Issue 24 Wednesday 11.02.09
Charity Chic Controversial Cover
Metro Station interview
Life & Style » p7 Comments » p4
Inside: Green and Elections Pullouts
Taxed before your time?
William Hobson Head of News
Snow Day in Pompey » page 9
Arts & Ents » p12
Council Tax is something that most students remain happily oblivious to until graduation, or are aware of, but don’t have to pay.. But several students at Portsmouth have found themselves facing full-priced bills from the city for their term-time residences. Two students have even had to acquire credit cards to meet the added costs of living. However, Caz Bird, our Student Support Officer, says that the charges are mistaken and most students with bills are actually exempt. The problem has arisen over the status of ‘part-time repeaters’; those who have deferred units from a previous year and find themselves taking less than the full two semesters worth of study. The amount of hours these students are timetabled for can vary from one semester to just a few modules. Because of this, the Council Tax office assumes they are no longer ‘full time students’, and sends a bill out to the students.
Even if you are only charged partial council tax, this is often a considerable monthly amount on top of other costs of living – usually at least £150 a month. “Most people just pay it not knowing any different” said Caz. “However, they’re actually exempt from the bills. But you have to make the case to the council and make sure they flag their error, or it won’t be addressed. “To make these students pay council tax would be extremely unfair. For a start, as students, they’re not eligible for the council benefits most people in their situation would get to meet these costs.” However, part-time repeaters are still defined as full-time students by both the Council and the University, despite the shortened nature of their academic year. The Council Tax Order of 1992 defines ‘full time study’ as an average attendance of 24 weeks a year, and an average 21 hours of study a week. This definition is “definitely unrealistic” said Caz, but she points to a further definition in the order as evidence that repeaters are still classed
as full-time students. This clause says that students who have enrolled on full-time courses are only regarded as ceasing their studies if they formally abandon them, are expelled, or graduate. “As a part-time student repeating, you have not completed your course and nor have you abandoned it, or is the University preventing you from attending. It follows that you are still undertaking a full time course of education” Caz argues, which would mean you are still exempt from council tax. This is further supported in a letter from the Department of Environment on council tax, which states that “provided that the person remains enrolled at the educational establishment, they will continue to fall within the definition of a full time student.” So, if students are faced with a council tax bill – even if they are studying for less than 20 weeks this year – they are probably exempt from it, provided they are enrolled on a full time course. However they need to make sure the council is properly aware of their status, or they will still face ac-
tion for a lack of payment. “The council will tell you to go to the Academic Registry, but unfortunately in my experience they’ve not been very helpful with these students” Caz said, and recommends that you get in touch with her in the Sabbatical Office (the brick building next to the Union) if you have any problems. She also points out that this is an issue affecting students around the country; Caz has been in touch with officers at Oxford Brooks Union and says they’ve been made aware of similar issues. The NUS (National Union of Students) has said that it backs students on claiming their rightful exemption, and its officers will support anyone facing difficulty proving their case. Graeme Wetenhall, a student at Portsmouth, paid council tax last year and his story supports what Caz has said. “I just assumed I had to pay it really. Even though it was only for the second semester, but it was still a lot of money. Something like £400! "Now that I know a bit more I’m thinking of trying to claim it back - I could do with the money.”
News » International
UPSU Media
University Gaza protests
Want to write for Pugwash News?
Pavel Angelov
Universities around the country saw student occupations of campus buildings this month, as part of a protest over Israel's recent actions in Gaza. Solidarity protests have taken places in more than 20 universities in Britain. Students occupying Sheffield Hallam University left the premises peacefully, after being threatened with arrests by police. However, students were suspended from the institution, and some of them have been denied access to
lectures. The situation in Nottingham escalated, with police forces dragging the protesters out of the building. Students' recording equipment was confiscated by the authorities, and members of the media trying to cover the eviction were denied access. The sit-in in at Leeds lasted a week, during which the University cut off internet access and gas supply to the occupied building. The Sussex occupation also lasted one week, before reaching an agreement with university management. Their conditions included scholarships for students from areas
affected by conflict or catastrophe. It was also acknowledged that the student activists had not interrupted the teaching process. Students in King's College London, Warwick and London School of Economics also declared victory. The occupation in Oxford ended just hours after it started, proclaiming that the University had swiftly met the protesters' demands. The Birmingham occupation also lasted less than 12 hours, though it was disbanded after police isolated the building. The students in all universities have similar requirements. They insist that their in-
stitutions include Palestinian students in bursary schemes and withdrawal their investments in companies profiting from the war. Protesters also urge the governing bodies to make statements of disapproval towards Israel's military operation. Some of the protest groups have been criticised for not condemning Hamas in their manifestos, supposedly revealing an antiSemitic bias. They have responded that while they dissent with the politics of the Palestinian authorities and terrorist groups, they don’t agree with the actions taken by Israel.
Pugwash News is the Union’s student newspaper. Get ahead in a competitive indstry with an outstanding portfolio of work with UPSU media. For more information, see: upsu.net/p/2166
Guardian Student Journalist of the Year? Pugwash News and Magazine is running a writing competition to find ours - upsu.net/writenow
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
News
Editors
Photo of the Fortnight
Jacob Leverett Editor pugwashnews@upsu.net
Tom West Comment & Opinion Editor comment@upsu.net
Peter Allsop Design Editor paperdesign@upsu.net
Elke Morice-Atkinson Life & Style Editor lifestyle@upsu.net
William Hobson Head of News news@upsu.net
Tallie Kane Arts & Entertainment Editor artsents@upsu.net
Laura Patricia Copy Editor copyeditor@upsu.net
Ben Endley Sports Editor sportnews@upsu.net
The Pugwash team get messy for elections
Sub Editors News Matt Calmus & Henry Tipping
Sports Chris Hewett
Life & Style Sarah Beer & Nina Tennant
Design Sophie Abbott
Arts & Entertainment Dominique O’Mahoney & Jack Kane
Contributors Pavel Angelar, Alison Bain, Amy Baker, Johnny Bell, Caz Bird, Ben Cataldo, Matt Calmus, Declan Coyle, Tom Dolan, Caroline Nicole d’Unienville, Sam Elliot, Cat Fyson, Wayne Gardiner, Joel Growney, Steph Hall, Oliver Laurenson-Gore, Gabby Johnson, Ella Lawson, Simon “Darby” Leach, Andrew Machin, Ben Norman, Katie Packham, William Preston, Emma Quigley, Oyeniyi Olugbenga Samuel, Chris Spackman, Russell Thomas, Henry Tipping, Steve Topazio, Donald Vass, Tom Worman, Milly Young-
Universities Round Up man & “Fresher Jenny”. With Thanks To: Paul Bettison, Rachael Britten, Trace Cyrus, Freddie Dare, Charlie Evans, Elliot Garnell, Priyamvada Gopal, Natalie Harris, Ben Jones, Sally Jones, Kayeigh Marsh, Kirsty McElwaine, Gemma Mepham, Samantha Miles, Rachael Rose O’Brien, Kimberly Parish, Ian Poll, Carys Rolley, Peter Simons, Graham Stringer, Claire Tindell, Gerald Vernon-Jackson, Muhammed Queresh, Graeme Wetenhall, & Diane White.
Dates for the Diary Lovefoxxx DJing Saturday 14th February Little Johnny Russells
LGBT Month All Month
Scratch Perverts Saturday 21st February Wedgewood Rooms Saturday
Love Portsmouth 14th Feb
Union Council Meeting Sunday 22nd February Function Room 2
Farmer’s Market 15th Feb Palmerston Road
tinyurl.com/d5zqh5
tinyurl.com/dfez5j
Epigram Bristol Bristol University is alive with traditional student radicalism, motivated by an issue that should be very close to Portsmouth hearts – the Students’ Union bar. The SU bar in Bristol faced financial problems and a possible closure in summertime. After a recent referendum, however, Epigram reports that the future of Bristol’s Union is safeguarded for now. More than 1,000 students voted “Yes” to plans that support a radical reconstruction of Bristol’s Union provision, from drink prices to staff appointments. Bristol’s Union building was recently voted as one of Britain’s top eyesores in a BBC TV show. Varsity Cambridge January saw the biggest mass-student demonstration by Cambridge students for nearly fifty years, as 86 students partook in a six-day occupation of the University’s Law faculty. The protesting students, who were “starved out” according to the newspaper’s report, were demanding that Universities decide more resources to alleviate human distress in Israli-occupied Gaza. Although the students were not punished, academic opinion on this unmistakably political debate was divided on the issue. English Don, Dr Priyamvada Gopal however, is quoted as saying: “It is the duty of an academic to foster values of freedom and justice. But this is a spirit that you and not academics are keeping alive. Academics have failed spectacularly in this regard. I apologise on behalf of my profession.”
The Rabbit Essex An Essex flash-bomb protest against Barak Obama’s appointment as U.S. president attracted forty students. Members of the Pakistan Society and the Socialist Worker Student Society gathered on campus, claiming that Obama’s policy in Iraq, perceptually, was not tough enough, despite America’s imminently-promised withdrawal. Student speakers said that the “war on terror” frenzy was being spread to Pakistan and creating needless tensions in Iran. “Whether in Pakistan, Palestine, Iraq or elsewhere, we have had enough of the Americans telling us how to run our countries. I doubt that anything will change with Obama,” rally imitator, Muhammed Quereshi, is reported as saying. The Student Edinburgh The University’s paper, The Student, has an interesting reaction to the recent claim by Labour MP Graham Stringer that dyslexia is little more than “a cruel fiction”. The paper puts a student perspective on a debate that has caused national outrage since the Blackley politician’s comments. Stringer reportedly challenged the welfare state’s willingness to create what he called “...a situation where there are financial and education incentives to being bad at spelling and reading.” The BBC says that 35,500 students currently receive allowances for dyslexia-related support, costing £78.4 million every year. Edinburgh’s Student also reports that there might be pressure on Stringer to resign after his latest controversy. The MP was also the first backbencher to call for the resignation of Gordon Brown.
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Produced fortnightly by the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union (UPSU). Printed by Quotemeprint - www.quotemeprint.com, 0845 130 0667, and printed on 100% recycled paper. Pugwash News & Purple Wednesdays bears no allegiance to any political party and discriminates against no-one.
To get in touch with the Pugwash News & Purple Wednesdays team, please visit upsu.net/newsdesk, e-mail us at newsdesk@upsu. net, call us via the Union’s Media & Publications Officer at: 023 9284 3657, or visit us at The Student Centre, Portsmouth Students’ Union, Cambridge Road, Portsmouth, Hampshire, PO1 2EF.
You can download back issues of Pugwash magazine and Pugwash News online at: pugwashnews.com
We would like to apologise to Joe Morgan for inadvertently cutting off the end of his article, “Happiness”, in the last issue. The full article will be available on upsu.net shortly.
Errors & omissions: while we take every care to verify our content, we may occasionally make mistakes. Please contact us using the details above to report any inaccuracies or mistakes.
escapethehorror.com
Norwich Union film competition, entries by the 27th February; make your own short horror film on your phone or camera, upload it to YouTube, send them the link, if you're the best of what they see you win 25 of the greatest horror films made. twitter.com
Update your friends and family etc with the simplicity of status updates. iloveyoumorethanblank.com
Sticking on a Valentine's Theme, show your true love that you really do love them more than sleep, food, and, oddly the idea of owning a Tardis. You can submit your own to pass on.
digitalpimponline.com
Spot-on movie reviews in comic form. tumblr.com
An easy and simple way to express yourself by adding photos, audio, video, text, quotes and music. Update from your browser, phone or email and customise to your own taste. You can even use your own domain name. www.metcheck.com
For all the weather geeks. Gives an hour by hour update on the weather. www.ovguide.com
Your first stop to finding videos online.
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
News
Student documentary wins Royal Television Award A collection of the most read international stories at the moment. BBC.co.uk A man was caught smuggling pigeons in his pants from Dubai to Melbourne. The 23 year old also had two eggs in his luggage, and could face up to 10 years in jail under Australian law, for breaking import regulations. BBC.co.uk The Vatican has ordered a Bishop to publicly recant his denial of the Holocaust. Richard Wiliamson has been told he needs to distance himself from statements he made about the Holocaust if he wants to carry on serving as a Catholic official. He has apologised for stirring controversy, but nothing else so far. The Guardian Google Earth is to be expanded to cover another two-thirds of the planet – the ocean depths. New additions are expected to include views of the ocean surface and seabed, as well as environmental information such as climate change data. It is part of the company’s plan to help publicise information on the climate.
William Hobson
Four TV & Film Production students have made University history by winning the award for best Student Factual Film at this year’s Southern Royal Television Society (RTS) awards. Peter Simons, James Harrison, Sam Abda and Kate Charlwood were shortlisted for nominations from over 1500 student entries from around the South. Just being shortlisted in the RTS awards is a first for the University - but their 10 minute film went on to win the grand prize. Their film was produced for their second year film project, and followed a local BMX'er, Mark, who won the 2008 X-games in China after recovering from a broken back. The short film covered every step of the rider’s journey, from rehabilitation and training, to family life and finally to the competition itself. Rare for a student film, they were able to get footage from faroff locations. "James is a BMX'er too, and that's how we got involved with Mark" explains Peter. "When Mark travelled to Germany to film an advertisement for his sponsor, we managed to get James to go along with a camera. "When it came to the X-games itself
though, Mark did his own filming." The German extreme sports channel, Freesports TV, has expressed an interest in the rights to the film, among other parties. The professional interest has however prevented it from being published publicly so far. "We can't put it online until we've sorted this out really. Understandably they want exclusivity" said Peter. "It was amazing to win the award. It's really made all the hard work worthwhile - me and James must have spent about 130 hours in the edit suite putting it together." The award ceremony was held at the De Vere Grand Hotel in Southampton, and was mainly directed at the professional media industry. It was hosted by Fred Dinenage of “How To” fame, and honoured television journalists, producers and others from the South's production and broadcasting companies. There were also three student film categories, in animation, factual and drama. Portsmouth's entry beat four other universities in the factual division, including Bournemouth and Southampton Solent. Bournemouth made up for their loss however by taking home the other two awards. "It was even more satisfying looking at the other entries - this was pretty
much our first half-decent project and the other entries were post-graduate or final year projects," said Peter. "And they spread out the student awards so we were on edge for the whole event. We were the second to last award and they only announced it at half ten!" Though tickets for the event cost £50 a head, the University met the cost of a ten person table. "It was a pretty glitzy affair to be honest!" says Peter. "We can't thank our lecturers enough really. Especially Jane Young and Ben Thompson. Jane was the one who entered us in the first place, and Ben's applause was deafening - of course, we've learnt a lot from them as well". However, the timing could probably have been better for the students. All of them had a deadline for their third year drama project the day after the awards. "Well, we lost that last minute, close to the wire time, but it was definitely worth it! But the last couple of days have been ridiculous" said Peter, whose schedule is set to get even busier. He'll be heading off to Dubai this week for a placement with production company Film Works, and all four will be starting their final film project this semester.
The Daily Telegraph The terrible Sichuan earthquakes in China may have been man-made, according to new scientific research. The Zipingu Dam’s reservoir is said to have affected the pressure of an underlying fault-line, and set off the 7.9 magnitude quake last May. If this proves true, it will be the largest earthquake ever caused by the construction of a dam in the world.
The Daily Telegraph has revealed that September 16th 2009 is the best day to get a foot on the property ladder. Its survey of property experts predicts that’s roughly when the housing market will reach its lowest point before bouncing back. You’ll still need more than the loan.
A Californian mother of six has given birth to octuplets. Now a mother of 14, she never expected that her fertility treatment would be so successful. All 8 of her new babies were delivered in less than five minutes via caesarean, by a surgical team of 46.
Google Earth has been used in the war on drugs by the Swiss; police found and seized 1.2 tons of marijuana from a plantation by using the satellite tool.
Google itself had an eventful weekend; for 40 minutes on Saturday an error in security software meant that the whole internet was blacklisted as “harmful”. One of their new “street view” cars also hit a deer in New York, broadcasting the collision live to the internet and quickly becoming one of the most popular links online.
A sky-diving soldier in the US had an unfortunate first experience; his instructor died in mid-air from a heart attack! Luckily though, the 25 year old was able to steer himself down, as the instructor’s last act was to deploy the ‘chute.
The Independent Passengers on board a plane from Moscow to New York mutinied over fears that their pilot was drunk. After they couldn’t understand their welcome-aboard message, they demanded to know if the pilot was slurring his words. After he failed to address their fears, they refused to let the plane take off until he was replaced.
photos: Peter Simons
A Chinese man was killed by an exploding mobile phone, according to witnesses. The shop worker had just charged a new battery and placed it in his pocket when it exploded and opened an artery in his neck. The make and model of the phone is not known, but this is the 9th recorded explosion of its kind in China.
News » Online
News » Local
Wikipedia to change
Fate of the Pyramids
William Hobson
Wikipedia is planning to change its fundamental principle of completely open access to public editing and addition. Currently, anyone can edit almost all of the 2.7 million articles in the online encyclopedia, but this may be set to change. Founder Jimmy Wales has proposed a new system of editor approvals to bring greater accuracy to the site, which has caused controversy among many Wikipedia fans. The new structure would see revisions and additions flagged for a group of editors to approve before being published to
the public via the site. Wales believes this will cut many inaccuracies by “100%”, but many online users see this as too severe a break from the site’s initial egalitarian structure. The idea of an online encyclopedia that anyone can add to or edit works in prinicpal. but is obviously open to abuse. One example which has been recently used to flag the pitfalls of Wikipedia’s current system is the page of rock-legend Bruce Springsteen. At one point a user deleted his four-page entry and replaced it with the comment “Bruce Springsteen kinda sucks”. Though it was corrected within hours by one of the site’s moderators, it dem-
onstrates the problems the site faces with hoaxers and keeping information accurate. Other cases of abuse include it being alleged that Alan Titchmarsh had written a version of the Karma Sutra, and David Beckham’s page being hacked to say he was an 18th century Chinese goalkeeper. However, most inaccuracies are caught by moderaters and users of the site quickly, and amended. By and large, Wikipedia is considered to be accurate, and, if taken with a pinch of salt, can be a useful point of reference. However, due to the fact that it is not created by people held accountable, it is frowned upon by academics as a suitable source. With the proposed changes, this could be set to change.
Matt Calmus
Portsmouth City Council is to back plans to sell Southsea’s Pyramids Centre to an unnamed local company. The results of a council-commissioned report should outline their support for proposals to privatise the facility, when it is finally published on February 9th. It has been overdue since late 2008. Councillors aim to cut council tax spending on the complex, which currently tops £780,000 annually, and will keep negotiating a sale after last month’s failed talks with ice-rink firm, Starburst Ltd. Council leader, Gerald Vernon Jack-
son, told Pugwash details of the reaming bid would remain concealed as commercially sensitive information. “We’re going to negotiate with a second bidder to see if we can get a deal,” he said. The Pyramids Centre has been a constant source of controversy between the council and the local pbblic. A campaign Group “The Friends of the Pyramids” has been in discussions over the facility’s future for over a year now. The “Friends’ take the position that the Pyramid’s should continue in its current form as a swimming pool and leisure centre. Last year they ran a public campaign in Commercial Road.
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Comment & Opinion
Is nudity or swearing the true When you talk about all the fuss it’s generated, the only thing to which it appears comparable would be the Jonathan Ross/Russell Brand/Andrew Sachs incident some three months ago. What? No, I’m not talking about Jade winning ‘Your Country Needs You’! I’m talking about the latest issue of Pugwash magazine. We at UPSU Media have been criticised and praised in equal amount with regards to this issue. And yet we find ourselves jumping to defend the choices made concerning the choice of image for the front cover, and the choice to publish a direct quote with Gordon Ramsay’s favourite expletive in it...
Steph Hall
Pugwash Magazine Editor
Should we be restricted in our reporting? That is the question. Controversy surrounding the front cover image of the latest issue of Pugwash, entitled “The Body Issue”, has led me, as magazine editor, to defend my decision to publish this image. The photograph was taken in a tasteful and artistic way to demonstrate the Tom West Comment & Opinion Editor
Armed with a copy of the latest Pugwash magazine, I tottered along to the University library to provide some much-needed distraction for the no doubt hard-working students there, by way of quick-fire questioning with regards to its front cover and a delightful Keira Knightley quote that appears within its pages. Making damned well sure I covered an equal number of boys and girls from a veritable rainbow of ethnic backgrounds, and as many nationalities as make up the United Nations, I offered up the front cover. My first question was simple enough: “does this photograph offend you?” Out of the fifty-six students I spoke to that afternoon, only two said that they were offended - and even then one of them was unsure, asking me, “Should this offend me? I don’t know! I mean, you see nakedness all the time and it’s not like she’s properly naked, but we’re, you know, not, like, a proper maga-
“
human form. It was not published to offend anyone, but to show that the body is a beautiful thing that comes in many shapes and sizes. It has certainly caught people’s attention in a positive way, with many students picking up the magazine and commenting on how interesting the articles inside are. If it means that it has caught the attention of just one more student, then I am happy. The magazine is accessible to 20,000 students at this university, publishing a diverse range of articles intended for all readers. It acts as one output of our multi-media platform that is there to inform students of a
variety of issues that may affect them and not shy away from controversial topics. After all, how are people meant to gain experience that truly reflects a real-world media environment if they avoid all the touchy subjects? It seems that in today’s society, more things are becoming acceptable and we are adopting a laissez-faire attitude with regards to, in particular, swearing. Although not nice, it’s a fact that people do swear and it is becoming more commonplace, with people not being as concerned with it as they may have been a few years ago. But what are your views on this? Let me know what you think.
zine so we shouldn’t try to do things the same. So yeah, I guess that’s why it offends me, yeah”. Not a proper magazine, eh? That offended me! People weren’t too concerned about our choice of front cover image, some even said it was eye-catching. Many said they’ve seen more revealing photographs in lads’ mags such as Zoo, Nuts or Loaded and even in publications orientated towards female readers such as Cosmopolitan and Glamour, and one person even believed she’s seen more flesh on show in Vogue. If we’re supposed to echo what can be produced by so-called “proper” media, why raise a fuss when we do? Do we want to shy away from the slightly more controversial issues - not that the human form has been much of a source of controversy since the 1950s if we’re honest. After all, and this is something I’ve said before and I’ll say again, it’s not as if the poor girl was performing the famous Ping Pong ball trick, was it? No. The human body is not a taboo subject and, considering that we all have one, it’s a little disconcerting when people turn around and say that they think it’s inappropriate to display it to the masses. In my opinion, we need to celebrate the body, all it stands for and all it can
do. It’s one of the few ways in which we can all help to make people feel good about themselves and that they do not suffer from an abnormality. This very brave, beautiful and healthy girl, with more balls than many of us put together, who has offered herself up to be photographed and shouldn’t be made to feel as if her courage and humanity have been wasted on ignorant, small-minded individuals who cannot appreciate the sheer magnificence of the human form. As for Keira Knightley’s use of the word “f*ck” (an asterisk there lest I offend); I asked the same fifty-six students about her quote in the magazine, blown up so as to draw the attention of the readers to the article in which it appears. “Do you think it’s appropriate for us to write an uncensored expletive if we’re reporting what someone said? Would this offend you?” I also asked, for argument’s sake, “Would you be offended were you to read an uncensored expletive in the main body of an article, were it used entirely for stylistic purposes? Do you consider this use of expletives appropriate?” Eleven students said they would be offended by a quoted, uncensored expletive, yet only three said they would consider it inappropriate. They understand that
in that case, the use of such a word reflects the person who said it and not the media it’s published in. However; when it came to the stylistic use of expletives, only twenty-seven said that they would not be offended and a whopping forty-eight said it would be inappropriate, depending on the expletive. Words such as bitch, tits, dick, cock, damn, bugger, bollocks, piss, shit and arse were considered OK “for everyday use”, as it were. There appeared to be a neutrality concerning these words; the fact that they are so commonly used nowadays has served to dull their impact and, for many people, they are no longer considered offensive. If any of the expletives in the above paragraph appear censored when you read this, then you know that “they” have had their hands in my pie, for lack of a better way of putting it! Having said that - and I censor these words only because, well, go figure, as the Americans say - there are some words which still retain their power to shock and offend. Namely, fuck and cunt. These two are the ones that my captive questionrespondents said they would consider truly inappropriate to be used in a stylistic manner, though had no real
problem were they being reported. I think that as university students, the standard of our education being what it is, we should be able to distinguish when they appear used in one manner or the other and judge what we have read accordingly and not jump, Mary Whitehouse style, to condemn or disparage with such perfect abandon. I know that my small sample of students isn’t representative of a 20,000-strong community but the chances are that it reflects the shared sentiment with regards to this matter. I won’t sit here (well I’m not standing as I type) and say that I am right about this either because what I’ve written for you here is merely my opinion. I’d like to call it a humble opinion, but let’s face it - it’s anything but. I’d like to know what you think, out there. Pick up a copy, have a read and send me an e-mail to the comments and opinions address - is what I think right? Are the images and words in the magazine acceptable/appropriate? I like to think that we have a good attitude towards that which is called “responsible journalism” - do you agree? C’mon. Let’s start something here and end it here also. Your magazine, your paper, your comments and opinions.
OK, I’m on the cover of a magazine, somebody else does the hair, and the make up,
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Comment & Opinion
The Editor reserves the right to edit and omit contributions. The views expressed are those of the contributors and not of UPSU Media. E-mail to comment@upsu.net I'll try to tell the world about your views!
eobscenity? Tom Worman Media & Publications Officer
I love it; finally our publications are being picked up, read and debated about. That’s the power of a striking front cover image! I’ve been dealing with minimal criticism and more-often maximum praise this past week... for what? Not for putting one of my best friends half-naked on the cover of our magazine, but for actually challenging people’s perspectives on body and body image because they are attracted, confused, inspired, shocked or even shamed into picking up the latest issue of Pugwash Magazine. For you, the lovely students’, staff and stakeholders who read both the magazine and the newspaper, here’s my view on why we took the decisions to feature these debated items. Whenever a publisher makes the choice to use a risqué image in their publication, there will naturally be an examination of the potential impact on the sensitivities of all areas of its readership. This was certainly the case at the Students’ Union. When I first made the decision to publish an unclothed model on the cover, we looked very closely at the groups who would possibly be affected by this and consulted with the Press Office and other relevant bodies within the University. The theme of the magazine is “Body” and as such the cover should portray this. As the photographer and editor in chief, I was very careful to ensure the image did not have any implied sexual connotations nor was it shot with “laddish” ideals. With all magazines, the aim of the cover is to attract interest for the consumer to pick up the publication and read the content - I believe this is what the image achieves without giving any suggestion of “lad mags” or page 3 photography. The liberalisation of media has given rise to an increased use of more re-
vealing imagery. The celebrity culture and voyeurism portrayed in Heat and OK is contrasted by tasteful portraiture in the Times and Guardian, while Nuts and Loaded achieve solid sales with borderline pornography. While we aim to give our media teams realworld experience, I think you would agree that our tone is way above the lowest common denominator! For many years the use of the Fword in publishing has been debated, and our publications are in line with many of the leading brands on the newsagents shelves. You will find that newspapers such as the Guardian will publish the F-word, especially when used as a direct quote, and even the highly protected BBC will publish swear words, although “there must be a clear editorial justification for their use” (BBC Editorial Guidelines). Our student editors follow a very similar style guide which means when a direct quote is made we will not star nor remove the word unless it is of gross offense (for example: the C-word which, by contrast, the Guardian will publish). The quote in question is a direct quote from Keira Knightly which was published in various newspapers and on multiple websites. As a direct quote, I see no reason to edit this comment. Whilst I appreciate it has been emboldened, the nature of a pull quote is to draw the reader into the article, and I believe it successfully meets this aim. One of the challenges I have received about the cover and the use of the F-word has been the impact it would have upon International Students. It is written in an editorial in The Island, Issue 53 that: “Studying abroad is an exciting adventure as well as a major life transition”. It is this transition that international students must surely want to get out of their experience here in the UK, and part of this is to mix with British culture, as it is. We no longer wander round in suits of armour or have a cockney twang to our voices; colourful language and images of people not fully clothed has become commonplace and I would challenge each and every one of you
to find a time where you are not subject to such occurrences in your day to day life. It is my opinion that our publications offer nothing outside of a “normal” student experience. We would always self-censor articles that promoted hatred or intolerance; in this instance we decided that we did not want to “over-insulate” our international readership and that our tone was appropriate. I hope that you all have taken the time to read the magazine and will find it contains many articles which are particularly relevant to our student body, whether from home or abroad. From confidence to cancer, body shape to impetigo we have a great selection of content which I am not ashamed to promote - I am confident that our readers are old enough and mature enough to make a conscious decision as to whether our content offends them. And, if it does, I’d suggest tilting your head slightly so that our stunning model isn’t in your focus, and not turning to page 26 to find out why Kiera Knightly doesn’t like airbrushing.
The latest issue of the Magazine is out now and as you can see it has caused quite a stir. Pugwash News and Pugwash Mag are produced by students for students with the intention of engaging with the issues that matter to you. If anything you have read has made you nod in agreement, or passionatly disagree get in touch and your opinion is a valid as anyone elses. We are constantly looking for writers to engage in these issues, whether you do that by getting onto the website and commenting or by becoming a regular contributor your views, opinions and ideas are always needed. We want you to get involved and tell us what you think, what you believe and what you want to see. Email the editors: pugwash@upsu.net and tell us and the world what is on your mind.
and airbrushes the fuck out of me - it’s not me, it’s something other people have created” Keira Knightly
Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Life & Style
Life & Style Guide To... Clothing exchange Russell Thomas
We all love swapping things. Football stickers. Pokémon cards. Wives. The idea of swapping is a good one - give someone something they want in return for something you want. Everybody wins. It brings us back to a happy, carefree age where money didn't exist and people traded things to get by. Everything becomes very simple without money. Trade your possessions for other possessions; trade your skills for other skills. What's the point of money? If you are a communist, or if you ask questions like that, and you also happen to like clothes, why not swap clothes? How, you ask, whilst looking longingly into your wardrobe and picking at the dress you bought six months ago, wishing it would turn into something new. Well, here we outline the basics for you. Of course, fashionistas have been swapping for years and finally it all came to light on “Twiggy's Frock Exchange” which ran on BBC2 last Oc-
tober. Paula Reed, Twiggy and Lauren Laverne hosted "clothes swapping parties" and, above all, showed how you can "re-style old clothes and look swap-tastically great". Good idea. It's not just swapping your old pedal-pushers for a nice dress – it's more about swapping your old-pedal pushers for an XXL size Tshirt and thinking “now what can I do with this?”, then coming out of your house after hours of furious cutting and sewing with... a T-shirt/dress that looks as if it would've cost you £40 at Topshop! The basic ethic is to improve on your trades. But not everybody is a secret seamstress, and, if it's a simple swap you require: go online. There are a few good websites floating around, but it's a case of sifting through a lot of rubble to get to them. Type "clothes exchange" into Google, and there are loads of little sites professing their ability to swap your clothes for you and whatnot, but there is one I found that seems to be a good country mile ahead of the rest. It's called WhatsMineIsYours.com. It says it all in the name. Not just a la-
dies' site either; you can trade womens’, mens’ and childrens’ clothes, and furniture. It's well laid-out, very pretty (chocolate browns and sultry pinks), and there's a fashion forum to chat about fashion. Gives you everything you need. It's big: over 13,000 members. It's recently been featured in newspapers, claiming "a 33% increase in the number of swaps over the past two months". That was in October, so think about that percentage now. BigWardrobe.com is another website offering you the chance to clothes swap, or "swish". It is less do-this-because-it's-fun-and-it-savesyou-money, and more do-this-to-savethe-planet-now-please. The figures featured are quite staggering, though: we purchase over 2.15 million tonnes of clothes and shoes every year (mainly shoes, probably), but we also throw away 900,000 tonnes. Throw away. Not even give to charity shops. Ugh. What a waste. This led me to Futerra. co.uk, a green-orientated communications agency who is occasionally hired by businesses to organise and hold
"swishing" (clothes swapping) parties. Very...green. Words like "environment", "ecological", and "sustainable" usually scare me, but this time it made sense. Being a student helps. BigWardrobe is aimed very much at students: poor, left-wing, fashion-obsessed students. Adopting various icons, and things they have said, to advertise the site in an everchanging billboard in the top right hand corner (Vivienne Westwood, Lindsey Lohan, Lauren Laverne, Twiggy), it might pull you in. It is up to you to decide which site you want to go with, but, to me, it sounds like a very good idea. It encourages us all to become more creative with fashion. It appeals more than a weekly stint in Primark, anyway.
obsessed with clothes. If you are already with Greenpeace, it would seem a logical choice to swap your clothes instead of buying more. I thought "Well, where are the goods?" The goods, the goods... I couldn't find a link to “The Goods”. And then I saw in the top right-hand side of the screen a little "Search Items" box, so I searched for hats. There were a few items. Then I searched Chanel. There were no items. Then I searched Versace. There were... no items. Then I searched dresses. Hurrah! Lots of dresses. And a panda suit. I clicked on one and the picture is about the right size for a mobile phone screen. But you can make them bigger (only a little bit bigger) by clicking on them and this, I found, just takes more time. I searched jumpers for a few results and felt like a child half-heartedly kicking a can along a road. The only problem is, for some reason I wasn't able to create an account. Quite a large problem. I'm sure other
people didn't have the same issue, otherwise there'd be no members on the site. So, desperately wanting an account, I tried four times to sign up. Each one of those four times my password was unacceptable. I tried cheech1. No. cashew1918. No. Cashew1918. No. Hello1. No. sign1meup2. No. I gave up. The premise is lost on me. I would rather save having to post things, and give clothes to charity shops and buy things in charity shops – not just alleviating the stresses put on to sweat shops (à la CovertCandy), but relieving animal sanctuaries, Alzheimer's, cancer, “the aged”, world hunger, etc. I would rather trawl and traipse around shops – the internet is a dangerous place for someone with a love of clothes and a debit card. Then there are the already established websites like this. The premise, however, might not be lost on you, so check it out (if you can sign up).
Covert Candy Russell Thomas
New clothes for us hip, young things at covertcandy.co.uk? Maybe.
The first thing I noticed about Covertcandy.co.uk was the layout. Very funky. Cool blue. There aren't any holes in the letters – that's always assumed to be trendy. It's sharp, grey and white. Things change when you roll your mouse pointer over them. Could do with perhaps a little face time with the creators; it's good to see not only what you're signing up to, but also whom you’re associating with by doing so. Other than that, it’s a good looking, functional website. Their premise is good-willed enough. Create an account, take pictures of your clothes, put them online, people “buy” them with credits, then you receive that amount of credits in your account. You can then spend those credits buying things that other
people have put online. All without any money involved. Sounds good? No, not really - it sounds a bit rehashed. What aboutbigwardrobe.com? Or whatsmineisyours.com? On these sites you have the option to buy as well as essentially swapping for credits. We are also forgetting eBay and Gumtree. But I'm not being fair. I had a further look around CovertCandy. Their About Us section professes that you save "time and money" by using their site, but I am not so sure. I feel bad saying this about the site, however – they are environmentally aware: CovertCandy provides an alternative to the cheap throwaway fashion that fuels the proliferation of sweatshops in developing countries. Fair enough. If you exchange clothes on CovertCandy (and buy organic cotton, apparently) there is less of a strain on a world that is filled with either people obsessed with clothes, or people making clothes for people
Life & Style » What’s On
Refreshers’ Week! By the time this article is printed refrehers’ week will have already kick started the new semester and you will all have had the opportunity to take part in the end of exams pary, the brand new club night UniSex, do the Union quiz and see a comedy hypnotist.If you missed any or all of that, there is no need to worry as there’s plenty left to take part in. It’s environment week at the union and to help raise the profile this week will be a Green Wednesday. All the usual Wednesday fun and a free drink if you save resources and dress up in recycled materials. (upsu.net/sociallife/pws/greenwednesday) Friday the 13th sees two great events, Societies Showcase is not to
be missed, 7 of the Union’s societies will be performing on stage in the Waterhole, from bands to DJs, cultural to religious, it is going to be a great eclectic mix. The likes of which you will not find anywhere else in Portsmouth. (upsu.net/sociallife/societiesshowcase) Also on that day a roller disco in lux, the name explains all. Unisex returns on Saturday 14th and another great Union quiz on Sunday 15th. Finally the bierkeller night will be with us on Sunday 15th in Lux, tickets get you entry a 1 litre stein (to keep) and a great night featuring die Heidelberger boys of games and fun. More: upsu.net/sociallife/refreshers
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Life & Style
Englishman in France: Strike! Johnny Bell
Hello everyone, as you can tell from the title, this week’s topic will be strikes. The other day I witnessed my first French strike. It was a truly amazing sight, which completely shocked me because, unlike our strikes, where you see a group of firemen or post workers huddled round a barrel full of wood on fire, hoping that passersby will beep their horns to show their support, this was truly an all out attack. I watched the strike from a park as they walked past the adjoining road. What I was expecting and what actually happened were two completely different things; I was expecting around 100 people or so, mainly middle aged men with banners, walking past shouting a lot, whereas what actually happened was literally thousands of people walking past, young and old, male and female, holding large banners and singing songs to create an atmosphere of action and revolution.
It seemed like everyone could join in, and this wasn’t just one public service or sector striking, this was the entire country. What I witnessed the other day was part of a larger picture, where everyone in the country went on strike against the president Nicolas Sarkozy. As some of you may know, France is well known for its strikes and they’re a core part of their culture, and I think its something we should learn to incorporate as well - to stand up for our rights more. On a slightly lighter note, I have my first French gig soon, which I’m very much looking forward to. I’m playing acoustic guitar in a small French café on a Saturday evening, playing some covers and some of my own stuff. Although I do have one worry. Thanks to the wonders of Facebook, I’ve managed to invite a little over 100 people, however the café will only really fit about 40. Even that will feel packed! Oh well, I guess it’s better to have too many people than not enough. Until next time…
photo: Johnny Bell
Life & Style » Languages
Life & Style » RAG
Bilingual? Si?
Pancake Day race for charity
Elke Morice-Atkinson
Estimates suggest that between 50 and 66% of the world’s population is bilingual - that is they speak two languages. Why aren’t you? It emerged in 2004 that being bilingual may help offset age-related decline in mental performance. But we’re young, we don’t care about that. What other benefits does being bilingual have, apart from being able to order a beer in four different languages? Well apparently, there’s quite a few. Let me rattle off some: character advantage, communication skills, cultural, travel and employment benefits. Got you interested yet? Perhaps
if I chuck in sex appeal, this might get you seriously thinking about learning a second language. For a start, if you learnt Chinese, you would be able to speak to potentially 1,075 million more people than you can now. Or, if you learnt Spanish, make it 425 million more people. That’s quite a few more Facebook friends. Not only will you be able to converse with a greater amount of people from different backgrounds, cultures and countries than your own, you will also hold an incredibly employable skill, even if your second language is Welsh. In a 2001 study, it was found that employees who can speak both Welsh and English earn between eight
and 10% more than their monolingual counterparts. It has also been said that bilingual people are able to think more flexibly and demonstrate creative thinking; where they have more than two words for each idea and object they hold the ability to switch between them depending on the situation - a skill monolinguals just don’t have. There is also an opinion that bilingual people have increased communication skills; they are able to adapt to the listener, translate as they speak and the end result of that must be feeling pretty chuffed about themselves, hence the character advantage benefits of being bilingual. So if potentially being mentally
sharp, popular and more employable hasn’t pulled you in yet, how about increased career opportunities? If you became fluent in a second language, you could live in another country and work there too, not just behind the bar either. Often large companies or firms have offices in international locations and by being bilingual you may just make yourself into a favoured candidate to carry out international work. And finally, although there is no proof, we all know that speaking another language can add to the old sex appeal – and that can’t hurt, not at all. I’m sure everyone knows what ‘voulez vous coucher avec moi ce soir?’ means! Soon, English won’t be enough.
Laura Patricia Copy Editor
The chaplaincy are hosting a pancaketossing race for Women’s Aid a RAG charity on the 24th February, starting at noon outside the Dental School in Ravelin Park. They invite you to grab three friends to form up your team, don your fancy dress, and bring your own frying pans - batter will be provided! Application forms can be found online at upsu.net, and entry costs just £5; all proceeds will go to charity, and there will be prizes for the best pancake-tossers, and the best dressed team.
ENVIRONMENTAL WEEK
9th - 13th FEBRUARY 2009
SPECIAL EDITION
It’s supplementary dear Watson! Chris Spackman Chief Environmental Correspondent
Hello, and welcome to G1, the brand new environmental pages in Pugwash News. Climate change is the biggest threat to the stability and future of this planet, and without serious action being taken soon to combat the plight of the planet, the outlook looks very bleak. This first issue of G1, which coincides with “Environmental Week” at the University of Portsmouth Students’ Union, will highlight the damaging effects that climate change is already having on this sensitive planet. Climate change will have a detrimental impact on every single living or-
ganism on this planet; from the coral reefs off the coast of Australia, to penguins in the Antarctic, many creatures are suffering today due to the lifestyle of humankind. Climate change will also affect humans. The signs are already clear; with uncharacteristic weather conditions decimating the lives of people in both the developed and the developing world. However, it is not too late to slow or even reverse some of the damage that humankind has done to the planet. The fight against climate change requires the support from all Premiers of nations across the world. But we can all do our part to help and even the smallest changes can make a difference - reading this is a great place to start!
They thought they could make a difference; thousands of people supporting Al Gore’s Live Earth concert in 2007
How the Earth is affected by farts! Declan Coyle
Tackling climate change comes in many difference forms, and in many far fetching ideas. Most of the new renewable technologies that are under development would never have seen the light of day if it wasn’t for the constant flow of cash and need for a solution to tackling climate change. However one of the biggest reductions of green house pollutants to be made won’t be from power companies or efficient cars and aviation changes, but farts. Methane is 23 times more potent than carbon dioxide at trapping heat in the atmosphere, and 17% of all methane released is from agricultural
What the Union is doing... In the last few years the Union has looked at what it should be doing to be “greener”. We’ve entered into a national award scheme (The Sound Environmental Impact Award (SEIA)), changed our shops’ plastic bags to biodegradable and cotton bags, changed our recycling methods and started campaigning. This year also sees the first Environmental Week by the Union as part of the main campaigns. To ensure the Union is continually working on improving ourselves annually, we’ve entered into the SEI Awards scheme. The SEIA is a recent scheme from the National Union of Students’ (NUS); it encourages all Universities in Britain to look at how they work to find a more efficient, greener, ethical and thoughtful approach to life at their Students’ Union.
When it started in 2006, 51 unions took part; this year they hope to have 80 or more involved. As awards go, the entrants are quite helpful to each other. Back in October NUS Services Ltd ran a training day to get people up to a Bronze standard, and everyone pitched ideas as to what people can do. Last year UPSU entered and received an accreditation, this year hopefully we’ll get a Silver Award. So, this year help was needed from the University and the guys who run the bars and Students’ Centre building). They looked at what could be done across the board and made changes with time and investment. Firstly, David Livingstone (Students ‘Centre Bars Manager) sat down with Caz Bird and myself (Declan Coyle) to look at energy efficiency
and waste from the building. This Included using the already busy staff to sort rubbish on busy nights. Then we spoke to The University’s Energy and Environmental Manager, Ian McCormack. He helped to make changes and look at what further changes we can make. Since then we’ve reduced water waste, lighting bills, increased our recycling schemes and started an awareness campaign. Thanks to these changes, the Union has a new recycling system so much more can be reused; an Environmental Policy has been implemented, and regular meetings with the University on what the next step is. So far its a little change but there’s plans ahead to do more and embed this philosophy into all aspects of the Union.
livestock. A change in diet for our future diners can reduce their “emissions” and save the penguins. Scientists in Scotland have found that 10% of what is fed to cattle and lambs is transformed to methane during digestion, which means that farmers spend 10% of their budget on burps and farts. So, back to those clever scientists, who have developed a new feed, designed to produce 70% less methane and make animals a little less gassy (much like changing cars from four star petrol to unleaded). To farmers, this is a massive benefit - they can save a large portion of their overheads - and to everyone else it may mean less extreme changes in weather, a fresher countryside and less dead penguins!
Recycling Facts Here are some of the essential facts of recycling from both here in the UK and all over the world: • • • • • • •
Recycling one glass bottle would save enough energy to power a computer for 25 minutes. £36,000,000 worth of aluminium is thrown away each year. Glass is 100% recyclable and can be used again and again. It takes 24 trees to make 1 ton of newspaper. 275,000 tonnes of plastic are used each year in the UK, that’s about 15 million bottles per day. Every eight months, the UK produces enough waste to fill Lake Windermere. Rainforests are being cut down at the rate of 100 acres per minute.
Portsmouth residents produce enough rubbish to fill Fratton Park stadium every year. If you live in private accommodation you can recycle: • • • •
Food and drinks cans Paper (not shredded) Plastic bottles (no lids) Card (flatten boxes)
Unfortunately, because of problems discovered at the paper mills (glass dust was causing paper to be contaminated), the decision was made not to collect glass in the kerbside collection, but there are loads of collection points around the city. Taking part is easy – all you have to do is a bit of sorting. If everyone in the city puts in a little effort we can make a big impact on the waste problem.
THIS PAPER IS PRODUCED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER
UPSU.NET/ENVIRONMENT
Yes, corals are beautiful to look at, but what do you really know about them? Caroline Nicole d’Unienville
Corals and coral reefs are living structures that support a diversity of life. They are made up of calcium carbonate deposits around or within reef inhabitants, acting as skeletal material. They shelter all manner of marine life. Reefs are just as vital as trees, but because the majority of us don’t see
them we don’t really know how they are affected. They are often referred to as the rainforests of the oceans, but how long will they withstand the threats of global warming? A slight change in sea surface temperature can cause a direct impact on these diverse ecosystems, resulting in coral bleaching. This is only one of the concerning causes. Temperature change can cause a rise in sea level
which will reduce the amount of light penetrating the sea, which the survival of corals is dependant on. Coral reefs are also affected directly by us; human influences such as pollutants released into the water, over exploitation, and even tourists who visit these reefs. Sometimes it is just biological, for example the crown of thorn starfish who feed on corals. If the effects are not controlled, they can cause de-
The bio-fuelled Ferrari 430
Biofuels - the future in reducing emissions Declan Coyle
As an attempt to reduce emissions from the standard fossil-derived fuels, biofuels were presented as an answer to global warming and economic stability in developing countries. But lately they have been taken a kick in their green credentials. Biofuel production was thought to be a good use for farm land and a new source of income to farmers, especially in developing countries. Bioethanol is mixed with petrols to run cars, tractors and generators. A modern engine can run on a mix of 85% bioethanol, reducing the carbon dioxide released into our atmosphere. So far they’re not seen as a direct replacement, but a reduction method to cut up to 50% - 60% of the carbon from cars. The British government’s Renewable Transport Fuel Obligation requires 5% of the fuel sold at the pump by 2010 to be biofuel; it also spends £550 million annually on subsidies. The EU is proposing a binding target to increase
biofuel use to 10% of road fuels by 2020. So far it sounds good - we’re using up food surpluses, developing countries are benefiting, and carbon emissions will drop. However, ask Friends of the Earth about biofuels and a dness falls around you as their doomfull moans about the end of the earth spews forward. Biofuels need to be harvested, and we need land to do this. Land is in huge demand all over the world to feed six billion people. The balance of life is shifted so much that we’d need another two and a half ‘earths’ to support all life and maintain a balance. Cutting existing trees down releases stored carbon dioxide: a recent government think tank advised that saving parts of forests would do more for the environment than biofuels. The economic and environmental returns from biofuels will always bea slow process if new production technique isn’t found. A new crop will absorb carbon dioxide, then release it when burnt, in an almost carbon
neutral cycle, but when you include the resources used in farming and production they still have a negative effect. To see a positive impact may take decades and billions of tax payers’ money spent. To meet the new demand, virgin forests are being cleared to set up farms, displacing small communities for the “greater good”. New farms are also set up on behalf of governments in developing countries and on selected common land. Common land in these countries allows the poorest people space to farm and raise livestock. Worker conditions in Brazil are also under scrutiny; they intensively cut sugar cane crops by hand, for which they will get £1.60 per ton. Illegal use of underage workers is rife and accidents common. In the end, biofuels will reduce carbon emissions across the globe, but they have a huge impact on communities, animals and plant life. Would a better answer be to just walk or cycle more, to drive more efficient cars or use public transport?
struction to surrounding reefs. Nevertheless, some reefs can rebuild themselves but others, constantly exposed to these stresses, can not! What can we do about it? Well, with decades of research and the advanced technology we have today, corals have a better chance. There are ongoing conservation projects where scientists are trying to transplant corals from floating coral reef nurseries,
set up in hopes of restoration. With change however comes new species. It is about survival of the fittest and in certain conditions one species will die out while another will thrive. Awareness is alwayws the key - the more informed people are about the situation at hand, the more they can better thier understand and change their actions to help preserve such vital ecosystems.
Plight of the penguin Amy Baker
Remember when you were a kid, sat in class learning about all the animals of the world. There was always that one animal you liked the most, and for me it was the almighty penguin. But now my favourite animal is under threat - why? Because of us, yes that’s right, the moral human race, who are pro-animal rights, who give money to save animals in need, and yet, through our atrocious consummation of the world’s resources to supply our extravagant lifestyles, are killing these animals. Antarctica is warming five times faster, on average, than the rest of the world, according to the World Wildlife Fund. The Emperor Penguin population has declined by half in recent decades, due to thinning ice and over fishing, which has decimated their food supply. We already have 12 species of penguin on the endangered animal list; do we really want to add the Emperor to that? I think not, and at this moment in time we have a chance to reverse the damage we have caused
by changing the way we live. What sets us humans apart from other species is the mental representation of other’s feelings and free will. At the moment, we are encroaching on another’s life due to this free will, and stopping them from living life how they would and even killing them. Surely we would never do this to another human being, so why should the penguin or any other animal be different? It is time to change how we use free-will, to be better, and stop harming others through our over exhaustion of resources. What will it take for people to ‘wake up and smell the coffee’? The extinction of this beautiful species or the extinction of ours? You guessed it folks, that is exactly where we are heading, if we don’t start changing our ways and looking after the world we live in. We will all end up as ‘dead as a dodo’. I for one, wish to see my favourite animal around for years to come, so I can teach my children all about them and I am sure you do too, so please visit this site to see how you can help: fightglobalwarming.com.
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FREE PULL OUT
THE GUIDE TO ELECTIONS
So what’s all this then? The UPSU Elections run once a year, and are held to find the six students who will undergo a year of on-the-job training and development while they run the Students’ Union charity, making sure the Union’s clubs, societies, volunteering, media and student representation services do the job they’re supposed to be doing - making your time at Portsmouth University the best it can possibly be! Over these next few pages, you can find out exactly what it’s like
to be a Sabb from this year’s Sabb team, find out what’s happening when, and get the lowdown on how to run in this year’s elections.
ence, in a field of work which covers a huge range of responsibilities, and virtually everyone who has been a Sabb agrees that it has given their career prospects a huge boost.
First, here’s a few quick answers to some of your questions...
How do I run? Running for election involves a lot of reading - the more you pick up from our elections website, candidate pack, and even this elections special, the better you’ll understand the positions and what will be required of you.
Why be a Sabb? Spending a year as a Sabb - either as a year out of studies or in the year after you graduate, is one of the best ways you can get real-world experi-
Elections09 tion you need. Select your tion
posi-
Students who decide that they wish to stand in the elections should first decide which of the six positions is most suitable for them; for instance, one of the jobs is dedicated to sport while another handles media and publications. Consider what you can bring to the role and how it can help your career to really get the most out of the experience. Become nominated
Your rough guide to putting yourself forward for election... If you are reading this, then you have taken the first step towards what could be one of the most exciting and fondly remembered stages of your life – choosing to spend at least a year running the Students’ Union on behalf of all students in Portsmouth. This is not a decision to be taken lightly; it can be a demanding role that will stretch and enlighten you as to what running a business is really all about, but virtually all successful candidates refer to it as an unmissable experience. This guide should act as your starting point if you intend to run for election. Please make sure you regularly check the elections website at upsu.net/ elections and/or the latest candidate pack to make sure you have the latest election information, and please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have any questions.
Things you must do before the close of nominations (2nd March) Read the rules! Forewarned is forearmed - make sure you know what you can and cannot do. If you have questions, you can contact us, or use the Candidates’ Question and Answer session (20th February) and the Candidates’ Briefing (6th March) to get the informa-
You will need one person to act as your proposer, who is willing to say that they think you will do a good job. You also need six seconders, who add their names to the form which you hand in. Then find the nomination form in the candidate pack. Create your manifesto What do you think YOU can bring to the role? Think about your experience in that area and how you might change it? What qualities have you got that match the requirements of the role? Outline these in no more than 400 words – this will form the basis of your entry into the candidate’s profile. Create your publicity materials Got a strong message? Make sure the voters get to hear about it by creating striking publicity! Budgets are available for posters and other media, but creativity is the key! Ask us your questions Come to the Candidates’ Question and Answer session and you can ask the current Sabbatical team anything you’d like about their current roles. 20th February, at the Union
Get your nominations pack in by 2nd March. Hand your completed candidate pack in to the UPSU Copy Shop no later than 2nd March. Be under no illusions; if your candidate’s pack is not handed in by close of play on this date, you will not be running in this year’s sabbatical elections.
Face the cameras get your manifesto recorded Book a slot between 9th March and 13th March with Joanna Dewen to have your one-minute candidate’s speech recorded so we can publicise you online, and at various elections events.
Attend the COMPULSORY candidates’ meeting, 6th March: You will be briefed on the responsibilities of the role, the conduct expected of candidates during the elections, and will meet the University’s Vice Chancellor John Craven.
Practise your speaking voice, and research the position you’re going for... Because Question Time Week is coming, between 16th March and 20th March, and you will need to be ready to prove you’ve got what it takes! You will receive full details of the planned Question Time Week events closer to the date.
Get ready, and prepare your campaign team... Because campaign week begins on Monday 23rd March at 9am, and from there until 1pm on Friday 27th March, you’re going to be campaigning your socks off!
Stay available Make sure we can contact you on your mobile phone at all times, in case we
need to round candidates and their teams up for any emergency briefings.
Get voting!
Want
Don’t forget to cast your own votes at the polls; ballot boxes are open from 9am on Tuesday 24th March until 1pm on Friday 27th March. Find out where and when ballot boxes can be found on the elections website...and then relax! At 1pm on Friday 27th March, the polls close and there’s nothing more anyone can do to change the result, so grab a relaxing drink, grab a comfy seat and some mates, and try not to worry too much about the night ahead
Final briefing A short, final briefing for all candidates will be held on the afternoon of Friday 27th March. You will need to attend the meeting to hand in details of your expenditure and to finalise any details of your candidacy before the results are announced. You will also be told where and when to arrive for the results ceremony that evening.
Get your scrutineers Your scrutineers will need to report to the Union for their duty overseeing the count process on the afternoon of Friday 27th March. More details will be provided closer to the time.
Turn up for the results! You will be asked to come to the Union to be ready to hear the results of the count. Make sure your friends and campaigners are close by - this can be a bit stressful! Once the count is done and dusted, you will be shepherded around the building while the ceremony is prepared, and finally you will be invited on to stage to find out how well you’ve done. And finally...
Good luck!
YOU CAN EARN UP TO £17k MANAGING THE STUDENTS’ UNION
TURN YOUR TALENTS INTO ACTION:
STAND IN THE ELECTIONS REGISTER YOUR INTEREST BY 2nd MARCH
President
The President’s job is so varied - youhave to oversee all areas of activity in the Union, as well as being the main point of contact, meeting with local leaders and representing student concerns to the University. The most enjoyable part of the job is helping students in the amazing range of activities they get up to. My successes in the position include getting the University to employ a dedicated Energy and Environmental manager, and improving the Union’s democracy. The most frustrating part of the role is that there is so much to do, and so little time! I would absolutely recommend this role to other students: these jobs are unique in the level of responsibility, the working environment and the real chance to make a difference. The hardest part of the elections last year was running around talking to as many students as possible. It was also the best part! Next year, the Sabb team will need to work hardest on the Union’s 3-5 year strategy, and the two-year audit process, to make sure the Union is working as well as possible. My successor will need a real passion for promoting, defending and extending the rights of students - there is no point in running if you’re not going to give 100%.
Highlight: Representing the needs of 20,000 students, and building a democratic Union which can serve the needs of all its students. Questions? president @upsu.net Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/president
FEB 9th: NOMINATIONS OPEN
FEB 20th: Q&A SESSION
MARCH 2nd: NOMINATIONS CLOSE
MARCH 6th: CANDIDATES’ BRIEF
From this date until Nominations close is your chance to pick up and complete a candidates’ pack. More information online
This is your chance to come and quiz this year’s Sabbs about their Jobs and get answers to your questions
If you’re running, make sure your nominations pack is in. Contact the Union if you need help: see the elections website
Candidates: this is a compulsory briefing to outline elections rules and conduct
upsu.net/elections
Elections09
to know what it’s like as a Sabb?
VP Sports
VP Societies
VP Welfare and Volunteering
VP Comunications
VP Ed & Rep
The part of my job I enjoy most is seeing the change my actions, ideas and projects make. Sport is unique, because there is always more you can do - constantly improving the Athletic Union is what makes the job attractive. My achievements this year include; an increase in participation (the AU is now over 4000 members strong), an increase in performance (a rise of 20 places in two years), better partnerships, the introduction of Varsity, an increase in profile, and an increase in promotion. The most frustrating parts of my job are time and politics! Things always seem to take longer than they need to and attitudes towards student sport are not always the best, however if you really want to enhance sport then it’s the best position you could have. The hardest part about elections was not knowing if you are going to win, and the best part was seeing how much my friends helped. If you want to go for this role, do it because you want to achieve something! The Athletic Union has a big future, and next year is shaping up to be the biggest, with AU kit and merchandise being introduced - the opportunity for promotion and a greater profile will be massive.
I represent, support and co-ordinate the 3,100 students involved in societies, and the Volunteering In Portsmouth (VIP) group, which is not only the Union’s award-winning volunteering organisation, but also a crucial link between the student body and the local community. I also manage the Union’s Student Training And New Development (STAND) programme. As a Sabb I also act as a trustee, ensuring the Union fulfils its objects and charitable objectives. The part of my job I enjoy the most is the development aspect: through the activities the Union offers, students can become a society President, manage a volunteer project, or receive and give training. During my time in office, I’ve created STAND; the Union now offers training on media, campaign coordination, society and club management, and training the trainer. I’ve achieved all of my manifesto pledges, increasing student representation and ownership, and cutting red tape. Red tape is the most frustrating part of the job! Future candidates will have to be dedicated to and have a complete understanding of the role, and will need to genuinely care about the students whose welfare they arecharged to safeguard.
My job includes running campaigns, helping to organise RAG events, overseeing Union Council, and general welfare. The part of my job I enjoy most is helping with RAG. I hope everything I’ve done has been successful but, picking one specific thing: during the first week of students being back, all 1,000 copies of my “Use It, Keep It, Love It!” campaign booklet went. In my manifesto, I said “I believe I am an approachable, open and honest person and would be a good representative of the student population” - I believe I have helped to increase student/sabbatical relations! The most frustrating part of my position is when people say to me “What is a Sabb?”, but I would definitely recommend this role to other students. It’s been a great year (and I’ll be really sad to leave!) The hardest part of the 2007 elections was the hours: up and out from 9am ‘till 2am campaigning, it was really fun though, so was also the best part! The next Sabb team will need to work hard on making students aware what a Sabbatical officer is and what we do, to try and get as many students as possible involved in UPSU activities. One piece of advice: try not to get frustrated!
As well as being a Trustee (and having to act like a grown up), I look after the Union’s media, publications and communication matters, as well has being responsible for making sure the Union’s Sabbs and students have a voice. The part of my role which I enjoy the most is creating new things, and seeing new teams working together. In this role, you may be responsible for supporting every other Sabb’s work, but you also rely on them to help you create the media. I wont lie, it is long hours and a lot of hard, stressful work, often working weekends. (Its practically a requirement to work every other Saturday for the Newspaper to run successfully). This might not sound great, but the rewards of seeing increased participation and the experience our volunteers gain far outweighs the stresses of the job. The hardest part about elections last year was definitely the stress and long hours, but the end result made it all worthwhile. Red tape and long hours are definitely not perks of the job, but if you have drive, determination, can learn quickly and won’t stop until you get the answers to your questions, then you’ll definitely be able to improve UPSU Media even more!
I deal with a range of things, from Course Reps to disciplinary hearings. Course Reps take up a lot of my time, but are well worth it. I also deal with academic complaints, appeals and ECF forms. I also chair the Union’s disciplinary meetings, and sit on numerous other panels and committees in the University. I really enjoy listening to students’ issues and helping them to take action on matters. Through training Course Reps this year, I also got to meet a really wide and diverse range of people. The successes I hold closest to my heart are when I have helped a student win an appeal or complaint. I’d like to think I’ve kept all of my manifesto pledges. The most frustrating part of the job is red tape! Being a Sabb, it is unfortunately not as easy to achieve things as people may think, although if you persist you will achieve the things you strive for. I’d recommend the role to other students, but your heart must be in it, you must be prepared to fight - and then fight some more - for students’ rights. I truly believe that without determination, you will not enjoy this role to the fullest. Other than that though, it’s a great job! Next year’s team will need to work hard on a good coherent plan to take the Union forward.
Highlight: Seeing how quickly our hard work can make a huge difference to the Atheletic Union’s success.
Highlight: Organising new and fun events which help in the development of the wide variety of societies supported by the Students’ Union.
Highlight: Organising campaigns and related events, helping with RAG, arranging award winning volunteer projects, and assisting students with welfare issues.
Highlight: Developing the Union’s media and the students who make it a force for change, and seeing how much amazing work the Union’s student volunteers do.
Highlight: Helping students when they’re in difficulty with their coursework or department, and developing the powerful course reps system.
Questions? sportsofficer @upsu.net
Questions? societies @upsu.net
Questions? studentsupport@upsu.net
Questions? mediaofficer@upsu.net
Questions? edandrep@upsu.net
Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/vpsports
Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/vpsocieties
Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/vpwelfare
Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/vpcomms
Job Description: upsu.net/downloads/vpedrep
MARCH 16th: QUESTION TIME WEEK
MARCH 23rd: CAMPAIGN WEEK
MARCH 24th: POLLS OPEN
MARCH 27th: RESULTS NIGHT
Candidates will face a panel debate infront of an audience - and video cameras. Got a question for them? Get on the website
Candidates recieve their publicity and campaign teams will be mobilised for votes right across the campus
The ballot boxes will open across campus from 9am on Tuesday 24th, closing at 1pm Friday 27th. Locations online
Join us for all the tears and joy, as the candidates find out who will be running the Union next year. Or see them live online
upsu.net/elections
Elections09
More importantly, Last year’s campaign you’d be a Trustee! The Students’ Union has eight trustees, and an external trustee in the form of a University nominee, to ensure the Union is running appropriately and to make decisions above and beyond the sabbatical role. The eight internal trustees are made up of the the six Sabbatical officers and two students. As a trustee, you are liable for the decisions you make for up to seven years after you finish. Trustees: • Can regulate admission, classification and conduct of members • Have the abilty to set aside the whole/parts of the Union for any particular purpose at any time • Can expend funds in such a manner that they consider beneficial to the objectives of theUnion • Can enter into contracts on behalf of the Union On top of their other duties and powers, trustees are responsible for: • Managing the Union affairs on a day to day basis • Ratifying, approving or referring back decisions and minutes of
• • • • • • • •
Standing committees Considering motions of censure on a trustee and motions of “no confidence” in a trustee Ensuring that the Union’s disciplinary and complaints procedures are followed Receiving regular reports from the finance and staffing committees Implementing the decisions of general meetings Proposing and seconding motions to general meetings Consulting on and referring matters to the Union Council Ensuring the implementation of Union policy Reviewing and developing both new and existing services and facilities for the benefit of the members
They also take part in reviewing and maintaining the Union’s strategic plan. Trustees also consider policies for adoption by the Union, and for referral to general meetings, And trustees resolve issues of membership fees for all members.
Why should I vote ?
It’s no cliché - every vote in the elections counts, and voting is the only way you, as the combined population of Portsmouth’s student body, can be sure that the best candidate for each Sabbatical position is elected. The Union prides itself on its democratic structure - it’s what makes us different from any other organisation. Your vote is just one opportunity to influence the running of your Union, and you never know, it might be you standing one year! The people you elect represent you to the student body, University, City, and Government - it’s up to you collectively to decide if they’re right for the job. The Union is here to enhance
your experience and make sure that your time at University are the best years of your life. Even if the only way you used the Union before now was by reading the Survival Guide sent to you as a Fresher, then you should really consider participating in the most important Union event. It’s your Union, your vote, your elections so have your say! Voting is extremely easy - all you have to do is turn up to a polling booth having read through the candidates’ manifestos, attended the hustings, or simply having spoken to the candidates in person - and fill out a ballot paper.
The emotions of Elections. photos: Jacob Leverett
upsu.net/elections
ENVIRONMENTAL WEEK
9th - 13th FEBRUARY 2009
SPECIAL EDITION
The inescapable paradox of being green Henry Tipping
As I type this, as I send it to the editor and as he sends it onto the website for many others to log on and view whether you enjoy the article or not, whether you even read it at all - the fact that all of our computers are ON is the only constant here. The overall volume of emissions from computing and telecommuncations is comparable to that of the much contested aviation industry. Indeed, it is on account of the rather unnecessary amount of air travel that the environment is so greatly contested, but it seems little concern has been given to the damage that the global computing world might be doing to the battle for “being green”. This is the paradox, the all or nothing. Like most of the corporate world now, computing is hailing forth its plans to be greener and being an integral part of the business sector; there is a great deal of profit to be reaped in this transformation. Vodafone, the telecoms company, has been reducing its carbon footprint by turning down the air conditioning in its factories, allowing the base stations to run at 25C instead of 21C, which is cutting their energy use by 10% in some cases. “Green IT” is providing an opening to situate the computer industries on the right side of adapting to our environment; clean technologies will be pushed forth and will undoubtedly put pressure on companies to update, once again, their computer systems to remain consistent with the rhetoric the corporate world spoke throughout 2008, namely, “we understand our corporate responsibility and these are the measures we intend to take to adhere to it.” However 2009 seems to be a year already hallmarked by monetary conservation, not environmental. In the opening weeks of January, faced with the financial inferno that was the “Credit Crunch”, I began to think, “what about the environment?” Never mind the banks and their bonus imperatives, how have they all forgotten about the “going green”, which had finally been brought to the business world’s full attention? It seems many of these environmental strategies rallied by the companies were almost
obligatory responses to a growing concern of the people. Maybe 2008 was a year of appearing green, not being green for the business sector. And, now the vicious reigns of the financial crisis have taken hold, cutting carbon will unfortunately translate into cutting costs. According to the Global e-Sustainability Initiative (GESI), even if “Green IT” becomes readily bought into by the corporate world, which would create greener PCs, telecom networks and data centres, their combined carbon footprint will still nearly be doubled by 2020. It seems, once again, that the venture capitalists are altering their tune, shifting from computing industries to “clean-tech companies”, in an attempt to remain consistent with their image, which itself seems to be about as set as our environment these days. The paradox is deeply set within the whole ecological shift the world is trying to motion; from the very writing of this article, to the arousing of greater awareness via the Internet, to the various corporate responsibility manifestoes of the last few years and to the attitude which businesses take to adhering to this responsibility which, so far it seems, is merely question of appearance, leaving their “green strategies” as mere petprojects to point at if and when they are attacked by the environmental issues. The whole chain seems rather undermining of the problems at hand which, by now, we should all be fully aware of. In light of the current economic situation, it is evident that money might be tight and that corners may have to be cut, but last of all should these be the corners of ecological matters, especially concerning the corporate world. If indeed our way of living is to change, it is going to have to begin at the top in order for it to enter into the various factions of our lives, economical, social and political. Realistically, all are guilty of the paradox, not to be nitpicky and not to suggest we must all limit our “Facebook fix” to ten minutes a-day, but “being green” must be attended to with greater sincerity by those in power; hopefully then, we will all be able to follow with the enthusiasm and concern that has grown so strong in the last few years.
Calling all artists and photographers! Imagine the largest student gallery on the South coast. A place where the most insightful and creative works are on show. Now imagine your work as part of it. At the Students’ Union, we feel environmental issues are very important. We want to know what they mean to you. Using any medium you deem appropriate to convey your message, show us how you feel about the environment and Portsmouth. On March 19th-20th 2009, we will be hosting a gallery to showcase your work in the Students’ Union. Display space will be a table and standard display board. You can choose to use this space or reduce it. Control will be left
with you. Entrants should email the address below by February 20th, including a basic idea, requirements (e.g. power supply, projector) and so on. Entrants will have from 9am Thursday morning until 12pm, when the exhibit opens. Friday will see a VIP show case for the judging panel to pick winners. Categories will be: photo, video, sculpture and overall winner. A short awards ceremony will follow, with free wine and a chance for the students to make contacts with in the local community. For more information contact: declan.coyle@upsu.net
Sisters on the Planet Chris Spackman
Climate change is a dilemma that will affect us all. Men and women, young and old, rich and poor will all feel the devastating impact of a changing climate in the next few decades, unless serious action is taken today. However, in the developing world, millions of people are already experiencing the damaging effects of climate change. The developed world emits far larger quantities of damaging gases into the atmosphere than the developing world. However, it is the poor in the developing nations which are feeling the effects of climate change today. The poorest people on this planet are most at risk from the effects of global warming at the moment and in the future, because they live in the areas which are already the most vulnerable to floods, desertification, and drought. The situation in the developing world is made worse due to the inability of the poorest to cope with the results of human induced climate change. Although climate change is having a disproportionate impact on everyone living in the developing world today,
it is the women in these areas who are most badly affected. In the developing world, it is usually the women in the communities who are closer to nature and therefore closer to the damage caused to nature through climate change. This is because it is women who provide the family with water, food, and fuel. Therefore, when uncharacteristic weather conditions occur, it is the women in the community who suffer the most. For these reasons Oxfam is running a campaign titled “Sisters on the Planet”. This campaign aims to raise awareness of how climate change is already harming the lives of women in the poorer parts of the world. It is doing this through a series of short stories, which follow the experiences of four women from different corners of the globe and their individual struggles with climate change. The campaign highlights that climate change is exasperating the inequalities in developing society. While men and women are both impacted ruthlessly by climate change, the effects are more severe on women. This is due to women being less well educated, having fewer skills, and gener-
ally being in a weaker position than men to cope with and rebuild their lives after devastating events caused by climate change. This is why the “Sisters on the Planet” campaign is so crucial: • •
•
•
Oxfam has commented that climate change is the number one threat to overcoming poverty. By 2050, 50 million people could be at risk of hunger due to climate change. 75% of these are likely to be in Africa; a continent which is already badly affected by food shortages. Bangladesh is one country which is already severely damaged by increased levels of flooding which is a result of global warming This country of some 150 million people only produces 0.1% of global carbon emissions. This shows the disproportionate affect that global warming is having on the developing world.
To get a copy of the “Sisters on the Planet” DVD and to hear the stories of the four women featured in the campaign, visit: oxfam.org.uk
Your step-by-step guide to help stop climate chaos Chris Spackman
Preventing disastrous climate change needs politicians from all over the world to act together in implementing legislation that will reduce the emissions of gasses that cause global warming. However, we can all do our own little bit to reduce our CO2 emissions at home, work, and university. These small and simple adjustments can make a huge difference in the overall scheme of things. Here is your guide to ten easy changes you make to do your bit: 1. Say goodbye to standby: a simple action such as turning your telly off and not leaving it on standby will save 20kg of carbon dioxide being pumped into the atmosphere each year. 2. Recycle: every glass bottle recycled saves 0.5kg of carbon. Recycling is really easy to do, with most Halls of
Residence at the University having a recycling scheme. 3. Walk or cycle: walking or cycling, rather than jumping into your car for short journeys saves hazardous climate change causing gases being emitted into the atmosphere. Plus it’s great for your health. 4. Take showers, not baths: a bath requires four times the amount of energy that a shower uses. 5. Reuse shopping bags: this is easy. Reusing a bag when shopping saves on waste and saves energy. Waste from plastic carrier bags discharges CO2 and methane into the atmosphere. 6. Buy fresh food: eat fresh food, rather than frozen. It tastes so much nicer and uses ten times less energy to produce. 7. Eat less meat: try eating one less portion of meat a week. Methane is a big culprit in causing climate change and is a by-product of farmed cattle.
Eating less meat is better for the environment! 8. Buy Fairtrade: Fairtrade products are readily available and they help support those in the developing world who are suffering today from the effects of climate change. 9. Earth Hour: Earth Hour will take place at 20.30 on Saturday 28th March 2009. Join in with this global statement of action against climate change by switching your lights off for an hour. 10. Speak out! Tell people about these simple changes that can make a big difference in preventing climate chaos, and make people aware of the severity of the problem. Although these changes seem like they are small and insignificant, they really can make a huge difference in the battle against climate change. So start making changes today and help prevent climate chaos!
Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
THIS PAPER IS PRODUCED ON 100% RECYCLED PAPER
Co-op bans pesticides after death of British bees
The Co-Operative Group became the first UK supermarket to ban the use of a group of pesticides last month, which were implicated in billions of honeybee deaths worldwide. It is prohibiting suppliers of its own-brand fresh produce from using eight pesticides that have been connected to honeybee colony collapse disorder and are already restricted in some parts of Europe. The Co-Op has over 70,000 acres of land under cultivation in England and Scotland, making it the largest farmer in the UK. Since 2001, it has already prohibited the use of 98 pesticides under its pesticide policy. A spokesman for the group said: “We believe that the recent losses in bee populations need definitive action, and as a result are temporarily prohibiting the eight neonicotinoid pesticides until we have evidence that refutes their involvement in the decline.” Recent tests suggest that one of the chemicals which have been banned, imidacloprid, can impede honeybees’ sophisticated communication and navigation systems. It has been banned in
France for a decade as a seed dressing on sunflowers. Italy, Slovenia and Germany banned neonicotinoids last year, after the loss of millions of honeybees. And the European Parliament voted earlier this month for tougher controls on bee-toxic chemicals. Elliott Carnell, co-ordinator of Pesticide Action Network (PAN) Europe, said he hoped the Co-Op’s pioneering stance would persuade the UK government to back the proposed European legislation. “The government has fought against any attempts to protect bees,” he said, “which pollinate a third of the average diet. It argues that banning pesticides jeopardises crop yields, but if that was the case why would a leading food retailer be introducing this measure?” The pesticide ban is part of the CoOp’s 10-point Plan Bee, launched recenly, which includes £150,000 for research into the impact of pesticides on the decline of honeybees in England, where more than a third of hives were wiped out last year. It will also give away bee-friendly wildflower seeds to Co-Op members and customers.
Nuclear aircraft to “Transport Millions” Tom Worman Media and Publications Officer
Nuclear-powered aircraft may sound like a concept from Thunderbirds or Transformers, but, according to a leading scientist in a Government-funded project to reduce environmental damage from aviation, they will be transporting millions of passengers around the world later this century. Professor Ian Poll, of Cranfield University, and Head of Technology for the Government-funded Omega project, is making calls for a big research programme to help the aviation industry convert from un-evironmentally friendly fossil fuels to nuclear energy. In a lecture at the Royal Aeronautical Society, Professor Poll said that experiments conducted during the Cold War have already demonstrated that there are no insurmountable obstacles to developing a nuclear-powered aircraft. The United States tested a nuclearpowered jet engine on the ground and
also carried out flight tests with a nuclear reactor on board a B-36 jet with a lead-lined cockpit over West Texas and Southern New Mexico. The reactor “ran hot” during the flights, but the engines were powered by kerosene. The purpose of the flights was to prove that the crew could be safely shielded from the reactor. Professor Poll said: “We need to be looking for a solution to aviation emissions which will allow flying to continue in perpetuity with zero impact on the environment. “We need a design which is not kerosene-powered, and I think nuclear-powered aeroplanes are the answer beyond 2050. The idea was proved 50 years ago, but I accept it would take about 30 years to persuade the public of the need to fly on them.” Professor Poll said “the big challenge would be to demonstrate that passengers and crew could be safely shielded from the reactors. It’s done on nuclear submarines and could be achieved on aircraft by locating the reactors with the engines out on the wings.”
UPSU.NET/ENVIRONMENT
Wind power becomes Europe’s fastest growing energy source Europe installs 20 wind turbines a day and 10 EU states reach wind power capacity of more than one gigawatt (GW). There was more wind power resources installed in the EU than any other electricity-generating technology in 2008, according to data released last month. The European Wind Energy Association (EWEA) produced figures showing wind power provided 43% of new capacity – or almost two GW – compared with 35% for gas, 13% for oil, 4% for coal and 2% for hydro power. The EWEA’s claim that wind power is the fastest growing technology in Europe for the first time came as it emerged that the US overtook Germany last year – before Barack Obama entered the White House with his “green” agenda - to become the world’s number one wind power installer. The Global Wind Energy Council (GWEC) said China, whose capacity doubled for the fourth year in a row,
Lets farm the London parks! A campaign to turn five acres of the White House lawn into a farm promises to introduce a generation of urban Americans to something they’re not at all familiar with – real food. A recent article in the Guardian Newspaper suggests that “it’s high time we did something on this side of the pond.” What’s needed in these stricken times is a lesson in how easy and cheap it could be to grow genuinely tasty, healthy food, if only we could break the corporate stranglehold of agri-business on the British countryside. Graham Harvey suggests his choice of site for Britain’s equivalent of the Presidential farm idea would be London’s Green Park. What’s more, it has a history of producing food. In 1669m Charles II fenced it off and stocked it with deer. There’s no limit to the amount of healthy, nourishing food that can come from living, fertile soil and a farmer prepared to care for it. On a smaller scale, the Volunteering In Portsmouth group from UPSU is helping to co-ordinate a project with the University called “Urban Plots”, which gives you the chance to grab a growbag and produce your own grub.
was set to reach second place by 2010 – meeting its 2020 target of 30GW 10 years ahead of schedule. EWEA’s figures come at a period of heightened EU debate over the role of nuclear power, with France awarding the contract for its second EPR (the controversial European Pressurised Reactor) to state-owned EDF last week.
“
On each average working day in Europe last year, 20 wind turbines were installed
There is also concern over the viability of plans to generate 20% of primary energy from renewables by
2020, the future of carbon emissions trading and the security of gas supplies after the latest Russia-Ukraine dispute. Germany and Spain both installed more than 1.6GW while the UK added 836MW (megawatts) to reach 3.24GW. Ten of the EU’s 27 states have now got wind power capacity of more than 1GW. Global capacity grew by 27GW to reach almost 121GW by the end of 2008, prompting the head of GWEC, to assert that wind energy was the only technology capable of delivering the necessary CO2 cuts in the critical period up to 2020. Investments last year totalled £36.5bn. China, which added 6.3GW, now has 12.2GW of capacity and the country has identified wind energy as a key growth component in its economic stimulus package. Li Junfeng, the head of the Chinese Renewable Energy Industry Association, said new capacity would almost double again this year.
Ethical Marketing At the Union, we are concious that our marketing uses resources. We believe in our responsibility to minimise our impact on the environment, the planet and people. To that end we implement the following: Flyers or Wallplanners We take the view that wallplanners have a broad appeal and that retention by our customers is higher. To that end, we generally do not produce flyers, as we believe they are wasteful and cause a litter problem. Councils can now issue fixed penalty notices of £80 to originators and litterers for dropping litter (including fliers). Flyer & Wallplanner Printing We use companies certified to ISO 14001; it specifies the requirements for an organisation’s environmental management system, it is voluntary and shows that the company are voluntarily undertaking to do responsible business. The paper our suppliers use is FSC certified and chlorine
free. This means that the trees used to provide wood to the paper millers are managed and have been recognised as sustainable. Our printer also gives us an undertaking to properly recycle their inks, plates and dangerous materials through reputable and accredited suppliers. Vegetable based inks are used and developer is no longer used, which dramatically reduces water consumption. We do not use recycled paper. This is because sustainable forests are better, as recycling requires collection of old paper and increases the papers carbon footprint. We do recycle our unused marketing.
Poster printing Where we don’t use recycled paper for our flyers and wallplanners, we do use recycled A3 and A4 paper for all of our posters and printing in the Union. Our printers don’t quite have the capabilities of the professionals so cannot change the inks, however we are drastically cutting the amount of printed productions we are doing.
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Life & Style
eBay – Weird Al Alright Elke Morice-Atkinson
As I am writing this article, someone on eBay has listed a manila envelope for sale. Yes, that’s right: the listing is titled, “What’s in the manila?” The funny thing is, it has 15 bids, totalling $6.50 USD. The item’s description reads “You are bidding on a manila envelope!” Thank you Captain Obvious. It went on to say, “Anything that comes inside of it is a gift from me to you!” What? Now, I thought it was a bit funny when someone sold a toasted cheese sandwich for $28,000 US on eBay back in 2004 (that apparently bore an image of the Virgin Mary), but a
mystery manila envelope? Come on. What’s next, me selling my smelly old socks for £1.99 with free shipping? You’re not far off. Through a sheer accident, I discovered a well-cloaked selling category on eBay – that of the “well worn” item, whether it be slippers, socks, tights, stockings, pumps, sandals or highheels. I was looking for a new pair of shoes on the cheap and came across an absolutely, terribly, disgustingly, worn pair of black leather boots. Intrigued, I clicked on the item and had a snoop around. The listing told me the boots were worn to work in a fashion store, the heels were shot, the zipper was broken, the toes had worn through and they smelt a bit – but somehow the bidders were going crazy for them. Why? I
certainly wasn’t. It doesn’t take a lot to put two and two together to work it out. There was some kind of a foot fetish afoot - hidden underneath the terms “well worn” on eBay. eBay’s policy agreements do allow people to sell somewhat “adult” items. However, these are not allowed to be listed on eBay’s main selling pages. They are instead banished to the realms of the “Everything Else: Adult Only” category. So, if it’s obvious that these shoes and stockings are being sold for adult purposes, how is it that they are staying on eBay’s main selling pages? I found a guide, written by another seller, a kind of “How To” for selling well worn items. She thought that eBay made up the rules for these
items as it went along, but there were ways to sell them without getting your auction pulled from the site. She also said that selling well worn socks and shoes was a pretty competitive business. So competitive, in fact, that I found another guide written by an eBay seller in Canada, that said she came across a listing titled “Rachel’s Well Worn Socks” and the legs wearing the socks were hairy man’s legs, or so she believed. It seems then that eBay is host to its very own secret shoe/foot/toe/leg/ smelly sock fetish community, cloaked in terms like “well worn”, “plenty of life in them yet” and “I will clean these before posting”. As if you will, and as if the buyers want you to. Even though I found it all a bit
strange, the moths in my purse suggested that perhaps it wasn’t all that strange and if someone was willing to pay near £30 for a pair of my wrecked old pumps (which I bought on sale for nowhere near that amount), well what’s wrong with that? The women selling their old shoes to whomever fancies them must know something we don’t. So, if the thought ever crosses your mind to dig around in your closet looking for stinky old shoes to sell on eBay for big bucks (and we are talking big, as I write this there is a pair of dirty old slippers selling for £29), do your research first. Make sure you know what you’re doing and perhaps chat to some other eBay sellers to see how they found it.
Feeling the cold? Snow brings chaos Oyeniyi Olugbenga Samuel
With the recent drop in temperatures across Britain, we have some advice as to how you can have an easy winter. The human body has a number of ways of countering the cold. The average naked person will start to feel chilly when the surrounding temperature drops below 25 degrees C. It is important for your health that you keep warm in winter, and there are many simple ways of keeping the warmth in without the worry of running up large heating bills. Start with your house - draw your curtains when it starts to get dark. Thick, lined curtains help to keep the warmth in. Do not let them hang over radiators or heaters though. If there is a windowsill, ideally the curtains should reach the top of the sill. Keep windows and doors closed. If a room is too hot, turn the heating down instead of opening a window or door. Always wear warm clothes inside, and outside; avoid wet or damp clothes. Wear thin layers of clothes rather than one thick layer. Choose clothes made with wool, cotton, or fleecy synthetic materials. Gloves and a hat are always a good idea as are thick socks, as they keep the heat from escaping from your extremities. To avoid massive heating bills, only use the heating when you need it,
o eLife & Style » Trivia d s e s r1. Atomic physics is a surprisingly old idea - the Ancient Greek Democritus had come up with the idea a few millennia before we e got used to the notion. Of course, s he couldn’t get up to half the s trouble we can with it... -
but make sure the temperature does not fall below 17°C. Recommended comfortable room temperature for optimum health is 18- 21°C. Thermometers can be used to check room temperatures. Keep at least one room well heated and sleep there if necessary. Keep doors closed to keep heat in the rooms rather than letting it escape. Try to stay active. Don't stay sitting still for long periods, instead walk around or find something interesting to be doing. Spread chores through the day and alternate between rest and activity, and exercise without taking risks in wet or icy weather. Eat at least one hot meal a day. Sip hot drinks regularly throughout day and before bedtime. Keep a flask of hot drink by your bed should you wake up feeling cold. Hot water bottles can be a good idea. Try not to rush a hot tea or coffee, sip them gradually. Finally, stock up on provisions in case it is too cold to go to the shops. Seal gaps around windows and doors. Insulate the loft to reduce heat loss. Check your heating system is working and serviced once a year, and if you are using an electric blanket, make sure you have it checked by a safety expert at least every three years. If you can follow all these guidelines strictly, then you are on the verge of having a reduced heating bill, but a cosy winter.
photo: Nandakishore Mohanram at flickr.com Tom Dolan
The “freak” snow and ice conditions felt nationwide this week continue to exacerbate economic and travel disruption across the South. The record heavy snow threatened industries, public transport, and schools with increasing disruption. Around 900 schools were forced to close, many of which were in the Southern counties across Hampshire, Berkshire and Dorset. Meanwhile, disruption to transport continued amid concerns over a mass nationwide ‘skive’. Many flights at both Southampton and Bournemouth Airports were cancelled, and passengers were warned about both traveling and further possible delays. Indeed, the runway at Southampton was closed at least twice on Tuesday. Arguably one of the most severely affected areas was London, which ex-
You learn something new every fortnight
2.
r e r e e3. o e f
The first Olympics, in its contemporary form, were held in the glorious Grecian setting of Shropshire, UK, as recently as the mid-1800s. The face is the only part of the human body which shows a wide individual variety of muscle structure.
4.
·The universe is 13.7 billion years old. And when did you last get it a present?
5.
It might seem counter-intuitive, but dogs can survive as vegetarians, though it’s not recommended - it’s cats who’d die without the meat.
6.
7.
The International Space Station has a pistol on board - still waiting to find out who they want to use it on. The House of Windsor rules England. The Netherlands is ruled by the House of Orange
8.
The nutritional value of squash and pumpkin seeds improves with age. These seeds are among the few foods that increase in nutritional value as they decompose.
9.
The U.S. interstate highway system requires that 1 mile in every 5 must be straight. These sections can be used as airstrips in a time of war or other emergencies.
10. The piece that protrudes from the top end of an umbrella is called a “ferrule.” The word “ferrule” is also used to describe the piece of metal that holds a rubber eraser on a pencil.
perienced its heaviest snowfall in 18 years, as commuters from the Southern areas, including Portsmouth, faced impossible commutes across a number of days. South West Trains operating from Portsmouth to London Waterloo were particularly affected, leaving workers and students alike unable to get in or out of the capital. Local and county councils have expressed further concerns over the alarming shortages of grit-salt, which many travelers are dependent upon to keep the roads accessible and traffic moving. The Local Government Association (LGA) has admitted that some local Councils have less then three days worth of grit supplies left; many have resigned to using the dwindling supplies only on major routes as salt suppliers fail to meet demand. Paul Bettison of the LGA has said that the UK should look to importing fresh supplies of salt. “This requires the government to actually work with
us all”, he suggests, “and then we can do it as one – rather than, as we’ve seen, having this scraping for what limited supplies are available”. The AA has further noted that when it comes down to which roads would be gritted it was nothing short of a “lottery”, adding: “In some areas 40% of the roads are gritted, some 25% and indeed some just 20%”. The Highways Agency, responsible for Britain’s major A roads and motorways, however, is confident that there is enough salt readily available to keep our major routes safe to travel on. In the South, the M3 and M27 were badly affected, with many accidents being reported because of the icy conditions. The Met Office raised severe weather warnings across the South, and Police urged motorists to slow down, to leave plenty of time for your journey, and to not rush to where you need to be.
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Life & Style
Life & Style Reviews...
Looking for part- Crofts Wine Cellar time employment? High Street, Old Portsmouth Looking for summer vacation employment? Then check out the Job Shop online at upsu.net/jobshop or come along to the Job Shop in the Students’ Union. Current vacancies are advertised oline and on the Job Shop noticeboards and are regularly updated. Current vacancies being advertised at the Job Shop Online are: Customer Service Assistants Election Assistants Call Centre Assistants Bar Staff Did you know?: • The Job Shop regularly contacts employers about advertising their vacancies • Many employers only advertise their vacancies through the Job Shop to students • The Union’s Election Assistants vacancy has been viewed 113 times in one day • The Wightlink Call Centre vacancy has been viewed 229 times in three days • The Buckingham Palace vacancies have been viewed 83 times in one day • The Agency Rights webpage has been viewed 356 times Gaining Employability Skills Are you looking for extra skills to put on your CV? Have you thought of part-time employment or volunteering to gain those employability skills? Many employers are now looking for graduates to have a range of additional skills with their degree and parttime employment will enable you to gain these employability skills. Are you looking for Graduate employment? Then go along to Purple Door Careers and Recruitment Centre and see the full range of services they offer, CV workshops, and employer visits, or arrange a meeting with a Careers Advisor. Don’t forget Purple Door’s Getting Prepared Week, 2nd- 6th March 2009, aimed at helping students find suitable careers. For more information please visit the Set up for Life website.
4/5 William Hobson
After visiting Lemon Sole (see Pugwash Issue 22), I was given the chance to pay the owner’s other business, Crofts Wine Cellar, a visit - and test their new student prices first hand. Literally a wine cellar located beneath the seafood restaurant, this is a more casual setting than Lemon Sole but one that’s still pretty classy. Normally I’d say the prices were a bit too classy (though not unreasonable), but if you bring your student card, from here on it seems like a bargain. There’s a bigger menu on offer, but the mportant thing to keep in mind is that your campus card lets you grab fish and chips for £5. We’re not talking greasy takeaway fare or Birds Eye breadcrumbs either, but beer-battered cod and fine cut steak chips - the same as you’d get upstairs. With lager or singles with mixers for about £2 making the crucial second half of the offer, the owner’s making a serious effort to get the student market in. The place itself is definitely a pleasant setting to raise a few glasses in, though it’d probably be best to start your drinking here (with a fish supper) if you’re out on the lash - otherwise its a calm, classy but cheap place to go out to. It’s early days for the cellars’ new approach though; the service was a little confused at times and they’ll need someone ready at the bar if people bite their offer, but its a little too soon to judge on that. I expect a busier business will find itself sorting this out naturally enough - this was the very first night after all. The fish and chips were extremely well class though, the lager is Becks, and there’s a good deal on stronger stuff like spirits or wine, and it’s a very well turned out venue. Whether you’re just looking for a fancy start to a night in nearby Gunwharf, need somewhere slightly informal but very impressive to take a date, you could do far far worse than Croft’s Wine Cellars. And for a classy, cheap drink you can’t really do better. But one thing you definitely need to bring is your student card - your passage to the nicest fish supper you’ll ever have.
Life & Style » Relationships
Life & Style » Money
Don’t be a stupid cupid
Free finance help
Ben Norman
So, it’s here again, Valentine's Day; the day mass consumerism is wedded to our insecurities by the marketing geniuses of Hallmark and Clinton Cards. A day of cheap flowers, heart shaped chocolates, novelty bears and forced romantic sincerity. For single people, February 14th is a day we hope only to survive rather then celebrate. For the attached man the day is a veritable romantic minefield, where one false step can send you straight back to the world of the lonely bachelor - a world of late night re-runs of Diagnosis Murder, watched among strewn pizza boxes.
Firstly there is the matter of cost, yes, the sordid matter of coin plays a role even on the most romantic of days. It's February, your loan has just limped through Christmas and now your bank manager is competing with your credit card company to send you the most abusive letters. You want to buy your better-half something romantic, but what do you choose? There are always flowers, nature's romantic cliché. But which ones? If you ask a florist, firstly admitting you're romantically ignorant, and once you've been asked how much you're willing to spend, you sound like a penny pinching character from Dickens. Then again perhaps one of those
little teddy bears with “I love you” emblazoned on it will do the job? Nothing says romance better then a mass produced bear, slaved over by some 14-year-old Chinese kid in a Beijing sweat-shop. And then, of course, she’ll want to go out and do something. What? Where? Just don’t forget to book well in advance, as every couple in the country has the same idea. Of course, all this pales in comparison to the lot of the single man. Try as we might we can't avoid being bombarded with adverts questioning our singleton status. By the time the 14th comes around paranoia has set in, and we become convinced that we're not with someone because we're
either socially retarded freaks, swimming around in the shallow end of the gene pool, or because someone's been spreading a malicious Facebook rumour. Anyway, according to internet sources, the original St Valentine was a Spanish hermit who resided in a cave in 713AD. Not exactly the most romantic sounding of Saints. So, I say forget this scruffy Spaniard, and snub Clinton cards. If you're attached, don't wait for a chubby cartoon cherub to force you to be Romantic - it's better to do it other days. If you're free and single, don't worry about it. Just make sure you turn off Diagnosis Murder and see actual sunlight at least once a week.
The Universities Student Finance Centre are running a Money Week between the 9th and 13th Feb. There will be drop in sessions and seminars on a variety of topics, from job hunting and CV tips, to how to protect your property and keep your bank manager happy. Email moneydoctors@port.ac.uk or visit: www.port.ac.uk/moneydoctors
for more information. Money Doctors is a free University service which operates out of the Student Finance Centre, based in the Nuffield Centre and are available all year long to offer financial advice and support to all students no matter what their financial situation is.
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
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Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Arts & Entertainment
Singles
Album
Miley Cyrus – “Fly On the Wall”
3/5
As a twenty-something male, I probably should not like Miley Cyrus as much as I do. Moreover, I probably should not admit this enjoyment so openly! But “7 Things I Hate About You” and “See You Again” were absolutely brilliant pieces of pop sparkle from the American teen. However, “Fly on the Wall”, the second single to be lifted from her “Breakout” album, does not quite live up to the same standards as her previous releases. “Fly on the Wall” sees Miss Cyrus attempt to express her feelings about grown up stuff. Like boys and how lame they can be. However the message is a little confused, with the video expressing Miley’s displeasure at her hounding at the hands of the paparazzi and the amount of press attention she gets. It seems the young lady is very confused about growing up! This confusion does not make for a great song. Don’t get me wrong, it is a pleasant enough song to listen to. It’s just not as fun as her previous releases. Therefore, I think Miley Cyrus should stick to what she is so good at: making fun pop songs that do not take themselves so seriously. - Chris Spackman
Manchester Orchestra - “I’ve got freinds”
5/5
I’m going to admit it right away: I love this band. Their debut LP “I’m Like A Virgin Losing A Child” was one of the best records of 2007, and, live, they blew me away time and time again, their heartfelt intense performances belying their youth. I was left with a slight concern as they faded out of view, back into the studio however; how could this Atlanta indie rock five piece, barely out of their teens, carry on this incredible thing they had created? If “I’ve Got Friends”, the first single from their forthcoming second album “Mean Everything To Nothing”, is anything to go by, then the answer is that Manchester Orchestra haven’t carried on as they were. They’ve become better. Bigger, more ambitious, more anthemic; everything they used to be has been expanded upon here, creating a magical, powerful sunbeam of a song which surely heralds not only the impending arrival of one of 2009’s best albums, but also the return of a truly special band who simply must be about to become huge. - Joel Growney
Games
Resident Evil 5 (Demo) Rating: William Preston
The number thirteen has always been shrouded in a macabre and mysterious light. What better way, then, to celebrate the thirteen harrowing years that the Resident Evil saga has provided us with. It seems only yesterday that I was screaming in terror after a group of zombies dived at my through a window for the first time. That’s enough nostalgia for now. XBOX 360 and Playstation 3 owners have been given the chance to preview the latest game in the series: Resident Evil 5. Taking place in Africa, the player takes control of Chris Redfield, the
all round apple pie scoffing, muscle man from the first game, as he investigates reports of a viral outbreak. In the Resident Evil world, viral outbreak is usually followed by mass amounts of zombies. Chris is joined by Alomar, a beautiful local who provides support and teamwork to the gameplay. To look at, the game is astounding. Your eyes adjust to the in-game lighting and the detail on surroundings provides an in depth experience. The infected locals are vicious and well armed. One of the demo levels required me to barricade Chris inside a house in an attempt to hold them off, only to have the windows, door, and even the ceiling penetrated by a horde of bloodthirsty zombies. With two playable levels on this demo, and online and offline two player support included, I am already shaking with anticipation of the full release.
Franz Ferdinand Tonight Rating:
Donald Vass Franz Ferdinand have returned after they had managed to lose their way. After their eponymous debut album reinvigorated guitar music and earnt them a Mercury Music Prize, legions of copycat acts blunted their edge somewhat. Skinny jeans became more Topshop than trendsetting, their much-talked about art school indie credentials had The Kooks’ PR team rubbing their hands with glee, and, by the time their second record had hit the record shop shelves, they sounded desperately middle of the road. When ‘Ulysses’ opens the record
then, you would be forgiven for wondering quite who you were listening to. The tempo has been slowed to a sultry dance floor swagger, understated whispered verses replace hyperactive guitar riffs, and they knowingly belt out the refrain, “I’ve found a new way”. They are stronger, sharper, and a lot more self-assured. ‘Turn It On’ and ‘Can’t Stop Feeling’ continue their confident new approach, but it’s album centre piece ‘Lucid Dreams’ that surprises the most - an eight minute electronic experiment, with a section of crunchy synth that would please even the most pretentious of Aphex Twin fans. The album does not depart entirely from their pop roots however, as they showcase on ‘Live Alone’, with a chorus sounding like some wonderful Blondie classic on Top Of The Pops 2. Tonight is the record that delivers what the band had always promised.
There’s no long line of ‘Take Me Outs’ ready for radio release - this is music for nightclubs, music to dance to, and music to love. Visit franzferdinand.co.uk to hear clips from the new album.
Interview Trace Cyrus from Metro Station speaks to Milly Youngman
How has the tour been so far? Honestly, it’s been amazing, it’s our second time in the UK. We came last time with Panic At The Disco, and kids didn’t really know who we were at that time - now they know all the words to our songs, and that’s an amazing feeling. Every show’s been sold out, it’s been a lot of fun. What do you think of the UK crowds compared to the US? There definitely is a lot of difference. America’s our home of course, but when we’re here I feel like they’re almost more insane...stage diving, crowd surfing and going all out. It’s not like they get to see us every other month like in the States where we’re touring constantly. So when we do come over here they’re very excited, and they show it, so it’s great. You have a US tour coming up with Fall Out Boy haven’t you? Yeah, it’s Fall Out Boy, and All Time Low and Cobra Starship, who we’ve played shows with before, but Fall Out Boy are at the top of our genre in a way, so it’s kinda like the best band we can tour with. I’ve been asked in interviews for ages now, if you could tour with one band, who would it be and I’ve said so many times Fall Out Boy, so it’s kinda like a dream come true for me.
Are there any other bands you’d want to tour with? Honestly, I think it’d be cool if we could tour with someone that’s not pop-punk; maybe we could tour with someone like Chris Brown, something like that would be amazing. What other bands are you into? When Metro Station started, it was a lot of electronica music, stuff like Depeche Mode, OMD, New Order, and the main band that got me into the style of music I’m making was The Postal Service, I love the Postal Service. But currently all I’ve been listening to is a lot of hip hop, R’n’B, basically anything that has drum beats. I don’t like real drums really, I like the electronic stuff, like synthesisers, drum beats; a lot of Lil Wayne and I love Usher! So yeah, a lot of R’n’B and hip-hop. Do you feel some of that comes across in Metro Station’s music? I think we definitely take a lot of styles from them; we have so many influences from everywhere, and I think that’s what makes our music so different. Which one album couldn’t you live without? Since I was a kid one of my favourite albums has been Guns and Roses - Appetite for Destruction. I don’t think I could go my life without that. That was definitely a huge influence for me growing up, the style and music and everything, those guys are amazing.
What did you think of “Chinese Democracy”? Honestly? It wasn’t bad, it was good...I just think that when you love someone’s old stuff so much, and wait for so many years for [the album] to finally come out, it almost loses the natural feeling. I feel like the album was kind of forced to be released; back in the day, I felt like that was really when their magic was happening. But I can’t say it was a bad album in any way.
What do you think the future holds for Metro Station? Hopefully I just continue to do the same thing, hopefully not in a small club any more -hopefully as time continues we’re playing arenas, because the point of this band is not just to, y’know, be cool and be some hip band or anything. The point of us making this music is to get it known worldwide, by as many listeners as we can. Really, we don’t wanna stop until we hit that goal, so basically to make it to the top. I think that’s any band’s goal, and we’re working as hard as we can to get there. And do you think a return to the UK any time soon is on the cards? Any festivals? There’s talk of us coming back to London; I don’t wanna say anything for sure, but there’s talk of us maybe coming back to do a festival, a little bit in the future. But it’s definitely something that I guarantee is gonna happen!
photo: Sarah Beck at flickr.com
13
Pugwash News Wednesday 11th February 2009
Arts & Entertainment
Gigs Stereophonics Bournemouth International Centre Alyson Bain
A cold evening in Bournemouth, and I arrive just in time to catch the support band “The Courteeners” - not bad at all, but there is no doubt who the sold out arena are here to see. After an interval of what seems like forever stood in front of a huge curtain, a boxing ring-style announcer pretentiously reminds the fans of the achievements the Stereophonics have impressively clocked up. The curtain falls as they launch headlong into the first song of the evening, ‘Vegas Two Times’. Kelly Jones stands in front of me, trademark glasses and leather jacket on, and his voice rings throughout the hall to the delight of the crowd. To say they were on form
Competition would be an understatement. They crank out the hits; next up are a couple of songs from their first album, ‘Word Gets Around’, ‘More Life In a Tramps Vest’, and ‘A Thousand Trees’, all sounding great through an impressive rig of amps. The on stage action is live filmed and projected onto huge screens. All in all it’s a top class production, as fitting for a top class band. The hits just keep coming, and the fans keep singing along; classics such as ‘Mr Writer’, Pick a Part That’s New’, ‘Have A Nice Day’ and ‘Handbags And Gladrags’ please the crowd and sound amazing. A slowed down acoustic version of ‘Maybe Tomorrow’ silences the hall, as all appreciate Kelly’s voice and guitar backed by a string section. The show, promoting their greatest hits album ‘Decade In The Sun’ rolls to a close with more acoustic songs, and ends in spectacular style with ‘Bartender And The Thief’ and ‘Dakota’ to end a great night.
Architects
Germany’s hero, Colonel Claus von Stauffenberg, considering Cruise’s recent media exposure However, he gives a convincing performance as the disillusioned Nazi who leads the plot to kill Hitler; also his likeness in appearance to the real Stauffenberg is uncanny. Cruise is well supported by an almost entirely British cast. Director Bryan Singer also constructs an interesting portrayal of Hitler as a very old man, given very little speech, powerless and overwhelmed by the realities of the war. Definitely one to watch for history lovers.
Seven Pounds
Wedgewood Rooms Ben Cataldo
Modern metal and heavier music in general has been dominated recently by American names; bands promoted by richer labels from overseas. TV and the internet make them hard not to notice, so it is easy to miss out on European talent. Brighton’s Architects are a proud exception to this rule, becoming more of a household name for metal fans each year. Following the release of their third full length album, “Hollow Crown”, their Wedgewood Rooms show was one of the first dates on the tour. The quintet emerged to their eager crowd and began with the well known ‘You’ll Find Safety’, a well chosen opener as the crowd responded with a level of
energy, the likes of which I have rarely seen in small venues. This energy was reflected on stage by the band themselves in a brilliant performance: the technical proficiency of Architects’ material was not compromised by their showboating and movement. The songs played were a mixture between the latter two albums, other than a revamped ‘To The Death’ which was met with a roar of approval. Nearly every word of the set was shouted back to frontman Sam Carter by their fans, sometimes loud enough to be heard over the PA. As well as these call backs, a large section of the audience showed their appreciation through the metalcore gig staple of “pitting.” The effect created can only be described as chaos; to metalheads, bliss. The night was also opened by the debut performance of ‘We Stare At Mirrors’: with what can only be described an amazing first show, be sure to check them out.
Films
Valkyrie
Emma Quigley
The assassination attempt on Hitler, which came so close to success, is often overlooked by history. Despite knowing the outcome, it is easy to get lost in the action and drama of this film, and start to believe in the way history could have gone. There was some controversy at the casting of Tom Cruise for the part of
Emma Quigley
From Gabriele Muccino, the director of The Pursuit of Happyness, this is the story of the brother of a government taxman who causes the deaths of seven people, including that of his wife, in just seven seconds. In an attempt to relieve himself of the guilt, he makes it his personal quest to change the lives of seven complete
Pure FM Show of the Fortnight:
TV Skins E4
Cat Fyson
Skins is a teenage drama set in Bristol. Its third series begun two weeks ago on E4, introducing a new generation of stereotypes for us to favour or despise, led by Effy, the sister of previous series’ lead Tony. This series tells the story of characters who associate with Effy, who I suppose could be described as the “waster” of the group, and is hellbent on taking drugs and getting laid.
strangers using his brothers identity to select those most in his need. Yet another serious role for Will Smith, he is a world away from previous roles such as the Fresh Prince of Bel Air. This film does not follow a typical narrative structure instead the plot is pieced together much like a puzzle which means that you cannot help but come up with your own possible theories until the revelatory epiphany moment at the end. Sentimental types (like myself) will have a tear brought to their eye by this heart-warming story.
Sound familiar to Skins fans? She bares striking resemblance to the character Chris from the previous series. Then there’s Freddy (nothing notable about him except he enjoys skating), and the twins Emily and Katie who of course are not all that alike. Then there’s Pandora, the “weirdo” – this really is emphasised. Finally, there’s Naomi, who is hopefully going to become a more interesting character. Forgive me for reviewing the new series so soon, but it seems it’s already scoped itself for its remaining time period on our televisions. First thing I noticed from episode one was that these characters do not compare at all to the first two series; there is no depth or charm to them. In series one
and two a sense of the personalities as three-dimensional was shown from the very start in characters like Tony and Sid. But this lot are two dimensional stereotypes that don’t seem to fit together. Episode two seems to throw the group together, with no indication of having a friendship beforehand. Overall, although it’s maybe too early to tell, it seems not enough thought has gone into this series, even down to casting lank Mackenzie Crook as a drug-dealing gangster – is that meant to be ironic? Visit e4.com/skins to catch up on the series so far.
Six Nations Rugby For the first time in Pure FM’s history, the station is joining forces with two other student radio stations to bring you a unique mix of network shows. With weekly coverage of the RBS Six Nations games, there will be two shows each week, hosted by a different radio station each time! The stations that we will be involved with are Belfield FM (Dublin, Republic of Ireland) and Storm FM (Bangor, Wales). So Pure FM will truly be going international for a few weeks. Keep logged on to the Pure FM website, (purefm.com) for infomation on when the shows are going out over the Six Nations Period. Tune in for the very best of sports by student radio.
Win a chance see the hottest bands at the legendary Shockwaves NME Awards Tour 2009!
The Shockwaves NME Awards Tour is back, and bigger than ever! Famous for discovering the likes of The Killers and Arctic Monkeys, this year’s line-up won’t let you down! Electrifying Scottish rebel rousers Glasvegas are headlining, supported by Friendly Fires, White Lies, and Florence And The Machine - three of the most exciting acts on the 2009 indie-rock circuit. The tour will storm across the country in the weeks leading up to the renowned ceremony itself, hitting the Portsmouth Pyramids on 19th February, and courtesy of headline sponsor Shockwaves, three winners can win a pair of tickets to the gig. Of course you will want to look the part so Shockwaves is on hand to perfect your rock star style. For a rough and ready finish, get Go Matt Clay, (RRP £2.99). Apply to dry hair with your fingers, creating texture and definition with a totally wicked matt finish. And Shockwaves Tuff Stuff (RRP £2.49) will give a cool style that’s heat and sweat proof. You’ll need this serious staying power for a long night of rock ‘n’ roll debauchery! To get your hands on a pair of tickets, simply tell us the venue for this gig and send it to: competition@ upsu.net
For info Shockwaves
on visit
www.style-attractplay.co.uk and on
the Shockwaves NME Awards 2009 Tour visit www.nme.com/
awards
Arts & Ents Stereo
Here at Arts & Ent’s HQ, we got bored of Internet generated charts, so we decided to put a playlist together of our own. We asked our contributors to give us the track they are listening to most this fortnight, so we can share it with you; get listening! Donald Vass: Emmy The Great - First Love Tallie Kane: The Shins - New Slang Ben Cataldo: Tool - Stinkfist Jacob Leverett: William Shatner - Rocket Man
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Purple Wednesdays Wednesday 11th February 2009
Sports
Behind the Scenes with This year’s Freshers; next year’s the... champions UP Dance Committee This week we get on our dancing shoes and put our best foot foreward to introduce you to the young ladies of the Dance Club. Enjoy... Name: Sally Jones Role: President Comment: Loves a good 3am pizza and her favourite rugby boy.
Name: Kirsty McElwaine Role: Vice President Comment: Loves the ‘libes’ and a bit of club dancing.
Name: Rachel Rose O’Brien Role: Squad Captain Comment: Loves the pigeon banter and the UPDC socials. Name: Kimberly Parrish Role: Squad Captain Comment: Is going to be Beyonce’s back up dancer one day for ‘Single Ladies’.
continued from page 16 slowly walked forward and threw a perfect one-two combination, which landed neatly on his opponent’s chin, sending him to the canvas and silencing the crowd. Paul’s opponent never recovered, and Paul had his first victory in the boxing ring after just 17 seconds! William Jasper was our final boxer up on the night, facing a short stocky puncher. Will is also a Fresher, but has shown very good technical ability within the gym, making him a boxer to consider for next year. Will picked his points in the first round, landing effective combinations and easing himself into a comfortable lead going into the second round. The Cambridge boxer stepped up a gear in the second and forced the pace, swinging wildly, unsuccessfully trying to use his extra strength to full effect. In the last round Will started to falter on fitness and got caught with a couple of shots. In the last twenty seconds of the bout Will was hit with an elbow in the eye, causing the ref to deduct two points from his opponent for an illegal blow. Will finished the round and narrowly missed out on the victory, despite a
Comment: Gets way too messy and hates playing chess. Name: Charli Evans Role: Social Sec Comment: Tour Virgin! Enough said Name: Natalie Harris Role: Kit Sec/Costumes Comment:Has no shame after a few... dancing on stage for Calvin from Hollyoaks perhaps? Name: Diane White Role: Wednesday Class Rep Comment: Likes doing impressions of bugs when intoxicated.
Name: Claire Tindell Role: Volunteers Co-ordinator Comment: Loves nothing more than bangers and mash and onion gravy. Name: Kayleigh Marsh Role: Events Co-ordinator Comment: Genuinely couldn’t be happier about the world and everything in it. Name: Gemma Mepham Role: Peformance Co-ordinator Comment: Doesn’t like meat. Whey.
cus, Paul made it through the round. The second round saw Paul using his movement and intelligence to pick the punches rather than relying on power alone. In the third round Paul was all over the Oxford lad, forcing a standing count and totally dominating. Paul won the bout by a clear margin. Matt “The Whirlwind” Wilcock - team Captain for the second week running - was up next against a tall opponent, easily matching Matt’s height stats and guaranteeing interesting bout before it even started. Matt used superior footwork and precise punching to win without even a clean punch landing on him. He demonstrated a great deal of knowledge, experience and confidence to gain a convincing victory. Head coach Wayne Gardiner commented: “With a new bunch of boxers stepping up to the plate, I was very happy to see the team forming and the potential from each and every boxer for a Gold medal next year.” A very productive evening all round, and even more preps for the novice squad, who taught some of the finest minds in the country a lesson about boxing.
Varsity’s coming home Ben Endley
Name: Samantha Miles Role: Social Sec
proficient technical display. This was followed up the next week by an equally impressive display when Lewis Caldwell, Paul Mitchell and Matt Wilcock travelled to Oxford and competed in the 96th Annual Town vs Gown Boxing show. Lewis was first up in his first ever bout - the nerves got to him a bit and he had a very hard time of it in the first couple of rounds, but he stayed the course and then exploded into his stride in the last round, scoring some lovely southpaw rear hands, nearly stopping his opponent on several occasions, making the decision a lot closer for the judges. Lewis lost the bout by a couple of points, but learnt a heck of a lot and was nonetheless impressive in his first bout. Paul “Hands of Stone” Mitchell was coming into this bout very confident, after his 17 second stoppage of the Cambridge boy last week, Paul came up against a strong hitting southpaw from Oxford, nearly ending up on the receiving end of an early knockout, similar to the one he had delivered the previous week. Paul was caught with a shot and sent to the canvas in the first 20 seconds. After getting to his feet and finding his fo-
It has been confirmed, a short time before going to print, that one particularly distinguished guest will be in attendance during Varsity later this month. The guest in question has been around since 1871, is loved by millions and has been kissed by countless heroes and millionaires; the FA Cup will be taking pride of place during Varsity, adding extra spice to the occasion. As if the chance to defeat Scumhampton was not inspiring enough, now it will be done in the presence of the definitive symbol of British sporting success. Guaranteed to be the largest event of its type in the South, and one of the top three Varsity days in the country, this event is a very real way to settle the inter-city rivalry and promises to be one of the most important sporting
events in the history of either University. Bragging rights will definitely be on offer and, despite the fact that current rankings place Southampton six places and just ten points above Pompey, many teams will be confident of getting a result on the day. Over 550 student athletes will be making the short 19 mile journey up the M27 on February 22. They will be joined by over 130 supporters, guaranteeing that this will be a day to remember. The event will see 24 different sports played in 45 different events, hosted in numerous venues across the City of Southampton. Sports Officer Simon “Darby” Leach commented: “It is about time the two Universities recognised the city rivalry. With so many fixtures on the day, it should be a great event and is likely to attract interest for city-dwellers outside of the University.” The Universities of Portsmouth and Southampton will finally realise their
fierce city rivalry by competing against each other in a huge one day sporting competition. The first annual Varsity Match will be hosted by the University of Southampton, and see over 1,000 competitors battle for supremacy. It has been organised by the Athletic Union of each university, as a way to settle the traditional competition between the two cities, and there will be on-site music and radio broadcasting. Sports represented: American Football Netball Badminton Rugby Basketball Squash Indoor Rowing Swimming Cricket (indoor) Snooker Fencing Tchoukball Football Tenpin bowling Golf Tennis Hockey Ultimate Frisbee Roller hockey Volleyball Taekwondo Sailing Lacrosse Wakeboard
Sport » Swimming
A Drop in the Ocean “Fresher Jenny”
Before I came to Uni, I knew I was always going to join some sort of team or society; it’s the only way to really enjoy the university experience! So, with that in mind, I went along to Freshers’ Fayre, and joined the swim team. I swam before coming to uni, but you don’t have to be a great swimmer to be on the team. There are two sections to the team - the competitive team, who swim in national competitions and train regularly, and there is a social team, who swim at their own pace, or just speak to other swimmers in the pool. Since joining the swim team I have
met loads of awesome people, in all different years, and it’s good to hear their stories and experiences. By far the best bit about swim team is the socials! We have them every Wednesday, normally in the Union and with some sort of theme, from Lifeguards to Pirates. One of my favorite memories is the first Fresher social; it was an army pub crawl round Southsea, and we had to get on the floor every time we heard a whistle blow. The sight of about 30 people dressed in army clothes falling to the ground in a pub is something not to be missed! It’s great to go out with different people, and with great social secretaries, the socials are well organised, and everyone knows what’s go-
ing on. Swim team are a great group of people. When I first started I thought there was going to be split and Freshers’ were going to be picked on my the older members of the team, and -I’m not going to lie - we do get our fair share of abuse, but each Fresh is given an older mum/dad, who look after them and it helps bring the team together so that there isn’t a split. It’s like having a swim team family! Joining the swim team is the best thing I have done since being at uni! You should try it and see for yourself - come along to Re-Fresher’s Fayre at the Union on the 11th Feb and join a team, club or society!
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Purple Wednesdays Wednesday 11th February 2009
Sports
Tchoukball Club taste victory Match Results Pompey Men 54-23 UoP UoP 51-45 Bournemouth University Sudbury 50-32 UoP Pompey Ladies 51-39 UoP Oliver Laurenson-Gore
The University Tchoukball Club participated in their first National League Tournament on Sunday 25th January; their opponents included included Broadland’s Blazers and Portsmouth Tchoukball Club, as well as the University Teams of Southampton and Bournemouth. Two groups, each consisting of four teams took part. The Tchoukball Club's first match placed them up against the highly rated Pompey Men. The most exciting element for the team was that this was the first time that the team had faced Dave Going (The University Coach) and Alex French (PTC Coach) together, as this was Dave’s first game after his injury. With Dave in defence, Pompey knew it was going to be difficult, but on two occasions Dave actually got beaten by their shots. One of the big positives the University Team can take from the first match is that the style of play is improving, but there are some technical abilities to be developed. Another positive was the spirit in which the match was played, with the Pompey Men encouraging the University side
throughout. The end result was 54-23 to the Pompey Men. The University side were then up against Bournemouth University. This was probably the most exciting game at the tournament, as both teams were only established in October and both were keen to show that they had come on further than each other. The game started off in the first third very strongly for Portsmouth, taking the advantage early on with some good play by Jamie Warner, shooting at the Bournemouth defensive line at the right angles so they were not able to catch the ball. What Portsmouth was taking advantage of was the new tactics which the Portsmouth Tchoukball Club had taught them during the last two weeks of training to speed up the game play. The end of the first Period saw the score level at 18-18. From the team talk at the end of the first period, the Portsmouth Team battled on and continued to control possession. Andrew Roach was fantastic in defence, making a number of fantastic pick-ups to make sure that no shots were missed for Portsmouth. This was also true of Jenny Jokkourt, playing in centre pivot and controlling the game so that Bournemouth was totally confused by the University Team’s tactics. By the end of the second period of the game, the win looked likely, but with Portsmouth in the lead by only a few points, at 33-27 this match was by no means over. Before Christmas the University Team played Bournemouth and had narrowly lost in the last period of the
game, so this was an opportunity not to be wasted. With all players pulling together and maintaining focus, UoP were able to maintain their lead to the end of the match, eventually achieving the result that the team had hoped for in four months; our first win. This was a moment that would start the history of winning in the Tchoukball Club. The final score was 51-45 to Portsmouth. The next two games, which were played straight after, were matches against Sudbury and Pompey Ladies. The efforts and energy had been exhausted by this point, however in the Pompey Ladies match the University were leading both the first and second period but by then the team lacked energy to move around the D to defend the shots from the Ladies. This however is promising and shows the team has got to learn to remain focused throughout the entire match. The University Team at the end of the Tournament came in a respectable sixth place, ahead of Southampton and Bournemouth Universities. The next focus for the University Tchoukball Club is training for the Varsity Tournament in February against Southampton.
If you would like any information about the Club or you would like to join please contact us through our website: uoptchoukballclub.sports.officelive. com
First Team triumph in close derby match Netball Firsts Netball Seconds
37 29
Gabby Johnson
When measuring how exciting cup ties go for the University of Portsmouth Netball Club; the Firsts and Seconds going head to head, both fighting for a place in the quarter finals has got to be right up there with the best of them.. The Second team went into the game undaunted, despite knowing that the First team have yet to lose a game all season. Winning the coin
toss, the Second team took the centre pass well, and gained the first goal of the match! Amazing interceptions from the Second team Goal Keeper, Emma Wicks, allowed her team to gain a noticeable advantage. At the end of the first quarter the Second team narrowly led 6-9, offering just a glimmer of hope that they could win the game. Unfortunately as the game went on, the First team's determination allowed them to gain possession and even the score. Rapid passing between First team Centre Court players, Beth O’Neill, Jordan Sapsed-Byrne and Alex Milligan, al-
lowed for three consecutive goals made by Shooter Kaly Smith. The second quarter finished with a score of 17-16 to the Firsts, followed by a nail biting third quarter ending with the score 26-24 to the Firsts. Showing great sportsmanship throughout, a fun, exciting match was had by all 14 players. Winning the match with a final score of 37-29, the First team gained their well deserved place in the quarter finals of the BUCS Cup. The quarter final will take place on the 11th February at Langstone courts against the London School of Economics.
photo: Tom Worman
This week it’s the battle of the boozers, as two social secs from the same club go head to head!
Name: Freddie Dare Club: Cricket
Name: Rachael Britten Club: Women’s Cricket
What has been your most embarrassing moment? When I got back from the first Cricket social (to the Isle of Wight), I passed out in a mate’s flat with a badly cut hand, stinking of sick, with a lot of Haribo rings down my boxers!
What has been your most embarrassing moment? I opened my curtains Thursday morning to find a crusty sick residue down the outside of my window...
When were you last naked in front of someone? Gonna have to be boring in this question - it would be my girlfriend.
When were you last naked in front of someone? My housemate walked in on me in the shower, yesterday.
When was the last time you cried? My 20th birthday - I was so drunk that when I got home I ended up crying on my mate’s shoulder, and I still have no clue why!
What’s been your most expensive night out? 436 euros…it’s all about the Crystal
What's been your most expensive night out? Definitely Ed Lye's birthday - I spent £140, have no idea what on, I don’t remember a lot from that night, but between 10 of us over £1000 was spent!
When was the last time you cried? When I woke up after realising I’d spent 436 euros on 3 bottles of Crystal, and I didn’t have a hangover!
If you were invisible for the day, what would you do? Would have to be rob a bank - I need the money (although I’d probably put it all on red!)
If you were invisible for the day, what would you do? Anything but go into the male changing room (too standard!)
What was the last lie you told? When I was spotted coming out of Coral, I told the person I was watching someone else bet!
What was the last lie you told? You’re not THAT beige...
Who was the last Sporto you chatted up or got chatted up by? Would have to be Luke (the Gym and Tramp Team media sec), he’s constantly trying to turn me gay!
Who was the last Sporto you chatted up or got chatted up by? William (my housemate) tried his luck after the shower incident, only then realising the potential right under his nose.
What did your last text message say and who was it from? 'your missin out, they have roulette at tiger tonight...unless your here?'
What did your last text message say and who was it from? It was from the cricket president, to remind me to fill out these questions and send it off by Wednesday.
This year’s Freshers next year’s champions
Wayne Gardiner
Portsmouth University Boxing Club have gone straight to the top of the class, following excellent performances against teams from both Oxford and Cambridge Universities. The squad was a newly formed group of four Freshers, guided and Captained by Matt “The Whirlwind” Wilcock. First in the ring was “The Cypriot”, Pagagiotis Koumorous, up against two year veteran, L Wilson from Cambridge Uni. Koumorous started extremely well at first, landing some heavy rear hand combinations, rocking the Cambridge boy to his knees and stacking up valuable points through the first two rounds. In the third, Wilson poured the pressure on the tiring Koumorous, trying to force him out of his rhythm. This didn’t happen however and a lovely front hand hook saw his opponent given a standing count by the referee. Koumorous was awarded a unanimous victory from the officials. Next up was James “Baby Faced”
P WDL
Williamson, against another Cambridge lad who looked like he had been sleeping in fertiliser (he was 6ft 5in tall), and this made us aware we would have a difficult bout from the off. James did not falter, he went into the first round with technique and style, trying to bypass the range of this monster and land point scoring blows on his way in. In the second round, the Cambridge lad started to slow up, as his fitness and technique were both awful; the guy was just relying on heart and strength. James applied the pressure as much as he could, but unfortunately the victory went to the Cambridge lad. Paul Mitchell is yet another Fresher who was making his debut against a very popular Cambridge Boxer; on entering the ring the crowd went wild for Paul’s opponent, who, obviously not wanting to let the crowd down, came out swinging a wild combination of around twenty punches. Paul reacted and defended well, taking these punches on the arms and gloves. After this ten second barrage, Paul continued page 14
photo: Jacob Leverett Womens’ Basketball lost their first game in two years, but remain top of their league - making them our Team of the fortnight.
Hockey Men’s 1st Rugby Union Women’s 1st Netball 1st Lacrosse Men’s 1st Basketball Women’s 1st Squash Men’s 2nd Football Men’s 6th Netball 4th Hockey Mixed 1s SESSA Football Women’s 1st Hockey Women’s 2nd Badminton Women’s 1st Hockey Women’s 1st Squash Men’s 1st Football Men’s 3rd Football Men’s 1st Rugby Union Men’s 2nd Tennis Men’s 2nd Football Men’s 2nd Football Men’s 4th Netball 3rd Hockey Men’s 4th Rugby Union Men’s 4th Volleyball Men’s 1st Hockey Men’s 3rd Football Men’s 5th Netball 6th Netball 5th Squash Men’s 3rd Hockey Men’s 2nd Hockey Women’s 3rd Basketball Men’s 1st Rugby Union Men’s 1st Rugby Union 1st XV SESSA Football Women’s 2nd Netball 2nd Rugby Union Men’s 3rd Badminton Men’s 1st Badminton Men’s 2nd Lacrosse 1st Hockey Men’s 5th Tennis Men’s 1st Basketball Men’s 2n Fencing Women’s 1st
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Sport » News
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Team of the fortnight
PWs needs your club news!
As was mentioned in the previous issue, a number of our university teams have already won their 1A leagues. This week we take an in-depth look into the performance of one of these clubs. The Womens’ Basketball club have distinguished themselves above many others over the last few seasons. Gaining promotion to 1A following an undefeated season last year, few would have given them much chance of repeating the feat. One year on however, the team has won 19 of their last 20 games and are looking at the possibility of reaching the top flight; to do this they must overcome Leeds on Febuary 18. They have had to overcome some
...and features, and photos, and socials, and anything else you want to tell us about your club! It’s easy to get a mention in PWs - just e-mail everything to sportnews@upsu.net, visit www.upsu.net/newsdesk, or come in to the Sabb Office at the Union and have a chat with us any time!
Ben Endley
A University of Portsmouth lecturer has had her artistic talents recognised with a new position at Fratton Park. Jackie West, a lecturer in the Animation Department, based in Eldon Building, has become Portsmouth Football Club’s first ever Artist in Residence. A keen Pompey fan, Jackie is a regular visitor to Fratton Park and has not missed a home game in over two seasons. She has been producing football related works for several years, using a variety of techniques to capture the atmosphere of games. Unusually, much of her work is
based on observations of fans rather than the players. Jackie has been through a fair bit of discomfort for her passion: “I would sit either on scaffolding used by Sky or on top of a security cabin until my hands got too cold. It was vital to be outside amongst the fans to take in the atmosphere. The film footage was invaluable; playing it back really transports you back to the game.” Her paintings came to the attention of Pompey bosses while on display at the Portsmouth City Museam - Football in the City Exhibition. PFC operations manager Lucius Peart was so impressed with the paintings theat he invited Jackie to take up the official post.
impressive opposition along the way, including St Mary’s, whom they beat 75-69 earlier this year. Team captain Becky Lush comments: “This year our team has had players that have really improved, but it really has been a team effort, not just relying on one player.” A number of players have distinguished themselves through their performance, and she particularly praised the efforts of sports scholar Annika Lohennis, along with Franziska Keich and Fresher Laura Wallman for their hard work over the season. As with all this year’s league winners, we will be keeping you up to date with results through the knockout stages.
For more information, see: upsu.net/p/2166