The Ripple - Winter 2012 by The Ripple

The Ripple WHAT’S ON? YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GOING OUT IN LEICESTER

Winter 2012 www.the-ripple.co.uk

Est. 1957

NUS DEMO ARE YOU FOR OR AGAINST?

THE FUTURE OF BLUR WAS HYDE PARK THEIR LAST PERFORMANCE ON UK SOIL?

FRESHERS 2012 COVERAGE FROM THE FORTNIGHT PLUS ESSENTIAL FIRST YEAR SURVIVAL TIPS

“WE WANT A FUTURE” ONE STUDENT’S HARROWING EXPERIENCE OF PROTEST IN SYRIA

02 R I PPLE EXECUTIVE TEAM Phoebe Rees Editor in Chief: pcr4@le.ac.uk Naomi Green Deputy Editor: ng98@le.ac.uk Rhys Williams Deputy Editor: rtw4@le.ac.uk Richard Green Secretary: rg142@le.ac.uk Hayley Symington Activities Officer su-activities@le.ac.uk

SECTION EDITORS Rhys Williams News: rtw4@le.ac.uk Philip Adnett News: pa124@le.ac.uk Emily Gussin Events and Reviews: eg155@le.ac.uk Alexander French Music: ajwf1@le.ac.uk Jessica Eastwell Arts and Creativity: je106@le.ac.uk Samantha Tapson Lifestyle: sjt47@le.ac.uk Arathi Devandran Lifestyle: ad286@le.ac.uk Jamie Burton Sport: jb497@le.ac.uk

ONLINE Ash Davies Online Development: amd33@le.ac.uk Brad Marshall Online Content: bjm24@le.ac.uk Sophie Amodio Social Media: sra15@le.ac.uk

CONTRIBUTORS Chris Tilbury, Theo Allthorpe-Mullis, Melissa Agnew, Ellyn G. Van Valkengoed, James Farndon, Alex Thompkins, Brad Marshall, Fred Shepherd, Katie Masters, Tahsin Kamal, Jordan Joseph, Jessica Ramsdale, Lucy Nicholson, Camilla Maddison, Lola Johnson, Saffi Barham, Mark Davison, Victoria Mansfield, Laura Muse, Aidan Ryaltt, Meg Brankowski, Emily Kelsey, Sam Osborne, Michael Convery, Simon Youel, James Ward, John Anderson, Alyssia Chapman, Donna Leech, Michael Frost, Sion Crowle, Shanara Hibbert, Chris Milsom

TE A M EDITOR’S NOTE

t has taken many hours in the ARC and many packets of Revels, but the eagerly anticipated first edition of The Ripple has finally arrived!

With a brand spanking new editorial team, expect to see some exciting new changes within your favourite university magazine this year. First and foremost, we have our own exclusive website (R.I.P. Tingo) with lots of shiny new content. Head over to www.the-ripple.co.uk to see what all the fuss is about. In addition to this, you can now get your Ripple fix whenever, wherever, on Facebook and Twitter.

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For the first time in years, The Ripple is launching its very own campaign, targeting graduate unemployment. With over one million young people in the UK unemployed, The Ripple is taking a proactive stance to inform students of the difficulties they will face after graduation, initiating debate and scrutinizing the way institutions are tackling the problem. This year in The Ripple, we hope to give you a real insight into the issues faced by students all over the world, such as Nadia’s harrowing experience of protest and injustice in a war torn Syria. Although not isolated, her story is especially profound to students all over Britain today, as thousands prepare to march against education cuts at the NUS demo in November. To imagine that here, in the UK, basic liberties such as freedom of speech could be denied is almost impossible, yet in Syria it is a harsh reality. In publishing this interview, we hope to raise awareness for those suffering to uphold their basic beliefs. At The Ripple, we always value your comments and opinions on our articles and with our new website, it’s now easier than ever to make your voice heard. Check out the news section online to share your views. With the clamour of Freshers dying down, this issue, we’re looking back at that frantic fortnight to give you the round up of what rocked, what flopped and what to look forward to for the rest of the year. Whether you are a fresher or a returning student, The Ripple is bringing you its essential tips for surviving your student days with everything from balancing your budget to the best practice for dealing with post Red Leicester chunder. Why not get involved with The Ripple this year? With an expanding online presence it’s easier than ever to get involved as a writer, editor, photographer, or even a social member! If you’re passionate about something, then make yourself heard.

GET INVOLVED Join the mailing list to contribute to the next edition of The Ripple! TheRipple@groupspaces.com or email Ripple@le.ac.uk

We hope you enjoy this Winter edition of The Ripple. I’d like to take this opportunity to thank deputy editors Naomi Green and Rhys Williams, who have stayed late into the night, blown their student loans on snacks from Nourish and have given more time and effort to this issue than should be expected of anyone. I’d also like to give a special thank you to Hayley Symington, without who’s help and patience this issue wouldn’t have been possible. Every article printed in this issue is of an exceptionally high standard. I’ve been amazed by the talent that’s been submitted and it was very difficult to decide what made the cut. To everyone who has contributed to the magazine in some way, you should all be immensely proud of yourselves!

Phoebe Rees Editor in Chief

www.the-ripple.co.uk http://www.facebook.com/TheRippleLeicester

@UoLRipple

CONTENTS

NEWS

FEATURE: NUS DEMO

FEATURE: “WE WANT

WHAT’S ON GUIDE

EVENTS AND REVIEWS

MUSIC

ARTS AND

A FUTURE”

LIFESTYLE

FRESHERS 2012

SPORT

CREATIVITY

20 FOR MORE RIPPLE VISIT US ONLINE AT WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

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SABBS ANNOUNCE MAJOR RESHUFFLE OF EXEC POSITIONS

MAYOR DECLARES ‘OVER MY DEAD BODY’ WILL RICHARD III LEAVE LEICESTER BY CH R I S TI L BU RY

BY PHILIP ADNETT

I ma ge c ou r te s y of t he De a n a nd C hapter of L eic e ster

During their first assembly, Union Parliament have passed a proposal to change the structure of the Students’ Union Executive, including a potentially controversial move which brings back the role of ‘President of the Students Union’ and introduces part-time roles for current students.

I ma ge by C ol i n Brook s

SABBS’ BLOG PAGE

s the new academic year gets underway, The Ripple gets acquainted with this years team of sabbatical officers, who were elected back in May. These five are the students’ representatives in the Students’ Union and get up to all kinds of exciting projects. Here’s what they have to say...

fairs, it is also my job to coordinate the Education Unit. In particular, I facilitate the Superstar Award campaign and assist with the development and enhancement of the Course Representative system. Employability is another key area of my portfolio which I try and improve in the University. Contact me on: su-academic@le.ac.uk!

Maryna Danny Welfare and International Officer I hope that you are enjoying your time in Leicester! During the summer I worked on a new safety taxi service and we secured an agreement with Street Cars. Now we have fixed price journeys to the most popular student areas which can be paid for by cash or pre-paid vouchers. The ‘Home now, Pay later’ scheme was introduced, so if you don’t have money after your night out, you can still access our new service and get home safely. My next step is to organise a big accommodation survey for all our hall-based students. So if you have any complaints or feedback about your accommodation, please be sure to get involved in this project. If you have any other questions or concerns, drop me an e-mail at: su-wiofficer@le.ac.uk

Lily Davis Union Development Officer Hi everyone! I’m Lily Davis and I’m the Union Development Officer here. I’m coming into my second year of office in this role. My priority for the year is an accessible Union for all, this means that I will be researching into barriers that students face whilst trying to engage with the Union and I will work to smash these barriers so that students will no longer face them. Over the summer I have been working a lot to help organise Fresh Fair and the Fresh Festival to give students an exceptional welcome experience which I hope you all enjoyed! Contact me on: su-development@le.ac.uk

Dan Flatt Academic Affairs Officer As Academic Affairs Officer of the Students’ Union, it is my job to be the principal link between the Union and the University. I sit on a number of University committees where key decisions are made. Within my role of Academic Af-

James Farndon Campaigns & Involvement Officer Hi! I’m the Campaigns and Involvement Officer in your Students’ Union, which means I oversee all Union’s priority campaigns, as well as its democratic structures. I also oversee the Students’ Union’s environment and ethics work. Over summer I’ve been working with academic departments on how the Students’ Union can engage with distance learners, working on implementing Education for sus-

tainable development within the University; and encouraging as many students, from Undergrads to PhD students, to get involved in Union Parliament. With the NUS Demo fast approaching there are lots of ways for students to take an active role in their Students’ Union, and if you want to get in touch just email: su-campaigns@le.ac.uk Hayley Symington Activities Officer As your Activities Officer, I work predominantly with sports teams, societies, associations and media groups, but essentially I am a representative for all students and deal with a massively varied amount of issues. I’m working very closely with the Careers Department in the hope of bridging the gap between what students do as part of Student Groups and their long term prospects. I’ve also begun work on strategy for the development of our Union for Liberation groups, to ensure our Union is truly meeting the needs of our diverse community. Please feel free to get in touch with ideas, feedback and thoughts: su-activities@le.ac.uk

Want to know more about your Sabbatical Officers? Drop by their office, located in the West Wing of the Percy Gee building, or pop down to Union Parliament, every other Tuesday at 6.30pm in Ken Edwards

As the Greyfriars site is filled in to protect it from the winter weather, now is the perfect time to reflect on the effect on the potential discovery of Richard III and how this effects the staff and students of the University of Leicester, the image of the University and, not to mention, history. On the 25th of August, after a lengthy process of research, an excavation began to try and find the remains of Richard III, the last English monarch to die in battle. The University of Leicester Archaeological Department teamed up with Leicester City Council and the Richard III Society in an attempt to find his remains. The diary of the priest John Rous, and the 1741 map of Leicester, enabled University staff and members of the Richard III Society to ensure they had the correct location. Rous had written that Richard III ‘was finally buried in the choir of the Friars Minor in Leicester’. The information that Rous provided was key as other records from after the burial suggest a number of different locations. The discovery is of major historical importance as sources will have to be re-evaluated and assessed, taking into account the new information. Professor Norman Housley and Doctor Andrew Hopper suggest that the significance of the discovery is threefold. It would attempt to remove the ‘tyranical’ of Richard III, perpetuated by the Tudors. Debate around the nature of Richard III ‘died and the nature of medieval battles. Finally it would bring a ‘pleasing sense of closure to the knowledge of the civil war, ended by the battle of Bosworth.

The discovery will undoubtedly raise the profile of the university and its staff. Professor Lin Foxhall, Head of the university Archaeology Department, highlights that it ‘puts Leicester on the map as a city and a university and it is hugely important for showcasing the talent of the university’. This is highlighted through the ability of the university to carry out much of the analysis in house, something incredibly important for the university as results can be communicated faster. The Site Director, Mat Morris, is a former student of the University of Leicester who received a BA in Archaeology and an MA in Landscape Studies. His involvement encompasses a general feeling in Leicester that the remains of Richard III ‘belong’ here. This was summed up by the Mayor of Leicester, Peter Soulsby, who said ‘over my dead body’ would the remains be formally buried outside of Leicester should they proved to be those of Richard III. Should the remains in the Greyfriars car park prove to be Richard III’s then it is undoubtedly one of the most exciting discoveries that the university has been involved in. The university’s association is sure to raise its profile in the area and among the international community, thus encouraging the public to get involved with archaeology and enticing new students to study at Leicester with the exciting prospect of being taught by those involved with the discovery.

Dan Flatt, in an interview with the Ripple, described the changes as ‘progressive’ and what the Union needs to go forward. Other Sabbatical Officers confirm this, indicating there is a strong consensus on the issue within the Executive Team. On subject of the presidential role, Dan commented that the reason the position was initially removed was to ensure a sense of consistency within the Union, but pointed out that it was necessary so that University Officials and external parties had a clear point of first contact. The Students’ Union Executive currently consists of five Sabbatical Officers, with no clear leader amongst them. The policy will shrink this number to four full time Sabbatical Officers, but will add four part-time officers to the executive. The positions of Student Activities Officer and Welfare and International Officer will essentially be abolished on the basis that they are too ‘operational’ and there are already paid staff in place to deal with such issues. Little opposition to the restructure was to be found before it’s ratification, which could be attributed to a lack of awareness on the part of many students. At the time of writing, when the plans were still a proposal, committee members of several prominent societies were unaware of any plans, as were many students. Those with reservations about the policy seized on this and argued the plans could be rushed through Union Parliament during its first meeting, a parliament that had a lot of new members, many of whom were learning the sometimes convoluted workings of this body. Those with reservations held a general feeling that such a large reform would have been better suited for debate during the upcoming Annual General Meeting. In any case, the policy appears to have a unified Sabbatical Team behind it who are at the moment projecting a clear message; one of progress and a vision of representation for students. And, with the proposal now passed, it turns to the Union to ensure that the plans are efficiently implemented and bring about the intended improvements to the Union.

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cause it’s giving you that whole insight into what the job is and how you deal with it because you’re doing the work of a regular. I know a lot of people through the specials who have thought ‘this is what I want to do, I’ve watched the Bill, I’ve watched the Thin Blue Line’, and get to the job and think ‘this isn’t for me’ because it does take a certain type of person to do the job.

E DITOR: R H Y S W I L L I A M S

STUDENTS ON THE FRONT LINE RHYS WILLIAMS TALKS TO STUDENTS VOLUNTEERING TO PROTECT THE LOCAL COMMUNITY

What is the most dangerous or the strangest situation you’ve ever been confronted with? Sohail: We went to have our lunch and I had, literally, just picked my sandwich up and the officer burst through the door saying, “come on we’ve got to go”. So I’m running to the car getting my stuff on. There was a riot in this pub and a car was going somewhere. I was strapping in and all of a sudden I’m hearing, over the radio, everything that’s going on. You know that you’re going to this riot but you don’t know what to do about it. I asked, “what do I do?” and the officer said “you’ll know what to do” while driving at 60mph, remaining calm. The car that was escaping was driving straight at us and narrowly avoided us. I genuinely thought, ‘I’m going to die’. But then you get out of the car and you just click. You’re dealing with it now, calming people down, reassuring people, you don’t realise it until you’re doing it. That was the scariest situation. James: I’ve been to a couple of RTCs, car crashes. I’ve been to some break-ins. I went to a break-in last shift. Somebody attempted to break in. I rugby tackled a criminal down a hill. I’ve sprayed a guy in the eyes. I’ve been verbally abused, spat-at, that sort of stuff. You deal with a mixture, a lot of drunken behaviour and a lot of drugs. This guy was running on a bank next to a massive dual carriageway. There were a lot of cars and a lot of people about so I had to jump out of the car and run round the other side of the road and run through this traffic. But in that situation I didn’t think about it. Afterward, my heart was pumping.

that you can tell between a special and a regular is on the uniform. But with that, comes a lot of responsibility. Like I say to people, it’s a serious job. We’re not going to mess about because potentially what we’re dealing with is life-threatening. What are your off-duty powers? Sohail: It’s the same really. You take an attestation which is an oath to protect property and protect the peace. That oath is basically everything you have to do. Obviously, if you see a fight in the street you have to gauge whether or not if it’s better for you to get involved or better if you don’t. The powers are the same but you’d have to be more experienced to use it in a normal situation. It’s your discretion because if you look at the law, with regard to what police officers can do, it’s quite flexible. How do balance work with your studies? Sohail: I don’t. That’s the simple answer. During the final bit of my second year, I really suffered. I was training to be a police officer, every Thursday night I was being beaten up with sticks and having things thrown at me, so I did suffer but I think I gave up my entire social life for 3 and a half months. If I didn’t have time to work then I didn’t have time to do things. It meant that I was up, doing things u n t i l 3 a m , getting up at 7, and acting as if that was a normal thing to do. Eventually it burned me out. For exams, I told them I couldn’t do it and they were fine with it. Once you go back, you’re fine, it’s like riding a bike. It’s more of a caring thing than a “you do this thing now” situation, there’s room to balance it. James: It is quite hard. Being in third year, I have a dissertation to do and I need to knuckle down. I do it out of pure enjoyment and excitement. I’ve never booked a shift or arranged to do something with the police and then feel like I don’t want to do it. You’ve got to prioritise but I do like to do more than my 16 hours. You learn, my communication and life-skills have definitely improved.

INTERESTED IN JOINING? HERE’S WHAT YOU NEED TO KNOW The Special Constabulary has worked alongside the regular police force for the past 177 years. There are now over 14,000 specials working with each of the UK’s 43 police forces. What training will I recieve? Special Constables are trained to the basic standards of regular police officers. Once a member, further training opportunities are available for you to undertake. What can the Special Constabulary offer me? As a member of the Special Constabulary, you’ll be fully trained in many aspects of a regular police officer’s duties. These skills are not only vital for police work, but they will improve, amongst others, communication, leadership and decision-making skills.

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Now you’ve done this, would you consider joining the police full-time? Sohail: I still haven’t decided. Before this, I vastly underestimated police officers and underestimated the training they have, the self-control they exercise, day in day out, work on work off. But there are positive things too: the people they meet. I’d recommend the Special Constabulary to everyone. I think it’s an amazing thing to do for yourself and for your community. You get to interact with people in a different way and the training it gives you does change your life. I felt cheesy saying that or the first time but after training I do feel more set in the things I think and getting them across to people, whereas before I think was a bit more flaky. In seminars, if I thought something and had confidence in it, it was because it’s my degree but with other things I feel that, unless I have an exact knowledge in that area, I’m not going to say anything. Whereas now, I think, ‘no I think that for a reason, I’m not thick and I can say that’. James: It’s certainly opened my eyes. I’d strongly recommend the Specials to people if they want to be a regular police officer be-

Image by Flickr user J D Mack

Image by flickr user ash-brown

hy did you decide to join the special constables? Sohail: I take English, which is quite a general degree and I thought that, to get through the next three years, I need to aim for something. PC Harvey, the [former] campus cop, posted something about it and so I messaged him about it and, off the cuff, went to Hinkley. James: I wanted to do something different. This has always been something that I’ve seen as a career choice. Heard about the specials, went on the internet, applied. You go to an assessment centre, so you have basic maths, basic numeracy and basic writing skills. Then that day you do an interview. If you’re successful with that, you’re formally invited to fitness and medical centre. Then you go through medical history. I wouldn’t say anybody is ruled out though, I had asthma but that was fine. I don’t know many people who fail, it’s pretty straight-forward.

It’s a serious job... potentially what we’re doing is life-threatening

What powers do you have as a special? James: When you’re a special, you have exactly the same powers as any officer, on and off duty. Power of arrest [is] the main one really, but you don’t get paid, that’s the main difference. The only difference

What can I offer the Special Constabulary? A special is somebody who has a caring attitude and the drive to want to make a difference in the community. The Special Constabulary ask that each special volunteer a minimum of 16 hours of service per month (4 hour per week), and welcomes any additional time that you can offer. Where can I find more information? If you’re ready to take the next step to becoming a Special Constable, visit: http://www.leics. police.uk/careers/3_special_constabulary

TO READ THE FULL INTERVIEW GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

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E DITOR: R H Y S W I L L I A M S

Some may question the effectiveness of a National Demonstration, or ask: why now? The problems universities face, from large scale cuts to rising fees, are a direct product of government priorities, and its lack of focus on further and higher education. This is why we need to lobby those at the top of the government, en masse, to lay the groundwork for further change. As for the question of ‘why now’, the time has never been better. With £9000 fee students on our campus for the first time, there is an eagerness to demand more. And with policy and manifestos being devised for the General Election in 2015, this is the year we can put student issues on the agenda. This is a one-time opportunity to unite as students, and demand what is right. History has shown that this style of action can work and even though, in 2010, we did not win the battle over fees, we won numerous concessions for students. If we do not demand what is right now, we will miss our chance.

NUS DEMO 2012: WILL YOU BE MARCHING? On the 21st of November, thousands of students from universities up and down the country will be marching against education cuts. However, in light of the events of 2010, The Ripple asks, will all students be behind the march?

YES

Says James Farndon, Leicester Students Union’s Campaigns and Involvement Officer.

As individual students, we are amazing, but together, we can demand and achieve truly great things. That’s why, on November 21st, I will be supporting the NUS National Demo and together with thousands of students from around the country, Leicester students will be marching in London under the banner: “Educate, Employ, Empower”. Many attending students will be the first of those paying £9000 fees, saddling them with

record levels of debt when they graduate. For those entering their final years, graduate unemployment is at a record high, with over 1,400,000 young people out of work, and 83 students going for every graduate job. Studying for a lifetime in academia? Massive reductions in funding have led to widespread budget cuts across departments. With things not set to improve, now is the time to demand a fairer future. As the Students’ Union’s recent successes regarding hidden course costs and support for the living wage have shown, Leicester Students’ Union is committed to making educational and social change right here on campus. It is also focusing on employability, striving to make Leicester students the most employable in the

country, whether that’s through involvement in student groups, the media, or Union Parliament. However this does not mean that more cannot be demanded from those in power. We only need to look at the events this summer - when the UK Boarder Agency failed over 2600 London Metropolitan international students, leaving many facing deportation, and to the controversies surrounding GSCE English results - to see that education is under attack across the spectrum. This demonstration is not about overnight policy change, but about building a movement, and putting student issues on the table, before it’s too late.

We will be uniting with the local community, as prolonged youth unemployment will cause scars in our society that will take decades to heal. From other FE and HE institutions, to lo-

“This demonstration is about putting student issues on the table before it’s too late.” cal community groups and lecturers, we will be inviting everyone to join us on the 21.11.12. And this National Demo, on the 21st November, is only the start. It is a springboard for activism, so we can continue to ask for a fair future, for us and for all those students yet to come.

Says Alex Thompkins, Union Parliament Blogger.

We hear a lot of talk these days about austerity and how it’s affecting education and why we should all “fight back”, but has anyone taken time to think about how we go about doing this? There are some great injustices in education that need someone to speak against them however I for one will not be donning a facemask and picking up my placard at the NUS Demo on the 21st November 2012. First off, the message: “Educate, Empower and Employ”. It’s a great slogan for a very focused and driven campaign. But, it won’t just be the NUS who turn up to this march; the Socialist Workers Party, TUC, Unite Union and many other concerned agents will be sending their members to try and increase the footfall. This can (and will) create a blurring of messages until eventually the whole demo loses creativity. So what? You may ask. Well remember

what we are fighting for here. Education is a valuable tool for social mobility and should be treasured, but the way you get governments to change their minds is with targeted, effective lobbying, and sensible discussion. If you don’t believe me, just ask our very own International & Welfare Officer Maryna Danny, who went to a small demo against UKBA’s ruling over London Met. The same thing happened there, what started out as “save our international students” quickly turned into a generic protest. When too many similarly minded groups are in one place together, everyone loses focus. What about the organisation? Back in 2010, some bright spark on an NUS committee somewhere thought it would a fantastic idea to march straight past the Tory HQ, failing to consider the chemical reaction when mixing angry left wing activism and glass windows, paid for by rich donors living in tax havens. Moments later, the President of the University of London Union, Clare Solomon, was on Newsnight saying “a few smashed windows can be replaced”. Perhaps there is an angry and violent contingent

within the NUS who cannot control themselves or perhaps, more worryingly, the NUS stewards could not control them because they themselves sympathise with the view that violent protest

“There is a violent contingent within the NUS who cannot control themselves.” is justified. Will we see history repeating itself? Well the route this year goes nowhere near Millbank Tower, and I am informed that there will be hundreds more stewards to keep order. This makes me sceptical however because if it’s as big as the NUS is claiming it will be then it doesn’t matter how many stewards you have, people will break off and cause trouble, but if it’s not then what’s the point of it? And then there’s the aftermath. How were you affected by the 2010 Demo? Did you march?

Did you sign petitions? Were you, in a nutshell, invigorated? I was, for all of three hours, and then I went to the pub. There was a great sense of excitement in the air that day, you could feel people enjoying themselves and passion flowed out of every cry of “Nick Clegg, shame on you”. But then there was fire and kettling. And after that (for me at least) my faith in protesting faded, and it would seem I’m not the only one because subsequent protests since then have all had pitifully little effect on anything apart from people’s livelihoods. Ordinary people are starting to realise that protests, strikes and demonstrations do nothing but make them late for work, and it’s those ordinary people you need to get on-Wside if you are to have any chance of influencing policy. When protesters realise this they lose interest and go back to writing their coursework. An unclear goal leads to bad organisation which will turn people away from the cause. My advice: stay at home, have a cup of tea, hassle an MP and be glad you’re not in the crush.

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

PROMOTION

THE RIPPLE CAMPAIGN BY BR A D M A R S H A L L

THE RIPPLE IS PROUD TO INTRODUCE ITS NEW CAMPAIGN TO HELP YOU TAKE STEPS TO AVOID THE GRADUATE UNEMPLOYMENT TRAP

his year, The Ripple is hoping to bring something new, exciting, and important to you: The Ripple Campaign. The idea is that The Ripple should not simply inform students of injustices; but instead take the lead in challenging these injustices and exploring the ways to fix them. A vote took place over the summer to decide what the campaign should be for this year. The winner was ‘The Fight Against Graduate Unemployment’. This campaign will seek to inform students of just how bad the jobs market is for those who do not prepare and ignite debate on the best way to solve the crisis, all whilst educating Leicester students on how to improve their employability.

selves to employers whilst they still have a chance to make positive changes. To this end the campaign will do everything it can to reach as many students as possible and to educate them on how not to fall into the 20%. The NUS Demo 2012 will provide the ideal foundation upon which The Ripple can begin to cover the problem facing students after university, and the possible solutions. We are in the process of approaching members of the university of a debate/Q&A on the topic with a range of outside figures possibly including politicians, journalists, professors, employers and alumni. And, towards the end of the year we hope to publish, online, a guide to getting a job which will combine the careers services expertise with The Ripple’s student touch.

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Over one million young people in the UK are unemployed

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The reason this campaign won the vote is very simple. We are experiencing a tragedy. At the time of writing, over one million young people in the United Kingdom are unemployed. And by unemployed we don’t just mean that they don’t have a job but that they’re not even being trained or educated in any form. Nearly 20% of university graduates will experience long term unemployment. This means that out of you and your four best friends, one is likely to suffer the agony of hundreds of rejected CVs, undertake half a dozen unpaid internships, all without the assurance of entering the graduate marketplace. This campaign then is an effort to inform students of the possibility that their degree won’t be enough, and offer suggestions of how to strengthen their CVs and appropriately market them-

Now that you have got an idea of all the things we are thinking of doing, and more importantly, why we are doing them, I hope a few of you will feel enthused enough to get involved. It doesn’t matter if you haven’t written anything before; in fact, it doesn’t matter if you don’t want to write at all. All that matters is you feel passionately about keeping students, you and your friends, out of the dole queue. If you want to get involved just email me, Brad Marshall, at bjm24@le.ac.uk or join the ‘The Ripple Campaign 12/13 on Facebook’ and we’ll find a part for you to play!

‘St udent P rote s t, L ondon 9 t h Nov 2011 ’ by F l ic k r u s er Ti l ly M i nt

GET AHEAD OF THE GAME...

Activate your MyCareers account at http://www2.le.ac.uk/ offices/careers-new

Check out the range of employers attending the ‘Festival of Careers’ at http://www2.le.ac.uk/ offices/careers-new/events/festivalofcareers/at-the-festival

Book a preparation session with the Careers Development Service to gain access to the ‘Festival of Careers.’

Head along to the Festival of Careers Nov 7-9 and speak to employers.

FOR MORE CAREERS ADVICE GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

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E DITOR: R H Y S W I L L I A M S

HOW DOES THE EURO CRISIS AFFECT YOU? BY MELISSA AGNEW

People are naïve to think the problem with the European currency is strictly a eurozone issue. The outcome of this crisis will impact the UK. If Greece leaves the euro, repercussions will ripple across Europe and the world. Greece’s departure could lead to banks collapsing and rising prices, meaning less economic support, rising rents and increased unemployment, all affecting the UK student body. The possible economic consequences of a bailout have left the Bank of England war-gaming a break up of the euro-zone, but as the crisis of 2008 proved, even the best plans cannot predict economic meltdown. With a cautious approach to monetary lending, first-time buyers will have to acquire a mortgage deposit of up to 20% of the value of their desired home. Such high rates are likely to reduce demand for buying, pushing up demand for rented properties. Areas in and around London have seen rents rise by 3.5%. The largest impact for students will be the effect on employment, as 47% of exports go

to the EU making it the UK’s largest trading partner. Less demand for these goods and services will inevitably lead to job cuts in manufacturing and tertiary sectors. The UK’s growth agenda will be damaged by the euro uncertainty, leading to less business confidence and lowering investments. This will mean a reduction in job creation for

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In the current economic climate

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he euro crisis has haunted politicians and economists alike, encompassing global fears concerning economic meltdown. The Ripple takes a look at how this problem will impact students, both at university and as they move into employment.

it is not enough to have a 2:1 degree

students, limited credit means no expansion. The harsh austerity measures enforced due to the crisis will also negatively affect employment. As job opportunities fall, a major issue facing UK students will be the so-called ‘skills mismatch’, where people are over-qualified for the jobs available. Another common concern is that the structural problems within UK education mean people do not have ‘job-ready’ skills.

Countries such as Germany and Austria have a vocational educational system steering students into careers. Many students are drawn to the German institution ‘Fachhochschule’, which has a more practical focus and cheaper tuition fees. Arguably, it creates a brighter future for students. Ten federal states, including Berlin, wave tuition fees for students. This makes German universities more appealing to the UK student, especially when accompanied with affordable housing and options of varied study. German universities offer benefits for the present, and for the future. With more expensive tuition, housing and less employment preparation, the UK needs to learn from the German example. Otherwise we may lose students that could build our future. With such scarce employment opportunities and rising tuition fees, young people may be deterred from university. Many will begin to see higher education as seemingly pointless believing employers look for experience as opposed to qualifications. The hard truth is employers seek both in candidates, interview questions being centred on how both your experience and your education will aid in work. In the current climate it is not enough to have a 2:1 degree, employees are also expected to have relevant experience. These expectations will increase with the growing pressure of the euro-zone crisis.

WHO WANTS TO STUDY ABROAD? BY ELLYN G. VAN VALKENGOED

decided to study abroad in the UK back in 2010. At the time, I would have found it strange to meet a British student in my native Holland, and I would have been even less likely to predict that the tuition fees in the United Kingdom would triple in two years’ time, even though that was the same year the coalition government was elected. Almost three years later, my decision to study in the UK seems to have been turned on its head. This year the numbers of British students heading abroad to Europe is significantly higher than a few years ago. According to the Independent, up to a quarter of school leavers are seriously considering studying abroad, and the University of Groningen, in the north of the Netherlands, has reported its applications from Britain have quadrupled in the past two years. A lot of it has to do with the higher tuition fees in England: British students are eligible for local tuition fees and government grants around the EU. In Scandinavia, tuition is free. In Germany, some federal states charge no tuition fees and, in Holland, tuition fees only come in at around £1,500 a year for undergraduates. Many courses throughout Europe are taught in English, and employers like foreign experience, especially if you managed to learn another language in the process. However, there are drawbacks. British media tend to throw around the words “cheap” or “free” when talking about European universities, but neglect to say that the cost of teaching is much higher than the tuition fees that are being charged. In other words, they are heavily subsidised by the national government, through tax payers’ money. According to research carried out by the Dutch government, at least one in five foreign students graduating in Holland would have to stay on and work for three years for their presence to become an economic asset rather than a drain. The Dutch minister for education has suggested asking Germany, where most of its foreign students come from, for a contribution towards their education, but finally decided against it because a greater flow of students across borders is considered such a positive aspect to European integration. However, the current system will have to improve for it to be truly sustainable; cur-

rently there is a distinct lack of communication about the full costs and benefits involved. Meanwhile, the new tuition fee structure in England makes me wonder what’s going to happen to European students who want to study in Britain. Nine thousand pounds a year for an undergraduate degree is steep to anyone, but especially if tuition is so much cheaper at home. Even if European students are eligible for student loans, I find it unlikely anyone will accept a loan that large from a foreign government considering the financial commitment involved, especially now the state of the Euro is so dire. For those thinking of doing a postgraduate degree in the UK, whether a home student or foreign, you are on your own - there is no loan system in place at all. None of the above is particularly encouraging for students hoping to study in England for a longer period of time than the length of an Erasmus exchange program. Despite all the benefits to be had from an education in the UK: the quality of its teaching, the exposure to the English language and the company of students from around the world; it’s hard to defend the cost of it all when an education back in Europe is of similar quality and so much more affordable. In the future, full time students from Europe will probably be a rare sight on an English campus, while British students will have the option of escaping their own tuition debts by making use of subsidised systems of education in other European countries. As committed as I am to the idea of internationalisation in higher education, it hardly seems a fair exchange.

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

‘Rijksuniversiteit Groningen’ Image by Flickr user Nietnagel

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E DITOR: R H Y S W I L L I A M S

“WE WANT A FUTURE” INTERVIEW BY THEO ALLTHORPE-MULLIS

IN AN EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW WITH THE RIPPLE, NADIA, A SYRIAN STUDENT, OPENS UP ABOUT THE ABHORRENT INJUSTICES FACING THOSE WHO DARE TO PROTEST AGAINST THE ASSAD REGIME.

e want a future! That was the rallying cry behind the Arab Spring, the reason why millions of people, young and old took to the streets to build a future for themselves and for their countries. In Syria, as in other nations, the government reacted with bullets and bombs and yet the protests continued. Here at The Ripple, we’ve been in contact with the pressure group “United Free Syria” who introduced us to Nadia, a Syrian student who was more than happy to tell us her story and help us understand what is really happening to students in Syria today.

nor the expertise to do that yet. And ‘yet’ costs more lives every day! I’m reluctant to suggest military intervention, just because of all the destruction it has caused in Iraq and Afghanistan. The one thing we have been consistent in demanding is a no fly zone. If the UN could help more with the humanitarian aspect, Syrians would be able to fund the FSA more. The problem is for the most part, the help we are receiving is not enough. So it is Syrians funding the FSA and Syrians funding humanitarian aid, and it is just not enough.

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Would further foriegn intervention in Syria be plausible? I’ll say yes, however, I know it will cause even more bloodshed at first. It will make the cause stop and the bloodshed end hopefully. You do realise how desperate we are.

story, I believed what I was seeing on tv (Al-jazeera). Since then I’ve been constantly angry. I wanted to do something and I couldn’t figure out what. It’s the worst feeling in the world, helplessness. And it just made me angrier.

WHO ARE ‘UNITED FREE SYRIA’?

They wait till the nation falls apart... then divide the cake amongst themselves

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First things first, what are you studying? I’m currently studying in America. I was a medical student but I decided I’d had enough and went into Communications and Political Science.

What made you switch? I believe the Muslim world, and currently the Syrian world, needs better representation. Instead of complaining about how the media portrays things I decided to hopefully, become a part of the media.

What do you hope will happen in Syria? Obviously for the revolution to end in victory and for the bloodshed to stop immediately. More specifically, I used to hope that the Free Syrian Army would be able to handle the situation and end the battle internally. As it is becoming increasingly evident, the FSA does not have the means

Why do you think Russia, China and Iran support the regime still? The weapons trade and anti-democratic regimes stick together. I also think of it as a bit of a conspiracy theory. Those three and the west (America, France, etc) play out a charade: some are pro-regime, some are pro-revolution and they talk a lot and do nothing. They wait till the nation falls apart, then dive in to save the day and divide the cake amongst themselves.

What were the first few days of the revolution like? How did you feel? Very confused. I wasn’t really sure what was happening till a friend from Daraa’ returned to Damascus and told me what was happening. Once I had heard her

United for a Free Syria (UFS) are a nonprofit organisation based in America. The organisation promotes the inception of, and support for, a democratic model of government in Syria. Thus, providing the Syrian people with democracy, freedom and dignity. By sustaining positive relationships with: the U.S government; other NGOs, both national and international; Syrian American organisations; and Syrian opposition; the UFS is able to advocate the rights of Syrian people and ensure that their struggle remains on the agenda. If you would like to find out more about the organisation and their work, visit: http://www. unitedfreesyria.org/about-ufs/ ‘Sy r i a n Re volut ion’ by F l ic k r u s er Cre t h i Ple t h i

‘P rote s t for Sy r i a’ by F l ic k r u s er Gwenael P i a s er

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

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E DITOR: R H Y S W I L L I A M S

“The real torture happens to the people who can’t tell their stories. Everyone wants to hear about the student who was arrested for a few days, few people care about the father of five who has disappeared for the past year... my story is just one of thousands.”

When and why were you detained? I was detained the first time in April and the second time in May, both times for protesting. Actually the first time my charge was ‘suspicion of protesting’ because I resisted against the informer that had caught our friends. I called him a slave (regime slave) after negotiating with him had failed. He threatened to turn me in too with the protesters (who were my friends) but we stood our ground. I was so angry that day I didn’t care. I would rather have died than turned away. The second time the protest was infiltrated. We were shot at and shabiha, Assad thugs, arrested everyone in the vicinity

What was it like to be detained? The first time I was taken by the police, since they were the closest security officers to the informer. I was angry and I think being angry gave me a little strength. They said, “this will only take half an hour. If you really are innocent we’re just going to ask a few questions and have a chat.” Half an hour turned into four days. We were hit on the head as we entered and then threatened with electricity, cursed at and transferred to a prison the next morning. The second time was terrifying because they were ‘shabiha’ and, unlike the first time in which I had stood my ground, I tried every means to escape. The second time they were brutal they hit us all! Men, women, old, young, there was sexual harassment in the first ten minutes. They beat us with sticks and kicked us. We spent a few hours in the first security branch and then were transferred to yet another prison. How did this affect you? Does it affect you still? The first time, like I said, I was angry when

I was detained and I was angry when I got out. Not crazy angry though; my first prison experience was relatively mild and we had even spent some time joking inside. I was very deeply depressed a few days before we had been detained. I had actually seen the one of the military men who had shot us during a funeral loading his gun. We were barely two feet away and he was loading his gun and looking at me just waiting for orders. I think that broke something in me. I wanted to scream ‘why’ at him and I think that’s why I didn’t turn away when the informer threatened us. I also met a man from Homs the day before we were arrested and he had lost everything; his home and his business. He had buried 60 bodies with his own hands. His eyes were just too much for me, otherworldly. My family didn’t let me be as free as I was before being detained and that

disrespect or hurt them.

We were hit on the head and threatened with electricity

What are your hopes in the USA, for your future? I aim to get a degree in media and political science so that I can go back to Syria with a skill and not just because I miss it. I’m trying to do pro-revolution work here, fundraising and spreading awareness. What’s happening in Syria is a revolution, not a civil war. It is not an Islamist movement. All of the different sects in Syria have, and still are participating in the revolution. My story is just one of thousands. I am from Damascus, I am a university student, and I am from a wellknown family. The real torture, the rape, it happens to people who can’t tell their stories. They either don’t live to tell them or they simply don’t have the means. Everyone wants to hear about the university student that was arrested for a few days. Few people care about the father of 5 who was arrested from the village and has disappeared for the past year. We are not numbers, all the dead, all the imprisoned. They aren’t numbers, they are people, just like me and just like you.

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So, when did you decide to study in the US? My family decided to move back to the states. They had hinted before, before I was detained for protesting, the second time. I had fought fiercely against the move but the second detainment hurt my family in many ways. I stopped fighting them and just went along with it.

depressed me more. I felt labelled and it frustrated me. The second time though I was more emotional and less selfish. I came out missing and loving the people I’d left behind and I got over my anger. What did you feel you were labelled as? ‘Detainee’. Some people would tell me “you’ve done youR part; you can rest now”, others would criticize me for allowing my parents to limit my freedom. Both sides drove me crazy. I hadn’t done my part. I didn’t want to rest. But I didn’t want to lose my family either or

How did you feel when you did eventually board that plane to the USA? Heartbroken, Helpless.

What proportion of Syrians do you think are behind Assad? Why do you think they continue to support the regime? I honestly don’t know what proportion. I’m sure they are the minority; some for economic reasons if their businesses are tied to the regime, some out of sectarian reasons. What sort of sectarian reasons? Loyalty or fear. Some Alawites are with the regime because they are loyal to the Assad family; others are with the regime out of fear. The regime punishes Alawi opposition even more brutally than it punishes Sunni opposition.

‘P rote s t for Sy r i a’ by F l ic k r u s er Gwenael P i a s er

FOR MORE NEWS GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

COMEDY

YOUR ESSENTIAL GUIDE TO GOING OUT IN LEICESTER :

Who: Marcus Brigstocke – The Big Society When: 7th November Where: Curve Theatre Who: Greg Davies – The Back of My Mum’s Head When: 8th November Where: De Montfort Hall

DANCE

MUSIC

What: Some Like It Hip Hop When: 13th & 14th November Where: Curve Theatre

Who: The Cribs When: 1st November Where: O2 Academy 1

What: Batsheva Ensemble with Deca Dance When:16th November Where: Curve Theatre

Who: Spector When: 1st November Where: Queens Hall (O2 Academy 2)

What: Bolshoi Ballet: The Pharaoh’s Daughter (Screening) When: 25th November Where: Phoenix Cinema

Who: Tom Wrigglesworth When: 10th November Where: Y Theatre Who: Paul Chowdhry - What’s Happening White People? When: 10th November Where: Curve Theatre

Who: Kevin Bridges – The Story Continues When: 14th November Where: De Montfort Hall

What: Dr Faustus - Globe Theatre screening When: 24th October Where: Cinema de Lux, Highcross What: Timon of Athens – National Theatre Live When: 1st November Where: Phoenix Cinema

Who: Sonic Boom Six When: 3rd November Where: The Soundhouse Who: Syd Arthur When: 6th November Where: Firebug Who: Mystery Jets When: 10th November Where: Queens Hall (O2 Academy 2) Who: Motorhead + Anthrax When: 11th November When: De Montfort Hall

Who: Josie Long When: 19th November Where: Just The Tonic

What: Sing-a-Long-a Rocky Horror Picture Show When: 9th November Where: Curve Theatre

Who: Ben Howard, When: 21st November Where: O2 Academy 1

Who: Tony Law When: 24th November Where: Y Theatre

What: Day of the Undead 2012 When: 17th November Where: Phoenix Cinema

Who:Peter Hook and the Light, When: 26th November Where: Queens Hall (O2 Academy 2)

THEATRE

FESTIVALS

What: One Man, Two Guvnors – Starring Rufus Hound When: 25th October – 3rd November Where: Curve Theatre

What: Diwali Lights Switch On When: 4th November Where: Belgrave Road

What: Entertaining Mr Sloane When: 2nd – 24th November Where: Curve Theatre, Studio What: An Evening of Burlesque When: 21st November Where: De Montfort Hall

What: Humberstone Park Bonfire When: 5th November Where: Humberstone Park What: Literary Leicester When: 7th – 10th November Where: University of Leicester, Various Venues What: Diwali Celebrations When: 13th November Where: Belgrave Road

Image by Flickr user Sid.H

FOR MORE EVENTS VISIT WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

THIS TRIO WLL LEAVE BOTH YOU AND WALLET COMFORTABLY FULL...

INDIA’S FINEST

COUNTRYSIDE NOSH

Leicester is home to a thriving Indian community, so it’s no surprise that it harbours one of the best curry houses around! ‘Cuisine of India’ is a little off the beaten track, but don’t let this put you off: it can easily be reached by taking either the 48 or 49 bus. Tasty food, reasonable prices and sizable por-

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The Cow and Plough is Oadby’s hidden gem. Within walking distance of Oadby halls, this cosy country pub is the best place to enjoy a meal - or even just a drink. The pub’s main draw is its quality food, all made with local ingredients. And while some dishes on the menu can be a little pricey – that said, fil-

BY KATIE MASTERS

THE BISTRO Whether it’s breakfast, lunch or dinner you’re after, head to Jones’ on Queens Road. Conveniently situated in the heart of the student area, this open-all-day bistro has a unique ambience. The menu itself is quite Italian-inspired and the portions are hearty: you won’t leave Jones’ hungry! Prices are fair, plus there’s a good value

Image by Flickr user Mario Sixtus

Who: Paul Foot When: 11th November Where: Just The Tonic

CINEMA

Who: Joan Armatrading When: 2nd November Where: De Montfort Hall

BITESIZE LEICESTER EATERIES

There’s a magician

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WHAT’S ON?

who does the rounds of the tables performing card tricks!

tions are on the list for most students when it comes to eating out, but what this restaurant has over most others is the amazing service: staff are chatty, welcoming and happy to recommend dishes from the menu. There is a magician who makes the rounds of the tables performing card tricks! What’s more, you’ll be served with an array of post-meal treats, including coffee liqueur shots and after-dinner mints. Takeout is available with free delivery within a six mile radius (yes, Oadby halls are within six miles!) and an all-you-can-eat buffet is offered on a Sunday.

BORDERLANDS 2

let steak isn’t going to be cheap anywhere! – the Sunday lunch and Thursday Pie Night menus are great options if you’re watching the pennies. There is a selection of real ales available too.

‘early bird’ menu with very student-friendly prices. An added twist to the place is the extensive menu of cocktails (both alcoholic and nonalcoholic) and shooters.

WHERE TO FIND THEM...

Cuisine Of India: Kelmarsh Avenue, Wigston, Leicestershire LE18 3QW Cow and Plough: Gartree Road, Oadby, Leicestershire LE2 2FB Jones’: 93 Queens Road, Leicester, LE2 1TT

The original Borderlands, released back in 2009, was a critical and commercial hit due to a massive open world, ridiculous characters, diverse missions and enemies. In Borderlands 2, all the elements which made the first game a hit are back, with the addition of an intriguing narrative. The game world ‘Pandora’ is a lively and engrossing place filled with hostile creatures and highly entertaining non-playable characters. The player is free to explore anywhere and can complete a variety of main missions and side quests. There is over forty hours of gameplay and a high re-

play value due to the level of customization. The player can start with one of four characters, each with different skills. The core gameplay is mainly shooting with some well implemented RPG elements. Furthermore, the game is filled with laugh-out-loud dialogue and brilliant voice acting. Despite a few minor flaws such as low visual customization, the game delivers a very rewarding experience. With the rich, inviting world, the humour and awesome gameplay, this is definitely a must buy for action lovers. (4 stars out of 5)

BY TAHSIN KAMAL

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R E V I E WS E DITOR: E M I LY GUS S I N

FINDING NEVERLAND AT THE CURVE EMILY GUSSIN REVIEWS HARVEY WEINSTEIN’S HIT MAGICAL MUSICAL AT LEICESTER’S VERY OWN CURVE THEATRE Image by Flickr user lizsmith

he Curve Theatre in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter is only a few years old but has already gained a reputation for its high quality shows. It’s of little surprise then that Harvey Weinstein, the Hollywood film producer, chose The Curve to host the World Premiere of his production Finding Neverland, The Musical before its planned move to the West End. The musical reinvents Weinstein’s 2004 film of the same name which tells true story of Peter Pan author J.M. Barrie and stars Johnny Depp and Kate Winslet. The musical, like the film, tells the tale of a man stuck in an inspiration-less rut, for whom adult life offers little excitement. But upon meeting four boys and their widowed mother his imagination is reawakened, the boys’ belief in their dreams paving the way for Peter Pan. It is an incredibly moving musical; Barrie’s character struggles with his innerself, his wife Mary is side-lined as she attempts to achieve stardom as an actress and the boys’ mother Sylvia Llewelyn Davies is torn between chasing her own dreams and facing up to the reality of her situation as a widow. But in spite of the hard-hitting themes, the mood is light, with plenty of comic interjections, lovable characters and brilliant stage effects. Although it may seem an odd choice for a musical rather than a play, the lively and jubilant atmosphere in the theatre insures it remains heart-warming rather than heavy. The success of this musical lies in the overall production quality. The actors and actresses are all wonderful singers and bring real emotion to their characters, though the four boys really steal the show along with the huge St. Bernard that plods about the stage. Characters such as Captain Hook - who appears like Barrie’s inner devil - and Arthur Conan Doyle add hilarity and wit. The scenery and projections make this musical excel: when a production includes a huge pirate ship, a real motorcar and excellent projections there isn’t much more you can ask for! But Finding Neverland’s real success can be measured by the fact that there were plenty of smiling faces upon leaving the theatre.

MARK WATSON AT THE ‘Y’ THEATRE FRED SHEPHERD REVIEWS MARK WATSON’S RECENT PERFORMANCE AT LEICESTER’S ‘Y’ THEATRE, REVEALING WHY COMEDY IN LEICESTER PROVIDES MORE FUNNY FOR YOUR MONEY

ne of the most difficult things to conquer for any performer is appearing natural on stage. For comedians especially, audiences can sense unease, which can undermine the performer whatever the quality of their material. Whilst watching Mark Watson performing at the ‘Y Theatre’ it is difficult to believe he has ever struggled with this. The Bristol-born comic, well known for his appearances on panel shows, possesses a remarkable ability to seem so casual on stage that it barely feels like a stand-up gig at all. An often cliché way to describe a comedian is that their shows are like ‘chatting with a friend’, but for Watson this is particularly apt. He opens the show by climbing out of a box he has been hiding in on stage as the audience filed in, explaining it as an opportunity to spy, recounting how a few nights earlier he heard a couple arguing over whether to stay for his show or go to Nandos, something he’d rather have not known. ‘The Information’, his new tour, refers to this problem of knowing too much. In the age of Google, Twitter and Facebook are we privy to too many things that we really don’t need to know? Watson’s playful delivery and open discussion of his own failings is a welcome change of pace from hackneyed jokes about friend requests and profile pictures. He is well placed to discuss the topic, as Watson explains the difficulties his minor celebrity status imposes on his life: from Twitter feuds with Frankie Boyle, to identity theft. Watson’s gift

for self-deprecation and a sharp punch line makes these anecdotes not only hilarious, but frequently poignant too. The crescendo of the show is reached as Watson reveals the true reason for his tour: to destroy the

life of Paul Goddard, a bank manager who refused him a mortgage after Google-ing him. For Watson, often categorised as a comedian whose material is relatively tame and silly, the show takes a remarkably bleak turn as he explains how he intends to use the internet to retaliate against this man. ‘The Information’ benefits from these darker moments

peppered throughout; Watson’s likeability is emphasised as he is able to take such tangents without losing the audience. You can’t put Mark Watson in a box…whatever he might think. There are plenty of opportunities to see comedians perform in Leicester throughout the year. The ‘Y Theatre’ (leicesterymca.co.uk/y-theatre.php), just across the road from the train station where Mark Watson was performing, is the city’s oldest surviving theatre, and regularly features comedians on tour, hosting the ‘Bottle Rocket Comedy Club’ which presents some of the biggest names on the circuit. Tickets are cheap and student prices are available too. A more unusual locale is ‘The Crumblin’ Cookie’, a coffee shop on High Street, which holds comedy nights in a basement venue, ‘The Cookie Jar (thecookiejarleicester.co.uk). It has recently had performances from Paul Foot and Robin Ince, and is a nice change from your usual night spot. A dedicated comedy club, ‘Just The Tonic’ (justthetonic.com/leicester-comedy) is a relatively new venue on Granby Street that features strong line-ups, which are well worth the cheap ticket prices. With a student card you can see a full evenings worth of comedy for as little as £3. They even have an open mic night once a month if you feel like trying some of your own material out. De Montfort Hall (demontforthall.co.uk) regularly plays host to established comedians like Dara O’Briain and Jimmy Carr. Ticket prices are higher than elsewhere in the city, but are relatively cheap in comparison to what venues would charge you in bigger cities like London or Manchester to see comics of as high quality.

FOR MORE REVIEWS GO TO WWW.THE-RIPPLE.CO.UK

MUSIC

E DITOR: A L E X A N DE R F R E NCH

LEEDS FEST 2012

AIDAN RYLATT REFLECTS ON THE TOP MOMENTS FROM THIS YEAR’S LEEDS FESTIVAL, INCLUDING HOW A BAND FROM LEICESTER STOLE THE SHOW

eeds Festival, along with its older cousin, Reading, is a vision of what the country would look like if it were populated solely by those between the ages of 16 and their mid-20s, (actual and mental ages, that is). A place where it is not uncommon to see someone passed out in a pile of mud at midday, where shouting “BUTT SCRATCHER” at the top of your voice is considered the height of comedic prowess, and where most seem to adopt the view that ‘if it doesn’t move, you can probably pee on it’. But while it may not have the sophistication of your Glastonburys and your Bestivals, it never fails to thrill.

There were grumbles in some quarters that Saturday’s Main Stage headliners, The Cure, weren’t suitable for Leeds and Reading. Considering they were so evidently one of the main influences on a variety of the most notable ‘indie’ bands that have proliferated in the past decade, from Bloc Party to Franz Ferdinand, The Cure remain as relevant as ever. And, yes, the two-anda-half hour, 32 song set length was a little on the excessive side, but Robert Smith and co. have written enough classics in their time to excuse them the indulgence to re-visit lesser known numbers.

‘lad-rock’ luddites, as many have, is thoroughly misleading. Granted, a significant part of Kasabian’s fan base are the Fred Perry-sporting blokes who sink eight pints, throw a bottle of warm wee over the crowd in front of them and jump around with their mates to ‘Shoot the Runner’, but this isn’t The Enemy. Kasabian, and specifically guitarist Serge Pizzorno, have consistently produced interesting music that has also propelled them to becoming one of Britain’s biggest bands, which is no mean feat in this day and age. It also helps that Kasabian are an astonishingly good live band, possibly the most certified headliner-worthy band this generation has produced.

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They sink eight pints and throw a bottle of warm wee over the

crowd...

After a slightly steady introduction ‘In Between Days’ was the first song to provoke a strong reaction from the crowd. Then followed a slightly astonishing run of songs that highlighted the breadth of The Cure’s back-catalogue, from the lush melancholia of ‘Pictures of You’ to the shifting, stuttering pop rush of ‘The Caterpillar’; the bouncing, exuberant ‘Lovecats’ to the brooding, eerie new-wave of ‘A Forest’, one of their greatest songs. Closing with ‘Boys Don’t Cry’, the set may have required a bit of perseverance and patience at times but it was repaid in spades by The Cure, undoubtedly one of the most interesting and intelligent bands to have emerged from the post-punk music scene. Headlining the Main Stage on the Sunday night were Leicester’s own Kasabian, one of our own generation’s biggest success stories. To characterise Kasabian as

They know it too, and this is a group that thrives on the confidence of knowing how good they are. ‘Days Are Forgotten’, with its brazen defiance of how much it resembles Led Zeppelin’s ‘Immigrant Song’, opened the set and the pace didn’t relent for the remainder, with the exception of the Neil Armstrong-dedicated ‘Let’s Roll Just Like We Used To’. ‘Where Did All the Love Go?’ prompted an early sing-a-long; festivals are an entirely different beast to back in the days of Woodstock but no-one told Tom Meighan as he summoned the spirit of the 60s in asking “What ever happened to the youth of this generation?’. Old favourites like ‘Club Foot’, ‘L.S.F.’ and ‘Empire’ are bellowed back at them, but it’s set-closers ‘Vlad The Impaler’ and ‘Fire’ that showcase why Kasabian are a nearperfect festival headline act. A suitably raucous ending to a great weekend.

Image by EmBe79

Image by Kmeron

While Foo Fighters did their polished rock, nicest-guys-in-music thing over on the Main Stage on Friday night, Justice treated those gathered in the NME/Radio One tent to a different show entirely – from behind a wall of speakers and lights they showed off what has become one of the most impressive dance shows around. With their distinctive cross symbol centre stage, the lighting, coupled with teasing flashes of the much-loved ‘We Are Your Friends’ interspersed throughout, restored attention levels on the few occasions the set began to meander. Gimmicks weren’t required, however, when the Frenchmen called upon the likes of ‘DVNO’, ‘D.A.N.C.E.’ and ‘Civilization’. It’s

safe to say dance is safe with the newest French duo in possession of killer tunes and a knack for beguiling stage shows.

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“STEWARD WITH OXFAM AND ENJOY LEEDS FEST FOR FREE” S AY S M EG BR A N KOW S K I Stewarding is a great way to help raise money for charities and attend some of Britain’s best festivals for free. Not only is it fun, but it is also an excellent addition to a CV. I volunteered for Oxfam this summer at Leeds Festival with a group of friends from university. I was really impressed with the well-equipped, secure campsite and friendly atmosphere. Furthermore, no experience in stewarding is required prior to the festival, and a three hour training ses-

sion is provided. At the festival you are required to attend three, eight-hour shifts. Each shift comes with a free meal ticket that you can redeem: every student loves free food! Duties range from checking wristbands, to handing out free burgers to festival-goers. Shifts can be a little draining, and you can be working shifts from 4.30pm to 12.30am sometimes sacrificing seeing some acts. But for me personally this was worth it as I got to watch some my favourite bands such as The Maccabees and Bombay Bicycle Club with my friends for free when not working. 4000 stewards donated their time this year, so if you fancy joining them next year, visit www.oxfam.org.uk/Stewarding for more information.

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The set from here on is a well-balanced voyage through Blur’s back catalogue. After a quartet of Parklife numbers including a celebratory ‘London Loves’, the crowds are treated to such classics as ‘Beetlebum’, ‘Out of Time’ and a Graham-led ‘Coffee and TV’. The hits are interspersed with lesser-known songs which come to life in a live context; forgotten B-side ‘Young and Lovely’ has the hooks of a single, whilst 13 tracks ‘Trimm Trabb’ and ‘Caramel’ sound phenomenal with the backing of a four-piece choir. Joyous renditions of ‘Country House’ and ‘Parklife’ follow, the latter featuring guest appearances by vocalist Phil Daniels and, hilariously, Harry Enfield. Clearly a lot of thought has been put into tonight’s show, and the band’s performance cannot be criticised.

Image by Flickr user Kmeron

BLUR’S LAST UK GIG? In an exclusive interview with The Ripple last year, Blur’s bassist, Alex James, seemed tentative about a future collaboration with his former bandmates. Now, almost a year on, as Blur emerge triumphnatly from an Olympic performance in Hyde Park, Alexander French evaluates whether this UK reunion will be their last.

hen The Ripple sat down with Alex James last year and pressed him on the future of Blur, the bassist seemed uncertain. “I really don’t know what’s going to happen, and I wish I did,” he reflected, clearly eager to relive the glory of the band’s 2009 reunion shows but unsure of the likelihood of reconvening any time soon. When it was put to him that singer, Damon Albarn, had recently expressed an

thusiasm, whilst Alex wears a huge grin as he plucks his bass and takes in the moment.

interest in “cracking America” with Blur, but thought it unlikely that they would ever perform again in the UK, Alex responded with a forlorn “Oh… Really?” The band’s fans shared his disappointment; at the time, the odds of another Blur gig taking place on British soil seemed genuinely slim. This all changed three months later, when Blur were invited to headline a concert to coincide with the closing of the Olympic Games. Despite their singer’s ambivalence, the group couldn’t resist the opportunity.

And so after a triumphant two weeks of British sport, a crowd of 80,000 gathers in Hyde Park – the main location of Blur’s previous reunion – to welcome back four heroes of British music. When evening falls, a structure based on London’s Westway is revealed on stage and Damon and Alex – joined by guitarist Graham Coxon and drummer Dave Rowntree – assume their places underneath. Commencing with ‘Girls & Boys’, the four are unashamedly enthralled to be playing for us once more; Damon delivers impassioned vocals with unrestrained en-

There are times, however, when things can hinder a performance which are beyond the control of the performers. At Hyde Park, the sound coming from the PA is too quiet, meaning some songs lack the impact they ought to have. Perhaps as a result, certain members of the crowd seem oddly detached; people chatter over the quieter songs and remain static

during energetic numbers such as ‘Popscene’ and the raucous ‘Song 2’. These complaints aside, it’s a fantastic concert, and one which peaks during its heartfelt final section. Euphoric sing-a-longs

the Westway’, the latter written specifically for the occasion. By the time of closer ‘The Universal’ Damon appears on the verge of tears, and as the song reaches its climax he surveys the huge crowds before saying, simply, “Good night.” And then they leave us, Graham’s arm draped comfortingly around the singer as the band departs once more. Much could be made of these closing scenes, and many fans are lead to assume that they marked Blur’s last ever performance. These fears prove to be unfounded, with the group eventually announcing more shows in Europe for next year. Yet it’s difficult to imagine the band continually returning to England, and it’s entirely possible that tonight’s show will be their last on native turf. If this proves true, some will consider it an imperfect goodbye - but then goodbyes are seldom perfect, as exemplified by the underwhelming Closing Ceremony which took place across town. Nonetheless, tonight proved that Blur are just relevant as they were in their 90’s heyday, and if they’re back for good then more great performances lie ahead. If this was their farewell to London, then they just like the spirit of Olympic joy - will be sorely missed.

“Blur are just as relevent as they were in their 90’s heyday. If they’re back for good then more great shows lie ahead.” ‘Tender’ and ‘This is a Low’ are succeeded by an emotional encore featuring beautiful early track ‘Sing’ and recent single ‘Under

Image by Flickr User EmBe79

THE GIG-GOERS GUIDE TO

LEICESTER’S MUSIC VENUES The O2 Academy on our campus is arguably the best music venue in Leicester for catching your favourite acts. However, there are many other venues around the city which all keen gig-goers and performers ought to know about. Here are a few… De Montfort Hall Leicester’s other major venue couldn’t be easier to find; the back gate to this grand hall is accessible via University Road. With the likes of the Beatles and the Smiths having graced its stage back in the day, the venue still puts on an impressive range of established bands and comedians. And in case you wondered, the venue bears no connection to Leicester’s other university!

The Soundhouse Located in Leicester’s Cultural Quarter, this pub-cumvenue hosts an impressive range of smaller acts. Tuesday is open mic night, so turn up with your guitar – or just your voice - if you’re eager to play in front of an audience. Firebug In the centre of the city sits a lively bar with a small but bustling venue on the floor above. With artists such as Foals, Frank Turner and Frightened Rabbit having graced its stage in recent years, in addition to comedians Russell Howard and Josie Long, Firebug is a haven

The Donkey An intimate venue with an impressive roster of past performers (Seth Lakeman, By the Rivers), The Donkey is just a short walk from the top of University Road. Open mic sessions are held every Wednesday evening. The Musician Tucked away on Clyde Street, not far from the city centre, this relaxed venue hosts an eclectic variety of acts from bluegrass to metal. On Monday evenings the Musician hosts the City Acoustic Club, one of the city’s best open mic nights. The Looking Glass/Hub Bar/Natterjacks If you don’t mind venturing beyond the city centre, a number of great smaller venues can be found on Braunstone Gate, a street at the heart of Leicester’s

MUSIC

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MANDOWN: THE INTERVIEW

resh from an explosive headline gig at The Soundhouse, UoL’s very own indie foursome, Mandown, caught up with The Ripple to talk selling out the O2, waking up naked and why they’re boycotting Freshers 2012. Interview with Jay Sheppard (Vocals/Guitar) and Thanasis Tsaouis (Drums). How did you meet here at UoL? Jay: I was doing open mic nights with Alex (Brundle Vocals/Guitar) and we met Thanasis and Kai (Barnby Bassist) via the band and gig society.

‘FRESHERS FRUSTRATES ME, ALL THESE PEOPLE WITH THEIR WEIRD T-SHIRTS’

How did you come up with the name Mandown? Jay: We were hopping back and forth between loads of useless names... Thanasis: [For example] Sleeping dog boners, rack of vowels... Jay: We had an audition and apologized for being a man down because our bassist wasn’t there, and that’s what they thought we were introducing ourselves as, Mandown! You write all of your own songs, what influences your songwriting? Jay: I’ve never written a love song, or a song about how much I hate Geography. ‘My Heavy Sleeper’ isn’t actually about me missing lectures, it’s about a lot of people I know back home who’ve slipped into drug dependency. What’s the best gig you’ve ever played? Jay: UoL’s Got Talent at the O2 Academy. Walking on stage we just thought, ‘Wow, there are so many

people out there!’ Everyone’s jaw dropped. It was sold out. Being in a band as a student must present some pretty wild nights out. Any crazy stories? Thanasis: I don’t like going out. I hate places with many people.

“

I’ve never written a song about how much I hate Geography

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Faircloth

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Jay: I once woke up naked on the floor of my halls. On my birthday, I woke up completely naked in bed with a strange bloke! We both freaked out the next morning. Where do you see Mandown in the future? Are you looking to get signed? Jay: First, we want to record our own stuff. We’re not looking to get signed. Thanasis: If it happens, we won’t say no! Jay: We’re also making a music video soon. Will that also involved you getting naked? Jay: I think enough people have seen that.

What do you make of artists who become famous through TV talent shows? Thanasis: I’ll refer to a recent Bruce Dickinson [Iron Maiden] interview. They’re not really looking to make music, they’re looking to be famous. Bands making music are playing small venues, writing their own songs, trying to make a difference. Freshers’ 2012: Are you loving the cheese with headliners such as Five and Misha B, or do you prefer an alternative scene? Thanasis: [To Jay] I don’t know what she’s talking about, what is Five? I hate freshers and I didn’t go last year. It frustrates me, all these people with their weird t-shirts. Jay: Mosh is quite good. The Soundhouse, Lock 42 and The Firebug are all great places to catch gigs on a budget. What’s your top tune of Fresher’s 2012? A lot of students are loving ‘Gangham Style’. Jay: I managed to avoid exposure to Gangham style. I feel like I’m the survivor of a Zombie virus! Thanasis: We’re playing ‘Dreamboy’ by Don Broco at all our pre drinks right now. Do you have any advice for budding artists at UoL? Jay: Practice and commitment. Our first gig, I’ll admit was quite shoddy because we hadn’t practiced. Thanasis: Just go out there and play music. Catch Mandown at this year’s Oxjam festival and supporting Seven Deadly at The Soundhouse on the 14th December.

INTERVIEW BY PHOEBE REES

THE SELECTOR AT THE SCHOLAR

rom the moment I set foot inside the intimate venue of The Scholar there was a buzz of excitement and anticipation coming from the awaiting audience.

Finally the lights dimmed and the murmurs of excitement became more animated. On bounced the support band for this evening; The Paradimes. People rose from the seats dotted around the venue and cautiously approached the stage in anticipation. What hit them was like a fist packed with skill, passion and quick reggae beats. As the set continued audience members began to do more than just tap their feet, the odd member beginning to perform the hopscotch dance style of all Ska ‘Rude Boys’ from the

1980’s. After a short interlude, on swaggered the remaining members of the Selector, led by lead singer Pauline Black. Black had a presence about her, her voice was so calm and articulate as she greeted the sea of pork pie hat wearing audience members. ‘You Rude Boys ready to dance?’ she asked with a seductive grin on her face. With a wink to the crowd the band crashed into action and the audience skipped forwards to join the brave dancers previously dancing to the support act, The Paradimes. The band opened with ‘James Bond’, the wellknown theme tune infused with a Ska bounce. Each song brought a new, fresh joy for the audience, yet the rhythm and hop-scotch dance moves stayed continuous and contagious. Not

only did the anthems cause the dancing animal inside of every human to show, they also provoked thought and passion. The song ‘Too Much Pressure’ was introduced by co-lead singer Arthur ‘Gaps’ Hendrickson with the statement in a broad Jamaican accent: ‘Sometimes we all under TOO MUCH PRRRRRESSURE!’ This song is not only a good one to bop along to, it also hits hard on the fact that everyone in life goes through pressure and stress and that we need to learn to deal with it in the best way we can. From the first blow of the trumpet to the last whack of the drum, this 2 tone band created a set which was filled with passion and joy from both the band and the audience.

BY EMILY KELSEY

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ALBUM REVIEWS AUTUMN PLAYLIST? SORTED!

COHEED AND CAMBRIA - THE AFTERMAN: ASCENSION GODSPEED YOU! BLACK EMPORER - ‘ALLELUJAH! DON’T BEND! ASCEND!

MUSE - THE SECOND LAW Promising a ‘christian gangster rap jazz odyssey’, with some ‘ambient rebellious dubstep’ and ‘face melting metal flamenco cowboy psychedelia’, Muse are back with their new album, The 2nd Law. With such a grandiose statement, it becomes evident that Muse have gone for a more comical and humorous approach when listening to songs such as Panic Station and Survival. The album features several new approaches from Muse, such as Madness, many of which are sure to become fan favourites. The album isn’t perfect however, with some truly disappointing songs and lack of overall cohesiveness. Despite this, it perfectly encapsulates Muse’s experimental drive whilst retaining their penchant for bombast. SAM OSBORNE

DINOSAUR JR. - I BET ON THE SKY If you pine for a genuinely vintage sound in the face of contemporary pop and folk you’ll love Dinosaur Jr’s, I Bet on Sky. Few bands have remained as true to their original noise as Dinosaur Jr. since their debut in 1985. The band’s latest work is a continuation of their last album, Farm, turning down the guitars and intelligently embracing elements of contemporary pop and rock while maintaining a strongly impulsive and stoner attitude. I Bet on Sky’s arrival is a refreshing arrival to the musical landscape. MICHAEL CONVERY

THE VACCINES - COME OF AGE The Vaccines have become one of Britain’s biggest guitar bands, yet the suspicion remains that they have yet to fully justify that position. Come of Age doesn’t entirely confirm either view of the band. ‘All in Vein’ is a joyful romp and the tight and punchy ‘Ghost Town’ is even better; Freddie Cowan’s guitar work has also developed impressively. However, other songs confirm the view of The Vaccines as a workmanlike Strokes; ‘No Hope’, for example, is the most disappointing comeback single in quite some time. Let’s hope Album No.3 allows them to forge an identity as a truly great band in their own right. AIDAN RYLATT

SWANS - THE SEER As one might expect, after over 30 years of experience the Swans of 2012 are simultaneously both more expansive and refined in their experimentation, and there is a dense background of new instruments and textures which colour The Seer, all in good taste. Although on the surface The Seer may seem like one of the band’s most impressive releases, it does not invoke and satisfy Freudian desires in the ways which characterise Swans’ greatest works. Disregarding prejudice towards its somewhat docile disposition, and considering its own merits, The Seer is perhaps a good place for those unfamiliar with Swans’ unforgiving experimentalism to get acquainted with the band, though its two hour running length may intimidate some. SIMON YOUEL

MUMFORD & SONS - BABEL Mumford & Sons’ newest (and laziest) work, Babel, as it sounds, by and large, exactly like the band’s first album. The distinctly ‘Neil Young meet contemporary pop remains extremely intact, containing swelling banjo pieces, acoustic serenades and vocal harmonies bordering on kitsch. Babel stays true to what made Mumford & Sons’ first album such a success by completely replicating the noise and structure of Sigh No More to produce something identical and less inspired. MICHAEL CONVERY

For their first official release in 10 years, Godspeed You! Black Emperor’s have fallen under a balkan influence, with intense polka crescendos driving the album’s opener and highlight track, ‘Mladic’. While the opening track retains clear markings of the Godspeed signature, it is in the third track, ‘We Drift like Worried Fire’, where the listener is warmly reunited with the majesty of Godspeed’s orchestral rock, and subsequently charged with the powerful rays of optimism and beauty the band can still inspire. Though Godspeed’s latest offering is still unsurprisingly a spectacular work in its own right, it stands as perhaps the weakest in their preciously small discography. SIMON YOUEL

LOWER THAN ATLANTIS CHANGING TUNE Now labelmates with Justin Bieber and Mariah Carey, 2012 was touted as Lower Than Atlantis’ year. Where honest lyrics and rough-but-catchy rock riffs fused neatly on their first two records, here L.T.A. suffer from overproduction, with the thick guitar tones occasionally muffling Mike Duce’s lines. Lines which are far more haphazard than the witty adolescent musings of past albums. Where it succeeds, it is clever and utterly relatable; where it fails, it attempts to sound erudite feel clunky and needless. ‘Move Along’ is the mandatory download with a sweet guitar lick and a chorus which will stay with you for weeks. JOHN ANDERSON

SPECTOR - ENJOY IT WHILE IT LASTS The album starts softly but soon enough we’re into a big sing-along chorus with crashing drums and guitars, the record’s main characteristic. The ballads are fine but nowhere near as thrilling. The lyrics are melancholic, looking wistfully back at teenage abandon, where break-ups outnumber the hook-ups. None of the instrumentation inspires, but Macpherson stands out. He performs with a strange mix of sincerity and ironic detachment. The record may be forgotten by next year, but it’s great fun to blast and rarely drags. The album’s title describes the experience accurately. The Trading Standards Agency will be so pleased. JAMES WARD

‘Cinematic’ never described a Coheed album so perfectly: chilling spoken-word sections line the album, not detracting from the musical odyssey, rather enhancing the experience. In one sense this returns to the band’s roots: the old drummer, with old producers, in the old studio. However, with new bassist Zach, as an entire artistic statement the record sounds unlike anything previously attempted. The title track is a poignant delicacy; ‘Holly Wood the Cracked’ sounds deranged; ‘Evagria the Faithful’ is heartbreaking and sublime. With nods to the past, but most importantly the future, this is Coheed’s most diverse record yet. Now be excited that it’s only one half of a double album.

JOHN ANDERSON

OF MONSTERS AND MEN - MY HEAD IS AN ANIMAL Of Monsters and Men have climbed to fame due to the great success of their album “My Head is an Animal”. The reason for their success has got to be the melodic combination of Nanna and Rangar’s perfectly harmonising voices, combined with uplifting choruses and unusual percussion. A perfect blend of sweet acoustic guitar and bass complements the percussion and on top float clever lyrics telling tales of the woods, fighting animals and the sea saying goodbye to the shore, along with some of the most infectious La la la’s” since Van Morrison’s “Brown Eyed Girl”. The uplifting bursts of melody are similar to Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, but also the music harbours the folk pump and magnificence of Mumford and Sons, with a hint of Bon Iver’s harmonious clarity. SAFFI BARHAM

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E DITOR: JE S S ICA E A ST W E L L

A RTS A N D CR E ATI V IT Y

CULTURE ON YOUR DOORSTEP WITH EMBRACE ARTS

mbrace Arts is on Lancaster Road, tucked behind the Maurice Shock Building, the bit I had always written off as a “here be sciences” area. But it’s not. I was shown around the light, modern

But what about the discounts? We are students, after all. In addition to a series of events that are free for everyone, those who have NUS Extra cards are offered concessionary prices. Especially notable are the Soundbites lunchtime concerts on Tuesdays at 12.45, which are free to

prints, exhibited by the Leicester PrintWorkshop. The star piece in the gallery is a ceramic piece by Picasso himself, donated by Richard Attenborough. For the aforementioned courses, there are two art studios, and another equipped for dance classes. The Arts Bar was doing a roaring trade in lunch when I visited, and stays open late if there are evening classes running in the building. I also discover that there’s more to the organisation than the events. Embrace Arts currently provide funding for the Music Association and its constituent societies, as well as the University music scholarship scheme.

Photo courtesy of ‘Embrace Arts’

building, and discovered the wide range of courses, classes and events, from classical music to experimental dance, from silver jewellery-making to burlesque dance. All this, and fully wheelchair accessible as well. Embrace Arts may well be the creative centre you’ve never visited, or possibly even heard of.

SMAC SOCIETY

attend, and often include University of Leicester musicians. The building contains a large performance hall complete with grand piano. There is also an art gallery (opened by and named after the late Princess Diana), which currently contains a wide variety of

It struck me that not enough students are aware of, or are using, the Embrace Arts facilities. Gillian Garratt, the marketing manager, told me that she was keen to see more students at events. She suggested increased student feedback and suggestions, in order to make Embrace Arts more appealing and relevant to students, and pointed me towards the Embrace Arts Facebook page and Twitter account (facebook.com/embraceartsleicester and @embracearts). In addition to all of the facilities, Embrace Arts also offers volunteering opportunities across its sectors: a potentially valuable source of work experience for students hoping for a career in the arts. BY JESSICA EASTWELL

Interested in working in the media industry in the future? Studying a media related course?

course such as cinema trips and networking with media industry professionals or even trying to gain internships.

Then the SMAC Society is here for you!

There is no reason for you not to join! It’s only £3, open to everyone whether studying the course or not, meeting likeminded people and best of all, becoming the next generation within the media industry in the UK. Like our Facebook page: www.facebook. com/SMACSociety or email us at su-mediacomms@le.ac.uk for more information!

The goal of the society is to enrich media experiences of those who are taking Media and Communications or even those who want a future career in journalism, broadcast or advertising. This will be done through trips to the BBC and Pinewood Studios, social events with students on the

FRESHER’S WEEK FATIGUE NOTTINGHAM CREATIVE WRITING BY JESSICA EASTWELL CONTEMPORY GALLERY

e’s not sure when reality started to recede. Perhaps as the final hit of spirits his budget had allowed had begun to wear off, and the bursts of strobe lighting and the machine gun attack of the music had merged. He stands huddled in one of the inward looking circles that fill the club. Not the transcendent, united mass that people always talk about. Maybe he’s just not drunk enough, he thinks. His dancing is getting more embarrassed, and he keeps his hands low, shifting his weight from foot to foot. He takes the opportunity to discreetly check his watch. One fortyfive. Another hour and a quarter to go. It feels like an eternity. He’s not used to feeling like this: he likes going out, but it’s the Thursday of Freshers’ Week, and his fifth night out in a row. Someone bumps into him, and cold, sticky liquid floods down his back. Even this feels unreal, as if it’s all happening to someone else. The DJ shouts, “Freshers, put your hands in the air!” He looks around the little island of flat-

mates whose names he’s more or less learnt, and obediently puts his hands up. He is heavy all over, like lead. One fiftyseven. He contemplates getting another drink, even though he can’t really afford it. He thinks it might help, somehow. The strobes start up again, freezing everyone in a volley of frames, like a million cameras going off. It will all be on the internet tomorrow. People smiling, luminous drinks in hand, hugging strangers. If it isn’t on Facebook, you didn’t have fun.

who remind them they can’t come back in again. Into a taxi, smiling in a daze, ears stuffed full of invisible cotton wool. “I’m sorry, but I’ve completely forgotten your name,” he admits. Best to get it out of the way before it gets too awkward. “Sarah,” she replies, not offended at all. “Sarah-from-Lincoln-doing-History. And you’re… Ed-from-Pickering-doing…” “Geology.”

Someone taps him on the shoulder. It’s one of the girls from downstairs, the short one with purple streaks in her hair. Her name starts with S, he thinks. A half-smile, halfgrimace is spread over her face. She stands on tiptoe to shout in his ear.

Silence falls for a few minutes, and they watch the semi-familiar streets blur by. Suddenly, she says, “I’m starving. Fancy a pizza when we get in?” “Sounds good.”

“You look like you’re having as much fun as I am. Want to bail?” He nods yes, and they leave without fanfare, struggling through the fug of people, up the stairs, and past the door staff,

He spots the turn onto their street. The silence hangs crisply in the cool October air. He turns and follows Sarah towards the block.

BY JORDAN JOSEPH

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A RTS A N D CR E ATI V IT Y

LEICESTER’S CULTURAL QUARTER

STOCKHOLM, SWEDEN

y application for Erasmus was hastily done the night before it was due and without a great deal of research into the places which I had chosen (not something I would recommend doing). Little did I know that submitting the form was the best decision of my life. I did not have to pay any fees for the year and I received a grant from the EU, which helped a great deal financially.

n 1999, Leicester City Council created the Cultural Quarter, using the industrial backdrop of the St. George’s area as its stage and modern innovation as its costume, it is made up of an assembly of entertainment, creative workspaces and accommodation. Modern artistic projects that incorporate the buildings and the space between them, combining industrial and cosmopolitan characteristics, reflect Leicester’s story in its entirety. Motion-responsive light and music displays, placed in the space of St. Orton’s square, encompass the senses, making the cultural quarter an interactive stage. The award-winning Curve Theatre cradles St Orton’s Square and close by, Phoenix Square rises from the ashes of its industrial heritage. The potential for grandeur that is implied by the Curve’s stage-like foyer and reflective glass exterior is fulfilled in countless ways. Critically acclaimed plays such as One Man, Two Guv’nors, and works by playwrights closer to home such as Joe Orton’s Entertaining Mr Sloane are just two spectacles amidst an array of drama, comedy, musicals, opera and ballet. The theatre and the LCB depot in Phoenix Square have become icons of originality and creativity. This is a result of the many workspaces, digital editing suites, and meeting rooms for creative organisations, which hold workshops and courses in dance, writing and drama, to name a few.

‘Curve’ by Flickr user nataliej

The Phoenix Cinema refreshingly contrasts home comfort with bizarre escapism. For example, the “social cinema” recreates your front room– but with 3D, digital and 35mm capabilities, a team of projectionists, and a fully stocked bar. The Phoenix also boasts film festivals and interactive exhibitions such as “the Secret Garden” and big-budget blockbusters, such as Anna Karenina and The Dark Knight Rises. Simultaneously, the cinema shows independent films such as the multi-layered Even the Rain (Y también la lluvia), which boldly thrusts the greed and hypocrisy of Western society upon the audience. Such films indulge whims sometimes starved by the mainstream market, and prompt thought, interest and enjoyment– not just profit. Nightlife in the Cultural Quarter is charged, and continues in melding modernity with tradition. Restaurants including Chutney Ivy and Five Thai infuse our pallets with cultural cuisine, fulfilling Leicester’s multicultural reputation. Meanwhile, venues and nightclubs such as the Sound-House and Helsinki have chosen to embrace the industrial architectural structures that are perfect for the amplification of house, dance and pop anthems, or else raw and enveloping live music. The area of St. George, a maze of abandoned factories, warehouses, and industrial backstreets, might once have caused a desire for escapism. However, by embedding the past with the present, Leicester’s identity provides the foundations on which eclectic culture can thrive. As a result, the Cultural Quarter challenges perspectives, encourages creativity and expression and cultivates a future of discovery, achievement and diversity for the city of Leicester.

‘Curve’ by Flickr user jennifermackenziejones

EXPERIENCE ERASMUS WITH LUCY NICHOLSON Northern Lights for the first time at 4am during the first night of a very drunken party cruise to Tallinn, Estonia.

Throughout the year I travelled all over Europe, including Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Germany, The Netherlands, Lapland and Finland to name a few. My new friends and I went to many of these places purely because we were able to buy cheap flights or ferry trips. Plus, it was our ERASMUS year, so why not?

A year later, bleary eyed on a 3am flight to Stockholm, the reality sunk in. There were many initial shocks during the first semester, such as getting used to the cost of things in Sweden, a different u n ive r s i t y lifestyle and a new culture. One of the key challenges for international students in Sweden is that you can only buy alcohol from a stateowned monopoly (system bolaget) which is open only to 7pm on weekdays and until 3pm on a Saturday. However, this is all part of the experience of living and studying in a new country. Talk of the Swedish winter quickly set in and an abundance of snow was anticipated. It did not arrive until Christmas, however the temperature was consistently well below zero and it was dark by 2pm every day. This might seem like a nightmare environment, but as long as you have the right clothes you are fine! One great highlight of the darkness was seeing the

Knowing that I had to make the most of every opportunity I had there gave me much more of a ‘try anything’ approach to life. I learnt how to ski, managing to fit in two ski trips while I was there and sustained many bruises along the way, something which I may not have done, had I stayed in England.

A personal highlight of mine was visiting Berlin, a city I had wanted to visit for many years: it did not disappoint. As you may have gathered, not a great deal of studying went on during my ERASMUS year, just lots of partying, travelling and meeting new people. In my opinion, going away for third year is a no brainer.

Photo courtesy of Lucy Nicholson

The second semester brought the sunshine, and amazing highlights, such as Valborg, (a celebration for students) which just involves a day of partying starting with a champagne breakfast. The end of my ERASMUS saw us camping in Stockholm’s archipelago, a collection of Islands, where we stayed up all night, watching the sunrise and swimming during the day.

DO YOU HAVE AN ERASMUS EXPERIENCE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SHARE? THEN CONTACT THE RIPPLE: RIPPLE@LE.AC.UK

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L I FE ST Y LE E DITOR: S A M A N TH A TA PSON

STUDENT CHEF Tried and tested by students, these simple recipes are a great way to start cooking as a Fresher. You’ll be creating gourmet food on a budget in no time, so put down the take away menu and get cooking!

Banana Bread By Katie Masters

Donna Leech reveals how a hobby can help you pay back your student loan with her jewellery making business, ‘Hearts, Beads and Pretty Things’

Ingredients: 3 mashed bananas 80 butter 70g desiccated coconut 4 large, free range eggs 1 tsp baking powder 1 tsp baking soda 1 tsp vanilla extract 1 tbsp cinnamon 2 tbsp maple syrup (this is flexible depending on how much of a sweet tooth you have). 15g almonds 2 Medjool dates, chopped 15g raisins Preheat the oven to 180°C. Melt the butter in the microwave. Add the bananas to the butter and mash the mixture together to make a sort of ‘puree.’ Add the eggs – mix well. Add the vanilla extract and maple syrup – mix well. One by one, add the dry ingredients to the mixture and mix well. Lastly, stir in the dried fruit and nuts. Grease a loaf tin and pour in the mixture – silicon loaf tins are the easiest to clean, however if you don’t have one, you can always line a conventional loaf tin with foil. Bake for 40 minutes.

MAKE A FORTUNE OUT OF FASHION

Bacon & Egg Fried Rice By Alyssia Chapman Ingredients: 200g rice (uncooked weight) cooked and left to cool 2 tbsp vegetable oil 1 egg 3 rashers bacon (grilled and roughly chopped) 2 tsp soy sauce 3 spring onions (chopped) optional 2 cups frozen peas (defrosted in boiled water) optional 100g bean sprouts (chopped) optional First, boil your rice – you shouldn’t need me to tell you how. Leave it to cool but bash it around with a fork every now and then so it stays fluffy. While your rice is boiling you can stick some bacon under the grill. Don’t let it go too crispy. Once it’s cooled down chop it up roughly. Heat 2 tbsp of vegetable oil in a wok until simmering/smoking. Add the cooked rice and stir fry for 3-4 minutes Add the chopped bacon, spring onions, peas, bean sprouts and soy sauce and stir fry for a further 3 minutes. Mix the egg in a cup with the 2 tsp of vegetable oil (sesame oil if you have it). Push the rice to one side of the wok and into the other side pour the egg mix. Leave it for a moment so that it begins to set and then beat it briskly with a fork so that it starts to scramble. Toss the scrambled egg with the rice and stir fry for about a minute more. Add salt/pepper/extra soy sauce to taste, serve and enjoy!

truggling to make your student loan stretch to all those nights out and take-aways we students just can’t live without? Well, why don’t you do something about it?

‘Hearts, Beads and Pretty Things’ is a Facebook page I’ve recently created to sell my handmade jewellery. So far, it is going pretty well, with £100 worth of orders in the first week. So, how did I do it? Techniques are easy enough to replicate through a lot of experimentation, for instance, watching ‘Youtube’ tutorials. If you are lacking inspiration, this can be easily cured with a quick visit to Accessorise,

New Look or Topshop. It’s not hard to get started either, and the beauty of it is you can make exactly what you like because you can pretty much find everything you can imagine on the internet. Ebay shops are my weakness; hours can be spent trawling through pages, looking for new supplies. Furthermore, investments do not have to be sky high; sets of beads start from as little as 99p, and then your only limitation is your imagination. I find it amazing that I could ever earn money from something I enjoy and it’s a great break from university work. Plus there really is nothing more rewarding then realising people are willing to part from their hard earned cash in exchange for something I have created. If you would like to find out more, please visit my Facebook page. I received 70 likes in my first 48 hours, which I was amazed with. I have the photos of all the jewellery and fabric hearts I have created online, and then I take requests from people by email. Please take a look and see if there’s anything that takes your fancy, or even inspiration to get started yourself.

So why don’t you try to make more of something that’s currently just a hobby? Facebook is such a great platform to get your work noticed. What’s stopping you? WWW.FACEBOOK.COM/HEARTSBEADS ANDPRETTYTHINGS

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his year’s Fresh Fair was bigger and better than ever! With all sorts of societies and teams present there was something for everyone and more – if you could make your way through the crowds. The commendable organisation of the Sabbatical Officers, Students’ Union staff and society committees did not go unnoticed. Societies, groups and associations were assembled into similar sections - sports, performance, faith, recreation and more - making them easier to locate. As always there were opportunities to pick up free stuff, which never goes amiss with students. Both the university societies and the commercial companies gave out anything from key rings and pens to free food! As busy as we were during Fresh Fair conscripting fresh faces into our Ripple family, we took the time to interview some wander ing students to find out just what they thought about this year’s Fresh Fair. CORRINA: 3RD YEAR PSYCHOLOGY Corrina is a member of Nightline and operated the service’s stand at the Fresh Fair. Nightline is a student run phone service that runs at night throughout term time and serves to give students a chance to speak anonymously to good, caring listeners. on 01162231230 Have you enjoyed Fresh Fair? This year’s spread has been really good, especially because The Scholar was used. This has made it easier to personally talk to people, which is better than simply shoving leaflets in their face. Has the Fair created a buzz about Uni life for you? Yes, especially because in the first couple of weeks, it is acceptable to talk to everyone. Which non-existent society do you wish the University had? Cheese Hating Society

F R E SH E R S 2012

FRESHER’S FORTNIGHT: CAN WE DO BETTER?

FRESH FESTIVAL 2012: THE VERDICT

BY JASMIN ELLIOT For many people, Freshers’ Week is one of the best weeks of their lives. But with student budgets tighter and expectations higher, can we really say that ours is good enough?

LOLA JOHNSON AND SAFFI BARHAM GIVE THEIR RUNDOWN OF THE MOMENTS THAT ROCKED FRESHERS 2012

SALLY: 1ST YEAR MASS COMMUNICATIONS YINKA: 1ST YEAR POLITICS Have you enjoyed Fresh Fair? Yes, people have been very friendly! I came here with a lot of questions that have all been answered. Which societies were you pleasantly surprised to see? I was pleased to discover that the university has a Burlesque Society. I can’t wait to find it. SADIF: 1ST YEAR MEDICAL BIOCHEMISTRY Which societies did you join? St Johns Ambulance, I was happy to notice that there are societies that can help you in your course. Working with St Johns Ambulance will give me practical knowledge for this. I also joined the Women’s Football and the Rugby team. What is your opinion on the membership fees of societies? The option to pay afterwards makes it affordable and reasonable.

What do you think about the Fresh Fair? It’s great to finally be here! I arrived in August so I’ve not been able to see how diverse the university is until today. There are so many different societies! What other societies do you wish the university had? A Modelling Society. I worked part-time as a model in China and would have loved to continue here in Leicester.

NIGHTLIFE Fresh Festival’s fortnight of partying was much anticipated by many freshers, and indeed many returning students, who were impatient to experience what these 3,000 capacity sell-out events had to offer. With venues including our very own O2 Academy, Chilli White and Liquid & Envy as well as the many visited during the Bar Crawl, new students got a chance to see what Leicester has to offer and the returning students got to re-jig their memories, or at least remember where they lost them.

With the exception of Zane Lowe and Five, the acts performing aren’t exactly well-known. If booking bigger names is not always possible, we should certainly have more variety. Five are naturally going to be new and exciting for first years, but the thought of seeing them a second time isn’t really appealing.

The school disco brought freshly freckled faces, washed-out white tops, bookish black bottoms and nerdy glasses (prescription and otherwise). From the O2’s balcony, you could watch trance-like as the white t-shirts jumped in time to the music. The Freshers’ Bar Crawl brought students in their colour-coded t-shirts partying through the streets of Leicester. Halls rivalry and camaraderie made the journey a great way to meet new people. Arrival at the O2 at the end of the crawl was a true test of stamina and the party continued there well into the night.

dancing, chatting and hugging. It was a night not to be missed! If you weren’t there don’t worry, there is a Red Leicester night every Wednesday at the O2!

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The music always served as a great atmosphere booster, whether it was the too-cheesy-for-words pop of Red Leicester to the club bangers and chart anthems of Shabang. What’s more the DJ always took it up a step further by spurring on the ever present rivalry between the different halls. As each night progressed, the dancing became more erratic, falling down became more humorous and hugging random strangers was highly approved of. The pictures speak for themselves: those present enjoyed themselves. The question is, how many nights did you manage?

Hugging random strangers was highly approved of!

And of course, the £50 Freshers’ Pass does pay for itself... if you go out every night over the two weeks. Even though most freshers will vehemently deny it, after a week straight of late nights and parties most people need a night or two off. But the only way to guarantee entry to the events that you really want to go to is with a pass – so most first years feel obliged to buy one. However, by comparison it does seem that Leicester students are getting a good deal for two weeks of nights out: at other universities passes can range from £30-£40 for just one week. But really what makes a Freshers’ Fortnight brilliant is atmosphere. It’s the combination of new people, a new place and new experiences all in a lively environment – and at that Leicester certainly delivers.

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Red Leicester can never be missed and now this year’s freshers have been enlightened to its presence. The atmosphere was somewhere between Olympic fever combined with the best gig you ever went to. Everywhere you looked people were

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F R E SH E R S 2012

NOT YOUR AVERAGE BAR CRAWL

STUDENT SUPPORT

BALANCE YOUR BUDGET BY L AU R A M USE

BY MARK DAVISON

midst the ever-popular sequence of Uni freshers’ events, Leicester offers a vast amount of alternative nights out. Motivated by the possibility of discovering new music, people and venues, I embarked upon ‘Not Your Average Bar Crawl’ – an alternative, or simply an addition, to the legendary ‘Freshers’ T-

The Font Pub Dan Blackout, playing an impromptu DJ set, ensured The Font was a more than appropriate venue to begin the night, as his eclectic mix of DnB and House allowed the independent pub to transcend its usual mellow and inviting atmosphere. The Font achieves a retro feel through a combination of its stylish interior, rustic furniture and arcade machines, whilst affordable drinks prices and a wide range of homemade fine foods assure it is a popular, local venue. Nine Bar Serving a huge range of drinks, at a 10% student discount, Nine Bar gave the impression of being a perfect coffee spot by day and vibrant cocktail bar at night. Whilst overseeing the DJ booth, John from Sous Sol Projet (a Leicester-based, monthly showcase of electronic and bass music) assured me that Nine Bar was in fact, ‘the best bar in the west end’ due to its popularity amongst the Leicester DJ community.

HUB Hidden away on the bustling Braunstone Gate, HUB is a relatively small, yet energetic bar that possesses a distinctive identity due its central circular bar, engaging interior and friendly staff. HUB takes part in the ‘West End Leicester Student Night Out’ every Wednesday (alongside, Nine Bar, The Music Café and others) providing offers, discounts and events on a weekly basis. The Music Café This 350 capacity venue seemed almost too big to be included on a bar crawl, boasting a huge sound system, dance floor and DJ booth. The Music Café is another example of the underground, house, drum and bass and dub step music scene that Leicester has engendered and is a refreshing alternative to other venues that flirt between the casualness of a bar and the energy of a club. Sophbeck Sessions Sophbeck was the perfect final destination, with two floors staying open until 6am every weekend allowing those with the required stamina to prolong their night. Subterranean bars and stonewall alcoves complement the underground music in the basement room, whilst upstairs there is a more relaxed atmosphere helped by hiphop favourites such as Notorious seeping out of the speakers.

HOW NOT TO FAIL AT FRESHERS BY V ICTOR I A M A NS F I E L D Being a fresher can definitely go more smoothly for some people than others. So based on experience, here are some rules for not being a ‘bad’ fresher: 1. Don’t leave facebook open. This leaves you open to status attack. It would usually be mildly entertaining, except that because you’re at university now there will be relatives concerned for your wellbeing who stalk your profile to make sure you’re alive. Unfortunately, they don’t often understand student humour, so the seemingly harmless ‘I’m pregnant’ status can cause distress throughout your family. This results in your driving teacher sending you a private message offering emotional support and the messages from distant relatives you like to pretend do not exist discussing your lack of morals.

2. Don’t set the fire alarm off. It’s the beginning of the year and friendships are precarious. You do not want the social stigma of having set off the fire alarm; you may never recover. So until your friendships are secure do not go near the cooker, smoking in your room is off limits and candles are items to treat with disgust. This includes running a bath: should your bath overflow it will short circuit the fire alarm, causing it to go off multiple times throughout the night. It will not be forgotten. 3. Don’t clean up sick with a hoover. For some, attending Red Leicester is often linked to consuming a large amount of alcohol, which may get the better of you. Ensure a quick clean-up, but never with the hoover. Should you make such a fatal

mistake, that hoover will be tainted forever: every time an unsuspecting housemate wishes to clean they will be bathed in the sweet aroma of your stomach juices, which gets old very quickly. 4. Don’t shower for hours at a time. If you have the dubious privilege of sharing a bathroom with others, you can be sure that the moment you step in the shower someone else will decide that it’s actually the perfect time for them to shower too. This constant demand means that if you spend ages in there, you’ll probably be referred to as an amphibian; angry words may end up exchanged. Get in, soap up, rinse off: go.

‘Leicester Market’ by Flickr user chelmsfordblue

Shirt Bar Crawl’ run by our students’ union each year. Now in its second year, the bar crawl professed to give students a tour of the lesser known, independent music spots across the city in the hope that this will inspire more students to discover and experience Leicester’s wider nightlife.

NEWSFLASH: Being a student is expensive and, by the end of each term, many students have a serious case of monetary melancholy. From gasping in horror at the price of value lemonade and asking yourself if you really need that shower, living away from home can certainly be difficult for those not accustomed to budgeting. Luckily for you and your personal hygiene, there are many ways to save money and ensure you do not return home for vacation feeling, and looking, completely impoverished. Feel free to scoff at that notion, but once the student-loan induced prosperity begins to fade, you will certainly be thankful for these little tips: Healthy eating couldn’t be easier, and cheaper, than Leicester Market. Located in the city centre, this gem can provide you with a lot of fresh food for a considerably cheaper price than supermarkets. Think Costco for carrots. For those of you that want to explore the city, think about signing up to a society or local establishment. Not only are societies brilliant tools for meeting new people and having new experiences, they often get in contact with owners of restaurants and other local venues and succeed in getting discount for events. Also, many local establishments offer discounted rates if you get a membership. For example, The National Space Centre, a cultural space-fest that Leicester should certainly be proud of, offers a year-long membership for £13,

Starting university is undoubtedly a turning point in anyone’s life, the first days being somewhat daunting. Therefore it is important to underline that the university is there to offer you support, boasting a wide range of services, no matter what year of study you’re in. “Nightline” is a telephone service that gives support and information for students by other students. Whether you’ve got something to get off your chest or a query, just ring 0116 223 1230. The service is confidential, non-judgmental and is available from 8pm-8am. The university also has the Student Support service that covers a variety of specific areas such as financial support, counselling services and housing problems. Starting a degree can at times entail pressures but it is especially reassuring to talk to people who have already encountered these: remember, you are not alone!

which is exactly the same price as a one off visit! Course books are expensive, there is no questioning that. Instead of running to book stores and buying at retail price, try local charity shops. There is a few located on Queen’s Road next to the university, and many dotted around the city. Not only will you be helping a good cause, you could end up paying a fraction of the RRP for your books Taking the bus is a temptation, but an expensive one at that. The university is a mere ten minute walk from the city centre, and many student houses are located no more than a twenty minute walk away from it. If you live in Oadby the walk is longer at around forty minutes, but due to rush hour, it is likely that you will save time by walking in to your nine o’clock lecture. Walking will wake you up and ensure that you do not start your day by being squashed into a bus with many other sleep deprived students!

A home cooked meal and catching up with family and friends is a lovely treat. However, for those of you unfortunate enough to have to endure National Rail in order to get home, it pays to be organised. Train fares are cheapest if you book twelve weeks in advance, and they will be even cheaper if you invest in a £28 16-25 railcard; up to a third cheaper, in fact.

Photo courtesy of Nightline

Whether you’re stressed about studying or worried about upcoming exams, the Education Unit, or ED, is there to help. The ED office is located in the West Wing, on the second floor of the Percy Gee building. Opening hours Monday - Friday are 10am - 4pm. If you’re off campus, you can get in touch via telephone on 0116 223 1132. Alternatively, you can email educationunit@le.ac.uk.

Photo courtesy of University of Leicester Student’s Union

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SPORT

E DITOR: JA M I E BU RTON

MUGGLES MASTER MAGICAL SPORT Jamie Burton interviews Leicester University Quidditch Club President, Jack Hill It comes as no surprise that it is the student fraternity that have been the driving force behind this fascinating adaptation having been the generation who queued at midnight to get our hands on the much-awaited books and now the fictional sport is spreading like wildfire.

There is no better example of this monumental growth than at Leicester University itself. In a matter of months, the Leicester Lovegoods have gone from complete novices to making up a large percentage of the England squad during the summer. The Ripple caught up with Club President and Beater Jack Hill to give us more of an insight.

The game was adapted in 2007 in the USA, at Middlebury College. We have the same number of hoops, the same names for the balls (only with one extra bludger) and even a Golden Snitch, which is a person who runs around dressed in yellow or gold with a tennis ball in a sock tucked into their waistband. It’s this ball which needs to be ‘snatched’ to end the game and award the victorious seeker an extra 30 points for their team. Obviously in the world of Harry Potter, magical broomsticks support the players who can fly through the air. We run around with non-magical broomsticks between our legs, which may put many off the sport, but it’s an incredibly unifying factor which says ‘hey, we’re playing a pretty rough co-ed contact sport, but we don’t take ourselves too seriously with these wooden sticks between our legs’. It adds to the charm of the game.

following us on Twitter or emailing the club directly at su-quidditch@ le.ac.uk. For those not in Leicester, I would recommend checking out the IQA website and the Quidditch UK Facebook group for advice on starting up a new team. What are the best things about the game? The completely unifying factor of the game is what sells it to me. Every time I have played, after giving it my all on the pitch and hating the seven people facing me on the pitch, both teams (or all of the teams in tournaments) sit down, talk, socialise and always end up coming out of a Quidditch event with at least 20 friend requests on Facebook. After the IQA Summer Games, all five teams (UK, USA, Canada, France and Australia) hired out a night club in Oxford and par tied until the early hours!

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We’re playing a rough co-ed sport, but we don’t take ourselves too Also, the game is seriously so easy for

LEICESTER UNIVERSITY MOTOR CLUB BY CH R I S M I L SOM Ernest Hemingway famously said that: “There are only three sports: bullfighting, motor racing and mountaineering; all the rest are merely games”. Whilst mountaineering and bullfighting may have lost much of their appeal in the last 100 years motorsport is still going strong, especially here at Leicester. Despite the Leicester University Motor Club (LUMC) being one of the biggest non-Team Leicester sporting societies at the university, up until now it has had a rather low profile. However, with armed with more enthusiasm that ever before, the new committee has plans to move into inter-uni competition and for the first time the University of Leicester will have its very own karting team competing in national one-off races and championships. The first competitive outing for LUMC will be at Rye House Raceway where two five man teams will be battling it out in a 6 hour endurance race against over fifteen university teams from the London and South West area including Brunel, Kingston and Brighton. LUMC will also be entering a team into the British UniverImage courtesy of Chris Milsom

As a massive sports nut/Harry Potter fanatic, J.K Rowling’s fictional invention of Quidditch had me hooked from the very first moment Potter set eyes on a Golden Snitch. However, I have to say I could not see how it could be transferred from the wizarding to the ‘muggle’ world. Fortunately, there are fans who have far more creativity and imagination than I do.

How has the game been transferred from fiction to the real world?

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How did you get involved in the sport and then the England squad?

I saw an article back in January about the Oxford University team and thought ‘I’ll give this a go!’ and the University of Leicester Quidditch Club was born! At the time, we gained a number of contacts around the UK who had their own teams, including Keele and Oxford, which then became what we now have as Quidditch UK. The International Quidditch Association wanted to put on an event to coincide with the Olympics, so QUK and the IQA worked together to organise the first ever large-scale international tournament, which took place in Oxford over the summer. Seven of our players tried out for the team back in May and we were all selected. How can other people get involved? By joining our Facebook group,

people to pick up, even without sporting backgrounds. It may appear to be nerdy, but once you get stuck in you realise that it is actually quite physically demanding, but the camaraderie and the fun we have makes the players want to come back for more! Why has it rapidly become so popular, especially amongst university students? People go to University to try new things. Quidditch is a throwback to growing up with Harry Potter on our shelves and on our screens. The sport makes real something which we all dreamed of as a child, whilst keeping fit and creating lasting friendships with people from around the world. In the UK, the sport has grown so much since January and we’re pretty much seeing new teams founded every week. I guess it is a combination of these factors that make the sport so popular.

sity Karting Championship (BUKC) which features some of the best drivers across the country, including many from Formula 2 and Formula Ford, representing their university. After a qualifying round our team will be entered either into the National ten-round championship or the slightly smaller three-round Rookie championship. Regardless of the championship, the competition will be fierce, and our teams will be looking to make a good first impression! Over in the engineering garage, motorsport of a more practical nature is growing. Formula Student is a competition in which student teams must design a small singer-seater car before building, developing and marketing it and finally racing it at Silverstone. This two year project provides students with real experience in design, manufacture and business skills as well as putting them in contact with some of the biggest players in the professional racing game. Headed by Caspian Burrell and backed by the Department of Engineering, Leicester will be entering a team into the eco category with the production of an electric car set to be completed in early 2013, but with dozens of eager students making up ‘Leicester Racing’ it will very much be a team effort. Both groups are still looking for eager new participants, if you are interested send an email to either su-motor@le.ac. uk or su-racing@le.ac.uk.

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SPORT

E DITOR: JA M I E BU RTON

LEICESTER N CITY PREVIEW Michael Frost gives his thoughts and predictions on the future of Leicester City Football Club.

ow I am by no means a Leicester City fan, however upon arrival in the city at the start of my degree, I was looking forward to venturing down to the Walkers Stadium, or the King Power Stadium as it is now known, for at least a few matches. In 2009 the Foxes had been promoted, returning to The Championship, and after a fantastic season they narrowly missed out on back-to-back promotions, which prompted the takeover of the club by a consortium called Asian Football Investments. However, Leicester failed to capitalise on the new investment and started the 201011 campaign badly, winning only one game from nine, and that’s when former England manager Sven-Goran Eriksson stepped in, supposedly to save the day. Ambitions failed to materialise though; the club finished in a disappointing tenth place. But hope was not lost and the summer of 2011 saw further rebuilding with a host of high profile signings such as strikers David Nugent, Jermaine Beckford, and Diomansy Kamara, and ex-Manchester City stars Michael Johnson and Kasper Schmeichel, amongst others. This made the Foxes favourites not only for promotion but to win the title. However, after only thirteen games of the new season and a series of poor performances Sven parted company with the club and a generally frustrating season ensued which culminated in a disappointing ninth place finish. I believe the time-tested theory of a ‘team of individuals’ can be successfully applied to Leicester City’s frustration in recent times; money came in, players came in, and the club underwent a revamp, but nobody was informed of how these new faces would gel and begin to perform as a unit; success was simply expected. Now I realise that my pessimism may have thrown a spanner in the wheel of hope for any arriving football fans eager to witness some top quality football, but my intention is in fact to encourage everyone to get down to the King Power Stadium: The Foxes can be an exciting team to watch. The club have made a more convincing start to the 2012-2013 season. Nigel Pearson is a manager City’s fans should feel comfortable with and the recent transfer of ownership to King Power International should inject new optimism as the owners’ long-term plans take shape. There are still minor problems on the pitch but the current crop of players are perhaps the most promising the club has had in recent times, so there is no doubting that success will come in time. My prediction: Automatic promotion.

ANATOMY OF A STUDENT ATHLETE

BY S ION CROW L E

After a glorious summer of sport for Great Britain, who amongst us wouldn’t have been inspired to sign up to a sports society at the Fresher’s Fair? However, the Student Athlete differs from any other sportsman. If Sion Crowle was handing out Gold medals, here’s what he’d expect to see.

erformance

Maintaining your performance level is vital. Not just on track or field, or in lectures and seminars, but later…in the bar and club! Let your performance in your chosen sport speak for itself, but afterwards also perform to become a house favourite. Any self-respecting sports social requires a Fancy Dress theme. As you are now representing that sports club, put your body on the line (not to mention your social integrity): Go For Gold! Face-paint yourself like a tiger, and struggle into that orange and black striped onesie! Alright, so it’ll probably result in a set of potentially humiliating Facebook pictures, but so what? You’ve taken one for the team.

tion that you brag about gets kicked into touch. Lack of concentration can leave you looking like you have two left Achilles’ heels. After a sport social, some moves you showcase in the union could look worryingly similar to the triple jump, as you hop, skip, and jump around, missing every beat. You might begin to doubt yourself, but always have confidence in your own ability and stay mentally strong. Remember: you are only as good as

cal’. You’ve used an acute running line to get into the crowded ‘area’, and you’ve waited for your chance all night. So, be ready for the moment when you finally get asked, “What can I get you?” The night has come to an end and your legs are like jelly, so finish strongly: smash home your order! Grab your meal deal and get out of there with a win. But remember to have a firm grip on your burger, and keep control of your ketchup - it’s not a sports bottle, so don’t go spraying it everywhere.

Stamina Athletes are dedicated and keep to strict regimes. You, the Student Athlete, will have to be able to sprint to catch the bus to campus the next morning, celebrating by pulling the trademark ‘Bolt’ celebration (with bus pass in hand).

Teamwork Recovery ‘Teamwork’ may be a word that is used too often in sport, but it has never been more aptly used when considering the needs of student athletes. As a team player, you and your fellow Student Athletes will feel a greater sense of achievement if you look out for each other. Sometimes, your teammate won’t have the stamina to make it alone. In that instance, teamwork becomes paramount. As the minutes tick by, help each other to reach the front of the queue at Red Leicester. Once inside, remember to communicate with each other. Stay in formation to prevent teammates going missing and drifting out of position.

Mindset Having the right mindset as an athlete is also very important. Be focused. You might be the most agile person under the floodlights, as you dart skillfully around the opposition, however, under the harsh O2 dance floor lights, all that hand-eye coordina-

your weakest player, so form a tight circle and encourage each other through the night. This will help you show no weakness to the opposition, and hopefully no one will be left unmarked when a slow song comes on.

Precision This demand for precision is often heard in sport, and your coach will preach the sentence ‘Be clini-

Finally, as a Student Athlete, recovery is crucial, especially after the strain of the previous night which will have stretched your endurance to the limit. As you jump into an ice bath to soothe your aching limbs, it can also ease your throbbing head. However, too much hydration and lack of sleep can lead to the brain cramping up. So remember to drink responsibly, and have energy drinks ready for the next morning, just to help you through that marathon of a day in the lecture theatres. Almost nothing tastes as good as victory in your sport - apart from some leftover pizza in the fridge from the night before! So even though you won’t have a protesting swimmer to stop your boat race, and instead of a starting gun you’ll just hear someone shout “fresher!”, you now know what to expect and how to be a rounded Student Athlete. Good luck!

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SPORT

ARE STUDENTS BEING PRICED OUT OF SPORT? Shanara Hibbert questions whether the rising Sports Card fees are justified as a student already paying £100 to join a sports team, it is only an extra £3.33 a week (for 30 weeks) to use the gyms and swimming pools. Furthermore, if you are part of the alum

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Many sports clubs face losing alumni whom they rely on.

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ast year students paid £79 for the use of all sports facilities, however, since the Manor Road facilities have been updated, and the small on-campus ‘Greenhouse’ Gym has been replaced by the new university sports centre, the price of keeping fit has increased substantially. Students must purchase at least a £100 Silver membership to join sports clubs, even if the team does not use university facilities, such as the Running and Athletics Club. Paying this however, does not make students exempt from paying sports club joining fees, which the university has set at a minimum of £25 for each club. Unfortunately there is no way to avoid these payments, for instance, individuals can no longer pay separate insurance to join a sports club at the university, and a student wanting to regularly use the gym, will need a £200 Gold membership. However, whilst this sounds steep,

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E DITOR: JA M I E BU RTON

ni and thinking of continuing sport at the university, there is no Silver option, the cheapest is a Gold membership costing up to £495. This means that many of the Martial Arts sports clubs, such as Karate and Tae Kwon Do, face losing a lot of their alumni whom they rely on to support, teach and motivate less experienced members, their disciplines needing years of practice and dedication in order to be mastered. However, this potential loss of members is not

contained to the alumni, but also threatens to spread across the rest of the university, with the likelihood of many social members joining clubs and trying out new sports becoming increasingly doubtful. In contrast to the outrage from some students in response to the rising fees, there is also the attitude “it’s just the same as buying textbooks for your classes – if you want to succeed then you have to spend a little” (Rauri, Smith-Cooper, Men’s Basketball Captain). So then in that case, what exactly are you spending “a little” on? Theoretically, there are two new additions to our sports cards; The University sports centre and the Manor Road sports centre. I was lucky enough to be the first person to receive a tour of the £5,000,000 (+VAT) Manor Road development in September, with £1,000,000 funded by the government due to the ethical considerations within the development. Over £80,000 has been spent on equipment for the centre, including machines which allow you to plug in your ipod and view your playlists. In addition there is also the 25m, 170 sq/m swimming pool with 3 lanes for training at different speeds and a spa. Although it is true that some students will be paying up to £121 more to use the same facilities as last year, it is worth taking exploring the new facilities before a decision is made upon the purchase of a sports card, essentially asking yourself how much you are willing to pay to maintain your own health and fitness.

Photo courtesy of University of Leicester

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F I XTU R E S

7.11.12 CLUB

VS.

H/A

START

14.00

Men’s

Staffordshire

Badminton 1st

(Stoke) 1st

Men’s

Cranfield 1st

Worcester 1st

Oxford 2nd

Men’s Football

Bedfrod (Luton)

14.00

1st

Women’s

Lincoln 1st

14.00

Oxford Brookes

14.00

15.30

Basketball 1st Women’s

18.00

Basketball 1st Men’s Fencing 1st Women’s Fencing 1st

Football 1st Men’s Hockey 1st Women’s Hockey Oxford Brookes 1st

Men’s Lacrosse

Northampton 1st

Women’s

Birmingham 2nd

Lacrosse

14.00

Netball 1st

Warwick 2nd

14.00

Rugby League

Derby 1st

14.00

Rugby Union 1st

Loughborough

14.30

Men’s Squash

Loughborough

Men’s Tennis 1st

Nottingham 3rd

Women’s Tennis

Northampton 1st

Men’s Volleyball

Stoke 1st

13.00