The Phoenix (17 Dec 08)

ISSUE 1 17 DECEMBER 2008

T H E I N D E P E N D E N T H I L L S R O A D S T U D E N T N E W S PA P E R

L AT E E D I T I O N

Retrospective Retrospective InsideVintageFashionShoot

Cambridge bomb plot doctor jailed >> Former Cambridge resident convicted James Gordon Local News Reporter An NHS doctorwhostudied and worked in Cambridge has been convicted of plotting to commit attacks on Glasgow Airport and London using car bombs.

Bilal Abdulla, 29, an Iraqi born in the UK, has been found guilty of conspiring to commit terrorist atrocities in June 2007. A second man, a NHS neurologist from Jordan, Mohammed Asha, was found not guilty of the same charges at Woolwich Crown Court. The two men met in Cambridge as part of the Islamic Academy on Gilbert Road, where one of the plotters lived. The men played football on Jesus Green, near to where Abdulla used to work, the stationery store, Staples.

Having once regarded the UK as his second home, trips to Baghdad changed Abdulla’s perception of the West. He saw the suffering of the people and linked the rise in childhood leukaemia to the ammunition used by the Americans during the Gulf War. Inspired by the insurgency in Iraq and by alQaeda’s tactics, he planned to

attack the West End of London and Glasgow Airport using explosives concealed in cars during late June 2007. He blamed Britain forentering thewaragainst Iraq, claiming that President Bush could not have sustained a war without Britain’s support.

In the early hours of June 29 Abdulladroveoneof twoMercedes filled with gas cylinders, nails and petrol into London’s West End and planned to detonate the explosives using a mobile phone.

The bombs failed to detonate.

A day later he drove a burning Jeep full of gas canisters into Glasgow Airport, targeting holiday makers on the airport’s busiest day of the year. He was arrested near the Jeep at the terminal at Glasgow Airport.

The second man involved, Kafeel Ahmed, 28, sustained serious burns during the attacks and died five weeks later.

Abdulla’s motives were revenge for the ongoing war in Iraq and what he perceives as Western oppression of Muslims worldwide. While admitting he was “a terrorist” by English law, he claimed that the British government and Army could also be seen as terrorists due to their actions in Iraq.

Shopkeepers have been warned to be vigilant over the Christmas period as authorities fear that recession may lead to shop-lifting

Police warn shopkeepers to be aware of thieves >> Authorities indicate risk of cash-strapped parents who are resorting to shop-lifting this Christmas

children. “This year, perhaps Zosia Krasodomska-Jones their more than in many, the pressures News Editor of buying presents are greater Following a rise in shoplifting across the country as the credit crunch takes hold, police in Cambridge are warning parents resorting to stealing presents for their children.

Cambridgeshire’s Chief Constable has warned of a rise in shoplifting over the holiday period as parents suffering from the effects of the credit crunch resort to stealing presents for

than ever. Trying to explain to children at Christmas that the present they most wanted won’t be arriving is difficult.

“Some are also tempted to try to get for nothing what would otherwise cost them a lot of money. They try shoplifting. You may have seen the headlines saying it’s on the increase. The other name for it is stealing.” says Julie Spence.

As the recession tightens,

crime is predicted to continue to rise. Cambridgeshire has already seen an increase in shoplifting with a rise of 20% in the first 10 months of 2008 compared to last year, and a rise of 25% in Peterborough, put down to people simply not being able to afford the same style of life they have been used to. A report by the Centre for Retail Research predicts that during the six weeks of the main shopping season, from mid-November until the end of December, thieves will steal £768 million

worth of goods from UK shops.

The recession is predicted to provoke a rise of 4-9% in shoplifting, and is leading to more first-time shoplifters offending. Sgt Mick Thorpe of Peterborough Constabulary said, “We are seeing more firsttimers. They are stealing items because they just can’t afford them. They aren’t youngsters.”

The shoplifters’ focus is, unsurprisingly, the same as that of most Christmas shoppers; the most highly targeted products

are still those most highly promoted. Alcohol, Ipods, DVDs, CDs, games, popular books such as ‘Mamma Mia’, games consoles, cosmetics, jewellery and clothing are all highly targeted items.

Speaking on her podcast for the Cambridge Constabulary in an attempt to dissuade potential thieves, Julie Spence gives a word of warning: “The penalty, quite rightly, is an appearance before the courts and often a heavy fine. Whatever happens, it will cost you far more than you stole.”

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COLLEGE & LOCAL NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Christmas warning from grieving family >> Christmas revellers urged to drink responsibily

Jonathan Haldene, Cambridge student, was found dead in a river in May this year. Toxicology reports indicated that he had comsumed a lethal cocktail of spirits and alcohol Ilana Fernandes-Lassman News Editor

Annual College Christmas Carol service tonight 8 pm, Great St Mary’s Church

The Haldane family have implored Christmas revellers to curb their excesses the upcoming festive season after their son drowned following a celebratory end-of-exam ‘booze up’.

When Jonathan Haldane was discovered drowned in the River Avon, Bath, May, his family was totally distraught by his untimely and unnecessary death. Haldane’s toxicology report found him three times over the legal driving limit of alcohol in his blood at the time of his overturn into the Avon.

Driver escapes with minor injuries as car summersaults >> Miraculous escape for elderly driver of two-day-old car

The scene of the accident this evening on the A603. Firefighters used cutting equipment to release the driver.

Sarah Gashi Local News Reporter An elderly driver of a twoday-old car had a miraculous escape when the vehicle he was in struck a roundabout and somersaulted on to its roof.

Reported by the Cambridge Evening News this evening, the driver was fortunate enough only to escape with minor injuries . The incident took place at approximately 3.40pm this afternoon on the A603, close to junction 12 of the M11 at Grantchester.

The yellow Citroen was reported to have flipped back over on to its wheels after it had landed on its roof. Firefighters

were forced to remove the roof in order to free the dirver The accident was one of three crashes that caused tailbacks across the region this evening.

All three emergency services were called to the scene to release the male driver, causing long delays for motorists.

The Cambridge Evening News reported one witness as having said: “It was a real mess.”

A spokeswoman for the fire service, which sent two engines and a rescue vehicle to the scene, said: “The driver was an elderly gentlemanwho had to bereleased.

“It looks like he had minor head injuries, but the car was a real mess.”

A lorry and a car were also involved in a smash on the A14, which closed lanes of the eastbound carriageway.

The collision happened at 2.50pm and caused severe tailbacks on the three-lane carriageway at Bar Hill.

And debris from a crash caused tailbacks on the A428 after it was scattered across the dual carriageway.

The road was blocked when a blue Renault Scenic was involved in a single-vehicle accident.

The smash, which led to long delays, happened at 9.30am on the westbound carriageway at Madingley, close to the junction with the A14.

He was last seen at around 01.15 on Sunday 18th May at the Second Bridge nightclub in Manvers Street. He became separated from his friends however, and was discovered three days later by police. A witness and friend of Haldane’s described how he had been progressively increasing his drinking in the weeks leading up to his death.

She went on to describe his binge on the night of his death: “He drank [a concoction of spirits] through a straw and then lit it.

The barman said he had never seen anyone finish it before.”

After the inconclusive inquest last Friday, his parents made an appeal to all Christmas partygoers to exercise caution in their drinking habits: “We would urge people, especially over this Christmas season, not to take their lives for granted and to watch what they drink.” Haldane,

who was an undergraduate in sports science at the University of Gloucestershire was described by his family as a “loving, caring man whose faith, compassion and friendship were extended to many.”

Coroner Terrence Moore, who pronounced the student drowned, stated “medically we know he drowned. But I record an open verdict because there is insufficient evidence for me to say it was an accident.

This is a very sad case, my condolences are with the family.”

Despite the 18% drop in fatalities from 2006-2007 according to the most recent government statistics, there has been a 2% rise in total drink-driving related incidents.

The Transport Minister Rosie Winterton has assured the public that the government will continue to campaign to tackle this issue.

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COLLEGE & LOCAL NEWS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Fiddler production highly praised >> College rendition of popular show given the thumbs up by public Hannah Jackson College News Reporter

wooden design created by Ian Cutting. A multifunctional trolley was swept across the stage to allow the audience to observe the interior of Tevye’s house. The significance of the fiddler (Ed Prince) was highlighted as he watched over the Jewish people and represented the fragile

The Lower Sixth bid farewell to 2008 with a triumphant production of The Fiddler of the Roof which explored the traditions of the Jewish religion and how they have changed as society has adapted. Students turned out in massive numbers to see the production in Hills Road’s Robinson Theatre.

The rapport and energy of the cast was particularly memorable as well as the outstanding acting and singing. The lead roles were well supported by the ensemble in a celebration of Jewish

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It’s the best ensemble singing I have heard at Hills for a long time

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culture which developed in to a reflection of the more serious social and political implications in the later stages. Lead roles were continually supported by ‘watchers’ from the ensemble who remained in dynamic, but casual, positions on stage

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Cast in action on stage on during the opening night last Wednesday focusing theaudience’sattention and acting as stage hands.

The talents of all those involved was recognised by Simon Humphreys, the Musical Director of the production, who stated it was “The best ensemble singing I have heard at Hills for a long time”.

Cameron Carr and Nina Hall

portrayed particular vocal strength in the “rousing score” and accompanied this with powerful acting throughout.

The director, Richard Fredman, was not interested in creating a ‘cutesy musical’ but wanted to focus on issues relating to modern day. This was demonstrated by the simple

but bitter ending highlighting the cycle of the persecuted becoming the persecutors. Big musical numbers were of course included and the cast performed choreographed pieces of dance symbolising freedom and happiness in the play.

The village of Anatevka is depicted through the set; a

A celebration of Jewish culture which developed in to a reflection of the more serious social and political implications

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balance of life in the village as he perched on their roof.

The production peaked in scenes like ‘The Dream’ with the ghosts in Tevye’s nightmare joined by Fruma Sarah who returned from the dead to haunt him and ‘The Sabbath Prayer’ when candles were used to highlight concentrated and focused cast members.

Candy cane capitalism

>> Young Enterprise team spread Yuletide greetings

Becky Hall News Editor “Send an anonymous (or otherwise) candy cane to someone you love!” Lower and upper sixth students were enthusiastically encouraged by the Young Enterprise team to spread the Christmas spirit.

As the term drew to a close Viaticus ran a candy cane special delivery service. Against a stressful backdrop of coursework deadlines, mock exams and UCAS applications, the team provided a cheap and cheerful way for friends to say “Merry Christmas”.

‘Candy Cane Delivery Cards’ could be filled with personalised messages and were available from the Bursary until Tuesday 9th December. In addition, on Monday and Tuesday this week, the team were stationed near the café selling the candy canes and promoting the service. Some of the cards were signed but most, more playfully, were left anonymous. The price Viaticus set for the service was very painless £1. This allowed the

Young Enterprise group to make a profit but didn’t deter students from purchasing the canes.

Georgina Chivers thought the special delivery service was a “great” idea.

“For Young Enterprise to take advantage of the Christmas spirit was a clever thing to do. I think students are more generous than usual at this time of year,” she observed.

For those who are unaware, Young Enterprise is a country wide competition in which hundreds of schools and colleges participate. Each school has teams that create their own legal businesses. Hills Road’s Viaticus and their candy cane service is an example of a primary step taken to raise cash revenue which can be used later to spend on a more expansive project. The business will close at the end of the year when the companies will be judged; some winning prizes.

But the “special” part of Viaticus’s service has not yet been explained. An inflatable Santa inconspicuously roamed the halls to advertise the service.

To further embarrass the recipients, the same inflatable figure delivered the Candy Canes during tutorial periods over the last week of college.

The hilarious scene in the box office hit Mean Girls may have added to Viaticus’s success. Despite the evident lack of revengeful scheming, the temptation to quote “you go Glen Coco” did prove to be too much for many on seeing students receive their candy canes.

The candy cane delivery service is just one of many ways that Hills Road has been getting into the Christmas spirit.

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The college’s traditional seasonal event, the Christmas Ball, will be held on the Thursday this week between 7.30-11.30, at the Junction. As usual, the Christmas Ball has been organised by the Student Council. All students are invited to come dressed in their yueltide regalia.

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Recepients of candy canes were greeted by inflatable santas this week during tutorial periods

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COLLEGE & LOCAL NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Local commuters reject public tranpsport in favour of cheaper options >> Cambridge commuters resort to using their cars as fares remain unchanged

Sophie Dawson Local News Reporter The high bus and train fares are turning people away from taking public transport, a report has announced.

With the overall cost of motoring continuing to fall, many people are now favouring their cars as a cheaper method of transport: when compared to the prices of local trains or buses this method of travel is far more appealing. Although some say they would prefer to use public services, a member of the ‘Campaign for Better Transport’ claims this option is made unattractive by its unreliability and lack of government incentive to make the right environmental choice.

Much of this rejection of public transport is caused by passenger unhappiness at the service they receive when considering the fares they

The number of commuters taking trains to and from Cambridge is expected to decrease if the economic crisis continues

pay. Due to the lack of public transport at peak periods, many argue that it is hard to find seats on trains or busy bus routes – some are simply passed by vehicles at full capacity. Others cite the fact that if travelling as a group, a car journey is not only financially more beneficial, but also proves to be far more practical.

However, Stagecoach has reported a notable increase in passage use of 21% in the past year.

Combined with Cambridge’s Park and Ride serviceannouncing its passenger numbers surpassing the four million mark for the first time, things are in fact looking up.

A Stagecoach Dayrider ticket which provides unlimited daily bus travel into and around Cambridge costs £3, and the similar weekly Megarider costs £10. Park and Ride weekly tickets have remained at the stable price of £9. The main advantage of these tickets is that they can

be used on as many journeys as desired, by any individual, at any time within the specified period. These public transport costs also pale in comparison to the cumulative prices of weekly inner-city parking.

Yet when a daily bus ticket from the outer villages into Cambridge costs £5.00, and on average a return car journey only costs £3.50, it is hardly surprising that many of us are choosing the latter. Additionally with First Capital Connect off-peak and advance fares planned to rise by 9 per cent, an increase in a Cambridge to London return ticket will be enforced. This will see a significant change in ticket prices from £30.00 to £32.70.

So as the public transport facilities seem to become increasingly infrequent, unreliable and busy, it is only natural that people are taking the cheaper, more convenient but less environmentallyfriendly option.

University receives £6m donation to build new science research centre >> New doctoral training centre to be built for students of science and engineering

Katherine East Local News Reporter The Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council has recently donated the university an amazing £6 million to support plans of a new Doctoral training centre, which will support more than 50 hopeful PhD students over the next five years. 44 centres similar to the one at Cambridge are planned for the UK in hope of aiding over 2000 students nationally to become the latest ‘generation of entrepreneurs’ and scientists.

Professor Peter Littlewood, Head of the Physics department at Cambridge, has shown great enthusiasm about the centre: “Here we will expose PhD students at an early stage to innovation, and grow the next generation of entrepreneurs to feed the Cambridge phenomenon.” There is much historical support for Professor Littlewood’s statement, such as the achievements of Dr. Frederick Sanger of King’s College in 1980 after winning the second of his Nobel prizes, this time for advancing chemistry and DNA sequencing by determining information encoded within it.

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Here we will expose PhD students at an early stage to innovation, and grow the next generation of entrepreneurs to feed the Cambridge phenomenon

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The new centre will support student studying not only in physics, engineering and chemistry but also the material sciences as well as members of the Judge Business School. It will cover a range of controversial topics such as global warming, population demographics and how energy consumption has changed, constantly training the students to deal with such diversity of disciplines.

The centre will be the largest opening at the University since 2007, when Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II made a special visit to Cambridge’s Biomedical Campus (located

near Addenbrookes Hospital) to unveil the Cancer Research UK Cambridge Research Institute. The day continued with celebrations as it also marked the 30 years Prince Phillip had served as Chancellor of the University.

Both of these centres are just one of many of the programmes the University has supported throughout its 800 years of existence, with the Doctoral training centre standing as evidence that its progressive power will not fault in years to come - rather that it will continue in its successes and innovations.

Wednesday March 12 2008 17 December Hills Road Sixth Form College

The Phoenix |

NATIONAL NEWS

2008

National

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Doctor found guilty of car bomb attacks

>> NHS doctor from Iraq convicted of plotting to commit mass murder jailed for at least 32 years

Graham Vale National News Reporter A jury at Woolwich Crown Court yesterday convicted a former NHS doctor for plotting to bring death and destruction to Glasgow Airport and certain locations in London. A series of attempted car bombings in June 2007 were, according to the jury’s findings, orchestrated by Bilal Abdulla, 29.

After two failed bombing attempts targeting popular late-night destinations in the capital’s West End, Abdulla, and his accomplice, Kafeel Ahmed, targeted Glasgow Airport in a car filled with gas and petrol the next morning. Ahmed died as a result of the attack, and Abdulla was arrested. A third man, Mohammed Asha, said to be linked financially to the attacks, was yesterday cleared without charge, despite having met the two attackers in the time between strikes.

Addressing the jury during the case, Jonathan Laidlaw, for the Prosecution, claimed that the men were set on “committing murder on an indiscriminate and wholesale scale” by using methods that would cause

widespread panic and injury in areas packed with members of the public. Mr Asha claimed that he was ‘used’ by Abdulla, and that he ‘destroyed [his] life.’

According to Mr Justice Mackay, Mr Abdulla is expecting a life sentence, which will be served today. Mr Abdulla showed no reaction when the verdict was given. Lawyers of Mr Asha said that he had been issued with deportation papers, but that he was fully intending to fight for the right to remain in the UK. In justification for his attempted attacks, Mr Abdulla claimed that he was angry at the excessive brutality of Western forces in Iraq. He also stipulated that he never had any intention of hurting innocent people.

This view was backed up by Jim Sturman, QC Defence.

Addressing the jury, he claimed that Mr Abdulla was driven by “what he saw as an unjust war.” Despite this, however, Mr Abdulla claimed that he was a terrorist, as it is described under English law. He went on to add that both the Government and the Armed forces could equally Image taken shortly after the attack which took be accused of terrorism over place during June 2007 depicts the scale of the their continued actions in Iraq. damage caused by the bombers In response to Mr Abdulla’s claim

of simply wanting to scare, CPS Lawyer Karen Jones commented that: “If you are planning to scare people you do not pack cars with petrol, gas and nails.”

Yesterday’s conviction pleased Home Secretary, Jacqui Smith.

Speaking after it was announced, Ms. Smith said: “The attack on Glasgow Airport and the planned bomb in central London sought to kill and maim through attacks of an indiscriminate nature. This conviction underlines again the serious and sustained threat we face in the UK from terrorism - which is a threat we must face and deal with together.”

At the time of the attacks, both Mr Abdulla and Mr Ahmed were junior doctors in the NHS. Authorities expressed their severe concern that members of the health service could actively aim to cause death and serious injury. A spokesperson for the Anti-Terrorism branch of the Metropolitan Police highlighted after the trial how close Abdulla and Ahmed came to creating disaster: “It was more luck than judgement that their repeated attempts to detonate the two car bombs by mobile phone failed.”

22 years minumum for Rhys Jones killer >> Sean Mercer, 18, jailed for life for the murder of an 11 year-old child

cool, arrogant and remorseless demeanour he displayed during the trial. Standing in the dock with his co-defendants he was visibly shaken at the news that the jury had unanimously convicted him of murder, at the news that he would spend at least 22 years behind bars.

What the jury did not at the time know was that Mercer had had previous involvement with gun crime. Two months before the murder, in an episode

“ Rhys Jones’ killer, Sean Mercer ,was deplored for the nature of his callous attack. Mercer will serve a minimum of 22 years for his crimes Jyoti Basuita National News Reporter In August last year the death of Rhys Jones shocked the nation. Yesterday Sean Mercer, 18, was sentenced to life imprisonment after being found guilty of his murder.

Rhys Jones found himself tragically caught up in Liverpool’s gang-violence when he was hit with a stray

bullet intended by Mercer for a member of a rival gang. He was shot in the neck and died at the scene in his mother’s arms.

The judge condemned Mercer, a memberof the Croxteth Youth Guns gang, during the sentencing: “This offence arose from the stupid, brutal gang conflict which has struck this part of Liverpool…You are not soldiers. You have no discipline, no training, no honour. You do not command respect. You may think you do, but that is

because you cannot tell the difference between respect and fear. You are selfish, shallow criminals, remarkable only by the danger you pose to others.”

The sentence has been welcomed by Rhys’ parents, who wept as the verdict was read.

They later declared, “Justice has finally been done for Rhys…It’s not the final chapter, but now we can begin the challenge of rebuilding our lives”.

Sean Mercer’s reaction was not in keeping with the

You do not command respect. ...you cannot tell the difference between respect and fear. You are selfish, shallow criminals, remarkable only by the danger you pose to others

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unreported to the police, he terrorised locals by waving a Smith and Wesson .455 revolver, presaging the killing. He had also received a three-year ASBO and had been stopped by police on 80 occasions between 2004 and 2008.

What makes this case particularly poignant is Rhys’ age: 11. He remains the youngest

victim of gang violence in Britain.

At the time of the shooting he had been playing a game of football with a friend. He had just been shopping to buy his new secondary school uniform with his mother, a uniform which will never be worn.

Unsurprisingly, the case has posed potent questions about youth gang culture in Britain.

Politicians are struggling to find a solution to the disturbing phenomenon of violence between juvenile militias.

Unfortunately there are no quick-fixes and there is little optimism that the violence will end. Gangs, sometimes with an organised hierarchy and rules, sometimes merely a chaotic group of teenagers, offer some security for the youth of deprived neighbourhoods. The attitude and actions of Mercer have illustrated how entrenched this lifestyle has become in some urban areas of the country.

As an insider recently told the BBC, “Anyone who’s actually been involved in a gang will tell you, you get the love and the affection.” But he also reflects the resignation felt by many with an ominous prediction: “These people are recruiting every day. They are getting wider, wider, wider. You’ll just get growing numbers of gangs, growing numbers of killings… it’s going to be dog eat dog.”

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NATIONAL NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Controversy sparked by onscreen death as Sky broadcasts new documentary >> Screening of assisted suicide provokes criticism

prosecute the parents of 23 year old Daniel James, who travelled to the Dignitas clinic in Switzerland to take his own life in September. James had been paralysed in a rugby scrum, and had attempted suicide several times before asking his parents to accompany him to Switzerland. The DPP made it somewhat clear that relatives would not be prosecuted for accompanying disabled or seriously ill family members to clinics such as the one in Switzerland. However, it was not a guarantee, and many are calling for a clarification in the law.

Alice Kelley National News Reporter A documentary showing the assisted suicide of Craig Ewert, an American professor who suffered from motor neurone disease, has faced criticisms from anti euthanasia groups and a media watchdog for broadcasting the moment of his death.

The documentary, ‘Right to Die?’, by Oscar winning filmmaker John Zanitsky, was broadcast on Sky Real Lives last Wednesday. Ewert, a University Professor from Chicago, travelled to the Dignitas clinic in

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It is very important that these issues are dealt with sensitively

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Switzerland to take his own life.

He is seen drinking sedatives through a straw before turning off his ventilator with his teeth.

The documentary has drawn criticism from several anti euthanasia groups, including the Care Not Killing Alliance.

Dr Peter Saunders, director, said: “It seems there is a macabre fascination in this death tourism. The danger is that we start to believe in a story that there is such a thing as a life not worth living.”

John Beyer of the television watchdog MediaWatch UK stated “My anxieties are that the programme will

14yrs

Maximum sentance for aiding and abetting suicide attempts

A still from the documentary broadcast last week, depicts the late Mr Ewert attached to ventilator influence public opinion.”

But producers have defended the documentary, with Barbara Gibbon, the Head of Sky Real Lives, saying that “It’s important that TV broadcasters can stimulate debate about this issue through powerful, individual and engaging stories, and give this subject a wider airing.” She went on to call the film an “educated insight into the decisions some people have to make”.

Director John Zanitsky, who won an Oscar for his 1981 documentary ‘The Fifth Estate: Just Another Missing Kid’, speaking on Radio 4’s The

Today Programme, said that “It would be less than honest if we were to do a film about the process of assisted suicide, and

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Percentage of deaths of young people linked to suicide

not actually be able to see [the moment of death], otherwise we’d be left open to charges that the death was unpleasant or cruel, or even done unwillingly”.

During Prime Minister’s Question Time on Wednesday, Gordon Brown addressed

the issue, saying “It is very important that these issues are dealt with sensitively and without sensationalism”. Mr. Brown said that he personally was opposed to assisted suicide legislation, because of fears that a disabled or seriously ill person would “feel under pressure to agree to an assisted death, or somehow feels it’s the expected thing to do”.

Under the Suicide Act 1961, helping a person commit suicide is a criminal offence punishable by up to 14 years imprisonment.

Last week the Director of Public Prosecutions announced that it was not in public interest to

Though many echo the Prime Minister’s concerns that a change in legislation would put pressure on disabled or terminally ill people to relieve the burden on loved ones, many in such situations feel euthanasia is their only option.

In Zanitsky’s documentary, Craig Ewert explains “If I go through with it, I die. I must at some point. If I don’t go through with it my choice is essentially to suffer, and to inflict suffering on my family, and then die”.

Nightmare at Christmas: Lapland hell >> Lapland theme park closes after alleged advertising scam Jyoti Basuita National News Reporter “Santa’s gone home. Santa’s dead.” Visitors to Lapland New Forest were thus sent home by an employee last week when the park was shut after accusations of false advertising.

The closure of the theme park comes just six days after its opening and follows complaints by thousands of furious customers who claimed that they had been conned. A scene from the park before closure The theme park advertised a “Christmas wonderland” where “dreams come true for children of all ages” complete with a “magical tunnel of light,” “fantastic fun ice rink” and “free gifts from Santa”. In reality it could only boast a mud-covered car park, a melted ice-rink and a nativity scene painted on a billboard. There was a Santa’s Grotto, but the queues were hours long and customers were charged an extra £10 for a photo with Father Christmas.

The treatment of the animals caused particular distress to All that remains now are the prefab buildings once visitors: “The huskies were occupied by park staff chained up in a pen howling,

yapping and generally looking thin and unhappy.” In fact, many people said that they had contacted animal welfare organisation, the RSPCA. Visitors to the park, who had paid up to £30 for a ticket, were livid and soon the atmosphere took a turn for the worse.

According to Adrian Wood, a security guard who quit his job in shame, “Santa got attacked, one of the elves got smacked in the face and pushed into a pram”, a far cry from the idyllic day customers were expecting.

Trading Standards declared that it had “serious concerns” and was investigating complaints. They have not ruled out legal action and the case could yet go to court.

In the mean time Lapland New Forest has decided to close its doors to customers, citing “intentional organised crowd manipulation and event sabotage”. Victor Mears, director of the park, went on to blame “unscrupulous and inaccurate negative bias media broadcasts of both local and national press and television companies that contributed significantly

to fuelling widespread public concern, frenzy and distraction” on the park website, which has since gone offline.

As many as 50,000 tickets had been sold in advance and customers are demanding refunds, but the outlook is bleak.

The Mears brothers, who are behind the park, are currently trying to raise the funds to reimburse disappointed visitors, but, unless they win the lottery, any refunds are likely to come from credit card companies.

On a more cheerful note, unhappy visitors may find some consolation from Alton Towers. In a bid to restore faith in Christmas the theme park giant is offering a free festive extravaganza for all those let down by their trip to Lapland New Forest. Guests will be able to see reindeer, meet Father Christmas and enjoy fairground rides (hopefully for real this time).

As Christmas stories go, it’s no nativity, but perhaps there is a seasonal lesson to be learned here: that Christmas advertising should be taken with a pinch of salt. Yes, a very large pinch of salt.

NATIONAL NEWS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Tobacco could soon be removed from public display under new plans

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>> Government announces plans to remove tabacoo from public display in shops Another move being considered is restricting access to cigarette vending machines.

To obtain cigarettes, people will now have to show proof of age.

Proposals have also been made to ban said vending machines in pubs open to under 18-year olds, and Government officials

114,000 The number of people killed by smoking in the UK each year

Tobacco displays behind the till may soon have to be removed

Becca Inglis National News Reporter The government last week has announced that it is taking further measures to reduce the amount of young smokers.

Following the example of countriessuchas Iceland, which has seen a reduction of 10% in young smokers, ministers have proposed removing cigarettes

90% of lung cancer cases are linked to individuals who are known to have been smokers

from public display in shops nationwide. It is hoped that this will reduce the attraction of cigarettes on the shelf, and that people will not be as tempted to purchase them.

Alan Johnson, Labour MP, says: “[Young people] see the point of sale display, and as a result of seeing it, are encouraged to take up smoking. This is the key evidence as to why we have 200 000 11 to 15-year-olds smoking.”

hope that this will prevent teenagers from illegally buying cigarettes without the obstacle of a transaction from someone who may recognise their age.

This is a follow-on from the amendments to the legal smoking age of October 2007, when it rose from 16 to 18.

However, absolute realisation of these actions has been delayed until 2013 as a result of the economic decline.

There are fears that an attempt to reduce the sales of cigarettes could result in the breakdown of small businesses, at a time when the government are still trying to preserve them and their profits. Instead, supermarkets will be the first to

implement these bans in 2011, so as to ease the transition for smaller, more vulnerable shops.

The British Heart Foundation is pleased with these new plans, but hope for more vigorous measures in the future. One spokesperson says: “When the government announces further steps on tobacco control we expect nothing less than a robust tobacco control plan which includes a total ban on cigarette vending machines.”

Some ministers agree, and have gone so far as to say the governmentisnotdoingenough to prevent smoking. In fact, the Tobacco Manufacturers’ Association says that the ban could have the opposite effect and bring about even more illegal purchases of cigarettes.

Research shows that people who start smoking aged 11-15 are three times more likely to suffer a premature death than someone who starts in their mid to late 20s. They are also more likely to become addicted or develop cancer.

Alan Johnson says: “Protecting children from smoking is our goal. My hope is that shops will use this opportunity to promote healthier goods to their customers.”

10 NATIONAL NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Conservatives negotiate alliance with UUP in bid to increase support

>> David Cameron has announced plans for closer ties with Northern Ireland’s Ulster Unionists

Matt Barnes News Editor

party, behind the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP). Currently, the Ulster Unionists have only one MP at Westminster.

David Cameron has Supporters of the agreement announced plans for closer ties with Northern Ireland’s Ulster Unionist Party (UUP). Despite agreeing to forward joint candidates for national and European elections in the future, both parties insist that they are not working towards a merger, but rather a new opportunity for voters. Cameron described the partnership as a ‘dynamic new political force’.

The announcement was made last Saturday to over 700 UUP delegates at their annual conference in Belfast and comes claim this alliance will give as a result of over 4 months of Northern Ireland a greater discussion between the two say in international politics, parties. by tying the UUP with the The UUP is a Northern Conservative power both at Irish party which supports the Westminster and in Europe. continued union between Great In the 1990s, the Conservatives Britain and Northern Ireland. supported independent politics It is the second largest unionist in Northern Ireland to aid the

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Cameron described the partnership as a ‘dynamic new political force’.

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peace process. This alliance seems to mark an end to that, and a firmer integration of Northern Ireland into British politics.

In his speech to the conference, Conservative leader David Cameron stated: ‘As prime minister I will always honour Britain’s international obligations. I will continue to work closely and constructively with our nearest neighbours in the Republic of Ireland and I will always uphold the democratic wishes of people here in respect of their constitutional future.

But I will never be neutral when it comes to expressing my support for the Union.’

Shortly after Cameron’s announcement, UUP leader Sir Reg Empey added: ‘It is a relationship that is about much more than mere party politics. It is a constitutional statement. It declares and demonstrates that Northern Ireland is not a place apart - not an internal colony. It

is an outward and visible sign of Northern Ireland’s rightful place within the United Kingdom.

The Ulster Unionist Party wants to offer the electorate of Northern Ireland something more than a continuation of ‘us-and-them’ politics.’

However, scepticism has been expressed by Belfast member Shankill Road: ‘It’s an appalling vista and I don’t think the Ulster Unionist party as we have known it will survive.

Ulster Unionism has to keep in touch with its roots and we have been doing that lately. We were winning by-elections; we were on the way back. But instead the leadership panics and jumps into the Tory camp.’

The DUP has also criticised the agreement. They fear it will divide the unionist vote in constituencies such as South Belfast, hence allowing nationalist electoral gains, to the obvious detriment of the union.

Pressure mounts on Speaker to step down amidst claims of incompetancy

>> Tory investigation backfires as Michael Martin faces yet more pressure from Commons

Tom Seaward Politics Reporter Pressured mounted last week on Michael Martin, the MP for Glasgow North East to resign, marking the end of a year riddled with scandal for the Speaker who has already served eight years in the post.

The criticism comes in response to the approval by the speaker’s office of a warrant allowing police to search the Westminster office of Tory frontbench MP, Damian Green.

David Cameron’s comments to a BBC interviewer that ‘I want to have the confidence that we should all have in the Speaker’s office and in the Speaker’ are just the more recent in a long line of increasingly high-profile accusations against the speaker.

On Saturday 6th, Labour backbencher Bob MarshallAndrews became the first

Labour MP to call for Mr Martin’s resignation. Following Marshall-Andrews, Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House and Minister for Women, has been the only frontbench government minister to refuse to express confidence in the speaker. Harman’s opposition is serious given her ministerial position. As leader of the House it is her role to organise government business; a role shared by the Speaker. If one party no longer feels confident in the abilities of the other, this working relationship may break down. This would be disastrous for the smooth running of government business.

A BBC poll of 130 MPs for ‘The World this Weekend’ finding that 32 MPs had lost confidence in Mr Martin indicates the severity of the case. If members no longer have confidence in the Speaker’s ability – confident that he will

not allow police to search their offices – then they may disregard the Speaker’s attempts to maintain order during debate.

The case against Mr Martin, it seems, is so great that one mightexpect him tostand down.

He has even lost the confidence and approval of Lord Naseby – Deputy Speaker under John Major - who claimed that in his judgement, ‘he [Martin] has let the House of Commons down’.

The numbers may look bad but they are not overwhelmingly so. The poll quoted above found only a quarter of MPs to be in opposition to Mr Martin.

What is potentially worse for the Speaker are the accusations of partisanship levelled against him by David Cameron. In his BBC interview Mr Cameron claimed that the turning point in his loss of confidence in Mr Martin was at Prime Minister’s Questions, where the Speaker told Mr Cameron that his question on the Labour

Conference was ‘out of order’.

The Conservative frontbench has advised backbenchers not to table a motion of no confidence (which would effectively ‘oust’ Mr Martin from his current position) for fear of getting a third successive Labour speaker. If the Speaker is no longer seen as being above partisan squabbling then he can no longer be relied upon to ensure impartiality in debate, strengthening claims against him.

It is unlikely that Mr Martin will stand down as Speaker.

Likewise, claims – some coming from the Speaker’s Office – that Michael Martin will seek re-election as Speaker after the next General Election are unlikely to be realised. Far more conceivable is that Mr Martin will resign in the months before the 2010 election, as has become customary.

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Plane Stupid campaigners disrupt flights at Stansted

NATIONAL NEWS

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>> Dozens of flights halted or cancelled due to protests

William Garbutt National News Reporter Last week on Monday 8th, dozens of flights due to depart from Stansted airport were cancelled after more than 50 protestors from the action group Plane Stupid broke into a secure area close to the runway.

The protest, which began in the early hours of Monday morning, led to the closure of the runway for two hours whilst security personnel tried to diffuse what was described by the British Airports Authority as an ‘unlawful’ protest. 57 individuals were arrested for a range of offences, including aggravated trespass, attempting to gain access to a restricted area, and conspiracy to commit a public nuisance.

The protesters, demonstrating against the high C02 emissions produced by the aviation industry, erected, and chained themselves to a 6 foot high security fence acting as a stockade just 50 metres from the runway. One unnamed protester gave an explanation for the group’s action. ‘We’re here because our parents’ generation has failed us and it’s now down to young people to

stop climate change by whatever peaceful means we have left.

We’re afraid of what the police might do to us, we’re afraid of going to jail, but nothing scares us as much as the threat of runaway climate change.”

The disruption at the airport

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We’re here because our parents’ generation has failed us

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caused widespread disturbances as flights were cancelled and delays occurred throughout the day. Ryanairwere forced tocancel 56 flights and recommended that passengers return home and rebook. They described the incident as ‘unacceptable,’ and demanded that an investigation into the breach of security take place. It also seems that those who stood in the vast queues for the Ryanair ticket desks expressed similar opinions, and were unsympathetic to the protestor’senvironmentalcause.

Armed police officers were

also present as they helped to keep order amongst a small number of passengers who became irate at the prospect of extensive delays.

This extreme breach of security at one of Britain’s busiest airports further calls into question the safety precautions that are put in place, in times whenevencarrying bottledwater onto a flight draws suspicion. It seems that in this case, it was fortunate that individuals with more sinister intentions had not entered the runway. However, the security of the airport has been defended by Nick Barton, BAA’s commercial director at Stansted. He told BBC Radio 4 that he was pleased with the speed at which the security staff responded. However, he also commented: “You should bear in mind, of course, that the runway’s about 2,000 acres in size … and we don’t intend to run an airport as a fortress.”

Despite the disruptive nature of the protest, it does focus our attention on the damaging affects of the aviation industry.

With talks of runway expansion and vast CO2 emissions, perhaps more needs to be done to combat the adverse environmental consequences of air travel.

Plane Stupid campaigners recently attempted to scale the House of Commons in a defiant stunt to urge Parliament to reconsider Heathrow expansion plans. This protest was quickly ended when police forcibly removed those involved.

INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

International

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Fed Cuts benchmark rate to almost % the rate would stay low for some Johan Van de Ven time.” The following months International News Reporter will be revealing as economic In a bid to ease the effects of recession on the American economy, the United States Federal Reserve yesterday announced that it will drop its benchmark interest rate, the Federal Funds Rate from a recent 1% to between 0.25% and 0%. Experts in the field have reflected that the precise figure is of little consequence.

Holger Schmieding of the Bank of America said, “Whether it’s zero or 0.25% actually does not make a huge difference,” At the Stock Exchange however, the impact of the announcement was pronounced. Stocks gained quickly when the Federal Reserve announced the rate slash. The Dow Jones was up 4.2% and the NASDAQ 4.9% just prior to the close of trading yesterday. The effect was also felt across the pond in Europe. London was up 0.7% whilst Paris and Frankfurt were up over a percent. However, troubled US carmakers General Motors and Ford showed little reaction to the Federal Reserve’s decision. Ford shares were down by 3 cents to $3.15 and GM was up 12 cents to $4.20.

The move comes as a fresh attempt to stave off a fullyfledged recession and as Maura Reynolds of the Los Angeles Times said, “The Fed indicated

theory says that deflation becomes more of a risk as interest rates approach zero.

Jack Albin, Chief Investment Officer of Harris Private Bank notes that the Federal Reserve surprised the financial world with this tactic. “I think the Fed was virtually out of ammunition on the target side, so even this little move of setting a range was better than what people were expecting.”

Indeed, Albin remarked that the jump at the stock exchange was generated by the surprise element and the realization that the Federal Reserve is prepared to do whatever it takes to combat deflation and get the economy “off the mat.”

Matt Esteve at Tempus Consulting in Washington supported this analysis. “The Fed has sent a sign that they will use all available means to help the US economy from recession.” However, Esteve also commented on the reactionary decline of the dollar. “You’ve seen the dollar weaken because it was a larger than expected cut - the dollar is falling against all major currencies” The Federal Reserve was careful to reiterate that it was already planning to buy large Passers by eagerly watch stocks as the effects of quantities of additional debt based on mortgages and is the cut begin to be felt.

considering whether it would be a good idea to buy long-term US government bonds and is also buying debt originating from home loans as well as pumping money into the economy via quantitative easing, a practice pioneered by the Japanese in the late 1990s whereby, “so much money is injected into the system that a good deal is passed onto households and businesses at a reasonably low interest rate,” explained Mr Schmieding.

The latest decrease comes in procession of small, incremental reductions beginning in September 2007 when the benchmark rate was at 5.25%, two months prior to the official beginning of recession in the United States. Economists predicted that the latest cut would drop the rate to between 0.5% and 0.25%. The latest reduction sees the Federal Funds rate - the target rate for banks to charge to lend to each other - drop to its lowest ever point since it was established in 1954.

Public reaction has not been favourabletothe Federal Reserve’s latest move. A CNN poll had readers overwhelmingly against the cut, 70% to 30%. Time will tell if they were right in this thinking.

Italian police arrest 99 Mafia suspects in raids >> Dawn raids as part of wider police operation of a new command structure.’ early 1990s. Between 1990 and Yuming Mei police made 1993, under the leadership International News Reporter theTheraidsItalian based on extensive of Salvatore Riina, the Cosa The Italian police have reported that before dawn on Tuesday morning they carried out extensive operations in Sicily and parts of Tuscany targeted at the Sicilian Mafia, also known as the ‘Cosa Nostra’. The whole operation involved about 1200 Italian police, several helicopters and anti-drugs special-units and represents the culmination of 9 months of efforts.

The dawn raids on Tuesday were part of a wider operation code-named ‘Perseus’ in an allusion to the hero of Greek mythology who decapitated Medusa. Operation Perseus aimed to prevent the Mafia from ‘rising up again’ after the successful arrest in 2006 of the Mafia’s leader Bernardo Provenzano, and the subsequent arrest in 2007 of the new leader Salvatore Lo Piccolo. In the words of Pietro Grasso, the head of Italy’s antimafia prosecution service: ‘With Operation Perseus, we have stopped it [the Mafia] from rising up again, by cutting off all the strategic, thinking heads

evidence that they had gathered over 9 months through the use of phone tapping devices and other listening devices. The 99 people they have now arrested are, among other things,

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With Operation Perseus, we have stopped it [the Mafia] from rising up again, by cutting off all the strategic, thinking heads of a new command structure

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suspected of extortion, drugs trafficking and arms trafficking.

However, Mafia activity in recent years has actually been low-profile compared to the

Nostra murdered the two prosecutors who were on their case, a politician, and countless more members of their own organisation; done in retaliation for the trial and conviction of hundreds of Mafia members. They also bombed tourist hotspots across Italy in a war of terror against the Italian state. This included a car bomb that caused substantial damage to the world-renowned Uffizi gallery and killed 5 people.

Things have since improved and the Italian police would like to keep it this way. The Tuesday raids were specifically targeted at Mafia members trying to recreate a kind of ‘Mafia council’ that would have allowed them to regain their influence. However, the man thought to be behind this plan, Matteo Messina Denaro, remains at large. nterestingly, the phrase ‘Cosa Nostra’ itself actually means ‘Our thing’. It was an informal way for Mafia members to describe themselves. It has now become the standard name for the Sicilian Mafia.

Messina Denaro, one of the many men the Italian authorities were hoping to catch, remains at large.

14 INTERNATIONAL NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

India reacts to slowing economy through $4 billion stimulus package >> Growing economies may avoid recession but will face dampened growth Serena Saini International News Reporter India has been independent since 1947; however age has not stopped this country from emerging as one of the fastest growing giants in the world.

In recent months the Indian economy has experienced the sinister side of rapid growth.

Nonetheless, eager to pull through the global economic slowdown, India recently announced large cuts in interest rates and a multi-billion dollar fiscal stimulus package.

The Bank of India’s recent cut of interest rates by 1% is certainly not new. India has in the past often relied on monetary policy for macroeconomic management. Low interest rates reduce the cost of borrowing and allow greater availability of credit, consequently boosting consumer spending and investment. Demand for goods and services increases causing unemployed resources to be utilised leading to a faster rates economic growth.

India’s announced $4 billion stimulus package is

Statisticians predicting economic growth in the growing economies believe rates will be low

part of the government’s fiscal policy (manipulating government spending and taxation in order to achieve macroeconomic objectives).

The package increase spending, particularly in infrastructure, as well as aiding the primary (agriculture) and secondary (manufacturing) sectors of the economy. It is estimated that agriculture contributes merely 17.8% of Gross National Product (GNP) yet 60% of the labour force is employed in the agricultural sector.

During these turbulent times, economic growth is vital inrapidlygrowingcountriessuch as BRIC (Brazil, Russia, India and China). India in particular must maintain a healthy rate of growth in order to provide for its expanding population. The population growth rate in India is 1.578% almost 6 times greater than that of the UK (0.276%).

Critics believe that this is a step in the right direction; however more needs to be done to meet the target level of growth of 7.5% in 2009. Economists predict that the level of growth India will actually be as little as 6.8% for the coming financial year and 5.5% there after.

The World Bank recently published a report forecasting that growing economies such as India and China would suffer slower growth; it projected that India’s growth rate would fall by 3.2%. However, this by no way means India will run into a recession like the developed world, just that the rate of growth will be dampened.

6.8%

Next year’s predicted rate of growth for India’s economy India has reacted to the global economic slowdown as well as it can; however the policies that India has chosen are subject to time lags. The extra $4 billion the Indian government has injected into the economy is funded through excess government borrowing which eventually will have to be paid back by future generations.

Blackwater employees charged with manslaughter >> Guards working for US security firm Blackwater give themselves up in Salt Lake City

It was this sense that Johan Van de Ven the Justice Department had International News Reporter to come down on Blackwater,

A Blackwater security forces guard in operation in Iraq

Five contracted security guards working for US security firm Blackwater have given themselves up in Salt Lake City, Utah after being charged with various offences including manslaughter stemming from an incident at the Nisoor Square in Baghdad.

Fourteen counts of voluntary manslaughter were brought against the five guards along with 20 counts of attempted manslaughter.

The indictment was brought against them after a sixth man, Jeremy Ridgewell testified against his former colleagues as part of a plea bargain.

His compatriots, Donald Ball, Dustin Heard, Evan Liberty, Nick Slatten and Paul Slough were all former military men, largely from the US Marines and Army were ordered by the United States Justice Department to hand themselves in to the FBI. The men surrendered in Utah in the hope of coming before a more conservative, pro-war jury than they might face in more liberal Washington DC but a Federal Judge ordered the accused to come before a District of Columbia Courthouse on January 6.

Said Joseph Perchini, Assistant Director of the FBI, the men, “must be held accountable for their actions, not just for the integrity of the American people, but for the Iraqi men, women and children whose lives have been destroyed.”

widely seen as little better than a mercenary army that saw the Defense Attorney’s request to move the case to Utah denied.

The guards were also charged with many weapons violations including using a machine gun to commit a crime of violence, which carries an automatic 30-year prison sentence. If they are found guilty of the lesser charge of manslaughter, the men face up

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Bitter joy that trial for Blackwater guards will take place in Washington DC

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to 10 years in prison. Either way, their attorney has attested that his clients are not guilty. Brent Hatch told reporters in Salt Lake City that “they did their job as the State Department asked them to do it.” Indeed, the five guards are expected to plead not guilty at the January 6 trial.

The incident occurred on 17th September 2007. 17 civilians were gunned down in the market after the guards opened fire indiscriminately in the crowded area. Violence broke out when a Blackwater convoy fired on an errant civilian vehicle in its path after detonating stun grenades to disperse crowds. Iraqi police and US Army forces then fired upon the convoy in the belief that the grenades were lethal explosives. The general

crossfire quickly came to a close but one Blackwater employee continued firing erratically, allegedly ignoring cease-fire calls until his colleague pointed a weapon at him, ordering him to stop.

The US State Department and Blackwater agree that they fired in self-defence, a claim disputed by Iraqi police forces and the US Army, with Iraqi Brigadier-General.

AbdulKarim Khalaf stating that the US firm “opened fire randomly at citizens.” As a result of the incident, Blackwater’s contract was suspended by the United States.

Brigadier-General Khalaf added, “Blackwateris not allowed to operate anywhere within the Republic of Iraq.”

Iraqi investigators, US Army, FBI and UN all concurred that the guards had killed without provocation, with the UN adding the company was “a new form of mercenary operation,” a view shared by Iraqi witnesses who described Blackwater as “becoming terrorists.”

Bitter joy was evident after it was announced that the trial would be held in Washington DC. Said Hoshem Abdel Kader, “It’s about time they pay for their crimes. I recoil; I freeze when I see those mercenaries on the streets.”

Therefore, the trial will form an important precedent: the Nisoor Square killings were followed by the killing of a civilian for “driving too close” to a convoy. Andrew J. Moonen, an off-duty Blackwater guard killed an Iraqi security guard, Raheem Khalif after getting into a drunken argument outside the Prime Minister’s compound on August 12th 2007.

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INTERNATIONAL NEWS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Possible Iraq troop withdrawal : spring withdrawal most likely option >> Gordon Brown announces end may be near for British forces in Iraq

hope Iraq remains simmering at the same temperature. It is still by no means a stable country with sewage still running down the streets of Basra, and towards the North there is still confrontation. The other problem is whether this will actually go ahead in time.

President elect Barack Obama ran much of his campaign on

Ralph Blackburn International News Reporter One of the most infamous wars in the post 9/11 era may soon begin to draw to a close, for the British at least. Gordon Brown today confirmed what a senior defence source announced last week. British troops, having “completed their tasks” will begin withdrawing from Basra, Southern Iraq, next May with the aim for the last troops to leave by July. Brown, issuing a

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Gradual rundown of equipment favoured over immediate withdrawal

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joint statement with Iraqi PM Nouri Maliki said, “We have made a huge contribution and of course given people an economic stake in the future of Iraq. We leave Iraq a better place.”

The idea is of a gradual rundown of equipment named Operation Archive, with most of the equipment being transported back to the UK not as was originally thought Afghanistan. After June only approximately 300 British troops will remain primarily to

“ The sun may soon set on a British occupation that many believe to have been a complete waste of resources and human life train the Iraqi Army and Navy, showing Britain’s commitment towards reinvigorating the fundamentals of the country.

Despite the importing of American troops to Basra at the beginning of the summer of 2009, Britain is still attempting to handover some of the power to the Iraqi Army. It certainly appears there will not be a better time to withdraw than now, following the success of the Surge policy there have only been 3 deaths in 2008

down from 47 the previous year. The key activities of the British forces now will not be security but in maintaining the good work in training and restructuring the Iraqi defence forces. As a result of the fears that tensions may arise once the British leave, work is being done to root out troublemakers. One Iraqi judicial investigator based in Basra said that they had already arrested 1,200 corrupt policemen and it will be the job of the Americans to continue

this job of restructuring the largest city in Southern Iraq.

Gordon Brown has keenly stated that Britain’s mission in Iraq will ‘fundamentally change’ by mid 2009 however you wonder how far this apparent wave of good feeling will last.

The public has conveniently forgotten about Iraq since the monster of recession has reared its ugly head. Brown may try to get more troops out before possibly calling an election next May. However he will have to

Following the success of the surge policy there have only been 3 deaths in 2008, downe from 47 the previous year

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his anti Iraq war stance and he is not going to be busting a gut to push more US troops into Basra, particularly since the announcement of 20,000 more US troops into Afghanistan and the troubles on the Pakistan border. He is certainly not going to be dictated to by Brown and there may be a time when British troops are handing over to the Iraqis as expected.

Mugabe remains defiant and denies any existence of cholera epidemic >> International leaders call on Mugabe to resign as epidemic predicted to surpass 60,000 cases Georgia Banjo National News Reporter International opinion of Robert Mugabe showed no sign of improvement last Thursday, as Zimbabwe’s President declared on national television that the cholera epidemic sweeping the nation “did not exist”. However, as Mr. Mugabe made his speech, South African officials confirmed that the cholera epidemic had indeed extended to South Africa, declaring part of the bordering Limpopo region a disaster area.

Since August, the World Health Organization (WHO) has recorded 775 resultant deaths in Zimbabwe from Cholera, a devastating amount for a disease that can be so easily treated by simple treatment.

According to Phuti Seloba, a spokesman for the Limpopo provincial government, the same problems are now beginning to emerge in South Africa, where Zimbabwean refugees have spread the disease. He explained at a press conference that doctors in the region have so far treated 664 people, of which 8 have since died.

“Some of these people walk for three to four days before reaching our hospital,” Seloba told reporters.

Critics of Mugabe have been quick to resurface, blaming his lack of concern for his people and his failure to acknowledge the severity of the outbreak. They have been

775

Number of deaths it is believed have been caused so far by cholera in Zimbabwe

supported in recent weeks by senior politicians including US Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice, who said it was “well past time” for Mugabe to resign.

Zimbabwe has not been the world’s favourite country in recent times, especially under Mugabe’s control. Always an enigmatic leader, his disdainful comments towards white Zimbabweans, homosexuals and the West, as well as the latest dubious circumstances

surrounding his re-election have made life difficult for civilians.

And with a cholera outbreak predicted to surpass 60 000 cases according to the Zimbabwe Health Cluster, it seems as if they continue to pay the price for living under dictatorship.

What happens next is largely up to neighbouring countries such as South Africa and whether they decide to impose restrictions on immigration during the outbreak. However, for the people of Zimbabwe, a lot also depends on whether their leader, and whether he allows foreign aid to provide the emergency services that they desperately need. Concerns were voiced last week by the French foreign ministry, who claimed that Zimbabwe denied visas to a French team of Cholera specialists.

“Contrary to what Mr Mugabe says...the cholera epidemic is not under control. France strongly regrets this decision and calls on Zimbabwe’s authorities to allow aid to reach the population,” ministry spokesman Frederic Desagneaux said.

Zimbabweans will be awaiting their President’s response.

Last week Mugabe declare that, ‘Cholera is no more...there is no cholera’

16 SCIENCE NEWS

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Science

Smile and the world smiles with you >> ...Or at least those within three degrees do, claim scientists in the US

Alex Sparks Science News Reporter The study, based on data from the Framingham Heart Study, included 5 124 adults aged 21-70. Participants were questioned on various aspects of their health and lifestyle, and were asked to name a number of relatives and close friends.

James Fowler and Nicholas Christakis, authorisers of the study, focused on 4 739 individuals and the 53 228 social and family ties between them. The spread of happiness among these networks was analysed over the 20-year period between 1983 and 2003.

Dr. Christakis, professor at Harvard Medical School, says: “Changes in individual happiness can ripple through social networks and generate large scale structure in the network, giving rise to clusters of happyand unhappy individuals.”

At a greatest chance of receiving this emotional contagion were those in a close proximity, such as neighbours and friends. Neighboursreceived a +34% chance of happiness, and friends living within a mile can benefit from a +25% chance. Spouses and siblings

are also affected in a similar way.

However, contact with work colleagues did not show any effect on happiness, suggesting that the work environment may prevent this spread.

It is not only these immediate social contacts which are important. The most surprising results occurred in relation to the effect of indirect social

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Changes in individual happiness can ripple through social networks... giving rise to clusters of happy and unhappy individuals

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contact on happiness levels.

“We’ve found that your emotional state may depend on the emotional experiences of people you don’t even know, who are two to three degrees removed from you,” says the Harvard professor.

As well as being healthy, happiness is now proven to be infectious

Water found outside solar system reported >> Scientists hail astronomical discovery

Christopher Clarke Sceince News Reporter Scientists have uncovered some ground-breaking informationforevidenceof water existing outside the solar system.

The study was published in this month’s edition of the scientific journal Nature.

The water was found on a planet which is 63 light-years from Earth. The evidence indicates the planet could be an environment where extraterrestrial life could evolve, or has evolved in the past. The additional discovery of carbon in the form of atmospheric carbon dioxide (CO2) in a supplementary study by NASA supportsthis newtheory. Carbon is the basis of most of Earth’s life forms, including humans.

However, the extreme surface temperature is likely to impede any life forms from evolving.

The temperature of the planet’s surface is estimated to exceed 900ºC. The planet, known as HD 189733b, earned the nickname “hot Jupiter” because it has a fiery molten core and its atmosphere is similar to the make-up of the gaseous giant Jupiter. It is because of this immense heat that scientists have been able to identify the

HD 189733B has earnt the nickname “hot jupiter” because it has a fiery molten core and its atmosphere water vapour in its atmosphere.

The gases in the atmosphere alter the heat radiation given off by the planet’s surface.

These alterations can be detected by telescopes already in outer space, such as the Hubble Space Telescope. The Spitzer telescope orbiting our Sun was used in this study.

Since the planet is many light-years away, it was hard for scientists to determine which parts of the radiation are from the planet and which parts are from the star which it orbits. HD 189733b orbits its

parent star every 2.2 days and by taking measurements over several orbits of the planet scientists obtained the data that pointed to evidence of water vapour. Scientists had to search for just over 120 hours to find the traces of water, which hadn’t been revealed by shorter observations of HD 189733b or other, very similar, gas giants.

It has been suggested that another cause of the varying radiation could be due to the planet’s proximity to the parent star, which causes it atmosphere to constantly change.

In fact, the researchers found that, indirectly, a friend of a friend experienced a 10% increase in their chance of happiness, while a friend of that individual could experience a 5.6% increased chance of happiness. These results show that happiness really does spread by up to three degrees, rather than happy individuals just clustering together.

Interestingly, a person receiving a $5,000 raise has only a 2% chance of becoming happier. This is a smaller chance of happiness than if an individual three degrees away from them, whom they may never have met or known, had become happy. In contrast, sadness spreads far less easily through a social network.

Those in contact with a greater number of happy people are more likely to be happier in the future. “Popularity leads to happiness, not happiness to popularity,” Dr. Christakis says.

The study is the third from Christakis and Fowler on social networks, but the first to show that emotions can spread like contagions along family and social lines. So if you ever needed more of a reason to smile, remember that you could be making your friend’s friend’s friend smile too.

comment&debate COMMENT & DEBATE

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Yuming Mei Shortfalls in British education could hinder economic recovery

Josh Tait Is the government hiding its true feelings on homosexual rights?

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UK faces uncertain future

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ith the recession deepening, companies going into administration, and job losses up and down the country, the future of the UK’s economy looks bleak.

But how did this happen?

“I can report the British economy is today growing faster than all the other G7 economies…here in Britain, inflation has never gone beyond 3 per cent…and we will never return to the old boom and bust.”

When? Gordon Brown’s 2007 Budget speech.

Every one of the above statements has now been relegated to history. The British economy is widely believed to be one of the worst hit in the G7.

This is why the pound has been falling precipitously against the Euro. According to official figures, inflation only reached 5% earlier this year but the combination of higher food and fuel prices meant that for many households, this was closer to 10%. As for the final promise of ending boom and bust: even Brown cannot argue with the fact that we are now bust.

Today, the recession is still in its early stages but the impacts are already beginning to be felt. Northern Rock has been nationalised, Woolworths is bankrupt and the UK’s debt balance is now over £4000 billion, about three times our annual economic output. For the general public, the pound is rapidly falling, leading to rising prices of imported goods and therefore higher inflation. Small businesses are suffering because of the crash in consumer confidence. Even

the most optimistic forecasts expect Britain’s economy to contract by at least 1% next year.

But all of this begs the question, why? Why is Britain being hit particularly badly?

Maybe the answer is that Britain’s economy was weak anyway. Where other countries have productive manufacturing sectors (Germany) or a

UK’s economy was concentrated in London, with an eighth of this, or 2.5% of our total GDP, created by the banks in the tiny section of London called the Square Mile. It also reported that a third of workers in London were immigrants, most of them young and highly skilled.

The report shows that the UK is highly reliant on the

wealth of natural resources (Australia), Britain relies mainly on the financial services industry. When the financial sector was still performing well, the huge profits of our banks propped up the whole economy, but now that the financial sector has collapsed, so too has our economy.

Last year in October, the BBC reported that London was ‘pivotal’ to the economy, showing that about 20% of the

banking industry in London for its economic health. The flipside is that the other main sectors of the UK economy (manufacturing and the hitech industries) are relatively weak. The UK also uses a surprisingly large proportion of foreign labour in skilled jobs. The implication is that the UK cannot fill these jobs with its own workers because immigrants are better qualified.

This indicates the failure of the current education system.

Unfortunately, any problems in the education system are not going to be solved very quickly. The introduction of a slew of new qualifications such as diplomas and an A* grade at A Level are merely short term solutions. In the long term, something significant needs to be done to create an education system that produces workers who can compete with the higher standards of the future. The more qualified workforce would support a bigger hi-tech sector and also reduce the UK’s reliance on foreign labour. This would reduce our huge annual deficit.

The economic crisis will take some getting used to. After 10 years of Gordon Brown’s promise to end boom and bust, we believed him. As a result, underlying weaknesses in the economy were ignored, and while the cheap credit flowed, our banks were fine, and so too was our economy.

Now, the situation is different.

This recession ought to be a wake-up call. The UK is in decline. The last 10 years of economic bliss came at the cost of £4000 billion pounds of debt that we now owe to other countries. It is obvious that something drastic needs to be done not only to pay off this debt but to address the fundamental weaknesses in the UK economy: a lack of highly qualified workers and now, with the death of financial services, a lack of goods to export to balance the books.

What this means for Gordon Brown is that he needs to stop thinking about ‘saving the world’ and start thinking about saving Britain.

Government is making a mockery of gay rights

I

t was with great disappointment that I read the headline in Tuesdays Guardian ‘UK challenged the right to civil partnerships of gay couples abroad’. Sadly as I read further it did not turn out that my fears were misplaced.

Despite allowing same sex civil partnerships, it turns out that the British government have attempted to argue with the European court of human rights that Austria should not have an obligation to allow same sex couples to do the same there.

The reasons for doing this are unclear, and as yet have not been commented on by those responsible. In my opinion there can be no reason for this, it should be a basic civil right to be able to love whom you want, and express this love in the form of a union, or in this case civil partnership. This view is clearly shared by many countries who allow such a thing, and have done for years, including our own. Although this report does cast some confusion over our governments true feelings on the issue. The fact that they feel it is acceptable to try and block something that they have already deemed acceptable

for their own people makes a mockery of advances in gay rights. It also makes clear that the advances that have been given by the government have only been to placate, and have not shown their true feelings on the issue. It also hints at something far more sinister –

“

90%: number of UK citizens who would outlaw discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation

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could the British government harbour some of the feelings of bigotry and discrimination that it claims to be fighting hard to outlaw, despite general being felt to be one of the more liberal governments with regards to

gay and lesbian issues. This line of thinking undermines many of the policies of equality and acceptance present in the UK. However, if the government were to come out against homosexuality they would face an uproar in the public.

A survey by ‘YouGov’ in 2007 revealed that 90% of UK citizens supported legislation outlawing discrimination on the grounds of sexual orientation. This suggests that the attitudes of the people of the UK are strongly pro-gay and lesbian rights, and very against discrimination of them. It has been a long road to social acceptance for homosexuality. In these days of wide acceptance of it, it seems bizarre to suggest that as recently as 1965 homosexuality was still a criminal offence in the UK. Even after being legalised in 1967, it was still only acceptable on the condition of three terms.

Both parties being over 21 and it being consentual and taken part in private. Although this didn’t bring homosexuality in line with heterosexuality, it is perhaps debatable whether this will realistically ever happen, and it was nonetheless an important step forward. It took until 2000 and many failed attempts to

lower the age of consent for homosexuality to 16. In the early 21st century the British government further liberalised their stance on homosexuality by bringing in a number pieces of legislation on the issue.

These included the ability for homosexuals to adopt a child, and civil partnerships. The impact that has been made over the last 40 years in accepting homosexuality has been massive, especially compared to the total lack of acceptance before this. The fact that a story such as the one in the Guardian provokes any sort of reaction is a testament to how much lesbian and gay rights have advanced.

However, it does not mean that this sort of thing is acceptable.

The government should be ashamed for such a backward step. It should be noted that much of the previously mentioned pro-gay legislation was passed by Tony Blair, perhaps Gordon Brown does not share the same viewpoint?

Either way, it has to be hoped that this does not prove to be an indication of the governments’ future policies, or we may face a return to the dark days of bigotry and discrimination…

18 COMMENT & DEBATE ‘Youths: not worth fighting for’ Gabby

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Letimier Freedom of speech provokes gladatorial battle in Hyde Park

Johan Van de Ven Somewhere in the upper levels of Iranian government, there has been a decision to welcome back the wider world with peace and goodwill..but Ahmadinejad

I

t was Sunday morning in Hyde Park’s Speaker’s Corner and as if to make the whole event ring more of historical London- it was raining in a smoggy, Victorian way. A fellow observer was bobbing with impatience.

‘How do you feel about David Cameron? How do you feel about David Cameron?’. Growling, the speaker turned to him, ‘Oh, that slick little office boy. Don’t even speak to me about him’.

The mob surrounding the little, white-haired lady dissolved, like a Polo dipped in Coke, and with complete infantile laughter. It was impossibly perfect, well timed, well snarled, expressive.

I was so proud I wanted to cry.

Although she refused to explain her reasoning behind her Davehatred, she did repeat that ‘he had never worked’ and that ‘he’s a Tory’, and that by some force of deductive argument Dave’s Conversativism made him wicked. If Dave is a Tory and all Tories very naughty, does that mean that Dave is in fact naughty?

Ten minutes later the battle was gladiatorial. Lady X had started describing everything wrong with the Conservatives.

An umbrella rattling across hunched shoulders, her body contorting in throes of anger, and a single thread of pearls swigging across her

lesson, so I went to lunch.

Refreshed, I returned and as if consumed by nostalgia the lady was still throbbing over the war. ‘Today’s youths were not worth fighting for.

Abhorrent little runts who shoot everybody, idle creatures who do nothing to protect Britain- we need another war to teach them all suffering’. Sans umbrella and dribbling in the persistent rain, I pushed myself further forward and angelically I smiled directly at her. The lady turned and fixating her steely blue eyes on my own brown pair, I and in my little cotton hoodie I started shivering as she boomed- ‘Not worth fighting for, I started rapists and lazy’, shivering as she knife-loving I put Barnados on speed-dial.

But this was not the boomed- ‘Not end. Soon after her Daveworth fighting inspired rant she started Nazi propaganda and for, knife-loving sprouting claimed that- exact quotationrapists and lazy’, ‘the Holocaust was 50 years ago, Jews should just get the hell I put Barnados the over it’ and that Jews had had their chance for a dictatorshipon speed-dial. so during WWII it was Hitler’s I’m proud of my roots, I don’t turn. Naturally there was uproar, care if you think I’m lowly, I am the crowd shimmied in waves of lowly’. Then, suddenly flicking discontent, the most outspoken her arms out, smiling and with attempted to reason with the song-like vigour she started fuming well of anti-Semitism romping with ecclesiastical before our very eyes. A Jewish fantasies of the ‘workshop of man stood behind me suggested the world’. At which point it all ‘I think you’ve just been mixing sounded too much like a History with the wrong Jews’. Within wrinkled bosom: she was transformed. The masses shrunk back in amazement. A small -potentially Tory- male started dry heaving behind a tree. Dressed as a chameleon Lady X could be Labour’s next election campaign. A rather dry, distinctly bourgeois voice hollowed – ‘Oh, so you mean he never struggled in the war-time factories like you once did?’, sottovoce he uttered ‘Old hag’.

Her eyes flickered, ‘I heard that you coward. I have no time for cowards. At least during the war everybody was united, we all fought together, we strove hard.

“

”

Ways and means

I

t has been almost 30 years since an Islamic revolution gripped Iran in 1979 and in that long tenure, the country has been perceived as the scourge of the free and fair world. Whilst diplomatic relations with much of the EU have been reinstated, contact with the United States has not reached the heights of an exchange of ambassadors. The country has constantly been the subject of press speculation and UN scrutiny and sanction.

This icy façade has fissured.

Beginning in 2006, San Francisco Mayor Gavin Newsom began to forge a working friendship with Tehran Mayor Mohammad Ghalibaf, in contrast to the militaristic sentiment of 2007 and 2004 that culminated with a total of 29 Royal Navy personnel being seized by Iranian forces.

Indeed, even outgoing US Secretary of State Condoleeza Rice said that “the diplomatic course is really the best course.”

All this is good and well but sectors of government such as the Bush Administration and Hillary Clinton’s Presidential campaign had threatened to adopt a more militaristic approach. The Obama Presidency reflects an opportunity to make amends. President Mahmoud Ahmadinejad recognised this

and set a precedent when he congratulated President-Elect with a personal letter, saying, “I hope you will be able to take fullest advantage of the opportunity to serve and leave behind a positive legacy.”

Whilst Obama did not flatter his Iranian counterpart with a personal response, the very fact that the letter was sent represents an important progression in terms of the governance of Iran: previously the President was merely a puppet for the Ayatollahs – religious leaders who had monopolised control since the 1979 revolution. Now, the President has established contact with the “infidels,” a sure sign that political control has become increasingly secular.

Back in the Europe and the United States, politicians and whole governments have embraced the internet, campaigning via media such as social networking site Facebook or video-sharing site Youtube.

Making up for lost time, Iran is not far behind – Ahmadinejad and his multilingual aides have set up a blog, available in English, French, Arabic and Farsi.

It speaks of a reconciliation, if not between the two governments of the US and Iran then between the people of those two countries. In one post, entitled “A Reply to American

Mother’s Message,” the President or more likely a ghost writer assures the mother that her son would return home from the Iraq war because, “Certainly Almighty God would help him.”

This sympathy is not a lonely occurrence. In another post entitled “Merry Christmas to Everyone,” Ahmadinejad spreads the holiday spirit by describing Christ as the “A messenger of peace, devotion and love based upon monotheism and justice.” The mirth is preceded by a philosophical reflection, remarking that, “the dignity, benevolence, peace and tranquillity of the human beings have been taken to abattoir and slaughtered. And then, lie and deception are positioned for honesty and truth.”

Surprisingly, Ahmadinejad recognises that this is a plight of the whole world, not just the scourge of the infidels of the West, saying that this was a problem, “In occupied Palestine, Iraq, Afghanistan, Africa, and South America and even in Europe and North America.”

Once more, this is a hopeful sign that the reign of the Ayatollahs is a thing of the past. The very fact that the blog is available in English represents the notion that the Iranian government wants to communicate with the West. This isn’t to say that

minutes the situation grew bleak, the crowd depleted. Lady X, blushing red and flustered, stepped down from her tin ladder and clasped her hands in what looked suspiciously like a prayer. Part of me yearned to

“

A Jewish man stood behind me suggested ‘I think you’ve just been mixing with the wrong Jews’.

”

hug her; lavishing her with all the love her bitter little ticker clearly craves. I would read her left-wing news articles and feed her organic Bramley apple pie; but all fascist adoption has been banned- long story. I would say go along next week, have a polite debate, maybe a picnic- Lady X looks delightful and tottering in beige heels, floral dress with an alice band.

However, you can now observe events from the comfort of your own home, search for Crazy Lady in Hyde Park. One video is tagged poetically, ‘Diane is a bigot’, here, here. Mostly definitely I’ll be going back, addictively and attentively so, but, oh, Speaker’s Cornerwhat is to become of you?

Ahmadinejad is a knight in shining armour. His country has done some terrible things, for example the continued use of stoning as capital punishment under Sharia law.

Still, there is the recognition that populist modernisation might after all be a good idea.

However, ugly sentiment is still directed at him from the West. Americans who have commented on his blog have hoped that “a bullet is put in [Ahmadinejad’s] head very soon. Similarly, a Briton wrote, “you are a despicable man.” That said, the comment feature also allowed an Iranian reader to sarcastically applaud his President without fear of persecution. Ahmadinejad has shown the guile to open himself to international and domestic critique, unimaginable mere years ago. It doesn’t matter if the blog is a hoax, written by aides, censured beyond recognition.

Somewhere in the upper levels of Iranian government, there has been a decision to welcome back the wider world with peace and goodwill.

COMMENT & DEBATE

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Sophie Fitz Maurice The decline of the American automobile industry is an ominous sign for the state of global capitalism

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Capitalism towed to the scrapheap

C

onsumer capitalism as we know it was born on the automobile production line. It is a culture of mass production, mass consumption, instant gratification and living beyond one’s means, of mass advertising and easy credit, and also a story husbanded to the rise and decline of the motor industry in America.

The historian David Kennedy credits General Motors with being the first company to introduce ‘consumer credit’, or ‘instalment buying’, and of spending vast sums of money on advertising ‘to nurture consumer desires that transcended consumer needs.’

The relationship between mass production and the automobile industry is so inextricable that the ‘lowprice, high-volume marketing strategies’ of the early 20th century earned the moniker ‘Fordism’ – a homage to Henry Ford, whose company once turned out a Model T car

“

There used to be a saying, so goes GM, so goes the country

”

every 10 seconds. A plaque outside the (now disused) Ford manufacturing plant in Michigan reads: ‘Mass production soon moved from here to all phases of American industry and set the pattern of abundance for 20th-century living.’

This was as much a question of culture as of technology: the invention of electrically operated assembly lines was of course important, but so was the status attached to owning a car. In 1929, 1 in 5 Americans

owned a car. In America today, there is a car for every single adult. The economist Rick Wolff notes that from 1820 to 1970 the real wages of the American working class matched industrial productivity, and their ample purchasing power therefore led them to measure their self-worth by standards of consumption. He argues that when wages flattened in the 1970s but productivity continued to grow, the sense of inadequacy felt by a people no longer able to afford the level of consumption they had enjoyed for the previous 150 years led to an unsustainable ‘borrowing binge’ which has collapsed in recent months, dragging the global economy down with it.

The health of the automobile industry is a useful barometer for the general health of capitalism. As one American car worker said: ‘there used to be a saying, so goes GM [General Motors], so goes the country.’

It is fitting, therefore, that in the last year the sales of the ‘Big Three’ motor companies in America – Ford, Chrysler, and General Motors – have fallen by over 20%. According to one analyst, General Motors is ‘on the brink of extinction’, and, in another ironic contradiction of Fordist free market ideology, the ‘Big Three’ have been driven to the embarrassment of begging Congress for a $25 billion bailout.

European carmakers have hardly fared better: there has been a 14.5% drop in European car sales in the last month, and car manufacturers are hoping to procure a €40 billion bailout from the European Union.

As Milner says in the Guardian: ‘In the face…of rising petrol prices and environmental concerns, US buyers are turning green or mean or both.’

Although it would be an obscene simplification to suggest that automobiles are the sole cause of globalised

capitalism and global warming – or that the credit crunch and a spike in oil prices alone are responsible for the decline in the American and European automobile industries (cheaper, more efficient technology from emerging markets has also played a role)

“

Polluting American automobile brands are losing ground to the more efficient models of the merging markets

”

– there is a poetic justice in the way the twin unsustainable paradigms of motoring and consumer capitalism have both been foreshortened by their mutual deficiencies.

Motoring is unsustainable for its reliance on oil – a nonrenewable resource. Similarly, an economy built on easy credit is unsustainable because it relies on lending money to clients who cannot repay it.

The role of the automobile in the ‘abundance of 20th century living’ is crucial; beside the obvious advantages of increased mobility, the private ownership of a vehicle has a psychological significance with regards to consumer habits. It implies personal autonomy, ease of mobility and delivery on demand. Interestingly, Symonds says that ‘most developing countries find that when GDP per person reaches about $5,000, motorcycle sales begin to decline as people switch to cars.’

The history of the automobile is an extremely

apposite metaphor for the state of America over the 20th century, and above all for its development as a global superpower. In a darkly ironic twist, the ‘Big Three’ were converted into munitions factories during World War II, making the guns, planes, jeeps and ships that nowadays lie at the heart of American identity.

The Liberty Ship – a 440-footlong behemoth that held 440 tanks and 230 million rounds of rifle ammunition – was dubbed ‘the Model T of the seas’. Just as Americaenjoyed unprecedented global ascendancy following World War II, with a military presence that could not be ignored, so automobiles were exported to great profit: by 1955, America supplied 80% of the world’s cars. Now, as American unilateralism fades in the wake of the brash, overconfident, myopic and profligate foreign and environmental policies that have defined the Bush era and the ‘age of irresponsibility’, so the wasteful and polluting American automobile brands are losing ground to the more efficient models of the emerging markets.

So, perhaps Barack Obama’s refusal to commit $25 billion to the ‘Big Three’ really is a foretaste of the increased regulation and moderation we have been promised by the presidentelect. After all, Obama’s political base of Illinois neighbours the state of Michigan and he will not have failed to notice the poverty, crime, unemployment and industrial decline pervading the US automobile capital, as yet another former bastion of the American dream is drowned in the torpid backwater that is Bush’s legacy.

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MAGAZINE

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

THIS WEEK: CHRISTMAS NUMBER ONE FEATURE, ALICE WROE INTERVIEW, DYLAN MORAN REVIEW, ART, MUSIC, FILM & BOOK REVIEWS, VINTAGE & ECOFASHION, FIDDLER ON THE ROOF FEATURE. READ ON TO FIND OUT MORE!

Why I’d rather receive a Christmas Card from a Hooker than listen to Christmas pop Calum Baker

H

ow does Christmas inspire such a ridiculous rush to get to the top of the charts? You may already have guessed what got me thinking about this: A Christmas Duel, a new release by The Hives...and Cyndi Lauper.

Remember Girls Just Wanna Have Fun? Now compare this to Hate To Say I Told You So. Granted, this isn’t the weirdest pairing in the history of pop music. For instance, Aerosmith and Run-DMC together was completely absurd at the time, even though it turned out hugely successful - and important.

And rewind a few years to look at the madcap pairing of David Bowie and Moby.

But The Hives with Cyndi Lauper? Something about this gave me a bad feeling when it was initially reported in that flawed fountain of knowledge, NME. The surprising thing is, however, it sounds reasonably good. Not quite a record of the year - and, thinking about it, I can’t even remember how it goes. But at least it’s instantly listenable and even energetic enough to make people forgive its crushing mediocrity and enjoy it. The main thing is: It’s better than Band Aid.

But then, like the Lib Dems and actual political policies, Christmas and pop music have always affixed awkwardly to each other, never quite becoming familiar. Jona Lewie’s classic Stop The Cavalry was originally set to be released in August 1980 as a slightly melancholic New Wave song with trumpets and bells. It had a Christmassy sound - but until the record company picked up on the line “Wish I was at home for Christmas”, it was not a “Christmas song”. Of course, with this key line in mind, the company pushed the release date back to December and the song is now so ubiquitous, so synonymous with the season, that most people don’t even realise it’s a poignant antiwar song. One of our most cherished Christmas singles is not a Christmas single!

Christmas singles have ranged from classics (John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Tom

Jones) to complete creative deadweights (The Darkness, Mariah Carey, Bob Geldof).

These are all, of course, opinion - although I assume the bit about The Darkness is unanimous.

But the range of quality in these has always been part of the fun, seeing who will chart where on the 25th. The surprise in hearing Christmas releases, and indeed the all-important question of Number One on the Big Day, has however diminished in recent years. However execrable the song, Christmas Time (Don’t Let The Bells End) was an interesting thing to see.

It was a fairly popular single, actually reaching number two in the end. It was fun at the time wondering, even taking bets, on who was going to make top spot that year. Nobody predicted

And Christmas 2009? I wonder.

All excitement has been taken out of the rush for Christmas Number One. Bookies have actually closed books for the top spot because of the sheer inevitability, opting instead to take bets for the Number Two spot. It’s just not the same, I hear you despondently wail, and I agree with you. The Number Two position will never make all the lists. It doesn’t hold the same cultural value; in twenty years’ time, nobody will really care about The Darkness - (wait, abort that. Make it “since two years ago...”) - or any Christmas Number Twos. The position is just pointless compared to its higher-selling brother(orsister).

It is interesting to consider that in twenty years’ time we may have climbed

“It is interesting to consider that in twenty years’ time we may have climbed out of the X Factor-filled void at Christmas time” the eventual winner - Mad World - but despite the initial incredulity, the surprise still excited a good deal of us. Mad World was the last genuine, fantastic pop song to reach Christmas Number One in the UK. That was 2003. A year later, Band Aid teased the world for a third time – interestingly, Ethiopia doesn’t know it’s Christmas not because they’re deprived and undernourished, but because they celebrate it a fortnight later. A year after Band Aid 20, I watched what would be the final Christmas Day Top of the Pops (until this year!); when the big moment came at the end, I stood up and walked out without even bothering to hear the song. I resignedly told my parents: “It was Shayne Ward, the X Factor winner”.

So it goes. The year after that, 2006, was Leona, 2007 was Leon. Only a complete moron would not be able to guess that this year’s Christmas Number One is most likely going to be from X Factor’s newly-crowned winner, Alexandra Burke, with her appalling cover of Leonard Cohen’s ‘Hallulujah’.

out of the X Factor-filled void at Christmas time. After all, Spice Girls actually dominated the Christmas Number Ones in much the same manner towards the end of the millennium. Artists may start penning bona fide seasonal classics again. Glasvegas have had a pretty good stab at it this year. Then again, they should be setting a standard.

Why aren’t there more indie Christmas songs? I’m thinking a Los Campesinos! version of Hark the Herald Angels Sing.

Or a Tiny Dancers rendition of Jingle Bells. The closest thing really is a My Chemical Romance cover of Mariah’s All I Want For Christmas Is You, recorded in 2004 just before they became popular with I’m Not OK and the ensuing blast of what would become emos.

Christmas seems almost to bring out the conservatism in pop music.

How many truly subversive Christmas Number Ones are there? Well, 1979 of course saw that famous track written about our very college: Another Brick In The Wall, Part Two.

Wonderful! So we have Pink Floyd...being flanked by Mary’s Boy Child in ‘78 and There’s No One Quite Like Grandma in ‘80. Well, the revolution almost happened. These songs must be fairly easy to write around Christmas time, though, simply because a simple melodic flourish to get the supermarket shoppers swooning could easily push your single into the Christmas rush and up to the coveted spot. Look at Cliff Richard. Four times that man’s made it, the last time admittedly being 1990. But think about it: any other time of the year his single would have come out and been eclipsed by a track aimed at the music-loving youth. If Sir Cliff released Saviour’s Day in August 2008, he would probably have been beaten by Katy Perry, simply because the majority of record buyers in the middle of the year are younger and more pop-oriented (n.b. If I had my way, Jenny Lewis, The Subways and The Breeders would all have gotten to Number One this year). However, when Cliff releases a single in December, the shopping spree housewives

notice it and pick it up. The man rides to the top spot simply by leaving a CD on a shelf in Tesco on the first day of Advent.

I bet anyone could do it. We all know the formula for the ‘perfect’ pop single: must be 3:30, have the right structure, sufficient universal emotional impact, etc. Simply apply that rule and release the resulting single in December and you might be onto a winner.

You’re even more guaranteed if you spend your Saturday nights singing in front of Simon Cowell and Cheryl Cole.

This may even be the reason why The Hives and Cyndi Lauper made such an absurd decision this Christmas. The garage rock favourites collaborating with a long-forgotten pop favourite?

Hyperbole definitely, but that may be the thinking behind this X Factor antithesis. In any case, this is all irrelevant to most of us. Some might go for The Wombats’ Christmas single this yuletide. I, however, am loyally aligned with good ol’ Glasvegas for that extra dose of despairingly pessimistic shoegaze with my advent calendar. Not to mention Tom Waits’ seasonal classic ‘Christmas Card From A Hooker’.

MAGAZINE

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

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Comedy’s Prince of Darkness

Sal Morris reviews comedian Dylan Moran’s past and present work

Moran’s latest sell-out tour has established him as no less than the contemporary master of dark wit. Co-writer and star of television comedy Black Books, Dylan Moran’s incontestable stage presence and refreshing material leaves audiences sniggering for days after his performances.

Far from his character Bernard Black in the British sit-com, first released in 2000, Dylan reveals himself to have a charming and modest demeanour in person. With the extraordinary luck of stealing five minutes of his time, over several Marlboros, I was able to catch a glimpse of insight from the man himself.

Previously rumoured to be leaving the stage circuit in order to write a book after his 2004 tour Monster, Dylan claims “Oh everybody’s writing a book, mine will probably be very similar to most books…

I’m fiddling around with a few things, I’m sure I’ll come up with something eventually.”

Dylan grew up in Navan, County Meath and left school at the

tender but seemingly ripe age of 16. I was curious to know whether he had any advice to give to A-Level students: “That’s tricky…just do what you want to do, do whatever you want in life.” On his own personal ambitions: “Well, I just want to keep doing what I want to do.”

What It Is, Dylan Moran’s latest stand-up tour has revealed an even more tantalisingly sinister side to the comedian’s perspective on the mundane aspects of life than in his previous works. The quick delivery and flawless, hysterical imagery which we so relate to Moran have only developed further in his satires of Europeans and our inner demons. Dylan has developed a deep and witty philosophical outlook of the world, since his days of seeming frustration with life in his 2004 Monster tour. It is fair to say that Dylan Moran has spawned a new genre of stand-up, away from the anecdotal and playful humour of other modern acts. His dark elucidations of life are an innovation yet to be matched.

“If you really want to make a Spanish person look good…put them in between two Greeks…”

The past few years have seen the BAFTA award-winner

dabble in the film circuit with unforgettable performances in Shaun of The Dead and Run Fatboy Run, alongside Simon Pegg. Black Books, co-starring Bill Bailey and Tamsin Greig

saw its third series in 2005, set in Bernard Black’s bookshop, with a decidedly stringent yet inevitably comical atmosphere.

It has been hinted that Black Books will not see a fourth series, but there is no doubt that Moran will continue to lend his genius to entertainment at least for another few years. Less wellknown but incredibly underrated was Dylan Moran’s television debut in the deliciously funny comedy series How Do You Want Me. Made in 1998 and running for one year, the series followed Ian (Moran) and Lisa (Charlotte Coleman) in their moving to Lisa’s hometown, and the bitterness of her family towards him. Such memorable performances certainly put Dylan on the map as one of comedy’s greatest performers.

His infamous rants about life and humankind are not to be missed; everyone should enjoy the pleasure of Dylan Moran’s peculiar cynicism and beautifully mastered wit.

The 5-Minute Interview

Emilia D’Escrivan-Nott interviews acoustic singer and Hills Road student Alice Wroe

“If Bob Dylan, Joni Mitchell, Frank Turner and Jenny Lewis were to have some kind of obscene four-way offspring, I’m fairly sure it would sound something similar to acoustic-folk songstress, Alice Wroe” . While doing my research on Alice Wroe this is the first review that i came across. If I wasn’t nervous before about meeting her I was now terrified. We had been emailing back and forth the past few days trying to arrange a time for the interview, and as I waited for her to arrive my nerves escalated. But as we started talking I was put at ease by her friendly personality and by how genuine and calm she was during our interview.

Although Alice has only been playing guitar for three years anyone who has listened to the mystical sounds of “Forest” or been enchanted by her voice and lyrical skill in “sunny inside” would find this hard to believe.

“I’ve been writing poetry for a long time, that’s just what I used to do in my spare time, It was a while before I put the two together but I’ve been gigging since the end of year eleven”.

Alice started gigging at open mic nights, and has played at venues such as bar fly and has an upcoming gig at the boathouse. She has also supported songwriters such as Frank Turner, it was playing at his gig for which she received the review above praising her sound and her lyrics. “I was quite touched when that was written, it was my first review so I was quite excited, If people like my lyrics then I’m over the moon, that’s the bit that’s me expressing myself”. The self exposure in her songs would be daunting for the best of us but Alice handles it well and uses the nerves to her advantage “I don’t get scared that often, but if I’m in a gig where I’m on the line up with someone I really respect I get nervous, and those are the gigs that normally go the best”.

Alice is now in her second year of A levels, and not only is she overwhelmed by an ever increasing mountain of homework like the rest of us, but on top of her music she is

also part of the school council. As charities officer she is constantly organising events and meeting regularly with the rest of the council. It is a scary time consuming task to take on, and the self exposure and honesty in her songs must have helped during the election, “you literally have to give posters and badges of yourself to people it can be very embarrasing, but it’s different kind of nerves because with my songs I try not to lie and I get really nervous if there’s someone in the audience who knows full well that the song is about them. With the student council it was different because if I didn’t get voted on it wasn’t the end of the world”. Although it can be stressful at times Alice really enjoys School Council and feels as though she has gained life skills that she wouldn’t have otherwise.

She strongly recommends it, and advices any lower sixth students shying away from the thought of putting themselves out there to go for it. “There’s moments when it gets too much and I think ‘what have I done’ but at the end of the day it’s about organisation, it is difficult but it’s fun and it does teach you a lot about life”.

Finally to conclude our interview I ask her to describe college in five words, “It is stressful, rewarding, friendly, an experience and short. Literally you arrive and then you get ready to go”. Alice is planning to go to university in London or Brighton, and whilst studying she plans to keep gigging as much as possible and see where it takes her. I have no doubt that we will be hearing more from her in the years to come.

Make sure you give Alice a listen at www.myspace.com/alicewroemusic and check her out at her upcoming gig at The Boathouse on December 19th

22 MAGAZINE

MAGAZINEreviews Books

Lanark: A Life in 4 Books

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Films

by Alasdair Gray

Despite being over six hundred pages long, Lanark was an incredibly short read.

Perhaps because it’s split into four handy sections, which technically means reading four shorter books; perhaps it’s simply because it is a truly intriguing novel. The first part – actually Part Three – introduces the eponymous character, a ‘deeply serious’ figure living in some sort of dark dystopia. The word ‘dark’ is more than just an abstract description of atmosphere – here, light is so rare and fleeting Lanark actually obsesses over it whilst others are indifferent, considering the pursuit of that long-forgotten light pointless. It eventually turns out – or rather is enigmatically suggested – that Lanark may be in purgatory, as Part Three worms through a deeper void of nightmarish surrealism; ending with Lanark briefly becoming doctor in some sort of supernatural hospital, the entrance to which lies in a giant mouth.

We then jump to the belated ‘Prologue’, then onto Part One, which dispenses with Lanark altogether to focus on a more social realist plotline featuring the young Duncan Thaw in 1940s Scotland. In the same vein as Irvine Welsh and Iain Banks would later, Gray somewhat surprisingly handles the realist sections – Parts One and Two – just as interestingly as in the more fantastical sections, creating an intricate yet lucid story which actually took an astonishing thirty years to write. The four parts come together as part social allegory, part masterpiece of fantastical postmodern fiction to create a landmark in Scottish literature, name-checked as an influence by countless imitators.

Calum Baker

No Time for Goodbye

by Linwood Barclay

Linwood Barclay’s thriller has landed him a top spot among the elite of crime fiction. It’s got all the thrills and twists every good mystery ought to, but unlike some, there’s no way to guess the explosive and jaw-dropping conclusion. It all starts with a young Cynthia Bigge waking one morning to find her entire family have vanished with no trace. Zoom forward twenty-five years and mystery remains unsolved.

Told from the point of view of Cynthia’s exhausted buteffortlesslyamorousEnglish-teacherhusband, Terry Archer, the story develops into a manhunt for the family Cynthia fantasises is still alive. As a wave of crime begins to circle the Archer family, the race is on to find out what happened to Cynthia’s mother, father and older brother. When events begin to escalate, uncovering the truth proves to be the most dangerous decision of all.

Never before has a book made English teachers seem so exciting, and mothers so terrifying.

No Time For Goodbye is a must-read for anyone interested in a crime mystery novel set to keep you guessing with every page. Barclay writes with such intricacy and detail, this book will be glued to your hands until the last chilling twist.

Sal Morris

Twilight

by Stephanie Meyer

Initially cautious about reading something dubbed ‘teen-vampire-chick-lit’, when finally sitting down to read it, I was overwhelmingly surprised. With developed and likeable characters, a gripping storyline and dreamy romance, it’s no surprise that the fourth instalment, ‘Breaking Dawn’ was the only book capable of knocking Harry Potter off the number one spot.

This rich and dreamy novel is generally agreed to be far better than the thin and fairly average film version, which loses the intense but clever heroine in stilted dialogue and forced suspense When Bella moves to a new town, she is immediately drawn to the beautiful but chalky-skinned Cullen family; in particular Edward, who she soon learns is a ‘vegetarian’ vampire, resisting humans in favour of animals. Although they begin a cautious relationship and quickly fall in love, every kiss is dangerous for Bella, as Edward fights his nature to protect her.

Just when Bella is accepted as part of his family, a passing vampire locks onto Bella as his next victim. Edward and his family fight to protect Bella, but he tracks her across the United States, getting steadily closer. The detailed action sequences and sexually charged atmosphere make a love story that appeals to everyone, from my middle-aged army uncle to teenage girls everywhere, put it on your Christmas list, it won’t disappoint.

Alice Kornicki

Ghost Town

starring Ricky Gervais, Greg Kinnear, Tea Leoni

Directed by David Koepp

Bertram Pincus, an aloof and distant dentist who keeps all living things out of his fifth avenue apartment, undergoes an operation in which he dies for ‘just under’ seven minutes. This period of death empowers him to see the dead walking on earth. He is pursued by several ghosts, but one man in particular, Frank Herlihy (Kinnear), who is in need of help to prevent his wife marrying a new man. Pincus (Gervais) signs on to the mission, motivated by a surge of feelings he has for Gwen, the Egyptologistwidowplayed byTeaLeoni,whomhehadrudelyavoidedpriortomeeting herdead husband.

Comedy enters the piece, when Pincus returns to talk to his surgeon about the fact he can see dead people, believing Pincus is about to sue the hospital for this error, she goes into a state of corporate denial-panic and cannot maintain a normal conversation with him, she stutters and accuses him of interrupting her. This could well be exactly as David Koepp wrote it, but it feels like something improvised by Gervais. Ghost Town has evolved from classics such as, ‘It’s A Wonderful Life’ combined with horrors such as, ‘The Sixth Sense’.

The picture gets conventional when it converts into more of a romantic comedy but that seems to work, Ricky Gervais, an unlikely lead male in a romantic comedy, wins us over and maintains his sharp wit. The comedic timing is good and the dialogue is snappy. The plot is predictable but loveable as most rom-coms are. For Ricky Gervais’s first Hollywood film, it provides a lot of entertainment. As David Edwards (Daily Mirror) said ‘Ghost Town really is one of those movies that remind you just how life-affirming a night at the cinema can be.’

Lucy Hodgkiss

Four Christmasses

starring Vince Vaughn, Reese Witherspoon

Directed by Seth Gordon

From the opening scene of Vince Vaughn growling “Bitch, I’m talkin’ to you” at Reese Witherspoon whilst pretending to be socially inept, you may be tempted to think that Four Christmasses is going to be something different in terms of a Christmas film. However, by the time Vaughn accidentally reveals that Santa isn’t real to one of his brothers kids, it’s clear this will be an average cliché-fest.

In fact, to call it a cliché-fest is harsh; once the “first” Christmas is over, Yuletide becomes nothing more than an easy narrative excuse to have Vaughn and Witherspoon visit each of their parents in turn.

Director Seth Gordon has said that the film has “a traditional three act structure”, but really it’s more like four pained episodes which act as a count down until the film’s over, which is never a good thing. The film drags on impressively considering the relatively short 88 minute running time.

The “first” Christmas is with Robert Duvall, as Brad’s (Vaughn) father. The second is with Kate’s (Witherspoon) mother (Mary Steenburgen), then Brad’s mother (Sissy Spacek), and finally Kate’s father (Jon Voight). All four playing the parents have won Academy Awards in the Best Actor/Actress category, and it’s fair to say that this does not rank up there in their top films.

Ironically, it’s the fact that Four Christmasses has such a number of Hollywood big names that drags it down; without them, it would have been a fairly average Christmas film; with them, it’s a fairly average Christmas film which carries much higher expectations.

Four Christmases gets stuck in an awkward middle ground – despite having Jon Voight and Robert Duvall, there is a lack of any Midnight Cowboy emotional involvement or Apocalypse Nowesque chaos which you could expect from a Vince Vaughn film.

The end result isn’t a bad film; it’s just not particularly funny and wastes the talented cast. Early on, Vaughn says “We just need to get through these four Christmasses as quickly and as painlessly as possible,” and, unfortunately, it would have been better if they had.

Matt Clough

Fancy catching a film this holiday? Check these out!

CHANGELING (15) TWILIGHT (12A) INKHEART (PG) QUANTUM OF SOLACE (12A) THE DAY THE EARTH STOOD STILL (12A) TRANSPORTER 3 (15) A BUNCH OF AMATEURS (15) MADAGASCAR ESCAPE 2 cineworld.co.uk - myvue.co.uk AFRICA (PG) YES MAN (12A)

MAGAZINE

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

23

Theatre August: Osage County by Tracy Letts Directed by Anna D. Shapiro

Running until 21 January 2009, Lyttelton, National Theatre

Imagine your average family reunion, but with added drink and drugs, and where everyone either hates or has slept with everyone else. Heralded as one of the must see plays of this year, with numerous Tony awards and a Pulitzer Prize, ‘August: Osage County’ is not what you would call a feel good night out; a family drama of bizarre characters and some laugh-out-loud comedy moments over a dark background of suicide, infidelity and incest to name a few family secrets. After Beverly, the Bernard Black-esque father goes missing, his three daughters and their families return home to offer support to their (less than grief stricken) mother. As the days pass without news, secrets are revealed, with mainly disastrous consequences; and the darker and more tragic side to family relationships is revealed. It all comes to a head at the funeral lunch, in a show down complete with physical as well as verbal fighting.

Although at some points the plot felt in danger of descending into confusion over the various separate story lines and back stories, it was rescued by the frame of emotions, as well as a quote from T. S. Elliot, the end mirroring the beginning, and Photograph courtesy of Karen Robinson bringing the story full circle. Beautifully staged in a full size cross section of the family home, all the rooms are visible at once; with delicate lighting highlighting the scenes of interest, while everyday activity carried on around the house; meaning there is never a still moment or a break for a scene change, the multiple plot strands continue in small dramas around the house. The one criticism, is over the ending. As well as being just a touch unsatisfying, with an unnecessary good-guy sheriff character, you think you have got to the ending several times before it actually arrives, taking away some of the tension from the final scenes and the revelation of what actually happened to Beverly. Its definitely worth seeing, though probably not as a family outing, and as long as you don’t mind being slightly depressed afterwards. Think The Jerry Springer Show, or even Jeremy Kyle, but what would happen if there was no host and no muscled bodyguards to break up the fights.

Alice Kornicki

Oedipus by Sophocles, new version by Frank McGuinness Directed by Jonathan Kent

Running until 4 January 2009, Olivier Theatre, National Theatre

This rendition of the classic story, which inspired Freud to his most famous theory, features the marvellous Ralph Fiennes (famous for his role of Voldemort in the ‘Harry Potter’ films) on top form. Ralph plays the main charcter, Oedipus, in this reworked classic Greek tragedy. For those who aren’t aware of the storyline, this play tells the tale of a family torn apart by secrets, sex and incest. Though occasionally gruesome this play is transfixing, the cast work fit together perfectly with each individual as good as the next. Every casting choice appears perfect, and the simple set allows the story and acting to bring the story to life.

The set itself was a masterpiece, what originally appeared simplistic and dull, sprang to life, with section spinning, opening and sliding. The backstage crew worked seamlessly as did the lighting crew. The crew at the theatre were helpful and friendly, the snacks and drinks reasonably priced. The programmes were also affordable, and award winning or their content. Overall the whole theatre experience made a wonderful start to the evening, which got better with the start of the production.

The play itself was gripping, and relatively easy to understand. The language was, on the whole, modern, but the names for characters and places stayed the same, this made a wonderful juxtaposition, an allowed the audience to understand the play, and its roots. The production starts off quite slowly, but gains momentum towards the final dramatic climax. The lack of interval allowed the drama to continue without breaking, this added to the dramatic tension, and removed the usual awkward 15 minutes of milling around a lobby with 600 strangers. I wholly enjoyed minute of the plays 1 hour and 40 minutes of the plays action, and vaguely recognised a few faces, other than that of Ralph Fiennes.

Ralph was defiantly the start of the show, this acting was superb, and some of his behaviour was clearly recognizable as that of Voldemort.

I personally get a real buzz from seeing famous or recognizable actors on the stage, and for anyone who sympathizes with this; I would highly recommend this play. I would also recommend this play to Psychology students, or anyone interested in Freud’s theories of childhood. Overall I would have to say that this play was top notch, the acting was marvellous, and both the in-house and backstage crews were professional and very good at their jobs. A must see.

Denya Humphries Norman

Music Releases Careful What You Wish For Glasvegas

‘Tis not necessarily the season to be jolly for Glasvegas. Their so-called ‘Christmas-themed’ EP opens with the brooding Careful What You Wish For – a clearsonicand thematiccontinuation from theirdebut.

However, Fuck You, It’s Over begins a more deliberately guitar-based approach than most of Glasvegas. Where the majority of tracks on the album opened with waves of feedback or heavily-layered distorted chords, Fuck You begins with a melodic intro, building up to the anguished climax – James Allan is scarily good at conveying deep suffering.

Cruel Moon is similarly stark - the pianoled pop chord sequence and ghoulish walls of feedback make for a memorable alternative Christmas carol. Traditional glockenspiel and bells in the mix oppose the lyrics - “Christmas Eve and I’m now on the street” - coming together as a highlight on an already-impressive EP. Please Come Back Home feels like a rehash of Lonesome Swan and as such doesn’t leave much of an impression. However, the title track brings the band’s first truly hummable chorus.

The EP finishes with a shoegaze version of Silent Night, complete with sinister choir. There’s something in Glasvegas’ heavy, artsy sound that seems more genuine than most, more authenticallyseasonal competitors. So even as someone who is perhaps distanced from the Glaswegian social themes, I’d say the band are one of the most indispensable sounds this year; and how many other bands can make yuletide so pessimistic?

In terms of dubious Christmas joy, this is up there with Stop The Cavalry.

Calum Baker

Twilight Soundtrack Various Artists

The Sad History Of The Village Of Alnerique Dartz

Dartz lie somewhere between incredibly danceable indie pop and emotional melancholy, and it’s a good place to be. Taking a vast departure from their underground smash hit debut album ‘This Is My Ship’ Dartz bring a new perspective to the concept album with “The Sad History Of The Village Of Alnerique”. Free of thirteen-minute songs and orchestral arrangements, this eight-song album brings paired down guitars and beautiful vocal harmonies to the forefront. Documenting the foundation, construction and eventual downfall of Alnerique this is a triumphant new sound for Dartz, dropping the (now not so trendy) exclamation mark from their name along with their jagged dance punk for a more mature and relaxed approach to music.

Yet this doesn’t mean that this latest offering is by any means boring. The vocal melodies on songs such as “A New Venture From Mordecai & Sons” and “The Lay Of The Land” intertwine with floating guitars to create fantastic pop songs. “Embers” is a purely instrumental track that fits snugly into the rest of the album, mainly due to its melancholic atmosphere reverberating in the lyrics and vocals of the rest of the album. Highlight track “The End, Moving On” is a send back to the more upbeat past of Dartz yet retains the mature sensibilities of this new direction. These guys are just starting to become true master craftsmen of their art.

Guy Broadhurt

1. Supermassive Black Hole Muse 2. Decode Paramore 3. Full Moon The Black Ghosts 4. Leave Out All The Rest Linkin Park 5. Spotlight (Twilight Mix) Mutemath 6. Go All The Way (Into The Twilight) Perry Farrell 7. Tremble For My Beloved Collective Soul 8. I Caught Myself Paramore 9.

Eyes On Fire Blue Foundation 10. Never Think Rob Pattinson 11. Flightless Bird, American Mouth Iron & Wine 12. Bella’s Lullaby Carter Burwell This album, the soundtrack for the movie ‘Twilight’, released in the UK on December 19th, features some classic tracks from well know bands, such as Linkin Park and Muse, as well as some tracks written especially for the movie, such as the Robert Pattinson (Robert Pattinson plays one of the main characters in the movie, as is best known for playing Cedric Diggory in the ‘Harry Potter’ movies) track, and the Paramore tracks. This mix of recognisable songs, alongside new songs provides an interesting listen, which is enhanced by the mix of faster, heavier tracks and slower, more sombre numbers.

The mix of well known and less known artists makes this a mesmerizing listen, and I’m sure many listener will be grabbling to find other songs by the lesser know artists after listening to this album. My personal favourites are the Paramore tracks, and I found the Mutemath track to be a very pleasing listen.

I would recommend this album to lovers of rock, either soft or hard, to those who enjoy indie music and to those who are simply looking for something new to listen to. Those who have read the Twilight books will also find adding this album to their collection vital. Overall this album is wonderfully eclectic, cheerfully and stimulating and I look forward to listening to it many times over.

Denya Humpries Norman

25 MAGAZINE

17 December 2008 | The Phoenix

Gig Reviews

The Kooks

Flamboyant Bella, Little Comets, We Found the Fox

London Roundhouse 2nd December 2008

The crowd may have been a tangle of ‘bright-faced, Top Shop-clad teenagers’ (Telegraph) on the first gig of the three, however, The Kooks wowed fans on the second night at the intimate London Roundhouse venue. Opening the night with a raw, debut-sounding take on ‘Always Where I Need to Be’, crowds of people surged forward, past the pillars, to feel part of the performance.

This was not your usual ‘I’m so indie I’m going to start jumping incessantly to anything’ kind of gig. Everyone happily danced to the songs they know, with the usual roars of realisation when the memorable ‘Naïve’ riff kicks the song off. As expected at some gigs, a few drunken tiffs cause a few punches to be swung, surprisingly during the light-hearted ‘Ooh la’. Luke signals to the rest of the band to cut the song short and says ‘Oi, mate, we won’t play if you fight. It’s unnecessary’. Sadly, they don’t finish, but the incident is later brought up at the end of the set as he repeats ‘I just detest violence’. The dedicated fans do their usual screams of agreement, whilst others lean back and think he’s playing it safe.

Couples exceeding the average age of 15 circulated the crowd, and swayed together in appreciation for a new song called ‘princess of my mind’, played by Luke Pritchard on his acoustic, sounding beautifully honest and illuminated by a starlit sky backdrop.

A rewarding encore ends the set, involving a mass of white balloons to fall from the ceiling, being tapped between the crowd and the band. A wave of sound blares as the band end on ‘Sofa song’, as Luke frantically finds a section of stage he hasn’t run to yet.

And, in what seemed like a small hour and a half’s set, the band are already backstage having a fag. Yes, the songs were played well, the light show was quality…but the crowd felt they’d missed out on a possible half an hour’s worth of decent musical material. www.myspace.com/thekooks Francesca Haincourt

BACKSTAGE AT

Cambridge Junction 10th December 2008

Hitchin kids Flamboyant Bella brought their own brand of indie pop to the Cambridge Junction along with the 15 year old kids. An upbeat reflection of the better times of summer Flamboyant Bella pleased the crowds with usual dance-ability.

Openers We Found The Fox have a new twist on the synth and guitar combo.

And it works. Bringing together a wide variety of genres they deliver their own brand of heartfelt song writing. With elements of late 90s American emo prevalent in their sound along side the likes of I Was A Cub Scout and Data Select Party.

These Cambridge locals are just waiting to explode on to the underground circuit.

Likeable Geordie lads Little Comets are a mish-mash of disco, indie and strangely a bit of folk. They absolutely owned the show, definitely bringing a very welcome but unexpected surprise. Their get up and dance sound won the crowd over immediately and everyone was soon dancing. They have songs that can get stuck in your head for days such as “Joanna” and “Friday Don’t Need It”. These are ones to watch.

Playing a healthy mix of new material and tried and tested crowd pleasers, Flamboyant Bella took to the stage. Popular hits “My Skies”, “Crazy Cool” and single “Touch” got the crowd dancing but they also brought things to a more tuneful and down tempo with songs like “Still”. Their sound, a combination of electro, indie and teenage life, Flamboyant Bella are on their way to the top and nothing is going to get in their way. Finishing their set of with a bang in the form of the highly catchy “Absolutely Wankered”, Flamboyant Bella are full of potential hits and their pouring out of every hole of this well oiled and well practiced machine. www.FlamboyantBella.com www.littlecomets.com www.myspace.com/wefoundthefox Guy Broadhurt

FIDDLER ON THE ROOF Nicole Stone tells all on her costume design experience for Hills Road’s latest LVI musical production, directed by Richard Fredman In this year’s Drama production of Fiddler on the Roof, I and two others from the AS Textiles classes had the opportunity of working on the costumes for the play. This was under the expert tutelage of Jane Raven, the wardrobe mistress and textiles technician at Hills Road. What began as a simple meeting soon led to Tuesday period two becoming a regular engagement, a costume filled hour every week. The first task was to sort out costumes for the chorus that were already in the costume store. Was this easy?

Not really. At the time, the final designs were not finished, and the director was still unsure of what he wanted. Roll out guess work and rough guidelines for the next two to three weeks.

Soon things were settled, and our official brief was ‘to portray abject poverty’.

Thankfully, our pre-existing costumes were suitable enough, although some members of the cast were asked to supply own clothes that resembled something worn by refugees.

Our first task big construction

project was an all in white ‘medusa’ costume, that was to be about two and a half metres in length. Soon we had a conveyor belt system in place.

One cutting, one pinning and one sewing. If you were one of the ones to see Fiddler on the Roof, you will have seen our amazing creation that took us a grand total of two hours.

The next test of our textiles talents? Sleep hats.

Cream sleep hats. A total of thirty were made between the four of us. Here I have a confession to make. I accidentally made my hats too small, so I apologise to whoever had the misfortune to wear them. You must have very small heads. What can I say, maths was never my best subject.

Our role as costume designers was also to be present backstage for the performances. This meant that we had to get costumes ready for any actors that were due a costume change, checking everyone has the right costumes and assisting the cast.

So what are the negative points to working as a costume designer? Giving up

free lessons certainly wasn’t the best thing in the world. There are definitely more fun things to do than holing yourself up in the conservatory and sewing like your life depended on it. And that’s another thing.

Sewing machines. Curse the day someone decided to invent the things. I must have spent more time threading up and trying to get the nuisances to work than I actually did sewing. On a more serious note, it did require a lot of work, and it was incredibly tiring.

When I arrived on the night, backstage was chaos. Trying to sort out costumes for the next scene, and making sure everyone had everything was manic to say the least, and required a great deal of patience from the backstage team. Once things got going, everything ran as smoothly as these things can do. Most of the cast seemed to be aware of what they were meant to be wearing.

However, not everything is as finely tuned backstage as it is onstage. A small mishap involving a jar,

a candle and a wire handle nearly resulted in the green room being set on fire. This was thankfully averted, although not without some small panic.

Not for want of trying, efforts to keep the cast quiet backstage proved only semi successful, as actors in a rush don’t often pay attention to the backstage crew, unless they need something.

In all honesty, the effective organisation of the cast meant that we backstage had very little to do. The most was sewing up a pillow, which was only going to be ripped up in the next performance. I only found this out after I had sewn it up so that it would be harder to rip in future. It was enough to slightly annoy even the most kind tempered person.

If anyone had the opportunity to take a look inside the Robinson Theatre whilst the set for Fiddler on the Roof was going up, they would no doubt have been in awe of the sheer scale of the set. Credit should go to Ian Cutting and his team, for the excellent work they have done.

Working on the costumes and technical elements for Fiddler on the Roof, or indeed any play is incredibly challenging.

It requires commitment, patience and a vast amount of caffeine to stay awake, or at least coherent.

However the experience was priceless. Would I do it again?

Most definitely. For anyone considering a career in technical theatre, I recommend getting involved with any productions, whether it be end of year or Christmas productions, or small student led productions. Behind the scenes is hectic, and almost as much work goes into it as actors do acting. Working under Jane’s tutelage meant that I added a lot to my knowledge, and I now have a greater experience of the mechanics behind the scenes.

I would like to thank Jane Raven and the Drama department for letting me work with them, and also my two textiles companions, for putting up with my complaints when the conservatory was cold!

Retrospective PhotographybyTomWorsfoldandLucyBrown

what is

vintage?

Fashion Editor Jess Black introduces the theme of this issue’s photoshoot Vintage fashion is a celebration of the innovative fabrics, silhouettes and icons of the past that should never be allowed to grow old. The fifties gave way to Marilyn Monroe who popularised clothes dedicated to showcasing women’s femininity and sex appeal, whilst Mary Quant can be held responsible for designing the first miniskirt and hot pants, polarised by fashion icons such as Twiggy and Edie Sedgwick in the sixties. The ever increasing popularity of vintage fashion means these revelations will never be forgotten.

As well as paying homage to those who have driven the development of fashion, vintage style adds a unique edge to any outfit. Vintage fashion is becoming ever more prominent, due to current attitudes surrounding the credit crunch and the need to recycle. Similarly, the number of eco-fashion brands, some of which were showcased recently at London Fashion week, is increasing rapidly.

This issue of Phoenix Fashion is dedicated to vintage style. You will find our photo shoot uses only vintage clothes and accessories, all of which were provided by Hills Road students. I would like thank everyone who heaved bags full of clothes into college for the shoot, our stunning models and our team of hard-working photographers who snapped and edited these beautiful photos.

PHOTO: TOM WORSFOLD

PHOTO: TOM WORSFOLD

PHOTO: TOM WORSFOLD

vintage

IN THE

PHOTO: LUCY BROWN

SPOTLIGHT

Vintage fashion has recently become the ultimate fashion statement. The red carpet would not be complete without all of the hottest celebrities turning up in their latest vintage dresses. Kate Moss steps out in it, Sienna Miller often flaunts it at award ceremonies and Kylie Minogue used it to help re-launch her career in a pair of gold hotpants! So it’s not surprising that vintage fashion is the ultimate trend of the moment with its unique, laid back and reto style.

But how do you pull off the uber chic look?

You mix the old with the new.

Whether you’re short of cash or just want a new style, vintage fashion is one to suit everyone.

Take a stroll around the back streets of many towns and you’re bound to stumble across a vintage-clothing store. But if you want to stick to the high street, many stores are now stocking the increasingly popular vintage style fashion. Topshop has its own vintage fashion section in London’s Oxford Circus and has recently employed Celia Birtwell to design a range based on her and Ossie Clark’s designs from the sixties and seventies.

Miss Selfridge also has some gorgeous vintage inspired jewellery and Warehouse have some fabulous vintage inspired party dresses out for Christmas.

So why spend all your wages on one extremely expensive top when you can create your own exclusive vintage style for a fraction of the price?

Katie McCarty Editor

PHOTO: TOM WORSFOLD

50s prom dress & shoes provided by Phoebe Skinner Model: Phoebe Skinner

ECO-FASHION Aimee-JadeClayinvestigatesthisrising ecologicaltrend

London Fashion Week was hit like a storm with the latest trend of eco-fashion; meaning green is the new black. Noir, with their sexy new “demi couture” label, currently sold in Harvey Nichols, proves that eco-fashion can be stylish too. This new collection not only reflects fashion but maintains the high ethical standards of manufacturing. ‘Amana’, a fellow eco-fashion label, also stood out from the crowd at last season’s London Fashion Week, teaming beautiful designs with ethical production. The entire collection is made by a Fairtrade co-operative of women artisans in Morocco. This stunningly unique collection has minimal impact on the environment, allowing it to bear the title of eco-fashion.

But what exactly is eco-fashion? It’s clothing manufactured by environmentally friendly techniques, using organic raw materials, such as cotton, minus the pesticides.

Eco-fashion designers also tend to recycle vintage fabrics in order to create contemporary garments. One particular company backing the movement is New Entrepreneurs, a workshop programme for budding young fashionistas. It aims to teach them about sustainable businesses in fashion, from finance to supply chains. This shows the relevance of ever increasing trend for recycling in the fashion industry.

PHOTO: TOM WORSFOLD

Many celebrities are backing this latest fashion trend, including Alexa Chung, girlfriend of Arctic Monkeys’ Alex Turner.

Envied for her unique style, now everyone can take home a piece of her effortless edginess with her new jewellery collection. She is the brand ambassador for Oxfam’s ethical clothing boutique and has recently created a Fairtrade jewellery range, including a variety of funky skull and owl pendant pieces. Perfect for the ecorock chicks out there!

Now thanks to the latest developments in eco-fashion ranges with many chic designs appearing, we can look and feel good knowing that each and every one of us is doing our bit to save the planet.

80s multicoloured sequin dress provided by Charlie Keeler Model: Inga Garriock

where to buy

vintage

Yellow Jelly Vintage Set up by a photographer and his girlfriend, Yellow Jelly hand pick some amazing items from a collection of thousands every week, so there’s always something new. This eBay store specialises in cute knitwear and a wide range of classic floral dresses, it is ideal if you are looking for a unique vintage piece.

Location (online): ebay.co.uk/Yellow-Jelly-Vintage or myspace.com/yellowjellyvintage Era: Most of their best finds come from the 60s and 80s Price Range: Bidding can range from 99p-£50 Candy Says Taking a more chic approach to vintage fashion, this online boutique provides simplicity and sophistication, perfect for adding some timeless pieces to your wardrobe. Their key pieces include adorable ear muffs for kids and skirt suits with a 1940s twist.

Location (online): www.candysays.com Era: 1930s-50s.

Price Range: £40-£100 Absolute Vintage Providing both quantity and quality, Absolute Vintage will supply glamour and elegance to your outfit. The store specialises in accessorises, where it’s impossible not to find something you don’t love. Vogue named it as having the biggest shoe collection in the UK and it certainly doesn’t fail in providing gorgeous bags and sunglasses too.

Location: Spitalfields, London or buy online at www.absolutevintage.co.uk Era: 1930s – 80s Price Range: £15-£30 Pop Pop Vintage takes a fun and colourful approach, inspired from mainly the 60’s and 80’s with boldly coloured statement pieces. Pop Boutique keeps the hippy vibe alive with huge selections of patterns and colours for each item.

Location: Liverpool, Covent Garden, London and Manchester or buy online at pop-boutique.com Era: specialises in the 60s and 80s with some 70s collections.

Price Range: £10-£30 Snoopers Paradise Brighton provides a fantastic array of amazing vintage clothing, jewellery and even antique finds which range all the way back from Victorian accessorise to 1950’s-80’s retro. There are over 100 different sellers and stalls that will keep you browsing all day providing an experience that will match your buy.

Location: Kensington Gardens, Brighton Era: All through the 1900s and even older Price Range: Huge, due to the large variety of stalls.

PHOTO: LUCY BROWN

SPORTS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

35

Defeat for Hills Road team despite promising and determined performance >> Suffolk triumphes over Hills Road in latest match

Josh Mason Sports News Reporter

West Suffolk: 4 Hills Road: 2 Hills Road’s 2nd team last week set about continuing their recent good form, with a game against West Suffolk College, 10th December.

Hills Road started brightly, instantly pushing the Suffolk side back into their own half.

Tim Heynes ran riot down the right side of midfield to create various early half chances.

However the first goal went to West Suffolk against the run of play. A lightning run from their left midfielder resulted in a cut back across the box, allowing their striker to comfortably slot into the net.

This lapse in concentration seemed to switch Hills Road on.

Straight from the kick-off, some brilliant hold up play from Kartick Chatterji directed the ball to Tim Heynes out wide, to threaten again. This time, the cross found Ollie Jiggins, who comfortably tucked the ball away with maximum composure.

Hills Road 1, West Suffolk 1.

The next 10 minutes of the game saw a real battle.

Midfielder Toufael Hussain dominated in the air, and didn’t let West Suffolk settle on the ball for a second. Hills Road came close to scoring a second when Tim Heynes danced past three West Suffolk players, including the goalkeeper, only to find the side netting. The run deserved better. The next five minutes saw Hills Road on the back foot, with some ragged running from the West Suffolk men. Their reward came soon after. A long range shot from the opposition striker took a deadly bounce and keeper Matt Knight did well to parry it onto the post.

It fell straight to the feet of the West Suffolk left midfielder, who made no mistake in hammering the ball home.

2-1 to West Suffolk College.

With their tails between their legs, Hills Road failed to respond like last time. Instead, it was West Suffolk that turned up the heat, managing to put through their on form front man to fizz the ball in to the bottom left of the net, making it 3-1. The hope of a comeback was becoming more and more distant for the Hills Road team as the half time whistle sounded.

The second half got under way with both teams fighting hard straight from the off. Some heroic defending from Tom Dutton, who was impressive on his Hills Road debut, shut their strikers out and made sure that the next goal would not be for West Suffolk. This was the case. Dan Mackay weaved in and out of defenders with electric pace up the left wing,

D4 Dodgeball Demons

and set up the recently subbed on James Harrod to drill the ball beyond the keepers reach into the bottom left of the net. A great team move and a glimmer of hope installed in the Hills Road comeback.

Sam Cook made way for the fresh legs of Ben Johnson towards the end of the half, adding a goal threat from centre midfield. However, five minutes from the final whistle, any hope of a Hills Road comeback were dashed. A corner that Hills Road failed to deal with fell to the West Suffolk right midfielder, who curled a wonder goal into the top right of the net.

The final whistle sounded and an impressive team performance from Hills Road had ended in a demoralising defeat, not for the first time this season. The second team continue to grow and sure encouraging aspects, however, and it will not be long before the results start to come.

>> College dodgeball tournament dominated by D4 and E5

Richard Morris Sports News Reporter Tuesday afternoon saw the world famous Hills Road inter PE dodge ball tournament take place. Crowds gathered around the sports hall arena in keen anticipation of the event and were not to be dissapointed.

Every PE set from upper and lowersixth represented by a team of 8, and questionable dress senses exercised to perfection, the tournament was about to begin. Special mention has to go to D4 for their synchronization of fluorescent colouration, to make up their team colours.

Tom Macer dressed as what can only be described as half fairy, half dodge ball genius, and Andy Hall dressed as though had just returned from a colourful night out. E5 who had gone for a more bland pink and white combination paved the way with a strong all out assault during the first match and looked to be set for winning ways. D4 fell at the first hurdle being defeated by C3 (dressed in shirts and ties), but soon recovered to produce some outstanding victories. A1 showed signs of brilliance with a formidable attack formation headed by Jake Brown and Scott Bishop, but lacked unity in their

team. The lower sixth groups had little experience in the tournament but showed their potential as worthy opponents, defeating the occasional upper sixth group and locking in battle with foes from their own year. However it was clear that the overall tournament was to be dominated by the upper sixth groups of D4 and E5. Both teams showing a 5:1 win-loss ratio by the end of the group stage. After some questionable mistakes at the tournament managerial desk over fixtures,

“

Tom Macer dressed as what can only be described as half fairy, half dodge ball genius

”

the final between D4 and E5 was set to take place. E5 began with an all out display of dipping, ducking, diving and dodging and immediately removed some of D4s key players. Edward Garrott fallen by a Henry James bouncer. Yet D4 remained focused, and were soon on the offense. The extreme power that

The dodgeball tournament was inspired by the recent film starring Ben Stiller and Vince Vaughn

lay behind Doug and Russell Boatman’s throw’s, soon began to diminish the E5 squad, most notably when Henry James was forced to produce a full diving dodge to remain in the game, only to be struck soon after, while down on the ground.

Left with only Tom Padmore to defend E5’s reputation as the lower sixth champions of last year, things were not looking good. When he fatally turned to pick up a ball, he was struck by a drive that was eminent of Tiger Woods. He was down and out. As the E5 group fell to their knees in disbelief, the D4 squad came together to celebrate their victory. D4 were crowned champions of the Hills Road Dodge ball Tournament 2008 as well as best dressed and received two boxes of celebrations which were shared out amongst the tears of joy between the team.

The fair play award was awarded to B2 of the lower sixth in which they too received a box of celebrations. Everyone walked away from the tournament with an experience that would remain with them for the rest of their dodge ball careers, as well as a few injuries to faces struck by fowl throws. Thanks has to go to Miss Mortimer, Mrs Hemming and Mr Hansgate for there organisational skills and quick change over efficiency between games.

SPORTS

The Phoenix | 17 December 2008

Sports

36

English cricket looses sponsor >> English Cricket baord faces search for new team sponsor

Graham Vale Sports News Reporter The English Cricket Board this week faced a search for a new team sponsor, after Vodafone announced that it would not be renewing its £4 million per year deal with the England team.

The news came as a blow on Tuesday, just one day after Kevin Pietersen’s men lost the first test against India, after failing to capitalise on a strong position.

“

not the greatest time to be looking for someone to back the team

”

The Vodafone sponsorship will come to an end after the English tour of South Africa in 2009-10. At this point, it will have run for 12 years, having been instigated by Lord MacLaurin during his time as Chairman of both the ECB and Vodafone.

The decision to remove backing for the team leaves a particularly difficult task for the ECB to overcome. Given the current state of the economy, with the country facing the harshest decline for a number

Loss of vodofone sponsorship threatens Keven Pietersen’s team in the shortterm future of years, finding a new sponsor will not be easy. Commercial director of the ECB, John Perera, commented that it wasn’t “the greatest time” to be looking for someone new to back the team.

He added, however, that he still had confidence in finding someone new, as the vacancy provided an opportunity not seen in the sporting

market for a number of years.

Sponsorship is an integral part of the ECB, accounting for approximately 14% of its annual revenue. Whilst Mr Perera insists that a sponsor deal is not essential to the running of the ECB, he expressed his disappointment “that the association

Injured Hills Road XV fall at final hurdle

>> Hinchingbrooke claims victory over Hills Road XV

Richard Brookman Sports News Reporter

Hills Road: 5 Hinchingrooke: 17 On the hallowed turf of Purbeck Road, Hills Road XV came up against a strong Hinchingrooke side. Battered and bruised, Hills Road came into the game with several injuries to key players. Nonetheless, the game went ahead.

The first 20 minutes were very evenly matched, with neither side willing to take any risks in an attempt to force an opening.

However, the deadlock was soon broken as Hinchingrooke burst away from a ruck just inside the home side’s half. After several broken tackles, the Greens ended up scoring in the corner just inside the line. With the opposition 5-0 up, Hills Road were rocked briefly, but were forced to regroup and then responded with a try of their own.

With a scrum in their

possession five metres from the Hinchingrooke line, home number eight, Scott Macfarlane, took the initiative and drove towards the line. He was stopped with inches to go and, from the subsequent ruck, the ball was spread wide for Tristen to score.

The rest of the half was full of vim and vigour but was littered with mistakes which, fortunately for both sides, were not capitalised on. The half was brought to a close with the two sides tied at 5-5.

Half time: 5-5 The teams came out ready and refreshed from the half time interval. Unfortunately for the neutral, the second half started in the same tentative fashion which had been evident in the first. After a spell of negative play, Hinchingrooke went ahead again. There was an infringement in the scrum, and the subsequent penalty was taken quickly. After some continuous pressure, the Hills Road defensive line was broken and the Hinchingbrooke scrumhalf darted through to score.

Hills Road did not take this

lying down. The rest of the half was full of sustained pressure with some flowing creative rugby. However, they were let down by too many mistakes, which lead to turnover of possession in Hinchingrookes’ favour. This happened on numerous occasions and allowed Hinchingrooke to run down the clock and hold on to their lead.

With one last push, in the dying minutes Hills Road gave their all and found themselves in very promising positions, only to be thwarted by a resilient Hinchingbrooke defence. The home side continued to battle for the lead, but the ball was turned over once again and kicked upfield. Keeping possession, Hinchingrooke found their way past the defence, and scored a third try, right under the posts.

After a calmly taken conversion from the Green’s fly half, they had accumulated an unassailable lead, especially with such a short time left on the clock.

The final whistle blew and the game finished with Hinchingrookethevictorsby17 – 5.

with Vodafone will end.”

Possible justification for the move by Vodafone could be linked with their recently announced £1 billion costcutting plan, implemented across the globe. However, the official statement from the telecommunications giant stated that the move “was

part of a strategic review of sponsorship strategy,” with the company choosing to focus more on the sale of services and handsets, rather than building up recognition of the brand. In recent months, Vodafone has also ended its deals with Manchester United, and have swapped sponsorship from Ferrari to Mclaren in Formula One. Involvement in the Epsom Derby has also been downgraded to support of just the headline race.

In response to the move, Ian Shepherd, consumer director of Vodafone UK, said: “We’ve enjoyed a successful relationship with the ECB and the England team over the last 12 years and the sponsorship has provided us with a platform to build the Vodafone brand and add value to our customers.”

He went on to say that “We remain fully committed to the successful conclusion of the sponsorship at the end of the winter tour of South Africa and we look forward to an exciting summer ahead with the Ashes.

We are also working with the ECB to develop a legacy programme at grassroots level which builds on the longterm investment we have made in the success of cricket across England and Wales.”