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JK Rowling gives landmark £10m donation » 8 edinBURGH's UniVeRsiTY neWsPAPeR

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In her largest charitable donation to date, J.K. Rowling gives £10 million to Edinburgh University to set up a multiple sclerosis research clinic

WednesdAY 15 sePTeMBeR 2010

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ecA and edinburgh University set to merge Merger plans are brought forward, leading to speculation that ecA's financial position leaves them with no alternatives Megan Taylor News Editor A finAl decision on proposed plans to merge the edinburgh college of Art with the University of edinburgh is likely to be made by the end of the month, three years earlier than expected. The academic institutions and separate students’ associations are currently in ongoing negotiations trying to finalise a deal which they say will best suit the students and staff involved. The Journal first reported back in february that there were plans for the University and the ecA to merge, the earliest date possible being set in 2013. The speed at which the discussions are now progressing has led to speculation that ecA’s troubling financial position has forced the plans forward. A spokesperson from the University of edinburgh told The Journal: “ecA has provided the University with information about its financial position in order that the University could conduct a due diligence process regarding the proposal to merge.”

These details were received under a confidentiality agreement and therefore could not be disclosed. At the time of going to press, ecA was yet tp respond to an foi request. last week, senior figures linked to ecA sent a strongly worded letter to scottish education secretary Mike Russell urging him to block proposed plans. The letter, which was leaked to The Scotsman, claims the merger plans are “rushed” and “secretive”, leading them to believe these are the signs of a “hostile takeover.” The 16 signatories include a senior board member at ecA and the current head of ecA’s alumni association, Barbara Rae. The main fear is that the college, with its small student population of 1600, will lose its traditions and ethos to the much larger university, home to some 25,000 students. According to The Times, ecA has a deficit of £2 million and debts of up to £13 million. However, with the proposed merger expecting to cost around £40 million, ecA’s student president francesca Miller was keen to stress Continued on Page 2

Papal visit provokes protests

HWUsU to close down union building Megan Taylor News Editor HeRioT-WATT UniVeRsiTY sTUdenTs’ Union (formerly Heriot-Watt University students’ Association) has been forced to make major changes to its premises after falling into financial difficulty.

IN NEWS >> p3

IN NEWS >> 5

Oil and Water

Out of their league

in the wake of the BP crisis, a senior climate campaigner for Greenpeace warns that edinburgh-based oil firm cairn energy could cause a similar environmental disaster

»7

As British universities slip down the league tables and the spending cuts start to bite, the UK’s reputation for providing world class education is in danger

The Journal first reported back in January that HWUsU approached the university authorities and asked that issues concerning association funding and resource allocation be referred to an external consultant. The university therefore conducted an independent review and announced its findings in April. it was decided that the main

IN COMMENT >> 14

Opposition attracts Acclaimed left-wing blogger sunny Hundal offers a not entirely optimistic read on the current state of the labour leadership race

association building, first built in 1991, was no longer financially viable to keep operational and therefore was to be closed down. Plans for a new smaller venue are underway. As a result of the restructure, six people have chosen to leave the organisation. Post-holders whose jobs were Continued on Page 2

IN THEATRE >> 16

From Baghdad to backstage director of the acclaimed iraq War drama Black Watch describes the challenge of fictionalising recent history

2 News

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

This week in The Journal

Meet the Presidents As the new academic year begins, we introduce you to the senior student representatives at the five universities

The Edinburgh nightlife

»6 » 21

The Journal guides you through some of the highs and lows of Edinburgh clubbing

Decision on ECA and Edinburgh University merger expected Continued from Page 1 other benefits to the students she represents. Ms Miller told The Journal: “There is financial trouble, however it is important that people remember that this is not the sole reason the merger talks are happening. There are also a lot of merits. The further expansion means that ECA students will be granted opportunities that would never be possible without the merger. “The design department could have access to informatics and engineers along with a lot of further opportunities

in many fields to assist studies in Art and the already formed and institutionally combined ESALA School. These closer collaborations will ultimately enhance the academic vision of ECA.” The spokesperson from the University of Edinburgh also confirmed this, telling The Journal: “The proposal for merger is based primarily on the academic benefits of merger, though there would also be potential financial benefits.” They continued: “The University of Edinburgh and ECA are in discussions about the option of merging, with August 2011 the earliest likely date for

merger. “The governing bodies of the two institutions are due to consider proposals during September 2010, and the University will provide further information at the end of September.” ECA’s governors met on 13 September and the University Court is due to convene this week. If both parties agree on the preliminary plans, a formal proposal and business plan will be submitted to the Scottish Funding Council and the Scottish Government to await their approval. The outcome is expected to take several months, with a decision expected in February 2011.

Francesca Miller's statement WHEN THE proSpECT of the merger first emerged last year, former president Jake rusby made sure students of all years and disciplines were consulted to produce the merger charter. This document highlights thirteen points of concern the students have, along with the possible merits, and is currently being looked at by the two institutions and students associations to create a four way agreement. The talks so far have been very positive and Liz rawlings (EUSA president) has agreed to attend out student forum in midoctober. The principal and Vice principal will be there and students will be able to direct questions about the proposed merger

to them, a great opportunity for them to get some answers. I have also emailed all students to update them of the progress. Nothing has been kept under wraps; it has been a very open process. There is the concern that ECA students’ association has a different way of working than EUSA does as we are an intimate office where students can pop in anytime and we are keen to shelter this as much as possible. I hope that the student president position will remain in its expanded self, but I feel that it is something which needs careful negotiation and discussion as to what form the representation for Edinburgh College of Art will take. I will push for representation of The Students’ Union on the Lauriston

place Campus. physically, our campus will not change, and ECA will remain in its historic location, and become an expanded part of the institution. ECA will inevitably change in a merged position but our long-standing traditions will not. Art Education is changing across the country and we should be part of this move forward to incorporate further contemporary elements to further our students learning.This will give a more contemporary feel to the college. We have been heavily involved in all aspects of the discussions, focussed on students’ opinions and I feel very comfortable right now.”

HWUSU to close down union building

I agree with Nick?

» ONLINE

With their approval ratings slipping, a rankand-file Lib Dem explains why he still supports the party

» 23 » 28

Continued from Page 1 at risk of redundancy were notified of this and had the opportunity to apply to be job-matched in the new structure. None of the staff who left expressed an interest in this. In addition, The Journal understands the sabbatical officers have received pay rises. HWUSU president Simon Eltringham told The Journal: “As part of this restructuring, based on a drop in the level of student demand and the nature of our work, 6 of our 92 staff left the organisation. “The restructuring will allow us to move to a more dynamic operating model and make savings which we are investing right back into student facing activity, protecting student employment in The Union and ensuring we deliver value for money in our outlets and activities.” Mr Eltringham has also confirmed that he and the other sabbatical officers have received a pay rise: “The Students Association Council agreed an adjustment to the salary of all three sabbatical office bearers to bring this in line

with the national average for similar Associations.” Mr Eltringham explained that Heriot-Watt students had been choosing city centre hang outs in favour of their union building: “Student lifestyles change over time, and this has had implications for the level of on-campus entertainment provision and other support services they are looking for from student unions. “With this in mind and with a view to the long-term implications for the sustainability of the Union, HeriotWatt University Students’ Union asked the University to fund an independent review for the best way forward. “The Union couldn’t continue operating the way it has been and urgent change was needed to create a strong student union that actually delivered for Heriot-Watt students. “As fewer students were making use of the existing entertainment, catering and bar provisions on campus, the HWUSA entertainment provision is being moved to a more compact and central venue, tying in with a major University upgrading of student-facing

service provision.” “This will mean a new, upgraded social and entertainments facility in the heart of the Edinburgh Campus and special events run in the city centre throughout the year. It will be tailored to the needs and requirements of today’s student population and right next to other student-facing services such as finance and support provision, with the work of the Union being more focused on student representation, welfare and support services.” Mr Eltringham assured The Journal that Heriot-Watt students would be consulted over the new Union plans: “Discussions are underway to look at relocating the entire Union space to another location on campus and this process will have full student involvement to make sure it meets student needs now and in the future. “This is an exciting time for the Student Union as we move forward to become a stronger Student Union. We are refocusing our efforts on representation, volunteering and student activity and at the same time providing excellent services and great value.”

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The sarcastic-yet-optimistic sports column returns with a "new season" wish-list for 2010/11

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News 3

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

edinburgh firm labelled 'most dangerous oil company after Bp' edinburgh-based "wildcat" oil company cairn energy present massive risk to environment, says Greenpeace Pierre Thistlejohn

Greenpeace have SinGled out edinburgh-based petroleum company cairn energy as posing the greatest threat to the environment of any deepwater offshore oil exploration firm, raising the prospect of further disruptive protests following those seen on the rBS day of action in august. Senior climate campaigner at Greenpeace, Ben aycliffe told The Journal that, after Bp, “cairn were the clearest company to which people’s attention should be drawn to” in the wake of the deepwater horizon oil spill in the Gulf of Mexico. cairn energy made headlines on 31 august when four Greenpeace campaigners penetrated a danish naval security cordon to place four protesters on the Stena Forth rig off the west coast of Greenland, forcing it to suspend exploratory drilling for forty hours. The four protesters, whose protest saw them suspended from the underside of the rig on a tent-like platform, were later detained by Greenlandic police and deported, and could still face fines of up to 20,000 danish kronor. Speaking to The Journal, Greenpeace placed cairn’s activities in the arctic at the head of its ‘top 10’ most dangerous oil exploration activities, characterising the company’s work as “extremely reckless”. Mr aycliffe said: “cairn energy is a wildcat company scraping for the last remaining drops of oil, with no track record of working in what is an incredibly dangerous environment. “The company operates at the extreme end of an extreme industry.” cairn, whose group headquarters are on lothian road, has grown to become europe’s largest independent petroleum

“cairn energy is a wildcat company scraping for the last remaining drops of oil." company within the space of just ten years, with a market capitalisation of £3.5 billion. The company’s success is largely due to its dominance in another area of huge potential oil wealth, the indian region of rajasthan, where untapped reserves of up to 1.1 billion barrels of crude oil were discovered in 2004. cairn entered the industry by purchasing Shell’s entire indian subsidiary outright for just US $7.25 million in 2002. cairn was also the subject of protests during the 23 august climate camp ‘day of action’ when protestors from a variety of campaign groups targeted the company’s headquarters to highlight the £117 million of capital provided by rBS to fund its activities. Masked protestors left a giant ‘piggy bank’ at the door of building housing cairn’s offices, which leaked a simulated ‘oil slick’ of treacle over the entrance. protests across the city that day led to several arrests. Mr aycliffe refused to rule out further

Cairn Energy has been criticised by Greenpeace for operating "at the extreme end of an extreme industry" action in edinburgh targeting cairn, saying on that Greenpeace’s ‘Go Beyond Oil’ campaign tour, based on the vessel esperanza from which the oilrig protest was launched, would continue. “You can make of that what you will,” he told The Journal. Mr aycliffe also alleges that cairn refused to release their spill prevention report, ignoring all requests from Greenpeace to do so. “We’re not even sure they have one,” he said. cairn energy’s environmental record beyond its Greenland activities has also been scrutinised recently. in august, a flood at the site of its Managala petroleum processing Terminal in india caused by the monsoon rains affecting much of South asia resulted in a run-off of pollutants, affecting adjacent farmland and destroying crops. a representative from cairn energy told The Journal: “cairn fully respects the rights of everybody to voice their opinions and accepts that different parties have differing views. however, a in a statement cairn told the Journal that a "full oil spill response plan has been developed in consultation with the Greenland authorities and following the tragic incidents in the Gulf of Mexico was reviewed and capabilities increased," adding that the plan included sensitive data such as telephone numbers, "release of which could detrimentally affect our ability to provide an effective response." “cairn has worked with regulators throughout the last three years to minimise the risks associated with its conventional drilling campaign, putting procedures in place which put the highest possible priority on safety and environmental protection.”

Three edinburgh universities tied to cairn's senior management Pierre Thistlejohn

cairn enerGY MaY have emerged from nowhere, making its name in less than ten years thanks to maverick operations in india, but its senior leadership are certainly not nobodies. Founder and chief executive Sir Bill Gammell is a former Fettes classmate of Tony Blair, who remains a friend and took the time shortly after his election as prime Minister to come to edinburgh to open cairn’s new headquarters in the city. The Bush and Gammell families have vacationed with each other in Kennebunkport and Scotland respectively, and George W Bush was a guest at Sir Bill’s wedding in Glasgow.

The entrepreneur is also heavily active in the Scottish sports world; capped by Scotland as a rugby player in the late 1970s, he now holds directorships at SportScotland, the Scottish institute of Sport, and Glasgow 2014. cairn’s Finance director, Jann Brown, is a graduate of the University of edinburgh, and has also worked at edinburgh-based consulting firm KpMG. ironically, as well as her position at oil company cairn, she also holds a seat on the board of hansen Transmissions, a Belgian company that manufactures components for wind turbines. edinburgh’s universities are tied to cairn energy through their support of the Scottish Oil club, an organisation that brings together industry business

leaders in “a national forum for the presentation and discussion of views on the economic, industrial, technological and political aspects of petroleum.”The group accepts corporate sponsorship to finance the attendance at its events of students from affiliated universities. These include edinburgh napier University, the University of edinburgh and heriot-Watt University’s institute of petroleum research, which pay annual membership dues of roughly £220. dr Michael Watt, whose roles as deputy chief executive and exploration director put him at the head of cairn’s activities in Greenland, has spoken at Oil club events in the past. Other past speakers include Bp’s former chief executive, Tony hayward.

4 News

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

edinburgh graduate dies in gliding accident an investigation is under way following the death of edinburgh graduate amy Barsby in a gliding accident this summer

Amanda Svensson Falk General News aMy BarSBy, originally from longridge, lancashire, and a former president of the edinburgh University Sports Union gliding club, died when her small glider crashed in a field at the gliding club in Bicester, oxfordshire on 8 august. Miss Barsby, a competent pilot with more than ten years of gliding experience, was taking part in an inter-university competition and had just reached the correct altitude when the wings of her plane fell off causing it to plunge 1,000 feet. her boyfriend, gliding instructor Bruce Duncan, with whom she had recently purchased a house in edinburgh, witnessed the accident. earlier in the day she had completed a successful test flight in the foKa 4 glider, experiencing no problems with the small aircraft. her mother was quoted by BBc news online saying: “We do not know why the wings suddenly fell off. there

is no way that amy would have flown it if she had been concerned about her safety. “She was always so cautious and safety-conscious. She had flown it earlier on in the day and had no problem with it. “We just keep on hoping that we will wake up from this nightmare to find out it never happened.” the air accident investigation Branch is looking into what might have caused the catastrophic failure, but told the Journal they were unable to comment as “the investigation is ongoing.” Miss Barsby served as treasurer for the eUSU gliding club during the 2004-2005 academic year, and went on to become its president in 2005-2006. in 2007 she was rewarded a Sports Union colour for her significant contribution to the club. She graduated from edinburgh University in 2007 with a degree in archaeology, and was currently in her third year of doctoral research at Queen’s University, Belfast. charlotte hannam, current president of the eUSU stated to the Journal:

Amy Barsby fell tragically to her death after both wings on her glider fell off mid-flight “the Sports Union is deeply shocked and saddened to learn of the accident. our thoughts are with amy’s family and partner, Bruce.” in addition to the fatal accident involving Miss Barsby, another two glider incidents were reported in august alone, both sending the pilots to hospital. a 48-year-old suffered burns and other injuries after hitting power lines and crashing into a field during a gliding

competition in northamptonshire. in West Sussex a stunt glider slammed into the runway during the Shoreham airshow. the pilot was able to walk from the wreckage before collapsing, but was later given an all-clear at the hospital. according to the British gliding association, around three hundred thousand glider flights take place each year in the UK. its spokesman Keith auchterlonie told BBc news online:

“gliding is an adventure airsport and, like any other form of light aviation, is not as safe as flying in a conventional airliner. “however, gliding’s safety record compares favourably with other forms of light or sporting aviation.” amy Barsby was laid to rest in edinburgh on august 23, and a memorial service is planned in her home county of lancashire in the latter part of September.

ryanair axes flights Scottish ministers propose set to Belfast city price for alcohol northern irish students face expensive travelling costs Jessica Abrahams

ryanair haS annoUnceD that it will be pulling out of Belfast city airport from october 31 of this year, a move that is likely to affect irish students in Scotland. the airline has blamed its decision on the government halting expansion plans at the capital’s domestic airport. ryanair was the biggest supporter of a proposed runway extension at Belfast city, but the plans have been the subject of much controversy due to concerns about the levels noise and pollution. the proposals, originally intended to be completed in 2008, have now been referred to a public inquiry after the government received almost fifteen hundred complaints from local residents; conversely, it also received over two thousand letters in support of the plans. ryanair said that, without the extension, other european airports are better able to supply them with the runway infrastructure they require. the withdrawal will cost northern ireland at least fifty jobs and, according to the airline, almost a million passengers annually. niall gibbons, chief executive of tourism ireland, commented that the announcement by ryanair was, “very regrettable. Direct, convenient and competitive access services are critical to achieving a return to growth in inbound tourism.” the airline flew eight hundred

thousand passengers a year from Belfast to five destinations in the UK, including glasgow Prestwick. although flybe operates flights between Belfast and edinburgh and glasgow, ryanair’s withdrawal will see a significant reduction in competition on the route. the news is likely to affect irish students travelling to Scotland. Speaking to The Journal, craig Meek, a fourth year maths student at the University of edinburgh who lives in Belfast, said: “it can be really expensive travelling home to ireland, especially if you don’t book way in advance, because we can’t just jump on a coach. “ryanair’s service to england and Scotland was really useful and it was almost always the cheapest option. if flybe can’t offer flights as cheaply as ryanair does, i’m going to end up shelling out a lot on travel, or having to take the ferry.” Some commentators have suggested that ryanair’s high passenger figures will attract other low-cost carriers like easyJet to snap up the opening at the airport, but liz fawcett, chair of Belfast city airport Watch, told The Journal: “We think ryanair really pulled out at least in part because the recession meant the routes weren’t sufficiently profitable… analysts believe that ryanair is also on the verge of pulling out of Shannon.” Ms. fawcett added that all but one of ryanair’s routes is covered by easyJet or bmi baby, meaning that for most passengers the cost of travelling between Belfast and mainland Britain should remain relatively low.

to tackle Scotland's growing alcohol problem, the alcohol commission has suggested setting a minimum price at 45p per unit George Lumbers ScottiSh officialS have suggested a ‘floor price’ plan on alcohol in an attempt to tackle the nation’s drinking problems. the new report by the alcohol commission, set up by the Scottish labour Party, proposes amongst a number of other guidelines that all alcohol sold below the combined cost of vat, duty and production should be banned. the report’s ‘floor price’ plan offers an alternative to the widely supported minimum price per unit scheme where one unit of alcohol must be sold for more than 45p. criticism of the report centers on the fact that the plan could actually lower some current alcohol prices. Barbara o’Donnell from alcohol focus Scotland, commented: “We are disappointed that the report proposes a measure which we believe would be almost impossible to implement and could see some products being sold for less than the price at which they are currently sold. “a two-litre bottle of cider currently on sale for £1.32 would actually come down in price to eighty five pence.” for alcohol focus Scotland, minimum pricing is “a simple, clear and effective pricing measure that would… lead to a reduction in the number of alcohol-related deaths.” however, the home office still feels that other avenues must be reviewed.

Bucky: A Scottish love affair a spokesperson said: “We will work to stop the below-cost price sale of alcohol. it is not clear that national minimum unit pricing is the best way to achieve this so we need to look at other options.” further discontent has emerged from the report, which many claims

simply hands a Scottish drinking problem back to Westminster. Ms o’Donnell claims: “What Scotland needs is a Scottish solution to our love affair with alcohol which results in Scots drinking twenty five percent more than the rest of the UK.” for students, the immediate impact is difficult to gauge. Sam hansford, vice President of Services at eUSa, told the Journal: “Whilst eUSa has always had responsible drinking pricing, in terms of license sales, it might affect students. “there is a reasonable chance that the prices will go up for students, even though students are pressured on their finances.” for the time being, prices at eUSa venues will remain competitive with clubs and bars across edinburgh. although eUSa prides itself on leading the way concerning alcohol pricing, Mr hansford admitted: “there is a risk that, if eUSa clubs and bars do not price themselves competitively, students will go elsewhere.” other suggestions made in the report include a limit on the number of licenses in an area, as well as stopping alcohol companies sponsoring sports events. Strong emphasis was also given for councils and local organisations to attempt to encourage a cultural change, which is seen a key factor in any attempt to tackle Scottish drinking habits.

News 5

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

British universities set to struggle after a poor performance in the latest world university rankings and as the first of the spending cuts hit home, the future looks bleak for British universities Megan Taylor News Editor UK inStitUtionS are trailing behind those in the US in terms of offering a world class education, according to the Guardian’s list of the world’s best universities. the list, which was released last week, gives the UK 18 universities in the top 100, four of these placed in the top ten. the remaining six belong to the United States and they have a further 25 academic institutions in other positions throughout the top 100. However, after seven years, Cambridge has overtaken Harvard to steal the top spot. it is not only Harvard that has slipped down the list. edinburgh fell two places after holding the number 20 for the past two years, while oxford fell down a position to 6th and the University of Manchester dipped four places to 30th. on hearing these results, Dr Wendy Piatt, the director general of the russell Group of research-intensive universities, which includes oxford, Cambridge, edinburgh and Manchester, warned that these slightly disappointing results were not a surprise. Dr Piatt said: “our world-class status is under threat from other countries who are ploughing billions into their top institutions in a determined bid to overtake the UK in the rankings. “While our competitors are investing in their future skills and knowledge base, UK universities are threatened with further cuts which will make it more difficult than ever to maintain their world-class status.” the UK may hold the honour of being home to arguably the best university in the world but comparatively the US beats Britain in the constant battle to offer the greatest variety of world class education. a possible reason for this was revealed in a report published last week

by the organisation for economic Cooperation and Development (oeCD). it was announced that the UK spends 0.7 per cent of its GDP on higher education, which falls below the oeCD average of 1 per cent and far behind the US, who spend 3.1 per cent, the highest amount in the world. With public spending cuts forecast by the coalition government, an increase in funding is simply not an option. Before the general election it was announced that the Scottish Funding Council (SFC) could be forced to cut their allowance by 3.2 per cent for at least 3 years starting from 2011/12. this academic year the SFC is providing £1.12 billion for Scotland’s higher education institutions which is a cut of 0.6 per cent in real terms. the funding allocations for this year and those immediately preceding it do not take into account the rising number of students choosing to study in Scotland. this year 20,651 students were accepted into Scottish universities ahead of clearing. this figure is up 3.5 per cent from the previous year. as the cuts were announced in advance, the University of edinburgh actually cut their student intake by a thousand reducing the student population from 26,545 last year to 25,636 this September. eUSa president Liz rawlings told The Journal: “it’s disappointing that the Scottish Funding Council are cutting higher education funding this year. education is vital in creating jobs and stimulating growth. in a recession, we shouldn’t be cutting education but investing in the future. “Scotland’s education system is already woefully underfunded compared to other industrialised nations. if we want a world-leading university then it must be funded effectively. Until then, students will be paying more for less.” the russell Group aside, the newer universities in Scotland are having to

2010 University

make major cuts to secure they survive this period of recovery. it was recently reported that edinburgh napier University are in a 120-day consultation period and are looking to save £4.8 million of its £64.5 million staffing budget in the coming academic year. this means redundancies shall follow, some of which may not be voluntary. Queen Margaret University (QMU) are attempting to make £2.5 million worth of savings by July 2011. they have already accepted 23 voluntary redundancies and identified 10 further jobs they were dispensing with. these were entirely necessary to ensure the financial stability of QMU. the University of Glasgow, who moved up two places to number 77 but did not manage to better their 2008 position of 73, are not making any redundancies. they are, however, undergoing money-saving measures, such as staff spending reviews, to avoid financial difficulty. The Guardian compiles the list using the QS criteria. this includes academic reputation, citations, staff-student ratio, employability, and how international the make-up of the faculty and student body is. the Times Higher Education (tHe) publication is due to release its own list this week. it does not use the QS rankings and it is widely expected that British universities will do even worse in the tHe rankings.

University of Cambridge

Score

'09

Harvard University

100.00

Yale University

99.18

UCL (University College London)

98.68

98.54 98.19

98.16

97.78 97.52

US US

96.46

96.03

95.99 95.97

US US

93.62

92.29

92.20 90.44

US US

89.67

Massachusetts Institute of Technolo gy (MIT )

University of Oxford Imperial College London

7 8 9 10 11 12 13

University of Chicago California Institute of Technology (Cal

tech)

Princeton University Columbia University

University of Pennsylvania (UPenn) Stanford University

Duke University

15 16

University of Michigan Cornell University

Johns Hopkins University

ETH Zurich (Swiss Federal Institute of Technology) A*

89.28

20=

McGill University Australian National University (ANU)

89.25 88.58

88.45

88.01

20=

87.28 86.74

85.89

20 21 22 23 24 25

King's College London (KCL)

University of Edinburgh University of Hong Kong (HKU)

University of Tokyo Kyoto University

edinburgh universities all down in UK Guardian rankings the University of edinburgh is dead last in feedback as it drops out of top ten Pierre Thistlejohn

Edinburgh’s univErsitiEs havE plummeted in the latest round of uK rankings, with the university of Edinburgh getting the worst feedback score in the country in The Guardian’s university league table for the 2010-11 academic year. the university of Edinburgh fell out of the top 10, from 7th to 15th, with

heriot-Watt falling from 22nd to 32nd, Edinburgh napier dropping from 43rd to 55th, and Queen Margaret ranking 63rd after reaching 57th last year. the Edinburgh College of art does not feature in overall university league tables. speaking to The Journal, Edinburgh university students’ association president, Liz rawlings said: “it’s disappointing to see Edinburgh university slip down in The Guardian league table.

“Clearly students at the university are increasingly worried about the standards of feedback and assessment and this has consistently been reflected in Edinburgh’s poor perfor performance in the national student survey.” The Guardian’s ranking revealed that only 46 per cent of university of Edinburgh students were satisfied with the feedback they received on academic work, some four points behind the next worst institution, Manchester university.

Ms rawlings campaigned for her post at Eusa usa on a platform of taking direct action if the university’s strategy for tackling historically poor academic feedback failed to improve student satisfaction. speaking to The Journal, she expressed confidence that a new joint feedback campaign with the university would yield improved results following first semester exams and coursework. “this year improving feedback is one of Eusa’s usa’s main priorities and i’m usa

looking forward to working closely with the university to achieve this,” Ms rawlings said. “the start of the academic year sees new guidelines put in place for feedback and we will be monitoring the effectiveness of these closely. “if the university honours its commitment to tackling the feedback problems, and early indications suggest that they will, i fully expect to see Edinburgh improve its national standing in a year’s time.”

Local News 7

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Schools could offer solution to edinburgh Leisure funding crisis

Protestant organisations arranging protest on day of Pope's visit Flickr: Trevino

Al Innes Debbie Smith dOnaLd McGOUGan, dIrecTOr of Finance at edinburgh council, has proposed a £347,000 funding cut for the edinburgh leisure. councillor Gordon Buchan, the conservatives’ city culture and leisure spokesman stressed that the budget will not be set until next February. he said: “The current settlement for edinburgh Leisure can not be maintained. a cut to the budget is almost inevitable, efficiency savings can only take you so far and sometimes there has to be cuts too. “new schools with brand new sporting facilities are lying empty in the evenings and weekends. edinburgh Leisure could utilise these facilities without any outlay. They could take bookings and manage the facilities out with their operational hours. That would allow edinburgh Leisure to expand on their existing facilities without incurring any extra cost.” It is hoped that a deal with Sportscotland is be agreed within the next two weeks. This would mean that schools, particularly in smaller areas, could replace sports centres which may shut due to the funding cut. edinburgh Leisure refused to comment on which facilities could be facing the axe but sources suggest dalry Swim centre and ratho climbing arena could both be in the firing line.

however, edinburgh Leisure’s Interim chief executive John comiskey, said: “as with any organisation which receives an element of its income from the public purse, edinburgh Leisure will be required to change its business plans to take account of the proposed government funding cuts next year. We will review all of our options carefully whilst always maintaining our commitment to providing excellent sport and leisure facilities and services to the people of edinburgh.” councillor Gordon Munro, Sport and Leisure spokesman for the city’s Labour group believes that to cut any sporting facilities sends out the wrong message. he said: “It seems to contradict the aims of making our citizens more healthy and capitalising on the increased interest from the Olympic Games in 2012 and the commonwealth Games in 2014. no decision has been taken on any centre as no decision has been taken to make this cut. “In the land of the deep-fried Mars Bar supper even contemplating this sends out the wrong message.” at this stage there has been no suggestion that the reduced level of funding could impact on the refurbishment of the commonwealth Pool which is scheduled for completion next summer. The cost of the project to edinburgh city council is approximately £37 million with £5 million coming from the government body, Sportscotland.

The Grand OranGe Lodge of Scotland intends to meet along the route of the Pope’s drive through edinburgh from Lothian road to regent road in order to protest. alternatively, the hSS will unveil a 48-sheet poster at the junction of Paisley road West on the route to Bellahouston Park in Glasgow where the Pope will be holding mass. The ‘PrOTeST The POPe’ campaign is based on the 2008 Scottish household Survey alleging that forty per cent of Scots are non-religious. hSS spokesman Tim Maguire, was keen to point out that this campaign was intended to be taken in a wider context, saying: “Scotland has a nasty and long history of sectarian violence so we are not taking to the streets to protest.” head of the Grand Orange Lodge, Ian Wilson, was keen to highlight their protest was also not directly aimed at the Pope’s visit. “Protest is a bit of a misnomer. It’s not so much a protest of the Pope’s presence or even his visit. It’s more to highlight the fact that this year marks the 450th anniversary of Scotland’s break from rome. It would be hypocritical of us if we took the stance of other protests that are looking to stop the Pope. “I don’t flatter myself that all of Scotland holds our viewpoint, but I think the vast majority of Scots are pretty blasé about the whole thing.” Unlike Pope John Paul’s visit in 1982, Benedict XVI is coming to the UK as a

Pope Benedict XVI arrives in Edinburgh 16 September 2010 head-of-State. By way of explaining the low-key nature of the planned protest, Wilson added: “We are a loyalist organisation and don’t wish to embarrass the monarch. “In 1982 we were much more vocal in our protest of the Pope’s visit. We had booklets and leaflets and we did have protest marches.” Vincent nichols, the archbishop of

Westminster, had this to say about the protests: “There will be people wanting to express alternative views, which is of the joys of living in our society. I’m sure it will be done in a proper manner.” Pope Benedict will visit the UK between 16 and 19 September. he will land at edinburgh airport before travelling through edinburgh to meet the Queen at the Palace of holyrood.

cannabis crackdown Scdea is asking the public to report suspicious behaviour

Debbie Smith

a neW caMPaIGn urging the public to help police weed out cannabis cultivation in Scotland has been launched. The Scottish crime and drug enforcement agency (Scdea) is asking the public to provide anonymous information on houses and flats that they suspect are being used to grow the class B drug. Over the past four years Scotland’s police forces have seized almost £40 million worth of cannabis plants, enough to cover the football pitches at hampden, Ibrox and Parkhead. earlier this year, police in edinburgh discovered cannabis cultivation with a potential estimated street value of £56,000 during a raid on a flat in newington. cabinet Secretary for Justice Kenny Macaskill said: “Serious organised crime affects us all. It brings human misery to thousands of families through the harmful drugs they peddle, with cannabis most often the drug that starts people on that dark journey. “We need the public’s help to

expand our knowledge, and disrupt these criminals’ operations. even the smallest piece of information about an individual or group’s activity can be the key that unlocks the door to disrupting an entire criminal empire.” Growing cannabis is not just illegal, it is potentially dangerous. Properties are often destroyed internally to maximise space for plants, with walls damaged and often knocked down. This represents a serious fire and electrocution risk because the electricity supply is interfered with and powerful lighting is left on for long periods of time. Some of the signs that indicate a property is possibly being used for growing the illegal drug are blacked out windows, a low hum or loud buzzing noise caused by fans or extraction systems, a strong, sweet distinctive smell and an unusual level of heat coming through walls and floors. Scdea is calling on the public to anonymously share any suspicions they have through the independent charity, crimestoppers, on 0800 555 111 or give information anonymously online at http://www.crimestoppersuk.org.

is recruiting Get involved: www.journal-online.co.uk/recruitment

8 Academic News

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

J.K. Rowling donates £10 million for edinburgh University MS clinic Author's donation to establish Anne Rowling Regenerative neurology Clinic Sophie Marion de Proce

J.K. RoWlInG hAS donated £10 million to the University of edinburgh to set up a new clinic dedicated to multiple sclerosis treatment research. This offering is the largest donation that the author has given to a charitable cause, and the biggest single donation that the University of edinburgh has ever received. The new Anne Rowling Regenerative neurology Clinic is named after the author’s mother, who died of multiple sclerosis in 1990 aged 45. The clinic follows the setting up of the University’s Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research in 2007, which has also received support from Rowling. Although no timeline for its construction has yet been announced, the clinic will be based in a purpose-built facility within the University’s Chancellor’s building, next to the city’s Royal Infirmary and within the edinburgh bioQuarter at little France. Dr Siddhartan Chandran, co-director of the Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research, told The Journal: “The plan is to begin building immediately, although with a new build predicting times is difficult.” The clinic will focus on patientbased studies to help find treatments that could slow progression of the disease, working towards the eventual aim

of stopping and reversing it. Dr Chandran explained: “We will certainly build a bespoke research clinic but would hope to use the funds to blood the next generation of clinician-scientists. “This group are the key to long-term success and we are particularly interested in a range of disciplines that work on the brain including neuro-radiology, neuropathology, and of course neurology.” Research on other degenerative neurological conditions will be conducted in the clinic, which will provide a unique opportunity to train new scientists in advanced research on these conditions. Dr Chandran said: “This very generous and far-sighted donation will encourage others to invest or donate.” Multiple sclerosis has a very high incidence in Scotland, with around 10,500 people affected. MS is incurable and the main source of support and funding is through charities rather than from medical experts. Dr Chandran said: “The vision is to work in partnership with existing basic laboratory activities and crucially nhS lothian.” Collaboration between research scientists and nhS lothian may be beneficial to Scottish patients, bringing together new potential treatments and the expertise of medical staff.

» Leader - page 16

Mrs. Rowling has made her largest donation to date with £10 million to Edinburgh University

honey bee colony introduced at St Andrews St Andrews University is new home to honey bee colony

edinburgh students lead the way in business innovation edinburgh University created 40 new companies last year

Sophie Marion de Proce

A honey bee colony has been established at the University of St Andrews, in collaboration with the Fife beekeepers Association. bill Macrae from the Fife beekeepers Association explained that: “In terms of funding for the apiary, St Andrews University have been very generous with providing a site, levelling the ground, laying concrete slabs and making stands to put the hives on. Members of the Fife beekeepers Association are providing the hives, bees and expertise.” The global bee decline is becoming an issue in many countries. bee pollination is necessary to most crops, so that they have an economical importance. over the recent years, honey bees have been declining around the world at an alarming rate, with a 50 per cent decrease in the last 20 years in britain. Causes for this decline are unclear. barbara Aitken, the University’s environment officer said: “It is most likely due to a combination of factors such as pests and diseases, including the Varroa mite and wet weather, as well as viruses, parasites, insecticide use,

habitat loss or climate change.” bill Macrae told The Journal: “I hope and expect that the colonies at the St Andrews University apiary can

"The figures underline the fact that we cannot afford to become complacent and let others take the advantage we previously held." reach a state, both in terms of numbers and honey stores which will enable them to survive”. bees are unpredictable and it is difficult to tell how well the new bee colony will adapt to its environment. Mr Macrae said that “initially, the main challenge will be to build up the colonies.” The location of the bee colony on the grounds of the University of St

Andrews is expected to provide an attractive environment with higher pollen diversity than in rural areas. To ensure that the bees get enough food and water, a variety of fruit trees will be planted by the estates Grounds Department. Upon success of this colony, the University of St Andrews hopes to build more hives at other sites. The bee colony will benefit local plant pollination and increase biodiversity in the local area. barbara Aitken explained: “The aims of the initiative are to first enable University researchers to make effective behavioural and ecological observations”. These observations could help give recommendations for other beekeepers about bee survival. Ms Aitken added: “In the long term, the aims are to help deliver a sustainable bee population for future generations and pave the way to high quality honey production. “It will give an opportunity for the Fife beekeepers Association to train local volunteers to observe high standards of bee husbandry and raise public awareness of the importance of bees in the ecosystem. “We have already had enquiries from both staff and students expressing interest both as volunteers and in becoming members of Fife bee keping association”.

Steven Campbell-Harris

In The lAST academic year, the University of edinburgh created forty new companies, setting the record for the most businesses formed by a Scottish university in a single year. The firms were created by edinburgh Research and Innovation (eRI), who are known as the University’s commercialisation arm and have acquired over £3 million in funding. Grant Wheeler, head of Company Formation at eRI, told The Journal: “2009/10 was a record year for company formation amongst the students and staff at the University of edinburgh. “In spite of the economic downturn, we formed forty companies, beating the previous record of twenty six achieved in both 2008/09 and 2007/08. Amongst them were an unprecedented number of student-led companies, nineteen in all. “edinburgh students formed companies in such diverse sectors as ethnic rug manufacture and computer

interface technologies, some with very high growth potential whilst others a career choice for the students involved. All worked closely during their set-up phase with launch.ed, an edinburgh initiative that provides business startup support to the University’s entrepreneurial students.” The new companies include Skoogmusic, which produces new musical instruments for disabled children, and nGenTec, which creates lighter generators for wind turbines. The latter recently won an £800,000 contract from the UK Department of energy and Climate Change. edinburgh University Students’ Association president liz Rawlings told The Journal: “It’s great that the university has been so successful in creating new companies this year. In a recession, new companies contribute positively to the economy creating jobs and stimulating growth. “The University of edinburgh is one of the top universities in the world for encouraging business start-up and the new findings further cement this position globally.”

Student Politics 9

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

meet eet your president As first years from all over the world flock to Edinburgh's four universities and art college, the five student union presidents welcome them to the city and explain what can be expected from the year ahead

EUSA: Liz Rawlings WELcomE to EdinbURgh and to the University. EUSA is here to make sure you have the best possible experience while at university. As part of this we run four Union buildings and an Advice Place where you can go if you have any problems or queries. We campaign to defend the rights of students at both university and national levels through the work of our Student council. We’re always looking for more students to get involved – there’s an election in october so come into our office in Potterrow to find out more about standing to represent your fellow students. this year, we’re facing huge challenges. Universities are enduring budget cuts and as a result of the recession, students have less money in their pockets than ever before. that’s why our priorities this year include a university-wide feedback campaign making sure you’re getting the feedback you deserve, a big push to organise students to attend the national Union of Students’ demo against cuts in november, and continuing to campaign for a better doS system and more funding for student support. Edinburgh is one of the best universities in the world and i know you’ll have a fantastic experience here. if you want to get in touch just drop me an email on president@eusa. ed.ac.uk or come and say hi if you see me around.

hWUSU: WUSU: Simon Eltringham thE yEAR AhEAd is extremely exciting for the Student Union. Following a complete review last year by an external consultant and working group, we are now in a position to move the organisation forward. in the past, staffing structures and spending have been allowed to diverge too far from our core values. We have just completed the implementaimplementa tion of our governance review which will mean every student has an opportunity be involved in decision making in the Union through ‘Student Voice’. We’ve also started to build our strategy for 2010 and beyond and are in the process of recruiting external trustees to help us achieve this. this Semester we are opening a brand new bar in partnership with the University which will see a modmod ern social hub created on campus. our new Advice hub will open later this semester which will see us in a more prominent position next to University stu student services with extended opening hours and a dedicated team of trained advisors. throughout the year we will be consulting with students about the planned relocation of the Student Union building.

QmUSU: blain b murphy it’S bEEn A long time coming for me to find a position that suits me like this, and trust me i’ve tried a few positions in my time at QmU. myself and christie mcmonagle (the Vice-President) have a lot of goals for the year ahead but the most important is that the students of QmU start to feel as though the union is theirs and not just an add-on to the University. We started out by making the environment more friendly and enjoyable by introducing a sports ‘Wall of Fame’ and a photo ‘wall of shame’ (mainly of the big events in the union, such as Freshers’, Paddy’s day etc). Working with the SU staff we’ve targeted issues that are impacting our students, such as feedback and health. to overcome these issues we’ve started working with the University to enhance the feedback process, which is coming on leaps and bounds. Also in march we’re running a whole month long campaign on health, that is sexual, physical and mental health. So now we’re just looking forward to having the students back and have them start enjoying the new Students’ Union.

kasia EcA SRc: bylinska Francesca miller AS thE APPointEd student president of Edinburgh college of Art i hope to upkeep the atmosphere which i so much enjoyed whilst a student at the college. i graduated last year in intermedia Art and am very glad to continue to be a part of EcA. i hope to be an enthusiastic and encouraging representative of EcA students. Edinburgh college of Art has a great community spirit and i want all new students to find themselves totally immersed within it, kicking off with a great week of Freshers’ events! Aims for my year in office include the bringing together of the three schools through improvements to cross-disciplinary access, major improvements to the recycling facilities and raising issues of consumption and the environment. i am proposing to hold a ‘big green event’ to inform students on what they can do to help the environment in and out of college, with interesting and inspiring talks from visiting speakers and local businesses to help you do your bit and discover more. i am also looking at how student opinion is gathered and evaluated, with the view to be out and about in the studios. i want to be a person that all students can come and chat to, so they always drop by to the SRc office too. We’re a friendly bunch so come and say hello.

nSA: kasia bylinska AS LASt WEEk was Edinburgh napier’s apier’s Freshers’ Week, kasia was unavailable for comment. this is kasia’s asia’s second year as president of napier Students’ Association (nSA) and she is determined to continue the great work she began last year. her achievements so far include setting up student-led teaching awards especially for tutors and personal development tutors. She also organised a ‘Swedish day’ in order to integrate napier’s apier’s many foreign students. originally riginally from Poland herself, this was a big campaign pledge of hers which she has done her best to fulfil. She has worked closely with nUS US and last december travelled to brussels russels to the European Students’ Union. She also plans to keep fighting for her students amid the debate on lifting the cap on tuition fees. there here is still much more she wants to achieve which is why she ran for re-election. She wishes to involve as many students as possible in the association and to continue with her successful social nights which she helps organise.

10 Student News

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

aussie odd jobs advertised to lure young Brits Down under The australian government are offering an assortment of odd jobs in an attempt to persuade young British students to head down under Astro_DuDes on fliickr

Tommy McCallum

In the latest bid to entice young British workers to its shores, the south australian Government is advertising a series of unusual jobs. the employment opportunities on offer include beer taster, shark wrangler and koala catcher. the new recruitment drive comes after a survey found that 60 per cent of 2000 participating British workers are bored in their current jobs. south australia’s agent-general in london, Bill Muirhead, believes the new roles offer a lively alternative to the 9-5 grind. “this isn’t about one job that everyone has to compete for, but rather about showing people that south australia offers more exciting work and travel options than anywhere else in the world.” shelagh Green, Director of Careers services at the University of edinburgh, believes jobs such as kangaroo poo harvesting or penguin home remodeling could offer a good chance for young workers to enhance their employability. Ms Green told The Journal: “I’m

sure the initiative from the south australian government will open recent graduates’ eyes to a wider range of opportunities, which can only be a good thing. It doesn’t have to be all bar work and teFl.

"It doesn't have to be all bar work and TeFl." “a period working in a different “a country can really enhance your CV. It can be a great opportunity to develop new skills, try out a different work setting and perhaps operate outside your comfort zone.” With visa applications up by eighteen percent last year and students on working holidays being eligible for the positions, the scheme to lure Brits from employee boredom is expected to be a success. If becoming a koala catcher sounds desirable, more information is available at the University of edinburgh Careers service ervice travel and volunteer volunteering fair held on 27th October in teviot. t

New friends, special moments

Student accommodation costs have risen 20 per cent in four years

Free language classes to be offered at edinburgh university

edinburgh university admits it needs to look at more affordable options for student living

euSa President liz rawlings fulfills her first campaign pledge

Polly Dallyn

A recent survey by the national union of students (nus) scotland has shown a rise of eighteen per cent in accommodation prices at scottish universities over the last three years. edinburgh university offers the most expensive accommodation, with its premium rooms costing £216 per week, whereas the university of the West of scotland in Paisley currently provides the cheapest student digs. Liam Burns, President of nus scotland told The Journal: “We strongly believe that accommodation is at the core of university business, and univerniver niversities have a duty to provide affordable accommodation deals. “With increasing numbers of private student accommodation companies such as unite offering accommodation at extortionate prices, universities have to ensure they can provide a range of affordable accommodation for their students.” Iain McWhirter, the rector of edinburgh university, said: “I’ve been approached repeatedly by students

who are really appalled by the cost of accommodation. there is no doubt that it could become a major disincentive to students.” Mr. Burns agreed: “Accommodation is the main cost for students and takes the bulk of the loans they receive. It is a lot to do with geography as students from poorer backgrounds will not be able to afford such expensive accommodation. “A bursary was set up by edinburgh university which ensured students who could prove they were from poorer backgrounds were guaranteed the cheaper accommodation that the university had available. While this is a good initiative it is unfair to ask students to jump through hoops for what should be readily available to them.” Over 50 per cent of students pay more than £90 a week for accommodation and over a quarter pay up to £120. universities have been justifying the high prices by upgrading their standard of accommodation. Mr. Burns said “universities think students want high quality accommodation and en suite bathrooms but the reality is most students cannot afford this. universities need to ensure

they can provide a mixture of quality accommodation.” A spokesperson for edinburgh university has defended edinburgh’s provision of accommodation. “those rooms at the higher end of the tariff scale are extremely popular but the university recognizes the need for, and indeed successfully provides, a significant range of lower cost options.”

“It is imperative to maintain affordable options for students.” With accommodation prices continuing to rise, and the amount of financial aid received by students remaining fairly static, Mr. Burns maintained that “it is imperative for universities, student associations and local authorities to work together to maintain affordable options for students.”

Ashley Buchan

Free language claSSeS will now be offered to university of edinburgh students on a first come first served basis. classes are available as part of a degree as an outside option or on top of degree modules and credits as ‘extra’ degree credits. In addition, a non-credit bearing option is also being offered, the first of its kind. 20-credit introductory courses are offered through the Department of european languages and cultures (Delc) and students can sign up for these through their Director of Studies during Freshers’ Week. These classes will be assessed as normal but will appear on a student’s transcript as an ‘extra’. languages available to study include Spanish, French, german and Italian. The alternative informal ‘give-it-ago’ scheme will begin from October providing six two-hour classes after normal lectures have finished. Japanese, Spanish and French are available and, if successful, Brazilian, Portuguese,

arabic and russian will run from January. a pre-enrolment booking scheme for these can be found from week 1 on the euSa website. liz rawlings, President of the edinburgh university Student association (euSa), who has fulfilled one of her campaign pledges by organising the classes, told The Journal: “I’m delighted that euSa will be able to offer free language classes to students this year. going to university isn’t just about getting a degree. It’s about learning new skills, expanding your horizons and trying things you’ve never done before. “edinburgh has such a huge range of students from across the world and this scheme not only allows students to learn valuable language skills but also celebrates the linguistic and cultural diversity across the university of which we’re so proud.” In addition, languages for all will offer short part-time day and evening courses, from elementary to advanced levels which come at a reduced fee for students. For more information an all these opportunities visit: www.eusa.ed.ac. uk/languages.

National Politics 11

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

SNP shelve independence referendum

Referendum to be held on voting reform

The SNP accused of breaking their promise to organise a referendum on Scotland's independence

Marcus de Wilde John Paul

Jonathan Baldie

The ScoTTiSh NaTioNal Party (SNP) has announced its plans to leave their independence referendum until after the May elections. in a public statement, Scottish Deputy First Minister Nicola Sturgeon said that her party would “let the people decide” on the issue and also that the issue of secession from the UK would form part of the SNP’s re-election manifesto. Speculation on a referendum has been growing since their election to office in 2007 and it formed an integral part of the major parties’ election manifestos in the Westminster election in May. Following Sturgeon’s statement, First Minister alex Salmond said that independence “was the only way Scotland could protect itself from swingeing con-Dem spending cuts. “it will be a major, perhaps dominating, issue not because it is about not giving the people a say in their own future, but because we will be making the link to the economic crisis. “if we have economic and financial powers then we can deal not with all, but with the majority, of this economic problem, which otherwise we have to deal with within a fixed budget.” in a radio interview, Scottish labour leader iain Gray hit out at the Scottish Government, accusing the SNP of “bottling out” of plans for independence and that it was an “embarrassing and humiliating climbdown.” he added that, to him, Mr Salmond had “lost his nerve.” Mr Gray said SNP ministers had wasted more than £2 million on the National conversation on independence and were “guilty of abusing Government money for their own party political interest, using the Bill as part

First Minister Alex Salmond inspects a dram of whisky at Glenglassaugh Highland distillery of their election campaign next year.” he added: “alex Salmond just does not get it. The Scottish Government is there to serve the country, not just the SNP and his own political career.” other holyrood parties also seem to take the SNP’s move into their stride. Speaking to The Journal, a liberal Democrat spokeswoman said: “We welcome the SNP fighting next year’s election solely on the grounds of independence. “This is very welcome territory for us. We will be campaigning for more jobs and protecting services, while the SNP focus on independence.”

Polls show consistent support for a referendum, including amongst those who support the continuation of the union. Most opinion polls have a figure of ‘in-principle’ support for a referendum around 70–75 per cent. in March 2009, The Sunday Times published the results of a YouGov survey on Scottish support for independence; support for a referendum was found to have fallen to 57 percent of respondents, with 53 percent stating they would vote against independence and 33 percent in favour. Within the Scottish Parliament, secession is opposed by labour, the

conservatives, and the lib Dems. Since the 2007 election these parties collectively hold 79 of the 129 seats, over 60 percent of the Parliament. opposition to Scottish independence is also held by many individual figures such as George Galloway, and smaller political parties such as the Scottish Unionist Party and UKiP. in august 2009 a YouGov survey with the Daily Mail asking if Scottish voters would support independence found 28 percent would vote yes, 57 percent no, 11 percent did not know and 5 percent would not vote.

SNP fund 1000 fewer university places The SNP have announced a cut of a thousand university places for Scottish students this academic year as they can't afford to fund them

Jonathan Baldie

The ScoTTiSh GoVeRNMeNT has come under attack as it announced that over 1000 fewer students would be funded through university this academic year. 129,733 undergraduate and postgraduate students are being funded for in 2010/2011, 1,066 fewer than the previous year. The news comes as demand for undergraduate places in the UK is at an all time high, with students

breaking a-level and SQa higher records yet again. it is expected around a thousand applicants will miss out on a place as the number of places has not risen in conjunction with the number of applicants. Scottish labour described the figures as “incredibly concerning” and criticised education Secretary Michael Russell. The SNP Government rebuffed labour’s attack as a “deliberate attempt to mislead people” and said the drop in places was a result of a planned cut in teacher training places.

The Scottish Funding council (SFc) announced in February the number of places for teacher training would fall by forty per cent, from 3,857 in 200910 to 2,307 in 2010-11. in response to the SFc’s announcement, NUS Scotland President liam Burns said: “Scotland can’t carry on with this boom and bust method of teacher training. With cuts to education departments at universities across Scotland we could lose very talented lecturers, irreparably damaging departments that have built expertise in training teachers over many years.” Speaking to The Journal, a

spokesman from edinburgh Napier denied they had encountered difficulties as a result of these cuts: “The number of government-funded undergraduate places at edinburgh Napier was the same this year as last. “There was however an increased demand for those places. our applications were up by forty nine per cent, which is partly because of our strong reputation for graduate employability. The vast majority of our courses, therefore, closed to new applicants on the UcaS deadline of 22 January 2010.”

aT The oPeNiNG of the new session of Parliament on 6 September, MPs passed a bill for a referendum on the alternative Vote (aV). The referendum, a focal point for the coalition deal between the conservative and liberal Democrat parties, passed with 328 votes to 269. The referendum proposes a move from the first past the post system to the aV system under which voters rank constituency candidates in order of preference. Deputy Prime Minister and lib Dem leader Nick clegg said the referendum would restore people’s faith: “This Bill is only one part of a much, much wider programme of political reform, including giving people the power of recall to clean up party funding, to produce proposals finally to reform the house of lords. Political reform doesn’t begin or end with this one single Bill.” The referendum is viewed as source of cohesion for the continuation of the coalition, despite opposition from conservative backbenchers. conservative MP eleanor laing said Tory support for the Bill was a “matter of honour” passed in order to fulfil the coalition agreement and commented that it was “a high price we have to pay” for a stable coalition government. The provisional date of next year’s referendum, 5 May 2011, is a source of contention. 45 MPs have signed a motion calling for a change of the date for the referendum. MPs fear that holding it concurrently with elections to the Scottish Parliament, Welsh assembly and Northern ireland assembly could distort the results. angus MacNeil of the Scottish National Party (SNP) also opposes the date of the referendum, calling on Mr clegg to “have some respect for elec-

"it will not be easy to win, defeating the voices of conservatism who want to keep the status quo." tions that will be occurring in Scotland, in Wales and in Northern ireland.” The outcome of the referendum could potentially dictate the future stability of the coalition. Failure of the referendum could threaten to wipe the lib Dems further off the electoral map. a press statement from the Fair Votes campaign read as follows: “We need you to be part of this campaign. it will not be easy to win, defeating the voices of conservatism who want to keep the status quo because it protects them from the will of the masses. “But with your help we can do it. We need you to inspire, enthuse and persuade your friends, family and neighbours to come out on 5 May and cast their ballot for fairer votes.”

u26 The Journal_Layout 1 10/09/2010 09:49 Page 1

With tickets bookable in advance at only ÂŁ10 for anyone under the age of 26, now is the perfect time to give opera a try. Visit scottishopera.org.uk or contact your local box office Registered in Scotland Number SCO37531 Scottish Charity Number SCO19787

Comment 13

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Comment Discussion&Debate

What next for higher education? austerity has become the buzzword of the coalition at Westminster. Universities face funding cuts and students down south may soon see increased tuition fees. But how will the devolved administration in Scotland react? The Journal kicks off a year of debate on the future of Scottish education in the run-up to the Scottish election by asking whether the nationalist government has been successful in making university more accessible

the Conservative

the Nationalist

We should reconsider how to give everybody the same right to education

Despite constraints, the SNP's education policy has been a success

Elizabeth Smith MSP

t WaS the american singersongwriter Johnny Mercer who said you’ve got to accentuate the positive and eliminate the negative. this is no mean feat when considering the Scottish Government’s record on education. the SNP have delivered a clutter of broken promises, from class sizes and student finance to failing to provide all pupils with two hours of quality Pe each week. they have offered up a morass of confusion through their inability to properly communicate the Curriculum for excellence - one of the most significant changes in school education for a generation - and have singularly failed to offer a full and independent review of higher education preferring instead to internalise any review to the navelgazing of a select, hand-picked few. this last point is particularly serious. In the face of widening access, tightening budgets and higher student demand, Scottish universities are under intense pressure to maintain their internationally-renowned levels of excellence in teaching and research. Competing university sectors are continually improving and student fees have already given english universities an extra revenue source that Scottish universities lack. this funding gap which is likely to widen once Lord Browne’s review reports back on 11 October. Scotland simply cannot afford to stand still so, in the spirit of Mercer’s words, let me be more positive and offer a constructive, Conservative view of what must be addressed. Firstly, the overwhelming majority of key stakeholders believe that the status quo for funding in Scotland is no longer viable. this has been compounded by the Scottish Government’s abolition of the graduate endowment. Secondly, they also believe – albeit in some cases reluctantly – that there must be some form of a student contribution to reflect both the marginal social benefits and the marginal private benefits derived from a university

degree. thirdly, any new funding system which is introduced will need to satisfy four key principles: 1) it should be needs-blind so that academic merit and not personal wealth or background is the determinant of a university place; 2) any system of repayment should be income-contingent so that the more risk-averse and less affluent are not deterred from university; 3) fees should be variable in order to drive up competition between universities; and 4) whatever system is adopted must preserve or enhance the very important autonomy of Scottish universities from government interference. Fourthly, on the basis of the principles outlined above up-front tuition fees should be rejected. Notwithstanding Browne’s recommendations our current thinking is to have some form of deferred fee, perhaps even including a ‘package deal’ where students could pay back the costs of their educational tuition and living costs in a combined loan repayment. Finally, reform of higher education must not be confined to financial matters. higher education policy needs to be delivered in tandem with those which promote school reform; most especially those which make formal, top quality vocational training a more available option at an earlier age, and those which allow much greater flexibility within the examination system. there is a very strong educational argument for greater flexibility within SQa exams and other non-SQa qualifications and for allowing universities, if they so wish, to look at offering shorter degree courses in Scotland. Elizabeth Smith is the Conservative regional list MSP for Mid-Scotland and Fife, and a member of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.

Kenneth Gibson MSP

he NeW CONServatIveLIB Dem Government is set to make deep cuts in its universities budget of £200m. this is in addition to the real term cuts planned by the previous Labour Government of £600m on top of over £300m already specified. this is causing real concern with around 200,000 students already believed to be missing out on a university place this year, added to the prospective hike in student fees in england when the report from Lord Browne is published this autumn. although universities in Scotland are devolved to the Scottish Parliament, there is no doubt that this will have an effect on university funding in Scotland since many of the cuts being imposed in england will have consequences for Scotland under the Barnett formula. In addition, Scotland’s overall budget is facing a real terms reduction of at least three per cent per annum between 2011-12 and 2014-15 and it is expected to be up to 12 to 15 years before current levels of expenditure are restored, representing a cumulative loss of £22 billion to £35 billion of public spending over that period. With deep cuts to Scotland’s budget and increases in top-up fees in the rest of the UK, this is a double whammy which could potentially combine to create a large funding gap for Scottish universities. however, despite the fact that the Scottish Government will be forced to wrestle with the first, very deep real-term cuts in its budget since devolution, it categorically rejects a graduate endowment tax, introduced in Scotland by the previous Labour-Lib

Dem coalition, and which the SNP abolished. Further, it will campaign against removing this cap in england because of the knock-on effect to Scotland. the SNP government remains committed to funding higher education and has increased funding year on year in real terms since 2007. Indeed, Gross expenditure on research and Development figures recently showed that Scotland invests more money in universities that any other country in the OeCD (Organisation for economic Co-operation and Development) with a real terms increase of 5.3 per cent since 2007. Furthermore, a student support funding package worth £30m was announced last year with the Learning Support Scheme, which provides a financial lifeline to hard-pressed part-time students. It was extended in the spring of this year and can be accessed by more than three million people in Scotland. In the budget for 2009/10 the Scottish Government awarded a real terms increase in university funding of 2.1 per cent in universities resource budgets; universities have benefited from a cash increase of just over £35 million in resource funding since 2009/10. Universities Scotland has declared that higher education in Scotland was recognised as a priority, demonstrated by the Scottish government’s protection of funding for the sector in its budget for 2010/11. In the current year, university places were increased by 7,500 in Scotland while being cut by 6,000 in england. Despite the fact that the previous Labour government failed to regulate the banking system, leading us into this economic meltdown, and despite the fact that the tory-Lib Dem coalition is insisting the national debt must be reduced by cuts which are severe, deep and swift as the public purse is tightened, the Scottish Government will continue to work hard to protect university funding in future years. Kenneth Gibson is the SNP constituency MSP for Cunninghame North, and Deputy Convener of the Scottish Parliament’s Education, Lifelong Learning and Culture Committee.

14 Comment

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

labour's pregnant pause a top political blogger assesses the pretenders to the labour throne after their long summer of campaigning Young Fabians

Sunny Hundal

here’S a Simple reason why the labour leadership election looks boring to most observers: discipline. mindful of fractious and divisive internal contests of the past, and keenly aware that internal discipline kept the party in power for 13 years, the contenders are very unlikely to give outsiders the dirty scrap they want. There is sensible reasoning behind this. Voters usually complain that there isn’t enough of a choice between parties (or candidates), and that ‘they’re all the same’. They want to see clear blue water between political parties, but they also hate the intense fighting and arguments that erupt when there is a big political divide. Voters want mps to represent local interests and stand up for what they believe in, but any political party beset by lots of infighting and rebellions wouldn’t get anything done; voters would soon get rid of it. The current political labour leadership election has to be seen in that context. To avoid fighting each other too much, which is partly complicated by fraternal relationships, the candidates have instead focused their fire on the Conservatives. rather than deeply

searching where the party went wrong, they have instead focused on the question, ‘Who is the candidate most likely to get the labour party back into power soon?’ David miliband’s pitch is that he is the most prime ministerial and credible of the candidates; brother ed suggests that labour needs to admit mistakes of the past if it is to win again, and ed Balls that he can take on the Conservatives the best.

andy Burnham plays the ‘i will make the party connect with the grassroots as i’m a working class lad’ tune, while Diane abbott points to her past record in opposing many New labour policies as a guide to the future. On some issues there is barely a rizla paper between them. They all keep repeating the claim that the party needs to be more democratic and accountable and ‘get back in touch

with the grassroots’ without spelling out in too much detail what that means. part of the problem is that the Coalition government’s rapid decline in approval ratings and mounting anger on the left over massive cuts to frontline services has united them all in opposition. But these developments paper over a fundamental problem: New labour is in deep intellectual crisis, which can be summed up thus:

the coalition is proposing changes and ideas that are only slightly more extreme than what New labour’s manifesto would have done. it’s still not clear whether labour’s muchimproved poll ratings come from the public’s anger at the Coalition, from the disappearance of Gordon Brown, or from their approval of the current crop of candidates. Frankly, it is unlikely to be the last one; as previously suggested, they haven’t caught the public imagination yet. But give them a break – being in opposition is hard because the media barely listens to you. You can’t come up with big policy proposals and grab people’s attention because you can’t put it into practice anyway. So for the next five years here are the rough choices: labour will either have to elect someone capable of landing some serious punches at the coalition and undermining their support (in which case pick ed Balls). Or it will pick someone who has the most hope of winning over some wavering voters and get them back in power that way (David miliband is your man). Or it will ask their leader to acknowledge New labour went too far and the way forward is to reach out to as many people as possible (ed miliband). andy Burnham and Diane abbott have no hope. There are small subtle differences. That may be no bad thing. Sunny Hundal is editor of the political blog Liberal Conspiracy, and is supporting Ed Miliband for Labour leader.

@ the Pleasance with eusalive Lee Nelson's Well Good Tour

Simon Brodkin aka Lee Nelson's Well Good Show (BBC3) takes to the stage in the Pleasance after a massively popular run at the Fringe

Sat 25 September 8pm £10/£6 students

The Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

BOX OFFICE TICKET LINE 0131 650 4673 BOOK ONLINE www.eusalive.co.uk

Comment 15

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Cat O'neil

Fresh experiences alexa Caldecott explores the highs and lows of life as a fresher Alexa Caldecott

‘time is a great healer’ stands true in Freshers’ Week. You adjust; even things that would have shamed you are suddenly amusing. I recall a male friend running into breakfast and announcing with the pride of a newly potty-trained child: “Guys… I wet the bed last night”.

have to question why it’s called Freshers’ Week. With lapse laundry and greasy take-outs on the horizon, these first years are anything but fresh. a huge amount of expectation rides on your first seven days, the supposed ‘Mecca’ of our adolescent years. I enjoyed my own a lot, but reactions to Freshers’ Week are varied and unpredictable. one girl moved into her room to find not one bed but two. No, this was not a complimentary sofa but the bunk of a fellow room mate. Now this is a normal occurrence in america, your ‘roomy’ is your comrade, your ‘best bud’. But in the UK it quite simply is not what you sign up for. You want to pick your nose in peace and quiet and certainly don’t want to listen to that MCR track for the hundredth time. It’s not chemical romance; it’s chemical depression. Still, at least this girl got her accommodation. another group of students were put up in a hotel for an entire week, while the over-subscribed accommodation services hurried to find them a Marchmont flat. the sparse mini-bar with its solitary KitKat was little compensation for the university pub crawls and other events that come under the banner of ‘fresher’s fun’. For many Freshers the starting pistol is fired upon crossing the threshold

take your parents off speed dial; they’ll want to know how you’re getting on but not from the 4am echoes of your handbag For many students starting first year, Freshers' Week can be a lonely experience into university halls, elaborate boarding schools but with no lights out. the only person you answer to is your cleaner, with whom incidentally I’d advise you to bond. It is they who see you at your worst, know where you’ve been and who you’ve been with; the film reel of their morning rounds would run like an x-rated movie. Befriend your cleaner and the vicious

hum of the vacuum will meet with the violent roar of your hangover up to an hour later than scheduled. one quickly adjusts to such communal living, centred on the dining room, a theatre for ‘shag, marry or kill’. happy hung-over hours of people-watching start here, if not on arthur’s Seat. Which if you think looks like a good hang-over cure, you’re wrong. It looks like an asthma

attack. the more independent option is self-catered flats. one cooks for oneself and keeps their fingers crossed Jamie oliver has been assigned the other room. You hear horror stories of flatmates who have all gone to school together, or loved their first week only to be hit by a crippling homesickness straight after. however the cliché

So go ahead and wet the bed, you’ll only be marking your territory over your predecessor. take your parents off speed dial; they’ll want to know how you’re getting on but not from the 4am echoes of your handbag. Finally, remember to do some work. No one wants a literal ‘Refreshers’ week’; it’s just the same, but with fewer familiar faces.

16 Comment

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

ISSUE XXXVI

EDINBURGH’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

Proposed ECA and Edinburgh University merger

A marriage of convenience? THE CIRCUMSTANCES Of the proposed merger of the University of Edinburgh and the Edinburgh College of Art are not entirely fortuitous. Earlier this summer, we were promised a thorough consultation and told that 2013 was the earliest possible date for a merger to take place. Now, however, we hear that financial expediency may have forced the acceleration of these plans. ECA’s lack of transparency about the state of their balance sheets has led to rumours of fiscal instability at lauriston Place. The negotiations thus far have taken place behind closed doors, leading to claims that we are witnessing a “hostile takeover”. The merger is not, in itself, a bad idea; who can argue with a free and egalitarian exchange of academic expertise and resources? But rushing the process, and attempting to force

two very different institutions together mindless of their histories and their traditions, has the potential to prove a costly mistake. ECA is rightfully proud of its small, collegiate community and its well-respected academic stature. Its staff and students will not take kindly to becoming the University’s Department of Art. The question of representation is a crucial one. ECA’s student president acknowledges the possibility that her position may disappear as a result of the merger. There is yet to be a frank and open discussion of how ECA’s 1,600 students, with their distinct location and representative culture, will be represented in the new unified institution. The priority must be to ensure that they possess an equal voice; they must not feel disenfranchised or outcast. The campuses may remain physically

divided, but in spirit there can be no division. In principle, The Journal supports the merger - as long as it is a union of equals, properly considered and carefully executed. If money truly is the force driving this merger forward, then so be it: we must act to protect the future of art education in Edinburgh. In any case, improved access to various resources for students at both institutions can only make their educational experience richer. The two already share a close bond, and there is no reason this cannot continue to grow and develop to the benefit of all students and staff. If there is resentment about the nature of this marriage-cum-bailout, however, we run the risk of ending up in a ‘staying together for the kids’ scenario - a situation that rarely ends happily.

JK Rowling MS donation

Harry Potter and the Regenerative Neurology Clinic The Journal APPlAUDS J. K. Rowling for her altruism in donating £10 million to the University of Edinburgh to establish a new research centre studying treatments for multiple sclerosis. Ms Rowling is likely the most successful author of our generation. The current Sunday Times Rich list estimates her fortune at some £512 million. Of all possible uses for such wealth and status, there are few more worthy. Her bequest, hailed by the co-director of the University’s Centre for Multiple Sclerosis Research as a

“generous and far-sighted donation”, will undoubtedly help advance our understanding of the disease. Multiple sclerosis lacks the profile of cancer. To many, it is seen as less damaging. But it is not. It is a terrible illness; a protracted degeneration of the human body that destroys families and compromises the sufferer’s ability to live comfortably and independently. In the UK alone, 100,000 people suffer from the disease. Ms Rowling’s mother, after whom the clinic is to be named, died from the disease aged just 45.

At this stage, with no cure yet in sight, our focus must be on treating the disease’s effects; on mitigating, where at all possible, its worst excesses. This can only happen through careful, methodical clinical research, properly funded and supported. We hope and expect that the Anne Rowling Regenerative Neurology Clinic will make a significant contribution to that research. Ms Rowling has already lost a loved one to MS. Her commitment to ensuring that others will not have to is fundamentally and undeniably praiseworthy.

Edinburgh’s uniVErsiTY nEwspapEr Publisher Devon Walshe Editors (Acting) Marcus Kernohan Megan Taylor Lead Designer Dorothy Butchard Deputy Editor (News) Megan Taylor

General News Amanda S. falk Local News Melissa Wong National Politics Jonathan Baldie Features Emily Johnston Deputy Editor (Arts & Entertainment) Marcus Kernohan Theatre Amy Taylor Art Rachel Cloughton Comedy Emily Carson

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Arts & Entertainment 17

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Theatre

Back to Black Watch With a revival of The National Theatre of Scotland's 'Black Watch' in the offing, The Journal talks to director John Tiffany about the challenge of bringing war to the stage Amy Taylor Theatre

“

IT’S A STORy that’s very sadly become universal,” says director John Tiffany when asked about the continuing appeal of Gregory Burke’s awardwinning play Black Watch, which begins a new world tour this month at Glasgow’s SECC after nearly two years away from the stage. “Due to huge demand”, as Tiffany says, the National Theatre of Scotland’s bestknown play finished its last international tour at St Ann’s Warehouse in New york in December 2008, two years after it was first performed at the 2006 Edinburgh Festival Fringe. Set between Scotland and Iraq, the play transports the audience from a pool hall in Fife to the harsh battlefields of Iraq, where the titular regiment of the famed 3rd Battalion, The Black Watch, fight to make it home alive. Based on interviews conducted by Burke with Iraq veterans, the play became both a Scottish and international sensation, as its early Fringe success led it to be seen by over 113,000 people on three continents, winning 22 awards along the way, including the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Director and Best Play. Created, in Tiffany’s words, “in response to an incident in time,” Black Watch weaves a tale

The Black Watch brings the realities of Iraq to the stage through Scotland's best recognised regiment of tradition, brotherhood, identity and ultimately tragedy, as the reallife deaths of three soldiers and an Iraqi interpreter in 2004 cast a dark shadow across the legendary ‘Gallant Forty-Twa’. The response from the audience

has been wildly positive, says Tiffany. “Glenrothes was a privilege; we took it to Fife and we met the parents of the boys that the story is based on, which was an absolute privilege, and some other people that saw them die. It’s things like that that make you

go ‘oh my God, this is an honour to tell your story the way you think is truthful.’” But with so much national and international acclaim heaped upon the play and featuring a brand new cast for 2010, has Tiffany made any changes to Black Watch? “No,” he

says. “I think it would be a mistake... it’s very recent history.” It seems that the phenomenal worldwide appeal of the play’s subject matter transcends languages and cultures, claims Tiffany. “It’s a story that is an absolute Scottish piece of theatre. It seems to speak to audiences that don’t necessarily speak English.” The universal language of Black Watch is to partly attributable to Burke’s text, but can also be credited to the work of Associate Director (Movement) Steven Hoggett. As the co-Artistic Director of Frantic Assembly, Hoggett has some impressive theatrical credentials of his own; most recently co-directing the acclaimed Beautiful Burnout, which premiered at this year’s Fringe. While the subject matter remains controversial and ultimately unresolved, the play’s message is to educate and inform the public of what goes on in the hearts and minds of the soldiers on the frontline, Tiffany tells me; to give them “a sense of what they’re doing out there.” While the play presents a more human approach to the harsh realities of war, Tiffany’s stance on the piece’s contemporary themes and political issues is simple. “For me it’s not just theatre; it’s a manifestation of life, and that’s what theatre should be.” Black Watch begins the Scottish leg of its 2010 tour at the SECC in Glasgow on Wednesday 15 September.

ON THE HORIZON Music

Theatre

The Vaselines Wednesday 15 September The Bongo Club £12.50 The Glasgow rockers cited as an influence by Kurt Cobain are back with a vengeance.

Romeo & Juliet Friday 17 September - Saturday 16 October Royal Lyceum Theatre £12.50-£28 The Lyceum open their Autumn of Love season with Shakespeare's classic tale of love, directed by Tony Cownie.

MUSIC

Elliot Minor Friday 17 September Cabaret Voltaire £10 Emotionally-charged classical rockers bring their teen angst to Auld Reekie. Tommy Reilly Friday 17 September Liquid Room £tbc Acoustic also-ran of 2008 returns to give Edinburgh a much-needed nostalgia attack.

THEATRE

Punk Rock Tuesday 28 September - Saturday 2 October King's Theatre £14-£26.50 Oliver Award winner Simon Stephens' new script follows a group of educated, articulate young people through their final year at an English grammar school.

Barenaked Ladies Wednesday 22 September HMV Picture House £25 The quartet behind 'One Week' bring their tongue-in-cheek alt rock to the Picture House.

Scottish Ballet - Autumn Season: Geometry + Grace Thursday 23 September - Saturday 25 September Edinburgh Festival Theatre £14-£26.50 Three distinct pieces, three groundbreaking choreographers, 36 phenomenal dancers.

The Scottish Enlightenment Friday 24 September Sneaky Pete's Dunfermline indie-rockers launch their new EP in style

A Play, A Pie & A Pint: Fly Me to the Moon Tuesday 21 September - Saturday 25 September Traverse Theatre

£12 The pastry- and beer-based series returns for its third year, with Marie Jones' new black comedy. Art ART Martin Creed: Down Over Up Until Sunday 31 October Fruitmarket Gallery A major solo show from Turner Prize winner Martin Creed, experimenting with scale, sequence and categorisation RSA New Works Until Sunday 10 October Royal Scottish Academy The second in a series of newly-commissioned shows for 2010 detailing new works by contemporary Scottish artists. Tapestry Revealed Part Two: Harold Cohen Until Saturday 2 October Dovecot The second in a four-part series of exhibitions looking at great examples of tapestry New Work Scotland Programme 2010 Saturday 16 October - Sunday 28 November Collective Gallery An exciting showcase of

emerging Scottish artists, featuring Jacob Kerray, Shelly Nadashi and Lucy Clout Comedy

COMEDY

Highlight Comedy Saturday 18 September The Highlight £13 The Highlight's flagship comedy night returns, with Janey Godley, Matt Kirshen, Chris Henry and Keith Farnan. Red Raw Monday 20 September The Stand £2 (£1) Open-mic showcase returns, with host Davey See and headliner Paul F. Taylor. Robin Ince's Bad Book Club Tuesday 28 September The Stand £10 Fatherly comic mulls over the world's worst written works. Electric Tales Tuesday 21 September The Stand £4 A mashup of stand-up and storytelling right before your eyes

Clubs

CLUBS

Compakt 2nd Birthday Friday 17 September Cabaret Voltaire £3 until 12am, £5 after Featuring sets from Gary Beck, Bruno FK, Phrase, Daoijia and AnarKid Xplicit Friday 17 September Bongo Club £12 Camo & Krooked on the decks Paul Van Dyk Saturday 18 September City £15 German trance legend all set to get Edinburgh moving Fierce Angel Saturday 18 September Speakeasy @ Cabaret Voltaire £15 Mark Doyle, Studiopunks and Soraya Vivian stop off in Edinburgh as part of their world tour. Basshunter Wednesday 22 September Lava & Ignite £tbc Swedish producer returns to Edinburgh for a long night of partying

18 Arts & Entertainment

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010 Devon Walshe

Music

Wolf parade

Music

Buzzcocks Kane Mumford Music

Devon Walshe

“nOT THe MOST graceful way to start a gig” declares Spencer Krug, keyboard and vocalist of Wolf parade, after barging his way through the crowd and climbing on stage. Guitarist Dan Boeckner unleashes an intentional clamor of noise on a keyboard as he tries to balance himself crawling up to the tiny stage at cabaret Voltaire. Indeed, there’s nothing graceful about tonight’s gig, as this ad-hoc ‘rock and roll’ underground supergroup put together by Krug and Boeckner in 2003 unleash a pummeling set on the sweltering and excitable audience. Wolf parade’s gig tonight is fervent, hot-blooded and very, very loud. So loud, in fact, that you can

spot some of the youngish crowd wincing as they sing along, bouncing up and down to drummer arlen Thompson’s two-step rhythms and gut-rumbling base drum. Krug and Boeckner together are potent and complementary musicians; Krug as a long haired musical shaman-poet concocting heady basslines and melodies on his array of keyboards and pedals; tattooed Boeckner the animator, furiously riffing and singing with passion and bulging veins. The highlight comes as the drums and guitars fell away, leaving Krug’s haunting soundscapes reverberating in the air as he stares intently into the eyes of audience members,

speaking of hair-raising mythical abstractions and realities. In between songs, shy smiles and polite canadian thank yous enforce the honesty of the music and the musicians. The cramped and overheated venue is distracting, and at some points the energy of the band and the audience fall out of sync, but despite this the band keep spirits high and the audience wanting more right up to the end. Fusing the classic Dionysian rock and roll ethic with unconventional and experimental songs, Wolf parade don’t need grace to win the crowd over. This is simply a phenomenal indie performance, without perms or pretense. A1_Poster_Edinburgh_Out.pdf

Theatre

The Dress affair

Tightlaced Theatre recreate the consequences of infidelity in their new production Amy Taylor Theatre MarrIaGe anD InFIDeLITY form the basis of The Dress Affair, the new play from edinburgh-based new writing company, Tightlaced Theatre. Written by rob David and based on the poem O Caso do Vestido by influential Brazilian poet carlos Drummond de andrade, the production focuses on the female point of view of an extramarital affair and the ever-present ghost of ‘the other woman’. Set in an unknown time and place, The Dress Affair follows The Woman (Danielle Farrow) and The Man (andrew Henry) as they attempt to save their marriage in the aftermath of The Man’s affair with a mysterious stranger. But while the mistress may be long gone, her presence remains with the couple in the form of her beautiful red dress, which possesses special powers. performed using shadow, dance, live music and interchangeable characters, The Dress Affair is a timeless analysis of marriage and identity. Written 65 years after Drummond’s original poem in 1945, the script is, as David himself states, the poem’s “sequel”,

as it explores the dark ending of andrade’s piece. While the play is primarily a somewhat scathing social comment on the attitudes towards modern marriage, it also briefly examines themes of lust, notoriety and consumerism with a cynically comedic voice. Flavia D’avila’s production taps into our need to be wanted and appreciated, but most of all it highlights the universal desire to belong. and it’s this longing for acceptance, and the suppressed anger at the loss of a companion and also, a sense of self, that lies at the heart of David’s play and makes it all the more mesmerising. chris allan’s basic set combined with alex Tobin’s use of red and white costumes, proved to be a perfectly subtle platform for David’s picturesquely poetic language and accompaniment from Ian Orr’s piano and Tobin’s unfortunately out of tune guitar. While Henry’s understated performance as all the male characters was quietly confident, he was often overpowered by Farrow’s intense turns as both the embittered wife and cruel seductress. Funny, witty and passionate, this is a refreshingly relevant play with a bite. The GRV : 7 - 11 September : £9 (£7)

W W W . J O U R N A L C

O N L I N E . C O . U K

CMY

05/08/2010

14:22

Once upOn a time, a vinyl production line in america staged a walk-out. It was a protest, incited by Buzzcocks’ second uS release, ‘What Do I Get?’. The rabble rousing was not the product of any sort of polemic on the Buzzcocks’ part, decrying the need for people to labour monotonously in the name of capitalism; rather, the workers were protesting against the Buzzcocks themselves, because the B-side of ‘What Do I Get?’ was titled ‘Oh Shit!’. It is clear from tonight’s show that the band has gained little subtlety since the late ‘70s, when their fantastic eruption of anti-erudite song titles (see ‘Orgasm addict’, ‘Just Lust’, et al) was at its ejaculatory peak. names like these could make you question why they are so readily placed in the one-of-the-most-influential-bandsof-all-time stakes. But then you hear them live. Deliciously unaffected by the passage of time and modern technology,

the unrefined ruckus of songs like ‘Harmony in My Head’ and ‘What Do I Get?’ is a thing of savage beauty. The production tonight provides little definition between tunes and sounds - it’s all nasal, buzzsaw guitars and stomping, thumping drums throughout - but it would be fair to describe the general emotion among the audience as one of euphoric adoration. They scream the twists and snatches of melody that pull Buzzcocks’ noisy pop punk from track to track with abandon. Hits rattle by in typical fastforward mode: ‘I Don’t Mind’, ‘noise annoys’, ‘Love You More’, with no chat between songs beyond the occasional “alright edinburgh?” Of course, the sold-out crowd clearly wouldn’t have it any different – what made punk such a shock in the first place was this sort of barely controlled energy (and spitting onstage). as the genre-defining ‘ever Fallen in Love (With Someone You Shouldn’t’ve)’ brings the night to its end it feels as though a portal has been opened and we’re back in the ‘70s, hearing the music for the first time. It’s priceless.

Arts & Entertainment 19

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

art

Comedy

Impressionist Gardens

Wicked Wenches

a refreshingly varied and comprehensive take on an already familiar genre

a mixed bag at The Stand's monthly all-female night

Celyn Bricker If eVer There was an exhibition assured of success as an artistic summer ‘blockbuster’, it would be this one. Impressionist exhibitions are routinely trotted out to ensure healthy crowd numbers; here, combined with the obvious appeal of gardens, failure was unlikely. It would be a mistake to dismiss the exhibition on this account however, Impressionist Gardens is fortunately much more engaging that its middle-of-the-road title suggests. The exhibition is framed chronologically, beginning with the artistic lead up to Impressionism and concluding with the new blooms of the movement towards the end of the 19th century and the early decades of the 20th. The breadth of content is admirable: works are taken not just from the

usual french Impressionist canon but also from artists working across europe and america. as such, we are encouraged to engage with the movement in its fullest sense, and are offered a reminder that Impressionism was an artistic response to changes in society and art that were by no means specific to Continental europe. The further division of the exhibition into ‘types’ of gardens points to what is perhaps its most interesting aspect. The Impressionist depictions of public gardens are actually an intriguing historical record: the 19th century was, after all, the time in which public parks first emerged. These newly egalitarian spaces were very much in tune with the left-wing sympathies of many artists working at the time, and while this may have again found particular resonance in republican france, this kind of utopianism spread – along with other

Marcus Kernohan Arts & Entertainment

ideas, artistic and otherwise - across the West. our overfamiliarity with Impressionism can cause us to forget just how radical a movement it was. Impressionist Gardens may help us see it a little differently, and offers

us a reminder of a moment in art when beauty and artistic innovation were not mutually exclusive. National Gallery of Scotland | Until 17 October Price: £10 (£7)

Lis FerLa

Music

Panda Su a soulful, strident performance from the fife duo

Kane Mumford Music The beardSMen of The Last of barrett’s Privateers are first up tonight, dealing in that strident brand of folk made popular by Mumford & Sons. opener ‘harbour of Wool’ is typical of their more upbeat moments, with banjos and ukuleles adding a high-strung propulsion to their close-harmony melodies and earthy lyrics. The sombre ‘Jeremiah’ is warm and sorrowful, proving them to be at their best when they are being themselves. Less hairy (but still with a beard or two on show) The occasional flickers’ sound is like a

lazy stretch on a sunny afternoon. They never stray from their major chord-driven bittersweet wanderings, and this takes something away from their dynamic as a live band. relying on the tunes to this extent calls for a melodic nuance that doesn’t quite shine through on the first listen. Impossible to accuse of lacking nuance, this evening’s top draw seem intent on going out with whisper rather than a bang. here is Panda Su’s most pared-back and traditional manifestation just singer/guitarist Su Shaw and

multi-instrumentalist counterpart, adam Philips – even Shaw’s trademark panda makeup remains in its compact. The result is a night of unflinching candour. The set draws mainly from the brilliant Sticks and Stones, with songs like ‘Moviegoer’ and ‘Stung by a bee’ relying on a slowly building hook that draws you in for the emotional punch. and it is a punch. What is impressive is that in a setting where this sort of stuff can become cloying, Shaw carries it off with understated aplomb. ‘The alphabet Song’ and ‘eric is dead’

are the night’s highlight’s, displaying a song-writing freedom and confidence reminiscent of Soviet Kitsch-era regina Spektor. before the closing track, Shaw announces tonight’s gig as being their last in edinburgh until february, and there’s a genuine sigh of disappointment from the audience. heartfelt is a word a little overused to describe artists these days, but, when it comes to Panda Su it’s apt. as the last line repeats “The salt water stains my eyes” it’s exciting to wonder what’s in store for the poignant fife duo.

feMaLe STand-uPS CoMMonLy fall prey to two great received wisdoms: the first is that they are naturally less funny than their male counterparts; the second is that all men subscribe to this line of thought. neither is true, and yet both clichés continue to pervade the comedic debate. enter Wicked Wenches, The Stand’s monthly all-female night, apparently intended as a sharp rebuke to both fallacies. resident host Susan Calman is on impressive form tonight, taking the stage with a confident swagger and leaning languidly on the mic-stand as she surveys the slightly sparse audience. The diminutive former solicitor’s broad Glaswegian accent and amiable manner as she potters around the stage make her a particularly disarming compère. Iszi Lawrence possesses much the same air of breathless enthusiasm, but the well-spoken oxford resident defines herself too heavily as a posh-girl - the gags about being middle-class and shopping at Waitrose feel lazy - and suffers badly from a tendency to rush her punchlines. Kim Macaskill’s eyes-down stance and slightly faltering speech suggest nerves but belie a hilariously dark sense of humour. Macaskill’s technique is unorthodox, but the Kilmarnock native’s pseudo-shyness proves remarkably engaging. Viv Gee’s beautifully barbed soliloquies on early middle-age, meanwhile, are damaged by her tendency to break the fourth wall and point out the details she burnishes for comic effect; initially a wittily self-referential comic device, repeated usage makes it feel more like self-sabotage. no such flies on headliner bernadette Pauley, however. The latest in a summer of american imports to edinburgh, Pauley’s flawless confidence and no-bullshit attitude make her a sharp, polished performer. her ability to flit from charming anecdote to viciously biting punchline at a moment’s notice makes her a fascinatingly unpredictable comedian; an animated, emotive spectacle with an innate sense of where the laughs are. Wicked Wenches returns to The Stand on Tuesday 5 October, with host Susan Calman and guests Shazia Mirza, Maeve Higgins, Jay Lafferty and Caroline Robertson. www.thestand.co.uk

20 Fashion

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

edinburgh in vogue The Journal gets to know the new faces in Scottish fashion Jessica Heggie Fashion

he ScoTTiSh FaShion awards celebrated their fifth anniversary at Glasgow’s Science centre in June, with Scotland’s top fashion talent greeted by a tartan carpet and numerous celebrity appearances from Paulo nutini, Diana Vickers, supermodel David Gandy and designers amanda Wakeley and Jonathan Saunders. The Journal spoke to two of edinburgh’s finest fashion exports: Terri McGlone, winner of Scotland’s new Face award, sponsored by boohoo. com and Jett Sweeney, winner of the Scottish Graduate of the Year award, sponsored by Marks and Spencer. Sweeney, 23, who graduated from edinburgh college of art rt this year, was up against fellow eca student nadia Scullion, odette dette Valentine from London college of art and ingrid ngrid Garrioch from Grays School of art. rt. When the shortlist was announced, the nominees were given a brief by M&S designers to create a garment that could capture the eye of the brand’s broad spectrum of customers. as s designers, they were used to sleepless nights and deadline stress, but perhaps not on this scale. Sweeney claims the stress and sleepless nights are all worth it to be able to “watch a design go from just an idea to the catwalk, or being worn by someone you know.” Winning at the Scottish Fashion awards has given Sweeney’s burgeoning career a boost at its very beginning, a rare boon in the competitive world of fashion. her er plans for this year are impressive for such a new designer. “The M&S dress should be released around christmas hristmas time,” she says, “and a coat that i designed with fellow student Lisa Leisos for the Mackintosh brand is being produced as part of their bespoke collection for their new boutique in Mayfair” 16-year old, 6’1” Dunfermline native McGlone, meanwhile, only became a model a year ago when she was spotted by Stolen Model agency gency co-owner annalese nnalese MacDermott, while shopping with her grandmother on edinburgh’s Princes St. Winning the Scotland’s new ew Face award has been life-changing for McGlone. she claims. as s a child she was bullied because of her height, being 5”10 by the age of 11. “Because i was so tall i towered over everyone, i was called lamp post, ugly green giant, and big foot. When you hear that every day you start to think, i must be ugly,” she tells us. Becoming a model and winning at the Scottish Fashion awards has given McGlone the self-confidence that she previously lacked, and she’s no longer worried about what people think of her. McGlone won the opportunity to be the new face of boohoo.com, and was featured on

the Storm Models website - the same agency as Kate Moss. McGlone’s career ambitions of becoming a policewoman might seem a million miles away from modeling, but she is confident that modeling is helping her to fulfill her dreams. “Modeling teaches you to be confident, how to walk into a room and speak to people you have never met before, be organised and manage your time.” edinburgh is clearly rife with hot new talent. You never know; you could be walking along Princes St and be scouted to be a model like McGlone, or you could be the next eca student to have their designs produced for high street and boutique collections like Sweeney. Look out for Sweeney’s dress in M&S in December, it will make the perfect christmas party dress.

oore er M toph Chris

h&M Goes online h The Swedish high street giant unveils its online UK outlet Jessica Heggie Fashion Goo neWS For those of us who waste GooD hours procrastinating by browsing aSoS. com and Topshop.com, looking out for that bargain top or shoes you can’t live without: h&M is about to launch their very own online store! having launched their iPhone app in reinaugust, the affordable retailer has rein forced its new affinity for technology with the launch of h&M online. From Thursday 16th September customers will (at last) be able to shop 24 hours a day at www. hm.com, ensuring a bargain is only ever a click away! after the app proved somewhat disappointing, the website could be the answer

to our prayers. The app allows you to browse the latest ad campaign, peruse the latest collection, and locate your nearest store, however this is all of little use if you can’t actually get hold of the clothes. The website will allow us to purchase clothing and accessories from h&M’s favourite concepts, Men’s wear,Women’s wear and children’s wear and will also see the launch of a brand new homeware section to include cushions, shower curtains, bed linen and anything else you could possibly need to revamp your home. h&M’s UK Manager, Magnus olsson, said: “We are really thrilled to launch online in the UK and it’s perfect timing for customers to shop for their new season’s wardrobe, as well as shopping for the home.” Visit www.hm.com from Thursday 16 September 2010

Food & Drink 21

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Drinking

nightlife

nightlife, deconstructed Bar caroline Bottger cuts through the old Town/new Town divide to offer a balanced and diverse mini-guide to nights out in Edinburgh

cool

Devon Walshe

Caroline Bottger

T’S FrEShErS WEEK again, so here we present a night-life overview for the young faces about to reinvigorate our own jaded hearts and minds. These are staples of the Edinburgh club scene, loved to a near-sexual fervour by many. read on, young person, read on. First, Itchy Feet. The good news: it’s one of the best nights in Edinburgh. The bad: it occurs only four times per term. Tired of the Top 40? head over to Studio 24 for 50s and 60s pop, reggae, and ska. The drinks aren’t brilliant, but who cares? it’s itchy Feet. So, it’s very simple. The next time you receive a mass Facebook invitation to itchy Feet, remember that only the foolish refuse. Get there reasonably early, as the queue is testament to itchy Feet’s popularity. There is one rule regarding the Big Cheese: do not talk about the Big cheese. This Saturday night staple engenders more divided opinion than the israeli occupation of Gaza. Some hate it, some love it to drunken mortification. The cheesy music, the Disney tunes... if you want a silly night out, free from the George Street status anxiety, then the Big cheese is for you. Be careful as the night progresses though: the dance floor soon resembles a very violent, very sticky mosh pit. if you really must go to George Street then totter over to Lulu on mondays for a ‘classy’ night out. lulu’s does a range of nights, but Decadence on mondays is a good introduction. The very small dance floors means that much “shoulder-rubbing” soon ensues, and these circumstances are further fuelled by the dirt-cheap double vodka and cokes (£1.50). The

Edinburgh's classic vodka bar gets a refurb and a refreshing new look Ben Kendall Food & Drink

taller person may find the ceiling a little low, so if you find yourself putting your hands up for Detroit, do so with care. The music is a comforting mix of Top 40 pop, electronic and r&B, rendering a rather standard but nonetheless fun night. Lava & Ignite’s claim to fame is that someone was stabbed there a few years ago, which seems understandable when you enter the breach of this behemoth. unapologetic in its size, gaudiness and dedication to drunken embarrassment, l&i has three dance floors: one pumps the Top 40, another

the latest in r&B and hip hop, and the last is a monument to the golden oldies and Disney tunes to which we all turn to convince ourselves we are young and wacky. a helpful tip: this place is massive and the mobile signal is negligible, so keep your friends close. if you feel a little overwhelmed by the mainstream clubbing culture of Edinburgh (and it definitely happens), Bongo Club is widely regarded as a fun alternative. not only does it cater to Edinburgh’s clubbers, but there is always an art exhibition or a

discussion night such as Sceptics in the Pub taking place. one night in particular, Four corners, is recommended: the unpretentious crowd and good music (funk, soul, and reggae) are reasons enough to abandon George Street for a night. however, the drinks are expensive, so perfect the art of the pre-drink to save money. and there you have it. always explore and try something new, freshers, because nothing is more depressing than knowing how many times lady Gaga will be played at your old favourite. have a great year!

Eating out

herbitopia henderson's on hanover St. provides fertile ground for your tastebuds to take root and flower

Ben Kendall Food & Drink

hiS column haS before seen the likes of a vegetarian restaurant, but this time i feel we lie witness to a more congruous claimant to that title. henderson’s exudes that earthily, organically comforting warmth one might expect of a herbivorous eating house. The place is so evocative of hessian-weave and wheat-grass, rolled oats and country kitchens, it’s earthy feel-good demeanour immediately envelops you

in the cosy arms of contentment. however, to account for this is difficult. Perhaps it’s the low ceiling, warm lights and old wooden furniture. Perhaps it’s the soft, soulful music rippling delicately across the laid-back restaurant from each night’s live musician. or perhaps it’s simply the organic cheerfulness of being so attuned with the earth, seen in the smiles of the waiting staff, the sumptuously abundant food-counter and – of most importance – the very taste of the food itself. henderson’s is aglow with health-giving happiness. Both times i have been blessed with a hendersonian meal, i have

pinched the pennies and opted for the Student Special (£5 for main course of the day plus a substantial delicious salad, £7.50 to include pudding). Each occasion proffered a curry, though i feel this stands as testament to both the kitchen’s skills and the diversity of the dish, rather than a regrettable lack of imagination. The first, a headily aromatic north african root vegetable tagine, sweet with sultana’s and nutty with the roots. To accompany, a simple cous-cous salad, a pleasant blanket of flavour against the curry’s power. For the second instalment we go Keralan, with a glorious chickpea curry, sweetly silky with

coconut cream, fragrantly scented with lemongrass, mint and coriander, and spiked with lime. The light creaminess was brought bolsteringly to earth by the dense graininess of the chickpeas to form a most delicious lunch. no embellishment was needed, but a light salad of cucumber, olives and feta, though not quite in the same register, provided cooling relief from the flavour-festooned curry. There is nothing to condemn henderson’s; this long-standing bastion of vegetarian nirvana rightly deserves its fame and popularity. 94 Hanover Street, EH2 1DR

iT ShoulD noT be considered hyperbolic to commend Bar Kohl as the epitome of cool. Despite having taken up its laughable position in the rheumatic arsenal of down-with-the-kids Dad, when one delves into the aladdin’s cave of English adjectives there is no more apposite a word. Bar Kohl is cool, ingenuously cool. What is perhaps even more appealing is the disparity between this paragon of cool and its accompanying price-tag: Bar Kohl isn’t just luxury; it’s affordable luxury, too. This particular watering-hole’s cool-appeal is evident from the start. The place has two front doors and the capacious room within is bisected by the hefty, oaken, bottle-bejewelled bar, alight with the glittering of absolut and Stolichnaya. intricate cornices and ceiling roses lend a touch of classic Edinburgh gentility, but refined elegance simply isn’t cool enough for Bar Kohl: one ceiling is plastered in comic strips, the floor is set with super-swish black stone and the furnishings come right out of a country pub. impressively, the mish-mash doesn’t jar; but rather coalesces into an equilibrium of cool. But what am i saying; the drinks are the thing! and what lip-smackingly good drinks there are: the honeysuckle Daiquiri is goldenly sweet, delicately, florally perfumed with honey and accented with a sharp cadence of lemon. it is fragrant and bolstering; the cold-toddy of the cocktail list. as its boisterous name suggests, the hammertime is for when you really want to hit it - a three-layer shooter with one throat-rasping glug each of aftershock, absinthe and polish vodka. To finish on an altogether more graceful note, i introduce the home-spun and guzzle-worthy Turktini. it is lusciously smooth, creamy with the mellow calm of chocolate and the heady perfume of an oriental rose garden, Turkish Delight for grown-ups. and that’s the irony of Bar Kohl, it can never seem too grown up; that would be just plain boring. Prices vary: cocktails £5-7; shooters £3-4. With Snapfax: all cocktails £3.50 Mon-Thurs, £5 Fri-Sun 54 George IV Bridge, EH1 1EJ

Sport 23

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Resolutions for the sporting year 2010/11 Welcome back to hacker, the sports column that bites like the jaws of a starved Rottweiler Jonny Brick Sport Editor

t the moment I’m preparing myself for some penitent chest-banging on Yom Kippur; the Jewish person’s chance to hold his hands up, go forth and sin again for a new year. With this in mind, I present some new Year’s resolutions that the World of Sport should adopt so that sportswriters such as myself can go along their merry way reporting good things, like who won what and what went wrong with the Scottish back line this week: 1) the Six nations should allow tackling again. the kickfests of last year were dull, even if englandScotland was a nailbiter. Just as the england cricket team and the German football team can poach foreigners to win games for them, so should the Scottish rugby team travel to Australia and ask if people know what a dram is. If they do, and can maul adequately, they’re in. 2) All competitors in next month’s Commonwealth Games in Delhi (coverage to follow - watch this space) should be shown pictures of the lowest caste of India in lieu of hearing a starting buzzer or pistol to really put into context what they are doing. It’s not about winning any more, is it? It’s about being a role model to the millions of people whose lives are awful

and without hope. What use is a gold medal, and indeed the 2,000 drug tests they plan to carry out at the games, when cholera ravages the homeless and the caste system is still in force? the highlight of the Games should be the Lawn Bowls, at which Britain are very good, though the Indians are on home turf. 3) Football should go semi-pro. All soccer players should have alternative professions and only play on weekends (league) and Wednesdays (cup games). For instance, Wayne Rooney can clean windows on tuesday, then score a hat-trick for United in their match against Rangers in the Champions Cup; David Weir, the Rangers centre-back, can ensure the tV is on for ‘Deal or no Deal’, and then attempt to stop Rooney scoring his hat-trick in the aforementioned game; Didier Drogba can stop falling over and whingeing and get on with his true calling in life, which is plainly to run a call centre in Paisley. everyone’s a winner, especially society. 4) Speaking of football, Sepp Blatter and the FIFA rules committee should find it in their hearts, if we’ve been good football fans this year, to reward us with the gift of consultation of TV replays when cameras are at the ground. I speak as the unofficial President of the Ball-Was-over-theLine-Ref-I-Saw-It-With-my nakedeye-Frank-Woz-Robbed Facebook Group, which may be taken down by

the Referees’ Union by the time this goes to print. 5) Remove the no-ball from cricket and make all Pakistani bookmakers watch ‘out of the Ashes’, the brilliant film about the Afghan cricket team due on the BBC in the next few months (the trailer is on Youtube). every cricketer must remember that this is a gentleman’s game, free from the corruption that mars other sports. Simon Barnes, writing in The Times, called the recent allegations “sad for all sport”. Whether the allegations are verified or not remains to be seen, but everyone involved in professional sport have an example to set in these economically troubled times. I have high hopes that the games The Journal will cover will uphold the true values of sport: the extra two percent that makes a champion, the humanity and dignity of success and defeat, the young talent emerging at edinburgh’s universities and the struggles of those semi-professional sportsmen. to them, obtaining medal or winning a match can matter more than anything else in the world, and that is the essence of sport. Good luck to all sportsmen and women this year; train hard, play harder and live your ambition. Hacker returns next edition with more malign commentary on the world of sport

@ the Pleasance with eusalive

The freshest new London-based rising star whose debut single "Pack Up" stormed the charts, Eliza Doolittle brings a strong mix of soul and strong melodies to Potterrow for one night only. Sat 25 September 8pm £12/£8 students BOX OFFICE TICKET LINE 0131 650 4673 BOOK ONLINE www.eusalive.co.uk

The Pleasance Theatre, 60 Pleasance, Edinburgh EH8 9TJ

24 Sport

The Journal Wednesday 15 September 2010

Sport

Life and death? It's Africa Steve Bloomfield, recently installed as the foreign editor of Monocle magazine, lived in Kenya for four years writing about football for various major newspapers and magazines. this is his story about the pains of pinning down Didier Drogba and the joys of amputee football, as told to Jonny Brick. Often the StOrIeS we hear about Africa are quite negative, because news is negative wherever it is in the world. the problem is that people see Africa as one whole rather than 53 separate countries. the World Cup was a great news story coming out of Africa; though the tournament can’t solve a continent worth of issues, it can certainly change how outsiders perceive it. I went to 26 countries in my time in Africa, so it’s nice to be in one place now in London. All the feedback from the emails has been great, really exciting. It’s really nice to hear what people think of what you’ve done – when they have nice things to say, that is. for the book I wanted to explore the interesting parts of Africa, not just to focus on countries with successful football teams. though I do cover some of the countries who tend to make it to World Cups, I omit Ghana and Cameroon. I was looking for the story of how football affects that particular country Somalia, for instance, who have a terrible football team. the fact that they have a football team in itself is something of an achievement. With Sierra Leone and Liberia, whose football traditions aren’t great, both sides had one great player (respectively Mo Kallon and George Weah), but never made it to World Cups. You can see evidence of

their civil wars by the sheer number of amputees, sometimes by people being victims of bombs or explosions but also, particularly in Sierra Leone, rebel groups would often cut off the limbs of men and boys in villages they attacked. In the amputee teams currently playing, some are former rebels and some are their victims, but all of them are football fans. the idea has spread to other countries to such an extent that there was an amputee African nations Cup. When Liberia won it, it really felt like they were bringing pride to their country; they’re viewed differently now by their countrymen and women. I hope I’ve been careful not to suggest football can end any war or bring prosperity, as people can take a rose-tinted view of such things, but it can help in certain ways. In the [wartorn] Ivory Coast one of the few things all Ivorians could agree on and rally around was the football. to this end, I had a few meetings for the book with Didier Drogba. I wanted a sit-down about what he could have done to keep country together, but he was difficult to pin down, reluctant to talk and, as you can imagine, quite an intimidating chap. the final time we tried to do it was after a match when the team had just beaten Burkina faso. I came very close to being clubbed over the head

weeks of a tour tournament is. Instead one should be inter interested in how the quality of football and organisation around it improves. the he Kenyan Premier League, for instance, is relatively corrupcorrup tion-free, and has good sponsorship deals in place. As for video replays, it’s simply a matter of the fourth official doing more than merely holdhold ing up a board and restraining the manman ager in the technitechni cal area. If he sees something the referee didn’t see then I don’t have a problem at all with it being used.

by Ivorian security who were dressed like robocop. funnily enough Salomon Kalou, Manu eboue and the toure brothers were all fantastic and happy to chat. It’s a shame about Drogba but next time, next time…

I hope I’ve been careful not to suggest football can end any war or bring prosperity I saw Somalia win a match and back in Mogadishu there were big celebrations, people having listened to it on the radio; it was only for one day, but these things can make a difference. Look at South Africa during the World Cup and afterwards, and it’s easy to overestimate how important it is, with the sense of a nation coming together. I see no reason why, with a little bit of luck, an African team can’t win the 2014 World Cup [in Brazil] but one shouldn’t just look at how successful the three

Bloomfield is currently promoting a inspired by his time in in Africa, called Africa United, published by Canongate.

book

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in n the wake of the BP crisis, a senior climate limate for Greenpeac campaigner e warns that edinburgh dinburgh--based based oil firm cairn energy could cause a similar environme ntal disaster

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