The University Paper January 2015: Newcastle by The University Paper

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CLEAN BANDIT NEIL ON STUDENT LIFE AND THE LONG SLOG TO SUCCESS

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50,000 sign up for campaign after student dies from spiked drink Anti-drugs: Jane Khalaf kept clear of people who used substances PICTURE: JUSTICE FOR JANE

FIND OUR ANGEL’S KILLER EDWARD JONES A CAMPAIGN is gathering pace to get justice for a politics student apparently killed by a spiked drink. Almost 54,000 people have signed an online petition calling for police in Germany to fully investigate the death of Jane Khalaf, 19. The Northumbria University �irst-year student died in hospital in Cologne after complaining her drink had been spiked earlier in the night. Her family and friends claim hospital staff did not take her fears seriously and failed to take appropriate and timely blood samples. Later tests showed evidence of ecstasy and amphetamines in her sys-

tem. Her family further claims police only opened a formal investigation after the petition was launched on Change.org. Jane’s mother, Rojin, said: ‘They said they weren’t interested and wouldn’t be looking into the case. ‘It’s like my daughter doesn’t matter to them. It is disgraceful. We still don’t know what happened that night.’ Jane’s best friend, Charlotte Lewis, said: ‘Jane couldn’t have been more against drugs. She would stay away from people who were meddling with stuff like that.’ Jane, dubbed ‘our angel’ by her family, was in Cologne in November as part of a foreign

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January 2015

A quiet pint or two in... Holland

Small change could make a big difference

Look after the pennies...: Some 3,000 cups with the Teenage Cancer Trust logo will be handed out this month for collecting spare coins

ELOISE VANSTONE MOST of us have done it at some time – thrown our loose change in a jar with the intention of cashing it in at the bank. Now Newcastle University geography student James Rowan has taken that idea and run with it, all in the name of charity. The second year wants to use plastic cups to help raise money for the Teenage Cancer Trust – and now he has been given 3,000 cups with

Cough Up Pennies stickers on them to distribute across the campus. In essence, he wants every student to have their own personal charity collection bucket in their room. The cups are being handed out this month for collection at Easter. James took the university’s optional career development module and part of the course was to become a fundraiser for a charity. With the CUP idea already in mind, he jumped at the opportunity. ‘I have always wanted to raise

money for a charity, so when the chance to do it through a university module programme came along, with a charity I could relate to, it was an opportunity too good to pass up,’ he said. More than 2,200 teenagers and young adults are diagnosed with cancer each year. The Teenage Cancer Trust was founded in 1990 and has built 28 cancer units dedicated to young people in cities up and down the country, including in Newcastle.

POPPING out for a couple of quiet beers rarely ends with just two. While most people might buy a dodgy kebab or wake up on a strange sofa, a few find themselves catching a flight to another country. For Newcastle students Nick and Ed, grabbing their passports and booking themselves on a morning flight to Amsterdam is probably best filed under ‘it seemed like a good idea at the time’. Nick admitted his parents ‘weren’t terribly impressed’ after he spent the last of his student loan on the stunt. The pair said a quiet drink on a Saturday night had got out of hand and they ‘never thought they’d actually do it’. Kelly Smith

Africa calls for beauty

Brainwave: James Rowan

BEAUTY queen Nicole Bailey says she wants to get her hands dirty when she heads to Africa to help orphaned children. The Northumbria University student, 21, is fundraising for a trip to Zambia to teach sport to youngsters. ‘I want to get my hands dirty,’ said Nicole, the regining Miss Newcastle GB.

January 2015

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Scholarships to steer postgrads into the future IAN LIGHT ALMOST 50 students have each won a £10,000 scholarship to study masters degrees at Newcastle University. The postgraduate awards, the �irst of their kind in the north-east, aim to support self-funding students who may not have been able to pursue further study for reasons such as lack of money or family responsibilities. Jade Morrison, 23, enrolled on an MSc psychology degree after receiving a scholarship. ‘Throughout my undergraduate degree, I always knew I wanted to continue with my studies,’ she said. ‘However, I did �ind the idea of funding another year of

 APPLE design guru Sir Jonathan Ive has launched an innovation fund geared to help student start-ups. The Northumbria University alumnus, senior vice president at the tech giant, was among the guests of honour at a fundraising dinner to unveil the initiative. It was sponsored by brand agency Xanobia and Yorkshire Bank.

study quite daunting and I am delighted that this scholarship scheme has enabled me to continue my studies. It has eased a lot of pressure.’ Ben Taylor, who is pursuing an MSc in environmental

marine consultancy, said he was keen to stay on as a postgrad but lack of money previously put it out of reach. ‘I would have been a whole year behind trying to �ind a career-relevant temporary job,’ the 23-year-old said. ‘This scholarship has enabled me to continue to train in the �ield that I want to pursue in my career.’ In total, 48 people bene�ited from the project, part of the £25million Higher Education Funding Council for England Postgraduate Support Scheme. Pro vice-chancellor Prof Suzanne Cholerton said: ‘These scholarships have the potential to signi�icantly change the lives of the students who receive them.’

OFF THE GRID: Artist Matthew Flintham uses restricted military airspace to bring to life a hidden world of invisible no-go areas. Matthew, the Leverhulme artist-inresidence at Newcastle University, has created The Martial Heavens, a short ﬁlm that reveals the presence of national defence and training areas

contactLIST Email us at newcastleeditor@unipaper.co.uk EDITOR: HENRIETTA PAINTER Newcastle news: Eloise Vanstone Northumbria news: Edward Jones Comment: Daisy Vickers

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Now, everyone knows ...Toon is top party city HENRIETTA PAINTER YOU probably didn’t need a major survey involving thousands of people to tell you... but when it comes to student nightlife, the Toon is tops. In case you hadn’t noticed the scores of young people living life to the full in our vibrant, fun-�illed city, we’re the place to come to if you want to mix partying with your studies. Newcastle University was ranked third in the nation for diverse local nightlife, coming in just behind the London School of Economics. Northumbria University also fared well in the survey, commended for its nightlife but also doing well in the sports category. Meanwhile, the University of Cambridge was the least diverse, according to more than 4,500 students polled for the Which? study. Third-year Newcastle media student Laurie Johnston said: ‘Getting to see all the acts on a Friday at Digital is what makes Newcastle nightlife so good – you couldn’t see that many acts in any other city.’ Second-year geography

student Charlotte Hall, who used to live in Nottingham, said: ‘While attending open days, Northumbria was the only place where I felt genuine excitement for the possibility of studying there – and I haven’t been disappointed. ‘I love living in Newcastle – it’s a fantastic city for any student to live in, with something on offer for everyone.’ Which? interviewed second-year students and above about what their city and university had to offer in terms of its sports, creativity, political scene, students’ union and nightlife. Newcastle ranked highly for its varied students’ union activities and sport – although it only got average marks for its creative elements and political activities. Northumbria was rated as average for its students’ union, as well as creative and political activities. Jamie Small, events manager at BonBar Newcastle, said it was little surprise the city did so well. ‘The results from the survey re�lect the diversity of nightlife,’ he added. ‘Students and locals come out every night with loads of clubs and bars to choose

Having it: Revellers let their hair down at one of Newcastle’s top nights, Waikiki from – it’s not hard to see how the city came third.’ Charlotte added: ‘It’s hard to be bored in a place as lively as this and I’ve enjoyed whatever the area has had to offer. ‘Newcastle really does have everything a student could ever need.’

January 2015

We’ll get justice for our Jane from p1 exchange programme. She had been out celebrating the city’s carnival when she told friends she believed her drink had been tampered with. She collapsed in St Marien Hospital and was put on life support but died eight days later. ‘After she died, we went to the police to see if they were investigating and they were rude and unhelpful. We have been shown no compassion,’ her mother added. ‘They didn’t seem interested in properly investigating what had happened. They have not even interviewed anyone she was with on the night.’ Hudders�ield MP Barry Sheerman has also raised the issue with German leader Angela Merkel.

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Let’s get Digital: Top club

NEWCASTLE boasts a wide range of bars and clubs. If you want to mingle with the Geordie Shore crew for the evening, Bijoux should be your starting point. Or, if you want to avoid the MTV lot, then Gotham Town – complete with rock music and the infamous panda – is another trebles paradise to kick off your night. Digital hosts DJs and acts on Fridays, always with a sold-out crowd. The club also hosts Black Light on a Thursday, an absolute Northumbria student favourite, and LOVE on a Saturday – always a Geordie hotspot. If house and rock aren’t your thing, then why not try TupTup Palace, House of Smith or Floritas? From Club Trop on a Monday, to Persistence on a Sunday, Collingwood Street is packed every night. Henrietta Painter

...and we’re welcoming, too FOREIGN students have given Northumbria University a glowing report. International postgrads scored the graduate school at 99 per cent – making it the best in the nation. Meanwhile, 93 per cent said they were happy with

the support they received, 90 per cent with the living experience and 88 per cent the learning experience, the International Student Barometer survey showed. Pro vice-chancellor Prof Peter Francis said: ‘Colleagues across the university and

the students’ union have worked hard to improve the international student experience and I am delighted to see these responses.’ The ISB canvassed 34,000 international students at 59 institutions across the world.

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It’s an issue, an issue, so we all lie down STUDENTS showed their solidarity with the people of Ferguson in Missouri following the killing of unarmed teenager Michael Brown. Members of Newcastle University’s feminist society staged a lie-in, spending four-and-a-half minutes on the ground to represent the four-anda-half hours the 18-yearold’s body lay untended following the shooting. Members held placards reading ‘Hands Up, Don’t Shoot’, ‘Black Lives Matter’ and ‘Justice for Mike Brown’ during the protest outside St Thomas the Martyr Church at Haymarket. Brown, who is black, was shot dead by police officer

inBRIEF Double delight for guardians A SOCIAL enterprise project aimed at transforming former young offenders into green guardians has won two national awards in 24 hours. Skill Mill Ltd, which is supported by Northumbria University in partnership with Newcastle Youth Offending Team, picked up the accolades at the Youth Justice Convention.

Degree for TV legend Rippon

Together: Members of the FemSoc stage a lie-in in support of shot black teenager Michael Brown Darren Wilson in August of last year. He was wanted over a suspected robbery but the violence of the shooting – the officer fired

12 times in the pursuit – and the fact Brown was unarmed sparked much civil unrest across America. A grand jury decided

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‘Feminism is not just about women, it is about race, ethnicity, – all areas. This case was a breach of human rights.’ James John

VETERAN broadcaster Angela Rippon has been awarded an honorary doctorate from Newcastle University. Ms Rippon, who has had a 40-year career on TV and radio, received the degree in civil law. Philanthropist Paul Marshall, co-founder of the charity Absolute Return for Kids, was also honoured.

NEWCASTLE University is among the top 20 places in the country conducting world-leading research. The areas of computing science, medical sciences and English have been highlighted for the influential quality of their research. Newcastle University’s performance in 28 individual fields of research was reviewed by panels of internationally renowned experts who were looking for the institution’s impact on global society. Research areas ranging from dentistry and biological sciences, to civil engineering, maths and media and cultural studies were all rated as world-leading or inter-

INTO THE TOP 50 NORTHUMBRIA University is among the most improved centres in the country for the impact of its research. The university showed the largest rise in projects ranked world-leading and internationally excellent, under the Research Excellence Framework. Northumbria is now in the top 50 for research

nationally excellent in the Research Excellence Framework. The university was placed 16th out of 154 universities in the REF power rankings. ‘We believe it is not enough to ask what we are good

power. Vice-chancellor Prof Andrew Wathey said: ‘These results mark a step-change for Northumbria, positioning the university decisively as one of the fastest rising institutions in the higher education sector, and creating a broad and robust platform for the next phase of our development in research.’

at, but we must also ask what we are good for,’ said vice-chancellor Prof Chris Brink. ‘In other words, we want our research to have the maximum impact in Newcastle and the northeast, the UK and the world.’

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January 2015

Super-slimmer Megan sheds 6st from size 18

It’s a joke... now my size 6 dress is too big on me! LAURA RAPHAEL FOR most of us, trying to fit into a size 6 dress is a challenge, to say the least. But for student Megan Walker it’s an ‘absolute joke’ – because it’s too big for her. Looking at the pictures on her Instagram account, it is hard to believe the 20-yearold was once a size 18 and weighed as much as 14st. Two-and-a-half years on, and the Northumbria University student has shed 6st and dropped five dress sizes. ‘Absolute joke when a size 6 dress is too big and you

Look at me now: Megan shows off her slim figure and, inset, how she used to look PICTURES: INSTAGRAM

Funding boost puts city at heart of ageing research NEWCASTLE is to become a world centre for research into ageing. Chancellor George Osborne has earmarked £20million towards the creation of a national institute for ageing at Newcastle University. And it has also emerged the city is in line for a slice of £1.6billion from Europe to investigate demographic

change in the EU. The university is a partner in InnoLife, a consortium of 144 companies, research institutes and universities, selected by the European Institute of Innovation and Technology to invest millions each year into projects tackling such change. Prof Louise Robinson, director of the new institute,

said: ‘The real opportunity here is that this consortium puts Newcastle University – together with significant partners – funding innovative activity into ageing and health.’ The cash boost comes as at least 400 of the world’s leading voices on ageing are expected to attend a major conference at Northumbria University in July.

have to hold it in,’ she wrote on the image sharing site. Megan realised she had to make some changes when her her weight started affecting her confidence. She found herself growing apart from her friends as she could no longer shop at the same stores or wear similar outfits – and so decided to join Slimming World. She said: ‘I soon realised I didn’t need to make drastic changes. Just small things – like swapping white bread for wholemeal and starting to cook healthy meals instead of buying junk food

or just putting convenience foods in the microwave – made a big difference.’ Megan, from Leeds, attends the Byker branch of Slimming World. She was put forward for the company’s young slimmer of the year awards, reaching the semi-finals. ‘They’re like my second family and I wouldn’t miss the group for anything,’ she added. Adam Redshaw, who runs the Byker Slimming World group, said: ‘What she’s achieved is much more than just losing weight.’

Mini me: A skinny selfie

January 2015

Why would you swallow a fish? KATE ROGERSON YOU’VE just got to university and you’re keen to make friends. So, you join a sports club or society, but there is a catch – to be accepted you have got to go through the dreaded initiation. Every year, rumours spread of increasingly reckless and drink-fuelled initiations. Older students feel obliged to organise them to continue the tradition and look like they are wild party animals. But most of the time, all they achieve is to inflict embarrassment (and sick-stained clothes) on the younger students who feel compelled to go along with the ‘neck that treble fresher’ taunts. Although Newcastle Univer-

Messy: The soggy end to one of the tamer initiations sity has banned initiations they are still frequently happening. Stories of students being ordered to drink dirty pints of

alcohol, milk and curry sauce are all too frequent – not too mention the moronic craze of swallowing a live goldfish. Initiations have even involved performing crude sex acts on one another. Granted, these are the more extreme examples. However, being forced to down drinks at a stupidly fast rate and so ending your night early chucking up in the Tiger Tiger loos (or better still, on the street) is surely not fun. Why must the students have to perform ridiculous acts in order to fit in and not be outcast from the group? There must be better ways to introduce new members of a group to each other than this? And the hard-pressed crews of the RVI ambulances would be grateful for this ending too.

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talkingPOINTS WRONG IMAGE: How much of your food intake is dictated by how it makes your body look? How many desserts do you dismiss because they’ll only taste like guilt? How much of your time and energy is taken up thinking about what you look like and how you can change it? This attitude has become the infectious disease in our society that the NHS has yet to immunise against. It is the black plague of the 21st century Kathryn Thomson

JOIN THE FRAT PACK: Many of us have heard of frats and sororities through films such as American Pie. They have mad names such as kappa phi delta, throw toga parties, cause havoc across the campus and drink beer like it’s water. The bit the movies leaves out is the good that fraternities do for their universities. Members have to do at least ten hours’ charity work, they need to get above average grades and the fraternity is expected to compete in a sporting league. Fraternities are much more than just parties – they are a way to make great contacts and, once you are in, you are in for life Elliot DaCosta

WHY BORING IS BAD: The great Marilyn Monroe once remarked that ‘it’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than boring’. This is a lesson every student should learn. By now your flatmates probably reckon that they have a pretty good idea of who you are. Frankly, this is not acceptable. They should not feel safe or comfortable in your presence; they should feel nervous excitement whenever they see you Jack Meggitt-Phillips

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HOME AND AWAY: When it comes to your friends, it’s tricky to balance the old with the new. How do you spend time with your home friends when you go back for the holidays without boasting about the great nights out you have had in the Toon? It’s probably best not to go on about your ability to drink three trebles and still make it to your 9am lectures, especially if their university is in rural Wales Ellie Edwards

JANUARY BLUES: Let’s face it, January really is crap. Let me try to not dampen your spirits about it being a fresh start to a brand new you and whatnot. But the reality is that you start the new year absolutely broke. You may have received some awesome Christmas gifts from your secret Santa and your family but, equally, you have spent most of your student loan on presents for everyone else. This first month of the year also has the gloomiest weather. It is miserable and dark. January is an over-hyped month. We reflect on the past year and most of us realise how much we have not accomplished and how much time we’ve wasted doing absolutely nothing productive or doing things that don’t make us happy Benazir Parween

LACK OF RESOLVE: We’ve all done it. We’ve all had the thought: ‘This year I’m going to be different’. We will try to convince ourselves that we’ll change in the new year. Resolutions about being focused at university, making more effort with friends or changing our lifestyle are made, and broken, at the year’s end. Let’s be honest – we all stick to our resolutions for about as long as it takes for the new year fireworks to finish Kelly Smith

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

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January 2015

theINTERVIEW: Neil Amin-Smith Uni survivors: Clean Bandit members Neil Amin-Smith, far right, with Luke and Jack Patterson and Grace Chatto

Rather talented N

EIL AMIN-SMITH has to apologise for being late. It is the day after the night before, when Clean Bandit proved one of the highlights at the BBC Music Awards, winning another legion of fans with an orchestral version of Rather Be and breakthrough hit Mozart’s House. All is forgiven, though, as he laughs it off, explaining he was at an afterparty in Mayfair: ‘Sorry about that – I’m actually usually really good at getting up.’ We feel his pain. After all, he’s talking to students; we’ve all tried this little white lie when we’ve stumbled into a lecture an hour late smelling of the SU. Amin-Smith, 25, is still on a high after being nominated for song of the year, despite being pipped by Pharrell Williams’ ubiquitous

THEY are the breakthrough act of 2014, a year crowned with No.1 hit Rather Be. Clean Bandit’s fusion of classical and electronica has won them adoring fans worldwide and a nod at the BBC Music Awards. Violin player Neil Amin-Smith tells CAVELLE SIMPSON and JOSHUA EVANS about the slog to the top and surviving university ditty Happy. ‘It was amazing to be nominated,’ he says. ‘The list of songs and the list of artists to have been nominated are so huge.’ Since entering the spotlight with Mozart’s House, his band – Jack Patterson, 28, on beats, synths, and midi-saxophone; his little brother, Luke, 22, on drums; and Grace Chatto, 29, on cello – have been unstoppable. The story of the Cambridge undergrads who went from classical quartet to dance floor darlings is becoming familiar as they sweep up the accolades, including for their No.1 hit Rather

Be, featuring Jess Glynne. But how did the partnership come about? Amin-Smith says: ‘We actually had the whole song finished for a long time. It was just looking for the right vocals. Our label played us a track that Jess was on and we thought we’d give it a go with her because she was on our level.’ It proved a wise choice, hurling the four-piece to the top of the charts. But fame took time. ‘It was kind of a long slog,’ he adds. ‘The thing that really made a difference with us was when we started making music videos and posting them online.’ His group

INSIDE: What’s on in your city P10-13

are known for drawing on genres from classical to deep house. ‘Jack listens to a lot of jazz,’ Amin-Smith goes on. ‘We all listen to different kinds of music, like garage. In terms of how we present ourselves live, people like Rudimental are influencing us a lot.’ They are also the ultimate university survivors, having formed at Jesus College, where Jack would record then-girlfriend Chatto’s recitals and remix them. Any advice on how to get through university? ‘Don’t see it as something you have to “get through”,’ Amin-Smith smiles. ‘It’s over far too quickly.’

Did they have their wild moments, like the rest of us? He pauses for a second, before chuckling: ‘Grace and Jack once got caught… um, together… in a cupboard at our college library.’ Most of us have our favourite uni party venues. Amin-Smith prefers a more intimate set-up: ‘I like small clubs. I’m not really into massive super-clubs.’ For Clean Bandit, life after uni has been pretty sweet – and they’re not slowing down. ‘We’ve come to the end of a really relentless touring period,’ Amin-Smith says. ‘In March, we’ve got our biggest-ever UK tour. We’re really looking forward to that.’

Clean Bandit play 02 Academy, Birmingham, on March 9, 02 Academy, Glasgow, on March 10 and Apollo, Manchester, on March 11

Rae Morris: Don’t be shy, chase your dream P14

January 2015

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clubbingCALENDAR mon, jan 12 Digi Mondays Social Butterfly at Perdu Club Trop at House of Smith The Kings Club at Bonbar Fuzuko at Madame Koo

tue, jan 20 Waikiki at House of Smith Soul Jam at World Headquarters Ice Cream at Tup Tup Ill Behaviour at Cosmic Ballroom KOOSDAY at Tiger Tiger Virago at World Headquarters

wed, jan 28 Dirtiz at Perdu Naked at House of Smith Tiger Wednesdays Playground at Tup Tup

thurs, feb 5 n THEY have four albums, three Brit awards and numerous top ten singles under their belts. But Kaiser Chiefs aren’t resting on their laurels – they’re setting out

on an 11-date tour to showcase latest album Education, Education, Education & War. It arrives in Newcastle’s Metro Radio Arena on February 5.

Rebel Thursdays at Digital Lovedough at Tup Tup Jungle at House of Smith Black Light at Digital Beau Monde at Bonbar

tue, jan 13 Waikiki at House of Smith Soul Jam at World Headquarters Ice Cream at Tup Tup Ill Behaviour at Cosmic Ballroom KOOSDAY at Tiger Tiger Virago at World Headquarters

wed, jan 21 Dirtiz at Perdu Naked at House of Smith Tiger Wednesdays Playground at Tup Tup

thurs, jan 29 Rebel Thursdays at Digital Lovedough at Tup Tup Jungle at House of Smith Black Light at Digital Beau Monde at Bonbar

fri, feb 6 Dirty Pop at O2 Feral at Riverside Dirty Little Secret at Tup Tup Play at House of Smith Atomic at Digital

wed, jan 14 Dirtiz at Perdu Naked at House of Smith Tiger Wednesdays Playground at Tup Tup

thurs, jan 22 Rebel Thursdays at Digital Lovedough at Tup Tup Jungle at House of Smith Black Light at Digital Beau Monde at Bonbar

fri, jan 30 Dirty Pop at O2 Feral at Riverside Dirty Little Secret at Tup Tup Play at House of Smith Atomic at Digital

sat, feb 7 LOVE at Digital The Voodoo Project at Riverside Throwback at Newcastle SU Kinky Disco at Tup Tup S@S at House of Smith

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January 2015

clubbingCALENDAR thurs, jan 15 Rebel Thursdays at Digital Lovedough at Tup Tup Jungle at House of Smith Black Light at Digital Beau Monde at Bonbar

fri, jan 23 Dirty Pop at O2 Feral at Riverside Dirty Little Secret at Tup Tup Play at House of Smith Atomic at Digital

sat, jan 31 LOVE at Digital The Voodoo Project at Riverside Throwback at Newcastle SU Kinky Disco at Tup Tup S@S at House of Smith

sun, feb 8 Persistence Sundays at Tup Tup Say The Word at House of Smith

fri, jan 16 Dirty Pop at O2 Feral at Riverside Dirty Little Secret at Tup Tup Play at House of Smith Atomic at Digital

sat, jan 24 LOVE at Digital The Voodoo Project at Riverside Throwback at Newcastle SU Kinky Disco at Tup Tup S@S at House of Smith

sun, feb 1 Persistence Sundays at Tup Tup Say The Word at House of Smith

mon, feb 9 Digi Mondays Social Butterﬂy at Perdu Club Trop at House of Smith The Kings Club at Bonbar Fuzuko at Madame Koo

sat, jan 17 LOVE at Digital The Voodoo Project at Riverside Throwback at Newcastle SU Kinky Disco at Tup Tup S@S at House of Smith

sun, jan 25 Persistence Sundays at Tup Tup Say The Word at House of Smith

mon, feb 2 Digi Mondays Social Butterﬂy at Perdu Club Trop at House of Smith The Kings Club at Bon Bar Fuzuko at Madame Koo

tue, feb 10 Waikiki at House of Smith Soul Jam at World Headquarters Ice Cream at Tup Tup Ill Behaviour at Cosmic Ballroom KOOSDAY at Tiger Tiger Virago at World Headquarters

sun, jan 18 Persistence Sundays at Tup Tup Say The Word at House of Smith

mon, jan 26 Digi Mondays Social Butterﬂy at Perdu Club Trop at House of Smith The Kings Club at Bonbar Fuzuko at Madame Koo

mon, jan 19 Digi Mondays Social Butterﬂy at Perdu Club Trop at House of Smith The Kings Club at Bonbar Fuzuko at Madame Koo

tue, jan 27 Waikiki at House of Smith Soul Jam at World Headquarters Ice Cream at Tup Tup Ill Behaviour at Cosmic Ballroom KOOSDAY at Tiger Tiger Virago at World Headquarters

tue, feb 3 Waikiki at House of Smith Soul Jam at World Headquarters Ice Cream at Tup Tup Ill Behaviour at Cosmic Ballroom KOOSDAY at Tiger Tiger Virago at World Headquarters

wed, feb 11 Dirtiz at Perdu Naked at House of Smith Tiger Wednesdays Playground at Tup Tup

wed, feb 4 Dirtiz at Perdu Naked at House of Smith Tiger Wednesdays Playground at Tup Tup

thurs, feb 12 Rebel Thursdays at Digital Lovedough at Tup Tup Jungle at House of Smith Black Light at Digital Beau Monde at Bonbar

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January 2015

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theatre

Until February 22: ICE SKATING, Life Centre Until February 22: JESSE WINE, The Baltic Until January 18: SNOW WHITE AND THE SEVEN DWARFS, Theatre Royal Until February 22: GRAEME DURANT, The Baltic January 15 to 29: JONATHON YEO PORTRAITS, Laing Gallery January 27 to February 7: THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHTTIME, Theatre Royal January 28 to 29: STRICTLY COME DANCING: THE LIVE TOUR 2015, Metro Radio Arena January 29: SCRATCH NIGHT, Live Theatre January 30: LIVE LAB LAUNCH EVENT, Live Theatre February 4: A NIGHT EXTRAORDINARY, Northern Stage February 11 to 14: SCOTTISH BALLET’S NUTCRACKER, Theatre Royal

comedy

January 15: THE SUGGESTIBLES, The Stand Comedy Club January 19: MILES FOR MEN BENEFIT, The Stand Comedy Club January 25: STEFFEN PEDDIE’S CHAT SHOW THING*, The Stand Comedy Club February 3: A NIGHT OF WOMEN’S WIT, The Stand Comedy Club February 8: AL MURRAY, Theatre Royal February 10: SEAN HUGHES: MUMBO JUMBO, The Stand Comedy Club

Stepping up: Mallory Knox played the main stage at Newcastle’s O2 Academy for the first time

what’sON Funnyman unafraid to show his softer side Lee Evans: Metro Radio Arena

How van crook caught short almost ruined our return...

IT’S easy to see why Mallory Knox describe their return to Newcastle as daunting. Not only did the Cambridgebased band’s recent gig see them step up to the O2 Academy’s main stage but also, on a previous visit, a thief nicked their clothes. ‘I had to chase a man who broke into our van and stole some of my clothes,’ says drummer Dave Rawling.

‘He asked me for a cigarette, too. After, I found out he’d p****d on the bag of clothes.’ The alt-rock band have played upstairs at the O2 a few times but this was their first on the main stage. ‘Being downstairs is a little bit daunting,’ admits lead singer Mikey Chapman. ‘It’s a venue we’ve walked through and seen other people playing, so it’s nice

to finally get our turn.’ The successful night formed part of the Asymmetry tour and, with no disruptions throughout, the future looks bright for the five-piece. Mikey adds: ‘We don’t look too far ahead – but if we can earn a living off this, build a family and see the world, as well as making fans, that’s enough for me.’ Ben Swain and Sam Midwood

NO-ONE was safe from Lee Evans’ wit during his recent shows in Newcastle. The three-night run, which formed part of his Monsters tour, saw the comedian perform a mammoth threehour set with no support act. As well as mocking the Northern accent and people who spend their lives on their phones, he had us laughing at the transformation women undergo when they get home from a night out and change into their ‘comfy’ clothes. Even his family weren’t spared, with his wife and daughter coming under fire. But all was forgiven at the end of the show, when he pulled on a jazzy jacket and belted out a self-penned tune about his love for them. Kelly Smith

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what’sON

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

Wonderful fans are our inspiration

Augustines drummer Rob Allen chats to HANNAH SOUTHERN and ELLIE EDWARDS about nerves, touring and the loyalty of their supporters

‘I

HATE the word “fans” – I really do have a problem with it,’ says Augustines drummer Rob Allen. ‘I’ve had discussions about this – it just seems so arrogant. But we are lucky, because we have a wonderful fan base.’ Wonderful, and numerous. Supporters of the indie rockers packed out Newcastle’s Riverside to watch their heroes kick off the British leg of their Walkabout tour. The set showcased their self-titled second album, which Allen explains is ‘bigger and more cinematic’ than their previous work. ‘That came from people in Europe singing along, doing football chants – we loved it,’ he adds. ‘There are people that come to 15 or 20 shows, travelling all over. ‘I’ll walk in the crowd and recognise someone and they’ll go, “I just

saw you in Munich!”’ So, after a worldwide tour and a summer �illed with festivals, are nerves still a problem for the Brooklyn-based band? ‘You’d think they would be – but they’re not,’ Allen claims. ‘When we �irst started, there were nerves but they’re different now. ‘I still get nervous before a show but it’s butter�lies and exciting.’ The three-piece – also made up by guitarist Billy McCarthy and multiinstrumentalist Eric Sanderson – are famous for their energetic live shows, often jumping into the crowd to perform. But does touring take its toll? ‘You’re away for 80 per cent of the year, so if you have family members, girlfriends or boyfriends, you don’t get to see them much. That’s tough,’ admits Allen. ‘You don’t get much sleep and you’re working a lot – but that’s the tough

Up close and personal: Augustines like to perform among the crowd

side. The good side is that you’re hanging out with your best buddies and you get to go to different cities and meet lovely people every day.’ True to tradition, the band produced another energetic display, complete with crowd dive – beer bottles in one hand, guitars in the other.

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A full version of our interview with Rae Morris appears at www.unipaper.co.uk

I took opportunities... even the bad ones M

OST people were �irst introduced to Rae Morris as the ethereal voice on Bombay Bicycle Club’s single Luna last year. But her loyal fans have been appreciating her music since she set out on the road to stardom three years ago. The 22-year-old’s debut album, Unguarded, will be released later this month before she heads out on tour. TUP caught up with her to �ind out more. Is there a different process when producing an album, as opposed to working on EPs and singles? Mentally, I knew I had to create a whole body of work. So, I was quite nervous at �irst, but the producer just said: ‘Look, don’t be scared – because what’s the

worst thing you can do?’ Would you say your hometown of Blackpool has been a positive place for you as an emerging artist? Absolutely. I think the good thing about Blackpool is that because it’s so small, it makes you stand out a little more. I realised at the time that if I was in London coming on to the scene and playing open mic nights, it’s musically so vast and such a big city that it’s easy to get lost. Does the media compare you to your contemporaries and do you �ind that a problem? I’ve never really had a problem with being compared to the people I’m in a peer group with. I’m a massive Kate Bush fan,

so often people say about my music, ‘that sounds a bit like Kate Bush’. And obviously that’s not true. I am inspired by her – but I don’t sound like her. What would be your advice to young artists struggling to get their music heard? Take the opportunities. I don’t mean be desperate or sell yourself or anything like that – I just mean never say no to anything just because it doesn’t sound great. I took a lot of gigs where I was like, ‘Oh, gosh, I’m not sure – I don’t think it’s going to be a good one’. And then you get there and it happens to be the best gig you ever played. Mollie Carberry

theBEAT Star in the making: Rae Morris has her ﬁrst album out this month

tourDATES Catch Rae on tour: February 1, Kazimier, Liverpool; February 3, King Tut’s, Glasgow; February 4, The Wardrobe, Leeds; February 5, The Institute, Birmingham; February 6, Gorilla, Manchester; February 14, The Thekla, Bristol; February 15, Rescue Rooms, Nottingham

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theBEAT

January 2015

Love your music? So do we! Tune in here for all the latest interviews, previews and reviews

Inspired by dad’s wisdom I

T’S a mantra we would all do well to follow: Always do what will make you happy. For rising star Billy Lockett, the words of his late father, John Luce, have underpinned his determination to forge a career in music. And, so far, it is paying off. Lockett, 22, is climbing to the top despite having yet to sign a record deal. He has supported the likes of Lana Del Rey, Birdy and KT Turnstall, most recently touring with Scottish songstress – and Ed Sheeran protégé – Nina Nesbitt. In March, he embarks on his own four-date headline tour, while his latest single, Old Man, is a beautiful tribute to his father, who died earlier this year from prostate cancer at the age of 62. ‘I sort of hated him sometimes,’ says Lockett. ‘We had a lot of fights but a lot of laughs. Overall, it was great to have someone that cared

How rising star Billy was urged to follow his dream so much about me and about what I do.’ His father, a well-known artist in his home town of Northampton, was constantly pushing Lockett to follow his dream and his words have stuck: ‘Make sure that whatever you’re doing you’re enjoying. Make sure you’re constantly doing something that makes you happy.’ It’s hard to pinpoint Lockett’s musical style, as each song varies from soothing melodies to more upbeat rhythms, all intertwined with charming piano and guitar. Raw emotion can be heard in his soulful, expressive voice as he reminisces on his life. So it’s odd to hear his love of music grew from a childhood

obsession with Eminem. He says: ‘I love his lyrics and everything about him really. I wouldn’t really say he inspires me, because he’s nothing like me, but he was one of the first people that really got me into music.’ Lockett knows he has yet to crack the music business. ‘It’s great knowing that everyone’s there to see you when they’ve bought tickets for your gig,’ he says. ‘But I also love trying to win people over as a supporting artist.’ And despite admitting that ‘things could be easier’, he declares: ‘I don’t want to do anything that’s going to make me depressed in the long run.’ Clearly, he’s been listening to his dad. Eloise Vanstone

KNOW THE INSIDE

DO headline tour: Where you can catch Billy on his nge, Manchester Lou y Rub The Sunday, March 22: gow Glas s, Monday, March 23: King Tut’ tol Bris kla, The 25: ch Mar Wednesday, , London Thursday, March 26: Bush Hall

tourDATES

Boys find a fresh voice... with a little help from their friends THANK heavens! The Bastille boys are back and they’re mixing with some of the best in the business. The indie four-piece have returned with their second album and have invited the likes of Haim, GRADES and Rag ’N’ Bone Man to join them. Although Dan Smith’s haunting vocals still

YOU

T R AC K O N

CAMPUS?

Bastille in VS. (Other People’s Heartache Pt. III)

dominate, the band explore new genres and styles, finding fresh inspiration while playing around with their old sound. It’s the perfect mixtape for the walk to lectures or revision – a chilled offering you’ll find yourself singing along to

without even realising your lips are moving. If you’re going to spend your student loan on one CD this month, make sure it’s this one. Trust me – you won’t regret not having spent that tenner on vodka trebles for this. Henrietta Painter

IF SO THE UNIVERSITY PAPER WANTS TO HEAR FROM YOU. We are scouring the UK for student journalists, so whether you are looking for work experience or simply spending too much time in the SU, get in touch today. We are on the look out for opinion leaders and change makers who can write engaging copy. Your pieces will be printed in The University Paper which is read by thousands of students across the UK and you will get that all important byline - perfect if you are looking to build a portfolio. Not to mention that age old adage, it will look great on the CV. So if you would like to be an influential voice for the student community or just have a strong front page tell us what is going on - pitch your ideas to The University Paper, email: editor@unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

hiTECH

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

It’s war but not as we know it

XAMS are over and you’re looking to treat yourself to a �irst-person shooter, packed with cinematic explosions and futuristic weapons. Look no further than the latest offering from the Call Of Duty series. Advanced Warfare is set in the battle�ields of the future, providing combat in an age of robotic exoskeletons and private military contractors. The setting has had more

Call Of Duty: Advanced Warfare

than just a super�icial lick of paint, with both weaponry and mechanics getting an overhaul. Double jumping, lasers from space, arm-mounted grenade launchers – they’re all here. The campaign mode has all the �lair you’ve come to expect of a high-budget �irstperson shooter. And with its

Glimpse into the future: The game offers all-new tech

Rating: 4/5

Hollywood explosions and Kevin Spacey taking on the role of lead protagonist, the game’s storyline is grand in scale. Advanced Warfare is the most signi�icantly changed Call Of Duty since Black Ops 2 – it represents a genuine departure from the morose battle�ields of the past, bringing something a little

fresher and more exciting to the table. Like other titles in the series, you’ll be �ighting in locations around the world, such as Argentina and Antarctica – but the real draw is the multiplayer mode, and that you’ll �ind as thrilling as ever. Developer Sledgehammer Games has tweaked the winning formula – but don’t worry, you can still

build up your player and unlock new kit. The only issue comes to the fore over long periods of game play, with online play stuttering on occasion for little discernible reason. Even so, Advanced Warfare is heaps of fun and comes highly recommended for anyone with some downtime and the desire to score a few headshots with friends. Michael O’Connell-Davidson

out soon Dying Light HORDES of flesh-eating zombies are everywhere and it’s down to you to stop them. During the day, you traverse the virtual world, helping survivors and picking up supplies. By night, as the infected grow stronger, you change from hunter to prey. New enemies, such as the Predators, will only appear at sundown – meaning you must find safety. The game’s RPG element allows you to build your own style of playing. But will you go for silent killing or all guns blazing? James Williams Rugby 15 WITH the World Cup just months away, a rugby-based video game was inevitable. However, such games are notoriously difficult to produce because of rugby’s intricate rules. HB Studios’ attempt allows you to play in the world’s top leagues or for your country – but the game looks similar to any other, except for a new rucking feature that adds a real-life element. With average graphics and game play, you’d be better off stepping back in time and getting EA’s Rugby 08. Matt Bullin Saints Row IV: Re-Elected

Pass it on: Play friends as though you’re in the same room

Share a journey back to the ’90s FOR twentysomething gamers, childhood evokes memories of basking in the warm glow of a TV at a friend’s house, rejoicing in the multiplayer nirvana of GoldenEye 007 and Mario Kart 64. It was an era when split-screen reigned supreme. But the popularity of the ‘couch multiplayer’ dwindled with the advent of online gaming. Now, with Sony’s latest system software update on the PlayStation 4, the couch is back. Introducing Share Play – the ability to play games online with a friend as though you were back on that patterned ’90s

couch once more. Share Play lets you effectively ‘pass’ your friend your controller, allowing them to take control of your game as you see it on your screen. Alternatively, you can pass them a second controller and play local multiplayer online. Buzzwords such as ‘game-changing’ and ‘revolutionary’ are industry prerequisites for marketing campaigns nowadays – but this really is the next level for gaming. With all the releases January has to offer, Share Play is the console exclusive worth having. All hail the couch! Graham Wardle

PICTURE this: you’re president of the US and aliens invade, intent on enslaving humanity. What do you do? Well, in Saints Row IV: Re-Elected, you go out and kick some ass. The game is a revamp of the excellent Saints Row IV for the new generation of consoles. If you ﬁnd Grand Theft Auto too stuffy, you’ll enjoy the unique humour of this series. In GTA, you can break the law; in Saints Row IV, you can break the laws of physics. If you’ve got an appetite for the ridiculous, it’s a no-brainer. Michael O’Connell-Davidson

Menaces: Destroy aliens

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January 2015

onSCREEN

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

How they saved our Saul Return of Breaking Bad rogue

Flying high: Channing Tatum with heir to the Earth Mila Kunis in Jupiter Ascending

out soon Wild (Jan 16) AFTER a series of tragic events, Cheryl Strayed embarks on a gruelling quest — hiking 1,100 miles along the Pacific Crest Trail. Based on a true story, Wild sees Strayed (Reese Witherspoon) come to terms with the death of her mother, using heroin and getting divorced. The film is adapted from Strayed’s autobiography by screenwriter/novelist Nick Hornby and director Jean-Marc Callée, who mixes scenes from the lead character’s turbulent past with challenges from her journey. Emily Lewis Kingsman: The Secret Service (Jan 29) SMALL-TIME crook Gary ‘Eggsy’ Unwin (Taron Egerton) is taken under the wing of gentleman spy Harry Hart (Colin Firth). Unwin’s tough first assignment is to deal with global threat and mad techterrorist Valentine (Samuel L Jackson). Armed with innovative weaponry, such as Oxford Blades and the Gunbrella, can the pair save the day? Kate Johnson

ENT lawyer Saul Goodman reached cult status in hit show Breaking Bad. Now, the lovable rogue is back in the muchanticipated spin-off from creators Vince Gilligan and Peter Gould. Better Call Saul sees Bob Odenkirk reprise the role of Saul, real name Jimmy McGill, as he struggles to make his name as a lawyer six years before the events of Breaking Bad. However, rumour has it the prequel will also deal with events during and after. Although RJ Mitte, who played Walt Jr in Breaking Bad, has said the new series

Spin-off: Bob Odenkirk is back as bent lawyer Saul Goodman has ‘nothing to do’ with the Emmy award-winning show, its success should guarantee Better Call Saul a global audience. Despite funnyman Saul taking the lead, the show is set to be just as gritty as its big brother, with Odenkirk insisting it will be ‘85 per cent

drama, 15 per cent comedy’. With Jonathan Banks also returning as ice-cool hitman Mike Ehrmantraut, Breaking Bad fans will be able to sate those withdrawal symptoms. The show is to premiere in the US on February 8 and will hit UK Net�lix shortly after. Josh Mcloughlin

New look: Spy Colin Firth. Below, Reese Witherspoon Inherent Vice (Jan 30) PRIVATE detective Larry ‘Doc’ Sportello (Joaquin Phoenix) investigates the disappearance of his ex-girlfriend’s (Katherine Waterson) new lover, Mickey Wolfmann (Eric Roberts). This drama-comedy, also starring Owen Wilson and Reese Witherspoon, is adapted from the Thomas Pychon novel of the same name by writer and director Paul Thomas Anderson. Rebecca Cattell Mordecai (Jan 23) ENGLISH gent, debonair art dealer and part-time rogue Charlie Mortdecai (Johnny Depp) wants to get his hands on Nazi gold. Standing in his way is an international terrorist, the MI5, angry Russians and

almost everyone else. The ﬁlm’s trailer offers cheap laughs, poor English accents and the same post-Jack Sparrow Depp that lost its charm a long time ago. Gwyneth Paltrow plays beautiful wife Johanna Mortdecai and Ewan McGregor, investigates as Inspector Martland. Morgan Hinton

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Jupiter Ascending (Feb 6) AN ALIEN life force plans to wipe the planet clean, keeping only the humans it deems worthy. Enter down-on-her-luck earthling Jupiter Jones (Mila Kunis), who also happens to be a potential heir to the Earth. Caine Wise (Channing Tatum), a genetically engineered interplanetary warrior, is sent to tell Jones she is royalty and protect her from the bounty put on her head by evil alien Balem. Daisy Edwards

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January 2015

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Fashioning their future with words

Lauren Kelly

inSTYLE

Julia Ward

Four student fashion bloggers give ELLA ROSE POYZER advice on how to dress with style for lectures and reveal how blogging has changed their university experiences

HAT is your go-to outfit to wear for lectures? Lauren Kelly: Skinny jeans for comfort and I always have a blazer on to smarten everything up. If anything is scruffy, it’s my hair – never my outfit. You can’t tie that up in a bun with it still looking presentable. Julia Ward: I like to dress smart-casual. A pair of highwaisted jeans with a cami-top

and a kimono or cardigan is just the right amount of smart and comfy. Eleanor Danks: I tend to stick to jeans, a top and my trusty leather jacket. Aisling McGarrigle: Always some sort of jersey skirt and a casual top or jumper, some tights and usually brogues. For a typical university night out, what kind of outfit is always your first choice?

% 5 2

R O F F ITY PAPER OF S IVER S UN

READ

Eleanor Danks Eleanor: My disco pants or velvet leggings, a bralet or crop top and heeled boots. I prefer boots to heels – heels hurt so bad! When on a budget, what shops are your favourites? Lauren: H&M for basics,

Aisling McGarrigle New Look for jewellery and pumps. Both give easy ways to make a simple or recycled outfit look new – and without breaking the bank. Julia: One of my favourites has to be Primark. I can guarantee I will find

something I love in there every time I go – and, of course, it’s great on the purse strings. I also love Matalan. You’d be pleasantly surprised at the number of great quality pieces and accessories you can find in there. Do you feel as though blogging has enhanced your university experience? Julia: Life at university isn’t all about getting your degree. Granted, that is important – but it’s also important to have something extra that makes you stand out from the rest. For me, that something extra is blogging. It’s the perfect escape from university work and something I look forward to doing after a long week. Aisling: I studied zoology, which is a far cry from make-up and beauty, so I feel like my blog has opened doors for me that wouldn’t have been an option normally. I recently got a job in The Body Shop and I feel my blog had so much to do

with it, as it was clear I was passionate about the brand and products. What advice can you give for any student thinking of starting a blog? Julia: I’d say to just go for it. My blog is for me, not to impress anyone. It’s a way of expressing my passion. If people read it and love it, then that’s an added bonus. Eleanor: Have a good think about what your blog content will focus on – start planning and scheduling your posts, research the best photo editing software and look at other blogs for inspiration. Don’t forget to network – it’s a great way to build connections and friendships with other bloggers to increase your readership. Aisling: Plan your time and posts effectively. When I started, I was just posting whenever I felt like it – but I wasn’t happy with my posts. Now I have more structure, I feel my blog is much better and is well put together.

Follow Julia at www.blondeambition13.tumblr.com; Lauren at www.laurenmariesreveries.blogspot.co.uk; Eleanor at www.dreamlovelivefashion.blogspot.co.uk; and Aisling at www.rosysmiles.blogspot.co.uk

Little White Lies is a British, London based brand bringing timeless quality pieces to the 18-35 year old fashion conscious women. Little White Lies creates exquisite collections, each piece has a unique point of difference- a trim, beautiful buttons or hidden pockets. Every garment has been thought about in detail from beginning to end creating contemporary modern pieces with a nostalgic retro charm.

We use the highest quality fabrics to create soft dresses and separates; with the use of delicate velvets, vegan leathers, silks and georgette overlays. Attention to detail is what makes this brand so charming. This is carried throughout all designs, giving a feeling of femininity with an urban edge keeping Little White Lies in touch with premium fashion trends. The brand is stocked across the UK, Europe and the USA making a name for itself as Drapers Young Fashion Brand finalist. To celebrate the growing success, Little White Lies would like to offer University readers 25% off their next shop online at www.littlewhitelies.com

Go to www.littlewhitelieslondon.com and enter code LWLU25 to claim your discount Can be used on full price items only, cannot be used in conjunction with other coupons.

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inSTYLE

January 2015

News and views from the world of fashion... all with a student budget in mind

Reem: Towie’s Joey Essex takes time out for a snap, right. Above and left, faux fur and flowing skirts steal the show at CSL

Dozy Joey heads fashion followers at annual style fest

Glitz with a ditz

HEY gave us neon and New York; they had the greats and not-so-greats of the fashion world; they even had Joey Essex. Now in its 26th year, Clothes Show Live arrived at Birmingham’s NEC with all the hoopla and celebrity endorsements you might expect of an event that launched the modelling careers of Erin O’Connor, Holly Willoughby and Nina Porter. It attracted about 100,000 visitors between December

A star-struck SHANICE ABBOTT sneaks a peek behind the scenes as Clothes Show Live rolls into town for its 26th year

5 and 9, with the 500,000 sq ft-plus of the NEC transformed by 400 stalls, each plying every kind of clothing from cheap and chic to vintage. There were complaints this year about the lack of bigname stars – but Amy Childs, Joey Essex, Millie Mackintosh, Lauren Goodger, Peter Andre, Henry Holland and more were in attendance. Cheeky Towie star Joey Essex,

who was there to meet fans and sign his 2015 calendar, said: ‘I’m looking forward to meeting the models.’ Flashing his famed Rolex, the fashion fan said that, while he loves his bling, he remained unable to tell the time. As though to prove his point, ever-ditzy Joey finished the conversation by asking what day it was. When informed it was Friday, he laughed: ‘Oh, my

watch says Tuesday – I don’t know where I am in the world.’ Fellow reality star Amy Childs could be spotted selling her stunning women’s clothing collection, while Peter Andre was there to sign bottles of his latest perfume, Scarlet. House Of Holland founder Henry Holland presented a heavily choreographed catwalk show, with themes including neon, winter and New York. And headliners Neon Jungle kept the crowd entertained as celebrities mingled with fans.

Chelsea boy: Spencer Matthews of Made In Chelsea fame shares a hug with our reporter, middle. Left and right, bold prints dominated the catwalk at this year’s CSL

PICTURES: SHANICE ABBOTT

yourNIGHT

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

January 2015

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mealBREAK Our fantastic selected recipes are tried-and-tested favourites among students who want to eat well on a budget but don’t want to spend hours in the kitchen. So, get cooking and enjoy

Top chocs: These iced treats are great to share with friends

Chicken arrabiata

Ingredients: Chicken breast, sliced; three rashers of bacon; tin of chopped tomatoes; half a pepper; whole chilli; two tbsp tomato purée; chilli powder; garlic powder; mixed herbs; salt and pepper; low-calorie spray Method: 1. Spray a pan with low-calorie spray and wait for it to heat. Add the sliced chicken and cook on a high heat until golden 2. When the chicken is almost cooked, add the bacon 3. Meanwhile, chop the peppers and chilli, adding to the cooked chicken and bacon 4. Stir in the tinned tomatoes and tomato purée 5. Add the chilli powder, garlic powder, mixed herbs, and salt and pepper 6. Simmer on a low heat for ten minutes 7. During this time,

breadcrumbs, garlic, lemon zest and herbs and season well. Pour in the butter and mix with a fork or your �ingers, until combined 3. Cover the �illets with the crumbs, pressing down on each 4. Cook for about 20 minutes or until the crust is golden Aramide Pearce Vanilla cupcakes with chocolate icing

cook the pasta 8. Once cooked, combine the pasta and sauce 9. Add grated cheese to the top to enhance the �lavour Tip: If you’re feeling brave, try adding two chillis to the sauce Shannon Barrett

Herb-crusted ﬁsh

Ingredients: Two �ish �illets; two garlic cloves, crushed; 10g butter, softened; one tbsp fresh basil, chopped (dried is �ine, too); lemon zest, grated (juice is �ine, too); breadcrumbs (made

by grating two slices of toast); salt and pepper Method: 1. Heat oven to 200C. Place the �ish on a large greased baking tray and season with salt and freshly ground black pepper 2. Combine the

Ingredients: For the cupcakes: 100g unsalted butter; 100g sugar; 100g �lour; two medium eggs; one tsp vanilla extract For the chocolate icing: 100g unsalted butter; 260g icing sugar; 40g cocoa powder; four squares of baking chocolate; three tbsp double cream Method for the cupcakes: 1. Preheat the oven to 180C and line a baking tray with cupcake cases of your choice 2. Cream together the sugar and butter in a mixing bowl until light and �luffy 3. Crack both eggs into the bowl and add two tbsp of �lour, plus the vanilla extract

4. Fold in the remaining �lour until combined. Do not over-work the mixture as you will extract all the air and the cupcakes will not rise 5. Divide the mixture evenly between the cake cases 6. Bake for 15 minutes – they should be golden on top and spring back into place when you press down on them. Wait until the cupcakes are cool before you attempt to ice them Method for the chocolate icing: 1. Beat the butter until light and �luffy; it should turn a very pale colour, which is key to getting the perfect icing 2. Add the icing sugar, 100g at a time 3. Add the �inal 60g of icing sugar along with the 40g of cocoa powder 4. Melt the four squares of baking chocolate and add to the mixture 5. Next, add the double cream until the icing is light and �luffy 6. Place the icing mixture into a piping bag and ice the cupcakes 7. Sprinkle with decorations of your choice and share with friends Shannon Barrett

www.unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

mealBREAK

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

Go global with your grub Y

Finish off with fudge

LET’S face it – running to the shops and satisfying your sweet tooth is easier than cooking yourself. However, nothing beats homemade treats. Check out this easy, inexpensive chocolate fudge recipe that will sate those cravings. Ingredients: 450g caster sugar; 50g unsalted butter, diced into small cubes; 170g can of evaporated milk; 150ml milk; 150g plain chocolate Method: 1. Grease a square tin, roughly 18cm by 18cm, with margarine 2. Gently heat the butter, sugar, evaporated milk and milk, until the sugar has dissolved 3. Bring it to the boil

Fine ﬁnish: Satisfy your sweet tooth and stir for 30 minutes 4. Remove from the heat 5. Break the chocolate into pieces and melt in the microwave

PICTURE: CLARE HORRIGAN

6. Stir the chocolate and fudge mixture together, and pour into a tin 8. Leave to set overnight Clare Horrigan

OU’RE on a budget, you can’t afford to travel. But that shouldn’t stop you from getting a taste of the exotic straight from your very own kitchen. Why not invite your friends over and treat them to the �inest cuisines from Guadalajara to London via Barcelona? Mexico: Tacos Pockets of happiness you can �ill with anything. Popular �illings include fried meats, cheese and sour cream – but why not try something more unconventional? Raid the cupboards and give whatever you �ind a try. For drinks, you are spoilt for choice — margaritas, mojitos, Sol or even tequila! Sombreros are optional. Italy: Pasta There are endless choices. Tomato Neapolitan sauce, creamy carbonara or,

Get a taste of the world without leaving home of course, spag bol. To save cash, make loads and keep some in the fridge. There’s a bonus, too: it may be the only legitimate time to consume gallons of wine while staying in theme. Spain: Tapas The ultimate sharing food – little plates of nibbles, be they hot or cold, that you can throw out in large quantities safely knowing there’s something to tickle everyone’s fancy. Excellent for get-togethers and nights in with the television. Drink whatever you fancy – but sangria is always a start. Thailand: Green curry Subtler than its Indian cousin, this still goes in the comforting, cheap

and easy-to-make category. All you need is some chicken, green beans and a jar of paste. Pour in some coconut milk and lime juice and you’re almost in Bangkok. Feeling adventurous? Then make your own paste; it’s only ground up garlic, chilli, spices and soy sauce, after all. Eat with rice and sink with Singha beer England: Casserole Leave the meat and veg to cook in wine and stock at a low heat in the oven. It will �ill you up for ages and leave you with a warm glow like proper comfort food should do. Drink tea and listen to the gasps of joy that echo all around. Lauren Bailey

Download the GBK app to unlock your 30% Student Discount gbkapp.co.uk/uni

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January 2015

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an you match the quote to the well-known person?

A: ‘I have this weird thing that, if I sleep with someone, they’re going to take my creativity from me through my vagina.’

B: ‘First, my mother was Spanish. Then, she became a Jehovah’s Witness.’

C: ‘I definitely want Brooklyn to be christened, but I don’t know into what religion yet.’

D: ‘I just want one day off when I can go swimming and eat ice cream and look at rainbows.’

E: ‘I created punk for this day and age. Do you see Britney walking around wearing ties and singing punk? Hell no. That’s what I do. I’m like a Sid Vicious for a new generation.’

Take a break and put your grey cells to work with our selection of puzzles

Who said what? 1 Paris Hilton, 2 Mariah Carey, 3 Gwyneth Paltrow, 4 Geri Halliwell, 5 Chris Brown, 6 David Beckham, 7 Avril Lavigne, 8 Ashton Kutcher, 9 R Kelly, 10 Lady Gaga

F: ‘I think every decade has an iconic blonde, like Marilyn Monroe or Princess Diana and, right now, I’m that icon.’

G: ‘Can I get your number? I promise I won’t beat you!’

ANSWERS

2 8 5

2 8 3 8 9

J: ‘All of a sudden, you’re like the Bin Laden of America.’

6 3 4

4 1

3 2 5 9

1 9

5 4

H: ‘I’d rather smoke crack than eat cheese from a can.’ I: ‘The number of lines in your forehead tells how many lives you’ve lived.’

6 1 9

1 8 6 4

2 5

8 9

5 1

3 6

Can you unscramble these singers’ names?

1. MURY OLLS 2. WHEN BOARD 3. WARGER DAY 4. WACK JHITE 5. EJJE SIS 6. ZAKIES

2 8

3 8

in a

muddle

7. LEEK 8. LOIN PAIN OUT ANSWERS

1 Olly Murs, 2 Ben Howard, 3 Gerard Way, 4 Jack White, 5 Jessie J, 6 Kiesza, 7 Kele, 8 Paolo Nutini

brainTEASE

A10 B4 C6 D2 E7 F1 G5 H3 I8 J9

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January 2015

competitionCORNER

Your chance to win fantastic tickets, trips and treats

WIN pizza for a year Great prize is worth a lot of dough

WIN

Hoping for an excuse to stay in?

IZZA? Free? For a year? What more could any cash-starved, deep crust-loving student want? We’ve teamed up with Pizza Hut to offer one lucky reader a £30 voucher for every month of 2015. The winner can pick from a menu featuring the �laming hot blazin’ inferno or famous deep-pan meat feast, each accompanied with unlimited salad and soft drink re�ills. You can even add a pudding from the selection of warm cookie-dough desserts. Or what better way to keep the hunger pangs at bay by heading for the unlimited buffet every weekday?

ARE you dreading stepping outside into the winter weather? Thanks to HBO UK Home Entertainment we are offering the perfect excuse to stay indoors. We have a haul of hit series up for grabs including Band of Brothers, The Paci�ic, True Detective and Boardwalk Empire seasons 1-4 to keep you and your housemates entertained.

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

Slice of luck: Why not use your winner’s voucher to treat your friends to a spicy blazin’ inferno or tuck into unlimited salad?

Learn to code in a day for FREE! Get your FREE eLearning course worth £99 exclusively with QA and the University Paper! •

Go from zero coding skills to being able to develop an app in our one day online course

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Learn from the comfort of your browser at a time that works best for you

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Gateway Programme Terms and conditions: Offer finishes on the 20th February 2015. Emails received before 20th February will receive the eLearning course. By emailing us for this promotion you agree for your email address to be added to the Uni Paper database and the QA Gateway Programme database.

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

To receive your FREE eLearning course worth £99 go to: https://kvgo.com/qa/ learn2code

January 2015



www.unipaper.co.uk



Horoscope 

What’s written in the stars for you this month

ARIES: MARCH 21APRIL 19 January is not a time to sit still, Aries. The new year will bring exaltation and energy but don’t get too carried away. Pay particular attention to �inances and relationships TAURUS: APRIL 20MAY 20 Luck will be on your side this month,Taurus. The world is your oyster this year and it will feel as though you have just hit the jackpot. Just remember to trust your intuition GEMINI: MAY 21JUNE 20 The new year is an exciting time for you, Gemini. It will

be as though a veil has been lifted and for the �irst time you are seeing everything from an entirely new perspective CANCER: JUNE 21JULY 22 Have you been thinking of changing something up for a long time, Cancer? Now is the time to do it. Currently, you have everything you need so what are you waiting for LEO: JULY 23AUGUST 22 Time to focus on yourself, Leo. The new year will enable you to discover talents you didn’t even know you possessed. And, you know what they

say, practice really does make perfect

VIRGO: AUGUST 23SEPTEMBER 22 The new year brings positivity for you, Virgo; however, an unthinking step could land you in trouble, so stay in control and you will make great changes

LIBRA: SEPTEMBER 23OCTOBER 22 Don’t jump the gun, Libra. Stay a few steps ahead and consider all possibilities. Complicated situations will arise but stay in control and they can be solved with ease SCORPIO: OCTOBER 23NOVEMBER 21 You are going to have to

take responsibility for the actions of others this month, Scorpio. Even if you are not in the driving seat, be ready to accept the consequences SAGITTARIUS: NOVEMBER 22-DECEMBER 21 Those around you may be shrouded in negativity, Sagittarius, but don’t let this throw you off. Don’t be afraid to �ight back as it is best to trust your intuition right now CAPRICORN: DECEMBER 22JANUARY 19 There is no time like the present, Capricorn. A goal you have been working towards for a



long time is beginning to manifest and you will have luck on your side like you never have before

AQUARIUS: JANUARY 20-FEBRUARY 18 You are about to enter a very content phase, Aquarius. You have been working very hard of late and everything is about to fall into place, so why challenge fate for more? PISCES: FEBRUARY 19MARCH 20 You are responsible for every aspect of your life, Pisces, so if you are unhappy with certain aspects now is the time to make change. Don’t doubt your inner strength

Rock it... but ditch the booze In his latest column on LGBT issues, masters student FILIP BIGOS argues you don’t need to drink or take drugs just to conform to a hard-partying stereotype

E Go online to: www.unipaper.co.uk for more quizzes.

VERYBODY likes a good party. The music, the rush, the heat… When the beat drops, alcohol starts pouring and we get going. Especially the gays. Everyone knows gay clubs are the best – we know how to rock it. Fun, alcohol and drugs is pretty much what the gay community is all about. Or, at least, seems to be. Wherever we go, whatever we do, people always drink. And with age (and depending on how rich their sugar daddy is) they move on to drugs. To switch off. To loosen up. There is an awful lot of pressure on us to drink,

let’sTALK

and very often to do chems and slam. Yet owners of gay venues don’t tend to think about alternatives for people who don’t want to get wasted every day. I apologise for targeting gay men but they are the group most guilty of this. It damages our reputation and shames our community. It is possible to party without alcohol. I am a 22-year-old gay man – I don’t drink, yet I still date and have a great time. Most importantly I will remember it from start to �inish. This requires a real pair, because although I am gay, I am still a man and I am myself.

Little and often: Short bursts will help you focus

Festive fun is �inished, now get revising

CHRISTMAS is over and the exam period is back with a vengeance. Before you start panicking, take a deep breath and check out these �ive revision tips. 1. Write it all down: It may be a pain but it is guaranteed to help you remember all those facts and get them imprinted into your brain 2. Start with the tricky bits: It’s only natural to go for the stuff that we �ind the easiest but consider how stressfree the last few days of revision would be if you were working on the stuff you already understood the most 3. Try short, sharp bursts: Two to three hours of revision each day should do the trick. Accumulated over January (and hopefully some of December, too), that’s a lot of study time 4. Colour-code your notes: Research shows that a splash of colour can make all the difference 5. Reward yourself: Whether it is your favourite chocolate or a night out with friends once you’ve �inished a topic, you deserve a treat. Ellie Connell and Kelly Smith

www.unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

let’sTALK

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

Alice ask

getting on with life – and so are your family and friends – but they will always be there for you. That much will never change.

Y STUDENT loan didn’t come in on time so I took out a payday loan. I thought I wouldn’t have to admit it to anyone – but I’m still waiting on student finance and now I owe double the amount I borrowed in the first place. Josh, Bristol

Y BOYFRIEND dumped me on New Year’s Eve... over champagne, no less. If that wasn’t bad enough, I tried so hard to make him happy. I often put him before studying. Now, exams are just weeks away and I feel like I’m drowning. I’m starting to wonder whether I should continue with my course. Rebecca, Liverpool Exams are exactly what you need right now, Rebecca – hear me out. Throw yourself into revising, not re-reading every text you ever sent each other. Break-ups take time to heal. Nothing can beat a night in with the girls right now – but you also need a distraction. Before you know it, you’ll be back on your feet. Besides, let’s be honest – a guy who breaks up with you on New Year’s Eve isn’t worth your time. Your course, however, is.

Lovers’ tiff: But revision can provide the perfect distraction

OME isn’t home anymore. When I went back for Christmas, my parents showed me to the guest room – which was, in fact, my bedroom until four months ago. But the biggest

shock is my friends. I don’t feel like I’m part of their lives any more. I spent so much of the first term feeling homesick – and now it’s as though I don’t even have a home. Tom, Birmingham

Club drugs... why the song and dance? T

HE drugs market is changing fast. Traditional substances, such as heroin, are in decline, while newer, synthetic chemicals are flooding the market. Last year, 81 new psychoactive drugs were detected on the European market – the highest number on record. Many of these substances are virtually unheard of. What’s more, many are entirely legal and can be bought via the internet. Probably the best-known legal high is mephedrone, or ‘meow meow’. Many others are known by their brand names, or simply as ‘research chemicals’. But are they safe? It’s a difficult question to answer.

We’ve all been there, Tom. As much as everyone loves living in halls, it isn’t home. But, as you said – go home and you feel like a teenager again, having to tiptoe around. Do you know what, though? You are

DR OWEN BOWDEN-JONES founded the Club Drug Clinic, a London NHS service aimed to inform young people about the effects and dangers of new substances Because they have been manufactured to mimic the effects of drugs such as cocaine and cannabis, these new substances can be stimulants, sedatives or hallucinogens. There is no doubt that some of them are extremely powerful and, when substituted for drugs such as MDMA (ecstasy), the effects can surprise the user and even lead to overdose. In the long term, some legal highs cause similar problems to more traditional drugs – dependence, psychosis and depression have all been seen in users. So, despite being cheap and legal, there

is no doubt that at least some are really harmful. If you do decide to take a chance on a research chemical, take care of yourself by starting small and telling your friends what you are using. If you run into trouble, they can tell the ambulance crew. Don’t mix – this includes alcohol. The more types of drug you take at the same time, the bigger the risk. Stay hydrated by taking regular, small sips of water. Don’t drink more than one pint in an hour, otherwise you might over-hydrate. For more information, visit www.clubdrugclinic.com.

Submit us your questions and get the answer in next months issue

Don’t sit on this any longer, Josh. Head straight to your university and talk to someone in student services or the students’ union. There will be a support fund for people experiencing financial difficulty. The amount awarded will depend on your assessed needs and you will not have to pay it back. In future, steer clear of payday loans – the interest rates alone will leave you in much worse position than you were in before. Struggling with your studies, wrestling with a relationship or is your social life at a standstill? Contact our agony aunt on alice@unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

off MESSAGE

Our occasional offering of things that are... just interesting but not entirely sensible

I smell an idea: Who hasn’t overslept and found themselves at lectures without having had time for a shower? What you need is the Axilla Scrubber. At the touch of a button, it will wash those whiffy pits discreetly for you...

Some are bonkers but some of them are absolute gold Colin Furze has built everything from a 70mph mobility scooter to magnetic boots. The inventor tells CHARLOTTE ARROWSMITH about his search for Britain’s next eccentric bofﬁn...

Who left the loo seat up. Again!: Is your student house the scene of regular arguments about bathroom etiquette? The Handy Toilet Seat Lifter is here to put an end to the bickering by automatically putting the seat down after use...

Dozy parka: Fed up with missing your stop for the umpteenth time and having to trudge through the rain to get to your lecture? The Commuter Coat can be pre-programmed to shake you awake at your stop

OU’RE young and gifted... you should probably be trying to come up with an invention that will change the world for the better. But maybe during that particularly dull lecture you have come up with ideas that are, well, a little less grandiose in their scope. What about a toilet seat that lifts and closes by itself? No more arguments in the student house about who left the loo seat up. Or a commuter coat that shakes you awake from your slumbers on the bus so you never miss your stop again? Too late, because other students thought of them �irst and submitted them to the Odd Invention Challenge. Madcap inventor Colin Furze is a judge. He has more

What next: Colin Furze at work in his lab (garage) than 750,000 YouTube fans and a number of world records for his inventions, which range from a 70mph shopping trolley to Wolverine-style claws. ‘We’ve had a lot of entries, and some of them really are quite bonkers,’ said Colin. ‘The great thing about these competitions is when you ask thousands of people to come up with something, you end up with some absolute gold.’ He has been impressed by the left-�ield thinking. ‘I like making the things that other people might think are not worth making, and that

seems to have driven me in the direction of making weird and crazy inventions which has obviously led to this competition,’ he said. As for his own inventions, Colin says the mobility scooter edges it. ‘It was good – it was proper smart and everyone loves it,’ he said. The Odd Invention Challenge was designed by �lavoured spirit brand ODDKA. The shortlisted �inalists will be put to the public vote to win a top prize of £4,999. See www.oddinvention.com for the entries.

The shower of love: Everyone loves singing in the shower, so what better than the Karaoke Shower, featuring a waterproof touchscreen control panel, a disco ball shower head and big speakers...

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January 2015

moneyMATTERS

We’re all on a budget... here are our ideas on how to make it stretch as far as possible

£10,000 masters stroke? caseHISTORY

Worth it: Faye Saville worked more than 70 hours a week, juggling a job with her studies

My 13-hour days for an MA IF GETTING a masters wasn’t hard enough, imagine having a fulltime job on top. But that’s exactly what recent graduate Faye Saville did to avoid exorbitant debts. Juggling a PR role with 30 hours of weekly study towards her MA in strategic communication at the University of

Central Lancashire, Faye found herself working up to 13 hours a day. ‘It’s a mental test,’ the 28-year-old said. ‘You have to push yourself to the limit – but you do amaze yourself with how mentally strong you are.’ Her friends, family and employer backed her over the three years it

took to complete the course – and she said she would do it that way again, rather than take on the proposed loan. ‘Of course, there are always times when you think, “Can I really do this?”’ she added. ‘It was hard. I didn’t go out much and socialise – but I got there in the end.’

superSCRIMPING IT’S a new year, so the partying is over and, predictably, you’re broke. After chucking away all of your money over Christmas, here are some apps that will help you keep hold of your cash in 2015...

 Organise your

outgoings: If 2015 is the year you have decided to get organised with your outgoings, then the Goodbudget app is for you. Splitting your spending

between different categories, this free app allows you to easily keep tabs on your expenditure. It can also be synced with other mobile devices – perfect for splitting household bills

 An eye for a bargain:

Your bank balance may have taken a hit over Christmas but that doesn’t mean living like a hermit in January. Offering discounts at retailers such as H&M, Pizza Express and Tesco, VoucherCodes

uses GPS to ﬁnd the best deals closest to you

 Get cash quick: Why

not make some money out of your unwanted Christmas presents? While eBay is the obvious choice, there’s a cheaper auction site out there – eBid. The app allows you to ﬂog your stuff and for a fraction of the price. With more than 3.5million bids last year, there’s a good chance someone will bite

OR many masters students, their degree has been a battle of survival. They have had to �ind ingenious ways to fund their extra year or two of studies. Some borrow money from their families, while others take on a part- or, even, fulltime job while keeping on top of their course. Now they have an alternative after the government announced a funding scheme that will allow those aged under 30 and studying towards a masters degree to get a loan of up to £10,000. The plan, which is planned to come into force in the 2016/17 academic year, will replicate the undergraduate model, where students only start paying back their loans once their earnings reach above a certain level. James Coe, vice-president of University of Liverpool’s students’ union, said: ‘I am

Loans ‘will help more than 40,000 students’ pleased the students’ movement won this. We must continue to �ight for these loans to be extended for students over 30 and an education system that does not force such high levels of personal debt on to our student members. ‘Postgraduate loans are an important step in widening access to this type of study.’ The government predicts the loans will help more than 40,000 students and enable about 10,000 more individuals to undertake postgraduate study each year. Sam Smith, a third year at the University of Liverpool, praised the proposal, despite masters degrees being funded on his

course. ‘To become a chartered engineer, a masters degree is needed,’ he added. ‘In the long run, the loan will be bene�icial to others, as it allows people to get further in their job.’ However, students could leave university with debts of more than £60,000, while undergraduate and postgraduate loans will be paid off at the same time. Luke Stevenson, a Liverpool John Moores University English graduate, said: ‘It’s a trap – a pathetic token measure by the Tories to attract gullible students. ‘Forget loans – we want no tuition fees. Education is for everyone, not just the elites.’ Charlotte Seddon

Moody’s – 12 Month Graduate Placement In joining Moody’s 2015 Graduate Programme, you will have the opportunity to work with analysts on the rating process, including drafting credit documents, formulating ratios, preparing spreadsheets, comparative statistics, as well as exposure to special projects, at times on a global scale. Location London, Frankfurt, Madrid and Paris

To find out more and apply, please visit: http://bit.ly/milkround-jobs

Salary Competitive package Posted 03 Nov 2014 Closes 03 Jan 2015

The Berkeley Group - Graduate scheme, Construction & Property

REPL Group – Graduate Management Consultant

The Berkeley Group is looking for the brightest graduates with degrees in disciplines related directly to the skills and knowledge required in our operational departments. Berkeley Homes are currently recruiting for graduates in the following disciplines: Land and Planning, Technical, Commercial (Quantity Surveyors), Construction, Customer Service Location London (Greater)

REPL is a fast growing UK based technology group with offices in the USA, Canada, Australia and Singapore. We deliver sophisticated project management techniques to unlock commercial potential. Our team sits at the cutting edge of where the retail industry meets the next generation of mobile technology, where gamification overlaps with multichannel.

Salary £27,000

Salary £22,000pa + London Weighting, travel allowance, bonus and benefits

Closes 17 Nov 2014

Hastings Direct - Graduate Scheme

Accenture- Industrial Placement

We have ambitious plans to attract 3 million customers by 2020 and we are looking for talented graduates to join us whilst we grow and help shape our business. As we are relatively small compared to the big names, you will truly get the opportunity and exposure with our management team to do this. Our Graduate Scheme is designed to help you develop as a future leader of our business, fast tracking your career within Hastings Direct. Roles available in Accounting & Finance, Insurance, Marketing & PR.

Bring your talent and passion to a global organisation at the forefront of business, technology and innovation. Collaborate with diverse, talented colleagues and leaders who support your success. Help transform organisations and communities around the world. Sharpen your skills with industry-leading training and development, as you build an extraordinary career.

Location Bexhill-on-Sea, East Sussex Salary Competitive Closes 04 Jan 2015

Avanti Communications Group plc – Graduate Engineer Are you expecting a 2:1 or higher in a computer related subject? Are you interested in working in a fast paced environment with the latest technologies in a truly global footprint? Yes? That’s a great start, but beyond that? Avanti seeks your inspiration, your energy and your enthusiasm.

Location London or Midlands

Location Nationwide Salary £Competitive Closes 28 Aug 2015

J.P. Morgan – Technology Graduate Programme There’s not a single part of our business that isn’t empowered and enhanced by the creative thinking of J.P. Morgan technologists. In an industry this competitive, being the best means deploying high-speed software and infrastructure alongside leading engineering and application development. Location London, Bournemouth, Glasgow

Location London (Central)

Salary Competitive + benefits

Salary £23,000 p a

Closes 30 Nov 2014

Closes 31 Mar 2015

Opus Energy – Graduate Analyst Opus Energy, a dynamic and fast growing organisation, is recruiting to expand its analytical support. Analysts with Opus Energy carry out a wide range of analytical tasks designed to help keep the company on track. Location Oxford, Oxfordshire Salary £23,000 - £25,000 DOE + £1,000 welcome bonus + £1,000 at end of year 1 & 2 Closes 03 Dec 2014

Rothschild – Private Equity Long Term Internship – Merchant Banking This London based 4-6 month internship is an exciting opportunity to intern with Rothschild’s flagship private equity fund, Five Arrows Principal Investments – a €600 million fund focused on mid-market companies in Western Europe. Location London Salary Competitive Closes 31 Dec 2015

www.unipaper.co.uk

January 2015

beyondUNI

Strike a balance between study and job

MANAGING deadlines can be hard enough without having to work as well. For some students, though, money can be tight and a parttime job is required. Unfortunately, there can be a down side to having a job while studying – trying to balance everything. Here are some useful tips on how to keep on top. 1. Planning: When it comes to writing an essay or preparing a presentation, knowing where you are going to start saves lots of time. Try writing ideas in your phone, so you can add to it on the move 2. Plan your diary: When deadlines are approaching, it is great to know when you have free time. For example, if you work nights and have a couple of spare hours before a shift, you could spend that time researching your masterpiece 3. Release that stress: Juggling everything can take its toll, both physically and mentally, so take time to relax. Find what works best for you and incorporate it into your time 4. Remember: A parttime job is only for now. Make university work your priority. After all, that’s what you’re there for Jasmine Martin

Need a job? Considering a gap year? Graduating and struggling for inspiration? Then, read on...

Rising star: YouTuber Alice Taylor discusses her life

More vlog, less slog

Want to earn money sitting on your sofa? Just talk and upload

MAGINE sitting in front of a camera and filming yourself taking on stupid challenges or capturing everything you do throughout the day, from what you eat at lunch to what you watch on TV. Now controversy last month after imagine getting paid for it. admitting her book (which It sounds too good to was the fastest-selling debut be true, but that is exactly novel ever) was ghostwritten. what vlogging is all about. Looking to recreate her With audiences of between 2 and 6million, the best vlogs get thousands of views each day. Perhaps the most famous vlogger is fashion and beauty adviser Zoella, Go for it: You could earn cash from vlogs who caused

success is 18-year-old Alice Taylor, an up-andcoming YouTuber who creates comedic videos about her day-to-day life. Speaking to TUP, the former student, who now works in TV and film, said: ‘If you are lucky enough, then vlogging can compete with conventional careers. ‘Digital content is becoming more prominent, so there’ll be jobs popping up all over for it.’ With its rise in popularity, vlogging has become a job

for many of these big-name content creators. Top brands are approaching YouTube stars to reach younger audiences and are offering large sums of money for an advertising opportunity within their videos. With a sizeable income (let’s just say enough to cover the rent… and then some), these internet sensations can afford a luxury lifestyle without a nine-to-five job. However, Alice added: ‘YouTube can be seen as both a hobby and a job – but

Spot the spelling errors and count the cash

PROOFREADING is a necessity of university life. We have all had to do it for stressed-out flatmates or ourselves. But proofreading is also big business. There are a number of online proofreading agencies – and most will pay students to work for them. Such agencies look for neat handwriting for hard

five to try

n www.proofreadingagency.co.uk n www.freelance-proofreaders.co.uk n www.globalproofreading.com n www.academicword.com n or why not offer your services via Gumtree.co.uk?

copies, methodical readthroughs and, of course, excellent English. It is

also advantageous to be a graduate or undergraduate in any discipline, as a

technical knowledge of a specific subject can help. The benefit of proofreading professionally is that the work is freelance, so you can work from home and choose your hours. With different payment methods and variable salaries, it is best to find a legitimate, well-established website to work for. Charlotte Pick

if my channel ever got to a level that it supported me, I still probably wouldn’t quit my current job.’ So, does the rise of vlogging mean we should we all quit our degrees, rush out to buy cameras and start filming our beans-on-toast dinners? Fraser Green, an Australian YouTuber with more than 4,000 subscribers, said: ‘YouTube is a new creative platform that the majority of society still doesn’t understand, mainly due to ignorance.’ The point is, do your research, build a following and, maybe, one day, you can make your money by sitting at home, eating food in front of the computer. Ryan Lynch Eagle-eyed: The only tools you need are an eye for detail and a pen

January 2015

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yourSPACE

Beat the chill with a freeze on spending T

HE summer has gone, leaves have fallen from the trees and winter is upon us. Of course, you cannot afford to put the heating on full-time, so how can you stay warm without busting the bank balance? 1. Layers are important: No wonder you think the house feels like the North Pole if you’re only wearing a vest and shorts. Wear jumpers – even put on your �luffy onesie. By now, I’m sure your housemates have seen you at your worst. 2. Shut the door: This

insulates the house and stops cold air creeping in. There is no point in putting the heating on only for all that lovely warm air to escape through the gaps, so make sure you shut your windows, too! 3. Get a hot water bottle: Who needs a partner to keep your bed warm in the winter? It’s as simple as boiling the kettle, �illing it up and, as if by magic, you instantly have something warm you can

Spare yourself pipe pain

Keeping snug: To save cash and stay warm, why not put on some layers, invite your friends round and watch a movie, huddled up under a duvet? spoon to sleep. Better still, there are no strings attached. 4. Pour a hot drink: They work as a perfect hand warmer and take the chill off your body, too. Also, who

can honestly say no to a hot chocolate? Furthermore, there isn’t any chill that a hearty meal can’t banish. 5. Huddle up like penguins: Invite all your friends round and make sure they bring duvets, sleeping

bags and blankets. Bundle together in front of a good �ilm and order a takeaway! 6. Use heating sparingly: An hour in the morning and at night on those really chilly days won’t break the bank. Hannah Southern

A BURST pipe is an all-too-commonplace winter hazard. Freezing causes the water to expand, leading to a rupture. Here’s what to do if you suspect this is happening to one of your internal pipes: 1. Turn off the water supply immediately 2. Ensure all cold taps are turned on. This leaves room for the thawed water to escape 3. If you ﬁnd the frozen pipe, try warming it gently with a hairdryer 4. Remove anything from the room or area where the frozen pipe is, in case it bursts 5. If you ﬁnd a leak, contact a plumber as soon as possible Hannah Southern

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January 2015

yourSPACE

Finding the right place to live, choosing the right people to live with and keeping your place right

Graduating? Do it all again Y

OU’RE graduating in a few months. Your parents and lecturers go on about you �inding a job. But, �irst things �irst, where are you going to live? Moving back home is the obvious choice after university – but after three years of freedom, it will be dif�icult to take orders from your parents again. You might begin to wonder what all that maturing and independence at university was for. Of course, moving back isn’t the end of the world; it’ll only be a year or two and you’ll be able to save up, �ind the right place and get the best job. The classic �ive-year plan. But that’s not the only option. University has taught you the basics about renting and the costs, so why not do it for real? If, for you, it’s about employment, then let the job lead you – apply everywhere and be prepared to begin an

Up sticks instead of heading for home adventure into the unknown. You’ve moved to a new city before; you can do it all again. Another fresh start can be scary but your new workmates will be able to recommend places to live and perhaps introduce you to your new city. When you get round to looking at your new rented home, remember the basics. Do you need a parking space? Can you make it a home? Can you afford the rent? Have you got the best deal with your bills? Remember, too, you’ll have to pay council tax. It may also be time to �ind some new housemates. You’ve had your �irst taste of community living in halls and in your shared student home,

so why not carry on? We need company. Humans are not the kind to sit alone doing our own individual things. As students, it is the reason we get so little work done when we need to. Companionships and friendships are what we strive for, so why neglect our natural instincts when we move away from the safe haven of the university campus? Besides, rent is cheaper when the cost is spread out – as are utility bills, food shopping and the TV licence. They say university opens doors; this may be literally true when you leave and start looking for your �irst home. Lucy Robinson and Megan Haddaway

Scan In it together: Living with other people makes life fun – and cheaper

It should have been done in December but there is never enough time to clean the fridge. Now, the dire consequences face the house. Mouldy carrots left from Christmas dinner and grease on the oven tray that may never be the same again Rebecca Solomon

ALPHA housemates are the organisers who everyone listens to and everyone aspires to be. They’re the kings and queens of halls. So how do you go about usurping them? With sabotage, naturally Hannah Froggatt

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PICTURE: LAUREN KNIGHT

Wise steps that will help you buy WE LEAVE university with tens of thousands of pounds of debt so, to most of us, buying a �irst home seems like an impossible dream. With house prices spiralling and banks refusing mortgages and restricting the amount you can borrow, it is easy to feel condemned to years of living at home or in shared rented living. But there are ways in which graduates can make themselves more attractive to lenders. First, show lenders that you are ‘stable’. Let them know you have held down a steady job and that you have regular income. Try to limit your student �inance. The thought of

having £7,000 put into your bank account every year sounds great – but added to the £9,000 tuition fee, you could end up saddled with £48,000 of debt. Make an effort to clear your student overdraft and credit card debts. If lenders see that you have too much credit available that you do not use, this could affect your credit rating. Finally, and most crucially, start saving for a deposit. Even without student debt, lenders will still expect you to pay a percentage of the house costs. That may mean working through uni, saving your student loan or moving back in with your parents for a few more years. Nakita Capp

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January 2015

yourSPACE

Finding the right place to live, choosing the right people to live with and keeping your place right

Choice is hall yours ... but pick who you live with carefully

HAT time of year is upon us again – househunting season. No matter how long you’ve been at university, choosing next year’s accommodation is a big decision and one that tends to weigh people down for a few weeks every year. Many students look back on their first year in halls – the glory days when heating and electricity bills were still a problem only for grown-ups – fondly, while others love the independence and maturity that comes with their freezing cold eight-bedroom house, complete with mould spreading across the walls. University-owned accommodation is, in the main, fantastic. Most flats come with

en-suite bathrooms and cosy bedrooms. The tightly packed layout of halls means that there’s always a buzzing atmosphere at home and you never feel lonely – something you may suffer when treading the numerous narrow corridors of student housing. However, the relatively peaceful atmosphere of a suburban neighbourhood triumphs every time over the constant loud noises from surrounding flats in halls. University accommodation is usually far more hygienic and attractive, while private

HALLS v houses: Liverpool students offer their views to SOPHIE CORCORAN Emma Jones, 19, has stayed in halls for her second year. She said: ‘It is a lovely place and is nice and secure with friendly staff. The flat is really nice and I am sharing with lovely people.’ Emma Keeley, 19, lives in a rented student house. She said: ‘I love the house we live in but halls were better. Ours was homely and we socialised with neighbours a lot more. It felt safer and it also meant we didn’t have to spend a fortune on taxis.’

Best of both: Halls are cosy, a house can be peaceful accommodation can fit the grimy, dingy student housing stereotype. Whichever option you choose, remember that

a great group of friends can compensate for those stained curtains and cracked windows. Don’t rush, and

choose your housemates wisely – finding a place to live will seem easy after that. Harriet Stevens

David McLaughlin, who also lives in a student house, said: ‘As much as I loved halls last year, I turn 21 in April and next year will be my last studying at university. Halls were a really good way to meet people and have fun – but the workload wasn’t as high as it is now.’

Acorn Properties Guide to Renting Student Accommodation For many of you reading this article, this will be the first time you’ve rented a property with your friends through a private landlord or letting agent. To help you, we have complied a check list of useful tips and information to consider before you sign a tenancy agreement. 1. Firstly make sure you’re happy with the group you’re going to live with, don’t feel you have to rush into making a decision as there’s plenty of good quality properties on offer. 2. Newcastle has lots of different student friendly areas whether in the City Centre or surrounding areas. Make sure that the location is suitable for your needs. If you want to find the popular student locations, visit our website www.acornproperties.co.uk 3. Accommodation budget –factor in utility bills, TV licence, contents insurance and food shopping. Rents across Newcastle vary greatly. Also remember to multiply the weekly rent by 52 weeks and divide by the number of months of your tenancy to obtain the true monthly rent. Full time students are except from Council Tax. 4. Using a Letting Agent – most agents advertise properties that are owned by a private Landlord and offer a Tenant Find or Fully Managed Service. All agents by law have to disclose their fees upfront in their advertising. Make sure you are aware of the fees, advance rent and damage deposit, in addition to length of contract. Most student tenancies are 12 months.

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6. Read the AST – always read the contract before signing (Assured Shorthold Tenancy), if you’re unsure, ask the agent to explain any clauses you do not understand. 7. Damage Deposit – this must be protected in a scheme by Law within 30 days, you must be issued with prescribed information (this may form part of your tenancy) and know where your money is held. 8. Safety – At the beginning of your tenancy make sure you have all the correct certificates in place. By Law a landlord must provide you with a CP12 (Gas Safety Certificate).

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9. Inventory – Tenants will be in a much stronger position to argue about maintenance issues if they have signed an inventory; or have taken photographs of the property on the day of moving in. These should be date and time stamped. 10. Letting a property can be complex, why not give us a call or pop to our office and let Acorn help accommodate you for 2015.

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January 2015

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researchROUND-UP

Our flick through the most fascinating findings from universities around the country

They can tell us a moo-ving story...

Space race: The cold atomic hydrogen gas (blue) is ripped out of the main galaxy PICTURE: NASA/ CAROLE MUNDELL

In a galaxy far, far away, cannibalism is at work IN a galaxy far, far away, something rather sinister and disturbing is being recorded. A mere 50million light years from Earth, a cannibal is at work. A system dubbed Arp 94, in the constellation of Leo, is locked in a gravitational struggle with its

Owzat for the end of dodgy decisions IT’S a bugbear of weekend cricketers up and down the country: dodgy LBW decisions given by the home umpire. Now a new study shows clear evidence neutral umpires do make fewer decisions in favour of home sides. Economists reviewed leg before wicket decisions in 1,000 Test matches that took place between 1986 and 2012. It wasn’t until 2002 that both umpires were neutral. One of the lead authors, Dr Abhinav Sacheti from Nottingham University business school, said: ‘Our results suggest that when two home umpires officiated in Test matches, away teams were likely to suffer on average 16 per cent more LBW decisions than home teams.’ That bias disappeared when neutral umpires were appointed. Bias had been particularly strong in Tests played in Australia, India, Pakistan and Sri Lanka.

neighbours where it rips material out of the interacting galaxies and hurls it far into intergalactic space. This fascinating cosmic laboratory is giving astronomers, including Liverpool John Moores Astrophysics Research Institute, tantalizing clues as to how galaxies have evolved

since the beginning of our universe. A major unanswered question in astronomy is how gas-rich spiral galaxiessuch as our own Milky Way evolve into the ‘red’ ‘dead’ elliptical galaxies, somehow switching off their ability to form stars in the process. Galactic ‘cannibalism’, where one

galaxy consumes another- as in Arp 94 – may provide an answer. Scientists, working with Nasa and the European Space Agency, have combined multiple images taken of the galactic event from telescopes such as Hubble and Spitzer to create the image above. Bryony Holloway

Kama Sutra sex life of the moth I

High wire: The male hangs like a trapeze artist

T’S enough to make a butterfly blush. And if Channel 4 ever get wind of the antics of the gold swift moth, they’d probably make a steamy late-night series about it. Biologists have described the sex life of the rather dull-looking moth as a ‘veritable Kama Sutra’. Prof John Turner, Emeritus professor in the University of Leeds’ school of biology, said: ‘With most insects, you expect to find a fairly set mating process. ‘The love life of the gold swift moth is a veritable Kama Sutra of mating patterns and positions.’ Unlike most insects, which stick rigidly to a single position, the gold swift moth had two approaches: n The male hangs facing the female and reaches over to connect his abdomen to hers. Once they connect, he lets go, falling like a trapeze artist so that he is hang-

ing upside down from his mate. He stays in this position until the following sunrise. n The male hangs with his back to the female and bends his abdomen backwards. They twist round to connect their bodies and then untwist as he falls into the mating position. The twilight courtship rituals of the gold swift moth can be seen in June and July in forest glades and bracken patches all over Britain. Prof Turner observed ‘fighting dances’ between males and occasional ‘homoerotic’ courtships, where males embark on mating procedures with their own sex. He conducted the study during holidays in the north of Scotland. He said: ‘I was doing the washing up and I looked out of the kitchen window to see all this happening in the vegetation in front of me.’ Jenny Monahan

IF I could talk to the animals and they could squeak and squawk and moo to me… Researchers spent ten months eavesdropping on ‘conversations’ between calves and their mothers. They identified two distinct maternal calls. When cows were close to their calves, they communicated with them using low-frequency calls. When they were separated – out of visual contact– their calls were louder and at a much higher frequency. Dr Mónica Padilla de la Torre, of the University of Nottingham’s school of life sciences, said: ‘Each calf and cow have a characteristic and exclusive call of their own.’

Placebo works for runners

PERFORMANCEenhancing drugs can help athletes run faster – even when they haven’t taken them. Endurance athletes who injected a fictional drug called OxyRBX improved their 10km race time even though in reality they had only taken saline, a study on the placebo effect by the University of Glasgow showed. The runners improved their race time by an average of 1.2 per cent – a small but significant margin after taking the placebo.

Ants always turn left, right UNLIKE Derek Zoolander, ants don’t have any difficulty turning left. Most rock ants instinctively go left when entering unknown spaces, research from the University of Bristol, shows. PhD student Edmund Hunt and colleagues studied how ants explore nest cavities. He said: ‘The ants may use their left eye to detect predators and their right to navigate. Also, their world is maze-like and turning one way is a good strategy to search.’

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January 2015

wellFIT

Advice for a healthy lifestyle and staying in shape

Get buff...but on a budget Shape up when funds are thin

Cut-price weights: Why bother reading a book when you can use it to keep ﬁt?

F THERE’S a time of year when you’re most likely to join a gym, it’s January. After eating, drinking and making merry for most of December, you might be ready to ful�il that new year resolution to get �it. There are some great deals for joining gyms – but, if your budget won’t stretch to a membership, then here’s our guide to keeping �it for free… High-intensity interval training: A great way to burn fat, especially if you’re short on time. HIIT focuses on short bursts of intense exercise, with a less intense rest period. Head to the park with a mate and sprint

– make it into a race. If you don’t feel like leaving the house, try running up and down the stairs. Circuits: You don’t need a lot of space to set up a minicircuit in your living room. Use a chair to do arm dips, lean on a wall to support yourself in a handstand

position and clear a space for burpees and planking. Weights: If you want to use weights but can’t afford any, make the most of what you already have. If you have a particularly large book from your course, use it as a weight to hold to your chest when squatting. Use tins of

baked beans for bicep curls and hold your full laundry basket while lunging. Run: It may seem obvious, but go for a run. If you’re feeling the pressure of coursework deadlines, getting outdoors can relieve stress and help restore your focus. Samantha Coles

How to stay focused 1. Be realistic: If running for the bus leaves you gasping for breath, it’s probably not a good idea to sign up for a marathon. Set yourself reasonable goals 2. Fuel: Unfortunately, going for a ﬁve-minute jog doesn’t give you an excuse to have two pizzas for dinner. You can’t out-train a bad diet 3. Mix it up: Never do the same workout. Increase your speed, weights or reps each time you train to challenge yourself 4. Rest: It can be tempting to go hell-for-leather in the ﬁrst two weeks. Don’t push yourself too hard to begin with, as this can result in injury 5. Stay positive: Bad training sessions happen. Don’t let them get you

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down – acknowledge that you know you can do better next time 6. Moral support: It’s natural to feel selfconscious about exercising alone. Why not get a running club together with your housemates? Having a training buddy can help you push harder 7. All the gear: It’s important to have good training shoes. Any new kit can boost your conﬁdence 8. Remember why you started: When you’re tired and it’s freezing, staying indoors in your onesie is often more appealing than training. Remember why you started – visualise your goals and think how much better you’ll feel afterwards SC

January 2015

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sportNEWS

Katie sets sights on an ultimate honour... ARMANI UR-RUB

Medal hopes: Ackerley

IF you asked Katie Ackerley ten years ago what sport she thought she would be pursuing in the future, she would have probably replied badminton, basketball or even rock climbing. Well down the list would have been ultimate frisbee. ‘I went to a girls’ school, but the boys’ school we were paired with had a frisbee club,’ she said. ‘My friend joined it

European trials: Katie Ackerley, centre right at the back, with her Newcastle ultimate frisbee colleagues and I always used to mock her for it. I found it hilarious that she called it ‘‘training’’ when all she did was throw a frisbee around. ‘Eventually, she made me try it and if I hated it then I could mock her forever... I loved it.’ Ackerley has represented Great Britain for four years now. Newcastle’s mixed cap-

tain has been part of European and World Championships since she was 15. She is also in the trial process for the under-23 squad that will be going to the world championships later this year. In spite all her international experience, however, it is university games where Ackerley feels the most pressure. ‘If I’m

having a bad day at a GB competition, there are other players that can come on,’ she said. ‘At uni, because of the smaller player base, if I don’t play well, it’s more likely to have an impact on the game’. The second year media, communications and culture student who hails from West Kirby on the Wirral,

Squad success ‘is good for future’ WITH almost 100 members, five of whom are trying out for the Great Britain squad, Newcastle University’s ultimate frisbee club is in rude health. Mixed co-captain Andrew MacGill said the ‘vast experience at international level’ played a crucial role in winning the Northern Regional Championships. They took a second

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and third team to the regionals. When asked about his expectations for the nationals, MacGill said: ‘We’re aiming for top six, which I think is realistic. If we play our best, we definitely have a chance of medals. Everyone will have to give 100 per cent, though.’ President Dave Partner added: ‘The success across the squad gives us a lot of hope for the future.’

said ultimate frisbee was a great sport. ‘It’s mixed so it provides a great environment and area in which to socialise,’ she said, adding that most people’s first exposure to the sport was at university. ‘The university mixed team is in the strongest shape it has ever been and Ackerley is confident they ‘have the scope to perform really well this year’. Having recently been crowned northern regional champions, Ackerley hopes to lead the mixed team to a medal position in the national finals in February. But away from the challenge of leading the ultimate frisbee side, she is loving life at Newcastle University. She said she chose the city for its similarities with Liverpool. ‘Newcastle is ‘a big enough distance from home to give me the independence I wanted’, she said. Ackerley loves the nightlife especially a trip to Gotham Town. She also revealed: ‘Digi Mondays is a massive favourite of mine’.

Nice and kneesy does it for Usain and company WORLD-beaters Usain Bolt, Nesta Carter and Shelly Ann Fraser-Pryce could owe their phenomenal sprinting speed to their symmetrical knees. The more symmetrical an athlete’s knees, the faster they could run, say researchers at Northumbria University. Kris McCarty, a research fellow in Northumbria’s department of psychology, and Mark Russell, a senior lecturer in sport, exercise and rehabilitation, were part of

a team who travelled to Jamaica to see what was behind the extraordinary sprinting success of the Caribbean nation. Dr McCarty said: ‘The findings show there is a relationship between knee symmetry and running speed. ‘However, it is not known at this stage if the sprinters are great because their knees are symmetrical, or if their knees are symmetrical because of the time spent training.’

Symmetry: Bolt

PICTURE: BRUNEL UNIVERSITY

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January 2015

sportNEWS

Wildcats strike a blow for women’s ice hockey EDWARD JONES IF EVER the scoreline didn’t matter, then this was it. Newcastle Wildcats women’s team created history by striding on to the ice hockey rink to take on Northumbria Kings C. While they went down 11-6, the result barely mattered for once, as the women took on the men. Stephanie Towns scored three goals and Hannah Maurice bagged a brace. A club spokeswoman said: ‘This was start of something new and everyone in the club can be proud of that. ‘This was one large step in the right direction and I hope that this team wil l be an inspiration and a catalyst for other clubs around the UK to join the progression of women’s hockey.’ The university was the first

outside Cambridge and Oxford to create an ice hockey society, and the first in the Northern leagues. Jess Ward, team member and former president, said she had the idea to form an all-girl squad last year but did not manage to it get off the ground. About 15 women have now signed up. Meanwhile, their male counterparts are having a mixed season. They suffered two defeats to St Andrews, a win and a defeat against Sheffield Bears B and beat Bradford before a 12-1 trouncing of Nottingham Mavericks B. The B team landed their first win of the season with the last game before the Christmas break, smashing the Hull Ice Hogs 22-4 and erasing memories of a 26-1 defeat to Northumbria Kings B.

Ton up in stroll to easy cup win NEWCASTLE University basketball team cruised to a 58-point victory against Strathclyde University to secure their place in the next round of the cup. Newcastle notched up a century to run out winners 101-43 in a one-sided contest. The home side got off to a bright start and never looked back, swiftly taking control of the contest. By half-time, they had a 35-point lead and the writing was on the wall. Only two of the starting five ran out to begin the second half – but the Scots outfit could not capitalise on the changes and the result was never in doubt. Ben Swain

Aiming high: The team bounced for 24 hours in the sponsored challenge

Fundraising efforts had us bouncing off the wall MEMBERS of the Newcastle University trampolining team went hard or went home when they took part in a 24-hour sponsored bounceathon. The team, who were looking to raise funds after splashing out on an Olympic-standard trampoline, took on the challenge in groups of

five and six, changing shifts every few hours. Each gymnast bounced for several minutes before switching, making sure the bed was always moving. President Emma Barry said: ‘Everyone put in a really good effort to ensure the bouncing was kept continuous throughout the night.

Despite being very tired during parts, people continued to push themselves in order to make sure the event was a success.’ The team have so far raised £500 to replenish club funds. Contact Emma at e.barry@ncl.ac.uk for more details. Edward Jones

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