The Journal - Edinburgh Issue 009

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EDINBURGH’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

ISSUE IX

WEDNESDAY 17 SEPTEMBER 2008

IS SURGERY THE NEXT FAD DIET? » 21 As health chiefs run out of ideas for tackling Scotland’s obesity epidemic, researcher Dimitri Pournaras makes the startling claim that surgery may be the only cure

IN NEWS »

Council Strike One-day industrial action set to bring Scotland to a standstill next Wednesday

EDINBURGH NEWS » 6

Feedback Storm University of Edinburgh graduates give bottom marks for feedback and assessment in student satisfaction survey

STUDENT NEWS » 3

Music Matters Indie fans are more likely to be insecure and lazy, says new Heriot-Watt study

ACADEMIC NEWS » 13

Royal Society calls time on under-21 drink ban The proposed ban on off-license alcohol sales to under-21s has been savaged in the Scottish media Simon Welsh

Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk CONTROVERSIAL SNP PLANS to ban off-license sales of alcohol to under-21s have recieved another blow after a senior statistician attacked the way in which data from localised trials of the restriction were being interpreted by government ministers.

Professor Sheila Bird, vice-president of the Royal Statistical Society, told The Scotsman that figures showing a drop in anti-social behaviour in areas where police had enforced the measure were “hugely statistically insignificant.”

“It’s disappointing that in such a potentially important intervention as this, there are more questions than answers,” said Professor Bird.

“There have been big changes in some outcomes, but the studies do not allow you to attribute them specifically to the underage ban.

“With something as important as this, you need a proper study.”

Three Scottish police forces have

been trialling ‘Stop the Supply’ proposals to prevent shops from selling alcohol to under-21s in Armadale, Stenhousemuir, Larbert and Cupar.

Other measures being tested alongside the sales restrictions include ‘sting’ operations using underage alcohol buyers as police informers, marking bottles to identify shops selling alcohol to underaged clients, an information service on underage drinking for shopkeepers, and increased targeted police patrols.

The results of the pilot schemes have been heralded as an overwhelming success by SNP ministers, who introduced the proposals as part of a flagship public order and alcohol misuse policy consultation in June.

Health Minister Shona Robison said: “The dramatic results from ‘Stop the Supply’ show what can be achieved when communities take bold steps to tackle alcohol misuse among young people.

“Taken together, we believe these measures could help bring about the longterm cultural shift needed to rebalance Scotland’s relationship with alcohol.”

Trumpeting police figures that claim

IN BRIEF

ROYAL STATISTICAL SOCIETY

The Royal Statistical Society was founded in 1834 as the Statistical Society of London.

Among its distinguished founders were Charles Babbage, designer of the first workable computer, Thomas Malthus, the acclaimed political economist, and Adolphe Querelet, the man who first used statistics to confirm the link between criminality and social factors.

Granted its royal charter in 1887, the society gradually absorbed most of the local statistical organisations that existed in the 19th century, and in 1993 merged with the Institute of Statisticians.

The group promotes “the discipline of statistics” by “disseminating and encouraging statistical knowledge and good practice with both producers and consumers of statistics.”

It is not a political lobby, and rarely issues statements on any topic. In recent times, the group is best known for reaching the final of University Challenge: the Professionals, where the RSS were beaten by 230 to 125 by a team from the Bodleian Library.

incidents of anti-social behaviour fell by 40 per cent in the first three months of the trial, from April to June, an SNP press release claimed that “an over-21s off-sales policy could help cut crime and antisocial behaviour if extended nationwide.”

However, Professor Bird has attacked the SNP’s use of the preliminary figures.

She singled out the claim that one trial had seen a 60 percent drop in serious assaults as “naughty”, pointing out that it referred to a fall from five incidents to two.

“The way the results are being reported, it may not even be spin, it may be naivety,” she added, stating that properly controlled studies of the under-21 ban would have to be implemented before its effectiveness could be determined.

The proposals have generated considerable controversy, soliciting criticism from civil rights organisation, student groups, business lobbies and politicians.

A petition against the move has gained over 10,000 signatures.

Continued on page 4

Particle Accelerator Former Edinburgh professor Peter Higgs in line for a Nobel prize as the CERN large hadron collider makes history

ACADEMIC NEWS » 11

IN FEATURES »

Scotland & the Union The future of the Union is far from certain, says bestselling historian Tom Devine

FEATURE » 24–25

Imran Khan The leading Pakistani opposition figure laments the failure of his country’s democracy

COMMENT » 19

Academic News 11

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Acclaimed physicist returns to where it all began for LHC launch » Higgs likely to recieve Nobel for theory behind particle that bears his name » Rival University of Edinburgh group could beat the LHC on a shoestring budget

Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk IN REtRoSpECt, It seems remarkable that a handful of subatomic particles spinning round beneath the Franco-Swiss border should solicit such varied responses.

Around the world, some greeted the launch of the CERN Large Hadron Collider (LHC) with bated breath, expecting a cataclysmic end of the world as a black hole opened and swallowed the planet. others welcomed the start of a new era in physics, as the far-distant beginnings of the universe were brought tantalisingly close.

But for professor peter Higgs, the morning of 10 September brought another day in the office – though certainly not a normal one. the former University of Edinburgh physics professor, now retired at 79, was back in the Roxburghe Street study where, 40 years ago, he devised the theory suggesting the existence of the sub-atomic particle that bears his name – the Higgsboson. the particles, whose existence will be verified by experiments carried out at the LHC in the coming weeks, are considered amongst the most fundamental components of matter, believed to be the source of mass in the universe.

Should it be “discovered” by the £5 billion European-built supercollider, the Higgs-boson particle is widely expected to yield a Nobel prize in physics for its namesake.

While it recognises the culmination of his work, the attention professor Higgs has recieved in recent weeks is in marked contrast to his typically modest and media-shy persona.

Speaking to the BBC’s Reporting Scotland programme, the physicist expressed his bewilderment at being thrust into the limelight. “the theories on which this work is based were written over the period of a few weeks in July 1964. Not much of a life’s work, is it?” professor Higgs marked the switch-on of the LHC with a host of dignitaries and fellow academics, before meeting the Scottish Education Secretary, Fiona Hyslop MSp, and the Scottish government’s chief science

advisor, professor Anne Glover, at a private briefing at Holyrood.

Also in attendence were professors Richard Kenway, Head of the School of physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, Kenway Smith, of the University of Glasgow, from the AtLAS experiment being conducted at the LHC, and peter Clarke, Head of the University of Edinburgh’s Institute for e-Science, also of the LHC. But the University of Edinburgh interest in the race for the truths yielded by particle physics isn’t limited to the LHC alone.

In marked contrast to the multibillion pound sophistication of the CERN laboratory, a team comprised of researchers from Edinburgh, Imperial College London and partner institutions in portugal and Russia are labouring towards a similar goal in a working potash and salt mine, deep beneath Cleveland in England’s north east.

With a relatively tiny budget of £2 million, the Zeplin-3 project at Boulby mine hopes to use the shielding effect of a kilometre of rock to discover so-called “dark matter” up to a year before the LHC. “It’s a very different world down here,” Boulby researcher Sean paling told the observer. “You have to put on mining gear, fulfil careful safety requirements and take great care not to get lost in all the different galleries. It’s not like that in Geneva.” the differences between the rival laboratories isn’t merely in budget or location, but in philosophy. Whereas the LHC will use immense forces to recreate the conditions immediately following the big bang, the Zeplin-3 scientists are applying the simple virtue of patience.

Using sophisticated detecting equipment and a Xenon gas-filled canister no larger than a wardrobe, the Boulby project hopes to observe random collisions between particles of dark matter—filtered though the rock above the mine chamber—and atoms of gas.

“We have been astounded how well Zeplin-3 has performed during trials,” says project scientist Alexander Murphy.

“We are now going to carry out upgrades and will then run the machine for several months. With a bit of luck, we could pinpoint dark matter in a year.”

The LHC from the air. The 17-mile supercollider straddles the Franco-Swiss border

Left: one of over 1,600 superconducting magnets at the LHC.

Right: computer simulation of a collision event © CERN

12 Academic News

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Edinburgh graduate wins Fringe honours Evan Beswick evan@journal-online.co.uk AROUND 75 PER cent of graduates at Scotland’s top universities go straight into employment. But very few of them amass Edinburgh Fringe awards. University of Edinburgh graduate Ella Hickson has done just that, winning not only a Fringe First award, but two more of the Festival’s most prestigious awards for her first play, Eight.

The play, which sees the audience vote for four out of a possible eight monologues about British life in 2008, also picked up NSDF Edinburgh Emerging Artists Award as well as the prestigious Carol Tambor Best of Edinburgh Award this August. As a result, Hickson and the cast now take the play to The Pleasance Islington in London for three nights, followed by an expenses-paid week-long run in New York’s Performance Space 122 theatre after Christmas.

Speaking to The Journal, Hickson said: “The success of the play has been overwhelming. Obviously myself and the cast are elated to have done so well and to be charging ahead with the opportunities that these prizes have provided, however, we are keen to realize this is just the first, if enormously exciting, step into a world where success is not always so easy to come by.”

It was while studying at the University of Edinburgh for a degree in English Literature and Art History, that Hickson—who both wrote and directed the play—became involved with the Edinburgh University Theatre Society at the Bedlam theatre. Accepting the Fringe First Award Hickson praised the theatre: “we’re straight out of uni, some of us are still in uni, and we don’t really have the money to come to the Fringe,” she said.

“But Bedlam facilitates that and that’s invaluable for people who want to do something in an industry that’s quite tough.”

Eight’s cast—also drawn from the

News Shorts wear them

YOU STILL HAVE TO GO Attendance in lectures may someday cease to be compulsory, as the University of Edinburgh has revealed a new scheme whereby some lectures will be recorded and made available by podcast. Similar projects have been successfully established overseas, but many critics feel that the interaction between lecturers and their student, intrinsic to the learning experience, could be compromised.

EUSA's Guy Bromley has suggested that the school primarily be for "public relations purposes", and not for use by students.

UNCLE SAM WANTS YOU With the costs of attending university in the UK rising, more students are considering scholarships to American schools as the most cost-effective means of pursuing higher education.

With many post-9/11 visa restrictions now being lifted, recruitment agencies are being established across Europe to help universities seek out international students and advertise scholarships worth around 50% of tuition and living costs.

society—have, according to Hickson, “worked exceptionally hard” to produce a piece of award-winning theatre. “The cast really did give it everything and for that I will be eternally grateful,” she acknowledged.

Eight presents short snappy monologues which arose from surveys with young people about the experiences of their generation in Britain. Miles, for instance—who appears in The Journal’s exclusive extract—is a survivor of the 7/7 bombings; Milly is an upmarket prostitute with surprisingly traditional values. But despite the apparent gloom, festival critics praised the works rejection of the stereotype of an apathetic, layabout British youth.

Asked about her desire to show optimism amid the gravest of situations, Hickson was unequivocal: “I am part of a generation that has to struggle incredibly hard against the engulfing tides of brainless media in order to be heard saying anything worth hearing,” she lamented. “It creates a frustration in you to defend what you believe your generation is actually capable of.”

Speaking of the winner, Carol Tambor, founder of the Best of Edinburgh Award, said: “Ella is fearless in describing characters you’ve never come across before.

Surely you’ve never heard inner voices speak so eloquently. I can only compare her play to another of my favorites, Talking Heads by Alan Bennett, except her characters are just beginning their lives, and we know the road ahead will be a rocky one.”

And so it is for Hickson who, aged 23, who now begins her journey in the competitive world of theatre. But she is realistic about the prospect: “Courting attention with the allure of youth and novelty is all well and good but I am very aware that over the next few years this initial success will have to substantiated with proof of enduring skill.”

Eight will reappear in Edinburgh on Friday 19 and Sun 21 September at the Bedlam Theatre.

Above: scenes from Hickson’s award-winning Fringe play, Eight

Exclusive extract from Eight’s monologues Miles is an American man in his mid-twenties. He is dressed in a sharp suit and is attractive due to a corporate aesthetic. He should carry himself with ultimate bodily and vocal composure. The cracks in this composure should be perfectly synchronized with the glimpses of weakness in his performative façade "THIS IS THE final call for all passengers to board flight BA192 to Washington, this is the final call, can all passengers go straight to gate 13."

July 7th 2005, ten second snapshot; a goofy young Asian guy is in front of me buying a Mars bar, I’m in a drug store, King’s Cross Station, London. He turns to me, he’s short ten pence, I give it to him.

"Take it easy."

It’s early morning. I’m in a suit, I look down, I have smart shoes on. I walk out to the front of the station, it’s summer, it’s bright. I see the big white letters scroll across the top and I board a number 30 bus to Hackney Wick.

This is all I have of that afternoon; Shards, flickers, facts.

Here’s the facts: My name is Miles Cooper, born in Washington DC, 1982.

I’ve won everything I’ve ever touched.

I graduated top of my class and became the most successful broker Merrill Lynch had ever seen. I was the glory boy of the trading floor, making more money than I knew what to do with. My father was planning my biography before I was out of my teens; he always used to say to me, "Miles, fifteen to fifty, make sure there’s not a blank page, you’re going to hit the top and keep on going, boy."

In April 2005 the Washington office decided my skill was good enough to export, so I was going to London.

Tick tick tick …boom.

I had lent Hasib Mir Hussain ten pence to buy a Mars bar ten minutes before he boarded a bus to Hackney Wick and pressed detonate.

He killed himself and thirteen other people that day. I, the one American on board, got out alive. I figure that would have pissed him off, right?

Maybe he didn’t catch the accent or maybe he was grateful for his final Mars Bar so he gave me some space.

I incurred some memory loss.

Things broke up a little, fractured, so to speak. Everything from before the accident had a hard time holding together.

University College Hospital informed my family of my injuries and told them I would return stateside as soon as I was able. Merrill Lynch covered the costs, and I was booked to fly back to Dullus airport, Washington DC, BA first class, August 2 2005.

My mother and my pregnant wife were waiting; they were excited to be having me home.

I think about Hasib Mir Hussain a lot. They printed his photo in the paper a week after the accident.

I carry it in my pocket. He looked young, kind a dopey, he was lost. I remember his face when he asked me for that ten pence, he smiled at me. He didn’t look like a murderer; he looked like a teenager that was

happy to have ten pence. He bit into that Mars bar, like a kid that knew it was the last chocolate bar he was ever going to taste. I’m glad I lent him that money. I owe him.

The night my flight left I stayed in Heathrow airport in a coffee shop; I just sat and watched the world walk past me. Everyone hiding behind newspapers or with music in their ears, eyes down and solitary but always acting like somebody was watching, performing in their own tiny little music videos. I watched all those people, like a million little Charlie’s all hunting for the golden ticket, all desperate to believe that the chocolate factory still exists.

And then the sun rose, and I walked. I walked out of the departure lounge; out of Heathrow airport. I walked onto a train, I walked out of Paddington Station, I walked through the city of London. That was the day I walked away. © Ella Hickson. Not to be reproduced under any circumstances

Academic News 13

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Cambridge-inspired Heriot-Watt study science magazine links music and launches in Edinburgh personality University of Edinburgh team aims to raise the profile of cutting-edge research Evan Beswick evan@journal-online.co.uk A NEW MAGAZINE aimed at scientists and lay enthusiasts launched this week in Edinburgh. Following in the footsteps of BlueSci—a magazine produced in Cambridge for the past five years—EUSci, which is produced by a team from the University of Edinburgh, seeks to bring the format to the Scottish capital.

Designed to be accessible to nonscientists as well as being informative for researchers across the University of Edinburgh, the magazine features focus slots, which expand upon basic terms before discussing recent research on the subject. The first issue—which covers the academic period up to Christmas—includes a focus on stem cell research, as well as shorter articles on bioluminescence and, intriguingly, hermaphrodite worms.

A statement released by the team reads: “EUSci Magazine aims to provide an opportunity for students and staff of the University of Edinburgh to experience science writing, editing and magazine production. EUSci has been based on the University of Cambridge’s science publication, BlueSci, which is now in its fifth year.”

Speaking to The Journal, editor Lara Moss said: “I am really pleased to be able to announce the launch of EUSci, a science magazine I started simply because I had really enjoyed working on the University of Cambridge magazine, BlueSci, and wanted something similar to get involved with in Edinburgh. I really hope that EUSci will help science communication in Edinburgh, by providing a forum for students and staff of the University to discuss their work, interests and science in Edinburgh in general.” www.eusci.org

Classical music and heavy metal fans have more in common than appearances would suggest Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk A PSYCHOLOGICAL STUDY conducted

by Heriot-Watt University claims to have statistically proven a correlation between the type of music people listen to and their personalities.

Professor Adrian North and his team contacted over 36,000 fans of a variety music styles from across the globe, asking them which personality traits they would ascribe to themselves. The results appear to support a number of existing stereotypes regarding the adherents to several musical genres.

According to Professor North’s findings, indie listeners are likely to suffer from low self-esteem and a poor work ethic, while fans of rap and hip-hop are on average confident, outgoing and energetic. Reggae fans are creative and kind, but lazy when compared to listeners of country & western music, found

to be hard-working.

“People often try to define their sense of identity through their musical taste, wearing particular clothes, going to certain pubs, and using certain types of slang,” Professor North told The Independent.

“It’s not so surprising that personality should also be related to musical preference.”

The study has found that the two musical genres that are closest in sharing personality traits amongst their listeners are heavy metal and classical music – a fan of either could be expected to be creative and at ease with themselves, but introverted.

United by a “love of the grandiose,” Professor North said: “Aside from their age difference, they’re basically the same kind of person.

“Lots of heavy metal fans will tell you that they also like Wagner, because it’s big, loud and brash. There’s also a sense of theatre in both.”

Take me to your leader!

FIRST MINISTER ALEX Salmond joined University of Edinburgh Principal Professor Sir Timothy O’Shea and Professor Michael Fourman, head of the university’s School of Informatics, on 3 September for the unveiling of the new £42 million Informatics Forum.

The building, which brings together some 500 scientists in fields such as virtual reality, robotics, artificial learning, intelligent systems, computational linguistics and bioinformatics, hopes to promote research and investment, and raise the University of Edinburgh’s profile as a cutting edge centre for scientific development.

The six-storey, 12,000 squarefoot development next to Teviot Row House boasts world-class research facilities, as well as extensive exhibition and teaching space, and a new visitors’ centre for the University of Edinburgh.

As part of the unveiling event, the First Minister was given a tour of the building, “introduced” to several of the robotics projects, and finally turned on a display lisiting the building’s donors in binary code.

Speaking at the opening, Mr Salmond said: “Scotland has firmly established its place as a world leader in informatics and the development of this impressive new facility reinforces our commitment to research in this area.

“This project will act as a hub for the academic, commercial and civil development of a range of informatics disciplines ranging from e-science and medicine to business and humanities.”

Paris Gourtsoyannis

The Lecturer

Writing the wrongs of civilisation

Crowd-surfing at the Albert Hall? Unlikely

M

ANY WHO HAVE leafed through a university prospectus have paused to consider what uses certain disciplines find for their research grants.

Professor Adrian North, of Heriot-Watt’s psychology department, has gone some way to answering that question, unleashing on a slightly bemused public the results of an investigation proving that music is in fact connected to personality.

Published recently in The Independent—whose report is quoted herein— the results of Professor North’s research will be startling to anyone who has never heard of music, or people: there is “a distinct correlation between people’s personality traits and the style of music they enjoy.” Therefore, many of the stereotypes that have built up around listeners of certain music genres have been confirmed, “once and for all;” The Independent is most gleeful in describing the personality defects of “indie” fans. These “miserable shaggy-haired layabouts” find their antithesis in fans of hip-hop or blues, who are “bold, brash and brimming with self-confidence.” Anyone who has fought their way onto the main dancefloor at Lava & Ignite will not be surprised to learn that dance music listeners are found to be neither kind nor generous.

Ground-breaking though this is, the study’s “most remarkable discovery” is that lovers of two very different genres in fact share several personality traits. Both possessing a so-called “love of the grandiose,” fans of classical music and heavy metal are both shown to be introverted, but highly creative and at ease with themselves.

While he moves generally on a dead straight journey towards the obvious, the study’s leader then departs from his welltrodden path to claim that “a Metallica fan is far more likely to listen to Mahler than an indie kid is to give reggae a try.”

Though this leap of logic sails over much circumstancial evidence to the contrary as represented by the success of The Libertines and Vampire Weekend—indie bands with recognised Afro-Carribean influences—as well as the wide-ranging appeal of Bob Marley, a little research of comparable rigour to that of Professor North blasts it from the sky.

Representing a statistical pool far larger than that of the Heriot-Watt study, online music stores often give suggestions based on the other purchases of other clients who bought the album or single being browsed. Search for Slayer on iTunes, and it helpfully informs you that “Listeners also Bought” Megadeath, Pantera, Anthrax, Metallica and Slipknot; look for the Eagles of Death Metal and iTunes suggests Wolfmother, Black Rebel Motorcycle Club, The Vines, The Hives and Audioslave. Searches for Metallica on Amazon show that your fellow thrashers have also bought Iron Maiden, Rage Against the Machine, and unbelievably, more Metallica. Mahler doesn’t make an appearance, nor—despite all his misplaced rage—does Wagner. Mozart doesn’t stand a chance.

A more statistically significant investigation measuring how many holders of season tickets to the London Philharmonic or the New York Metropolitan Opera were present at this year’s Led Zeppelin reunion concert might be suggested to Professor North. But, cold-calling of depressive Japanese Feeder fans has— thankfully—eaten up the psychology department’s research budget.

14 Student News

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Uni staff set for five per cent pay increase

Uni accommodation hits capacity

Nick Eardley

Evan Beswick

nick.eardley@journal-online.co.uk

evan@journal-online.co.uk

Staff at UniverSitieS in edinburgh are set to receive pay increases of around five per cent later this year as part of a rise in pay for university employees throughout the country. the increase is a result of a threeyear pay deal agreed in 2006 after industrial action at institutions across the country. the deal provided for an increase in the third year of 2.5 per cent or the September 2008 retail Price index rate, which looks set to be significantly higher given July’s five per cent rate. the retail Price index is based on the average price of goods and services which are used by households in Britain. a spokesperson for the Universities and Colleges employers association (UCea) confirmed that the pay deal is likely to be honoured, but warned that there may be repercussions for the financial stability of British universities.

He said: “the economic climate has experienced a dramatic change recently, and the consequent changes in other costs such as those for energy are likely to impact on higher education institutions’ financial health still further.” the news came during the same week in which Chancellor alistair Darling told delegates at the trades Union Council annual conference that public sector workers should accept a rise of only two per cent to help ease current financial difficulties amid the threat of recession. the rise is the fifth stage of the pay deal. in May this year staff received a rise of three per cent or £420, depending on which was greater, which followed on from rises of three per cent in august 2007, one per cent in february of the same year and three per cent in august 2006. although the September rate will not be confirmed until early October, it is unlikely to have dropped since July, and may even have increased. the 2006 pay dispute saw two fifths of British universities and colleges hit by strikes over staff claims that their pay had declined 40 per cent in real terms over the previous two decades. the current deal ended a three-month boycott of marking and setting of assessment.

MOving intO HallS at university can be daunting enough. But while the vast majority of freshers joining the University of edinburgh this year have been happily homed, a small number have expressed dissatisfaction over a shortage of flats which has left students either sharing rooms, or staying away from university halls. issues have arisen as a result of an unusually high number of candidates accepting places to study at the University of edinburgh this year. this has not only meant around 250 non-couples sharing twin rooms, but has also left accommodation services with halls at bursting point, and insufficient headroom to deal with students who applied towards the end of the summer break.

Speaking to The Journal, fresher Sam fath-Ordoubadi said: “Basically i got my offer two days before the accommodation deadline, so i missed it by one day and so i’m not guaranteed accommodation. i’m staying in a hostel now until places free up, whenever that will be. Probably within two weeks. i have a good friend who lives in Pollock Halls; otherwise socially i’d be screwed.”

But even some who met the deadline have encountered difficulties.

get MOre On tHe WeB

viSit

JOUrnal-Online.CO.UK fOr all tHe lateSt neWS StOrieS

accommodation Services confirm that they have been unable to provide university-owned flats for 150 students. this has been resolved, however, by sourcing three additional blocks from Unite, a property development firm specialising in the renovation and construction of student accommodation units. a spokesperson from the university said: “[Unite] accommodation provides all the core services provided by university accommodation and has been offered to students at a cost the same as that for the university’s standard undergraduate self-catered flats.”

“We of course have the necessary plans in place to ensure all our student residents continue to receive all appropriate welfare and support services.” richard Kington, director of the university’s accommodation services department, said: “We have been successful in providing accommodation to all of those for whom we guaranteed accommodation. i think we’ve done, under the circumstances, a pretty good job.”

However, some students have been informed that one of the blocks, Unite’s McDonald road complex, is not yet complete. those affected have been placed in hotels around the city. for some, the luxury of a hotel stay, plus the additional £20 per day provided by Unite for food, has proved adequate compensation.

Shortage of rooms leaves students housed in UNITE pads Eddie Fisher Writing on one of the relevant discussion forums, one fresher said, “i’m not gonna complain about the hotel. i went on its website and it looks pretty good, and breakfast plus £20 food money sounds ok.” another fresher, however, was less enthused by the temporary accommodation: “i am absolutely majorly pissed at edinburgh. Can’t believe it,” she wrote upon discovering her accommodation arrangements.

Some criticism has been aimed at a perceived failure by accommodation services to communicate effectively with students as to the arrangements. One worried parent was told that, while students were guaranteed accommodation, the exact details could not be confirmed.

She was advised to turn up with her offspring during freshers’ week, whereupon accommodation would be arranged.

Chris Barnes, assistant director at

accommodation services, declined to comment when contacted by The Journal. However, when pushed on whether he was aware of the complaints being fielded by Student Union president adam ramsay he responded angrily: “if adam ramsay has a problem [with the way accommodation services are informing freshers] then he knows where to come with them.” He added that accommodation services had informed all students that those guaranteed a room would definitely receive one. adam ramsay issued the following statement regarding the problems: “University departments have accepted too many students this year, and accommodation services has struggled to deal with this mistake. Many students feel they have not been kept adequately informed over the summer, and were understandably worried. Most of these problems have now been resolved.”

government bails out private funding contractor loans given to english fe colleges to help poorest students let down by administrative failures Nick Eardley nick.eardley@journal-online.co.uk a gOvernMent agenCy has been forced to implement emergency distribution measures after it was revealed that around 150,000 students in england faced delays in receiving financial support designed to help them stay in education. the learning and Skills Council (lSC) was responding to administrative problems with a privately hired contractor which had meant that many students from lower income backgrounds faced the prospect of starting the new term without their education Maintenance allowance (eMa).

Despite private data handling firm liberata having a 5 year contract worth around £80 million to oversee the administration of the weekly allowance, the scrapping of an online application process earlier in the summer and consequent problems dealing with paper forms meant that the lSC was forced to intervene to prevent young students being left out of pocket at the start of the new academic year.

Mark Haysom, Chief executive of the lSC, said: “less well-off students starting courses without funding is simply not acceptable. We’ve arranged for colleges to have access to funds as

a matter of urgency so that no student in this situation will lose out.” “this is a very regrettable and distressing situation. it is a matter of the utmost priority to resolve this issue swiftly.” Mr Haysom added that liberata had taken on over 400 new staff to deal with problems. the allowance, available to all 16-18 year olds in further education, is received by around 540,000 young people in the United Kingdom every year, but MPs and student leaders had claimed that the delay could force many to drop courses through financial necessity. the emergency steps taken by the lSC mean that all further education colleges in england, which attract most of those receiving the awards, will be contacted and offered financial support which will then be passed on to students. the organisation has also said that it will monitor the situation in schools and other institutions with eligible students. the lSC originally refused to confirm any decision on the allocation emergency funding, instead committing to backdate applications to the date on which a student started their course, in line with the organisation’s policy over the last five years. this prompted South Cheshire College to introduce its own policy

to support students financially, with Principal David Collins claiming that punctual delivery of the eMa “can be the difference between students continuing to study or dropping out and getting a low-paid job.”

Similarly, Wes Streeting, President of the national Union of Students, called for a full emergency relief programme, saying “it would be immensely helpful if other colleges could do the same [as South Cheshire College] until these delays can be resolved and a full and thorough investigation can be launched.”

He added “in the meantime, the government should guarantee that colleges taking this approach on behalf of their students will be fully reimbursed.”

Whilst it is now expected that all students entitled to the allowance will receive adequate financial support, it is unlikely to prevent criticism of the government’s policy of employing private companies to oversee work related to education, and in particular the role of schools secretary ed Balls. as well as the problems with the internet based eMa application, technological faults left tens of thousands of primary school pupils in england facing lengthy delays in the marking of their Sats. Both operations fall under the jurisdiction of Mr Balls.

David laws, the liberal Democrats schools spokesperson criticised the government’s delay in dealing with the problems, saying; “after the shambolic mismanagement of the Sats, this is yet another example of an outside company making an utter mess of delivering an important service to students.”

“Ministers may blame private companies for these administrative disasters, but it is the government which is ultimately responsible for ensuring it selects firms capable of delivering.”

He continued “the secretary of state must explain what he is actually doing to sort out this fiasco.” in a similarly critical statement, Beth Walker, vice President of further education for the nUS said: “every year, students have to struggle through unwieldy levels of bureaucracy to obtain the eMa. the government must keep its side of the bargain by not putting students at risk through bad contracts, shoddy procedures and ropey technology, as has too often been the case in the past.” the problems faced in england will not affect those eligible for the allowance in Scotland, as the administration powers are devolved to the Scottish Parliament. at present, local education authorities are responsible for distribution of the allowances to Scottish students.

16 Student Politics

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Student Politics 17

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

The year ahead The presidents of Edinburgh’s Students’ Unions outline their plans for the coming academic year

i WAS ElEcTEd saying that i would cut the cost of student life. over the year, i will work with my fellow sabbaticals, Naomi Hunter (Vice President Societies and Activities), George Thomas (Vice President Services), and Guy Bromley (Vice President Academic Affairs) to secure a better deal for Edinburgh students. costs are rising. food prices, bills and course fees are through the roof.

Students are some of the hardest hit by the global economic climate. Throughout this, we must ensure that no one is too poor to get an Edinburgh University degree.

So we will be doing our bit to help you day to day. over the summer, as i promised i would, i secured student discounts on vegetables from local farm damhead organics. This means that, if you share with your flatmates, you can get all of your vegetables delivered to your door for £3 each a week, saving the average Edinburgh student around £350 a year. You can also get discounts on apply to fruit, eggs, and anything else from their online shop.

This is one of the ways that we have been working to save you money on the things you buy day to day. over the year, i will be working to set up similar projects ranging from help with flat hunting to cheaper laptops and bikes.

We shall campaign to ensure student flats in Edinburgh are better insulated, which could substantially cut your

bills. We will also be working to ensure we deliver the best possible value in the unions.

But ultimately, students just don’t get enough money to live off. The maximum level of support for a Scottish student is £4,510; the government say the poverty line is around £7,000. No one should be asked to live below the poverty line, yet huge number of students do. The Scottish Government was elected promising to improve student support. We will be working to ensure the government lifts poorer students out of poverty.

But it isn’t all about the cost of living. Among other things, we are here to get degrees. it is crucial that the university gets the right balance between research and teaching, between advancing knowledge and sharing it.

We will be working to ensure you get the best possible teaching. But this isn’t possible unless staff get recognition for the teaching they do. The Scottish economy is dependent upon well-taught graduates, yet the government has failed to stump up the cash needed.

There are huge numbers of students in Scotland – nearly one in five people in Edinburgh are students and together we have a huge number of votes. it is crucial that we show that we will not accept cuts in university teaching budgets from a government investing a fortune in roads and tax cuts.

This year we will be working to improve the University of Edinburgh student experience. We will try to help you weather the economic storm of the credit crunch and rising fuel costs. We will work to ensure you get world leading teaching. And we will do our best to keep student life fun.

Everything we do as a students’ association is about improving the student experience. in my opinion, one of the most valuable aspects of the student experience is taking part in student organised activity. You learn new skills, meet new people and have some of the best fun you can have at university. The debate about the value of a university degree is growing and employers are looking for people to have more on their cV’s than just a good degree.

With this in mind, HWUSA is looking to provide more opportunities for our students to get involved in volunteering. Whether that be with the Students’ Association, in the local community or further afield. We launched our “Target 50” campaign during freshers’ week where we aim to have 50% of our students volunteering in some way, shape or form.

Unfortunately students these days have more pressures on their time than just their academic studies. Many Heriot-Watt students are forced to work part-time to subsidise their student loans. Adequate student funding is a huge problem and desperately needs to be addressed. The poverty line in Scotland is £7000, yet the maximum financial support a student from the lowest income bracket (a family that earns under £18,820) can receive is £4510. This is absolutely unacceptable. it forces students to use their overdrafts, credit cards and work long hours. This not only reduces the hours they can

study but prevents them from getting involved in student activity and gaining valuable points for their cV. University is an opportunity that everyone deserves to enjoy fully and they should not be prevented by their financial situation.

HWUSA is joining NUS Scotland and Students’ Associations around the country in lobbying the government on this issue. on top of all these financial pressures, the government is currently looking to introduce a local income tax.

Those students that work over approx.

20 hours will be taxed under the new system, hitting the poorest students the hardest. for every £5 a student is taxed, they will have to work an extra hour to make up for it. That’s an extra hour taken away from their studies and an extra hour taken away from enjoying other aspects of the student experience.

Heriot-Watt University faces a number of challenges in particular this year.

We have just moved to a semester system and there are a lot of adjustments to be made. our Vice-President of Education and Welfare, louise Moncrieff, and all our School officers will be working very hard to make sure this change brings real benefits to our students. finally, i will also be campaigning on environmental issues, something i feel particularly passionate about.

Heriot-Watt launched its new strategic plan last year, with 3 of its 5 key themes linking directly to environmental issues.

Embarrassingly, Heriot-Watt came a measley 67th in the People & Planet Green league this year, only managing to attain a 2:2 classification: “Must try harder.” The University seriously needs to address its environmental practices if it can legitimately advertise courses in these areas to prospective students.

“one goal is to harness the energy of our students to contribute to the local community” THE QMU STUdENTS’ Union this year will focus on building upon its success last year as runner-up in the national NUS Participation Awards 2007/8.

The exec seeks to furthermore increase student participation with greater surveying amongst the student body to gauge the needs and expectations of our members on student welfare and service provision. in a period of economic uncertainty the Exec are acutely aware of student finances. We are aware of the issues that prohibit students from enjoying a sustainable period of study and the breathing space to contribute to and enjoy the wider activities associated with the student experience.

Building upon our manifesto mandate to introduce a “cheaper and healthier” student experience and promote greater integration amongst different cohorts of students, our biggest initiative for the year will be our Volunteer recognition Programme (VrP). The programme aims to recognize and unite 200 volunteering roles in students’ union and university related activities. Students participating in the programme will enjoy concessions for university and union commercial services, in addition to training and

Rio Floreza QMU

together socially, through our student union bar. Some renovation work on the bar is almost complete and we hope to create an environment of inclusion and establish links with our freshers through freshers’ week events to encourage them to socialise in the union itself and to network more effectively with other Napier students. increasing the numbers of sports clubs and societies and the number of students active in them is also a key priority for the year ahead.

NSA is renowned for its effective class/programme representative system that enables the union to hear and attempt to resolve any collective issues student reps bring to our Student Senate. We need to strengthen the system’s effectiveness for students by getting more reps trained and active at Senate and on university decision-making bodies. Napier is one of the first universities to have a student experience committee and this provides us with an excellent opportunity to raise issues that arise in the classroom directly with senior management and service providers and attempt to get things resolved.

Napier University has become an increasingly desirable place to study due to improvements in teaching and high graduate employability rates. This year’s figures show that 97.5 per cent of our graduates gained employment within a six month period after graduation. Napier has also been branded as the best modern university in Scotland.

Underpinning much of Napier success is the "Napier spirit" and the general informality and friendliness of the place. it is our aim at NSA to help develop and ever improve the quality of the student experience from matriculation right through to graduation and to build the “Napier spirit” in a strong student identity. Working in partnership with the university in order to achieve this is crucial to us and we hope to move forward together on this in the months to come.

“HWUSA is looking to provide more opportunities for students to get involved in volunteering”

Ruth Bush Heriot-Watt University

AS ElEcTEd officErS at Napier Students’ Association (NSA) we have a great responsibility for our students’ welfare and well being. We are accountable to them for our actions and for the decisions we make in their name. for me, this has become more apparent since i started my job. i have my own personal aims and ambitions as an individual but i was elected to represent the needs of the student population in general and to cater to these.

Napier is a culturally diverse university with 20 per cent EU and international students, 2500 from student population of 14000, so our union needs to be culturally aware and focus some resources on communicating and reaching out to this stakeholder group which may otherwise feel marginalised. As the university becomes more internationally focused, it’s vital that the union parallels such efforts. NSA will attempt to appeal as a union to these students through internationally themed events, road shows on campus and cross cultural activities as well as establishing a crosscultural committee, to establish views of, and monitor progress on, our international perspective throughout the year.

As a recent postgraduate of Napier University i regret not getting more involved in my union until my final year.

Student participation in union activities means a great deal to all of us at NSA: without student participation we would cease to exist. increasing the level and quality of student participation is vital for us to strengthen our union as well as giving us a stronger voice in the places where our voice needs to be heard.

Student participation can be increased through bringing people

“Students are some of the hardest hit by the global economic climate”

Adam Ramsay Univ. of Edinburgh

Carys Evans Napier University

“Student participation in union activities means a great deal to all of us at NSA”

accreditation opportunities.

New opportunities for volunteers will include a student survey team, borrow-a-bike scheme, re:Use project, ambassadorial roles, international hosting, campus cinema, dVd production and a new QM social networking website. current members of the student parliament, sports and societies captains/chairs, vice captains/co-chairs and treasurers, editorial members of The Echo newspaper, raise and Give (rAG) members and rights, Advice and Welfare (rAW) centre volunteers will also be recognized under the VrP. Plans are also underway to introduce a campaign promoting positive mental health through awareness raising, education and preventative measures. in addition, we are keen to work with NUS on promoting responsible drinking campaigns, tenancy issues surrounding students, and funding issues in higher education. one particular goal is to harness the energy amongst our students to contribute to local community projects and seek involvement in projects and activities overseas. Andrew Mcclean, Vice-President, plans to lead a team to Malawi next summer to continue links already made this summer with different health and social projects in that country. The annual sports tour will be reintroduced this year and union social events will focus on fundraising for union, local, national and international causes that our students can get directly involved in.

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Comment 19

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Comment Discussion&Debate

Pakistan:

The Nightmare Continues Trapped on the frontline of the war on terror, this tottering democracy is lurching towards catastrophe

Imran Khan

Movement for Justice i.khan@journal-online.co.uk

A

DISASTER IS unfolding in the tribal areas of Pakistan. Every few days, unmanned American drones fly overhead, dropping bombs in an increasingly frantic search for results in the fight against al-Qaeda. But all too often the bombs miss their mark.

As I write, over a hundred people have been killed in the last ten days, mostly innocent civilians.

This is the most moronic policy anyone could follow. The Bush administration is desperate to win counterterrorism points for the Republican Party ahead of November’s presidential election. But they seem oblivious to the fact that this bloodshed is creating a nursery for future terrorists.

Pakistan’s tribal area has about a million armed men, who see the notion of revenge as a fundamental part of their culture. So if a family member dies, you can be sure the whole clan will move over to the Taliban.

The growing “Talibanisation” of the tribal areas is not religious but political. A small number of religious extremists are being joined by an increasingly radicalised youth, which is reacting to the slaughter of the Pushtun population in both Afghanistan and Pakistan. The population of both countries is becoming ever more alienated – even an American puppet like the Afghan president Hamid Karzai has been forced to warn that there are too many casualties. And all just for short-term gains in that November election.

The situation need not have developed in this way. After the atrocities of 9/11, everyone in Pakistan wanted to help the United States in their war on terrorism. Had Pakistan had a leader with integrity, things might have been different. But Pervez Musharraf—who had seized power through a military coup in 1999—was a dictator, interested only in securing American support for his illegitimate rule.

There was a great window of economic opportunity for Pakistan after 9/11. The Americans injected billions of dollars of aid into the country, and remittances from overseas Pakistanis came pouring in at a growing rate.

But Musharraf and his government totally blew it. Despite the potential for growth, the money simply was not spent on the people: education spending was just 1.7 per cent of GDP, leaving Pakistan among the bottom five countries in the world. Pakistan slipped to the lowest Human Development Index in the whole of South Asia.

Under Musharraf, corruption— already a major problem in Pakistan—reached unprecedented levels.

Musharraf succeeded in blackmailing a host of influential but crooked politicians into helping him form his own party. When he’d got all these crooks into ministerial posts, corruption really took off. This extraordinary behaviour was coupled with a fiscal system reminiscent of pre-revolutionary France, whereby the rich were given tax exemptions. The poor got poorer and the rich got richer; and the consumption-based demand which fuelled the growth rate soon led to the galloping inflation that dogs Pakistan to this day.

But the worst of Musharraf’s crimes was his campaign to undermine the rule of law in this country.

Last winter, Musharraf sacked 50 per cent of Pakistan’s judges, including the Chief Justice, and put judges of the Supreme Court under house arrest. He then handpicked judges who could be more easily manipulated, and announced that elections would be held just five weeks later.

All this was done under the state of emergency that Musharraf illegally declared last November, giving him almost unrestricted power.

All the opposition parties decided to boycott the elections. But that united stand was swiftly undermined by the Americans. The US-brokered deal between Musharraf and Benazir Bhutto’s Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) was designed purely to ensure that Pakistan continued to toe the line laid down by the Bush administration. Bhutto’s decision amounted to a sabotage of the boycott. An illegal state of emergency remained in force; I was in prison, while former prime minister Nawaz Sharif remained in exile, and the judicial system was in chaos. To choose to contest an election under such farcical conditions was madness.

The moment Bhutto was assassinated everything changed. Musharraf’s party had been all set to cruise

DOD/USN

to victory, but after the December 27 killing there was a huge wave of sympathy for the PPP. Bhutto’s widower, Asif Ali Zardari, was able to capitalise on this – as well as on the army’s reluctance to help the president rig the election, due to the popular backlash after the assassination. No party, including the PPP, was prepared to solve the country’s problems. But it made no difference.

No-one cared about the content of the parties’ manifestos; people simply wanted Musharraf out.

So now Musharraf is gone, forced out of office by Zardari and Sharif.

But since Zardari’s landslide win in the recent presidential election, it’s become clear that nothing is going to change. Zardari has simply replaced Musharraf as the country’s absolute ruler: on top of his presidential powers, he’s in charge of the biggest political party in parliament; he has a puppet prime minister; the judges are under his control; and he is

theoretically in control of the army.

Like Musharraf, Zardari has promised to help the United States in exchange for their complicity in propping up his rule, and making sure he continues to evade corruption charges.

There is a general consensus in Pakistan that Zardari is a crook, with billions of dollars of the country’s plundered wealth stashed in overseas bank accounts. Three previous Pakistani presidents published corruption cases against him, only for the charges to be dropped under American pressure. Zardari has brought back a host of politicians who had been in exile due to corruption cases; not only have these criminals been pardoned, but they are now sitting in key positions in government.

There is an increasing mood of despondency in Pakistan, as the economy totters and the violence gathers pace. The only answer is to reinstate the Chief Justice – only through restoring the rule of law can the

country move forward. But Zardari is petrified of an independent justice system. His life would be made much harder, not least because all the old corruption cases might open up.

The PTI is the party that has taken the biggest stand for the Chief Justice. We were predicted to become the third-largest party in parliament in this year’s general election. But we stood with the judges and lawyers in boycotting the poll, and continue to keep the movement alive. It has not been an easy road – last November I was imprisoned by Musharraf as he struggled to cling to power. Zardari is no less notorious for victimising his political opponents. The risks are there, no doubt. But the struggle must go on.

Imran Khan is the founding chairman of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (Movement for Justice) and a former captain of the Pakistani Cricket team

20 Comment

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Under-21 alcohol ban:

Carry on carry-out Ross Finnie

Scottish Liberal Democrats r.finnie@journal-online.co.uk

M

OST PEOPLE AGREE that the alcohol culture in Scotland must change.

Anybody out and about on a Friday and Saturday evening will have seen the unpleasant effects of over-indulgence.

We all know the medical impact of too much alcohol. Health professionals warn that too much alcohol harms the liver, contributes to obesity and causes stomach ulcers and a host of other unpleasant conditions.

Drunkenness is also often linked to crime and antisocial behaviour.

So, changing Scotland’s relationship with alcohol could be seen as the Holy Grail for politicians. As such, it is unsurprising that the Scottish Government was quick to bring forward radical plans to tackle alcohol abuse. The aim, to change the alcohol culture in the country, is laudable, but the content is disturbing.

The SNP is consulting on a raft of measures to tackle alcohol abuse – many of which Liberal Democrats could support. But one we oppose is the proposal to raise the legal age limit for buying alcohol in off-sales premises to 21.

Under this policy students would be banned from off-sales outlets. An 18 year-old student would no longer be able to buy a bottle of wine to add some flavour to spaghetti bolognaise, that perennial student favourite. A 19 year-old student wouldn’t be able to

buy a six pack of beer to take to a flat party. A 20 year old student wouldn’t be able to buy a bottle of sparkling wine to celebrate graduating.

Is the SNP seriously suggesting that stopping this kind of alcohol purchase is going to change the drinking culture in Scotland? It won’t, but it will send a clear message to those aged between 18 and 20, and that message is that the SNP see all these young people as irresponsible drinkers and part of the problem of binge-drinking and alcohol abuse.

We agree that if we are to change successfully the drinking culture in this country, then it’s important to engage with young people. But, Liberal Democrats believe that young people should be part of the solution, not just part of the problem.

Moreover, the SNP’s plan also ignores the evidence: the Liberal Democrats obtained information showing that very few retailers are prosecuted for selling alcohol to minors. Our figures show that although last year the police recorded 357 offences of licensed retailers selling alcohol to minors, only 70 were prosecuted. Before the SNP gets carried away about raising the drinking age, ministers need to make sure that existing laws are enforced properly.

Our opposition to this particular measure should not detract from our determination to tackle alcohol misuse. We have proposed our own measures to the Scottish Government and we will continue to press ministers to take these forward as part of a package of measures.

We are calling for a sustained

government campaign to challenge attitudes to alcohol, as supported

by NHS Health Scotland. We want a crackdown on rogue retailers who continue to sell alcohol to people who are underage and a supermarket summit to agree to curb the availability of cheap drink. Supermarkets must no longer be allowed to cite competition as an excuse for lowering the price of drink. Sensible sale of alcohol should be a key corporate social responsibility.

The ready availability of cheap alcohol products is one of the contributory factors to Scotland’s serious alcohol problem, especially amongst young people. Earlier this month I proposed that the Health Secretary needed to summon the supermarkets to agree a strategy to curb the availability of cheap drink.

Preventing under 16’s from buying alcohol is just one part of the battle against alcohol abuse. We also need to encourage young people to choose not to drink. The Scottish Government can help by supporting alternative, alcohol-free activities for young people like midnight basketball and youth cafes. What is more, it is important to remember that Government alone will not solve Scotland’s alcohol problem. Irresponsible drinking is an issue for every Scot, regardless of their age: we have a personal responsibility to moderate our alcohol intake.

Tackling Scotland’s unhealthy relationship with the bottle should be a key priority for the Government. But at the same time, knee-jerk responses that unfairly demonise all young people as irresponsible drinkers are not the answer.

Ross Finnie MSP is spokesperson on health for the Scottish Liberal Democrats

Scottish Tennis:

Supporting heroes David Marshall david.marshall@journal-online.co.uk

A

flickr.com/ajagendorf25

NDY MURRAY HAS made my life an awful lot easier. In a typical year at Tennis Scotland we spend eleven months frantically soliciting positive media coverage for our sport. This normally involves fighting a losing battle against the wall-to-wall reporting of football and rugby.

It’s only during the four-week spell before, during and just after the Wimbledon Championships, that tennis fever finally kicks in, dominating both the sport and news pages of the national press. As the governing body in Scotland we do everything in our power to exploit this in a bid to encourage people of all ages to take up the game. But given the brevity of that four-week window, it is simply impossible to support the sustained PR onslaught that would keep tennis firmly in the public eye. Yet that is what is required if the sport is to reach the unprecedented level of participation that we seek.

The last two weeks have seen the

traditional Scottish tennis calendar turned completely on its head. After his spectacular run to the US Open final, Scotland’s Andy Murray has emerged as a genuine contender to be the best player on the planet in the coming years. All of a sudden, at a time of the year when many rackets would normally be consigned to the loft for the winter, everyone is talking about tennis. And growing numbers are not just talking about the sport, but at long last getting out there and playing it.

The effect of the “Murray factor” looks set to be absolutely huge.

Twenty years ago in Sweden, Björn Borg’s rise to superstardom spawned a whole generation of top twenty players. Provided we get an appropriate facilities infrastructure in place—something that is far from guaranteed—the boom in Scottish tennis could be just as formidable.

As a role model, I believe Murray is exactly what is needed to inspire our youngsters to pick up a tennis racket rather than a football or, even worse, a games console. He stands accused of setting a bad-tempered example for kids, and there have admittedly

been occasions in the past when his on-court behaviour has been found wanting. But both Borg and Federer went through similar phases in the embryonic stages of their careers, before maturing into ambassadors for the sport of the highest order. Significantly, Murray himself has confirmed that his rise to number four in the world has been inextricably linked to his avoidance of distractions, and an increased focus on the job in hand.

The way he looks, dresses and even the kind of music he listens to are all aspects of a uniquely appealing package that our kids can readily identify with. The cocky attitude that he occasionally exhibits in interviews—while it might outrage more conservative viewers—does not diminish his suitability as a role model in the least.

This month’s sensational win over Nadal should leave no-one in any doubt that when the going gets tough, this young man from Dunblane can rise to the occasion. Andy Murray is a winner, and a fine example for our young tennis players..

David Marshall is the chief executive of Tennis Scotland

Comment 21

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

LAW ARRIVES IN AFGHANISTAN AT LAST

FARLANE WHITTY

Surgically Slim With obesity rates rising, surgery may be the healthiest intervention Dimitri Pournaras d.pournaras@journal-online.co.uk

O

‘‘ ,,

As world peace day nears, the prettiest anti-war campaigner since l ane f onda heads to Kabul...

Intelligent Design:

The creation of confusion Religious narratives have a place in schools – but not in the same classroom as scientific theories

Simon Mundy Deputy Editor

simon@journal-online.co.uk

T

HERE’S JUST NO stopping Sarah Palin. A Democratic presidential campaign that seemed almost impregnable three weeks ago has been thrown into panic as John McCain’s glamorous, moose-hunting running mate mops up women and conservative voters from Nevada to New Jersey. Attacks from America’s liberal elite have rolled in thick and fast. “She’s going to have her hands on the nuclear code,” wailed Obamaphile actor Matt Damon, as he condemned Palin’s closed mentality. “I need to know if she thinks dinosaurs were here 4,000 years ago.”

It’s easy to mock the new breed of Hollywood activists, but Damon makes an important point. Palin has studiously refused to say whether she believes in the theory of evolution. Pressed on the subject during her 2006 campaign for the governorship of Alaska, she suggested that creationist doctrine should be taught in schools alongside Darwin’s natural selection model. “Teach both,” she urged. “Healthy debate is so important. You know, don’t be afraid of information.”

To label as “information” the murky doctrine of creationism (now repackaged as “intelligent design”) is

ludicrous. The intelligent design movement represents a desperate attempt to accommodate within American schools the religious fundamentalism that is undiminished—even resurgent—in many parts of the country. Clearly, the Christian creation story should be taught in religious education classes, alongside those of the other major faiths. But there is an overwhelming scientific consensus that the Garden of Eden fable should be given no more credence than the Hindu belief that the world rests on the back of an elephant.

One of the most formidable obstacles in the battle against climate change has been the concerted effort, notably by oil industry lobby groups, to propound the myth that experts have yet to agree on the fundamental principles of global warming. That a similar campaign is making headway on the subject of evolution, 150 years after the publication of Darwin’s On the Origin of Species, simply beggars belief. None would favour the suppression of debate in schools. But for a supposedly secular education system to give an artificial impression of high-level disagreement where none exists, at the behest of a fundamentalist religious minority, is inexcusable. To compromise scientific integrity in this way would set a dangerous precedent.

Until recently, few on this side of the Atlantic have been swayed by the arguments for including intelligent design in science lessons. But last week saw a

dark moment in the history of the Royal Society—the world’s oldest scientific body—with the claim by its education director that “simply banging on about evolution and natural selection” is a waste of time, and that creationism should be explored in British schools.

Critics gleefully seized upon the fact that Professor Michael Reiss is an ordained Church of England minister, with Nobel laureates virtually queuing up to condemn his “inappropriate” appointment.

But the question of Reiss’s own faith is irrelevant. He is clearly well aware of the fatuity of the intelligent design dogma, and wants time to be taken to explain to children why it has no scientific basis. Similarly, it seems unlikely that Palin, the daughter of a natural science teacher who grew up poring over her father’s collection of fossils, has turned her back on Darwinian thought.

Yet both are among a growing number of academic and political leaders who find it convenient to make concessions to the intelligent design lobby, adding momentum to an actively antiscientific movement that is coming perilously close to respectability. The right to a dissenting opinion lies at the heart of our society. But future generations will not thank us for undermining scientific theories that have been proven beyond all reasonable doubt.

Simon Mundy is The Journal’s Deputy Editor (Comment & Features)

DEBATE WITH THE EXPERTS ON THE JOURNAL’S WEB FORUMS VISIT WWW. JOURNALONLINE. CO.UK

BESITY IS THE healthcare epidemic of the 21st century.

It has become a massive cause of premature death in the UK, killing almost 1,000 people each week.

Advice to the population to reduce food intake and take more exercise has been manifestly unsuccessful. Even so, diabetes expert Rachel Batterham created a storm this month when she suggested that the number of Britons undergoing drastic stomach surgery is set to soar.

But in my view, she’s correct: surgical procedures are now the only effective therapy for long-term weight loss in the most serious cases.

Most surgical interventions are currently performed laparoscopically – that is, through key-hole surgery. The gastric band operation, for instance, involves placing a silicone band around the top part of the stomach. The band works by creating a small pouch, limiting the amount of food that can enter the stomach, reducing appetite and physically slowing food consumption down.

Another procedure, the Roux-en-Y gastric bypass, involves stapling the stomach across the upper part to create a pouch similar in size to the one formed by the gastric band. Part of the small bowel is then joined to the pouch to allow the stomach to empty directly into it, and the stomach and much of the small bowel is bypassed.

Bariatric (i.e. weight reducing) surgery causes weight loss of between 15 and 30 per cent. It also brings a huge improvement in diseases associated with obesity. Particularly noteworthy is the 80 per cent remission rate for sufferers of type two diabetes. One in three children born after 2000 will develop this disease, with a ten per cent risk of death every ten years. With one sufferer dying every ten seconds, within two years a fifth of NHS resources will be spent on tackling diabetes.

These figures could hardly be more shocking, and they should force home the desperate importance of tackling obesity in Britain. Few—if any—other treatments have such a dramatic effect on obese patients as bariatric surgery.

Of course, surgery alone is not the answer. A third of Scottish 12-year-olds are overweight, and one fifth are obese, according to 2005 figures. Clearly there should be more focus on preventive measures, which would allow the next generation of Scottish children to avoid the complications associated with surgery.

However, for the moment bariatric surgery remains the gold standard against which all other interventions will be measured. While we wait for alternative therapies to be developed, it’s vital that the treatment is made more widely available. The number of procedures in the United States has increased sharply in recent years.

Encouragingly, Britain looks set to follow.

Dimitri Pournaras is a research fellow in bariatric surgery at Imperial College, London

22 Editorial

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Crossword #1 set by Junta Sekimori Edinburgh’s studEnt nEwspapEr | issuE iX

National Student Survey

Winter of discontent THE RESuLTS ARE in, and they will surprise almost no-one. The university of Edinburgh’s shocking slump to the foot of the uK feedback rankings is just the latest episode of an ongoing scandal that threatens the very reputation of one of the country’s finest educational institutions.

The National Student Survey (NSS) is not without its critics. Arguments that it might induce universities to “dumb down” in their eagerness to pander to student tastes are compelling. The intrusive measures used by ipsos MORi to coerce undergraduates into participating in the poll – some students have received as many as twelve telephone calls – are disgraceful. And the incredible attempts by staff at Kingston university to intimidate their students into singing their praises have called the validity of the entire project into question.

But it would be a flimsy survey indeed that failed to reflect the very real anger of Edinburgh students on this subject.

One of the most powerful weapons in

the Oxbridge armoury is the “face time” offered by its unrivalled tutorial system. An Oxford humanities student can expect to benefit from the insights of an expert who will painstakingly dissect her work in a weekly one-on-one meeting. The best her Edinburgh counterpart can hope for is an encouraging paragraph scrawled in the blank space of a cover sheet. At worst, he might receive a functional “very good” from a tutor who cannot remember his name.

No-one expects Edinburgh academics, with their overcrowded classrooms and limited resources, to match the support offered by Oxbridge dons. Many work desperately hard, drawing on a genuine enthusiasm for teaching to deliver a phenomenal standard of education. But as the university scrabbles for cash to maintain its position at the international top table, the funds are being diverted elsewhere. Strong research investment has seen Edinburgh cement a position as one of the world’s leading research universities, securing generous

government funding and lucrative business contracts. Meanwhile, staff are seeing ever stronger incentives to prioritise research over teaching. it would be a calamity if this new focus were to distract from the primary role of what is, lest we forget, a place of education.

Heriot-Watt, the only other Edinburgh institution to take part in the NSS, is typically found far below its ancient neighbour in academic league tables. Yet it could teach the older institution a lesson when it comes to student satisfaction. university of Edinburgh governors will point out that their students are bound to demand higher standards due to the world-leading reputation of the institution; that the survey will inevitably be skewed by the fact that the most disillusioned students, eager to sound off, are often keener to participate than their blissfully contented peers. valid points, no doubt. But an institution can only fall consistently below expectations for so long, before those expectations come crashing down with it.

Must work harder she said’ to ensure feelings run high.”

Another whistleblower talked of the “grey area” which constitutes the mental health of the show’s “guests.”

Still, here is a show watched by over one million people each day. Here is a show which maintains popularity in spite of its critics. Surely if anyone can “get Britain working,” Kyle is the man with the ear of the stay-at-homes? in fact, the number of levels on which this proposal falls flat is quite striking.

First and foremost, Kyle’s proposed quest to “get Britain working” makes a prior assumption that Britain is, for the most part, not working. Most recent figures from the Office of National Statistics (July 2008) put Britain’s unemployment at 5.4 per cent – as a comparison, 7.2 per cent of French men and women are out of work. Fewer people claim unemployment benefits in the uK than regularly watch Kyle’s afternoon show. Really, Britain is working already.

Moreover, is it really responsible for a government during an economic downturn to deflate confidence in the economy

and in Britain’s seemingly layabout workforce? The association of any government department with this merely reenforces a declining economic climate in which cuts in social spending—including jobseekers allowance—must be made via whatever bizarre means necessary.

There’s a further issue in terms of how programme-makers expect the format to actually haul individuals into employment. Clearly not even Kyle has the energy to bully a Cv and cover letter out of all 864,700 of Britain’s benefit claimants. Meanwhile, the DWP claim that their involvement with the programme is part of a project “to motivate and support people into work” rings hollow when set against the Rowntree Foundation’s findings: “The Jeremy Kyle Show present[s] those less fortunate in society as undeserving objects to be used for the purpose of public entertainment.” Motivation indeed. Stripped of any inspirational pretence, this is pure, cruel entertainment.

Jeremy Kyle Gets Britain Working has nothing to commend it whatsoever.

The Wednesday Poem

Hands

With wood, your hands are in control, the push and press of the plane, a planned path, strewing shavings, gold ringlets tumbling, the sweep of the saw whistling straight through, your hand certain in the grip.

Pressing the planed wood to your lips, your flesh detects its imperfections. in music, your hands are dancers sure of their allotted space,

ACroSS

DowN

1

1 2 3 4 5 6

7 9 10 11 12 15

Jeremy Kyle:

RARELY DO PROPOSALS arrive so unequivocally ill-concieved. Rarely does a project offer almost nothing to commend it. But the continuing talks between iTv and the Department for Work and Pensions (DWP) over the possible television show, Jeremy Kyle Gets Britain Working, offer up one such rare occurrence.

District Judge Alan Berg’s comments that Kyle’s show represents “human bear baiting” have been reprinted often enough over the twelve months since he pronounced them to have lost some of their initial force. But it is worth remembering just how awful Kyle’s show— which sees the relationship and behavioural problems of mainly working-class individuals laid bare on television—is.

A Joseph Rowntree Foundation report last week named the show “a rather brutal form of entertainment that is based on derision of the lower-working-class population.” indeed, one ex-producer has felt compelled speak out about the live spectacles, lamenting the producers’ control over “a Machiavellian game of ‘he said,

CrIME FICTIoN-THEMED QUICK CroSSworD

weightless fingertips finding the note, the chord shapes in their senses independent of mind; then the strum, a statement of being in the only place.

Holding the bow like a gift, gifting the bow to the string.

Best, in tormented moments, your hands on my back, melting the hard fear to liquid.

On flesh, your hands are silent, silky creatures exploring a world of open aspect, mapping the paths towards a mutual destination.

The Wednesday Poem is provided by Read This magazine

17 18 20 21 22

Raymond Chandler detective, The Big Sleep (6,7) Magic stick (4) Average (6) Eggs (3) Thrusting sword (6) Medicinal plant, emollient (4,4) Dashiell Hammett detective, The Maltese Falcon (3,5) Painter, married to Frida Kahlo (6) Agree (3) Northern lights (6) Wyatt ___, American gambler and marshal (4) Startling resemblance (8,5)

8 13 14 16 19 21

impotence (13) Boy (3) (Picture of) view (8) Distant – zapper (6) European capital (4) Early crime writer, The Murders in the Rue Morgue (5,5,3) Firebomb (6) Extra to what is required – extend out above (8) Expression of discovery (6) Hercule ___, Agatha Christie detective (6) Painter, The Persistence of Memory (4) Timber (3)

EDiNBuRGH’S STuDENT NEWSPAPER Editor Evan Beswick Deputy Editor Chris Williams Art Director Matthew MacLeod Deputy Editor (News) Paris Gourtsoyannis Deputy Editor (Comment/Features) Simon Mundy Director Ben Judge Sales Manager Devon Walshe Copy Editors Alex Reynolds, Gemma Pirnie, Katia Sand General News Nick Eardley Edinburgh News Graham Mackay Student Politics Sarah Clark National Student News Emily Glass News Shorts Corinne Redfern The Journal is published byThe Edinburgh Journal Ltd., registered address 52 Clerk Street, Edinburgh EH8 9JB. Registered in Scotland number SC322146. For enquiries call 0131 662 6766 or email info@ journal-online.co.uk. The Journal is a free newspaper for and written by students and graduates in the City of Edinburgh. Contact us if you’d like to get involved. Printed by Trinity Mirror, Blantyre.

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Profile 23

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

all manner of mayhem It's not every singer who can claim to have mooned at the Pope, but Bad Manners frontman Buster Bloodvessel has never been one to conform, as he tells Simon Mundy Simon Mundy simon.mundy@journal-online.co.uk

B

uSter BloodveSSel WaS in a fix. His 30 stone of pure energy was sailing far over the heads of the conservative Italian audience, who were already looking forward to the arrival of subsonic-voiced crooner Barry White. the gargantuan Bad Manners frontman reacted the only way he knew how.

Making a beeline for the nearest video camera, he dropped his trousers to reveal possibly the most titanic behind ever broadcast live on prime time Italian television. “It was only later,” he chuckles ruefully, “that I found out the Pope was watching.” the nature of the papal response is sadly lost to history – but the country’s media went into overdrive, and the band’s place in Italian musical folklore was sealed. as he made his unique mark on the 1983 San remo festival, Buster—real name douglas trendle—might have reflected how far he had come since starting a ska band with schoolmates in east london, seven years before.

Squatting in abandoned homes, his weekly food intake sometimes amounting to nothing more than a tin of mashed potato, superstardom must have seemed a long way off. “We played one club that couldn’t afford to pay us,” recalls Buster. “So we got this hat and started collecting money for the deprived children of Hackney.

But it was in fact for us. We were very deprived at the time,” he adds earnestly. “rough times, them times.”

But despite his financial constraints, Buster’s confidence and boundless onstage exuberance remained undimmed: “the name Buster Bloodvessel came from me actually, y’know, about to bust a blood vessel,” he explains, helpfully.

His arrival on the london music scene could not have been better timed.

Nearly twenty years after the jaunty ska rhythms of Jamaican artists such as Prince Buster and desmond dekker first hit Britain, the stage was set for a revival – this time with an unmistakeably British twist.

Bad Manners were instrumental in the fledgling 2 tone movement, which took the country by storm in 1979. “We started playing gigs all over london,” says Buster. “and bands like Madness and the Specials were looking at us and going away to become ska bands.” as ska fever spread throughout london and the rest of the country, the associated “skinhead” subculture became ever more prominent. the distinctive skinhead look, incomplete without doc Marten boots, braces and a pork pie hat, had originally derived from the Jamaican “rude boy” culture. But amid the tempestuous race politics of the early 1980s, a small minority of skinheads tarnished the name for good by engaging in acts of senseless racial violence.

Buster sounds wounded and indignant as he defends the reputation of what began as an inclusive movement.

“2 tone meant black and white!” he

says, pointing out that nearly all the major ska bands were conspicuous in their racial diversity. “None of us stood for racism. Some people latched on to [the skinhead culture] and made as much trouble as they could. But I’m glad to say it died out within the skinhead scene – booted out, so to speak.” It seems diplomatic not to ask how literally this last statement should be taken.

as the hits mounted—top ten singles included ‘lorraine’, ‘My Girl lollipop’ and, bizarrely, a cover of offenbach’s ‘Can Can’—Buster became a household name, his legend growing with every tongue-wagging, tricycleriding appearance on top of the Pops.

But with his days of dietary deprivation safely behind him, Buster’s waistline was growing just as quickly. “I didn’t

see it as a problem at all,” he says, newly slender after an operation that reduced his weight by a colossal 20 stone. “I was still very fit on stage. But it was when I got a hernia that it all went wrong. and then I got meningitis and died for eleven seconds.” He relishes my shocked silence. “But I never let that put me off my stride. I still gigged through all those periods.”

Never one to shy away from the subject of his weight, one of Buster’s most joyfully eccentric plans was the opening of a hotel in Margate specifically for the larger customer. Fatty towers opened in 1996, complete with extra large beds and baths, an annual Belly of the Year contest, and a restaurant whose specialities included the candidly-named lard arse Pudding.

With a “cardiac cashback” guarantee in the event of gastronomic overload, members of Buster’s recently founded Club 18-30 Stone flocked to his seaside folly. “It was just the most perfect of places,” he says, like a dreamy schoolboy. “But I wouldn’t just leave them in my place; I’d take them around the whole of Margate, showing them all the sights.” It’s hard not to enjoy the image of this super-sized Pied Piper guiding his charges through a sleepy victorian resort. a bitter fall-out with his wife in 1998 saw the end of Fatty towers, as Buster “just lost the plot completely,” lapsing into alcohol dependency. Having touched on the subject, he clearly wants to make light of it. “Being a musician you’ve always got an alcohol problem,” he says. “It’s something that goes with the job. You’re offered drinks everywhere you go, and people are offended if you don’t accept.” It’s a reminder of the personal troubles that can lurk behind the most infectiously merry exteriors. long renowned for their tireless touring, Bad Manners are still going strong – although Buster is the only founding member to have lasted the course. Midway through a gruelling 50-date uK tour, he has european and Christmas tours to follow before the year is out. With any spare time spent recording a forthcoming soul album, it’s an impressive schedule by any standards. Yet even with his apparently limitless vitality, Buster doubts he would succeed as a young hopeful in today’s musical climate. “I think it’s particularly hard at the moment,” he says. “there aren’t that many record companies left, to be honest. But one great thing young musicians have got is the internet. that can give you a worldwide audience, just like that.” recent months and years have seen apocalyptic warnings that the boom in illegal music downloads heralds the death of the record industry – but Buster is stoical. “It means musicians won’t get their money through record sales. But if you build your name up and go on tour, then you’re doing exactly what you should be doing anyway.” It’s certainly what this particular musician should be doing. one of the most extravagant stage performers of recent decades, Buster’s frequently lunatic antics will be forgotten by few who have witnessed them. all publicity is good publicity, I suggest. “So they say,” he muses. “But you wouldn’t say that to Gary Glitter, would ya?”

Bad Manners are performing at the Citrus Club on Thursday September 18.

Tickets available from Ripping Records, South Bridge

24 Features

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

reflections on the union Scottish historian Tom Devine looks back over 300 years of the union and sees uncertainty ahead

Tom Devine Scottish Historian

t.devine@journal-online.co.uk

T

oday, The fuTure of the union is a hot and controversial political topic. a century ago the outlook could not have been more different. on the eve of the Great War, it must have seemed a rock of stability in an uncertain world. It was such a fact of life that no one of any influence questioned its future. If truth be told, the Scots had been remarkably fortunate. rightly or wrongly, they assumed that their global economic eminence was rooted in the union. But that wealth had not come at the expense of either cultural dependency or loss of identity.

Whether they knew it or not, Scots were having their cake and eating it.

But between 1914 and the 1950s, this almost smug relationship was assailed to an extent unknown since the eighteenth century. despite final victory, World War I was a human catastrophe on an enormous scale for Scotland. What began as national euphoria had degenerated by 1918 into dark pessimism. according to one Great War historian, Scottish regiments suffered more combat losses per capita than any other nation.

Whether this verdict is reliable or not, it is clear the slaughter of the nation’s young men on such a scale was entirely unprecedented.

This catastrophe was followed by the collapse of the markets for Scottish heavy industry in the late 1920s, which contributed to a remarkably high level of emigration. for the first time since census records began, there was a fall in the Scottish population. edwin Muir eloquently captured the crisis of national confidence in his Scottish Journey of 1935: “Scotland is gradually being emptied of its population, its spirit, its wealth, industry, art, intellect and innate character.” another contemporary commentator, George Malcolm Thomson, was even gloomier: “The first fact about the Scot is that he is a man eclipsed. The Scots are a dying race.” yet despite all this, the union remained impregnable. The Conservative and unionist Party in Scotland was hugely popular between the wars, winning five of the seven general elections during that period. during the long economic crisis of these years, Scottish voters preferred the secure umbrella of the British state to any nationalist adventure. The foundation

of the Scottish National Party in 1934 showed that not all Scots were in the unionist camp – but its successive failures at the polls demonstrated conclusively that the vast majority were.

The outbreak of the Second World War further strengthened British identity. for a time, plucky Britain and its empire stood alone against the massed forces of the Third reich. every nook and cranny of life was affected as the nation geared up for total war. The age-old distinction between combatants and non-combatants faded as the civilian population on the home front struggled against enemy bombers, food shortages and the fear of invasion. The legend of a Britain united behind a noble cause endured in the folk memory of the post-1945 generation through the endless popularity of war comics, books and films.

This was not the only vital factor buttressing “Britishness”. The foundation of the Welfare State in the late 1940s and the commitment to full employment in the post-war world had enormous appeal for Scots, who had suffered the full impact of market failure in the 1930s. even the beginnings of the end of empire with the independence of India and Pakistan did not disturb the union connection in the short-run. a new bond had been formed. as living standards finally started to improve in the 1950s and the years of austerity faded into the past, unionism in Scotland seemed unchallenged.

Indeed, in 1950 Labour dropped its long-standing manifesto commitment to Scottish self-government and the SNP continued to stagnate in political irrelevance. 1955 saw the unionists achieve just over half of the popular vote, a unique and remarkable achievement in Scottish electoral history.

But this political consensus did not mean that “Scottishness” had in any sense evaporated. on the contrary, the mass interest in the Scottish Covenant of 1949, which advocated a parliament in edinburgh within the union and attracted nearly two million signatures, suggested that Scotland’s sense of itself remained robust. Moreover, by the later 1950s all was not well with the Scottish economy. The long period of Britain’s relative decline against international competitors, which lasted from the 1960s to the 1990s, had begun.

The balance between “Scottishness” and “Britishness” now shifted. The rise of the SNP, the new and pragmatic interest in devolution by Westminster and a fresh vitality in Scottish

“The Scots had not voted for Tory radicalism, and began to feel that they were now suffering from an electoral dictatorship”

Early proposals for the Union Flag, circa 1604 culture were all signs of the times. a key decade was the 1980s, with the imposition of hugely unpopular social and economic policies by the Thatcher governments – not least the Poll Tax. The Scots had not voted for Tory radicalism, and began to feel that they were now suffering from an electoral dictatorship. That experience put more steel into the Scottish electorate and their politicians. any ambiguity about the relevance of a Scottish Parliament to the future of the nation quickly receded.

More than half a century on from the high noon of unionism in the 1950s, the issue now is whether the time-honoured connection between Scotland and england will survive for much longer in the new millennium. In 2004, around three-quarters of Scots felt “exclusively” or “mainly” Scottish, a significantly higher proportion than the equivalent measures in england and Wales. These “Scottish” loyalties are especially common among the younger generation.

This need not mean that political independence is inevitable. It may be yet another manifestation of the union’s historic capacity not only for flexibility but for giving full and easy scope for the Welsh, english and Scots to express their cultural and ethnic identities within a uK framework. Perhaps inevitably, however, most recent comment both in the media and among academic analysts has been about the reasons for the decline of “Britishness” over the last half century. The obvious check list might include the end of

empire and Britain’s subsequent fall for a time to the status of secondrate power; the huge and increasing importance of europe and the parallel decline in the authority of the British state; and the ebbing of respect for the institution of monarchy. again, since the end of World War II and the collapse of the Soviet union, there is the loss of a clear “other” which can help to sustain British national solidarity against a common foe. however, whether all this means that a political divorce is likely in the short-term is less certain. Three hundred years of union have resulted in multiple familial, personal, economic and cultural connections between the two nations. Scots have long migrated to england in large numbers. Less well known is the continuous movement in modern times from england to Scotland. Between 1841 and 1911 a quarter of a million english and Welsh men, women and children came north. according to the 2001 Census, over 400,000 english-born were resident in Scotland, by far the nation’s largest immigrant group.

Not so long ago, it was possible to speak with concern about the “englishing” of Scotland. More common nowadays is the reference to the “Scottish raj” in english politics, media and London’s financial institutions.

The story about the Midlands MP who asked why the Scots should need a parliament when “they are running ours” strikes an ever-stronger chord.

The Scots have frequently been the butt of english jokes; but such minor

The union in numbers

50.1%

Proportion of the Scottish vote won by the unionist party in 1955 general election

1.7m

Signatures collected by the pro-devolution Scottish Covenant association over ten months in 1949: half of the Scottish electorate

409,000 english natives resident in Scotland, according to the last census (2001)

Features 25

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Scottish Government

irritations have never really prevented them achieving access to the highest positions in politics, business or academia south of the border.

The economic crises of the 1970s through to the 1980s, which undermined confidence in the British state, had disappeared by the early 1990s.

Balance of payments problems, hyperinflation and trade union militancy have, for the last decade or so, gone from the UK. Since emerging from the recession of the early 1990s, Britain has thrived and most Scots have shared in the benefits. According to the International Monetary Fund, the growth of GDP per person in the UK was both stronger and less variable than that of other rich nations in the G7 over that period.

But these good times have not led to a final stability in the relationship. The devolution settlement is not entirely fit for purpose and has too many anomalies to provide a real consensus on both sides of the border.

Among the most contentious issues is the notorious West Lothian question: the conundrum that while Scottish MPs can vote on English domestic issues in Westminster, English MPs have had no say on Scottish matters since the foundation of the Edinburgh Parliament. Indeed, one of the novel developments of the past few years has been the rise of English nationalism, in part fuelled by perceptions in the south of mendicant Scots being subsidised by the English through the unfair generosity of the Barnett formula – the per-capita mechanism used by the treasury to calculate some aspects of public expenditure in Northern Ireland, Scotland & Wales.

Why is there no English parliament?

Why do Scottish MPs vote on English issues? Why should Gordon Brown, a Scot from a Scottish constituency, be allowed to rule Britain as Prime Minister?

It was a profound historical irony that in the very month of the 300th anniversary of the Union, a minority SNP administration first took power in Edinburgh. The pundits produced a variety of reasons for the historic success of the nationalists: these ranged from the unpopularity of the Iraq war to the mid-term malaise of the Labour government. Whatever the fundamental factors, there can be little doubt that the SNP victory has ushered a new period of volatility in the Union, making speculation about its long-

term future even more hazardous.

Still, research published by the Institute of Public Policy Research North in autumn 2007 suggested that the SNP triumph had done little to bring Scottish independence any closer. The report indicated that only three in ten Scots supported independence – and that figure had hardly moved from the levels which existed even before devolution. Indeed, before the Scottish elections in 2007, only 63 per cent of those who intended to vote SNP said they supported its core policy of independence.

During the course of the election campaign itself, the numbers favouring independence declined. In the event the electorate voted for unionist parties by a considerable majority.

To a large extent, the SNP’s success came not from a collapse of Labour support, which fell only slightly, but from the failure of smaller parties like the Socialists and the Greens to make a real impact. What the research did reveal was a widespread desire in both Scotland and England for changes to be made in the devolution settlement.

English voters want such anomalies as the Barnett Formula and the West Lothian Question to be addressed by Westminster while a majority of Scots wish for more powers for the Holyrood Parliament within the framework of the Union.

Foretelling what might happen next has become even more hazardous in recent months. The SNP minority administration has made a remarkable impact during its short period in office and demonstrated a clear capacity for effective governance. In addition, the good economic times have come abruptly to a halt with the UK slipping into recession. Perhaps most crucially of all, the possibility of a Conservative government after the next General Election looms ever larger – an event that would be a major boost to the Scottish independence movement, according to recent polls. There is, therefore, then only one certainty as we gaze into the future: the unpredictability of the Union issue in Scottish politics.

Tom Devine is the Sir William Fraser Chair of Scottish History and Palaeography at the University of Edinburgh.

His most recent book is the edited volume ‘Scotland and the Union 1707 to 2007’ ( Edinburgh University Press 2008, pbk £16.00)

The Union flag flies over Edinburgh flickr.com/clatiek

Does Scotland want independence?

Political analysts are locked in bitter debate as to the potential outcome of a referendum on Scottish independence. The results of opinion polls fluctuate wildly, thanks largely to variations in ways which the crucial question may be put to voters.

44% for 41% against

TNS, 12/4/2008

34% for YouGov, 12/9/2008

50% against 19% for

YouGov, 30/4/2008

72% against

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26 Arts & Entertainment

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Theatrical by convention There's more than enough for arts fans to get their teeth into in Edinburgh. Lucy Jackson scratches the surface of the shiny new theatre season.

Edinburgh's busy season

T

hE Edinburgh inTErnaTional festival and the Edinburgh Festival Fringe may be over but there’s no rest for the keen theatregoer. The lyceum Theatre opens its 08/09 season on Friday 12th September with its production of Macbeth. directed by new face lucy Pitman-Wallace and in collaboration with the nottingham Playhouse Theatre Company, the revival of Shakespeare’s Scottish Play stars award-winning actor liam brennan in the title role (see review). This tale of unnatural deeds is followed in late october by Mary Rose, a haunting JM barrie play directed by lyceum veteran Tony Cownie, who was responsible for last season’s slick and entertaining adaptation of Thackeray’s Vanity Fair. For more information on the lyceum’s programme visit www.lyceum.org.uk. over at the Traverse, Scotland’s new writing theatre kicks off with Cherry Blossom (24 September-11 october), a collaborative piece with Teatr Polski in bydgoszcz. discussing the myths and realities behind immigration, the play is described as "drawn, remembered and dreamed from the stories of the here-for-goods, the go-betweens and the left-behinds." Subsequently, The Brothers Size by young american writer Tarell alvin McCraney, which runs in early october, is presented by theatre company aTC and the Young Vic and was nominated for the 2008 laurence olivier award. To keep tabs on the often short runs of productions at the Traverse theatre, visit www.traverse. co.uk where you can download the full autumn 2008 programme. The Traverse also offers young writers’ classes that have become popular with students, and hosts readings and question and answer sessions with some of the uK’s leading playwrights.

More good news: The Festival and King’s Theatres have recently extended the scope of their student discount.

Subject to availability, reduced price tickets for unsold seats will be available on the day of the show for a range of performances courtesy of the Festival City Theatres Trust. The Festival Theatre hosts the Scottish ballet which returns with some intriguing experimental pieces on 25-27 September, as well as musical romps such as Carousel and Can’t Smile Without You in october, the latter of which is to feature one-hitwonder Chesney hawkes with music by barry Manilow. The King’s tackles more serious drama with a stage adaptation of Lewis Grassic gibbon’s Sunset Song, dealing with the harsh realities of rural life in Scotland (30th September-4th october), before presenting alan ayckbourne’s farce of social mobility Absurd Person Singular. You can find more information on the Festival and King’s Theatres at www.eft.co.uk.

Those who can, act

T

hErE’S alSo PlEnTY going on in the exciting and experimental world of student theatre, whether you’re a fan of a good old hearty musical or edgy new writing. Edinburgh university Savoy opera group (EuSog) will be casting for their november show Me and My Girl; for audition information visit www.eusog.org. EuSog scored a festival hit this year with Sondheim’s Company, and perform operas and musicals each semester including choice pickings from the gilbert and Sullivan favourites.

Theatre Paradok, Edinburgh university’s self-styled "home of alternative theatre" takes a plunge into the dark world of greek Tragedy this semester presenting aeschylus’ Oresteia. having recently presented Weiss’ Marat/Sade and durenmatt’s The Visit, the company collaborate as a whole to bring about each production, with members taking on a variety of creative roles. as part of the explorative process, Paradok are holding a series of workshops focusing on greek Tragedy, character development and physical theatre. You can find information about these events and more at paradok.eusa.ed.ac.uk. napier drama Society is the university's longest running non-sporting society, offering members a chance to get involved in all aspects of stage production. Though plans have yet to be announced, expect the company's usual Christmas play and Easter production as well as their own oscar night and plenty of socialising. Previous productions include John Patrick's The Curious Savage, and neil Simon's famous Plaza Suite. get involved via napierdramasociety@hotmail.com. napier university also has a brand new gospel Choir. Formed last year, the group can be expected to unleash their high-energy modern gospel performances on Edinburgh this year. E-mail rockhillf@yahoo.com for more details.

Those of a musical bent must— after a close examination of the Scottish Chamber orchestra’s 2008-9 programme—take a look at Edinburgh university Music Society. one of the oldest societies, it consists of three ensembles and presents a wide range of music throughout the year. The society also engages with the local community through its education project: visiting local schools with music performance workshops, inviting those of school age to sit in on rehearsals and offering free tickets to selected concerts. This semester’s concerts will see the Symphony orchestra engage with Tchaikovsky’s famous Symphony no. 5 and Sibelius’ Finlandia (14 november), while on 28 november the Chorus will take on laurisden and goodall while Sinfonia present Mussorgsky’s exquisite and delightfully varied Pictures at an Exhibition

The Penny Dreadfuls: one of Edinburgh’s student theatre success stories Devon Walshe on the 29th. For more details including opportunities to get involved, see their website at musoc.eusa.ed.ac.uk.

Queen Margaret university takes a unique approach to music following the appointment of musician-in-residence rob MacKillop. Charged with encouraging staff and students to get involved in music-making, MacKillop has done just that, setting up a Jazz band, blues band, Traditional Music group, Early Music group, baroque ensemble and a World Music group among others. bi-annual concerts showcase the university's varied output. See www.qmusiconline.co.uk for more details. There's a similar ethos at heriot-Watt Music Society (www.hwmusoc.co.uk) which aims to organise gigs, battles of the bands, recording sessions and open mic nights throughout the year.

The Edinburgh university Theatre Company once again launch into autumn with its usual refreshing variety of shows, workshops and events. based in the bedlam Theatre at the foot of george iV bridge, EuTC opens with the all-inclusive and traditionally riotous freshers’ Play, followed by productions of Woody allen’s

God and dario Fo’s famous political absurdist farce Accidental Death of an Anarchist. later on this year expect plenty of new writing and productions of plays by acclaimed contemporary british playwrights Martin Crimp and anthony neilson. For full programme, event and audition details check out www.bedlamtheatre.co.uk. Meanwhile if comedy’s your thing, then head to bedlam any Friday night for 10:30pm, when Edinburgh institution The improverts take the stage for their critically acclaimed hour-long improvised comedy show. over at QMu's new Musselburgh campus, taking full advantage of the brilliant new space, is the university's Cobweb theatre society. E-mail 07000519@qmu.ac.uk for more.

Yet this, all this, is not all, folks.

There are more shows, concerts, ensembles, troupes, exhibitions, societies, theatres and events than this humble article is able to do justice to, and enough to keep even the hungriest culture vulture satisfied. We’ll keep you up to date with what’s hot in the glorious city of Edinburgh – so whether you take a chance on experimental dance or settle down to some classic chamber music, happy exploring.

upcoming gigs ScrATch PErvErTS Potterow, Fri 19 Sep, £7

Masters of the turntables, Scratch Perverts return to Edinburgh for an eagerly anticipated set at Potterow. nothing but the best of drum n' bass, hip hop and house from the Fabric regulars

ThE rAScALS

Liquid room, Mon 22 Sep, £11 Miles Kane, better known as one half of the last Shadow Puppets, will be appearing with his other band at the liquid room. Expect well-crafted post-punk songs galore

ThE FALL

Queen's hall, Sun 12 Oct, £18

“always different, always the same” was how John Peel memorably described The Fall. Mark E Smith's band are always a startling live experience. Support comes from punk poet legend John Cooper Clarke

WWW.JOURNAL-ONLINE.CO.UK

EDINBURGH’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

ISSUE II

MONDAY 19 NOVEMBER 2007

Guards! Taking Liberties

EUTC works Pratchett’s Discworld magic 20

David Blunkett talks about life on the back benches 15

New stem cell research advances cancer treatments Cameron Robinson cameron.robinson@journal-online.co.uk

Safer clubs: the Unight initiative will help to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and violent attacks David Cheskin/PA Wire

SNP breaks student debt promise Alastair Sloan & Sarah Clarke newsdesk@journal-online.co.uk STUDENTS IN SCOTLAND have expressed dismay after the SNP shelved plans to scrap student debt.

Nationalist finance minister John Swinney announced last Wednesday that the government would not deliver its manifesto promise to eliminate the debt accrued by students.

The news was delivered at Holyrood as part of the SNP’s first budget since the party came to power in the elections last May. The conference saw the government drop a number of key election promises which had comprised their manifesto for the Scottish Parliamentary Election.

While funding for free prescription charges, a tax cut for smaller businesses and NHS waiting list guarantees were approved, the SNP’s pledge to cancel student debt was relinquished.

The SNP had previously promised

Scottish students that the £1.9 billion package of debt held by the Student Loans Company Scotland would be cancelled.

Student leaders in Scotland expressed deep concern for this turnaround in government policy that will see the £1.9 billion debt remain unaffected. They claimed that the SNP’s failure to deliver the promised financial support will have a damaging impact on Scottish students.

James Alexander, President of the National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland said: “Promises of more support for students, which formed a central part of the SNP’s election campaign, have not been met.

“The SNP’s costed manifesto promised £236 million to cover graduate debt payments, to transfer student loans to grants, and to abolish the graduate endowment.”

He continued: “Large proportions of students from Scotland experience high

levels of debt and endure extreme hardship. They need the endorsement of the Scottish government to assist in resolving these difficulties.”

Edinburgh’s student unions have been working with NUS Scotland on the Final Demand campaign, designed to put pressure on the government to improve student support, drop student debt, cut course costs and improve access to further and higher education.

But in a speech to the Scottish Executive, John Swinney said: “I know there is insufficient parliamentary support for student debt servicing for loans to grants and we must therefore prioritise funding on policies that we can deliver and which will be supported by Parliament.

“I am therefore not allocating funding for student debt servicing in the period of the Budget.

“However, despite the constraints we face, we will deliver funding for a phased transition from student loans to grants,

starting with part-time students.”

Despite the short-term reduction in funding for the sector, the SNP emphasised that Scotland’s higher education institutions remain a priority for the party.

Fiona Hyslop, Education and Lifelong Learning Secretary, outlined the SNP’s long-term plans for higher education funding. In a statement last week, she said: “Scotland’s universities and colleges are central to that sustainable economic growth.

“We will invest £5.24 billion in total in Scotland’s further and higher education, with an extra £100 million capital funding package in 2007/08.

“We will deliver support for students of £1.55 billion over three years with £119 million to end the graduate endowment fee and a phased transition from student loans to grants starting with part-time students.”

Continued on page 2

THE DISCOVERY OF a cancerous stem cell by scientists from the University of Edinburgh could change the way in which certain cancers are treated.

Researchers from the New Cancer Centre at the Royal (Dick) School of Veterinary Studies at the university, working in collaboration with others at the University of Wisconsin have discovered a rogue type of stem cell involved in bone cancer.

The team, headed by Professor David Argyle, successfully isolated stem cells from osteosarcoma in dogs; the canine equivalent of a type of human bone cancer most common in children.

Referring to osteosarcoma, Professor Argyle commented: “This aggressive disease is the most common primary bone tumour in children, leading to more than 80 per cent of patients having to undergo surgery which can include limb amputations or reconstructive limb sparing operations.”

The research, published in The Veterinary Journal, adds weight to a novel hypothesis concerning the structure and workings of cancer, dubbed Cancer Stem Cell theory.

The classical view of cancer is a lump of genetically flawed cells that replicate indefinitely. However the premise behind Cancer Stem Cell theory is that the vast majority of tumour growth can be attributed to a small population of flawed cancerous stem cells. The majority of their progeny become regular tumour cells, while a small population of the cancer stem cells are maintained and continue to drive the growth of the tumour.

This has major implications for the treatment of cancers like osteosarcoma as stem cells are particularly resistant to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the standard treatment methods employed.

As a result standard treatment may kill off the bulk of the tumour, but fail to destroy the small population responsible for the growth of the cancer.

Professor Argyle and his team concluded that there is now “a need to identify therapeutic targets specific for this Cancer Stem Cell population in order to effect longer remissions, or even cures.”

happy Keeping the US

Also in The Journal this week...

The SNP had previously promised dent debt was relinquished. approved, the SNP’s pledge to cancel stuand NHS waiting list guarantees were charges, a tax cut for smaller businesses While funding for free prescription the Scottish Parliamentary Election. which had comprised their manifesto for drop a number of key election promises May. The conference saw the government party came to power in the elections last as part of the SNP’s first budget since the The news was delivered at Holyrood debt accrued by students. its manifesto promise to eliminate the that the government would not deliver Swinney announced last Wednesday Nationalist finance minister John plans to scrap student debt. pressed dismay after the SNP shelved STUDENTS IN SCOTLAND have ex-

students from Scotland experience high He continued: “Large proportions of dowment.” grants, and to abolish the graduate enpayments, to transfer student loans to ised £236 million to cover graduate debt “The SNP’s costed manifesto prombeen met. the SNP’s election campaign, have not students, which formed a central part of land said: “Promises of more support for National Union of Students (NUS) ScotJames Alexander, President of the Scottish students. support will have a damaging impact on failure to deliver the promised financial fected. They claimed that the SNP’s see the £1.9 billion debt remain unafaround in government policy that will pressed deep concern for this turnStudent leaders in Scotland excelled.

Loans Company Scotland would be canpackage of debt held by the Student Scottish students that the £1.9 billion

transition from student loans to grants, face, we will deliver funding for a phased “However, despite the constraints we riod of the Budget. ing for student debt servicing in the pe“I am therefore not allocating fundment. and which will be supported by Parliafunding on policies that we can deliver grants and we must therefore prioritise for student debt servicing for loans to is insufficient parliamentary support utive, John Swinney said: “I know there But in a speech to the Scottish Execther and higher education. course costs and improve access to furstudent support, drop student debt, cut pressure on the government to improve Final Demand campaign, designed to put been working with NUS Scotland on the Edinburgh’s student unions have ing these difficulties.”

Scottish government to assist in resolvship. They need the endorsement of the levels of debt and endure extreme hard-

Continued on page 2 part-time students.” student loans to grants starting with ment fee and a phased transition from £119 million to end the graduate endowof £1.55 billion over three years with “We will deliver support for students funding package in 2007/08. tion, with an extra £100 million capital in Scotland’s further and higher educa“We will invest £5.24 billion in total economic growth. colleges are central to that sustainable she said: “Scotland’s universities and tion funding. In a statement last week, SNP’s long-term plans for higher educalong Learning Secretary, outlined the Fiona Hyslop, Education and Lifeparty. institutions remain a priority for the sised that Scotland’s higher education funding for the sector, the SNP emphaDespite the short-term reduction in starting with part-time students.”

page 24

SPORT TROPS

page 16

facing the world issues and challenges the modern international reform if it is to tackle creation, the UN needs that, 62 years after its George Grant argues

42 egap

3 egap

brewing...

There’s trouble

FEATURES

SWEN

“shock-jock” families most outspoken right-wing owned by one of America’s sell a new energy drink Barr, has signed a deal to drink manufacturer, AG Scotland’s largest soft

George Grant argues that, 62 years after its creation, the UN needs reform if it is to tackle the modern international issues and challenges facing the world

SERUTAEF

Scotland’s largest soft drink manufacturer, AG Barr, has signed a deal to sell a new energy drink owned by one of America’s most outspoken right-wing “shock-jock” families

Keeping the US happy

61 egap

page 3

There’s trouble brewing...

NEWS

Also in The Journal this week...

effect longer remissions, or even cures.”

Cancer Stem Cell population in order to tify therapeutic targets specific for this cluded that there is now “a need to idenProfessor Argyle and his team confor the growth of the cancer. stroy the small population responsible off the bulk of the tumour, but fail to deAs a result standard treatment may kill standard treatment methods employed. to radiotherapy and chemotherapy, the as stem cells are particularly resistant treatment of cancers like osteosarcoma This has major implications for the tumour. and continue to drive the growth of the of the cancer stem cells are maintained tumour cells, while a small population jority of their progeny become regular flawed cancerous stem cells. The mabe attributed to a small population of the vast majority of tumour growth can behind Cancer Stem Cell theory is that licate indefinitely. However the premise lump of genetically flawed cells that repThe classical view of cancer is a Stem Cell theory. and workings of cancer, dubbed Cancer hypothesis concerning the structure erinary Journal, adds weight to a novel The research, published in The Vettive limb sparing operations.” clude limb amputations or reconstrucing to undergo surgery which can inmore than 80 per cent of patients havry bone tumour in children, leading to sive disease is the most common primasor Argyle commented: “This aggresReferring to osteosarcoma, Profescancer most common in children. nine equivalent of a type of human bone cells from osteosarcoma in dogs; the cavid Argyle, successfully isolated stem The team, headed by Professor Dain bone cancer. ered a rogue type of stem cell involved University of Wisconsin have discoving in collaboration with others at the erinary Studies at the university, workCentre at the Royal (Dick) School of VetResearchers from the New Cancer which certain cancers are treated. of Edinburgh could change the way in cell by scientists from the University THE DISCOVERY OF a cancerous stem

REACH OVER 70,000 STUDENTS EVERY FORTNIGHT newsdesk@journal-online.co.uk

SNP breaks student debt promise Alastair Sloan & Sarah Clarke

Safer clubs: the Unight initiative will help to reduce incidents of anti-social behaviour and violent attacks David Cheskin/PA Wire

cameron.robinson@journal-online.co.uk

Cameron Robinson

treatments cancer advances cell research New stem

ADVERTISING PACKAGES AVAILABLE Guards! Taking Liberties AT COMPETITIVE RATES Discworld magic 20 EUTC works Pratchett’s

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28 Arts & Entertainment Theatre

The Mighty Boosh  Gorillas, Shamen and Future Sailors can mean only one thing: the new Mighty Boosh tour is here. Chris McCall takes a trip through time and space

“hoW doeS iT feel to be number one edinburgh?” Noel Fielding asks the packed Festival Theatre audience. a wall of deafening screams is his reply, which can probably be interpreted as a positive response. its fitting that the Mighty Boosh have chosen to open their biggest tour to date in edinburgh. it was at the Fringe festival that Fielding and his co-star Julian Barratt first gained recognition for their unique brand of surreal, sweet humour, winning the Best Newcomer award in 1998.

Back then, the Boosh were playing in a sweaty subterranean room in the Cowgate. Tonight they are playing the city's largest theatre, the first of two sold-out performances. This is more than an opening night; it marks a triumph for the Boosh brand.

But Fielding doesn't look much like a returning conqueror: dressed in his

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

trademark sparkly silver jump suit and gold ballet shoes, he has a grin wider than the Cheshire cat in alice in Wonderland and is clearly relishing being back on stage. he paces around frantically in the opening minutes, trying to burn off his excess energy. it takes Barratt to bring him back down to earth. “So, what have you been up to since the series?” he asks his partner casually. “oh you know, keeping a low profile” replies a suddenly sheepish Fielding. Barratt doesn't miss a beat: “yeah, i heard about your low-profile. in the newspapers mostly.” its the combination of Fielding's infectious enthusiasm and Barratt's dry, laconic wit that has made the Boosh the success it is. What makes it special however is the huge variety of characters involved, and the array of fantastical worlds they inhabit.

Tonight, the old favourites are out in force. Bob Fossil runs around creating havoc, while Tony harrison fronts his own chatshow.

This being a Mighty Boosh live show, there is a delightfully shambolic feel to proceedings. There's no attempt made to stick to any sort of script, and what little structure the show has is often forgotten. With this being the opening night, there are also unintentional gaffs galore. every time they fluff a line, the crowd laughs all the more.

Nobody attends a Boosh show expecting a carefully choreographed piece of theatre. They want the unexpected, the surreal, and the downright daft. on those fronts, the show doesn't disappoint. its left to Fielding to sum up what this all means. “The message is: if your life is shit, learn to accessorise!” amen to that.

FeSTival TheaTre Thu 11 SepTeMBer Chris McCall

Shannon McClean

chris.mccall@journal-online.co.uk

art

Tracey Emin: 20 Years  like here or loathe her, this wellwrought exhibition makes the case for a retrospective

proliFiC, hiGh-proFile, aNd controversial, Tracey emin has been at the forefront of fine art in Britain since her emergence as a member of the Young British artist group in the late 1990s. in Tracey emin: 20 Years, the Scottish National portrait Gallery mounts a major retrospective of emin's body of work. Whether you love emin or hate her, the exhibit is a great success. emin is criticised and praised in equal measure for the autobiographical, personal nature of her work. a retrospective, therefore, is the perfect format to showcase her art in its full glory. Curator patrick elliot does not suffer from lack of material, and 20 Years is amply stocked with works from all stages of emin's career. There is plenty from emin's most well-known period, including her most famous installation, My Bed. however, emin's early work is also featured, and some of her most recent paintings and tapestries. Travelling around the exhibition is a thought-provoking journey for the viewer. We are led from the intimate, raw drawings dealing with emin's bleak childhood and two abortions, through the height of her commercial fame and finally through to emin at her

most mature, although no less sexual or personal. Throughout the exhibition we are carried by the strong narrative thread of emin's work; her handwriting, notation and description appear on almost every work. highlights of the exhibition include There's a lot of Money in Chairs, in which emin has taken a small armchair and sewn appliquéd words into it relating to her family and her beloved grandmother. it is a touching momento made all the more bittersweet for being displayed after works which describe emin's childhood experiences of rape and death. another moving piece is the video Why i Never Became a dancer, in which the camera travels through emin's childhood neighbourhood while her voiceover describes a particular harrowing incident at a dance competition. The video ends with a triumphant sequence of emin dancing exuberantly in her studio as an adult.

Tracey emin: 20 Years is a wonderfully structured and beautifully displayed look at one of Britain's most thought-provoking contemporary artists. Whatever opinions you may form during the journey, this is far from a road to nowhere.

Theatre

Macbeth

at the Royal Lyceum

 pitman Wallace’s production demonstrates superb vision haunted by imperfect execution

SCoTTiSh NaTioNal GallerY oF ModerN arT

The roYal lYCeuM

2 auG - 9 Nov

uNTil 11 oCT

Colleen Patterson

colleen.patterson@journal-online.co.uk

You Forgot to Kiss My Soul, 2001

Matt Wieteska

matt.wieteska@journal-online.co.uk

Music

Idlewild  The piCTure houSe Sep13 Chris McCall

chris.mccall@journal-online.co.uk

The piCTure houSe might well secure the future of live popular music in edinburgh. The city has been crying out for a music venue like this for years – a city-centre, theatre sized auditorium. at long last, this obvious inbalance has been rectified. originally built as an art-deco cinema, it has recently been renovated, and edinburgh gig-goers finally have a new place to call home.

The accolade of being the first band to play this new venue falls to idlewild.

Their set is enjoyable enough, but falls all to quickly into the routine of relatively new songs being met with complete indifference, and their older, edgier material being cheered to the rafters. We're treated to the brilliant 'Captain' from their debut ep, and rare b-side 'Meet Me at the harbour'. Next to them, the new stuff just can't compete. 'love Steals us From lonliness' just sounds silly, and worst of all, it looks as if roddy Woomble is only too aware of this, spending the entire gig looking vaguely bemused and completely disinterested, its a shame: there's clearly a good band still in there somewhere. idlewild should take inspiration from The picture house; what was once grand can quickly become faded, but with some care and attention it can once again be reborn. direCTor luCY piTMaN-WallaCe describes her idea of a "traditional" Macbeth set against a "wild, strange landscape," and a desire to balance the play's visceral core with its supernatural elements is the driving force behind this energetic and entertaining production. designer lucy osborne has created a stunning set which captures this dynamic. unfortunately, for all its energy, this vision seems compromised by the overall quality of the production. a truly great show constantly lurks just out of view, glimpsed in frequent but frustratingly brief flashes. Many of these moments arise from the remarkable chemistry between the two leads: liam Brennan and allison Mckenzie sizzle when sharing the stage. Similarly captivating are Christopher Brand's Macduff and Claire Brown's lady Macduff, who bring a refreshing humanity to their roles. Bizarre cross-casting, however, creates some mixed performances: while Jimmy Chisholm's porter is fantastically energetic, his duncan is at times barely audible and surprisingly flat. The Witches (Claire Brown, Joanne Cummins and pauline lynch) are similarly disappointing, failing to create any real sense of power or dread.

This trend within the cast mirrors the show's own schizophrenic quality. There are moments of brilliance, particularly in the later appearances of Banquo's ghost, but for every excellent monologue or piece of inventive staging, the audience struggles with equally poor elements. The fight scenes in particular feel clumsy and unrealistic, bringing to mind school stage combat workshops. in a similar fashion the cheesy and cheap-sounding soundtrack ruins any sense of realism that is created. despite these issues, this is an incredibly watchable and entertaining production but one which fails to live up to the promise of its better moments. its ideas and potential are persistently haunted by the ghost of their execution.

Eating & Drinking 29

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Happy

Meals Ben Judge reveals the hidden rules to dining out on the cheap

T

hroughouT BriTain’S univerSiTy towns, the clarion calls of commercial giants declaring financial doom for the uK’s newest students adorn advertisements for bank accounts, groceries and anything else designed to make a quick buck. and while there is most certainly money to be made in financial fear-mongering, the truth is that the first few weeks of the first term are full of the kind of economic carelessness and wanton indulgence that would make even the crown prince of Saudi arabia blush. god bless student loans.

That said—to borrow from Jane austen—it is a truth universally acknowledged that eating out in edinburgh is an expensive undertaking. But finding a good restaurant where one can dine, with a drink, for less than a tenner is a treasure hunt worthy of indiana Jones himself. While a black bank balance may be taken as sufficient reasoning for a trip to the Witchery, The Journal is obliged to let you in on the secrets of edinburgh’s restaurant scene. The learned foodie must use his smarts if the goal is to eat out on the cheap, but there are three ways to do it: cheat, eat en masse (or at least in pairs) or eat early.

Firstly, there is the option to forego quality and head to your local super-pub branch where, once you’ve untucked your vertical-striped shirt and thrown on your whitest tennis shoes, the identikit menu full of bogofs and drinks deals offer unrivalled cheapness. The Standing Order on george Street offers typical JD Wetherspoon’s fare where, upon my visit last week in the name of thoroughness, for just £6.95 the so-called ‘gourmet Burger,’ complete with bacon, onion rings smothered in Stilton, Shropshire blue and spring onion sauce, is accompanied by your choice of massproduced, low-quality lager. assuming the goal is nothing more than filling up the tank—and you’re willing to ignore the fact that your meat is burnt, the sauce greasy and mass-manufactured and your chips re-heated—the hefty portions are at least functional in that respect. But if you’re trying to impress a date, The Standing order is about as useful as a Little Chef. you’d be better advised, then, to take advantage of your student status and collect discount cards for both Festival inns and Saltire Taverns venues. The two catering chains own a range of restaurants and bars across

the city, ranging from the mediocre to the rather good. included on the list is Le Monde, also on george Street, where one can halve the usual price of a meal for two in surroundings far more grandiose than would, at first glance, appear affordable. Le Monde, though, is something of an exception as, by and large, these student deal cards merely open up a world of pubgrub of varying standards. all things considered, the best thing one can do—if the aim is to sample the best cuisine edinburgh has to offer—is to forego dinner completely.

The lunch menu at The Outsider, the restaurant of choice for edinburgh’s young professionals, is a true gem.

Situated in the middle of george iv Bridge, behind a rather innocuous grey façade, the sister restaurant of The apartment offers excellent food that, for roughly the same price as a portion of fish and chips, is fantastic value for money. The seared wood pigeon served with potato, sultana and onion salsa is a highlight at a mere £5.90. The meat is cooked to absolute perfection; the delicate flavour preserved and the texture is superlative. The accompanying vegetables are light and fresh although, if forced to find a flaw, the sauce served alongside is a little sicklysweet. Washed down with a glass of wine or bottled lager, lunch at the outsider is phenomenal value, coming in comfortably below £10 per head.

The décor is tastefully neutral, and if you’re sitting at a table on the western side, the views of the castle add a great backdrop to any early afternoon discussions on the political goings on of princes and states.

The Outsider

and for lunch...

The Journal hunts down the best sandwich shops in edinburgh MiLLErS

ViCTOr HuGO

This conviently-located Southside lunch counter places value, speed and service above all else. The charming staff are likely to slip you a little something extra for free if you visit often.

it's bright red and has a French name – clearly, this delicatessen takes itself very seriously. Ceiling to floor pastries, preserves, cheeses and cold-cuts to browse and sample, and a lunch counter with delicious home made dishes. its touchingly incompetent staff are well-meaning enough that you don't really mind, and they do make a good, strong coffee.

18 Hope Park Terrace

The Outsider

ruDi’S

Le Monde

Probably the best sandwich bar in edinburgh; definitely the cheapest. rudi's creations offer original fillings in tasty italian rolls. Try the muffletta – it's as big as a dinner plate, and costs less than any of the mass produced offerings you'll get from a brand-name bakers. only the breadth of george heriot's separates rudi's from the eCa campuses.

15-16 George IV Bridge, Edinburgh, EH1 1EE 0131 226 3131

16 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2PF 0131 270 3900

The Standing Order 62-66 George Street, Edinburgh, EH2 2LR 0131 225 4460

30 Forest road

KHarTOuM CaFé 6 Gillespie Place

From the people who brought you the nile river Café near george Square comes a equally delightful source of north african wraps without the heaving throngs of pashminas and public school accents. Perfect for the rare sunny days where al fresco dining in the Meadows is essential. equidistant from the university of edinburgh and napier university's Merchiston and Morningside campuses.

26 Melville Terrace

GLEnHaS CaFé 4 Teviot Place

The staff claim they don't have any greeks in the kitchen, but given the quality of the Mediterranean delights on offer, they must have some hidden away somewhere. excellent mezze, salads, sandwiches and soups, as well as cakes and hot beverages for a late afternoon snack.

Best for a sit-down after lectures; spitting distance from george Square.

Snax

15 West register Street Somewhat isolated behind the Princes Street burger king, this greasy spoon lunch counter is nonetheless worth the bother. excellent value for a lunch on the go.

News 3

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Edinburgh fails to satisfy students Simon Mundy simon@journal-online.co.uk THE UNIVERSITY OF Edinburgh is the worst in Britain for feedback and assessment, according to the National Student Survey (NSS).

The poll, published last week, graded 267 colleges and universities on the basis of questionnaires filled out by 220,000 final-year undergraduates earlier in the year – leaving Edinburgh hovering at or around the very bottom of the feedback table for nearly every course.

Just 18 per cent of Edinburgh medics said they had received detailed comments on their work, while a meagre 19 per cent of human and social geography students said their tutors’ advice had helped them to clarify things they did not understand. Only one in a hundred biologists gave their tutors the highest grade for prompt feedback.

First carried out in 2005, the NSS is conducted by polling company Ipsos MORI on behalf of the Higher Education Funding Council for England. It has frequently been the subject of controversy: the Cambridge and Oxford student unions encouraged their members to boycott the poll in past years, accusing it of being “over-simplistic”.

This year saw the worst scandal yet, with staff at Kingston University warning students that their degrees would be “shit” if they reported negative views on their course.

Scottish universities are not obliged to take part in the NSS, with Napier, Queen Margaret and the Edinburgh College of Art all opting out this year.

But growing numbers have decided to lay their student satisfaction rates open to public scrutiny, with varying results. The University of St Andrew’s won fourth place in Britain with an

Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk

Inadequate feedback leaves students dissatisfied with their degree programs overall satisfaction score of 93.3 per cent, well above Edinburgh’s 82.5 per cent. Heriot-Watt comfortably beat its city rival with a score of 84.6 per cent.

While Edinburgh partly redeemed itself with good results on course organisation and learning resources, its appalling feedback rating caused

a strong reaction from the Edinburgh University Students’ Association. Student union president Adam Ramsay said: “If you don’t know what you have got right or wrong, how can you be expected to improve? This is ultimately a result of the fact that academics are not rewarded for giving

good feedback. The students’ association will spend this year working to ensure good teaching gets the funding it deserves.”

At the other end of the scale, University of Buckingham came out on top with an overall satisfaction score of 95.8 per cent.

Labour enlists Jeremy Kyle in fight against unemployment Emily Glass emily.glass@journal-online.co.uk TALK SHOW HOST Jeremy Kyle could become the host of a state-sponsored television programme aimed at getting unemployed Britons back into work, after the government entered into preliminary talks with ITV. Recent high-profile court cases have criticised the confrontational style of Kyle’s show. Last year Manchester District Judge Alan Berg condemned the talk show as a “human form of bear baiting,” after a guest on The Jeremy Kyle Show became the first man to be convicted of assault on a British talk show.

David Stainforth had appeared on the show to describe how Larry Mahoney had an affair with his wife, and proceeded to headbutt Mr Mahoney when an argument broke out on stage.

“It seems to me that the whole purpose of The Jeremy Kyle Show is to effect a morbid and depressing display of dysfunctional people who are in some kind of turmoil,” said Judge Berg.

“It is for no more and no less than

QMU staff break rank over timetable dispute

titillating members of the public who have nothing better to do with their mornings than sit and watch this show.”

Shortly after Judge Berg’s comments the government-backed sponsors of The Jeremy Kyle Show, Learndirect, dropped their £400,000 sponsorship of the prorgramme. The Central Office of Information (COI), which deals with the publicity for Whitehall departments, said that it was “no longer appropriate” to be associated with the talk show.

Details of the programme, provisionally named Jeremy Kyle Gets Britain Working, are still being discussed between ITV and a government-appointed media agency. The series would explore how government policies can help those seeking employment, highlighting the role of the Department of Work and Pensions (DWP).

A spokeswoman for the DWP confirmed that the talks are taking place.

“We want to use our communications as effectively and efficiently as possible to motivate and support people into work,” she said. “We have appointed an agency to explore advertising-funded programming but no

decisions have been taken.”

Rival political parties have condemned the government’s plan to spend a reported £500,000 of public money on prime-time television slots.

“It’s a complete scandal that public funds are being wasted on commercial programmes that appear to be little more than political propaganda,” said Don Foster, the Liberal Democrats’ shadow culture secretary. “Not only is the Labour era of spin alive and well under the Brown government, it’s positively thriving. I think many people would have reservations about whether taxpayers’ money should be spent boosting Jeremy Kyle’s profile.”

A report published last week by the Joseph Rowntree Foundation, a social development charity, says that The Jeremy Kyle Show—ostensibly aimed at helping people with their relationship problems—could be viewed as “a rather brutal form of entertainment that is based on derision of the lowerworking-class population.”

The report, The Media, Poverty and Public Opinion in the UK, criticised programmes such as The Jeremy Kyle Show for presenting the less well-off as “undeserving” objects of ridicule. A contrast was drawn with programmes

such as Channel 4’s The Secret Millionaire, which was praised for its positive influence.

“Public support for anti-poverty measures is that bit more difficult to achieve when programmes such as The Jeremy Kyle Show continue to present those less fortunate in society as undeserving objects to be used for the purpose of public entertainment,” it said.

The report has called for an increased media focus on the causes and consequences of poverty.

An ITV spokesman said: “We are always in talks with different parties about potential projects but we would not comment until an idea reaches the commissioning stage.”

DISGRUNTLED STAFF AT Queen Margaret University (QMU) have revealed that disputes over the timetable are threatening to leave the institution with “no fully workable timetables at the start of term,” with the potential to disrupt the planned start of classes on 22 September.

In an internal e-mail to senior staff leaked to The Journal by an individual or group named “happystaff happystaff,” the Vice Principal for Learning & Teaching, Professor David Kirk, and Director of Estates and Facilities, Steve Scott, wrote: “It is recognised that the completion of timetables is mission critical. The university is getting nearer to the situation whereby there are no fully workable timetables at the start of term.”

When contacted by The Journal, senior lecturing staff at QMU declined to provide any details regarding the nature of the dispute.

The recipients of the message—one of whom was responsible for passing it on to The Journal—were all senior staff, including school deans and managers.

Calling on staff to respect the university’s administrative decisions and policy, the email continues: “We would... urge that you communicate the key points of this message to your staff as soon as possible in order to support the activities required to resolve the position.

“The actions outlined below are intended to address this situation and require the full backing and support of staff.

“They are not intended to address all the problems associated with the production of timetables within the new estate.

“These are complex and long running and from experience we know will take time to resolve. That is why they are being considered as part of a 2-3 year development plan.”

While stating that “this message is intended to present an overview of the salient points only,” the message does state: “The problems arise from the application of agreed university policies and procedures and not from the timetabling software and its capabilities.”

The message goes on to list as the primary reasons for the scheduling conflict that “staff wish to add or change previously supplied data,” and that “staff do not accept the outcomes of the timetable policy and procedure.”

When presented with the leak, Mr Kirk declined to answer The Journal’s questions; however, the university did provide a statement on its scheduling difficulties.

“As is usual at this time of the year, we are working through a number of timetable modifications in order to make improvements to the student timetable.

“Most students now have a fixed timetable for the new semester and we are now working through a small percentage of outstanding issues which we aim to resolve within the next few weeks.”

Property

Abbeyhill Meadowbank Terrace, 950, 3, 2S 1D, 0870 062 3700 Abbey Street, 800, 3, 2S 1D CG, 0870 062 9236 Royal Park Terrace, 650, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Tytler Gardens, 525, 1, 1D E, 0870 062 9320 Royal Park Terrace, 1155, 4, 1S 3D, 0870 062 3700

Balerno Restalrig Circus, 575, 2, 2D G CG, 0870 062 9456

Bonnington Breadalbane Street, 825, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488 Breadalbane Street, 825, 2, 2D G, 0870 062 9488 Breadalbane Street, 750, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488 Breadalbane Street, 750, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488

Broughton Rodney Place, 625, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9424

Bruntsfield Montpelier Park, 825, 2, 2D G PG Z, 0870 062 9478 Merchiston Avenue, 1750, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Viewforth, 1360, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Viewforth, 1325, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Gillespie Place, 1160, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700

Canonmills Rodney Street, 960, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Eildon Terrace, 560, 1, G PG Z, 0870 062 9328

Central Lothian Road, 900, 3, 3D G, 0870 062 9320 Gardner’s Crescent, 750, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 6604 Royal Terrace Mews, 700, 2, 2D G PG P, 0870 062 9334 Brougham Place, 650, 1, 1D G Z, 0870 062 3768 Bonnington Avenue, 625, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9456 Rose Street, 575, 1, 1D E O, 0870 062 6604 Maryfield, 525, 1, 1D 1B G CG O, 0870 062 2406 George Street, 1520, 4, 4D G Z, 0870 062 9478 George Street, 1500, 2, 2D G Z, 0870 062 9478 Lothian Road, 1400, 5, W Z, 0870 062 9434 Brunswick Street, 1330, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700

Colinton Woodhall Road, 1200, 4, 4D O, 0870 062 3700

Corstorphine Gylemuir Road, 550, 2, 1S 1D E CG P, 0870 062 9388 Forrester Park Grove, 530, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9324 Ormiston Terrace, 499, 1, 1D CG O, 0870 062 2406

Crewe Toll Boswall Parkway, 650, 2, G PG O, 0870 062 9384

Dalry Slateford Road, 990, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Hermand Terrace, 980, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Murieston Crescent, 850, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Cathcart Place, 675, 2, 2D G CG Z, 0870 062 9594 Caledonian Place, 620, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9322 Angle Park Terrace, 570, 1, 1D, 0870 062 3700 Downfield Place, 550, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9592 Downfield Place, 515, 1, 1D G O, 0870 062 9302 Gorgie Road, 1375, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Hermand Crescent, 1020, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Dean Village Lennox Street Lane, 800, 2, 2D G Z, 0870 062 9578

Drum Brae Drum Brae Drive, 770, 3, 1S 2D G PG O, 0870 062 9594

Duddingston Northfield Square, 625, 2, 2D G, 0870 062 9384 Duddingston Park South, 575, 2, G O, 0870 062 9384

Northfield Drive, 575, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 9424

Easter Road Easter Road, 725, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9488 Thorntree Street, 595, 1, 1D 1B CG O, 0870 062 9468 Thorntree Street, 525, 1, 1D G O, 0870 062 9424 Easter Road, 1240, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1180, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1000, 4, 4D G O, 0870 062 9302

HOW TO USE THE LISTINGS Meadows

Area

Bedrooms Monthly Rent Location

Edinburgh Portland Place, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Warriston Drive, 750, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 675, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Bridge End, 675, 2, 2D G PG O, 0870 062 9478 Clovenstone Gardens, 600, 2, 1S 1D G P, 0870 062 9456 Pennywell Gardens, 465, 2, 2D E O, 0870 062 9234 Melgund Terrace, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Moat Place, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 West Preston Street, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Haymarket Terrace, 1675, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 East Claremont Street, 1650, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Hillside Crescent, 1500, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Haddington Place, 1400, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Brunswick Place, 1330, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Rankeillor Street, 1240, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Pitt Street, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1150, 4, 3S 1D, 0870 062 3700 Montgomery Street, 1120, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Elm Row, 1080, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Grindlay Street, 1030, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Ferry Road East Pilton Farm Crescent, 700, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9320 East Pilton Farm Crescent, 700, 2, 2D G CG P, 0870 062 9320

Fountainbridge Polwarth Crescent, 1750, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700

Gilmerton Hawthorn Place, 440, 1, 1D G, 0870 062 9456

Gorgie Murieston Crescent, 790, 3, 1S 2D, 0870 062 1312 Westfield Road, 550, 1, 1D G CG O, 0870 062 3768 Stewart Terrace, 525, 2, 1S 2D E CG O, 0870 062 9558 Westfield Road, 510, 1, 1D, 0870 062 1312 Stewart Terrace, 500, 1, 1D G CG O, 0870 062 9592 Wardlaw Place, 475, 1, 1D 1B E CG, 0870 062 9468 Wardlaw Place, 420, 1, 1D E CG O, 0870 062 9434

Granton Lower Granton Road, 575, 1, 1D G CG O, 0870 062 3768

Haymarket Haymarket Terrace, 960, 3, 3D 1B G CG Z, 0870 062 9478 Richmond Terrace, 675, 2, 2D G Z, 0870 062 9460 Morrison Street, 1550, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morrison Street, 1550, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morrison Street, 1360, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Morrison Street, 1030, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Hillside Earlston Place, 960, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Montrose Terrace, 950, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Brunswick Street, 1300, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Cadzow Place, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700

Agent phone number

Buccleuch Street, 750, 2, 2D W CG Z, 0870 062 9434

Holyrood Viewcraig Gardens, 595, 2, 2D G CG P, 0870 062 9558

Inverleith West Winnelstrae, 525, 1, 1D E P, 0870 062 9320

Kirkliston Main Street Kirkliston, 650, 2, E P, 0870 062 9532

Leith Great Junction Street, 990, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 960, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Great Junction Street, 960, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Waters Close, 950, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 945, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Great Junction Street, 932, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Drum Terrace, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Great Junction Street, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Largo Place, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Mulberry Place, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Admiralty Street, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Ferry Road, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Henderson Street, 900, 3, 1S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Iona Street, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Great Junction Street, 875, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Duke Street, 850, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 800, 3, 3D G, 0870 062 9326 Ferry Road, 735, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Hermitage Park, 735, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Constitution Place, 675, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9456 Constitution Place, 675, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9456 Cadiz Street, 650, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Duke Street, 650, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 2304 Fox Street, 650, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Portland Terrace, 650, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9460 Giles Street, 645, 2, 2D E P, 0870 062 9456 Henderson Street, 625, 2, 1B G O, 0870 062 9456 Elbe Street, 600, 2, 2D W P, 0870 062 9424 Arthur Street, 595, 2, 1S 1D G CG O, 0870 062 9594 Couper Street, 575, 2, 2D W O, 0870 062 9424 Giles Street, 575, 1, 1D W P, 0870 062 9324 Brunswick Road, 550, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9592 North Junction Street, 500, 1, 1D G O, 0870 062 9340 Lorne Square, 430, 1, 1D CG O, 0870 062 9434 Kirk Street, 1600, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Wellington Place, 1560, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 1550, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Kirk Street, 1450, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Albert Place, 1400, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 1370, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700Easter Road, 1280, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Great Junction Street, 1270, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1240, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1240, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700

Dudley Avenue South, 1225, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1225, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Easter Road, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Portland Street, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Portland Street, 1150, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Kirk Street, 1000, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Bernard Street, 1000, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Gladstone Place, 1000, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Leith Links Easter Hermitage, 650, 2, 2D E CG P, 0870 062 1108 Pirniefield Bank, 475, 2, 2D O, 0870 062 9456 Gladstone Place, 1550, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Gladstone Place, 1550, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Wellington Place, 1320, 5, 5D G CG O, 0870 062 9478

Leith Walk Allanfield, 990, 3, 3D W P, 0870 062 9460 Leith Walk, 980, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 950, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Iona Street, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 900, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 900, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Iona Street, 830, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Hopetoun Crescent, 750, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 3768 Middlefield, 700, 3, 3S, 0870 062 3700 Pilrig Heights, 675, 2, 2D G, 0870 062 9488 Albert Street, 515, 1, 1D W CG O, 0870 062 9312 Dickson Street, 495, 2, 1S 1D G CG O, 0870 062 9434 Leith Walk, 1650, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 1225, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Leith Walk, 1220, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 1175, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Tinto Place, 1150, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Dalmeny Street, 1020, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Brunton Gardens, 1000, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Liberton Moredunvale Place, 775, 2, 2D G PG P, 0870 062 9558 Old Burdiehouse Road, 750, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9460 Craigour Crescent, 720, 3, 3D G PG O, 0870 062 9424 Alnwickhill Grove, 500, 1, G PG O, 0870 062 9424

Lochend Loganlea Drive, 640, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 9522 Lochend Road, 625, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9456 Lochend Avenue, 620, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 9522 Craigentinny Road, 575, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 9558

Longstone Redhall Crescent, 550, 2, 2D E PG O, 0870 062 9592

Marchmont Marchmont Road, 930, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Thirlestane Road, 2000, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Findhorn Place, 1800, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700

Bedrooms: Heating: Garden: Parking: Furniture:

Marchmont Road, 1500, 4, 4D G PG, 0870 062 9326 Thirlestane Road, 1400, 4, 4D G CG Z, 0870 062 9558 Roseneath Street, 1340, 4, 4D G CG Z, 0870 062 9424 Warrender Park Road, 1200, 4, 4D G CG Z, 0870 062 9592

Meadowbank Earlston Place, 950, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Meadowbank Crescent, 660, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 9468 Moray Park Terrace, 625, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9314 Parsons Green Terrace, 1080, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700

Meadows Buccleuch Street, 750, 2, 2D W CG Z, 0870 062 9434 Livingstone Place, 630, 2, 1S 1D, 0870 062 9324 Buccleuch Street, 550, 1, 1D, 0870 062 9324

Morningside Balcarres Street, 950, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Canaan Lane, 675, 2, 1S 1D 1B G CG Z, 0870 062 9478 Millar Place, 600, 1, 1D G CG, 0870 062 9478 Balcarres Street, 525, 1, 1D G CG O, 0870 062 3768 Balcarres Street, 520, 1, 1D O, 0870 062 9324 Maxwell Street, 480, 1, 1D W CG O, 0870 062 9434 Leamington Terrace, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Maxwell Street, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1650, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Falcon Road West, 1495, 5, 5D G PG Z, 0870 062 9558 Falcon Avenue, 1400, 4, 4D G Z, 0870 062 9478 Morningside Road, 1400, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1380, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1360, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1340, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Morningside Road, 1140, 3, 3D G CG Z, 0870 062 9478 Woodburn Terrace, 1100, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Merchiston Bank Avenue, 1030, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

New Town East Claremont Street, 995, 3, 3D G CG Z, 0870 062 9334 St. Vincent Street, 900, 3, 3D G Z, 0870 062 9320 Melgund Terrace, 900, 2, 1B G Z, 0870 062 4830 Randolph Crescent, 2250, 5, 1S 4D G PG Z, 0870 062 9320 Eyre Place, 1650, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Dundas Street, 1600, 3, 3D G CG Z, 0870 062 9478 Canon Street, 1280, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Dundas Street, 1200, 4, 4D G Z, 0870 062 9314

Newhaven Western Harbour Midway, 730, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488

Newington West Richmond Street, 990, 3, 3S, 0870 062 3700 South Oxford Street, 950, 0, , 0870 062 3700 Buccleuch Terrace, 925, 3, 1S 2D G CG O, 0870 062 1108 Blackwood Crescent, 750, 3, 2S 1D G Z, 0870 062 9434

PROPERTY LISTINGS PROVIDED BY WWW.CITYLETS.CO.UK

S Single D Double T Twin B Box G Gas Central W White Meter E Electric PG Private CG Communal Z Zone O On-Street P Private UF Unfurnished Duncan Street, 650, 2, 1S 1D G P, 0870 062 9424 Drummond Street, 595, 1, 1D G, 0870 062 9488 Watertoun Road, 510, 1, 1D G PG O, 0870 062 9434 Lutton Place, 2000, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 South Clerk Street, 2000, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Parkside Terrace, 1850, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Dalkeith Road, 1800, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Rankeillor Street, 1775, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 East Preston Street, 1725, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Oxford Street, 1575, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 East Preston Street, 1550, 5, 5D G Z, 0870 062 9326 South Clerk Street, 1550, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Lutton Place, 1440, 4, 4D 1B G CG Z, 0870 062 9422 Rankeillor Street, 1330, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Parkside Terrace, 1200, 4, 4D, 0870 062 9320 West Nicolson Street, 1200, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Buccleuch Terrace, 1030, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Old Town Bristo Place, 850, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Forrest Road, 1200, 4, 1S 3D G, 0870 062 9326 High Street, 1150, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700

Oxgangs Oxgangs Terrace, 750, 4, 1S 3D G, 0870 062 2304

Peffermill Craigmillar Castle Avenue, 740, 3, 1S 2D G CG O, 0870 062 1312

Pilton Crewe Road West, 900, 3, 2S 2D G PG P, 0870 062 2304 West Pilton Street, 625, 2, 2D E PG P, 0870 062 9302 Pilton Avenue, 620, 2, 2D G PG O, 0870 062 9302 Pilton Avenue, 600, 2, 2D G PG P, 0870 062 9522 Crewe Road Gardens, 500, 2, 2D G, 0870 062 9384

Polwarth Watson Crescent, 500, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9592 Watson Crescent, 495, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9460 Polwarth Gardens, 1750, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Polwarth Gardens, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Polwarth Gardens, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Polwarth Gardens, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Polwarth Gardens, 1700, 5, 5D, 0870 062 3700 Merchiston Avenue, 1400, 5, 5D G CG Z, 0870 062 9334 Polwarth Gardens, 1150, 4, 4D G CG O, 0870 062 3782

Portobello Adelphi Place, 675, 2, 2D G PG O, 0870 062 3768 Kings Road, 640, 2, 2D E, 0870 062 9434

Roseburn Roseburn Gardens, 725, 2, 1S 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9424

Saughton Stevenson Drive, 650, 2, 2D G CG O, 0870 062 7736 Stenhouse Drive, 550, 2, 2D 1B G O, 0870 062 8312

Sciennes Sienna Gardens, 950, 3, G CG P, 0870 062 3780

Shandon Hermand Crescent, 545, 2, 1S 1D W P, 0870 062 6458 Hermand Crescent, 545, 2, 1S 1D W P, 0870 062 6458 Hermand Crescent, 545, 2, 1S 1D W P, 0870 062 6458

Sighthill Broomhouse Street South, 950, 4, G PG, 0870 062 1312 Calder Grove, 550, 2, , 0870 062 9384 Larbourfield, 425, 1, 1D E CG, 0870 062 6458

Slateford Gorgie Road, 960, 3, 3D, 0870 062 3700 Robertson Gait, 675, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488 Hermand Street, 575, 1, 1D G P, 0870 062 9456 Angle Park Terrace, 550, 1, 1D G Z, 0870 062 9478 Moat Street, 500, 1, 1D G CG O, 0870 062 9326 Wardlaw Place, 480, 1, 1D, 0870 062 3700 Angle Park Terrace, 1625, 5, 3S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Harrison Road, 1575, 5, 2S 3D, 0870 062 3700

South Gyle South Gyle Mains, 599, 2, 1S 1D G CG O, 0870 062 9456

South Side Dalhousie Road East, 550, 2, 2D G PG O, 0870 062 9488

Stockbridge Dean Park Street, 675, 2, 2D G, 0870 062 9234 Eyre Place, 635, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9424 Dean Park Street, 525, 1, 1D G O, 0870 062 9456 Comely Bank Road, 1300, 4, 4D 1B G Z, 0870 062 4830

The Shore Portland Gardens, 925, 2, 2D G P, 0870 062 9488 Salamander Street, 695, 2, 2D G O, 0870 062 9594 Tower Place, 675, 2, 2D G CG P, 0870 062 9558 Giles Street, 500, 1, 1D E P, 0870 062 9320

Tollcross Glen Street, 850, 2, 2D, 0870 062 3700 Lochrin Place, 495, 1, 1D, 0870 062 9334 Home Street, 1400, 4, 2S 2D, 0870 062 3700 Leven Street, 1100, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Valleyfield Street, 1100, 3, 3D W Z, 0870 062 9324 Lauriston Park, 1050, 3, 3D G Z, 0870 062 9326

Viewforth Horne Terrace, 600, 2, 2D G CG Z, 0870 062 9558

West End Coates Crescent, 750, 2, 2D G Z, 0870 062 9424 Castle Terrace, 595, 1, 1D G CG Z, 0870 062 9390 Haymarket Terrace, 1350, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Hampton Terrace, 1330, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700 Haymarket Terrace, 1330, 4, 4D, 0870 062 3700

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

A MALIGN LOOK AT THE WORLD OF SPORT : R E K C A H

Sports fans, unite!

You have nothing to lose but your chairmen...

Paris Gourtsoyannis

Deputy Editor

paris@journal-online.co.uk

“Freshers: when you are solicited this week by an intramural or university team, embrace your inner sporting failure and join”

SPORT

SHORTS SNIPPETS OF SPORTS NEWS AND EVENTS FROM THE LAST FORTNIGHT HOY CALLS FOR BETTER TRAINING FACILITIES FOR EDINBURGH Chris Hoy made history at the Beijing Olympics as the first British athlete in 100 years to win three Olympic medals at the same Games. But, returning to Britain, Hoy has voiced his concerns about the lack of training facilities for youngsters and has appealed to government for funding to combat the problem. With the Meadowbank velodrome under threat of closure, council leader Jenny Drawe plans to appeal to first minister Alex Salmond for funding. Edinburgh Council plans to build a £25 million revamped sports complex at Meadowbank, with the velodrome set to go. The council has promised to build a new training facility elsewhere in the city.

S

OONER OR LATER, into every man’s life will come that painful day when he must confront the realisation that he will never become a professional sportsman. For me, that realisation came not long ago, on a rugby pitch at Inverleith Gardens during an intramural match. The smallest, slowest member of the opposing team was in possession and running towards me—our last line of defense, standing five metres off the try line—when he dummied a pass, then rolled the ball down his back and reverse-kicked it over my head, before catching it on the full and touching down to score.

Thus passed my dream: I would, in fact, not be leading Harlequins to Heineken Cup glory after all.

Remarkable though it sounds— along with the try, and my delusion— experiences such as this are the bricks-and-mortar of sport’s foundations. In the wake of the City of Manchester Stadium’s transformation into Middle Eastlands, much has been written to the effect that football is a “billionaire’s playground;” but it is a truth universal to all sport that the fans make the game.

I’m not speaking about the much maligned “prawn sandwich” fans, who unfortunately make up the majority of attendances at professional sport matches, be they football, rugby, tennis, basketball, hockey, gridiron, baseball, what have you. When tickets for a Premiership game at Manchester United go for £48 each, prices rise for Red Sox home games from $25 to $125 over the course of three seasons, and international rugby fixtures between Scotland and England are virtually impossible to get into, the wealthy will fill the better part of the stands.

Nor am I talking about the lionised “genuine” fans, who travel to every game, following their team regardless of dizzying success or a desperate plunge into the lower divisions. These are the sorts who postpone weddings which clash with cup finals, write the fans’ columns in the red-tops, run the supporters’ associations and the websites, and generally find their way onto Football Focus. They sometimes have tattoos that end with “...til I die.”

When I speak of fans underpinning the game they support, I’m talking about people like you, and me. We matter most, because there’s more of us than the other kinds, though we might have neither the cash nor the committment. We do have the numbers, and that makes us the market.

The beauty of professional sport is that it has to court the market.

Regardless of how many millions, even billions, get pumped into sport, what matters will always be what comes out. Football clubs clamber over each other to reach the top of the rich list. Their wealth comes primarily from television deals and merchandising.

Sport 31

LOCAL MAN’S MAMMOTH TRIATHLON EFFORT TO RAISE BIG FUNDS FOR HOSPICE Joppa-born businessman John Bunting raised £7,000 this summer for St Columba’s Hospice after cycling from Land’s End to John O’Groats. Bunting, the director of private equity at Ernst and Young, is dedicated to raising money for the hospice after the staff cared for his mother during her battle with lung cancer until her death in April. After completing the 952mile cycle and two marathons so far Bunting is currently in training to swim the English Channel next year to raise even more money for the hospice. On completing his cycle Mr Bunting said: “It was a very emotional journey. It was a wonderful experience to spend that time on my own. At times it was freezing cold, but the memory of my parents kept me going. They were with me all the time."

EDINBURGH FAIL TO FIND THEIR FORM IN DUBLIN

That means that we—the would-be Cristiano Ronaldos, Danny Ciprianis and Freddie Flintoffs that never will be—are the true power-brokers of modern sport. We buy the odd strip and take in the odd game, whether in the stands or in the pub; we flock to The Guardian’s fantasy football site and pick unlikely starting XVs courtesy of the BBC. We are the elephant in the corner of every boardroom of every club in every sport, worldwide.

Of course, our power is almost

entirely meaningless; there is no way to represent the will of millions of casual sports fans. But though it might not feel like it very often these days, it is in fact all for us – even, in some small way, by us.

Therefore, freshers: when you are solicited this week by an intramural or university team, embrace your inner sporting failure and join; enjoy the spectacle that we’ve created.

There’s no one at the controls of the gravy train, and it’s picking up speed.

Edinburgh’s Rugby League squad sit at second to bottom in the Magner’s League after a crushing 52-6 defeat at the hands of Leinster on Friday 12 September.

Edinburgh’s injury-riddled side could not hold off the barrage of tries from Leinster, who scored six without reply. It was Leinster’s Luke Fitzgerald who stole the show with a hat-trick of tries on the eve of his 21st birthday, reflecting his team’s dominance throughout the match. Edinburgh coach Andy Robinson admitted that he needs "to look at our game management and focus on the positives of our start.” The teams are set to meet again on 11 October at Murrayfield in a Heineken Cup clash.

32 Sport

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Sport This is your wake-up call Loch Stock brings Scottish wakeboarding community to life

Robyn Keystone robyn.keystone@journal-online.co.uk

D

ESPITE THE FACT that Loch Stock 2008 was organized during the two weeks leading up to the event, the five-hour wakeboarding competition, held at Townhill Loch in Dunfermline, was viewed as a success. Samantha Filsell, both the sole coordinator of the event and a contender in the Open Ladies category, was beaming with satisfaction as she glanced around at the spectators enjoying the afternoon of water sport. Although Filsell was dissatisfied with her ride in the competition, one could tell by her infectious smile that her delight with the day’s turn out prevailed.

Competitors were categorised based on age and experience level. The day began at 11:00am with the Novices, followed by the Juniors’ the Open Ladies’, and the Open Men’s, the latter being the most anticipated class of the day. Although such an event naturally carries with it a competitive edge, participants were far from antagonistic.

According to one contestant “There is a very chilled out vibe today. Wakeboarding is a non-competitive sport and people are encouraged by others to improve their skills. It’s a free sport that is about enjoying yourself and pushing yourself”.

Kevin Forbes, the victor of the Open Men’s, was modest about his ability saying, “I’m just getting back into the sport, but there’s a good level of competition here”. Forbes landed his most difficult trick, the Scarecrow, a front-flip with a 180 turn, which brought him into the winner’s circle.

Loch Stock, which was sponsored

by Boardwise, Go Fast, Syndicate clothing, and Alliance Wakeboard Magazine, concluded with a traditional, champagne-doused award ceremony. In the Novice division, Ally came in first,

Callum Hepburn took second, and Kyle Miller placed third. Ryan Butterworth was first in the Junior category, with Dominic Band in second, and Eilidh Harrower in third. In the Ladies’ Open event, Filsell took the top spot, Jenny Makaruk, who had only been wakeboarding for 6 months, came in second, and Lucy Baird placed third. Kevin Forbes came first in the Men’s Open, with “Scottish Stu” finishing second, and Gordy Forsyth coming in third. It was obvious, however, that regardless of ranking, all participants enjoyed the comradeship and easygoing atmosphere of the day.

The close-knit community of wakeboarding enthusiasts attended Loch Stock not only to participate in the competition, but also to demonstrate their ardour for a sport that sees little recognition in Scotland. Stuart Chatham, who placed 2nd in the Men’s Open class, viewed Loch Stock as being “quite good for a Scottish event,” going on to claim, “in terms of wakeboarding, nothing ever happens up here in Scotland. England tends to put on more events”. Gordon Forsyth showed a similar sentiment before advertising his October 25th event, WakeScot, taking place at the Lochearn Water Sports Centre. Next month’s event will consist of professional coaching lessons in the morning, a competition in the afternoon, and then free-ride sessions for anyone who wants to take part in the day.

Loch Stock was a pre-show to WakeScot, which will be sponsored

by Active Scotland, Mastercraft Boats, Landrover, and the Outback Pub in Stirling. Although wakeboarding is still considered a leisure sport and has not yet made it into the Olympic circle, its following is steadily increasing across the country. Both Loch Stock and WakeScot are clear signs of Scotland’s growing interest in the sport. www.activescotland.com

IO FNREE W TW ING

BORD WAKESSIONS SE E

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Wakeboarding at Loch Stock Eddie Fisher

GET IT ON THE WEB WWW.JOURNAL-ONLINE.CO.UK

4 News

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

SPONSOReD FeATURe

City of edinburgh Universities’ Officer Training Corps Mike Tonkins from the CeUOTC explains the appeal of gaining military training while at university

Royal Society calls time on under-21 drink ban Continued from page 1

Mike Tonkins CEUOTC WHeN I SIGNeD up with the City of edinburgh Universities’ Officer Training Corps (CeUOTC) in 2005, I was among a minority of recruits who arrived in edinburgh intending to join the Corps: having been in the Territorial Army (TA) for a year before coming to university, the subsequent open night and selection weekend felt very familiar. Looking back, however, I can appreciate exactly how alien it must seem to the vast majority of young students who jot their details down at freshers’ fayers and head to our TA centre in Colinton for a closer look.

But, anyone reading this and interested in CeUOTC should not be put off if they lack experience of the Army. The staff and cadets of CeUOTC are old hands at introducing students into the Corps and making them feel part of the unit. There’s a sense of teamwork and camaraderie from the very beginning as the entire intake—only about 300 students—learn the ropes together. The friends you make in the Corps quickly become—and remain, in my experience—the closest you make at university.

ADINBURGH’S What’s more, the training is always designed to be enjoyable: with a fast-paced and challenging programme, expect to be out on three-day field exercises by the end of semester one. There’s an emphasis with CeUOTC on working hard, but having fun – an emphasis which continues through the Corps’ adventure training events. Providing a break from military training, in past years, CeUOTC has mounted expeditions to ecuador and Vietnam, as well

as courses in the Bavarian Alps and the Highlands of Scotland, not to mention the hotly-anticipated annual ski trip to the French Alps All officer cadets are paid for the training they do with CeUOTC. The rates vary as cadets progress, but the starting wage is £37.44 per day, with a £140 “bounty” at the end of the training year.

But the Corps is not all about training and ‘green’ work: the social life of a cadet is a busy one indeed. In addition to regular Wednesday-night mess nights (£1 per pint) CeUOTC has numerous functions.

The fresher’s ball, a fancy dress ball held in October is the first of these, then in January there is the formal Haldane Dinner, Burns Night, Reels Night...the list goes on!

The OTC strongly encourages progression through the Corps, building leadership skills throughout. This, for me, has made my time in CeUOTC so enjoyable.

I have gained skiing and mountaineering qualifications, and have become a qualified combat engineer. I have also been fortunate enough to teach, as a Junior Under Officer, senior officer cadets. Ultimately, this experience led to my success in gaining a full commission into the Corps. eUTC is currently recruiting students from all edinburgh’s universities and I recommend the Corps to anybody who finds the above remotely interesting. If you’d like to come to our open nights, the buses leave from Pollock Halls Reception & Appleton Tower at 19:10, QMU No. 30 bus stop at 19:00 and Heriot-Watt Riccarton Reception at 19:15, returning at 22:30.

The selection weekends are being held on the 27th-28th September and 4th-5th October. Keep those dates free, and hopefully we’ll see you there.

Drinks producers have spoken out against the SNP initiative, condemning the attempts to “demonise” alcohol and drinking.

“Problems of alcohol misuse in Scotland will not be solved by turning alcohol into a social taboo and demonising drink,” said David Poley, chief executive of the Portman Group, the drinks industry lobbying group.

“There is a considerable risk that this would actually increase the appeal of alcohol to young people in particular. The myth is that levels of drinking and alcohol misuse are worse in Scotland than elsewhere.

“In reality, Scots drink less than people in the rest of Britain and are no more likely to be drinking harmfully.”

His views were echoed by Gavin Partington, of the Wine and Spirit Trade Association: “The government has said that it doesn’t want to demonise alcohol, but if you take all these proposals together, this is what they will do.”

In addition to the under-21 ban, draft legislation could also include proposals to set a minimum price for a unit of alcohol.

Police officials involved in the trials have been cautiously positive regarding their outcome. Chief Inspector Bob Beaton, who led the crackdowns in Stenhousemuir and Larbert, argued that the anecdotal evidence was encouraging.

“It’s difficult to separate the different strands to say which have been most successful. It does appear to be working, but there have been a number of initiatives and the under-21 alcohol ban is just one.”

See Comment »20

EDINBURGH’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

EDINBURGH’S CITY-WIDE STUDENT NEWSPAPER IS RECRUITING WRITERS, DESIGNERS, ILLUSTRATORS AND PHOTOGRAPHERS FROM ALL OVER THE CITY FOR MORE INFORMATION VISIT WWW.JOURNAL-ONLINE.CO.UK

News 5

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Developments threaten Edinburgh's heritage status Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk THE UNITED NATIONS Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO) has threatened to place seven of Britain’s most significant cultural sites—including Edinburgh’s medieval Old Town—on a list of ‘World Heritage in Danger’ in response to the country’s poor management of its historical landmarks.

Stonehenge, the Tower of London, Orkney’s neolithic ruins, Liverpool’s Georgian mercantile waterfront, Wesminster Abbey, and Bath’s city centre have, along with the Old Town, been deemed to be at risk from overdevelopment and sub-standard preservation efforts.

UNESCO is sending teams of inspectors to Edinburgh and Bath this winter to investigate claims that development projects threaten the “integrity” and “outstanding universal value” of the cities’ World Heritage Site medieval centres.

The organisation has reserved its harshest criticism for Edinburgh, where high-profile developments such as the Caltongate project and the new hotel and office block nearing completion on the Royal Mile have been singled out.

In the final report of its July committee meeting in Quebec, UNESCO alleges that the UK breached World Heritage guidelines by not informing the organistion of approval being granted for the Caltongate project.

Koichiro Matsuura, UNESCO’s director general, has been fighting a war of words with developers over the Caltongate, suggesting that new development plans should be frozen until the study group has time to report back.

Speaking to The Scotsman on the subject of Edinburgh’s Old Town, Mr Matsuura said: “It is crucial that its outstanding features are preserved and protected.”

UNESCO has been supported in its criticism by architect Sir Terry Farrell, Edinburgh’s appointed “design champion,” and Marcus Binney, chairman of Save Britain’s Heritage.

Mr Binney told The Guardian: “Heritage has taken a back seat to Cool Britannia and encouraging everything modern, and we’re now uncomfortably in the limelight for failing to have proper policies to protect our world heritage sites, and timely criticisms are now being made.”

The threat to place landmarks such as the Tower of London and Westminster on the endangered list would put preservation efforts in the UK on a par with those of Afghanistan, the Central African Republic, the Democratic Republic of Congo, and Iraq - other states whose sites are singled out by UNESCO. John Graham, chief executive of Historic Scotland, has stood his ground in the face of UNESCO’s criticism, saying: “the judgements we’ve reached are sound and defensible.

“That is the stance we will be taking when the mission arrives.”

News Shorts :: wear them RARE STD REARS ITS HEAD Despite scientists' hopes that the sexually transmitted disease Lyphogranuloma Venereum had died out in the UK, local health officials are on alert for a possible outbreak, with 11 cases amongst gay or bisexual men having been diagnosed in the city since 2004. Originating in Africa, LGV is treatable if caught early on, although it can be fatal if it goes undetected. The disease is characterised by swelling and lesions on the genitals.

SPANISH SUNSHINE ON LEITH A former resident of Leith has won support from the Edinburgh City Council to campaign for the area to be twinned with the Spanish fishing port Villanova i la Geltru, near Barcelona.

Nick Johnson believes that the parallels between the two localities would help the them to bridge the cultural divides between Scotland and Spain, with younger members of the communities able to participate in international sporting exchanges. To publicise his campaign, Mr Johnson is biking 4000 miles around Spain, broadcasting his journey over Leith FM as he goes.

RACE TO THE STARTING LINE The Edinburgh Marathon is set to break its own participation records, with organisers reporting that 1,000 people have already signed up for the 2009 race over the past fortnight.

The marathon has 11,500 places available to entrants, with numbers capped despite high demand in order to guarantee that the event runs smoothly.

DON’T PLAY GAMES WITH MONEY A Scotland on Sunday campaign for lottery funding to be allocated to Glasgow’s 2014 Commonwealth Games has won the support of all Scottish political parties, with the Labour leadership candidates citing improvements in health, employment and education as potential longterm benefits for the city. However, ministers have commented that Glasgow failed to request additional funding when it made its initial application to host the Games.

The Caltongate development site in the Old Town flickr.com/kyz

BBC uncovers fake degree scam Qualifications obtained from fraudulent internet-based university used by British professionals Nick Eardley nick.eardley@journal-online.co.uk AN INVESTIGATION BY the BBC has found that academic qualifications sold on the internet by a fake university are being used by thousands worldwide, including almost 150 in Britain. St Regis University, allegedly based in Liberia, was shut down in 2005 after the U.S. government found that it was actually being run by fraudsters based in Washington State.

Whilst the two men who founded the illegitimate institution have now been jailed, it is believed they made up to £4 million selling fake qualifications online. According to the institution’s website, bribes to Liberian officials had secured its legitimacy.

The BBC report claimed that one British man, Tom Boyd- Smith, regularly listed his qualification from St Regis on his CV. Despite having a number of genuine academic qualifications, Mr Boyd Smith, who works for the Royal Institute

for the Blind as an expert witness, paid around £700 for a PhD in Social Science from the university in 2003.

Speaking to the programme, Mr Boyd- Smith said “While I was of course aware that the PhD was by correspondence rather than by attendance at a UK university, as my other qualifications have been obtained, I fully believed it to be valid and legitimate.” Mr Boyd- Smith also stressed that his job was based on his experience rather than a qualification from the St Regis.

The programme also tracked down registered pharmacist Janet Walkinson who paid a similar amount for a PhD in pharmacology from St Regis. She also claimed that she was unaware of the fraudulent nature of the qualification, saying “I was totally unaware that the University of St Regis was not a legitimate academic body. I feel foolish to have been taken in by them.”

However, Jack Zurlini, the assistant attorney general of Spokane County in Washington, has said that warning signs that the online “university” was

not legitimate were clear.

He told the programme; “There was no coursework involved. You could choose what date you graduated. So if you had written papers in the 80s and 90s that you felt you ought to have a degree with, but you didn’t, you could ask St Regis: ‘Please backdate my degree to 1985’.”

Concerns have also been raised in the US about how the fake qualifications have been used. Reports have suggested that many have used high school and college diplomas purchased from the self confessed “diploma mill” to obtain jobs in American government and military.

In July, Kristen Nelson, director of communications and government relations for the State Council of Higher Education in Virginia told the Washington Post: “Literally you could have someone using a diploma in an extremely harmful way if they are not properly trained.”

The scam prompted the state legislature in Virginia to pass laws making it illegal to use fraudulent degrees.

6 Edinburgh News

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Council workers' strike set to "bring Scotland to a standstill" Graham Mackay graham.mackay@journal-online.co.uk rePreSentativeS From traDe unions unite and GmB have confirmed that they will join fellow public sector union unison for a one-day strike on Wednesday 24 September. this latest bout of industrial action is set to bring Scotland to a 24-hour standstill, during which workers in the fields of education, social care, recreation, road maintenance and refuse collection will strike against the below-inflation wage increase offered to them by their employers. unions have threatened further industrial action during the following week should local government officials fail to resolve the present pay dispute.

Last month, 150,000 members of unite, unison and GmB combined to stage a walkout over a salary

increase offer from the Convention of Scottish Local authorities (CoSLa). the Scottish councils’ umbrella body proposed an increase of 2.5 per cent annually for three years, but the offer was rejected as it failed to match the rising costs of living, with inflation currently at five per cent.

CoSLa has since come back with a 2.5 per cent one-year offer, but it seems that the proposal has merely infuriated union members and representatives alike.

Senior unite official, Jimmy Farley vented his frustration with CoSLa’s uncompromising approach, stating: “unite members are furious with the actions of Scottish employers and council leaders who seem determined to take an unnecessarily hard line on pay with some of the poorest and lowest paid workers in Scotland. “the employers should be ashamed of their record on low pay in Scottish local government and of their recent

actions in reaffirming their original pay offer of 2.5 per cent. With inflation now running at five per cent, our members are struggling to make their low wages stretch any further. “the employers’ hard-hearted stance has only exacerbated an already strained situation and strengthened the resolve of our members to win a living wage.” mr Farley’s sentiment was echoed

by Stephanie Herd, Chairperson of the unison Scotland Local Government Committee, who announced: “this decision clearly shows the anger our members feel at the employers’ failure to improve their offer, and also the determination of our members to win a fair and just pay settlement.” unison Scotland’s regional officer Dougie Black said that the decision to take further industrial action was regrettable but unavoidable. “We have no alternative given the employers’ behaviour over this,” he said.

However, CoSLa spokesperson Councillor michael Cook hit back at the trade unions, stating that a salary increase of five per cent is unrealistic due to the financial constraints currently faced by local governments across Scotland. “i am disappointed that the trade unions are actively planning to put Scotland’s communities through more unnecessary disruption,” he said.

“Context is essential here. Since we made an offer of 2.5 per cent to unions in march 2008, the financial environment has changed. We acknowledge that and fully sympathise with our employees over the pressures they face. “as has been outlined, those pressures also mean huge difficulties for council budgets. the circumstances of these budgets have not remained the same – far from it. While the amount in those budgets is the same, demands on those budgets have

increased hugely.” mr Cook went on to argue that the rising costs of energy, food and fuel, as well as slowing capital returns, had narrowed the scope for improved workers’ salaries.

He added: “the real cause of the impasse, despite what the unions are trying to spin, is that at our last meeting the unions simply reiterated their original demand of five per cent. in light of this stance by the unions, employers really had no alternative but to reaffirm their offer of 2.5 per cent. “to increase the offer beyond this level would mean service reduction and job losses. it is time for the unions to be a bit more realistic in their demands.” the start and finish times of the strike on 24 September are as yet unknown, but are set to be announced following a meeting between unison, unite and GmB.

Lib Dems lead campaign to keep post office open Paris Gourtsoyannis paris@journal-online.co.uk Community LeaDerS in marchmont have rallied in defense of the Warrender Park road post office, earmarked for closure by the goverment in the latest round of reforms to the royal mail.

Led by local Liberal Democrat mSP mike Pringle, residents voiced their anger at a public meeting on 9 September, attended by some 300 people.

Speaking after the meeting at St. Giles Church, mr Pringle said: “tonight’s massive attendance only serves to further emphasise the depth of feeling in marchmont against the proposed closure.

“Warrender Park road provides a vital service to local residents. if this closure goes ahead it is set to hit the elderly, those with mobility problems and the student community particularly hard.” the proposal is part of package of

reforms, including the closure of some 2,500 post offices nationally. residents attenting the public meeting aired complaints that the alternative post offices at Bruntsfield and tollcross offer insufficient parking and disabled access facilities; however, based on new criteria introduced by the Department of trade and industry in 2007, the area meets the legal requirements for disabled access and the maximum six-mile distance from a post office guaranteed to every British household. “there is considerable anger at the new access criteria and the effect it will have,” said Fred mackintosh, Liberal Democrat spokesman for the edinburgh South Westminster seat. “i asked who set these criteria and Julia young of the royal mail confirmed that it was the government.”

Campaigners also pointed out that the Warrender Park road branch was the only one in the area open until 7.30pm on

Saturdays. mr mackintosh criticised the government’s policy of post office closures, and attacked Labour’s four edinburgh mPs for voting in favour of the current reforms.

“Labour mPs made a huge mistake when they backed these closure plans. it is clear that they are out of touch with what local people in edinbugh really want,” he said. the local community has already lost a post office in a previous round of closures, with the marchmont road branch being shut in 2004. mr Pringle said 140 complaints had been recieved by his office, and would be passed on to the royal mail. a “Save our Post offices” petition has recieved over 2000 signatures. the mSP encouraged all those interested in the issue to issue their complaints before the 29 September consultation deadline.

Alec Bruce

Edinburgh News 7

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Search continues for taxi rapist Police hunting for rogue cab driver after woman sexually assaulted in private hire car four-door saloon similar to a Volkswagen, dark in colour, with what looked robyn.keystone@journal-online.co.uk to be a white private hire plate on the rear of the car. While the aggressor has Lothian & BorderS Police continue not yet been identified, a police spokesto hunt for a private hire taxi driver who man said: “We have had a really positive sexually assaulted a 26-year-old woman response from the public as a result of last month. our original appeal, but we remain keen the attack occurred on 17 august at for any information that can help us around 2:15aM. the woman, who can- track down the suspect.” not be named, entered what she thought Last month’s incident has caused was a licensed taxi outside the hudson concern among edinburgh locals with hotel. She was then driven to Brunstane some voicing dissatisfaction with the road South, where the driver sexually taxi service in general. Speaking to the assaulted her within the vehicle.

Journal, Leah robinson, a 26-year-old Police currently wish to question a Phd student at the University of edinblack male, 35-40 years of age, medium burgh, said that she felt1 threatened and the journal u26 ball:Layout 1 11/9/08 15:08 Page build, with short, black hair, and a scared: “it really makes you not want round face. the taxi is described as a to go out alone or get into a taxi by

Robyn Keystone

yourself. Cabs are supposed to get you home safely. there is an element of trust when you get into someone’s taxi, but incidents like this create distrust in the service. i bet this will significantly hurt the cabbie business.”

Speaking this week about the continuing investigation, inspector audrey Fry from the edinburgh cab office argued that there appears to be no evidence thus far to suggest that the taxi driver held a legitimate license, insisting that the licensing process includes appropriate safeguards against such risks. “after the cab office receives the individual’s application from the licensing office, it is sent to the chief constable where the request is vetted,” she said. “the constable’s verdict is put into a

report and then sent back to the council for revision. the regularity committee listens to the constable’s suggestions while the applicant is present and a final decision is then made. it is very similar to a court case, but without the legal formalities.” according to the licensing office, the Civic Scotland Government act 1982 mandates a six-month scrutiny period to determine whether a taxi licence is to be accepted or rejected. this procedure, claim officials, provides adequate means to assess the legitimacy of individuals seeking to obtain a legal cab licence.

Alec Bruce

Lothian & Borders Police: 0131 311 3131 Crimestoppers: 0800 555 111

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Everyone sees something different.

Opera. It’s what you make it.

La traviata Oct-Nov 2008 Get £10 tix if you’re under 26.

Any seat. Any performance.

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8 Edinburgh News

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Melbourne follows Edinburgh as UNESCO City of Literature Graham Mackay graham.mackay@journal-online.co.uk

Melbourne: considered to be Australia’s cultural capital flickr.com/adselwood

MELBOURNE HAS BEEN named the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation’s (UNESCO) second City of Literature, following in the footsteps of Edinburgh, which became the first official City of Literature in 2004.

The Victoria state capital, which shares a number of traits with Edinburgh, including world-renowned writing and comedy festivals, was named City of Literature following an ambitious bid beginning in 2006.

At the centre of Melbourne’s bid lies the establishment of the Centre for Books and Ideas, located within the State Library of Victoria.

Initially, the State Government committed AU$9 million (£4 million) of its 2007-08 budget towards supporting the writers’ festival, carrying out repair work at the library and funding the bid.

Since then, a further AU$10.4 million (£4.7 million) has been pledged towards the campaign, AU$3 million of which will go towards fitting out the new centre, with a further AU$7.2 million earmarked to develop a program of events and activities at the centre.

Council energy bills to soar sky-high City facing £10 million budget black hole as fuel costs rise Graham Mackay graham.mackay@journal-online.co.uk SENIOR POLITICIANS ARE looking at various new ways of reducing their carbon footprint in the wake of an announcement that Edinburgh Council’s energy bills could increase by a staggering £10 million next year.

The stark news will have a serious impact on the spending priorities of the council, with budgetary constraints already heavily restricting the amounts that can be spent on essential services, such as social care.

“In many ways, for consumers the secondary effects [of fuel price rises] can be just as devastating” warned consumer group Energywatch spokesman, Graham Kerr.

“Not only are the costs of their goods going up, but essential service providers like local authorities are going to have to make some really tough decisions about the provision of their services, because of the enormous rise they are going to see in their energy bills.”

Council officials have announced that they will be producing a report

outlining the local authority’s fuel consumption over the past two years, as well as identifying means of energy conservation already in place.

Councillors aim to set both short and long-term goals as they attempt to become more energy efficient, which may include measures such as the insulation of local authority buildings.

It is estimated that the current gas and electricity bill for all Edinburgh council buildings, including schools as well as properties owned by Lothian and Borders Police and the fire brigade, amounts to approximately £12 million.

However, prices are set to soar skyhigh over the forthcoming year due to inflationary pressure on fuel and fuelrelated expenses.

Director of finance, Donald McGougan explained: “Current estimates show that electricity costs are likely to increase by 94 per cent in 2009-10 and gas by 70 per cent.

“Together with fuel increases, this could add in the region of £10m to the budget.

“Clearly there will have to be a rigorous approach to energy efficiency in order to offset some of these costs, and

this will be an area of focus during the budget process.”

City finance leader, Councillor Gordon Mackenzie, added: “Clearly this is something we're going to have to take even more seriously, and that's why I'll be looking for further information by the time of the next committee meeting.”

Currently, the council runs competitions to secure its electricity and gas contracts, however, councillors are reportedly eager to join the Scottish government’s newly-announced setup, whereby energy is bought in bulk for the whole public sector, thus saving taxpayers money at a time when energy bills are soaring to unaffordable heights.

Labour finance spokesman, Ian Murray stated that the council would benefit greatly from long-term, fixedrate energy contracts.

"I don't know if this is possible or not, but I would have thought an organisation the size of the council would be able to negotiate a good deal,” he said, adding: “I'm disgusted that giant energy firms are making hundreds of millions of pounds profit while everyone else has to struggle along.”

The Centre for Books and Ideas, which is expected to open in mid2009, will provide a home for a number of literature bodies, including the Melbourne Writers Festival, the Victorian Writers Centre, the Emerging Writers Festival and the Australian Poetry Centre.

Arts Minister Lynne Kosky said the decision reflected the tremendous value placed on literature in the city of Melbourne, and emphasised the passion and enthusiasm of those involved in the city’s writing and publishing industries.

“It gives confirmation to them not only about the work they’ve done but the quality and also the importance of their work to our city and why they are a critical component of it.

“Melbourne is becoming very well known for its creativity. This just indicates that we have breadth in the creativity as well.”

UNESCO Director General, Koïchiro Matsuura, praised Melbourne’s contribution to literature, saying: “Melbourne demonstrates the important role literature plays in the overall development of the city, through various multilingual editorial initiatives, the active development of related industries and the quality of educational programmes and public events reaching out to different audiences.”

News Shorts wear them

THEY'RE ACTING LIKE MUGS Trouble is brewing in the Meadows, after an imitation police box coffee stand sprung up on Lauriston place next to one of the original 'box' traders which has been serving hot drinks to passers-by for over a decade. John McConnell took matters into his own hands in the face of rising rental fees, establishing his own rival business to the chagrin of his competition, who are blocking his application for a street trader's license.

MAMA’S LITTLE BABY LOVES COMMISSIONING YOUNG ARTISTS Marks & Spencer is taking taking scenes from the Scottish highlands as inspiration for its new line of shortbread tins, designed by Claire Fraser, of the Edinburgh College of Art, and Glasgow Art School student Sam Dunne.

FIRST TIME BUYERS IN NEED OF PUBLIC FUNDS Estate agents are struggling to sell one home a week, the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors has discovered. According to their report, first-time buyers are amongst those worst affected by the credit crunch, partially due to constrained moneylending regulations. Experts state that in order for the housing market to recover from the shortage of home buyers, more funding will have to be introduced into the mortgage market.

PUFFIN OFCOM ROW Abrasive television chef Gordon Ramsey has been cleared of breaking broadcasting rules in a segment which saw him devour the fresh hearts of four Icelandic puffins, dispatched and skinned by a Nordic companion. Despite receiving 42 complaints, Ofcom said that they did not “consider that this item went beyond the general expectations of the audience for this post-watershed food and cookery programme.” Fortunately for Ramsey, puffins are not protected under Icelandic law. Even more fortunate, however, Ofcom ruled that viewers of Ramsey’s The F-Word were, by now, accustomed to the onscreen slaughter of animals.

BROKE AND BROKEN University funding in England is unfair and unsustainable, according to a report released by the National Union of Students (NUS). The report, Broke & Broken, argues that current funding rewards rich institutions for offering small numbers of bursaries, while other institutions lose out in their attempts to widen access to poorer students. Writing in last week’s report, NUS president Wes Streeting argued that the forthcoming discussion on raising the fee cap universities may charge for courses failed to fully address problems within HE funding, and that a debate with a far wider remit is now required. Responding to the report, Minister of State for Higher Education Bill Rammell said: “The new system is working as is demonstrated by record levels of applications and acceptances, up by 6% this year.”

Edinburgh News 9

The Journal Wednesday 17 September 2008

Box-office breakdown sends Fringe revenues tumbling Enquiries begin into ticketing malfunctions which left thousands of punters in the cold Evan Beswick evan@journal-online.co.uk By moSt accountS, a festival which crams 31,320 performances of 2,088 shows into 247 venues over the space of three weeks ought to be considered a success. But box-office problems which cost the Fringe more than £100,000 may have impacted the internationally-renowned festival—worth £70 million to the Scottish economy—in ways which may not be fully felt for a number of years, according to a report produced by Edinburgh city council this week. the report outlines the debacle which left thousands of punters without tickets, or holding tickets for shows which had been oversold. Problems began with the implementation of a new ticketing system, Liquid Box office (LBo) on 9 June which almost immediately developed what the report terms “technical glitches”. In the absence of a contingency plan, a backup system was hastily developed to keep sales going, but this was unable to print tickets. In light of this, the Fringe’s old system, provided

by Pivotal Integration Ltd., was hauled back into service but was beset by similar inadequacies. the saga ended when the booking system from the so-called “big four” venues (assembly, Pleasance, Gilded Balloon & underbelly) was hurried in at the last minute to run alongside Fringe systems and clear the backlog before the festival began. nonetheless, thousands of prebooked tickets had not yet been issued as curtains went up across the city. according to the council report, “it is too early to say what impact these problems might have on the reputation of the Fringe.” However, the Scottish Government, the Scottish arts council, Scottish Enterprise Edinburgh and Lothian and the council have pledged their assistance in smoothing over this year’s

difficulties. “nominations of people with experience in procurement, It, arts and charity governance have been sought,” in order to aid investigation into the problems and the implementation of a new system.

Head of the assembly Rooms, William Burdett-coutts, spoke of his frustration at a Fringe board meeting called last week to dissect the problems: “does the [Fringe Society] board recognise and accept that it has taken the Fringe to the brink of disaster?” he lamented. “If we hadn’t brought the Red61 system in the day we all went live, the entire mix of all of us would be commercially dead by now.”

Indeed, the 2008 Fringe saw a drop in audience figures for the first time in eight years. overall, Fringe ticket sales this year dropped ten per cent, from 1.7 million in 2007 to 1.5 million tickets this summer. Fringe director Jon morgan had initially posited bad weather, the credit crunch and competition from the olympics as additional causes for the downturn, pointing out also that the number of free, non-ticketed shows had increased from 304 to 350 since last year. a final report on attendances is expected later this month.

However, morgan has since announced his decision to step down from the position of Fringe director – a position he had held for only 15 months.

While his job had been looking increasingly untenable, few expected to see his resignation before the completion of the festival post-mortem. two enquiries into the debacle, as well as the hunt for a new director are to begin this month – internal whisperings place director of the Stand comedy club, tommy Sheppard high on the list to succeed morgan. But whoever the board choose, they can be pretty sure that delivering a workable booking system is likely to appear high on the job description this coming year.

Emergency services issue warning to freshers Robyn Keystone robyn.keystone@journal-online.co.uk aFtER montHS oF patient expectation, freshers’ week has finally arrived in Edinburgh and the usual social fêtes are kicking off. But while new students are being encouraged to enjoy the festivities, police, students’ unions and the fire services have issued a number of warnings to potential revellers with the aim of keeping both students and Edinburgh residents safe this week.

Revellers leaving clubs and bars in the early hours are being advised to head home with a friend or partner. those hailing a taxi are warned to use only licensed cabs. Lothian & Borders

Police encourage anyone who has been a victim of crime to report the incident immediately. michael Partington from the Edinburgh community Fire Safety Department issued a warning to students this week regarding potential fire hazards, noting in particular the dangers of tea lights and candles, and the importance of extinguishing naked flames when leaving a room. mr. Partington also issued a plea for students to refrain from breaking the protective glass of university halls’ fire alarms. “though it might seem like a good laugh,” he said, “the consequences could be a matter of life or death. “the tollcross Fire Station receives

over 4,000 fire calls a year, and when they are summoned to student halls as a result of a false alarm they are unable to attend to real fires.” the fire safety department has further encouraged students attending bonfire nights to participate responsibly and take precaution when setting off fireworks. In the last two years, major grass fires have erupted on arthur’s Seat as a result of students setting off firework displays. not only are these fires capable of causing injury, say the department, but they also divert firefighters’ efforts away from more serious tasks. clearly, the message from Edinburgh’s emergency services this week is to have fun – but to do so responsibly.

ScottHunter