Issue 165 by The Rabbit, The University of Essex Student Newspaper

3 U N I V E R S I T Y

O F

E S S E X

S T U D E N T

N E W S PA P E R

NEWS

COMMENT MUSIC FILM TV BOOKS

ARTS SCIENCE

NEWS

VC supports Romanians

LIFESTYLE SPORTS WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

THERABBITNEWSPAPER.COM

COMMENT

Judging on Appearance

Women in TV

LIFESTYLE

Eat Healthy

Israel Boycott Enters By-Laws

Full Story on Page 5

News Editorial

Ed Gove, Content Deputy Editor Emily Townsend, Online Deputy Editor Andrew Smith, Design Deputy Editor

Jake Stones, News Editor Fiolla Korenica, News Deputy Editor Shaun Quilter, News Deputy Editor

STUDENT

This week the political life at the Students’ Union got interesting/ frustrating (depending on who you ask) once again with some big issues up for debate at the Student Representative Forum. If you do not know what this is, the event is a chance for students to submit motions on how they would like to change Union policy and discuss and debate these motions, culminating in a vote. I know a lot of university friends, especially those who do not study politics, have often uttered the words “I’m not interested in politics”. I am not always sure where this apathy towards politics comes from but I often feel it is some sort of misconception of what caring about politics actually means. Politics is about issues that affect you, issues that will inevitably have some effect on your life. Why would you deny yourself the possibility to have a say? I know some of my friends feel they are not informed enough about political issues, or candidates that are running in an election, to feel like they can participate. And whilst it is admirable that these people feel the responsibility to do research before casting a vote, it is not a requirement of democracy. No matter how much research you have or have not done, you still have the right to vote and your vote will count just like anyone else’s. No one should ever feel like they are not qualified enough to partcipate in democracy but I fear many of us do. But maybe student politics, as dramatic as it gets sometimes, is a good place to start. As a student you are just as qualified to speak on issues that affect students and I hope more people would see that and not feel excluded from these conversations. That is part of the reason why I think it is so important to report on SRFs in the paper, to give more students the chance to engage, even if it is from the safety of their own rooms.

Your Editor, Saga Eriksson

Library extension on track for May finish So what’s the progress of the library expansion? The library extension and Silberrad Student Centre are both on track for completion. More specifically, the Silberrad Student Centre is due to complete in mid-April, whereas the library extension is set to be finished by late May. Once both are complete, an eight-week fit-out of furniture and equipment will follow. During January 2015, the roof of the library extension was made weatherproof and the library extension lift was installed. Information was released stating that the library extension will include a rooftop plant that would be installed along with rooftop lighting. Following the January updates, this month saw the glaziers progressing well with the installation of the curtain walling on the outside of the extended Albert Sloman Library. The Silberrad Student Centre is starting to come together nicely, inside and out. This month’s focus was on building the retaining walls on the three sides of the building and installing the raised

flooring inside. Construction teams are now working to repave the outside areas around the existing library. Students also have the chance to shape the future of the Silberrad Student Centre thanks to the Student Centre Forum. Being a member of the forum provides students with the opportunity to comment on the design of web pages and help to test them. Members can also provide views and suggestions to improve current services, come up with ways to publicise new ones, and test the new services and spaces. Getting involved with the forum counts towards volunteering hours, for those students who are signed up to the Big Essex Award. To see what students have said already, check out: essex.ac.uk/student_centre/documents/student_ services_survey_results.pdf

Shaun Quilter

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

NEWS

BREAKTHROUGH Council plans could relight Colchester’s streets Colchester could have its street lights switched back on after councillors announced new plans to end the controversial scheme earlier this month. The plans, which come as a response to pressures from County Hall, mimic similar moves by Tendring and Harlow Councils, both of which volunteered to pay the cost of keeping the lights on with their own money. In an attempt to cut costs by an estimated £130,000 a year, Essex County Council plunged towns and cities in the county into darkness from midnight to 5am in late 2013, turning off seven in ten street lights on designated roads. If the proposition is accepted, Colchester Borough Council could set aside £120,000 for investment into the scheme’s end. Addressing officials at a meeting earlier this month, Dave Harris, councillor for the Berechurch borough of Colchester, appeared to set the plans in motion. Pressing the panel for answers, he pointed to the steep rise in anti-social behaviour and crime since the scheme’s inception. He

urged Colchester to follow the actions of smaller councils.

upcoming academic year, feels positive about the plans. She said:

Speaking to The Gazette, he said: “I am very hopeful we will follow the lead of Tendring and Harlow. It is undeniable that it [street lights being turned off] has had an effect on the town”.

“The forum went very well and I feel we are making progress. We hope we can work alongside the council and make positive steps towards making the town a safer place.”

The news comes shortly after an Uxbridge-born pedestrian, formally identified as Nick Sherwood, was killed in a traffic collision in St Andrew’s Avenue on 8 February. The 25-year-old was walking close to the University campus in the early hours of the morning. Responding to students’ concerns about the town’s street lights, the Students’ Union held a ‘Lights Forum’ on Thursday 19 February. Jessica Rich, who has recently been elected as Vice President for Welfare and Community for the

Sam French, Equality and Diversity Officer, elaborated on the results of the Lights Forum at the Student Repserentative Forum last week. He announced plans for a Day of Action on campus with a flashmob, something organisers hope to discuss with the Vice-Chancellor in the near future.

Emily Townsend

It’s all in the eyes New research conducted at the University of Essex claims to have found a direct correlation between pupil dilation and sexual attraction. Dr Gerulf Rieger from the Department of Psychology led the study which recruited 76 men and 72 women of a varied age and ethnicity, to see if sexual arousal could be indicted through observation of pupil dilation. The purpose of the study was two-fold, as it aimed to produce a less intrusive ways of understanding sexuality. The findings were significantly telling and have produced a ‘100 percent’ link between the potential cause and effect system in the body. The testing observed the change in the partici-

pants’ eyes as they watched videos which included sexual content. Dr Rieger said: “Sexual attraction and arousal are a fundamental part of human nature – without them we would not exist because we could not mate. Yet, we know so little about them because in the past most people have been reluctant to participate in studies on sexual arousal. “With our new measure we found a truly novel way of telling somebody’s sexual arousal. Moreover, because our pupils dilate automatically, we have discovered a way of assessing somebody’s arousal that does not rely on what participants are willing or able to tell,” he added. A new eye-tracking laboratory is currently being built at Essex to verify whether pupil dilation can

fully replace the previous methods of assessing sexual arousal. Dr Rieger and his team are also looking into using their non-intrusive methods to investigate sexuality among other cultures.

Jake Stones

Free coach contention The Rabbit was there to follow the heated debate of yet another Student Representative Forum. With a rather long agenda to report here is a run down of some of the motions that were passed. The discussion in SRF started with the officer reports from some of the Sabbatical and part-time officers. Notably the Equality and Diversity Officer mentioned the Greenstead Lights Forum held last week where it was decided that a Day of Action would be carried out on the squares and that there would be discussions with Vice-Chancellor. After these reports the first item on the agenda was policies that are about the lapse. The first of these was to do with defending to right to protest, amendments to which had been submitted. Speaking in favour of the motion the proposer said to protest is a “fundamental right” and is an exercise of freedom of speech. He mentioned the police are looking to charge people to attend protests and believed this would hinder equal opportunities for anyone to attend a protest. The motion was passed with 77 votes in favour. The motion on the challenge to higher education privatisation was deemed outdated and the attendees agreed to let this policy lapse. Finally a motion on supporting local democracy was amended to be more relevant to upcoming elections, namely the General Election. With a point added to continue to campaign to ensure as many students as possible are registered to vote. This motion was passed with 67 votes in favour. An amendment was proposed to the NUS National Conference motion to make it more inclusive of mature students. The motion originally read and spoke about a “New Generation” and the amendment changed this to “students” as the proposer felt this was more inclusive of students

who are of all ages and come from different backgrounds. The motion passed with 77 votes in favour and thus the motion to be submitted to the NUS was amended. Some of the bigger debates of the night included a motion on whether Sabbatical officers should be able to endorse candidates running in SU elections. Speaking for the motion, proposer Lexi Keegan stated that as Sabbatical officers are visible and have access to the student body, and are further seen as the Students’ Union by many students, she felt it would give an unfair advantage if candidates were endorsed. Counter to this a question was raised about Sabbatical officers who were running for reelections and who would thus be endorsing themselves. After discussion it was concluded that re-running would be an exception but that Sabbatical officers should not officially endorse any other candidates. The motion was passed with 43 votes for and 13 against. With the motion to support the UN Anti-Racism Day demonstration in London on the 21st of March there was a request for the Union to provide free coaches for participants and to advertise the event so that students were aware of this opportunity. This was to ensure that all students who wanted to go would not be prevented from doing because of monetary concerns. Where the motion itself did not face much opposition and passed with 64 votes in favour, it was then brought to the attention of the SRF that

there was a possibility that the Trustee Board may not be able to mandate the Union to provide free coaches. The reason for this was stated that it was beyond the legal powers of the Union as a charity to provide for students to go to an event that was not student or NUS, but UN organised. Many students seemed confused what the exact issue with the provision of coaches was, however it was emphasised throughout the debate that it is only a possibility that the Trustee Board would find this outside the powers of the Union, even though it could be that they do not decide in this vein. However the possibility was still of concern to many who wanted to ensure that in the event of a decision not to provide coaches, the students would have an opportunity to hold the Trustees to account as they felt they were not able to this when the same issue are earlier in th year. It was proposed that in the next SRF the Chair of the Trustees should be asked to appear in front of the SRF to explain the decision. Even though it was pointed out that Trustees are not accountable to the SRF, the Chair of the Trustee Board stated that they would be happy to make a statement to the SRF of why a decision has been made if it is. A student further pointed out that they would like to be able to ask questions and have a discussion, instead of just hearing a statement. The Chair of the Trustee Board agreed to this and thus in the event of a decision to overturn the provision of free coaches students shall receive information on what decision was made and why.

Saga Eriksson

Student Comment I attended last night’s Student Representative Forum, and there was one very important issue raised that I feel needs a wider audience. The last motion put forward was concerning the UN AntiRacism Demonstration Day that is happening in a few weeks’ time, and the core of this motion was regarding provision of funding for transport to the event and publicising this to students. Again we are close to a similar situation that we had with the SRF last term, which resulted in the

motion on whether or not we still had confidence in our Students’ Union President Chantel Le Carpentier. Last night after the motion passed it was made clear to the students that although the motion had gone through, the decision to provide transport was still in the hands of the Trustees. This then meant a lengthy discussion on what students could do to hold those Trustees to account if they rejected the SRF decision. To me

one thing became very clear during this discussion; some students are unaware of the role Sabbatical officers hold as Trustees and the importance of this. In my opinion we need to provide students with an outline of what Trustees are and what their role is within our Students’ Union. To me this is the only way for students to fully understand why their motions are sometimes rejected so that we can stop going round in circles. No one wants another situation like last term on their hands!

Jessica Rich

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

NEWS

Israel Boycott Lives On With the legacy of the Israeli Deputy Ambassador visit protest, and a motion in SRF just a year ago on the very same topic, the Israeli-Palestine situation was once again brought in front of student to decide whether to keep or lapse the Union’s Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions policy. The discussion on the Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) motion got to a surprising start even before it was reached on the agenda as a student brought forward procedural motion F proposing that two items of the agenda, the BDS motion and the Anti-Racism Protest motion contradicted each other. His suggestion was to remove one or the other from the agenda. Another student spoke against this saying the BDS motion was not an issue of race or ethnicity and was very important to discuss. The procedural motion did not pass an both items were kept on the agenda. The motion itself suggests the following; that the Students’ Union should continue to boycott Israeli products and settlement products on campus. It resolves to boycott Israeli goods from being sold on SU premises, to terminate and not form contracts with companies that profit from violation of Palestinian human rights, and pressure the University to boycott goods and terminate these contracts. It also resolves to affiliate with the BDS movement and to ensure information about the movement is distributed on campus. Ahead of the SRF an amendment had also been brought forward suggesting that the policy be added to the by-laws of the Union. The amendment states that until a time that a permanent solution has been found to the Israel/ Palestine situation the Union shall boycott Israeli goods, terminate and not form contracts with companies that profit from violation of Palestinian human rights, pressure the University to boycott Israeli goods, affiliate with the BDS movement and distribute information about it. This amendment would bring some closure to this divisive issue and means it would not need to be debated every year as it would become part of the Union constitution. Some of the arguments presented to keep the BDS policy were that an economic boycott is a suitable way to pressure Israel, and the changes we have seen in their policy since its start in 2005 prove it is working. It was pointed out that discussion between the two countries so far have lead to a dead end, and through a boycott

supported and called for by over 170 civil society organisations, it would be possible to end occupation and provide equal rights for Palestinians. Those arguing against the motion claimed that the mutual goal of peace between Israel and Palestine could not be achieved as long as the BDS policy was pursued. It was argued that through the BDS the West is exerting too much influence over affairs in the Middle East, preventing a two state solution that these two countries can come to independently. Another speaker raised a point on why students were not campaigning to boycott other countries with records of human rights violations such as China and the United States. However, the side in favour of BDS responded that someone bringing forward such a motion would receive their full support. Perhaps the most contentious point in the debate was when a speaker expressed his opinion that the BDS policy was inherently anti-Semitic in the effects it would bring about. He argued that granting the right to return to all Palestinians would marginalise the Israeli population and felt that all who were in support of the motion were anti-Semitic. Many students in the room who were indeed in support of the motion found this accusation offensive with one student stating: “To say that this [the BDS policy] is anti-Semitic is insulting. As a Jewish woman I support BDS. To say that supporting the right of return is anti-Semtic is

ridiculous. Jews and non-Jews can live together peacefully. To say that BDS is anti-Semitic is ridiculous; I am very offended by that. There are multiple movements of Jews who condemn Israeli actions.” Following this a student requested that the person who had made the comment about BDS being antiSemitic be asked to apologise, as many students found it offensive being called this. The chair then asked said student to produce an apology and he refused. This meant that the chair was forced to ask the student to leave the room. However another student challenged this ruling and it was voted, that he could remain in the room. After this the matter was moved to a final vote. As with the amendment this motion had become about changing the Union constitution, this policy would be added to the by-laws. Therefore, instead of a simple majority the motion needed a 2/3 majority to pass. This was achieved with 72 votes in favour, 20 against and 4 abstentions. The room erupted into chants of “Free free Palestine!” and the recurring debate on this policy seems to have achieved some closure today through years of students voting in its favour.

Saga Eriksson

Vice Chancellor pays tribute to University’s Romanian population On Wednesday 18 February, the Essex’s Vice Chancellor, Professor Anthony Forster, addressed how Romanian students have made an amazing contribution to the University, local communities and the UK as a whole.

“Over the past three years, 35% of Romanian students at Essex have been awarded firsts in their degrees, one of the top performing cohort of students at the University.”

The University provides a unique student experience by embracing and encouraging diversity. The mix of nationality and culture creates a strong international community that the University prides itself on.

The statement was made in response to Channel 4’s recent documentary ‘The Romanians Are Coming’, a series that explores the lives of Romanians attempting to start a life in Britain. Last year, when 20,000 Romanians migrated to the UK, it appeared to cause uncertainty and fear to some citizens.

This is evident from the range of scholarships for international and EU students that the University offers, such as the Romanian Partnership Bursary.

As a result, these people become victims of stereotyping, with certain people making sweeping generalisations that can overlook the facts. The Vice Chancellor’s statement touches on this point, as he provides many positive truths about how Romanian students have a successful impact on the University of Essex. He stressed: “Romanian students are amongst the most hardworking students at the University, actively contributing to enrich our lives in many different ways.

The Vice Chancellor discusses the many qualities that Adrian Chira possesses, suggesting that he reflects the enthusiasm and ambition of the Romanian students at Essex.

The Vice Chancellor stresses the importance of such a scholarship, claiming that it attempts to “encourage the very best Romanian students to spend time with us at the University of Essex” and “for us all to benefit from their experience and energy.” The University has 300 Romanian students registered on undergraduate and advance degrees, one of which, Adrian Chira, has just recently been voted President of the Students’ Union.

For more information and to view the full speech, check out the Vice Chancellor’s blog: blogs.essex. ac.uk/vc/2015/02/18/our-romanian-students

Shaun Quilter

Essex Goes Abroad ‘Essex Abroad’ is a scheme set up by the University of Essex to enable students the opportunity to immerse themselves in another culture for either a term or an entire academic year. The University scheme has established connections with over 150 institutions globally, which allows it to offer 460 places each year. Total applicants for this year’s intake stood at 300, doubling last year’s figure. With this number, in theory every applicant should be able to get a place somewhere, whether it be from their first, third, or tertiary choice. The Essex Abroad program reminds candidates that it is not so much where you go, but the experience of studying in a new country altogether. Rina Bao, of the Essex Abroad team, said: “When applying to study abroad, the key factor is academic merit.”

“The grade other institutions will be looking at when assessing your application is your first year grade,” she said. “The higher it is, the better.” Will it count towards your final grade? A year abroad would weigh in at 20% of your final degree grade, and a term abroad counts towards 30% of the grade for that academic year. Out of the 300 people who applied, 168 students applied for institutions in the USA, Canada and Australia - an unusual increase by last year’s standards. Last Monday the 300 hopefuls were given their verdict. Full details of all destinations the applicants are set to travel to will be released in the next issue, once everyone has been firmly allocated.

Jake Stones

WEDNESDAY 4TH FEBRUARY | ISSUE 163

NEWS

Essex bumps things up with a Bounce Looking back upon many a Flirtatious time, “we made the decision to replace Flirt after 10 years, as it was felt it would freshen our events line-up” said Mikya Rozner, VP Services and Communications.

experience meant that there was ultimately more control over its functionality. Drinks deals could be chosen at the hands of the Union, closing time extended from Flirt’s 3am to Bounce’s 4am.

A meeting was held at the end of the last academic year in order to assess if Flirt was something which needed a change. It was decided that something wholly designed to be student-focused should be the replacement for the highly favoured Flirt: hence, Bounce.

Adhering to the family ethos and student envisioned attitude of the Union, ticket prices were in its control, and ultimately lessened in the hope for larger audiences.

Numbers were beginning to lessen with Flirt and the Students’ Union factored in whether there could be a better re-investment of its funds, to better the student experience. Bounce is an original idea of the Students’ Union; created, not adopted, in comparison to Flirt which was franchised. The freedom of the Students’ Union in creating the campus Friday night

Has it worked? Bounce has resulted in a higher attendance in its younger days than Flirt had in its older ones, which shows that the student body has enjoyed the change. But is this the end of Flirt at Essex University? Not at all! For Alumni weekend, 1st to 3rd of May, Flirt will be bouncing back! Flirting times haven’t finished for the students of the University of Essex, but Bounce has certainly arrived with a bang.

Jake Stones

Students save from exclusive photo shoots Instead of going through an external body for club and society photos this year, the University of Essex Students’ Union cut out the middle man and sought to go about it their own way. The reduced cost allowed them to sell photographs at a discounted price, which led to students saving £5,424 from purchases. Over four days of shoots, held in Sub Zero, the Union made a total of £7,219 (over £6,000 after tax). The significant difference between profit for the Students’ Union and profit for an outsourced company is that via the Students Union the profits go directly back into our own Union, and helps to fund services like Student Support. In total, 181 photos were processed and presented for purchase. 332 of the £6 images were sold, however the winner of the week was the £10 ‘formal and fun’ combination, stealing the show and selling over 500 units! For those who weren’t able to attend the shoot, or couldn’t purchase at the time, the Students’ Union is in consideration of putting the photos on their website.

If successful, students could search for their photograph and would be given the option to buy for collection at SU reception. Following the success of the society and club photos, discussion is underway for revamping Graduation and Summer Ball photos. Luke Bowdery, Vice President for Student Activities, praised the team he was working with during the photo shoots. He credits both student and full-time staff for being very professional. “The photo shoots couldn’t have been done without them”, he said. Luke particularly wished to thank Union IT Manager Pete Little: “He has come in early and left late to help set up and pack down, and has been amazing with everything this week.” he said at the time. Due to this new initiative, over five thousand pounds was saved compared to the use of an external body. It’s likely that these kind of savings shall be seen again if the Students’ Union continues the project.

Jake Stones

Comment

Philippa Dobson, Comment Editor

Editors Note: The views represented in this section are from those of the individuals and do not represent the editorial views as a whole.

The society blame game The rest of the world now owns everything about you. Think about that for a second. Is it true? Practically everything you do is on the Internet now. That new top you bought is on Facebook, you did your makeup so now it’s on Instagram. That hilarious conversation you had with your best friend the other day is on Tumblr. Is there any part of your life that isn’t out there? But does this give the rest of the world some kind of ownership? Do they have a right to comment or try to influence change? As long as the Internet has existed, there have been idiots using it. Not debatable. Therefore it is inevitable people are going to look at your posts and judge you. Your choices, tastes and mainly your appearance, and they will probably make comments on it. We are a shallow generation. Should you care though if you’re the one putting it out there? We blame the media for our often unrealistic ideals and the pressure to look good

when really we are the media, we make it. Not only do we fund the magazines that print these images, we then go on to the internet and put ourselves out there as an image. Then we complain when people are judgemental, or when we develop a negative image of ourselves simply because we allow ourselves to be brought down by how many likes we get! The media is not the problem it’s us. We need to take a long hard look in the mirror, and not because we need to fix our appearance, it’s because we need to fix our priorities and values. We’re a long train of sheep sharing our lives on the Internet, passing along our ideals to the next person. You can try and blame celebrities but they get just as much judgement as the rest of us, more in fact, and they only exist as a group in society because we put them up there on their pedestals.

YouTubers are becoming celebrities now and getting judged for their choices, take Zoella for example and the tremendous complaint about her blowing one million pounds on a new house. Where do you think she got the money from people? You. Yes you, the one complaining probably gave her views that got that money! Everyone needs to take a step back and look at themselves before they start judging others and then complaining about judgement in society. People can complain about society all they like but the truth is, we are society and these are our values. We all judge. We all care too much about appearance. Face it. We’re all the same. Maybe that’s what’s really upsetting us, we try so hard to be the same visually and all we’ve ended up with is identical negative personality traits.

Charlotte Louise Bell

The Art of Makeup Wearing makeup comes with inevitable judgment from those surrounding us, assuming that whatever we put on to our face in some way determines our personalities. Society has taught us to associate a slightly orange face and redder lip with promiscuity and general bitchiness: an association of which we are all guilty of making. But what some people fail to understand is what some people do to their faces in no way reflects their personality. It would be seen as insulting to tell somebody they should be wearing makeup, so why do people believe they hold the right to tell people not to wear it? Makeup is known to boost the confidence of both males and females who choose to wear it.

Almost everyone has something that they dislike about their own body: be it the bags beneath their eyes or the scarcity of their eyebrows. Most of our insecurities can be fixed with a small bit of makeup and a Real Techniques brush. If it gives somebody the confidence to go out about their day without the extra anxiety, why not do it? Don’t get me wrong, we should not be wearing makeup for the benefit of other people, but if a gentle slick of lip gloss provides us with a feeling of empowerment then I’m all for it. Nobody is ever too intelligent to be wearing makeup. Sylvia Plath for example: literary goddess who wore makeup from time to time. Wearing makeup did not lessen her intelligence or kill her brain cells, but made her feel like the person whom she wanted to be; a feeling which

all of us are entitled to feel. Makeup can often even imply sophistication. It shows a person to be caring for their physical being as well as their emotional wellbeing. Painting our faces is a form of art. Makeup is not the lie which people claim it to be. Wearing makeup is something that should be appreciated. Whether I’m rocking a minimalist face or attempting to imitate a worker from Willy Wonka’s Chocolate Factory, I am doing it out of choice because that is what I want to do. We are wearing makeup for ourselves. We are not wearing makeup for the opinions of other people.

Alex Chappell

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

COMMENT

Top knot or not? There have been a lot of lavish and extreme hairstyles lately, but the one that is really ‘sticking out’ right now, is the top knot hairstyle. For those of you who are unfamiliar with the hairstyle, it is a male hairstyle where the sides and back are shaved and the top is long hair that is tied up into a small knot that rests on the top of the head. The top knot style which has been fashioned by celebrities such as Leonardo DiCaprio and Colin Farrell, has caused mixed reactions and been touted as the most divisive hairstyle of the 21st century.

Some are keen of the non-traditional hairstyle and others not so keen. An example of people not being so keen are South African YouTubers Derick Watts & The Sunday Blues, who drove around the streets of Cape Town acting as a drive-by barber, and cutting the knot off unsuspecting heads. The comedians think the hairstyle makes you “look like an onion’ and after cutting the knot off the victim shout ‘stop the knot’. The reactions to the video of them performing the attacks are mostly negative. Whilst their opinions and jokes are funny, with one quote being ‘looks like it wants to be a pony tail when it grows up,’ fellow YouTubers have commented stating that

it is censorship of appearance, discrimination as well as assault. Whilst we have to take into consideration that this video could have been staged, does this classify as assault? They are forcefully altering the appearance of an unwilling person as well as cutting off a piece of them. Whilst the haircut may not be to everyone’s tastes (mine included) this is an extreme act and is arguably a form of assault. What seems to make this video so ironic is that one of the comedians involved is covered heavily in tattoos, as well as sporting a long curly moustache. Image and freedom of expression, therefore, is probably a big thing for him, so should this give him the right to alter other people? Whilst this video does have funny opinions and people agree with their views on the top knot, it is hard to justify their actions, and as some have already said, it could be seen as assault and attack on freedom of expression.

Aiden Mills

How Leggings Made Me a Better Person I would say leggings are on par with Prometheus stealing fire from the gods. They’re that amazing. I no longer own a single pair of jeans, and I couldn’t care less! I just tug them on in the morning without having to worry if I’ll have to undo my flies or if I decide to eat my body weight in pasta for lunch. But some people seem to have issues with people rocking them out all the time, especially when the woman is fat. For some god-forsaken reason, I can’t seem to go a week without either someone pointing out they can see my knickers or someone saying that “the people who shouldn’t wear leggings are always the ones wearing them”. And I’m supposed to go on living in silence so these morons can continue on in their judgemental, ignorant bliss? I really don’t get why people have an issue with seeing someone’s underwear through their leggings? Like, seriously, you know they’re wearing underwear (bonus), and either they

don’t care you can see them, or they already know. If they don’t, still, what’s the issue?! I get that people don’t always enjoy seeing ass or underwear or whatever, but that doesn’t entitle you to spread hate and negativity, especially if that person rocking the leggings is perfectly content in themselves. And the fat girls in leggings? Why do you care? If they like them, think they’re comfy, whatever the reason, your opinion on their body and their clothing choice is invalid. Thank you for making it apparent that I don’t need you in my life anymore, because if you think that about random fat people on the street, you probably think that of me too. #FatGirlPride Leggings made me a better person because they helped me accept people for their individual style and re-defining the idea of beautiful. While I am able to look at someone and dislike their outfit choice, I now, more than ever, understand that that’s the stuff which means the least.

I hope to inspire that into some of you reading this to start thinking or seeing the world more as a congregation of individuals, not the self and the other. In the face of prejudices (towards myself and others) I have learned to stand up and call people out on their bullshit. Not only that, but to also teach them and help them on their way to total acceptance. Out of this, only positive things can come. By being more accepting of others we can be more accepting of ourselves.

Savanna Rayment

Call me fat What a troublesome word we have here. I am fat. I don’t hate myself. I am not disgusting. The word ‘fat’ is one which we squirm around, scoot around in conversations and descriptions. We say ‘she’s, you know, bigger, oh but not fat!’ and media outlets praise these ‘real women’ for being ‘curvy’ and ‘plus size’. But why can’t we just call them fat?! (Note that we always talk about this in relation to women, something I’m not even going to start on). Fat is a determiner of weight, nothing more. If you call me fat, I would agree. You may think it’s an insult, but it’s not. The connotations are the offensive bit because it is associated with ugliness, laziness, and being unattractive. We don’t avoid the word ‘thin’ or ‘skinny’, why? All those connotations are seen as positive within the current opinions of society. It is good to weigh less and I’m not shaming people who weigh less, by nature or deliberately, but

why is there such inequality between these two opposing concepts? People’s ability to gain or lose weight varies between every individual, and often isn’t a true reflection of their eating or exercise patterns, so why must we judge their weight as if it is always so?!

So while you continue with that poisonous attitude, and continue to complain about how self-conscious all those pretty girls are, think about your behaviour and what you’re showing them.

When we see anyone over a size 12 who seems happy with themselves people always condemn them. What people fail to grasp is that this is the reason why we have so many individuals who are so self-deprecating, when they’re wonderful people, with more to offer the world than the numbers on their scale.

We’re breeding people into a toxic environment which says that your body is not yours. You listen to what others have to say about you. You are not worth your own views or needs. Who’s to say that this culture won’t create generations of victims who blame themselves for their abuse because they think they’re not worth anything better?

This includes all genders: fat, skinny, somewhere in between. When you make a comment negatively about someone who you deem to be ‘obese’ or ‘overweight’, imagine a self-conscious person who’s nearby. They’re now going to try everything they can to avoid being like that. They’re going to think that the less you weigh, the more you’re worth.

So, we should call more people fat, and in doing so, claim back a word that has since been used to police us. No connotations, no negativity, just words.

Savanna Rayment

Mainstream alternative fashion In recent years tattoos, piercings and other alternative fashions have moved from the underground to the mainstream, and I for one support this. Fashion and appearance are deeply rooted in our personality, and our presentation of ourselves allows us free expression of this. A wider availability and acceptability of once ‘taboo’ trends encourages self-expression, not to mention a greater tolerance of different and alternative styles, leading to the cohesion and merging of alternative and ‘mainstream’ lifestyles. Seen purely from a fashion point of view, an introduction of these alternative fashions and beauty treatments in the mainstream keeps an industry fresh and diverse, and gives designers a chance to experiment with new themes and trends, which for consumer and creator can only be positive. What I find the most beneficial in the acceptance of these trends is the redefinition of what is ‘normal’. It is now normal to experiment with fashion, and I have seen an emergence of new, niche combinations of different fashions and styles as people feel more confident in finding

inspiration from lesser known or underground sources.

innocence as well as the potential of such expressive forms of fashion and body modification.

Previously, tattoos, piercings and extreme hairstyles were limited to a niche set of individuals, and often negative connotations came with these (e.g. people with tattoos and piercings are ‘trouble’, wearing skull motifs indicated an obsession with death).

Through this increasing acceptance we are beginning to understand and appreciate individual styles, personalities and forms of expression which can only help others to truly express themselves comfortably and adequately in the future.

Now we see these on so-called ‘normal’ people in society. Various celebrities who are not of an alternative lifestyle have tattoos, and many have experimented recently with more extreme styles such as grunge, and designers such as Alexander McQueen have become known for their work with skull motifs. The normalisation of such lifestyles and trends have removed the negative connotations with being alternative, now there is little stigma with getting a tattoo, or to get a tongue or nose piercing at any age. The idea of ‘normal’ has been redefined, even popular fashion has a flare of the unique and alternative, as a society we have realised the

Georgia O’Brien-Perry

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COMMENT

Arts

Jess Rich, Arts Editor

Eggs Collective Get A Round Thursday 14th Feb 2015, Lakeside Theatre “We become animals at the weekend!” Drinking ridiculous amounts of alcohol, going out to sweaty and often overpriced nightclubs before being comforted by that takeaway at the end of the night to drown your sorrows. As University students, the majority of us are more than familiar with the rituals of “going out” and “getting smashed”. The Manchester based female trio “Eggs Collective” brought their touring show “Eggs Collective Get A Round” to the Lakeside Theatre on Thursday 12th February in a unique, outlandish and engaging style. The show was a truly immersive experience as they made the audience feel like they could connect with the show in a personal way; from being fed wine by the actors to being given hugs, a truly unique experience was created. It was brutally honest with the girls ruining their pristine image within minutes of starting the show. Soon Léonie, Lowri and Sara looked truly trashed with make-up scrawled all over their faces, toilet paper trailing from their backsides and their bodies smothered in alcohol.

The stage soon mirrored this appearance with wine bottles, cans of peaches and random items cluttering the stage to make it look like a bombsite! Living in the Towers, needless to say, I couldn’t help but relate to this in more ways than one! Furthermore, when the actors were describing the different people you see on a night out, it was scarily accurate as I immediately related these people to the friends that I was sitting with; “the wanderer”; “the hugger”; “the karaoke legend” etc. This made us laugh along with the show as we saw ourselves in the characters. This was to the extent that a friend said to me that the show was “the story of her life”. However, looking at these characters sober made me realise just how ridiculous we look! Microphones were cleverly used to provide more intimate moments in the play with one being gently lowered into a sick bucket for the audience to hear the random, often philosophical, rubbish that was said when Lowri was truly “rat faced”.

The microphones also provided a lovely opportunity for Léonie to show off her luscious vocals and Sara to confess her “night of red wine with Grandma”. These microphones were cleverly lowered down to the actors using a pulley system which was weighted down by various alcoholic beverages on the other side. All of this resulted in an alcohol fuelled frenzy of a performance which will be etched into our minds for years to come. I stayed on after the show to talk to the actors as I had met them in a workshop the previous day and I can honestly say that they are some of the nicest people. Léonie, Lowri and Sara and the rest of the team deserve the best of luck for the remainder of their nationwide tour. The Lakeside can’t wait to welcome them back in the near future.

Perry James

Oh, What a Lovely War Hey my name is Tancrède Chartier and I’m part of the “Oh, what a Lovely War” play put on by the Theatre Arts Society. It is a satirical vision of the First World War trying to show the feelings of the men in the trenches and the vision of the officers at the back sending men like lambs to slaughter. It was a great adventure, the cast was amazing all the way through and I think

that after all the work we put through the show will be great. It was not always easy because we have had some problems but the most important is that at the end the show is great and we love it, and we hope you love it too.

Tancrède Chartier

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ART

Early Birds: Review Lakeside Theatre Studio, 20th and 21st February Creating new theatre is not an easy task. For any person wishing to break into the creative arts, the lines between starting your work and realising your ambitions are never parallel. ‘Early Birds’ is both the writing and directing debut of Helen Anspach, two disciplines that are not to be taken lightly.

However, the multimedia sections are very far away from being realised at all. It’s a brave choice, mixing theatre and film in a directing debut, and bluntly, it doesn’t quite work. The film footage is plagued by poor angle decisions and unfortunately, the worst sound mixing I’ve ever heard.

It’s made even more arduous by the inclusion of multimedia which brings even more challenges to the piece. So, for a first effort, how does ‘Early Birds’ hold up as a show?

It’s unfortunate, because the potential was there for the film footage to work. Instead, the end result is a fairly botched and inconsistent piece of film which becomes slightly infuriating to watch.

Simply put, it’s not bad. The show certainly has its moments of triumph. Some of the acting is lovely, and even the weaker performances are still of enjoyable calibre and keep the show going. The script, for the most part is a commendable debut, with its handling of scenes and structure showing potential for greater successes. Certain sections of the flashback scenes feel almost clichéd in their style, but for the most part, the script works. The potential is there, even if sections aren’t fully realised.

And this isn’t the only problem. Obscured blocking and artificial movement are unfortunately, obvious to see in certain scenes. It’s a shame, as theatre is the home of the living, the spontaneous, and the reality of a situation. It’s this choice of choreographing humanity that prevents certain scenes from reaching their potential. The transitions between the multimedia and live performances also linger for far too long, which has a stifling effect on the momentum of the show.

But even with these problems, the truth is, I walked out of this show having enjoyed myself. Yes, there are problems in it which prevent it from reaching what it could have been. But we have to remember that this show is an artistic debut. It was never going to be perfect, and it was going to be very hard for it to reach its potential straight away. But for a debut, this is a promising start. Which really, is exactly what it needed to be.

Scott Osbon

Early Birds: Perry’s Experience Being in “Early Birds” by Helen Anspach was unlike any performance that I’ve done before. As the show featured several filmed clips, we had to film the scenes a month or so in advance of the performance. I never realised before until we started to film, just how different it is performing on camera in comparison to performing on stage; with a camera literally inches from your face, every single movement is noticeable. Whereas on stage, you often have to exaggerate your movement to make it noticeable for the whole audience to see.

Nevertheless, it was a great experience and opened up my eyes to performing on film. Working with Helen’s script was also interesting as the show has never been staged before. We all felt like we were developing the script and the characters together as we brought the script to life for the first time which was an exciting process. It was interesting to see how our own interpretations of our characters differed from Helen’s, as we found different sections that stood out and spoke true to us individually.

Without indulging ourselves too much into our character’s backstory, we soon discovered how the trials of life had changed their once optimistic ideals as teenagers. Overall, it was a great production to be part of and my thanks go out to all of the cast and crew and in particular, our directors Helen and James for bringing a unique piece of theatre to the Lakeside Studio.

Perry James

Correction: The ‘Punt On Politics’ interview was conducted in collaboration with Red Radio

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ART

The Ruling Class Trafalgar Studios I spent my Valentine’s Day with James McAvoy. For Christmas my sister presented me with row D tickets to see Peter Barne’s 1968 play The Ruling Class at the Trafalgar Studios. In short it was intensely mesmerising. The theatre only holds just over 300 people and the feeling of intimacy surrounds you as soon as you enter, the stage is the floor and you are at eye-level with the cast as they perform, which is something I have never experienced before. McAvoy plays Jack the 14th Earl of Gurney - a paranoid schizophrenic who also thinks that he is God and that God is Love. The play is a dark comedy which leaves you laughing as James and the rest of the cast sing and dance across the stage one moment and then in absolute silence as he is standing on a six foot cross screaming and crying trapped in his own mad world the next.

I have always been a fan of James McAvoy, if I had a list he would be my number one, and having missed Macbeth I was so happy to finally see him on the stage. Some actors think they can do stage work but in reality they fall short but it was as if James was born for the art of theatre. The show is half way through its run but it could have been opening night, the whole cast were invigorated and put their all into the performance. As a lefty I also enjoyed the comic questioning of the 1% who run our country, Jack is mad but considered sane by an Eton psychologist who comes to check on him and the whole family have a “stiff upper lip” to death, as long as the money and estate are fine then so are they. I would rate the performance 5* and it is definitely something not to be missed.

Amy Bater

Music

Alex Driscoll, Music Editor

George Ezra: Live Review It’s All Coming up George. On Friday the 20th of February I went back to Brixton Academy for the first time in about 7 years. I remember the last time I went when I was 16 to see Fall Out Boy. Yes, I was *that* kind of teenager. I remember queuing all day, feeling gross but thinking it was all worth it because “Is there any voice in the world that can match Patrick Stump? Angels cry when he sings” (don’t judge me). As you reach your twenties however, you realise it’s actually too cold to be outside in February and being at the barrier means dehydration and potentially broken ribs. With that in mind, I arrived at Brixton at 5:30pm and to my utter delight there is now

a Nandos opposite the academy, meaning I was already in a good mood when I joined the throng of people in line to see 21-year-old Hertford-born musician George Ezra. For his support, Ezra had chosen singer/songwriter Raleigh Ritchie (also known as Grey Worm in Game of Thrones) who could not believe he was playing “the best venue on Earth” and jumped around the stage like the Duracell Bunny, helping to liven up the crowd ready for the main event. At 9:30pm all of my preconceptions about music itself were blown out of the water; after opening with fan favourite ‘Cassy O’ George treated the crowd to covers such as ‘Girl from the North Country’ by Bob Dylan and Macy Grey’s ‘Try’, the latter of which he had sung on Radio One’s Live Lounge earlier that week.

His voice is so deep and soulful that I knew he would sound incredible live, but the way it filled every inch of the room I was not expecting. If you need more proof, listen to ‘Did You Hear the Rain?’ and tell me that it wouldn’t be intense live. What I do know is that George Ezra’s name is going to be everywhere this year, just as it was last year. He’s unstoppable and there isn’t another singer like him. If I could go back in time, I would tell my 16 year old self not to be so careless with her words because the best is yet to come. My only complaint is that they charged me £4.70 for a beer. Not okay Brixton Academy, not okay.

Amy Bater

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MUSIC

ALBUM REVEWS

KODALINE COMING UP FOR AIR

IMAGINE DRAGONS SMOKE + MIRRORS

TALLULAH RENDALL THE BANSHEE AND THE MOON

The second album released by the Irish rock band Kodaline, ‘Coming Up For Air’ delivers the band’s familiar acoustic rock sound whilst adding new sounds to the mix, making sure that the album does not become stale, and instead remaining fresh with songs that you’ll find yourself frequently returning to.

After their debut album release in 2012, ‘Night Visions’, with its Grammy Award-winning single ‘Radioactive’ causing rising success, there was much anticipation for Imagine Dragons’ latest album ‘Smoke + Mirrors’. After pressing play my stomach dropped, the opening track really wasn’t what I was hoping for and I began to wonder if maybe they were a one-hit wonder. By the time you get to track three, however, you will realise not all is lost!

With a voice delicate and high-pitched, but not shrill, and a delivery every bit as eloquent as that of Kate Bush, Tallulah Rendall works through a cohesive twelve song set, perhaps showcasing what Bush would sound like if her music was predominantly guitar based.

In December 2014, the band announced the new album and released an EP named ‘Honest’ on YouTube. The EP’s title song, also the first to appear on the album, is a strong representation of the new direction that Kodaline is headed in, utilizing a punchy, heavy bass and powerful backing chorus. Along with this new approach, certain songs on the album see a return to the more melancholic melodies of the band’s first album ‘In A Perfect World’, which contained songs such as ‘All I want’ and ‘High hopes’. As well as containing refreshing variety in tone and musical style, the unique raspy rock vocals of Steve Carrigan shine through on every track of ‘Coming Up For Air’, firmly placing the Kodaline stamp on the album. Those who are wanting more of the raw, acoustic songs from Kodaline may find that this album is dominated by electronic music influences; this is the result of the band looking to explore different avenues with their sound. However, do not be put off by the samplings in these different styles throughout the various tracks, as in some cases songs such as ‘Human Again’ (that are a departure from Kodaline’s usual style), will be the songs you find yourself re-listening to most often. In essence, whether you’re a keen follower of their music, or heard a few songs here and there, this album is worth a listen through – if only because every song strikes a different chord. ‘Coming Up For Air’ is truly a triumph for the Ireland-based quartet, and it will leave you eager to see what direction they’ll be heading next.

Cass Wood

Imagine Dragons are defined as “rock”, but as you listen to them it’s hard to define them as any one genre. They seem to have so many different influences. The elements that make up their sound give too much depth to be confined to any one box, and you’ll find something a little bit different in each song. This in mind, the entire album might not be to your taste but you’ll certainly find something you enjoy. Some of these tunes most definitely have the power to get stuck in your head and force you to sing them at the weirdest of times, with catchy lyrics and good beats this album makes for an easy listen. Everything this band touches really does turn to ‘Gold’, that track being one of the band’s best. Other than ‘Gold’, the most notable tracks have to be ‘Trouble’ – which is almost like Mumford and Sons meets Coldplay –, and ‘I’m So Sorry’ is certainly a song they need not apologise for. In fact, it really showcases their talent as a whole, from Dan Reynolds’ gorgeous voice to the musical abilities of Daniel Platzman (Percussion), Ben Mckee (Bass) and Wayne Sermon (guitar) this track is different from the others, holding their usual slightly electronic edge but drawing more of the traditional rock sound into it. It’s both repetitive and unique in the best way. Overall this album is just another testament to this band’s talent and a welcome change from the generic music that’s taken over the industry recently. This is no boring pop album by a woman dressed like a teenager who can barely sing, this is actual musical ability put to good use. Try to imagine a better album than this, you’ll be hard pushed.

Charlotte Bell

Rendall, a multi-instrumentalist herself, does include some delicate piano numbers in here too, however, and the notable ‘Shine On’ is conceivably her strongest attempt at capturing such an atmospheric tone. Rendall is an artist who has impressed a number of pedigree artists – Jools Holland and Dame Shirley Bassey amongst them. Growing up surrounded by eccentricity (seen the “Christian the Lion” viral YouTube clip? That’s her father) and vinyl records aplenty, she has taken an approach to a music career that could easily be called unusual. She makes use of crowdfunding schemes to make her music, has no management team and produces a beautiful hardback art book to accompany each of her albums – none of which are easy tasks, and this deserves the highest of praise. It’s easy to see why these artistic types instantly take to her, with her hard working attitude and spacious production to cushion her formidable voice. I daresay they’re pleased with the kind of talent that will inevitably break into the mainstream, currently waiting beneath the surface. It’s only a matter of time before one of these songs shoots to the stratosphere, landing in the hearts of classic rock fans, and Florence Welch, Lana Del Rey, and Lorde fans alike.

Alex Driscoll

Film

Edward Lincoln, Film Editor

Calvary When you think of the films released in 2014: Interstellar, Whiplash, Birdman, Gone Girl and the rest spring to mind, all of which are amazing critically acclaimed films. But there is one that seemingly slipped under the radar, and that’s John Michael McDonagh’s masterpiece Calvary. Set on the west coast of Ireland and taking the form of a dramatic black comedy, the film follows a week in the life of Father James (Brendan Gleeson) whose life is threatened by an anonymous man during confession. Set amongst a backdrop of debauchery and sin, Father James wrestles with his demons as well as the rest of the town who persecute him and the church as mass paedophilia is exposed in the catholic community. The film deals with priests becoming victims of these stereotypes and is a portrayal of the public’s anger and feelings of betrayal towards patriarchy, such as the Church, God, the Government,which is frequently undermined throughout. The view we see of Ireland is bleak, with people losing faith in not only religion, but happiness, with a feeling of hatred toward the world, which is summarised perfectly with a hate-filled speech delivered by Game of Thrones’ Aidan Gillen, in the role of Dr. Frank Harte.

However it is not the main plot that intrigues the audience, but rather the characters that we see. From Chris O’Dowd’s immature butcher to Dylan Moran’s arrogant banker, we are left enthralled by the characters on the screen. None more so than Father James. Gleeson gives a fantastic performance as Father James, a big fish in a small pond. Whilst he is a well-intentioned man, he is not the most virtuous, and is often closed off and displaced, and despite the people of the town stating no-one has anything bad to say about him, he gets a frosty reception wherever he goes. He is an unconventional hero, and even seems to be unsure of his own motives. Calvary is rife with religious symbolism and does an amazing job of portraying the worries and fears people have for their own futures, as well as having some fantastic shots of the landscape which really sets the tone of the film as bleak and tough. McDonagh perfectly encapsulates this feeling of angst and anger towards the church and Father James in an engaging yet familiar way.

Aiden Mills

★★★★★

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FILM

You can win free tickets to see a film at ODEON Colchester by writing an article for the Rabbit! More details at therabbitnewspaper.com

Kingsman: The Secret Service The end of January saw the release of Kingsman: The Secret Service on the big screen, directed by Matthew Vaughn. The film follows a boy called Eggsy growing up to follow in his father’s footsteps. He does this by taking part in a job interview, potentially the most dangerous job interview of his life, to be a part of a secret service called Kingsman. Eggsy takes part in a series of life threatening tasks which are sure to cause you to hold your breath in the sheer suspense of the moment, taking breath-taking to a whole new level. The blockbuster film brought a rise of fame for the young Welsh actor Taron Egerton, also seen in television shows such as The Smoke. Suggested to be a younger, down-to-earth James Bond, Egerton played his character perfectly, making the audience both cry and laugh at the right moments, despite the odd cheap joke here and there. Egerton has soon become the new heartthrob for the many teenagers and young adults watching.

However, Taron isn’t the only actor taking on a different role to what is expected of him. Forget Mr Darcy, Colin Firth acts in a way we’ve never seen him acting before. Caught up in the fast paced action whilst also teaching us that being a gentleman is one of the most important things a man can do, he leads both film-makers and film watchers alike to believe that this is only the beginning of Firth’s career in the action movie scene. Fingers crossed we will see more of him kicking ass in such a gentlemanly way in the future. This film is definitely a must see for any fan of action films or Colin Firth.

Lexi Chappell

★★★★★

50 Shades of Grey With the most highly anticipated film of the past year hitting our cinema screens in recent weeks, who could resist the temptation to go and watch the saucy drama that is Fifty Shades of Grey? Reviewed by many as much better than the original E.L James novel, I went to see the film on it’s opening night with high expectations, only to be hit with the reality of it being truly awful. The pitiful casting of Mr Christian Grey, who is supposed to be a true Adonis yet is played by a man with little talent apart from taking off his shirt (Jamie Dornan), is a disappointment to any fan of the book. This was only matched by the casting of Anastasia Steele, played by Dakota Johnson, whose only acting talent appears to be biting her lip and pouting at the camera. Trust me, two hours of this becomes very tedious, very quickly.

Aside from the casting issues, there is a distinct lack of those intimate scenes that Fifty Shades is so famous for. This unfortunately clouds the storyline and makes the power of the relationship felt in the books very different from what was portrayed on the screen. Although left open for the sequel which is no doubt going to come at some point, I really doubt any true fans of the novels will see it through. So ladies, if you want Mr Grey in your life, I’d stick to the book, because the film leaves an awful lot to be desired.

Georgia Lawrence

★★★★★

Nisa Khan, TV Editor Amy Bater, TV Editor

Say ‘Knope’ to Gender Inequality On a recent episode of Parks and Recreation Leslie Knope, director of the National Parks Department of America, played by the gorgeous and talented Amy Poehler, was criticised for not taking part in the annual Senator’s wives pie baking competition in Pawnee. At first Leslie refused to take part in the competition on the grounds that she was too busy, which prompted a group of ‘meninists’ to complain that she was sabotaging her husband’s career. Not wanting to ruin Ben’s chances of being elected Leslie decided she would take part to which feminists then complained that she was reinforcing patriarchy.

In the end her husband Ben Wyatt (the wonderful Adam Scott) decided he would bake in the competition on her behalf and afterwards he put forth some questions that need answering about our society. If a woman is successful in her career she is often asked questions such as ‘how do you manage your career and your family?’ or ‘who is looking after the kids while you’re at work?’ Ben argues that he’s never asked where his children are, and as a man he is not expected to choose between having a family and being successful at work. The inequalities in the media are similar. In the recent Australian Open, Canadian tennis player Eugenie Bouchard, who is ranked number 7 in

the world by the way, won her match in under an hour and when she was interviewed by commentator Ian Cohen afterwards not only did he ask her who she was wearing, but he also asked her to ‘give a little twirl’, putting the 20 year old on the spot in front of a live camera. Can you imagine Andy Murray being asked the same after he won Wimbledon? I expect the answer he would give would be too rude for a Sunday afternoon. Gender inequality on television has come a long way in recent years, however incidents like this and those highlighted on sit-coms like Parks and Recreation prove that there is still a long way to go.

Amy Bater

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

Women & TV: A Portrayal Society’s view of women has changed drastically within the past 50 years, but has it changed for the better? Granted, more ethnically diverse women are on mainstream TV, movies, magazine covers and even advertisements but the attitudes surrounding the value of a woman has not changed - not even a little bit. Women are still really only seen as objects for the viewing pleasure of men. Take the Oscars for example; women are paraded around showing off their svelte physiques and looking picture perfect. Their job is to look good for the cameras and more emphasis is placed on who did their hair and make-up, what they are wearing and which diet they are currently on, which means their hard work as actresses is side-lined, unlike the men who are often asked about their gruelling schedule and the processes their recent project entailed. Hollywood as an entertainment industry masks female empowerment by subtly objectifying women into roles that undermine their credibility. An ex-

ample of this is the American show’ Fashion Police’ which labels the best and worst dressed celebrities, particularly women. Women who do not fit the criteria of ‘skinny’ or ‘beautiful’ are often ostracised instead of praised for maintaining a healthy physique and embracing their own image. Another example of a TV show that emphasises beauty over intellect is ‘Keeping Up with the Kardashians’, another E! Entertainment production. This show is a perfect example of how women objectify themselves in order to boost their fame and success. Beauty products and clothing lines are both business ventures that have stemmed from this show and whilst you can argue that they have created a hugely successful business for themselves worldwide, it does not diminish the fact that this was done solely on the basis of their image and beautification in the media.

Spotlights Victoria Coren Mitchell is simply put, a goddess. She is clever, funny and has an extremely fast, dry wit. Host of the BBC Two show ‘Only Connect’ Victoria brings her astute sense of humour to the forefront of the quiz. Not only that but Victoria is also a professional poker player and if you think she couldn’t be any more remarkable she also writes a weekly column for the Guardian. Her husband is David Mitchell and her brother is journalist Giles Coren, now that’s a dinner party I’d love to go to.

Rahila Khan

Two Men and a Fairy A number of days ago my housemate and I sat down to binge watch some series on Netflix, we started with “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia” then moved on to “Community”, and it was at this point that I was seized by the desire to have a cigarette. Here lies a point of contention, I would either have to go outside to smoke, leaving me unable to watch the television (obviously unacceptable) or just hang out the French doors, so I could smoke but still be able to hear and watch television whilst essentially being outside. However this would cause my housemate to get cold, and possibly aggy. So I did what any self-respecting twenty year old male would do, I tried to drive my housemate out. The method I employed was magnificent in its simplicity, I would put on a ‘bad film’ usually a children’s film (something straight to DVD by Disney). The film I chose to drive my housemate out was “Tinkerbell: Secret of the Wings”, and (unfortunately for my nefarious smoking plans) it was wonderful.

My housemate and I watched it together, all the way through, even pausing it during bathroom breaks to make sure we didn’t miss anything. In short the film was fantastic; there was a refreshing lack of love interest, the two female leads worked amazingly together and there were even a few belly laughs. It passes the Bechdel test with flying colours, it wasn’t about love, it was about friendship and sisterly bonds (similar to last year’s hit Frozen). When we started watching we were making fun of the animation and cheesy songs but we ended up genuinely enjoying ourselves. I remember thinking that it is fantastic the children growing up now have a chance to be exposed to such wonderful feminist films. Under Disney Tinkerbell has grown from Peter Pans jealous sidekick to be the creative and powerful star of her own film franchise, a franchise that wasn’t cloying or sickly sweet and made a genuinely enjoyable film, a film that if I had a son or daughter I would be proud for them to watch. There are currently seven films in the Tinkerbell franchise, and I can only hope that all of them are as empowering as this one. It just goes to show, that though they might not be as well-known there are definitely some fantastic pieces of feminist film for children.

Ross Homden

Jessica Hynes has had a long and notable career as a writer and comedic actress. Her sitcom ‘Up the Women’ about a hopeless group of suffragettes fighting for women to get the vote on BBC Two is hilarious and not to be missed. Jessica was also one of the creators, writers and stars of the acclaimed British comedy ‘Spaced’ and has won two British Comedy Awards. She is just one of a number of women who prove the saying ‘women aren’t funny’ is just not true.

Books

Georgina Dedman, Books Editor

Interview

An Interview with Grant Sutton 1. What inspired you to write Plankton Soup (Strange Ingredients)? Strange Ingredients is my third book of collected short stories, prose and poems; written in a style that combines the experimental writer Donald Barthelme with Mighty Boosh and Salvador Dali!

somehow I mixed the character with Lady Godiva, Nell Gwynne and Annie Oakley! I think it demonstrates how ideas for a story or poem or character can just suddenly hit you from an unlikely source and then you can use that trigger to pull in other ideas that fit together. 3. What research was required for the novel?

I include those last two examples because I feel literature; screen and art are all a form of…art. I can’t paint or act, so I must write. When a person writes, they create a movie or a picture inside the reader’s mind…it is the ultimate creative process. I would say that the true inspiration to write a collection of surreal short stories came from reading Donald Barthelme, an American experimental writer in the 60s. It showed me that the classic formula of story and character construction can be challenged and it is not what you write about but how you write it that makes it a piece of “art”. 2. Who is your favourite character and why? I love the character “Purity Calou”. Purity Calou was the name of my taxi driver when I visited Mombasa. The name reminded me of something and out of my subconscious came Cat Ballou and

I am constantly collecting notes from actual conversations overheard, newspaper stories, peoplewatching etc. I also read a lot. I tend to read books not particularly for the storyline, but for the style of the authors writing. I love the English of Oscar Wilde, the dark atmosphere of Samuel Beckett or Edgar Allen Poe, the narration of Bret Easton Ellis and William S Burroughs. Strangely, I have found “Encarta” to be absolutely invaluable! 4. What writing tips would you give for others who wish to begin a writing career? Read a LOT and write a LOT! This may seem obvious but what I mean is that reading forms the basis of your research. Don’t just read “stories” that go from A to B or that follow a prescribed formula.

Formula “dumbs down” literature (but sells books). How many books out there are about dysfunctional private detectives? Too many! Yawn! Read a wide variety of styles and genres, this will help you find your OWN style. Don’t be afraid to START writing! A blank canvas can terrify an artist! Don’t be self-conscious about the words you are putting down, just keep writing and eventually you will have something you are comfortable with. I have a friend who likes to read the Victorian romanticist Thomas Hardy, but when my friend tries to write like that he is embarrassed by the results, not because of the quality of his writing but because he feels uneasy that the reader will think him pretentious or sentimental. But the reader should not equate the text with the personality of the writer. Martin Scorsese does not go around shooting people nor does he want to. Salvador Dali never wore a melted timepiece (probably) and JK Rowling does not believe in fairies (surely?). Good Luck! www.planktonsoup.co.uk

Gina Dedman

My Drunk Kitchen

A Guide To Eating, Drinking & Going With Your Gut.

There are two things that pretty much all students are good at: drinking and getting distracted by YouTube. This is why YouTuber Hannah Hart’s ‘recipe book’ is the perfect companion for uni.

It is the perfect way to procrastinate and enjoy life! Her life advice is on-point and her recipes are the perfect level for student cooking. Seriously, who doesn’t want to make a Pizza Cake?

Do not be fooled though, this is no ordinary recipe book; this is your comedic guide to life. Hart has really put herself into this book and you can’t help but love her.

This book is a perfected recipe in itself, the ultimate mix of anecdotes, puns, life lessons, weird food and Hannah’s ‘Hart’.

With little life lessons between your not-so-classic recipes you’re left laughing and prepared. My favourite being ‘politics is a sensitive subject.’ Beautifully matched with her recipe for ‘Dick-taters’. Hart is gloriously punny, you cannot help but smile at this book and if you haven’t watched her YouTube videos yet you probably should.

When you finish this book you’ll feel like you’ve made a new friend in Hannah Hart and she’ll never let you down. And if you’re not convinced, John Green wrote the foreword. That’s when you know it’s good. John Green is the man! Part two of this book is called ‘Adultolescence’ which is basically what we are at university: those adults who aren’t quite adult enough yet, the second adolescence.

She starts this section off with the best commentary on life, telling us about when she transitioned into ‘adultolescence’ and how life may suck tremendously at times but as with the entirety of this book you are shown the silver linings, the light at the end of the tunnel because if Hannah Hart can do it we all can! But it just might take a lot of drunk cooking. This woman is an inspiration and this book is life in a hardcover. Follow your Hart and check this out, it’ll be one of the few good choices you make at university.

Charlotte Louise Bell

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

BOOKS

Happy Birthday Dr. Seuss Born: 2nd of March 1904 On 2nd March 1904 Theodor Seuss Geisel was born. However, many would later know him as ‘Dr Seuss’ a man who was undeniably one of the greatest writers for children of all time. His stories included Cat in The Hat (1957), The Lorax (1971), Green Eggs and Ham (1960), Horton Hears a Who (1954) and of course, How the Grinch Stole Christmas (1957). Now, one of the greatest things about Dr Seuss is that despite a vast majority of his books being published between the 1950s and 1970s, his influence was not to be restricted to children of that era. He has inspired generation after generation, so it is no surprise that myself as well as others who were born in the 90’s, were brought up around his books and regard them as a key memory of their childhood. He is truly one of those writers that, despite the time of publication of his books, and despite his death in 1991, will live on to inspire generations still to come.

It is no surprise that he was rumoured to be quite the perfectionist. When you look back at some of his stories, the writing - although for children - still resonates now as a piece of elegant, articulate and yet simplistic life advice: “Today you are you! That is true! There is no-one alive who is more you-er than you.” Whether aimed at children or not, there is a message for everyone in there. It makes you remember that you are an individual, with something, that no one else alive has, for no one can be more “you-er than you”. Timeless. So I urge you, in celebration of Dr Seuss’ birth, whatever day you may read this on, go back down memory lane and reread one of his books, and be inspired. Let me now leave you with one of my favourite quotes that is more than relevant for university; “The more that you read, the more things you will know. The more that you learn, the more places you’ll go.”

Liam Xavier

Wolf Hall by Hillary Mantel Who doesn’t know about King Henry, his wives, or the changes he put the country through in his quest for a male heir? We know the story so well already, so why would anyone want to read another novel set in the Tudor period? ‘Wolf Hall’ manages a fresh approach by following the King’s right-hand man, Thomas Cromwell, whose mysterious personal life makes him the perfect lead for a historical novel. The well-trodden backstory doesn’t detract from the book; Hilary Mantel focuses on the way she tells the story: using the present tense and slightly archaic English brings it to life far more than any sudden twists could. It doesn’t lack for suspense either: everyone has an alarming tendency to do the opposite of what we think they were ‘destined’ to do, seemingly with no regard for the script. This is the author’s way of immersing us in their lives, so we can see there was nothing inevitable about anything that happened: “He never lives in a single reality, but in a shifting shadow-mesh of diplomatic possibilities”. This immersive tendency lets us sympathize with Cromwell – important as the book’s realism requires all the characters to behave and think in ways that would be considered strange or immoral today.

We are never allowed to forget that in this world, political and religious conformity are considered necessary for a stable society, having commoners in authority is ridiculous, and the king is never, ever in the wrong. There are so many references to Henry as a paragon of virtue that we start to believe it too, even as we are reminded that the king is “good to those who think him good”. The book does have its weak moments: in a reversal of the renowned play A Man for All Seasons, Mantel makes Thomas More a foil for Cromwell: if Cromwell is a progressive who educates his daughters on an equal footing with his son, then More is a woman-hating reactionary (he apparently married a woman he hated as penance for giving in to lust). We already judge More harshly for his fanaticism, so this seems excessive – and implausible, given that Mantel is forced to concede that it was More who was progressive on women’s education, among other things. Otherwise, she is quite even-handed in dealing with her characters, and the book remains for the most part extraordinarily true to life. All In all, Wolf Hall is a great read, if a little dense in places: never dull and always convincing. Such a shame its size stops you carrying it everywhere!

Tim Rosson

Science

Alice Vardy, Science Editor

All Science Great and Small:

Inside the mind of an Essex scientist I’ve always been curious about the world around us and science has been a lifelong friend. Everything started with aviation and space exploration in general at first, by digging into my Dad’s books/ magazines on the subject.

For the past 3 years I worked with a protein from an economically important bacterium that produces antibiotics, anti-fungal and anti-cancer products on my PhD Biochemistry project. My protein interacts with both DNA and copper inside the cell and acts as a “police force” to control excess copper levels that are nasty to the cell.

I remember telling my friends at school I wanted to become an astronaut aged 8! With medical doctors in the family, later I’d found myself interested in diseases caused by bacteria and viruses – how come these microscopic organisms could defeat us?

In other bacteria, this type of protein have been targeted due to its disease factor and scientists have been heavily interested on alternatives to overcome the current challenges imposed by antibiotic resistance in general.

I still remember the first time I had my 1st science lab practical at school. There were test tubes and lots of reactions with changing colours all around, plus observing amoebas and bacteria under the microscope. I automatically knew I wanted to be in the lab and be a scientist!

I had to look into my protein on a structural level and how small changes in its composition can have a dramatic impact on protein function – if you change one amino acid, the whole protein structure can change completely and lose its role within the cell – and such an implication is very important for medical research on a lot of diseases.

During my undergraduate years I discovered how to blend my life-long love of Chemistry and Biology and the answer was within the field of Biotechnology. After I’d finished my degree, I moved all the way from Brazil to Essex for a Masters in Biotechnology 5 ½ years ago. On my dissertation project I worked with a bacterium that has potential to be used as a biofuel in the future by using its metabolism.

As I’m reaching the final leg of my PhD, I can now think about the role of science in my life. No matter what I’m going to do after my PhD, my love for science is part of who I am, from all discoveries great and small!

Tatiana Oldfield

Better, Faster, Stronger When you hear words ‘human augmentation’, I’m guessing you imagine humans looking like robots and having supernatural powers. Sadly, that’s not exactly what it means (not just now anyway!). But if you look around, there are a lot of augmented people in the world, you meet them every day. For example, someone who wears a hearing aid can be considered a ‘cyborg’, as this small device can improve our hearing abilities and become our extension. Many people in the world use prosthetic limbs. But in previous years there has been a shift towards

more advanced prosthetics that augment the human body rather than replace something. This trend also comes with people inserting chips into their bodies for various reason. For instance, there is a guy who can start his motorbike with a chip which is implanted in his hand. But if you decide right now to change your limbs for augmentations, will it instantly make you a better runner, painter, etc.? The answer is no. You still need to be physically fit, have some talent and train a lot. You will not receive any abilities by just changing the material of your limb or whatever part of body you want to improve. It is not as easy as just flicking a switch.

But if some people decide to become ‘augmented’, wouldn’t that create inequality in the population and lead to look-alike humans? Again the answer I think is no. Everyone is different, people will augment themselves in different ways, therefore obtaining various abilities and probably creating an even more various population. So there is no reason to panic just yet that we will be overthrown by superhumans in the future, who will destroy us by just one small hand movement. Because right now we are going towards a future where augmentations will bloom and enhance our abilities as humans.

Barbora Eliet Hrádecká

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

SCIENCE SCIENCE

Waste Not, Want Not ‘Circular Economy’ has become the new buzzword in the environmental debate, (not the debate about the extent to which we have damaged it but the one about what we should do about the damage).

A new report from WRAP and Green Alliance which outlines the benefits of a ‘circular economy’, the most obvious benefit is the protection of the environment (assuming we care). But this report highlights the job production that would come with a circular economy and create up to half a million jobs in the UK. It would also increase business resilience from material price volatility.

It is basically a model of economy that is reliant on recycled materials rather than raw ones. To achieve this requires alternative business models, such as reuse, remanufacture, rental schemes, design for repairability and recycling.

We already know the consequences of not safeguarding our natural resources. Let those deserted civilisations that perished because their natural capital ran out be a reminder to us all. A circular is a very logical conclusion to the understated crisis of resources we are currently having, so hopefully we don’t meet the same fate as Easter Islanders.

As a planet we pay little attention to our rapidly depleting natural resources, and it’s almost strange to think about running out of what makes up everything we use every day, but its becoming a reality, and its something we should act upon sooner rather than later.

Alice Vardy

Science Update: The Future of Reheated Pizza

New HPV Vaccine

Genetic Memory?

Mark Rober will change the way we will heat our lazy snacks forever. He has patented an infrared lens that you attach to your microwave. The front then becomes a screen to display a heat map of the food cooking inside. Because the food is cold at first it starts as blue. But as it cooks, it will work its way through the temperature scale from red to white, signaling to the microwave that it’s ready to eat. Whoever thought beans could be so exciting?

A new vaccine for the human papillomavirus (HPV) has been approved, this new vaccination can protect against nine strains of the virus whereas the two currently available only defend against 2 and 4 strains. The one offered in this country (Cervarix) only protecting against the two. Gardasil-9 protects against the strains which are more associated with cancer, yet may have slightly increased side effects. This development may also help in the uptake of the vaccination, which is still considerably low and mostly targeted at females.

Scientists have found a way to preserve the world’s data for millions of years, by storing it on a tiny strand of DNA preserved in glass. In theory, just 1 gram of DNA is capable of holding 455 exabytes, which is the equivalent of one billion gigabytes, which is quite a lot. The DNA is still readable if extracted correctly. Although expensive, this gives scientists the potential to store all of mankind’s history in one tiny fragment of glass.

Look into my Eyes According to new research by the University of Essex there is proof that pupil dilation and sexual arousal are 100 per cent linked after carrying out simultaneous testing during a study. Dr Rieger said: “With our new measure we found a truly novel way of telling somebody’s sexual arousal. Moreover, because our pupils dilate automatically, we have discovered a way of assessing somebody’s arousal that does not rely on what participants are willing or able to tell.”

Under Pressure NASA’s Mars Atmosphere and Volatile EvolutioN (MAVEN) arrived on the planet back in september, it’s main mission to discover the history of Mars through examining the atmosphere and geology of the planet, exploring the differences between the levels of atmosphere. Scientists have been provided with a great amount of data which will provide us with detailed information about the depletion of Mars’s atmosphere.

Mighty Molluscs Scientists have discovered the strongest natural material on earth. It has been long thought that the strongest material was spider silk, it having the tensile strength of high grade steel alloys. It has been proven that limpet teeth exceed that strength by examining the material at an atomic level and found that goethite is the mineral responsible for this. Now that they’ve found it, the researchers think the structure of the material could be copied and synthetically manufactured to be used in making structures of cars, boats, and planes.

Alice Vardy

Lifestyle

Luiza Sandru, Lifestyle Editor

How did YouTubers get so famous? YouTubers such as Zoella and Tyler Oakley started out as people sitting in their bedrooms, filming videos and uploading them to a website just for fun. After seeing them now writing books, presenting television awards and hosting radio shows, we have found ourselves beginning to ask what made YouTubers so popular and if they really deserve the million pound mansions we hear them buying. The real reason behind the billion pound YouTube industry is because of us, the viewers. Almost everyone, even our grandparents, watched at least one video on YouTube. There is something about watching three to fifteen minute videos that is so appealing to us. Maybe it’s because the majority of viewers are between the ages of thirteen and twenty, so school students and university-goers need a way to procrastinate. Maybe it’s because teenagers need women like Louise Pentland (SprinkleOfGlitter) to look up to, or boys with attractive American accents to fangirl over.

Content such as this shows us that celebrities are no different to ourselves. Relatable content is more likely to receive a higher number of views as opposed to something not many people can relate to. On the reverse, maybe YouTubers appeal to us so much because of all the success they have. From watching the Shaytards it is easy to see how a family can go from having all their children sleeping on one mattress to moving to California and not having to worry about where their next meal is coming from. There are also YouTubers such as BriBry (BriBryOnTour) who started in order to bring themselves out of depression. We are flooded with inspiring success stories. Despite our clear love for the YouTube community, there is still debate as to whether YouTube is a “real job” and whether YouTubers deserve the pay they get. But the YouTube life isn’t the fancy life it is made out to be. Check out Zoe Sugg’s (Zoella’s) vlog “Sometimes It All Gets A Bit Too Much”.

One genre of video that is on the rise is daily vlogging. In general YouTubers share a lot of their day, from press events and behind the scenes tips, to normal activities such as cooking or playing with their pets. This way a connection is formed, as well as an impression of closeness and sympathy on the viewers’ part.

Sure, there is the glamorous life of photoshoots, writing books and selling merchandise that we hear of, but there is also the countless hours of setting up equipment, filming, editing, and much more of the creative process that we don’t know the details of. Not to mention the amount of time needed to create your own cosmetic line and to write your own book.

When a YouTuber films every single day of their lives, it becomes inevitable that a lot of their struggles get put out on the internet. For example, Charles Trippy vlogged his life throughout illness and throughout the course of his divorce.

We have put YouTubers in the position they are in. If they were not making enjoyable content, they would have been long forgotten with the YouTube scandals such as Alex Day (nerimon). So, let us praise their successes rather than criticise what we have given them.

Lexi Chappell

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

LIFESTYLE

COLUMN

Green beauty: also about reducing waste If you happen to be among those who have been reading my column, then you may understand by now how the power of nature is projected through incorporating 100% natural products and techniques into your routine, meant for the beauty of your body, mind and soul. But recently I noticed that in my previous articles I only mentioned and never elaborated on the other aspect of a green beauty regime: the environmental impact. So without further ado, here are some of the things you can do in order to reduce your waste.

1. Recycle containers targeted at your hair, especially serum bottles for split ends. Here’s how: after using up the product, clean the container thoroughly and refill it with either Olive Oil or Castor Oil. These are natural cheaper alternatives to the costly products on the market, which do the job even better because they supply you with long term results. Usually, the container has a pump which makes the storing and the application easier, but any kind will do. Remember: The oils mentioned above should only be used as a conditioner before washing your hair, not as a leave-in. I’ve tried it both ways, and the latter will eventually work its way up to the roots and turn your hair oily sooner than normal.

Refill lip balm containers with Vaseline. If you find you’ve used up all in the product which comes in containers similar to the ones of The Body Shop, Burt’s Bees, Carmex or Lush, save yourself £3.50-£7 by simply refilling with Vaseline ( £2.50 for 4 times the amount of product) after washing thoroughly. There are also many recipes online or in health magazines to make your own lip conditioner, not at all time consuming and in which you can also add pepper or chili flakes to turn your lip balm into an instant lip plumper. Remember: If you know yourself to be allergic to any ingredients, avoid them to ensure your good health. If you are not sure, test them on the back of your wrist or on the area behind your ears to see how your body reacts.

Interesting fact: you can compost cotton swabs, balls or pads! As long as they are made with 100% cotton, and in the case of swabs the handle should be made of cardboard, you can easily throw them into the compost bin. Preferably, the products you have wiped are also natural, such as oils, and I can understand that isn’t always the case, but in the end even if a part of your cotton waste is properly recycled it does make a difference. Remember: Some cotton pads are actually waterpads, which means that only the first layer of the pad is made of cotton, usually the one with a pattern on it, so what you can do in this case is peel the first layer and recycle them separately. It should definitely say on the package if they are 100% cotton pads or waterpads, so don’t forget to check. So here are three ways to ensure a more positive impact on the environment around you, while also saving a pound or two. These examples deal with both reducing waste in the form of flushing down the drain harmful ingredients after washing your body and also with the right way to recycle or reuse containers. I hope you found this article useful and that you will even include any of the above in your routine. Until next time, good luck and good health!

Madalina Leordean

RECIPES

Super fast and healthy Thai Massaman Curry For a tasty meal that can be prepared in the time the rice takes to boil (10 minutes), try a Massaman curry!

Steps:

After a summer spent in Thailand with nothing but rice and noodles on the menu for breakfast, lunch and dinner, you’d think that I would have had enough to last me a lifetime.

1. Wack on the brown rice in a saucepan of boiling

But no, I love me some Massaman curry; a mix of fragrant spices like nutmeg and cloves which is warming for winter but also quite fresh with the right kind of vegetables in the summer. Tastes amazing only with vegetables, but also goes really well with beef, chicken and white fish. All you need is brown rice and a selection of fresh vegetables of your choice. I usually go for mushrooms, a range of peppers, and a pack of sugar snap peas and baby corn, which you can find in almost every store. Add meat if you fancy.

water and leave it there for approximately 10 minutes or until the rice gets soft.

Chop the vegetables and throw them in a big hot pan with a drop of oil!

Add the Massaman paste and let the veggies take on the flavours.

4. Pour in a can of low fat coconut milk, stir and

let it become all flavoursome and aromatic until your rice is boiled.

Sophie Morfett

Sweet and Spicy noodles for one For the sauce you will need:

Method:

2 tbs Clear Honey 2 tbs Light Soy sauce 2 pinches of chilli flakes

Start by boiling the noodles in hot water. While waiting for the noodles to be ready, mix the sauce depending on your taste, the measurements are only for guidance.

The rest (Vegetables can be substituted with your own choices): One noodle nest 2 tbs of cooked spinach (preferably from frozen, it’s cheaper) One head of pak choi 2 spring onions 4 button mushrooms 1 tbs oil Optional: a piece of chicken breast

Start small so it doesn’t turn out too spicy, but if that still happens you can just add a bit more honey and soy sauce to dilute the whole mixture. Marinate the cooked noodles in sauce while you are preparing the vegetables. If you use frozen spinach microwave it until soft. Heat a wok (or any big frying pan that you have) to medium heat with oil and add the meat. Tear and wash the pak choi, and cook it until soft in the wok. Wash and slice your vegetables and cook them for a few minutes until they are cooked, but still crunchy. Add noodles and mixed them all together.

Sierra Mesplie-Cowan

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

LIFESTYLE

Can students afford to eat healthily? As a third year student on a diet with the aim of graduating fit, combined with a measly loan that just covers my rent to live in the beautiful towers, eating as healthily as I’d like to is sometimes a struggle. The beginning of term is always a luxury with a £70 Tesco shop loading up on fresh fruits and vegetables, lean cuts of meat and most of all... the ability to actually afford fish! But come this time of term when

the money is starting to dwindle and my weekly pay is ‘better spent’ on a night out or saved, affording healthy food is a little bit harder. Potentially, I should be saving money by eating less, but replacing carb-rich and cheap meals like spaghetti bolognese for a fruit smoothie using fresh fruits every day or eating more fresh fish or protein. An example of how I still get my five a day is buying frozen fruits and vegetables such as peppers, mushrooms and mixed selections, as well as frozen berries. It also turns out that sometimes buying supermarket brands can be the cheaper and healthier option in terms of sugar content - especially in sauces. The ‘healthy’ brands are not necessarily the best for you and definitely not the best value for money. Another way to save money on meats like chicken is to buy thighs rather than the breasts. They are not only less expensive, but are also just as lean and can be bought off the bone. I’d suggest going shopping late at night at the end of the week to get the best deals on foods in the ‘bargain basement’ sections of the supermarket – I got two fillets of salmon for £1.36 the other day and just chucked them in the freezer!

The Self-Respect Diet Too many women and men harm themselves by torturing their bodies and minds with new diets and exercise regimes, that never go as planned. The impossible expectations we put on ourselves contributes to our failure, starting with diets that consist of no carbs, juicing, and water fasting, to extreme workouts. People keep finding themselves trapped in a cycle of self-loathing, action, and then a feeling of failure because they cannot achieve that impossible image. So a diet has been formulated that works 100% of the time. Stop comparing your body to another and start to understand that everyone has a different body type. When choosing a meal choose something that your body needs, like mixed vegetables and fruit, proteins and carbs (and yes, chocolate and crisps in small dosages are okay).

Do you feel out of breath going up a flight of stairs? Then maybe you need to go for a jog or to the gym. Your health is not a chore. Your body is telling you it needs a bit of work and you need to listen in order to keep your health intact. Is the picture becoming clear? You should do what your body needs to operate the best, not look ‘the best’. Starving and losing 10 pounds does not bring the same satisfaction as being the best you. Everyone should respect themselves enough not to get trapped in this cycle of diet failure and just do what is right for them.

Sierra Mesplie-Cowan

It’s not just about savvy shopping, but also budgeting other areas of your student life. If I’m planning on making a few different soups or if I fancy steak to shake up the monotony of my diet one particular week, then I definitely have to scrimp and save on things such as drinking and nights out. FEAR NOT! It doesn’t mean that you have to cut out all alcohol BUT reducing the amount you drink can reduce your liquid calorie intake and add to a healthier lifestyle, all cutting down on your weekly spending. The dreaded cut back for me will always be on internet clothes shopping. I can hear the shrieks of horror already and it’s something I quite frankly cannot live without – the email from the post room telling me that I have a package is always a feeling of excitement and glee! However, look at it like this, that £50 dress and heels combo could look even better on a healthier and glowing you next month when you’ve spent that money on great nutrition! Although I’d like to be even healthier, I’m doing fine on my tight food allowance and hopefully getting closer to my graduation weight goal. While it isn’t always easy and often time consuming comparing prices and reading labels in the shop, it’s well worth it and eating healthily on a student budget can be done!

Sophie Morfett

Sports

Tom Phillips, Sports Editor

Semi-finals here we come – UEWRFC remain undefeated! Essex Blades 1st vs. Canterbury Christ Church 1st 18th February K.O. 1:00pm Essex Blades 1st 14 – 10 Canterbury 1st A big crowd gathered at the pitches to support women’s rugby last week on their quest to qualify for the semi-final of the BUCS South Eastern Conference Cup. Having drawn with Canterbury away in a league game earlier this season, the pressure was on to deliver a strong performance to show CCC what the Blades are really made of! The opposition really dominated play for the first 10 minutes until a small gap in the defensive line left room for Davis to slip through and make huge ground scoring a whopper of a try converted by Farrow. Canterbury had a strong set of forwards with big physicality in the scrums, but with sloppy hands and careless play they were struggling to get the ball out to their backs. They only managed a try through a slow struggle over the try line with which our girls were unable to hold the ball in play.

As the 80 minutes were drawing to a close, Charlotte Wright went down with a potentially serious injury. Play moved onto pitch two and medics assessed the situation before calling an ambulance for Wright to assessed further in hospital – thankfully this turned out to be nothing more serious than concussion and we’re hoping Charlotte will be back for our semi-final game next week!

Tries: Davis (2) Conversions: Farrow (2) Line-up: Steward; Troddan; Sen; Baney; Shaw; Sadarangani; Barry; Farrow; Wright; Ferrero; Kvalvik; Davis; Coller; Ajao; Makomva Subs: Adkins (C); Scarth; Koledoye; Rondelli (VC); Sesay; Freeman; Sritharan Next fixture: South Eastern Conference Cup (Semi Finals) HOME vs. Royal Holloway 1st 04/03/15 – 2pm K.O. Ami Lake

Blades secure Semi-Final Tie with Pompey Men’s Football Second Team On the 18th of February the second football team secured a place in South Eastern Conference Cup semi final following a hard match against Brunel. The game itself was scrappy with both defences coming out on top however it was the Blades who were victorious winning 1 – 0 with the only goal coming from Johnny Zammer in the 40th minute. The goal itself was tapped in following a mistake from Brunel’s goalkeeper and good work from Nehemiah Adegbile in the build-up. That was it from the first half apart from a brilliant double save from Lewis Lockyer just before the goal to keep the score level.

The second half was more of the same with very little being created by both teams. As the half wore on, Brunel’s frustration became clear for all to see, with several heavy challenges placed on the Blades players. To their credit, the Blades were able to keep their heads and see out the rest of the game without any real problems. The closest Brunel came to scoring was in the 85th minute where their striker shot wide. All in all a pretty good win for the Blades although there will be harder tests to come than this. The semi final is set to be played against Portsmouth University on the 4th of March at home.

Tom Phillips

RESULTS Futsal Womens: Gloucestershire 1st 11-1 Essex 1st Cricket (Indoor) Mens: Essex 1st 95-96 East London 1st (Essex lost by 1 run) Essex 1st 107-28 Anglia Ruskin 2nd (Essex won by 79 runs) Essex 1st 159-68 Queen Mary (Essex won by 89 runs) American Football Mixed (East Conference): Essex 1st 12-33 Oxford University Futsal Mens: Bath 1st 5-8 Essex 1st (National Championship Quarter-Final) Tennis Mens: Essex 1st H-W Hertfordshire 1st Badminton Womens: UCL 2nd 5-3 Essex Basketball Mens: Essex 1st 91-62 Westminster 1st Basketball Womens: UCL 1st 74-54 Essex 1st Canterbury Christ Church 1st A-W Essex 2nd Hockey Mens: LSE 1st 9-2 Essex 1st Hockey Womens: UCL 2nd 9-0 Essex 1st Netball Women’s: Queen Mary 4th 34-15 Essex 2nd Rugby Union Mens: Hertfordshire 1st 64-52 Essex 1st Table Tennis Mens: City University 1st 4-13 Essex 2nd Squash Womens: UCL 3rd 2-1 Essex 2ndsex 1st Netball Womens: Hertfordshire 2nd 49-37 Essex 1st

WEDNESDAY 4TH MARCH | ISSUE 165

SPORTS

Men’s Football Essex Blades 1st 2 Bournemouth 3 BUCS NATIONAL TROPHY Wednesday 25 February The Essex Blades were denied a place in the BUCS National Trophy semi final by a last minute goal in a game which can only be described as cup classic. It was a tight affair early on in the first-half with neither side able to really take control. For most of the first half chances were at a premium. What chances were created came from good pressing by both teams and individual errors. Bournemouth had clearer cut chances with one of their strikers putting the ball wide after being weaved through the formation. Just before half time a cracking free kick from out wide by Essex’s Patrick Robertson caused mayhem in the Bournemouth box. It was in the back of the net after some brilliant football from Jacob Dingli. This appeared to shake Essex into action with Gary Percy causing his opposing full back all kinds of problems for the rest of the half. Controversy arose in the early part of the second half when the referee overruled the assistant referee’s ad-

vice and awarded Bournemouth a penalty. Bournemouth made the most of the opportunity by converting the penalty and levelling up the scoreline. Despite this setback Essex began to play the best football of either team in the match which saw Patrick Robertson strike a free kick into the wall and from the resulting corner Luke Redman headed over. It seemed Bournemouth were ready to take their chance to score however a dreadful effort from one of their players went out for a throw in. Essex retook the lead following a huge mistake by the opposition goalkeeper with Ben Harper on hand to head home from close range. With Essex very much in the driving seat, space started to open up with the Bournemouth keeper making up for his earlier error with great save from Patrick Robertson. Robertson then shot narrowly wide after some great approach play from Brad Camm.

Despite dominating the game Essex did not kill Bournemouth off and with just 5 minutes of regular time a stroke of genius from the same Bournemouth player who had put away the penalty resulted in the game being level once more. With barely any time left on the clock both teams searched frantically for the winner. Sadly for the Blades it came for Bournemouth in pretty much the last kick of the game to give them the 3 -2 win and find themselves in the next round of the cup.

Blades Man of the Match: Patrick Robertson Line-up: Cameron Tarr; Joe Heap; Ben Harper; Luke Redman; Dan Power; Ngasha Najome; Gary Perry (Ali Awil); Michael Capleton; Jacob Dingli (Brad Camm); Xavier Sweeney; Patrick Robertson Billy Daus

#BUCSNationals: Williamson brings home Gold for Essex Essex Blades went to Sheffield to compete in annual BUCS Nationals against fellow university students. Essex brought teams representing the Blades in Athletics, Climbing, Fencing and Karate to win crucial BUCS points to pursue a better overall finish than last season. In Athletics, the Blades had Michael Porter representing them in the 800m Mens Race. The athletics was being held at the English Institute of Sports Indoor athletics arena. Porter seeded on an impressive time of 1:58.70 which would have been enough for him to qualify to the Semi’s. However he competed against some strong individuals in Heat 9 and finished with a time of 2:01.56, missing the cut by 3 seconds. It was also a first for Essex Blades Climbing who stepped up to the competitive mark in their sport for the first time since forming. Current VP Services & Communications, Mikya Rozner, represented the Blades’ women’s team and produced an individual score of 30.

The Men’s team saw an impressive performance from Matt Liggins who finished with a score of 153 whilst committee member, Oliver Barr-Skeoch completed a score of 140 in the national competition. Other scorers included Knut Pederson (81), Donavam Renosto (45) and Darlington Edwards (32) completing a scoreline that saw the Essex Men’s team to score a team score of 374.

placed in the Women’s Senior Kata in Karate as she beat Loughborough’s, Emma Greech, to confirm her status as the best female student in her category. As a result of this triumph, Williamson helped the Blades achieve 10 BUCS points whilst rivals UEA only achieved 6 in the sport. A good omen with Derby Day fast approaching.

In Fencing saw the Blades take on tough opposition again as the Blades team competed in search of more BUCS points. Notable performances include Meggan Redding who finished 21st in the Women’s Epee whilst Jessica Zhang also finished 60th in the same category. President of the Fencing Club, Owen Yeung finished 128th in his category, Men’s Foil whilst 1st team captain, Liam James finished 104th in the Men’s Epee. However, the most notable performance goes to Melissa Williamson who took home gold in the BUCS nationals. The Sport and Exercise Science student was

Tom Phillips