The University Paper March 2015: Nottingham by The University Paper

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Unison makes UoN ‘top target’ in its living wage fight HEATHER DEVANE AND ALEX SIMS

LUXURY LIVING: There’s going to be plenty of smug faces around Kent Street come September when students move into plush new rooms at the £6.5million Avalon Court development. Residents, who will be paying £140 per week or more, can enjoy a residential gym, cinema room and Sky TV, all within walking distance of the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Trent University full story p5

UNISON has warned the University of Nottingham it is one of its top targets in its campaign for the living wage. The union launched an official dispute against UoN after it announced plans to ‘re-evaluate roles’ – a move Unison says will ‘see poorly paid workers’ incomes squeezed even further’. Unison national secretary Jon Richards said: ‘The disparity in income at the university and the employer’s refusal to pay a fair wage for low-paid members shows a lack of judgement. ‘Too many vice-chancellors don’t understand the growing revulsion at the expanding differentials between low-paid staff and overpaid leaders. ‘Nottingham University has made itself one of our top targets in our living wage campaign. We will be watch-

ing them very closely from now on.’ A Freedom Of Information request, submitted by Unison in March 2013, revealed the UoN spent £884,232 on agency workers over a year. However, the union said it would cost about £550,000 a year to increase the wages of those 569 staff working for the university who are currently paid less than the living wage. It was also revealed that the number of UoN staff whose salary exceeds the £100,000-a-year bracket has increased from 115 to 134 – setting the university back £16million. Kayleigh Harrow, a third year, said: ‘As a student who has been in low-paid roles myself – and will probably spend the next few years in a low paid job – I think what the uni have done is really

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Revision on the cards? This app makes it easy

Revis-on: EduHop app

HEATHER DEVANE EVERYONE knows revision can be a chore. Hours can be spent blankly staring at �lashcards or lecture notes without anything actually going in. But four clever app developers from the University of Nottingham are looking to �ix that problem. The team – Vinay Karode, Mathieu Dutour, George Abrahams and Kumbirai Tanekha – have come up with EduHop, an app that produces �lashcards with text, images and audio to help people when they are revising. George, 21, said: ‘It’s something that we originally made for ourselves – we wanted to get the maximum results from revising with the minimum effort. ‘Considering the amount of money people are spending on university at the moment, there’s this problem with revision we wanted to solve.’ The app works by allowing

Hop to it: Founders Vinay Karode, Mathieu Dutour, George Abrahams and Kumbirai Tanekha

HELP ME GET MY MASTERS... AN aspiring author has called on the public to help fund her masters. Helen Brown left University of Nottingham with a ﬁrst-class degree in art history but wants to return to study creative writing. However, she has had to call for help to pay

users to tap on a card to �lip it and reveal the answer, swipe right if they know the answer and left if they cannot remem-

the fees. She said: ‘It is not something I would normally do and it’s a bit embarrassing, actually – but I want to be certain I can afford to go when ﬁnishing the applications for a creative writing MA. ‘Many wealthy students can afford to go without hesitation and therefore

ber it. It also lets them create multiple revision topics. Subjects can be downloaded or created by the user.

have a massive advantage on the jobs market. Being a woman, from the North and from a workingclass background is like a triple disadvantage.’ She is hoping to raise £5,000 but, at time of going to press, she had brought in just £10. Heather Devane

George added: ‘It’s low effort and it makes it easier to remember facts. ‘We have been testing it out

PICTURE: EDUHOP

on friends and family and they are noticing great results, as we did. ‘We are expecting the app to be released later this month.’ Third year Alice Rawling said: ‘It’s a really good idea, I usually use paper �lashcards but this is even better because I can revise wherever I am.’ George added: ‘The ultimate goal for us is to have as many people as possible to have and use the app. ‘We want the university experience to be as easy as possible.’ To �ind out more, visit www. facebook.com/eduhopapp.

March 2015

Olivia to help build homes for orphans A CARING student will be making the trip of a lifetime – to help orphans in Zambia. University of Nottingham undergraduate Olivia Jackson will be part of a team building houses for children who have lost their parents to Aids. The ﬁrst-year medical student will travel to the village of Mwandi for three weeks this summer. She said: ‘I am passionate about this cause, as I believe everyone should have access to basic human rights like education and a home – things we all too often take for granted. This project is giving the children of Zambia hope for the future and a better quality of life.’ The trip was organised by Zambia Mission. Fiona Smith

Graduation fees ditched Nottingham Trent University is to offer students two free graduation tickets for the ﬁrst time. In the past, graduands had to fork out £25 per guest but following complaints the university has scrapped the charges. Third year Darren Bailey said: ‘It’s much fairer this way – graduation is such an expense without being charged for having family.’ Alice Dickson

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

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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.

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inBRIEF

Give staff fair wage to live on from p1 quite disgraceful. Surely it’s better to have a loyal team of staff with fair pay than employ loads of staff and pay them poorly?’ Second year Alex Bailey added: ‘I think it’s a bit rich that a university should pay their staff poorly when the students are at university to avoid that kind of situation.’ A Unison spokesman said: ‘Far from improving life for individuals, the university leaves its own staff struggling to pay their household bills or pay their pension contributions.’ Nottingham was unavailable for comment when TUP went to press.

The Sun goes down in union THE students’ union at Nottingham Trent has taken The Sun newspaper off its shelves in its shops. The decision came after a No More Page 3 motion was passed in a vote among the SU at Trent. The Sun objectors argued that the paper objectifies women and should therefore be banned. University of Nottingham’s student union passed a similar ban last March. Heather Devane

Tree-mendous! Village plan on THE new £40million sports village at the University of Nottingham has been given the go-ahead after a wrangle with the council was sorted out. The original plans were rejected because three 150-year-old trees were to be cut down but a new plan has been submitted which saves them. Work on the facility will start next month and is expected to be finished by September 2016. Heather Devane

March 2015

Dig this! New £6.5m flats are on their way NEW digs are coming to Nottingham thanks to a £6.5million office block conversion. Avalon Court, in Kent Street, will offer 98 studio apartments, with prices starting at £140 per week. Student Amy Baker, 20, said: ‘I really like the idea of more flats in the city, being a student myself and wanting to enjoy the whole university experience – but not being able to go out so

often because buses only run a certain time and not having the money to pay for a cab home.’ Luxury amenities at the site will include a residential gym, a cinema room, communal Sky TV and secure bike storage. A superior studio with an en suite shower room, fitted kitchen study area and a single or double bed can also be rented, with prices starting at £160 per week. Isabella Francis

All new: Avalon Court, in Kent Street, will offer new studios to students

‘Sugar babies’ paying their way through uni GEORGINA MARCHBANK MORE than 100 students at the University of Nottingham are funding their studies by dating ‘sugar daddies’. The so-called ‘sugar babies’, who have signed up to seekingarrangement.com, are introduced to benefactors willing to fund a lifestyle in return for date nights and more. The statistics were released by the site, which claims Nottingham has the fourth-highest number of new sign-ups in 2014, with the University of Westminster top. Nottingham Trent University student Kate Dixon said she could see the appeal. She said: ‘If I didn’t have a boyfriend, I think I’d actually

be tempted – you don’t have to have a sexual relationship and I’d love to get out of my overdraft!’ However, others were less impressed. Third year Paula said: ‘It’s prostitution. It’s like being an escort.’ Chris Bailey added: ‘If I found out a girl I was dating used to be a “sugar baby”, I think I’d have less respect for her – I couldn’t help see her as a prostitute. ‘What’s wrong with getting a job?’ The site defended itself against allegations of prostitution, insisting: ‘Sex is never part of the arrangement, just like a traditional relationship.’ It claimed to have 1.4million students worldwide on its books and hundreds of Brit-

Got it covered: The stats show 116 Nottingham students joined the site in 2014 ish students – mainly women with most of the money being they want. They’re driven spent on tuition fees, rent and and enjoy attractive company – have joined the past year. The average allowance from books. by their side. Money isn’t an The site describes a sugar issue – thus they are generous the sugar daddies is £2,000. The typical age of the sugar daddy as: ‘Successful men when it comes to supporting a babies is between 21 to 27 and women who know what sugar baby.’

Will it be reigning men in May? A PARTY which claims that ‘feminists have lied relentlessly about issues such as rape and domestic violence’ has been criticised after announcing they are fielding three candidates for the general elections. The Justice for Men and Boys (and the women who love them) party will stand in Sherwood, Ashfield and Broxtowe to put forward plans such as making it a criminal offence for women to have abortions outside the UK more than 13 weeks

Boys’ club: J4MB leader Mike Buchanan after conception. A member of Nottingham Trent University’s Feminist Society

said: ‘I don’t think men have much room to decide at which point a woman is entitled to have an abortion. ‘Thirteen weeks is such a short period of time – some women don’t even find out till around eight to ten weeks. Simply another case of men in authority trying to control what women can and can’t do with their own bodies.’ The party’s manifesto also states: ‘The human rights of men and boys in the United Kingdom have been increasingly assaulted by the

contactUS EDITOR: DAN ROBBINS Email him at nottinghameditor@unipaper.co.uk.

state’s actions and inactions for over 30 years. We have a vision of Britain as a nation that doesn’t disadvantage half its citizens. A society in which men and women are equals in opportunity but able to make their own choices in life, without state intervention to advantage one sex over the other.’ Party leader Mike Buchanan will stand in Ashfield, while Ian Young will contest the Sherwood seat and Ray Barry will fight for Broxtowe. Isabella Francis

VCs: No to fee cuts UNIVERSITY vicechancellors have warned that proposed cuts to university fees by Labour could have damaging effects on quality of education. Ed Miliband wants to lower the fees from £9,000 to £6,000 but VCs have hit out, claiming it would create a £10billion hole in five years. Heather Devane

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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

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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.

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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

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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

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March 2015

talkingPOINTS

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,

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...

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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

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what’sON

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

clubbing calendar MONDAYS Dirty Mondays, Forum, £5 Vice, Coco Tang, free TFIM, Oceana, £6 TUESDAYS Zoo, Oceana, £4 Pressure, Rescue Rooms, £1 Baacod, Baa Bar, free

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

WEDNESDAYS Wednesdays, Ocean, £5 Crisis, Rock City, £7 Wednesdays, Coco Tang, free First Base, NTU SU Loft, free

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

THURSDAYS Quids In, NTU SU, free Tuned, Rock City, £5 Gold Teeth, Bodega, £5

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

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 play Capital FM Arena, Nottingham, on April 18 and 19.

FRIDAYS The Big O, Ocean, £5 Pop Confessional, Bodega, £3 Ditto, Forum, £5 Bopp, Bowery Club, £5 SATURDAYS Stealth v Rescue Rooms, Stealth and Rescue Rooms, £5 Climax, NTU SU, £5 Rise and Shine, The Cookie Club, £6 Saturdays, The Revolution Bar, free SUNDAYS Party Classics, Yates’s, free Sunday Night, Tantra, free SPECIALS Saturday, March 17: St Patrick’s Day, Oceana

A show with warmth, despite the Cold THE soul-baring, emotional pop of Fryars made for the perfect opening for Rae Morris’s soldout show at Rescue Rooms. The artist, real name Benjamin Garrett, was showcasing his solo work following his collaboration with Morris on last year’s single Cold – and he proved he could go beyond its melancholic tones with mellow but uplifting songs including On Your Own and The Power, from his album Power. When Morris came on stage, her transformation from the shy teen clutching a cup of tea – as she appeared when opening for

Fryars/Rae Morris: Rescue Rooms

Tom Odell at the same venue almost two years ago – to the creator of a top-ten album was marked. She launched straight into her album’s title track, Unguarded, followed by recent single Closer, an early highlight, each heartfelt lyric reaching those in the room effortlessly as fans sang along with the chorus. Wanting to ‘keep things a bit calmer’, she delivered an emotive rendition of Don’t Go and reflected on why her tour had been so great. ‘It’s

mainly because people have actually come to the shows,’ she joked, before playing For You, showcasing her wide vocal range as cymbals crashed. Reminiscing about one poorly attended show upstairs in the Red Room, the Blackpoolborn 21-year-old thanked the crowd before delivering an intense rendition of Love Again, complete with a foot-tapping drum beat and catchy ‘ooh’s and ‘ahh’s. She invited Fryars back to the stage for Cold – a duet about ‘all the things you wish you could say

to people but don’t’ – their voices complementing each other. Up Again, Morris’s drum ‘n’ bass-oriented collaboration with Clean Bandit, was as synth-heavy as the record – but live, her voice shone through. Her encore, Under The Shadows, currently dominating radio playlists, should be destined for chart success, with its simplistic sing-a-long chorus and impressive production. A top-class performance from one of 2015’s brightest and best vocalists so far. Ben Jolley Warm-up: Fryars

PICTURE: EVA VERMANDEL

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March 2015

what’sON

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

pick of the month MUSIC MULTI-instrumentalist Kiesza blends house, dance, hip-hop and pop with a big dose of ’90s nostalgia. She broke through with No.1 hit Hideaway last year, while her album, Sound Of A Woman, which earned critical acclaim for its mix of grunge, rock and folk influences in addition to her usual dance style, made it into the top 40. She describes her style as ‘steam-pop’ – a blend of bold, boisterous music and the occasional tongue-incheek lyric. The Canadian started her career as a folk singer before going more up-tempo. Expect soaring vocals and dance beats galore when she hits Rock City main hall on March 25. Jessica Syposz

THEATRE THE Boy In The Striped Pyjamas is a 20th-century fable about Bruno, an eight-year-old boy whose father is a Nazi

ART CONSIDERED one of the most significant artists of his generation, Glenn Ligon explores race, language, desire, sexuality and identity, often through text. The Encounters And Collisions exhibition at Nottingham Contemporary looks at his life so far and the artists who have inspired him, including those whose work explores similar issues to his, as well as others who have influenced him, including Andy Warhol, Jackson Pollock and Cy Twombly. Catch it from April 3. Lauren Lee

concentration camp commander. When his family moves nearer the camp, Bruno makes friends with a boy of a similar age on the wrong side of the fence. Knowing nothing of what happens inside the camp, Bruno grows closer to his friend and decides to help him find his father, with devastating consequences. The story, first released as a novel by John Boyne in 2008, will be staged by The Children’s Touring Partnership at the Theatre Royal from March 17 to 21. Lauren Lee

MUSIC

DANCE

GLOBAL sensation Usher is coming to Nottingham later this month. Yeah, Burn and OMG, featuring will.i.am, were massive hits for the star and he was in the charts last year with She Came To Give It To You, featuring Nicki Minaj and Good Kisser, both from his eighth studio album UR, due to be released later this year.

Yeah: Usher will kick off the UK leg of his tour in Nottingham this month Known mainly as an r‘n’b artist, he has embraced Latin and dance sounds recently. The 36-year-old was seen dressed head-

to-toe in gold to surprise a fan before the start of his UR Experience world tour. He will play his first UK date at the Capital

PICTURE: LIVE NATION

FM Arena on March 14, after touring Germany, France, Denmark and the Netherlands. Lauren Lee

THE UK’s biggest annual street dance competition will take place at Nottingham Trent students’ union on March 22 and 23. Go Hard Or Go Home will give university teams the chance to battle it out for a £250 cash prize and spectator tickets are available. The contest, now in its fifth year, is hosted by the Funky Fresh Collective.

62,410 Students in Nottingham enjoy themselves every month Make sure they know about your event

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March 2015

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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.

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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.

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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.

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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

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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 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

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

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• Training Provided Candidates must have a degree (in any discipline) and be a native of an English speaking country. We are looking for friendly, enthusiastic graduates who are excited about becoming part of our team in China. We can guide you through the visa process and are happy to provide contact details of native English speaking teachers at our school so you can chat to them before signing our contract. We are proud of our friendly atmosphere both in and out of the classroom and will do our best to help you settle in and get to know your surroundings. TO APPLY Please email your cv and a recent photo to placement@ﬂying-cows.com For more information please feel free to get in touch by email placement@ﬂying-cows.com or call 01158240824 for a chat.

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

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

Going east: Tom Hardy

DO ING ETH T M SO EREN DIFF H IN C – TEA A! CHIN

Flying Cows is a UK based company which was founded by a UK graduate in 2004. It specialises in finding graduates teaching positions in China and South Korea. There are no placement fees. 2015 Teaching Placements also available in South Korea & Columbia

yourNIGHT

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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

Tasty and quick: Chorizo, beef and bean stew and, inset, spicy south-west burgers

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

Spicy south-west burgers

PICTURE: BLYTHE LEWIS

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

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

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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.

Nottingham loves students And after your studies are completed, we want to encourage you to stay in the city to live, work and play.

Nottingham City Council is committed to doing more to get graduates to stay on and help us create the future of the city, especially those looking for careers in teaching, life science, digital media or clean technologies. Those sectors are growing and the right skills will be much in demand as we businesses expand here. And with the fastest growing regional economy outside London, a lower cost of housing and living, vibrant culture, leisure and sporting life and great transport connections, we’re a city of opportunity for young, ambitious graduates. We have one of the highest business start up rates in the UK, meaning opportunities to develop your career in Nottingham have never been better. We’re also home to over 50 regional and national company headquarters including E.ON, Speedo, Experian and Boots, offering a wealth of employment opportunities. We’re running this survey: www.surveymonkey.com/s/Notts_ uni to find out what you think about living and working in Nottingham, and we’d love to hear your views. What do you think about staying in the city, and what influences your decision about where to build your life post-university? There’s also the Nottingham Graduate Grant that we’re using to support employers to help them create jobs and placements in the kind of careers that you want. If you’d like to find out more about these jobs, please email

nottingham.graduate@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

or call

0115 876 2821

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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

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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

www.dividabill.co.uk

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

PICTURE: DAVID ROBINSON

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

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

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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.

Calling out bad landlords: Owen Dixon

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March 2015

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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

Eve ryo n e h a s t h e r ig ht t o li ve e m o h y h lt a e h d in a s afe a n

Live in a privately rented property that is poorly managed or maintained? Community Protection offer FREE help and advice. If you are affected by a rogue landlord, call our service centre on 0115 915 2020 @NottmRenters Nottingham Renters Email: hmo@nottinghamcity.gov.uk

March 2015

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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 �inest university athletes descended on Shef�ield 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 �irst day saw a photo �inish 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. Shef�ield 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 Shef�ield both �inished with a team score of 669. Hallam claimed gold by having a higher-placed individual. The �inal 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

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March 2015

sportNEWS

Varsity move is what the students want... PHEOBE EWEN VARSITY organisers have announced a shorter format of the series to keep interest high. The matches, between Nottingham Trent University and the University of Nottingham, will now take place between April 27 and May 10 in term three rather than term two. Organiser and sports officer at Nottingham Trent, Patrick Atkinson, said: ‘I think it’s a good thing. It keeps a big hype around the series – and it means that it doesn’t clash with any BUCS fixtures being at the end of the season. ‘It’s something that the students want. It will hopefully keep people interested in the tournament as people won’t forget that it keeps on going.’ Matches are free to attend but organisers have suggested a £2 donation to associated charities. The tournament kicks off with basketball at the Capital FM Arena on April 27. This will include both the women’s and men’s games, plus a wheelchair exhibition match. The following day will focus on dodgeball, lacrosse and futsal. The final day of the series sees a visit to the Nottingham pool with swimming. Cricket takes place at the Clifton Campus on June 5.

BROOMIN’ HECK: The Nottingham Nightmares quidditch side look the part in their new kit as they prepare to take on 29 other teams in the British Quidditch Cup at Wollaton Park. The University of Nottingham club pipped the the Norwich Nifflers to host the event on March 7 to 8

Renegades make assault on play-offs NOTTINGHAM Trent University’s American football team won the East Midlands league with a 51-0 demolition of the University of Northampton. The Renegades started the match brightly with a quick touchdown, scoring from kick-off. The unrelenting Trent side

then scored again through Daniel Dobson and once more thanks to Marcus Boswell. An 80-yard TD made the score at the end of the first quarter 22-0. With another score and a two point conversion, the scoreboard hit 30-0. Chris Stone broke through again and James Peacock

extended the Renegade’s lead to 44-0. Quarterback Harris Tzen secured the final points of the match and regular season to make it 51-0. The Renegades finished the year on 14 points, equal with the University of Warwick, but ahead with a far superior goal difference. They move

on to the play-offs, facing winners of the Yorkshire league Sheffield Hallam University away in the North Divisional Cup semi-finals. The victors of that game will go on to play either the University of Glasgow or Aberystwyth University in the final. It was nearly an

unbeaten run for Trent had it not been for a disappointing 6-0 loss to Worcester University in the penultimate game. They are the only team going into the play-offs who have lost a game in their last six matches. Tom Rees

National call-up for rugby starlet A RUGBY league player is in with a chance of playing for Wales in the upcoming Student Four Nations tournament. Forward Matt Ross, from Nottingham Trent University, was called up by Wales Students coach Latham Tawhai to the training squad. He joins a 37-strong team which will be cut to 20 for the tournament which takes place in Dublin from June 14-19. 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.