The Journal - Glasgow Issue 20

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16.11.2012

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PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR 2012 » Scottish Student Journalism Awards • PUBLICATION OF THE YEAR 2012 » NUS Scotland Awards

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GLASGOW’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER

ISSUE XX

WEDNESDAY 6 FEBRUARY 2013

Glasgow SRC ‘disappointed by campus indyref snub’ • SRC claim campus politicos at University of Glasgow failed to consult them on upcoming mock referendum • Organisers say they hope council will be ‘at the heart’ of event, which they hope will attract 20,000 votes

IN NEWS /

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“The level of vandalism... resulted in a large health & safety risk.”

IN NEWS / The Hive goes out in true Glasgow style

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IN NEWS / 3-11

• George Square “facelift” • NUS UK candidates speak • ‘Game jam’ at Caley • Post-16: student reps respond • Glasgow students go green • Scottish Government vs EU

THE ANATOMY OF AUTONOMY

IN ARTS / 18-26

• Art & design: Steven Holl, architect of the new Glasgow School of Art building • Film: Zero Dark Thirty • Books: B.S. Johnson

Scots triumph in Revolution cycling • Six Nations: Scotland crumble • Basketball: Rocks bounce on • Football: GCU2 hammer GU3

IN SPORT /

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In or out: Scotland’s EU hokey-cokey In the second of our series, we explore an independent Scotland’s place in the world

IN FEATURES /

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NEWS

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

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THIS WEEK INSIDE THE JOURNAL

SU DOKU

SHORTS

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Missing student dead It was confirmed this week that the body of missing Edinburgh student Sanjay Dhital, 24, was discovered in St Margaret’s Loch last weekend.

The search for Dhital, a student at Edinburgh College, began after he failed to make contact with his family in Nepal on Boxing Day of last year. His family have been informed of the discovery.

In a related story, the search continues for missing Stirling University student David O’Halloran who has been missing for over two weeks after disappearing on a night out with friends. CCTV had shown O’Halloran around Bridge of Allan at around 2.15am on 18 January. Police have appealed for witnesses and are requesting any information that may lead them to find him O’Halloran is described as being 5’5” and was wearing a white t-shirt with a black and green checked shirt as well as black jeans and black trainers.

5 3 6 1 8 5 9 4 Battles in Brussels The Journal reports from the EU, where a fight over Scotland’s future is raging on

PG funding ‘scandalous’ According to The Huffington Post, the National Union of Students (NUS) has called for better funding options for postgraduate students to stop a brain drain of students to alternative countries for their studies.

Luke James, who is postgraduate studies officer at the NUS has warned of the UK ‘haemorrhaging’ students unless something is done to rectify the situation by the government. According to the NUS postgraduate fees in Europe can be as low as €230 for a masters course and €350 for a PhD with funding in Scandinavia remaining free.

This comes as a feature in this week’s edition of The Journal discusses the nature of postgraduate education with an Oxford student threatening legal action over the refusal of his application based on funding issues.

‘Inanimate rod’ for NUS With the NUS elections in the distant future, at least by student standards, the list for candidates running for NUS president has been released. In the race to succeed current president Liam Burns, who is to step down at the end of this term, are a number of well-known NUS figures hoping to get the top job in student politics.

However, one candidate has caused a stir among NUS representatives and students alike.

Best known as the ‘inanimate carbon rod’ from the popular comedy cartoon series ‘The Simpsons’ the carbon rod has shot from obscurity to being one of the candidates to take over the presidency of the NUS. The story was first reported in the Bristol Vantage student newspaper and a statement from the rod said: “As president, I will represent all students, regardless of politics, and without sarcasm or aggression or inaccessible language and behaviour, because; as an inanimate rod, I am incapable of having or displaying

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DAVE GROHL’S SOUND CITY With the Nirvana drummer’s new documentary about to hit cinemas, The Journal explores drastic changes in the music industry

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STUDENT PAPER “CENSORED” Edinburgh students’ union take out Court of Session interdict to bar The Student from publishing “confidential” leaked information

24 B.S. JOHNSON: ANARCHY IN PROSE On the 80th anniversary of the renowned radical author’s birth, we look back on the work of a troubled literary genius

BARD STILL FULL OF SURPRISES Academics express delight at the discovery of correspondence and two previously unknown poetic manuscripts by Robert Burns

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The Journal is published by The Edinburgh Journal Ltd., registered address TechCube, 1 Summerhall Square, Edinburgh, EH9 1PL. Registered in Scotland number SC322146. For enquiries call 0131 560 2825 or email info@ journal-online.co.uk. The Journal is a free newspaper for and written by students and graduates in Edinburgh and Glasgow. Contact us if you’d like to get involved. Printed by Morton’s Printers, Lincolnshire. Copyright © 2008 The Edinburgh Journal Ltd. Elements of this publication are distributed under a Creative Commons license - contact us for more information. Distributed by Two Heads Media, www.twoheadsmedia.co.uk. Our thanks to PSYBT, Scottish Enterprise, and all who make this publication possible.

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LOCAL NEWS / 3

Glasgow’s high George Square redesign speed rail hopes scrapped for ‘facelift’ Mixed reaction from students after Glasgow city council row frustrated Scottish politicians urge Westminster to bring high speed rail to Scotland as plans to expand HS2 stops in the north of England MattBuck007

Keira Murray Local News editor

Scottish politicians have again hit

out at the lack of leadership from Westminster for high-speed rail in Scotland.

Last week, the UK Government announced plans to extend the HS2 route from London Euston to Birmingham on to Manchester and Leeds with new stations on both branches.

Despite the extension proposals which are estimated to be completed in 2033, seven years after the London to Birmingham high-speed line, Glasgow and Edinburgh — Scotland’s two biggest cities — will be left behind.

The Scottish government has urged their Westminster counterparts to create a timetable of when they plan to create a high-speed rail line in Scotland, as well as extending the link between Scotland and the north of England.

Keith Brown, Scottish transport secretary, urged Westminster find the resources to create a better rail network for Scotland.

He said: “We will continue to push the UK government as we believe we can work with them to make sure we have those benefits.”

Estimates from business leaders believe a high speed rail link in Scotland could see £3 billion in increased revenue which would increase to £24bn if a full network is connected throughout Scotland.

Brown added: “We want the UK Government to come with us so we can deliver a high-speed rail network that will deliver benefits to the whole of the UK.” The Scottish government hopes Westminster will back its vision to see these two parts of the UK connected more efficiently.

With journey times in England expected to be cut in half, journeys originating or terminating in Scotland under the proposed timetable will only be cut by 12 per cent.

Liz Cameron, Scottish Chambers of Commerce chief executive said: “Whilst marginal benefits will accrue to Scotland in terms of slightly shorter journey times, the fact remains that from central Edinburgh to central London journeys by train will still take longer than by air even in two decades from now.”

Both the SNP and Scottish Labour have disagreed with Westminster’s plans, calling them “unambitious” and that plans to include Scotland in high-speed development should be agreed more quickly.

Louise Wilson Staff writer

The £15 million radical redevelopment of George Square has been scrapped and is instead to undergo a ‘facelift’, it was announced last week.

The six designs shortlisted led to public outcry from many Glaswegian citizens, few of whom were consulted throughout the selection process.

Councillor George Matheson, leader of Glasgow city council, announced the facelift in response to the widespread negative opinion on all shortlisted designs.

He said: “The people of Glasgow have made it clear that they do not want a radical redesign of the square.

They want the square to look better and be a place of which they can be proud — a place they can while away a sunny afternoon or get together and celebrate the big occasions in the life of the city.”

Many students were among those who complained about the designs, most of whom cited logistical reasons for why the shortlisted designs did not gain their approval.

One third-year University of Glasgow student said: “I saw the designs in a similar article a couple of days ago — all I could think was, ‘water features everywhere, in Glasgow, really?’”, while another concurred: “I think anything with water, which can only be used like three days a year, is a mistake.”

One student expressed scepticism regarding the reason behind the radical redesign being for the citizens of Glasogow.

He said: “No money to maintain centres for the learning disabled, loads of dosh for this vanity project, so that the square can be privatised more readily and used by events pushers.

“At present the square has in the region of a 60,000 capacity. These designs all aim to maximise that for the benefits of corporate events pushers.”

Further information about the facelift has not been given, but Councillor Matheson revealed the statues and grass would be kept, and the red tarmac removed.

Instead of the radical redesign, some students would like to see a restoration of George Square back to how it looked decades ago.

One Master’s student said: “People don’t want a redesign, they want it back how it used to be. When there was grass and it was a nice place.”

Others have simply made jokes about any proposed changes, such as the ‘Let’s put a giant bouncy castle on George Square’ Facebook page, which has 447 ‘likes’.

One Edinburgh citizen quipped:

“Maybe the space is there for the colossal Alex Salmond to be placed there after independence. It will need a lot of space if it’s going to be in proportion.”

However, not everyone is happy about the designs being scrapped.

One angry citizen tweeted: “Great shame about the George Square redesign getting scrapped. People really are afraid of progression in this backwards, bigoted cesspool.”

The changes to George Square are still due to be made before Glasgow hosts the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

NHS launch quick-turnaround HIV test in Glasgow New walk-in clinic in Merchant City offers speedy results for HIV and other STI tests Aoife Moore Staff writer

A new speedy service has been

launched in Glasgow for gay and bisexual men.

The service provides quick HIV test results for men, who can also be tested for other sexual infections including gonorrhea, syphilis, chlamydia and hepatitis B. The new drop-in initiative hopes to normalise the idea of being tested and raise the number of those being tested regularly.

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde have launched the initiative in partnership with Gay Men’s Health and the Sandyford Steve Retson Project.

The drop in service will operate from Glasgow’s Merchant City where Gay Men’s Health is based.

Using a fast-test finger prick technique, results from an HIV and syphilis test can be generated within 20 minutes, while other test results can be picked up at a later date.

According to Health Protection Scotland, there are an estimated 4,315 people who are HIV positive living in Scotland. During the first nine months

of 2012 alone, there were 260 new HIV positive results.

Unprotected sex among gay and bisexual men is the main route through which new HIV infections are acquired in Scotland.

The quick and efficient new way of testing is expected to be a great benefit to the health service and the men who use it.

NHSGGC sexual health improvement officer Nicky Coia has commended the service in its efforts to reduce the fear associated with getting tested.

She said: “HIV is the sexually trans-

mitted infection (STI) that people really worry about so the fact they can get that results really quickly is important. We wanted to open up choice to men who might find it more difficult of go through the process of booking an appointment and having to wait for test results.

“The biggest barrier for gay and bisexual men in regards to testing for HIV is the fear of a positive result. So anything we can do to reduce that level of fear is really important.”

Richard Flynn, a gay student living in Glasgow said that the key is to normalise testing for gay men.

He said: “This kind of fast testing

is invaluable. Even the thought of contracting HIV or other STIs is terrifying, and enough to put people off testing altogether, but it’s so important to know your HIV status.

“Fast tests which take away the anxiety of waiting to hear results will hopefully encourage more men to test regularly and keep on top of their sexual health.”

The walk-in clinic runs from 4.30pmå to 7.30pm every Thursday at the Gay Men’s Health Glasgow office at 30 Bell Street, Merchant City with Sandyford sexual health nurses leading the service.

4 / ACADEMIC NEWS

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

Glasgow students urged to ‘go green’ UK students are encouraged to ‘Go Green’ in bid to raise environmental awareness Hannah Rodger Staff writer

Glasgow students are encouraged

to go green in a bid to raise awareness about the environment.

Go Green Week was originally organised by People and Planet, a student-led organisation campaigning to end world poverty and improve people’s awareness about the environment.

Now the event has spread to universities throughout the UK including the University of Strathclyde and Glasgow Caledonian University.

At Strathclyde, the event has been organised by Envirosoc and is in its third year. Popularity has increased each year with 2013 set to be the most successful yet when it begins its series of workshops, talks and events on 12 February.

Shona Rawlings, a spokeswoman for Envirosoc, said: “The main aim of Go Green Week is to encourage environmental awareness of students at Strathclyde.

“The first Go Green Week was in 2011 but has grown steadily over the years, and Envirosoc has tried to cement it into the union’s calendar so it becomes a regular fixture.”

As part of the campaign students are encouraged to make their own carbon pledge to reduce their carbon footprint.

To date, Strathclyde currently have two pledges with a potential CO2 saving of 50kg, based around reducing the amount of plastic they use.

EnviroSoc

Caledonian has led the way with a total of 45 pledges, ranging from cooking only enough food that is needed, to car sharing and buying eco-friendly clothes.

Their potential CO2 saving is currently 1,500kg.

Both universities have teamed up with The Gorbals recycling project to offer students free bike repairs and services.

Strathclyde will also have film screenings and a ceilidh which will raise funds for Willowbank Community Garden on Willbowank Crescent.

Glasgow Caledonian are offering students the chance to test their eco driving skills in a hi-tech simulator and will also have talks and debates to raise awareness about recycling and the environment.

Rawlings added: “We’ve tried to make the events accessible to all so there’s something for everyone.

“This year we also have some communal events with the Glasgow University Climate Action group as it’s always great to share ideas and resources.”

Strathclyde University have also received funding from the Climate Challenge Fund to start a new project called Transition Strathclyde. The enterprise, which will be based from their union on John Street, will monitor the carbon footprint of staff and students at the university not from individual buildings on campus. The research will then be used to create more environmentally friendly projects around campus for the start of next semester.

Strathclyde launches new biomed engineering degree Émer O’Toole Staff writer

The University of Strathclyde has launched an undergraduate engineering degree in Biomedical Engineering.

The Department of Biomedical Engineering reconnects two essential aspects of health technology teaching and research, after the establishment of an innovative new department, creating exceptional opportunities for undergraduates and postgraduates.

The MEng in Biomedical Engineering is a five-year multidisciplinary course that amalgamates knowledge of the physical and life sciences with developments in technology and engineering

to produce applications and solutions to clinically relevant problems.

The course will give advanced training in several areas including diagnostics, medical devices, biomaterials, biomechanics, prostheses and medical robotics.

Professor Bernie Conway, head of the Department of Biomedical Engineering, said: “This degree will offer students a broad range of training in modern biomedical engineering, providing them with an opportunity to make a real impact in the medical technology sector – one of the fastest growing sectors of the UK economy.”

The launch of the degree follows the honorary degree recently given to

Olympic and Paralympic athlete Oscar Pistorius.

The South African sprinter visited the department during his visit to Strathclyde and will work together with the university to help develop the technologies of the future.

The bioengineering unit was established 50 years ago and is an internationally-recognised centre of excellence for postgraduate education and research at the interface between engineering and the life sciences, with particular emphasis on clinically-related research.

The goal of the unit is to transform and improve future healthcare through innovations and advances in science in technology.

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S T A T I S T I C S

20% of Glasgow and Edinburgh’s population is students.

That’s 150,000 students in Glasgow And 80,000 students in Edinburgh.

£64 million on travel

£28 million on clothes

£260 million on food & drink

£18 million on internet access

£102 million on going out £60 million on mobile phones

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ACADEMIC NEWS / 5

Strath at heart of Glasgow Copyright ‘future cities’ initiative research centre University to host city observatory in government pilot Anne

Gareth Llewellyn Deputy managing editor

The University of Strathclyde will be at the heart of a government ‘Future Cities Demonstrator’ project in Glasgow.

Glasgow will receive £24 million in an initiative to transform the city as a pilot to the major impact on the future of cities across the UK. Strathclyde University played an integral role in the bid process and will establish a city observatory in its technology and innovation centre.

Professor Sir Jim McDonald, Strathclyde principal, said: “We are delighted to welcome this major investment in Glasgow.

“This will allow academic and business and industry researchers to analyse more than 200 information feeds about Glasgow – its health, economy, transport and energy use – to map the relationships between them and to understand how a 21st century city operates.

“The understanding that the city observatory gives us will form the basis of the development of new ways of developing our cities to tackle the grand challenges of the 21st century.”

Last month, universities and science minister David Willetts announced that Glasgow will be one of a number of cities to demonstate how providing new integrated services across health, transport, energy and public safety can improve the local economy and increase the quality of life of Glasgow’s citizens.

Willetts said: “With more people than ever before living in our cities, they need to be able to provide people with a better quality of life and a thriving economy.

This £24 million investment will make Glasgow a city of tomorrow, demonstrating how cities can work more efficiently with a reduced environmental impact.

Centre for Creativity, Regulation, Enterprise and Technology (CREATe) to attempt to address challenges the digital world presents to government, business and rightsholders Gareth Llewellyn Deputy managing editor “We are in a global race and Glasgow can keep the UK at the forefront of innovative technology ideas. From transport systems to energy use and health, this demonstrator will play a key part in the government’s industrial strategy and give real insight into how our cities can be shaped in the future.”

The project will see new applications deployed across a number of areas which could help improve crime prevention and detection of crime as well as reducing anti-social behaviour through the improved use of camera technology and the integration of data.

Real-time information on waiting lists in hospitals, real-time view of traffic levels on roads, as well as the running times of buses and trains in addition to faster identification of traffic incidents by better integration of CCTV and traffic management are also included in a series of innovative new technologies.

The results will be made available to businesses, cities and academics, providing valuable learning for innovative UK businesses to develop integrated urban

solutions that can be exported to cities across the world.

Councillor Gordon Matheson, leader of Glasgow city council, said: “This is a huge boost to Glasgow’s ambitions to build a better future for our city and its people. This investment and the work we will be doing will put us at the forefront of innovative and smart cities not just in the UK but in Europe and beyond.

“Glasgow is a city which is constantly evolving and regenerating and we are always looking to the future. Winning this money will put us years ahead of other UK cities in terms of integrating our technological systems to make them work for and talk to each other.

“This will help us to create a more efficient and a more sustainable city which can adapt and move ahead of the technology of the day and make it work for everyone who lives or works in Glasgow.”

The funding for hosting the Future Cities Demonstrator was awarded to Glasgow after an open competition which attracted bids from 30 other UK cities.

Scottish ‘game jam’ searches for the next billion-dollar franchise Kieran Thomas

Due the growing need for new game developers by the videogame industry many universities across the UK and Scotland have begun to offer degrees in videogame design. Videogames have become a billion dollar industry and it is always on the lookout for new creative developers who might make the next Call of Duty or Grand Theft Auto.

Scotland has long been a major player in creating both games and game developers; Rockstar, the creators of Grand Theft Auto and Red Dead Redemption, was founded by two Scottish brothers and are based still in Edinburgh.

Part of this movement to promote gaming development in Scotland Glasgow Caledonian University for the past five years has held the Scottish Game Jam. The Scottish Game Jam is part of the Global Game Jam and is an opportunity for the creative community across Scotland to get some recognition in the industry. For those not famil-

opens at Glasgow University

iar with the concept of a Game Jam the participants are given just 48 hours to create a videogame. That includes creating a concept, sound recording and long hours of coding. Often participants or “Jammers” will go the full weekend without more then a few hours sleep and living off a diet of soft drinks and pizza.

This year the Scottish Game Jam expanded to Edinburgh and Dundee as well as Glasgow and had a total of 250 registered participants making it one of the largest Game Jams in the world.

The Scottish Game Jam is a unique experience which allows today’s leaders of the gaming industry to connect and network with tomorrow’s leaders of the gaming industry. Events such as the Global Game Jam are also great experience for many young people hoping to get into the industry as they simulate what working for a developer can be like.

Last years winning team for example has since been nominated for a BAFTA and have gone on to become a Microsoft incubated company.

At the end of the 48 hours those who

where able to remain conscious and finish their game submitted their creation to a panel of judges. Awards were given out in different categories including Best Audio, Best Technology, Best Art, Best Design, Best Gameplay and the coveted Best Game Overall. The winner of the best overall game got the opportunity to face off against the winners from Dundee and Edinburgh in a Scottish Bafta event where the winners are decided by the public.

There is another aspect to the Game Jam; it’s not just a business event but a social one. New game designers are able to meet and create friendships with other like minded individuals. Nobody leaves without gaining important new contacts and learning a lesson, be that in development skills or time management.

In a future where videogames are becoming increasing prevalent in our culture events like the Scottish Game Jam are vital if Scotland is to produce another generation of talented game developers who may go on to make the next billion dollar game.

A new research centre to examine the changing nature of copyright in the digital age has opened at the University of Glasgow.

The Centre for Creativity, Regulation, Enterprise and Technology (CREATe) brings together international experts from seven UK universities to address the challenges an increasingly digital world presents to government, business and content creators.

Led by Glasgow University with academics from the University of Edinburgh, University of St Andrews and University of Strathclyde, 40 CREATe projects over the next four years will focus on the intersections between culture, the economy and technology to offer policymakers analyses to create new regulatory frameworks.

CREATe director, Professor Martin Kretschmer, said: “The vast expansion of access to digital technology in recent years has created tremendous opportunities for the UK creative sector, which generates around £60 billion each year, or 6 per cent of the UK economy. As the sector increasingly moves towards digital content, copyright issues are becoming more important than ever.

“Studies have shown that between 60 per cent and 70 per cent of young people illegally download music, movies or TV shows, but often those who download most are also the best customers. Producers are being forced to rethink their ways of doing business.

“As a professor at the University of Glasgow’s School of Law, I’m very proud that CREATe will be based here and that our funders have made such a significant investment in a project of real importance.”

The centre brings together experts in law, business, economics, technology, psychology and cultural analysis with a £5 million investment from UK research councils, including the Arts and Humanities Research Council (AHRC), one of CREATe’s primary funders.

Glasgow University will also commit a further £1.7m to research posts and PhDs in the Colleges of Arts and Social Sciences to establish CREATe as an international centre of research excellence.

Professor Rick Rylance, AHRC chief executive, said: “The creative economy is of the greatest importance to the economic health and the cultural life of our country.

“We are in the midst of the profound

transformations brought about by the digital revolution. Understanding these changes, and the challenges and opportunities they present, is crucial to our future in law, regulation, business, the cultural sphere and other areas.

“This is why the foundation of CREATe is so important, and why it is equally important that it brings together the different research councils and other agencies to support its work. We have high hopes of its great success.”

The UK employment relations, consumer and postal affairs minister, Jo Swinson, said CREATe will shape policy and help the UK’s creative industries compete in the global market.

She said: “To maintain the success of the UK’s world class creative industries, policy makers need to understand the issues the sector faces. CREATe will bring together academia, government and industry to build a robust evidence base.”

The official launch took place on 31 January at Glasgow University’s Hunterian Museum ahead of an intensive one-day working conference on 1 February at The Lighthouse in Glasgow.

Scottish education secretary, Mike Russell, who spoke at the launch, said: “Research of this kind is vital to the Scottish economy and helps to ensure our educational excellence in research continues.

“I am delighted that this innovative new research centre will be based in Glasgow University and I am sure it will offer many benefits to both the university and business communities in Scotland. It further reinforces our reputation as a world leader in education that continues to look at new and diverse ways to grow and improve.”

The conference presented case studies of transition from analogue to digital music and publishing contrasting these with ‘born digital’ sectors including games and social media.

Panel discussion participants included science-fiction writer Charlie Stross, social entrepreneur and publisher Frances Pinter, Google’s UK policy manager Theo Bertram, Stewart Henderson of record label Chemikal Underground, and Tony Clayton of the UK Intellectual Property Office.

Nesta, the Intellectual Property Office and the Technology Strategy Board played an advisory role in the setting up of CREATe. The University of Nottingham’s digital economy hub Horizon, the University of East Anglia (UEA) and Goldsmiths make up the seven universities.

6 / STUDENT NEWS

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

SRC ‘disappointed’ at mock referendum snub

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

GUSRC

Representaive body not asked to take part in organising independence vote Lauren Jolley

Glasgow University Students’

Representative Council (GUSRC) has revealed it was snubbed in the early stages of the planned mock independence referendum later this month.

The university’s 20,000 students will vote on 21 February on the subject of Scottish independence after a series of debates and hustings.

However the apparent exclusion of the Student Representative’s Council from both the referendum committee and the initial development of the month-long process has come under some recent scrutiny.

James Harrison, GUSRC president, expressed the council’s frustration at

the Dialectic Society’s failure to formally contact the council about the referendum committee.

He said: “It’s disappointing they did not see it as appropriate to involve the legal representative body of Glasgow students.”

Harrison added that officers at the SRC were only contacted via Facebook chat to provide publicity from their various social media outlets, after the plans had been finalised.

Students have also questioned why the SRC has been excluded from the crucial first stages of such a process, especially as their raison d’être is to represent the students of the university.

The organisers of the mock referendum have professed one of the

strengths of the campaign is the inclusion of a broad spectrum of political positions with eight societies, including Nationalist, Labour, Conservative and Independent signed up as well as Glasgow University and Queen Margaret unions.

The aim of this campus poll is to ensure young voters from the university go into the debate armed with a comprehensive knowledge of the relevant issues.

So far, those involved have been lauded for the campaign, including Michael Gray, Dialectic Society president, who emphasised the significance of the proceedings.

He said: “The question of independence – its opportunities and challenges

– is the most important question that Scots face.

“Glasgow can lead the way in promoting serious debates and holding our own referendum. Hopefully other students across the country will follow suit.”

Gray remains optimistic that the SRC can still be an important asset to

the proceedings, assuring The Journal: “We’re in contact with the SRC and hopefully they’ll be at the heart of the process going forward.”

The SRC is an invaluable feature of the university’s student support system, and expected to be an intrinsic part of the coming events from the outset.

Students rail against pole dancing criticism GUPDC and GUSRC hit back against article sensationalising club’s activities Cap’n Monkey

Rebecca Day Student News editor

The Glasgow University Pole Dancing Club (GUPDC) has faced a fresh wave of attacks last week after a

scathing article in The Daily Mail.

The article was emotively entitled ‘What’s YOUR daughter doing at Uni?’ claimed the sport promoted the sexualisation and ‘pornification’ of young women and appeared

designed to play on the worst fears of parents about what their children were exposed to at university.

Yet the moral panic ensuing when young women dress provocatively, ‘degrading’ themselves by ‘sexing up’ has been perceived as outdated by defenders of the club.

Maggie Rostron, GUPDC president, believes the moral backlash to the sport is down to a lack of education.

Speaking to The Journal, she said: “The GUPDC is a fitness club, and the focus is on that. There is also a huge difference between sexual, and confidence, which most people confuse.

“The technicalities involved in learning moves mean it is essential to have a good understanding of the body and its capabilities.

“We see the activity as a sport, and most importantly, do not perform for the sexual gratification of our audiences.

“People who come to see our shows are not expecting to get a complimentary lap dance; more often than not, they come to support family or friends who are performing, and to appreciate the skills required to perform moves”.

Craig Angus, Glasgow University Students’ Representative Council vice-president media communication, was angered by attack on the SRC affiliated club.

He said “It’s just an absolute joke that the Daily Mail have taken their modern Mary Whitehousing to the university.

“The GUPDC is a popular society, and attracts a wide range of students, both male and female. The benefits are that like-minded people can meet up on a regular basis to do something which they enjoy, and that doesn’t have any malicious intent towards anybody.

“The SRC represents 27,000 stu-

dents; some are religious, some are atheist, some have sex regularly, some abstain ‘till marriage, some are rightwing, some left-wing.

“In this position, with such a diverse range of people, all we can do is take a ‘pro-choice’ stance - essentially you can choose to feel how you want. The trick is not to impose your ideological beliefs on other people who just happen to feel differently.

Above all, it’s about tolerance and understanding.”

It is also hard not to note the double standards, when reading Mail article online. Pictures of Kelly Brook writhing around in her bikini are displayed in the rolling news stories that line the right hand side of the webpage. This is seen as a far more acceptable image than the ‘cut-away backless leotards and gold bikini-style top and pants’ that were reported to be worn by the student performers.

UCAS application figures confound predictions Surprise increase in applications after pessimistic predictions before Christmas Hannah Dowe Standring Staff writer

UCAS

have released figures showing a 3.5 per cent rise in applicants to UK universities.

The figures, two weeks after the deadline for full-time undergraduate applications had passed, come in the wake of pessimistic predictions of application numbers, particularly the continuing effect of the increase in fees and the drop that was recorded for 2012 applications.

The Journal recently reported that the figures as they stood before Christmas suggested a nationwide drop of six per cent in applications, and 3.9 per cent in Scotland.

However, in Scotland this was a two

per cent rise while in Northern Ireland the rise was over seven per cent.

According to the body, application rates of 18-year-olds across the UK are close to their highest recorded levels; in Northern Ireland 48 per cent of 18-yearolds are now applying to UK universities, and in Scotland this figure has risen to 32 per cent.

Applications from disadvantaged students have also been shown to be at record levels in England, Northern Ireland and Scotland.

Mary Curnock Cook, UCAS chief executive, described the report as “encouraging”, saying that: “young people from disadvantaged backgrounds are 80 per cent more likely to apply that a decade ago.”

Cook went on to say that the gap

between application rates for young men and women shows no sign of disappearing, particularly among disadvantaged sectors of society, where women are 50 per cent more likely to apply than men - this trend is strongest in Scotland and Wales.

Individual universities in Scotland appear to have seen particularly startling increases in applications, The Guardian revealed that the University of Glasgow saw a 37 per cent rise on last year, Aberdeen University and the University of Edinburgh saw increases of 26 per cent and 24 per cent respectively.

The fact that the applications to Edinburgh from Scottish students makes up 4.3 per cent of this rise suggests that the bulk is made up by either EU or fee paying students; in the latter

case it appears that an undergraduate degree costing £36,000, compared to a maximum of £27,000 in England, is a price many prospective students are willing to pay.

Professor Ian Diamond, Aberdeen University principal, has admitted that there were fears surrounding that ability of Scottish universities to maintain a high level of demand in light of the increased fees — many Scottish universities which choose to charge £9,000 a year saw a comparatively higher increase that English universities, due to the lower level of fees prior to 2012.

However, he said: “We simply had to remain confident that the offer that we had at the University of Aberdeen was at least the equal of that of anywhere else.”

Olivia Pires

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

STUDENT NEWS / 7

Vandalism forces early closing time at GUU Students angry as Hive’s swansong is shut down at 2am, despite 6am licence being issued for the event Hollie Jones Staff writer

was that we were not told why we were to leave the Hive, but simply bullied out.

“I spoke to bouncers, board members Many students were left furious and police and was told a different lie last Friday morning when the Glasgow each time, none referring to the toilets.”

University Union’s Hive closing night It took four vehicles and at least eight was forcibly shut down four hours officers from Strathclyde police to assist earlier than expected. with the emptying of the building.

A stream of vandalism resulted in the The noncompliance of occupants led decision to close the club at 2am, in spite to massive crushing on the Hive dance of the fact that a 6am licence that had floor and one individual attempting to been granted by the local authorities. steal the ‘I’ from the celebrated Hive Inebriated revellers had begun sign. smashing ceiling tiles, destroying light Amid the chaos one student allegedly fixtures and tearing off bathroom assaulted a doorman. fittings.

A spokeswoman from the StrathThe board members decided that clyde police said: “He did not require closure was the only route of action as medical attention and a 20-year-old man the flooding and damages jeopardized was reported to the procurator fiscal in health and safety regulations and there- relation to it.” fore endangered those in attendance.

The Hive building is due to be Following the arrival of an ambu- demolished to make way for a new lance at 12.10am to deal with an overly £13.4m sports and nightclub facility and intoxicated student, those in charge, in their final closing event had been much consultation with the Strathclyde Police, anticipated by their student members. pronounced that the building would Most people queued for over two close at 2am. hours and paid £8 for their ticket.

It took almost an hour for the staff to In the aftermath of the disastrous evacuate the premises. event student members have been Attendees were fuming as they were demanding a refund as they didn’t get to left uninformed of what was happening. enjoy the full 10-hour event they were Dissatisfied student Dave Hicks said: promised.

“I think the reason people were so angry Some have called it a ‘scam’ and insin-

Student leaders condemn latest college cuts

uated that the GUU always intended to close at 2am and just marketed it as a 10-hour event to make extra money.

The GUU have refused to grant any refunds as the extended license was not granted until after tickets were sold.

They announced on their Facebook page: “We understand that many of you are disappointed with the events of last night.

“Unfortunately, the level of vandalism throughout the building, and particularly in the bathrooms, resulted in a large health and safety risk to our members and a significant risk to our premises license, leading to the Board of Management closing the building prematurely.

“We assure you that a 6am license had been granted, but we felt the safety of our members was at risk so decided to close before this time.

“Had we kept the building open any longer we would have jeopardised our license. It is unfortunate that many of our members were left disappointed by the behaviour of a minority.”

There have also been numerous complaints that the establishment should have anticipated such volatile behaviour and have been more fully prepared.

David Lockhart, the president of the Union, refused to comment to The Journal.

Scottish Government

Finance secretary finds extra £10 million for FE, but still cuts overall funding by £24.6 million for 2013/14 Gareth Llewellyn Deputy managing editor

Student leaders have condemned further cuts to college funding in the latest Scottish Government budget announced last Wednesday.

The Scottish Government’s budget passed by parliament despite widespread criticism that cuts to college funding will damage students’ prospects.

Finance secretary John Swinney again made a concession in the budget as he announced an extra £10m in funding for further education, which had been facing a £34.6m cut.

The new total college fund of £522m in 2013-14 will be matched in the following year, raising the level from an expected £471m.

Robin Parker, National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland president, said: “[The] decision by the Scottish government is very disappointing for those students and people across Scotland who wrote over 50,000 emails to MSPs calling on the Scottish Government to reverse college cuts.

“While the efforts of students across Scotland has seen tens of millions put back into the budget, compared to what was originally proposed, we can’t accept a cut of £24.6m to col-

leges, on top of huge cuts over the last few years.

“We were hoping for much more from this budget. We fear that a cut of £24.6m could see damage to students and to colleges, coming at the same time as colleges are merging, and huge structural change.”

The SNP have been quick to claim that students should be happy that the government has agreed to increase spending plans by £51m next year, but Parker said: “We understand that they have agreed to increase spending plans by £51m for next year, protecting colleges from further cuts the following year.

“While this of course is welcome, next year is next year. We need to ensure colleges can get through this year without damage to students and we fear cuts on this scale could have really negative consequences.”

Parker’s comments were echoed

by Langside College Students’ Association co-president, Vonnie Sandlan, who attacked the government’s refusal to accept concerns over its regionalisation agenda.

Speaking to The Journal, she said: “Make no mistake, colleges are under attack from a government which does not understand their purpose.

“In these times of high unemploy-

ment it is an egregiously short-sighted decision to impose such drastic cuts and simultaneously push through the regionalisation agenda when colleges have consistently provided job training, further education and life skills within the communities they serve.

“The cabinet secretary for education has met with a myriad of representatives from colleges and has refused to acknowledge the concerns we have that these cuts will be sorest felt by the most vulnerable in our society.

“This budget decision is nothing short of heresy.”

College management have again highlighted the threat to staff cuts and course closures as a result of the continued cuts to funding. Speaking to The Journal, Alan Sherry, principal of John Wheatley College in Glasgow’s east end, added: “Although we welcome any reduction in the funding cuts,

we still have some concerns over the impact these cuts may have on available college places for young people in Glasgow in the years to come.

“John Wheatley College has already lost around 10 per cent of its staff in the last two rounds of funding cuts.

“Any loss of skills and experience certainly could affect our continued ability to deliver learning in our communities, many of which often experience the highest levels of deprivation in Scotland.”

Parker has insisted that NUS Scotland will work with colleges and the government to minimise the damage caused by the cuts.

He said: “We will work with the college sector and the government, both locally and nationally, to try to limit the damage of these cuts at campuses across Scotland and focus our efforts on next year’s budget to see a reversal to these cuts.”

While students have been vocal in denouncing the budget, Colleges Scotland — the organisation which supports and represents colleges — welcomed the reduced cut.

John Henderson, Colleges Scotland chief executive, said: “[The] budget announcement is warmly welcomed by Colleges Scotland and our members.

“This additional funding will help to give colleges stability over the next two years while they work to successfully complete the reform process.

“As the sector’s representative, we have highlighted its economic importance to the Scottish government and we are pleased that its value has been recognised by Ministers.”

The budget bill was passed by 68 votes to 56 after Parliament divided along party lines with Labour, Tories and Lib Dems all signing up to NUS Scotland’s Fund Scotland’s Future campaign to oppose the cuts.

8 / STUDENT POLITICS

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

USSA ‘sells out’ sabbatical elections Deloitte-funded ‘election ambassadors’ will be paid to promote elections following poor turnout in 2012 contest Colm Currie Staff writer

The University of Strathclyde Stu-

dents’ Association (USSA) has been accused of selling out after it was revealed it had accepted an offer from Deloitte.

The forthcoming sabbatical elections will see the firm’s logo featured across USSA election marketing in return for funding towards paid ‘Election Ambassadors’.

Second year student, David Smith, said: “It’s disappointing the union has sold out like this again. Why do we need corporate sponsorship to pay students to promote elections?

“Aren’t they making enough money from the increased bar prices and Starbucks?

“Most students don’t care who runs the union - it’s always someone with a few ideas looking for a good thing for their CV and to make a name for themselves.

“Paying students to promote elections won’t change what most students think about the association or encourage them to vote.”

The Journal understands that Deloitte, known for its sponsorship of student sports teams including the University of Edinburgh’s hockey team, contacted the

Students’ Association with the proposal, pledging £2,000 for its logo to feature on all marketing materials including the union’s website, posters across campus, and t-shirts worn by union staff hired to promote the event.

Another Strathclyde student, Christine Glen, said, “You need to be careful with sponsorship.The main brand should be the university and the students, the sponsor shouldn’t be bigger than the elections. It’s the students and the Union that are doing all the work.”

But Corey Milne, sees the partnership as a positive sign for the association.

He said: “If they have more funds, they’ll probably put it into the students’ agenda, which is a good thing.”

Speaking to The Journal, Malcolm Moir, USSA president, said, “We were approached by Deloitte about the possibility of them sponsoring the generic aspects of our election materials. It is worth noting that no Deloitte logo will be on individual candidate publicity. After a discussion at the executive level we decided to ask the Policy & Democracy Committee for approval, which they gave.

“The extra money that we are receiving as a result of the sponsorship is being used to employ a number of ‘Election Ambassadors’. These will be paid stu-

dents who will go out over the elections period to promote the elections and hopefully help increase awareness of the elections and our turnout.

“Our Policy & Democracy Committee are also considering some other innovative ways to use the remaining money to help promote the elections.“ Recent elections at the Students’ Association have suffered from low-turn out rates, with last year’s presidential election gaining a turn-out of 2,285 students – just 11.72 per cent of the university’s student population.

Such is the apathy of student governance at the university, the association hopes its team of ‘Election Ambassadors’ marketing the election in additional to traditional marketing by candidates and the association will improve voter turnout this year and in the future.

USSA came under fire at the start of the academic year when a decision was taken by the association to ban charitable bake sales in the Union building on John Street, used by clubs and societies to raise money for their activities and other charitable causes, just weeks after its new Starbucks had opened on level six.

Deloitte were asked to comment, but failed to respond before The Journal went to press.

Student leaders in fresh call for GUSRC voice new action on widening access concerns over postStudent presidents at Strath and UWS give evidence to education committee 16 education bill President James Harrison tells The Journal why Glasgow University SRC has problems with the Scottish government’s post-16 education reform

Gary Paterson Student Politics editor

Student leaders in the west of Scotland have called on the Scottish government to legislate on widening access and retention at Scottish universities.

Appearing at the Scottish parliament’s Education and Culture Committe, the officers were giving evidence on the education reform bill introduced by the government in November 2012.

Student officers from the University of West Scotland Students’ Association (SAUWS), Stirling University Students’ Union (SUSU) and University of Strathclyde Students’ Association (USSA) raised issues around widening access and retention, and supported moves to legislate to ensure universities do more to widen access and reduce drop out rates in Scotland.

Speaking to The Journal, Garry Quigley, SAUWS president, said: “I welcomed the opportunity to attend the Scottish parliament to talk to MSPs directly about what implications the post-16 bill will have on students at UWS. “We raised the issue that all universities in Scotland need to do more to widen access for all students — regardless of their background or personal circumstances.

“Around 25 per cent of the students at UWS come from some of the most disadvantaged backgrounds and if you compare that record with some of the other universities, then it is clear that not everyone is doing their part to widen access to students that come from a less affluent area.

“We also made it clear that it is not

Gary Paterson Student Politics editor

Glasgow University Students’

just about getting students into university, but retaining them until graduation day.

“As part of our ‘Retaining Scotland’s Potential’ campaign, we have been lobbying the university and others to do more when it comes to student retention.”

While many post-1992 universities built a reputation on admitting students from poorer backgrounds, Scotland’s ancient universities have been roundly criticised for not doing enough to admit students from the poorest areas.

Christina Andrews, SUSU vice president education and engagement, said: “The University of Stirling is starting to do some more good things to make access to the university fairer, but they need to do more, to make progress much faster.”

Malcolm Moir, USSA president, added: “[It] was a great opportunity to make our students’ voices heard. We will continue working hard to ensure that universities work towards widening access for all.”

The Scottish government is currently working with institutions to roll out access agreements on a number of issues including widening access to students from deprived backgrounds.

The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland has campaigned to improve figures through its ‘Unlock Scotland’s Potential’ campaign.

Mr Salmond said that he expected the constitution would be written in 2016, after a transfer of sovereignty and the election of the first Scottish government.

Representative Council (GUSRC) has raised concerns over the Scottish government’s Post-16 Education (Scotland) Bill.

The view comes as GUSRC and other student leaders gave their views on reforms to college and university governance and funding.

GUSRC’s principle concerns surround tuition fees, widening access and funding arrangements.

Speaking to The Journal, James Harrison, GUSRC president, said: “We have some concerns over the wording of the government’s proposals in the post-16 bill.

“It gives ministers considerable discretion in deciding what makes good management, which could impact on funding for higher education institutions.

“Requiring an institution to comply with principles of good management that ‘appear to Scottish ministers to constitute good practice’ is vague, and could vary significantly depending on which political party is in power. We would like to see more detail in this proposal.”

One of the major student campaigns in Scotland this year is widening access to higher education for students from poorer backgrounds, and GUSRC has

talked up the importance of widening access, but has called for students to be at the heart of its development.

Harrison said: “We welcome the commitment in the bill to widening access, as it is incredibly important that people from all walks of life are able to take part in higher education should they wish, however we would like guarantees that student representatives will be part of the process in developing widening access agreements, and that they would be involved in working towards the agreement alongside the university.”

While the majority of Scottish students do not pay tuition fees at Scottish universities, GUSRC has maintained its position to see tuition fees scrapped for rest of the uk (RUK) students.

Harrison said: “We are opposed to all tuition fees in Scotland, however we recognise that bringing in a total cap of £27,000 in line with elsewhere in the United Kingdom would at least be better than the current situation where some universities in Scotland are charging up to £36,000 in tuition fees.”

The National Union of Students (NUS) Scotland, of which GUSRC is not a member, has defended the bill, arguing that it will make institutions more accountable and will work to improve the numbers of students from social deprived backgrounds going to university.

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10 / NATIONAL POLITICS

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

SPECIAL REPORT: SCOTLAND AND THE EUROPEAN UNION

Brussels battle over youth training scheme Common sense or window-dressing? Opinions vary in European Parliament and Commission about new scheme

“Every day I’m Brusseling” Daniel do Rosario & Greg Bianchi from Brussels

Young people across the EU would

be guaranteed an apprenticeship or further training if out of work for four months, under a European Commission

proposal to combat youth unemployment – but The Journal has found mixed views on the scheme in Brussels.

One Scottish MEP who strongly supports the scheme is Labour’s David Martin. His spokesperson explained that such a system needs to be organ-

ised at EU level rather than independent states because the freedom of labour movement in the EU might create mass labour flows to areas implementing such schemes. She also stressed that there are funds available to put the scheme in place.

SNP MEP Alyn Smith was less convinced: “You see, there is a body of opinion within the commission and the level of the parliament that there’s a knee jerk reaction that says we need to do everything at the European level.

“The Youth Guarantee is precisely one of those. I am not in favour of the EU being responsible for social policy, I am not in favour of the EU being responsible for delivering apprenticeships — not because I’m ideological about it, but because I don’t think the EU would do it better than the Scottish Government or indeed the local authorities in Scotland.

“The Youth Guarantee scheme sounds good, but there’s no budget behind it of any significance. It’s window dressing. It allows MEPs to go back to their constituencies and say… youth guarantee scheme, look what we’ve done.”

However, fellow SNP representative Ian Hughton suggested that he sup-

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ported the policy saying that some of the education schemes funded by the EU had been positive in Scotland. Mr Hudghton also said that he believed that at a time when there is a youth unemployment crisis in some member states some of these schemes are particularly important. Mr Hudghton went on the state “if we can have some kind of coordinated action at the EU level that supplements what we can do at home, then of course we’ll support it.”

Both SNP MEPs did support the scheme and voted for it in Parliament however this suggests their personal views on the utility of the scheme seem to differ.

At Commission level, Dennis Abbott, spokesperson for the EU education commissioner insisted that the scheme was worthwhile and would have sufficient funding and support.

Mr Abbott said that while the policy was only a recommendation, peer pressure from states who successfully roll out the scheme might influence wider uptake among member states.

He said that while the Youth Guarantee can not promise to end in permanent employment, young people can hope to gain new qualifications and skills that

will make them more attractive to future employers.

He linked the drive behind the Youth Guarantee to a campaign for more students to take part in the ERASMUS european exchange scheme, whose funding is set to increase in the next few years despite pressure to cut the EU’s budget.

Jonathan Todd, an employment and social affairs representative who works on the scheme, said: “it’s got a proven track record in Austria and Finland, and it’s common sense.

“The idea being, rather than twiddling their thumbs or getting depressed whilst unemployed [young people] are actually using their time to acquire the skills that are relevant to them and will increase their chances of getting a job in the future.

“It wouldn’t be enforced, it’s a recommendation. But the fact is there is a lot of peer pressure on member states to put it in place, if we point the finger at the fact that it works.

“They would have to explain to their electorate, their unemployed people, why they don’t want to put in place a scheme that has been proven to work in other countries. I mean, what do you say to these young people?”

PM urged to remove international students from immigration stats Five parliamentary committee heads in call for reform Johnney Rhodes Staff writer

Prime Minister David Cameron

has received a letter signed by the heads of five parliamentary committees to leave international students out of his proposed immigration targets.

The letter asks Cameron to take “further action to encourage international university students to study in the UK. “Doing so has the potential to support economic growth in the immediate and longer term, supporting jobs in university towns and increasing export earnings,” they added.

The UK government has promised to lower the net number of people immigrating and has taken a series of measures to do so including some which directly affect international students.

International students coming to the UK are already expected to speak a higher level of English, and higher education institutions which hope to sponsor international students for a visa must be known as “highly trusted”.

Universities have criticised the measures claiming that they have

driven thousands of promising genuine students to universities outside of the UK. Immigration figures have decreased but many ministers have linked this to a fall in the number of international students.

However, figures released by the UK admissions body UCAS show an increase of 9.6 per cent in the number of students from outside Europe applying between September and January.

The committee heads welcomed a move to extend the amount of time PhD and MBA students would have to find work in the UK after their degree had finished.

Weighing in to the debate, Universities UK chief executive Nicola Dandridge stated to The Guardian earlier this month that immigration restrictions had made international students feel unwelcome.

The signatories further believe that the government’s measures have damaged the movement of students putting UK universities at a disadvantage.

They also ask the prime minister to “reconcile the remaining tensions between visa policy and aspirations for growth by removing international students from the net migration target”.

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

NATIONAL POLITICS / 11

Piotr Jablonski

Scotland and Europe: Is this the Final Countdown?

Conflicting views along partisan lines have led to calls for clarity on independence Daniel do Rosario & Greg Bianchi

An independent Scotland’s EU

status is one of the most hotly-contested ‘hypotheticals’ of the independence debate, but The Journal has had exclusive sight of two letters that might bring some welcome clarity.

The question at stake used to be whether Scotland would get ‘automatic’ entry into the EU as the SNP government once claimed. Even their own Alyn Smith MEP accepts that phrase was ‘unfortunate’.

Most people now accept Scotland would likely get in eventually, but the question is how smooth the process would be and how long it would take.

The SNP says that it would be a simple matter of ‘housekeeping’ because Scotland is already embedded in EU institutions and laws, while opponents such as Tory MEP Struan Stevenson reckon the process would take two years even if fast-tracked.

Quoting European Commission president Manuel Barroso has become a set piece for independence critics.

The words they latch onto in particular come from a BBC interview in December where Barroso stated that any newly independent country would have to reapply to join the European Union, which can be a lengthy process, as Iceland has shown.

Despite this apparently clear-cut

statement, the issue is seemingly a little more complex. The Commission has never commented on Scotland’s specific case, as the SNP have been keen to point out.

The Journal has had exclusive sight of a letter sent by the European Commission vice-president Maroš Šefcovic to Scotland’s deputy first minister, Nicola Sturgeon, which confirms this.

It says the commission cannot comment specifically on Scotland, as it falls under “questions of internal organisation related to the constitutional arrangements in member states.”

However, it goes on to say: “the European Commission would only be able to express its opinion on the legal consequences under EU law of a specific situation upon request from a Member State detailing a precise scenario.”

In other words, if the UK government agrees on a precise scenario, a specific legal opinion on Scotland and the EU would finally be forthcoming. Why this possibility did not emerge sooner is unclear, and it is likely to rouse the interest of both campaigns. The second letter passed to The Journal is a draft suggesting that request may eventually be made, at least if met with enough cross-party support.

The letter was proposed during a EU society debate at the University of Edinburgh, when Alyn Smith MEP surprised his fellow politicians by pulling it out

Lorra-lorra laughs as EU version of Blind Date proves a smash hit of his bag without forewarning them.

Smith’s proposed signatories were the politicians attending the debate, although he later said that he had no desire to hear a final answer from them that night.

The letter is addressed to prime minister David Cameron, Scotland secretary Michael Moore and deputy first minister Nicola Sturgeon, and urges both governments to agree on a specific scenario that the UK government (as the existing EU member state) can then formally seek the Commission’s advice on.

The letter points out that such an agreed scenario is in line with a key recommendation of the Electoral Commission, which calls on the two governments to agree on a “joint position” on the consequences of both a Yes and No result “so that voters have access to agreed information about what would follow the referendum.”

Catherine Stihler, a Labour MEP who was also on the panel, told The Journal: “To be handed a letter just

before going into the debate and then to find the letter quoted in the Herald newspaper the next day seemed more like an attempt to grab a quick headline... than to genuinely seek cooperation on these important questions.

“If the SNP had answered my question honestly back in May 2011 about what legal advice they based their assertions on automatic EU entry over, then perhaps I would see things differently.

“In my mind it is for the SNP, not the Labour party, to answer the questions over the practicalities of independence.”

It is with tedious inevitability that we must now return to the muddy waters of political reality. There are a number of important complications both with Smith’s proposed formal UK government request for legal advice, and with the nature of the EU’s decision-making processes in the event of Scottish independence.

The precise independence scenario that the Commission expects is likely to be incredibly complex, requiring a

remarkable degree of cross-party agreement on issues such as Indy Scotland’s maritime borders, future currency arrangements and so on. These are the kind of details that the governing SNP have been reticent on so far. [see this week’s Anatomy of Autonomy feature for a more in depth look at the legal implications of Scottish independence.]

Furthermore, even if Scotland votes for independence in 2014, and even if the Commission deems Scotland’s membership application a matter of simple ‘housekeeping’ — the EU’s codecision process of ratification adds a final (perhaps impenetrable) layer of uncertainty.

Each member state in the European Council has a veto they could use to block Scotland’s application. The Journal heard off the record comments in both the EU Parliament and Commission suggesting that Spain, with fiercely independent Catalans and Basques rattling the gates of Madrid, might be a thorn in Scotland’s side in that respect.

ERASMUS scheme to continue after high uptake Interviews with commission and parliamentary representatives confirm that popular EU scheme will continue to be funded Daniel do Rosario & Greg Bianchi

The future of the ERASMUS European exchange scheme is guaranteed beyond the end of 2013, according to members of both the European Parliament and the European Commission.

There had been fears that the budgetary issues facing the EU could lead to a serious cutback in the education budget for the scheme.

According to the EU commission there are set to be up to 5 million people studying abroad with a revitalised Erasmus programme termed ‘Erasmus for all’, which has a 19 billion euro fund for a seven-year programme, due to start in 2014.

Despite the healthy uptake of the scheme in many countries, Dennis Abbott, an Education, Culture, Multilingualism and Youth Commission spokesman, expressed concern over the lack of

students from across the UK taking part.

Mr Abbott told The Journal that the ERASMUS programme is “arguably… the most successful programme ever launched by the EU,” and that the EU aims to double the number of grants available for ERASMUS exchanges alongside similar exchanges for apprentices and college lecturers.

He said: “ERASMUS has always been very, very popular, but its value… is even greater now at a time of economic difficulty”, adding that it was regrettable that the British are lagging behind their European counterparts.

According to the most recent figures seen by The Journal, 2010-11 shows over 230,000 ERASMUS students taking part in the scheme. However, the figures also show that the United Kingdom hosted twice as many students as it sent abroad.

24,474 EU students came to the UK and only 12,833 studied in other European countries. This contrasts with other

European countries like Spain and France, which sent 36,183 and 31,747 students respectively.

The commission stated that despite budgetary concerns, the ERASMUS scheme is set to increase in size. This comes from a scheme that has already sponsored over 2 million students over the past quarter of a century.

This support for ERASMUS was mirrored across Brussels in the European Parliament, where SNP MEP Alyn Smith, a member of the Education and Culture committee said that he was committed to ensuring the ERASMUS budget was to be extended beyond the end of 2013.

The backing of the ERASMUS project had previously been thrown into doubt after the refusal of a number of European member states to back the most recent EU budget.

This created a projected shortfall in funding for the programme, however

an effort was made to ensure that no ERASMUS students lost their funding last year.

There had been some criticism by some students across Europe complaining that they had failed to receive their funding. However, these cases were down to mistakes at home institutions, criticised by some students for failing to ensure that funding reached students studying abroad.

The Anatomy of Autonomy Exploring the international implications of independence.

COMMENT & FEATURES

15

EU education commissioner

12 / EDITORIAL

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

GLASGOW’S STUDENT NEWSPAPER George Square

£15m of window dressing Glasgow city council’s shambolic handling of the proposed £15 million radical transformation of George Square by the controlling Labour apparatchiks is another illustration of our elected officials keen only to safeguard their political acumen and long-term future in politics than what Glasgow’s residents need and want. The public backlash against the six shortlisted designs for Glasgow’s civic square should serve as an unambiguous reminder their raison d’être is to serve the people of Glasgow and act, at all times, in the public interest.

At a time of large funding cuts to local councils, it is not irrational to expect Scotland’s largest council to ensure

that inhabitants get the public services they deserve at a time when they need it most. While £15 million might seem like a cosmetic measure irrespective of a near £50m funding gap considering the council’s expected £1.2 billion budget, the actuality is that the council could do so much more to improve the daily lives of its residents than overhauling George Square.

But, as we’ve seen with this latest misadventure, reported to have cost £100,000, the council does not appear to value the opinion of Glaswegians, evident through its privation of consultation and transparency at every stage of the George Square process.

Few Glaswegians would disagree with the notion that the Commonwealth Games in 2014 is not only important to the city, but should be the catalyst for a new era of development and prosperity.

The jobs, regeneration of the east end, the opportunity to showcase our diverse city as well as expected millions in revenue as the tourism from spectators to the Games and those who follow are just some of the benefits Glasgow stands to gain from the Commonwealth Games and are rightly important, but what about the housing, education, welfare and transport services communities across the city depend on?

How many visitors to Glasgow would look at George Square in its present semblance and say ‘It’s such a shame they don’t have £15m to get a water feature and aerodynamically-obtuse sculptures’? The reality is, while Glaswegians

Equal marriage

The turning of the tide on equality The historic vote in the House of

Commons regarding whether to legalise same-sex marriage brings to bear an issue upon which public consensus has largely been decided for some time. Yet in these times of doom and gloom, its momentous nature should not be overlooked. After all, it is only relatively recently that we have started to see a true rolling-back of legal prejudice against the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.

Until 2003, there was nothing in employment law to prevent a gay applicant from being denied a position at a company on the grounds of their sexual orientation. Until 2007 — only six years ago — landlords were well within their rights evict a tenant on the basis of their sexuality.

The chronological proximity of what can only be described as institutionalised discrimination is astounding — and yet

now, in a relatively short space of time, public and political will appear to support genuine change. The Scottish Government are under pressure to follow Westminster’s lead on equal marriage. The public consultation on the Marriage and Civil Partnership (Scotland) Bill, which would legalise gay marriage, is expected to be rushed through so that it can be presented to the Scottish Parliament before the summer.

It should not be forgotten what dogged campaigning and direct action can achieve for a cause. Too often, people — including this newspaper, at times — have tended to view the act of protest in a somewhat fatalistic light, resigning themselves to the view that there is simply nothing to be done. But the remarkable progress of LGBT rights activism in this country has shown that equality can be achieved, and should spur on those seeking to eliminate

VIEWFINDER

inequality in other areas of Scottish and British life.

Less than 25 years ago, Margaret Thatcher’s government, buoyed by a nationwide moral panic in response to the emergence of Aids, backed the notorious ‘section 28’ of the Local Government Act, making “promoting homosexuality” illegal and barring the teaching of “the acceptability of homosexuality as a pretended family relationship” in state schools. In less than a generation, we have had a Labour government pass adoption rights reform, and now a Conservativeled government legislating for marriage equality — the idea of a “pretended family relationship” is no more.

In a nation of bad news, in a media of bad practices, and in a government of bad policy, this vote is a shining example of something good and just. We should all take a moment to reflect on that.

THE CATCH: Fishermen coming ashore in Puerto Lopez, Ecuador attempt to protect their valuable haul from marauding frigate birds.

have a yearning for the George Square of old, fit for the 21st century, visitors would embrace the square for its good and bad points in whatever state – wasting millions on a radical overhaul was an illconceived, unwarranted vanity project Glaswegians would never be happy with.

The council would have known that, if only they’d asked properly.

Not every large civic area has to be a lustrous example of landscape gardening and architecture. The council should embrace what remains of our city’s built heritage, make subtle modifications at a reasonable cost, where necessary, but, above all, should seek to reconnect with disillusioned and all-too-often forgotten Glaswegians and get back to delivering the vital services that will improve standard of living for all Glaswegians, not what elected officials think would look good ahead of an election campaign.

// REACTIONS Northern Ireland “held to ransom” by Belfast rioters Dear Aoife, it’s really important that people (including journalists!) go to the ‘Loyalists Against Democracy’ page and check it out. It is a million miles from ‘hate-filled’ bigotry it parodies and exposes! It is quite patently a send up and a very funny one at that.

As a Catholic living in east Belfast and married to a Protestant, it has given us a much needed focus and outlet for humour during these last few weeks of ‘fleg’ protests.

The one thing we can say about our wee Norn Iron is that whatever else happens we will never surrender our sense of humour. It is at times like this we need it the most.

- E. Dowling, via web.

The Anatomy of Autonomy: Scottish identity and nationhood An interesting piece, very much agree Scottish identity (and all human identity) is a very fluid and dynamic thing.

One issue though, this statement seemed a wee bit unfair towards the independence movement (although I agree with the sentiment that isolationism is bad) ‘Scottish identity and nationalism should not be a facilitator of an isolationist attitude’.

I assure you, the independence movement is not isolationist. Scotland will in all likelyhood remain in the EU, NATO, CoE, the Commonwealth etc. That’s the plan anyways.

- Scott Dearden, via web.

Chris Rubey

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DISCUSSION&DEBATE

COMMENT Liberté, fraternité... égaylité?

John Steel explores the attitude of the French people towards equal marriage in light of new legislation John Steel

France’s Conservatism sometimes shocks its European neigh-

bours. In the 2012 presidential election, François Hollande’s victory was less remarkable than the widespread support received by Marine-Le-Penn’s far-right Front National party.

The recent introduction of legislation that would allow gay marriage has received a vitriolic reception from politicians and commentators. It is a response that reminds us once more of the strong reactionary currents that course through France.

Although François Hollande has recently embarked on his first major foreign policy venture with the intervention in Mali, he is moving into far more tempestuous waters as he pushes forward legislation on gay marriage.

The decision to commit combat troops in West Africa seems uncontroversial in comparison to the shockwaves that have been sent through French politics and society by the upcoming legislation. Introduced on 28 January to the National Assembly, the ‘Marriage for all’ bill is set to be debated by the 577 French MPs over a two-week marathon until the final vote, which is to take place on 12 February.

Like the 2012 election, this period of debate will witness some of France’s most conservative politicians, writers and clerical leaders publishing and discussing their views in the public sphere.

The coming of the legislation has

once more made Paris the locus for a struggle for social progress. The last few weekends have seen up to 800,000 people descend upon the French capital, demonstrating both for and against the government’s plans.

The protests have ranged from mass rallies, to ‘mass-prayer’ gatherings; throughout last Tuesday night 200 dedicated members of the catholic organisation CIVITAS assembled outside the French Parliament in order to pray against gay marriage.

The undertones of France’s catholic identity are playing their part in the contest over furthering gay rights.

The former president, Nicolas Sarkozy, asserted in 2007 that the “roots of France are essentially Christian.”

Many who oppose the bill share his opinion and instinctively feel that an acceptance of gay marriage would be contradictory to the French national character. The issue of gay marriage is making France examine its national identity; both the egalitarian principles of the republic and the implicit Catholicism that underpins it, are seemingly at stake.

Anti-gay marriage protesters have been brandishing tricolor sachets and singing La Marseillaise in the streets of the capital. However, the fact that the 1789 revolution brought about the legalisation of homosexuality in France renders this republican guise of the opposition somewhat ironic.

The most contentious element to the debate is revealed by the banners that appear at the rallies of demonstrators.

Dragons Unchained Quite a long time ago, there was an island of dragons. These dragons were of the fire breathing, castle defending sort, rather than the Komodo type we’re more commonly enamoured with.

The dragons had lived on the island for as long as they could remember, and although they had encountered other dragons on other islands, and indeed fought bitter conflicts with them, they were a sort who tended to keep themselves to themselves.

The dragons had a false sense of island identity, a ‘stiff upper nostril’ which they believed meant they were entitled to all that the island had to offer them. They did not suffer new arrivals to the island gladly. However, what many of the dragons had forgotten was that initially, they themselves had been immigrants to the island, and indeed their sense of island identity was based on little more than a pen-

chant for queuing and a strange brownish liquid that all dragons insisted on consuming at any point when conversation appeared to be stuttering.

Following the last bitter dragon conflict, they had joined into an economic union with the dragons from the continent. This was extremely beneficial to the island dragons, particularly for the dragon agricultural sector who received great subsidies from this economic dragon union at times of hardship.

Although they remained a certain disdain for the ‘continental’ dragons, for many years it became apparent that the island dragons were getting a better than fair deal out of the economic union, particularly in comparison to the size of the island. One of the benefits of the economic union was the freedom of any dragon within it to work and live in any of the other dragon communities.

Philippe Leroyer

“One mother, one father: there is nothing better for a child” is the slogan splashed across homemade signs. These angry ‘republican’ protestors have no problem with extending equality they say, as long as that does not mean that gay people will be allowed to have families.

Adoption in France is open only to married couples; those opposed to opening marriage to the gay community shudder at the idea of same-sex couples bringing up children.

Those who oppose the legislation seem confounded by the very premise of gay marriage. An outspoken writer and anti-gay marriage campaigner, Frigide Barjot, coarsely exclaimed that “There are no ovules in testicles.”

Henri Guaino, an MP for the UMP (Union Pour un Mouvement Populaire) wrote in his 50-page open letter to Mr Hollande that “By allowing gay marriage you are giving parenting rights to those who are naturally sterile.”

What is more disconcerting is the

fact that these voices at the mainstream of French politics are common.

As the date of the vote on ‘marriage for all’ approaches, the arguments against gay marriage and samesex parenthood, grounded in atavistic theology and shady biology, will multiply. Whether or not the rallying cry of ‘père, mère, enfant’ is to triumph over liberté, égalité, fraternité is yet to be decided. Progressive and liberal forces must hope that the French parliament decides that it does not.

In the second of our ‘Readers’ Tales’ series we meet an island of dragons keen to keep their sense of identity in hostile times As the dragon island had a strong dragon economy, many of the ‘continental’ dragons took advantage of this benefit and moved to the island.

All perfectly legally and in a lot of areas these new dragons added to the diversity and culture of the island. All the while contributing to the dragon economy in the process. It should also be noted that many of the island dragons moved off the island in search of warmer climes, it wasn’t all one way dragon traffic.

When the dragon island fell on hard times, and the castle defending and fire breathing work began to dry up, the island dragons began to look for someone to blame. Their dragon gaze fell upon the new dragons from the continent, who often did the work that was deemed beneath 80 percent of the island dragons – appearances at weddings, birthday parties, bar mitzvahs etc. Often the continental dragons

had a far greater work ethic, however all the island dragons saw were that these ‘foreign’ dragons were the reason that they themselves couldn’t get work.

The island dragons began to stereotype the migrant dragons, claiming their language was polluting their dragon identity. Eventually the island dragons refused to see that these other dragons, were actually dragons just like them.

The scaremongering amongst the island dragons came to a head when they heard that new dragon communities were joining the economic union. They wanted to impose a wholly unfair limit on those new dragons that arrived, failing that, they tried to persuade them that the island wasn’t an attractive place to live.

They needn’t have bothered, they

should have just shown the new dragon communities the new series of their hit television show Celebrity Dragon Love Jungle, the height of the island’s intellect.

14 / COMMENT

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013 Peter Eichenauer

Fire in the heart of Africa How a fire in a market in Bujumbura has threatened to destabilise the already-troubled nation of Burundi Lucy Geake

Burundi is a small country in central Africa that’s shaped like a heart. Not the kind of heart you doodle on a page, but the kind of heart that thumps in your chest. This startlingly beautiful country has had at least 300,000 lives stolen by genocide: some sources place the figure at nearer 500,000.

The genocide stemmed from conflict between the tribal groupings of the dominant Tutsi minority, and the Hutu majority, that climaxed into a crisis that started in 1993 and continued well into the new millennium. But no one has heard of the place, only of neighbouring Rwanda which is remembered due the larger death toll – a land which was once fused with Burundi under Belgium rule, as Ruanda-Urundi. In this forgotten country it is perfectly normal to ask, when you first meet someone, if they have parents: thanks to the genocide even small talk has evolved to expect death to feature. Half of Burundians are under eighteen.

According to some counts Burundi has the world’s lowest GDP per person.

It is a nation that has alarmingly few exports... when occasional boats sail down the handsome Lake Tanganyika, which is lined with white sand, the boats leave Burundi empty and return full. Coffee is the biggest export, and I was told, by a South-African coffee connoisseur, that it could challenge Ethiopia for the best coffee in the world if infrastructure and quality checks improved.

On Sunday 27 January the central market in Bujumbura, the capital, was

burnt to the ground. The market was the trading hub of the city, which many depended on for clothing and food stuff.

My favourite part of the market was the fabric section, where wax printed stretches of patterned material were draped layer upon layer on display stands at least three metres high. If you pointed to one at the top, the vendor would take up a long pole and prise your chosen piece of colourful fabric away from the patchwork display. The flames were twenty metres high, and gutted the market. Not even the roof of the central structure survived. In a country where inflation was already estimated at 9.7 per cent, prices for everyday essentials are now soaring.

Some sources say over 95 per cent of the market goods were not insured. It has been described as a national disaster, and yet it has hardly made international headlines – BBC News’ website makes no mention of it, for example.

Freddy Tuyizere, the director of the charity YFC Burundi, tells me: “businesspeople are still crying. Prices are going high,” and the ‘economy is even worse right now’.

One woman died trying to retrieve money she kept at her stand. The Burundian police provided two fire engines, and another was sent from Rwanda by the UN. But even with the arrival of a Rwandan helicopter that used water from Lake Tanganyika, they were unable to put out the flames, and the market burnt to the ground.

Simon Guillebaud, the national coordinator for Great Lakes Outreach, emailed from Bujumbura with accounts of stall owners committing suicide by

jumping into the flames as their livelihoods burnt before them. Many are hospitalised.

His friend Jean visited, telling him that: “tens of thousands of mouths will not be able to eat as they have lost everything. I am one of them, with my wife and five children. The money you loaned us has been burnt to ashes.

You were helping us towards self-sustainability as a family – our business was working – and now this.” Simon explains that it is hard for outsiders to understand the scale of the situation.

The president flew back from a summit in Ethiopia to respond to the crisis. The country has begun to heal since the peace process started in 2003, and some 450,000 refugees have returned home.

In June 2010 I was in Burundi during its second free and democratic presidential elections.

However, there was only one candidate after opposing parties withdrew over accusations of fraudulent polls, making the label of ‘democracy’ somewhat hazy, though an unusual voting

system permitted voters to either support or oppose Pierre Nkurunziza, allowing the notion of ‘voting’ to remain. According to some reports, in the week leading up to elections there were sixty grenade attacks across the capital Bujumbura, in protest against the single-candidacy. I would hear them ringing through the night as I lay under my mosquito net.

The security level was deemed to be borderline level four, which translates as compulsory evacuation for all non-nationals... If you hit level five, the borders are sealed and no one goes in or out. Various tribal and political groupings were said to have discussed and even presented detailed plans to attack Bujumbura during elections, and yet election day on June 28th passed peacefully, and instead of war, was promptly followed by peace talks with all major opposition parties, who agreed to partake in the parliamentary elections in late July.

However the country remains marked by conflict as many still dispute

the presidential elections of 2010. More that 300 people were reportedly killed in the second half of 2011, including opposition party members or members of the former rebel group FNL, and the government has been accused of restricting media and political freedom.

In November 2012, Murundi People’s Front Abatabazi became the sixth rebel group to launch attacks on government forces since the disputed presidential election, according to the BBC. Whilst it lags far behind Rwanda in terms of economical development, many people that I met maintain that Burundi is more advanced politically due to the way in which the tribal groupings of Hutu, Tutsi and Twa have been integrated within politics, and the way in which the genocide has been addressed and reconciliation attempted. However, just as peace is essential for allowing business to flourish, January’s fire will acutely weaken Burundi’s economy, providing further tension in a country struggling for stability.

‘Cut for Bieber’ controversy calls for new thinking on suicide The disconcerting rise in suicide among young people has the authorities frantically searching for answers Lydia Willgress Features editor

At the beginning of January, 18-yearold pop sensation Justin Bieber was photographed allegedly smoking a joint of marijuana. However, it wasn’t just the photographs that caught the attention of the press. Following the release of the pictures, fans were encouraged by users of 4chan — a bulletin-board website where members can post any images or text anonymously — to tweet pictures of themselves self-harming on Twitter alongside the hashtag ‘CutForBieber’, in order to demonstrate their contempt for the young singer.

While a handful of people found the disturbing trend amusing, many have been angered by the stunt. From asking why Twitter didn’t crack down on the incident immediately, to targeting the internet trolls on 4chan, to blaming the celebrity-obsessed culture that has swept the globe; criticism has come from all angles.

The incident is part of a worrying

trend that has seen suicide and selfharm become common among children as young as 11 and 12 years old.

According to the Office of National Statistics (ONS), the suicide and selfharm rate is on the rise, with incidents involving children over 15 increasing by around 6.75 per cent from 2010 to 2011. The National Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Children (NSPCC) have extended this research and included children as young as 11 in their surveys. They claim that one in 15 of 11 to 25-year-olds had self-harmed in the UK, with other scientists ascertaining that this figure could be increased to one in 10.

Alongside the rise in self-harm is the increase in cyber bulling, and many people have linked these two issues together. BeatBullying, a leading charity fighting bullying in the UK, asserts that 21 per cent of 8-11-year-olds have been “deliberately targeted, threatened or humiliated by an individual or group through the use of mobile phones or the internet.”

Last year, executives at Tumblr decided to remove blogs from the site which glorified or promoted ideas that could cause harm to people.

However whether removing such blogs has had a positive effect is the question.

This statistic suggests, in a similar manner to the one offered by the NSPCC, that one in 10 primary school-

aged children have experienced “persistent and intentional bullying inflicted via technology”; a figure alarming similar to the one relating to the selfharm rate.

So, is it public events such as the Justic Bieber escapade that have made self-harm accessible to young children and can the internet really be to blame?

For many, the ‘CutForBieber’ campaign may be distressing or even sickening, inviting anger that any user could wish to persuade others that harming yourself is a good thing to do to get attention. However that is very well for older online users, or those comfortable with themselves. For those younger, or more impressionable, or worried, or, really, any person or child who isn’t completely happy, it is possible to see why anonymously self-harming on the internet, along with others, is a possibility. It is not fair for people to exploit or promote this. While the ‘CutForBieber’ trend could be argued to have little impact on the lives of many children and teens, the campaign is part of a much

wider debate that has seen many social media sites ban pages, blogs or threads that promote self-mutilation, suicide or eating disorders. Last year, executives at Tumblr decided to remove blogs from the site which glorified or promoted ideas that could cause harm to people. However, whether removing such blogs has had a positive effect of self-harm rates is hard to determine.

Other sites have not followed this role, with Twitter and YouTube both providing the option to ‘flag-up’ material that causes offences, but neither stating in their policy that material promoting self-harm and suicide will be removed.

With the rate of young children selfharming ever-increasing, what can be done to stop it is a constant and crucial question. While it is difficult to pinpoint one particular thing that will help prevent the increase in deaths and selfharm among young children, it is likely that merely policing the internet will not help the problem. For every site that prevents such content, another will pop up. If there remain people in the world

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

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The Anatomy of Autonomy THIS WEEK, THE Anatomy of Autonomy will focus on the international implications of Scottish independence.

An independent Scotland could have far reaching consequences in terms of their abilities on the world stage. The debate has raged as to whether the new Scotland would have immediate entry into the EU and also under what auspices their entry would be granted.

Topics such as the single currency and the economic value of entry into the union have been prevalent in the discourse. The budgets of an independent Scotland have been argued over furiously, particularly with regards to international development and the aid partnerships proposed with the developing world.

In our news pages today, you will find an article exploring recent developments in the debate surrounding Scotland‘s membership in the EU. And below, you will find an analysis of a recent interpretation of international public law, by former American ambassadorat-large for war crimes issues, with potential implications for Scotland’s membership in inter-national and inter-governmental organisations. This analysis focuses on the future of Scotland’s position in the EU and includes a new statement from Mr Barroso’s spokesperson.

As always, please feel free join in the debate online (see bottom of page). - Eds.

Jon Vrushi Comment editor, Edinburgh

The international legal implications of Scottish independence have been the focal point of much controversy and cause for confusion. International public law, by virtue of being incomplete, leaves room for different interpretation. Although the parameters for the principles of self-determination are already consolidated, there is little doubt that Scotland presents a suis generis case.

Recently, one interpretation of public law came from Ambassador David Scheffer, a professor of International Law at the Northwestern University in Chicago and the first American ambassador-at-large for war crimes issues. On 22 January Amb Scheffer gave a lecture on the international legal implication of Scottish independence at the University of Glasgow, in which he reiterated his interpretations of international public law and its implications for the the independence debate.

The central argument that Amb Scheffer presents is the theory of ‘coequal successor states’. The premise is that if Scotland were to become independent, the rest of the UK and the newly formed Scottish state would have the same status in terms of treaty obligations and membership to international organisations. “… the fundamental premise of Scottish independence is to regain the sovereignty of pre-1707. Thus the break up should be viewed as two successor states of equal legitimacy… both successor states should lay equal claim to the continuation of treaty relations established in the past by the United Kingdom.”

Amb Scheffer also emphasised the importance of what he calls ‘smart diplomacy’. According to him, Scottish emissaries should start preparing the ground in case the outcome of the referendum will be an affirmative vote. “The time has arrived to begin planning a strategy for ultimate recognition of an independent Scotland by foreign governments … prior consultation with foreign governments about Scottish commitments to core principles of good governance

FEATURES / 15

PART II: INTERNATIONAL IMPLICATIONS

A JOURNEY INTO THE UNKNOWN We take a critical look at the international legal implications of Scottish independence should facilitate rapid recognition of an independent Scotland if and when it is formally achieved, perhaps in 2016.”

As an international law scholar, Amb Scheffer sees the ‘struggle’ for Scottish independence as ‘Exhibit A’. The Scottish issue is a laboratory for international law precedent and the legal formulas applied to it will evolve accordingly. He formulates a hypothetical principle of international law that could potentially emerge from this exercise as follows: ”Where a state resurrects its former nationhood and sovereignty through peaceful referendum in accordance with democratic principles, the restored nation may sustain existing treaty relations where practical and provided there are no explicit objections from relevant state parties that cannot be overcome.”

If Amb Scheffer is right, an independent Scotland could choose what treaties to continue and what treaties to interrupt, as well as its membership to international organisations. Scotland would therefore remain an EU member state and choose whether it wants to continue NATO membership or not.

However this is in direct contrast to the European Commission’s position. On 10 December 2012, President Barroso declared that “If part of the territory of a Member State would cease to be part of that state because it were to become a new independent state, the Treaties would no longer apply to that territory.”

Commenting on that declaration, Amb Scheffer said that “there is nothing previously written anywhere in EU treaties or jurisprudence that I am aware of that actually stipulates this [Barroso’s] point of view.”

The Journal contacted Mr Barroso’s press team asking for a comment on ambassador Scheffer’s interpretation. Mark Stephen Gray, Mr Barroso’s spokesperson, said to The Journal: “The European Commission does not intend to comment on every speech or legal interpretation that is presented on the issue of a territory of a member state leaving the European union. The European Commission has set out its position on many occasions and this position is in full conformity with well-established

The central argument that Ambassador Scheffer presents is the theory of ‘co-equal successor states’. The premise is that after independence, the rest of the UK and the newly-formed Scottish state would have the same status in terms of treaty obligations and membership of international organisations. principles set out in international public law. We have nothing further to add at this point in time.”

When asked to summarise the position of the European Commission for The Journal, Mr Gray added: “We do not comment on specific scenarios like that of Scotland. Since 2004 we have said that a new independent state would

Next issue...

become a third country with respect to the EU and the treaties would no longer apply on its territory.”

At this point in time it is important to emphasise that although Amb Scheffer is a world-renowned legal expert and according to Foreign Policy magazine a top global thinker, his interpretation is only that of an academic. Amb Scheffer started his speech with the disclaimer that his address was being delivered strictly in his capacity as a law professor.

Specifically in relation to an independent Scotland’s EU membership, the verdict and interpretation that ultimately matters is that of the European Union institutions.

Even if the Commission hypothetically proposes the recognition of Scotland’s EU membership, there would be two more stages before Scotland can receive a member state status. The next stage is the ratification of the proposal by the European Parliament followed by a unanimous vote in the European Council. If a single member state out of 27 constituents of the European Union votes against Scotland’s recognition, an independent Scotland would remain outside of the Union and the Single Market.

While scaremongering is an ugly phenomenon, best kept out of political discourse in times of potentially decisive change, false hope can be equally counter-productive. The people of Scotland should not be intimidated by rumours of international isolation in case independence materializes.It is equally important however that decisions are a result of weighing the pros and cons of clear-cut official information, rather than mass excitement and demagoguery.

In our 20 February issue, The Journal explores the thorny issue of Scottish defence and security policy.

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Let us know what you think about independence, on Twitter (#indyjournal) or by emailing letters@journal-online.co.uk.

TIMELINE /

SCOTTISH FOREIGN POLICY

1603

UNION OF CROWNS

Following the death Queen Elizabeth I without an heir, King James VI of Scotland took the English throne. He remained King of Scotland as well as England, but the two nations remained separate. Scotland pursued its own foreign policy until 1707.

1699

DARIEN SCHEME DISASTER

In an attempt to become a global commercial power, the Kingdom of Scotland attempted to colonise the Isthmus of Panama, controlled

by Spain. Bad management, a Spanish siege and torrential weather spelled the end of the scheme. A quarter of the money in circulation in Scotland was lost in that financial and social disaster, destroying Scotland’s hope of becoming a colonising nation.

1707

UNION OF PARLIAMENTS

Following the devastating financial aftermath of the Darien Scheme combined with national security issues and fear of a Catholic take-over, the Scottish representatives ratified the Act of Union, transferring foreign policy decision-making, among other competencies, to London.

16 / FEATURES

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Deciphering Dave Grohl’s nostalgia Lorne Gillies and a local musician examine the dramatic changes in the recording industry Lorne Gillies

The music industry has dramatically changed in the last 20 years. Digital production and new technology has taken over from analogue, but is this an improvement?

Modern music has become boring and repetitive in all genres, but this could all be changing thanks to one man and his urge to get back to real, raw rock and roll.

Foo Fighters frontman, Nirvana drummer, and now director, Dave Grohl has released his début documentary Sound City - Real to Reel. The documentary looks into the history of the infamous Sound City Studios in Los Angeles, and raises the argument of ‘which form of music is better?’

Digital recording has made a large impact in the music industry and has made consumption of the latest releases quick and limitless, but music is an artistic form and requires personality and passion that is provided from analogue recordings.

Opinions on the music industry are those that tire and exasperate friends and family. Which artists you like or dislike, that cheesy song you love to hate or that one musician who just sets everything apart and becomes your influence in everything you do. Either way, music is a part of our everyday lives and we all appreciate it —in our own ways.

The only way we get to enjoy music is through artists who dedicate their lives to producing material for the fans. Sound City Studios, founded in 1969, was home

to some of the biggest names in the rock and alternative world; releasing iconic albums from the likes of Pink Floyd, Stevie Nicks of Fleetwood Mac and The Boss himself, Bruce Springsteen.

However, the one album that shows the level of talent sketched into the history of Sound City comes from the Seattle three-piece who became the (accidental) greatest band of their time – Nirvana.

Grohl, through his documentary, is now taking us back in time to see what recording original and personal music used to be like. Based around the classic Neve soundboard used in the studio, the Foo’s front man and a cast of musicians including Josh Homme from Queens of the Stone Age (a band which Grohl has also drummed for), Corey Taylor from Slipknot and even Metallica’s Lars Ulrich describe the changes in the music industry.

The transition in recording started in 1972 with the introduction of reel-to-reel decks, where songs could be encoded to digital audio and these advancements continued to happen until the 1990s when the compact disk was released, able to play all the music recorded on to it. With the use of MP3 music which started in 2005, after legal battles due to copyright laws, the digital age was well and truly upon us.

The closure of Sound City saw the original soundboard being removed due to the fact the studio was no longer being used as musicians are choosing digital recordings.

For the unknown musician, digital

can be seen as a guiding light and helping hand while staying true to their original musical talent. Singer-songwriter Gary McDowell, from Greenock, explains that changes in the music industry can help the independent artist because it helps artists get music out there, with YouTube helping him get 500 views on a song he uploads.

Therefore the decline of analogue recording has actually helped many artists like McDowell when releasing music. He said: “Five years ago I could only sing songs when playing in bars and giving out free CDs and there would only be only one guy taking a CD since nobody wants to carry something about with them.” The introduction of digital downloads means independent artists have the opportunity to make their names known.

The appeal of going out to the shops to buy an album is decreasing, leading to the closures of many music shops, due to the increase of digital downloading.

Although this is a negative outcome for the traditional musical purchase, acts like McDowell see the benefits that digital purchases can have on their careers. He said: “For independent artists it’s like a needle in a haystack. If it was me in the 60s all it would take is one lucky shot but now your lucky shot is with producers taking notice in your live acts and finding you on YouTube and Facebook to see what you sound like.”

However, Sound City Players have taken the traditional approach in recording their album, Real to Reel, with the help of the Neve soundboard taken from

the original studios and purchased by Grohl after the closure of Sound City.

Recording with the old equipment cements the idea of analogue versus digital in a poetic way; each member of Sound City Players has a connection to the studio and the soundboard as it

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changed their lives and allowed them to be the raw, talented musicians they wanted to be.

The talent which flows through the documentary similarly accorded Grohl’s directorial début a spot at this years acclaimed Sundance Film Festival.

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

Why the Holocaust still has ramifications Israel’s future is heavily dependent on its view of the past — and not undeservedly so, argues Michael Mawdsley Michael Mawdsley Staff writer

The legacy of the Holocaust is trag-

ically poignant in any sense. However in the aftermath of Holocaust Memorial Day, and Lib Dem MP David Ward’s comparison of the Arab-Israeli conflict to the events of 1937-1945, it is important to analyse the role that the Holocaust played; firstly in the creation of the state of Israel and secondly in fuelling the tribulations of the Middle East.

The comments of Mr Ward that “... when faced with examples of atrocious behaviour, we must learn from them.

It appears that the suffering by the Jews has not transformed their views on how others should be treated,” seem ridiculous. His views however, are shared with many, including farleft groups at the University of Edinburgh. Academics such as Norman Finkelstein argue that the Holocaust was ‘exploited’ and used to create Israel, as well as to justify the expansionist moves of the 1980s and beyond.

I believe that standpoint to be flawed. The creation of the state of Israel is not the direct result of the murder of six million Jews in the death and concentration camps of the Third Reich. To describe the creation of Israel as purely a consequence of the ‘Final Solution’ is both morally and historically wrong. The ideology of a

Jewish state, namely that of Zionism, pre-dates the holocaust by some 50 years.

The decision to partition Palestine and the creation of the institutions of a Jewish state were in place by 1936.

The Balfour Declaration of 1917 which stated the “establishment in Palestine of a national home for the Jewish people,” clearly displays Britain’s will to create a Jewish homeland. It is therefore more plausible to claim that the creation of Israel was one of the last acts of British imperialism, rather than an exploitation of the death of six million people.

In the wake of the second world war, Britain’s politicians were faced with calls for welfare reform on the home front and independence from nationalist movements throughout the empire. Domestic pressures led to promises of the construction of ‘a new Jerusalem’ and the opening of the National Health Service. Armed Zionist resistance made Britain’s presence in the region untenable; the issue of Israel was therefore handed over to the United Nations (UN). Finkelstein and Mr Ward are right to point to the catalysing effect that the Holocaust had on the efforts to create the state of Israel.

The international community, perceiving the vulnerability of Jewish refugees in the Middle East, endeav-

oured to protect them against further persecution.

The political climate of the Middle East at the end of the second world war was fragile, as claims for Palestinian territorial integrity led to escalating violence, predominantly directed toward Jewish refugees.The UN hoped that independence for Israel would grant protection for the 250,000 endangered refugees threatened by the Arab-Israeli conflict.

It is also fair to say that the reparations paid by West Germany to Israel as compensation for the conflict were integral to its survival in the initial period of its independence. Michael Wolffsohn spoke of the ‘eternal guilt’, German collective responsibility, for the holocaust in the aftermath of the second world war. This was realised fiscally by colossal payments to the new state.

Such financial backing was undoubtedly instrumental in the process of nation building. Given the economic insecurity of the Jewish refugees the estimated $3 billion paid to Israel over a 12-year period was integral. Capital was needed to construct the infrastructure that is necessary when forging the rudiments of a new state. The financial recompense for the Holocaust was admittedly important to the new State of Israel in the early 1950s. Since its creation Israel has been

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locked in a series of violent conflicts with its Arab neighbours. It is important, therefore, to scrutinise and understand the causes of Israeli aggression.

Germany, even under the Nazis, willingly accepted the persecution of the Jews; the threat to them therefore if socially accepted once before, could be socially acceptable once more. In 2005 Mahmoud Ahmadinejad, the Iranian President, speaking about Israel in a speech entitled “A World Without Zionism” declared that “it [Israel] will not survive.” It is unsurprising therefore that ‘self-defence’ has

become a catch-phrase among Israelis who feel the tangible need to protect themselves.

The shadow of the Holocaust has fundamentally affected Israel’s character. The horrific events in Germany and Eastern Europe led to an international determination to build and support the Jewish state. Although the Holocaust did not create Israel, the genesis of its defensive mentality go back to the experience of acute persecution. This is a people determined to never again succumb to forces that aim to take them from this earth.

Twits are to blame, not Twitter Olly Mace

It is quite astounding that in the

same breath, perfectly educated people can lambast the mechanics of social media and mentally wring their hands over the disintegration of what they call ‘fundamental personal freedoms to privacy’ while simultaneously revelling in the delightful tweets of John Cleese or Caitlin Moran, proclaiming that they, of course, had made an identical observation about Gary Barlow’s hair.

Those superficial levels of entertainment accessed through such mediums, which have become an almost integral part of the information sharing age, are coloured by the individuals who use them. There is a profound difference between your information being illegally extorted by an external entity and someone retweeting a mindless, or even revolting statement. Twitter is not a living organism that can fuel itself with hatred and send the world on a global manhunt.

Every condemnation or iterated support has been written by an individual who made a choice. It is as if, behind a screen, we assume ourselves to be less culpable for our actions and find it entirely acceptable to point muddy fingers at everyone else rather than review the personal input.

Part of the issue is that we have all been waiting for the inevitable rise of the machines, when artificial intelligence overwhelms the weakness of flesh and we are left paralysed in a stateless world

bound to subservience as this greater species supersede us. In this reality, the ignorance of life in The Matrix would be a positive outcome.

However it is not the machines that have control of the output, it is still us.

With every innovation there have been drawbacks. The machinery of the industrial revolution allowed us to produce vaster quantities of goods such as cloths and foods for less expense. This expansion of our networks led, in part, to the expansion of the British Empire, a moral consequence which many now feel deeply ashamed of. To some that may be a leap too far, in comparison terms, but essentially progress has never come without a price.

The opinions of human beings are as diverse as our appearances. A brief glance at history can prove that irrational anger is not a modern phenomenon; the danger now is that our message can be spread more rapidly. Before, our illiteracy and denial of access to education might have explained why we were so willing to fight for things we did not understand and for an enemy that we did not know existed.

Now, our ignorance of ourselves and our outreach is the most lethal enemy imaginable. The truth, in all its existential, ambiguous glory, is retrievable. Or instead of truth, if that term is too philosophical, the facts.

How is it possible that, in 2013, one third of Europeans outwardly acknowledge anti-Semitic feelings less than 70 years after the end of world war two?

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

CULTURE&LIFESTYLE

ARTS&ENTS CREATIVE ABRASION

Steven Holl’s proposal for new Glasgow School of Art building creates the perfect framework for a diverse educational environment

Art&design Laurie Goodman Arts & Entertainment editor

Charles Rennie Mackintosh’s

school of art has some seriously heavy accolades burgeoning upon its shoulders. Described by critic Charles Jencks as ‘the most seminal building in Scotland’; the Renfrew Street edifice attracts endless attention from scholars, as well as trawls of visitors on thrice-daily walking tours.

In the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) gift shop on Dalhousie street, an immaculately executed full-scale model of the structure is nestled alongside bundles of branded stationary and Mackintosh t-shirts: the building has become somewhat of an icon.

What surrounds this hive of activity, however, is an estate that poorly caters to the needs of the everexpanding art school.

When it was announced in 2009 that the other buildings on the Garnethill campus at the Glasgow School of Art (GSA) were no longer fit for purpose, a competition was held in order to select a firm to complete ‘Phase 1’ of the redevelopment.

This called for a new, purpose-built academic building that accommodated a broad range of studios, teaching facilities for the

School of Design, as well as exhibition spaces and lecture facilities.

Pressure on contestants was insurmountable: in the same year, the Mackintosh building was voted the UK’s favourite of the past 175 years by the Royal Institute of British Architects (RIBA). Additionally, it was stipulated that the new build be sited directly opposite its 19th century partner: whoever won the competition was going to have to talk some serious turkey with Mackintosh’s masterpiece.

Eyes of the architectural world turned towards the storm that inevitably followed. GSA reported that the competition brief was downloaded over 1,000 times and they were anticipating at least 150 competition entries from firms spanning the globe.

When Mackintosh won the competition to design the original building in 1897, he was 28 years old and a draftsman at local firm Honeyman & Keppie. The selected firm to complete Phase 1 - over 100 years later - could not have been more different: Based in New York and already recognised

by Time as ‘America’s best architect’, Steven Holl architects were on the brink of widespread i n t e r-

national recognition.

In an interview with The Journal, senior partner at the firm Chris McVoy said “the Mackintosh building was very influential for both me and Steven in becoming architects.

We both had great respect for the building and so we saw this as both an incredible opportunity and a very tall challenge.”

Holl commented, “100 years after completion, Mackintosh’s building continues to inspire as a work of architecture and a place to make art.

The invention of an original architectural language is as fresh today as it was then. Its intensity of detail, light and material calls for the highest aspirations of a phenomenologicallydriven architecture of our time.”

McVoy added, “The other thing is that we love to create architecture for art – for both displaying art and for the education of art. We also love doing work for universities, so when you bring together those two aspects, it’s a very special opportunity. When we won we were of course extremely excited.”

As a result, Holl and McVoy were acutely aware of the challenges bought by the site. There were two pathways that could be taken in their design concept: either to be bold, innovative – in the spirit of Mackintosh - or to provide a structure that would sit quietly in his shadow.

They opted for the former. The Mackintosh building exhibits an imposing façade, articulated by thin, writhing iron finials that twist into rosebuds underneath expansive panes of glass. By day, these allow great pools of pale north light to flood the studios inside, and by night, a warm electric glow spills onto the roadside.

However, while Mackintosh was progressive in his sparing use of masonry, Holl’s design looks positively weightless in comparison.

Arriving in partnership with local firm JM architects, the Holl building is entirely clad in a skin of

translucent glass - shaped by surging horizontal volumes, not entirely dissimilar to a futuristic Battenberg.

However, while the panel saw optimism and innovation in Holl’s proposal, others saw a subject of contention. Esteemed architectural historian William J. R. Curtis decried the design “monotonous” and “hopelessly out of scale”, suggesting, “Some good old Scottish common sense would have been in order to insist on greater rigor and a more appropriate response to the context.

“Rather than a dialogue between new and old, there is mute assertion; rather than poetic articulation, there is bland geometry; rather than tectonic clarity, there is a thin glazed skin with indecisive details.”

The firm defended the proposal, stating, “We aim for a building in complementary contrast Mackintosh’s 1909 Glasgow School of Art – forging a symbiotic relation in which each structure heightens the integral qualities of the other.

“We envision a thin translucent materiality, in considered contrast to the masonry of the Mackintosh building – volumes of light which express the school’s activity in the urban fabric, embodying a forward-looking life for the arts.”

McVoy echoed this sentiment, “we wanted to create a very different building, and a building that is forward looking and that reflects our aspirations for the future. Mackintosh’s building was a building for its time –so we didn’t want to mimic the building in any way. We felt that would be demeaning. What we did want to do was to make an art school of great proportion with great studios and light, like Mackintosh did.

“I wouldn’t say we wanted to mirror the Mackintosh building in our own – more provide an echo, or a resonance.”

Regardless of critical scepticism, it appears that this kind of stylistic dichotomy is at the heart of GSA

“We wanted to create a very different building; a building that is forward-looking and that reflects our aspirations for the future.

Mackintosh’s building was a building for it’s time, so we didn’t want to mimic the building in anyway.

We felt that would be demeaning.” director Seona Reid’s philosophy on artistic education. Reid commonly asserts the necessity of ‘creative abrasion’ in the art school, as well as the importance of providing a diverse environment in which students can interact. As a result, the existence of two such diverse buildings in close proximity on Renfrew Street provides the same effect as rubbing two shards of flint together in order to produce a spark.

This mantra is also manifest in the interior organisation of Holl’s building, in the form of a central, linking stair.

“In the Mackintosh there are points when you are moving between the two rooms, where there is a

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

special view or new perspective of the city – special conditions where the building heightens your awareness.

“In our building, we have what we call ‘the circuit of connection’, which is open all four floors with stairs that go up and connect all the levels, so the students will be coming up against new ideas and being challenged and your opening their minds,” McVoy explained.

In an interview with GSA’s magazine Flow, Reid said “Part of the problem in having a scattered building is you have to work very hard in getting people in different disciplines to connect with each other. The chance meeting, the chance conversations, the chance opportunity to see

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somebody else’s work doesn’t happen as much as it should. These opportunistic meetings are often the spark of ideas of working relationships and partnerships.”

Reid’s mantra appears as a direct descendent of the philosophy that made the school so successful at the turn of the century. Mackintosh was introduced to his future wife and collaborator Margaret Macdonald when a professor noticed similarities in their work. While Mackintosh studied at evening classes at the school, Macdonald was a day student – and without such an ‘abrasion’ it seems unlikely that they would have gone on to produce such an acclaimed body of work.

Soon after, Mackintosh met Margaret’s sister Frances and fellow draftsman at Honeyman and Keppie, Herbert McNair. Frances and Herbert, too, would marry, and together, they became ‘The Glasgow Four’, forming the linchpin of what was later labelled the ‘Glasgow Style.’ Arguably, it was exposure, dialogue and a conflation of ideas within the school that were integral to their success, and it is this principle that Holl has imbued at the core of his design.

However, there is an additional benefit of such careful consideration surrounding organisation of space.

Southern light changes its angle of penetration depending on the time of year, and so south-facing rooms are

positioned strategically to maximise natural light percentage at their period of highest use. For example, when degree shows begin in June, south light penetrates at 57 degrees at noon and fills the lower-level lecture theatre with a warm glow. Not only are solutions such as this beneficial to the students, but they also maximise use of sustainable resources.

McVoy reminisces, “Mackintosh has something like 27 different methods of getting light into his building…it’s a real lesson.” Whether it be through large spanning skylights, sharp arrow-loops or open viewing platforms, Mackintosh’s mastery in manipulating light has been innovatively reinterpreted in Holl’s proposal.

However, the ambitions of Holl’s design extend beyond the confines of Renfrew Street. The proposal will undoubtedly stand out within the city’s pre-existing fabric – not only from its position high on Garnethill, but also as a result of its unique aesthetic in a city where the vast majority of its urban landscape is derived from the nineteenth century.

“The relationship between Mackintosh and new building has this synergy along Renfrew Street which will really allow the creative life of the city to spill out along the street - it makes the school have a more public presence. We are very excited about that… It will be another reason for people to think about Glasgow as a place for architecture,” McVoy said.

Despite the firm’s base in New York, McVoy expresses a fondness for a city that usually lies outside of any architectural radar. “I’ve grown to love Glasgow. There’s a prettiness to it combined with a creative energy that I find incredibly appealing – perhaps as a New Yorker, or perhaps because it was once a powerhouse of an industrial city with this energy of making things.

“I also love the urban fabric – all that beautiful stone that is orange

A&E / 21

“Every time I went to visit the building, I would think ‘we’ve got to do our best work...

We’ve not tried to surpass the Mackintosh, but we’ve certainly tried to equal it.” that looks so good in the grey sky, block after block of grey townhouses and urban space. Edinburgh is charming, too, but if I had to live in one or the other I would definitely choose Glasgow.”

Steven Holl’s proposal has landed itself in a city that – bar, perhaps, Zahah Hadid’s Museum of Transport or the recent scandal surrounding John McAslan’s scheme for George Square – generally fails to inspire any global architectural recognition.

Regardless of critical opinion on the semantics of the structure, Holl’s building will allow the city sit in the heart of an intelligent architectural dialogue.

McVoy said, “I guess the greatest challenge was making something that we could feel proud to put next to the Mackintosh…That was a constant reminder, or charge – both intimidating and inspiring.

“Every time I went to visit the building, I would think ‘we’ve got to do our best work.’ We would get inspired too – look what architecture can do! We’ve not tried to surpass the Mackintosh, but we’ve certainly tried to equal it. “

22 / A&E

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Sweet revenge?

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

FILM

The Journal explores the morality of enjoying glorious revenge in the cinema, via Django Unchained and Zero Dark Thirty Nathanael Smith Film editor, Edinburgh [This article contains spoilers for both films.]

Zero Dark Thirty opens with a black screen as we hear the frantic (and real) final phone calls of 9/11 victims.

Django Unchained reveals a group of black slaves shuffling across a vast landscape. The crimes have been committed and revenge will swiftly follow, but both films serve the dish in entirely different ways.

Django doesn’t start out as a revenge film, but the final act certainly becomes one as Jamie Foxx’s Django goes on a murderous, blackly comic rampage as an act of cathartic retribution. There is an inconsistency at the heart of Quentin Tarantino’s film, as he tries to balance the horrors of slavery — something he depicts

in detail —with his gleeful homage to exploitation cinema at the end.

It is damaging to cinema to unquestioningly accept his depiction of violence simply because he knows how to edit a scene well, or because it has a hip-hop soundtrack.

Zero Dark Thirty also portrays violence in an unflinching manner, by characters normally seen as heroes. A storm of controversy has been building against the film with claims from critics that its scenes of water-boarding glorify torture.

However, one look at the beaten, humiliated prisoner Ammar, reveals that such an interpretation is clearly misguided.

Comparative scenes from both films highlight these different approaches to revenge. While Django is unflinching in its depiction of violence against the slaves, the finale becomes unbelievable as blood is zealously spilt. One unfortunate indi-

vidual is repeatedly shot in non-fatal locations, and his screams of agony are played for laughs, not horror.

Revenge in Zero Dark Thirty sees a man at his lowest point being utterly humiliated; he sits in a pool of his own excrement, his face bloodied and bruised, and then he is dragged, naked, by a collar and chain. Here, revenge is messy, inglorious and uncomfortable, making Zero Dark Thirty upsetting to watch, which is surely the way it should be.

Django Unchained ends with the freed slave victoriously performing tricks on his horse, and in Tarantino’s eyes, justice has been done. Zero Dark Thirty ends entirely differently, as Maya sits silently, a tear running down her cheek. The mission is complete, but a vital question hangs over the scene: “Was it all worth it?” — a question Tarantino doesn’t bother to ask.

The Last Stand Arnie is back — but should he have stayed away?

FILM

Arnold Schwarzenegger leading an action movie. Now he’s back in the action spotlight with The Last Stand, a lively and light-hearted action flick that never spares the bullets or comedic relief, but fails to leave a lasting mark as any sort of great return to form for the incomparable lead actor.

The Last Stand follows Ray Owens (Schwarzenegger), a Sheriff of the small town of Sommerton Junction, Arizona, where nothing much ever happens beyond the yearly parade and a car being parked in a red zone. But when the boss of a Mexican drug cartel breaks out of custody and heads straight for the border via Ray’s town, it’s down to the Sheriff and a small group of enthusiastic locals to stop him.

It may be down to the fact that Arnie is getting up there in age and therefore isn’t able to do a lot of the action stuff he used to, but he isn’t in it as much as you might expect. The rather derivative script then feels the needs to fill that rather sizeable void with everything from a wise-cracking

jackass in the form of Johnny Knoxville, Luis Guzman as a sort of bumbling deputy and a rather hackneyed Fast and the Furious-esque story about a Mexican drug lord heading for Arnie’s otherwise peaceful town in a car that gets mistaken for a jet plane because it’s so fast.

It takes its time getting to the point with plenty of heated FBI discussions on the one hand and establishing that Arnie is now old (ya know, just in case we couldn’t work that out for ourselves) on the other.

However, once it gets to the inevitable final showdown – or last stand as the title suggests – the film really picks up pace and delivers some very fun, tongue-incheek action thanks to energetic direction from South Korean director Kim Ji-woon (making his English language debut), who utilises everything from pistols to Gatling guns with bodies getting blown away and cut in half like action movies are going out of fashion.

The Last Stand is an adequate, if not exactly remarkable, action movie with enough shooting, fighting and one-liners to satisfy its target audience, while never getting anywhere near the level Arnie has reached in the past.

His role in last year’s The Expendables 2 hinted at his return and while it’s comforting as an action film fan to see him headlining a film of his own again, it’s not the triumphant return to form you might be expecting.

Though Zero Dark Thirty is not a war film in the way that Platoon, or Bigelow’s The Hurt Locker were both war films, and though it is not as great as either of these; it may well be the defining film of the war on terror. In place of a “soldier’s view”, we have – for the most part – an “operative’s view”, which feels more befitting this war. It’s a perspective which presents the frank reality of it, the hopelessness of finding one man in the vastness of the middle-east, the tedious bureaucracy and the horrific acts of terrorism heard in the news (which they are often helpless to stop).

Bigelow’s visual flair has flourished in this film, and her attention to detail - both in terms of plot and style – is impressive.

The often TV-doc, ‘frontline news’ look of The Hurt Locker has been abandoned and replaced by a digitally crisp, smooth film, glossed in authentic and vibrant middle-eastern golds and yellows.

The structure of Zero Dark Thirty is another of its strengths. It unfolds in chapters in order to cover the decadeencompassing time period of the plot, and the result is it at times feels like a work of journalism – an unbiased,

researched, informative presentation of events. Here the credit goes to writer Mark Boal, who has done a superb job of scripting the film. Though it’s undoubtedly not void of ‘creative licence’, the script has been superbly transformed by the director.

Still, some have argued that it is too soon for a film about the killing of Bin Laden, but in being so current, Zero Dark Thirty harks back to older days when feature films were used to inform the public, almost as a form of journalism.

Today, filmmaking protocol seems to have changed, but Bigelow’s old school approach to Zero Dark Thirty is reminiscent of the days of Sidney Lumet (Serpico, Dog Day Afternoon), Alan J. Pakula (All the President’s Men), and early Oliver Stone – whose films were nearly always about modern issues and events, presented not long after their occurrence (and to great cinematic effect).

Zero Dark Thirty is an informative film, revelatory at times, and shocking at others. Though it may not go down as a classic it’s certainly the best depiction of the war on terrorism so far, at the same time as being a tense, engrossing thriller.

Ross Miller

It’s been 10 years since we last saw

Zero Dark Thirty Kathryn Bigelow’s excellent thriller about the hunt for Osama Bin Laden could well become the defining film of the war on terror era

FILM Blair C. Dingwall Film editor

So why might you want to go see Zero Dark Thirty? Perhaps The Hurt Locker wasn’t your thing, and you already heard enough about the 2011 raid on Osama bin Laden’s Abbottabad compound in great detail within the news.

Yet Kathryn Bigelow’s latest middleeast set film carries with it thrills and suspense set against the backdrop of a frustrating and controversial war.

It begins with hard-hitting stuff – a black screen with emergency calls from the 11 September attacks playing over it, before diving face-first into the nasty reality of intelligence gathering tactics

used by the CIA to gain knowledge of al-Qaida’s next moves, seen through the eyes of new recruit Maya (Jessica Chastain).

It’s a brutal opening act, as Reda Kateb’s prisoner is ruthlessly tortured by operative Dan (an excellent Jason Clarke) – in a realistic, unbiased depiction (“I’m not your friend,” Dan tells his prisoner, “I will break you”).

Wedged between this opening act and a blood-pumping finale is a middle ground with a slower pace and bureaucratic setting, pierced occasionally by horrific shocks from real-life events which remind us of the ugliness of the war on terror.

Chastain carries the film, at first the picture of US intelligence and determination, her character matures as the film progresses and her hunt for Bin Laden hits obstacle after obstacle. It’s a solid performance, more dependent on stares and glances than dialogue. Clarke is the

film’s hidden ace though, but he’s taken from the films chiefly middle-eastern setting at an early stage.

Alongside him there’s some great support from James Gandolfini (deflating his trademark New Jersey tones as the CIA’s director), Mark Strong (convincingly American, and great), and Joel Edgarton, Chris Pratt and Frank Grillo among the Navy Seals who raid the Abbottabad compound.

Putting aside the final act – two scenes stick out from Zero Dark thirty - a would-be-terrorist take-down by burka-clad soldiers is tense, and almost graceful in mood. The next is the terror attack at Camp Chapman, where we see the tragedy from both the perspective of the victims, and Maya as she eagerly awaits an update on the intended meet.

However, one of the films flaws is presented here when the filmmakers briefly try to turn Maya’s hunt for Bin Laden into a quest for personal vengeance.

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

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A&E / 23 Illustration: Ria Edmenson

Valentine’s Moules Marinières Serves two 1 kg fresh mussels (rope grown) 2 large shallots/1 small onion, peeled & diced 4 cloves garlic (2 sliced, 2 crushed) 50g unsalted butter 300ml dry white wine (Sauvignon Blanc) Fresh lemon thyme 3-4 tablespoons double cream/ crème fraiche 1 teaspoon lemon juice/dab of butter (optional) Salt (taste before you add – it may not be necessary) Black pepper Croutons 2-3 large thinly cut slices white bread Cut garlic clove A bit of oil Oven chips 3-4 large floury potatoes eg Maris Piper/King Edwards, peeled 1-2 tablespoons oil – rapeseed/ olive or tasteless groundnut Sea salt & black pepper Mustardy mayo 4 tablespoons Hellmann’s or own mayonnaise 1 teaspoon English Mustard Squeeze lemon juice ½ clove crushed garlic

Cook’s tips: mussels are cheap, nutritious oysters and cook in four minutes max while your soft-centred, crispy oven chips sizzle away in a hot oven, offering a healthier alternative to deep-frying.

1.

Croutons: Pre-heat oven to 180C/gas mark 4. Use a heart cookie cutter/knife to cut heart shapes from bread (small for topping — large for dipping). Brush lightly with oil. Rub with garlic. Cook on baking tray until crisp and golden (10 minutes plus, watch closely).

2.

Mayo: mix all ingredients together.

3.

Chips: put saucepan of lightly salted water on to boil. Cut each potato into 6-8 large chips.

Put into bowl of cold water. Once the salted water boils, drain chips and add to pan. Boil rapidly for 3 minutes. Drain into colander and allow to dry. Pre-heat oven to 220C/ gas mark 7.

4.

Put baking tray to heat for 2 minutes. Brush with a bit of oil.

Add single layer of chips. Turn to coat with care. Cook 25–35 minutes,

ON THE HORIZON Your quick reference cultural

MUSIC

28 February

CULTURE

1-16 February

(VARIOUS VENUES, PRICES) A showcase for world-class Iranian culture across Edinburgh, with a programme spanning theatre, film, books, art and food.

(TEVIOT ROW HOUSE, EDINBURGH, £10) TEDx presents a scintillating collection of speakers at a conference exploring ‘Global Challenges, Grounded Solutions’.

THEATRE & FILM

guide for the weeks ahead

14-24 February

13-14 February

Frightened Rabbit

(BARROWLANDS, GLASGOW, £15) The acclaimed Scottish indie rockers land in Glasgow to promote new album Pedestrian Verse.

Iranian Festival Edinburgh

Glasgow Film Festival 2013

ART

(VARIOUS VENUES, PRICES) Ninth edition of the festival boasts additions, including a celebration of new Brazilian cinema.

Until 23 February

Mariusz Tarkawian: Anticipating The Future

(GLASGOW SCHOOL OF ART, FREE) Polish artist presents his first solo exhibition in the UK, anticipating future contemporary art.

16 February

All Gone with Pete Tong (LIQUID ROOMS, EDINBURGH, £16.50) The renowned DJ presents his first Saturday-night set in Edinburgh for over 15 years. A likely sellout.

22 February

TEDx UniversityofEdinburgh

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead (BEDLAM THEATRE, EDINBURGH, £5) EUTC present Tom Stoppard’s most famous play, exploring Hamlet’s “philosophical ramblings”.

Until 7 March

Massimo Bartolini (THE FRUITMARKET GALLERY, FREE) Brighten up your winter with illuminating work from the renowned Italian contemporary artist Massimo Bartolini.

depending on their size, till crisp and golden. Turn once. Reduce temperature towards the end if it suits your timing.

5.

Mussels: tip into colander in sink under cold running water.

Discard cracked/damaged ones. Tap sharply on a surface if open, discarding those which don’t close. Scrub shells or scrape with a small knife till clean. Tug out beards (black threads). Drop into bowl as you go.

Rinse again.

6.

When chips are 2/3 ready, melt butter in pan on low heat. Add shallots, garlic, and a pinch of salt.

Cook for 8 minutes or until translucent. Add a little lemon thyme.

7.

Increase heat to high. Add wine. Boil for 1 minute. Add mussels.

Ram on the lid. Cook, shuffling the pan over the heat, for 3-4 minutes, until the shells open. Stir them up once so they cook evenly. The mussels should be soft and tender, cooked through.

8.

Tip the contents of pan into a colander placed over a large warm bowl. Return liquid to the pan.

Put mussels into the bowl, cover, keep warm. Return pan to the hob immediately.

9.

Boil for 3 minutes or until reduced by half to concentrate flavour. You want a good amount

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INGREDIENTS

of sauce (not a soup). Add cream, boil for 30 seconds. Adjust seasoning and amount of liquid if needed, add parsley, thyme, lemon if it needs a kick, dab of butter if you want it glossy.

10.

Move chips to kitchen towel. Sprinkle with salt. Put into bowls.

11.

Divide mussels between 2 warm bowls (discard non-openers).

Add parsley, croutons. Stick large croutons into mayo. Serve.

12.

Get stuck in. Use fingers or two halves of shell to nip out the meat. Enjoy with warm fresh crusty baguette to soak up the delicious creamy juices, chips, dip and green salad.

For more recipes and tips, visit www.virgintoveteran.com.

Opera.

Expect the unexpected.

Werther 15 Febuary – 2 March Glasgow • Edinburgh

Get £10 tix if you’re under 26.

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

Is it a car? Is it a book? No, it’s B.S. Johnson

The Journal takes a look at the radical writing of B.S. Johnson on the 80th anniversary of his birth

books John Hewitt Jones Literary editor

The Unfortunates is an unusual read. If you get hold of a copy, the first thing you’ll notice is that it isn’t a book.

It’s a box. The chapters are printed as individual booklets, designed to be scattered about by the reader and read in a random order.

It’s Bryan Stanley Johnson’s second novel, and like much of his writing is typified by the innovative physical presentation of the text.

Johnson took his own life at the age of 40. In the preceding ten years, however, he penned seven books through which he communicated his radical manifesto that the novel is dead.

Aside from the distinct form of most of the titles, many of which have chunks cut out of them and contain unusual visual imagery, these books are replete with references to familial dysfunction and sexual perversion told by voices that speak with unnerving directness.

Last week, the publisher Picador announced they would be celebrating 80 years since the writer’s birth with the re-release of four of his books: Albert Angelo, Trawl, House Mother Normal, and Christie Malry’s Own Double-Entry.

These will also be accompanied by the publication of Well Done God!, a collection of his journalism that plays along with the non-fiction title Aren’t You Rather Young to be Writing Your Memoirs?.

So why is a major publishing house now taking an interest in a writer who received little recognition during his lifetime, and whose novels have faded in and out of print? Much of it has to do with Johnson’s disdain for literary convention.

Following in the footsteps of modernists such as James Joyce and Samuel Beckett, a fierce disdain for the conventional novel runs throughout his writing, deconstructing the traditional storytelling role of the form.

His penultimate book, Christie Malry’s Own Double Entry (doubleentendre intended), begins with a voice telling the reader the protagonist is an idiot: “Christie Malry was a simple person…I did tell you Christie was a simple person.”

Just a chapter later, the author introduces the new character of Christie Malry’s mother, gives her a few sentences in which she explains why she isn’t needed, and then gets rid of her (she doesn’t appear at all throughout the rest of the book).

It’s this utter disregard for literary convention and coherent narrative that makes Johnson’s writing so electrifying — and at moments utterly nightmarish — to read. Christie keeps a systematic debit/credit account of the events in his life, which is ostensibly very funny.

As with most of his writing, the imagery becomes progressively disturbing and surreal, until both the language and the layout of the text dissolve into anarchy.

Through relentless innovation Johnson demonstrates his conviction that the novel, as a storytelling device, is now obsolete: “If a writer’s chief

“It’s this utter disregard for literary convention and coherent narrative that makes Johnson’s writing so electrifying — and at moments utterly nightmarish — to read... with most of his writing, the imagery becomes progressively disturbing and surreal, until both the language and the layout of the text dissolve into anarchy.” interest is in telling stories… then the best place to do it now is in television, which is technically better equipped and will reach more people than a novel today.”

Sadly the author received relatively little recognition during his lifetime. To paraphrase the novelist John Lanchester, “with good writers it can take some time for us to become their contemporaries.”

Hopefully the re-release of his books will help cement his reputation and function on the credit side of the account.

‘Albert Angelo’, ‘Trawl’, ‘Mother Normal’ and ‘Christie Malry’s Own Double Entry’ are out now via Picador.

Books agenda THE HEART BROKE IN James Meek (Canongate Books, £17.99)

Hitting the shelves last August,

James Meek’s latest novel centres on the strained bond between siblings at a time of crisis.

With a narrative reminiscent of the recent Jimmy Savile abuse revelations, a philandering TV producer finds his indiscretions beginning to catch up with him as he’s threatened with exposure for having an affair with a minor.

His sister, Bec, is a malaria researcher who makes a revolutionary breakthrough and breaks her engagement to a powerful newspaper editor who believes in the power of the press to champion conservative values. The editor blackmails

THE HOROLOGICON Mark Forsyth

(Icon Books, £12.99) Of the list of useless books to have on your shelf, The Horologicon should be at the very top. It’s a scintillating exploration of language, sallying through an eclectic variety of words in the order that you might use them during the day. Who would have guessed that ‘ante-jentcular’ means ‘pre-breakfast’, or indeed that the verb ‘to feague’ refers to the insertion of ginger into a horse’s nether regions?

As it’s probably clear, these aren’t quotidian terms of phrase. They’re ‘lost words’; words that have long disappeared from mainstream vocabulary.

Forsyth’s entertaining examples come from lesser-known dictionaries such as The Dictionary of Obsolete and Provin-

by Jon Vrushi & Vivek Santayana Bec and her brother, forcing the siblings to choose between their desires and their loyalty to each other.

At a first glance, this appears to be a conservative family tale in which characters who are seduced or blackmailed into monogamy and extramarital affairs are punished with devastating cruelty.

However, this is a book that doesn’t just revolve around questions of sexual and emotional dysfunction, but incorporates a number of intricate subplots that depict pertinent moral questions relating to medical ethics and journalistic practice.

Meek’s contorted take on the conventional family saga places disorder at the heart of a thrilling plot that is obsessive in its detail. (VS) cial English, Captain Grose’s Dictionary of the Vulgar Tongue, The Abedecarium Anglico-Latinum and A Descriptive Dictionary and Atlas of Sexology.

A witty style makes for a humorous treatment of what could ostensibly be a rather dry subject, although the reader would be well advised to take notice of the disclaimer in the introduction, suggesting that it’s not a title to be read cover to cover in one sitting.

Given that the likelihood of anyone understanding these obsolete words is near-zero, it’s unlikely that the reader will use it as a reference book. But that’s what makes it such an excellent read.

Word lovers will find it hard to put down this jaunt through lost words of the English language, and for the grammar pedant it will provide three hundred pages of unbridled joy. (JV)

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

SPORT// 25

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Egg-chasers suffer a repetitive strain injury We must rise together to bring down the tyranny of the Six Nations before we all die of boredom Ruth Jeffery Sport editor, Edinburgh

There’s a certain time of year that fills

me with a sense of deep-setted irritation.

It’s always marked - in Edinburgh at least - by rows of little coloured flags and chalk boards outside pubs.

Swathes of lairy, well-spoken men fill the streets and blue and white becomes the most common colour combination in the whole city. When all these indicators are in place, one knows for certain that some serious egg-chasing is about to go down.

I am well aware that similar complaints can be made about the beautiful game that is football, but there are several marked differences which make football

great and the Six Nations not so great.

Firstly, I would like to point out that the footballing competitions occur in a far timelier manner. Every year is too often for such a hyped tournament as the Six Nations. Every year! Christmas happens every year. So does the Chess Club’s AGM. But the big session of rugger-bugger back patting is not as exciting or as important as either of these events. At least football has the grace to hold its major competitions every four years, so that those not inclined to partake in its loveliness can have a break from hearing others spout forth. I could perhaps be persuaded to be generous with rugby fans on a biannual basis, but nothing is more tiresome than the same fixtures, same scorelines and same analysis being rolled out year on year.

And that brings me to my next point.

Which is that the Six Nations is always the same! At least with the European Championships or World Cup in football there are qualifying necessities, which add to the excitement and generally mean that each team has to perform at some kind of level nearing ‘good’. I accept the existence of the Rugby World Cup, but dispute that that validates this outdated tournament. With the Six Nations, the same countries meet every year despite the fact that some are radically better than others and that there are now other nations in the world who care more about rugby than them.

Currently, only two of the six countries are in the top five world rankings according to the International Rugby Board (IRB). France is fourth and England is

OCEAN DWELLER

fifth. Ireland is just behind in sixth, Wales ninth, Italy 10th and Scotland 12th.

This means that the so called ‘elite competition’ is not contested between the top teams in the world. There are no entry requirements beyond simply being part of an old gentlemen’s club.

The idea of a competition made up of six countries is a good one. Concise, not too drawn out and generally in good humour,.

But why not mix it up a little? Have some sort of qualification process and make it a little more interesting.

New Zealand, South Africa and Australia are the top three nations in the world rankings, and the inclusion of even one of these teams would add an intriguing angle on a different scale to the home nations and their two European neighbours.

My next complaint about the Six Nations is a further deliberation on the aforementioned annoyances. The hype engulfing the competition in Scotland’s fair capital is nauseating. The rigmarole which surrounds the naming of the team, the rousing manager talks, the photograph posing… the list goes on and I am already bored. It all happened last year. And was exactly the same last year.

This year, I will probably end up being in a pub whilst egg-chasing takes place on a big screen behind me. I will probably be unfortunate enough to overhear conversations about Scotland’s terrible chances of not coming last. And I will probably, as in years gone by, look forward to 16 March when the coloured flags come down and I can drink my pint in peace.

FORTUNE TELLER

Paul the Octopus will make you a few squid Hoy speaks out about cycling doping scandal

Del Piero, who joined the club in September, has now scored 10 goals in 16 appearances.

Edinburgh lad Chris Hoy has

Trump’s surprise exit from Masters

this week condemned doping in cycling and called the widespread problem “frustrating”.

The cyclist told BBC 5live: “We must break the chain of the past to the future and not include people who have been involved with that. It is a tough thing but the sport is trying all it can to reform and change — and to make the future better.”

Fränk Schleck will miss the 2013 Tour de France because of a ban received after testing positive for Xipamide during last year’s race.

Schleck denied knowingly taking the drug, but will be out of action until 14 July 2013.

A surprise snooker defeat saw

world number two Judd Trump exit the German masters to world number 37 Anthony Hamilton.

Trump has had a bad run of form of late, suffering a first round exit at the UK Championships and a second round defeat at the Masters. The young snooker star won the International Championship last November, but was defeated 5-4 by Hamilton. Mark Williams and Stephen Maguire also went out to Michael Holt and Mark King respectively.

Del Piero helps Sydney combat A-League woes

Glasgow Internationals a success for Chambers

Alessandro Del Piero got his 10th goal for Sydney FC in a game against the Newcastle Jets when the two teams clashed last Saturday.

Del Piero, 38-years-old, faced fellow newcomer to the A-League Emile Heskey in the match.

The Italian superstar scored after just 11 minutes on the clock although his team eventually drew 2-2 through an 89th minute Ryan Griffiths penalty for the Jets. Sydney FC sit eighth in the A-League table with 21 points from 19 games. Their poor form this season has seen them win six, draw three and lose ten of those matches.

Dwain Chambers was successful last week as he stormed to victory in the 60m at the Glasgow International. Chambers achieved a time of 6.58 seconds, the second fastest in the world this year. He came ahead of Kim Collins from St Kitts and Nevis and Mike Rodgers of America.

Chambers is in preparation for the upcoming European Indoor Championships in Göteborg from 1-3 March. Russia and the United States both finished the Glasgow International with 58 points, followed by Great Britain and Northern Ireland with 50 points.

Matthew Dunne-Miles Octopus Whisperer

Alright, I’ll admit it, last week was an

off-week for me. I sense there are doubters out there and to those naesayers I ask, do you think the world of the Octopus occult is easy?! Did you happen to rightly predict all the World Cup results? The answer to both these queries is a resounding ‘no’.

There were lots of contributing factors to last week’s hiccup — firstly there’s the transfer window. I was receiving conflicting information about the future of Peter Odemwhingie (so was he) and Harry Redknapp careering around in that Range Rover peering out of his window like a poe-faced Bassett hound is bad juju for everyone. He had no idea what he was up to, let alone the spirit world. Secondly, it isn’t easy translating my native Squiddish tongue for you humanoids. On with the predictions…

BRADFORD NEED VICTORY FIX

*Winning is a drug and once you’ve

had a hit you’ll crave more.

Bradford City have had a speedball of success over the past month and the depths of League Two are no longer enough, they’ve got a ‘triumph monkey’ on their back the size of King Kong. I see Phil Parkinson’s Bantams on a Ryanair flight to South Africa, arriving at the African Cup Of Nations before announcing they’re ‘here to win it’.

After being kindly reminded by the tournament administration that they do not qualify due to neither being ‘African’ nor a ‘Nation’, the victory-junkies will clamber back on to the plane heading for a ‘junior boys five-a-side tournament in Dumfries’.

The future is hazy after that.

SCOTLAND TALKED INTO LOSS

*I foresee a bittersweet week for Scot-

land’s national team.

Gordon Strachan’s Tartan Army will earn a hard-fought victory over Estonia at home, but no reporters will be there to see it.

The ginger Obama’s repartee will mean that the pre-match press conference will become a three-hour stand up set, leaving journalists in tears with his witty anecdotes and impressions of Duncan Ferguson and Craig Levein.

This unfortunately means that the media have to rely on the testimony of Estonia’s Head Coach Tarmo Ruutli as to the outcome of the game, where he will say that Estonia “100 per cent won TheDailySportsHerald

that one,” much to Scotland’s frustration.

OFFSIDE OFF MLS AGENDA

*It’s a time of regression in the world

of America’s major league soccer ball.

The MLS will rule that they no longer see the need to keep using the offside rule, now that Anglo-Christ David Beckham has headed off to Parisian turf.

LA Galaxy poster boy Landon Donovan will shrug and say “This is America, we’re not the Manchester FC Hotspurs. Half of the guys don’t even understand the offside rule anyway, we were only using it to make David believe that this was a legitimate league. Now he’s gone we can really let our hair down.”

26 / SPORT

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The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

FOOTBALL

January Blues

Benitez suffers cold winter at the Bridge

Ollie Bunting Staff writer

At no point during his tenure as Chelsea manager has Rafa Benitez had an easy day at the office, whether at their Cobham training ground or in the dugout on a match day.

And January has not been a good month for the Spaniard by any stretch of the imagination. Eight points have been taken from a possible 15 in the five Premier League matches that they have played, which, though not disastrous, is combined with an exit in the Capital One Cup semifinal to Swansea and the complexities of an FA Cup replay with League One outfit Brentford.

If there was one advantage to be taken from Benitez’s appointment back in late November it was that if there was anyone who could spark the re-emergence of

Fernando Torres’ goal scoring form it would be him.

On the face of things eight goals in all competitions since Rafa took the helm seems to be a good return. This is coupled with the fact that alongside Juan Mata, Torres is the club’s joint-leading goal scorer this season. Yet one still does not feel satisfied and Torres still does not seem anywhere near the standard of player that he used to be; the player that scored 65 goals in 102 premier league appearances for Liverpool at an average of more than a goal every two games.

After an initial surge of goals in the opening month that Benitez took charge — seven in all — Torres has hit a dry spell again, albeit not as shocking as the one he suffered earlier on in his Chelsea career.

However, the Spanish striker has not scored in seven league games and has only netted once in Chelsea’s last 11 matches.

Even then that lonely goal scored was

against the lower league opposition of Brentford.

This is a poor return rate from the £50 million man, especially when Benitez has notably tried to replicate a similar playing style at Chelsea which saw Torres be so profitable when at Liverpool.

Surely Benitez’s job is safe for now.

Roman Abramovich simply has nowhere else to turn after former Barcelona coach Pep Guardiola’s decision to head to Bayern Munich this summer.

But with Madrid looking all-but certain to get rid of Jose Mourinho by the summer, it may be that Rafa won’t worry about his security as Chelsea manager if walking through the doors at the Bernabeu looks to be a likely option.

Then Chelsea really will be struggling to find the right man, not only to take the club forward but for someone who can possibly help Torres to find his scoring boots once more.

TENNIS

Murray: positives in defeat Andy proves his worth in successful Australian Open for Britain

Ben Sutherland ROWING

Olympic medallist Nethercott, 35, dies Acer Nethercott’s death comes as a shock to the rowing community Alex Neal Staff writer

Tributes have swarmed in follow-

ing the death of Team GB rower Acer Nethercott.

The 35-year-old died on 27 January having been diagnosed with brain cancer, though the cause of death remains unknown.

The cox had won a silver medal at the 2008 Beijing Olympic Games, having guided the men’s eight team in a close race which they lost to Canada.

He was also in contention to compete at the London 2012 Olympics, but the cox role was instead given to Phelan Hill.

Nethercott had previously won two boat races with the University of Oxford crew in 2003 and 2005, and was a member of the 2004 team which lost in controver-

sial circumstances following a clash of blades. Nethercott also won bronze at the 2007 World Championships.

Acer was born in Harlow, Essex, and was as committed to academia as he was to his rowing. Not only did he pass with a first in Theoretical Physics and Philosophy, but he also embarked on a doctorate.

His former team-mate Alex Partridge told the BBC: “He was a great cox, coach, and mentor. He will be greatly missed.”

Tributes also came from the GB Rowing Team Twitter account. It said: “Today we mourn the passing of Acer Nethercott. Keen, eager & spirited like his name”.

Another read “Great member of @ GBRowingTeam. Thoughts are with family.”

He was a member of Molesey Boat Club in Surrey, who were said to be in

Jak Purkiss & Jack Guthrie Staff writers

The start of the new year means one thing for tennis fans – the start of the Australian open. It has become increasingly popular in recent years with greater TV and online coverage and a reported increase in betting on the event over the last few years.

It was an exhilarating tournament despite the eventual winners being somewhat predictable, with the first seeds winning the men’s singles, women’s singles, men’s doubles and women’s doubles titles.

There were a number of memorable matches throughout the tournament and some outstanding performances from the British players.

Andy Murray appeared full of confidence as he breezed into his fourth consecutive Australian Open semi-final

without dropping a set. Beating Rodger Federer - who he had also overcome during the Olympics - Murray proved himself to be worthy of praise.

The final with Djokovic proved to be an incredibly tight match between the two current heavyweights of the sport.

Despite the defeat to Djokovic, there are many reasons for Murray to feel upbeat.

He has seemed full of confidence of late and his game is improving. For the first few years of his career it was thought that he was another hyped up tennis player who wouldn’t break the 76 year British Grand Slam title wait.

By ignoring the platitudes and playing good tennis, he has disproved his doubters. This was his third Grand Slam final in a row and if he continues to build on his recent improvements there will be many more Grand Slam finals and victories for him in the future.

After an impressive 2012 by Laura

Robson and Heather Watson, they were both ranked in the top 50 in the world and qualified directly into the main knock out stage of the tournament.

There were encouraging signs from both British players as they looked to build on an impressive year and cement their places in the top 50 of the women’s game.

Both players continued to show wonderful grace in defeat, a quality that is highly admired in their roles of female tennis role models.

The tournament was another resounding success as all the players directed their praise on the organisers and the crowd.

There was some sensational tennis played throughout the tournament, but most pleasing for British tennis fans were the impressive performances by the British players that have provided an abundance of reasons to feel both excited and optimistic for the rest of the season.

Carine06

FOOTBALL

ZAMBIA: ONE YEAR ON Following their exit from the Africa Cup of Nations The Journal reflects on that historic 2012 win Michael Mawdsley Staff writer

For Zambia, the sadness at crashing out in

the group stages at the African Cup of Nations may be softened by their triumph in the same tournament last year.

Although they are the first winners to be knocked out in the first stages since Algeria 20 years ago, the win itself was a miracle.

For a country of 14 million people, their footballing pedigree is nowhere near that of

continental rivals Ivory Coast or Senegal. The highlight of their international history was, until last year, a 4-0 victory over Italy at the 1988 Olympics.

Yet 2012 proved a landmark in their history. Their win was particularly poignant when remembering the disaster in 1993 which saw 18 players and coaches die in a plane crash on the way to a World Cup qualifying match in Senegal.

Handed a difficult group, they went through by beating Senegal 2-1, drawing

2-2 with Libya and overcoming Equatorial Guinea 1-0.

Zambia were too strong for Sudan in the quarter-final, taking a 3-0 victory courtesy of goals by Stophira Suzen, Christopher Katonga and James Chamanga. The scoreline should have been far higher as Zambia ran rampant into the semi-finals against Ghana.

Ghana’s pedigree in the competition and in world football is impressive, being one of only three African teams to have reached the World Cup quarter-finals, and Zambia were

understandably underdogs in the match.

In the first half David Nkausa, Zambia’s keeper saved a penalty from Asamoah Gyan, and the Zambian goal came under threat again and again. But football is made of miracles, and late in the second half Isaac Chansa broke free to feed Mayuka, who on the turn slotted home to propel Zambia to the first final in their history.

If defeating Ghana had been a challenge, their rivals in the final were the mighty Ivory Coast, blessed with then-Chelsea striker

Didier Drogba, Manchester City’s Yaya and Kolo Toure and Arsenal’s Gervinho.

Though the game was filled with chances for both sides, a stalemate after half time and then penalties made for nerve-wracking viewing. Zambia eventually won 8-7 on penalties, a triumph which had seen them display extraordinary amounts of persistence.

This year their story may have ended very differently, but Zambia’s year of glory is one they will not forget.

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

SPORT// 27

SCOTTISH PREMIER LEAGUE FOOTBALL

Strachan’s Scotland: New SP RT & TWEET manager, same old squad From David Beckham’s high

profile Paris St Germain transfer to minnows St Mirren reaching the Scottish Communities League Cup final at the expense of Celtic, sport stars have taken to Twitter to share their opinions. Here’s eight of the best

Gordon Strachan’s first Scotland squad highlights that we have very little to call upon referees with all-too-easy post-game panels Craig W. Ritchie Sport editor

Let’s be honest here. After all the

excitement and euphoria surrounding Gordon Strachan’s appointment as Scotland manager you could be forgiven for thinking this is a new dawn for Scottish football.

However, it must be remembered that a tradesmen can only work with the tools at his disposal, and Strachan has a very limited selection of tools indeed.

The announcement of the first squad by the new managerial team of Strachan, Mark McGhee and Stuart McCall has brought it home how far we have fallen as a football nation.

The inclusion of the likes of Chris Burke, who hasn’t featured for the national side since 2007, shows we no longer have a pool of talent to turn to.

I have nothing against Chris Burke. In fact on many previous occasions I have said that he is unlucky to have as little as the two caps he has won. However, his time has came and went.

Surely we must have younger, more promising players than someone like

Burke. It seems that we are slowly running out of options if he is who we have to turn to.

Add that to the continued selection of Scotland stalwart Kenny Miller and it is evident that some players, unlike Burke, are guaranteed to be selected no matter where or how they are playing domestically.

Miller hasn’t exactly set the heather alight since moving to Canadian side Vancouver Whitecaps but, like under previous managers Walter Smith, Alex McLeish, George Burley and Craig Levein, he gets yet another call-up, this time for Strachan’s maiden game against Estonia.

The squad set to take on European minnows, provides little surprises. You would think given the stature of the upcoming opposition that Strachan may have seen it as a chance to experiment with his new side. However the continued selection of the likes of Miller highlights that Strachan is more concerned about getting his first game out the road with a comfortable victory - not that Miller will aid his cause.

Fellow strikers Jamie Mackie and

Steven Fletcher, both considerably younger options, have seen their stock skyrocket plying their trade down south in the English Premier League.

Mackie has come out of this season as one of few QPR players to receive any praise. His ‘never say die’ attitude appeals to Scottish fans. He may not necessarily score the most goals in the world but, one thing is for certain, he isn’t afraid to put a shift in.

On the other hand, Fletcher’s goalscoring record at Sunderland speaks for itself. His omission from countless Levein squads was one of the many reasons the Tartan Army became fed up with Levein. His return to the international scene came a little too late to save the former boss from the boot but he will be hoping to kick on under his new manager.

To put it bluntly, if Strachan is selecting his starting 11 at Pittodrie based on merit then Miller should be nowhere near the team on the pitch.

It is in games like this where we should be easing in the new talent, not handing out caps to players who no longer deserve them.

Aleksander Melnyakov

@OfficialNeil: “I wonder how long it will take Becks to start sounding like Joey Barton” Celtic boss Neil Lennon joked about the announcement that David Beckham will be following his fellow Englishman Joey Barton in the French Ligue 1 by signing for PSG. Barton infamously put on a French accent during a post-match press conference for his side Marseille. @CillianSheridan: “Becks taking Biggie’s advice. Mo’ Money, Mo’ Problems!”

Following Beckham’s intention to donate his complete PSG salary to a local Parisian children’s charity, charismatic Kilmarnock striker Cillian Sheridan found inspiration from rapper Biggie Smalls’ hit. @ThomEvans11: “@Scotlandteam Great to see Johnnie Beattie back in the team! Squad looks strong. #backingblue” Former Scottish rugby star Thom Evans tweets his delight at the recall of former team-mate Johnnie Beattie to the Six Nations fold in interim head coach Scott Johnson’s squad.

Evans had to retire from professional rugby in 2010 following a neck injury against Wales in the same competition. @judmoo: “Congrats @DjokerNole.

Incredible athlete. Perfect gentleman. #ausopen” Andy Murray’s mother, Judy, congratulates her son’s opponent Novak Djokovic following the Serbs win in their Australian Open final. Djokovic’s victory means that he has now won a record-equalling three consec-

utive Australian Open tournaments. @chrishoy: “The motorway matrix signs tonight had some useful info.

‘Keep your windscreen clear’.

Thanks for that. What’s next? Keep breathing?”

Scotland’s most famous Olympian Sir Chris Hoy took to Twitter to joke about the obvious motorway messages he witnessed on his way home. @CHARLIEM0RGAN: “The king of all ball boys is back making his final appearance #needed #for #timewasting” Charlie Morgan caused a stir last month following his time wasting incident during the Swansea-Chelsea League Cup semi-final clash. Morgan was kicked by Chelsea winger Eden Hazard, which resulted in the Belgian being sent off. However, judging by his pre-match tweets, his time wasting was pre-meditated. @PaulDummett: “So happy for the lads @saintmirrenfc for 2days performance and making it to the final! #unbelievable #stmirren #COYS” Young defender Paul Dummett, congratulates his team-mates at St Mirren after their 3-2 victory over favourites Celtic. The young Welshman was on loan at the Paisley side earlier in the season, but missed the League Cup semi-final victory after his loan deal from Newcastle ended.

Dummett has since returned to the Buddies with a deadline day loan move. @ScottBrown8: “Still can’t believe @ joe16led shot actually went in. What was the goalie doing. They 2 daft welsh guys did really well today” Celtic captain Scott Brown congratulates his side’s Welsh contingent of Adam Matthews and Joe Ledley following their goals in the comprehensive 4-1 victory over Kilmarnock.

The victory extended Celtic’s lead at the summit of the SPL table.

Mirsasha

LEAGUE TABLES FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

BUCS MARS Football Scottish Men’s 1A

RUGBY

BUCS MARS Football Scottish Women’s 1A P W D L F

Men’s Rugby Union Scottish 2A

P W D L F

A GD Pts

A GD Pts

Stirling 2nd

5 3

1

1

5

10 4

7

Glasgow 1st

4 4 0 0 13 12 21

8

Glasgow 1st

3 3 0 0 50 9

10

9

Edinburgh 1st

5 2

2 1

3

8

0

6

Robert Gordon 1st

4 2 1

1 7

7

7

Heriot-Watt 1st

4 3 0 1 19 9

-5

4

Heriot-Watt 1st

5 2

1

2 -1

7

2

4

Edinburgh 1st

4 2 1

1 2

7

62

5

Edinburgh 2nd

4 1

0 3 45 3

0

3

Aberdeen 1st

4 2

0 2 -1

6

-2

3

Abertay 1st

4 1

0 3 -7 3

16

5

Aberdeen 2nd

3 1

0 2 -15 3

0

3

Glasgow 1st

5 1

0 4 -6 3

-4

3

Aberdeen 1st

4 0 0 4 -15 0

33

5

Robert Gordon 1st

4 1

0 3 -99 3

-5

1

9

FOOTBALL

FOOTBALL

BUCS MARS Football Scottish Men’s 1A

A GD Pts

RUGBY

BUCS MARS Football Scottish Women’s 1A P W D L F

P W D L F

Men’s Rugby Union Scottish 2A

P W D L F

A GD Pts

A GD Pts

Stirling 2nd

5 3

1

1

5

10 4

7

Glasgow 1st

4 4 0 0 13 12 21

8

Glasgow 1st

3 3 0 0 50 9

10

9

Edinburgh 1st

5 2

2 1

3

8

0

6

Robert Gordon 1st

4 2 1

1 7

7

7

Heriot-Watt 1st

4 3 0 1 19 9

-5

4

Heriot-Watt 1st

5 2

1

2 -1

7

2

4

Edinburgh 1st

4 2 1

1 2

7

62

5

Edinburgh 2nd

4 1

0 3 45 3

0

3

Aberdeen 1st

4 2

0 2 -1

6

-2

3

Abertay 1st

4 1

0 3 -7 3

16

5

Aberdeen 2nd

3 1

0 2 -15 3

0

3

Glasgow 1st

5 1

0 4 -6 3

-4

3

Aberdeen 1st

4 0 0 4 -15 0

33

5

Robert Gordon 1st

4 1

0 3 -99 3

-5

1

9

P W D L F

A GD Pts

Full standings available at: www.bucs.org.uk

28 / SPORT

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

SCOTTISH THIRD DIVISION FOOTBALL

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

SSS CRICKET

Annan impress to hold Queen’s

Finalists seam familiar St Andrews and Edinburgh indoor cricket 6s through to next week’s Scottish Student Sport finals at Mary Erksine School

High-flying Spiders struggle to 2-2 draw IM Stewart Photography

Jake Starkey

High-flying

Queen’s

Park

found it a frustrating afternoon as they struggled to break down an impressive Annan Athletic side at Hampden Park.

Queen’s, who came into the fixture second only to Rangers in the race for promotion from Division Three, struggled to a draw against an Annan side eager to impress their new boss Jim Chapman.

In a scrappy affair, both sides struggled to dominate possession.

The game remained goalless until the 21st minute when Annan’s Martin McNiff let fly from all of 35 yards, catching out Neil Parry in the Queen’s goal. The keeper failed to get a strong enough hand to the midfielder’s strike ensuring the away side went into half time a goal to the better.

However, it was to be the Spiders who came out stronger in the second half. Former St Mirren man Sean Burns caused the Annan defence all sorts of problems with his twisting runs and clever play: all that was lacking was a killer touch in front of goal.

Eventually in the 59th minute Queen’s Park grabbed a deserved equaliser. Jamie Longworth, who had not scored for over five months, nodding home from around two yards out after a smart header from James Brough.

Annan appeared to have snatched victory when, in the 84th minute, substitute Ally Love’s deflected shot slid past keeper Parry, sparking wild celebrations on the touchline.

But the drama was only just beginning.

Within seconds, Queen’s Park were level once again. Straight from kick-off midfielder David Anderson collected the ball. After a couple of smart touches, he played it into the path of striker Longworth who drilled the ball into the bottom

corner from 35 yards.

The home side thought they had stolen all three points at the death when Aidan Connelly headed past Annan keeper Mitchell, only to be flagged offside by the assistant on the far side.

With Queen’s set to play Rangers in their next fixture, Longworth was glad to end his dry streak with a goal from little over a yard: “There was still a little bit of panic. I would rather it was on the ground with no goalie if I’m being honest with you, but I was just glad to get a goal since it has been such a long time since my last.

“To get a second was obviously pleasing. It’s all down to confidence, I think I am definitely a confidence player so the fact I have went so long without a goal starts to play on you a wee bit. Hopefully now I can go on and score a few more again.

With the Rangers game in mind, he added: “I was on the bench the first time we played them. Obviously the noise was fantastic, so when we go back again hopefully we can knick a goal, whether it’s myself or not, we want to do ourselves a bit of justice.”

Queen’s Park : Parry, Gallacher (Bradley 8), Little, Brough, Robertson, Anderson, Longworth, McParland, Connolly, Keenan (Quinn 79), Burns (Shankland 87). Subs Not Used: Lochhead, Giuseppe Capuano.

Goals : Longworth 59, 85.

Annan Athletic : Mitchell, Blake, Monaghan, Swinglehurst, McGowan, Sloan (Love 76), Chaplain, McNiff, Orsi, Daly (Hawke 67), Hopkirk. Subs Not Used: Summersgill, McKechnie, Murray.

Goals: Gavan 32’, Good 41’ 57’, Masson 61’, Craigie 82’, Stark 88’ Goals : McNiff 21, Love 83.

St Andrews and Edinburgh will

compete in the SSS Indoor 6s final after they topped their respective groups in what was an enthralling day of cricket at RGU. The day kicked off with a nail-biting finish in the match between Aberdeen and Strathclyde.

Strathclyde posted a competitive score of 145 from their 10 overs, owing a great deal to Alan Laycock’s sublime 71 not out.

Support for Laycock was scant however and this would prove crucial as, after a disciplined batting performance from Aberdeen, just four was needed from the last ball.

A three was scampered and the boys from the Granite City won by virtue of having lost just three wickets with Graham Oliver (32*) and Eddie Steinson (45*) retiring.

The second match of the day was also a close encounter. Edinburgh 2s came very close to defending their meagre total of 79 against Dundee, only Craig Ramsey contributing with a vital 34*.

Ramsey then opened the bowling with his left-arm spin, picking up the wicket of the dangerous Chris Burns with a sharp caught and bowled.

Dundee wobbled briefly but wicketkeeper Stuart Murray displayed a cool head and guided them home with 41*.

Edinburgh 1s, slightly weakened by the absence of Andrew Brock through injury, then faced Strathclyde who were eager to gain revenge for their previous match’s narrow loss.

This did not go to plan, however, and Edinburgh swept away the West Coast’s finest with gusto. Edinburgh raced to 160 courtesy of scores over 25

by Baum, Allen and Glover.

Laycock was unfortunate not to be unable to repeat his heroics of the first game and Strathclyde could only must 69 all out, Chad the only batsman to offer any resistance with 33.

St Andrews, who had breezed through their qualifying phase losing only one wicket in the two games, found their opening game of the day a lot tougher.

Dundee piled up 104 against them, aided by some loose bowling and lots of extras, not to mention fine knocks of 36 and 33 by Vihar Shah and captain Fergus Martin respectively.

The Seagulls stumbled somewhat in reply, losing early wickets before some good hitting by Hector Loughton gave them enough momentum to win the game with two overs to spare.

Edinburgh then racked up a mammoth 187 against Aberdeen with wicketkeeper Alex Baum standing out with a sparkling 54*.

Three other batsmen (Allen, Glover and White) also retired giving Edinburgh the highest score of the day.

Although they battled valiantly, the Aberdeen batsmen were unable to keep up with the required rate and, despite C. Martin top scoring with 25, lost by 66 runs.

The result meant Edinburgh had found their way to the final; who they would face was determined by the result of the final game of the day between St Andrews and Edinburgh 2s.

Edinburgh captain Tom Tennant won the toss and elected to field, a decision very much vindicated when the Seagulls lost a wicket through a comical run out in the first over.

However, some rapid rebuilding work was performed by their stand out batsman of the day, Hector Loughton, ably supported by firstly Ed Kneale and then captain Jake Starkey.

Both Starkey and Loughton finished with 41 as St Andrews reach 145 all out from their full allocation of ten overs.

The Edinburgh reply did not really ever get going, wicketkeeper A. Price excepted (28), as the St Andrews bowlers improved their discipline from the first game and won by 45 runs.

The final will take place as the warm up act to the Euro Indoor 6s which takes place at MES in Edinburgh on Saturday 16 February.

UNIVERSITY FOOTBALL

Glasgow 3s gubbed in Caley showdown at Garscube GCU men’s 2s run riot to score four times in the second half for their first win of the season Kierran Allardice Staff writer

Glasgow Caledonian University men’s 2s saw off University of

Glasgow men’s 3s with a 6-0 hammering at Garscube last Wednesday afternoon.

Caley came into this game in search of their first victory of the season, while Glasgow had some rustiness to shake off after not playing a match since the reverse fixture of this tie in November, which they won 1-0.

For the first ten minutes, chances were few and far between and neither side could get a real foothold on the game.

The first goal came when Caley’s

Stuart Gillies showed some quick feet in the box to mislead the defender, who then brought him down. Nathan Gavan stepped up to take the penalty; it was saved by Matthew Baines but the referee deemed the keeper to have been too far off his line, so ordered the penalty to be retaken. Gavan made sure he didn’t miss a second time and coolly slotted the ball into the bottom corner.

The goal fired Glasgow up who piled on the pressure, but Caley continued to counter their best efforts. The half-time whistle came as a relief to the Glasgow players as they had been on the backfoot in the closing stages.

Glasgow Caledonian started the second half much like they finished the first. Caley kept control of the game

and at 57 minutes their dominance paid off, as Glasgow’s Baines spilled what should have been a straight forward catch. The following corner reached Gavan at the edge of the box, his low shot was parried by the ‘keeper into the path of Good who knocked the ball in for Caley’s third goal.

Four minutes later, Caley got themselves a fourth - Gillies with a lovely ball to Masson who found some space and played a lovely lob over the goalkeeper from 25 yards.

Glasgow’s Craig Gunderson came close to getting a consolation goal but his volley from 18 yards was saved by Jack Johnston. Caley added a fifth in the 82nd when substitute Ben Craigie showed quick feet to get past the

Glasgow defenders and find the bottom corner. Caley added insult to injury a couple of minutes from time when another substitute, Ciaran Stark, found the back of the net from Gavan’s cross.

This win sees Glasgow Caledonian go level on points with Glasgow but they leapfrog them due to better goal difference.

Glasgow will look to pick themselves up from this heavy defeat when they play host to Edinburgh Napier University on 6 February. Glasgow Caledonian’s next fixture is at home against Aberdeen University on 13 February.

University of Glasgow 3rd team: 1 Matthew Baines, 2 Chris O’Neill, 3 David Lafferty, 4 Connor MacLeod, 5

Craig Gunderson, 6 Kieran Everden, 7 James Milligan, 8 Jamie McKinley, 9 Callum Barrett, 10 Sean Dunion, 11 Josh McCabe. Subs: 12 Daniel McCaffrey, 14 John Holden, 15 Ewan Morrison Glasgow Caledonian University 2nd team: 1 Jack Johnston, 2 Lee Goodfellow, 3 Marc Penman, 4 Neil Pomerst, 6 Aly Moorehouse, 7 Michael Gray, 9 Jamie Masson, 10 Stuart Gillies, 11 George Good, 12 Finlay Thomson, 15 Nathan Gavan. Subs: 13 Stephen Keatings, 14 Ben Craigie, 16 Ciaran Stark, 17 Matt Hickman, 18 Daniel MacLeod Goals: Gavan 32’, Good 41’ 57’, Masson 61’, Craigie 82’, Stark 88’

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

SPORT// 29

BASKETBALL

Rocks in last-gasp win over Lions The Glasgow Rocks needed a basket on the buzzer to defeat the London Lions 69-66 at the Emirates Arena Kierran Allardice Staff writer

A three-point shot on the buzzer

saw Glasgow Rocks overcome London Lions in the British Basketball League encounter at the Emirates Arena.

The Rocks looked to round-up a clean sweep over the visitors having beaten them twice already in the league this season, 87-73 and 88-78.

It took the Rocks a few minutes into the game to get into their rhythm while the London Lions hit the ground running.

From the first whistle the Lions looked like they meant business, a menacing offence and a sturdy defence reduced the Rocks to getting very few points on the board in the opening exchanges.

This continued throughout the first quarter which finished with the Lions 15 points ahead already and firmly in the driving seat, or so it seemed.

Midway through the second quarter something clicked for the Glasgow Rocks as they managed to turn a 19-point deficit on its head. With only a minute left in the 2nd quarter the Rocks took the lead for the first time in the match.

The Rocks trailed 41-39 at half time but an inspired performance from EJ Harrison had brought them right back into contention.

The third quarter was a rather tense affair with neither side being able to assert any real dominance.

Strong defence from both sides made for a low-scoring third quarter yet the

Rocks finished it still trailing by three points.

Since the Rocks reduced the earlier deficit neither side had been able to pull away from the other.

It was a tame start to the final quarter with only two points being scored in the first three minutes.

The game began to get a little rough and reckless midway through the fourth, with many passes being misplaced and needless fouls conceded, as both sides pushed for that all-important victory.

Going into the closing stages of the final quarter there was nothing between the sides, both doing everything they could to win. With only thirty seconds to go the teams were tied at 66-66.

Then, with only a second on the clock, the Rocks’ EJ Harrison went for three and made it as the buzzer sounded meaning it was the narrowest of victories for the Rocks.

After the game, Rocks’ player-coach Sterling Davis praised his teams determination and resiliency throughout the match.

He said:”It was a gutsy performance, we started off pretty slow but I’ve got to give the guys the credit for weathering the storm. I thought throughout the course of the game we couldn’t extend the lead but we did a good job of bringing it back and we made it count when it mattered.”

The Rocks will be hoping to continue their good form of late as they travel down south to take on the Mersey Tigers in a game they will be hoping to win.

Stephen A.Mathie

ICE HOCKEY

Clan suffer double weekend slip-up Former Clan playercoach Jordan Krestanovich returned but couldn’t avoid his side’s defeats to Sheffield and Edinburgh Sean McGowan Assistant sport editor

Axed former Clan player-coach

Jordan Krestanovich returned to the ice to a rapturous applause last night, but his presence in the Braehead line-up could not ignite victory as they lost 5-4 to the Sheffield Steelers and 5-2 to the Edinburgh Capitals last weekend.

The two defeats were the first under new coach Paul Gardner’s reign following three successive victories.

While Krestanovich chipped in with a goal for the Clan, it was Steelers

forward Steven Goertzen who stole the show at the Braehead Arena with a game winning hat-trick as Sheffield claimed a deserved two points.

There was no denying the emotion at the start of the evening as Krestanovich was introduced to the crowd. Gardner paid tribute to his predecessor, who had previously stated his desire to leave the Glasgow outfit following his dismissal as coach, calling the Canadian a ‘big, big part of this team’ and confirming that he will be staying in purple for the remainder of the season.

The emotion seemed to get the better of the Clan in the opening exchanges as Sheffield started off in dominant fashion, opening the scoring inside the first five minutes. Jonathan Phillips netting past Daren Machesney’s left glove.

The Clan almost fell further behind when Machesney denied Shawn Limpright a short-handed goal from point-blank range. Less than 30 seconds later, the game was tied as Krestanovich slotted home a rebound after a great pad save. With just under seven minutes left in the first period, however, the Steelers edged back in front thanks to Goertzen’s first goal of the game.

Despite several great saves from Machesney that was the way it stayed until four minutes into the second period when ex-NHLer Goertzen converted his second shortly after a big penalty-kill from the Clan.

Matt Hanson scored his third goal of the season on a power-play just moments after fellow defenseman Steve Birnstill almost netted against his former club. The Clan then equalised through captain Ash Goldie with 8:06 left in the second period with his shot from the beyond the blue line leaving Steelers goal-tender John DeCaro helpless.

After bringing it back to 3-3, the Clan shot themselves in the foot by conceding two power play goals. The first, Goertzen’s hat-trick, came with 2:32 left in the second period and followed a sensational defensive effort from Machesney and his teammates.

The Steelers peppered the Clan net with shot after shot, but the defence stood firm during a 5-on-3 powerplay before eventually caving under the pressure shortly before the penalty was due to expire.

With just one goal in the game the crowd could be forgiven for expecting a rip-roaring start to the final period, but in truth it was a rather drab affair

until Kevin Phillips was given a two and two penalty for high-sticking with 10:27 left.

It took the Steelers just six seconds to convert on the powerplay with Rod Sarich’s effort trundling into the net after heading through a host of bodies to give the away side a 5-3 lead.

Just as was the case when the Clan fell two goals behind earlier in the contest, they seemed to step it up a gear and controlled territory and possession although DeCaro in the Steelers goal was never really tested.

They did, however, close the gap to just a solitary goal with 4:23 left to play. Ash Goldie converted his second of the game after great play from Rob Farmer, who had his three assists on the night.

Frustratingly for Coach Gardner and the Clan, however, the Steelers dominated the puck in the final exchanges and the home side were never able to threaten what would have been an undeserved equaliser.

The Clan had the perfect opportunity to bounce back from the Steelers defeat in the typically fast and furious affair against rivals Edinburgh Capitals at Murrayfield.

Away victories are a rare occurrence in this fixture but, 24 hours

since they pressed championshipchasing Sheffield Steelers all the way, a rejuvenated Clan flew out the traps and winger Kevin Phillips’ surging break across the neutral zone drew the games’ first penalty after only 13 seconds of play.

Goldie and Farmer rained shots on the Capitals’ net as the visitors set-up camp in the attacking zone, but somehow the Clansmen failed to find a way through a well-organised Edinburgh blockade. When gaps could be found in the Edinburgh defence, goalkeeper Tomas Hiadlovsky proved equal to the task of frustrating Braehead.

While the Glasgow team spurned numerous chances in front of goal, Edinburgh were content to soak up the pressure and hit on the counter.

Despite enjoying the bulk of the chances Clan were unable to take advantage and Edinburgh would again make the visitors pay for their wayward finishing.

Speaking after the game, disappointed Clan forward Brock McPherson told The Journal: “It’s really frustrating — we shot ourselves in the foot tonight. Edinburgh are a strong team at home but we should have had the win.

30 / SPORT

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

CYCLING

Scots cyclists snatch finale victory Home riders triumph in first-ever Scottish outing of Revolution Series championship at Hoy velodrome Sean McGowan Assistant sport editor

Blair C. Dingwall

Glasgow was given a taste of

what’s to come in 2014’s Commonwealth Games as the Revolution Series came to Scotland for the first time.

The finale went right down to the wire as all-Scottish team Rafa Condor JLT, comprised of Olympic gold medalist Ed Clancy and Commonwealth Games champion James McCallum — edged ahead of the competition to win the Championship by a mere 16 points as German outfit Rudy Project RT tried in vain to snatch the lead.

The event, which took place in the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome in front of a sell-out crowd of more than 4,000 spectators, came to a nail-biting conclusion as the two teams battled for supremacy, with the home crowd right behind Clancy and McCallum.

Having entered the final leg of the Championship with a 16-point lead, it was clear that two Britons were going to be hard-pressed to maintain their lead, but Clancy’s fourth place finish in the final scratch race was enough to ensure their victory.

Clancy — the reigning Olympic and world champion — gave an unbelievable performance, pushing it to the limit to come first in the competitive points race as Rudy Project’s Christian Grasmann added to the pressure by taking second place.

It was clear that the home crowd played a huge part in the team’s victory, as their support helped push the team on to win after win — something that could help tip the balance in 2014’s Commonwealth Games.

This was evident in round two of the Madison time trial — it looked like Rudy Project RT might just have sntached the victory, but support from the local spectators helped spur Clancy and McCallum on to their third victory of the night, and an emphatic one at that.

It all came down to the final event after Rudy Project RT’s Nico Hesslich won the elimination race, once againg putting just 16 points between the two sides, but to no avail, as Clancy’s fourth place finish in the scratch race was enough to seal their victory.

Other Scots competing at the event including rising star John Paul, who stormed into the night with a first place finish in the night’s first event; the revolution sprint qualification time trial, and was a close second in Omnium sprint final after losing out to American Matthew Baranoski.

Speaking of having the chance to perform in front of a home crowd, Paul thought it helped to lift the riders and could play a big part at the Commonwealth.

He said: “It’s brilliant; really good event, packed crowd, great atmosphere.

“To have a venue like this, it’s amazing. To have such a high standard of a sporting venue like this could bring heaps of talent in the future. It’s nice coming to a home crowd and it’s a nice change of scene.”

In the DHL Future Stars races, Emily Haycox gave an inspiring performance to edge ahead of the leader, Jessica Roberts, and snatch victory in the final race of the season, the scratch

“It’s brilliant; really good event, packed crowd, great atmosphere. To have a venue like this [is] amazing. To have such a high standard of a sporting venue like this could bring heaps of talent in the future.” — John Paul race, and take the title by seven points.

Levi Moody, who led the way ahead of the final round of the boy’s competition, managed to hold on to his lead to ensure victory with a total of 282 points — an impressive 36 points ahead of his closest competitor, Thomas Rotherham.

The final event of the night, which pitted Scotland against the rest of the world in a 2 vs 2 sprint, saw the home side miss out by less than half a second.

Craig MacLean was disappointed with the defeat, but thought that the home advantage could play a big part in 2014’s Commonwealth Games.

He said: “It would’ve been nice [to win the final sprint], but there was quite a lot of racing prior to that last one.

“There’s an element of added pressure [from the home crowd] but generally you rise to it and the crowd brings out the best in you.”

Blair C. Dingwall

The Journal Wednesday 6 February 2013

@GlasgowJournal / journal-online.co.uk

RUGBY

SPORT// 31 Atlantic Trade Winds

Six Nations kicks off with surprises, and heartache for Scots Gripping start to 2013 Six Nations as Italy shock France in Rome, England retain Calcutta Cup and resurgent Ireland win in Wales Gareth Llewellyn Deputy managing editor

A stunning unexpected win for

Italy over perennial title contenders France completed an action-packed opening weekend of the 2013 Six Nations.

Traditionally the Six Nations whipping boys, cheered on by 70,000 fans inside the Stadio Olimpico, Italy played with more desire and better game management to overturn a half-time defecit and win 23-18 for their second win over France in three years.

Following a frenetic opening five minutes, Italy scored the first try of the match through their captain Sergio Parisse.

With the game started at a breakneck pace, Austrlian-born winger Luke McLean collected the ball inside his own half, evading several tackles on a gut-busting run.

Luciano Orquera then darted through the French defence and set up Parisse for in easy score.

France hit back immediately as No. 8 Louis Picamoles drove over. Benjamin Fall completed a silky French move to score just before the break, but the visitors half-time lead was slender as Orquera added a penalty and drop-goal.

Italy’s increased desire was evident after the break, and they forced their second try through Leicester prop Martin Castrogiovanni.

The ever-influential Orquera was tackled just short of the line, but against the odds, offloaded to Castrogiovanni, who touched down on 56 minutes.

Orquera’s conversion and a dropgoal shortly after from his replacement Kris Burton gave Italy a five-point lead they were able to protect for an unlikely win as a meaningful attack from France failed to materialise.

On Saturday, a young England side

retained the Calcutta Cup with an impressive 38-18 victory over Scotland at Twickenham..

Leading the title favourites’ charge was Owen Farrell, who was imperious with the ball in hand and accurate with the boot to kick 18 points.

New Scotland coach Scott Johnson saw his side get off to a perfect start with Sean Maitland capitalising on a strong run from Stuart Hogg to score a debut try, but any hope of an upset from Scotland fans faded a few minutes as England began to cut through the Scottish backline.

Farrell converted three penalties before Chris Ashton extended England’s lead just before half-time.

Making his debut at 12, Billy Twelvetrees was another to have the perfect start to his international career as he touched down on shortly after the break as England continued to throw the ball with confidence.

Their third try was the undoubtedly the best as Ben Youngs outmanoeuvred the Scottish defence before Farrell looped a fine pass to Geoff Parling, who went over in the corner.

Scotland reduced the defecit with an unlikely try on counter-attack to score their second try after some excellent quick hands early in the move, Hogg won a chase-down to a series of punts forward and dived over, but England came back again with Harlequins’ Danny Care scoring with the last play of the match.

Earlier on Saturday, Ireland extended Wales’ losing streak to eight games with a 30-22 victory at the Millennium Stadium.

Last year’s grand slam champions have now lost five consecutive home games for the first time in their history and will be disappointed with their firsthalf performance which saw Ireland build an impressive 23-3 lead over care-

taker coach Rob Howley’s side at the break.

Ireland showed great attacking flair in the opening half with Munster winger Simon Zebo leading the Irish attack.

After going over for the first score early on after good work from the unshackled Brian O’Driscoll, Zebo collected an outrageous catch, back-heeling the ball into his own hands to keep a fluid attack alive, with Cian Healy going over for Ireland’s second try just two phases later.

Rory Best charged down a clearance from fly-half Dan Biggar and the Ulsterman, in the running for a place in Warren Gatland’s Lions squad, gathered his own block and zipped the ball out wide to Heaslip.

Zebo then produced his moment of brilliance to collect his captain’s subsequent pass before being tackled just meters before the line.

Ireland continued to press and Healy eventually powered through Mike Phillips.

After an inevitable half-time rollocking, Wales bounced back from going 30-3 down through a O’Driscoll try, but had left themselves too much to do.

The former Ireland captain, who had been integral to Zebo’s opening try, stole the ball from the back of the ruck and pounced from a close range for Ireland’s final try of the match.

Facing an embarrassing defeat, Wales finally found their game in the remaining 37 minutes as the match ended in a contest of Welsh attack versus Irish defence, but despite three tries with three tries from Alex Cuthbert, Leigh Halfpenny and Craig Mitchell and a relentless wave of attack which kept Ireland camped on their own fivemetre line for much of the half, Howley’s side could only reflect on what could have been had it not been for a disastrous opening 40.

Carey Akin

ROWING

Support urged for world-record rowing attempt Public asked to row 3,000 miles on rowing machines to support Atlantic Trade Winds team Ben Cohen Staff writer

Members of the public have been urged to help sportScotland row 3,000 miles on indoor rowing machines in support of a world-record rowing attempt.

An elite team of rowers are aiming to be the first crew to travel across the Atlantic in less than 30 days, with supporters urged to emulate the feat on dry land.

The eight-man Atlantic Trade Winds team, of which three are Scottish, is midway through their worldrecord attempt from the Canary Islands to Barbados in their rowing boat Avalon.

Staff at sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae – Scotland’s premier watersports centre and instructor training facility – are behind the campaign, with two of the Atlantic Trade Winds team well-known to the Cumbrae staff.

Leven Brown, Atlantic Trade Winds skipper, finished his Yachtmaster course at the National Centre Cumbrae in July 2011, before successfully completing the 18-week Professional Yachtmaster Training course (PYT).

Also on board Avalon is Calum McNicol, from West Kilbride, who is a former instructor at the National Centre Cumbrae is competing in his

first transatlantic row as well as hoping to raise £15,000 for Ayrshire Hospice.

The final Scottish crew member is Benno Rawlinson, from Abernethy, who has successfully made the transition from rugby to endurance sports, including taking on several ultra-marathons and running 100 miles non-stop.

The sportscotland staff are asking members of the public to submit their weekly distance to them via Facebook, which will allow them to keep a running tally of all dry-land miles which are clocked up.

Rod Smith, who is in charge of the delivery of the PYT programme at sportscotland National Centre Cumbrae, said: “It is a pleasure working with both the highly skilled instructors and students who are so obviously committed to a sport that I am passionate about.

“One of the most enjoyable parts of the course for me is sending our candidates out on ‘self-sail’ passages.

“There comes a point when you have to let them go solo, without an Instructor, as it’s part of their training and key step to becoming a Yachtmaster.

“A lot is learned when in charge and skipper of a vessel. I also think our students benefit from many of our noncertificated courses that contribute and add value to the PYT programme, sail repair, boat maintenance, rope splicing, and others.”

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