The University Paper March 2015: Manchester by The University Paper

WIN

MANCHESTER EDITION March 2015

FREE

Outlook festival tickets P23

TERRIFIED BUT DENIED A RIDE CATFISH STAR NEV: HOW HEARTBREAK SET ME ON THE TRAIL OF IMPOSTERS

I’M MAKING SPIKES A PRICKLY TOPIC

Taxi journey ‘too short’ for cabbies despite rape fear JOSH MCLOUGHLIN

PROF CATHY URQUHART celebrates her successful campaign to get Selfridges to remove its ‘antihomeless’ spikes. She took on the retailer after spotting the studs, intended to discourage rough sleepers, at its Exchange Square store on her daily commute to MMU. She persuaded Selfridges to get rid of the ‘inhumane’ spikes after thousands signed her petition PICTURE: CATHY URQUHART full story p3

P11

A STUDENT was refused a taxi ride home after a night out – despite telling drivers she feared being assaulted if she walked following a string of sex attacks, it is claimed. The 22-year-old needed to travel about a mile down Wilmslow Road, from Withington to Fallowfield, in the early hours of the morning. But she was told her journey was ‘too short’ – and, when she told cabbies she was afraid to walk, they allegedly laughed in her face. The University of Manchester student, who wishes to remain anonymous, said: ‘The taxi companies refused to pick me up because it was “too short a journey”. ‘When I told them I couldn’t walk because I was scared of being raped, they just laughed – it’s disgusting.’ The companies involved were Street Cars and Union

Cars. Zia Haque, who works for Union Cars – which, until last year, was officially partnered with UoM students’ union – said it did not have a policy of refusing bookings. ‘We will retrieve details of the call from our system and investigate the matter further,’ he added. ‘It is not feasible or practical for us to refuse a booking from Withington. ‘The only time we ever do this – and it is rare – is when the caller is from out of the area, so if we receive calls from Bolton or Oldham. ‘We would, however, always explain the reason and provide an alternative number for a local taxi firm.’ Street Cars did not respond when approached by TUP. The incident came a week before a 19-year-old woman was groped while walking down Whitby Road on Valentine’s Day at 11.30am. The

turn to p5

At Specsavers, if you are an easycare direct debit customer you can get an even better deal, including a free pair of glasses, free delivery. Your eye test and aftercare are also included in the price.

Voted the UK’s most trusted optician Need an eye test? Visit specsavers.co.uk or call 0800 0680 241

Cannot be used with other offers or exchanged in part or whole for cash. Initial 3-month payment required from new easycare direct debit customers. One free pair of £45 range glasses with scratch-resistant PENTAX single vision lenses every two years. Current prescription required. Alternatively, an eye test will be required at our standard charge. easycare benefits are redeemable only by named scheme member. Source: YouGov Plc online survey, 2014. ©2013 Specsavers. All rights reserved.

704376-1_SD_UniversityPaper.indd 1

11/11/2014 12:30

www.unipaper.co.uk

Join the cue: Posh pads for students snapped up

Bowling: Fairfield’s alley

KEISHA FRENCH MANCHESTER students are flocking to the city’s newest and swankiest accommodation, which includes a cinema, bowling alley, gym, karaoke room and table tennis tables. The £3.5million Lambert House and Fairfield House, opposite Manchester University’s north campus, include all facilities in the rent cost. Prices for en-suite rooms start at £139 a week. Renovated in September last year, Lambert and Fairfield were taken over by

Living in style: Fairfield House includes a pool table and coffee bar for its students Prodigy Living, which is part of student accommodation group Greystar. Asia Smulders, a student at the Royal Northern College

of Music, said: ‘The best part of the house is the location – it’s right in the middle of everything.’ Kimberly-Claire Yates, a

student at MMU, described the staff as ‘always friendly and accommodating’. Leonie Campbell, community manager of the halls, said:

PICTURES: LAMBERT AND FAIRFIELD HOUSE

‘We have amazing facilities for socialising and studying, and a great calendar of events. Our main aim is to make sure our residents feel at home.’

Selfridges ditches spikes after professor’s backlash SELFRIDGES in Manchester has removed ‘anti-homeless’ spikes from outside its store following an MMU professor’s campaign. The chain took away the metal studs after Prof Cathy Urquhart began a petition against the ‘hostile and inhumane’ fixtures.

More than 10,000 people added their signatures in just over a week. Selfridges said it had removed the spikes after news of a protest by the Church of England and the charity Church Action on Poverty was announced. Prof Urquhart, whose campaign was

covered in the national media, thanked the store for listening and for taking prompt action. ‘I think many people believe that homelessness in 21st-century Britain is something we shouldn’t tolerate as a civilised society,’ said Prof Urquhart, of MMU’s business

school. ‘I’ve been blown away by the comments on the petition. Many of us want to see much more compassion toward the homeless and some positive solutions.’ Selfridges said the aim of the spikes was to stop people smoking and dropping litter. Lottie Seymour

March 2015

Art trio fly the flag for MMU THREE students from MMU competed in the Fashion Awareness Direct competition at London Fashion Week. Clarise Itdriaga, Alexandra Abercrombie, both from Hollings, and Christopher Clarke, of Manchester School of Art, were among 17 finalists from UK universities. Clarise said: ‘I primarily worked with latex as my main material for this collection because of its interesting properties.’ Her work explored geometric proportions and their relation with colours and shapes, while Alexandra experimented with the Fibonacci sequence and the golden ratio. Christopher drew inspiration from the Yarkovsky effect and Cold War culture. James Mullard

Writer marks LGBT month STUDENTS, faculty members and guests gathered at the Old Fire Station in Salford Crescent to celebrate LGBT history month. The event was promoted by Jackie Kay, poet and author of Red Dust Road. She spoke about meeting her biological father for the first time and battling the anxiety of coming out to him after he proved to be deeply religious. Christina Sims

March 2015

Renting in the north is going to cost you... JOHN SHAW STUDENTS in the north are being hit in the pocket for rent as they bear the brunt of the nation’s housing divide. Seven of the top ten worst affected cities were in the north, where students pay a premium over the low cost of other properties in the area. None of the top ten were in the south, where student accommodation is relatively cheap compared with other properties. Loughborough students were worst off, paying 36.08 per cent more than

the average rate. Students in Reading had the best deal, shelling out 39.15 per cent less than the average, according to the StuRents figures. Co-founder Tom Walker said: ‘Clearly, value is relative, so comparing inter-city student rental prices purely on an absolute basis is perhaps a little one-dimensional.’ The analysis of 25,572 student properties in 51 cities also revealed that the cities where students paid the highest premiums were among the cheaper places to live in. The average overall price in

www.unipaper.co.uk

City by city....are you paying too much for rent? City Loughborough Durham Lincoln Huddersfield Middlesbrough Hull Bolton Lancaster Derby York Stafford Nottingham Wolverhampton Bangor Birmingham Plymouth Liverpool Chester Manchester Ipswich Leeds Dundee Newcastle Leicester Preston Luton

the ten cities with the highest premiums was £63.04 per person per week, while the average for those living in areas with the most generous discounts was £143.64. Bath students were among

Av rent £80.21 £94.17 £84.02 £80.86 £59.77 £70.46 £74.16 £82.86 £69.77 £77.82 £81.96 £77.45 £70.31 £77.95 £75.61 £89.88 £73.01 £90.32 £79.55 £87.89 £83.71 £73.57 £69.25 £69.36 £64.10 £99.82

the biggest winners, paying 30.87 per cent less, with student accommodation costing £86.98 per week, compared with £125.83 per week for a non-student. Elsewhere, Nottingham digs

Premium 36% 32% 28% 27% 23% 21% 21% 19% 13% 10% 7% 5% 4% 3% 3% 2% 2% 1% 1% None -1% -3% -3% -5% -6% -6%

City Bristol Stirling Swansea Exeter Norwich Canterbury Cardiff Falmouth Aberdeen Sheffield Coventry Portsmouth Glasgow Leamington Spa Stockton Southampton Cirencester Cambridge Edinburgh Bournemouth Bath Brighton London Oxford Reading

cost 5.09 per cent more than average but in Birmingham, Liverpool and Manchester they are about par. Those studying in Coventry made a 14.09 per cent saving, while Sheffield students paid 12.8

Av rent Premium £93.33 -8% £79.24 -9% £66.28 -9% £92.31 -10% £71.46 -10% £90.94 -11% £76.34 -11% £80.78 -12% £120.22 -13% £72.20 -13% £82.20 -14% £83.11 -14% £89.46 -15% £85.79 -17% £50.84 -18% £78.49 -18% £88.60 -20% £111.02 -22% £95.28 -23% £82.47 -25% £86.98 -31% £98.17 -31% £202.40 -32% £102.50 -33% £80.78 -39%

per cent less. Scottish students were also found to be living at a discounted rate, with those in Glasgow paying 15.06 per cent less than average and those in Edinburgh paying 23.17 per cent less.

www.unipaper.co.uk

inBRIEF

Assaults and rapes ‘sickening’ from p1 attacker was described as a mixed-race man of medium build with short dark hair, wearing a knee-length brown coat and pushing a shopping trolley. Withington and Fallowfield have been hit by 30 sexual assaults in the past year – double on 2013 – including the rape of an 19-yearold in an alleyway off Whitby Road in October last year. UoM women’s officer Jessica Lishak said such attacks were ‘sickening’, adding that no-one had the right to grope, touch, sexually assault or rape women in the street – or in private.

March 2015

Stewart snaps to it with his dream job MOST students wait until after graduation to chase their dreams – but not Stewart Honeyman, who is in his final year of photography at MMU. He launched his own photographic agency, Northern Collective, in Manchester while still studying. The 14-strong group is a mix of second- and third-year students from the Manchester School of Art. ‘I realised I’d soon be out of the university bubble and that finding photographic

work wasn’t simple,’ Stewart said. ‘I then started to think finding a photographer wasn’t the easiest of things to do, either. So the idea of a “one-stop shop” for any photographic needs developed, fuelled by a wealth of skilled photographers with their own niches.’ The collective provides services for commercials, fashion events and weddings, among others. It will launch a website for clients this month. James Mullard

Picture team: Stewart Honeyman PICTURE: JOE BRIGGS-PRICE

Club attacked over ‘sexist’ promo video NATASHA BRADLEY

Go-ahead for night venue A WAREHOUSE venue in the Strangeways neighbourhood has been given the go-ahead. Councillors gave permission to turn a derelict mill off Trinity Way into a nightlife venue and space for arts events, with a total capacity of 650 people. Josh Mcloughlin, 23, an English literature student at Manchester University, said: ‘This will be great for the city. It could really change the nightlife scene in Manchester.’ Jack Haymarket

‘Bias’ against BME students BLACK and minority ethnic students are less likely than white British ones to get into elite British universities despite having better A-level results. An ‘unconscious bias’ or even ‘positive discrimination’ exists in favour of white applicants, says the Runnymede Trust, a race-equality thinktank. Tessy Maritim, diversity officer at Manchester University, said the study proved ‘structural racism’ exists. Victoria Ita

‘Degrading’: A still from the film for The Birdcage PICTURE: FACEBOOK

STUDENTS in Manchester have hit out at ‘objectifying’ promotional tactics used by nightlife promoters in the city. They criticised the video for Voodoo Wednesdays at The Birdcage, which focuses at length on the barely covered bottoms of their promo girls. A Salford University student with links to the club night, who wished to remain anonymous, told TUP: ‘There’s always been a lot of pressure around body image, so to see girls comfortable with their bodies is initially quite refreshing. ‘However, the reasons for them expressing their confidence is a real shame. I understand these girls would have consented to wearing the promoter uniform but that doesn’t take away from the fact it is degrading, objectifying and tacky. ‘I highly doubt male promoters would wear the same thing or ever be expected to. ‘The opening shots are obviously explicit, aimed to entice

customers with a promise of girls dressed skimpily strutting around the club.’ The promo sparked a storm on social media, with MMU student Georgina Jones commenting: ‘It’s dehumanising to use the female body as a marketing technique.’ Tom Jennings, a UoM student, told TUP: ‘I get put off straight away when they think the public are so stupid as to fall for these patronising and sexist ad campaigns.’ The Birdcage was unavailable for comment when TUP went to press. The backlash came less than a week after a campaign for Fling, an app for sending photos and videos to random people across the world. Fling hired barely dressed girls to ‘flash-mob’ UoM locations. After a bemused reception at Owens Park, the team of girls and their managers – all male – made a hasty exit. Fling was also ejected from the Learning Commons as it is prohibited for advertisers to canvass on university property without permission.

House party film accused of victim blaming A VIDEO highlighting the dangers of house parties has been criticised for appearing to blame some victims of rape for drinking alcohol. The film, produced by Manchester Metropolitan University students, has now been changed to remove the scene which semed to imply a female

party-goer was sexually assaulted because she was drunk. MMU students’ union president Mike Palmer said: ‘We took the decision to remove one of the scenes from the video as it detracted from the main message. After reading and listening to comments, it would

appear the scene involving a sexual assault survivor was misinterpreted as apportioning blame to the survivor. This was never our intention.’ The clip also flagged up issues including the anti-social nature of parties and the increased likelihood of being burgled. Adam Merrill, a

contactUS EDITOR: JOSH MCLOUGHLIN Email him at manchestereditor@unipaper.co.uk.

second-year history student at UoM, said: ‘It’s good to raise awareness of how easy it is for criminals to enter your house and take or damage your possessions, and the victims of this isn’t just students – but families in the area who have to put up with it.’ Joe Evans

For all advertising enquiries please call: 020 7580 6419

for men who know who they’re talkin’ to...

DE NIRO & STALLONE BOB AND SLY BEAR A GRUDGE

NEED TO KNOW

GUIDE TO 2014

SIX NATIONS

CHRIS ROBSHAW

ECO WARRIOR

MATT DAMON

FEBRUARY 2014 £4.20

02 7 9 771353 347258

Emma Glover GETS ALL SWEATY AND STUFF

BETH HUMPHREYS KEVIN HART A PUSSYCAT DOLL MAIL-ORDER BRIDES MAXÏMO PARK 001 cover.indd 1

for men who know who they’re talkin’ to...

DE NIRO & STALLONE BOB AND SLY BEAR A GRUDGE

NEED TO KNOW

GUIDE TO 2014

SIX NATIONS

CHRIS ROBSHAW

ECO WARRIOR

MATT DAMON

FEBRUARY 2014 £4.20

02 7 9 771353 347258

Emma Glover GETS ALL SWEATY AND STUFF

BETH HUMPHREYS KEVIN HART A PUSSYCAT DOLL MAIL-ORDER BRIDES MAX MAXÏ MAXÏMO ÏMO PARK 001 cover.indd 1

23/12/2013 18:54

www.loadedcasino.co.uk

23/12/2013 18:54

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

focusPOINT

Our monthly in-depth look at the issues on campuses across the country

Well, these girls can Ad aims to shake up views on doing exercise NORA SELMANI IF you’ve turned on the TV lately, you may have noticed a load of sweaty women working out. But rather than airbrushed, toned types with thigh gaps, this lot look pretty normal, wobbly bits and all. That’s because they are part of This Girl Can – a campaign aimed at breaking down the barriers that stop women getting involved in sport and fitness. Adverts and a YouTube video show all sorts of women exercising to the soundtrack of Missy Elliott’s Get Ur Freak On. The film was created by Sport England after it found just eight per cent of women and girls aged 14 to 40 did regular exercise, It said fear of being judged on their appearance, ability and weight was stopping women and girls from getting active. The campaign has been taken up eagerly on campuses across the country. Emily Cole, a secondyear English student at the University of Bristol, is right behind the campaign, saying she hoped it would help stop women feeling unwelcome at uni sports facilities. ‘In a society where I often feel intimidated at the university gym and where Setting the pace: London student Grace, 22, who was filmed climbing a hill on one of her regular bike rides for the video

Aspire to perspire: Victoria, a 29-year-old children’s nurse, appears at a spinning class in a shot aimed at making sweating acceptable the simple exercise of squatting has now become something so sexualised I daren’t do it in front of people, this campaign struck a chord with me,’ she said. ‘When I first saw the campaign advertised before a YouTube video, I had to stop and re-watch it. ‘Finally, after so many “new year, new me” magazine covers and gym wear advertised on incredible models, someone understood that it all comes down to being healthy and most importantly having fun. ‘Many girls I know forget that exercising isn’t just to get a “bikini bod”. I think this is only the beginning of a wider movement to encourage girls

that yes, we can go to the gym, sweat it out, have our wobbly bits on show and embrace the strength and beauty of our bodies. ‘I’m thankful that it’s finally being addressed.’ Sinead O’Grady, who recently graduated with a business management and information systems degree from Swansea University, said she hoped the campaign would build on the work of women’s sports teams. ‘It is essential for bringing the issues that surround women in sports to the forefront of university policies,’ she said. ‘Swansea University has some incredibly talented female

players and teams, so it is not discrediting what they already have but encouraging others to be inspired and get involved.’ But Stuart Wilkinson, a lecturer in sports coaching at the University of Central Lancashire, said it was a problem that many of the women pictured in the campaign were still slim and conventionally attractive. ‘It hasn’t considered how such symbolism might have the opposite effect to what was intended – normalising the slender body, accentuating the desirable and undesirable,’ he added. ‘Unfortunately, while brave and bold, it will for these reasons come under scrutiny.’

what they say ‘This is a brilliant campaign. It sends a message to the nation that defies the assumptions about being feminine. I would love to know how impactful it will be in future.’ Jasmine Pokuaa, vice-president for health and social care, University of Salford

‘Netball is extremely important to girls as it not only helps us physically but both socially and mentally also. It gives me structure in my daily life, helps with my fitness and it’s something I love.’ Sam O’Connor, netballer, Northumbria University

‘This Girl Can is a really inspirational campaign and has used targeted messages that I think other women in sport campaigns have failed to address; it’s not about the way you look when you exercise, it’s about the way you feel.’ Alyx Murray-Jackman, sport development officer, University of Bristol

‘Most girls on our team have never touched a rugby ball before they come to uni, so playing a male-dominated sport is taking girls out of their comfort zone.’ Megan May Stammers, women’s rugby union social secretary, University of Liverpool

‘Being a woman in tennis has never stopped me from being my best. Mixed doubles shows our potential. I love playing against people who challenge me and, at times, it’s the women who do more.’ Sophie Brazell, tennis team captain, Cardiff University

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

The hunt for the one true hipster JOE EVANS COOL, ladies and gentlemen, is no longer cool. The hipster trend has become something of an epidemic. Now, bespectacled men in cardigans and Zooey Deschanel lookalikes roam our streets. Hating Coldplay but adoring Bob Dylan, loving coffee but scoffing at anything nonorganic, they have conquered whole portions of our cities. Bookshops and vinyl outlets have been colonised. Love or loathe the trend, it appears to be flourishing. But, like punk before it, hipsterism, so to speak, is deeply

Dodging the label: Hipsters PICTURE: STEWART HONEYMAN

flawed. There is nothing a hipster hates more than the label. ‘I’m no hipster,’ they shriek. ‘So what if I love the works of Jack Kerouac and Bret Easton Ellis?’ The individualism that

defines the movement is the thorn in its side. Now let’s take a glimpse into the dystopian future I envisage. Brothers turn against brothers, girlfriends against boyfriends, in the name of finding the one true original hipster. Their hair will get messier and the clothes more and more ill-fitting in the name of becoming the one true individual. The coffee shops will turn to slaughter houses as the fight for non-conformity spirals out of control. Then Shoreditch, Digbeth and the Northern Quarter will fall silent as the hipster trend finally breathes its last.

If you spot an error, we are committed to putting it right. Contact us at corrections@unipaper.co.uk. If you do not wish to receive a copy, then email us with your address at nothanks@unipaper.co.uk. We print 200,000 copies in 16 university cities. The University Paper is published by The UniPaper Ltd, in association with Simian Publishing, 23-24 Margaret Street, London W1W 8RU. Printed by Newsquest, Oxford.

talkingPOINTS TASTY PROSPECT: University students are like caterpillars. After we gobble up GSCEs and A levels, we get an appetite for degrees. We are cocooned for three years until we transform into beautiful butterflies and land graduate jobs. But in an increasingly competitive market, chancellor George Osborne wants to make it easier for us to stay cocooned. He has proposed a new postgrad loan of up to £10,000 to benefit an intended 40,000 students. As someone who worked through both masters degrees, I applaud this idea. It would make the lives of working class students much easier Thomas Dowling

STRIKE A BALANCE: News that size 24, 5ft 5in model Tess Holliday had won a professional contract was met with a mix of triumph and outrage. Holliday’s unapologetic bikini-clad poses have won her a strong Instagram following and she should be commended for challenging the way unhealthy size zero figures are promoted in the modelling industry. However, her success does pose a question: is the promotion of an exceedingly overweight woman the right type of replacement role model? We need a middle ground Ellie Connell

PICTURE: STEWART HONEYMAN

LIT US BE: Dear students of the UK: When you ask us to explain our literature degrees, we prepare for questions that will make us want to blind ourselves with our Biros. Here are just a few examples: ‘So you want to be a teacher?’ Because that’s our only prospect – never mind media, PR or business. ‘It’s a pretty easy degree, right?’ Contrary to the myth that all we do is sip lattes and partake in an unrequited love affair with Mr Darcy, it’s actually a pretty tough subject. Unless you consider being assigned novels, poems and Foucault’s History Of Sexuality in the same week easy. ‘Why not maths or engineering?’ We don’t question your love for equations of a Tolstoy-esque length, so don’t knock our book fetish Ellie Tindsley

UNFAIR STEREOTYPES: As far as the media is concerned, us students should either be fun, carefree and innovative, or sheep following the system. Films like American Pie and Bad Neighbours are fun but show us drinking an excessive amount of alcohol and barely doing what we’re supposed to be doing – studying. Yes, we do like to go out and have fun – who doesn’t? But this distorted perception in film blows it completely out of proportion. We need to be taken more seriously in the media Emma Adams

DIVERSITY LACKING: Because the curriculum is heavily based on white culture, certain students from ethnic backgrounds are at risk of under-achievement. These students learn nothing about the role their culture plays in the world they live in but are taught that civilisation and knowledge are the product of white predecessors. Ensuring education is racially inclusive and gives an unbiased representation of ethnic minorities is not only essential to achieve equality but also quality – the history, culture and literature of non-whites cannot be accurately represented by white people alone. Students from ethnic backgrounds cannot be taught material that only talks about their culture in a direct comparison with Western culture, in a way that shows it to be relatively subordinate. It is imperative that contemporary literature taught to young people reflects the multicultural society we live in Yashi Banymadhub

MATTER OF OPINION: When you have thousands of young, opinionated students on campus, claims of censorship are bound to pop up. Students should, of course, have the right to express all manner of opinions – but perhaps not those that are detrimental to others. The prohibition of material such as that from extremist groups could be perceived as patronising. While the right to express individual opinions is paramount, it is also vital that everyone feels they have the opportunity to do so without being harassed Beth Sexton

NEW WiNtEr mENu!

ENjoy our 6 dElicious, hot WiNtEr boWls for diNE-iN aNd takEaWay - oNly £8 Each! availablE from our 3 maNchEstEr rEstauraNts: maNchEstEr arNdalE cENtrE, maNchEstEr sElfridgEs trafford aNd maNchEstEr Piccadilly statioN!

PIC: WIKICOMMONS/EVA RINALDI

yosushi.com

NO CONFIDENCE: ‘Political apathy’ has been a buzz phrase during the run-up to this year’s election, describing a conscious lack of engagement with democracy, including the decision not to vote. Its most famous proponent, Russell Brand, has called for revolution. With students bearing the brunt of many cuts imposed by the current government, it’s easy to sympathise. But apathy highlights a problem without offering a solution. The revolution Brand describes is an event, not an outcome. Wherever you stand, it’s worth registering to vote before the April 20 deadline. It’s always nice to have the option Lindsey Coombs

You can read fuller versions of these pieces at www.unipaper.co.uk/comment. Then, let us know what you think; email us at comment@unipaper.co.uk

www.unipaper.co.uk

talkingPOINTS

March 2015

Comment, opinion and the occasional wild rant from our student writers across the country

I regret lecturer sex for cider bet JOSIE WALKER

Grey area: Powerful men, such as Christian in Fifty Shades Of Grey, might seem attractive – but reality might not live up to the mental image

WALKING into my first lecture of my first year, I thought I had hit the jackpot. A young, good-looking guy stood at the front of the hall, wearing a close-fitting suit. All the girls around me excitedly whispered to each other that this gorgeous man would be teaching us for the next 12 weeks. As time progressed, my fascination became stronger and, by reading week, I realised I could not recall a thing that had been said in any of the five lectures. The only notes I had taken was on the first day, where I had written the title and his name, dotting the ‘i’s with hearts like a lovesick primary school pupil. My preparation for lectures

was not completing seminar tasks or preliminary reading but, instead, making sure my hair was perfectly curled, my top enhanced my best assets and my skirt showed just enough leg to be suggestive but not slutty. In lectures, note-taking was shelved in favour of hair-flipping, pen-chewing and short, seductive glances. By this time, my friends had cottoned on and they made me a bet. If I got a snog, they would each buy me a pint of my favourite cider. Getting a snog AND free booze – what girl could refuse? So, in week nine, I made my way to his office in an outfit so tight I worried that if I ate anything I would burst out. Once there, I cut to the chase. Instead of sitting across

from him, I slid my chair next to his so he could ‘explain’ the problem I had brought to him. When in place, I leaned in close, breaking the distance barrier that kept our relationship professional. He noticed – and it didn’t take long for him to give me what I wanted. It was at that moment I realised my mistake. It felt the same as when my dog licks my face. I felt a trickle of something wet run down my chin and recoiled – but he got up to lock the door, and I knew what was about to happen. But, even though I was repulsed by his kiss, morbid curiosity got the better of me and I wanted to know what it would be like to go all the way. So I did. He wriggled around on top of me like an excited puppy,

THE UNIVERSITY PAPER NEEDS YOUR HELP! If you’re in the know about student life, outgoing and keen to work with a fantastic team of people, we’re on the lookout for new recruits to help with Distribution, street teams, promotions and more. Fantastic rates of pay. If you’re up to the challenge, please contact: editor@unipaper.co.uk

arms flailing and not knowing where to put (or what to do with) his hands. My bum was numb from being squashed on to the solid wood desk and my legs dangled awkwardly off the side. When it was over (which didn’t take long), he rolled off me and sat in his chair, panting, leaving me sitting on the desk completely naked and questioning what I had just done. It felt like the worst mistake of my life, and in that moment I wished I could go back in time and take it back. I felt dirty and guilty, swearing I would never agree to a bet with my friends again. The one perk is that I got very drunk that night. But the worst part? I found out he’s my lecturer next year, too...

Youâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ve worked hard on your Dissertation. So think presentation. High quality Dissertation printing for all budgets: We offer the most cost-effective service within the UK. Quality guaranteed Next working day service available. Presentation perfection at the click of a button Free downloadable templates on our website.

dissertations-r-us.co.uk

FREE

er + re cov grade u t r e Ap ery up

iv ss del expre

code e h t r Ente

1 TUP0

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

theINTERVIEW: Nev Schulman

Being lied to takes its toll but I enjoy it W

HAT started out as a story of modern-day romance turned into a strange and twisted tale of deception and heartbreak. Photographer Nev (pronounced Neev) Schulman fell in love with Megan after talking online. However, after she avoided meeting up, he did some digging and discovered Megan didn’t exist. She was, in fact, the invention of a manipulative housewife called Angela. Nev had been catfished. His story was turned into a documentary – something he is unsure about to this day. ‘If I had been asked at the beginning if I would like to make a documentary about my life that would end up in movie theatres and exposing this embarrassing period in my life, I don’t know what I would have said. I can’t say I would have said yes or no. It happened by accident,’ he says. Then, after it aired, others started to turn to him for help. He explains: ‘People started emailing me saying: “Can you help me? I haven’t talked to anybody about this but I saw your story and now I feel like I’m not crazy and not alone.” ‘Very quickly, it became apparent to us that what we thought was an odd experience was much more common than we would have ever expected. ‘We wanted to continue the conversation – and a TV show

The Catfish host chats to JOSHUA EVANS about being manipulated by strangers, seeing your life turned into a TV show and getting back on the dating scene... was the best way to do that.’ That TV show became Catfish, which sees the 30-year-old weed out other web tricksters. So, which one was the worst? ‘The person I found the hardest to stomach was Kidd Cole, the one who pretended to be a producer and a recording artist,’ Nev says. ‘He was manipulating people for huge monetary purposes without remorse – it was just for fun. ‘He was trying to prove something to the people who never thought he’d amount to anything by taking advantage. When we confronted him, he was so cocky – that was why I threw his phone into the river.’ Nev shares the screen with friend and cameraman Max Joseph and claims it’s their relationship that keeps the show from getting too heavy. ‘He is so straight up with me,’ Nev says. ‘There are very few people who can really say anything to me and be totally honest, and Max is one of them. We give each other advice – he helps me and I help him. When we’re not filming, we’re usually so busy doing other things, we don’t spend a lot of time together.’ The pair are often lied to by the fraudsters in the show. How does that feel? ‘I think people forget Max and I are people,’ Nev adds. ‘We’re

not trying to win people over, we’re just trying to tell good stories and I think people forget that. They just see us as cardboard cut-outs. ‘So, it does take its toll – but I mostly enjoy it.’ And what about the rumours of a UK version of the show? ‘We’ve been talking about it,’ he says. ‘There was a time when we were very close to putting together a pilot. I was very excited – but for now it’s all on hold. I would love to come over as it’s fun to go to places I’ve never been and have people recognise me. Sometimes it’s weird and I don’t like it but it’s mostly fun and pretty wild.’ Now the pair are filming series four, Nev is ready to get back on the dating scene. ‘It’s been a while since I was really dating. I recently broke up with a long-term girlfriend,’ he explains. ‘I’m just starting to reconsider how I want to re-emerge and put myself back into the single world.’ So, any dating advice for us? ‘It’s important to be straight up with people and tell them how you feel even if you are unclear about what you want,’ he says. ‘As soon as you open that door for an honest exchange with someone, it just makes it nicer to be around them.’

NEV SCHULMAN is the face of Rocawear. Visit the website: www.rocawear.com

INSIDE: Fat Boy Slim speaks to us about his life on the road and the people he has met

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

what’sON

We play tattoo roulette... The boys are back and up to no good

Reggae master gives it his Hall

HENRIETTA PAINTER and DAISY VICKERS meet McBusted’s Harry Judd to talk tattoos, piercings and fans’ dirty underwear...

Ram Jam: Albert Hall

HE McBusted boys have been on the road since the early noughties – first in McFly and Busted and later as the supergroup. Now, even though some members are married and have kids, they still have their moments of madness. ‘We play piercing and tattoo roulette,’ drummer Harry says. ‘And I’ve only gone and lost – so I need to get my nipple pierced.’ Why do they do it? He has no idea – they just do. ‘The only rule is that whatever tattoo you get has to be s**t,’ he laughs. ‘Tom’s got McBusted tattooed on his foot, so that’s pretty s**t for him.’ The two groups united in 2013, bringing the six mates together. Harry says: ‘We were all such good friends beforehand anyway, so touring is fun. ‘Tom, Matt and myself are the most sensitive guys from the group. Dougie and James

M.E.A.T. and greet: McBusted’s (l-r) Dougie, Tom, Matt, James, Danny and Harry head out on their UK tour this month are completely different personalities but it just works – we’re all a bit more mature and wiser now. ‘Things have calmed down a lot now from our previous days. We spend a lot of time at the gym while we’re touring and I’m into golf. ‘We would never have done this for the sake of it – we did it because it was right for us, and it’s worked out.’ The supergroup are on the road again for their Most

Excellent Adventure Tour, entertaining their fans with McBusted tracks, as well as hits by the original bands. ‘The fans always want to hear the old songs and we still want to play them,’ he explains. ‘We’ve got a lot of new fans but we still attract the crazy ones. They do a lot of unprincipled things.’ Like what? Girls breaking windows to get into their house or sending them

Journey back to when the street gangs ruled Scuttlers: The Royal Exchange

VENTURING back in time to 1885, Scuttlers relived the industrial powerhouse of Ancoats. The play, by Rona Munro, explored the warring gangs and formidable youths of Bengal Street who ruled the city. David Judge put in an electrifying performance as young upstart Thomas Clayton, a vagabond and charming thief with ‘the fastest hands

dirty underwear in the post, apparently. ‘Sometimes the mums are worse than the daughters,’ Harry laughs. ‘It’s great – we absolutely love it.’ The tour is packed with ’80s references and the sci-fi memorabilia that the band have become known for. ‘Tom and Dougie are responsible for all of the alien shenanigans but our style is from all of us,’ he adds. McBusted will also support One Direction on their upcoming Australian

tour. What’s it like having them as fans? Harry says: ‘Niall and Louis used to love coming to the McFly and Busted shows when they were younger – us guys were their first gigs. ‘We’d never compare ourselves to One Direction, they’re a global success – but it’s nice to see that they’ve followed their dreams from listening to us.’ n McBusted will hit Manchester Arena on March 21.

in Lancashire’, who looks to become king of Bengal Street. With a live, contemporary score, Scuttlers blended old and new, aiming to dispel prejudices about the late Victorian working class. It also reflected contemporary Mancunian identities by colliding the city’s first street gangs with a ghoulish closing image of be-hooded, smartphone-addicted post-modern citizens. Josh Mcloughlin You want some?: Rona Munro’s play explores the gangs of Manchester’s Ancoats area

DAVID RODIGAN MBE lead an all-star line-up at the opening of Transmission, a new night from the curators of Parklife and The Warehouse Project. The reggae DJ whipped the crowd into a frenzy, playing enticing dancehall favourites as well as unique twists on pop tracks such as No One by Alicia Keys. His passion shone through his eclectic setlist, proving his reputation as one of the most influential DJs on the planet. It was infectious. His reggae grenades sent the raucous crowd into overdrive as he bellowed out: ‘Manchester, show me some signal!’ Providing back-up to the reggae master was drum ‘n’ bass producer DJ Hype, along with DJ Toddla T and Mike Skinner from The Streets. Shy FX also curated a festival-esque routine, which primed the cacophonous crowd for the main man of the evening. The night was the first of the new Transmission series, which has already had a takeover from Sankeys and Hospitality. Upcoming events will see Andy C play on March 14, Hannah Wants on March 27 and Carl Cox on April 3. It’s not a carbon copy of The Warehouse Project as many have been predicting – it’s something new and it’s something fresh. Go to see the Albert Hall reinvented into a place no raver will forget. Nathan Salt

www.unipaper.co.uk

what’sON

March 2015 Our comprehensive guide to entertainment in Manchester. If you have an event you would like included, please email us at whatson@unipaper.co.uk

Piper is living the dream...

T’S the opening night of Transmission and drum ’n’ bass MC Tonn Piper is all smiles as I catch up with him in the dressing room before he hits the Albert Hall stage with Randall. Born and raised in Manchester, Piper’s versatility has helped him thrive at the city’s events, including Metropolis and The Warehouse Project, where he is a recurring figure. ‘Music is a way of life for Mancunians,’ he says. ‘People come here from outside of the North – it goes down deeper than the football

teams with The Stone Roses at United and Oasis at City. ‘Manchester has a broad music spectrum and that’s why genres ranging from techno to house to d’n’b thrive here. ‘It brought its own vibe as I was growing up – people are just hearing about some guys I have been partying with since high school.’ Piper, who is approached numerous times by people hunting for fellow performer Toddla T, demonstrates an unrelenting love for d’n’b – he is an artist who really believes in what he

Here’s Johnny... in aid of charity

Tonn of fun: D’n’b MC Tonn Piper whips the crowd into a frenzy

is creating when he takes to the stage. ‘It doesn’t get any better than this,’ he says. ‘I am living the dream without the millions, basically. ‘I have about six or seven releases to come in the next two or three months, which is awesome. I have escaped the hood – I keep telling people – and I am now trying to build a living out of what I

love doing.’ Many would call house music the genre of the student masses right now – but Piper has strong views about the key differences between house and his beloved d’n’b. ‘There is no limit to drum ‘n’ bass,’ he explains. ‘It’s been thriving since the early ’90s, when many people who are students now were born. ‘We create a vibe – it

isn’t just a sound.’ The interview ends with an event coordinator returning with a bottle of vodka that Piper had specified earlier. The MC adds: ‘I’ll say it again – it does not get better than playing in Manchester as these guys continue to organise tons of events. ‘As a local lad, this city is everything to me.’ Nathan Salt

THE funnyman with the big mouth, Johnny Vegas, heads the bill as Shake With Laughter comes to Manchester’s Comedy Store. The comedian from St Helens will bring his angry rants and surrealist gags to the gig, all in aid of Parkinson’s UK. Joining him for the night, on March 16, will be Rob Deering, Mick Ferry and Justin Moorhouse. The event comes to Manchester after a successful run at London’s Comedy Store last year that saw Deering perform with Jarred Christmas, Charlie Baker and Nick Doody. Morgan Hinton

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

theBEAT

I’m diving a little deeper... I’m a little darker

Experimental: B.Traits is pushing her musical boundaries

Brianna Price, aka B.Traits, 28, was a regular on Canada’s rave scene at the tender age of 14. She and MORGAN HINTON chat musical influences and the UK’s drug problem

INCE moving to the UK, what have you found to be best and worst about the rave scene? The rave scene here is incredible – unlike anywhere else in the world. Even just the sound of the style of music stands out to me – it’s the main reason why I didn’t move to the US instead. The worst? Probably similar to my documentary How Safe Are My Drugs? I feel like the authorities are

not doing enough to create safer raving environments. Have you found the drug problem in the UK more prominent than Canada? Yes, particularly with legal highs. They scare me most as they are so unpredictable and there’s no history to tell us what the side-effects could be. What is your favourite non-electronic musical act? I listen to a lot of rap, like Pusha T and Kendrick Lamar. But then, I have a massive

love for Alabama Shakes! What can we expect from you musically this year? I’m not exactly sure myself! I’ve gone into the studio with the idea to only create and experiment. It’s been really interesting – for the first time

in my life, I believe I really know what my sound is. What kind of listening experience does your Friday night slot on Radio 1 offer? I represent new talent for the underground dance scene. After Annie Mac and

Pete Tong, my show takes you a little deeper, a little darker. Since coming to the UK, who has had the most impact on your music? Probably Shy FX, as he’s stuck with me since the beginning. I remember the

first time I played him my more experimental stuff, I was convinced he’d hate it. But he didn’t – he loved it and pushed me to dive deeper. B.Traits plays Manchester’s Sankeys on March 21 as part of its 20th anniversary.

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

theBEAT The ‘people’s tenor’ prefers tennis and his Xbox to plugging in the headphones Love your music? So do we! Tune in here for all the latest interviews, previews and reviews

I love the sound of silence Y

OU’VE had five top ten studio albums and worked with artists from Pavarotti to Shaun Ryder – but what music inspires you? You’ll probably be surprised by this, but when I’m going about my daily business I actually don’t listen to much music. I try to avoid it. I’m already in the industry and music is my life, so when I don’t have to listen to it, it’s like, ‘aww, bliss’. When I do I listen to music, it’s artists like the Black Eyed Peas or James Brown. When I’m touring, I’ll refresh my memory by listening to recordings of the tenor singing repertoire that I do – listen to the different inflections they use. We hear Katherine Jenkins refuses to speak the day before a performance. How do you look after your voice? Well – Jacuzzis, lots of booze… no, I’m just joking – that’s a normal night! Your voice can be a bit of a pain in the a**e sometimes. If you are a guitar player and the strings start to wear out you can simply replace them, whereas it’s not so simple to repair your voice. When I first starting singing as a young chap, I used to go watch Manchester United and if something happened I’d be shouting from the stands, but I can’t do that anymore. What collaborations will stick in your mind for years to come? Of course it has to be my performance with Luciano Pavarotti. He was amazing and totally lived up to his diva reputation. One of the most amazing days I’ve had was when we did a concert in

Tour: Cook PICTURE: FUTURE MUSIC

Singer Russell Watson tells REBECCA THOMAS about his battle with cancer, strange rehearsals with Charlotte Church and Pavarotti and being made to rock by Meat Loaf Hyde Park where I was told I would be performing in front of 75,000 people. Charlotte Church was also performing alongside Pavarotti and we were waiting what felt like forever to rehearse with him. We walked into the rehearsal room, where he was sat on this long arm chair. He put his hands together as if he was going to say a prayer and then took a massive inhalation of air before pointing to Charlotte and saying (cue dodgy Italian accent) ‘When I point to you, you sing’ and looks at me and says the same thing and then goes: ‘End of rehearsal’ – and that was it. That was the rehearsal! We got outside and Charlotte looked at me and went: ‘What the f**k was that all about?’ Another amazing person I performed with had to be Meat Loaf up in New York. I ended up in fact singing Bat Out Of Hell with him, which was incredible. We were in rehearsal once and he asked me: ‘Are you ready to rock?’ and me, being the typical English boy, said: ‘Yes, I am.’ He replied: ‘No, I said… ARE YOU READY TO ROCK?’ and he wouldn’t let us continue until I screamed out ‘Yes!’ It was surreal. You found out your brain tumour had returned while you were recording your 2007 album Outside In. Has anything positive come out of your illness? The first one was bad enough. I had that operated on and thought it was gone but 12 months later it wanted to do a comeback tour. I

basically ended up back in hospital and was very poorly for a long period of time. You can look back at instances like that and think I was very unlucky to get that and ‘why me?’ but these things happen and it’s how you deal with them that is crucial. An illness like that stays with you. Before I was constantly planning, whereas now my philosophy is live for the day. What has been your biggest achievement so far? Overcoming the illness and coming through the other side – being able to sustain my career through it all. My career highlight is definitely performing for Pope John Paul II at the Vatican. He passed away not long after. What advice would you give to an aspiring singer? There are four things I feel are important if you want to pursue a career in singing. No.1 is always confidence – it’s is a crucial part of the make-up of a singer. But the biggest factor of all for any new artist starting out in the business is to have a plan, a good business accruement and to have a good team of people who you can trust. On your upcoming tour, you’ll be playing at your birthplace, Salford. Is there anywhere else on the tour you’re particularly fond of? I’m actually a big fan of Wales and so was my gran, she always used to take us on day trips there. As a child, it was the one of the only places I really visited outside of Manchester, as we couldn’t

Tough industry: Watson will wait before making another album

tourDATES

; March 22, The March 10, Brangwyn Hall, Swansea , Leicester; May atre The e Lowry, Salford; May 5-6, Curv rter Theatre, Cha 19, May h; burg Edin , Hall 11, Queen’s ton; June 16, Grand Theatre, amp verh Wol , atre The d Preston; June 4, Gran dule at www.russellwatson.com sche tour full ; Leeds; June 26, The Forum, Bath

afford to go away abroad or anything, so I spent most of my time holidaying in Wales as a child. What do you do to relax between gigs? I like to exercise a lot. My favourite thing to do at the moment is play tennis. I’m

playing about four times a week. I love my physical fitness, including boxing. My biggest form of escapism, though, is my Xbox One – quite sad for a man of my age (48). Do you have plans for a new record soon?

The music industry is tough. It got to the point when I was getting fed up and it almost felt like a factory churning out song after song, so I’m waiting until I’m ready to produce something that I believe in before I release anything else.

A long way from the gutter but dreaming of stars FATBOY SLIM has made some pretty extreme venues his own, from a igloo to the Great Wall of China. Over the past 19 years the DJ, real name Norman Cook, has produced some of the biggest dance anthems to date and sold 8million albums. But with an international tour coming up, he is showing no signs of slowing down. Reflecting on his rise to DJ stardom, he says: ‘I

remember the first time I heard one of my tunes on the John Peel show. It felt like the pinnacle of everything I ever wanted to do. Over the years, all these things ascend, from hearing your music being played on the jukebox at the Queen Vic to ending up at the Olympic Games closing ceremony. Every time you think you have reached a pinnacle, you find another.’ Now 51, Cook

lives with wife Zoe Ball and their two children in East Sussex. He says he would do it all again, but has one regret. ‘I never had my photo taken with Madonna,’ he says. ‘We met the first time she came to England and shared a dressing room. It was the time she had the string vest, you know, classic Madonna.’ But that’s far from his only celebrity run-in. ‘The weirdest thing to

happen to me while DJing was Kevin Spacey coming up to me heavily disguised at Glastonbury. We had a chat right in the middle of a set and nobody else realised. I can’t even remember what we chatted about. It was Glastonbury; everything was a bit of a blur. No-one else will ever know if it really happened.’ Fatboy Slim plays Common People in Southampton on May 23.

Find a near you! We’re always open with over 50 free classes, no contract and large free weights area. #Reasonstojoin from

£10.99

My PureGym App

per month, limited offer*

Join online puregym.com

Manchester Spinningfields 3 Hardman St Spinningfields M3 3HF

ViSit US onlinE At PUREGyM.coM or download our FREE app to find your nearest PureGym!

Manchester Urban Exchange Urban Exchange, Great Ancoats Street M4 6DE Manchester Exchange Quay Cygnet House, 111 Taylorson Street, South Manchester M5 3BL You can read our full terms and conditions at www.puregym.com/terms, don’t worry they’re short and sweet! Here’s the main ones: *We do ask new members to pay a small joining fee and prices vary slightly across the country, see online for details; all our members need to be at least 18 years old; **we have one or two clubs that can’t open 24/7, details of club opening hours can be seen online. ***There may be a small charge for some of our classes. †And please be aware facilities and classes may vary slightly depending where you are.

0343 PUREGYM Uni adverts MANCHESTER V4.indd 1

16/12/2014 16:43

www.unipaper.co.uk

inSTYLE

March 2015

Want to look great and stay up-to-date with the latest trends ... all on a sensible budget? Check out our monthly guide to the best buys for students

How to be chic at a snip

EING a student means learning many new skills – not least the art of budgeting. But despite being able to get by on £10 of food a week, some of us find it harder to rein in the spending when it comes to keeping up with the latest trends. So, how can you be fashionable while sticking to a student budget? Go for investment buys. This does not mean blowing your entire loan on one Michael Kors bag – it’s about being clever with your spending and splurging on key pieces that will last, rather than the buying expensive ‘on-trend’ items that will soon look dated. A good pair of jeans or a quality coat can be investment buys – just keep them simple and classic. Don’t go mad at the sales – just because individual pieces

are cheap does not mean the cost won’t add up. Most shops list sale items online before they appear in store, so make a list of what you want before you go bargain hunting. Embrace recycling. Many people think charity shops are just full of old people’s clothes but among the knitted tank tops and pleated woollen skirts, you can find some real bargains. I recently picked up a Topshop skirt for £4 while it was still being sold new for £26. Many stores offer multibuys on things like socks and underwear which can be great – as long as they actually save you a reasonable amount of money. But beware – anything less than a £1 saving is a bit pointless, unless you really need to stock up. Finally, don’t forget to wave that NUS card. Many high

Wearing very Lidl clothing

Bargain buys: English students Beckey Bulman (left) and Ally Head model charity shop finds PICTURES: DAISY HOLDEN street chains offer a discount of ten per cent or more on full-price items. Daisy Holden

WE all know it does cheap food – but now supermarket chain Lidl is branching out into the world of lingerie too. For £7.98, you can now pick up a matching set of lacy underwear similar to the one pictured while you shop for your groceries. There are bras and knickers for £3.99 and a silky wrap will set you back less than a fiver. The supermarket not only offers a no-frills approach to frilly undies – it has also launched a fashion range. But will it be enough to tear us away from our beloved highstreet brands? Aliya Hussain

March 2015

hiTECH

www.unipaper.co.uk The latest in everything gadgets and gaming

Get screws in a spin to bust out of the prison

ANCY yourself as the next Michael Scofield or Andy Dufresne? Well, with Team17’s The Escapists, you can test yourself against the system without going through all the hassle of committing a crime. The indie puzzle game, released last month on PC and Xbox One, uses the film and TV cliché of breaking out of prison but puts you in control of the story. Developer Chris Davis told the University Paper: ‘I’ve always been a fan of prison films – Prison Break and The Shawshank Redemption – but there have not really been that many games that take place inside. ‘So, I thought maybe this will be good – the big build-up and the suspense.’

The game lets you go through day-to-day prison life – including meals, workout time, roll call and even jobs such as laundry duty – so as not to arouse the guards’ suspicion, all the while coming up with an escape plan. Want to beat a guard to death with a soap bar in a sock? You can do that. Want to dig a tunnel underneath the prison? You can do that, too. There are no instruction manuals or tooltips – how you escape is left entirely up to you. Chris said: ‘The games I grew up with when I was younger, from the 16-bit era – they never had these handholding aspects and I guess that’s what I’m used to. ‘I remember when I used to

Bloodborne, March 24 SEARCH for answers in the creepy streets of Yharnam – an ancient city hit by a gruesome plague. Fight off the violent, deranged mobs and nightmarish creatures that lurk around every corner using weapons such as guns and saw cleavers. Players can also use holy chalices to gain entrance to a network of vast underground ruins filled with traps, beasts and rewards. The game will be coming exclusively to PS4 from Dark Souls developer FromSoftware. Jake Clothier Dark Souls II, April 7

Hell in a cell: The Escapists on PC (£12.99) or Xbox One (£14.99) achieve something in a game back then, I felt a sense of accomplishment that I don’t feel you get these days with games, because everything is sort of way-pointed.’ Alex Jolly

n FOR a chance to win one of three The Escapists goodie bags, email us at win@unipaper.co.uk with your name, age, university, telephone number and address.

THE innovative fantasy series returns, remastered and reimagined, in Dark Souls II: Scholar Of The First Sin. The next-gen and PC re-release comes with a new playable character and enemy placements, which will change the way levels are handled. There are also new items

out soon available, including the ‘agape ring’, which absorbs souls collected from online kills. The developers have also enhanced the graphics and increased the player count in online play. Ben Chuter Mortal Kombat X, April 14 WE all know the format by now – two players fight against each other using an array of attacks, special moves and brutal fatalities. So, what’s different about Mortal Kombat’s latest offering? Well, new ‘living towers’ game mode allows players to fight to the death in everchanging conditions, forcing gamers to adapt their technique. Four new characters have also been added to the roster, while all the old favourites have been brought back, bringing the number of playable characters up to 24. Matt Bullin

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

onSCREEN

Love a good night at the movies? Or perhaps you need a quiet night in front of the TV? Read on to find out what’s on...

The quick quip comedy It’s war: Shailene Woodley takes the fight to the elite in Insurgent

The Divergent Series: Insurgent THE latest film in the series based on Veronica Roth’s best-selling science fiction trilogy sees Shailene Woodley’s character Beatrice ‘Tris’ Prior go to war against the leader of the corrupt elite, Kate Winslet’s Jeanine, while Theo James plays love interest Four. Tris and Four must search for allies and unlock the answers to seemingly impossible questions. The film is set to be released on March 20 and is yet to be rated. Daniel Williams Furious 7 FASTEN your seatbelts for the latest lap of the Fast And Furious circuit. The franchise was rocked last year by the death of Paul Walker, who played Brian O’Conner, in a car crash – but the latest instalment was finished after his brothers Caleb and Cody stepped in to help. In a strange twist, the film sees Ian Shaw, played by Jason Statham, seek revenge for the death of his brother at the hands of a rival crew. The film is due for release on April 10. Zahra Faqir Child 44 ANOTHER Tom Hardy film, another accent.

After sporting a southern drawl in Lawless, going Welsh for Locke and using a somewhat unplaceable tongue as Bane in The Dark Knight Rises, the Londoner goes Russian to play Leo Demidov. The secret policeman is troubled by the mysterious deaths of boys in this thriller, based on the 2014 novel. Joel Kinnaman, Noomi Rapace and Gary Oldman also star. Out April 17. Seamus Mcginley-Hughes Avengers: Age Of Ultron IRON Man, Thor, the Hulk, Captain America, Black Widow and Hawkeye are back – and this time they’re joined by X-Men twins Quicksilver and Scarlet Witch, played by Aaron Taylor-Johnson and Elizabeth Olsen. The peacekeeping tool Ultron, created by Tony Stark – aka Ironman – backfires when it decides the human race must be wiped out and the heroes unite to stop it. Out April 23. Zahra Faqir

app. Laura Barns (Heather Sossaman) kills herself after finding someone has posted a drunken video of her online, before one of her ‘friends’ sets out for revenge via Skype and the dead girl’s Facebook account. Due to be released May 1. Antoniya Gerimpapazi

TAFF Room has trodden the rocky path from disastrous pilot to internet hit. The comedy series is squeezed into eight-minute episodes that follow two teacher friends as they skip classes, nurse hangovers and discuss everything but work. Its co-writer, Ryan McDermott, collected ideas while working in schools and teamed up with old friend Adam Brown to create it. But the pair failed to get funding for their first pilot. ‘Nobody wanted to make it, which is usually a sign not to do it,’ McDermott admitted. ‘So we said, “OK, we’ll make a pilot of this ourselves”.’ They raised just over £1,000 on crowdfunding website Kickstarter. ‘It wasn’t a lot of money but it was enough to get us going,’ said McDermott. ‘But then the pilot was a disaster. My agent

told us we needed to bury it in a time capsule so that nobody would ever find it.’ Determined not to bin the project, McDermott, who started making films when he was given a video camera aged 14, cut a three-minute trailer from the pilot footage, which got 25,000 hits online. It attracted the attention of Comedy Central, which funded the team and now hosts the series on its website. McDermott (pictured second from right with fellow cast members Zoe Lister, Adam Brown and Brian Capron) also stars in the series, filmed in Salford, Manchester. It is aimed at people watching on their mobiles while travelling to and

from work and uni. ‘We had to learn how to be really serious writers,’ said McDermott. ‘We had to deliver these episodes that were really halfan-hour’s worth each and put them into eight minutes – and that was a challenge.’ An added pressure has been filming each episode in a day. ‘Nobody does that,’ said McDermott. ‘It was like a military operation to get it all done but at the same time we were literally having the best time – we became a big family.’ To anyone hoping to film their own comedy series, he said: ‘Know exactly what you are and exactly what you want to be.’ See Staff Room at www. comedycentral. co.uk. Christina Sims

The Salt Of The Earth THIS documentary sees Juliano Salgado follow in his famous father Sebastião’s footsteps, as he uses images to tell the photographer’s life story. His father, now in his 70s, has witnessed the major conflicts, mass exoduses and human tragedies of the late 20th century, and this film calls on the viewer to think about what the human race does to the planet. Due for general release on July 3. Antoniya Gerimpapazi

̦̤ε

�eeeeeeeeeehungryhousee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee

ĕîî

Unfriended A MIX of horror classics Carrie and I Know What You Did Last Summer, this film, directed by Levan Gabriadze, uses social media to make you think twice about opening that Facebook

�eeeeeeeee

hungryhouse Cheap Chow Going east: Tom Hardy

eeeeee

March 2015

yourNIGHT

www.unipaper.co.uk Enjoyed a big night in Manchester? We have all the pictures from the cityâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s hottest nightspots... see if you can spot yourself.

Voted the UK’s most trusted optician Need an eye test? Visit specsavers.co.uk or call 0800 0680 241

704376-1_SD_UniversityPaper.indd 1

11/11/2014 12:30

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

foodBREAK

We’ve all got to eat. So whether you fancy preparing something at home or popping out for dinner, we have the recipe for a great meal

The magic of mince...

pepper. Scrunch together well with hands 3. Divide into 24 small balls. Put them on a plate and coat with olive oil 4. Heat a large frying pan on a medium heat and add two tbsp olive oil. Stir in the onion until softened and colouring. Then add the other clove of garlic and the chilli. When they colour, add several large basil leaves, tomatoes and balsamic vinegar. Bring to the boil, season to taste and leave to simmer 5. Heat another large frying pan on a high heat and add two tbsp oil. Cook the meatballs for eight to ten minutes, frequently turning them until golden brown. Check they are cooked by making sure there is no sign of pink inside. Once cooked, add to the tomato sauce and your choice of pasta Jes Needham-Bennet

It is the essential student ingredient – cheap, filling and easy to use. But, if all you can think to do with mince is to rustle up a spag bol, then think again... Chorizo, beef and bean stew

Ingredients: 500g minced beef, 225g chorizo, can of red kidney beans, can of chopped tomatoes, two cups of beef broth, one large onion, four cloves of garlic, one large carrot (chopped), one potato (diced), one tsp smoked paprika, one tsp black pepper, half a lemon, salt to taste Method: 1. Heat the oven to 180C. In an oven-proof pot, heat the chorizo with a little bit of oil so it doesn’t burn. When it starts sizzling, add onions and garlic and fry. Once browned, add the beef

and chopped tomatoes 2. Cook in oven for one-anda-half hours 3. Add the beans, spices, carrot and potato. Continue cooking for one-and-a-half hours 4. Serve with boiled rice and green peas Jit Pal Meatballs

Ingredients: One heaped tbsp rosemary, one heaped tbsp oregano, one heaped tsp thyme, 12 cream crackers (smashed until fine), two tsp Dijon mustard, fresh basil, 500g minced beef or pork, one egg, olive oil, one medium

Tasty and quick: Chorizo, beef and bean stew and, inset, spicy south-west burgers onion (finely chopped), two large cloves garlic (crushed), half a red chilli (finely sliced), two cans of chopped tomatoes, one tbsp balsamic vinegar, salt and pepper

5 1 2 , 90 NTS P TO U Y B N BE SEE

E D U T S ANCHESTER IN M

TO FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN ADVERTISE WITH US CONTACT WILL@UNIPAPER.CO.UK OR CALL US ON 07949 038633

Spicy south-west burgers

PICTURE: BLYTHE LEWIS

Method: 1. Put crackers and one clove of garlic in a large bowl with oregano, rosemary, thyme, mince and mustard 2. Crack an egg into the mix and season with salt and

Ingredients: 500g minced beef, one onion (diced), three mixed small peppers (diced), one small red chilli pepper (diced), one clove garlic (crushed), one tsp cumin, one

tsp coriander, ground black pepper to taste, two tbsp vegetable oil, two avocados, four burger buns, cheddar cheese (sliced), hot sauce Method: 1. Mix the mince, onion, peppers, chilli pepper, garlic, cumin, coriander, and black pepper in a large bowl. Knead with hands until all the vegetables and seasonings are incorporated into the beef 2. Separate the mixtures into four even pieces and roll each into a ball. Put on a plate, pressing on each with palm to flatten. Leave in the fridge for at least 15 minutes 3. Heat two tbsp of vegetable oil in a pan over high heat. When oil begins to shimmer, add patties to the pan. Cook for two to three minutes on each side 4. Remove patties from the heat and place on kitchen roll to remove excess oil. Transfer to buns 5. Halve the avocados and remove pits. Use a fork to crush half of the flesh while still in the skin, then transfer to the burger, using half an avocado for each burger 6. Top with hot sauce and sliced cheese Blythe Lewis

www.unipaper.co.uk

competitionCORNER n YOU can win one of four Bulldog Skincare For Men kits – jam-packed with enough product to scrub yourself from head to toe. Each kit includes original shower gel, aftershave and moisturiser, all made from natural ingredients and no man-made chemicals

n TO celebrate the DVD release of WWII epic Fury, we are giving away copies of the film, along with a Fury T-shirt, tankard, hip flask and a special Sherman Tank Haynes Manual. Fury is now available on Blu-ray, DVD and for digital download

To enter these competitions, email your name, university and year of study to win@unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

Your chance to win fantastic tickets, trips and treats

tickets to N I W Outlook festival To enter, email your name, university and year of study to win@unipaper.co.uk

In the groove: Outlook festival takes place in a 2,000-year-old Roman fort

ANCY sailing around the Adriatic coastline and partying in a 2,000-year old amphitheatre in Croatia this September? All you need to do is grab your bestie and some cheap flights, and we’ll provide you with two tickets to Outlook festival in Stinjan. The prize includes access to the festival’s camping area – so don’t forget to pack your tent pegs. You’ll also get two tickets to the opening concert and a boat party of your choice. Guests so far include Run The Jewels, Wiley, Boy Better Know, Goldie and Pete Rock. The event runs from Wednesday, September 2, to Sunday, September 6. For all the details, take a peek at www.outlookfestival.com.

www.unipaper.co.uk

let’sTALK

March 2015 Relationship trouble? Sex worries? Feeling low? We’ve got wise words to set you right

Alice ask

treatment being a syringe to drain blood, I’d suggest you are better off sticking to your guns on this one, Aaron.

Danger: Taking tablets to boost your sex life can be risky

O... Student Finance doesn’t cover the summer. How have I only just found this out and what am I meant to do?! Pia, Bristol Your final instalment will be slightly higher to account for the summer; however, you still have five months to get through between April and September. So, start applying for summer jobs now – and we aren’t talking about shelf-stacking. Go to Glastonbury with DC Site Services or head down under with Get Australia. If you want to stay closer to home, how about becoming a mentor with The Challenge or even staying in halls? Most universities open them up as hotels during the summer and need all the hands they can get.

FTER Easter I have just two months left at university... need I say more. Tom, Preston If there is one thing worse than the dissertation, it is the constant ‘so, what are you going to do when you finish university?’ – and this is before you’ve even got through finals. But, having said that, you need to start looking at graduate schemes and postgraduate bursaries now, or maybe even the possibility of extending your tenancy just a month or two longer to avoid a bout of graduation blues. Graduating can be just as good as freshers was those three short years ago... but only if you have a game plan.

INCE when did Viagra become the one? Even my girlfriend is keen to try it out but I don’t see

the point in either of us taking it. Aaron, Cardiff One in five 18- to 25-year-olds is necking the infamous blue pill but not for the reasons for which it

was originally intended. Much like poppers, Viagra has strayed into the recreational category. However, if you take it without prescription or purchase it online, you are

opening yourself up to a number of life-threatening and long-lasting complications – not to mention priapism. (That’s a persistent erection to you and I).With the

Struggling with your studies, wrestling with a relationship or is your social life at a standstill? If you need advice, email our agony aunt on askalice@unipaper.co.uk

Looking for a date? Try this cheeky app Founder and director of CheekyBoo Ben Mitchell, 30, used to work at Barclays before an idea came to him about simplifying the online dating process. Thus, almost two years ago, the idea for the app was born. AYNSLEIGH HOLLYWOOD asks him whether we are losing the art of meeting Mr or Miss Right in the real world

VERYTHING happens online now. Do you think that enhances or diminishes real-life interactions? It’s just the way of the world. It’s the reason for CheekyBoo and other likeminded apps – people don’t have time to go out and meet people as much as they used to. It’s handy to meet online and it’s only going to increase as technology advances. Do you have any personal online dating experience? I’ve been on dating sites in the past and I think CheekyBoo was born from the fact that I didn’t like what I saw. I wanted to strip out what I considered as gimmicks and simplify the process of online dating.

Where did the idea come from? Just being out and about and thinking about new ways of meeting and interacting with people, rather than having to go through the awkward ice-breaker. What work goes in to making an app of this sort? I had to come up with design images to show how I wanted the app to look. You also have to do what’s called wire frames to design the actual pages themselves and work out how one page feeds into another page. If you were explaining CheekyBoo to someone who hadn’t used it, what would you say to convert them? I’d say the biggest selling

Date night: CheekyBoo and, inset, founder Ben Mitchell (left) point is its simplicity. There is no matching of databases behind CheekyBoo. There is no Facebook account needed so it is a standalone app. With so many other dating apps, how do you stand out?

The fact that it is localised and the radar cannot be restricted or expanded – it is set to ten miles. We match people depending on whether you like their pictures or whether you like their bio. You only upload

nine photos and the bio is 140 characters. Where do you see both the company and yourself in ten years’ time? I would hope CheekyBoo would go global with millions of users worldwide.

Coming out can still be a concern I WOULD never tell you I’m gay unless you asked me. In fact, I’m not even 100 per cent sure – but I can say I’m probably more gay than I am bi. The thing is, you don’t just come out of your teenage years ‘knowing’ –you come out in stages. From there, you could say I’m coming out daily to people who are yet to ‘know’ me. I have to trust someone before I tell them. Safety is always my biggest concern in terms of what could happen if I show my affection to someone of the same gender. You shouldn’t have to care what other people think – but, unfortunately, people resort to extreme measures of showing their disapproval. Bobby Atkinson

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

yourSPACE

Home or away? It’s up to you

IVING at home while studying certainly has its benefits. But will you be missing out on the full university experience? There’s no right or wrong answer, so check out our pros and cons to help you decide. Advantages of living at home 1. Lower costs – You will probably not be paying for rent, bills, food and other expenditures, so that gives you a little bit more spending money. 2. Good grub – If you aren’t much of a chef, home-cooked

meals are a luxury that you won’t have to give up. It’s much easier to concentrate after a good meal rather than beans on toast. 3. Peace and quiet – Unless your parents are party animals, it is unlikely that you will be woken up at 3am with a fire alarm going off or hearing drunk people in the street when you have a 9am lecture the next day. Disadvantages of living at home 1. Distance learning – Travelling can be a pain and could stop you from going

Be close to those near you

Train in vain: Commuting to uni can make you late thanks to delays to lectures. If a seminar is cancelled or plans are changed at the last minute, it can also be tough to change your schedule. 2. Social cost – It can be hard to maintain friendships. By living at home, you are excluded from the student lifestyle, so trying to meet up with mates

outside of the university day can be a bit tricky – and getting home after a night out can be a total pain. 3. Over-reliance on parents – University is not all about your degree... learning life lessons is just as important. Without having your parents to rely on, you

quickly learn how to look after yourself. 4. Missing out – Being on campus is a great way to get involved in other university activities. From pop-up shops to job fairs, the campus has it all and you will probably miss out if you are stuck in the house. Daisy Holden

1-10 Bedroom Student Properties throughout Fallowfield and Withington You should be “Living the Luxury Student Life”!

FREE MOVING SERVICE & FREE STORAGE FOR ALL YOUR STUFF JUST ASK US!

PICTURE: DAVID ROBINSON

GOOD neighbours can become good friends. So don’t ruin it by making their lives a misery. Here are a few tips to maintaining a good relationship with those who live next to you. 1. Be considerate – Just because you enjoy singing along to loud music at 4.30am doesn’t mean your sleepy neighbours will. 2. Get to know them – A family with young children is likely to need peace at night, while if you live next to other students they will probably be more understanding. 3. Be friendly – A little kindness goes a long way, so offer to sign for parcels or even invite them round for a barbecue and drinks. Laura Harcombe

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

yourSPACE

How to find the right place to live, the right people to live with and how to keep your place right

Ratting to ratings... Owen Dixon, who founded website Rate My Roof to identify good and bad student landlords, tells LUCY ROGERS how it all sprang from a run-in with a rodent

OR students across the country, the spring term is dominated by the scramble to secure a home for the following year. But, in the rush to get somewhere with the right number of rooms, in a location that won’t mean an hour-long bus ride to lectures, many end up living in crumby conditions. This is a problem business graduate Owen Dixon is aiming to tackle. The 22-year-old set up Rate My Roof, a website that lets students review private accommodation, after a run-in with a rodent during his time at Durham University. ‘One time my housemate had to hit a rat with an umbrella in the living room,’

he said. ‘I was frustrated at all the bad student houses. I wanted to make the market fairer and put the power back into student hands.’ Tenants can add properties to the website, listing whether utilities such as wifi or bills are included and giving their own comments, as well as a star rating. In the interests of fairness, the site also has a section that allows landlords to respond. And, since setting it up, Owen has heard from students with even worse experiences than his rat battle. One, from the University of Leicester, described how a tree blocked the entrance to his home. He claimed he also had to report the property to environmental health over a

faulty air filtering unit, as well as serious damp and mould issues. But Rate My Roof is more than just a collection of horror stories. One student describes their home in Bristol as a ‘lovely, quirky flat in an ideal location for Clifton Triangle and the

university’, while another writes: ‘Any problems we have had have been sorted straight away with the landlord.’ Despite facing problems with the original web developers when he started the site in 2014, Owen – who deferred his masters for a year to work on it – sees it

going from strength to strength. ‘I aim to have thousands of reviews from students all over the country, so that people are aware of what they are getting for what is one of their largest financial commitments at university,’ he added.

We make bills this easy

Student bills from £9.99 pppw www.dividabill.co.uk!

Calling out bad landlords: Owen Dixon

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

studentLIFE

The best, the worst and the down-to-earth of being at university

Must-haves to make life a little bit easier For some, it is a well-stocked food cupboard – for others, a comfy bed and their favourite stuffed toy from home... We ask what one item you need to survive life at university

PHONE: ‘It’s my alarm for early lectures – and my distraction when I really don’t want to be in those lectures.’ Jack, first-year history University of Leicester student A memory stick: ‘After losing a memory stick, I realised my life was over. Nothing backed up anywhere. I even contemplated moving out I was so devastated.’ Paul, third-year computer science University of Leicester student Caffeine: ‘If I didn’t have caffeine, I would never finish my deadlines. In the week leading up to a deadline, I can drink a six-pack of energy drinks a day – not that I would recommend it!’ Katie, thirdyear pharmacy student at De Montfort University A microwave: ‘I tell my parents I cook all the time but sometimes I just want a cheap lasagne or something I can cook in under ten minutes.’ Eloise, second-year business management student at De Montfort University A bottle opener. ‘The most annoying thing is taking beer to a house party and not being able to find a bottle opener. I chipped my tooth in first year trying to do it with my teeth – it is a bad idea.’ Amy, second-year mathematics student at De Montfort University A dishwasher: ‘It saves time, effort and keeps the kitchen tidy – no arguments about washing up.’ Alex Jubb, University of Birmingham The clothes horse: ‘Simple, cheap and effective.’ AB Netflix: ‘Great when you have done all your work and

exams are months away.’ AB Local off-licence: ‘Out of alcohol? Pop to the shops – problem solved.’ AB A greasy spoon: ‘Essential to help defeat the dreaded hangover.’ AB A multi-tool: ‘From the emergency bottle opener to the emergency furniture fixer – it has it all.’ James Williams, University of Liverpool A multi-coloured pen: ‘Great for defining different notes and colour-coding your planner.’ JW A voice recorder: ‘Attend a lecture and fall asleep? Now you still have the notes.’ JW A tablet: ‘They’re more portable than laptops and just as handy.’ JW A flask: ‘For the emergency hangover coffee and the get-me-through-this-essay friend.’ JW Tupperware: ‘Leftovers survive better in Tupperware than squeezed onto a plate and badly balanced in the fridge. Take lunch with you into uni – it is so much quicker and cheaper.’ Jes Needham-Bennett, University of Manchester Alarm clock: ‘Get an alarm clock – a loud one. Alarms on phones and watches can be unreliable, so it’s nice to have a back-up.’ JNB Berocca/Lemsip: ‘Berocca to make hangovers in 9am seminars more bearable, Lemsip for freshers flu.’ JNB Blankets: ‘Heating a house through winter is expensive. Throw some cheap blankets on your bed instead.’ JNB Deodorant: ‘When you’ve overslept after a party or from

Indispensable: (clockwise from top right) The stress can be taken out of university life with the help of a clothes horse, an off-licence, Netflix, a flask and a phone workload-induced exhaustion and don’t have time to shower before lectures, invest in industrial-strength deodorant.’ JNB First aid kit: ‘You never know when disaster will strike, so it’s handy to have a first aid kit on hand. Include things like paracetamol and don’t forget the usual bandages and plasters.’ Daniel Williams, Swansea University

Quick-fix food: ‘Good examples are Pot Noodles or instant soups, which can help you when time is of the essence or you just want a break from cooking.’ DW Emergency money: ‘Try to keep some money aside for times of crisis. Even if you keep a fiver stuffed in a longlost part of your wallet or in the back of a drawer, you can always make sure you have

enough for a taxi or some emergency food.’ DW Memories: ‘Bring plenty of photographs of family and friends to keep yourself from becoming too homesick. Maybe even bring your favourite teddy bear from your childhood, or anything that you think will help you get through those long terms without seeing anyone from back home.’ DW

Take a Time Out or Boost your studies over Easter? EASTER’S here and it’s time to relax and indulge in chocolatey goodness – but the break does mean the final deadlines of the semester are looming. With this in mind, it’s natural to assume your

university commitments will have to take some sort of priority over the holiday period. But there is no reason you can’t have a good time and get your work done, too. Spend the first week

chilling and put work to the back of your mind. Let yourself unwind and you’ll feel ready when the time comes to start your studies again. Use the next couple of weeks to knuckle down

but don’t forget to give yourself a break. Limit work time so you don’t stress out and make sure to see your friends – it is your holiday and you deserve it. Kelly Smith

Where do you fit into the uni family?

YOUR housemates are your surrogate family, and although at times they make you want to pull your hair out, you couldn’t survive without them. Everyone has their role in the house – so check out our guide to the university family and see where you and your friends fit in... The mummy: Normally found cooking, gathering mould in her bed and singing Taylor Swift at the top of her voice when the rest of the house is hungover. Quick to disapprove but always there when you need her. The dad: Handy with a tool kit and happy to help out – not great on the dance floor though. The twins: They could have been separated at birth. They are scarily similar and have the same sense of humour. The noise levels shoot up when these two go on a night out. Younger sibling: Wants to be the centre of attention and can annoy the house a lot. Makes a lot of noise when they don’t get their own way. Crazy aunt: Always ready to party and gives good advice when you need it most. Charity case: You’re not too sure where they came from but, after a few nights out in first year, they seem to have stuck around and become a permanent fixture on the sofa. Quiet cousin: The one you’ll find in the uni library at 9am. They are timid and dedicated to their course but can help out when you are struggling with your coursework. The pet: The most demanding of your housemates. Who said it was a good idea to get a pet? They moult, scratch the sofas and climb the curtains. Lauren Knight

March 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

sportNEWS

Making a splash: Victorious UWE swimmers, left, and trampoliners Megan Comber, Charlotte Plummer, Maddy Perkin and Lucy Theobald from Bristol PICTURES: TWITTER Top spot: Birmingham’s Imran Rahman wins 60m gold, while Elliot DowsunHurley (Leeds Beckett) gets silver and Daniel Obeng (Loughborough) bronze

Golden moments: (l-r) Sheffield Hallam’s Karla Drew claims gold for 60m women’s hurdles, David King of Bath wins the men’s and Sheffield University graduate Jessica Ennis Hill, who trains in the city, pops in

6,000 sporting stars race for the podium LIAM O’NEILL NEARLY 6,000 of the finest university athletes descended on Sheffield to take part in the BUCS Nationals last month. Students competed on the track, in the pool and even on the climbing wall to win medals for their teams. Loughborough University were crowned overall champions, winning 57 medals over the weekend of February

20 to 22. The first day saw a photo finish in the men’s 60m. University of Birmingham’s Imran Rahman won gold with 6.79secs, while Elliot Dowson-Hurley of Leeds Beckett took silver in 6.82secs. Sheffield Hallam University’s Karla Drew won the 60m hurdles in 8.38secs, while David King, from the University of Bath, won the men’s. On the Saturday, Hallam’s Rebecca Turner edged ahead of Bath’s Anne Bochman to

take the women’s open 200m freestyle, with Hallam’s Ellie Faulkner claiming third place. In the men’s climbing, local rivals Hallam and the University of Sheffield both finished with a team score of 669. Hallam claimed gold by having a higher-placed individual. The final day saw Leeds Beckett taking gold in the men’s 4x200m, with Loughborough winning the women’s. Loughborough were the overall team champions on

the track in both the men’s and women’s events. Cardiff Met came second in both and Birmingham third. But the weekend wasn’t all serious, with the mascots lining up for a mixed 200m race. Perhaps unsurprisingly, Panther Pete from Brighton claimed gold with a time of 30.88secs, while last-placed Klein the Penguin from Durham waddled home in 65.35secs.

Hang tough: University of Sheffield and British climber Michaela Tracy on her way to victory

Family affair: Northumbria triple-jumper Emma Pringle beats sister Hannah, who gets silver

www.unipaper.co.uk

March 2015

sportNEWS

SUCK well, er... suck with last place finish SANIA REHMAN THE University of Salford’s canoe and kayaking club had a wretched time on the water, coming last with 47 points at the Tees Barrage BUCS slalom. They finished 378 points behind the University of Manchester, who finished in 13th position, and 1,335 points behind competition winners Loughborough University. Salford team leader Simon Taylor said: ‘It was fun while it lasted. The course is very short and you only get two tries, but it was a good experience for our less experienced members.’ Plucky Salford brought a team of only six compared with other universities who took about 20. Chris Morgan, captain of the university’s polo team, came 106th out of 135 competitors in the K1 men’s slalom, which was the best place for Salford. He said: ‘The team needs to be made up of male and female members, and our female member wasn’t very experienced, so we focused on just getting to the finish line rather than getting through gates.’ Salford’s Amanda Kehoe added: ‘I only started this year so I’m not the best, but we have a bit of a saying at SUCK – “we come for a good time, not good times” – so I’d like to do it again and get better.’ Despite the disappointment at the result, valiant SUCK intend to take part again next year.

Valiant effort: Salford battled but ultimately came last

SALFORD ON VERGE OF BUCS TITLE

In it together: The University of Salford’s men’s currently sit on top of the BUCS 4C after a 3-0 win against local and title rivals Manchester Metropolitan University IV PICTURE: NATHAN SALT THE University of Salford men’s football I took a huge step towards the BUCS division 4C title with a 3-0 win against Manchester Metropolitan University IV. The home win put them on top of the league with one game left to play. The hosts, who started the day a point behind MMU after a slip-up away to Keele, got off to a flying start with three first-half goals from Chris Woods, Isaac Jones and Rick Peters – the latter taking his coolly from the penalty

spot. They managed to keep out their opponents during the second half to secure a vital victory. On the sound of the full-time whistle, sheer elation spread across the David Lewis Sports Ground – a venue that has replaced the facility at Castle Irwell student village. Salford’s delighted captain, Adam Campbell, stated: ‘I said we had players missing in the reverse leg but obviously I’m delighted this time round.’ Salford will go into their final

game of the season against Edge Hill University men’s II on March 11 with confidence. Their opponents are currently sitting bottom of the league on two points and have yet to secure their first win. They were beaten 1-0 by Salford in the previous match-up between the two sides. MMU face a tough fixture at home to Keele University, who sit in third place, one point behind their Manchester rivals. Nathan Salt

National call-up for rugby starlet

A RUGBY league player is in with a chance of playing for Wales in the Student Four Nations tournament. Forward Jono Jones, from the University of Salford, was called up by Wales Students coach Latham Tawhai to the training squad. He joins a 37-strong unit which will be cut to 20 for the tournament, taking place in Dublin from June 14 to 19. Wales, who finished second last year, will play England, Ireland and Scotland. The squad includes full international Morgan Evans and members of the South Wales Scorpions.

Find a near you! We’re always open with over 50 free classes, no contract and large free weights area. #Reasonstojoin from

£10.99

My PureGym App

per month, limited offer*

Join online puregym.com

Manchester Spinningfields 3 Hardman St Spinningfields M3 3HF

ViSit US onlinE At PUREGyM.coM or download our FREE app to find your nearest PureGym!

0343 PUREGYM Uni adverts MANCHESTER V4.indd 1

16/12/2014 16:43