexual health, LGBT issues, gender equality, mental health and academic issues that may arise. I will always be willing to take more things on board and learn from the ground up. Much like the current Welfare team, I plan to host as many stimulating welfare based events as possible, making sure every student has the opportunity to attend a range of quizzes and talks from outside speakers. All in all, I care about PEOPLE and would love the opportunity to be a member of the Student Union in such an incredibly unique and diverse university, and I think I would work well as a support system for any person who needed my advice or help. No issue is too big or too small to come to me with.
I feel as though visual presentations are essential to our university life. This has become an even greater need, especially with the lack of freshers next year. Therefore, the advertising of events and societies are of paramount importance for maintaining student satisfaction. I am excited to take on this role of maintaining and creating the visual aspect of Heythrop, mainly because graphics is one of my passions, but I also see it as a responsibility for the enrichment of the college. Why am I a worthy candidate? I will treat this position in a fashion not dissimilar to my work experience. I had the opportunity to team alongside Graphic designers at an advertising agency where I became more efficient with using platforms such as Adobe Photoshop. I also believe that my grounding in GSCE Graphic Design and A level Photography will prove useful when snapping memorable moments at events. My main strength, I feel, will be the way I will approach creative tasks. My method would involve taking briefs of a design from a fellow executive committee officer/society leader, and maybe even a meeting to sketch out ideas if necessary. I will be easily available around college and also via Facebook message on my dedicated Facebook. So despite the quite often disastrous depictions of creating visual pieces on the Apprentice, I like to think the creative process between us will be a fun and enjoyable one.
There is another candidate, but they didn’t send me anything, so they don’t get to go in the paper. I did warn them
Events Magdalena McGilvray
Juliet Branfield
Hi, I’m a second year student going into third year studying Philosophy and I have been the Publicity Officer for the past year. I was asked to be the Publicity officer as a NEO position until I was voted in as an official officer. For the past year I have been making most of the posters, cover photos and flyers for the major and minor events. Additionally, I have helped societies publicise their events. I have performed others rolls as a non-sabbatical officer, including going to many events and attending weekly meetings. I would like to continue the good job I am doing within the HSU by remaining in the publicity role. I would like to continue the use of the HSU photo page which was created by me and make it more of a success. I would do this with the help of a NEO photographer position so that we will have a confirmed photographer at all major events. I have already looked into who could fill this position. I want to help the Heythrop experience remain as we go through the difficult time we are facing by helping the events team to keep the student experience alive. VOTE MAGDA AS PUBLICITY!!
Hi I’m Juliet Branfield, a first year BA Philosophy student and hopefully I will be the second half of Heythrop’s Events team next year! I’m running for the position of Events Officer as I would love the opportunity to create, organise and execute events that will bring every member of Heythrop’s small but diverse student body together for the most fun filled year yet. I’m very invested in the future of our student experience and want to make sure that we all make the most of our time at university. So I’ve already begun working my imagination to think up new ideas for events and also considering existing events such as Fresher’s week, and how they can be reinvigorated. I have a great relationship with Rhiannon Jones-Hopkins, who has already been elected as one of next year’s Events Officers, and it would be amazing to work with her as well as working alongside clubs, societies, students and other members of the Union. Ultimately, it’s my priority to provide entertainment that interests and caters to as many of you as possible and I think that my passion, dedication and motivation will make that possible.
Academic affairs Nick Benn
Satchi Mahnedran
Hi, I’m Nick, a second year Study of Religions student (rare breed that we are) and I’m running to be your NEW Academic Affairs Officer. As well as being a consummate Yorkshireman, and therefore eminently qualified for all situations which might involve confrontation, I have been the Programme Representative for the BA SoR programme this year, a role which I have hugely enjoyed and one which I believe does help to create change on behalf of our students. As a member of the HSU Exec I will promote and protect the rights of students, especially in areas such as deferrals and extensions, having seen how inflexible and frustrating the system can be. I will attend meetings with college staff on your behalf to give your feedback, and ensure that during this time of change the student experience is not only protected but is enhanced wherever possible. Where there are issues relating to disciplinary measures I will also work to make sure that students are supported and represented by YOUR Union at meetings. I’m looking forward to hopefully representing you and fighting for your academic experience at our beloved (if occasionally dysfunctional) institution. Stay awesome, Heythrop, and vote Nick!
Hi I’m Satchi Mahendran and I’m currently in first year studying Abrahamic Religions. I’m running for Academic Affairs because I want to improve the student experience at Heythrop and make the teach out process currently in place work for the students. I also want to ensure that incidents such as the late marking that has occurred this year, supposedly due to the talks with St. Mary’s, aren’t repeated. As a Course Rep for BA Abrahamic Religions, I already have experience working closely with the current Academic Affairs officer and sitting on the Undergraduate Student Staff Liaison Committee (UGSSLC). My main areas that I want to improve are : 1) Maintenance of academic standards throughout the whole teach out process. 2) Improvement of the already successful ‘Course Rep’ system. 3) Support for students by students through the academic societies such as the Philosophy society, which has already started this year and I hope to make students more aware of. 4) Lobby student services for an earlier release of the exam timetable. I am extremely passionate about the academic affairs of Heythrop and hope to ensure that every student has a say in their education.
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
COMMENT
Edited by Terence Sibley | terence.sibley@heythropcollege.ac.uk
Thank You, Heythrop... And Goodluck
Alex Hackett Founding Editor
It was around the end of my freshers’ week when I met a recent Heythrop graduate called Alfie. Like many, I remember little of my first week, but my encounter with Alfie in the Greyhound that night has stuck with me throughout my 6 years at this curious College. I remember being rather dismissive of Heythrop at the time; my plan at 18 was to ship out to some monolithic Russell Group Death-Star of a university somewhere remote and prestigious, so ending up in an unknown cupboard-sized campus in West London felt like a bitter defeat. He listened to my whining for a while and reassured me that there was more to Heythrop than met my newly-admitted eye. After struggling for 10 minutes to pin down his emotions he finally settled on the following example: “Everyone else who wakes up on the day after they leave their alma mater is immediately filled with a sense of quiet, understated achievement. Heythrop students don’t have that moment…. Heythrop students wake up on that day, get up, blink twice and say to themselves… what the f*ck was that” On first hearing that statement it sounded as if he was endorsing my cynicism, that this place was so bizarre and disastrous that your first day out of it would be like waking up from a bad dream. But he wasn’t saying that; he was saying that Heythrop gives you something different, something harder to put your finger on, but something ultimately more satisfying than the off-the-peg unis can ever provide.
Throughout this year, with the inevitable prospect of St Mary’s assimilation looming large on the horizon, the question of what it is that makes Heythrop “Heythrop” has been the focus of numerous general meetings, focus groups and staffroom conversations. What is the insoluble core of this place that cannot (or should not) be packed up and shifted down the road to Strawberry Hill? What is it that keeps some who have long finished their studies from leaving (... ahem) and draws dozens back for postgraduate study? As important as the University of London degree, the location and the subjects we study are in evaluating the College’s assets, it seems somehow an incomplete portrait. For all the time I have been here, there has been something truly unique about this place; for those that can see through Heythrop’s occasionally unpolished appearance and often overstretched services, a true affection develops in many and from this an authentic and supportive community of like-minded individuals sprouts anew. I have seen this environment give confidence to the timid and knock the corners off the brash and the unthinking. This atmosphere’s curious alchemy has also inspired people to dedicate their time and effort into providing opportunities and outlets for each other’s abilities. When I joined in 2009, Heythrop’s student newsletter was a double sided piece of A4 coquettishly titled the “Paper with No Name” after a competition to name it returned zero results (classic Heythrop). After months of teamwork, sleepless nights and organisation, The Lion was born - a testament to what Heythroppers united could accomplish. The hard work of dozens of
he’s right, you know
students built this paper and over its short existence it has seen many of its rivals from other colleges fall by the wayside. The Lion has broken stories that have ended up finding their way into national newspapers and has provided a generation of students with work experience and jobs in journalism. It’s a true Heythrop success story and it has only succeeded because
each generation saw it for what it was: not a CV stuffer but a labour of love. Like Alfie, I don’t think I’ll ever be able to fully put into words how meaningful this place has been to me, but I know that I’ve had something more valuable than most. Heythrop didn’t provide me with a manufactured education pruned perfectly for a career, it
gave me a real set of experiences and a genuine chance to do things of value. I will always be grateful that I had something that was so pleasingly imperfect and met so many passionate people who had the drive to improve it.
A desk fan nailed to the wall in the Students’ Union basement; a symbol of Heythrop’s unique mix of ingenuity and absurdity
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WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
COMMENT
Plywood Politics Luke Barrett Research Student
During the leaders’ debate, Natalie Bennett claimed to have a love of Britain and her traditions, however, a cursory reading of the Green Party manifesto reveals this to be patently false, even by the most vague “fish and chips and Doctor Who” concepts of British identity. Currently the Green Party is the only mainstream party advocating republicanism as one of their key policies, and one of a select few arguing for the dissolution of the Anglican Church, and the replacement of the House of Lords with a wholly elected body, so we can clearly see that the Green Party doesn’t really hold our historic political and national intuitions in such esteem that one would think a love of Britain and her traditions would necessitate. Secondly, the Green Party manifesto openly strives towards a world where the concept of a British national is “Irrelevant and outdated”, and divorces British citizenship from nationality (the concept of nationality being seen as “inherently racially discriminatory”), from any communitarian, societal, shared historic or familial association, to one purely based on geographical residency. This seems to make Bennett sound even more confused in her adorations, as the Green Party stance here seems to negate the very notion of the existence of a British identity to love. Now, apart from simply being shared tradition that has grounded the British people in tumultuous times, the monarchy and House of Lords has been essential to the development of the liberal democratic paradigm that we enjoy today. The contractarian nature of the Sovereign and its role in the parliamentary process is a valid an important one (and even if you are not a rabid ultra-Monarchist, we should think carefully before replacing the throne with something else). The House of Lords too in its current hereditary state is also something we should not risk throwing away
without serious consideration – a wholly elected body could end up being nothing more than an echochamber for ex-MPs (more so than it is now [and a problem caused by prior attempts to democratise the Lords]), and so we run the risk of it not functioning as a body that can properly check legislation from the House of Commons. But the main question must be, why should we? The Monarchy and all the queer trappings of parliament are just a harmless part of the British identity. It’s seems rather trivial to push for republicanism when more pressing issues are needing to be dealt with, such as actually clearing our £1.56 trillion national debt (with the annual interest being £45 billion [roughly 3% of our GDP]), or Russia’s revanchist policies in Eastern Ukraine, Belorussia and the Baltic states (which are very concerning geopolitical developments to say the least, no matter what you may think of national sovereignty). The party’s stance on our nuclear deterrent and funding of the armed forces is borderline treason, and would very much render Britain as a vassal state to whoever would claim her first. Firstly, every country that has given up their nuclear deterrent has become irrelevant at best, as they are essential to international standing. Nuclear weapons have perhaps been the best guarantor of peace and polite diplomatic discussion between superpowers, and have also guaranteed the independence of smaller nations against the designs of their bigger neighbours in the 20th and 21st centuries, and only the politically naïve or fifth columnists would advocate a nation scrapping such an essential component of her liberty. It should also be noted that Caroline Lucas and a few other senior figures in the Green Party were senior members in the Campaign for Nuclear Disarmament – an organisation that from the 1960’s - mid 80’s was almost exclusively bankrolled with Moscow Gold (the Stasi archives plainly state that
Change Robert Leftwich Head Writer
I’ve been a part of The Lion since my first week at Heythrop. In that time it has undergone a number of changes to style, management, and content. But at it’s core The Lion has always been the same. A small group of students dedicated to publishing something that incorporates and speaks to the talents, interests and opinions of students whilst also providing studentoriented reporting on the management and important goings on within Heythrop.
There have been resignations and firings, student elections, an outbreak of disease and many other stories over the years. Most of my focus during my time with the paper has been in the culture section, but through The Lion I enjoyed an above average awareness of the politics of my university and had some great opportunities to write about cultural media as well as develop and explore my writing style and ability. Unfortunately due to concerns over practicality, The Lion must cease to publish in its current form, much as our College must soon cease to educate in
during the 70’s and 80’s almost all the CND funding came from the CPGB, which was in turn funded by the KGB, with explicit instructions that this money was to be directed into the CND’s coffers) and many senior figures of this treacherous organisation, not content with advocating the hamstringing of their nations defence, also acted as KGB and Stasi informants. To be fair to Caroline Lucas, I must state that no Soviet connections have been found for her, and those that were tended to be CPGB members rather than Green, but the Green Party still advocates wholesale nuclear disarmament, and was affiliated with this questionable organisation. If we want a recent example as to why we should cling to our nuclear arsenal we merely just have to look at the current Ukraine crisis. Ukraine used to have one of the largest nuclear arsenals of all the ex-Soviet nations, but they gave them up with promises from both the Unites States and the Russian Federation that they would be protected from all hostile foreign threats, and that both nations would respect and protect Ukraine as an independent sovereign nation. This has not happened, Russia has, under very suspect circumstances, annexed Crimea and is currently bankrolling rebels (and sending a few of their soldiers sans insignia) in the eastern regions of Ukraine. It seems like Putin probably wouldn’t have pulled this kind of stunt if Ukraine was still armed to the teeth with nukes. As we can see, the times we live in are still as tumultuous as the Cold War, and so it really doesn’t make sense to give up our nuclear arsenal, especially from one who claims to love Britain. Now, to turn to the assorted insanity that is Green economic policy – a mix of economic illiteracy, pathological altruism, and neoprimitivism. Firstly, the Greens are possibly the one party in existence that actually strives (take a look at their ‘Policies for a Sustainable
Society’ document) for a negative growth economy (essentially permanent recession) as apparently economic growth incompatible with protecting the planet and the world’s poorest (forgetting that globalisation and free trade have possibly been the biggest contributing factors for the alleviation of poverty in the third world, and that more environmentally friendly fuels and methods of business have arisen from economic growth). Now, what would happen if the Greens vision of a zero growth economy was to be implemented? Every British family would be significantly worse off economically (and would progressively worsen), and such a plan would also have significant ramifications on our trading partners around the world - and could run the risk (coupled with the Greens support for increased spending on foreign aid) of actually destroying the native economies of some developing nations. One just has to take a look at the sorry state of Somalia to see what happens when Western altruism is mixed with anti-free trade rhetoric. The abandonment of free trade in favour some form of localism and autarky could also have some very dire consequences for the propagation of liberal democracy around the world. Free markets and free trade (with a few notable exceptions) tends to correlate with a free people. The liberal market reforms undertaken by the Soviet bloc in the late 80’s had an undeniable impact on the liberalisation of the political sphere. If we remove ourselves from the global sphere, we may just end up feeding the flames of nativist despotism. On a somewhat related note, this extreme localism also has an impact on the arts, in the form of the ‘Beyonce Tax’. This tax is borderline totalitarian, and certainly illiberal as it attacks the private ownership of media (the bedrock of a free press, and a free society), and attempts to curtail the consumption of foreign media and foreign art by Brit-
ish citizens via excessive taxation (whether you chose to watch Russian films, French news, or listen to an American pop star is none of the state’s business). While the Greens may be fairly authoritarian, happy to use the hand of the state to ban hunting, factory farming, religious schooling (and in the long term) meat eating, an open attack on the free press compromises liberal Britain herself, and should be opposed with the most energetic fervour one can muster. As for the funding of the Greens’ socialist vision, to which Bennett in her many interviews has vaguely stated will be accounted for by a massive increase in taxation, we must actually find out how all this revenue will be generated under a Green economy. Firstly, as we have seen the economy will be in permanent recession, the economy will be heavily regulated, and where private investment is discouraged – at best this will result in a stagnant economy, one that does not lend itself well to the generation of taxes. Secondly, the Greens have failed to account for the behavioural effect that taxation has on individuals. In a global economy, as demonstrated recently in France (a socialist government had to actually abandon taxing the rich at 75%, as it actively hurt the public treasury in the long run), taxing the rich only halfway till their pips squeak is likely to just result in them moving abroad (so much like killing the golden goose, we end up with no tax). For something closer to home, we need only look back to the 2010 budget, when Alastair Darling raised the top rate of tax from 40-50%. This lead to an extreme behavioural response to the rate changes, and actually resulted in negative tax revenues in 2010/2011. When it comes for you to cast your vote, I would urge you all to consider very carefully before voting for this plucky anti-establishment party. Naivete concerning the deficit and national defence will not only destroy your future, but your children’s as well.
its current form. To some people, this is a death, an end, a final note. But I don’t see it in that way. The only thing that is certain at this time is that Heythrop and its Lion will have to change. The Lion has a clear future in the form of an exciting magazine and continued online news coverage, both of which should provide ample opportunity for the students that remain to cultivate their journalistic talents as I was fortunate enough to be able to do during my time at University. The College’s future is less clear, but what is clear from Heythrop’s history is that change is part of what Heythrop is. It changed to escape the French Revolution by moving to Britain. It changed to integrate with the British educa-
tion system by joining the University of London, and now it will have to change again to cope with the changes to higher education brought about by what is, at time of writing, the current government. Doubtless it will continue to change into the future as needs must. Change, ironically enough is one of the only real constants of Heythrop, the other constants being its roots in Catholicism and the Society of Jesus as well as a commitment to the training of priests and the education of students in Theology and Philosophy. The changes that will follow are certainly unfortunate, Heythrop as it has been is a wonderful, if sometimes disorganised place to study. But I see little reason to despair. Those
of us who have studied here know, and will always remember how this little college was an island of calm, and reason and homeliness in the often harsh and loud environment of London. Those who come after will sadly not get the same opportunity, but they will get a different one. One which will doubtless be better in some ways than ours, even if it is worse in others. Time will tell, but as I see it, the future is an opportunity. For The Lion, it’s an opportunity to continue to serve Heythrop, and for Heythrop, it’s an opportunity to continue to serve those of us who have that obscure, enquiring mindset that suits us to Philosophy and Theology, in whatever way it can.
7
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
COMMENT
The Real Threat To Free Speech? It’s Us
Ben Mercer Comment Correspondent
“All censorships exist to prevent anyone from challenging current conceptions and existing institutions. All progress is initiated by challenging current conceptions, and executed by supplanting existing institutions. Consequently, the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.” George Bernard Shaw is too seldom referenced in discussions on free speech. This is a shame, for two good reasons. Firstly, his statements on the subject are useful because they highlight the value of criticism. Simply put: “It is necessary for the welfare of society that genius should be privileged to utter sedition, to blaspheme, to outrage good taste, to corrupt the youthful mind, and generally to scandalize one’s uncles.” Secondly, his record should serve to educate one on a dangerous compulsion. Allowing criticism of views and ideas he disliked, Shaw’s support for Stalin, ‘moderate’ eugenics and the doctrine of Lysenkoism is a lesson in the uncritical. Partisanship is one thing; wilful blindness is quite another. It is worth remembering that Shaw was writing at a time when cultural and ideological differences between East and West could manifest themselves in any place and at any time. Lysenko was to the East what Mendel was to the West: it was not uncommon to hear or to meet someone who genuinely believed that there was a difference between Eastern science and Western science, or communist science and capitalist science. But whilst Lysenko’s theories were eventually shown to be little more than nonsense wrapped in a thin layer of plausibility, the years in which it was the sponsored pseudoscience of the Stalinist state (which imposed its ‘official science’ on large parts of the Eastern bloc) had already done immeasurable damage to knowledge and to society in the Soviet Union. Not so much a brain drain as a brain purge, the 1948 declaration that the whole field of genetics was nothing more than “bourgeois pseudoscience” led to the arrest, imprisonment and even the execution of an astonishingly large number of once-prominent and celebrated scientists. That Shaw expressed much of his support for Stalinism in the years after Arthur Koestler had stumbled
out of love with the regime, and after Victor Serge had been imprisoned by the state he once worked for, and after Rosa Luxemburg had penned many vital criticisms of the decline of Leninism, is something for which the English author deserves to be criticised. Serge, the man who exposed the Tsarist origins of The Protocols of the Learned Elders of Zion and who may well have coined the term ‘totalitarianism’, did not have the benefit of the same hindsight that could and should have been enjoyed by Shaw. It makes his criticisms of the secret police and of Stalinism in general all the more remarkable. And Orwell, who was by no means silent on the ills of capitalism or the follies of ‘The West’, could never be accused of having overlooked the equivalent flaws of ‘The East’. Much of what we now know about Stalinist Russia we owe to those brave individuals who did write, who did speak up, and who did not censor themselves out of fear for their own safety, much less of causing offense. Judgements on the critiques of the two systems that originated on either side of the iron curtain could only be made after the collapse of the Soviet Union and the end of the Cold War; only after the communication of ideas ceased to be counterrevolutionary; only after introspection and self-criticism ceased to be so wholly un-American. Shaw would have been wise to stay true to his principle: ‘the first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.’ If the Cold War was a clash of civilizations, then we are now living through a clash between civilization and its antithesis. Islamic State, al-Qaeda, Boko Haram, alShabaab, Jabhat al-Nusra: these are not glimpses of a proto-civilization informed by an alternative ideology. They are the sworn and self-professed enemies of the very premise of civilization. When we grant even a modicum of respect to their nihilistic worldview, we assume that they are an expression – however vulgar, however loathsome, however perverted - of an idea that is fundamentally equal to the foundation of any civilization. And in doing so, we insult the memory of the many peoples, societies and cultures that once occupied and still occupy what we now misguidedly call ‘the Muslim world’. These, after all, are the people who destroyed the ancient statues of Buddha at Bamiyan, who bombed the al-Askari
Mosque, who burned museums and their priceless collections and to whom countless historical documents and artefacts have been lost because their very existence was deemed to be an implicit criticism of Islam. We see a good deal of misplaced handwringing after attacks on ‘our own’ culture, but the masochists – those who prefer to blame Salman Rushdie, JyllandsPosten, South Park and Charlie Hebdo than defend them – tend to have very little to say about the cultural atrocities inflicted on societies ‘over there’, atrocities that are not committed by ‘us’ but by the ‘them’ that we supposedly oppress and provoke. But countries and regions and the legacy of the people who did so much to preserve the relics of ancient Greece and Persia, whilst the forces of Christendom were doing their best to wipe all traces of preChristian art and culture from the world, are not and will never be represented by the bin-Ladenists, by the Salafists and the Wahhabis, or by the followers of Khomenei or Zarqawi or Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. And if we want, as we should, and as our friends in Iraq and Iran and Afghanistan certainly do, to be allowed to enjoy the art and the writing and the music and the poetry of the region – whether that be the old, like Rumi and Tabrizi, or the new, like Khaled Hosseini and Kanan Makiya – then it is vital that we do not lessen our own commitment to freedom of speech and expression in some stupid attempt to appease the fanatics. Instead, we should hold to it and fight for it all the more, not just for us but for those who lack those rights. Yet in Europe and the United Kingdom we are increasingly being told that we have a duty to be silent. That we have a responsibility not to offend. That we are morally obliged to keep our criticisms, thoughts, jokes and ideas to ourselves. As though the other side would simply disarm and go away if we only stopped publishing cartoons! Specifically cartoons depicting a certain illiterate peasant who lied about a revelation that never took place, and who built on that lie a military campaign with the aim of creating an empire. Thomas Jefferson wrote that “ridicule is the only weapon which can be used against unintelligible propositions,” and there are few propositions more unintelligible than the premise of religion. The trend is particularly worrying on this side of the Atlantic. Our
lack of a written constitution and a codified bill of rights, coupled with and partly caused by the position of the monarchy and its relationship with government, and exacerbated by our continuing involvement with a European Union that has no interest in protecting free speech and no constitution of its own that protects it, leaves us in a uniquely vulnerable situation. It adds significant and unnecessary weight to a burden we seem reluctant to bear. It requires us to stand as the sole protectors of our most important right, and the only defence against ourselves. This is an exceptionally dangerous state of affairs. George Orwell’s essay, The Freedom of the Park, makes the point that the real threat to free speech in this country comes not from a capricious and totalitarian government but from a capricious and tyrannical compulsion toward self-censorship.
“The relative freedom which we enjoy depends on public opinion. The law is no protection. Governments make laws, but whether they are carried out, and how the police behave, depends on the general temper in the country. If large numbers of people are interested in freedom of speech, there will be freedom of speech... if public opinion is sluggish, inconvenient minorities will be persecuted, even if laws exist to protect them. The notion that certain opinions cannot safely be allowed a hearing is growing.” This can be allied with another of Thomas Jefferson’s statements— “the only security of all is in a free press”—to make, in summary, the case: If we are truly concerned with free and equal rights, not just for white middle-class men on this island but for everyone, then it is vitally important that we do not allow the censorship, by ourselves or by anyone else, of thoughts and ideas that offend a minority, and especially not the majority. Noam Chomsky is right when he points out that “Goebbels was in favour of free speech for views he liked. So was Stalin. If you’re really in favour of free speech, then you’re in favour of freedom of speech for precisely the views you despise. Otherwise, you’re not in favour of free speech.” This is an effective summary of Milton, of Mill, of Paine, of Voltaire, of Jefferson, and of the many others besides, whose work forms the scaffold on which the principle
of free speech and a free press has been erected. To adopt anything less than complete adherence to what those in the United States call First Amendment absolutism is to preemptively condemn the very people you think you are trying to protect. (The irony of that title is that, as Christopher Hitchens so eloquently put it,“It commits us to an unshakable principle while it obliquely reminds us that absolutism is what the freedom of speech actually makes impossible.”) The point is well made in the dialogue between Roper and Thomas More in Robert Bolt’s A Man for All seasons. When Roper tells More that he would happily cut down every law in England to get after the devil, More issues the following response. “And when the last law was down, and the Devil turned ‘round on you, where would you hide, Roper, the laws all being flat? ...Yes, I’d give the Devil benefit of law, for my own safety’s sake!” For the avoidance of doubt, I am fully aware of the logical consequences of this position. And I’ll make it very clear: I have no time for hate speech laws of any kind. The Austrian government might have congratulated itself for arresting the historian and holocaust denier David Irving for thought crime, but I would defend his right to hold, speak and publish his views even if he had no redeeming features whatever. Nor do I have time for nonsense non-words like ‘Islamophobia’, the wilful conflation of race (which doesn’t exist) and religion, which is designed with the express purpose of silencing criticism of the latter. The reader is welcome to attack me with speech or in writing and on any topic they choose. It takes a lot to make me cry. But I reserve the right to reply in kind and I reserve the right to attack any person, any idea, any religion, any ideology, at any place and at any time. Again, and whether it is an expression of self-flagellation or an imposition from outside: “The first condition of progress is the removal of censorship.” We may hope that this condition is reasserted and enforced by the governments – our own amongst them – that seem to be denying its proud entailments. But we must first recognise and acknowledge its value ourselves.
don’t like long articles? write us some short ones!
8
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
COMMENT
Respect: A Talk On Domestic Abuse
Hannah Murphy First Year Undergraduate
On the evening of Tuesday 3rd March Heythrop was introduced to a talk on domestic abuse from Colin Fitzgerald, a worker from Respect. Having being formed in 2000; Respect is an association that works together with both men and women in order to stop domestic abuse. Up until 2007 the sole focus of the Respect organisation was aimed at perpetrators of domestic violence; however now Respect has extended their support also to teenage victims of abuse. When Fitzgerald came to Heythrop to raise awareness about the serious issue, despite the fact that
Rojava
Terry Sibley Comment Editor
A socialist-feminist revolution is happening in the Middle East. In northern Syria there exists a region operating independently of the Syrian government, as part of unrecognised-Kurdistan, called Rojava. It is the eye of the storm in the Middle East: On one side sits Turkey, violent in their suppression of the Kurds who make up most of Rojava, and on another sits the Syrian government who claim the territory, the crumbling reign of Assad resorting to more and more desperate tactics of violence. ISIS operates in this territory too, out of Iraq and with the support of the Turkish government, cutting a bloody swathe through the countryside. It was against ISIS that the revolution first distinguished itself, drawing media attention, albeit not of the right kind. An Iraqi-Kurdish minority group called the Yazidis where attacked mercilessly by ISIS, and 50,000 fled to the mountains of Northern Iraq. They were trapped while Obama authorized limited airstrikes. It was a futile gesture, and while the world wondered what to do, the Kurdish revolutionaries stepped in. The People’s Protection Units (YPG) of the Kurdistan Worker’s Party (PKK) in Kurdistan, including their female brigade the Women’s Protection Units (YPJ), cut a corridor from Syria to the Iraqi mountains to evacuate the Yazidis. The Western media made a big deal about some unknown female fighters, which make up half the YPG, fighting the evil forces of ISIS. The socialist-feminist movement and the real gravity of their
the turnout was unfortunately low, intrigue was high. We are not blind to the existence of domestic abuse yet for many it is not something which is at the front of our minds. However it is when statistics are placed in front of us that the reality and severity sinks in a little deeper, or for me at least anyway. I can safely say that myself amongst others were shocked at the figures representing the cases of domestic abuse. During the talk some of the facts in which Fitzgerald told us was that 44% of victims suffer from repeat victimisation and that annually domestic violence takes the lives of 120 women and 30 men; either from their current or former partner.
existing as a female core of fighters operating in the Middle East went missing in the translation. While this revolution goes ignored, ISIS is in the news every day because we always favour fascists over socialists. While us in the West debate what to do about this ISIS bunch, the PKK are fighting them in towns like Kobani and winning, but being branded just as bad as ISIS for claiming independence. Turkey brands them as terrorists as part of their historical persecution of the Kurdish people, and continues to attempt to crush any efforts on the part of the Kurds to form a separate state out of any country. With more and more westerners joining the fight comparisons can be drawn to the Spanish Civil War that my great uncle and several thousand other foreigners fought as part of the International Brigades. The PKK fighters are well educated, trained not only in fighting but educated, required to read books by Proudhon, Focault, Bakunin, Bookchin and others. The three “cantons” under their control operate as autonomous communes without taxation. Common resources such as land are distributed democratically by the people. The most encouraging side of the revolution, however, is the progressive feminism. The cantons form local councils between the people, which are largely responsible for the administration and enforcement of laws. There are also women’s councils who may overrule judgements of the local councils on women’s issues such as forced marriage. The picture is never black and white, there are a lot of problems in this region still, but Rojava deserves international attention as the possible future of the Middle East.
The talk we received from Fitzgerald focused particularly on male perpetrators and so we were told that the British Crime Survey showed how 75% of victims of 4 or more attacks are women. Although domestic violence is an occurrence that unfortunately still takes place it is with the progressive movement of society that more recognition has been had, enabling organisations such as Respect to do the work they do today. Between 40 and 50 years ago there was no such thing as gender studies in universities and it was in 2011 that Michael Kimmel, feminist and American sociologist who specialises in gender studies, stated “Feminism made gender issues
a visible problem.” Although this particular talk was focused on women being the victims of domestic abuse it is not to be forgotten that men too can also be the victims, something which by some can be overlooked. No matter what gender or age a person is this does not protect them from a form of such abuse. I, as I’m sure everyone else was, am thankful that Fitzgerald came in to speak to us as he successfully achieved to increase our awareness. Through various scenarios that Fitzgerald presented us with as examples one of the things which I personally found eye opening was how a situations between a couple can so quickly and easily
escalate into violence. Also it was shared that from those looking at a relationship externally it is so easy for the signs of abuse to not be recognisable, and this is the case also for the couple who are actually in the relationship; as an abuser will not tend to show their true colours within the first 6 months of the relationship. Fitzgerald gave a great presentation which was highly insightful, answering any questions we had at the end. I know I speak for myself when I say that I’m glad to have attended the talk as we all left feeling better educated in the matter and more aware of its frequency and severity.
The flag of Rojava Kurdistan
This green box is the flag of the lion
9
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
edited by jordan mant
Discover London! Jordan Mant
culture
West End Live 2015
The Merchant of Venice
Trafalgar Square
Globe Theatre
I promoted this event this time
Central London is the home to
last year on The Lion’s website.
Shakespeare’s Globe Thea-
I then attended this weekend-
tre and the new season has
long West End extravaganza
recently begun. The Merchant
and I have to say that it was
of Venice is currently playing at
even better than I imagined!
the theatre until the 7th June
The event takes place in
and stars double Olivier and
London’s Trafalgar Square
Tony award winner Johna-
and sees the cast of many of
than Pryce as Shylock in his
London’s best West End shows
Globe Theatre debut. The best
come along and perform short
thing of all is that you can grab
showcases of their productions.
yourself standing tickets for
Little Water Restaurant
Last year I saw the likes of Miss
just £5 – a bargain! Not a fan
Covent Garden
Saigon, Billy Elliot, Charlie and
of this particular Shakespeare
I was recently told about the
the Chocolate Factory, Matilda,
play? Then you should take a
Wicked, Forbidden Broadway,
look at the extensive line-up
Dirty Rotten Scoundrels and
of performances this summer
many, many more. The event
at the venue. Much Ado About
also has a number of exhib-
Nothing, Richard II and Romeo
its around the outside of the
& Juliet also feature.
square – for example, last year
Visit www.shakespearesglobe.
London also likes to make use
com for tickets and a full
of its rooftop space so, if you
schedule of events.
fancy a film with a beautiful
Imperial Festival
view of the city as a backdrop,
Culture Editor A summer in London is never dull. This city has a ridiculous amount of variety when it comes to things to do and this can suit budgets both big and small. Here’s a round-up of some of the activities going on across the Capital over the summer months, along with some other random things that I’ve recently stumbled across too.
Little Water Restaurant in Covent Garden which is pretty expert when it comes to serving up a whole range of different vodkas. That’s right folks, apparently there is more vodka in the world than those nasty own brand bottles from your local supermarket. This place serves up infusions including Basil, Saffron, Coffee &
I got myself a picture with an Aston Martin used in a Bond film. What’s that got to do with West End musicals, I hear you ask? Well nothing really
South Kensington
Open Air Cinemas Across London all summer long! I have lived in London for three years now and have still yet to make it to one of these unique ways of watching film during the summer months. Each year the list of companies and locations of outdoor cinemas just seems to be getting longer and longer but this only gives you more choice of where you want to go, the film you want to see and you’ve got a much better chance of actually getting your hands on some tickets in the first place! (These things get very booked up.) The Film4 Summer Screen is probably one of the more refined screenings, set in the rather fancy location of Somerset House no less.
then you should probably check out the Rooftop Film Club in
‘Carsten Holler: Decision’ The Hayward Gallery on the Southbank Centre YOU GET TO RIDE A MASSIVE SLIDE!! Need I say more? Okay then. From June through till Sep.. tember, Holler returns with another exhibition and this time he is moving it from the Tate Modern to the Southbank centre. The exhibition encourages visitors to contemplate the choices that they make and therefore visitors shall be faced with a number of scenarios which they have to decide how to respond to. One of the installations shall be a timepiece which, during the course of the exhibit shall apparently dispense one million pills from the ceiling onto the floor. What are inside those pills? Well, honestly, it doesn’t really say. (Slightly unnerving, I know. But it’s a legitimate exhibit, so it must okay – shouldn’t it? Let’s go and find out!) The only
but, as a Bond fan, I wasn’t
A short walk from our campus
complaining! This year’s event
is Imperial College and on
takes place on Saturday 20th
Saturday 9th and Sunday 10th
and Sunday 21st June and I
May, they are holding a FREE
strongly urge you to attend –
festival with a wide variety of
it’s a great way to get a taste for
events to get stuck into! The
the West End shows that you
leafleting for the event boasts
want to see! (Also, as someone
the presence of 400 scientists
who forgot and got ridiculously
and engineers, over 50 hands-
The best list that I’ve found of
which one to go down. Do you
sunburned last year, remember
on demonstrations, you can
the range of outdoor cinemas
want to visit this exhibition?
too, if those fancy ones don’t
the sun cream!!)
try building a bionic limb, read
on offer this year has been
Well, that is your choice.
take your fancy.
www.westendlive.co.uk
your own brainwaves and can
composed by TimeOut. Just
also build yourself a Lego spec-
visit timeout.com/London/film
Orange, Horseradish & Honey, Chocolate & Caramel and Lingonberry (which is apparently a good source of vitamins… although we don’t recommend that you count it as one of your five a day). A 25ml glass costs £5 or you can get a set of six for £27. There are also a variety of wines, beers and pure vodkas
Head to www.littlewater.co.uk to check out the full menu
Shoreditch or Peckham Rye. There’s also the Backyard Cinema in Camden, The Luna Cinema in the Royal Parks, a Hot Tub Cinema and I personally want to check out the Floating Cinema which is on a barge.
trometer Want to know what West End Live performance from 2011
a spectrometer even is? It’s been a while since my GCSE science classes but a quick Google search tells me that it’s all about measuring light. Go along, find out more and then report back to us!
thing that is mentioned is that visitors will be given water and they can choose whether to take it or not. The most exciting part of the exhibit, however, is the inclusion of two giant slides and you have to decide
Visit www.southbankcentre. co.uk for up-to-date info.
Finally, as a third year near the
with deadlines, but we are also
end of my university life (but
incredibly lucky to live in the
hopefully staying in London
Capital which boasts a ridicu-
afterwards), I wish to urge all
lous amount of things to do.
of you to make the most of this
Go beyond W8 and Discover
wonderful city whilst you are
London.
here. We may often be busy
10
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
Culture A Phone Call With Kaleidophone Jordan Mant
received. So, yeah, as soon as
enough so we don’t know how
of a kind of style running
of don’t do that. And that’s the
Culture Editior
we start to do that, I think we’re
people are going to respond
through the whole of this sec-
way this album has come out,
all really looking forward to
to it. So, yeah, we’re looking
ond album. I think it would be
quite naturally, not saying that
having that kind of feeling back
forward to finding out.
fair to say. But yeah, there still
we haven’t worked extremely
Kaleidophone have become firm favourites at Heythrop events over the past couple of years. With their second album ‘Hero In Trouble’ out on 18th May and its launch party on the 14th May at London’s The Drury Club, I gave the band a call to see how they were feeling ahead of releasing the record out into the music world for all to hear. Jordan Mant: I’ll just jump straight in then. So, your second album is called Hero In Trouble. I’m guessing now then that you’re in that weird stage where the album is all wrapped up and you’re ready to go and you’re just waiting
again because, like I say, you
are a couple of quite different
hard on it for these past twelve
can’t get that in the studio. You
JM: I was going to ask you
tracks on this album yet they
months for us, but the songs
can’t get that in the rehearsal
about that actually because lis-
all tie together quite nicely. So,
have come out naturally so it is
room. It’s one those things that
tening to both of your albums,
yeah, we’re really happy with
what it is really. So, yeah, there
you can only judge when you’re
What’s Your Tonic [the band’s
that accomplishment. We knew
definitely was some pressure
actually out with people on the
debut record] is filled with
that was something we kind of
after What’s Your Tonic, in
road.
songs that I’d compare to being
debated a lot when we started
terms of coming up with some
perfect for chilling in the sun,
making this album, of how to
good ideas but the way that it
JM: Talking of live perfor-
quite laid back, happy feeling
bring all of the tracks together
has come out has been com-
mances, I remember in my
sort of music. And then the
and we didn’t really know how
pletely, it’s come out naturally
Freshers’ Week [in September
second album does have some
that was going to work. But it
the way it is. Personally, I think
2012] you performed at the
of those types of tracks. Stuff
played out kind of okay I think.
I’m happy with that.
O2 Academy when you were
like ‘Disco Town’ but also you
supporting Mr Hudson and
know, it’s got quite an intense
JM: I think so and I’ve listened
JM: It’s sort of the typical
BigKids. You also did Fresh-
sound to it as well, especially
to it a good couple of times
problem of ‘The difficult second
ers’ Week this year and the
the first few tracks. Was that a
now. I imagine with any first
album’
live music night you headlined
conscious decision to take your
album that there’s a lot of pres-
recently as well. What is it
music in that direction or just
sure to, you know, put your
K: Yeah, that was quoted to us
about the Heythrop crowd that
natural?
stamp on it to say “this is the
a lot. We did a blog on that, I
sort of band we are and this is
think, on our website. But we’re
for the actual release?
you like? K: I don’t think so. The themes
the sort of music we’re going
all really happy with it and it’s
Kaleidophone: Well, I don’t
K: Well, they were completely
of the songs are quite dark and
to be making.” Did you feel
different but it’s... [Al inter-
different gigs. At the first gig,
political and provoking but I
pressure going into the second
jects] ... I feel, personally, that
there was a lot more people
don’t think that was, maybe
album or is it more comfort-
it’s markedly better than the
and people were right up close
that was just as a result of an
able once you’ve already had
first album. And I don’t think
and enjoying it and dancing.
interesting couple of years
an album out and you’ve had
that we’re, necessarily, on the
The other, was really reflective
really. I don’t think that we in-
singles out as well?
music radar of this country
of the people who enjoyed it.
tentionally were looking for the
But people were sat down and
darker themes but it does come
K: I think it’s hard to, I mean
I don’t think that the second
absorbing the music in a differ-
out. Erm, yeah I think we enjoy
What’s Your Tonic was such
album thing was an issue for
ent way.
that more, the darker more
a great album for us and we
us. I didn’t feel the pressure
serious stuff than the obviously
had a lot of fun playing that to
really. It is much better, much,
crowd-pleasing stuff.
everybody and we did probably
much better.
for a couple of years. So yeah I
By the time we starting demo-
know about waiting. Waiting wouldn’t describe it. But we are kind of almost, almost happy. We’re kind of focused on our launch party which is May the 14th so it’s kind of like our kick off to our real live performance of this album. JM: I’ve actually seen you perform live three times during my time at Heythrop and you are the sort of band that really comes to life when you perform onstage. Is this part of the process that you look forward to the most or is it the most nerve-wracking as well? K: I [James] really look forward to it because you can never quite get the same feeling in a rehearsal room as you do in a room full of people so until you start to do that regularly with the new material, it is hard to know quite what’s going on and how it’s all being
JM: I remember in Freshers’ Week, you had a lot more
to the point where it would,
people, you really encouraged
JM: It’s always nice listening
think there is. There was a cer-
ing this second album, I hope
people to get up and dance and
to an album that’s got different
tain amount of pressure but I
we all kind of started to know
you really got the night off in
types of songs, rather than just
think that we always come back
that what we were producing
a good way. Because you have
the same sound for ten tracks.
to the whole thing of song writ-
was better than the first. So
got some big tracks on both
ing. As long as we all get goose
we were quite confident and
albums that do play really well
K: Yeah, well I think that we
bumps from the songs them-
I think that, that took away
live.
felt that on our first album we
selves and that’s the rule if you
some of the worry because
kind of felt like it was probably
like. If it’s a good song, do we
we straight away felt like we
K: Yeah, yeah. I think we al-
too far in that direction, to the
go away singing this? Is it float-
were producing something of a
ways hoped that people got into
extreme. We had so many dif-
ing everybody’s boat? And then
higher quality.
it in a physical way that I think
ferent kinds of sounds, I sup-
we kind of work to that rule.
maybe the new stuff isn’t quite
pose we were slightly confused
So I don’t think, with that rule,
JM: Now I did want to talk
as obviously geared to that.
maybe of what our sound was
you’re in any danger of suc-
a bit about BBC Introducing
But, again, following on from
at the time. I think that we’ve
cumbing to pressure because
because it’s something that
what James said, we don’t re-
got closer to finding it now,
we’ve gone through big tours
you hear a lot about these days
ally know, we haven’t gigged it
there is a bit more of a thread
trying to write stuff so we kind
and you guys, I know, have
11
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
culture had quite a lot of support from
don’t very often just play one
your local BBC radio station.
track. If they like you, they’ll
Is it something that has been
keep playing you and watching
useful for you? Because we
you. It’s not like, you know, if
have a lot of people at Heythrop who have even supported you at Heythrop music nights
whatever reason, they might
that are interested in going
get one play and that might be
K: I’d say check the website
really nice to have input from
down the music route. Would
it. Whereas BBC Introducing,
for up-to-date stuff. We’ve got
[BBC Introducing] in it, so
JM: So one thing I did want to
your recommend it?
they really work it and they
a few festivals and other gigs
you know that’s great. And I
talk about, you have a track
cool as well.
them “who would you sug-
to go with them and put your
gest?” and they gave us a list
all into the advice that they’re
JM: Are there any places
of bands that they like so we
giving you and get your face
which people should check you
asked a couple and one of them
in and around them. It’s really
you get a track played on some-
out at over the summer? What
called Skies, they’re a BBC
important and they’ve been so
thing like Radio 1, through
are your tour plans?
Introducing in Kent band as
good for us and they’re helping
well, so they’re playing and it’s
us a lot.
really keep pushing you which
around the country. Ipswich,
think that, BBC Introducing,
on your album called Son Vis-
K: Yes [collectively], definite-
gives you a good firm base to be
Bristol, Cardiff, a few local ones
can I say one thing? It’s that,
age. Now I did whack it in the
ly! For us, we’re starting to see
moved onto the bigger stations.
in Kent and London. Obvi-
don’t neglect it. As an artist, if
Google translate and it trans-
the benefits of BBC Introducing
Nothing negative to say about
ously, the one on May 14th at
you’re looking to get onto BBC
lates as “his face” apparently...
more so than at first. They’ve
them, they’re great, we love
the Drury Club [they proudly
Introducing, don’t neglect, just
have I got that right?
really latched onto the new
them.
say in unison] which is gonna
keep going with them and also
Kaleidophone sound as such.
be awesome. BBC Introducing
with your local radio because
K: Yeah. Well, it’s actually, you
They’ve really picked on a cou-
They’ve helped us, not just, the
are coming to that as well and
people remember when you
can take it as his or her face.
ple of songs that they’re really
airplay and radio play has been
they’ve helped us with that as
put yourselves out for things
Because, obviously, the French
keen on. With BBC Introduc-
great. But they’ve also put our
well. We were talking to them
which seemed inconsequential
gender...
ing, once they get behind you
name forward for sort of local
about it and when we knew
but you have to really listen
[the band interjects] it’s not
they do support you a lot. They
festivals as well. So, that’s been
they were coming, we said to
to these guys and you have
obvious… Yeah, sorry, I speak French so yeah it’s supposed to be that you can interpret it either way. So yeah, that’s totally the beauty of it. But you can have “his face” if you want. JM: It’s a really nice break in the album. It’s 53 seconds long so it’s not long at all but it is a really nice song. Can you tell us, for us non-French speakers, what it’s about. K: Yeah, it’s basically about, kind of, it’s about seeing someone’s face and it absolutely utterly bowls you over. And it’s a love song and it’s something that you can’t forget, you know how beautiful that face is and it’s just that simple, really. It’s a love song about seeing someone that you think “oh my goodness, wow. Where did you fall from?” Kind of, “where did you fall from, heaven?” Or you know, kind of, ‘coup de foudre’ they call it in French. So the sort of, love at first sight. JM: Well Kaleidophone, I’m going to thank you for chatting to us and all the very best with the new album Hero In Trouble.
12
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
Film: You Have To See This: Movies For The Summer D
.. Geron Kramer
extra.
term memory and need to find
isolate themselves in Antarc-
which has a huge impact for
First Year Postgraduate
Should I see it?
their way back, while the rest
tica. At Villain Con in Orlando,
their own relationship.
If you like Jurassic Park or
must try to handle the situation
they find the super-villain Scar-
The longest ride is a sensible,
Dinosaurs you might enjoy this
as well as possible.
let Overkill (Sandra Bullock). Is
romantic drama. George Till-
movie. If you are not into this
Inside out is a wonderful
she the perfect master?
man jr. is the perfect director
stuff, do something else. To
mixture between humorous
This movie has everything in
for that. And he is bringing
provide a real forecast of who
and serious parts of the story.
it that you would expect. For
another wonderful story by
will win at this point is near
The combination of Pixar and
its genre (an animated family
Nicholas Sparks to life.
impossible, but I am still going
Disney results in a movie with a
movie) it is absolutely wonder-
Should I see it?
to give it a try. Maybe the real-
lot to laugh and think about.
ful
If you are looking for a roman-
ity shall prove me wrong but we
Should I see it?
Should I see it?
tic movie which deals with not
will have to wait and see.
If you do not like animated
If you enjoyed Despicable Me
only the easy side of love, you will enjoy it.
Jurassic World (Release: 12th June 2015) The first Jurassic Park movie without a book for its reference. This time, Indominus Rex, a genetically modified hybrid dinosaur created in a lab, escapes and kills those who stand in its way. Owen Grady (Chris Pratt) is the man in charge to solve the problem - if there is a solution at all. The last Jurassic Park movie is about ten years old now. The new technologies might give the movie more opportunities, however, from my point of view, the plot is a little bit too simple and the more or less upcoming love story between Grady and the park’s manager Claire Dearing (Bryce Dallas Howard) is an unnecessary
movies, give this one a miss. If
or if you just want an evening
Inside Out (19th June
that is not the case, this is defi-
with a lot of fun: Go for it.
2015)
nitely one you need to see.
We all have emotions. Basical-
What else? The Longest Ride (Release
Ted 2, Terminator 5, Ant-Man,
ly, anger, fear, disgust, sadness
Minions - The Movie (Re-
19th June 2015)
Fantastic Four. The list of
and joy. These five emotions
lease 26th June 2015)
Luke (Scott Eastwood) was a
spectacular movies which will
live in our head. That is the
Known from two wonderful
famous rodeo rider. On his way
find their way onto the screen
storyline of Inside out. The
Despicable Me movies, the
for a comeback he meets the
this summer is huge. Therefore,
protagonist is Riley, a young
minions now get their own title,
artist Sophia (Britt Robertson)
the rainy days this summer
girl who moved with her family
full of typical minion humour.
and falls in love with her. Later
might have a good side as well.
to San Francisco. Her emotions
Sit back and enjoy the story of
on, both find a crashed car
try to guide her through every-
Kevin, Stuart and Bob who try
containing Ira (Alan Alda) and
day life. Due to an accident, Joy
to find the ultimate master af-
take care of him. Subsequently
and fear got lost inside long-
ter the minions lose several and
they get involved with his story,
Film: Avengers: Age Of Ultron: Good Action, Decent Story, Inconsistent Tone Robert Leftwich
already set up.
dynamics of the team are also
from Thor’s Hammer right in
happened out of the blue, a dry
Head Writer
Where I feel the film has
developed as they are played
his face with little apparent
one liner, or the Hulk punching
Avengers Age Of Ultron is
serious issues is that, in many
against each other by “Ultron”,
damage). But this is a minor
something in places you didn’t
the eleventh film in Marvel’s
ways, it has Iron Man 2 syn-
the villain of the film to great
continuity gripe and it results
expect? That happens a lot in
“cinematic universe” series, if
drome. Much like that film (and
effect. This is similar to how
in some very cool action scenes
this film and I feel like it was
Wikipedia is to be believed, and
unlike Avengers Assemble) it
there was a clash of personali-
between him and Iron Man.
overused. It messed with the
it certainly helps to be familiar
relies a little too heavily on the
ties between team members in
The new characters are cool,
tone to the point where to me
with all of those if you hope
plot and character development
the first film that was exploited
the introduction of Quicksilver
at least, it stopped being funny.
to get anywhere with the plot
that has already happened in
by the then head bad guy Loki.
and Scarlet Witch (although
If you really enjoy that kind of
of this film. Standing on its
previous films and thus many
It’s realistic and interesting as
a little rushed) is interesting,
humour, you might disagree
own, the film is very confusing
of the characters don’t really
these very different kinds of
and they are sympathetic and
with me, but I thought it didn’t
and hard to follow. However,
change or develop through the
person need to resolve their dif-
develop well through the film.
work very well.
on the assumption that you
plot.
ferences in order to work well
“Vision” as he is apparently
Overall, most of the film’s
(Minor plot spoilers fol-
together.
called, although he isn’t named
problems come from it trying
films that came before it then
low)
Aside from what development
in the film is also very cool and
to do too much in just over
the storyline is an interesting
What development does hap-
there is being interesting, the
I really hope he gets his own
two hours. See it in IMAX if
continuation. It ties together
pen is interesting. Black Widow
action is also very impres-
instalment as he felt glossed
you can, but this is far from
elements and plot devices from
and Bruce Banner/Hulk have
sive. I personally thought that
over in this one. Where I feel
Marvel’s best. I would say that,
almost everything that’s come
their own romance arc and
the Hulk was shown as being
the film has its biggest issue
although it’s good, it’s inferior
before and the returning actors
Tony Stark/Iron Man has to
less powerful than is realistic
is tone. Do you remember the
to its predecessor.
admirably resume the roles and
come to terms with his own
considering some of his previ-
two or three times in the first
character arcs that they had
arrogance and hubris. The
ous feats (such as taking a blow
Avengers film where something
are familiar with the other
13
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
Music: Summer 2015
Beyond London
over the past few weeks there is
plays and attention through-
Events Officer
nothing more to look forward
out the internet – an artist to
The music hitting the UK
to than finding your summer
definitely keep an eye out for
anthems, sun drenched beats
over the next year and one that
Sometimes when you live in
is only a £10.50 return from
and indie rock tracks that make
I would definitely like to see
London it’s easy to forget that
London St. Pancras or London
you want to dance no matter
bring out that debut album
the rest of the country exists.
Bridge, and the cool seaside city
where you are. To start this
soon. The Welsh boys Catfish
Now that summer is approach-
is a great departure from the
quest we have to begin with
and the Bottlemen are making
ing, it’s a nice time to get out
hustle and bustle of London. If
the fitting trend of dance music
a lot of people proud, with a
of the city and explore what
you happen to miss the regality
taking over all aspects of music.
live sound to rival even some
the rest of the UK has to offer.
of London you can take a relax-
And to kick it off, we can take
of the biggest bands out there.
Recently I went to Colchester
ing stroll in the Royal Pavilion
a look at the new Major Lazer
They are reviving the British in-
which is the oldest town in the
Gardens, whether you prefer to
album ‘Peace is the Mission’.
die scene with bands like Swim
country but, as the sign at the
people-watch or sunbathe it’s a
The Diplo lead crew of Walshy
Deep, Peace and Palma Violets
train station suggests when you
wonderful place to escape from
fire and Jillionaire are releas-
following in their wake. The
pull in, it is much more than
the ‘stress’ of shopping nearby.
ing their new material over the
Bottlemen are heading to all of
that. Walking around the town
Or if shopping is perhaps your
next couple of months, but for
the festivals and will definitely
was a delightfully eclectic com-
forté there is a plethora of
anyone going to Wireless festi-
be getting a lot of attention. A
bination of quaint old shops,
kitsch-y vintage shops that fit
val it’s not a set to miss. Expect
new band that will be a high-
independent pubs, and trendy
perfectly with the atmosphere
smoke, dancers, lasers and a
light of your festival.
chain stores - all connected
of Brighton, and plenty of little
complete all-round party from
Things to listen out for…. Rat
by cobbled streets that, for a
cafés and traditional fish and
some of the best DJ’s around.
Boy: just signed. This young
Saturday, were not too crowded
chip shops if you fancy a bite to
This album, combined with the
man from Chelmsford is going
with people. Just a short walk
eat before seeing the Brighton
release of their new adult car-
to win some plays with his mu-
from the Town Centre is the
pier.
toon and Diplo’s collaboration
sical style somewhere a cross
historic Castle Park, where
Bath, too, is an easy venture
album with Skrillex ‘Jack Ü’, is
between Only Real and Jamie
the biggest historical castle
with a train journey of less than
allowing the group to gain a lot
T. It might not be too long
still standing in Europe has
two hours. Tickets are £32.20
of traction in the music world.
before this young lad starts
its home. It harks back to the
return from London Padding-
This music of new age dubstep
turning heads but he is 100%
Roman days where it served
ton (more if you don’t book in
and electro dancehall with a
worth getting into now, as big
as Claudius’ temple. In 1069,
advance). Bath is renowned
carnival party feel packed into
things are coming his way. PC
William the conqueror ordered
for its natural hot springs and
every track, is going to find its
Music: A. G. Cook is bringing
a castle built on the temple’s
the original Roman Baths
way into any good dance mix
together a faux early millen-
foundations, and it now sits
which are well worth visiting
this summer.
nial electronic music sound
beautifully preserved in a park
to give you a day of museums,
Going back to British talent, we
with high pitched vocals and
filled with flower gardens and
afternoon tea, and even the
have the Vaccines putting out
fast beats that are sure to bring
winding paths. There are plenty
opportunity to bathe in one of
an incredible album ‘English
back underage disco memo-
of restaurants in the area and
the baths yourself. This also
Graffiti’, which the band calls
ries, think Cascada but trendy.
a trusty Wetherspoons if the
makes Bath a great spa getaway
‘genre defining’. It’s difficult to
With a place on the Field Day
prices of independent pubs
location but the city has a lot
see how these guys could really
line-up, A. G. Cook is leading
put you off (although of course
more to offer. It is so beautiful
top hits such as ‘Post Break
the way for big things to hap-
they’re cheaper than London).
that it was named a UNESCO
Up Sex’ and ‘Teenage Icon’ but
pen to PC Music. Also look up
The Wetherspoons itself is a
World Heritage site, and it
with songs like ‘Handsome’
Hannah Diamond and GFOTY
sight to behold, being a con-
certainly is a place for lovers
and ‘Dream Lover’ already
(Girlfriend of the Year) if this
verted theatre, and named as
of beauty and history with too
having the same impact that
bubble-gum pop is for you. Az-
one of the best places to drink
many museums, galleries and
their last album ‘Coming of
tecs: A completely bias opinion,
in the UK. A title which I un-
exhibitions to count. No matter
Age’ had, you can expect these
but as a band that shares my
derstood completely as I sat in
what kind of person you are,
guys to be topping the charts
home postcode there is nothing
a booth below the upper circle,
there is always enough going on
and selling out shows. Shura
but love for these guys. With
with a cast of celebrity cut-outs
in Bath that you will be spoilt
is still on course to produce
a superb debut EP called Ice
charmingly (and creepily) look-
for choice - whether you buy a
one of the best albums of the
Cream already out, there is a bit
ing down at me. The town is the
cheap ticket on the day for The
year. The young Manchester
for you to listen to. You cannot,
kind that you can tell will be
Theatre Royal, care to listen to
talent already made it onto BBC
I repeat, cannot have a chilled
more gentrified in a few years,
some live music, or just want to
sound of 2015 shortlist and has
summer evening without this
but at the moment it retains its
sit in one of the many gardens
some stunning songs to prove
music. They produce catchy lyr-
historical charm. You can travel
and parks the city has to offer
it. ‘Touch’ is an emotional song
ics and pop synth beats that are
to Colchester for £18 from Lon-
and soak in the sun - there is
that has a melody that is so
definitely something you will
don Liverpool Street (less if you
something for everyone.
sweet and innocent you can’t
want to show to friends – an
have a student railcard).
help but fall in love with it. As
essential for any summertime
well as her new song ‘2shy’,
playlist.
Jacob Tong
this summer is assured to be some of the best in a while, with international artists and home-grown talent showcasing new music over the next few months. We have brand new albums from British artists such as Circa Waves, Mumford and Sons, Flo + the Machine, as well as brand new music from Jamie XX with his debut album ‘In Colour’. We also have a new kid on the block, Rat Boy; who is one to keep an eye out for. We also have to look at all the current new music out there right now. Jamie XX’s ‘Loud Places’ is a certain summer hit and there is a load more to come from the London based DJ/Musician, with the full album dropping 1st June. Wolf Alice are currently bringing out a new album ‘My Love Is Cool’ with ‘Giant Peach’, the first single to be released which is already flooding the radio stations across the country, and with the re-release of ‘Bros’ meaning this lively indie rock band are now cemented in everyone’s playlist. Make sure to check out the band as they are featuring across most of the major festival line-ups over the coming months. New music from The Wombats is incredibly nostalgic and is surely going to bring back some memories from pre-university parties. The Liverpudlian trio are back after a four year absence following on from their last album ‘This Modern Glitch’. Be sure to give their live lounge with Fearne Cotton a listen as the guys covered Carly Rae Jepsen’s new song in a stunning fashion, clearly on par with their usual selves. Their album ‘Glitterbug’ is something to download when it comes out, as well as their back-catalogue to get a feel for how good this band truly is. With the weather as it has been
which is slowly gaining a lot of
Katie Milne Culture Correspondent
Of course there are even more places to easily and cheaply visit from London. Brighton
14
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
D
Rabbit Oscar Yuill Comment Correspondent
Archie had been watching. He emerged from the fern and examined the remains. Then he went off in possession of the brick to find another warren.
It may be hard for an egg to turn into a bird; it would be a jolly sight harder for it to learn to fly remaining an egg. We are like eggs at present. And you cannot go on indefinitely being just an ordinary, decent egg. We must be hatched or go bad.
From Heythrop College
‘Archie, don’t touch it. Come with me, Michael, and we’ll see what your father thinks we should do.’ They could not find Michael’s father at the campsite so they went to the opposite side of the field to ask Nigel. He was imposing and drank coffee. The adults had no time for him but he had much time for children. ‘You must kill it,’ he said. This made Michael feel sick. He was silent and stared at
food for THE soul
They were climbing trees and poking birds’ eggs with sticks when Archie called out to them. ‘Quick! Look! It’s a rabbit,’ he said. They gathered round him and knelt down to see it. It was inches from its warren, the eyes wide and scared. Blood issued from a wound on its back, which appeared to be broken. It was still breathing and flies were landing on it, but it was distant and resigned. ‘It’s got mixie.’ ‘No, a fox got it.’ ‘But he didn’t eat it.’ ‘Maybe he’s coming back.’ ‘Father says foxes kill too much. Something about the army.’ ‘Let’s kill it,’ Archie said. ‘No,’ Michael shouted, ‘that’s cruel; you’re cruel.’ ‘I am what I am,’ said Archie. Ben tried placing an egg on its stomach and Archie tugged at one of its back paws. ‘Stop it,’ said Michael. ‘Leave it alone. It’s done nothing wrong.’ ‘Neither has the fox,’ said Archie. ‘He just wants to eat.’ Aggie, their elder by two years, came up behind them. ‘Leave it be, boys,’ she said. The boys liked Aggie so they gave the creature some space. Ben went off to play in the fern.
the ground as if it were a grave. ‘But we can’t,’ said Aggie. ‘How do we do that? It’s cruel. Michael doesn’t want to kill it, do you, Michael?’ He looked scolded. ‘Michael. The world is cruel and full of suffering. You must be brave and put an end to its misery or the fox will come back to get it.’ ‘But it might not have been a fox, Nigel. He wasn’t eaten,’ Aggie said. She paused. ‘Can’t you kill it?’ ‘I am too old for that. Michael, you’re a human being. Be noble, do the right thing. Get a brick and make sure it doesn’t die at the hands of that fox. You can do it.’ They disappeared in search of a brick. Nigel turned on the stove to make more coffee and pulled his coat tight around him. Michael’s father was climbing over the wooden gate returning from his walk, for it was getting dark. Michael was at the top of a tree holding a brick above where the rabbit lay. It was breathing very fast. He aimed for the head and let go and a second later it hit the rabbit with a dull thud before rolling off onto the dirt. ‘It’s still breathing!’ they screeched from below. Michael began to sob. He made two more attempts amid the screams and the nervous, fascinated laughter. At this point he was really crying. Archie, Aggie and Ben—who had returned from the fern to witness the ritual—all ran off further into the woods, leaving Michael alone. He climbed down from the tree and squatted down beside the rabbit that was yet breathing and picked the brick up with both hands and struck the creature’s skull. Umpf. He sobbed. ‘Just die, please, just die’. Umpf, umpf. After it had stopped breathing he dropped the brick and rolled back on his heels. He laid a piece of fern on its belly and ran off in search of his mother.
15
WEDNESDAY 6TH MAY | THE LION
D
“You see, I was born sooner, what can we do? Wake up until we do not”, as I would try to soothe her I saw watering eyes like a cot where sad solace quiet comfort meets, with a wise woman’s warm breath she was caressing the sheets for the bourning life of death.
With age scars across her clay cheeks she sighs to the everyday treats,
gone is the once curiosity of who seeks;
“I woke up today”, as she eats, “tomorrow we’ll see God’s will” But, as you tell me I won’t see your face next time I come back to this hill, aren’t you the God to define your fate?
Where Shall Thou Go? Barcol
The ignorant bliss of fleeting lives for what the future indeed lies, like subtle drops on firm stone, comforts not the curious soul burning for knowledge of the next,
wandering where shall crumble the nest, or trees or books and plastic the same falling gently to the sleep of the days.
If there is a regret, of invisible scent, is the certain life reaching its end, this world is too vast, the meaning too immense, for a life so longing to make perfect sense
I Was Born Sooner Barcol
food for THE soul From Heythrop College
Letters to The Editor Letters Of The First Type
Letters Of The Second Type
Dear Idiots,
Dear Idiots,
‘The Lion’ (if that is your real name) is very bad now, it never was back
‘The Lion’ (if that is your real name) is very bad now, it never was back
when I was a student at Heythrop. Quite frankly, the drop in quality is
when I was a student at Heythrop. Quite frankly, the drop in quality is
shocking and all your creative efforts should be burnt.
shocking and all your creative efforts should be burnt.
I am also writing to inform you that your recent article further proves
I am also writing to inform you that your recent article further proves
my theory that you are secretly a part of an anti-Catholic/St. Mary’s/
my theory that you are secretly apart of a pro-Catholic/St. Mary’s/
HSU/Heythrop/Cats/all-the-things-I-like conspiracy. For a supposedly
HSU/Heythrop/Cats/all-the-things-I-hate conspiracy. For a supposedly
‘independent’ paper, you reporting of ‘facts’ that may in some round
‘independent’ paper, you reporting of ‘facts’ that may in some round
about way shed poor light on Catholicism/St. Mary’s/the HSU/Heyth-
about way shed good light on Catholicism/St. Mary’s/the HSU/Heyth-
rop/Cats/all-the-things-I-like is laughable.
rop/Cats/all-the-things-I-hate is laughable.
I will be cancelling my subscription.
I will be cancelling my subscription.
From,
From,
People of the First Type
People of the Second Type
(P.S. I detected a spelling error on page 7 in the 3rd column. There was
(P.S. I detected a spelling error on page 7 in the 3rd column. There was
also a misplaced semi-colon on page 11. You should be ashamed)
also a misplaced semi-colon on page 11. You should be ashamed)
Thank you, heythrop we couldn’t have done it without you
16
TUESDAY 17TH FEBRUARY | THE LION
Horoscopes Aries
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
Mar 21 - Apr 19
Apr 20 - May 20
May 21 - Jun 20
Jun 21 - Jul 22
Accost those that you see littering.
A big decision is rapidly approaching. No, not who to vote for, but what to have for lunch. You are what you eat, after all. Which is why lions are actually antelopes, among other things.
This month not a lot will happen to you. Life goes on around you, but you seem struck in a rut. Don’t do anything about this. The rut is safe and loves you. Leaving the rut is scary, and could backfire.
Leo
Virgo
Libra
Scorpio
Jul 23 - Aug 22
Aug 23 - Sep 22
Sep 23 - Oct 22
Oct 23 - Nov 21
All good work is done in defiance of management.
Jupiter is wobbling into Saturn’s neighbourhood, smelling of cigarettes and stale beer. Frankly it’s a little discomforting. You too will experience discomfort in the coming months, as a stormy giant invades your life.
The future is grim. A great darkness rapidly approaches you, signalling death. But fear not, life can flourish in death: life such as maggots and disease. Isn’t that nice? All the rot and flies.
The retro-quantum triangularity of Mars is causing cyber-magno quakes to appear in the quarkosphere of Venus, leading to a rapid recceleration of the prefix-suffix! The gibber-jabber is faux-signalling Venus’ pre-existential psychic-spehere! You all know what that means!
Roar on issues of substance. You only get one life, don’t squander it. Speak your mind, do you what you think is right, be yourself. Unless you’re a bit of a twat. In that case, don’t be yourself. Be someone else, someone nicer. Change is a good thing, unless it’s for the worse, or for it’s own sake. So be yourself, or be someone else.
Sagittarius
Capricorn
Nov 22 - Dec 21
Dec 22 - 19 Jan
Summer is coming, it really is. It’s just around the corner. The lick of the Sun, cider in the evening, merciful shade. Keep your head up and make that last final push. The cosmos will reward you for all the hard work.
Student representation! Student experience! Manifesto pledges which are basically the job description! Buzzwords! What a glorious time to be in student politics! Get involved with the going-ons, make unfounded pledges, screw the nay-sayers.
Aquarius Jan 20 - Feb 18 A great wave of mediocrity is about to crash over you. A miasma of averageness will seep onto all that surrounds you. Grey will become your favourite colour, or maybe beige. Embrace this, ‘cos it ain’t looking like it’ll get any better.
Pisces Feb 19 - 20 Mar Go on, get out. Last words are for fools who haven’t said enough.